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 Dowling Auditorium of Restoration Hall and two
classrooms in the E-Wing of the Charles A. Mills Administration
Building were the focus of the classroom upgrades. The funds were
used to paint and replace furniture in each room, plus add carpet in
the two Administration Building classrooms and replace the carpet in
Dowling Auditorium.
“The new carpeting and comfortable classroom chairs help to provide
a great learning environment. One thing I especially like is that
that chairs have wheels and students can adjust their location
easily to be able to make eye contact with the teacher or see the
main screen.” - Dr. Mike Nichols, Professor of Intercultural Studies
 The project was announced in December 2013, following the receipt of
gifts totaling $50,000 from the Woods Foundation and an estate gift
in memory of Harold and Gwendolyn Kubley. In April, the annual
Christian Women’s Conference free-will offering was added to the
fund to help achieve the refit project goals for updating the
technology in Restoration Hall’s Dowling Auditorium.
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Dowling
Auditorium - before |
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Dowling
Auditorium - after |
“Seminary chapel gatherings have been positively
impacted by the new chairs in Dowling auditorium. They provide a
more beautiful environment and greatly enhance community” said
Seminary Dean Dr. Dinelle Frankland.
The work was completed at the end of July, in plenty of time for the
start of the new school year on August 11. In fact, Professor of
History and Interdisciplinary Studies Dr. Brian Messner reported,
“As classes were getting started lots of students stopped by to have
a look and were very impressed.”
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classroom -
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classroom -
after |
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 The classroom refit project addressed two critical needs for
LCU: 1) bringing the classroom environment in those rooms up to
expectations for current educational practices; and 2) assisting
in the attraction and retention of students.
Assistant Professor of New Testament and Early Christianity Dr.
Nick Zola voiced what many instructors were thinking when he
said, "The remodel of Dowling Auditorium lends itself
wonderfully to a more interactive learning environment. With
chairs and tables on wheels, I can have my students begin in a
lecture arrangement facing me, then have them turn around and
face each other for group work or discussion, and then return to
me for a wrap-up. It provides great flexibility."
"I've noticed a distinct enhancement in the level of student
attention. Students seem more comfortable and more focused on what
I'm trying to teach," added Dr. Rich Knopp, Professor. of Philosophy
& Christian Apologetics.
The grant from the Woods Foundation was made possible through the
generosity of Robert J. Woods and Joan Jarrett Woods through the
creation of their foundation. Prior Woods Foundation gifts have been
used for library renovations, improvements to the Earl C Hargrove
Chapel, the acquisition of a mini-bus, and other critical LCU needs.
Lincoln Christian University is celebrating its 70th anniversary
this year. Its ongoing mission is to equip Christians to serve and
lead in the church, the workplace, and the world. LCU offers a
variety of degree programs for undergraduate, graduate and seminary
students. Classes are offered on campus, at extension sites and
online. To learn more visit www.lincolnchristian.edu.
Additional comments:
“Students in my Spiritual Direction class were thrilled with the
mobility and versatility of the desks during the week-long intensive
back in August. We didn't sound like a herd of elephants when I
asked them to break out in small groups or circle up. It made the
long days of learning bearable.” – Dr. Neal Windham, Professor of
Spiritual Formation
“Honestly, when I first walked into Dowling Auditorium this fall, I
backed out of it thinking I was in the wrong room. That's how much
it has been transformed.” Dr. James R. Estep, Dean of the School of
Undergraduate Studies.
[Text received; CHRISTINE THOMAS,
LINCOLN CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY] |
