John Carroll University is nearing the completion of its ambitious $100 million investment strategy to enhance its academic portfolio, elevate the student experience, and transform campus facilities.
As the semester wraps up, significant milestones are on the horizon, including renovations to Grasselli Library and the construction of the new Athletic, Wellness & Event Center, both set to be completed before the end of the academic year. Additionally, the vision and timeline for the transformative Gateway North project will come into view in the coming weeks.
“John Carroll leadership and the Board of Directors chose to invest in our students’ experience at a time when many higher education institutions are cutting back,” said Carolyn Noll Sorg, Vice President of Enrollment and Marketing. “We see that decision paying off in the long term over the next five to ten years, and we have already seen significant growth in awareness among our out-of-state applicants and enrollments beyond the Midwest.”
Sustained Growth and Strategic Investments
Despite a challenging landscape for higher education, John Carroll University remains financially strong and maintains an investment-grade credit rating. These ongoing investments have already yielded significant milestones, including:
- Launch of the College of Health, featuring a highly anticipated nursing program.
- Development of the Athletic, Wellness & Event (AWE) Center, an innovative space for athletics and academic labs, slated for completion in May 2025.
- Renovations across all residence halls, including modernized amenities to enhance student living.
- Transformation of the D.J. Lombardo Student Center, including a new atrium and expanded dining options.
- Development of new exercise science labs and high- and low-fidelity nursing labs.
- Renovations to Grasselli Library, creating innovative spaces for study and collaboration, slated for completion of phase one in the winter of 2025.
- Planning for the Gateway North Project, which will provide students with retail, housing, and neighborhood revitalization opportunities while generating revenue for the University.
These projects, financed in part through strategic bond issuances, ensure the University continues to meet the needs of current and future students.
Continued Momentum
John Carroll University is experiencing record-breaking progress, having welcomed its largest incoming class since 2020 and its most diverse class in institutional history. During this time, the University has also raised $62.5 million across its extremely engaged worldwide alumni network. Fifteen of those gives have been over $1 million.
“This remarkable growth reflects the effectiveness of our investments and the value of a John Carroll University education,” said Robert Connors, Vice President of Finance and Administrative Services. “Our growing student enrollment and increasing net tuition revenue combined with an endowment now exceeding $300 million, reinforces John Carroll’s financial stability and positions us for even greater strength in the future.”
John Carroll’s leadership remains confident in its strategy, emphasizing that investing in these initiatives speaks to the University’s ambition and dedication to ensuring a transformative educational experience for every student.
“The bold investments we are making at John Carroll are more than enhancements to our campus; they are a testament to our unwavering commitment to our students’ success and the future of the University,” said Al Miciak, President of John Carroll University. “We are already seeing the impact, and this ensures that every student receives a life-changing education that empowers them to lead and thrive in an ever-evolving world.”
