Paul and Cheryl Kalmbach join Dr. Stephen Jones for the ribbon cutting to open the newly renovated Kalmbach Room in the Dixon-McKenzie Dining Common on the Bob Jones University campus. From left to right, Paul Kalmbach, Cheryl Kalmbach and Dr. Stephen Jones, president, Bob Jones University.
Joined by representatives of the University family, contractors and city, county and state officials, Jones recognized donors and several individuals who played key roles in the nearly $6 million renovation project. Following the brief program, attendees enjoyed lunch in the newly-renovated facilities.
Dr. Jones also renamed the main dining room the Kalmbach Room in honor of the late Milton and Ruth Kalmbach of Ohio who loved BJU and what it stood for. "They would be most pleased to know their legacy includes supporting a University whose goals match the faith for which they lived," their son, Paul Kalmbach, said.
"My main goal for the project," Dr. Jones said, "is to enhance our mission of student discipleship — to create a venue conducive to intentional faculty-to-student and student-to-student mentoring and discipleship and to student socialization. Additionally, I want to give our students a great dining experience by increasing food variety and healthy options as well as extended dining hours."
Each year, more than a million meals are prepared in the dining common.