Community Reflects on Thank-a-Donor Day

The Department of Institutional Advancement and the Student Alumni Relations (STARS) Council hosted its seventh annual Thank-A-Donor Day on Tuesday, Feb. 13. The morning began with an assembly delivered by alumnus Peter Georgescu ’57, who shared personal stories from his childhood and voiced immense gratitude for his years at the Academy. Exonians were invited to reflect on their own Exeter experiences throughout the day and expressed their appreciation for Academy donors by writing and recording personal messages of gratitude to donors.

"Mr. Georgescu’s gratitude for his personal history, his journey to Exeter and the role the kindness of Principal Saltonstall played in his life made me reflect on how fortunate we all are to be here."

The first Thank-A-Donor Day was organized in 2011 by the Giving Thanks Club, a student organization that educated Exeter on the impact of donor support and allowed community members to express their gratitude. The club has since been replaced by STARS Council, a committee of upperclassmen who act as liaisons between students and alumni.

As of December last year, the Academy has received more than $5 million worth of donations. “The Exeter Fund provides immediate, vital, flexible-use resources that enable the Academy to sustain the hallmarks of an Exeter education including small class sizes, a superb faculty and facilities and programs that allow students to achieve at their highest level,” Director of the Exeter Fund Lynn Taylor said.

Assembly speaker Georgescu is one of many generations of Exonians whose lives have been exceptionally altered by their time at the Academy. Georgescu enrolled at Exeter as a new lower a few months after he moved to the United States from socialist Romania, where he had been separated from his family after the Second World War. “I’ve been aided by so many people who reached out to help me. I’ve become the man I am because of the experiences I’ve endured and the institutions that have given me the values to help me along the way. My endless gratitude reaches out to this very special place—Exeter,” he said.

Many enjoyed the sincerity of Georgescu’s address and remarked that his vivid, personal accounts had encouraged them to consider how Exeter fit into their own lives. “Assembly today was inspiring and emotional. Mr. Georgescu’s gratitude for his personal history, his journey to Exeter and the role the kindness of Principal Saltonstall played in his life made me reflect on how fortunate we all are to be here,” Director of Institutional Advancement Morgan Dudley commented.

As an international student, upper Numi Oyebode admired the global outreach of the Academy experience. “Without the donors giving money to allow the school year to continue past when tuition ends, I probably wouldn’t have been able to come to Exeter,” she said.

Others expressed gratitude for opportunities extending beyond the Exeter campus. Senior Ori Evans explained that the Academy’s vast alumni network has helped him tremendously in pursuing his passion for film. Through Exeter’s connections, he was able to meet Philip Andelman, a French-American director who has made music videos for famous artists including Beyoncé and Taylor Swift, as well as Greg Daniels, creator of popular television shows such as “Parks and Recreation” and “The Office.” He elaborated on Andelman’s willingness to offer suggestions and guidance, which has allowed him to further his passion and talent for filmmaking. “It was really great just to meet two people who are literally at the top of the game right now,” Evans said. “Everytime I make a new video, I send it to Andelman, and he gets right back to me.”

Evans emphasized the importance of connecting with alumni and donors. “The benefit of connecting with alums is significant. It should be a very active part of the school—to connect with the people who graduate from here, because they go off to do amazing things,” he commented.

Some students, such as senior Harry DiTullio, look forward to becoming Academy donors in the future. “I’ve been interested in getting involved in the whole process of being an active alumnus after I graduate myself, so I just wanted to get a better sense of what goes on after you graduate and the things that alumni are actually doing,” he said.

Dudley remarked on the circularity of the tradition. “Someday, you will remember this day, and you will make a gift to Exeter,” she said. “And someday, a student like you will stop and take the time to write a note to let you know how much they appreciate your generosity.”