“U of D Jesuit—An Extension of Our Family”
David, Ross '04 and Marilyn Oermann
Marilyn and David Oermann met Margaret and Ed Kronk ‘64 when David worked at the law firm Butzel Long. The Oermann twins, Eric ’04 and Ross ’04, looked up to the Kronk’s son, Adam ‘98. When deciding where to attend high school, the twins knew they wanted to go to Adam’s alma mater—U of D Jesuit.
David recalls the boys saying, “Dad, we just have to go to U of D. Hope we get in!”
The Oermanns were thrilled because they wanted the school’s diversity and academic rigor for their sons. The twins were accepted in the freshman class in the fall of 2000.
Over the next four years they thrived under the discipline and structure of the school. Their parents appreciated The High’s strong academics, sports and moral character development.
Eric '04 and Ross '04 Oermann
In addition, U of D Jesuit had a broad range of extracurricular activities for both boys to further their interests, ranging from Quiz Bowl to SADD to lacross. Some of the boys’ favorite teachers were Mr. Louis Offer and Br. James Boynton, S.J. Eric and Ross graduated in 2004.
“All the lessons they learned at U of D served them well,” David explained.
Eric is now a neurosurgeon in New York at Mount Sinai Hospital. He and his wife, Viola, had their first child, Vivian, last March. Ross is in Washington D.C., working and traveling for the State Department. Both keep up with many of their classmates.
Eric '04 and Viola Oermann
“U of D Jesuit was an extension of our family. We feel we owe so much to the school to carry on further the parenting job we were doing before they became teenagers. We just couldn’t have done it without U of D,” David said. “Our sons thrived at the school because of the school.”
What makes U of D Jesuit different from other schools? The Oermanns believe it is the school’s strong emphasis on teaching values to its students. Values like respect and kindness to others are part of the culture.
When thinking of the issues currently troubling the world like social media abuses, politics, racial injustice or inequality, David said, “If people followed the path the school taught to the students, these problems wouldn’t exist.”
We thank Marilyn and David Oermann for including U of D Jesuit in their estate plan. Their commitment, along with all our Arrupe Society members, will help us continue to educate Men For Others, like the Oermann twins, for generations to come.
Want to make a lasting impact at U of D Jesuit? Contact Jenny Miller P'20, P'22 at 313-927-2335 or jennifer.miller@uofdjesuit.org to discuss your legacy.