Michael and Deanna Schlesinger fell in love with Campbell Hall almost instantly. As prospective parents, they attended a chapel at which Head of School Julian Bull was speaking and were struck by the overwhelming sense of community. “We formed an immediate connection with the school,” says Deanna. “When Julian addressed the students, he emanated incredible warmth and love and conveyed a fierce intelligence. He represented the soul of the school, articulating its mission by demonstrating all the good that was being done not only at the school itself but in the greater community as well. It was clear from that chapel that Campbell Hall was the perfect fit for our family.”

For more than 20 years, Michael and Deanna have been involved with numerous education-focused nonprofits and public partnerships that benefit underserved students in the Los Angeles area. “Our involvement with such institutions stems from our dedication to advocating for educational equity,” explains Michael. “When we realized that Campbell Hall had a longstanding commitment to furthering this same goal through its public partnerships, we knew that the ethos of the school squarely aligned with our family.”

Michael and Deanna feel that, in addition to a strong academic preparation, Campbell Hall provides students with the understanding that they are global citizens with responsibility to a broader world. For all four years of high school, their sons Cameron ’20 and Brandon ’23 both served as mentors in Campbell Hall’s CREW program (Creative “Riting” Enrichment Workshop), working with 4th and 5th grade students in underserved Los Angeles schools, to bring a tailored curriculum that both instructs and inspires these young authors. Cameron ’20 also worked in the Campbell Scholars Program (CSP) which helps underserved yet high achieving first generation students and their families along the college and career pathway. “We feel that anyone - students, teachers, and alumni - who work in these programs get more out of it than the students they are serving,” says Deanna. “In fact, our entire community benefits.”

Michael and Deanna’s belief in the school’s mission and their commitment to advancing educational equity has led to a number of ways in which they support Campbell Hall. Michael serves as a CH Board member, is on the Building & Grounds Committee, and chairs the Public Partnership Committee. Deanna serves on the Religious Life Committee. The couple has also hosted a number of CH fundraising events at their home. In addition, Michael and Deanna have committed a major gift to support the construction of The Holiday Center.

Though their sons will not benefit directly from The Holiday Center, Michael and Deanna are passionate about providing underserved students with educational opportunities. By leveraging the school’s resources and talent, Campbell Hall is able to do just that and, in the process, CH students gain so much in return. Michael notes, “This spirit is something every student carries with them for the rest of their lives.”