ALUMNI ASSOCIATION OF UNIVERSITY SCHOOL LATE SUMMER 2017 NEWSLETTER ANNUAL MEETING/REUNION
given the opportunity to stay longer and experience the “whole� of the educational process at U-Hi.
We had a fantastic annual meeting/reunion this past June. Probably somewhere around 85 of us convened in a very large classroom which has been created out of the old cafeteria. Most of the folks attending traveled a great distance to join us and for many it was their first time back in 50 years. It was wonderful to see so many new faces. We were lucky enough to have several attendees bring their children, spouses and siblings and included graduates whose parents had been faculty members or who had been earlier University School graduates. Special guests were two former coaches and their wives, Jim Stahl and Bob White (who came in from Minnesota.) Coach Bob White successfully fought cancer over the fall and winter and came in June to celebrate 90 years of a wonderful life and his times here at University School.
The attendees were asked to sign-in so we could recognize them in this newsletter edition. Not everyone did sign in. Here is a list of those U-Hi folks (not including spouses or children) who signed in along with some others I remember were there. I will undoubtedly forget some, so I apologize in advance. Karen Jones Sargent & sister Renata Jones Henry, Pam Todd Battle, Janitye Reid Vaile and George Vaile, Tom Boggs, Dan Reuter, Mary Ellen Anderson Tyus, Karen Craig Nekervis, Karen Williams Hubbard, Jeff Smith, Ben Reynolds, Pete Reynolds, Mary Linda Larrick Smertz, Sterling Smith, Phil Smith, Blaine Stickney, Karen Stickney Muir, Alan Stickney, Jon Kennedy, Judi Becker Rioch, Frank Darby, Noula Sardelis Contakis, Dana Reynolds III, John Jacob, Julie Rains Nusken, Gary Page, June Renken Picciano, Martha Dale Jackson, Kay Roan, Bruce Todd Doug Todd, Andy Fanta, John Volker, Bruce Kay, Bonnie Kay, Jack Nelson, Geoff Louis, Deborah Spitz, Valerie Winemiller, Linda Cochran, Cynthia Coon Lambarth, Jack Moss, Steve Beyer, John Lehoczky, Marcia Lehoczky, Margaret Van Ness Nelson, Michael Ornstein, Rudy Smith, John Jacobs, Paul Jacobs, Sondra Young Abernathy, Ed Violet, Ed Johnson,
The class of 1967, celebrating their 50th reunion were very well represented. They were instrumental in finding several younger folks who attended UHi but never had the chance to graduate. The records from those who left us in elementary grades are not very extensive so we did not have any contact information for them. It was so gratifying to see how fond their U-Hi memories were when they were not 1
Linda Goode Bryant, Kathy Voutyras, Greg Voutyras, Doug Bradley and…the AAUS board; Alan Stickney,’65, Dick Baker,’62 Carole Hardy Moyer,’64 Steffanie Woodruff Haueisen,’64.
By the way, the website is a fantastic way to keep up our memories. The website exists only because of John Jacobs, ’62 and his persistence in digitizing so much of University School materials. He found us a wonderful webmaster, we have continued financial support from donors and it is truly a tribute to our school. Please do check it out! A million thanks to John who has spent countless hours on our behalf!
Here are a couple of pictures of the crowd.
This year we wanted to recognize the 50th anniversary since the last graduating class as well as a salute to our wonderful school, so we threw ourselves a big party with three cakes decorated with buckeyes and scarlet and gray frosting on white. A second item on the agenda was to announce that the bust of Rudolph Lindquist, our first director, had regained his nameplate. The bust had been moved into the Rotunda and the name plate had fallen off. The name plate was replaced this spring and the bust was temporarily moved into the hall for us to see during our reunion. Another agenda item was to recognize all the members of the class of 1967 who had gathered for this event. Sterling Smith worked hard contacting folks and making arrangements. They had a wonderful turnout and it was truly great to see them.
The June meeting had several things on the agenda. The business part of the agenda was to re-elect our Board and to pass a revised version of the By-Laws. Our aim was to simplify the By-Laws and bring them more in line with how we are actually operating now. If you would like to read them, they are on our website…www.tosus.org or we can mail them to you by request.
The Class of 1967 in Rm. 100
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Front row (left to right). Sterling Smith, Steven Beyer, Linda Cochran Second Row: Far left: Deborah Spitz Second row: Linda (Goode) Bryant, Susan Bateman, Renata Jones, Mary Linda (Larrick) Schmerz Third row: Michael Ornstein, Kathy Voutyras, Valerie Winemiller
the learning experience we had at University School between 1932 when it opened to the first class and 1968 when the last group of elementary students left. Luckily, many graduates have sent photos, paraphernalia, and yearbooks. With these items our story would come to life.
The largest item on the agenda, in terms of length of time, was the unveiling of photo collage display along the first floor hall. The project actually took 5 years to think through. In earlier years, there were some frames along the walls with copies of photos from University School with the request to identify some of the students in the photos. Then in 2012 the frames were taken down to paint the walls. I took them home and begin to think about it. I decided that to identify students in the photos wasn’t as important as what they were doing and what the photo illustrated about the teaching going on at University School. So after delaying doing anything for several years, all the while the folks who now inhabit University School blissfully passing through the halls unaware that there ever was a school there, I decided we needed to tell our story and our history with these photo collages. Our specific names were less important than
Along with a couple of volunteers, Noula Sardelis Contakis,’63 and Debbie McClung Tracy, ’65 we started looking at stuff and gradually some themes could be developed into a frame. We ended up with 15 frames. Each frame has an explanation of the theme and educational use in the school. There are photos, from the 30s, 40s, 50s, and 60s, to illustrate and give examples. We included a cheerleading sweater donated by Penny Dix, a BUG beanie, BUG pins, sports letters, train tickets, dance favors, musical production programs, blue print drawings of the building; all kinds of unusual stuff. We explained the curriculum, the courses, the grading system, the extracurricular opportunities, our sports programs, our graduation ceremonies, and the design of the building which integrated all of our special use programs. We made a frantic push to physically get these done and then with the help of Doug Bradley,’63 3
we installed them along the walls of the first floor just before the Annual Meeting. It was very fitting that our group was the first to see these.
the space. The best time to come would be during the day Monday through Friday (9:00am – 3:00pm). Ramseyer Hall or University School isn’t open on the weekends. You can e-mail Liz Hecker, at parishoffice@ststephenscolumbus.org or call 614-294-3749.
Since then we have added 6 banners that David (Clark) Barnard, ’55 made for a class reunion several years ago. There are two flanking the music room, and 4 just outside the art room on the pillars there.
Here is a photo of the first floor and the frames looking towards Rm 100. I will be including additional pictures in future newsletters.
Just last week, we added a framed University School pennant between two sports themed frames. Over the next several newsletters you will see the individual themes on the photo frames and learn more about them. Since we have put them up, we have had numerous positive comments from the current administrators and students in the building. On our last visit, a professor who was just returning from summer break was fascinated in learning more about University School. She teaches educational history and planned on making very good use of them. Noula and I were very touched when she said, “thank you so much for giving us this gift.” We also wish to thank the administrators for granting us permission to do this. We are very proud to show all interested parties what University School was all about and that it existed in that very special building.
PUBLISHED John M. "Mike" Bennett, ’60 continues his publishing with a new publication of a major selection of his work, SELECT POEMS, with an extensive introduction by Ivan Argüelles, Poetry Hotel Press/Luna Bisonte Prods, 2016, 444 pages. http://www.lulu.com/shop/john-mbennett/select-poems/paperback/product22469707.html
If you would like to see these photo frames, we have made arrangements with St. Stephens Church, across the street, for you to park. Parking at OSU now is very difficult during the class time. If you contact St. Stephens at least 24 hours prior to your intended visit date (email is preferred) they can make sure to have your car information and reserve
A selection from over 40 years of Bennett's work, introduced by Ivan Argüelles. “Where to begin writing about this baffling and certainly most “avant-garde” of all poets living and working in the USA today? Bennett’s
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reputation is international, and his interest in Mesoamerican culture has drawn him frequently to that part of the world where he is a recognized figure. His experimentations over the years have encompassed multiple techniques, including visual poetry, and his own “polyglottery,” moving in and out of English, Spanish, Portuguese, French or some Mesoamerican language. What may seem aleatory is in fact more intentional and grounded than is first apparent. Bennett has roots in traditional literatures, those of 'Siglo de Oro' Spain and of Elizabethan England, but he is capable of transducing those literatures, metamorphosing them by way of the avant-garde movements of the 20th century, into something utterly innovative and New, such as few contemporary artists have done.”
“Everyday hero: Death of son led art teacher to volunteer at Dowd Center Nicole Gnezda, ’69 knows that art can reveal parts of someone’s life they might not want to talk about. Gnezda, 65, of Worthington, volunteers with children at the Dowd Education Center, which is run through the Homeless Families Foundation. She teaches an art program in which she uses her art therapy training to help the children address some of the issues that come out in their drawings. The children will sometimes reveal their innermost thoughts in the artwork and Gnezda uses that as an opportunity to help them talk through their feelings.
KUDOS From the Columbus Dispatch, Aug. 17, 2017 by Megan Henry The Dispatch Media Group is showcasing central Ohio residents who selflessly work to heal, unite and improve our communities. Many people were nominated and a panel selected 25 people as finalists.
Helping people comes naturally to Gnezda, and the retired art teacher has been volunteering at Dowd since 2009. The death of her son Tony Smith in 2008 at age 29 in a traffic crash ultimately propelled her to spend her time volunteering at Dowd, an academically focused program that follows the curriculum of the Columbus City Schools.
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Before volunteering at Dowd, she spent about 30 years as an art teacher in preschools, elementary schools, middle schools, high schools and colleges in central Ohio.”
community, to AAUS, and to me personally. Every time AAUS had a question about a legal document Bob Parsons was right there to help. When it came time to rework our Endowment Fund with OSU, Bob knew exactly who to contact at Ohio State, set up the appointments, supervised the wording of the new Endowment Fund and contributed to it unfailingly. He gave up countless hours to help us and to show his unwavering, and boundless support of the school he so loved. Harvey Minton, spread his University School training and philosophies to the world around him where ever he went. His greatest impact however was on the entire City of Worthington. As Mayor for a many years through Mayor’s court he set up drug diversion programs, introduced interfaith breakfasts, worked with several volunteer organizations, was very active in the Worthington Historical Society (which a couple of us from University School are active in also.) He was the good will ambassador for our community in many ways and his motto was, “I’ll see if I can help.” He too spent many, many hours helping others.
Niki would like to have a combined class reunion of 1969 and 1970 and is seeking more information on class members from those years. Please contact Niki at nicolegnezda@gmail.com for more information and if you have information or comments to share. Though Niki never got to graduate from University School, she has thoroughly kept the U-Hi experience alive and well and is a great local asset!
FAREWELLS Unfortunately, every newsletter we have to say farewell to more of our U-Hi family. Our sincere condolences and heartfelt sympathies go all the friends, children and other relatives of… *Peggy Coffey Swenson, ’40 *Richard H. Oman, ’44 *Robert M. Cawley, ’46 *Robert P. Caren, ’50 brother of Charlene Caren, ’62 *Harvey S. Minton, 52 brother of Helen Minton Paul, ‘54 *Doris J. Bauroth Alotis, ‘54 *Bob Parsons, ’63 *Tim Mustaine, ’67 brother of Myron Mustaine, ’57 and Kathleen Mustaine, ‘70s We also extend our sympathies to Frank Darby, ’62 on the loss of his lovely wife, Barbara.
Often I am sent newspaper articles, emails or receive obituaries which illustrate that that person the notice is about, frequently had the same kind of dedication to helping others as these two wonderful people had. I really believe University School played a big role in developing not only the dedication to helping others but the ability and will to do so. I think our teachers, parents and classmates are very proud of how we carry on the legacy. We are and have made a difference, we need to continue to do so.
The list this time includes two people who were very special to the local
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