In 2008, the J. Ronald McLean Memorial Endowment was established by Jeff Corwin ’65 to honor the memory of Ronnie McLean, a Blair Academy student from 1966 to 1967. This thoughtful gift supports necessary counseling resources for Blair students, ensuring they have access to vital mental health services as they navigate the challenges of adolescence.

Jeff’s journey that led to creating this endowment is one shaped by personal loss, compassion and a deep understanding of the importance of personal connection. When Jeff arrived at Blair in 1963, he was a struggling teenager dealing with the death of his mother and the absence of consistent parental guidance. The Blair community provided him with friendship, structure and a sense of belonging—though it took time for him to fully embrace these opportunities. Jeff graduated from Blair and pursued a degree in psychology, following his interest in child and adolescent development. Quite circumstantially, in the spring of his first year at college, he met Ronnie McLean, a 15-year-old from his neighborhood who was precariously surviving on his own without parental support or guidance.

Ronnie’s story was one of resilience. He had faced years of neglect and abuse at home, leaving him with few options. The chance encounter with Jeff changed his life. Ronnie saw in Jeff a source of kindness, strength and hope, and Jeff, recognizing the similar struggles they both had faced, stepped in to try to change Ronnie’s situation. “In a short time, Ronnie became the younger brother I had never had….I was determined to protect him from the awful circumstances that had plagued him and somehow orchestrate a stable support system that could give him opportunity and a better future.” Jeff’s determination led to Ronnie’s enrollment at Blair, where he was safe from the abuse and given all the advantages that a Blair education might provide. Just 15 months after his graduation from Blair, Jeff, 18, returned to Blair as Ronnie’s legal guardian and acting “parent.” Though Ronnie’s time at Blair was brief, it left a lasting impact on both their lives.

Tragically, Ronnie’s life ended when he was only 19, leaving Jeff grappling with grief and an endless trail of “what ifs” that defied answers. After years of reflection, he was left with the question of how to honor his young friend’s spirit. “I am certain that, had Ron lived, he would have made a positive difference in the lives of others. He was compassionate, caring and had a deep understanding of childhood adversity.” Four decades later, during a return visit to Blair, Jeff found the answer: creating the J. Ronald McLean Memorial Endowment. Through its funding of professional counseling services, the endowment supports students who may be struggling with any kind of personal problem. With this gift, Jeff has ensured that Ronnie’s legacy endures, fostering a culture of care and understanding at Blair Academy.

“Adolescence is a time in your life when difficult but manageable problems can seem overwhelming. Today’s kids have the extra layer of social media pressures—challenges that we could never have imagined many years ago. An effective counseling program, where kids do not feel stigmatized and can reach out to talk to someone, is vital at a school today. If a student is sidetracked by significant problems in their personal life, all the rest of what Blair has to offer them can become out of focus. The regular availability of counseling resources may provide the key underlying support and continuity that allows a student to find a personal balance, affording subsequent success at Blair and beyond.”

Since the establishment of this endowment, Blair’s counseling department, services and programs have continued to grow to meet the needs of the School. Jeff has further honored Ronnie with a planned gift through his living trust that will add to the endowment, ensuring that it carries forth in perpetuity, supporting the Blair experience for future generations of students.

To join Jeff and others supporting counseling resources at Blair, your contribution can be designated to the J. Ronald McLean Memorial Endowment.

Throughout this article and in a series of interviews, Jeff Corwin ’65 shared his reflections on the creation of the J. Ronald McLean Memorial Endowment. All quotes in this story are drawn from those conversations.