Ambrose celebrates grand opening

Calgary, AB – On Saturday and Sunday, November 8 and 9 the Ambrose University College (AUC) community will officially celebrate the attainment of its new campus with a schedule of Celebration Weekend events.

"There’s a lot of satisfaction to coming in on time and generally on budget in Calgary’s construction and labour environment" said Greg Needham, Vice President Operations for Ambrose.

Needham is talking about AUC’s new campus on the western edge of the city. Located on 40 acres just off 69th Street SW, the new campus is 130,000 square feet of beautiful, functional space. There is an academic centre, a gymnasium that doubles as a performing arts centre, a 146-bed student residence, and an impressive library that houses one of Western Canada’s largest private academic collections.

Gordon Dirks, Vice-President, External Relations for Ambrose University College, is an enthusiastic proponent of the values-based education students experience at Ambrose.

"We are a place of vibrant intellectual and spiritual growth," Dirks said. "We expect strong academic performance, yet at the same time, we make room for life, learning and faith. Our graduates are prepared to have a positive influence."

The values-based institution, which moved to the location from rented space in downtown Calgary, reports a strongly positive response to the new campus.

"Students" Needham said "are absolutely flabbergasted at the size, the quality and just how fantastic it is."

On Saturday November 8, Ambrose will host an open house from 10am to 4pm for residents of Calgary and guests who have come from across Canada for this celebration weekend. The Ambrose enrolment department will provide guided tours through the new campus and Ambrose academic departments will host special information sessions throughout the building.

That evening, beginning at 7pm the Ambrose family of faculty, staff, students, alumni, board members, pastors, denominational representatives and supporters will gather in the new Ambrose gymnasium for a special Praise and Worship event.

Those attending will hear the story of God’s faithfulness as Ambrose celebrates the story of God’s faithfulness over the past decade, hear student testimonies and celebrate God’s purpose for the future of Ambrose.

On Sunday November 9 at 3pm there will be a full "pomp and ceremony" official opening service with greetings from the Alberta Minister of Advanced Education and Technology, the national leaders of the Christian and Missionary Alliance in Canada and The Church of the Nazarene Canada denominations and the Ambrose Board Chair. Ambrose President George Durance will bring a short inspirational address.

Following the official opening guests will gather in the spacious Sylvester Atrium as the ribbon is cut to symbolically open the new Ambrose campus.

If anyone plans on attending the Ambrose grand opening celebration events they need to register their attendance online at www.ambrose.edu.