Bob Jones University Opens Renovated Dining Common

On Thursday, Dr. Stephen Jones, president of Bob Jones University, 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.

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 utilities 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.