Donnelly supporters break ground in front of the current academic building on May 2 for the college's campus master plan.
By the summer of 2020, every part of campus will be new or recently renovated. On May 2, nearly 200 Donnelly College students, faculty, staff, board members, partners and friends celebrated the groundbreaking of the college’s $30 million campus master plan.
“We are proud to be planting our permanent flag on 18th Street in eastern Wyandotte, and the heart of the Donnelly community will beat steadily here for many decades to come,” said Rachel Cruz, chair of board of directors.
The new three-story, 72,000 sq. ft. academic building will include state-of-the-art learning environments, updated technology, centralized student support services, an academic resource center and a 60-seat chapel.
Donnelly's new academic building, view from 18th street looking north.
“This place, the place where you are standing now, the place that once housed a hospital and now houses the epicenter of high-quality, accessible education, will continue to be the place where lives are transformed, where ills are healed, and where the spark of learning grows into the true light, the lux vera, of Donnelly College,” Cruz said.
For 70 years, Donnelly has been on a mission to provide exceptional higher education offerings to those who desire a college degree or certificate, regardless of economic circumstances or social background. These campus improvements will be the foundation for the next 70 years of service to the community.
“Thousands of people have passed through Donnelly’s classrooms and gone on to lead communities, start businesses, and raise families,” said Sr. Genevieve Robinson, OSB, board member. “The Sisters are proud to be the sponsors of a college that transforms people, places, and spirits, and we look forward to continuing our sponsorship in the new academic building.”
This project represents one of the largest privately-funded investments in eastern Wyandotte County in recent history.
“Today, as we break ground on the building that will take us through the next 70 years, we take time to honor and thank those who have made our work possible,” said Monsignor Stuart Swetland, president of Donnelly College. “Thank you first to our founding sponsors, the Benedictine Sisters of Mount Saint Scholastica and the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas. Without their commitment, leadership, and assistance, we would not be lifting shovels today.”
Donnelly College President Monsignor Stuart Swetland talking during the groundbreaking ceremony.
The campus master plan includes the following phases:
Phase I - Community Event Center (completed in 2013)
Phase II - Renovation of Marian Hall which houses the College’s nursing program (Completed in 2017)
Phase III - Two-level parking garage (to be completed June 2019)
Three-level academic and administrative building (to be completed August 2020)
Learn more about our shared future at campaignfordonnelly.com.