UWG News Item
Contact: UWG Public Relations Office
Phone (678) 839-6464, FAX (678) 839-6645
ucm@westga.edu
UWG receives $1 million gift for stadium
July 17, 2006
CARROLLTON, GA - The University of West Georgia announces a $1 million gift from Systems & Methods, Inc. (SMI) and the Bob Stone family toward construction of a football stadium. The UWG Stadium Building Fund now totals $3 million toward the $10 million stadium project.
Bob
Stone, member of the UWG Stadium Development Committee, believes the stadium
is an essential part of the overall growth of the university.
“If West Georgia is going to reach its potential within the next five years, this stadium project must happen,” he said. “The growth of the institution is dependent on the growth of the total programming, including athletics.”
Dr. Beheruz N. Sethna, UWG president, expressed his appreciation for the donation.
“I thank Bob Stone, his family and SMI for their outstanding gift to the stadium project,” he said. “It demonstrates great support for the university and exceptional vision for the benefits that will result from a UWG stadium.”
A
unique feature of the donation will be the inclusion of a large bronze
bas-relief sculpture portraying the history of the athletic mascots of
the university. The artwork will include an image of several wolves and
a Native American and will be predominately displayed on the back of the
press box facing the main parking area for the stadium.
Commissioned by the donor, Snellville artist David Skinner created the sculpture. According to Skinner, he has always been fascinated with Southern culture and grew up immersed in both the music and the history of the region. As an illustrator, writer and musician, he has channeled his diverse regional interests into a variety of media and artforms.
Sethna said, “The transition from the Braves to the Wolves through this tasteful depiction of the athletic history will be a lasting monument for all students and alumni to treasure. I respect and admire Bob’s emphasis on evolving the Spirit of West Georgia.”
“To rejuvenate the spirit of our alumni from all eras, I think it is important for us to honor West Georgia’s heritage and tradition,” Stone explained. “I envision this stadium as being a focus for alumni enthusiasm and school spirit. We hope that our gift will encourage all alumni to participate in the building of such a historical and monumental benchmark in the school’s journey.”
Stone has a special place in his heart for what he calls
“the Spirit of West Georgia.” He taught in the College of
Business from 1969 through 1977 and it was during that time he began
Systems and Methods, Inc. SMI specializes in information processing for
the human services agencies of state governments.
“SMI is a product of UWG – born and bred in
the College of Business,” he said. “All of our original employees
were West Georgia students and our company was built on the spirit of
West Georgia.”
In 2004, the University announced its desire to construct a stadium on
property contiguous to the campus. The proposed athletic complex will
include the football stadium as well as a soccer stadium, varsity softball
field, a multi-field softball complex, football and soccer practice fields
and other fields for intramural sports usage. State money is not available
for athletics purposes; therefore, a private fundraising effort for the
project was launched last fall.
For information on how to contribute to the UWG Stadium Building Fund, contact David Parkman, chair of the Stadium Development Committee, at 678-839-3962.
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