Light the Way: The Campaign for Catholic University

Catholic University’s motto — God Is My Light — is a constant reminder of our origin and mission. We were founded in 1887 as the national university of the Catholic Church, a graduate research institution charged with creating an academic program that would serve the nation and transform the world.

In 2012, the University undertook a strategic planning process that laid out its course for the decade to come and beyond. Among the recommendations were reforms to its governance structure, an investment in both faculty and research, and in tandem with both, an imperative to strengthen the institution’s resources to raise more philanthropic support. This plan was revised and re-endorsed in 2016 and became the Light the Way capital campaign.

This campaign ended in the spring of 2023, and here's a quick overview of all it accomplished and what the funds support - with gratitude to all our supporters who helped us exceed our goal!

View also: Campaign Priorities of Light the Way: The Campaign for Catholic University

Campaign launched in 2015

One of the outcomes of this thoughtful, campus-wide process is Light the Way: The Campaign for Catholic University, our first-ever comprehensive campaign and the most ambitious campaign in our history. The Campaign spans seven years and commenced on May 1, 2015.

Announced to the public on Thursday, September 26, 2019, this Campaign seeks major new investments across three imperatives of our work:

These efforts will ultimately raise more than $500 million in philanthropic support for The Catholic University of America.

Join us as we move toward a bright new age for Catholic University — one of even greater promise, intellectual excitement, and faithful service. By undertaking the most ambitious campaign in our history, the University will light the way as the leading national Catholic research university.

Campaign imperatives

Athletics Department

Varsity athletics programs play a vital role in strengthening the overall student enrollment and enhance student retention rates.

Benjamin T. Rome School of Music, Drama, and Art

The Rome School inspires highly talented and creative individuals to realize their potential, and prepares them to be effective contributors to the arts, society, and the Church.

Busch School of Business

The vision of the Busch School is to be the leading Catholic business school promoting business as a noble vocation.

Columbus School of Law

The Law School produces exceptionally well-trained lawyers who work hard and know how to get things done.

Conway School of Nursing

The nursing school prepares innovative researchers and outstanding nursing clinicians. Each is armed with a mind for science and a passion for service.

Metropolitan School of Professional Studies

The Metro School provides students with more than just academic degrees and professional credentials: It provides a framework of ethical leadership and service to the community.

National Catholic School of Social Service

NCSSS educates students of diverse backgrounds who share a deep commitment to the values of social justice, service, and scholarship in accordance with the teachings of the Catholic Church.

School of Architecture and Planning

Our goal is to establish the school as the leading institution in the country dedicated to the joint study of modernist and classical design, and to do so with sustainability and excellence.

School of Arts and Sciences

The School of Arts and Sciences is the touchstone our alumni refer to when they talk about becoming the well-rounded leaders and citizens who define the Catholic University impact.

School of Canon Law

As the only school of canon law in the United States, we serve the Catholic Church with a strong focus on the needs and opportunities of the Church in the United States.

School of Engineering

The School of Engineering teaches students to place technological decisions in a human-centered context informed by moral and philosophical values.

School of Philosophy

As the nation’s only Catholic school of philosophy, we are confident that reality is intelligible and that the patient search to understand the world contributes immeasurably to the human good.

School of Theology and Religious Studies

For more than 130 years, TRS has formed the bedrock of our learning community, giving life to the conviction that there is no conflict between faith and the pursuit of truth through reason.

The Campaign's impact

Over its seven-year duration, Light the Way: The Campaign for Catholic University will harvest new philanthropic investments totaling $400 million. Once completed, the Campaign will also fortify The Catholic University of America with the following impacts:

Through $55 million in new endowed and current-use scholarships, as many as 3,000 students will have financial support to pursue a Catholic University education.
The addition of 12 fully endowed professorships in fields as diverse as physics, Church history, engineering, and business will double the number of fully endowed faculty chairs at the University.
Our academic community will celebrate enhanced laboratory spaces; a renovated home for The Busch School of Business; a new interdisciplinary nursing and sciences building for the Conway School of Nursing; expanded and improved Engineering facilities; and enhanced performing arts facilities.
An improved recreation center and a contemporary dining hall will dramatically enhance the health and wellness of our community.
The University’s endowment, its fiscal foundation, will grow by at least 25 percent – with a goal of $60 million in new funds raised by the Campaign’s conclusion.
The Fund for Catholic University will provide more than $22 million in flexible support for students and programs.
Student-athletes will compete in enhanced facilities, including a newly renovated DuFour Center, an additional turf field, improved baseball and softball venues, and an expanded stadium.