Quincy, Ill. – Quincy Notre Dame has announced a goal of $490,000 for the 2025 QND Fund Drive. The Fund Drive kicks off today and runs through the calendar year. Since its inception in 1977, the Fund Drive has raised over $18.5 million which plays a vital role in QND remaining a pillar of Catholic secondary education in Quincy.
Dollars raised through the Fund Drive helps keep tuition affordable by paying a portion of the school’s operating costs and closing the gap between the cost to educate a student and tuition. The Fund Drive additionally supports QND’s financial aid program. This school year, 44% of QND students receive financial assistance.
“We have continued to see tremendous success with the Fund Drive and the impact it continues to have on our students,” said QND Foundation Executive Director Kurt Stuckman. “The success of QND is predicated on our ability to garner the necessary support from our tremendous alumni around the country and through local business support. Catholic secondary education remains an important part of the greater good of the Quincy community. We thank those who believe in what we do.”
Each year, two chairpersons take up the fundraising challenge to invest in our future leaders of the community. This year, Dr. Jason Knuffman ’93 and Carrie Lavery ’93 join numerous others who have previously donated leadership to the campaign as chairpersons.
Dr. Jason Knuffman is a 1993 graduate of QND, a 1997 graduate of Saint Louis University and a 2001 graduate of the Saint Louis University School of Medicine. He is an allergist at Quincy Medical Group and currently serves as the girls’ golf coach at QND. He is married to Rebecca, a 1996 graduate of Whitefish Bay High School in Wisconsin. They have 4 daughters. Hana ’23 is an elementary education major at Illinois State University. Heidi ’25 is an avid dancer at Kaiser Dance. Caroline ’27 is involved in choir and golf at QND. Catherine is in 8th grade at St. Peter School.
“Every year, I continue to be amazed at the outpouring of support from so many tremendous individuals for our Fund Drive as well as the hard-working and dedicated individuals behind this critical endeavor,” said Knuffman. “Together, we will ensure the continuation of high-quality, Catholic-centered, secondary education in our region. For me and so many others, QND has established an invaluable educational and spiritual formation that I am thrilled to help pass on to my children and hopefully my children’s children. The greater community appreciates our mission of educating lifelong learners in a spirit of service to others. I am humbled and honored to be a small part of this mission!”
Carrie Lavery and her husband, John, are both graduates of QND. Carrie is a 1993 graduate and John is a 1989 graduate. They both earned bachelor’s degrees from Millikin University. They are active members of St. Peter Church and are proud parents of three children. Calvin ’22 and Charlie ’23 have followed in their footsteps as QND graduates, while their youngest, Ellie, is currently a freshman at QND.
“QND is a faith-based institution dedicated to providing a strong foundation for lifelong growth, learning and relationships,” said Lavery. “Rich in tradition, QND continues to thrive thanks to the generosity of generations who believe in our mission. These contributions enable us to offset the cost of education, ensuring that students receive a top-notch academic and spiritual experience. Your support of our Fund Drive helps sustain this legacy, allowing future generations to benefit from the exceptional opportunities QND offers.”
In addition to the leadership of Knuffman and Lavery, QND’s Fund Drive will be supported by many volunteers throughout the drive.
The 2025 Fund Drive leaders are comprised of:
- LB Cornwell ’15, Financial Advisor, Stifel Financial
- Reggie Craven ’05, Agent, Winters Insurance Group
- Will Meckes ’06, Partner, Schmiedeskamp, Robertson, Neu and Mitchell LLP
- Jeremy Mefford ’06, Financial Advisor, First Investment Services a division of First Bankers Trust
- Hannah Cramsey ’12, Senior Wellness Coordinator, Wellworks For You
- Jake Scholz ’00, Attorney, Scholz & Scholz LLP
- Lucas Frageman ’03, Insurance Broker, McGinnis Insurance
- Laura Rheinecker ’03, Laura Rheinecker Photography
- Curt Wavering ’97, Civil/Site Senior Engineer, Klingner & Associates
The QND Fund Drive is managed by the QND Foundation which was founded in 1968. The QND Fund Drive was established in 1977. Gifts to the QND Fund Drive may be donated throughout the entire calendar year. Gifts may be mailed to QND, completed online at QuincyNotreDame.org, or made through PayPal or Venmo.