Steve Fogler ’78 credits Notre Dame High School with instilling a foundation that shaped the man he has become today. He and his wife Liz recognized the role Notre Dame played in his life with a leadership gift of $1,000,000, the largest single gift ever received by the school.
The Foglers’ landmark gift was the catalyst to Notre Dame’s $10 million Excellence Imagined: Our Campaign for the Next Generation that will transform the school’s campus, providing innovative facilities and space for teaching and learning uniquely designed for educating young men. Hundreds of donors have already shown their support for the Campaign that has raised more than $7 million since its inception in May of 2019.
“Notre Dame High School has transformed the lives of thousands of young men, including my own. We hope our gift will inspire other alumni to reflect on the opportunity they were afforded, and invite them to play a significant role in Notre Dame’s future for generations of students to come,” said Fogler ’78.
Excellence Imagined targets three key areas of growth and transformation for Notre Dame. A new centralized and welcoming $3.5 million Student Center, a $2 million Faculty Collaboration Center, new and expanded classrooms, a completely renovated cafeteria, along with modernization and upgrades to the school’s exterior, will provide a contemporary space for teaching young men. The plan also funds continued growth of the school’s academic program, building on the nine innovative signature programs, including International Baccalaureate, Sports Medicine, Engineering, and Video Production. More than 65% of today’s Notre Dame students receive financial aid. The Campaign will provide increased endowment funding to ensure a Notre Dame education remains accessible for students in need.
Over 12,000 men have graduated from Notre Dame since the first class graduated in 1950. Today, Notre Dame educates over 500 young men from New Haven, Fairfield, and Hartford counties. While teaching and learning look different today than in 1950, all alumni will recognize the legacy of the Brothers of Holy Cross. Notre Dame educates the minds and hearts of young men and builds on the tradition of brotherhood that is a vibrant part of ND’s 75-year history.
Excellence Imagined is Notre Dame’s most ambitious campaign ever. Notre Dame President Robert Curis remarked, “Steve and Liz Fogler’s $1 million lead gift demonstrates their steadfast belief in our mission and commitment to the future success of Notre Dame High School.” He added, “I am inspired and deeply grateful to our donors who have already supported this Campaign and I invite all in the ND community to join us. Together, your generosity will transform our school and propel Notre Dame forward for the next generation. Together, we are Excellence Imagined.”
Kathy Wielk, Vice President for Community Relations and Leadership Giving, is energized by the community’s response to this Campaign. “Our Holy Cross mission of educating minds and hearts transcends generations. Throughout this Campaign, I have heard countless stories from alumni about their ND experience and how it positively impacted their lives. There is no better time, or opportunity, to invest in Notre Dame’s future than through a gift to the Excellence Imagined Campaign.”