By J. CHAD KEBRDLE
English Instructor, Ancilla College

DONALDSON – Ancilla’s Board of Trustees voted Monday, Sept. 28, to build a second residence hall.

The decision comes on the tail of a very successful first hall, booked beyond capacity for the 2015-16 year. The two-year college’s president Dr. Ken Zirkle noted the first hall, with 96 beds, was built for freshmen only and they will need a place to live next year. “At this time last year there was question as to whether or not the decision would go in favor of building a residence hall. This year, the board was quick to come to a unanimous decision,” he said.

Vice President of Mission Integration, senior Jolise May said, “The decision by the board to build the first residence hall was one wrought with a mixture of excitement, challenge, unanswered questions and trepidation.”

The plan was given a green light last year and the hall filled beyond capacity before the school year even started. May said, “In the movie Field of Dreams the Iowa farmer says, ‘Build it and they will come.’ Ancilla built its first dorm and, yes, they came.”

The board’s unanimous decision to build the second residence hall at Ancilla echoed those same feelings, but with a more confident leap of faith. They will come because we have not only living accommodations for those who come from distances, but because Ancilla is willing to invest in the lives of its students. Ancilla is truly a ‘We Believe in You’ opportunity college.”

The building of a residence hall was a top priority on President Zirkle’s agenda when he stepped into office last year, but he takes very little of the credit. “The credit really belongs to the faculty and staff here at Ancilla who have worked hard to make this school one that students want to come to.” To take a peek inside the existing building, visit the Ancilla College page here.