Faulkner University is investing in Montgomery and officially launched its largest capital campaign on October 2 during its annual Benefit Dinner, announcing plans to raise $53.7 million to support the university’s continued growth and fund three major capital enhancements.
First, the campaign, titled Where Faith Shapes Futures, will fund the construction of the Academic Resource Center (ARC), a state-of-the-art collaborative learning center. The ARC will include the Gus Nichols Library collection, student learning areas, academic coaching services, student technology services, a virtual learning space, laboratories for high-demand computer engineering, digital media and health sciences degree programs, as well as high-tech classrooms that virtually connect Faulkner’s campuses in Montgomery, Mobile, Huntsville and Birmingham.
Second, the capital campaign supports the transformation of the Montgomery Probate Judge’s Office next to the College of Health Sciences to house an expanded state-of-the-art healthcare simulation center. Faulkner students will learn patient care on the best simulation technology equipment in the world. Faulkner will share this center with healthcare workers, physicians, therapists, nurses and first responders who receive critical annual healthcare training through Faulkner’s Partnering in Alabama for Training in Healthcare (the PATH partnership).
Third, other space will be converted to become a new School of Nursing, which enrolled its first students this fall. Faulkner’s School of Nursing will have the capacity to graduate as many as 128 nursing students annually to meet critical nursing shortages. All three projects will be connected by attractive pathways, parking and infrastructure supported by campaign dollars.
More than 73 percent, or above $39 million, of the Where Faith Shapes Futures campaign goal has already been raised or identified. President Mitch Henry said the campaign represents an opportunity to build facilities that foster learning, training and character formation while expanding programs that serve communities and workforce development.
“This campaign is about equipping our students to make a difference,” Henry said. “When we answer the call to help, we find out what we’re made of. Together, we create a ripple for good that impacts generations to come.”
To give, visit faulkner.edu/capital-campaign.