Saint John's donors give over $3 million, becoming the largest Student Fund in school history

Saint John’s University raised $3,093,677 for the 2017-18 Student Fund, the largest in school history. The year was the first time donors gave $3 million for current scholarships for undergraduate students at the College of Arts and Sciences. It was also the first time in recent memory SJU achieved its Student Fund goal early, exceeding $3 million on June 28.

The Student Fund supports scholarships for current Saint John's students, including Trustees’, President’s, Dean’s, Art, Music, Theatre, Legacy, out-of-state, and Catholic high school scholars. During the 2017-18 academic year, 98% of students received scholarships or financial aid.

“I want to thank the thousands of parents, friends and alumni who contributed to the Student Fund,” said Brian Kelly ’99, president of the Saint John's Alumni Association in 2017-18. “This year was our biggest and most successful year ever, which is a testament to how much people love Saint John’s and want to help current students.”

4,925 donors supported the Student Fund, including 3,987 Saint John's alumni.

“Volunteers made this effort successful,” said Kelly. “Because of their contributions of time to reach to their peers on behalf of Saint John’s, students will be able to access Saint John’s for another year.”

“I especially want to recognize the alumni classes who led in participation, donors, dollars and Fellows,” Kelly said.

Reunion Alumni and Spouses

Alumni classes celebrating Reunion 2018 (the 5th through the 60th reunions) contributed $548,369 toward the Student Fund, from 823 donors.

The Class of 1958, which celebrated its 60th reunion, had a 53% participation rate – the highest of all reunion classes.

The 40th reunion Class of 1978 had 97 Student Fund donors in 2017-18, the most of all reunion classes.

The 40th reunion Class of 1978 gave the greatest amount to the Student Fund, totaling $85,811.

The Class of 1968, in its 50th reunion, had the largest increase in donors over the previous year, with 58 new donors.

All Alumni and Spouses

Among all classes, the Class of 1970 gave the largest amount to the Student Fund, totaling $144,642. The Class of 1965’s total of $124,900 was second highest, followed by the Classes of 1963 and 1980 who gave $111,246 and $104,118, respectively.

The Class of 1981 had the most Fellows Society donors, with 26 classmates giving $1,000 or more to the Student Fund.

Volunteers

The Alumni Association Board of Directors had a 100% participation rate in the Student Fund for the seventh consecutive year. Together the 43 members of the board contributed $48,311 in Student Fund support.

Parents

Current parents of Saint John's students showed record support during the fiscal year. 198 current families contributed $45,360 to the Student Fund.

641 parents of SJU alumni supported the Student Fund in 2017-18, giving $131,994 for scholarships.