The J.E. and L.E. Mabee Foundation has awarded a grant to Crowley’s Ridge College (Paragould, Ark.) toward the construction of their new state-of-the-art Chemistry building and lift stations as listed in the college’s Mission Possible $12 Million Capital Campaign.
The $662,333 grant is the largest received in school history since opening in 1964. “This extremely generous grant gift from the Mabee Foundation is a tremendous blessing,” says CRC President Dr. Richard Johnson. “It will help Crowley’s Ridge College pay for the cost of installing new lift stations at every building on campus and will also help fund the cost of our new Chemistry facility.”
Construction on the new Chemistry building will begin in August 2024 and is expected to be finished and ready for use before the Fall 2025 semester. During the planning for the new Chemistry facility, CRC’s administration and Board of Trustees decided it was a good opportunity to upgrade a critical infrastructure area that will enable all campus buildings to be connected to Paragould Municipal Utilities (PMU). The installation of the lift stations is scheduled to be completed on October 25, 2024.
The building will feature a brand new modern chemistry lab, research area, classrooms, and offices. The older Physical Science building will be renovated, including a new roof, interior improvements, and matching exterior siding to blend with the new building and make for a more vibrant campus with better resources to serve all students and new degree programs.
The Mabee Foundation, headquartered in Midland, Texas awarded this “Challenge Grant” during the Summer of 2023 under conditions of CRC raising an additional $1,071,204 within 12 months. Not only did CRC along with its generous partners reach this goal as of June 12, 2024, but they have since raised an additional $10,550, totaling $1,081,754 which will be extremely helpful for this ambitious and needed project.
Crowley’s Ridge College extends a heartfelt thanks to the Mabee Foundation for their incredible support.
Pictured left to right: Tim Wooldridge- Advancement Executive: Office of the President, Paul McFadden- Vice President for Student Affairs, Dr. Richard Johnson- President, Brett Carlile- Vice President for Enrollment & Advancement, Jeremy Pierce- Vice President for Academic Affairs.
