Lancaster Bible College Responds to Record Enrollment and Evolving Student Needs

HARRISBURG, PA, February 24, 2011 (Press-News.org) In response to record enrollment and the changing needs of today's students, Lancaster Bible College (LBC) broke ground today on the new Student Learning Commons with plans to complete construction of the new center by May 2012, making it fully operational by the fall 2012 semester start.

Lancaster Bible College reached record enrollment this school year with 1,105 students at all levels, including undergraduate, graduate, and non-degree programs. This year's total enrollment is an increase of 12.9 percent over last year and a 10.4 percent increase over the previous largest enrollment. With 923 undergraduate students, LBC also has the largest traditional undergraduate enrollment in its history.

Due to the college's continued growth, the new Student Learning Commons is needed to meet the needs of its growing student body as well as the school's extensive collection of more than 200,000 items - one of the larger collections among Bible colleges worldwide. The new 43,000 square foot building will help create an environment conducive to the ways students learn, research, and interact.

"Today's students need a modern social hub to exchange in lively discussion, study quietly, and use state-of-the-art technology to learn and share," said Lancaster Bible College President Peter W. Teague, EdD. "The new Student Learning Commons is vital to LBC's mission to educate Christian students to think and live a biblical worldview and to proclaim Christ by serving him in the Church and society. At LBC, we strive to provide a complete experience that prepares students for their life journey to serve others. ," added Teague.

The new facility will enable LBC to significantly expand programs and services which support its curriculum, such as the RAP (Reaching Academic Potential) Center, the Professional Resource Center, and a Music Library, which will house the world's largest international sacred music collection. The Oswald Chambers Reading Room, which will provide a quiet, reflective area for study, will house Charlie "Tremendous Jones' book collection that was donated to the college.

The three-story Student Learning Commons will be situated in the future center of campus as LBC continues its northward expansion. Focusing on stewardship of LBC resources and the environment, the new structure utilizes green, or environmentally sustainable, principles and will seek to be LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Certified.

Upon completion of the Student Learning Commons, the old library facility will be expanded and redesigned into classrooms and offices. The college expanded in recent years to meet the needs of its growing student population with the additions of the 1,500-seat Good Shepherd Chapel, Olewine Dining Commons, and Peterson Hall.

"With the addition of the Student Learning Commons, we are taking a huge step toward our commitment to create godly, life-long learners and meeting the needs of our growing student population," added Teague.

The 10 million dollar campaign to fund the new Student Learning Commons began in the fall of 2010 and so far, five million dollars has been raised toward the overall goal. A time lapse web cam will be installed so people can check out the progress of the project through the LBC website. To learn more or support the campaign please contact Lancaster Bible College at 717.569.7071 or visit http://www.lbc.edu.

About Lancaster Bible College: Lancaster Bible College is a premier academic institution offering a full range of collegiate programming from non-credit biblical enrichment courses, to undergraduate and graduate degree-programs. Since 1933, the College has prepared both traditional students and adult learners to proclaim Christ by serving in the Church and society. LBC's graduates are geographically and culturally diverse, serving as ministry leaders worldwide. With a thriving social community, and a caring, Bible-centered environment, LBC provides a complete experience that prepares students for their life journey. Accredited through the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools (MSA) and the Association for Biblical Higher Education (ABHE), LBC is also approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) and the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI), and is an affiliate member of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU).