The Mabee Foundation of Tulsa, Oklahoma, has a issued a $1 million challenge grant to raise money for three renovation and construction projects at Harding University in Searcy.
The total cost of all three projects is $6.5 million. They are:
- expansion and renovation of the Ganus Athletic Center ($4 million).
- expansion of Rhodes Field House ($2 million).
- construction of the First Ladies Gardens, a scenic pedestrian corridor on the campus ($500,000).
To receive the foundation's $1 million, Harding must raise $5.5 million by April 15, 2016. The university said it has already raised more than $4 million.
"We are very excited about this challenge grant opportunity from the Mabee Foundation," Harding President Bruce McLarty said in a news release. "This certainly will be the pace-setting gift on these very important projects for the Harding community. The Mabee gift will ensure the projects will be completed as scheduled next year."
The Mabee Foundation has previously provided gifts and grants to Harding totaling more than $12 million. The largest gift from the foundation came in 1994: $2 million toward the construction of the McInteer Bible and World Missions Center.
Harding is a private university with more than 6,000 students.
