"It's a win for the children first—and a win for me, too." - Patrick Benner '02
When Patrick Benner '02 looks back on his years at Monsignor Bonner, what stands out is more than just the daily walk from his childhood home in Drexel Park. It's the brotherhood, the discipline, the joy of singing in the choir, the thrill of running track, and the virtues that still shape his life today.
"I loved Bonner," says Patrick, a proud member of the Class of 2002. "The fraternal aspect—the brotherhood of being there for one another—stands out the most. It elevated my faith and trust in Christ to a whole new level. The Augustinian virtues instilled in us, especially humility, have stayed with me. They've guided how I work and serve with authenticity each day."
Patrick, one of seven siblings whose brothers attended Bonner and sisters attended Prendie, credits his Catholic education for his spiritual formation and his perpetual love of learning. "Bonner planted seeds for a lifelong journey," he says. "A love of learning, a voracious love to understand God's universe—the sciences, liberal arts, all of it. My heart is in giving back to the youth and Catholic education, so they can experience the same kind of enlightenment I did."
After graduating with a bachelor's in English from Temple University, Patrick spent his early career as a Catholic school teacher and principal, serving children in under-resourced communities, including at St. Malachy's in North Philadelphia. After the Archdiocese closed his school, Patrick turned to a career in public relations, where he soon joined an agency that represented high-profile clients, including the Chief of Staff for the National Security Council.
As his family grew—he and his wife now have six children—Patrick settled into an insurance career and soon launched his own business, Benner Insurance Solutions, a property and casualty insurance brokerage in Media, PA.
Even as his career evolved, Patrick's commitment to Catholic education remained constant. This year, thanks to a conversation with fellow Bonner alumnus Tim Kardish '79, Patrick realized he could expand his support of Bonner & Prendie through Pennsylvania's Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) program.
"I always heard of the EITC program," Patrick says. "But like most busy dads and business owners, I got distracted. This past winter, Tim sat down with me over coffee, explained how simple it was, and I said, 'Where do I sign?'"
EITC allows Patrick and other PA individuals and businesses to direct their state tax dollars to support scholarships at Catholic schools. For Patrick, EITC is more than a tax-savvy decision—it's a way to strengthen the legacy of schools like Bonner & Prendie. "It's a win-win. It's a win for the children first in education, and then it's a win for me too. If every allumnus particpated in this program, just think of the untapped impact it would have on our Catholic schools today. It would optimize the opportunities available for our children."
With five of his six children now enrolled in Catholic school, Patrick sees firsthand the power of virtues-based education in today's world. "I see it everyday. The world is starving for leaders grounded in virtues, like humility and integrity." he says. "A Catholic education gives children that foundation and gives the world more hope, light, peace, and joy."
To learn more about how you support Catholic education at Bonner & Prendie through the EITC program, contact Tara George Basile ‘86, Executive Director of Advancement, at [email protected] or call 610-259-6012.