Science Is a Winn Win at St. Mark’s
At a time when science is at the forefront of almost every human and geopolitical issue, The Winn Family Foundation recently made a $10 million donation to St. Mark’s that will serve as the catalyst for a new state-of-the-art science center.
The family has more than six decades of involvement with St. Mark’s. Steve Winn (class of 1964) served on the school’s board of trustees from 1988 to 1994, and his son Chris (class of 1999) currently serves on the alumni board. Steve’s wife, Melinda, has been a dedicated volunteer and ardent supporter of the school for years along with his daughters Heather and Natalie, who graduated from Hockaday.
[pullquote-left]”Now, it’s time to think about the next 50 years and the 5,000 young dreamers who will delight us by graduating from this institution and change our future forever,” Steve Winn said.”[/pullquote-left]
“The Winns are a family dedicated to service and volunteerism, and we are certainly fortunate that they are a part of our family,” said St. Mark’s headmaster David Dini. “I am deeply grateful for their generosity and leadership.”
The Winns decided that the first gift from their recently created family foundation should be directed toward St. Mark’s to recognize all that the school does to prepare future leaders.
“I’ve seen what you are capable of in the past 50 years. Now, it’s time to think about the next 50 years and the 5,000 young dreamers who will delight us by graduating from this institution and change our future forever,” Steve Winn recently told St. Mark’s faculty members during a recent assembly. “Our faculty is the custodian of our dreamers, and I know you will do your jobs well.”
Steve said he remembers the impact that the St. Mark’s Planetarium, constructed in 1961, had on the city of Dallas and the role it served in making St. Mark’s a nationally prominent institution.
“This is a starter grant,” he said. “We will need many other Marksmen to support this initiative, but together, we can keep St. Mark’s at the forefront in all disciplines of the foundational sciences.”
This story appears in the January issue of Preston Hollow People, on stands now.
