Ensuring OUR FUTURE

The greatest possibilities in life are realized in what we build together. We are building support of an education that prepares students to be courageous, adventurous and necessary in the world—and are extending the promise of community to students of all backgrounds.  

With this campaign—together as alumni, family and friends—we share the true meaning of connections

Ensuring our future

The greatest possibilities in life are realized in what we build together. We are building support of an education that prepares students to be courageous, adventurous and necessary in the world—and are extending the promise of community to students of all backgrounds.  

With this campaign—together as alumni, family and friends—we share the true meaning of connections

Female student at orientation

Ensuring our future

The greatest possibilities in life are realized in what we build together. We are building support of an education that prepares students to be courageous, adventurous and necessary in the world—and are extending the promise of community to students of all backgrounds.  

With this campaign—together as alumni, family and friends—we share the true meaning of connections

Accessibility

Grow our current-use scholarships so we can extend the promise of a Bridgewater education to more families—an investment with an immediate and lifechanging impact.

Teaching & Learning

Strengthen teaching and learning by supporting faculty development and nurturing the already powerful connections between professors and students.

Campus Spaces

Create environments for learning and community-building that encourage students to collaborate more effectively and bring out the best in themselves and others.

Accessibility

The Eagle Fund will make the Bridgewater experience possible for countless deserving students and their families.

At Bridgewater College, we believe in the transformative power of education, and our commitment to this belief is embodied in every facet of our institution. We know that the rich educational opportunities available at Bridgewater—internships, study abroad, research with faculty mentors, and student leadership opportunities—transform lives.

We believe a school’s published tuition should reflect the real cost of an education and not be a complicated and confusing pricing strategy. By being transparent about the true cost of a Bridgewater education, we are lowering barriers to access.

Every dollar raised for current scholarships directly supports students. Your support is critical in making our vision a reality.

At Bridgewater College, we believe in the transformative power of education, and our commitment to this belief is embodied in every facet of our institution. We know that the rich educational opportunities available at Bridgewater—internships, study abroad, research with faculty mentors, and student leadership opportunities—transform lives.

We believe a school’s published tuition should reflect the real cost of an education and not be a complicated and confusing pricing strategy. By being transparent about the true cost of a Bridgewater education, we are lowering barriers to access.

Every dollar raised for current scholarships directly supports students. Your support is critical in making our vision a reality.

At Bridgewater College, we believe in the transformative power of education, and our commitment to this belief is embodied in every facet of our institution. We know that the rich educational opportunities available at Bridgewater—internships, study abroad, research with faculty mentors and student leadership opportunities—transform lives.

We believe a school’s published tuition should reflect the real cost of an education and not be a complicated and confusing pricing strategy. By being transparent about the true cost of a Bridgewater education, we are lowering barriers to access.

Every dollar raised for current scholarships directly supports students. Your support is critical in making our vision a reality.

MiKayla Higgins

Mikayla Higgins ’25 was just settling in for her first week at BC when she got news of a tragedy back home. Already a first-generation college student on scholarship and financial aid, the biology major wasn’t sure she could financially continue her education. In stepped the Office of Financial Aid and our donors, who made it possible for Mikayla to stay in college. “I am thankful for the scholarships I’ve gotten, and that I’m continuing to get, through Bridgewater and donors.” This current scholarship support enables Mikayla to continue toward her goal of becoming a wildlife conservationist.

Opening Doors

Bridgewater College offers a challenging academic experience while ensuring access for students from all backgrounds. Student snapshot:

100%

receive
financial aid

29%

first-generation
college students

31%

eligible for a 
pell grant

Did you know that for many students, the financial gap that can make the difference between enrolling at Bridgewater – or not – can be less than $1,000 a year? 

Help us close that gap.

Dr. Steve Baron, Harry G.M. Jopson Professor of Biology

Dr. Steve Baron, Harry G.M. Jopson Professor of Biology, exemplifies the teacher/scholar model that is a cornerstone of the Bridgewater experience. For nearly 30 years, Dr. Baron has been actively engaging students in his own research projects on biodegradable plastics, as well as mentoring them on projects of their own design.

He is known for working with multiple students on research projects each semester in addition to teaching his regular course load. To date, he’s mentored 109 students—and counting. The laboratory is an extension of his classroom, and he uses research as a teaching tool. Research, whether part of class work or through an independent study project, makes room for different approaches to teaching and allows for various learning styles.

“I love finding a spark of learning in every student,” he said.

Teaching & Learning

New teaching and learning initiatives will support BC’s teacher-scholars and create opportunities for students that will turn their goals and dreams into real-life possibilities.

Models of lifelong learning and the power of curiosity, Bridgewater’s innovative teacher-scholars continually expand and test what they know and bring their new knowledge back to their classrooms. Additional investments in our faculty will result in even better outcomes for our students.

Generous donors to Connections: the Campaign for Bridgewater College have already named two of our three schools: the Bonnie Forrer and John Harvey Rhodes School of Arts and Humanities and the Rev. Wilfred E. and Joyce A. Nolen School of Business and Professional Studies.

Models of lifelong learning and the power of curiosity, Bridgewater’s innovative teacher-scholars continually expand and test what they know and bring their new knowledge back to their classrooms. Additional investments in our faculty will result in even better outcomes for our students.

Generous donors to Connections: the Campaign for Bridgewater College have already named two of our three schools: the Bonnie Forrer and John Harvey Rhodes School of Arts and Humanities and the Rev. Wilfred E. and Joyce A. Nolen School of Business and Professional Studies.

Models of lifelong learning and the power of curiosity, Bridgewater’s innovative teacher-scholars continually expand and test what they know and bring their new knowledge back to their classrooms. Additional investments in our faculty will result in even better outcomes for our students.

Generous donors to Connections: the Campaign for Bridgewater College have already named two of our three schools: the Bonnie Forrer and John Harvey Rhodes School of Arts and Humanities and the Rev. Wilfred E. and Dr. Joyce A. Nolen School of Business and Professional Studies.

Professor Jost's Spain study abroad program

Connected Learning

Students who take part in engaged learning experiences, such as internships, study abroad and research with a faculty mentor, and master sought-after skills including problem solving, synthesis and collaboration.

Women in Leadership Panel

Faculty Development

Faculty members use these resources to complete peer-reviewed scholarship, investigate new teaching methods and compete for other grants and funding sources as their teaching and scholarship develops.

Dr. Derli Amaral teaching engineering student

Lab and Classroom Improvements

Supporting active, engaged and collaborative learning requires ongoing investment in equipment, digital resources, specialized software and computer hardware.

Bridgewater College students flourish when they learn from enthusiastic, engaged faculty mentors.

Help foster dynamic teaching and learning.

Campus Spaces

The dramatic campus upgrades made in recent years, including the Forrer Learning Commons and the Rebecca Quad, underscore the importance of place on BC’s relational campus and its role in inspiring connections and creativity.

The Bowman Hall renovation is reshaping BC’s campus by creating dynamic engaged learning spaces where collaboration and idea-sharing flourish. Nearly every student takes at least one course in Bowman. This renovation ensures that this critical facility meets the needs not just of today’s learners, but for generations of students to come.

The Bowman Hall renovation is reshaping BC’s campus by creating dynamic engaged learning spaces where collaboration and idea-sharing flourish. Nearly every student takes at least one course in Bowman. This renovation ensures that this critical facility meets the needs not just of today’s learners, but for generations of students to come.

The Bowman Hall renovation is reshaping BC’s campus by creating dynamic engaged learning spaces where collaboration and idea-sharing flourish. Nearly every student takes at least one course in Bowman. This renovation ensures that this critical facility meets the needs not just of today’s learners, but for generations of students to come.

Rebecca Quad on Bridgewater College campus in the fall with leaves on the ground

Bowman Hall

The Bowman Hall renovation is reshaping BC’s campus by creating dynamic engaged learning spaces where collaboration and idea-sharing flourish. Nearly every student takes at least one course in Bowman. This renovation ensures that this critical facility meets the needs not just of today’s learners, but for generations of students to come.

Alumni Gym: Center for Career Development

The Alumni Gym renovation will expand Career Center resources and strengthen connections to our local and regional community of employers to create new opportunities for students.

Through the renovation of a historic campus building—the College’s first gymnasium dating back to 1908—we will create something new: a purpose-built home for an expanded and re-imagined Center for Career Development. This renovation will make real the College’s plans to dramatically increase Career Center resources, creating a positive impact for every student on campus.

The transformed building will house an office suite

Office Suite – Garden Level

The transformed building will house an office suite on the garden level—with an expansive set of windows to allow for natural light—and will include career coaching offices, individualized student workspaces, and video conferencing and presentation rooms.

The upper floor will provide an event space

Upper Level – Gathering Space

The upper floor will provide an event space to host prospective employers at job fairs and career exploration events. It will also be available for broader campus use, such as musical performances and alumni gatherings.

A spacious, light-filled atrium will connect Flory Hall to the renovated Alumni Gym

Light-filled Atrium

A spacious, light-filled atrium will connect Flory Hall (a major academic building) to the renovated Alumni Gym and the Bowman Community Plaza, providing additional outdoor seating and event space for campus events.

Transforming campus spaces leads to enhanced interactions and collaboration.

Help us make places that matter.

The Power of Connections

Your participation in Connections: The Campaign for Bridgewater College is an investment in a brighter shared future.

BC Bridgewater College and Connections campaign banners on campus in front of flowering tree

Leave a Lasting Legacy

Interested in making a deeper connection? BC’s Institutional Advancement team is here to help you explore other charitable pathways for support, including multi-year pledges, IRA rollovers, gifts of securities, and including BC in your estate plans. Connect with us to learn more.

Meg F. Riner Vice President for Institutional Advancement

MEG FLORY RINER
Vice President for Institutional Advancement
540-828-5636
mriner@bridgewater.edu

Connections: the Campaign for Bridgewater College

OFFICE OF INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT
College Box 33
402 East College Street
Bridgewater, VA 22812-1599