St. Thomas Launches Its Largest-Ever Campaign to Prepare the Next Generation of Leaders

The University of St. Thomas believes the value of a college education isn’t measured simply by the degrees it awards, but by the impact its graduates have on the world.

That belief is inspiring extraordinary philanthropic support.

Minnesota’s largest private university today publicly launched Be Brilliant. Be Bold. The Campaign for St. Thomas, a $1 billion comprehensive campaign that has already garnered nearly $800 million in commitments from over 20,000 donors. The campaign will expand scholarship opportunities, invest in faculty and academic excellence, and create more transformational learning experiences for students.

The campaign – the largest publicly announced by a Minnesota private college or university and among the largest ever announced by a U.S. Catholic university – reflects growing confidence in the university’s mission to educate graduates who combine professional excellence with a commitment to the common good.

“Across industries and sectors, we hear a consistent message from leaders: The world needs the type of graduates St. Thomas produces,” said President Rob Vischer. “They need people who are prepared not only with knowledge and skill, but with the judgment, purpose and moral responsibility to use their gifts to serve others. This campaign is about answering that call.”

The campaign is led by volunteer co-chairs Andrew ’82 and Kathleen Cecere, Rory ’86 and Rhonda ’88 O’Neill, and Patrick ’75 and Ann Ryan. Andrew Cecere (former U.S. Bancorp CEO), Rory O’Neill (Castlelake, L.P. executive chair and managing partner) and Patrick Ryan (Ryan Companies US, Inc. chairman) are all members of St. Thomas’ Board of Trustees.

To mark the public launch, St. Thomas also announced an $82 million commitment payable over 10 years from the Ciresi Walburn Foundation and the Michael V. and Ann C. Ciresi Foundation. The record-breaking gift is the largest in the university’s history and one of the largest ever made to a Minnesota college or university. It also is among the state’s largest-ever investments in student access and support.

Scholarships are the campaign’s top fundraising priority, helping ensure talented students can access a transformative St. Thomas education regardless of financial circumstances. Campaign support will increase both annual and endowed scholarships, allowing students to enroll, persist and fully participate in experiences ranging from undergraduate research and internships to service learning and leadership development. To date, campaign donors have dedicated nearly $350 million to scholarships.

For example, the Ciresi Walburn Foundation gift will expand the Ciresi Walburn Leadership Fellows, a cohort-based scholarship program that serves students with financial need who demonstrate commitment to leadership, service and social justice. The four-year program also provides mentoring, professional development, internship placement and research project support. In addition to ensuring the program’s long-term future, the new gift will establish the Ciresi Walburn Center for Leadership and the Ciresi Walburn Center for First-Generation College Students.

“We created the foundation to serve children and young adults, and over time we learned that education was where we could have the greatest impact,” said Michael V. Ciresi, president and chairman of the Ciresi Walburn Foundation. “This gift to St. Thomas ensures that work will continue in perpetuity. St. Thomas lives its mission to serve the common good, and that mission is our mission.”

In addition to scholarships, Be Brilliant. Be Bold. will invest in the experiences that distinguish a St. Thomas education. Specifically, the campaign will:

Recognizing philanthropy extends beyond financial support, Be Brilliant. Be Bold. also seeks to inspire more than one million acts of engagement – from mentoring students and volunteering to advocating for the university’s mission.

Support from over 150,000 gifts has already transformed the university in significant ways. For example, campaign investments are:

“This campaign represents an opportunity to build on that momentum,” said campaign co-chair Patrick Ryan. “Together, we can ensure more students have access to a St. Thomas education and graduate prepared to lead, serve and make a difference.”

For more information or to get involved, visit: https://give.stthomas.edu/campaign/index.html.