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FASTforwardFACILITIES ANNUAL FUND SCHOLARSHIPS TEACHING
J O I N T H E C A m PA I G N F O R W E S L E yA N C O L L E G E
At Wesleyan College, we are proud of our history as the first college
in the world chartered to grant degrees to women. We cherish the
traditions that make our campus unique: songs of sisterhood by the
fountain, intense class soccer, STUNT, candle lighting during alumnae
weekend. On our campus, First for Women isn’t just a claim to fame –
it’s a philosophy that separates our learning community from all others.
We’re anchored in tradition and guided by an innovative spirit. Though
we look back fondly on what we’ve achieved, we also look forward – to
changing the way women are educated in the next century. With an
understanding of the needs of today’s women, Wesleyan must continue
to create a distinctive, demanding, and relevant educational experience
for its students. We must look to a new age of Wesleyan. Focused on
the future – of our facilities, our endowment, and our students – we
must raise $30 million through the FAST FORWARD campaign.
FOCUSED ON OUR FUTURE
A comprehensive capital
campaign designed to fast track
Wesleyan College to the future.
“We are inspired by our history, of course, but we are absolutely convinced
that the world needs Wesleyan Women now as never before. If we
insist upon excellence and if we build a community with shared values and a commitment to
serving others, we will be fulfilling our role in higher education.”
Wesleyan President Ruth A. Knox ‘75
FAST FORWARD will touch virtually every aspect of the Wesleyan
experience. Facility improvements, annual fund, scholarships,
and teaching – all essential for enriching our academic programs,
expanding our co-curricular programs, and inspiring a new generation
of young women to become leaders in their churches, professions, and
communities.
Nationally recognized for high academic standards, small classes, and
accessible faculty, Wesleyan College has a legacy of excellence. We will
enhance that legacy with a constantly improving educational experience
that grows from the College’s four historic cornerstones. Nearly 175
years after our founding, these timeless cornerstones continue to
advance a Wesleyan experience defined by academic excellence in
the liberal arts, opportunities designed especially for women, faith and
intrinsic values, and a commitment to serving the world community.
Through FAST FORWARD, Wesleyan College is building upon
these cornerstones by constructing, renovating, and creating spaces
throughout the campus to ensure that our students have the best
environment in which to worship, learn, and live. At the same time,
we must address the financial demands that follow from our style of
education, strengthening our endowed resources so that we can
continue to make the transformational Wesleyan experience accessible
to tomorrow’s women. Increasing our annual support is essential, too, if
we are to maintain our emphasis on developing the minds and hearts of
each Wesleyan student as an individual who deserves special attention.
That is the Wesleyan Way, and it is well worth preserving.
TO GROWAND THRIVEWesleyan plans to reshape the
face of our historic campus with
renovations and new construction;
expand endowed resources for
scholarships, academic programs,
and facilities; and raise our goals
for an even more robust
Annual Fund.
Facilities Taylor Hall Renovation $3,375,000
Chapel Design, Construction & maintenance $5,000,000
Other Capital Improvements $3,625,000
Facilities Support (Endowed Funds) $1,000,000
Annual Fund $11,500,000
Scholarships (Endowed Funds) $3,000,000
Teaching Endowed Funds for Academic Programs $1,000,000
Technology Enhancements $500,000
Endowed Funds for Faith Based Programs $1,000,000
FAST FORWARD Phase 1 Goal $30,000,000
As we strive to maintain our timeless mission while preparing for
our third century of Wesleyan graduates, we are undertaking a
comprehensive campaign designed to meet the following goals:
In the summer of 2007, the departments of biology and chemistry were transformed with the opening of the magnificent munroe Science Center and its laboratory-based teaching environment. Our former science facility, Taylor Hall, now requires extensive renovation, primarily to repurpose old science laboratories and classrooms into an expansive academic space for Wesleyan’s growing psychology, education, and business departments. In addition to housing our new master of Education program and accelerated Executive master of Business Administration program, these three departments offer our most popu-lar undergraduate majors and attract a large number of nontraditional students, a growing population. year after year, we advance students from these departments to prestigious internships and the most competitive graduate programs in the world. Overall, more Wesleyan graduates pursue business and education related professions than any other field.
The College also must overhaul and update the heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems of the building and replace most of the wiring in the facility. modern laboratories for our physics department and a new computer laboratory complete the plans for this comprehen-sive renovation. We plan to accomplish the renovation of Taylor Hall by achieving Silver certification in Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) by the United States Green Building Council. With a total budget of $5,000,000, and with significant funds raised prior to the beginning of the FAST FORWARD campaign, Wesleyan accomplished Phase I of the Taylor Hall renovation in the summer of 2008, including waterproofing and foundation improvements, significant exterior renovations, and the installation of major portions of the new HVAC system. Securing funding of $3,375,000 to complete the renovation is our next goal, which will immediately improve the teaching and learning environments for the critically important areas of education,
psychology, business, and physics.
TAYLOR HALL RENOVATION
We must repurpose our old
laboratories and classrooms to meet
the demands of our growing education,
psychology and business programs.
FACILITIESASTforward $13,000,000
“As my management responsibilities increased with GEICO, I realized I needed to
enhance my business qualifications with an advanced degree. I chose Wesleyan’s Executive MBA Program to improve my analytical skills and to broaden my knowledge in the business industry, and now feel more
marketable for future career opportunities. The convenience of Wesleyan’s weekend
class schedule allowed me to balance both my professional and family responsibilities.”
Karen Kee, MBA ‘06
Leaders of the methodist Church were instrumental in the 1836 founding
of Wesleyan. Today the College remains deeply committed to her long-
standing affiliation with The United methodist Church and continues
to build on the ideals of the church through dynamic programs for
Wesleyan women. Complementing our outstanding academic program,
faith and service organizations like the methodist Wesley Foundation,
Baptist Collegiate ministries, Gospel Choir, Catholic Newman Club,
Inter Varsity, Lane Center Servant Leaders, and Episcopal Canterbury
Club invigorate our campus. We are particularly excited about one of
our newest scholarship programs, Wesleyan Disciples.
After many years of discussion, the College has set as a priority the
design and construction of Pierce Chapel, named for Wesleyan’s
first president Bishop George Foster Pierce and honoring the many
members of his family who have continued to lead and serve the
College. While the first Pierce Chapel was an integral part of campus
life at the original conservatory on College Street, our chapel services
have rotated among several locations at the Rivoli Campus for more
than 75 years, including the Benson Room of the Candler Alumnae
Building currently. Alumnae, students, faculty, and friends alike have
championed for a signature facility to house the College’s chapel
services, Chaplain, and rapidly growing faith-based programs. The new
Pierce Chapel will be designed with a capacity of about 300, giving us
the ability to use the space on occasion as a music performance venue
for organ, piano, and choral concerts and recitals that call for a more
intimate setting than the much larger auditorium in the Porter Family
memorial Fine Arts Building. The design and construction of the Pierce
Chapel will require $5,000,000.
OUR DREAM OF A NEW CHAPEL
Wesleyan’s emphasis on faith and shared
values reflects both our historic roots
and our purpose for the future, and this
aspect of Wesleyan’s mission should have
a permanent home in Pierce Chapel.
“Through Wesleyan Disciples, I found a core group of friends that I can rely on and who
empower me. Although we all come from different places, different churches, we all have the same desire to be strengthened spiritually, to explore the
Scripture, and to serve as leaders on the campus and in the community. The program has
helped me to think more deeply about the Bible and about my own spiritual journey. I feel
that God has led me to find an inner strength that I didn’t know I had.” Golden Heart Florence Priester
FACILITIESASTforward $13,000,000
• TAYLOR HALL RENOVATION $3,375,000Conversion of old science laboratories into modern classroom spaces.
• NEW CHAPEL $5,000,000New worship and performance venue with seating capacity for 300.
OTHER CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS $3,625,000• Fine Arts Facilities $500,000The recent renovation of Wesleyan’s historic Goodwyn-Candler-Panoz
Organ has inspired us to make substantial improvements to the
Porter Family Fine Arts Building where that treasured instrument is
housed. Having already accomplished upgrades like freshening
the auditorium and lobby, redesigning the rear parking lot and
road, repaving the front drive, and adding new sidewalks and exterior
lighting, our next undertakings will be installing a passenger elevator,
installing improved lighting and sound systems for both the large
and small stages, repairing the roof and HVAC system, renovating
the art galleries, and refreshing the classroom and practice spaces.
The air conditioning system in the murphey Art Building also needs
attention.
• Athletic Facilities $525,000One of the campus’s most significant treasures, the 1928 Porter
Gymnasium remains the College’s only building without air
conditioning – making basketball, volleyball, and fitness classes
almost unbearable during many months of the year. Its historic
swimming pool suffers from humidity as do the students and
members of the community who use it constantly. Air conditioning,
proper ventilation, and a modern electrical system will turn the Porter
Gym into a hub for the Wesleyan athletic and fitness programs once
again – complementing both the newer mathews Athletic Complex
and Nancy Ellis Knox Equestrian Center on the opposite side of the
campus. Those Centers also need improvements, and we plan to
resurface the soccer field, irrigate the soccer and softball fields, update
exercise equipment, and improve the grounds, stalls and paddocks
for Wesleyan’s award winning horses. Raising $525,000 will allow us
to complete the first phase of this long-term project. Fitness activities
and participation on Wesleyan’s intramural and NCAA sports teams
are vital parts of the whole Wesleyan experience, and improving our
athletic facilities will enable every student (and many members of
the macon community) to benefit from instruction, competition, and
recreation.
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TOTAL CAMPUS IMPACT AT-A-GLANCE
FACILITIESASTforward $13,000,000
• Olive Swann Porter Student Life Center $500,000As the hub of student activities and services, the Olive Swann Porter
Student Life Center experiences constant traffic. While renovation
of the elegant parlors, the Academic Center, and Trice Conference
Rooms were completed in recent years, further improvements are
needed behind the scenes to serve our students and guests from
throughout our community who attend meetings, conferences,
recitals, and other gatherings nearly every day. most important is the
need to improve the HVAC systems serving the Anderson Dining Hall
and the offices of our Communication, Campus Police, and Computer
and Information Resources Departments.
• Residence Halls $850,000Central to student life, Wesleyan’s residence halls make the College
more competitive among our peer institutions. With two apartment
buildings constructed and the older residence halls remodeled
more than a decade ago, they now require major refurbishment to
remain competitive. Our most important priorities are upgrading the
furnishings in our student lounges, installing wireless technology and
new door access security systems in all seven residence halls, and
making significant improvements to the heating and air conditioning
system in Hightower Hall.
• Campus Environment $1,250,000Wesleyan College is committed to becoming a more energy
efficient campus and to reducing the impact of our operations on
the environment, a challenging goal given the historic significance
of our buildings. Guided by a comprehensive energy audit, we are
committed to lowering our energy consumption and reducing our
ongoing repair costs by waterproofing Tate Hall and replacing or
upgrading electrical, lighting, plumbing, and mechanical systems
in several buildings on campus, including the Candler Alumnae
Building, Willet Library, and Huckabee Hall. In addition, we plan to
install security lighting in several spots throughout the campus as well
as resurface most of our campus roads. These projects will help to
ensure the continued safety and security of our students, faculty, and
staff and meet our strategic goal of preserving and enhancing the
beautiful facilities that are Wesleyan’s trademark.
FACILITIES MAINTENANCE FUNDS $1,000,000A strong endowment is essential to ensure adequate support for
the College each year. Part of the FAST Forward Campaign will be
the addition of $1,000,000 in new endowed funds, including through
planned gifts, to create building funds for the preservation of our
historic facilities.
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Every year, the Annual Fund continues to close the gap between the
College’s expenses and its tuition and endowment incomes. No aspect
of the College is left untouched by Annual Fund support. These dollars
are spent in the same year they are received – making each year’s need
for renewed support even more important. Annual Fund gifts keep our
electricity, water, maintenance, health care, counseling, security, and
instruction available for all students.
most importantly, Annual Fund dollars ensure that our students
enjoy a thriving residence life program, NCAA Division III athletics,
championship IHSA equestrian program, and meaningful opportunities
for spiritual development and community leadership. From STUNT
props and Pioneer team jerseys to model United Nations Conferences
and career placement services, Annual Fund dollars advance student
life and co-curricular programs that are essential to a transformational
total college experience.
With dozens of student organizations and activities from which
to choose, our students are actively engaged in a wide variety of
opportunities designed to prepare them for life and leadership beyond
campus. During the past fiscal year, Annual Fund gifts provided more
than $2 million for these types of ancillary and operating needs. The
Annual Fund, a vital component of funding the College’s day-to-day
operations, must be maintained throughout the campaign period.
Therefore, the Annual Fund will be a part of this campaign over a
schedule of five years with a goal of $11,500,000.
THESE DOLLARS ARE CRITICALAnnual Fund dollars impact every
aspect of campus life, from utility bills
and campus safety to co-curricular
programs and faculty salaries.
“The small campus size brought out a personality in me that even I didn’t know before
I came to Wesleyan. I found my voice both in the classroom and in the community, and found the courage to take risks I never would
have taken at a large school. I wasn’t afraid to raise my hand in class, and in doing so
often I found that I had some pretty good answers!” Jessica Rowell ’08
FANNUAL FUNDSTforward $11,500,000
Wesleyan College offers a strong merit scholarship program and is
recognized as one of the nation’s most affordable selective colleges.
A thriving endowment is essential to ensure adequate support for
the students and programs of the College each year. Part of the FAST
Forward Campaign will be the addition of at least $3,000,000 in new
endowed scholarship funds, including through planned gifts, to ensure
Wesleyan’s tuition remains affordable.
Our graduates leave campus indebted, not in debt. Women of
Wesleyan share many qualities: they are smart, talented, funny, caring,
and motivated. most of them are not, however, independently wealthy.
Because we are committed to helping every qualified young woman
afford a Wesleyan education, we set our tuition well below that of most
private colleges. Recently, Forbes magazine recognized Wesleyan
College as America’s 15th Best College Buy. Wesleyan is one of only
23 schools in the nation to place in the top 100 of both Forbes’ Best
Colleges and Best Values lists. The Princeton Review also names us one
of the nation’s best values because of our “excellent academics” and
“relatively low costs of attendance.”
Every year, Wesleyan awards more than 100 scholarships valued at more
than a million dollars. Although many of our scholarships recognize
academic achievement, many others reward leadership, creative
talents, and connection with The United methodist Church. Newly
developed outreach programs target specific high schools, teachers,
coaches, alumnae, ministers, and even Girl Scout troop leaders to
help our admission counselors identify outstanding prospective
students. Wesleyan also automatically matches qualified students with
scholarships during the admission process. Every applicant is considered
for scholarships, grants, and low interest institutional loans.
AFFORDABLE AND SELECTIVE
One-fourth of our students are the first
in their families to realize the dream
of a college education.
“I did not even realize I was a candidate for a scholarship, but was invited to attend
Scholarship Day as a high school student. I was so excited when I heard that I had
received the Presidential Scholarship. This achievement really set a high standard for me. At Wesleyan, I developed my leadership skills and increased
my intellectual self-confidence. I graduated from Wesleyan with a great sense of self
and pride about the skills I had developed as an undergraduate student.” Lauren Hamblin ‘06
FASCHOLARSHIPSTforward $3,000,000
Students from across the world value the academic rigor and close
ties offered by Wesleyan’s extraordinary 9:1 student-teacher ratio and
unique seminar-styled teaching philosophy. Of the 52 full-time faculty
members teaching at Wesleyan, 99% hold PhDs or terminal degrees in
their fields. A highly accessible faculty is difficult to measure in a national
survey or study, but we believe it’s the reason Wesleyan students boast
exemplary acceptance rates into medical, law, business, and other
graduate programs.
A strong endowment is essential to ensure adequate support for the
students and programs of the College each year. Part of the FAST
Forward Campaign will be the addition of at least $1,000,000 in
new endowed funds, including through planned gifts, to undergird
our academic program through additional teaching chairs, faculty
development funds, and support for Wesleyan’s Centers of Excellence
in Community Engagement and Service, Science and Technology,
Educational Renewal, and Creative and Performing Arts. Another
$1,000,000 will be raised to complete the funding for the Robert K.
Ackerman Chaplaincy Chair, support our faith based programming,
and endow the Wesleyan Disciples servant leadership program.
In addition to excellent academic programs and faculty, prospective
students and current students alike require and expect advanced
technology in every building for research, study, class assignments,
security, and communication. Technology changes daily, and our
immediate needs are the installation of new telephone and voicemail
systems and implementation of a five-year cycle of refreshing all faculty,
staff, and lab computers. The cost of the first stage of these technology
improvements is $500,000.
FASTEACHINGforward $2,500,000
TECHNOLOGY CHANGES DAILYFaculty and students require and expect
advanced technology in every building
for research, study, instruction, security,
and communication.
“Nearly 90% of our psychology majors advance to competitive graduate school programs.
To prepare our students for post-graduate success, we must engage them in hands-on re-
search using advanced technology. My teaching style has radically changed in the last five years with the advent of new technologies. We must
have state-of-the-art teaching tools and facilities to be effective as teachers. If we fail to stay
current in this regard, we fail our students.” Professor and Department Chair of Psychology Dr. James D. Rowan
“There is no typical Wesleyanne. We come from different cultures and different countries,
we have different religions, different personalities, different goals. But we come together to form a place where none of that matters, where you are liked and loved for who you are. It exemplifies what’s best about family,
most especially sisters. I’ve pursued excellence in all areas of my life – academics, sports, and
even friendships. I truly love my alma mater. I hope to become an example of what a Wesleyan
woman can accomplish.” Hillary Jarrett ‘08
The realization of our dreams for a new Pierce Chapel, the renovation
of Taylor Hall, improvements to our buildings throughout the campus,
and new endowment funds through planned and other gifts will be
the initial results of this campaign. Countless generations of women
who will continue to benefit from the unique experience of a Wesleyan
education will be the true beneficiaries of your gifts. We ask all who
love and value Wesleyan College to focus on the future and FAST
FORWARD with us.
Excitement abounds for our future, fueled in large part by the
extraordinary young women who continue to choose Wesleyan, the
gifted faculty who teach them, and the dedicated staff who add their
distinctive touch to the campus experience. And because we are
surrounded by so many who give forward, we are inspired by possibility.
Thank you for believing in and supporting the Wesleyan Way of learning,
living, and serving. Thank you for blessing us over and over again.
A NEW AGE FOR WESLEYAN
Together, we will create a future
for Wesleyan that is even more
magnificent than her past.