The most important thing I learned at SLUH is perseverance. Nothing valued is lightly or quickly gained. My teachers taught me to think critically and to never give up. Life throws you unexpected challenges. My SLUH experience taught me to respond in a balanced manner with the knowledge that there is a reason for all things good and bad that happen in life.
I feel it is important to pay back SLUH for all that it has given me. Mrs. Backer, through her generosity, allowed me to attend SLUH at a cost that was affordable for my family. All alumni have an obligation to "give back" and ensure that the SLUH legacy and experience is as available to future students as it was to its alumni.
There are tax advantages to giving over time and I certainly will avail myself of these opportunities. But even without these benefits, I still would donate to SLUH in a significant manner because I believe in its mission...to educate our boys in a Catholic tradition.
It is incumbent on all alumni to make a commitment to our school's future. After all, we owe a debt of gratitude to the generosity of the Backers and all of the school's supporters.