Gifts and Grants Support Newman’s Success

Several generous gifts help Newman University continue to provide an impactful experience for its students and community members.

Thanks to the Sunderland Foundation, which has a generous history of giving to Newman, a $350,000 grant made it possible for construction to begin on the new Student Success Center in May. The new center centralizes student services and connects students to necessary resources like tutoring and career coaches in a collaborative, one-stop learning space.

Newman received a $297,140 grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to support mental health initiatives at Newman, effective August 31. The grant money supports several resources including on-campus counseling efforts, mental health training, as well as Newman’s Project Care program.

Newman was awarded a nearly $2.2 million Title III grant from the U.S. Department of Education to implement the university’s student support and success program over the course of five years. Hiring a full-time director of Navigator and renovating the Student Success Center in Dugan began last year, and year two will equip a Center for Learning and Teaching in Sacred Heart Hall, implement a Career Studio model, provide faculty development and pilot Navigator courses.   

In October 2022, Newman also received a nearly $150,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) for the project “Emphasis in Technology and Human Values (ETHV)” to develop connections between the humanities and professional disciplines. The grant supports the establishment of Newman’s ​​ETHV certificate, which purposefully integrates humanities content from Newman’s general education program into the degree requirements of professional majors.

Inspired by her love and appreciation for the education she received from Sacred Heart College, Virginia Marti and her husband, Gary, established The Virginia & Gary Marti Endowed Scholarship Fund with their estate commitment to Newman. The scholarship fund will be awarded annually to an elementary education student(s) who is enrolled full time at Newman. 

The Jo Zakas Legacy Foundation Endowed Scholarship Fund was established with contributions from Jo Zakas Legacy Foundation to Newman University. It is named in honor of Jo Zakas, a respected leader, businesswoman and artist and funds local groups that support at-risk children and adults through grants to social service and educational organizations, thus continuing to honor Jo’s memory.