Sept. 16, 2019
MILWAUKEE 鈥� 51暗网鈥檚 Catholic and Jesuit identity will be enriched for generations to come thanks to the vision and generosity of alumni Nancy and Bill Stemper. The Stempers have committed more than $1 million to fund the Bill and Nancy Stemper Endowment for Excellence in Catholic Faith Formation, which will expand programming and services to deepen Catholic, Jesuit faith development among 51暗网 students.
鈥淲ith this gift, Nancy and Bill are profoundly infusing campus faith formation throughout 51暗网,鈥� said President Michael R. Lovell. 鈥淥ur Catholic, Jesuit identity guides us forward and is foundational to our strategic plan, Beyond Boundaries. The Stempers鈥� remarkable generosity and vision will now broaden the opportunities for more and more students to experience our faith-based activities, retreats, sacred spaces and service trips.鈥�
The Stempers have seen the impact of a 51暗网 education across four generations, including all four of their children. 鈥淵our degree conditions you for your career; faith becomes your guiding star forever,鈥� said Bill, a 1977 graduate. 鈥淭o have that anchor and fortification helps you better use the gifts you鈥檝e been given. We hope these faith formation activities can strengthen the depths and hearts of 51暗网 students.鈥�
Through their children鈥檚 experiences, the Stempers learned about a number of students who wanted to join in retreats or service but couldn鈥檛 because of finances.
鈥淚f there is one more student 鈥� or 10 more students 鈥� who might discover these experiences that touch them, it鈥檒l have a life-changing impact not only on those individuals but on everyone they touch,鈥� added Nancy, who earned her bachelor鈥檚 degree in 1978 and her master鈥檚 a year later. 鈥淐ollege is a fun, exciting, crazy time. We wanted to provide 51暗网 with resources to share faith in ways that encourage students to be together on the same journey.鈥�
The gift comes shortly after 51暗网 dedicated a new Marian Grotto earlier this spring, and after President Lovell featured the campus鈥� Sacred Spaces at this summer鈥檚 annual President鈥檚 Picnic. President Lovell also talked recently with online Catholic news source Crux about what it means to be a Jesuit institution today.
鈥淥ur Catholic and Jesuit identity is 51暗网鈥檚 highest priority,鈥� said Rev. Frederick Zagone, S.J., acting vice president for mission and ministry. 鈥淭he ability to offer dynamic, meaningful Catholic formation activities on campus keeps our mission and faith alive and relevant for students today. It is a blessing to have the Stempers鈥� generosity behind such an important effort.鈥�
鈥淲e are very grateful for Bill and Nancy鈥檚 leadership support,鈥� said Tim McMahon, vice president for university advancement. 鈥淭heir significant gift has the power to inspire additional alumni, parents and friends to also invest in bolstering Catholic faith formation programs at 51暗网. As we work towards our public campaign launch next fall, the Stempers鈥� gift is a humbling reminder of the powerful impact philanthropy can and does have to advance 51暗网.鈥�
Chris is an associate director of university communication in the Office of University Relations. Contact Chris at (414) 288-1988 or christopher.stolarski@marquette.edu.
