MACU Announces Groundbreaking Ceremony
Mid-America Christian University (MACU.edu) is pleased to announce a groundbreaking ceremony Wednesday, October 10, 2012, at 10:00 a.m. on the MACU campus.
The new 32,000-sq. ft. education facility will help accommodate the burgeoning growth of the Mid-America student population. This fall Mid-America celebrates a record enrollment of 2,424 students, an 18% growth over last year, and an unprecedented 176% over the past four years alone.
The building will be named Kennedy Hall for Church of God pastors, Rev. Murrell Kennedy, 99, of Louisiana, and his late wife, Rev. Lolita Kennedy, as a result of a generous gift made by W. Elton Kennedy, of Mer Rouge, Louisiana.
MACU is an endorsed agency of the Church of God (Anderson, IN), and one of the leading institutions preparing men and women to pastor and lead within the Church of God. Currently, about 20% of the student population is pursuing ministry-related programs.
President Fozard said, “The Kennedy siblings—W. Elton Kennedy, Sylvia Kennedy Grubbs, and Glenna Kennedy Oldham—have each been dear friends of Mid-America over the years. It is a privilege for us to honor their parents, Murrell and Lolita Kennedy, who modeled the values we cherish at MACU—knowledge, devotion, and service. This building will stand as a tribute to their faith in God, their labors on behalf of the Church of God, and belief in Christian education.”
The team developing the building for the university includes the following Oklahoma City companies: Cornerstone Development, RBA Architects, and L. Wallace Construction. Adam Wallace, CEO of L. Wallace Construction said, “This is a team effort, and we are looking forward to helping Mid-America realize a dream. It’s a blessing for us.”
University Provost Kathaleen Reid-Martinez has played a significant role in the development of building and the utilization of its space on behalf of the faculty and students. “Naturally, the design will be functional to classroom and office needs. But we have also purposefully designed spaces to help facilitate and encourage people to create, innovate, and collaborate. This type of interaction is central to the mission and vision of Mid-America.”
Once completed, the new facility will feature the University Library and computer lab that will be largely sheltered by a grassy berm. The second floor/ground-level is dedicated to classroom space and collaborative spaces, as well as fluid classroom space that can be converted to an area for conferences and seminars. The third floor will house faculty offices and meeting areas.
The building’s exterior will incorporate construction resources natural to Oklahoma including brick and highlights of natural Oklahoma rock and stone. Current plans for the interior include color schemes reflected in Oklahoma nature such as red earth, green fields, golden wheat fields, and blue skies.
The groundbreaking ceremony for Kennedy Hall will take place at the building site, east of the Administration Building on the main campus. In the event of inclement weather, the ceremony will be held in the University Chapel in the Administration Building. The event is open to the public.
To join those who have contributed, privately and publically, to the building fund, please contact University Advancement at 405.692.3191.
Mid-America Christian University is located at 3500 SW 119th St, in Oklahoma City, Okla.
Mid-America Christian University (MACU) offers a Christian liberal arts education through two dynamic colleges. The College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) offers undergraduate degrees to traditional residential and daytime commuting students at the main campus in Oklahoma City. The College of Adult and Graduate Studies (CAGS) makes college education affordable and accessible to busy working adults and graduate students. Programs are offered online, at the main campus, and through the north OKC location. Visit www.MACU.edu for additional information.
