Holloway Health & Wellness Center Dedicated

The ribbon is cut to dedicate the Doris and Bob Holloway Health & Wellness Center.
From left: LWC Athletics Director Willis Pooler, Holloway Center Director Joel Peterson,
Dean of Students Chris Schmidt, LWC senior Tracy McClain of Harrodsburg, Ky.,
Rebecca Morris, LWC board chair Bob Holloway, Jennifer Thompson, LWC senior Justin
Cason of Louisville, Ky., LWC Vice President of Student Services and Enrollment
Management Dean Adams and LWC President William T. Luckey Jr.

COLUMBIA, Ky. -- The Lindsey Wilson College community celebrated a "most awesome day" on Wednesday as students, faculty, staff and area residents gathered to dedicate the Doris and Bob Holloway Health & Wellness Center.

"This is a most awesome day as we dedicate this most awesome building," said LWC Vice President of Student Services and Enrollment Management Dean Adams.

Named in honor of Lindsey Wilson Board of Trustees Chair Bob Holloway of Middletown, Ky., and his late wife, Doris, the 73,232-square-foot center is the largest building on the college's A.P. White Campus.

The Holloway Health & Wellness Center -- which is open to the college's students, faculty, staff and members of the community -- includes an indoor, eight-lane swimming pool; recreation pool; 40-person hot tub; indoor walking track; racquetball court; cardiovascular area; weight-lighting room; and three basketball courts.

"This is one of the most exciting days in the 107-year history of Lindsey Wilson College," said Lindsey Wilson President William T. Luckey Jr. "Other than the founding of the college in 1903, I don't think anything we've done will have a larger impact on this college or on this community than the opening of this facility."

The Holloway Health & Wellness Center is the fruition of a lot of dreaming and hard work, Luckey said.

"I still drive by about twice a day and hope that it's really here and not just part of some dream," he said.

Luckey said he hopes the Holloway Health & Wellness Center will help turn the tide in Kentucky and contribute to healthier citizenry. He noted that Kentucky has the highest rate in the country for deaths caused by cancer, and it leads the nation in teen tobacco use, adults who smoke and adults who lack exercise.

Kentucky also is fifth among the states in cardiovascular disease, and it is the fifth most obese state in the union.

"This is not a pretty picture for the commonwealth," Luckey said.

Things are not much better in Adair County, which ranks 91st among the 120 Kentucky counties in overall health among residents. Adair County residents are less physically active, smoke more and have higher infant mortality rates than residents of the average Kentucky county -- which has resulted in 51 percent of Adair County residents being classified as obese.

"The good news is that Adair County ranks at very top in that it can most easily improve its health status by simply by making changes to behavior," Luckey said.

LWC senior Justin Cason of Louisville, Ky., said that since the Holloway Health & Wellness Center was opened on Feb. 5 it has changed the college's student body.

"The transformation that this facility and staff have created on this campus can only be described as amazing," said Cason, who is a recreation, tourism and sports management major. "Students are becoming healthier happier and gained a new sense of community. … It's where new friendships are formed, old friendships are being strengthened and lives are being changed."

And Holloway Health & Wellness Center Director Joel Peterson said the building is also helping students' career plans. More than 30 LWC students work at the center, which Peterson said gives them valuable job experience and a chance to give back to LWC.

"All of this is being run by students," he said. "Having that opportunity and giving students those leadership opportunities really helps grow and develop them."

Luckey said it was natural for the center to be named in honor of Holloway and his late wife.

"I had the privilege of knowing Doris -- a more gracious and classy lady has never ever graced this campus. … I am so thrilled I knew her," he said.

He said that Holloway -- who has been chair of the LWC board for almost all of Luckey's 12-year tenure -- has been a "friend, role model and mentor to me."

"Simply put Bob, you are Mr. Lindsey Wilson College -- our leader who has guided this team through its most dynamic expansion in the 107-year history of this college," Luckey said. "You and Doris have your fingerprints all over this place -- and for that we are extremely grateful."

Holloway, who has been a member of the LWC board for more than 25 years, said that being involved with the college has meant a great deal to him.

"I've met many, many wonderful trustees," he said. "It's been a real highlight of my life to be a part of your team."

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Click here to see pictures from the dedication and ribbon-cutting ceremony.