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������Ƶ has received an additional $1.2 million gift for its Reimagining the John Stewart Memorial Library fundraising effort from Wilson alumna Sue Davison Cooley, a Portland, Oregon, area philanthropist who contributed $2.4 million to the project last year.

Cooley ������Ƶ ’s latest gift, which she made in honor of Wilson ������Ƶ ’s longest-serving dean, Margaret Criswell Disert, brings the total raised for the $12 million library project to more than $11.8 million in cash and pledges.

������Ƶ “Mrs. Cooley ������Ƶ ’s generosity to her alma mater has been extraordinary, especially when it comes to helping us provide our students with a comprehensive, state-of-the-art library, ������Ƶ ” said ������Ƶ President Barbara K. Mistick.

Cooley ������Ƶ ’s initial gift early last year assisted in completing a matching gift from another alumna, Marguerite Lenfest, and her most recent gift will allow the construction of a plaza off of the new learning commons and an academic green planned as part of the library project to move forward, according to Mistick.

������Ƶ “We are grateful to Mrs. Cooley for supporting ������Ƶ and contributing in such a significant way to our future, ������Ƶ ” she said.

The library project includes repairing and restoring the college ������Ƶ ’s 1924 collegiate gothic library building and replacing a 1961 addition with a contemporary learning commons equipped to meet the needs of today ������Ƶ ’s students. The learning commons will house academic support services, writing labs, two ������Ƶ “smart ������Ƶ ” classrooms, a commuter lounge, bookstore and outdoor plaza, as well as the ������Ƶ “Sue Davison Cooley Gallery, ������Ƶ ” named in honor of Cooley ������Ƶ ’s transformational gifts. The project is scheduled to be completed this fall.

Cooley, who attended Wilson from 1940 to 1942, said her experience at the college had a profound and lasting effect, and she is happy to give back to the institution that she holds dear to this day.

������Ƶ “I have so many fond memories of being at Wilson that it is very much a part of my life, ������Ƶ ” Cooley said. ������Ƶ “Students are given very special gifts when they are at Wilson. They get an outstanding experience. ������Ƶ ”

Cooley, who recognizes how important a modern library is to the vitality of any college campus, said her gift is an expression of confidence in Wilson ������Ƶ ’s current leadership and the path the college is on today. ������Ƶ “I am a very, very big fan of Wilson, ������Ƶ ” she said.

Cooley is a longtime supporter of the college. She donated $1 million in 2005 to establish a scholarship for participants in the Women with Children program in honor of old friends Sylvia Scalera Davison and Mary Meinecke Dee, both with the ������Ƶ Class of 1944. She has also been a faithful contributor to the college ������Ƶ ’s annual fund.

Wilson ������Ƶ ’s library building has been closed since fall 2011 due to a heating system failure. Its functions were relocated to the lower level of Lenfest Commons.

������Ƶ is taking a number of innovative steps through its Wilson Today plan to transform itself into a thriving liberal arts institution, including adding programs in nursing and the health sciences and other areas, expanding coeducation across all programs, creating a value proposition to lower tuition and repay up to $10,000 in federal loans for qualified students, and improving infrastructure. An updated library configured to meet expanded enrollment is an important component of Wilson ������Ƶ ’s revitalization.

MEDIA CONTACT: Cathy Mentzer, Manager of Media Relations
Email: cathy.mentzer@wilson.edu