The Dunham School honored 2023 distinguished award recipients Amy and Brad Dutruch, Heather Augustus, and Jacob Zumo ’07 at the Founders Dinner held on Saturday, April 29. The evening also paid tribute to the school’s founders, its 2022-2023 volunteers, and former and current board members, including Scott Bardwell ’91, Brad Dutruch, David Fleshman ’04, and Chris Hicks, who will retire from the board in June.
The Founders Dinner is an annual event designed to celebrate God’s continued faithfulness and express gratitude to members of the Dunham community for their service, generosity, and dedication to the school’s mission.
For the past two decades, Amy and Brad Dutruch have played a vital role in ensuring The Dunham School’s continued success through their leadership, philanthropy, and voluntarism.
Brad has served on the board of trustees since 2015 and has led the charge to improve the campus and reshape the school’s financial position. Since joining the Dunham community, Amy and Brad faithfully have supported every fundraising campaign and have encouraged others to give generously. As Pillars of Purpose campaign chairs, they frequently hosted dinners to engage and inform other donors.
The Dutruchs have made volunteering a priority, both as a couple and individually. Amy has been a Jubilee co-chair, a parent ambassador, lower school room mom, and a member of the McKay Academic Center advisory board. In addition to his work on the advancement committee, Brad frequently can be seen cooking with the Men’s Club, and, together, they have served as football team parent representatives.
Whether it is through their servant leadership, their financial contributions, or their passion to see the school prosper, Amy and Brad Dutruch have created a legacy that has had an impact not only on the lives of their three sons, Hunter, Andy ’25, and Cooper ’27, but many other Dunham students. It is our honor to recognize them as the 2023 recipients of the Katharine O. Dunham Philanthropy Award.
The Katharine O.Dunham Philanthropy Award was established to recognize donors who have demonstrated, through direct financial support, outstanding charitable responsibility and whose generosity encourages others to take philanthropic leadership roles at The Dunham School. Motivated and dedicated to seeing TheDunham School succeed, they have championed fundraising for the school. Recipients exemplify the same heart of giving demonstrated by Mrs. Dunham, a heart of thoughtfulness and sacrifice grounded in a desire to see The Dunham School’s mission endure.
Heather Augustus joined the Dunham community in 2014 when she and her husband, Greyson, enrolled their three boys, Chase ’21, Jase ’21, and Braden ’23, at the school. Since that time, Heather has given selflessly of her time and talent to support Dunham through her volunteer efforts. Whether she is working behind the scenes at a basketball game, reaching out to new parents, or assisting at special events, Heather’s delight in giving back to her boys’ school can be felt by all.
In addition to serving on the Pawbackers board as president of the 6th Man Basketball Club for six years, Heather has been an active member of the Carnival committee since 2016 and was the upper school liaison for the Dunham Parents Association for three years. She also has been a frequent volunteer at many other school events, including the Lower School Bookfair, Field Day, Breakfast with Santa, and Homecoming.
Anyone who has had the pleasure of serving alongside Heather will tell you that when she is assigned a task, she never fails to get it done on time and with a smile. Always willing to lend a hand, Heather is quick to ask how she can help and remains unruffled despite the challenges that often ensue when planning special events. When problems arise, she works to find a positive solution and then makes sure that solution is executed.
Heather’s dedication, service, and joyful spirit have left an indelible mark on the Dunham community. It is a great honor to present her with the 2023 Tabb Family Distinguished Service Award.
The Tabb Family Distinguished Service Award recognizes and celebrates an outstanding volunteer who has gone above and beyond by using his or her time and talents to better The Dunham School. So many volunteers have made such an amazing impact on our community but perhaps none more so than Mary and Donald Tabb. Without their influence, prayers, sacrifice, and determination The Dunham School would not be here today.
In high school, Jacob Zumo had a passion for two things, basketball and art. When not on the basketball court with Coach Pixley, Jacob could be found honing his painting skills in the art studio with Mrs. Hackler.
After graduating in 2007, Jacob attended Belhaven University in Jackson, Mississippi, on a basketball scholarship. When injuries ended his basketball career, Jacob pursued his passion for painting, making a name for himself through his portraits of top musical artists and the live paintings he created at events such as the MTV Video Music Awards and the Super Bowl.
Seeking a new direction for his career, Jacob applied to and was one of only eight students accepted to the Sacred Art School in Florence, Italy, where he continued his formal training in the arts. When the news of his grandfather's declining health reached Jacob, he returned home to care for his grandparents. His grandmother's strong Catholic faith became a significant influence in his life, fueling a desire to build a bridge from dark to light through the spiritual aspect of his art.
In Baton Rouge, Jacob has gained prominence in the arts community for his modern interpretations of religious iconography and the large, eye-catching murals found around town. In 2022, he was honored as part of Greater Baton Rouge Business Report’s Forty Under 40 class and was named Best Visual Artist by 225 Magazine.
Jacob and his fiancée, Haley Hudson, host speakers and events at his studio, Art by JZumo, where they also plan field trips for students to see and discuss art in an effort to inspire the next generation of Christian artists. Jacob is known for his service to the community as well, most notably through his charitable work with St. John the Baptist Church in Zachary, Louisiana, which has raised more than $150,000 to bring an end to sex trafficking.
The Distinguished Alumnus Award recognizes a graduate who has made significant contributions to society and whose accomplishments, affiliations, and careers have honored the mission and legacy of The Dunham School.
