CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Roanoke College, Salem, Va., received a $3-million gift for its endowment fund last month from Francis T. West of Martinsville, Va. Roanoke is one of 28 colleges and universities of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
In recognition of the gift Roanoke's Courthouse Academic Building will now be known as the Francis T. West Hall. The hall houses the academic departments of history, public affairs, religion and philosophy, business administration and economics.
"Each of these fields has been important in my life and I cherish the opportunity to share these connections with Roanoke students today," said West.
The building also houses the Henry H. Fowler Public Policy Program, the Center for Church and Society, the Center for Community Research and The Management Institute.
West is president of Franklin Finance Company, Rocky Mount, Va., and director of the Virginia Financial Services Association. In 1986 West received the Roanoke College Medal for Distinguished Service and Professional Achievement. The college named West one of its Sesquicentennial Distinguished Alumni in 1992, and in 1994 gave him an honorary doctor of law degree.
"My relationship with Roanoke College is one that is very important to me, and I am fortunate to be in a position where I can help the college achieve its goals," said West. "Roanoke is a place where students are encouraged to work hard and to serve their communities. I like that."
"Throughout his successful business career, Mr. West never forgot to give back to his community," said David M. Gring, president of the college. "Perhaps closest to our hearts here at Roanoke College is his commitment to education."
Roanoke also received a $40,000 grant last month to support its cell and cancer research. The money came from the Oliver S. and Jennie R. Donaldson Charitable Trust, a New York-based foundation that helps finance cancer research conducted in hospitals, universities and liberal arts colleges.
Gardner's research concentrates on embryonic cellular differentiation and levels of cell adhesion in cancer. The grant will help fund intensive summer research for Gardner and students, and will also help pay for new and upgraded microscopes and other equipment.
In a separate announcement, Judith Nelson, vice president of resource development, said the "Roanoke Fund" earned a record amount of $1.67 million during the 1997-1998 fiscal year. The college's annual fund- raising program received a $33,000 contribution from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America; $26,800 from the Lutheran Brotherhood Foundation, Minneapolis; and $7,300 from Aid Association for Lutherans, Appleton, Wis.
For information contact:
Frank Imhoff, Assoc. Director (773) 380-2955 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://www.elca.org/co/news/current.html
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About the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:
The ELCA is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with 2.8 million members in more than 8,500 worshiping communities across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region. Known as the church of "God's work. Our hands.," the ELCA emphasizes the saving grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, unity among Christians and service in the world. The ELCA's roots are in the writings of the German church reformer Martin Luther.
For information contact:
Candice Hill Buchbinder
Public Relations Manager
Candice.HillBuchbinder@ELCA.org
