The video honors Wellford and Walker for their philanthropic leadership in Country Day School’s capital campaign. Over five years, their efforts helped raise $56 million, enabling the construction and renovation of five major campus facilities—including the Purdy Center for Science and Math, the Hance Lower School Learning Center, the Dowd Student Center, the renovated Cannon building, and the Belk Upper School Library—while also bolstering the school’s endowment and Country Day Fund. Throughout the tribute, family members, alumni, and school staff share personal anecdotes and heartfelt reflections, praising the honorees’ humility, dedication, positive energy, and ability to rally the community. The speakers highlight the lasting impact of the campaign on students, faculty, and the broader school community, interspersed with light‑hearted jokes that humanize the honorees.
Chapters
I think it's really cool to kind of be able to benefit from some This is something my dad helped make happen. I know firsthand that a lot of hard work goes into stuff like this and these buildings. So every day I walk in here, I'm just thankful for people like my dad.
I would always joke about like me not getting the full benefits because I'm about to graduate, but he would always tell me like, I might have kids here someday, and it's really important that like people in the past have done this for us, so we need to do it for them. And I'm just really proud of him for doing this on top of all the other things that he's involved in, and he's just really philanthropic, and I admire that.
The two of them were all in as soon as they said yes, and it's interesting, they both had to get approval from their wives.
He's a pretty humble guy, and he doesn't talk a lot about when he's doing nice things for other people, but he had a lot of coffees and a lot of dinners and a lot of phone calls and emails scheduled.
It's a little bit daunting to even put into words the impact that both Walker and Welford have had on this campaign.
By golly, they've done it. I'm proud of those guys.
In 5 years, their leadership and commitment has enabled us to raise a transformative $56 million for our school.
They have blown away all previous fundraising records.
We have been able to build and renovate 5 new buildings, which includes the Purdy Center for Science and Math, the new Hance Lower School Learning Center, the new Dowd Student Center. We have renovated the old Cannon into a suite of college counseling upper school ERP, makerspace, and a host of other things. Lastly, the Belk Upper School Library, in addition to raising endowment and Country Day Fund support.
To know that our dad was a part of that is like so powerful and awesome. Country Day is a really great spot for, you know, academics and athletics as well and leadership development and everything else you could ask for in a K-12 school. but also so much of it means like family to us now. I think when he's dedicated to something, he works really hard, and I mean, he doesn't go something halfway. He'll do it until it's done right, which I respect.
My work with Walker has been enormously fulfilling, and I'm grateful to have spent the last 5 years experiencing his thoughtful leadership. He can rally a troop like no other. He has made me a better head of school by watching him in action and learning from his experience. Walker, thank you for sharing your wisdom and grace with the school and me. Welford, Welford, Welford. No one has more positive energy than Welford. In the most challenging situations, Welford is the last to take credit for big wins and the first to jump in to get those wins. Congratulations, Welford.
Hey Dad, Alex here. I just wanted to congratulate you on your award. I'm so proud of you, and I've always been inspired by your commitment to the capital campaign and the Country Day community as a whole. Go Bucks! Wait, what is the award?
Oh my gosh, he always says, what's up, dawg? He dabs a lot. I don't know, like he'll come back from a meeting and it'll go well and he'll dab. He just goes like this.
There are some sayings that have just been repeated time and time again. I'm just the JV, gotta step aside for the varsity.
Put me in, Coach.
Brick by brick.
I've heard that a time or two.
It's just perfect.
This has allowed him to meet and greet and talk to a lot of new people about Country Day.
And spend time with Mr. Poole. Yeah, they love each other.
