Asheville dentist, wife give WCU student-athletes reason to smile with ‘Fill the Western Sky’ donation
Betsy and Tim Gillespie enjoy Homecoming 2023 at Western Carolina University. Photo by Mark Chapman
By Bill Studenc
An Asheville dentist and his wife are giving future Western Carolina University student-athletes something to smile about in the form of gifts and pledges totaling $25,000 toward long-overdue improvements to the university’s athletics facilities.
The contributions from Tim and Betsy Gillespie are part of WCU’s “Fill the Western Sky” comprehensive fundraising campaign. An effort to raise philanthropic support for the university’s academic, student engagement and athletics programs, the campaign has a major focus on securing philanthropic gifts to support upgrades to athletics facilities.
Tim Gillespie, a 1986 graduate of WCU with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry and a former member of the WCU Alumni Association Board of Directors, is owner of Gillespie Dental Associates in Asheville, where he continues as a practicing dentist. A 1986 graduate of WCU with a bachelor’s degree in computer information systems, Betsy Jones Gillespie is owner of Betsy J Gillespie Designs.
The Gillespies have consistently supported WCU and its athletics programs since making their first gift to the university in 1987. They established the Timothy Edward and Betsy Jones Gillespie Scholarship Fund in 2001 to provide financial support to rising WCU juniors and seniors from Western North Carolina with a major in computer information systems.
Their recent $25,000 pledge to support renovations to WCU’s athletics facilities is a continuation of a long-standing commitment to WCU, Tim Gillespie said. “Seeing the university’s growth and the ‘Fill the Western Sky’ campaign’s goals resonated with us. We believe in the power of athletics not only in shaping students but also in building a sense of community and pride among alumni and current students,” he said.
In addition to being alumni of WCU, both Gillespies are originally from Sylva and have seen the institution evolve over the decades.
“Growing up around the university and using its facilities for years before we even started college gave us plenty of exposure to the special community that is Western,” Betsy Gillespie said. “Since graduation, supporting the university that has provided us so much support has been important. We do this not only through financial gifts, but by attending various university events, as well.”
The Gillespies trace their passion for Catamount athletics back to their days as students at WCU. “Being actively involved in the fraternity and sorority system and Betsy’s role as a cheerleader immersed us in the vibrant spirit of the games,” he said. “This involvement was not just about watching sports; it was about being part of a community that celebrated and supported each other.”
After graduating from WCU in 1986, Tim Gillespie worked for three years as a research chemist in Birmingham, Alabama, before enrolling at the University of Alabama School of Dentistry, graduating in 1993 and beginning his dental practice in Asheville. His brother, Michael Gillespie, is also a 1986 graduate of WCU and a recently retired dentist in the Waynesville area.
During her years as an undergraduate student at WCU, Betsy Gillespie worked with BellSouth Services, leading to her securing a job with the company in Birmingham before her graduation. She worked with Bellsouth as a computer systems analyst until 1993, when she moved to Asheville and began working at the Omni Grove Park Inn until 1995. In 2013, she opened her business, Betsy J Gillespie Designs, where she makes bracelets and necklaces made from semi-precious stones.
The Gillespies said they consider the “Fill the Western Sky” campaign and its emphasis on raising funds to complete much-needed enhancements to WCU athletics facilities to be a critical step in the university’s continuing evolution.
“Western has seen explosive growth over the last decade, and major improvements have been made to the facilities and infrastructure to support this growth. Many of our athletics facilities are aging and need to be brought into alignment with the modernization elsewhere on campus,” Betsy Gillespie said.
“We hope our contribution will play a role in enhancing the athletics facilities, thereby elevating the overall student-athlete experience. Also, we look forward to seeing how these improvements contribute to academic programming and student engagement, fostering a well-rounded university experience,” she said.
Her husband agreed. “Athletics can serve as a cornerstone for school spirit and alumni engagement. In a rapidly evolving educational landscape, it is more important than ever to ensure that our alma mater remains competitive and continues to offer outstanding opportunities to its students,” he said.
The couple said they consider their contributions an investment in the future of WCU and its students. “Every time a Catamount succeeds – on the field or in the classroom – it’s a reminder of the vibrant community that we’re proud to be part of. We encourage fellow alumni to join us in supporting WCU, ensuring it continues to be a place where students can thrive and make lasting memories,” Tim Gillespie said.
The Gillespie gift is part of the “Fill the Western Sky” comprehensive campaign, which recently entered its public phase. The campaign is an effort to raise a minimum of $100 million for the university’s academic, student engagement and athletics programs. For more information or to make a contribution to the campaign, visit WesternSky.wcu.edu, call 828-227-7124 or email advancement@wcu.edu.
