WINONA LAKE - Da-Lite Screen Co. of Warsaw presented a check for $100,000 to Grace College, Winona Lake, Thursday.

The gift was given to the college in appreciation for their assistance to Da-Lite this fall.

On Oct. 24, the Da-Lite facility suffered extensive damage in a tornado that hit the Warsaw area. Several employees were injured and the entire 400-foot front wall of the building was destroyed, in addition to other damage sustained. Following the tornado, Dr. Ron Manahan, president of Grace College and Seminary, offered approximately one-third of Grace's future Student Recreation Center building to Da-Lite for warehouse space and shipping. Da-Lite accepted the offer and by the next day had moved some of its equipment into Grace's building. On Oct. 26, the first screen rolled off the line, ready to be shipped.

Al Hauck, vice president and national sales manager for Da-Lite, presented the check to Grace Thursday and said the gift "shows our appreciation for the use of the building during a time of need for our company. It is a testimony to the community for Grace."

Hauck, himself a 1977 Grace graduate, called the use of the building a "godsend" and stressed how important it was in helping the company continue production.

John Boal, chief advancement officer at Grace, said, "We are very thankful for this generous gift. Da-Lite has been a good friend to Grace through the years and this gift is tangible evidence of that friendship."

The $100,000 gift will go toward the completion of Grace's student recreation center. The college purchased the 81,000-square-foot facility, which is adjacent to the campus and formerly housed Medtronic Sofamor Danek, in December 1999. The recreation center will provide athletic facilities for students and employees, for intramural programs and for Graces's 14 varsity athletic teams.

When the $2.9 million renovation is completed, the building will include a 30,000-square-foot athletic venue that will contain one collegiate basketball court, two practice courts and a 160-meter jogging track with a separate 50-meter straightaway. The building will also house a 25,000-square-foot fitness center with a complete weight and fitness room, an aerobics room, a classroom and locker and laundry facilities. There will also be an additional 25,000-square-foot area designated for future expansion.

Since 1995, Grace has experienced a 71 percent increase in college enrollment, which has driven the need for new facilities. In 1999, the school launched its largest-ever capital campaign to help provide for campus expansion. Phase I of the campaign includes a combined student services center/residence hall, the student recreation center, an athletic and convocation center and renovations to Miller Field, Grace's outdoor athletic complex.

Step one of the first phase was completed when Grace opened Indiana Hall in 2000. Indiana Hall was built with the help of a $2.37 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. of Indianapolis and gifts from private donors. Da-Lite's gift toward the Student Recreation Center will allow the second step of Phase I to move toward completion. [[In-content Ad]]