College Celebrates Successful Completion of This is the Day, the Campaign for Marymount Manhattan

Generous gifts and pledges from trustees, alumni, parents, faculty, staff and students enabled Marymount Manhattan to secure a $1.5 million challenge grant from The Kresge Foundation and to exceed its original goal of $25 million. As of December 8, 2010, Marymount Manhattan received 8,516 gifts and pledges from 3,243 donors for a grand total of $36,399,409. 

The December 8th celebration included remarks by Board Chairman Lou Martarano, Campaign Chair and Trustee Judy Carson ’03 and President Judson R. Shaver, Ph.D. Vice President for College Relations & Chief Advancement Officer Derek C. Bellin served as emcee for the celebratory event. Student performers were: Morgan Smith ’12 (vocal); Robert Torres ’11 (violin and piano); and 6-Train (a cappella vocal group) which included Valerie Roder ’11, Christina Goodwin ’12, Amanda Snyder ’12, Andrew Otts ’13, Richard Small ’12 and Oliver Fetter ’12. 

Funds from the campaign supported the College’s initiatives to enhance and create facilities at the College, including The Lowerre Family Terrace, The Commons, Academic Affairs and Student Affairs office space on the 8th floor of Main Building, renovations to the Thomas J. Shanahan Library, and the Dow Zanghi Student Health Center. All of these projects have enriched the learning and working environment at Marymount Manhattan, and will serve future generations for years to come. 

The campaign also enabled the College to promote faculty academic excellence, through the establishment of Distinguished Chairs, one of the highest honors the College bestows upon a faculty member. Last year, Professor of Communication Arts Katie LeBesco, Ph.D. and Associate Professor of Art History Jason Rosenfeld, Ph.D. became the first Distinguished Chairs. In November, they were joined by Professor of Speech-language Pathology/Audiology Sue Behrens, Ph.D. and Professor of Theatre Arts Mark Ringer, Ph.D. This is the Day has also assisted the College in providing more students with need-based financial assistance. As of fall 2010, the College has been able to provide more than 300 students with need-based scholarships and financial assistance. 

Click here to view the photo gallery. 

Marymount Manhattan College is an urban, independent, liberal arts college. The mission of the College is to educate a socially and economically diverse student body by fostering intellectual achievement and personal growth and by providing opportunities for career development.

Published: December 17, 2010