John Gladstone and his wife, Gina, are Fr. William Hayes, S.J. Legacy Club members. The Jesuit community also established a fund in honor of his years as president.
When former Jesuit High School President John Gladstone entered Saint Ignatius High School in Cleveland, Ohio, in the fall of 1960, he could never have guessed that he would still be involved in Jesuit education 61 years later. The second of seven children who all attended Catholic high schools through college, John participated in cross-country and track and helped with the student fundraiser.
After graduating from high school in 1964, John attended Xavier University in Cincinnati where he majored in classics, focusing on studies in Latin, Greek and philosophy. John first began teaching as a 20-year-old college senior after he was asked by the principal of St. Xavier High School to teach two classes in Latin while still taking a full load of college courses. After graduating from college, John was hired full time to teach five Latin classes and coach cross-country and track.
Throughout his career, John has held various positions in Jesuit high schools and universities. Fr. Dan Weber, S.J., President of Bellarmine Prep in Tacoma, Washington, recruited John in 1978 to become Vice President of Development where he raised funds for three years. In 1981, John was hired as the first lay principal of Walsh Jesuit in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. During his tenure, enrollment climbed from 140 to 215 in the freshman class. In 1990, he was hired as Dean of Development/Financial Aid at John Carroll University, and in 1997 became Associate Academic Vice President for Enrollment Service.
John became the president of Jesuit High School in 2005 where he served until 2016. "Jesuit High School had a tremendous reputation and it was an opportunity that I couldn't pass up," John says.
Jesuit's students, parents, faculty and staff remember John for his strong leadership, good humor and outgoing personality. When asked to reflect upon his years as president of Jesuit, John says, "It was the best place I ever worked. With its fidelity to mission, strong academics, athletics, arts, Christian service and campus ministry, Jesuit created a beautiful mosaic, or a tapestry where all the pieces fit together in great harmony."
John's wife, Gina, is a native of Pitsburg, Ohio, and met him when he was working at John Carroll University. When John was considering applying for the job as president of Jesuit High School, Gina wondered why he would want to leave the university, since he was so well liked there. It finally made sense when someone remarked, "John is at his best with high school students."
John teaching Latin to students at Xavier High School
As a convert to Catholicism and all things Jesuit, Gina reflects upon the impact that John and Jesuit High School have had on her life. "I believe that I am now a very different person. I am a better mother, wife, grandmother, friend, speech language pathologist and daughter," says Gina. "I look forward instead of inward. I have a strong faith life that gives me hope and joy."
Among the highlights of his tenure as president of Jesuit High School, John is most grateful for his efforts to serve students, faculty and staff. Teacher salaries were increased to nearly 95% of the teacher salaries in the Beaverton School District, and financial aid grew from $880,000 to $3.3 million per year for qualified students. In addition, the school grew steadily in its efforts to become more racially diverse with 42% of students now identifying as people of color. Together, John and Gina were staples in the Jesuit community, actively supporting a wide variety of student activities such as sporting events, drama, Encounters and senior pilgrimages.
Upon John's retirement, the Jesuit community established the John and Gina Gladstone Financial Aid Fund. With a balance of over $2 million, this fund ensures that deserving students will be able to afford the cost of a Jesuit education. In addition, John and Gina are members of the Fr. William Hayes, S.J. Legacy Club, where members designate a portion of their estate through retirement plan beneficiary designations, charitable remainder trusts, wills and other gift vehicles to Jesuit High School. This helps ensure the financial stability of the school well into the future.
Since his retirement in 2016, John works part-time engaging donors as a member of Jesuit's Development Office. John's long-standing relationships in the Jesuit community have enabled him to secure significant gifts for a variety of fundraising efforts.
Looking back on his 61 years in Jesuit education, John says that Jesuit schools "provide a moral foundation" where students "are given the opportunity to make the world a better place."
When asked to reflect upon his experience with John over the last 27 years, Principal Paul Hogan says, "John Gladstone's extraordinary contributions to Jesuit education boggle the mind. This consummate Ignatian educator has animated the mission at five different institutions, leaving all of them, especially Jesuit-Portland, far stronger for his having been there. When it comes to John, the words that best capture the depth and impact of his work are his two favorite words in the English language: Thank you."
We are indebted to John and Gina Gladstone for their commitment to the young people of Jesuit High School. Their generosity and desire to leave a legacy for future generations is truly remarkable.
You can create your own legacy through a gift in your estate plan that empowers future students to serve God and their fellow men and women. Contact Diane Salzman, Vice President for Development, at 503-291-5497 or development@jesuitportland.org to learn more.