Recently, Susan and I were featured in the Spring 2012 Father Finn Society newsletter. The Father Finn Society is for people who place Xavier University in their will. We discuss the reasons behind Brian’s fund, the benefits and the desire to make sure Brian’s legacy will always help Xavier student’s in financial need well after we have joined him. Thanks to your help we are able to do so. I always love the line about "absolutely loved beating UD in every way possible." (You know Brian does!) Hope you enjoy the article on page three in the link or below:
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When a Xavier student can’t quite meet the monthly rent, handle a bookstore tab or pay off a niggling registrar bill, that’s when the McCormick family steps up to help.
Matt and Susan McCormick come to the table offering whatever it takes to keep a needy kid inside the Xavier classroom: “There have been over 60 kids now where, whether it be rent money or book money or registration fees, we've helped,” says Matt.
This is the very reason that the couple established The Brian McCormick Memorial Fund: to assist financially struggling students, regardless of academic abilities.
“Brian's fund is for anyone in economic distress, it doesn’t matter, race, creed or whatever, they just have to be X students in immediate financial distress,” says Matt.
Matt, ‘92 BSBA finance and ‘95 MBA marketing, and his spouse Susan, ‘91 communications with a business minor, are doing all this in the name and memory of Matt’s brother, Brian, who died suddenly in 2008 at the age of 33. Brian graduated Xavier in 1997 with a BA in advertising.
“We were truly blessed to have him for 33 years,” observes Matt. “Brian loved his family with his entire heart and soul. He was truly ‘one of a kind’ and would light up a room with his boundless energy, amazing humor and unforgettable zest for life. Brian also loved Xavier University and enjoyed playing rugby for his school. He was one of Xavier men’s basketball team’s most passionate fans. He relished in our team’s victories, and absolutely loved beating UD in every way possible.”
The establishment of the Brian's Fund is, needless to say, a bittersweet moment: "This is not what we wanted, of course. We would much rather have Brian still with us. But this is a fund that Brian always talked about getting together," says Susan. "He was one of the biggest, most loyal fans of Xavier. Brian just had this awesome spirit about him. He loved Xavier and was always grateful for the chance it took on him."
The couple was gratified by the immediate reaction and support for the fund. "So many people reached out to us when Brian died and wanted to know what they could do," notes Susan. "Thanks to them and their contributions, Brian's memory will go on."
“Can you imagine the multiplier effect from these 60 students?” questions Matt. “We only ask they remember down the road, when they are in a position to help X students in need, that they remember what the fund did. That would be a great end result.”
"The wonderful thing is we are not talking big numbers," comments Susan. "It's small numbers, $200 here and $200 there. But the impact can be huge. Eventually, we'd both like it where the fund is self-sustaining and around Xavier forever."
Matt is portfolio manager for Bahl & Gaynor Investment Counsel Inc., while Susan is president at Blarney Communications. Between the two, they spend a great deal of their time thinking and planning for the fund. The couple’s latest project involved a huge Dana Gardens fund-raising party before the Xavier-Dayton basketball win in February.
The love for Xavier and its community is a family affair for the McCormicks. “Our kids, who are 10 and 6, are certifiably brain-washed about Xavier,” jokes Matt. “Let’s put it this way. Both have been going to games since they were three months old. My son can rattle off player numbers going back to David West. They also, honestly, enjoy the Dippin’ Dots at Cintas.”
Susan and Matt do want to make one thing very clear: “Again, this is not ‘our’ fund, nor are the contributions solely from us. They are also from Brian’s family, friends, relatives, and the extended Xavier Nation."
“We have always had in our wills that we would give something to Xavier,” concludes Matt. “We wanted to formalize a process to make a contribution that will last longer than we will. We felt working through the Father Finn Society was the best vehicle to do so.”
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