1899 BEQUEST SOCIETY
Some 27 years ago, Steve Gillis
’92 was preparing to graduate
from Jesuit High School.
The passage of time since then –
60% of his life has been lived after
high school graduation – hasn’t
diminished his positive feelings
about those four years on Himes
Avenue.
“I am still close with over 20
friends made at Jesuit – that is
something that I just don’t see from
friends who attended other high
schools,” Gillis said. “It still feels
like a brotherhood in my professional
career.”
The Jesuit brotherhood has remained
intact for Gillis, and so has
the formation he received at the
school.
“Being ‘Men for Others’ continues
to be a guiding principal for me in
my adult life, and I would say that is
the most impactful part of my ex-
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vice to the community continues to
be an important part of my life and
my family’s.”
As such, Gillis has been compelled
to give back to Jesuit, and he joined
the school’s 1899 Bequest Soci-
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those who have indicated in writing
that they have made provisions
for Jesuit in their will or estate
plans. Gillis said he has named
Jesuit as part of his estate.
“I was in the process of updating
my estate planning, and wanted
to make sure Jesuit is part of
this plan,” Gillis said. “I feel I have
gained so much from Jesuit, and I
wanted to be able to give back.”
Because of Gillis and others who
have given back, the school is able
to provide a Jesuit education to
more students than ever before.
In the 2018-19 school year, Jesuit’s
enrollment surpassed 800 for the
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bution eclipsed $2 million for the
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body.
“I hope this donation can help
improve the campus, and give fam-
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cial means the capability to attend
Jesuit through scholarships and
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32 JESUIT PERSPECTIVES • SPRING 2019
STEVE GILLIS '92
Gillis earned a Master of Engineering
degree from the University
of Florida, with a focus in Transportation
Engineering. He worked
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before joining his father’s company,
Transportation Control Systems,
Inc. in Tampa, a manufacturer
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products, which is now a second
generation company.
Gillis also is the chair of the
Tampa Advisory Board for Make
A Wish Southern Florida, and he
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ing time with his wife Natalie and
son Tyler.
“My fondest memories are the
brotherhood ingrained in students
at Jesuit, and the great education,”
Gillis said. “The ultimate goal is to
make Jesuit an even better expe-
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gained so much from Jesuit, and I
want to ensure that future generations
can have this experience.”
I gained so much
from Jesuit, and
I want to ensure that
future generations can
have this experience.