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91Ώμ»ξΑΦ Aquinas College™s began with an ambitious goal ” to raise $300,000 for student financial aid ” and almost fell short of attaining it. But TAC parents and grandparents, past and present, came through in the end.

œI had serious doubts that we would make it, admits Dr. Paul J. O™Reilly, the College™s vice president for advancement and its president-elect. œLast night, we were tens of thousands of dollars short, which was not entirely surprising, given the size of the goal and the state of the economy. It™s a remarkable testament to the gratitude and devotion of our parents that we reached the goal by midnight.

The Day of Giving ” centered around May 1, the Feast of St. Joseph the Worker, but not actually held on that date, which fell on a Sunday this year ” began with a $75,000 lead matching gift from a member of the College™s Board of Governors, Dr. 91Ώμ»ξΑΦ Krause, and his wife, Cathryn. Several other, anonymous benefactors also made matching gifts, for a total of $150,000.

œThe Krauses, who are themselves the parents of an alumna, really set the tone for the event, inspiring fellow parents to generosity, says. Dr. O™Reilly. œAnd another member of our board, Chairman Scott Turicchi, and his wife, Lannette ” parents of a junior on the California campus ” were heroic as well. In the day™s final hours, the Turicchis made a very generous gift of $10,000, which inspired another TAC parent to make a $25,000 gift in honor of our beloved and retired chaplain, Rev. Cornelius M. Buckley, S.J.

In total, TAC parents made some 215 gifts, which, combined with matching gifts, totaled $319,407. œTo meet our goal, and then exceed it, was a wonderful blessing, says Dr. O™Reilly. œWe are heartened by the trust parents afford the College, not only by sending their children here, but also through their sacrificial gifts ” on top of tuition ” that continue long after graduation. We pray that we can continue to earn that trust by a providing a truly excellent Catholic liberal education that is faithful to the teachings of the Church and draws upon the treasures of her intellectual tradition.