The Reeves Foundation Supports Centenary College With a $450,000 Challenge Grant

HACKETTSTOWN, N.J., Aug. 14, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The Reeves Foundation has issued a fundraising challenge to Centenary College in the sum of $450,000 over a four-year period, contingent upon the College raising $950,000 in pledges for the Athletic Turf Field Project. This initiative supports the Foundation's investment in the growth and future of Centenary College, and its recognition that the athletic and recreational facilities help to create the environment necessary for a valued student experience.

The creation of an athletic turf field will allow Centenary to bolster its NCAA Division III program as well as serve the community in even greater fashion by allowing more space for recreational activities. The replacement of a natural grass field with a synthetic turf would expand practice time opportunities and enhance safety for the Men's and Women's Lacrosse and Soccer teams, as well as allow more time for intramural athletic use and increased accessibility for community organizations. All four of these Cyclones teams are among the College's strongest, and in 2010, the Women's Soccer team earned its first Colonial States Athletic Conference championship and made its first appearance in the NCAA Tournament.

Centenary College has had a longstanding relationship with the Reeves Family and the Reeves Foundation that has spanned decades. The Reeves Foundation has been integral to Centenary's fundraising efforts, supporting major initiatives during The Campaign for Centenary College.

The Foundation initiated past donor challenges and provided funds that made the following Campaign goals possible: the restoration of the Edward W. Seay Administration Building in 2000; the new indoor riding arena named for the United States Equestrian Team (USET) in 2001; the multimillion-dollar renovation and expansion of the John M. Reeves Student Recreation Center in 2006; and the David and Carol Lackland Center, Centenary's newest building and focal point, and the new home of the Centenary Stage Company, in 2010.

A Centenary College residence hall, North Hall, was renamed Reeves Hall in 1998, also in recognition of the Foundation's challenge grant for The Campaign for Centenary College.

"This opportunity is a natural extension of the already longstanding relationship with the Reeves Foundation," says Dr. Barbara-Jayne Lewthwaite, President of Centenary College. "The Foundation recognizes and supports quality athletic programs and I am pleased that it is continuing to demonstrate its dedication to Centenary College with the Athletic Turf Field Challenge. This turf field will give our teams a competitive edge and we hope individuals from the community also support us in this initiative."

For more information about this project or if you are interested in making a donation, please contact Simone Knaap at (908) 852-1400, ext. 2336, or e-mail [email protected]. The deadline for this challenge is January 31, 2013.

Founded in 1867 by the Newark Conference of the United Methodist Church, Centenary College's academic program integrates a solid liberal arts foundation with a strong career orientation.

Contact: Annamaria C. Lalevee
(908) 852-1400, ext. 2238
[email protected]
http://www.centenarycollege.edu

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SOURCE Centenary College