Big Shoulders Fund welcomes Byron O. Spruell, Chicago Managing Principal at Deloitte, to its Board of Directors

CHICAGO, June 3, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Big Shoulders Fund, a 27-year-old private independent nonprofit that raises funds and provides support to 90 inner-city Catholic schools in Chicago to ensure they remain accessible and a high quality option for all children, is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Byron O. Spruell to its board of directors. 

Mr. Spruell is the vice chairman, and Central region and Chicago managing principal for Deloitte LLP, the largest professional services firm in Chicago.  He helps drive Deloitte's strategy for client and business growth, as well as the firm's strategic positioning in the local and regional marketplace.

Big Shoulders Fund President and CEO Josh Hale remarked, "We are thrilled to have Byron join our board. His leadership skills and passion for improving the lives of children and families will be a tremendous asset to our mission.  Deloitte has invested time, resources and insights to improve the lives of the nearly 24,000 children we serve, and I have no doubt Deloitte's impact will only increase with Byron's leadership."

"It's truly an honor to join the Big Shoulders Fund board," said Mr. Spruell.  "Education - specifically college readiness and success – is a top priority for Deloitte's corporate citizenship programs.  We're proud to continue working with the Big Shoulders Fund to further its mission of providing access to the top-notch education that these schools offer."

In addition to the Big Shoulders Fund Mr. Spruell serves on the board of the Museum of Science & Industry, Metropolitan Family Services, the Chicago Urban League, the Jackie Robinson Foundation in New York, and the Notre Dame Monogram Club Association.  He is a member of The Executive Leadership Council, The Economic Club of Chicago, The Executives' Club of Chicago, The Commercial Club of Chicago, The Metropolitan Club and The Chicago Club.

Mr. Spruell received his undergraduate degree in Mechanical Engineering and a master's degree in Business Administration with honors from the University of Notre Dame. 

The Big Shoulders Fund
Big Shoulders Fund was founded in 1986 by business leaders to provide assistance for the inner-city Catholic schools in Chicago.  To date, the Big Shoulders Fund has raised over $254 million, which has been used to increase access for low-income students and the viability of 90 inner-city elementary and secondary schools, and to assist with academic enhancements and student enrichment.  Big Shoulders Fund schools educate nearly 24,000 children of whom 80% are minority, 61% living in poverty, and 32% are not Catholic. Fully 85% of students that graduate with Big Shoulders renewable scholarships enroll in college the following year of whom 86% enrolled at four-year universities, which is considerably higher than city, state, and national averages.

Big Shoulders has earned a four star rating from Charity Navigator for seven years in a row measuring efficiency, transparency and accountability.  The Fund is an independent 501(c) (3) non-profit entity that receives and distributes privately raised contributions.  For more information, visit http://www.bigshouldersfund.org or call 312-751-8337.

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CONTACT: Rebecca Lindsay-Ryan  1-312-751-3851, [email protected]

SOURCE Big Shoulders Fund