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Friday, March 29, 2024 - 07:34 AM

INDEPENDENT CONSERVATIVE VOICE OF UPSTATE SOUTH CAROLINA

First Published in 1994

INDEPENDENT CONSERVATIVE VOICE OF
UPSTATE SOUTH CAROLINA

BJU---Kalmback-Cutting-Ribbon

Dr. Stephen Jones, president of Bob Jones University, today reopened the renovated student dining room of the Dixon-McKenzie Dining Common—the major dining facility on the BJU campus.

Joined by representatives of the University family, contractors and city, county and state officials, Jones recognized donors and several individuals who played key roles in the nearly $6 million renovation project. Following the brief program, attendees enjoyed lunch in the newly-renovated facilities. BJU---New-Dining-Facilities

Dr. Jones also renamed the main dining room the Kalmbach Room in honor of the late Milton and Ruth Kalmbach of Ohio who loved BJU and what it stood for. “They would be most pleased to know their legacy includes supporting a University whose goals match the faith for which they lived,” says their son, Paul Kalmbach.

“My main goal for the project,” says Dr. Jones, “is to enhance our mission of student discipleship—to create a venue conducive to intentional faculty-to-student and student-to-student mentoring and discipleship and to student socialization. Additionally, I want to give our students a great dining experience by increasing food variety and healthy options as well as extended dining hours.”

Since early May, the main student dining room—which is approximately the size of a football field—has been totally gutted, equipped with a variety of food stations and new furniture, and totally redecorated.  This follows three summers of infrastructure work to prepare the building for the interior renovation.

To increase energy efficiency, new heating and air conditioning systems and state-of-the-art Prescolite Megalum high output LED down lights were installed. This lighting installation is one of the first installations which utilizes heat pipe technology from the computer and space industry to dissipate heat from the lighting. Lights have a 60,000 hour life which equates to almost 15 years of use for 12 hours daily.

Choate Construction Company of Charlotte, N.C. served as general contractor.

The facility opens to the entire university family Friday, Aug. 30.

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Dixon-McKenzie Dining Common

The Dixon-McKenzie Dining Common was originally built in 1965. The building was added to an existing Winn-Dixie grocery store.

The dining common is one of the ten largest dining facilities in the country operating under one roof.

The renovation of the main dining room which approximates the size of a football field is the culmination of a multi-year project with a projected total cost of nearly $6 million. Work began on the final phase May 6.

A better variety of foods and healthier, fresher food options will be provided through an expanded deli, salad bar and grill. Seating will serve small groups in a café–type seating arrangement to encourage student and student/faculty interaction.

The main dining room was renamed the Kalmbach Room in memory of the late Milton and Ruth Kalmbach of Ohio. It will seat just over 1,100 at one time. There are three other smaller dining rooms in the facility.

The state-of-the-art lighting utilizes heat pipe technology from the computer and space industry to dissipate heat from the LED lighting. The lights have a 60,000 hour life, which equates to almost 15 years at 12 hours/day. The facility is one of the first installations of Prescolite’s new Megalum high output LED downlight.

Each year, over a million meals are prepared in the dining common.

ARAMARK is responsible for food service on the Bob Jones University campus. In addition to food service at the dining common, ARAMARK provides food service at an on-campus Chick fil A and Papa John’s Pizza. Additionally, Brody’s Grill (Snack Shop) and The Growl (Davis Field House) are available for students and visitors.

Choate Construction Company of Charlotte, N.C. served as general contractor and Tipton Associates of Baton Rouge, La. served as principal architect.

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