Campus Master Plan

Since 1949, Donnelly’s rich legacy of expanding access to higher education has helped thousands realize their personal version of the American dream.

Because of Donnelly’s commitment to keeping a private Catholic college education affordable, historically the College has been limited in resources to invest in long-term needs such as modernizing the campus infrastructure, enhancing learning resources, and improving financial stability. In 2008, the College leadership committed to reversing this trend by investing in a three-phase Master Plan.  

In addition to funding construction and renovation costs, the Transformations Campaign has enabled Donnelly to grow its endowment, ensuring that our mission will go forward in a vibrant and sustainable way.  

Donnelly Transformations Video

Phase I – Community Event Center ($2,500,000)  Completed in 2013  
At the time, the Event Center was Donnelly’s first new construction project in 50 years. It provides a space to host guest speakers and campus or community events.  

Phase II – Marian Hall Renovations ($2,000,000)  Completed in 2017 
Marian Hall houses Donnelly’s nursing programs. Renovations doubled the academic space, adding new classrooms, faculty offices, student study space, new windows and solar panels. ​

Phase III – New Academic Building and Grounds ($19,500,000)
​Completed in 2022 
The new academic building offers state-of-the-art learning environments, a 60-seat chapel and new library. Phase III also included a new parking garage, campus quad and futsal field.

Donnelly's Humble Beginnings 

Project Partners

MC Realty Group - Phase I, II, III

Burns and McDonnell - Phase II, III

Excel Contractors - Phase III

Mark One Electric Company - Phase III

JE Dunn - Phase I, II

Treanor Architects - Phase I

Gould Evans - Original Master Plan lead