Parent Giving (The Pelican Club)

The pelican is an ancient Christian symbol of self-sacrifice and compassionate giving. In the 1940s, a Miami artist, John Miedema created a large pelican statue of coral and cement as a gift to Barry University in recognition of his daughter, Dirkje’s, educational experience here. To Miedema and his daughter the statue represented the self-sacrifice of the early faculty for Barry students.

Over the years, the Barry pelican became a popular landmark on campus. Although the statue is no longer with us, its story is a cherished piece of Barry history. At Barry, parents, faculty and administrators are a powerful team with the common goal of ensuring that students enjoy a healthy and successful university experience.

The Pelican Club is being introduced as a means of ensuring this goal. Your gift of $500 to the Parents’ Fund entitles you to join this elite group of Barry benefactors.

Members are entitled to the following:

• Members only event at the Miami Shores home of president, Sister Linda Bevilacqua
• 2 Pelican Club Polo Shirts
• Opportunity to be involved in special University projects that enhance student life