Q&A: A Commitment to the Future
Alumnus Malcolm Waddell ’70 Reflects and Looks Ahead

Suzanne Bruce and Malcolm Waddell ’70 have a strong commitment to The Kinkaid School.

How has Kinkaid been an integral part of your life in the past and present?

Since the gates first opened at 201 Kinkaid School Drive in 1957 and I arrived in Ms. Schultz's and Ms. Jones' kindergarten class, Kinkaid has been a big part of my life. Besides the education received and friendships made, I have had the privilege of serving my alma mater as a Phonathon caller, member and President of the Alumni Association Board, continuing education teacher, and, most important, as a parent. I currently serve on the J. Barry Moss Distinguished Speaker Series Committee and as our class correspondent, now in my 22nd year at that post!

A lot has changed at Kinkaid over the years. What are some of the biggest changes you've seen?

All of the buildings that now make up Kinkaid. During my 13 years, I have had access to and benefited from a state-of-the-art school and campus. And over the ensuing years many new structures have helped the School stay on the cutting edge. Just take the Blaffer Auditorium, for example. It was one of the finest performance halls in all of Houston when it opened in 1957, and 58 years later our Brown Auditorium holds that same distinction. But what hasn't changed is Kinkaid's commitment to developing the whole child, placing equal emphasis on academics, sports, arts and music, and, just as important, character development and service to others.

What do you see as Kinkaid's opportunities for the future?

The biggest opportunity ahead for our School is the development of the 25-acre Milby property to the west of our original campus. The School has expanded to 1,400 students with high school classes almost double the size of mine from 1970.

Our sports programs and educational and extracurricular offerings have grown dramatically over the years and need room to expand. A new twenty-first-century high school is a high priority. The development of the new acreage beginning this year and all that it will unleash is very exciting.

Why do you choose to support the School financially?

Like many alumni, I am grateful for the education, the wonderful faculty and coaches, the lifelong friendships, and the access to sports and activities that Kinkaid gave me while I was a student there.

I am also thankful for the education and opportunities that the School provided Suzanne's and my daughter Amanda ’06. Looking forward, Kinkaid will continue to produce intelligent, thoughtful young men and women, many of whom will be future leaders in their chosen fields in the Houston community and beyond.

Through our ongoing gifts along with those of many others, we want to see Kinkaid continue its mission to see our students discover and develop their talents to fulfill their best potentials.

There are many ways to help Kinkaid students reach their full potential. Contact Lisa Wood at (713) 243-5023 or lisa.wood@kinkaid.org to learn how a gift in your estate plan can leave a legacy for our students.