Blueprint

Editor's note: This is the second in a two-part series describing key objectives in Roanoke College's strategic plan, and how the College has succeeded in accomplishing those objectives. In part two: the transformation of the College's physical environment; service learning; and heightening reputation. We turned to three members of the governing body of Roanoke College—Board of Trustees Chair Morris Cregger '64 and Trustees Pam Cabalka '76 and Malon Courts '92—for their perspective on strategic plan successes.

THE PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT

Strategic Plan: Provide a state-of-the-art living and learning environment, both aesthetically and functionally. Provide excellent learning spaces in classroom and other buildings.

The dedication of the Morris M. Cregger Center on Oct. 27, 2016, marked a significant upward shift in the physical life of Roanoke College. The impressive five-story, 155-square-foot structure-which brings together academics, athletics, recreation and community space under one roof-symbolizes how the College views itself and how it strives to be viewed: as a top-tier institution.

The Cregger Center is the latest transformation of the College's physical environment. Evidence abounds that the College-named by The Princeton Review less than a decade ago as one of nation's most beautiful- has met, and even surpassed, that lofty aim over the past 25 years.

"When I came to Roanoke as a student, the first thing that struck me was the beauty of the campus," says Roanoke trustee Pam Cabalka '76. "The campus was beautiful then, and it's 10 times more beautiful today. All of the new buildings and gathering spaces really showcase the vistas and surrounding valley."

Over the past two decades, the Roanoke campus has undergone a dramatic makeover. In 1999, the College embarked on the $12 million Colket Center/Sutton Commons project, then the largest building project in Roanoke College's history. Today, the 60,000-square-foot complex-expanded from the old campus center's 40,000 square feet-is a hub for campus life, where students come together for meals, entertainment and meetings. It also serves as the home of WRKE 100.3 FM, the College's radio station, and offers creative workspace in the Garrett Student Media Lounge, equipped with Apple computers running Adobe Creative Cloud. In 2015, Sutton Patio was added. 

Lucas Hall reopened in 2010 after an impressive makeover that preserved the structure's classic 1940s character while nearly doubling its size to over 26,000 square feet. With the renovation, Lucas became Roanoke's first LEED certified building, signifying the College's commitment to sustainability.

The completion of New Hall in 2012 added more on-campus student living space, achieving a major step toward the goal of bolstering Roanoke's position as a leading residential liberal arts college. The College's second LEED-certified project, the $15.5 million, 64,828-square-foot structure houses up to 243 students. It is also home to the Honors Living Learning Community.

"These living and gathering spaces for the campus community-whether a residence hall lounge, a workout room or a study room- facilitate an exchange of ideas and appreciation for different perspectives among students," says Morris Cregger '64, chair of Roanoke's Board of Trustees and namesake of the Cregger Center. "That's just as important a part of their education as what they learn in the classroom. The environment of campus says, 'Let's get together,' and I think that's very important for building community and developing the whole person."

One of the greatest physical improvements on the Roanoke campus was construction of the Fintel Library in the early 1990s. But in 2013, increased traffic flowed through the library's front doors after a small coffee shop opened in the lobby. Changes became necessary, and in 2016, the library's main floor was upgraded with new seating, better lighting and improved technology to create a welcoming and appealing environment.

"When I was a student at Roanoke, I wouldn't even study in the library because it was a sterile, uncomfortable and rigid environment," says Trustee Malon Courts '92. "We've transformed that environment so that students can do projects individually or collaboratively."

Other recent campus improvements-many made possible by generous gifts from alumni, parents and friends of the College-include:

• The former Farmer's National Building at the corner of College Avenue and Main Street is now occupied by the History Department. The first floor was opened to create space for a public history gallery (named the Logan Gallery) and lecture hall.
• College-owned buildings along College Avenue received a facade upgrade, bringing a consistent and charming look that extends the campus connection to Main Street.
• The main floor of West Hall was upgraded with new carpeting, paint and new furnishings. Courtroom benches from the days when the building served as the Roanoke County Courthouse are back in the building.
• A revamped "John's Bridge," was constructed at the Peery Drive campus entrance off Thompson Memorial Drive, as well as a new parking lot near the Cregger Center.
• The Admissions Office, housed in Roselawn, was upgraded with new décor that offers a warm welcome to visiting students and their families while preserving the building's historic elements.

Roanoke College's athletic facilities took a giant step forward in 2006 with the addition of Donald J. Kerr Stadium. The 1,400-seat stadium, named for former Board of Trustees member Don Kerr '60, is home to the soccer, lacrosse and field hockey programs.

The latest leap forward has been construction of the Cregger Center, which houses a performance gymnasium, indoor track, Athletics Department office, Belk Fitness Center, athletic training clinic, team locker rooms, classrooms, faculty offices and Health and Human Performance Department labs. Since its opening in 2016, the College has hosted numerous NCAA and VHSL competitions.

"The Cregger Center certainly has that wow factor," says Cregger, a Maroon Hall of Famer. "I hope this facility will be valuable for recruiting and retaining students, but I also hope the entire campus community will enjoy it as a gathering place. We are blessed to have it. There's nothing else like it in our athletic conference or in the state of Virginia."

On the not-too-distant horizon is the creation of a new Science Complex to house Roanoke's first-rate programs in the sciences, mathematics and technology, as well as pre-professional programs in engineering and medicine. Plans have been developed to build a state-of-the-art science center, which will link the Life Sciences, Massengill Auditorium and Trexler buildings into a comprehensive complex.

"We have wonderful science graduates and wonderful science programs, but our current facility doesn't reflect that," Cabalka says. "The new Science Complex will reflect how good we are in these areas and become a drawing point for high-caliber students interested in those disciplines."  

BUILDING COLLEGE REPUTATION

Strategic Plan: Each year, Roanoke students will receive national fellowships and awards (such as Goldwater, Fulbright, Truman, and Rhodes Scholarships). Expanding experiential educational opportunities for all students will provide a Roanoke educational experience that compares well with, but stands out in important ways from what other leading liberal arts colleges offer.

The thrilling news arrived by email on a Monday morning in February: U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs announces that Roanoke College is one of the nation's top producers of Fulbright U.S. students for 2017-18.

Roanoke—which has produced at least one Fulbright student in each of the past five years, with a record six students for the 2017-18 academic year—was the only Virginia college included on the Fulbright students list for bachelor's degree institutions. That list contained 48 schools, ranked by number of applicants and number of awards; Roanoke was number 22.

Not too many years ago, Roanoke College would not have been in the running for top Fulbright producers. But in 2012, College administrators decided to help students become aware of and prepare for collegiate scholarships and fellowships. Since then, 34 Roanoke students have received the Fulbright Award, the Benjamin Gilman International Scholarship, the Harry S. Truman Scholarships and others. That compares with seven Roanoke students who received such awards between 2002 and 2011.

Of the recognition, Dr. Richard Smith, vice president and dean of the College, has said, "This is not only a testament to the extraordinary abilities of our students, but also to our standing as one of the leading colleges in Virginia and the nation."

Developing programs to prepare students for these honors, scholarships and fellowships was a goal of the College's strategic plan. That vision has been well-executed by Professor Jenny Rosti, director of major scholarships and fellowships, who works directly with aspiring scholarship students to guide them through the challenging application process. Rosti's work has raised public awareness of the caliber of students who attend the College.

"The academic success of our students has been outstanding, and the numbers speak for themselves," Cregger says. "Each year we're having more and more students attaining that level of excellence. I have no doubt in my mind that this will be repeated and become a year in, year out situation."

Roanoke, in recent years, also has had finalists in two of the most prestigious postgraduate scholarships. In 2016, one student was named a finalist for the Marshall Scholarship. That same year, another student was named a Rhodes Scholar finalist, the first in more than 100 years.

"I think these accomplishments put us in line for a whole lot of wonderful things," Cabalka says. "The more we can enhance the way the campus looks and the quality of our programs, we will continue to attract high-quality students who will be strong candidates for Rhodes scholarships Fulbright scholarships and other top academic honors."  

SERVICE LEARNING

Strategic Plan: Increase the number of students involved in service learning to the highest levels in Roanoke's history.

In 2012, an estimated 100 students engaged in some form of service learning at Roanoke College. Fast forward to 2018: That number has grown to just under 650. While service learning overlaps with community service and volunteerism, Roanoke has recognized that the "learning" part is key.

As part of receiving reaccreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) in 2012, Roanoke College strengthened its focus on experiential learning - a process through which students "learn by doing" and then reflect, in writing, on the personal impact of the experience. Service learning is one of the five emphasized areas of experiential learning, which also includes undergraduate research, internships, study away (abroad or within the United States) and artistic endeavors.

"If we can encourage students to fully engage in the life of the college beyond the classroom, they'll have a richer experience," Courts says. "That will give them an edge after they graduate."

The College's Center for Civic Engagement enhances the focus on these learning experiences and assists faculty in incorporating service learning into their courses. In the 2017-18 academic year, 37 service-learning courses were offered, up from an estimated 10 in 2015. The College has established partnerships with a number of community agencies, focused on such needs as hunger, housing and education.

Service-learning projects can open students' eyes to real-world problems while fostering empathy and cultivating a desire to make a difference. These experiences also are linked with the College's mission of developing the whole person and preparing them for a lifetime of learning, service and leadership.

"It gets back to the whole person initiative, of developing people academically, socially, spiritually and instilling that sense of giving back," Cabalka says. "The saying that 'the more you give, the more you get back' may seem trite, but it's absolutely true. Helping our students learn how much they can gain by giving to others in need is critical to what Roanoke College is all about."

How you can contribute to Roanoke College's strategic plan: Give us one word that describes what you envision for the College in the next 5-10 years. To tell us, click here.