$800,000 Kresge Challenge grant is achieved!

In October 2002, Assumption College was awarded an $800,000 challenge grant by the Kresge Foundation for the Science Center project. Kresge is world renowned for its challenge grants and its rigorous requirements. It is the largest foundation in the country that specifically supports "bricks and mortar" projects. Kresge provides challenge grants, not matching grants, in order to stimulate giving to complete a campaign construction project. The Challenge is specifically focused to attract new donors to an institution and enhance its capacity for future fund-raising efforts.

The Kresge Challenge was achieved in late December 2003, when fundraising totals for the Richard and Janet Testa Science Center surpassed the $10.2 million goal, securing the $800,000 Kresge challenge grant. The College raised $10,631,475 from 2,648 donors, reaching beyond its goals in both areas.
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President Tom Plough made the surprise Kresge announcement at the faculty and staff Christmas luncheon in December. He commended the College’s employees for their tremendous response as the first group asked to contribute to the Campaign after the Kresge Challenge was announced in October 2002. “Assumption employees participated at a rate of 90%, while 95% of faculty and 100% of emeriti faculty contributed to the Challenge,” he said. “This overwhelming response from the College’s employees was very helpful when we approached other constituencies for support.” The unsuspecting employees applauded loudly when the banner was unfurled, displaying a fundraising goal that had been exceeded.

Centennial Campaign chair David Grenon Hon.’86 explained, “This is a major accomplishment for Assumption College and for the city of Worcester. Achieving this goal will enable the Kresge Foundation to look favorably upon other grant-seeking institutions from the Worcester area. We have succeeded and so has the Worcester community.”

Reaching the goal will direct more than $11 million toward the Richard and Janet Testa Science Center. The name, which recognizes the remarkable support and devotion to Assumption by Dick and Janet Testa, was unanimously approved by the Board of Trustees and announced at the President’s Council Dinner on October 25, 2003.

Richard Testa ’59 served as honorary chair of The Centennial Campaign before his untimely death in December 2002. Dick and Janet’s generous support of the science building project was instrumental in the College’s decision to construct the new Science Center and move forward with The Centennial Campaign. Two of their children—Joanne Testa Goglia ’82 and Nancy Testa Doherty ’86—also graduated from Assumption.

The Testa Science Center has quickly become very popular with students and faculty, offering technology-rich classrooms and computer labs, individual faculty offices, and spacious gathering areas.