Robert Bross, A Landmark Donor

In 1966, Dr. John Dunkin (then president of Los Angeles Baptist College) publicly announced the school’s need for its own gymnasium. At this time, LABC’s athletic teams were practicing on an outdoor concrete slab and utilizing nearby Hart High School to play their home games.

Robert Bross, a chicken farmer and LABC trustee, quickly answered the call, donating more than $250,000 (roughly $2.5 million in today’s dollars) for the construction of what is today known as The MacArthur Center and Bross Court.

During that year’s Commencement service, Dunkin announced the plans for the new gymnasium, calling it “the greatest advance in the physical development of LABC … since its move to Newhall five years ago.”

The school laid the foundation on Aug. 1, 1966, and the completed building was dedicated in Bross’ honor the following year. During the ceremony, Dunkin called Bross’ gift “a real answer to prayer,” saying, “this facility has made it possible to greatly increase our intercollegiate basketball program, our intramural program, and our physical education program.”

This gift from Bross and his wife represented a tremendous personal sacrifice, reflecting their close relationship with the school and deep commitment to its growth — which ultimately stemmed from their desire to glorify the Lord with every area of their lives. Bross was quoted as saying, “We have endeavored to put the Lord first in our entire lives and that included our business, and He has prospered us accordingly.”

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