Dear Sewanee Family,

Anyone who’s spent time on the Mountain between June and August knows that summer in Sewanee has its own special soundtrack—the chatter of campers gathered outside our residence halls, the gentle hum of musicians practicing for a Sewanee Summer Music Festival performance, and (this year, anyway) the dwindling buzz of our cicada visitors. It’s a peaceful season, but there’s still plenty of activity!

In University Relations, we’re working at a steady pace, preparing for the end of the fiscal year on June 30. I’m deeply grateful to the 7,257 members of our Sewanee family who have supported the University with a gift since July 1, 2023. Your generosity strengthens our community in countless ways. If you have not yet given this fiscal year, there’s still time! You can contribute online at support.sewanee.edu, or learn about other methods of giving at waystogive.sewanee.edu.

It was a pleasure celebrating Sewanee’s never-failing succession of benefactors at Stars on the Mountain, the University’s inaugural donor gala, on June 8. You’ll find a photo album and video highlight reel in our newsletter below! The mood was also festive at our 25th annual Sewanee Golf Classic, held on June 14 and 15. Photos from that weekend are on the Sewanee Alumni Facebook page here.

We look forward to meeting new students and families at our summer send-off events, scheduled for late July and early August in selected cities around the country. You'll find more information about these gatherings and other Sewanee Club events here.

I’m honored to introduce you to the donors featured in this issue of Philanthropy and Engagement, all of whom have deepened my gratitude for the Sewanee experience. I hope you enjoy this summer reading!

With appreciation for your support,

 Steve and Margo Burns, P'19, P'24, P'26

This week, faculty and staff from the School of Theology and Education for Ministry (EfM) are representing the University at the 81st General Convention of the Episcopal Church, held in Louisville, Kentucky. The Convention meets every three years, in part so that the Church’s leadership can review and, if necessary, amend governing texts and policies. In addition to exhibiting a Sewanee booth at the event, the Office of Church Relations hosted a dinner for alumni and friends at the Louisville Slugger Museum and Factory on June 25. The Rev. Casey Perkins, T’22, director of alumni, development, and church relations for the School of Theology, describes the Convention as “a wonderful opportunity to engage with clergy and lay leaders from across the Epsicopal community and to showcase Sewanee’s world-class theological programming and Episcopal identity.”

Sewanee administrators, faculty, staff, and friends gather for a group photo at the 81st General Convention of the Episcopal Church

Sewanee glowed on June 8, when the University hosted Stars on the Mountain, a black-tie gala celebrating our never-failing succession of benefactors. Guests gathered at The Cloister, the home of Nora Frances Stone McRae, C’77, and Vaughan McRae, C’77, for a presentation, dinner, and dancing. Christina Vial Comer, C’95, and Patrick Comer, C’96, served as emcees, and gala speakers Lily Thompson, assistant professor of geology, and Halim Labi, C’23, joined Vice-Chancellor Rob Pearigen, C’76, P’14, P’17, in offering reflections on Sewanee’s unique magic. See a short  highlight reel from the event here, and view a photo album here.

John Gass Bratton, C'51, with his portrait, which now hangs in McGriff Alumni House

Friends and family of John Gass Bratton, C’51, knew exactly where to find him on most summer evenings—if he wasn’t entertaining or relaxing at his longtime residence on South Carolina Avenue in Sewanee, he was in Guerry Auditorium or another campus venue attending a Sewanee Summer Music Festival (SSMF) concert. Bratton’s niece, Lucy Powell, says her uncle once told an SSMF performer, “I’ve never missed a note,” to which the musician replied, “Well, I have!” Though Bratton passed away in late 2023, his bond with the SSMF continues through the John Bratton Scholarship for the Sewanee Summer Music Festival, established with bequeathed funds. He also left a generous gift to be used for the University’s most pressing needs. “John was a giver of his time and money, always,” Powell says.

Bratton moved to Sewanee with his mother and siblings at age 8, following the death of his father. His uncle, Henry Gass, C’1907, held multiple positions at the University, including professor in the Classics Department, dean of men, and acting vice-chancellor (1948-1949). From 1970 to 1978, Bratton was the University’s alumni director, and his portrait now hangs in McGriff Alumni House. His connection with the Episcopal Church was as robust as his Sewanee ties—one of his grandfathers, the Rt. Rev. Theodore DuBose Bratton, C’1887, T’1889, served as bishop in the Diocese of Mississippi. “John was so proud of that,” Powell says. 

Bratton never played an instrument or sang, but, Powell says, “He was very appreciative of any kind of music.” She says he was particularly excited about OperaFest Sewanee, a relatively new SSMF program that brings together emerging operatic artists and veteran performers. John Kilkenny, director of the SSMF, says Bratton’s support for the festival spanned decades and deserves continual appreciation. “John Bratton never sought public recognition for his generosity during his lifetime, but his passion for music and dedication to the Sewanee Summer Music Festival was unmistakable. We are thrilled to honor him perpetually through this new endowment, made possible by his estate’s support and his family’s consent.”

Raise a toast to the Mountain on June 30—it's the last day of Sewanee's fiscal year! In addition to wearing a purple party hat, you can contribute to the festivities by supporting your favorite Sewanee program or activity. Make your gift at support.sewanee.edu.

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The University of the South • Office of University Relations • waystogive.sewanee.edu