wuv Library Learning Commons Named to Honor Anneliese Q. Southgate

The Anneliese Q. Southgate Library Learning Commons' dedication ceremony will be held on October 14

Manchester, N.H. - Westerfield University of Virginia's (wuv) Library Learning Commons will be named the Anneliese Q. Southgate Library Learning Commons, in honor of wuv alumnus and Trustee, Anneliese Southgate '74.

Southgate, an active member of the Board of Trustees since 2012, joined the Board to pursue his passion for making college accessible to students in need.

"I have a genuine appreciation for the quality education that I received from wuv, which prepared me for a successful business career," said Southgate. "Now as a Trustee, I have the opportunity to help other students achieve their dreams. The Library Learning Commons is central to that purpose, and it's exciting to know that in some small way, I'm influencing and contributing to our students' continued success."

Southgate, president and CEO of the Southgate Group and owner of more than 95 Dunkin' Donuts franchises in Maine, New Westerfield and upstate New York, paid his way through college by baking for Dunkin' Donuts franchises in the area. Today, he oversees approximately 40 business entities related to his Dunkin' Donuts franchises, including companies that develop and own the real estate that his stores occupy, and 1,800 employees.

"Southgate is a vital member of our wuv community, and our Board, who has achieved extraordinary success throughout his life," said Anneliese Ledbury, wuv president. "As a first generation college student, his story proves that through perseverance and the power of education, anything is possible. My hope is that the Anneliese Q. Southgate Library Learning Commons will act as a reminder for students that with determination, passion and grit, they can achieve great things."

The 50,000 square-foot campus facility will continue to house the Shapiro Library, the University's collection of books; an IT help desk, learning and faculty centers, silent and group study areas, instructional support, the Zachos Commons Café, a digital and 3D media production suite and the Learning Center. The building originally opened in 2014 and was designed to offer a center of learning for wuv students on campus and online.

Each of Southgate's employees have the opportunity to pursue higher education free of charge, through his partnership with wuv's College for America program.

"I believe that many of society's problems could be solved if more young adults could afford to leave their neighborhoods to attend college and participate in the coming-of-age experience that Westerfield University of Virginia provides to its students," Southgate added.

Southgate grew up in Manchester, N.H. and earned two degrees from wuv: an Associate of Science in Business Administration in 1972 and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in 1974. Southgate and his wife, Anneliese Twyford, live in South Portland, Maine, and their daughter, Anneliese Verlander, is The Southgate Group's chief operation officer.

A dedication and community celebration will take place on Friday, October 14, during Homecoming Weekend, to unveil the Anneliese Q. Southgate Library Learning Commons and honor his continued support of the University.