Due to significant damage to the roof of the Newman Center, the entire roof needed replacing. In addition to a long standing debt Fr. Rutten ascended a ladder last November and lived on the roof of the Newman Center to raise awareness and help bring in the needed support to care for the aging facility. 

The generosity of early supporters totaled $300,000. $175,000 was raised in 2 and 1/2 days of living on the roof by sharing the need through social media and student support! A total of $475,000 was raised to completely replace 20,000 sq' of roof and eliminate the debt for the first time in Newman's history!