The Hundred-Year Spark: Why one couple has chosen to invest in Brophy’s human capital
To Stephen and Linda Odell, philanthropy is about more than standard donations or the prestige of plaques on a building. They prefer to think about it as “leaving footprints in the snow.” Reaching a stage in life where they value long-term human impact over material legacy, the couple committed $12.5 million to Brophy—the largest gift in the school’s history.
The Odells’ commitment acts as a calculated effort to ignite a new chapter for a campus they view as a vital engine for character. “We could follow the form that has been followed for decades, or we can shake it up so people actually do something,” Stephen says. “We want to be the spark that starts the forest fire. We’re providing the financial wherewithal to get it moving, but it has to grow from there.”
The couple’s confidence in this mission is rooted in their deep respect for Brophy’s leadership, particularly President Bob Ryan. “I ran a very, very large billion-dollar company with thousands of employees, so I understand the value that good leadership brings,” Stephen explains. “Bob has 1,400 children, twenty-four-seven, three hundred and sixty-five days a year… and on top of that he guides and develops and leads Brophy. That’s dedication.”
“It has been a privilege to get to know Stephen and Linda and to watch them become such meaningful members of the Brophy community,” Ryan says. “From the very beginning, they spoke about wanting their legacy to ripple outward, and we are already seeing that take shape — in the lives of the young men they are supporting today and in the generations who will be formed by their extraordinary generosity.”
Scholars, Not Scholarships
The Odells’ involvement with Brophy began in 2023, after a tour of the campus. They observed the engagement of middle school students and the energy of the robotics lab. For the Odells, the school represented an opportunity to share the guidance they wished they had when they were starting out. The Odells currently fund the tuition and expenses for several students, but they are careful about the language they use to describe them. “They are not ‘scholarship’ students,” Stephen explains. “We use the word ‘Scholar.’ A scholarship implies you’re getting something for free. These young men earned this through their work and the difficult circumstances they navigated to get here.”
The Odells’ mentorship approach is rooted in personal growth rather than just academic oversight. They encourage the students to view themselves as having high potential, referring back to their “personal brand.” To help the students find their footing, the Odells share a set of CORE VALUES they’ve held throughout their own lives: 1. BE PREPARED. 2. SHOW UP. 3. ON TIME. 4. FOLLOW THROUGH.
“It’s about helping them see their own value,” Stephen says. “We try to help them understand that by living the four CORE VALUES, they are setting themselves up for a future they might not have imagined for themselves.”
“We had to scratch it out ourselves at the beginning,” Linda adds. “We didn’t have someone to guide us or give us that helping hand. Now, we want to be that for these boys — to show them there is an avenue to success if they’re willing to take it.”
The Infrastructure of Potential
While their mentorship is personal, the Odells’ support of the school’s future initiatives is driven by a desire to ensure that Brophy remains a place where all students can thrive. Stephen argues that the school’s physical environment is the foundation that allows that culture of excellence to flourish.
“A classroom is a place where young men discover who they are,” he says. “We want to ensure that our facilities allow us to attract and retain the very best teachers — the mentors who will guide these students in AI, technology, and beyond.”
“I personally wanted to invest because I really believe that Brophy teaches boys to be men; to go out into the world and really have a handle on how to deal with life,” Linda explains. “It gives a great education, it has great sports, but really, it’s about teaching them to be great men.”
"From the very beginning, the Odells spoke about wanting their legacy to ripple outward, and we are already seeing that take shape."
A Century of Momentum
The Odells are using their gift to challenge the Brophy community to think about the long-term impact of their collective generosity. They view the current efforts as a way to secure the mission for the next century.
“Somebody in 1928 was sitting exactly where we are, and they were thinking about the young men of today,” Stephen says. “Now, it’s our turn to think about the next hundred years. These graduates will go out and be the fathers, the husbands, and the entrepreneurs of the future. We need to look after those young men now.”
Stephen references a well-known sentiment by the poet Maya Angelou — that while people may forget what you said or did, they never forget how you made them feel. For the Odells, the feeling they want to leave behind is one of empowerment and stewardship.
“Our words and our deeds will outlive us,” Stephen says. “We are asking the Brophy community to be that spark with us. The next hundred years will be here quicker than we realize.”