In 2019 Bridgewater College undertook an academic restructuring that set the stage for one of the largest successes of the recently-completed Connections Campaign: the naming of three schools within the College. With these significant gifts, Bridgewater now has the financial support to provide new opportunities for faculty and students now and far into the future.
According to College leadership, the impact of the naming of the Rhodes, Nolen and Coffman Schools is even greater than the monetary value of the gifts. In addition to providing long-range funding for faculty development, student research, academic program enhancement and the purchase of new equipment, the naming of the three schools elevates the status of the College and demonstrates that donors believe enough in Bridgewater to give transformational gifts.
The first named school at Bridgewater was the Bonnie Forrer and John Harvey Rhodes School of Arts and Humanities, established in 2021. At the time, BC President Dr. David Bushman described the gift from the Rhodeses as a “pivotal moment” for the College and a recognition of the central role the arts and humanities play in the education of BC students.
Donor Bonnie Rhodes ’62 said that her life was enriched by the worlds of literature, art, music and culture, and that she and her late husband wanted to give that opportunity to more students.
“My entire educational experience at BC helped me understand how the whole world was connected,” she said at the time of the school naming. “I’m so pleased to be part of broadening students’ horizons.”
In the four years since, Dr. Betsy Hayes, Dean of the Rhodes School, says that school endowment has allowed her to fund a variety of needs including faculty research abroad, new equipment and student trips to conferences and performances.
The Rev. Wilfred E. and Dr. Joyce A. Nolen School of Business and Professional Studies was established in 2023. The Nolens have said they give because they believe in the importance of leaving a legacy that helps future generations.
“We are proud and happy to support Bridgewater College and the difference it makes in the lives of students and faculty,” Wil Nolen ’63 said at the time of their gift. “We believe that if you’re successful in life, you have an opportunity to give back to others.”
Dr. Barbara Long ’88, Dean of the Nolen School, says that the Nolens’ gift has allowed her to provide financial support for faculty and students in ways that were just not feasible before. She says students have been able to attend academic conferences, faculty have brought in guest speakers, and the school has been able to purchase new equipment for the classroom.
“One of my goals is that our students get a chance to engage with the real world while at BC. I want them to understand the importance of engaging in their profession, through research, conferences or other activities. We can now do that,” Long says.
Dr. Philip Spickler ’85, Dean of the Greg L. and Betty P. Coffman School of Natural Sciences, echoes Long’s gratitude for the opportunities that the school donors have made possible.
“The naming of the Coffman School validates the work we do here. It is a reminder of the value of a teaching institution and the lasting impact that we have on our alumni,” Spickler says, adding that it is also heartening that the BC alumni donors “didn’t forget about where they came from.”
Donor Greg Coffman ’70 certainly didn’t forget about his Bridgewater roots. He and his wife said they wanted to provide access to opportunities for future students at a college that combines the sciences and the liberal arts.
“We look at this as a real honor,” Coffman said when the school was named last year.
– Heather Cole
12/1/25
