There is a quote often attributed to Winston Churchill that says, “We make a living out of what we get. We make a life out of what we give.” Those who know Bruce Christian P’06 may have heard him say the phrase a time or two.
Christian, in his third year as chairman of Bridgewater College’s Board of Trustees, is also serving as co-chair of Connections: The Campaign for Bridgewater College. Christian certainly makes his life out of what he gives in time and knowledge and has supported all three pillars of the Connections Campaign: capital projects, teaching and learning and current-use scholarships.
“I’m doing all three of the pillars because I believe so strongly in each of them. I think the three legs of this campaign are absolutely critical and are going to be successful. The campaign is going to be a game changer for Bridgewater,” he said.
Those who have visited Bridgewater College’s campus recently have enjoyed one of the most visible displays of the generosity of Christian and his wife, Spas Christian, in the form of Rebecca Quad. The new outdoor gathering area adjacent to the Kline Campus Center and the Campus Mall transformed an underutilized space into a hub of campus activity thanks to a $1 million gift from the Christians.
The Christians also contributed to the $8.5 million renovation of Bowman Hall. Made possible by the support of many donors, every classroom, office space and teaching lab has been upgraded to ensure one of the College’s most important academic buildings meets the needs of generations of students to come. Coupled with the creation of the Christian Family Fund for Teaching and Learning, the Christians’ investments will enhance faculty development and learning at BC through support of high-impact practices including study abroad, internships and undergraduate research.
But perhaps most personally meaningful to Christian is his ongoing support of the Eagle Fund, the College’s current-use scholarship fund. The Eagle Fund bridges the gap and lowers barriers for current or prospective Bridgewater College students.
“The Eagle Fund is a huge difference maker for Bridgewater, and I think those recipients will ultimately, in lots of different ways, give back to the institution with their time, their talent and maybe even their treasure,” Christian said.
Christian sees the Eagle Fund as a resource that will directly impact students at the College through opportunities they may not otherwise be afforded, adding that the College’s recent “life-changing” tuition transparency initiative is making a Bridgewater College education a reality for those who otherwise may not have thought higher education was in their future.
“I like to be pointed in directions in which I can do good and help make a difference. I have been blessed in my life in so many incredible ways,” Christian said. “I can’t make a difference in everyone’s life, but I can maybe make a small difference in just one person’s life. Those are the things that speak to me in advancing the Bridgewater College experience.”
– Logan Bogert
Bridgewater magazine, spring/summer 2024
