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Issue: Summer 2012 | Posted: June 18, 2012

A Groundbreaking Moment

Union University's New Library

Dirt is turned during the groundbreaking ceremony for the new library. Pictured is David S. Dockery, Anna Beth Morgan, Jim Campbell, president and COO of TLM Architects/Engineers; Carol and Bill Latimer, major donors for the project; Rod Parker, chairman of the Board of Trustees; Harry Smith, past chairman of the Board of Trustees; and Frank Wagster, principal architect of H&M Construction.

Karl Magnuson, senior engineering major, gives a dedicatory prayer during the groundbreaking ceremony for the new library.

Dockery presents a framed rendering of the new Union library to Bill and Carol Latimer in appreciation of their $10 million lead gift for the new library project.

It is important for major meetings to start out well.

In 2012, Union University trustees are likely to remember the first hours of their spring meeting for years to come.

On April 12, the university held a ceremonial groundbreaking for a new 60,000-square-foot library and academic resource center.

“Today is a day of celebration and a day of thanksgiving,” President David S. Dockery said at the groundbreaking ceremony. “This facility that we are launching today is unlike any that we’ve ever built on this campus — not only in its scope, size and majesty, but in its function. It will be something that will serve every aspect and constituency of this university and beyond.”

Trustees, donors, faculty, staff and students attended the ceremony.

Perhaps no one in attendance was more gratified than Anna Beth Morgan, who has been studying and learning about the building of library resources over the course of her entire ������������. The director of Union’s library has been squarely focused on this project for many months.

“It’s been wonderful to actually have the experience to put that learning in practice,” Morgan said. “It’s a really exciting phase to have achieved.”

Union announced plans for the new facility in October 2011, thanks to a lead gift by the Bill and Carol Latimer Foundation. The university also announced a capital campaign to raise $10 million for the project, as the Latimer gift will match up to $10 million of every dollar pledged or given by December 2012.

In the days just prior to the April groundbreaking, donors already had given or pledged more than $5.8 million toward the library project, or about 60 percent of the campaign goal.

“We are incredibly excited about this project and ever grateful for all who have given to support this magnificent facility,” Dockery said.

The groundbreaking kicked off two days of events for Union trustees at their spring meeting. Following the groundbreaking ceremony, Union held a tribute dinner to thank significant donors for their contributions to the university.

At the “President’s Tribute” banquet, Dockery presented a “state of the university” address to trustees and key donors, thanking them for their investment in Union.

“You’ve been an instrument of God’s provision for us,” Dockery said. “Because of your investment and generosity, you have made a difference in Union University.”