Capital Campaign: Our Path. Our Pack.

At Mercy McAuley, we believe that the arts are an essential part of a well-rounded education. They inspire creativity, critical thinking, and self-expression—skills that benefit students in all areas of life. Our outstanding arts classes, programs, and extracurriculars empower our students to develop their artistic voices and pursue their passions with confidence—whether on stage, in the studio, or beyond. Mercy McAuley’s fine arts programs also prepare students well for those who wish to pursue fine arts further in college and careers. 

Creation of Art Wing
Our students continue to push the boundaries of visual art creation, winning awards and recognition,
and enrolling in top-notch college programs after graduation. And yet, current art classrooms need upgrades to

meet the needs of our growing and talented student body. This initiative will transform our existing art classrooms and open areas into a dedicated Art Wing—a space designed to foster artistic exploration and excellence.  The new Art Wing, named The Jane Kramig & Joan McGuire Art Wing, will include:

• Gallery Space – A professional and inviting gallery where students can proudly display their work, and the community can engage with their artistic achievements. 

 

Performing Arts: Elevating the Theatre Experience
Mercy McAuley’s theater program is second to none, and has a rich tradition of excellence, producing high-quality performances that inspire both students and audiences alike. However, as our program continues to grow, our facilities and equipment must evolve to meet the needs and ambitions of our talented performers, technicians, and designers. Capital upgrades will allow students to explore all aspects of the performing arts, both on stage and behind the scenes. This project includes: 

Our classrooms serve as the foundation for academic growth and exploration for our young women. To achieve optimal learning conditions, the campaign will fit 19 classrooms on the first and second floors with new windows, air conditioning, and overall updates improving the physical condition of ceilings and walls. A well-designed classroom provides the ideal setting for learning by minimizing distractions, maximizing comfort and fostering focus.

The updated windows will offer superior insulation and energy efficiency, reducing the school's energy consumption and utility costs. Adding air conditioning will ensure a comfortable year-round learning environment.

In addition, experiential graphics and murals will celebrate our students' and our school's achievements, fostering a sense of belonging, pride and community.

Mental health an well-being are fundamental to academic success and personal growth, especially for young women in today's world. We recognize the importance of providing comprehensive support services and innovative learning spaces that address the diverse needs of our students. Through this campaign, we will improve the settings for our intervention specialists who offer individualized support to students facing academic or personal challenges. Additionally, we will upgrade the room dedicated to guided study halls, providing an environment more conducive to learning for our students who benefit from additional academic support.

We will create unique study nooks and modernized collaborative spaces where students can work on group projects during class, complementing the addition of new spaces for quiet, individualized study. These renovations recognize that today's learning and classwork happen in spaces that are flexible and accommodating to students and acknowledge the many different learning styles.

We will update restrooms on all three floors to provide clean, modern facilities that prioritize comfort, health and hygiene. Personal care is foundational to each student's well-being and confidence.

Completed in the summer of 2024, this renovation project is proof of Mercy McAuley's commitment to our students and our future-focused vision. The updated main student lobby entrance is also the entry for visitors to the gym, auditorium, and cafeteria from the front of the building. The entrance is the focal point of the campus, and our goal was to make impactful improvements for our students by providing a more secure, useful, accessible and inviting entry and community gathering space.

Our campus infrastructure plays a crucial role in ensuring the safety and well-being of our students, which is a top priority. Over the years, wear and tear have taken a toll on our facilities, including the original glass doos that provide multiple entry points to our building. By replacing the school's 21 original glass doors with modern, reinforced doors made from durable materials, we will significantly enhance campus security and reduce the risk of unauthorized access. These new doors will safeguard from potential risks and will feature advanced locking mechanisms and impact-resistant glass, providing an added layer of protection for our students, employees and visitors.

Raising additional funds for the endowment will ensure that students from diverse socio-economic backgrounds have access to Mercy McAuley, enriching the learning environment for all. Endowed funds may also be used to support the brightest students who qualify for academic scholarships. Investing in tuition assistance can have long-term positive effects on students' lives, increasing opportunities for higher education, career advancement, and overall socioeconomic mobility. Increasing the endowment also encourages philanthropy within the school community and creates a culture of giving back, which ensures the sustainability of the tuition assistance program for future generations.

Mercy McAuley's Annual Fund supports our annual operational budget. This unrestricted fund covers our costs for programs, staffing, services and daily expenses. The Annual Fund is crucial to the fiscal health of our school. If the fundraising efforts for the Annual Fund don't meet the goal, we will reallocate $100,000 in each of the three years from the capital campaign.

Further, $275,000 of the contingency will be available as needed to cover the cost overruns or expenses due to delays of the projects, to cover unpaid pledges, and to pay for the expenses of the capital campaign itself.