by John R. Brooks, ELCA News Service*
Two graduates of Lenoir-Rhyne College, Hickory, N.C., have given
the school a $5.1 million gift, the largest financial gift in the
college's history. Lenoir-Rhyne College is one of 28 colleges
and universities of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
John and Marilyn Moretz, who graduated from Lenoir-Rhyne in the
early 1970s, gave their gift through the Piedmont Educational
Foundation Inc., the fundraising arm of the school's athletics
program. The donation will create the Moretz Sports Center, a
venue to be used in numerous varsity sports and to benefit all of
the college's students. The family also created the Steven
Harris Moretz Scholarship for nursing students, the largest
nursing scholarship gift ever received by the college. This
scholarship is given in memory of the Moretz' son, Steven.
"This gift from John and Marilyn Moretz will have a lasting
impact on Lenoir-Rhyne students and this community, said Dr.
Wayne B. Powell, president of the college. "We are indebted to
them for partnering with us to ensure that our students have the
finest educational experience anywhere."
* Margaret Allen, associate director of marketing and
communications, Lenoir-Rhyne College, provided information for
this story.
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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
