Wallace Wadman and his wife Florence, joined the LCA community as parents in 1980. Two of their sons graduated from LCA. It didn’t take long for Wally to be asked to join the Board of Trustees in 1985. His expertise was in investing. David Roth remembers, “Wally was friendly, gentle, easy to get to know. He had a sophisticated understanding of finance [crucial to the school’s survival at that time]. His kids were bright and athletic, and could have attended some of the historic prep schools in the area, but he and Florence sent them to LCA. They showed a real commitment to Christian education.”
Wally worked closely with Gordon VanderBrug to develop a school that was both excellent academically and unmistakably committed to being a Christian school. After Gordon retired as chair, he continued to encourage Wally who became the board chair. The two often met with members of the administrative team to ensure that Vision 2000 became a way of life at LCA.
When Mark Davis became Head of School in 2006, Wally and Florence welcomed the Davises wholeheartedly. Rose Davis had to stay in Philadelphia for the first part of the school year, so with their typical generosity, the Wadmans hosted some of the Davis family during their transition. Mark describes him: “Wally was a splendid man! Besides serving on the Board for many, many years, the Wadmans generously supported the school. I know that he and Florence sponsor the Fellowship of Christian Athletes huddle at LCA.”
In fact, Wally and Florence are still sponsoring the FCA Huddle at LCA. It is not at all uncommon to see Wally and Florence arrive at LCA with a tower of pizza boxes each week for the FCA meeting, This connection has allowed the Wadmans to build relationships with many athletes, some of whom they have mentored into college and beyond. It is impossible to know the full impact that Wally and Florence have had on LCA’s direction and its athletes over the years. Their service to the school, which includes an unprecedented ongoing commitment to service on the Board spanning more than 40 years, has been based on their belief that God is pleased with the work being done.
Written and edited by the story.lca.edu Timeline Team. To read more about the rich history of LCA and its faithful stewards who made LCA the place of excellence it is today, visit story.lca.edu.