Marymount College Sets Date to Commence RPV Campus Improvements

The Marymount College Board of Trustees has set May 16 as the date Marymount College will “put shovels into the earth” to begin its campus modernization construction. This initial construction, to occur when the majority of students are on summer break, will include utility and other infrastructure improvements and a new parking lot that will add approximately 120 parking spaces to the campus. The college is also expecting to begin work this summer on its new athletic field, which is being relocated to make room for the new parking lot.

“Faculty and staff are excited about the much-anticipated improvements,” said Marymount College President Michael Brophy. “This is the first step in the process, and we are looking forward to serving our students and our community with superior facilities,” said Dr. Brophy.

Joining Dr. Brophy and community leaders at the 4 p.m. groundbreaking ceremony will be former college president Thomas McFadden. Dr. McFadden will be recognized for the campus modernization initiatives he launched in 1996 that are now coming to fruition.

“Today, the need for Rancho Palos Verdes campus improvements is all the more acute in that the college has experienced recent tremendous growth in its enrollment and academic programs,” said Dr. Brophy.

The city of Rancho Palos Verdes approved these improvements in 2010 as part of the entitlements that also provided for the construction of a new library and recreational center. Marymount will be requesting that the city extend the original eight-year approval period to 20 years to allow sufficient time to raise the funds needed to construct these two significant facilities and complete the approved enhancements to some of the existing campus classroom and administrative buildings. In its extension request, Marymount is not proposing to construct any additional facilities beyond what the city of RPV has already approved.

Marymount College became a four-year institution in the fall of 2010 and now offers bachelor’s degrees in liberal arts, media studies, business and psychology. Additionally, the college is participating in intercollegiate sports — soccer, track and field, cross country, and golf — and is a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics and the California Pacific Conference.

In another significant achievement, Marymount College was recognized by the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities as a Hispanic Serving Institution with more than 25 percent of its enrollment being Hispanic students.

“A significant commitment in our mission is to provide access to college for those who may face barriers to obtaining a higher education,” said Dr. Brophy. “It is especially fulfilling to our campus community to enroll Hispanic students who are the first members in their families to attend college.”

The Main Campus improvements are funded, in large part, by generous private gifts and foundation grants. A loyal Marymount donor who wishes to remain anonymous gave $2.4 million, while a total of $3 million has been contributed thus far by Marymount College Trustees, alumni, parents and friends who supported the project through individual gifts.

Situated along the picturesque coastline of Rancho Palos Verdes and in the vibrant Los Angeles community of San Pedro, Marymount College offers bachelor’s and associate degrees. Marymount College is one of two Catholic co-educational colleges in Los Angeles County. For more information about the college, visit www.Marymountpv.edu.