2008 Woodie Awards
Texas Tech Board of Regents approves chapel on campus
Bridget De Stefano
Issue date: 5/30/08 Section: News
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The chapel will be open to Tech students, alumni, faculty, and Lubbock residents as a multi-purpose facility for events such as exchanging wedding vows, memorial services and initiation gatherings.
The 7,500 square foot chapel will hold 250 people, and about 50 parking spots will be added to the lot to accommodate large groups.
Michael Ellicott, vice chancellor for facilities planning and construction, said it will take about two years to find a designer and construct the $3-million chapel.
"That is the amount, assuming that we can raise the rest of the money within the year," he said, "however, with the high costs of construction and gas prices, it could increase."
Students can rest assured, because 100 percent of the costs are private funds, making the chapel an auxiliary or self-supporting project. Fundraising opportunities are available for those interested in raising money for the chapel.
"The chapel is being funded by one [anonymous] individual, who has already made a commitment of $1.5 million." Tech Chancellor Kent Hance said. "We are going to raise the remaining money from a private sector," he said. "No state money or students' tuition fees will be used for it."
The chapel will be available for any student organization, including religious student groups.
As an open facility for a variety of groups to attend, the chapel will remain customary in its design.
Michael Shonrock, vice president of student affairs, said no religious affiliations will be included and there will be stained-glass windows without religious images, and moveable chairs, rather than pews.
The chapel also will be used to bring the student body together in times of remembrance and unity, which Hance said will serve as a key role on Tech's campus.
"I think it is a cornerstone of the campus," he said. "When there are events that draw people together like (Sept. 11, 2001), there is a place to meet, where people can worship their faith and extend their prayers to those who have been harmed in any way."
Tech will be joining other universities in the Big 12 Conference to have a chapel on its campus, including Texas A&M, Baylor, and Kansas. Hance said these university chapels are very popular for wedding ceremonies.
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Viewing Comments 1 - 4 of 4
A.Coles
posted 5/29/08 @ 5:58 PM CST
Would someone please explain to me why the regents and university are so set on destroying the beautiful green space east of the Merket center by plopping a building there? First it was a Business College high rise and now this. (Continued…)
philip pride
posted 5/29/08 @ 10:59 PM CST
Hopefully the university will utilize the talents of Architecture faculty and students to design and construct this building if it does in fact get built. (Continued…)
Fred
posted 5/30/08 @ 12:02 AM CST
Well, great! The Theatre Department, a doctoral program here at TTU, still has no classroom space, but lets get a chapel! Our campus is short of any available land space, but lets use some up for a chapel!
Once againthe Regents prove how out of touch they are with the needs of this university. (Continued…)
George Gant
posted 5/30/08 @ 2:11 AM CST
Great! Another Chapel in Lubbock, and one that looks like a high-tech barn. Congratulations.
Texas Tech, as administered by the folks from Lubbock. (Continued…)
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