Peter W. E. Becker: Gunnery’s Eleventh Head of School page 2 THE GUNNERY Bulletin AUTUMN 2012
Feb 18, 2016
Peter W. E. Becker: Gunnery’s Eleventh Head of Schoolpage 2
The Gunnery BulletinAUTUMN 2012
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The Gunnery Bulletin | AUTUMN 2012
f e a t u r e s
2 Peter W. E. Becker: Gunnery’s Eleventh Head of School
7 Gunnery LEADS Program
10 Vitual High School
11 Steve Bailey in Hong Kong
d e p a r t m e n t s
12 C O M M E N C E M E N T
16 O N C A M P U S
20 AT H L E T I C S
23 A L U M N I W E E K E N D
28 N E W T R U S T E E S
29 S U P P O RT T H E G U N N E RY
32 C L A S S N O T E S
40 I N M E M O R I A M
BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND SCHOOL OFFICERS
Peter W.E. Becker Head of School
Stephen W. Baird ’68 Chairman
Joan A. Noto P ’97 Vice Chairman
David E. Kaplan ’81, P ’13 Vice-President
Jay B. Sheehy ’73 Treasurer
Peter B. Slone ’73 & P ’11 Secretary
Patrick M. Dorton ’86 Jonathan M. Estreich P ’06
Gerrit Vreeland ’61 Members at Large
TRUSTEES EMERITILeo D. Bretter ’52 & P ’88
Jonathan S. Linen ’62Val J. Prevedini ’69
ALUMNI ASSOCIATION PRESIDENTDavid N. Hoadley ’51
BOURNE COUNCILStephen W. Baird ’68Stephen P. Bent ’59
Leo D. Bretter ’52 & P ’88Edsel B. Ford 2nd ’68Jonathan S. Linen ’62
Val J. Prevedini ’69William S. Smilow ’82Jonathan M. Tisch ’72
Roy S. Walzer ’65 & P ’86
GUNNERY COUNCIL PRESIDENTBrandon J. Dufour ’02
PARENTS COUNCIL CO-CHAIRSSusan and Mike D’Elia P ’12 & ’13
COMMUNICATIONS OFFICE CONTACTTodd C. Santa Maria,
Director of Communications and [email protected]
ADVANCEMENT OFFICE CONTACTLaura D. Eldridge P ’12,
Director of Institutional [email protected]
ADMISSIONS OFFICE CONTACTShannon Baudo,
Director of [email protected]
PHOTOGRAPHERSCoffeepond Photography
Phil Dutton ’81Anna KjellsonPaloma Torres
DESIGN & PRODUCTIONCEH DESIGNBethel, CT
Richard C. Colton, Jr. ’60 Duncan “Dick” Ebersol P ’08
Gretchen H. Farmer P ’05James R. Gallop P ’14
John M. Greenwood ’71David N. Hoadley ’51
Francis X. Macary ’77 & P ’03, ’05, ’07 & ’15
Kirsten PeckermanEugene A. Pinover P ’01Sarah Scheel Cook ’82
Christine B. Stonbely P ’99Richard N. Tager ’56 Peter S. Twombly ’74
Find the Gunnery on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, iTunes, and YouTube.
Peter is a graduate of the University of Virginia, where
he earned a B.A. with Distinction in Religious Studies,
and Yale University, where he earned an M.A. in History.
He was awarded a Fulbright Grant to study classical
history, architecture and archaeology at the American
Academy in Rome, Italy. Prior to his eight year tenure
at The Lawrenceville School, Mr. Becker worked as
an investment banking and venture capital analyst,
where he gained the finance and management skills
he has drawn on throughout his career. Peter moved
from investment banking to work for the Fellowship
of Christians in Universities and Schools (FOCUS),
a non-profit organization that supports independent
schools as they serve the needs of students. At FOCUS,
Peter led development efforts, particularly in the areas
of fundraising and opening new regions.
As Peter and Amy Julia were getting settled on campus,
they took some time out to talk about their first
impressions about Gunnery and the role of family in
their lives.
arrives on campusPeter BeckerHead of School
Right: Amy Julia and Peter Becker, Head of School Opposite page: Peter with family William, Penny,
Amy Julia and Marilee
he Gunnery’s eleventh Head of School, Peter Becker arrived on campus this past summer
with his wife Amy Julia and children, Penny, William and Marilee. Upon arrival, he met
with the trustees, administrators, and faculty and got accustomed to his new surroundings.
Most recently, Peter was a Master of History and Interdisciplinary Studies at the
Lawrenceville School in Lawrenceville, New Jersey. He led the redesign of the Interdisciplinary
Program’s curriculum seeking different ways to instruct, encourage and inspire students to learn
and communicate. He was also the Housemaster of Kennedy House. In addition, Peter was the
Director of the Humanities Program, and a coach of the girls’ varsity squash and boys’ freshman
tennis teams. He also held Lawrenceville’s Shutt Faculty Chair for four years.
T
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Above: Peter with Marilee
Top: The Becker family (from left to right) Penny, Amy Julia, Peter, Marilee, and William
What did you see in The Gunnery that made you want to come?
What first attracted me to The Gunnery was the enthusiasm
about the school demonstrated by people I trusted immensely.
First and foremost in that category is Lance Odden, a former
Gunnery trustee and the Headmaster of Taft when I attended.
Lance knows independent schools—and boarding schools
in particular—better than anyone and for him to speak as
glowingly about the school made Amy Julia and me very
excited about the prospect of leading it.
Second, before the search process heated up, Amy Julia and
I made a clandestine day trip to Washington. We drove
through campus, briefly had lunch in the Depot, and went for
a hike in Steep Rock. What probably struck us most from that
trip was the proximity of the natural world—you can’t go very
far around here before being struck by nature’s beauty, power,
and reality—and that we would like our children to be able to
call a place like this home.
Third, I’m captivated by the example of Frederick Gunn and
am convinced that few independent schools in the country
can look to their founder for inspiration and guidance that
4 | HEAD OF SCHOOL peter becker
Years ago, before we had children
and when we were living in
Richmond, Virginia, Peter mentioned
that he could see us at a boarding
school. It made a lot of sense—at the
time we both worked with students
in independent schools, and we had
met during our own time at boarding
school—and yet I wasn’t sure I wanted
to move back into a dorm anytime
soon. But Peter felt confident, and it
didn’t take too long to convince me.
Within a year of that conversation,
we were on our way to Lawrenceville,
and soon Peter would become the
housemaster for a dorm of thirty boys.
As much as we enjoyed our life at
Lawrenceville, we also always said that
our “dream job” would be in a small
Connecticut boarding school. We
envisioned ourselves in a place where
it was possible to know everyone by
name, and, given my family’s long
history in Connecticut, we hoped to
settle down and raise our children
close to their cousins and aunts and
uncles and grandparents. When Peter
received a call about the position at
The Gunnery, we laughed. It seemed
too good to be true.
We knew our idealized and vague
desire for a “small Connecticut
boarding school” wouldn’t
automatically line up with the specifics
of this historic school in Washington,
Connecticut. But as we got to know
A NOTE FROM AMY JULIA BECKER
remains relevant to the 21st century. His unique example of
both progressive and conservative vision, and the adherence of
Susie Graham and her predecessors to that vision, has helped
anchor the school’s mission and helped it resist the temptation
to blindly follow the latest fads in education. In other words, it’s
a school that knows itself and is proud of its particular vision.
Finally, Amy Julia and I were struck by the size and intimacy
of the community, the love of the place evinced by the
students we met, the passion and dedication of the faculty, and
the quality of the senior staff. That sounds like more than one
factor but I think they are interrelated. We’d always wanted to
continued on next page
“What probably struck us most from that trip
was the proximity of the natural world—you
can’t go very far around here before being
struck by nature’s beauty, power, and reality—
and that we would like our children to be
able to call a place like this home.”
PETER BECKERcommit to a small school because of the depth of relationship
between faculty and students possible there. I don’t think
schools can live up to the standards demanded by the idea of
in loco parentis if the faculty aren’t excellent and aren’t
committed to knowing students well. I’m convinced that is
much more achievable in a small school than in a large one
and we saw that in action when we visited campus last fall.
Penny Becker
William Becker
HEAD OF SCHOOL peter becker | 5
How does family factor into your life?
Amy Julia and I met at Taft and have been best friends ever
since. That’s the foundation of our marriage and without her...
well, let’s just say that without her I don’t think the search
committee would have been interested in my candidacy! We
have three wonderful, rather outspoken children—Penny, who
is six; William, now four; and Marilee, who is a year and a half
old. My family keeps me grounded—it’s hard to get too full
of yourself when you’re changing diapers and Amy Julia loves
me so much that she’s happy to point out when she thinks I’m
wrong. They are all excited to make The Gunnery home and
we’re excited that, when they’re adults, our kids will consider
The Gunnery where they grew up.
What have you been up to over the summer months?
Over the past few months, I have met and corresponded with
current trustees, parents, faculty, administrators, alumni,
residents of Washington, and not enough students. One of my
primary goals at this point is to get to know the school from a
variety of vantage points. Everyone I’ve spoken with shares a
passion for the school. Collectively, they are the backbone of
this amazing institution.
In early July, I spent a week at The Institute for New Heads run
by the National Association of Independent Schools. It was an
invaluable experience to get to know seventy other new heads as
we were briefed by experts in the operational aspects of school
life. I’ve also tried to spend some downtime with my family.
I’ve been touched in particular by the outpouring of enthusiasm
from alumni, as represented in particular by the stories they’ve
shared with me. Many are funny, some are sad, and all of them
have been touching. They demonstrate the loyalty this school
engenders and the consistency of our mission—we prepare
students for life. Here, students grow in character and wisdom
as they learn calculus and critical thinking and make life-long
friends. It’s humbling and exciting to be at the helm of such a
unique community.
the school, which, of course, really
meant getting to know the people
associated with the school, we began
to believe this community might be
the right fit. I spent a day visiting
classes and talking with faculty and
students last fall, and I came away
with the overwhelming impression
that the members of The Gunnery
community cared about one another
and enjoyed the school. When our
children came to visit that same day,
they couldn’t have been happier
walking through campus and waving
to “new friends” and rolling down
the hill behind the football field. They
are already talking about dinner in the
dining hall and their great backyard.
When I think about my role as the
wife of the Head of School in the
years to come, the word that comes
to mind is hospitality. It’s a word that
means “the friendly reception and
treatment of guests or strangers.”
Our family has already received much
gracious hospitality from The Gunnery
community, and I hope we have an
opportunity to give a similar welcome
to students, faculty, parents, alumni,
trustees, and other members of the
community. I hope our home will
become a place where all the
members of The Gunnery community
feel welcome, and a place where
“guests and strangers” become
friends.
A NOTE FROM AMY JULIA BECKER (CONTINUED)
6 | HEAD OF SCHOOL peter becker
Marilee and Amy Julia
LEADS (Learning for Engagement,
Action, and Dedicated Service) is
described by Academic Dean
Chapin Miller as “a relatively new and
comprehensive program which
incorporates some long-standing
programs such as the sophomore ethics
classes and the junior classes in public
speaking.” It is a four-year curriculum,
based on the mission of the school,
representing a four-year progression to
instill the values of stewardship,
character and community engagement.
The focus builds each year to the point
when as seniors, all Gunnery students
share a common experience based on the
LEADS. model. Additionally, this program
seeks to create an umbrella under which
more intentional interdisciplinary work
will happen.
Despite being a new program, LEADS,
like all other Gunnery initiatives, is
rooted in a deep tradition and value
system. “Frederick Gunn believed
that the most important education was
character education,” said Thomas H.
Hollinger P ’01 & ’04. “Early on, he
incorporated into his school the
importance of developing leadership
skills as well as academic skills. He was
Members of the class of 2015, the latest class to go through the Pathways program, at the end-of-year Freshman Dinner.
LEADS (Learning for Engagement, Action, and Dedicated Service) is described by Academic Dean Chapin Miller as “a relatively new and comprehensive curriculum which incorporates some longstanding programs.”
Takes the LEADSTHE GUNNERY
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with the right mind-set to go about a
scholarly approach to school.”
“My teacher taught me study skills,” said
Megan Salerno ’14. “I was taught how to
study early, set up a schedule, and not
overwhelm myself. I have been using
these skills ever since. As an incoming
8 | THE GUNNERY takes the LEADS.
very insistent that people learn respect
and responsibility. We still refer to Mr.
Gunn’s mission 167 years after he wrote
what he thought was important. It still
informs what we do here.”
Beginning with Pathways, the freshmen
course which was launched as a pilot
two years ago, students engage with
a variety of issues directly relevant to
adolescence: identity, relationships
and communication, health and
wellness, and, finally, the definition
and requirements of leadership. It is a
class in which students are expected to
engage actively with the topic at hand;
it requires that students manage their
impulses, relate effectively to others, and
engage in respectful and constructive
dialogue about subjects that can be
sensitive, but are essential to the reality
of high school freshmen. “This class also
teaches the freshmen how to be good
Gunnery students and make the most
out of the resources here,” said Chip.
“They learn how to be an active student
freshman, I never knew how or what to
study. Pathways changed that for me.”
Unlike the Pathways class, which
asks students to look inward, in the
Ethics & Responsibility class, they are
asked to look outward. Sophomore
students engage in various forms of
discussion—debate, dialogue, and
discourse—around a wide range of
the central issues of our time from the
social to the environmental and beyond.
Developing the skills essential to true
engagement in informed discourse
and learning to respect diverse belief
systems are two outcomes of this course.
Students explore their own personal
moral code, test it against critical issues
and reflect upon its deeper meaning in
their individual lives and as members
of a learning community. The ideal of
service to others is promoted through a
consideration of individual and group
responsibility. Questions of social justice
are raised and explored. Each student
develops a personal statement of moral
principles over the course of the term,
which they deliver to their class at the
end of the term. “We looked at different
situations from 100 different angles,”
said Megan. “I never would have
thought of the things my classmates
were coming up with in each given
situation. This class has made me more
open-minded—every single person has a
story—you can’t just judge them on first
interpretations or encounters.”
The Ethics & Responsibility class is
followed by one of the most recognizable
components of the LEADS program
to most alumni: Public Speaking.
Required of all juniors, this class is
designed to raise student awareness of
the rhetorical implications inherent in
Junior students, through LEADS, are required to take public speaking and make a speech in front of the whole school. Eventually, a select few will be asked to make further speeches down the road. Pictured: Ian Riley, 2012-2013 Head Prefect Elect, speaks at Commencement.
“I was taught how to
study early, set up a
schedule, and not
overwhelm myself. I
have been using these
skills ever since. As an
incoming freshman, I
never knew how or what
to study. Pathways
changed that for me.”
–Megan Salerno ’14
`Working with the Homeless’ as their
theme, they can spend a few hours
working in a soup kitchen, another few
hours in a homeless shelter, and so on.”
An Honors Capstone is also being
considered for students. Students will
have to spend 40–50 hours working
on it. They will also be required to do a
mandated presentation to the school.
“If you look at the progress of LEADS,”
said Craig, “the senior year is about
working in your community. You
become more external. We hope they
(the students) get some satisfaction out
of working on something greater than
themselves. It helps their self confidence
to put themselves out there and
accomplishing something.”
The LEADS program objectives are
also promoted on the school’s Constant
Forward Motion Days. Held once per
marking period, leadership speakers (a
mixture of Gunnery faculty and guest
speakers) meet with the students and
discuss making healthy decisions in a
wide array of areas from nutrition and
exercise to cyber-bullying to the
handling of stress. Tom Hollinger
feels that all the programs within the
LEADS curriculum “lead towards the
goal of getting kids to understand
how important it is to stand up and be
counted, how it matters to work with
others, and how imperative it is to
respect other people’s points of view.”
“These classes have helped me
both in and out of school,” said Tim
Reitman ’14, who to-date has
participated in Pathways and Ethics &
Responsibility. “I have a younger brother,
and I want to make sure he follows a
good example.” These classes have also
given Tim a sense of confidence and
even helped him land a summer job.
In the end, LEADS gave Tim and
countless others what Mr. Gunn had
always intended. “I definitely have a
sense of ethical and moral
responsibility,” said Tim.
public performance and to equip them
with the necessary tools to be effective
communicators. Making students aware
that public speech has a specific goal
and that it must recognize its audience,
this course introduces a variety of
strategies from which to make informed
rhetorical choices for maximum
effectiveness. Students also are taught
specific aspects of performance such as
body language, volume, eye contact.
Students participate in classroom
discussion, give speeches and critiques,
and deliver a final speech to the school
community. Overall, this course aims to
make students comfortable and effective
in front of an audience.
The LEADS program culminates in a
Senior Capstone project, designed to
encourage seniors to give back to their
school community. Thirty hours of
service will be required. “This is a pilot
program for the upcoming year,” said
Kate Merritt, Assistant Dean of Students/
Dean of Residential Life and Pathways
Teacher. “We are hoping to roll it out for
the senior class in the following year.”
“Ten to twelve students are voluntarily
doing this next year,” said Upperclass
Dean, Craig Badger, who heads the
capstone segment with Morgen (Goepel)
Fisher ’03, the other Upperclass Dean.
“Each came up with their own projects
which had to be centered on service.”
Seniors choose to study something that
they are interested in. They can embark
on a number of different activities in
keeping with their theme. Craig said,
“For example, if someone picked
Associate Head of School, Eileen Aguirre-Kelly P ’12, introduces a discussion in the Ethics & Responsibility class.
If supporting the LEADS program is of interest to you, please contact Laura D. Eldridge P ’12, Director of Institutional Advancement at 860-868-7334 ext. 283 or at [email protected].
THE GUNNERY takes the LEADS | 9
Starting in the fall of 2012, The Gunnery will offer
courses as a part of The Virtual High School (VHS)
Collaborative. “This will enrich our already robust
academic program,” said Eileen Kelly-Aguirre P ’12, Associate
Head of School. “We are taking what VHS offers and meeting
pre-existing goals of our academic program.
VHS provides students with access to high quality online
learning experiences and courses not offered at their school.
Each course is taught by specially trained classroom teachers
who are highly qualified and certified in their subject areas.
VHS was founded in 1996 and is credited for bringing
online learning into secondary education. VHS defines
themselves “as a program that provides co-synchronous
courses for secondary school students taught in global online
classrooms, online professional development in 21st century
teaching best practices for educators, support with blended
learning initiatives, custom course development and private
offerings to meet unique educational needs.” Their design
and delivery standards were the model used by the National
Education Association in their recommended standards
for online learning. In addition, VHS has won numerous
awards, including the Stockholm Challenge Award for Global
Excellence in Information Technology and is a three time
winner of the United States Distance Learning Association’s
(USDLA) award for Excellence in Programming and Excellence
in Best Practices.
Inside The Gunnery’s High School
According to Jennifer Wojcik, Gunnery’s VHS Site Coordinator
and Contributing Teacher, “VHS will be used to extend our
curriculum and provide our students with internationally
based options and understanding. The VHS Collaborative has
been successful in the education world for quite some time.
We are very excited to include this as a pilot program within
our curriculum.” Below are some of VHS areas of focus:
■ Six additional AP classes will be available through VHS.
The Gunnery currently offers 16 APs in a number of
different disciplines.
■ “Given our size, the number of AP classes that we
currently offer is large,” said Eileen. “VHS APs allow us
to broaden and further strengthen our academic program
without sacrificing the many benefits of our smaller scale.”
Students can participate in a number of inter-disciplinary
science and technology courses including Animal
Behavior, Epidemics, and Bio-ethics.
■ Term-length courses that enhance the student’s cultural
awareness and literacy will add to our already existing
global and cultural studies offerings.
■ Social Science courses such as Government, Psychology,
and Sociology have also been made available.
For more information on this program, please visit us at www.gunnery.org.
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Beloved faculty member, Steve Bailey, taught Advanced
Physics in Hong Kong for three weeks in July as part
of an international expansion of the Johns Hopkins
University Center for Talented Youth (CTY), a national
program for 7th to 10th grade students. The Johns Hopkins
University CTY program offered six courses including Bio-
medical Science, Cryptography, Intro to Computer Science,
Macroeconomics and the Global Economy, Non-fiction
Writing, and Upper Level Physics.
Students completing Steve’s physics course are expected
to take (and do well) in AP Physics B in the fall. All have
completed at least Algebra II Honors. Many have finished
pre-calculus and will also be taking calculus in the fall.
Each class is composed of 18 students. “In my class,” said
Steve. “I have students from the United States, Hong Kong,
Thailand, Vietnam and one from mainland China. All courses
are conducted at University of Hong Kong Science and
Technology (UHKST).” The eligibility of the students for these
courses requires that they score “with distinction” on the Math,
Science, and problem-solving portions of the World Class Test
(WCT). The WCT is a series of tests created by the British
Government in 2001 to identify academically talented and
creative youth. Students are required to apply creative thinking
and logic in response to math, science, and general problems
and to communicate their thought process clearly on paper.
After a grueling six weeks of classes, Steve was joined by his
wife, Jane, on a trip to China where they were welcomed by
The Gunnery’s Mandarin teacher for the past two years, Jian
(“Johnson”) Wu. Steve, Jane and Johnson traveled to Hong
Kong and Beijing to meet prospective students and their
parents and talk with alumni and current students.
PHYSICS TEACHER, STEVE BAILEY SPENDS SUMMER TEACHING IN HONG KONG
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COMMENCEMENT & prize night
To hear the Commencement speeches – Log into iTunes and
download The Gunnery’s podcast!
iTunes
Samuel James Aguirre-KellySarah Jane AuchinclossSang Jun BaekDaniel John BarkerRyan J. BiddiscombeJameson Fisher BontiMadeleine June BoudreauTimothy Patrick BurnsMiriam Canut SeguraRebekah Anne CapeceCharlotte Elizabeth
Carew-MillerVictoria Lyn CassoneMackenzie Lyn ChaseJohn L. CostelloJibrail Meekaiel CoyJohn Connell Cullen, Jr.Charles Edmund DavolAnthony Paul D’EliaAndrew Phil De PaulisAlessia De VitisAllison Lynn DesaulniersJack Vincent DouglasTaylor Renée DubéKatherine Lea EldridgeAlexa Rae FrageauCassandra Lee FrageauJohn Mark George
Arthur Seiya GordonJohn Leslie GouldAndrew Nolan GrahamSara Lyon HaestadThomas Edward HartRaeburn O’Brien HathawayDaniel Cheng HayThomas Joseph HeubuschPatrick James HigginsBenjamin HjalmarssonChester Andrew HojnickiPeter Francis IaniLindsay A. Jerry-CollinsFan JiangMaxwell James KaufmanMelanie Hulme KellstromHarrison Richard KempRhiana Isabel KestenbaumYea Weon KimZachary Gilbert LarsonAaron Michael LevySarah Marie LombardCameron Paul MacKayDarby Elizabeth MacKayBrett Adam MackellJeffrey Alex Manville, Jr.Frederick Peter Marks II
Veronica Marie McStockerChristopher Mark Olson, Jr.Mackenzie David PeelerAshley Marie PiresErin Renee PotterGraham Hooper PoughJarrid Michael PriviteraJanine Jade ProkschaCharlotte Meta ReillyTyffany Robyn RichardsHugh Marc RinaldiCameron Clarke RomoffBeatrice Danielle RubinEmily Anissa SeguinSarah Olivia ShulmanHayden Marshall SmithSoo-Jin SoPedro SouzaAlexander Louis SprovieroJoseph Sampson Stevens IIElizabeth Mary SutherlandJaren Masayuki TaenakaReneé Simone WallerBrooke Mallory WilliamsJake Cameron WoodYui Ham YanLi-Ting Yu
The Gunnery Class of 2012
Top scholar in the Class of 2012, Jaren Taenaka
12 | THEbulletin
Legacies in the Class of 2012: Charlotte Riley, Elizabeth Sutherland, John George, Mackenzie Chase, Charlotte Carew-Miller, John Cullen, Sarah Auchincloss, Frederick Marks, John Gould, Hugh Rinaldi, Charles Davol and Hayden Smith
Ariel Baum ’03 presents The Chace Award for Excellence in Leadership to Samuel Aguirre-Kelly ‘12
Alessia De Vitis, Lindsay Jerry-Collins, Emily Seguin and Sara Haestad
Madeleine Boudreau, recipient of the Senior Mathematics Department Award, and Charlotte Carew-Miller, recipient of the Brinsmade Prize and The Michael Post Award for Excellence in English, with their advisor Katherine Merritt
John George, Daniel Hay and Andrew Hojnicki
2012 Prefects: Samuel Aguirre-Kelly, Taylor Dubé, Darby MacKay, Elizabeth Sutherland, Charlotte Carew-Miller and Cameron MacKay
COMMENCEMENT & prize night | 13
14 | COMMENCEMENT & prize night
Logan Adams ’15, the recipient of the Teddy Award, with the previous winners of this award, Andrey Yuzvik ’14, Cameron MacKay ’12, Tristan Kishonis ’13 and Ian Riley ’13
The Gunnery chapter of the Cum Laude Society: Matthew Daylor, Katherine Merritt, Anna Kjellson, Eileen Kelly-Aguirre, Sang Jun Baek ’12, Steven Bailey, Ria Han ’13, David Shaffer, Madeleine Boudreau ’12, Mark Conklin, Taylor Dubé ’12, Jarrod Sisk, Brianna Goldstein ’13, Ian Riley ’13, Tristan Kishonis ’13, Charlotte Carew-Miller ’12, William Smith, Pamela Taylor, Susan Graham, Alisa Croft, Craig Badger, Fan Jiang ’12, Jaren Taenaka ’12, Caitlyn Cotton, Alison Frye, Russ Elgin, Selah Stebbins and Amy Paulekas
Dean of Students Christopher Baudo, Dean of Faculty Eileen Kelly-Aguirre, Chairman of the Board Stephen Baird ’68 and commencement speaker Ariel Baum ’03 with Head of School Susan Graham as she was awarded an honorary Class of 2012 diploma.
Seniors on the boys’ crew team: Joseph Stevens, Graham Pough, John Cullen, Christopher Olson, Andrew De Paulis and Cameron MacKay with their coach, Anna Kjellson (center)
Athletic Director Jon Russillo presents the Athletic Cup Awards to Taylor Dubé ’12 and Benjamin Hjalmarsson ’12. Taylor is also the recipient of the 2012 Gunnery Cup.
COMMENCEMENT & prize night | 15
American International College
American University
Boston University (2)
Bowdoin College
Centre College
College of Charleston
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Cornell University
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Franklin and Marshall College (2)
Franklin Pierce University
Furman University
Gettysburg College
Hartwick College
Hobart and William Smith Colleges (2)
Hunter College of the CUNY
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Northeastern University
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Parsons The New School for Design
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Texas Tech University
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The George Washington University (3)
The University of Tampa
Trinity College (2)
Tulane University
Union College (2)
University of Aberdeen
University of Connecticut (2)
University of Denver
University of Redlands
University of Rhode Island
University of San Francisco
University of Vermont (2)
Washington College (2)
Wellesley College
Wesleyan University
Western Connecticut State University
Westminster College
Wheaton College MA
Whittier College (2)
Wilfrid Laurier University
CLASS OF 2012 COLLEGE MATRICULATION
ONcampus
“Teaching is my passion,” Gunnery biology teacher Alison Frye declares. And so
she spent her summer break teaching at the Duxbury Bay Marine School (DBMS) in Massachusetts. This past summer, she directed the ecology education department there, working with 7–14 year olds and instructing high-level ecology courses. The position is a natural outgrowth of her work as an educator last summer at the New England Aquarium in Boston, as well as a continuation of her four-year associa-tion with DBMS as a rowing coach.
Alison grew up fishing, boating, and, as she says, “knee-deep in tidal mud.” At Bates College, Alison majored in biology: earth, environmental, and marine and competed in varsity rowing and swimming. She also studied marine science during a semester abroad in Queensland, Australia, which shaped her passion for conservation biology and inspired her subsequent research
on education as a means of protecting Uganda’s dwindling rainforests. Now, she is passing on her wealth of marine and conservation experience to lucky Gunnery students.
Alison, who arrived at The Gunnery two years ago, is a true daughter of Frederick Gunn. She begins her assumption that her first and most important task is to get students to appreciate their natural surroundings; “then, they will take enthusiastically to the next steps of observation and conservation.” She accomplishes this with multiple encounters with natural phenomena in the classroom and on field trips. The experiment that most captures the campus imagination is the Biology I experiment, which involves incubating and hatching of chicks. Each spring, there are progress reports in the daily student notices of the impending births. And when the first shell gets its first pecking hole, almost everyone on campus finds a minute to stop by the
to Tidal MudFrom Hatching Eggs
viewing station on the second floor of the Science Building to welcome the emerging chicks. The Environmental Science class’s yearly field trip to the Livingston Ripley duck migration research facility reinforces classroom lessons in the interdependence of fowl, waterways, and land use.
Alison introduced Marine Science to the Gunnery’s curriculum. An underclassmen elective, the course attracts both experienced and inexperienced water people, but, by the end of the first week, they are all hooked. Whereas, many of us remember the lab dissection of a frog, Alison’s class dissects a shark. The objective is not only to see how the fish is constructed, but also to see how it is adapting to changing environments and pollution. Alison’s thesis at Bates was on “Using education as a means of conservation in the Ugandan rainforest.” We’re glad Alison has brought her passion to The Gunnery.
16 | THEbulletin
Thomas A. Burger, III ’13 from New Canaan, CT was appointed as Gunn Scholar for the 2012-2013 school year. He plans to study the career of General Benjamin D. Foulois, Class of 1893, who was the founder of the Army Air Force and learned to fly with the Wright Brothers. General Foulois stayed in close touch with The Gunnery throughout his long and illustrious career and left a considerable correspondence. In addition to the history project, Tommy has a particular interest in the subject since he is learning to fly with computer science teacher Elliot Fisher.
During spring break, Andrew Hamilton ‘14, Stephen Macary ’14, Won Jun Lee ’13, Robert Hooper ’14, Raeburn Hathaway ’12 went on the trip of a lifetime to five cities in China with The Gunnery’s Mandarin exchange teacher, Jian Wu. The students visited Beijing, Shanghai, Xi’an, Anqing City, and Yellow Mountain. In addition to the usual tourist sites, they enjoyed a home-cooked meal, a home stay and a visit to the boarding school of one member of a high-level visiting delegation, which came to The Gunnery in the fall. Faculty and students bid a fond farewell to Mr. Wu, whose contract ended in June. They will welcome his replacement, Zhang Rui (Jerry) from Chongqing, China in August.
The Gunnery was nominated for ten Halo awards in the Seven Angels Theaters annual recognition of the best in theatrical performances in high schools and independent schools around the region. Both of the school productions: Picasso at the Lapin Agile and A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum garnered nominations for individual performances as well as lighting, props and management. The Forum was nominated in the category of Best Classic Musical (Pre-1965). Jack Douglas ’12 won the award for Best Comic Performer in a Play (male) in his role as “Gaston” in Picasso at the Lapin Agile.
The Gunnery’s upper class girls’ dorm, Van Sinderen, joined with the Red Cross to sponsor a Blood Drive in the Emerson Performing Arts Center. Emily Seguin ’12 of Fairfield, Vermont, head RA (resident advisor) for the dorm organized this ambitious community service effort. The Gunnery’s students manned the registration tables, provided the refreshments, and, most importantly, recruited donors. Said Kate Merritt, Assistant Dean of Students, “We had seven walk-ins and 37 donors in all; for a first effort, it was spectacularly successful… We are very pleased with the program of dorm-sponsored community service.”
K-c:
ONcampus | 17
Meet the 2012-2013 PrefectsThe following are excerpts from prefect speeches given this past spring to the school community.
HARRISowens Almost everything I have done in the past three years has
most likely involved The Gunnery in some way, and, if I did
not end up here, I would not be at all who I am today … and
that is why I am running for prefect, to contribute to making
the school that has changed my life, an even better place for
all of us, to help us all grow with the school. I am committed
to improving The Gunnery in as many ways possible, and
helping speak out for the student body is undoubtedly one
of the best ways to do exactly that. I strive to help make this
school the best place for us to shape our lives in the most
positive way possible, to be unselfish, and bring together the
community to the best of my ability.
TRISTANkishonis
What should be understood more than anything is that being
a prefect has nothing to do with any of us as individuals.
It is about being an ambassador and representative of The
Gunnery and about giving of oneself for the betterment of
this community. These people sitting here in front of you are
above all things, selfless. They are asking for the opportunity
to give of themselves for all of you, and that is something
we can all truly admire. I, for one, am certainly honored to
be counted among them. And I have no doubt that each
and every single one of us will continue to work to help this
community, prefect or not, and I certainly hope that can serve
as a precedent for all of us.
IANriley Head Prefect
You’re walking, just walking. You don’t really know where
you’re going yet, but that’s okay. I’m walking too; and I don’t
really know any more than you where we’re going. I can point
you in what I think is the right direction, but ultimately, the
path that you take is entirely your decision. The path that we
take will be ours. I’m not here to tell you the definition of a
leader because there isn’t just one definition; everyone has
their own definition, everyone has their own idea of someone
who they would follow. My personal definition of a leader is
someone who is guided by those which they guide. Someone
who takes into account which path that you want to take;
someone who listens, considers, and responds.
WYATTclark The role of a prefect is not an easy one, in part because it is
ever changing. Granted there are a few obvious things, like
leading school meeting, having office hours, and planning
social events. However, these barely scratch the surface; a
prefect must be a leader, a role model. Someone whom you
can approach for a casual conversation or look to for advice
… a prefect should not simply be one who speaks for the
students. A prefect should encourage students to speak for
themselves and act in their own best interests.
ERINsullivanThe prefects are always designing activities and new rules that
they believe, based on the feedback from their peers, would
best help, fit, and entertain the entire community. The role
of prefect is something that is impossible to define because
from year to year our group of prefects is always so different.
This variety comes from the ever-changing community
they represent. New people joining the community, others
graduating and moving on, faculty, success in athletics, and
weather are a few of the many things that impact the way the
school year goes. It is the job of the prefects not to make the
school the way he or she thinks it should be, but to adapt
with the attitude of the community, and work with them to
effectively make changes to better the school.
PAIGEsilengoWhether you consider yourself an active member of our
community or not, I believe that there are many opinions
floating around about what goes on and how our school is
run. I collect them every day and think about them often.
I think about the types of students who go to our school,
the professionalism of our faculty. I analyze our rules and
privileges and I try to adapt to them. I believe that we have to
become more confident in the school we chose to attend while
gaining more respect for our community. My goal is to change
our opinions and perspectives on how amazing The Gunnery
actually is to its core. I would strive towards the type of school
that we are all proud to attend.
“It has been a great spring,” said Jon Russillo, Director
of Athletics. “All of our teams from varsity baseball
to LAX to tennis have turned in solid seasons.” Boys’
varsity baseball (13-4 overall, 9-2 in the league) made
their way to the Western New England Prep Baseball League
Championship. Boys’ LAX (9-6 overall, 9-4 in the league)
got to the semi-finals in the playoffs against Canterbury. In
addition, the golf team ended their season at 15-1. Aside
from the wins and triumphs, the players and the coaches
experienced the success brought about by camaraderie,
sportsmanship, and strong leadership.
One message echoed loud and clear from the fields. This
year, like any other, strong upperclassmen set an example to
the other players on what it means to be a good teammate.
“Our two captains, Anthony D’Elia ’12 and PJ Higgins ’12,
represented what we try to accomplish,” said Jeff Trundy, Head
Baseball coach. “They respected their team mates and earned
Student-Athletes Turn in a Successful Spring Season
Log on to www.gunnery.org on our athletic program, including the latest team scores and coverage of the end-of-year Athletic Banquet.
their respect in the process. Ryan Biddiscombe ’12 and
Hugh Rinaldi ’12 were also significant contributors to the
program and have invested a lot of time and effort in the
last few years.”
This sentiment was enforced by Shannon Baudo, head Girls’
LAX coach. “We have a great group of five senior leaders on
the team; two are four-year seniors. One of them, Charlotte
Reilly ’12, will go on to play at St. Lawrence University.”
Girls’ tennis team coach, Jim Graham said, “Arguably our
group has the most camaraderie and fun of any team that I can
think of on campus. We have players from freshman to senior
on our team. Everyone equally contributes.”
GUNNERYathletics
20 | THEbulletin
The student-athletes gave The Gunnery several exciting
moments during the last few months. For boys’ varsity
baseball, this was their third time competing at the Western
New England Prep Baseball League Championship. “We won
the Championship in 2007 & 2009,” said Jeff. “The kids
certainly enjoyed the moment at the Championship. They
realized it was an accomplishment. They certainly earned the
privilege to be there.” Jeff and his fellow coaches treat every
game with importance, knowing some games will be more
of a challenge than others. “We’ve faced competition against
Berkshire in previous years. We had two great games with
them. Our win against Suffield in the semi-finals advanced
us to the championships. Those games in particular were
highlights to our season.”
Girls’ LAX also saw wins against two of their biggest rivals,
Hopkins School and Millbrook. However Shannon said, “Our
loss against Berkshire was telling. We knew we could keep
up with one of the New England power houses.” Boys’ LAX
played in their first-ever league tournament, the semifinals
against Canterbury. They were third seed out of 14 teams that
made it to the tournament. “The guys have worked really hard
all year,” said Mark Conklin, Boys’ LAX coach. “I was really
happy for them.”
The court action was just as exciting as that on the fields.
“Girls’ tennis highlights included our wins over Canterbury
and Millbrook,” said Jim. “Casey Cullen ’14 won in three
sets in the Millbrook game. Darby MacKay ’12 was terrific in
number one. Izzy Baggi and Amanda Payne came in third in
the Suffield Tournament.”
While Darby was excelling on the courts, her brother,
Cameron MacKay ’12 was leading on the green. Cam along
with the rest of the golf team, finished the season at 15–1.
In an interview with the Housatonic Times, golf coach, Russ
Elgin said, “They were competitive and shooting low scores
during our tryout period. I think the early spring also helped
us. For the first couple of weeks, we were not dealing with
cold and wet days for practice. I think the good start to the
season became contagious and pushed them to be even better.
The three returning players are playing better and the three
newcomers have complemented them very well.” Top players
have been seniors Cameron MacKay ’12, Hayden Smith ’12
and Jake Wood ’12, and juniors Anton Fondelius ’13, Julie
Nopack ’13 and Paloma Vega Gonzales-Ruiz ’13. At The 27th
annual Pippy O’ Connor Independent School Girls’ Golf
Classic, Paloma came in with a score of 77 in a three-way tie
for 2nd and Julie came next in 5th place with a score of 79.
Izzy Bagi ’13, Coach Jim Graham and Amanda Payne ’14 after securing third place in the Number 1 doubles spot at Suffield Tournament.
Boys’ LAX
Girls’ LAX
Three key committees drive the Parents Council initiatives.
The Admissions Committee– Working with Shannon Baudo, Director of Admissions
([email protected]), parents help to facilitate outreach to prospective and incoming families,
support regional receptions, and contribute to campus revisit days.
The Advancement Committee– Working with Chelsea Stuart, Associate Director of The
Gunnery Fund and Parent Programs ([email protected]), parents help to raise nearly $300,000
in parent support and participate in special capital initiatives that fund construction projects and
endow financial aid, faculty support and other academic programs.
The Student Life Committee– Working with Kate Merritt, Dean of Residential Life
([email protected]), the Council enriches the out-of-class experience through dorm
competitions (which usually involve providing food as a reward), barbeques, exam care packages
and other fun events.
Our experience as Gunnery parents has been wonderful.
Our sons, Anthony ’12 and Nick ’13, have grown in
ways that we never would have expected. They have become
leaders in their community. They’ve become more responsible.
They have a self confidence that they didn’t have before. We
can attribute this to our sons’ relationships with their teachers,
coaches, advisors and the partnership we, as parents, have with
everyone at the school.
When a child is entrusted to The Gunnery, it is understood
that the faculty will care for, nurture and educate the students
in their charge. Open communication, frequent interaction
and parent involvement ultimately strengthens the support
system for all students.
The Parents Council is a volunteer organization that facilitates
this partnership and support by helping the administration,
faculty, and students throughout the year. Three key
committees drive the Parents Council initiatives.
• The Admissions Committee
• The Advancement Committee
• The Student Life Committee
Every parent can play a role in the life of The Gunnery.
All parents are already members of the Parents Council by
being a current parent or guardian. Whether you live near
or far, there are ways you can help. We encourage everyone
to get involved.
A Message from Mike & Sue D’Elia P ‘12 & ‘13 Presidents of The Gunnery Parents Council
Sue D’Elia, President of the Gunnery Parents Council, with sons, Anthony ’12 and Nick ’13
22 | THEbulletin
ALUMNIweekend2012
Faculty Member Ed Small delivers a farewell speech to Head of School (and friend) Susan Graham.
Susan Graham presents Trustee, Sarah Scheel Cook ’82 with the 2012 Alumnus of the Year Award.
L-R: Fiona Miodownik ’82 and Susanne Morgan ’82 catch up with Gunnery English teacher, Pam Taylor.
Peter Houldin ’92 addresses the crowd.
Nine alumni were inducted into the school’s Athletic and Arts and Letters Hall of Fame: Inductees above: Thomas Zavorskas’s ’62 son and grandsons accept the citation in his honor. Others include: Carey A. Bodenheimer ’87, Peter H. Smith ’57, Richard L. Feigen ’47, Norman Hines ’57, Peter W. Lash ’52, Jack B. McIntosh ’92, Elizabeth Meyer Kelley ’92, and Bruce K. Adams ’67.
The Alumni Association Meeting.
THEbulletin | 23
The Alumni Row on Lake Waramaug
Friends and classmates at the Blakeslee H. Botsford ’82 Memorial Dedication
The Class of 1987: (left to right) Tiffany Hillkurtz, Meredith Smith, Silvia Mayo Molina, Kate Howell, Todd Rubsamen, Linda Galletto, Page Waller, Pietro Belluschi, and Laura Sherwin
The Class of 1962: (front row) Peter Thom, John Sartorius, Joe Juhas, Rod Brant, (middle row) Henry Soper, Holt Whiting, Bill Wrightson, John Harris, Battle Hamilton, Alan Iselin, (back row) Stoney Bird, Nick Veeder, Jon Linen, Jack Moore, Perry Pepper, Fred Long, and Phil Magnuson
Matthew Cohen ’92 at bat
24 | ALUMNIweekend
Trustee Emeritus Jonathan S. Linen ’62 presents Susan Graham with a special farewell gift: Quotes and Reflections, a book filled with essays and reflections from trustees, administrators, faculty members, alumni, parents, and current students.
Former Trustee, Harry T. Jones III ’53 & P ’89, and current Trustee, Kirsten Peckerman
A Silent Art Auction for Alumni Weekend attendees included 34 works donated by Gunnery and Wykeham Rise alumni. Celebrating Susie Graham’s commitment to the arts, the works included three oil sketches by famed American Impressionist John F. Follinsbee, Class of 1911, contempory works such as those of Tom Farmen ’00, sculpture such as that of Norm Hines ’57, and oil landscapes by Associate Director of Development Tom Hollinger. (Pictured above: Nick Molnar ’72 makes a bid.)
Director of Institutional Advancement, Laura D. Eldridge P ’12 catches up with Rich Nolan ’07 and Colin Thompson ’07.
The Class of 1977: Richard Flanagan, Frank Macary, Steven Cornell, Joel Varley, Martin Pitts, Scott Yale, David Miller and Steven Yale
ALUMNIweekend | 25
Log on to www.gunnery.org to view more photos from this special evening.
Jonathan ’72 and Lizzie Tisch hosted a very
special gathering of trustees, former trustees,
leaders of the school and friends who came
together to celebrate the legacy of Susan G.
Graham, The Gunnery’s first female Head of
School. The event was held on April 4, 2012 at
the Loews Regency in New York City.
Stephen W. Baird ’68, current Chairman of the
Board, served as Master of Ceremonies for the
evening. “Susie is one of the greatest educational
leaders,” said Steve. “She has built a wonderful
team and a community that fosters learning
and growth. With the Board, she realized many
dreams, conquered many challenges, and lifted
the school into a terrific place for the future. She
leaves an indelible legacy.”
S u s a n G . G r a h a m H o n o r e d
Top: Edsel ’68 and Cynthia Ford and Dick and Susan Saint James Ebersol P ’08 join Susie for a photo-op.
Above: Christine Stonbely P ’99 along with Jonathan Linen ‘62, Stephen Baird ‘68, and Roy Walzer ’65 unveil Susie’s portrait for the crowd.
Gerrit Vreeland, Erin and Patrick Dorton ’86
Trustees and Gunnery fathers, David Kaplan ’81 & P ’13 and Gene Pinover P ’01
Above: Susan Graham with the evening’s hosts, Jon ’72 and Lizzie Tisch.
Above: Eileen Aguirre-Kelly P ’12, Associate Head of School, with Roy Walzer, former Board Chair.
Left: Susie with Senior Master, Russ Elgin
Jeffrey Feil P ’98 poses with the Grahams: Susie. Jim, and Sarah
Above: Trustees Kirsten Peckerman and Christine Stonbely with Susie
Left: Jonathan Linen, the Board Chair whom Susie first worked with, poses with his wife Lee and The Gunnery’s tenth Head of School.
NEWtrustees
The Gunnery is pleased to announce
the appointments of Francis X.
Macary ’77 & P ’03, ’05, ’07 & ’15,
James R. Gallop P ’14, and Duncan “Dick”
Ebersol P ’08 to the school’s Board of
Trustees. These new trustees bring a diverse
skill set in mass media communications,
public relations and marketing, investment
management and entrepreneurism.
Frank Macary, CEO of HOB Industries in
Wolcott, CT, can be classified as one of The
Gunnery’s most loyal alums. In addition to
returning for school events and contributing
generously towards the school’s fundraising
initiatives, he sent his four children to The
Gunnery. As each child went through, he
experienced The Gunnery all over again
through their eyes. During this time, Frank
met and spoke with many of the students
and fellow parents. “I can bring some
unfiltered feedback.I’ve been back to the
school many times over the last eight years.
I think it’s important to hear those messages as we shine
this gem.”
Like Mr. Macary, Mr. Gallop is very familiar with the boarding
school scene. He attended the Holderness School in Plymouth,
NH and was looking for a school with similar attributes for
his son. “The Gunnery has an energetic faculty of high quality
who are great role models for kids,” said Mr. Gallop. “They
create an environment where students can prosper, take
risks and learn lifelong lessons. At its core, it is a very
nurturing community.” Mr. Gallop has a background in law
and investment management and is currently focused on
venture capital investing and lower middle market private
equity. He served for nine years as a Trustee of the Holderness
School and continues to serve as a member of the school’s
Investment Committee.
“The Gunnery is a little piece of heaven in God’s country
where, if you are lucky enough as a teenager, you can spend
the best years of your life,” said Mr. Ebersol, television
executive and former chairman of NBC Sports. “I bring a
sense of curiosity to the Board. I really care deeply about what
happens to young people at this stage in their lives and what
they learn to become good citizens. I think it is a privilege to
have an education in the United States, and I am glad to be a
part of that here.”
Macary, Gallop, and Ebersol’s presence will be invaluable in
defining the governance and future leadership of the Board,
particularly at this exciting time. “We are at the beginning of
a whole new era with (new Head of School) Peter Becker, a
terrific young man who has incredible curiosity and ideas,”
said Mr. Ebersol. “It will be fun to be here during this
transformational period.”
Francis Macary, James Gallop, and Dick Ebersol Join The Gunnery Board of Trustees
New Trustees: James R. Gallop P ’08, Duncan “Dick” Ebersol P ’08, Francis X. Macary ’77 & P ’03, ’05, ’07 & ’15
28 | NEWtrustees
THEbulletin | 29
SUPPORT the gunnery
Two of Gunnery’s biggest supporters, Jonathan ’72
and Steven ’67 Tisch recently announced their
commitment of up to $1 million for the building of a
new girls’ dorm. This new residential space which replaces
Butler Dorm will be named Graham House after recently
retired Head of School, Susan G. Graham and will serve as a
capstone and a tribute to her legacy of her twenty-one year
career. Jon and Steve have made this project a priority and put
forth the $1 million challenge to match all gifts over $25,000
and up to $1 million.
Graham House, which will be 20% larger than Butler
Dorm, will hold eleven double rooms or a configuration of
doubles and singles. Resembling the freshman boys’ dorm,
Teddy House, it will be built in the historic Ehrick Rossiter
architectural style. It will have an atrium for natural light and
upgraded amenities such as bathrooms, special bathrooms for
parents, a student lounge and faculty apartments.
A vibrant residential life program is at the heart of our close-
knit community. The Gunnery has traditionally presented a
family atmosphere for boarding students. As Mr. Gunn’s first
students lived with his family and learned social responsibility,
current faculty act in loco parentis as dorm parents in small
rather than large dorms. This traditional pattern allows
adults to insist on the attitudes of respect, service, and
kindness so important to community life.
Once the funds are committed, the Board of Trustees
can approve the construction and secure all permits and
commence construction. Ideally, Butler Dorm would
be taken off-line and student/faculty housing would be
distributed to other dorms for the year that it would take to
complete the building. To be part of this challenge, contact
Director of Advancement, Laura Eldridge at 860-868-7334
ext. 283.
Steven E. Tisch ‘67
Jonathan M. Tisch ‘72
Graham House
Jon and Steve Tisch Present $1 Million Challenge for New Girls’ Dorm
Lucio and Joan Noto P ’97 Commit $1.2 Million to The Gunnery
Joan and Lucio Noto P ’97, long time Gunnery supporters,
have announced their commitment of over one million
dollars to the endowment, the athletic fields and the
College Counseling Office. Their gift also includes a leadership
level contribution to The Gunnery Fund.
“I love the school,” said Joan. “The Gunnery did a great job for
my daughter, Ali ’97. Giving this gift is a way of saying thank
you for helping to make her the woman that she is. They gave
her the attention she needed. She was on the honor roll for
three years. She was tri-captain her senior year. She did very
well academically, went on to Franklin and Marshall, and has
become very independent and successful. This school takes a
child and allows that child to grow in every way possible.”
In addition to her generous monetary contributions, Joan
has served as a trustee since 1996, beginning when Ali was a
student. She has assumed many leadership roles since then as
the Vice Chair of the Board and one of three Co-Chairmen for
the Campaign for The Gunnery. During her tenure, she
has served on the Admissions, Marketing, Educational Policy,
Advancement, and Buildings and Grounds Committees.
“From the moment I met Joan, I knew that she should be
on The Gunnery’s Board of Trustees,” said Susan G. Graham
H ’12. “She impressed me not only as an intelligent
and articulate woman who had embraced her children’s
educational experiences but also as a dedicated parent who
understood the power of leadership through partnership. I’m
thrilled that Joan agreed and profoundly grateful for her many
extraordinary contributions throughout my tenure as Head of
School at The Gunnery.”
Joan, a graduate of the Convent of the Sacred Heart and
Manhattanville College, was an elementary school teacher
and recognizes the importance of educators. “Without your
faculty, you have no school,” she said. “Without a great faculty,
the school will not fulfill its mission and help the students be
the best they can be. We have a very dedicated faculty at The
Gunnery—the majority stay for a long time. They are essential
to the Gunnery experience. The kids come away with very
good friendships with the faculty.”
Joan lived abroad for many years with Lu, the former Co-
Chairman of ExxonMobile Corporation. The Notos and their
five children, Renee, Wendy, Lawrence, Andree, and Ali lived
in Italy, Japan, and Saudi Arabia.
Important Notice for Donor ConsiderationEconomic Growth & Tax Relief Act (EGTRA) or often referred to as the ‘Bush Era Tax Cuts’ is set to expire on December 31, 2012
> IMPLICATIONS
The capital gains and dividend tax rate will increase on assets held
longer than one year.
The gift and estate tax credit amount, currently at $5.12 million,
will go back to $1 million.
NOTE: We hope the goal of all Gunnery contributors is the genuine philanthropic
support the school. Whatever the motivation, it is important for us to inform,
not advise, our community on issues and events which may impact its giving. It is
important to consult with one’s advisor prior to making a gift.
30 | SUPPORT the gunnery
My love and appreciation for teachers and their art
has made a profound impact on my education. I
never considered myself an academic. I remember,
when I was ten years old, and our family moved to Washington
from suburban New Jersey, I was in for a mild culture shock.
I was too young to enroll at Wykeham Rise, but my parents
were impressed by the private schools in the area. Four years
later, and after my parents acquired a home on Roxbury Road,
I enrolled as a day student at WR. It was the first year of the
coordination effort between Gunnery and WR.
One memorable experience was the course, “Introduction to
Anthropology and Sociology,” taught by Mr. Hendrickson. I
earned an “A” for the course, along with the comment: “Mary
has really caught fire!” This was a great feat for me as I was
truly dedicated to the arts, and any poking for me from the
Gunn to continue sciences was paramount.
So, the question is why keep The Gunnery in my will despite
the fact that I hold two Ivy League degrees? The answer is
very simple: The other schools that I graduated from have
endowments in the billions. My life in Washington was worth
more than that.
Thank you, my sister, Carol, WR ’72, Susie Graham and
Gunnery friends along the way who shaped my recollection of
my past into a better place than I could have ever imagined!
Mary P. Cooney, WR ’73, Columbia ’85, Smith ’88
PLANNEDgiving
“So, the question is why keep The Gunnery in my will
despite the fact that I hold two Ivy League degrees?
The answer is very simple...”
> CONSIDERATIONS FOR DONORS
Gifts of appreciated securities may be desirable given the income tax deduction and avoidance of capital gains tax.
Those donors who wish to contribute or fulfill any outstanding pledge commitments may wish to expedite their intentions by the end of the calendar year.
Sources: Yahoo Finance, Bill Beschoff, Smart Money: What End of Bush Tax Cuts Means for You, May 16, 2012
Sharpe Group Newsletter, Give and Take, May 2012, article: Next Few Months Offer “Certainty Window”
http://hoganwilligblog.com/2012/04: Kevin Miller, April 6, 2012: What Are The “Bush Era Tax Cuts” That Everyone is Talking About?
> John Doe has securities currently valued at $40,000 (held longer than one year) with a cost basis of $10,000
> He will pay capital gains on $30,000
> Assuming his current tax bracket is 33%, capital gains will be 15% on the $30,000 or $4,500
> Reverting to the pre-2001 tax bracket, he will be in the 36% bracket, his capital gains will be 20% on the $30,000 or $6,000
> Donating the security to The Gunnery, he would pay no capital gains and could take a tax deduction for the full $40,000
EXAMPLE
Log on to www.gunnery.org to download The Gunnery Annual Report.
SUPPORT the gunnery | 31
The Gunnery News ShackNo matter what it was used for when you were here, The Gunnery’s little brown shingle house with white trim next
to the schoolhouse has always been a standout for its size. It was constructed as a fraternity house (Delta Beta)
for the younger boys in the 1890s. It has been put to many uses in its long life [Ed. Note: most of the time spans
are guesstimated]. It was the classroom for Elizabeth Kempton’s storied art classes in the 1920s to the 1940s. In the
1940s and 1950s, it was The Gunnery News’ home. In the 1960s–1980s it was the Senior Shack where boys with
parental permission could smoke; and, in 1986, it burned to the ground, was entirely rebuilt and, presumably, had its
usage changed. In the 1990s, it was a classroom for foreign languages. In the early 2000s, it was briefly a Gunnery
museum created by members of the class of 2003 with Willy Smith; and then it was renamed Elizabeth Kempton
House in 2005 and dedicated to daytime study halls.
Now it is being rewired, renewed and rededicated to become The Gunnery’s Communication Center. The Gunnery’s
Director of Communications, Todd Santa Maria, took up residence in August. “I wanted to move nearer to the center
of campus;” he said, “Our department will be closer to the pulse of school life.”
The archives would love to know what the News Shack was used for during your student days. If you have stories
to tell, send them to [email protected].
CLASSnotes
32 | THEbulletin
1952Phil Jesup is raising orchids in retirement.
We were happy to see General Peter Lash and his wife Ginger here for his 60th reunion. General Lash was inducted into the Hall of Fame Alumni Weekend. A graduate of West Point, General Lash played varsity football and lacrosse his junior and senior years. His fondest memory is scoring the winning touchdown in the game against Navy. He remarked that he was fortunate to have worked his whole career with very smart people with excellent skills in leadership and, especially, thinking.
Tim Tredwell turned out in force for his 60th reunion. He spends eight months a year in Bonita Springs, FL and four in Newtown, CT. He was recalling great times with Willets Underhill ’31 mowing hay and racing tractors on Long Island, especially one time when he was called upon to haul Willets and his tractor out of a gopher hole.
1953 60th Reunion
1956Colin Colston wrote from Hertfordshire, England, “In my Class of ’56 the English teacher was Michael Post—see the dedication to him in the 1956 Yearbook. His widow, Polly Chatfield was here with his daughter a couple of weeks ago. It was a great time for memories.”
1957From his friend of many years, Donna Plummer, we heard at reunion that Cotton Damon retired as Business Manager from Hebron School, and worked for five more years as Business Manager at the Brookwood School in Manchester-by-the-Sea, MA. He has been pursuing his passion for barbershop harmony for many years, becoming the Contest Administrator for the Northeast District of the Barbershop Harmony Society. He was delighted to find that fellow alum and Topsham neighbor, James Millinger ’53 shared his passion. More recently, he has been singing in a chorus.
Charlie Smith drove north to The Gunnery in late June to show the late Kim Hart’s ’57 brother Val, Norwegian son, Niklas, and his wife and Kim’s grandchildren some of Kim’s old haunts, including Van Sinderen dorm, which in 1957 was the Infirmary.
Between April 1st and June 15th, $100,000 was on the table—and it was up to Gunnery alumni, parents and friends to make new and increased gifts and secure the matching funds.
Well, 165 donors rose to the Challenge bringing in $124,022! Congratulations and a HUGE thank you from all of us on campus including students, faculty, and staff who will benefit from the extra boost.
The LET’S GO GUNN CHALLENGE Recap
Thank You!
1958 55th Reunion
1960“The Class was represented by yours truly, George Krimsky, at this year’s alumni weekend, the last for Susie Graham after 21 years at the helm. It was a grand affair, capped by a dinner dance under a tent. The Class of ’62 showed up in force for its 50th, but not as much as we did in 2010. On the personal front, I’ve retired from the newspaper business after 45 years but am keeping busy with some freelance writing, while Paula and I enjoy our four grandkids and remain comfortably ensconced here in the woods of Washington, CT, with mutt Dixie. Can be reached at [email protected].”
Andy Littauer writes: “I founded a small group of companies in Romania about 18 years ago, which is still running. I was in Bucharest with a brief from U.S. Treasury to work with the World Bank to advance banking privatization and help modernize the existing State banks to bring them closer to an enabling environment. That set in motion, I opted to remain, though with little thought that I’d still be there so much later. I came to Treasury and thence Romania, following many years with a German bank, the last period as regional head in South Asia (including China), living and working out of Hong Kong. My bank opted to move to Singapore and I began a new career which brought me to Eastern Europe. I am spending far less time overseas and finding myself in a role as more interested shareholder who shows up for protracted periods but spends most time on a book I am writing. Can be reached at [email protected].”
1962A 50th reunion yearbook was given to members of the class of 1962. An update was offered by each of the classmates:
After an illustrious career in the army (82nd Airborne Div. and the Army Space Institute at Fort Leavenworth, KS), Jeff Barker eventually became a defense contractor and the senior space instructor at the Army Command and General Staff College. Now completely retired, he counts as one of his many successes his part in the development of the first hand-held GPS system.
Stoney Bird serves as chair of the coal-free Bellingham campaign in Washington state, reserving time also for music-making, for hiking in the Cascade Mountains, and for his personal life.
After a lifetime of working in all aspects of real estate, Rod Brant is dividing his time between Concord, MA where he is working part-time for EPRE INC, Orrs Island, ME and Bradenton, FL.
After working in broadcasting through the ’70s, Craig Carragan tried his hand at computer software and, with a banking friend, eventually grew a commercial software business into a nationwide company. In 2011, he and his wife Clare bought a house in Naples, FL. He plans to divide his time between CT and FL, now that he is a FL resident.
Harry and Jackie Craven have not let grass grow under their feet since retirement from the Environmental Protection Agency in 2003. They are members of the Christian and Missionary Alliance denomination and serve in several ministries for their local congregation. They spent March of 2012
CLASSnotes | 33
in Ghana working as teachers assisting missionaries of a Christian organization known as Rafiki.
Since 1981, Rick Gibbons and his wife Barbara have lived in Cooperstown, NY where he is a practicing artist in leatherwork as well as the owner of a retail leather store, Riverwood Gifts. Barbara is a professor at Stonybrook School of Nursing and their three daughters are married with seven grandchildren between them. Their son is on a traveling sabbatical in South America.
A Senior Economist and Policy Advisor at USAID, Dominican Republic, Duty Greene has taken his Peace Corps experience in Chile in the 1960s and his Ph.D in Agricultural Economics from the University of Michigan to their most effective venues, stationed in Ecuador, Honduras, and the Dominican Republic for the last 25 years. In his regrets about not attending reunion, he mentioned retirement is not too far off.
Starting out in the publishing business as a management trainee right out of college, Kit Hall researched and sold his way to Canada with Midas (Muffler) International. After Midas broke up, Kit, living in Vancouver, went with a small start-up manufacturer, then bought the company, built a manufacturing plant, sold it, and leased it back. Married to his wife Karin since 1963, Kit has two sons, a daughter and five grandchildren and divides his time between West Vancouver and Yuma, AZ, where he is general partner in a 400 acre development, Cielo Verde.
Battle Hamilton retired from teaching three years ago, having taught at the Tatnall school in Delaware for 36 years, coached tennis for 28 years and soccer for 13 years. He loves to work in wood, describing himself as a “woodpecker” rather than a “woodworker.” He’s been married to Gale Cornelia Flynn for 37 years. Two of his children live nearby in Delaware and two live in South Carolina.
John Harris brought a pair of his carved wooden Canadian Geese as a contribution to the Alumni Weekend Art Auction. After establishing a retirement career as a carver of birds in Rotonda, FL, he and his wife Gail have moved back north to Kittery, ME to be nearer his children and grandchildren. He continues “to carve, do a few shows, fish from my kayak, and chase after an uncooperative golf ball on occasion.”
Janet and Buol Heslin have started “an entirely different life” since 2005 ranching in the shadow of the Tetons in WY. In addition to raising sheep, horses, and cattle and the work that entails, Buol enjoys Nordic skiing, horse packing/camping and playing classical guitar.
Alan Iselin reported that he has served science as an illustrator and has, since college, supported himself with his drawing. He now draws with wire.
From Joe Juhas’ 50th reunion bio, one can ascertain that he’s never let any grass grow under his feet: starting as a bartender and children’s party entertainer at Harvard and continuing in progressive politics and civil rights, law school, finance, investment banking and alternative energy, law; living in Kentucky, DC, Manhattan, Hong Kong, and Litchfield. Now he is remarried to his second wife Terry Hopkins and alternating between DC and Litchfield, enjoying their two grandchildren.
Having lived in his home state of Hawaii since 1973, Peter Larsen is enjoying the retired life with his wife Kathleen, four children and two grandchildren. He played soccer and rugby all over the world into his 50s and then took up paddling on a six-man outrigger canoe.
Jon Linen retired as Vice Chairman in 2006 after 37 years with American Express and serves now as Advisor to the Chairman. He has and is currently serving on a number of boards and is an advisor to various organizations. He lives in Summit, NJ and
Dorset, VT with his wife Leila and has three married children and ten grandchildren.
Fred Long retired from the law in 2007 and is living in Denver, CO with his wife Martha. They have four sons and six grandchildren. They enjoy traveling, golf and gardening, volunteer locally, and attend Broncos and Rockies games.
After a career in the Navy, Phil Magnuson retired from a 25-year career teaching middle school science. He recalls fondly his friendship with John and Constance Moore. He lives between Lakewood, NY and Boca Raton, FL, and is in frequent contact with his eight foster sons, saying, “to be a grandfather (easier than parenting).” He volunteers at the children’s science center, in Boca Raton, substitute teaches and is a pro shop guy at Chataqua Institute courses.
Perry Pepper sent a message and a photo to Blair Smith in anticipation of their 50th reunion this past June: “For some reason, Blair, I remember a car ride with you and some Hollins girls, going I don’t know where, but one of them took a great shine to you. She is still one of our best friends, Lee Mansell, now Carvalho, and still just delightful. I include a picture taken at the Hollins graduation and you can see if you can guess which one she was.”
Pepper also reports his retirement last June from a 34 year tenure as the chief adminis-trator of a community hospital which has become one of the leading hospitals in its region. Since retirement he has signed up as a preceptor for medical students at Penn, and is doing some volunteer work at The College of Physicians in Philadelphia, and at a clinic for folks who don’t qualify for medical assistance.
Devoted grandfather of three, David Mathewson, reported that he had retired to Signal Mountain, TN after a career in teaching and administrating in schools and working in international marketing and manufacturing. He has been happily involved in portrait painting, writing, illustrating and publishing his first book, and restoring vintage British sports cars and is building a large model railroad for his grandson.
Rick McBurnett retired as an American Airlines pilot in 2004 and now divides his time between Lake Tahoe and Victoria, British Columbia where he can pursue his active outdoor lifestyle with his life partner, Sally. He’s a back country and downhill skier, mountain biker, kayaker and fly fisherman.
Jack Moore has lived the healthy life since 1973 in Reston, VA. He leads a monthly Nutrition and Health Series, rooted in the wisdom of traditional diets and is a raw dairy activist in the community of the Weston A. Price Foundation. He practices yoga, enjoys hiking, and grows his own veggies.
It may seem far away but we’ve already started planning for Alumni Weekend. This
year, we celebrate the classes ending in 3s and 8s. Want to help make this event a
great success? Call or email David Hargadon, Assistant Director of The Gunnery Fund,
for more information at 860-868-7334 x 201 or [email protected].
Save the date Alumni Weekend
June 7th-9th, 2013!
We are seeking Reunion Volunteers!
34 | CLASSnotes
Serge Pepper reported that he became “of Counsel” to his final law firm and moved to his farm on the eastern shore of Maryland in 2007. Still married to wife, Marion, whom he met at The Gunnery in 1961, he is enjoying their six grandchildren and volunteering in local charitable efforts involving the environment, handicapped children and historic preservation.
Sam Posey is an artist who designs cars, houses, a school and a firehouse, has prints at galleries and museums and has written several books. He is also an American motor racing car driver. He has been, since 1998 been a commentator on F1 races for Speedvision.
John Sartorious and his wife Judy returned to NYC from NJ in 2001, and he retired from a 28 year career at US Trust in 2008. They spend weekends and summers in Westhampton Beach enjoying golf, sailing, and gardening. They also enjoy traveling and remember a special trip to London to indulge another passion, bridge, followed by a Danube River cruise. John has taken up building and sailing radio-controlled sailboats.
Henry Soper is living in CA and a member of the full faculty of the Fielding Graduate University, the Director of the Neuropsychology Concentration there and the Director of the Developmental Neuropsychology Laboratory in Ventura. His research interests have included epilepsy, higher cortical functioning, autism, and ADHD.
Gus Southworth reports that he continues to practice law full time with Carmody and Torrance as the head of litigation. He and his wife Susan are “slowly moving north to our second home in New Hampshire, the proverbial house (camp) in the woods, where we will one day retire and where we spend almost every weekend.”
After 24 years as a cabinet maker and shop manager in commercial millwork, Charles Spencer got involved in community organizing for the environment in Oregon in 2003. In 2010, he moved to Tuscon, married his childhood sweetheart, Katharine, and got involved both in part time work and in volunteering to help the hard of hearing, an affliction from which he suffers. He is involved in Transcendental Meditation and continues to exercise, including a longtime passion for rowing.
Peter Thom, originally from Detroit, sent tales of a long career in the automotive industry. He now collects and restores the antique cars of his youth. Peter’s leisure enthusiasms include hunting, fishing, and diving. He has been on several big game safaris in Africa and enjoyed taking his three boys, “when they were old enough to run faster than me and climb trees if necessary.”
Sandy Van Sinderen reports finding the lady of his dreams in 2003 and married Jane on a cruise ship in Nova Scotia in 2004. He is still teaching at Montgomery Community College in North Carolina and loving it. His wife is retired and is mother to their two dogs Lady Abbie and Lord Ducky.
Tom Ward settled in Greenwich early in his career and has been a practicing lawyer there for 40+ years. He has also been Chairman of the Town of Greenwich Board of Parks and Recreation for 12 years and teaches real estate law at Fairfield University. He has two sons, a step grandson and a granddaughter and has been married to Emma for 44 years.
Joe Juhas reports that Tom Ware has always been a teacher and retired from Buckingham Brown and Nichols not long ago. He volunteered to teach in Ethiopia in 2001. Tom has three sons from a former marriage and lives currently with his wife Nancy in Charlestown, MA.
Evan and Nancy Whalley relocated to Pinehurst, NC and a semi-retired life in 2010. Nancy consults for several hospital systems and Evan is a director of Legal Shield, providing legal service and identity theft prevention plans to small business and families. They play as much golf as they can at Pinehurst Resort.
Holt Whiting told the 50th reunion yearbook preparers that he has been active in the independent school CFO community for most of his life. After leaving Durham Academy in NC, he helped start and run a national professional association for independent school financial officers, did some consulting and then retired. Having been on the ski patrol at Stratton Mountain for 36 years, he has started skiing again after two knee replacements and is also still golfing. He’s also active in the Rotary Club. His daughter, Liz, has a two year old daughter, who lives near her grandparents in Durham.
Bill Wrightson is celebrating 50+ years with his wife, Trish. A devoted mathematics and lifelong data processing professional, Bill is currently living in Hilton Head where he has become a volunteer coach for the long distance runners on both the cross-country and track teams.
Tom Zavorskas retired in 1987 as a Lieutenant Colonel after 20 years from the US Air Force, where he was an Aircraft Maintenance Officer. From 1995–2007, he and his wife Lorraine traveled New England as dealers of collectibles and antiques. Widowed in 2010, Tom is recovering and values his two boys, Todd and Craig, and his six grandchildren.
After joining the first Peace Corps group to go to Korea, Nicholas Veeder spent the rest
of his career in engineering fields—almost entirely software engineering—working at McDonnell Douglas, RCA, Accutest, Digital Equipment Corp, and Compaq. “When Hewlett-Packard bought Compaq I took my bronze parachute and retired in 2002.” He and his spouse, Chay, whom he met in the Peace Corps, have a daughter Christy, who is a marketing person for a civil engineering firm in Manhattan, and a son Nicholas, who is struggling to secure a job as an English teacher.
1963 50th Reunion
Sherman Hotchkiss has joined the board of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Indian River County. Sherm currently manages an oil and gas exploration company.
Geoff Webster is expanding his house in Grasse, France and building a new studio. He is 67 and has three children: ages Jim 6, George 4, and Helene 2.
1967Marc Greene is participating in the new Washington History Group organized by Willie Smith. He hoped to catch a glimpse of Kenyon Greene in the video of the Washington Fair (circa 1950) which was shone at the May meeting. He is a practicing solo attorney in Washington.
1 A portrait of Helene Webster, 3, painted by proud papa Geoffrey Webster ’63.
2 Perry Pepper ’62 was recalling a trip with Blair Smith and some Hollins girls and sent along this photo.
2
1
CLASSnotes | 35
3
4
1968 45th Reunion
1969Mark Riley has been an award-winning broadcaster, hosting and directing numerous radio programs. Currently, he is the host/presenter of WWRL 1600 AM’s morning drive talk program. He is well known in the New York area as a TV political analyst and has appeared frequently on The Road to City Hall on New York 1 News.
1973 40th Reunion
On April 30th, Jeff Bruemmer and his brother Kevin (a Berkshire grad) came to cheer on their respective alma maters at the Annual McKee Cup game. The McKee cup is also named for two brothers (sons of Rusty McKee ’72) Will McKee G’ 07 and Parker B’ 07. Jeff remains very involved in lax to this day as president of a club near Washington’s Crossing, PA.
1977Still in Franklin, MA, Rick Flanagan has a one-year old grandchild and still plays hockey. He was a hockey PG at The Gunnery. He’s also very “big into yoga.”
Dennis Leddy and David Miller insisted that their class (1977) was the most derelict of all, being the last year that The Gunnery was single sex. They had just returned from playing in the Bourne Cup which
split right down the middle this year. They came to The Gunnery because of Coach Haddick. David graduated from Stetson and played one year in the minors for the Orioles in 1981. He is currently part of the Community Health Network providing administrative services for Medicaid, CT. He has a wife, a son and a stepson. Dennis was a basketball recruit at The Gunnery who played basketball at Ursinus, reaching the NCAA final four his senior year. He lives in Massachusetts, has a daughter who’s a senior at Loyola, a son who’s a freshman at Furman and a son who’s a junior at Kent.
1978 35th Reunion
1983 30th Reunion
Over Alumni Weekend Rees Shad was recalling a computer course with Ed Small who told him, in no uncertain terms to stay away from computers. Now he teaches programming and has, as one of his students’ assignments, the making of business cards announcing his profession as a programmer.
1988 25th Reunion
1992Hilary Sheldon Talocco and husband, Nick welcomed Marshall Mercer Talocco. He was born January 12, 2012 and joins his older sisters Mia and Emma.
1993 20th Reunion
1998 15th Reunion
2000Justin DeLauri couldn’t resist sending a shoutout and photo reminder to Mike ’99 and Claire Ullram on their 5th anniversary in June. John Quitta ’99 was part of the merry band of Gunnery participants.
Will Mullaney contacted the advancement group and gave us his latest news: “I’ve been in my home for about 18 months now, which I purchased at the end of 2010, and continue to work as Senior Engineer, Global Network Operations for CooperVision, Inc. Over the last six months or so, I’ve head the pleasure of visiting Belgium, the Netherlands, and Puerto Rico with my company, just a few of our 50 or so sites world wide. I spent most of my time off this past winter skiing in Rochester
1 Mark Riley ’69 was recently named one of Talker Magazine’s 2012 Heavy Hundred List.
2 Jeff Bruemmer ’73 visited campus in May with his brother Kevin from Berkshire. They took in a lacrosse game.
3 The Alling ’81–Graney children: William, Josephine, and Wells
4 Marshall Mercer Talocco, January 2012 with sisters Mia and Emma
5 Justin De Lauri ‘99 just couldn’t let Mike Ullram’00‘s 5th anniversary slip by without a record of the event; here with wife Claire, John Quitta ’00 and him.
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36 | CLASSnotes
By Mary P. Cooney, WR ’73, Columbia ’85, Smith ’88
The following is a multiple class notes covering the 60’s–70’s
Wykeham women (and a few good Gunnery men) who attended
this year’s reunion:
Heidi Boardman, WR ’69, University of Denver, contributed a
pottery piece she made to the Silent Auction. She was happy to
meet up with her former WR roommate, Caroline, Cass Key, WR ’71,
who is a scenic artist at The Magic Kingdom, Lake Buena Vista, FL.
Caroline writes: “Give me a brush, some paint and a primed surface.
These three things are with me wherever I want to go.” Lynn
Flanders, WR ’69, Wells College, works as a line dance instructor at
Lynn’s Lines in Oxford, CT. Maria Maybee Mason, WR ’69,
presented “Wykeham History and Gunn Memorial Museum Timeline,”
at our WR Luncheon and Receptions. Sarah Griswold, WR ’70, who
works in greater NY area museums and institutions, has had a
profound impact on the WR Alumnae Association since its genesis by
founder, Shelley Caroe, WR ’74. Anne Atwater Bourne, WR ’74,
who went to Washington College, has been faithfully attending every
reunion. She is a general manager for a corporate broker of non-
emergency medical transportation for Medicare clients. Jean
Heathecote Burke, WR ’74, an Arcadia and Temple grad, who is also
a frequenter of our events, got a personal tour of Chris Young’s Arts
& Letters showcase in the library by none other than Chris, G ’72
himself. I understand that Tina Rosser, WR ’69, who lives in the area
attended the GW Tavern Dinner. Elizabeth Serrell Nord, WR ’72, Art
Institute of Boston and Titi Halle, WR ’69 both attended our
luncheon at Gunn Memorial Library but were here on a short trip.
Susan Reed, WR ’74, who teaches at the Wooster School in Danbury
attended the Alum Bagpipe Parade and WR Luncheon.
Finally, on a personal note, I would like to express our gratitude to
Nick Molnar G ’72, Chris Young G ’72, Sam Abady G ’73, Peter
Twombly G ‘73, Ridge Young G ’74 and Peter Bergen G ’84—not
to mention some Gunnery husbands of Wykeham Alums—all of
whom have been good friends of the old “Wykeham Chickhams”
these past several years. Thanks to “a few good Gunnery men,” for
your enthusiasm and support along our journey. See you next year!
At the conclusion of our reunion weekend, Mara Maybee
Mason, WR ’69 and I made a visit to see Father Willoughby Newton
in NYC. While he was looking at a photo journal that Maria produced,
Willoughby commented: “And to think that all of these women were
little girls!” We feverishly updated the still handsome, distinguished
and gentle-gentleman (aged 88 and making plans to move into an
assisted living facility in Virginia where he grew up) with stories and
accomplishments of the Wykeham “girls.”
WYKEHAM RISE ALUMNI
The Wykeham “Girls” at reunion: Bottom left: Mary Cooney, Jean Burke, Debbie Simmons Harris, Caroline Alex Key; Second row left: Heidi Boardman, Anne Atwater, Maria Maybee Mason, Lori Blitzer, Brett Smith; Third row left: Gillian Whittle, Shelley Caroe, Lynn Flanders, Skeeter Richardson; Fourth row left: Titi Halle, Sarah Griswold,Susan Reed; Top row left: Elizabeth Serrell Nord, Martina MacCarthy.
CLASSnotes | 37
1
2
3
1 Peter Lorenz ’03 and family presenting the trophy to the Cincinatti Juniors Rowing Club, winner of Boys’ First Boat Grand Final race at Founders Day
2 Card announcing Adam Criscuolo’s ’00 MFA thesis exhibition
3 Christine Natalie Chuah, born on December 18, 2010 poses for her parents Michelle Wong ’03 and Jun Wei (Joseph) Chuah
4 Matthew Aspros ’02 in the Utah desert where he discovered an ancient pueblo.
5 Greta Murphy ’05 competes in the Boston Marathon
6 Poppy Baldwin ’80 and Brianna Goldstein ’13 at the alumni row during Alumni Weekend
7 Catherine Needham with proud grandmother, Susie Graham and sister Charlotte.
6
4 7
5
38 | CLASSnotes
and Vermont, and watching RIT hockey while proudly wearing my RIT jersey and Gunnery ball cap! Now with the warmer weather have started Sporting Clays again. This summer I’m hoping to meet up with Jen Jolliffe (also ’00) in Toronto as she returns for her sister’s wedding. Jen herself recently took a new job at CanTung in Canada’s North West Territories. I plan to make a visit to campus sometime this summer, which will be my first since my 10 year reunion, 2 years ago. Hope to see some faculty-turned-friends on my visit. Anyone transiting WNY or attending schools up here, feel free to give me a call.”
2002Declaring himself a founding member of the Gunnery’s Outdoor Club, Matthew Aspros sent proof of his continuing interests: a photograph of him with climbing gear near an ancestral pueblo an dwelling. He discovered it during an expedition from Durango, Colorado into the Utah desert in December.
We caught up with Heidi Lukos Giraldi and her husband, Tom, at reunion. Five month old Molly and 20 month old Samuel were along for the fete. Heidi said she sees classmates Brandon Dufour and Jess Peters Greeley frequently.
W. Jed Stuart is in training for the Lake Placid Ironman on July 22.
2003 10th ReunionAdam Criscuolo teamed up with fellow student Chad Whitaker to mount their Masters of Fine Arts Thesis Exhibition on the third floor of the Davis building in Indiana, PA which they converted to a gallery. He told Bill Zimmerman of the Indiana Gazette that, “His work, some created at IUP’s Center for Turning and Furniture Design, includes wheels, handles and levers to “engage the viewer in a sense of play, and tempt them to interact with the artwork.” One untitled work is a Plexiglas disk suspended from the ceiling and another is a large stone hanging from above, suspended by acrylic tubes. The viewer’s impression of the work changes, he said, as the natural light of daytime gives way to the space’s artificial light in the evening hours. Criscuolo said he funded his studies at IUP through sub-contracting work, taking on projects such as cabinet making, specialty woodwork and stonework” On another note, The Gunnery was indeed appreciative of Adam’s donation of a beautiful commemorative box to hold the parting gift of a book and congratulatory notes prepared for Susan Graham’s retirement dinner over Alumni Weekend. Adam drove from Indiana to deliver it for the festivities.
2004Michelle Kit Wong and her husband Jun Wei (Joseph) Chuah are living in Princeton and have a daughter, Christine, born December 2010.
In October 2005, Andrea Marron had a kidney transplant. Since that time she has become passionate about raising awareness about organ donation.
2005From Anna Kjellson, we learned that Greta Murphy has found her passion working with kids at Boston Medical Center, as a Research Coordinator in the Pediatrics Department. She says, “On a daily basis, I am at eight different community health clinics in low-income areas of Boston, working with mothers and their infants to address their individual needs. I absolutely love working with my research team at BMC, and I hope that our project has a successful impact on primary care in the future!” She joined the BMC team to run her first ever marathon. “All the funds I raise will specifically benefit the Nutrition & Fitness for Life program in the Pediatrics Department. This program employs community lead initiatives to help low-income kids who are overweight or at risk of becoming overweight.”
2006James Estreich came back for commencement and told us he is working at Horizons Media as a Branch Strategist for a Capital One Bank Account. There, he plans campaigns around advertising.
2007Heather Bell lives in Southbury and came to offer college advice to upperclassmen in January on Young Alums Day. She works for Brandon Dufour’s ’02 driver’s ed. company. She is planning to go to graduate school in environmental studies.
Jen Wojcik reports that Stephen Roberts is executive chef at BRYAC on Fairfield Ave. in Bridgeport, CT.
With fond memories of his wonderful photographs illustrating his year as an exchange student from Germany, we were happy to welcome Max Matschke back to campus. He was able to make a flying visit during a five month stint at the Columbia Business School in New York this past spring.
Adam Houli is leading a double life. By day, he works as The Gunnery’s Assistant Director of Admissions where he recruits and interviews prospective students. By night, he plays for the Danbury Whalers (Professional Minor “A” Hockey– Federal Hockey League).
In an article in the Daily Press by Andi Petrini we learned: In his first year as boys’ lacrosse coach at Hampton Roads Academy, Mike O’Brien took his team to a 54–6 season and its first state title since 1999, Division II State Champions.
2008 5th Reunion
Emily Bell graduated from Colgate in May with a degree in physics. She’s applying to graduate schools in architecture. Emily came to the Young Alums Day in January to counsel the upperclassmen about preparing for college. She played in 16 game’s for Colgate’s varsity lacrosse.
Rowing stroke, Cassidy Goepel pushed the Ithaca College second varsity eight boat to a third overall in the New York State Championships in late April. Cassidy came to the Young Alums Day in January to counsel upperclassmen on college preparation.
2009It was good to see Kevin Shaughnessy who came to Young Alums Day in January to counsel upperclassman on preparation for college. He’s a junior at Bates with a double major in math and physics. He’s also playing varsity football and club lacrosse.
Sophomore Dan Young had a great season on the Ithaca College tennis team.
2010Sophomore Chris DePaola, rowing first seat, and his teammates in the second varsity eight were New York State Champions on Lake Whitney in May. They had won the Liberty League championships at Saratoga Springs the week before.
From the CT Post we learned that star hockey goalie Alex Vazzano will be leaving UVM after two years and returning to CT to play for Sacred Heart University. His future coach C.J. Marattolo was quoted as saying he was looking forward to adding the CT native to his team. According to NCAA transfer rules, Alex will have to sit out the 2012-2013 season at Sacred Heart, but he can practice with the team.
2011Haley Slone came back for commencement and told us she will spend five months in Africa doing volunteer work through the KAYME program.
In June, Zach Bodnar received an Award of Merit from the Connecticut League of History Organizations for his Gunn Scholar project on Civil War Letters.
CLASSnotes | 39
Do you ever wonder where your class mates are today?
1 Mark Showalter and his wife Charlene with the plaque announcing his award at Bryan Memorial Town Hall
2012Susan Graham H ’02 and the rest of the Graham family welcomed their 3rd grandchild on May 21, 2012. Catherine Vera Needham joined sister Charlotte at 7 lbs. 11 oz.
FORMER FACULTYJohn and Bett Alter came back to Commencement in June to greet all their graduating students and faculty friends. John has just been appointed chaplain at Christ Church School in Virginia. Bett is orchestrating the school’s introduction of coeducational boarding.
CURRENT FACULTYAt the Memorial Day celebrations in Washington this year, Mark Showalter, Head of Maintenance, was awarded the highest citizen honor in the town, the Major Stephen Reich Award for Exceptional Citizenship. Mark is also the fire chief in Washington. Mark is the second Gunnery employee to receive the award. Peg Addicks received it in 2008.
IN MEMORIAMThe Gunnery community is saddened by the loss of many cherished sons in the past few months and sends its condolences to their friends and families:
J. Christopher Farlow ’57 4/20/2009
Frederick Flather ’50 4/16/2012
Joseph Hartshorne ’55 1/31/2012
Alexander S. Parr ’37 3/10/2011
Michael Pawlowski ’01 7/4/2012
Richard J. Rosefield ’55 3/18/2012
Robert S. Rubler ’54 3/5/2012
Charles E. Russell ’74 1/26/2012
Henry W. Seeley ’35 1/17/2012
Michael H. Smith ’60 6/12/2012
Stuart W. Tisdale ’47 3/21/2012
1
Help us so we can help you.
Reconnect with your friends and classmates with
the upcoming Gunnery Directory. This valuable
resource will be available in the spring of 2013.
The directory will include home and business
information in addition to family and education
listings.
Don’t miss your opportunity to be part of this important project.
In September, when you receive a postcard with
a toll-free number from us, please take a few
minutes to call, update your information and order
your copy of the directory. Your Gunnery friends
will thank you!
Look for a postcard this fall and reply!
Where they live?What are they up to?Do you want to
get in touch?
40 | CLASSnotes
Why not call the fund what it is?
It’s The Gunnery Fund!
So going forward, when you hear from us in the Advancement Office, we will ask
for your support of The Gunnery Fund. And rest assured, your unrestricted gifts
will continue to make a difference on this campus.
T H A N K Y O U F O R Y O U R S U P P O R T.
the GunneryMr. Gunn’s School Established 1850
For years, your gifts to The Gunnery Annual Fund have supported our
academic, athletic, and extra-curricular programs. In this way, alumni, parents,
and friends of the school have an impact—annually—on the school’s success.
The Gunnery’s 2011-2012 Annual Report is available online. To download a copy, contact Joan Hayes Davis at 860-868-7334 ext. 203 or at [email protected].
99 Green Hill Road
Washington, CT 06793
(860) 868-7334
Fax: (860) 868-7816
E-mail: [email protected]
Address Service Requested
Non-Profit Org.
U.S. Postage
PAIDHartford, CT
Permit No. 1754
Date Venue Location
September 26 GRANDPARENTS DAY Washington, CT
October 12–13 PARENTS WEEKEND Washington, CT
October 27 FALL HOMECOMING DAY Washington, CT
November 17 TOWN PARTY Washington, CT
January 5 COLLEGE FAIR/YOUNG ALUMNI Washington, CT
January 17 REGIONAL RECEPTION New York, NY
February 5 REGIONAL RECEPTION Boston, MA
April 18 COMMODORE YACHT CRUISE San Francisco, CA
May 5 FOUNDERS DAY REGATTA Lake Waramaug, CT
June 7–9 ALUMNI WEEKEND Washington, CT
2012–2013 Events DCthe Gunnery
Photos to right: New Head of School, Peter Becker, visited with
alumni in the NYC area at a reception hosted by Ali Noto Carlin ’97.