Saint Mary’s College in Notre Dame is launching a $200 million fundraising campaign. Ring Out Ring True is the 181-year-old college's largest-ever initiative.
Alumnae, parents and friends already have helped the college reach $180 million of that goal.
“Students and families are looking for more than a credential,” said Katie Conboy, president of Saint Mary’s College, in a press release. “They are searching for meaning, mentorship, community and an education that prepares graduates not only for successful careers, but for lives of impact. Saint Mary’s is meeting the moment.”
The campaign kicked off with a special surprise on June 6 when the bell in Le Mans Hall bell tower rang for the first time. The bell was installed with a donation from an alumnae. The 45-inch, 1,800-pound bronze bell was transported from a church on the East Coast. It was cast in 1865.
The initiative will support scholarships, hands-on learning, learning for high-demand industries and other programming.
The college recently has seen growth in enrollment and record support from donors, which in part led to the initiative.
“Higher education is facing an inflection point,” said Holly Johnson, vice president for advancement at Saint Mary’s. “This campaign is an investment in a model of education that remains deeply relevant: rigorous academics grounded in human dignity, ethical leadership, and the empowerment of women to lead in every sector of society.”
Saint Mary’s offers more than 60 undergraduate degrees, including business, healthcare, public service, education, science and the arts.
“In a culture increasingly shaped by individualism, divisiveness, and automation, students are drawn to institutions that help them think critically, lead compassionately, and live purposefully,” Conboy said. “That is the promise of Saint Mary’s College — and this campaign ensures that promise will continue for generations to come.”
Saint Mary’s College is a Catholic women's college founded in 1844.
