The Jolt of Generosity

50 Years of Philanthropy at Trinity

How do you build something that lasts? A place that is strong and secure, a place that inspires and nurtures, a place both practical and beautiful? It takes a clear vision, a strong foundation, a comprehensive plan, and the time to let it grow and thrive. At Trinity we’ve been building something wonderful for fifty years, with all of the critical elements blended into a recipe for success. The secret ingredient has been philanthropy: the jolt of generosity that has transformed Trinity’s culture and values into a place that’s always growing, changing, adapting and improving. Philanthropy gives a home to the heartbeat.

Many of the names on the buildings and spaces around campus are familiar: Estes, Morgan, Hupp, Dunn, Perkinson, Speight, Witthoefft. They represent just some of the visionary families who gave generously to make big changes to the Trinity campus. Scratch the surface, however, and you find the hundreds of donors who give steadily to support a school they love. They include the faculty members who give every year, the alumni who keep Trinity in their personal giving and estate plans, and the parents who show their support for their children’s school with that extra gift that makes a difference.

That giving spirit started in the earliest years, when eager and dedicated parents literally built much of the campus with their own labor under the leadership—and active participation—of Trinity’s first headmaster, Bob Goodman. “It was all hands on deck,” said Swannee Goodman Ericson ’75, daughter of Bob Goodman and his wife, Jinny. “We started with one building, the gym, the gift of the E.R. Carpenter Foundation. It was everything…classroom space, gym space, meeting space,” she said. “It was so important that we dedicated the 1973-1974 yearbook to Carpenter!” That space endures today as the Wilton Visual Art Studio in the Perkinson Arts Center—a living artifact of Trinity’s very earliest days. The 1970’s were the foundational years, when the school’s culture was forming; a school that welcomed all, that celebrated different interests and talents, a school that throbbed with enthusiasm. As was characteristic of a young institution, philanthropy was smallscale and project-based, centered around particular needs and specific interests. Buildings came along on an as-needed basis, as enrollment increased. Donors gave their time and energy and deep commitment to the emerging school.

“Fundraising started even before the school opened,” said Ericson, “with the bonds parents bought and donated back to the school. We were lucky to have the use of classrooms and spaces in local churches and schools, and even in neighbors’ yards to start in the fall of 1972.” Local businesses donated goods and services, parents sold wreaths, fruit and nuts, and student clubs sold donuts and held bake sales.

By the 1990’s in Tom Aycock’s first years as headmaster, Trinity had weathered some unsettling changes brought about by changing demographics and difficult financial times. The school had added some physical facilities, like the theater space, in the 1980’s, but more was needed. Tom Aycock realized that with the school’s 25th year approaching, it was time to strengthen the philanthropic underpinnings to give the school a greater chance for success.

Dr. Aycock always liked to say that at Trinity, “….we built the programs first, and then the buildings.” The buildings didn’t shape the culture, they gave it a home. The Trinity culture now included notable and iconic features like Morning Meeting, Corny Jokes, a strong music and arts program, and a growing reputation for giving students a chance to forge an identity. “We got people talking,” said Dr. Aycock. “They wanted to be part of something unique.”

Richmond T imes Disp atch (p ublished as Richmond T imes-Disp atch) Sep tember 23, 1972 p age 38

September 23, 1972 | Richmond Times Dispatch (published as Richmond Times-Dispatch) | Richmond, Virg inia | Pag e 38

C C ITIT A A T T IOIO N N ((MLMLA A S S T T YLYLE)E) Richmond Times Dispatch , 23 Sept. 1972, p. 38. NewsBank: Access World News – Historical and Current,

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One of the first to respond to Trinity’s needs was Gerald Morgan. He and his wife, Mary, were parents of Nancy Morgan Patterson ’79. “Jerry was our first major donor,” said Tom Aycock. “What a good person he was! He and Mary made it possible to build Morgan Hall, and suddenly things began to come together. He got the ball rolling.” The Morgans continued to support Trinity for more than 20 years, up until their deaths, and included Trinity in their estate planning.

Cathy and Terry Phillips, parents of Andria ’02, Will ’03 Luke ’07, and Alexis ’11 made a major gift to build the Science Discovery Center in the early 2000’s. They were joined by a growing number of donors. “We began to see more gifts not only from parents, but from some of those alumni from the early years,” said Dr. Aycock. “I also began to notice that often donors gave for very personal reasons—usually in response to a teacher who had made an impact. We’ve been blessed with wonderful teachers who have inspired people to support the school. That personal connection made all the difference.”

As Trinity’s culture and programs strengthened and grew rapidly, its needs grew just as fast. The boldest and biggest campaign was launched in the late 2000’s.The Future Pathways Campaign was conceived to provide badly-needed athletic and arts facilities, with a multi-million dollar price tag. The timing was right, and despite the challenges of fundraising and tackling construction in a recessionary era, the Estes Athletic Center, Aycock Stadium and Perkinson Arts Center were completed between 2011 and 2017.

The Estes family gift, led by major donors Carol Estes Williams (mother of Alise and Jonathan Witt ’09), Bobby ’82 and Martha Speight, and Steve and Renee Hupp (parents of Rebekah Hupp Martin ’09, Stephen ’12 and Thomas ’16) represented the largest gift to Trinity at the time. Added to it were countless gifts ranging from the small yet sacrificial gifts from young alumni and students, to the significant gifts of many thousands of dollars from loyal alumni and grateful parents and grandparents. It was truly an example of cooperative generosity, with spectacular results.

Baxter and Elaine Perkinson had been longtime neighbors of the school and had watched it grow and succeed. Their decision to make a transformational gift was driven, in part, by their granddaughters’ attendance (Bella ’19 and Lucy Crichton ’21). Renovating the arts facilities has had a special importance to the Perkinsons: Baxter is a noted amateur painter, and Elaine shares his creative sensibilities and commitment to the support of the arts. Their lead gifts were again only part of the overall campaign, to which many alumni, parents, and friends gave generously.

“These major donors were like a shot in the arm,” said Laurie Hedgepeth, who served as director of development from 2009 to 2019. “They were the heartbeat of the campaign, but the small donors were the lifeblood. Together they enriched the culture, provided the engine for growth, and ensured security against unsettled times. Trinity has been so, so lucky to have these people who share its vision.”

Philanthropy took on a different— and more personal—focus in 2013 with the establishment of the Emily Huffman McLeod Scholarship Fund. Named in honor of the school’s beloved and long-serving admissions director who retired that year, the fund provides tuition support for students who would otherwise not have the resources to attend Trinity. For Emily McLeod, loving Trinity meant opening its doors to as many deserving young people as possible. Initial funding from foundation matching grants helped launch the effort, but individual donors met and exceeded the challenge and continue to give today to maintain and grow the fund.

“Some would say the future is bright for Trinity; I say the future is radiant,” said Anne Hurt, Trinity’s director of development from 2019 to 2022. “As we look toward the next 50 years, Trinity is poised to enter into an exciting new era that promises to sustain the school we all know and love.” Hurt, who worked to establish an endowment campaign to ensure future financial stability, is confident that the foundation is strong.

At this time of a half-century of reflection and celebration, it’s important to remember with gratitude all those who gave their time, energy and resources to bring Trinity to this moment. Like the compass in Dunn Courtyard, the circle stays strong. For fifty years, Titans have discovered their paths. Next up: future generations poised to join the family and make the next fifty years even more remarkable.