Beckman Catholic and Xavier Nearing Capital Campaign Goal

Dyersville’s two Catholic schools have kicked off a joint capital campaign.

Beckman Catholic High School and St. Francis Xavier Elementary launched their “One Faith, One Family, One Future” capital campaign this year. The goal is to fund capital improvements across both school campuses and grow their respective endowments. 

Beckman Catholic Principal Marcel Kielkucki says this fundraising effort comes at a historic moment for both schools as they get ready to join as one school system in 2026 to serve the Dyersville area, which includes several neighboring communities. 

Xavier Principal Peter Smith says 99 to 100 percent of their students end up going to Beckman Catholic, so working together makes sense. Each school has projects that the capital campaign funds will help with – Smith says that includes the HVAC update that Xavier recently completed.

Kielkucki says Beckman Catholic has several projects.

The funds raised will also help the schools’ endowment fund.

The capital campaign fundraising goal is seven million dollars – and they’re getting close.

Kielkucki expects to reach their seven million dollar goal by the end of this year. A local bank just made a generous donation to the cause. Fidelity Bank & Trust, which has a branch office in Dyersville, has contributed $100,000 to the capital campaign. Fidelity Bank & Trust Chairman of the Board Jim Kennedy, Jr. – a 1993 Beckman alum and Xavier alum – was joined by fellow colleagues, who are also fellow Beckman alumni, to present the gift to the schools on Wednesday.

photo of Fidelity Bank & Trust donation presentation featuring Beckman Catholic alumni courtesy of Beckman Catholic (pictured: Karen Bries ’81, Jill Cahill ’06, Brenda Bildstein ’85, Deb Engler ’93, Jeremy Olberding ’96, Larry Wilson, Connor Rahe ’21, Marcel Kielkucki, Scott Olberding ’18, Peter Smith, Alan Besler ’98, Todd Steffen ’89, Jim Kennedy, Jr. ’93, Leah Krogman ’09, Joan Brunsman ’02, Matt Goerdt ’93, Charley Wulfekuhle ’23. Not pictured in photo: Jan Schwers ’90, Carolyn Turnis ’84, Derek Olberding ’06, Sharlene Kline ’82, Abby Palmer ’17)

audio courtesy of KMCH “Guest of the Day”/Eric Walker