Second Century Campaign Report

SINCE THE INCEPTION OF OUR SECOND CENTURY CAMPAIGN eight years ago, we have raised $70 million from more than 2,689 benefactors, including a gift of more than $20 million from the estate of John D. Norcross ’54—the largest philanthropic commitment in Loyola history.

The extraordinary success of this campaign has already transformed many of our strategic priorities into realities—including seven state-of-the-art science labs, our new Piazza and our John D. Norcross ’54 Aquatic Center.

As Loyola’s Ramblers reap the benefits of these new facilities, our Advancement team is moving into the final phase of fundraising for our Second Century Campaign Theater Initiative, which is funding the last campus enhancement outlined in our Strategic Vision for Loyola Academy in the 21st Century: a $25.76 million center for the performing arts.

“Our soon-to-be-developed performing arts center represents a tremendous leap forward for Loyola Academy—a leap that would not have been possible without the generosity of a committed group of benefactors united in their belief that the arts are an essential part of the human experience,” reports Vice President of Advancement Robert O. Miller. “Foremost among these benefactors are Ellen S. and Peter G. Leemputte ’75, who have made a transformative, multimillion-dollar gift to name the Leemputte Family Theater and inspire others to support our Second Century Campaign Theater Initiative.”

The Leemputtes’ extraordinary generosity has brought us to a pivotal point in our Theater Initiative. With $22.6 million in gifts in hand, we are now offering naming opportunities for various elements of the performing arts center, including the outdoor performing arts space and indoor features such as the stage in our proscenium theater, the orchestra pit, the balcony lobby, the scene shop, the green room and individual theater seats.

With our Spring 2021 groundbreaking just months away, our leadership team and the members of our Building and Grounds Committee are working closely with Krueck + Sexton Architects and Valenti Builders to finalize designs, complete construction planning and bring this transformative project to fruition.

We are deeply grateful to the Theater Initiative benefactors who have invested in our vision of a vibrant center for dance, music, theater and other creative pursuits at Loyola Academy—a place where Rambler artists and non-artists alike can come together as a community to grow, to create and to celebrate the transcendent power of the performing arts.

A 21st-century performing arts center - home to the 550-seat Leemputte Family Theater - will transform the northeast corner of our campus with indoor and outdoor performing spaces that will support a vibrant performing arts program, as well as a gallery to showcase the work of our visual artists.