St. George’s Independent School 2013-2014 Annual Report
Special profile and campus photography by Shannon Lenoir, mother of Davis ‘13 and Christian ‘17. For inquiries about her work, please visit www.shannonlenoir.com. This publication is printed using environmentally-safe soy-based inks.
St. George’s Independent School sincerely appreciates those individuals who generously made annual and capital gifts between July 1, 2013 and June 30, 2014. To accomplish the school’s goals, it takes the support of the entire community – parents, trustees, alumni, faculty, staff, parents of alumni, grandparents, and friends. Through their contributions, these valued constituents ensure that our students continue to have the very best educational experience possible. It is also with appreciation that we recognize those businesses, foundations, and community organizations that provide financial support, in-kind donations, and event sponsorship to St. George’s Independent School. Thank you for your support.
Table of Contents
5 Message from the School President 6-19 Donor Profiles 20 Board of Trustees 21 Message from Board Chair 22 Facts and Figures 23 2013-2014 Financial Report and Annual Fund Results 24 The Founders Circle 26 Annual Giving Honor Roll of Donors 34 Honoraria 36 Grandparent Donors 38 Birthday Book Donors 40 Memorials 41 The Clanlo Society 42 Gift-in-kind Donors 42 Prior Capital Campaigns and Commitments 43 Foundation and Corporate Gifts 44 Alumni Donors 46 Faculty and Staff Donors 47 Time is Now: The Capital Campaign for St. George’s Independent School
The 2013-2014 Annual Report recognizes our donors, both individual and corporate, who made gifts between July 1, 2013 and June 30, 2014. Every effort is made to ensure that our donor listings are accurate. The school recently purchased a new database system; if you notice any inaccuracies in your information please contact the Advancement Office at 901.457.2151.
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A Message from the School President Jennifer and Bill Taylor
In my reflections upon school life, I am prone to nautical imagery. How often it seems that the launch of the new school year can be compared to getting the ship out of the proverbial dock. Certainly, we all encounter rough water at some point during the school year. Yet, all sailors know that calm water is the enemy of positive momentum. Hopefully, the lessons we learn as we weather various storms serve to inform future voyages. For me, one of the most important accomplishments of 2013-14 academic year’s journey was the finalization of the school’s strategic plan. It will be exciting to see how the school community brings this strategic plan to fruition. I can assure you that it is a compelling and ambitious plan, one designed to serve as the school’s guiding star for the next three years. Of course, the 2013-14 school year brought other accomplishments too: national merit scholars, state championships, and one million minutes of voluntary community service. Together, we have built a school that is distinctive and nationally recognized – and our students are the beneficiaries. With this being my final year at St. George’s before heading back to New York to serve Trinity-Pawling School as headmaster, I am supremely confident in the strength of our curriculum and culture. This curriculum and culture is centered on characteristics that are as grounded in our mission as they are relevant to our rapidly changing global economy: citizenship, entrepreneurship, environmentalism, and leadership. Our future programs are designed around these aspects, and our ongoing success in our capital and annual fundraising indicate that these aspects are important to you as well. Thank you for recognizing what is needed to adequately educate our students for the realities of the 21st century. My voyage on the “S.S. St. George’s” began 13 years ago when I had the rare opportunity to move to Memphis with my family to create a new middle and upper school campus. This brought me the equally rare opportunity to share this work with people whose creative energy, vision, faith, and determination have helped me to grow in rich and meaningful ways. We have precious cargo in our boat, embodied in our school culture and demonstrated in the lives of our students, alumni, parents, faculty, and staff. As I look forward to our collaborative work in the coming year, I want you to know that it is an honor and privilege to serve as a steward of this ship.
Sincerely, Bill Taylor School President
St. George’s Gains National Recognition St. George’s gained national recognition through two articles written by School President Bill Taylor in 2014. He penned the cover feature on the topic of the SGIS educational model for The Trustee’s Letter, a newsletter distributed by Educational Directions Incorporated, an independent school consulting group. Additionally, his article about assessing 21st century skills was the cover feature for the winter issue of Independent School Magazine. The school’s educational model also attracted the attention of the National Partnership for Educational Access (NPEA) and led them to spotlight the school in one of their recent newsletters. In the last two years, Bill Taylor has spoken about the St. George’s educational model at the annual conferences of the following: National Association of Episcopal Schools, National Association of Independent Schools, Southern Association of Independent Schools, Martin Institute for Teaching Excellence, National Partnership for Educational Access, and EdLeader 21.
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“The entrepreneurial culture of St.George’s makes it quite special; it helped surface the leadership talents in our children early on.” -Rubye Knight
Rubye Knight Parent Board Member
The school remains a great fit for our family for three primary reasons: strong focus on academics, location, and brand for excellence. St. George’s has a unique approach to diversity that sets it apart from any other school. St. George’s has impacted our family in several ways. My children are quick to show leadership and can easily identify opportunities. St. George’s has also helped my children identify their gifts and talents while supporting them in building confidence in diverse areas. Finally, the focus on religion and Christian values has increased the velocity of what we have in place at home.
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St. George’s Student “Makes his Mark” in the Community
Rubye Knight spent 20 years in business strategy and technology, retiring this past May after ten years with Microsoft where she was the Worldwide Director of Competitive Sales and Strategy.
When Benjamin Lambert ’21 was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes, his older brother Connor ’18 wanted to help him find a cure. In the spring of 2012, Connor decided to hold a coin drive that would benefit the Junior Diabetes Research Foundation. For two years in a row, Connor raised over $500 for JDRF. This type of entrepreneurial spirit caught the eye of St. George’s board member, parent, and CEO of Landmark Bank, Jake Farrell. Landmark Bank joined Connor’s cause, giving to JDRF and making an equal donation to Connor’s next fundraising endeavor. “We are incredibly proud to help these young men continue to make their mark in the local community for years to come,” said Mr. Farrell.
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Julie and Jake Farrell
“It’s hard to imagine what our educational experience would have been like without St. George’s!” Q: What made St. George’s such a great fit for your family? A: We were interested in a Christian coed school. While there are several good options, St. George’s offered a very nurturing learning environment. Since Caroline entered the school in junior kindergarten, there has never been a thought that we wished we had gone elsewhere! Jake and I have long been advocates for the school, as it has been a great fit for our family and Caroline has thrived.
Q: Your daughter is active in the arts at St. George’s. How do you feel St. George’s nurtured her gifts and talents? A: Her teachers have made all the difference! Her experiences with Mrs. Colgate, both in school and after school with piano lessons, reinforced her love of music. Most recently, chorus with Mr. Whitehead continues to develop and encourage her passion for music.
Q: What is your favorite St. George’s memory or story? A: Jake’s experience as a chaperone to Reelfoot and staying in a room with four boys is always an entertaining tale, but what lower school parent doesn’t love the Christmas cottas, the Tennessee play, the cave trip, and all the talent shows we participated in?
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“The critical ingredients in our son’s experience were the unique learning environment and also the teachers.” -Mike Worthington
Heather and Mike Worthington Parents of Alumnus
We fully believe the small class size and teacher availability contributed to academic success and accountability for our son. We are so grateful for the many leadership opportunities that were made available to him. Because of this our son had a fantastic college selection and acceptance process. Some of our favorite St. George’s memories are the extraordinary, hands-on learning opportunities. He participated in countless camping trips, sports, field trips, and outdoor activities during his time at St. George’s. His teachers took time out of their work day and weekends to provide him with the very best education and learning experiences.
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Engaging Students in Environmental Sustainability Mr. Bill McClain took on a new role for the 2013 school year as Sustainability Coordinator at St. George’s. “My vision is to help our students develop an appreciation for nature. I feel strongly that the first step in making environmentally conscious decisions is to develop a respect and an appreciation of our natural surroundings,” said McClain.
Heather and Mike Worthington feel strongly about compensating teachers with tuition assistance and have established the Faculty-Family Retention Endowment Fund.
“In 2013, I was able to work with nearly every student on all three campuses. I led grade level field trips to the Collierville campus which explored the importance of wetlands, the effects of channelization, the health of the Wolf River, and the recycling of nutrients through decomposition. Students on all three campuses also developed small gardens to enhance their understanding of plant anatomy, plant physiology, and nutrition. I worked closely with teachers to enhance current curricular goals to include experiential learning. These included constructing a tipi, identifying tree species on the Germantown campus, and building a structure out of recycled products for a local competition.” 11
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Wendy and Matt McCrory
“It amazes me how genuine and caring all the faculty and families are, and for this reason I could not imagine our family being anywhere else.” Q: How would you describe your St. George’s experience? A With Sophia being an only child and having two working parents, we have found St. George’s to be an extension of our family. The teachers are incredibly nurturing both academically and socially; they keep Sophia engaged and excited about going to school every day. Q: When was your “this is the school for us” moment? A: We knew St. George’s was the school for us the moment we walked through the doors of an open house. We watched as teachers engaged their classrooms with genuine love and compassion. We observed while students were hanging on the words of their teachers with excitement. Although we had plans to visit other schools, we canceled those meetings after our visit to St. George’s. Q: A:
How has St. George’s impacted your life? St. George’s is a perfect fit for our family in every way. St. George’s has nurtured our child, giving her confidence and skills that will carry her far. Sophia has learned, at what we believe, to be an advanced level. She has also found deep interest in yoga and dance through activities hosted through the school. Our family has made lifelong friends at St. George’s. Our St. George’s experience has been perfect. We are certain our family will do what is necessary to see Sophia graduate from St. George’s.
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“The Institute for Citizenship, domestic and international travel, service here in Memphis...are all critical ways our students can build their own cross-cultural competency. ” -Will Bladt
Will Bladt
Associate Head of School When we provide opportunities for our students to travel and interact with people who are new to them and from different cultures, whether it is in a new neighborhood in Memphis, at a university in a different part of the country or one that attracts students from a variety of backgrounds,we help them to see the world through perspectives different from their own. The acquisition of these skills enables them to become valuable assets to any organization, no matter what kind of field they decide to pursue. Programs such as the Institute for Citizenship, domestic and international travel, service here in Memphis, BRIDGES, and immersion language study abroad are all critical ways our students can build their own cross-cultural competency. It is then that they will flourish in our global and interconnected community.
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Will Bladt joined St. George’s in 2013 as the Associate Head of School. His position is designed to promote the educational development of all students by advancing curriculum alignment across divisions and campuses.
Alumni Credit Passion for Service to the Institute for Citizenship The Institute for Citizenship offers upper school students the opportunity to deeply explore civic engagement during their last two years at St. George’s. Students must apply as sophomores to participate in the highly competitive program. The Institute for Citizenship offers dynamic academic lessons and real-world learning opportunities through coursework and offcampus experiences. “The Institute cultivated in me, at an age younger than many of my peers, professionalism, creativity, and the ability to internally motivate and pursue what truly makes me passionate,” said Rebecca Hollis ’12, a junior at Xavier University. Rebecca Hollis was one of ten students at Xavier to be awarded a summer internship at the Oklahoma Policy Institute through the Southern Education Leadership Initiative. Jason Crawford ’13, a sophomore at Texas Tech University, was one of 48 students out of 4,000 to be accepted into the Rawls Business Leadership Program. “The Institute for Citizenship was tremendously helpful in both preparing me for this program and actually being selected for it,” said Crawford. “In order to even be invited to apply, I had to first meet with the dean of the business school. In the meeting I talked about how the Institute for Citizenship trained me to be a leader and gave me perspective on a national and international level.” 15
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Laura and Lowery Howell
“Our daughter is truly happy at St. George’s, which in turn makes us very happy parents.” Q: What made St. George’s such a unique fit for your daughter? A On the day Hannah Grace visited St. George’s she knew immediately it was the right school for her. When I asked her why she told me, “It’s the environment, Mom.” She found the teachers to be very approachable and the students’ opinions respected and valued. Hannah Grace quickly recognized and appreciated the academic quality, versus quantity, of her St. George’s education. Q: As a parent what makes this school distinct? A: We have both noticed the tremendous advantage St. George’s offers its students with its focus on developing strong interpersonal skills, specifically teaching kids how to effectively communicate and collaborate. Q: Overall how would you describe your St. George’s experience? A: What more can a parent hope for than to have a happy child? Our daughter is truly happy at St. George’s, which in turn makes us very happy parents.
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“We’ve always been involved in the future of our children. When I was asked to serve on the board, taking that leadership role was an easy decision for me.” -Jimmy Cole
Jimmy Cole
Current Parent and Parent of Alumna Board Member Ann and I were looking for a coed preparatory experience for our girls that would challenge them – and not only prepare them for college, but life afterward. The experiential learning is something that we believe offers a somewhat unique experience in our area. I’ve always felt that it’s not just enough to pay the tuition but to look for ways to help the school in any way possible. We’ve always been involved in the future of our children. When I was asked to serve on the board, taking that leadership role was an easy decision for me.
Jimmy Cole is the owner of Poplar Wines and Spirits. He has an M.B.A. from the University of Mississippi and currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Tennessee Wine and Spirits Retailers Association.
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Jody Graddy
Parent Parents Association President
Jody Graddy has been an active member of the Parents Association for many years and is serving as president this year. She graduated from Dartmouth College and Washington & Lee University School of Law.
This school has given so much to my family, and it is very important to me to give back in return. I have really enjoyed volunteering through the years; it has allowed me to witness firsthand how hard the faculty and staff work, day in and day out, to ensure that our children are receiving the best and most comprehensive education. Seeing such dedication has, in turn, inspired me to contribute in any way that I can. And I know that so many parents feel the exact same way. The parents here are so committed to supporting the school, and as a result, we have a very strong and active Parents Association. We sponsor many activities and events that supplement and celebrate the educational experience at St. George’s. I am very proud to be a part of such a hands-on group, and I am very thankful for the opportunity to participate in all that the Parents Association seeks to do for the faculty, students, and families. It has been a great journey so far. As parents, nothing gives Chad and me greater joy than knowing our son loves school and is receiving the finest education in a dynamic and nurturing environment. We are confident that he is being well-prepared for college and the world beyond. We have found our “happy place” at St. George’s, and we could not ask for more in a school. 19
Board Members 2013-2014
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Board of Trustees 2013-2014
Board of Trustees 2014-2015
Paul N. Horne, Chair Michael D. Heflin, Vice-Chair Jere S. McGuffee,II, Treasurer Daphne T. Large, Secretary Wilson P. Barton, III Steven R. Fitzpatrick Robert W. Fossett Kevin H. Giddis Tonya L. Love Albert J. Martin Richard W. McDuffie Dr. Amos Raymond Elaine K. Sanders Dr. Douglas G. Scarboro David B. Skudder Anne H. Stokes Philip H. Trenary Van D. Turner, Jr. Michael K. Waddell Christine Barzizza Yarbro ‘82 Thomas S. Young
Paul N. Horne, Chair Michael D. Heflin, Vice-Chair Jere S. McGuffee,II, Treasurer Daphne T. Large, Secretary Wilson P. Barton, III Jimmy A.Cole Robert W. Fossett Kevin H. Giddis Rubye J. Knight Tonya L. Love Albert J. Martin Richard W. McDuffie Dr. Amos Raymond Elaine K. Sanders Dr. Douglas G. Scarboro David B. Skudder Anne H. Stokes Philip H. Trenary Commissioner Van D. Turner, Jr. Michael K. Waddell Thomas S. Young
Accreditation Article
A Message from the Board Chair
The past academic year was one of taking stock of our strengths, identifying the areas needing growth, and setting our sights on a future that includes a bold vision for education in the mid-south. Thanks to countless hours on the part of volunteers, administrators, and teachers, the board of Julia and Paul Horne trustees formally adopted a new strategic plan in February, while a thorough self-study process culminated in our reaccreditation in May. The many positive comments from our visiting accreditation team of professional educators were particularly gratifying to read in the final report. There is no doubt that St. George’s is setting a forward thinking standard in the field of independent education. All this was followed by the recent announcement just a few weeks ago by School President Bill Taylor that 2014-15 will be his final year at St. George’s as he has accepted the position of headmaster at Trinity-Pawling School in New York. We owe much to Bill Taylor, as well as the team of educators that he has assembled in his tenure or who were already here building the school’s student-centered culture. Under Bill’s leadership, St. George’s has grown to be one of the largest schools of its type in the south. While successfully managing rapid growth of enrollment and facilities, he kept as his priority educating our students with high standards for excellence, innovation, and service. Bill’s leadership will be missed, but the stage is set to keep moving St. George’s forward during this transition and beyond. Moreover, Bill’s work and that of many other teachers and administrators has captured the regional and national spotlight. There can be no doubt that St. George’s will attract a large number of immensely qualified candidates for the head of school position. Your trustees are working diligently to determine the optimum process for a national search to find the right person to lead us forward. The entire community, as well as outside consultancies, will be involved as we discern our most important needs for the next chapter and define the leadership we desire to deliver them. We will leave all options open as we search for and recruit the best candidates. The board joins me in saying “thank you” for the gifts each and every family and individual connected to St. George’s brings to our community: trust, engagement, financial commitments, time, and talent. We recognize the distinctive school that we have been and have become, and our pledge is to protect and enrich the precious St. George’s culture and keep it moving, as Bill might say, “Onward!” Paul Horne Board Chair
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2013-2014
Enrollment Lower School:
522
Middle School:
293
Upper School:
390 Total Enrollment:
Facts and Figures St. George’s is a coeducational, college-preparatory school of excellence for students and families who desire to experience something more from a school. With a distinguished scholastic reputation built over the course of the last halfcentury, St. George’s is known for its distinctive approach to education based on the time-tested philosophy that the nature of learning is as important as the learning itself. Through extraordinary experiences – created and enhanced by meaningful and lasting relationships with fellow students, teachers, and coaches – our graduates move into the world with a sense of being valued as individuals. Each student graduates from St. George’s prepared for success in college, career, and overall citizenship.
ONE MILLION
Academics
1,205
SAT
MEAN
Critical Reading: Math: Writing:
614 599 581
ACT
MEAN
Composite
MINUTES OF SERVICE SIS PROJECT BY 2014 GRADUATE
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Faculty & Staff
Calla Michalak ‘14 launched the Million Minutes of Service initiative as part of her Senior Independent Study Project. The initiative encouraged students, faculty, and staff to complete one million minutes of service over the 2013-2014 school year. Unique to St. George’s is a required senior leadership experience in which students participate in an internship or job-shadowing experience, write a major research paper, and collaborate in a group project that attempts to solve a major global problem.
2013/2014
The Arts Total number of faculty/staff/coaches:
222 Number of faculty members holding master’s degrees or above:
104 22
Acting, Band, Drawing, Film Adaptions, Painting, Photography, Playwriting, Pottery, Printmaking, Theatre Arts, and Visual Arts
Athletics Fall: Winter: Spring:
Cheer, Cross Country, Football, Golf, Pom, Soccer, Volleyball Basketball, Cheer, Pom, Swimming, Wrestling Baseball, Lacrosse, Soccer, Softball, Tennis, Track and Field, Trapshooting, Water Polo
100%
of the Class of 2014 enrolled in a four-year college or university
Students from the Class of 2014 were admitted to top colleges and universities such as Baylor, Emory, DePaul, Loyola, Mississippi State University, Rhodes College, Rutgers, Samford, Seattle University, Sewanee, Texas A & M, The University of Alabama, The University of Georgia, Trinity College Dublin, University of Colorado, University of Miami, University of Tennessee, Vanderbilt, Wake Forest, Washington University, Wofford College, and Xavier.
Accreditation St. George’s Independent School is accredited by the Southern Association of Independent Schools (SAIS) and the
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). St. George’s Independent School is also a proud member of the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS), an organization that affirms the school’s accreditation. Read more about our reaccreditation process on p. 43.
2013-2014 Annual Fund Participation
Total Amount
Board Alumni/ae Current Parents Current Grandparents Parents of Alumni/ae Faculty/Staff Other individuals* Organizations
$121,473 20 $24,530 91 $351,043 394 $83,480 188 $92,998 65 $15,501 133 $55,554 108 $511,663 20
TOTALS *(vendors, friends, artists)
$1,256,242 1019
Total Number
1%
3%
2%
14%
$5,856.50 $269.35 $771.59 $445.03 $1,563.61 $132.64 $1,030.68 $25,583.17
Uses of Funds
Sources of Funds 3%
Average
5%
9% 9% 74%
80%
Tuition and Fees
80%
Personnel
74%
Private Gifts (Annual Giving,
Buildings and Grounds
9%
Restricted Giving, and Other) 14% Extended Day and
Student Programs
9%
Summer Programs
2%
General and Administrative
Other
3%
Investment Earnings
1%
Explanation of Terms
Improvements
5% 3%
Personnel Salaries, Benefits, Taxes, Professional Education
Buildings and Grounds Utilities, Facility Repairs and Maintenance, Insurance, Building Enhancements
Student Programs Activity Expenses, Annuals, Athletics, Awards and Trophies, Academic Enhancements, Library, Classroom Supplies, Technology
General and Administrative Equipment Rental, Telephone, Office Supplies, Postage, Printing, Publications, Advertising, Professional Fees 23
St.George’s Independent School 1880 Wolf River Blvd. Collierville, TN 38017
MISSION St. George’s Independent School is a coeducational school of excellence preparing students for a life of learning and meaningful contribution through dedication to high academic achievement and the development of moral character reinforced by Judeo-Christian values. Your charitable support allows St. George’s to fulfill its mission and ensure a bright future for all its graduates. Thank you.