Page 23 - Menlo Magazine Summer 2019

MENLO MAGAZINE
“We love Menlo and felt it was important to lead the efforts to help take the School to the next level,” Mark said. “With the Centennial Campaign, we think we’re helping achieve that. Menlo is already at a very high level, but in education, I think if you rest
on your laurels, you’ll fall behind.
The School needs to keep the great faculty we have here already and recruit new young faculty. We want to be attractive to great students—not just academically, but also to students who want to participate in the arts or athletics.”
“I always think of Menlo as the ‘three As’: academics, arts, and athletics,” Mark continued. “All three are
super important and all three are interconnected. Once the Spieker Center for the Performing Arts is finished, we’ll have great arts facilities that are on par with our facilities for the other two As. For
students who are drawn to the arts, we will be able to offer them a world-class faculty as well as a world-class modern performing arts center, where they can learn from our amazing teachers.”
Mark and Mary's passion for arts education is informed, in part, by their son’s experiences at Menlo. Scott Stevens ’16
“We know that participa- tion in the arts creates
a well-rounded person,” Mary said.
Mark added, “Scott was in the dance program in the Middle School. He was in the theater program, too. Those experiences helped round him out and helped him be more comfortable in his peer group.”
“It expanded his peer group,” Mary explained.
Mark and Mary were
already strong, committed
supporters of Menlo,
but they felt especially
confident about taking
this next step and getting involved with bringing a new, bold vision to life in large part because of the leadership Menlo had in place.
needle,” Mary added. “There are so many good causes, and one of the things we’ve learned is that it’s helpful to think about supporting the people behind those causes. Four years ago, when the Menlo Centennial Campaign started, Than Healy had recently
come on board as Head of School. With his strong leadership, we felt really good about the School and where it was going.”
While the campaign is still ongoing, Mark and Mary said they’re excited
to see each bit of new progress, but they also make sure to step back and enjoy the satisfaction that comes from supporting Menlo.
“It’s a privilege and an obligation to give back to the community,” Mary said. “It’s a privilege to be able to help build new facilities and support the unique programs and faculty that make Menlo so wonderful. But beyond that, I think you also gain a lot from giving. Everyone should get to feel that sense of joy when you see how your support is impacting a worthy cause.”
was involved with
theater and dance at
the School, performing in plays and recitals. Mark and Mary noticed what participation in the arts did for him and knew they wanted to do their part in bringing Menlo’s arts resources up to the same level as its athletics and other academic resources.
way that will make a difference and have a real impact.”
“When you donate to a cause, you want to make sure that it’s being stewarded in the way you intended and to know that it’s moving the
“We’re still learning how to do it because
it’s not something that Mary or I grew up with. I think of philanthropy as a strategic and learned activity that takes focus and energy to donate wealth in a way that will make a difference and have a real impact.”
“In our family’s journey of philanthropy, so
far we’ve really focused on our alma maters, USC and Santa Clara University, and on our kids’ schools, including Menlo,” Mark said. “We’re still learning how to do it because it’s not something that Mary or I grew up with. I think of philanthropy as a strategic and learned activity that takes focus and energy to donate wealth in a
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