Long-Term Financial Health at The Forefront

Tennis Coach Calvin Davis visited with Stuart Sherrill ’92 and Robin Branstrom on campus in late September.

The Calvin Davis Endowed Scholarship Fund

GROWING THE STRENGTH of our endowment was a key priority and essential part of the comprehensive Forefront Campaign. Through the campaign efforts, devoted and generous parents, grandparents, alumni, and friends established 14 new endowed funds. Overall, $9.71 million was raised in endowment support to ensure Country Day’s long-term strength and stability.

Under prudent management, these resources support dynamic programming, scholarships that ensure a diverse community of learners, and top-notch educators who remain at the forefront through robustly funded professional development. Country Day’s endowment is the largest among independent schools in North Carolina, distinguishing our leadership and culture of philanthropy.

One such example of endowment support is from the Sherrill and Branstrom families and their quest to honor long-time tennis program coach Calvin Davis and his impact at Country Day. Together with their families, Stuart Sherrill ’92, Glenn Sherrill ’89, their father and his wife Ron and Paulette Sherrill, and their mother and her husband Bill and Robin Branstrom created The Calvin Davis Endowed Scholarship Fund.

The Sherrill and Branstrom families are honored to recognize Coach Calvin Davis through this endowed scholarship, which will hopefully promote his legacy and give thanks for nearly 30 years of Calvin’s contributions to Country Day’s student-athletes both on and off the tennis courts.

— Stuart Sherrill ’92

Stuart acknowledges and appreciates the significant impact that Coach Davis has had on his life. When asked about his generous endowment support of Country Day and the establishment of The Calvin Davis Endowed Scholarship Fund, Stuart said: “The Sherrill and Branstrom families are honored to recognize Coach Calvin Davis through this endowed scholarship, which will hopefully promote his legacy and give thanks for nearly 30 years of Calvin’s contributions to Country Day’s student-athletes both on and off the tennis courts. Calvin is an outstanding mentor and legendary coach who has influenced the lives of the many young men and women he has coached long beyond their graduation from Country Day. Men of Calvin’s character and leadership skills are rare and should be recognized and celebrated.”

The Sherrill and Branstrom families exemplify leadership and lifelong connection with Country Day. Their distinctive relationship with our school will continue to impact our community for generations to come.

Bill Branstrom was instrumental to bringing Calvin to Country Day in 1990. Since then, Calvin has built a tennis dynasty at Country Day. Over his tenure, the girls’ program has won a total of 16 state championships, while the boys’ program has earned 18 state titles. As coach, mentor, and nurturer of young talent, Calvin has seen more than 80 of his players move on to play at the college level, and three have played on the professional tennis tour. He was inducted into the school’s Honorary Alumni Association in recognition of his tremendous impact in shaping Country Day graduates.

While Calvin has received numerous awards and accolades beyond Country Day, his athletes are quick to share about his significance and influence off the courts as well. The Calvin Davis Endowed Scholarship Fund honors the legacy of this outstanding mentor and ensures that Country Day students will continue to experience the legendary impact of Calvin for generations to come.

Stuart Sherrill (middle) and Coach Calvin Davis (far right) with the 1991-92 varsity boys’ tennis team.

Endowment Funds Created During the Forefront Campaign

Aulebach Family Endowed Service Scholarship Fund

BIG General Endowment Fund

Byron Family Endowment Fund

Calvin Davis Endowed Scholarship Fund

Charlotte Country Day Bright Light Diversity Endowment Fund

Country Day Ready Endowed Scholarship Fund

Dowd Head of School’s Discretionary Endowment Fund

Flaxman & Sussman Faculty Endowed Enrichment Fund

Mary Claudia and Jeff Pilon Endowed Scholarship Fund R

Rick Stack Wrestling Endowment Fund

Robert C. Witman Athletic Leadership Development Endowment Fund R

Rohrer Family Endowed Scholarship Fund

Seventh Grade Washington, DC, Trip Endowment Fund

Tabor Engel Endowed Scholarship Fund