Meet Our Donors
We thank all of our planned giving donors for their generous support.
Monica Butler Mitchell, 1998
Beneath Monica Butler Mitchell's senior portrait in the 1998 Quid Nunc, is a thoughtful and revealing quote, I came here a child; I leave a woman. Monica believes that while children can sometimes be focused on themselves, it was at Roland Park Country School where she gained the maturity to see that the world is a much bigger place. She learned that there is value in making someone else's life better; a passion she holds dear. "It was because of my experiences and education at RPCS that I became the person I am today," Monica said. And, she attributes her approach to life, her commitment to community service and her empathetic nature to lessons learned at RPCS.
Laurie McCulloch Fisher, 1963
Laurie McCulloch met and fell in love with Dave Fisher when she was just fifteen years old and a student at Roland Park Country School. Besides being with Dave, Laurie's fondest memories of her RPCS years were times spent on the athletic fields. "That was my space," Laurie said in a recent interview, "and I was happiest there. Surrounded by friends cheering us on, we could really feel the RPCS spirit." Laurie was a standout athlete at RPCS in field hockey, basketball and lacrosse for four years earning the White Blazer Award, the School's highest athletic honor. She was the captain of all three sports in her senior year. She was also awarded the trophy for Excellence in Hockey and another for Best Defensive Player in Hockey both in 1963. Laurie was always the most enthusiastic member of each team she played for and a true leader on and off the field or court. For her excellence and dedication, Laurie was inducted into the RPCS Athletic Hall of Fame in 2007.
Elise Gettier Watkins, 1932
Born in Baltimore, MD on June 17, 1914, Elise Valerie Gettier attended Roland Park Country School and graduated in the Class of 1932. "E." as she was affectionately called by her classmates, was described in the 1932 Quid Nunc as a "brilliant student, a fine athlete, a skilled scene painter, an enthusiastic worker in any capacity and a peerless friend." E. was the goalie for the field hockey team in their undefeated season in the fall of 1931.
Sally M. Emery, 1960
Entering Roland Park Country School in 1955 in the Third Main (7th Grade), Sally Emery quickly became an active and integral part of the community. In Upper School she was a member of the yearbook staff, wrote for the Red & White, played varsity basketball and lacrosse and was a singer in Glee Club. As a member of the Contemporary Club she debated current events with her peers. But she says it was her love of learning and the classical liberal arts education she received that impacted her greatly and beyond her years at RPCS.
Caroline T. Fisher, 1938
Caroline T. Fisher attended Roland Park Country School for only two years, graduating in 1938. While a student, she was editor-in-chief of the Quid Nunc and was voted Wittiest in her Class. Caroline was described by her best friend and classmate Mary Elizabeth (Bettie) Harper Porth, 1938 as "a serious student who valued what the School had to offer academically and who took full advantage of it. She had a wonderful sense of humor and loved the outdoors. She particularly liked politics, history and the opera." Miss Faissler and Miss Castle were her favorite teachers.
Ann T. Burroughs, 1940
Ann Taveau Burroughs entered Roland Park Country School in the Third Primary (Middle School) and made her mark on RPCS in many ways. She was a four-sport athlete who earned a White Blazer for her participation on the Varsity Field Hockey, Basketball, Lacrosse and Tennis teams. She was voted Best Athlete in her class and captained the Field Hockey team in her senior year. In addition she was the notable business manager of the Red & White student newspaper and the Quid Nunc yearbook. Ann was a member of the Music Club for five years but she was best known by her classmates as being Most Practical and Most Obstinate! In describing a Model Senior in the Class of 1940, the Quid Nunc noted she would have the Forehead and Smile of Ann. Her theme song was A Little Bit Independent and it was noted she was "always found winning an argument." Outside of School, Ann was passionate about sailing and had her own boat at the age of sixteen.
Marty Lidston and Jill Leukhardt, P'11
Teachers are the Heart of the School
Marty Lidston and Jill Leukhardt, parents of Claire, 2011, recently honored the RPCS faculty by remembering RPCS in their wills with a $50,000 bequest. This generous and heartfelt planned gift was designated for faculty compensation.
Sally Foley
My Legacy to RPCS
Helen Maud Foley, known to us fondly as Sally, entered RPCS in the First Grade. She had a well-deserved reputation for being mischievous, but as noted in the 1956 Quid Nunc, "Don't let that twinkle fool you. It's merely the delightful façade of wit which fronts a most intelligent, sympathetic and often serious nature." Sally was voted Most Witty, Moodiest and Most Uninhibited in her Class poll where it was also declared Sally had the Best Legs! She played Varsity hockey, basketball and was captain of the Varsity lacrosse team. Sally was a member of the Athletic Association and served as the Sports Editor of the Quid Nunc.
Gladys Woolford Winter, 1941
Gladys Woolford was a lifer at Roland Park Country School entering in Kindergarten. She was known as the "class brain-child" and had a knack for "always saying the right thing at the right time." She was a noted piano player, a valued member of the Glee Club and was named Most Emotional in her yearbook. After graduating from RPCS in 1941, Gladys earned a bachelor's degree in three years at Swarthmore College.
Margaret Crawford Demeré, 1948
I decided to make a planned gift in order to show my deep gratitude and love for the school and in appreciation for the years of learning (both tough and challenging), the intellectual growth and the lasting relations that were built during those years.
Marion (Dicky) Marshall Hooper, 1945
The basis for my decision to include the Roland Park Country School in my estate planning is very simple. RPCS was the foundation for everything that I went on to do. Not only was I given a strong education but made lifelong friendships. RPCS fostered a confidence in myself that has followed me throughout my life.
My planned gift comes with my sincere appreciation and thanks for what Roland Park was, is, and hopefully will continue to be.
Ann Howell Veghte, 1947
It was an easy decision to include The Roland Park Country School in my will. My parents had moved me around to different schools — mostly highly structured religious ones. I was never really happy in either one. Roland Park was a breath of fresh air! The faculty was so vibrant and caring and exceptional in every way. The friends I made were so special and welcomed me into their fold. I only wish I had had more years at the school. I had found my niche.
Dr. and Mrs. Charles E. Silberstein, GP'07, GP'09
Seeing how much our granddaughters enjoyed their RPCS experience prompted our decision to make a planned gift to the School.
Celeste Woodward Applefeld, 1964, P'98
Former President, RPCS Board of Trustees; Founding Member, The Red & White Legacy Society
A planned gift to RPCS was an easy and natural decision. Roland Park Country School provided me and my daughter with both academic structure and challenge as well as opportunities to develop self confidence, independence of thought and leadership skills. This gift is but a small token of gratitude.
Ann Talbot Boyer, 1959
When planning my Will, it dawned on me that, of the various educational institutions I'd attended, the one that still held the major place in my heart and mind was Roland Park. After all, I'd attended it from the age of four! The life of the School overlapped with that of our family. My sister Marion also graduated from RPCS. My mother, "Madam Talbot," taught French literature in the Upper School. Since my teachers were my mother's friends, our family had the opportunity to know these women in settings outside the classroom. Miss Castle, Miss Graham, Miss Hawxhurst, Miss Faissler, Miss Healy - what strong, distinctive women they were, and are.
Then there was music. Glee Club and Semiquavers loomed large in my life, and the songs sung at graduation and the Christmas program are etched in my mind. And finally, a close-knit group of friends sustained my friendships forged over years spent together at School.
How could I not give to Roland Park? It supported me; now it's my turn to lend support.
Mary Louisa Primrose Hoffman, 1955
Although I attended the School for only four years, I found those years to be most helpful in preparing me as a pre-school teacher after my graduation. My vocation as a teacher spanned forty years, enabling me to influence many children at an early age.
My husband and I have found it very important to support our schools each year. We have also remembered Roland Park in our Wills.
Anne Grimes Imboden, 1955
When asked if I would write a few words about my decision to set up a trust for RPCS, I did not need to think very hard about my reasons for doing this.
A good education may have been something I took for granted when I was in high school, but it did not take me long to realize that was not the reality for many. Just as my six years at Calvert School gave me a good grounding for entering high school, so did RPCS prepare me well for taking the next step of going to college.
Valuing the education I received at RPCS and being in a position to give something back, setting up a CRAT (Charitable Remainder Annuity Trust) was the step I chose to take. Giving is a privilege, and I know I am fortunate to be able to do this.
Julie and Jai Lee, P'82, GP'15, GP'17
When our granddaughters enrolled at RPCS, we were so grateful to know that they would be receiving the same rigorous yet nurturing education as had their mother. In the years between, I've had the honor of serving on the RPCS Board of Trustees and witnessing how Jean Brune has led RPCS forward into a much more technological and multicultural future while still retaining the School's best traditions. We are glad to be lending our support to Roland Park Country School's ever-evolving mission of excellence.
Catherine Huether McClelland, 1968
Former Member, RPCS Board of Trustees
Education is one of the most important opportunities that a parent can give a child, and I was fortunate that my parents chose Roland Park Country School for me. The twelve years that I spent there have impacted every part of my life.
First, there was a wonderful academic experience with many activities and, from those, I made great friendships that remain with me to this day.
It is my hope that I will be able to help other young women have the positive experiences that I did. RPCS is much more than academics. It is a true life-long experience.
Courtney Jones McKeldin, 1958, P'84
Former President, RPCS Alumnae Association; Former Member, RPCS Board of Trustees
Just about everything of value I learned was a result of the superior education and enriching experience I received in my many years at RPCS. Independent and critical thinking, self-discipline, respect for authority, integrity and team play were all important components of my Roland Park Country School experience. These values prepared me for any successes that I had in my business and civic endeavors as well as in raising my children. In addition, many of my classmates and I have remained close friends for over fifty years. My legacy gift to RPCS was an easy decision to make and was done to ensure the School's future success.
Eleanor Megraw
Former Faculty Member
It was a lucky day when I began teaching at Roland Park Country School. So much so that I stayed forty years! I was given a curriculum to teach, but I was given the freedom to indulge my interest in social studies, poetry, and creative dramatics. The School had a great spirit of friendliness and warmth. Now, long since retired, nothing gives me more pleasure than to meet one of my grown-up students. A gift to the School warms my heart.
Braxton D. Mitchell, GP'06, GP'11
RPCS played a very very important role in my late wife Polly's (Polly Byrd Mitchell, 1947) life, and, by extension, mine as well. The friends she made there became important parts of our lives. Her success as an artist was due in large part, I think, to the self-discipline she learned at School. And, having granddaughters at RPCS (both of whom are now graduated) made it natural for Polly to include a bequest in her Will and me to do the same.
Susan G. Waxter, 1969
Former Member, RPCS Alumnae Association Board
In planning my Will, I wanted to recognize and thank a very few organizations that address needs which are important to me. One of those is education at women's schools: RPCS and my undergraduate college. I also have degrees from large universities, but I believe so much in women's institutions that I wanted to support them.
The other strong impetus for my gift is the legacy of my grandmother and mother having graduated from RPCS. I believe that I was one of the first third-generation graduates of the School. I don't have a daughter, so a gift to the School for the continuation of the great breadth of academic and extracurricular offerings at Roland Park is a natural way to continue the family's legacy.
Margo McElvain McClellan, 1954, P'76
I have been fortunate to have had a long history with RPCS, starting in the 4th Grade. My academic experience was very positive; I developed skills in the fields of art and athletics which continue to bring me pleasure even today. My daughter, Cathy Curlett Parsells, 1976, also entered in the 4th Grade when we moved back to Baltimore from Canada. In her eight years, she made wonderful friends who share in her life today. Cathy talks about the power of the "Roland Park" spirit she experienced and how enabling it was. She also continues to support RPCS in appreciation for her early education. Cathy's grandmother and my mother-in-law, Sarah Neilson Curlett, 1926 also attended RPCS in the days of "open air" school at University Parkway. She described to us the "fresh air" even in the middle of winter when she studied in boots and blankets. My motivation in considering a planned gift to RPCS is the legacy of three generations of women in my family. I have become acutely aware of the powerful role that RPCS plays in the lives of its students today. Whenever I visit, I am impressed by the sophistication of its resources, the course offerings, the RPCS Athletic Complex, and yes, THE SPIRIT! It is an amazing environment, and I feel very fortunate to have been part of it and, most importantly, Roland Park Country School must continue its mission!