Note: This message was written by Thomas Minick ’98 MBA ’10, Alvernia's vice president of advancement and government affairs.
Just over one year ago, we confidently announced the Partners in Progress Campaign, a $70 million campaign designed to propel our university to new heights of excellence. This ambitious campaign reflects our dedication to ensuring Alvernia remains at the forefront of higher education, empowering us to provide unparalleled opportunities for our students and to address the evolving needs of the communities in which we serve.
When we publicly announced the campaign, the university had secured over $52 million in gifts and pledges from a combination of philanthropic support and public funding. Most of those gifts were focused on enhancing the academic experience for our students, including providing funding to refresh the Header School of Business, our communications and leadership programs, new facilities and equipment for the John R. Post School of Engineering, the John & Karen Arnold School of Nursing, the occupational therapy programs, and the new physician associate program.
I’m pleased to announce that over the past year, an additional $13 million has been secured, bringing our campaign total to over $65 million! While the dollar amount is impressive, the impact on our students and the community is even more remarkable. A few highlights include:
- A $1 million gift from the Neag Foundation to fund endowed scholarships for students in the John and Karen Arnold School of Nursing.
- A significant gift from President Emeritus Tom Flynn and his wife Helen, creating the Flynn Family Endowment to support faculty excellence.
- An expanded partnership with Vision Federal Credit Union, funding the creation of the Visions Wellness Center and establishing an endowment to fund career development initiatives for students.
- Significant gifts from the Breidegam Foundation, Wyomissing Foundation, Senators Casey and Fetterman through Congressionally Directed Spending, and many others to support the American House.
- The American House is a $19 million investment in downtown Reading that will be anchored by a community health center operated by Berks Community Health Center and will provide healthcare for over 2,000 residents annually and host experiential learning opportunities for Alvernia students in health care and social services programs.
- We are excited about the numerous community partners who will call the American House home, including Artisan Smiles Dentistry, Gym-Jam Therapeutics, and the expansion of the O’Pake Institute, and a cafe run by the students of the John Paul II Center.
- Members of the Board of Directors of the Schuylkill County YMCA have committed half a million dollars to support Phase 2 of Pottsville CollegeTowne. Phase two will renovate the remaining space in the building for the Schuylkill YMCA to expand its gymnastics programs, which currently has a waiting list of over 200 youths and Alvernia will add a coffee shop for the students who take classes in the building.
- Over $500,000 was secured for the Hope Fund from over 1,000 donors, which provided financial aid and emergency aid for over 500 students.
So, as you can see from the gifts just referenced, philanthropy through the Partners in Progress Campaign supports endowment growth, academic excellence, scholarships, financial support for students, and capital projects such as the American House and phase 2 of Pottsville CollegeTowne.
The Partners in Progress campaign will have a lasting impact on Â鶹ÊÓƵ and the community. We invite you to join us as partners in this endeavor. Your involvement and support are integral to our success, and together, we can create a legacy that will resonate for generations to come.
