What campus center?

In October 2001, plans for the campus center were unveiled over Homecoming weekend. Two years later, ground has yet to be broken due to lack of funding.

As far as a timetable goes, Vice President for Institutional Advancement Todd Norris says that the project is not delayed.

In 2001, Milligan College received an anonymous $4.5 million gift that they named the Leadership Challenge Grant and announced a five-year plan for construction of a campus center. Other donors were expected to take the challenge and match the grant.

In September 2001 a downturn in the nation’s economy affected the amount of money given to the college. According to Jeanes, a key donor postponed his gift.

"He never signed a pledge, he still hopes to (donate) when the timing is right," Jeanes said.

In the meantime, many students eagerly await the center, which among other things will include a new president's office, prayer chapel, greeting area, grill, theater and darkroom.

"The campus center is supposed to have a larger darkroom. Photography majors and Mrs. Anthony are really looking forward to it," junior photography major Diane Hostetler said.

Other students like the idea of the campus center, but are skeptical.

"I’ll believe it when I see it," theater major Michele Dietz said. "The plans keep getting pushed back and it is discouraging."

Professor of theater Richard Major said that he realized the timeline for construction is uncertain.

"I am not surprised that things have moved slowly in regards to building a new facility that will house a theater," Major said. "What I do know is that the president and administration is firmly behind the building of such a facility."

The campus center is still in the conceptual form, where it will remain until Milligan receives the approximately $4.5 million necessary to complete the first building phase.

"It is important to realize we have a conceptualization and vision, and some elements may change, like what the building looks like," Norris said. "What hasn’t changed is our commitment."

The changes Norris spoke of are a possible fix to the financial problem caused by the campus center. Current plans for the center may be redesigned to be built with less costly material. Redesigning the center is a less attractive option to receiving a large gift.

Another option is to borrow the money. Jeanes said this alternative is not in Milligan's best interest. Since Milligan is a tuition-driven school, a high interest rate would increase the cost of attending Milligan. Jeanes said he would rather wait for a large donation than increase tuition.

"Within the next year, the trustees will have to make some tough decisions: How much money will we borrow, or will we redesign?" Jeanes said. "I will not make a decision that will hurt the college."