Northwestern begins construction on Vogel Welcome Center

Construction is underway on Northwestern College’s Frank and Lois Vogel Welcome Center. The $3.1 million facility will be located just north of Christ Chapel and will house the admissions, financial aid, and marketing and communications offices. It is expected to be completed by August 2021.

The building will be named in honor of Frank Vogel—a 1947 Northwestern alumnus who served as president of Diamond Vogel and was a 28-year member of the college’s Board of Trustees—and his late wife, Lois.

“It is so fitting the Frank and Lois Vogel Welcome Center will be the space where guests are welcomed onto campus,” says Greg Christy, Northwestern’s president. “You could not find a more hospitable couple. This building will sit at the intersection of downtown Orange City and the ‘front door’ to Northwestern’s campus, two of Frank and Lois’ great loves. We miss Lois dearly but are grateful Frank continues to be very engaged in the mission of Northwestern College. With the lead gift of $1 million for the Welcome Center, the legacy of the Vogels and their commitment to Northwestern will now be permanently recognized at the campus entrance.”

The facility, part of Northwestern’s campus master plan since 2012, is designed to make a standout first impression. “Visitors will be greeted in an inviting, comfortable reception lounge with soft seating, a fireplace and a stunning red glass wall displaying the college logo and our Raiders Stand Out promise,” says Tamara Fynaardt, vice president for enrollment and marketing. “They’ll be offered refreshments and shown to private conference rooms where they can meet with staff from the admissions, financial aid or alumni departments who will talk with them about our Christian academic community and invite them to be a part of it.”

The 9,300-square-foot facility has been designed by BVH Architecture in consultation with Tetrad Property Group, both of which have offices in Lincoln and Omaha, Nebraska. Hoogendoorn Construction of Canton, South Dakota, is serving as general contractor.