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College Benefits from Banner Fund-raising Year
released: 07/18/02
West Virginia Wesleyan College ended its 2001-2002 fiscal year with $6 million in gifts and grants, an increase of more than $1 million than the previous year. Of the $6 million total, $1.6 million support current programs of the College and $4.4 million support endowment and capital projects. This is the second highest fundraising year in the College's history. (Only surpassed by 1996-1997 when Wesleyan recorded the $4.27 million beneficial interest in the Sara Elizabeth Blake Trust and ended the fiscal year with $6.7 million.)

"We are grateful to the numerous individuals, businesses and organizations that made their support of our College known with a gift," said President William R. Haden. "In the face of a challenging year for our national economy, we are doubly pleased with the College's extraordinary fund-raising year. To me, it reaffirms the strong feelings and life-long ties our Wesleyan family members have to the College."

Twenty percent of Wesleyan's alumni made a gift to the College, up from 18% last year. The total number of individuals, businesses and organizations that supported the College also increased from the previous year. There are currently 3,292 total donors (a 10% increase from previous year); 2,552 total alumni donors (a 17% increase from previous year); and 444 donors gave $1,000 or more (a 9% increase from previous year).

This past year, Wesleyan benefited from pledge payments and new gifts to its capital campaign that make up the $26 million total. The College's goal is to raise $40 million by December 31, 2004. Of the $26 million total gifts and pledges, $2.6 million is from Upshur County donors, $6.4 million is from W.Va. donors, excluding Upshur County and $17 million is from donors outside of W.Va.

Over $12.5 million has been committed to help underpin the College's endowed scholarship program.

Gift commitments for The Virginia Thomas Law Center for the Performing Arts are approaching the $3.5 million mark of the $5 million goal. To date, 136 of the 350 seats have been "named" by members of the Wesleyan community in this much anticipated facility. The College hopes to break ground and begin construction some time this fall.
Through the leadership of men's soccer coach, Gavin Donaldson, lights for the soccer field will become a reality this fall. Soccer alumni, current players and their families, and Bobcat fans have pledged over $76,000 and work has already begun to place the poles and lights.

Men's head soccer coach Gavin Donaldson said, "Being able to play some of our home matches in the evening under lights this fall will certainly help with attendance. Students won't be missing classes and local supporters won't have to skip out of work. Playing under lights also makes the atmosphere at a match a closer, more intimate experience. Everything is more focused toward the field."

In June, replacement of the sound system in Wesley Chapel was completed. Students will return to campus and find programs in the Chapel easier to hear throughout the sanctuary. A high-powered projector for videos, slides and power point presentations will be added some time this fall. The West Virginia United Methodist Conference funded these improvements and will add to their support to improve the handicap accessibility of the Chapel.