Brian Duperreault '69

You would think that an individual dedicated enough to make one of the largest gifts ever to his alma mater, to serve on the Board of Trustees during one of the most pivotal times in school history, to have a hand in its most strategic ventures — from choosing a new president to leading enormously important Development initiatives — well, you'd think a person like that would have a lifelong commitment to the place, an intimate connection stretching back decades.

Don't get Brian Duperreault wrong. The 1969 alumnus loves Saint Joseph's University, and can speak as eloquently as anyone about the myriad ways his time on City Avenue informed who he is today. But Duperreault — former University Trustee and Development Committee chair, and a $10 million donor to With Faith and Strength to Dare: The Campaign for Saint Joseph's University —which will help fund the acquisition of the Maguire Campus — spent the 30 years following his graduation building a life far away from Hawk Hill.

“I went through a period when I wasn't close [to the University],” he acknowledged. “I was doing things I had to do, and my career took me in other directions.”

For Duperreault, his donation was simply a way attempting to repay the institution that he felt has given him so much. Recently retired chairman and CEO of ACE Limited, a global insurance and reinsurance firm headquartered in Bermuda, Duperreault credits his Saint Joseph's education with providing the foundation of analytical and communication skills that helped boost him into boardroom prominence.

After spending 30 years building a life far away from City Avenue and his native Trenton, NJ, Duperreault was literally called back to the University by former president Nicholas S. Rashford, S.J. in 1999. A day before planning to return to Philadelphia from Bermuda to continue negotiations on a buyout of CIGNA's Philadelphia-based property and casualty book, Rashford called and suggested a meeting.

“So I went to see him and you know he's a very persuasive guy,” recalls Duperreault. “I walked out [as a member of] the board. I didn't know what hit me.”

Since then Duperreault has become increasingly more involved, chairing the board's Development and Campaign Planning committees, serving on its Executive and Presidential Search committees and joining the Magis Society as an inaugural member. In 2002, Duperreault was presented with the Haub School of Business's Hall of Fame Award.

“As a dedicated alumnus and Trustee, what Brian has given to us in invaluable,” said University President Timothy R. Lannon, S.J. “Saint Joseph's will achieve its vision of preeminence as a result of the leadership of Brian Duperreault and others who share his combination of altruism, vision, and mission.”

“The Episcopal Academy acquisition is an enormously important step for the University,” says Duperreault. “I helped because I had the means to help. Why the amount? Because that's what was needed.”

Reflective of his modest worldview and selfless, easy-going nature, Duperreault decided to forego the coveted naming opportunity as a major donor. Instead he requested that the City Avenue resident halls be named for Father Rashford, who pulled him back into the SJU community, and for Francis Borgia, S.J., an early companion of St. Ignatius of Loyola and third Superior General of the Society of Jesus.

Acknowledging the profound impact of the Jesuit community, Dupperreault declares, “There are fewer Jesuits, and I think we as alumni have to recognize that we need to step into their place. It's our turn to produce an endowment for the school. We can't rely on them to do everything for us; we need to do it ourselves. It's time now for us to step up and help Saint Joseph's reach the next level and beyond.”