Homestrech: The Final Project
Capital Campaign nears completion
Benedictine Military School’s march forward, specifically its Forward, Always Forward Capital Campaign, began in August of 2014, is quickly approaching its conclusion.
With $15.9 million presently in cash and pledges, the Forward, Always Forward Capital Campaign has become the largest fundraising effort in school history. Soon, the ambitious endeavor that has been built on a foundation of financial stability will end. Improved classrooms, curriculum, endowment, infrastructure, and athletic facilities are all testaments of BC’s journey.
One final project remains – the construction of an expanded parking lot, which will include components of upgraded security – before the largest project since the school relocated to the Seawright Drive campus from Bull Street in the fall of 1963 is completed. And it is all being achieved without incurring long-term debt.
“Evidence of progress and growth can be seen across all parts of our campus,” Benedictine Military School Headmaster Fr. Frank Ziemkiewicz, O.S.B., said. “From the new STEM Wing, to endowment, to curriculum, to athletic facilities - improvement is everywhere. In conjunction with this progress has been the commitment to remain true to the values which have defined a Benedictine Military School education for the last 118 years. Our alumni would be pleased to see our many improvements while knowing that many traditions which make BC unique are still solidly entrenched in our day-to-day culture.”
This year, the BC Class of 1976 Athletic Plaza was completed. It features a new concession stand, new restrooms, and a new courtyard. The project is part of Phase II of the Forward, Always Forward Capital Campaign. Last year, some of the highlights included the completion of Savannah’s largest NCAA regulation-size synthetic-turf athletic field for soccer, lacrosse, and football; the addition of 1,600 new bleacher seats on the east side of the field; expansion and lighting of the Ricky McAllaster Lacrosse Field to a regulation size; and the lighting of the Brian Parker ’10 Baseball Field.
In 2018, the original biology and chemistry laboratories were updated into four brand-new classrooms and Phase II of the 19,00-square-foot Brown STEM Wing was completed. In 2017, Phase I was completed.
“Father Frank, the Board, and our campaign leadership team have been good stewards and they have been careful to guard the future of the school,” Benedictine Military School Director of Advancement Greg Markiton ’92 said. “Because of the passionate support of the BC community, this campaign has added no long-term debt to the school. We have not leveraged our future or placed the school at great risk. In fact, our board has taken a conservative approach and created a maintenance fund to help offset the future operating expenses of our new facilities. This allows future donations to directly impact our mission and our Cadets rather than servicing a large debt.”
BC’s new parking lot will provide much-needed additional parking from 210 to more than 300 spaces, including handicapped and visitor parking. Also, a handsome new fence with will refine the entrance to campus and provide an improved first impression (curb appeal). A new school marquee will welcome guests and a new guard gate will serve to bolster campus security.
“Research continues to demonstrate that school safety ranks high within the priorities of parents,” Benedictine Military School Principal Jacob Horne said. “We have a responsibility to ensure that every Cadet has a safe learning environment while on Benedictine’s campus. Though security upgrades may not be the flashiest investment, it is a necessary investment. Schools, just like general society, have changed since many of us walked the halls in high school. Knowing the challenges that face schools today, I am extremely satisfied to know this will be one of our final priorities.”
Horne said a new parking lot serves two purposes: one is aesthetics, the other is functionality.
“Aesthetically, it makes perfect sense,” Horne said. “We all know the magic that happens in the halls and on the athletic fields of Benedictine. There is no other experience like it for high-school age boys, period. The parking lot does not reflect what we know to be a one-of-a-kind experience so precious to the Savannah community. For those who have the health of Benedictine in mind, imagine the visual statement a new front entrance would make to prospective families. Beautiful signage, a fence, brick columns, a security facility, etc. Again, it speaks to the great things that are happening here.
“Functionally, it significantly increases our parking spaces,” Horne continued. “The original parking lot, planned in the 1960s, was not planned with the increased numbers of students driving on campus every day. The original parking lot was not planned to house a future on-campus football stadium. We all seek the day where Benedictine’s football games can be hosted on campus and the parking lot is one more step to that dream becoming a reality. I mentioned earlier in talking about security that schools have changed since many of us walked through the halls. We need to screen who is coming on and off campus today. To have an individual who controls entry on BC’s campus will also give parents an additional ease of mind as they leave their most precious gift with us.”
Back
Benedictine Military School’s march forward, specifically its Forward, Always Forward Capital Campaign, began in August of 2014, is quickly approaching its conclusion.
With $15.9 million presently in cash and pledges, the Forward, Always Forward Capital Campaign has become the largest fundraising effort in school history. Soon, the ambitious endeavor that has been built on a foundation of financial stability will end. Improved classrooms, curriculum, endowment, infrastructure, and athletic facilities are all testaments of BC’s journey.
One final project remains – the construction of an expanded parking lot, which will include components of upgraded security – before the largest project since the school relocated to the Seawright Drive campus from Bull Street in the fall of 1963 is completed. And it is all being achieved without incurring long-term debt.
“Evidence of progress and growth can be seen across all parts of our campus,” Benedictine Military School Headmaster Fr. Frank Ziemkiewicz, O.S.B., said. “From the new STEM Wing, to endowment, to curriculum, to athletic facilities - improvement is everywhere. In conjunction with this progress has been the commitment to remain true to the values which have defined a Benedictine Military School education for the last 118 years. Our alumni would be pleased to see our many improvements while knowing that many traditions which make BC unique are still solidly entrenched in our day-to-day culture.”
This year, the BC Class of 1976 Athletic Plaza was completed. It features a new concession stand, new restrooms, and a new courtyard. The project is part of Phase II of the Forward, Always Forward Capital Campaign. Last year, some of the highlights included the completion of Savannah’s largest NCAA regulation-size synthetic-turf athletic field for soccer, lacrosse, and football; the addition of 1,600 new bleacher seats on the east side of the field; expansion and lighting of the Ricky McAllaster Lacrosse Field to a regulation size; and the lighting of the Brian Parker ’10 Baseball Field.
In 2018, the original biology and chemistry laboratories were updated into four brand-new classrooms and Phase II of the 19,00-square-foot Brown STEM Wing was completed. In 2017, Phase I was completed.
“Father Frank, the Board, and our campaign leadership team have been good stewards and they have been careful to guard the future of the school,” Benedictine Military School Director of Advancement Greg Markiton ’92 said. “Because of the passionate support of the BC community, this campaign has added no long-term debt to the school. We have not leveraged our future or placed the school at great risk. In fact, our board has taken a conservative approach and created a maintenance fund to help offset the future operating expenses of our new facilities. This allows future donations to directly impact our mission and our Cadets rather than servicing a large debt.”
BC’s new parking lot will provide much-needed additional parking from 210 to more than 300 spaces, including handicapped and visitor parking. Also, a handsome new fence with will refine the entrance to campus and provide an improved first impression (curb appeal). A new school marquee will welcome guests and a new guard gate will serve to bolster campus security.
“Research continues to demonstrate that school safety ranks high within the priorities of parents,” Benedictine Military School Principal Jacob Horne said. “We have a responsibility to ensure that every Cadet has a safe learning environment while on Benedictine’s campus. Though security upgrades may not be the flashiest investment, it is a necessary investment. Schools, just like general society, have changed since many of us walked the halls in high school. Knowing the challenges that face schools today, I am extremely satisfied to know this will be one of our final priorities.”
Horne said a new parking lot serves two purposes: one is aesthetics, the other is functionality.
“Aesthetically, it makes perfect sense,” Horne said. “We all know the magic that happens in the halls and on the athletic fields of Benedictine. There is no other experience like it for high-school age boys, period. The parking lot does not reflect what we know to be a one-of-a-kind experience so precious to the Savannah community. For those who have the health of Benedictine in mind, imagine the visual statement a new front entrance would make to prospective families. Beautiful signage, a fence, brick columns, a security facility, etc. Again, it speaks to the great things that are happening here.
“Functionally, it significantly increases our parking spaces,” Horne continued. “The original parking lot, planned in the 1960s, was not planned with the increased numbers of students driving on campus every day. The original parking lot was not planned to house a future on-campus football stadium. We all seek the day where Benedictine’s football games can be hosted on campus and the parking lot is one more step to that dream becoming a reality. I mentioned earlier in talking about security that schools have changed since many of us walked through the halls. We need to screen who is coming on and off campus today. To have an individual who controls entry on BC’s campus will also give parents an additional ease of mind as they leave their most precious gift with us.”
