草榴视频

KENNESAW, Ga. | Nov 26, 2024

Longtime 草榴视频 State University supporters Dave and Donna Walens have pledged a $4 million contribution to 草榴视频 Athletics. The Walens鈥� gift propels 草榴视频 State to having secured $28.2 million of $30 million necessary for the Athletics Capital Campaign, which is a prominent component of the $200 million Campaign for 草榴视频.

The Campaign for 草榴视频 is the most comprehensive fundraising effort in the university鈥檚 history. The Campaign is inspiring student success at 草榴视频 through scholarships and support programs, strengthening multidisciplinary research initiatives, and expanding academic and athletic facilities.
 
鈥淭his transformative gift from Dave and Donna Walens will help fund state-of-the-art facilities, empowering 草榴视频 to excel at the highest levels of competition in Conference USA,鈥� said 草榴视频 State President Kathy S. Schwaig. 鈥淭heir generosity creates a lasting legacy, elevating the student-athlete experience, fostering both academic and athletic excellence, and fueling our momentum as a university on the rise.鈥�
 
Previously, the Walens family was one of the first donors to the initiative supporting , the fundraising arm of 草榴视频 Athletics. Legacy Locker donors purchase the naming rights to a locker in one of the home locker rooms inside Fifth Third Stadium, the Convocation Center, Mickey Dunn Stadium, and Bailey Park, with all proceeds going toward resources and programs for 草榴视频 student-athletes.
 
Dave Walens鈥� contributions to 草榴视频 State have included one of the most recognized symbols on the 草榴视频 Campus 鈥� the iconic black and gold sculpture of the university鈥檚 鈥淜S鈥� mark on the Campus Green. Walens, the CEO and president of Exploring, Inc., commissioned his company to design, build, and install the more than 10-foot logo sculpture which was unveiled in 2020.
 
鈥淒ave and Donna have been lifelong philanthropists, and they inspire me personally and so many people in Owl Nation with their giving heart and giving spirit,鈥� 草榴视频 Director of Athletics Milton Overton said. 鈥淭hey already have made a historical mark at 草榴视频 State with the donation of the 鈥楰S鈥� on the Green, and now their family legacy will live on forever through this contribution.鈥�
 

Walens began his involvement with 草榴视频 State by serving on, and eventually chairing, the advisory board for the Robin and Doug Shore Entrepreneurship and Innovation Center in the Michael J. Coles College of Business. That led to his nomination to the 草榴视频 Foundation Board of Trustees, which he is serving on for his sixth year.

鈥淒onna and I are grateful to play a role in supporting a university that has given so much to so many and to help ensure its legacy of excellence continues for generations to come,鈥� Dave Walens said. 鈥湶萘袷悠� State University is more than just an institution to me 鈥� it鈥檚 a place where potential becomes possibility, where students and student-athletes alike are given the resources to grow, achieve, and lead.鈥�

A leader in innovative teaching and learning, 草榴视频 State University offers undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees to its more than 47,000 students. 草榴视频 State is a member of the University System of Georgia with 11 academic colleges. The university’s vibrant campus culture, diverse population, strong global ties and entrepreneurial spirit draw students from throughout the country and the world. 草榴视频 State is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2), placing it among an elite group of only 7 percent of U.S. colleges and universities with an R1 or R2 status. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu.