Marburn Academy's 39th Annual Gala: SHINE Online

Easton Raffle

Karen and Rick have been community leaders of Columbus for more than three decades. They joined the Marburn community in 2005 when their son, Jack, entered the first grade and have been generous contributors to the growth and advancement of the school ever since.  

Karen's leadership role revolved around supporting teachers and families both inside and outside the classroom. One of the key needs she identified was a lack of organized parent involvement in the school and was a strong advocate for the formation of the Marburn Parent Teacher Organization. While Karen worked inside the school, she encouraged Rick to join the Board of Trustees. He has served as the Chairman and Treasurer during times of exponential growth for the school. 

Both were instrumental in leading the campaign to acquire 17 acres of land in New Albany and build the new campus. Thanks in large part to their efforts, Marburn now has a home that will grow with it for many generations. It provides creative spaces that are conducive to all learners and elevates a feeling of pride in faculty and staff that inspires excellence.

Karen and Rick will be the first to say that there were many, many people involved in the project and it took a bit longer than they hoped. In 2017, Jack was among the first graduating class of the new building. 

The Milenthals are visionaries and passionate about education. When asked about their proudest moment they don't talk about buildings or fundraising campaigns. They cite their work to help Marburn create a competitive salary structure for teachers to ensure excellence. Their vision is for parents to say "my child is lucky enough to go to Marburn" instead of "my child has to go to Marburn". They know every child can benefit from a specialized approach and they envision a time when Marburn will be the nationally recognized leader, innovator and disruptor in the field of education and instruction.  

Each and every day Marburn Academy students overcome learning differences. SIMPLY PUT, THEY SHINE. 

Marburn Academy is proud to present SHINE ONLINE 2021, a fully virtual program in support of students who learn differently. Angela An, WBNS-10TV morning news anchor will emcee the event honoring Karen and Rick Milenthal. Enjoy an evening in celebration during a virtual event featuring live and silent auction items, a program highlighting Marburn students, and a presentation of our event honorees. 

Marburn Academy is a not-for-profit, independent day school devoted to serving the educational needs of students who learn differently due to dyslexia, executive function difficulties, and attention issues. Opened in 1981 with 12 students, Marburn now educates more than 370 students year-round. Students from approximately 34 Central Ohio school districts attend the school. 

Marburn Academy's mission is to celebrate students who learn differently, empowering them to awaken their potential, to achieve success in school and life, and to drive positive change in our communities.