Bishop Kelley High School Celebrates the Successful Completion of $25 Million Capital Campaign
March 4, 2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TULSA, OK – March 4, 2025 –
Bishop Kelley School is thrilled to announce the successful completion of its $25 million capital campaign, the We Are BK: Honoring our Legacy, Building our Future, raising an impressive total of $25,128,667. This extraordinary achievement marks a significant milestone for the school and reflects the unwavering support from its alumni, parents, grandparents, and community members.
The campaign officially concluded on Friday, February 28, 2025, after landing the final five-year pledge. This remarkable accomplishment surpasses all previous fundraising efforts, including the Forever Bishop Kelley Campaign
which raised $6.4 million in 2006, and the Championship Drive
stadium renovation project, which raised $8.2 million. The overwhelming success of this campaign is a testament to the strength of the Bishop Kelley community and its commitment to the school's mission and future.
Campaign Journey:
The We Are BK Capital Campaign
began in December 2019 during its silent phase when Very Reverend Fr. Gary Kastl, then-President of Bishop Kelley, secured a generous $3 million pledge that helped kick off the campaign. Less than three months later, the global pandemic forced the world into lockdown, halting in-person meetings and altering the course of fundraising efforts. Despite these challenges, the campaign persevered, thanks to the relentless efforts of Doug Thomas, Bishop Kelley’s Director of Philanthropy, and the school’s Philanthropy Team, as well as the dedication of the Campaign Steering Committee.
Now, just over five years after its inception, Bishop Kelley has successfully surpassed its original fundraising goal, securing essential funding to support the school’s future growth and impact.
Gratitude for Leadership and Support
The school extends its deepest gratitude to the Campaign Co-Chairs, Beth and Randall Snapp, for their exceptional leadership. Their tireless dedication, professionalism, and personal engagement with both new and longtime donors played an instrumental role in this campaign’s success. BK President Sister Mary Hanah Doak, RSM, went on to say, “From writing heartfelt thank-you notes to attending campus meetings and checking in with regular phone calls and texts, Beth and Randall were key to bringing this vision to life.”
The Snapps echoed that sentiment, saying “The campaign's success would not have been possible without the hard work and generosity of the donors who made this campaign a priority. Each individual and family who gave their time, resources, and support played a vital role in ensuring the school's future growth and success.”
A Bright Future Ahead:
The funds raised through the We Are BK Capital Campaign
play a crucial role in enhancing the student experience at Bishop Kelley, supporting academic excellence, facility improvements, and continued growth in the school’s endowments. The success of this campaign ensures that Bishop Kelley will continue to be a beacon of academic and spiritual formation for generations to come.
“We are truly humbled and grateful for the outpouring of support from our community,” said Doug Thomas, Director of Philanthropy. “This campaign has shown that when we come together, there’s no limit to what we can achieve for Bishop Kelley. We are excited for the future and all the wonderful things we will continue to accomplish with the help of our generous donors.”
For more information about the We Are BK Capital Campaign
or how to get involved with Bishop Kelley, please visit our website at www.bishopkelley.org
or contact the Philanthropy Department at philanthropy@bishopkelley.org.
About Bishop Kelley School
Bishop Kelley School is a Catholic diocesan high school located in Tulsa, Oklahoma, which focuses on preparing students' hearts and minds for a purposeful life, for college and beyond. Founded in 1960, the school offers a rigorous academic curriculum, a wide range of extracurricular activities, and a deep commitment to spiritual formation. Bishop Kelley strives to educate the whole person, empowering students to become responsible, faith-filled leaders in their communities.
Media Contact:
Candace Maggard
Manager of Marketing and Communications
Bishop Kelley High School
Phone: (918) 609-7143
Email: cmaggard@bishopkelley.org
Website: www.bishopkelley.org
Ryan Klerekoper is in his fourth year as a teacher at Bishop Kelley. In his short tenure at the school, Ryan has quickly distinguished himself as an adept, informed, reflective and engaging teacher of English. Ryan has taught freshmen through seniors at Bishop Kelley, though his mainstay is freshman English. When Ryan arrived at Bishop Kelley, he moved into the English Department seamlessly; he has become an integral part of the department. His students meet his high expectations, and judging from the flock of students who gather around him between classes, he is beloved of current and former students alike. One peer teacher describes him as, “One of Bishop Kelley's best teachers. He creates engaging lessons for his students who thrive in his classroom and who enjoy his teaching immensely as well; Ryan prioritizes keeping rigor high while also keeping learning fun.” Ryan displays a genuine concern for the intellectual, emotional, and spiritual development of his students. He holds his students to high standards but supports them in their efforts and struggles. He makes strong personal connections with each of his students. If you walk by his room before and after school, you find a room filled with animated students seeking his advice and affirmation. To help foster his own as well as his students’ spiritual growth, Ryan joined a faculty PLC to explore ways to integrate faith into his curriculum; he is genuinely focused on helping to develop the whole child. A fellow teacher describes him, “Ryan inspires his fellow English teachers to maintain the highest academic standards. He maintains humility by sharing and critiquing ideas as a team, incorporating new works of literature, and offering usable feedback with encouragement. It is a blessing to work with him; he is an outstanding teacher. “ Ryan holds both a bachelor's and master's degree in English from Northeastern State University. At Northeastern he won the Academic Achievement Award as the Most Outstanding Student in 2019. Prior to Bishop Kelley, Ryan taught both middle and high school English in the Union school district after a ten-year career with Mazzio's Pizza. The admiration and respect he inspires in both students and colleagues stand as a testament to the transformative impact he has on the lives of Bishop Kelley students. The 2025 Saint Francis of Assisi Teacher of the Year from Bishop Kelley is Ryan Klerekoper. Bishop Konderla will celebrate the SFOA Annual Mass and Teacher Awards: 👉 Friday, October 3, 2025 ⛪ 6 pm at Holy Family Cathedral
With over 350 in attendance on April 26, 2025 at Jarboe Hall, the BK community raised just over $312,500 (net) towards purchasing school bus transportation.
