News and Updates
Campaign Profile: Class of 1970
After the devastating fire of 1966, the Class of 1970 spent two and a half years in a substandard facility. Now, through their donations to the Campaign for The Prep, they are helping to ensure that future generations of Prep students have what they did not: a state-of-the-art academic center that will allow for smaller class sizes and more AP offerings.
“Although we realize that The Prep is much more than a physical plant, the fact is we were in such a small space, a pillbox really,” says Dr. John DeCarlo ’70, class campaign chair. “We had that little pillbox and even though The Prep flourished despite not having a physical facility, like parents who want to give their children what they never had, we want the students today to have a great facility.”
According to DeCarlo, the cramped quarters actually worked to bring the class closer together. “Being in that little space gave our class a spirit and closeness. There was a lot of camaraderie and everyone got along,” he says. “The fact that we were all in such a concentrated little building fostered a spirit and closeness. We all have good recollections with the past. It is not a coincidence that a lot of guys are successful and The Prep is the number one charity for many of us.”
The Class of 1970 has been among the most successful in the Class Campaign segment of the current fundraising effort. As volunteers from nearly every class have been calling classmates to help solicit donations for the new projects, the Class of 1970 has been very active, hosting receptions and tours of the future facility. Donors from the Class of ’70 have helped reach the class gift goal and continue to bring in new money.
And the Class of 1970 has even more of a reason to support the Campaign for The Prep; the new Academic Center, currently being created inside the old Jesuit Residence, was designed by a classmate.
Lee Casaccio ’70 has been Principal of Casaccio Architects since 1979. His firm specializes in mission-driven architecture and Casaccio was actively involved in the planning and design of The Prep’s new Academic Center. It is a project that was close to his heart since he and his classmates were among the first to populate the current school building.
“I remember the architects of The Prep offering to give a tour of the construction and walking through while it was being constructed and the impression it made on me,” Casaccio says.
For Casaccio, this project actually has its roots in the 1980s. “We actually had a scheme back then, working with then president Fr. (David) Sauter, of linking the buildings but The Prep just was not ready for it at that time,” he says. “Here we are now, 20 years later, actually having the chance to do it. It really is a dream come true.”
And he is proud of the designs of the new center, especially the ‘mission-driven’ symbolism being implemented into the work. “The residence is going to be a really good academic center and I believe that most any architectural firm could have done it capably but the magic of this project, and where I feel that we were able to make a difference, is in creating an environment that speaks to people and shows them that this place is special, that this place is unique,” he says. “When a seventh or eighth grader walks in with his parents, they will know right away who we are and what we stand for. We want to trigger the memories of the alums but also inspire the students of today and tomorrow.”
Though it has lain dormant for years, the old Jesuit Residence was an obvious place for the school to expand. “The Jesuit residence was such an asset and would have been difficult to demolish anyway because it is built so intricately into the Church of the Gesu,” says Casaccio. “The asset was there and what better use for that asset than to utilize it for the students and teachers.”
And the mission aspects of the project have allowed Casaccio to formally focus his firm in a new direction. “We have thought a lot about mission-driven design. It’s more than just providing classrooms, you have to do that obviously, but if you understand the mission you can communicate that through the architecture,” he says. “The opportunity to serve The Prep and meet the challenges of this project gave us the opportunity to coalesce the ideas that have been floating around for years. Our firm has always done this type of thing but this project allowed us to make it more tangible.”
Although Casaccio downplays his impact on the class campaign, DeCarlo sees the impact having Casaccio involved has made on the class. “It helps, especially when we were in small group discussion because Lee is very effective,” DeCarlo says. “He knows the plan and he is able to illustrate the project with photos and displays. Having him involved has been very helpful.”
“I love my classmates and am in touch with most of them on a regular basis; they are a huge part of my life,” says Casaccio. “They are very accomplished and generous and you can feel their love of The Prep and their appreciation for the formation they were given as young men. They have responded to the call for support and have grabbed the opportunity to strengthen the relationships we have with each other and The Prep. It’s a really active love.”
