Bryan College will host a groundbreaking ceremony for the new Stophel Center Wednesday at 10 a.m. Glenn and Jackie Stophel will join Bryan trustees, faculty, staff, and students for the commemorative ceremony.
Construction of the Stophel Center is anticipated to be completed by July 2019. The two-story building will encompass 18,000 square feet and will be located at the top of the new entrance, making it the first building to greet arriving guests.
The building will house 25 offices including Admissions, Advancement, Marketing and Executive Offices, as well as, a medium-sized banquet facility. The Stophel Center is among the first of several capital projects funded through Bryan’s ‘2018 to 2020 Making a Difference: Vision to Reality’ initiative and is estimated to cost $3 million.
In April, Bryan College leadership surprised long-time supporters Glenn and Jackie Stophel by announcing that the welcome center will be named in their honor. The announcement came during the 11th annual Bryan Opportunity Scholarship Program fundraiser attended by more than 500 friends and supporters of the college.
Mr. Stophel served as a member of the Bryan College Board from 1978 to 1986 and again from 1992 to 2010. He served as chairman of the Board from 1996 to 2003 and later served as legal counsel to the College from 2010 to 2015. Presently Mr. Stophel serves as trustee emeritus in honor of his service to Bryan College.
Dr. Stephen Livesay said, “We are thrilled that our vision for the welcome center will soon become reality. With the groundbreaking of the Stophel Center, we are taking great steps in the right direction towards Bryan’s future. We are pleased to honor both Glenn and Jackie Stophel and look forward to welcoming visitors to our campus at the center that bears their name.”