Huntington College News Release
Contact John W. Paff, Public Relations Director (260) 359-4048 or 358-7074
Huntington College receives major grants
Funds further plans for new science building, residence hall
FOR RELEASE November 23, 1998
HUNTINGTON, IN— Huntington College’s plans for a new science building and residence hall received a major boost today, as Lilly Endowment Inc. announced it will award the Christian college more than $7.7 million in grants.
Through its 1998 Capital Improvement Program, the Indianapolis-based Endowment. will award Huntington College $5 million for a new science building, $1.7 million for the renovation of Brenn Hall, and $1 million for a new residence hall. The grants are part of a state-wide initiative benefiting the Indiana’s regionally accredited private two-and four-year colleges and universities. The Capital Improvement Program is designed to enhance the efforts of these institutions in attracting more Indiana students, retaining them through graduation with a baccalaureate degree, and helping them secure employment in Indiana.
"We are so very grateful to Lilly Endowment," said College president G. Blair Dowden. "These are the largest grants we have ever received from the Endowment. This investment is a tremendous vote of confidence in our students and future graduates."
The timing could not be better. Since 1996, Huntington College has planned to add new facilities as required by increasing enrollment. The capital improvements prioritized in the school’s 1996 Facilities Master Plan are keyed to a total enrollment of 1,000 students. With exactly 900 students enrolling this fall semester, College administrators are eager to begin construction.
"Our student body has increased 56% since 1993, and early indicators suggest another strong enrollment next year," said Dowden. "Such rapid growth could present significant challenges without careful planning and adequate funding. With these grants, Huntington College will be much better prepared to provide the best service and highest quality education to our rapidly
growing student body. These grants will be a tremendous help as we prepare for the Twenty-first Century."
Huntington College adopted its Facilities Master Plan in 1996 to prepare for projected enrollment growth. In addition to much-needed student residence halls, the highest priorities identified were a new facility for the Division of Natural and Mathematical Sciences, and the renovation of Brenn Hall into general classroom and faculty offices. These two projects total $21 million in capital improvements to the campus. With $7.7 million provided by the Endowment, College administrators are now planning a major capital campaign to secure the additional funding needed for these strategic projects.
New Science Building
Huntington College’s current science building, built in the early 1960’s during the Space Race,
no longer adequately houses the school’s Division of Natural and Mathematical Sciences. A year ago, encouraged by positive enrollment trends, faculty and administrators began planning a new science facility. "This building will benefit all Huntington College students as they complete core requirements in mathematics and the natural sciences," said Gerald D. Smith, professor of physics and chemistry. "Further, the new center will open additional doors of opportunity to students preparing for careers in the health professions, computer science, mathematics, physics, chemistry, environmental science, and related fields."The new science building is being designed to provide more adequate teaching laboratories, research laboratories, classrooms and seminar rooms, additional office space for a growing faculty, and laboratory support areas. The 76,000 gross square foot facility will include three biology teaching labs, four chemistry labs, a joint biochemistry lab, an instrument lab, two lecture classrooms, computer labs, a general physics lab, an electronics lab, and five small research labs. It will also have a technology support center, machine shop, conference room, and seminar rooms wired for multimedia and computer-aided instruction. Safety infrastructure has been an important feature of the new facility’s design. There will be elaborate air handling equipment, specialized prep rooms, segregated chemical storage areas, hazardous waste holding area, and cylinder storage. The facility has an estimated total cost of $18.5 million, including equipment and a $2 million endowment for operations and maintenance.
The new building will enhance the learning process in both the lecture hall and the laboratory. Its design will encourage student/faculty and student/student interaction. Instructional quality will be enhanced through additional opportunities for interactive learning and undergraduate research. Further, the new science facility will improve Huntington College’s ability to recruit students and to retain them through graduation.
Brenn Hall Renovations
Upon completion of the new science building, the current Brenn Hall of Science will be converted into classroom and faculty office space. The renovation project will cost an estimated $2.5 million, of which $1.7 million has been granted by the Lilly Endowment, Inc. Plans include the creation of seven general classrooms, a language instruction area, computer laboratories, and 12 faculty offices.
To ensure that classes can be scheduled when students need them, additional general-purpose classrooms are already needed for Huntington’s current enrollment of 900 students. For every additional 50 students enrolled in the future, another general-purpose classroom will be required to enable Huntington College to keep class sizes small and schedules flexible.
Huntington College is distinguished by its small classes and low student-faculty ratio. As the student body has increased over the past five years, so have the number of faculty and the need for faculty office space. As additional students enroll, more full-time faculty member will be hired and additional offices will be required.
Additional Residence Hall
Huntington College is currently building the first of several small residence halls called for in its 1996 Facilities Master Plan. This student residence will open next fall, but were it available today, it could be filled with students now living in neighborhood houses and apartments owned by the College. The $1 million grant from The Lilly Endowment, Inc., will enable the College to make plans for a second such residence hall. The extra space is needed: the number of resident students has grown more than 44% in only five years.
The College’s new resident halls are designed with upperclassmen in mind, accommodating their desire for progressively more independent living arrangements. The facilities will accommodate about 48 students each, and will feature rooms designed for single and double occupancy, comfortable student lounges, dining facilities and study areas. The new residence type is seen as an alternative to traditional residence hall rooms.
Huntington College is an independent, four-year, Christian liberal arts college. Founded in 1897 by the Church of the United Brethren in Christ, Huntington College offers graduate and undergraduate degrees in nearly 50 academic concentrations. Huntington College is located on a contemporary, lakeside campus in Huntington, Indiana.
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