SEVEN CHILDREN AND TWENTY-THREE YEARS OF COMMITMENT TO CATHOLIC EDUCATION
Stephen and Genevieve Sullivan
Stephen and Genevieve Sullivan were deeply committed to their Catholic faith and passionate about the value of Catholic Education. They were determined not to let anything stand in the way of achieving what they believed best for their six sons and their daughter. When it came to education that meant choosing Notre Dame High School and Sacred Heart Academy.
Their commitment translated into twenty-three years of bus schedules, lunches, school events, teacher conferences, and much more. From 1948 to 1971, they followed the careers of Stephen '52, James '53, John '58, Thomas '62, Bill '63, Jeanne '68 SHA, and Timothy '71 as they progressed through secondary school. All seven children went on to college. Stephen and Genevieve Sullivan were also active in school events through the Fathers' and Mothers' Clubs, as well as civic engagements. Stephen was a Fourth-Degree Knight of Columbus; Genevieve was a member of the Third Order of Saint Dominic.
Tim Sullivan, Ed. D. '71 recalled the impact his Notre Dame education had on his life and his career as an educator: "I often reflect on the foundation Notre Dame provided me for living, lifelong learning, civic engagement, and faith. My preparation for college was exceptional, and the passion for learning I developed at Notre Dame continues to be a central force in my life. I have wonderful memories of my time at Notre Dame, the faculty who inspired me, and the friendships I retain through today. I am thankful for having parents who made my ND journey possible."
In 2021, Tom and Tim Sullivan, and Tim's wife Linda Durant, decided to recognize this outstanding commitment to Catholic education by designating legacy gifts to Notre Dame in their honor. The Genevieve J. and Stephen F. Sullivan Memorial Scholarship Fund will memorialize the sacrifices their parents made and provide scholarship funding for future generations of Notre Dame Students.
In notifying Notre Dame of their legacy gifts, Tom and Tim commented: "As the years pass, we often think back on all our parents did to support the school and make Notre Dame possible for six sons. At this juncture in our lives, it brings us joy to know that our parents will be remembered through scholarships for future generations of Notre Dame students.
