Thomas More Prep-Marian receives largest bequest gift in school history, establishes Jean Ross Society for planned giving.

For Immediate Release - Feb. 24

The estate of Fred James (Jim) Neu, who attended and graduated from St. Joseph’s College and Military Academy from 1944-1945, has given $855,000 through a bequest to Thomas More Prep-Marian High School.  The gift is the largest one-time bequest in the 100-year history of the school.  Neu, who resided in Des Moines, IA was an employee of Bankers Trust.  Mr. Neu was a lifelong active member of the St. Augustine Catholic Church in Des Moines.

In a joint decision among the Salina Diocese, the TMP-Marian Endowment Foundation and TMP-Marian High School, the gift will be placed in an Endowment fund to relieve past debt and to provide opportunity for growth in the future.  Bob Wolf, President of the Endowment Foundation for Thomas More Prep-Marian stated, “This gift from the Fred James Neu estate is very beneficial to the school at this time.  This gift, in addition to bequests from other estates, memorials received, and help from our benefactors, alumni and others such as the Dreiling Trust, will continue to secure TMP-Marian’s financially stability.”

The gift coincides with the establishment of the Jean Ross Society.  The Jean Ross Society has been created to recognize individuals that have developed an estate plan or deferred gift arrangement with the TMP-Marian Endowment, Thomas More Prep-Marian High School, Holy Family Elementary School or any support entity of the Catholic Schools of Hays.  Jean Ross devoted ten years to the success of Thomas More Prep Marian High School.  As president of the school, Ross led TMP-Marian through years of financial instability and did so without receiving a paycheck.  Her spiritual leadership and dedication to the success of the Catholic Schools of Hays represents the long-term giving philosophy of the Society.