The new sign on the corner of Ambler Avenue and North Judge Ely Boulevard is almost finished after about three months of construction.
Kelly Young, chief financial officer, said the new sign will serve as a monument that is both pleasing to the eye and will help identify the campus.
“The purpose is to provide a welcoming and impressive statement to students and guests that you’ve ‘arrived’ at ACU. Many universities have such monument signs,” Young said. “We want students, guests and visitors to Abilene to know they’ve arrived at a place of substance and permanence.”
Young said the location was chosen because it is a primary entrance to ACU’s campus for people traveling into Abilene from around the country.
“Gratefully, the funding for this new sign was provided by gifts from generous donors,” Young said.
Young also said there are plans to build two smaller monuments on the corners of Ambler Avenue and Campus Court and North Judge Ely Boulevard and East North 16th St. when funding is available.
The new sign is very similar to the front gates located at the entrance of the Onstead-Packer Biblical Studies Building and has details that match the architecture from various buildings on campus.
Outside contractors, architects, ACU construction, the landscape and grounds crews and the physical resources department have worked collaboratively on the project Young said.
The main construction on the sign is complete and landscaping around the sign will be added soon.
Samantha Lakey, senior nursing major at Hardin Simmons University from Hamlin said the sign was a little unnecessary.
“I think that it is honestly just for show. If it was for the betterment of the school, couldn’t the money have been spent better elsewhere?” Lakey said. “I mean, ACU’s campus is already nice and has a lot of appeal so it kind of speaks for itself. But I do see that the purpose is so people coming from I-20 will be able to identify the school better.”
Brittney Tunnell, junior international studies major from East Texas, also said the sign will serve as a great identifier for the school.
“I definitely understand students being upset about the new sign because of the money it takes to build it, but I think it makes sense to have a sign in that location,” Tunnell said. “With this sign and Google maps, no one can miss us now.”
