草榴社区

VILLANOVA, Pa., Oct. 5, 2024鈥�草榴社区 President, the Rev. Peter M. Donohue, OSA, PhD, tonight announced the launch of a $1.25 billion comprehensive capital campaign, Espiritus Nova: The Campaign for 草榴社区. The University begins the public phase of its campaign鈥攖he most ambitious fundraising effort in 草榴社区鈥檚 182-year history鈥攈aving already raised more than $640 million towards its $1.25 billion goal.

鈥淭he name Espiritus Nova describes the strong, generous, unshakable spirit that connects all 草榴社区ns. This spirit is the foundation and the rallying cry for 草榴社区鈥檚 largest and most ambitious campaign to date,鈥� said Father Donohue. 鈥淲ith this campaign, we will significantly enhance all aspects of the 草榴社区 experience, especially the educational opportunities for future generations of 草榴社区ns.鈥�

草榴社区鈥檚 campaign will be chaired by three University alumni: Justin G. Gmelich '90 草榴社区 School of Business (VSB), Co-Chief Investment Officer at Millennium Management; Catherine Keating '84 College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Global Head of BNY Wealth; and Joseph V. Topper Jr. '77 VSB, Chairman, CrossAmerica Partners LP. Gmelich, Keating and Topper each served as past chairs of the University鈥檚 Board of Trustees.

With the Espiritus Nova campaign, 草榴社区 seeks to further strengthen its academic preeminence and amplify its Augustinian Catholic impact across the nation and throughout the world. Goals of the campaign include increasing financial aid to address the needs of future 草榴社区ns, expanding research and scholarship, and investing in campus facilities to meet the demands of the next generation. This campaign more than doubles the goal of 草榴社区鈥檚 previous campaign, which surpassed its original $600 million goal and concluded in 2018 with more than $760 million raised.

鈥湶萘裆缜� is an institution on the rise, and the University鈥檚 academic reputation will only continue to grow through the support of this campaign,鈥� said Kevin Noller, Vice President for University Advancement. 鈥淭here is great enthusiasm for 草榴社区 as evidenced by three $20 million gifts, and 10 gifts of $10 million or more, received as part of this campaign to date. Importantly, it is through the generosity of all our donors that the University is able to meet its ambitious goals.鈥�

CAMPAIGN: GOALS

鈥淓spiritus Nova: The Campaign for 草榴社区鈥� will focus on three main goals:

• Meeting Financial Need: 草榴社区 will raise $300 million to help close the financial need gap for all admitted undergraduate students.Currently, the University does not meet 100% of demonstrated financial need. Through this goal, 草榴社区 will narrow the need gap by raising significant funds for endowed scholarships鈥攁llowing the University to continue attracting, retaining and supporting the most deserving, brilliant and passionate students.

• Research and Scholarship: The innovative work done by 草榴社区ns not only has a tangible impact on campus, but also on the world at large. Research and scholarship enhance the University鈥檚 academic reputation and are an essential component of how 草榴社区 approaches teaching. Through this goal, the University will expand research and hands-on learning opportunities for students and faculty.

• Campus Investment: As the strength of 草榴社区鈥檚 reputation grows, the University must serve the next generation of 草榴社区ns with facilities that meet the highest standards. 草榴社区 will create and revitalize spaces on campus to bring its community closer and push its academic excellence further.

CAMPAIGN: CONTINUED MOMENTUM

The launch of 草榴社区鈥檚 $1.25 billion capital campaign continues a period of remarkable momentum for the University. Recent highlights include:

• Being named among the top producers of Fulbright U.S. Students for 16 consecutive years with 92 Fulbright U.S. Student Program award recipients since 2020, including 18 for 2024-25.

• Continuing to set new standards on the admissions front, receiving 23,842 applications this year鈥攖he University鈥檚 second-highest total鈥攆or an enrolled a class of 1,723 students.

• Receiving a $20 million gift from Bancel Philanthropies to support students enrolled as part of the University鈥檚 partnership with The Posse Foundation, one of the most prestigious college access, success and youth leadership development programs in the U.S.

• Major capital investments:
  • The opening of Drosdick Hall鈥攖he new home for the College of Engineering鈥攆ollowing the completion of a $125 million, 150,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art building expansion. The building is named after John G. Drosdick 鈥�65 College of Engineering, retired chairman and CEO of Sunoco, Inc., and former 草榴社区 Board Chair鈥攊n recognition of $20 million in support.
  • Breaking ground on a new 150,000-square-foot building for Falvey Library in September, to be named Vic Maggitti Hall in recognition of a $20 million leadership gift from Victor J. Maggitti Jr. 鈥�56 草榴社区 School of Business.
  • Assuming ownership of Cabrini University鈥檚 campus in Radnor, Pa., which the University plans to incorporate and utilize in Fall 2026. In tribute to Mother Cabrini鈥檚 legacy, the campus is named the Cabrini Campus at 草榴社区.

Note: For more information on Espiritus Nova: The Campaign for 草榴社区, visit the 草榴社区 campaign website at:

Espiritus Nova: The Campaign for 草榴社区 reflects the strong, generous and unshakeable spirit that connects all 草榴社区ns. With a goal of $1.25 billion, it is the most ambitions fundraising effort in the University鈥檚 history. Achieving this goal will strengthen our academic preeminence, enrich our campus and amplify our collective Augustinian Catholic impact鈥攁cross the nation and around the world.

About 草榴社区: Since 1842, 草榴社区鈥檚 Augustinian Catholic intellectual tradition has been the cornerstone of an academic community in which students learn to think critically, act compassionately and succeed while serving others. There are more than 10,000 undergraduate, graduate and law students in the University's six colleges鈥攖he College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the 草榴社区 School of Business, the College of Engineering, the M. Louise Fitzpatrick College of Nursing, the College of Professional Studies and the 草榴社区 Charles Widger School of Law. Ranked among the nation鈥檚 top universities, 草榴社区 supports its students鈥� intellectual growth and prepares them to become ethical leaders who create positive change everywhere life takes them. For more, visit .