CampusNEWS
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BY ROBIN SAYLOR
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An architect's rendering shows locations for the first buildings in Phase I of Allen Ridge, the urban development planned at the corner of Ambler Avenue and Judge Ely Boulevard.
The Hill Shopping Center in Dallas, Texas. Renderings show Allen Ridge’s buildings featuring large windows overlooking a pond and landscapes, with waterfront outdoor dining, a park and a walking trail. The university has owned the property since the 1940s, and it was known as Allen Farm for the Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences through the 1990s.
Construction work begins on Allen Ridge development
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Spring-Summer 2019
ACU TODAY
Eaton named dean of spiritual formation and university chaplain
SCOTT DELONY
The university broke ground on the highly anticipated Allen Ridge in late June, beginning construction of four buildings (a total of 26,000 square feet) as part of the planned urban development’s first phase. Four restaurants were among the first retailers to sign leases – Blue Jean Café, The Biscuit Bar, Fuzzy’s Taco Shop and Phoenix Pho. Once completed, Allen Ridge – located at the intersections of Ambler Avenue, Interstate 20 and Judge Ely Boulevard – will offer an upscale leisure, shopping and living village for the north side of Abilene. Plans include a high-end, multi-family residential building in addition to a hotel, restaurants and retail shops. “Our goal is to build something unique in Abilene, a place on the north side where people can spend time, relax and build community,” said Kelly Young (’85), vice president of Abilene Christian Investment Management Company (ACIMCO). Examples of what Allen Ridge will look like include The Boardwalk at Granite Park in Plano, Texas, and
Cyrus Eaton, who began work Oct. 15, 2018, as ACU’s dean of spiritual formation and campus chaplain, said he has been encouraged by the number of people who care deeply about where Eaton the university is headed in the area of spiritual formation. “I believe this is a place where
God is at work doing a great number of things,” he said. Eaton’s job is to oversee Student Life programs related to student spiritual development, ranging from Chapel to small-group Bible studies and mentoring. Eaton, who earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Belmont University, comes to Abilene from Nashville, Tennessee, where he was part of the campus ministry team at Lipscomb University. While at Lipscomb, he worked with Dr. Scott McDowell, who became ACU’s vice president for student life in July 2018 and hired Eaton shortly after. “Cyrus brings a maturity that is beyond his years that I would equate to the biblical concept of wisdom,” McDowell said. “The Lord has shaped who he is, and it is noticeable in all the right ways. He’s the kind of man I want my sons to be like.”
Hansen Reading Room, Packer Forum added to Brown Library Brown Library is celebrating two new spaces for teaching, learning, collaboration and study, expanding its ability to serve as a hub for the university’s academic life. Former longtime trustee Ray Hansen (’53) was on campus Nov. 2, 2018, to celebrate the dedication of the Nancy and Ray Hansen Reading Commons with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Many of his colleagues, friends and family joined the special dedication. Namesakes are Ray and his late first wife, Nancy (Waters ’53). The Reading Commons will provide a community space for book browsing, reading and special literary events. Construction began this summer on the Barry and Diane Packer