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Campaign News

Bethel College informed the J.E. and L.E. Mabee Foundation that Bethel donors had met their latest Mabee challenge.

The resulting funds are for the transformation of the old Science Hall into a new, state-of-the-art Academic Center.

The challenge, given by the Mabee Foundation in April 2010, was to raise $921,424 in gifts and commitments in one year in order to receive $725,000 from Mabee. Alumni and friends not only met but exceeded the goal, giving or pledging more than $1 million.

“More than 850 donors contributed to the Academic Center project,” said Sondra Bandy Koontz, vice president for advancement. “We are grateful to all of them for making this long-desired dream a reality.”

She also noted that Bethel College donors “have never left a Mabee challenge on the table. Bethel’s record is safe.”

This was Bethel’s sixth successful Mabee Foundation challenge, the most recent grant being for the sports stadium complex, completed in 2005.

Construction will begin this spring, with an official groundbreaking ceremony scheduled for Saturday, May 21, at 4 p.m. as part of Alumni Weekend activities. The event will take place near the old Science Hall and is open to the public. The old Science Hall, constructed in 1925, is the second oldest building on campus after the historic Administration Building.

The center – comprised of the current building plus an addition on the east side – will house the departments of Bible and religion, business, history, mathematics and computer science, nursing, social work and teacher education, including classrooms, faculty offices and labs.

Additional Information

Contact a member of the Advancement team for updates on our progress, and for details on your role in the renovation of this grand old building.

Read more about how you've supported Bethel in past campaigns, and view campus structures and projects that have been completed as a result of the campaigns.