A Push Forward

The Class of ’58 was a small group by Seattle Prep standards – only 72 graduates. They are a tight knit bunch and meet every five years to reminisce. Bryan Saario ‘58 and several classmates had a conversation about starting a class endowment over twenty years ago. Then it faded.

In 2008, one individual started making modest monthly gifts. “Having a class endowment gave us a target. It was more than I could do on my own,” he commented. For several years, he was the only donor.

“It took our class a long time to get it off the ground,” said Mick Flynn ’58. “Jerry Dinndorf was the real motivator. It was kicking around for a number of years, and he kept bringing it up.”

Jerry sent out several emails and they raised a little money, but fell far short of their $50,000 goal. Jerry reflected, “We did as much as we could.”

With encouragement from Liz Brennan, Prep’s Director of Development, he brought it up again in 2013 at their 55^th reunion. Several classmates responded, including one who made a multi-year pledge, bringing their total to a little over $20,000.

Jerry continued to encourage his classmates to give back to a place that had given so much to them. “Prep gave me a foundation that served me all my life – values and capabilities,” said Jerry. “But more than that, the camaraderie that developed between different individuals – it was a band of brothers sort of thing. I had the same experience serving with individuals in the Marine Corps.”

“The camaraderie ties us together,” said Paul Maffeo ‘58. “Every class needs a leader who builds connections with others in the class. We couldn’t have done it without Jerry! The endowment evolved into our esprit de corps.”

“Early on, not everyone recognized the benefit of a Prep education. But over time, they all said how important it was in guiding their future,” said Dinndorf ’58.

“Something quite remarkable was going on when I was roaming the decrepit halls of the old building,” recalled Jim Carrell ’58. “Even though the math program at Prep wasn't especially distinguished, the Jesuits instilled an appreciation of logical argument and rational thought. The classes of ‘57 and ‘58 together produced four math PhDs (Frank DeMeyer ‘57, Gary Haggard ‘58, John Hopcroft ‘57 and myself), all of whom had notable careers in academia. This confluence of incipient mathematical talent in such a small school was remarkable, and Prep played an important role in bringing it to fruition.”

Last spring, during the 24-hour GiveBIG “Prep for the Future” endowment campaign, one of their classmates (who prefers not to be named) issued a challenge. He would donate $10,000 if his classmates would match it, no matter how long it took. “They stepped forward,” he said. “So I gave them a push.”

Once again Jerry put the word out. This time the response was overwhelming. One classmate doubled his previous gift. Several gave for the first time in a decade. Inspired by his classmate’s generosity, another gave $1,500 – his first gift in 25 years.

Twelve gifts came in over 24 hours and the Class of ’58 Endowment doubled. “That (challenge) gift made all the difference in the world. It really moved us forward,” said Gary Haggard ‘58.

“I gave because Prep was an important experience in my evolution,” said Kelly Pickering ‘58. “I have an awful lot of respect for the Jesuits and what they stand for. I hitchhiked from Redmond in those days and I was never late for school. I got in trouble with Fr. McDonnell freshman year for whistling in the locker room. But it was a great time in my life.”

Pickering continued, “My favorite quote from Ignatius is ‘Love consists in sharing what one has and what one is with those one loves.’ Today I enjoy the opportunity to return something I was given. God created everything we have - all the gifts we enjoy - so we’re really just returning it.”

“I wasn’t supposed to be successful because I had dyslexia,” said Steve Windell ’58. “But I received an appointment to the Air Force and proved everyone wrong. Prep was one of the reasons.”

“Prep was an extension of my family,” shared Flynn. “It probably true for a lot of us. We had wonderful teachers who helped form us and wanted us to succeed. I look at my classmates the same way. You look back on it and the people stick with you. One of my reasons for giving is so that others can have some of the same memories.”

Giving to a class endowment had a special meaning for several classmates. “I take some pride in what they’ve accomplished and what they’re doing. I want to participate, especially because there weren’t very many of us. Creating a class endowment is an opportunity to return something to a place that gave you a lot and help other young men and young women participate in that experience,” said Pickering.

“It’s a way to honor your friends,” said Flynn.

Maffeo said, “The small $50s and $100s are more meaningful when given in a group.”

“Schools like Notre Dame and Duke are who they are because of their endowments,” said Gary Merlino ’58. “School maintenance costs are unbelievable. Endowments keep them going. It’s a foundation that can’t be changed, can’t be torn down, and it gathers momentum with each new gift.”

Supporting tuition assistance was also important. “Support for kids that can’t come to Prep because of financial need is my top priority,” said Phil Perry ’58. “That’s why my wife and I support endowments for tuition assistance. It’s important to help a student for all four years.”

“I’ve always given to financial aid and endowment,” shared Haggard. “As a public and private university faculty member for 48 years, I understand the value and necessity of the endowment. Financial aid is the one way the school makes the kind of classes that gives everybody the talent and diversity to deal with, and learn from... in high school you’re still trying to figure out who you are and where you’re going. More than teachers, it’s your fellow students’ diversity that shows you what the world’s all about and helps you define yourself and your future.”

“A gift to the endowment is the love I can express to young people who really need it,” said Windell.

Today the Class of ’58 is within striking distance of the $50,000 in contributions needed to become a named endowment and fully support a student at Prep.

“If you don’t start it, nothing will ever happen,” said Flynn. “But if you start, there will come a time, God willing, that it will be fully funded.”

“Persistence in building a class endowment is really important,” said Dinndorf. “I knew not everyone would contribute, but there may be someone (in each class) willing to step up and help out. We've been very fortunate that some people had the means to make significant contributions and chose to do so.”

Endowments are a permanent part of life at Seattle Prep, even though its buildings may not be. “I went by campus the other day to pick up my grandson and noticed something different. It (Adelphia) was all gone. I cried,” Dinndorf lamented. More than one classmate shared this feeling.

“My hope for current students and my grandkids (who attend Prep) is that they will experience the same results and benefits I had.” Dinndorf paused. “But it’s more than hope, I anticipate it will happen.”