More Than a Lifelong Connection

At Cathedral, we often talk about how our graduates have a lifelong connection with our school. However, alumni and alumni parents can create a connection with Cathedral that will be there long after they are gone—through an endowment. Arthur L. Smith and Maria Mercedes Plant are alumni parents who did just that.

Arthur and Mercedes' son came to Cathedral and it is because of his positive experience here that they created an endowment that provides tuition assistance through the Maria Mercedes Plant and Arthur L. Smith Endowed Tuition Assistance Grant.

"I am a big believer in education," Mercedes says. "My husband and I have succeeded beyond our expectations, so we want to give back. To know that by creating an endowment, we will be able to continue giving after we are gone, that is very satisfying to us."

Supporting Your Beliefs

When initially choosing a school, Mercedes knew that the attention Cathedral teachers give their students would make a difference in her son's future.

"The teachers were key in guiding him, to helping him find out who he was, and he has succeeded in college and beyond."

When his parents asked him about making a donation to his college, the answer was no.

"He said Cathedral was so critical to who I am and who I have become that I want you to keep supporting Cathedral and giving other kids the same opportunity I had," Mercedes says.

Giving the Gift of Forever

"My request was to create an endowment to provide tuition assistance to either an African-American or Hispanic student," says Mercedes. "I am originally from Latin America and my husband is African-American. Diversity is so important. These children need opportunities to become who they have the potential to become."

With an endowment, donors can choose what their gift supports and know that the gift will go on forever. Or, gifts may be made to the general Cathedral endowment and be used wherever the school has greatest need. Either way, an endowment provides the chance to make a gift that lasts forever; memorializes the family name or a loved one; or supports a favorite program or activity.

If you are interested in more information, please contact Abbe Ernstes at aernstes@gocathedral.com or (317) 968-7348.