Kentucky Wesleyan College raised $652,159 on Giving Tuesday this year, setting a record for the 5th consecutive year. Following the announcement of cuts to academic positions and athletic programs, Vice President of External Relations Eddie Kenny said the donations remind the college of the support from the community.
The college has benefited from more than $2.7 million in charitable contributions over the last 9 years of Giving Days.
“Kentucky Wesleyan College is so incredibly grateful for these investments, which though designated to various funds and departments across our campus, ultimately benefit our students and their experience,” President Thomas Mitzel said.
Last month, KWC announced a series of organizational changes “to align itself for future stability.” There were 33 positions cut campus-wide between academics and athletics. The school discontinued its men’s and women’s cross country and track and field programs, while the men’s bowling and the cheer team were reclassified as “self-funded club sports.”
Mitzell said at the time the cuts were due to lower enrollment over the past couple of years.
On Wednesday, Kenny said KWC officials were grateful for the continued financial support that poured in this year.
“It re-emphasizes the belief in what Kentucky Wesleyan College does to transform lives and pay it forward for both current and future generations of students,” Kenny said.
The college received 89 gifts of $1,000 or more. Donors invested in the Wesleyan Scholarship Fund (which provides scholarship support to each KWC student), the new W Club to support Panther Athletics, academic programs and endowments, Campus Ministries, and more.
