How One Family’s Leap Became a Lasting Legacy
When Eion and Mia Hu ‘30 ‘30 moved their family from New Jersey to Miami, they weren’t just relocating — they were making a defining decision for their children’s future. Like many parents considering a major move, the question wasn’t simply where to live, but how their children would grow once they got there.
That question led them to Gulliver.
Their twin sons, Owen and Jacob, arrived at Gulliver in fifth grade and are now thriving eighth graders. From the very beginning, the Hu family felt something rare: a school that delivered academic rigor and athletic excellence without sacrificing community, confidence, or care.
“It was the only school we applied to,” Eion recalls. “We had done the diligence, talked to families, and for what we wanted, which was strong academics, real support for student-athletes, and a well-rounded experience, Gulliver wasn’t just the best option; it was the only option.”
The move to Miami was a leap for Owen and Jacob, who were leaving behind close friends and familiar routines. What surprised the Hu family most was Gulliver’s culture.
“The welcoming nature of this community really blew us away,” Eion says. “The parents, the faculty, the leadership, and especially the students, made my boys feel like they belonged almost immediately. That matters more than people realize.”
That sense of belonging sparked confidence and self-esteem. Today, Owen and Jacob are thriving in the classroom, with their peers, and on the field playing football and lacrosse, as they continue to explore new interests.
“Kids need exposure. They need to try different things, find what excites them, and grow into themselves,” Eion explains. “Gulliver understands that.”
For the Hu family, Gulliver became the foundation of their Miami experience. The friendships they formed, both for their children and themselves, transformed what could have been a challenging transition into what Eion describes as “the greatest move of our lives.”
That gratitude is at the heart of the Hu family’s philanthropy. “We don’t give out of obligation,” Eion says. “We give because we are grateful.”
Their appreciation has already translated into transformational impact at Gulliver. In 2022, the Hu family made a $1 million gift to name Hu Court, a newly constructed gymnasium located inside the Athletic Center on the Upper School Campus — a space that reflects their belief in the power of athletics to build discipline, teamwork, and confidence.
Now, as Gulliver celebrates its Centennial and looks toward the future through The Next 100: The Centennial Campaign for Gulliver, the Hu family has once again stepped forward, pledging an additional $1 million as a Founding Principal for Next-Level Teaching & Learning.
“To be competitive and excellent, you have to invest. You invest in faculty. You invest in facilities. You invest in innovation. That’s how a good school becomes a great one,” Eion says, who believes giving is a lifelong commitment. “This is something my wife and I want our boys to learn: you show gratitude. Gulliver has given so much to our family, and we’ll always give back.”
Leadership, Vision and the Next 100 Years
Families like the Hus embody the spirit of Gulliver’s Centennial with a shared investment in excellence, community, and possibility for students to think, create, and grow with purpose.
For Owen and Jacob, Gulliver helped turn a big move into a confident new beginning. For Eion and Mia, it transformed Miami into home. And for Gulliver, their generosity and leadership are helping ensure that future generations of students will experience that same sense of belonging and opportunity.
Beyond philanthropy, Eion serves as a member of the Gulliver Board of Trustees and now the Centennial Committee to help guide our school’s impact for the next 100 years. What excites him most is Gulliver’s influence on the city itself.
“No school in New York, Boston, or San Francisco can transform its city,” Eion says. “Gulliver can transform Miami. Gulliver represents Miami, and the direction of the school will help dictate the direction of this city.”
