Fr. Linus DeSantis Memorial Endowment Fund

Fr. Linus DeSantis, OFM Conv. was the first campus minister for Kennesaw State University and Berry College from 1996-2006, where his legacy of compassion and wisdom impacted not just the students but the community of all ages. He was also instrumental in the revitalization of the To Encounter Christ (TEC) community, a 3-day retreat for young adults based on the Paschal Mystery, where he impacted many people.

Rozlin Broome Sullivan first met Fr. Linus at the TEC 11 retreat in the fall of 1997 and he became a spiritual advisor and mentor to her. “Fr. Linus had a beautiful balance — he was direct and challenging, yet always loving. He encouraged us to notice and cherish even the smallest blessings each day,” Rozlin shared. “He taught me one of life’s most important lessons: to love others where they are, not where I wish them to be.”

Inspired by the impact Fr. Linus had on their lives as part of the young adult and TEC communities, Rozlin, Julie Magardo, and others came together to establish a permanent endowment fund in memory of Fr. Linus.

The Fr. Linus DeSantis Memorial Endowment Fund benefits the campus ministry program at the Catholic Center at Kennesaw State University, including retreats, evangelization, and operational support. “My prayer is that this endowment fund will enable the KSU Catholic Center to offer similar opportunities—inviting students to explore the richness of our faith and continue spreading the truth,” says Rozlin.

The KSU Catholic Center offers a place for students to gather, study, and worship. With daily and Sunday Masses, retreats, study areas and lounges, social and spiritual ministries, and more, the Catholic Center is a place for students to gather, rest, and grow in community. Free hot lunches are offered to students Monday through Thursday, lovingly prepared by volunteers known as the “Linus Lunch Bunch,” named after Fr. Linus, who would cook for students during his time as the campus minister.

Fr. Linus’s legacy lives through those whose lives he impacted and the programs he established and cultivated, particularly at KSU. The Fr. Linus DeSantis Memorial Endowment Fund honors his imprint on Atlanta and the impact he had on the faith journeys of so many young adults.

Give to the Fr. Linus DeSantis Memorial Endowment Fund

If you would like to learn more about setting up an endowment fund in memory of someone, please contact us.