Chatham Hall Programs and Marketing
Campaign Goal (2003-2010): $3,000,000
Strong Programs. Competitive Edge.
Maintaining unique and strong programs at Chatham Hall and marketing these programs effectively to the public are keys for the future success of the School. During the “quiet phase” of the capital campaign (2003-2008), Chatham Hall received $4.2 million—exceeding its goal by 40%. We continue to need support for programs, guest speakers and artists, publications and website development, and we need to endow these areas. (For more information about the Endowment, click here.)
Thanks to campaign funding thus far, Chatham Hall has accomplished the following:
- Developed two pre-engineering courses to introduce students to engineering concepts and to prepare them to be competitive in applying to colleges of engineering.
- Enhanced the use of technologies in the classroom: sophisticated Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software for AP Geography, a portable, wireless language lab for foreign languages, and SMART Boards and student laptops for class laboratory work in mathematics.
- Completed an environmental initiative that brought influential environmentalists to campus, raised student awareness, and strengthened instruction. Chatham Hall has been able to reclaim 10 acres of meadow and 30 acres of pasture in the northeast corner of campus in a manner that balanced the concerns of environment, our Riding Program, finances, and school traditions. Funds to endow this project are still being sought through the campaign.
- Launched a Leaders-in-Residence Program that has attracted such world leaders to campus as Mary Robinson (first woman president of Ireland), the late Benazir Bhutto, primatologist Jane Goodall, and Liberia's President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf. (Received a pledge in fall 2008 to endow this program.)
- Has begun a partnership with the University of North Carolina-Greensboro Dance Department, bringing to campus artists in residence and other performers.
- Brought numerous guest speakers and artists to campus such as the author Tobias Wolff, poet Nikki Giovanni, astronomer Lucy McFadden, and acclaimed pianist Lois Svard.
- Participated annually in the Model United Nations Program and Virginia State Government Residency.
- Strengthened the Riding Program through gifts of horses, riding equipment, new paddocks and unrestricted support.
- Funded the upgrade of Chatham Hall’s website, a marketing initiative for the Riding Program, foreign travel for the Admission staff and renovation of the Admission area.
