A song lyric from my high school days has been running through my mind lately: 鈥溾here鈥檚 a party going on right here, a celebration to last throughout the years鈥elebrate good times, come on鈥.鈥 As I write this 鈥淩eflecting Along the Journey鈥 column, 阴APP导航 has just experienced a joyful occasion marking both an epic accomplishment and a bright future.

In 2023, the Board of Trustees stepped out in faith and approved an ambitious building project along with a capital campaign to fund it. The Freshman Village at 阴APP导航, with the brand-new Glory Residence Hall as its centerpiece, was on its way from vision to reality. To construct Glory and renovate Roxanna Booth and Gribble Residence Halls, the college needed $25 million. To address this need, the 鈥淐reating Home: It Takes A Village鈥 Capital Campaign was launched. Rather than financing these critical projects through debt, the decision was made to 鈥減ay our way鈥 to preserve the long-term financial health of the college.

In just under 36 months, the 鈥淐reating Home鈥 campaign crossed the finish line, raising more than $25 million. On June 1, a crowd gathered on the spacious patio of Glory Residence Hall, overlooking Myles Plaza and the distant mountains, for one reason: there was a party going on to celebrate good times!聽 A steel drum band set the festive mood as members of the Board of Trustees, faculty and staff, donors, students, alumni, and friends of the college came together to celebrate the milestone and look toward a promising future.

Reflecting on both the event and the campaign itself, two important takeaways stand out.

First, together we turned ambition into achievement. The capital campaign and construction of the Freshman Village united alumni, friends, faculty, staff, and students behind a common and worthy purpose. A shared dream became a transformative reality through collective generosity. Individuals who believe deeply in the mission of 阴APP导航 gave generously and sacrificially to ensure the college remains competitive amid the growing challenges facing private higher education. Standing in the heart of the Freshman Village today, what once seemed aspirational now stands as a lasting testament to community, commitment, and vision.

Second, while the campaign is complete, its impact is only beginning. Generations of students will have doors of opportunity opened because of the investments made by generous donors. This is true not only of campus enhancements such as the Freshman Village, but also of scholarships and academic programs that will continue shaping lives far into the future. The gathering on June 1 was significant because the conclusion of the campaign signals the determination and resilience of the D&E community to ensure a stronger and vibrant future for the college.

Glory Residence Hall was named to remind all who enter of God鈥檚 glory. Standing on the patio of this newest campus building on June 1, I was deeply aware of God鈥檚 blessing upon our college, and the opportunity to be a blessing to both today鈥檚 students and generations yet to come. In that moment, it became clear that what once seemed an ambitious vision had become a defining achievement in the life of the college.

It truly is a time to 鈥溾elebrate good times鈥ome on.鈥

The journey continues鈥


Chris A. Wood
President
阴APP导航