Chancellor John W. Bardo said in announcing the contribution. “We view this gift as among the most important events in this university's long and storied history. We expect this pledge, combined with additional private and public support, will result in a school that will place Western on par with the nation's finest institutions of higher education in preparing students for careers in construction management and related fields that are critical to the emerging economy of the state and the nation.”

The Kimmel contributions will create $9 million in permanent endowments, including $3 million in faculty support that qualifies the university for another $3 million in matching money from the North Carolina Distinguished Professorship Endowment Fund. The gifts also provide $2 million to supplement programmatic operations and activities; and $1 million in scholarship support.

In addition, the Kimmel School receives external funding from projects with its partners and grants from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) and Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL).