McDaniel College Celebrates Historic $15 Million Gift and Launch of New Campaign

McDaniel College Celebrates Historic Gift and Launch of Campaign

McDaniel College in Westminster, Maryland, recently marked a significant milestone in its history with the announcement of a record $15 million bequest, the largest gift ever received by the institution. This monumental donation, pledged by the late Jonas Eshelman, class of 1950, comes alongside the public launch of the college's ambitious $50 million comprehensive campaign titled "Reaching New Heights: The Campaign for McDaniel College."

The announcements were made during the Founders Society Gala held on October 10, 2025, an event attended by nearly 200 members of the McDaniel community, including trustees, alumni, parents, and local business partners. The gala served as a fitting occasion to unveil both the historical gift and the campaign aimed at strengthening the college's strategic plan.

Jonas Eshelman, who passed away in 2023 at the age of 95, left behind an endowment that will significantly enhance McDaniel's academic excellence. Among the initiatives supported by this bequest is the establishment of a new endowed professorship in computer science, made possible by a matching grant of $2 million from the Maryland E-Nnovation Initiative Fund (MEIF). The funds will also facilitate enhancements to classroom facilities and lab spaces that are critical for improving student learning environments.

President Julia Jasken expressed her gratitude for the gift, noting its profound impact on the students' educational experience. She emphasized that this donation reflects the transformative power of McDaniel education. "This record-breaking gift will profoundly impact the educational experience of our students, showing what is possible when donors believe in the strength of a McDaniel education," she stated.

The public campaign, "Reaching New Heights," aims to raise a total of $50 million by May 31, 2028. Since its inception, the campaign has already secured over $40 million in gifts and pledges. The campaign aligns with the college's strategic plan, which has been supported by the McDaniel Board of Trustees since 2022. Key objectives include creating spaces that foster academic excellence and enhancing campus life and community engagement.

Projects initiated under this campaign include the construction of modern facilities dedicated to growing programs in nursing, occupational therapy, speech-language pathology, and early childhood education. Additionally, the campaign aims to create a new outdoor track and field facility and provide new locker rooms for student-athletes. Experiential learning grants will also be introduced to increase students' access to summer research projects in collaboration with faculty.

Another crucial element of the campaign is facilitating community partnerships, such as the Carroll County Scholars initiative and the McDaniel Women's Leadership Network, aimed at enhancing social responsibility and leadership among students.

The campaign is jointly led by Debbie Dale Seidel, a member of the McDaniel Board of Trustees and a 1984 alum, and her husband, Ethan Seidel, who is a professor emeritus of economics and business administration. Both have demonstrated long-standing commitments to the college and the broader community, contributing to various boards and initiatives.

In her remarks, Jasken highlighted the bold goals of the campaign, emphasizing that this is a critical juncture for McDaniel College. "Our aspirations for the college and our students must align with their potential. Every contribution helps us realize our vision for the future and emphasizes the faith our community has in transforming lives through education," she urged.

This campaign is significant as it represents McDaniel College's first major fundraising effort since the previous campaign, "Carpe Diem," which concluded in 2009, surpassing its initial goals and setting new records in support. The momentum generated by this new initiative is expected to not only enrich the college's resources but also enhance the educational experiences of its students, which lies at the heart of McDaniel's values.

In conclusion, the historic $15 million gift and the subsequent launch of the "Reaching New Heights" campaign underscore the commitment of McDaniel College and its community to fostering academic excellence. For more information on the campaign and the initiatives underway, visit campaign.mcdaniel.edu.

Founded in 1867, McDaniel College is committed to the liberal arts and sciences, offering over 100 undergraduate and graduate programs and emphasizing experiential learning and collaboration between students and faculty.