Wesleyan College Breaks Ground on $9 Million Transformation of Historic Porter Gym

MACON, GA - Wesleyan College turned the soil on a new era for athletics and student life, breaking ground on the transformation of the campus’s historic Porter Gymnasium earlier today.  

     A signature project of Wesleyan’s SHE WILL Campaign, the $9 million renovation will restore and modernize one of the College’s most beloved buildings while creating expanded space for athletics, recreation, wellness, and community.

     The renovation represents a major investment in the future of Wesleyan Athletics and comes at a pivotal moment of growth for the College. Following its transition to NAIA, Wesleyan is now able to offer athletic scholarships, strengthening its ability to recruit and retain top talent. That momentum is already evident, as the number of student-athletes enrolled at Wesleyan increased by 121% in just one year. During the 2026 - 2027 school year, the College also expanded its athletic offerings with the addition of wrestling, competition cheerleading, flag football, and hockey, and looks forward to adding rugby for 2027-2028. 

     The transformed Porter Gym will provide these student-athletes, and the generations who follow them, with a true home designed to match Wesleyan's ambitions for its growing athletics program.

     “Today’s groundbreaking marks the beginning of the restoration and transformation of one of the most historic and beloved buildings on our campus,” said Wesleyan College President Meaghan Blight.  “This investment is also central to Wesleyan’s future. Athletics is driving enrollment, expanding our recruitment reach, and strengthening student retention. We want prospective and current students to see facilities that reflect the excellence of our programs and the value we place on their experiences.”

     For generations of Wesleyan students, Porter Gym has been much more than a place to compete. Students have built community within its walls.  And, it’s important that the renovation honors that history while reimagining Porter for the way today's students compete, connect, and experience college.

     Plans call for two gymnasiums; a centralized home for student-athletes to both study and work out; additional spaces for competition, recreation, intramurals and wellness; accessible places for campus celebrations; and a new outdoor pool.

     “Porter Gym has always been more than a building,” said President Emerita Ruth A. Knox ‘75, chair of the SHE WILL Campaign, trustee, alumna, and donor. “Our donors understood that restoring Porter Gym was not simply about preserving the past. It was about creating new opportunities for current and future students while honoring the generations who came before them.”

     The transformation of Porter Gym is an important piece of that recruitment experience, giving prospective student-athletes and their families a tangible picture of the facilities and community that await them at Wesleyan.

    That thought is echoed by Sydney Hunter, a member of Wesleyan’s Soccer Team who is double majoring in Psychology and History, Politics, & Global Affairs.  She says the project sends an important message to both current and future Wolves.  

     “Wesleyan has some of the most intentional, caring coaches I’ve ever met.  Having the facilities to match is going to be an absolute game-changer,” she said.  “Having a place on campus where you feel understood and welcomed changes everything, athletically and academically. This investment shows how much this community cares for our experience as student-athletes, and Wesleyan wants to continue to pour into us and give us the best opportunities to succeed.” 

     The Porter Gym transformation is part of Wesleyan’s $61 million SHE WILL Campaign, the largest fundraising initiative in the College’s history.

     The campaign is organized around three strategic priorities:

• Pursue Her Path: Expanding scholarships, faculty support, and student life and leadership opportunities.

• Have a Place to Call Home: Revitalizing historic residence halls and communal spaces to best meet the needs of today’s students.

• Find Her Voice: Reimagining leadership and community spaces, including the transformation of Porter Gym. 

     Together, the priorities represent a bold investment in Wesleyan's future while carrying forward the College’s historic mission of educating and empowering women.

     The Porter Gym project has been made possible through the incredible generosity of hundreds of alumnae, our Board of Trustees, foundations, as well as other friends and supporters of Wesleyan College.

     For Knox, who has helped champion the project for years, reaching the groundbreaking carries particular significance.

     “For many years, alumnae and members of the Board of Trustees have hoped to see Porter Gym restored,” Knox said. “Wesleyan women have waited a long time for this moment. After years of dreaming, planning and working, here we are, and I could not be more excited.” 

     Wesleyan also recognized Justin Spillers and the team of Spillers Design & Construction, who are leading the renovation.

     The groundbreaking ceremony included College leaders, trustees, donors, alumnae and student-athletes and concluded with the ceremonial turning of the soil. The event was part of Wesleyan's Opening Convocation activities marking the start of the 2026-2027 academic year.

     As construction moves forward, opportunities remain for alumnae, families, friends, and supporters to participate in the transformation of Porter Gym.  To learn more about supporting the Porter Gym project or the SHE WILL Campaign, visit our website, wesleyancollege.edu.