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INVESTING IN OUR ENVIRONMENT
Q&A with Ginny Bachman The Development Office sat down with our Director of Admission and Financial Aid, Ginny Bachman, to discuss the impact of financial aid, and in particular, the Richard Whitcomb Endowed Scholarship, on our students. DEVELOPMENT OFFICE: How would you describe St. Luke’s approach to financial aid? GINNY BACHMAN: It is all about providing access. We want to make the St. Luke’s experience as affordable to as many families as possible—and we also want to make sure that once admitted, every student has an equitable experience at St. Luke’s. Through our established Tuition Assistance Program, we awarded over $3.4M in need-based tuition assistance to more than 16% of our student population during the 2018-19 school year. DO: How do you identify students who are eligible for financial aid? GB: All tuition assistance at St. Luke’s is awarded on the basis of demonstrated need. St. Luke’s does not award merit-based or athletics-based scholarships. DO: What is unique about the Whitcomb Scholarship Endowment Fund? GB: When I speak with alumni, I always hear how Mr. Whitcomb changed their lives. This scholarship fund continues this legacy. The fund benefits underserved students with financial need who specifically embody Mr. Whitcomb’s passion for academic curiosity, potential, and strength of character. This recognition of character ties back
to our beloved former Head of School and adds meaning to this financial aid award. Mr. Whitcomb is known for his vision of improving the lives of all children--and in particular, those with great potential but limited means. We are pleased to be able to continue his legacy through the gifts to this fund each year, and the scholarships these gifts help to provide our students. DO: How do we select the Whitcomb Scholar? GB: They are first identified by the Admissions Office from among the pool of students who are admitted to St. Luke’s School; we look specifically for the students who possess academic curiosity, potential, and strength of character. Awardees are ultimately selected from this pool by the Whitcomb Fund Committee with the approval of Mr. Whitcomb himself. DO: Where do our Whitcomb Scholars head after they graduate from the Hilltop? GB: To date, there have been a total of nine scholars who have received support from the Whitcomb Endowed Fund (including students who are currently on campus). All of these students have gone on to 4-year colleges and continue their commitment to St. Luke’s as active alumni.
The Richard Whitcomb Tribute Dinner – Celebrating Dick and His Legacy More than 350 members of St. Luke’s extended community gathered together on Friday, October 21, 2016 to honor and celebrate Headmaster Emeritus Dick Whitcomb and his innumerable contributions to St. Luke’s School. Over $1,300,000 was raised for the Richard M. Whitcomb Scholarship Endowed Fund, which enables “students with proven academic and co-curricular potential, strength of character and demonstrated financial need to attend St. Luke’s School.” Since the inception of the fund in 2003, nine students have been awarded Whitcomb Scholarships, and many of those scholars and/or their families were in attendance on Friday night. St. Luke’s alumni, current and past parents, trustees, faculty, staff and friends spent the evening at The Waters Edge at Giovanni’s in Darien, (owned by Sal and JoAnn Latorraca, parents of Bryan ’14), laughing, dancing and celebrating Mr. Whitcomb’s humor, generosity and huge heart. Head of School Mark Davis kicked off the night by welcoming guests and sharing his personal tribute to Dick, reflecting that “you can learn a lot about a man when you attempt to fill his shoes.” Davis was followed by Doug Stewart ‘07, the first recipient of the Whitcomb Scholarship who reflected that “Sometimes all a young person needs to succeed is to be given the right opportunity and a support system. I am truly
thankful that the Whitcomb Scholarship provided both of these things to me.” Katherine Godfrey ‘92 talked about how Mr. Whitcomb has been there for her again and again over the last twenty plus years: “Once you are a student of Mr. Whitcomb, you are always his student, and I am so grateful for that.” Dick’s children, Jon ‘83 and Andrea ‘83 Whitcomb, spoke about Dick as a father and a Headmaster: “He knew when to wink,” Jon recounted, referring to his father’s ability to see the big picture and keep a sense of humor throughout his 22-year tenure as Headmaster. Andy and Jon both acknowledged their mother Barbara’s impact at St. Luke’s and as a source of strength for their family. Honoree Dick Whitcomb spoke about how his own humble beginnings inspired his work to make life better for others. LaTanya Langley ‘93 closed the speaking portion of the evening with a glowing tribute to Dick and the transformational power of having someone truly believe in you.