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Published on Thursday, 05 February 2009 15:01
The Ave Maria Grammar and Prep School has received a multi-million-dollar donation from the family of local philanthropist Jack Donahue (right) and will rename the school to honor his wife, Rhodora Donahue. The school has scheduled a ceremony Feb. 20 to officially make the change.
The donation, which is part of a $5-million gift to both the Grammar and Prep School and the University, will offset much of the cost of the first phase of the school's construction, said Headmaster Dan Guernsey. The school will also be kicking off a capital campaign this month to raise $1.1 million to finance the second phase, which would open the second floor of the building and let the school substantially increase its enrollment.
Dr. Guernsey also said that the school will change its athletic symbol from the Sabers to the shamrock, which was suggested by the Donahue family. "The rich Trinitarian symbolism and versatility of the image will help create a great tradition," Dr. Guernsey said in a letter to parents.
A name change had been possible from the school's inception, Dr. Guernsey said, noting that the school's original capital campaign in 2005 stated, "For a particular donor with the means to donate $3.5 million, the opportunity of naming rights for the entire school exists."
The Donahue family has previously made substantial donations to Ave Maria University and the planned athletics facility will be named the Donahue Recreation Center, according to university literature.
Jack Donahue, 84, founded and built Federated Investors, a large investment management firm based in Pittsburgh. He and his daughter, Patricia Donahue Dolan, both serve on the Ave Maria University board of directors. (Pictured is Mrs. Rhodora Donahue with her daughter, Patricia Dolan, at a 2005 fundraising event in Pittsburgh.)
