With the constant construction occurring across different sites of campus, both Halbert Walling and the new football stadium are scheduled to open in 2017 as part of the Vision-In-Action initiative.

Scot Colley, director of risk management, said that both projects have made great progress within the past couple of months including the installation of the last press box stadium beam last Monday and Walling furniture arriving in November.

“The Stadium is moving along great.  As with any construction project there are challenges along the way.  We have not had any recurring challenges,” said Colley. “Halbert Walling is doing very well and we are anticipating having classes in the building January of 2017.  We are currently in the process of completing the interior finishes, and will install begin furniture and equipment install in November.”

Director of athletics Lee De Leon tweeted an announcement on Oct. 17 for any student, faculty or staff member to sign the last beam after chapel. Several students left names, momentous and notes of encouragements as a sign of leaving their mark on the forward pursuit for athletic excellence.

Colley said the stadium has had its share of challenges, but is continuing to aim for the opening of the first home against Houston Baptist on Sept. 16, 2017.

“We are on schedule to be completed for the first home game in 2017,” said Colley. “It is an aggressive construction schedule but we have a great group of contractors that are working together well and are keeping on schedule.  It is exciting to go by the site each day and see the progress.  As you can see it is coming up quickly.”