Jay Hartmann '60

When I retired in 2001 from a career in corporate communications I became involved in volunteer activities through my parish community in Short Hills. Among the most rewarding activities are those that involve work with inner city parochial elementary and high schools in New Jersey.

Although facing challenging realities, these high schools provide truly transformative experiences for their students. It is not an overstatement that the schools provide what may be the students' only real opportunity to change their lives for the better - to go on to college, establish a career and build a strong family life. Now perhaps more than ever, this is what Loughlin does for its students.

None of this comes easily. A caring and nurturing faculty and staff are key. And of course there are significant costs incurred to achieve these outstanding results.

Beyond the annual fundraising campaigns, however, is the critical need for Catholic high schools like Loughlin to supplement these funding efforts by building strong, meaningful endowment funds. These endowments provide a reliable source of funds to grow scholarships, strengthen academic programs, maintain competitive faculty compensation levels and support program development.

Loughlin's development office offers many options for those who wish to establish an endowment fund. For example, through my will I plan to set up an endowment fund in my parents' memory to provide scholarships for deserving students with financial need.

This provides a meaningful way for me to "give back" to Loughlin - to honor the dedication and hard work of those who made Loughlin the outstanding school it is today. As importantly, the endowment will help ensure that Loughlin will continue to provide life changing opportunities for its students in the years ahead.

Jay Hartmann '60