RALEIGH (Nov. 15, 2007) - Peace College on Thursday dedicated its newly renovated Dr. Annie Louise Wilkerson Biology Laboratory, named after Raleigh's first female obstetrician.

The dedication capped a fund-raising campaign that raised $678,000 in honor of Wilkerson, who died in September 2006 after a career during which she delivered more than 8,000 babies in Raleigh. Wilkerson, who was widely known in Wake County as "Dr. Annie," taught health classes at Peace early in her career.

More than 400 people donated to the drive, many of them family and members of Raleigh's medical community.

"The new Dr. Annie Lab is a physical demonstration of the commitment of Dr. Annie, her friends and her colleagues to biology education," said Peace College President Laura Bingham. "We are indebted to Dr. Annie and to those who supported this renovation for the service they have provided our community and for their commitment to today's students."

The renovation project saw the complete gutting of the lab and installation of new flooring, ceiling, lights, cabinets and sinks, ventilation system and laboratory equipment.

The fund-raising drive was led by Dr. Mary Susan Fulghum, a niece of Dr. Wilkerson's and a Peace Foundation Board member, former Peace trustee Sherry Worth and Betsy Wray, a friend of Dr. Wilkerson's. Seed money for the renovation was provided by the Cannon Foundation. Rex Healthcare and Wake Med were lead donors.

In addition, Philip and Travis Tracy of Raleigh made special gifts in conjunction with the renovation project to establish a dedicated student research space in addition to a fund that will support student research with faculty mentors.

Peace College is a four-year baccalaureate arts and sciences college that offers a challenging program of study that provides women strong intellectual and personal foundations upon which to build successful and meaningful professional and academic careers. Peace's educational program consistently earns the college rankings in the top 10 percent in several categories of the National Survey of Student Engagement.

For more information about Peace College, visit www.peace.edu.

Photo Caption: From left, senior biology major Aimee Austin, Dr. Lisa Bonner, Dr. Mary Susan Fulghum, President Laura Bingham and Betsy Wray. Dr. Fulghum and Wray led the fundraising campaign.