Seven-figure pledge for St. Francis science building
The University of St. Francis in Joliet has received a seven-figure pledge made as a lead gift for the science building by alumni William (Bill '82) and Patricia (Trish Banks '83) Bellah.
The Bellahs are longtime supporters of the university. They have been leading alumni donors participating in fundraising events for the university, including the last capital campaign, Continuing the Tradition, and a lead gift to the naming of the Sullivan Recreation Center.
The Bellahs also are major sponsors of the Sullivan Golf Outing, the Brown and Gold athletic events, the Caritas Scholarship Ball auction, and recurring annual gifts. Most recently, they donated a home to the university to be named in honor of Sister Carlene Howell, Bill's English professor.
"Bill and Trish have been tremendous supporters to our programs not only in terms of their treasure but also in giving so much of their time and talents," said university President Arvid C. Johnson. "Their past giving has included our athletic programs, the communication and media arts department, and the university as a whole. Everyone on our campus has been touched by their generosity."
"The most incredible thing is once they started giving, they have never stopped and they have been more gracious with each passing year," said Dave Laketa, a friend of the Bellahs and USF athletic director.
Their most recent pledge will be recognized by naming of the 150-seat, multipurpose lecture hall within the new science building, which is scheduled for ground breaking in 2016. The new science building will be constructed at the corner of Wilcox and Douglas streets and will include nine teaching laboratories, four student/faculty research laboratories, 11 faculty offices, two student study lounges and the multipurpose lecture hall. The lecture hall will serve as a classroom, event, and meeting space for not only students, but also the community.
"Most college graduates will say that the only thing their college degree did for them was open the doors to opportunity in the world. Trish and I feel the education and assistance we received by attending the University of St. Francis and achieving our degrees, opened up the world to endless opportunities. Most importantly, we were always treated like family," said Bill Bellah.
Bellah, recently retired, was the founder and CEO of Compass Chemical International LLC., an importer of phosphorous acid and other chemicals. The Bellah family now resides in Spring, Texas, just north of Houston.
The University of St. Francis serves 3,700 students nationwide, offering undergraduate, graduate and doctoral programs in the arts and sciences, business, education, nursing and social work. There are 46,000 USF alumni throughout the country.