Profile of Philanthropy Veritas Society *Mr. Mark Altman ’66 Mr. John Benish ’84 Anonymous Mr. Anthony Boggiano Mrs. Catherine Schulze Coll ’68 Ms. Mary Jane Doerr ’70 Friend of Marian Catholic *Mrs. Kathleen Duchossois Ms. Elizabeth Ehlman Anonymous *Mr. William Fogarty Mr. & Mrs. Robert Jones, Jr. Anonymous Mrs. Michael J. McCaughey, Jr. Mrs. Roberta Rolwing McQuade ’76 *Mr. Edmund Miniat Anonymous *Mrs. Harriet Nortman Mrs. Mary Ann Ormsby O’Hea ’62 Mr. Timothy O’Hea ’63 Mr. Robert Peele ’65 Mrs. Sandra Mahoney Rice ’64 Mr. Thomas Sadler ’65 Mrs. Betty Savant *Mr. Edward H. Savant Mr. & Mrs. Richard Thiernau Mr. & Mrs. Gregory R. Underwood Mr. & Mrs. Robert Voss *Deceased
It is sometimes thought that the title of philanthropist is reserved for those who maintain a consistent pattern of significant charitable giving over a long period of time. Two deceased friends of Marian Catholic High School, Edward Savant and Mark A. Altman ’66, have demonstrated that promoting the well-being of humankind through philanthropic giving can be accomplished in a variety of ways.
Edward Savant, a professional investor himself, was cognizant of the power of solid investment management and approached charitable giving in the traditional sense. In 1995, Ed, and his wife Betty, established the Erman C. Savant and Lawrence J. Cassidy Families Memorial Scholarship for the expressed purpose of granting scholarships to students who demonstrate strong character and academic excellence, and who, without the assistance of the scholarship, might not otherwise be able to Edward Savant and wife, Betty Savant continue at Marian Catholic. Throughout its 17 years in existence, the scholarship fund benefitted from years of a strong market return and was, therefore, able to give generous scholarships during years of recession, as well. This year alone, eight students were recipients of partial scholarships from the Erman C. Savant and Lawrence J. Cassidy Families Memorial Scholarship. These eight students exemplify the Marian Spirit in ways similar to those of Ed and Betty’s own children, Lisa Savant Cameron ’84, Ed Savant ’85, and Julie Savant Galvan ’89. Betty and Ed Savant always placed enormous value on the concept of personal philanthropy, extending that view to include the Marian Catholic family in their estate plans, becoming members of the Marian Catholic Veritas Society for Planned Giving. Upon Ed’s death in 2011, his estate gift was directed to his and Betty’s endowed scholarship. The Savants have been loyal friends and family, serving as members of the Advisory Board and sharing their expertise in whatever manner might benefit the community of Marian Catholic High School. The memory of Edward Savant remains with us in the students supported by his scholarship program. The endowed scholarship has been established in perpetuity, fortified by his estate gift, and will keep Ed’s spirit alive within the walls of Marian Catholic. Mark A. Altman ’66 held a connection to Marian Catholic that was not discovered until his last will and testament was probated in the Circuit Court of Citrus County, Florida. During Mark’s time at Marian, he was immersed in the pursuit of knowledge and enjoyed the scholarly aspects of campus life. It was this love of learning and the inspiration of his teachers that encouraged him to become a high school social studies teacher, a career from which he never wavered until retirement. Mark had not established the traditional alumni link. Once he graduated, he had little or no contact with his alma mater and did not return for reunions or other events. It came then, completely by surprise, that he directed his end-of-life resources for the expressed purpose of enhancing the school library. This estate gift came at the exact time as the construction of the enhanced Media/ Technology Center necessitated a connecting door from the library to the courtyard. The library was remodeled and the courtyard was created as a beautiful space for reflective study and recreational reading. The memory of Mark Altman remains with us in the beauty of the library and garden. Mark’s spirit and philanthropy live on in every student who enjoys being a scholar in the peace of the garden or in the comfort of the library.
The Mark Altman ’66 Memorial Courtyard
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