Benilde-St. Margaret’s School is proud to have nominated Warren and Mary Lynn Staley to receive a 2011 St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Award from the National Catholic Education Association. The honor, which recognizes the Staleys for their support of Catholic education and other philanthropic activities, was presented in Washington, D.C., on Monday, October 3.

“As parents of three BSM students (Jennifer ‘90, Jeff ‘92 and Chris ‘95), Warren and Mary Lynn were regulars at school activities and leaders in the community,” said Bob Tift ’71, BSM president. “Mary Lynn served on our board and was instrumental in the success of our strategic planning process at the time. The Staleys’ contribution to Benilde-St. Margaret’s supports our tuition assistance program.”

“The challenge for every parent is to find the right school that allows each child to grow and become the unique person he or she is meant to be,” said Mary Lynn Staley. “We found that for our three children in Benilde-St. Margaret’s School. We are pleased to support BSM’s ministry of Catholic education that includes faith formation, academic rigor, social responsibility, and preparation to be leaders for a global society.”

“We believe Catholic schools do the best job of preparing students to be ethical leaders in whatever fields they choose,” said Warren Staley. “That opportunity shouldn’t be limited to families from the suburbs.”

That’s why the Staleys also support Cristo Rey Jesuit High School-Twin Cities in central Minneapolis. Said Warren, “Hard work and perseverance are fundamental to a student’s success in any school, but they are especially important to a Cristo Rey Jesuit High School student, as each has a job. We are proud to support Cristo Rey Jesuit High School, whose Hire4Ed work-study program provides a Catholic education to families who might not otherwise consider one. Yet, students not only receive a quality, Catholic education, but also four years of professional work experience that prepares them for success in college and life.”

The Staleys met at Kansas State University (K-State), Manhattan, Kansas. Their family, volunteer and professional pursuits have taken them all over the world. The United Way, Opportunity International, K-State, St. Mary’s University of Minnesota, and Habitat for Humanity are among the organizations to which the Staleys have given time, energy and money. Warren was the CEO when he retired from Cargill, a privately held, international company, in 2007. Since then, the Staleys have devoted their time to family, friends and philanthropic interests.

“We want to share what we have,” said Warren. “We’ve needed to leave our footprint, wherever we’ve lived,” said Mary Lynn.  

A brief video about the Staleys is posted online, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0yfnFisj1FE.

Benilde-St. Margaret’s is a dynamic Catholic learning community which partners with parents/guardians to develop the student’s highest potential in mind, body, and spirit. We offer a challenging college preparatory curriculum and a uniquely caring experience that includes faith formation, academic rigor, social responsibility, and extensive extracurricular activities. We educate leaders for a global society.


Cristo Rey Jesuit High School-Twin Cities is a member of the Cristo Rey Network of 24 schools across the country serving urban youth with limited educational options. Through our partnerships with some of the top companies and organizations in the Twin Cities, each Cristo Rey Jesuit High School student works five days a month in a professional work environment earning over half of the cost of their quality, Catholic, college-preparatory education.