St. Norbert College sets new donation record - $15.5 million all-time record for giving in one year

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From St. Norbert College, March 4, 2011
by Mike Counter, mike.counter@snc.edu, 920-403-3089

An anonymous gift of $1.5 million to build a new locker room at Schneider Stadium has allowed St. Norbert College to set a new gift record of $15.5 million in fiscal year 2010-2011, with several months remaining to add to that total. The college's previous record was $15.3 million in 2005, which included the lead gift for the college's new Miriam B. and James J. Mulva Library.

"It's wonderful to see. Our St. Norbert families are showing support even in a tough economy," said Phil Oswald, vice president of advancement at St. Norbert, referring to the fact that SNC is bucking the national trend of reduced philanthropic support to nonprofits. "The vision of President Thomas Kunkel and the college's strategic plan are getting significant attention and support from our alumni and donors. This sets the stage for an even greater St. Norbert College student experience."

St. Norbert received a variety of major gifts this fiscal year, including the $7 million donation from the Michels family to transform the school's Sensenbrenner Memorial Union into a state-of-the-art commons and dining facility. Construction begins in May and will be completed by May 2012.

The college also received just over $1 million to create the Ariens Family Welcome Center for prospective students and college guests. The building will house the Ed and Sally Thompson Office of Communications and the Roland and Helen Murphy Office of Admission. The project involves doubling the size of the existing facility with a new reception rotunda, presentation room, gallery and offices. Construction is underway and will be complete by September 1.

Other financial support includes $1.5 for scholarships and $1.3 for academic programs and faculty support.

Kunkel said, "St. Norbert is a strong institution, and it is getting stronger -- precisely because of the generosity of those who support our mission. We are grateful for the opportunities they give us to make a real difference in the lives of our students and in our community."
"We still have big challenges ahead," he added. "A new science hall is a major priority, and especially in this challenging environment, support for faculty, programs and scholarship is critical."

Oswald said the St. Norbert College annual fund, which provides financial aid to its students, is also doing well and is further evidence of the passion alumni and others feel for the college. The annual fund is $150,000 ahead of last year at this time, having raised $1,258,000.