February 18, 2022

Newman Catholic Center at UMass reaches capital campaign $2M goal

REGIONAL
Staff report

Father Gary M. Dailey, director of the Newman Catholic Center at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, has announced that the capital campaign for the construction of the new center has reached its goal. (Photo from Catholic Communications video)

AMHERST – Father Gary M. Dailey, director of the Newman Catholic Center at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, has announced that the center’s capital campaign, “Miracles Happen, when Heart speaks to heart,” has reached its $2 million goal. To date, the center has raised $2.052 million from 565 donors to the campaign.

“We did it! Because of the generosity of over 500 donors the Newman Catholic Center will continue its mission and ministry for another 100 years,” Father Dailey said.

Virginia Webb, director of development, said the Newman Catholic Center will continue to accept donations. “Even though we have reached our goal, fundraising must continue throughout the spring, summer, and early fall,” she said.

Webb explained that there are donors who have contracted with the center to fulfill their contributions over a three- to five-year pledge period. “Because of death or unexpected tragedies, a percentage of donors won’t fulfill their commitment,” she said.

Webb said that the campaign was structured in such a way to include the cost of the construction and to grow the existing Newman Catholic Center Endowment Fund. This endowment fund ensures the future of the ministry as the principle cannot be eroded and the center receives a percentage of invested interest. 

“With the goal now met, it is important for our future donors to recognize that we are now increasing our endowment,” Webb said.  

Construction workers from D.A. Sullivan in Sons are seen last fall at the site of the new Newman Catholic Center in Amherst. (Photo from Catholic Communications video)

In the spring of 2021, it was announced that the University of Massachusetts Amherst had purchased the original Newman Catholic Center and its land from the Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield for $12.5 million. The center, located on the campus, negotiated with the university to lease a parcel of land located on Thatcher Road. D.A. Sullivan and Sons of Northampton is the contractor for the project.

The capital campaign began in late spring with the goal of $2 million to meet the gap between the purchase price and the cost of construction.

The 19,000-square-foot center will include a chapel, a research center with private study rooms, two lounges, the Newman Café, administrative offices, a conference room, a counseling room, student service rooms, a student kitchen, outdoor gather and dining spaces, and a memorial garden.

The Newman Catholic Center, located in the heart of the university, includes opportunities for students of the university and the Five College Consortium to worship, study, gather, socialize, and enjoy breakfast and lunch in the Newman Café. Catholics and non-Catholics alike frequent the center for a variety of offerings.  The capital campaign will continue throughout the fall.

For more information about donating, or about the ministry of the Newman Catholic Center, contact the main office at 413-549-0300.