The stately main dining room in Kimball Hall—ordinarily echoing with mealtime conversations of students and the clatter of silverware at massive oak tables—was transformed over the weekend. More than 650 alumni and friends gathered there for a black-tie reception on Saturday, November 4, to celebrate the conclusion of the most successful fundraising campaign in the College"s history.
The festivities marked the achievements of the "Lift High the Cross" Campaign, which broke all fundraising records by closing at $216.3 million, more than $40 million beyond the original goal. More than 25,000 alumni, parents, and friends of Holy Cross participated in the campaign, which supported key College priorities, including scholarships for students, faculty resources, construction on campus, and the faith-based traditions unique to the Catholic and Jesuit values of Holy Cross.
Guests at the celebration—who marveled at the sight of the table-less Kimball—circulated throughout the room, sampling a panoply of menus at themed stations, all designed and prepared by Holy Cross Dining. Large video screens displayed images of students, faculty, and campus scenes, and underscored how the College has been shaped over the course of the eight-year campaign effort.
During the formal program, representatives from the student body, faculty, and the Chaplains' Office, addressed the crowd, describing specific ways donors' support "raised the Cross higher."
Bill Supple '81 and Mary Lynch Supple '82, new co-chairs of President's Council, served as the evening's hosts. Jack Rehm ‘54, chair of the "Lift High the Cross" Campaign Steering Committee, shared the results of the campaign, and expressed his gratitude to all who contributed.
Rev. Michael C. McFarland, S.J., president, spoke about how the campaign effectively translated the College's vision of Jesuit education in the 21st century into reality. "As graduates and friends of Holy Cross, you strive to be, in the words of Fr. Pedro Arrupe, men and women for others. Throughout the course of the campaign, you counted among those ‘others' the students – present and future – of the College of the Holy Cross, and all those whom they serve or will serve," he told guests. "You have once again proven that together, united in our Jesuit mission, we have the potential to transform the world."
And because of the campaign's focus on supporting students, it was especially fitting that banner-bearing members of the Holy Cross Chamber Singers led guests in song: thunderous renditions of "Lift High the Cross" and the Alma Mater's refrain "O Holy Cross" resounded under Kimball's cathedral ceilings.
Related information:
* Holy Cross Completes Capital Campaign at Record $216.3 Million
Holy Cross celebrates accomplishments of "Lift High the Cross" campaign
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