Mike Willett, President of BB&T's Western Region, (left) and David L. Hayes, BB&T Senior Vice President, present a check for $50,000 to UNC Asheville Chancellor Anne Ponder

UNC Asheville's North Carolina Center for Health & Wellness got a boost Tuesday with a $50,000 gift from the BB&T Charitable Foundation.

"UNC Asheville is a valuable regional and state-wide asset, and BB&T is proud to support the University's health-and-wellness initiative," said Mike Willett, president of BB&T's Western Region. "Our financial contribution toward construction of the University's North Carolina Center for Health & Wellness demonstrates our belief that the center will serve the citizens of Western North Carolina effectively in addressing health concerns such as childhood obesity, workplace wellness and senior wellness, both now and in the future."

The North Carolina Center for Health & Wellness will be the hub for educating health and wellness professionals, conducting interdisciplinary research, building community and statewide partnerships, and incubating community programs around critical health and wellness issues.

"We deeply appreciate the investment BB&T has made in our University, our region and the health and wellness of the citizens of North Carolina," said UNC Asheville Chancellor Anne Ponder.

While construction of the North Carolina Center for Health & Wellness is funded in large part by a $35-million appropriation from the N.C. General Assembly, UNC Asheville is raising $5-$7 million in private funds for the $40-$42 million project. The grant from the BB&T Foundation, which will be paid over a five-year period, was pledged in support of the construction effort. The University plans to break ground on the project in spring 2008.

BB&T has provided long-time support to the UNC Asheville for student scholarships and athletics. The BB&T Corporation, based in Winston-Salem, is the nation’s 14th largest financial holding company, with $130.8 billion in assets and more than 1,500 financial centers in 11 states.