SHU Commits to Student Scholarships with $150M Campaign

FAIRFIELD, Conn. — Sacred Heart University recently hosted its biggest fundraising event of the year, where it announced its commitment to student scholarships with the launch of its largest campaign ever, set on raising $150 million.

 

More than 400 guests attended the Pioneer Scholarship Gala, formerly the Discovery Gala, at the new Martire Family Arena. The event acknowledged increased philanthropic resources for SHU’s scholarship programs and honored University friends Linda McMahon, a SHU Board of Trustees member, and Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin Company. The gala also served as the official kickoff to SHU’s 60th-anniversary celebrations.

 

The state-of-the-art arena was transformed into a magical, elegant banquet space. The ice rink was covered, and guests sat at white, cloth-covered tables amid decorated trees while enjoying dinner and speeches from students and honorees. Music and dancing rounded out the evening.

 

One event highlight occurred when John Vazquez, MBA ’93, SHU’s Board of Trustees chair, announced the University’s most comprehensive fundraising campaign, Now We Lead. Applause followed news that SHU has already raised $90 million toward its $150 million goal.

 

“With this campaign, we are dreaming big,” Vazquez said. “With the community’s partnership, we’ll be able to provide more student scholarships at both the undergraduate and graduate levels to ensure students who deserve a SHU education receive one. Together, we can raise our sights and ambitions to even better serve our students, community and our world.”

 

Scholarship recipients DeAndre Byrd ’22 and Malik Grant ’23 shared heartfelt thanks for the impact SHU has had on their lives. They spoke about their SHU experiences and their gratitude for the scholarships they received.

 

SHU presented McMahon and Paul Lemmo, Sikorsky president, with the Pioneer Scholarship Gala Award for their dedication and commitment to serving others. McMahon, former president and CEO of World Wrestling Entertainment, former administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration and current chair of the nonprofit research organization America First Policy Institute, is a longtime and generous University supporter. Sikorsky received its honor for 100 years of passion for innovation.

 

March marked 60 years since SHU was incorporated, and the gala was one of many events planned to celebrate the anniversary. The Most Reverend Walter W. Curtis, second bishop of the Diocese of Bridgeport, founded Sacred Heart University in 1963 to provide an institution of higher education that would serve the people of the diocese and region, regardless of sex, race or religion.

 

“We were thrilled to celebrate student scholarships, honor our special guests with the Pioneer Scholarship Gala Award and ring in 60 years of SHU at the new Martire Family Arena,” said Paul J. Sutera, senior vice president of University advancement. “It was a special time—a great day to be a Pioneer!”

 

PHOTO: From left are SHU trustees John Vazquez, Julie Bonacio, Suzanne Greco and student speakers DeAndre Byrd and Malik Grant.

 

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About Sacred Heart University

As the second-largest independent Catholic university in New England, and one of the fastest-growing private doctoral institutions in the U.S., Sacred Heart University is a national leader in shaping higher education for the 21st century. SHU offers nearly 90 undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and certificate programs on its Fairfield, Conn., campus. Sacred Heart also has a campus in Dingle, Ireland, and offers online programs. More than 10,000 students attend the University’s nine colleges and schools: Arts & Sciences; Communication, Media & the Arts; Social Work; Computer Science & Engineering; Health Professions; the Isabelle Farrington College of Education & Human Development; the Jack Welch College of Business & Technology; the Dr. Susan L. Davis, R.N., & Richard J. Henley College of Nursing; and St. Vincent’s College. Sacred Heart stands out from other Catholic institutions as it was established and led by laity. The contemporary Catholic university is rooted in the rich Catholic intellectual tradition and the liberal arts, and at the same time cultivates students to be forward thinkers who enact change—in their own lives, professions and in their communities. The Princeton Review includes SHU in its Best 388 Colleges–2023 Edition, and Best Business Schools–2023 Edition. Sacred Heart is home to the award-winning, NPR-affiliated radio station, WSHU, a Division I athletics program and an impressive performing arts program that includes choir, band, dance and theatre. www.sacredheart.edu