From the Office of Development & Alumni Affairs Meet New Senior Development Officer Stephanie Garcia Earp’02 The David Quentin Kearney’50 Endowed Scholarship Fund

PORTSMOUTH ABBEY SCHOOL IS PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THAT STEPHANIE GARCIA EARP ’02 HAS JOINED THE OFFICE OF DEVELOPMENT & ALUMNI AFFAIRS AS A SENIOR DEVELOPMENT OFFICER. STEPHANIE COMES TO US FROM PENNFIELD SCHOOL WHERE SHE SERVED AS THE DIRECTOR OF ADVANCEMENT FROM 2014.

How did you end up at Portsmouth Abbey as a student?

I first stepped foot on the Abbey’s campus in 1997 as an eighth grader in the midst of my high school application process. I had visited other high school campuses and assumed this visit would be similar to the others. I was wrong. It just so happened that on that day, a huge storm was hitting Aquidneck Island. I recall the wind and rain were so strong that they rendered our umbrellas useless and within ten minutes of my campus tour, I was completely soaked. In fact, I have a vivid memory of siting in the Manor House, waiting for my interview and desperately trying to wring out my clothes in the hopes of being a bit more presentable. Yet despite the awful weather, I immediately fell in love with the school. The students and faculty were so warm and inclusive, and there was something special about the school that made me feel right at home. Funny enough, it’s been almost twenty-five years since that day, and I felt that same feeling of returning home while on my recent tour of the campus.

What are some of your fondest memories of your time at the Abbey?

I have so many wonderful memories of my time at the Abbey that selecting just a few is difficult. One of the most incredible experiences of my life was being awarded the William Haney fellowship the summer of my Fifth-Form year. This granted me the opportunity to live aboard a sailboat in the Mediterranean Sea working along side marine biologists as we tagged and monitored the migration patterns of dolphins and whales. It was truly remarkable and I often wonder if the Haney family realizes the magnitude of their gift and its positive impact on my personal and professional life. I’d also say that some of my fondest memories come from what we would have considered to be just our mundane daily life. Whether it was listening to Mr. Hobbins’ riveting impersonations of Winston Churchill, eating lunch with Father Paschal in the Stillman Dinning Hall, or cheering on my fellow Ravens on the athletic fields, the everyday experience at the Abbey was rather spectacular. I believe your most recent Commencement speaker Kerry Robinson said it best when she reminded us that with every decade that has passed, you gain an increased appreciation of the gift received at the Abbey. I couldn’t agree more.

What did you do upon graduating from the Abbey?

After leaving the Abbey, I went on to receive a BA from Bates College and then an MBA from the University of Rhode Island. It was during an internship in Business School that I found myself drawn to the world of nonprofits. The internship was with a nonprofit based out of Washington, D.C. dedicated to helping orphans in Haiti. The work was very fulfilling. After receiving my degree, I volunteered with local organizations addressing issues ranging from truancy reduction to ovarian cancer awareness. These experiences ultimately led me to pursue a career in the Advancement profession. I feel very fortunate to have chosen this field and love the work I do.

Your husband is an alumnus. How did you meet?

Tom was a Sixth-Form student when I began at the Abbey. I first met him while ordering one of the Abbey’s famous

chocolate chip cookies at the Tuck Shop. I don’t know which was more memorable, the delicious cookie or meeting him. I never built up the courage to talk to him while at the Abbey but luckily our paths crossed later in life. Today, we are very blessed to have a beautiful family together. We have fouryear-old identical twin boys, Max and Leo, and a two-year-old daughter, Paloma. It’s hectic and busy in our household these days but I wouldn’t trade it for the world. Tom’s father, Ralph Earp, was the School’s physician from 1994-2013; his mother, Barbara Earp, served as a School nurse from 1996-2010. His three siblings Michael Earp ’96, Kevin Earp ’98 and Martha Sbano ’00 also attended the Abbey.

Why did you choose a career in development at independent schools?

Having attended and benefitted from independent schools in my own life, I recognize their importance. I’ve also come to learn that the health of independent schools relies heavily on the vital need for philanthropy. As the director of advancement at an independent school, I’ve enjoyed witnessing firsthand how the results of successful fundraising efforts can positively impact the students, faculty and programs.

Why did you apply to become Senior Development Officer at the Abbey?

This is a really exciting time at the Abbey. The Office of Development & Alumni Affairs has experienced tremendous success under the leadership of Matt Walter and his team. Thanks to the team’s robust efforts, there has been an emergence of a strong philanthropic culture at the school positioning it for future success. To become a member of his team is really a dream come true. As senior development officer, I’ll have the privilege of partnering with community members to find opportunities for them to make a significant impact at this wonderful school and ensure its on-going success. This shared experience is a win-win. What greater job is there?

What about the Senior Development Officer position do you find most appealing?

Where do I start? At the top of my list is getting to know the broader Abbey community. I can’t wait to meet with individuals and learn about their experiences and connections to the School. While I have my own story, it’s only a small brushstroke in what is the full picture of the Abbey’s history. Seeing the School through the eyes of others is both exciting and essential. It will serve as an invaluable tool as we advance towards the school’s next chapter. Speaking of the next chapter, the School’s 100th anniversary is not too far off. What a phenomenal opportunity to reconnect and celebrate our School.

What do you hope to accomplish in your role as Senior Development Officer?

My number one goal is to inspire and encourage philanthropic support of the Abbey. For many, the Abbey played a critical role in shaping who they are today. What if I told you that you could play a critical role for the Abbey? What if you could make an impact at this school? What would that look like? I hope to demonstrate that through philanthropic support these aspirations can be achieved.

I would say that my biggest opportunities would be the expansion of the Hall Manor Society and a focus on endowment growth. Piggy-backing on those opportunities comes the challenge of educating constituents of the myriad of giving options, their tax implications and the various strategies for donors at any level to give smarter.

What else should our alumni and the extended Portsmouth community know about you?

I love to travel and experience new cultures. This is most likely attributed to growing up in a multi-cultural household with a Spanish father and an American mother. Today, we travel to Spain whenever possible so that our own children can experience the rich culture firsthand. I know I’m biased, but it’s one of the best places in the world!

I’d say that some of my fondest memories come from what we would have considered to be just our mundane daily life. Whether it was listening to Mr. Hobbins’ riveting impersonations of Winston Churchill, eating lunch with Father Paschal in the Stillman Dining Hall, or cheering on my fellow Ravens on the athletic fields, the everyday experience at the Abbey was rather spectacular.

As David Kearney ’50 approached his 90th birthday last May, a few members of his family decided it was time for a unique birthday present. “We were looking for ways to acknowledge his 90th birthday,” said Will Ingraham, father of David’s grandchildren Maggie ’15 and David ’17. “The Abbey figures prominently in his life: four of his brothers went there; one brother, Father Damian ’45, stayed on to become a revered member of the faculty and monastic community; and two of his grandchildren are alumni. His daughter, Jennifer, and I thought this would be a fitting way to honor David while contributing to a cause dear to him.” Jennifer adds, “For my father to be recognized for all that he has done for Portsmouth and for our family and community means the world to him. He has never wanted any type of recognition for anything he has done; everything is done through the kindness and generosity of his heart. He’s an amazing human being and the most selfless person I’ve ever known. And I get to call him my Dad. I’m so blessed.”

Will and Jennifer chose to establish the David Quentin Kearney ’50 Endowed Scholarship Fund with the aim of bringing a Portsmouth Abbey education within reach of some qualified students who might not be able to afford it otherwise. “Ultimately, we hope it will be awarded to a student in need but who also shares the same attributes as my father,” Jennifer said. “We would like to see someone who is humble, kind and generous to others and who has a strong faith and dedication to Portsmouth Abbey.”

The School’s Board of Regents recognized the signal event by issuing a proclamation in David’s honor which reads [in part] as follows: [WHEREAS, David Quentin Kearney graduated from Portsmouth Abbey School in the Class of 1950 and has been a devoted alumnus of the School for many decades; and

WHEREAS, David has served the School and his classmates as a Class Agent for many years and has been an enthusiastic and consistent presence at School and Class functions; and

WHEREAS, David has been a faithful benefactor to the School through support of the Annual Fund, capital projects and endowed funds, and is a member of the Loyal Raven Society and the Hall Manor Society; and

WHEREAS, David has been a humble servant to all through the practice of his Catholic faith;

NOW, THEREFORE,] the Portsmouth Abbey School Board of Regents does hereby proclaim May 15, 2021 as a day of honor and recognition for Mr. David Quentin Kearney ’50 on the occasion of his 90th birthday. The Board of Regents further proclaims that David is a treasured Son of the Abbey and expresses its deepest gratitude for his service to his class, to the School, and to the greater Portsmouth Abbey community.

David was appropriately surprised to learn of the gift and the proclamation saying, “I am humbled by this wonderful birthday gift and by the Board of Regents’ proclamation. My only hope is that the scholarship will allow deserving students to receive the same excellent education I received during my years at Portsmouth.”

The David Quentin Kearney ’50 Endowed Scholarship Fund joins with several dozen others to help fund the more than $5 million in financial aid awarded by the School each year.