When walking through campus, you are bound to hear students outside saying, “Meet me in Shattuck” or “Let’s go to Shattuck cafe” at any time of day. It’s a name every student knows, printed on schedules, spoken in passing, and embedded into students’ daily lives. But few know the story behind the name, and the fact that long before it became the center of academic life at Nobles, Shattuck Schoolhouse was something much more personal: a way to remember someone who never got to see what the school would become.
For Mayo Shattuck (N ’72), the name isn’t about personal recognition. In fact, it’s about something much more meaningful: family, memory, and giving back. “The history behind that is my father went to Nobles and graduated in 1944,” Shattuck said. Shattuck later attended Nobles as a 5-day boarder. “When I was a 13-year-old boy, [my father] sent me off to Nobles. I didn’t really understand much about boarding school at the time,” he said.
Shattuck’s father’s presence at the school was unmistakable. “I saw all his old photos on the walls of Richard Gymnasium … He was a really prominent man. He stands out in all the photos,” Shattuck said. That early connection with the school deepened. Over time, he says, “I grew to love it … and I had sort of shared this bond with him.”
That bond is what ultimately led to the naming of Shattuck Schoolhouse, but not in the way many students assume. “It’s a little confusing to some people because we have the same name,” Shattuck admitted. “But I donated the money and named it after my father.”
The gift came at his 25th Nobles reunion, after his father had passed away. “I always felt like I wanted to do something to memorialize his name,” Shattuck said. What began as a tribute has since evolved alongside the campus itself. The building has undergone multiple renovations, each reflecting the school’s growth and Mayo Shattuck’s continued investment in school culture. In the most recent renovation, Shattuck updated the dedication to include his mother, who also loved Nobles and lived to the age of 99. The Shattuck Schoolhouse is a living symbol of generational connection, a theme that runs throughout Nobles’ history. “My father went to school with and then worked with Bobby Lawrence, for whom Lawrence Auditorium is named. There’s a poetic elegance to the fact that the Shattucks and the Lawrences have this long-standing generational relationship with Nobles … the campus has changed so dramatically for the better,” Shattuck said.
Shattuck’s connection to Nobles extends far beyond a name on a building. His time at the school helped shape his philosophy of leadership, which would guide him through a career in investment banking, philanthropy, and major corporate boards. “I think that my time at Nobles was extremely valuable to me. It gave me the structure and confidence to be someone who could make things happen and lead,” Shattuck said. That mindset eventually led him to roles including CEO of Constellation Energy, president and chief operating officer of Alex. Brown & Sons, and chairman of major companies such as Exelon, Gap, and Capital One. He also served on the Board of Trustees at Johns Hopkins University, where he donated $1 million towards a new burn unit at the Children’s Center, among other significant philanthropic projects. The hospital was able to construct the Shattuck Family Pediatric Burn Unit, consisting of 205 treatment rooms, along with educational facilities for students, residents, and fellows at Johns Hopkins Hospital. Despite the scale of his career, his core principles remain simple. “Success in life is a function of humility, humanity, and courage,” Shattuck said.
When asked what students should take away from his life experience, Shattuck emphasized something surprisingly reassuring: Students don’t need to have everything figured out right now. “Everyone’s expecting you to know what you’re going to do, and it’s really hard,” he said. Instead, he encourages students to stay curious and open. “Make sure you’re still learning, and don’t stay stagnant,” he said.
This mindset feels especially relevant at Nobles, where students are constantly balancing academics, athletics, and future plans. For Shattuck, the school’s role isn’t to provide a fixed path to success, but to build a foundation for character. Now, decades after he first arrived on campus, the foundation that Nobles provided him still matters deeply. “It means a lot to me, as much now as it has my whole life. I really believe in the school and its values,” Shattuck said. He also believes in responsibility and the idea that alumni should act as supporters of the institution. “The students come and go, but graduates should enjoy the gratification that comes with being a good steward of a school that’s helped you,” he said.
The next time you walk with a friend into Shattuck Schoolhouse, it’s worth pausing and reflecting. The name on the building isn’t just a label, but a story of family, loss, gratitude, and giving back. Most notably, Shattuck’s story is a reminder of the importance of remembering where you came from and the significant impact that Nobles students can make.
