College receives largest gift to date
The Tabor College board of directors Friday designated its largest gift in school history.
Joel Wiens, a businessman and entrepreneur from Cheyenne, Wyo., made the gift of $1,218,500. He and his sons, Tim and Tom were recognized at the 33rd annual president's dinner Friday evening.
"Mr. Wiens' gift provides tremendous encouragement to our campus," said Tabor College president Larry Nikkel. "We are committed to being good stewards of this resource and will use it to help fulfill our mission of 'preparing people for a life of learning, work, and service for Christ and his kingdom'."
Joel Wiens' gift will be split in two ways. While $218,500 will go toward the college's ongoing capital campaign for new residence facilities, the remaining $1,000,000 will be tentatively designated for improvements to athletic facilities pending further planning.
"Because of this gift and others made by our loyal constituency, we will be able to provide quality housing for our students and upgrade our existing athletic facilities in partnership with our local school district, benefiting both schools and the Hillsboro community," said Nikkel.
A graduate and former board member of the now defunct Phillips University in Enid, Okla., Joel Wiens' connection to Tabor College dates back to his grandfather who he remembers writing $5 checks to the institution.
"We are so proud to be a part of this tradition," said Tom Wiens in his response at the president's dinner. "Thank you for this opportunity."
Joel Wiens is founder, vice chairman, and major shareholder of FirsTier Bank. He also owns the Kearney (Neb.) Event Center and Nebraska Cranes, a professional men's basketball team and member of the United States Basketball League.
Senator Tom Wiens, a rancher and businessman, currently represents Colorado Senate District 4. He is chief executive officer of New West Capital, a mortgage company and venture capital firm, a director of FirsTier Capital, and chairman of Wiens Ranch Company. He also serves on the board of directors for Children's Hospital Research Foundation.
Tim Wiens, a real estate developer in the Loveland/Denver, Colo., area, is currently launching two sports teams, the Rocky Mountain Rage and the Colorado 14ers, and the Broomfield (Colo.) Event Center simultaneously. The minor-league hockey franchise and the Continental Basketball Association club will begin later this year.
