The new academic wing include a fine arts studio that features natural lighting, abundant wall and floor space, proper worktables, ample shelving and storage, a kiln room and more, providing the ideal setting to help aspiring young student-artists flourish.
PONTIAC, Mich. — The Board of Trustees of Notre Dame Preparatory School and Marist Academy announced today that the school has surpassed its goal for its “March on to Victory” campaign. The multi-year campaign, which began in 2015, was focused on funding a new 26,000 square-foot academic wing.
According to Andy Guest, Notre Dame’s head of school, the campaign raised $7 million from more than 200 alumni, parents, and friends in less than four years, making it the school’s most successful fundraising initiative since its founding in 1994.
“We have been a beacon of excellence in Catholic education in Oakland County for nearly a quarter century,” Guest said. “This addition to our academic campus will give today’s students the opportunity to prepare for the college majors and careers of tomorrow—particularly in the sciences and technology.”
Among the contributions received during the campaign were three gifts of $1 million or more and 19 additional gifts greater than $100,000. Leadership gifts made possible the Melissa Kozyra Greenhouse and Botany Learning Lab and the Timothy J. Easterwood Science, Art and Technology Wing. Hundreds of donors invested in new classrooms, fine arts studios, science and robotics laboratories, and prayer and meditation spaces in the exterior courtyard.
“With the help of our loyal benefactors and the hard work of our campaign staff and volunteers, we can truly say that we’ve marched on to victory,” Guest said.
The new project opened at the beginning of the school year. In August 350 individuals attended a ribbon-cutting with dignitaries including Atlanta Auxiliary Bishop Joel Konzen, s.m., who conducted the blessing ceremony, Pontiac Mayor Dr. Deirdre Waterman and several members of the Pontiac City Council.
Campaign co-chairs Patrice D’Agostini and Daron Gifford will be recognized for their service in the Mary Courtyard adjacent to the new wing.
D’Agostini said she couldn’t be more pleased.
“This campaign has been a great joy to me, not only as a donor, but as a former parent and now a grandparent,” she said. “We were blessed to have had the faith to move forward with the addition. This beautiful state-of-the-art facility is testament to the goodwill of the Notre Dame community. I am delighted that our students will benefit from it today and well into the future.”
To learn more about the campaign, visit ndpma.org/marchontovictory.
Comments or questions? mkelly@ndpma.org.
Follow Notre Dame on Twitter at @NDPMA.
About Notre Dame Preparatory School and Marist Academy
Notre Dame Preparatory School and Marist Academy is a private, Catholic, independent, coeducational day school located in Oakland County. The upper school enrolls students in grades nine through twelve and has been named one of the nation's best 50 Catholic high schools (Acton Institute) four times since 2005. Notre Dame's middle and lower schools enroll students in jr. kindergarten through grade eight. All three Notre Dame schools are International Baccalaureate "World Schools." NDPMA is conducted by the Marist Fathers and Brothers and is accredited by the Independent Schools Association of the Central States and the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement. For more on Notre Dame Preparatory School and Marist Academy, visit the school's home page at www.ndpma.org