Beaumont School received a $2 million gift, the largest single gift in school history, from Steve and Debbie Klug, past parents, grandparents and longtime benefactors of the all-girls Ursuline high school in Cleveland Heights.
Wendy Hoke, Beaumont president, announced the gift, which serves as the lead gift in the Heart of Beaumont Campaign, which the Klugs are co-chairing. The initial phase of the $8.2 million campaign will redesign the school’s student experience spaces, including a state-of-the-art kitchen, dining, student learning commons and athletic facilities. Bialoski Cleveland Architects is designing the capital improvements. Construction is expected to begin in the spring.
“It was about 30 years ago that I joined the Beaumont board and met this wonderful person named Sister Margaret Ann (Kelley, OSU, Beaumont class of 1949),” Steve Klug said. “I was so awed by her energy and determination that I said if I was ever able to support Beaumont that I would. Debbie and I have quietly done that over the last 20 years, and this year we decided to make our support public in the hope that it would encourage others to join us.”
“This transformational gift from Steve and Debbie Klug is a testament to the value of our Ursuline mission of educating young women for life, leadership and service,” Hoke said. “Student daily life has changed and so must schools. Learning space must be linked to support culture, communication, collaboration, creativity, connectivity and critical thinking. With Steve and Debbie’s leadership support, the new spaces will open endless opportunities for our talented students right in the heart of our campus,” she added.
“We’re delighted with the Klugs’ leadership in advancing our students’ academic and total school experience. Because of their commitment and investment in the legacy and mission of Beaumont, future generations of young women will continue to receive a well-rounded education and be prepared to change the world,” said Suzanne Hanselman, board chair and partner at Baker Hostetler,
Steve Klug served on the Beaumont board in the early 1990s. His daughter is a Beaumont alumna and he has two granddaughters attending Beaumont, with four more to come.