From Then to Now: A Lifelong Connection to Central Catholic

More than 55 years ago, Emmett Brennan ’73 stepped onto the campus of Central Catholic, (which at the time was an all-boys high school with just over 500 students) as a quiet, thoughtful teenager from the west side of town who didn’t know a single person. Despite the unfamiliar environment, Emmett quickly found himself surrounded by teachers and friends whose support and guidance helped him feel a strong sense of connection and belonging.

“It was difficult to make friends at first,” he remembers. “But being in a smaller class helped. The teachers were always willing to take the time, and that made all the difference.”

Now 70, Emmett can still recall the moments and mentors that shaped his path. From learning how to think critically in religion and English classes, to struggling through sophomore year math—until Sr. Mary Lonergan, OSF helped the subject finally click—his time at Central Catholic left a lifelong mark.

“She gave me that pathway,” he says of Sr. Mary. “That ‘aha’ moment was one of the early lights in my life. We formed a great friendship and have stayed in touch ever since.”

Emmett credits Central Catholic with giving him more than an education—it gave him a way of seeing the world. “The school taught me how to analyze, how to ask questions, and not to accept things at face value. It laid the foundation for how I approached college, my career, and life in general.”

After graduating, Emmett pursued a degree in graphic design with a minor in mathematics at Portland State University. His success, he says, can be traced directly back to the foundation laid at Central Catholic. And even as life took him across the world—including a memorable research stint at the British Museum in London—his gratitude never faded.

“My parents were immigrants who didn’t have much,” he shares, “but they made sure all six of us got a good Catholic education. They saved everything they could, and I worked summers to help. That experience shaped my belief in the power of education.”

That belief ultimately inspired Emmett, who was already a long-time donor, to leave a legacy gift to Central Catholic in his estate. “I kept coming back to this question: ‘What do I want to be remembered for?’” Emmett explains. “Every time, the answer was Central Catholic. That’s where it all began for me.”

His gift is intended to help ensure future generations of students have access to the same life-changing opportunities he
experienced at Central Catholic. His generosity reflects a deep commitment to education and a lasting belief in the power of learning to transform lives.

“Education is near the top of the list for what I think is important,” he says. “Especially now, when there’s so much disinformation out there. Central Catholic taught me how to look at a situation, break it down, and figure out what’s
real. That’s more important than ever.”

When Emmett reflects on Central Catholic’s core values today—Faith and Love, Community, Academic Excellence, Diversity, Compassion, and Integrity—he views the evolution of the school with pride and hope. “Back then, the foundation was always to give you a good education and a solid grounding in your faith. That hasn’t changed. What’s changed is how we’re applying compassion and how we see the full picture of each person’s story.”

As Central Catholic continues to grow, Emmett’s support, along with the support of many others, helps ensure the mission lives on for generations to come. Whether he is attending the spring musical, keeping tabs on school news, or sending in a donation to support a fundraiser, his commitment to Central Catholic is as strong as ever. "I’m excited to see Central Catholic continue evolving in a positive direction,” he says. “I’m proud to be part of that story."