Endowed Scholarship Benefactors and Recipients Gathering
November 5, 2011 “The community of believers was of one heart and mind, and no one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they had everything in common…There was no needy person among them…” (Acts 4: v 32, 34) The Marian Catholic community has touched the lives of countless people in her fifty-plus year history. Some, so profoundly committed to Catholic education and belief in the Dominican charism, are moved to invest in endowed scholarships to benefit Marian Catholic students now and long into the future. “I have always believed that everything I’ve been given has been given to me for the common good and it is my job, my responsibility, to use it in ways that uplift the community. I try to live my life this way,” said Jean Fuehrmeyer at Mass November 5. “From our first Open House visit to Marian Catholic High School, I knew this was a very special place. Our student guide exuded confidence, strong character and a sense of self. I said to Jim that day, ‘If this is what Marian does for students, I want our daughters here.’” Jim was asked to serve on the Advisory Board when daughter Erika ’95 was a sophomore. Jim and Jean Fuehrmeyer, parents of Erika Fuehrmeyer Myette ’95 and Katie Fuehrmeyer ’99, spoke to the endowed scholarship benefactors and scholarship recipients gathered November 5.
“That gave me the chance to see Marian from a different perspective and to experience the love that Sr. Mary Paul, the staff, the other sisters and the teachers, not to mention the alums on the Advisory Board, all had for the students and this school,” he said. “We were blessed financially, and it was an easy choice to share those blessings with Marian. Whether it was the calendar drive, a capital campaign, a band fundraiser, or the Endowment Classic golf outing, I always smiled when I wrote out a check.” Jean and Jim Fuehrmeyer, benefactors of The Elizabeth and John Bitunjac Memorial Scholarship, are among dozens of Marian Catholic parents, alumni and friends whose belief in providing a Marian Catholic education in perpetuity has resulted in the establishment of over forty endowed scholarships.
Philip and Kim Pascarella, chat with Ken Carpenter ’73 at the reception following Mass on November 5. The Pascarellas are benefactors of The Nicola and Maria M. Pascarella Memorial Scholarship. Ken and his wife, Karen Polletta Carpenter ’71 (not pictured) are major benefactors to The Sr. Simeon Fund.
What compels the commitment is almost as varied as the benefactors themselves. Some wish to remember parents or loved ones who valued and sacrificed to provide a Catholic education for the family. Others endow scholarships as a tribute to honor spouses, family members, or a Dominican Sister, and still others feel a responsibility to help those who endure difficult family circumstances. Motivation aside, the fact remains that without endowed scholarships, many students would not be able continue their education at Marian Catholic. Along with thanking the benefactors during the Mass celebrated by Fr. William O’Mara, MCHS Chaplain, all later gathered in the Benish College Center for refreshments and fellowship. To learn more about the endowed scholarship program at Marian Catholic, please contact Mary Moffatt: mmoffatt@marianchs.com or (708) 756-9767.
Sister Judine Hilbing, O.P. speaks with Laura Bos ’02 and her mother, Donna, at the Endowed Scholarship Benefactors and Recipients gathering. Laura, along with other appreciative scholarship recipients, are now a special group of “alumni scholars” becoming established in their careers and adult lives. Laura is working two part-time jobs, has a degree in communications from Marquette University, and is working toward a master’s degree in Library Science at Dominican University.
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