We are honored and delighted to share news of a landmark gift that will benefit every Woodlawn student, now and for generations to come.
Karen and Dwayne Bowman, Founders of Woodlawn, and parents of two graduates (Sawyer ’11, Sydney ’14) have donated to the school the sixty-one acres of land that form our campus, and five buildings, Stinson Hall; the Carriage House; the Garden Shed; Jackson Hall and Klein Hall.
Read the full press release here.
This gift is valued at $4,800,000, but it is truly priceless, and it reflects just part of the incredible gifts of passion, vision, energy, talent, servant leadership and financial investments the Bowmans have devoted to our school.
Nineteen years ago, Karen and Dwayne created Woodlawn to pursue a vision of excellence in which high achievement and engaged learning reinforce and enhance each other. They knew an approach to educating the whole child that utilizes hands-on, integrated, project-based, experiential learning would be the best way to prepare children for the 21st century’s dynamic challenges and opportunities.
In choosing the location of our campus, Karen and Dwayne believed in the power of place-based education. They knew Woodlawn’s campus, with its historic buildings and gardens, abundant greenspace, majestic trees, and forests would be an amazing place for children to learn, explore, and grow. The Woodlawn Way is deeply rooted and forever entwined in the beauty of this place.
The Bowmans have made an impact far beyond the reaches of our campus. The President of the Southern Association of Independent Schools, Debra Wilson, writes of Karen and Dwayne, “Your founding of and continued stewardship and generosity to Woodlawn have made the school’s impact part of your own legacy, a legacy that will be sustained for generations to come. We so appreciate the ways you have enriched education through this independent school.”
Here are links to Debra’s message, a tribute from the leadership of the North Carolina Association of Independent Schools, and from Woodlawn’s former head of school, Dr. Bob Shirley.
On behalf of Woodlawn students, Ari Trovato, Class of 2020, writes, “When I talk to people about Woodlawn, my favorite thing to say is our learning is never limited by classroom walls. Each day I am on campus, I am reminded of the beauty of nature which sparks intellectual thinking and harnesses the passions that drive Woodlawn teaching and learning. We master rigorous academics, but in an interdisciplinary way, which creates the most holistic student - I am forever grateful for that. Because of you, Mr. and Mrs. Bowman, Woodlawn students are so incredibly passionate about education!”
Ari, you speak for us all. Because of you, Karen and Dwayne, generations of Woodlawn students will forever be passionate about lifelong learning. We are all so grateful to you!
If you would like to send a note of appreciation and thanks directly to the Bowmans, you may email them here.
Lynette Rinker
Board Chair
Jim Folds
Board Vice-Chair
