Infinite Horizon Announces New Funding Total and Beginning of National Campaign Tour
![Linda Gill Anderson ’77 addresses the crowd.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1675192113/emmawillardorg/ntxlq1a6i58wgn1qpdrh/large_news1390529_1277217.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1675192113/emmawillardorg/ntxlq1a6i58wgn1qpdrh/large_news1390529_1277217.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1675192113/emmawillardorg/ntxlq1a6i58wgn1qpdrh/large_news1390529_1277217.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1675192113/emmawillardorg/ntxlq1a6i58wgn1qpdrh/large_news1390529_1277217.jpg","width":960}])
Less than six months after the public launch of Infinite Horizon: The Campaign for Emma Willard School, school leaders gathered with alumnae, parents, and friends to announce impressive progress toward the fundraising goal of $175 million.
Less than six months after the public launch of Infinite Horizon: The Campaign for Emma Willard School, school leaders gathered with local alumnae, parents, and friends — including many of “The DC Emmies” cohort — at The Press Club in Washington, DC on September 20 to announce impressive progress toward the fundraising goal of $175 million.
Campaign co-chair Linda Gill Anderson ’77 announced $125,052,245 has been raised to date for Infinite Horizon, the largest campaign in the history of girls' schools, since the public launch in May of 2022. "This magnificent and unprecedented philanthropy will secure the future of our school for the next two hundred years," said Linda. "We have so much to do in the months and years to come, and I hope each of you will join us in meaningful ways to support this campaign."
The event also represented the start of a year-long national tour of campaign events, bringing stories of student impact and details of the plans for Emma Willard's future to alumnae, parents, and other volunteers across the United States. Head of School Jenny Rao shared news of a bright horizon for the school during her remarks, noting that Emma Willard is now among the top two schools for girls in regard to the strength and size of its endowment.
"With this strength, we know it is our special responsibility and privilege to be a place where students may find their voice and use it with confidence," said Ms. Rao. "We have a vision for excellence that includes a place for all who feel they will be served and supported by our mission."
Special guest Bill Dietel, principal emeritus, concluded the evening’s remarks with reflections on the importance of blazing trails and making progress while reinforcing the power of a girls’ educational mission. Dietel led Emma Willard from 1961 to 1970, during a critical period of growth and innovation for the school.
Two nights later, the second campaign event took place at the Emma Willard campus on Mount Ida where community members throughout the Capital Region were welcomed. Head of School Rao again addressed the crowd of parents and alumnae, along with campaign co-chair Wendy Graham ’85.
“The time is now to begin our work to fund the future of Emma Willard School,” stated Wendy. “There is an urgency in our community to engage the complexities and challenges of our time and, together, we will build on our history and define anew the legacies that will serve us into the next century.”
Alumnae and parents in attendance at the event asked questions about the school’s plans for its new center for the performing arts, ways that wellness initiatives were being enhanced, and how they could partner in supporting current and future students in their academic pursuits.
For the full photo galleries from both events visit Emma Willard’s SmugMug site. For a full list of 2022-2023 campaign events visit the Alumnae Relations calendar. For more information about the campaign fundraising priorities visit the Infinite Horizon microsite.
“The time is now to begin our work to fund the future of Emma Willard School,” stated Wendy. “There is an urgency in our community to engage the complexities and challenges of our time and, together, we will build on our history and define anew the legacies that will serve us into the next century.”
Alumnae and parents in attendance at the event asked questions about the school’s plans for its new center for the performing arts, ways that wellness initiatives were being enhanced, and how they could partner in supporting current and future students in their academic pursuits.
“Let us see what we can accomplish together,” noted Ms. Rao. “This work requires all our effort, all our ingenuity, all our love for everything this school has given and has to give. Only together can we truly honor and extend the legacy of our founder, Emma Hart Willard.”
For the full photo galleries from both events visit Emma Willard’s SmugMug site. For a full list of 2022-2023 campaign events visit the Alumnae Relations calendar. For more information about the campaign fundraising priorities visit the Infinite Horizon microsite.