What is Endowed Giving at The Fessenden School?

Established by Joan E. Black and Crawford A. Black ’38, this fund annually supports a Fessenden student who demonstrates economic need. The Blacks created the fund in appreciation of Mr. Black’s Fessenden education.

Michael Caccavale and Theresa Harriman P ’10, ’12, created The Erasmo A. Caccavale and Russell B. Harriman Scholarship Fund in memory and honor of Mr. Caccavale’s father and Ms. Harriman’s grandfather. The fund annually supports an Upper School student with economic need.

The Peter and Nancy Drake Fund for Faculty Compensation and Financial Aid was established with the proceeds from the Fessenden Auction and Benefit Gala on April 9, 2011. The fund honors Mr. and Mrs. Drake’s commitment to the School from 2005 to 2011, when Mr. Drake served as headmaster. Income from the fund supports faculty compensation and financial aid equally.

The Gelb Family 2019 Varsity Soccer Team Scholarship Fund was created by Keith ’85 and Debbie Gelb P ’20, ’20, ’22, ’26 and was inspired by the 2019 varsity soccer team. In honor of their coaches, this scholarship recognizes the diversity, collaboration, sportsmanship, and achievement of the team. The fund annually supports a student-athlete with economic need that demonstrates integrity, athletic aptitude, and strong scholastic ability, with a preference given to individuals who reside outside of the New England area and who participate in the soccer program. This fund was originally established in 2009 as the Keith ’85 and Debbie Gelb Family Scholarship Fund and was renamed in 2020.

Endowed originally with a gift in 1991 from former Skills Center Director Connie Lappin, this scholarship fund has grown with subsequent donations made in memory of her husband, Lewis, who passed away shortly after its establishment.

Established by Laura and Halsey Morris P ’25, ’26, ’28 in 2020, the Morris Family Scholarship Fund provides financial aid to deserving Lower School students.

Established by Betsy Pappas Demirjian and Steve Demirjian P ’10 through The Thomas Anthony Pappas Charitable Foundation, The Pappas Family Scholarship Fund honors Betsy’s grandfather. The fund supports a student with significant financial need and high-achieving capabilities.

In May 1996, Fessenden established the R. Jeffrey Parker Scholarship Fund through the generous support of family, friends, trustees, alumni, and parents, after the tragic passing of R. Jeffrey Parker ’93, a senior at St. George’s School. In 2004, the fund was renamed the Parker Boys’ Scholarship Fund after William W. Parker ’01, who also tragically passed away in his senior year at Tabor Academy. The Parker Boys’ Scholarship Fund is awarded to a deserving student who exemplifies the values so many admired in Jeff and Will—their interest in and concern for others, sportsmanship, friendship, loyalty, and an unequivocal disregard for race, color, or creed.

In 2012, to honor Lower School Division Head Wendy Pearre’s 24 years of commitment and service to Fessenden, several Lower School parents initiated the establishment of a scholarship fund in her name. The generosity of many families whose sons were in the Lower School between 1988 and 2012 contributed to its establishment and expressed their warm appreciation for Wendy’s leadership of the division. A Lower School family benefits annually from the Wendy Pearre Scholarship Fund.

This fund, established in 1989 by former trustee and parent Colin Phipps P ’85, ’91, supports financial aid, especially for students who use the Connie Lappin Skills Center.

Established in 1972 by the DeWitt Wallace-Reader’s Digest Fund, this scholarship is awarded to students from middle-income families who have finished their first year at Fessenden.

The Linda Regan Scholarship Fund was established in 2003 by an outpouring of support in memory of parent Linda Regan, mother of Harrison ’07. The fund honors Linda’s memory and assists Fessenden in providing financial assistance to deserving students.

In 1975, the Mabel Louise Riley Foundation established a scholarship fund to help inner-city boys attend Fessenden.

The William Rosenberg Family began this fund in 1994 to provide an annual award to a deserving student who has the qualities of resourcefulness, determination, and a positive mental attitude.

Established by William and Natalia Salkewicz P ’27 in 2018, the Salkewicz Family Scholarship Fund assists Fessenden by providing financial aid to deserving students in the Lower School.

The J. Singer Scholarship Fund was established in 2018 by an anonymous Fessenden family and supports financial aid at the School.

The David Stettler Scholarship Fund was established by Peter T. Wheeler ‘65 and Elizabeth H. Munro, former Trustees and parents of Henry Wheeler ‘08, in honor of former Head of School David Stettler for his dedicated and visionary leadership from 2011-2018. The fund supports financial aid, with preference given to Lower School students.

Established in 2010 by Davide and Jennifer Visco P ’19, ’21 , ’23, the Visco Family Scholarship Fund supports the financial aid needs of Fessenden families throughout the Lower, Middle, and Upper Schools.

Established by Halsey and Lisha Wise P ’12, ’16, the fund supports scholarship aid for a student using the Connie Lappin Skills Center. The fund aims to recognize the dedication and professionalism of the Skills Center staff and their role in developing academic and study skills in Fessenden boys.

Established as an unrestricted endowment fund by Mr. and Mrs. Sol J. Kumin ’90, P ’25, ’26, this fund honors longtime music teacher and creative arts chair Barbara Brown. The fund includes the Barbara Brown Music Prize, awarded each year to an Upper School student who has shown excellence in music throughout his years at Fessenden.

Established by Karen and Brian Conway P ’05, ’11, ’12, this fund includes The Conway Prize, annually recognizing a faculty member who helps boys develop their individual potential through multiple mentoring relationships.

This fund, established in 1998 by his family, honors the memory of Steven J. Delicata ’91 and his love of Fessenden and music. The fund supports a prize given to an Upper School student whose love and appreciation of instrumental music has grown while at Fessenden.

This fund was established in 2017 by Mr. and Mrs. Sol J. Kumin ’90, P ’25, ’26 in honor of beloved retired Lower School teacher Rita Edelman, who opened the hearts and minds of first grade boys for 34 years. The fund supports a prize awarded annually to a Lower School teacher (or teachers) who best cultivates the values of honesty, compassion, and respect in Fessenden students. The inaugural prize was given to Mrs. Edelman herself in June 2017 upon her retirement.

This prize was established in 1991 by the Joachim von der Goltz family in recognition of the exceptional level of teaching at Fessenden. The prize is awarded annually to the teacher or teachers who best exemplify the qualities of a Fessenden master teacher.

Established in 1985 by current grandparents at that time, this award recognizes a teacher or staff member who extends their responsibilities far beyond the walls of the classroom and selflessly assumes the role of surrogate parent, big brother or sister, friend, advisor, or mentor to the students under their charge.

Established in May 1989, the Staff Award was renamed in honor of Jean Lopes, a longtime secretary at Fessenden. The annual award is voted on and presented by graduating Fessenden students to a non-teacher in recognition of a special friendship and kindness over and above what is expected.

Established in 1999 by parents Clare Villari and David Weinstein, the M&M Fund supports professional development opportunities for Lower School faculty. The fund is named for son Matthew ’08 and in memory of Molly Weinstein, David’s mother, who was a beloved teacher of religion and philosophy at Queens College.

Established in 1991 in memory of Gregory L. Palandjian ’76 by his family, this award is presented to one or more Fessenden faculty members who exemplify the qualities necessary for success at Fessenden and beyond—hard work, determination, and an adherence to a solid core of values. This award honors teachers who encourage and inspire students to achieve the full extent of their capabilities.

Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Schlager and their son, Eric ’79, established this fund in 1991 to enable one or more selected faculty members to be fully reimbursed for courses in advanced study in their chosen field.

Named for Marilyn Shaughnessy, a member of the business office from 1981 to 2003, this award was created upon her death to honor 22 years of devoted service. The award is given annually to a staff member who exhibits excellence over a period of years at Fessenden.

This fund was established in memory of Jeffrey H. Stevenson, who served as a trustee from 1989 to 1993 and died suddenly while serving as president of the Board. This annual award is presented to an individual who has played the role of dorm parent, coach, teacher, advisor, mentor, and friend and, in doing so, has created an environment in which Fessenden boys can feel at home and grow as people.

Elizabeth Munro and Peter Wheeler ’65 founded The Wheeler Family Fund in support of faculty compensation. The fund, which includes The Wheeler Family Award, annually recognizes a faculty member who teaches by example the School’s values of honesty, compassion, and respect.

This fund was established by Henry Parmelee ’23 in honor of his parents through a bequest received in 1999. The fund helps to maintain and renovate existing facilities at the School.