Clock Tower Naming Honors Touchton Family and Faculty
On May 30, 2013, Berkeley’s faculty and staff gathered in the quad surrounding the iconic clock tower in the center of campus to celebrate the naming of the Touchton Family Clock Tower at a dedication ceremony that symbolized a culmination of generosity for those in attendance.
The event’s guests of honor, John ’86 and Susan Touchton and their children Jack ’19, Catherine ’21 and Ryan ’24, were recognized for their generous support of the Berkeley Master Plan through a recent gift to the Above & Beyond Campaign – a gift that honors Berkeley’s faculty and staff. Through their gift, the Touchtons join the Berkeley faculty and staff to support an effort to name the clock tower. Berkeley’s faculty and staff collectively gave an impressive $250,000 toward the effort. Speaking on behalf of the more than 100 faculty and staff in attendance, Middle Division Director Cindy Boss shared the collective sentiment of her colleagues saying, “We love supporting the place that we love.”
The event’s guests of honor, John ’86 and Susan Touchton and their children Jack ’19, Catherine ’21 and Ryan ’24, were recognized for their generous support of the Berkeley Master Plan through a recent gift to the Above & Beyond Campaign – a gift that honors Berkeley’s faculty and staff. Through their gift, the Touchtons join the Berkeley faculty and staff to support an effort to name the clock tower. Berkeley’s faculty and staff collectively gave an impressive $250,000 toward the effort. Speaking on behalf of the more than 100 faculty and staff in attendance, Middle Division Director Cindy Boss shared the collective sentiment of her colleagues saying, “We love supporting the place that we love.”
John credits his Berkeley education for influencing the person he has become. He shared that he and his family were inspired by the generosity of the faculty and staff, many of whom in attendance taught him as a student, to complete the clock tower naming initiative. “I cannot tell you enough how inspirational it is to the parents, the campaign committee and the entire Berkeley community that you (the faculty and staff) took the lead on this initiative. It was so impactful and inspirational for our family.”
Susan added that she and John understand the unlimited opportunities a Berkeley education can provide for their children and others. “The experience that you have given my children is unbelievable,” she said. “Our children love to come to school; they love to learn; and they are excited about their schoolwork. These are gifts that you all have given them that we can never fully repay you for.”
Soon a plaque recognizing the generous efforts of the Touchton family and the Berkeley faculty and staff will be erected for all to see. Over time, the Touchton Family Clock Tower will become a campus landmark for students across generations. Like McCleary Mound, the Touchton Family Clock Tower stands as a symbol that honors those who have made a perpetual commitment to the success of the school and its students.
Berkeley Preparatory School
Founded in 1960, Berkeley is an independent, Episcopal, college-preparatory day school located in Tampa, FL, for boys and girls in grades Pre-Kindergarten through 12. Approximately 1,400 students gather here from the greater Tampa Bay area to form ONE Berkeley.