Landmark News April 2013; Jefferys Donate $1 Million to CSG

LANDMARK NEWS April 2013

Columbus School for Girls

Jeffreys Donate $1 Million to CSG Campaign Passes $10 Million Mark “ It’s exceedingly important that CSG and an all-girls education remain a vital part of the palette of opportunity available to girls.”

Nancy Jeffrey

York, where she attended the Masters School, an all-girls school, on scholarship.

“Education was very important to my mother,” said Nancy. “She made sure that I received the best education available.”

Tad and Nancy Jeffrey’s $1 million Landmark Campaign gift has pushed the campaign more than halfway toward its goal.

Bexley residents Tad and Nancy Jeffrey deeply believe in the importance of giving back. Couple their profound generosity with an unwavering belief in the mission of Columbus School for Girls, and the result is an extraordinary Landmark Capital Campaign gift that will impact generations of CSG students.

After a thorough review and discussion of campaign plans with Head of School Liza Lee and several members of the CSG Board of Trustees, the Jeffreys were of one mind and united in support of the Landmark Campaign, said Tad Jeffrey.

“We asked ourselves, what can we do to help CSG?” he said.

Their compelling answer, a million dollar Landmark Campaign gift, will help the historic, nationally recognized institution literally and figuratively build the future.

“These new facilities made possible through the Landmark Campaign will round out the superior facilities at CSG,” said Nancy Jeffrey. “It’s exceedingly important that CSG and an all-girls education remain a vital part of the palette of opportunity available to girls in central Ohio,” she added.

The Jeffreys understand firsthand the special power and importance of all-girls schools. They’ve lived it themselves. Tad’s mother, Florence Crocker Jeffrey Scovil, is a CSG alumna from the Class of 1925. Nancy grew up in Westchester County, New

Nancy added that CSG is a very valuable asset to the Bexley community. When the Jeffreys moved to Bexley in the mid-1950s, education was still paramount on their minds as they raised three daughters—all of whom graduated from CSG: Anne Wright ’70, Sally O’Neil ’72, and Elizabeth (Betsy) Balderston ’75. When the Jeffrey daughters entered college, each one had the same reaction, remembered Nancy. Each, in turn, suddenly discovered that she had been far better prepared for college than her peers because of her experience at CSG. “In addition to an excellent learning atmosphere, CSG teaches young women to ask why...to think out of the box...to not simply settle for the status quo because ‘that’s the way it has always been done,’” added Sally O’Neil. “In the 1970s, and still today, this was not always popular for women (in particular) to do—the glass ceiling is alive and well. But I left CSG feeling that there was no such thing—and that’s half the battle. My parents are supporters of many wonderful organizations in Columbus—but none are more important to me than CSG. Bravo, Mom and Dad!” The Jeffreys have a long and extensive history of philanthropic and community involvement, and CSG has benefited from their generosity of time, talent, and support for many years. Nancy, a former CSG Board of Trustees chair, is a Lifetime Member of the Board. She co-chaired CSG’s highly successful Centennial Campaign in 1998. Tad is a current member of the Bexley Community Foundation and was the recipient of the Foundation’s inaugural Cornerstone Award in 2011. He is a former Columbus College of Art and Design trustee, where they recently dedicated the Tad Jeffrey FabLab. Together, Tad and Nancy’s commitment and presence have touched many, many organizations, including the Columbus

“ I especially recall feeling so very well prepared for my freshman year at Vanderbilt when others around me were swirling with the demands of higher expectations. That confidence and knowledge that ‘luck favors the prepared’ have fueled my endeavors whether at work, service, or personal challenges. I am especially grateful to Mom and Dad for their efforts to insure that other young women leave CSG with that ‘fuel in their tanks.’ Their gifts of time, talent, and treasure have empowered countless graduates since my sisters and I were there in the 1960s and 70s. We all say ‘thank you’ for these gifts!”

Anne Jeffrey Wright ’70

Metro Parks, Franklin Historical Society, YWCA, Ohio Historical Society, Communities in Schools, United Way, Metropolitan Human Services Commission, and The Ohio State University. Their contributions and determination to improve the world around them has made central Ohio a better place to live.

“Tad and Nancy have been among CSG’s strongest and most enduring supporters, and I thank them with all of my heart for their tremendous generosity and leadership,” remarked Head of School Liza Lee. “Their wonderful Landmark gift will have a far-reaching impact that not only will benefit the girls of today, but also will affect directly the lives of generations of students.” “ I am very proud of Mom and Dad’s support of CSG. CSG made a real difference in my life and prepared me to be a contributor and leader in my profession and community. I am delighted that the CSG experience will be available to future generations of girls in central Ohio.”

Betsy Jeffrey Balderston ’75

Landmark

The Capital and Endowment Campaign for Columbus School for Girls Greetings from Kibler House, where jack hammering and beeping bulldozers are the sounds of spring on campus! Construction of the Performing Arts Center began in March and is due to be complete in early 2014. We’re happy to report an outstanding show of support during the past year for Columbus School for Girls. Donors have contributed $3.5 million in new gifts and pledges to the Landmark Campaign since August 2012. We’re now actively in the public and final phase of this important campaign.

A huge thanks to our Phase I Campaign Chair Sarah Kay ’87 for all of her efforts in getting the Landmark Campaign underway and moving forward. Current campaign chairs as of spring 2012 are past CSG parents Webb and Liz Vorys (Eleanor ’12, Kate ’07). We also want to acknowledge and give our special thanks to the leaders of the Solicitation Committee: Lori Ann Feibel, Cecily Chester Alexander ’88, Kitty Morton Epler ’62, Julie Schottenstein Saar ’84, Beth Crane ’69, and Tim Miller.

Your Hopes. Her Dreams. Our Commitment.

Katie Kessler Chatas ’84 Kim Rice Wilson ’80 Co-Interim Development Directors

New Wellness and Athletics Complex Generates Swim and Dive Enthusiasm With possibly the best high school aquatic facility in central Ohio, and arguably, the state, CSG’s new eight-lane pool, which opened in September 2012, has generated incredible enthusiasm for the swim and dive programs. The Upper School Aqua Unies had a fabulous year, finishing 12th in the state meet out of 46 teams.

“I tell everyone how amazing the new pool is,” said Varsity and Middle School Swim Coach Stephanie Donley. “Our girls have a renewed energy in their training. They are so excited about coming to practice and tell everyone how fortunate they are to have a facility like this.”

Members of the swim team who competed in the state swim meet February 22-23, 2013.

Annie Moosavian ’16, Keiko Wilkins ’13, Erin Smith ’13, Rachel Politi ’15, Eleanor Smith ’16, (Back row) Gabby Eismann ’16, Erin Balasky ’14, Kirby Boes ’15.

Facility Highlights • New Aquatic Center: — 8-lane infinity pool open; one of the most impressive in Ohio — Increased spectator seating • New Fitness Center (strength and conditioning room overlooking Aquatic Center) • New Studio (for group fitness classes, dance, and yoga) •

• • • • •

New Locker Rooms — Home and Visitor locker rooms — Women’s and Men’s locker rooms New Athletic Training Room New Athletic and Physical Education Offices New Athletic Conference Room New Wellness and Athletics Entrance New Wellness and Athletics Lobby with concessions

$1 Million Crane Family Gift “ While a student at CSG, I cherished the warm fellowship and challenging academics. It wasn’t until my daughter was a student that I really came to appreciate the fact that the school had sheltered and helped educate four generations of girls in our family. CSG is now in its second century of providing not just a top education to girls and young women, but fostering in them a desire to live to the highest ideals of womanhood.”

Sally Crane ’75

“ We contributed to the Landmark Campaign because we have seen firsthand how a CSG education can transform girls and young women into the leaders of tomorrow.”

Timothy T. Miller, current parent Vice President & General Counsel Crane Group Co.

We thank the Crane family, who once again demonstrated their longstanding devotion to Columbus School for Girls with a $1 million gift given in the early days of the Landmark Campaign.

The Crane Family Fitness Center, from its inspiring vantage overlooking the new pool, is already being well utilized by our girls. In fact, girls as young as Form III are being taught proper use of the fitness equipment to encourage lifelong healthy habits. Next year, for the first time, CSG will offer an Upper School Strength and Conditioning class.

Performing Arts Center Construction Begins Spring had barely sprung in central Ohio when groundbreaking occurred on March 18 for CSG’s new 400-seat Performing Arts Center.

Construction will be complete in early 2014.

How does this Performing Arts Center strengthen CSG and our girls? CSG’s programs and curriculum are designed to help each girl find her voice. With 75 percent of our Upper School and every Lower and Middle School student participating in performing arts, construction of our new Performing Arts Center is a visible and outward sign of our commitment to girls finding and expressing their artistic passions.

Features: • Theater

— Seats 400 — Serves music and theater programs — Stage wing space — Stage set/scene shop — Theater office and green rooms — All LED lighted theater

• New Arts Lobby • New Arts Garden • New Columbia Avenue Entrance Drive • New Service Court from Powell Avenue • New Maintenance Area

“ The Performing Arts Center will enable the CSG community to forge new collaborations with artists and professional arts organizations in Columbus. It’s exciting to think about the possibilities—our students connecting to the larger arts community and reaping the benefits of performing, attending performances, and working with guest artists in a beautiful facility.”

Agnes Becker, Strings Teacher, Forms III-XII

An Aspirational Legacy Gift: The Sterner/Johnson Family and Legacy Wall Almost a century has passed since Frances Elisabeth Thomson ’17 became the first member of her family to attend Columbus School for Girls.

Liz Sterner regarded her CSG education as so important that she taught in the Lower School for many years to enable her two daughters, Frannie ’44 and Tibbi ’47, to attend. She instilled in both a love for learning and a bond to CSG that has held true throughout four generations.

give forward and remember our legacy at the same time. We valued our education and everyone who worked hard to make CSG the excellent school it is. When we heard about the Landmark Campaign, we had to do it. This is such a good fit for our family.”

All three Johnson sisters describe their parents’ decision to send them to CSG as being driven by a desire for their girls to feel confident and selfassured.

In turn, Tibbi and Kiehner Johnson’s three daughters, Liz ’75, Francie ’77, and Jennifer ’80, graduated from CSG. Liz Sterner’s greatgranddaughter, Francie Taylor, became the most recent link in this longstanding family tradition, graduating from CSG in 2011.

Liz Sterner especially loved the library and theater, and over the years her daughters spoke about together honoring their mother’s devotion to CSG with a gift. After Tibbi’s death and the announcement of the CSG Landmark Campaign, Frannie Richardson, Tibbi’s husband, and his daughters felt that the campaign would provide them the ideal opportunity to fulfill their aspiration. Their family’s legacy gift will jointly honor both mother and grandmother.

When asked why they gave significantly to CSG at this time, Liz Johnson Taylor said, “We wanted to

Francie Johnson Hester noted that her time at CSG also afforded her a deeper connection to her Aunt Frannie as well as to other women who had walked the hallways through the years and shared in the many cherished CSG traditions.

“It was meaningful when I was there, and when I look back—I know how special CSG is,” she said.

“Our parents wanted us to feel confident, powerful and independent, and we developed an inherent self-assurance thanks to CSG.”

Elizabeth Johnson Taylor ’75, Frances Johnson Hester ’77, Jennifer Johnson Eve ’80. The Johnson sisters walking down their driveway on the first day of school.

Jennifer Johnson Eve sums up her reason for giving simply—her belief in the importance of an all-girls education. Together the family strongly believes in the necessity of continuing to offer allgirls education in central Ohio.

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Legacy Wall – Challenging other multi-generational families to give

The idea of institutional loyalty runs very strongly in the Sterner and Johnson family. Tibbi’s husband, Kiehner, father of Liz, Francie, and Jennifer remarked, “I talked with Frannie and the girls, and we decided it’s important to emphasize the legacy of continuity throughout the school, and

we wanted to challenge other multi-generation families to join us.”

“We especially love the idea of honoring CSG with our four generations,” added Frannie Richardson.

Liz Taylor noted that while the buildings and facilities are changing, the heart of the school remains unchanged. Despite the passing decades, a CSG education remains true to its mission of pursuing academic rigor, instilling core values, and building an ethical foundation. In short, CSG still lives its motto, Forte et Gratum.

Thank you to the Sterner and Johnson family for this significant legacy. Your generosity will be valued for generations as future families continue their own legacy at CSG.

Elisabeth “Gronkie” Thomson Sterner ’17, Tibbi Sterner Johnson ’47, Elizabeth Johnson Taylor ’75.

Three generations of women and CSG graduates in the Alumnae Living Room.

How to Give The Time is Now. Your Support is Needed.

Columbus School for Girls’ $20 million Landmark Campaign will significantly upgrade CSG’s facilities to support and enhance fully the institution’s academic, artistic, athletic and wellness curricula and programs. Anchoring the ambitious Landmark Building Project are two facilities vital to CSG’s strategic vision: a state-of-the-art Wellness and Athletics Complex, which opened in autumn 2012, and a 400-seat Performing Arts Center, scheduled for completion in spring 2014. The campaign goal is divided into two keys areas: raising $18 million for building projects and $2 million for CSG’s endowment.

Giving to the Columbus School for Girls Landmark Capital Campaign is easier than you think. While gifts of cash are welcome in any campaign, there are other opportunities for giving that you may not be aware of and that can make your gift have a great impact. Pledges may be paid over three to five years.

• Gifts of cash • Gifts of appreciated securities • Gifts of real estate/real property • Matching funds/corporate grants Columbus School for Girls deeply appreciates and honors the generosity of our donors. If you would like to make a gift to the Landmark Campaign, please contact Co-Interim Development Directors Katie Kessler Chatas ’84, kchatas@columbusschoolforgirls.org, or Kim Rice Wilson ’80, kimricewilson@columbusschoolforgirls.org 614-252-0781 ext. 130.

Columbus School for Girls 56 S. Columbia Avenue Columbus, Ohio 43209 614-252-0781

As they finalized the purpose of their gift, the Sterner and Johnson family had an idea to inspire others to give to CSG’s Landmark Campaign. They are challenging other multi-generational CSG families to make a gift of $100,000 or more. Those who do will be recognized on Legacy Wall in the new Performing Arts Center, alongside the Sterner and Johnson family. To date, more than 18 multigenerational families have contributed $100,000 or above.