Donation will pay for low-income students to attend the school, officials said.
A general view of the "Golden Dome" on the campus of Notre Dame University. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel | Getty Images) NOTRE DAME, Ind. -- One of the nation's most predominant Catholic universities is kicking off an initiative to allow more low-income students to attend, thanks to a $20 million donation from a New Jersey couple.
Sean and Sue Cullinan, of Glen Ridge, recently donated the large gift to fund "The Fighting Irish Initiative" at the University of Notre Dame, which will pay for tuition and fees, room and board, books, transportation, and personal expenses for low-income students, the school recently announced in a release.
"We want to ensure that the talented students who are admitted to Notre Dame are able to attend and find a supportive home here," university president Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C. said in the release.
ALSO: Anonymous donor gives Montclair State largest gift in its history
"We are tremendously grateful to Sean and Sue for their willingness to fund an initiative that will make a Notre Dame education a reality for those who are in need of financial assistance, and then to make the years they spend here on campus as successful and rewarding as possible."
The program will also allow for financial assistance for college-lifestyle needs, the school said, like laptops, study abroad programs, and tickets for college athletic events.
Sean Cullinan, who could not be reached for comment on the donation, is a 1988 graduate of the school who works in the financial services industry, it said in the release. Two of the couple's three children are current students at Notre Dame, it said.
The donation, the school said, has kick started a fundraising campaign that aims to continue the life of the program beyond the $20 million.
Jessica Mazzola may be reached at jmazzola@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @JessMazzola. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
