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Campaign Success! UVA Wise Raises $103.8 Million to Honor the Future

Genna Welsh Kasun
Rhonda Perkins, Lewey Lee, Chancellor Donna Henry, Valerie Lawson
Campaign co-chairs Rhonda Perkins and Lewey Lee, Chancellor Donna Henry, Valerie Lawson

The University of Virginia’s College at Wise (UVA Wise) announced today that they surpassed a $100 million campaign goal at their annual Benefactors Celebration. Fundraising efforts for the initiative totaled $103,871,543.55 and will have an impact of $131,275,796.51 thanks to the College’s ability to secure matching funds from the University of Virginia’s Bicentennial Scholarship program. 

“We celebrate the end of our $100 million dollar Campaign with great enthusiasm and gratitude, valuing each of our supporters who have helped us to Honor the Future with gifts enriched by the endowment of UVA Wise,” said UVA Wise Chancellor Donna P. Henry. “This will continue to provide an incredible stream of support for scholarships, academics, athletics and campus improvements for many years to come!” 

Co-chaired by Rhonda Perkins, a 1973 graduate of the College, and Lewey Lee, a 1964 alumnus, the Honor the Future campaign kicked off in 2019. 

“When we launched the public phase of the campaign in the fall of 2019, we knew there would be thousands of alumni, friends, parents, community members and corporate partners who would step up to support our ambitious goals. And, you did just that,” Perkins and Lee said in a celebratory statement. “We are very thankful.”

The campaign supports five major categories of opportunity across the College’s vast and growing functions.

Student Scholarships 

A high priority during the campaign, this category honors and carries forward the College’s rich tradition of working hard to make it possible for students to graduate with the least amount of debt possible. During the Campaign, Wise benefactors established 98 Bicentennial Scholarships to benefit UVA Wise students: 85 of these scholarships qualified for a 50 percent match and 13 qualified for the full dollar-for-dollar match from the University’s Bicentennial Scholarship Fund.

All told, Bicentennial Scholars Fund gifts at UVA Wise totaled over $31.6 million and matching funds from the University’s Strategic Investment Fund totaled over $27.4 million. This amounts to an incredible $59 million for scholarships here at Wise.

Athletic Support

Providing exceptional opportunities for students to participate as part of a team is also important to the overall development of the students at UVA Wise. Campaign investments in athletics not only impact the College’s student-athletes but serve as a great investment in the regional economy. 

Academic Excellence

UVA Wise’s academic programs include both exceptionally strong majors and offerings that are unique in the region served by the College. Campaign investments in this category support experiential learning that takes place outside of the classroom, which in today’s competitive landscape offers students the additional learning needed to compete as they enter the job market.

Outstanding Professors

Recruiting and retaining exceptional faculty across every discipline remains a top priority for the College. This category worked to build the incentive of endowed chairs, which will continue to be a top priority for the College moving forward.

Capital Improvements 

Regular updates continue to be needed throughout all facilities and additional facilities will meet an ever-evolving academic program.

“The success of this campaign can be directly attributed to the generosity and vision of our alumni and friends. All told, 11,694 donors contributed to Honor the Future and every gift helped us reach this incredible milestone which is already transforming the lives of our students and will do so in perpetuity,” said Valerie S. Lawson, vice chancellor for advancement and alumni engagement at the College and a 1987 graduate. 

Chancellor Henry also thanked UVA Wise College Board and Chair Marcia Gilliam; Foundation Board members, as well as their President Valeri Colyer; the University’s Board of Visitors, whose representatives of the night included Marvin Gilliam and Jim Lambert; visiting University guests Senior Vice President for External Relations Mark Luellen, Vice President for Communications and Chief Marketing Officer Dave Martel, and Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Augie Maurelli; UVA Wise’s Alumni Association and its President-Elect Hunter Hess; the Highland Cavalier Club Advisory Board; and Student Government Association President William Rudeseal. Additionally, several direct descendants of the College’s founders— Kenneth Asbury, Fred Greear and William Thompson—attended the elegant celebration and were thanked for their support of the College’s ongoing success. They included Dawn Asbury Gilbert, Priscilla Greear, Bruce Cauthen and Bill Thompson.     

While the campaign’s success is the celebration of the moment, it is bolstered by the College’s increased enrollment for the fall, student technology support and increased affordability. The growth of the College not only points to the importance of the campaign’s impact but that the College’s growth will spur further opportunities for those who wish to make a difference in the lives of students at UVA Wise. 

“Although we have reached our current goal, the work is not done! Your continued support guarantees the College’s remarkable story continues to transform and meet the needs of our future students for decades to come,” Chancellor Henry concluded.