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Namesake Archbishop Emeritus James P. Keleher to Attend Grand Opening of Renovated Library

(Leavenworth, Kan.)—The »¨½·Ö±²¥ will celebrate the opening of its new student hub – the Keleher Learning Commons – with a blessing ceremony at 1 p.m. Nov. 10 on the USM main campus.

The renovated space – formerly De Paul Library – is a premier center for student engagement, peer-to-peer learning opportunities, and student development. In addition to study and collaboration areas, the Commons houses USM's student success and leadership development offices, scholarly and career services, the Le Beau Special Collections, University Archives, and other student-focused programs.

"With new study spaces, technology, furniture, and a fresh new look, the Commons has quickly become a favorite campus amenity among students," USM President Diane Steele said. "It is now clearly the center of integrated learning at »¨½·Ö±²¥. We sincerely thank our generous donors and friends for making this dream space a reality."

Over the course of the past year, generous donors helped USM fulfill a $300,000 matching grant challenge from the Mabee Foundation, which allowed »¨½·Ö±²¥ to complete the renovation of the Commons. The opening of the building marks the end of the Saint Mary Campus for Tomorrow Campaign, the largest fundraising initiative in USM history. The multiphase capital campaign raised $14.3 million and led to several academic and structural developments on USM's main campus, including the Saint Joseph Dining Hall remodel, Charles Berkel Memorial Stadium completion, and Miege Hall science lab renovations.

The Keleher Learning Commons is named in honor of Archbishop Emeritus James P. Keleher, a lifelong supporter of Catholic education. During his years at the helm of the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas, he has nurtured the vision of the Catholic Education Foundation in Kansas. The foundation was founded during his term and has gone on to support generations of Catholic school students. Archbishop Keleher is a frequent guest on the USM campus, where he meets with and enjoys the company of »¨½·Ö±²¥ students.

Keleher and donors of the Campus for Tomorrow campaign will be honored at the Nov. 10 blessing ceremony. The event is free and open to the public. RSVP to USM Special Events and Annual Giving Manager Madeleine Bryce at Madeleine.Bryce@stmary.edu or 913-758-6137 by Nov. 5.

 
The »¨½·Ö±²¥ is a Catholic co-educational applied liberal arts university founded and sponsored by the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth. The University of »¨½·Ö±²¥ main campus is located at 4100 South 4th Street, Leavenworth, Kan. USM's Overland Park Campus at 4500 College Boulevard offers evening accelerated graduate and undergraduate degree-completion programs. The university also offers online programs. Visit  for more information.