October 10—As Northwestern celebrated the official opening of the Billy Graham Community life Commons, Rev. Will Graham was in attendance to represent the Graham family legacy at Northwestern. During his time on campus, he was able to talk to various media representatives about his grandfather, evangelism, his family’s connection to Northwestern and KTIS Radio, and more.

October 3—Northwestern College celebrates the official grand opening of the new Billy Graham Community Life Commons (Graham Commons) on Friday, Oct. 7 at 4:45 p.m. beginning in Maranatha Hall. This special celebration program is integrated into Northwestern’s Homecoming activities, an ideal time to reflect on the history of Northwestern since Rev. Billy Graham’s legacy as the college’s second president (1948–52).

“More than six years ago when we began planning for the addition of the Graham Commons, our intention was to build a facility that would be transformational, and we did,” said Alan S. Cureton, Ph.D., President of Northwestern College. “The building’s design, coupled with the redesign of the campus green, captures the beauty of our location while providing space for physical, spiritual, and personal renewal.”

 Some of the special guests included in the Grand Opening program are as follows:

• Rev. William F. Graham IV (Will), Grandson of Rev. Billy Graham, Billy Graham Evangelistic Association
• Wayne Pederson, President, HCJB Global
• Grover Sayre II, J.D., Chair, Northwestern College Board of Trustees
• Dan Roe, Mayor, City of Roseville
• David Grant, Mayor, City of Arden Hills
• Dave Adolfson, Adolfson & Peterson Construction
   

Following the program, there will be an official ribbon-cutting in the Graham Commons, building tours and samples in the new café and coffee shop.

“The Graham Commons is a sanctuary of rest, renewal, refreshment, relaxation, and reinvigoration,” added Cureton. “Northwestern is truly blessed by the generosity of our Lord for this incredible gift. Our prayer is that the Graham Commons will be used by the Lord to bless the lives of faculty, staff, and students for generations to come.”

About the Billy Graham Community Life Commons
The Graham Commons is named for the world-renowned evangelist and Northwestern's second president, Rev. Billy Graham, whose Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) made its home in Minneapolis from 1950–2004 before relocating to North Carolina. The 70,000-square foot facility, currently the only structure in Minnesota bearing the evangelist's name, will house two levels to serve as a "family room" for students, faculty, staff and guests. Specific functions include the campus dining center, student lounges and study areas, office and meeting space for student organizations, campus store, prayer room and more.

It's intended to create abundant space for people to connect, build relationships and stimulate spiritual and intellectual growth as the campus lives out its mission of providing Christ-centered higher education.