The Friends of Father Judge High School Inc. recently received a $1 million commitment from Thomas F. McGowan ’70, a former member of its board and current member of The Friends President’s Cup Golf Committee. McGowan is a Frankford native and graduate of St. Martin of Tours.
McGowan said, “One of my favorite expressions is, ‘The reason I’m always smiling is that I have no idea what’s going on.’ It has served me well through the years and it’s also kept me out of trouble. However, at Father Judge High School, I feel the exact opposite. The more you know what’s going on, the bigger your smile gets. The leadership at Father Judge is on a quest to reinvent how education is delivered to all of God’s children. President Brian Patrick King and President Emeritus Rev. Joseph G. Campellone, OSFS have introduced so many incredible programs to the school, including a new program that allows students to earn enough college credits for an associate’s degree upon their graduation, a career-and-technical education program providing highly specialized technical skills leading to promising career opportunities for the next generation of Judge Guys, a center for academic excellence which offers enhanced learning support to a significant portion of the student body, as well as other areas of study related more specifically to gaming, communications, financial literacy and robotics. Every student has varying interests and passions. Providing choice in programs is the rocket fuel which is empowering our young students to ‘Be who you are and be that well.’ ”
McGowan continued, “It was my mother, Regina McGowan’s suggestion and inspiration, that led to the founding of The Father Brisson Center for Academic Excellence in 2008. She wanted to provide the opportunity of achieving academic success to those students who might not otherwise have the skill sets or resources necessary. As we approach what would be my mother’s 100th birthday, the McGowan family is particularly proud of advancing her vision and enabling its impact to be even more far-reaching. Lastly, I feel it’s important to mention that the Father Judge story wouldn’t be possible without the skills, dedication and loyalty of its faculty and staff. They make everything matter. This is reflected in each student. And keeps me, and so many more of us Judge Guys, coming back. There are so many ways to get engaged at Father Judge. So many ways to make a difference and experience a deep pride in doing so. For me, it’s the privilege to feel that smile keep growing.”
McGowan has been a strong supporter of Father Judge over the last four decades. He has made significant gifts including the founding of the Father Brisson Center for Academic Excellence, funding the Timothy M. McGowan ’72 Library and other investments in programming, campus enhancements, capital projects spanning several campaigns and annual fund-related gifts.
In fall 2023, Father Judge launched a capital campaign, “The Campaign for 3301, Securing the Future of Father Judge.” To date, including McGowan’s commitment, the school has secured $18,035,465 million toward its campaign goal of $20 million.
King ’97, the school president, and one of his predecessors, Campellone, shared the following statement: “If you want to have fun, put your friends on the Board. If you want to be great, put committed, faith-filled, selfless and intelligent people like Tom McGowan on your Board. Since day one, he has always had a laser focus on ensuring we live our mission and provide the best for the young men of Father Judge.”
King and Campellone continued, “Spanning the last 25 years, the two of us have had the helm of this great institution, and not a day goes by where Tom has not both challenged us and supported us to unapologetically lead Father Judge ensuring that every young man in our care ‘blooms where he is planted,’ as our patron Saint Francis de Sales taught us. Words cannot express our most sincere thanks to Tom, his late mother Regina and the entire McGowan Family for their continued support of all things Father Judge.” ••
