Jesuit College Preparatory School of Dallas has announced a $17 million gift from Rachel Segal in support of the David A. Segal Family Aquatic Center.

The largest gift in the school's seventy-eight-year history will support construction of a 29,000-square-foot facility featuring an eight-lane, 25-yard competition pool for the school's swimming and diving teams and water polo program, a four-lane warmup/teaching pool with separate temperature and climate controls, and a climate-controlled gallery with seating for two hundred and fifty guests. Named after Segal's late husband and nicknamed "The Gull," the facility also will have spaces for injury rehabilitation, endurance and flexibility training, and instruction in swimming, scuba diving, and lifeguarding.

"Jesuit is a unique institution in Dallas," said Segal. "It is a backbone for the underserved locally and abroad, and the rigorous academics and discipline it offers provided a huge benefit to my sons. However, the biggest impact Jesuit made on the boys was the development of their emotional intellect. Walking under the 'Men for Others' signage every day was a walk-the-talk experience. It is an honor to support the school, and it is a wonderful tribute to be able to preserve David's memory in this way."

"We are deeply humbled by the generosity of the Segal family," said Jesuit Dallas president Mike Earsing. "The Gull will enrich the educational environment at Jesuit Dallas in so many ways. Beyond its obvious application as a venue for athletic competition and training for all sports, the space will serve as an additional science lab of sorts by allowing our students to engage in experiments and activities not currently possible. Our marine biology program, which focuses on addressing environmental issues across the globe and is unique in its scope among secondary schools, will also greatly benefit. When we consider fully all of the possibilities, the addition of a natatorium on our campus is wonderful and exciting."

(Photo credit: Jesuit Dallas)