19-02-2025
Bishop McCort alum gifts $1M to alma mater
JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – For the second time in three years, Bishop McCort Catholic High School graduate Bernard Skubak has donated $1 million to his alma mater.
The school announced the 'transformative' news Tuesday with Chief Academic Officer and Principal Thomas Smith stating how appreciative he is that Skubak 'stepped up.'
'He believes in what we're doing here,' Smith said. 'He not only tells us that, but shows us that.'
The boost in funding will be used in every facet of the parochial school from assisting students and staff to facilities and more.
'That is transformational for our school,' Smith said. 'The impact that type of donation has on a school like ours is absolutely amazing.'
Skubak recognizes how powerful this donation is, and is happy to provide it.
'I am delighted to continue my longstanding support of Bishop McCort and Catholic education in Johnstown,' he said in a statement. 'It is vitally important that students in the region have access to a faith-based school that emphasizes scholarship, service and spiritual development.'
The $1 million gift puts Bishop McCort's Centennial Capital Campaign, which is beginning its second phase, at nearly $4 million.
There's a goal of $6 million for the multiyear fundraiser, and the total stands as of Tuesday at $3.7 million, including both of Skubak's donations.
The 1969 alum provided his first million-dollar contribution to McCort in January 2022 after getting to know Smith and seeing how successful the school has been, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Receiving the support of Skubak is a 'great motivator,' Smith said.
He added that knowing someone such as Skubak, who has been successful in life and business, believes in the mission of McCort is reassuring.
After graduating from Catholic school, Skubak earned his undergraduate degree in accounting from St. Vincent College in Latrobe and moved to Columbus, Ohio, in 1973.
He has been employed in the accounting, oil and natural gas, and real estate fields throughout the past five decades, and enjoys sharing his success.
When he made the first $1 million donation to McCort, he said he had been searching for a cause to gift larger amounts to, and during a trip to his hometown at the time, his alma mater became a focus of his attention.
In total, there have been 345 gifts from alumni, business leaders, parents and others to McCort's capital campaign throughout the past four years.
The centennial drive is dedicated to assisting with developing endowed support for faculty and student retention, capital improvements, student experiences and curricular upgrades.
