John Kenny Forrer Learning Commons - exterior
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Forrer Learning Commons

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

Lower level of Forrer Learning Commons

Upper level of Forrer Learning Commons

Main level of Forrer Learning Commons