CampusNEWS
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BY ROBIN SAYLOR
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$20 million gift commitment tops PITJ campaign goal
Dillard Hall becomes a new home for sophomore women A growing enrollment and the generosity of a donor couple from Dallas have combined to create a new on-campus home for sophomore women at ACU, starting this fall. Gayle (’57) and Max Dillard are the namesakes of 85,000-square-foot Dillard Hall, a renovated residence hall once owned and operated by Christian Village of Abilene. The three-story building at 633 E.N. 19th St. will house about 170 students, serving as ACU’s 11th residence hall and providing much-needed living space. The university’s 2015-16 freshman class was its largest in three decades. “Max and Gayle believe strongly in honoring women for the role they play in the development of the faith of children,” said president Dr. Phil Schubert (’91). “Their gift is a tremendous blessing as it helps provide an important living space for women on this campus.” Established by University Church of Christ, Christian Village opened in 1986 as a nonprofit independent living facility for seniors. Land for the project was donated by ACU. Residents often were alumni and retired faculty and staff, as were 56
Summer-Fall 2016
ACU TODAY
many of Christian Village’s trustees. Seeing the facility’s future in jeopardy in recent years because of shrinking occupancy, Christian Village board members approached ACU in 2015 about the possibility of purchasing the property and restoring its initial connection to the university. The Dillards’ gift made the residence hall a reality. “We’re very grateful to ACU for purchasing Christian Village’s building,” said David Swearingen, president of Christian Village’s Board of Trustees. “We can’t think of a better way for Christian Village to be used in the future – as a place for students to live as they prepare for life as young Christian adults.” Gayle Dillard attended ACU in the late 1950s, and together the Dillards have seen three children and three grandchildren attend the university. Max Dillard is managing director of The Dillard Group of Texas, LTD. Apartments at Dillard Hall contain a living space, bedroom and kitchen for two to four students. The first two floors have an indoor commons area, and the third floor has an outside deck.
DR. SALLY REID
Dillard Hall is adjacent to Barret Hall on the west side of campus.
Thanks to a $20 million commitment, ACUs’ Partnering in the Journey campaign has exceeded its $50 million goal for endowed scholarships to assist in making college more affordable for students. The gift by Lacy (’61) and Dorothy Harber of Denison, Texas, is the second largest to scholarship endowments in ACU history. “It’s hard to put into words how meaningful and significant this gift is, but know this: Scholarships change our students’ lives. And our students change the world,” said Dr. Phil Schubert (’91). Including gifts made since June 1, 2010, 105 new endowed scholarships have been created and 67 existing endowments received $10,000 or more in new funding. More than 700 households made first-time gifts to ACU’s endowment
during the campaign, which has raised nearly $51 million since its public launch in 2012. The Harber Bible Endowed Scholarship Fund will be used to provide scholarships for students in the College of Biblical Studies. When funded through their estate, the endowed scholarship will be one of more than 700 directly benefiting ACU students. All freshmen receive financial aid, which makes endowed scholarships an important tool for attracting the best students and providing them valuable assistance toward earning a degree.