Manhattanville College has received a $1 million challenge grant earmarked for the construction of a new Student Center for Creative Arts. The terms of the award, however, require the college to raise an additional $5 million by September 2008 otherwise the grant must be forfeited.

Awarded by the Kresge Foundation, the grants are made primarily to institutions that offer access and opportunity to disadvantaged populations. The foundation also encourages the construction of environmentally sustainable buildings.

To support the project, contact Manhattanville President Richard Berman at president@mville.edu or 914-323-5230. Read on for more information regarding the Student Center and the Kresge Foundation.

MANHATTANVILLE COLLEGE RECEIVES
$1 MILLION GRANT FOR NEW ARTS CENTER

—Challenge Grant Requires School to Raise an Additional $5 Million in One Year—

PURCHASE, N.Y.—Manhattanville College  announces that it has received a $1 million challenge grant earmarked for the construction of a new Student Center for Creative Arts. The terms of the award require the college to raise an additional $5 million by September 2008, otherwise the grant must be forfeited.

Awarded by the Kresge Foundation, the grant is designed to help nonprofit organizations reach their fundraising goals. Kresge grants are made primarily to institutions that offer access and opportunity to disadvantaged populations.  Manhattanville College was one of only 17 higher education institutions to receive a grant and one of only 6 colleges to receive a grant at the $1 million level.  The award is based on the tremendous turnaround of the College over the past decade and the significant progress to date of its first capital campaign.

“This support comes at a strategic time for the college as we expand our facilities and offerings to students and the broader community,� said Richard Berman, president of Manhattanville College. “We have never raised so much money in so little time and we encourage not just alumni, but also other supporters, to help us fulfill our vision to educate ethically and socially responsible leaders for the global community.�

Throughout its history, Manhattanville has been dedicated to delivering the promise of a top-tier higher education to those who would otherwise be left behind, including women, the poor and new immigrants, along with religious, ethnic and racial minorities. Today, approximately 28 percent of the school’s undergraduates are minorities, 12 percent are international students, 89 percent receive financial aid and nearly half represent the first generation in their families to pursue a college education.

The Student Center for Creative Arts, the first major new academic building to be added to campus in over 40 years, will enhance Manhattanville College’s ability to increase the school’s impact on the larger community while providing a new 24-hour venue for student learning, interaction and fun.

The Kresge Foundation also encourages the construction of so-called “green� buildings and the new Center is on track to achieve Gold LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification from the U.S. Green Buildings Council. The use of environmentally sustainable building materials and innovative construction strategies will conserve energy use and reduce the Center’s operational costs.

“The building will be the perfect venue for students to practice and develop their artistic skills and talents, celebrate the rich diversity of the student population and bridge gaps in understanding by encouraging an open dialogue and cross-cultural exchange,â€? said Berman. “It will also help expand Manhattanville’s partnerships with global non-profit organizations, businesses and the community by providing a prominent place to discuss and debate issues of the day.â€?

To support this project, please email Richard Berman at president@mville.edu, call 914-323-5230 or write Richard Berman, Manhattanville College, 2900 Purchase Street, Purchase, NY 10577.

About Manhattanville College:
Manhattanville College (www.manhattanville.edu ) is an independent, co-educational liberal arts institution whose mission is to educate ethically and socially responsible leaders for the global community. Located just 30 minutes from New York City, Manhattanville serves over 1,600 undergraduate students and 1,100 graduate students from 76 countries and 40 states. Founded in 1841, the College offers more than 45 undergraduate areas of study in the arts and sciences and has one of the largest teacher education programs in New York State.

About the Kresge Foundation:
The Kresge Foundation (www.kresge.org ) is a private, national foundation established in 1924 by Sebastian S. Kresge to promote human progress. In 2006, it awarded approximately $150 million in grants to nonprofit organizations in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, South Africa and Mexico and had year-end assets of $3.3 billion. The foundation is headquartered in Michigan.