Dallas Baptist University

Dallas Baptist University was founded in 1898 as Decatur Baptist College. The main campus sits approximately 15 miles southwest of downtown Dallas and overlooks scenic Mountain Creek Lake. In 1992, the John G. Mahler Student Center became the first building constructed on the Dallas Baptist University campus in more than 20 years. The building houses the campus financial offices as well as student government and the registrar's office.

When Dallas Baptist built the student center they sought to pattern the building after the architectural details of Independence Hall in Philadelphia. Independence Hall is known as the location where the Declaration of Independence and US Constitution were signed and is pictured on the back of a $100 bill. For the clock and bell tower the University needed a durable long lasting material to recreate the original towers carved wood and stone details. Wood would have required constant maintenance and painting and the cost of carved wood details was prohibitive. They needed a better solution.

The University turned to Stromberg Architectural Products who provided the accents that adorn the crown of this structure in architectural fiberglass (GFRP). Stromberg GFRP does not rust or rot and is an excellent choice for recreating the look of wood, stone or metal. Stromberg GFRP (architectural fiberglass) can be molded in an almost infinite variety of shapes for steeples, spires, balustrade, cupolas, clock towers, domes and cornice. The high strength, low weight and high degree of weather resistance make Stromberg fiberglass an excellent choice for building such ornate structures.

The building which now acts as a social center for the campus was a huge success. It has become the symbol of the campus and the architectural fiberglass has endured 17 years of Texas sun, thunderstorms and inclement weather looking practically new.

Architect: BMA Architects, Duncanville, TX
Owner: Dallas Baptist University, Dallas
Size: 35,000+ square feet