Wesleyan president explains what’s next for $11 million gift

BUCKHANNON, W.Va. — A successful graduate of West Virginia Wesleyan College has given back to his alma mater in a way which will forever leave a lasting legacy on the school.

The estate of Thomas Albinson has donated $11 million dollars to Wesleyan with the donation earmarked for the school of business and the college radio station.

“Tom really wanted to do something for the school of business because that was the driving force behind his educational experience and the radio station which was the student activity aspect of his life,” said Bob Skinner, development director for West Virginia Wesleyan said Monday on MetroNews “Talkline.”

Albinson was a systems analyst and also was from a wealthy family.

“He wanted to insure Wesleyan had the highest quality business program in the state of West Virginia,” said Skinner.

Albinson was a 1976 graduate of Wesleyan and was elected to the school’s Board of Trustees in 2015 and served until his death in 2016. He also held a leadership role at the school’s public radio station WVWC.

This is the second major Albinson family donation to Wesleyan. In 2014, the College received $2.1 million from the Mary B. Albinson Trust. That donation funded a number of campus capital projects and led to the naming of the Thomas H. Albinson School of Business.

“It’s a transformative gift,” said President Dr. Joel Thierstein. “These kind of gifts are the kinds that really secure the future of a college like ours. They make it possible for us to do a variety of things we wouldn’t normally be able to do through normal operating budgets. This is wonderful.”

It’s the single largest gift in the history of Wesleyan. The gift in excess of $11 million will be directed to endowments for the Thomas H. Albinson School of Business, the media studies program, and campus radio station.





More

High School Sports
Independence bests Wahama, 10-2 in the Guard the Capital Tournament
March 28, 2024 - 9:03 pm
News
As Yeager Airport's Wildlife Patrol Dog turns 7, a new dog comes in to learn from him
The new Border Collie is getting acclimated and receiving training for his soon-to-be role.
March 28, 2024 - 6:30 pm
High School Sports
Photo gallery: University defeats Bridgeport, 12-3
March 28, 2024 - 6:24 pm
News
Dunlow Volunteer Fire Department closes
The Dunlow VFD did not have a valid workers compensation insurance policy.
March 28, 2024 - 6:20 pm