Wingate University Shows Enthusiasm for Community Engagement

Wingate University stresses the importance of community engagement and volunteering throughout many aspects of campus life. The university’s strong philanthropic culture is conveyed in its motto, “Faith, Knowledge and Service.”

 

Recognizing need, serving others and giving back to the community are long-standing focuses in both workplace and student life. These priorities encompass faculty, administration and students in many different schools of learning, sports teams and campus organizations.

 

“Service matters a great deal to us,” said Dr. Rhett Brown, Wingate University’s president who’s served on United Way’s board in Union County and will be the local 2019 United Way campaign. “We care not only about what our students learn while they’re with us, but also who they go out in the world to be and how they serve their communities.”

 

Wingate University is a passionate supporter of United Way, with staff and administrators serving on United Way volunteer boards and committees and holding one of the most successful United Way giving campaigns in Union County each year.

 

“We have a lot of volunteers helping at each department level for our employee campaign,” said Steve Poston, Wingate University’s athletic director who’s served as the employee campaign coordinator for several years. “Many of them have been on the United Way team for several years and they do a really nice job.”

 

For the past 12 years, the university has served as the launch site for United Way’s annual Union County Day of Caring – an event that kicks off the campaign through service projects across the county for over 1,000 community volunteers, nearly a third of which are staff and students from the university.

 

Beyond that day, Wingate University makes a point to keep employees and students informed of community needs and engagement opportunities year-round. The university enthusiastically shares the impact United Way makes in the community and the opportunities to partner with United Way in making that impact.

 

Such intentional engagement is why Wingate University has been listed on the President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll for several consecutive years, and why the university was honored with a Spirit of North Carolina Award on February 13, 2019 in Pinehurst during an awards luncheon presented by United Way of North Carolina.

 

At the luncheon, the university also received the prestigious Excellence in Community Spirit Award, a special recognition for setting high standards for community engagement and change.

 

“It truly is a blessing to have Wingate University in our community; they are a true champion,” said Richard Heins, United Way’s regional vice president of operations. “Faith is part of their motto and they have faith in United Way that we’re going to do what we’re supposed to do.”

 

Read more about Wingate University’s community engagement here.