Abilene HSU Cowboys rope $16M gift

ABILENE – Hardin-Simmons University has received a $16 million gift from Will and Janice Wilkins. The donation will go toward construction of the 50,000-sf Wilkins Wellness Center and the 30,000-sf Christopher Education building, named for Janice Wilkins’ family.

Both buildings will be on the west side of campus. The school’s current tennis courts and Marston Gym will be razed to make room for the wellness center, which will include the following:

• two basketball courts;
• a walking track;
• aerobic, cardio exercise equipment and weight-lifting machines; and
• a 5,000-sf lap pool along with a 10,000-sf adjoining deck;

Located between Abilene Hall and the Mabee Building will be the Christopher Education building which will house the Irvin School of Education. The building will include:

• nine instructional classrooms;
• eight faculty offices;
• a science/math/art lab;
• a children’s center;
• a resource/tutoring library; and
• a work area for student employees and graduate assistants.

The gift is going toward the school’s Transformation 2020 fundraising campaign, which aims to raise $60 million for the first phase campus and fiscal improvements and changes.

Donations and pledges to Transformation 2020 have reached almost $28 million, according to Lanny Hall, Hardin-Simmons President.

Read more at Hardin-Simmons University.

Listen to Podcast 187…for this story and more!