In today’s world, college students find themselves in an environment where faith is often questioned and challenged. Fueled by the pandemic’s effects, academic life pressures, exposure to diverse beliefs, and the increasing secularization of society, the landscape of contemporary college life can make navigating personal faith more complex than ever. Amid these influences, students wrestle with questions of identity, purpose, and belief, often without the foundation, understanding, or support to guide them.

Our Lady of Wisdom Newman Center (OLWNC), standing tall in the middle of the University of Nevada, Reno campus (UNR), is the guiding light that illuminates the path through the darkness for students. UNR has a little under 22,000 students, with an estimated 15% identified as Catholics. 

A Catholic church and a Catholic student center, coupled with Bishop Mueggenborg’s visible presence and a team of Fellowship of Catholic University Student (FOCUS) missionaries, a door is opened to encounters with Jesus. Simply by welcoming students right where they are, this ministry can make all the difference for Northern Nevada Catholics.

The future of the Church in northern Nevada depends upon the critical ministry of young adult evangelization offered at Our Lady of Wisdom Newman Center. In the last two years, a $3,200,000 renovation of the entire facility, turning the center into a state-of-the-art platform for Catholic Campus Ministry. Thankfully, the renovation costs were fully covered by generous benefactors.

Now that the facility renovations are completed, we are establishing a Campus Ministry Fund to ensure the long-term success of Catholic Campus Ministry. This fund will serve as an endowment that provides annual distributions to support ministries at the Newman Center. Therefore, your donation this year to the One Church collection will benefit the Campus Ministry Fund.