Back in 2019, Criswell College held a groundbreaking celebration for the campus’s first residence hall.
After a year of construction and months of navigating challenges like weather, funding, and COVID-19, the college welcomed supporters to a groundbreaking anniversary celebration in Horner Hall on Friday, August 14.
Supporters were hosted by members of the President’s Office, Office of Advancement, Student Services, and Admissions. Attendees enjoyed a time of worship, food, and fellowship, as well as presentations from college representatives and long-time friend of Criswell College, Dr. Jimmy Draper. The event concluded with a tour of the construction site.
Helen Rekerdres said her support for Criswell College is due in part to her excitement for the new residence hall and the influence the campus has on the East Dallas community.
“I am so excited. I know a lot of the students. It is extremely difficult to come to this school and find living accommodations in the area. It is wonderful that Criswell will have its own residence hall now. I am very, very happy about that,” Rekerdres said.
Executive Vice President of Spring Valley Construction, Danny Copeland, said he is blessed to have a vested interest in the residence hall.
“My long-time friend graduated from Criswell 20 years ago, and it is close to my heart because of that,” Copeland said. “We are blessed to be doing the construction for new student housing. The residence hall will provide more camaraderie for the students since they will be living together rather than just spending eight or so hours with each other on campus.”
Spring Valley’s Director of Business Development, Nick Hasty, also expressed excitement for the residence hall. “Criswell shines such a bright light. Having the students here where they can reach out to the community is going to be huge. In this broken world, we need solid, biblical truth and for light to shine. I think it is going to shine through the students here,” Hasty said.
Criswell College President, Barry Creamer, spoke about the influence the college had on him as a student.
“What shaped my life was being here at Criswell College and learning that you submit yourself to the word of God and take that message and communicate it truly, regardless of what anyone else thinks about it. That is what shaped my life. It was an incredible experience for me. It is where I got my grounding,” he said.
The anticipated opening of the new residence hall is Spring 2021.
