Chapel - The Daily Bulletin

Led by a $5 million challenge gift, from an anonymous boarding student parent, St. Johnsbury Academy has announced the largest campaign in the school’s history. Academy Headmaster Tom Lovett and Board of Trustees President and Campaign Chair, Lee Hackett ’57 officially announced the Embrace the Dream campaign during the school’s annual alumni banquet on June 5.  During the quiet phase of the campaign, leadership gifts from trustees, faculty, alumni, parents, friends, and foundations have raised more than $12 million in cash and pledges toward the $15 million goal.  “I am always humbled by the generosity of the Academy community,” Lovett said.  “To have raised so much money without publicly launching a campaign is an inspiring sign of the faith our alumni, friends, and benefactors have in our mission and our people.”

The Embrace the Dream campaign is already benefitting Academy students through gifts received prior to publically announcing the campaign. The campaign has provided funds to build a new dormitory, endow two faculty Chairs, and construct a new engineering laboratory.  In its next phase, the campaign will continue to improve school facilities (including the construction or remodeling of on-campus housing and upgrading technology infrastructure) and build the school’s endowment (emphasizing additional endowed faculty chairs and financial aid for needy incoming students).  The campaign, as a comprehensive campaign, will also enhance student programs and services by increasing funds raised through the Academy Annual Fund.

This comprehensive campaign has already received broad based support, including every annual fund donor.  Director of Alumni and Development, Tammi Cady ’88, emphasized the importance of every gift, regardless of size, stating, “Every donor is important, not just for the dollars given, but also for the commitment that their support demonstrates.” Cady added, “Despite the worst economy in 70 years, we have established new records for the annual fund in each of the past two years, helping us to reach 80 percent of the campaign goal prior to announcing the campaign.  This is a great testament to the loyalty and generosity of our community.”

In announcing the campaign, both Hackett and Lovett spoke of the transformational impact that this campaign will have on the Academy and the local community, enabling the Academy to continue its mission of providing world class educational opportunity to every student, regardless of ability or circumstance.  Lovett added, “Other people in other times have done heroic things to make the Academy great.  Now it’s our turn, our time to embrace the dream of the Fairbanks brothers.  We have the opportunity to change the lives of young people, to help them dream big and attain those dreams, regardless of where they come from, what they love, or how they learn.  This is what we promise every parent, whether they are from Caledonia County, California, or China. This campaign will help us continue to deliver on that promise.”

This dream, combined with the resources to make it possible, has been renewed repeatedly through the generosity of those who share this vision and love for the Academy.  “For decades, we have boasted that Academy students have left this place better than they found it and that those who come before take care of those who will come after,” said Lovett.  “This campaign is just one more way to keep that tradition alive.”  From John Watson ’00, whose bequest established the modern Academy, to the “Building on Tradition” and “Just Imagine” campaigns, the Embrace the Dream campaign will renew and transform the Academy, providing the resources to extend its mission well into the 21^st century.

Additional information about the campaign is available by contacting Tammi Cady by phone at 802-751-2010, or email at tcady@stjacademy.org.