Campus News

June 9th, 2026

Grants supporting another athletic campaign

Oakland couple, prominent in SGHS project, give to College initiative

Bill and Laurie Grant, who were prominent in raising funds for the Southern Garrett High School field house, are now part of the Garrett College Foundation's Athletics Capital Campaign.

Bill Grant said there were two key factors in their support of the Garrett College initiative: "Our love for Garrett County, followed by our love of the College."

"We've always put a high value on higher education," said Grant, who served on the Garrett College Board of Trustees in the 1980s, while Laurie – a retired Certified Family Nurse Practitioner (CFNP) – previously taught medical terminology at GC. "Garrett College feels like a second home for us."

The Oakland couple are the first Gold Tier donors on the donor wall in the 700 Building, which is being renovated as additional athletics facilities for GC's expanding intercollegiate athletics program. The renovated 700 will include locker rooms for the four teams serviced by the adjoining turf field – baseball, women's softball, women's soccer, and men's soccer – as well as new athletic training space, a wrestling room, a conference room, and coaches' offices.

"Bill and Laurie have been long-time generous donors to the College," said Dr. Richard Midcap, Garrett College's president. "I'm grateful they viewed this campaign as something they wished to support."

"God ordained I wasn't going to be much of an athlete myself, but I've always loved athletics," said Grant. "Athletics is a great character builder. It can be a very important part of rounding out a student's education."

Grant, who spent nearly 20 years as president and chief executive officer of First United Bank & Trust before retiring in 2016, played a leading role in the Southern Garrett High School project as president of the SGHS Alumni Association. The association raised more than $450,000 of the cost for the new Southern field house, which includes two team rooms, bathrooms, and a large concession area.

Midcap said the GCF Athletics Capital Campaign is approaching $800,000 in gifts and pledges, and expects to close above $900,000 when the campaign is completed later this year.

"We currently have only four of 27 major gift opportunities remaining," he reported. "We are currently engaged with potential donors for the available namings, which are the four remaining spots on the Donor Archway."

Individuals interested in information about giving to the GCF Athletics Capital Campaign should contact Cherie Krug at cherie.krug@garrettcollege.edu or 301.387.3100.