Grandview Heights Schools Receives Additional $290,000 Alumni Donation for Conservation and Music Programs, Totaling $500,000 Overall

Two Grandview Heights High School alumni have donated a total of $500,000 to Grandview Heights Schools to be used for cross-curricular environmental stewardship and music. 

Warren Klink (Class of ’59), a Navy Seabee veteran and award-winning landscape architect of gardens in the U.S. and Great Britain, and Carolyn Guggenaster Wyman (class of ’60), a professional musician, now reside in Beaux Arts Village, Washington. “We have always stayed connected to our midwestern roots and the community that supported us," said Klink and Wyman.

Their initial donation of $210,000 was donated due to their passion for conservation and to be used for pollinator gardens to save the planet and be used as a teaching tool for future generations.  When they learned about Grandview Heights Schools new Orchestra programs, they provided the additional $10,000.00.  While the main focus of their donation is to create a legacy of stewardship of the planet for future generations, they are also passionate about music programs and would like a portion of the funds to support musical endeavors.  

"Now we want to show our gratitude and pay it forward to today’s students,” said Klink. “Our hope and intention is that this gift helps them lead the way to community-wide consciousness and stewardship of our fragile ecosystem because that’s what sustains us all. We believe Grandview students can meet our challenge to do just that. And digging in some dirt is always a good thing.”

When the couple recently visited Grandview Heights Schools, Wyman asked the Orchestra Director what they needed to do their work. “Instruments” was his reply. The couple increased their original gift to include the purchase of more instruments so more students could play. “So many doors open to students through music,” said Wyman. “As a musician, I know that when a student finds joy and success in music class, it leads to better attendance, engagement, and success in school.”