Renovated Grant Center for International Education to be dedicated Sept. 12
September 06, 2013 - Taylor Tomlinson
Ouachita Baptist University will dedicate the newly renovated Daniel and Betty Jo
Grant Center for International Education Thursday, Sept. 12, at 11:30 a.m. on the
first floor of Lile Hall.
The Grant Center is named in honor of Ouachita President Emeritus Daniel Grant and
his wife, Betty Jo. Dr. Grant served as Ouachita’s 12th president from 1970 to 1988. This summer’s Grant Center renovation coincides with
the recent celebration of Dr. Grant’s 90th birthday as well as the 90th anniversary of Ouachita’s international education efforts.
Highlighting the theme, “Bringing the world to Ouachita and taking Ouachita to the
world,” the Grant Center recruits international students and provides Ouachita students
and faculty opportunities to experience international study, both on campus and abroad.
The idea to renovate the Grant Center came after extensive remodeling of Lile Hall
last year, which made available previously occupied office space. Primary funding
for the project came from donations by Dr. Charles L. and Cindy Fuller. Dr. Fuller
is a former dean of the Ouachita School of Fine Arts and Mrs. Fuller is a former instructor
of voice at the university. During his service at Ouachita, Dr. Fuller served as chairman
of the International Studies Committee.
Ian Cosh, vice president for community and international engagement, said the need
for more classrooms and meeting space in the center was prevalent prior to the recent
renovation project. “The renovations will allow Ouachita to serve international education
more effectively and efficiently because the space has been customized to meet the
specific needs of the center,” Cosh added.
The renovation provides expanded space for such uses as English as a Second Language
classes and study abroad interest meetings. The center is designed to enhance support
both for international students and American students who have studied abroad.
Dr. Brett Powell, vice president for administrative services, said that since the
international education program is such an integral part of Ouachita, “the renovations
have given the Grant Center a home appropriate to its importance to the Ouachita community.”
To create this engaging space, several walls were moved and a reception area, conference
room and enlarged classroom were created, Powell explained. He said the entire suite
was updated with new finishes such as carpeting, ceiling tiles, lighting, paint and
technology.
Also added during the renovations was a “legacy wall” that combines photographs and
text layered on an antique world map. Funding for the legacy wall was provided by
one of the Grants’ daughters, Carolyn Walton, and her husband, Bill. In addition,
other friends of the Grant Center provided general endowments and travel awards to
assist future study abroad students.
Shirley Hardin, assistant registrar and daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Grant, said the legacy
wall was created to honor the Grants, provide information about global education both
past and present and inspire others to become part of Ouachita’s legacy of international
education.
“Most students and faculty didn’t know where the Grant Center was located,” Hardin
said. “Bringing people to the new space for planning, preparation and reporting will
raise awareness of the Grant Center’s identity and mission.”
According to Cosh, “The dedication ceremony will be a time of thanksgiving when we
express our appreciation to those who have given their time, money and talent in the
past and in the present to strengthen international education at Ouachita.”
Terry Peeples, vice president for development, said the ceremony also will “be a celebration
of the Grant Center and the generosity of the donors who have made all of this possible;
a celebration of Dr. and Mrs. Grant and their commitment to Ouachita and the international
program – a celebration of 90 years of international education at Ouachita.”
For more information about the work of the Grant Center for International Education,
contact Ian Cosh at [email protected] or (870) 245-5320.
By Taylor Tomlinson
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