The Catholic University community kicked off Homecoming weekend with a party on Sept. 27 at Cardinal Fest, the official on-campus launch event for Light the Way: The Campaign for Catholic University. The event, which included food, games, student performances, and a fireworks display, was hosted by University Advancement.
During his remarks, University President John Garvey spoke about the impact the Campaign could have on the future for Catholic University. Already, more than $259 million has been raised toward the campaign’s total goal of $400 million.
“The University has never had a campaign on the scale of this and it's one that is going to impact the entire campus community from students, faculty, and staff, to investments in our capital projects to endowed scholarships,” he said. “With your help and support, we’ll light the way for a bold new future at Catholic University.”
Initiated in 2015, the Campaign will run until 2022. Its priorities are organized under initiatives to generate funds for Faculty Excellence, Student Success, and Academic Environment.
Funds raised by the Campaign will contribute to more than $35 million in new scholarships, as well as additional endowed professorships, teaching fellowships, research centers and institutes, said Joe Carlini, a member of the University’s Board of Trustees and co-chair for the Campaign. Additional projects will include facility improvements like a new dining hall, improved spaces for the School of Engineering and the Rome School of Music, Drama, and Art, as well as additional funding for Campus Ministry and the Center for Career and Academic Success.
“The Campaign is gaining momentum,” said Enrique Segura, a member of the Board of Trustees and campaign co-chair. Within recent weeks, he said, an anonymous gift has come to fruition to support the work of the Institute for Human Ecology and the Busch School of Business. Segura encouraged all in attendance at the Friday event to spread the word about the Campaign and to consider contributing in any amount.
“The Campaign, it doesn't just mean better facilities, it doesn't just mean better academics or better research,” he said. “It means all of that but it also means our legacy for the students of Catholic University and the future cardinals; the children who will come to this University and be proud of what we have accomplished in Light the Way.”
Schola Eburuoh, a junior architecture major, served as the emcee for the evening’s event and said she was very honored to play a role in the celebration.
“I obviously love Catholic University. I’m involved in so much and it’s for a reason: because I know that we have good students and we have good programs and that everything we’re doing is for the glory of God,” she said. “To see all this school spirit on the lawn was amazing. I couldn’t imagine any better way to start Cardinal Weekend.”
Eburuoh said she thinks the Campaign will be a valuable way to showcase the “amazing things” happening at Catholic University. “This Campaign is just a reflection of who we are.”
Senior nursing major Caroline Murray said she was excited to come to the launch event to hear about the new scholarships that will be offered for students. “I’m here on one of the Conway scholarships so it’s great to hear that there’s going to be more opportunities like that,” she said.
Senior Aly Senko said she was pleased the Campaign could help to raise awareness of Catholic University.
“If you don’t know Catholic University now, you will soon,” she said.
