Mr. and Mrs. Harwood Cochrane made the challenge-and 772 individuals responded. The result was more than $2.4 million in gifts and pledges to Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond.
Issued to energize BTSR supporters for the seminary's “Building Our Future … Together” campaign, the “Cochrane Challenge” was exceeded by more than $450,000.
Late in March, as the deadline loomed, supporters sent last minute cash gifts and pledges in order to take full advantage of the matching opportunity. The Cochranes, longtime members of Richmond's Tabernacle Baptist Church, had pledged to match each gift, up to $1 million, given by March 31. Gifts in response, totaling over $1.45 million, surpassed the challenge, resulting in approximately $2.45 million toward the seminary's campaign.
Renovation and expansion of the campus is already underway and includes continuing projects in Virginia Hall, Kraemer Hall and the recently acquired nursing dormitory of the former Richmond Memorial Hospital. In addition to strengthening the seminary's endowment and operating funds, gifts to the campaign will provide increased state-of-the-art instructional facilities, improved worship space and an enlarged capacity for on-campus student housing.
“The success of the ‘Cochrane Challenge' advances the ‘Building Our Future … Together' initiative ever nearer the goal of ensuring the future of excellent theological education for the purpose of ministry,” said Tom Graves, BTSR president. “With such continued, passionate support from friends like the Cochranes and so many others, we anticipate extending the vision and scope of BTSR even beyond that which our founders imagined only 16 years ago.”
Mr. Cochrane noted, “What a blessing it is for so many others to join in forging ahead with this vision for the future of BTSR. We are looking forward to the next chapter.”
Special to the Herald