A Message from the Co-Chairs
Kickoff Phase II
September 15, 2025
Campaign co-chairs, Lori and Jerry Jones Jr. P '24, ’26, Katherine and Eric Reeves P’20, ’31 and Lauren and Stephen Swann ’93, P’24, ’27, ’29 are excited to provide an update on the Our Time to Soar campaign, which has a working goal of $50,000,000.
We have witnessed, in typical ESD fashion, an outpouring of generosity all in support of our mission. ESD is on a soaring trajectory to grow its endowment and secure the future envisioned by ESD 2030.
The campaign’s three priorities are beginning to take shape:
- Great Teachers Make Great Schools - This initiative focuses on securing significant investment in faculty compensation to align ESD salaries with peer and aspirant schools. Endowment gifts are already shaping the future of education at ESD. Donor support has established three endowed distinguished teaching awards—one for each division—as well as four endowed annual teaching awards. Six key leadership positions have also been named and endowed. These gifts are powerful investments, helping us attract and retain outstanding educators who will continue to make a profound impact on our students for generations to come.
- ESDistinction - A Curriculum of Purpose - ESD students are already seeing the benefits of permanent funding (endowment) for academic programing. Two of our six new networks—Business, Entrepreneurship and Marketing; Leadership, Government, and Public Policy—are now established. With two more networks soon to be established - 2D Art, Design, and Content Creation Design and Engineering, Architecture, and Real Estate. These networks widen the academic experiences for each student, giving students the tools to develop their unique sense of purpose.
- Community and Belonging - Endowment funds are building a stronger, more vibrant community. Donor generosity is strengthening the bonds that make our school so special, helping us foster a more inclusive and supportive environment. This ensures every student feels a powerful sense of connection and deep pride in their ESD family.
As co-chairs of this campaign, we believe increasing the School’s endowment will firmly place ESD as one of the top independent schools in the United States.
For the Jones family, Jerry remarks, “It is humbling to see the generosity, bonding and commitment of our ESD family. This has always been about igniting lives of purpose for not only students, but families and generations. It took vision. It took passion. It took a strong resolve to come this far. This is now at a seminal moment with the goal line in clear sight along with the unprecedented difference we will make. Let’s push this into the end zone!”
Katherine shares the following about the campaign, “The true success of this campaign isn’t measured only in dollars, but in how fully we come together. ESD is more than a school - it’s an extended family. It takes all of us, giving what we can, to ensure everyone is a part of this legacy and that we are united for ESD.”
Stephen reflects on the campaign, “From the beginning, ESD has been more than a school, it has been a community that has shaped generations of children. Building the endowment secures the resources needed to sustain ESD’s mission, ensuring ESD thrives and continues to inspire students well into the future. I know that my father would be proud of how the community is rallying around this important campaign.”
To every donor, we extend our deepest gratitude. Yet there remain opportunities for others to lead us to the finish line, as well as opportunities at all levels to join in support. We invite you to join us in assuring that the vision of ESD 2030 is brought fully to life.
To learn more, please reach out to Denis Stokes, Chief Advancement Officer, at stokesd@esdallas.org or 214-353-5806 (direct).
Visit https://www.esdallas.org/our-time-to-soar to make your gift.
Lori and Jerry Jones Jr. P’24, ’26
Katherine and Eric Reeves P’20, ’31
Lauren and Stephen Swann ’93, P’24, ’27, ’29
