Mariënburg Campus Fund continues Sister tradition

University Fund 2 min. Melinde Bussemaker

The Sisters of the Society of Jesus, Mary and Joseph and the new owner of the Mariënburg Monastery, where Jheronimus Academy of Data Science (JADS) has been located since 2016, together donate € 500,000 to the 'Mariënburg Campus Fund'. This fund supports international students who have the talent but do not have the means to study at JADS.

"The fund continues the tradition of learning and passing on knowledge that the Sisters started in 1825," explains Sister Laetitia Aarnink, Provincial Superior of the Society of Jesus, Mary and Joseph. "We have always made a special effort for children who did not have enough money for education, especially for girls. We have trained many young people in this monastery, with the richer families paying for the care of the poorer ones. I think it is wonderful that we continue that tradition and give international young people who otherwise do not have the opportunity to continue their studies, the chance to do so now." Jurrian Lucas of Mariënburg Campus C.V., the chairman of the Tilburg University Fund, Bert Groenewegen and Sister Leatitia signed the agreement on Friday, December 6, 2019 in the Mariënburg chapel.

The fund continues the tradition of learning and passing on knowledge that the Sisters started in 1825.

Promise kept

Wim Broers, owner of the Mariënburg monastery, made a promise to the Sisters when they bought the monastery. "When I bought the monastery with my company Kadans, I promised that it would always be under my control and that I would make a donation together with the Sisters."

"I sold my company in 2017, but kept the monastery. And now the 'Mariënburg Campus Fund' has been established. Setting up a fund proved to be complex. That is why I am very happy that the Tilburg University Fund Foundation manages the fund for us. Of course we remain involved. This also applies to the building. It has been offering education for 117 years now, and my intention is to add another hundred years to it."

So far, we have focused on projects with a specific goal that fits the university's vision, namely to make an impact on society.

First Named Fund

It is the first time for the Tilburg University Fund that it has a 'Named Fund'. "Truly unique", says chairman Bert Groenewegen. "So far, we have focused on projects with a specific goal that fits the university's vision, namely to make an impact on society. We look for donors or funds to match these projects. Donors choose whether to contribute financially to a project but have no control over it. The 'Mariënburg Campus Fund' is different. We manage the fund, do the administration and account for our activities. The recruitment and selection of students is done by JADS."

"The two donors retain control through an advisory committee that is involved in the selection and in the decisions that the fund takes. The purpose of the fund fits well with that of our foundation, because with this fund we also make an impact on society. I hope that the students who will be able to study at JADS will use the knowledge they have gained to help their country of origin. Although they are free to do so, of course."

The circle is complete

The students of JADS appreciate the fact that the fund has been established. At the end of the signing three Iranian master’s students of JADS gave a beautiful bouquet of flowers to Sister Laetitia as a thank you. They could not have studied at JADS without a scholarship. The gesture makes the Sister - and the two Sisters who are attending the ceremony from the first row - shine with pride. And so the circle is complete: the Mariënburg Campus Fund continues where the Sisters left off.

Photographs: Maurice van den Bosch

Michelle te Veldhuis
Major Giving Officer

A one-time named fund can be used from a minimum deposit of €50,000. In the case of a sustainable named fund, where the investment return is spent, you should think of ten times this amount. Interested in the possibilities of a named fund? Please, send me an email. I am happy to give you more information. Of course, you can also find more information on the University Fund website.