The David P. Goodwin Fund

Since its founding, Holderness has instilled in its students a sense of responsibility for their community, of leadership through serving others. David P. Goodwin ’37 took this to heart and dedicated himself to supporting the residents of his hometown of Manchester, New Hampshire.

After his passing in 2011, David’s family celebrated his lifetime of service by establishing The David P. Goodwin Fund for Student Support. The fund provides non-tuition financial assistance to deserving Holderness students. We believe that it is vital to keep the school financially accessible to all families, and the Goodwin Fund gives all students, regardless of their economic background, the opportunity to share in the same Holderness experience. Every year the fund provides support for clothing, health, and basic amenities; books, laptops, and academic supplies; family travel and lodging; participation in athletic teams and competitions; and vacation programming and experiences.

Service to others has been an important tradition passed from one generation of Goodwins to the next. As a teenager, David joined his grandfather in the family business, Goodwin Funeral Home, and cared for Manchester families for 50 years before retiring in 1986, selling the business to his son, Charlie, who became the fourth generation to lead the company.

David was active in many organizations in the Manchester community. He served as a trustee of the Cogswell Benevolent Trust for almost 40 years, volunteered for more than 70 years for the American Red Cross, and was a 65-year member and a past president of the Manchester Rotary Club. He also supported the Manchester Boys and Girls Club; Easterseals of New Hampshire, where he served as chairman of the board; Neighborworks Greater Manchester; the United Way; and the New Hampshire Lung Association.

Neighborworks Greater Manchester, dedicated to breaking the cycle of poverty through home ownership and quality affordable rental housing, presented him with the “Outstanding Neighbor Award”; the Manchester Boys and Girls Club honored him with a “Hall of Fame Award”; and Easterseals of New Hampshire named the “David P. Goodwin Lifetime Commitment Award” in his honor. David and his wife, Dorothy, were recognized by the Heritage (now Granite) United Way with their highest award, the William S. Green Lifetime Achievement Award, and by the William J. Moore Center, which serves individuals with developmental and intellectual

David P. Goodwin ’37 (right) with his wife, Dorothy (left) and their children.

David P. Goodwin ’37 and his wife, Dorothy, were married for 64 years.

disabilities and acquired brain disorders. In 2008, Easter Seals named their boardroom the David P. and Dorothy M. Goodwin Board Room in recognition of their commitment to Easter Seals.

David was a former Deacon and trustee of the First Congregational Church in Manchester, a Mason and Shriner, and his wife of more than 60 years, Dot, served on the board of Elliot Hospital for 30 years.

David was also a loyal Holderness alumnus, serving as both a Class Correspondent and a member of the Board of Trustees from 1976 to 1985. His advocacy on the school’s behalf as a trustee of the Cogswell Benevolent Trust resulted in gifts supporting the construction and renovation of the Hagerman Center, Weld Dining Hall, Carpenter Arts Center, Alfond Library, Livermore Hall and Health Center, Connell Dormitory, the addition of the Chapel organ, fitness equipment, and the school’s endowment.

Holderness recognized his achievements with both the Distinguished Service Award and the Lifetime Achievement Award. At his memorial service, the pastor of the First Congregational Church in Manchester spoke to not only David’s connection with people but how he connected people to each other.

David’s life is a reminder of how one individual can make a difference in the lives of so many others, and the fund bearing his name enables Holderness to enroll the brightest and most talented students, from a wide variety of socioeconomic backgrounds, and aids our efforts to create a diverse and outstanding school body. It is a fitting legacy to an alumnus who spent his life giving back to his community. n

NUMBER OF STUDENTS SUPPORTED BY THE GOODWIN FUND IN 2019-20

5

Clothing, health, and basic amenities

Books, laptops, tutoring, and academic supplies

Senior Thesis research

Family travel, communication, and lodging

Participation in athletic teams and competitions

Participation in student events and experiences

Academic support programs