As prospective students and their families approach our campus, we will welcome them to campus in a highly-visible, attractive, and accessible facility. This facility, the Hunter Welcome Center, houses Admissions, Alumni Relations, and other departments engaged in university outreach. Located near the main east entrance to campus on Judge Ely Boulevard, it serves as the primary place to tell our story through images, displays and other visually engaging presentations. Architecturally it mirrors elements of both the Williams Performing Arts Center and the Onstead-Packer Biblical Studies Building, the closest campus buildings. These three facilities will anchor this entrance to campus and provide a beautifully appealing entryway.
The 57,000 square foot, $15.7 million Welcome Center, completed in early 2009, is a place for current students and alumni to gather. It includes meeting facilities for use by campus groups and the Abilene community. The Center is also the new home for the Center for Building Community, led by Dr. Gary D. McCaleb, as well as The ACU Foundation.
ACU’s Board of Trustees voted in Feb. 2007 to name the Welcome Center in honor of Dr. Robert D. ('52) and Shirley Hunter of Abilene. This decision honors Dr. Hunter, distinguished alumnus and former Texas State Representative, for his lifelong contributions to the Abilene community, to higher education in the state of Texas, and to Abilene Christian, and recognizes Shirley for her many contributions as well.
