Buena Vista College (which became Buena Vista University in 1995) was founded by the Presbyterian Church (USA) in 1891. The college was first granted accreditation by the North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools in 1952. A graduate program in education received accreditation in March 1995, and this is when it transitioned from a college to a university.
Over time, the campus has grown from four buildings in a small area to nearly two dozen buildings which cover a handful blocks along the shores of Storm Lake. The first college building, known as “Old Main,” was opened in 1892 and was the primary building on campus until it was destroyed by fire in 1956. Around that time, a major expansion program was initiated with construction of three residence halls, a science building, a physical education complex, a library, a campus center, an auditorium and a classroom-administration building during the 1950s and 1960s.
Record enrollments in the late 1980s led to construction of three new residence halls in the early 1990s. An institutional self-study indicated the need to strengthen the college library and information resources, leading to construction of the Library and Information Technology Center in 1994-95. In 2001, the $9.5 million Lamberti Recreation Center opened, featuring three multipurpose courts and a six-lane, 200-meter indoor track. In 2004, BVU dedicated the Estelle Siebens Science Center. The 70,000-square foot building features 24 offices, 18 laboratories, seven classrooms and three research areas. In 2008, renovations to the old science building were completed and the building was rededicated as the Social Sciences & Art Hall. In addition, a new building connected to the hall, the Center for Ceramics and Sculpture, was completed.
Buena Vista launched a new era in May 1980 when they received an anonymous $18 million gift. Five years later, the anonymous donor was revealed as the Harold Walter Siebens School of Business/Siebens Forum was dedicated in the name of the benefactor. This gift started the creation of a competitive college endowment, which supported physical construction and renovation, as well as further development of regionally recognized academic programs. It made possible such distinctive programs as the William W. Siebens American Heritage Lecture Series and the Academic & Cultural Events Series (ACES).
Throughout the years, Buena Vista has recognized needs and trends and adapted to meet them. In the mid-70s, the institution opened its first satellite location to help serve the needs of non-traditional students who could not attend classes in Storm Lake. Today, there are 16 locations across the state of Iowa as well as an online program for expanded learning opportunities. In August 2000, BVU became the nation’s first “wireless community” when they gave laptop computers to all full-time students and faculty at the Storm Lake campus with the ability to connect to the campus-wide wireless network.
Baseball/Softball Fields
The baseball and softball teams practice and compete on shared fields with the local public high school located on Tornado Drive. A complete renovation of both fields was completed in 2009. Field turf was installed on the baseball infield making it the only field turf in the state of Iowa used for college baseball. Additional upgrades for both fields included new scoreboards, dugouts, fencing, bleachers, backstops, press boxes and windscreens.
Buena Vista Sports Complex
This athletic complex is located north of the main campus on Vestal Street and is the home of two soccer fields that are used for the men’s and women’s varsity competition. It is also the site of two football practice fields.
Buntrock Tennis Courts
Four lighted outdoor tennis courts are located just southeast of Siebens Fieldhouse. They are used for intercollegiate tennis and recreational play.
Estelle Siebens Science Center
Completed in the summer of 2004, the 70,000-squarefeet facility comfortably houses BVU’s five interdisciplinary fields of science (biology, chemistry, computer science, mathematics, and physics), fostering collaboration among the disciplines, as well as between students and faculty.
The 18 laboratories complement seven classrooms, three research areas, and 24 offices. “Science Avenue,” a prominent atrium corridor that puts projects on display, connects the two-story, glass-walled rotunda (nicknamed “the beaker”) to a greenhouse with three environmental growth chambers. The $28 million building was made possible by a $13 million matching gift from the Harold Walter Siebens Foundation and numerous private philanthropic sources. The atrium on second floor exhibits a collection of North American and African animals.
Finkbine Natatorium
Finkbine Natatorium is a 25-yard pool with a 1 meter diving board that is used by the BVU community and the local community for open swim, lap swimming, water aerobics, lessons and competitive meets and is located in the lower level of Siebens Fieldhouse.
Fritcher Fitness Center
Included in the 2001 addition of the Lamberti Recreation Center is the Fritcher Fitness Center. Located on the west side of the fieldhouse, overlooking the lake, the Fritcher Fitness Center is a 6,000 square foot area that provides both weight and cardio equipment for the BVU community to use.
Library
The BVU library exists to meet the information needs of our students, faculty, and staff, regardless of their physical location. The library offers 147,000+ book volumes and access to over 29,000 periodical titles in print or online format within a comfortable and elegant study atmosphere that features a mix of individual and group study seating areas. Reference services include group and individual instruction in the use of both electronic and print library resources as well as assistance with all research and information queries. An online chat option allows for interactive dialog with a librarian.
Access to the online catalog and over 50 research databases is available around the clock. The library’s Interlibrary Loan (ILLiad) service allows students to reach beyond BVU Library’s own collections to obtain books and articles from other libraries all over the world.
Other features of the library include networked computers and wireless access for those using laptops, replacement batteries for laptops at the Circulation Desk, and photocopier, scanning and FAX services. The lending period for most library materials is 30 days.
Our picturesque campus is located on the shores of a 3,200-acre natural lake. Storm Lake has a population of just over 10,000 with an assortment of retail, entertainment and dining offerings for when you feel like escaping campus for a little while.
Residence hall living options include traditional arrangements like in Grand, Pierce and White Halls. There is also Liberty Hall - an option for those who choose to participate in Wellness housing, where they pledge to live a substance-free and healthy lifestyle.
The Suites – Constitution, Briscoe and McCorkle – are reserved for upperclassmen and offer apartment-style quarters for six residents with a main living area and three bedrooms, each with their own bathroom. All of the residence halls are co-ed.
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