Your support combines with others' to power the college's academic programs, student activities, internship opportunities and much more.

Wheaton's scholar-athletes will soon have more opportunities to practice and play their sport, thanks to a new artificial turf field slated for completion by September 2013.

On the strength of a major gift from an anonymous supporter, Wheaton's Board of Trustees voted in February to raise funds for the $3.8 million project, under the stipulation that the remainder of funds come from philanthropic contributions. Following the board meeting, a second donor contributed to the project, bringing the funds raised for the effort to $2.25 million. Altogether, the college must raise $3,865,000 by June 30, 2012, to begin construction in time for a fall 2013 opening.

"The generosity of alumnae/i, parents and friends has been, and will continue to be, a major engine for enhancing the college," President Ronald A. Crutcher said. "This will be an important addition to our facilities and a major enhancement for many students who participate in intercollegiate, club and intramural sports."

The President's Athletics Review Task Force, which last year studied the college's athletics program to assess its role at Wheaton and the resources needed to support it, recommended the construction of an artificial turf field to better serve students involved in the college's athletics programs.

The artificial turf field, which will include lights to allow for nighttime activities and an endowed fund to cover some of its maintenance, would be located behind the Haas Athletic Center.

"Over half our students participate in varsity, club and intramural sports. The field will benefit all of them," said Dean of Students Lee Williams. "Building this field is a powerful statement of our belief in the importance and tradition of educating the whole student--one who is intellectually, socially and physically engaged."

For the intercollegiate field hockey team, the new facility will allow players to compete on campus. At present, the team practices and plays home games offsite. The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) recommends artificial turf surfaces for field hockey, and many other colleges will not play on natural grass fields. As a result, Wheaton rents time on a field in Rehoboth, Mass., that is owned by the Lincoln School.

The benefits go beyond field hockey. The men's and women's lacrosse teams will be able to practice on campus and host games against other colleges earlier in the season. Typically, natural grass fields cannot accommodate competition in early spring due to lingering frost and heavy rains common at that point in the season. Even fall sports sometimes run into weather-related problems.

Club sports — men's and women's rugby, ultimate frisbee and soccer — also stand to benefit by having more access to playing fields for their teams.

From the Wheaton Quarterly

Supporters of Wheaton College have contributed more than $100 million to the college’s Go Beyond campaign, the greatest amount ever donated to a Wheaton fundraising effort.

This “philanthropic first” coincides with a historic moment for the college: in 2012, Wheaton will mark the 100th anniversary of its becoming a four-year college.

“What an auspicious way to begin a new century,” said Wheaton President Ronald A. Crutcher. “We’re excited about reaching this unprecedented milestone—and so very grateful to the people who brought us here. In the current economic environment, this level of support is humbling, and it gives us great hope for the future.”

With the comprehensive campaign slated to continue through FY2014, the $100 million tally already represents 11 percent more than the college community raised during the preceding campaign, which concluded in June 2000 with $90 million.

The generosity of today’s alumnae/i, parents and friends has already translated into new and enriched resources for Wheaton students:

• The state-of-the-art Mars Center for Science and Technology opened this fall, with 99,000 square feet of classrooms, laboratories, study spaces, offices and gathering spots to support learning and research.
• Giving to the Wheaton Fund now tops $4 million in gifts each year, an increase of 33 percent since 1990. This essential source of income contributes to the college’s operating budget, thus supporting every aspect of the student experience.
• 165 new scholarships have opened Wheaton’s doors wider to talented students from every economic level, background, and geographic region. A robust financial aid budget helps the college recruit some of the ablest students in the U.S.

As Wheaton progresses toward its campaign goal of $120 million, the college has introduced an additional fundraising priority: student-faculty research. Wheaton professors view collaborative partnerships with students as a unique and powerful form of teaching, while students testify to the practical learning they gain that often gives them an edge in their first professional job or in graduate school. The college seeks to increase endowed funds to support these activities.

With the books for the year closing on June 30, 2011, the Go Beyond total stood at  $95,474,676.

The campaign grew by $18,593,510 in new gifts and pledges during FY11. That sum is the third largest total ever contributed in a fiscal year at Wheaton--exceeded only by campaign years 2007 and 2008.

The Wheaton Fund for FY11 surpassed its $4.1 million goal, coming in at $4,104,865 and also attracting an increase in alumnae/i participation. Growing the Wheaton Fund through increased giving and broader donor participation is a priority of the campaign. Other main initiatives are student financial aid and the new Mars Center for Science and Technology, pictured here under construction.

“Wheaton’s donors have truly ‘gone beyond’ expectations this year,” said Mary Casey, vice president for college advancement. “We are tremendously grateful.”

The campaign’s public phase was launched in October 2010, and the expected completion date is June 30, 2014.

Professor of Mathematics Tommy Ratliff talks about the ways in which the Mars Center for Science and Technology will transform the Wheaton campus.