The Maroon & Grey The Official CFS Alumni Connection
Fall 2008
Director’s Corner I want to extend my thanks for the numerous e-mails, phone calls and letters I received regarding our inaugural edition of The Maroon & Grey. Our continuing goal is to help you feel “reconnected” with your fellow alumni, and to the wider CFS community. From your initial feedback, I believe we are accomplishing this task. I especially appreciate the ongoing support of Jim Tate ’52, Bill Wealot ’78 and Bart Bronk ’96 and am most grateful to all of you who have sent me articles, personal updates and photos.
All The Best Many CFS alumni expressed their sincere appreciation to Headmaster Shreiner for his years of dedication and service to the school as Terry begins his year-long sabbatical prior to retirement in 2009. Terry will always remain in the hearts of those whose lives he’s touched. Alumni are hoping he will be no stranger to the school, and the Class of 1960 has already extended him an invitation to celebrate their 50th class reunion with them in 2010.
Cecil Hengeveld ’64 with CFS Director of Alumni Relations Lori McDermott
From myriad avenues of school communications (Credentials, The Maroon & Grey, monthly E-Lerts, etc.) you probably realize that CFS students, faculty and alumni have been extremely busy these past six months. Additionally, on July 1 the entire CFS community welcomed our new Interim Head of School, Thomas (Tim) Rodd, a former teacher and academic leader with many years of independent school administrator experience. Mr. Rodd will serve as headmaster until next July 1 when a permanent headmaster to be appointed by the Board of Directors will arrive. Many of you returned to campus in record numbers for the Spring Alumni Weekend and Dinner. Others participated in the alumni choral concert, attended commencement ceremonies and reunions, or took part in a weeklong community service project. More than thirty alums braved Tropical Storm Hanna this September to participate in the alumni vs. varsity soccer game. I’ve also enjoyed the opportunity to get to know many of you through your participation and involvement in alumni projects. Jim Gravely ’71 and Dale Elks ’74 took charge of soliciting notes from fellow alums for their “best Joe Rhile memory,” as a tribute to their very special teacher, coach, mentor and friend. Roger Weissinger ’83 circulated countless e-mails to former wrestlers begging for their return to participate in the wrestling practice/weigh-in to honor Coach Rhile. Newt Disney ’48 coordinated the reunion of classmates from the Classes of 1947 through 1952. Mason Williams ’68 organized the summer community service project with Good Works in Coatesville. It’s also been my pleasure these past few months to work with Cecil Hengeveld ’64. Cecil is currently serving as co-chair of the 7th Annual CFS Golf Classic. With his assistance, we anticipate increased alumni involvement at this event to benefit the CFS Scholarship Fund in the years to come. Cecil also serves as the alumni representative on the search committee for the permanent headmaster. Comments, concerns or questions regarding this matter can be sent to his attention at cufly66@verizon.net. In the months ahead I look forward to increased alumni participation, not only in school-sponsored events but also in support of our Annual Fund Appeal that you will receive shortly. Alumni support of this fund counts heavily when pursuing foundation grants and corporate gifts to help underwrite the unique programs and social opportunities that you remember so well. The phrase “Look Back, Come Back, Give Back” says it all.
Terry commented how touched he was by the multitude of well-wishes he received during Spring Alumni Weekend. He also appreciated the phone calls, notes and e-mails he continued to receive throughout the remainder of the school year. CFS alumni are grateful not only for Terry’s thirty-one year tenure with the school, but for the leadership provided by his father, Mr. Charles, and his grandfather and school founder, the Colonel, throughout the school’s stellar ninety-year history. Many thanks to the Shreiner family. Well done!
Headmaster Terry Shreiner begins a year-long sabbatical prior to his retirement in 2009
Joe Rhile Retirement Beloved teacher, coach, mentor, friend: Joe Rhile, after forty-plus years of service to CFS, formally retired from the faculty this year. An unprecedented number of alumni returned to school for Spring Alumni Weekend and the Alumni Dinner on April 26 to express their well-wishes to Joe. An additional 150 guests, including faculty, parents, and board members also celebrated this remarkable teacher’s lifetime achievements. It was truly heartwarming to see and to hear stories of the dramatic impact Joe had on so many people during his tenure at CFS. In his commencement address Headmaster Terry Shreiner also paid homage to Joe in recognition of his years of dedicated service to the school. The entire CFS community extends congratulations and best wishes to Joe and his wife, Mary Ellen. Your job is done. No one could have done it better. Thank you.
We have much to look forward to this fall and winter. I continue to welcome your visits, e-mails, phone calls and letters and can be reached at lmcdermott@gocfs.net or by phone at 610-363-5338. Kind regards,
Director of Alumni Relations
Don Burt ’77 enjoys a moment with Joe Rhile at Commencement