After kicking off its historic $90 million Second Century Campaign publicly in March of 2008, Darlington School is celebrating victory.
“What an exciting day for Darlington School!” said Headmaster Tom Whitworth. “The Second Century Campaign has ushered in a new era, solidifying our future for another century and beyond. A heartfelt thank you goes out to every member of our community who was involved in the success of this campaign – we couldn’t have done it without you.”
Campaign Co-Chairmen George Johnson (’54) and Jere Drummond (’57) shared the good news with faculty tonight during the annual Brown Dinner, an end-of-the-year faculty banquet hosted by the Board of Trustees. Fittingly, the celebrating took place in the same room of the A.J. Huffman (’67) Memorial Athletic Center where the campaign kicked off four years ago.
“Over 106 years ago, John Paul Cooper founded this school and named it for his favorite teacher, Joseph James Darlington. Thanks to our dedicated alumni, parents, faculty members and friends who love this wonderful place, a culture of philanthropy continues to thrive today,” Johnson said. “It was particularly amazing the way our trustees, both past and present, stepped up to the plate – giving over $55 million and issuing challenge grants in support of financial aid and faculty endowment.
“When, at times, it looked as if our momentum had bogged down, another substantial commitment would always come in from someone to whom we or our volunteers had been talking,” he continued. “I think the touching remarks from our largest donor speak for most of us when he said, ‘I can never give back to Darlington as much as Darlington gave to me.’ This campaign has been a genuine love story. There may not be words capable of expressing it, but $90 million in gifts says a lot.”
Darlington’s Second Century Campaign focused on several areas of need based on a Strategic Plan that was approved by the Board of Trustees in 2006. And when it kicked off in 2008, over 57 percent of the goal had already been raised. In June of the same year, the school broke ground on Thatcher Hall, a $21 million facility that opened in August 2009.
“Every person who served on the Campaign Cabinet, made a phone call, sent a letter or email, visited a prospect, wrote a thank you note, hosted or attended a campaign event, or made a gift of any amount should be proud of this tremendous accomplishment. The fruits of this historic effort – of your hard work and generosity – will be harvested for many years to come,” Drummond said. “The first visible sign of the campaign’s success, Thatcher Hall, is a true testimony of Darlington’s dedication to students and teachers.”
The 57,000-square-foot facility features 18 classrooms, a wireless media center, a student commons, band and choral rooms, and a spacious assembly hall for gathering and dining. Named in memory of Samuel E. and Mary W. Thatcher by their son, John Thatcher (’44) – who made the largest gift in Darlington School history – the new facility earned Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Gold Certification by the U.S. Green Building Council.
The following August, Darlington celebrated again when the final phase of the $3 million renovations to the boys’ residence halls was completed thanks to the generous support of the school community and a foundation friend of the school. Originally built in the late 1920s and updated periodically over the years, the boys’ houses have now entered the 21st Century with state-of-the-art features and technology.
Other critical but perhaps not so visible results of the Second Century Campaign have included the endowment of the Teaching and Learning Center, advancements in technology and equipment, growing endowment for faculty support and financial aid, and increases in annual giving and planned giving.
“The theme of this campaign has been ‘transforming lives’ and as a result, each and every one of these outcomes is directly impacting the daily lives of our students and the experience they are having here at Darlington,” said Frank Stegall (’62), chairman of the Board of Trustees. “It is truly amazing what we have been able to accomplish together. Our success in this historic effort is a testament to the overall health of the institution as well as to our unparalleled campaign leadership; our strong and able volunteer base; our loyal and generous supporters; and, most importantly, the good work that is going on each and every day in our classrooms, in our residence halls, and on our stages and athletic fields.”
The Second Century Campaign set multiple records for Darlington, raising a record $90 million in record time thanks to a record number of donors and volunteers. Contributors to the campaign numbered 4,962, representing 49 states and 30 countries. Additionally, 156 volunteers from 12 states worked tirelessly to ensure success.
“This has been the most far-reaching campaign in school history, and our success has given us the confidence and momentum to push forward to address additional needs that will secure our future,” said Joe Montgomery, chief advancement officer and senior director of the Second Century Campaign. “The children are the ones who will benefit from this campaign day after day, for many years to come. We are showing them just how much we care about their well-being and their education.”
For more information about the Second Century Campaign or to make a contribution, visit www.darlingtonschool.org/campaign.
