125 years and counting

FOUNDERS’ DAY CELEBRATES 125TH ANNIVERSARY

The entire Calvert community students, parents, friends, alumni, and more gathered on campus Friday, October 7, for the Founders’ Day Festival, an event 125 years in the making. Organized to mark the end of a major fundraising effort and commemorate Calvert’s 125-year history, Founders’ Day featured an all-school dress-down day, a Middle School pep rally, the official opening of the Luetkemeyer Athletic Center, and a festival filled with games, food, and family fun.

The event encouraged all members of the Calvert community to return to campus to celebrate the School’s founding in 1897 and the many memories made throughout these 125 years.

The Calvert 125 Campaign

From its silent phase in 2019 to its closing ceremonies in 2022, the Calvert 125 Campaign represented a major capital campaign in the School’s 125-year history. Led by Calvert’s Development Team, the campaign pursued four main initiatives in support of Calvert students and families. These initiatives included increasing available funds for financial assistance; enhancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging programming; growing the Institute for Leadership & Purpose; and building the School’s first athletic facility.

After surpassing its initial goal of $12.5 million raised and pivoting to accommodate new needs due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the campaign entered its public phase in 2021, striving for $14.5 million. Led by cochairs Wendy and Ben Griswold ’52 — and accompanied by Head of School Andrew Holmgren and honorary chair Wendy Bond — the campaign broke ground on the site of the future Luetkemeyer Athletic Center in March 2021 in a live-streamed event.

Thanks in part to generous philanthropic support from donors and a matching-gift commitment from alumnus and former Board of Trustees Chairman Jack Luetkemeyer ’53 and his wife, Susie, the campaign again surpassed its goals to raise more than $16 million in support of Calvert School.

The Luetkemeyer Athletic Center

More than a year after the groundbreaking, on October 7, 2022, the School invited top supporters of the Calvert 125 Campaign to enjoy a dedication reception inside the newly completed athletic center. Named for Susie and Jack ’53, the Luetkemeyer Athletic Center hosted remarks from Head Master Andrew Holmgren and Board Chair Ned Insley before Cullen Little ’15 played in a showcase squash match against Calvert Director of Squash Patrick Bedore.

The Student and Alumni Experience

To get the student body energized for this exciting occasion, the School planned a dress-down day for all children and a pep rally for all Middle School students. Led by Eighth Grade student captains, the pep rally filled the Middle School gym with roaring laughter, shouts, and applause as students cheered for each fall sports team. Aided by pom-poms, noisemakers, and spiritwear, the Eighth Graders easily engaged with their peers to encourage everyone to continue their cheers throughout the afternoon, when teams played rousing games against local schools.

Outside, bystanders gathered to root for the football team as it challenged St. Paul’s School on Krongard Field. Meanwhile, the Middle School gym quickly shifted to having space available for two volleyball games against Boys’ Latin.

Near the Middle School’s main entrance and along the Lower Loop, Calvert also planned an engaging Founders’ Day Festival filled with carnival games, Kona Ice, inflatables, food, and fun for all families. Accompanied by their parents, students had the opportunity to enjoy spin art, pumpkin painting, and bounce houses even catching a glimpse of Calvert mascot Mighty Bee, who joined the party to celebrate this special moment in Calvert’s history.

Back in the athletic center, alumni and friends gathered on the facility’s ten new squash courts for a round-robin tournament to round out an exciting day. Thank you to all who joined us to celebrate this milestone anniversary.