“I have grown into my own skin at Saint Mary’s and have been given a platform, a voice, and a method to be able to speak out on my opinions to make meaningful change.”
Project Updates
The Kris Anderson Trustey '86 Challenge
Throughout its history, Saint Mary’s College has consistently upheld a delicate balance of growth and preservation. Over the years, leaders such as Mother Angela Gillespie, CSC, Mother Pauline O'Neill, CSC, Sister Madeleva Wolff, CSC, and Dr. Carol Ann Mooney ’72, seized strategic growth opportunities and maintained a mindfulness of the benefits of studying in an intimate setting surrounded by beauty – both natural and manmade.
The Sisters of the Holy Cross, Saint Mary’s foundresses, offered Saint Mary’s accessibly to a large plot of land (41.3 acres) just north and west of the current college campus. As an opportunity that very much aligns with the College’s traditional vision of balancing heritage with growth, Saint Mary’s entered into a purchasing agreement with the Sisters for the land.
The College was able to secure this strategic parcel of land with the help of alumna Kris Anderson Trustey ’86 who issued a matching challenge to raise a total of $2.55 million. Kris gave $1 for every $1 pledged up to $1.275 million. The College is grateful for Kris’ leadership and for the generosity of the donors who participated in the Challenge.
This land purchase, which expands the College’s footprint by 40%, lends Saint Mary’s the ability to continue to grow strategically for the benefit of future generations. Furthermore, this mutually valuable arrangement is a testament to the College’s strong relationship with the Sisters.
"My Saint Mary's experience helped form me into the person I am today. Expanding the campus footprint through this strategic purchase of land means that Saint Mary's can dream big for the benefit of future generations of young women. I hope you will join me by investing in this exciting opportunity for growth at our beloved College." - Kris Anderson Trustey ’86
Angela Athletic & Wellness Complex
The College recently completed the Angela Athletic & Wellness Complex renovation and expansion project resulting in a 103,000 square foot complex. More than $26 million was raised through the generosity of parents, alumnae, and friends of the College for this project. Enhancements to the complex’s neighboring Patricia Wiedner Purcell ’69 Athletic Fields were also completed as part of this project.
The new state-of-the-art building includes:
- a three-court fieldhouse for varsity team and club sports practices, intramurals, and other student activities
- an elevated track
- dedicated spaces for yoga, pilates, spinning, and other fitness classes
- an indoor golf room
- Murphy’s Cafe
- multiple study and social areas
- the Mary Lee Sheftic ’58 Health and Counseling Center
- various sustainable features, such as an energy recovery wheel and a white roof which both conserve energy
For information on the upcoming Angela Athletic & Wellness Complex Dedication and its surrounding celebratory events, including the Living Well: Body, Mind, and Spirit Wellness Day, click here.
Science Hall
In Fall 2016, Saint Mary’s completed the expansion and renovation of the Science Hall, which houses the Department of Chemistry and Physics and the Department of Biology and supports the Dual Degree in Engineering Program, the Sophia Program, as well as the Department of Nursing. After completing the project, the College dedicated the new building that incorporates collaborative meeting spaces and modern technology. The addition and updates to the Science Hall were made possible by a $9 million gift from Clayton and Mary Ann Mathile and a $1 million gift from their daughter, Jennifer Mathile Prikkel ’95. This gift totaling $10 million is the largest private gift made to the College to date.
Updates include:
- state-of-the-art lab spaces
- group study rooms
- new faculty offices
- additional and renovated classroom spaces
- new classroom and lab furniture and cabinetry
- renovations to the basement
- an addition on the south side of the current facility
- a new greenhouse