Campus Feature
Joe Montgomery Road to Retirement
Joe and Rebekah (Barron) Montgomery (’78) always planned to send their three daughters to Darlington. What he didn’t anticipate, however, was that he, too, would end up spending his days on campus and spearheading the most historic capital campaign in the school’s 116-year history. Hired in 2004 to serve as vice president of institutional advancement, Montgomery would be responsible for alumni relations and fundraising, including the development of the school’s first comprehensive capital campaign. “My work in capital campaigns for educational institutions and my wealth management experience served me well in the work that I would do for Darlington,” said Montgomery. “Here, I was afforded the great privilege of helping
Fall 2021
interested people find that place where their passion intersects with Darlington’s greatest need. I’ve witnessed and felt the joy that comes from the realization in that moment that they have found their unique place in making a meaningful difference for Darlington School, a place they love.” In March of 2008, Darlington launched the Second Century Campaign, the most ambitious comprehensive fundraising effort in school history. With 57% of the $90 million already raised, Montgomery and his team of staff members and volunteers had positive momentum behind them. In 2014, the community celebrated the successful completion of the campaign, which raised a record $97 million. “The Second Century Campaign saw the largest gift in school history; engaged the largest number of volunteers and attracted a record number of donors from across the country and around the world; constructed a $21 million Thatcher Hall that is paid for; and, added significant funds to the school’s endowment,” said Montgomery. “Campaigns cast long shadows and the impacts of this campaign will be felt forever when you consider the benefits that will accrue to faculty and staff from the Thatcher Faculty Development grants and the Wood Fellowship. The buildings may one day be gone, but the professional development endowment funds will continue to make a difference in the lives of faculty and students forever.” Perhaps most remarkable, the Second Century Campaign was successfully executed through the Great Recession. When many others failed or stalled, Darlington exceeded its goal and concluded as scheduled. “I am grateful to Darlington for being the place where I would find such satisfying work to do,” said Montgomery. “The success of the Second Century Campaign is a direct ref lection of the love people have for Darlington. It’s a school with deep conviction and a rich history whose compass points to values like honor and service which are
enduring and embraced as eagerly as academics. Darlington is a school first, of course, but understands that education has a higher responsibility to imbue its graduates with the personal traits to become confident contributors to the greater good.” Montgomery counts himself fortunate that his work allowed him to support the student experience in meaningful ways. “I am one of few in the school community who could walk across campus and recognize the faces of students who would not have been at Darlington but for the generosity of donors who cared about them and their well-being,” he said. “To know I played a small, albeit quiet, role in their transforming Darlington experience is a wonderful feeling for which I am grateful.” After 17 years at Darlington, Montgomery has retired. “I hope I will be remembered as someone who led with love and respect for everyone and was passionate about the school's mission and dedicated to the work that I could do to support it,” he said. “I will remain in touch with many volunteers and donors whose lives intertwined with mine during nearly two decades of partnership for the good of the school. However, I will undoubtedly miss the frequent calls and visits. I am richly blessed and grateful for many lasting relationships developed during my time at the school.” But he was quick to add that he is retiring from Darlington, not from work. “I have been approached by colleagues in need of fundraising consulting; most are presently considering a campaign or have had a campaign stall as a result of the recent pandemic,” he said. “I am grateful to Darlington for the success of the Second Century Campaign and the attention and recognition it received regionally and nationally as well as the personal reputation that has accrued to me as a result.”
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