Woods’ gift moves Campbell chapel forward

     Johnston County businessman, Luby Wood and his wife Catherine, have pledged $1 million to Campbell University’s Robert and Anna Butler Chapel capital campaign. The $6.8 million chapel will be part of the Campbell University Divinity School campus, providing a spiritual sanctuary for the Campbell community and an exceptional worship and teaching facility for divinity students. The campaign reached its silent goal of 60 percent before declaring a public phase to raise an additional $1.7 million. The Woods’ gift has moved the campaign significantly closer to that goal.
     An innovative businessman, Wood worked his way up to a ranking position with the Lowe’s Corporation while managing a thriving car wash chain and investing in farming and land development. Before her retirement, Catherine Wood enjoyed a challenging career as a surgical nurse in orthopedics and neurology at Gaston Memorial Hospital. She graduated from Rex Hospital nursing school in 1959 and obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing in 1989.
     The Woods enjoy their roles as supporters of Campbell University. Wood serves on the Board of Trustees, and he and Catherine have invested in numerous building projects such as the John W. Pope Jr. Convocation Center and the D. Rich Memorial building renovation.
     “Campbell University is deeply grateful for the generous gift of Luby and Catherine Wood to the new University chapel,” said Dr. Michael Cogdill, dean of the Divinity School. “The Woods’ desire to use their resources to advance the work of the Kingdom of God and to help Campbell University speaks clearly of their love for God and for the church. This generous gift advances the new chapel campaign project to a stage where construction is becoming a reality in the near future.”
     Included in the Butler Chapel complex will be a sanctuary, gathering place, bell tower, the tallest point on campus, and a Prayer Room for quiet contemplation, reflection and individual prayer. Also planned are numerous sites in the surrounding gardens for study, fellowship and meditation.
     The chapel will be the capstone of the university, said Campbell President Jerry M. Wallace, “a permanent statement to all of this university’s unashamed commitment to Christ and to the mission of Christian higher education.”