The MaguireGockel Scholarship:
Honoring Regis Jesuit Icons and Supporting Access & Affordability
D
Murray '74 in light blue sweater third from left with students at a 2012 luncheon with scholarship recipients
epending on the era, there are
about growing up without a father. He
Perpetual Memorial Scholarship Fund,
certain iconic memories that
asked me what kind of home life I had,
to use its official name, is the oldest
all Regis Jesuit students would
and we bonded right then and there. For
and most prestigious in the school’s
have shared.
the rest of the year, I felt his kindness.”
history, having helped more than 100
For example, students who attended
The following summer, Fr. Maguire
between 1971-73 will absolutely
died unexpectedly while swimming
remember Fr. Edward Maguire, SJ, who
and Murray vowed to honor his life by
served as Dean of Discipline at the time.
starting a scholarship fund in Maguire’s
“Fr. Maguire was tough,” recalls Dan Murray ’74, who has helped manage the Maguire-Gockel Scholarship fund since its inception more than 40 years ago. “Every day, he’d be standing at the main entrance to the school, with his beefy arms around his Bible. And if he found anything awry, like a shirt untucked—or maybe you were a bit tardy—he’d send you straight to JUG.
name. That year, a few of Murray’s friends made small donations and Br. Joe Gockel, SJ, who worked in the library and as a baker in the school cafeteria, became a stalwart supporter. Br. Joe was a memorable though less imposing
years old. One of seven children, his mother sent him “kicking and screaming to Regis for the male influence,” though Murray strongly preferred to be in school with girls. Financial aid made attendance possible. “It turns out Fr. Maguire also had lost his dad at an early age,” said Murray. “He took an hour out of his busy day to talk to me
were honored with the St. John Francis Regis Outstanding Service Award for their volunteer engagement with the school.
committee review the bios of a dozen or so rising sophomores to decide who will receive the scholarship for their next three years at Regis Jesuit. “We look for people who are economically distressed and have at least a 3.0 grade point average, though most are 3.5,” he said. “And they’re either involved in the Regis Christian Life Community
Fr. Edward Maguire, SJ Served at RJ 1971-73
Br. Joe Gockel, SJ
(RCLC), or they’re giving back through
Served at RJ 1971-97
their churches.” Then, the donors and recipients meet at a luncheon.
“Br. Joe had a heart of gold,” Murray
“I tell them about Fr. Maguire, and we
recalled. “He was happy-go-lucky; and
talk about their dreams and aspirations.
every time you saw him, he was smiling.
There’s a lot of pride among the kids who
He would hit me up for $20 every year,
qualify for the scholarship. They know
and by the time I was about 28 years old,
how lucky they are to be recognized
out of college and earning a living, he
in this way, and they hold their heads
asked me to be a trustee of the fund.”
high. Years later, as a way of keeping Fr.
Today, the Father Edward Maguire, SJ and Brother Joseph Gockel, SJ
Memorial Scholarship visit www.regisjesuit.com/endowment-giving
REGIS JESUIT HIGH SCHOOL
sons to Regis Jesuit, and in 2005 they
2003, his name was added to the fund.
To make a gift to the Father Edward Maguire, SJ & Brother Joseph Gockel, SJ
12
wife Denise have sent three of their four
school years. When he died in March
want you to memorize these 20 lines of
whose father had died when he was just 11
through Inspire & Ignite 2025. He and his
on the Maguire-Gockel Scholarship
football practice. “Fr. Maguire said, ‘I
That was a pivotal moment for Murray,
it, as well as to other strategic initiatives
Every spring, Murray and the others
his JUG assignment in favor of attending
call my mom and transfer.’”
fund, Murray contributes generously to
supporting students through their high
Murray still recalls the time he tried to skip
get to three or four. Finally, I said, ‘I want to
of attendance. Now, as the chair of the
presence on campus, encouraging and
Back then, I was a frequent miler.”
scripture. I tried and tried. But I could only
students—boys and girls—afford the cost
Maguire’s care and concern alive, most of them give back to the fund.”
