By Eli Jordan
Following a $55 million capital campaign, McPherson College announced new buildings coming to the McPherson College campus. In partnership with Beck Designs, three new buildings have been planned. This includes renovation and expansion on the Sports Center, the Campus Commons, and the Boiler Room.
The Campus Commons will be a 55,000-square-foot building that will take the place of the parking lot in front of the Hoffman Student Union. And will, in a way, take the place of it. The structure will be the new landmark building on campus. President Michael Schneider described it as “the only campus center in the United States that has classic cars hanging from the ceiling.” When completed the Commons will have student dining options, student services, and activity spaces for McPherson College students to enjoy.
The Boiler House will be a welcome addition to campus for student life. The Boiler House is being advertised as “the next hangout for the next generation of McPherson College students.” The bar-like atmosphere will include flex seating, yard games, fire pits, and a large outdoor screen and stage area. Whether it is a Sunday NFL watch party for Kansas City Chiefs fans, or McPherson College brings in a musical act for students to enjoy, the Boiler House will be the place to be on campus. Re-purposing the Forney Heating Plant, the location will feel nostalgically new for alumni returning to McPherson.
The plan for the Campus Commons is to be done by the fall of 2025, and a date has not been given for the Boiler House. As McPherson received record-breaking freshman classes every few years, the need for more space on campus grows, and what better to do it than a 3-story building to display as visitors drive into campus. The future for McPherson College glows brighter every day as new additions to campus come.
