Alumni Board Report

Alumni News

alumni programs Board Report from Paul Genender ’87

Thank you for the opportunity and privilege of serving as your Alumni Association President over the past year. I remain humbled to work alongside our graduates to advance the mission of St. Mark’s and to maintain and build upon our standing as one of the best independent school Alumni Associations in the country. Together, we continue to strengthen the connections between alumni across the nation and across the decades. In partnership with the Office of Development and Alumni Relations, the Alumni Board measures the success of our work by focusing on (1) Dallas and regionally based programming and involvement, (2) the expansion of the Marksman Network, and (3) maintaining our commitment to the St. Mark’s Fund through alumni participation of more than 50 percent.

This past year presented unprecedented challenges, ranging from the October 2019 tornado, which damaged our school and surrounding neighborhoods, to the global pandemic that has drastically altered day-to-day operations. Students and faculty rose to meet these challenges as opportunities, and our community exemplified true leadership, grace, and grit. Persevering through displaced Homecoming games, fine arts performances, McDonald’s Week, and other traditions, the boys demonstrated their resilience and exemplified a new motto—St. Mark’s Strong. The School and the boys adapted quickly to remote learning and were led by the Class of 2020, several of whom told me they would not have wanted their senior year to be any different because of the life lessons they learned.

The Alumni Association altered course as well, and I am grateful for the collective response. Out of sensitivity for each family’s unique circumstances, St. Mark’s chose to halt fundraising efforts for prolonged periods during the 2019-2020 school year. We pivoted and introduced new virtual alumni programs through Marksmen Week and set a record number of participation gifts in June. Overcoming the obstacles, we again surpassed 50 percent alumni participation in the St. Mark’s Fund for the 12th consecutive year, alumni raised more than $2 million for the fifth time in school history, and the St. Mark’s Fund raised a record total of $4.6 million. It is our hope to host Alumni Weekend, April 22-24, 2021 in-person, celebrate the men and women who make St. Mark’s special, and safely hold reunions for the Classes ending in 0, 1, 5, and 6.

The success of this year was made possible by the energy and dedication of the countless volunteers who go above and beyond for our Alumni Association. I would like to thank my fellow Alumni Board members, with whom I have the privilege to work, for their tireless efforts on behalf of the School. In particular, I would like to recognize the 2019-2020 Executive Committee for their leadership: Sandy Campbell ’76 (Vice President), Topher Broom ’87 (Secretary), Randy Ackerman ’68, Lowell Ku ’89, Miles Lamont ’98, Jamie Rogers ’85, Ross Ruschhaupt ’04, Jake Wagner ’00, and Parag Vaidya ’00. In addition, thank you to the enthusiastic support and leadership of the Board of Trustees, Regional Club Chairs, Class Agents, and Reunion Chairs for your work on behalf of the School.

In closing, when thinking of the past year, I am reminded of a quote from my high school days at St. Mark’s: “Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.” Thank you for a year unlike any other. St. Mark’s Strong.

Warmly and with gratitude,

Paul R. Genender ’87 Alumni Association President