A Message from Advancement
2023 Advancement Impact Report
Events
The words thank you can sometimes lose their meaning. I use thank you every day in many different ways with different people. A thank you can be an acknowledgement, a form of expressing gratitude, or honouring someone.
The best way to make an impact with a thank you is to explain the 'why' behind it. This is what I hope to do with this message.
Thank you to you, our generous and kind supporters. Your donations help St. Jerome's students; they help provide opportunities and create possibilities for our students. As a catalyst for students, you are providing the next generation of leaders with the opportunity to succeed and become the kind of leaders our
society and the world need. At St. Jerome's University, we prioritize holistic education, emphasizing social justice and caring for the common good - educating the whole person. Each student receives a quality education emphasizing these values, enabling them to reach their potential and guiding them throughout their post-secondary journey.
society and the world need. At St. Jerome's University, we prioritize holistic education, emphasizing social justice and caring for the common good - educating the whole person. Each student receives a quality education emphasizing these values, enabling them to reach their potential and guiding them throughout their post-secondary journey.As part of this community, I see this in many ways; it happens with current students and our student leaders - I hear their stories and experiences firsthand. I see this by connecting with our alumni; many have stayed in contact over the years and are true to St. Jerome's mission. I see this through my colleagues, through the projects and events they organize and plan.
Thank you for your generous support of St. Jerome's vision to provide mission-driven education. Over this past year, your active stewardship has directly supported student scholarships, student mental health and wellness, our Catholic mission and identity and our Service-Learning Programs.
Fundraising Priority: Student Scholarships
Student scholarships have been the area of most need and a critical priority to support over the last year. Those who attended this year's Feast of St. Jerome would have heard from Carol Ann MacGregor, Vice President Academic and Dean, as she shared that, "Even with a 10% cut to domestic tuition in 2019, we know it is getting harder and harder for students, even those from middle-class families with some educational savings, to go away from home to attend university. The costs of food and housing are felt acutely by students, and working a minimum wage job over the summer or using money earned during a co-op term is unlikely to prevent someone from needing to take on debt – debt that for the Ontario portion of a loan now needs to be paid back at interest rates that haven't been seen in decades."
Overall, concerns about finances will likely prevent some students from pursuing the transformational opportunities offered through experiential and service-learning. They often have to choose between these transformative experiences or working part-time at an off-campus job to sustain themselves from semester to semester. Scholarships can lighten the burden and allow students to get the immersive student experience that university offers, especially here at St. Jerome's University.
Various fundraising activities focus on generating much-needed scholarship funds - the annual and monthly donations from our giving donors, our annual holiday appeal and the Feast of St. Jerome. Thank you to our monthly supporters! Our holiday appeal was a tremendous success last year, generating over $30,000, a 131% increase over the previous year. Each year, we award over 330 scholarships.
Thank you for helping support students like Olywn in pursuing a quality Catholic Education.
"Since joining St. Jerome's last fall, I have come to admire the welcoming and empathetic community it is home to. I am convinced that ordinary people can bring about extraordinary change by working together on goals benefiting the larger community, and I have witnessed that firsthand at St. Jerome's. Here, student growth is fostered by the environment, which intentionally facilitates and encourages community engagement. It is truly a school that serves its people, and I am proud to be a part of it. While reflecting on my time here at St. Jerome's, I must also thank all of you who contributed to my being here today. When deciding what school I would attend for my undergraduate degree, I had to consider the financial burden I would be undertaking. If not for the President's Scholarship I received from St. Jerome's, I would not have attended this University. By being here today, you all contributed to the same fund from which I received that scholarship, which continues to sponsor the growth of students. I am grateful for your support and its integral role in my decision to attend this University."
- Second-year student studying English Literature and Visual Culture
Fundraising Priority: Mental Health & Wellness
There has been excellent work within our mental health and wellness priority over the last couple of years. We have established the Wellness Implementation Team (WIT) which is a partnership between Student Affairs and the Well-Link Lab.
The Wellness Implementation Team (WIT) brings together the talents of our staff in Student Affairs, who work daily to support students’ well-being and the research expertise of the Well-Link lab led by Dr. Maureen Drysdale—an internationally recognized psychologist whose research focuses on university students. Together, this group is responsible for acting on the recommendations of the McMurray Report commissioned by SJU in 2021—including the development of a stepped care model at SJU, increased training and professional development for all who support our students, and consideration of the potential in meeting growing needs through the expansion of space and staffing.
Fundraising Priority: Catholic Mission & Identity
At St. Jerome’s, we focus on the integral values that Catholic Higher Education and the Catholic Intellectual Tradition offer everyone. These include campus ministry programs highlighted by dynamic, engaging and inclusive liturgies and various activities, retreats and experiences focused on meeting individuals “where they are” on the journeys that are faith and spirituality. Our emphasis on equity, diversity, inclusion, and to Indigenization and Reconciliation extends naturally from our Catholic mission and identity, which advances our core belief in the basic human dignity of all people and the importance of encounter and dialogue to building authentic community. This same mission commitment underpins our Lectures in Catholic Experience, through which we bring the prophetic voices of our age to address the central questions of humanity in the light of Christian understanding.
Our Lectures in Catholic Experience have been very successful, hosting a number of leaders doing fantastic work in their communities. All of our Lectures in Catholic Experience are available on our website.
Fundraising Priority: Service Learning
We are raising funds to support service-learning programs like SJU in Peru. This program began in 2009 in partnership with Guelph-based coffee roaster Planet Bean. Through this partnership, we began working with Cafe Femenino, a supplier of Planet Bean.
The SJU in Peru program involves a 10-day international experience where we learn about the farm-to-table process of coffee production. Students also work on collaborative community development projects - like irrigation systems designed to mitigate climate change.
"Through this program, I have seen students reflect deeply on the kind of person they want to be in the world and the kind of world they want to live in. By learning about Fair Trade, students reflect critically on their consumption patterns and learn to be more ethical consumers going forward." Michelle, Service-Learning Coordinator.
Thank you to everyone who supported our SJU in Peru Service-Learning Program.
We raised a total of $9,620, and with that, we are reminded every year that we have a profoundly caring community that believes strongly in the Catholic mission-driven education we bring to students every day.
We were fortunate to have Mary Ellen (BA '78) as our Challenge Champion this year, who matched 1:1 donations and raised an additional $5,000 towards our service-learning program, SJU in Peru.
Financials
Thank you for our Donors!
Thank You!
St. Jerome's University recognizes the generosity of the following individuals and organizations who contributed to our 2022-2023 fundraising efforts.
Alumni
* Given consecutively for at least 5 years
** Given consecutively for at least 10 years
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Class of 2016 Alicia Smith (BA ‘16)
Class of 2010 Christa (BA '10) and Jerry Fischer * Anne Jamieson (MCT ’10) Kayla Orr (BA ’10) **
Class of 2004 Sally Headley (BA ‘04)
Class of 2002 Andrew Abrahamowicz (BMATH ‘02) *
Class of 1999 Megan Shore (BA ’99) and Scott Kline **
Class of 1998 Paul (BMATH ‘98) and Kristine (BA ‘99) Gordon *
Class of 1996 Wayland Chau (BMATH ‘96) Cheri Chevalier (BA ‘96)
Class of 1995 Karen Buhr (BA ‘95) Carrie (BA '98) and Scott (BMATH '95) Murphy
Class of 1994 Sonia Ellison (BMATH ‘94)
Class of 1993 Toni (BA ‘93) and Andrzej Serafini Richard Straus (MMATH ‘93)
Class of 1992 Craig Bates (BMATH ‘92) Steven Bittner (BMATH ‘92) Melissa Garrett (BA ‘92) Dianne (BA'92, CTM '10) and Wayne Moser **
Class of 1991 Michelle Micuda (BMATH ‘91) ** Helen Sullivan (BMATH ‘91)
Class of 1989 Jean Andrey (PHD ‘89) ** Scott Koch, CA (BA ‘89) ** Marilyn (BA ‘89) Kuntz ** Robert Mosey (BA ‘89) Heidi Sostaric (BA ‘89) ** Mary Stevens (MA ‘89) * Deron Waldock (BA ‘89) Richard Whitney (BA ‘89) **
Class of 1988 Anthony Benedetto (BA ‘88) Sharon (BA ‘88) and John William Carey ** Anthony Pracsovics (BMATH ‘88) * Sara Pendergast (BA ‘88) and John Milloy
Class of 1987 Marilyn Eby (BA ‘87) ** Paul Terpstra (BMATH ‘87) ** Gary P Eng. (MASC ‘87) and Cindy Kramer **
Class of 1986 Scott Boswell (BA ‘86)
Class of 1985 Louise Brzustowski (MA ‘85) ** Sharon McCarthy (BA ‘85) *
Class of 1984 William Cross (BA ‘84) Sam Rubino (BMATH ‘84)
Class of 1983 Brian (BA ‘83) and Lily Freiburger Bruce (BMATH ‘83) and Jennifer Rodrigues * Kelley Teahen (BA ‘83) *
Class of 1982 Rev. Michael Cenerini (BA ‘82) David (BA ‘82) and Jacqueline Lang * Catherine Sweeney (BA ‘82) |
Class of 1981 Loretta Plomley (BA ‘81) Cristina Vanin (BA ‘81) and Michael Kelly ** Paul (BES ‘81) and Rosemary (BES ‘85) McNamara
Class of 1980 Brian Lynch (BA ‘80) **
Class of 1979 Thomas Byrne (BA ‘79) Mark Mooney (BA ‘79) and Anne Mooney ** Sean (BASC '79) and Mary Jo O'Brien ** Paul (BMATH ‘79) and Ella Rucurean
Class of 1978 Mary Ellen Cullen (BA ‘78) and Stephen Menich ** Maureen Crane (MMATH ‘78) and Doug Crane ** Karen (BA ‘78) and Warren Redman
Class of 1977 Craig Christy (BES ‘77) Catherine Horgan (BA ‘77)
Class of 1976 William (BMATH ‘76) and Patricia Brath * Joseph Martinello (BA ‘76) Maureen O’Donoghue Rich (BA ‘76) **
Class of 1975 Kenneth (BES ‘75) and Sharon Forgeron Christine Gasselle (BA ‘75) Judith (BA ‘75) and Jim Nairn Anke (BA’75) and Peter Naus **
Class of 1973 Murchison (MSC ‘73) and Chloe (BA ‘74) Callender * Peter (MASC ‘73) and Sharon Chin-Cheong
Class of 1972 Philip Branston (BES ‘72) Paul Coleman (BA ‘72) Cheryl (MA ‘72) and David Greenberg Anne Hind (BA ‘72) * Vincent Purpura (BA ‘72) Robert (BMATH ‘72) and Carol Truman
Class of 1971 Murray (BA ‘71) and Annie Ariss Brian (BA ‘71) and Gail-Lynn Gastaldi (BA ‘74) Margaret Ridzon (BA ‘71) Sr. Marie Taylor SSND (BA ‘71)
Class of 1970 Tom Ciancone (BMATH ‘70) ** Barbara (BA ‘70) and Paul (BA ‘70) Lavigne ** John Gilbert (MA ‘70)
Class of 1969 Kenneth (BA ‘69) and Mary Bisch John (BA ‘69) and Eleanor Morris Paul (BA ‘68, MA ‘71) and Carol Olinski ** Virginia Vickers (BA ‘69) **
Class of 1968 Barry Parker (BA ‘68) * Paul Pinkney (BMATH ‘68)
Class of 1967 Stephen Flott (BA ‘67) and R. Frances O’Brien William Kummer (BA ‘67) Carolyn (BA ‘67) and Bill Pegg ** Karen Reinhardt (BPE ‘67) *
Class of 1966 Jane Peacock (BA ‘66) Bruce (BA '66) & Gail (BA '66) Young **
Class of 1965 Kenneth (BA ‘65) and Elizabeth McLaughlin
Class of 1962 Nick Krasnick (BA ‘62) Douglas (BA ‘62) and Donna (BA ‘89) Letson
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Community Supporters
*Given consecutively for at least 5 years
**Given consecutively for at least 10 years
|
Michael and Diane Abbott Andre and Raymonde Anderson Michelle Atkin and Richard Myers Veronica Austen ** Thomas and Roswita Ball Susan Barrett Dipali Batabyal Steven and Leslie Bednarski ** Jean Bednarski James and Sandra Beingessner Mike Boehmer Joanne and Harry Boere Kieran and Margaret O’Shea Bonner ** Scott Boswell Mike Braga Catherine and John Brothers William & Maria Brown Catholic Community Foundation of Waterloo Region Inc. Roberta Cauchi-Santoro Darron and Marie Chin-Quee ** Linda Collins ** Congregation of Resurrection of Provincial Office * Conrad Grebel University College Leonard Curchin and Lucinda Neuru Dana Hospitality LP Cynthia Davis Charles Deierlein Wanda and Ryan Deschamps ** Roger Dietrich and Debbie Abt Diocese of Hamilton ** Sandra Evans Anne Facey and Shane Verbiski Rory and Natalie Ferrier Lesley and Jeff Fleming Thomas Fraser Margaret Fritsch ** John and Deanna Gazzola Mary Therese Gervais Giffen LLP Lawrence and Jane Gorman ** Dennis Grecco Hamilton Community Foundation Harkrug Inc. Teresa and Raymond Hands ** Michael and Krystyna Higgins Lucia Hogeveen and John Schneider * Nancy Howe Bernard and Brenda Howorth ** Jesuits of Canada Frank Jones Katrina Kaczala Michael Kaloutsky * Wayne Kemick John Klein Brian Krulicki |
Hartman and Brenda Krug ** Mary Ann and Peter Landry William and Doreen Leonard Louise Leonard ** Richard Leyes Lirong Liu Carol Ann MacGregor Catherine and Gordon Mackay Anthony MacKinnon Dorothy McCabe Diane McInnis & Satish Rangaswamy Peter and Laura Meehan Pat Melady Michael Miceli Saphron Moule Dan Muncan Andrea Olson Very Rev. Cornelius O’Mahony, EV Sean and Emily O’Seasnain Michael Pautler Barbara Peloso Deirdre Pike Phyllis Porter * Peter and Regina Quinn ** Dorothee Retterath and Ric Hewson ** Pauline Ridzon Fred Schell Vera Schmidt School Sisters of Notre Dame Christine Schwendinger David Seljak ** Thomas Shoniker Maria Teresa Simarro Justina Slocombe St. Jerome’s University Academic Staff Association Staebler Insurance Thomas Sullivan ** Maureen Sweeney Shelagh Sweeney TD Wealth Marion Thomson and Gary Howell Ticketfi Cynthia Truong ** Anthony and Valerie Truscello Charles Van Alphen Berry Vrbanovic Waterloo Catholic District School Board * Michelle Watson Wellington Catholic District School Board Mark and Paula Wendland Alayna Woodley Stephanie Zettel |
A thank you to all our anonymous donors as well. If your gift was marked as anonymous, your name may not appear in the above listing. Should you wish to not be anonymous, please email Hayley Winters, Manager of Development & Alumni Relations.