Students at Davis & Elkins College today responded to an earlier donor’s expressed hope with their own generosity: a challenge gift of $200,000 toward replacement of the school’s pool roof. Terms of the gift call for an additional $400,000 to be contributed in matching funds by others.
The surprise announcement was made by Alex Torres, President of the College’s Student Assembly, at the Founders’ Day Convocation formally opening the new academic year.
“Two years ago on this same occasion – just weeks after Doris Buffett’s generous Highlands Scholars gift to help us students – D&E Trustee Jim McDonnell presented the College with the largest gift in its history – $10 million. While what we are doing pales before such generosity, it’s our way of helping do what he said he hoped his gift would do: set an example for others.
“We took Mr. McDonnell’s expectation to heart, and over the summer came up with a way we as students could respond. And by asking trustees, alumni and friends of the College to double our gift with an additional $400,000, the cost of replacing the pool roof will be fully covered.
“We suggest calling it the ‘Raise the Roof’ Campaign. When the goal is met, we can say ‘We did it together!’”
The College was hit unexpectedly last spring when the roof overhang of the 38-year-old Hermanson Center pool collapsed on the Saturday evening of Easter weekend while most students were away. Engineering studies later revealed the inner steel structure of the roof was corroded, leaving no choice but to replace the entire roof and pool ventilating system at a cost of $891,000.
When Torres learned in late summer that a former member of the College’s Board of Trustees, and a current Trustee, had each offered gifts totaling $300,000, he met with D&E Chancellor Michael Mihalyo to explore how students too might help.
“D&E has been transformed in the time many of us have been in school,” he said to the gathering of students, faculty and staff in the totally-new Harper-McNeeley auditorium. “Full-time enrollment is up more than 50 percent, the academic program has been greatly enriched, all the residence halls have been renovated and redecorated, we now have a 24-hour computer lab in Booth Library, a modern fitness center has been added, and many classrooms, the field house and athletic fields have been renovated.”
“All this is for our benefit as students,” he said. “This is one way we can show our appreciation.”
Noting the source of the funds, he added: “With the growth in enrollment, we have more students supporting student activities. The Student Assembly decided we would rather do something significant for the College than spend the money on ourselves.”
In responding to the student challenge, D&E president G. T. ‘Buck’ Smith said: “Those of us privileged to work with our students know first-hand their enterprising and generous spirit. Now – on their own – they have put us over the half-way mark in paying for the new pool roof. Once the matching $400,000 has been raised the entire project will be funded.”
With one of the finest collegiate pools in West Virginia, D&E resumed its competitive swim program three years ago. New head coach Nick Smith noted that “we added a dozen new swimmers this year and are well on our way to growing the roster for both the men’s and women’s teams to at least 30 next year.” D&E competes in the Bluegrass Mountain Swimming Conference comprised of 15 members from five states across the Mid-Atlantic region.
The D&E pool is open not only to the College but the surrounding area as well. In addition to serving individuals in the community, the Elkins High School team and the local youth Otters Swim Club practice and hold their swim meets there.
Commenting on the work ahead in response to the student challenge, President Smith said, “We’ll need the help of our alumni and friends everywhere to meet this extraordinary offer by our students. Their generosity deserves nothing less from the rest of us. As Alex said, ‘Together, we will ‘Raise the Roof!’”
For more information, please visit the College website at www.dewv.edu or call 304-637-1243.
