Earlier this week, Linfield University officially launched the Spark Wonder campaign, a comprehensive campaign which will affect all aspects of the university, including its people, places and programs. With a goal of $75 million, Spark Wonder is the largest fundraising initiative in the institution’s history.

“The Spark Wonder campaign builds upon our defining strengths and unleashes the brilliant potential of students,” said Joseph Hunter, vice president of university advancement at Linfield University. “Funds raised through the campaign will support endowed funds to cultivate our community, provide capital to ensure that Linfield’s facilities truly advance its mission and benefit operating funds to sustain excellence and fuel innovation.”

One of the most visible outcomes of the Spark Wonder campaign will be the new Linfield University Science Complex, which includes the construction of an entirely new 24,000 square foot building, to be known as the W.M. Keck Science Center, where Mac Hall now stands. Groundbreaking on the building will take place in summer 2021.

North view of the new science complex

Once complete, the complex will include three buildings totaling 84,000 gross square feet dedicated to the sciences at Linfield. Several outcomes informed the overall design of the area, including creating dedicated space for faculty-student collaborative research; locating faculty offices together to promote interdisciplinary teaching and learning; creating spaces for students to interact with each other; and providing much-needed teaching space for intro-level science courses that are key to students in other majors such as nursing.

“The institution has an opportunity to redefine science education at the undergraduate level,” Hunter said. “We are working to integrate science into every curriculum and make it accessible to every student. We believe science education is critical to every well-rounded graduate.”

At its public launch, more than $57 million has already been committed toward the $75 million goal, with full funding of the campaign and its beneficiary projects expected within the next several years.

For more information about the Spark Wonder campaign, visit linfield.edu/sparkwonder.