Preservation Through Perseverance - The Dr. Samuel E. Osbourn Story

Among the legendary leadership figures in the long, storied history of Germantown Academy, Dr. Samuel E. Osbourn emerges as one of the most influential. His tenure as headmaster was to follow Dr. William "Pap" Kershaw who personally had overseen the golden era of the GA experience by initiating familiar community components, such as the founding of the Inter Academic League, The Belfry Club, The Edition, and Ye Primer. Osbourn took the helm, anchored with these virtuous institutional pillars in place, and yet had to navigate the Academy through the tumult of two world wars and the Great Depression.

The preservation of the institution, despite truly historic moments of conflict and economic uncertainty, is the hallmark of Osbourn's 33-year legacy as leader. Through these times he reinforced the need for supportive resources, calling upon "his boys" to start an Alumni Giving Fund (the origin of today's Annual Giving) to ensure and provide for the daily work of the school. Further, he acknowledged the need for the long-term preservation of the school and urged the start of an invested endowment to provide fiscal stability for students and faculty far into the future.

In tribute to his unique vision, we honor him by dedicating our Legacy Society of Donors in his name - The Samuel E. Osbourn Society. The order distinguishes an honor roll of proud Patriots who have remembered GA as a beneficiary of their wills or trusts or have established life-income gifts to our school. Osbourn Society members have endowed financial aid and faculty chairs and ensured experiential learning opportunities in nearly every corner of our school. We are proud to recognize those who, through their commitment and foresight, have directly helped to fortify our educational mission in perpetuity.

Like Dr. Osbourn, these most loyal donors have left a legacy of support for a stronger GA both now and into the future.