Endowed Gifts

The DeLaSalle High School Alumni Association Endowed Scholarship Fund was created to be the official reservoir for donations from DE alumni for tuition funding of future alumni members –our current students. This fund is supported by memorials given at the time of a death, by designated donations made on fundraising giving days, and with the proceeds of the annual alumni golf tournament.

Each Spring, this fund awards two scholarships to DeLaSalle 11th grade students for application toward their 12th grade year’s tuition.

(1) The Farrell Scholarship recipient is recognized for his or her academic achievement, church involvement, and outstanding service to the school and surrounding community. It is named in honor of alumnus and former Alumni Association President Denny Farrell ’62.

(2) Three Legacy Scholarships, Gold, Silver, and Bronze, are given to students who excel in academics, participate in extra-curricular activities, and are involved in church and community volunteerism. In addition, all applicants must have at least one relative who has graduated from DeLaSalle.

In celebration and thanksgiving, DE alumni gathering for their Anniversary Class Reunions have often chosen to donate a collective class gift. This gift can be assigned to a specific school need such as the Class of 1955’s gift of a new electronic scoreboard for the main gym, or the gift can be in support of the endowed fund for current students’ financial aid scholarship.

DeLaSalle is grateful for the 50th Class Reunion gifts of $50,000 (or more) from the Classes of 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960, 1962, 1964, 1967.

Class leaders who are organizing their class reunion are invited to contact Liz Hewitt, 612-676-7605, to learn more about anniversary class gifts.

John Abdo created the E. John Abdo Family Scholarship Fund to perpetually provide an opportunity for students to access the same DeLaSalle education that he received. The second of nine children of Lebanese immigrants, John was born and raised in Northeast Minneapolis, graduating from DeLaSalle in 1930 as valedictorian, class president, and editor of both the school yearbook and newspaper. While John’s parents primarily spoke Arabic and some English, John became fluent in Arabic, English, and French. He earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Minnesota in 1934 and his law degree from the same school two years later. John received the highest honor in law school by serving as editor of the Minneapolis Law Review from 1934-35. His distinguished career in law, which spanned nearly six decades, began immediately after graduation when he founded his own practice and served as law clerk for two years for Minnesota Supreme Court Justice Royal Stone. John also taught at the Minneapolis College of Law (which later became the William Mitchell College of Law). Described as a “lawyer’s lawyer” for his rare ability to analyze extremely complex legal matter and distill it to essential and understandable terms, John made multiple appearances on precedent setting cases before the Minnesota and United States Supreme Courts. Former Minnesota Supreme Court Chief Justice Douglas Amdahl described John as a “gentle man and a gentleman.” John volunteered for the United States Army as a private in World War II, but he quickly rose to the rank of Captain in the Judge Advocate General Corps and served as chief legal officer for enemy prisoner of war affairs, writing many pivotal opinions about the processing and treatment of prisoners of war. A devout Catholic, John served as Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus, in addition to his board membership with the Hennepin County chapter of the American Red Cross and the Minneapolis Athletic Club. John and his wife, Helene, raised seven children, Bob, Dick, Larry, Ken, Janice, Maureen, and Ann Marie. Bob and John founded the Abdo and Abdo, P.A. law practice, which eventually became Lommen Abdo. Ken later joined the practice as partner. Larry continues to be a good neighbor to DeLaSalle with the Nicollet Island Inn that he owns and operates, in addition to his MyBurger restaurant franchise. John credited his perseverance and education as the foundation for his success and established the scholarship as a thank you to DeLaSalle and to continue his belief in education.

When Jon was an 8th grader at Holy Family Catholic School, in St Louis Park, he envisioned he would follow his friends to the local public high school. After all, he had spent many hours at their open gyms playing pick-up basketball with his friends. However, everything changed when he and his teammates came down to the island for the 8th grade Catholic grade school basketball tournament. Along with a successful run in the tournament, he caught the eye of an onlooker from the stands, who happened to also be the legendary varsity basketball coach at DeLaSalle, Dick Reinhart. 

After that tournament, Coach Reinhart made sure that his young prospect would follow his grandfather to the island for high school. Jon’s grandfather, Eugene A. LaPalme was one of the first classes to graduate from De in 1907.

While on the island, Jon had a remarkable career in the classroom and on the athletic field. He helped the Islanders secure state championships in basketball and baseball (DeLaSalle’s only baseball title to this day).

After graduation, Jon made his way down the river to the University of Minnesota. Just like at De he took his quick intellect and quick hands with him and was an All-American second baseman for the Gophers in the 1960s.

Jon graduated from the U of M, married his longtime girlfriend, Sharon, a graduate of St. Anthony of Padua (who also attended a few DeLaSalle mixers and sporting events over the years) and started a family, raising two daughters. Jon embarked on a highly successful professional career as a stock broker.

Jon and a core group of Islanders from his era were instrumental in revitalizing the school in the 1990s and providing a financial model of sustainability. This led to the school launching a capital campaign for an endowment. At this time, the Jon ’59 and Sharon Andresen Endowed Scholarship Fund was established. Over the past three decades, the scholarship has made the DeLaSalle dream possible for countless young people. Jon and Sharon have personally met and mentored many of the students who have received their scholarship and have often been their most ardent supporters in the stands. 

It is a safe bet today that you will see Jon behind the Islander bench at a home game, cheering the boys and girls on during the basketball season!

Brother David Barth’s passion for teaching, Philosophy, and Christian virtue has left an indelible mark on the DeLaSalle community. 

On Thursday, May 11, 2017, our school lost one of the most iconic teachers that the Institution had ever known. Brother David, a graduate of the class of 1961, devoted his entire life to education and development of students and was a true and wholesome exemplification of the Lasallian charism. The 74-year-old Barth took final vows as a Christian Brother in 1969 and taught at three other Lasallian schools in Minnesota and Wisconsin in the 1970s and 1980s before returning to his alma mater in 1988. Barth also served as DeLaSalle’s Dean of Students and Director of Student Activities, but he is best remembered as a Theology teacher whose lectures were captivating and expectations uncompromising for all of his students. He was known and celebrated for his incredible wisdom and fascinating stories, as well as for his illustrious tie collection and infamous “Thumbnail Sketches.”  Always quotable, insightful, and entertaining, thousands of students have been sharing memories and stories of Brother David for many years.

Brother David leaves behind not only a stalwart legacy in the classroom but also a mythos defined by his constant presence on the streets of Northeast Minneapolis. You could always count on seeing him walking down Hennepin Avenue after school, headed to support the various small businesses of the neighborhood. After finishing the long day of teaching, Brother David liked to read, participate in various chess tournaments, and enjoy a fine glass of scotch and a pipe. 

Even though he had already given his entire life to supporting the Christian Brothers and DeLaSalle, Brother David made one final decision before he passed in order to ensure that his impact remains at the school long after his departure. In his will, he designated DeLaSalle as the sole recipient of his estate, with the intention of creating an endowment fund that will support Islanders in perpetuity. 

Each May, a junior is selected and recognized at the annual Founder’s Day Mass as the recipient of the Brother David Barth Scholarship. The recipient receives a scholarship in Brother David’s name for their senior year. The Theology department reviews applications and considers students who exemplify a passion for their coursework and embody the Lasallian charism in their interactions with those they meet. 

DeLaSalle has and continues to receive hundreds of gifts from the DeLaSalle Community in honor of Brother David. Well done Brother David – You are indeed a gift that keeps on giving to the DeLaSalle family!

Jim and Marie were both blessed with Catholic educations. Jim attended Holy Name in South Minneapolis before DeLaSalle. Marie began at St. Lawrence in NE Minneapolis and completed her high school education at St. Josephs' Academy in Crookston, MN. 

Jim graduated from the University of Minnesota with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. Shortly after, they moved to Whidbey Island Washington where Jim reported for duty to Navel Squadron VP 47. When discharged, they moved back to Minneapolis but soon discovered home was in the Pacific Northwest and returned. 

In 64 years of marriage, they raised four wonderful children and continue to enjoy their ten grandchildren. Jim had a lengthy career in manufacturing and sales for and to the Airplane and Aerospace industries. 

In the 68 years since our graduation, DeLaSalle has continued to evolve and grow. While De in 1956 was very good, today it is exceptional. The depth of Academics, the amazing number of student activities, and the reach into community service are unmatched. As important, there is an emphasis on expanding access for minority students and financial assistance to the economically disadvantaged. 

We are thankful for what God has given us and wish to continue supporting the school and its' deserving students through this Endowed Scholarship Fund. Our hope is that the recipients will go on to accomplish remarkable things and return to continue their support of DeLaSalle. 

The Larry and Naomi Crepeau Endowed Scholarship Fund was established in 2019.  Larry and Naomi grew up in the neighborhoods of Northeast Minneapolis, Larry’s family from the parish of Holy Cross and Naomi’s family from Our Lady of Mount Carmel.  During his years at De, Larry dated his high-school sweetheart, Sharry Gozola, and quite frequently double-dated with another classmate who was dating Naomi. After marrying Sharry in 1963 and enjoying a fulfilling 25-year marriage, Larry’s beloved Sharry died in early 1988 following a lengthy breast-cancer illness.  Larry and Naomi subsequently reconnected and married in late summer 1989.

While attending De, Larry was drawn to accounting by the record-keeping classes taught by Br. Ignatius and Br. Oliver.  He still remembers Br. Oliver requiring all homework to be done in ink with no erasures, therein teaching Larry a discipline for paying attention to detail.  His accomplished career as a CPA is primarily due to the education and inspiration received from the teachers at DeLaSalle.

As Larry and Naomi grew up Northeast, their upbringing instilled in them a desire to share with others whenever they could.  They have never forgotten the people who made a difference for them on their journey and are grateful to contribute to current DeLaSalle students.  The endowed scholarship they have created will support a DeLaSalle student with a demonstrated need and will ensure that generations of Islanders have the same opportunity to thrive as Larry and Naomi did in their youth.

Time and time again, people will say what makes DeLaSalle so special is the people, and this is definitely the case for the Cronin family.

One could never have imagined the multigenerational impact the family patriarch would have on DeLaSalle when Carlton R. Cronin, Sr. enrolled as a freshman from Holy Rosary grade school in south Minneapolis in the fall of 1923. The Cronin family, like many others, became believers in a permanent way. When Carlton’s son, Rick, graduated from DeLaSalle in 1953, he took with him the virtues the Christian Brothers instilled in him during those formative years: a love of faith, family, friends and perseverance. With these guiding principles, good things were destined to happen.

Rick made many friends during his DeLaSalle days and these lasting relationships were solidified even more when he married Ann Liemandt. Ann was well aware of the Islanders through her brother Greg (Joe) ’61 and she attended many mixers in those days between DeLaSalle and St Margaret’s.

Their partnership blossomed into something special. They nurtured six wonderful children and continued to accomplish great things collectively. Rick’s determination really came through professionally, too. He followed in his father’s footsteps in finance and, in 1974, Rick founded Cronin & Company, a firm that specialized in municipal bonds.

Rick and Ann cemented their commitment to DeLaSalle in the early 1980s. They were involved in the school’s revitalization efforts to help stabilize the enrollment, finances, and future. The Cronins and a handful of other passionate benefactors publicly voiced their support in sustaining the Catholic and Lasallian mission on Nicollet Island.

As DeLaSalle’s resurgence continued Rick and Ann wanted to make a gift that would last forever. They established the Carlton R. Cronin Sr. Memorial Endowed Scholarship Fund in honor of Rick’s father, the first of many family members to graduate from DeLaSalle. With his own pedigree in finance, Rick felt passionately that endowments were going to be vital for DeLaSalle’s success moving forward and for Catholic education at large.

This insight has proven to be quite providential for DeLaSalle. Rick and Ann’s passion and love for DeLaSalle has inspired others to step up and do their part to make the DeLaSalle education possible today for young people. The school now has over 50 named endowed scholarship funds and the school’s collective endowment is close to $10 million.

Although Rick and Ann are no longer here with us today, their generosity lives on day after day, year after year through the countless young people they have helped with their endowment fund. Following in their parents footsteps, their children are involved in numerous organizations, including Minneapolis NEXT, which directly impact today’s Islanders. It is pretty remarkable to think of something that started almost 100 years ago with Carlton continues to flourish today with the same guiding principles that have shaped generations of Cronins. Thank you Cronin family!

The Estes family has a long tradition of giving back to their community in the heart of the city. Their deep Christian faith has inspired them to embrace the spirit of the Gospel message at DeLaSalle and beyond. Longtime believers in the educational experience on the island, Brittani’s parents, Richard and April, knew that DeLaSalle was destined to be the school for their daughter. 

As a second generation Islander, Brittani made a lasting impact on her classmates and the DeLaSalle community. She was blessed with many gifts and knew how to share them with everyone. She could sing, dance, play piano and was passionate about her faith. No one had more school spirit than Brittani and being a cheerleader gave her the perfect opportunity to show off her Islander pride. Brittani’s infectious school spirit inspired her classmates and other students to cheer the Islanders on to victory during football and basketball games. In addition to sideline cheer, Brittani also participated in competitive cheer and helped her team find success at state and national tournaments. 

After De, Brittani attended Alabama State University in Montgomery, where she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice. Brittani had aspirations to become a criminal defense attorney.

Brittani was a loyal friend who thrived on meaningful relationships with others. Her bond with her family, especially her mother, April, radiated love. The two regularly checked in throughout the day even though they lived thousands of miles apart. 

The Estes Scholarship honors Brittani’s remarkable life and unwavering love for her family, friends, and the Islander community. One junior who emulates Brittani’s character and passion for life is recognized with an Estes Scholarship Award each spring. This recipient carries forward Brittani’s legacy while also making his or her own impact on DeLaSalle and beyond.

The Dr. Jon and Cynthia Falkowski Endowed Scholarship Fund was established in 2019.

Jon was born and grew up in Northeast and North Minneapolis.   He was baptized at All Saints Church and attended St.Bridget’s School in North Minneapolis. Moving back Northeast in 8^th grade, he attended and graduated from DeLaSalle in 1967. Upon graduation, Jon entered The University of Minnesota, continuing on to the UofM School of Dentistry, where he earned his dental degree.

Today, Jon and Cindy have four children and thirteen grandchildren, around which their lives revolve. Just about the time Jon considered retiring from dentistry, their son, Jonathan, graduated from dental school and joined Jon in their family practice ~ The Dental Health Center – Falkowski Dentistry. Working side-by-side with his son, Jon still enjoys his career after forty-five years.

No biography about Jon would be complete without mention of his lifelong dedication to health and exercise. For him, no day is complete without a workout. Mountain or road biking, hiking, running and golf sustain him to this day. Coupled with Cindy’s ‘hobby’ of healthy cooking, they enjoy each day to the fullest.

Upon reflection of their many blessings, Jon and Cindy are passionate about giving back and paying forward.  As Jon attributes DeLaSalle with having had a major impact on his life, they would like to provide the opportunity for a young person to experience an education at this amazing institution.  Their desire is to offer this scholarship to an individual who shows an aptitude for and wishes to pursue the sciences, perhaps entering the health field. They welcome the chance to support an individual who fits these criteria, but has significant financial need.

It is safe to say that if you look behind the bench at a home girls’ or boys’ basketball game, you will see Charlotte and her husband Bob, cheering on the Islanders. Even though Charlotte did not graduate from DeLaSalle, she is an Islander in every sense of the way! 

Char, as she is affectionately known, grew up in Northeast Minneapolis  where she attended St. Charles Borromeo school during the week and the church on Sundays. Her childhood home was next door to the founding pastor of the church, Father Charles Doran, for whom she was named. 

After St. Charles, like many did in those days, the boys made their way to Nicollet Island to learn under the direction of the Christian Brothers at DeLaSalle and many of the girls, like Char, made their way to St. Margaret’s to learn under the direction of the Sisters of St. Joseph Carondelet. Even though De was all boys and St. Margaret’s was all girls, many a mixer between the two schools happened in those days and Char’s appreciation for the DeLaSalle community started to grow. Bob met Char when she was a freshman and he was a sophomore. And while Char was a student at St. Margaret’s, she performed in plays at DeLaSalle under the direction of drama teacher, Brother Paul.

After completing her studies at the University of Minnesota, her lifelong commitment to DeLaSalle was solidified when she ended up marrying an Islander, Robert Gavin ‘58. Father Doran, Char’s old neighbor, presided over their wedding where he made it very clear to Bob at the end of the mass, “You better take good care of her!” 

Char and Bob have gone on to have a wonderful life, raising a beautiful family and meeting many people on their journey as Bob’s career in higher education took them all over the country. The two love to travel, exercise, and cheer on the Islanders at games in their retirement. Most recently, life has taken them full circle as they recently moved back to Minneapolis where it all started, very close to DeLaSalle.

The Charlotte Gavin Endowed Scholarship Fund was created to honor Char’s lifelong commitment to urban education. This endowed gift in perpetuity will be awarded each school year to a deserving DeLaSalle student in Char’s name.

The LeRoy T. Grones ’46 Endowed Scholarship was created in 2013. LeRoy’s son, Tom ‘70, and his wife, Janet, established the scholarship to honor LeRoy’s memory and to perpetuate their lifelong connection to the history and traditions of DeLaSalle.  This scholarship is awarded annually to a current student who has an affiliation with a ministry in North Minneapolis – St Anne’s Parish, St Bridget’s Parish, Ascension School, and Sacred Heart School.

LeRoy grew up in North Minneapolis and attended St. Bridget’s School. Like many of his classmates, he made his way to Nicollet Island and attended DeLaSalle. A graduate from the Class of 1946, LeRoy declared in his senior yearbook that his favorite quote was from William Shakespeare’s play Taming of the Shrew “I’ll not budge an inch.” In many ways, LeRoy was true to form. He and his wife continued to keep residence in North Minneapolis where they raised their family.

In his professional career, LeRoy worked at Dale Tile Co. for 25 years and then as a real estate agent until his retirement. Upon retirement, he and Janet enjoyed their winters in Arizona and traveling the world where they created many great memories.

LeRoy died in February 2017. His great sense of humor and perseverance made a lasting impression while at DeLaSalle and beyond. His memory lives on every year at DeLaSalle through the recognition of a student who receives this scholarship – who is known as a “Grones Scholar.” 

The Hinz Award is given in honor of Walter “Wally” Hinz, who was a graduate in the DeLaSalle Class of 1960, a long-standing member of the DE Alumni Association, and a proud and tireless promoter of the Islanders. Wally was the oldest of five brothers who all graduated from DeLaSalle.

In March of 1977, a car accident robbed Wally of his eyesight, but it didn’t take away his sense of humor or love of people. He was an inspiration to all especially those who he worked with and for at Vision Loss Resources.

Wally’s memory of the past was truly remarkable. His stories were legendary, his detail awe-inspiring. He loved to find the common thread with anyone and link it to a tale from long ago. Even after losing his sight, he cherished his Monday morning golf games.

Wally passed away suddenly March 29, 2017, from injuries sustained in a fall. His final gift was to donate his eyes for transplant or research.

Wally’s wife Karen and his family established the Wally Hinz Memorial Scholarship to provide financial aid for current 11th graders to apply to their 12th grade tuition. Applicants are evaluated on their academic achievement, community involvement, leadership skills, and Islander spirit –which Wally had in abundance!

This special scholarship is awarded to an 11th grade student who has persevered through a difficult challenge during their time at DE. The award is applied toward the student’s senior year tuition.

The Class of ‘61 created this scholarship named for their classmate, Mike Kelly, who graduated from DeLaSalle despite the challenge of a developmental disability. Mike lives with autism, which wasn’t diagnosed until years after his graduation from DeLaSalle. Knowing he had a learning disability, his mother, Anna, nonetheless enrolled him at DE, believing the challenge would be good for him. Anna Kelly was an ardent Islander supporter until her death in 2007.

Mike Kelly retired after 42 years of employment with Opportunity Partners. He has an incredible memory –able to recall faces, names, and details such as the homeroom number of many of his classmates. Mike readily shares his subtle humor and genuine kindness with everyone he meets.

The Class of 1961 members hope this fund will continue to grow to support scholarship and staffing for special learning needs education at DeLaSalle.

Lawrence was born in North Minneapolis and baptized at St. Anne’s Church, where he also attended grade school. He attended DeLaSalle for high school, following in the footsteps of his older brother Ronald ’50, his father Raymond, and his uncle Edward. At DeLaSalle, Lawrence was a frequent presence on the honor roll as he excelled in math and science. When he graduated in 1951, he was awarded both a Junior Achievement scholarship and a partial scholarship to the College of St. Thomas.

Lawrence received a BS and MS in mathematics from the University of Minnesota, where he would go on to work in academic computing for 37 years,

Rising from Research Assistant to Deputy Director for Networking Services before his retirement in 1998. He probably inherited his way with numbers from his father Raymond, who worked as a bank examiner for the FDIC. Lawrence, in turn, passed this aptitude on to his children and grandchildren, for whom math has frequently been a favorite subject in school. Many of them would go on to earn degrees in math, physics, and microbiology, and to work as math and science educators, computer programmers, or credit analysts.

DeLaSalle always had a special place in Lawrence’s heart, and he was a constant presence at class reunions. He was particularly engaged in the class of 1951’s 50^th class reunion, working diligently to create a memory book reproducing the original senior yearbook and biographical updates on the graduates.

In remembrance of Lawrence, his love of numbers, and his love of DeLaSalle, the family would like to support a senior with an interest in and aptitude for mathematics who displays financial need.

Barry Lieske’s first meaningful introduction to DeLaSalle was in the sports arena. A three-sport athlete, Barry and his teammates from Mankato West were competing in the state tournament in high school basketball. That year, 1975, was the first ever state tournament where public and private schools competed against each other.  Along with Mankato West, there was a first-time private school attendee, from the city, making quite a splash – DeLaSalle.  Little did Barry know, this would be the beginning of a four-decade relationship with the Islanders.

After graduating from Mankato West, Barry made his way up the Mississippi River and attended Hamline University, majoring in biology and education. He continued his passion for athletics by competing in football and in track and field.> It was at this time, he met a fellow Hamline Piper who was also an Islander alumnae, Barb Loso ’78. Barb was also studying education at Hamline and had shared with her classmate that her younger sister’s high school basketball team needed a coach. Barry’s passion for athletics, education, and growing friendship with Barb inspired him to come across the river to Nicollet Island.

This “coaching job” led to Barry’s vocation in the Lasallian mission. Barry has served in many roles on the island – coach, dean, athletic director, guidance counselor, principal, and President. But no matter where he has been on the campus, he has been a Lasallian who understands that at the core it is about meaningful relationships with young people and modeling Gospel values.  

The Barb and Barry Lieske Opportunity Scholarship was established in the spring of 2020. The entire Islander community wanted to express their gratitude to Barb and Barry’s fidelity to the DeLaSalle mission over the last 41 years – the greatest gift being their children, Meredith ‘07, Maddie ‘09, and Morgan’13. This scholarship will be awarded annually to one current DeLaSalle student who just needs a little extra help to have the opportunity of a lifetime – a DeLaSalle education.

Bruce (‘61) and Mary Louiselle wanted to provide some assistance to students who otherwise might not be able to seek the benefits DeLaSalle High School offers in the form of quality educational opportunities, sound character formation, and spiritual discernment. It is for that reason that they funded the Bruce and Mary Louiselle Endowed Scholarship Fund in their name.

Growing up in Northeast Minneapolis, Bruce attended St. Charles Borromeo Church and Elementary School. He was a part of the last class attending at the remote DeLaSalle freshman facility. Having sufficiently experienced the cold and snow of Minnesota, Bruce left Minneapolis to attend George Washington University in Washington D.C. In September 1961, he met his future wife, Mary. They married in 1964 at St. Matthew’s Cathedral in Washington D.C. and have resided in Northern Virginia ever since. He graduated from GW in June 1965 with a BA in economics. He subsequently graduated from the George Washington University School of Law with a Juris Doctor degree in 1970, being awarded the Order of the Coif.

He began his fifty-seven year professional career in 1966, joining a consulting firm specializing in public utility economics and became the owner of the firm in 1975.

Over the past 50 years Bruce and Mary traveled extensively, visiting some 75 countries and seven continents, often with their son Bryan who died suddenly in 2022. With numerous relatives still residing in Minnesota, Bruce and Mary return to Minneapolis (in non-winter months) for family visits. Prior to Mary’s death in March, 2024 they established the Bruce and Mary Charitable Trust from they funded this scholarship.

It is their hope and expectation that this, and future assistance to DeLaSalle will help students achieve success along their chosen path.

John J. “Jack” and Cindy McGirl established their Endowed Scholarship Fund in 2009 for students who need financial help to attend DeLaSalle.

Jack was born and raised in South Minneapolis and attended St. Albert the Great School before becoming an Islander in 1949. Jack went to De for his freshman and sophomore years before graduating from Cathedral High School in Duluth, which has since closed. He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps and served three years. Jack earned his undergraduate degree in history from the University of Northern Iowa in 1959 and his law degree from the University of Minnesota in 1962.

Jack practiced law with two large Twin Cities law firms for 45 years, specializing in Commercial Litigation and Labor & Employment Law.

Cindy was raised in New Market, Minnesota, and attended Bethlehem Academy in Faribault. She later continued her education at St. Catherine University in St. Paul, earning bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Theology.

During the summer months, the McGirls return from their primary home in Scottsdale, Arizona, to live and visit family and friends in the Twin Cities.

"I can do more." Those four words - spoken by Sally Nordling upon experiencing DeLaSalle's mission at the Christian Brothers' Gala in 2011 - cemented her role as an Islander and became the genesis for a scholarship bearing her name that she launched a year later. 

When Sally attended her first Christian Brothers’ Gala her heart was touched by the DeLaSalle mission and the sincerity of the community. She wanted to help in any way she could. After learning more about DeLaSalle families and their needs, Sally and the administration designed and formalized the Sally’s Scholars program. 

The program, which has become a tradition on Nicollet Island, each year helps a group of twelfth grade students whose families are facing unforeseen hardships to fulfill their financial obligations so they can graduate. With Sally's commitment to "do more", over 100 families have been able to truly celebrate their graduation, having met all their obligations to the school. Sally's unwavering pledge is characteristic of the work of the Christian Brothers, who vow to work "together and by association" with lay partners to provide a Christian education. 

Sally's impact is felt by the many students and families whose lives her generosity has touched. As a mother of three, she understood well the importance of providing a nurturing environment in which students can excel. The philosophy of helping deserving students is shared by her family, whose support extends beyond DeLaSalle to other organizations locally, nationally, and globally. Sally was inducted into the DeLaSalle Hall of Fame in 2017 in recognition of the amazing work she has done for the school and passed away in the fall of 2023.

Time and time again, the Islander graduates set an example by making an indelible mark that will last for generations for today’s students. When Jim Trainor and his wife, Florence, named DeLaSalle a beneficiary in their trust, they made the dream of a Nicollet Island education possible for a deserving family.

Jim grew up in North Minneapolis, with a family involved in Ascension Catholic Church. After getting years of tutelage from the Sisters of St Joseph, Jim and many of his classmates became “Brothers’ Boys” under the care of the Christian Brothers instruction at DeLaSalle.

After graduation, he joined the Navy, where he served honorably as a radioman in the Pacific theater. After the war, Jim attended the University of Minnesota on the GI Bill, earning a degree in journalism and communications. This degree helped propel him into becoming the Public Relations Manager for Minnegasco where he became the company’s public face for over 30 years.

Jim never forgot his deep roots on Nicollet Island. Thank you, Jim, for believing in the “Islander Spirit” and for being a great example to others of paying it forward for the next generation of Islanders. The newly created, Jim and Florence Trainor Endowed Scholarship will live on in perpetuity – Islanders Forever!

The Gus Zuccaro ’39 Scholarship Fund was established in 2022 in honor of August “Gus” Zuccaro, a proud member of the DeLaSalle class of 1939.

Gus was born and raised in the “Little Italy” neighborhood of North Minneapolis. He was baptized and attended grade school at the Basilica of Saint Mary. After graduating from De in 1939, Gus proudly served in the US Navy and Reserves for 39 years. Following his military service, he worked for Minnegasco as a meter reader until his retirement in 1982.

In his later years, Gus was a cherished presence at the annual DeLaSalle Homecoming pep fests, proudly representing the 1930s era and enthusiastically serving as a spirit stick judge. He was also a regular speaker at the annual alumni and friends luncheon in Naples, where he frequently shared how much DeLaSalle had changed his life for the better.

After passing away at the age of 99½ in 2021, the Gus Zuccaro ’39 Scholarship Fund was established to help students with significant financial need attain the DeLaSalle education Gus valued so much.