At a farewell gala for outgoing President George Brushaber, the name of Bethel University’s new community commons was revealed. Trustee Rollie Anderson announced that, in honor of Brushaber’s extraordinary contribution to Bethel over 33 years, the Board of Trustees had unanimously voted to name the building George K. Brushaber Commons.

“This is by far the largest project in Bethel’s history,” he said. “George, you’ve dreamed about it as long as I’ve known you.”

The George K. Brushaber Commons is on schedule to be completed by March 2009. At 110,000 square feet in size, and situated overlooking Lake Valentine, it will feature new dining areas, the campus store, meeting rooms, student life and student organization offices, a casual event venue, and other spaces for people to relax and connect.

The commons constituted $30 million of the $105 million Taking the Next Step campaign, recently completed successfully.