Mercy Academy launches BOLD Capital Campaign

Mercy Academy is reaching bold new heights with the launch of our new $15 million Capital Campaign. Through our Mercy BOLD Capital Campaign, we are aiming to create an innovative future for our students with the construction of a 12,000-square-foot STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics) Innovation Center, the purchase of 5.5 acres of land adjacent to the current campus and the growth of Mercy's endowment to increase student tuition assistance.

The campaign kicked off on March 7 during a pep rally honoring International Women's Day. As the first all-female STEM certified school in the nation, Mercy is poised to make history again with its state-of-the-art STEAM building, designed by an all-female team led by Mercy alumnae.

We are already off to a great start, thanks to a $2 million gift provided by Paul Kalbfleisch to remember his wife, Dr. Sheri Sauer Kalbfleisch, an influential alumna from the Class of 1965. Kalbfleisch pledged an additional $1 million to support Mercy's endowment. In recognition of this generous contribution, the STEAM Innovation Center will be named in honor of Dr. Kalbfleisch.

The Dr. Sheri Kalbfleisch Innovation Center will be a hub of creativity, learning, and collaboration, featuring two state-of-the-art STEAM shops, a health science lab with a digital dissection table and mock medical exam room, a technology classroom for the freshman Introduction to STEAM course, a faculty wellness room, an outdoor classroom/courtyard and two spacious studios for 2D art and ceramics. The Innovation Center will also have four collaborative spaces to support Mercy's project-based curriculum.

Additionally, the sustainable building will be Zero Energy Ready, using geothermal systems to heat and cool the space, which will reduce the facility's environmental impact while also lowering operational costs. This innovative facility will be a model for energy-efficient design, with advanced features like demand control ventilation, LED lighting, and a 35% energy reduction compared to traditional systems.

Construction is anticipated to begin in 2026. In the meantime, Mercy continues to fundraise and seek program partners.

A unique and defining aspect of the BOLD Capital Campaign is the number of Mercy Academy graduates who are giving their time and professional expertise to ensure the success of this project. These women include:

• Mariah Weyland Gratz '98, Weyland Ventures, who helped develop the original conceptual design for the Innovation Center in 2017
• Jenna Hollinden '12, Pennington & Company, who conducted the campaign feasibility study, interviewing over 60 of Mercy's top donors and stakeholders.
• Peggy Hagerty Duffy '85, Hagerty Engineering Inc, geo-engineer
• Rhonda Karageorge '83, Commonwealth Commercial Real Estate, who supported the purchase of the adjacent property
• Emily Meyer Ziegler '09, Frost Brown Todd, who assisted with the purchase of 5.5 acres of land for $1.3 million
• Ashley DeVault Zaring '01, who provides her construction and IT experience to serve as the construction committee chair
• Jennifer Nash Forst '99, brand strategist and communications consultant providing marketing, PR and story-telling support

Additionally, the architecture and design team for the Innovation Center is led by architect Erin Ruhl '05 with Omni Architects and mechanical engineer Abby Hans '19 with CMTA.

The BOLD Capital Campaign isn't just about a new building, it's about the future of Mercy Academy and the students who will benefit from the opportunities it brings. By also expanding our campus and growing our endowment, Mercy is committed to making a lasting impact on our students' success today and in the future.

To learn more about the Mercy BOLD Capital Campaign and to learn how you can make a difference in the lives of Mercy students for generations to come, click here.