Annual Fund for Law - Academic Programs
Ed Ricco (’80) and Mary Ann Sweeney – Both Annual and Major Gift Contributors
By, Hannah Farrington Parker
Ed Ricco (’80) and Mary Ann Sweeney have quietly contributed to the Law School each year and every year since 1980. In their nearly 25 years of sustained giving, Ed and Mary Ann have participated in annual giving, matching gifts and major gift support for the Law School.
Following the passing of both of Ed’s parents, Ed and Mary Ann contributed $100,000.00 to the Law School to establish the Leo and Rose Ricco Endowment, in honor of Ed’s mother and father, and as a tribute to their lives, having made this gift possible.
Ed’s primary interest in the use of this funding was for students participating in Moot Court programs, in return for the benefit that Moot Court participation had provided to his own career. However, he also agreed to make the Endowment flexible. Ed’s helpful guidance was straightforward and refreshing. Throughout this process, he had a willingness to listen to thoughts on the additional needs of the Law School. Ed helped me to shape a gift agreement that effectively stated a preference for providing Moot Court programming support from the Endowment, but allowed the Dean of the Law School to use this fund for that purpose or as needed to meet the most pressing needs of the Law School.
Ed and Mary Ann’s total giving to the Law School has been most generous, and they are consistent in their support of the Law School year to year, not only financially, but in the time they take to be with us as an Adjunct Professor and Moot Court coach, and as regular attendees of Law School gatherings and events. We are grateful to Ed and Mary Ann for reminding us all about how to quietly and selflessly make a difference in the lives of our students, faculty and society. They care, they consistently participate and they’ve shown us that they believe giving to the Law School is a sound investment in the betterment of the community.
In a note to Ed and Mary Ann, former Dean Washburn said, “Gifts of this magnitude are rare and will help many students pursue their dreams.” We hope that Ed and Mary Ann know how much their giving means to so many.
Ed and Mary Ann contributed $100,000.00 to the Law School to establish the Leo and Rose Ricco Endowment, in honor of Ed’s mother and father, and as a tribute to their lives, having made this gift possible.
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