College Seeks Multi-Year Pledges and Gifts to Meet Kresge Challenge

New York, NY – Marymount Manhattan College (MMC) needs to raise pledges of $2.4 million by March 31, 2010 in order to receive the $1.5 million challenge grant from The Kresge Foundation. The College is encouraging all alumni, parents and friends to act now to help us complete the $25 million campaign, the most ambitious in MMC’s history. 

This is the Day, the Campaign for Marymount Manhattan will substantially increase need-based financial aid; encourage higher levels of faculty scholarship and research, as well as increase the number of full-time faculty; and enhance our existing spaces to create a comfortable and dynamic learning environment. 

The campaign has enabled MMC to increase its capacity to provide students with the financial assistance they need to attend and graduate from MMC. During the difficult economic downturn, President Judson R. Shaver, Ph.D., reached out to families offering help for students to remain at MMC. This past fall numerous students in need received scholarship support through funds raised from the campaign. 

In addition, Campaign Director Jean Wilhelm, B.A., said generous campaign contributions have made it possible for the College to maximize the use of funds for each of the campaign initiatives including: 

  • The renovation of the Thomas J. Shanahan Library and construction of The Commons, a two-tiered dining facility and student lounge. The Commons is located on the third and fourth floors of the College’s Main Building.
  • The creation of The Lowerre Family Terrace, a 5,000-square-foot urban quad featuring a waterwall, heated trellis and an open space that fosters community interaction essential to student-centered learning.
  • The advancement of faculty achievement through the establishment of Distinguished Chairs. Kathleen LeBesco, Ph.D., and Jason Rosenfeld, Ph.D., became the first MMC faculty members to receive one of the highest honors bestowed on a Marymount Manhattan faculty member.

To date Marymount Manhattan has raised more than $22.6 million. We seek to collect additional gifts and pledges totaling $2.4 million by March 31, 2010, in order to meet The Kresge Foundation challenge that will result in a $1.5 million grant to the College. 

“Now is the time for every MMC alum, parent and friend to help us secure the grant from The Kresge Foundation,” Wilhelm said. “We encourage people to maximize their generosity by making multi-year pledges. Pledges must be made by March 31, 2010; however payments can extend over five years, until March 31, 2015.” 

For more information about This is the Day, contact Jean Wilhelm at (212) 517-0460 / jwilhelm@mmm.edu.

Published: January 20, 2010