From land gift to lasting legacy

Warnell dedicates Building 3 to Charles H. Wheatley

A community celebration

The Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources formally dedicated Building 3 as the Charles H. Wheatley Building on Sept. 17, honoring a transformative gift that has strengthened the school for more than three decades.

Guests filled the courtyard for the afternoon ceremony, a gathering that felt both celebratory and reflective as the Warnell community came together to honor Wheatley’s generosity and the legacy his gift created. Faculty, staff, students, alumni, donors and friends of the school attended, along with University of Georgia President Jere W. Morehead, Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost Ben Ayers, Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations Jill Walton and Dean Emeritus Dale Greene.

The gift that changed everything

The renaming recognizes the far-reaching impact of a 1989 gift from Wheatley, a 1920 UGA engineering graduate and Americus native, who donated 2,500 acres of timberland in Lee and Sumter counties. Valued at $8.5 million at the time, the land was given with a single request: that it be used where the need was greatest.

A successful construction business owner, Wheatley built a modest home on the property where he hosted friends and enjoyed its natural surroundings. For decades, he used the land as a private hunting area and retreat, reflecting his love of the outdoors. In entrusting it to Warnell, he ensured those same natural resources would continue to benefit generations of students and faculty.

From timber to teaching

For more than 30 years, the property generated more than $8 million through sustainable timber harvests and hunting leases, funding enhancements such as the Wheatley Distinguished Professorship and a geospatial information systems lab. In 2023, the property was sold for $18.5 million, creating endowments that will support building modernization, research and teaching needs in perpetuity.

“This building now reflects not just a name, but a legacy of strategic foresight and lasting generosity that will benefit Warnell and its students for years to come.”

— Dean Todd Petty

A legacy of leadership

“It was under Dean Greene’s leadership that the sale of the Wheatley property became a reality, resulting in a lasting impact on our school, our programs and, most importantly, our students,” Petty added.

Greene explained that several factors prompted the decision to sell: the property’s distance limited its use for teaching and research, while rising demand for recreational land boosted its value. A near-miss from Hurricane Michael in 2018 also underscored the risks of holding the tract long term.

“The sale captured more than 30 years of appreciated value in a strong recreational real estate market. By reinvesting the proceeds into endowments, we are ensuring Mr. Wheatley’s vision continues to support students, faculty and programs for decades to come.”

— Dean Emeritus Dale Greene

Many hands, lasting gratitude

Making the most of Wheatley’s gift required years of collaboration. Greene emphasized that many hands made the success possible, pointing to Mike Hunter, director of lands and facilities, and his team for careful stewardship of the property, Bridget Harden, director of development, for her leadership in advancing the effort, Forest Resource Consultants for managing the sale and President Morehead and the UGA Foundation Finance Committee for their steadfast support.

The building’s new name, Greene said, will serve as a visible reminder of Wheatley’s impact: “It is very fitting that his name be visible on this building for years to come. This will remind all members of the UGA community of his generosity and support for the Warnell School. I can only say, ‘Thank you, Mr. Wheatley.’”