Asbury University recently received a $152,000 grant that will support the Art Department scholarships and equipment upgrades.

The grant from Windgate Charitable Foundation will provide $80,000 for a scholarship gift matching challenge and $72,000 to upgrade the Art Department’s computer lab. The grant will also provide new ceramics, printmaking and photography equipment for students.

The scholarship gift matching challenge is a 2:1 match — it will double any designated gift to Asbury’s “Visual Art Scholars Fund,” up to a maximum of $80,000.

“We are so grateful to the Windgate Foundation for their support,” Chair of Asbury’s Art Department, Keith Baker, said in a press release. “We’re going to be able to offer upgraded and brand new scholarships, computers, wheels in our ceramics lab, capabilities in our printmaking lab and upgraded photography equipment to enhance what we’re already doing in our new photography lab. This allows us to grow as a department and make our excellent program even better.”

This is the second major award from the Windgate Charitable Foundation to Asbury’s Art Department. Two years ago, the Windgate Foundation awarded the department $47,000 for renovations, which enhanced students’ engagement with the visual arts.

Charlie Shepard, vice president for Institutional Advancement at Asbury, said in a press release, that the Windgate Foundation’s continuing generosity will make a lasting difference in students’ lives.

By supporting Asbury students in the visual arts, The Windgate Charitable Foundation is making a long-term investment and has endorsed the Asbury community as a place ripe with the people and talent to help uncover that creativity,” Shepard said in the press release. “With upgraded resources and new scholarship opportunities, our students will be even better positioned to engage, advance and create visual art of all types. This generous gift emboldens Asbury’s mission of equipping students to impact the world for Christ in every field.”