Libla Family Gives Major Donation to Three Rivers College
Members of the Libla family, the Three Rivers Board of Trustees, the Three Rivers Endowment Trust, and Three Rivers College’s administration pose for a photo after finalizing a major donation agreement. From L-R: Phil Davis, Vice Chair, Three Rivers College Board of Trustees; Dr. Wesley Payne, President of Three Rivers College; Emily Parks, Executive Director of the Three Rivers Endowment Trust; David Libla; Mary Libla; Elaine Libla; Sen. Doug Libla; and Ben Ressel, Chair, Three Rivers College Board of Trustees.
The Libla family finalized a seven figure donation to the Three Rivers Endowment Trust during a signing event held at Three Rivers College on Monday, May 8. In return, the college announced that institution’s proposed athletics building would be named the “Libla Family Sports Complex.”
“We’re proud to help Three Rivers College launch this endeavor, and this is part of our commitment to giving back to the community as much as we can,” said David Libla. “By having this project named for the Libla family, it serves as a remembrance of our parents, and hopefully inspires our children and grandchildren to continue giving back to this community which has given so much to us.”
Attending the signing ceremony were Sen. Doug and Elaine Libla, and David and Mary Libla. The agreement was also signed by Dr. Wesley Payne, President of Three Rivers College; Ben Ressel, Chair of the Three Rivers College Board of Trustees; Phil Davis, Vice Chair of the Three Rivers Board of Trustees, and Emily Parks, Executive Director of the Three Rivers Endowment Trust.
“It’s so amazing to see a self-made family building businesses, living the American dream, then giving back to their community,” said Ressel. “On behalf of the Board of Trustees, thank you to all those who have made this project possible.”
The donation makes possible the construction of the college’s new Sports Complex on its Poplar Bluff Campus, which will replace the Bess Activity Center as the home of the Raiders and Lady Raiders basketball teams. The current proposal is for a 75,000-square-foot structure incorporating a 3,000-seat gymnasium, offices for all of Three Rivers’ coaches, improved training and locker room facilities, and a Three Rivers Sports Hall of Fame. The facility also will have a FEMA-certified safe room capable of withstanding an F5-strength tornado funded by a $2.5 million SEMA/FEMA grant.
“The Liblas have supported our community in many ways, both seen and unseen, and their generous donation is making the Libla Family Sports Complex possible,” said Dr. Payne. “With this, we should be able to move forward with this state-of-the-art facility, that will serve Three Rivers for many years to come.”
Three Rivers College is committed to contributing to the quality of life in Southeast Missouri with quality, affordable higher education opportunities and community services that support and encourage the economic, civic, and cultural vitality of the region. For more information about college and workforce programs and upcoming events, visit trcc.edu.
Now we need someone to donate and update the classrooms.
Wonder if will honor their mothers name with this donation ?