Passing On the Gift of Education

Cub Annual Staff 1964

As an elementary student in southwest Detroit, Gary Kolasa '64 was at the top of his class. At seven years old, he joined the Boys Club of Detroit and spent almost all of his free time there. When Gary was in the eighth grade, a Boys Club youth worker asked him, "What would you like to do with your life? Where would you like to go? Have you thought about going to a different high school to expand your horizons?"

After Gary reflected on these profound questions, he decided to take a chance. With support from his parents and a scholarship from the Boys Club, Gary enrolled at the University of Detroit Jesuit High School.

"I found it very challenging, but exactly what I needed and wanted," Gary recalls. "I realized early on that this was a good move. It put me with kids from different socioeconomic groups all over the city. I probably would not have met them had I stayed in the old neighborhood. The change was a little frightening at first, but it was an important part of growing up—learning to handle myself in a new environment."

One of the fondest memories Gary has of U of D Jesuit is that it pushed him into areas he would not have gone into on his own. As a photographer for the Cub Annual yearbook staff, he was able to attend more events and activities than he ever imagined. It has been 58 years since Gary donned his maroon cap and gown. He still feels strongly about the transformative experience he had at U of D Jesuit, sharing, "It's one of the major areas in my entire life that I look back on because it had such a tremendous impact on forming who I am and who I became as I grew up. I have always been grateful for that."

Gary Kolasa '64 honors his U of D Jesuit experience through his estate plan and his IRA charitable distributions.

After high school, Gary graduated from Wayne State University. His business career propelled his work within the U.S. Navy, several computer training organizations, his local parish and even the place that brought him much joy as a young man—now called the Boys & Girls Club. He created and ran their communications department for many years.

As someone who believes it is crucial to give back, Gary started giving to U of D Jesuit right out of school. Today, he has included us in his estate plan and uses his IRA charitable distributions to support future students like him. As for the young men considering expanding their horizons at U of D Jesuit, Gary hopes that his support will help inspire and pave their way to success.

Pass It On

Like Gary, you too can make a lasting impact on our students through planned giving. Feel free to contact Jenny Miller P'20, P'22 at 313-927-2335 or jennifer.miller@uofdjesuit.org for more information today.