Vanguard celebrates graduates, new center

Today will be a time for new beginnings at Vanguard University.

A graduation ceremony for about 400 undergraduate and graduate

students will be held on the athletic field at 10 a.m.

At 2:30 p.m., the campus will celebrate breaking ground on the new

Heath Academic Center for Religion and Business. It will be the official

launch of the university’s ambitious capital campaign -- “Vanguard 21.”

The campaign envisions a comprehensive university serving more than

3,000 students by 2010. The first project is the $4.85-million academic

center, which will house the university’s religion and business divisions

-- the two largest majors on campus.

The 38,700-square-foot, three-story building will include 10

classrooms, two seminar rooms and more than 40 faculty offices.

The facility will also house the Great Commission Hall, a tribute to

the Vanguard alumni who have made a difference in the world.

Funding for the Heath Academic Center was spearheaded by a $1-million

gift from alumnus and trustee Paul Heath and his wife, Barbara.