John Carroll University has successfully met the challenge from The Kresge Foundation of Troy, Michigan, and has received $950,000, which completes the fundraising for the Dolan Center for Science and Technology.  The Kresge Foundation affirmed the award in a letter to Reverend Edward Glynn, SJ, president of John Carroll University, on March 1, 2004.

In September of 2002, The Kresge Foundation awarded the grant challenging the university to raise the remainder of the funds needed to build the Dolan Center. An additional $7.4 million was required to be raised from a broad-base of support by January 1, 2004 to complete the funding of the $66.4-million project.

"The Kresge Challenge united and energized our entire community – from the development office, to the administration, faculty, staff, board of directors and regents, alumni, friends and neighbors, students, parents and local foundations and corporations,” said Phylis Ferrara, acting vice president of development and alumni relations.   “We are indebted to The Kresge Foundation for its substantial support in helping the university achieve its goal of completing the funding for the Dolan Center.  The Kresge Challenge truly supplied the needed impetus in appealing to our constituencies and successfully expanding our donor base.”

The Dolan Center for Science and Technology, which opened in September 2003, is designed to enhance the stature and growth of science, mathematics and technology programs and facilities at John Carroll University. 

This 265,000-square-foot facility contains 79 research labs, 21 teaching labs, 18 classrooms, a 250-seat auditorium, science galleries under skylights, and a grand atrium. In addition to housing the departments of biology, chemistry, physics, psychology and mathematics and computer science, the Dolan Center serves the wider community with a program for elementary and secondary school science teachers, space for entrepreneurs in technology-related businesses, conference facilities, underground parking, and a 12,000-square-foot atrium that can accommodate academic and social functions for students, faculty, graduates and friends.

The campaign to construct this premier science facility began in March 2000 with a leadership gift of $20 million from Charles and Helen Dolan and family.  Ground was broken for the Dolan Center in June 2001.

The Kresge Foundation is an independent, private foundation in Troy, Michigan, created by the personal gifts of Sebastian S. Kresge.  Grants are made to institutions dedicated to higher education, health and long-term care, arts and humanities, human services, science and the environment, and public affairs.  Funded projects involve construction, renovation or acquisition of facilities.  At the time of the Dolan Center grant announcement, the Foundation had awarded 127 grants in 2002 for a total of $80,851,000.  Through challenge grants, The Kresge Foundation focuses on assisting institutions by expanding their base of donor support.

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