QND announces fund drive goal of $490,000; Knuffman, Lavery named chairs

QUINCY — Quincy Notre Dame announced a goal of $490,000 for its annual fund drive, which kicked off Friday and runs through the calendar year.

The fund drive has raised more than $18.5 million since its inception in 1977. Dollars raised through the fund drive help keep tuition affordable by paying a portion of the school’s operating costs and closing the gap between the cost to educate a student and tuition. The fund drive additionally supports QND’s financial aid program. Forty-four percent of QND students received financial assistance this year.

“We have continued to see tremendous success with the fund drive and the impact it continues to have on our students,” QND Foundation Executive Director Kurt Stuckman said in a press release. “The success of QND is predicated on our ability to garner the necessary support from our tremendous alumni around the country and through local business support. Catholic secondary education remains an important part of the greater good of the Quincy community. We thank those who believe in what we do.”

Jason Knuffman and Carrie Lavery are the chairpersons of this year’s fund drive. 

Knuffman is a 1993 graduate of QND, a 1997 graduate of Saint Louis University and a 2001 graduate of the Saint Louis University School of Medicine. He is an allergist at Quincy Medical Group. He also is the girls’ golf coach at QND. Knuffman and his wife, Rebecca, have four daughters. Hana is an elementary education major at Illinois State University. Heidi is an avid dancer at Kaiser Dance. Caroline is involved in choir and golf at QND. Catherine is in the eighth grade at St. Peter School.

“Every year, I continue to be amazed at the outpouring of support from so many tremendous individuals for our fund drive as well as the hard-working and dedicated individuals behind this critical endeavor,” Knuffman said. “Together, we will ensure the continuation of high-quality, Catholic-centered secondary education in our region. For me and so many others, QND has established an invaluable educational and spiritual formation that I am thrilled to help pass on to my children and hopefully my children’s children. The greater community appreciates our mission of educating lifelong learners in a spirit of service to others. I am humbled and honored to be a small part of this mission.”

Lavery is a 1993 graduate of QND, and her husband, John, is a 1989 graduate. They earned bachelor’s degrees from Millikin University. They are active members of St. Peter Church and are parents of three children. Calvin and Charlie have followed in their footsteps as QND graduates and now attend North Central University, while their youngest, Ellie, is a freshman at the school.

“QND is a faith-based institution dedicated to providing a strong foundation for lifelong growth, learning and relationships,” Lavery said. “Rich in tradition, QND continues to thrive thanks to the generosity of generations who believe in our mission. These contributions enable us to offset the cost of education, ensuring that students receive a top-notch academic and spiritual experience. Your support of our fund drive helps sustain this legacy, allowing future generations to benefit from the exceptional opportunities QND offers.”

In addition to the leadership of Knuffman and Lavery, QND’s Fund Drive will be supported by many volunteers throughout the drive.

This year’s fund drive leaders also are QND graduates:

• LB Cornwell, financial advisor, Stifel Financial
• Reggie Craven, agent, Winters Insurance Group
• Will Meckes, partner, Schmiedeskamp, Robertson, Neu and Mitchell LLP
• Jeremy Mefford, financial advisor, First Investment Services a division of First Bankers Trust
• Hannah Cramsey, senior wellness coordinator, Wellworks For You
• Jake Scholz, attorney, Scholz & Scholz LLP
• Lucas Frageman, insurance broker, McGinnis Insurance
• Laura Rheinecker, Laura Rheinecker Photography
• Curt Wavering, civil/site senior engineer, Klingner & Associates

The QND Fund Drive was established in 1977 and is managed by the QND Foundation, which was founded in 1968. Gifts to the QND Fund Drive may be donated throughout the year. Gifts may be mailed to QND, completed online at QuincyNotreDame.org or made through PayPal or Venmo.