In 2024, Shipley alumni Katrina F. Sherrerd ’75 and Chris Comstock ’10 established endowment funds that will leave a lasting impact on the School and its students. Through these generous contributions, these alumni are not only enhancing the resources available to teachers and students, but also reinforcing core values that define Shipley—fostering a culture of inclusivity and promoting artistic expression. These newly created funds reflect the deep commitment of their founders to ensuring that Shipley remains a place where students can thrive personally and creatively, both now and in the years to come.

Katrina F. Sherrerd ’75 established the Valuing Others Fund, an endowment dedicated to supporting professional development with a focus on fostering diversity and inclusivity. “Through this gift, I hope to highlight the power that individuals—especially the adults in the room—have to create the type of environments that allow students to thrive and excel,” she shared.

Sherrerd credits fellow alumna and trustee, Kathy Dawson ’78, with suggesting the fund’s name. “I reached out to Kathy for feedback as I struggled to find the right words to describe what I wanted to achieve. Her advice was spot on, including that the unifying theme is valuing others,”  Sherrerd explained. The Valuing Others Fund will equip faculty and staff with the resources needed to create and sustain an environment where diverse views are valued and open-mindedness is nurtured, ensuring that teachers and leaders are fully committed to fostering an inclusive culture where everyone can thrive.

Chris Comstock ’10 established the Chris Comstock Endowment Fund, an endowment dedicated to enhancing music and arts education at Shipley School. The fund is designed to provide annual support for the acquisition and upgrading of essential equipment in music recording and production, concert recording and sound reinforcement, and musical instruments. “Creating this fund has allowed me to share the joy that music has brought me, as well as inspire other students to invest in their passions and creativities,” Comstock shared. “Alongside Shipley, our goal is to empower and create personal opportunities for art to flourish while encouraging others to follow their dreams.”

Comstock’s vision for the fund was shaped by his own experiences as a student at Shipley, where he developed a deep appreciation for music. The Chris Comstock Endowment Fund aims to ensure that current and future students have access to state-of-the-art resources, enabling them to explore their artistic talents and reach their full creative potential. By investing in the tools that make creative expression possible, the fund will play a crucial role in fostering an environment where students are encouraged to pursue their artistic passions and bring their creative visions to life.