The university announced a $5 million endowment by Eugene and Mary Frey on Friday at the inauguration ceremony for the Dougherty Family College.

Benefactors Mike and Kathy Dougherty and family and other principal supporters attended a morning breakfast and ribbon cutting ceremony, which was followed by a formal presentation in the Schulze Grand Atrium on the university’s Minneapolis campus.

“I kind of feel like it’s Christmas morning and I got the greatest present of my life,” St. Thomas president Julie Sullivan said after the ribbon cutting “I am just really grateful for the opportunity to be apart of something that’s going to serve students.”

Dougherty Family College is a two-year program that offers a pathway toward a bachelor’s degree for students who may be the first in their family to attend college. Students come from diverse and economically disadvantaged backgrounds. The college has an inaugural class of 107 students.

“I have so much joy; I am so excited about this,” Kathy Dougherty said. “(Sullivan’s) dream is our dream, and she shared it with us and gave us the opportunity to be involved in this… it just overwhelms me with gratitude.”

Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) spoke at the event and quoted former Vice President Walter Mondale. “You never know what a young person is going to do or what their potential is. You never know unless you give them a chance,” she said. “The Dougherty Family College is going to give so many students that chance.”

An endowment provided by Eugene and Mary Frey will continue to invest in Dougherty students’ potential through the Frey Dean’s Scholars Fund. The endowment permanently funds full-tuition scholarships for up to five Dougherty graduates to complete their bachelor’s degrees at St. Thomas.

Sullivan added that the goal of the college is to expand access to education, reduce student debt and contribute to the elimination of college education and prosperity gap in Minnesota.

Alvin Abraham, founding dean of the college, said, “Our students are motivated; they’re smart, hardworking and ready to meet the challenges of our rigorous program. Every single one of them is committed to obtaining a four year degree.”

The college works to reduce barriers that could hinder students from continuing onto higher education.

Scholarships, along with free laptops, meals and bus transportation, are some of the tools given to students so they can focus on their college education. The university also connects students with paid internships to develop professional and life skills.

Sullivan credited colleagues at the university like Associate Dean of Academics Buffy Smith for the design of the program’s curriculum and support services.

“(Smith is) a person who has worked with students we are seeking to serve all of her life and has a deep understanding of what we can do to help them be most successful,” Sullivan said.

Peter-George Jackson is part of the inaugural class. He wants to go into the medical field and spoke about Professional Development Day, an allocated time on Wednesdays devoted to advising and tutoring students.

“We learn how to present your best self to people if you are going into an interview or having an internship,” Jackson said. He plans to move to St. Thomas’ St. Paul campus to finish up his four year degree after graduating from Dougherty Family College.

First-year student Carina Castellon summed up her experience so far at the college as “amazing.” Castellon takes English, math, and learning and servicing classes.

“I’ve had a lot of support by the teachers, which is really helpful,” said Castellon.

Each student goes through an interview process before being accepted into the college. Although interviews have not begun for next year’s class, Mike Dougherty said the college is already receiving applications. Applications will be processed starting Nov. 1.

As for advice to the current students, Kathy Dougherty said, “Take this opportunity and make the most of it…take it and soar.”

Emily Sweeney can be contacted at swee4225@stthomas.edu.