{"id":296,"date":"2016-03-02T20:31:20","date_gmt":"2016-03-02T20:31:20","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.sths.org\/4500Forever\/?p=296"},"modified":"2020-01-23T09:52:02","modified_gmt":"2020-01-23T09:52:02","slug":"4500forever-finish-strong-our-next-defining-moment","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.sths.org\/4500Forever\/2016\/03\/02\/4500forever-finish-strong-our-next-defining-moment\/","title":{"rendered":"4500Forever Finish Strong – Our Next Defining Moment"},"content":{"rendered":"

More than a decade ago St. Thomas identified three essential growth areas to propel the school into its second century of teaching goodness, discipline and knowledge in the tradition of the Basilian Fathers.<\/span><\/p>\n

Critical to continuing its acclaimed academic excellence as one of the leading all-boys schools in the United States are an enhanced resource center serving science, technology, engineering and mathematics (subjects collectively known as STEM) … additional athletic fields and campus green space … and a thriving student center to meet the social, recreational and co-curricular necessities of STH\u2019s ever-diverse student population.<\/span><\/p>\n

The vision is beginning to take definitive shape with the recent unveiling of the move-in master plan for the Joplin Campus expansion funded by the 4500Forever capital campaign.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe response from our collective community is that this plan reflects our values and our needs for furthering our mission for the next 25 years and beyond,\u201d president Fr. Kevin Storey, CSB said.<\/span><\/p>\n

The design team at Kirksey Architects set out to create a unifying campus experience. \u00a0One of the four largest architecture firms in Houston with a long-standing relationship with the school which dates more than 25 years crafted a final blueprint after nearly a year of deep dialogue with various St. Thomas boards, administrative and land acquisitions teams, plus current faculty and staff.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"4500Forever-Open-House-deTranaltes-2015\"<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u201cThe immediate strategy was to maximize the physical property before the deep dive into maximizing the additional classrooms and offices,\u201d Vice President for Advancement Mark deTranaltes \u201883 said. \u00a0\u201cKirksey proved to be attentive listeners and really captured the culture and spirit of St. Thomas.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Moving STH\u2019s existing weight room and adjacent locker room to an athletic performance and conditioning space on the Joplin Campus expands the science program with valuable classrooms and innovative technical labs for STEM curriculum which emphasizes a collaborative and applied approach to the four specific disciplines while providing students with a foundation to pursue a number of growing, in-demand careers.<\/span><\/p>\n

The renovated Joplin Campus will also house a much anticipated student center dedicated to giving students the best out-of-classroom experience possible featuring a range of resources to meet their daily needs while fostering personal growth as they arrive early on campus or remain into the early evening hours. <\/span><\/p>\n

4500Forever Finish Strong is raising the necessary $12 million for the Joplin Campus redevelopment. \u00a0Currently 25% of that monetary goal has been reached with St. Thomas scheduled to take control of the property May 2017.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"4500Forever-Open-House-Storey-2015\"<\/p>\n

\u201cOn Day One we want bulldozers at the curb ready to immediately push our plan into a reality,\u201d Fr. Storey said. \u00a0\u201cIf Finish Strong becomes prolonged … we won\u2019t have that freedom. \u00a0There\u2019s great appreciation in what our campaign has achieved financially in raising $54 million to purchase the land, but in terms of facilities we must embrace the same hyper-urgent diligence if we want to be able to respond to the needs of our expanding enrollment.\u201d \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Fr. Storey and deTranaltes agree that Finish Strong is the operative description for the 4500Forever campaign final stage … both believing that the satisfaction in conquering the final objective is what promises to become what is most memorable about the most ambitious fundraising effort in the school\u2019s 115-year history.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhen you examine our donor list … it\u2019s more than 2,000 names deep … incredibly impressive,\u201d deTranaltes said. \u00a0\u201cWhen you look at the top contributors … St. Thomas will always be eternally grateful for their philanthropy. \u00a0But without the entire group we wouldn\u2019t be positioned for our next defining moment. \u00a0As we like to say, it has never been about equal gifts, but rather, equal sacrifice, and that\u2019s the fuel which will drive us to <\/span>finish strong<\/i><\/b>. \u00a0No different than what St. Thomas has instilled in its students for generations … maximizing talents and treasures.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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