CCU to Continue Expansion of University Housing
After nine consecutive years of record enrollment at Colorado Christian University's main campus in Lakewood, Colorado, CCU has broken ground on a new 115,000 square foot residential building that will open in the 2019-20 academic year. Named in honor of one of CCU's heritage institutions, Rockmont Hall will stand at the corner of Alameda Avenue and Cody Street in Lakewood.
"Rockmont Hall will serve as the cornerstone for the residential quadrant of the University's campus. As CCU's fourth new building in six years, it will continue the dramatic transformation of our Lakewood campus," said Shannon Dreyfuss, vice president for Campus Development at CCU. "This new hall will offer more high-quality resources for residential living within the context of a Christian community. It will be a place where students can live out the CCU mission on a daily basis."
The new four-story Rockmont Hall will house 330 undergraduate students and offer a variety of amenities, including eight lounges and common social spaces; a grab-and-go café; advanced technology, including Internet connectivity from each room and Wi-Fi access throughout the facility. All of the student residences will be apartment-style -- a long-standing tradition for all CCU residence halls.
Each multi-room residential unit in Rockmont Hall will include a full kitchen, living room, and a washer and dryer, with a ratio of two beds to one full bathroom. The new hall will also include some one-bedroom studio apartment options -- a first for the Colorado Christian University community. In addition, the new building will also house the offices for the Residence Life department and the Campus Safety and Security department.
Rockmont Hall is named for the former Rockmont College, one of the most prominent heritage institutions of Colorado Christian University. Originally founded as Denver Bible Institute in 1914, Rockmont College was established in 1948-49, out of the demand for a Christian, liberal arts college in the greater Denver area. In 1967, Rockmont College relocated to Lakewood, Colorado, on what is now the current location of Colorado Christian University. In 1985, Rockmont and Western Bible College merged to become Colorado Christian College (CCC). CCC became Colorado Christian University in 1989, after the institution began offering graduate-level degrees.
"This is affirmation of God's provisional care dating back to 1948 -- when then President Bradford proposed the institutional name change to Rockmont College. President Bradford's choice was representative of his desire to grow the college into a regional Christ-centered influence," said Eric Hogue, vice president of University Advancement. "Today, that same Rockmont College -- now Colorado Christian University -- is as President Sweeting describes, 'A lantern of the Rockies and to the nation at large.' Rockmont Hall will stand as a testament to that continued legacy which dates back 70 years."
In the coming months, a Rockmont alumni fundraising campaign will be announced from the Office of University Advancement; a welcoming and energizing campaign that will invite all Rockmont alumni to include their names in the new residential building.
In addition, due to sustained growth in University enrollment over the past nine years, two other new buildings are also in the planning stage for the Lakewood campus redevelopment. To honor the life and legacy of the former U.S. Senator and late CCU President Bill Armstrong, CCU is planning the construction of the Armstrong Center. The Armstrong Center will house the University's first dedicated chapel, the School of Music, the University Library, and space for media production and the performing arts.
The University has also identified the need to build a second new academic building to house classroom and laboratory space. Campaign efforts are currently underway to raise the funds needed to break ground on both new facilities. For more information, visit ccu.edu/campaign.