Board members updated on campus developments

Board members learned that some significant lead gifts have been made toward the launch of the college’s forthcoming comprehensive capital campaign. The campaign’s anchor is a new learning commons, which will include a library and archives, computing services center, writing center, classrooms, auditorium, prayer room and coffee shop. Other campaign components include the first phase of a renovation of the Rowenhorst Student Center and funds for academic innovation and student scholarships.

Trustees gained an understanding of how the campaign and other new campus projects—including the development of learning goals for students and a strategic planning process—tie together in a vision for a “new way to do college” that integrates academics, student life and spiritual life as well as an emphasis on reflection that leads to wisdom, according to President Bruce Murphy.

“The learning commons will be a physical symbol of this new way to do college, with features that contribute to all three areas of students’ lives—academic, social and spiritual,” says Murphy.

Board members also heard from a panel of recently promoted and tenured faculty who spoke on such topics as why they chose to teach at Northwestern and how they integrate their faith in the classroom. In another session, trustees viewed posters illustrating faculty research on subjects ranging from Christianity and the Enlightenment to macroinvertebrate drift on Santa Cruz Island and teaching creative writing.

Recognition was given to four retiring board members: Dr. Adrienne Forgette, who has served four years as faculty representative and will assume the new administrative role of associate dean for academic affairs in July; the Rev. Gary Hofmeyer of St. Petersburg, Fla., who served six years; the Rev. Irving Rivera, Bronx, N.Y., who served for six years; and Arlan Van Wyk of Sheldon, Iowa, who served eight years.