Good evening Alixe, my fellow Board members and Milton parents, faculty, students, alumni, and guests. I am so thrilled to welcome you to the Farokhzad Mathematics Center!

As many of you know, Omid and I are the proud parents of a Milton graduate and a current senior. Our family’s experience as part of this exceptional community over the past decade has shown us, firsthand, the profound impact of education in shaping lives.

Our children, Nika and Ryan, began their Milton journeys in the Lower School, where they immediately felt welcome, valued as individuals, and challenged to learn. Witnessing their transformation into bright, confident, curious, articulate young adults has been the greatest joy of our lives. And we recognize the powerful role that Milton has played in their growth.

I’m sure that those among you with children who attend or have graduated from Milton know exactly what I mean. I suspect that what brought us all to this campus was the common belief that a strong educational foundation can spark ideas, fuel innovation, and prepare our children for the challenges the future will bring. I am certain that, in watching your own children’s growth and getting to know their peers, you understand and appreciate that Milton students—some of whom you’ll meet this evening—are remarkable.

As our children made their way through the Upper School, Omid and I decided we would make a gift to express our gratitude for Milton, and to ensure that we support future Miltonians in their own remarkable journeys. When we learned that a new home for math was part of the campus master plan, there was an instant connection. This center would be our contribution.

Omid and I have devoted our careers to medicine and science and we know that an embrace of inquiry, discovery, and innovation is intrinsic to the work we love and to our success. We believe that a strong math education is foundational to the understanding of science, technology, engineering, and so much more. The skills developed in the study of math, like critical thinking, data analysis, mathematical literacy, and yes, creativity, are tools that will serve Milton students on any path they choose.

Looking at this building and the promise it holds for Milton is so incredibly rewarding. We know that collaboration—the ability to come together to solve complex problems, test different approaches, work to overcome failures, and share inspiration—is as important to STEM learning as individual scholarship and mastery of concepts. This new center, with its bright and dynamic classrooms, breakout spaces and nooks for quiet study, and gathering places to work and learn together, reflects research into the best learning environments. We have seen it in action during regular school days and we’ve loved seeing its thoughtful planning brought to life.

Another motivation for our gift is this community itself—the people who make up Milton Academy: the teachers who challenge and champion our students, the coaches and advisors who nurture them throughout their Milton years, the staff who are the engine of this wonderful school, and the leaders who have so thoughtfully shepherded the institution. Leaders like Todd Bland, whose tenure at Milton included the most successful advancement campaign in school history, and Alixe Callen, a gifted leader and educator whose infectious joy for teaching and learning—and of course, Milton itself—will surely inspire and drive future support. As a Trustee, I’ve seen the thoughtful and forward-thinking management of our resources, and the student-centered philosophy that guides every decision.

This math center is a wonderful example of that philosophy in action. We’re gathered in a building that has served this campus for half a century, and yet it feels brand new. The practical reuse and reshaping of existing facilities to meet the needs of today’s students is an approach that our family is excited to support.

And of course—in the spirit of collaboration—the successful completion of this math center would not have happened without the generosity and participation of countless people, including all of you here tonight to celebrate! We are so grateful for your support for Milton and hopeful that you will take as much pride in this building as our family does. This will be a place where the abstract becomes concrete, where theories become solutions, and where students discover the beauty and power of mathematical thinking.

Thank you for being here to celebrate this moment, and thank you for your dedication to Milton Academy.