Notre Dame College receives historic donation

Notre Dame College in South Euclid has received the largest gift in its history.

The families and friends of the late Marie Goetz Geier, represented by Richard, Robert and Thomas Geier, provided the college with $1.5 million to establish The Marie Goetz Geier Endowment for STEM Education and Professor(s) in STEM Education. Named in honor of Marie Goetz Geier, the endowment is dedicated to supporting and growing the college’s STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) programs and to establish up to three Distinguished Professorships.

The endowment will provide funding to support innovative studentcentered programs. In addition, distributions from the endowment may be used to pay for:

• Professors’ salaries and professional expenses

• Recruiting professors

• Purchasing laboratory equipment, research materials, software and hardware

• Learning assistance programs

• Student or professor attendance at professional conferences and related travel expenses

• Release time to develop new curriculum; and student internships in science or mathematics

“We are extremely grateful for the relationship we enjoy with the Geier family and cannot thank them enough for their generosity,” said Notre Dame College President Thomas G. Kruczek. “Their $1.5 million dollar gift surpasses any the college has ever received in support of its academic programs and in a very special way, it recognizes our dedicated faculty. We are honored by the confidence the Geier family has placed in us by recognizing and rewarding the exceptional work we do here every day at Notre Dame College.”

Maria graduated from Notre Dame College in 1960 and her son Robert said the college has played an important part in the community and in their family’s lives.

“My mom acquired an outstanding Catholic education, a love of learning and lifelong friendships during her time here,” he said. “The college continues to be blessed by a creative and dedicated faculty who believe deeply in the mission of providing exceptional studentcentered education in the STEM fields — education which can inspire and change lives. Our family is proud to support the work of these professors by providing resources to support their commitment and vision. We invite others to follow our lead in supporting the continued mission of the college.”