$12 million gift to school from Gay and Ed Kirby help fund dining center
Casady School has received a gift of $12 million for a $23 million Upper Division Dining and Engagement Center.
In response to this generous gift from Gay and Ed Kirby and their family, the school has secured additional fundraising commitments from donors for nearly 95% of the total project.
“Casady has had a tremendous impact on our family,” said the Kirbys. “Our daughter, Laura, received the Alumni Achievement Award in 2010, and she had the foundation of a Casady School education to set her on the path to become a successful business owner in her life.”
“As a member of the Board of Trustees, I see the fiduciary and financial responsibility of the school through strategic planning and master campus development under exceptional leadership,” Gay Kirby said. “We are proud to be members of the Casady Community and are grateful for the ways in which the school carries its mission forward to make such an incredible difference in the lives of every one of its students.”
The approximately 30,000-square-foot student-centric facility is being designed as a modern state-of-the-art building that is to significantly enhance the dining experience and simultaneously expand community space, supporting and facilitating growth in student enrollment for grades 9-12. It is planned to be situated to the east of the Chapel of St. Edward the Confessor, which creates a spectacular shift for the center of the Upper Division student campus experience to the spiritual epicenter of the school’s foundation.
“I would like to express my gratitude and appreciation to Gay and Ed Kirby and their family, whose philanthropic spirit inspired a transformational gift to underwrite a significant portion of this new Dining and Engagement Center,” said Head of Casady School Nathan L. Sheldon. “The Kirby’s generosity has led the way for several additional lead gifts from members of our Casady Community. These patrons have an exceptional understanding of the positive impact this new facility will have on future generations of Cyclones.
“Our aim is to promote our strong sense of community for all of our high school students and to meet our school’s programmatic needs as we continue to experience enrollment growth pressures as the greater Oklahoma City area population expands,” Sheldon said. “Kirby Family Hall will also serve as a showcase venue, where members of our Casady Community will gather for special events throughout the year.”
Features of the new Kirby Family Hall for Dining and Engagement include:
- Gaylord Student Commons.
- David W. Gorham Terrace, Overlooking the school’s lake, Jaume Plensa Sculpture, Founders’ Memorial, and the Class of 1969 redesigned Butterfly Garden.
- Dining hall, kitchen and servery.
- Laura’s Cafe, a refreshment bar and cafe.
- Browne Family Library and Media Center.
- College counseling and Upper Division administration center.
- Meeting spaces.
- Additional student Classrooms
- Promenade to the west across the chapel lawn that is to continue to host the school’s outdoor commencement exercises each May.
- Redesigned parking and sidewalk configurations.
The school hopes to break ground in the first quarter of 2025 when the remaining $2 million is secured.
The new building is anticipated to open for the start of the 2026-27 academic year.
In addition, Casady School has just completed a $35 million Comprehensive Campaign bringing the total dollars raised over a five-year period to nearly $60 million. The Comprehensive Campaign supports faculty and endowment growth, Annual Fund campaign and bricks and mortar priorities.
Capital projects in the Comprehensive Campaign include expansion and renovation of Loeffler Primary Division to accommodate a nearly 30% increase in enrollment for grades PreK and kindergarten, 8,000–square-foot Mathis Family Strength and Performance Center, 4,000-square-foot Jeff Records Computer Science Center and Payne Family Stadium and Edwards Field Hockey Field, which is a water-based turf field for one of the school’s signature athletic programs.