McPHERSON, Kan. — Central Christian College of Kansas (CCCK) held a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony this morning for the recently renovated Upper Dining Room on the second floor of the Broadhurst Student Center.
Joe Johnston, CCCK Director of Advancement and an ambassador for the McPherson Chamber of Commerce welcomed everyone to the new facility.
Johnston announced that Executive Director of CCCK Foundation, Dr. David Ferrell was celebrating a birthday, so he directed the crowd in singing Dr. Ferrell “Happy Birthday” before continuing on with the ribbon cutting.
Since the chamber’s president Carlyn Lemon wasn’t able to make it, Johnston also shared a statement on behalf of the chamber.
“I am proud of McPherson. I am proud of the economic impact the businesses make on this community,” Johnston stated. “I’m so proud of the relationship that is shown when we do these coffees and ribbon cuttings.”
President of CCCK Dr. Lenny Favara followed Johnston in welcoming everyone on behalf of the college, faculty, Board of Trustees and students.
Dr. Favara explained that the newly renovated space serves as a “central hub” for communication, social events and eating. The project for the renovation started last May after students left campus.
“This renovation is actually part of our larger campaign that started back in 2022,” Dr. Favara said.
Recently, CCCK has celebrated the addition of the outdoor fitness court as well as the sand volleyball court, both welcome for community-use. And although there was no ribbon cutting, the college also renovated the downstairs area of the Broadhurst Student Center, and added a fitness lab, which is part of the exercise science program.
“It really has been redesigned with a student in mind,” Dr. Favara said, circling back to discussing the Dining Room renovation.
Dr. Favara added that college alum or faculty would remember the old dining space having a “summer camp military style slop and plop routine” and he added that since then the facility has received a “bit of a facelift.”
Some new additions include multimedia screens, flexible layouts to support different kinds of events, grill and action stations for elevated dining experiences/choices and expanding the capacity for dietary needs.
According to Dr. Favara, the purpose of the renovation was an overall strategy “to create a more inviting and multi-use hub for the campus.”
Dr. Favara mentioned those who were instrumental in the renovation process, thanking Dr. Ferrell, Brennon Randa and the team at Plan 4 Architecture Design, Vogts-Parga Construction, CCCK Chief Strategic Operations Officer-Colonel Doug Vanderhoof and Kim Knopp with Creative Dining Services.
The dining hall is a $4.5 million campaign according to Dr. Ferrell, who oversees the campaign. Currently, the newest campaign is resident expansion, and the college is $98,000 away from its goal.
In his finishing statement, Dr. Favara thanked everyone for believing CCCK’s mission.
“Thank you for supporting us as we’re on this end of town, doing what we do,” Dr. Favara said. “We are just proud to be now 146 years a part of the McPherson community.”
City of McPherson Commissioner Larry Wiens thanked all CCCK faculty, Dr. Favara and also anyone else associated with the college.
“This is quite a facility, and I don’t think that we have promoted Central [Christian] College as well as we should,” Wiens said.
Wiens noted that it’s nice to have facilities like CCCK, with the outdoor fitness area and the new dining hall.
Debbie Hawkinson, McPherson Chamber of Commerce Executive Director thanked Johnston and Dr. Favara for their many years of service to the chamber. She also shared that the dining hall seems a lot brighter than before.
“A very welcoming place, not only for the students and staff but for the community as well,” Hawkinson added.
The public is welcome to eat at the dining hall as well. You can find more information at www.centralchristian.edu/dining-services-info
See more ribbon cutting photos from the McPherson Chamber of Commerce.
