FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, May 3, 2008

CONTACT Aubrey Streit, (785) 227-3311, ext. 8274

BETHANY BREAKS GROUND FOR NEW APARTMENTS

LINDSBORG, Kan.—Bethany College students, staff, faculty and community members gathered May 2 to celebrate the construction of a new apartment-style residence hall for students.

An artist's rendering of the finished apartment-style residence hall now under construction at Bethany College.

"On this windy spring day, we can feel the Holy Spirit moving at Bethany College, and guiding us towards our future," said Bethany College President Edward F. Leonard III at the event. "It's been too long since the last time a groundbreaking for a building took place on campus. Now, I'm thrilled that we have two more groundbreakings to look forward to in the near future."

The construction of the residence hall is funded by Bethany College's recent bond issue, which also will fund upcoming additions of laboratory space to Nelson Science Center and weight rooms to Stroble-Gibson Gymnasium.

"This is the future," said Bethany student Yaphete Msgna, who took part in the groundbreaking. "Bethany is headed a new direction, and projects like this are one reason why morale on campus is so good."

Msgna said he previously had planned on living off-campus next year, but with the construction of the new hall, "I have to reconsider."

Bethany Board of Directors Chairperson Tad Doering; students Kimberly Streit, Kelsey Cavit, Gabe Harter, Yaphete Msgna and Adam Peterson; and Bethany College President Edward F. Leonard III helped break ground for a new residence hall at the college.

The hall, which has not yet been named, will house 67 students and one residence life staffer. It will include 16 units – each with four bedrooms, two bathrooms, a kitchenette and living room – along with a three-bedroom unit compatible with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Bethany College Board of Directors Chairperson Tad Doering gave a welcome at the event. Campus Pastor Noni Strand was joined by Pastor John Kreidler, administrator for the Central States Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, in blessing the building site on the corner of Kansas Avenue and Olsson Street in Lindsborg.

Jeff Gillam, with Jones Gillam Architects in Salina, drew plans for the new residence hall. The hall's builder is Woodco Construction Solutions, Inc., based in Republic, Mo.

Bethany College, established by Swedish Lutheran immigrants in 1881, is a college of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. The mission of Bethany College is to nurture and challenge individuals in their search for truth and meaning as they lead lives of faith, learning and service. Bethany College is on the Web at www.bethanylb.edu.

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