Lewis University Announces Historic $30 Million Campaign at Signum Fidei Celebration

ROMEOVILLE, September 17, 2009 — Lewis University hosted its 11th annual Signum Fidei Celebration Saturday, Sept. 12, at the historic Palmer House Hilton in Chicago, a perfect setting for the history-making launch of the $30 million Campaign for Lewis University: Touching Hearts and Minds. More than 500 guests enjoyed the gala event which included a reception, silent and live auctions, raffle, elegant dinner, entertainment and the presentation of the annual Signum Fidei Award to William Rybak, Lewis alumnus and Chair Emeritus of the Lewis University Board of Trustees.

The Campaign for Lewis University is a $30 million initiative, the largest ever at Lewis, to provide increased scholarship funding and expanded facilities to enhance learning. Nearly $20 million has already been raised toward this goal. The Campaign will expand scholarship support with new and existing endowed scholarships, annual scholarships and the new Lewis Mission Fund, designed to assist students facing economic challenges.

Two major initiatives to improve facilities are also priorities of the Campaign. Plans call for expanding the current Science Building on the Lewis campus with 12 new laboratories for its growing science program, specifically for biology, chemistry, and physics, dedicated undergraduate research spaces, and gathering places for faculty/student interaction and research. Already underway as part of the Campaign facility improvements, is a renovation to the building housing the College of Nursing program. A new entrance, additional classrooms and a state-of-the-art nursing simulation lab will allow Lewis to enroll greater numbers of students in the highly acclaimed program, the largest undergraduate university nursing program in the state. Enrollment in the program had been capped previously, and expanded facilities were needed in order to help address the statewide nursing shortage.

Enhancements to the widely-used Oremus Fine Arts Center are also included in Campaign plans. The Center, which is the most visited building on the Lewis campus, will be improved with a flexible new theatre and rehearsal space, community room, art gallery and outdoor gathering and dining area.