On Sept. 18, 2015, the dedication for the new Margaret Talkington Center for Nursing Education on campus was held at 11:15 a.m. in the W.R. Collier Auditorium within the building.

“The opening of the Margaret Talkington Center for Nursing Education is a significant moment for the university. We give thanks for the extraordinary generosity of the J.T. and Margaret Talkington Foundation and look forward to the transformative work that will take place in this new facility,” said President Tim Perrin.

In attendance were many of LCU’s faculty and staff and administration, engaged community members, and nursing alumni. Additionally, Norton Baker, Chair of the Talkington Foundation and Richard Parks, CEO of Covenant Health System attended as representatives to speak on behalf of their organizations, speaking to the long history of dedication and friendships that helped make the building a reality.

Al Roberts, President of the LCU Foundation, cut the ribbon, marking the grand opening for the Margaret Talkington Center for Nursing Education. The LCU Foundation was an instrumental part of the nursing center initiative, working strategically with the Talkington Foundation to facilitate the project.

Following the dedication ceremony, attendees had the opportunity to conduct self-guided tours of the facility. The building includes technology-rich classroom space, computer labs, faculty and staff offices, a student commons area, and the 500 seat W.R. Collier Auditorium.

A generous donation from the J.T. and Margaret Charitable Foundation, the largest one-time gift for an LCU campaign thus far, provided the funds to construct the nursing center. The Talkington Foundation invests in projects in the Lubbock community to grow Lubbock as an educational, family-friendly, and beneficial place to live and work.

The nursing center, which began hosting classes in August 2015, will give LCU nursing programs the opportunity to grow within the new space and accommodate an increased demand for nursing professionals.

Dr. Cindy Ford, Director of the Partnership Program, and a faculty member of the LCU Nursing Department hopes to see immediate growth attributed in part to the new facilities.

“The most rewarding part of the dedication was the evidence of collaboration from so many entities to come together for one common goal to benefit nursing education for years to come,” said Ford. “I believe the blessings of God our heavenly father to our university, our department of nursing and the students who will attend nursing school here are tremendously evident as well.”

Margaret Talkington center for Nursing Education Dedication Highlights.