Pillar 2
Enhance and Increase Transformational Experiences
Faculty who invite students into their homes, and who pray with them in and outside of the classroom. Graduate-level research opportunities for undergraduates. Missions opportunities that tie the importance of global-mindedness and service with a student’s career path. Relationships built with peers and mentors in a residence hall or in Chapel.
These and other important distinctions make ACU stand out above all others. We want every student to have access to transformational experiences in and outside of the classroom – the spiritual formation, experiential learning and service opportunities they cannot find anywhere else.
And part of that transformational experience comes from the relationships our students create. The life-changing community built between students, faculty, staff, parents and friends is what makes this such a special place.
Where we forge these relationships is important. These are the spaces where we come together to live, worship, perform, compete, cheer, champion, study, rest and recharge.
Giving opportunities include:
Newly opened Bullock Hall and under-construction Wessel Hall serve as the first phases of our Freshman Village project, a comprehensive renovation and construction campaign to modernize ACU’s residence halls to meet the living and learning needs of today’s students.
The venerable coliseum saw more than a half-century of use with only minor improvements. However, significant upgrades are underway to bring Moody up to date, including seating and accessibility, lighting and sound systems, new classroom and office spaces, expanded lobbies, a hospitality suite and more.
Expanding opportunities for service-learning activities and missions experiences will encourage students to integrate their academic studies into practical service alongside seasoned ministry teams around the globe, spreading God’s love near and far.
Endowments to support student research stipends, as well as funding for faculty mentor stipends, will greatly expand unique experiences for our undergraduate students to do research alongside faculty. Internship endowments will help defray the costs for students to participate in these career-defining experiences.
Although most for-profit internships are paid, they may have costs related to housing and board that may be beyond the reach of some of our students. Internship endowments will help defray the costs for students to participate in these career-defining experiences.
As we endeavor to prepare students to be lights in the world, expanding scholarship funds to our Study Abroad program will allow more of them to experience the world.
Our goal is to ensure we provide a supportive environment for all cultures. Additional funding and scholarships will provide greater access and opportunity for students of color. We must also invest in scholars of color to ensure our diverse students have faculty mentors who better represent them.
The institute equips and serves church leaders and other Christ-followers for God’s mission in the world. It helps our ministry graduates find placements in churches and supports our alumni through robust programs.
These funds – particularly in men’s and women’s basketball, and football – will support the coaches who walk alongside student-athletes in their academic, athletic and spiritual development.
These funds, as well as targeted facility improvements, will ensure the Wildcats practice, study and build relationships in Division I-level environments.
