Special Guests Welcomed for Thanksgiving

University School of Milwaukee welcomed more than 700 visitors on Wednesday, Nov. 26 for the annual Grandparents and Special Friends Day celebration. Grandparents and other special guests gathered in the Marion and Verne Read Gymnasium for a light breakfast and short program, featuring remarks from Head of School Steve Hancock, before spending the rest of the morning interacting in classrooms with students. The celebration is coordinated by the school’s Parents’ Association, and Georgia Dimitropoulos and Sini Goodman served as co-chairs for this year’s event. 

The day also marked the launch of the community phase of the school’s $31 million fundraising campaign, Our Commitment to Excellence. This comprehensive effort supports new capital projects ($17 million), the school’s endowment ($7 million), and the USM Fund ($7 million). USM is among a small group of independent schools with both a strong endowment and zero debt—a position of financial strength and responsibility. Quietly, more than $24 million has already been raised since the school’s Board of Trustees approved the campaign in 2022.

Many of the guests at Grandparents and Special Friends Day had the chance to view in person the results of this campaign’s first project: the new and renewed Preschool, Lower School, and Middle School dining spaces that opened this fall. These beautiful new spaces were made possible thanks to the philanthropic support of members of our community, including several lead donors. More projects are planned for the months ahead—view the Our Commitment to Excellence website to learn more and get involved.

The USM Alumni Association also welcomed former USM students back to campus for the annual Alumni Coffee event on the morning of Nov. 26. Alumni enjoyed coffee, donuts, and hot chocolate while reconnecting with former teachers and catching up with old friends.  

In addition, right before Thanksgiving, the Parents’ Association hosted the fifth-annual Turkey Trot on Friday, Nov. 21 for Preschool, Lower School, and Middle School students. Guests raced around the Tom “Butch” Richardson Track, played field games, enjoyed treats, and were joined by USM’s own Willie the Wildcat and his friend, Tom the Turkey. 

We hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving!