Gael Gratitude: George and Clare Schmitt
The Schmitts Pledge $1 Million to the New Student Athlete Performance Center (SAPC)
George Schmitt ’65 fondly recalls the impact the Christian Brothers have had on his life. He credits the academics and life lessons learned at Saint Mary’s with his career success and personal growth. The Brothers first helped him land at Saint Mary’s; they later helped him graduate. Working his way through school, he needed help in his senior year and spoke to Brother T. Michael Quinn. “Tuition, food and housing was $3,000 per year and I told Brother T. Michael that I would repay the school in spades when I could,” said George. Brother T. Michael helped him complete his education and George has upheld that promise and his appreciation for Saint Mary’s over the years.
George and Clare Schmitt recently pledged $1 million to Saint Mary’s for the renovation of McKeon Pavilion and the new Student Athlete Performance Center (SAPC), a weight and training facility for athletes. Since George's graduation, the Schmitts have donated to the Kalmanovitz School of Education building, the president’s discretionary fund, the John S. Cummins Catholic Institute, operating support for the College, as well as Gael Athletics.
Their gifts to Saint Mary’s started out small, $25 and $50, and grew over time as George became a leader in the telecommunications field. He has never forgotten the many times the Brothers played a significant role in his growth.
The Impact of the Christian Brothers
Born and raised in New York, George originally had accepted a track scholarship to Manhattan College in the Bronx. The unfortunate news of an enlarged heart meant he could not accept the scholarship. The Brothers at Manhattan College told him there were other schools available. They suggested a school in New Mexico and Saint Mary’s; he chose Saint Mary’s because California was appealing.
When he arrived, he was the only student from New York. “I was a kid when I came out here,” he said. “I wasn’t a kid when I left.” He still has vivid memories of reading the great books and can still recite Shakespeare and “The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock” by T. S. Eliot. “Seminar was not a class back then. You had to read the text on your own, write a paper and then defend it in an oral exam before the faculty,” said George.
Brother Kyran Aviani and Brother S. Albert Plotz were huge influences on George. “In addition to academics, we learned life lessons from the Brothers. Each student took two semesters of ethics. I grew up at Saint Mary’s, got rid of my New York accent, and learned to speak in public.” Tragically, both Brothers were killed in car accidents.
In addition to the very demanding academic program, George worked for SAGA, the food service’s provider on campus. By graduation, he had become SAGA’s student manager. Upon receiving his BA in political science in 1965, his first job was running the food service program for SAGA at Carroll College in Montana, where he met his future wife, Clare. They have been married for more than 50 years. Their children, Joan and George Jr. ’01, have six children between them.
A Lifelong Career in Telecommunications
Life took a different path when he learned a friend, a year ahead at Saint Mary’s, was turned down for the Management Achievement Program at the Pacific Telephone and Telegraph Company. George applied for the program and was accepted. His first job for the company was in Fresno. It was the beginning of a lifelong career in the telecommunications industry. George has held senior executive positions in several Fortune 500 companies and his work took him to Europe, Japan, Korea, and Thailand. He is currently executive chairman of the board and chief executive officer of XG Technology, Inc. and a director at MB Technology Holdings, LLC.
Giving Back to Saint Mary’s
Throughout his career, George never forgot about the role the Christian Brothers and Saint Mary’s played in his life. He served on the SMC Board of Regents, the School of Economics and Business Administration (SEBA) Advisory Board, and as a Trustee from 2004-2013. He was named Alumnus of the Year in 2008 for his significant contribution to his professional field and demonstrated consistent service to the College, exemplifying the spirit and dedication of a Saint Mary’s graduate.
Mark Orr, director of athletics and recreational sports says, "The Student Athlete Performance Center will house the most state-of-the-art equipment in a new weight room for strength training and an athletic training space dedicated to injury rehabilitation. Thanks to the incredible generosity of George and Clare Schmitt, we are much closer to having this much needed facility that is going to take the student-athlete experience at Saint Mary's College to the highest level. The SAPC will foster the continuing development of all Gael athletic teams and help us attract and retain talented prospective student-athletes. The completion of the SAPC will reinforce our commitment to the wellness, health and safety of our Gael student-athletes. We are very grateful to the Schmitts and all donors dedicated to making this project a reality.”
George and Clare established the John Joseph Schmitt Fund for Students in 2000 to be dispersed at the president’s discretion to benefit students. Clare is the president of the Schmitt Family Foundation, George Jr. is treasurer, and George Sr. serves as a director. The family has given more than $2.2 million to Saint Mary’s over the years.
“Not everyone has been as fortunate as Clare and me. It is an honor to give back. Seventy percent of Saint Mary’s students receive aid. I would like to see every alum donate,” George said. “We all owe a great deal of gratitude to this amazing institution that has helped us become the people we are. We each need to do our part, no matter how small, to help the next generation of students.”
George never forgot the generosity of the Brothers and Saint Mary’s College. He has stayed true to his word, and has paid the College back in spades. “It’s all ethics,” he said. He is a devout Catholic, a man of his word, and a proud Gael.
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