OA FALL 2024 MAGAZINE

Will donations keep pace with enrollment growth?

By Jessica Bicknell Crawford, ’19 MLD, Advancement Officer

“These challenges have stressed the need for a larger Woods Fund. A $3 million goal will support the College’s growth while maintaining its quality of education,” said Catherine Mickey Saunders ’98, vice president for advancement.

In August 2015, Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College had a total campus enrollment of 297 students. Almost a decade later, total campus enrollment in 2024 is 623 students. This surge is a testament to SMWC’s ability to educate students, producinghigh-quality leaderswhoeffect change throughout the world. This growth in the number of students on campus has brought a host of challenges that the institution must address to sustain its momentum. The growing pains SMWC faces affect various aspects on campus, from housing needs and larger classrooms to the increased use of utilities like electricity and water to the need for additional activities on campus to keep students engaged during the weekends. “These challenges have stressed the need for a larger Woods Fund. A $3 million goal will support the College’s growth while maintaining its quality of education,” said Catherine Mickey Saunders ’98, vice president for advancement.

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