The future is here
Gone are the days of hushed whispers over stacks of books, replaced by a technologically advanced hub of academic activity and engagement the likes of which Bridgewater College has never seen.
A “next-generation library,” the John Kenny Forrer Learning Commons goes beyond books to be a workshop for learning. Students, faculty and the community create, explore, learn and communicate in flexible study spaces outfitted with the latest in technology.
In this renovation and expansion of The Alexander Mack Memorial Library, students find a “one-stop shop” for all their learning needs. At the first-floor Morgridge Center for Collaborative Learning and its concierge desk, students connect with technology support, the Writing Center, Career Services, media production assistance, peer coaching and tutoring, research support. Everything they need to learn, grow and meet their goals is at their fingertips.
Quiet study areas and The Alexander Mack Memorial Library, with its myriad volumes of books and journals, is complimented by group meeting spaces, a presentation practice room and engaged learning classrooms. The Mary Morton Parsons Foundation Study Area, Smith Family Café, Robert H. ’59 & Mary Susan King Portico, The Class of 1969 Great Room and Beverly Perdue ’68 Art Gallery offer a variety of opportunities for engagement and enrichment.
Indoors and outdoors flow seamlessly, with walls of windows to let in light and stunning views of the hustle and bustle of the Campus Mall. Outside areas including Alison’s Reading Terrace and the Wampler Family Plaza allow the activity of the Forrer Learning Commons to spill outside, where students and faculty read, dine and interact with one another.
This is not your old library. This is the Forrer Learning Commons.
There is still time to partner with us!
This innovative building was made possible by a number of generous donors, including Bonnie ’62 and John Rhodes, who made a lead gift in honor of Bonnie’s father John Kenny Forrer, to name the Learning Commons, and John and Carrie Morgridge, who made a gift to name the Morgridge Center for Collaborative Learning. We invite you to join these visionary alumni and friends and become a partner in building a bright future for BC.
Your support will have an enduring impact on generations of Bridgewater students. Giving opportunities range from naming levels—see floor plans below—to general support.
| Opportunity | Gift Amount | Donor Name |
|---|---|---|
| LEARNING COMMONS | $4,000,000 | John Kenny Forrer Learning Commons |
| MAIN FLOOR | 2,500,000 | Morgridge Center for Collaborative Learning |
| TOWER | 2,500,000 | Clinton E. De Busk Tower |
| CORE COLLECTIONS | Alexander Mack Memorial Collection |
Main Level
| Opportunity | Gift Amount | Donor Name |
|---|---|---|
| Café | $1,000,000 | Smith Family Café (Smitty’s) |
| Portico | 500,000 | Robert H. ’59 & Mary Susan King Portico |
| Concierge Desk | 250,000 | open to be named |
| Academic Resource Suite | 150,000 | Dr. Kenneth ’63 & Nancy Bowman Academic Resource Suite |
| Main staircase | 150,000 | David T. Christian ’06 & Caitlin R. Christian ’07 Staircase |
| Learning & Research Services Suite | 100,000 | Stuart R. ’63 & Lorraine C. Suter Learning and Research Services Suite |
| Practice Presentation and Audio Recording Room |
100,000
|
Wilkerson Family Practice Presentation and Audio Recording Room |
| Integrated Technology Zone |
50,000
|
open to be named |
| Circulation Workroom |
50,000
|
open to be named |
| Fireplace |
25,000
|
Mark A. Sherman ’92 Fireplace |
| Cafe seating |
25,000
|
Andrews Family Cafe Seating |
| Cafe seating |
25,000
|
D. Cory Adamson ’91 Cafe Seating |
| Cafe seating |
25,000
|
open to be named |
| Portico seating |
25,000
|
open to be named |
| Portico seating |
25,000
|
open to be named |
Upper Level
| Opportunity | Gift Amount | Donor Name |
|---|---|---|
| Campus Great Room | $750,000 | The Class of 1969 Great Room |
| Study Area | 250,000 | The Mary Morton Parsons Foundation Study Area |
| Instruction Room | 100,000 | Fred O. Funkhouser Instruction Room |
| Instruction Room | 75,000 | L. Daniel ’50 and Louise ’54 Roller Burtner Family Instruction Room |
| Director’s Office | 50,000 | Edgar ’58 & Kathy ’60 Simmons Director’s Office |
| Great Room Seating Area | 50,000 | Frank ‘81 & Aida Roa Great Room Seating |
| Instruction Room Technology | 25,000 | Thompson Family Foundation |
| Study Room | 25,000 | Paul P. ‘63 & Martha A. Vames Family Study Room |
| Study Room | 25,000 | D. Cory Adamson ’91 Study Room |
| Study Room | 25,000 | The “Reiding” Room |
| Study Room | 25,000 | Shively Family Study Room |
| Study Room | 25,000 | open to be named |
| Study Room | 25,000 | Wil ’63 & Joyce Nolen Study Room |
| Study Room | 25,000 | Donna Price Walker ’75 Study Room |
| Study Room | 25,000 | Carolyn Hupman Beach ’69 Study Room |
| Study Room | 25,000 | Hope Harman Hickman ‘78 Study Room |
| Staff Office |
25,000
|
open to be named |
| Staff Office |
25,000
|
open to be named |
| Staff Office |
25,000
|
open to be named |
| Staff Office |
25,000
|
open to be named |
| Staff Workroom |
25,000
|
open to be named |
Lower Level
| Opportunity | Gift Amount | Donor Name |
|---|---|---|
| Special Collections | $150,000 | Robert R. Newlen ’75 & John C. Bradford Special Collections |
| The Brethren Room | 50,000 | Janice W. & Ronald E. Sink Family Brethren Room |
| Study Area | 50,000 | Kloster Family Study Area |
| Archival Reading Room | 50,000 | Benjamin ’82 & Sherrie ’85 Wampler Archival Reading Room |
Exterior
| Opportunity | Gift Amount | Donor Name |
|---|---|---|
| Café Plaza | $250,000 | Wampler Family Plaza |
| Reading Terrace | 250,000 | Alison’s Reading Terrace |
General Support
| Opportunity | Gift Amount | |
|---|---|---|
| Investor | $10,000 | |
| Partner | 5,000 | |
| Patron | 2,500 | |
| Sustainer | 1,000 |
