HONORING A ROLE MODEL

Trish and Dan Bell Endow Scholarship Named for Sister Jeanne O’Laughlin

When Trish Bell met then-Barry President Sister Jeanne O’Laughlin through Orange Bowl Committee activities, a beautiful friendship blossomed. Over the following four decades, that working relationship deepened into a mutual love and respect among Sister Jeanne, Trish, and her husband, Dan, as they enjoyed many meals together and shared similar goals of making South Florida a better place for all, particularly the underserved.

“We regard Sister Jeanne as one of the most remarkable persons we have ever known,” the Bells say. “Her radiant smile, her sharp wit and her infectious joy at all times over almost all things always elevated the spirits of everyone around her. Her lifelong deep faith and her passion to help others were as easily observed as her extraordinary personality.”

Trish and Dan Bell grew up in Jacksonville in deeply Christian families. Basing their philanthropy on their core belief that you give back 10% of what you earn, as their income grew, so did their generosity. After they moved to Miami 45 years ago, Trish became increasingly active in community service. When Dan retired from a successful career in the pharmaceutical industry, he joined her in many of those undertakings. These include co-chairing the Patricia and Phillip Frost Museum of Science, where they led the effort to create and construct the new museum; being the principal funders and advisors to Branches, a nonprofit that mentors underserved youth and their families; and serving on the boards for the Florida United Methodist Children’s Home, the FIU Foundation and the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts.

On Sister Jeanne’s 80th birthday, the Bells hosted a party for her and many of her biggest fans and supporters. There they started the Sister Jeanne O’Laughlin Scholarship Fund in honor of her remarkable contributions to Barry’s growth and in recognition of her commitment to making sure cost never prevents a student from receiving a Barry education.

The Bells permanently endowed the Sister Jeanne Scholarship to perpetually honor and remember her after her passing in 2019. “We know for certain that Sister Jeanne would much prefer she be remembered by continually providing an Adrian Dominican education to worthy students in need of support than by even the most glorious physical memorial,” the Bells explain.

They hope future recipients will work extra hard to make the academic opportunity provided by the scholarship a cornerstone of a successful and productive life. They also hope students will learn about Sister Jeanne and make an effort to emulate the longtime Barry president’s deep faith and passion for helping others.