2001
The Voice: Summer 2001
Vermeer Foundation helps fund Campus Center
The Vermeer Charitable Foundation of Pella, Iowa, has granted Dordt College $750,000 toward
the new Campus Center, currently under construction. The funds will be used for the
construction of the 7000-square-foot Business and Conference Center, to be located on the
Campus Center's third floor. The Vermeer family has been a strong supporter of Dordt right
from the start," says Dordt President Dr. Carl E. Zylstra, "They are very strong encouragers of
Dordt's developing business department, and this gift will be sufficient to build a new home for
the department."
The new Business and Conference Center will provide well-equipped classrooms and cutting-
edge technology to prepare students for a work environment. It will also allow all of the business
faculty to be in one area and serve as a professional venue for students to work on team projects
and meet with business partners.
"Business is one of the largest majors at Dordt," says Zylstra, "Now we will have a state-of-
the-art facility that models a good work environment and allows students to learn in a modern
environment."
The facility will serve the community as well. Dordt will encourage businesses and
organizations to hold seminars, conferences, and workshops in the new Center.
Dordt's 85,000-square-foot Campus Center will house storage areas, a game room with a
bowling alley, a lobby, darkrooms, and a mechanical room on its lower level. Level one of the
floor plan includes a coffee house, dining area, activity area, speaker platform, food preparation
area, snack service area, lobby, mailroom, storage areas, a student project room, a gathering
court, and the student services office complex. On level two there will be offices for admissions,
an activity area, lobby, information desk, bookstore, art gallery, meditation room, student lounge,
and an entrance to the library. The top floor will house the college's board room, the president's
office, the academic offices, and the Business and Conference Center.
