Opening Minds Campaign Surges Past $50 Million
In a surprise announcement at the conclusion of the April 11 Celebration of Teaching Excellence program, BB&N Board of Trustees Chair Laura Hodges Taylor '74 shared the exciting news that thanks to two extraordinary commitments received by the School earlier that week, the Opening Minds Campaign has now surpassed the $50 million mark in capital and annual gifts and pledges.
The loud applause that greeted this news is symbolic of the deep appreciation which can be felt throughout the BB&N community, as the impact of this generosity can be seen every day on all three campuses: a new Upper School Building for arts, academics, and gathering spaces; a stronger endowment for faculty, financial aid, and academic programs; and continued growth of the Annual Fund which provides critical support for all areas of the operating budget.
With an overall goal of $62 million, there are still many opportunities for those who have not yet participated in the Opening Minds Campaign to make a difference in BB&N's financial strength, both current and future. For more information on how you can help, contact Janet Rosen at janet_rosen@bbns.org or 617-800-2729.
Celebration of Teaching Excellence
Honors BB&N Faculty, Present and Past
"Excellence and dedication to their profession, respect for the diverse lives of their students, and service to others: these are the qualities of BB&N's finest and the reasons we are celebrating our wonderful teachers tonight. And that's the spirit with which they infuse this school and this community."
These closing comments by BB&N alumnus and Rhodes Scholar John Simon '80 at the April 11 Celebration of Teaching Excellence echo those made by the other speakers that evening, including keynote speaker Susan Hockfield, President of MIT, and Sarah Light '91, also a Rhodes Scholar.
"It was wonderful to see so many current and former faculty connecting with former students and parents at this special evening," commented Campaign and April 11 Event Chair Shelly Nemirovsky. "We have so few opportunities to publicly thank our faculty. The successful completion of the faculty endowment goals of BB&N's Opening Minds Campaign will be crucial to ensure that these dedicated teachers will continue to open young minds for generations to come."
» view video highlights from the event
» view the Faculty Tribute Video shown at the event
» view a photo gallery from the event
BB&N Parents Respond to Faculty Challenge
When BB&N Lower School parents Jim and Lisa Mooney read the article in Openings last summer announcing the Faculty Challenge Program, they did not hesitate to respond.
"The faculty is the foundation of BB&N," noted Jim Mooney in a recent conversation about their very generous gift. "They create an experience far beyond facilities, far beyond almost anything and without the best faculty, everything else is compromised.
"For a parent, the faculty are the people to whom you're entrusting your children, their care, and their development It is paramount that the school your children attend have the best possible teachers, the most motivated, and the most stable faculty base possible.
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Alumni/ae Challenge Reaches Goal and
Helps Boost Alumni/ae Giving
We are delighted to report that the $1 Million Alumni/ae Challenge, announced at the Opening Minds Campaign Kickoff in November 2005, has not only been met but exceeded, with 31 alumni/ae from the Classes of 1935 to 1998 making qualifying gifts and pledges totaling $1,455,000. BB&N is deeply grateful to the alumni/ae who responded so generously and whose gifts have made significant contributions toward the endowment and capital goals of the Opening Minds Campaign.
As Head of School Rebecca T. Upham has noted, "Without a doubt, the opportunity to present this Challenge to prospective alumni/ae donors over the past two years has been BB&N's single most effective alumni/ae fund-raising strategy ever. It has been thrilling to talk with alumni/ae about this opportunity and to have so many motivated to give back to their alma mater at this crucial moment in BB&N's history."
Challenge Extended for Opening Minds Campaign Gifts
For alumni/ae who are in a position to consider a commitment of $25,000 or more, we are pleased to announce that another graduate—deeply impressed by the power of the original Challenge—has stepped forward with a gift of $100,000 to extend the Challenge under similar terms (i.e., a one-for-one match of all new alumni/ae gifts of $25,000+). continued
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