Campaign Timeline

Fall 2021

Renovation of Ayres Memorial Hall (housing Admissions and the President’s Office) and Helena Memorial Hall (new home of Boren Art Gallery).

September 2021

Taylor University begins its 175^th year. Through times of want and plenty, times of faith and doubt, as well as times of health and pandemic, the Lord has faithfully sustained and strengthened Taylor University.

October 2021–October 2022

175^th Commission

A nine-month strategic planning process that engaged Taylor constituents in prayerful discernment and strategic dreaming for the future of the University. Meetings with gifted leaders, innovative thinkers, and Taylor constituents were held in Indianapolis, Denver, Fort Myers, Dallas, Chicago, and concluded on Taylor’s campus at Heritage 175 (October 2022).

The strategic plan, Taylor Thrives, was approved by the Board of Trustees, May 2022.

February 2022

The Higher Learning Commission gives final approval for Taylor to offer the BS in Data Science, which is one of the hottest fields in demand today, allowing Taylor to extend its leadership position in terms of computing, data and information systems.

Summer–Early Fall 2022

Refresh of campus facilities: Zondervan Galleria—new flooring, wall treatments, lighting and ceiling upgrades; refreshed Odle Lobby and new court flooring in Odle Arena; new Mitchell Theatre seating; turf replacement, Turner Stadium and Winterholter Field; new pergola outside of Samuel Morris Hall; refurbished Samuel Morris statues; new Athletics Weight Room.

Fall 2022

• Dedication of Athletics Weight Room: a renovated, state-of-the-art facility for student-athletes.
• New artificial turf: Turner Stadium and Winterholter Field.
• Pilot program of Presidential Fellows launched with four fellows.

November 2022

The University announces the formation of new academic programs in Health Sciences: B.S. in Nursing, M.S. in Physician Assistant Studies, M.S. in Medical Science. The programs represent strong interest areas among prospective students and are a tremendous match for Taylor’s mission and institutional history.

Spring 2023

Taylor receives a $5 million gift from Taylor alumna and longtime friend of the University Elaine (Brunz ’62) Vandermeulen. The gift, secured in late 2022, will fund the Vandermeulen Innovation Hub in the Horne Academic Center.

Spring 2023

New artificial turf, Wheeler Practice Field.

March 2023

Taylor announces a new certificate in Innovation & Entrepreneurship, starting Fall 2023. Every incoming first-year student, regardless of major, will have the opportunity to earn a minor or certificate in Innovation & Entrepreneurship to complement and enrich their studies. 

April 2023

• Taylor announces a Scripture Engagement minor to be offered beginning Fall 2023-24.
• Faculty undertake a nine-month Reframing of Core Curriculum. In Fall 2023-24, Taylor’s core curriculum will be organized around the institutional imperative of Cultivating Wisdom.
• Twelve students are appointed as Inaugural Presidential Fellows for 2023-24. This highly competitive program develops promising undergraduates through intentional mentoring by senior leadership, working in their offices while broadening their educational experiences on and off campus.

April 2023

Taylor launches the 10:10 Scholarship Challenge following the receipt of a landmark $20 million gift, the most aggressive scholarship challenge Taylor has ever pursued. Through this challenge, scholarship gifts to Taylor—from $10 to $10 million—will be matched, turning $20 million into $40 million in student scholarships.

May 2023

Taylor announces plans to launch the University’s first Ph.D. program in Leadership starting in Fall 2024. The hallmarks of this new program will include classes with talented senior leaders from various fields, experiential learning that will include domestic and international travel, and cutting-edge technology so that students around the world can enroll. In addition, students will be able to pursue our new Master of Arts degree in Leadership, which will be offered alongside and part of the doctoral degree.

May 2023

Taylor celebrates a year of extraordinary philanthropic giving with $65M+ secured. FY2022-23 goal: $30 million.

October 2023

Stillman Fieldhouse is dedicated. The renovated fieldhouse provides locker rooms for football and lacrosse teams, team meeting rooms, a lounge for football, and practice space for both baseball and softball.

November 2023

Groundbreaking for the Residential Village with housing available starting fall of 2024. The Village will consist of five three-story townhomes with capacity to house up to 152 students.

November 2023

The Campus Master Plan is unveiled following a year of development. The plan lays out a framework for an investment in excess of $100 million over the next five years alongside millions more in external funding for Upland, Grant County, and the wider region. While it doesn’t provide a formal blueprint of capital commitments for Taylor’s future, it lays out a vision for potential capital investments and provides tangible ideas that we can explore with potential funders and stakeholders.

November 2023

Zondy’s, our newest dining option, opens in Zondervan Galleria.

December 2023

• Ceremonial groundbreaking of Nussbaum Science Center—the future home of Taylor’s Nursing program, pending accreditation approval.
• Hodson Dining Commons reopens following extensive renovations that started in June 2023. Upgrades include a rebuilt kitchen and serving locations, new dining room furniture and fixtures, installation of an elevator, and new restrooms. Future enhancements include an outdoor patio and pavilion and expanded event space.
• Relighting of Rice Bell Tower (a Taylor distinctive).