Episcopal Celebrates Two Leaders: John Burress '54 and Bailey Patrick '79

On Friday, April 28, Episcopal honored two of its most dedicated and esteemed leaders, John Burress ’54 and Bailey Patrick ’79, with an intimate celebration in Centennial Gymnasium. John was presented with Episcopal’s Distinguished Service Award, and Bailey was recognized for his invaluable contributions as Chair of the Board of Trustees.
Trustee Edward Walker ’85 presented John with the Distinguished Service Award, which “is presented to individuals for their extraordinary service to Episcopal High School and dedication to the advancement of the School’s mission.”

Of John, Edward remarked, “He’s generous, joyful, and fun. He’s intelligent and never arrogant. He’s got great cautious and mindful judgement but is as risk-ready as they come. He has respect for tradition and for position, but he has the courage to challenge what he thinks is wrong. He has common sense and uncommon action. He is happy to lead and happy to follow, but I can tell you this, he wants to get the job done.”

John served on the School’s Board of Trustees from 1974 to 1977 and from 1995 to 2001, at which point he was bestowed with the title of Trustee Emeritus.  He was instrumental to the creation and endowment of several programs and masterships at EHS, including the Jay Walker ’54 Symposium, the Allen C. Phillips Integrity-In-Action Lecture and Award, and the C.V. Tompkins Mastership for Excellence in Teaching, Character, Leadership, and School Service. John has participated in every School campaign and has led regional efforts in Winston-Salem. He supported The Promise Campaign by leading an effort to name a locker room in Hummel Bowl in honor of Lee M. McLaughlin, who coached the School’s undefeated 1953 football team.

“This is one of the highlights of my life,” John said upon accepting the Distinguished Service Award. “There couldn’t be any finer recognition that I could have. I look around, and I see all my family and friends here, and I really do want to tell you about the connection that I have with each one. Because there’s an EHS connection that is just unbelieveable. A thread that runs through everything in my life. The fabric of my life was formed here.”

Next, Trustee Alicia Alford spoke on the School’s behalf, thanking Bailey for his service as Chairman of the Board of Trustees — a position he held from 2011-2017. Prior to his role as Board Chair, Bailey served six years as a Trustee following time on the Advisory Council.

Alicia said, “I believe that Bailey’s lasting legacy is the spirit in which he has served. Bailey knows the culture of EHS from the perspective of both a student and a parent. Bailey may be the only board chair who is both an alumnus of the School and a parent and an uncle of both boys and girls who have attended Episcopal. This has given him a unique perspective and an invaluable lens through which to view the work of the Board. As Board Chair, Bailey has been committed to creating a School community that shapes our students with the same values that he wants for his own children.”

During Bailey’s tenure as Board Chair, he oversaw the completion of The Promise Campaign, which raised $87.6 million and resulted in the Hershey Athletics Center, the renovated March Library, expansion of Penick Hall, the new Townsend Hall, and the Middle-Income Financial Aid Initiative. He was also instrumental in the Tribute Campaign, which raised just over $10.4 million to name the Athletics Center in honor of Kathleen and Rob Hershey, and made the transformation of Stewart Gym into the School’s new Student Center possible. Perhaps his greatest contribution, however, has been ensuring the successful transition of leadership to Charley Stillwell, Episcopal’s 12th Head of School.

Bailey reflected on all the people — the School leaders, faculty, staff, students, parents, trustees, and alumni — who have shaped Episcopal into an institution that is “in an even better place” than ever before. People, according to Bailey, “like John Burress, who for decades have continued to be here for the needs of the School.”

Bailey remarked, “All of us our drawn together by a passion for this place. We represent the community of Episcopal High School, and its success is directly attributable to our collective efforts. I am so thankful that I’ve had this opportunity to serve with all of you, and I cherish all the special friendships that I’ve made along this lifelong EHS journey. As I stand here tonight I know that the future for Episcopal High School is very bright, and it’s hard to imagine a more exciting time than now at Episcopal.”

John and Bailey shared the evening with family, School leaders, and special EHS friends from their days as students to the present.

Click here or on the album below to view photos from the event.
 
Episcopal Celebrates Two Leaders: John Burress '54 and Bailey Patrick '79
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