Jesuit Receives $1.1 Million Gift

Jesuit High School president Fr. Richard C. Hermes, S.J. announced a historic gift to the school today in conjunction with a special anniversary:

Jesuit High School celebrated a milestone anniversary today -- 60 years on Himes Avenue -- with the announcement of the second-largest gift in school history, an anonymous $1.1 million donation from an alumnus of the Class of 1960.

It was 60 years ago today Jesuit opened its doors at the new Himes Avenue campus (after 57 years in downtown Tampa). The photo at right shows students on that very first day. And the Class of 1960 was the first to spend all four years at Jesuit on Himes Ave.

The $1.1 million gift is one of many major donations to Jesuit in conjunction with the school's $35 million 'For Greater Glory' capital campaign. The largest gift, a $2.5 million donation from Ted Couch '54, was announced in September at the President's Dinner, when the 'For Greater Glory' campaign was unveiled.

The $1.1 million gift we are announcing today is another extraordinary example of the generosity of our alumni and parents. It is a testament to the confidence our key stakeholders have in investing in the total development of Jesuit's students.

The 'For Greater Glory' campaign supports the school's Strategic Plan, which was developed in 2011, and it represents a renewal of school life, investing fully in Jesuit's people, programs, and facilities -- starting with a robust, sustainable financial aid program. The campaign also focuses on personnel and expanding school programs, and it supports Jesuit's campus master plan, which calls for major development the next few years.

Thank you for your support of Jesuit, and may God continue to bless you and your family.

Yours in Christ,

Rev. Richard C. Hermes, S.J. 

President