Xavier Annual Report: 2016-17

Y C A L EG

A THE L

CORC PETER .

E F TO IMPAC STING

Annual Report 2016–17

OR AN

’46

ANNUAL REPORT 2016-17

Xavier High School Jack Raslowsky P’16 President Michael LiVigni P’21 Headmaster Rev. John Replogle, S.J. ’51 Assistant to the President Daniel Dougherty Executive Vice President Mark Mongelluzzo, Esq. Director of Development Shawna Gallagher Vega, APR Director of Communications Editor, Xavier Annual Report Contributors Jeanette Alvarez Harisch Studios Shane Lavin ’03 Zane Massey ’96 Stephanie Massaro Sarah Nickerson Kyle Stelzer ’13 Claudia Tierney P’20 Mark Wyville Photography Michael Marmora Design Erbach Communications Group How to Reach Us Xavier High School 30 West 16th Street New York, NY 10011 Email: editor@xavierhs.org

Xavier’s Mission

Founded in 1847, Xavier High School is an academically rigorous, Catholic, Jesuit, college preparatory school in New York City that educates intelligent, motivated young men of diverse backgrounds and means.

Xavier teaches students to take responsibility for their lives, to lead with integrity, to act justly in service of others, to pursue excellence in every endeavor and to deepen their relationship with God. Ultimately, Xavier forms young men who will go forth to transform the world for God’s greater glory.

On the Cover

Upon his 2016 passing, E. Peter Corcoran ’46 † left Xavier a multi-million dollar estate gift— the largest bequest in school history. Beginning on page 8, his family recalls his remarkable life.

MIX Paper from responsible sources

FSC® C022085

Computer science and technology department chair Michael Chiafulio with students in the Gannon STEAM Classroom

2016-17 Annual Report 1

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

Dear Parents, Friends, and Sons of Xavier: There are constants to life at Xavier. Students leaving the school on 16th Street, turning left, walking 150 feet, and entering the church for Mass. Families heading to Rose Hill on Thanksgiving morning as Xavier takes on the Ancient Foe—hoping, in the words of Chris Stevens ’83, to begin the day feasting on “Ram chops.” Solitary alumni visiting, tucking into the chapel and saying a prayer. The Regiment marching up Fifth Avenue on St. Patrick’s Day, celebrating all things Irish and American. Students boarding a bus and heading off on retreat to Monroe, Inisfada, Manresa, or Morristown to encounter the Lord in new ways. The centrality of the Eucharist, the source and summit of our lives as Christians. Remembering in prayer the Sons of Xavier and their family members called home to the Lord.

Foundational to all that is constant at Xavier is deep gratitude for the people, the place, and the mission that have sustained this work of the Society and the Church—this work of God—for 170 years. The publication of the Annual Report is an act of thanksgiving by those of us at Xavier now for all who sustain and enrich this work with their gifts, their prayers, and their lives.

I was in the office on the first Sunday of Advent to finish this letter to you, and I joined the parish community for Mass. There was so much packed into the Liturgy of the Word that it was mind-boggling. It was also the Feast of St. Francis Xavier, so an ancient statue of Xavier was brought into the sanctuary recalling the dedication of the church 135 years ago and providing an opportunity for “Photos with Francis,” selfies, and numerous Instagram posts. (Evangelization in 2017!) The Advent readings themselves were rich. Isaiah gave us the image of the potter and the clay, and the gospel exhorted us to “Watch.” Bob VerEecke’s homily drew on the Scripture with humor and creativity, and then (yes, there was more!) it was time to receive the new candidates and catechumens for the first time publicly. More than two dozen men and women declared their desire to join the Church or to be received into full communion. It was a great sign of hope that with all our foibles and failings, God’s goodness draws people into the Church to renew and be renewed. It was moving, inspiring, humbling, and wonderful. It was great—and a bit dizzying. I left the church hoping I could remember it all and saying, “What do I do with all of this?”

I have a similar feeling when I sit down each year to write my Annual Report letter. This past year was moving, inspiring, humbling, and wonderful. It was great—and a bit dizzying, too. How do I capture that in my letter, and how do we do it in an Annual Report?

Quite honestly, we can’t. The Annual Report is inevitably incomplete, but it gives us a glimpse of the wonders of God played out at Xavier this past year, and what a glimpse it is: Outstanding support with over $10 million in total giving. Great hope for the future seen in the wonderful response of the Class of 2016 in the inaugural Turkey Bowl Challenge.

2

Xavier High School

An exciting new reunion format that brought record numbers back to 16th Street. Two hundred and seventy-eight sent forth, and 258 welcomed to Xavier. The dedication of Fernandez-Duminuco Hall and the rededication of the Student Chapel of Our Lady. Visits by Cardinal Dolan, Bishop O’Hara, and Fr. John Cecero, S.J., our provincial. A record cross country season. A great Xavier-Regis basketball showdown, a faith-filled Ignatian Family Teach-In for Justice, a moving faculty retreat day, and a wonderful Ally Week. You made all this and thousands of other things happen, and I am deeply grateful. Thank you.

The cover highlights Peter Corcoran ’46 †, his wife Faith, his family, and their connection to Xavier. Peter died in the summer of 2016. Were he still alive, he might die of embarrassment seeing the cover, or more likely, he might kill me. Peter and Faith have been consistent, generous supporters of our work, and they’ve done so in quiet, humble ways.

When I called Peter a few years back to tell him of his induction into the Xavier Hall of Fame, his response was, “That’s nice, but why would you do that?” For me, the humility he showed during that call was reason enough, but more than anything else it was his values. Honest work, family, generosity, loyalty. He never forgot Xavier. His keen, engaging, inquisitive mind found a home on 16th Street, and the education he received here served him well all his days. As with so many alumni, Peter, Faith, and their family have enriched my life and sustained our work.

Peter left a legacy beyond his gift which allows the legacy of Xavier—the wisdom, the values, and the virtues of Jesuit education— to be received by students here and now, and by generations to come.

This celebration of Peter is really a celebration of Xavier. Irma and Dan Rodriguez ’58, John Meditz ’66, Suzanne and Rich Scheller ’74, and Jennifer and Rich Nolan ’83 are among the hundreds of Xavier families who have made Xavier the beneficiary of IRAs or insurance policies or planned bequests in their wills or through other estate planning vehicles. In addition to the Corcoran gift, planned gifts from James Audino ’40 †, Frank Duffy ’43 †, Reid Sheridan ’47 †, Mario Rolla ’48 P’75 †, Kevin Mehling ’51 †, and Charles Cuomo ’59 † brought us a record $5.5 million last year. I hope the stories and gifts celebrated here will invite you to consider your own legacy gift to Xavier. We stand ready to discuss legacy giving and assist you in any way that is helpful.

Please reach out to Mark Mongelluzzo or any member of the advancement staff with questions.

It is a great honor for me to serve as Xavier’s President. Xavier is an institution grounded in faith, responsibility, integrity, service, and clear thinking. We are built on and transmit a legacy. To those who actively supported that work last year with gifts to the Annual Fund, scholarships, special projects, or planned giving, thank you. I invite others to join us in doing so this year.

Please keep the work of Xavier and her sons in your prayers.

Be assured of my prayers for you and your families.

Sincerely,

Jack Raslowsky President

2016-17 YEAR IN REVIEW

History is Unveiled

On September 15, Xavier dedicated FernandezDuminuco Hall—the school’s first major expansion in nearly a century. The six-story building is named for its principal donor, Mike Fernandez ’72, and his mentor, former headmaster Vincent Duminuco, S.J.†.

11 Inducted into Hall of Fame

On a gorgeous fall evening at Pier Sixty, six living Sons of Xavier—Jack Replogle, S.J. ’51, LTC Desmond Flanigan, USA (Ret.) ’56, Dr. Michael LaQuaglia ’68, Bob Robotti ’71, Mike Fernandez ’72, and Frank Comerford ’73—were inducted into the Xavier Hall of Fame. Augustus Vincent Tack 1890†, George McMahon, S.J. ‘40†, Hon. Francis Ruddy ’55†, Gerald FitzGerald ‘58†, and MSG James Jones, USA (Ret.)† were inducted posthumously.

October

September

Xavier Celebrates Jim Keenan, S.J.

Keenan Commons Hosts its First Play

Student Chapel Restored

Our Town, Xavier’s first theatrical production in Keenan Commons of Fernandez-Duminuco Hall, opened to sold-out crowds on December 9. The Xavier Dramatics Society followed with Into the Woods, the challenging Stephen Sondheim musical, in March.

Thanks to the generosity of Barbara and Vincent Lewis ’62 and the Class of 1964, Xavier restored the Student Chapel of Our Lady to its original grandeur. On March 21, more than 90 guests gathered to celebrate.

March

January Taking Home the Triple Crown

Record Funds Raised for Scholarships

April

December

More than 650 alumni and friends braved a January snowstorm to celebrate the 80th birthday of Xavier’s beloved former headmaster and president.

Jim Keenan, S.J.: The Movie proved to be a highlight of the celebration.

On May 20, the varsity outdoor track team won city and NYCHSAA sectional titles. Earlier in the year, the cross country and indoor track teams took home the same titles for their respective sports.

The Celebrate Xavier Scholarship Gala once again broke records on April 7.

After Leonardo Pereira ’17 gave a stirring speech recalling the impact a Xavier scholarship had on his life, the Gala’s Fund-a-Student drive financed more than two full scholarships.

Rugby Triumphs Again

Varsity rugby won its fifth consecutive state title on June 4, defeating Fordham Prep, 29-12.

Lacrosse Wins City Championship

In just its third season as a varsity sport, Xavier’s lacrosse team brought home the CHSAA B division lacrosse title on May 23.

His Eminence Visits 16th Street Timothy Cardinal Dolan, Archbishop of New York, served as principal celebrant at Xavier’s Ascension Thursday liturgy on May 25.

May

June

PLANNED GIVING

Impact & Legacy

4

Xavier High School

By Mark Mongelluzzo

What is planned giving?

Specifically, a planned gift is a contribution arranged in the present but allocated at a future date. Commonly donated through a will, trust, or IRA account, planned gifts are most often granted once the donor has passed away. Planned gifts can also save estate taxes at the federal and state level, depending upon where you live, which often make them a wise planning choice. There are multiple tools available to craft a planned gift (outright bequests, charitable remainder trusts, life insurance policies, and gifts of retirement plan assets, to name a few) and a qualified estate attorney, tax adviser, or financial planner can help iron out the details that work best for your circumstances.

Historically, Xavier has benefitted most often from outright bequests in the wills of individuals, or, as has become more common in recent years, from gifts of retirement assets.

Above and beyond the legal and financial technicalities, planned gifts are tools with which to make an impact and craft your legacy, regardless of your financial circumstances—and they are proving to be an integral part of Xavier’s future.

T

he Larkin Legacy Society (see page 22) is Xavier’s planned giving society—comprised of individuals who have chosen to leave Xavier in their future plans. The society bears the name of Xavier’s founder, Rev. John Larkin, S.J.†, who established the School of the Holy Name of Jesus (Xavier would not take its name until 1850) on the corner of Elizabeth and Walker Streets in September 1847. Stop and think about Fr. Larkin’s reaction upon hearing the news that his school—the one he founded just four months earlier—had burned down on the night of January 22, 1848 when a furnace caught fire. That must have been brutally discouraging. Yet contemporary accounts note that he was undaunted and firm in his resolve that classes would resume as soon thereafter as possible. And they did, just two days later in a Protestant church downtown. Such was Larkin’s legacy: a firm commitment to the future of Xavier, regardless of circumstances.

That’s why the Larkin Legacy Society fittingly bears his name.

The Larkin Society was founded in the early 1980s and now totals over 270 members, living and deceased, more than 70 of whom have added their names to the roll in the past handful of years; some of their stories are profiled in this report. Many of these individuals share a common trait—they are committed donors, who, year after year, give to Xavier regardless of their financial circumstances. Some might be members of the President’s Council (contributing $1,500 or more a year), but many are not; they are simply loyal contributors who give what they can every 2016-17 Annual Report 5

Impact of Planned Gifts Estate gifts can produce 4% earnings each year in perpetuity if placed in the endowment.

An Estate Gift of

$625,000 $25,000 Annually

A donor who makes an annual gift of $25,000 in his lifetime can continue to do so with a gift of $625,000 from his estate.

An Estate Gift of

$12,500 $500 Annually A donor who makes an annual gift of $500 in his lifetime can continue to do so with a gift of $12,500 from his estate.

6

Xavier High School

PLANNED GIVING

year, but have made plans to have an enduring legacy on 16th Street after they pass on. Others are donors for whom needs during retirement make them less able to give on an annual basis, but who have made certain to include Xavier in their future plans.

Xavier is extraordinarily grateful for all of these Larkin Legacy Society members because planned gifts (along with major gifts, the Annual Fund, the Celebrate Xavier Scholarship Gala, and the Hall of Fame Dinner) have a palpable impact upon everything we do here at Xavier, each and every day.

“

Largely because of the impact of large bequests received during the past few years, Xavier slowed the growth of tuition and increased financial aid.”

T

his past year, when the Finance Committee of the Board of Trustees met to recommend the 2017-18 tuition, the group looked to the multi-year financial model approved by the Board a few years back that projected a tuition of $19,000 for the 2017-18 school year. Largely because of the impact of large bequests received during the past few years—along with prudent stewardship of Xavier’s assets—the Finance Committee was in a position to slow the growth of tuition, recommending an $18,500 price point instead, and an increase in the financial aid budget. Both recommendations were approved by the Board.

That savings of $500 per student, coupled with an increase in the financial aid available, is an example of the real impact planned gifts can have upon everyday finances at Xavier.

M

ost people (even people of faith) are uncomfortable talking about their own deaths, but are very comfortable—passionate even—about the possibilities for crafting an impactful legacy. Xavier has spent 170 years educating young men in the Jesuit tradition, and there are thousands of alumni and parents who are grateful for the education it provided them or their sons. Planned gifts provide an opportunity to pay back, to pay it forward, to remember, to celebrate, to leave a lasting legacy—all for the greater glory of God. Our loyal Sons from the 1940s and 1950s have always given generously to Xavier, in giving percentages and in actual dollars, since Xavier began recording annual giving statistics in the early 1980s and well before. In fact, annual giving percentages for these classes have always ranked among the highest, year after year. In the past few years, as we lose more and more loyal Sons from these two decades, Xavier has seen an average loss in annual giving of

$50,000 collectively. Replacing such a shortfall in the Annual Fund every year, roughly 2% of the entire fund, presents its challenges.

In addition, Annual Fund goals increase each year (usually by another 2%), compounding the challenge. Thankfully, however, all of our donors (alumni, parents, graduate parents, friends, and foundations) have helped us reach or surpass our goal year after year. Another trend has also helped: Alumni who, through their estate plans, have effectively endowed their annual gift.

Historically, Xavier’s endowment has done well enough to draw 4–5% annually in earnings to help fund operations. That policy is in line with prudent financial strictures agreed upon by most professionals. If an alumnus who gives Xavier $500 annually bequeaths $12,500 to Xavier’s endowment, he has effectively ensured that his legacy will continue to provide approximately $500 ($12,500 x .04) annually. The more that trend perpetuates itself, or the greater the number of our loyal Sons who remember Xavier in their estates, the larger the endowment will grow and produce revenue that supports our mission.

The reality is that most alumni have greater capacity to give through their estates than they do while giving annually in life. The increase in property values, smart investing for retirement, and wise financial choices make this possible. Giving USA reports that some colleges in the United States see donors bequeath gifts 2,500 times their annual giving level. That is an inspiring statistic, but one need not go that far. Bequests of any size matter. Last year, bequests to Xavier ranged between $1,000 and $4 million for a total of $5.5 million, and each of them made a difference in the lives of our students.

A

ccording to recent studies by Giving USA and the Stanford Social Innovation Review, the Baby Boomer generation is about to begin the largest transfer of wealth in history.

Studies also indicate, however, that a large percentage of this generation has done little in the way of estate planning. If you have seriously considered making an estate gift to Xavier but do not have an attorney to assist you in the process, we can put you in contact with someone who can help. We can also help you determine what you wish your legacy to be. From endowing a scholarship to supporting a specific program or activity at Xavier, to providing for capital needs or simply making an unrestricted gift, we look forward to speaking to you about how you can have an impact upon future generations of our Sons. Xavier alumni and parents are often in a position, after taking care of family, to consider a gift of some sort—whether it is an outright bequest of a specific amount, a percentage of an entire estate or the residuary after others are accounted for, or gifts of retirement assets like an IRA. If you have the desire to help perpetuate Xavier’s mission, the right tool to help you achieve this goal can easily be found.

If you have already made plans to support Xavier through your estate, please let us know. Too often we find out that one of our alumni (or his spouse) has left Xavier a bequest or made the school the beneficiary of an IRA only after death. We want to be able to thank you for your generosity and thoughtfulness while you are still with us, while also ensuring that your wishes are followed appropriately. Often that means we will memorialize your plans with an agreement that details your desires. Your commitment is not only important to Xavier, but also important in helping to inspire others—classmates, teammates, and friends—to follow your lead in joining the Larkin Legacy Society.

“

Last year, bequests to Xavier ranged between $1,000 and $4 million for a total of $5.5 million, and each of them made a difference in the lives of our students.”

For more specific details about planned giving opportunities, please visit www.xavierlarkinsociety.org or reach out to Mark Mongelluzzo at 212-901-5151 or mongelluzzom@xavierhs.org.

Like Fr. Larkin, your commitment to Xavier’s future is integral to sustaining our mission. Thank you for all you do to help make that mission real each and every day.

2016-17 Annual Report 7

Loyal

SON and True With little fanfare, E. Peter Corcoran ’46 † made extraordinary contributions to Xavier for decades, wishing to repay his alma mater for the gifts it had given him. Upon his 2016 passing, Corcoran bequeathed to Xavier the largest estate gift in school history—earmarked entirely for student scholarships.

His wife, Faith, and his children now carry on his legacy.

By Shawna Gallagher Vega When Peter Corcoran arrived at Xavier in September 1942, turbulence and uncertainty abounded. Nine months earlier, the Japanese had attacked Pearl Harbor, catapulting the United States into World War II; on the home front, his mother, Margaret, struggled to raise five children after losing her husband, the young lawyer and politician Edward Corcoran, at the height of the Great Depression.

Peter Corcoran would always remain in awe of his mother, never understanding how she found the money 8

Xavier High School

to put him and his four siblings through school. Perhaps because of that, he soaked up every opportunity Xavier afforded him—and he committed himself to one day making those opportunities available to other students in need.

Even as a teenager, Corcoran gave of himself freely.

His Xavier transcript features the following description of him as a freshman: “Very capable in studies and very generous.” Three years later, the November 5, 1945 edition of the Xavier Review portrayed him this way: “From the first time Peter ventured forth from the wilds of Jamaica to Sixteenth Street he has carried with

“

My husband always said that education is the greatest gift we can leave our children.”

FAITH CORCORAN

2016-17 Annual Report 9

1.

4.

3.

10

Xavier High School

2.

7.

5.

him a virtue that has been synonymous with his name through four years…charity,” the author wrote. “Peter has always been ready and most willing to give his time unstintingly to the performance of these small tasks which enjoin no glory or praise. … A typical lunchtime sees Pete in the Café munching on a sandwich and trying to explain to the strictly linguistic Cavalier’s Theorem or the volume of a pyramid.”

“The ‘Einstein’ of senior year,” as the writer referred to him, would soon matriculate at Yale University, serve in the Air Force, and eventually ascend the heights of American business. But Xavier remained his anchor.

“The importance of Xavier in his life might best be described by the simple fact that for more than 40 years, his Xavier saber hung over the back entrance—which in fact was the main entrance—of the home where he and his wife raised their six kids,” his daughter Carole Corcoran recalled. “And when our parents downsized a few years ago, everyone wanted the sword.”

6.

1. Peter Corcoran, bottom left, with other members of Xavier's Senior Sodality.

2. Peter, bottom right, on the track team at Yale. 3–6. With Faith on their wedding day in 1955; together on a business trip in Greece; in Peru; and on their front porch in Point O'Woods, Fire Island. 7. With four of his children—Chris, Carole, Alex, and Beth Corcoran—in Point O'Woods.

8. With his granddaughters Lexie, Caroline, and Emme Corcoran in Point O‘Woods.

8.

More than a year after his death, Faith Corcoran and her children remain reflective about Peter’s legacy. He materializes in the tales they tell of his sense of humor, his mischievous pranks, and his love for family traditions.

“My father loved routine,” Beth Corcoran remembered. “We had a formal family dinner every night at 7 p.m., but it wasn’t stuffy.

Dad would get home at 6:45 p.m., have a Scotch, and then we would sit down and talk about our day.”

Kathy Corcoran remembers those nights for another reason— her father always arrived bearing a Hershey’s bar in the breast pocket of his suit jacket. “Whoever won the family tickle contest got to share the chocolate bar with everyone else,” she recalled.

“Sharing a chocolate bar eight ways can be difficult—but he taught us how to share.”

Family was paramount to Peter, having lost his own father at the age of 9.

During their 62 years of marriage, he and Faith experienced their greatest joys with a house full of children and grandchildren— especially at their beloved summer home in Point O’Woods on Fire Island. And each year on December 26, they took their extended brood on a family trip.

His grandchildren expanded Peter’s world in a way he hadn’t anticipated. “My mom always wanted grandchildren, but Dad said he didn’t expect what a blessing they would be,” Carole said.

“My grandpa came over to our house as often as he could, and I loved coming home from school and seeing him sitting outside my house reading on the porch,” said his granddaughter, Annabelle Corcoran. “He was one of my best friends, and I really miss him.”

2016-17 Annual Report 11

Peter Corcoran instilled in his children and grandchildren a love of family, a sense of positivity and perseverance, and a constant pursuit of excellence. “My father always wanted to improve,” Beth said of her dad, who swam, sailed, skied, and played tennis well into his 80s. He loved reading and exhibited a lifelong passion for learning.

“My husband always said that education is the greatest gift we can leave our children,” Faith Corcoran reflected. “The Jesuits at Xavier had a great influence on him, and he wanted to pass that opportunity on to others.”

Throughout his life, he did so privately. “He preferred to remain anonymous," Faith said.​When he was inducted into the Xavier Hall of Fame in 2014, he skipped the formal dinner at Pier Sixty at Chelsea Piers, shying away from public attention.

“While he was very successful in his career and in making money, he did not care about status symbols and material things,” Kathy recalled. “He cared about his family and friends.”

When they discussed their estate plans, Faith asked her husband if he wanted to cement his legacy at Xavier with a naming opportunity. He refused, choosing instead to pursue the legacy of student scholarships. Countless young men will benefit from that decision for generations to come.

Now Faith plans to make her own estate gift to Xavier to honor her husband. “He always felt Xavier prepared him for life,” she said, crediting her gift to Peter’s wishes. “This is Peter’s gift which he had intended for a long time and which I supported.”

“My father wanted to do this because of what Xavier did for him,” Carole noted. “He wanted to do that for other people.”

“ 12

My father wanted to do this because of what Xavier did for him. He wanted to do that for other people.

Xavier High School

CAROLE CORCORAN

Daniel Rodriguez ’58

John Meditz ’66

FOR XAVIER Richard Scheller ’74

Richard Nolan ’83

Ask any Xavier graduate about his formative years on 16th Street, and his response will echo the age-old themes of other loyal Sons. Rigorous academics. Relentless discipline.

Deep care. Pervasive spirituality.

On the pages that follow, alumni members of the Larkin Legacy Society tell their Xavier stories.

2016-17 Annual Report 13

PROFILES OF GENEROSITY

John Meditz ’66

By Mark Mongelluzzo

14

Fifty-one years after his Xavier graduation, John Meditz ’66 has never really left the building. Now in his fourth year as chair of the Board of Trustees, his service to his alma mater extends back decades. From the Meditz Family Learning Center to Keenan Commons, Meditz has made his mark on the Xavier campus and enjoyed a front-row seat during its first major expansion in nearly a century.

Inducted into the Xavier Hall of Fame in 2008, Meditz is a savvy investor who has enjoyed a successful career in finance. He currently serves as managing director and co-founder at Horizon Kinetics, LLC, a firm that describes itself as “an independently owned and operated investment adviser that adheres to a long-term, contrarian, fundamental value investment philosophy.” In many ways, Meditz has adopted a similar strategy in his relationship with Xavier. He is invested for the long term, with an outlook that extends far beyond the present to a horizon with a bright future of which he intends to remain a significant part.

Meditz believes strongly that an education is the most important gift one can receive in life. He currently sits on the boards of his grammar school (St. Augustine School in Union City, New Jersey), Fairfield University (where he earned a bachelor’s degree in 1970), and John Cabot University in Rome, in addition to his service to Xavier. “A quality education allows individuals to gain a better foothold for the balance of their lives, not just in terms of employment prospects, but for a lifelong love of learning,” he said. “I believe that the high school experience is of primary importance in the educational cycle and with an education like that available at Xavier, especially if it can remain financially accessible to all, much can be achieved by its graduates.”

Meditz has never hesitated to invest in his vision of keeping Xavier exemplary and accessible—year after year for decades, he has ranked among the school’s most generous donors, and his lifetime giving total puts him at the very top of the list. He established two scholarships that have provided financial assistance to students for nearly two decades, and he was the impetus behind the Class of 1966 Scholarship established in conjunction with his 50th Reunion. He has also made plans for an estate gift. “Offering the opportunity to students less fortunate to attain this exemplary education through scholarship assistance—I see that as an obligation greater even than the benefit I received on 16th Street. My Jesuit education formed my mind, my body, and my spirit. These are all gifts of a quality Jesuit education that I want to see passed along.”

John Meditz’s longstanding commitment to Xavier has helped ensure that the school’s unwavering commitment to academic excellence for all students—regardless of financial circumstances—remains strong. He believes firmly in Xavier’s mission and has helped ensure that her future remains bright, on the horizon and beyond.

Xavier High School

Irma and Daniel Rodriguez ’58

By Shawna Gallagher Vega They’ve been married more than 40 years, but Dan Rodriguez ’58 and his wife, Irma, still finish each other’s sentences. As anyone who’s seen them at Xavier events can attest, they take an obvious joy in each other’s company—and in sharing their gifts with others.

The Brooklynites are loyal contributors to the Xavier Annual Fund and members of the Larkin Legacy Society, indicating their plans to make an estate gift to Xavier upon their passing.

“We’re making a legacy gift because of how grateful we are and how appreciative we are of what Xavier is,” Dan Rodriguez said. “Who I am today is because of this institution.”

A graduate of the University of Miami, Rodriguez enjoyed a long, prosperous career as an architect, eventually running his own New York City-based firm, Montoya-Rodriguez PC Architects. Raised in West Harlem, he originally planned to attend All Hallows High School and follow his father into a federal drug enforcement career—but his father had other ideas.

“Xavier expanded my world,” he said. “Whatever level of success alumni attain is directly attributable to our training here. Discipline, for example. If you’ve been taught about discipline at an early age, it’s foremost in your mind.”

Rodriguez credited that discipline, Xavier’s religious formation programs, and its caring, attentive teachers for making a difference in his life. He still recalls his guidance counselor, Gerard Knoepfel, S.J. †, advising him about a career path 60 years ago. “You’re not going to be a musician or a poet,” the Jesuit told him while reviewing an aptitude test, “but you really scored well in spatial relations. You have the ability to see what’s around you.” Fr. Knoepfel suggested a career in architecture, and the rest, as they say, is history.

Architecture brought Rodriguez back to Xavier when his good friend Gerald FitzGerald ’58 † asked him to visit and consult on a possible project. Rodriguez decided to volunteer his time instead, first serving on the Plant Committee and eventually becoming its chair. In 2006, he began the first of two terms as a member of the Board of Trustees. Along with FitzGerald, he co-chaired the 15th Street Task Force, providing crucial analysis and guidance as Xavier prepared for its first major expansion in nearly a century.

He and Irma have been familiar faces at Xavier for years, taking great interest in faculty and students, committed to helping those in need.

“My parents always told me, ‘If you have an apple, you can share it with six people,’” Irma Rodriguez recalled.

“Now that I have a lot of apples, how can I say no when people ask for help?”

“Giving back proportionately is one of the most important things you can do,” Dan Rodriguez added. “We look at Xavier as another family.”

2016-17 Annual Report 15

PROFILES OF GENEROSITY

Jennifer and Richard Nolan ’83

By Shawna Gallagher Vega As a former advancement staff member and chair of Xavier’s Board of Trustees, Richard Nolan ’83 knows better than most the critical importance of fundraising. That’s why he and his wife, Dr. Jennifer Mussi Nolan—a former Xavier trustee herself—have included Xavier in their estate plans.

With a young daughter (Clare Elizabeth, age 2½) at home, it may seem early for the busy parents to be thinking about planned giving. But given Xavier’s importance in both of their lives, they want to ensure that their generous annual gift continues in perpetuity.

“My wife and I are very much engaged in Xavier and its ongoing success.

It’s important to us,” said Nolan, a partner at McCarter & English in Newark.

“I understand and appreciate the importance of the Annual Fund to the success of Xavier. I understand and appreciate the importance of capital giving to Xavier. The estate gift is the next, logical progression when you consider ways of supporting a school that is very important to you.”

“Jen joins me in this perspective—the concept of permanently endowing an Annual Fund commitment,” he continued. “That’s the way we view it. There are lots of different ways to conceptualize an approach to an estate gift—you can make a gift in support of the scholarship endowment or capital needs. I find appealing the notion of endowing in perpetuity our commitment to the Annual Fund.”

As a former Director of Annual Giving at Xavier, Nolan’s priority is unsurprising—but it was born long before his years in the Advancement Office.

“Xavier is unique in ways that make it hard to articulate, to be perfectly honest,” he said. “When I was a student, the sense of community created this strong sense of camaraderie—a very strong feeling that we were deeply cared for by teachers, administrators, and coaches. That sense of community and connection transcends graduation and continues to this day.”

Nolan has expressed his gratitude to Xavier in myriad ways through the years— first as a class chair, then in the Advancement Office, and eventually on the Board of Trustees. He served as board chair from 2008 until 2014, shepherding Xavier through the development and construction of Fernandez-Duminuco Hall. In 2008, he met Jennifer, a fellow trustee and eventual co-chair of the Union Building Task Force, the influential group charged with doing everything possible to help Xavier expand on 15th Street.

“It’s personal for a variety of reasons,” Nolan said of giving to Xavier. “Through my tenure as a member of the advancement staff as well as through my volunteer activity, I’ve seen the impact it’s had, and I understand the critical role of alumni support in the success of Xavier. It goes back to that strong sense of community and that shared sense of gratitude among alumni. Volunteerism and charitable contributions are so strong, and that’s an expression of our desire to show gratitude for the care we received.”

16

Xavier High School

Suzanne and Richard Scheller ’74

By Shawna Gallagher Vega Rich Scheller ’74 is the life of every party he attends—a constant, cheerful face at Reunions, Beefsteak Dinners, and summer receptions. In July, he and his wife, Suzanne, hosted a festive Jersey Shore crowd at the Belmar Fishing Club, their home away from home.

Scheller shows his gratitude to Xavier in part through presence; he has also been a loyal, generous contributor to the Annual Fund for more than 30 years. He and Suzanne intend to continue that support through the Larkin Legacy Society.

“Since we have no kids of our own, my wife and I thought it would be the right thing to do to keep supporting Xavier students after we are gone,” Scheller said. “By being able to give the gift of a Xavier education to several students, we will ensure continued excellence.”

The New Jersey native supports his alma mater in recognition of the education and care he received as a student on 16th Street. “I was fortunate to have so many great teachers whose influence on me can be felt even today,” he said, crediting John Finnegan †, Brian Moroney, Vincent Taylor, S.J. †, Martin Feeney, S.J. †, Bill McGowan, S.J. †, Vincent Duminuco, S.J. †, and Jim Keenan, S.J. “I always tell people I was educated at Xavier and grew up at Boston College. When I left Xavier, I was fluent in two languages, had read novels in French, read so many of the classic authors, been introduced to the New York arts scene. I felt ready for the world. At BC, I learned the ways of American business, began life-lasting friendships like I did at Xavier, and continued to develop who I was, building on the Xavier foundation.”

In the early years after his college graduation, Scheller’s involvement with Xavier “was limited to a check.” But when he decided to move back to the New York area from Boston, Xavier’s premier alumni event lured him home to 16th Street.

“I started to attend the famous Beefsteaks with Tim Crowe ’74, Kevin McLaughlin ’74, and Mark Granito ’74,” he recalled. “Mark got me involved with school fundraising, and the next thing I knew I was the class chair. I have enjoyed making phone calls to classmates and reconnecting after so many years.”

Today, he and Suzanne are passionate about funding student scholarships and paying forward the blessings they have received. “I have seen first-hand how well the money is used, and many of Xavier’s families need the financial help,” he said. “I do not believe any qualified individual should be denied a Xavier education because of finances.”

“Xavier was quite simply a wonderful place to go to high school. The administrators, faculty, and students all worked together to bring out the best in all of us,” Scheller continued. “That same spirit lives on to this day. Xavier touched all our lives, and many of us would not be what we are today without Xavier.”

2016-17 Annual Report 17

Ways to Give EVERY GIFT TO XAVIER MATTERS, NO MATTER THE SIZE.

Listed below are options to consider when making your gift.

CASH OR CHECK Gifts may be made by cash or check, payable to Xavier High School.

CREDIT CARD Credit card gifts may be made by visiting www.xavierhs.org/give, sending in an Annual Fund donation card complete with your credit card information, or calling the Advancement Office at 212-337-7611.

STOCKS OR SECURITIES A gift of appreciated stock generally offers a twofold tax saving: avoiding capital gains tax on the increase in value of the stock and providing an income tax deduction for the full market value of the stock at the time of the gift. Gifts of stock are valued at the mean price on the date of transfer to Xavier. Stock donations should be transferred directly by your broker to Xavier’s brokerage account at Vanguard. For your convenience, visit

www.xavierhs.org/stock and fill out the form to notify Xavier of the stock gift, or contact Mark Mongelluzzo (mongelluzzom@xavierhs.org or 212901-5151) or Shane Lavin ’03 (lavins@xavierhs.org or 212-337-7611) with the details as soon as the gift is made. This will ensure proper and timely crediting of the donation to your gift record and avoid any confusion as to the origin of the gift.

MATCHING GIFTS Many employers will match employees’ donations.

This opportunity presents an additional source of income for Xavier and an easy way to leverage your gift into a larger donation. To find out if your company participates in a matching gift program, check with your human resources department or go to www.xavierhs.org/give, click on Employer Gift Matching and search for your employer.

Donors must initiate the matching gift process, so be sure to secure the proper forms to forward with your gift to Xavier. Donors are given credit for

GIVE NOW

www.xavierhs.org/give 18

Xavier High School

their original gift and any matching gift they secure.

PLANNED GIFTS Donors may consider giving through such means as life insurance, bequests, or charitable trusts. Gift planning can be a way to reduce or avoid estate and inheritance taxes. We encourage you to speak with your financial planner when considering any type of planned gift.

Xavier is pleased to provide you, your attorney, or tax advisor with additional information and assistance. Keep in mind that this information is general in nature. Always contact your professional tax advisor to learn how this general information relates to your individual circumstances. We are grateful for your philanthropic support.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, please visit http://xavierlarkinsociety.org or contact Mark Mongelluzzo, Director of Development, at 212-901-5151 or mongelluzzom@xavierhs.org.