An achievement made possible by the generous support of all Marymount donors.
Marymount University’s Office of University Advancement is pleased to report record-breaking fundraising in fiscal year 2024. Marymount raised $7,543,555 in cash and pledges in FY ’24, the highest total ever for a single year and a 21 percent increase over the previous record-holding year ($6.2 million in FY ‘18). A significant portion of the total was raised for campus capital improvements, which will be announced later this semester. This is the second significant capital gift in the last two years, following a $2.8 million gift from the Reinsch Pierce family to construct the new Campus Hub set to open in November.
“We are thankful to all of our donors who are dedicated to supporting the Marymount community,” said Dennis Slon, Marymount’s Vice President for University Advancement. “Their generosity contributes to the progress of Marymount’s Strategic Plan, Momentum, and is instrumental in helping us ensure that all of our Saints have the opportunity to succeed.”
The University has received several gifts that will allow for donor-funded scholarships to be provided to students across disciplines. Ben Shaul ‘08, President of North Carolina-based John Benjamin Designs, has already given $80,000 on behalf of the Shaul family to support The Art of Persistence Scholarship. With his commitment of $20,000 per year, it will be awarded at $5,000 per year for up to four years to Fashion Design or Fashion Merchandising students with financial need and good academic standing. Shaul has also given $10,000 to create an internship fund that supports Fashion Design and Fashion Merchandising students participating in unpaid internships through $5,000 grants.
“Marymount served as a springboard for my career, providing me with great projects coupled with real-world experience to learn from,” Shaul said. “Marymount continues to hold a special place in my heart. My family’s purpose in creating these scholarships is to help others have similar experiences. We hope no student is ever held back from their dreams due to financial obstacles.”
Entering its 75th year, Marymount recognizes the contributions of its newest donors who are enhancing the University experience. Marymount recently benefited from the generosity of Brendan and Dana Keegan ‘95 ‘08 and their $100,000 pledge to create the Dana Keegan ‘95 ‘08 Scholarship Fund and the Dana Keegan ’95 ’08 and Martha Child Lecture Series. The scholarship provides financial assistance to an undergraduate and graduate Interior Design student who display unique creative approaches to their designs. Special consideration is given to students who live locally and commute to Marymount, and are balancing school and parenthood. The inaugural scholarship recipients from 2023-2024 were Simone Royster and Christianna Tran. The lecture series, meanwhile, celebrates young and up-and-coming interior designers while engaging current students, faculty, alumni and the greater Washington, D.C., interior design community in an evening of sharing, learning and celebrating the profession’s creativity.
In line with its mission to make education accessible to all students across disciplines, the University launched the Marymount 100 initiative in 2023 to bridge the financial gap for many eager and highly qualified applicants. This ambitious effort aims to identify 100 individuals, alumni and friends willing to invest in creating an annual scholarship to increase Marymount’s available financial aid. In FY ’24, $90,700 was raised as part of a $1 million annual goal to assist students through sustainable, privately supported financial aid funds, demonstrating how this initiative has already made a tangible difference in the lives of Marymount students.
Another record-breaking year of fundraising to support the University’s growth and success is expected during Marymount’s 75th anniversary in 2025. Fundraising efforts in this significant capital campaign will be designed to help upgrade Marymount’s physical plant and increase scholarship support to help the overall community thrive.
