Home Depot Arrives at the Wilberforce Campus
Thursday, July 29th from 8 am to mid-afternoon, students at Wilberforce University will assist Home Depot volunteers in fulfilling the first phase of the home improvement company’s Retool Your School pledge.
In April of this year, the university received a pledged $20,000 campus uplift, thanks to votes sent to the Home Depot Retool Your School campaign. Wilberforce came in 7th place in Cluster 3. The top ten schools in each of the 3 clusters were awarded grant money ranging from $20,000 to $75,000.
The student selected Wilberforce campus projects include, new showerheads for bathrooms in two dormitories, new sinks for a pre-existing hair salon, enhanced flooring, a garden re-fresh for the lawn in front of Allen Commons (the student union), a rock garden, outdoor benches, and a pergola.
“This could not come at a more perfect time. Students have arrived this week to begin the new, academic year, just in time to help Home Depot volunteers fulfill the Retool Your School pledge. Not only are we grateful to Home Depot for the support, but we thank our vibrant campus community, board of directors, alumni and friends who rallied around this campaign to give us this awesome opportunity to beautify our surroundings.” – Natalie Coles, VP, Chief Development Officer
An interview provided earlier this year by the Home Depot diversity and inclusion officer explained the company wants students at historically Black Colleges/Universities (HBCUs) like Wilberforce to have upgraded environments that enhance their educational experience.
Earlier this year, the Wilberforce campus community called on alumni, members of the board of directors, students, employees, and supporters, asking them to cast their votes for WU in the weeks long drive that ended March 15th.
Thursday’s project begins the first of several phases that will continue the Retool Your School relationship between the nation’s first, private HBCU and Home Depot.
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As the nation’s first, private HBCU, Wilberforce University was founded in 1856. The four year, accredited, liberal arts university is a member of the United Negro College Fund, (UNCF), the Ohio LINKS Library Consortium, and the the NAIA Conference.
Contact:
Marsha Bonhart
937-286-0023
