After seven years of board leadership, John Devlin was celebrated for his steadfast support and service to Wye River Upper School. Alexa and Tom Seip hosted an evening at the Talbot Country Club in celebration of Devlin’s lasting contributions.
In 2009, Devlin began his service to Wye River. What was intended at first to be a short stint of leadership became a generous two term Board Chair experience. During his tenure, the school relocated from the campus of Chesapeake College to its permanent home in Centreville. Devlin helped develop and lead a successful Capital Campaign culminating in the complete renovation of Wye River’s new home, the Centreville Armory. Under his direction, the school completed its third and current strategic plan.
Alexa Seip, who first introduced Devlin to the school, now steps up to become Wye River’s new Board Chair. Seip comes with 22 years experience serving on the Board of the Darrow School in New Lebanon, NY. For 12 of those years she served as Darrow’s Board Chair. Seip’s tenure at Wye River begins July 1, 2016. She looks forward to guiding the school through this exciting time of dynamic student-centered programming and enrollment growth.
The celebration at TCC included Devlin’s wife, Susan, and his family as well as current Trustees, school administration, and friends of the school. Susan Devlin has been actively involved with the school’s growth as the Chair of the Resource Development Committee. During the evening, members of the Wye River Founder’s Circle (5,000 and above annual donors) were also recognized for their support, and Virginia “Ginny” Capute was honored as she ended her third consecutive term on the Board.
“I am very grateful to John for leading this school at a critical time in its young life,” announced Seip. “He brought strength, stability and process while supporting a crucial capital fundraising campaign.” Wye River Executive Director, Chrissy Aull noted in her remarks that the school would not have been successful in moving into their new and permanent home without Devlin’s leadership, financial acumen, and vision.
During dinner, Devlin reflected on his time with Wye River and how it seemed to culminate with this year’s graduation ceremony. “Where does joy come from? I saw the answer to that question on the faces of our graduates’ parents as they watched their children on stage. Joy comes from seeing something wonderful happen that at one time you could not imagine.”
Wye River Upper School is an independent, college preparatory school serving bright students with learning differences such as ADD/ADHD and dyslexia. We discover through innovation, develop with rigor and celebrate the strengths of our students, while preparing him or her for success in college, career and life.
For more information regarding Wye River Upper School, contact 410-758-2922 or visit www.wyeriverupperschool.org.
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