BEN-GURION UNIVERSITY | THE WAY FORWARD

SYLVAN ADAMS CAMPUS The Sylvan Adams Campus in Sde Boker has seen many changes since the launch of the global campaign in 2020. The stately Cyndi and Max Mintzberg Building for the Ben-Gurion Research Institute for the Study of Israel and Zionism and the Ben-Gurion Archives now stands proudly on the campus, paying tribute to the pioneering individuals who wrote Israel’s history and shaped the country’s development, the researchers who now study its evolution and dynamics, and the building’s benefactors. The building, with its inspiring visitors center, as well as the archives it contains, are national treasures, illuminating the past and inspiring the future. The building’s construction raised both the profile of the Ben Gurion Archives, giving them a proper home in a setting that reflects their importance and is conducive to research, and the stature of the Israel studies domain at the University, a field that explores issues at the very core of Israel’s identity – past, present, and future. The Ben-Gurion Visionary Way, a donor-driven paved walking and cycling path, connects the Cyndi and Max Mintzberg Building for the Ben Gurion Research Institute for the Study of Israel and Zionism and the Ben-Gurion Archives to the burial site of Paula and David Ben-Gurion. The path, which is several kilometers long and contains several shaded seating areas, overlooks the Zin canyon, providing breathtaking views of the beautiful desert landscape and an

staff, and community members, the center is the site of sports- and health-related research and community outreach activities targeting underprivileged populations in Beer-Sheva and the surrounding areas. The center is a vital hub of interaction between the University and the broader community, a place where the bonds of friendship are built and potential world-class athletes are developed. The sports facilities were the victim of a direct hit by an Iranian missile in June 2025, in which a missile penetrated the roof of the center’s multi-sport arena building, causing a fire and partial roof collapse. Since October 7th, the sports center facilities have been critical in building resilience, making the destruction feel particularly harsh. However, with the assistance of donors around the world, the multi-sports arena will not only be restored – it will be modernized and fully accessible, setting a new standard for recreational infrastructure in the region and laying the foundation for a stronger, more resilient future for BGU and the Negev. Our students’ well-being was the focus of another major renovation project on the Marcus Family Campus. With the support of a committed donor, Studio POSITIVE, BGU’s student fitness studio team embarked on a large-scale studio renovation. In January 2026, the studio reopened, and since then, the response from the team and participating students has been overwhelmingly positive. Demand is high, and classes are full. This donor-driven renovation has created a space in which students are building strength, confidence, and lasting healthy habits, complementing the world-class education they are receiving at BGU. Donor support also enhanced the well-being of canine visitors to campus. Nearly a third of Israeli guide dogs complete their foster training with BGU students, and their training opportunities were upgraded with the addition of the Paul S. Bernhard Dog Training Park to the Marcus Family Campus in 2025. The centrally located park is well-equipped with climbing structures for the animals and seating areas for their companions, ensuring that everyone will enjoy their visits to the park.

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