Paying it forward: the story of Robert L. Nugent, a class of 1942 graduate from De La Salle Collegiate. 

On August 29, De La Salle received a $3 million gift from the Robert L. Nugent Trust. The planned gift will benefit both current and future students. The Trust’s attorney, Jon B. Gandelot, presented the gift as part of an all-school Mass, featuring the student body of both De La Salle and DLS’s sister school, Regina High School.

Nugent, who passed away in March 2008, lived the definition of a Lasallian life, along with his late wife, Jane Kay Nugent.  

He contributed several significant gifts to De La Salle over the years, ensuring that the same top-tier education he obtained would be received by future generations of Pilots. 

His time at De La Salle undoubtedly made a huge impact on the upstanding man he became.  

“Bob (Robert L. Nugent) always felt that his De La Salle education set him up for success in later life, and it certainly did. He had a long, successful life, and wanted to pay it forward,” Gandelot said. 

Bob was actively involved during his time as a student at De La Salle. He finished seventh in his graduating class, and was a member of both the Student Council and National Honor Society. He also was a student-athlete, playing football and tennis for the Pilots.  

During his adult life, he enjoyed a long and distinguished career at Detroit Edison (DTE Energy). While garnering success in his career, he dedicated himself to a life of giving back, and was very generous to his alma mater.

“I never personally met Mr. Nugent. However, I thought I knew him very well through the many conversations I had about him with his wife, Jane Kay Nugent, and our late president, Br. Robert Carnaghi,” DLS Advancement Director Greg Esler said. “Mrs. Nugent told me on numerous occasions how much Bob Nugent loved the school and how much he learned from the school. Based on the magnitude of this gift, it was very apparent how much he admired De La Salle.”

The good-natured, philanthropic ways of Robert and Jane Kay will forever be remembered and cherished by the De La Salle community.

“Bob and Jane Kay will leave a lasting impact on De La Salle with their generous gift,” DLS President Larry Rancilio, ‘86, said. “Their legacy at the school will never be forgotten.”