The Academy was grateful to receive his gifts almost always in the same amount and at the same time each year.

What did turn out to be a wonderful surprise was Grant's posthumous $9 million bequest in 2002. This truly remarkable gift holds the distinction of being the largest donation ever made to Shady Side Academy in its 125-year history.

Grant enrolled as a first former in 1936 as a member of the class of '42. He enjoyed school and Shady Side Academy in particular. Following the 1940 school year, Grant's father's business took the family away from Pittsburgh, and Grant left the Academy after only four years. In New Jersey he attended the Lawrenceville School and later the Hun School. His formal education was interrupted by World War II when he enlisted in the Merchant Navy, ultimately rising in rank to Second Engineer. At the end of the war, Grant returned to the Hun School, earned his diploma and then went on to attend Columbia.

Grant Shipley was a devoted and faithful supporter of the excellent work being done at Shady Side Academy. The Hillman Performing Arts Center as well as the incredible transformation of Rowe Hall into a state of the art learning facility shall forever stand as testaments to Grant M. Shipley's generosity towards and affection for Shady Side Academy.