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91ºÚÁÏ’s began with an ambitious goal — to raise $300,000 for student financial aid — and almost fell short of attaining it. But TAC parents and grandparents, past and present, came through in the end.

“I had serious doubts that we would make it,� admits Dr. Paul J. O’Reilly, the College’s vice president for advancement and its president-elect. “Last night, we were tens of thousands of dollars short, which was not entirely surprising, given the size of the goal and the state of the economy. It’s a remarkable testament to the gratitude and devotion of our parents that we reached the goal by midnight.�

The Day of Giving — centered around May 1, the Feast of St. Joseph the Worker, but not actually held on that date, which fell on a Sunday this year — began with a $75,000 lead matching gift from a member of the College’s Board of Governors, Dr. Thomas Krause, and his wife, Cathryn. Several other, anonymous benefactors also made matching gifts, for a total of $150,000.

“The Krauses, who are themselves the parents of an alumna, really set the tone for the event, inspiring fellow parents to generosity,� says. Dr. O’Reilly. “And another member of our board, Chairman Scott Turicchi, and his wife, Lannette — parents of a junior on the California campus — were heroic as well. In the day’s final hours, the Turicchis made a very generous gift of $10,000, which inspired another TAC parent to make a $25,000 gift in honor of our beloved and retired chaplain, Rev. Cornelius M. Buckley, S.J.�

In total, TAC parents made some 215 gifts, which, combined with matching gifts, totaled $319,407. “To meet our goal, and then exceed it, was a wonderful blessing,� says Dr. O’Reilly. “We are heartened by the trust parents afford the College, not only by sending their children here, but also through their sacrificial gifts — on top of tuition — that continue long after graduation. We pray that we can continue to earn that trust by a providing a truly excellent Catholic liberal education that is faithful to the teachings of the Church and draws upon the treasures of her intellectual tradition.�