Southwest Regional Publishing
Southwest Regional Publishing
Robert Clifford credits Marist High School for changing his life.
Clifford, a 1969 graduate of the school at 4200 W. 115th St. in Chicago, spent his high school years working in a lumberyard for his father, a carpenter. Without a defined career path, Clifford assumed he would follow in his father’s footsteps.
“Looking back, I always tend to remember the people who influenced me and where I am today,” Clifford, now a philanthropist, successful attorney and founder/senior partner of Clifford Law Offices, said.
During his time at Marist, Al Brazen, then the dean of discipline, recognized Clifford’s academic potential and encouraged him to pursue a college education.
“It’s all about forks in the road,” Clifford said. “What if I wasn’t at school that day and he didn’t have that conversation with me? Everything happens for a reason.”
After Marist, Clifford attended DePaul University, where he met his wife, Joan. Together, they have two children, Erin and Tracy.
“I applied to one college, DePaul, and I applied to one grad school, DePaul,” Clifford said.
On Saturday, Dec. 7, during the 2nd annual “A Night of Honor, Glory, and Fame” at the Larry Tucker Marist SportsPlex, Clifford was recognized as a “Distinguished Alumni.” At the event, he announced a $1 million gift to Marist High School. The donation will fund scholarships and financial aid for Marist students.
Clifford said his experience at Marist, coupled with his education at a leading Catholic university and a successful legal career, motivated him to give back to his alma mater. Having come from a modest background, Clifford believes in education’s power to transform lives, 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.
The $1 million gift will specifically fund scholarships to alleviate financial burdens for students and their families.
“Every kid deserves a chance at a great education, and this will help Marist extend scholarship opportunities,” Clifford said. “Marist makes a difference in people’s lives, and I want to continue and build onto that effort.”
Larry Tucker, a 1979 Marist graduate and president of the high school, praised Clifford’s commitment.
“Robert Clifford’s generosity is a testament to the power of the Marist experience,” Tucker said. “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.”
Clifford’s journey—from working in his father’s lumberyard to becoming a successful attorney and philanthropist—reflects the life-changing impact of a Marist education. Just as Al Brazen once saw Clifford’s potential, Clifford’s generosity now ensures future students will have the same opportunity to discover theirs.
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