It seems as though mighty Zeus held back during a cloudy, slightly windy April day as friends and family of the late Trow Gillespie’ 65 and his wife Elizabeth gathered to see the MUS Campus Center dedicated in their name.
Gillespie’s leadership at MUS had significant impacts both in his career here and through his enthusiasm and drive. During his illustrious 30-year career on the Board of Trustees beginning in 1995 and even serving as board chair from 2004-2008, he played a leading role in achieving every capital improvement project for MUS. Such projects included the “Doors to New Opportunities” campaign, which brought the new MUS Upper School and the Campus Center to which he ended up being dedicated; the Multi-Sports Complex, dedicated in 2009; the “Legacy Forward” strategic plan, which, among other things, seeks to improve academic excellence and MUS facilities; and finally the current “Bold Vision, Bright Future” campaign (see this article for more information). Chuck Smith’ 66, in a speech delivered by Will Thompson’ 95, described him in the following way: ‘“There’s no greater MUS cheerleader for the school than Trow Gillespie.”’ In this capacity Gillespie helped to raise nearly $90 million in fundraising over his 30 years and worked to propel the current “Bold Vision, Bright Future” campaign to just short of $112 million, towards the goal of $200 million.
Beyond his achievements in fundraising for the school, Gillespie was renowned for his ardor for MUS. Paul Gillespie’ 01, Trow Gillespie’s son who spoke on behalf of the Gillespies at the dedication, said, “[Trow’s] affection for MUS was one of gratitude.” He explained that his father was “fond of saying MUS is the ‘School for a Lifetime.’” Paul Gillespie continued, expanding on his father’s appreciation for MUS’ values of truth and honor: “Whether he [Trow Gillespie] was working in New South Capital, serving on a non-profit, or acting as a role model for many of us here today, he carried those MUS values with him throughout his life.”
In a personal interview Paul Gillespie elaborated on why his father viewed MUS in such high regard: “. . . he loved MUS so much because he had such an incredible experience there. . .[,] and he wanted other people to experience the same experience he had.” He further explained, “But he also knew how important MUS was to the city of Memphis and how many people that had gone to MUS ended up becoming leaders in the city of Memphis. So I think he felt like his investment in MUS was twofold. One, from a standpoint of gratitude, but he also felt like giving to MUS was an investment in the city of Memphis.”
Trow Gillespie’s optimistic personality made it obvious to Perry Dement, assistant head for advancement and recently declared Faculty Emeritus, to dedicate the Campus Center of MUS to Gillespie: “On a daily basis, students, faculty, alumni, and prospective families pass through these doors and add another memory, large or small, to their MUS experience. And I think it’s fitting that this hub of our campus will bear the Gillespie name.” Paul Gillespie echoed that sentiment, saying, “The one [reason for the dedication] I’d like to think of the most is what Ellis Haguewood told me. He said, . . . ‘Everyone wanted to be around him [Trow Gillespie]. Everyone gravitated towards him. He just had that fun, infectious personality.”’ Pete Sanders, headmaster who recently announced his retirement, summarized Trow Gillespie in six simple, powerful words: “what a great guy, all around.”
Gillespie’s support, ardor, and enthusiasm for MUS will be appreciated as long as the school stands, and that support propelled MUS from merely a great private school to a true ‘School for a Lifetime.’
