JBU Completes $2.5M Mabee Foundation Challenge Grant
John Brown University successfully completed a $2.5 million challenge grant from the Mabee Foundation to support Project Two of the Mabee Learning Resource Center (LRC) renovation.
To receive the funds, JBU was required to raise $2.7 million from individuals, foundations or businesses designated for the LRC renovation by Jan. 9, 2025. The university met that goal, securing the full Mabee Foundation grant.
In May 2024, the university completed Project One of the LRC renovation, which converted the broadcast studio to a modern soundstage for JBU's film program, relocated staff offices, upgraded the Media Lab, replaced outdated systems and transformed the bridge between the LRC and Chapman buildings into a student study space, Neufeld Commons.
Project Two, scheduled to begin this month, will reinvent the LRC as a modern, integrated Academic Success Center and collaborative learning hub. By bringing together the resources of the library along with all of the university’s services focused on student success into a central location, JBU aims to better meet the need of today’s students.
“For many years, the Mabee Foundation has been a steadfast partner in advancing Christian higher education at JBU," said Jim Krall, senior vice president for university advancement at JBU. "We are deeply grateful for this generous challenge grant, which will enable us to renovate our Learning Resource Center into a dynamic space designed to support the academic growth and personal development of today’s students.”
To learn more about the project and other building projects at JBU, visit jbu.edu/steadfast-faith/lrc.
John Brown University is a leading private Christian university, training students to honor God and serve others since 1919. Arkansas’ top-ranked university (The Wall Street Journal) and top-ranked regional university (U.S. News), JBU enrolls more than 2,200 students from 37 states and 42 countries in its traditional undergraduate, graduate, online and concurrent education programs. JBU offers over 50 undergraduate majors, with top programs including nursing, psychology, business, computer science, construction management, graphic design, family and human services, and engineering. Eighteen graduate degrees are available in business, counseling, cybersecurity, and education.
