Living with a Dedication to Faith and Hope

Father Thomas D. DeVries ’73

A vocation to ministry is dedicated to helping others live life and face death with faith and hope. Father Thomas D. DeVries ’73 has served his entire life in ministry. As a Catholic priest, his ministry often focuses on assisting people to identify what is important in their life that can continue even after their death. It’s only logical for DeVries to establish estate plans that reflect his life of faith and hope.

DeVries grew up in Grand Rapids, Michigan, with the Reformed Church in America. In the fall of 1968, he followed in the footsteps of his older sister, Mary DeVries Van Hulzen ’68 and came to Central. One big factor in his decision to attend Central was finances, so he was appreciative to receive a Rolscreen Scholarship. He majored in philosophy and anticipated going into seminary.

“It was the best preparation as I look back at my experience at Central,” DeVries says. “I was a student in the late 1960s and early 1970s, which were turbulent times on many fronts. My Central experience gave me the critical tools to embrace and to engage with the issues of my world. That’s what a liberal arts education should do. Those tools stayed with me ever since. I am so grateful to Central for laying that foundation.”

DeVries went to New Brunswick Theological Seminary and was ordained as a Reformed Church minister. But he admits that he was always drawn to the Catholic church. The sacramental and the liturgical life of the Catholic church drew him in a new direction. In 1989, he was ordained as a priest for the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. His final full-time assignment was the director of spiritual formation at the Archdiocesan Seminary in Milwaukee.

DeVries celebrated his 50th class reunion but couldn’t return to Central — his weekends are always booked assisting at parishes throughout southeastern Wisconsin. His sentiments about his Central education are still true for him.

“The kind of education that Central offers has an important part to play in the overall options for college education in our country,” DeVries explains. “Central is unique. It is focused on a strong academic program and preparing the whole person to engage in the world. It’s an essential option in higher education today and we need to help Central continue to play that role.”

Why Make a Bequest to Central?

For DeVries, he realized the desire to support Central a long time ago.

He explains that when a student graduates from college, they are thinking about so many other things and likely have limited money. He admits that upon graduation, he wasn’t able to do much for Central.

“As the years passed, I realized I had more and I was able to do more. I wanted to put Central into my estate planning because I want to guarantee that I can continue giving and helping students who will come long after me,” DeVries explains. “It’s one way I can continue my commitment into the future. I know I won’t be a part of that future, but I want to be part of it through financial contribution.

“I’ve always been proud to tell people that I’m a graduate of Central College because of the leading edge that Central has been in recent years. It took a huge step in being truthful in advertising about college tuition and what it is prepared to do for students who come to Central. Those are things I’ve been very proud of and I’m very happy to support.”

Including Central in your will or estate plan is a testament to the values and ideals you hold dear — having a heart for others — and is one of the most meaningful ways to support generations of students to come. To create your own legacy at Central, contact Deb Calderwood at 641-628-5138 or calderwoodd@central.edu to get started.