McPherson College Unveils Rare Ferrari Hanging From Ceiling as Centerpiece to New Student Center During Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony

MCPHERSON, Kan.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Today, McPherson College, located in McPherson, KS, officially opened its new student center – the Campus Commons – with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. As part of the event, a rare 1972 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona was lifted to the ceiling of the atrium, where it will serve as a striking centerpiece of this landmark building. The multi-level, 55,000-square-foot building features new dining options, a coffee shop, campus store, student collaboration and lounge spaces. As the only college in the U.S. offering a four-year degree in automotive restoration, it was fitting for McPherson College to showcase a unique classic automobile in its new building.

The Daytona Ferrari, ranked by MotorTrend as the second greatest Ferrari of all-time, was donated in 2022 by California’s Dr. Richard Lundquist, a Giving Pledge philanthropist, real estate developer, car collector, and McPherson College Trustee. Lundquist, the chief executive officer of Continental Development Corporation and one of California’s most respected real estate owners and developers, along with his wife Melanie have been longtime supporters of the college, having committed $50 million.

The Ferrari is one of the last models manufactured by Ferrari before the company founder and namesake, Enzo Ferrari, sold the company to Fiat. The two-seat grand tourer was designed by Pininfarina and built by Carrozzeria Scaglietti.

“I am honored that my Daytona will be the first car to hang from the ceiling of Campus Commons,” said Richard Lundquist. “McPherson College and I have collectively owned this Ferrari Daytona for over fifty years. There is no greater home for this car than at McPherson College – and I am pleased that the students here can enjoy the car as much as I have. I also look forward to the day when my car is replaced by another, allowing McPherson students in the automotive restoration program the opportunity to meticulously restore the Ferrari.”

McPherson College is recognized for its automotive restoration program, which is producing the next generation of automotive restorers. Graduates secure positions at some of the world’s top car collectors, museums, and restoration companies. Their students won second in class in the 2023 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance with an entirely student-restored 1953 Mercedes-Benz 300S Cabriolet.

The new Campus Commons at McPherson College is part of a larger expansion effort by the college, which has seen campus size increase by 20% with nearly half of all existing buildings renovated since 2022. These renovations include all student dormitories, as well as athletic facilities, science labs, general education classrooms, and computer labs.

“This is a historic day for McPherson College. We have been rapidly expanding our campus to give students the best possible experience, and the Campus Commons will serve as a vibrant hub for our community,” said McPherson College President Michael Schneider. “I am grateful to Richard and Melanie Lundquist for their continued generosity and support. When Richard donated his favorite classic car to McPherson College, he helped me fulfill my promise that someday there would be a Ferrari in our automotive restoration program.”

In addition to the added dining and student amenities, Campus Commons will include a center for career and experiential learning, including the Student Debt Project, as well as a welcome center for prospective students and one-stop enrollment service to better serve students.

The construction was completed by Dondlinger Construction, a Wichita-based construction company who have built and managed some of the most notable projects in Kansas since 1898.

The Campus Commons’ “prairie-inspired” design is a homage to its Kansas roots, featuring a bright, glassy atrium that connects all three floors and showcases the Ferrari, honoring the college’s Automotive Restoration program. The exterior of the building blends glass, metal, and wood with stone stair towers.

Watch a time-lapse video of the car getting raised in the new building here.

Editor’s Note: Video footage and photos from the event can be found here. Photo and video credit: McPherson College.

About McPherson College

McPherson College offers more than 30 undergraduate degree programs to its more than 800 students, representing 33 states and seven countries. Its nationally renowned Automotive Restoration Technology degree program has earned the support of car collectors, including icon Jay Leno. In August 2023, its students competed and won second in class in the Postwar Luxury category at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, one of the automotive world’s signature events.

For more information, please visit: https://www.mcpherson.edu/.