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Saint Joseph's News |
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$10 MILLION DONATION FROM ALUMNUS TO HELP FUND SAINT JOSEPH'S ACQUISITION OF EPISCOPAL ACADEMY CAMPUS PHILADELPHIA (February 24, 2006) — Saint Joseph's University alumnus and trustee Brian Duperreault, the chairman of Bermuda-based insurer ACE Limited, has donated $10 million to his alma mater to help fund the purchase of Episcopal Academy's Merion campus. Saint Joseph's and EA agreed to terms on the sale of the property last summer. The University will take possession after Episcopal Academy constructs and occupies its new campus in Newtown Square. Duperreault's gift matches the $10 million donation made by James J. Maguire '58 last September, also for the Episcopal property, which will be renamed the Maguire Campus once the University occupies it. They are the largest individual gifts in Saint Joseph's history. The University will honor Duperreault's gift with a future naming opportunity. "The leadership shown by Brian Duperreault is a vivid illustration of the Jesuit concept of magis — ever striving for the more," said University President Timothy R. Lannon, S.J. "When Jim Maguire made his donation last year, he said he hoped it would inspire other Saint Joseph's alumni to offer their support for this project. I couldn't be more excited that Brian has stepped up and recognized the importance of this acquisition for the University's future." Duperreault is a member of Saint Joseph's board of trustees and graduated from the institution with a bachelor's degree in mathematics in 1969. He was named ACE Limited's chairman, president, and chief executive officer in October 1994. In May 2004 he presided over a successful management transition plan, permitting him to focus on his role as chairman of the board, namely to provide leadership to the Board and represent ACE in key areas such as strategy and government relations. NOTE: Brian Duppereault will be available for media interviews at noon today. Contact Tom Durso (610-660-1532, tdurso@sju.edu) to arrange an interview. Founded by the Society of Jesus in 1851, Saint Joseph's University advances the professional and personal ambitions of men and women by providing a demanding, yet supportive, educational experience. One of only 142 schools with a Phi Beta Kappa chapter and AACSB business school accreditation, Saint Joseph's is home to 4,250 full-time undergraduates and 3,200 graduate, part-time and doctoral students. Steeped in the 450-year Jesuit tradition of scholarship and service, the University strives to be recognized as the preeminent Catholic comprehensive university in the Northeast. -30- Contact: Thomas W. Durso, Director of University Communications, 610-660-1532, tdurso@sju.edu |