Donor Feature: The DiSanto Family

Brittan Burke DiSanto ’79 and Fred DiSanto

Make $2 Million Gift to Visual Arts

As a Magnificat student, Brittan Burke DiSanto ’79—whose love of art was first sparked thanks to her mother’s influence— honed her artistic talent under the mentorship of Sr. Paulette Kirschensteiner, HM. “She motivated me to become more creative artistically, and she helped me develop the talents that I have as an artist today. Even after forty years, Sr. Paulette’s teaching methods continue to be at the forefront of my mind, especially when I became an art teacher myself.” It was Sr. Paulette’s guidance and the encouragement Brittan felt throughout high school that inspired her and her husband, Fred, to make a gift this fall—the largest in school history— that will help fund the transformation of the visual arts wing this summer. “When Brittan and I first spoke about her vision of how she would like to give back to Magnificat, I was truly humbled,” said President Moira Clark ’77. “To know that her experience at Magnificat—particularly in the arts—made such an impact that she wants to give back so generously illustrates for me the power of our mission, the power of the HM Sisters’ vision for young women.”

Members of the Visual Arts faculty, from left to right: Debbie Barlow, Sajida Abu Ali, Alecia Janosik (Department Chair), Julie Belfiore.

On November 17, during a celebration of gratitude for the DiSantos’ gift, Brittan said, “Catholic education is extremely important to our family. We strongly believe in the mission of the Sisters of the Humility of Mary, and we value Magnificat and the model of a Catholic all-girls school. This is such an exciting opportunity for us to transform an area of the school that meant so much to me when I was a student.”

The design process for the visual arts wing is already taking shape in partnership with Fielding International, the educational architecture firm responsible for the HM Center (2012), the Marian Commons (2013), and the Sisters of the Humility of Mary Center for Science Exploration & Innovation (2020). Through discovery workshops conducted in November, Fielding gathered input from students, alumnae, faculty, and school leadership about their hopes and visions for visual arts learning at Magnificat. “Fielding International is a global design firm of both architects and educators that is committed to helping schools not just by building buildings, but by helping communities discover their hopes for the future through an interdisciplinary approach to align education and physical space,” said Managing Partner James Seaman, who has worked closely with Magnificat since the advent of the partnership in 2011. The initial themes that emerged during the workshops were the importance of sustainability and renewable energy; the prevalence of animation, videography, and virtual reality now and in the future; art that is accessible to all and benefits the community; curriculum and spaces that value all modes of education and all mediums of art; and spaces that are open and agile to inspire creativity. Across the board, workshop participants shared that art plays a critical role in maintaining mental and emotional wellness and balance in their lives. In fact, the research that informs Fielding’s work shows that social-emotional intelligence and stress resilience are now among the top skills necessary for students to thrive in the future.

Top: Brittan Burke DiSanto ’79 speaks at the celebration of the DiSanto family’s gift to visual arts. Left: President Moira Clark ’77 thanks Brittan Burke DiSanto ’79 and Fred DiSanto for the largest gift in school history.

Jasmine Abeid ’23 said, “During the discovery workshops, I was inspired by the flow of conversation with the people around me, and I felt free to share my ideas as well as build on those ideas with other people. My ideas were welcomed and encouraged, and I was so glad to be included in this exciting process.” In reflecting upon her own experience as a teacher, Brittan said, “One of my most rewarding moments as an art teacher was when a student came to me at the end of the school year and said, ‘Thank you Mrs. DiSanto, for bringing out a talent in me that I never knew I had.’”

“The impact that the DiSantos’ transformational gift will have on our school will be felt for many generations to come and is an inspiration to the entire Magnificat Community,” said Board Chairperson Colleen Moran O’Neil ’88. “Magnificat is tremendously grateful to the DiSanto family for the myriad ways the new visual arts space will drive young women—under the expert mentorship of their teachers—to discover talents, hone skills, and unleash passions that will help them thrive as faith-filled leaders throughout their lives.”

“The impact that the DiSantos’ transformational gift will have on our school will be felt for many generations to come and is an inspiration to the entire Magnificat Community...”

~Board Chairperson Colleen Moran O’Neil ’88

Construction on the visual arts wing will begin in May and be completed in August in time for the opening of the 2022-2023 school year. Fielding International will work with Payto Architects to complete the design process, and Regency Construction will execute the build.

Magnificat students, alumnae, faculty, and leadership brainstorm their vision for the new visual arts wing.

The DiSanto family’s generosity does not stop with this gift alone. To inspire others to be a part of this incredible transformation, the Magnificat community has been challenged to raise an additional $1 million to fund a second phase of the project. When this goal is reached, the DiSantos will increase their gift to $2.25 million!

If you would like additional information, please contact Vice President of Advancement Deborah Durbin ’81 at ddurbin@maghs.org.