Barbara Hodel Arrives for Dedication

October 9th, 2009

By David Halbrook. Pictures by Art Cox.

CONTACT:

David Halbrook
Patrick Henry College
(540) 441-8722
OfficeOfCommunications@phc.edu

Barbara Hodel, beloved PHC trustee, views with joy the new gymnasium of the Barbara Hodel Student Life Center

Arriving in Purcellville Friday morning to attend the Saturday, October 10, Barbara Hodel Center Dedication Ceremony, long-time PHC trustee Barbara Hodel paid her first visit to the elegant new building that bears her name. She and her husband, Don, past Secretary of Energy and Secretary of the Interior in President Reagan's administration, also dropped in at the PHC Board of Trustees meeting in progress, and were met with a round of applause, heartfelt greetings, and a few tears.

In August 2007, Barbara fell down the stairs at their Colorado home and remains mostly paralyzed. Because of her incredible courage and Christ-like faith in the face of adversity, the Board of Trustees, in September 2007, named the building the Barbara Hodel Center in her honor.

“Our desire to honor Barbara Hodel flowed out of a life of extraordinary service to her family, her nation, and her Lord," says PHC President Dr. Graham Walker.

“When I saw Barbara in the hospital shortly after her life-changing accident, I witnessed the greatest expression of the joy of the Lord that I have ever seen,” added PHC founder and Chancellor Michael Farris. "Barbara Hodel’s reaction to one of life’s most challenging circumstances points our students to true wisdom, strength, and victory.”

View some of the Barbara Hodel Center facilities.

Click on a picture in the gallery below to view a larger version.

Don and Barbara Hodel arrive at Board of Trustees meeting	Chancellor Farris and President Walker present the Grand Lobby	Viewing the inside of the new gymnasium
Inside the Grand Lobby	Touring the Hodel Center's exterior	Dr. Walker and Don Hodel point out Scriputure etchings
The Hodels greet PHC Board of Trustees	Arriving at the Barbara Hodel Center	Admiring the Center's architectural features