The Academy of Our Lady of Peace (OLP) recently launched their capital campaign, Boundless: The Campaign for OLP with support from major donors and longtime San Diego philanthropists Ann Navarra ’63 and Bob Baker.
Ann Navarra ‘63 was the first donor to make a commitment to Boundless: The Campaign for OLP with a lead gift. This is the largest gift that Ms. Navarra has ever made to OLP and one that will leave her legacy for future generations. For almost three decades, Ms. Navarra has been generously supporting her high school alma mater with annual participation as a sponsor of the Gala and Golf Tournament. For many years, she has provided the Ann Navarra Scholarship that is awarded to juniors and seniors who contribute positively to the OLP community.
In recognition for Ms. Navarra’s meaningful gift toward the Boundless campaign, the newly renovated Aquinas Hall will be renamed in memory of her mother as Esther Sanfilippo Navarra Hall. Dedicated to preserving the beautiful historical facade of this facility, the modernization will focus on the interior and essential infrastructure of the building. The modernized Esther Sanfilippo Navarra Hall will be fully ADA compliant with an elevator, allowing OLP to educate girls with disabilities and mobility issues. This space will allow for an increase in classrooms that are multi-purpose and flexible to meet the needs of 21st-century high school students.
For more than 30 years, Bob Baker and his late-wife, Sherrill, distinguished themselves as passionate donors and ambassadors of OLP. Mrs. Baker attended an all-girls Catholic high school in Indiana, which influenced her fervor of OLP and Mr. Baker’s interest in supporting San Diego’s only all-girls’ school. Their generosity, leadership, and dedication have touched the lives of thousands of OLP students and alumnae.
Once again, at a pivotal moment in the school’s history, Mr. Baker has joined in renovating and constructing facilities that will transform the learning environment for OLP students. As one of the leaders in the OLP community, alongside Ann Navarra ‘63, he is making things happen. With Mr. Baker’s commitment of $1.5 million to Boundless: The Campaign for OLP, they will erect a new 20,000-square-foot academic building that dramatically elevates how girls learn while developing their artistic abilities.
To celebrate his gift, OLP will name the newest building on campus after their beloved Catholic Saint, the St. Thérèse Learning Center and Performing Arts Complex. The St. Thérèse Learning Center and Performing Arts Complex will include a multi-purpose theatre and performing arts classrooms to accommodate the thriving programs in dance, orchestra, drama and choral, as well as special performances, cheer practice and so much more. It will also feature a 5,000-square-foot library and learning center, which will be the hub for learning on campus and the largest classroom providing a collegiate-level library experience, digital research and technology capabilities, adaptive space for presentations and break-out collaboration. It will also provide comfortable quiet study nooks and separate meeting rooms.
OLP is incredibly grateful to Ms. Navarra and Mr. Baker. Their support has provided boundless opportunities for young women for generations to come. Learn more at www.aolp.org.
