Nichols College announces final phase of historic campaign

by Susan Veshi

Dudley, MA (01/09/2020) — DUDLEY, Mass. - In 2015, Nichols College launched a $45 million comprehensive campaign - the largest in its history - in honor of the institution's bicentennial. In June 2017, when the campaign had surpassed its goal with $46.1 million, two donors were inspired to keep it going.

Nichols Board Chair John Davis '72 and his brother, Trustee Steve Davis '80, proposed to extend the campaign with a $5 million conditional matching challenge and an additional $20 million goal.

Nichols President Susan West Engelkemeyer, Ph.D. recently announced that the $5 million challenge has been matched, unlocking the Davises' commitment and raising $10 million toward a $20 million campaign extension goal. The matching donors are Keith Anderson '81, Bob Kuppenheimer '69, Peter Lynch '74, John McClutchy Jr. '72, Tom Niles '63, Al Rock '63, and Robert Stansky '78.

Nichols is entering the final phase of the campaign to raise the remaining $10 million and complete the now $66 million campaign by fall 2020.

The Bicentennial Campaign, officially titled "Securing a Legacy of Leadership," has already been a considerable force of transformation on the campus. Funds raised supported the construction of the Fels Student Center and a state-of-the-art academic building and major renovations to athletic facilities. The number of endowed scholarships rose from 21 to its current 78. The college added academic specializations and created co-curricular initiatives such as the Institute for Women's Leadership and the Emerging Leaders Program.

The campaign prompted an unprecedented level of giving among alumni, friends, faculty, staff, parents and students, drawing some 15 gifts over $1 million, including two gifts of $5 million, and more than $10 million in deferred gift commitments to help secure the college's future.

"The Bicentennial Campaign has shown what we can achieve with visionary leadership, an engaged community, and a compelling case for support. We are not done yet. Like the future leaders we educate, Nichols is still discovering its full potential and getting ready for its next milestone," said John Davis, who co-chaired the Bicentennial Campaign with Gerald Fels '66.

The campaign extension will focus on growing the endowment, enhancing campus facilities, and investing in educational initiatives such as greater experiential opportunities for students and advanced technology.

"The Bicentennial Campaign began a new chapter in Nichols' unique history and provided an opportunity to both honor the past and shape the future," said Dr. Engelkemeyer. "The campaign extension allows us to renew and strengthen our commitment to offering students a dynamic and distinctive education that fully prepares them for their careers."

About Nichols College

Nichols College is a college of choice for business and leadership education as a result of its distinctive career-focused and leadership-based approaches to learning, both in and out of the classroom, and through impactful research and professional education. Students thrive in a learning and living environment that is supported by an experiential business curriculum and a strong liberal arts foundation aimed at transforming them into tomorrow's leaders. Nichols also offers master's degrees in business, leadership, accounting, and counterterrorism, as well as a range of certificate programs, to promote career advancement for today's professionals.

Media Contacts:

Susan Veshi
Associate Vice President for Advancement and College Communications
Nichols College
124 Center Road, Dudley, MA
Email: susan.veshi@nichols.edu

Jillian Riches
Assistant Director of Public Engagement
Nichols College
124 Center Road, Dudley, MA
Email: jillian.riches@nichols.edu

Nichols College

Nichols College announces final phase of historic campaign

Nichols College

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