Catholic Central’s Director of Advancement, Dan Collins ‘84, was awarded the 2023 Carol McNish Service Award for his dedication to supporting Catholic education and helping young people with educational opportunities to reach their full potential. 

“It was my pleasure to be the recipient of the 2023 Carol McNish Service Award. I support the efforts of the McNish Family Foundation because of my profound gratitude for ALL they have done to aid my brother Shamrocks and their families,” stated Dan. 

The McNish Family Foundation was founded in 2003 by the late Bill ‘59 and Carol McNish and provides Tuition Assistance Partnerships to over half a dozen primary and secondary schools, including Detroit Catholic Central High School.  

Bill McNish graduated from Catholic Central High School in 1959 and truly embodied the Goodness, Discipline, Knowledge virtues taught at CC. Growing up, he was inspired by his father, Samuel McNish, who served as a member of the CC Dads’ Club Executive Board in the 1950’s. Although he ran several businesses, Bill’s primary focus was The McNish Group, an insurance agency founded in 1968 known for focusing on solutions rather than sales.  

The McNish Family Foundation continues the McNish Group’s long-standing commitment to education and charities. The foundation’s mission is to provide young people with opportunities that can change their lives. Bill believed that young people could do extraordinary things when provided with the right role models and positive experiences.  

The McNish Family Foundation financially supports scholarships to private schools, summer camps, and enrichment programs and access to art, music, and sports programs. Since it was founded, the McNish Family Foundation has awarded over $615,000 in scholarships and grants, benefiting the lives of over 250 young people.  

Since the passing of Bill & Carol in 2018 and 2021 respectively, the McNish Foundation continues under the leadership of John McNish '84, his sisters, Suzi and Christine, and cousins Megan Curoe, Sean Shannon '79 and Joseph Shannon '77. 

CC has been the most grateful beneficiary of a partnership formed in 2012 between the McNish Family Foundation and the Basilian Fathers. The pivotal figures in the formation of this partnership were Fr. John Huber, CSB (then Principal of CC) and Bill McNish '59. 

Since 2012, the McNish Family Foundation has assisted dozens of Catholic Central students fulfill their dreams of a CC education. 

“Bill '59 and Carol McNish were two of the finest people I have ever met. They are, and will forever be, examples to me of unselfish generosity and goodness. I can only hope to be half as good as they were.  Though they are gone, they continue to motivate me and inspire me,” Dan stated. 

Dan was honored at the McNish Family Foundation Annual Golf Outing held at the Western Golf and Country Club in Redford Township on September 18, 2023.