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Misericordia is proud to celebrate the success of Now For Tomorrow: The Campaign for Misericordia University – an unprecedented, bold effort to bring campus science facilities into the 21st century, increase the endowment, and buoy the scholarship program to help attract and support the best students. Despite incredible odds, the historic fundraising effort raised an unprecedented $39.6 million, more than $9 million over goal and became the most successful campaign in Misericordia’s nearly 98-year history – more than doubling any previous fundraising initiative. “The success of this fundraising effort – more than $9 million over goal – is nothing short of overwhelming,” stated President Daniel J. Myers, Ph.D., during the dedication of the 85,900 square foot Frank M. and Dorothea Henry Science Center, the centerpiece of the campaign effort. “We have an extraordinary amount of appreciation to each and every donor who helped make this campaign a rousing success. And we salute the foresight, dedication, and hard work of the leadership team that made it possible.” With a ribbon-cutting on October 22, 2021, the largest academic building on Misericordia’s 126-acre campus offers 15 state-of-the-art teaching laboratories in biology, chemistry, biochemistry, and physics; eight research laboratories, numerous specialty areas, and an open design that offers informal learning spaces for student and faculty collaboration. Completed in two phases, the new wing of the facility opened on October 5, 2020, to students. Renovations to the original portion of the science building followed, were completed over the summer of 2021, and the entire Henry Science Center was opened to grateful students that fall. Early campaign discussions in 2016 cited concerns that a slow economy would hurt any chances of making even a modest $20 million goal. Yet, the Board of Trustees, the administrative team led by then-President Thomas Botzman, and a faculty-staff committee headed by Project Shepherd Anthony Serino, Ph.D., were undaunted, and despite the challenges, set a hearty $30 million goal. Rising to the challenge were Board of Trustees member Mary Erwine ’90, ’92 and Trustee Emeritus Sandy Insalaco, Sr., who agreed to serve as co-chairs of the campaign. With their guidance, and propelled by a lead gift by local philanthropist Frank M. Henry, the campaign was well received and strongly supported by alumni, faculty and staff, friends, government entities, community leaders, and corporate and foundation partners. The three-priority campaign focus not only enhanced science education, it increased support for the Misericordia Fund, providing the administration with the financial resources that are required to move quickly on opportunities to serve students. As the university and its students subsequently faced the challenges of a pandemic, never has this type of funding been so needed. The third portion of the campaign served to substantially increase endowment scholarship funding to help lower students’ debt upon graduation. The university has awarded more than $1.2 million in endowed and named scholarships to deserving students during the 2021-2022 academic year. “I am a proud alumna and even prouder chair of the Board of Trustees, as together we have helped propel Misericordia towards its second century as a leader in science education and the financial support of students,” says Deborah Smith-Mileski, ’75, D. Ed., chair, Board of Trustees. “I believe there is no greater tribute to the mission of the founding Sisters of Mercy than what we have accomplished through the Now for Tomorrow Campaign. Today’s students thank you. The students of tomorrow will be here because of you.”Make A Gift Today: https://www.misericordia.edu/makeagiftLike Us On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MisericordiaAlumni/Follow Us On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/misericordiaalumni/Follow Us On Twitter: https://twitter.com/misericordialumListen To Our Podcast: https://anchor.fm/misericordiaalumniMore Alumni Resources: https://solo.to/misericordiaalumni