ACU dedicates building, honors Bill and Peggy Teague For immediate release February 26, 1999 Abilene Christian University officials dedicated the Margaret L. and William J. Teague Special Events Center Saturday, Feb. 20, during a private ceremony and a major dinner featuring the Teagues. The new $3.5 million, 43,500-square-foot special events facility was completed in September but inaugurated during the President's Circle Dinner, a private dinner for 500 special guests and friends of ACU. Dr. Teague, chancellor of the university after serving 10 years as president from 1981 to 1991, and his wife were honored at a reception before dinner. "ACU is blessed to have a long and significant relationship with Bill and Peggy Teague," said Dr. Royce Money, ACU president. "They dearly love this university." Money also explained Teague started the tradition of always mentioning wives before husbands during his presidency, and that tradition is reflected in the official name of the center. During the dinner, Money told Teague, "The phrase you made so popular during your tenure as president represents you well: Caring, Serving, Excelling - The ACU Difference." The Teague Special Events Center also epitomizes the "Caring, Serving, Excelling" phrase. While providing the university with its largest meeting space, it also offers the community a much-needed option for special events. The multipurpose room, called the Great Room, seats up to 1,500 people for meals and other special events, and it will be used for regional seminars, testing sessions, theatrical and religious events, and as a lecture hall for major speakers. It also serves as three indoor tennis courts. The facility also includes conference and meeting rooms, offices for the director of athletics and members of the coaching staff, offices and work areas for ACU's athletic training staff, locker rooms for ACU athletic teams, catering kitchen and storage areas. The large multipurpose room will divide into three indoor tennis courts. With quarried pavers and theater-style finishings beckoning visitors to the great room, Dr. Money said facility is befitting for Dr. Teague, but more so for his wife. "Peggy Teague was a grand first lady during Dr. Teague's 10 years as the president of Abilene Christian University," Dr. Money said. "She was an active, visible presence in this community, always sharing and living a positive message about this university." Mrs. Teague is a 1956 graduate of Abilene Christian and also has been active in university and community organizations, including service as president of Women for ACU and ACU Faculty Wives, and as an advisory board member for Friends of the Abilene Public Library. She is currently president of the Abilene Woman's Club. The new Teague Center adds a new dimension to the ACU campus and services offered, and Money said adding new dimensions to ACU is a Teague tradition. "In your 10 years as president, and in your continuing work as ACU chancellor, you have moved us so far down the road toward national excellence," Money said. "You had the vision for many ACU traditions that continue today, including Sing Song and KACU-FM public radio. You brought Fortune 500 experience from two companies. You helped create a new front door for this university." Teague is a 1952 graduate of ACU and received an master's degree in administration from Columbia University in 1959 and doctorate degree in administration and labor law from UCLA in 1965. He is a graduate of Nocona High School and also attended University of Texas in Austin. During his decade as president of ACU, the university's endowment increased from $18 million to $56 million, and Mabee Business Building and the Biblical Studies Building were constructed. Teague served on the executive committee for the Southern Regional Education Board and on the board of directors for Independent Colleges and Universities of Texas. He also served in the U.S. Navy and has been active in many other civic organizations, including Abilene Chamber of Commerce, March of Dimes, United Way, Kiwanis International, Boy Scouts of America, American Heart Association, Serenity House of Abilene and West Texas Rehabilitation Center. Teague was executive assistant to the late Dr. Don H. Morris, former ACU president, in 1952-57 before serving as vice president of Harding University and Pepperdine University. He also was vice president of Purex Corporation and Kerr-McGee Corporation before returning to Abilene Christian in 1981 as president. He has been an elder for three congregations of the Church of Christ. Teague also has served as a judge for the Tournament of Roses parade in Pasadena, Calif., and his many awards include Christian Educator of the Year and three George Washington honor medals from the Freedoms Foundation. Dr. and Mrs. Teague have two daughters, one son and two grandchildren. All three children are graduates of ACU &endash; Helen Teague (ACU class of 1983) of Abilene, Susan Reid (1974) of Abilene and Tom Teague (1972) of Dallas. The Teague Special Events Center is the fourth building on campus named for a former president of the university. The others are the Don H. Morris Center, Sewell Theatre and the John C. and Ruth Stevens wing of the library. -30- If you are a member of the media who would like more information about this release, please contact Tom Craig, director of media and community relations, at craigt@nicanor.acu.edu or call 915-674-2692. Last update: March 22, 1999 This page is maintained by Tom Craig, craigt@nicanor.acu.edu. http://www.acu.edu/people/news/990226-teague.html