Officials with Evangel University kicked off Black Friday with the announcement of a record-breaking gift.
The university received a second $10 million donation from the Green family, which owns the Hobby Lobby and Mardel franchises. The donation is set up to be a matching gift, intended to support the completion of Valor Center and other presidential initiatives at the Springfield college.
The donation marks the second such gift over the last two years — the Green family’s first $10 million gift was part of more than $27 million the university received during a record-breaking fiscal year.
The Valor Center will become the home court for varsity basketball and volleyball games, as well as an event center for concerts, chapel services and other events. Attached will be the Randy Rowden training facility for the university’s football program, as well as a weight room and coaches’ offices. It is set for completion by fall 2024.
Evangel University is running a $22 million fundraising campaign called “Here Now” for new construction across its campus. Other projects include the renovation of Walther Hall dormitory and the Randy Rowden Intramural Field.
According to a website for the campaign, it was $4 million short of the $22 million goal as of June 20. The Green’s gift allows for contributions to double over the next 12 months.
“We are grateful to the Green family for their continued support of Evangel,” Evangel University President Mark Rakes said in a press release. “This second gift from the Greens is more than a spark, it’s an affirmation of Evangel’s impact on this generation.”
