McPherson College, a Kansas institution known for its dedication to helping students find balance and success, as well because its innovative Automotive Restoration Technology degree program, is reimagining its campus with regard to the future—funded in part by a successful $55 million capital campaign that will supercharge the largest-ever investment in new buildings in its 135-year history.

McPherson College released renderings today of the three new building projects that will be the centerpiece of this historic campus update: Campus Commons, the Boiler House plus the Holman Center regarding Athletics. All of these projects have one thing within common: they are built around how students learn and live in the 21 ^st century, giving them the resources and support to do their best work.

Alumni and visitors attending McPherson College’s Homecoming celebration on October 15 will be able to see designs from the new structures and the particular progress made toward their completion since part of a walking tour. This will provide the opportunity to envision these projects in their campus setting.

In addition to the new structures, nearly half of the $55 million within new funding will directly support educational initiatives on campus, such as student scholarships, Health Science, Automotive Repair and other academic programs and growth areas.

“This is a truly momentous announcement for McPherson College, plus nobody deserves it more than our hardworking students, faculty, and staff, ” said McPherson College President Michael Schneider. “We are changing the face of our own campus in a way that puts the needs of our college students first plus prepares them for the future, thanks to the tremendous assistance we have received from across the country. ”

The 55, 000 square-foot Campus Commons will certainly serve as the particular beating heart of student life upon campus, providing a state-of-the-art event venue, service hub and place to grab the bite—while passing through a three-story atrium along with classic cars on display, celebrating McPherson’s one-of-a-kind Automotive Recovery degree program.

$20 mil in financing will go in order to The Commons, a true signature facility which will accommodate McPherson College’s growth and provide a new “front door” to the campus, with a prairie-inspired design that provides a welcome to the particular city associated with McPherson.

The building will contain the new campus dining service, a coffee shop, college student store, flexible coworking plus collaboration space, as well as several administrative offices, the new Dalke Center housing Career Services and a Welcome Center intended for new learners. It will be a bold move away from the current student union and toward a center that makes sense for the way students live and study on a 21 ^saint century campus.

The particular Boiler House is an indoor-outdoor dining and event area with flex seating, yard games, fire pits plus a large outdoor screen and stage area.

The Central heating boiler House is truly the college hangout to get the next generation: an indoor-outdoor space along with flex seating, yard games, fire pits and a large outdoor screen and stage area—the perfect location to socialize and collaborate with classmates. It is usually an imaginative reuse of McPherson’s existing utility building to create an entirely brand new campus gathering point. In addition , the Holman Center pertaining to Athletics—an expansion of the existing sports facility—will give McPherson’s teams a modernized venue as they compete in the fast-changing dynamic for university athletics.

Beck Design, a good architectural firm that specializes in higher education and cultural institutions, led the design for McPherson’s new buildings. The company, which has workplaces in Brand new York, Oklahoma City and Tulsa, operates with a mission of creating spaces that will enhance the particular quality of life associated with those who work, reside and research in them—which the new buildings exemplify.

“It is definitely an honor to play a part within re-imagining the campus of McPherson University, a true gem in this region, ” said Paula Beck, Principal of Beck Design. “The Campus Commons and Furnace House in particular truly emphasize the firm’s ethos of collaboration driving revolutionary experiences meant for students. ”

McPherson is not just building brand new cutting-edge additions to the campus; it is helping its students enjoy it with significantly less debt. In conjunction with the campus improvements, McPherson is also announcing a significant contribution associated with $3 million toward the pioneering Student Debt Project , which provides matching funds for students who hold jobs while attending school—helping keep costs manageable at a time of rising costs designed for essential items such because food and transportation. As a result of the particular Student Debt Project, McPherson College has one of the lowest average pupil debt at graduation rates among four-year colleges and universities within Kansas, giving students the ability to hit the particular ground running and take more of the earnings from their own first post-college jobs home with them.

“The Student Financial debt Project offers made it possible just for me in order to receive a top-quality college education with the personal touch McPherson provides, and graduate with an extremely manageable amount of debt, ” said Lola Hipp, a graphic design student at McPherson College. “I have family members who have struggled with college financial debt, and McPherson has produced it possible for me to pursue my education in a good affordable method. ”

Nearly 40% associated with all McPherson students were engaged in the College student Debt Task during the last school year, along with participants within the system achieving the higher-than-average 3. 3 GPA. Nearly 60% percent of participants had less than $2, 500 in debt by the end of the last semester—with half of those students already becoming debt free. And 93% associated with students that participate in the Pupil Debt Project have remained in school.

“I am very proud that the most forward-thinking university town is in the middle of the country, ” stated Mayor Tom Brown, Mayor of McPherson, Kan.,. “I have a feeling this is not the last time McPherson College will be making news. Great things are usually ahead for our college and our city. ”

Today’s transformative investment in the future of McPherson College was catalyzed by a $25 mil donation in May from philanthropists Melanie plus Richard Lundquist , which marked the Lundquists’ first significant donation outside of their California home. Their gift provides helped attract other donors.

“When I first learned about McPherson College through my interest in classic vehicles, I has been immediately inspired by the sincerity and function ethic from the students and the way they were empowered from the culture on campus, ” said Richard Lundquist. “It felt right to make this special place our 1st significant philanthropic investment outside our house state and shine a lot more light upon the magic happening on the Plains. ” Lundquist recently joined McPherson College’s Board of Trustees.

McPherson College offers more than 30 undergraduate degree applications to its more compared to 800 college students, representing 33 states plus seven countries. Its nationally renowned Automotive Restoration Technology degree plan has earned the support of car collectors, including icon Jay Leno, and its learners plan to compete in among the automotive world’s signature events, the particular Concours d’Elegance at Pebble Beach, Calif. next year.