When Donald F. ('52C) and Patricia Keating sat down in 1994 to
discuss their financial future, they knew that they wanted to
arrive at a plan that would include leaving a portion of their
estate to the Church or a Church-related organization when they
passed on. After consulting with advisors and discussing the
many suggestions that they received, they decided to establish a
charitable trust that would include St. John’s University as a
major beneficiary.
As a St. John’s alumnus, Donald wondered if he would have a
tough time convincing Patricia, who was not a graduate of alma
mater, to accept his plans to support the University.
Happily, that was never an issue.
“I didn’t go to St. John’s, but I probably should have, and I
feel like I did,” said Patricia. “Whenever we went to parties
or dances at the University, Don was always moving around and I
usually ended up sitting at a table with the priests. I knew
Father McQuillan, Father Newman, Father Rivard…so many great and
wonderful people!”
It was, and still is Father McQuillan who holds a special place
in their hearts. He was Dean of Men when Donald was a student
and ultimately presided at their marriage ceremony when the couple
vowed to pledge themselves to each other for life. When The
McCallen Society was first formed, it was Donald’s fond memories of
this exceptional priest that moved him to become one of the group’s
first members.
The Keatings would like to see their legacy continued as a
scholarship that bears their name. “St. John’s was a
fantastic experience for me,” noted Donald. “I was Editor of
The Torch, President of the Senior Class…I was involved in
everything! St. John’s always has a very warm place in both
of our hearts. We thought that a scholarship would be a great
way to offer today’s students the same opportunities that I
had.”
Donald and Patricia would like to see other alumni and friends
of St. John’s follow in their footsteps when it comes to putting
their financial plans into effect. “If you have an interest
in charity, the charitable trust is a great way to do good for
others after you pass on,” said Donald. “You can also set it
up in such a way that you get income from it while you’re still
living. It’s a real win-win situation.”