Marietta College Receives Record $55 Million Donation
Joe and Linda Chlapaty have pledged the largest single gift in the school's history to fund facility upgrades.
Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Philanthropy
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Joe and Linda Chlapaty have committed a $55 million gift to Marietta College to support extensive facility projects and campus improvements. The funding coincides with the launch of a five-year fundraising campaign aimed at securing an additional $55 million.
Why it matters
The investment aims to address critical healthcare workforce needs across southeastern Ohio and the Appalachia region. The project will modernize campus infrastructure by renovating historic halls and establishing new graduate health science facilities.
The institution is targeting an annual fundraising goal of $11 million as part of its five-year campaign. New construction projects on Fourth Street are expected to have a duration of 18 to 24 months.
The players
Joe and Linda Chlapaty
These donors provided the $55 million gift, which stands as the largest single contribution in the history of Marietta College.
Marietta College
This institution in Marietta, Ohio, serves students across the Appalachian region and is currently undergoing a major campus transformation.
Barbara Diggs Lyles
A 1951 graduate of the college, she is being honored by the institution through a dedicated tribute following the demolition of her namesake house.
The details
The campus transformation includes renovations for Marietta, Elsie Newton, and Mary Beach halls, while several other structures, including Sophia Russell Hall, will be demolished. A new graduate health sciences facility will be built on Fourth Street to house physician assistant, nurse anesthesia, and occupational therapy programs.
Timeline
1951: Barbara Diggs Lyles graduated from Marietta College.
Fall 2027: Marietta Hall is scheduled to open.
Fall 2028: The first-year housing complex is tentatively scheduled to open.
Winter 2029: The graduate health sciences building is expected to open.
Market Landscape
This campus expansion follows the strategic framework of the Appalachian Regional Commission's health workforce initiatives. The investment reinforces the college's competitive positioning to meet regional demand for specialized healthcare professionals.
Students and faculty should anticipate significant changes to campus layout as older buildings are demolished and new facilities are constructed over the coming years. Residents in the area may experience temporary noise and traffic disruptions during the 18-to-24-month Fourth Street construction phase.
The takeaway
This donation marks a pivotal shift for the institution, prioritizing modern health science training over the maintenance of aging historic structures. The long-term construction roadmap signals a transition toward a more specialized academic focus for future students.
Further reading
Learn more about the Philanthropy efforts supporting local educational expansion.
More information
View the latest project timelines and site details on the college campus transformation project updates page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Mariettatimes.
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