Buzzer Winter 2020

The Browning School Magazine Winter 2020

Finding the perfect fit: College guidance at Browning PAGE 16

Today’s Boys, Tomorrow’s Men: Dr. Adam Cox kicks off yearlong speaker series PAGE 22

FEATURE

Connecting to success: Learning starts with relationships PAGE 8

A Middle School Latin class spending the afternoon at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, getting acquainted with the Greek and Roman Galleries.

Signals On the cover: 5/6 Panthers celebrating another win on the soccer field.

Dear Browning Friends, I am particularly excited about this issue of the Buzzer, for in these pages you will discover that we are trying some new things: a different layout, some new features, and a modified design. Much of what you will encounter—tales of our boys, programs, teachers, and alumni— will be familiar; it will simply take on a slightly different form as we attempt to tell the story of this wonderful school.

The same might be said of our academic year in general. Browning is a community rich in history, and we will always draw strength from both our traditions and our core beliefs. But every year offers the chance to reinvigorate and rearticulate the values and goals which make our community distinctive, and we have surely exercised that opportunity in the opening months of this school year.

For example, Browning has always been a place characterized by deep relationships, by intellectual challenge, and by the imperative to help talented boys become good men. This year, we have enhanced our programming and introduced new initiatives to support these vital aims. Our growing advisory curriculum, a revised assembly structure, and classes centered on empathy, relationship skills, and personal wellness are all designed to strengthen connections between students and teachers as well as between peers. We have launched an all-division, multiyear curriculum review that will focus on promoting student inquiry and creating transferable understanding, all of which will ready our boys not only for their next level of education, but also for a life of learning. Finally, we continue to develop our schoolwide program in character education through purpose projects, a robust service learning program, and a new speaker series—presented with support from the Edward E. Ford Foundation—that will ensure that our faculty and families are well versed in the latest research on boys’ relationships, development, and ethical well-being.

All of these efforts bring new and further expression to Browning’s most familiar and important commitment: to create a community where every boy feels known, loved, and challenged to be a gentleman of both intellectual accomplishment and ethical integrity. It is a privilege to undertake this mission, and a delight to tell the perennial lessons of our story in new and exciting ways, be it through advances in our program or in the pages of our redesigned magazine. Thank you for your loyalty and support, and happy reading!

Best always,

“

Browning has always been a place characterized by deep relationships, by intellectual challenge, and by the imperative to help talented boys become good men.

”

John M. Botti, Ph.D. Head of School

BUZZER — Winter 2020

Administrators welcoming boys with a daily handshake is a Browning tradition. Here Dr. Botti says good morning to a student.

LETTER

1

INSIDE:

Winter 2020

FEATURES THE BIG PICTURE

COVER STORY

Personalization is the key.

Trust establishes the foundation for personal and academic growth.

Finding the perfect fit: College guidance

16

Connecting to success: Learning starts with relationships

8

GOOD NEWS

22

44

The magic of mood meters

2

PLEAS ED

HAP PY

PLEAS ANT

JOYFUL

AT EAS E

EASYGOI NG

C ALM

SECURE

Speaker series: Today’s Boys, Tomorrow’s Men

36

New trustee Christine Callahan Form VI boy named National Merit Scholarship semifinalist Form III boy joins Sweet Readers Leadership

CONTENTS

37

Debate team sweeps first tournament Programs for equity, diversity, and inclusion

14

Faculty Good News

ALUMNI

39

Alumni Reunion: Save the date

40

38

41

Upcoming alumni events

Browning and baseball equals bonding

INSPIRATION

6

Making professional development a priority Head of School blog goes biweekly

HONESTY

Panthers support breast cancer awareness

We honor and celebrate the dignity of all people and support the power of a diverse, inclusive and welcoming community.

Green Team climate action

34

DIGNITY

CURIOSITY

Student pianist achieves perfect score Librarian recognized for Guys Read

35

NOLS trip Celebrating Grytte!

We encourage and celebrate open-minded inquiry about our world and the perspectives of those around us.

32

Lower School Picnic

4

New faculty and staff

PURPOSE

20

We believe that education encourages exploration and discovery in pursuit of meaning and enduring fulfillment.

24

Diversity Statement

Graduation and college matriculations

15

Strategic plan update

Book Fair

ATHLETICS

28

Spring and fall season wrap-ups

BUZZER — Winter 2020

The Browning gentleman develops amid a community that upholds these values‌

33

7

Masthead

In memoriam

The Browning School fosters growth of courageous and compassionate men of intellect and integrity who aspire to contribute meaningfully to our world.

We speak the truth, act with integrity and take responsibility for our actions.

Science Chair honored

Service milestones

43

COMMUNITY

Clubs come to Middle School!

Student work accepted in Harvard journal

Mission and Values

Class notes

26

The Browning School Athletes

CONTENTS

The Browning School strives to create a diverse community in which all members are safe, respected and valued. We believe that in actively promoting a diverse learning environment, we are fostering intellectual, social and emotional growth for all.

Recognizing and pursuing diversity, however, are not enough; we seek to transcend mere tolerance of differences and aspire to a celebration of the varied appearances, abilities, perspectives and values that characterize our community.

3

Browning welcomes new faculty and staff We are thrilled to be adding these dedicated professionals to our community this year. To help you get to know them better, we asked them to describe themselves or Browning in three words or reveal a fun fact about themselves.

HASS ABDUL-KARIM Grade One Associate B.A., Brooklyn College Browning is: caring, warm, and welcoming JAN ABERNATHY Director of Strategic Communications B.S., Northwestern University Fun fact: I hosted a weekly talk radio show sponsored by the Wall Street Journal TAYLOR DEAN Science Teacher M.A., Quinnipiac University B.A., Quinnipiac University Browning is: nurturing, motivating, welcoming JILL EPSTEIN Grade Three Associate M.S., Bank Street College of Education I am: loving, silly and determined

Hass Abdul-Karim

Jan Abernathy

Taylor Dean

Jill Epstein

Stephanie Ferro

Mariana Goycoechea

Anna LaSala-Goettler

Bobbi Mark

4

COMMUNITY

STEPHANIE FERRO Major Gifts Officer B.A., Tufts University I am: positive, nurturing, fun-loving MARIANA GOYCOECHEA French and Spanish Teacher M.Phil., Graduate Center, City University of New York B.A., Hunter College Browning is: challenging, supportive, and lively ANNA LASALA-GOETTLER English Teacher M.S.Ed., University of Pennsylvania M.A., Dartmouth College B.A., Middlebury College Browning is: thrilling, supportive, engaging BOBBI MARK Chief Advancement Officer M.B.A., Stanford University B.A., Yale University

MARJORIE OLNEY Science Teacher M.Ed., Teachers College, Columbia University B.A., The College of William and Mary Fun fact: I play rugby in the Women’s Premier League SAM PERMUTT Dean of Student Life M.A., Teachers College, Columbia University B.A., Haverford College Fun fact: I played professional basketball in Israel BRIAN PLANE History Teacher Ph.D., University of Connecticut A.B., Rollins College Browning is: warm, engaged, purposeful

SYDNEY RIVERA Kindergarten Associate B.A., SUNY Purchase I am: inquisitive, observant, compassionate JACOB SOLES Science Teacher M.A., The College of William and Mary B.A., Virginia Tech Fun fact: I love to cook and am sponsoring the foreign foods club this year at Browning LAUREN STEWART Director of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion; Assistant Director of MS/US Admission M.S.Ed., University of Pennsylvania, Mental Health Counseling B.A., University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign

PETER WEISS History Teacher J.D., The George Washington University Law School M.A., John Hopkins University, School of Advanced International Studies B.A., Washington University in St. Louis Fun fact: Before starting my teaching career, I practiced law AUSTIN WILLIAMS Grade Two Associate M.S., Bank Street College of Education B.A., University of California, Santa Cruz I am: a person who loves to learn

I am: empathic, collaborative, committed

Fun fact: I have been to Paris and London over 50 times each

Marjorie Olney

Sam Permutt

Brian Plane

Sydney Rivera

Jacob Soles

Lauren Stewart

Peter Weiss

Austin Williams

BUZZER — Winter 2020

COMMUNITY

5

Browning strives to inspire

Summer professional development enhances student learning

Even beyond attending conferences, taking educational trips, and developing curricula, faculty participated in a variety of activities designed to provide a better experience for students. To continue to innovate and improve instructional practices, 22 faculty members, including three new to Browning, joined this year’s Collaborative Learning Cohort, developing an interdisciplinary curriculum to expand students’ ability to acquire, analyze, synthesize, and apply knowledge. This is the largest cohort in the five years of the program’s existence.

Additionally, the entire faculty and staff started school two days early to participate in Beyond Diversity workshops facilitated by the Pacific Educational Group, which are designed to give participants the tools to discuss unconscious bias, systemic racism, and other difficult issues surrounding race.

ONLINE

Read Dr. Botti’s blog at

browning.edu/ head-of-school

6

CLUBS

Head of School blog goes biweekly

Clubs come to Middle School!

Margin Notes, a blog by Head of School John M. Botti, Ph.D., has increased its frequency to biweekly, starting in the 2019–2020 school year.

“I hope to use my writing to convey to families the role that boys’ schools have in society today and, as importantly, in the lives of the students who are having this experience,” he said.

Dr. Botti often brings popular culture into his columns and has written about Operation Varsity Blues as well as Andrew Luck’s retirement from the NFL. “Media sets the tone for what we think about parenting, masculinity, the role of social media in our children’s lives, and many other issues that may concern us,” Dr. Botti said. “I try to let families know that we are thinking about these things too.”

This year, Middle School students have an opportunity to explore extracurricular interests through a new club system.

Students commit to a club for one semester, with quiet study continuing to be an option. Students are also offered the opportunity to create their own clubs.

Among the boys’ choices are Middle School newspaper, crochet, public speaking, math, rap, and open gym time. “Giving our boys these choices allows them to have more agency over how they spend their limited free time in school, while affording them an opportunity to develop new passions,” said Head of Middle School Danielle Passno. “The new club system has definitely enhanced the Middle School experience.”

INSPIRATION

PUBLICATION

Student work accepted for publication in Harvard journal Browning students’ scientific discovers will receive wider recognition when Harvard University’s Journal of Emerging Investigators ( JEI) publishes a manuscript from advanced genetics research students Logan F. ’20 and Taran P. ’20, entitled “Creating a Phenology Trail Around the Central Park Pond.” Additionally, two other manuscripts by students have been accepted for publication in the prestigious journal, pending revision: “Observing how the Distance from the Mouth of a Bahamian Mangrove Affects Biodiversity” by Connor F. ’22, Spencer R. ’22, Khai S. ’22, and Liam M. ’22, and “An Investigation Into the Mislabeling of Fish in New York City” by Carlton S. ’21, Max G. ’19, and Stone A. ’19.

Taran P. ’20 and Logan F. ’20 present their research on DNA technology.

BUZZER

The Browning School Magazine

Editors Jan Abernathy, Director of Strategic Communications Jeremy Katz ’04, Director of Communications Design

Editorial Contributors John M. Botti, Ph.D., Head of School Sam Permutt, Dean of Student Life Andrew West ’92, Director of Athletics Caroline Axelrod, Director of Alumni Affairs

Contributing Photographers Coffee Pond Photography & Yearbooks Rossa Cole Julie Goldstone Asher Dorlester Allan Jones Jeremy Katz ’04 Johannes Kroemer Da Ping Luo Al Pareira Sanford Pelz ’71 Jesse Rost ’11 Design by Michael Wiemeyer / Designlounge, NY The Buzzer is published twice a year by The Browning School. Submissions may be sent to Jan Abernathy at jabernathy@browning.edu.

Follow Us

Spencer R. ’22 collects data in a mangrove creek.

@browningschool

Visit our website: www.browning.edu

Service milestones

Celebrating the longevity of our colleagues’ commitment to Browning 10 YEARS Jeremy Katz ’04 Director of Communications Design

20 YEARS Theresa Rodriguez Director of Office Services

Dan Ragsdale Grade Five Teacher

Andrew West ’92 Director of Athletics

Soo Mi Thompson Senior Director of Annual Giving

45 YEARS Sanford Pelz ’71 Director of College Guidance

15 YEARS Susan Levine Librarian Judit Resika MS/US Math Teacher Katherine Varughese Kindergarten Teacher

BUZZER — Winter 2020

50 YEARS Michael Ingrisani* Dean of Faculty *Join us as we recognize Michael Ingrisani on Friday, April 17, at Alumni Reunion!

See page 39 for details.

Board of Trustees Valda M. Witt, President Stuart J. Ellman, Vice President David E. Glaymon, Vice President David J. Liptak, Vice President Alka K. Singh, Vice President Raul Pineda, Treasurer Robert D. Ziff, Assistant Treasurer Celeste A. Guth, Secretary Andrew B. Sandberg ’01, President, Alumni Association John M. Botti, Head of School Maria Dell’Oro, President, Parents Association Christine Callahan, Vice President, Parents Association Mimi Basso Michael P. Beys ’89 Wendy W. Brooks Mark G. Cunha Elizabeth Granville-Smith Stephanie Hessler Philip A. Hofmann Federico Infantino

Ling S. Kwok Jeffrey M. Landes ’83 Elizabeth Miller Nazmi Oztanir Andrew M. Snyder Ellen Stafford-Sigg Deborah van Eck Andrew E. Vogel

James S. Chanos, Honorary Trustee Allan L. Gropper, Honorary Trustee

INSPIRATION / MASTHEAD

7

Alex K. ’20 and James G. ’31 walk to Christ Church for Opening Assembly.

It is the first graders’ first time attending this event, and they each enter the gathering holding a senior’s hand.

8

FEATURE

COVER STORY: RELATIONSHIPS

CONNECTING TO SUCCESS: LEARNING STARTS WITH

S PS

L A

I

E NH R TO I

By Sam Permutt Dean of Student Life

On the annual college tour this fall, Browning juniors and seniors visited Lafayette College. After lunch and an information session, the boys had some time to spare before our tour started, and were encouraged to wander out to the main green in the center of campus. Adirondack chairs and walking paths were scattered through an otherwise unbroken vastness of green, bigger and less populated than any Upper East Side locale.

The boys, in this expanse of possibilities, clustered tightly together, no boy more than a few feet away from any one of his classmates. Despite all of that open space to explore, they stayed nearly as close as physically possible.

Juniors and seniors touring Lafayette College.

BUZZER — Winter 2020

FEATURE

9

Connecting to success: Learning starts with relationships

Jake T. ’27 and Jude T. ’27 play a collaborative game in honor of team sports in the upper gym.

The game, which tasked the fifth and sixth grade classes with getting from one end of the floor to the other without touching it, allowed the boys to strengthen bonds and friendships.

P

erhaps this is what happens when you take boys from the city and drop them in the middle of a rural campus. The tight staircases and shared spaces of Browning may encourage our boys to be more comfortable in physical proximity with one another, but closeness at Browning goes beyond how we use our space; indeed, it is at the very core of Browning’s philosophy and culture.

Meeting the human desire for connection The desire to be authentically known, to be seen, understood, and valued as yourself, is a fundamentally human one. Yet many boys are steered away from connecting, particularly with adults. When I was in high school, I focused on being known and affirmed by my peers, not my teachers. I developed a mentality that my teachers were a whole different class of people, and I felt our interests were rarely aligned.

As a result, if one of my teachers were to pull me aside and ask me how I was doing, I would have likely ended the conversation as quickly as possible. I would have suppressed my human desire to be known, because the culture I was raised in did not celebrate forming these meaningful relationships.

I found the opposite culture at Browning when I visited last spring as part of my interview process. I met with several members of the Class of 2020 and came in with some preconceived notions of how these boys might present them-

10

FEATURE

selves to me, a relative stranger; I expected a certain level of politeness, restraint, and distance, similar to what I would have presented when I was in high school. Instead, the students earnestly described their successes and challenges at Browning, clearly inviting me into a space where we could reflect together on our ideas about culture and belonging.

A couple of months later, when a boy interviewed me for the Grytte, one of his first questions was how I planned to facilitate close relationships between students and faculty at Browning. During the Form III retreat at Camp Lindenmere, after a day of climbing in the rain and team-building activities, we asked the boys to share what they were looking forward to during the next few years at Browning. One response was simply, “Developing closer relationships with my teachers.” This is not a disaffected group, eager to disconnect from the adults in their school. In these instances, these boys were comfortable acknowledging their desire to be known. They are asking for closeness.

Small class sizes forge bonds Browning has small class sizes, which gives the faculty more opportunities for regular interaction with their students. Of course, regular interaction does not necessarily translate into close relationships built on knowing. For many Browning continued on page 12

A dialogue between Gene Campbell, Head of Upper School, and Danielle Passno, Head of Middle School, on the research behind the importance of boys and relationships.

Gene Campbell: It’s impossible to ignore the growing body of research around the importance of relationships, both to boys and to men but specifically to boys’ learning.

People like Michael Reichert and Adam Cox, as well as the International Boys’ Schools Coalition, have contributed to our thinking on how relationships between a boy and his teachers are often the key driver in a boy’s academic outcomes. Danielle Passno: It’s still not an accepted universal belief that boys are relational learners. There’s this misunderstanding about what boys fundamentally need, which is connection to other people and especially deep connection to adults and peers.

Unless boys feel known, connected, and loved, they won’t actually learn anything else. Gene Campbell: The other reason to focus on this is for our boys’ health and wellness. Some experts are calling men’s growing sense of isolation in their emotional relationships an actual health crisis. And so the question for us is, how do we give our boys the emotional language they need to be able to be introspective about their relationships with each other, to feel comfortable growing those emotional relationships with one another? Danielle Passno: As Character Education Coordinator Megan Ryan says, the superpower boys have is their ability to connect, to have empathy and to be a friend. And the great kryptonite is that everything they see from society tells them to shut that down. And so they’re actually killing the most powerful part of themselves.

BUZZER — Winter 2020

FEATURE

Ms. Passno: “Boys are asked to choose a facade of strength over other emotions.”

Mr. Campbell: “We want to interrogate our understanding of community and what it means to live in one.”

11

school. Browning boys have repeated opportunities to know each other across different contexts and different phases of their lives. They get to be with each other in the classrooms, in the cafeteria, on the courts and fields, in clubs and on field trips, through years of challenge, triumph, and growth. Within such a small, close-knit group, there is no avoiding their classmates, no learning in isolation. As they experience this daily closeness with each other, over a period of years, they are reminded that every Browning boy strives to be understood and accepted, through his best and worst moments.

Connecting to success: Learning starts with relationships

faculty members, though, these relationships are exactly why they have come to Browning, and it is why they stay. It’s a fundamental part of their educational practice. As a result, when past and present students are asked about teachers with whom they share a bond, names and remembrances come easily.

At a recent admissions event, students were asked to introduce themselves to visitors with their name, grade, and the name of a faculty member to whom they feel close.

Several boys shared that they feel close to their advisor.

Through the advisory program, advisees and advisors get to know each other over a period of multiple years, outside the formal classroom setting. These frequent interactions, away from the tensions that can come with content mastery and grades, help to foster more personal understanding and connection. While the goal is to have advisors deeply know each student in their group, the knowing works both ways— boys get an opportunity to know a faculty member, often someone they have already had as a classroom teacher, in a more personal setting. This reinforces Browning’s culture of connection between adults and students.

Seeking closeness despite socialization While the boys’ relationships with the faculty are undoubtedly important to their experience at Browning, their closeness with each other infuses nearly every facet of their lives at

need to know

12

These deep friendships can feel contradictory to messages boys receive that their manliness is closely connected to independence, competitiveness, confidence, and a lack of emotion.

For young men to willingly and openly express their desire for closeness (and experience that closeness) is no small feat given the way boys are often socialized. In her book Deep Secrets, Dr. Niobe Way (whom we are hosting on campus as part of a speaker series this spring) explores how many boys go through a transitional period during adolescence in which they distance themselves from their male friends. While her research subjects had close relationships in childhood and early adolescence, she found that there were immense social pressures pushing those boys away from meaningful relationships as they grew older. While boys continue to want the security that comes from being known and cared for, cultural policing reinforces the message that the behaviors demonstrated in intimate friendships translate to being “less than.” This is communicated to young men in the form of homophobia, sexism, and other prejudices.

The Hidden Landscape of Boys’ Friendships Dr. Niobe Way, who will be a guest at the Browning speaker series in the spring, said her interviews of hundreds of boys, from early to late adolescence, suggests that “their closest friendships share the plot of Love Story more than the plot of Lord of the Flies.” Her research has even suggested that the effects of the quality of friends on adjustment may be stronger for boys than for girls.

FEATURE

Gregory P. ’22 confers with his teacher Adam Giordano during advisory.

I shared the previous paragraph with two Browning boys who were lounging in my office, because I wanted to see how it resonated with their lived experience; they related to the concept immediately. In between thoughtful observations on the limitations they feel society puts on male-to-male friendships, they also expressed genuine love for each other, reflecting on all the moments they had shared together over the past years at Browning. While there was lots of laughter amidst these serious emotional expressions, and their show of physical affection landed somewhere in between a hug and a wrestling maneuver, the genuine core of their connection was evident.

In casual interactions, an undercurrent of care Not all of the conversations I am privy to involve boys sharing their innermost hopes and fears; most of the time, they are studying or laughing or playing, in a low-stakes, familiar sort of way. But even amidst these seemingly casual interactions, there is an undercurrent of care. Boys will ask each other how they’re doing and appear to listen closely to the responses.

Boys can be affectionate with each other, in words and in actions, with more comfort than Dr. Way observed in much of her research. When a boy seems to have something on his mind, when he seems to be removed from his best self, other boys are there with him.

This closeness is what one senior was describing at a Parents Association breakfast, when he was asked to describe BUZZER — Winter 2020

his favorite moment at Browning and referenced “growing up these last 13 years with all of these guys, my brothers.”

It’s why one senior closed a recent speech at an assembly by encouraging his classmates to share their authentic selves with each other, while another urged students to simply ask others how they’re doing. Browning boys recognize how meaningful it has been for them to live in closeness with each other.

Over the last several decades, adult males in particular have become increasingly isolated, which can have severely deleterious effects on health and happiness. Providing Browning boys with a model and opportunity for meaningful connections is among the most important objectives we can achieve during their formative years.

At the Form III retreat, I again noticed the boys clustering closely together in wide-open spaces. This behavior, which initially seemed unusual, is now more familiar to me. Seeing the freshmen gleefully hurling water at each other during white-water rafting, listening to them cheer for each other on the high-ropes obstacle course, hearing their hushed whispers as we settled down to sleep in the cabins, I was reminded of all the experiences they go through together that lead them to form meaningful relationships. Browning is a place where they gain closeness through shared experiences and shared vulnerability. Though they will not always have the opportunity to huddle together physically, we hope and believe that these bonds will last long after they graduate.

FEATURE

13

And now for more good news

Grade Three Teacher Laura Alterman was married to Jonathan Pryor on August 10 at the Empire Lodge in Deer Valley, UT.

There was so much to celebrate this summer, including three weddings and a baby!

Congratulations to all!

Senior Director of Annual Giving Soo Mi Thompson, husband Andy Fichte and big brother Bode, welcomed Ellie Monica Fichte, 8 lbs., 20 in., on August 6 at 4:56 p.m.

Kindergarten Teacher Caitlin Coleman was married to Dave Hasson on August 3 at St. Ignatius Loyola Church, followed by a reception at The Pierre Hotel in Manhattan. Two of her students, James B. ’30 and Burke B. ’32, attended her wedding.

14

Kindergarten Associate Teacher Elyse Yoder was married to Michael Gallagher on June 8 at First Presbyterian Church in Greenwich, CT, followed by a reception at the Greenwich Country Club.

GOOD NEWS

STRATEGIC PLAN 2018–2023

Fulfilling a bold vision We are delighted to report that Browning has already made great strides in executing its ambitious five-year strategic plan announced in 2018. This page outlines just a few of the ways in which we have begun to meet our goals.

Financial Strength

Learning Program

Ensure Browning’s longterm success and mission through investment in personnel, programs, and facilities; continued prudent financial management; dynamic student recruitment; and dedicated philanthropic initiatives.

Provide both a rigorous exploration of the liberal arts and a robust co-curriculum to give Browning boys the foundational knowledge, necessary academic skills, and intellectual and ethical dispositions to lead lives marked by deep relationships, a love of learning, and a sense of purpose.

GOAL

Culture of Learning

• Multiyear strategic budgeting analysis at the board level

• Relocation of several offices to

provide more space for students

• Implementation of additional Attract, support, and retain an exceptionally qualified and diverse faculty who are committed to their students’ intellectual and personal development, their own personal growth, and the mission of The Browning School.

GOAL

enrollment management best practices to attract and retain mission-appropriate students

Expansion of Awareness

hiring protocols

• Enhanced faculty goal-setting and feedback system

• Creation of Philosophy of Learning • Introduction of several new

courses including Radical Empathy, Panthers Connect, On Purpose, Introduction to Drama, Advanced Genetics Research, Modern Political Thought, History of New York

• Formalized service learning

programs throughout the School

• Introduction of two new positions:

• More than two dozen grants

• Formalization of faculty-

review that uses the Understanding

by Design framework

The Island School in the Bahamas

workload, which led to the hiring of an additional history teacher for the 2019–2020 school year

• Diversity training for all faculty and staff

• Introduction of curriculum

• Form III service learning trip to

• Continuing research on faculty

for curriculum development or conference attendance in support of professional growth

GOAL

Solidify Browning’s identity as an intellectually rigorous K–12 school for boys in New York City by promoting its strengths and unique opportunities, fostering school pride within the community, and reestablishing Browning’s reputation as a local and national leader in the education of boys.

GOAL

Director of Service Learning and Dean of Student Life

• Creation of dedicated Middle School and Upper School advisory curricula

• New branding initiative • New strategic communications focus • Reimagined enrollment events and communications vehicles

BUZZER — Winter 2020

COMMUNITY

15

Georgia Institute of Technology American University*

Amherst College George Washington University*

finding

Bowdoin College

the

California Institute of Technology Dickinson College*

University of Miami Georgetown University*

Brown University

perfect Yale University

University of California, Los Angeles Duke University Swarthmore College

fit:

Carnegie Mellon University Howard University*

Columbia University University of Chicago Boston College

college

Dartmouth College

Northwestern University

guidance

Emory University Princeton University

at

Middlebury College

Lafayette College* University of St. Andrews

Tufts University

Stanford University

Rice University Williams College

Browning

University of Maryland at College Park*

University of Pennsylvania

Rhode Island School of Design * The mid-Atlantic states were the focus of the 26th annual college tour, which was attended by 54 Form V and VI boys, from September 18 to 20, 2019.

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Harvard University

FEATURE

THE BIG PICTURE: COLLEGE GUIDANCE

By Jan Abernathy Director of Strategic Communications

It’s easy to understand why Sanford Pelz ’71 is Browning’s longest-serving college guidance counselor. His mother was the director of admissions at Grace Church School, and his father was an alumni interviewer for Colorado College.

Mr. Pelz himself was a tour guide at Colorado College and readily proclaims, “This work is in my blood.”

S

till brimming with enthusiasm after 30 years in the role and 45 years as a faculty member, he spoke to the Buzzer about why most selective doesn’t necessarily mean best, the myth of the feeder school, and how he managed the college process with his twin sons at Browning.

What are the biggest myths about college admissions today?

People think that “selective” always means good—that’s a myth that colleges perpetuate and entrench because

they are judged and rewarded by U.S. News & World Report (and therefore families and students) for having low acceptance rates. A 20% admit rate is not better than a 30% admit rate. You can go to a name-brand place and get a bad education. You can go to a lesser-known place and come out with a fabulous education that leaves you prepared for great things.

A second myth is that the boy has no control. In fact he gets to build his transcript, he gets to pick who writes his recommendations, he chooses

Members of the Classes of 2020 and 2021 visit Howard University during the annual college trip.

BUZZER — Winter 2020

FEATURE

how many extracurricular activities to pursue, and he chooses where to apply.

This control doesn’t determine whether he’ll get in or not. It’s like a roulette wheel—even the most privileged kids may have a lot of spots on the wheel, but they don’t get to cover them all.

Parents should stop looking for the “secret sauce” —there isn’t any.

What should families emphasize in the college process? And what should they avoid?

Families should be doing more research; this is a process with introspection at its core, and families should spend time looking at their student and considering his transcript and asking, “What do you want to study?” These are big questions. Parents should stop looking for the “secret sauce”—there isn’t any. Parents often don’t consider the big element of chance. And unfortunately, families sometimes hear—and pass on—very inaccurate information.

How does Browning help keep the process sane and healthy for our boys?

I think our kids are a little less anxious coming into Form V because they’ve known me since Form III so they are more comfortable. A lot of them are coming into the end of Form V and the beginning of Form VI with a clearer pathway and understanding of where the process is going to lead them. Our college guidance classes, which start in Form III and increase in frequency through Form VI, help with that.

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Finding the perfect fit: College guidance at Browning

Browning students tour Amherst College. Each fall for the past 26 years, Form V and VI students have visited colleges and university campuses over three days to experience a variety of schools and discover choices they might not have previously explored.

SANFORD PELZ ’71 Director of College Guidance

Check out Mr. Pelz’s blog at browning.edu/after-words

Why do you think families start worrying about college placement when their children are so young?

Families buy college jerseys while their kids are still todlers.

The answer is partially in the question here, and a misconception that families may have. This job hasn’t been about placement in decades. Placement

Less Reading, Less Stress need to know

Mr. Pelz has one word of advice for families that look to the popular press for college advice: Stop!

He suggests families read New York Times columnist Frank Bruni’s Where You Go Is Not Who You’ll Be: An Antidote to the College Admissions Mania to get relief from the anxiety that this process provokes.

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FEATURE

is figuring out who is sitting where at a wedding. Families assume that counselors can place students at certain universities, but colleges admit kids, not schools. In a fair number of cases, there’s legacy advantage or another “hook” for the student. In those cases, counselors can help, and if the kid didn’t shoot himself in the foot, he’ll get in. I’m confident that, while students may not always end up exactly where they want to be, they almost always end up exactly where they should be.

What sets Browning’s college process apart?

The college tour, which takes our Form V and VI students to six to eight colleges a year, is a big differentiator—not many schools do a tour. I will also meet with families at any point in the Browning experience. I’ve met with fourth grade

“

I’m confident that, while students may not always end up exactly where they want to be, they almost always end up exactly where they should be.

”

Browning boys listen to a Howard University tour guide.

parents and Form II parents. In 30 years, I’ve never turned a family away.

How do you keep your own skills as a college counselor fresh?

When college reps come to see our school, I sit with them when they present to students; that’s a great way to keep up with trends. If I’m at conferences or even on vacation, I love to visit colleges.

Having twins who are also Browning graduates, what was it like going through the process as a parent yourself?

It was 50% luck and 50% years of planning! I let colleges know that my sons considered themselves a package deal and that the admissions officers could speak to me as a father or as a college counselor—I didn’t mind either one. I was fortunate that in their senior year BUZZER — Winter 2020

there weren’t other students who were interested in their areas of study or the particular colleges they desired. By the way, I ask all twins to tell me whether or not they want to be apart for college —even if the other twin isn’t at Browning. It’s also possible to be considered a package deal for some schools but not others.

Do you have a favorite story to share with us?

I remember one kid who was still waiting to hear from a couple of schools. It happened that I was walking through the lobby and saw a great piece of artwork done by the student that illuminated something meaningful that wouldn’t have shown up in his application materials. I took a picture and emailed it to the admissions officers right away.

Pretty soon afterward, I got a call saying, “This is great, he can come.”

FEATURE

Students visited Boston College in 2018 as part of a tour of New England colleges and universities.

19

Celebrating the Class of 2019!

Members of the Class of 2019 received their diplomas on June 12 at Christ Church, with Head of School Dr. John Botti, President of the Board of Trustees Valda Witt, and Head of Upper School Gene Campbell presiding.

Before the awarding of each diploma, Dr. Botti followed tradition by remarking upon the major accomplishments of each graduate, providing an impressive review of their years at Browning.

Browning welcomed guest speaker Justin Rockefeller, the great-grandson of John D. Rockefeller Jr., Browning Class

of 1893. He is the global director of Family Offices and Foundations at Addepar, a financial technology company.

During the ceremony, the Grytte yearbook was dedicated to Gerald Protheroe, while Jenna Montemayor was honored by the staff of The Lit, a student publication. Mary Bosworth received the Class of 1979 Faculty Award in Honor of Clair J. Smith, and the Grytte newspaper was dedicated to Zachary Williams.

Richard Symons received the Sabet Award for Excellence in Teaching.

View photos from commencement at browning.edu/news/2019-graduation

Dr. John Botti provided an impressive review of the boys’ years at Browning.

Members of the Class of 2019 receive diplomas during graduation exercises at Christ Church.

Top inset: Justin A. Rockefeller, great-grandson of John D. Rockefeller Jr., Browning Class of 1893.

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COMMUNITY

Class of 2019 now attends college from California to Canada Congratulations to the Class of 2019 and the fine institutions that welcomed them this fall.

BUZZER — Winter 2020

Stone W. Abramson Syracuse University (NY)

Maxwell F. Kelly Washington and Lee University (VA)

Lucas A. Coffey Boston College (MA)

Alfonso Laffont Carnegie Mellon University (PA)

Shazeb Dayani University of Miami (FL)

Blaise L. W. Lowen University of Miami (FL)

Joseph S. Delgado Boston College (MA)

Christopher A. Modica Boston University (MA)

Raymond Diaz Middlebury College (VT)

Alexander S. Motz Emory University (GA)

Quentin N. Flattmann Case Western Reserve University (OH)

Maximilian A. Motz Tulane University (LA)

Jackson W. Fleming Boston University (MA)

Eric R. PeĂąa SUNY, University at Albany (NY)

Gabriel A. Flicker Sarah Lawrence College (NY)

Tommy Ramirez New York University (NY)

Max C. Gregori University of Texas, Austin (TX)

Myles A. Robinson Carnegie Mellon University (PA)

Conor M. Gubbins George Washington University (DC)

Sebastian P. Rodriguez University of Toronto (CAN)

Fernando J. Hierro New York University (NY)

Diego E. Santamarina Tulane University (LA)

Nicholas M. Hurley Dartmouth College (NH)

Alexander J. Wittenberg Xavier University (OH)

Justin A. James Lincoln University (PA)

Andrew Ye University of California, San Diego (CA)

COMMUNITY

21

Today’s Boys, Tomorrow’s Men DR. ADAM COX KICKS OFF YEARLONG SPEAKER SERIES

T

oday’s Boys, Tomorrow’s Men: Relationships, Emotions, and Values is a new speaker series at Browning, presented with matching support from the Edward E. Ford Foundation.

“We want Browning to be a leader in the conversation about what it means to be a boys’ school today, so it only seemed natural that we invite leading experts to speak to our families and the larger community,” said Dr. John Botti, Head of School. “The demand for this kind of information is high—in fact, the first talk sold out in a few hours.”

Men’s relationships is the broad theme for the series, and the first speaker was Dr. Adam Cox, author of Cracking the Boy Code (New Society Publishers, 2018), who visited the School on October 30 to meet with faculty, visit classrooms, and give a talk to a general audience. In conjunction with Dr. Cox’s visit, Gene Campbell, Head of Upper School, hosted a discussion with the families of sophomore boys to expand on the concepts illuminated in the book.

“The only real way to get a boy to take true intellectual risks is to have intact relationships so that in fact that boy does know that he is known and loved and respected and that it’s okay to be wrong

and to fail,” says Mr. Campbell. “We’re trying to partner with families so they understand that relationships are not only important to their son’s health and wellness, but to his academic success as well.”

In his talk to a packed house, Dr. Cox emphasized the importance of recognizing that how parents talk to their boys can be as significant as what parents say—that if adults can connect to boys in a respectful, measured tone, boys will reward them with dialogue that is relevant, honest, and emotionally generous.

Future speaker series authors include Dr. Joseph Derrick Nelson, who will speak about his research on how relationships affect the academic outcomes of boys of color and how that research overlaps with the needs of all boys in the classroom. The third event in the series will be a conversation with Dr. Niobe Way about how relationships between boys are of crucial importance to their health and development.

Dr. Cox shared lunch with Middle and Upper School boys.

Audience members learned how to build empathy with their sons.

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GOOD NEWS

Cracking the Boy Code by Adam J. Cox.

Dr. Cox noted that boys are afraid of disappointing their parents.

“

The only real way to get a boy to take true intellectual risks is to have relationships intact so that in fact that boy does know that he is known and loved and respected and that it’s okay to be wrong and to fail.

—GENE CAMPBELL, HEAD OF UPPER SCHOOL

”

Dr. Cox answering audience questions about boys’ inner lives.

“

Empathy is the tenuous string that joins young boys to a life of conscience, leadership, and community.

—DR. ADAM COX, AUTHOR

”

Dr. Cox shared stories with audience members.

BUZZER — Winter 2020

GOOD NEWS

23

booooo Here at Browning, our boys love

Stacks of great finds at the 2019 Book Fair

The Browning Book Fair was once again an amazing celebration of the written word, delighting adults and children alike with an excellent selection of books for all ages. In addition to the large collection of books displayed beautifully in the Kurani Gym, the fair featured New

More than

$6,500 in library donations raised

800 books donated

Over

to charity

24

York Times best-selling author David Levithan, chapter and picture-book author Melissa Stoller, and Mike Cavallaro, who works in comics and animation. The fair also allowed Browning families to give back through a concurrent book drive for the Bellevue Pediatric Ward.

ks!

Readers of all ages were entertained by the Book Fair.

BUZZER — Winter 2020

COMMUNITY

25

THE BROWNING SCHOOL

Athle

26

ATHLETICS

The Browning School believes that a dynamic program of student athletics significantly advances the educational development of its boys. The athletic offerings at Browning promote the principles of teamwork, fair play, perseverance, and wellness in an effort to help boys achieve greater understanding of the qualities of good leadership and cooperation, the importance of sportsmanship, the benefits of focused practice, and the ways in which a healthy lifestyle can be realized.

tes

Left: Varsity cross country champion Ryan E. ’20 Center: 7/8 baseball pitcher Jake F. ’24 on the mound.

Right: Goalie Zach B. ’20 and Ethan F. ’23 defend the goal against LREI in a varsity soccer game.

View photos from both seasons at browning.edu/ athletics-photos

27

The Browning School Athletes

SPRING SEASON

Varsity track members Fernando C. ’21 and Edgar S. ’21

Varsity tennis player Nick H. ’19

2019 spring season wrap-up Varsity tennis once again won NYCAL championships and even sent Oliver O. ’20 to the NYSAIS state tournament, while varsity baseball made it to the first round of league playoffs.

Varsity track once again did really well finishing the season with six NYCAL qualifiers and two NYSAIS qualifiers. Ryan E. ’20 finished the season as NYCAL 3200, 1600, and 800 champion.

Both 7/8 baseball and 7/8 track got better as the season went on, while the golf team worked on the technical aspects of the sport and reading the greens. As is always the case at Browning, the boys played with grit and enjoyed strong team bonds, enjoying camaraderie and building discipline that will serve them well in the future.

Varsity baseball player Eric P. ’19

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ATHLETICS

Varsity golf player Stuart L. ’20

7/8 baseball player Clay H. ’24

Tennis wins NYCAL championships; baseball makes playoffs.

7/8 baseball players and Coach Stacey Duchak cheer

Top-ranked NYSAIS varsity tennis player Oliver O. ’20 ATHLETICS

29

The Browning School Athletes

Varsity cross country runners Kabir K. ’22 and Amadosi O. ’22

FALL SEASON

JV soccer player Jonathan M. ’23

Browning wins gold in cross country; 5/6 soccer shines.

5/6 soccer player Jake T. ’27

The 2019 varsity cross country team

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7/8 soccer player Julian B. ’25 wears pink socks to raise awareness for breast cancer.

Varsity soccer player Willem H. ’23

2019 fall season wrap-up The fall season was filled with lots of exciting action and some amazing accomplishments. The highlight of the season was the performance of the varsity cross country team, particularly the gold medal finish for Ryan E. ’20 at the NYSAIS cross country championship. Throughout the season, the boys worked hard, resulting in personal records for all our runners. The Middle School cross country team also trained hard this season, with boys building up to four- and five-mile runs.

This year’s varsity soccer team was young but skilled, and the junior varsity soccer team, in a rebuilding year, added seven new starting players with six returners. The 7/8 soccer team worked hard the entire season, and although many of the games did not go their way, the boys gave it their best effort. The 5/6 soccer team finished their second season with a 5–2 record. The boys played great all year, showing tremendous growth as the season progressed and the competition got stronger.

The JV soccer team charges into a match.

5/6 soccer players Ben P. ’26, Asher L. ’26, and Ali H. ’26 are all smiles.

Sasha M. ’23 outruns a competitor during a varsity cross country meet.

ATHLETICS

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Lower School Picnic in Central Park Dozens of Lower School families came together during the afternoon before school started for the first annual Lower School Picnic in Central Park.

Hugs and smiles were on display at this casual gathering.

This new event was a fun way to start the school year.

32

COMMUNITY

“We thought this was a great way for new families to get to know our community even better and for returning families to reconnect after a long summer,� said Laurie Gruhn, Head of Lower School and Assistant Head of School.

Browning strives to inspire

Browning Green Team supports climate action Our Green Team, which has made great strides in reducing the School’s environmental footprint, also participated in the Global Climate Action Week in September. Two of our sixth graders attended the Climate Strike, and several community members participated in the International Coastal Cleanup at Randall’s Island Park the following weekend.

Developing lives of purpose, Browning boys move beyond the school community to help others.

AWARENESS

Panthers support breast cancer awareness

Students voted to have Coach Stoler’s hair colored pink to support breast cancer awareness.

BUZZER — Winter 2020

This fall, our athletic teams once again supported breast cancer awareness by wearing pink at all games for a week. That school week culminated with a dressdown day in which several community members wore Panther breast cancer

INSPIRATION

awareness shirts. In the Coaches for the Cure challenge, Jon Stoler had his hair colored pink for the weekend. Dozens of community members also participated in the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk in Central Park on Sunday, October 20.

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Browning strives to inspire

Emilie Wolf, Science Department Chair, in her classroom.

Emilie Wolf honored by the Academy for Teachers

Science Department Chair Emilie Wolf has been selected by the Academy for Teachers to attend a master class on T. rex: The Ultimate Predator, led by American Museum of Natural History Macaulay Curator Mark Norell.

Master classes are a rare opportunity for public and private school teachers to learn from a leading expert and from each other.

Teachers who are honored show passion for their subjects, creativity in their classrooms, and devotion to their students. This is the second time Ms. Wolf has been honored.

MUSIC

READING

VOYA Magazine celebrates librarian’s success with boys’ book club

Achievements of all our community members inspire us all to excellence.

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Perfect score for Upper School pianist Bravo to Alexander R. ’21, who had a perfect score at a recent New York State School Music Association festival and was selected among 13 finalists to be designated a top piano soloist in the state! In a first for Browning participants, Alexander was invited to perform Rachmaninoff’s “Humoresque, Op. 10, No. 5” in Rochester before an audience of 500.

INSPIRATION

Librarian Susan Levine was spotlighted in VOYA (Voice of Youth Advocates) Magazine for her work in encouraging young men to read. Six years ago, frustrated by a drop-off in reading by her students, Ms. Levine started Guys Read, a book club based on the premise that seeing the men in their lives modeling interest in reading will help boys develop a lifelong love of books.

OUTDOORS

Two Browning students, six days deep in the woods of Wyoming Two Browning students were selected to participate in the National Outdoor Leadership School inaugural gender and leadership trip with students from the other New York Interschool member schools. The trip lasted 11 days and featured six full days in the woods, where the students hike and set up camp, undergo survival training, and take turns being leaders of the group.

These activities were accompanied by group discussions around the campfire on such issues as gender inequality and how to be a fair leader. The hiking all took place in the Wind River Valley of Wyoming.

Celebrating the Grytte!

Grytte staff touring the Facebook offices.

Our student journalists once again earned gold from the Columbia Scholastic Press Association, this time for the three issues of the Grytte published in the 2018–2019 school year. The association awards points for reader-friendliness, coverage, good reporting, and design. The publication has won gold for three of the last four years, and the silver medal for the 2017–2018 school year.

BUZZER — Winter 2020

INSPIRATION

35

Good news keeps on coming

Christine Senft Callahan elected to Board of Trustees Christine Senft Callahan, Vice President of the Parents Association, was named to the Board of Trustees in July. She has been a Browning parent since 2015.

Ms. Callahan is a nutritionist, editor, and writer, specializing in health and wellness content. She served as the Editorial Director of Print and Digital Media at the Visiting Nurse Service of New York, the Executive Editor for Atkins Nutritionals, and the Senior Editor at Weight Watchers Publishing Group.

Ms. Callahan graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a B.A. in medical anthropology. She also holds a master’s of science in human nutrition from Columbia University’s Institute of Human Nutrition and a D.P.D. in clinical nutrition at New York University.

Her husband, Fletch, is a Director at Bank of Montreal in the Global Markets Fixed Income Trading division. The Callahans have two sons at Browning: Fletcher ’28 and John (“Jack”) ’32.

SCHOLARSHIP

READING

Form VI boy named National Merit Scholarship semifinalist Well done to Hugh C. ’20, who was named a semifinalist in the National Merit Scholarship Program.

Hugh is one of approximately 16,000 semifinalists who will have an opportunity to continue in the competition for some 7,600 National Merit Scholarships that will be offered next spring.

Leadership comes in many forms at The Browning School.

36

Form III boy joins Sweet Readers Leadership Federico S. ’23 was recently named to the Sweet Readers Leadership Council.

Browning boys in Form I and II participate in service learning with this organization, which empowers young people to become empathetic, creative problem-solvers through relationships with dementia patients. The Council is comprised of select high school students who are alumni of the program. Its purpose is to enlarge Sweet Readers communities and educate the public about Alzheimer’s disease and brain health.

GOOD NEWS

Debate team sweeps first tournament Austin S. ’20 and Henry S. ’22 won as the best advanced team, and Henry S. ’22 won best advanced individual debater in an October tournament sponsored by the New York City Urban Debate League at the Beacon School. Austin earned eighth place in the advanced individual category, and Willem H. ’23 earned 10th place in the novice individual debater category.

The league offers four categories: beginner, novice, intermediate, and advanced.

Browning’s practice has been to compete in the novice and advanced categories only: beginners enter the novice rounds, and the following year they compete in the advanced rounds. This year’s Browning team has a core group of eight advanced debaters from last year and a large contingent of Form III and IV boys beginning debate.

Henry S. ’22, Austin S. ’20, and Willem H. ’23 proudly display trophies won at a New York City Urban Debate League tournament.

New EDI Director Lauren Stewart promotes cultural competence Browning’s efforts at building a more equitable and inclusive community are continuing this year under the leadership of Director of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Lauren Stewart. New to our community this year, Ms. Stewart joined the School from St. Martin’s Episcopal School in Atlanta.

Assemblies on identity across divisions as well as the creation of two new Middle School affinity groups are just some of the ways in which this important work has already had an impact on the lives of Browning boys.

The School’s relationship with Pacific Education Group, which provides faculty development, will continue throughout the year and, as in years past, the School was represented at the National Association of Independent Schools’ People of Color Conference. A partnership with Lion’s Story, founded by the University of Pennsylvania professor Dr. Howard Stevenson, will allow BUZZER — Winter 2020

Upper School leaders to participate in a customized cultural competency workshop from November through March.

The School has plans to partner with additional organizations to further equity conversations throughout the year.

GOOD NEWS

Lauren Stewart, Director of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, facilitates a faculty group discussion.

37

ALUMNI: ANDREW WEST ’92 AND MIKE ANSELMO ’92

Browning and baseball equals bonding

Director of Athletics Andrew West ’92

Mike Anselmo ’92

By Jan Abernathy Director of Strategic Communications

I

t started with baseball cards. Mike Anselmo ’92 met Director of Athletics Andrew West ’92 when the latter joined Browning in the seventh grade. Mike, with two years at the School under his belt, was quick to warm up to the new guy.

“We connected over baseball cards,” Mike said, “I remember us looking at them in school and then going to card shows with Andy’s family. We just hit it off—we played sports together, and eventually, our families became tight.”

Andy called Mike, a Browning Hall of Fame athlete, a “Mr. Everything” of sports. “He was a pitcher in baseball, and when he wasn’t pitching, he played shortstop,” Andy says. “Even though basketball wasn’t his favorite sport, he was still our best guy.”

In Upper School, the two became even closer and applied to all of the same universities, despite Director of College Guidance Sanford Pelz ’71 gently suggesting separation.

“Sandy added that if we were going to go to college together, we definitely shouldn’t be roommates,” Andy said. Nevertheless, living together for four years while attending Boston University, “we never had a fight,” Mike said.

38

ALUMNI

After graduating, neither was happy in an office environment, and Mike quickly made the move into coaching— right back at Browning. When a position opened up there a couple of years later, Andy (still Mike’s roommate) followed suit. “I could see how happy Mike was, and I wanted to feel satisfied at work too,” Andy says.

Mike left Browning for Florida in 2004 (“I’m an outdoorsy guy, and didn’t want to be cooped up all the time”), and Andy is in his 20th year at their alma mater. Both still teach physical education and love guiding young athletes. Andy, who is in contact with Mike “constantly,” says that the bonds they found at Browning still exist for the students today.

“The close all-boys environment makes all the difference,” said Andy, whose son, Evan ’29, now attends Browning. “At a small school, you are involved in so many different things that there are lots of opportunities to bond.”

Adds Mike, “I remember most of my teachers really well, and I don’t think that would be possible in other schools. I always tell people there’s no school like Browning—I still miss it, and if there were a Southern outpost of Browning, I’d be jumping on board in a minute.”

ALUMNI: SAVE THE DATE

Save the Date!

ALUMNI REUNION FRIDAY, APRIL 17, 2020

BUZZER — Winter 2020

Classes ending in 5 and 0 are celebrating milestone reunions. Dean of Faculty and English Department Chair Michael Ingrisani will be honored for his 50th year of teaching at Browning.

This special day of events will include: • Alumni Panel (during Upper School Assembly) • Donor Recognition and Award Luncheon (by invitation) • Evening Cocktail Reception and Award Ceremony Please contact Director of Alumni Affairs Caroline Axelrod at caxelrod@browning.edu or 212.256.1175 for more information.

We look forward to celebrating with you in April!

ALUMNI

ALUMNI: CLASS NOTES

Life after Browning 50s Three books by George W. Liebmann ’57 —“Diplomacy Between the Wars,” “The Fall of the House of Speyer,” and “America’s Political Inventors”—have been reissued by Bloomsbury Publishing.

60s In June, Linton Wells II ’63 reported that he and his wife of nearly 43 years, Linda, are living in Alexandria, VA. With two sons and four grandchildren (three boys and a girl) in Northern Virginia and Germany, Lin splits his time between family, volunteering, and business, which is mostly cybersecurity in Asia. “A highlight of 2018 was spending some time at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo during the cherry blossom season with James R. Brisotti ’12, the only other Browning graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy.”

Also of note, Mr. Wells was quoted by Thomas Friedman in a New York Times July article about climate change and globalization: “This era calls for a different approach—one best articulated by Linton Wells, the defense analyst and expert on resilience. Wells argues that to find the solutions to today’s wicked problems you should ‘never think in the box and never

think out of the box. You have to think without a box.’ ” In August, Michael J. Miller ’66 reported: “I live partly in North Adams, MA, with my partner, Joanna Gabler, an artist, and partly in Manhattan. My son Alan lives in Derby, Tasmania, my son Andrew is in Sydney, NSW. My son Lucas is a filmmaker and lives in Astoria, which

To share news with the Browning community, please contact Director of Alumni Affairs Caroline Axelrod at caxelrod@browning.edu or 212.256.1175.

Members of the Browning community are encouraged to visit and reconnect with the School. Please make an appointment in advance with Ms. Axelrod or with the specific faculty or staff member you are meeting. All visitors are expected to adhere to the security policies of the School.

40

ALUMNI

makes it possible for us to collaborate in our creative work often. My work in journalism has recently struck fertile soil in theater.” The composer Lewis Spratlan commissioned a Medea libretto for Mr. Miller in 2012, and their opera, Midi (midi-medea-opera.net), was completed in 2017. “Since then, my solo play, Transfiguration, premiered at the 2018 United Solo Festival on Theatre Row and was awarded the prize for Best One-Man Drama.” Three performances of the show ran in October as part of the 2019 New York International Fringe Festival. While continuing to write his own work Mr. Miller has formed an acting group, The Arts Press (artspress.org), in addition to running the online publication New York Arts (newyorkarts.net) and Hudson-Housatonic Arts (hudsonhousatonic-arts.org).

ALUMNI: CLASS NOTES

90s

70s In October, Craig J. Sands ’71 reported: “Since retiring last year in Ghent, life has continued full throttle but in different directions. Belgium and the rest of western Europe provide a never-ending treasure trove of history and culture (including food and wine) to explore.

Never a dull moment!”

South at Sewanee. The Award recognizes outstanding individuals for their impact in business, leadership, community, educational, or philanthropic endeavors.

Furthermore, it recognizes individuals who have shown repeated loyalty to and support of the university, and is given to those who exemplify Sewanee’s core values of honesty, integrity, and respect.

In October, Dr. John P. Cleary ’78 reported that he was recently promoted to Associate Professor of Philosophy at Raritan Valley Community College in New Jersey. Congratulations, Dr. Cleary!

Dr. Lee A. Polikoff ’96 received the 2019 Hasbro Children’s Hospital–Brown School of Medicine Department of Pediatrics Faculty Teaching Award.

00s

80s In May, Gregory Aston ’87 joined Kantar Media as the Global Head of Media Research Science, responsible for developing the frameworks and methodologies of Kantar’s digital advertising offerings.

In November, Michael B. Wayne ’89 received an EQB (Ecce Quam Bonum) Alumnus Achievement Award from his college alma mater, the University of the

In March of 2019, Peter Angelo Thomatos ’92 and his wife, Elizabeth, welcomed their second son, Prometheus Alexander.

Michael Beys ’89 was there to celebrate Michael Wayne ’89 as he received the EQB Alumnus Achievement Award from the University of the South at Sewanee.

Andy Sandberg ’01 has been named the Artistic Director and CEO of the Hermitage Artist Retreat on Florida’s Gulf Coast. He is honored to be leading this company into the next chapter of its history. In addition, he continues to work as a freelance director, writer, and producer based in New York, with various theater, film, and television projects in development. He recently directed and produced the London premiere of the musical Shida and will be directing a production of How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying at the continued on page 42

UPCOMING ALUMNI EVENTS Alumni Council Note-a-thon Monday, February 10, 6:30 p.m.

Alumni-Focused Admission Event Thursday, February 27, 6:00 p.m.

WAYS TO GET INVOLVED

Alumni Reunion

Give back to your alma mater by getting involved with the Alumni Association! Help plan alumni events, become a class representative, speak to current students, help with alumni outreach, offer an internship or job opportunity, and more.

(Classes ending in 5 and 0 are celebrating milestone reunions.)

Please contact Director of Alumni Affairs Caroline Axelrod at caxelrod@browning.edu or 212.256.1175 for more information.

BUZZER — Winter 2020

Friday, April 17, all day

Annual Alumni Association Meeting Monday, May 18, 6:00 p.m.

ALUMNI

41

ALUMNI: CLASS NOTES

10s Maltz Jupiter Theatre this spring (also in Florida, but not connected to the Hermitage). He serves as President of the Browning Alumni Association and a member of the Board of Trustees, and looks forward to seeing fellow alumni at upcoming events! AndySandberg.com Daniel C. Wessel ’06 wrote: “I continue to work as a Special Agent for the Naval Criminal Investigative Service. I recently returned from a four-month deployment to the Horn of Africa, and am expecting to welcome my first child into the world in 2020.”

In May, Steven L. Rachmuth ’10 was one of three esteemed judges for the Middle School Lyman B. Tobin Public Speaking Competition.

Lieutenant (Junior Grade) James R. Brisotti ’12 submitted the following news in October: “I just completed the yearlong Naval Nuclear Power Training Program in Charleston, SC. I have been assigned to the USS Carl Vinson, an aircraft carrier based in Bremerton, WA, where I will lead a 20-person team responsible for maintaining and operating the on-board nuclear reactors.”

Philip Devereux-Demetriad ’08 graduated in May from Georgetown’s School of Foreign Service, where he obtained his master’s in international business and public policy. Since graduation, he has worked with Chevron’s Public Policy and Corporate Responsibility team in Washington, DC.

Nik Vlahos, Sandy Pelz ’71, James Brisotti ’12, Marcia Wallace, and Oliver Shawn ’12 at Browning.

ALUMNI REUNION FRIDAY, APRIL 17, 2020 Milestone Reunion Classes: Class of 1950: 70th Class of 1955: 65th Class of 1960: 60th Class of 1965: 55th Class of 1970: 50th Class of 1975: 45th Class of 1980: 40th Class of 1985: 35th Class of 1990: 30th Class of 1995: 25th Class of 2000: 20th Class of 2005: 15th Class of 2010: 10th Class of 2015: 5th

42

“Jon (Jonathan E. Pelz ’12) and I met James outside of Browning and headed over to our old stomping grounds for crosscountry and track practice in Central Park.

While sitting and catching up in front of the rock that consecrates Mr. Bernard’s usual stretching spot, we noticed Oliver on a late afternoon run and knew we had to interrupt his workout to say hi. The four of us chatted and agreed to meet for lunch the next day. We all reminisced about our memories of Browning, our time in college, and what we are currently doing. It was wonderful to see both Oliver and James after so many years, and it truly shows the strength of the brother-like bonds that Browning helped us foster.”

James Brisotti ’12 receiving his Nuclear Power School graduation certificate from Admiral John Richardson, Chief of Naval Operations.

“I visited New York in September after evacuating Charleston due to Hurricane Dorian. I caught up with Andrew M. Amarosa ’12 at Columbia Business School, then Christopher M. Pelz ’12, Jonathan E. Pelz ’12, and Oliver J. Shawn ’12 at Browning. It was great to see old friends and teachers while seeing all that has been upgraded at school in the last few years.”

Christopher M. Pelz ’12 shared the following about reconnecting with James R. Brisotti ’12 and Oliver J. Shawn ’12: ALUMNI

In other exciting news, Christopher M. Pelz ’12 joined the Browning faculty in September, following in the footsteps of his father, Sanford M. Pelz ’71, Director of College Guidance. Christopher is working with a senior on an introductory neuroscience independent study and is also the faculty advisor for the Middle School crochet club.

Christopher Pelz ’12 and Sanford Pelz ’71

ALUMNI: CLASS NOTES

Obituary In July, Ani I. Akpan ’14 released his first book, TV Killed the Internet Star: A Backstage Pass to Understanding the Renaissance of Television in the Digital Age, published by New Degree Press.

A holistic look at the rise in digital content consumption and how it is transforming the television industry, this book is a

must-read for anyone wondering what is next for the television industry. Mr. Akpan is the founder of Qase Media, a New York City–based video production company that works on promos, pilots, and corporate videos. As a producer, he has worked with brands such as Hugo Boss, WeWork, and Canon Inc. A 2018 graduate of Franklin & Marshall College, Mr. Akpan has spent time at several television networks and production companies including Lifetime Television, VICE Media, and HBO. He now works in the Television Department at Creative Artists Agency in Los Angeles.

In May, Math Department Chair Michael Klein cheered for the Browning Panthers at the NYCAL baseball championship with young alum Luke E. Barba ’17.

Mark V. Hurd ’74 The Browning community mourns the loss of Mark V. Hurd ’74, who passed away on October 18, at 62.

A technology industry veteran, Mr. Hurd was co-CEO of software giant Oracle Corporation and a member of the Oracle Board of Directors. Prior to his tenure at Oracle, Mr. Hurd served as Chairman of the Board, CEO, and President of Hewlett-Packard.

Before joining HP in 2005, he was at business technology company NCR Corp. for 25 years, working his way from a junior salesman to the chief executive officer.

Mr. Hurd grew up on the Upper East Side and attended Browning from Kindergarten through Form II. Moving to Miami for high school, he became a top-ranked tennis player and was recruited by Baylor University. Mr. Hurd graduated from Baylor with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing Management in 1979. He is survived by his wife, Paula, and their two daughters.

In Memoriam Gillette M. Brown P ’78 Mark V. Hurd ’74 Peter Kabcenell ’84 Anne H. Straus P ’64, ’71

In May, former Browning tennis players Michael L. Jozoff ’17, George D. Allen ’17, and Theodore I. Florescu ’18 came out to support the varsity Panthers at the NYCAL tennis championship.

BUZZER — Winter 2020

ALUMNI

Alan Warner P ’16

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Last page of good news Learning goes beyond academics.

We want our boys to have the tools to express their emotions and be empathetic toward others.

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Putting feelings into words Browning boys are now using Mood Meters to recognize emotions in themselves and others and to develop strategies for regulating their own emotions. The visual tool was developed at the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence. Our boys use it to check in with themselves and others during a weekly advisory period, as well as on entry cards for study hall so they can name how they are feeling before they get down to work.

Mood Meter posters are now in every Middle School classroom —a visual reminder for our boys of how dealing with emotions rather than avoiding them is better for their well-being.

GOOD NEWS

Top and bottom left: Mood Meters are prominently displayed in every classroom and the student lounge.

Bottom right: Talking about emotions promotes closer relationships between faculty and students.

THANK YOU

A

t the heart of a Browning education is the belief that boys learn best when they are in relationships where they feel known, loved, and challenged. Our teachers, past and present, embody this philosophy and make the School what it is today. Help us continue to foster the growth of

courageous and compassionate men of intellect and integrity who contribute meaningfully to the world. Your support is an investment in Browning’s mission and shows your belief in our boys, their teachers, and the excellence to which we all aspire.

Please make your Annual Fund gift today!

WAYS TO GIVE ONLINE browning.edu/giving MAIL The Browning School Office of Institutional Advancement 52 East 62nd Street New York, NY 10065

CONTACT STOCK For instructions on how to donate stock, please visit browning.edu/stock or contact John Campbell at jcampbell@browning.edu or 212.249.6879

MATCHING GIFTS Multiply your support to Browning! If your employer has a matching gift program, please follow the company’s instructions to initiate the match and we will complete the process.

Soo Mi Thompson Senior Director of Annual Giving sthompson@browning.edu 212.256.1081

5 2 Ea s t 6 2 n d S tre et, New York , NY 1 00 65

NON-PROFIT U.S. POSTAGE

PAID

AUGUSTA, ME PERMIT NO. 121

TO UPDATE YOUR ADDRESS Please call Krizia Moreno-Cruz at 212.838.6280 x1150

FROM THE ARCHIVE From the earliest ages, Browning boys form close ties with classmates (Grade Two boys at Black Rock Forest, 1992).

To learn about relationships at Browning today, go to page 8.