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.