The long line of construction and renovations at SMU will continue with a new project – this time at the theology school.
The SMU Board of Trustees and President R. Gerald Turner will break ground on the expansion project today with a prayer service at 11 a.m. and ceremony at 11:45 a.m.
The “process began two years ago with a feasibility study,” Perkins School of Theology Dean William B. Lawrence said.
Before anything else could be planned, there had to be a meeting to discuss if the idea was possible. The meetings included small groups with students, faculty members and staff. According to the group, the most important issue was upgrading the educational technology in the school.
“The strategic planning [committee] for the Perkins School of Theology emphasized attention to the buildings as a top priority,” Lawrence said.
The two buildings that are being renovated, Kirby and Selecman hall were each built over 55 years ago. But the main feature of the project is the Elizabeth Perkins Prothro Hall that will be built at the south part of the theology school complex.
Prothro Hall will be 20,000 square feet and house classrooms, labs, conference rooms and a community area. The building is named for the leading donor.
The Perkins-Prothro family contributed $6 million of the $13 million necessary for the project. The Texas Methodist Foundation also contributed $1.4 million to the cause. The other $10.8 million came from almost 300 individual donors.
Lawrence said that there were three critical decisions that had to be made about the project.
The oversight committee had to approve the architect, accept the feasibility study and the conceptual design of the building. The committee made its decision in October 2006 and approved all parts of the plan.
The second part was getting approval from the lead donors, the Perkins-Prothro foundation and the Prothro family. After that was approved, the realization of the project was taken under advisement.
The gifts and renovations are part of the school’s centennial campaign to improve the facilities and resources on SMU’s campus.
The renovated buildings will provide for classrooms and offices, but more importantly allow for more technological capabilities.
In a prepared statement Lawrence said, “The generous gifts to the program support Perkins’ commitment to combine higher learning with real experience in preparing women and men for vital global ministry in the 21st century.”
The enhancement of the learning experience will begin today at the groundbreaking at 11:45 a.m.
