With one of the largest altruistic gifts in the 118-year history of St. Thomas, Houston philanthropists Glenda and Russell Gordy have pledged to match every new donation up to $2.5 million in the St. Thomas Double You Donation Challenge, slated from February 21-May 20, to complete funding for the 4500Forever capital campaign.

The Gordy’s commitment arrives during the final stages of the $66 million fundraising effort, initiated by the school in 2014, aimed at continuing the tradition of cultivating academic innovation, recruiting and retaining the finest faculty and scholar enrollment, and creating exceptional student opportunities.

“The gift by Glenda and Russell Gordy is benevolence practiced at the highest level,” said St. Thomas President Fr. Kevin Storey, CSB. “Their generosity represents what our expansion is about – increasing our ability to empower a diverse student population and will have an impact well beyond the borders of our campus. We are blessed and grateful that the Gordy’s are helping position St. Thomas to ignite change and develop the next generation of passionate, ethical leaders.”

The Double Your Donation Challenge will equip the Basilian Fathers to continue building a premier college preparatory environment and will provide a profound influence on countless Eagle students, faculty, staff and alumni.

“We hope our contribution is a direct boost to students who otherwise would not have the possibilities that St. Thomas provides,” Russell says. “Many private schools carry exorbitant costs and appeal to an extremely low percentage of the population. That’s not what Glenda and I are about, and she’s the decision maker on our gift-giving. She told me this was worth pursuing and we should do it.”

Catholic. Basilian. Teaching Goodness, Discipline and Knowledge since 1900.