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GC College campaign nears finish

Drive passes $81 million

GROVE CITY — The largest capital campaign in Grove City College history is almost over.

The $90 million campaign, titled “Grove City Matters,” has just surpassed the $81 million, making it more than 90 percent complete.

“We’re hoping to wrap it up this year,” said Jeff Prokovich, vice president for advancement. “We’re really excited and pleased with our progress to date.”

Prokovich said he hopes to have the campaign finished by June 30, the end of the fiscal year.

The campaign has six objectives:

• $39 million for STEM Hall, a science and engineering building

• $6.8 million for Rathburn Hall, a Christian activities building

• $30 million for scholarships

• $5 million for the Center for Vision and Values, which is the college’s think tank

• $5 million for the Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, which is an entrepreneurial program for students

• $10 million in unrestricted funds

The 62,000-square-foot STEM Hall, the most expensive building in college history, opened in the fall of 2013. It contains science labs, faculty offices and seminar rooms.

“Our faculty and students are really enjoying the new office space and classroom space in STEM Hall,” Prokovich said.

Rathburn Hall, a 16,500-square-foot Christian activities building, opened in 2012.

In August, college President Richard Jewell retired. New President Paul McNulty is continuing the campaign. Prokovich said a president retiring during campaigns can be unusual, but the transition has been smooth.

“It has been a seamless approach for us,” Prokovich said.

He said McNulty’s inauguration ceremony in March will present a big opportunity to continue the campaign.

In retirement, Jewell has continued to raise funds for the campaign in Pittsburgh.

“(It’s been) very valuable to the process, as well,” Prokovich said.

Planning for the college’s next capital campaign is under way.

Prokovich said the college will be doing a campus master planning process soon to see potential needs in terms of facilities.

“They’re all really speculative now,” Prokovich said.

During the college’s next capital campaign, Rockwell Hall of Science, built in 1931, will be torn down and replaced by a new building that will connect with STEM Hall, allowing all of the science and technology departments to be in the same place.

The college’s last capital campaign, which was for $69 million, ended in 2006.

It included a student activities center, an academic building and an addition to the Pew Fine Arts Center.

Another recent building is the $11 million Colonial Hall Apartments, constructed in 2006, which helped add 100 to 200 students to the college.

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