Thursday, December 02, 2010

2.5 Million Dollar Gift to Wesley Seminary

The family that owns Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc. has made a $2.5 million commitment to Indiana Wesleyan University for a new building that will house Wesley Seminary at Indiana Wesleyan University.

The IWU Board of Trustees, at a meeting in October, approved construction of the 21,000-square-foot seminary building that would include classrooms, faculty offices and a multi-purpose gathering place for students to study and fellowship.  The university is pursuing additional funding for the building, which is estimated to cost $7 million. Construction of the seminary building could begin as early as spring of 2011.

“We are pleased to assist Indiana Wesleyan with its new seminary building because of our family’s passion and vision to see universities train young men and women in the word of God,” said Tyler Green, Ministries Coordinator for Hobby Lobby Stores.  Tyler Green is the grandson of David and Barbara Green, the founders and owners of Hobby Lobby Stores. Tyler Green and his wife, Kristin, are IWU graduates.  Hobby Lobby Stores, a private company based in Oklahoma City, operates 457 stores nationwide. The company was founded in 1972.

“We are grateful not only for this generous gift but also for the friendship that has developed in recent years between the Green family and IWU,” said IWU President Henry Smith. “Barbara Green, because of her business expertise and her passion for ministry, has been an invaluable member of the IWU Board of Trustees.”

“This gift is a double blessing,” said Dr. Wayne Schmidt, Seminary vice president. “Its generosity makes our facility a reality, and the Green family so wonderfully represents that which we value. The Seminary already is becoming known for its innovation and expansion in order to meet the needs of those it serves.”

We're very grateful to the Green family for their continued investment in the university and now in the seminary.  Thanks always to God as well for his continued gifts! 

1 comment:

Dave Smith said...

This is a dream (make that vision) come true!