Excellence Newsletter Fall 2012

Campaign Update

Excellence

The $3 Million Challenge: A Key Component

A newsletter on Lovett’s Strategic Plan

T

hanks to the generosity of a small group of anonymous donors, Lovett will receive $3 million in gifts once we

have raised an additional $3 million in our current Capital Campaign effort. And we’re getting close!

Each dollar of new campaign commitments raised by

December 31, 2012, will be matched on a 1:1 basis up to $3 million. In other words, when Lovett raises $3 million we

Issue 5 Fall 2012

will in effect have raised $6 million! Each dollar committed is doubled. All capital gifts and pledges—endowment, facilities, or unrestricted—count toward meeting

$3 Million

the $3 Million Challenge goal.

As of November 9, 2012, we have

$2 Million

received a total of $59,474,680 in cash and pledges for this campaign. That amount includes $2,180,868 toward the

$1 Million

$3 Million Challenge.

For more information about the $3

Million Challenge, please contact:

Brian Scales

(404) 262-3032, ext. 1249

bscales@lovett.org Andy Spencer

(404) 262-3032, ext. 1255

aspencer@lovett.org Taylor Butkus

(404) 262-3032, ext. 1354

tbutkus@lovett.org

Campaign Results: November 9, 2012

$70 million

Interim Goal: $70,000,000

$60 million

Total Commitments to Date: $59,474,680

Unrestricted/ Facilities Commitments $43,112,824

$50 million

$40 million

$30 million

$20 million

$10 million

0

Endowment Unrestricted/Facilities Commitments Commitments $16,360,855 $43,112,299

Amount needed Endowment to meet Commitments $70 million $16,359,805 interim goal

By 11/6/12 Total Commitments $59,472,105 (Combined Goal for Endowment & Unrestricted/Facilities)

The Rogers & Westmoreland Activity Center is Open!

I

n the fall of 2011, Lovett began construction on a multipurpose building across from the Baseball/Softball Complex. The new Rogers

& Westmoreland Activity Center is now open and will serve two major purposes: much-needed on-campus meeting space for small- to medium-sized gatherings and a home for Lovett’s Scouting programs.

It is a regular challenge for parent groups, athletics teams, or the school offices to host events of a certain size on campus, and thus we are often required to rent space elsewhere or meet in areas not well-suited for the function. The Activity Center will allow us that flexibility for dinners, socials, coffees, and the like. It will also allow for greater opportunity to host our neighborhood association and other nonprofits on our campus—something we too often have had to decline.

The Scouts will perhaps see the greatest advantage of this new facility. In the past, members of our very vibrant program—including Daisies, Brownies, Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts, and Boy Scouts—met in unused classroom spaces, the Dining Hall, or outside. The Activity Center will allow them the proper space to meet their programmatic needs.

A ribbon cutting and dedication for the building was held during Homecoming weekend in September.

More than 150 people attended the Rogers & Westmoreland Activity Center ribbon cutting and dedication.

2

The Lovett School Legacy Society Leave a legacy. Endow Lovett’s future.

Join the Lovett Legacy Society

by December 31, 2012, and Become a Charter Member!

T

he Lovett School Legacy Society is a group of donors who have included Lovett as a beneficiary of insurance policies and

retirement assets in their wills or other estate plans.

Legacy giving, or planned giving, allows donors to have an impact on a favorite cause, such as Lovett, beyond their lifetime. It allows donors to make larger gifts than might otherwise be possible. And it may also allow donors to increase their retirement incomes and receive tax advantages. If you understand just how important your gift could be to the future of our school, then you should join the Lovett Legacy Society.

Susan Calahan ’87 is a Lovett parent and active member of the Lovett community. She has held leadership Auction positions; served as a grade rep and room parent for several years; and served as past president and current member of the Alumni Executive Board. She is also a Charter Member of the Lovett Legacy Society and member of the Lovett Legacy Society Committee. Susan described why legacy giving to Lovett is so important: “I attended Lovett for 14 years. When you’re somewhere for that long, it becomes more than a place where you go to school, it’s a place where you feel at home. The people I met while at Lovett became, and continue to be, my family. My Lovett experience shaped me into the person that I am today. I wanted that same kind of experience for my children. That’s one reason why the endowment is so important to me.

I want Lovett to be as great for my children as it was for me when I was there.”

“Joining the Lovett Legacy Society is easy,” Susan continued. “For us it was by making Lovett a beneficiary of a life insurance policy. But there are other simple, yet meaningful, ways to make a planned gift to Lovett.”

“Making a legacy gift to Lovett made sense to me, because what could be more important than ensuring the legacy of my alma mater and my children’s school?”

Charter Membership in The Lovett School Legacy Society is only available until December 31, 2012, so don’t delay! For more information, visit www.lovett.org/legacygiving or contact: Andy Spencer, (404) 262-3032, ext. 1255, aspencer@lovett.org Brian Scales, (404) 262-3032, ext. 1249, bscales@lovett.org Taylor Butkus, (404) 262-3031, ext. 1354, tbutkus@lovett.org.

Legacy Society Committee Bailey Izard ’81, Chair Tom Reynolds, Vice Chair Tom Avery ’71 Duncan Beard Susan Calahan ’87 Geoff Friedman ’87 Mary Kathryn Green ’92 Jackson Hill Donald Jackson ’77 Rob Jordan ’87 Reid Knox ’96 Allen Madden ’86 Chris Means ’81 Philip Millians ’79 Bet Pope ’79 John Raulet ’92 Ruth Russ ’84 John Stephenson ’93 Jessica Walmsley ’84 Lovett Staff Taylor Butkus Anne Fuentes Jessica Houston Brian Scales Andy Spencer Major Gifts Committee Gregg Goldenberg, Chair Laura and Billy Cohen Nan and Ed Easterlin Sarah and Reid French Andrea and Gordon ’88 Jones Gina and David Marshall Kacey ’91 and Whit ’91 Marshall Ed McCrady John McIntyre Emily and Mike ’83 McIntyre Mary and Alex ’86 Millians Kim and Clay ’90 Nalley Sara ’79 and John Shlesinger Lovett Staff Andy Spencer Brian Scales Taylor Butkus Campaign Executive Committee Clay Jackson ’77, Co-chair Hampton Morris ’69, Co-chair Charlie Arp ’62 Kimberly Blass Gregg Goldenberg John Holder ’73 Bailey Izard ’81 David Kahn ’81 Amy Kreisler ’88 Knox Massey Ed McCrady Billy Peebles Art Rollins ’77 Brian Scales Andy Spencer

3

Siempre Verde 20th Anniversary Celebration

I

n 1992, Lovett purchased a piece of cloudforest property in Ecuador for the

purpose of creating a protected preserve and establishing a research center to support tropical conservation education. The 850-acre Siempre Verde, which translates to forever green, offers U.S. and Ecuadorian students an opportunity to learn through research and the exchange of ideas. Students may also visit Siempre Verde for language immersion or service learning trips.

Siempre Verde just celebrated 20 years of conservation and education with a reunion and anniversary celebration on September 29 at the Rogers & Westmoreland Activity Center.

Over the last two decades, Siempre Verde has had more than 1,500 visitors, mostly members of the Lovett community. However, Siempre Verde is open to students and families outside of Lovett, and has hosted visitors from Atlanta Girls’ School, Ravenscroft School, Porter-Gaud School, Campbell High School, Paideia School, Pace Academy, The Galloway School, Virginia Episcopal School, The Westminster Schools, and Wheeler High School. Professionals from colleges and universities and the Atlanta

Every hike we did, we stopped to talk for ten minutes about all the plants around us.

It’s interesting because you see it rather than just learning about it from pictures.

Kendall Payne ’12

Botanical Garden also have made visits to Siempre Verde.

The anniversary celebration brought together long-time friends who shared stories and memories of a place far away, but close to our hearts. The room was decorated with familiar items from the market at Otavalo, photos of the many trips, old articles detailing the history of the project, and even journals from the station. The highlight of the event was hearing from Founder Bob Braddy and former Headmaster Jim Hendrix, who both thanked the many board members, faculty, and families who made the creation and growth of Siempre Verde possible.

Paul Merz ’05, Jeffrey Glover ’93, Bob Braddy, Jim Woodward ’92, and John Rawls enjoy the Siempre Verde anniversary celebration.

4

I really love the atmosphere at Siempre Verde. It’s kind of like an escape.

Taylor Morris ’12

Alex Reynolds (Director of Siempre Verde) “At Lovett, we call

Siempre Verde the south campus, but it’s much more than that. It’s an extension of the mission of The Lovett School. We’re not just talking about conserving tropical forests, we’re taking an active role. It’s a very progressive vision for conservation and education. For Lovett to actually own this property allows it to be better incorporated into the message that we’re sending to students. I’m not sure they really understood the ripple effect that Siempre Verde would have—that so many people would be touched by this.”

Bob Braddy (Founder of Siempre Verde) “As I have gone

through the reflection journals recently, I have seen so many names of former students who have gone into fields such as biology, zoology, ecology, and conservation. I still get notes from some of them, saying ‘thank you for that opportunity. It opened my eyes as to what other regions of the world are going through.’”

It’s really fun to use what you’re learning outside of the classroom.

It’s like real-life situations. You end up learning a lot more.

Katherine Underwood ’12

Jim Hendrix, Bob Braddy, and Billy Peebles reminisce at the Siempre Verde anniversary celebration.

5

Endowment is the answer. . .

Following is a partial list of

or at least one answer

programs that are in need of

specific endowment funds or additional funding:

T

he Lovett School Endowment Fund is a collection of funds (unrestricted and restricted) that supports students, faculty,

staff, and programs. Each year, about 5 percent of Lovett’s operating budget is funded by endowment, making it one of the school’s three main sources of revenue, along with tuition (80 percent) and annual giving (5 percent). The remaining 10 percent is made up by monies from interest, auxiliary operations, and program fees. Continued endowment growth helps the school maintain reasonable tuition levels while continuing to provide excellent programs and attract and retain exceptional faculty and staff.

Among a long list, a larger Lovett endowment will allow the school: • to attract, develop, and retain the best faculty/staff in a competitive market and offer better salaries and benefits; • to fully fund faculty enrichment and professional development opportunities; • to create a budget that is less dependent on tuition revenue; • to provide more scholarships and financial aid; • to ensure an excellent and progressive curriculum and cocurricular activities; • to keep tuition as affordable as possible;

Unrestricted Addresses Budget Items as Needs Arise C. Knox Massey, Jr. Family Endowment Fund Angela & Ian McCarthy Endowment Fund General Unrestricted Endowment Fund Faculty & Staff Support Salary & Benefits Jim Hendrix General Faculty Support Fund O. Wayne Rollins Quest for Excellence Grants Fund Headmaster’s Leadership by Example Award Fund Charles Oakley Service Award Distinguished Fellowships for Teaching Excellence Master Teacher Awards Awards for Teaching Excellence Principals and Directors Discretionary Funds

• to ensure the most up-to-date technology, library resources, and pedagogy; and • to carry out more preventative maintenance and timely repairs on campus.

Lovett’s current strategic plan calls for investment in four main

Professional Development Legends Faculty Enrichment Fund Dick Hall Faculty Enrichment Fund Advanced Degree Program Fund Mini-sabbatical Program

areas of endowment: • unrestricted — provides enormous flexibility for use as needed; • faculty & staff support — for salaries, benefits, and professional development; • financial aid and scholarships — need-based awards; and • funding new and planned initiatives and existing programs.

A larger Lovett endowment will allow the school to attract, develop, and retain the best faculty/staff in a competitive market, and offer better salaries and benefits.

6

> Top: Service Initiation for the Ninth Grade 2012. > Below, right: Sydney Umeri enjoys quiet time in the library.

Financial Aid & Scholarships

Existing Programs

Tuition and Fees Anne Fuentes Financial Aid Fund Alumni Scholarship Fund Financial Aid Funds for Faculty/Staff Children General Financial Aid Funds

Schoolwide Drug & Alcohol Education Technology-use Education Parent Education Programs Theologian-In-Residence Brain Development and Learning Styles Education Diversity and Multicultural Programs and Services

Special Experiences Connie & Bob Braddy Siempre Verde Scholarship Fund Dan Toohey ’99 Senior Project Support Fund Emily Dunn ’06 Scholarship for International Gap Year Studies Experiential Learning Career Internships

Lower School Field Trips (by grade or curricular topic area) Guidance Counseling Dorothy Floyd Library Programs and Resources

Programs and Initiatives New and Planned Initiatives Service Learning Character Education Technology Repair & Replacement Fund Student Sustainability Programs Mission/Service Trips 21st Century Learning

Middle School Field Trips (by grade or curricular topic area) Guidance Counseling Vasser Woolley Library Programs and Resources Upper School Dan Dalke Marine Biology Fund Social Events (prom, Homecoming Street Dance, etc.)

College Counseling Guidance Counseling SING — Service Initiation for the Ninth Grade JOE — Junior Outdoor Expedition Student Service Board American Studies, English, Religion, History, Mathematics, Physical Sciences, etc.

Speech & Debate Green Team TAP - Teens Against Prejudice Vasser Woolley Library Programs and Resources Programs and Resources Academic Resource Center (ARC) Alice Empie Academic Resource Center Support Fund Academic Resource Center Excellence Fund The Fred, Anne, and Cyrus Fisher Academic Resource Center Support Fund Brain Development and Learning Styles Education Learning Styles Inventory Program

Athletics LionBackers Student Support Fund Football, Swimming, Gymnastics, Girls Basketball, Boys Lacrosse, Strength and Conditioning, etc.

Fine Arts John S. Hunsinger Fine Arts Student Support Fund The Ellington Jazz Band MS Band, Photography, Dance, Upper School Visual Arts, Technical Theater, Drama, Orchestra, Chorus, etc.

Other Siempre Verde Endowment Fund Breakthrough Atlanta Endowment Fund LIA — Lovett International Alliance American Studies Institute Campus Maintenance, Repair & Replacement Plant Reserve Endowment Fund Sustainable Facility Upgrades Baseball Field, Loridans House, Fuqua Center, Pond Maintenance, Lower School, etc.

Virtually any area of school life may be endowed and gifts of any size can be made to the Lovett Endowment. Visit www.lovett. org/supporting-lovett/endowment or contact one of the staff members listed below for more information on the Lovett Endowment, a list of existing named endowment funds, how to create a named endowment fund, or how to add to an existing fund.

Andy Spencer

(404) 262-3032, ext. 1255 aspencer@lovett.org Brian Scales

(404) 262-3032, ext. 1249 bscales@lovett.org

7

Excellence A newsletter on Lovett’s Strategic Plan

NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE

PAID

ATLANTA, GA PERMIT NO. 1443

THE LOVETT SCHOOL 4075 Paces Ferry Road, N.W. Atlanta, Georgia 30327-3009 www.lovett.org

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

What does Lovett Excellence mean to you?

Chad Wright ’90

Jinny Keogh

Reid French ’89

Class representative and

Parent; Friends of the Arts Board: 2000-

Parent; Trustee; member,

member, Lovett Alumni

present, President 2009-11; past member,

Major Gifts Committee;

Executive Board

Lovett Strategic Plan Committee; grade rep

past Co-chair, New Parent Campaign

“Lovett fosters excellence through the development of the whole child. By offering carefully guided exposure to the arts, academics, athletics, and community involvement, Lovett provides developing minds a broad base of knowledge that allows students to gain a solid understanding of the academic rigor required for college success, the ability to find an area that speaks to them for life pursuits, and the understanding that one should always stay involved with the community around them.”

“Michael and I sent four very different children through Lovett, and each enjoyed a different experience, but all four (or at least three out of four, since our youngest is a junior) emerged whole and ready for college.

Each found a niche where they felt special, encouraged by faculty, and accepted by peers. There were bumps along the way, of course, but the parent/child/school partnership worked and everyone learned something from those bumps.

Lovett must be able, with faculty, facilities, and vision, to educate each student in academics, the arts, athletics, and ethics. Lovett parents must be willing to give their time to advance the work of the school. The partnership is what truly sets Lovett apart and merits continued financial support in the future.”

“The primary goal of Lovett’s strategic plan is to infuse excellence in our core mission of educating the whole child.

As a student, parent, and now trustee, I have been impressed by Lovett’s consistent commitment to raise the bar in terms of our academic, arts, and athletic programs. Sarah and I feel strongly that our gift to enhance the endowment will help Lovett to continue to achieve excellence for our children, both now and into the future.”