Community News

FROM THE Head of School

Our goal as a school continues to be that every Darlington student graduates with the confidence, connections, and compassion they need to succeed in college and their career, and be meaningful contributors to the greater good. This has been the case throughout our history and is most certainly the case now. The focus of this issue of Darlington Magazine is that sense of connection.

A Darlington education and the Darlington experience should last a lifetime, and it is that thought that sits at the core of the Darlington Connects program we introduced last year and that you will learn more about in this magazine. The “Darlington Connection” has happened to each of us at different times in our lives and often in unusual places. Just this summer as Assistant Head of School Stefan Eady was competing in the Bighorn Wild and Scenic Trail Run 100-miler in Wyoming, someone from the crowd yelled to him, “My cousin went to Darlington!” This invited a conversation and a bit of rest in the midst of a grueling climb during the race.

We love these connections and these stories, so we sought to formalize a way that our connection to Darlington could further foster success in college and career, and in making a meaningful contribution to our world. We knew we were on the right track when we received an overwhelming response to our initial request to participate. Nearly 100 alumni responded with interest in mentoring young graduates and/or sharing career paths and advice on Darlington’s blog.

Ethan Delashmit (’17), a second-year law student at the University of Georgia, was the first young alumnus to reach out with a desire to make alumni career connections. The school put Ethan in touch with several seasoned attorneys and he had this to say: “Upon inquiring about the Darlington Connects program, Julie Lucas (’97) and the alumni relations team promptly connected me with numerous attorneys representing a wide variety of backgrounds. I was deeply encouraged by the willingness of the many practicing attorneys to meet with me whether it be over the phone, Zoom or in person over lunch on Broad Street in downtown Rome. The advice I received from these mentors continues to serve me well, and I am excited to continue investing in the relationships that the Darlington Connects program has helped me develop."

Since the program’s inception, our Darlington Connects blogs, social media posts, and episodes of the newly launched Darlington Podcast have served to educate and celebrate the people in our community. These efforts have helped all of us connect through conversation, email and get togethers. The results have been fantastic as internships, jobs and mentoring relationships have developed for Tigers of all ages.

And, as always, we want to keep adding and improving. So as you explore the program in the pages of this magazine, please keep in mind what we would like from you: - Reach out to your Darlington connections and say hello to someone you may not have talked with in a while. We can help you find them. - Call, email, and text us to connect and get involved. - Trust us when we say that there are people in our community who want to help you in your professional decision making. - Come to campus to visit for Alumni

Weekend Oct. 15-17.

The Darlington Fund surpasses goal by $81,000

Thanks to the generous support of our community and the hard work of volunteers, the 2020-2021 Darlington Fund surpassed its goal, raising a total of $1,231,036 to support the educational experience of our students and teachers.

“We could not be more appreciative of our 1,371 donors who made a gift last school year and helped us surpass our goal by $81,000,” said Julia (Douglas) Thomas (’07, LD ’15). “Your support allowed the school to adapt the Darlington experience during the continuing global pandemic in order to safely have the vast majority of students, teachers, and staff learning in person for the entirety of the school year.”

Last year also saw the introduction of Darlington’s inaugural Giving Day, which brought in 324 donors; raised over $60,000; and which, for the first time, allowed donors to give via popular digital payment apps Venmo and PayPal.

“We were excited to make supporting Darlington easier than ever through our external campaign site on Givebutter and will continue to accept donations through that platform as well as the Darlington website,” said Thomas. “Thank you to all of the alumni, parents, grandparents, parents of alumni, faculty and staff, friends, and foundations who illustrated your belief in Darlington’s mission and your love for the school by making a gift to The Darlington Fund. Our students and teachers are grateful.”

DarFarm expands as a result of Senior Ventures project

Jaclyn Haynes, Upper School science teacher, works on the school’s honey operation. Last year, she helped mentor Joe Marion (’21) in his Senior Ventures project, which focused on the expansion and sustainability of the DarFarm. Together, they harvested nearly five gallons of honey to share with the community. The Senior Ventures program is a competitive opportunity for seniors that involves a year-long senior project chosen by the student and built on a framework of leadership, innovation, and community engagement.

Board of Trustees names chairman, elects new members

Darlington’s Board of Trustees named Scott Dozier (’73) chairman and elected three members at the May meeting.

Dozier is senior vice president at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management in Atlanta. He has been a member of Darlington’s Board of Trustees since May 2014, most recently serving as vice chairman under the leadership of Dr. Bob Hortman (’72). Dozier also served on the Atlanta Cabinet for the school’s Second Century Campaign. He was a boarding student during high school as were his brothers, John Dozier (’64) and Gordon Dozier (’69). He and his wife, Margaret, have two sons, John and Taylor, and a daughter, Margaret.

Dr. Damus Lufadeju is board certified in internal medicine and gastroenterology and joined Rome GI in 2010. He grew up in Lagos, Nigeria, and is a graduate of the Sherborne School for Boys in Dorset, England. Lufadeju went on to receive his medical education at the University of lbadan College of Medicine in Nigeria and complete his internal medicine residency and gastroenterology fellowship training at the Albert Einstein Medical Center in Philadelphia. He and his wife, Tinu, have two sons, Kayo (’24) and Tobi.

Paige (Skidmore) Dickow (’78, LD

’14) will return to the Board of Trustees as treasurer after serving two previous terms from 2014 to 2020. She has also been named the honorary chairperson of Leadership Darlington 2022. Dickow retired as managing director of BlackRock Worldwide and lives in San Anselmo, Calif. She has two sons, James and Harrison. A day student during her time at Darlington, she is the sister of Brad Skidmore (’80, LD ’13) and the stepdaughter of former faculty member Anne Turlington.

Katharine (French) Flory (’82, LD

’20) is an executive sales representative at Abbott Laboratories in Columbus, Ga. A former Darlington boarding student herself, she continues to believe in the value of boarding school. She and her husband, John, have triplet daughters, Kate (’17), Virginia, and Peyton, and a son, Averett. Three of the four attended boarding school.

Scott Dozier Dr. Damus Lufadeju Paige Dickow Katharine Flory

RUMPUS promotes teamwork, unity

Logan Parker (’22) and Regester House perform in the RUMPUS Lip Sync competition in April. Neville House wowed the judges to take first place, but it was Moser House that scored enough points throughout the week to be named overall RUMPUS champion. Highly anticipated each year, RUMPUS is a multievent competition between the students in each of the dorms. Day students join boarding students to represent the houses in a series of events that challenge the mind and body, and points are earned based on performance, theme, and spirit.

Michael L. Thurmond

Annual lectureship features CEO of DeKalb County

Michael L. Thurmond, CEO of DeKalb County, was the 17th speaker in Darlington’s annual Class of 1953 Lectureship Series in April.

A former member of the Georgia General Assembly and the first AfricanAmerican elected to a statewide office without prior appointment, Thurmond is widely regarded as a “turnaround expert” after fundamentally transforming the culture and enhancing operations of complex organizations such as the Georgia Division of Family and Children Services, the Georgia Department of Labor, and the DeKalb County School District.

“The most powerful result of serving others is the benefit that you derive from knowing that you made a difference. When you help others, you literally uplift yourself,” he said in his address to Darlington students. “What I want to encourage you to be is not just a leader, but to be a servant leader. All the people you lead or serve actually rest on your shoulders. The more people that you're willing to serve, the greater you will become.”

During his tenure in the Georgia General Assembly, Thurmond authored major legislation that provided more than $250 million in tax relief to Georgia's senior citizens and working families. He later received a gubernatorial appointment to lead the state Division of Family and Children Services and direct Georgia's historic transition from welfare to work. He created the innovative Work First program, which helped more than 90,000 welfare-dependent Georgia families move into the workforce.

In 1997, he became a distinguished lecturer at the University of Georgia's Carl Vinson Institute of Government. The following year, he was elected Georgia labor commissioner. During his three terms, his most significant achievement was the construction of a $20 million school for children with disabilities at the Roosevelt Warm Springs Institute.

As superintendent of DeKalb schools from 2013-2015, Thurmond is credited with stabilizing the system during a governance crisis, upgrading its threatened accreditation, eliminating a multimillion-dollar deficit, and improving student academic performance and graduation rates.

Also an author and lecturer, Thurmond’s latest book, “Freedom: Georgia’s Antislavery Heritage, 17331865,” was awarded the Georgia Historical Society’s Lilla Hawes Ward. In 2004, The Georgia Center for the Book listed “Freedom” as one of The 25 Books All Georgians Should Read.

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

Alumni Weekend to return in October

Hundreds of alumni will descend on the Darlington campus Oct. 1517 for the school’s Alumni Weekend celebration. Reunions will be celebrated for classes ending in 0s, 1s, 5s and 6s.

“We really missed not being able to host our alumni for a big weekend last fall and are so excited to have double the fun in 2021,” said Vicki Vincent, director of alumni relations. “We hope everyone is making plans to join us because you won’t want to miss all the great things we have in store. Big thanks to our class agents who always work really hard to ensure that our reunions are fun and memorable.”

Highlights of the weekend will include the presentation of the Distinguished Alumnus Award, a pre-game Tiger Tailgate at the Baseball Complex, a Cross Country 60th Anniversary Celebration Race, a Q&A session with Head of School Brent Bell and current students, brunch by the Lakeside, reunion parties, the Service of Remembrance and more.

To register, visit darlingtonschool.org/ alumniweekend and be sure to book your lodging early.

Evans earns Area Coach of the Year honors

Brant Evans was named Area Coach of the Year for cross country after his first season as head coach of the team.

“This is a wonderful honor, but I want to make sure people understand that this truly reflects the hard work this team and this coaching staff put in during the off season and each day this season,” said Evans. “I could not have asked to work with a better group of young men and women.

“The few returners we had showed great leadership and the new members bought into this team from day one,” he continued. “The coaching staff walked me through this first year as head coach and were instrumental in our training, our culture, and supporting our athletes in reaching team and individual goals, not to mention helping us run the Darlington Festival with more than 1,000 runners over the course of a day, while maintaining a safe environment during a pandemic.”

Evans came to Darlington in 2008 and teaches AP government courses in addition to his role as dean of student life.

Rush named head girls’ basketball coach

Middle grades history teacher Samantha Rush has been named head girls' basketball coach for 2021-22.

“Coach Rush has worked tremendously hard and has been driven, caring, and persistent in her efforts with the girls,” said Athletic Director Eddie Guth. “I expect she will continue to share her passion, spirit and love of the game with the entire program.”

Rush has taught history at Darlington since 2016 and led the middle school basketball team to three consecutive area championships in 2019, 2020, and 2021. She also coaches middle school softball.

“I am very excited to be working with these girls again,” said Rush. “I look forward to the challenge of coaching them at a different level and building on the strong foundation, fundamentals, and defense-first mentality that has made them successful the past several years.”

A graduate of Armuchee High School, Rush played basketball at Shorter College from 1995 to 1999, while earning her B.S. in Education. She was All Conference 1996-1997, All Conference 1998-1999, and team captain in 1998-1999. After college, she coached basketball at Oglethorpe University, Cedartown High School and Pepperell Middle School before being hired at Darlington.

Samantha Rush Brant Evans

“Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon” takes over The Cove

Daria Black (’21) takes center stage in "The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon” in March. Adapted into an al fresco dinner theater production, Don Zolidis’ show is a fastpaced, rollicking ride as two narrators and eight actors attempt to combine parts of all 209 original fairy tales, ranging from classics like “Snow White,” “Cinderella,” and “Hansel and Gretel” to more obscure stories like “Faithful Johannes” and “The Girl Without Hands.”