Robert Clifford ’69, philanthropist, successful attorney, and founder/senior partner of Clifford Law Offices, was recognized as a “Distinguished Alumni” at the 2nd annual “A Night of Honor, Glory, and Fame” on Saturday, December 7th, 2024, at the Larry Tucker Marist SportsPlex. During the event, Clifford announced a generous $1 million gift to Marist High School in support of its ongoing mission and growth. The funding will support scholarships and financial aid to Marist students.
Clifford’s experience at Marist, combined with his journey furthering his education at a top Catholic University (DePaul), and a successful legal career, motivated his philanthropic commitment to giving back to his alma mater. Bob, who came from a modest background, believes in the power of education to transform lives, just as it did for him.
“The whole notion of coming from Marist and being part of Marist’s community has really inspired me to be someone who’s tried to achieve and do good deeds,” Clifford said during his acceptance speech. He continued, “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 experiences, it was the people that mattered to me and made a difference in my life.”
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 of the opportunities of a Marist education.
“Robert Clifford’s generosity is a testament to the power of the Marist experience,” said Larry Tucker ‘79, President of Marist High School. “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.”
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 gala was an incredibly successful event in raising funds for financial aid at Marist High School, in addition to Robert’s generous gift. More details to follow.
