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NEWS

The Galligan Family Scholarship Fund
October 24, 2019

 

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The Galligan Family Scholarship Fund, established by John ’65 and Kathy Galligan, is St. Sebastian’s first-ever fund named for an alumni family. John, along with his brothers—Tom ’62, Chris ’69, Martin ’73, and Peter ’74—remembers his days as an Arrow fondly and was looking for a meaningful way to give back to the school that has meant so much to his family. 


This most generous gift to the Spirit & People Campaign will go into the endowment and provide financial aid to future deserving students. The Galligan Brothers hope to continue contributing to this fund which pays tribute to their mother and father. “We wanted to honor our parents —Lauretta & Tom—who sacrificed greatly in the early years to send their five sons to St. Sebastian’s and to provide a charitable focus to keep the brothers together as we approach our ‘Golden Years,’” reflected John.


Inspired by the great energy in Ward Hall, and with all his brothers in attendance, John took the podium at the Alumni Dinner in October to announce the major gift to the School on behalf of the Galligan Family. The special evening honored his brother, Chris, with the 2019 Alumni Service Award, as well as Coach Bob Souza for his 41 seasons as the head football coach. “The Alumni Dinner is a great event and I hope our gift becomes an annual tradition for other alumni to follow going forward,” shared John. “Coach Souza and Chris have donated their time and talent to the School. I am happy to contribute in a different way by ‘tithing’ some of the good fortunes my business and investing career have provided.” 


During his days as an Arrow, John excelled in the classroom and on the football field, as well as the basketball court where he recalls, “Grady O’Malley and the late Jimmie Conlon and Henry Cashin led the team to the ISL Championship!” He also served as the Class Treasurer and wrote for The Walrus and The Arrow yearbook. He received many well-deserved accolades for his efforts, including the John. B. Ennis Award, a coveted top honor given annually to a scholar-athlete. Following St. Sebastian’s, he attended Boston College, also the alma mater of his four brothers served as a Vista Volunteer in Kansas City tutoring under privileged students, and received an MBA from Harvard Business School. 


Fifty-five years later, John is impressed by the school St. Sebastian’s has become today, from the campus to the academic program. “For my generation, we are all very proud of the growth and development of St. Sebastian’s from Nonantum Hill to Greendale Avenue under the leadership of Headmaster Burke—Truly Remarkable!” Gifts to the endowment such as the Galligan Family Scholarship Fund will further strengthen the School and sustain its unwavering mission. 

1191 Greendale Avenue, Needham, MA 02492

781.449.5200  |  www.stsebs.org 

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