A wise priest, namely Rev. Charles Kociolek, C.S.C.—who taught accounting and served as Director of Academic Advisement, and now serves as Alumni Chaplain—often remarks that professors and priests usually learn of their impact on a person’s life many years later. I love to hear stories of our faculty, administrators, or staff receiving a letter from a former student recounting a class, meeting, retreat, an experience in a residence hall, or on the court or field that changed their lives. Their stories of impact make everything we do at King’s College worthwhile.
Through this new publication, we want to share with you the great impact that your generosity has had on the lives of King’s students and how your generosity continues to send us forth on our noble mission. Our impact on students’ lives is only possible because of you!
On the following pages, several King’s alumni—two as recent as May—tell the story of our institution’s impact on their lives. Errien writes about the influence of our facilities on her education and how great spaces provided her the opportunity for connection, great relationships, and learning. John recounts the power of scholarship support that enabled him to pursue his dream of becoming an engineer and have a positive impact as a diversity leader on campus. Remy shares about the power of unrestricted gifts that provide King’s with flexibility to meet the needs of our students—every Monarch, every day. We also recall the impact of our Campus Ministry and Shoval Center programs that transform the hearts of our students as they seek to grow in relationship with God and with their poor and marginalized neighbors.
As our students’ stories reveal the impact of your generosity, I trust you will see mirrored in the story about the Moran-Parolski family aspects of your own love for King’s, the College’s influence on your life, and your impact on our students. While every donor’s reason for giving to our alma mater is unique, at the core of every donation emerges a relationship that tugs on the heart.
Listening to the stories of generous alumni and friends about how King’s has tugged at their hearts, the College launched its most ambitious fundraising initiative in its history, Send Us Forth: The Campaign for King’s College. In this publication, you’ll learn of the Campaign’s ongoing success, the amazing transformation of our campus that it has made possible, and the strategic hopes and dreams that are still to come.
Another very wise priest, Blessed Basil Moreau, founder of the Congregation of Holy Cross, demanded that every educational institution founded and sponsored by Holy Cross would provide its graduates with the skills and competencies to be successful citizens, and that “the mind will not be cultivated at the expense of the heart.” To know King’s is to know that we live that mission every day. To know King’s is to know that our mission is only possible due to people like you.
With prayers of gratitude, I entrust you and your loved ones to the goodness of God.
Peace,
Rev. Thomas P. Looney, C.S.C., Ph.D. President
by
the numbers
Dollars Raised by Pillar
38,104
Total number of unique gifts
(as of April 2023)
Total donors to date who have supported the Campaign with gifts ranging from $5 to 7-figure gifts (2017 to 6/30/2023)
11,971 50+
new endowed scholarships established since 2017 $71,362,155
Market Value of Endowed Scholarships as of June 30, 2022 (All Restricted Scholarships)
Presidential Hope Fund
$2.5M
Total gifts and pledges
1,488
Students supported through PHF
277 Students assisted (non-books)
1,200+
Student book awards
A Community of Hope
The King’s College Strategic Plan: 2021-24
As a Catholic institution of higher education, King’s College is dedicated to the pursuit of excellence in teaching, learning, and scholarship in forming graduates who will serve the common good. In that process, we invite all to an encounter with the living God, and we seek to engage in wise stewardship of resources. In keeping true to our mission and upholding our standards of accreditation, the College engages in a strategic planning process every few years to evaluate our areas of greatest need for the near term.
In 2021, the College embarked on our current strategic planning initiative, A Community of Hope, which outlines seven priorities the institution will see through to 2024.
Priority One: Cultivate the academic success of our students from all backgrounds with strengthened support systems that provide academic, personal, and spiritual growth.
Priority Two: Position the College to optimize recruiting and enrollment in the face of increasing competition using evidence-driven practices and mission-driven messaging.
Priority Three: Maintain robust development for in-demand programs and expand access to distance learning while maintaining the College’s unique, in-person community experience.
Priority Four: Enhance excellence in teaching and mentoring through creative pedagogy, extending our commitment to student-faculty interaction and high-impact learning experiences.
The Send Us Forth Campaign: Four Pillars, One Mission.
When the College embarked on the Send Us Forth Campaign in 2017, there was no COVID-19 pandemic. The campaign, unnamed at that time, was filled with hope for what was to come. For the first few years, the campaign quietly secured gifts from people like you—alumni and friends who care deeply about King’s students and the future of our institution. And despite the years we have collectively spent in the pandemic, at times filled with great worry and uncertainty about the future, you have been so incredibly generous through our public phase of the campaign. COVID-19 did not stop you from dreaming with us and building a stronger future for King’s. Thanks to you, we are poised to bring this campaign to a successful close, and we could not have done it without your deep generosity. On the pages that follow, you’ll get a brief look at our campaign priorities and what you have been supporting.
Priority Five: Create a more robust student experience, post-pandemic, that provides for their physical, mental, and spiritual well-being, increases their diversity of experience and perspective, and encourages service to others.
Priority Six: Strengthen our collaborative spirit and ways in which we work together, students and employees, in fulfilling our mission.
Priority Seven: Secure our financial future in the face of unprecedented external challenges to higher education, building on our past financial success for long-term sustainability.
PILLAR 1
Every Monarch, Every Day:
This campaign priority supports one of the most important and needed initiatives on campus, the KC Fund. Your gifts are put to immediate use in the areas of greatest need, allowing the College to allocate resources where and when needed most. An unrestricted gift is an expression of confidence in our mission, vision, and commitment to students. This priority also supports the Monarch Athletics Fund, which directly benefits athletic programs and student athletes.
Good as GOLD
Remy Votta ’20 shares why she gives back to King’s College.
Graduates of the last decade, aptly referred to as GOLD alumni, are making their mark on campus. No matter the graduation year and no matter the dollar amount, giving back to King’s College is a community tradition. This fiscal year alone, GOLD alumni contributed over $11,000 to support multiple programs like scholarships, capital projects, and athletic teams.
Recent graduate Remy Votta ’20 is one of those who is proud to pay it forward.
“I give back to King’s because King’s gave to me,” she said.
“They invested in my future through scholarships before they even knew who I was. To accept
scholarship money as a student, and not give back now as an alum, would not be fair to the scholarship cycle.”
Remy acknowledges that every dollar makes a difference, and donations do not need to be large, noting it can be as simple as donating $30 instead of going out to eat on a Saturday night.
“King’s College is a community that does not give up on each other, so I want to pay it forward for others,” she added. “From undergraduate academic support services to post college alumni networking, it’s a very small world and putting good out into the world of King’s will always circle back.”
as of April 30, 2023
Donating to Futures
John Mabin ’23 reflects on how
the Presidential Hope Fund kept him on track and put him on a path to influencing others.
Born and raised just outside of Philadelphia, King’s College reminded John of the small and friendly environment of the community where he grew up. Wrapping up an amazing high school experience— including good grades, the jazz band, mock trial team, and three years on the varsity baseball and football teams—he was ready to conquer the next chapter.
As he began his college search, he was considering strong institutions like RIT and the HBCU Morgan State in addition to King’s College. His first visit to the King’s campus was an overnight stay with the football team, who not only welcomed him but also took great care of him while recovering from an injury, which said a lot about the character of the players.
“I was on crutches, and they still allowed me to visit and watched over me that entire weekend,” he remarked.
The mechanical engineering program was also a huge draw with its new and rigorous curriculum, and although not Catholic, John noted that the College gave him a space for his religious beliefs, which made a great impression for how he wanted to spend his next four years. Fortunately, King’s also had the best overall financial offer.
Still, his single mother was raising four other children —one of which was starting college the year after John—and doing the best she could to cover tuition.
“College bills can get pretty heavy pretty fast,” he said.
John arrived in Fall 2019 and was excelling as a Monarch. But as he got further into his first year, his mother and grandmother were struggling to find a solution for affording tuition after not qualifying for a Parent PLUS loan. When the next bill came, John was faced with the difficult decision of withdrawing or transferring.
“I didn’t want to go anywhere else,” he said. “Football and engineering classes were going so well, and I was in such a great environment.”
A call to the Office of Financial Aid offered one possibility.
“I remember being told about the Presidential Hope Fund, but that it wasn’t usually given to first-year students,” John recalled. “But if my grades were good enough, I was involved, and committed to King’s, it might be an option.”
After applying, he was invited to share more about his situation, commitment, and aspirations. Soon after, John was granted funds to cover his balance and stay enrolled.
John recently graduated with his bachelor’s in mechanical engineering and a minor in math. He was president of Multicultural/International Club, chair of the Black Student Union, and member of the Engineering Club and the ASCE Student Chapter. As a first-generation student, he was a proud member of the First Gen Board and First Gen College Committee and started the First Gen Student club.
Additionally, he was Resident Advisor in Alumni Hall, which provided great insight and leadership experience. He’s grateful that both peers and employees saw him as a leader and someone who can be counted on. He says even to be recommended for the RA position was something in itself to be recognized.
As he reflected on what the Hope Fund has meant to him, John said he’s not sure donors understand just how impactful their contributions are. Not having to work a full-time job while studying lets you focus on your classwork while also enjoying the full student experience. Because of donor support, John was able to maintain strong grades, go on SERVE trips, and participate in Homecoming.
“That money isn’t locked away in an account; it is actively walking around our campus,” he noted.
John is also incredibly mature and recognizes that the support he received through the Hope Fund had a palpable ripple effect. He knows that running a college costs money, but even more so, he knows
students are trying to make a better future not only for themselves but also for the people they will impact in their professions.
“Their support doesn’t stop at King’s,” he added. “It puts me on a path to a good job, to send my own kids to college. It’s not even a single generation you’re donating to; you’re donating to futures.”
John also couldn’t have made it through without the support of his mother and grandmother. Just before his final year began last August, they all reminisced about how quickly the time has passed since his first visit.
“Honestly,” he said, “I can say if I didn’t stay at King’s, I’m not sure where I would be. I’ve become an outstanding leader, and the Presidential Hope Fund helped me stay on the track I wanted to be on.”
PILLAR 2
A Founding Promise:
Your generosity in support of scholarships, both endowed and experiential, is ensuring that every student who desires a King’s education has that opportunity. True to our mission, this priority aims to make the King’s experience accessible and affordable by providing scholarships for students facing financial barriers to earning a King’s degree. It also supports the Presidential Hope Fund, an initiative for students who face a financial gap in tuition, books, room, or board.
RAising the Bar
Errien Williams ’23 shows how Donor Investments in Day-to-Day Communal Space are Essential to the Student Experience.
When looking back at the best parts of college, it’s natural that friends and mentors are the first things that come to mind. Afterall, this is when many students finally get the chance to forge lasting and rewarding relationships with people of different economic backgrounds, cultures, and ethnicities.
The key is to create an environment where these interactions are welcome and natural to the student experience. As such, King’s College emphasizes a residence curriculum that optimizes communal spaces to further educational objectives and become more than just places to walk through or sleep.
No one knows that better than Errien Williams ’23, whose contributions as a resident assistant (RA) have been integral to that mission.
Now bound for medical school after graduating in May, Errien remembers her RA journey starting with a search for personal connections and leadership opportunities after COVID-19 left both in short supply. She was also inspired to follow the RA she had in her first year, who ended up becoming one of her first and best friends on campus.
Errien went from acting out roleplay scenarios for the first time in RA training to becoming a valuable resource to students and other RAs by her final year. She credits this evolution to a strong support network of peers and mentors who helped her succeed not only on campus, but also in her pursuit of a medical career as well.
“Something that’s special and different about King’s is that people will go beyond their goals and job titles to help you in different ways,” she said.
In that spirit, Errien helped plan a wide range of student events that touched upon diversity, spirituality, wellness, and drug and alcohol awareness. Whether it was forums, speaking engagements, trivia games, or even rounding up students to attend trips to other school events like the Diversity Fashion Show, Errien was excited to help boost student engagement whenever possible.
“A lot of the first- and second-year students are still trying to look for friends and build connections, and I’ve seen many of them meet each other during these programs who are still friends to this day,” Errien said. “Events also enlighten people to new cultures and religions, which is important when we all come from different places and not everyone has the same level of exposure to people different from them.”
While peer-led programming is instrumental to the student experience, these efforts cannot reach their full potential without welcoming spaces that encourage students to gather and socialize.
Thankfully, the College has been able to better meet this need thanks to donor contributions, which are strategically targeted to have the highest possible impact on campus.
“Renewal is a major theme of the King’s masterplan,” said Anitra Yusinski-McShea, Ph.D., Vice President of Student Affairs. “A great deal of feedback and planning has shown us that one of the most efficient and effective ways to improve the student experience is refreshing existing spaces, especially high traffic areas where students congregate and interact the most.”
One renewed space that seemed particularly impactful to Errien is the newly upgraded Campus Center lobby.
“It was pretty dark before, and essentially just a pass-through space,” she said. “No one really felt comfortable being there for long periods of time.”
Now, Errien and her friends often use the first floor of the Campus Center as a computer and study lab, or a place to meet new people as students she knows from clubs and classes frequently gather there with their friends.
“It’s so different, brighter, and high-tech,” she said. “Everyone definitely notices and appreciates it a lot more now.”
Errien has also noticed the impact of smaller upgrades, like the large new whiteboards in O’Hara Hall that help students study together because they can write out their notes while preparing for exams.
“You get exposed to a lot more people because we’re not hiding in our rooms, and there are areas for us to interact with each other,” she said. “I think that plays a large role in our campus community.”
Anyone who has attended the institution knows that what makes the College special isn’t just the degree. Investment in residence life spaces—made possible from the generous support of donors—is crucial to helping some of the best elements of student engagement flourish at King’s. Whether by chance encounter or through the focused efforts of student leaders like Errien, it’s at these gathering spots that students access valuable enrichment activities and forge lasting relationships that will benefit them far into the future.
PILLAR 3
Campus as Connector:
Your gifts have provided King’s students with a grounded sense of place in which to learn, grow, and flourish. This priority supports capital projects on campus including the Chapel of Christ the King at the George and Giovita Maffei Family Commons, The Mulligan Center for Engineering, and The Richard Abbas Alley Center for Health Sciences. Upcoming projects include supporting the expansion of health sciences programs–namely a doctorate program in Occupational Therapy (in the former Times Leader Building), improving the student residential experience (by renaming Alumni Hall for Rev. John J. Ryan, C.S.C., Ph.D., the ninth President of King’s College), and investing in a centralized support space in the form of the Student Success Center (through renovation of the Corgan Library).
Feeding the Soul
Campus Ministry programs and Holy Cross values flourish with donor support.
“Whosoever Will, Let Him Come.”
These are the now iconic words that welcome students, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends into the beautifully restored King’s College Chapel of Christ the King. The fourth priority of the Send Us Forth Campaign, Forever Holy Cross, is focused on reaffirming our devotion to our Holy Cross mission and values. We are fortunate that so many passionate individuals have answered this call and donated over $4 million in support of projects that directly enhance campus ministry and service.
The impact of this overwhelming generosity can be seen in the Chapel’s restoration and the addition of the George and Giovita Maffei Family Commons. These magnificent spaces have become a physical and spiritual gathering place for our entire campus community. The Chapel hosts daily Masses, Cantores Christi Regis choir performances, class reunion pinning ceremonies, Memorial Masses, scholarship celebrations, and so much more.
The Maffei Family Commons provides a space for numerous events and has allowed Campus Ministry, led by Rev. Brogan C. Ryan, C.S.C., to flourish. Father Brogan has developed innovative programs to support our students by reflecting on and celebrating faith and serving others with competence, courage, and compassion. Investments in Campus Ministry have helped both longtime initiatives and new ideas grow.
One longstanding King’s tradition that has been enhanced through Campus Ministry funding is
Hunger for Justice Week. In collaboration with the Shoval Center, Campus Ministry has expanded programing around the weeks-long initiative, which sheds light on the plight of the homeless, hungry, afflicted, and those seeking social justice in the world. This multidisciplinary event includes efforts such as lectures, art gallery exhibits, service projects, and awareness events.
In addressing the impact of hunger locally, our newest program is the addition of multiple oncampus food pantries. In Pennsylvania, studies show that around 30-40% of college students find themselves at some point in a food insecure situation. King’s is not immune to this troubling statistic and stark reality; many of our students still need additional resources. To help alleviate this issue, and through generous Campus Ministry investment, multiple food pantries and clothing closets have been set up in different locations on campus. These resources allow students to take food or clothing, if and when they need it, without stigma. The shelves are re-stocked frequently, as students are taking full advantage of these vital resources.
None of these programs could be possible without the generosity of donors like you. The donations received through the Forever Holy Cross pillar have directly helped our students through Campus Ministry programs, service opportunities, and collaborative spiritual spaces. Thank you for elevating our campus, through investing in the Chapel facilities and programs that help strengthen the King’s community spirit.
PILLAR 4
Forever Holy Cross:
This priority supports initiatives that reaffirm our Catholic and Holy Cross identity, specifically through an enhanced worship space and programs in service work. Campus Ministry, SERVE trips, and opportunities provided through the Shoval Center for Community Engagement are all supported through gifts to this pillar. In addition to programming, this priority also supports the Chapel of Christ the King as the extraordinary spiritual center for our community. The journey doesn’t end here. With the momentum your gifts have helped create, we will continue to send forth our Monarchs to make our communities and our world a better place. Thank you for believing in our mission and supporting your alma mater.
Join Your Giving Society
King’s College announces four new giving societies to further recognize levels of donor support.
King’s College is proud to announce our newest initiative, the introduction of four newly branded giving societies. These groups were developed with our donors in mind. These new societies offer a chance to connect with fellow likeminded individuals, who truly believe in the important mission of our institution and allow King’s to properly recognize and acknowledge our most generous and loyal donors.
All funds raised through participation in these giving clubs have a direct impact on the student experience—making a tangible difference on campus. For donors engaged with the College in this leadership capacity, the courtesies extended offer a unique set of exclusive experiences and additional communications. Donors may be members of multiple societies, so please carefully review each level presented here.
President’s Society Annual Gift Recognition
Introducing the President’s Society, acknowledging leadership gifts made annually (cumulative giving from July 1 to June 30) in support of our mission. The clubs below are proudly named after past King’s College Presidents.
Connerton Club ($500 - $999)
• Invitation to the King’s College Christmas Party and Mass
• Electronic version of the King’s Donor Impact Report
• Personalized thank you call from a current King’s College student
Graduates of the last decade (2013-2023) receive a discount to join the Connerton Club starting at $250.
Lane Club ($1,000 - $2,499)
• All benefits previously listed, PLUS
• Invitation to the exclusive President’s Celebration Event
• Invitation to the President’s VIP tour during Homecoming/Reunion Weekend
• Mailed copy of the King’s Donor Impact Report
• Waived space rental fee for catered events on campus (limitations may apply)
Graduates of the last decade (2013-2023) receive a discount to join the Lane Club starting at $500.
Leo Flood Club ($2,500 - $4,999)
• All benefits previously listed, PLUS
• Invitation to curated on-campus events with King’s College Leadership
• Opportunity to attend a King’s College “Insiders View” discussion
• Yearly King’s College President’s Society branded membership gift
Benaglia Club ($5,000 - $9,999)
• All benefits previously listed, PLUS
• Invitation to VIP regional King’s College events with the President
• Special voucher for exclusive King’s Alumni merchandise
• Athletic passes to King’s College sporting events Kilburn Club ($10,000+)
• All benefits previously listed, PLUS
• Personalized campus tour with King’s College Leadership
• Opportunity to be featured in King’s College online publications
• Dedicated concierge service for help with arranging King’s College tours, event tickets, etc.
To learn more about our giving societies, use your phone to scan this code!
For questions on giving societies, please contact the Office of Annual Giving at (570) 208-5880 or annualgiving@kings.edu.
The final three categories include our Mission Mark, Leo’s Loyals, and 1946 societies. They recognize transformational giving, either through leadership gifts, consecutive giving, or planned giving vehicles. Detailed information will be mailed to these society members in the coming weeks, so stay tuned for additional exciting updates on our Mission Mark, Leo’s Loyals, and 1946 societies.
Mission Mark Society Lifetime Giving Recognition
Introducing the Mission Mark Society, recognizing transformational impact by honoring those donors who have extraordinary cumulative lifetime giving. Total lifetime giving combines the amount of a donor’s first gift and each subsequent gift.
• Anchor Club ($100,000 – $499,999)
• Crown Club ($500,000 – $999,999)
• Shield Club ($1,000,000 +)
Leo’s Loyals Society
Consecutive Giving Recognition
Introducing the Leo’s Loyals Society, recognizing donors who have faithfully supported King’s College year after year. Consecutive giving is based on the King’s College fiscal year, running from July 1 to June 30, and includes donors who have given gifts in any amount in each fiscal year, consecutively, without missing a year.
• Transformation Club (5-10 years)
• Community Club (11-24 years)
• Holy Cross Club (25+ years)
Signature Events
1946 Society Planned Giving Recognition
Finally, the 1946 Society recognizes donors who have remembered King’s College during their estate planning process. This society recognizes donors who have included King’s in their will or estate plan and have let the College know of their intentions.
• 1946 Society (all planned gifts)
King’s College is proud to host special events for our donors to interact, engage, and network with each other and King’s College leadership. An overview of our most popular signature events is listed below; we hope you will join us in 2023 and beyond.
King’s College Christmas Party
Kick off the holiday season in style with our Christmas Mass and signature cocktail party, featuring special choir performances, festive décor, and a chance to return to campus during the most special time of the year. All President’s Society members are invited annually, in addition to supporters who donate $300 per year.
President’s Celebration Event
Join Rev. Thomas P. Looney, C.S.C., Ph.D., President, for an elegant evening celebrating our most generous supporters. This formal affair offers guests the unique opportunity to be the first to learn of new campus updates and celebrate the shared King’s experience.
Exclusive Events
By being involved with our giving clubs, members will be invited to exclusive regional events in cities like Philadelphia, New York City, and Washington D.C., in addition to private viewing areas for King’s College sporting events, scholarship recognition events, unique on-campus offerings, and other new and exciting ways to connect with fellow alumni while advancing the King’s College mission.
Generational Philanthropy:
The Moran-Parolski Family Gives Back.
So many of King’s College’s generous donors begin their relationship with the school as recent graduates embarking on their next chapter. Alumni giving back to their institution is not a concept exclusive to King’s, but what is unique is how our donor relationships grow within a graduate’s family. Often, parents of an alumna or alumnus are inspired to give because of the positive relationship their student has forged with King’s and how King’s has embraced their family within the Monarch community. Jim Parolski and Eileen Moran, along with their daughter Claire Parolski ’15, are a wonderful example of this type of generational generosity.
Like so many King’s alumni, Jim Parolski is a first-generation college graduate. Jim and Eileen’s families stressed the importance of education, and they both have impressive academic credentials that demonstrate how they value higher learning. Jim and Eileen graduated from Seton Hall University in 1976 with bachelor’s degrees in business administration. They continued their academic careers together at Fordham University, where Jim earned an M.B.A. and Eileen earned her Ph.D. in economics.
Jim and Eileen were each able to attend college thanks in part to the partial scholarships they received. This opportunity helped eliminate financial barriers to their education, an issue that so many prospective students and families continue to face.
When it came time for their daughter Claire to choose her educational path, she not only chose to enroll at King’s, but also embraced all it has to offer. She played women’s lacrosse as a first-year student, was involved in Student Government as a senior, and was active in the Accounting Club and the Student Alumni Association.
The institution’s size meant Claire knew her professors and they knew her. She was able to build relationships with then-President Rev. John Ryan, C.S.C., as well as Barry Williams, Dean of the William G. McGowan School of Business.
“The support I received during my four years at King’s from professors and faculty members truly helped me grow and learn,” Claire said. “The McGowan School of Business and the Student Alumni Association were two areas that really helped me to network and learn from King’s alumni. I continue to be involved with King’s to help the current students and future students the way other alumni helped me.”
It was the notion of paying it forward that inspired the Moran-Parolski family to give back. In their view, a college education remains an important part of building a successful career and providing the foundation for life-long learning, something their family has relied on for their own professional success and financial security.
Like her parents before her, Claire also received scholarship assistance and understands how much impact she can make by giving back to
“The McGowan School of Business and the Student Alumni Association were two areas that really helped me to network and learn from King’s alumni.”
King’s in a variety of ways. Not only is Claire a donor like her parents, but she also is serving on the leadership volunteer committee for the College’s Send Us Forth Campaign.
After spending their respective careers in law enforcement and finance, Jim and Eileen are now both enjoying retirement. But they have been active in supporting King’s. They established the Moran-Parolski Scholarship to assist first-generation students from New Jersey with tuition assistance to attend King’s, and they continue to engage with the institution in meaningful ways. King’s is fortunate to know this remarkably generous family, who set an example befitting of the Monarch community.
