News and Updates
Campaign Kicks Off With Celebration and Tours
On Sunday, February 25, members of the St. Joseph’s Prep community gathered to mark the formal kick-off of The Campaign for The Prep, a project that will bring sweeping changes to the Prep’s infrastructure while also strengthening the school’s endowment.
Following Mass in the Church of the Gesu, the gathered alumni, parents, faculty & staff, and students moved to the multi-purpose room to learn of the school’s future vision. Speaking to the crowd, Prep President Rev. William J. Byron, S.J. ’45 and the Campaign’s Co-Chairs John Paul ’66 and Paul Kelly, Jr. ’66 outlined the project.
“Although it may seem like a new cause, it really is the same cause we have always had: the desire to educate young men in the Jesuit tradition in the hopes of them becoming ‘men for and with others,’” said Fr. Byron. “This new opportunity represents a unified commitment to a common good – the future of our school.”
The project will bring dramatic changes to the school’s campus. Most notably, it will result in the renovation of the former Jesuit Residence, located on the corner of 18th and Thompson Sts., into the school’s new Academic Center. Once home to more than sixty Jesuits, this unused five-story building will house sixteen new classrooms, a fine arts center and offices. The project also calls for the creation of multi-level linking corridors between buildings and a new multi-level cafeteria, a total renovation of 100,000 square feet.
“Our current school building has been stretched far beyond its intended limits,” Fr. Byron said. “The school was constructed for roughly 750 students and we now have nearly 1,000. During the school day, our building is utilized at a capacity of 99 percent. Frankly, this limits the opportunities available for our outstanding faculty and students.”
The total cost of the infrastructure expansion is $20 million. In addition, The Campaign for The Prep seeks to strengthen the existing endowment and bolster The Prep Fund, a total goal of $30 million.
Also speaking to the need was Student Government President Steven Wood ’07 who said “with the addition of 16 new classrooms, class size will be able to expand to encompass everyone who is interested in the class of their choice. It’s embarrassing enough I was cut from the basketball team, it would be nice if I could get on the Film and Lit roster.”
Paul Kelly provided an overview of progress to date. As of February 25, the Campaign had surpassed $17 million, including five seven-figure commitments. He also acknowledged the support of key groups including the Board of Trustees, all of whom have committed to the campaign, and the Faculty and Staff with more than 90 percent of that group supporting the effort.
Tours of the future Academic Center were another highlight of the day. Teams of Prep students led small groups through the building, stopping at key points to hear presentations from faculty and the staff.
The day was summarized by John Paul. Closing the day’s remarks, he said “sometimes it is easy for us to lose sight of how we can be a man or woman for others. This is our chance to do that and leave a lasting mark. Please consider joining us as we make for a strong future for The Prep and an impact on the boys attending.”
