RE Log Spring 2018

24 Ransom Everglades LOG SPRING 2018 Jeffrey: I have a long history with Ransom Everglades, and the Ransom School before that. I went to high school here, Class of ’79. My brother ( Stuart Miller ’75 ) and sister ( Leslie Miller Saointz ’77 ) went here. Both of my chil- dren have gone to Ransom Everglades; one ( Anthony Miller ’15 ) graduated, one ( Lenny Miller ’21 ) is in ninth grade. Nine nieces and nephews have attended, and I’ve served on the board for 10 years or so, and I’ve also chaired the board. So my involvement has been pretty consistent over the years. I see Ransom Everglades as an integral part of my own life, and a pillar of the community. It’s not only a great high school and middle school, but it’s really a community builder. Constance: I didn’t volunteer for this, I was recruited by Jeff – but happily. It’s an honor. As I listen to Jeff describe his long connection to Ransom Everglades, it occurs to me that I’m a good complement. My family doesn’t have the legacy that his does here at this institution – of course, that is my hope in the future for our family. We are a new family here. I was born and raised in Michigan. After earning my MBA from the University of Michigan, I moved to Atlanta to open several restaurants and clothing stores. From there, I moved to Fort Lauderdale and then Miami, where I worked as a marketing director at a healthcare company. That’s how I met my husband, Mike, who also was in the healthcare industry. That was 18 years ago. This is a school I wish I could have attended, and I’m very happy to provide this opportunity for our youngest son, Cristofer. This was the school of choice. It is a perfect fit for Cristofer, and I feel that Cristofer adds to the Ransom Everglades community. Our family supports many philanthropic and worthy causes here in Miami, but this particular investment is very special to me. What better place for me to spend the next five years, as my son finishes his schooling here, and at a pivotal time for Ransom Everglades? What a great institution this has been for the past 100 years. To have the opportunity to contribute to a major transformation – one that will reverberate throughout the city of Miami – is inspiring. Jeffrey: I was involved during the last capital campaign, which provided new fields and facilities to the Middle School. I’ve been involved in upgrades to the athletic buildings and the construction of the Ansin Aquatic Center on the Ransom Campus. This particular revitaliza- tion – which we are calling REinventing Excellence – is especially exciting because it’s going to expand the Upper School campus with the inclusion of the La Brisa property. It will also be transformative for the Upper School academic buildings – which is long overdue. We haven’t had a new academic building on the Ransom Campus for over 40 years. Constance: REinventing Excellence is about more than just buildings – I want to emphasize that – but it will bring new buildings, and I am very excited about that. Why? For me, the attraction to Ransom We are adding seven acres of land, but there is not going to be a push to add another 1,000 kids here. We like our size. We like the intimacy of our classrooms.” – Jeffrey “