Dewitt, NY – Approximately 150 people including trustees, alumni, friends, faculty, staff and students attended a groundbreaking ceremony at Christian Brothers Academy for improvements and renovations to the school on Tuesday, June 11.
The $11 million Capital Campaign, Our Mission Their Future includes a remodeled front entrance; a renovated dining center; enhancements to the performing arts; a new, modern library; new classrooms; and a significant investment in the school’s endowment for financial aid.
President Brother Joseph Jozwiak, Principal Matthew Keough, Board of Trustees Chairman John O’Connor, Campaign Co-Chairs John Marshall, AFSC ’67 and Chuck O’Neil ’65, Jim Breuer ’68, representing construction managers from Heuber-Breuer, Matt Klucznik, representing architectural design by QPK and students Adonis Sigler ’20 and Sophia Schultz ’20 helped “break ground” for this special occasion in the school’s history.
Pictured (l-r): Adonis Sigler ’20, Sophia Schultz ’20, Jim Breuer ’68, Matt Klucznik, Chuck O’Neil ’65, John Marshall, AFSC ’67, Matt Keough, John O’Connor ’85, Brother Joseph Jozwiak, FSC.
“Today, we put shovels to the ground as a symbolic gesture, acting on behalf of today’s students and the CBA students of future generations who will benefit in years to come,” Brother Joseph Jozwiak said.
The projects have been contracted to have the cafeteria completed over the summer and the remaining projects completed by the end of the first semester.
Our Mission Their Future came as a result of the school updating its Strategic Plan that included an ambitious vision for CBA known as Vision 2020. The Strategic Plan inspired the school to commission a master facility planning study involving the entire campus.
“We looked at every brick, every blade of grass, and evaluated almost every possible change or update to our facility to achieve our Vision for 2020,” said CBA Board Chair John O’Connor ’85.
With the help of independent counsel, CBA surveyed educators, staff, students, parents, alumni and donors to align potential projects outlined in their Plan with where CBA’s donors would be willing to invest at this time.
“Today would not be possible without so many generous CBA donors,” O’Connor shared. “As a board, we are very proud to say that the projects that we start today will not impact the school’s tuition.”
Added Brother Joseph: “The time is now to take a bold step forward with these incredible projects, which will impact each and every student at CBA. Our need is defined. Our planning is sound. Our trust is in our entire Lasallian family joining us to ensure that our treasured school has the tools it needs to fulfill its ambitious and important mission, Our Mission, for their Future.”