Cash-Strapped Catholic College Gets Unusual Gift

Like many small, religious colleges, Viterbo University in La Crosse, Wisconsin is facing financial challenges. Richard Trietley, president of the Catholic university, recently informed faculty and staff that the university is eliminating 13 filled and 14 unspecified vacant positions next month and freezing hiring for two others amid a $5.5 million budget deficit, The Winona Daily News reported. But an unusual donation will soon open a new revenue stream for Viterbo, and potentially distinguish the university in a competitive enrollment environment.  Frank Casagrande, founder and president of a long-running higher education consulting firm, Casagrande Consulting, is donating his business (valued at $1 million) to Viterbo.