Adelaide Cobb Ward ’51

An extraordinary gift in celebration of her HB experience

In the fall of 1946, eighth grader Adelaide “Addie” Cobb and her mother drove up the tree-lined drive of Hathaway Brown’s Classic Building where Head of School Miss Anne Cutter Coburn greeted them at the front door. It was the beginning of what Addie describes today as a life-changing period in her life that instilled in her values, kindness, empathy and a profound sense of responsibility. “Hathaway Brown not only encouraged my development as a student,” Addie says. “It also helped to guide me in the right direction as I was becoming a young adult.” Addie’s formative HB experience was the catalyst for expanding her commitment to the school with an extraordinarily generous donation in 2020, the largest outright gift to an all-girls school in Ohio. Her gift is dedicated to the renovation of the heart of the school, the Classic Building, where she first met Miss Coburn 75 years ago. The building will be renamed the Adelaide Cobb Ward 1951 Academic Center in her honor.

Addie Ward’s senior class photo in 1951.

The seeds of Addie’s contagious kindness, generosity and wisdom came from her early years on HB’s campus. The faculty provided what she describes as an invaluable education as they imparted knowledge, life lessons and guidance to her and her classmates. Dorm life as a boarder was also part of her education. The unique experience of living with 45 other girls was full of laughs, deep bonds and sisterhood. The girls learned to be part of a group, valued the rules and order and, perhaps most importantly, they learned tolerance and kindness. “We had different views but listened and accepted those different ideas,” Addie remembers. “I loved Hathaway Brown. I didn’t want to graduate!” Hathaway Brown’s motto, “we learn not for school but for life,” became a guiding principle for Addie and she has gracefully carried that out in all aspects of her life with a devotion to family and public service. After marrying Louis Larrick Ward in 1955, she moved to Kansas City where they raised their three children, Scott, Tom and Linda. Together, the family was at the helm of an

Addie Ward and members of her family during Alumnae Weekend in 2016. Pictured left to right: Son-in-law John O’Hara, son Tom Ward, daughter Linda Ward O’Hara, Addie, daughter-in-law Alison Ward, and Addie’s son, Scott Ward.

extremely successful — and sweet — American institution, Russell Stover Candies. They built a thriving business that became one of the largest chocolate manufacturers in North America, eventually selling the business to Swiss chocolatier Lindt & Sprüngli in 2014. Addie is a respected leader in the Kansas City community, volunteering and generously supporting visions for educational institutions, hospitals, service organizations, and museums. One example of her significant impact occurred after undergoing an unexpected, but successful, quadruple bypass heart surgery. After that experience, she recognized the importance of raising awareness about heart disease in women and funded the Adelaide C. Ward Women’s Heart Health Center at The University of Kansas Health System, which opened in 2012. That same year, Addie felt it seemed only natural to establish a scholarship for her alma mater as a testimony to her continued belief in the educational foundation and life skills provided at Hathaway Brown. The Adelaide Cobb Ward 1951 Scholarship has, so far, provided three recipients with the precious gift of a four-year scholarship. As one Ward scholar recently reflected, “I will forever be grateful to Mrs. Ward whose generosity gave me so many opportunities. More importantly, it allowed me to join the HB community, which helped make me into the person I am today.” Addie’s incredible gift to renovate the Classic Building embodies HB’s mission and values, creating a building

Addie (left) and her fellow classmate, Anne Jones Edwards ’51, once took a quick dip in HB’s fountain after a fun day sunning on the lawn.

that is historically modern, bright and welcoming, with cutting-edge technology and flexible classroom spaces for students to pursue distinguished academics. The architecture also supports the social and emotional well-being of the students through the creation of living room-style gathering and study areas, reflecting HB’s fundamental value of sisterhood which Addie also holds dear. Critical infrastructure items have also been addressed, including the installation of new heating, ventilation, and cooling systems. “When you walk through the front door, you see that beautiful hallway!” Addie recently shared. “I am absolutely thrilled with the updates!” Current students, families, faculty, and staff couldn’t agree more. Head of School Dr. Fran Bisselle said, “The improvements being made will make a lasting impact on the lives of young women and their teachers many years into the future. Addie’s generosity enables us to enhance

Addie (center) and classmates having fun in the HB dormitory during the early 1950s.

parts of our physical plant and create spaces for our innovative curriculum. These changes allow us to continue to celebrate community, empower girls, and offer distinguished academics that put knowledge into action.” Today, Addie still considers her family her highest priority as it has grown to include nine grandchildren and five

Addie accepting her Distinguished Alumnae Award at Alumnae Weekend in 2016.

great-grandchildren! She knows the value in creating lasting bonds between generations. And her extraordinary gift to Hathaway Brown also connects the past with the present. It is a legacy that will have a positive impact on generations to come. “We thank Addie for the inspiration that she brings to all of us, for her kindness, and for her noble and courageous spirit,” Dr. Bisselle says. “We are truly grateful.”

Addie in her senior year graduation dress while at her family’s home in Canton, Ohio.