Campbell alumnus gives $4 million to Convocation Center

     A desire to enrich the lives of young people and give back to the community led Sunset Beach real estate developer, Ed Gore and his wife, Dinah, to donate $4 million toward the construction of Campbell University’s John W. Pope Jr. Convocation Center. Mr. and Mrs. Gore made the donation in memory of their late son, Gilbert Craig Gore, for whom the center’s 3,000-seat arena will be named.
     “I’m just a steward of what God has blessed me with in my life,” Mr. Gore said. “I think Campbell University is a very appropriate place to give back. I love the school and what it’s doing in the lives of young people, focusing on Christian values, a code of discipline and direction.”
     Mr. Gore graduated from Campbell College in 1952 and went on earn a degree in business from East Carolina University in 1955. He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, serving a four-year tour of duty, and spent another six years as a member of the Air Force Reserve. After their marriage in 1959, the Gores joined Mr. Gore’s father, Mannon C. Gore, the founder of Sunset Beach and Twin Lakes, Inc, to become second-generation developers of Sunset Beach. Mannon C. Gore retired in 1972, and the Gores became one of the founding families of the Sea Trail development resort community and sole founders of the Ocean Ridge Plantation resort community.
     Mr. Gore is still active in real estate, selling the remaining properties in Sunset Beach and Twin Lakes, Inc. He has served on the Board of Realtors for Brunswick County and as a member of the Kiwanis Club, the Lions Club and the Rotary Club, who named him Rotary 2004 Citizen of the Year.
     Sons Gregory S. Gore and Edward M. Gore, Jr., are also entrepreneurs. Edward owns Xranda Internet Company and Gregory owns two Century 21 real estate franchises.
The John W. Pope Convocation Center will serve as a venue for sporting and cultural events for Campbell University and the entire Harnett County region. The Center will contain 3,000 fixed seats with a seating capacity of up to 5,000 and house an additional practice floor for basketball and volleyball, a wrestling room and the athletics hall of fame. It will also contain a 6,000 square-foot fitness center.

Photo Copy: Mr. and Mrs. Ed Gore, seated, confer with Dr. Jerry M. Wallace, president of Campbell University. Looking on is Dr. Jack Britt, vice president for Advancement.

Bulletin 0115-5/09/05