Tom Bisanz Reflects on Endowed Scholarship in Honor of His Aunt

by Greta Cunningham '23, Communications Intern

Even though you’re a graduate of St. Thomas Academy, you’ve chosen to endow a scholarship at Cretin-Derham Hall. What’s your connection to the school?

In total, 18 of my family members have gone to Cretin, Derham Hall, and CDH. My father, Leonard, graduated from Cretin, and my aunt, Colette, for whom I’ve named the scholarship, went to Derham Hall. My sisters Betty, Susan, Kay, and Anne attended Derham Hall. Anne won the Hugh Derham Award in 2023. Her husband, John Hannahan, is a Cretin grad. John’s father, Jack Hannahan, was a Cretin grad. John and Anne’s four children and three grandchildren went to CDH, and many other nieces and nephews have gone. I also had friends at Cretin growing up. My father became the first in his family to graduate from college with the education Cretin provided. This was before World War II, when few people went to college, so he was quite thankful for this achievement.

Why did you want to create this scholarship?

I love the school, and I think it does great things for its graduates. My wife and I both benefited from private education, and we’ve watched it become much more expensive everywhere. We thought this was one way we could help the students who will be the leaders of tomorrow, so we’ve created several endowed scholarships at universities and prep schools. My father impressed upon me how important it is to give back. And he was right. We have given to a wide range of organizations, from a hospital and clean water projects in Africa to a Dallas homeless shelter and an addiction treatment center in Wayzata. It’s important to my wife and me that our children carry on our philanthropy. It’s generational giving.

Why did you choose to honor your aunt?

My Aunt Colette was very involved in raising my family and my cousins’ family, each of which had seven children. Colette never married and lived close to all of us. She was always over at my house or my cousins’ house, helping out. She really helped raise us very selflessly. She was always there for us in a loving way.

What do you consider to be the value of a Catholic education?

I think it gives you a great moral and spiritual grounding, which you carry with you your entire life. In business, your most important asset is your reputation, and I think learning those values really helps you maintain your moral compass. It influences all of your decisions. Those values become part of your DNA.

What impact do you hope your generosity will have on the CDH community?

We want our philanthropy to be an example to others to give their time, talent, or treasure where they can make a difference. You get back so much more than what you give. This is one of life’s best-kept secrets.