(Greensboro, NC) Noble Academy received a six-figure bequest in February, the largest private donation in the School’s 30-year history. The money was a gift of the late Marian Adams Smith, 89, who passed away in December after a short illness.
“Mrs. Smith’s unexpected generosity has left a lasting legacy of which hundreds of students will benefit,” says Head of School Linda Hale. “Her historic gift is significant not because of the size of the donation, but rather that it’s rooted in her personal connection to Noble Academy. We are honored that Noble Academy was included in her philanthropic giving.”
Per her wishes, Noble will establish the Erin Keith Arnold ’12 Endowment, named in honor of Mrs. Smith’s granddaughter who attended the School for 11 years. The Endowment will fund tuition assistance for students of the School.
“I went to school with a boy who had to leave Noble because his family couldn’t afford the tuition,” Erin says. “My grandmother was heartbroken for him and truly believed every child should be able to afford this type of specialized learning if they needed it. She started to donate to the school anonymously after that and now she’s left a gift that will impact generations to come.”
“I knew my grandmother was going to leave a gift to the School, but I had no idea she was naming it after me,” Erin adds. “That’s just the type of woman she was… full of surprises and always helping others.”
Marian Adams Smith was a teacher in the Greensboro school system with a passion for the performing arts. She helped found the Pixie Playhouse, which would become the North Carolina Theater for Young People. She is a recipient of the North Carolina Order of the Long Leaf Pine, as well as dozens of other local and national awards recognizing her passion for helping young people.
Noble Academy is a K-12, private school in Greensboro, NC for students with ADHD and learning differences. Learn more about Noble Academy at www.nobleknights.org.
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For more information, please call Christy Avent at 336.282.7044.
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