Aquinas College: Celebrating 125 Years with $2 Million Scholarship Gift

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How does one say, “Happy Birthday?” Joan Secchia and family embraced the 125th birthday of Aquinas College with a $2 million gift. The donation kicks off the celebration and a new campaign to establish 125 new endowed scholarships by June 30, 2012.

“The Secchias have a long history of supporting higher education,” remarks President Juan Olivarez, “and now, students at Aquinas will benefit greatly by their generosity. Joan and Peter’s gift will assure that students to come have an opportunity to study in Rome, which is a valuable experience in our global landscape. We are extremely appreciative of the Secchia family’s support of our students and their learning.”

Approximately 23% of Aquinas College students are recipients of endowed scholarships. Aquinas College, an inclusive educational community rooted in the Catholic Dominican tradition, has nearly 2,300 students register for classes in both its undergraduate and graduate programs.

“It is our hope that half of the proceeds will be directed to provide permanent support for Aquinas’ new ‘Study in Rome’ program, a city dear to our family,” says Joan Secchia. “It makes us happy to be able to help future students receive a quality education at Aquinas College.”

West Michigan is fortunate to have Aquinas College educating our youth and also to have philanthropists like Joan Secchia doing good in our community. Happy birthday, Aquinas College!

Want to be a do-gooder too? Here’s how…

• Learn more about the 125th celebration

• Learn more about Aquinas College

• Follow Aquinas College on Facebook

• Donate

Source: Craig Clark, Clark Communications; Joan Secchia, The Secchia Family Foundation; Juan Olivarez, Aquinas College

Writer: Jennifer Wilson, Do Good Editor