The I.A. O’Shaughnessy Foundation, a major benefactor of Newman University, has been bestowed the Presidents’ Distinguished Service Award by the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities (ACCU).
The foundation was jointly nominated by Newman University President Noreen M. Carrocci, Ph.D., and the presidents of St. Catherine University, the University of Notre Dame and the University of St. Thomas.
With the award, the ACCU recognizes the foundation’s history of philanthropic support for Catholic higher education.
Founded in 1941, the I.A. O’Shaughnessy Foundation has granted more than $117 million to Catholic parishes, schools, hospitals, colleges and Congregations of Sisters.
According to ACCU guidelines, eligibility for the Presidents’ Distinguished Service Award includes meeting certain criteria: personal service of exceptional quality to Catholic higher education, significant promotion of Catholic higher education through public advocacy and advancement of Catholic higher education through philanthropy or voluntary development activities.
“The I.A. O’Shaughnessy Foundation and family’s history of personal involvement and generous philanthropic support spans two generations at Newman University,” said Carrocci.
“Their active presence has provided a living example of profound appreciation for the teachings of our namesake, John Henry Cardinal Newman, about the value of a liberal arts education.”
Carrocci added that the foundation is the second largest monetary supporter of the university. “Only our sponsors, the Adorers of the Blood of Christ, have contributed more.”
The relationship between Newman University and the O’Shaughnessy family, Carrocci said, began more than 50 years ago. The first recorded grant was to support then Sacred Heart College’s operations in 1965 and the first major capital grant was made in 1969 for the construction of Ryan Library.
“The I.A. O’Shaughnessy Foundation has contributed to every major initiative at Newman University since those first grants were made,” added Carrocci.
The ACCU bestowed the Presidents’ Distinguished Service Award to the I.A. O’Shaughnessy Foundation at the opening of its annual conference Feb. 2, 2019. Foundation President John F. O’Shaughnessy, Jr. was present to accept the award on behalf of the foundation.
