Springfield College Goes Public with Advancing Humanics: The Campaign for Springfield College
Springfield College President Mary-Beth A. Cooper, PhD, DM, and members of the College community officially kicked off the public phase of Advancing Humanics: The Campaign for Springfield College in November at a special celebration held at the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Center Court.
Cooper publicly introduced a comprehensive campaign plan that supports our Humanics philosophy of educating the whole person in spirit, mind, and body for leadership in service to others. Today, as in 1885, the unique Springfield College education prepares our graduates with unparalleled experiences. Advancing Humanics: The Campaign for Springfield College will ensure that students can afford to attend the College, and that they will leave as alumni equipped with an incomparable education and the ability to carry the Humanics mission into the world. To date, $34 million has been raised toward the $50 million goal.
The Advancing Humanics campaign is about preparing today for a tomorrow that will need Springfield College students and graduates.
“As we educate students in our Humanics tradition, we prepare professionals whose goals are to lead and care for their communities,” said Cooper. “The Advancing Humanics campaign is about preparing today for a tomorrow that will need Springfield College students and graduates.”
Funding Priorities
Cooper provided an overview of the campaign priorities of ensuring access and affordability, building capacity, enriching experiences, and sustaining excellence and financial stability.
Gifts collected during the Advancing Humanics campaign will directly impact every aspect of campus life, and the financial support will provide immediate assistance to the most critical needs of Springfield College, including scholarship resources for students, as well as a new Health Sciences Center.
“A new health sciences center will strengthen recruitment and retention of the finest students, faculty, and staff, and will reinforce the Springfield College position in the dynamic and innovative health care environment,” said Brooke Hallowell, PhD, dean, School of Health Sciences.
President Cooper welcomes guests
at the campaign kick-off.
Dave Cooper and President Cooper with, from left, Tom Brown ’80, Tom Wind ’81, and Paul Martin ’82
Vice President for Institutional Advancement Beth Zapatka, right, with Linda Cruse Moffat ’73
Dave Cooper and President Mary-Beth Cooper toast the campaign launch.
The Pride Dancers
Aaron Dombrowski, Taylor and Eliza Dombrowski, Kensley Magoffin, Meg Dombrowski, Brian Magoffin, Deleney Magoffin, Jules Magoffin, Paige Moran, and Ben Morales
Brianna D’Haiti, Walt Barton, Kurt Aschermann, Anna Aschermann, Roger Moffat, and Steve Crawford
Phyllis Lerner, from left, Mimi Murray, Walt Barton, and Lynne Boecher
Bonnie Cox, from left, Michele Megas-Ditomassi, and Jane Johnson Vottero
President Cooper enjoys conversation with gala guests
Deans Rachel Rubenstein and Brooke Hallowell
Trustee Jim Ross and Martha Ross
Sonia and Ken Wall
Norm Kosciusko, from left, and Howie Gilson III talk with Jim Bates
Past and current board chairs Jim Ross and Bill Burke
The Springfield College Singers
Campaign Leadership Named
The Advancing Humanics campaign will be led by individuals who have been invested in the Springfield College community, and also have been dedicated to the greater Springfield communities. It is being co-chaired by trustees Gregory C. Toczydlowski ’89, H’19, and Michele Megas-Ditomassi ’79, CAS’89. Trustee Emerita Helen Davis Blake, G’67, H’18, co-chair of the last Springfield College campaign, is serving as the honorary campaign chair.
“I assumed the responsibility of co-chair of the Advancing Humanics campaign because Springfield College has influenced me throughout my life,” said Toczydlowski. “Not only have I embraced the Humanics principles of spirit, mind, and body, but the College also has influenced me in leading and serving others. The Springfield College mission has served me well in my business and my profession, and especially in my community.”
Campaign Co-chairs Greg Toczydlowski and Michele Megas-Ditomassi greet attendees.
Megas-Ditomassi pointed to the remarkable history of the College and how Humanics is “vital to our institutional identity.”
“We are awed by the contributions our alumni, faculty, and staff have made — both globally and in their local communities — and we are proud to be a part of making it possible for that innovation and transformation to continue for generations to come. Advancing Humanics is not just the theme of our campaign, it’s what we do,” she said.
[The] Advancing Humanics campaign will continue to make our mission thrive by investing in our students, faculty, staff, our academic programs, and — of course — our beautiful Springfield College campus.
Michele Megas-Ditomassi
“I was born and raised in Springfield and I knew early on that Springfield College was a strong partner to the Springfield community,” she continued. “I strongly believe in the mission of Springfield College because it’s just as relevant today as it was when Springfield College was founded. I know the Advancing Humanics campaign will continue to make our mission thrive by investing in our students, faculty, staff, our academic programs, and — of course — our beautiful Springfield College campus. I have always believed that Springfield College makes the world a better place.”
Cooper sees and feels the excitement building around the campaign.
“Advancing Humanics is about the promise and passion of the future — and how Springfield College will create it. This campaign is about taking Humanics — the foundation of all that we do — and raising it up as an affirmation of who we are and as an on-going pursuit,” said Cooper.
“Individuals can help us shape the future by investing in our students, and the value of a Springfield College education,” Cooper concluded.
Advancing Humanics Priorities
Ensure Access and Affordability
Donors will help make the dream of a Springfield College education a reality by supporting access. Students are the most valuable asset of the College and, as they and their families struggle to pay for a college education, this financial support will help underwrite their education. Further, this will establish funding options for students who are at risk of not returning, those encountering unexpected need or hardship, and others who require emergency funding.
GOAL: $15 Million
Build Capacity
Springfield College programs in physical therapy, physician assistant studies, occupational therapy, and health sciences are known throughout the country for their quality. These prestigious programs need a space dedicated to the ever-changing world of health care. Having the new Health Sciences Center will ensure that our students are educated in a real-world environment where they are able to address rapidly changing health disciplines. The Health Sciences Center will provide spaces that promote synergies in curriculum, teaching, and research that will shape our students into highly sought practitioners.
GOAL: $25 Million
Enrich Experiences
Coupling an immersive experience with what is learned in the classroom helps students develop a world view and better prepares them for graduate coursework, medical school, or rewarding careers. Experiences in faculty research, athletics, internships, East Campus programming, and international study are ways that Springfield College students can deepen their understanding of the world and their role in it.
To offer students fulfilling opportunities, it is equally important to attract and retain a diverse, dedicated, and distinguished faculty. Faculty members who mentor and support our students, and who lead by example, are critical to the Springfield College experience. This campaign priority will ensure world-class faculty and strengthen cocurricular experiences.
GOAL: $5 Million
Sustain Excellence and Financial Stability
Delivering a high-quality education during a global pandemic provided many lessons. Faculty, staff, and students at Springfield College learned to pivot, to embrace change with flexibility of mind, and to gain strength from our Humanics mission. The pandemic also underscored the importance of the Springfield College Fund, a fund dedicated to addressing unforeseen, unexpected, and pressing demands of the College. Gifts earmarked to sustain excellence will help Springfield College tackle areas of greatest need and will serve as the foundation for financial stability.
