Walla Walla College held a ceremonial groundbreaking event for its new administration building Saturday afternoon, June 11.
The ceremony included recognition and thanks from Jon Dybdahl, college president, and a description of the project by Manford Simcock, vice president for financial administration.
Fifteen people participated in the actual groundbreaking, representing the college’s board of directors, administration, alumni, students, and friends.
Groundbreaking participants included Ed Ammon, College Place mayor; John Crane, Salmon Bay Design and Professional Practice Environment president; Kenneth Crawford, Alaska Conference president; Jon Dybdahl, WWC president; Fred Field, WWC Alumni Association president-elect; John Freedman, Washington Conference president; Karen Johnson, WWC vice president for college advancement; Ginger Ketting-Weller, WWC vice president for academic administration; Eric Lindgren, Lindgren Family Foundation; Dan and Betsy Matthews, Faith in the Vision campaign co-chairs; Stephen McPherson, Idaho Conference president; Jere Patzer, WWC board of directors chairman; Jonathan Schneider, ASWWC president for 2005–2006; Manford Simcock, WWC vice president for financial administration; and A.J. Stagg, ASWWC president for 2004–2005.
“It took all of us together to make this happen,” said Karen Johnson. “I believe God has truly blessed us throughout this process.”
The new ad building will be located on the site of the original building, which was razed in 2003. It will house administrative offices and the academic departments of English, history and theology. The building is part of the $18 million Faith in the Vision campaign launched four years ago to revitalize key areas of the campus.
One step closer to reality, a groundbreaking ceremony for the new administration building was held during commencement weekend. (Matthew Zimmerman)
From left: Jere Patzer, John Freedman, Kenneth Crawford, Stephen McPherson, Eric Lindgren, John Crane, Ed Ammon, Fred Field, Betsy Matthews, Dan Matthews, Manford Simcock, Ginger Ketting-Weller, A.J. Stagg, Jonathan Schneider, Karen Johnson, Jon Dybdahl. (Robert Car)
