The University of Dayton’s Center for Catholic Education received a $1.5 million donation from Peggy and Victor Dubrowski to help prepare the next generation of Catholic educators with a strong Catholic worldview.

The gift will endow the center’s leadership, driving its national growth and broader impact. 

“Catholic schools need educators who teach and inspire, blending faith and learning in ways that truly shape students’ lives,” said Darlene Weaver, University of Dayton provost. “This generous gift will help us support Catholic educators and students for the long term.”

The center’s three flagship programs — ECHO, Lalanne and the Saint Remy Initiative — address critical needs in Catholic education. ECHO (Empowering Local School Children With Hope and Opportunity) supports students’ well-being through counseling and social-emotional learning programs in 25 schools, reaching more than 7,600 children. Lalanne helps new teachers navigate their first years in under-resourced schools with mentorship, professional development and a supportive faith-based community. The Saint Remy Initiative strengthens Catholic identity by equipping school leaders to integrate faith across all subjects and create a distinctive Catholic learning environment.

“Catholic schools face sustained pressure from a culture that opposes the truth and beauty of our faith. Catholic educators need the tools to integrate this faith into every subject with bold clarity and confidence,” said Peggy Dubrowski, a University of Dayton alumna and longtime Catholic educator. “Our hope is that when people think about training Catholic educators, they think of the University of Dayton first.”

The Dubrowskis have a long history of supporting UD, including regular contributions to the Theresa Enneking Kohmescher scholarship fund which Peg benefitted from as an undergraduate and strong backing of the Lalanne program.

“The Dubrowski’s generosity will directly impact the formation of K-12 teachers, giving them the tools to create distinctively Catholic learning contexts across our region,” said School of Education and Health Sciences Dean Ali Carr-Chellman.

The University will immediately begin the search for a new executive director. Additional philanthropic support will be needed to grow programs that respond to the evolving needs of Catholic schools. Anyone interested in contributing to the future of the program can contact Colleen Dwyer at cdwyer1@udayton.edu.

More information about the Center for Catholic Education is available online.