The John F. Nash Family General Library Endowment was established in 1988 by the late John F. “Jack” Nash, a committed friend of the University and a 30-year member of the Hesburgh Libraries Advisory Council. Jack attended Indiana University, receiving a bachelor’s degree in 1943 and later a graduate degree in educational administration. He began a successful career in banking with First Bank and Trust Company in South Bend. He later established John F. Nash Associates, a group of management, financial, and real estate consultants. He has two daughters: Valerie, who passed away in 2001, and Peggy Ann.

With the support of the Nash Endowment, the faculty and staff of the Hesburgh Libraries are assured development opportunities to remain current in technological expertise, management, preservation, public or technical service, or others areas. Hesburgh Libraries utilize funds from the endowment to organize planning retreats, forums, and programs to enrich the understanding of service excellence in today’s world of scholarship. The endowment also supports the Libraries’ staff recognition program and presentations on “legendary service,” “continuous improvement,” and “patron-driven acquisitions.” This raises employee understanding of new and non-traditional services that enhance research and learning.

Jack also established the Reverend John J. Cavanaugh, C.S.C., Discretionary Fund.