Marian Magazine - Marian High School

Marian’s Spotlight on Our Future Capital Campaign
Capital development is not new to Marian
High School. It is an essential component of
Marian’s strategic plan. In order to continue
providing the exemplary education Marian
prides itself on and to accommodate all its
students, Marian has embarked on more than
one successful capital project.
When Marian began to outgrow the original
building (anticipating 950 students by the fall
of 1968), additional classroom space was a
must. What is known as “The 1964 Building”
was added as an extension to the original
school and included a gymnasium, cafeteria,
science laboratories, an audio-visual lab,
administrative offices, a chapel, a larger
library and a reception foyer.
After the passing of Title IX, Marian started
excelling in athletics as well as academics
and fine arts. To accommodate its champion
sports teams, Marian embarked on its first
capital campaign, Continuing Her Mission, in
1997 to add a new and larger gymnasium for
all the Crusader fans and a student center
and foyer for additional gathering space.
Shortly after in 2001, Marian embarked on its
second capital effort, Building on Excellence.
State-of-the-art science laboratories were
added to support the ever-increasing
number of Marian girls who are interested
in pursuing four, five or even six years of
science coursework. The Student Services
Center was built to house Marian’s Student
Advisory Department, which supports and
guides students on their academic journeys
at Marian and beyond. The John A. Edney
Library expanded Marian’s third floor and
the former library space became art rooms
to support Marian’s visuals arts program.
Finally, a high-tech fitness center was added
so that Marian’s athletes could properly
condition and train for competition.
Currently, Marian is in the midst of its third,
and most ambitious, Capital Campaign:
Spotlight on Our Future.
Tara Tipton ‘10
This campaign is comprised
of four goals:
1. Increase Marian’s Endowment by
$1.2 million.
2. Enhance Marian’s infrastructure
through heating and air conditioning
renovations, replace original
windows with energy-efficient
models and add a new roof.
3. Improve traffic flow and parking
with a new road around campus,
re-surface and expand the parking
lot to accommodate increased
student population as well as the
many volunteers who assist Marian
on a daily basis, and build a facility
to house building and grounds
maintenance equipment.
4. Finally, construct a Performing Arts
Center, the largest of all four goals.
The total estimated cost for all four of
these projects is nearly $12.1 million.
Marian is proud to say that the first
three goals of the Spotlight on Our Future
campaign were completed and fully
funded through $7.3 million in gifts and
pledges from generous donors.
The last curtain has been raised on the
final act: The Performing Arts Center.
The Performing Arts Center will flank the
west side of the building near the Fitness
Center and East Gym (currently the faculty
parking lot). We are thrilled to give Marian’s
outstanding Fine Arts students a proper
venue to showcase, utilize and develop
their talents. In addition, every students
educational experience will be enhanced
by their exposure to the arts. The facility
will also be used for guest speakers, honors
assemblies and class meetings.
We are well on our way to raising what we
need to build this exceptional addition to
Marian.
Since Marian opened its doors in 1955, it has
been committed to the arts in education,
something that is vital to the development
of the whole person. Marian girls continually
excel in music, drama, dance and competitive
speaking.
The fine and performing arts courses, extracurricular
programs and performances
provide unique opportunities for our students
as they journey to discover their talents,
find their voice and prepare for a future as
confident, independent, thinking leaders.
Recognizing the school’s rich and vibrant
history in the arts, Marian is committed to
preparing its students as they continue to
excel in the arts.
To ensure our vitality and to seize the future
as the premier all-girls, Catholic high school
in Nebraska, the Spotlight on Our Future
campaign is the response necessary to meet
the most urgent priorities as established by
the Servants of Mary, Board of Directors,
administration, faculty and staff, alumnae,
students and friends.
For more information about the campaign,
go to Marian’s website: marianhighschool.
net/advancement/capital-campaign, or
contact Marian’s Director of Advancement
Shannan Neppl Brommer ‘81 at 571-2618
ext 119.
29