For more than a century, one program has quietly shaped some of the Church’s most prominent thinkers. The Basselin Scholars Program has educated seminarians for more than 100 years. The program was established by the generous bequest of Theodore Basselin for the education of the Church’s “very best and brightest” seminarians in philosophy, rhetoric, and homiletics. A cornerstone of The Catholic University of America’s School of Philosophy, it continues to shape the next generation of priests and scholars through rigorous intellectual and spiritual formation.
The Basselin Program is in need of additional support. Our goal is to raise $1 million for the Basselin Scholar Endowment Fund by the end of 2025 and $3 million by the end of 2027.
The Basselin Scholars Program has trained many of the Church’s great thinkers and leaders in the Catholic philosophical tradition, including:
Our vision for the program is to fully finance the education of six Basselin Scholars per year by increasing the endowment by $3 million. Currently, the Basselin Endowment is valued at $4.3 million and supports four scholars per year.
Immediate Basselin Scholars Program Impact
In order to address the program’s urgent needs for the upcoming Basselin classes, a current use fund has been established. This fund does not replace the existing Basselin Scholar Endowment Fund, but will provide additional funding for the program’s present scholarship needs.
Your Support | Student Outcome |
| $1-10,000 | Fund hardship and scholarship needs |
| $22,500 | Fund ½ of a scholar |
| $45,000 | Fund one (1) scholar per year |
Long-Term Support of the Endowment
Gifts to the endowment support the perpetuity of the program. For more information or to make a gift, contact Lauren Pizzella at pizzella [at] cua.edu (pizzella[at]cua[dot]edu) or 202-319-4439.
Multi-Year or Estate Gifts | Annual Support | Student Outcome |
| $250,000 | $11,250 | Fund ¼ of a scholar |
| $500,000 | $22,500 | Fund ½ of a scholar |
| $1,000,000 | $45,000 | Fund one (1) scholar per year |
*Endowments produce an annual pay out of approximately 4.5%