Campaign Update Spring 2013
Message from the Campaign Chair In this issue, I am delighted to introduce you to some extraordinary alumnae donors to our Dare to Do More Capital Campaign and their reasons for giving back to Agnes Irwin in a Campaign Chair Jim Buck substantial way. They all speak of the transformative experience the school provided for them and, in some cases, is now providing for their daughters.
In this update, I am also delighted to highlight the Honorary Chairs of our campaign, who speak eloquently about the important role The Agnes Irwin School plays in making a difference in the lives of girls and young women. All three are extraordinary leaders well suited for an extraordinary time in the life of AIS. Their perspectives are truly inspiring!
the school), is legend, as is her loyalty to the institution that provided Pat with the building blocks for her excellent education and extraordinary career. I will say that Pat is one of the most astute and lucid messengers I have ever witnessed when it comes to philanthropy. I couldn’t be more delighted to have her on our team for this historic endeavor!
There most certainly is little I can add to what has already been said about one of Agnes Irwin’s most illustrious alumnae, Honorary Chair Mary Patterson McPherson ’53. Her story, and that of her sister, Sarah ’57 (daughters to a single mother employed by
Honorary Chair Elizabeth “Betty” Ranney Moran, one of our generation’s leading visionaries and philanthropists, did not “come by Irwin’s” quite so naturally. She went to The Shipley School! Legend has it (but Betty will vouch this is true) that former Continued on page 2
Alumnae: Daring to Do More!
By Ginny Sharp Williams ’88, Alumnae Campaign Chair
Building for the future is the ultimate goal of this ambitious campaign. However, we could not have embarked on this project without help from the past. Generations of Agnes Irwin alumnae have graduated from three campuses over 140 years, and many of those alumnae continue to invest in the school that invested in them during their years as students. Reasons for giving differ for each alumna, but we are all tied to this institution and give in ways that resonate with us. So, why do we choose to give? To Remember an Alumna or Teacher Annie Batchelder Ulichney ’83 lost her beloved sister, Ginny Batchelder ’78, shortly after her graduation from Agnes Irwin. Annie has chosen to give a gift to the campaign in memory of her sister and the years they spent here together. “My sweet sister, Ginny, learned, blossomed and developed into a compassionate, determined
much support as we can provide while they are defining themselves in this changing world. My sister would be helping with this campaign, and now I am privileged to step in on her behalf.”
Ginny Batchelder ’78
young woman 35+ years ago in these same classrooms buzzing and alive with energy today. I still feel her presence in these AIS halls, and there is no greater way to honor her and celebrate her life than by supporting this expansion in her name. All of our girls (and future leaders) need as
Some of the younger alumnae who have chosen to make their own mark in this vital campaign have reflected on teachers as their inspiration to give. Lindsey Wilkins Press ’01 went on to be a four-time All-American squash player and captain of her team at Harvard. Lindsey credits the support she felt during her Agnes Irwin years as the catalyst for the woman she has become. “I continue to support Agnes Irwin because it was the first institution that invested in me. During my formative years, AIS helped shape my voice, mind and character, and molded me into the person I am today. Around Mr. (Wigs) Frank’s roundtable, learning was made to be fun as the teaching was so Continued on page 3
www.agnesirwin.org • 610.525.8400
Campaign Progress w Campaign goal: $40,000,000 w Raised to date: $28,250,000 w Number of gifts to date: 160
Campaign Chair
• Eight gifts over $1 million • 20 gifts in the range of $250,000 to $500,000+ • 22 gifts of $100,000+ • 19 gifts of $50,000+ • 21 gifts of $25,000 to $50,000 • Board of Trustees gifts total $13,821,939
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Headmistress Anne Lenox offered to drive the Moran girls–Franny ’74, Betsy ’76 and Caroline ’85–to school every day. And Betty loved the thought of that, given their country residence in Paoli! The rest, as they say, is history, and Agnes Irwin has benefited from Betty’s leadership in so many ways over the past 40 years. Having her on my “dream team” is truly a dream come true, as Betty practices her Give and Get strategies on unsuspecting friends and acquaintances throughout the area and beyond! Our third Honorary Chair is Raymond P. Welsh. If you have been out of the area for the past 20 years or so, you may have missed this dynamic “agent of charity” in our midst on behalf of such critical organizations as Penn Medicine, the Bancroft School and the Philadelphia Orchestra, to name only a few. I cannot tell you how fortunate I feel that Ray agreed to join our team, as he cited the many girls who stand to benefit from the same extraordinary, all-around Agnes Irwin education his daughter,
Margie ’79, received. Ray, too, is a devoted believer in, and product of, an independent school education, and his willingness to “return” to AIS for this historic fund-raising effort is just the message we need as we communicate the excitement of this campaign to everyone! We all know many leading alumnae living and working here in our community (our Board Chair Ann Laupheimer Sonnenfeld ’77, for instance!), as well as those who have had great impact on their communities, professions and families elsewhere. Space does not permit us to highlight all of these legendary stories; however, I hope you enjoy reading these testimonials–each evidence of care, loyalty, legacy and leadership practiced by alumnae. Heartwarming, yes; but each story also serves as a reminder to all of us that an Agnes Irwin education is just the beginning. There are so many who credit it with their, and their family’s, achievements in life. Read on!
Honorary Chair Remarks Ray Welsh P’79 As a former trustee of Agnes Irwin, I am delighted to be involved in this extraordinary, transformational effort. The years that our daughters spend at AIS are the most formative in their lives, where they develop and hone the best life skills and value judgments. As supporters of this campaign, we all are helping to ensure the finest in academics, athletics, programs, facilities and leadership – a truly remarkable opportunity for each of us. Joanne and Ray Welsh
Pat McPherson ’53 It is a pleasure to be involved in this welldesigned campaign for Irwin’s. The school, in my experience, has been frugally managed for many years, and we are now asking for Pat McPherson ’53 support to enable its facilities to match its excellent program. Many institutions invest heavily in plant and then look about for programs to fill the new buildings. Our school has thought that program comes first. Now, Agnes Irwin needs to have a plant that serves everyone more effectively and will do so well into the future.
Betty Moran P’74, ’76, ’85; GP’01, ’02, ’02, ’04, ’13 I agreed to be an Honorary Chair of The Agnes Irwin School campaign because as a parent of three alumnae daughters and five alumnae granddaughters, and as a former Board member, I am very aware of the importance of the school’s excellent programs of leadership, academics and athletics. I am delighted to be a part of this campaign and will work diligently to see the new facility be a part of the school’s future. Betty Moran
Visit www.agnesirwin.org for regular updates, photos and detailed information about the Campus Improvements Project.
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Alumnae: Daring to Do More! personal – because AIS supports not just the student but the girl. I am proud to be an alumna and hope others may benefit as I have from my AIS education.” To Thank Our Parents Kimberly Rhoads McCarthy ’88, Wendy Rhoads Costa ’90 and Allison Rhoads Henderson ’93 all started their Agnes Irwin experience in the halls of the Lower and Middle Schools. The Rhoads sisters have chosen to give their gifts in memory of their parents, Jay and Ann Rhoads, “who valued our education and saw the amazing self-discovery and growth of their daughters at this fantastic school.” Kimberly Rhoads McCarthy ’88 and her husband, Sean, have three girls at Agnes Irwin and another who will be starting in the fall, Elizabeth ’18, Kaitlyn ’20, Sarah ’23 and Emily ’26.
Pictured from left: Wendy Rhoads Costa ’90, Ann Rhoads, Kimberly Rhoads McCarthy ’88, Allison Rhoads Henderson ’93, John Rhoads, Jay Rhoads in 1993.
“As a mother of daughters, I know how important an all-girls’ education can be. And I know for AIS to continue to be a leader in schools for future generations of girls, expanding the campus and facilities is a necessity. I am proud to contribute to the continued success of AIS because I believe my experience there played a huge part in my personal growth both in and out of the classroom.” Wendy Rhoads Costa ’90 and her husband, Paolo, have two boys at Episcopal Academy, Lucas ’23 and George ’26. “Even though I have two sons, I am proud to contribute to the campaign in hopes of allowing other girls to have the same wonderful experience at AIS that my sisters and I did!” Allison Rhoads Henderson ’93 and her husband, Chris, have one daughter at Agnes Irwin,
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The Garden adjacent to the Middle School Playground will be dedicated in honor of the individual gifts of Lida Wright P’90, GP’23 and her daughters, Sally Merz Layden P ’23 and Leanne Merz McMenamin ’90, united in their support of the Dare to Do More Campaign. From left: Sally, Sally’s daughter, Julia ’23, Lida, Leanne, and Leanne’s son, Bo, Episcopal Academy ’26.
Sydney ’25, one son, Graham ’23, at Episcopal, and two younger children. “An AIS education is something that I hope for as many young girls as possible. My experience at Irwin’s gave me security, encouragement and confidence to be the best student, athlete and person I could be. I was pushed to reach my very highest potential while enveloped in an environment that was supportive and sensitive just in case I had trouble getting there. Once I graduated, I realized just how lucky I was to have a superior middle/ upper school experience, and I used to thank my parents regularly for sending me to Agnes Irwin. My donation to the capital campaign is another way of thanking my parents for making such a lifechanging decision for me.”
community. The values and traditions of a school should stand the test of time. The number of alumnae who send their daughters to Agnes Irwin proves what the school means to all of us. As an alumna and as a member of a family with over 120 years of history with our school, I feel that Agnes Irwin has consistently provided the finest education for girls and young women in the region. It is the obligation of all of us, as members of the AIS family, to contribute to the continuation of this special institution and its legacy.” Representing eight decades of Agnes Irwin graduates, over 80 alumnae have already chosen to generously support Agnes Irwin at a leadership level during this exciting time in the history of the school. Among that list of donors are many who gave as a way to thank the previous generation, some who gave with an alumna or group of alumnae in mind and many who gave to honor their family ties to the school. While the reason one decides to give is a personal choice, there are many ways to make a difference for the generations of Agnes Irwin girls to come, as our predecessors did for us.
To Honor a Legacy Multi-generational families are not uncommon in our ranks. Many alumnae have chosen to send their daughters to Agnes Irwin, and some for many generations beyond that. The school benefits from that family legacy in various ways, and those ties that bind us the tightest strengthen the alumnae, current students and the school community as a whole. Charlotte Peterson Fenstermacher ’86 and her husband, Ron, parents of Eleanor “Reevie” ’19, and Charlotte “Lowell” ’22, know this firsthand. Generations of Charlotte’s family have studied at all three campuses of The Agnes Irwin School throughout its history. “It is our family’s pleasure to honor the generations of women who have graduated from Agnes Irwin and the school’s contribution to the
Honoring the legacy of the thousands of girls and young women of Agnes Irwin now living around the globe, the Alumnae Board unanimously approved a milestone gift of $200,000, given this spring to the Dare to Do More capital campaign to establish an Alumnae Archival Gallery in the former main lobby.
For more information about the Dare to Do More Campaign, please contact Pat Voigt, Director of the Campaign (pvoigt@agnesirwin.org) or Margaret Welsh, Director of Development (mwelsh@agnesirwin.org).
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The Agnes Irwin School Ithan Avenue & Conestoga Road Rosemont, PA 19010
Capital Campaign Cabinet HONORARY CAMPAIGN CHAIRS
LEADERSHIP GIFTS COMMITTEE
Pat McPherson ’53 Betty Moran P ’74, ’76, ’85; GP ’01, ’02, ’02, ’04, ’13 Ray Welsh P ’79
Jim Buck, Chair P ’13, ’15, ’17 Jenny Kinkead ’84, Trustee Deanna Leicht Loughnane ’85 P ’18, Trustee Stevie Lucas P ’07, ’09, ’11, ’12, ’16 Derek Pew P ’13, ’16, Trustee
ALUMNAE CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE Ginny Sharp Williams ’88 P ’20, Chair Laura Thomas Buck ’49 P ’74, ’77, ’82; GP ’10, ’18 Susan Cauffman Butterworth ’76 Charlotte Hamilton ’05 Susan Hirtle McEvoy ’05 Laurie Buck Marshall ’74 P ’10, Trustee Emerita Leanne Merz McMenamin ’90 Anita McMullin ’81, Trustee Pat McPherson ’53, Honorary Campaign Chair Connie Anne Phillips ’83 Lindsey Wilkins Press ’01 Sally Schoettle Randolph ’58 P ’88, ’90
Ex Officio Ann Laupheimer Sonnenfeld ’77 P ’13, Board Chair
Ex Officio Mary F. Seppala, Head of School Ann Laupheimer Sonnenfeld ’77 P ’13, Board Chair
PARENT CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE Jamie and Michael Haines P ’20, ’22 Liz and Matt Kamens P ’13, ’19 Sean McCarthy P ’18, ’20, ’23 Jennifer Paradis P ’15, ’18 Kristen Schinella P ’22, Trustee Lauren Sullivan P ’18 Chris Thompson P ’07, ’09, ’11, ’12, ’16, Trustee Jacques Vauclain P ’21 Tom White P ’13
Ex Officio Mary F. Seppala, Head of School
Ithan Avenue & Conestoga Road, Rosemont, PA • 610.525.8400