Bolthouse Academic Center Construction Begins in May

Cedarville University will begin construction of the $35 million Bolthouse Academic Center in May 2025, marking the final building in its $175 million campaign, One Thousand Days Transformed: The Campaign for Cedarville.  

The 47,820-square-foot, three-story Georgian-style building will stand as a new campus landmark, complete with a striking 84-foot dome welcoming both students and visitors along Cedarville’s Main Street. The facility is scheduled for completion by the start of the 2027-28 academic year. 

Named in honor of William Bolthouse, a long-time supporter and trustee emeritus of the university beginning in 1996, the building celebrates his service and dedication to Cedarville's mission.  

“God has used this humble servant to advance the Gospel at Cedarville and beyond,” said Thomas White, President of Cedarville University. “He personifies our vision of standing for the Word of God and Testimony of Jesus Christ. It is fitting to honor him in this way.”  

The Bolthouse Academic Center will house faculty offices for the school of education and the departments of English, literature and modern languages, history and government, social work and psychology. In addition, the building will include classrooms, student collaboration areas and a new dining option on the east side of campus that will feature a coffee bar with sandwiches and salads. 

The building’s construction is made possible, in part, by an anonymous donor who gave $15 million —one of the largest single gifts in Cedarville history — in October 2024. With $5 million still needed to complete the project, the university is continuing to raise funds for the Bolthouse Academic Center. 

This facility is the final piece of the One Thousand Days Transformed campaign, which has already funded several other campus improvements, including the Scharnberg Business and Communication Center, the Chick-fil-A dining commons, the Civil Engineering Building, the Callan Athletic and Academic Expansion and multiple residence halls. The campaign, which is the most successful in the university’s history, will officially conclude during the homecoming celebration in October. 

A distinctive feature will be a brick patio that will serve as a memorial testifying to God’s faithfulness in transforming lives at Cedarville. For a gift of $100 or $250, individuals can purchase a brick with their own name as a testimony of God’s transformation in their lives or the name of a caring teacher or mentor who made a significant impact. For generations to come, these bricks will form a lasting tribute to those whose lives have been transformed and to those who have helped shape Cedarville’s legacy of academic excellence and Kingdom service. 

“Our dream is that we do something so amazing that it takes on a life of its own as future generations add their names to additional bricks, testifying that God still moves and is still at work transforming lives,” said White. 

Cedarville University continues to make strides toward creating a vibrant, transformative environment for its students, faculty and alumni. This building’s completion will further enhance Cedarville’s reputation as a place where academic rigor and biblical faithfulness intersect, ensuring that future generations of students will be equipped to impact the world for Christ. 

Cedarville University, an evangelical Christian institution in southwest Ohio, offers undergraduate and graduate programs across arts, sciences, and professional fields. With 6,384 students, it ranks among Ohio's largest private universities and is recognized by the Wall Street Journal as being among the nation’s top three evangelical universities. Cedarville is also known for its vibrant Christian community, challenging academics, and high graduation and retention rates. Learn more at cedarville.edu.