Honoring Deep Roots
As the sons of a Navy pilot, Brian Caine P ’27 and Shawn Caine grew up “almost all over the world,” as Brian puts it. He was born in Montana, while Shawn was born in Japan. Their family lived in Texas, Kansas and Washington, DC, eventually settling in San Diego (Brian and Shawn are both alumni of the USD’s School of Law). “We’ve had a long family history of a lot of sacrifice and a lot of service,” notes Shawn. “Our military roots are deeply embedded, and we want to support any military family in any way that we can.” Brian’s son Beckett, a current junior, started at Bishop’s as a sixth grader. When the opportunity arose to establish a scholarship for Bishop’s students with a military background, the brothers knew they had to take it.
The Captain Paul and Nancy Caine Military Scholarship Fund is named for their parents, both of whom passed away in the last few years. Paul and Nancy established scholarships at the University of Montana, which they both attended, so this new gift continues another family tradition. “They would be really happy with it and supportive of this gift,” says Brian. “And very proud,” adds Shawn, “just as they always were of Beckett.” The Fund is named for both parents to reflect the brothers’ deep gratitude to all military family members – both the ones who wear the stripes and the ones who make it possible. “It’s one thing to talk about our dad and his great service,” says Shawn. “He was a very distinguished aviator. But our mom – all the spouses, whether it be the wife or the husband, there’s a level of sacrifice they contribute to make sure that the family goes on, and to support one another.”
“There’s a cultural aspect that I like seeing Beckett immersed in, which stood out for me at Bishop’s as compared to other schools. It has a lot of good diversity and different-minded kids who have made Beckett’s attitudes well-rounded and positive. He has good friends and good friendships.”
Beckett’s experiences at Bishop’s made the brothers certain about their commitment. “It’s been a really good character-build for him to have that academic challenge,” notes Brian. “The teachers have been very supportive and helpful, and I think he’s developed a lot of grit. I’m really grateful for him to have had that opportunity.” As a proud uncle, Shawn says, “There’s a cultural aspect that I like seeing Beckett immersed in, which stood out for me at Bishop’s as compared to other schools. It has a lot of good diversity and different-minded kids who have made Beckett’s attitudes well-rounded and positive. He has good friends and good friendships.”
The brothers also appreciate the School’s sensitivity to the particular challenges that can come with being a military family. “They get orders and sometimes have to move around, and kids might come in during the middle of the school year,” explains Shawn. “Brian and I were impressed at how aware Bishop’s is of those types of things. The School even has outreach to the military, which meant a lot in terms of our motivation.”
Through this gift, the Caine brothers recognize and honor yet again their family’s long-standing relationship with the U.S. military. They’re looking forward to connecting students from a military background with a school that “can really expand their worldly thinking,” as Shawn puts it. “These students will become bigger contributors to the world, and we need that.”