Landon School Endowed Chairs

Part of the overall Campaign goal is a $10 million goal to increase Landon’s endowment which is currently about $24 million. Market returns have helped to grow the Landon endowment, but the best way to increase the endowment and bring it in line with peer schools is through philanthropy.

Endowed chairs that have been established by alumni and parents to support and honor faculty members represent a significant part of Landon’s current endowment. These academic chairs provide Landon with the ability to recruit and retain the best teacher-coach-mentors. The funds for endowed chairs support faculty salaries as well as professional development opportunities. Appointments to an endowed chair are made by Head of School Jim Neill and Assistant Head of School Charles Franklin in accordance with the parameters established by the donors and the School.

This year, three faculty members were newly appointed to endowed chairs. The William F. Banks ’54 Family Chair rotates every three years. Visual Arts Department Chair Ricky Sears ’99 was appointed to this chair beginning July 1, 2021. Ricky said, “Landon’s faculty are known for a commitment to the teacher-coach-mentor model, and my purpose every day is to uphold the tremendous responsibility to meaningfully engage my students in drawing and painting classes, on the ice with the hockey team, and in my advisory. The Banks family values the work teachers like me do, and I am humbled to be a recipient of the endowed chair appointment. I am so lucky to work at Landon. I am thankful for the recognition that supports my desire to positively impact it with my love for art, healthy competition, and sportsmanship. My students will know what a gift it is to attend such a special place, as I honor how much it continues to be for me.”

The Endowed Chair for Teaching and Coaching was established by a group of alumni and parents to honor Rob Bordley ’66 and he held that chair until he retired from teaching. This summer Upper School Science teacher Conor Cassidy ‘06 was appointed to this position. Cassidy shares, “I am incredibly honored to have been recently appointed as the Endowed Chair for Teaching and Coaching. I am very grateful to the teacher-coach-mentors who gave so much to me during my time at Landon as a student. I also owe a deep debt of gratitude to my colleagues who demonstrate excellence in these avenues and from whom I have learned so much. It is my goal to live up to the standard they have set by delivering a great experience to the young men of Landon I am privileged to work with each day.”

The 2021-22 academic year is the first year The Peter M. Swinehart Chair in Literature and Composition is awarded. The chair was established by Peter Arnold ’82 as one of the early gifts to The Campaign for Landon. Upper School English Teacher Case Anderson was appointed over the summer. Anderson comments, “Peter Swinehart was the English Department Chair when I first began teaching at Landon in the fall of 2014, and in that role, he guided me through my first several years here with his trademark compassion, earnestness, and professionalism.  Just like so many of his students, I became the beneficiary of his remarkable dedication to his craft.  When I think ‘Landon educator,’ Peter Swinehart is who comes to mind, as he does for so many others.  I am truly honored to hold the chair which bears his name, and I am humbled by the opportunity to carry forth his legacy to the next generation of Landon students.”

Here is a complete listing of the endowed chairs and the faculty members who hold these honors.

Paul L. Banfield Endowed Chair in Ethics – John Bellaschi
The Thomas W. Dixon Endowed Chair of English – Matt Dougherty
Information and Technology Chair – Clare Chambers
Maclear Jacoby Jr Endowed Chair of Mathematics – Kathleen Lubin
Landon Endowed Chair for Teaching and Advising – Steve Sorkin
The Carol and Pierce Smith ’62 Chair for the Fine Arts – to be awarded in the 2022-23 academic year.
The Wenchel Family Endowed Chair in STEM – newly established and will be awarded once fully funded.

The unwavering support of our enthusiastic parents, alumni, and friends continues to strengthen Landon School. If you are interested in making a contribution to The Campaign for Landon or are interested in establishing a new endowed chair, please contact Director of Development Peter J. Gallo Ph.D., at peter_gallo@landon.net or 301-320-1004.  For more information about Landon School's endowment, visit our website.