James K. McAtee, more commonly known as Jim, was in the first seventh grade class at Priory. While attending an overly crowded parochial school in the sixth grade, his mother went to visit his class. She wanted to see what type of education he was getting with 63 students and only one nun as the teacher.

Feeling like he wasn't getting the rigorous education his parents were interested in, Jim's mom had him visit Priory. A friend said a school in Creve Coeur was expanding, and they were going to add a seventh-grade class.

While Jim didn't agree with his parents "yanking him out" of his current school and away from his friends, he very quickly realized they were providing him with the opportunity to have a stellar and unique education. When he reflects on his education at Priory, one word comes to mind - blessed. It was the foundational beginning of what has led to a lifetime of personal and professional achievements.

"I was forced to go to Priory, but I accepted it," says Jim. "My parents and my time at Priory formulated and enhanced the quality of honesty in me. Priory provided the foundation of a strong education and led me to develop a network of amazing people - both staff and other students. There's a brotherhood at Priory. You trust these guys."

Jim graduated in 1964 from Priory with 29 classmates that he considers brothers. All but two have remained in contact over the years. After graduating, Jim earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Georgetown University, and he attended University of Missouri-Columbia Law School for a semester before enlisting in the United States Marine Corps in the midst of the Vietnam War.

"After one semester in law school, I was draft eligible, so I ended up enlisting in the reserves for the Marines. I went to boot camp in San Diego, and in my platoon of 80, about half were college graduates," says Jim. "The change was a blessing. The Lord watches out for you. I looked around and decided I didn't want to be a lawyer. My brother suggested the brokerage industry, and all these years later I'm still working and enjoying helping people."

Jim has been married to his wife Pat for more than 50 years. They have two children, a son, Kevin, who attended Priory and graduated in 1997, and a daughter, Sara. Pat was very involved as a Priory mom. She was the chairwoman of the auction during Kevin's junior year. Jim and Pat are the proud grandparents of three, and he is hoping for a third generation at Priory for his grandson.

Jim's son Kevin has been working with his dad for almost 20 years and says the fact that his father has inspired him is an understatement. "I think throughout my upbringing, I both consciously and subconsciously witnessed a person who had it figured out. My dad was, and is, a happy fulfilled person who finds joy in everything he does and sees his job as a calling. His overall passion for life and work is inspirational, and almost monastic in his dedication to it."

OUTSTANDING PRIORY EDUCATION A STEPPINGSTONE TO LIFETIME SUCCESS

More than 60 years after its founding, the purpose of Priory remains remarkably consistent with the vision of its founders. As a member of the first seventh grade class, Jim got to know the founders and monks, and he developed lifelong relationships. He says the Oxford-educated monks were amazing, and the faculty were some of the very best. "They were brilliant scholars, and Priory was able to attract some really great lay teachers as well."

"I've had many blessings in life," says Jim. "Without God, you have nothing. The core values that I have were formed by my parents and the monks and faculty at Priory."

According to Jim, Priory offers young men a superior education. "The faith foundation allows for a stronger bond with your classmates," he says. "Priory was fundamental in my formation with Benedictine values. We worked hard at Priory, and we played hard. Everyone participated in sports when I was a student, just as they do today. That is an important component of a Priory education and for growing as an individual and teammate. I am so proud of my Priory education."

Jim said his last day at Priory never ended, and he credits his Priory education with helping him to get into Georgetown University, another love of his. "I wouldn't have gotten into Georgetown if I didn't have the Priory background. It's all sequential. I've had the luck of falling into some pretty great places and meeting interesting people even when I didn't have a plan."

By being involved in things like Student Council at Priory, Jim built his leadership skills. He went on to participate in similar activities at Georgetown. While there, he met former President Bill Clinton. They were in the same class and have attended college reunions together. In fact, two were even held in the White House.

"The networking and benefits from a Priory education are endless. My mom made me go to Priory. Priory helped get me into Georgetown. Attending Georgetown allowed me to meet some great and interesting people," says Jim. "I got to live in Washington D.C., and in the 1960s, it was the most fascinating place to be. I got to meet this person because I was in this place, and that person because I was involved on a committee or an activity. I was spoiled accidently. It was the grace of God, and it's been fun."

SERVICE TO OTHERS AND GIVING BACK

There is a plaque in the high school which reads "To Whom Much is Given of Him, Much Will be Required." Jim says that when you pass through the halls at Priory and are afforded such an amazing education, then you have been given a lot, and of you, much will be expected.

One of Jim's classmates and life-long friends is Priory alumnus Jim Switzer, '64. "I cannot think of a better example of someone who accepts the challenge of Luke 12-48, as presented on the plaque in the high school entry. Jim understands how much he has been given and embraces the expectation to give much in return. He does so in major ways, but also in many small ways."

Over the years, Jim has been of service to Priory in many forms. "Jim has been a loyal and active member of the Alumni Board, the Board of Advisors and with our work on AIM HIGH," says Abbot Gregory Mohrman, O.S.B., '76. "Through it all, he has epitomized the ideal of a Priory alumnus: thoughtful, sincere, kind and generous."

According to Jim, it is a duty and privilege to give back to causes which are important to him.

"It's an honor for me to give back," says Jim. "The benefits of giving are so much more abundant than receiving. Helping people feels good. It's more fun to give."

Jim's contributions to Priory include the Annual Fund, Capital Campaign 1 & 2, Monastic Campaign, Endowment, Golf Tournament, Sharing the Promise Campaign, Xanadu and Fund a Need.

Jim has had a profound impact on many lives and has been actively involved in many community-based organizations in addition to Priory, which include Edgewood Children's Center, White House Jesuit Retreat Center, Aim-High of Greater St. Louis, Mathews-Dickey Boys and Girls Clubs, and the Missouri Friends of Injured Marines.

"My dad's generosity in both dollars and time is something that I think I can only strive to replicate," says Kevin. "He told me countless times that if you are going to support a cause, whether monetarily or through volunteering, do it with all of your heart."