Centennial Campaign Gathers Momentum

As Webb approaches its centennial, school leaders are celebrating the legacy of founders Thompson and Vivian Webb by intensifying their focus on transformative changes designed to ensure Webb continues to grow as a global leader in unbounded education.

Those efforts begin with a $200 million Centennial Campaign launched publicly on October 23, 2021 with a landmark future estate gift of at least $100 million – among the four largest gifts ever given to an independent high school and the most ever given to one west of the Mississippi.

The donor, an alumnus who wishes to remain anonymous, is making the gift to honor his parents for their wisdom and sacrifices in sending him to Webb, and as a recognition for Webb’s indelible impact on his life.

UNPRECEDENTED SUPPORT

In addition to the historic gift, Webb’s supporters have contributed more than $80 million to the campaign, including the largest-ever cash gift – $8.4 million from the estate of the late Wayne “Skip” Hanson ’59, who often referred to Webb as his home. Hanson’s gift also brought the total value of Webb’s endowment to about $60 million as of December 31, 2021 – more than double the endowment’s level just nine years ago. “The unprecedented support for our Centennial Campaign will enable us to dramatically expand access to the very best students regardless of financial circumstance, as well as to deepen and strengthen our unique program of unbounded education,” Head of Schools Taylor B. Stockdale said.

Webb’s unparalleled approach fosters an entrepreneurial spirit that creates scholars with a rich array of perspectives and goals. The program draws on experiential learning, unique partnerships and a location in the heart of the cultural, academic and environmental riches of Southern California.

The philosophy encompasses in-depth studies in all disciplines driven by the passions and knowledge of Webb’s expert teachers. For example, students unearth fossils during Alf Museum trips, conduct original research and author scientific papers published in peer-reviewed journals.

In making the $100 million gift, the alumni donor traced Webb’s potent impact to this extraordinary academic focus.

Centennial Campaign Gathers Momentum hen great teachers “W share experiences and exchange ideas, the invaluable art of teaching becomes electric. This energy attracts the best and most imaginative students eager to be challenged, both by their teachers and by each other,” the donor said.

“In turn, these students go on to become inspired graduates coveted by the world’s best colleges and universities. And, more importantly, students get exposed to enough of what the world has to offer that they are able to find the place – be it a niche or an arena – where they can make their mark. Webb then truly becomes a place where the opportunities are boundless.”

THE LANDMARK DONATION WILL SERVE THREE PURPOSES:

• Leverage the schools’ location by creating new partnerships enabling Webb students to be actively involved with the many educational, cultural and service institutions in the greater Los Angeles area

• Attract, nurture and retain exceptional, life-changing teachers, and

• Ensure that a curious, high-energy, kind and hardworking student body is enrolled regardless of financial circumstance

Jim Dahler, who has been teaching at Webb for 34 years, said the campus community serves as an extended family that supports students long after they graduate. “I am astounded by the donor’s generosity and excited by this gift’s promise to transform the lives of Webb students and teachers,” Dahler said.

SCHOLARSHIPS

Similar to the anonymous donor’s transformative gift, Hanson’s gift will be used to significantly strengthen Webb’s generous scholarship program.

“Skip Hanson was a beloved member of the Webb community who was dedicated to supporting our mission as a global leader in unbounded education,” Stockdale said. “Skip’s generosity and legacy are immense and will be felt for generations to come.”

In 1990, Hanson, his brother, Robert M. Hanson ’62, and their father, Wayne A. Hanson, created the Bertha M. Lynch Principes Scholarship Fund in memory of their maternal grandmother. The scholarship goes to students with financial need, academic excellence, admirable qualities of character, demonstrated leadership potential and the ability to contribute positively to the spirit and life of the Webb community.

As Hanson’s health began to fail in 2018, he and his wife, Sharon, outlined this significant estate gift to provide aid for generations of Bertha M. Lynch Scholars. Hanson recognized that providing access to the most qualified students, regardless of financial capability, was central to Webb’s mission.

Wayne “Skip” Hanson ’59

The size of Hanson’s gift wasn’t originally known.

In 2019, after Hanson’s death, his wife estimated the gift at just over $6 million. It wasn’t until her death in 2021 that the full extent of the gift became clear. Coupled with Hanson’s previous support, the gift makes Hanson the single-largest contributor to endowed scholarships at Webb.

Following the public launch of the Centennial Campaign, Hanson’s classmate, Timothy Moore ’59, announced a $3 million planned gift. Moore was inspired to document a bequest that will create a financial aid program specifically for first-year students entering The Webb Schools. This inspiration came from Moore’s classmate, John Rogers ’59, who created the Mary Stuart Rogers Endowed Scholarship Fund that supports students in their sophomore, junior and senior years.

Rogers has also made a substantial planned gift for scholarship endowment in the form of a charitable lead trust, which began distributions in 2021, eventually adding $3 million over the next five years for additional scholarship support.

Webb and the Alf Museum also received gifts from Jim Hall ’59 and the late Dan Ketchum ’59 totaling $1 million. “This remarkable class has individually and collectively transformed Webb,” Chief Advancement Officer Bob Fass said. “In the years to come, scores of future alumni will have gained access to a Webb education because of these individuals and their generosity. It is incredibly inspiring.”

Younger alumni are also giving generously to support financial aid at Webb. Alumni Council member Sameer Dholakia ’91 and his wife, Laura, made a substantial multiyear campaign pledge of $350,000 to expand their family’s scholarship fund which, in turn, motivated his brother and Webb Board Chair Sanjay Dholakia ’87 and his wife, Melissa Barnes Dholakia ’87, to commit additional funds.

Alvin Hung ’93 recently established a new scholarship fund inspired, in part, by Michael Chang ’92 and Chang’s father, Milton.

“These gifts are representative of the life-changing impact that Webb has on our students,” Stockdale said. “Together, they will provide critical, immediate support for our mission as well as funds to sustain and expand on that mission in the decades to come.”

Centennial Celebration

A celebration of the yearlong centennial of The Webb Schools and the historic Centennial Campaign will take place during Alumni Weekend in October 2022. The campaign, The Next 100, will continue through June 30, 2025. Visit www.webb100.org for more information.