For today. For tomorrow.

For Hilltoppers

Our Second Century Campaign

Progress Report

November 2005

 

Just a year ago, in October 2004, Marshall School kicked off its largest capital campaign in the history of the school. As of October 2005, we have received $4.1 million in gifts and pledges toward our $4.5 million goal. The Marshall Board, Campaign volunteers, students, faculty and staff extend a heart felt thank you to all who have stepped forward with their pledge of support. Our goal is to the complete the campaign in early 2006.

 

Here are some notes about what the Our Second Century Campaign has accomplished so far:

Endowment for Financial Aid and Faculty Compensation – Two thirds of our campaign is aimed toward building the endowment. Already more than $1 million has been added to the endowment since the start of the campaign, including two, new named scholarship funds -- The Benedictine Community Scholarship and the Elva & Mitchell Sill Scholarship. We anticipate the school’s endowment will grow by more than 250% and will contribute needed resources for competitive salaries and benefits for our excellent faculty and important need-based financial aid for talented students and their families.

Athletic Facilities -- A full-sized soccer field, located along Rice Lake Road, nears completion. The field will be ready for competition starting in August of 2006. You can view pictures and progress here.  Next school year we will begin construction of the 8-lane track around the football field.

Performing Arts -- Renovation of the Fregeau Auditorium and the performing arts facility will begin next spring. Plans include adding a scene shop area behind the back of the theatre that will provide significant room for equipment storage and set construction. The theatre itself will have major upgrades in seating, acoustics, sound and lighting systems, and access.

                                                                

Nearly 600 donors have made gifts and pledges of support to Our Second Century Campaign. Commitments by those closest to our Hilltopper community include:

• Alumni have pledged $1,041,960
• Board and Past Board members have pledged $1,603,031
• Hilltopper parents and grand parents have pledged $770,496

Hilltoppers from every decade going back to the 1920s have contributed to the campaign. To date, 383 alumni have stepped forward with a pledge of support for this campaign. Many have given for the first time ever.

Planned gifts account for approximately 23% of the campaign total to date. These important commitments will help grow and strengthen the school’s endowment for future generations.

 

---

 Winter 2005

“To recognize how blessed we are ... and to give in return”

The Duluth Benedictine Community have generously proclaimed their commitment to educational choice in the Northland with a pledge of $100,000 to Marshall School’s Our Second Century Campaign. Sr. Kathleen Hofer, Prioress of St. Scholastica Monastery, shared recently why Marshall School is important to the sisters of the Benedictine community in Duluth. “I have a personal commitment to supporting choices in education for families and children. And Marshall School is important to the sisters, as members of a religious community, because there is a religious component to the curriculum. Having that component in the educational structure in high school is very important for students.”

 

The Religious and Ethical Studies Department at Marshall School serves to fulfill the Marshall School mission, encouraging students to develop “an ethical framework for responsible decision-making; respect for self, for others, and for property, and a commitment to bettering the world.” The courses offered give students the opportunity to investigate many different facets of world cultures, through history, ethical stances, dogmas, philosophies, religious practices and contemporary issues. These studies lead to a greater understanding of the literature, culture and history of our world, and the individual’s place in the global community.

 

Central to the Benedictine mission is to reach out to poorer components of society. The generosity shown with their gift to Marshall School underscores the sisters’ commitment to support the poor and underprivileged. More than 20% of the current student population receives need-based financial aid. This pledge of support from the Benedictines to Our Second Century Campaign will provide for future scholarships. “God has been very good to us,” says Sr. Kathleen. “We haven’t had to struggle financially. We need to recognize how blessed we are. We need to give in return.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Contact our Development Office for more information about how you can support the students, faculty, and programs of Marshall School.