Conwell-Egan Catholic High School Receives Historic Gift From the Danaher Lynch Family Foundation

Alumni Give $5 million to School Equaling the Largest Philanthropic Gift Ever Received by an Archdiocesan High School

Sarah Webb/CatholicPhilly.com

Today, Mr. Daniel A. Lodise, President of Conwell-Egan Catholic High School (CEC), located in Fairless Hills (Bucks County) announced in front of the entire school community a gift of $5 million made by the Danaher Lynch Family Foundation (DLFF). The foundation was established by Patricia and Thomas Lynch.  Mrs. Lynch is a 1972 graduate of Bishop Conwell High School and Mr. Lynch is a 1972 graduate of Bishop Egan High School. The two schools merged in 1993 to form the current Conwell-Egan Catholic High School.   

The donation from DLFF is the largest in CEC’s 60 year history and equals the largest philanthropic gift ever received by a high school in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. 

Mr. Lynch is the Executive Chairman of the TE Connectivity Board of Directors (NYSE:TEL).  He previously served as the company’s Chief Executive Officer from January 2006 to March 2017 and was elected Chairman of the Board in January 2013. He transitioned to the role of Executive Chairman of the Board in March 2017.  TE is a $12 billion global technology leader.  

In addition to Mr. Lynch’s support of the school as a benefactor, he serves as Chairman of its Board of Limited Jurisdiction.

DLFF’s mission is to help unleash the potential of the people in their community. DLFF is centered on the belief that a good education makes many things possible.  The foundation goals are primarily focused on investing in students and Catholic schools in the greater Philadelphia area. 

“Conwell-Egan Catholic has had a significant impact on this community for the past 60 years.  The Danaher Lynch Family Foundation hopes to see this continue for generations to come,” said Mrs. Susan DiLisio, Executive Director of the Danaher Lynch Family Foundation.

The gift is transformational for CEC. It will allow the school to enhance many of its existing academic programs, make capital improvements, and create a Center for Student Leadership.

 Mr. Daniel A. Lodise, President of Conwell-Egan Catholic High School said, “We’re truly grateful for the support from the Danaher Lynch Family Foundation and for their unprecedented commitment to Conwell-Egan Catholic.  This gift will significantly impact the educational experience of every student who walks through our doors. This September we celebrated our 60th anniversary, today we celebrate the start of a golden era at Conwell-Egan Catholic.  Catholic Education is alive and well in Bucks County.”

Mr. H. Edward Hanway, Board Chair and Interim Chief Executive Officer, Faith in the Future, and Mr. Christopher Mominey, Chief Operating Officer and Secretary for Secondary Education, participated in the announcement which was streamed via FacebookLIVE on the official Facebook page for Archdiocesan Schools https://www.facebook.com/AOPSschools/.

Mr. Mominey said, “….the roots of our schools run long and deep to the days of our fourth bishop, Saint John Neumann.  He sought to provide an educational experience centered on the model of Christ that young people would carry throughout their lives.

That legacy is alive and well today at Conwell-Egan Catholic High School thanks to the creative visions of school leaders, the hard work and dedication of faculty members, the confidence of school families, and the generosity of the Danaher Lynch Family Foundation.”

Background on the Danaher Lynch Family Foundation (DLFF)

Currently, DLFF offers scholarships to students who wish to attend Conwell-Egan Catholic High School and face financial challenges.  The application process takes a holistic approach looking for a well-rounded individual who can benefit from the academic, extra-curricular, and community service opportunities available at CEC. Whenever possible, they offer scholarships to students who have faced and are overcoming challenges in their own lives.

The first year, scholarships for the Class of 2019 started with four students, with a scholarship renewable for all four years of high school. Growing by leaps and bounds, the second class included twenty students for the Class of 2020, with another commitment to 29 additional students for the Class of 2021.

To better support and recognize CEC continued excellence in Fine Arts, a few scholarships for the Class of 2021 were reserved for students who excel in the arts. These scholarships complement CEC’s existing programs, and work to create a great holistic educational experience. DLFF looks to build a community of individuals who will continue giving back to society.

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Editor’s Note: To learn more about Conwell-Egan Catholic High School, please visit www.conwell-egan.org/.  For information about Catholic Schools in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, please visit www.aopcatholicschools.org/.  For more information on Faith in the Future please visit, faithinthefuture.com/

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Meredith Wilson
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215-587-3747