Lead & Serve Campaign Launches at The Big Event

The public phase of Lead & Serve: The Campaign for University School launched in unforgettable fashion at The Big Event in October—an inspiring weekend that brought together more than 1,500 alumni, parents, and students to the Shaker Campus in one of the largest and most spirited gatherings in school history.

From the very first moments on Friday, Lower and Middle School students filled the Meyer Family Playground and 1890 Field with unbridled energy, while families gathered in a festival-like atmosphere, complete with food trucks and donuts, ahead of the evening’s football game. As one new parent shared, “We chose US because of the sense of community, but this night showed us just how strong and welcoming it truly is.” That spirit carried over to the field, where stands packed with families, and an extra energetic student section and pep band cheered the football team to an exciting 21-20 victory over Columbus’s St. Charles.

The focus then turned to the future. The dedication of Matson Hall on October 18 marked a major milestone in the story of US and our Shaker Campus. Champions of the project and lead donors, Cornelia and Dick Matson ’53, traveled from Sarasota to join the celebration of a space that will shape generations of students to come. The Matsons cut the ribbon for the Hall’s official dedication. The ceremony closed on some very moving notes, as the High Tops Middle School choir filled the new hall with a medley of school-age songs—a reminder that while new buildings and milestones matter, it is the boys who are the heart of our community. The promise of what’s possible in our renovated and expanded Middle School building was soon on full display. Teachers, from science to art, led classes and workshops in their new spaces, and Middle School boys led tours of thoughtfully-designed and dynamic Matson Hall. 

Topping this momentous weekend, Head of School Patrick Gallagher, Board Chair Matt Crawford ’87, P’19, and Campaign Chair Marc Byrnes ’72, P’02, ’03, ’05 announced Lead & Serve: The Campaign for University School—an ambitious effort to reach $200 million by June 2028 to propel the US tradition of excellence well into the future. With $130 million contributed during the leadership phase, the campaign was launched with remarkable enthusiasm.

This was more than a celebration. It was a beginning—one fueled by connection, generosity, and a shared belief in US’s role as a national leader in the education of boys.

Learn how you can make your impact through Lead & Serve: The Campaign for University School