Builders of Boys, Makers of Men. The Next 100 Years: Case Statement

BUILDERS of BOYS. MAKERS of MEN.

The Next 100 Years!

A

CAPITAL CAMPAIGN FOR DE LA SALLE COLLEGIATE

LETTER FROM THE

PRESIDENT It is with great enthusiasm that we are sharing with you De La Salle

Collegiate’s Builders of Boys. Makers of Men. The Next 100 Years!

capital campaign. After months of planning, consultation, and

collaboration involving hundreds of key stakeholders, we are prepared to do something special that will take our school to the highest level of excellence.

This transformative endeavor will lead us into the celebration of the school’s 100th year and our work of Lasallian education and faith. The plans call for a new, state-of-the-art science and technology center, a technology upgrade of all classrooms, a renovation of the school’s athletic facility, and an aggressive increase of the endowment. This initiative will prepare our students for an even better future. The STEM center will foster ingenuity and creativity, and will encourage experimentation and teamwork. New technology will stimulate research and problem-solving as we seek not only to address the current educational facility, but also to modernize and enhance the school setting and opportunities for multiple generations of future Pilots.

As we know, schools are made of more than bricks and mortar alone. Most important are the students and families that come to us, embrace our work with the Christian Brothers, the Catholic Church and Lasallian education, and seek to become the difference makers that our world so desperately needs. It is for this reason that part of this campaign is committed to expanding our endowment. The investment into our endowment provides tuition assistance so that all might have the opportunity to benefit from De La Salle’s educational experience. A strong endowment helps ensure that our school will live to see the next 100 years.

I invite you to review the information presented in this case and please prayerfully consider

making the Builders of Boys. Makers of Men. The Next 100 Years! capital campaign one of

your family’s giving priorities. We are all reminded by our founder, St. John Baptist de La Salle, that our mission and the “work of teaching is one of the most important in the Church.”

St. John Baptist de La Salle, Pray for Us. Live Jesus in our Hearts, Forever.

Gratefully yours,

Larry Rancilio, ’86 President

LASALLIAN HERITAGE De La Salle Collegiate was founded on the religious tradition of the Roman Catholic Church and animated by the educational vision of St. John Baptist de La Salle. De La Salle Collegiate provides a quality education in an atmosphere that incorporates Gospel values. The preeminence of the Lasallian mission and the centrality of Christ in daily life at De La Salle are illustrated by the call and response from teacher to students at the beginning of classes:

Let us remember that we are in the holy presence of God. St. John Baptist de La Salle, Pray for us.

Live Jesus in our hearts, Forever.

St. John Baptist de La Salle was canonized as a saint in 1900 and declared the patron saint of teachers in 1950. De La Salle was a priest, who founded the Brothers as a non-clerical religious community, with the purpose of providing a Christian and human education to the young, especially the poor. The relationship between the teacher and student was most important to de La Salle. The Brothers were to develop relationships with their students to help them individually. They chose the name “Brothers” as opposed to “Masters”, which is what teachers were called at the time. Thus, the Brothers were older brothers to their students.

St. John Baptist de La Salle’s emphasis on a close, caring, and personal relationship with students, and the focus on serving a wide range of students, are characteristics of Lasallian schools around the world. Likewise, this educational philosophy is central to the life of De La Salle Collegiate.

THE HISTORY OF DE LA SALLE COLLEGIATE (AN EXCERPT FROM THE 1929 PILOT)

Coming to Detroit in 1851, the Brothers located in the Cathedral School on Jefferson avenue, in the present parish of Sts. Peter and Paul, Jesuits. They later opened schools in St. Anne’s, on the site of the Light Guard Armory, St. Mary’s, Holy Trinity, and Sacred Heart.

For seventy-eight years the invaluable education work done by the Brothers in Detroit, has been performed in parish schools, consequently their services have been more or less limited.

Notwithstanding these limitations, however, their successes have been most pronounced. No fewer than 18,000 boys have come under their influence. There boys are today, virile American citizens and leaders in the commercial and industrial activities of the city.

Indeed, many men prominent in Detroit’s judicial and political circles owe the Brothers directly or indirectly for the high positions they occupy in society and for the success they have met in life.

Such success on the part of the pupils showed the work of the teachers and prompted the graduates of Old St. Joseph’s to consider plans whereby the Brothers could be placed in a school of their own.

The idea was warmly received and encouraged by Brother Blaise Austin who was director of St. Joseph’s the years 1907-1915.

It was decided that a Board of Trustees should be formed who would build the first unit of the school and retain ownership till the debt was paid off, or till the Brothers chose to take it over.

This plan assumed definite shape on April 11, 1923 when the Alumni organized a drive for $250,000. The drive for funds progressed so favorably that land was secured within the Six Mile Circle, in what will soon be the center of the East Side. Ground was broken for the present building

by Mr. Anthony Bodde on November 15, 1925.

The great day, the day on which the dream of 75 years was realized occurred on September 12, 1926. When the school was dedicated, the Rt. Rev. Joseph C. Plagens, Auxiliary Bishop of Detroit officiated. School was opened on the Tuesday following September 14. Eighty-five boys presented themselves for admission.

Carefully reviewing the struggle of the past and prudently peering into the not too distant future, we can confidently predict that De La Salle Collegiate will soon be the leading institution of learning in the East Side of our city, and will, ere many years rank among the great schools of its kind in this country.

DE LA SALLE COLLEGIATE TODAY MISSION

De La Salle Collegiate is dedicated to the Lasallian Catholic education of its diverse students, including the poor and disadvantaged. We are a college-preparatory school inspired by the spirit and tradition of St. John Baptist de La Salle, where learning takes place in the presence of God. Each student is encouraged to develop his faith, character, intellect, and morality.

This mission is embodied in the school’s motto: Builders of Boys. Makers of Men.

Derived from the Five Core Principles of Lasallian Schools (Quality Education, Inclusive Community, Concern for the Poor/Social Justice, Respect, Faith), these five terms, when used together, make up our DNA that is specifically us.

VISION

De La Salle Collegiate is dedicated to the education and growth of the whole student in the Lasallian tradition. We are committed to excellence in everything we do. We respect each student’s learning needs and assist them in becoming confident, open-minded, faith-filled honorable men who are prepared for the life ahead of them.

100 Years!

To honor the Lasallian Brothers, the original Board of Trustees, and those who supported them in the founding of De La Salle Collegiate, the current administration and Board of Directors have created the Builders of Boys. Makers of Men. The Next 100 Years! capital campaign that is designed to

position De La Salle for the next step in its evolution. Through this campaign, we will reaffirm our

commitment to fulfilling the dream of our founders, the dream we are honored to have inherited and will relentlessly pursue.

On the following pages, we outline the planning process, the response we have developed to the challenges we face, as well as describe the current capital needs that will propel De La Salle into its next 100 years.

We are De La Salle Collegiate. Expect greatness. Always.

THE PLANNING

From in-depth analysis and critical questions . . .

•

Anticipating the 100th anniversary and to take the first steps toward preparing for the next 100 years of De La Salle, the school’s Board and administration determined that a fresh, new strategic plan should be created.

•

Accordingly, during the winter and spring of 2022, De La Salle engaged in a comprehensive strategic planning process.

•

A Strategic Planning Committee was formed to lead the process, Core Planning Teams were assembled, a survey of the entire constituency was conducted, and focus group meetings with alumni, parents, benefactors, faculty, staff and students were held.

•

Questions regarding the school’s strengths and weaknesses, the critical issues facing De La Salle at this time, and the needs the school must address to continue its pursuit of excellence were examined and discussed.

•

The results of this in-depth process of analysis and reflection produced an exciting new vision of the future of De La Salle and a clear consensus regarding the capital priorities required to achieve that vision and to continue to fulfill its important mission.

•

The input from the strategic planning process was submitted to the Strategic Planning Committee for review, further discussion and discernment, and then presented to the De La Salle Board of Directors in September 2022 with conclusions and recommendations for moving forward.

•

The Board of Directors unanimously accepted and approved the strategic plan for immediate implementation.

•

Since many of the strategic objectives that were developed would require philanthropic funding, the De La Salle Board of Directors also authorized a 100th Anniversary capital campaign to fund the school’s most pressing capital and program needs. In the fall of

2022, the Builders of Boys. Makers of Men. The Next 100 Years! capital campaign was

formally launched.

THE RESPONSE

. . . come insights and opportunity: THE NEXT 100 YEARS! Based on the input and feedback received during the strategic planning and capital campaign preparation processes, the following emerged as consensus conclusions: •

De La Salle Collegiate is a college prep school, and as such, will focus on continual improvement of its academic programs and offerings to continue to ensure that all graduates are fully prepared for the next step in their young lives.

•

To continue to provide an outstanding Catholic high school education, De La Salle must ensure that it attracts, retains, and continually develops the very best teaching talent available.

•

There is a strong consensus among the De La Salle family that no young man should be denied a De La Salle education based on his financial circumstances.

•

As the cost of a Catholic high school education continues to increase, the issue of affordability and accessibility of a De La Salle education must be addressed by continually increasing the school’s endowment fund, so that adequate financial aid is available to those in need.

•

To meet the ever-changing and evolving needs of secondary educational institutions to provide the most effective learning environment and fulfilling student experience, De La Salle must upgrade its campus-wide technology, modernize its classrooms, enhance its engineering program, provide physical space for various academic and co-curricular use, and make improvements to its athletic and extracurricular facilities.

BUILDERS of BOYS. MAKERS of MEN. A

The Next 100 Years!

CAPITAL CAMPAIGN FOR DE LA SALLE COLLEGIATE

THE CAMPAIGN The spirit of this 100th Anniversary capital campaign is to honor the Lasallian Brothers, the original Board of Trustees, and all those who participated in the school’s founding and celebrate De La Salle’s 100 years of Catholic education in Detroit.

Today, our vision is the same as that of our founders, as was stated in the 1929 Pilot: De La Salle Collegiate “will, ere many years rank among the great schools of its kind in this country.”

ENDOWMENT The importance of endowment to Catholic education cannot be overstated. Endowment is an aggregation of assets invested by an educational institution to financially support its mission in perpetuity. Our mission stipulates that the education we provide be available to anyone, regardless of financial ability. The earnings from the endowment reinforce the operating budget by providing funding for financial aid and for attraction and retention of outstanding faculty. Accordingly, for De La Salle Collegiate to fulfill its mission for “the next 100 years”, it is imperative that we substantially increase the endowment.

CURRENT FUNDING PRIORITIES 1. ACADEMICS & ENDOWMENT: $6.5 MILLION •

Investment in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math programs (STEAM)

•

Upgrade campus-wide technology: Wi-Fi, computers, classroom technology

•

Investment in Robotics program and facilities

•

Endowment for student financial aid; affordability and accessibility of a De La Salle education.

•

Endowment to support faculty attraction, retention, and professional development.

2. ATHLETICS & EXTRACURRICULARS: $3.5 MILLION •

Baseball field renovation

•

Permanent restrooms and concessions at the athletic field

•

Renovation and expansion of the current gym

AN INVITATION TO PARTNERSHIP Funding the Vision

We invite you, as a member of the De La Salle Collegiate family, to partner with us in this important initiative. Your participation will help to shape De La Salle’s next 100 years, ensure that an outstanding De La Salle education will continue to be available to the young men of metro Detroit and beyond, and ensure that De La Salle will, in fact, rank among the great schools of its kind in the country!

PACE-SETTER GIFT LEVEL GIFT LEVEL

X

NO. REQUIRED

=

TOTAL PER LEVEL

=

CUMULATIVE TOTAL

$3,000,000

1

$3,000,000

$3,000,000

$1,000,000

1

$1,000,000

$4,000,000

$ 500,000

2

$1,000,000

$5,000,000

LEADERSHIP GIFT LEVEL $250,000

4

$1,000,000

$6,000,000

$100,000

10

$1,000,000

$7,000,000

MAJOR GIFT LEVEL $ 50,000

20

$1,000,000

$8,000,000

$ 25,000

40

$1,000,000

$9,000,000

SPECIAL GIFT LEVEL $ 10,000

50

$ 500,000

$9,500,000

$ 5,000

100

$ 500,000

$10,000,000

INVESTMENT OPTIONS Your investment in our future is tax-deductible*, and there are a variety of ways to invest in De La Salle Collegiate. We invite you to participate in one or more of them.

INVESTMENTS OF CASH Commitments may be paid over a period of five years or any appropriate timetable. Extending the payment terms of your investment, with the option of making annual, semi-annual or quarterly payments, provides flexibility and might help you consider a higher level of support.

INVESTMENTS OF STOCK OR SECURITIES Gifts of stock—one-time gifts or multiple gifts over a period of years—are an ideal vehicle for both you and De La Salle Collegiate. In gifting appreciated stock, you avoid capital gains taxes, receive the full benefit of a charitable contribution, and provide us with a significant and immediate gift.

Please contact the De La Salle Advancement Office for transfer instructions.

INVESTMENT THROUGH A DEFERRED OR PLANNED GIVING VEHICLE Planned gifts must become a greater source of funding for the long-term health of the school, and are another way that supporters can participate in Builders of Boys. Makers of Men. The Next 100 Years! Giving through an estate provides you with a gift of a lifetime. Life insurance,

annuities, trusts, and investing through your will are excellent ways to make a lifelong testimony to an institution that has profoundly impacted your life.

We invite your participation through planned or deferred giving as a secondary way to support this important initiative. Let us know of your intention so that we can provide the appropriate letter of intent for your signature.

*This information is not intended as financial or tax advice. Consult with your financial or tax advisor to determine specific tax implications and the right strategy for you.

THE LEADERSHIP HONORARY CHAIRS The Christian Brothers

CAMPAIGN CHAIR Dan Loepp, ’75

STEERING COMMITTEE

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

John Bernard, ’70

Brother Anthony Baginski, FSC

Michael Brillati, ’93

Mr. John Bernard, ’70, Vice Chair

Mr. Patrick E. Cahill, ’00, Secretary

Mark Campbell Tim Grajewski, ’63

Mr. William Edwards, ’86, Treasurer

James Quasarano, ’67

Brother Richard Galvin, FSC

Mark Rusch, ’75

Mr. Darrell Goolsby, Sr., ’84

Greg Shea, ’83

Mrs. Roma Heaney, Chair

John Superson, ’94

Dr. John Moore, ’75

Mark Wisniewski, ’83

Mr. Greg Shea, ’83

Jerry Zaccardelli, ’75

Mr. Rick Stanza, ’93 Mr. Ben Ventresca Mr. Joe Wyskiel, ’64

LEADERSHIP TEAM

Mr. Larry Rancilio, ’86, School President

Mr. James Boutrous, ’88, DLS Attorney

Larry Rancilio, ’86, President

Amy McGill, Assistant to the President

Ms. Amy McGill, Exec. Assistant to the Board

Brother Ken Kalinowski, ’84, Principal Chris Dean, ’89, Assistant Principal

Annmarie Michol, Director of Curriculum Dave Barstys, CFO

Greg Esler, Director of Advancement Dan Rohn, Director of Athletics

Joe Gerardi, ’86, Director of Operations

Kevin Fitzhenry, ’03, Director of Marketing & Communications Zack Issa, ’09, Director of Admissions

“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.”

- Winston Churchill

14600 Common Road Warren, Michigan 48088 T: 586-778-2207 F: 586-498-1628 www.delasallehs.com