Evangel secures largest donation in school history

Evangel University's largest donation to date is coming from the family behind Hobby Lobby and Mardel.

The Greens are donating $10 million to the Springfield university, according to a news release. It will serve as the lead gift for a new $22 million construction campaign. Erin Hedlun, Evangel's director of marketing and communications, said “the Green family believes in the value of Christian higher education and in the mission of and momentum happening at Evangel.”

Evangel President Mike Rakes in the release thanked the Greens “for their landmark contribution.”

“This gift fuels growing momentum as we expand the university’s footprint. This investment is the spark needed to continue transforming the student experience and move the university into the future,” Rakes said in the release.

The donation has been earmarked for initiatives laid out by Rakes, including a residential hall renovation, new arena and a new field house on campus, officials say.

Construction timelines and project details are slated to be announced soon, according to the release.

Evangel last month received a $1 million lead gift for a new outdoor sports and performance facility from central Missouri philanthropist Shirley Rowden, according to past reporting. Late last year, the university launched $1 million in projects comprising outdoor basketball courts, upgrades to its student union and a monument entry sign.