BOSTON—Boston College has received a $20 million gift from the co-founder of a Massachusetts supermarket chain and his wife to help train teachers for Catholic schools and universities.
The Jesuit university announced Tuesday that it will name its Center for Catholic Education after Patrick and Barbara Roche. The Roches say they made the donation because Catholic education has had such a profound effect on their lives.
Patrick Roche, a 1951 Boston College graduate, founded Roche Bros. supermarkets with his brother Bud, in 1952. The chain now has 18 stores.
The Roche Center for Catholic Education trains graduate and undergraduate students to administer and teach in Catholic schools and universities nationwide, while also conducting research on issues concerning Catholic schools.
