T h e
Fall 2014
millbrook receives
$5 million gift Math and Science Center to be named for Fred Hamilton ’45
C a mp a i g n
GOAL
$65 million RAISED TO DATE
$40 million
Campaign on Track Buoyed by the receipt of several new major gifts and a year-end surge in annual giving, the campaign neared the $40 million mark this summer and is staying on track to reach its goal of $65 million in three more years.
At the fall meeting of Millbrook’s Board of Trustees, William L. Menard ’78, chairman, announced the receipt of a $5 million gift from Frederic C. Hamilton ’45, a loyal and long-time Millbrook benefactor. In recognition of his generosity, the board voted to name the Math and Science Center in his honor. The gift is one of the largest in Millbrook’s 84-year history. “Fred’s gift comes at a time when, through the capital campaign, we are working to advance the school on all fronts. The majority of his commitment will be placed in our growing endowment and thus help us meet a major objective in the campaign. Such contributions are about providing for the future. They come from individuals who have the vision to see the long-term impact of their support. Fred is such a man. We are truly thankful for this exceptionally generous contribution,” Menard said. Fred has supported the school for many years. In addition to making regular annual gifts, in 1987 he established the Frederic C. Hamilton Endowed Chair in English demonstrating his long-term interest in building endowment. Headmaster Drew Casertano has known Fred Hamilton for all of the 25 years he has served as headmaster. According to Casertano, “All schools have moments—opportunities to take a large step forward, a chance to move ahead at a faster pace than imagined. This is that time for Millbrook. Indeed, I think everyone is pleased with the progress that we have made, but now is the time to use that advancement as a foundation for the next large step. Now we have the opportunity to further differentiate ourselves from others in the small boarding school world. The key is endowment. Fred’s gift to this major priority gives us a boost we had not imagined. We thank him, and we know that future generations of Millbrook alumni will thank him as well.” The Hamilton Math and Science Center is expected to be formally dedicated this fall. The dedication will allow Millbrook to recognize an alumnus who has done so much over the years.
According to Caroline Wamsler ’87, who serves as co-chair of the campaign along with Peter Chapman P ’11, ’12, “We are pleased with the campaign’s progress and recognize that the exceptional generosity of the board and Drew’s energy and leadership have made the difference. The last half of an undertaking like this will challenge us and all who will be thinking about their commitment to the drive. We welcome the challenge because we know what the campaign will do to continue to keep Millbrook on the ascending track we have seen over the last 20 years.” When talking with trustees, parents, and alumni, Peter Chapman reports that he often hears how excited people are about the significant progress being made. Since the drive opened, Millbrook completely renovated the Barn, constructed a major new dormitory, added squash courts, a turf field, and a softball complex, and completed a number of important campus improvements that, taken together, significantly enhance the appearance of the school and its unmatched setting. In addition to making long-needed investments in the plant and equipment, Millbrook has also received a number of significant gifts to increase its endowment. When the campaign opened in 2012 the endowment stood at $23 million. Today its value stands at $32 million because of giving and prudent management. The impact of the increased income is already being felt because it allows increases in scholarship funds and in faculty support, and so the campaign has set a goal of $50 million in endowment funds. The school’s strategic plan includes a goal of $100,000 endowment-per-student, and with the student body growing to just over 300, this will become an important objective to meet.