Lights Shine Bright at Annual Benefit
The 2023 Friends benefit Shine Your Light was held on Thursday, March 9 and lived up to its name. More than 400 guests gathered to enjoy student performances and the joy of being together. The community’s generosity also shone brightly: More than $587,000 was raised and will enable additional resources for faculty and students, including start-up funds for a new Center for Math, Science and Engineering that is now in the planning stages. Head of School Bo Lauder comments, “We are grateful for this early investment and look forward to sharing new and exciting updates in the future.”
From the total proceeds, $116,000 was raised through the Contemporary Art Sale. These funds will be allocated to the Artists for Artists Fund, an endowment that provides financial aid for the children of practicing artists. This fund, established last year, seeks to ensure the continuation of the legacy of artists sending their children to Friends. Take a moment to view Where We Shine, which was shared at the Benefit.
Honoring Past Contributions
Over the course of decades, spaces within the Friends campus have been named for individuals to recognize their service, achievements and financial contributions or as a memorial after their death. For example, Hunter Hall is named for Dr. Earle Hunter, a legendary teacher and administrator, who served Friends for 50 years before retiring in 1975. Another is the Rosenquist Gallery, named by the late artist, James Rosenquist P’08.
As our physical environment has evolved over time, particularly during the most recent Campus Redevelopment Project, some spaces have been changed beyond recognition or no longer exist. Happily, the legacy of recognition will continue through display of historical plaques. Several were recently mounted on the eastern end of Hunter Hall, ensuring that these individuals and their contributions are remembered. Bo Lauder comments, “This prominent display is a powerful reminder of our history and the generations who cared for and carried on our Quaker mission.”
Friends Spring Challenge Kicks off April 12
If you haven’t already made your gift to the 2022-23 Fund for Friends, be on the lookout for information about the Spring Challenge planned for Wednesday - Thursday, April 12-13. We need 200 donors to unlock this year’s challenge gift of $75,000, so please consider participating. All gifts to the Fund for Friends support critical funding for financial aid, salaries and programs to advance the School’s Quaker mission. If you’d like to make your gift early, click here.
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