Bryan College opens new admissions building

Written by: Mathaus Schwarzen, staff writer

The Bryan College board of trustees looks on as the Stophel Center name is officially unveiled. 

DAYTON, Tenn.— Bryan College formally opened its new admissions building on Friday, October 4. The ceremony was attended by students and faculty, as well as guests and alumni from the Bryan community.

Named after Glenn Stophel, a former member of the Bryan College board of trustees (1978-1986; 1992-2010) and his wife, Jackie, the Stophel Center will house the admissions, advancement, marketing and executive offices.

Bryan College President Stephen Livesay, who recently announced his plans to retire after the current school year, opened the ceremony.

“We don’t often remember the difficult challenges and Glenn especially was so helpful to this school, navigating some challenging rocks in the river for us through the years in the 1980s and 1990s,” Livesay said. “He is someone who has devoted his life to helping this College in the midst of doing the call that God has given him.”

Bryan College President Stephen Livesay opens the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

The Bryan College chamber choir led the guests in singing “Is He Worthy?” by Andrew Peterson. Trustee Chair Delana Bice then gave a brief address to the guests and the Stophels.

“How exciting that the first thing that visitors to Bryan College will see is the Stophel Welcome Center!” Bice said. “And what a worthy couple they are to have their names on the building. I don’t know what Bryan College would be or where Bryan College would be without the Stophels.” 

The 18,000 square foot Stophel Center is intended to serve as a welcome center for all guests of the College. It is also equipped with a medium-sized banquet facility and a piano donated by the class of 1969. 

Construction on the Center began on September 6, 2018, when the school held a groundbreaking ceremony in the parking lot the building now inhabits. It was originally anticipated to be complete by July 2019.

The guests were given tours of the new facility after associate professor of music Kimberly Keck led the group in singing the Bryan College alma mater. The Trustees and the Stophels officially cut the ribbon outside.

Glenn Stophel addresses guests at the center opening

“Let me say a sincere thank you,” Stophel said. “But also, I must follow that by saying that all the praise and all the glory goes to the Lord Jesus Christ, not to us; however, even though undeserved, much appreciated is the honor bestowed upon us and we thank you for that.”

Mathäus Schwarzen is a staff writer for the Bryan Triangle specializing in campus news, and a sophomore at Bryan College, majoring in creative writing. He spends his free time writing, drawing and listening to music.