Wingate, N.C.----On Saturday, Wingate University recognized G.R. and Mary Ellen Kindley and their generous gift to Wingate's student-athletes by naming the President's Box at Irwin Belk Stadium and John R. Martin Field the Jerry E. McGee President's Box. The recognition honors President McGee, whose visionary commitment to Wingate University and passion for intercollegiate sports established a successful foundation for the University's athletic program, positively impacting the lives of thousands of Bulldog student-athletes.
 
"Naming the President's Box at Irwin Belk Stadium for Dr. Jerry McGee is a perfect way to honor his unwavering commitment to the student-athletes and coaches who participate in Bulldog athletics," Wingate vice-president and director of athletics Steve Poston says. "This recognition also honors a long-time friendship between the Kindleys and Dr. McGee."
 
Dr. Jerry E. McGee has served Wingate University as president since 1992. Among his many achievements are the founding of the Wingate University School of Pharmacy and the transformation of the Wingate University campus. He led fundraising efforts to build Irwin Belk Stadium, dedicated in 1998.
 
Dr. McGee is a recipient of the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, the State of North Carolina's most prestigious award presented to individuals who have rendered exemplary service to the citizens of North Carolina. He is a member of the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame, which recognizes extraordinary achievement in athletics.
 
During Dr. McGee's presidency, Wingate's enrollment has grown to over 3,000 students for the largest study body in school history. The most successful fundraising campaign ever at Wingate - called Secure the Promise - has passed $80 million in gifts and pledges toward the Campaign's $100 million goal.
 
Mr. and Mrs. G.R. Kindley hail from Rockingham. Mr. Kindley is one of North Carolina's finest citizens. He is a Korean War veteran, a former highway patrolman and a successful entrepreneur. Mr. Kindley served as Mayor of Rockingham for 20 years. One sees Mr. Kindley's name along the Highway 74 Bypass in Richmond County, which was named in his honor in recognition of his work on the Board of Transportation to improve North Carolina's roadways.
 
G.R. and his wife, Mary Ellen, have been married 60 years. Their ties to Wingate University run deep. One of his two sons and two of his grandchildren graduated from Wingate. G.R. and Mary Ellen established the Richmond County Scholarship, which has changed forever the lives of students who have benefited from their generosity.
 
G.R. and Mary Ellen Kindley have known Dr. McGee, who grew up in Richmond County, for many years. The Kindleys are impressed by the University's remarkable progress; they are proud of Dr. McGee's leadership over the past 21 years.
 
"The investment in the lives of our student-athletes will greatly assist us as we strive to produce young men and women who will become Champions in Life," Poston says. On Saturday during Wingate's home football game with Newberry, Poston presented a token of appreciation to Dr. McGee on behalf of G.R. and Mary Ellen Kindley.
 
WINGATE UNIVERSITY
 
Wingate University, ranked as the 8th "best value" in the South by U.S. News & World Report, serves more than 3,000 students on three campuses in Wingate, Charlotte and Hendersonville, N.C. Founded in 1896, the University offers 35 undergraduate majors, 37 minors and career concentrations, numerous pre-professional programs, graduate degrees in business, accounting, education, physician assistant studies and sport administration, and doctorates in pharmacy, physical therapy and education.
 
With a 14 to 1 student/teacher ratio, Wingate students gain the tools and support needed to excel in academics and apply that learning toward an extraordinary career and life. To view current news, video and story ideas, visit www.youtube.com/wingateuniversity. 
 
In addition to a robust intramural athletics program, Wingate student athletes compete in 22 NCAA Division II sports. The University has won the South Atlantic Conference Echols Athletic Excellence Award for the past seven years. For more information, go to www.wingate.edu.
 
Wingate is first among NCAA Division II Academic All-America®-producing private colleges in the 2000's with 57 selections. Among North Carolina's colleges and universities, Wingate's 57 Academic All-America® honorees are number one during this millennium. Wingate's 66 lifetime Academic All-America® picks are tops among all SAC schools. For more information on WU athletics, go to www.wingatebulldogs.com.