Notre Dame HS receives largest-ever donor gift for renovation

Brian Zahn (New Haven Register)
Jan. 17, 2023 | Updated: Jan. 17, 2023 10:12 a.m.

WEST HAVEN — Since there's been Notre Dame High School, the Richetelli family has been there — almost.

Gary Richetelli, a 1965 graduate of the Catholic college preparatory school in West Haven founded in 1946, has a cousin who was in the school's second graduating class in 1951.

"Things were different then," he said. "Academically and the world in general."

In 2019, school officials embarked on a fundraising campaign to modernize the school to address those changes noted by Richetelli, including adding a student commons, expanding the cafeteria and adding a courtyard and redoing the building's entrance to provide a more welcoming gateway to the building. The initial goal to complete the entire renovation project was $10 million, although inflationary pressures have since increased the cost of the project to $14 million.

Last month, Gary and Lynda Richetelli donated $1.01 million to that project, the largest single gift in the school's history and the second seven-figure gift after alumnus Steve Fogler and his wife, Liz, donated $1 million for the renovation campaign. According to school officials, the total amount raised so far is $11.5 million.

Richetelli, a commercial real estate developer, credits the school for giving him opportunities and tools for career success, such as organizational and time management skills, and now he wants to pay it forward for the next generation. Currently, he has one grandson enrolled at the high school.
Although the school has not settled on a final name, the cafeteria — which will be expanded and include a courtyard — will be named after Richetelli and his family.

"As it progresses along, it'll take on the character of a mini Ivy League campus," Richetelli said. "I think they deserve it."

Robert Curis, president of Notre Dame, said Richetelli's gift provided the cash flow and momentum to proceed to the second phase of construction, which includes projects that are not expected to affect student instruction such as the main entry, administrative offices and a faculty center. Included in that second phase, he said, is a center for innovation and design which will create a space for student collaboration.

"This gives our students a little more flexibility," he said. "What's really exciting is, although it is a particularly challenging time for so many, our alums have stepped up to guarantee this school will remain strong. It says a lot about where our alums are and their willingness to support the school."

Kathleen Wielk, the school's executive vice president, said the project has moved quickly because of "the generosity and investment of our alumni."

"Gary gave us the kick-off we needed for this next phase," she said. "We will have transformed the academic center of the school."
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Notre Dame High School of West Haven is an all-boys Catholic, college preparatory school sponsored by the Congregation of Holy Cross. Notre Dame High School inspires academic excellence, nurtures personal growth, and fosters integrity and compassion in young men of diverse talents, backgrounds, and beliefs through its Catholic, Holy Cross tradition.

For more information, contact Kathleen Wielk, Executive Vice President: 203.494.1052 (M) or
[email protected]. https://www.NotreDameHS.com