Western Baptist College’s newly constructed Psalm Performing Arts Center was officially opened and dedicated on April 22, as students, employees and guests gathered inside to take part in the historic first chapel service held there.

From the stage a student music team led nearly 600 attendees in an hour of singing and worship thus marking the end of 15 years of chapel in the college’s C.E. Jeffers Sport Center. During some brief comments prior to his dedication prayer for the center, President Reno Hoff recalled chapels in years past.

“When I began working here in 1969, the faculty and staff sat on the stage in the Emitte Center and looked out at the student congregation to see if they were attending chapel,” Hoff quipped. “We’ve always desired to have a signature building on our campus and the Psalm Performing Arts Center is just that. It sets the mood for spiritual gathering and other events that we’ll hold here.”

The complex has transformed the look of the lower portion of the campus. It will become a venue for music and theater productions, and campus ministry events. The 15,635 square-foot building overlooks the city of Salem. The permanent stadium style seating and main floor will accommodate an audience of 700 people. A state of the art sound and lighting console is complimented by computerized video and graphics capabilities projected on two large viewing screens.

Work on the $3.7 million project began in May 2004 and its completion coincides with the name change to Corban College on May 7, following commencement ceremonies.

The project’s primary donor suggested the college use Psalm as the building’s primary name. A plaque will be placed near the center’s entrance which will contain the name and a reference to Psalms 111, 112, 113 at the donor's request.

Sophomore Michelle Howden is very grateful for the new center. “Like others, I feel so blessed that we can have this new facility to use, to share, and enjoy."

At the conclusion of the first chapel service, attendees signed a guest book that will be placed in a time capsule to be buried on campus. The capsule will also contain other items that will communicate much about life on campus in 2005.