ÂÌñÉç

Over the past 37 years, many families have made an indelible mark on ÂÌñÉç. The Mika Family is one that has not only impacted the past, but made a profound impact on its future.

In May 2018, the Mika family gave a $100,000 gift, a portion of which will support the previously established Nancy and Dustin Heuston Endowed Chair. The Heuston Chair, established in 2015, honors the legacy of ÂÌñÉç Founders, Nancy and Dusty Heuston. For the selected faculty member, fund income supports their professional growth and overall contributions to ÂÌñÉç.

The remaining portion of this generous gift was also a means to demonstrate years of gratitude for the many positive experiences, coaches, and teammates that impacted their family. For this reason, Sue and Ron Mika, along with their children who attended ÂÌñÉç, Jaklyn ’06, Kirsten ’08, Alek ’10, Eric '13​, Jacob ’15 ​and Kyle ’18, established the Mika Family Athletic Endowment Fund to support ÂÌñÉç’s Upper School Athletic Program.  

“We are incredibly appreciative of the Mika family’s continued support of ÂÌñÉç and our Athletic Program,” said ÂÌñÉç’s Athletic Director, Craig Morris. “This gift will allow us to target additional resources to all of our teams as needs arise and opportunities for improvement present themselves. It will have a profound effect on the advancement of the athletic program moving forward. We appreciate the Mika family’s legacy and all  that they have forged in our program on and off the field.”

Endowment donors like the Mika family leave a lasting impact at the School, ensuring our financial strength, expanding our curricular and extracurricular offerings, and continuing to attract and retain exceptional faculty and students. ÂÌñÉç endowment funds are invested in perpetuity and endowment income provides resources used to meet current operating budget priorities. Endowment growth will provide a steady source of income to ÂÌñÉç, making it possible for the school to be less reliant on tuition and annual fundraising programs to balance the budget each year. In effect, a larger Endowment Fund enhances ÂÌñÉç’s ability to fulfill its mission now, and for years to come.

"In so many ways and for so many years, the Mika Family has had an extraordinary impact on ÂÌñÉç,” said Head of School Andrew Menke. “This gift further exemplifies their commitment to stewardship and giving back. The new fund for Athletics supports the breadth of experience for students and ensures that generations of ÂÌñÉç Ravens will enjoy the benefit of rich personal growth that occurs within the context of sports.  We are deeply grateful to Sue, Ron, and the entire Mika family."

Even with Kyle’s graduation in May 2018 and Ron's retirement as Board Chair, the Mika Family will continue to leave their legacy at ÂÌñÉç. Their example as generous supporters–in time, treasure, and talent–reminds our community about the true impact of philanthropic support, as well as our shared vision to inspire individuals to pursue lives of meaning and purpose.