The Wake Forest School of Divinity received $6.6 million, the largest individual donation in the school’s history, on Thursday, Oct. 24. The donation is from the Griffin Family Trust and some of these funds will support Wake Div Promise, an initiative that provides full-tuition scholarships to all graduate students within the Master of Divinity program.
The donation marks the second major contribution from the Griffin family and brings their support for the school to a total of $10 million. The funds come during the celebration of the school’s 25th anniversary.
President Susan R. Wente expressed the far-reaching effects that this donation will have on the school and beyond.
“As a university deeply committed to pro humanitate, this gift helps to ensure that the School of Divinity will continue to advance innovative, interdisciplinary graduate theological education that will enable faith leaders and professionals to make significant contributions to society,” Wente said in a press release.
The Wake Div Promise is part of the School of Divinity’s Wake Div Experience. This is a holistic approach to student support that offers full-tuition scholarships in order for students to dedicate themselves to their studies free of financial burden. This also gives students more opportunities to pursue leadership roles in Christian churches, community organizations and other faith-informed professions.
“The Griffin estate’s extraordinary gift allows us to recruit, equip and empower a diverse community of students who will engage meaningfully with the ethical, social and spiritual challenges that our society faces today. Their leadership will undoubtedly shape the future of faith communities and the world,” Corey D. B. Walker, Wake Forest dean of the School of Divinity and professor of the humanities, said in a press release.
Walker continued to explain that, with this donation, more students will have access to enriching opportunities throughout the course of their studies regardless of their background or financial situation. He explained that once students are free of financial burden they are able to engage in faith-based service and leadership.
“This incredible gift from the Griffins will allow us to continue providing life-changing learning opportunities for our students and prepare the next generation of faith leaders who assume leadership roles in congregations and communities across the nation,” Walker said.
