SUMMER ENDORSEMENTS FOR TEACHERS START MAY 13th!

Expand your opportunities. Advance your career. Get SET this summer with summer endorsements for teachers.

Arrow

GU celebrates start of building projects with two groundbreaking ceremonies

Published: May 13, 2022

Greenville University celebrated partnerships, legacies, and enrollment growth on Friday with groundbreaking ceremonies for two construction projects.

With the sounds and excitement of the Men’s and Women’s Track and Field NCCAA National Championships in the background, members of the Robert “Ish” Smith family and the W. Richard Stephens family, along with representatives from Greenville University and the City of Greenville, broke ground at the site of the future athletic building. The building will be located at the John M. Strahl athletic complex along Elm Street.

GU celebrates start of building projects with two groundbreaking ceremonies

At the site of the future athletic building are (left to right) Greenville University Board of Trustees Member and representative of the GU athletic building taskforce Steve Ellsworth, Robert “Ish” Smith’s son Chuck Smith, and daughter Cyndi Oglesby, GU President Emeritus W. Richard Stephens, Greenville Mayor George Barber, Greenville University President Suzanne Davis, Greenville University Director of Athletics Tom Ackerman, and Greenville University Chief Development Officer Scott Giffen.

A building to honor “GU Giants”

The building honors the legacy of the late Robert “Ish” Smith, former GU president and baseball coach, and GU President Emeritus W. Richard Stephens, who was instrumental in starting the Panther Football program in 1987.

Greenville University’s athletic program is built on a legacy of stellar coaches and leaders, like Smith and Stephens, who exemplified GU’s mission of character and service. Today, GU Panthers stand on the shoulders of these giants, envisioning a newly enhanced athletic complex that extends the heritage and vibrancy of Panther athletics into the future.

GU celebrates start of building projects with two groundbreaking ceremonies

Architectural rendering of the future athletic building. Rendering does not reflect final design.

The vision for the building includes additional stadium seating and rentable event space. The building will feature the Robert “Ish” Smith Athletic Hall of Fame showcasing baseball memorabilia from Smith’s collection from his time serving with U.S.A. and World baseball organizations.

“I know [Ish] would be so pleased at what’s going on today and what’s going to happen with athletics,” said Greenville Mayor George Barber. “He believed it’s not about winning or losing, it’s about pouring character ideals into these student athletes, and that’s the main focus for both [Ish and Rich] and… we try to do that at Greenville, and we hope to carry on that legacy.”

The W. Richard Stephens Clubhouse includes much-needed restroom facilities and locker rooms for multiple athletic teams. GU currently hosts football, soccer, baseball, softball, and track and field events at the athletic complex.

“W. Richard is one of the three GU people who were key in my life,” said Steve Ellsworth, a 1980 GU alum, business affairs committee chair on the GU Board of Trustees and representative of the GU athletic building taskforce. “I got involved with the athletic building to honor both Rich and Ish, but also as a trustee, I understand the financials. Sitting in my office in Colorado, I felt the call of the Holy Spirit say, get involved.”

Construction at the site is scheduled to begin in late August 2022, with a target date for completion in the fall 2023.

GU celebrates start of building projects with two groundbreaking ceremonies

At the site of the future residence hall are (left to right) HSHS Holy Family Hospital President and CEO Kelly Sager, Greenville University Chief Culture and Diversity Officer Katrina Lopez Liss representing Student Affairs, Greenville University President Suzanne Davis, Charles McPherson of CMI General Contractors, Inc., and Greenville City Manager JoAnn Hollenkamp.

Plans for residence hall stem from enrollment increase

A second groundbreaking ceremony took place at the site of the future residence hall on College Avenue. The planned four-story 40,000 square foot building will accommodate 246 beds, a student center with a food venue, and a campus store. Thanks to a partnership with St. John’s College of Nursing, the building will feature classrooms prepared for nursing instruction and other STEM classes. The strategic location connects students to the downtown square and increases economic development opportunities for the City of Greenville. The institution envisions the new residence hall as a space where students live, learn, work, and play.

The building will be named Kaufmann Hall in recognition of Ken Kaufmann and family for their extraordinary generosity, hospitality, and service to Greenville University.

GU celebrates start of building projects with two groundbreaking ceremonies

Architectural rendering of future residence hall on College Avenue. Rendering does not reflect final design.

Representing St. John’s College of Nursing and HSHS Holy Family Hospital Greenville at the groundbreaking ceremony was HSHS Holy Family Hospital President and CEO Kelly Sager.

“We are going to step into an age where we’re not only going to bring more students to Greenville University, but we’re also going to bring new residents to our city, to our county, to grow our own nurses, to care for our friends and neighbors in this rural healthcare community.”

Greenville University has increased total enrollment by 6% during a global pandemic while the national average is down 5% and Illinois independent colleges are down on average by 9%.

With GU’s current and projected growth, and the cost of updating older residence halls on campus, GU administration determined a new campus residence hall was the wisest investment for the University.

“As Burritt Hall celebrates its 100-year anniversary, we also recognize that the average age of our residence halls can be a limiting factor for student engagement,” says Suzanne Davis, GU president. “We are excited to announce the opening of this residence hall to meet the needs of our students, while providing an anchor toward the town square for economic development. The City of Greenville has been excellent to work with as we create a space along College Avenue for our students to live and learn.”

Both capital projects are being funded through a capital lease agreement and by GU donors.

Construction begins July 1, 2022, with a completion date projected for Fall 2023. During construction, street closures may include the south portion of 1st Street between College Avenue and Oak Street. The university will provide construction communication updates through its social media channels.

Both projects gained approval from the Greenville University Board of Trustees, and Greenville City Council Members unanimously approved the residence hall construction. Contracts for both projects were awarded to CMI General Contractors, Inc. Nonyameko Waddell, a resident of Greenville, serves as project manager for both projects.

Innovative, immersive, interconnected

Experience. The Difference is a phrase that reflects the spirit of GU. It’s an invitation to experience how GU makes a difference for students through an innovative style of immersive education and interconnection with external partners, preparing students for the workforce with a resume of experience. Both construction projects are strategically designed to enhance the GU experience for students.

For more information on the projects, including renderings, and to follow along with construction, visit www.greenville.edu/projects.

Ready for your next steps?