Mitch Koppleman '69 is guided by two principles he learned from his father: Leave what you touch in better shape than you found it, and be sure to give more than you receive. Mitch's father demonstrated the courage to stand by decisions that seemed right to him, guided by his own faith, even if they weren't always popular.

Along with his twin brother, Mitch started school a third-generation Gilman boy on the classic Baltimore track: Calvert-Gilman-Princeton. But in time Mitch's parents concluded that Gilman was unable to give both Mitch and his twin brother a fair shake - his mother once said the only thing her boys had in common was that they both liked the dog. Here's where the courage of Mitch's dad shone: Over objections from Gilman and family, Mitch moved to St. Paul's for ninth grade. A precedent was set, for St. Paul's then welcomed his cousins - three Koppelmans, four Mitchells, and then two Mitchell sons.

Mitch was far from a typical student. Poor eyesight compromised his athletic endeavors but not his ability to see through a camera. He honed his skills as the school photographer, from publications to football films. With faculty guidance, Mitch helped launch the St. Paul's closed-circuit TV station in 1968 and began producing weekly shows for the school community. Mitch was accepted at St. Paul's without making the honor roll or playing lacrosse, embraced and encouraged for who he was and what he could contribute.

After college Mitch pursued an exciting career in photojournalism. He took a position with United Press International, and by age 22had been nominated for a Pulitzer Prize for his coverage of the fall of Vice President Spiro Agnew - Mitch's photo of Agnew leaving the federal courthouse appeared on the cover of Newsweek. Cameras in hand, he's covered presidential campaigns and five presidents; traveled on Air Force One; and shot natural disasters, civil strife, World Series games and Super Bowls. Mitch was recruited in 1982 to be the founding Director of Photography for USA Today, then in 1985 by Reuters to help launch their global pictures service. After nearly three decades with Reuters, Mitch currently manages their broadcast business in the Western Hemisphere, doing business with major news networks throughout the Americas, including CBS, NBC and CNN.

Mitch credits his success to the dedicated group of St. Paul's teachers who gave him the tools to succeed: determination, perseverance, integrity, faith and respect for others. He learned that conformity was not always an asset, and to question authority and challenge conventional wisdom with thoughtful and respectful arguments. Mitch's proudest moment at St. Paul's? He was named the first recipient of the "Athletic Excuse Award," bestowed at graduation by PE coach Howard Emsley, who immediately retired the award, proclaiming that no one would match Mitch's determination and creativity to avoid sports.

To Mitch, the decision to make a legacy gift to St. Paul's was a simple but significant way to leave the School in better shape than he found it, and to give back to St. Paul's a part of what he received. Every evening, on his way home from Washington, he catches a distant glimpse of Brooklandwood on the hill, a reassuring sight that reminds him that the tools he was given during his time at St. Paul's are still sound.

For Henry 'Punch' Peterson '57, St. Paul's has always had a special force about it. "St. Paul's has always had a spirit that manifests itself in everything we do," he says. "It's a spirit that permeates the school, a mystique." He credits the St. Paul's mystique for molding well-rounded individuals, true St. Paul's gentlemen. Punch certainly embodies that St. Paul's spirit. Though perhaps best known for his accomplishments on the lacrosse field, including the C. Markland Kelly, Jr., Award for the best lacrosse player in the State of Maryland, he was active throughout his years at St. Paul's, as a member of the Glee Club, Yearbook, and the esteemed Spectator Club.

After St. Paul's, Punch attended the University of Virginia, where he garnered First Team All-American honors for his performance on the lacrosse field. He went on to a career with US Steel, where he served as the president of their supply division in Chicago for many years. In 1987, the Petersons moved backed to Baltimore, where Punch founded BBC Steel of Timonium, a steel brokerage and distributing firm.

Since his return to Baltimore, Punch has shown his mettle as a staunch alumnus. He served on the Board of Trustees from 1994 to 1998, was honored with the Distinguished Alumnus Award in 1997, and was inducted in the St. Paul's Athletic Hall of Fame in 1998 as part of the inaugural class. Punch has also been an extremely generous and committed supporter of the School's Annual Fund and Capital Campaigns. He was a principal donor of the Kent W. "Skip" Darrell Distinguished Teacher-Coach Chair, part of The Campaign for St. Paul's School: Honoring Our Legacy; Forging Our Future, which he funded through a charitable gift annuity.

Charitable gift annuities are an income-producing legacy gift whereby donors transfer cash or other assets to St. Paul's School in exchange for its promise to pay the donor an annuity for life. For the Petersons, a charitable gift annuity "provided the opportunity to give a significant, meaningful gift without affecting our lifestyle one bit." Punch calls a charitable gift annuity a "painless way to give, a big kept secret."

Gifts like Punch's are a win-win for the donor and St. Paul's School. Punch and his family have the security of receiving income for life, while knowing that his gift will allow St. Paul's to continue to mold well-rounded individuals, true St. Paul's gentlemen.

With Jim Price IV '42 as its inaugural member, St. Paul's Brooklandwood Society was founded in 1997. The Society has since grown to more than 100 reflective, appreciative, loyal donors who have made a legacy gift to St. Paul's. As a former trustee and trustee emeritus, as well as the Honorary Chair of the Sesquicentennial Campaign, Jim has been one of St. Paul's strongest supporters, "I attended St. Paul's and had three children who went here," he says. "I also have two grandchildren who recently graduated from St. Paul's, one in Middle School and two granddaughters who graduated from the Lower School. St. Paul's has always been a good school, and it's getting better."

In 1993 Jim, along with members of his family, established St. Paul's first endowed chair with a legacy gift, the Price English Chair. Jim also established a life-income gift called a charitable remainder unitrust (CRUT), with a large portion of the proceeds going to St. Paul's. "Gifts to the School and particularly to the endowment, ensure that the students here receive the finest possible education," he says. "Without endowment, the cost of education goes through the roof and affordability becomes an issue. We can't let that happen."

"Uncle Sam has given us a number of tax reasons to do more for the School with less out-of-pocket money, and in many cases it can positively affect one's current income," he continues. "I encourage other alumni, parents, and grandparents to investigate the new ways of thinking about estate planning. There are a lot of options out there, and St. Paul's School and the education of our future generations should be a top priority for all of us!"