Annual Fund Volunteer Greg Cork (P’18) describes his new perspective as a “Parent of Alumna.”

Like many students last autumn, Anna Cork ’18 found herself adjusting to the academic rigors of college and the novelties of a new city. And like many parents, Greg Cork experienced the bittersweet satisfaction of watching from afar as his daughter began to explore her independence.

While he may not have anticipated the degree to which he would miss Anna, Greg was confident that Anna’s experiences at Sidwell Friends School prepared her to engage with complex issues in lecture halls and adapt to her new social landscape. “In ways Anna doesn’t recognize day-to-day,” Greg says, “she was ready for this transition.”

Greg is likewise appreciative of the many ways that Sidwell Friends prepared him to let his own life speak. During Anna’s years here, Greg volunteered to connect other parents with Annual Fund giving opportunities—even acting as co- chair of the parent Annual Fund volunteer committee.

Volunteering allowed him to lift the entire Sidwell Friends community, raising the visibility of the Annual Fund’s impact to encourage broader support of student financial aid and faculty professional development. Motivated by the urgency of the moment, Greg could see the ripple effect of his efforts:

“It’s important not only for the kids who benefit from the Sidwell Friends education, but their families, the broader community, and all the people they will meet in their lives to come.”

It wasn’t always easy to make time for these efforts, but Greg could measure the value of every minute he spent reaching out to other parents. “It’s a demand on your time, but the return on investment of your time literally can be life-changing.”

Life is certainly different now that Anna has embarked on her new adventure. Regular phone calls to Chicago have replaced Greg’s legendary lunch notes for Anna—his epic observations on the world in which his daughters are growing up. But Greg is still part of the Sidwell Friends community, and as a parent of an alumna, he’s prepared to offer his new perspective to Annual Fund efforts. “Parents of alumni—especially those who have given or work to raise funds for the School—uniquely understand the benefits of a Sidwell Friends education, because we see our kids putting it in action.”