Endowed Funds

Like every great learning institution, DSHA is constantly evolving to meet the needs of students, faculty, staff, and families while remaining true to our mission. Endowed funds are permanent “trusts” that gain interest over the years, allowing DSHA to secure its future and continue our commitment to academic excellence.

The group of funds listed below supports our faculty and staff, and strengthens DSHA’s ability to enhance the student experience through programs, facilities, and other opportunities. In supporting these facets of DSHA, the legacy and mission of our founders will endure for future generations.

Established by friends of DSHA to support participation in study trips and co-curricular activities for girls who receive tuition assistance.

Supports participation in the Maker movement — a term coined by

Dale Dougherty in 2013 — closely associated with STEM learning, an approach to problem-based and project-based learning that relies upon hands-on, often collaborative learning experiences as a method for solving authentic problems.

Established by Holly Blake and W. Scott Blake, parents of Melissa

Blake, DSHA ‘06, and Morgan Blake Treis, DSHA ‘04, to assist DSHA in providing competitive compensation.

Established by the Estate of Virginia J. Gaertner Broderick, HA ‘35, to ensure the legacy and mission of DSHA endure for future generations.

Established by Mary and James Mark Connelly, parents of Frances

Connelly, DSHA ‘03, and Madeline Connelly, DSHA ‘06, to support fine arts curriculum and faculty development.

Established by Tom and Maripat Young Dalum, HA ‘59, parents of Marikris

Dalum Coryell, DSHA ‘84; Amy Dalum Downing, DSHA ‘86; and Judie Dalum

Taylor, DSHA ‘87, to assist DSHA in providing competitive compensation.

Established by Melissa L. Doerr, DSHA ‘93, to honor the teachers who made a difference in her life and to inspire other DSHA alumnae to contribute to the endowed compensation fund.

Established in 2000, this fund is used to offer competitive compensation to attract and retain the best faculty and staff for DSHA students.

This endowed fund was created to expand Advanced Placement (AP) classes, technology, and fine arts course offerings, and fund the faculty enrichment program.

Established in 2011 to provide professional development opportunities for faculty and staff.

Established by friends of DSHA and S. Virginia Honish, SDS, DS ‘55, to provide financial support for a variety of adult faith enrichment opportunities for faculty and staff to enhance not only their intellectual foundation, but their moral and spiritual roots as well.

Established by Jane Rademacher Kerwin, DS ‘64. The purpose of the fund is to bring experts to DSHA to support mental health and wellness for students, faculty, parents, and members of the wider DSHA community.

Established by Dennis and Sandra Bulawa Kuester, HA ‘62, to assist faculty or students to participate in faith development activities.

Established by the Kathleen M. Murphy Trust to assist DSHA in providing competitive compensation.

Established by Kristen Olen Robinson, DSHA ‘80, and Gretchen Olen Funck,

DSHA ‘82, to honor their mother, Kathleen Zierden Olen, HA ‘57, and her commitment to developing young women of “faith, heart, and intellect.”

The fund supports students in need of financial assistance as they pursue advanced level education in the dual-credit college program.

Established by Ellen and Michael Bartel and friends of the Syburg/Bartel families in memory of Fred and Jane Syburg to advance the professional development of DSHA faculty.

Established by William and Maria Haas Tess, HA ‘68, in appreciation for the exemplary education provided to her and her sisters Mary Joan Haas, DS

‘52†, and Diane Haas Brich, HA ‘57†, daughters of Jack† and Mina† Haas.