Endowment and Capital

John David “Davey” Patterson ’80 stepped onto the St. Paul’s campus in the fall of 1967 entering the kindergarten class beginning what would be his 13 year journey at the school. In addition to being an outstanding student, musician and athlete, Davey was the first African American student to attend for grades K through 12 and to graduate from St. Paul’s.   

Sadly, Davey died in January 2022. His 1980 classmates banded together around their 40th reunion and approached the school to discuss what would it take for them to establish the John David “Davey” Patterson ’80 Education Equality Scholarship in honor of Davey’s impact on their class and St. Paul’s. Chip Wendler ’80 and John Steuart ’80 expressed that this need-based scholarship should be used to support a student that exemplifies the many positive aspects of Davey’s academic, musical and athletic endeavors.  

In only a few short months, over $150,000 has been raised to establish the Scholarship. Modeled after the Education Equality Scholarship established by an anonymous donor in 2020, the John David “Davey” Patterson ‘80 Education Equality Scholarship will provide need-based tuition assistance to ensure that students from financially disadvantaged and societally underrepresented backgrounds have access to the transformative educational, social, and character-building opportunities available at the St. Paul’s Schools. The Scholarship is not restricted to a specific racial or ethnic group and may be awarded to students in grades K through 12. When asked about the scholarship and his class’s initiative, long-time friend and classmate Lee Ordeman commented, “We'll all miss Davey very much but, by creating this scholarship, there can be some solace in knowing that future St. Paul's students and their families will learn about Davey, his legacy, and accomplishments, and hopefully they'll feel supported as they strive to achieve their own goals.”  

Renovations to the Sports Performance Centers at St. Paul’s School for Girls and St. Paul’s School for Boys were made possible thanks to generous alumnae, alumni, parents, and friends. Improvements to these spaces include new flooring, ceilings, lighting, painting, and equipment. The reconfiguration of the rooms also allows more student-athletes to train together, and this focused and consistent effort will foster improved performance on the field and on the court. The weight rooms also offer space for strength and conditioning, which has evolved to be safer and more productive using new dynamic equipment essential for injury prevention training.   

When Debbie Dawson, parent of Laura ’24, learned about this project, she expressed enthusiasm for the upgrades. “I was inspired to support St. Paul’s School for Girls and hope the renovated Sports Performance Center will be an inviting place that benefits the young women to develop themselves and their abilities.” Alumnus Jack Collins ’88, parent of Cougar ’28, was a dedicated and committed football player when he was a student at St. Paul’s. When the Athletics Department met with

Jack, he recalled the fitness center when he was a student and recognized the benefit of enhancing the facility. “I’m glad that my family and I can provide the resources for our student-athletes to be their very best.” We are deeply grateful to the school’s donors whose support has transformed these spaces to benefit our students now and in the future.