Dominican High School held a groundbreaking Friday, June 3, for the Knight Vision 2.0 campaign. Pictured are (from left) CG Schmidt President Eric Schmidt; Sr. Mary Howard Johnstone, O.P.; Palermo’s Owner and CEO Giacomo Fallucca; Board Chairman John Desing; School President Leanne Giese; Bill Crowley; board member David Dlugopolski; and Chris Michaud from Eppstein Uhen Architects. (Photos by David Bernacchi)
A capital campaign that raised nearly $5.6 million for Dominican High School to improve its facilities was a cause for celebration.
On Friday, June 3, friends of Dominican High School gathered for the long-awaited groundbreaking of the new facilities that will be built as a result of the successful Knight Vision 2.0 Capital Campaign.
The campaign, which began in June 2021, was inspired by three key influences. It followed in the footsteps of the successful Knight Vision campaign in 2014 that had a dramatic and positive impact on Dominican High School. It is committed to an even brighter future, with a bold, new vision that will propel the school toward creating the best learning environment for its students. It highlights the faith, rich history, tradition of excellence and the values articulated by the Dominican Sisters of Sinsinawa: truth, compassion, justice, community and partnership.
Among those in attendance were Board Chairman John Desing, Vice Chairman Dave Dlugopolski and Giacomo Fallucca, and representatives from EUA and CG Schmidt (both companies who helped lead Dominican through the original Knight Vision capital campaign in 2014 in addition to Knight Vision 2.0). The Dominicans of Sinsinawa were represented by Sr. Mary Howard Johnstone. Bill Crowley, affectionately known as “Mr. Dominican,” made it after having quintuple bypass surgery in May.
Crowley said, “For over 60 years, Dominican High School has had such a positive impact on the lives of so many young men and women. Now is the time to give back and ensure a bright future for this school we love so much.”
More than 200 donors answered the call to support Dominican.
Dominican President Lianne Giese noted that, “Every donation helped make this dream a reality for Dominican, and we are immensely grateful for the love and support of our school community.”
This campaign is poised to advance the school and its community into the future through funded projects in academics, athletics and infrastructure.
Principal Ed Foy, also a Dominican parent, said, “Academic innovation is at the core of the Dominican mission. Preparing our students to succeed in college demands that our curriculum challenges our students for tomorrow. The goal of Knight Vision 2.0 will give our students the resources they need to become leaders of our community and world.”
Knight Vision 2.0 will enhance Dominican’s science department to prepare students for future study and potential careers in the STEM fields. The campaign will also provide outdoor space on the North Campus for student learning, extracurriculars, class functions and community engagements across all subjects.
The project will completely transform the North Campus with the addition of a new turf field, sponsored by Palermo’s, whose owner Giacomo Fallucca graduated from Dominican in 1979. Athletic facilities will be further enhanced with an expanded weight room, indoor workout/practice space and cardio/wellness fitness area. Crowley Gymnasium will receive new HVAC, flooring, roof, windows, equipment and other enhancements.
Giese shared that the projects funded by this campaign will advance the mission of the school and “will further enhance the Catholic, college-preparatory education Dominican High School is known for, expand and enhance our athletic facilities and offerings, increase our school endowment and keep us competitive for both our current and future students. Knight Vision 2.0 will help us secure an even brighter future for Dominican High School.”
Campus improvements will directly benefit current students, parents, administrators and visitors, and encourage future families and students to join the Dominican High School community.
Knight Vision 2.0 is being funded through multi-year pledge commitments as well as one-time gifts. This campaign is just shy of achieving its $5.6 million goal. To learn more about the various options for supporting the campaign, visit the Dominican High School website or contact Director of Advancement Claudia Martin at cmartin@dominicanhighschool.com or 414-332-1170, ext. 177.
