b'LETTER FROM THE CHAIRDear GDS Community,Our family joined the Greensboro Day School community when our oldest daughter started Kindergarten as our country was still coming to grips with the new normal shaped by the terror attacks of 9/11. All three of our daughters have been lifers at GDS, with the oldest two now in college, and the youngest currently in Upper School. My wife and I now wind down our time as GDS parents as our society again wonders what the new normal will look likethis time the worries fueled by a global pandemic.We spent much time on our decision to send our children to GDS. I am a product of the public school system in North Carolinafrom the beginning of my education through law school in Chapel Hill. My wife is a product of parochial schools and a Jesuit university, before also attending law school at UNC. And certainly the commitment to pay for an independent school education is a serious one. But we were attracted to GDS in the post-9/11 world for the same reasons that we continue to be dedicated to the school amid a global pandemicbecause our societys future depends on giving our children access to the best education possible, and GDS provides that education.The high quality of a GDS education is enduringit was there when our family started our GDS journey before the first generation iPhone, and it is present today, with iPads and Swivl technology a part of the daily classroom experience.Our GDS families benefit greatly from world-class teachers, staff, administrators, coaches, artists, and instructors of all stripes.And the education our children receive is all-encompassing. Yes, I am amazed by what GDS graduates know academically.But I am also impressed by their intellectual curiositythe kind of curiosity that one needs to be a lifelong learneras well as by their cultural awareness and empathy. Our family was also attracted to GDS by great leaders. Ralph Davison was the Head of School when we began our GDS journey and his legacy of great leadership was carried on by Mark Hale. The GDS community is now fortunate to be led by one of the truly outstanding independent school leaders in the country today in Tracie Catlett. As I close my three-year term as Chair of the Board of Trustees, I am also thankful for the opportunity to have worked with so many thoughtful and dedicated Trustees at GDS. As I have said many times, ours is a hard-working Board and one that is dedicated to the well-being of each student, family, faculty member, staff member, and GDS alumnus. It has been a privilege to lead this Board and it remains a privilege to serve on the Board going forward under the leadership of Chuck Keeley 81, as Board Chair. Chuck is well known to our community as a GDS alumnus, past parent, Board member, and Endowment Campaign Chair. GDS has no bigger or better supporters than the Keeleys, and I am excited that Chuck will lead our outstanding group of Trustees going forward. With Bengal Pride, David L. BrownChair, Board of TrusteesGDS Magazine | 3'