Brescia University is Stepping into Its Second Century with Launch of $3 Million Campaign This newest campaign will fund various special initiatives and campus

Fr. Larry Hostetter, Brescia University President, announced the launch of a new, $3 million special initiatives campaign for the University.  “Onward, Brescia!: Stepping into Our Second Century” will take place over the next fiscal year and funds raised  will  support a variety of targeted initiatives and campus enhancements aimed at recruitment, growth, new programming, and the overall student experience.  The announcement was made at a celebration dinner at which faculty, staff, students, trustees, alumni, donors, and government officials were gathered on Friday evening.

The announcement came on the heels of Fr. Larry sharing that the University was bringing an early close to “The Campaign for Brescia University: Gateway to Our Second Century”, which exceeded its fundraising goal by $3.6 million.  The “Gateway to Our Second Century” capital campaign was launched as a $10 million campaign in October 2014.  The goal was surpassed a year earlier than anticipated and served to fund the renovation of the Moore Center, which opened in September 2017, and the C.E. Field Center for Professional Studies, slated for completion in January 2020.  In addition, the University is constructing a new residence hall on the north end of campus that will open in August 2019. 

“We conducted a feasibility study in 2013 to determine the breadth of our fundraising possibilities and set a stretch goal for ourselves at $10 million.  I am so grateful to our many friends and supporters who have helped us come so far and helped us reach the $13.6 million mark.  The Gateway to Our Second Century Capital Campaign has ensured Brescia will remain a competitive leader in the region’s higher education landscape for the next 100 years while remaining rooted in the history and heritage of our Ursuline sisters who founded Brescia in 1925.   But we are only getting started,” stated Fr. Larry.  “Onward, Brescia! will fund several key initiatives that will be foundational not only to Brescia’s second century, but will also allow us to do what we have historically done and that is respond to the signs of the times and meet some very specific needs in our greater community through education, partnerships, and collaboration. 

The new special initiatives campaign coincides with the development of the final 5-year strategic plan of Brescia University’s first century, and will serve to jump start several key facets of the new plan which is scheduled to be approved by the University’s Board of Trustees in October.  Additional details about what will be included in that plan will be released at a later date.  The University has conducted numerous conversations and focus groups with students, faculty, staff, alumni, trustees, and community members in order to better understand their vision for the future of the institution and to shape the plan accordingly.  “Onward, Brescia!” will serve to support various key elements of the strategic plan, which in turn will enhance the experience of the students at Brescia. 

Brescia University has experienced unprecedented growth over the past five years since the launch of the Gateway campaign in 2014, ground breaking of the Moore Center in March of 2016, its opening in 2017, and the ground breaking of the Field Center in the spring of 2018.  Even with the completion of the Gateway capital campaign, Brescia is still expanding and growing.  Construction on the yet to-be-named St. Ann Residence Hall started in February and will be complete by August.  A second residence hall will be constructed in the near future.  In addition, the University experienced a record breaking freshman class in 2018. 

“The momentum on campus is palpable.  The plan we are developing will help to ensure Brescia truly is a 21st century institution, not an institution trying to respond to 21st century needs.  I will be excited to share future developments.  I think the greater Owensboro community will be well served by Brescia’s enduring strength and presence,” stated Fr. Larry.

During the Friday night celebration event, Brescia University recognized donors, both the members of the University’s Society of the Arch and the previous capital campaign. 

“Those who support the University through their time, talent, and treasure are a key element to the success and growth we have experienced,” stated Tracy Naylor, Vice President for Institutional Advancement.  ”They believe in our mission and ensure the Ursuline tradition of personal and social transformation through education never grows dim.  “Onward, Brescia!” is available to anyone who wants to leave their mark on our community, our University, and impact the lives of others.  Our future is bright because of the generosity of others and for that we are so grateful.”

For more information about the Brescia University and the “Onward, Brescia!” campaign, visit www.brescia.edu or contact Tracy Naylor, Vice President for Institutional Advancement at 270.686.9551 or [email protected].