Darlington Magazine Summer 2015

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M A G A Z I N E

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Brent Bell Head of School Hope Jones Director of ELA-8 Matthew Peer Director of Upper School Derek Perkins Director of Admission Joe Montgomery Chief Advancement Officer Julie (Wilson) Lucas (‘97) Director of Development Vicki Vincent Director of Alumni Relations Tannika Wester Director of Communications Editor, Darlington Magazine Luke Chaffin Content Manager Paige Hamil Marketing Coordinator RuthAnne Anderson Paul O’Mara Photographic Contributors Darlington Magazine is published two times a year by the Communication Office of Darlington School, and is distributed to those who have shown a continued interest in Darlington.

Darlington School, a nonprofit organization, does not discriminate in admission because of race, color, creed, religion, national or ethnic origin, and maintains non-discriminatory policies throughout its operation.

1014 Cave Spring Road Rome, Georgia 30161 706-235-6051 (phone) 706-232-3600 (fax) alumni@darlingtonschool.org www.darlingtonschool.org

On the Cover: From left, Angeline Myrie (‘25) and Margaret Gandy (‘25) take center stage in the second-grade play, “It’s All About the Music,” in March.

Annual grade-level musicals presented by students in the Early Learning Academy through grade 4 are among the many ways Darlington fosters selfconfidence in children.

Contents: Members of the Darlington Community honor and remember loved ones affected by cancer by walking reflective laps around Silver Lake during the school’s 7th Annual Light the Lake in March.

SUMMER 2015

Contents 2 Community News 21 Class Notes 36 In Memoriam Louisa (Harbin) Hunter (’62T)

Campus Features 7 Jill Pate

Road to Retirement

10 Ask Hope Jones 12 A Celebration of Teaching & Learning 17 Perree Collier Road to Retirement

20 Pam Morgan Road to Retirement

Campus Views 8 RUMPUS 18 Once Upon a Mattress 22 Alumni Weekend Alumni Profiles 25 Bob Berry (’64) Distinguished Alumnus

28 Bill Gordon (’64) Distinguished Alumnus

30 Will Harbin (’95) A passion for programming

33 Rostam Zafari (’14)

Innovating for the good of humanity

FROM THE

Head of School

This issue of Darlington Magazine hits at the heart of what we are all about, teaching and learning. After all, our school was named for a teacher and, for me, that idea never gets old. What a testament to the relationships that J.J. Darlington built with his students! It is those relationships that are at the heart of our learning community and endure today.

In a quote from the 1937 Jabberwokk, J.J. Darlington is remembered this way: “Joseph J. Darlington had exemplified for Mr. Cooper what he had considered to be the ideal relationship between teacher and pupil, wherein mutual endeavor, interest, and respect was of such a nature as to foster the fullest cooperation, not only in matters of intellectual achievement, but also for the development of character and manhood...“ “Learning with passion” starts and ends with relationships. It can and does occur in many places and in many ways. As adults, we remember our life lessons even more clearly than the Pythagorean Theorem or the causes of World War I. Throughout this magazine, you will hear from students and teachers as they highlight the incredible teaching and learning that occurs every day here at Darlington. Some examples may seem traditional, others outside the box, but I promise that all of them are helping us to grow exceptional students.

In the second quarter of the year, I began meeting with members of the senior class in groups of three or four. What I heard from them showed reflection on their part and was inspiring for me. When asked about “their best experience” at Darlington, many noted a teacher or a class. Others talked about their experience with a team or in the musical. A third theme was relational learning and the importance of their interactions with peers.

Their stories were personal and demonstrated each student’s uniqueness as a learner.

The common thread, without question, was that Darlington is a place where learning opportunities exist no matter where you are and who you are with. Because a 21st Century classroom is more than just a room; it is our campus, our community, our shared

experiences, our opportunities, our interests, and our relationships.

Learning occurs in the classroom when the passion of a teacher inspires you to learn more than you ever thought was possible, or provides an important opportunity to explore and find your own voice.

Learning occurs on the playing fields as lessons are learned not only from coaches, but from teammates. Here, your personal connection to the team is just as important as the opportunity to excel in a competitive situation.

Learning occurs on the stage as you discover talents and take healthy risks. One senior spoke eloquently about his experience in “The Sound of Music.” As a lead in a play full of young actors, he learned about leadership.

Learning occurs in the dorm, the dining room, the chapel and anywhere else that students gather. It is in these settings that you learn how you are different and yet similar in many ways. You learn what others value, what they’ve experienced and what your friends mean to you.

Darlington is a community of living and learning; you will see that clearly throughout the pages of this magazine. I hope that you enjoy it and take some time to reflect on your own learning journey.

HeART Project features work of Darlington artists Eight Darlington artists participated in the second annual Rome Community HeART Project, which celebrated National Heart Month in February.

“We were thrilled to have some of the talented members of the Darlington Community highlighted as a part of this month-long outdoor exhibition,” said Kim Tunnell, director of fine arts. “How appropriate to combine heart health and the arts, two very important things that contribute to our quality of life.”

Darlington students Rizwaan Dharsey (’15), Tate Morgan (’17), Maddie Sabourin (’18), Anne Scott Smith (’20) and Kathleen Perkins (’22); art teachers Jennifer Moore and Kathy O’Mara; and alumna Margaret Hjort (’11) used mediums of their choice to decorate large cement hearts that were displayed downtown.

A collaboration between the Rome Area Council for the Arts (RACA) and Redmond Regional Medical Center, the Rome Community HeART Project showcased 15 hearts this year.

“We love to find ways to incorporate art into all facets of life,” said RACA President Emily Hjort. “This project gives RACA an opportunity to promote an important cause and add some intrigue to our public art downtown.”

Art teacher Jennifer Moore’s heart was displayed at Citizens First Bank.

Darlington Magazine

Community News

Dang (’15) runner up in state STAR competition After being named Region 1 STAR Student in March, Ha Dang (’15) represented more than 22 school systems in Northwest Georgia at the state level of the competition, where she was named runner up for the entire State of Georgia.

“Ha is the first of our students in a number of years to make it to the STAR state level,” said Sam Moss (’63), dean of college guidance. “It is a huge achievement for her, especially having only been in this country for two years. She is one of the most articulate international students that we have ever had.”

The boarding student from Ha Noi, Vietnam, selected chemistry teacher Julia Dodd as her STAR Teacher.

This fall, Dang will attend the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where she plans to major in biomedical engineering, chemical engineering, and/ or material science and engineering.

The Student Teacher Achievement Recognition (STAR) program recognizes Georgia seniors who have scored the highest on the SAT during a single-day attempt and are in the top 10% of their class.

Fields (’15) earns state cross country title Spencer Fields (’15) ran up to 65 miles a week in his quest for the Class AA state cross country title he successfully claimed in November after running the 5,000-meter, Carrollton, Ga., course in 17:11:80.

“I figured I might have a good shot at state if I put the work in,” he said. “It took a lot of effort but it turned out to be worth it.”

This season, the Tigers moved from Class A to AA, but this new challenge only motivated Fields. He won the All-Area and Region 7-AA meets and received statewide attention after being named Class AA Runner of the Week

by GA Mile Split on more than one occasion.

“Spencer not only had the best season of anyone in the area, he had one of the best seasons of any Darlington runner ever,” said head coach Katie Ellis. “He’s just blown everything away. He set a new school record but most exciting is being a state champion. It was a huge goal for him and something he didn’t have his sights on until this year.”

Fields was also named the winner of the John Pinson Outstanding Male Athlete Award at the Rome-Floyd Sports Hall of Fame induction banquet in February.

Spencer Fields (’15) competes at state.

Soccer Academy at Disney The Darlington School Soccer Academy U18 Girls celebrate after being named Gold Champions for their age bracket at the Disney President’s Day Soccer Festival in February. The U19 Boys and U18 Boys also won their divisions, while the U14 Boys made it to the semifinals. Held at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, Fla., the President’s Day Festival is presented by AS Roma.

Cook (’15) secures second state wrestling title

Ha Dang (’15)

Summer 2015

Hayden Cook (’15) earned his second state title in February after defeating Social Circle’s Aaron Forrester at the GHSA Traditional State Wrestling Tournament in Macon, Ga. In the moments leading up to his big win, the Darlington Tiger trailed his opponent by one point with 10 seconds on the clock.

“When I knew I was down, I got to thinking about how disappointed I was wrestling last year and losing by one point. I was not about to let that happen again,” said Cook, who won the

182-pound weight class. “I was going to do whatever it took and push the pace to the very end. I refused to lose. I wanted to make my whole family proud.”

His two-point lead and subsequent win came with about two seconds left in the final round following the successful takedown of his Class AA opponent.

“My coaches have always told me not to give up. Even if there is only one second, don’t give up,” Cook said. “You always fight to the very end.”

Hayden Cook (’15) secures his second state wrestling title.

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Community News

High-achievers earn Darlington Honor Scholarships

Olivia Harper (’19)

Marissa Joseph (’19)

Incoming freshmen Olivia Harper of Rome and Marissa Joseph of Acworth, Ga., have been named the recipients of the 2015 Darlington Honor Scholarships.

This full-tuition award is given to one freshman day applicant and one freshman boarding applicant each year.

“The Honor Scholarship is the most prestigious merit award offered by Darlington, and we are proud of Olivia and Marissa for the countless hours of hard work and dedication that earned them this achievement,” said Derek Perkins, director of admission. “I am confident that each of these students is

Ginger Pride Parade

The Darlington Tiger served as the grand marshal of the 5th Annual Ginger Pride Walk through downtown Rome in March.

Darlington students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends joined the Tiger at the front of the parade, which featured more than 500 participants. This event, founded in 2011 as an opportunity to bring awareness to bullying while encouraging redheads to celebrate what makes them unique, has been the subject of local, state and national media coverage. As a No Place for Hate school, Darlington was honored to be involved and hopes to see an even larger school presence at the event in 2016.

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a great fit for Darlington and will make long-lasting contributions to our school community. I look forward to welcoming them to campus this fall.”

Harper completed eighth grade at St. Mary’s Catholic School, where she was a finalist in the school’s oratorical contest and a member of Student Council, Junior Beta Club, International Junior Thespian Society and the math team. She plays clarinet and is secretary of Floyd County 4-H, winning first place for the last two years with her 4-H District Achievement Project. At Sammy McClure Middle School, Joseph was a member of Junior

Beta Club and sang in the LGPE festival choir. Outside of school, she is a member of Duke Talent Identification Program and plays club volleyball.

Established in 2011 as a result of Darlington’s Second Century Campaign, the Honor Scholarship covers tuition, room and board, books, and any other materials and fees. It is renewable annually for the length of the student’s career at Darlington as long as certain requirements are met. For more information, contact admission@ darlingtonschool.org.

24 participate in Leadership Darlington Twenty-four alumni representing six states participated in the school’s Leadership Darlington program in March.

“Leadership Darlington is a prestigious and competitive opportunity for alumni to engage with their alma mater and school leaders on an in-depth, personal level,” said Vicki Vincent, director of alumni relations. “The program is designed to increase the number of alumni actively engaged with the school and develop the next generation of Darlington’s leadership.”

Members of the Leadership Darlington Class of 2015 include Lynn Whatley (’67) of Rome; Steven Winkler (’72) of Baton Rouge, La.; Beth (Johnson) Higbie (’77) of Tyrone, Ga.; Whit Whitaker (’77) of Rome; Layton Roberts (’82) of Rome; Chris Jefts (’84) of Athens, Ga.; Kim McCoy (’88) of Cartersville, Ga.; Deborah Ryan (’88) of Atlanta; Bill Temple (’90) of Rome; Claire (Drummond) Strowd (’92) of Atlanta; Kent Capps (’93) of Dallas, Texas; Jake Sisley (’96) of Atlanta; Kate (Daniel) Vinyard (’96) of Roswell, Ga.; Sean Atkins (’99) of Suffield, Ct.; Kent Harrison (’01) of Rome; Jeff Hortman (’02) of New York; Ben McElrath (’02) of Rome; Kent Barber (’03) of Greenville, S.C.; Hunter Edwards (’04) of Rome; Wes Henderson (’06) of Sandy Springs, Ga.; Oliver York (’06) of Atlanta;

Julia Douglas (’07) of Athens, Ga.; Claire Davis (’08) of Atlanta; and Izzy Hortman (’08) of Rome.

Over two days, participants obtained an integrated view of Darlington, including the internal and external forces that affect the school’s direction and the challenges it faces. They also experienced an interchange with senior administrators and participated in discussions about the future. The program featured a keynote address by Jere Drummond (’57), past chairman of Darlington’s Board of Trustees and retired vice chair of BellSouth Corp.

To apply for Leadership Darlington 2016, contact alumni@ darlingtonschool.org.

Jake Sisley (’96) presents the results of a small-group discussion to Leadership Darlington classmates.

Darlington Magazine

Heart of the Community honors Darlington Darlington School received the Heart of the Community Business Community Service Award at the 29th Annual “Affair of the Heart” gala in February.

“It is a huge honor for Darlington to be recognized by our community in this manner,” said Head of School Brent Bell.

“Servant leadership is at the very core of who we are as an institution, and we are immensely proud of our faculty, staff, and students for their contributions to Rome and Floyd County.”

“Service Beyond Self” is the second stanza of Darlington’s motto and has

been one of the school’s core values since it was founded in 1905.

“Though the school’s namesake, J. J. Darlington, certainly stressed the importance of sound scholarship and the necessity for discipline, his chief emphasis was upon character and service,” said Director of Communications Tannika Wester, who nominated Darlington for the award.

Students and faculty volunteer weekly at the Boys & Girls Club and McHenry Primary School, and host a variety of additional service opportunities throughout the year that focus on topics

New playground to become reality A student-led dream for a playground for grades 3-5 will materialize this summer thanks to a partnership between parents, school administrators and the Board of Trustees.

Darlington is moving forward with the project after a series of presentations given by Tommy Cowan (’24), Mary Blair Fuller (’24), Connor Brown (’23), Christa Twyman (’23), Brock Lignell (’22) and Sarah Tunnell (’22). These students worked together under the guidance of ELA-8 administrators to compile a case for the project.

“Beyond fulfilling a need, the task gave this group of students something positive to advocate for and allowed them to learn how to advocate for themselves,” said Jennifer Scott, president of ELA-8 Tiger Pride.

The conversation regarding this need began early in the school year when the students took an inventory of the activities available to grades 3-5 during break. They cited crowded outdoor areas, lack of outdoor restroom facilities, the distance to snack machines, automobile traffic, and locked doors as inconveniences and opportunities for growth.

“We researched playground options online and got doctors’ and parents’ opinions about why our age group needs a playground,” Tunnell explained.

The students also identified pros and cons of the current play spaces as well as

Summer 2015

existing features that could be employed with a new structure. “[The students] were well-prepared, confident and convincing,” said Linda (Grizzard) Owens (’79), chair of the Board of Trustees. “They showed us the need for the new playground, satisfied the need with research, and then painted a clear vision of the results of satisfying the need. I believe the significance of this decision is the way it demonstrates the success the school can achieve when [we] all work together.”

The playground project will receive $50,000 in funding from Tiger Pride, $25,000 from the school and the remainder of the balance from the Board of Trustees.

like literacy, homelessness, hunger, special populations, health, and more.

“We want to use our hands and feet to make a difference in our community, and we encourage our students to serve organizations about which they are passionate,” Wester said. “They log tens of thousands of servant leadership hours every year and the vast majority of these efforts are student led.”

The Heart of the Community awards are sponsored each year by Redmond Regional Medical Center and produced by the Heart of the Community Board of Governors.

Courtesy of Ashley Phillips Photography

City Manager Sammy Rich presents the Heart of the Community Award to Head of School Brent Bell and Linda (Grizzard) Owens (’79), chair of the Board of Trustees.

Faces and Places Contest

Communication teacher Adrienne Forgette’s image of a snow-covered Morris Chapel won an Honorable Mention in the Greater Rome Convention & Visitors Bureau’s annual Faces and Places Photo Contest in March.

The Darlington campus looked stunning blanketed in the more than five inches of snow that was sent our way by Winter Storm Remus in February.

Mary Blair Fuller (’24), Tommy Cowan (’24), Brock Lignell (’22), Christa Twyman (’23), Connor Brown (’23) and Sarah Tunnell (’22) present to the Board of Trustees.

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Community News

Courtesy of NASA/JPL

Melissa Rice stands next to a working full-scale model of the Curiosity rover at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif.

Scientist presents Mars research at annual lectureship Melissa Rice, assistant professor of planetary science at Western Washington University, was the 12th speaker in the annual Class of 1953 Lectureship Series in April. Her lecture was titled “Driving Cars on Mars: An Inside Look at the Science and Engineering of NASA’s Mars Rover Missions.”

“This was an incredible opportunity for our students to connect with someone who has an exciting career in science,” said Vicki Vincent, director of alumni relations.

A collaborator on the active NASA Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity and Mars Exploration

Rover Opportunity missions, Rice teaches in Western Washington’s geology and physics/astronomy departments. Her research focuses on the sedimentology, stratigraphy and mineralogy of planetary surfaces; the current aim of her work is to help constrain the habitability of ancient environments on Mars.

“It wasn’t until I was well into college that I realized that working in the space industry was the most exciting thing I could possibly do,” Rice said.

“My junior year, I took a class on space exploration for fun, and one day we had a guest lecture on new discoveries from Mars given by Dr. James Garvin from NASA. He showed us new pictures from the Mars Global Surveyor mission, which revealed layered rocks and gullies carved by ancient rivers on Mars. This meant that Mars was once a wetter and more dynamic place that we had thought, and that there was a chance life might have been able to survive there. After learning this, I was immediately hooked on Mars and have been ever since!”

Rice holds a B.A. in Astrophysics from Wellesley College and a Ph.D. in Astronomy from Cornell University.

Prior to her move to Western Washington last year, she was a Postdoctoral Scholar in the California Institute of Technology’s division of geological and planetary sciences.

The Class of 1953 Lectureship Series was established in 2003 to commemorate the class’s 50th reunion.

Blood drive honors teacher battling breast cancer

Laura Hicks visits with Martin Atkins (’15) at the blood drive.

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Forty-seven people participated in a March blood drive held in honor of Laura Hicks, director of the ELA-8 Teaching and Learning Center, who was diagnosed with breast cancer last October.

“Laura’s courage and sweet spirit have been evident throughout her journey, and we were so happy to honor her with this small token of love,” said Reba Barnes, director of servant leadership.

Prior to her actual diagnosis, doctors informed Hicks that she had an 87% chance of getting the disease because she had the BRCA2 gene. Her plan to be proactive and undergo a bilateral mastectomy actually uncovered the presence of existing cancer cells.

“I am so blessed and honored to be a part of the Darlington Community that has literally and figuratively embraced me and my family, especially my

DarBots finish 37th in World Championship The DarBots robotics team finished 37th out of 127 teams from around the world at the FIRST Tech Challenge World Championship in St. Louis, Mo., in April.

“Our team is like a big family,” said Moana Kubo (’15). “This was not going to happen without each and every person, and I’m so glad that our efforts were rewarded.”

The DarBots advanced to nationals in February after outperforming 34 Georgia teams to win the state tournament and the Rockwell Collins Design Award, a top engineering prize.

This stellar performance earned them the opportunity to compete at the Southern Super Regional Tournament in San Antonio, Texas, in March, where they made it to the division finals.

FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Tech Challenge teaches science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) skills through hands-on robotics competition.

The DarBots prepare to compete in a regional FTC tournament at Southern Polytechnic State University. children,” said Hicks. “I am in awe of God’s mercy and grace upon me. I can’t even articulate what it means to have everyone’s love and support.”

Hicks completed her last major round of chemotherapy the day after the blood drive and began radiation the following month. She and her husband, Wendell, are the parents of Sawyer (’15) and Gibson (’19).

Darlington Magazine

Campus Feature

Road to Retirement

Jill Pate

“As a child, I was always very sensitive to people’s emotions and observant of their expressions and behaviors,” said Jill Pate, Darlington’s recently retired director of personal counseling. Pate’s intuition and kind spirit came in handy when guiding the Atlanta native to choose her line of work, long before she ever called herself a Tiger.

Before joining the staff at Darlington, Pate was already an active member of the community as a parent and the wife of an alumnus. Connecting with the school on another level was not always in the plan, but in time, she would bring her wealth of experience and expertise to the students.

After earning a B.A. and B.S.N. at the University of Denver, Pate worked for 20 years in hospital-based psychiatric programs with children and adolescents as a Certified Mental Health Nurse, counselor, and program administrator.

It took a blend of persuasion and perfect timing for former Headmaster David Rhodes to convince Pate to apply for and accept the role of director of personal counseling. When the

Summer 2015

conversation first began, she still had young children who needed their mother at home. But as daughter Sara (’08) entered fourth grade and son Ben (’07) entered fifth, Pate decided it was the right time to pursue the next chapter of her career, this time at Darlington.

Sixteen short years later, Pate has retired, bidding a fond farewell to the place that fostered deep friendships and connections for everyone in her family.

As a personal counselor, Pate’s primary job was to do just that – build relationships with students, parents and faculty. The scope of her work was sometimes reactionary, but usually more proactive in nature as she worked to guide young Tigers on the road to well-being.

“I love that students feel comfortable just hanging out in the Counseling and Student Life offices,” said Pate.

“Those friendly, relaxing, hang-out times are the building blocks of trust and open the door for the more difficult conversations that may arise.”

Having seen many changes at Darlington over the years, it is the addition of the House System that stands out to Pate as most transformative.

“The House system has created a true family atmosphere that has increased a sense of belonging and kinship among our community,” she explained. “It has narrowed the gap between our day and boarding students, and has brought students from various backgrounds and cultures together.”

Pate has experienced a spectrum of seasons and emotions during her tenure, always reminded of the strong bond that unites every Tiger.

“My time here has been full of laughter and, at times, tears. Surprisingly, it is probably the hardest of times that I hold closest to my heart,” she said.

“There was a season of great loss, out of which grew a spirit of gentleness, caring, and acceptance among our students and faculty. The shared trauma of those losses forever connected us to each other.”

And while the door of her Wilcox Hall office closed for the final time at the end of the school year, Pate has no intention of slowing down any time soon.

“I’m excited about having time to visit family and I’m looking forward to the adventures that lie ahead,” she said.

Among her upcoming adventures is a trip to England for a veterinary exchange program with husband Dan (’76, LD ’13), the owner of West Rome Animal Clinic.

The retiree will also be busy helping her daughter plan a November wedding, where Sara will walk down the aisle of Morris Chapel just as her parents did in 1985.

“I will miss experiencing ‘life’ with our students and families,” said Pate. “Most often, it’s simply being present in their lives and being available.”

Beyond the years of fond memories and countless students who are better for having known Jill Pate, she is also left with valuable lessons that will carry her into a successful and vibrant retirement.

“Our faculty are passionate about what they do and challenge our students to be active participants in the learning process,” said Pate. “Working with teachers has inspired and motivated me to be an active and lifelong learner.”

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Campus View

RUMPUS

It only happens once a year. Each January, day and boarding students representing each of Darlington’s six campus houses vie for the coveted title of RUMPUS champion during three days of intense competition. This year’s players included the Cooper House Powerpuff Girls, the Summerbell House Gangsters, the Regester House Angels, the Thornwood House Tribe, the Teenage Mutant Neville House Turtles and the Moser House Fight Club. Teams made spirit banners and donned creative costumes as they competed in events planned by head prefects from each house.

Students and faculty members alike played dodgeball, ate odd food combinations during Fear Factor, racked their brains during Trivia, took center stage during Lip Sync, and pushed themselves to their physical limit during the final challenge – The Gauntlet. The boys of Summerbell House were named 2015 RUMPUS champs and, as always, the highly anticipated weekend promoted teamwork, unity, sportsmanship, fun, and laughs as the Darlington Community came together as a family.

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Darlington Magazine

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Hope Jones has served as director of ELA-8 since July 2014. She has 24 years of experience at schools in Alabama, Virginia, Washington, D.C., and California, serving most recently as assistant head of lower school at Viewpoint School in Calabasas, Calif. Jones holds a B.A. in Elementary Education and English from the University of Alabama – Huntsville as well as an M.A. in Middle Level Curriculum and Instruction from George Mason University in Fairfax, Va. She and her husband, Charles, have two children, Hannah (’17) and Charlie (’22).

Q&A with Brent Bell

Hope Jones

When did you first know that you wanted to be an educator?

I knew I wanted to teach after playing hours and hours of school with my little sister when I was in second grade. I would make her write the alphabet and her name over and over again.

Needless to say, she has beautiful handwriting now. My aspirations were confirmed when I took my first Shakespeare class my senior year in high school. Having a teacher embrace “Macbeth” and “Hamlet” showed me the power of teaching. I still correspond with her even to this day.

What do you love about working in independent schools?

I love the school community. Being part of an independent school allows for collaboration among colleagues, parents and students. I love the freedom to create curriculum that enhances the learning opportunities for all students.

Independent schools provide unique learning experiences for students in all areas, including, but not limited to, the fine arts, athletics, servant leadership and student life.

What do you enjoy most about working with children?

Every day is a new day! Children embrace passion!

Who are three people in your life who have inspired you and why?

My high school English teacher because she was passionate about teaching literature and believed in me as a student. My mother because she was my superhero. She raised four children, five grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

She is my confidence and my bravery. She is my strength and my sensitivity. She is my compassion and even my laughter. My husband because when I first met him my freshman year in college, he was the most ambitious person I had ever met. He drives my ambition while supporting my passion.

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What are some of the things you are most proud of accomplishing in your career thus far?

Having an opportunity to work at top independent schools in the nation and be a contributing member of their intellectual community; studying, developing, and implementing curriculum in a variety of settings and content areas; and being able to balance a family life with my passion for work.

What are some of the qualities you were looking for as you sought a head of school position?

The friendly and welcoming faculty, the fact that the ELA-8 division blends my two passions (the lower and middle grades), the sense of community in that Darlington is truly one school on one campus, the string program and Instrumental Music Conservatory (which was important for my children), the amazing facilities and campus, and – of course – the Southern charm (it’s great to be back in the South!)

As a mother, what were you and your husband looking for in terms of educational opportunities for your children and how has Darlington fulfilled your needs and wants?

Moving a rising fifth-grader and tenth-grader can be tricky. Knowing their unique and different personalities, we were looking for a school community where both children could find a sense of belonging. Solid academics, athletic opportunities and a strong music program were our priorities. The Music Conservatory offered an additional opportunity that we never dreamed a school would be able to offer our children. In our search, we were certain that we, as parents, would have to have some give and take. However, Darlington fulfilled all our needs as a family.

What role did Darlington’s mission and values play in your decision to come here?

I read Darlington’s mission statement before I ever stepped on campus. When I first arrived, I quickly realized that the school’s mission is a Living Mission. From learning with passion to acting with integrity and serving with respect, the Darlington Community embraces the true essence of the mission. Each day in the ELA8, we start by reciting our mission statement at Flagpole. It is a strong reminder of the importance of passion, integrity and respect.

Darlington is a day and boarding school; what about this opportunity was most exciting to you?

It allows me the opportunity to be part of the residential life here at Darlington. Whether I am hanging out with students in the Huffman Athletic Center or competing in RUMPUS Fear Factor, I belong to a much larger community than just the ELA-8. I feel connected to this community in a way that I never imagined.

How do you think the day/boarding environment here at Darlington makes our ELA-8 program stronger?

Having students from surrounding areas as well as all over the world enriches our school as a whole. The students are able to engage in one-school events, building a true sense of community. They understand the value of having two divisions and how those two divisions can come together for a greater cause, whether it is servant leadership or just participating in cross-divisional academic experiences like the Insect Expo.

What have you most enjoyed about working with Darlington’s faculty and staff so far?

Darlington is very welcoming and I was accepted quickly into the community. I have enjoyed getting to know the faculty and discovering more about what inspires them. They have an impressive work ethic. They are passionate about providing our students with unique experiences that set Darlington apart from other schools.

Darlington Magazine

Campus Feature

Hope Jones celebrates a birthday with Myles Twyman (‘26).

What do you see as the ELA-8 division’s three greatest strengths?

1. Unique learning opportunities for our students (fine arts, athletics, servant leadership) 2. Dedicated faculty and staff; overall strong sense of community 3. Committed parent community

What do you think are some of the greatest challenges teachers are facing in the 21st Century? What about students?

Teachers: • Technology is constantly changing.

Teachers may resist learning about new technology because it takes them out of their comfort zone.

• Communication can be complicated.

• We are preparing students today for a world that will be quite different when they graduate.

• We must embrace innovation, design-thinking and problem-based learning.

• We must answer the question, “What skills and knowledge are needed to work in the future?”

• There is greater collaboration among teachers.

• So much information is constantly available.

Students want to be taught how and where to find what they need when they need it.

Summer 2015

Hope Jones visits the Insect Expo with students.

Students: • They like to be in control.

• They like choice.

• They are group-oriented and social.

• They are inclusive.

• They are native users of digital technology.

• They think differently.

• They are more likely to task risks.

In your opinion, what are five characteristics that an effective leader must have?

Vision, integrity, the ability to inspire action, effective communication skills and the ability to motivate others.

Share three personal goals you have set for yourself in the coming year.

1. Catch up on my reading – both adult and children’s literature.

2. Explore the State of Georgia since I’m a Bama girl.

3. S pend more quality time with my family and friends.

Hope Jones rides the mechanical bull at Tigerfest.

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A Celebration of

TEACHING &LEARNING

Wh a t d o e s a 2 1 s t C e n t u r y classroom look like? The truth is, it manifests itself in many different forms. Collaboration.

Active learning. Problem solving.

Communication. Technology.

Each of these is a component of the 21st Century classroom. You see, the things that define an effective “classroom” or learning space nowadays are rarely ever

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related to the physical space at all. Learning with passion can happen anywhere – and it does! In the next five pages, students and teachers highlight some of the creative teaching and learning that takes place every day here at the Lakeside. Join us as we explore and celebrate what the 21st Century classroom looks like at Darlington.

Singer/songwriter Rebecca Loebe, a contestant on season one of NBC’s “The Voice,” was the first of a string of professional artists to visit campus as part of the school’s 21st Century Artist program..

“Rebecca was a pure representation of a humble, determined artist – something I’ve always wanted for myself as an aspiring actress. Her voice captivated not only my Concert Choir class, but also the whole Upper School when she performed in chapel. I truly believe that bringing more people like Rebecca to campus will help foster growth in our fine arts department.”

Palesa Molapo (’17) on the 21st Century Artist program

Darlington Magazine

Who says Easter egg hunts are just for children? As Easter weekend approached, Al Shorey’s Algebra 2 students prepared for their upcoming test in a nontraditional way. Each class split into two teams with each team hiding the other’s eggs. Students raced to see who could find their eggs and solve the math problems hidden inside them the fastest.

“It was fun hiding and looking for the eggs and then working together to solve the problems. I think it is fantastic that Mr. Shorey mixes class time with fun and creative learning activities. These kinds of exercises help us bond and review together.”

Andrea Riano (’17) on Algebra 2 test prep activity

One of the best examples of peerto-peer learning at Darlington is the annual International Fair. Students from around the world take great pride in sharing the food, culture and traditions of their native countries with the entire Darlington Community.

“Darlington brings cultures from around the world to coexist and learn together. This allows us to experience

diversity firsthand, and helps us be more sensitive to different cultures. I enjoyed being an honorary South Korean at the fair this year. They take a lot of time preparing their dishes because their recipes are complex and require tedious quality control.”

Ian Kinney (’17) on the International Fair

After studying the birds of Georgia, Zoology students ventured to the Golden Coast on a mission to see different species in various coastal ecosystems. Students worked in groups of four to identify the most species in a two-day period, recording their findings on a game card with varying point values for each bird species seen.

“This trip gave us an opportunity to take what we learned in the classroom and apply it to nature. I enjoyed seeing different types of birds in their natural habitats. It made me eager to learn more about birds even after the trip ended.”

Abby Cook (’15) on the Zoology trip to the Golden Coast

When the Deaton Darlings presented “The Littlest Christmas Tree” to Upper School students and faculty, Ella Peer (’27) exuded complete confidence.

You wouldn’t know it, but she had to be persuaded to perform in front of a group last year. This year, she knew everyone’s lines!

“These experiences help students learn that practice helps us get better

Summer 2015

at something, to become comfortable speaking in front of a group with clarity and expression, to work together toward a common goal, to become a team that encourages one another, and to see how performances can bring joy to others.”

Early Learning Academy instructor Jody Deaton on the class plays

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TEACHING &LEARNING Marshmallows flew and rubber bands popped as eighth-graders put into motion what they’d been learning about simple machines in science class.

Students worked in small groups to design and create a catapult that could launch large marshmallows at a tower of plastic cups.

“I love the fact that it is an entire process – they work together, research it, engineer it and design it. It allows them to be creative, but also gives them guidelines.”

Science teacher Angela Pieroni on the eighth-grade catapult project

First-graders mastered the art of informational writing by publishing “How To” books on topics ranging from “How to Do a Cartwheel” to “How to Be Kind.” Each book contained a table of contents and an index. To add a twist of technology, they also filmed “How To” videos to accompany their book.

“The students had the freedom to choose topics about which they were passionate; this made the learning process even more relevant and meaningful for them.”

First-grade teacher Rachel Harrison on the “How To” book

This year’s third-grade wax museum took visitors on a virtual trip across the country to learn about 24 very accomplished Americans. Each student was “frozen” until brought to life by museum patrons, who could choose whether to hear about the figure in Spanish or English.

“Working on the wax museum made the learning process fun because we got to do the project in so many fun ways. We did things in art, in reading class, and we used our iPads for the technology part.”

Jennifer Hughes (’24) on the wax museum

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To reinforce their unit on ratios and proportions, Geometry students were tasked with increasing the scale of a drawing of a cartoon character.

“Planning a project from beginning stage to completion is an excellent way to help nurture the executive function of young people. The students will better remember the process and importance of scale factors, and their knowledge will be more accurate than if they had simply memorized a list of meaningless steps.”

Math teacher Christie Atkins on the proportion project

Campus Feature

Cross-Divisional Mentoring Critical Thinking Competition Relationships

Problem Solving Q&A

Active Learning

Writing

LEARN WITH PASSION Student-driven Creative Thinking Student-led

Peer-to-Peer Communication Athletic programs help students develop and fine-tune skills, while also learning about teamwork, sportsmanship and competition. But they also inspire them to explore new passions, discover things about themselves, learn from one another, and build relationships and memories that last a lifetime.

“Cross country has taught me perseverance and how powerful the mind is. During practice and races, it’s your body versus your mind.

Your body is utterly exhausted but your mind is telling you that you can finish. My teammates have taught me about supporting one another and pushing each other to do our best.”

Tina Chea (’15) on athletics as a learning opportunity

New this year, Big-Little Sisters is a student-led initiative that pairs first-year boarding girls with returning resident girls, who serve as mentors during the school year.

“This program helps new students transition to Darlington because – although we are very fortunate to have the first-year dorms, which give new resident students 30-odd friends who are going through the same thing – students

Summer 2015

who come to Darlington for their junior, senior or even post-graduate year don’t have this luxury. Going to a new high school can be scary (especially a boarding school!) and it is nice for them to have someone who has already gone through the transition help guide them through it.”

Bernadette Ebri (’15) on the Big-Little Sister program

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TEACHING &LEARNING After studying Epic heroes, Folk heroes, Christian heroes and the Hero’s Journey, students in John Cox’s English 4: What Makes a Hero course read the graphic novel “Watchmen” in their quest to learn more about the Anti-Hero.

“Reading a graphic novel forces students to consider how graphics and words can be used together to deliver information and ideas in a different format than a standard novel. ‘Watchmen’ is a complex novel, where complex characters have to make complex choices. This leads to several intersecting plot lines that uncover interesting themes.

There are also a few life lessons thrown in.”

Sophomores in Craig Schmidt’s AP World History class reviewed a Document-Based Question assignment in preparation for the AP Exam. They read and analyzed 8-10 primary source documents, including maps, charts, private letters, speeches, photographs and more. Then, they created a thesis, using the documents to support their point of view.

“DBQ is an acquired skill … the challenge is to think. At no point does memorization of history data come into play … I have had many former students tell me that these skills are the ones that get them through many different liberal arts classes in college.”

English teacher John Cox on teaching “Watchmen”

History teacher Craig Schmidt on DBQs After studying the Inuit Indians in social studies, fifth-graders used computer-aided design software to generate models of igloos and visited the MakerSpace to print them in 3D. They then built igloos out of sugar cubes and icing.

“Students learned about the Inuits’ community, lifestyle, the climate and geography of where they are located, and how these factors influenced their necessity for building igloos. Seeing how hard it was to build these igloos helped them imagine what it might be like to build an actual one out of snow, in the freezing cold, in a matter of minutes.”

Fifth-grade teacher Julie Fine on the igloo project

After exploring Paleolithic art forms in the caves of northern Spain, Crystal Cleveland collaborated with ELA-2 art and Spanish teacher Susan Mann to create a unit in which Spanish 4 students taught K4 about prehistory’s people and art, all in Spanish.

“I’ve used photos, videos and cultural artifacts to make curriculum come alive in an experiential and multimedia learning environment. My goal is to foster the students’ ability to make interdisciplinary connections and to determine how the past affects the present and informs the future.”

Spanish teacher Crystal Cleveland on collaborative unit with K4

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Darlington Magazine

Campus Feature

Road to Retirement

Perree Collier

From the time she was a sophomore in college, Perree Collier knew it was her destiny to work with children. After graduating from Belhaven College, the Gadsden, Ala., native spent five years teaching in Gadsden City Schools and working on her master’s at the University of Alabama before her husband, Lynn, took a job in Rome.

She soon began teaching at First Presbyterian Church Preschool and it was there that she first began to meet Darlington families, who were always happy to share the wonderful and exciting things going on at school.

When a job opened up at Darlington, it seemed like the perfect next step for Collier. She was hired in January 1998 by the late Larry Muschamp, thenprincipal of the Lower School, and enrolled her children – Elizabeth (’03), Bert (’05), and Patrick (’08) – that fall.

“The administration was very supportive, the teachers welcoming and professional, and the students articulate and engaged,” she said. “All of this confirmed that I was in the right place.

As a member of a team, you sharpen each other, and I was very blessed to be sharpened by my colleagues.”

Collier initially taught Lower School math, science, and one year of kindergarten; however, it wasn’t long before she was pursuing her passion, teaching science to grades 3-5.

“Working with grades 3-5 involves changing gears from one age group to the next each day,” she said. “They may be close in age but are much different in emotional, social and academic maturity. Having a sense of humor is vital!”

Collier’s approach to teaching is simple. “Learning is more than just academics; it’s about knowing the children and meeting them where they are,” she said. “You care for them and hope to instill in them that love of learning. As much as I wanted them to have a love of learning, the children

Summer 2015

rekindled my love of learning. They taught me to see the beauty of simple things. There is something about seeing the world through the eyes of children!”

When Thatcher Hall opened in 2009, Collier made the move to Cave Spring Road with fifth grade to teach them science and language arts. Four years later, the rest of the lower grades have followed suit, bringing the entire Darlington student body together on one campus.

“Everyone is now together as one school, and it has been great seeing all the connections between different age levels – not only at the ELA-8 campus, but with the Upper School, too,” she said. “We needed to be together. The potential to build meaningful, lifelong relationships here at Darlington is something very special that can’t be found at other PK-12 schools.”

Most recently, Collier was instrumental in implementing Delta, a hands-on science curriculum that focuses on the experience of learning, teaching students how to observe, think critically and practice solving problems on their own.

“Students don’t just memorize information; they work with different investigations, observing the variables

that might affect the outcome,” she explained. “They learn how to apply concepts to real-world situations at an early age. It also highlights the interconnectivity between science and math.”

In her 16 years of service to Darlington, Collier’s contributions are plentiful and lives she has impacted, too many to list. And while she misses seeing her students and colleagues every day, she is enjoying the change of pace that has come with retirement.

“It is hard to leave the school when it is in your blood,” she said, “but it has been nice to have more time to work in the garden, travel with my husband, get more involved in local ministries and relax. The icing on the cake is getting to spend time with my grandchildren, Annie Ruth and McCain.”

For those of us who miss seeing her in the hallways of Thatcher, it is comforting to think that Perree Collier’s teaching legacy will live on through her son, Patrick (’08), who joined the faculty as an ELA-8 history teacher and coach last fall.

“I wanted to be a wife and a mother, to teach school, and to be able to continue playing piano in some form,” she said.

“I’ve been blessed to do it all.”

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ONCE UPON A

MATTRESS

Th i rt y-fi v e st u den ts took th e stage i n Darlington’s production of classic Broadway musical “Once Upon a Mattress” at the DeSoto Theatre in February. The story follows the woes of a fictitious medieval kingdom caught in a debacle when an unfair queen, played by Palesa Molapo (’17), decrees it illegal for her citizens to marry until Prince Dauntless, played by Ian Kinney (’17), finds true love. The kingdom’s luck begins to change with the arrival of swamp-born Princess Winnifred, played by Gabrielle Wood (’15), who is intent on winning the prince’s hand in marriage.

What happens next in volves the queen’s hilarious pursuits to keep her son a bachelor and includes melodrama, outrageous tests of strength, 20 mattresses, and a pea. A special thanks to Darlington’s Fine Arts Booster Club for their support!

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Darlington Magazine

Campus View

Summer 2015

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Road to Retirement

Pam Morgan

Pam Morgan was already very familiar with Darlington when Bob Hawks called to see if she would be interested in a job in the school’s Advancement Office in 1989. Her oldest children, Leslie (’85) and Tim (’87), had already come through the school and her youngest, Cordle (’95), was a current student.

“As a parent, I had already been volunteering at the school for a number of years,” she said.

Darlington was gearing up for its Design for Darlington Campaign and Hawks, campaign director at the time, was looking for additional support.

“Bob asked if I would be interested in being his assistant, so I interviewed and was hired,” Morgan said. “I didn’t know anything at all about development when I came; it was learn as you go.”

The campaign was a success, raising $31 million and funding the construction of the McCallie-Kennedy Library. Morgan has since been a part of four additional capital campaigns, including the $42 million Campaign for Darlington, which funded the construction of the A.J. Huffman (’67) Memorial Athletic Center; the Lower

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School Campaign, which funded the expansion of the Thornwood campus; the Thornwood Restoration Campaign; and, most recently, the $97 million Second Century Campaign, which funded the construction of Thatcher Hall, the establishment of the Thornwood Scholarship, and the naming of Thornwood Hall, among other priorities.

“I have worked with many great people and we’ve had some incredible successes as a team,” she said. “I have especially enjoyed developing relationships with alumni and friends of the school who care deeply for Darlington. Their contributions make a huge difference in the daily lives of our students and faculty.”

During her 25-year tenure, Morgan’s duties grew to include prospect research and prospect management. She has also served as the liaison to the Board of Trustees and supported an Annual Fund that has raised over $1 million per year for the last two decades.

“Pam has been a tremendous asset to Darlington and a great resource to alumni,” said Life Trustee Roby Robinson (’58). “Her efforts over the years with the Annual Fund and other needs have been ones of ‘gentle persuasion.’ Pam was never pushy but always let you know how important it

was to meet ‘this year’s Annual Fund goal,’ and what it meant to Darlington in making its annual budget.

“My lifelong friend and classmate, Billy Mitchell (’58), and I always wondered who would get the first call for a pledge to the Annual Fund, and knew that Pam would gently and subtly make it clear that the other had stepped up to the plate once again,” Robinson continued. “Not to be embarrassed, the second caller always said, ‘OK, what did he do? I’ll do that, too.’ Pam played us like a well-tuned banjo … and we loved it. She is a wonderful, caring, loyal Darlington soldier.”

In light of her recent retirement, Morgan reflected on what Darlington has meant to her.

“In many ways, it’s an extension of our home – it’s the community of our lives,” she said. “I will miss the people – the students, the faculty and the alumni that I’ve been privileged to get to know.

I have built relationships with people I never would have met had I not had this job.”

One of the things she has enjoyed most has been watching her Rome-area grandchildren, Garrett Morgan (’14), Drew Finley (’15), Tate Morgan (’17), Graysen Morgan (’21) and Morgan Finley (’23), thrive at Darlington.

“I have loved watching them grow and mature in so many different ways,” she said. “From their involvement in academics, fine arts, athletics and community service to the lessons they are learning from their exposure to our school’s diverse student body, these are avenues they can experience only at Darlington.”

As for the future, Morgan will stay in Rome and looks forward to dedicating more time to service.

“Besides having more time for family, I plan to be more involved in church and community,” she said. “I particularly want to be more involved with foster care programs as there is a real need for that in Rome and Floyd County.”

And as a grandparent of Darlington students for at least the next eight years, we are sure to see her on campus from time to time.

Darlington Magazine

Class Notes

1947

(next reunion 2017)

Class Agent: Gardner Wright

Hugh Richardson Jr. writes: “One night in the winter of 1945, after hearing on WRGA radio that the Marines and Japanese were fighting each other during World War II on Iwo Jima, a tiny volcanic island that spewed black molten rock resembling coal, Preston Stevens (’47) and I headed for supper. We saw Ralph Ragan (’46) and Andy Crowe (’46) fighting each other near a pile of coal.

Mr. Worth Moser broke up their fight. Ralph and Andy shook hands and went to supper weary and dusty.”

1953

(next reunion 2018)

Class Agents: John Hine, Mike Luxenberg

Bob Ledbetter Sr. hosts a Christmas luncheon for fellow members of the Class of 1953 at Coosa Country Club.

This has been a tradition for the last 10 years. Classmates attending included Gene Herrin (’53), Sam Donaldson (’53), Jerry Dunwoody (’53), Billy Johnson (’53), Ed Beard (’53), Jerry Minge (’53), Spencer Willis (’53) and John Hine (’53).

1958

(next reunion 2018)

Class Agent: Jeff Godard

Bob Brinson was recognized as a 2015 Georgia Super Lawyer by Super Lawyers Magazine. Super Lawyers is an exclusive list with only 5% of the state’s lawyers meeting the criteria for inclusion in the magazines’ listing. The selection process is multiphased and includes independent research, peer nominations, and peer evaluations.

1962

(next reunion 2017)

Class Agents: Adeline (Wright) Hanks, Fred Neely, John Shearer

John Kirkland Jr. has been named president of the Georgia Vascular Society, an organization dedicated to promoting the science and art of the diagnosis and management of peripheral vascular disease. John has dedicated much of his professional career to the care of patients with varicose veins and complications of venous disease; he currently serves as medical director of Harbin Clinic Vein Center.

John Shearer has played the Ghost of Christmas Present in Ira David Wood’s musical/comedy adaptation of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas

Summer 2015

Classmates from the Class of 1953 gather for a Christmas luncheon hosted by Bob Ledbetter (’53).

Bob Bryson (’63), Carrie Higgins (’63), Wright Bagby (’63, LD ’12) and Tom Harbin (’63)

Carol” in Raleigh and Durham, N.C., for the past 18 years. The show attracts approximately 30,000 people each year.

1963

(next reunion 2018)

Class Agents: Honey (Buskill) Dews, Bob Elkins

Wright Bagby Jr. a nd classmates Bob Bryson (’63), Carrie Higgins (’63) and Tom Harbin (’63) staged a photo during their 50th reunion that mimics one taken at their graduation in 1963.

Bob Elkins writes: “I recently achieved a life’s trifecta; I attended my 50th Darlington reunion, retired, and turned 70. I hope former FSU football coach Bobby Bowden was not right!”

Class of 1954

Sam Moss III was honored by the Southern Association of College Admission Counselors in September 2014 for his faithful service to the organization and Board of Directors.

1964

next reunion 2019)

Class Agent: Vacancy

Bob Berry, a senior partner with Brinson, Askew, Berry, Seigler, Richardson & Davis LLP, is included in The Best Lawyers in America 2015 for First Amendment law and personal injury litigation (defendants). Selection is based on peer-review surveys and evaluations by attorneys from around the country. He was also recognized as a 2015 Georgia Super Lawyer by Super Lawyers Magazine. Super Lawyers is an exclusive list with only 5% of the state’s lawyers meeting the criteria for inclusion in the magazines’ listing. The selection process is multiphased and includes independent research, peer nominations, and peer evaluations.

Class of 1964

Class of 1969

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Campus View

2014 ALUMNI WEEKEND

Mary Estes (’64T), Linda (Hoge) Wilkin (’64T), Sybil (Mann) Inman (’64T) and Susan (Spurlin) Newberry (’64T) celebrate their 50th reunion.

Daniel Erdman (’69) officiates the Service of Remembrance.

Libby Gordon enjoys the Pre-Game Picnic.

More than 400 alumni and friends returned to the Lakeside in September for Darlington’s annual Alumni Weekend celebration. Event highlights included the presentation of the Distinguished Alumnus Award to Bob Berry (’64) and Bill Gordon (’64), a pre-game spotlight on the varsity girls’ basketball program, a 25-12 win over Gordon Lee at the Homecoming game, and the unveiling of the Second Century Campaign donor recognition wall in Th atcher H all. R eunion classes had high attendance with the Class of 1999 boasting the largest number of returning alumni and the Thornwood Class of 1964 seeing 58% participation. A special thanks goes out from Darlington School to the class agents, event hosts, and all those involved in making last year’s celebration a great success. Make plans now to attend Alumni Weekend 2015, which will take place Oct. 23-25. Hope to see you there!

The Darlington Tigers take the field against Gordon Lee.

Betty Ledbetter takes photos of the Second Century Campaign donor recognition wall in Thatcher Hall.

This campaign raised $97 million for Darlington.

Carol and Fred Snell (’54) attend the Alumni Cocktail Party.

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Darlington Magazine

Robert (’99) and Nancy Hortman attend the Pre-Game Picnic.

Head of School Brent Bell and his wife, Andrea, host the Golden Tigers & Golden Thistle Reception for alumni celebrating their 50th reunion or greater.

Brad Skidmore (’80, LD ’13) visits with Chris Doss (’79) and Bill Richards (’79) at the Alumni Cocktail Party.

Trey Edge (’15) and Rachel Simon (’15) are crowned Homecoming king and queen.

Anna Fox (’09) and Megan Ware (’09) catch up at the Alumni Cocktail Party.

Summer 2015

Lauren Gouthro (’15) and Paulina Elsner (’17) perform at the Service of Remembrance.

Bill Gordon (’64) accepts his Distinguished Alumnus Award from Board Chairman Jere Drummond (’57), Alumni Council Chairman Michael Van Cise (’97, LD ’12) and Head of School Brent Bell.

Buford Harbin (’63) attends Halftime-at-the-Huff.

Maurie Dugger (’94, LD ’14), Sarah (Beamer) Benton (’94), Danielle (Joyce) Ezell (’95), Lee Hark (’89) and Alex Ezell (’94) attend Halftime-at-the-Huff.

Horace Stewart (’60) attends the Alumni & Friends Cookout.

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Class Notes 1975

(next reunion 2015)

Class Agent: Karen (Candler) Tucker

Ben Levinson has been elected to serve a second term as president of the National Pawnbrokers Association. He is the owner of Dynasty Jewelry & Loan Ltd. in Norcross, Ga. 1976

(next reunion 2016)

Class Agents: Susan (Adair) Blanton, Lisa Trawick

Director of Development Julie (Wilson) Lucas (’97), Jennifer (Crews) Davis (’01, LD ’14) and Ryan Fox (’01) attend the Alumni Council Kickoff.

Class of 1974

Class Agent: Vacancy

Sean Ahern and his wife, Karen, stopped by the Darlington campus for a visit this fall and enjoyed their time with Head of Summerbell House Reba Barnes.

Gordon Smith, former captain of the University of Georgia men’s tennis team and four-time SEC champion, received the 2014 Bill Hartman Award during the UGA Circle of Honor Gala on Feb. 6, 2015. Named for the late Bill Hartman, Georgia’s longtime kicking coach and chairman of the Georgia Student Educational Fund, the Hartman Award is one of the highest honors given to a former UGA student-athlete.

Head of House Reba Barnes pictured with Sean (’76) and Karen Ahern

1971

1972

(next reunion 2016)

(next reunion 2017)

Class Agent: Steven Winkler

Class of 1979

Tom Richardson, a partner with Brinson, Askew, Berry, Seigler, Richardson & Davis LLP, has accepted an invitation to become a Master of the Bench in the inaugural class of the W. Homer Drake Jr. Georgia Bankruptcy American Inn of Court. Tom specializes in bankruptcy law, creditors’ rights, secured transactions, and business litigation, and served as a trustee for the U.S. Bankruptcy Court, North District of Georgia, from 1990-1996 in a select number of business cases. Since 1998, he has served as a panel trustee. He is also a member of the Metropolitan Atlanta Consumer Bankruptcy Group.

1974

(next reunion 2019)

Class Agent: Thom Young

Young alumni in the Athens, Ga., area gather for dinner with Advancement Officer Barton Lowrey (’05, LD ’14). Present were Payton Bradford (’05), Hunter Davis (’11), William Gilbert (’11), Grigsby Gordy (’14), Hunter Hardeman (’11), Chandler Holcombe (’11), Chandler Johnson (’14), Cliff Knight (’11), Will Mathis (’14), Marissa McKoy (’12), Patrick McShane (’05), Robert Mull (’10), Maggie Sparks (’11), Chas Williams (’14), Harrison Williams (’13) and Harley Yancey (’07).

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Paul Brock was been named Faculty Member of the Year for his exceptional work with students at the Medical College of Georgia’s clinical campus in Northwest Georgia. This recognition is voted on by students.

Paul joined the faculty at the Medical College of Georgia in May 2012 and serves as clinical assistant professor of surgery in the School of Medicine.

1977

(next reunion 2017)

Class Agent: Beth (Johnson) Higbie

Whit Whitaker IV has been appointed by Gov. Nathan Deal to serve a three-year term on the Georgia Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission, which ensures that authorized colleges and schools are financially stable, educationally sound, and that students graduate with appropriate job skills. A retired U.S. Navy captain and judge advocate, Whit is chief of staff at Berry College.

1980

(next reunion 2015)

Class Agent: Brad Skidmore

Alice Yurke writes: “I’m still living in New York with my husband, Rob Davis, and daughter, Katya. My son, John, is in his senior year at Kent, so he’s in the throes of dealing with college admissions. We enjoyed a lovely visit from Chip Shepard (’80) and his partner, Jeff Parker. We all had a blast reconnecting with friends, including Janet Dunson (’79), and enjoying much of what NYC has to offer. A shout out to all of my ’80 classmates!”

Darlington Magazine

Alumni Profile

Bob Berry (’64) Distinguished Alumnus

Bob Berry (’64) came to Darlington in ninth grade from Villa Rica, Ga., where the population was only about 2,000 at the time. As a boarding student, he maintained a busy schedule with leadership positions and campus involvements that ran the gamut. He was senior and junior class president, dorm proctor, acolyte for chapel, chairman of the Dance Committee and secretary of the D-Club. He was also a member of the Honor Council, “Y” Cabinet, Pep Committee, Glee Club, the basketball and track teams, and the Darlingtonian and Jabberwokk staffs.

His senior year, Berry earned the Faculty Medal for General Excellence. Fifty years later, he was met with another accolade – the 2014 Distinguished Alumnus Award.

“It’s hard to really describe how you feel about an honor like this, but I am honored. It’s the second-highest honor I’ve gotten from Darlington. The first was my diploma, which was in doubt in the months leading up to it,” he joked.

Summer 2015

Following graduation, Berry went on to earn his B.A. from Emory University and taught briefly at Darlington before earning his J.D. from the University of Georgia School of Law. He is now a senior partner at Brinson Askew Berry, a full-service law firm in Rome established in 1975. His medical malpractice, professional, and insurance defense enjoys a strong reputation throughout the state and, on more than one occasion, he has been recognized as a Georgia Super Lawyer, a joint project of Law & Politics Magazine and Atlanta Magazine.

A member and former president of the Rome Bar Association, Berry served on the Executive Committee of the State Bar of Georgia from 199496 and as a trustee of the Institute of Continuing Legal Education from 19921994. He is a member of the American Bar Association, the Georgia Defense Lawyers Association and the Defense Research Institute; a master of the Joseph Henry Lumpkin American Inn of Court; and a fellow of the Georgia Academy of Healthcare Attorneys, the American Academy of Healthcare Attorneys and the American College of Trial Lawyers.

A former president of the Greater Rome Chamber of Commerce, Berry

has been extensively involved in industrial and business development, and in promoting a regional emphasis for recruitment and an awareness of industrial, business, and educational concerns throughout the area. He is a graduate of Leadership Rome and Leadership Georgia.

Active in many local organizations, Berry is founding director and chairman of Greater Rome Bank, past president and board member for the Exchange Club of Rome, and board member for Redmond Regional Medical Center. He has served as past chairman of the Georgia Northwestern Technical College Board of Directors and the NAIA Football National Championship Host Committee; past president of the Open Door Home; and past director of Coosa Country Club. He has also been on the Board of Visitors at Emory University and the Boards of Directors of the Rebecca Blaylock Child Development Center and the RomeFloyd County Development Authority.

Berry is an Eagle Scout and an active member of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, where he has served as vestryman and senior warden.

He and his wife, Bambi, a former member of Darlington’s faculty, have two children, Lowry (Berry) Harrington (’91) and Natalie (Berry) Murphy (’94), and three grandchildren.

An active member of the Darlington Community, Berry is a former trustee, visitor emeritus and a member of the J.J. Darlington Society. He has also volunteered with Darlington’s varsity basketball program and as a football announcer for many years.

“What I’ve realized over the years is that Darlington never quits on you.

Ever,” he said. “After you leave here, you will make Darlington connections wherever you go. With each passing day, you will become more and more proud of the fact that you got your diploma from Darlington – that you went here and you had this experience. You will get way more out of Darlington than you ever put back into it.”

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Class Notes 1982

(next reunion 2017)

Class Agent: Charlie Williams

Dwight Hutchins stopped by the Darlington campus this fall and had an opportunity to meet new Head of School Brent Bell. Dwight is the Asia Pacific managing director of Accenture’s management consulting practice for products. He and his family live in Singapore.

Joan Pedley is head of customer experience at Pearson Education North America and also serves as a director at the Dave Nee Foundation.

1986

(next reunion 2016)

Class Agent: Vacancy

Ali Harnell was named Promoter of the Year by the International Entertainment Buyers’ Association.

1987

(next reunion 2017)

Class Agent: Kimberly (Murphy) Moseley

Class of 1984

Head of School Brent Bell and Dwight Hutchins (’82)

Kevin Woods retired from the U.S. Air Force as a lieutenant colonel and now serves as an instructor pilot for Delta Airlines.

1984

(next reunion 2019)

Class Agent: Madge (Brown) Crawford

Mat Graham and his dance instructor, Danielle Leonard, received the Sexual Assault Center of NWGA’s 4th Annual Rome Celebrity Dance Challenge People’s Choice Award in August after raising more than $23,900 for the organization. His daughter, Clara, made an appearance in his dance routine.

Class of 1989

Kathryn (McCamy) Lewis writes: “I’m proud to announce that my youngest child entered Darlington as a freshman this year living in Cooper House! It’s been fun being back on campus more regularly and seeing old friends. I look forward to seeing more of you at school events! I’m still at Aflac, now managing the leadership, learning and development team at WWHQ in Columbus, Ga. Thanks to all my Rome friends who have taken Lucy in as their own, just like their parents did when I was in school!”

Frank Tulloch III stopped by the Darlington campus this fall and reconnected with former teacher Sam Moss (’63). Frank is a professional photographer and lives in St. John, Virgin Islands.

Dean of College Guidance Sam Moss (’63) and Frank Tulloch (’87)

1988

(next reunion 2018)

Class Agent: Ron Mixon

Raquel Reyes writes: “I have e-published a duet of short stories in the ‘cozy-noir’ mystery genre about a Latina P.I. There will be more stories to come but in the meantime you can read the first two at www.amazon. com/dp/B00O28EJ5S.” 1990

(next reunion 2015)

Class Agents: Mary Margaret (Estess) Johnson, Bill Temple

Jack Summerbell attends the Legends of Darlington luncheon.

26

Mat Graham (’84) pictured with daughter Clara and dance instructor Danielle Leonard

Mitch Jordan led Mount Paran Christian School’s football team to a state championship this year. He is head football coach and athletic director at the school.

Darlington Magazine

Class Notes

Steve Cornwell (’70), Head of School Brent Bell and Dick Cornwell (’67) at the Charlotte gathering.

1991

(next reunion 2016)

Class Agent: Stephanie (Denney) Dunton

Caroline (Peek) Blaylock has been named chairwoman of the RomeFloyd Parks and Recreation Authority Board of Directors.

Mara Evans and her husband, Jonas Elrod, share exciting news about his TV show, which was featured in the Oprah Winfrey Network’s Super Soul Sunday time slot. The show, “In Deep Shift with Jonas Elrod,” aired on Sundays in February and March.

Mara writes: “We hope it helps people learn more about how to recover from crisis and that it opens a lot of hearts. Be sure to let us know what you think!”

1992

(next reunion 2017)

Class Agents: Annabelle (Jordan) Hubbell, Michelle (Simmons) Parham, Claire (Drummond) Strowd

Stacy (Melton) Brown and her husband, Kevin, co-founders of Chicken Salad Chick, were named Restaurateur of the Year at the 15th Annual Hospitality Stars of Alabama Awards, hosted by the Alabama Restaurant and Hospitality Alliance.

Stacy and Kevin also recently established the Chicken Salad Chick Foundation, which has already raised over $100,000 toward fighting cancer and hunger in their communities.

1993

next reunion 2018)

Class Agent: Sarah (Evans) Joseph

Heather (Cox) Rosenberg writes: “Things have been super hectic for the Rosenberg family lately – though definitely in a good way. Who knew keeping up with three kids could be so much work?! When you add two jobs, starting a small design company and running a non-profit to the mix, I’m surprised I get out the door with my teeth brushed every day anymore. But I wouldn’t change a thing! I recently won the 2014 Child Welfare Excellence Award, Circuit 2, from the Florida Department of Children and Families, and shortly

Summer 2015

afterwards was elected president of the Tallahassee Area Foster and Adoptive Parent Association. Our work centers on families who have adopted children or who have foster kids placed with them, regardless of whether they are relative/nonrelative caregivers or licensed foster families. We provide support, resources, training, and advocacy for these kids and their families. I also recently started my own little Pampered Chef business for fun; have restarted a small embroidery, sewing and design business I tried to begin before we had kids placed with us (Bunny and Frog Designs); and was also promoted to an operations review specialist with the Florida Department of Revenue. Oh, and I also became a guardian ad litem as well. I guess I don’t do incremental change very well, huh? If you’re ever in the Tallahassee area, I would love to see some of my old buddies! Give me a call or just stop in!”

Heather (Cox) Rosenberg (’93) receives the Child Welfare Excellence Award from the Florida Department of Children and Families.

Jessica (Subklewe) Schilling met with Darla Betts of Darlington’s Admission Office at a boarding school fair in Hamburg, Germany, this fall. The first student from the ASSIST program to attend Darlington in 1991-92, Jessica was an accomplished tennis player in high school and played on the state championship team. She is now married and lives in Hamburg.

Class of 1994 1994

(next reunion 2019)

Class Agent: Maurie Dugger, Jimmie Smith

Derek Minshew writes: “So, 2014 didn’t quite go as planned. Two months into our two-year assignment in Sierra Leone, my son and I were evacuated back to the U.S. due to the Ebola outbreak in West Africa.

I ended up spending about four months living as a single dad while my wife had to stay behind in Sierra Leone. When it looked like U.S. Embassy families would not be coming back to Sierra Leone, my wife requested an early transfer and we were sent to Abuja, Nigeria, in January 2015. I’m looking forward to things being boring for a while.

Fingers crossed.”

Natalie (Berry) Murphy and her husband, Ryan, announce the birth of a son, Collier, on Aug. 23, 2014. The family lives in Rome.

Frank Pratt III writes: “I have enjoyed working alongside my father as a counselor in Rome for the past year and a half. I am also working with Proactive Management Consulting in Rome as a clinical supervisor, therapist and diagnostician. Our daughter, Rose, celebrated her 4th birthday. I enjoyed speaking at [Darlington’s] Career Day last year and hope to be able to do so again next year. Overall, life is good!”

Damon Norcross (’94) attends the Alumni Weekend Pre-Game Picnic.

Faculty member Mike Hudson (’94) leads a group discussion at Leadership Darlington.

Frank Pratt (’94)

27

Alumni Profile

Bill Gordon (’64) Distinguished Alumnus

“All of my teachers at Darlington encouraged us not just to make correct choices, but to make wise ones – that no achievement is ever worthwhile unless it’s accomplished with honor and integrity,” said Bill Gordon (’64).

As a day student at Darlington, Gordon was a member of the Honor Council; the D-Club; the Dance Committee; the Glee Club; and the football, baseball, and wrestling teams.

He was also a proud recipient of the NEDT Certificate of Merit and the UGA Certificate of Merit.

After graduation, he went on to obtain his B.A. and M.A. at Wake Forest University and his Ph.D. from Rutgers.

Last October, Gordon was honored at Alumni Weekend as a one of the recipients of the 2014 Distinguished Alumnus Awards.

“Over the years, I have always considered it to be an honor and a privilege simply to be able to say that I was a Darlington alum,” said Gordon.

“To be named as one of Darlington’s Distinguished Alumni – when so many Darlington graduates have enjoyed such success in their lives and have had such a positive impact on their communities – is an unbelievable honor that I will never forget and will cherish forever.”

Gordon currently serves as special assistant to the president of Georgia Gwinnett College. Previously, he was provost and professor of psychology at Wake Forest, and spent 20 years at the University of New Mexico, where he held a variety of roles including president, provost, and vice president of academic affairs during his tenure. He also served as an assistant professor of psychology at S.U.N.Y. at Binghamton during the early days of his career.

“It was really by watching the teachers at Darlington shape not only the students’ intellectual lives, but their lives as a whole that convinced me that

28

if I really wanted to do something with my life, there could be no vocation better to follow than teaching,” he said.

During his tenure at the University of New Mexico, Gordon made it a personal mission to raise the profile and public awareness of UNM’s contributions to New Mexico on behalf of research and economic development, among other initiatives. He was named one of the State’s Most Influential People in New Mexico Business Weekly.

Professionally, the Darlington alum has been involved with the American Psychology Association, the American Psychological Society, the Psychonomic Society, the Council of Graduate Departments of Psychology, Sigma Xi, the Council of Colleges of Arts and Sciences, the Colleges of Arts and Sciences in Urban Universities, the Academic Council of the Commission on Higher Education, Project 30 Alliance, the National Association of State Universities and Land Grant Colleges, and the American Council on Education. His work has been published in numerous books and journals.

Gordon’s awards and honors include the Kappa Sigma Fraternity’s National

Distinguished Alumni Award, the S.U.N.Y. Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching and the NIMH Predoctoral Fellowship. He is also a member of Phi Beta Kappa, Omicron Delta Kappa, and the Golden Key Honor Society.

He has always been an active member of his community and his church, volunteering on a variety of boards, councils, and committees. He has also served as a summer science lecturer and as a youth basketball and baseball coach.

“Darlington’s teachers served as living examples of how important it is to serve others because that’s what they did every day with their students,” he said.

A former trustee of Darlington School, Gordon is a member of J.J. Darlington Society. He and his wife, Kathryn, have four grown children and two grandchildren.

“I will never be able to thank Darlington enough for all that it has meant to me in my life,” he said, “and for all that it continues to mean in the lives of its current students.”

‘64 Darlington Magazine

4

Class Notes Jamey Wilson III married Neely Phillips on June 14, 2014, in Birmingham, Ala. They live in Smoke Rise, Ga., with their dogs, Wiley and Bailey.

Jamey (’94) and Neely Wilson

1995

next reunion 2015)

Class Agent: Scott Morris

Darah Huffman announces the birth of a daughter, Ella Elizabeth, on Oct. 21, 2014. They live in Greenville, S.C. 1996

(next reunion 2016)

Class Agent: Brooke (Walker) Irby

Anna (Huffman) Park and her husband, Philip, announce the birth of a son, William Huffman, on Oct. 8, 2014. He joins big sister Josie. The family lives in Atlanta.

Jake Sisley IV was featured in the spring 2015 issue of Georgia Tech Engineers magazine.

Corie (Dempsey) Swan and her husband, Andrew, announce the birth of twin daughters, Vivian and Corinne, on Nov. 3, 2014. They join big brother Patterson. The family lives in Macon, Ga. 1997

(next reunion 2017)

Class Agents: Julie (Wilson) Lucas, Michael Van Cise

Alex Boling’s film, “Movement and Location” was screened at the 2014 Rome International Film Festival.

It also won three awards at the Brooklyn Film Festival.

Lauren Patton’s art gallery is featured in the www.wral.com article “10 Reasons to Visit Asheville.”

Located at 21 Battery Park, ZaPow is the only gallery in the Southeast focused solely on illustration and pop culture art. For more information, visit www.zapow.com.

1998

(next reunion 2018)

Class Agent: Regan Maki

Will Monk is a reactor inspector for the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission and a member of the U.S. Navy Reserve. As a lieutenant commander currently assigned to Navy Operational Support Center Atlanta, his Navy Reserve duties include acting as a qualified battle watch captain and theater anti-submarine warfare watch officer. Will says: “I have the honor of serving the public in two fashions – military defense and protection of civilian uses of nuclear power. I’m only able to do this because my two employers understand one another and work with me to balance all the duties of being a reactor inspector, submarine warfare reserve officer, husband and father of two boys.”

Joe Smith has been named chairman of medicine at Florida Hospital, Orlando, for the 2015-2017 term.

1999

(next reunion 2019)

Craig Smith is employed by the City of Dallas, Texas, as a senior budget analyst for the department of court and detention services. In the evenings, he attends UNT Dallas College of Law. Craig moved back to the U.S. in 2011 after four years in Santiago, Chile. While there, he founded an importation company that worked to bring access to athletic equipment to underprivileged youth.

Class of 1999

Class Agent: Marie (Hodge) Gordon

John McElrath and his wife, Stacey, announce the birth of a daughter, Kathleen “Anne,” on Aug. 14, 2014.

She joins big brother John. The family lives in Birmingham, Ala. 2000

(next reunion 2015)

Class Agent: Skye Wellesley

Liz Levy, associate creative director with TBWA/Chiat/Day LA, was named one of the “Most Creative Women in Advertising” by Business Insider Magazine. She was art director on Nissan’s “With Dad” Super Bowl commercial. Visit Liz’s website www.lizhlevy.com to read more about her career.

2001

Randa Mixon and Nancy Ivester at the Legends of Darlington luncheon.

Bill Temple (’90) participates in Leadership Darlington.

(next reunion 2016)

Class Agent: Whitney (Keene) Whittington

Scott Foss and his wife, Jennifer, announce the birth of a daughter, Kennedy Prescott, on April 6, 2014.

The family lives in Murfreesboro, Tenn. Scott writes: “She came a bit early, but she is doing great! She is happy to be a little Tiger!”

Richard Scott and his wife, Rebecca, announce the birth of a son, Wyn Glover. The family lives in Auburn, Ala.

Kennedy Prescott Foss, the daughter of Scott Foss (’01)

Summer 2015

Advancement Officer Barton Lowrey (’05, LD ’14), Janie Hortman (’03, LD ’14), Fatema (Bandukwala) Salehbhi (’06, LD ’13) and Caroline Clark (’06) attend the Atlanta J.J.D. reception.

29

Alumni Profile

Will Harbin (’95) A passion for programming

Those who have spent any length of time in Rome usually associate the name “Harbin” with one thing. Will Harbin (’95) could have taken the well-traveled path before him – and almost did – but decided to forego medical school for his real passion, computer science.

Since founding KIXEYE in 2009, the Darlington alum has continued his series of successful ventures in California’s booming technology industry. Under his guidance as chairman and CEO, KIXEYE led the way for the MMORTS (Massively Multiplayer Online Real-Time Strategy) video game genre with games like “Backyard Monsters,” “Battle Pirates,” “War Commander” and a slew of others.

And while his opportunities in computer programming have blossomed out west, his love for technology really took root on Darlington’s Thornwood campus.

“I directly attribute Darlington to getting me into this ‘space,’” said Harbin, who now lives in San Francisco,

30

Calif. “It all started in kindergarten with Mrs. Cheryl Matthews. She had a computer lab set up for the Lower School where we learned Apple BASIC programming.”

Harbin still remembers learning how to code a rocket ship to launch on his computer screen at just 5 years old.

“Mrs. Matthews had foresight,” he said. “I had never heard of a school that did anything like that before.”

This initial contact with technology in the classroom sparked an interest, and his family took steps to strengthen his burgeoning skills. He was tutored in programming outside of school and received his first computer. Soon, he was reading programming books and going to computer camps.

Harbin’s calling continued to reveal itself while taking AP Computer Science with now-retired faculty member Rick Buice. The sole sophomore in a class of seniors, Harbin and his classmates would consistently test their limits by writing programs, playing games, and working to hack the school network.

“We weren’t trying to be destructive; we were trying to learn,” he said.

“Darlington provided access to computer science labs and keyboarding labs at a time when they weren’t that accessible.”

As a student, Harbin also spent time outside the labs playing soccer, basketball and Ultimate Frisbee; wrestling and doing mixed martial arts; volunteering in a nursing home; and tutoring students at a local day care. And although he considered joining the family business in medicine after graduating from Darlington in 1995, the computer programming bug never let go.

“By the time I got to college, I was a little burned out because all I did was eat, sleep and breathe computers,” he said. “Three weeks into my freshman year, I missed it.”

Harbin earned his Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from Vanderbilt University in 1999.

“I always wanted to be an entrepreneur,” he said, “but I knew to be a good CEO, I also needed to know how to build – and that I had to work my way up.”

Before KIXEYE, the Darlington graduate co-founded several enterprises, including global networking organization Affinity Labs, physiciandeveloped beverage manufacturer MD Drinks Inc., and e-learning provider Media1st. He also built his résumé by working stints at Netscape Communications Corp. and Yahoo.

In April 2013, Harbin returned to Darlington to speak to robotics and information technology classes about his line of work and entrepreneurship, opening their eyes to the abundance of opportunities available in computer science.

“I didn’t have anybody to look up to in the industry [when I was young],” he said. “There weren’t a lot of entrepreneurs then in Rome. I hoped to expose the students to bigger things that happen outside of their sphere of reference.”

Citing the need for coders and data analysts in his industry, Harbin hopes to see more of his contemporaries joining the ranks.

“Math and engineering is the future, but there is a real shortage of qualified engineers,” he said. “It is critical to expose kids to computer science sooner than later.”

‘95 Darlington Magazine

5

Class Notes Sean Watford is a procurement coordinator for Southeastern Mills.

He writes: “I had a meeting this morning with a guy from Vesper, Wisc., and he turned out to be a Darlington grad. He is the plant manager for Kerry Ingredients. Just goes to show you that it is a small world after all.”

Harris York Jr. and his wife, Taylor, announce the birth of a son, M. Harrison III, on Nov. 6, 2014. The family lives in Rome.

2002

(next reunion 2017)

Class Agent: Miles Wellesley

Trip Barnes III received the 2015 Circle of Excellence Award at his company’s True Blue annual convention on Feb. 10, 2015.

Ben McElrath and his wife, Sarah, announce the birth of a daughter, Elizabeth Darden, on Sept. 25, 2014.

The family lives in Rome.

2003

(next reunion 2018)

Class Agents: William Krueger, Lindsay (Doss) Raynor

Bond Camp’s Bivvi Hostel in Brekenridge, Colo., was named one of “5 ‘Boutique’ Hostels that are Better Than a Hotel” by Time.com. Visit www.facebook.com/theBivvi to learn more.

Lindsay (Doss) Raynor married David Ashley Raynor on Dec. 20, 2014, at the Ruins at Barnsley Gardens. The couple lives in Atlanta.

Lindsay (Doss) Raynor (’03)

2004

(next reunion 2019)

Class Agent: Whitney (Smith) Hsu

Alex Gonzalez married Amanda Kathryn Reed on March 7, 2015, in St. Petersburg, Fla. The couple lives in Tampa, Fla., where he is an environmental engineer with Applied Science and Engineering and she is employed by Hillsborough County Schools.

2005

(next reunion 2015)

Class Agents: Madison (McRae) Criswell, Ford Knight, Brad Large

Braxton Allen married Courtney LeAnn Burson on May 3, 2014, at Oakmont United Methodist Church in Homewood, Ala. The couple lives in Atlanta.

Sarah (Ellis) Lemons and her husband, Pete, announce the birth of a son, Eli, on Sept. 13, 2014. The family lives in Rome.

Drew Evans married Candi Cole on April 18, 2015, at Belle Terra in Rome.

The couple lives in Rome, where Drew is an orthopedic sales representative with Surgical Innovations. Candi teaches math at Coosa High School and the Floyd County College and Career Academy. She also coaches cross country at Coosa.

Courtney and Braxton Allen (’05)

Class of 2004 Summer 2015

31

Class Notes Anne (Montgomery) Parker married Daniel Woodruff Parker on Oct. 18, 2014, at Darlington School’s Morris Chapel. The couple lives in Columbus, Ga. 2006

(next reunion 2016)

Class Agent: Strom Mull

Tristan Griffin Abby Vincent (’09) and Sara (Weeks) Dima (’97) visited with Nathan Holst of Darlington’s Admission Office this fall at Dima’s restaurant, 606 R+D, in Brooklyn, N.Y.

Bo Hammond III has launched a social enterprise called Tours for Humanity in Washington, D.C. Read more at www.toursforhumanity.com.

Clark McGehee has been named Test Engineer of the Year by the three wings of Team Eglin, the 33rd Fighter Wing, 53rd Wing and 96th Test Wing. He is a captain in the U.S. Air Force.

2007

(next reunion 2017)

Class Agents: C.J. Cypress, Christie Doss

Tyler Barton and his wife announce the birth of a son, Bennett, on Dec. 11, 2014. The family lives in Chattanooga, Tenn.

Bau Cherry and Devin Eman (’09) joined former faculty member Tim McCann for skiing in Aspen, Colo.

Nan Gray attends the Legends of Darlington luncheon.

Assistant Director of Boarding Admission Nathan Holst, Sara (Weeks) Dima (’97), Tristan Griffin (’06) and Abby Vincent (’09)

Steve Chumbler married Lauren (McDaniel) Chumbler (’09) on Nov. 22, 2014, at Darlington School’s Morris Chapel. The couple lives in Montgomery, Ala. 2008

(next reunion 2018)

Class Agents: Mac Gilliland, Kelly O’Mara

Ben Jackson is the volunteer assistant coach for the New Mexico State baseball team.

Tine Wolter, who attended Darlington in 2007-08, assisted Darla Betts of Darlington’s Admission Office at a boarding school fair in Frankfurt, Germany, this fall.

Chris Jefts (’84) participates in Leadership Darlington.

Taylor Josey Jr. has started his own record label, Fall Break Records, which specializes in cassette tape releases. Artists on the label include Steve Palmer, Attic Fowler, Full Crumb and Ardivan Walks. Taylor lives in Athens, Ga., where he is a law student.

2010

(next reunion 2015)

Class Agent: Cole Daniel

Madelyn Briggs is president of the Stetson University Honor Council.

Jana Hengstler and Sascha Heinemann, a Darlington student in 2013-14, helped Darla Betts of Darlington’s Admission Office at a boarding school fair in Hamburg, Germany, this fall.

Kent Harrison (’01, LD ’15) volunteers at a phonathon.

Tine Wolter (’08) and Assistant Director of Boarding Admission Darla Betts

2009

(next reunion 2019)

Class Agent: Vacancy

Class of 2009

32

Thomas Craton IV has reopened Craton Promotional Products in Rome. Founded by his father in 1988, Craton Promotions has worked with companies like Coca-Cola, Lowe’s, Motorola and Chick-fil-A.

Assistant Director of Boarding Admission Darla Betts, Sascha Heinemann (’16) and Jana Hengstler (’10)

Darlington Magazine

Alumni Profile Rostam Zafari (’14) and Brian Goldstone

Courtesy of Emory University Photo Video/Kay Hinton

Rostam Zafari (’14)

Innovating for the good of humanity What started as an online appeal for monetary support has become a humanitarian initiative that is grabbing the attention of power players and audiences around the world.

Rostam Zafari (’14) made news last fall when he and Emory University classmate and wrestling buddy Brian Goldstone designed a fast, accurate and cost-effect method for identifying victims suffering from the Ebola virus.

REDS (Rapid Ebola Detection Strips) arose as an immediate response to growing mortality rates in Africa and, most recently, in the U.S. “Why is it that we don’t care about something until it comes to our front door step?” said Zafari. “Dr. Paul Farmer once stated, ‘The only real nation is humanity,’ and I strongly believe that.”

Zafari and Goldstone developed the concept for REDS, which works similarly to that of a pregnancy test and more quickly than the testing method that is widely used right now. (The current method involves a cumbersome, expensive, and specialized piece of equipment that is not always feasible to use in developing countries.)

The alumnus credits his drive to find answers and question the status quo to his time at Darlington.

“I am lucky to have had amazing teachers and coaches in high school that fostered creativity and persistence

Summer 2015

– both in the classroom and on the wrestling mats,” said Zafari.

Along with Justine Liepkalns of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Emory students have been working diligently to raise money for and bring attention to REDS, speaking publicly about the project and the importance of social entrepreneurship.

Their initial call-to-action was a crowdfunding campaign in which the team members detailed the Ebola crisis and their proposed solution via video.

In less than three weeks, the compelling Indiegogo.com plea raised over $14,500.

Additionally, Zafari was recognized in March with the Cyrus Prize, a $100,000 grant awarded annually to a young Iranian-American entrepreneur by businessman and Uber car service investor Shervin Pishevar. Last year, the grant was given to Arash Ferdowsi, the cofounder of file hosting service Dropbox.

A variety of other in-kind donations have been made in the interim, including legal advice, web design and even a laboratory.

Last fall, Darlington journalism students had the opportunity to speak with Zafari over Skype after REDS first made headlines. This offered the chance to see the impact that a recent Darlington alumnus – who had graduated only five months earlier – is already making on the world.

“We have the opportunity to capitalize off of our previous mistakes,” Zafari told students. “You have to be creative and look where others haven’t looked.”

In February, Zafari, Goldstone and Liepkalns took the stage at the Greater Rome Chamber of Commerce’s annual Confluence innovation conference, where they presented research and personal insights alongside renowned experts in their respective fields.

This April, Zafari had the opportunity to present on REDS again via Skype to the TEDxKish audience in Iran. TED talks (Technology, Entertainment, Design) take place around the globe on a variety of big ideas and current events.

Ebola could be just the beginning for a REDS “line” of supplies, as the team investigates the possibility of applying the technology to other viruses.

To protect their intellectual property, Zafari and Goldstone filed a provisional patent last October under the name of their business, TSTR Inc. After project protocol is finalized, they will file an official utility patent. REDS is still in the development phase, as research and testing continues to optimize it as a viable solution for detecting Ebola.

As the young businessman tackles daily challenges associated with being a full-time college student, he keeps a finger on the pulse of his alma mater, hopeful to one day return with what he has learned and inspire a new generation of game-changers for the welfare of humanity.

“I hope to work with Darlington to create a social entrepreneurship program to take the creativity and persistence it already embodies in the classroom and apply it to real-world problems,” said Zafari.

It has been just over a year since Zafari gave an inspiring senior speech in Morris Chapel that challenged peers and teachers alike. “For the first time, we – the youth of the world – have the knowledge and the power to change our reality,” he said to the Darlington Community. “We have the power, the opportunity and the resources to change the world. The only question that remains, then, is do we have the guts? I think we do.”

We think he’s right.

‘14 33

Class Notes Nash Nance was named the winner of the Willie Lanier Award, given to the top football player in Division II, III and NAIA in the state by the Touchdown Club of Richmond, Va. He played for Hampden-Sydney. A three-time All-ODAC pick, Nash was in the top two this season in nearly every statistical category for quarterbacks in the league.

Annie Rose, Andrew and Whitney (Keene) Whittington (’01, LD ’14) attend the Alumni Weekend Pre-Game Picnic.

Mack McCann graduated from Georgia Southern University in May 2014 and enlisted in the U.S. Navy.

He commenced basic training on Jan. 21, 2015, at Great Lakes Naval Academy near Chicago, Ill.

Molly Safigan married Matthew Charles Huston on March 29, 2015, in Rome. The couple lives in Macon, Ga., where she is a web developer for Reunion Student Loan Finance Corp. of Macon and he is employed by Lowe Electric in Macon as a Shipping Expeditor.

2011

(next reunion 2016)

Class Agents: Chandler Holcombe, Charles King

Jack Kelly, an undergraduate student at UGA, was selected for an internship through the Vinson Institute Fellows Program. An international affairs and Latin American and Caribbean studies major, Jack has interned for U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss and studied in Spain, Cuba, Brazil, and England.

He was also inducted into Phi Beta Kappa.

Charles King Jr. was one of three UGA students to receive the President’s 2015 Fulfilling the Dream Award for significant efforts to build bridges of unity and understanding as they strive to make Martin Luther King’s dream of equality and justice a reality. A senior education major, Charles is president of the Black Male Leadership Society, which he helped to revive after years of dormancy on campus.

Leah Mayo successfully coordinated the first-ever Women’s Leadership Conference at Presbyterian College.

She pitched the idea, received permission, raised funding for it, and organized the program of exciting speakers and topics.

Mack McCann (’10)

Molly Safigan (’10)

Maggie Sparks, a senior at UGA’s Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication, was awarded a spring 2015 research

Calling all alumni…

Distinguished Alumnus Nominations Send us your nominations for the 2015 Distinguished Alumnus Award. Established by the Alumni Council in 1983, this award recognizes alumni who have achieved prominence in their profession and/or community and who have demonstrated loyalty to Darlington.

Please e-mail your nomination to vvincent@darlingtonschool.org

by Jan. 1, 2015 and include the following information:

Alumni Council Nominations Send us your nomination for the 2015-2018 term. The Darlington School Alumni Council is the governing body of the Alumni Association. Council members serve for a three-year term and are nominated by current Alumni Council members and the Association membership at large. Please e-mail your nomination to vvincent@darlingtonschool.org by Jan. 1, 2015.

Name and class year of nominee Reason(s) for nomination Your name and class year

34

Darlington Magazine

assistantship from UGA’s Center for Undergraduate Research Opportunities. A public relations major, Maggie is investigating the influence and effects of both printed and video public health campaigns against binge drinking.

2012

(next reunion 2017)

Class Agents: Austin Spooner, John Wilhoite, Kelsey Ann Williams

Anna Grace Rutledge is one of five students nationwide to be selected for an internship with the U.S. Embassy in Madrid, Spain, to study language and world trade. She is a junior at Samford University in Birmingham, Ala. 2013

(next reunion 2018)

Class Agent: Vacancy

Jane Campbell won a penalty-kick shootout that moved Stanford into the NCAA women’s soccer finals last fall. This was the sophomore goalkeeper’s first shootout as a collegian and the first for Stanford since 2007.

Cody Ray Hall graduated from Great Lakes Naval Training Center in North Chicago, Ill., on March 13, 2015, and is bound for Advanced Training School.

Allison Wetherington connected with fellow Darlington School Soccer Academy alumni Rian Phillips (’14) and Ben Stoddard (’07) at an Oregon State vs. University of Portland women’s soccer game. Allison plays for the University of Portland and Rian plays for Oregon State, where Ben is assistant men’s coach.

Du Zhang is working in the field of education in Beijing, China, and had the opportunity to reconnect with former Darlington staff member Kila McCann during her trip to Beijing in the fall.

2014

(next reunion 2019)

Class Agent: Vacancy

Jai Burgess reconnected with fellow members of the Class of 2014 Allison Bethell, Simran Jaswani, Hanna Grevelius and Mitchell Kelly Thurston in Tampa Fla. Simran attends the University of South Florida, while the others attend the University of Tampa.

Harold Storey visits with John Hine (‘53) at the “Old Guard” event.

Sam Harton had a successful freshman volleyball season at Emerson College in Boston, Mass.

She led in digs per set for most of the season until she suffered a seasonending injury. Sam still finished second in digs per set and in total digs in the conference.

Wil Taylor received Citizens First Bank’s 2014 Jack Parker Scholarship.

He is currently pursuing a degree in music business at Georgia College and State University in Milledgeville, Ga.Wil Taylor received Citizens First Bank’s 2014 Jack Parker Scholarship.

He is currently pursuing a degree in music business at Georgia College and State University in Milledgeville, Ga.

Head of School Brent Bell and his family host legacy families for a cookout at the Home-on-the-Hill. One-third of Darlington’s current students are legacies.

Jim McCallie visits with Andrea and Brent Bell at the Legends of Darlington luncheon.

Rian Phillips (’14), Allison Wetherington (’13) and Ben Stoddard (’07)

Summer 2015

Yeardley and Larry Williams (’67) visit with Advancement Officer Barton Lowrey (’05, LD ’14) at the Atlanta J.J.D. reception.

Claire (Drummond) Strowd (’92) participates in Leadership Darlington.

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In Memoriam

Louisa (Harbin) Hunter (’62T) Southerner by birth, New Yorker at heart

A proud member of Thornwood School’s first graduating class, Louisa (Harbin) Hunter (’62T) was the epitome of the modern woman. The Rome native rallied her Thornwood sisters to reconnect alumnae and gave of her time, energy, and treasure to preserve the legacy of her alma mater.

“She was sharp, opinionated and feisty,” said her son, William Hunter.

“She never got past 5 feet 2 inches, but she wasn’t someone to trifle with.”

The former Louisa Warner Harbin entered the world on Jan. 14, 1944, one of four girls born to Elizabeth Coghill and William Pickens Harbin Jr. of Rome.

One of the first of the grey and blue – and a member of a family already entrenched in Darlington – Louisa made many lifelong friends at her beloved Thornwood.

“Lou was a very competitive student and so was I,” said Darlington trustee Joyce (Riddle) Neely (’62T). “We were always within a 10th of a grade point of each other.”

Louisa was named Thornwood’s first Our Lady of the Bracelet. (Today, in the same spirit, the Thornwood Bracelet for General Excellence is given during Commencement to a senior girl who has made a valuable contribution in many areas of school life and who exemplifies the characteristics of integrity, responsibility, service, and scholarship.)

Friends remember that Louisa enjoyed playing the piano and singing, and performed in various choirs and choral groups. She had a sincere love for people and a good sense of humor.

“Louisa was not at all narrow-minded and was totally inclusive. When she saw a wrong, she wanted to do what she could to help resolve it,” said Woodrow

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“Dub” Leake (’62). “She had a certain personal sophistication to her, backed by being so smart and well traveled.”

After Thornwood, she earned her degree in music history from Hollins College, studying in Paris for one year.

In 1967, she married fellow Roman Guy Hunter, and the two raised a family in Brooklyn, N.Y. Their 19-year marriage produced two children, William and Katherine. “[My mother] was a southerner by birth and took pride in her family and schooling, but she was a New Yorker at heart,” said William.

One of her passions was public broadcasting. Throughout the 1980s, she volunteered at New York’s PBS station, Channel 13.

“At Thornwood, she learned leadership and service,” said William. “She worked so hard on a volunteer basis, and we thought it was ludicrous that she wasn’t taking a salary.”

When it was time for a new adventure, Louisa got her real estate license and went to work for Aguayo & Knox, a Brooklyn real estate firm.

A traveling aficionado, she enjoyed trips to Europe but, perhaps even more than that, she enjoyed politics. Her devotion was so strong that she once packed up her car and drove to Florida to answer phones for the Democratic headquarters, living in a hotel for three weeks.

“If she had an idea, she had no qualms about getting it done – she went full tilt,” said William.

In 2007, Louisa relocated to Atlanta to be closer to family and friends.

“There were a handful of things she was really passionate about, and I would put Thornwood at the top of the list,” said William. “It was a very influential time in her life; it really struck something within her.”

Louisa was instrumental in gathering alumnae to preserve the memory of the school, most recently leading the charge to raise $300,000 to fund the naming of Darlington’s Thornwood Hall and the establishment of the Thornwood Scholarship.

“She pretty much ran Thornwood’s 50th birthday celebration in 2008,” recalled Neely. “That was the first time that I know of that all of the graduates had come together – it was a huge success.”

Louisa passed away at her Atlanta home on Oct. 11, 2014, leaving behind her own legacy for Thornwood classmates, family and friends she met along the way.

“Lou was focused on the individual intellectual accomplishments and potential of the independent, educated woman,” said Neely.

She is dearly missed by all who knew her.

“It was always pleasant with her, even in the most unpleasant of circumstances,” said Leake. “Her genuine charm was augmented by her intelligence, and that’s what created her appeal.”

Darlington Magazine

In Memoriam 1933

Jerry Mangham died May 27, 2007

1945

John Turbidy died Jan. 12, 2015

1935

Simon Sitterson Jr. died Aug. 22, 2014

1946

John Turner died Feb. 2, 2015

1953

Jon Gill died Sept. 7, 2014

1962

Louisa (Harbin) Hunter died Oct. 11, 2014

1939

Hill Maury died Jan. 5, 2015

1947

Thomas Z. Davidson died July 30, 2014

1940

Dan McLaurin died Aug. 10, 2014

1949

Harrell Fountain died Oct. 6, 2013

1954

Fred Hayes Jr. died July 14, 2014

1963

Louis Jelks Jr. died Nov. 27, 2010

James Means Jr. died April 22, 2011

1964

Jack Clark Jr. died Sept. 3, 2014

Damon Tuggle died Feb. 12, 2015

Hal Cooledge Jr. died Jan. 27, 2014

Casper Nickles Jr. died Jan. 9, 2015

1955

Neal L. Williams died Feb. 14, 2015

1966

Duncan Liles III died Dec. 28, 2014

Berry Broach died Sept. 2, 2014

1967

Wilkie Colyer died Nov. 25, 2014

Harry H. Hudson died Nov. 15, 2014

1944

George Montgomery died Aug. 14, 2014

C. Griffin Martin Jr. died May 28, 2014

Bob Wellons Jr. died Feb. 22, 2015

1959

Leon Farmer Jr. died Dec. 8, 2014

1979

John McKinney Jr. died Oct. 12, 2014

Don Robertson Jr. died Jan. 16, 2015

1999

Anna Hoyt died Aug. 19, 2014

1945

William Birdsong Jr. died Jan. 16, 2015

1953

1952

1950

Bruz Boardman Jr. died Jan. 10, 2015

1941

Bill Cunningham died Oct. 23, 2014

1961

Brent Wells II died Dec. 12, 2014

Michael Lynch died Sept. 16, 2014

Former Faculty

Edor Anderson Jr. died Oct. 8, 2014

Van Townsend died Jan. 12, 2015

Former Faculty

Anne Apperson Turlington Rice died Nov. 11, 2014 Not Pictured – 1940: Lee Mowry Jr. died Jan. 13, 2008 1947: George Jordan died Feb. 7, 2014 1950: Bob Nott died Nov. 27, 2013 1958: Hardy Wylie Jr. died Jan. 9, 2015 1961: Hobart W. Blakeslee Jr. died May 30, 2014 1966: Anne Smith died Nov. 11, 2013 1977: Eli Saleeby died April 23, 2010 Memorials published in this edition were reported to the Advancement Office prior to March 1, 2015. Additional memorials can be found on the alumni web page at www.darlingtonschool.org.

Summer 2015

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1014 Cave Spring Road • Rome, Georgia 30161-4700

Non Profit Organization U.S. Postage PAID Rome GA 30161 Permit No. 501

THE ANNUAL FUND IS A second-generation alumna, Beth (Johnson) Higbie (’77, LD ’15) enrolled at Darlington as a freshman during the school’s historic merge with Thornwood in 1973. Thirty-eight years later, she credits both schools with teaching her to think outside the box and to learn from her successes as well as her failures.

“I was very fortunate to be both a Thornwood girl and a Darlington graduate,” she said. “I had challenging, caring teachers at both schools. I was challenged academically by George Awsumb, Nell Candler, Carl Paxton and Rick Buice, to name a few of my most influential teachers. Although course content was important, more importantly they taught me how to learn, to question and how to think for myself.”

When Higbie returned to the Lakeside to participate in Leadership Darlington this year, she was impressed by the opportunities her alma mater is providing its diverse student population.

“It was wonderful to be able to spend a couple of days at Darlington to see both the old and the new,” she said. “The positive changes in both the day and boarding experiences over the past 38 years are amazing. I am not known as an emotional person but a flood of emotion hit me when

38

we were at the Home-on-the-Hill for our graduation. I thought about my parents and what Darlington had meant to and done for them and for our family.”

A longtime Annual Fund supporter and class agent, Higbie considers her gift an investment in the future.

“I really hadn’t thought much about what impact my gift made until I attended Leadership Darlington,” she said. “There, I learned that tuition only covers about 80% of the expenses per year. My gift plays an important part in covering the extra 20% necessary to keep Darlington operating each year. What a great opportunity for me to contribute to something worthwhile!”

“The Annual Fund is critical for providing the funding necessary for Darlington students to not just survive but thrive – every year,” Higbie continued. “I am confident and comfortable that Darlington is using my Annual Fund gift each year to maximize student opportunities and experiences.”

So confident, in fact, that she increased her commitment to the Annual Fund.

Higbie is now a member of the J.J. Darlington Society, which is comprised of the school’s top donors.

“Common themes I heard from students during Leadership Darlington were that

Beth (Johnson) Higbie (’77, LD ’15) they were very grateful for the financial aid they had received and that they would not have been able to attend Darlington without it,” Higbie said. “After hearing those comments, I made a commitment to increase my Annual Fund gift and review my will to provide funds to help support scholarships/financial aid in memory and honor of my parents Carole and Glenn Johnson (’52).”

To learn more about the Annual Fund or to make your gift online, simply visit www. darlingtonschool.org/give.

Darlington Magazine