Dollye Neal Chapel Dedication

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Groundbreaking for the Dollye Neal Chapel

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"Church in the Wildwood" is a simple old hymn, but sung by Dollye Neal Ballenger's friends and well-wishers at the dedication of the Dollye Neal Chapel, it became an anthem of inspiration and purpose. The words - "no spot is so dear to my childhood as the little brown church in the vale" - printed from one of Mrs. Ballenger's collection of old hymnals, set the tone for the ceremony and reaffirmed her life-long love of chapels. "Chapels have an endearment to me," Mrs. Ballenger told those gathered at the Jan. 20 dedication that honored her gift to the college. She spoke of special moments of spiritual comfort she received from visiting chapels at different stages of her life and her pleasure at the opening the Midland College Chapel that bears her family's name. She gave the gift in memory of her mother, Jewel Neal; her aunt, Roxie Neal; and her uncle A.D. Neal. "It has a wonderful feeling, this little chapel," she said.

Midland College President Dr. David Daniel paid tribute to Mrs. Ballenger: "You know that she does special things. You know she does things she believes in." He characterized her as "a woman of faith ... focused, determined, persistent; she knows exactly what she wants and why."

From left: Joe Liberty, Mrs. Ballenger's friend and stockbroker; Dollye Neal Ballenger; Dr. David Daniel, Midland College President; Dr. Eileen Piwetz, Midland College Vice President of Institutional Advancement; and Rodney Satterwhite, Mrs. Ballenger's friend and attorney.

Midland College Board of Trustees President Will Green officially dedicated the Dollye Neal Chapel, and Midland College Foundation Board President Beverly Pevehouse praised Mrs. Ballenger's gift. "Today we pay tribute to the generosity and visionary spirit of Dollye Neal Ballenger," she said.

Midland College Student Government President acknowledged the value of the gift to students: "As a student I found that my daily agenda consists of back-to-back classes, work and other activities ... but now I have a place to be still. I think the Dollye Neal Chapel will be an excellent place for people to collect their thoughts and also themselves."

At the Chapel groundbreaking last March, Dr. Daniel spoke of the Chapel's purpose. "Mrs. Ballenger was clear that she does not intend the Chapel to promote any particular religious viewpoint or affiliation. Rather, she sees the Chapel as a place for reflection, meditation and spiritual comfort that is part of the learning process."

Mrs. Ballenger's gift covers the entire cost of construction. Her additional gift covers future maintenance costs. The gift means no money from Midland College's operating budget will be appropriated for the construction of the Chapel or its ongoing maintenance. "Not only did she give the money for this beautiful chapel, she endowed it," Dr. Daniel said.