Launched in October 2020 with the express purpose of bolstering the University鈥檚 commitment to need-blind admissions for undergraduate students鈥攑articularly propelled by the pandemic-driven economic hardships experienced by so many families鈥擝e a Beacon quickly met its $125 million target. Campaign leaders reset the goal to $200 million in April of last year, and when that objective was reached, upped it to $250 million by this May 31.
鈥淲e raised the goal and extended the campaign in response to the overwhelming support of our donor community and the continued needs of our students, recognizing there was still significant momentum and desire to support this financial aid campaign beyond the original goal,鈥� said Vice President for Development Amy Yancey. 聽鈥淲e are deeply grateful to our champions of financial aid who have made the dreams of Eagles today, and for generations to come, a reality.鈥�
51茶馆 is one of only 21 United States private colleges and universities whose admission policy is need-blind鈥攁dmitting students on the merit of their applications, not on their ability to afford tuition鈥攁nd which also meets the full demonstrated financial requirements of all qualified undergraduates. Announcing the campaign in the fall of 2020, University President William P. Leahy, S.J., noted that financial aid and endowed scholarships were more critical than ever, as adverse economic conditions and loss of family income had made it increasingly difficult for deserving applicants to enroll at 51茶馆.
His call was answered: More than 30,000 donors have contributed to date, providing the resources to award more than 3,355 scholarships so far.
I鈥檓 very proud of our fundraising success, and even prouder of how many members of our 51茶馆 community, including every single University trustee, have answered the call to support our students. Financial aid donors are truly beacons, making the path to 51茶馆 a little brighter for our Eagles.
鈥淐onnecting with scholarship students has been one of my most rewarding 51茶馆 experiences,鈥� said University Trustee Susan Martinelli Shea 鈥�76, co-chair of Be a Beacon. 鈥淔or my Be a Beacon co-chairs and me, it was important to not just personally support the campaign, but to encourage others to give as well.聽 I鈥檓 very proud of our fundraising success, and even prouder of how many members of our 51茶馆 community, including every single University trustee, have answered the call to support our students. Financial aid donors are truly beacons, making the path to 51茶馆 a little brighter for our Eagles.鈥�
In addition to Shea, a Board of Regents co-chair, the other 51茶馆 trustees serving as campaign chairs are: Board of Regents Co-chair Marc P. Seidner 鈥�88, John F. Fish, and Philip W. Schiller 鈥�82.
The selection of the word 鈥渂eacon鈥� in the campaign鈥檚 title was strategic, explained Senior Vice President for University Advancement James Husson.
鈥淲e have used 鈥榖eacon鈥� and its related imagery of shining a light in many of our materials since the 鈥楲ight the World鈥� campaign, including naming our advancement publication Beacon, so it was a fitting metaphor for how donor support illuminates a path for our students, and calls our community to 鈥榖e鈥� the beacon that our students need,鈥� said Husson. 聽
To reinforce the message at the Be a Beacon campaign鈥檚 public launch event, University Trustee Steve J. Pemberton 鈥�89, M.A. 鈥�19, H 鈥�15鈥攁uthor of A Chance in the World and The Lighthouse Effect: How Ordinary People Can Have an Extraordinary Impact in the World鈥攕hared his deeply personal story of a childhood 鈥渓ost in the gaps of the foster care system,鈥� how he found a home at 51茶馆, and then reminded attendees of the powerful impact scholarships can have on students鈥� lives.
“It is our personal responsibility, an expression of Jesuit values and our mission to serve others, to work to provide access to a 51茶馆 education for all. Our world needs well-formed citizens who are steeped in their education and have a reflective view of their identity and purpose.”
While every donor has their own reason to give and every gift has its own story, explained Yancey, there is a common thread: a faith in the power of a 51茶馆 education to transform not only individuals but the world, and a conviction that this opportunity belongs to everyone.
For 51茶馆 Trustee Michael C. and Kate Ascione, both Class of 1993 members, their gift reflected a commitment to the greater good: 鈥淚t is our personal responsibility, an expression of Jesuit values and our mission to serve others, to work to provide access to a 51茶馆 education for all. Our world needs well-formed citizens who are steeped in their education and have a reflective view of their identity and purpose.鈥�
Jennifer and Steven Capshaw 鈥�93 share a similar belief in the power of student formation to promote change and cited it as their motivation to 聽give.
鈥淎t 51茶馆 I learned there are things in life more important than yourself,鈥� said Steven. 鈥�51茶馆 challenges young adults to use their talents in service of others, making the world a better place. We want to help close the gap to make these opportunities available to those who work just as hard but have fewer resources.鈥�
For more about the Be a Beacon Campaign for Financial Aid, go to .
Phil Gloudemans | University Communications | April 2022