A Gift of Gratitude: Mary Workman’s $3 Million Investment in Calvin’s Future msk23@calvin.edu Tue, 04/21/2026 - 14:11

For Mary Workman, Calvin University has never just been a place she attended decades ago. It’s been part of her life’s story, where friendships were formed, faith was strengthened, and a lifelong commitment to Christian education took root.

Now, more than 60 years after graduating, Mary is giving back in a way that will shape the next generation of Calvin students. Through a generous $3 million gift, the university will name its track and field facility Workman Track and Field, honoring Mary and her late husband, Jim.

For Mary, the decision felt both natural and joyful.

“It’s a lot more fun to give it while you’re alive than when you’re gone,” she said with a smile. “So, we decided - let’s get it rolling.”

A Calvin Story That Began in the Classroom

Mary’s connection to Calvin started in the late 1950s, when attending the university was simply the expected next step in her family’s commitment to Christian education. Her parents had prioritized it, sending their children to Christian schools even when it required sacrifice.

“Education was important in our family,” Mary recalled. “We never even talked about it. It was just understood, that’s where you’re going.”

At Calvin, Mary studied mathematics, one of only a handful of women majoring in the subject at the time. She remembers the professors who shaped her learning and the community that surrounded students both inside and outside the classroom.

“I had a great time at Calvin,” she said. “I had wonderful friends, strong professors, and faith that was part of everyday life. It wasn’t restrictive. It was just a good place to be.”

It was also where Mary met Jim. The two began dating during their freshman year and were married shortly after Mary graduated. Together, they built a life centered on faith, education, and service.

A Lifelong Commitment to Christian Education

Throughout their lives, Mary and Jim remained passionate advocates for Christian schools. They supported students and families, helped fund education opportunities, and even assisted with tuition for their own grandchildren.

For Mary, the reason is simple.

“Christian education prepares people not just for a career, but for life,” she said. “It gives students the confidence to stand for what they believe.”

That belief has guided her support of Calvin over the years and ultimately inspired her latest gift.

A Gift That Supports Students for Generations

The naming of Workman Track and Field reflects more than generosity. It represents Mary’s desire to invest in Calvin’s future and in the students who will continue to choose the university for both athletics and academics.

She also discovered something meaningful along the way: running and athletics had quietly been part of her extended family for years. Relatives and younger generations embraced the sport, making the track facility an especially fitting legacy.

“If students come to Calvin because they want to run, and then they receive a great education, that’s wonderful,” Mary said. “They came for track, but they found something even bigger.”

Confidence in Calvin’s Future

Mary’s gift also reflects her strong confidence in where the university is headed. She continues to follow Calvin closely and believes deeply in its mission and leadership.

“I want Calvin to stay excellent and stay faithful,” she said. “It prepares students well, and I think it will continue to do that for years to come.”

As Calvin celebrates its 150th anniversary and looks toward the future, Mary hopes her gift encourages others who care about the university to stay connected and invested.

“Keeping the institution healthy matters,” she said. “It’s important that Calvin continues to be a place where students grow, learn, and build their lives.”

A Legacy Already in Motion

For more than a year now, student-athletes have been training, competing, and building community on Calvin’s track and field facility, now officially named Workman Track and Field. The venue has already begun hosting meets, practices, and events that bring students and the broader community together.

For Mary, seeing the space in action makes the gift even more meaningful.

“I like knowing it’s nearby,” she said. “I can drive by and see it. And I think about the students who are out there, running, learning, building their futures.”

The track has already become a place where students grow as athletes and scholars; something Mary hopes will continue for many years to come.

It’s a legacy rooted in gratitude, faith, and a deep belief in Calvin’s future.

Tuesday, April 21, 2026 - 12:00

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John Zimmerman

Calvin University

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