Groundbreaking Ceremony Launches Campus Expansion Projects

Dr. Reno Hoff, Salem Mayor Janet Taylor, and Board of Trustees Chairman Tom Carlson break ground for the new construction projects.

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With an eye on their future growth, Western Baptist College broke ground on a new Chapel / Fine Arts Center and student residence hall, Feb. 27. To commemorate both projects, Western Baptist President, Dr. Reno Hoff, Salem Mayor Janet Taylor, College Board Members and friends of the College scooped the first shovels of dirt at the location of the new residence hall on the upper campus.

The new $1.7 million 18,000 square foot residence hall will have two floors and is scheduled to be completed in August. Located above and behind the Academic Center, below the C.E. Jeffers Sports Center, it will house 72 female students.

"Today we dedicate this project by breaking ground on two buildings," Reno told onlookers. "It's a little unusual for a college to begin two projects like this at once, but we're ready."

Mayor Taylor expressed her happiness for the college's growth.

Western Baptist is part of a great city," she said. "The college is more than a school, it's an economic engine to this area with dedicated employees who work and serve on campus. We all look forward to these buildings being built and the beginning of a new era."

Reno said the project's major donor suggested we use Psalm as part of the center's name.

"It will be called the Psalm Fine Arts Center and a plaque will contain the words "Praise the Lord" as a reference to Psalms 111-113, which begin with those words," he said. "It's a reminder of God's promises and we hope visitors will read these scriptures passages later."

Work on the new $3 million Chapel / Fine Arts Center will begin in May. The complex will transform the look of the lower portion of the college grounds. It will also provide a 700 seat venue for Chapel services, music events and theater productions. The building's exterior will feature natural stone accents and will overlook the front of the campus facing northwest towards the city of Salem.

At the beginning of the current school year, a record 167 freshman were enrolled (up 16 percent) which increased students in-residence by 11 percent. With approximately 740 students, just over 600 are traditional full-time. Degree completion, on-line and weekend college students comprise the remaining student body.

"Last Fall our residence halls were beyond capacity and we had to make room," Hoff said. "This new facility will have a great view of the valley and a true Northwest look. Each floor will be cement based, will be efficient to heat and maintain, plus, there will be a large common area and balcony on each floor. Another unique feature will be the sky bridge from the new parking area to the second floor."

The College's $9.9 million Capital Campaign is a joint project to expand and modernize the look of the campus, which includes expanding parking availability. Hoff said the groundbreaking ushers in a new era at the college.

"We've been planning for more growth so this is a wonderful challenge to have," Reno said. "Our supporters are making this growth possible."