The year in review

Boston College wrapped up a successful year by raising $82,076,086 in pledges and $56,626,591 in cash, bringing the total amount reached by the Ever to Excel Campaign to $372.8 million, against the overall goal of $400 million. The Boston College Fund's Fides Society had a total of 2,956 gifts of $1,000 to $4,999; the President's Circle had 500 gifts of $5,000 to $9,999; and the Gasson Society had 626 gifts of $10,000 or more. The Reunion Gift Program raised $16,936,872, which is the second-largest reunion total in the University's history.

The President's Circle reached the milestone of 500 gifts for the first time in its 20-year history. "We have enjoyed tremendous success this year in both increasing our membership and the dollar amount raised by President's Circle members," said President's Circle executive committee chair Susan McManama Gianinno '70.

Gianinno and the executive committee launched a number of new initiatives, including the Presidential Perspective program and a series of breakfasts at which current and prospective members were invited to network.

President's Circle gifts provide funding for various needs and programs such as tuition grants, junior faculty research grants, and religious and developmental retreats for students.

The 5th, 20th, and 25th reunion classes all raised the bar for future reunion classes at Boston College. The 5th reunion Class of 1997 was led by gift chair ReRe Petrillo-Corcoran and raised $178,000 for the University. The Class of 1982's 20th reunion gift chair Patricia Flaherty led her class to a total of $1,648,523.

The Class of 1977's 25th Reunion gift chair, Leo Vercollone, spurred his class on to raise $2.7 million for Boston College. As a part of this effort, the Class established the William G. Minardi '77 Memorial Scholarship Fund, which recognizes their classmate killed in the destruction of the World Trade Center on September 11. The scholarship was announced at the Loyalty Luncheon: A Celebration with the President (see photo and caption, above) during Reunion Weekend. Minardi's wife, brother, and sister were in attendance.

Members of the 25th Reunion Gift Committee for the Class of 1977, from left: Leo Vercollone (chair), Tom Sullivan, and Jennifer Lynch, with President William P. Leahy, SJ. The occasion was the Loyalty Luncheon: A Celebration with the President, held during Reunion Weekend. The Class of 1977 raised $2.7 million for its reunion gift, including a special fund established to honor the memory of classmate William G. Minardi, who died in the collapse of the World Trade Center towers on September 11, 2001.

Photo: Justin Knight


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