Warren Wilson College received an anonymous $1 million gift to support its academic programs, further strengthening the institution’s position as a leader in environmental and climate studies.
This gift brings the College’s total philanthropic support to more than $13.5 million in the past three months, highlighting a growing commitment from donors to the College’s hands-on, experiential education that empowers students to explore solutions to real-world challenges.
The new $1 million gift provides funding for the College’s Master of Science in Applied Climate Studies (MACS), which will welcome its first class in June 2025; the College-wide Climate Action Now initiative; and its undergraduate programs in environmental studies, conservation biology, forestry, sustainable agriculture and environmental sciences.
“Our programs prepare students to confront the complexities of climate change and environmental sustainability with interdisciplinary knowledge and practical solutions,” said President Damián J. Fernández, Ph.D. “We are grateful to the donors who recognize that our faculty, our location in the Blue Ridge Mountains, and our comprehensive approach to learning that engages the mind, the heart and hands, will help our students contribute to making a better world.”
As communities across the globe grapple with the effects of climate change—including the impacts of Hurricane Helene—Warren Wilson College stands out as an academic institution equipped to study and address these challenges. Through its innovative curriculum, hands-on learning opportunities, and commitment to sustainability, the College continues to attract students and faculty dedicated to advancing knowledge and taking action.
“Our curriculum is designed to take learning, both in and out of the classroom, and apply it to the search for solutions to challenges in our community and the world,” said Provost Jay Roberts, Ph.D. “The MACS program, in particular, integrates rigorous scientific approaches with real-world climate applications, empowering students to analyze data and develop solutions for one of humanity’s most pressing issues.”
The Climate Action Now initiative further engages students in community-driven projects and research, reflecting Warren Wilson’s commitment to actionable learning across the curriculum that benefits both local and global communities.
This recent gift ensures that Warren Wilson College will continue to deepen its offerings in environmental and climate studies, inspiring the next generation of changemakers to lead with innovation and compassion. Warren Wilson is reinventing college by integrating academics, career experiences, and community engagement to address the problems of our times.
For more information about Warren Wilson College and its academic programs, please visit www.warren-wilson.edu.
Written by Warren Wilson College.