Since the community-wide kickoff on September 30, the Office of Advancement’s major gifts team has been raising funds to support the campaign’s three pillars: the MultiSport Complex, the Equestrian Center and student success.
In February, the College announced a significant gift of $2 million from the Bill Gatton Foundation to name the Grand Arena in the Equestrian Center. This transformational gift is the first seed gift to name a portion of the new center in memory of Mr. Gatton. Members of the Intermont Equestrian team and President Wells were present to publicly acknowledge the Bill Gatton Foundation’s philanthropic giving to support this project.
“This gift signifies the kickoff to our campaign to expand our student services and engagement to the corners of exit 26 on Interstate I-81,” said President Wells. “We are honored to have the support of the Bill Gatton Foundation. Mr. Gatton was a true leader who helped develop the regions of Southwest Virginia to Upper East Tennessee and improve the lives of those in the region. The College hopes to carry the torch toward continued prosperity for our students and the community.”
In mid-April, our partners at Berry Home Centers assisted with the first piece of construction on the interstate projects by removing both the barn and silo at exit 26. These structures needed significant repair, and the recovered materials were repurposed for other projects. The construction of the MultiSport Complex will begin during the summer of 2023.
As of May 1, the Collective Connections Campaign has received more than $8.7 million in gifts and pledges toward the goal of $25 million.
Emory & Henry’s connection to its region and the nation runs as deep as its roots as Southwest Virginia’s oldest private institution of higher learning. Emory & Henry alumni, friends and donors have always been integral to the growth and forward momentum of the College. For decades, the College has established a strong tradition of stewardship, community engagement and philanthropy. Emory & Henry alumni have been recognized as among the most philanthropic in the nation. Emory & Henry College was recently recognized as a Top 20 regional college (South) by U.S. News & World Report, Best Colleges Rankings.
As the College embarks on the Collective Connections Campaign, it has a unique opportunity to deepen and broaden its regional impact and national reach by building upon the strong foundation from 1836.
Please consider being a part of the Collective Connections Campaign! Your gift to this campaign supports the growth of our campus and beloved College.
Visit www.ehc.edu/collectiveconnections for ways to give and to keep up-to-date with the campaign progress!
Early this year, education leaders signed a partnership agreement between Emory & Henry College and the Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center in Abingdon, Va., to expand the region’s educational opportunities and bring new healthcare and business programs to the area.
Members of the Emory & Henry College Board of Trustees and current students in the School of Business gathered at Carriger Hall to celebrate the naming of its new boardroom in honor of the 21st President, Jake B. Schrum. This was the first public preview of the building since renovations started in the fall of 2021. The building was used as a men’s dormitory and built in two phases in 1904 and 1908. A grand opening ceremony will be held in August 2023, when students return to campus and construction is completed. A feature in the new Jake B. Schrum Boardroom is a wooden boardroom table designed and handcrafted by Schrum’s oldest daughter and artist, Libby Schrum (second from right) of Camden, Maine.