Class Gifts Bell Hall Outdoor Study Area

50th reunion class gift benefits students

The Class of 1964 enjoys exploring the new outdoor study space they helped bring about during Alumni Weekend in September. (Photo by Brian Tagalog, IMC student photographer)

by Jenna Neil

An outdoor patio and study space on the north side of Bell Hall, which houses the School of Education, was dedicated during Alumni Homecoming Weekend. The courtyard was something that Dennis Woodland, emeritus professor of biology, wanted to do for several years. However, until recently there wasn’t enough money to begin the project.

That changed this year, thanks to the Class of 1964. Each year, the current 50-year class gives a gift to Andrews University—something that commemorates the years they spent at Andrews and their fond memories of campus. The reunion committee for the Class of 1964 thought this project would be the perfect gift to the University.

Stan Beikmann, retired professor of horticulture and landscape design and designer of the patio, stated that the project is important because of the “microclimate” that exists in the space.

“Whereas Andrews falls in Zones 4 and 5, because the space is enclosed on three sides and receives ambient heat from the building and protection from winter winds, we recognize that it is equivalent to a Zone 6 plant habitat,” says Beikmann.

A plant habitat or “hardiness zone” refers to 1 of 12 defined areas where specific categories of plants are able to grow.

Dick Scott, director of facilities management, asked Beikmann to design the patio. The design is a natural shade garden with a semi-circular patio that wraps around a mimosa tree. Beikmann used several southern plants and other shade plants with the most color in the fall and spring when students are on campus. The design plan was distributed to more than 150 members of the class of 1964 and was met with overwhelming approval and excitement.

Arboretum/Grounds worked hard to finish the project in a six-week time frame, so the 50-year class would have the chance to dedicate the space during Homecoming Weekend at the end of September.

Materials and plants were ordered and the prep work began right away with foundations of concrete blocks. Tons of sand and aggregate were brought in along with cut stone to lay the patio. The final step was landscaping with plants and instant sod lawn. Any remaining plants and final touches will be added during the spring of 2015.

The Arboretum/Grounds team that worked on the project included two landscape students, Andi Caban and Austin Cassell, along with Noe Valez, arboretum/grounds manager, Aaron Hinman, groundskeeper supervisor, David Logan, mechanic, and Stan Beikmann. Larry Schalk, vice president for Financial Administration, 1964 graduate and class representative, along with the Offices of Alumni Services and Development, oversaw the funding of the project and kept the Class of 1964 updated on the progress.

“We want to have an outside place where students can study or faculty and staff can relax, read or have lunch," says Vicki Wiley, executive assistant to the dean of the School of Education. "This space offers exactly that. We’re very pleased with the results.”

Andrews University offers our sincerest thanks to the Class of 1964 for making this study space possible.