Alumni Return to Connect with Classmates and to Keep Jesuit Accessible

Posted March 12, 2015 / Last updated March 12, 2015

Print Print Email Email Share Share
Seventeen of the 150 plus alumni who are returning to Carrollton & Banks to connect with their classmates to provide the resources necessary for Jesuit to fulfill its mission of developing men of faith and men for others. Standing from left are Rene Alvarez '83, president Fr. Anthony McGinn, S.J. '66, first-time caller Dean Roy '00, Brian North '83, Rob Munch '82, Ryan Waldron '01, Danny Bourgeois '01, Adam Laurie '08, 2014 LEF chairman Lyon "Snapper" Garrison '81, and special projects director Br. Billy Dardis, S.J. '58. Kneeling from left are Ryan McCal l'05, Todd Hack '05, 2015 LEF chairman Mike Varisco '83, LEF chairman-on-hold (2016) Marc Bonifacic '92, first-time caller and Jesuit football coach Benny Baptiste '81, John-Michael Early '05, and alumni director Mat Grau '68.

Seventeen of the 150 plus alumni who are returning to Carrollton & Banks to connect with their classmates to provide the resources necessary for Jesuit to fulfill its mission of developing men of faith and men for others: standing from left are Rene Alvarez ’83, president Fr. Anthony McGinn, S.J. ’66, first-time caller Dean Roy ’00, Brian North ’83, Rob Munch ’82, Ryan Waldron ’01, Danny Bourgeois ’01, Adam Laurie ’08, 2014 LEF chairman Lyon “Snapper” Garrison ’81, and special projects director Br. Billy Dardis, S.J. ’58. Kneeling from left are Ryan McCall’05, Todd Hack ’05, 2015 LEF chairman Mike Varisco ’83, LEF chairman-on-hold (2016) Marc Bonifacic ’92, first-time caller and Jesuit football coach Benny Baptiste ’81, John-Michael Early ’05, and alumni director Mat Grau ’68.

More than 150 Blue Jays from 1943 to 2010 are returning to Carrollton and Banks this week (March 10-12) for LEF calling. The Living Endowment Fund drive — the alumni component of Jesuit’s annual giving program  — keeps Jesuit on the education forefront and allows the school to remain accessible and affordable to as many families as possible.

Last year, approximately 3,200 alumni donated a total of $1,193,000 to LEF. Generous parents contributed another $1.1 million to the Parents’ Annual Giving (PAG) drive, allowing Jesuit to price tuition at just 75 percent of what it actually costs to educate a Blue Jay.

The 2014-15 LEF leadership team consists of 2015 chairman Mike Varisco ’83, 2014 chairman Lyon “Snapper” Garrison ’81, and chairman-on-hold Marc Bonifacic ’92, who will lead the 2016 drive.

Each night of calling begins with snacks and beverages at 5 p.m. in the Student Commons. A delicious dinner, often prepared by an alumnus in the restaurant or catering business, is served at 5:30. Calling in St. Ignatius Hall takes place from 6:15 to 8:30. Volunteers callers receive a thank you gift from the office of institutional advancement before departing at 8:30.

Jesuit offers its profound thanks to all those who support the school’s mission of developing in its students the competence, conscience, and compassion that will enable them to be men of faith and men for others.