Campus Center Naming Honors Trow and Elizabeth Gillespie
Family, friends, and fans of the late Trow Gillespie ’65 dodged only a few raindrops April 2 for the dedication of the Gillespie Campus Center.
Assistant Head for Advancement Perry Dement presided over the event, held on the center’s columned front porch.
“Today, we pay tribute to the philanthropy of Elizabeth and Trow Gillespie and to the decades of leadership that Trow devoted to his alma mater. Or, as he would tell you, The School for a Lifetime,” Dement said. “With Elizabeth by his side, the Gillespie leadership and devotion became woven into our school’s growth and improvements over the past 30 years.”
The Campus Center was made possible through Doors to New Opportunities, a turn-of-the millennium campaign blessed by Trow’s leadership as chair. The welcoming design fosters interaction and relationships as well as lifelong memories.
“On a daily basis, students, faculty, alumni, and prospective families pass through these doors and add another memory, large or small, to their MUS experience,” Dement said. “I think it’s fitting that this hub of our campus now bears the Gillespie name.”
Robert J. Hussey, Sr. Chair of Religion Clay Smythe ’85 took the podium to offer an invocation filled with praise and gratitude. “We thank you this evening especially for your servant, Trow,” he said.
Board of Trustees Chair Will Thompson ’95 described a chance meeting with Trow at an MUS basketball game that led to a summer internship at NewSouth Capital Management (co-founded by Trow, Jimmy Thomas ’58, and Steve Morrow ’71), and subsequently, Thompson’s first job.
“I owe a tremendous amount to Trow Gillespie,” he continued. “That man I liked a lot that night at the basketball game became someone I grew to love very much. And I know he loved me. Perhaps that was his best quality. … Trow lived hard, he loved loud, and he competed at every turn. He adored his wife, Elizabeth, and was so proud of his boys, Paul ’01, Stuart ’04, and John. He loved Memphis. But the reason we are here today is because he really loved this place – his school.”
Headmaster Pete Sanders described Trow’s life of giving to his alma mater, including serving on the Board of Trustees from 1995-2025, holding the chairmanship from 2004-08, and chairing the Development Committee. He provided leadership for capital projects through the years, most recently as chair of Bold Vision Bright Future Steering Committee.
But it was his interpersonal skills that most impressed the headmaster. After Trow’s passing in September, he heard wonderful stories about how he made people feel valued. Sanders was no exception, especially when he was new to his position. “He made me feel like he had my back,” he said.
Trow’s winning way with people and irrepressible enthusiasm for MUS made him a successful fundraiser. Dement recalled that in 1996 he asked the new trustee to serve as the first president of the newly formed Ross M. Lynn Society, which recognizes leadership gifts to the Annual Fund. Trow responded, “Let’s do this!” And so began a 30-year association in fundraising leadership that has resulted in $90 million in gifts for the school.
Paul Gillespie ’01, who has followed in his father’s footsteps as Lynn Society president, spoke for the family, recalling his father’s beginnings at MUS – including a water balloon assault on Presbyterian Day School student crossing guards that resulted in a paddling from Headmaster Ross Lynn.
“During his time at MUS he was taught by renowned faculty such as Mr. Springfield, Mr. Hatchett, and Mr. MacQueen. He was coached by legendary coaches Jerry Peters and Jake Rudolph, and he was mentored by headmasters Colonel Lynn and Mr. Thorn.”
Gillespie expressed the gratitude his father felt for the values acquired during his six years at the school, character-building lessons that influenced him throughout his life. “Whether he was working at NewSouth Capital, serving a nonprofit, or acting as a role model for many of us here today, he carried those MUS values with him,” he said.
“Dad felt that if he could help make MUS as good a place for others as it was for him, it would make a difference for a lot of people, and, equally important, it would make a difference in this community. I believe he was able to make quite an impact on many of us here, and our family is thankful to the MUS community for this recognition.”
Watch a video of the dedication HERE. See more images from the event in our Photo Gallery.
Captions:
Gillespie family members, from left, Paige and Paul Gillespie ’01 and their children, Bailey, Grace, and Paul; Elizabeth Gillespie; Alexis and Stuart Gillespie ’04; John Gillespie and his fiancé, Mackenzie Daniel
Elizabeth Gillespie and her sons, Paul, Stuart, and John
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“Today, we pay tribute to the philanthropy of Elizabeth and Trow Gillespie and to the decades of leadership that Trow devoted to his alma mater. Or, as he would tell you, The School for a Lifetime,” Dement said. “With Elizabeth by his side, the Gillespie leadership and devotion became woven into our school’s growth and improvements over the past 30 years.”
The Campus Center was made possible through Doors to New Opportunities, a turn-of-the millennium campaign blessed by Trow’s leadership as chair. The welcoming design fosters interaction and relationships as well as lifelong memories.
“On a daily basis, students, faculty, alumni, and prospective families pass through these doors and add another memory, large or small, to their MUS experience,” Dement said. “I think it’s fitting that this hub of our campus now bears the Gillespie name.”
Robert J. Hussey, Sr. Chair of Religion Clay Smythe ’85 took the podium to offer an invocation filled with praise and gratitude. “We thank you this evening especially for your servant, Trow,” he said.
Board of Trustees Chair Will Thompson ’95 described a chance meeting with Trow at an MUS basketball game that led to a summer internship at NewSouth Capital Management (co-founded by Trow, Jimmy Thomas ’58, and Steve Morrow ’71), and subsequently, Thompson’s first job.
“I owe a tremendous amount to Trow Gillespie,” he continued. “That man I liked a lot that night at the basketball game became someone I grew to love very much. And I know he loved me. Perhaps that was his best quality. … Trow lived hard, he loved loud, and he competed at every turn. He adored his wife, Elizabeth, and was so proud of his boys, Paul ’01, Stuart ’04, and John. He loved Memphis. But the reason we are here today is because he really loved this place – his school.”
Headmaster Pete Sanders described Trow’s life of giving to his alma mater, including serving on the Board of Trustees from 1995-2025, holding the chairmanship from 2004-08, and chairing the Development Committee. He provided leadership for capital projects through the years, most recently as chair of Bold Vision Bright Future Steering Committee.
But it was his interpersonal skills that most impressed the headmaster. After Trow’s passing in September, he heard wonderful stories about how he made people feel valued. Sanders was no exception, especially when he was new to his position. “He made me feel like he had my back,” he said.
Trow’s winning way with people and irrepressible enthusiasm for MUS made him a successful fundraiser. Dement recalled that in 1996 he asked the new trustee to serve as the first president of the newly formed Ross M. Lynn Society, which recognizes leadership gifts to the Annual Fund. Trow responded, “Let’s do this!” And so began a 30-year association in fundraising leadership that has resulted in $90 million in gifts for the school.
Paul Gillespie ’01, who has followed in his father’s footsteps as Lynn Society president, spoke for the family, recalling his father’s beginnings at MUS – including a water balloon assault on Presbyterian Day School student crossing guards that resulted in a paddling from Headmaster Ross Lynn.
“During his time at MUS he was taught by renowned faculty such as Mr. Springfield, Mr. Hatchett, and Mr. MacQueen. He was coached by legendary coaches Jerry Peters and Jake Rudolph, and he was mentored by headmasters Colonel Lynn and Mr. Thorn.”
Gillespie expressed the gratitude his father felt for the values acquired during his six years at the school, character-building lessons that influenced him throughout his life. “Whether he was working at NewSouth Capital, serving a nonprofit, or acting as a role model for many of us here today, he carried those MUS values with him,” he said.
“Dad felt that if he could help make MUS as good a place for others as it was for him, it would make a difference for a lot of people, and, equally important, it would make a difference in this community. I believe he was able to make quite an impact on many of us here, and our family is thankful to the MUS community for this recognition.”
Watch a video of the dedication HERE. See more images from the event in our Photo Gallery.
Captions:
Gillespie family members, from left, Paige and Paul Gillespie ’01 and their children, Bailey, Grace, and Paul; Elizabeth Gillespie; Alexis and Stuart Gillespie ’04; John Gillespie and his fiancé, Mackenzie Daniel
Elizabeth Gillespie and her sons, Paul, Stuart, and John
Embracing a Bold Vision. Building a Bright Future.
Memphis University School is a college-preparatory, independent, day school for boys in Grades 6-12.
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