WPU nears halfway mark to “22 Courageous Gifts in 2022”

Last fall, William Peace University (WPU) welcomed 2022 with an aspirational goal to continue to support student lives through immersive experiences by launching a campus-wide fundraising initiative targeting courageous gifts of $25,000 or more.

To do this, WPU established the  “22 Courageous Gifts in 2022” giving campaign.

The campaign seeks to find 22 members of our community who will make a courageous commitment to WPU. Their gifts provide our students with the resources they need to learn through immersive experiences, build upon their courage and develop the confidence needed to turn their passion into purpose. 

Since then, WPU has received 10 courageous gifts. These gifts have been donated to create scholarships, aid campus initiatives, support students and more. Here is a look at these 10 incredible gifts:

1. The Leigh Anne Sims Ivey ‘12 Scholarship Fund, established by Celia and Roger Sims, Rich Ivey, and numerous extended friends and family, is designated for a junior or senior majoring in visual arts or a design-related field to ease their financial need. The Sims family and friends established the scholarship in memory of WPU Alumna, Leigh Anne Sims Ivey ’12.
   
2. The Coastal Courageous Finish Scholarship, established by the Coastal Credit Union Foundation, provides well-performing junior and senior students with support to overcome remaining financial barriers that could prevent them from completing their education. 
3. The Willard and Libby Holding Ross Courageous Finish Scholarship, established by Willard G. and Libby Ross, allows students to achieve their dream of a college education by providing well-performing junior and senior students with support to overcome remaining financial barriers that could prevent them from completing their education.
4. A courageous gift from the Fenwick Foundation and Stuart and Tricia Phoenix supports on-campus capital projects and improvements.
5. Another 22 in 2022 gift from Angela Caveness Weisskopf enhanced the Lovie Jones Fund for Studies Abroad. The fund, originally established in 2006, was geared toward providing travel support for students to participate in musical enrichment opportunities at WPU. Now the fund focuses on travel for study abroad (outside of the United States) related to immersive learning experiences.
6. The Redmond – Harris Internship Support Fund, established by Billie Redmond, Chair of the  WPU Board of Trustees and her husband, Kemp Harris, provides support for students who are completing unpaid internships while enrolled at WPU.
7. The McKoy-Wilkins Scholarship, established by Carl and Gale Mckoy Wilkins ’11, provides financial assistance to non-traditional students enrolled in WPU’s School of Professional Studies or a similar program.​​
8. The Parham Scholar Award, established by WPU Board of Trustee member Antonio (“Tony”) Parham and his wife, Dr. Lynda Morris Parham, recognizes a junior or senior completing a degree in business, leadership, innovation/technology, or similar program. 
9. The H.O.P.E. Scholarship, established by the family, friends and classmates of Heidi Renee Plemmons ’97 in her memory, seeks to offer a hand-up to students at WPU. The H.O.P.E. Scholarship will be awarded to a first-generation student in their second year at WPU who shows potential to grow and who also seeks to give back to the University community through leadership, academics and service.
10. A 22 in 2022 gift from Bryan and Gibbs Ives ‘76 enhanced the Chadwick Family Scholarship. The Chadwick Family Scholarship, formally the George H. Chadwick, Jr. Scholarship, was created by the late Mrs. Josephine “Jo” Chadwick ’43, their children, and numerous friends in 1978 in memory of George H. Chadwick, Jr. This fund seeks to provide a better future for students with financial need who contribute to their school, church and community.

WPU is now near the halfway mark with these 10 gifts with our sights set on fulfilling 22 by the close of the year. 

“I am incredibly honored to have these donors invest and believe in Peace,” said Dr. Brian C. Ralph, WPU President. “We already are seeing the impact these 22 in 2022 gifts have on our students and campus. I am excited for how these gifts will continue to courageously shape WPU.”

If you would like to join this incredible group of supporters who are helping to shape the future of our University and most importantly the lives of our students, please contact Paul Scherschel, WPU Director of Development for Major Gifts.