The WOW Factor - Message from Head of School Mark Fader

I began this school year with a heartfelt pride in our community that has only been amplified by the resounding success of Embracing Excellence: The Campaign for Williams. In terms of projects, dollars raised and hearts won, the remarkable gains of the Embracing Excellence Campaign are truly inspirational. Recognizing the need to expand and improve our cafeteria, create a new Fitness Center, and renovate our fine arts classrooms, the Board of Trustees with eagerness and excitement launched the Embracing Excellence Campaign. The commitment we witnessed from our enthusiastic donors and leaders was outstanding. Together we raised a grand total of $2.8 million since July 1, 2006. We have fulfilled the vision set forth by the Board to meet the needs of Williams students, today and tomorrow.

Most importantly, we have enhanced the breadth and quality of the educational experience that prepares young people for their future endeavors. As evidenced by our extremely positive NEASC accreditation review, Williams is clearly viewed as a leader among New England independent day schools.

The compelling energy of our Board of Trustees pushed us forward, and inspired us, and guided us. Throughout this campaign we have had the benefit of outstanding leadership. The clarity and passion of Steve Daren’s vision ignited the flame of this campaign—and the unfailing dedication of the campaign co-chairs, Brian Carey and Marc Bokoff ’83, kept it burning. We owe much gratitude to these exceptional leaders. The massive amount of time, effort and organization that has characterized this campaign will continue to benefit the Williams community.

It has been a privilege for me to lead this School during this stimulating period. Our work continues to be as urgent as ever, and there is still much to accomplish in the years ahead. Williams is well positioned to go on to our next phase with confidence and energy.

As the chart and graph below show, we exceeded each of the campaign's goals and support came from all corners of the community. My sincere gratitude to all who, in so many ways, contributed to this campaign’s—and the school’s—success. You never fail to WOW me.

Total Campaign Giving by Constituency

Prepared for the Future
Steve Daren, Board of Trustees President

This support will be well-stewarded by the school. The Strategic Plan for 2009–2012 builds on the accomplishments of Embracing Excellence to set the stage for future success. It dovetails with Williams’ sound, fiscal policies and programs to ensure long-term sustainability. We may have finished our current building projects but we have not finished our recurrent task: shaping the minds and hearts of hard-working, high-achieving young people as they prepare for a lifetime of learning and active participation in their society. Buoyed by the energy and commitment of the Williams community, the Board of Trustees looks to the horizon for the next generation of students.

The Strategic Plan, calls for increasing the Endowment exponentially over the next few years to augment financial resources that will enable us to continue to invest in academia alongside our rising reputation.

As evidenced by the success of this campaign, the culture of philanthropy at Williams has never been stronger. We have now reached a pivotal point in our growth. Our focus is to invest in more scholarships that will continue to attract the best students, and to invest in faculty and teaching excellence. This will extend the great work of this campaign and furthering the future financial strength of the school we all love.

The tremendous response to Embracing Excellence reflects confidence in Williams. The campaign also demonstrates that it takes a whole community to keep a school strong. With your continued help, together we can ensure a vibrant educational environment where our students feel connected, learn, and make lifelong friends.