Dr. Paul B. Hurley, Jr., president of Trocaire College, announced today that the college has been awarded a $350,000 grant from The Margaret L. Wendt Foundation in support of the College’s Inspire Hope capital campaign.  “The Wendt Foundation has once again demonstrated its commitment to education in Western New York by making such a generous gift to the college,” stated President Hurley.  “The Foundation has profoundly affected the lives of our students, faculty and staff, and this gift will continue to make a positive difference well into the future.”

The Wendt Foundation grant will provide funds to construct a new and more functional “Commons” area, providing a venue for programs, meetings and events, and a space for rest and relaxation.  The Commons will be the hub of the college, offering a gathering place for the Trocaire community.  The space will provide an opportunity for faculty and students to interact and work outside of the classroom.  As with the present Margaret L. Wendt Auditorium, the Commons area will express the college’s commitment to provide services to the South Buffalo community – providing a place where the college and its neighbors can come together for work and fun.    

Partial funding also provides for a Community Awareness Project which will include the design and production of street banners, refurbishing of the front façade of the college, as well as costs associated with advertising college events and services to the Buffalo community.
 
“We are grateful for the generous gift of $300,000 from The Margaret L. Wendt Foundation to reconstruct and create a central gathering space to be called The Margaret L. Wendt Student Commons, and $50,000 to foster community awareness and pride for the many benefits the college brings to the South Buffalo neighborhood and to the City of Buffalo,” noted Dr. Marian Meyers, Director of Corporate, Foundation and Governmental Relations for the college.

The Margaret L. Wendt Foundation is located in Buffalo and focuses its grant making on education, the arts, and social services; support also for churches and religious organizations, health organizations, public interest organizations, and youth agencies.