Saint Edmond Catholic Schools awestruck by $1.5 million bequest

October 16, 2003

FORT DODGE - "We are thrilled beyond belief," said Sister Delores Hannon, president of the Saint Edmond Catholic School System, upon the news that the system is the recipient of an outstanding act of generosity from the late Paul J. Gurnett.

Gurnett bequeathed the sum of $1.5 million to the system from his estate. "We are so overwhelmed by the generosity of Mr. Gurnett that it is hard to put our appreciation into words. To be remembered with a gift of this magnitude makes us feel truly blessed. The kindness shown by Mr. Gurnett will long be remembered as will the positive financial impact of his bequest," continued Sister Delores. "We pray each day for our many benefactors and give thanks to our Lord, God, for this incredible blessing."

Paul J. Gurnett was born in 1914 in Barnum, Iowa to James and Elizabeth Costello Gurnett. He attended school in Barnum and graduated from Barnum High School. Gurnett began farming after graduation and remained in agriculture until 1966. It was then that he became employed by the Iowa State Liquor Commission and managed the Fort Dodge branch liquor store until his retirement. Paul played the piano for Cecilia and Her Little Giants. He was also a past member of the Barnum Volunteer Fire Department and the Knights of Columbus Council 613.

In 1973 Paul decided to move from his home near Barnum into Fort Dodge. "Paul had a deep admiration for Saint Edmond High School, especially their music department," said longtime friend Tom Lennon. "He enjoyed attending Saint Edmond events, especially the musicals and other musical performances. When he decided to move to Fort Dodge he wanted to live near Saint Edmond, and in fact he did buy a house directly across the street," added Lennon.

Gurnett requested that the funds from his bequest be placed in a foundation trust with the income generated used for tuition assistance for the Saint Edmond system, as well as for establishing a scholarship for a graduating senior.

Tom Miklo, development director at Saint Edmond, commented, "In keeping with the wishes of Mr. Gurnett, our Development Board will place the funds in an endowed trust bearing the name of Paul J. Gurnett. Only the interest earned annually will be used by the system to aid with our tuition assistance program."

He explained that they were also establishing two scholarships for graduating seniors of Saint Edmond; one will be a $500 award for a student attending Iowa Central Community College in Fort Dodge while the second will be a $5,000 award to a Catholic college, to be given as $2,500 for the student's freshman year and $2,500 for their sophomore year.

"We chose the larger gift for a Catholic college because we know of Mr. Gurnett's deep appreciation of Catholic education and felt it would best represent his wishes," said Miklo.

The scholarships will be awarded annually beginning with the class of 2004.

"We extend our sincere appreciation to Mr. Gurnett for his kindness and forethought. His act of generosity will help make Catholic schools affordable for generations of students to come," Miklo added. "We knew Mr. Gurnett was a longtime friend and supporter of our schools, but we truly had no idea of the depth of his affection nor that he had such a sizeable estate. This is the largest, single gift ever received by our system. We were truly stunned by it, yet at the same time we are fully aware that these gifts do happen. Here is proof beyond all doubt that all non-profit's need to constantly remind their constituents that they too can make a powerful difference with planning and forethought."

Father Ed Girres, a member of the Webster County parishes' pastoral team, remarked, "Catholic education is a vital part of the ministry of our local church as well as the Sioux City Diocese. We are committed to keeping our schools accessible to all of our parishioners and while the cost is a very real challenge, gifts like Mr. Gurnett's help us lessen the burden on our families."

"This is a tremendous gift, for not only the Catholic schools but for the entire community as well," added Sister Delores. "It is yet another positive for Fort Dodge in that one of our own has chosen to leave the bulk of their life's earnings to a local organization. It is also important because it will hopefully stimulate others to consider their local charities when they are planning their estates. It is part of the education process of showing citizens that they can make a significant difference in their community by remembering those organizations that meant a great deal to them during their lives."