On Sept. 19, Seton Hall invited alumni, donors, and friends of the university to campus to launch a donation campaign, days after the new strategic plan, “Inspiring Great Minds To Greater Purpose,” was announced.
The “For All, Forever, A Campaign for a Greater Seton Hall” is the “most ambitious philanthropic effort in the university’s history,” according to a university press release. It has a fundraising goal of $225 million to build on the university’s “170-year legacy of academic excellence, expand opportunities for the next generation of Setonians, and position Seton Hall as a leader among the nation’s Catholic universities.”
The campaign centers on 3 strategic priorities:
Preparing leaders now, expanding access to scholarships and removing barriers to receiving a SHU education
Enriching our education, focusing on SHU’s academic centers and institutes, signature spaces, and experimental learning opportunities to prepare students for the world
Strengthening our cornerstones, growing endowed positions and research initiatives that attract talent and drive discovery
The event began with a cocktail hour followed by the official launch, then dessert. At the cocktail hour, there were student representatives from different sectors of SHU.
Elizabeth Cronk, a junior psychology and philosophy major, attended the event representing the Servant Leader Scholarship. She said it’s beautiful that SHU included students in the launch.
“The university is serving the students,” Cronk said. “It means a lot that they’re pouring back into the students.”
Brigid McGlone, a junior English and philosophy double major, representing the Alumni Legacy Scholarship, said it warms her heart that many people stay invested in SHU long after being students.
“These people are here because they really care about Seton Hall, and they want to see what it's going to be like, going forward, for the next generations of students,” McGlone said.
Cronk, who is involved in the Honors Program and the Buccino Leadership Institute, said she’s thankful to SHU because she’s learned much about her leadership style and how to carry herself.
“The fact that I'm here and giving this interview is a testament to Seton Hall's ability to build confidence and competence in its students,” Cronk said.
Nicole Sedutto, a sophomore in the 3+3 biology and physical therapy program, representing the Alumni Association and the Servant Leader Scholarship, said that SHU has taught her time management, how to connect with people, and how to carry herself.
“What you put into [your SHU education] is what you receive out of it,” Sedutto said.
Ed Bishof, vice president for finance and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and SHU alum, attended the event. He said he’s very proud of the university and proud of the campaign, because they reflect SHU’s core values.
“They have the right focus for how they want to invest in our future, to build a stronger campus and [a] stronger student body, promoting the Catholic values I think are very important for Seton Hall's identity,” Bishof said.
“The Advancement staff has done a very good job in developing a great campaign. I know our Board of Regents is very supportive as well and I just think this is gonna be very successful,” Bishof added.
Bob Ley, the founder of the Center for Sports Media and SHU alum, said the campaign SHU is embarking on is important, and he is honored that SHU showcased the Center for Sports Media, as it is very close to his heart. As an alum, he said that SHU has been “absolutely life changing” for him.
“I wouldn't professionally be what I have been fortunate to be part of, without my four years here,” Ley said.
Ley said the donation campaign is all about SHU’s values, echoing Bishof.
“It's about family, and it's about shared understanding of what the challenge is: the future,” Ley said.
At the launch in the University Center’s Event Room, Msgr. Joseph Reilly, university president, reflected on his personal SHU story, mentioning how he attended Seton Hall Prep and graduated from the university in 1987.
"This is my Seton Hall story,” Msgr. Reilly said “It is personal and profoundly life changing. It is unique to me, very much my own.”
During his speech, Msgr. Reilly said the elements that make up SHU’s story are shared by everyone in the room.
“No matter when you first arrived here, whether fifty years ago or five, Seton Hall has always been a place where students take their dreams, their potential, and their God-given talents and transform them into lives of purpose, hope, and spiritual and professional growth,” Msgr. Reilly said.
Carolanne Chanik, the director of University Advancement and campaign communications, said the donation campaign has been five years in the making. She said that all three pillars of the campaign are a part of her heart, but the one that means the most is preparing leaders.
“It's hard not to see all the RISE [Resilience, Integrity, Scholarship and Excellence] scholars join us tonight on stage, and you just get to see directly all the students that we're benefiting and opening up doors for,” Chanik said. “It's really beautiful, and I hope that we can continue to make a Seton Hall education accessible to more and more students.”
Jon Paparsenos, vice president of University Advancement and SHU alum, is in charge of the campaign. Paparsenos said he began his position in 2020, shortly after the launch of the previous strategic plan, “Harvest our Treasures.” He said the new strategic plan is a continuation, in many ways, of the previous one.
“It has some new efforts, like the Career Center and other efforts as well,” Paparsenos said. “This campaign makes a lot of sense to be able to show the impact of $175 million to date, and the goal that we've set is going to really try to drive what we're trying to do, to support our students.”
Paparsenos said the pillar of the campaign that means most to him is preparing leaders, as he was a first generation college student. Him and his wife give endowment for the RISE scholarship.
“We create a lot of resiliency, a lot of compassion, and a lot of ways to be able to make a holistic individual, not just the person who learns in the classroom, but how do you give them the resources so they can understand how they can be leaders outside?” Paparsenos said.
“This is like living the values as a Catholic University and…half of the campaign is to be able to provide resources for students, particularly those who [have] more need for a number of reasons and this speaks in the Catholic tradition,” Paparsenos added.
Dominique Mercadante is the Editor in Chief of The Setonian. She can be reached at dominique.mercadante@student.shu.edu.
