Meet the Donors

John T. and Patti Flood

What does it mean to be committed to the mission and future of Incarnate Word Academy? For John and Patti Flood it means leading by example. It means significant contributions to the annual campaign, which supports campus operations and special projects. It also means ensuring that future IWA students who need financial assistance can get that assistance through the Dr. George and Ellen Flood Scholarship. Named in honor of John's parents, the Dr. George and Ellen Flood Scholarship is one of fifty-four scholarships established in the IWA Foundation to promote excellence in learning, to serve a diverse population, and to instill in students a love for Christ and His Church.

John and Patti Flood show their support of the Incarnate Word Academy mission in other ways as well. John has served on many committees that guide the work of the schools. And as the parents of four Incarnate Word Academy students, the Floods know what it means to be involved in their children's education. With children ranging from middle school to Montessori, they believe strongly in Incarnate Word Academy's focus on educating the whole child and on character building. As John noted:

"When I was asked to talk about why we believe in IWA and support it, I began planning what I would say. One night while reading a book to my beautiful daughter, Molly, she said something that summarized the answer to that why. The book was set in medieval times and was about a kingdom and its princess who was being harassed by a dragon. She asked a knight to dispense with the dragon. He spent a lot of time preparing for the big fight. He had his page bring him his best armor. The page brought him the wrong armor and the knight chastised him and told him to return with the correct equipment. All the while, the princess struck up a conversation with the dragon and convinced him to stop scaring everyone in the town.

When I finished the book and closed it, Molly looked at me and said, "It's not how you look... it's how you be." That is why Patti and I support Incarnate Word Academy --because it teaches children how 'to be.'

"When IWA high school students go to Mexico, when our students volunteer to feed the homeless, they proudly let that inner light shine. This is the most important reason to support IWA’s mission. It’s not just about how these amazing Incarnate Word Academy kids have done on the SAT, or how many go on to what excellent colleges. It’s not just about those things, and it’s not about how they look, it’s about how they be.”

Jim and Caryl Devlin

An IWA education is a top priority for Jim and Caryl Devlin and it shows in the contributions of time, talent and treasure they have committed over the years. Although the Devlin’s are current parents now, their involvement with Incarnate Word Academy started years before their daughter Genevieve was even born.   They had witnessed first-hand the value of an IWA education in the children of their friends. They were impressed with the diversity of the student body, the scope and depth of the educational offerings, and the personal interest and care the Sisters showed in each of the students and their families. When it came time to put Genevieve in school, they chose Incarnate Word Academy without hesitation. Genevieve joined Sr. Marion’s Montessori class when she was three years old and will be a fifth grader in the 2006-2007 school year.

For Jim and Caryl Devlin their commitment to IWA can best be expressed in a painting by Jim’s mother, artist Cynthia Devlin: “To whom much is given, much is expected.” The message behind this painting sums up their entire philosophy of philanthropy: to give more – of your time, your treasure, or your talent – than is expected and to do it willingly and without consideration of reward.

Incarnate Word Academy is the Devlin’s favorite not-for-profit and Caryl wants the school to be every parent’s favorite charity. Many parents selflessly give of their time, but Caryl stresses the importance of treasure, And the Devlin’s practice what they preach. They give themselves, both of their time and of their treasure. Jim is a current member of the IWA School Board and also serves as chairperson of the Finance Committee.   Caryl is actively involved in the elementary school where she sells snow cones after school and takes photos for the elementary yearbook. And when she isn’t serving on the Scholarship Committee, Caryl can be found decorating for many different school events.

In 2006 the Devlin’s were honored with the Corner Stones award in the Living Stones Building the Mission Recognition Society for their many years of generous stewardship.

The Devlins encourage all parents to be cheerful givers, firmly and financially committed to the mission and vision of Incarnate Word Academy.   They feel students are a main reason parents should strengthen their partnership with the school “because IWA shapes our children and our children shape the world.”

Alan and Mamie Stoner

The Irish accents, the twinkle in the eyes, the abounding energy, it’s hard to ignore Alan and Mamie Stoner when they walk into a room. After immigrating to the United States in 1954, Alan began a food service management career with Whataburger where he served in a variety of management positions for the next 40 years. And Mamie was right there with him, learning to cook Tex-Mex with an Irish twist. As a young man, first in Brownsville and later in Corpus Christi, Alan stayed true to his Irish Catholic traditions, often visiting with the Sisters at the convent; thus, developing the special relationship with the Sisters that the Stoners maintain to this day. Alan and Mamie can often be found at many Incarnate Word Academy events, either as the speaker or as guests, supporting the Sisters.

Putting their money where their beliefs are, the Stoners choose to be part of IWA’s mission by first enrolling their children at IWA when they moved to Corpus Christi, attending school events as parents and past parents, contributing faithfully to the Annual Giving Campaign and telling IWA’s story to anyone who will listen. They also were among the first to make a legacy gift to the Incarnate Word Academy Foundation. Legacy gifts are estate gifts that ensure that the donor’s generosity will continue even after they are gone. In recognition of their generosity, the Stoners have been inducted into IWA’s donor recognition society, Living Stones Building the Mission Recognition Society.

Alan and Mamie live in Corpus Christi where they are members of St. Pius X Catholic Church.   They have four children – Alan, James, Mary, and Paul ’80.   As parents of an Incarnate Word Academy graduate, the Stoners believe firmly in the mission of the Sisters and of the school.

In his closing remarks at the annual scholarship donor appreciation luncheon, Alan states, “There has never been a time when I have visited the IWA campus or driven by it, that I am not reminded of the incredible legacy of excellence in academic standards.   I believe this, combined with a strong emphasis on Christian values, are more vital today than ever before. I think about how faithfully the Incarnate Word Sisters and our wonderful lay teachers have been in pursuing the vision of the foundress, Jeanne de Matel, for in excess of 130 years.

We must recognize the commitment, cooperation and dedication with which the Sisters and staff have pursued excellence in every facet of their mission. We also must recognize the dedication, commitment and sacrifice on the part of parents who recognize the tremendous value of a Christian-based quality education.

Finally, and most importantly, we recognize all the wonderful people in the Corpus Christi community who, year in and year out, keep Incarnate Word Academy on top of their support list.”