Muhlenberg Awarded
$900,000 Kresge Challenge Grant for Sports Center Project

The Kresge Foundation has pledged $900,000 to support construction and renovations of Muhlenberg’s new Fitness and Life Sports Center, which will be the largest facility on Muhlenberg College’s campus when completed in December 2004. As a challenge grant, the Kresge funds are contingent upon the College raising $4.7 million of its original $13 million private fundraising goal by August 2005. To date, friends, alumni and other supporters have committed $8.3 million for the construction project, which broke ground in May 2003. Muhlenberg’s Fitness and Life Sports Center integrates counseling, health and fitness facilities, offices and classrooms.

The Fitness and Life Sports Center renovations and construction are part of Pride and Progress, a seven-year, $70 million capital campaign with a target completion date of June 2006. A total of $55 million has already been pledged. In addition to the health and fitness project, the comprehensive campaign includes fundraising for the construction of two residence halls and the renovation of laboratories and classrooms in the Trumbower science building, as well as increasing Muhlenberg’s endowment.

Muhlenberg’s grant from The Kresge Foundation, which is a challenge grant requiring the completion of the project, is one of 79 Kresge grants thus far in 2004. Last year the foundation awarded more than $108 million to charitable organizations in the areas of higher education, health and long-term care, arts and humanities, human services, science and the environment, and public affairs.