JUDI’S GYM Healthy Minds, Healthy Bodies

Long before Tom Monaghan founded Ave Maria University, he had a vision for a unique Catholic institution of higher learning dedicated to our Blessed Mother. In prayerful pursuit, Tom attracted many like-minded Catholics who shared his ideals and were willing to commit their time and treasure to help establish such an institution. Teaching future leaders seeking an authentic Catholic liberal arts education was the goal.

Among the early enthusiasts for this mission were George and Judi Schwartz, close friends of Tom and Marge Monaghan since the 1980s; they raised their families together in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The Schwartz family’s generosity was instrumental in launching AMU, and their love of the Catholic Church has been manifested through their generous philanthropy and selfless service to Our Lady’s University in numerous ways. Through the years, the Schwartz and Monaghan families shared various religious, social, and business interests. One was the creation of the Ave Maria Mutual Funds in 2001, which has grown to be the largest family of Catholic mutual funds in the country. These funds are managed by George’s registered investment advisory firm, Schwartz Investment Counsel, Inc., headquartered in Plymouth, Michigan, with a branch office in Ave Maria, Florida. Staffed with two dozen colleagues, including CFAs, MBAs, and CPAs, the firm manages six different Catholic mutual funds, which invest only in companies that do not violate moral principles of the Catholic Church.

One of the fruits of the long-time friendship between George and Judi and Tom and Marge is the recently completed Judi’s Gym, donated to AMU by the Schwartz family in honor of Judi, who passed away in early 2020. The complex consists of three full-size, outdoor basketball courts which are covered.

Judi, George’s wife of 52 years, was an accomplished basketball player and coach in her youth. She inspired their five children to experience the benefits of athletics — especially basketball. Tom Monaghan, Chancellor of AMU, has advocated for exercise and athletics from the start, believing a healthy mind lives in a healthy body. Thus, it is fitting that Judi’s Gym will allow students to recreate in this beautiful facility near the dorms.

At the dedication ceremony for Judi’s Gym on December 2, 2022, George said, “As an outspoken and passionate advocate for the unborn, Tom has had a gigantic, positive influence on my life and Judi’s, especially spiritually.” In addition, George reported that in planning the facility, Tom asked him what the project should be named. George said, “How about The Judi Schwartz Memorial Women’s Basketball Pavilion?” Tom replied, “Too many words to put on a sign. Let’s go with Judi’s Gym,” which prevailed. Also at the dedication, athletic director Joe Patterson expressed enthusiastic gratefulness for the gift to AMU. He said he was looking forward to various varsity teams utilizing the basketball courts, in addition to intramural leagues.

Philanthropy has always been important to the Schwartz family. Fueled by the success of their investment counseling firm, they have made AMU a major beneficiary. The staff of Schwartz Investment Counsel, Inc., manager of the Ave Maria Mutual Funds, includes all five of George and Judi’s children — Annie, Mike, Tim, Bob, and Katie. George is chairman and CEO of this 24-person enterprise.

President Tim Schwartz said, “Our parents gave us the gift of faith through the example they set!” Michael Schwartz, executive vice president, who has served on the AMU board of trustees, directs the firm’s Florida office. Senior Vice President Bob Schwartz said, “Not only do we practice faith as we raise our own families, but we rely on our faith to conduct our practice. The two go hand in hand.” Bob continued, “We pioneered morally responsible investing with the Ave Maria Mutual Funds. Our portfolio managers screen out companies that support abortion, Planned Parenthood, embryonic stem cell research and pornography. These pro-life, profamily mutual funds have created a movement of investors motivated by religious commitment to exert pressure on the business community for the sake of positive moral change.”

The excellent investment performance of the funds, plus this moral philosophy, has attracted over 100,000 shareholders from across the country who have invested over three billion in the funds. When surveyed, over 90% say their anti-abortion beliefs are a key reason for choosing Ave Maria Mutual Funds. In addition to serving individual investors, clients include hundreds of Catholic institutions, dozens of dioceses, endowments, and foundations. When George started the Ave Maria Mutual Funds (at the suggestion of Tom Monaghan), one of the first priorities was to create an advisory board with nationally recognized Catholic leaders. The Catholic Advisory Board, on which Tom Monaghan serves, provides guidance regarding the funds in accordance with core values of the Church and meets regularly to review the religious standards and criteria of the funds.

Additionally, the firm stewards clients through a series of newsletters called Faith Matters, written by prominent Catholics. The newsletters provide a forum to discuss pivotal issues facing Catholics today and keep the faith front and center in the firm’s interactions with investors.

George is often asked if moral screens make it difficult to achieve favorable investment returns. “No,” he said. “Following a moral imperative does not mean we are sacrificing good results.” In his 2019 book, “In God We Trust — Morally Responsible Investing,” George reveals his capitalist orthodoxy. He elaborates on the sad fact that in recent years there has been a rising tide of sympathy for socialism among leftist politicians and young people. The book explores the timeless divide between capitalism and socialism within the context of economic and moral ramifications for society in general and long-term investors specifically. Readers with historical perspective will appreciate the logic of what he says should be obvious, i.e., that socialism has never worked anywhere on earth. Or aptly put by President Ronald Reagan, “Socialism can only work in two places, heaven where they don’t need it, and hell where they already have it.” The book is about participating in the capital markets, while avoiding morally objectionable businesses. As a lover of the free enterprise system and a portfolio manager, George chronicles how “Morally Responsible Investing” is helping long-term investors put their money to work in accordance with their moral beliefs.

As investor enthusiasm for the Ave Maria Mutual Funds has spread, many happy shareholders have become AMU donors. Praise God!

We encourage our children to attend Ave Maria University because it is one of the few authentically Catholic universities in the United States.