(Above: Newman Vice President for University Advancement J.V. Johnston announces to a crowd gathered in the Eck Hall lobby that the university has secured the grant and exceeded campaign goals.)
Newman University officials announced that Facing Forward – A Campaign for Newman University designed to create a new science center, upgrade existing facilities and build the university’s endowment, has met the requirements of a $1 million matching grant from The J.E. and L.E. Mabee Foundation of Tulsa, Okla. The $1 million grant, plus previous gifts, pushes Newman closer to the completion of the campaign.
“We are absolutely overjoyed to receive the Mabee Foundation grant and to reach this milestone in the campaign,” said Newman University President Noreen M. Carrocci, Ph.D. “I can’t express my gratitude enough to the Foundation and to everyone who made it possible for us to receive this grant, as well as all those who have contributed so generously in previous years. With this gift, Newman can continue to build its reputation for the quality of our science, nursing and health sciences education programs, and the high quality of our graduates.”
Under the terms of the grant issued by the Mabee Foundation in January 2016, Newman would receive the $1 million if the remaining amount of about $3.2 million necessary for the building and renovation of facilities on the Newman campus were met by Jan. 12, 2017. That amount was raised by the university ahead of the deadline.
With the Mabee grant, the campaign has now raised $24,854,533 to renovate Eck Hall and complete the Bishop Gerber Science Center. The university has raised $32,345,411 for the overall Facing Forward campaign which, beyond the funds for buildings, includes raising money for student scholarships and the university’s endowment.
Newman officials said the campaign was created to help Newman in its ongoing commitment to produce well-educated graduates to fill critical health care positions in Wichita, Kansas and throughout the region.
The upgrades to Eck Hall were completed in August 2016 in time for the beginning of the Fall 2016 semester. The renovated facilities now include up-to-date technology and equipment, and “smart” classrooms. The facilities also include ER and ICU simulation labs, which are increasingly necessary to properly train clinical skills and to meet industry and accreditation standards.
Construction of the science center began in June 2016 and is on schedule to be completed by August 2017 in time for the Fall 2017 semester.
Newman officials said the campaign will continue through the coming year.
“We will focus our efforts now on raising funds for scholarships for today’s students through the Newman Fund, and scholarships for future students through our endowment,” said Newman Vice President for University Advancement J.V. Johnston. “We have experienced phenomenal support throughout the campaign, thanks to the Mabee Foundation and the many gifts we’ve received from individuals, corporations and other foundations, and we are very grateful. We hope to have continued support from the community in the coming months.”
The J. E. and L. E. Mabee Foundation, Inc., a non-profit corporation, was formed in 1948 by Mr. John E. Mabee and his wife, Lottie E. Mabee. Today, the Foundation headquarters in Tulsa, Okla. As stated in its charter, the Foundation exists to aid Christian religious organizations, charitable organizations, and institutions of higher learning, hospitals and other organizations of a general charitable nature. The geographical area of interest of the Foundation includes the states of Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas.
The Mabee Foundation has provided generous support for past Newman University campaigns, including those for Eck Hall, the De Mattias Fine Arts Center and the O’Shaughnessy Hall athletic complex, the Mabee Dining Center, and the Dugan Library and Campus Center.
For more information or to contribute to Newman, visit www.newmanff.com, or contact Clark Schafer at 316-942-4291, ext. 2164, or [email protected].
