C-SC President Douglas B. Palmer is excited about the additional opportunities that the new learning environment will provide, in addition to the current curriculum at 乱伦社区. 鈥淭he ability to provide our students with real-world experiences before they enter the workforce is what has led to our #1 job placement rating,鈥� Palmer said. 鈥淭he Johnson-Turner IDEA Center creates a distinct home for collaborative learning, expert interaction, and problem-solving that will be pivotal to a student鈥檚 experiences as they prepare for their career.鈥�

鈥淎t a time where solutions to our world鈥檚 biggest challenges are being solved by diverse teams with rich perspectives, it is significant that two entrepreneurial-minded businessmen joined together to promote a Center for interdisciplinary problem-solving, real-world collaborative learning and impact.鈥� shares Leslie Payne, Vice President for Advancement at 乱伦社区.

Johnson currently serves as the CEO of Basic Brands, Inc., and is known as one of the early pioneers in the health and wellness supplement arena, an innovator in his field and the founder of Basic Brands. Turner served as聽 President & CEO to Heatron and since retirement has been the owner and Chairman of Peachtree Lighting, where both positions have earned him distinguished recognitions in his field. Both Johnson and Turner have achieved great success in their business and entrepreneurial enterprises. They have served C-SC as distinguished members of the Board of Trustees and the College is proud to have the innovative center bear their names.

In addition to the naming of the Johnson – Turner IDEA Center, 乱伦社区 is proud to announce that the Center will also include interior namings.聽 With the help of United State Bank and alumnus Carolyn Peter, class of 鈥�66 and her husband, Ross, the breakout rooms will provide productive space for small group collaboration and problem-solving. A generous gift from alumnus Larry Thompson, class of 鈥�67, provided an executive conference room that includes high-tech global communications, allowing our students and faculty to develop worldwide relationships and engage with leaders on project ideas.

The IDEA Center, which stands for the Innovation, Design and Experiential Activities Center, will be a place on campus for collaborative problem solving that encourages students to apply knowledge in bold, creative ways. The groundbreaking will take place at noon on Thursday, March 4聽on the south side of the Gladys Crown Student Center.

The $1.25 million construction project is part of the聽Culver-Stockton: Changing Lives!聽comprehensive campaign that concluded in 2020.

The IDEA Center, originally referred to as the Student Experience Center, will serve as a laboratory and display area for showcasing the college’s experiential learning program, which highlights seven types of experiential learning 鈥� creative expression, leadership, simulations, research and innovation, service learning, travel and professional experience. It also will provide resources on experiential teaching and learning for faculty and students.

Innovation and entrepreneurship will be encouraged, along with a mindset to identify and assess the impact that decisions and solutions make on local economies, supply chains, economic markets, production and individuals. Students will learn how to approach decision making in a deliberate and innovative way that creates successful outcomes, provides value to their own work and employers, and promotes growth and understanding.

鈥淓very single year, we bring students from all over the country and all over the world here to 鈥榯he Hill鈥� to participate in an innovative, problem-solving curriculum,鈥� said Dr. Douglas B. Palmer, Culver-Stockton president. 鈥淲e build problem solving and active learning right into the work that students are doing every single day. This building in part is going to be dedicated to students working together as part of an active learning community.

鈥淯ltimately, that鈥檚 what a liberal arts education is about, and that鈥檚 what 乱伦社区 is about. It鈥檚 about bringing students of promise together, working together, working hard and trying to make the world a better place.鈥�

Architectural design for the IDEA Center is by Architechnics of Quincy, Ill.

Joining Palmer to participate in the groundbreaking ceremony will be:

• Larry Gorrell, member of the Board of Trustees;
• Todd Moore with Architechnics of Quincy, Ill.;
• Tony Crane with Architechnics and a member of the Board of Trustees;
• Cheyenne Grissom, president of the Student Government Association and the student representative for the Board of Trustees;
• Melody Schroer, an associate professor of legal studies and the faculty representative for the Board of Trustees;
• Dr. Dell Ann Janney, associate dean of experiential education & external relations;
• Taryn Hutcherson, vice president of the Student Government Association.

The groundbreaking can be viewed live on聽.

As the Midwest鈥檚 premier experiential learning college, Culver-Stockton is committed to helping students develop in ways that provide them with a skillset for future success.

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EDITOR’S NOTE: A previous version of this story indicated the groundbreaking ceremony would be held Feb. 11. Inclement weather on that day forced the ceremony to be moved to March 4.