Friday, March 28, 2008
Rescue effort under way
Here's the latest from the Olean Times-Herald on AWHS efforts to sustain itself. Looks like much work remains to be done. Here's the sense I'm getting: the money-raising part may be easy while the getting of students could be difficult. Disappeared students = disappeared school. Apparently, more will be evident in April, at least according to this article.
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Hello everyone,
My name is J.P. Butler and I am the advancement director at Archbishop Walsh. I'm also a member of the class of 2003, and the majority of my family (my father, John '72, many aunts, uncles, cousins and my siblings)are also proud graduates of Walsh.
I would like begin using this forum and the school's website to keep our alumni updated and involved on the happenings at Walsh. As you know, we have begun a fundraising campaign called the Walsh 500. The goal of the Walsh 500 is to obtain the commitment of at least 500 individuals to donate $1,000 to the school each year for the next five years. Since this letter was received by our alumni and friends on March 8, we have raised nearly $330,000 in major donations, pledges and one-time gifts for over the next five years. That puts us at 13.2% of the total goal of $2.5 million over five years.
In addition to the Walsh 500 campaign, we in the advancement and business offices have sent out appeal letters to virtually every business in the Southern Tier explaining that they, too, have a stake in Walsh's success. We're also in the process of sending letters out to every bishop in the United States explaining our situation and asking for their help. On top of all that, we have been working on fleshing out our strategic plan and sending it to a few key business people who have approached Father Barry about making a significant contribution to the school. We are confident that 13% could be closer to about a fifth of the goal by the middle of this month.
I know many of you have also inquired about recruitment. Brother Michael Hicks, our recruitment director, has stated that over 50 8th grade students took the placement exam at some point during this school year. He said we usually end up enrolling about 60-70% of the students who take the exam. In addition, Brother Mike has been working closely with the Seneca Nation of Indians on a partnership that would send up to 20 of their students to Walsh next school year while all of their tuitions would be paid for by the Senecas. If this indeed becomes reality, we may even start a lacrosse team starting next season.
To answer the big question though -- I don't believe Fr. Barry or our current board of trustees has any intention of packing it in anytime soon. The meeting held on March 13th was very positive and many people stood up and stated what Walsh had done for them or their children, and what it can do for future students.
On a personal note, I intend on doing everything I can to help our alma mater. I have a brother who is currently a junior here, and I want to see him graduate from Walsh. I have a lot of friends who went to Olean High, but I do not want to see my brother have to graduate a Huskie. He is beginning to understand what Walsh pride is all about, and I'd hate to see him have to go to a new school for his senior year. Also, my dad coaches football and I was able to help him this year with the offense. He's volunteered much of his free time to Walsh sports and events, as I know many of our families and friends have also done.
There is still too much to fight for to just roll over and let our school close now, as much as the diocese wants to see that happen.
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