Everything Has Been a Gift. We Want to Pass This On.
Pam and George Wright
After George Wright ’60 left La Salette seminary in Jefferson City, Missouri, at the beginning of his junior year, he was not sure where he should finish high school. His mother had always been a great supporter of the Jesuits, as her uncle was a Jesuit priest. With her encouragement, George enrolled as a junior at U of D High.
George became quite involved during his two years at The High in cross-country and track, sodality, student senate and theater. He felt he was well prepared for college both academically and spiritually. “It was unquestionably two of the best years of my life,” he recalls.
He can still remember the impact his teachers had on him collectively and as individuals. Jesuit teachers such as Fr. Leo Klein, Fr. Ray Feuerstein, Fr. Jim Lotze, Fr. John Dillion, Mr. Bill Madigan, Fr. Paul Brewer and especially Fr. Sam Listermann, his drama and speech teacher, influenced him profoundly.
After graduating from U of D High, receiving his bachelor’s degree from University of Detroit (Mercy) ’64 and a master’s degree from Marquette University ’66, George went on to teach theology at Marygrove College for three years. Afterward, he became a teacher at Mercy High School from 1970 to 2007.
The Past and Present
The two reasons George and his wife, Pam, support U of D Jesuit are George’s wonderful experience and because the Jesuits stayed in Detroit. As George says, “That took a huge leap of faith and huge modeling (great example) of living out your values.” They appreciate the decision that Fr. Pedro Arrupe, S.J. and the Jesuit order made regarding the decision for The High to stay in Detroit and be there for the community. They saw the school go through the rough years, but the U of D Jesuit community did not give up.
Pam and George decided to name U of D Jesuit as a beneficiary in their estate planning. They believe in leaving a portion of what God has given them to the places that have helped them the most. They are both indebted to the Catholic education they received and, as a result, have decided to leave a good portion of their estate to the various high schools and colleges they have attended.
As George explains, “Everything has been a gift. We want to pass this on.”
We are very grateful to George and Pam that U of D Jesuit made their list. If you would like more information on making a legacy gift, please contact Jenny Miller P'20, P'22 at 313-927-2335 or jennifer.miller@uofdjesuit.org.