Vision in Action continues to initiate the biggest transformation to ACU’s campus in more than 50 years.
Through donations exceeding $100 million, ACU has completed renovation and updates to the Onstead Science Center and engineering and physics laboratories in Bennett Gymnasium, along with the construction of the Halbert-Walling Research Center, Wildcat Stadium and Elmer Gray Stadium.
“When institutions make big investments in things that matter, it signals to the entire community to question what’s possible,” Dr. Schubert said. “And it gives people the boldness to live into their vision in a different way.”
While the new golf and tennis facilities were not a part of Vision in Action, many donors brought ideas for their donations throughout the campaign. Schubert said these donors expressed a want to invest in those programs to help them achieve a new level of excellence.
“A saying I’ve heard a lot is, ‘we’re not only moving into Div. 1 athletics, but we’re also moving into Div. 1 academics’ in a whole host of areas by the investments we’re making,” Schubert said.
Schubert said before Vision in Action, university leaders considered expansion and development, but it was never a real possibility until receiving significant donations.
“This was a great balance of major academic facilities as well as embracing our move into Div. 1 athletics, with the stadium,” Schubert said. “It brought donors in from a whole host of different areas and interests that really represented our constituency so well.”
Vision in Action is a $110 million plan, meaning that at least $10 million still needs to be raised to meet the goal. However, Schubert said he is amazed at the ability of the ACU community to contribute such generous donations.
“It’s just unbelievable,” Schubert said. “The willingness of our people, who signaled so deeply how they believe in this place and what we’re capable of, to come to the table with that kind of funding is so rewarding.”
Now that the key projects have been completed, Schubert said the greatest need for renovations moving forward is in residence halls. However, there is currently no plan to move forward with these updates.
