Why Ted Hepp ’61 supported CRMS

In terms of proportion, his gifts to CRMS could have built three entire schools in India. Difficult question he faces all the time as there is so much desperate need across the board for educational support. If anyone has the privilege of seeing AO Forbes teach (for example) they would have the answer. The educational process here creates an environment that lets people learn in an extraordinary way. And this is how it was for Ted.

CRMS creates an individual who can become a major contributor to our society, challenging norms in a thoughtful way and that is what we do well. Components: (1) development of unknown opportunity by exposure to a broad variety of creative things from arts to academic projects; (2) exposure to a natural environment that engages w/nature and why sustainability is so important and we do that brilliantly and in our academic setting of geology, environmental science, etc. and (3) the emotional support we provide. We offer an educational process that demonstrates the complexities of society and why it is good to be skeptical and question the process. Ted’s first history class exemplified this. How do we learn about history – allowed to pick a period of history that interested them and then defend or criticize the author’s perspective of that historical time. “What were they fighting for and why? vs. who was the general and what year was he born.

This thread still carries with him today. What we learn here is about a world and an environment that you will appreciate for the rest of your life even though it may take time to get perspective on this. Also a bit selfish by indulging his personal experience here and not considered what his impact could have on a larger group who might not have the same opportunity.

Important to Ted to get some excellence on the academic front, improving acceptance requirements to CRMS. As we are getting more competitive we should use this investment as leverage for improving the student body.

John Holden felt it was good for the school to have students “who would present a challenge” and Ted thinks John secretly relished the challenge the students would pose to the teachers.