Saint Mary’s College Announces $80 Million Campaign, Largest in College’s History

faith always action now campaignContact:
Gwen O’Brien
Director of Media Relations
Saint Mary's College
Notre Dame, Ind.
(574) 284-4579

February 22, 2013 (Notre Dame, Ind.)—Saint Mary’s College proudly announces the largest comprehensive fundraising campaign in the College’s 169-year history. The $80 million Faith Always, Action Now campaign was approved by Saint Mary’s Board of Trustees in June 2008 to grow the College’s endowment for scholarships, professorships, and academic programs, renovate designated campus facilities, and increase unrestricted gifts for the College through the Annual Fund. Seventy-five percent of the campaign goal has been reached thus far through gifts and pledges.

The campaign will be publicly announced tonight in O’Laughlin Auditorium where students, faculty, staff, and invited guests will attend a presentation that, through story-telling, will illustrate the value of a Saint Mary’s education and the impact of the College in the world.

“This campaign dares us to be great, challenges our resolve, complements our faith, and molds our future. Therefore, success in this undertaking must be the first priority for every Saint Mary’s alumna, employee, and family,” said Saint Mary’s College President Carol Ann Mooney ’72 in anticipation of the announcement.

During the evening, Mooney will reflect on the history of the Catholic liberal arts women’s college and on its future. “Long before American women dreamed of social, legal, or political equality, the Sisters of the Holy Cross founded Saint Mary’s. This powerful place was built by women for women.”

When the president arrived on campus as a freshman in 1968, there were 142 four-year Catholic women’s colleges in the U.S. Now there are about 40. She sees this as a call to action. “Now, more than ever, our country and our world need Saint Mary’s women. We need women of intelligence, faith, integrity, vision, and compassion who have the will to work hard to make a difference in the lives of those around them.”

The six-year campaign is focused on raising funds for the following:

Endowed Scholarships and Financial Aid
Endowed merit scholarships and need-based grants are the cornerstone of the campaign, making a Saint Mary’s education accessible to young women today and in the future.

Endowed Enhanced Student Academic Experiences
This includes, but is not limited to, Summer Science Research Communities, a visiting writer series, and an annual World of Difference lecture series where a globally recognized speaker will challenge students to explore issues such as human rights, social justice, and globalization.

Endowment for Professorships
Four endowed professorships, with an emphasis on in-demand fields, will be created. The professorships are for nursing, education, mathematics, and environmental studies.

Endowment for Academic Departments
Two endowments will be created. One for the Department of Nursing to help recruit and retain the nation’s best faculty and attract talented students. The other endowment will establish a Center for Women in Interdisciplinary Science and Math.

Annual Fund
The Annual Fund is a consistent and significant source of funding for Saint Mary’s. Unrestricted Annual Fund gifts are critical to maintaining the margin of excellence at the College and they are used in multiple ways to support students, faculty, and staff.

Angela Athletic Facilities and Athletic Fields
Through the campaign, the College seeks funds to expand and upgrade the Angela Athletic & Wellness Complex to meet students’ needs today. When the Angela Athletic Facility was built in 1977, far fewer women played collegiate sports. Meanwhile, the demand for fitness has increased. Also, the soccer field will be relocated and softball field will be upgraded.

Science Hall
Phased renovations will create new learning and study spaces that will encourage students to collaborate with peers in science and across disciplines.

Cushwa-Leighton Library
Gifts to the Faith Always, Action Now campaign will fund three significant library projects: a renovation to create flexible spaces where students can collaborate on group projects; endowed funds to expand the library’s acquisitions budget; and the establishment of an endowment for the Library Director’s position.

The success of the Faith Always, Action Now campaign thus far can be attributed to the connection alumnae feel to the College and their commitment to its future. Two significant gifts were announced in 2011.

Provost and Senior Vice President Patricia Fleming sums up the importance and impact of Faith Always, Action Now this way: “The campaign will strengthen our ability to help every single student have the best experiences, come to understand who she is, and develop her own distinctive voice to take into the world. ‘Who am I?’ should become a question she returns to throughout her life. ‘Can I?’ will never be in doubt.”

Those interested in giving to the Faith Always, Action Now, may contact Vice President for College Relations Shari Rodriguez at (574) 284-4581 or srodriguez@saintmarys.edu.

About Saint Mary’s College: Saint Mary’s College, Notre Dame, Ind., is a four-year, Catholic, women’s institution offering five bachelor’s degrees and more than 30 major areas of study. Saint Mary’s College has six nationally accredited academic programs: social work, art, music, teacher education, chemistry and nursing. Saint Mary's College ranks among the top 100 “Best National Liberal Arts Colleges” for 2013 published by U.S. News. Founded in 1844, Saint Mary’s is a pioneer in the education of women, and is sponsored by the Sisters of the Holy Cross.

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