When Cardinal Newman High School’s students head back to the books after summer vacation, they will find the campus a bit changed.
And they will have a Palm Beach family to thank.
A $1 million gift from the Marcello family ― Rocco, Jennifer, Mark and Emanuela ― is funding what will eventually be known as the Rocco A. Marcello Family Academic Building.
The gift was announced at the annual Newman Night gala last month.
The funds will help complete an extensive renovation of the existing North Academic Building into a student-focused space that includes a new chapel and campus ministry center; a welcome center with offices for admissions, college advising, and student services; state-of-the-art science facilities and laboratories; an innovation center; and classrooms for mathematics.
The Marcellos are longtime supporters of Catholic education.
“Catholic education altered the course of my life,” said Rocco Marcello. “After facing setbacks in the public school system, I flourished upon enrolling in a Catholic school. The dedication of the teachers propelled me to excel, and I ultimately graduated at the top of my class.”