ANNUAL REPORT - Cushing Academy

PICTURE THIS...IMPACT OFGIVINGPARENTS PLAY KEY ROLEIN ADVANCING CUSHING’SACADEMIC SUPPORT PROGRAMAS YOU MIGHT IMAGINE, a student body as diverseas Cushing’s encompasses many learning styles.The Academic Support Program helps studentsdevelop skills and strategies that help them excelat Cushing, in college, and in the workplace, andit helps students in all aspects of their lives—arts,sports, personal development, study skills—not justacademics. During the 2011-2012 school year, therewere nearly 90 students in the program—almost 20percent of those who attend Cushing.CUSHING ACADEMY DONORSRISE TO THE CHALLENGESIn fiscal year 2012, several donors challenged Cushingalumni and parents to raise more than $200,000in support of the school. Last fall, trustees DickHarrington, president of the board and parent ofa member of the Class of 2007, and Jeremy Duffy,vice president of the board and an alumnus fromthe Class of 1989, launched the Harrington-DuffyChallenge. In that challenge, all new and increasedgifts received by December 31, 2011, were matcheddollar for dollar. Similarly, in January 2012, trusteeMark Casady and his wife, Julia, parents ’08 and’15, issued a challenge to all Cushing parents. Theywould match new or increased parent gifts made tothe Cushing Annual Fund. Like the Harrington-DuffyChallenge, the Casady Challenge was a dollar fordollar match, made through the Casadys’ foundation,One Step Forward Education Foundation, Inc.Gifts to the program provide resources for capitalimprovements as well as endowment income. Thepurchase of ergonomic furniture, noise-dampeninghead phones, and other tools will take the programto the next level. Endowment income providesregular and ongoing resources that help staff attendconferences, both to enhance their own professionaldevelopment and to make presentations, showingCushing as a leader in the field. The endowment willalso help upgrade technology as the older technologybecomes obsolete.This year, a gift from one family, made in recognitionof their son’s graduation as part of the Class of 2012,is being used to support the program. This supportof the Academic Support Program will help theAcademy advance the educations of nearly a hundredstudents in 2012-2013. “We are deeply indebted toall Cushing Academy has done for [our son] to helpnurture his growth. . . .Cushing Academy will alwayshave a special place in our hearts,” they said ofmaking their gift.Alumni and parents rose to those challenges, raising$276,676 and ensuring that the Academy received thematching gifts of $250,000.2011-2012 CUSHING ANNUAL REPORT 19