Discover how you can help more students achieve success by design.
SOARING HIGHER Committing to Our Mission, Vision and Values
“QU has given me a place where I am able to reach my full potential in becoming a teacher. The education program is so amazing. All of the professors want to see me succeed, and they work with me to get to that point.”
MORGAN WIDMER Elementary Education Major
OUR SHARED MISSION
Quincy University is a Franciscan, Catholic, and liberal arts institution emphasizing the development of servant-leaders.
OUR FRANCISCAN VALUES
Quincy University embodies the spirit of St. Francis and St. Clare of Assisi, who encouraged each person to discover and to actualize one’s God-given potential for one’s good and the good of others and to point to the source and giver of all our gifts. It is the following core Franciscan values that empower one to become a servant-leader.
Knowledge To Wisdom Community Service
Justic, Peace, and Integity of Creation
Authenticity
Love of God
For more than 165 years, Quincy University has delivered an exceptional, values-driven education that prepares students to lead lives of purpose — rooted in faith, guided by integrity, and dedicated to service. Today, QU stands at a defining moment in its history. With our strongest enrollment in decades, expanding fields of study, a growing number of athletic programs, and a reputation for student success, our university is on the rise.
The Soaring Higher Campaign is a bold fundraising initiative to build on this strong momentum and strengthen Quincy’s future through transformational investments in people, programs, endowments, and facilities. This campaign will revitalize our campus and create new opportunities for every student to thrive academically, grow as leaders, engage with the community, and pursue successful lives and careers.
The campaign will also sustain our commitment to affordability, ensuring a quality university education remains accessible to students from all backgrounds. It advances Quincy’s vision to develop each student as a whole person — providing the knowledge, skills, values, and experiences necessary to become servant-leaders with integrity, empathy, and a commitment to the common good.
With your partnership, we will write the next chapter of Quincy’s story—one defined by growth, innovation, and impact. Together, we can help generations of QU students Soar Higher
“ I was drawn to QU because I wanted to receive a high-quality education and compete at a high level athletically.”
ALEX CONNOYER Business Management Major
SOARING HIGHER
“ The Soaring Higher Campaign is about more than new buildings or scholarships — it’s about investing in people, in potential, and in the future of this region. I hope you’ll join us.”
RALPH OAKLEY ‘80 Campaign Co-Chair
AN OPPORTUNITY TO LIFT QUINCY UNIVERSITY TO NEW HEIGHTS
Dear Friends,
The Soaring Higher Campaign is more than a fundraising effort — it is a bold expression of our mission and our vision for Quincy University. At its heart, this campaign is about lifting QU to new heights of academic excellence, student opportunity, and campus vitality.
With a renewed spirit on campus and a strong trajectory, we have the momentum and the responsibility to invest in our future. This campaign is an invitation to our alumni, donors, and friends to be part of that transformation — through capital improvements, facility updates, enhanced student resources, and a more sustainable financial foundation. Ultimately, it is about providing the best possible experience to those who choose a QU education, forming well-prepared, values-driven young people ready to transform the communities they serve.
Now is the moment to act. Together, we can create an environment where students soar even higher, achieving their full potential and becoming true servant-leaders formed in the Franciscan mission and charism. Your support will propel the next generation and secure a vibrant future for Quincy University and those we serve, ensuring a strong and enduring legacy for all who call QU home. What a great time to be a Hawk!
With gratitude,
Brian McGee, Ph.D. President, Quincy University
“ We are forming the next generation of servant-leaders, in line with our Catholic and Franciscan values.”
DR. BRIAN MCGEE President, Quincy University
CAMPAIGN PRIORITIES
Funds from the Soaring Higher Campaign will support four key pillars of excellence, each one essential to ensuring that Quincy University remains a strong and vibrant institution for the current and future generations of students.
Advancing Innovations
Library and Learning Commons*
Classroom Modernization*
New Programs of Study*
Enhanced Experiential Learning*
Living Our Franciscan Mission
St. Francis Solanus Chapel Restoration*
Campus Ministry Endowment
Enhancing The Student Experience
$7M
$2M
$1M
$3M
$1M
$2M
$1M
$1M
$15M
Expansion of Student Union and $6M Addition of Welcome Center*
Residence Halls Modernization*
Stadium and Multi-Purpose Building*
New Track and Practice Field*
Wrestling Gym Renovations*
Strengthening Foundations
Endowment for Student Success Coaches
Endowment for Head Coach Positions
Endowment for Faculty Chairs
QU Annual Fund (over five years)
$2M
$4M
$2M
$1M
$16M
$1M
$2M
$4M
$9M
*Includes endowment component to help offset cost of facility maintenance and contribute to QU’s long-term financial sustainability.
“The Soaring Higher Campaign is a call to all of us who believe in the power of a Quincy education. Let's come together and invest in a future grounded in our values and rich in opportunity.”
LAURA CORNILLE-CANNADY ‘79 Campaign Co-Chair
SOARING HIGHER Campaign Pillar 1: Advancing Innovations
“Our goals for the Learning Commons are to foster welcoming spaces and relevant resources, with librarians and staff to encourage, guide, and assist our current and future students on their path to academic success.”
KATIE KRAUSHAAR Dean of Library and Information Services
OPENING DOORS TO KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND EXPERIENCE
At Quincy University, innovation is more than a buzzword — it’s a promise to our students. A promise that we will equip them not only for the world as it is, but for the world as it will be.
The pace of change in our world is accelerating, and QU is rising to meet it. Through renewed investment in technology, learning environments, and career-connected programs, we will prepare students to lead, adapt, and thrive.
TRANSFORMING THE LIBRARY INTO A DYNAMIC LEARNING COMMONS
With your support, we will transform our library into a dynamic new Learning Commons — a flexible, student-centered space that brings together the best features of a library, computer lab, collaboration hub, and digital resource center.
Located at the intellectual heart of campus, the Learning Commons will serve as a catalyst for academic growth, personal discovery, and community connection. The project plan includes:
• New rooms for private study, meetings, and collaborations
• New multimedia center
• Upgraded technology and presentation tools to enhance teaching and learning
• Renovated rare books room and archives
• Enhancements to Gray Gallery
• Updates to interior finishes and accessibility
Your investment in the Learning Commons will help ensure that every Quincy student has access to the resources and environment they need to thrive in the classroom — and beyond.
“Small class sizes and real-world, hands-on experience in both the classroom and the lab at QU set me apart from other college grads. It’s like a head start on my career after graduation.”
WILSON BRENNEMANN
MODERNIZING CLASSROOMS
We will elevate the teaching and learning experience at QU, equipping students and faculty with the tools required to succeed in an increasingly interactive and technology-driven academic environment.
New features and projects include:
• Collaborative technologies such as laser projectors, marker-friendly walls, and high-speed connectivity
• Reimagined laboratories for our most hands-on disciplines, providing students real-world experiences in professional environments
• Renovation of MacHugh Theatre, revitalizing one of our largest lecture and performance spaces as a vibrant venue equipped for contemporary use in both academic and co-curricular programming
SUPPORTING NEW PROGRAMS OF STUDY
Your contribution will support four recently established degree programs in fields that align with emerging career pathways and in-demand community needs.
Our new programs include:
• Entrepreneurship
• Engineering
• Physical therapy (doctoral)
• Occupational therapy (doctoral)
These programs are designed to provide a high-quality education that positions students to thrive in a rapidly changing world. By equipping our graduates with the knowledge, skills, and values to lead in high-demand professions, QU not only prepares individual students for success, we also strengthen the economic and social fabric of the region.
“ I was drawn to Quincy University faculty and administration’s enthusiasm, collaborative spirit, and unwavering dedication to transforming lives through education.”
DR. KRISTIN HAAS, OTD, OTR/L Founding Director Doctor of Occupational Therapy Program
ENHANCING EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING
At QU, experiential learning is where knowledge takes flight. Through internships, research projects, service learning, and simulations, students translate classroom theory to practice in the real world.
These hands-on opportunities foster critical skills employers value — problem-solving, collaboration, and adaptability. They also enable students to build professional networks and gain practical insights into their chosen fields.
Experiential learning at QU is also a path to self-discovery as students clarify their goals, recognize their strengths, and grow into confident, well-rounded individuals. With our robust Quincy University Experiential Study Center (QUEST Center) and the newly launched Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, QU empowers students to connect their academic journey with meaningful, career-focused experiences. Your investment in this initiative will provide long-term funding to help offset the cost of offering these in-demand programs, ensuring that every QU student has access to the kinds of experiences that will prepare them to soar higher — academically, professionally, and personally.
With your support, we will shape a future where academic excellence meets real-world experience — and where every QU graduate is ready to soar.
“I have learned an internship isn’t about knowing everything but more about being willing to learn anything. During my time at Sharkey Transportation, I didn’t just learn data tools, I learned to think in ‘data.’”
JORDAN SETTUMBA Business Analytics Major
SOARING HIGHER
Campaign Pillar 2: Elevating Faith in Action
“Often, when alumni return to campus, they want to visit the chapel because of its significance in their lives. Some were married here, others had children baptized here, or they may have mourned the loss of a loved one here.
FR. JOHN DOCTOR, OFM Vice President for Mission and Ministry
STRENGTHENING OUR FRANCISCAN MISSION OF FAITH AND SERVICE
At Quincy University, faith is not an extracurricular — it’s the foundation of everything we do.
A key goal of this campaign is to more deeply express our Catholic, Franciscan identity through spaces, programs, and experiences that nurture the whole person. We are fully committed to helping students encounter Christ, build community, and discern their purpose in a complex world.
RESTORING AND PRESERVING ST. FRANCIS SOLANUS CHAPEL
St. Francis Solanus Chapel has stood as the heart of Quincy University for more than a century. This sacred space is the first stop on campus tours for all prospective students, who learn that the chapel represents the core values integrated into every aspect of the university.
Since 1912, the chapel has been an oasis where students, faculty, staff, and the local community come for a quiet moment of prayer, for public worship, and for celebrating the Mass and other sacraments. Thanks to its outstanding acoustics, it also is a place to enjoy beautiful musical performances.
Over the decades, time and use have taken their toll on this iconic space. Today, areas of water damage and natural wear require a more comprehensive restoration to preserve its beauty and functionality for future generations. In addition to addressing those needs, the project will include:
• Repairing and refurbishing the organ
• Refinishing pews
• Installing new carpet
• Restoring the beautiful, antique stained-glass windows
• Renovating the all-faiths chapel
“For some alumni, this holy place helped them discover who they are called to be as disciples and apostles of Jesus.”
FR. JOHN DOCTOR, OFM Vice President for Mission and Ministry
“Investment in Campus Ministry will help us listen to the experiences of students, teach them about Jesus Christ and help them grow in faith, and send them forth as missionary disciples equipped for the renewal of the world.”
FR. DAREN ZEHNLE Chaplain and Director of Campus Ministry
ENDOWING CAMPUS MINISTRY ACTIVITIES
College is a time of profound discovery where students not only begin defining their career paths, but also their identity, purpose, and values. Quincy University’s Campus Ministry plays a vital role in helping students navigate this formative journey by offering a space for reflection, community, and spiritual growth.
Your investment in Campus Ministry will support and enhance spiritual initiatives for QU students and provide new and expanded programming that allows for increased participation from the student body. Your support will enable the Campus Ministry Department to carry out activities such as:
• Retreats and liturgical celebrations
• Faith formation programs and scholarships
• Pastoral counseling and guidance
• Service and social justice initiatives
By supporting this initiative, you are partnering with the university in recognizing the vital role of faith in students’ holistic development — investing in their spiritual growth and moral formation, and empowering them to live out their faith in action as compassionate, mission-driven leaders.
“Living in a faithcentered university environment has helped me discover my calling in life and has shown me both the joy and the importance of service to my community. QU has definitely helped foster my spiritual life and shape me as the person I am today.”
KAYLA FLANGE Theology Major
SOARING HIGHER
Campaign Pillar 3: Enhancing the Student Experience
“The new Welcome Center will serve as the university’s front door — advancing our Franciscan commitment to hospitality by welcoming prospective students and families where they are in their college discernment journey.
Conveniently close to the current Student Union, the Welcome Center will provide easy access to the Office of Admission and allow our team to better serve a broader range of visitors while showcasing the vibrant student life that defines downstate Illinois’s only Catholic institution.”
TOM OLIVER Vice President for Enrollment
BUILDING COMMUNITY AND INSPIRING EXCELLENCE
Student life is about more than academics. It’s about finding your place, building relationships, and discovering who you’re becoming.
We are committed to creating the spaces where those moments happen — from residence hall lounges to the student union, from athletic fields to wellness hubs. These are the places where students form lifelong friendships, develop leadership skills, and feel truly at home. They are also critical for recruitment, retention, and building a vibrant, inclusive campus culture.
RENOVATING STUDENT UNION AND ADDING A WELCOME CENTER
Your support will help expand and modernize our Student Union as a place that serves the entire campus community. Plans include:
• Dedicated rooms for student organizations to meet and work
• Comfortable spaces for socializing
• An outdoor commons area for community interaction
• A new, more visible location for the bookstore
• Expanding the Hawk’s Nest for student and alumni gatherings
In addition to providing much-needed space for student engagement, the renovated Student Union also will serve as a central location for a convenience store, student mail room, and retail space for local vendors.
The Student Union also will be the site of a new campus Welcome Center where all prospective students will start their campus tour. It will be conveniently located close to guest parking and will offer better access to people with physical disabilities.
MODERNIZING RESIDENCE HALLS
At the heart of every vibrant campus community are the spaces where students come together to live, learn, and grow. Our residence halls serve as more than just housing — they are the backdrop for friendships, late-night study sessions, and moments of inspiration that shape the student experience. Many of our common areas no longer reflect the needs of today’s students or provide the welcoming, engaging environment that fosters connection and collaboration.
With your support, we will transform the common areas in our residence halls into modern, dynamic spaces that enhance student life and cultivate a sense of community. These upgrades will include comfortable lounge spaces, flexible study areas, and modern amenities that promote well-being, inclusivity, and student success.
“ Your contributions help us create environments where students feel safe, supported, and truly cared for — giving them the foundation they need to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.”
KORT FINLEY ’18 Director of Residence Life and Housing Operations
ENHANCING THE QU STADIUM COMPLEX AND ADDING A MULTIPURPOSE ATHLETIC BUILDING
The baseball, football, and lacrosse stadiums are co-located and serve more than 300 student-athletes playing five different varsity sports. To better serve our student-athletes, our campaign plans call for the construction of a stadium complex building that will house:
• Locker rooms
• Coaches’ offices and meeting rooms
• Indoor practice space for baseball, football, and softball
• Spaces for tutoring student-athletes, providing enhanced support from dedicated academic success coaches
REDEVELOPING PRACTICE FIELD AND INSTALLING A TRACK
Our current men’s and women’s cross-country and track and field teams do not have a physical track for practice or competition. The Soaring Higher Campaign includes plans for redeveloping an existing grass practice field at North Campus and will include installation of a state-of-the-art running track as well as a new turf practice field. This project will relieve scheduling conflicts for the existing fields on campus. More importantly, it will provide a first-class experience for our existing students and make it easier for QU to recruit new student-athletes in the future.
RENOVATING THE NORTH CAMPUS GYMNASIUM FOR WRESTLING
Wrestling is one of Quincy University’s newest and fastestgrowing athletic programs. In its third year as a varsity sport, the wrestling program sent six female athletes and one male athlete to compete at the NCAA National Championships.
Currently, the wrestling teams practice and host matches in the Pepsi Arena. It’s a crowded venue they share with the teams for men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s volleyball, and STUNT/cheerleading.
Renovating the old gym at North Campus into a dedicated wrestling facility will relieve the overcrowding at Pepsi Arena and offer the students on our wrestling teams an advanced facility for training and performing. Your support will help us elevate the student experience — providing the physical and social environments that inspire confidence, connection, wellbeing, and belonging at every step.
“By providing modern athletics facilities, we will better serve the needs of our student-athletes as they develop important skills in discipline, leadership, and teamwork through sports.”
JOSH RABE ’01 Athletic Director
SOARING HIGHER
Campaign Pillar 4: Strengthening Foundations
100% of our full-time students receive financial assistance
90% of our students find job placement or are in grad school within six months of graduation
100% of Quincy undergraduate students engage in community service across the country and around the world
INVESTING IN STUDENTS, TODAY AND TOMORROW
A great university is so much more than a collection of buildings and programs. It’s a community of people — students, faculty, staff, alumni, and others — grounded in shared values and a mission to make a positive impact in the world. The investments we make in the Soaring Higher Campaign will strengthen the foundation of the Quincy University experience and help build a promising future for students today and those in generations to come.
Soaring Higher is comprehensive campaign. This means for the next five years, all gifts to Quincy University count toward our ambitious fundraising goals. In addition to gifts designated to special campaign initiatives, two other types of contributions will strengthen our foundation: gifts to the annual QU Fund and endowment gifts. Together, these gifts ensure the university’s needs are met for both short-term and long-term excellence and stability.
Our campaign plans call for establishing the following three endowments:
• Student Success Coaches
• Endowed Professorships
• Head Coaching Positions
ENDOWMENT FOR STUDENT SUCCESS COACHES
QU’s distinctive Success by Design model pairs each undergraduate with both a faculty advisor and a student success coach, ensuring that achievement is never left to chance. Each year, more than 400 students connect with success coaches in over 2,000 individual appointments. The Endowment for Student Success Coaches will create a sustainable resource to recruit and retain dedicated professionals who guide students throughout their entire college experience and support academic, social, personal, and spiritual development. This fund ensures Quincy University will be able to fulfill its commitment to student success, retention, and wellbeing in perpetuity.
“The Endowment for Student Success Coaches guarantees the long-term viability of our Success by Design program, enabling transformative, whole-person support for every student who comes to Quincy.”
DR. CHRISTINE TRACY Vice President for Student Development
“Having
endowed head coaching positions means Quincy University will have the very best mentors for our student-athletes. The fund will foster stability, excellence, and a legacy that supports our mission on and off the field.”
JOSH RABE Athletic Director
ENDOWMENT FOR PROFESSORSHIPS
Endowed Faculty Chairs accelerate change by increasing the university’s reputation in key disciplines and recognizing and supporting prominent faculty in their research, teaching, and service. QU can leverage endowed faculty positions to recruit and retain distinguished professors who will enhance students’ academic experiences, make discoveries, and share new knowledge through publications and presentations.
ENDOWMENT FOR HEAD COACHING POSITIONS
Often, the difference between an average athletics program and one that can aspire to excel at the national level is a well-supported athletic endowment. By endowing QU’s head coaching positions, we will create an enduring source of income for Quincy University Athletics to attract and retain coaches with the talent and experience to ensure success for QU student-athletes now and in the future.
“The QU Fund is a direct reflection of the spirit of QU. It’s more than a financial resource; it’s a living testament to our shared commitment to excellence, opportunity, and community.”
ANDY ‘04 AND MICHAELA (FRAY) TAPPE ‘06 QU Fund Drive Chairs
ANNUAL QU FUND
In addition to longer-term plans and investments in our future, we also have a responsibility to meet the university’s immediate and short-term needs.
The QU Fund is the lifeblood of the university. Because tuition and fees cover only part of a student’s education cost, gifts to the QU Fund help cover the gap so every student has access to the full university experience. Gifts are typically used in the same year they are made, and because the funds are unrestricted, QU has the flexibility to direct these dollars where they are most needed. Gifts to the QU Fund cover expenses like:
• Basic operating costs (utilities, security, landscaping, classroom equipment, office supplies, etc.)
• Student scholarships
• Student and campus emergency needs
• Faculty professional development opportunities
• Campus updates and enhancements
Your generosity ensures Quincy University remains accessible, resilient, and forward-looking — ready to serve today’s students and tomorrow’s leaders with strength, purpose, and care.
“Endowing a Faculty Chair position represents a partnership in the sacred art of teaching and learning. It’s a long-term investment in our faculty, which has a significant impact on our current and future students.”
DR. SARAH VORDTRIEDE-PATTON Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of Graduate Programs
SOARING HIGHER
Campaign Leadership
“Our world needs courageous leaders, and Quincy University has been shaping them for generations. Your support of this campaign is an investment in that legacy — a chance for our students, and our University, to rise to new heights.”
PHIL CONOVER President Emeritus and Honorary Chair
Thanks to our Campaign Steering Committee and Board of Trustees.
CAMPAIGN STEERING COMMITTEE
Campaign Chairs
Laura Cornille-Cannady ‘79
Ralph Oakley ’80
Honorary Chairs
Phil Conover
Bo Knapheide
Jim Mentesti ‘66
Rich Ryan ‘64
Committee Members
Kevin ‘78 and Susan ’79 Breheny
Megan Breheny ‘06
Pete Brown ‘76
Allison Hall ‘09
Tom Pollihan ‘72
Kevin Reller ‘90
Ryan Snyder ‘16
Theresa Spear ‘96
Bill Terlisner ‘92
Chuck Van Eekeren ‘87
QU BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Sam Banks ‘76
Jean Buckley ’78, Chair
Tom Carroll, OFM
Jerry Douglas
Brendan Ford ‘96
Murphy Grant ‘97
James Heintz ‘66
Pam Hemmen ‘90
Scott LeMaire ‘88
Jane Loos ‘96
Brian McGee
Jim Mentesti ‘66
William Metzinger ‘74
Delmer Mitchell
Carroll Mizicko, OFM ‘65
Mary Mooney
Gerald Murphy ‘70
Russel Murray, OFM
Hal Oakley, Vice Chair
Ralph Oakley ‘80
Mark Reamer, OFM
Greg Reis
Richard Ryan ‘64
Martin Schafer ‘94
Edward Schneidman
Dick Scott ‘70
Joe Tracy
Success by Design at Quincy University embodies our Franciscan values and commitment to every individual’s unique journey. We believe success should be intentional and meticulously planned. Our dedication to the college experience is profound, as we collaborate with students to create personalized success plans. This ensures they graduate on time, discover their passions, and are well prepared for life.
JOIN US. TOGETHER, WE WILL SOAR HIGHER.
We invite you to support the Soaring Higher Campaign and invest in the people, programs, and places that will transform lives for generations. Your gift — whether through capital improvements, endowed support, or the QU Fund — will directly empower students, support faculty, and strengthen Quincy University’s ability to serve both our region and the world. Your generosity ensures that every student who chooses Quincy has the resources, guidance, and opportunities to soar to their full potential.
“Quincy University is transforming lives, empowering future leaders, fueling local and regional businesses, and preparing the next generation to make a positive difference in the world. I am thrilled to be part of this exciting chapter in QU’s history. This campaign will shape the future of this university and those we serve for decades to come.”
JEAN BUCKLEY ’78 Chair, QU Board of Trustees
