Donor Profile: Ned '67 and Linda Kennedy

Ned ’67 and Linda Kennedy are longtime supporters of Xaverian. They both grew up in families that understood the value of hard work and education. They believe that a good education can open doors and change someone’s life. “My father didn’t even graduate high school; he was a mailman,” Linda explains. Her grandfather was an Italian Catholic immigrant who was illiterate in his native Italian language and in English. “He came here, he learned English, he raised six children, and two of his sons went to war,” she says proudly.

Growing up Linda saw her father’s appreciation for the academic world which he didn’t have the opportunity to experience himself. They would go for Sunday drives, and on one particular occasion he pointed out a school as they drove past. It was Christian Brothers Academy, a private, all-boys preparatory Catholic high school in Middletown, New Jersey. She remembers him turning to her mother and saying, “Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could send Sammy [Linda’s brother] there?” She says they couldn’t afford it, but she hasn’t forgotten the awe with which her father spoke about education.

Ned, a member of Xaverian’s first graduating class, always knew that his family was making an investment to send him to school. “I remember my father saying, ‘It’s $175 to go to that school - you better study,’” he says. “That was a lot of money back then.” Looking back, he has a better understanding of the impact his father’s investment had on his life. “I think of what a wonderful experience Xaverian was for me and what a difference it made in my whole life,” he says. “It would just be a shame for somebody to not be able to come here because they couldn’t afford it.” This is one of the main reasons why Ned says that he gives back to the school.

The Kennedys have consistently supported Xaverian for more than 30 years now. “I always gave - not every year - but it was the obligatory $25 because I was building a business,” Ned says. “I’d say to myself, ‘I wish I could give more, maybe I’ll wait a bit.’ When things finally calmed down with work, I said, ‘This is my time to catch up and pull my weight.’” Ned and Linda are members of Xaverian’s leadership giving society and have consistently sponsored Xaverian’s Golf Classic and annual Gala. They also are members of the Brother Marcellus Society through their inclusion of Xaverian in their planned giving.

Their gifts aren’t just financial, however. They have both dedicated significant time and talent to the school as well. Ned served as a class agent for a number of years, was part of his reunion planning committee, served as a member of Xaverian’s Board of Trustees and the Advancement Committee (2015-2024), and he and Linda were co-chairs at multiple galas. “I think one of the things I’m proudest of is my association with Xaverian, other than my family of course,” Ned says. Now that he’s retired, he finds himself spending more time thinking about how he can give back and what his legacy will be. “It really requires some devotion. You realize, this is what I want to do; this is what I’m really about.” Ned and Linda are living proof that two individuals can have a transformative impact for thousands. So many young men have benefited from the support and care offered by their generosity, and in turn, they have both found a home in Xaverian

 

Looking to build your own legacy of support for Xaverian? Contact Dave Nelson ’02, Director of Annual and Leadership Giving, at dnelson@xbhs.com.