By Suzanne Savage | April 26, 2010
Norfolk/Virginia Beach, Va. - Virginia Wesleyan College President William T. “Billy” Greer, Jr., announced at a campaign celebration on Thursday, April 22, that Virginia Wesleyan successfully completed its Key to the Future Campaign by raising $53.5 million.Success Achieved! (partial listing)
• Completed $5.7 million renovation of Hofheimer Library to transform it to the academic hub of campus.
• Purchased over 15,000 new volumes for the library.
• Launched a new 45-foot research vessel, the Ocean Explorer, in partnership with the Virginia Aquarium.
• Renovated Birdsong Hall, Monumental Chapel and Gum Hall.
• Replaced concrete terracing at Bray Village.
• Built two new water retention ponds and installed bronze Marlin statue.
• Created a wellness hall and installed a green vegetative roof on it.
• Raised $10.95 million in student endowed scholarships, creating 38 new scholarships.
• Recognized 26 Batten professors and 6 Batten Scholars.
• Lessened faculty teaching load.
• Created a $1.56 million faculty development fund.
• Established a Bachelor of Science degree.
• Created the C.S. Lewis Endowed Chair in Communications and Christian Thought.
• Created the Thomas R. Fanney Distinguished Professorship in Mathematics.
• Enhanced endowed funds for the Center for the Study of Religious Freedom, the Office of Community Service and Undergraduate Research.
The Key to the Future Campaign, which began with a quiet phase on July 1, 2003, and ended on December 31, 2010, provided funds to support the College’s vision to become a Phi Beta Kappa-caliber college. These gifts supported capital projects to provide a first-class learning environment for teaching, learning and research; increased endowment funding to strengthen academic programming; and increased annual fundraising to support the College’s needs.“It was one of the happiest evenings in the history of Virginia Wesleyan,” George Y. Birdsong, chair of the College’s Board of Trustees, said about the Campaign Celebration. “Everything that this Campaign has helped accomplish has been to achieve Phi Beta Kappa and build academic excellence. It was not just a wish list, but a vision of stepping into the national spotlight as a prominent liberal arts college.”
Campaign Success
The Campaign experienced unprecedented success raising $53.5 million from over 7,900 alumni, corporations, friends, foundations, parents and Trustees. It was the largest campaign in the history of the College. See a partial listing of priorities supported by the Campaign.
Phi Beta Kappa Application Submitted
Virginia Wesleyan College submitted its application to shelter a chapter of Phi Beta Kappa on Wednesday, October 28, 2009. The application preparation was spearheaded by Dr. Katherine M. Loring, Vice President of Administration and Special Assistant to the President. The application was submitted by Dr. Joyce B. Howell, Chair of the Phi Beta Kappa Committee, Professor of Art History, and a member of Phi Beta Kappa. The 115-page document is a thorough summary of the College’s academic programs, faculty resources and teaching and learning facilities.
Campaign Leadership Recognized
President Greer recognized the vital Campaign Leadership, “A Campaign of this magnitude cannot succeed without strong volunteer leadership. They set the tone for the Campaign and provided the forward momentum we needed to succeed.” The Campaign Co-Chairs included Jane P. Batten H ’06, current member of the Board of Trustees and former Board Chair, Gary D. Bonnewell ’79, Board of Trustees Secretary and alumnus of the College, and D. Henry Watts H ’07, current member of the Board of Trustees and former Board Chair. A Campaign Cabinet guided to Campaign and included the Campaign Co-Chairs as well as George Y. Birdsong, Joan P. Brock, O.L. “Butch” Everett, John E. Lingo, Jr., Vincent J. Mastracco, Jr., Charles A. McFadden, Anne B. Shumadine, and John A. Trinder.
Gratitude for Remarkable Generosity
All Campaign Partners, donors who made a Campaign commitment of $10,000 or more were recognized on a special donor wall in the lobby of Clarke Hall. Due to the academic focus of the campaign, Clarke Hall was selected to house the plaque as it is the academic hub of the campus. Clarke Hall is named in memory of longtime College President, Lambuth M. Clarke. The donor wall recognized 257 different Campaign partners.
Student Impact
Leah M. Hammond, a senior majoring in political science, communications and business, spoke as President of the Student Government Association. Ms. Hammond thanked the donors for supporting her College. She specifically mentioned the addition of the 24-hour study hall in the renovated library as having the greatest impact on her educational experience.
Future Needs
“In preparing the College’s Phi Beta Kappa application, we became keenly aware that our work is not done. Some needs identified are yet to be accomplished,” said Butch Everett, Board Vice-Chair. The College will continue to pursue much needed support for priorities such as undergraduate research, study abroad and foreign student scholarships, equipment for the research vessel and library books, to name a few.
For more information about supporting the College, please visit www.vwu.edu or contact Suzanne Savage at 757.233.8736 or ssavage@vwu.edu.
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