Hall of Fame - Marian Catholic High School

Profile of Philanthropy
Veritas Society
*Mr. Mark Altman ’66
Mr. John Benish ’84
Anonymous
Mr. Anthony Boggiano
Mrs. Catherine Schulze Coll ’68
Ms. Mary Jane Doerr ’70
Friend of Marian Catholic
*Mrs. Kathleen Duchossois
Ms. Elizabeth Ehlman
Anonymous
*Mr. William Fogarty
Mr. & Mrs. Robert Jones, Jr.
Anonymous
Mrs. Michael J. McCaughey, Jr.
Mrs. Roberta Rolwing McQuade ’76
*Mr. Edmund Miniat
Anonymous
*Mrs. Harriet Nortman
Mrs. Mary Ann Ormsby O’Hea ’62
Mr. Timothy O’Hea ’63
Mr. Robert Peele ’65
Mrs. Sandra Mahoney Rice ’64
Mr. Thomas Sadler ’65
Mrs. Betty Savant
*Mr. Edward H. Savant
Mr. & Mrs. Richard Thiernau
Mr. & Mrs. Gregory R. Underwood
Mr. & Mrs. Robert Voss
*Deceased
The Mark Altman ’66 Memorial Courtyard
It is sometimes thought that the title of philanthropist is reserved for those who
maintain a consistent pattern of significant charitable giving over a long period
of time. Two deceased friends of Marian Catholic High School, Edward Savant
and Mark A. Altman ’66, have demonstrated that promoting the well-being of
humankind through philanthropic giving can be accomplished in a variety of ways.
Edward Savant, a professional
investor himself, was
cognizant of the power of
solid investment management
and approached charitable
giving in the traditional
sense. In 1995, Ed, and
his wife Betty, established
the Erman C. Savant and
Lawrence J. Cassidy Families
Memorial Scholarship for the
expressed purpose of granting
scholarships to students who
demonstrate strong character
and academic excellence, and
who, without the assistance
of the scholarship, might
not otherwise be able to
Edward Savant and wife, Betty Savant continue at Marian Catholic.
Throughout its 17 years in
existence, the scholarship fund benefitted from years of a strong market return and
was, therefore, able to give generous scholarships during years of recession, as well.
This year alone, eight students were recipients of partial scholarships from the Erman
C. Savant and Lawrence J. Cassidy Families Memorial Scholarship. These eight
students exemplify the Marian Spirit in ways similar to those of Ed and Betty’s own
children, Lisa Savant Cameron ’84, Ed Savant ’85, and Julie Savant Galvan ’89.
Betty and Ed Savant always placed enormous value on the concept of personal
philanthropy, extending that view to include the Marian Catholic family in their
estate plans, becoming members of the Marian Catholic Veritas Society for Planned
Giving. Upon Ed’s death in 2011, his estate gift was directed to his and Betty’s
endowed scholarship.
The Savants have been loyal friends and family, serving as members of the Advisory
Board and sharing their expertise in whatever manner might benefit the community
of Marian Catholic High School. The memory of Edward Savant remains with us
in the students supported by his scholarship program. The endowed scholarship has
been established in perpetuity, fortified by his estate gift, and will keep Ed’s spirit
alive within the walls of Marian Catholic.
Mark A. Altman ’66 held a connection to Marian Catholic that was not discovered
until his last will and testament was probated in the Circuit Court of Citrus
County, Florida. During Mark’s time at Marian, he was immersed in the pursuit
of knowledge and enjoyed the scholarly aspects of campus life. It was this love of
learning and the inspiration of his teachers that encouraged him to become a high
school social studies teacher, a career from which he never wavered until retirement.
Mark had not established the traditional alumni link. Once he graduated, he had
little or no contact with his alma mater and did not return for reunions or other
events. It came then, completely by surprise, that he directed his end-of-life resources
for the expressed purpose of enhancing the school library.
This estate gift came at the exact time as the construction of the enhanced Media/
Technology Center necessitated a connecting door from the library to the courtyard.
The library was remodeled and the courtyard was created as a beautiful space for
reflective study and recreational reading.
The memory of Mark Altman remains with us in the beauty of the library and
garden. Mark’s spirit and philanthropy live on in every student who enjoys being a
scholar in the peace of the garden or in the comfort of the library.
8