Inspiration: Cor Jesu Academy Annual Report 2020-2021

A Future of Inspiration

In 2020, 154 students began their freshman year as Chargers. Of those 154, more than half received financial aid, with an average award around $10,000 – thanks to the generosity of a family that decided to conduct what they called an “experiment.” What would happen if finances were no object? What if a parent could look at their daughter and say, “If you want to go to Cor Jesu, money will not be an issue.”

Peggy McGrath Terrio ‘83 was inspired.

“I felt like this was such an outstanding opportunity for students and parents,” she said. “I know there are young women out there that have all the potential in the world, but may not have the resources to attend a school like Cor Jesu.”

She committed $200,000 over four years to a similar opportunity for the Class of 2025.

Carl and Suzanne Kuebler also pledged their financial support. Their two daughters graduated from Cor Jesu, Samantha in 2018 and Anne Marie in 2021.

“People need access,” Carl said when asked why they chose to give an immediate gift toward financial aid. “We want to be able to provide the opportunity for young women to reach their potential.”

In total, by the time financial aid applications were due, seven donors had pledged or donated a total of $500,000 in scholarship funds to be distributed over four years.

“What happened next can only amount to God’s hand,” Cor Jesu President Sr. Mary Grace Walsh, ASCJ, Ph.D. remembered. When families complete the financial aid forms, a third-party system generates a recommendation for financial aid based solely on the numbers. In the case of the Class of 2025, five students demonstrated need for full scholarship. Taking into account tuition, fees and other expenses, that totals

approximately $25,000 per year, per student. Multiplied across five students, it amounts to $500,000 over four years.

“Looking at the numbers, it was clear,” Sr. Mary Grace said. “We would offer full scholarships to those five students.”

And thus, the Blessed Clelia Scholarship Program, which had existed in a less-structured way as the fully-endowed scholarship program for students, was created.

The scholarship itself would cover tuition and fees, uniforms, books, a lunch card, activities – and all ancillary expenses that contribute to the Cor Jesu experience, something donors universally supported.

“Part of a Cor Jesu education is not just classroom work, but being able to attend mother-daughter or fatherdaughter functions, and dances, such a junior ring or prom,” Peggy said. “All the girls should have the chance to experience what Cor Jesu has to offer.”

Each of the recipients would be supported by a team led by Sr. Mary Grace, with a single point of contact in the Career, College & Wellness Center (CCW).

“It was imperative to us that these young women not feel like they were having to explain their situation at every turn,” said Sr. Mary Grace.

Also important, that they felt as though they were contributing to their education.

“We are so inspired by Marian Middle School,” Sr. Mary Grace said. “They follow the Nativity-Miguel model, wherein each family contributes a small amount monthly to the student’s education. It gives them a sense of participation, lessening any burden imposed by the notion of charity.”

Calling it the Blessed Clelia Scholarship Program came naturally.

“When Blessed Clelia was alive, education was a privilege reserved for those who could afford it,” explained Sr. Mary Grace. “A Cor Jesu education is a privilege, but this program makes it attainable."

With the overarching details of the program settled, the team (which includes representatives from Advancement, Mission and Charism, and Admissions, in addition to Sr. Mary Grace and the CCW) moved on to the mechanics of notifying the scholars.

“I didn’t want there to be any gap between acceptance and notification. No parent should have their excitement over their daughter’s acceptance to Cor Jesu dampened by the fear of not being able to afford it.” Sr. Mary Grace’s position on that matter was firm.

Acceptance emails went to families at 3 p.m. on February 5, 2021. Sr. Mary Grace personally emailed each of the families identified for the Blessed Clelia Scholarship Program within 30 minutes. Parents began responding with their enthusiasm and gratitude that same day.

“Another beautiful side effect of these recurring gifts is their impact on the rest of our financial aid budget,” Sr. Mary Grace explained. “That $125,000 each year is separate from our overall financial aid budget. So we’re meeting the needs of these five individuals while at the same time freeing up dollars from the Annual Fund and Endowment to distribute among the rest of our

applicant pool, enabling us to meet even more of the need across the board.”

That impact was part of what appealed to the Kueblers, who have also given generously to Cor Jesu’s Endowment Fund.

“The impact of the Endowment is the income generated over time,” Carl said. “We wanted to also have an immediate impact.”

Sr. Mary Grace describes the program as “money in, money out” – and she hopes the money in continues to grow so the money given out can expand as well.

Those who are making the program possible agree.

“We want this to continue to expand access,” Carl said of his hopes for the future. “We have five scholars in the Class of 2025. I hope we are able to grow that to 20 or 30 in the next 5 to 10 years.”

Just as the donors who made this initial group of Blessed Clelia Scholarship recipients possible drew inspiration from the donors to the Class of 2024, they hope this program inspires others to give, as well.

“We have an obligation as Catholics to help others,” Carl said. “For us, this is how we care for our neighbors and help where we can. Education is a powerful way for people to achieve, and the gifts we’re making now provide young women the opportunity to decide the trajectory of their lives.”

“I would like to see as many eligible young women as possible have the same advantage I did,” Peggy echoed. “Cor Jesu gives young women an outstanding environment in which they can feel like they are capable of learning and doing anything they want to in life.”

And that’s where they feel the real inspiration lies: in the future – in the students who will be a testament to the power of education; to the power of these generous donations.