DE SMET JESUIT

2021-2022 REPORT OF GRATITUDE

LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT

Dear Friends,

De Smet Jesuit has momentum. Thanks to your generosity, our results this past year were truly exceptional!

As we know from our practice of the Examen, the rst point is “to give thanks to God our Lord for the favors received.” On behalf of the young men here at De Smet Jesuit, I would like to express my deepest appreciation for your generosity. When asked to give your time, talent, and treasure to support our school, you over-delivered. You exempli ed giving “The Spartan Way.”

Collectively, our Spartan community gave the largest donation to the Spartan Fund in the history of the school. The sold-out auction brought our community together and raised almost a million dollars. Giving Tuesday participation across the different alumni classes was at an all-time high, including two $100,000 matching gifts for a grand Giving Tuesday total of more than $500,000. These funds will help to transform the lives of our students and our school. We are so grateful you answered the call to give generously.

These funds are driving innovation in our curriculum and student offerings. Our newly-created Pohlman Esports Center offers students a state-of-the-art gaming environment addressing the growing interest in technology, coding, and gaming in college prep schools. Our focus to deliver an excellent education and well-rounded experience for students is our priority as we create our vision for the future.

In partnership with De Smet Jesuit’s Board of Trustees and the larger De Smet Jesuit community, we are building the vision for De Smet Jesuit through a formal strategic planning process. As we plan for our future, we are mindful that it is possible to set a bold vision because of the generosity of the benefactors whose names are listed in this annual report of gratitude. Our success in this most critical work is only possible because you are willing to support De Smet Jesuit.

May God continue to bless you and everyone you love, and may God continue to bless De Smet Jesuit. The best is yet to come!

Yours, in mission,

Fr. Ronny O’Dwyer, S.J. President

2021-2022 Board of Trustees

Chair

Mr. Eugene A. Morgenthaler Jr. ’77

PRESIDENT’S ADVISORY COUNCIL

John Alberici

Gabriel and Gertrude Memorial

Tim Barrett ’76

Parent of Matt ’05 and Mark ’07

Je Cook ’79

Bo Devereaux ’78

Parent of James ’09 and David ’10

Ann Ficken

Parent of Mark ’13 and Andrew ’18

Michael Grewe ’86

Parent of Nicholas ’20 and Anthony ’22

Glenn Heitmann ’79

Parent of Tim ’07, Matt ’10, and Andrew ’12

Chris Imbs ’78

Joe and Kim Koenig

Rev. Matthew Baugh, S.J., D.Phil.

Mr. Errin R. Braddock ’95

Rev. James J. Burshek, S.J.

Mr. Thomas M. Chiapelas ’87

Mrs. Kimberly A. Koenig

Mr. William J. Wellborn ‘77

Rev. Michael P. Caruso, S.J., Ed.D.

Mr. Brian W. Ortbals ’96

Rev. Ronald R. O’Dwyer, S.J., Ed.D.

Rev. David J. Suwalsky, S.J., Ph.D.

Mr. John P. True ’82

Mrs. Sandy Waller

Mary Mills

Parent of Patrick ’12

Julia Mize

Parent of Gage ’18 and William ’23

Chrissy Nardini

Parent of Harry ’21

Jim Ortbals

Parent of Jim ’94, Brian ’96, Matt ’99; Grandparent of Will ’25

Don Ross

Parent of John ‘87, Scott ‘88, and Rob ‘90

Chris Seyer ‘71

Parent of Mark ‘02

Jim Shaughnessy ’84

Kent Skornia

Parent of Blake ’22 and Mason ’24

Parents of Jake ’13, Nick ’16, and Luke ’24

Nick Lamb ’76

John True ’82

Advancement Committee

Kim Koenig, Chair

Je Cernicek ’92

Bill Holland ’71

Chris Imbs ’78

Becky Lane

Gene Morgenthaler ’77

Patrick Morris ’06

Ronny O’Dwyer, S.J., Ed.D.

John P. True ’82

Jan Wacker

Tom Zink ’74

Alumni Association

John Goessling ’71, President

Tom Zink ’74, Vice President

Lucas Nikolaisen ’13, Treasurer

Committee on Trustees

Errin Braddock ’95, Chair

Jim Burshek, S.J.

Gene Morgenthaler ’77

Ronny O’Dwyer, S.J., Ed.D.

David Suwalsky, S.J., Ph.D.

Finance Committee

Gene Morgenthaler ’77, Chair

Tim Barrett ‘76

Tom Chiapelas ’87

Ann Ficken

Michael Johnson ’84

Tom Schaefer ’07

David Suwalsky, S.J., Ph.D.

Dan Weber ’90

Bill Wellborn ’77

Marketing and Enrollment Committee

Sandy Waller, Chair

Carrie Becher

Debbie Higgins

Ryan Hodge

Kim Koenig

Maria Lang

Gene Morgenthaler ’77

Lisa Mosquera

Ronny O’Dwyer, S.J., Ed.D.

Prayer For Generosity

Lord, teach me to be generous. Teach me to serve You as You deserve; to give and not to count the cost, to fight and not to heed the wounds, to toil and not to seek for rest, to labor and not to ask for reward, save that of knowing that I do Your will.

National Merit News

Two seniors earned recognition from the College Board/ National Merit program based on their PSAT/NMSQT test scores and outstanding academic achievement. Nico Lionelli ’22 was recognized as a College Board National Hispanic Recognition Program Scholar, and Josh Williams ‘22 was named a National Merit Semifinalist. Both young men matriculated to the University of Notre Dame in August 2022.

Perfect Score

Joey Zeigler ’23 achieved a perfect ACT test score of 36 in October — his first time taking the 2021 exam. As someone who has always liked school, Joey particularly loves math and science classes and completed a multivariable calculus course through The Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth during his junior year. He is enrolled in a di erential equations course through the Center for his senior year.

From Spartan To Plebe

Jesse Hahs ’22 received acceptances to the U.S. Naval Academy, West Point, and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in Fall 2022. He chose the U.S. Naval Academy, where he is in the midst of his plebe year and is “looking forward to the opportunities that come from such a high level of education as well as learning what it means to be a real leader.”

CLASS OF 2022 DOLLARS & HOURS

The 169 graduates of the Class of 2022 earned 564 college scholarships worth more than $25.9 million. More than 70 percent of our 2022 graduates took classes at De Smet that o ered college credit.

Purpose And Service

Spartans serve an average of 27,000 hours in the community each year. A highlight? The juniors complete semester-long service projects in the spring, working one afternoon per week at the same agency to build relationships and see the long-term impact of their work.

ARCHBISHOP JOHN L. MAY AWARD

In March, Tommy Hashbarger ’22 was honored at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis as De Smet Jesuit’s recipient of the Archbishop John L. May Service Award. Honorees are nominated by their teachers for extraordinary service to their school or the greater community. Tommy was a peer ministry leader for De Smet’s Campus Ministry program, guiding retreats, hosting a weekly prayer group for classmates, and serving as an o cer for the Spartans for Life club.

“Not only does Tommy give selflessly o his time, but he is such a great role model of faith,” said Kelsey Grimm, director of campus ministry.

Special Olympics Returns To De Smet

The Class of 2024, along with faculty, sta , parent, and alumni volunteers, welcomed 136 athletes to campus for a Special Olympics track and field event on May 11. It was the first Special Olympics event De Smet has been able to host on campus since 2019.

Supporting the Special Olympics is a beloved tradition at De Smet and a capstone service event for the sophomore class. Students serve as buddies for athletes and work together to run track events and carnival games. De Smet students commonly cite volunteering for the Special Olympics as one of their most impactful experiences in high school.