Whitemans’ gift initiates public capital campaign for university chapel

     Campbell University announced today the beginning of the public phase of a campaign to raise $6.8 million dollars needed to erect a university chapel. Robert and Barbara Whiteman’s recent gift to Campbell University’s Butler Chapel moved the chapel’s capital campaign into its public phase.

     In the spring of 2006, a campaign cabinet was formed to begin soliciting lead gifts for the “silent phase” of the campaign. The goal was to raise about 60% of the needed funds from major donors before going public with the campaign. The leadership gift from Robert L. and Barbara Whiteman of Raleigh, N.C., makes the public phase of the campaign possible.

     Whiteman, a Campbell University trustee and retired businessman, was the director of the Building Products Division of Household International Inc. A native of Edenton, N.C., Whiteman received a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering from the University of South Carolina. After serving in the United States Navy from 1958-61, Whiteman joined Albemarle Paper Company in Roanoke Rapids, N.C. He went on to work for West VACO Pulp and Paper Company and Carolina Fiberglass Products. Prior to joining Household International, he served as president of Eljer Plumbingware, Inc., a division of the Wallace Murray Corporation.

      Bob and Barbara Whiteman are members of Hayes Barton Baptist Church in Raleigh, where they are active in leadership. They are the parents of two sons, Robert L. Whiteman III and David E. Whiteman.

       The late Anna Gardner Butler stated frequently that every university needs a chapel and it was her desire to see a chapel at her Alma Mater, Campbell University. While she never had the opportunity to see the drawings for such a chapel at her beloved school, an estate gift, given by her husband Robert planted the seed money for a capital campaign to build the $6.8 million Robert and Anna Butler Chapel. Other leadership gifts have come from devoted supporters Ed and Dinah Gore, Harold Stephens, the Royal Foundation, and the Campbell University Board of Ministers. Additional significant gifts have been made by Jim and Betty Nisbet, Tim and Rebecca Hall, Mildred McIntosh, Harold Wells, Sr., Ester Howard, Reverend Allen and Joanne Overton, Richard Hollings, Mary Hollings Whitehouse, Stephen and Suzanne Cook, Billy and Mary Sue Woodard, and Ruth Smith.

     Dr. Jerry M. Wallace, president of the university, says the chapel will be the capstone of the 120-year-old campus. “The building of Campbell University’s first chapel will be a permanent statement to all of this University’s unashamed commitment to Christ and to the mission of Christian higher education,” says Dr. Wallace. “The chapel will be a place of worship, inspiration, and comfort in times of crisis. Our desire is to provide the best possible worship settings to enable our students to consider the challenge of Jesus to be ‘the salt of the earth and the light of the world.’”

     The chapel complex will include a sanctuary which will embrace the university community in times of celebrating the Christian year, remembering special days of Campbell’s history, and finding comfort in times of sorrow and crisis. The bell tower, which will become the tallest point on campus, will be symbolic of the Lord’s leadership of this institution and the Prayer Room at its base will provide an inspiring location for quiet contemplation, reflection and individual prayer. Numerous sites in the surrounding gardens will provide locations for study, fellowship and meditation.

     “Of all the endeavors in which I have been involved in for good causes, not one has measured up to what I feel will benefit the Christian ministry outreach as will the new Chapel and worship center on the Campbell University campus,” said Edwin Coates, chairman of the campaign. “I am proud to be a part of this meaningful community effort. I challenge all who love Campbell or recognize its quality ministry as a premier Christian institution to join in this successful adventure."

     With the construction of the chapel, ministry students will soon have a “laboratory” to practice their professional skills. Dr. Michael G. Cogdill, dean of the Divinity School, says “the presence of a new chapel will greatly advance the opportunities for worship, teaching, and service our faculty is able to provide to our students. Ask any of our students to name one of the best experiences of our school and they will respond, ‘the chapel services!’ These services will be even better in our new chapel.”

     “To make this worship center a reality, we are calling on the churches and individuals who have known and loved Campbell and have used their graduates as ministers to help us in this endeavor,” adds Dr. Cogdill. “You are at the heart of missions giving when you help prepare ministers, missionaries and chaplains for the future.” For additional information on how to assist Campbell as it seeks to raise the final $2.8 million, call the Campbell University Advancement office at (910) 893-1215.

     Photo Copy: Campbells’ Butler Chapel Capital Campaign enters public phase with gift from Robert and Barbara Whiteman. From left, Dr. Michael Cogdill, dean of the Campbell University Divinity School, Barbara and Robert Whiteman, Edwin Coates, chairman of the capital campaign, and Roy Smith, vice chairman of the campaign. Photo by Doug Jones