$10 Million Gift Kickstarts Capital Campaign

September 26, 2025

This fall, Dowling Catholic High School will kick off its most ambitious fundraising effort ever: a $76 million campaign called Honoring Our History, Faith in Our Future capital campaign.

Focused on long-overdue improvements to safety, student life and athletics, the campaign will bring many of the oldest parts of the campus into the 21st century.

Plans include a new student union, a single secure student entrance, expanded parking, an updated kitchen and dining area, additional practice and competition spaces, new locker rooms, and a roomier space for all-school Masses and pep rallies. These projects reflect Dowling Catholic’s ongoing commitment to providing an exceptional learning environment for every student. 

While Dowling Catholic’s leadership has worked on refining these projects, campaign strategy, and fundraising goals, a small group of donors has already stepped forward to create a foundation for this historic effort.

At the heart of it is one transformative gift that stands out for its size and for the legacy it reflects.

Jim and Patty Cownie, both of the Class of 1962, are longtime supporters of Catholic education, pillars of the Des Moines community and Cornerstone Chairs for the Honoring Our History, Faith in Our Future campaign. They have committed a $10 million gift to the effort – the largest single gift in Dowling Catholic’s history and a bold vote of confidence in the school’s future.

For Jim, the gift is deeply personal.

“My relationship to Dowling began formally in 1958, and it ended up being the best four years of my life.”

Those formative years shaped Jim as a student, athlete, and leader. He served as student body president, played every sport he could, and built friendships that have lasted a lifetime. “It built self-esteem and confidence,” he said. “I’ll never forget it.”

Dowling Catholic also introduced Jim to his wife, Patty (Hines) Cownie, who attended St. Joseph’s Academy. The two met as freshmen, thanks to meddling from Patty’s best friend, and began a lifelong partnership rooted in faith, family, and community.

The Cownies’ relationship with Dowling Catholic has only deepened over the decades. All nine of their children attended Dowling Catholic, and now their grandchildren are Maroons as well.

“We’ve seen how Dowling nurtures its students,” Jim said. “Not just academically, but in discipline, values, and opportunity. We believe in it.”

The Cownies’ generosity stems from gratitude for what Dowling Catholic has given them, as well as a sense of responsibility.

“We stayed in Des Moines because we love Des Moines,” Jim said. “We built a business here, and we’ve been blessed. We had good fortune and we learned – thanks to people like Bill Knapp – how to give it away.”

Jim and Patty see their gift not as a one-time gesture, but as part of a tradition of generosity. “We’ve been motivated by the behavior of others who give generously of their time and their money,” he said. “We’re happy to be one of those families.”

Jim also understands the importance of a strong lead gift for a campaign of this magnitude.

“Patty and I decided we were going to do something we’ve never done before – and we’re happy to do it for a place that has meant so much to us.”

He’s confident in the vision guiding the campaign. “I trust (Dowling Catholic President) Dan Ryan and the board. The thinking has been clear and good. We want to see Dowling Catholic continue to prosper and do the job it’s been able to do for students for a long time in the future.”

His advice for current and future Dowling Catholic students?

“Stay busy,” he said without hesitation. “There are a huge number of extracurricular activities offered. That’s what I tell my grandkids. Take advantage of the opportunities, stay busy, and life is better.”

Through the Honoring Our History, Faith in Our Future capital campaign, the Cownies are ensuring that future generations of Maroons will have the same opportunities – and strong foundation – that shaped their own lives.

And for Jim and Patty Cownie, it’s simple.

“Dowling has been important to us,” Jim said. “It’s time to give back.”

Soon, Dowling Catholic will turn to the entire Maroon community to build on the foundation that Jim and Patty Cownie have so generously set.

This story was originally printed in Focus Magazine, of Dowling Catholic High School. It is reprinted with permission.