ST. BONAVENTURE — A trip to see the Bonnies play this Thanksgiving in Florida. A Franciscan pilgrimage to Assisi and Rome. A stadium suite for 14 at a Buffalo Bills home game this fall. A luxury condo and three days of golf for a foursome at Pinehurst.
These are just a few of more than 70 items available in an online auction opening Monday to benefit the endowment of St. Bonaventure University. One-hundred percent of the proceeds will go to the endowment.
Bidding begins at 10 a.m. Monday and concludes at 8 p.m. June 11, but the site is accessible now for people to preview the available items before the auction opens.
“Taking part in the auction is an investment in our students and their futures,” said Dr. Jeff Gingerich, university president. “Every dollar raised through the auction strengthens our endowment, ensuring that deserving students can access the transformational opportunities a St. Bonaventure education can provide.”
On Saturday, May 31, the university will conclude its seven-year Bolder Bonaventure campaign, which comfortably topped its goal of $125 million.
But fundraising continues in perpetuity, Gingerich said, and for the university to thrive going forward, building a meaningful endowment is essential.
Approximately 500 of our 2,000-plus undergraduate students benefit from endowed scholarships each year, but that has to improve, the president said.
“We need to do better. The success of the Bolder Bonaventure campaign doesn’t mean that’s the end of the rainbow for us,” said Gingerich. “As financial needs grow for students wanting to attend St. Bonaventure, growing the university’s endowment to help students fill those financial gaps is imperative and must be one of our biggest priorities going forward.”
The university’s last four freshman classes have been the largest in the last 20 years, and overall enrollment — including graduate students — is the highest in the university’s 167-year history. The surge in enrollment only increases the need to build a robust endowment.
“I want to make sure that future Bonnies have a chance to experience the same life-changing opportunities that shaped my journey,” said Michael Hickey, Class of 1984 and chair of the university’s Board of Trustees.
The auction includes a wide array of items, highlighted by:
- Rounds of golf at three elite private courses
- Artwork by Mikel Wintermantel and Fr. Dan Riley, ofm
- Fine wines from the Napa Valley
- Tickets to Yankees at Phillies and Braves at Mets MLB games
- Josh Allen-autographed jersey and football
- Walter Payton jersey, framed and signed
- Martina McBride-autographed guitar
- Autographed NHL jerseys of Jack Eichel and Owen Power
- Dinner with Woj and Bonnies game VIP access
- Photos of iconic campus scenes and basketball moments
The auction for one item — four Trophy Club passes to the final round of the U.S. Open in Pittsburgh on June 15 — will close at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 7.
Bidders will have a “Buy It Now” option if they see an item they don’t want to risk losing to another bidder.
Bidding on items will require people to register for a 32auctions.com account, but the process is simple. Click “Login” in the top right corner of the SBU auction homepage, then select “Create an account” to register with your name and email address.
For people who would like to contribute to the endowment but not participate in the auction, there is a yellow donate button on the upper right of the auction webpage.
