Just over two years ago, I first shared with you our hope for NDCL’s 25th Anniversary Initiatives Campaign. The Initiatives included three projects that reside at the heart of NDCL as a community of faith and learning: the re-purposing of our library into a state-of-the-art learning commons, the renovation of our chapel, and the continued building of our scholarship endowment.
We believe, then and now, that the projects reflect not only the best in a 21
st century Catholic education but are marked with enduring hope and confident optimism. We topped our campaign goal of $1.85 million. Once again in the name of the school community, I thank you. Your enthusiastic support of these initiatives brought our vision to life.
Our first priority, the repurposing of our 7,300 square foot library into the Sisters of Notre Dame Learning Commons, officially opened in November 2015. Since that time our students are meeting, working and creating in a state-of-the-art environment that promotes collaboration, critical thinking and problem solving. The vision for the Sisters of Notre Dame Learning Commons has become reality!
In October 2016, we celebrated the opening of Annunciation Chapel. While deepening their relationship with Jesus, this beautiful and contemporary space offers our students, faculty, and families a place for quiet reflection and community prayer. The Fr. Jim O’Donnell `48 Campus Ministry Center, also a newly renovated space, welcomes our students to a shared experience of faith and service. Together, Annunciation Chapel and the Fr. Jim O’Donnell `48 Campus Ministry Center are the heart of NDCL!
What would these upgraded facilities mean without students? For this reason, endowment growth remains a constant goal and was prioritized in conjunction with these capital projects. Since its inception in Fall, 2013, over $2 million has been pledged or received in private support to fund the 25
th Anniversary Initiatives.
Truly, these initiatives are a living testament to the fidelity, commitment and generosity of our families, alumni and friends who believe deeply in and fully support NDCL’s mission: “Like Mary who gave Christ to the world, NDCL educates leaders who transform the world, as Jesus did, by living the truth in love.”
With gratitude and prayer,
Jacquelyn Gusdane, SND
President