Grand Opening of Scott opens new doors to Vanguard’s future

On Saturday October 3, Vanguard celebrated the grand opening of the newly renovated Scott Academic Center. After a year of hard work, with over 350 donations totaling $7,044,873 raised, Vanguard has achieved it’s goal to be more.

Scott Center is now the central hub for student services. Its iconic bell-tower makes Vanguard easily recognizable to the public. Scott houses ten new classrooms, Samson’s cafe, and provides a fresh space for the Career Center. The three-story renovation also made space for the student services such as the Nursing Program, the Global Center for Women and Justice and the Veterans Resource Center.

Of course none of this would have happened if it wasn’t for the leadership and commitment of the “Through These Doors” campaign’s Co-Chairs, Curt Carson and Gary Gray. Carson went to be with the Lord on May 15th of this year. He will be dearly missed, and his impact to the Vanguard community will not be forgotten. He had served as the chairman of the Vanguard University Foundation board of directors since 2003, seeing it to completion in January.

“If you are successful” Curt once said, “it is incumbent that you give back, whatever you can, of your time, talent, and treasure.”

Vanguard is grateful for the hundreds of donors who gave back; including community members, alumni, board members, staff, faculty, parents and students. For a full list of donors, visit the Donor Wall at http://www.throughthesedoors.com/donor-wall/.

“It’s the fulfillment of a dream” explains President Michael J. Beals, “It’s the fulfillment of the hard work of a lot of people, of a promise with the commitment to improve.” In his presidential address, he cast the vision of students growing beyond the classroom, just as Vanguard continues to grow.

On October 4th 2014, Vanguard first broke ground on the project, setting the dream into motion. In his dedication, Rich Guerra, the SoCal Network Assemblies of God Superintendent said that Scott is more than an administrative and academic building, it’s “a vision-making center.”

Dr. Beals vocalized the purpose and significance of the completion of this project, saying “it means more than just expanding programs.” He said that he hopes Vanguard will make our student body “not just good students, but also good people.”

“I’m just pinching myself and asking ‘Is this Heaven?’” says Professor Barbi Rouse. Her love for the Vanguard community has brought her back from retirement to teach one of her favorite courses, Cornerstone.

One year ago, Vanguard launched this monumental project, laying it’s first stones. Now we reap the benefit of so many people’s generosity and commitment.

Just before Beals cut the ceremonial ribbon, Guerra finished off his speech saying “Vanguard has been knocked down, but it will not be knocked down again!”