Mabee Foundation gifts $4 million to Williams Baptist University for wellness center
by June 20, 2023 11:11 am 718 views
Williams Baptist University announced Tuesday (June 20) that it has been selected for a $4 million gift from the Mabee Foundation, the largest donation ever bestowed upon the university. This gift will secure the naming rights to construct a wellness center on the Williams Baptist campus. The building will be designated as the J.E. and L.E. Mabee Foundation Wellness Center.
WBU President Dr. Stan Norman said the center will be a place to improve physical fitness, mental health, and community engagement. Additionally, the center will serve as a catalyst for enrollment growth and student retention. Current plans for the facility include two basketball courts, weight and aerobic exercise equipment, exercise rooms, locker rooms, a video gaming room, a community/gathering area as well as a large, screened porch.
“We are extremely grateful to the Mabee Foundation Board of Trustees for this remarkable gift. When completed, the facility will profoundly impact the lives of our students at Williams and significantly enhance the infrastructure of our campus community,” said Norman. “J. E. and L. E. Mabee Foundation Wellness Center will provide our students a first-class facility to support their physical and mental well-being as well as fostering a healthier, more vibrant campus community. We extend our heartfelt thanks to the Mabee Foundation Board of Trustees for their unwavering support and partnership in our mission to provide an exceptional Christ-centered education and leadership formation for our students.”
Since its establishment in 1948 by John and Lottie Mabee, the Mabee Foundation has become a philanthropic force, focusing on supporting ‘brick and mortar’ projects across Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Arkansas, Missouri, and Kansas. With a current value surpassing $1 billion, the Mabee Foundation has awarded grants totaling over $1.5 billion.
The Mabee Foundation has supported a number of construction projects at WBU over the past several decades, including the Southerland-Mabee Center, Mabee Student Center, Mabee-Gwinup Cafeteria, Manley Chapel, Startup Chapel, as well as Cash and Butler Halls.
“As a transformative facility, the J. E. and L. E. Mabee Foundation Wellness Center embodies our commitment to nurturing exceptional leaders who engage local and global cultures through a Christ-centered worldview,” said Norman. “By providing a place for physical fitness, mental health, and community engagement, the center will help us equip our students to embody the Williams Way traits.”
The estimated cost of the project is $8 million, and WBU will explore additional fundraising opportunities to ensure the completion of the facility. Details regarding future fundraising efforts will be announced at a later date.