Chris Ardoin ’05 recently made his first gift to O’Dowd, which remains near and dear to his heart nearly 15 years after he graduated.
Now a Los Angeles resident, Ardoin returned to campus in October to attend the Alumni Beer Garden and was inspired to make a gift to the school’s Annual Fund. “I’ve wanted to give back to O’Dowd somehow, because my high school experience was such a great time in my life, and this is a way for me to give support from afar.”
Ardoin said he learned many valuable lessons at O’Dowd, but the most important was don’t procrastinate. “With a heavy workload – both school and athletics – I learned how to stay on top of my assignments,” he said.
Pictured above, left to right: Elizabeth Bowler, Chris Ardoin, Chris Cobb
A two-sport athlete who excelled in basketball and swimming, Ardoin said he is still best friends with many of his O’Dowd teammates. One of his favorite memories is playing for the CIF State Division 3 Championship in 2004 against Centennial High School of Compton.
Ardoin encourages others to consider making a gift to O’Dowd. “We have to support a place that supported us so well,” he said.