Archbishop Shelton Fabre blessed Sacred Heart’s new Ursuline Innovation STEM Center, which houses the Ursuline Environmental Education Program and the Ann Cowley Wells ‘60, ‘64 BSEE Design Lab, on September 24 during a liturgy and ribbon-cutting ceremony hosted by Sacred Heart Schools and the Ursuline Sisters of Louisville.
At the liturgy held in the Ursuline Innovation STEM Center, Archbishop Shelton Fabre spoke to the group gathered for the blessing and ribbon-cutting, saying, “We gather today to bless and dedicate the new Ursuline Innovation STEM Center. It will soon be a busy hub of activity where students, faculty, and staff may come to study, to learn, to share fellowship, and to give witness to our faith in Jesus Christ and our wise use of all that he has entrusted to our care.”
Earlier this month, Sacred Heart Schools, sponsored by the Ursuline Sisters of Louisville,
announced its $30 million Sacred Heart Forever campaign goal to advance strategic priorities
across schools, including the launch of the Ursuline Innovation STEM Center this fall.
announced its $30 million Sacred Heart Forever campaign goal to advance strategic priorities
across schools, including the launch of the Ursuline Innovation STEM Center this fall.
Left to right: Sr. Jean Anne Zappa, President of the Ursuline Sisters of Louisville' Archbishop Shelton J. Fabre; Dr. Karen McNay, President of Sacred Heart Schools; Dr. Mary Ashlock, Chair, Board of Trustees, Sacred Heart Schools“Four years ago, we launched our strategic plan that committed us to the future of Sacred Heart Schools. We focused on how our students will thrive, rooted in Catholic faith and Ursuline Core Values,” said Dr. Karen McNay, President, Sacred Heart Schools. “We worked to ensure our campus, the sacred ground entrusted to us by the Ursuline Sisters of Louisville, remains strong for generations.”
Dr. Mary Ashlock, Chair, Board of Trustees, Sacred Heart Schools; Dr. Karen McNay, Sacred Heart Schools President; and Sr. Jean Anne Zappa, President of the Ursuline Sisters of Louisville, cut the ribbon at the Ursuline Innovation STEM CenterThe creation of the Ursuline Innovation STEM Center was announced earlier this year after close collaboration between Sacred Heart Schools and the Ursuline Sisters of Louisville. The Ursuline Sisters of Louisville’s leadership team initiated discussions with Sacred Heart’s President Dr. Karen McNay regarding their shared commitment to Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si’, or “Care for our Common Home,” encouraging her to dream big. This collaborative vision between Sacred Heart Schools and the Ursuline Sisters culminated in the bold plans for the Ursuline Innovation STEM Center, which is housed in the historic Ursuline Sisters Laundry Building located behind the Motherhouse.
“We are deeply grateful to the Ursuline Sisters of Louisville for their ongoing partnership and for the opportunity to create the Ursuline Innovation STEM Center, marking a transformative chapter in innovation and environmental stewardship at Sacred Heart,” said Dr. McNay.
After months of planning and renovation, the Ursuline Innovation STEM Center will open this fall for Sacred Heart Model School and Sacred Heart Academy students.
Left to Right: DeKarlos Blackmon, Vice Chancellor for Pastoral Services of the Archdiocese of Louisville; Mia Cooper, VP of Mission and Community at Sacred Heart Schools; Archbishop Shelton J. Fabre; Dr. Karen McNay, President of Sacred Heart SchoolsSister Jean Anne Zappa, President of the Ursuline Sisters of Louisville, said, “We are excited that our commitment to Laudato Si’ is becoming a reality with the creation of the Ursuline Environmental Education Program and Ursuline Innovation STEM Center. It is our hope that this learning facility will prove to be fruitful ground for Sacred Heart students, as they experience first-hand the love of creation as Pope Francis envisioned. Our vision is that they in turn share this love of creation with their families and others in ever-expanding circles of connection.”
The new Ursuline Innovation STEM Center is a 6,000 square-foot, cutting-edge facility – the first of its kind in the region – featuring the Ursuline Environmental Education Program. This program aligns with the Catholic faith and Laudato Si’, emphasizing reverence and love for all creation and the interconnectedness of all living things, including the planet. Additionally, the Center features the Ann Cowley Wells ‘60, ‘64 BSEE Design Lab, St. Kateri Tekakwitha Research Greenhouse, Teri Tafel ’72 and Keith Cullinan Environmental Classroom, and a Heartwood outdoor classroom. Students will explore technologies such as 3D printers, robotics kits, laser cutting machines, and hydroponics systems, as well as hands-on learning in environmental science, engineering and sustainability.
“The Ursuline Innovation STEM Center represents more than an exciting new building on the Ursuline Campus. It integrates our Catholic faith into environmental education, science, technology, engineering, math, and entrepreneurship, providing our students with experiences to prepare them for future careers,” said Dr. McNay. “The Ursuline Innovation STEM Center embodies Sacred Heart’s mission to help students grow into their fullest potential and serve others by equipping them with essential problem-solving skills to tackle tomorrow’s challenges.” The Ursuline Environmental Education Program and Ann Cowley Wells ’60, ’64 BSEE Design Lab will offer hands-on experiences that inspire innovation and stewardship, led by two experienced directors.
Eleanor Mitchell, SHA ’04, is leading the Ursuline Environmental Education Program, guiding K-12 programming rooted in environmental sustainability and engineering through the Catholic lens. She will continue teaching AP Environmental Science at Sacred Heart Academy and coaching varsity field hockey.
Deonna Lynch is leading the Innovation Design Program, bringing experience in teaching AP Chemistry, Engineering, Physics, and Forensics. She has also led STEM integration in elementary classrooms in Indiana, presented at national conferences, and published educational resources.
The $30 million Sacred Heart Forever campaign goal will fully fund the Ursuline Innovation STEM Center, support the ongoing preservation of the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception, and continue to raise contributions to the Annual Fund to support students. In addition, as part of the campaign, Sacred Heart Academy has expansion plans including a state-of-the-art dining space, outdoor patio, student-run coffee shop and café, welcoming entrance and conference center, and Student Life Hub, planned to break ground in the summer or fall of 2026.
To learn more about the Sacred Heart Forever campaign or to make a gift, please visit the
campaign website, www.shslou.org/sacredheartforever/.
campaign website, www.shslou.org/sacredheartforever/.
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About Sacred Heart Schools
Sacred Heart Schools is a Catholic community sponsored by the Ursuline Sisters of Louisville and guided by the Ursuline Core Values of Reverence, Service, Leadership, and Community. Founded by the Ursuline Sisters of Louisville in 1877, Sacred Heart Schools’ mission is to inspire diverse learners to become globally minded, compassionate leaders. Sacred Heart Schools provides Catholic, Ursuline, International Baccalaureate (IB), and Cognia accredited education from early childhood through high school. It also offers community-wide after-school arts instruction and performances. Located on the 48-acre Ursuline campus in Louisville, Kentucky, Sacred Heart includes four member schools: Sacred Heart Academy (girls, grades 9-12), Sacred Heart Model School (co-ed, grades JK-8), Sacred Heart Preschool (coed, ages 1-4) and Sacred Heart School for the Arts (coed, all ages). Additionally, the Jean Frazier Leadership Institute supports the leadership development of all students.
Sacred Heart Schools is a Catholic community sponsored by the Ursuline Sisters of Louisville and guided by the Ursuline Core Values of Reverence, Service, Leadership, and Community. Founded by the Ursuline Sisters of Louisville in 1877, Sacred Heart Schools’ mission is to inspire diverse learners to become globally minded, compassionate leaders. Sacred Heart Schools provides Catholic, Ursuline, International Baccalaureate (IB), and Cognia accredited education from early childhood through high school. It also offers community-wide after-school arts instruction and performances. Located on the 48-acre Ursuline campus in Louisville, Kentucky, Sacred Heart includes four member schools: Sacred Heart Academy (girls, grades 9-12), Sacred Heart Model School (co-ed, grades JK-8), Sacred Heart Preschool (coed, ages 1-4) and Sacred Heart School for the Arts (coed, all ages). Additionally, the Jean Frazier Leadership Institute supports the leadership development of all students.