BIG DEAL the LaVerne Howell Brashiers’ $1 Million Gift Helps Grad Students Realize ‘Potential for Christ’
Some college students might wait tables or work at summer camp to help pay for their education. But Dr. T. Walter “Walt” Brashier cleaned bricks.
In July 2017, Walt’s family announced a $1 million commitment to North Greenville University to support scholarships for the T. Walter Brashier Graduate School. Te funds help those who need extra help to continue their education, like he did.
Born to a family of modest means in Simpson- ville, SC, Walt started working at a mortuary at the age of 16. When he was 20 and mar- ried with two small children, he felt called to preach.
Not having the money to attend college, Walt and his wife, Christine, began to clean thou- sands of old bricks from the Dunean Mill renovation to pay for his schooling.
While attending school and working, Walt began preaching revivals and pastoring two churches. He later went into full-time evange- lism, traveling across the U.S. He would spend weeks at a time away from his family.
But his world came to a screeching halt one night when he received a phone call from his wife.
“She did not have money to buy groceries,” says Walt.
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Even after sending home all he had, it still was not enough to feed his family.
After several heart-to-heart conversations with God, Walt decided to go home. He continued to accept preaching engagements, but only those closer to his family.
Around the same time, Walt began a business partnership that would change his life forever. His first real estate investment proved lucrative and fueled further projects to enable Walt to change his direction in life.
When revival invitations lessened, the Southern Baptist Convention asked Walt to record radio and television spots, titled “On Target with Walt Brashier.” He agreed, as long as he did not receive money from listeners or stations. Walt often spent his own money producing the broadcast materials.
Later, he decided to use that same money he’d spent on his show to educate young people instead. Te Brashiers have helped hundreds of students in the years since then, and NGU has been one of the main recipients of their generosity.
“Te best investment you can make is in anoth- er person’s life,” says Christine.
Teir newest scholarship program, known as the Martin Timothy Brashier Graduate Schol- ars Program, was created in memory of their
son, Tim, to provide scholarships for residents of Upstate South Carolina and NGU alumni who want to pursue a graduate degree in busi- ness, education, or ministry.
Te gift was available immediately for cash scholarships to assist with Fall 2017 gradu- ate school enrollment. Twenty students have already received significant financial assistance through this program.
“Tis is a major act of generosity that will impact the university’s budget positively for the current year to help spur graduate enrollment,” says NGU President Dr. Gene C. Fant, Jr. “Graduate school scholarships make it possible for working adults to continue their education. Tis is our hope with the Martin Timothy Brashier Graduate Scholars Program.”
Tough Walt’s focus shifted from going out to sending others, he and his family remain faithful to their calling by giving generously to educational institutions like NGU.
“Doing something to support students who represent the future of this country and world fills us with hope,” says Walt. “Tat’s why we’re such big supporters of North Greenville Uni- versity and the opportunities it gives students to shine and realize their potential for Christ.”
Learn more about the Martin Timothy Brashier Graduate Scholars Program at
ngu.edu/graduatescholarship.
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