This story appeared in the 2025 Spring/Summer edition of Onyx Anneau.
by Elizabeth “Izzy” Reel ’21, ’25MLD, advancement officer
An institution born of sacrifice, the Sisters of Providence did all they could to establish a well-grounded academy of education for students to grow, prosper and aspire higher. From saving and returning a portion of their earnings to help construct the buildings we cherish today; the Sisters instilled a deeply rooted culture of giving back to Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College.
After two centuries, SMWC continues to instill its values and culture of philanthropy in students. “As we grow, we understand that our alumni are investing in the future of the College, likewise, current students are our future investors. It is imperative that we expose students to the generosity of our alumni and its impact on their Woods experience so students may begin to understand how they too can effect change on future generations one day,” said Catherine Mickey Saunders ’98, vice president for advancement.
At the start of the academic year, a bold challenge was placed before alumni and friends of the College. This year’s $3 million Woods Fund goal was announced to address many needs created as a result of what this administration has deemed, “growing pains.” They are born from the accelerated needs resulting from our rapid campus enrollment increase in a short period of time. In addition to aging and deficient facilities, the need to keep pace with the annual operating demands of a larger student population mandated this aggressive goal.
The Woods Fund goal has been $1-$1.1 million for almost a decade. “Although successfully met each year, the College needs to bravely ask for what is needed for today’s students,” said Saunders. “This will secure the future of SMWC by stabilizing our giving foundation. Moreover, it builds the culture of philanthropy, teaching our next generation of donors their role in supporting future Woods students through modeling.”
As the College nears the end of the 2024-25 fiscal year, the advancement team is eager to celebrate the success of this year’s Woods Fund. “We are well on our way to exceeding the $3 million goal presented to the Woods community in July of 2025,” Saunders said. Through a combination of annual initiatives and gifts throughout the year, what seemed impossible is within reach.
There are many ways our alumni and donors help The Woods. Since 2021, the College has received more than $3.2 million in estate gifts, making a meaningful impact on the College. “When we receive significant, unrestricted estate gifts, it gives us the opportunity to address our growing pains,” she explained. Saunders described that alumni legacy gifts at SMWC pave the way for future generations. In addition to building our endowment and providing access to education through endowed scholarships, perhaps the most critical need addressed by unrestricted estate gifts is deferred maintenance and the funding of physical plant needs.
“The improvement of our physical campus is vital to the continued success of the College. As stewards of The Woods, today’s administration understands it is our responsibility to fortify our historic campus, while making it relevant for today’s student,” Saunders commented. Projects range from updating plumbing in Le Fer and Guerin Halls to installing new elevators, addressing chiller and boiler issues to better regulate building temperatures, and repairing plaster, painting and carpeting, among other tasks. At all times, the student experience drives decisions.
President Brennan J. Randolph is appreciative of the ongoing generosity of alumni. “I hear so many donors say that they give to the College to ensure that the students of today and tomorrow can have the same great experience that they had when they attended. I appreciate their ongoing efforts.”
Woods Giving Day (WGD) has significantly contributed to fostering an appreciation for alumni giving among the current student population. For a decade, the advancement team has involved students in this critically important fundraising initiative for SMWC.
May 2025 graduate, Allison Cloutier, from Terre Haute, Indiana, volunteered for the first time as a student caller in February. “Being a part of WGD was eye-opening. I enjoyed talking with alumni donors and seeing everything come together that day. Knowing more than 1,200 donors made gifts and pledges to support our school was inspiring,” Allison reflected. She continued to share that she felt proud to have contributed to the success of our tenth WGD by securing gifts and making her own!
A focal point of building a culture of philanthropy on campus has been emphasizing that each gift makes its own impact. Whether we receive a five-dollar gift, a $50,000 gift, or a million-dollar estate gift, the challenge is breaking through the stigma of fundraising. Saunders shared, “One of our main objectives as a fundraising team is reassuring our alumni and friends that every gift matters and every ounce of giving makes a difference. Whether you’re giving financially, giving your expertise or your time, it all comes together to foster a culture of philanthropy.”
0 Comments