Marist Alumnus And Chicago Attorney Donates $1M To Marist High School

CHICAGO — Philanthropist and successful Chicago attorney Robert Clifford was recognized as distinguished alumni at Marist High School's second annual "A Night of Honor, Glory and Fame” at the Larry Tucker Marist SportsPlex last Saturday.

Clifford is a 1969 graduate of Marist High School and the founder of Clifford Law Offices. During his acceptance speech, Clifford announced a generous $1 million gift to Marist in support of its ongoing mission and growth. The generous donation will support scholarships and financial aid to Marist students.

Clifford credits his experience at Marist, combined with his journey furthering his education at a top Catholic University (DePaul) as well as a successful legal career, inspired his philanthropic commitment.

“The whole notion of coming from Marist and being part of Marist’s community has really inspired me to be someone who has tried to achieve and do good deeds,” Clifford said in a news release. “When I was told I was getting this award, they asked me to talk about experiences at Marist that mattered to me and the truth is, it wasn’t the experiences, it was the people that mattered to me and made a difference in my life.”

During his acceptance speech, Clifford spoke to a room of 600 plus Marist faculty, staff,
parents, alumni, and friends and shared his personal journey of growth and achievement. He reaffirmed his strong connection to Marist and its community, and his gift serves as an inspiration for students to reach for their highest potential.

The $1 million gift from Robert Clifford will specifically fund scholarships to ease the financial burden for students and their families, allowing them to access all the opportunities of a Marist education.

“Robert Clifford’s generosity is a testament to the power of the Marist experience,” Larry Tucker ‘79, president of Marist High School, said in a news release. “His time at Marist played a pivotal role in his success, and it is heartening to see him give back to the school that helped shape him. This gift will directly benefit our students, providing them with opportunities for academic success and success in life.”