Buena Vista University
Encyclopedia
Buena Vista University is a private 4-year college located in Storm Lake, Iowa
. Founded in 1891 as Buena Vista College, it is affiliated with the Presbyterian Church
. The university's 60 acres (242,811.6 m²) campus is situated on the shores of Storm Lake, a 3200 acres (12.9 km²) natural lake. BVU's academic programs feature a balance between traditional liberal arts courses and hands-on learning opportunities, such as travel and internships. The university awards its faculty with the $30,000 George Wythe Award for Teaching Excellence, one of the largest faculty awards in the nation. The average student-to-professor ratio is 13:1.
At its inception, the college was housed in the Storm Lake Opera House, where it remained for only a year. Old Main, the college's first building, opened in 1892, and was occupied by faculty and students until it burned down in 1956. Major construction projects in the 1950s and 1960s extended the college, which soon included three dormitories
, a library, and a number of classroom buildings.
The college gained accreditation in 1952, and began to grant degrees under the authority of the North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools. The first graduate degrees were offered in 1995, at which time the college became Buena Vista University.
The main campus of Buena Vista University serves approximately 1,200 students each academic year, and currently offers classes in 42 majors. Fifteen additional locations throughout Iowa and online serve about 1,400 students as part of the Graduate & Professional Studies program. The university is ranked in the top 20 Midwestern Comprehensive Colleges, as reported by U.S.News and World Report's college rankings. In 2009, BVU was ranked 11th for academic quality in the Midwestern Baccalaureate category.
The Harold Walter Siebens School of Business offers majors in accounting, business economics, finance and banking, international business, management, management information systems (MIS) and marketing. A person majoring in a business area not only engages in an intensive study of at least one specialty field, but also receives a broad base of instruction in all areas of business.
The School of Communication & Arts offers majors in art, arts management, communication and graphic design, communication and performance studies, English, media studies, music, music production, and Spanish, as well as offerings in Japanese, Chinese, and German. The school is concerned with the many-faceted process of communication.
The School of Education & Exercise Science offers programs in teacher education, exercise science and athletic training. Upon successful completion of a current teacher education program or exercise science program, the student may be eligible for certification by the State of Iowa to teach appropriate course work in elementary and secondary schools. Completing the athletic training program allows the student to be eligible to sit for the National Athletic Trainers Association (NATA) certification exam.
The School of Science includes the fields of biochemistry, biology, chemistry, computer science, environmental science, mathematics, physics, and general science. Although varying in their methods of instruction and content, the fields of study have common aims in the development of liberal and professional education.
The School of Social Science, Philosophy & Religion draws together an interdisciplinary emphasis in the areas of history, political science, public administration, criminology and criminal justice, sociology/social work, social science, psychology, philosophy, and religion. The school challenges the student to gain an understanding of the past, a rapport with the present, and a sense for developing perspectives and priorities related to the future.
Mortuary Science.
university’s mission by enhancing the curriculum through experiential learning opportunities and by promoting an awareness of the diversity of cultures and perspectives that exist in the global community.
Command and Army Training and Doctrine Command. Army ROTC is an elective curriculum that students take along with their major program of study. The program is designed to give students tools, training and experiences that will help them succeed in any competitive
environment.
The processional through the Victory Arch: Students pass through the Victory Arch twice during their University career: on Founder's Day as new students, and again as part of their Commencement ceremony. As freshmen, they proceed through the Arch, toward Schaller Memorial Chapel, indicating their entrance into the BVU community. As seniors, students proceed from Schaller Memorial Chapel through the Victory Arch, signifying the end of one chapter of their lives and the beginning of another.
Chapel Services: Every Thursday at 11 a.m. during the academic year, the BVU community comes together for worship. Although attendance at chapel is no longer required of students, many still enjoy and participate in this celebration of faith and community.
The William W. Siebens American Heritage Lecture Series: This prestigious event features internationally-recognized leaders of business, academics, law, press, government, religion and other areas of American life. Each speaker focuses on an area of life where the matters of major rights and responsibilities are a concern. Selected students have the opportunity to interview the speakers during an afternoon session that is attended by the campus community.
Homecoming Week: Homecoming week is one of the major social events of the year for students, faculty, staff and alumni. Throughout the week, students prepare for Homecoming with residence hall/suite competitions and nightly events. The week culminates with the crowning of the King and Queen, a parade and the football game and alumni reunions.
All-campus Christmas Dinner: BVU's Office of the President and Spiritual Life host a traditional holiday dinner for all students. The evening also includes the singing of Christmas carols and Buena Vista Fight Song, the presentation of an art gift, and photos with the school mascot. Faculty and staff serve the dinner to students.
Buenafication Day: Each spring, faculty, staff and students join forces to paint, plant flowers and "buenafy" the BVU campus. This tradition has also evolved into a day of service during which students do volunteer projects in the community. A morning of work and service is followed by a picnic lunch and an afternoon of games.
Academic Awards Banquet: In the spring, the University recognizes those students who have excelled in their academic pursuits. Parents, faculty and staff are also included in this ceremony. Major awards, such as Senior of the Year, are announced at the event.
Moonlight Breakfast: Each semester during finals week, Student Services and Sodexho Food Service host a late-night breakfast for students. Served by the Student Services staff, this is an excellent study break as students prepare for their final exams.
Scholars Day: In one of the newest traditions held in the spring, students representing a cross-section of academic disciplines have the opportunity to showcase their original scholarly work in an interactive format that is open the public.
Career Symposium: On the day before Homecoming, BVU alumni return to campus to participate in panel sessions to answer students’ questions about careers. In addition to the panel sessions, time is also scheduled for students to meet “one on one” with alumni. The event is sponsored by the BVU National Alumni Association.
Dinner at the President’s Home: Each fall, President and Mrs. Moore invite freshmen (via their Freshman Seminar classes) to their residence, the McCorkle House, for dinner. It’s an opportunity for the students to get to know the president and a time when the president shares some of the historical background on the impact that Life Trustee Dr. Paul McCorkle and his late wife, Vivian, who was also a Trustee, have had on the University.
Senior Send-off: This event started in 1999 as a brunch prior to Commencement to celebrate the time the seniors spent on campus and to wish them well in their future endeavors. The format was changed in 2007 to a picnic in Scout Park on the Friday before Commencement day. The offices of Student Services and Alumni Relations are the sponsors.
Ringing of the Victory Bell: In years gone by, the Victory Bell was occasionally rung by students to celebrate football victories and to commemorate special occasions. The tradition has recently been renewed by the Alumni Association Student Board. Now, freshmen ring the bell on Founders’ Day, sophomores as a call to the Christmas Dinner, juniors as a call to students to gather on Buenafication Day morning, and seniors on their Commencement Day. Originally, the bell was located across from Edson Hall and was later moved to a site between Lage Communications Center and Social Sciences and Art Hall.
Buena Vista's mascot is the Beaver. The origins of the Beaver as the Buena Vista mascot go back to the early 1900s, when the football team was called the BVers. In the spring of 1921, a Buena Vista student combined that nickname with then-popular soft drink Bevo to create the nickname the Beavers.
Formerly the main library facility, the Ballou Building houses the Offices of the President and Institutional Advancement, including the National Alumni Association. The lower level still houses the Allee Curriculum Library, containing 7,800 volumes; a student lounge and other library materials.
Bradford Field
Bradford Field is the site of football and track activity. It is home to the J. Leslie Rollins Football Stadium. The 240 feet (73.2 m) stadium extends between the 10 yards (9.1 m) lines and has a seating capacity
of approximately 2,500. An all-weather, eight-lane track was installed in 1986.
Dixon-Eilers Hall
Dixon-Eilers Hall houses BVU's business offices and the Office of the Registrar, in addition to housing classrooms. The building was completed in 1958 and stands on the site of the original "Old Main."
Edson Hall
Originally known as Victory Hall, the University gym before Siebens Fieldhouse was constructed in 1969, Edson Hall is now home to the BVU music department. Renovation of the hall was completed in early 1997 with the addition of a choral rehearsal room, nine state-of-the-art practice rooms, a piano/keyboard lab, a student work area, and additional office space.
Estelle Siebens Science Center
Completed in the summer of 2004, the 70000 square feet (6,503.2 m²) facility comfortably houses BVU's five interdisciplinary fields of science (biology, chemistry, computer science, mathematics, and physics), fostering collaboration among the disciplines, as well as between students and faculty.
The 18 laboratories complement seven classrooms, three research areas, and 24 offices. "Science Avenue," a prominent atrium corridor that puts projects on display, connects the two-story, glass-walled rotunda (nicknamed "The Beaker") to a greenhouse with three environmental growth chambers.
Finkbine Natatorium
Named in appreciation of Frank Finkbine in memory of his wife Mae Finkbine, Finkbine Natatorium is a six-lane 25 yards (22.9 m) competition pool.
Harold Walter Siebens School of Business/Siebens Forum
The Harold Walter Siebens School of Business/Siebens Forum was completed in the spring of 1985. In addition to the Harold Walter Siebens School of Business and a conference center, it houses the Student and Career Services offices, food service and cafeteria, Anderson Auditorium (a 386-seat auditorium), Siebens Den, the Geisinger Student Leadership Center, the bookstore, post office, games area and snack bar, and other offices and lounges. Included in the Harold Walter Siebens School of Business are tiered seminar rooms, a case-study seminar room, faculty offices, and a special resource room that enables students to receive the latest market information from Wall Street and other sources. The conference center includes a board room, conference rooms, lobbies, and offices. The $10 million building, made possible by an $18 million gift from the late Dr. Harold Walter Siebens, also has telecommunication capabilities.
Information Technology Center/BVU Library
The BVU Library is a state-of-the-art facilitiy with a capacity of 300,000 printed volumes, as well as one thousand journals and periodicals. Computerized periodical databases access many sources not available in the library. A coffee shop was added to the library in 2008.
Lage Communication Center
Lage Communication Center is the home of telecommunication at BVU. Lage houses the radio, television and print studios for the School of Communication and Arts. It is the control center for the telecommunication system, which extends throughout campus.
Lamberti Recreation Center
Construction was completed in 2001 on this 65000 square feet (6,038.7 m²) addition to the Siebens Fieldhouse. It features a six-lane indoor track, three courts for basketball, volleyball and tennis, an exercise and weight room, coaches offices, and locker/shower facilities. The $9.5 million project, funded entirely by donors, also included an 18000 square feet (1,672.3 m²) renovation of the Siebens Fieldhouse.
Lighthouse
A 30 feet (9.1 m) brick lighthouse was built on the shores of Storm Lake near Siebens Fieldhouse in 1992 in memory of Buena Vista University trustee and benefactor Harold Walter Siebens. The lighthouse was a gift from the Siebens family.
McCorkle Hall
McCorkle Hall was completed in January 1996 and houses 72 students in six-person suites.
Schaller Memorial Chapel
Schaller Memorial Chapel, dedicated in 1963, adjoins Dixon-Eilers Hall. It serves as an auditorium and theater and is used for convocation services. Special events, such as Baccalaureate and Founders Day, are held here. A small meditation chapel is located in the lower level. A special feature of the chapel is the Hansen Organ, a three-manual Reuter pipe organ with 2,048 pipes.
Siebens Fieldhouse
The main level of Siebens Fieldhouse houses a gymnasium, which seats 4,000 spectators. On this level are classrooms and coaches' offices. The balcony is used for aerobics, and a large double hitting area for softball and baseball. A shot put area is also available.
On the lower level are varsity locker rooms for men and women, laundry facilities, a wrestling room, a training room, handball and racquetball courts, and one of the most extensive weight lifting areas in the Iowa Conference. East of the Fieldhouse are four outdoor tennis courts for recreational and conference play.
Smith Hall
Built in 1925, Smith Hall was completely renovated in 1970. It houses classrooms and faculty offices.
Social Sciences and Art Hall
This building contains art facilities, classrooms and offices for social sciences, as well as an inviting gathering space with a fireplace and television. The building originally housed the science programs, and extensive remodeling was completed in 2008.
Steward D. Siebens Computer Center
The Stewart D. Siebens Computer Center offers hardware and software technical support via the Help Desk, 2FIX hotline (712-749-2349), and 2FIX e-mail (2fix@bvu.edu). The Help Desk also provides checkout services for digital still cameras, digital video cameras, extra batteries, laptop computers, and automobile A/C adapters. The Help Desk is also one of four locations on campus offering battery swap services. The Help Desk hours vary throughout the year and are available on the web at http://2fix.bvu.edu. In the lab area, the Computer Center has a laser printer and several scanners.
The Teaching and Learning with Technology Center, (TLTC) is located in the Computer Center. The TLTC supports faculty in the integration of technology tools into teaching and learning.
Victory Arch
The Victory Arch was constructed from the remains of the Old Main archway. Old Main, constructed in 1893, was the principal building on campus until it was destroyed by fire in 1956. The Victory Arch is a symbol linking the past to the present. The Victory Arch stood on the southeast corner of Chapel lawn for many years before it was rebuilt atop the Harold Walter Siebens School of Business/Siebens Forum in 1984-85.
Swope Hall
The first residence hall built on campus, it is an all-female hall and has single and double occupancy rooms available. There are 10 housing communities, each with a resident advisor available for help.
Pierce and White Halls
It is a double complex, comprising two buildings. White Hall is a co-ed building, with the basement housing male residents, and the top two floors housing female residents. The first floor fluctuates between having male and female residents to accommodate the make up of the student body. Pierce Hall is an all-male hall. Both Pierce and White have three floors and a basement and have 7 housing communities, each with a resident advisor available for help. The buildings share a common lobby and are connected underground with the Harold Walter Siebens School of Business/Siebens Forum, the main building on campus.
Grand Hall
Built in 1998, Grand Hall is a co-ed community with three floors. The building houses 100 students, including six resident advisors. The floors are separated into males and females and are connected by internal doors. Grand Hall was the first residence hall on campus to have an elevator.
Liberty Hall
Finished in 2002, Liberty Hall is a voluntary substance-free building, built with similar design to Grand Hall. There is space, however for a faculty member to live in the building, creating a unique sense of community. Residents choosing to live in Liberty Hall sign a pledge form to not partake in drinking alcohol or smoking and chewing tobacco while on building premises.
Suites
The suites are apartment-style living quarters that group six female or six male residents in a suite in three bedrooms. There are three suite buildings, Constitution, Briscoe (formerly Centennial Hall, named for former college president, Keith Briscoe) and McCorkle (formerly Heritage Hall), named for Trustee Paul McCorkle . Entrance in the suites is reserved for sophomores, juniors and seniors and is based on a point system made up of points assigned for the student's year and grade point average and seniority in the suites.
Storm Lake, Iowa
Storm Lake is a city in Buena Vista County, Iowa, United States. The population was 10,600 in the 2010 census, an increase from 10,076 in the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Buena Vista County. Storm Lake is home to Buena Vista University, originally Buena Vista College...
. Founded in 1891 as Buena Vista College, it is affiliated with the Presbyterian Church
Presbyterian Church (USA)
The Presbyterian Church , or PC, is a mainline Protestant Christian denomination in the United States. Part of the Reformed tradition, it is the largest Presbyterian denomination in the U.S...
. The university's 60 acres (242,811.6 m²) campus is situated on the shores of Storm Lake, a 3200 acres (12.9 km²) natural lake. BVU's academic programs feature a balance between traditional liberal arts courses and hands-on learning opportunities, such as travel and internships. The university awards its faculty with the $30,000 George Wythe Award for Teaching Excellence, one of the largest faculty awards in the nation. The average student-to-professor ratio is 13:1.
At its inception, the college was housed in the Storm Lake Opera House, where it remained for only a year. Old Main, the college's first building, opened in 1892, and was occupied by faculty and students until it burned down in 1956. Major construction projects in the 1950s and 1960s extended the college, which soon included three dormitories
Dormitory
A dormitory, often shortened to dorm, in the United States is a residence hall consisting of sleeping quarters or entire buildings primarily providing sleeping and residential quarters for large numbers of people, often boarding school, college or university students...
, a library, and a number of classroom buildings.
The college gained accreditation in 1952, and began to grant degrees under the authority of the North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools. The first graduate degrees were offered in 1995, at which time the college became Buena Vista University.
The main campus of Buena Vista University serves approximately 1,200 students each academic year, and currently offers classes in 42 majors. Fifteen additional locations throughout Iowa and online serve about 1,400 students as part of the Graduate & Professional Studies program. The university is ranked in the top 20 Midwestern Comprehensive Colleges, as reported by U.S.News and World Report's college rankings. In 2009, BVU was ranked 11th for academic quality in the Midwestern Baccalaureate category.
Schools
The various major study areas of Buena Vista University are grouped within five schools, each of which is administered by a dean.The Harold Walter Siebens School of Business offers majors in accounting, business economics, finance and banking, international business, management, management information systems (MIS) and marketing. A person majoring in a business area not only engages in an intensive study of at least one specialty field, but also receives a broad base of instruction in all areas of business.
The School of Communication & Arts offers majors in art, arts management, communication and graphic design, communication and performance studies, English, media studies, music, music production, and Spanish, as well as offerings in Japanese, Chinese, and German. The school is concerned with the many-faceted process of communication.
The School of Education & Exercise Science offers programs in teacher education, exercise science and athletic training. Upon successful completion of a current teacher education program or exercise science program, the student may be eligible for certification by the State of Iowa to teach appropriate course work in elementary and secondary schools. Completing the athletic training program allows the student to be eligible to sit for the National Athletic Trainers Association (NATA) certification exam.
The School of Science includes the fields of biochemistry, biology, chemistry, computer science, environmental science, mathematics, physics, and general science. Although varying in their methods of instruction and content, the fields of study have common aims in the development of liberal and professional education.
The School of Social Science, Philosophy & Religion draws together an interdisciplinary emphasis in the areas of history, political science, public administration, criminology and criminal justice, sociology/social work, social science, psychology, philosophy, and religion. The school challenges the student to gain an understanding of the past, a rapport with the present, and a sense for developing perspectives and priorities related to the future.
Pre-professional programs
Buena Vista University also offers preprofessional programs. Specific course requirements vary with each particular professional and school area and are worked out in detail with the faculty advisor. These programs include Chiropractic Medicine, Osteopathy, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Engineering, Physical Therapy, Law, Podiatry, Medical Technology, Theology, Medicine, Veterinary Medicine, andMortuary Science.
Academic and Cultural Events Series (ACES)
The Academic and Cultural Events Series (ACES) exposes students to some of the finest lecturers and performers in the world through the academic events (a lecture/program series) and the cultural events (a concert/performance series). ACES contributes to theuniversity’s mission by enhancing the curriculum through experiential learning opportunities and by promoting an awareness of the diversity of cultures and perspectives that exist in the global community.
William W. Siebens American Heritage Lecture
This annual lecture series addresses American freedoms. Speakers have included former U.S. Presidents George H.W. Bush and Jimmy Carter; former Prime Ministers Benazir Bhutto of Pakistan, Shimon Peres of Israel, F. W. de Klerk of South Africa, Margaret Thatcher and John Major of Britain; Madeleine Albright, Gen. Colin L. Powell, Walter Cronkite, Carl Sagan, Sir John Marks Templeton, Michael Gartner, Harry Blackmun, Bob Woodward, David Gergen, Jehan Sadat, Vicente Fox, and Paul Volcker.ROTC program
In 2009, the military science program began at BVU, the only such program in Western Iowa. The mission of the program is derived directly from the regulations governing the Army Reserve Officers Training Corps (AROTC) which are issued by the Army CadetCommand and Army Training and Doctrine Command. Army ROTC is an elective curriculum that students take along with their major program of study. The program is designed to give students tools, training and experiences that will help them succeed in any competitive
environment.
Events and traditions
Founders’ Day: This day marks the official beginning of the academic year at BVU. A memorial service during the morning is an opportunity for the University community to pay tribute to BVU's founders and to honor members of the BVU family who have died during the preceding year. A convocation in the afternoon welcomes new students and their families to BVU.The processional through the Victory Arch: Students pass through the Victory Arch twice during their University career: on Founder's Day as new students, and again as part of their Commencement ceremony. As freshmen, they proceed through the Arch, toward Schaller Memorial Chapel, indicating their entrance into the BVU community. As seniors, students proceed from Schaller Memorial Chapel through the Victory Arch, signifying the end of one chapter of their lives and the beginning of another.
Chapel Services: Every Thursday at 11 a.m. during the academic year, the BVU community comes together for worship. Although attendance at chapel is no longer required of students, many still enjoy and participate in this celebration of faith and community.
The William W. Siebens American Heritage Lecture Series: This prestigious event features internationally-recognized leaders of business, academics, law, press, government, religion and other areas of American life. Each speaker focuses on an area of life where the matters of major rights and responsibilities are a concern. Selected students have the opportunity to interview the speakers during an afternoon session that is attended by the campus community.
Homecoming Week: Homecoming week is one of the major social events of the year for students, faculty, staff and alumni. Throughout the week, students prepare for Homecoming with residence hall/suite competitions and nightly events. The week culminates with the crowning of the King and Queen, a parade and the football game and alumni reunions.
All-campus Christmas Dinner: BVU's Office of the President and Spiritual Life host a traditional holiday dinner for all students. The evening also includes the singing of Christmas carols and Buena Vista Fight Song, the presentation of an art gift, and photos with the school mascot. Faculty and staff serve the dinner to students.
Buenafication Day: Each spring, faculty, staff and students join forces to paint, plant flowers and "buenafy" the BVU campus. This tradition has also evolved into a day of service during which students do volunteer projects in the community. A morning of work and service is followed by a picnic lunch and an afternoon of games.
Academic Awards Banquet: In the spring, the University recognizes those students who have excelled in their academic pursuits. Parents, faculty and staff are also included in this ceremony. Major awards, such as Senior of the Year, are announced at the event.
Moonlight Breakfast: Each semester during finals week, Student Services and Sodexho Food Service host a late-night breakfast for students. Served by the Student Services staff, this is an excellent study break as students prepare for their final exams.
Scholars Day: In one of the newest traditions held in the spring, students representing a cross-section of academic disciplines have the opportunity to showcase their original scholarly work in an interactive format that is open the public.
Career Symposium: On the day before Homecoming, BVU alumni return to campus to participate in panel sessions to answer students’ questions about careers. In addition to the panel sessions, time is also scheduled for students to meet “one on one” with alumni. The event is sponsored by the BVU National Alumni Association.
Dinner at the President’s Home: Each fall, President and Mrs. Moore invite freshmen (via their Freshman Seminar classes) to their residence, the McCorkle House, for dinner. It’s an opportunity for the students to get to know the president and a time when the president shares some of the historical background on the impact that Life Trustee Dr. Paul McCorkle and his late wife, Vivian, who was also a Trustee, have had on the University.
Senior Send-off: This event started in 1999 as a brunch prior to Commencement to celebrate the time the seniors spent on campus and to wish them well in their future endeavors. The format was changed in 2007 to a picnic in Scout Park on the Friday before Commencement day. The offices of Student Services and Alumni Relations are the sponsors.
Ringing of the Victory Bell: In years gone by, the Victory Bell was occasionally rung by students to celebrate football victories and to commemorate special occasions. The tradition has recently been renewed by the Alumni Association Student Board. Now, freshmen ring the bell on Founders’ Day, sophomores as a call to the Christmas Dinner, juniors as a call to students to gather on Buenafication Day morning, and seniors on their Commencement Day. Originally, the bell was located across from Edson Hall and was later moved to a site between Lage Communications Center and Social Sciences and Art Hall.
Athletics
Buena Vista University competes in 19 intercollegiate sports at the varsity level. The university is a NCAA Division III institution and a member of the Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. Teams that compete at BVU include baseball, men's and women's basketball, cross country, football, men's and women's golf, men's and women's soccer, men's and women's tennis, track & field, volleyball, and wrestling. Roughly one out of every four BVU students participate in intercollegiate athletics.Buena Vista's mascot is the Beaver. The origins of the Beaver as the Buena Vista mascot go back to the early 1900s, when the football team was called the BVers. In the spring of 1921, a Buena Vista student combined that nickname with then-popular soft drink Bevo to create the nickname the Beavers.
Notable alumni
- Jim DoranJim DoranJames Robert Doran is a former American football wide receiver in the National Football League for the Detroit Lions and the Dallas Cowboys . He played college football at Iowa State University. He was a two-way player, playing both on offense and defense...
, footballAmerican footballAmerican football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
player Detroit LionsDetroit LionsThe Detroit Lions are a professional American football team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League , and play their home games at Ford Field in Downtown Detroit.Originally based in Portsmouth, Ohio and...
and Dallas CowboysDallas CowboysThe Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football franchise which plays in the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League . They are headquartered in Valley Ranch in Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas...
Campus buildings
Ballou BuildingFormerly the main library facility, the Ballou Building houses the Offices of the President and Institutional Advancement, including the National Alumni Association. The lower level still houses the Allee Curriculum Library, containing 7,800 volumes; a student lounge and other library materials.
Bradford Field
Bradford Field is the site of football and track activity. It is home to the J. Leslie Rollins Football Stadium. The 240 feet (73.2 m) stadium extends between the 10 yards (9.1 m) lines and has a seating capacity
Seating capacity
Seating capacity refers to the number of people who can be seated in a specific space, both in terms of the physical space available, and in terms of limitations set by law. Seating capacity can be used in the description of anything ranging from an automobile that seats two to a stadium that seats...
of approximately 2,500. An all-weather, eight-lane track was installed in 1986.
Dixon-Eilers Hall
Dixon-Eilers Hall houses BVU's business offices and the Office of the Registrar, in addition to housing classrooms. The building was completed in 1958 and stands on the site of the original "Old Main."
Edson Hall
Originally known as Victory Hall, the University gym before Siebens Fieldhouse was constructed in 1969, Edson Hall is now home to the BVU music department. Renovation of the hall was completed in early 1997 with the addition of a choral rehearsal room, nine state-of-the-art practice rooms, a piano/keyboard lab, a student work area, and additional office space.
Estelle Siebens Science Center
Completed in the summer of 2004, the 70000 square feet (6,503.2 m²) facility comfortably houses BVU's five interdisciplinary fields of science (biology, chemistry, computer science, mathematics, and physics), fostering collaboration among the disciplines, as well as between students and faculty.
The 18 laboratories complement seven classrooms, three research areas, and 24 offices. "Science Avenue," a prominent atrium corridor that puts projects on display, connects the two-story, glass-walled rotunda (nicknamed "The Beaker") to a greenhouse with three environmental growth chambers.
Finkbine Natatorium
Named in appreciation of Frank Finkbine in memory of his wife Mae Finkbine, Finkbine Natatorium is a six-lane 25 yards (22.9 m) competition pool.
Harold Walter Siebens School of Business/Siebens Forum
The Harold Walter Siebens School of Business/Siebens Forum was completed in the spring of 1985. In addition to the Harold Walter Siebens School of Business and a conference center, it houses the Student and Career Services offices, food service and cafeteria, Anderson Auditorium (a 386-seat auditorium), Siebens Den, the Geisinger Student Leadership Center, the bookstore, post office, games area and snack bar, and other offices and lounges. Included in the Harold Walter Siebens School of Business are tiered seminar rooms, a case-study seminar room, faculty offices, and a special resource room that enables students to receive the latest market information from Wall Street and other sources. The conference center includes a board room, conference rooms, lobbies, and offices. The $10 million building, made possible by an $18 million gift from the late Dr. Harold Walter Siebens, also has telecommunication capabilities.
Information Technology Center/BVU Library
The BVU Library is a state-of-the-art facilitiy with a capacity of 300,000 printed volumes, as well as one thousand journals and periodicals. Computerized periodical databases access many sources not available in the library. A coffee shop was added to the library in 2008.
Lage Communication Center
Lage Communication Center is the home of telecommunication at BVU. Lage houses the radio, television and print studios for the School of Communication and Arts. It is the control center for the telecommunication system, which extends throughout campus.
Lamberti Recreation Center
Construction was completed in 2001 on this 65000 square feet (6,038.7 m²) addition to the Siebens Fieldhouse. It features a six-lane indoor track, three courts for basketball, volleyball and tennis, an exercise and weight room, coaches offices, and locker/shower facilities. The $9.5 million project, funded entirely by donors, also included an 18000 square feet (1,672.3 m²) renovation of the Siebens Fieldhouse.
Lighthouse
A 30 feet (9.1 m) brick lighthouse was built on the shores of Storm Lake near Siebens Fieldhouse in 1992 in memory of Buena Vista University trustee and benefactor Harold Walter Siebens. The lighthouse was a gift from the Siebens family.
McCorkle Hall
McCorkle Hall was completed in January 1996 and houses 72 students in six-person suites.
Schaller Memorial Chapel
Schaller Memorial Chapel, dedicated in 1963, adjoins Dixon-Eilers Hall. It serves as an auditorium and theater and is used for convocation services. Special events, such as Baccalaureate and Founders Day, are held here. A small meditation chapel is located in the lower level. A special feature of the chapel is the Hansen Organ, a three-manual Reuter pipe organ with 2,048 pipes.
Siebens Fieldhouse
The main level of Siebens Fieldhouse houses a gymnasium, which seats 4,000 spectators. On this level are classrooms and coaches' offices. The balcony is used for aerobics, and a large double hitting area for softball and baseball. A shot put area is also available.
On the lower level are varsity locker rooms for men and women, laundry facilities, a wrestling room, a training room, handball and racquetball courts, and one of the most extensive weight lifting areas in the Iowa Conference. East of the Fieldhouse are four outdoor tennis courts for recreational and conference play.
Smith Hall
Built in 1925, Smith Hall was completely renovated in 1970. It houses classrooms and faculty offices.
Social Sciences and Art Hall
This building contains art facilities, classrooms and offices for social sciences, as well as an inviting gathering space with a fireplace and television. The building originally housed the science programs, and extensive remodeling was completed in 2008.
Steward D. Siebens Computer Center
The Stewart D. Siebens Computer Center offers hardware and software technical support via the Help Desk, 2FIX hotline (712-749-2349), and 2FIX e-mail (2fix@bvu.edu). The Help Desk also provides checkout services for digital still cameras, digital video cameras, extra batteries, laptop computers, and automobile A/C adapters. The Help Desk is also one of four locations on campus offering battery swap services. The Help Desk hours vary throughout the year and are available on the web at http://2fix.bvu.edu. In the lab area, the Computer Center has a laser printer and several scanners.
The Teaching and Learning with Technology Center, (TLTC) is located in the Computer Center. The TLTC supports faculty in the integration of technology tools into teaching and learning.
Victory Arch
The Victory Arch was constructed from the remains of the Old Main archway. Old Main, constructed in 1893, was the principal building on campus until it was destroyed by fire in 1956. The Victory Arch is a symbol linking the past to the present. The Victory Arch stood on the southeast corner of Chapel lawn for many years before it was rebuilt atop the Harold Walter Siebens School of Business/Siebens Forum in 1984-85.
Residence life
The university has eight residence halls available for student living.Swope Hall
The first residence hall built on campus, it is an all-female hall and has single and double occupancy rooms available. There are 10 housing communities, each with a resident advisor available for help.
Pierce and White Halls
It is a double complex, comprising two buildings. White Hall is a co-ed building, with the basement housing male residents, and the top two floors housing female residents. The first floor fluctuates between having male and female residents to accommodate the make up of the student body. Pierce Hall is an all-male hall. Both Pierce and White have three floors and a basement and have 7 housing communities, each with a resident advisor available for help. The buildings share a common lobby and are connected underground with the Harold Walter Siebens School of Business/Siebens Forum, the main building on campus.
Grand Hall
Built in 1998, Grand Hall is a co-ed community with three floors. The building houses 100 students, including six resident advisors. The floors are separated into males and females and are connected by internal doors. Grand Hall was the first residence hall on campus to have an elevator.
Liberty Hall
Finished in 2002, Liberty Hall is a voluntary substance-free building, built with similar design to Grand Hall. There is space, however for a faculty member to live in the building, creating a unique sense of community. Residents choosing to live in Liberty Hall sign a pledge form to not partake in drinking alcohol or smoking and chewing tobacco while on building premises.
Suites
The suites are apartment-style living quarters that group six female or six male residents in a suite in three bedrooms. There are three suite buildings, Constitution, Briscoe (formerly Centennial Hall, named for former college president, Keith Briscoe) and McCorkle (formerly Heritage Hall), named for Trustee Paul McCorkle . Entrance in the suites is reserved for sophomores, juniors and seniors and is based on a point system made up of points assigned for the student's year and grade point average and seniority in the suites.