Driving past the main entrance of Abilene Christian University, travelers will notice a new landscape has emerged with the completion of the Bob and Shirley Hunter Welcome Center. ACU offices will begin moving into the 57,000 square-foot, $15.7 million facility at the end of the month. The building will act as a gathering place for prospective and current students, alumni and the Abilene community.
Located at the east campus entrance, the building now houses several departments committed to university and community outreach, such as Admissions, Alumni Relations, the Career Services Center, the Center for Building Community, the ACU Foundation and Events Management. The center also includes meeting facilities for use by campus groups and the Abilene community.
"The Hunter Welcome Center is designed to welcome all," said Kevin Watson, associate vice president for administrative services at ACU. "This will be the first place our students come when they are considering ACU, and will be one of the last places they come as they work with our Career Services Center and when they return as Alumni. This is a place for greeting and sending out."
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.
"It is our fervent hope that countless people will be well-served through the years by the many programs which will be housed in this great addition to our campus," said Hunter. "Shirley and I are deeply humbled and very grateful to President Royce Money and the Board of Trustees for this totally unexpected recognition. Of course, we wish to thank so many wonderful donors, including members of our family, who have so generously given to make this magnificent Welcome Center possible."
The Welcome Center also includes a large conference center named in honor of Dr. Gary McCaleb, vice president of ACU, and his wife Sylvia. The conference center accommodates up to 700 people and includes a full-service kitchen and high-definition video capabilities.
The facility is surrounded by several outdoor elements including the Rich Welcome Plaza and Labyrinth, an outdoor contemplative space, and the Faubus Fountain and Lake.
"The Welcome Center does a wonderful job translating the quality of the institution," said Watson. "When you look at the new building, it is an accurate symbol of our academic quality. The first impression is of quality and excellence, and that’s what we want people to see."
If you are a member of the media who would like more information about this release, please contact ACU's Public Relations Office or call (325) 674-2696.
