Wake Forest Announces Transformational Multimillion-Dollar Gift from Kentner Family
6/30/2023 11:52:00 AM | Baseball, General, Men's Golf
This latest commitment from the Kentner Family, one of Wake Forest University’s most generous donors, has an immediate impact on Wake Forest’s vision of being A Model Intercollegiate Athletics Program.
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Wake Forest Athletics Director John Currie announced today the University has received a multimillion-dollar gift from Pam ('79) and Jeff Kentner ('78).
"I have known Jeff and Pam from my earliest days of working in Wake Forest Athletics back in the 1990's," Currie said. "For certain, Jeff and Pam are among the most dedicated supporters of Wake Forest and have consistently led by example on many fronts, including providing substantial financial support, strong leadership, and passionate loyalty to the University."
Kentner is already one of the University's most generous donors in Wake Forest Athletics history. In 1997, Kentner made the largest single gift to the Touchdown 2000 athletics fundraising campaign. In recognition of that gift, the recently completed Campus Stadium, home to Demon Deacons track and field and field hockey, was named Kentner Stadium in his honor.
In addition to supporting Wake Forest Athletics, Kentner has co-endowed the Thomas C. Taylor Accountancy Professorship.
The current gift includes a substantial earmark for baseball and an allocation to men's golf.
"I have always been a baseball fan but never previously considered providing funding for the baseball program," Jeff Kentner said. "But after meeting Tom Walter, getting to know our players, and learning that our gift would in fact make a bona fide and immediate difference, we decided to make a meaningful contribution to help maintain the program's national prominence. We certainly hope other Wake supporters are inspired by our team's success in the College World Series and will give generously to baseball." Kentner added: "The evolution of the baseball program at Wake Forest has been remarkable. The leadership provided by Coach Walter is truly inspirational in every sense of the word. He is the consummate professional and displays genuine class in everything he does. Tom is an exemplary representative of Wake Forest. Thanks to his leadership, there is every reason in the world to believe that Wake Forest will be a perennial national power in college baseball. Winning championships, while preserving academic excellence for our student-athletes, is the expectation and standard at Wake Forest."
Demon Deacons baseball coach Tom Walter said he is extremely grateful for Kentner's generosity.
"I would like to personally thank Jeff and Pam for their extreme generosity and commitment to help our student-athletes and our staff achieve our goals on and off the baseball field," Walter said. "Their consistent generosity has helped many people in many ways and contributes to Wake Forest being a distinguished University. Not only do we compete on the field at the very highest level, our student-athletes earn a world-class education that allows them to prosper long after their playing days are over."
Currie further explained the impact of the Kentner commitment.
"A critical element in the rise of Wake Forest Athletics to a leadership position in the ACC and nationally has been intentional philanthropic investments at important moments in time, and this major commitment from the Kentner Family provides substantial immediate support for multiple enhancements," said Currie. "In Omaha Jeff and Pam asked Barry Faircloth and I how they could help make sure Wake Forest baseball could sustain the championship trajectory of the program and we were able to outline our specific strategies. Without hesitation they immediately agreed to make this investment, which in turn enabled us to move nimbly and in a fiscally responsible manner to ensure Coach Walter and his staff could remain focused on our current and prospective student-athletes to leverage the all-time high visibility of Demon Deacons baseball. This also provides the means to ensure our unique Pitching Lab continues to set the national standard."
And to build on record attendance at Couch Ballpark this past season, including sold out NCAA regional and super-regional weekends in June, a portion of the Kentner Family gift will directly impact Wake Forest's goal of offering the "Best Fan Experience in North Carolina."
"The entire greater Winston-Salem community, Wake students, our team and their families came together in Couch Ballpark throughout the spring to create lifetime memories and an incredible atmosphere," said Currie. "Every baseball fan attending games at The Couch will benefit from the Kentner gift which will enable us to replace our video board that is already many years beyond its service life as well as upgrade our sound system with state-of-the-art technology."
In addition to funding the baseball program, a portion of the Kentner gift is allocated for support of the men's golf program.
"I have really enjoyed being a very small part of the storied Wake Forest golf program," Kentner shared. "Jerry Haas is one of the finest individuals I have ever met, and Wake Forest is extremely fortunate to have Jerry leading the Deacons."
Jeff Kentner came to Wake Forest in 1974 from humble beginnings. As the only person in his family to attend college, Kentner had over a dozen jobs during high school and college which allowed him to pay for his Wake Forest education. After majoring in accounting at Wake Forest and graduating in 1978, Kentner worked for an international accounting firm in audit and tax. He left Peat Marwick Mitchell & Co., now KPMG, in 1985 to form a real estate development firm. State Street Companies is a highly successful Charlotte-based developer of multifamily and single-family residential communities located throughout the Southeast.
"Coming from where I came from to what I have today, I am incredibly blessed to be in a position to give back to the University that gave so much to me." Jeff Kentner shared.
Kentner credits his degree in accounting from Wake Forest as the biggest differentiating factor in his business career.
"Accounting was a challenge for me at Wake Forest as the professors were solely focused on making sure that their students gained a comprehensive mastery of the subject matter. The education I received allowed me and my classmates to go on to build successful careers," Jeff Kentner shared. I was a straight 'A' honor student in high school but the accounting classes at Wake Forest were intentionally demanding, so earning good grades was a formidable task. I credit Dr. Tom Taylor for making me stay the course. In fact, after getting a 'C' in Intermediate Accounting, I went to see Dr. Taylor to tell him I was changing my major to Business. He wouldn't let me quit. When I complained about getting a 'C' he told me I got a 'C' because he liked me. Otherwise, he said, it would have been a 'D.' That is how rigorous the professors made the curriculum, all done intentionally for our long-term success and benefit."
This remarkable gift from the Kentner family was heavily influenced by Pam Kentner who has developed a strong affinity for the baseball team, its coaches and the players.
"I have always been a die-hard Wake Forest fan and admit that I am a newcomer to Deacon baseball," Pam Kentner said. "With that said, this season I fell in love with the baseball team and was captivated with Tom Walter and his staff and their incredible class, leadership, and joy in coaching the team. Collectively, the coaches and the players are a testament to what sports are all about. The players carried themselves with extraordinary dignity and had demonstrable 'fun" in the process. Nothing is better than that! I am very excited about Wake Forest baseball being a forever force in college baseball."
The Kentners have a deep connection to Wake Forest as Jeff and Pam met at the University as undergraduates in 1975 and have now been married for 43 years. They have two daughters (Beth and Tracey), and four grandsons. Beth graduated from Wake Forest in 2008 and is married to Chip Brinkman ('08), who played wide receiver on the Wake Forest football team. Tracey graduated from Georgetown University ('12) and is married to Dr. Ben Wooster ('09), who played tight end for the Demon Deacons squad that went to the Orange Bowl.
What They're Saying
Wake Forest University President Susan R. Wente:
"This remarkable transformational gift from Jeff and Pam demonstrates their deep and unwavering commitment to Wake Forest. Their generous gift is significant to the University and reflects their desire to promote academic and athletic excellence. Wake Forest is extremely fortunate to be beneficiaries of the Kentner's strong ties to the University."
Head Baseball Coach Tom Walter:
"Jeff and Pam's contribution is extraordinary and makes both an immediate and long-term impact on our baseball program. Their gift is extremely important for staff retention, which enables us to provide consistency for our student-athletes and our program. The Kentner gift allows us to build on our success and creates the opportunity for Wake Forest to continue as an elite national power in baseball. The Kentners are an important part of Wake Forest, Wake Forest Athletics, and the baseball program. Their gift is remarkable and a testament to their on-going commitment to Wake Forest. On behalf of the Wake Forest baseball family, we extend a heart-felt 'thank you.' We are humbled by your incredible generosity."
Men's Golf Head Coach Jerry Haas:
"Jeff and Pam have become great friends over the years and are loyal supporters of Wake Forest and the men's golf program. For several years they hosted us in their home in Cabo when the Deacs played in Mexico. Their support of Wake Forest is remarkable, and their leadership has provided unique opportunities for our team. Their contributions help ensure a world-class experience for our student-athletes and enable us to win championships. We are forever grateful for all that they have done for our program. Thank you, Pam and Jeff!"
Director of Athletics John Currie:
"The Kentners have provided consistent leadership within the Wake Forest community that continues to inspire generations of Demon Deacons. This incredibly generous gift is crucial for the continued success of baseball and allows us to continue to make Wake Forest a unique and distinguished University. The impact on baseball is huge and will be realized immediately. Jeff and Pam are genuinely motivated to help Wake Forest provide a World Class Student-Athlete Experience. I am grateful for Jeff and Pam's longtime friendship and deeply thankful for this most recent major commitment to Wake Forest."
Executive Associate AD Barry Faircloth:
"Jeff and Pam's gift creates a powerful and immediate impact for current and future student-athletes in our baseball program at Wake Forest. The benefits provided by the Kentner gift cannot be overstated. The Kentner's have supported Wake Forest for over forty-five years and their long-term, cumulative contributions are inspiring to me personally. Jeff and Pam want only the best for Wake Forest. Not only are they fabulous supporters of Wake Forest, but they are also important personal friends of mine. The entire Wake Forest community is grateful for their generosity."
About Wake Forest University
Wake Forest University is a combination of world-class academics, unrivaled campus experience, intimate learning environment and Power 5 athletics in a top-growing metro market. A Charter member of the Atlantic Coast Conference, the Demon Deacons have won 55 conference titles and are now one of only seven ACC schools to win 10 or more national championships, along with Notre Dame, North Carolina, Virginia, Duke, Syracuse and Florida State. Additionally, Wake Forest anchors the Winston-Salem and Triad market, which includes 1.3M residents and was ranked as ESPN's seventh-best market from a viewership perspective.
Academically, Wake Forest University is ranked in the Top 30 Nationally by US News and World Report for the past 27 years (and counting) and ranked 21st Nationally in Undergraduate Teaching according to the 2022-23 US News and World Report. Wake Forest's comprehensive excellence includes its highly regarded school of medicine, business school, law school and an innovative department of engineering. Additionally, Wake Forest holds campuses across Winston-Salem, Charlotte and Washington, DC – providing academic offerings across the southeast.
Learn more about Wake Forest University at www.wfu.edu and at GoDeacs.com.
