Benedictine college Campaign Booklet

I N V E S T I N G I NE X C E L L E N C E

B e n e d i c t i n e c o l l e g e

I n v e s t I n g I n excellence

1 InvestIng In eXCeLLenCe

We must act now and we must act boldly.

Stephen D. Minnis President

our

VISION 1 InvestIng In eXCeLLenCe

e are proud to Lead

this comprehensive

campaign for Benedictine

College as it works to achieve a new

level of excellence. the $50 million

goal is a challenge, four times

larger than anything the college

has attempted before. However, we

feel it is absolutely achievable and

abundantly neccessary.

the college was founded 150

years ago and, over the years, has

grown increasingly respected for its

mission as a Catholic, Benedictine,

residential, liberal arts institution.

For generations, Benedictine

College has offered the opportunity

for young people to realize their

potential. It has helped them

achieve excellence in faith, family,

community, and career.

as alumni, success has come to

many of us through adherence to the

morals, ethics, and values instilled in

us by this institution. Benedictine

College and its parent institutions,

Mount st. scholastica College and

st. Benedict’s College, have given

us more than we could ever repay,

and, as alumni, we are privileged to

contribute to this cause. We know

these contributions of both time and

treasure are sure to benefit future

generations.

Sincerely,

thomas Hoenig, ’68 C. patrick McLarney, ’64

It is with great pleasure that we lead

our alma mater in this important

effort. We are asking you to

prayerfully consider an investment

in excellence. Within these pages,

you will find many opportunities to

make a difference. please take some

time to ref lect on your interests and

the best way for you to support the

college will become apparent.

on behalf of Benedictine College,

we invite you to participate in this

historic campaign. We look forward

to working with you through the

process. and we thank you for

investing in excellence.

from the CHAIRS

W

2

HrougH tHe years,

the sisters of Mount st.

scholastica Monastery

and the monks of st. Benedict’s

abbey, along with thousands of

dedicated men and women, have

celebrated great achievements:

forging a new educational institution

on the american frontier, national

athletic championships, and a nobel

Laureate alumna. We have also

overcome numerous challenges:

the Civil War, the merging of two

schools steeped in culture and

tradition, and financial uncertainty.

It is with deep gratitude and great

pride in the entire Benedictine

community that I lead a college

today that stands ready for a bright

future as one of the great Catholic

colleges in america.

Benedictine College’s efforts over

the past several years have been

rewarded both on campus and

throughout the nation. We have

seen sustained enrollment growth for

more than 10 years, leading to the

largest incoming freshman class and

the largest undergraduate enrollment

in the history of the college.

from the PRESIDENT

U.S. News & World Report has named

Benedictine College one of america’s

best colleges. The Newman Guide

to Choosing a Catholic College

has named us one of the top 20

Catholic colleges in the country. We

are featured on national television

shows on the aBC Family network,

Women’s entertainment television,

and pBs.

as we head into our sesquicentennial

celebration, a new light is shining

on Benedictine College. success,

stability, and progress are the order

of the day. It is time to seize this

moment and propel Benedictine

College to new and greater heights.

enhancing the endowment, building

a new academic Center, constructing

a Marian grotto, and renovating

Westerman Hall are vital to the

college’s long-term success. Funding

the components of this effort will

empower Benedictine College to

demonstrate excellence through new

achievements in faith-based higher

education.

Sincerely,

stephen d. Minnis, ’82

T We must act now and we must act

boldly to ensure the future, and make

the move from a small liberal arts

college tucked along the banks of the

Missouri river to one of the great

Catholic colleges in america.

It is necessary to strive for greatness.

It is possible to meet and go beyond

our goals. It is yours and mine to

achieve. Join me in shaping the

Benedictine College of tomorrow.

Join me in this campaign.


Benedictine College we are building one of the great

Catholic colleges in america. Building a great Catholic

college requires a community-wide commitment to

excellence. We must dedicate ourselves to educating students to become

leaders in the Benedictine tradition, who will transform the world through

their commitment to intellectual, personal, and spiritual greatness.

to achieve this vision, we must invest in people, programs, and facilities.

We must invest in excellence.

this campaign, by addressing scholarship dollars, academic facilities,

endowed academic chairs, aspects of community, class size, and even student-

faculty interaction, will continue to help the college attract high-achieving

students and will demonstrate the Benedictine commitment to excellence.

exce l lence

At

4

Benedictine College is committed to its mission of educating men and women within a

community of faith and scholarship and its vision of building one of the great Catholic colleges in

america. attention to this mission and vision has resulted in a true renaissance at the college.

a decade of continuous enrollment growth, recognition from U.S. News & World Report, exemplary

status for our education programs, incredible graduate placement rates, and tremendously

successful alumni are just a few of the indicators showing the rising momentum. Benedictine

College is now at the forefront of Catholic higher education. the Investing in excellence

Campaign will build on this positive momentum, securing a strong and vibrant future for

generations of Benedictine students.


Excellence in FacilitieSaCCordIng to tHe MIddLe states CoMMIssIon on HIgHer eduCatIon, there are several components that indicate excellence in higher education. one key standard is the quality of an

institution’s facilities. at Benedictine College, enrollment growth is putting pressure on the existing living and

teaching facilities. Housing on the residential campus is at a premium and the college has invested in three new

residence halls in the past few years: the renovation of Freshman Hall, now Ferrell Hall, in 2001; the construction of

st. scholastica Hall in 2005; and the construction of the new apartment-style residence complex for upperclassmen

in 2008. the addition of living space dictates a corresponding addition of classrooms, courses, and faculty. the

Investing in excellence Campaign addresses this standard by providing for faculty office space and classrooms

necessary to adequately teach the growing population. the new academic Center, the keystone of the capital projects

within the campaign, will give the college room to grow for years to come.

6

Excellence in ReSouRceSa CrItICaL standard oF eXCeLLenCe Is tHe sIze oF an InstItutIon’s endowment. the Benedictine College Investing in excellence campaign addresses the relatively small endowment by

calling for a 200 percent increase in the fund. this is a daunting, but not unreasonable, amount. a great Catholic

college needs an adequate endowment to relieve the pressure on enrollment growth and institutional dollars. a

small endowment fund combined with a highly competitive marketplace means institutional dollars must be spent

on the scholarships necessary to recruit high achieving students to Benedictine. premier colleges across the nation

are known for their healthy endowments, and Benedictine needs to move into that neighborhood. By growing the

Benedictine College endowment to $30 million, we are moving up the scale and helping to guarantee the future of

the college. We are assuring the coming generations that this outstanding education will be available for them …

and for their children.

Excellence in

academicSan outstandIng CurrICuLuM oF study, In partICuLar an eXperIentIaL learning program which prepares students for success in the real world, is another indication of excellence. the

hands-on approach to education gives the student an active role in the educational process. the Benedictine College

discovery program provides the same learning experience across campus. discovery is an educational process in

which students are central and teaching and learning are active, collaborative, and inquiry-based. the liberal arts

curriculum guides students toward an active quest for and an understanding of truth. It characterizes the Benedictine

pursuit of the liberal arts.

the Investing in excellence Campaign, indirectly through its capital projects and scholarships and directly through

research grants and fellowships, addresses the need to continue and expand the discovery program.

With your help, the Investing in excellence Campaign will ensure proper financial, technical, physical, and other

resources are available and accessible to students, faculty, and staff.

“The professors here at Benedictine College are the foundation on which I can develop to my full potential. Their dedication and one on one attention are second to none.”


Daniel Volk Student

endowment CoMparIson

data as of July 1, 2006

source : Ipeds

$80

$70

$60

$50

$40

$30

$20

$10

$0

Ben

edic

tine

Col

lege

Lora

s C

olle

ge

Bak

er u

nive

rsity

roc

khur

st u

nive

rsity

Will

iam

Jew

ell C

olle

ge

aqu

inas

Col

lege

gra

cela

nd u

nive

rsity

val

ues

in

Mil

lio

ns

$24 million capital pRojectS • Academic Center $21 million

(Including: Grotto, Central Plant, Quad, and Site Work)

• Westerman Hall $3 million

$20 million endowment

• Scholarships (Presidential, Dean’s, Athletic, Leadership)

• Faculty Chairs

• Endowed Professorships

• Fellowships

$6 million annual Fund Addressing the ongoing needs of providing an excellent Benedictine education.

campaign Goals

8

treanor architects, p.a., of Lawrence, Kansas, designed the academic center.

embracing the Benedictine charism, the firm has remained true to the Benedictine

sense of community and the college’s brick and limestone architecture. the

treanor team has been instrumental in the renovation or construction of many

of the college’s buildings, including:

Freshman Hall, now known as Ferrell Hall, an award winning, state-of-the-art residence hall (left).

St. Scholastica Hall, housing 140 women (middle).

The new apartment-style residence hall for upperclassmen (right).


capital Projects

ifts to support state-of-the-art laboratories, purchase science instruments

and equipment, and fund specific curricula are necessary. With updated

facilities, the award-winning biology department, for instance, will be able

to match its outstanding fieldwork with excellent lab work. Capital improvements

within Westerman Hall will not only help advance the pursuit of knowledge,

but will also enhance recruiting efforts.

G

10

Benedictine College is proud

to count world-renowned and

distinguished alumni among the

graduates of its science programs.

Wangari Maathai, MssC, ’64,

received the 2004 nobel peace

prize. Michael Murray, ’71, is dean-

emeritus of the Mayo Clinic College

of Medicine. Joseph petelin, ’73,

is an internationally recognized

surgeon and pioneer in the field of

laparoscopic surgery.

these are just a few examples of the

kinds of graduates educated within

the science programs at Benedictine

College. Benedictine science

students are accepted to graduate and

medical schools at an extremely high

rate and Benedictine alumni are top

achievers.

Benedictine’s history of excellence

in the sciences continues today. the

award-winning Biology department

was recently awarded a major grant

from the u.s. army Corps of

engineers to conduct a nationally

significant study on Cottonwood

trees in the Missouri river valley.

several science programs recently

teamed with a corporate partner,

Mgp Ingredients Inc., to provide

science and technology internships to

Benedictine students.

With the establishment of a new

degree in engineering physics,

Benedictine College has taken

the first step toward offering an

engineering program, which will be a

first for a small, Catholic, liberal arts

college.

Westerman Hall Renovation

the Investing in excellence campaign

seeks $3 million to ensure facilities

in Westerman Hall, the “science

building,” can continue to support

the acclaimed level of teaching taking

place inside its walls. Westerman

Hall improvements are necessary to

allow for modern safety practices and

state-of-the-art scientific equipment.

It is vital that the science facilities on

campus keep pace with the demand

for continued excellence in these

fields.


new academic centeRThe

FlooR plan

new academic centeR

new academic centeR: naming oppoRtunitieS

1ST FLOORDepartment of Business Administration $2,500,000

2nd FLOORDepartment of Education $2,500,000

14

new academic centeR: naming oppoRtunitieS

4th FLOORAdministrative & Conferencing $2,500,000

3rd FLOORDepartments of Theology & Philosophy $2,500,000


a great Catholic college needs quality teaching space.

More than ten years of enrollment growth has filled all

available classroom space throughout most of the day.

It is not uncommon for students to take classes during

the lunch hour and in the evening, a practice that

was once rare. Classrooms built into new residence

halls are already filled and even o’Malley-Mcallister

auditorium routinely provides space for teaching,

a move away from the small class sizes for which

Benedictine is known.

Construction of the new academic Center will provide

the infrastructure necessary to meet current space

needs while positioning the college for continued

growth and success in the years to come.

Built on the eastern edge of the quad and overlooking

the bluff between Westerman Hall and st. Benedict

Hall, a new 64,000 square foot academic Center

will serve as an enduring landmark of the college’s

commitment to academic excellence. the Center’s

open rotunda and wide hallways will foster the

Benedictine tradition of community while classrooms

and faculty offices will house four academic

departments on campus: Business, education,

philosophy, and theology.

two of these programs, Business and

education, are currently housed in

the oldest building on campus, Bishop

Fink Hall. By providing a modern,

collegiate-level, teaching environment,

the new academic Center will position

these two strong departments for

continued excellence.

the five-story Fink Hall can no

longer support necessary classroom

technology, lacks an elevator and handicapped access,

has inadequate electrical wiring, and makes it difficult

to provide a first-class education. since Business and

education are the two departments in which the college

offers graduate degrees, the need for change is even more

compelling.

theology has been the fastest growing major on campus.

In fact, Benedictine College now boasts one of the largest

undergraduate theology programs in the nation. With

this growth comes the need for more space. Moving the

department of theology, along with philosophy, out of

st. Benedict Hall also allows for needed renovations,

providing the social sciences with superior classroom and

academic research space on the fourth f loor.

the Investing in excellence campaign seeks $21 million

to build this new academic Center, the grotto, and the

central plant.

New Academic Center

16

as a Catholic institution of higher learning, Benedictine College is committed to enlightening the minds and enlivening

the hearts of everyone it touches. a campaign committed to excellence simply cannot overlook the importance of faith

in daily campus life. the Investing in excellence campaign will fund a beautiful new grotto, dedicated to the Blessed

Mother, on the western edge of the academic quad. nestled on the hillside next to the historic brick walkway from

the Haverty Center and student union up to st. Benedict Hall, the grotto will be visible from most of campus. It

will enhance the activities and mission of Campus Ministry programming and serve as a place for quiet meditation,

inspiration, and outdoor prayer. a demonstration of the thriving faith life on campus, a Marian grotto will help

remind us all of the importance of prayer in the search for truth and the quest for knowledge.

naming opportunity: $2,500,000

MarIan Grotto


strong endoWMent Fund Is a HaLLMarK oF a great CoLLege.

Gifts to the endowment strengthen the quality of a Benedictine College education by funding

scholarships, maintaining libraries, supporting academic programs, funding ground-breaking research,

and providing ongoing support in many ways. Although their specific uses may vary, all endowment

funds at Benedictine College have a common goal: to support the college not just for one year, one

decade, or one generation, but in perpetuity.

An endowment acts as a savings account, growing larger over time while paying out a portion of its earnings for the needs on campus. One of the main elements of the campaign is to triple the size of Benedictine’s endowment, raising it to $30 million. Scholarships, faculty resources, and fellowships benefit from endowment earnings and ensure the financial well being of the college and the academic success of its students.

A

Without exception, great colleges have great faculty. the presence of esteemed faculty members helps attract the most talented students. endowed faculty chairs, professorships, and fellowships are the most significant awards bestowed upon faculty members and are lasting ways to help the college build its reputation as a premier institution of higher learning. donors who choose to endow a faculty position recognize that their gift will make a lasting, living contribution and strengthen the core of Benedictine College, securing it as one of the great Catholic colleges in america.

commitment 18

endowment Giving

the practice of endowing faculty positions began more than 500 years ago when, in 1502, the Countess of richmond endowed chairs in divinity at the university of oxford and the university of Cambridge in england. there has since been a long history of strong and mutally beneficial relationships between benefactors and higher education. endowed faculty positions are highly esteemed in the academic world, and holding such a position is considered a great honor.

Support for Faculty: Endowed Facul ty Chairs, Professorships and Fel lowships

19 InvestIng In eXCeLLenCe commitment

Benedictine College seeks to establish several endowed faculty chairs. these positions will provide resources to

attract faculty who will build programs that can make a real difference for both Benedictine College and the world.

the income from these permanently invested funds provides for salary, benefits, and a long-term commitment that

often enables these outstanding educators to pursue projects that would otherwise be out of reach.

endowed professorships generate income from permanently invested funds and help cover the cost of a faculty

position. since these positions are considered an honor, the establishment of their endowment will allow

Benedictine College the ability to reward its best faculty and recruit leading professors, widening the breadth of talent

and securing an outstanding education for Benedictine students.

Most highly regarded private colleges and large public universities require a gift of $1 to $3 million to endow a

faculty chair or professorship. as we move to become one of the great Catholic colleges in america, the Benedictine

College Investing in excellence campaign seeks commitments of $1.5 million to fund a chair and $1 million to fund a

professorship.

this campaign also seeks several endowed faculty fellowships. these grants are generally awarded on a yearly basis,

allowing faculty to undertake special projects and provide unique opportunities for students. through the Investing

in excellence campaign, Benedictine College seeks to establish several faculty fellowships of $200,000 each.

20

planned givingplanned gifts are often great ways to establish or contribute to an endowment. planned gifts can

be made through trusts, bequests, life insurance, annuities, real estate, and retirement funds. the

office of advancement staff at Benedictine College is prepared to help you determine the best

vehicle for your planned gift. you can learn more at www.benedictine.edu/plannedgiving.

Support for Students: Endowed Scholarshipsas higher education becomes increasingly expensive, Benedictine College cherishes the generous gifts from alumni

and friends that lead to endowed scholarships for current and future students.

endowed scholarships provide access and are vital to the college’s recruiting and retention efforts. strong and

well-established scholarship programs attract the best and brightest students to Benedictine without tapping annual

operating funds or relying on tuition increases.

existing scholarship programs have had a significant impact on the college’s enrollment growth. the Investing in

excellence campaign seeks to build on this success and create new scholarship program opportunities, making a

Benedictine education more widely accessible.

“Funding an endowed scholarship is both a permanent and personal way for benefactors to impact the life of a Benedictine student and ensure the ongoing resources are available for generations to come.”

Dr. Kimberly ShankmanDean of the College


presIdentIaL sCHoLarsHIps

the presidential scholarship is the most prestigious

Benedictine College award. a full tuition scholarship,

the presidential is awarded on the basis of a

multifaceted competition based on academic ability,

achievement, and leadership potential. By establishing

an endowed presidential scholarship, a donor will enjoy

an on-going relationship with these talented students.

dean’s sCHoLarsHIps

the dean’s scholarships also reward academically

talented students who can have a high impact on the

Benedictine College community. these generous

three-quarter tuition scholarships allow high achieving

students a chance to be ravens. a donor will provide

substantial support for future academic scholars by

endowing a dean’s scholarship.

“There is no question that at Benedictine College we are educating future CEOs, bank presidents, doctors, lawyers, teachers, and principals, but we also take very seriously the fact that we are educating future parish council members, school board presidents, scout leaders, little league coaches, and mothers and fathers.”

Stephen D. Minnis, ’82President

22

atHLetIC sCHoLarsHIps

Benedictine College has built a national reputation

for outstanding student athletes, integrity in

competition, and high quality athletic programs. an

endowed athletic scholarship represents an everlasting

commitment to the ravens and ensures that quality

student-athletes wear red & Black for years to come.

an endowment, invested in perpetuity, generates

income to fund a scholarship that will help maintain

quality and both expand and enhance recruiting

opportunities.

endowed athletic scholarships offer a unique

opportunity for alumni, friends, and fans to name

intercollegiate scholarships and leave a lasting legacy

to the program. these scholarships will also ensure

that Benedictine College remains competitive both on

the field and in the classroom.

LeadersHIp sCHoLarsHIps

great leaders transform society. Benedictine College

is committed to educating students to become leaders

in the Benedictine tradition, transforming the world

through their dedication to intellectual, personal,

and spiritual greatness. the Investing in excellence

campaign seeks to establish endowed scholarships for

students who exhibit the qualities that make a strong

leader ... responsibility, drive, vision, respect.

prograM-speCIFIC sCHoLarsHIps

a benefactor may specify any program or department

as the recipient of a restricted, endowed scholarship.

Business scholarships, music scholarships,

international study scholarships, and scholarships

for veterans are just a few examples of permanent

funds set up for individuals in specific departments,

programs, or with specific needs. Benedictine College

educates students from ordinary backgrounds and

equips them to lead extraordinary lives. We are

committed to maintaining an academic environment

in which all students, no matter what their

background, are challenged to reach their fullest

potential. through the Investing in excellence

campaign, a donor may establish an endowed

scholarship with a minimum gift of $25,000. Invested

in perpetuity, the endowment will generate income to

fund a scholarship according to the donor’s wishes.


endowment gifts can also help directly support one of the most important and far-reaching

programs at Benedictine College … discovery.

For almost 15 years, the discovery program has allowed students to conduct extra-curricular

research in collaboration with their professors. It has brought new knowledge to many fields

and has sparked an interest in lifelong learning within a large group of students. endowed

grants for research would allow the college to greatly expand this program and involve a larger

percentage of the student body.

to learn more about the campaign,

inc luding naming oppor tunit ies ,

est abl i shing an endowed scholar ship,

endowing a facul ty chair, professorship,

or fe l lowship, or s imply how to make a

g i f t , p lease go to our websi te at

www.benedict ine .edu/excel lence , or

contact :

office of advancement

Benedictine college

1020 north Second Street

atchison, KS 66002

www.benedictine.edu/excellence

913.360.7414

support for the D iscoveryP rogram

24

That in al l things

God may be glor i f ied.

Rule of St. Benedict Ch. 57.9

www.benedict ine.edu/excel lence

Documents

Benedictine college Campaign Booklet