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Advancement - Ways to Give

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Bishop McDevitt High School
2200 Market Street
Harrisburg, PA  17103-2499

By Phone

717-236-7973 ext 400

Bishop McDevitt Endowment Funds and Scholarships

A Scholarship is a form of financial aid given to a student to help pay for their education in all or part.  A scholarship is a gift based upon financial need, ones merit or both.

An Endowment is an investment that is set up as a permanent fund for the purpose of long-term return.  The principle of the fund is not touched.  Part of the earned interest is used for the purpose of the fund, while the rest is reinvested into the principle to allow the fund to grow.  

FOCUS, The Foundation of Catholics United in Service, is a Harrisburg Diocese Trust Account investment vehicle, which is used for the purpose of holding these funds and creating growth for our future needs.  FOCUS was created by Bishop Nicholas C. Datillo as a means for every catholic school within the Diocese to plan for the future needs of their schools.

Endowed gifts can be restricted or unrestricted, designated by the person(s) that wish to establish a fund for the benefit of our school.  To create an endowment, a minimum gift of $5,000 is required.  If you wish further information on establishing an endowed gift, scholarship fund, honorarium or memorial scholarship fund, please contact the Advancement Office.

The following is the list of current endowment funds and scholarships that have been established to benefit Bishop McDevitt High School and our students.  Most of the funds listed are endowed funds and will grow in perpetuity to benefit future students of our school.  Gifts can be made to any of these funds at any time.  Please contact the Advancement Office for further details at (717) 236-7673.

The Bishop McDevitt High School Scholarship Fund is endowed through the FOCUS fund.  The purpose of this fund is to provide financial aid to those students who require tuition assistance.

The Bishop McDevitt High School General Purpose Fund is endowed through the FOCUS fund.  The purpose of this fund is to provide monies over the budgeted funds for the needs of the school, whether it is for the building or grounds.

The Tracy Endowment Fund was established from the bequest of David E. Tracy.  Its soul purpose is for Tracy Hall maintenance as needed and determined by the principal and the board of education.

The Neil MacDonald Jespersen ’81 Memorial Scholarship Fund is endowed through the FOCUS fund.  Created in the memorial of Neil by his parents, the purpose of the fund has preference given to a student who is a parishioner of St. Francis of Assisi Church, Harrisburg, as determined by the Pastor of St. Francis and the Principal of Bishop McDevitt who is in need of tuition assistance.

The Helen M. Bream Memorial Education Fund was established by the Bream family in honor of their wife and mother Helen who was an advocate of education.  Helen and her husband John are the parents of a 1953 and 1956 Catholic High/Bishop McDevitt graduate.  The purpose of this endowed fund is to provide tuition, scholarships or other assistance to qualified students with financial needs.

The Maria Behr ’78 Memorial Scholarship Fund was established by the Behr Family along with classmates and friends of Maria.  Maria was killed in the 9/11 attack on the World Trade Center.  The purpose of the endowed fund is to provide tuition assistance to an eighth grade graduating student from Holy Family School, Harrisburg, continuing their education at Bishop McDevitt, whose character exemplifies the fruits of the Holy Spirit and displays the desire and potential to succeed in high school.  The Principal, in consultation with the teachers of Holy Family School, shall determine the recipient of the Maria Behr Memorial Award.

The William J. Knoll Scholarship Fund is an endowed fund with FOCUS.  Its purpose is for tuition assistance as determined by the Principal.

Established in July of 2004, The Student TWIN TOWERS Publication Fund is an endowed fund through FOCUS.  Interest disbursed from this fund is set up for the following purpose:
50% towards the moderator’s stipends
50% at the discretion of the moderator together with the Principal

The William F. DiStefano (Steffy) Memorial Buildings and Grounds Fund was established to provide funds for the maintenance and upgrade of the buildings and grounds in the football field area as determined by the Principal and the board of education.

The Deacon Alphonse R. Formica Memorial Scholarship Fund was created in memory of our teacher, coach and mentor, Mr. Al Formica.  Mr. Formica began teaching at McDevitt in September 1961.  While on staff, Al taught Humanities, English, and History.  He became the Assistant Principal, started and led our students to Speech and Debate competitions, and also began the soccer program.  He also coached JV football in his early years at McDevitt.  He, along with his wife, Mary, parented 7 children, all McDevitt grads (’80,’82,’84,’85,’88,’91, and ’92).  Mr. Formica became Deacon Al when the Catholic Diocese of Harrisburg opened the first lay deaconate program in the 1980’s. Deacon Al lost his battle with heart disease in April of 1991.  Gifts given to the school in memory of Mr. Formica are used to help with tuition assistance.  Deacon Al believed in the spirit of the Bishop McDevitt Community and believed all students should be given the opportunity to attend Bishop McDevitt High School.

The James and Elizabeth O’Leary Memorial Scholarship Fund was established by their children, all Catholic High/Bishop McDevitt grads,’53,’56,’60,’62,’66 and ’68.  It is an endowed fund with the preference purpose of providing tuition assistance to a Bishop McDevitt High School student who is a parishioner of the Cathedral Parish of St. Patrick as determined by the Principal.

The Dr. Robert H. Rempe Scholarship Fund has been established to honor Dr. Rempe and his years of service to Bishop McDevitt High School.  The interest on this endowment will provide tuition assistance for students attending Bishop McDevitt.

Established in October 2006, the Sister Rita K. O’Leary ’53 Scholarship Fund was created to honor Sr. Rita for her years of service in Catholic education.  The interest earned from this scholarship fund will provide tuition assistance for a student attending Bishop McDevitt at the discretion of the Principal.

The Father Daniel J. Mahoney Scholarship Fund was established in 2008 for the sole purpose of providing tuition assistance to a needy student attending Bishop McDevitt High School from Holy Name of Jesus Parish.  Father Mahoney was pastor of Holy Name of Jesus Parish for 35 years and taught Latin classes at McDevitt after his retirement.  

United Way
The United Way Campaign for 2009-2010 is under way.  Please consider selecting Bishop McDevitt as the recipient of your gift.  Our school code is #10409, and please include Bishop McDevitt High School, Harrisburg in the description.  Thank you!

SECA Campaign
SECA campaign 2009-2010 is underway.  When you receive your forms for the State Employee Combined Appeal, please consider designating McDevitt as the recipient of your donation.  The school code is 4401-0073, please write Bishop McDevitt High School, Harrisburg.  Thank you for your continued support of our school.

Paving Our Future
We have been constructing a beautiful brick walk to add to the distinctiveness of our architecture and to raise needed funds.  It has been admired by all who see it.  To date, over 600 bricks have been sold.  Some bricks commemorate loved ones, other celebrate graduations and anniversaries, but all are a lasting tribute to Bishop McDevitt High School.  Viewing the walk the next time you visit McDevitt is a must. Click here to download a form.