Xavier University Receives Anonymous $50 Million Donation

The College of Osteopathic Medicine will become the nation's first Jesuit osteopathic medical school, and according to Xavier University, will address healthcare needs in Ohio and the nation.

An anonymous donor gave Xavier University $50 million, tying the previous record-high donation to the Cincinnati institution.

As the Cincinnati Business Courier reported, the gift will be used to help establish the university’s College of Osteopathic Medicine, which was already planned for development. Xavier’s president, Colleen Hanycz, said in a statement that the university’s new college represents a significant milestone for Xavier, “This historic gift will allow Xavier to take on an essential role in our nation’s primary care landscape.”

Hanycz added, “As our university approaches two centuries of intellectual, moral, and spiritual education for our students, we continue laying the foundation for a Xavier that impacts even more lives in the decades ahead. I could not be more grateful for the extraordinary generosity of this donor.”

In another first for Xavier, the College of Osteopathic Medicine will become the nation’s first Jesuit osteopathic medical school, and according to Xavier University, will address healthcare needs in Ohio and the nation. The first graduates of the program will matriculate in 2031 in a 75-person class, and Xavier plans for that number to expand to 150 students.

Xavier University Vice President for University Relations Gary Massa said that the gift reminds him of the generosity of the Cincinnati community.

“Xavier is tremendously blessed to have the support of such a humble family, whose generosity to our community cannot be overstated,” Massa said. “With President Hanycz’s leadership, we have received an unprecedented outpouring of support from people who believe in the power of Xavier and its mission. Those investing in the university today are ensuring a lasting impact for generations of future students whose lives will improve through an education rooted in Jesuit Catholic values.”

In May, trustees on the university’s board unanimously agreed to approve plans for a complex to be built on the university’s Cincinnati campus. According to Xavier’s website, osteopathic medicine “is a branch of healthcare that takes a comprehensive and holistic approach to patient care.” Doctors trained in this discipline will “undergo rigorous medical training that encompasses both traditional medical education and additional coursework in osteopathic principles and practices.”

Osteopathic medicine, according to Xavier University, is focused on not just the symptoms of a patient, but on underlying conditions or factors that may contribute to the patient’s symptoms. It does not merely treat a patient for back pain, for example, osteopathic medicine seeks to develop a comprehensive treatment plan that may include exercise or lifestyle changes with the aim of supporting the body’s ability to heal, as well as improving the overall well-being of the patient.