Five hundred blue and gold balloons were released at the Franciscan Heritage Fountain during All Alumni Weekend to celebrate the recent installation of recognition bricks. The 191 bricks are engraved with names of people who have a special connection to the college; included are donors, alumni, students, and relatives. One brick even memorializes a set of twins who died in infancy. Their mother, Christen Kring ‘97, said that Marian College is a very special place to her family and now others can see their brick and remember them.

Recognition bricks support six of Marian College’s seven Make History initiatives and entitle the donor to a commemorative brick at the fountain and a permanent place in Marian College history. Pillars of support invest in the athletics initiative and entitle the donor to a commemorative nameplate that will soon be permanently affixed to one of the pillars at the main entrance of the new multi-purpose athletic facility (the current location of the nameplates is the Physical Education Center).

Recognition bricks and pillars of support are available for a gift or pledge of $1,000—that’s only $200 a year for five years or only $16.67 a month for 60 months.

At the time of the unveiling on June 28, 2008, there were 191 recognition bricks and 126 pillars of support investors. The goal is 1,000 of each by 2012—Marian College’s 75th anniversary in Indianapolis. For more information about bricks and pillars, contact Sarah Ley at 317.955.6212 or sley@marian.edu.