Saint Joseph's University, 2007–08 - With Faith and Strength to Dare ...

POST FAMILY MAKES $7.5 MILLION
GIFT TO SUPPORT LIBRARY LEARNING
COMMONS
A $7.5 million gift from John R. Post ‘60 (B.S.)
and his wife, Maryanne, will dramatically reshape
the academic hub of Saint Joseph‘s campus.
The gift is the centerpiece of what will be
known as the John R. Post ‘60 Academic Center —
which includes the construction of a new,
three-story building, to be named the John and
Maryanne Post Learning Commons, and the renovation of the existing
Francis A. Drexel Library.
“I cannot express how grateful I am to John and Maryanne for this
wonderful gift and how it will continue to impact our students,“ University
President Timothy R. Lannon, S.J., said. “We are all thankful for their
ongoing leadership and unmatched commitment to Saint Joseph‘s
University. The Post family personifies what we mean by magis, always
striving to do more for the greater glory of God.“
Drexel Library will be structurally joined to the Post Learning Commons,
a 37,000-square-foot edifice that will include private rooms with large
screens for students to work on projects and create collaborative presentations,
instruction areas, expanded student seating, and special collections and
archives. The Crossroads Café, modeled after commercial coffee shops, will
attract students looking beyond the traditional library setting.
The John R. Post ‘60 Academic Center is one of six priorities outlined in
With Faith and Strength to Dare: The Campaign for Saint Joseph‘s University.
The estimated $21 million project is anticipated to break ground in 2013.
Post is founder and president of Post Precision Castings in Strausstown,
Pa. — one of America‘s leading providers of commercial investment castings —
and a long-time benefactor of his alma mater. In 1999, the Posts‘ $6 million
gift transformed the former Villiger Hall into a state-of-the-art academic
facility, now known as John R. Post Hall. With this new gift, the Post family
becomes the largest single benefactor in the University‘s 157-year history.
COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES DEAN RECEIVES AWARD
FOR POPE JOHN PAUL II EXHIBIT
University President Timothy R. Lannon, S.J. and exhibit co-creators William Madges, Ph.D.,
Yaffa Eliach, Ph.D., and Rabbi Abie Ingber
William Madges, Ph.D., dean of the College of Arts and Sciences,
received the 2008 Eternal Light Award for developing the exhibit
“A Blessing to One Another: Pope John Paul II and the Jewish People.”
The Center for Catholic-Jewish Studies presented the honor to Madges
and two of his co-creators in March. The award is given annually to
individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the cause of
Catholic-Jewish dialogue.
Phil Martelli, men's basketball head coach; Hagan '85; Fr. Lannon; Michael P. McNulty '85,
former Trustee; Cindy Griffin '91, women's basketball head coach; and Don DiJulia '67,
director of athletics
SJU BREAKS GROUND ON FIELDHOUSE EXPANSION
The official groundbreaking celebrating the expansion of Saint Joseph‘s
University‘s Fieldhouse, and a dedicated center for men‘s and women‘s
basketball, took place in front of the complex in October 2007.
As the home of the Hawks, the Fieldhouse is the well-loved shrine and
the very heart of Saint Joseph‘s athletics. The expansion and renovation is
an integral part of With Faith and Strength to Dare: The Campaign for
Saint Joseph‘s University, and will preserve the storied facility while
bringing the athletic complex to a level befitting such a venerable tradition.
The Fieldhouse, home to Saint Joseph‘s University basketball since 1949,
will be named for Michael J. Hagan ‘85 at the conclusion of the multi-year project.
Hagan, the chairman of Horsham-based NutriSystem, Inc., and his wife,
Joyce, are contributing $10 million as the lead benefactors for the most
comprehensive enhancement of athletic facilities in Saint Joseph‘s history.
“Mike Hagan is a success story and a singular example of the Jesuit
tradition of giving back. His involvement as an alumnus, University Trustee
and now major benefactor is one of humility and selfless action,“
stated Saint Joseph‘s President Timothy R. Lannon, S.J. “This gift allows
Saint Joseph‘s to preserve an important part of its history while at the same
time modernizing a facility of which all Hawks can be proud.“
“I love Saint Joseph‘s University, first and foremost,“ Hagan said. “I think
the profile of the school is on a massive uptick, and when this facility
opens, it will attract some of the best recruits around. There‘s no argument
that we have great coaches. Once we provide them with a better platform,
I believe you‘re going to see Hawk teams consistently competing with the
best in the nation.“
GIFT FROM BERNADETTE B. AND JAMES J. NEALIS ‘69
EXPANDS ASIAN STUDIES PROGRAM
Saint Joseph‘s University expanded its program in Asian Studies, by offering
a new major and creating a faculty chair in Asian Studies — thanks to a $2.5
million gift and bequest from Bernadette B. and James J. Nealis III ‘69 (B.S.)
The University established Bernadette B. and James J. Nealis III ‘69 Program
in Asian Studies as an interdisciplinary program within the College of Arts
and Sciences, beginning in the 2008-09 academic year — replacing the
minor and certificate program previously offered.
Additionally, and as part of its Strategic Plan, Saint Joseph‘s will dedicate
two new tenure-track faculty positions to the development of the Asian
Studies Program — one coming online in 2008 and the other in 2009.
“This program in Asian Studies will propel Saint Joseph‘s a step closer to
achieving its vision of being a comprehensive university with a global focus,“
said University President Timothy R. Lannon, S.J.
In addition to developing the Asian Studies program, $1.5 million of the
Nealis gift, through a bequest, will support the creation of the Bernadette B.
and James J. Nealis III ‘69 Faculty Chair in Asian Studies.
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