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january 16, 2026

 

Gjesdal Memorial Education Building

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hello again,

 

Welcome back to our campus. It is icy around campus, so please watch your footing.

 

Come inside here and get warm! This is the Gjesdal Memorial Educational Building. In the original plan for our campus, this building was anticipated. It was not until the 2000’s that this building came into existence. The center portion (phase 1) accommodated all the plumbing that would be needed for the building, including eventual additional wings (phases 2 and 3). In 2002, under the direction of Rev. Daniel Hardy Sr., construction began on the first of three phases for this building.

 

Today this section of the building houses the office manager’s office, president’s office, a classroom, storage room, janitor’s room, restrooms, a sports equipment room, and a large gym with a stage on one end.

 

Then in 2018, under the direction of Rev. William W. Cope, construction began on the second phase of the building. Today, this “wing” holds the Upper Learning Center (grades 7-12), a large classroom, a storage/IT room, and a principal’s office.

 

We would like to see the third phase begin soon. This will allow us to add the lower learning center, library, and chapel to this building.

 

Except for Sunday, much happens in this building every day. We are thankful for this wonderful space that God has provided for our school.

 

A note must be given about Miss Viola Gjesdal, in whose memory the building is named. She was one of the original missionaries at NIBS and served here until her passing in 2001. A section in the 2002 Drumbeats memorializes her. Here are two comments about her in that section. “This woman was a lady of all ladies…. Sis. Gjesdal’s life always displayed a Christ-like attitude.”

 

Thank you for stopping by today.

 

Join us in a couple weeks as we venture into the circle to explore the wide-open space that connects our campus. See you then.

 
Drawings for Phase 1

 

This seems to be a special occasion surrounding the planting of the trees in the front.
Three staff ladies who attended the tree-planting service.

 

Groundbreaking service for Phase 2
Breaking the ground for Phase 2
Setting trusses for Phase 2

 

Before the sunrise
Northern Lights seen from campus
The view from the porch is beautiful! At times a picture is necessary.
Spreading sand on the road in front of the building
Parking lot in front of the building
Preparing the Upper Learning Center after the completion of Phase 2
This is the view down the hallway from the front entrance doors. The electricity was off and the emergency lighting was blazing.

 

 

Wall of NIBS presidents
Wall of NIBS graduating classes
Staff ladies chatting in the office
Mr. Troyer meets with the Brandon Cope family during staff interviews.
Robert Cope likes his bright yellow raincoat! Can you see the mailboxes behind Robert? Each staff family has a mailbox here.

 

 

Opening exercises in the Upper Learning Center
Friday night recreation in the gym
Mr. Sam West replaced some lights in the gym while he was here last fall.
Maintenance fellows, Tim Hartley and Clint Ritchey, installed some carpet on the walls.
Mr. Brandon Cope doing some IT work in the attic.
Grandpa Smith places a new wood box by this building’s boiler.