M ercersb u r g ma g az i ne w i nter 2 0 1 4
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D at es to Rem em b er
Feb 23–27 Irving-Marshall Week
Mercersburg A roundup of what’s news, what’s new, and what Mercersburg people are talking about.
(Declamation: Feb 27, 7:15 p.m., Simon Theatre)
Mar 21 Cum Laude Convocation, 11 a.m.
Irvine Memorial Chapel
May 24 Commencement, 10:30 a.m. Jun 5–9 Reunion Weekend Schedule subject to change; for a full and updated schedule of events, visit www.mercersburg.edu
Deborah J. Simon ’74
Deborah J. Simon ’74 Pledges Nearly $107 Million to Mercersburg Gift Launches $300 Million Daring to Lead Campaign In gratitude to an institution that helped shape her life at a pivotal time, Deborah J. Simon ’74 of Indianapolis, Indiana, and the Deborah Joy Simon Foundation have pledged to make a $100 million gift to Mercersburg, the largest gift the school has ever received, and the second largest single gift ever made to an independent school in the United States. The Simon donation is the lead gift in the school’s Daring to Lead estimated $300
million comprehensive campaign, and includes a matching component to encourage additional campaign contributions. In addition to funding an endowment for financial aid, the campaign will also support faculty development, enhanced facilities, and innovative programming at the school. A member of Mercersburg’s Board of Regents, Ms. Simon was a student here from 1972 to 1974. When combined with recent campaign gifts that include support
for a new student center, Ms. Simon and her foundation have pledged total campaign gift amounts of $106,955,000. Ms. Simon announced the pledge October 10 at a special school meeting in the Burgin Center for the Arts’ Simon Theatre before the entire student body and faculty, her fellow members of the Board of Regents, special guests, and members of the media. She was joined on the stage by continued on page 4