Honoree Spotlight: The Schooler Family Legacy Lives On at The Piney Woods School

This November, The Piney Woods School will proudly honor The Schooler Family Foundation of Coshocton, Ohio, during a special ceremony at its 116th Founder’s Weekend. For more than a century, the Schooler name has been intertwined with the story of Piney Woods — a legacy rooted in friendship, generosity, and an unwavering belief in the power of education to transform lives.

The Schooler family’s connection to Piney Woods dates back to the early 20th century when Seward Dean Schooler joined his close friend Everett Reese on the school’s Board of Directors. Before embarking on a successful banking career in 1927, Seward worked alongside his father, Hampton, in the family’s ice and egg delivery business in Frazeysburg, Ohio. Beyond business success, he was deeply devoted to civic life and philanthropy — a calling that would shape his family’s values for generations.

One of the most treasured stories from this early connection is the 1971 birthday gift Seward presented to Piney Woods founder Dr. Laurence C. Jones — a handcrafted wooden chest filled with $86 in coins. Though modest in amount, the gesture symbolized the spirit of friendship, humility, and generosity that defined both men and their shared belief in education as a force for good.

In 1986, Seward and his wife, Edith, established the Schooler Family Foundation, formalizing a tradition of giving that has sustained Piney Woods through the decades. The foundation’s grants have been instrumental in helping the school navigate challenges, expand opportunity, and continue offering life-changing education to students from across the nation and around the world.

Following Seward’s passing in 2002, his son Dean Schooler carried the torch of leadership and service. Over the next four decades, Dean served three terms on the Piney Woods Board of Directors, offering wisdom, humor, and steadfast counsel. His quiet but impactful influence left an indelible mark on the institution.

Reflecting on Dean’s leadership, President Will Crossley shared:

“Dr. Schooler always functioned as a quiet conscience of the Board, subtly but consistently reminding us of the institution’s historic legacy and our fiduciary responsibilities for its future.”

President Crossley also recalled the Schooler Family Foundation’s lifesaving support during one of the school’s most challenging financial moments:

“We were literally on the brink of closure, having failed to meet important obligations for many months. The natural gas company had disconnected service, and the milkman notified us they would no longer deliver. In the most dire of circumstances, the Schooler Family Foundation provided an emergency grant that set the stage for the thriving conditions we now pursue more than 12 years later.”

Today, the Schooler legacy continues through Dean’s brother, David R. Schooler, who serves as President of the Foundation, and his daughter, Heather L. Schooler, who serves as Vice President — along with family members Steven J. Barr, Matthew W. Schooler, Wesley H. Schooler, Deana Schooler Puls, and Chelsea H. Schooler. Together, they uphold the family’s enduring commitment to community, philanthropy, and education.

Piney Woods also welcomes Steven J. Barr, Foundation board member and husband of Heather Schooler, as a new member of The Piney Woods School Board. Mr. Barr brings more than three decades of experience from his distinguished career at PricewaterhouseCoopers, where he served as a partner prior to retirement. He is guided by a deep passion for purpose-driven work. His expertise in finance, consumer markets, and sustainability aligns powerfully with Piney Woods’ mission to prepare young people for lives of impact.

The image accompanying this feature depicts the Schooler family’s Central Ohio home, where founder, father, and grandfather Seward D. Schooler was born — a powerful reminder of how deeply the family’s legacy is rooted in both place and purpose.

As we gather for the 116th Founder’s Weekend, we celebrate not only the Schooler Family Foundation’s steadfast support but also the generations of compassion, leadership, and faith that have kept Piney Woods strong. The Schooler family’s century-long partnership reflects the very heart of our mission — the belief that education can light the path forward for generations to come.