For Immediate Release: Contact: Robin Nolan
August 4, 2021 Director of Institutional Advancement [email protected]
FATHER JUDGE HIGH SCHOOL RECEIVES MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR COMMITMENT
Larry Berran ’89 and Mike Sicilia ’89, Two Global Software Executives and Faulkner Automotive Group provided initial support for the school’s Capital Campaign, which will launch broadly in the fall of 2021.
Father Judge High School and The Friends of Father Judge High School, Inc. (The Friends) recently received multi-million dollar commitments from Larry Berran ’89, the Chief Executive Officer of iPipeline, Mike Sicilia ’89, the Executive Vice President of Oracle’s Global Business Units, and the Faulkner Automotive Group.
Supporters of Father Judge High School are investing in strategic initiatives to benefit a diverse spectrum of students. The school is launching a capital campaign to raise $15 million for the construction of a 20,000 square foot Career Pathways Academy Building, the renovation of Science Labs and an aggressive push towards a robust endowment, ensuring the long-term viability of Father Judge. To date the school has already raised over $6 million as it prepares to launch the public phase of its campaign this fall. Both Berran and Sicilia have made multi-million dollar commitments to the school to support its strategic plan and its focus upon “real world initiatives.”
When asked about his financial commitment to Father Judge, Berran, stated, “I am blessed to have awesome parents who sacrificed so I could be provided a great education at Father Judge High School. My parents believed education was the key to opportunity in this world. It’s amazing how effective Father Judge is in providing a world class education at investment levels far below what is spent by public schools. I want to give back so that others less fortunate may have the choice to pursue the same opportunities afforded me. Father Judge’s strategic plan is a vehicle to help change the lives of countless young men by bringing them real world experience, educational support, a dynamic curriculum and incredible teachers. Combined with Catholic values and decades of success the school is known for, and you have graduates that employers in the region will be lining up to recruit and employ.” Sicilia said, “Like Larry, I am grateful for the terrific education that I received at Father Judge. I support the school because it continues to be a source of guidance for young men during the most critical development phase of their lives. The school’s leadership has forged effective partnerships with alumni and leaders from business, city and state governments … and it cares. When the school president, Brian King explained how the virus was devastating some Judge families, our community of Judge Guys donated $100,000 within weeks. Judge hearts respond quickly. When you think about the potential impact these initiatives will have, it’s an exciting time to be a Crusader and I am happy to be a part of this next phase of Father Judge High School’s evolution.”
In addition, the Career Pathways Academy Building will be anchored by the Faulkner Institute for Automotive Excellence. When asked about the $1 million commitment to Father Judge, Faulkner Automotive President & CEO Harry Faulkner stated, “The vision of Father Judge’s Career Pathways Academy is a perfect fit for our focus on ensuring today’s students have job opportunities that will allow
them to remain in our communities and become our future leaders. The Faulkner Institute for Automotive Excellence will teach students to work as professionals in the automotive field, offering instruction in basic and advanced skills in maintenance, diagnosis and overhaul procedures. The unique Mentor Technician Program will guide students in the trade and enhance automotive service in their communities. We look forward to involving neighboring dealers, manufacturers and suppliers in the Greater Philadelphia area with this new and innovative program.”
Brian Patrick King ‘97, President of Father Judge High School said, “Father Judge’s administration and faculty strive to provide an educational model grounded in quality, excellence, and the ability to meet the aptitudes and interests of students. Based on observation of student learning techniques that lead to achievement, teachers collaborate on methods that are effective, fun, and cultivate growth across the curriculum. Our school is undergoing an evolution that will allow us to best position our students for success in the future.” King continued, “I am grateful to Larry Berran, Mike Sicilia, and the Faulkner Automotive Group for their commitment and support of Father Judge High School and the Capital Campaign.
This is an exciting time to be a part of the Father Judge High School community. Father Judge has a supportive alumni base with over 27,000 graduates. The school is supported by its alumni, known as “Judge Guys” and by an influential school board that includes members Berran and Sicilia. The Board, Alumni and many, many Friends of the institution continue to demonstrate their loyalty financially and to exhibit a fervor that continues to attract new supporters.
Father Judge High School was founded in 1954. The all-boys school is dedicated to educating its students’ minds and souls in the spirit of Saint Francis de Sales. This fall, the school expects to welcome 210 freshmen, one of the largest incoming classes of any school in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. With 183 graduating seniors, the school is poised for continued enrollment growth.
Established in May 2002, The Friends are a Pennsylvania nonprofit corporation with Officers and Directors who fundraise on behalf of Father Judge High School. All funds raised by this organization are managed and securely designated for use at the school. Since its formation, The Friends have raised and invested over $15 million to make improvements to the school campus, provide financial aid, and fund academic programs that complement the traditional curriculum.
For more information about Father Judge High School and the Capital Campaign, please contact [email protected].
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Editor’s Notes:
For additional information about Father Judge High School, please visit fatherjudge.com/. For more information about schools in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, please visit aopcatholicschools.org/. For information about Faith in the Future Foundation please visit, faithinthefuture.com/.
Contact:Contact: Kenneth A. Gavin
Chief Communications Officer
215-587-3747 (office)