John Brown University raises $100 million for scholarships, construction, programs
by January 12, 2017 5:11 pm 214 views
John Brown University of Siloam Springs has raised more than $100 million from about 13,000 donors toward its $125 million Campaign for the Next Century: A Hope and a Future, the school announced Thursday (Jan. 12).
The campaign is scheduled to end September 2019, on the 100th anniversary of the university’s founding, and is intended to cover a broad range of projects.
About $35 million will be used to support annual scholarships, and $32 million will be used for renovations and new construction. The campaign is also planned to help pay for academic research initiatives in addition to operations of a broad range of academic programs, including nursing. About $23 million will go toward that effort, according to the school.
“We are very grateful for the many people who have given generously to help us reach this milestone, knowing that all of those gifts help support JBU’s important mission to train students to honor God in service to others,” JBU President Chip Pollard said in a press release. “From endowed scholarships for low income families to the successful launch of our new nursing program, we’ve already seen those gifts at work in the changed lives of students.”
The money that’s already been raised includes $12 million to help fund JBU’s nursing program and build a health education facility, $6.5 million to build the Simmons Great Hall venue, $5.5 million to renovate the historic J. Alvin Brown Hall, $3 million to renovate and convert Northslope Apartments for university housing and $5 million to revamp the Walton Lifetime Health Complex.
The complex reconstruction is complete, and it reopened Dec. 7, 2016, complete with expanded parking, a new tennis courts and community trail, in addition to a new community entrance that creates better access to the fitness center for the public. The renovation also included new locker rooms and a new pool deck.
Campaign projects that are underway and not yet complete include $35 million in scholarship money, for now and in the future, $10 million for academic research, $25 million for and $6 million for a renovation of Mayfield Hall.
“One of the wonderful things about the Campaign for the Next Century has been how we’ve been able to match the different giving priorities of our donors with a variety of exciting programs,” Jim Krall, vice president for university advancement, said in the press release. “From sending students to Middle Eastern archaeology digs to modernizing our health complex, we’ve provided opportunities for donors to impact areas closest to their hearts.”
JBU has beefed up its scholarship offerings in recent years. For the 2014-15 school year, the JBU Scholarship Endowment fund generated $1.8 million in scholarships for more than 600 students. That is nearly a 200 percent increase over the amount generated a decade ago, according to the school.