Laurel School alumna gives $2 million legacy gift
Jul. 8—Laurel School has received a $2 million legacy gift from Kim Sherwin, a Laurel alumna from the Class of 1957.
"Kim was a lifelong champion of education and a longtime supporter of Laurel School's mission," Head of School Ann V. Klotz stated in a news release. "Her gift is of tremendous significance not only to Laurel girls but also to our larger Northeast Ohio community."
Laurel plans to allocate the bequest in ways that support Sherwin's vision for Laurel through the support of key programmatic efforts — public programming and research — while also supporting the school's most pressing capital needs, the release stated.
Her gift will support the creation of the Ruhlman Family Center, a new multi-use building at Laurel's Butler Campus in Russell Township. The center includes a flexible space for creative teaching and interaction, including art, technology, science and more.
This space will be named "Kim's Hive" in honor of Sherwin and her devotion to education and to Laurel.
It will also support Laurel's Center for Research on Girls as well as the development of programming focused on the public purpose of private schools. From its founding15 years ago, LCRG was of special interest to Sherwin, who understood that prioritizing girls' social and emotional wellbeing is a way to ensure academic achievement, according to the release.
Sherwin served on the board of the Citizens League of Greater Cleveland evaluating candidates for office. In addition to her support of Laurel, she was a big supporter of Hannah Perkins. In 2019, she was honored with the Hadden Award for her embodiment of the Hanna Perkins mission, and dedication to helping improve the lives of children across the region, the release stated.
Sherwin's niece Kelly Sherwin graduated from Laurel in 1999 and now teaches History in the Upper School. Her grandniece, Elliot, is a student in Laurel's Early Childhood program.
Her brother, George, served on the Laurel Board of Trustees for many years.
