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After being virtual for the past two years, scholarship at McDonogh was celebrated at a dinner on Sunday, April 10 in Paterakis Hall. More than 250 students, mentors, donors, Living Legacy Society members, trustees, faculty, staff, and special guests gathered to recognize one of McDonogh’s most important and enduring traditions.

A former scholarship student himself, Head of School Dave Farace ’87 welcomed the guests saying, “Our scholarship program is the foundation of McDonogh’s past and it remains a vital part of our School today. The program preserves a rich history of distinction and pride, and I am grateful to today’s scholarship students for carrying on this honor and contributing to the life of our School with your many talents.”

He continued, “While I am proud of the longstanding tradition of scholarship at McDonogh, what really makes this program so meaningful is all of you—our Scholarship community. The people, the relationships, the engagement….this is what we are here to celebrate tonight."

After dinner and lively conversation, Farace introduced alumni speaker Tom Dance '66 and student speaker Niles Riding '22. Both spoke about their McDonogh experiences, expressed gratitude for their teachers, and touched on how the School continues to evolve.

Dance said, "In the classroom, I was getting not only subject matter but what you call today, LifeReady. I was experiencing critical thinking, listening to other viewpoints, engaging in honest, open debate and exchange."

He went on to explain how the McDonogh of today differs from his experience when it was a semi-military school. “Here is where your McDonogh experience eclipses mine,” Dance said. “You benefit from a wonderfully diverse student body and faculty. Different cultures are celebrated here on campus. There is open dialogue about difference, about equity and inclusion, and students and faculty work together in collaboration. Your Upper School experience is much more of a learning experience and less of a following experience."

Niles echoed those thoughts observing, "McDonogh in recent years has improved its inclusiveness by adding more classes to focus on minority issues, more clubs that appreciate people for who they are, and more opportunities for discourse on current events. All these additions have propelled the School and its students toward a stronger understanding of the surrounding world."

He concluded with heartfelt thanks to faculty and family and added, "If I could give any advice to younger students in this room, I would say push further than simply embracing the change—be the change. Evaluate the current state of the way things are and never stop asking questions."

During the celebration, Farace also acknowledged the generosity of donors who established five new endowed funds or charitable bequests to support scholarship. Additionally, he announced the Scholarship Alumni Committee—a new group being formed by Dance and co-chair, Kiernan Michau '09—to help increase unity among scholarship alumni of all ages and to support the scholarship program.

View Tom Dance's remarks here.
View Niles Riding's remarks here.