Development News Nelson Luria OPC ’59 has been a Penn Charter overseer for 25 years, but he has been a donor to the school for even longer. One of the 375 “longest givers” to Penn Charter, Luria said, “I made lifelong friends at Penn Charter.” Even before becoming an overseer, he stayed connected with the school through those friends, and by reading the PC magazine. Luria, a managing partner at RBC Capital Markets, has provided not only financial contributions to the school every year since his graduation five decades ago, but, as an overseer, he now also donates his time and expertise. “I hope the school will continue to provide to those who attend in the future the kinds of values, education, and strong community that I experienced. Education is more than math, reading or using a computer. The values of how to be a productive, good member of our society are instilled in students at Penn Charter. I hope the school will continue to do that as well as, if not better and more suited to what society becomes, into the future.” Luria said, “I consider it an honor and a privilege to do whatever I can for the school.” ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( Jessica Kolansky OPC ’03 said, “I love that Penn Charter was small enough to know everyone,” but not too small. Currently in law school, Kolansky has found that information and lessons learned at Penn Charter increasingly come up, particularly in her mediation course. Kolansky has
donated every year since graduation, even as a law student on a tight budget. “I do what works for me and hopefully I’ll be in a position to give more someday.” ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( Bill Chapman OPC ’59, who is active in the financial services industry, attributes much of his professional and personal success to PC. “Penn Charter has had a profound effect on who I have become,” Chapman said. “I was there for 12 years, and I left with a very strong value system and ability to think. That’s what it’s all about. It prepares you for life.” For Chapman, giving to PC is a family tradition. “For many years, I was not [one of the] longest continuing donors to the school,” he said. “My father, while he was alive, held that honor as a member of the class of 1936.” ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( (
“These longtime donors recognize that PC has evolved over the years,” said Stephanie Ball, “and their gifts are a testament to their abiding affection.” Every gift helps the school, no matter the size. As Casey Murray pointed out, foundations place a value on schools with a high percentage of alumni donors. “It’s important in getting grants,” Murray said. And for those percentages, it doesn’t matter if the alumni gift is $25 or $2,500. “It’s an important responsibility.” –Julia Judson-Rea
Annual Giving
Winners! Beat GA!
Penn Charter defeated Germantown Academy during the inaugural year of this “off the field” challenge for Annual Fund giving. The final alumni participation challenge was PC 26 percent vs. GA 17 percent!
On PC/GA Day, Head of School Darryl J. Ford accepted the Liberty Bell trophy for alumni giving with, left to right, GA Alumni Society President Tim Durkin, PC Alumni Society Vice President Pete Davis OPC ’74, and GA Head of School James W. Connor. We’ve already taken the lead again this year. Alumni, are you up for continuing the challenge?
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2009-2010 Alumni Cup Winners
Class representatives from 1985, 1960 and 2004 – Brian Duffy OPC ’85, Matt Killinger OPC ’85, Dick Berlinger OPC ’60, and Jerome Wright OPC ’04 – gathered at the Downtown Reception to accept cups on behalf of their classes for winning both the largest class contributions and the highest percent participation in the 2009-2010 Annual Fund.
Spring 2011 The Magazine of William Penn Charter School
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