Laying a Foundation for Success in Jesuit Education COLLEEN JOYCE, WALSH JESUIT FOUNDATION CHAIR

BY TONY BURKE ‘87

At Walsh Jesuit, we are not only a success because of the philanthropy of our alumni, but it is also due in large part to the generosity of our alumni parents. Since 1964, moms and dads from all over, have given their time, talent, and treasure like no other high school in our region. Parents are committed to the success of our students, not only while our young men and women are on our campus, but beyond their four years here.

One of those incredible parents is Colleen Joyce, mother of four great alums who also served on the Walsh Jesuit Board of Directors beginning in 2009. The roots of Jesuit education run deep in Colleen’s family as her father, John Beringer, Sr., was educated by the Jesuits from his high school days in Wisconsin through college at John Carroll University. “My Dad developed a deep respect for the Jesuits and credited them with his love of learning and genuine curiosity that continued throughout his life,” shared Colleen. Her parents had ten children, eight girls, and two boys. Both boys attended the then-all-boys Walsh Jesuit High School, and nine of the ten children went on to study at a Jesuit university.

Although all their children made their own choice as to where they would attend high school, Colleen and her husband Paul both had WJ at the top of their list. “The Jesuit-driven mission of men and women for others left an indelible mark on them as young adults,” said Colleen. “The education at WJ prepared our children for the rigor of college beyond my expectations. Each of them was prepared for the rigor, writing, analysis, and reflection required to excel in college. They all demonstrate their sense of competence and compassion in their careers and lives today.”

While keeping busy with full-time roles as CEO of the Joyce household, and Finance Director for Paul’s company, Markethatch Co, Inc., Colleen always found time to give back to WJ. Outside of her role on the Board of Directors, Colleen was also a member of the Mothers’ Club, volunteered for POWWOW (now Warrior Gala), fed the homeless on the streets of Akron through Labre, and played a vital role on the search committee that hired our 11th school President, Karl Ertle.

In 2015, along with Chuck Abraham, Tom Orr, and Craig Marshall, the Walsh Jesuit High School Foundation was created for the exclusive benefit of and to support and carry out the purpose of Walsh Jesuit High School. Colleen remains an officer on the Board to this day and is currently the Chairperson of the Foundation. “It’s amazing how there is a common thread among people who volunteer at WJ – a true love for the school and a genuine desire to give back.”

“The sole purpose of the Foundation is to support the school,” said Colleen. “Specifically, the Foundation is required to adhere to an investment policy in overseeing the assets and makes an annual distribution to the school for the purpose of tuition assistance for students. Our goal is to, of course, increase the assets in the Foundation through the growth of the portfolio but certainly through the generosity of donors.”

Colleen’s hope is that the Foundation will always be able to provide the excellent education to high school students, without families experiencing significant financial hardship. “The tuition assistance that the school provides to families is critical. The need will continue in the future, and I hope that through the generosity of donors in the Walsh Jesuit community, the Foundation will grow and be able to meet every student’s demonstrated financial need for tuition assistance.”

The Walsh Jesuit High School Foundation oversees the Walsh Jesuit High School Endowment. Its mission is to provide funding for the school in perpetuity. Each year 5% of the Foundation’s assets are distributed to Walsh Jesuit High School annually.

Classmates, family members, and friends of Walsh Jesuit can donate any amount in memory of departed loved ones or in honor of living individuals. Unless otherwise designated to apply to a specifically named endowment, these memorial and honor gifts are added to the general Walsh Jesuit High School Foundation. Gifts of $100,000 or more can establish a fully endowed scholarship. Contributions of $25,000 can establish a named fund that is partially endowed.

2022 DISTRIBUTIONS $830,000

TOTAL ENDOWMENT $17.98 MILLION