From the final issue of Blueprints,
the newsletter of Continuing the Vision:
The 75th Anniversary Campaign

LOVETT'S 75TH ANNIVERSARY CAMPAIGN CAME TO A CLOSE ON JUNE 30.  The tremendous generosity, commitment, enthusiasm, and hard work throughout this campaign from the entire Lovett community allowed Lovett to meet its goals. More than $65 million was raised during the campaign, allowing for the construction and renovation of facilities essential to the school's progress and the growth of Lovett's endowment and Annual Fund.

As you enjoy this final issue of Blueprints, I hope it will be quite evident how much we have accomplished since the spring of 1997 when the Strategic Plan 2000 began to take shape. Funds raised during the 75th Anniversary Campaign have come to life in the form of more professional growth opportunities for Lovett faculty and staff; smaller class sizes for our students; a continued increase in diversity among our students, faculty, and staff; and character education taking a central role in all aspects of Lovett life. The most visible indication of the campaign's success is a revitalized campus, with the construction of a new Lower School, Upper School, and the Loudermilk Student Activities Center; renovations to create an enlarged Middle School, the Whitney Boyer Visual Arts Center, physical plant headquarters, and motor pool; and welcoming green spaces throughout campus.

The new construction holds many obvious benefits--and also some benefits that are not obvious. These new buildings are sustainable, cost-effective structures that offer money-saving and environmentally friendly features.

It has been truly amazing to witness the cultivation of this plan, from a set of ideas to tangible infrastructure. As we celebrate the success of the 75th Anniversary Campaign and recount its accomplishments, I invite you to remember the words of Mrs. Lovett--the same words that guided us at the outset of the campaign: "It is education which is progressing continually in order to keep in step with the constant changes occurring in the world around us."

Thank you for being a participant in our efforts to ensure Lovett's progress is never-ending.

J. Donald Childress
Chairman, 75th Anniversary Campaign Steering Committee

Total amount of contributions to Lovett topped $65 million since 2000. These donations include:

• More than $51 million for new and renovated buildings and other infrastructure

• More than $9 million in Annual Fund contributions

• Almost $3.5 million given to Lovett's endowment (includes Siempre Verde)

• Almost $550,000 provided for Siempre Verde (also included in the dollar amount above)

• More than $34,000 donated to the Sara King Cross Country Trail

• Fifteen new endowment funds

• $145,000 donated to the Judy Jenks Fund

The construction of the Lower and Upper Schools allowed Lovett to launch new and exciting ways to manage, control, and monitor systems on campus. 

New techniques are now being used to save money as it relates to electrical consumption, water use, HVAC control, and lighting management. The implementation of these environmentally friendly practices demonstrates our commitment to conserving natural resources, lowering operating costs, and reducing wear and tear on major equipment. These efforts provide long-range sustainability for the future.

The concept of central energy plants for the north and south portions of campus has allowed the consolidation of several transformers into one. The result is a lower cost rate per kilowatt for the electricity consumed. Centralization of chiller plants and connecting many stand-alone areas to them reduces the need for new equipment and improves efficiency. Direct digital control of HVAC uses programmed logic to start and stop equipment to prevent energy waste, while variable speed motors also conserve energy. Multilevel lighting control in all classrooms allows for users to take advantage of sunlight. All these factors save energy.

In Phase II of the master plan, all new construction and renovations will use sustainable design and construction techniques that allow long-term service and lower operating costs for the school.

Siempre Verde
A generous challenge grant from Dorothy C. Fuqua in 2004 established an endowment for Siempre Verde, Lovett's cloudforest classroom, to ensure the property is held in perpetuity. In addition, Siempre Verde scholarship programs were established through a donation from Mr. and Mrs. Samuel L. Frankel and donations in honor of Siempre Verde's founders, Connie and Bob Braddy. The first-ever school-year trip took place during fall semester 2005, with 10 sophomores and several faculty members traveling to Siempre Verde for two weeks of extended instruction on the ecology, history, current events, and language of the region. Summer trips continue to take place.

Technology Improvements
Lovett students are prepared to use technology at levels appropriate to their grade. Funds raised during the 75th Anniversary Campaign allowed for the construction of new computer labs across campus and a more comprehensive integration of technology throughout all levels of the curriculum. In addition, funds raised during the campaign provided the opportunity for Lovett to redesign and upgrade its website.

Green Space/Pedestrian Friendly
Lovett's Master Campus Plan calls for reclaiming green space and creating a pedestrian-friendly campus. This vision is being realized through the completion of Williams Plaza, the Dell, and the tree-dotted, grassy quad to the north of the new Lower School. These outdoor spaces serve as inviting areas for students, faculty, and staff to gather together. Additional green space was reclaimed when the senior parking lot was converted into a riverside playing field (Mathis Field) and a parking deck and additional parking lot were constructed to move parking areas away from the center of campus. Sidewalks have been added throughout the campus to create safe, direct pathways to all divisions, parking areas, and playing fields.

Front Doors

Creating a distinct "front door" for each division was identified as an important goal for the Master Campus Plan. Because of improved signage and the design of the new Lower and Upper Schools, visitors to Lovett find the campus more welcoming and easier to navigate.

Science Teaching/Learning

Aquarium

Because of Upper School Science Department head Dan Dalke's passion and the creation of Lovett's biology wet laboratory and aquaculture room, the school's marine biology program progressed to a level far beyond what is typical at the secondary school level. The Georgia Aquarium, the largest aquarium in the world, took notice and partnered with Lovett to offer an internship program. The program provides an opportunity for students to perform college-level research and work alongside and learn from the aquarium's scientists.

Improved Science Classrooms/Greenhouse

Science classrooms in the Upper School were improved and the number increased, allowing for reduced class sizes and improved instruction. Lower School students are also enjoying new science facilities, including an animal room. The addition of greenhouses in both the Lower and Upper Schools has greatly increased the opportunity for hands-on experience. A lab dedicated to independent study projects was also added. This lab currently is used for Dr. Tina Davis's science methods class to teach experiments that require a unique setting, as well as by students investigating the color changes due to diet in poison dart frogs.

Good Stewardship

When analyzing the success of any fund-raising effort, one must look at the amount of money spent in the process of meeting the financial goals of the effort--the cost of raising every dollar. The national average for advancement expenditures for schools like Lovett is 16.5 percent of the total amount raised.

Lovett places great importance on ensuring our donors' contributions directly benefit our students, faculty, and staff and help to meet the long-range goals of our strategic plan. Throughout the 75th Anniversary Campaign, Lovett remained true to its commitment to stewardship, spending 2.2 percent less than comparable schools across the country.

Awards and Recognition during the Campaign

The 2002 CASE Circle of Excellence Awards Program recognized Lovett with the CASE-Wealth ID Award for Educational Fund Raising.

Lovett's new facilities have been featured in the following publications:

Landscape Architect & Specifier News

Learning by Design

Lovett's facilities received a Landscape Architecture Citation for outstanding design in the 2004 architectural portfolio of American School & University Magazine.

Lovett was honored for the outstanding work of Brasfield & Gorrie, who was selected as a recipient of the Associated Builders and Contractors of Georgia Award for General Excellence in the institutional category in November 2002.

Lovett has enjoyed fund-raising success due to committed, generous donors. Since 2000, our supporters have shined, making Lovett stand out in national rankings as one of the top 10 independent day schools in the nation with regard to the support we receive from parents, alumni, foundations, and corporations.

New Gymnasiums

The Pope and Glover Gymnasiums were constructed with the new Lower School and Loudermilk Student Activities Center. These new large spaces serve as centers for physical education classes, after-school athletic practices and events, and large Lovett gatherings. An elevated indoor track is located in the Glover Gym.

Libraries

The design of the new Lower School building brought the library to the heart of the school. The Lower School's Dorothy Floyd library is filled with natural light, bright colors, and child-sized furniture among the many shelves of books. Visiting authors and other special guests often make use of the library's story room for interactive presentations. The Vasser Woolley Memorial Library, used by Middle and Upper School students, has undergone renovations to create a more welcoming and useful space. New furniture, additional computers, a new circulation desk, better lighting, and fresh carpet and paint have revitalized this library.

Whitney Boyer Visual Arts Center

In 2003 the old Lower School Library was converted into the Whitney Boyer Visual Arts Center, providing more space for Lovett's Upper School visual arts curriculum. The visual arts center has given students the open space needed to produce works of scale and the flexibility to use a variety of materials. The space provides great natural lighting, as well as plenty of storage space for work and materials. Middle School drama classes are also enjoying the expanded space on the second floor of the facility.

Character Education

The creation of two new funds within the endowment has made possible the expansion and improvement of character education initiatives on campus. The C. Knox Massey, Jr., Family Character Education and Community Service Fund helps fund the position of character education coordinator, and helps the coordinator work with students, faculty, and parents to incorporate character and experiential education into the curriculum and develop community service projects. The Jack and Anne Glenn Character Education Speakers Fund provides a permanent funding source for bringing guest speakers to campus in support of our character education efforts. In addition, a Character Pledge has been developed and integrated into each division and every aspect of The Lovett School.

Faculty Facilities

Faculty across all divisions are now enjoying improved workspace. Many departments now have their own rooms designed to accommodate the faculty members in that discipline. These department centers provide not only the professional resources faculty members need, but also a space for collaboration and community building. In addition, every faculty member is provided with a laptop computer. New administrative offices offer natural light and a welcoming environment for students, parents, and visitors.

Multicultural Programs

The 75th Anniversary Campaign funded the creation of the director of multicultural programs and services position. Throughout the year, the Office of Multicultural Programs and Services sponsors lectures, events, classroom instruction, workshops, and other unique programs that celebrate multicultural issues. Additions and changes to Lovett's curriculum also reflect the increasing importance we are placing on multiculturalism and exposure to the global community. In addition to Western language and history courses, students are exposed to a multicultural curriculum, including Chinese, world cultures, African studies, Asian studies, world religions, and world languages. Lovett is committed to the continued development of diversity among our students, faculty, and staff. The Strategic Plan 2000 initiated a strong start to enriching Lovett's diversity. Lovett's new strategic plan will continue to build on and strengthen what has been accomplished in this area of school life.

Educational Environment

Capital dollars raised during the 75th Anniversary Campaign allowed for the completion of essential bricks and mortar components necessary to meet many goals of the Strategic Plan 2000, including a new Lower School, Upper School, and the Loudermilk Student Activities Center. These new buildings provide reduced class sizes, new science labs, and the opportunity to implement progressive teaching concepts, thus instilling a greater sense of community.

Thanks to the generosity of its donors, Lovett has seen substantial growth in financial aid, the Annual Fund, and the endowment--areas vital to our entire community. From 2000 to 2006:

Financial aid dollars have grown from $1,025,320 to 1,453,160--a 40% increase.

Annual Fund dollars have grown from $1,405,000 to 2,126,072--a 51% increase.

Endowment has grown from $36,169,901 to 42,771,414--an 18% increase.