Jesuit Prep receives $5 million gift

by PegNews wire

Jesuit College Preparatory School of Dallas has received its largest donation in the school’s 66-year history. The Mike & Mary Terry Family Foundation gave a $5 million gift that serves as a springboard toward reaching the school’s goal in its We Are Jesuit campaign. The gift was announced by Reverend Philip Postell, S.J., president of Jesuit.

In recognition of this landmark gift Fr. Postell announced that Jesuit’s arts, athletics, and assembly building will be named The Mike & Mary Terry Family Foundation Center. The building, completed in 2000, serves as the focal point of the campus and is the home for many school and Jesuit community events. A ceremony to officially dedicate the building will take place at a school assembly on September 5, 2008.

“It’s easy to talk about support, but much rarer to exhibit commitment,” said Fr. Postell. “The Terry family has always led by their involvement and deeds. Their lead gift will provide real encouragement for others throughout our community to participate in this endeavor.”

The contribution is to be divided between the capital and endowment initiatives of We Are Jesuit, a five-year drive with a working goal of $26.5 million. The gift will provide approximately $3.8 million to help fund the construction and remodeling of several campus facilities, including new classrooms, enhanced student commons areas, and improved athletic facilities. Approximately $1.2 million will be added to the Jesuit Fund for Excellence and two endowments previously initiated by the Terry family, The Thomas D. DeLoache ’71 Memorial Debate Endowment and The Mike & Mary Terry Family Foundation Faculty Fund.

The Mike & Mary Terry Family Foundation was funded in 2006 by Michael F. and Mary D. Terry. Their daughter Melissa Pridmore, a 1997 Ursuline Academy graduate, serves as executive director. The Terry’s two sons graduated from Jesuit, Michael in 2000 and Travis in 2002. In addition, the Terry’s son-in-law, Dustin Pridmore, is a 1997 Jesuit graduate.

“Three generations of men in our family were blessed with an education from Jesuit,” said Mary Terry, founder, The Mike & Mary Terry Family Foundation. “It is our honor to make this gift and support the We Are Jesuit campaign which will benefit students for years to come.”

“While our family has personally benefited from the superior education provided at Jesuit, we also recognize the positive impact it has made on thousands of other families,” said Mike Terry, founder, The Mike & Mary Terry Family Foundation. “The Terry family strongly believes in promoting excellence in education and we are delighted to make this investment in Jesuit.”

The gift continues the Terry family’s long history of support to Jesuit and the Jesuit Foundation. Mr. Terry concluded a two-year term as the Foundation’s chairman in 2007 and has also served as a member of the school’s board of trustees. Mr. Terry currently serves as co-chairman, along with Mr. Charles “Chick” Young, of the We Are Jesuit campaign. Mrs. Terry is a member of the Jesuit Women’s Auxiliary and has been an active volunteer in many initiatives including the school’s renowned Celebration Auction. The Terry’s have previously established endowments in support of the school’s faculty as well as its debate program.

Source: Jesuit College Preparatory School of Dallas