Emory & Henry Receives $2 Million Gift from The Bill Gatton Foundation to Name the Grand Arena at Future Equestrian Center
The Bill Gatton Foundation, located in Bristol, Tennessee, has donated $2 million to Emory & Henry College to support the construction of its new equestrian center to be located adjacent to the College campus on Interstate 81, at Exit 26.
In honor of the gift presented to the Collective Connections Campaign at the college, the indoor riding arena will be named The Bill Gatton Grand Arena.
“This gift signifies the kick-off to our campaign to expand our student services and engagement to the corners of Exit 26 on Interstate I-81,” said Emory & Henry College President John W. Wells. “We are honored to have the support of The Bill Gatton Foundation. Mr. Gatton was a true leader who helped develop the regions of Southwest Virginia and Upper East Tennessee and improve the lives of all who live here. The college hopes to carry the torch toward continued prosperity for our students and the community.”
This significant lead gift for the project, in memory of Mr. C.M. “Bill” Gatton, exemplifies his longstanding support of the former Virginia Intermont Equestrian Program (now Intermont Equestrian at Emory & Henry College, currently located at Exit 10.) The program has grown significantly since the transition, earning additional national championships, raising the total to 22. The success attracts students from around the globe and continues to thrive with more than 100 students riding, competing and studying Equine Studies. A new major for Equine Assisted Therapy was introduced in 2020. The College also offers a minor in Animal Science. For the past two enrollment cycles, the equestrian program has seen an overwhelming amount of interest and some segments have reached capacity. The new facility will offer more students the opportunity to come to E&H to ride, compete and study. Students from 27 states currently represent the program and bring diversity to the college and the region.
“Seeing the vision of a new equine center come to life is exciting for us at the foundation,” said Trustee Danny L. Dunn with The Bill Gatton Foundation. “The students at Emory and Henry who are in this program are excellent students and we feel this initiative will positively affect their educational pursuits and their future professional life. We also feel this initiative will impact economic development and attract solid talent to the region. We are pleased to be part of the successes happening at Emory & Henry.”
The new Bill Gatton Grand Arena will be marked by prominent signage on the exterior of the Grand Arena building and the interior of the arena. All wayfinding signage for the entire equestrian center will refer to the Bill Gatton Grand Arena. This will also include highway and road signage as allowed by the relevant governing authorities. In addition, the arena will be referred to as The Bill Gatton Grand Arena in all college communications.
For more information about the new Equestrian Center and Multi Sport Complex being planned at Emory & Henry, please visit www.emoryhenry.edu/collectiveconnections or read updated news in the E&H Online Magazine www.emoryhenry.edu/magazine.
About the Gatton Foundation:
A Bristol car dealer and philanthropist, Bill Gatton established the foundation in 1985. Even after his death in April 2022 at 89 years old, Gatton’s legacy of generosity continues. Gatton is well-known for making substantial donations to entities in Southwest Virginia and Northeast Tennessee.
About the New Equestrian Center:
- Plan to break ground in 2024; currently in the design and fundraising phase.
- Construction is estimated to take 2-3 years.
- The estimated cost is $20 million.
- The property is owned by Emory & Henry.
- The Center will sit on 63 acres.
About the Collective Connections Campaign at Emory & Henry:
Emory & Henry’s connection to its region and the nation runs as deep as its roots as Southwest Virginia’s oldest private institution of higher learning. E&H alumni, friends, and donors have always been integral to the growth and forward momentum of Emory & Henry. For decades, the College has established a strong tradition of stewardship, community engagement, and philanthropy. E&H alumni have been recognized as among the most philanthropic in the entire nation. Emory & Henry itself was just recognized as a Top 20 regional college (South) by U.S. News & World Report, Best Colleges Rankings.
As the College embarks on the Collective Connections Campaign, it has a unique opportunity to deepen and broaden its regional impact and national reach by building upon the strong foundation from 1836.
The Collective Connections campaign will:
- Elevate the Emory & Henry experience for all students
- Enrich the on-campus experience in support of student success
- Encourage community engagement
- Enhance the visibility of Emory & Henry as a recognized destination along I-81
- And embrace the full potential of our high-caliber, high-performing athletics program and Intermont Equestrian Program as nationally recognized programs
Emory & Henry will be part of the solution for growth and prosperity in Southwest Virginia.
Open gallery
Celebrating the $2 million gift from the Bill Gatton Foundation to Emory and Henry: President John W. Wells; Bill Gatton Foundation Trustees: Danny Dunn and Rob Peel; Lisa Terry-Moosmueller, Director of Equestrian Center, Head Coach and Clinical Associate Professor; Laurel Pollock Class of ’23; and E&H equestrian students
