Jacksonville University Raises Funds for Programs, Facilities
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Jacksonville University’s (JU) ASPIRE campaign recently surpassed $100 million in funding raised towards improving and expanding programs and facilities for students.
“We are grateful for the encouraging support and outstanding rate of contributions in this campaign, and our targeted goal is now only the beginning of our efforts,” said JU President Tim Cost in a statement. “Investment is coming not only from our distinguished major partners, but also from a groundswell of support by many of our individual friends and supporters. They believe strongly in the upward trajectory of JU as it provides the highest-quality education for its students.”
Five key areas at the school to receive funding from ASPIRE include: Advancing Scholarships and Academics, $27 million; creating and expanding the Brooks Rehabilitation College of Healthcare Sciences, $24 million; Campus and Student Life Enhancements, $12 million; Athletics, $17 million; and Financial Vitality, $40 million. Here are programs and facilities completed, under way or planned as a result of ASPIRE:
The Nathan M. Bisk Center for Online Learning: The new online center recognizes the university’s commitment to online learning, particularly with the online nursing programs offered by the Brooks Rehabilitation College of Healthcare Sciences. This new center will help expand centralized, online, flexible learning platforms at the school and will provide the resources needed for planned collaborations between the Brooks Rehabilitation College of Healthcare Sciences and the Davis College of Business. These new initiatives are well positioned in offering key online graduate degrees and certificate programs for professional preparation to enter top health care and business industries.
D.B. Milne Field Upgrades: Investment in the lacrosse and football stadium includes enhancements such as 2,900 permanent seats and a press box as well as new restrooms, an improved sound system and concession stands.
The River House: The River House received $1.5 million in renovations and is now a signature location for student events, studying, socializing, high profile community receptions or just a bite to eat. This dynamic, new 6,000-square-foot gathering place also features a brew pub, meeting rooms, wide-screen TVs and tiered outside decking overlooking the Sand Volleyball complex and riverfront totaling 2,800 square feet.
Nelms Plaza Outdoor Study Space/Nimnicht Fitness Center: The $250,000 Nelms Plaza is a collaborative learning and socializing outdoor space with canopies, cabana seating and smartphone recharging stations in a centralized campus location near the Swisher Science building and Brooks Rehabilitation College of Healthcare Sciences. The Nimnicht Fitness Center is the result of a $300,000 investment in an entirely new space featuring brand-new fitness equipment and a major overall upgrade to the university’s fitness center overlooking the St. Johns River.
Science and Health Sciences Labs: New laboratories have been built and existing ones refreshed in the Swisher, Nelms, Reid Medical and Merritt Penticoff academic buildings and the Brooks Rehabilitation College of Healthcare Sciences. The $2.2 million in improvements bring students studying anatomy, biology, chemistry, physics, kinesiology and other science- and health sciences-related subjects state-of-the-art facilities and equipment to conduct their experiments and observations. Specifically, the university’s fast-growing nursing program in the College of Healthcare Sciences will benefit greatly from the enhancements.
This article was originally published on School Construction News.