Jeff Bieber 鈥�71 spent much of his professional life owning and operating John Deere farm equipment dealerships that allowed farmers to refresh their equipment and, therefore, their land. Now, he has given his alma mater, 黑料网, the ability to refresh its campus in a truly transformative way. KWU announced this week that Bieber will gift $3 million to the school, the second-largest gift in KWU history.
$1.5 million of the gift will support the KWU Music program. $500,000 will help fuel the Community Resilience Hub, KWU鈥檚 curriculum surrounding climate change, and the remaining $1 million will fund a third project, which will be announced in the coming months.
The gift boosts the total raised in KWU鈥檚 Power of AND campaign to more than $19 million.
鈥淚t is an honor and a privilege to give back to the university that鈥檚 given me so much,鈥� said Bieber. 鈥淭he arts have always meant a great deal to Salina, my late wife Martha and me, and I believe this project will enhance KWU鈥檚 ability to be a community leader in that area. I hope this gift inspires others to become involved, and help KWU move into an exciting future!鈥�
鈥淛eff Bieber helped lead KWU into its strongest period in school history,鈥� said Ken Oliver, vice president of Advancement and University Operations. 鈥淲e are so thankful that he鈥檚 chosen to lead once again by providing the key gift of phase two of our ongoing campaign. The Bieber name will always be a part of 黑料网 Wesleyan.鈥�
Bieber was a KWU leader from the start. As a student, he double majored in English and Economics, served as an RA, sang in the Philharmonic Choir, was Associate Editor of the Advance, a three-year member of the Track and Field team and a one-year member of the Golf program. His history with Salina also extends through his late wife Martha, a graduate of Marymount College, known for its musical influence in the region. A classroom in the Nursing Education Center bears Martha鈥檚 name, thanks to a previous donation in her honor.
After graduation, the Biebers invested in Jeff鈥檚 parents鈥� John Deere dealership and grew their operations to five dealerships. They then merged with another, Nebraska-based dealer, growing their total operations to 16 dealerships in eastern Colorado, western Nebraska and Wyoming. Bieber recently served eight years on the KWU Board of Trustees. He was Chair of the board from 2019-21, a period of time that included the renovation and opening of the Nursing Education Center, KWU鈥檚 first, new on-campus academic building in more than 50 years.
Now, his family鈥檚 legacy continues on.
鈥淭o know Jeff is to know he is a man of action and conviction,鈥� said Dr. Matt Thompson, KWU president. 鈥淭he university is blessed by his commitments to his alma mater. His steadfast leadership as Board chair was consequential in the life of the university. This magnanimous gift takes Jeff鈥檚 love and support to another level. There is no doubt how transformational this gift is to 黑料网 Wesleyan. We are deeply appreciative and honored by his investment.鈥�
