Dallas, N.C.-based Gaston College has announced its East Campus and Textile Technology Center in
Belmont, N.C., will be renamed in honor of W. Duke Kimbrell in recognition of a multi-year,
multimillion-dollar unrestricted gift from the W. Duke Kimbrell Foundation to the Gaston College
Foundation Inc. While the exact amount will not be publicized, the commitment is one of the largest
the 46-year-old college has ever received. Kimbrell is chairman of Gastonia, N.C.-based sales yarn
spinner Parkdale Mills Inc., a longtime supporter of the college.
“We’ve supported Gaston College since its inception, and have sent many of our employees for
technical training there,” Kimbrell said. “The college is a wonderful resource for the community
and we are pleased to provide funds for college officials to use for the most pressing needs.”
According to the college, potential uses for the gift include technology infrastructure for
its Belmont as well as Dallas and Lincoln, N.C., campuses; new program start-up; books and
reference materials for the East Campus Library; and replacement of outdated equipment or purchase
of specialized equipment. The East Campus and Textile Technology Center carries out new and sample
product development, product testing, training and consulting for the textile industry.
“We are extremely grateful to Mr. Kimbrell and the board of the foundation for their
generosity and for their willingness to allow us to use the money where it’s needed most,” said Dr.
Patricia Skinner, president, Gaston College. “This gift will supplement our state and county
funding, enabling us to do such things as upgrade online learning systems, keep up with technology,
and have funds to research and begin new programs to meet the needs of the communities we serve.”
March 30, 2010