There’s nothing greater than the gift of education.

Working in a dress shop to pay for half a year’s tuition at Menlo, Peggy E. Jones, the mother of Scott Jones ’74, gave her son his first semester at Menlo. From that beginning in seventh grade, Scott thrived at Menlo. It was clear the School was a great fit, but Scott’s family didn’t have the means to pay for a Menlo education. Thanks to generous support from the Menlo Mothers’ Club and the Brawner family, Scott was awarded scholarships to attend Menlo School through the 12th grade.

“My experience at Menlo really saved my life,” he says. “It was just what I needed, at just the right time, when I was floundering in elementary school. It was fertile soil for me.”

During his first year at Princeton University, Scott started giving back to Menlo—and he has continued his generosity ever since. He felt a deep sense of gratitude to those who gave him the opportunity for a Menlo education, and his intention was to repay the “debt” he felt he owed.

The death of his dear mother in 1989 prompted Scott to prepare a family trust and living will, and he discovered a creative way to say thank you more powerfully.

Scott is planning to leave a large portion of his estate to Menlo School to create a financial aid fund, named in honor of his mother, for future students who can’t afford a Menlo education.

“I feel hugely indebted to Menlo School for the rich experience I was provided during my formative years. I wanted to do something I really believed in: empowering students with awesome opportunities that wouldn’t be available to them. That’s magic!” he says.

Scott became an orthopedic surgeon and lives in Portland, OR. He balances his career with his other passions, including art photography and raising Labradors. He also volunteers with several organizations and directs and curates a fine art photography gallery. Scott enjoys giving back to others today and knowing that his legacy gift at Menlo will live on for years to come.