Luther Classical College has been blessed with encouraging progress on its building activities this year. And thanks to the work accomplished by its building and grounds committee, contracted building partner, Sampson Construction, and extraordinary volunteer commitment, most of LCC’s 13-acre campus is now mapped out for ten student houses, classroom buildings, and a world-class library.
These buildings are being pursued with the utmost commitment as internal milestone achievements have become the regular diet of LCC’s first administrative team. For example, in addition to finalizing its academic catalog, making headway on syllabi and accreditation, and interviewing and hiring professors, LCC is even cataloguing thousands of works for its student library collection. “It gives us assurance to have mapped out a full range of fast-approaching needs in our campus plans already,” says Samuel Preus, Director of Advancement.
Yet as the college develops on so many fronts, LCC’s students remain their highest priority. “I haven’t ever been able to be part of something that will impact young adults in such a unique environment,” says Rick Flemming, Project Executive for Sampson Construction, commenting on the vision of LCC’s campus development. Indeed, the vision truly driving LCC’s campus development is its unique utility for students. In consideration of these students, President Ristau states, “The interest in LCC from prospective students has exceeded our expectations. Our greatest challenge remains finding enough rooms and homes for them all. We are making healthy progress.”
For this reason LCC is laser focused on building its first student house as soon as possible. The ground is already being prepared as the Advancement team works to raise the needed funds to see it through. “It truly has been a labor of love,” says Jeff Snyder, chairman of LCC’s building and grounds committee. “A lot of industry experts on our committee have been working tirelessly to ensure the project runs smoothly, on time, and as cost effectively as possible.”
Twenty-one students have now been accepted for admission at Luther Classical College. This beginning of LCC’s historic first class is a remarkable achievement for the young institution, reflecting the unprecedented momentum behind its founding. “Raising support to prepare our campus for student housing is our absolute number one capital fundraising priority,” comments Preus.
Achieving the first home is not without its hurdles. Ryan Waterbury, Professional Engineer on LCC’s building and grounds committee, notes, “LCC is on track to have one housing building up by fall of 2025,” while Flemming adds that working through the winter months and maintaining the construction budget will be the biggest hurdles.
More updates will be available in the coming weeks as LCC continues to work toward its campus goals.