The Promise - Spring 2011

The Campaign Newsletter for La Salle College High School Spring 2011

When he returned to La Salle College High School as President in the summer of 2005, Brother Richard Kestler, FSC ’60 was asked what he thought were the major challenges facing La Salle. He responded “La Salle must be a place that opens opportunities. Our academic life must keep pace with today’s and tomorrow’s possibilities.

We must continue to develop a program of extra-curriculars and athletics where students always feel that they are well rounded and that they are well educated. Like all independent schools, La Salle is challenged to remain true to its mission and purpose.”

To address these challenges of the future, Brother Richard adopted the strategic plan of the Board of Trustees and launched La Salle’s most audacious Capital Campaign ever – Fulfilling the Promise. increased funding for financial aid and endowment to enable future generations of boys to partake of a Lasallian Education.

The La Salle community responded to the appeal and over the last five years they have made donations totaling over $23.3 million in campaign gifts to help the Christian Brothers fulfill their promise to the boys.

Fulfilling the Promise would be the name of the fundraising effort that would allow the school to realize its vision for the future.

Specifically the campaign objectives comprised the building of a new 40,000 square foot academic wing and the renovation of McLean Hall, the acquisition of the Carr properity that would be transformed into athletic fields, and

Al Gabriele, former Chair of the Board of Trustees and Campaign Chair, said the response has been overwhelming. For the first time in La Salle’s history we have received eight gifts of $1 million or more, not to mention the large number of gifts in the $100,000 range. Brother Richard Kestler, FSC ’60 said he is most proud of our parent community. In addition to the demands of time and involvement, their financial support has added over $1.8 million to the campaign. In this time of increasing

education expense nationwide it shows an incredible commitment and generosity to the school. Chip Behr ’73, Vice-Chair, who has been with the campaign since the start, has been most impressed by the class campaigns. In their final phase, thirty-six classes accepted a challenge to raise funds and take a significant naming opportunites in the school. To date, almost $1 million has been raised through these initiatives.

With two months to go until the close of the Capital Campaign, the entire La Salle community is being asked to support this appeal.

Principal’s Office La Salle College High School officially dedicated the Principal’s Office in honor of Mr. David T. Diehl ’55 on September 2, 2010. Along with over 125 family, friends, and colleagues, Joe Colistra ’64 made heartfelt remarks in introducing his long time friend and mentor.

In 2009, Joe Colistra ‘64 approached Dan McGowan, Vice President of Institutional Advancement, and offered his services to lead a fund raising effort to honor Dave as part of La Salle’s ongoing capital campaign. With Joe’s leadership, the naming opportunity for the Principal’s office was secured through gifts from every part of the La Salle community; administrators, teachers, alumni, past faculty members and friends. A fitting tribute to a man that has been a vital part of the La Salle community for over fifty years.

Dave has served in many roles – teacher, counselor, administrator and coach – he has influenced thousands of La Salle graduates and his presence has added to their becoming Lasallian Gentlemen.

In Dave’s remarks at the dedication, he stressed his dedication to the Brothers and the mission of Saint John Baptist de La Salle. He further stated, “If you do what you love at a place that you love you never work a day in your life”. He always loved coming to work at La Salle and it showed.

Thanks Dave – you’ve earned it!

Planned Giving Leaving Your Legacy

Parent Capital Campaign

In A League Of His Own

Through the Fulfilling the Promise campaign,

As a senior member of the Class of 1969,

Tim’66 and Meg Foley know firsthand the

our current parents have ensured us that

Tony Janton got his first taste of

value of a Christian Brothers education. Their

the young men that walk our halls each day

outwitting the devil as a sportswriter in

oldest boy T.J. graduated in 2005 and their

have the full support of the entire La Salle

“Damn Yankees”. Little did anyone know

twins, Kevin and Michael, graduated in 2010.

community! We knew early in the campaign

that he would be making this his life’s

Tim is one of six Foley brothers to graduate

that in order to succeed in our fundraising

vocation as Father Anthony W. Janton.

from La Salle: Jay ’65, Tim ’66, Dan ’70, Gerry

effort, we would need to involve all groups

’74, Pat ’76, and Mike ’78. This legacy contin-

within our community. As it turns out, our

The Class of 1969 scattered from La Salle after graduation on June 7, 1969, in the middle of the Vietnam War, and just before the moon landing, Woodstock, and the Miracle Mets. Many returned gradually – some as teachers, some as coaches, and some as parents, and most of the others as interested alums. Only one came back to La Salle as a Chaplain.

ues today with brother Pat Foley’s twin sons

Board of Trustees, Alumni community, and

Gerry and Dennis, as members of the class

Parents Clubs stepped up as they consis-

of 2014.

tently do, but it’s the trend of current parent

Upon the graduation of Kevin and Michael last June, Tim wrote an open letter to the administration, faculty and staff of La Salle. In it he said, “The passion that you have for the boys is easily seen in the boys themselves. Thank you so much for caring and taking a real interest in my boys and helping them to become young gentlemen”.

involvement in this campaign that makes

One of Tim’s good friends sent him a note that said, “Congratulations, it has only taken from the fall of 1962 to the spring of 2010 for him to get out of La Salle”.

Tim’s response was, “He was sorry to see it end … but in my heart it will never really end”.

Those words were prophetic, as Meg and Tim decided that they wanted to make a Christian Brothers education available for a worthwhile young man in perpetuity. By making a planned gift to La Salle College High School they have strengthened the school’s ability to provide financial aid to future needy applicants. What better way to keep the Foley Family legacy alive and secure for the future.

In you would like to make a planned gift to La Salle College High School, please contact Bob McAnespey ‘66, Director of Development and Major Gifts, at mcanespey@lschs.org or (215) 402-4808.

it unique!

Through personal visits with Brother Richard Kestler, FSC ’60, we provided our parents a casual opportunity to get a closer perspective into the mission of La Salle College High School. Many, if not all, came away with an understanding and appreciation of the business behind meeting that mission, and why we must rely on our generous supporters along the way. More than anything else, these visits have reassured both parties that our students spend their days surrounded by people who care!

To date, parents have contributed over $1.8 million to Fulfilling the Promise! This amounts to 8% of the total amount raised and the contributions have come in all sizes – from $500 to over $100,000.

If you have yet to get involved, you will have a final chance through a mailing before the school year ends and the campaign comes to a close. Parent support of the Fulfilling the Promise campaign has enhanced our ability to meet our mission and offer your sons an exceptional educational experience.

If you would like the opportunity to meet with Brother Richard Kestler, FSC ’60, please contact Paul Colistra ‘00 at colistrap@lschs.org or (215) 402-4811, to set up a time.

When the Class of 1969 Committee was asked to identify a dedication subject to commemorate their Class’s efforts in the recent Capital Campaign, they thought of many of the great teachers during their four years, especially the ones who gave decades of their lives to the education of Lasallians. And though lively discussions brought back great memories, they made their choice by looking in the mirror at the sportswriter-turned-Chaplain in our midst.

Father Anthony Janton has served the Archdiocese of Philadelphia as a parish priest for about thirty-four years now, and has multi-tasked to serve as La Salle’s Chaplain for twenty-seven years, and counting. It’s a sign of both his dedication to La Salle and our Class’s advancing age to realize that Father Janton has now been a Chaplain to many La Salle boys AND their sons.

The Class of 1969 is proud to have chosen as the subject of their dedication one of our own, in a league of his own. On May 10, 2011, the Chaplain’s Office at La Salle College High School was dedicated as the Reverend Anthony W. Janton Chaplain’s Office, and was memorialized with a plaque containing the names of all of his classmates from the Class of 1969.

Class Initiative Program CLASS

AMOUNT RAISED

CLASS

AMOUNT RAISED

CLASS

AMOUNT RAISED

CLASS

AMOUNT RAISED

Class of 1969

$100,944

Class of 1973

$27,650

Class of 1967

$12,350

Class of 2003

$5,400

Class of 1972

$92,100

Class of 1977

$24,175

Class of 1993

$12,275

Class of 1971

$5,000

Class of 1999

$84,425

Classes of 1930-48

$22,610

Class of 1957

$10,925

Class of 1980

$5,000

Class of 1961

$75,110

Class of 1960

$21,870

Class of 1997

$9,900

Class of 1953

$3,000

Class of 1985

$74,500

Class of 1966

$19,900

Class of 1970

$9,491

Class of 1949

$2,500

Class of 1958

$67,500

Class of 1968

$19,003

Class of 1951

$8,900

Class of 1992

$2,500

Class of 1982

$48,350

Class of 1996

$15,200

Class of 1978

$7,650

Class of 1975

$2,500

Class of 1976

$46,325

Class of 1955

$13,350

Class of 1995

$7,600

Class of 2001

$1,622

Class of 1974

$37,276

Class of 1998

$13,100

Class of 1990

$6,000

Class of 2000

$1,125

Class of 1983

$33,450

Class of 1965

$13,050

Class of 1981

$6,000

In the initial (silent) phase of Fulfilling the Promise, the major gift component of the campaign raised significant additional dollars from classmates from all of the above classes. Those dollars are included in the overall campaign total; however, they are not reflected in the statistics for the Class Initiative Program, which is listed above.

Current dollars raised will accrue to the class initiative.

La Salle College High School 8605 Cheltenham Avenue Wyndmoor, Pennsylvania 19038 215 233 2350 phone 215 836 4502 fax alumni@lschs.org www.lschs.org