Media Hub

McDonogh School has a rich history of family. The school was founded upon the goal of creating a family life for orphan boys and enriching the lives of its students through disciplined education. While farming and military have made the transition over 131 years to today’s fast-paced, technology-fueled, co-ed world, McDonogh still nurtures positive character, focuses on disciplined education, and remains a home away from home.

My family fused with McDonogh’s in the 1930s, when my father, Kemp ’48, benefited from McDonogh’s structured environment as home away from home. In the late ’60s, I saw my brother, Bill ’79, as a military student and I couldn’t wait to be a soldier on campus. I joined the McDonogh family in 1971, at first disappointed that the military program had just been dropped, and my older sister, Mary, joined us on campus by the time I was in the Middle School. My mom, Kay, even spent eight years on the board of trustees. Now, my daughter Emma, a second grader, will have her sister, Lauren, riding the bus with her to kindergarten this fall. Over many years, my family has been and continues to be a fortunate part of the McDonogh School family.

It’s hard not to dream about those days as a McDonogh student: the first day of riding the bus, Lower School recess, demerits for unpolished shoes, drum corps, numerous teachers who became their subject matter, the academic aroma of the halls, the smell of cut grass on campus, playing on teams, watching friends perform in plays, anxiety over looming tests, living in the dorms, and cultivating relationships with peers and teachers. All were privileged experiences, fortified by superb educators and the beautiful vastness of McDonogh’s facilities and setting. While our student body and McDonogh family are extremely diverse and growing more so each year, many would agree that McDonogh School could spoil its students. It may take years for a student to truly appreciate the opportunity presented by McDonogh’s family. Sooner or later, we realize why our foundation is solid and understand how lucky we are to have gone to McDonogh School.

The foundation of the McDonogh family remains its students ’ striving to be the best of whatever they can be ’ guided by caring, devoted and skilled teachers, coaches, administrators, and school leaders from kindergarten through the board of trustees. However, parents and alumni are just as critical to the McDonogh family’s growth. Involvement with our children and grandchildren will bolster their education on and off campus. As alumni, our continued support of McDonogh activities will broaden the benefits offered to today’s students and future students. Additionally, we will strengthen and renew relationships started on campus and carried beyond.

Please make time to visit campus to attend a game or a play or to just walk the grounds and relive memories. I am honored to be your president of the Alumni Association and I look forward to many years of McDonogh family life. McDonogh School will always be my home away from home.