St. Mary of the Plains Alumni Association
P.O. Box 416
Located in the ground floor of Hennessy Hall
Dodge City, KS 67801
(620) 225-9072
Email: sjklie@carrollsweb.com
The Campus
On February 17, 1992, the announcement was made that St. Mary of the Plains College would close. This was an emotional time for students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends of SMP.
In the fall of 1992, the City of Dodge City agreed to lease the entire campus, under two lease agreements. One lease related to Hennessy Hall and the dormitory buildings, and the other lease relating to Sheridan Activity Center, the athletic fields and the balance of the campus. Both lease agreements provided purchase options.
Many contacts were made in regard to the use of the campus, but nothing permanent developed. In
the beginning, Hennessy Hall's bottom floor was utilized by the Alumni Association, Newman University Western Center, Dodge City Recreation, and Arrowhead West, after USD #443 held classes there for a time.
In July of 1996, the City of Dodge City purchased the campus -- land and buildings.
Throughout a period of time, the endowment funds of SMPC--restricted and unrestricted--were negotiated through the court process for a settlement. Scholarship Funds are now available through the Community
Foundation of Southwest Kansas in Dodge City and the Via Christi Foundation in Wichita. Also, a St. Mary of the Plains Trust agreement was approved, which provides funds for both the City and Newman
University for the upkeep of Hennessy Hall.
Sheridan Activity Center is home to the Dodge City Parks & Recreation Department. Cavalier Field has been renovated for the Dodge City Community College Conquistadors and a number of soccer fields are available and are being developed on campus grounds. Hennessy Hall houses a number of non-profit agencies as well as Newman University Western Center. Arrowhead
West removed Medaille Hall and built a new adult care facility with offices for their staff.
There is an interest for more development in Hennessy Hall and on the campus.
If you have any pictures for our page, we'd love to include them! Mail them to the SMP Alumni Association, or email them to us.