CHARLOTTE — Students in six Catholic schools across the diocese will receive a total of $78,700 in financial aid from the C. Philip Johnston-Aline W. Kaneer Scholarship Fund, paying all their tuition for the 2023-’24 academic year.
The fund was created by Johnston with $4 million from his estate after his death in 2017.
Johnston was born in Charlotte but lived all over the country before retiring in the Southeast. He attended Mount St. Mary’s University in Emmitsburg, Md., and earned a master’s degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1958. He worked in the entertainment industry, but when acting work became scarce, he took a “temporary job” working for Conrad Hilton in a new credit card venture called Carte Blanche. He rose to success in the emerging industry and, after reaching the position of senior vice president at a large regional bank in St. Louis, he left to lead a nonprofit organization specializing in consumer credit counseling.
Students from all 20 Catholic schools in the Diocese of Charlotte are eligible for scholarship awards from the fund.
The Johnston Scholarship follows students throughout their time in schools in the Charlotte diocese.
The schools that students will attend this year are Bishop McGuinness High School in Kernersville; Charlotte Catholic High School; Our Lady of Mercy and St. Leo schools in Winston-Salem; Sacred Heart School in Salisbury; and St. Michael School in Gastonia.
The scholarship awarded to each student ranges from $7,000 to $15,000 depending on the tuition cost and need. Each student can continue receiving assistance through the scholarship fund every year for the length of their academic career as long as they remain eligible.
“I first met with Mr. Johnston back in 1989. He made his decision to put this (scholarship) gift in his estate back then,” said Jim Kelley, diocesan director of development. “He never wavered from that commitment, even though he moved away from the diocese in his later years.”
Kelley noted, “More and more people across the diocese like Philip Johnston are recognizing a range of needs in the Church here in western North Carolina – including our Catholic schools, parishes, seminarian education, Catholic Charities and St. Joseph College Seminary – and remembering these ministries in their wills and estates.”
Since 1986, diocesan entities including parishes, schools and ministries have received 44 gifts of $1 million or more from individuals like Johnston. They typically help fund capital projects or endowments.
— Annie Ferguson
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Interested in establishing an endowment to benefit the Church in western North Carolina? For details, contact Gina Rhodes at 704-370-3364 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
As we welcome students back for another promising school year, I am reflecting on the journey our esteemed Catholic schools across the western half of North Carolina have taken over the past few years. From my beginning as Superintendent in 2020, through the challenges of the pandemic, to the growing demand we face today, our dedication to fostering Catholic culture has been a beacon guiding us toward excellence in all pursuits.
Our enrollment is a testament to the collective hard work of everyone in the diocese, as we embrace close to 8,200 students in our 20 Catholic schools – the highest enrollment in our history. Behind these numbers lie the stories of more than 600 new families who have joined us since the pandemic, each placing faith in our system to nurture the growth of their children not just intellectually, but as virtuous disciples of Jesus Christ. While we celebrate this milestone, we all know enrollment is but one indicator of success. There remains the ever-important task of ensuring that our schools radiate an immersive, accessible, and authentically Catholic spirit, where all students are welcomed and can heed their call to holiness.
It’s inspiring to see our schools remain resilient and steadfast during times when the global education sector faced unprecedented challenges. Making the brave decision to keep our schools open for in-person learning throughout COVID-19 was borne from our conviction that prioritizes the emotional, academic, social, and spiritual well-being of our students. Looking back, I am filled with gratitude that our decisions were appropriate and fruitful. Our students thrived at a time when many institutions faced declines – all thanks to the unwavering partnership of parents, faculty and staff working together for the good of our students.
Last year, the national spotlight shined on our efforts, recognizing our holistic and exceptional education and robust Catholic identity, as the Catholic Education Foundation designated us “Catholic Institution of the Year.” Our students benefit from a premier education, as evident in everything from the classes they choose, to the colleges they attend, to the scholarships they earn, to the careers they pursue.
Such accolades demonstrate that our pursuit of excellence – in academics, faith and extracurriculars – springs from our Catholic identity itself.
Behind our success stands the relentless dedication of our school leaders, teachers, staff, and support from our Church and pastoral center leadership. Their continued commitment to our core pillars — Robust Catholic Identity, Holistic Education Formation, Committed Operational Vitality, and Effective Governance and Leadership – has forged our schools into environments that are faith-filled, welcoming of all people who seek to join our mission, and truly exceptional.
Special acknowledgment goes to our devoted pastors and chaplains who have consistently championed our Catholic culture and helped us deepen relationships between our parishes and schools. We are a combination of parish-based, metro, diocesan and independent schools – yet we are one system committed to God and our students.
My personal journey from Nebraska, driven by my search for a faith-filled community with potential to grow into a “destination diocese,” mirrors the sentiments of many who have become part of our school system. Our vibrant diocese – from Greensboro to Asheville and everything in between – was poised for national prominence, and together, we are realizing that aspiration.
As superintendent, I am often reminded of the importance of partnership and unity. Our parents, the primary educators of their children, continue to play an essential role in our schools. I am so grateful they not only entrust us with their children’s education, but also actively engage in reinforcing faith and academic lessons at home. This collaboration makes our community even more vibrant and purpose-driven, and we could not realize the great gains in our schools without our parents walking with us every step of the way.
May our Lord, through the intercession of Mary, His Mother, light our path, and may we celebrate countless more milestones together.
Dr. Greg Monroe is superintendent of schools for the Diocese of Charlotte.