NEWSLETTER
Dear Andrean Community,
Since 1899, St. Andrew’s College has been a place where young men are not only inspired and supported but also empowered to pursue their dreams. Today, it remains a dynamic and transformative environment for students, helping them unlock their full potential. As generations of Andreans before us built this campus and established the school’s endowment, it is now our turn to look forward and contribute to the future of St. Andrew’s.
Giving back is at the heart of this legacy. Thanks to the generosity of the members of the 1899 Legacy Society, St. Andrew’s continues to thrive and evolve. Your support is vital to ensuring a St. Andrew’s education remains accessible, impactful, and transformative for generations to come.
In this edition of our newsletter, we proudly share a story that highlights the profound impact of philanthropy on our community. We are inspired by the Miklas family, whose deep connection to St. Andrew’s is matched only by their ongoing commitment to philanthropy. Their story is a powerful example of the spirit of generosity that continues to shape our school.
As our Legacy Campaign continues to grow, we are excited to report we are on track to meet our goal of $100 million in combined assets, encompassing bequests, gifts of life insurance, and our endowment fund. This will provide the long-term financial security the school needs to ensure that cost is never a barrier to a young man receiving a St. Andrew’s education.
Within this newsletter, you will also find highlights from our recent educational estate planning webinar, ways you can make a lasting impact, and information on the 1899 Andrean Legacy Society, which recognizes those who have included St. Andrew’s in their estate plans. Together, we are building a future where the values that define St. Andrew’s – courage, creativity, empathy, humility, integrity, resilience, and respect – will continue to guide and inspire future generations for another 125 years.
Thank you for your continued support and dedication to shaping the future of St. Andrew’s College.
Best wishes,
Marla Lambert Associate Director of Advancement marla.lambert@sac.on.ca
volume 6 April 2025
1899 Andrean Legacy Society Newsletter
GREG MIKLAS ’76 AND DAVID MIKLAS ’07 LIKE FATHER, LIKE SON
Greg Miklas ’76 has experienced first-hand the profound value of a St. Andrew’s College education, not only through his transformative years as a student but also through seeing his son, David ’07, graduate from SAC.
“This is the school that I have to give a lot of credit to: the study habits, the camaraderie – and a well-rounded education,” reflects Greg. “I needed a structured school, and that’s what St. Andrew’s gave me.”
Greg is deeply appreciative of the opportunity his parents provided him to attend SAC, particularly given that his brothers, Brian ’78 and Paul ’80, also enjoyed the benefits of an SAC education. This sense of gratitude is evident in David’s reflections.
“This school is just different. The emotions it evokes every time you come on the campus are hard to explain,” David says.
“It’s almost like a second home,” adds Greg.
The Miklas family’s connection to St. Andrew’s spans generations, and that legacy also extends to their philanthropic endeavours.
“When David was born, I joined the foundation board at York Central Hospital [now Mackenzie Health]. We implemented numerous programs and events to successfully raise funds for the foundation,” recalls Greg.
His history of giving to SAC predates David – Greg’s first gift to St. Andrew’s came ten years after graduation. He has remained a loyal and steady supporter of the school in the decades that followed. David acknowledges that this family tradition of giving shaped his own approach to philanthropy.
“Even before my parents, seeing the philanthropic work my grandparents have done in the past paved the way for me to find my path on what I find important,” he says.
In 2016, David opted to donate a gift of life insurance through the planned giving program offered by the SAC Advancement Office. This unique arrangement allows the St. Andrew’s College Foundation to share the premium payments, resulting in a larger gift upon David’s passing while recognizing him for the full value during his lifetime.
David Miklas ’07 standing next to his father, Greg Miklas ’76, in front of the Dunlap Hall doorway.
“With St. Andrew’s covering half of the premium payments and the added benefit of a charitable tax receipt on my portion, I was able to leave a $250,000 legacy gift with minimal effort. It was incredibly impactful for me,” says David, adding it’s a powerful way to combine his contribution with his parents’ gifts and, together, make meaningful, lasting contributions to the school.
As David nears the completion of his first policy, he has already committed to a second gift of life insurance.
In 2020, Greg took out a similar policy, further demonstrating that philanthropy is a shared commitment for the Miklas family.
David and Greg emphasize that decisions about giving are made collectively within their families. For Greg, this includes his wife, Linda, while for David, it is a shared process with his wife, Kate, and eventually, it will involve their daughter, Maxine, born in August 2024.
“We make decisions together each year on where we want to put money,” says David. “This is important for Kate and me to instill in Max as she gets older.”
Life insurance is David’s business, too: he is a partner with Firstbrook Miklas Insurance Group. Drawing on his industry knowledge, he is particularly passionate about encouraging younger Andreans to consider joining SAC’s planned giving program. “It’s a great example of how they can get started, and the matching program is an incredible way for alumni to double their legacy gift.”
For both Greg and David, their commitment to SAC is ultimately an expression of gratitude for the opportunities the school has provided their family.
“We’ve all been successful in our own rights, not only from a career perspective but also in being good citizens. I believe that all comes back to the foundational years we spent here,” says David.
Greg adds, “Over the years, I’ve seen this school grow. One has to feel very proud of the people that have taught here and the past Andreans who have given their time to help nurture the school to where it is today. I don’t think anything compares to St. Andrew’s.”
Secure Your Family’s Future: A Will Planning Webinar
On March 26, 2025, the Alumni & Advancement Office hosted an in-depth virtual gathering with presenter, Daniel Goldgut, CEO and co-founder of Epilogue, an online will platform. Daniel offered valuable insights into why having a will is one of the most important decisions for your family’s legacy, key decisions involved in will creation, and options for leaving a meaningful gift to charity.
When you have a moment, please enjoy the recorded webinar: For past estate planning webinars, please visit:
If there is a topic you would like to explore or something you would like to present, please send a message to marla.lambert@sac.on.ca
Legacy Campaign Update
The Legacy Campaign is dedicated to supporting the young men of St. Andrew’s today and in the future. By growing our Endowment Fund, we make an SAC education more accessible, strengthen the traditions and programs that define us, and ensure long-term financial stability. As our endowment grows, so does its annual disbursement to the college, making your gift to the Legacy Campaign a lasting investment that truly keeps on giving.
Our goal is to reach $100 million in combined assets from the Endowment Fund and Planned Gifts. When we launched the campaign in the fall of 2019, we had a total of $66.9 million. As of this report, we are thrilled to share we have surpassed $97 million, bringing us ever closer to achieving our goal.
Let Us Know Your Legacy Plans
A legacy gift is a simple yet powerful way to support St. Andrew’s College. These gifts can take various forms, including a bequest made through your will, life insurance, shares or stocks, RRSP/RRIF, or an annuity.
By informing us that you have included St. Andrew’s College in your will, you allow us to record your intentions and recognize your generosity. And if you choose, we will also welcome you into the 1899 Andrean Legacy Society.
To inform us of our legacy gift, email marla.lambert@sac.on.ca
1899 Andrean Legacy Society Benefits
We honour members of the 1899 Andrean Legacy Society with:
•An invitation to our annual 1899 Andrean Legacy Society brunch
•Recognition on the Andrean Legacy Society Donor Wall
•An 1899 Andrean Legacy Society pin
Members benefit from a personal connection to St. Andrew’s and the students who benefit from their support, creating a lasting bond between members and the school community.
Andrew’s
www.sac.on.ca
