Catholic High School’s $15-million capital campaign launched in August reached the halfway mark.
Thanks in part goes to alumni who gave $3.9 million of the total $7.4 million raised by April 30.
Of the total alumni contributions, five classes account for $2.6 million of contributions. They are the class of 1986, $1,512,500; class of 1980, $451,500; class of 1991, $227,150; class of 1973, $225,784; and class of 1987: $196,204.
“We are truly humbled by the generosity our alumni have shown,” rector Msgr. Lawrence Frederick said. “Through their financial support, these men are giving future generations a true Catholic High experience, ensuring they will get the same quality education that has been instilled in men over the last 80 years.”
Anne Carter, the school’s development director, said the campaign did not target alumni by class, but rather solicited contributions across the board and as donations came in, assigned dollars to the contributor’s graduating class, as applicable.
She said while leading classes’ totals benefited from some large contributions, leadership and enthusiasm were also critical success factors.
“In some cases, class representatives were on the capital campaign committee, but in others, it was just people stepping up and wanting to motivate their classmates,” she said, adding that those classes that employ a personal touch are seeing particular success.
“We had one alum call and say he wanted to get his class involved, and we helped him organize a reunion,” she said. “We had one class set up a Facebook page. The ones that take the initiative to make personal contact — to call or send e-mails or letters — are seeing a lot of success. At the same time, people are renewing friendships with people they hadn’t heard from in years. That’s quite neat to hear about.”
The campaign is funding the school’s first floor-to-ceiling renovation since it moved to its current 26-acre campus in 1960. Response to the drive has been high. During the initial “silent” portion of fundraising, donors contributed about $6 million, allowing school officials to green light projects last summer, including a new all-weather football practice field, remodeled cafeteria and air conditioning.
To date, four gifts of between $250,000 and $1 million-plus have been received and a recent meeting of an alumni chapter in Dallas hinted at even bigger things to come.
“My family’s gift — a gift from me, as well as my sons Jerry Jr. and Stephen — will be the largest gift to this campaign,” said Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones at an April 10 meeting. Jerry Jr. and Stephen are both graduates of the school, members of the classes of 1988 and 1983, respectively.
This summer’s planned improvements include replacing all exterior windows, reconfiguring the lobby area and completing a track around the practice field. The library, auditorium and all classrooms will be renovated in future phases.
Individuals wishing to contribute to the campaign can visit www.lrchs.org. Those wishing to organize class-specific fundraising activities should call Carter at (501) 664-4625.
