|
A List
12/5/05
KRESGE FOUNDATION AWARDS $1 MILLION CHALLENGE GRANT TO SLU
CANTON - The Kresge Foundation has approved a $1 million challenge grant to
St. Lawrence University, for construction of its new 115,000-square-foot Sarah
Johnson Redlich '82 Hall of Science. Construction on the building began in the
spring of 2005 and is scheduled to be completed for use in the fall of 2007.
In order to meet the challenge, the University must raise just over $4.1 million in new
gifts and pledges for the project by April 1, 2007. Awards from The Kresge Foundation
are designed to help nonprofit organizations build a broad base of support, primarily
through new and increased contributions.
The University broke ground in May for the $36.9 million facility for biology, chemistry,
biochemistry, neuroscience and psychology which is the first phase in a four-phase,
$60 million program of science and mathematics facilities improvements.
St. Lawrence President Daniel F. Sullivan stated, "The University has received assistance
from The Kresge Foundation four times previously, at times when our campus footprint
was growing - with a science building in 1966, our psychology building in 1972, our
athletic facilities in 1976 and our library in 1979. We are now embarking on our
largest and most expensive building project to date and feel confident that we will
meet the challenge that the foundation has set forth. I thank The Kresge Foundation
for their generous past support, and am very grateful for this expression of their
faith in our future."
As of September, when the University officially received notification of the grant, it
was one of 154 nonprofit institutions worldwide to share $89,734,863 in total grant
awards made in 2005 by the foundation. John E. Marshall III, president and CEO of The
Kresge Foundation, explained why St. Lawrence and the others were chosen: "This diverse
group is responding to the new challenges presented by their communities or sustaining
activities that have demonstrated their effectiveness."
Grants are made toward projects involving construction or renovation of facilities and
the purchase of major capital equipment or real estate. Last year, the foundation
reviewed 636 proposals and awarded 175 challenge grants to organizations operating
in the areas of higher education; health and long-term care; arts and humanities;
human services; science and the environment; and public affairs.
The process to receive a grant from The Kresge Foundation is extremely competitive. In
their review of an applicant's proposal and supporting materials, Foundation staff
members and trustees evaluate many institutional criteria, including evidence of strong
support for the project among the organization's own leadership. According to St. Lawrence
Trustee R. Sheldon Johnson '68, chair of the University's next comprehensive campaign,
St. Lawrence trustees answered their own challenge to help secure the grant award.
"A special appeal to make a gift for the science project was issued to all trustees from
Board Chair Larry Winston '60 and the late Trustee Advancement Committee Chair Sabra
Bartlett '74 in order to demonstrate to The Kresge Foundation that this project is an
important priority to all of us," reported Johnson. "I am pleased to announce that
response was quick and enthusiastic with 100 percent participation. I want to thank
all the trustees for making this happen."
The Kresge Foundation, based in Troy, Michigan, is an independent, private foundation
created by the personal gifts of Sebastian S. Kresge. It is not affiliated with any
corporation or organization.
-30-
Science At St. Lawrence
The Kresge Foundation Web Site
|
