Lorraine Sheehan Wilson and Chris Wilson met while they were students at Saint Mary’s College and the University of Notre Dame. That union has led to a deep commitment to providing educational opportunities for everyone. Their historic $7.5 million gift to Saint Mary's will provide scholarships for the next generation of learners.
The Wilson Sheehan Scholarship Fund will start helping students starting with the 2027-2028 academic year.
“When Chris and I formed our foundation, it was always about opportunity — opening doors, providing access,” said Lorraine in a press release. Chris added, “We’re strong believers in giving people the opportunity to succeed.”
The landmark scholarship donation, the college's largest, will also support the college's Ring Out True campaign, which launches June. 6.
“This leadership gift directly advances our commitment to access, belonging and student success,” President Katie Conboy said. “Lorraine and Chris have already demonstrated a deep dedication to Saint Mary’s students. This transformative investment ensures that many more young women will benefit from the life-changing power of a Saint Mary’s education.”
Enrollment at Saint Mary's has increased in the past few years due in part to efforts to attract students who thought the college was too expensive.
The fund will offer need-based scholarships up to four years of education.
“Our philanthropy has always been people-focused,” Chris Wilson said. “When you invest in a student, you’re investing not just in her future, but in the generations that follow.”
Saint Mary’s is a private, all-girls college founded in 1844 in Notre Dame.
