On August 26, Most Reverend Nelson J. Pérez, D.D. Archbishop of Philadelphia, blessed and dedicated the new IHM Center for Innovation and Creativity at Bishop Shanahan High School (BSHS) in Downingtown (Chester County).
The IHM Center is named in honor of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary who have been the backbone of the BSHS educational experience since the school’s founding in 1957. The center will provide BSHS students with the opportunity to experience courses in engineering, immersion technology, robotics, and STEM-related areas of study. It will also house technology-rich labs, presentation spaces, and collaboration areas to support the traditional sciences as part of the educational experience.
School leadership and the Soaring to New Heights capital campaign cabinet welcomed special guests including representatives from the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary; the Connelly Foundation; and other major donors. Warfel Construction; Bernardon; and Corbett Inc. were also present for the kick-off celebration.
The initiative launched under the leadership of Reverend John E. Donia, former President of Bishop Shanahan High School. Father Donia is currently serving as Pastor of Saint Elizabeth Parish in Upper Uwchlan and Parochial Administrator of Saint Thomas More Parish in Pottstown. Father Donia said, “The creation of vibrant and innovative new learning spaces and upgrades to our facilities is essential to maintaining Bishop Shanahan’s legacy of providing an exceptional and holistic Catholic education to the young people of Chester County.”
The IHM Center for Innovation and Creativity was the centerpiece project of the Soaring to New Heights campaign, which was the outcome of a three year strategic plan. The strategic plan also resulted in enhancements to the curriculum and faculty professional development through which Shanahan earned its National STEM Certification from the National Institute for STEM Education (NISE). This remarkable milestone, achieved by less than 1% of schools across the nation, makes Bishop Shanahan the only school in Pennsylvania and the first Catholic school in the country to earn this distinguished honor.
Mrs. Teresa Dellicompagni, President of Bishop Shanahan High School said, “Our community is proud to bring construction of the IHM Center for Innovation and Creativity to completion, and we look forward to our students benefiting from the new classes and activities that will be held in this state-of-the-art learning space starting this September.”
Background Information on Bishop Shanahan High School:
Bishop Shanahan High School (BSHS) is a Catholic co-educational secondary school of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. BSHS is committed to sustaining excellence, providing a strong spiritual life, along with challenging academic and rich extracurricular programs. The school provides a strong witness to Christian values and commitment to academic rigor and integrity to prepare all students to be critical thinkers and moral stewards in a rapidly evolving global environment.
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Editor’s Note:
For information about Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, please visit www.aopcatholicschools.org/. For more information about Bishop Shanahan High School, please visit www.shanahan.org/.
Contact:Meredith Wilson
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