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January 29 , 2026

 

The Circle

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

   

 

Welcome back!

 

Today we are inviting you to walk the “circle.” Most of our campus is organized around a central open area in the shape of a circle. The design of the campus is partly due to the help of Missionary Tech, an organization designed to provide professional services to missionaries. The partnership with this organization and further efforts have joined together to provide the beautiful campus that we know today.

 

This central space on campus connects us with a broad open space to meet, eat, and play. The Ponderosa pines of the circle provide the picture out the front windows of the various staff houses arranged around the circle.  

 

Multiple paths intersect this central area connecting the campus. To walk the current road around the circle is to go .40 mile. While quite a number use the road to get around campus, many still use the paths that have become distinct with footprints. The road in front of the Gjesdal Memorial Educational Building was at one point further south. On the circle, not far from House 4, is a basketball/volleyball court that has been here since the early days of the campus.

 

A ball field is located within the “circle” between the girls’ dorm and the educational building.

 

The pavilion, built in 2002, has hosted many enjoyable times of fellowship.

 

Some of the photos in today’s tour have no comments as we are uncertain either of the date it was taken or the people pictured.

 

Before you go, stand still for a minute. Breathe deeply and you may just catch a whiff of the beautiful pine scent that routinely wafts along.

 

Thanks for visiting the NIBS circle today. Come visit us soon! Just seeing pictures does not do this place justice.

 

Until the next time, God bless!

 

Our next stop will be the girls’ dorm.

 
An early view of the circle with the first four houses. The date on the picture is August 1969.
The 1972 senior class gift was this flag pole.

 

Though this was many years ago, the unpaved roads continue to provide places to skate or ride on inner tubes behind vehicles.
In front of House 9 the water would freeze into what became known as “Lake Gjesdal.” Miss Gjesdal and Miss Stearns lived in House 9, hence the name.

 


 
Campus family picture in 1979
 
Another campus family picture in a different year
 

Kindergarten students (1975-1976) on the slide

Campus children in 1977 enjoy the sandbox.

Depending on the time of year, the circle provides opportunities for ice skating and wading.

Campus children in 2002. Who needs a sandbox?

 

 

Joe Hooper helped with the sheeting on the roof of the pavilion.

Enjoying the new pavilion in 2002

 

Throwing snowballs

Tug of war in 2008

The circle has seen many needles dropped and collected across the years.

Volleyball in 2024

On the sidelines of the game

 
Kickball game last fall
 
PE class last fall
 

Walking to chapel

Recent panorama of the circle