Wiley University Receives Endowment Gift from Texas Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church
The Texas Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church gifted $255,150 to Wiley University, a UNCF-member institution, during the university’s homecoming celebration on Oct. 23.
The conference supports Wiley every year through congregation fair share goals. Congregations, Sunday school classes, small groups, clergy and laypersons contributed $127,575. The conference had voted to match gifts received through October 15, matching contributions with another $127,575, bringing the total to $255,150.
The investment will go towards the funds that Wiley needs to raise in order to participate in UNCF’s pooled endowment fund, which has a $5 million matching challenge. Growing its endowment helps to ensure long-term financial security for the university, which has educated students for more than 150 years.
Wiley alumni have pledged to support the pooled endowment. One alum offered $6,000, another $5,000 and President and CEO Dr. Herman J. Felton, Jr. and his wife Catherine Ann Felton committed $50,000 toward the endowment match.
“We are investing in opportunities for students who have not yet walked through these doors,” said Rev. Robert Besser, conference treasurer, who presented the gift on behalf of Bishop Cynthia Fierro Harvey and the conference’s clergy, laity and congregations. “Many of the people who contributed to this gift may never meet you. But they gave because they believe in the education, the future and the mission of Wiley University. Our prayer is that the seeds planted through this gift will bear fruit for generations to come.”