CHARLOTTE — Catholic students in the greater Charlotte metro area have two scholarship opportunities thanks to Dr. Clark Ross, a college educator and longtime parishioner of St. Thérèse Church in Mooresville.
The economics professor and past vice president of academic affairs at Davidson College has two endowments with the Diocese of Charlotte Foundation: the Clark G. Ross Scholarship Endowment Fund and the Clark G. Ross St. Thérèse Scholarship Endowment Fund. Proceeds from the recent sale of a condominium Ross owned and gave to the foundation provided additional funds to both endowments.
The Clark G. Ross St. Thérèse Scholarship Endowment Fund will benefit Catholic high school students who are parishioners of St. Thérèse Parish going on to college. Scholarships in the amount of $2,500 will be awarded annually and are renewable for all four years of undergraduate study.
“Clark Ross is a long-time parishioner who has dedicated his career to education,” said Father Mark Lawlor, St. Thérèse’s pastor. “This latest initiative will greatly help some parishioners with their college expenses. As pastor, I am very pleased when I see parishioners who exemplify the Christian virtues of generosity and charity.”
“Clark’s incredible generosity will make a difference to the lives of St. Thérèse parishioners for many years to come,” noted Aisling Zaccarelli, the parish’s pastoral council vice chair. “Clark’s commitment to making college more affordable is a testament to his remarkable character and faithful stewardship of his treasure.”
Ross also established the Clark G. Ross Scholarship Endowment Fund to provide scholarship opportunities for Catholic students who want to attend Christ theKing High School or Charlotte Catholic High School. This $2.3 million planned endowment gift is expected to grow in value to benefit Catholic students both now and long after his death.
“Dr. Ross has become part of the fabric of our school. He teaches AP Economics, has introduced students to the wonderful academic programs at Davidson College and has been a generous donor towards scholarships to Christ the King Catholic High School,” explained Dr. Carl Semmler, principal. “I can honestly say that Dr. Ross has kept numerous students here at CTK and has sent them onto bright futures in college.”
His philanthropic giving also includes assisting Catholic students in need, domestic or international, to attend Davidson College.
“Clark has been giving for over 40 years and he keeps finding ways to give even more and in various ways,” said Jim Kelley, the diocese’s director of development.
“He has established two endowments, will leave gifts to both endowments in his estate plan, and now has gifted a condo that has helped grow the endowments.”
Ross is involved with the Catholic Student Organization at Davidson College, volunteers his time to teach at Christ the King High School, chairs the Mooresville parish’s pastoral council and sits on its planned giving committee, Kelley said.
“I hope more Catholics in the diocese will become involved in supporting education for our Catholic students,” said Ross. “Modest amounts of support can pay large dividends for families trying to educate their children in a world where education is both more costly and more necessary. I will feel greatly reassured if my example encourages others to donate at any and all levels of support.”
“More of our parishioners across the diocese are giving real estate,” Kelley noted. “A Hendersonville couple gave a condo that the diocese later sold to set up an endowment, and a parishioner at St. John Baptist de la Salle Church left her house to the parish in her will.”
Founded in 1994, the Diocese of Charlotte Foundation now totals 322 endowments totaling more than $74 million in assets.
— SueAnn Howell, Senior reporter
Fund an endowment
Interested in setting up an endowment or adding to an existing endowment at your parish or Catholic school? Establish an endowment in the Diocese of Charlotte Foundation by leaving a bequest in a will; a beneficiary designation from a retirement plan; a gift of real estate; a gift of life insurance, cash or securities sufficient to set up an endowment; or a life income arrangement, such as a trust or annuity.
For details, contact Gina Rhodes at 704-370-3364 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..