CEDARVILLE, Ohio — It’s always exciting to see change taking shape, especially when it means major upgrades coming to a local university.

Cedarville University is in the midst of a historic campus-wide revamp.

This summer the university is undergoing more than $21 million in improvements, with 45 construction and renovation projects underway.

“We just broke ground on this dorm this summer. It will be a 348-bed dorm,” said Associate Vice President of Operations Rod Johnson.

Johnson has been working at the university for 23 years.

“I’ve seen a lot, been involved with a lot. That’s one of the best things about my job,” he said.

One of the largest projects he’s helped oversee is the building of the new business center, which is scheduled to open in August 2024.

“This used to be a parking lot. There was a sidewalk that connected these two buildings,” Johnson said as he gave a tour.

The new facility will be a hub for business, communication and cybersecurity students and also house a 500-seat auditorium.

“So the whole center of the building is all classrooms. There’s six classrooms on both floors so there’s six downstairs and six upstairs,” said Johnson.

For students watching the upgrades, it’s also an exciting change.

Riley Anspach is a junior focusing on marketing.

“I think it’s very exciting. It just shows the university is always towards building their environment and their campus. So it’s just super exciting,” she said.

Instead of raising tuition for the $21 million in projects, the university is backed by donors, foundations and corporations.

For the past decade, University President Thomas White has watched the improvements first hands.

“We’re bringing students from all across the nation into Cedarville, many of those are going to stay in Ohio,” White said.

The economic impact regionally and statewide is expected to top $37 million.

“We’re excited about being able to give back to our local community as well and provide teachers and other things for schools so we can be good citizens and partner with those around us,” said White.

For staff members like Johnson, who has traveled the school's walkways thousands of times, and the new projects are exciting.

“I was involved in the construction of that building, and this building, and several other ones that are not around the lake.," Johnson said. "Just seeing what wasn’t there become what is there is one of the coolest things."

Along with the dorms and business center, some of the other bigger upgrades are happening at the Ministry Center, library and Engineering and Science Center.

These projects are all part of the university’s major "One Thousand Days Transformed" campaign.

So far, $132 million has been raised toward the university's $175 million goal.