Honoring the 2024 Circle of Philanthropy Inductees

During McDonogh’s Legacy Campaign Celebration in mid-May, the newest inductees to the Circle of Philanthropy, Donna and Sam Wright ’64, were recognized for their exceptional dedication to the School. This honor is reserved for members of the McDonogh Family who, within their lifetime, have given more than $1 million; have had a noteworthy, schoolwide impact or supported and directed fundraising for a School priority project; and have gone above and beyond the call of duty to do the greatest possible amount of good for McDonogh and the larger community. There are now 21 members of this prestigious group.

The Wrights’ relationship with McDonogh began in September 1959 when Sam entered the eighth grade as a scholarship student. He shares that initially he was told he would not be offered a scholarship, but fate intervened and when another student turned down the opportunity, he was “the next man up.”

Sam, a loyal alumnus for more than six decades with Donna by his side supporting his volunteerism and helping honor his past, was not only instrumental in planning the Class of 1964 reunions, but he also served on McDonogh’s Board of Trustees for nine years. Over time, the Wrights have given generously to the School and are especially committed to supporting scholarship. Sam’s leadership has been invaluable to McDonogh’s fundraising efforts, most recently as Co-Chair of the Legacy Campaign Committee.

As parents (Craig ’88 and Jennifer) and grandparents (Grace ’19 and Suzanna ’21) Sam and Donna have continued to witness the life-changing benefits of a McDonogh education. He says, “We have been honored to support McDonogh and help enable the School to offer current and future students the same level of transformational experiences that have impacted the lives of its students for 150 years!”

—Danielle Schollaert