Columbus Diocese Donates $500,000 to Ohio Dominican University
March 24, 2002
The Diocese of Columbus has made a $500,000 donation pledge to Ohio Dominican University
for the establishment of a Catholic Scholars Program.
"This pledge will help the university further develop
its identity as a Catholic university," said Bishop James A. Griffin.
The money will be used to set up scholarship programs for undergraduate students from
parishes in the diocese and Catholic high school students, as well as for individuals in
the diocese engaged in pastoral or institutional ministry and enrolled in Ohio Dominican's
Master of Theology Degree Program.
"This signals another way in which the Diocese of Columbus and Ohio Dominican University
are building a mutual relationship that is flourishing and benefiting the Catholic community
of central Ohio," Griffin said.
The bequest is one of the largest gifts in the school's history and one of the first
major gifts for Ohio Dominican since becoming a university under the leadership of Dr.
Calareso, who was inaugurated as president in December.
"The generosity of the Columbus Diocese will make it possible for Ohio Dominican to
strengthen our Catholic heritage while pursuing our strategic plan to position the
institution as one of America's preeminent Catholic universities," Dr. Calareso said.
"This offers opportunities for Catholics in the diocese to pursue undergraduate and graduate
studies at Ohio Dominican."
The strategic plan calls for increased enrollment, expansions and improvements in
academic programs, expanded and renovated physical facilities, and a renewed focus on the
institution's Catholic Dominican heritage.
The pledge by the Diocese of Columbus will be payable over a five-year period, beginning
with the first payment in Fiscal Year 2004. The funds from the diocesan pledge will be
placed in Ohio Dominican University's current endowment with the Catholic Foundation of
the Diocese of Columbus.