| (St. Petersburg, FL – January 2019) St. Petersburg Catholic High School recently received a $1 million leadership gift from Class of 1972 alumnus Paul Reilly and his wife, Rose. It is the largest gift in the history of the school. In recognition of the gift, one of the recently renovated classroom buildings will be named Reilly Family Bishop Barry The donor-funded building renovations include twenty classrooms, eight departmental offices, three bathrooms, and a faculty workspace. The project also added a new student chapel and a new student courtyard with an outdoor seating area, brick pavers, and full landscaping and lighting. Principal Ross Bubolz said the renovations further the academic and spiritual mission of St. Petersburg Catholic. “The revitalization project has transformed our classrooms into Director of Advancement Dr. Daniel Zepp said, “Paul and Rose Reilly have been generous benefactors. Their leadership gift has enabled St. Pete Catholic to upgrade its main classroom buildings that will greatly benefit students for generations to come. We are so grateful for their support.” Zepp added, “It was Paul and Rose’s early commitment that enabled St. Pete Catholic to launch the classroom revitalization project and complete it on an accelerated timetable. We also deeply appreciate the individuals and families who have joined Mr. & Mrs. Reilly in supporting this effort.” Reilly, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Raymond James Financial, credits his Catholic education at St. Petersburg Catholic High School and the University of Notre Dame with teaching him the values of collaboration, empathy, and humility. Reilly said he and Rose chose to support the classroom revitalization project to ensure that St. Petersburg Catholic has the best possible facilities for classroom learning. “The classroom renovations give St. Pete Catholic one of the best teaching and learning environments in the Tampa Bay area,” said Reilly. “I made the gift in gratitude to the school for educating me and two of my daughters, all of my brothers and sisters, and their children.” In June, St. Petersburg Catholic High School announced a multimillion-dollar revitalization project of its two main classroom buildings, Bishop Barry Hall and Notre Dame Hall, marking the first major renovation to the classrooms since they were built in 1957. Renovations include Apple TVs and integrated whiteboards, refinished terrazzo in corridors and Bubolz added, “We also want to thank our design and construction partners who completed the project on time and on The classroom renovation is part of an overall revitalization of the high school that includes facilities upgrades and a broadened academic curriculum, aligned with its renewed mission statement and Strategic Plan “The classroom revitalization project is representative of the momentum and energy surrounding St. Pete Catholic,” said Zepp. “It is an exciting time for all of us at St. Petersburg Catholic High School as we seek to take our school to new heights.” To learn more about St. Petersburg Catholic High School visit https://www.spchs.org |