In August, Presbyterian College welcomed the Class of 2025 at Opening Convocation and invited each freshman, transfer student, and new faculty and staff member to sign the Roll of Honor. It’s a relatively new tradition held in a deeply traditional space – Belk Auditorium.

Belk looked as crisp as the freshest faces of the College community thanks to a $3.2 million renovation that lends new vigor to the site of countless convocations, baccalaureate services, Christmas concerts, guest lectures, and performances.

But also said with a smile at the Belk ribbon-cutting ceremony in September?

“It’s still the same.”

Yes, the renovations that began last winter were considerable – the first major renovation project since the building opened in 1960. Not just a new coat of paint and some new carpet but that and much more. Upgrades to sound and lighting systems. A new rigging system. The new Whitney B. Harrison ’07 stage. A new heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system. New seats. New floors. Expanded restrooms and accessibility. A renovated lobby.

Yet Belk Auditorium retains every square foot of charm as the “front door of the college.” Nothing is lost of the place that attracted the Rev. Jesse Jackson and Ben Stein and Harlan Ellison to speak and the Avett Brothers to perform before they became THE Avett Brothers.

All by design, according to corporate and foundation relations officer Jerre Threatt. In advance of his draft prospectus to potential donors, considerable research was gathered on Belk Auditorium with a goal not only towards enhancing but also preserving the facility.

Done and done.

“It’s a transformational project,” Threatt said. “The interior looks brand new to first-time visitors, but those familiar with the building will instantly recognize that its character has been retained. The upgrades will allow us to continue hosting our traditional events while exploring opportunities for new ones.

What has also been preserved during this project is the cherished history between a family of philanthropists and PC.

Named in memory of William Henry Belk, the founder of the Belk department stores, Belk Auditorium resulted from the first of nearly $13 million in gifts from the family, including the $2.7 million gift from the David Belk Cannon Foundation for the renovations.

“(William Henry Belk and David Belk Cannon) created a legacy of faith and service,” PC president Dr. Matthew vandenBerg said before the Sept. 14 ribbon-cutting. “They had a tremendous desire to be good Christians and to give back to their communities and the Presbyterian Church.”

Their longtime relationship with PC, he said, stems from sharing the same values – education and service.

Gene R. Matthews II, president of the David Belk Cannon Foundation, reminded attendees for the reopening of Belk Auditorium of the Belk family members and associates whose passion for Presbyterian causes led them to serve PC. Bill Matthews ’62 was a partner and executive vice president of Belk whose father, Henry Belk Matthews, was a trustee.

Current trustee Will Kuhne’s father, Jack Kuhne, graduated from PC in 1966 and served as president of Belk-Simpson department stores.

“We’re very proud of that partnership with PC and how it has helped generations of students,” Matthews said. “I believe the Belk family would be proud of what you’ve done.”

The Belk renovations inspired an additional $500,000 from donors, including gifts of more than $25,000 from John I. Smith Charities, Inc., Whitney B. Harrison ’07, the Bill ’62 and Fran Matthews Family, the Bailey Foundation, Matthew and Margaret White ’98 Evans, and two anonymous donors.