Magazine » Fall 2023 » One Year of the Collective Connections Campaign Marks Significant Progress
One Year of the Collective Connections Campaign Marks Significant Progress
October marked one year since Emory & Henry kicked off the Collective Connections Campaign, raising money to support student success initiatives, including scholarships for academics and athletics, and two capital projects to be located on the edge of campus off Exit 26 on I-81.
Posted December 15, 2023
During the first year of fundraising, loyal and generous supporters pledged more than $12 million in contributions, taking the College nearly halfway to the campaign goal of $25 million.
Intermont Equestrian alumni at Tryon
On June 26, the College announced a lead gift from a local partner, Food City, and broke ground on the Food City Sports Complex at Emory & Henry with many supporters and elected officials in attendance. Almost immediately, bulldozers and equipment began to move the dirt and level the ground to construct the track and field areas. This new space will allow Emory & Henry to host collegiate and high school meets with a projected annual economic impact of $30.6 million. The projected finish date is August 2024.
On October 21, the College hosted the Intermont Equestrian program alumni from Virginia Intermont and Emory & Henry for an inaugural reunion of the two groups. Guests gathered on a stunning autumn evening at the Tryon International Equestrian Center in North Carolina to reconnect, celebrate the accomplishments of the Intermont Equestrian teams and watch an equestrian competition. The reunion also served as a campaign fundraising event for the new equestrian center.
The Class of 1977 is providing a significant boost to the Collective Connections Campaign. With a goal of raising $100,000, the class is naming the derby field at the principal outdoor competition area at the planned equestrian center. This new center, which will be located near the main gates of the College on I-81 at Exit 26, will be the home of the award-winning program that has garnered 22 national championships. Class leaders Lina Altom Drinkard, Steve Drinkard and George Whitley hope this effort will encourage and inspire other classes and groups to support Emory & Henry students.
“We are so very proud that our class has stepped up for this project. My connections with Emory & Henry in the past and present have enriched my life both professionally and personally, and it is an honor to play a small role in shaping and preparing the College to play an increasingly important part in the lives of present and future students. I may have graduated in 1977, but E&H never left me and has provided some of the best and longest-lasting relationships of my life. I am truly proud to be part of Emory & Henry’s future,” said Lina Drinkard.
To learn more or get involved, contact Greg McMillan at mcmillan@emoryhenry.edu 276-944-6838
This semester, students in the School of Business brought class lessons to life and built connections with local organizations. The operations and production management course offered students opportunities to practice teamwork and collaboration as they linked operations principles and concepts to real-world practices for deeper learning. During the fall semester students visited the Barter Theatre, Food City in Chilhowie, Strongwell, United Way of Southwest Virginia, Universal Fibers, Inc. and Utility Trailer Manufacturing Company. The purpose of the semester-long interaction was to discover how key operations decisions on process, quality, capacity,and inventory were implemented. Students examined their choices on how to improve effectiveness, efficiency, customer satisfaction, and value and presented their findings at the end of the semester.
