Taylor University has announced a $10 million transformative gift from the Bond Family Foundation to establish Bond-Servant Plaza—a centrally located campus gathering space and amphitheater designed to foster both community and spiritual growth. Additionally, the gift will fund an endowed concert series and support the development of the new Chapel.
Rooted in Scripture, the term “bond-servant” conveys wholehearted devotion to Jesus and is referenced over 120 times in the New Testament, most commonly in the Pauline epistles.
Building on this spiritual foundation, Bond‑Servant Plaza will occupy a strategic location at the center of campus, where key academic and student life facilities intersect. Surrounded by thoughtfully designed gathering spaces, landscaped walkways, seating areas, and an open green expanse, the Plaza will serve as a vibrant hub of daily activity and primary pedestrian corridor, welcoming moments of quiet reflection while also accommodating large group gatherings.
Anchored by an illuminated cross that symbolizes Taylor’s Christian identity, the Plaza will stand as a visible expression of the University’s enduring Christian mission.
“At the very center of campus, Bond-Servant Plaza will be a place where faith is seen, celebrated, and lived,” said D. Michael Lindsay, Taylor’s president. “It will be an environment that invites students to encounter faith in the midst of everyday life and challenges them to commit their lives fully to Christ in pursuit of a lifetime of meaningful service.”
Bond‑Servant Plaza will be a place for outdoor life and worship—a versatile, beautifully designed common area. With a gently sloped lawn for up to 4,000 people, durable year‑round turf, and a two‑sided stage, the Plaza is designed to host large concerts, community worship, residence hall wing events, and student gatherings of every size. The Plaza will serve as a dynamic and functional extension of the LaRita Boren Campus Center.
One of the Plaza’s most distinctive features will be a structure connected to the foot of the cross. Designed to hold a carabiner for every student on campus, this “Commitment Wall” will offer a powerful and tangible expression of faith.
The carabiner—commonly used in rock climbing—serves as a compelling metaphor for the spiritual journey. Just as a climber relies on a carabiner for security and connection, students will be invited to memorialize their trust in God and their commitment to follow Christ by attaching their carabiner to the commitment wall. For many, this moment will be especially meaningful during their first year on campus, marking the beginning of their Taylor journey.
“This is about more than a thoughtfully designed space on our campus,” added Dr. Mike Falder, Vice President for University Advancement. “It’s about forming men and women who will carry what they experience here into the world—serving Christ faithfully, leading courageously, and loving deeply.”
The cross plaza emerged from the Bond family’s deep sense of calling to make an investment that would nurture students’ spiritual growth and impact future generations. At the same time, the University was planning a new Chapel and Welcome Center. Recognizing a moment of shared vision and timely opportunity, the family and Taylor’s leadership jointly envisioned a space where reflection, prayer, and community come together—a visible testament to Taylor’s spiritual foundation and an open invitation for students to engage in their faith.
Bond‑Servant Plaza is scheduled for completion in Fall 2027.
To accommodate the construction of the new Chapel and Welcome Center, the current George Glass Track and Field Complex will be relocated to 8th Street near the Gudakunst softball field. The newly named Glass Track and Field Complex is scheduled to open in Fall 2026.
Vayhinger Loop is being rerouted along Reade Avenue, turning south past the new Chapel and Welcome Center, and will reconnect near the Zondervan Library parking lot.
Additionally, the area between Horne Academic Center and LaRita Boren Campus Center will become a pedestrian‑oriented corridor providing access to the Campus Center and other nearby buildings. Renamed Ockenga Circle, it will be transformed into an inviting place for community gatherings, including street markets, pop‑up events, and other campus activities.
