By Katharine Atkins, Director of Advancement
On the evening of March 22, 2023, former Country Day parents Jane and Carl Showalter thought they were headed to dinner with longtime friends and fellow former Country Day parents Donny and Tricia Harrison. What they didn’t know was that over 100 dear friends and family members were anticipating their arrival to announce the surprise of a lifetime. As Jane and Carl walked into the room full of familiar faces, they quickly laid eyes on Country Day teachers, coaches, family members, lifetime friends, and even mentees. A little hesitant, Jane and Carl were invited on stage to learn that the generous community surrounding them had created a lasting legacy in their honor, the Jane and Carl Showalter Endowed Scholarship at Charlotte Country Day School.
Jane and Carl are very familiar faces around the Country Day community. You might even say their footprints have touched every aspect of our campuses in some capacity. Over the last 25 years, in addition to being proud parents of Country Day alums Vic '09, Ward '11, and Pete '13, Carl and Jane have served in a myriad of volunteer and leadership roles at our school: Carl served on the Board of Trustees from 2000–2013, chairing Property and Grounds Committee, and Jane served on the Boosters Club and Parents’ Association for many years, serving as president in 2009–2010.
However, their impact exceeds any official volunteer leadership role or title. It’s Jane and Carl’s understated, authentic, and genuine care and compassion for their community, both at Country Day and the greater Charlotte community, that sets them apart.
When lifetime friend Patrick Hobson '89 approached Donny Harrison and Blanton Hamilton about a special project to recognize and honor Carl and Jane, it was a resounding yes.
"When Patrick approached us, we couldn’t say “yes” fast enough. Carl and Jane are the epitome of selfless giving. They have done so much for so many with so little recognition. In the social media world in which we live where self-promotion and lack of substance are the norm, the Showalters represent old-school values of caring for the less fortunate and those in need without ever seeking attention. We all can learn from their example.”
Blanton Hamilton and Donny Harrison
Blanton Hamilton, Donny Harrison, Jane and Carl Showalter, and Patrick Hobson '89.
Donny, Patrick and Blanton’s strategic leadership efforts realize the Jane and Carl Showalter Endowment as just one of four fully endowed scholarships at Country Day. This scholarship reinforces and prioritizes Country Day’s steadfast commitment to providing access to educational excellence to a child regardless of their family’s financial resources.
“There were many of us who wanted to honor Carl and Jane at the school," Patrick said. "When thinking through the best way to do that, I started thinking about Carl’s experience at Savannah Country Day School and how the opportunity and the scholarship he received altered his trajectory. Not only did he meet Jane, but his education and social experience impacted his entire life. It was a no-brainer to work to create a similar opportunity at our Country Day for talented students who otherwise wouldn’t be able to attend our school,” he said.
As Country Day Coach Ed Walton shared: “In life, there are those who see a need and wish it could happen and those that see a need and WILL make it happen. Jane and Carl are clearly the latter.”
Each of the multi-generational 100+ friends and family that gathered to celebrate the Showalters that evening all shared their own personal stories of how Jane and Carl have impacted their lives with cumulative gestures. Since the announcement, dozens more continue to share stories and quotes that could undoubtedly fill pages. Country Day is honored to carry forth this newly created scholarship in the Showalter name. As is everything associated with the Showalters, it’s all about servant leadership and paying it forward.
The Showalters with their sons, Ward '11 and Pete '13.