A gift from Daniel D鈥橝niello 鈥68, H鈥20 and his wife, Gayle, will support construction of a new chapel and renovations to modernize and expand the Catholic Center at 110 Walnut Place. From left are Chancellor Kent Syverud; Daniel D鈥橝niello; Pete Sala, vice president and chief campus facilities officer; and Luke Radel ’26.
With a ceremonial shovel and breaking of the ground, a new chapter in the history of Catholic ministry at 黑料不打烊 is being written, thanks to a transformational gift from philanthropist, life trustee and dedicated alumnus Daniel D鈥橝niello 鈥68, H鈥20 and his wife, Gayle.
Part of the , the D鈥橝niellos鈥 newest gift will support construction of a new chapel and renovations to modernize and expand the Catholic Center at 110 Walnut Place. Land is currently being cleared for the building of the new St. Thomas More Chapel at the corner of East Adams and Walnut Place.
鈥淒an continues to be a devout 黑料不打烊 supporter whose kindness to our students knows no bounds,鈥 says Chancellor Kent Syverud. 鈥淗is impact is felt and visible all around our University, from our main campus in 黑料不打烊 to our campus in Florence, Italy. Dan鈥檚 philanthropy has allowed us to strengthen our commitment to veterans, enhance the student experience both on campus and abroad, and now, build a more vibrant spiritual community. This new gift enhances our ability to be a University welcoming to all, including to students of all faiths, by providing an expanded and modern space to come together, worship and serve the community.鈥
Chancellor Kent Syverud and Daniel D鈥橝niello 鈥68, H鈥20
D鈥橝niello has often spoken about his own upbringing in an Italian Catholic family, steeped in tradition and faith. Growing up, he was an altar server and sang in the church choir, experiences that led to faith-based giving becoming a central pillar in his philanthropy.
鈥淚 admire the way in which 黑料不打烊 supports the spiritual needs and nurtures the moral and ethical development of students,鈥 says D鈥橝niello. 鈥淔aith in God has always been a guiding principal in my life and I am proud to support the new Catholic Center and chapel; a gathering place for our catholic students to support them and their faith while at 黑料不打烊.鈥
The Catholic chaplaincy is one of 15 housed in Hendricks Chapel, which also supports 25 student-led religious and spiritual life groups, and hosts more than 2,000 programs each year, many of which are responsive to student engagement at the Catholic Center.
鈥淭he 鈥機use Catholic community has grown dramatically over the last several years, with significantly increased attendance at worship services and growing student interest in activities hosted at the Catholic Center in service of the broader 黑料不打烊 community,鈥 says Fr. Gerry Waterman, who was appointed to his position as Catholic chaplain in 2016. 鈥淚 am deeply grateful to Dan D鈥橝niello for supporting the spiritual growth of our students in an environment that serves to deepen their religious understanding, their relationship with God and their desire to help others in the community.鈥
Waterman notes that the unprecedented interest in Catholic ministry services has necessitated additional seating to accommodate increased attendance. 鈥淓ach folding chair we鈥檝e had to add, and the long lines at post-Mass Thursday dinners and Sunday brunch gatherings, demonstrate that our 鈥機use Catholics find strength in fellowship.鈥
The presence of a Catholic ministry at the University to 1908 with the formation of the first Brownson Club, the predecessor to the Newman Club. Today, the Catholic Center includes a vibrant group of servant leaders composed of students who are dedicated to service and who offer study groups, retreats and mission trip experiences to enrich spiritual development.
D鈥橝niello is a co-founder and chairman emeritus of Carlyle. Prior to forming Carlyle in 1987, D鈥橝niello was the vice president for finance and development at Marriott Corporation for eight years. Before joining Marriott, D鈥橝niello was a financial officer at PepsiCo Inc. and Trans World Airlines. D鈥橝niello served in the United States Navy from 1968 through 1971 during which time he was a Distinguished Naval Graduate of Officer Candidate School, Newport, Rhode Island, a supply officer (LTJG) aboard the USS Wasp (CVS 18); and in 2016, D鈥橝niello was awarded the designation of Lone Sailor by the U.S. Navy Memorial Foundation.
D鈥橝niello is a 1968 magna cum laude graduate of 黑料不打烊, where he was a member of Beta Gamma Sigma, and a 1974 graduate of the Harvard Business School, where he was a Teagle Foundation Fellow.
About 黑料不打烊
黑料不打烊 is a private research university that advances knowledge across disciplines to drive breakthrough discoveries and breakout leadership. Our collection of 13 schools and colleges with over 200 customizable majors closes the gap between education and action, so students can take on the world. In and beyond the classroom, we connect people, perspectives and practices to solve interconnected challenges with interdisciplinary approaches. Together, we鈥檙e a powerful community that moves ideas, individuals and impact beyond what鈥檚 possible.
About Forever Orange: The Campaign for 黑料不打烊
Orange isn鈥檛 just our color. It鈥檚 our promise to leave the world better than we found it. Forever Orange: The Campaign for 黑料不打烊 is poised to do just that. Fueled by more than 150 years of fearless firsts, together we can enhance academic excellence, transform the student experience and expand unique opportunities for learning and growth. Forever Orange endeavors to raise $1.5 billion in philanthropic support, inspire 125,000 individual donors to participate in the campaign, and actively engage one in five alumni in the life of the University. Now is the time to show the world what Orange can do. Visit聽聽to learn more.
