Using Resources Wisely | back
The first "campus" was a single building in center-city Wilkes-Barre , but within a few short years King's had grown in both size and academic stature. With characteristic wisdom and courage, the Holy Cross Community acquired, appropriately enough, the former corporate headquarters of the Lehigh Valley Coal Company and relocated the College to the site that now extends from North River Street to North Main Street . As the College grew, so did the school's tuition-driven budget, kept in balance by careful, prudent management. In fact, every operating budget since the Agnes Flood of 1972 has been in balance or has generated a surplus.
Over the years, alumni and friends have supported the College generously. In the past two decades alone, King's has raised nearly $50 million in capital gifts. An endowment with a fiscal year 2005 value of more than $50 million provides a stable source for student financial aid, academic enrichment, and other vital programs. In fiscal year 2005, alumni and friends provided more than $3.25 million in gifts to support a variety of programs and projects.
Effective planning has been a hallmark of King's College. In 2003, the College adopted a strategic five-year plan covering every aspect of College life. During the planning process, members of the King's community studied national and regional trends in education. They reviewed the College's current programs and envisioned new initiatives and policies to promote the total development of each student and to strengthen the sense of community at King's. This College-wide effort has identified the major objectives of the next phase of capital development and the fiscal resources needed to accomplish the goals.
Active implementation of the strategic plan has begun. College leaders have accepted responsibility for specific tasks and objectives that will produce measurable results by targeted achievement dates. One of the College's most important strategic decisions was to commit substantial resources to several essential capital improvements, including the Sheehy-Farmer Campus Center , Alumni Hall, and Monarch Court . The recent completion of these projects has dramatically improved the appearance of the campus and provided valuable new facilities.
Further, the College has made great strides in attracting new students. The totals for enrollments for the last two fall semesters have set records. And more important, the average student profile reflects an increase in quality as measured by significantly higher S.A.T. scores and overall class rank.
The College is now prepared to embark on an ambitious capital fundraising effort. It enjoys an enviable history of vigorous academic programs and prudent fiscal management. Rev. Thomas O'Hara, C.S.C. '71, president, is committed to taking King's to the next level of excellence. This capital campaign promises to be a watershed for thoughtful and responsible change. The things that make King's so special will continue to be recognized and encouraged, while the College strategically adapts to the changing educational environment.
