Donors give $50k to assist Palestine Campus construction

Paving the Way leaders Cad Williams, David Barnard, and Phil Jenkins worked to secure a gift of $50,000 from Nucor which brings the university to approximately $2.4 million of the $2.5 million needed the University’s Palestine Campus.

The UT Tyler Palestine campus administration plans to start construction on a new building at the beginning of 2009 as part of the Paving the Way.

“UT Tyler Palestine hopes to be taking bids on the construction project for an entirely new education building by the beginning of 2009” Marilyn Abegg, campaign consultant said.

The building is being constructed in an effort to bring in new students to the Palestine campus, “it provides an opportunity for residents of Palestine and the surrounding area to stay close to home for their college education” Jim Landrum, general manager of Nucor’s Vulcraft division said.

Nucor is a steel company with operations in the United States and Canada. The money is scheduled to be given out over a period of five years; the first payment was made last year, an official said.

The State of Texas also has made contributions to the project.