QU Announces $1 Million Gift
The Connie Niemann Center for Music.
Quincy University today announced a $1 million gift from Rich Niemann Sr. and the Niemann Foods Foundation.
The gift was announced today during a press conference held at Quincy University. Rich and Connie Niemann, representatives from Niemann Foods Foundation and QU were present to make the announcement.
This extraordinary gift will be invested at the university's North Campus, with a focus on the North Campus chapels. The chapels will undergo renovations that will create a new music performance venue and a multipurpose reception area, while retaining their historic function as a sacred space for retreat programs. The new facility will be named The Connie Niemann Center for Music.
"Financially, the Niemanns' commitment has profound historical significance for QU, as it is the university's first seven-figure gift from a living donor in our entire 152-year history," said Dr. Robert Gervasi, president of Quincy University. "While we appreciate every gift of every size, this investment raises the bar for future commitments from others, and it places QU in the ranks of similar institutions with similar levels of philanthropy."
Rich Niemann says, "I want to honor Connie, as my wife for over 60 years and as the mother of our 8 children, as well as for her love of music and fondness
Rich and Connie Niemannfor Quincy University. "Rich and Connie Niemann both attended Quincy College. Rich served on QU's board of trustees for 16 years. The Niemann family founded its first grocery store in Quincy in 1917. Today Niemann Foods Inc. is an associate owned company operating 96 retail stores in 3 states with 4,500 associates.
The Niemann Foods Foundation, founded in 2005, is dedicated to serving the needs of youth in the communities where NFI does business.
Founded in 1860 by Franciscan friars, Quincy University is a Catholic, co-educational, residential university offering undergraduate, graduate, and adult education programs that integrate liberal arts, active learning, practical experience, and Franciscan values. Quincy University’s intercollegiate sports are members of the NCAA Division II Great Lakes Valley Conference for men and women. For more information, please contact the Quincy University office of communications by calling (217) 228-5275.