HELENA – In an exceptional demonstration of generosity and philanthropy, Carroll College is excited to announce the receipt of over $4.2 million in end-of-year gifts to the college. The gifts and grants represent a blend of local, regional and national support by individuals, businesses, and foundations.
The surge in year-end giving was led by Roy, class of 1962, and Frances Simperman, whose December gift to the MIND BODY SPIRIT Campaign of $1,007,695, will help lead to transformational changes in the Corette Library. This gift will provide the funding for the Simperman Learning Commons in the library. The Learning Commons will provide an energizing environment where students can engage in a diverse array of learning activities. It is a place where students will gravitate between and after class for study and interaction. The Commons will provide space for both individual study and group collaboration, with the ultimate goal of facilitating a communal area for the exploration and exchange of ideas and information.
"The Corette Library enhancements will be a wonderful tribute to Jack Corette and his daughter Diane, both of whom were college trustees," said Mr. Simperman. In recognition of the significance of the Simperman’s contribution to improving students’ resources for learning and study, the building will become known as the Corette Library and Simperman Learning Commons.
“In addition to this tremendous gift to the library, we are so grateful for Mr. Simperman’s longtime support of Carroll and our students through scholarships and the many improvements to Simperman Hall over the years,” said Carroll President Dr. Tom Evans.
Additionally, the college recently received a grant in the amount of $355,153 from the Lilly Endowment to establish the St. Kateri Institute for Integrative Learning as part of their High School Youth Theology Institutes initiative. The initiative seeks to encourage young people to explore theological traditions, ask questions about the moral dimensions of contemporary issues and examine how their faith calls them to lives of service.
Several recent donations to enhance learning and teaching opportunities on campus include a $60,000 commitment by the Dennis and Phyllis Washington Foundation for the MiClassroom Pilot Project. The project will train and provide resources to faculty members in flipped classroom practices, real-time engagement methods, and inquiry-based learning techniques, in order to enhance the educational experience by blending the best pedagogical practices with the most teacher-friendly and learning-centered technological tools. In addition, Dr. Richard, class of 1966, and Sue Buswell, provided $100,000 to establish the Sue A. Buswell Endowed Professorship in Nursing. As a member of the Carroll nursing faculty for 17 years, Sue Buswell is extremely proud of the department and its long tenure of preparing outstanding nurses, and is honored to have this professorship carry her name.
A number of fourth-quarter gifts were received in support of initiatives for the MIND BODY SPIRIT Campaign, including donations for the new chapel in the amounts of $285,000 from the Mary Alice Fortin Foundation and $100,000 from James, class of 1955, and Doris Grenier. Additionally, $100,000 was gifted anonymously to the anthrozoology building fund and the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway Foundation committed $100,000 to the Hunthausen Activity Center. To cap off, a combined total of $180,000 was given to the college from the Treacy Foundation, Opportunity Bank of Montana and Dowling Studio Architects to renovate and modernize classrooms in O’Connell Hall.
“We couldn't be happier with and more grateful for the outpouring of generosity shown to the college through these gifts. This remarkable level of charitable giving demonstrates the faith and excitement that people have for the direction, vision and future of Carroll College,” said Dr. Evans.