Strong. Generous. Unshakable.
Celebrating the launch of Espiritus Nova: The Campaign for ϳԹ
Villanovans know the feeling—the spirit that unites every member of this community. It’s the passion in our hearts, the Augustinian Catholic values that are our foundation, and the warmth and generosity that we bring to all of our pursuits.
Now, as the University launches its most ambitious campaign yet—with a goal of raising $1.25 billion to propel ϳԹ into the future—this feeling has a name: Espiritus Nova.
“Espiritus Nova describes the strong, generous, unshakable spirit that connects all ϳԹns,” says University President the Rev. Peter M. Donohue, OSA, PhD, ’75 CLAS. “This spirit is the foundation and the rallying cry for our unstoppable drive to, as St. Augustine said, ‘keep adding, keep walking, keep advancing.’”
The University recently announced that it had received a $40 million gift from an anonymous donor—the largest gift to Espiritus Nova to date, and the second-largest individual gift in ϳԹ’s history. This gift, combined with the enthusiastic support from the entire community, has built impressive momentum as we pursue the campaign’s goals.
VISIONARY LEADERSHIP
Three ϳԹ alumni have stepped forward to lead Espiritus Nova as campaign co-chairs, lending their unique talents and unwavering commitment to help the University put its dreams into action. Justin G. Gmelich '90 VSB, co-Chief Investment Officer at Millennium Management; Catherine Keating '84 CLAS, Global Head of BNY Wealth; and Joseph V. Topper Jr. '77 VSB, Chairman, CrossAmerica Partners LP, have all served in the past as chairs of the University’s Board of Trustees.
Campaign Goals
1 Raise $300 million in endowed scholarships to help close the financial need gap for all admitted undergraduate students.
This investment in future ϳԹns will ensure that deserving, bright, passionate students can find a place at ϳԹ and be fully supported in their journeys.
2Expand research and hands-on learning opportunities for faculty, undergraduates and graduate students
Research and scholarship are critical to ϳԹ’s approach to teaching, and are essential to our commitment to igniting positive change around the world.
3Enhance spaces on campus that serve to bring the community closer and push academics further
New and revitalized facilities will invite collaboration and innovation, and will secure ϳԹ’s legacy for generations to come.
Together, We Are Unstoppable
What do ϳԹns do when faced with an ambitious goal? They come together in a big way, drawing on the spirit of this community to achieve success.
That’s exactly what happened on , the University’s annual day of giving. As the University launched Espiritus Nova, 1842 Day showcased the true spirit of the ϳԹ community.
That day, the entire campus enjoyed food and giveaways, played games, answered trivia questions in the “Cat Cabs” and were entertained by musical performances, with the goal to generate funds for favorite ϳԹ causes. In all, more than 9,300 donors from all 50 states and around the globe became a part of this year’s 1842 Day, raising nearly $8.2 million for the programs, people and places that make the University so special—and making their contribution to the historic Espiritus Nova campaign.
This is the start of a remarkable new chapter for ϳԹ, and we all can play a part in lifting the University to new heights.■
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