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Five Year Fundraising Campaign Raises $5.35 Million for College
On March 31, 2019, Acadia Divinity College completed its five-year fundraising campaign, securing more than $5.35 million towards four strategic priorities that support theological education.
Launched in August 2014, 230 individuals, 169 alumni, 105 churches, 8 foundations, and 4 corporations gave gifts and pledges to these priorities. Sufficient funds were raised to launch the College’s third academic centre, the Andrew D. MacRae Centre for Christian Faith and Culture, in February 2016, and to begin the renewal of the College building in May 2018.
Fundraising for the renewal of the College building will continue until the new target of $2.85 million is raised. With the monies raised thus far, the funds still needed for the revitalization of the College building are in the order of $1.74 million.
Significant gifts were added to each strategic priority between August 2014 and March 2019.
1. Refurbish the College building on Acadia’s campus The College received a gift of $250,000 from Dr. Granville H. Nickerson for the renewal of the College building, leading to the naming of the Sarah Daley Nickerson Chapel, in memory of his daughter.
2. Ensure quality instruction through increasing endowments for key academic chairs The W. Garfield Weston Foundation’s gift of $1 million, plus the $250,000 gift from the Atlantic Baptist Foundation, resulted in the College’s first fully endowed Academic Chair, the John Gladstone Chair of Preaching and Worship. The endowment for the Sheldon and Marjorie Fountain Chair of Evangelism and Mission also was augmented with a gift of $200,000 from the late Marjorie E. Fountain.
3. Support students through increasing scholarships and bursaries Estate gifts were added to Scholarships and Bursaries, including $792,000 from Ruth E. Eldridge of Digby County, Nova Scotia, and $297,000 from Josephine McLellan Nickerson. Recently, David and Faye Huestis established endowments for four new scholarships, each yielding between $6,000 and $7,500 per year.
4. Secure an endowment for the new Andrew D. MacRae Centre for Christian Faith and Culture An anonymous donor gave an inaugural gift of $150,000 towards this new academic centre.
Acadia Divinity College is grateful to those who freely shared and generously gave to help prepare the College for another generation of service. This remarkable support will enable the College to continue to play a significant role in the preparation of men and women for leadership in our churches and various ministry settings.
For more information on Now, more than ever, please visit acadiadiv.ca/now
ADC Boardroom Named in Honour of the Reverend Dr. John and Carol Bartol
On Monday, May 27, 2019, Dr. Harry Gardner, President of Acadia Divinity College and Dean of Theology of Acadia University, officiated a Service of Naming and Dedication for The Reverend Dr. John and Carol Bartol Boardroom.
The event was held in the renewed College building boardroom and lobby, with 120 guests in attendance, including the Bartols’ four children. Other distinguished attendees were Dr. Peter J. Ricketts, Acadia’s 16th President and Vice-Chancellor, and Libby Burnham (Acadia ’60), past Acadia University Chancellor.
Before the official Act of Dedication, Dr. Gardner reflected on John and Carol and their commitment as “followers of Christ, lovers of His Church, and obedient servants to the Great Commission and the Great Commandment.” Dr. Gardner stated, “I can think of no couple who better represents the character of what will be needed in those who serve and who will make decisions in this place.”
A reception followed in the Garden Room of the K.C. Irving Environmental Science Centre where their son, Dr. Stephen Bartol, spoke of his parents, expanding upon the golden rule example set by them to do unto others more than they would have others do unto them. The boardroom was named following a generous gift made by Stephen and his wife, Judy, to establish an operating endowment to support the College.
ADC Boardroom Named in Honour of Rev. Dr. John and Carol Bartol. Pictured seated (l-r) John Bartol and Carol Bartol. Pictured in the back row (l-r) Judy Bartol and her husband, Dr. Stephen Bartol.
John and Carol Bartol have a long-standing connection to Acadia University as alumni of the class of 1952. John returned to his alma mater, serving as an original member of the Board of Trustees when the College was established in 1968. In 1990, John was welcomed back to receive an Acadia Doctor of Divinity (honoris causa). John has had a significant impact on the lives of many alumni of Acadia Divinity College, mentoring numerous Christian leaders before, during, and after their ordination.
Carol has influenced many in the Atlantic Baptist community, serving with her husband in local church ministry as well as on the Executive of the Atlantic Baptist Women (formerly United Baptist Woman’s Missionary Union). Her leadership and heart for missions have impacted communities throughout Nova Scotia and New Brunswick.
Reflecting on the contributions of the Bartols, Dr. Gardner read a selection from the Foreword of John’s 1997 book, To Mark from Uncle Barnabas: Letters of Encouragement to Pastors and Church Leaders. The writer of the Foreword, the late Rev. Dr. Andrew D. MacRae, the 4th Principal of Acadia Divinity College, said, “Part of the secret of the Bartols’ ministry has been the absence of self-promotion, and the willing adoption of the role of servant, so well learned from the One they have gladly served.”
The reception program ended with John expressing his deep gratitude to his family and his fondness for Acadia, declaring, “I believe Acadia Divinity College to be the best seminary in Canada!”
Visit https://acadiadiv.ca/bartol-boardroom to view a photo album of the event and the dedication ceremony program.
The College Building Re-Dedicated and Renewed for another 50 years
On Friday, June 21, 2019, Dr. Harry Gardner, President of Acadia Divinity College and the Dean of Theology of Acadia University, officiated at the Ceremony of Re-Dedication for the College building. Due to heavy rainfall, 175 guests gathered at Wheelock Dining Hall. Dr. Gardner said, “While we desired to be on the lawn of the College facility, we are grateful to Acadia University for making this space available within sight of the College building.”
Cutting of the Ribbon. Pictured (l-r) James Stanley, Acadia University Governor and Acadia Divinity College Trustee, Dr. Harry Gardner, President, Dr. Malcolm Card, Acadia Divinity College Board Vice-Chair, and Dr. Anna Robbins, Vice-President.
At the outset it was recognized that the College is rooted within the soil and soul of Acadia University and the Canadian Baptists of Atlantic Canada, and that it stands on the ancestral and unceded territory of the Mi’kma’ki. The cutting of the ribbon and the presentation of the ceremonial key included noteworthy contributors of this project, the contractor, BD Stevens Ltd., and the architect, Sheila Keating. Dr. Gardner stated, “This ribbon is cut as a symbol of the opening of a new day that God has given to us. The ceremonial key is accepted as a sacred trust on behalf of the faculty, staff, and students of Acadia Divinity College.”
Dr. Malcolm Card, Board of Trustees Vice-Chair, expressed appreciation to everyone who worked together towards this shared vision, “Thank you for joining us in this vital project. Your offerings of time, effort, and tithes are gratefully accepted and will be remembered for generations. This building is central
to the mission of the College and the University, and has an important role to play in ensuring that a high standard of theological education will continue to be available at Acadia, in Atlantic Canada, to students from nearby and around the world.”
Visit https://acadiadiv.ca/re-dedication to view a photo album and video of the event and the re-dedication ceremony program.
Renewal of the College Building
Acadia Divinity College has seen the evidence of God’s faithfulness throughout its history.
Two engineering reports completed in 2013 had determined that the
building exterior was deteriorating and needed significant restoration to keep it structurally sound. The projected budget was $1.5 million for a new envelope including new windows. The fundraising campaign began the following year.
Then, in November 2017, architect and construction reports showed that interior upgrades were also required to meet more stringent fire and life safety codes, enhance accessibility for persons with physical disabilities, and improve interior air quality. This expanded scope increased the cost of the project to $2.3 million. The renovations began on May 1, 2018.
Presentation of the Ceremonial Key. Pictured (l-r) Luke Eliot, General Manager, BD Stevens Ltd., Dr. Harry Gardner, President, Sheila Keating, Architect, Kathy Watt, Acadia Divinity College Board Chair, Dr. Malcolm Card, Acadia Divinity College Board Vice-Chair, and Mark Stevens, Stevens Family Foundation.
Through the demolition process, more deficiencies were identified, requiring additional work to ensure compliance with the current building code. On January 31, 2019, the Board of Trustees authorized this work with a revised final budget of $2.85 million. With the monies raised thus far, the funds still needed for the revitalization of the College building is in the order of $1.74 million.
Members of the College’s faculty, staff, students, and alumni participated in the ceremony. Pictured (l-r) Andrew Sutherland, student, Trish Purdy, student, Christopher Diotte, alumnus, Dr. Steve McMullin, Academic Dean, Dr. Anna Robbins, Vice- President, Dr. Harry Gardner, President, Dr. H. Daniel Zacharias, Associate Professor of New Testament, Shawna Peverill, Registrar and Manager of Student Services, Dr. Matthew Walsh, Assistant Professor of Biblical Studies. All participants are alumni or students of Acadia University.
The renovated College building will provide an excellent learning environment for many generations. Please pray for Acadia Divinity College as we face the challenge to raise the needed funds and keep the mission of equipping Christian leaders at the forefront.
Team members of BD Stevens Ltd. and construction support from Acadia University were present to witness the Re-dedication of the College building. Pictured (l-r) Luke Eliot, General Manager, BD Stevens Ltd., Chris Callbeck, Vice-President Finance and Administration and CFO, Acadia University, Dr. Harry Gardner, President, Acadia Divinity College, Marcel Falkenham, Executive Director of Facilities, Acadia University, Matt McIntyre, Site Superintendent, BD Stevens Ltd., and Steve Giffin, Project Manager, BD Stevens Ltd.
