Thank You for Helping Build a Culture of Philanthropy

On Tuesday, August 20, the Darlington family gathered as one body at Opening Convocation to usher in the 109th year. During the ceremony, Dean of College Guidance Sam Moss (’63) provided some historical content in his remarks.

As Sam talked about our founding headmaster, Dr. James Ross McCain, and Darlington’s second employee, Mr. Shem Thomas, I was reminded that this culture of philanthropy was born out of Darlington’s founding and continues, to this day, to be a meaningful part of the life of this institution. I think about Shem Thomas, who served Darlington for over 40 years and whose legacy is lived out in the lives of the young men that he influenced. I think about that wonderful act of philanthropy when, upon his retirement, he was presented a Darlington diploma. He, a man with no formal academic training, displayed wisdom more than knowledge. 

This speaks to an inwardly directed form of philanthropy that consists of the way that we treat our colleagues and conduct our daily work. And as we celebrate this year, the successful completion of Darlington’s Second Century Campaign and all of the many generous gifts from alumni, parents and friends in 49 states and 30 countries internationally, we will be showcasing this culture of philanthropy at Darlington School. It is who we are as an institution and it is fitting that we celebrate philanthropy in all of its many forms. 

So, as we ring in Darlington’s 109th year, I want to express our deepest and most heartfelt gratitude for your philanthropy. It is because of you, and many others like you, that we can celebrate so many successes and remain optimistic about the future. You lead by example: you are showing the children just how much we care about their well-being and their education. The children are the ones who will benefit from your philanthropy.

Below are Sam Moss’ (’63) remarks from Convocation that remind us of Darlington’s great traditions.

HISTORY OF THE SCHOOL BELL

When Darlington opened 108 years ago, the only staff member was Dr. James Ross McCain, the school’s founding Headmaster. Dr. McCain taught all subjects to all boys, all periods, all day, and then, in Dr. McCain’s words, “did such sweeping and cleaning up as might be needful.”

Happily, though, later in that first year, Dr. McCain was joined by the school’s second employee – an African-American man named Shem Thomas, who was a barber by profession, and whose job description was that of janitor. But Shem Thomas was much more than a janitor. He was advisor, mentor, disciplinarian, friend, and confidant of generations of Darlington students – sort of one-man equivalent of today’s student life and counseling offices and advisor system!

Shem Thomas served Darlington for over 40 years, and when he retired in 1945, at Commencement he was presented a Darlington diploma – summa cum laude, the first with that high citation ever awarded by Darlington. 

Many of you have noticed the memorial marker to Shem Thomas which was placed by the lakeside at the foot of the steps leading to the Home-on-the-Hill.

That marker reads:

Shem Thomas
Darlington School
1905-1949

“Faithful servant, he was endowed with a wisdom born not of books, but of hope and love. Christian gentleman, he was respected by students and faculty. Kindly teacher, he was as careful in example as in precept. Friend of children, he counseled with understanding and corrected without offense.”

That may be as good a definition of a great teacher as any of us could come up with – and, I might add, the finest form of philanthropy!

This is part of a blog series written to highlight what it means to be a donor in the Darlington Community and the various ways one can give back to the school. On Aug. 30, the school will host its first-ever Thank a Donor Day to recognize the individuals and businesses whose generous gifts make Darlington the special places that it is.