The new Nick and Lou Martin University Center is getting great support from local donors, bringing the project even closer to the groundbreaking, planned for 2018. So far, $13.2 million of the $19 million project needed has been promised. An additional $1.35 million is being sought for a maintenance endowment.

Most recently, The J.E. and L.E. Mabee Foundation issued a challenge grant in the amount of $1,000,000 in support of the Martin Center. The grant requires that Texas Wesleyan secure $19 million in pledge commitments by January 2018 to receive the funding.

In addition to the Mabee challenge, the University received three additional significant gift commitments:

1. Longtime Texas Wesleyan benefactors Rod and Claudia ’72 Stepp made a leadership gift commitment of $500,000 in support of the new Stepp Amphitheater within the Martin Center. Situated on the west side of the University Center, the amphitheater will feature a small stage able to accommodate a small theater or musical ensemble.
2. The George F. & Mary L. Leone Foundation made a leadership commitment of $500,000 as part of a $1 million commitment, which includes funding for student scholarships. George Leone ’49 is a member of Texas Wesleyan University’s Board of Trustee and longtime university benefactor.
3. The DuBose Family Foundation made a commitment of $375,000. Jimmy DuBose, who established the foundation, is the founder of Colonial Savings and served for a decade on the university’s Board of Trustees. His wife, Caroll Cheek DuBose, attended Texas Wesleyan in the 1950s, and his son Jim DuBose is a member of the Wesleyan Board of Trustees.