Fall 2009, Deerfield Magazine by Deerfield Academy

m a g a z i n e

MOVING IN: A Pictorial Essay,

26 20 contents Moving in photograph by Gabriel Amadeus Cooney; crew photograph by Lee Wicks

features 50.6% Coeducation: Looking Back, Looking Forward Boyden’s Girls Days of Glory, Remembered Ready All...Row On Pace with Girls Crew A Life Well Lived Remembering Dick McKelvey

departments

20 26 30 40 3 4 44 69 70 73

Letters to the Editor Along Albany Road Class Notes In Memorium First Person: Brock Hines ’79 Object Lesson On our cover: Self portrait by Isabel Bird ‘09. Ms. Bird is currently a freshman at Yale University, where she is studying Art and Art History. Photographed by Gabriel Amadeus Cooney.

From the Director: Perfection, Then and Now The adage goes that “change is good.” In reality, change can be difficult, threatening, time-consuming, and alienating. Such was the mood, campus-wide, twenty years ago. The trustees had voted, and girls were to be (re)admitted to Deerfield. I was here—my four years to be split evenly between an all-boys and a coeducational existence. Like “everyone else” at the time, I was firmly against coeducation—certain it would ruin the school that I still hold so dear. It was a lesson in change and the fear thereof. We were right, of course: Deerfield was perfect the way it was. And we were wrong, since Deerfield is perfect the way it is today. It was perfect in the spring of 1989, as the last all-boys class commenced. And it was perfect in the fall of 1989, when the first new daughters of Deerfield descended on the campus. The early days of coeducation were a little clumsy. There were new logistical issues, new rules, and even new menus on tap in the Dining Hall. Most importantly, there was a new attitude. A perceived male exclusivity on “worthiness” quickly crumbled in the face of the daughters and granddaughters of alumni. Unlike some of my female classmates, no one had sung me the Deerfield Evensong as a lullaby, and my dining table at home wasn’t flanked with Deerfield chairs. Legacy issues aside, it was impossible to study as hard, or test as well, or care as much as my friend Janie. Deerfield girls quickly proved that they belonged here, and as we all got busy with classes, sat down for meals, cheered at games, and chanted “ninety-one, ninety-one, ninety-one” at school meetings, our boys’ discomfort withered, leaving only a genderless camaraderie borne of shared experience. When Deerfield went co-ed, it was the last major prep school to do so. We like to think we did things “late, but great,” and it’s hard to disagree. A metaphor for this success is found in the girls’ crew program. Burdened by Deerfield’s lateness to coeducation and our lateness in building a crew program at all, our girls have mastered the sport—bringing a New England Championship last spring and establishing our alumnae as leading athletes on college teams. (See Ready All . . . Row on page 30.) Today, girls excel in every aspect of campus life—matching or besting their male counterparts on the field, in the classroom, and in their citizenship at Deerfield. Do gender issues remain? Certainly. Jessica Day explores coeducation issues past and present in her article 50.6%, which starts on page 20. And what better way to gain perspective on coeducation at Deerfield, than to hear about the Boyden days— from three of the most famous ladies on campus. (See Boyden’s Girls, page 26.) Lastly, even as we celebrate the 20th anniversary of coeducation at Deerfield, it’s important that we value the experience as a metaphor for change. Uncomfortable. Difficult. Often worth it. We hope you’ll find this, our redesigned Deerfield Magazine, to fit the latter category.

—David Thiel ’91

Director of Communications

Managing Editor

Production Coordinator

Designer

David Thiel

Jessica Day

Danae DiNicola

Brent M. Hale

Editorial and Business Office: Deerfield Academy, Deerfield, MA 01342. Telephone: 413-774-1860, communications@deerfield.edu Publication Office: The Lane Press, Burlington, VT 05402. Third class postage paid at Deerfield, Massachusetts and additional mailing office. Deerfield Magazine is published in the fall, winter and summer. Deerfield Academy admits students of any race, color, creed, handicap, sexual orientation or national origin to all the rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or available to students at the academy. The academy does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, handicap, sexual orientation or national origin in the administration of its educational policies, admission policies, scholarship, or any other programs administered by the academy. Copyright © The Trustees of Deerfield Academy (all rights reserved)

Fall 2009

Letters to the Editor Congratulations on a wonderful edition of Deerfield Magazine (Spring/Summer 2009). I read all the articles, which I cannot claim for many of the numerous school publications I receive. I especially liked the “First Person” account about playing bridge with Mrs. Boyden. I think one of my classmates, Corny Marx, was another of her student opponents. And of course I really like any efforts to “Go (Big) Green.” One question, though. As a biologist rather than a physicist, I don’t understand how burning one gallon of fuel, presumably gasoline, can release more CO2 by weight into the atmosphere than the original gallon of fuel weighed. Perhaps a future issue can clarify this. Robert F. Giddings ’61

Cheshire, Connecticut

From Science Department Chair Ben Bakker: “Gasoline is a hydrocarbon. In it there is a chain of carbon atoms (5 to 12) surrounded by hydrogen atoms. When it burns the product is CO2 and H20. The carbon drops its hydrogen atoms and picks up two oxygen atoms, becoming carbon dioxide, and the hydrogen recombines with oxygen to become water. Each oxygen atom is sixteen times as massive as a hydrogen atom. By picking up the two heavy oxygen atoms, it allows the product of the burning of the gasoline to be heavier than the original form of gasoline.”

Thank you so much for the notice of the worthy life, now ended, of Jack Pidgeon. My writing about Deerfield and Mr. Boyden and a bit about Jack Pidgeon in Modern Age (“School Masters,” Vol. XXXVII, No. 4 Summer 1995) led to a visit to the Kiski School, during which Jack told me the following story. After he came back from his prospective visit to Kiski, Jack reported to Mr. Boyden that he thought the school might go under before he got there and that one of the main buildings might even collapse, as it did the next fall. Mr. Boyden listened and then said, “Well, Jack, you can stay here a few more years and then, like so many young men, be asked to head a small school here in New England, or you can go out to that school about to fail and make it succeed, as I did Deerfield.” Of course, after a final clause like that, Jack went out there, saved the school, served its students, teachers, and parents for 45 years. The pleasures, the trials, and the achievements of those years, of that life of teaching, are very evident in two fine collections of Jack’s addresses and writings, no doubt available from Kiski School. Michael D. Platt ’60

Fredericksburg, Texas

I am writing to compliment you and your team on a job well done. The issue was joyful, visually-engaging, forward-looking, and tradition-reinforcing, but it celebrated academic and community excellence, as well. Wow! I also enjoyed the profile on the cycling team’s surge. However, the championshiplevel accomplishments of the spring teams surely deserve more than a one-line sidebar. Of course, the strength of Deerfield lies in its diverse and talented students who perform in a great many arenas, and I understand that there is not room to cover them all. Still, many alumni read Deerfield Magazine with great nostalgia, reliving their days on the playing fields as they do so. It might be good to broaden your scope so as to capture more Deerfield days for more Deerfield readers. The IT article was particularly well-crafted as it linked the arrival of new technology on campus to the “delightfully anachronistic” policy of “no cell phones in public places.” This means Deerfield kids keep their phones in their pockets (!) and continue to smile at one another, not text, as they dash between classes. This intersection of disciplined old values and free-flowing new technologies captures Deerfield at its best.

I also noticed the letters complimenting the online Annual Report. This budding acceptance is great to see. I never thought I’d be quoting Nixon and Agnew, but I urge you to remember “The Silent Majority” by printing the Annual Report for a few more years. The print version lingers on the coffee table and doesn’t disappear with a click of a mouse. As this issue of Deerfield Magazine demonstrates, print has its place for a few more years. Thank you for my delightful Maine afternoon. Rory J. Cowan ’71

Concord, Massachusetts

Corrections: In the Spring/Summer 2009 issue of Deerfield Magazine: • James Stone ’43 was mistakenly listed as a survivor of his brother, Robert Stone ’40, who died on January 28, 2009. James Stone actually passed away the previous year (2008) on January 14. Donald, Class of ’42, survives his two brothers. • In “On Teaching,” which featured Michael Silipo, Deerfield’s football coach, history teacher, and recipient of the Robert B. Crow Chair in History, it was mistakenly written that Mr. Silipo’s daughter Julie is a graduate of Evergreen State. In fact, Julie is a graduate of Whitman College, and worked at Evergreen State. Also, “dewsweeper” was misspelled. • Lawrence Langford ’63 and Tuck Hayashi ’68 were listed as sons and survivors of Thomas Hoover ’41.Mr. Langford and Mr. Hayashi are no relation to Mr. Hoover and his family.

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MOVING IN Photographs by Gabriel Amadeus Cooney

Fall 2009

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What We Need Is Here Head of School Curtis’ Opening Message to Faculty I’d like to begin with a very brief meditation and then give you an overview of our plans and aspirations for the new year. We have a unique opportunity as a result of the sobering events of the past year—events that shook the world, the country, and the school—to reflect on the most critical aspect of the concept of sustainability for all of us as teachers. We have spoken before about financial sustainability, and we have also begun a conversation on environmental sustainability. As we begin this year, I want all of us to explore a more intimate landscape . . . and to consider a more human connotation of the term. I want to focus on the importance of our inner resources—passion, hope, generosity, and commitment —all those human qualities that underpin good teaching and fuel our day-to-day engagement with young people. In my mind, one of the most critical questions—and one that we must ask ourselves with more regularity—is the following: what sustains the teacher in us? What sustains the conviction that we are making a difference in the lives of our students? . . . The conviction that with them and through them, we bring not only the ability to think, and the yearning to understand, but also dignity and love to a conflicted world? While we may not have control over all kinds of external factors, like the size of our endowment or the onset of the H1N1 flu, we do determine how, and in what spirit, we approach our teaching life. While we may have entered what journalist Cooper Ramo has termed “the age of the unthinkable” —an age characterized by “the unpredictable demands of constant newness”—we can face the future confidently, because we know and embrace the attitudes and dispositions that sustain a purposeful life. Let me mention just what I see among us. First, I see introspection, the ability to critically examine ourselves, our values, and our role in the world. The richest gift we can pass on to those who follow us is this ability to lead an examined life. Second, I see selflessness, the will to set our personal interests and preferences aside, and to always ask ourselves: what do our students need from us, and how can we best meet those needs? And third, I would see collaboration, our communal thrust—that eagerness to link our efforts and talents with those committed to a shared vision. It is the strength of our inner resources—that invisible thread that sustains us and binds us together—that invites me to assure you today, with the words of poet Wendell Berry that, What we need Is here: And we pray, not For new earth or heaven, but to be Quiet in heart, and in eye, clear. What we need is here. ( from “The Wild Geese,” by Wendell Berry)

Fall 2009

along albany road clockwise from tl: Dennis Cullinane introduces KIPP’rs to the fine art of catch and release on the Deerfield River. Students work the garden and later dissect sheep hearts. Jeff Armes and the Beyond Z Award.

Knowledge is Still Power: KIPP in Action For the second year in a row, Deerfield’s KIPP (Knowledge is Power Program) was a resounding success. Drawing on KIPP schools from around the country, fifty of the best students (the “best of the best”) came to Deerfield for three weeks to learn more about life at boarding school and to enjoy the thrill of new experiences. Program coordinator and Associate Dean of Admission Jeff Armes, along with Dennis Cullinane and Andy Harcourt (both of the academy’s Science Department), and Mark Scandling of the English Department, worked together to create an intense, yet fun-filled program. Students delved into The Great Gatsby, dissected sheep hearts, learned archery, went fly fishing in the Deerfield River, worked in the academy’s new organic garden, and pulled together a talent show. Later in the summer Mr. Armes traveled to Orlando, Florida, to take part in the annual KIPP School Summit—a weeklong gathering of the over 1800 KIPP teachers and administrators. There, on the final night of the summit at a gala banquet, Mr. Armes was surprised with the KIPP 2009 Beyond Z Award, presented to him by former KIPP student and Deerfield alumna Alexis Rosado ’03. A nod to the Dr. Suess book On Beyond Zebra, the award is a testament to Mr. Armes’ willingness to extend himself “beyond Z” for KIPP at Deerfield. But Mr. Armes insists it is Deerfield that has made the summer program possible: “It signifies to me Deerfield’s continued commitment to diversity and enriching the campus,” he said. “I was allowed to present a vision for the KIPP program, to draw academically talented students to Deerfield, and get them excited about the possibility of boarding school. I have received great support from Margarita Curtis, regarding diversity initiatives such as KIPP, and I believe this support speaks to the essence of our mission.” There are currently 82 KIPP schools in 19 U.S. states but the summer program at Deerfield is the only one of its kind. This year there are five former KIPP students enrolled at the academy.

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Point of Information:

After nearly a year of planning, faculty members Lydia Hemphill and Michael O’Donnell, along with the entire Deerfield community, welcomed students from 46 schools to the International Independent Schools Public Speaking Competition (IISPSC). From as far away as China, and as close as Greenfield, MA, they came to compete in a variety of public speaking events, with the hope of advancing to the World Individual Public Speaking Competition. A veritable army of volunteers helped Ms. Hemphill and Mr. O’Donnell prepare for the four-day event, including but not limited to Deerfield day students who housed competitors from abroad, alumni who offered to judge the debates, and members of the Dining Hall staff who fed over 200 additional people at each meal. When the students were not competing, they were able to enjoy walking tours of Historic Deerfield, planetarium shows in the Koch Center, a pool party, and two dances. The first IISPSC tournament was held in 1982 in Canada. Students from private schools across the country were given an opportunity to demonstrate their talents, and as an added benefit, relationships between participating schools were strengthened. The event was such a success that its organizers decided to make it an annual competition. Since that first gathering, Deerfield students have participated in the IISPSC about a dozen times, and the academy is only the second U.S. school to host the competition. Due to the international nature of the event, the IISPSC has been recognized for its ability to help create new friendships between students of different nations, and for bringing together an international community from the level of today’s youth. Successful debaters made it through two preliminary rounds and a final round of competition in categories such as extemporaneous speaking, parliamentary debating or radio newscast, interpretive reading, and after-dinner speaking. Topics ranged from humorous (the foibles of nylon stockings) to serious (the pros and cons of cap and trade agreements within industrialized nations). In the end, the top U.S. competitor was a young woman from The Winsor School in Boston, top individual honors went to a student from Canada, and the top overall school was the Taunton School located in Somerset, England. Although the Deerfield team did not win any awards this year, participants agreed that the academy deserved top honors for enthusiasm and hospitality.

Fall 2009

Photographs by David Thiel and Brent Hale

The International Independent Schools Public Speaking Competition Comes to Deerfield

along albany road Participating Countries

BERMUDA CANADA CHINA CYPRUS JORDAN PERU UNITED KINGDOM UNITED STATES

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Worthy: Ambassador Ralph Earl II ’46, Heritage Award Winner Ambassador Ralph Earle’s ’46 impact on the world is irrefutable. Ambassador and chief negotiator of the SALT II treaty, Mr. Earle is recognized as a primary architect of the United States’ nuclear disarmament strategy. He served under six U.S. Presidents and was involved with nearly every major arms control treaty of the 20th century. Mr. Earle told students that much has changed both at Deerfield and in the world since his high school days. He reflected on the fact that since World War II, former enemies of the United States have become allies, yet, sadly and despite his efforts, the threat of nuclear weapons has not lessened. In fact, Mr. Earle said, the worldwide situation may be worse. He said to avoid nuclear war the U.S. and its allies must “cool it”—that is to say, reduce the number of nuclear weapons in the world, support nonproliferation, and engage other nations by keeping dialogue open.

Fresh from Jordan and a year of teaching at King’s Academy, English teacher Suzanne Hannay was the 2009 Convocation speaker. She entertained students and faculty alike with the “short version” of her adventures in the Middle East. Her remarks were informative and entertaining. Anecdotes about frequent power outages, the absence of basic necessitates, and the lack of study habits among her new students, helped to explain what Ms. Hannay learned. She reflected on the beauty of the area, Jordanian hospitality, and the unexpected joy of “the transformation” of the King’s Academy boys and girls into willing students. Ms. Hannay advised students to travel, learn a second language, and “go places that might terrify your grandparents . . . You may have to ride with a goat beside you, but you will have a great story to tell someday.”

Fall 2009

Ambassador photograph by Danae DiNicola

Convocation: A Jordanian Perspective

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Rock Garden: The Ashford Garden Benches

Possibly the rarest seats on campus: students, faculty, and staff can more easily pause and appreciate the Ashford Garden and its Round Square Fountain thanks to the installation of two new stone benches. The stone benches took over two years to construct and were made by Ashfield Stone in nearby Ashfield, MA. One of the most time-consuming aspects of the project was locating and mining Ashfield schist—the stone for the back of the second bench was particularly difficult to find. Ashfield schist is quarried and fabricated locally from metamorphosized ancient seabed, and it has two distinct layers. The benches are unique, interesting, and beautiful; they would have pleased former Deerfield trustee and past parent Jane C. Ashford, for whom the garden is named. Mrs. Ashford loved gardens and open spaces, and her family created this particular garden in her honor when she retired from the board in 1998. The garden was redesigned and further enhanced in 2005 through a gift from her husband Ted and their sons.

Door Stop:

Hitchcock House Expands

Over the summer, merchandise from Deerfield’s athletic, book, and alumni stores was consolidated. The Athletic Store will primarily serve students’ athletic apparel and equipment needs, but Hitchcock House will house everything else: books, school supplies, dorm supplies, personal care items, and an array of Deerfield merchandise, including clothing, tote bags, stationery, and more.

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“Class of ’09” New Faculty Fast Facts

Athletic Department MS in Exercise Science from Middle Tennessee State University; a familiar face at Deerfield, she will continue on in her position as assistant athletic trainer, but now she will also make her home on campus in McAlister II.

Jaed Muncharoen Coffin Wallace Wilson Fellow

Magna cum laude graduate of Middlebury College; MFA in fiction writing from the University of Southern Maine Stonecoast; in 2008 Da Capo/ Perseus press published his memoir A Chant to Soothe Wild Elephants, which chronicles his journey to become an ordained Buddhist monk in his mother’s native Thailand; at Deerfield, he will teach creative writing and ethics, while continuing to pursue his own writing projects.

Sarah S. Latham

Mathematics Department Summa cum laude graduate of Bowdoin College; MEd Harvard Graduate School of Education; began her career in the financial world; helped to develop SAT and AP tests for Educational Testing Services; former math teacher and class dean at Princeton Day School.

Becca Melvoin

History Department BA from Bowdoin College; two Master’s, one from Boston College and one from Brown University; at Bowdoin, she was a rugby and squash player, and a member of a co-ed a capella group; taught history at Beaver Country Day School prior to coming to Deerfield.

Peter Nilsson

Study Skill Coordinator Graduate of Middlebury College; began his teaching career at Deerfield in 2000 as a teaching fellow; in 2005 left Deerfield to pursue a music career in NYC; while in NYC, attended Teachers College at Columbia University and earned a master’s in Educational Leadership; he has coached squash and cycling, and was a musical “pied piper” at the piano and with Deerfield’s a capella groups.

Sam Savage

Language Graduate of Columbia University; immediately prior to coming to Deerfield, he spent two years teaching Latin in Viterbo, Italy, as part of the School Year Aboard program; taught Latin, lived in a dorm, and coached football, soccer, and lacrosse at his alma mater, Groton School; also taught at Head Royce School (CA), and started the first boys’ lacrosse team there.

Amy M. Shimbo

Kristen Viega

Magna cum laude graduate of Harvard University; holds graduate degrees from the University of Washington and Yale University; taught music theory and ear training while pursing her graduate degrees; she is trained as a classical soprano, and has performed throughout the U.S. and Europe; she is a member of the Virginia Chorale.

Majored in economics and minored in mathematics; was a teaching assistant and a research assistant in the Economics Department at Bowdoin; an Academic All-American who also made her mark in field hockey, when she lead the Bowdoin Polar Bears to four consecutive NESCAC championships and two NCAA national championships, earning many individual honors along the way.

Director of Music

Judie O’Donnell Special Assistant to the Head of School

Mathematics Department

Summa cum laude graduate of Rider University; with graduate work at Temple University and the University of Massachusetts; for thirteen years she worked with the Springfield (MA) Symphony Orchestra; has held teaching and research assistantships in Organizational Behavior, and worked at the University of Massachusetts as the administrative officer to the vice chancellor for administration and finance; immediately before coming to Deerfield, she was director of orchestra administration for the New World Symphony in Miami Beach, FL.

Fall 2009

Faculty photographs by Jennifer Coulombe ’10

Kate Bergeron

Photograph by Brent Hale

David Dickinson, John S. Hilson Chair in Fine Arts by Sandra Lively

“Justify your existence,” David Dickinson’s parents would stress, “give of yourself, share your God-given talents.” The role of David’s parents in who he is cannot be overstated. His teaching life is spent “repaying that gift.” Inspirational words from Margarita Curtis at this fall’s opening faculty meetings struck the same chord, leaving David awestruck with the similarities to what he had always been urged to do: maintain values, periodically seek critical personal evaluation, practice selflessness and collaboration, and, especially, be “quiet of heart and clear of eye.” He sees teaching as intrinsically linked to those values; he grades students’ art on effort and attitude—talent is “dead last.” In David’s class students need to learn the basics of “how to see” and the rules of “how to document (well) what they see.” Then, and only then, they can be given the freedom to break the rules. Teaching in the old school tradition of “beaux arts,” David believes anyone can be taught to draw, and no one appreciates his teaching efforts more than his students. Becky Umbach ’09 speaks for many: “David Dickinson lives and breathes the hopes of his students . . . I can’t begin to thank him.” Another recent graduate states that David was “the most significant influence while at Deerfield,” particularly encouraging her interest in art, now “one of the most important parts of my life.” The loose, relaxed gait of a misplaced cowpoke quickly identifies the stride of David Dickinson. Upon closer scrutiny, one discerns the tousled head of now-graying hair, signature wild-west “stache,” steely blue eyes, and easy smile—Deerfield’s resident Wyatt Earp ( always, however, in impeccable class dress!), corralling students to studio art or the tennis courts. David has held the John S. Hilson Chair in Fine Arts since 2000; it was established in 1994 with a bequest from John Hilson ’43, through which his family wished to honor John’s memory as well as their commitment to the arts. Married to language teacher Claudia Lyons since the late 70s, David earned his BFA at Tufts and the Boston Museum School. While living in Boston, the world of galleries and exhibits soon became “too myopic and self-absorbed for him,” but unlike Claudia, David had never planned on a teaching career. He only “stumbled into something serendipitous when a friend contacted me about a position at a nearby school.” David soon made his way to Deerfield. He has served as chair of Deerfield’s Fine Arts Department, and as a member

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Talent is Dead Last

“Take your work seriously, but don’t take yourself seriously. “

David Dickinson, gentleman, artist, mentor, and fun guy —repeats the quote with just a bit of an Eastwood grin and adds,

“I love what I do.”

of both the Curriculum Committee and the committee for Imagine Deerfield. Previously, he held the John J. Louis Chair in the Humanities, and last spring he was named the 2009-2010 Greer Family Distinguished Faculty Chair holder, held concurrently this year with the Hilson Chair. Coaching Girls’ Varsity Tennis since 1992, David’s teams’ record at the deVillafranca Tennis Invitational Tournament is three championships, eight runner-ups, and two thirds. Many of his alumnae have gone on to play at the college level, with captaincies, MVPs, and Rookie of the Year honors. David is an original founding member of Deerfield’s faculty rock band, founder of the faculty jazz band, founder and orchestrator of the “world famous” DeNunzio Disco and KFC (Koch Friday Night Concerts), and originator of the student paddle tennis tournament. David and Claudia’s summers are spent at their home in Prince Edward Island, painting, golfing, “fine dining,” and wind surfing. Spike and Ike, their feline sons, complete the family. Reflecting on his 22 years at Deerfield, David says, “My gifted colleagues and curious students have taught me so much. Creating opportunities for young people to ‘strut their stuff’ in the classroom or on the dance floor is a thrill.” Looking forward, he hopes that Deerfield doesn’t lose sight of the “simplicity of this place, the sight of the valley, its natural beauty, and the neighboring farms, the timelessness.” Sometimes, he’s observed, “when change comes, it also comes on heels of adding more, when we often need to remove something to most effect change; know your limitations . . . move forward with what you do well.”

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Remarkable Statistics

A Report From the Dean of Admission and Financial Aid Highlights of the 2009 admission year include: Inquiries up 5.1% to a record 6,362

Applications jumped 12% to a

record-breaking 2,108

Interviews rose 11.8% to 2,263, a

During Opening Weekend, we felt a mixture of pride and excitement watching our admission efforts rewarded as 225 remarkably talented new students arrived on campus, enthusiastically committing to a Deerfield education. As they participated in our treasured tradition in the Memorial Building Lobby, rising to their feet and introducing themselves to the faculty, and to each other, I was struck by the diversity, in every sense of the word, that these new students bring to our academy community. Interest in Deerfield continues to grow, and certainly our new students validate the academy’s fine national and international reputation. For the second consecutive year, our inquiries

by Patricia L. Gimbel

We opened the school year significantly over-enrolled, with 654 students, 578 boarding students and 76 day students. As we enter our 20th year of our return to coeducation, girls represent 50.6 percent of our student body. The geographic diversity of our students is impressive. They represent 36 states, Washington, DC, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, including 39 students from California, 20 from Illinois, 14 from Texas and eight from North Carolina. Our international numbers also jumped this year to 24 percent of our applications. We admitted 54 international students and realized a strong yield of 68.5 percent on our offers of admission to international students. Our 37

new record

Admit Rate of 15.7%, Deerfield’s

most competitive and selective year

Yield on admitted students is a

record-breaking 68%

Second Visit Days

yield is the highest ever at 77.4%

Yield on financial aid offers to new

students is a recordbreaking 75.3%

Fall 2009

In this time of economic challenges, Deerfield is extremely fortunate to be in such high demand. have surpassed the 6000 mark; for 2009 we received inquiries from 49 states, Washington, DC, Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands, and 81 countries: From Rosebud, South Dakota to Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin and from Saar, Bahrain to Dakar Yoff, Senegal. Our 2108 applications surpassed the 2000 mark for the first time and 2263 students were interviewed. Our admit rate, the barometer of a school’s selectivity, was a remarkable 15.7 percent, Deerfield’s most selective on record. To underscore the competitiveness of our admission process, one only need look at the 1127 applications received for ninth grade for the 100 available places, a jump of 13.7 percent over last year.

new international students comes from 17 countries: Botswana, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Norway, Serbia and Montenegro, Singapore, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom, as well as eight new students from China (including six from Hong Kong), six from Canada, five from Korea, and two each from the Bahamas, Jamaica, Spain, and Thailand. We continue our impressive strides to bring talented students of color to campus. This year, 24 percent of our students are students of color, and we are particularly pleased that among these students there is a healthy balance of socioeconomic and geographic diversity. Our alumni and current parents continue their enthusiasm in giving their sons and daughters

Counted among our accomplished new students are: The first-place winner in the New York

Math League contest; the author and illustrator of a children’s book on the Exxon Valdez oil spill; a young man who played basketball for England in the European Championship in Macedonia; a young woman who sang backup with the Spice Girls on their concert reunion tour in London for 20,000 fans; a volunteer who built an HIV/AIDS clinic in Honduras; a two-time all-state, all-conference lacrosse star; the creator of a women’s clothing line called “purple —stop the violence” whose profits were donated to help awareness and education of young people about domestic violence; an actress who has performed in several educational videos, a few commercials and in two major motion pictures, Munich and Doubt; the creator, editor and photographer of Style Season, a teen fashion magazine; a budding international diplomat who has worked with Kofi Annan, Al Gore and the Prime Minister of Hungary; the overall goalie winner at the 2008 National Hockey Skills Competition; an entrepreneur who started a tie company called Town Togs for young boys, a portion of whose sales are donated to The Bone Marrow Foundation’s Pediatric Patients Program; the winner of the 2009 Springfield (MA) Symphony Youth Orchestra Concerto Competition; *a young woman whose image appeared on the top left-hand corner of the Canadian five dollar bill; an 88-mile-per-hour baseball pitcher; the gold medal winner in the computer science International Olympiad in Informatics; and a talented classical guitarist from Texas who won $10,000 to be used for his artistic and educational development from the 2008 Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Young Artist Award and appeared on the PBS show From the Top at Carnegie Hall.

have the advantage of a Deerfield education. A remarkable 40.7 percent of our students are either a legacy or sibling, or both! This year, we received 150 applications from legacies and siblings; we ultimately admitted 51 percent of our legacy and sibling applicants, a far higher admit rate than for unaffiliated applicants. Among our entire student body, 118 students have either a father or grandfather, or both, who attended Deerfield. This year, 52 pairs of siblings are on campus, and among the entire student body, 196 students (30 percent of students) have a current sibling or a sibling who graduated previously. Many of our bright and talented students have the opportunity to attend the academy because of our continuing commitment to a strong financial aid program. This year, our generous financial aid budget of $6.5 million supports 35 percent of our students, but there is still more demonstrated need than budgeted financial aid funds available. A significant trend is our ever-increasing average financial aid award; with our boarding tuition at $41,900, this year’s average aid award for boarding students jumped to $33,295.

As our admission trends this year have been counterintuitive given the worldwide economic turmoil and subsequent financial constraints on many applicant families, I’ve been repeatedly asked why Deerfield is in such high demand. My own sense is that most families have certainly “reprioritized” this year, but that a top-quality secondary school education is now at or near the top of their list of priorities for their child. I also feel that many families are searching for “stability” for their child in the midst of possible family upheaval, and that Deerfield represents, for many, that sense of stability in a world full of uncertainties. In this time of economic challenges, Deerfield is extremely fortunate to be in such high demand. The many letters, calls, and emails that I receive remind me daily what makes Deerfield such a unique educational community that is so prized and sought after by hundreds of students and their parents each year. As always, I welcome your comments and suggestions. I quote from a note that I received from an applicant’s mother last winter:

along albany road

Deerfield Academy is, indeed, a very special place. There could not be a more beautiful setting, but I was in awe of the students. They all seemed so composed and mature beyond their high school years. I have honestly never been on a high school campus where the stress of getting through the day and teenage angst did not hang heavy in the air. Deerfield has figured out how to produce happy, well-adjusted, interested, and fun students. I hope my son is lucky enough to be one of them.

deerfield.edu

along albany road

Double Dribble

Tucker Dayton and Maddy Keeshan Exemplify Student-Athlete by Bob York Their report cards are filled with As and Bs, while their letter sweaters are covered with Ds. These are the remnants of a perfect storm of sorts . . . a storm that feeds off a mixture of brawn and brain rather than wind and rain. It is a storm created and energized annually by the Deerfield Academy faculty—for its student-athletes. Many are the graduates who have participated in both academics and athletics at Deerfield since the school began keeping track of test scores and box scores centuries ago and more are sure to follow. Two who currently exemplify what a student-athlete at Deerfield is all about are seniors Tucker Dayton and Maddy Keeshan. Both Dayton and Keeshan sit at the head of their classes and stand at the forefront of their athletic teams—all three of them: soccer, ice hockey and lacrosse. Keeshan has been nominated by her peers as captain of all three of her teams, while Dayton has been elected captain in soccer and lacrosse.

Fall 2009

This dynamic duo will be taking their athletic talents to the collegiate level next year and that will put an end to the symmetry of their careers. Keeshan, who earned All-American status in lacrosse following her junior year, will concentrate on lacrosse at the Division I level when she attends the University of Virginia. “Playing three sports on the collegiate level was something I gave a lot of thought to,” admitted Keeshan, who hails from Greenwich, CT, “but there really wasn’t another sport I loved to play as much as lacrosse.” Dayton, meanwhile, who has earned All-New England laurels in lacrosse and soccer, toyed with the idea of playing on the Division I level, before opting to remain a man for all seasons and taking the Division III route. “I had an opportunity to play Division I lacrosse at Dartmouth,” said Dayton, who comes from San Francisco. But he was also interested in playing hockey. Dartmouth athletic officials frowned upon Dayton’s roaming eyes toward more than one sport, however, “so, I decided to go Division III,” said Dayton. And so, he has narrowed his Division III choices to Williams College and Middlebury College. Dayton, who came to Deerfield four years ago primarily to play hockey, had planned, however, to play three sports for Deerfield even before he set foot on campus.

Photographs by Jeff Brown

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

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Both Dayton and Keeshan sit at the head of their classes and stand at the forefront of their athletic teams “But when I came here, I really didn’t have any intentions of playing three sports in college,” added Dayton. Now, he will. He has gotten the green light on all three sports at Williams and the OK on hockey and lacrosse at Middlebury. As for Middlebury soccer, “they’re planning on coming down to scout me sometime this fall,” said Dayton. “Tucker makes for a very appealing recruit in lacrosse,” said Chip Davis, the Big Green lacrosse coach. “He has good size, good speed and quickness and good hands . . . everything you want in a midfielder. “Tucker’s a four-year student here,” added Davis, who is also the school’s athletic director, “so he’s spent a great deal of time playing in a Deerfield culture that emphasizes playing multiple sports. So, I’m not surprised a bit that Tucker opted to go Division III in order to play three sports. If he went Division I and concentrated on a single sport, I don’t think he’d know what to do with himself the rest of the year.” Although Keeshan will only be concentrating on lacrosse in college, she couldn’t have pictured herself having played just one sport at Deerfield. “Athletics have helped give me structure in my day,” explained Keeshan. “Between academics and athletics, my days here at Deerfield are just the way I like them . . . structured from start to finish.” “Besides,” added Keeshan, “I love being a part of a team . . . I love the support you can offer your teammates and the support your teammates can offer you.” When it comes to compliments, girls lacrosse coach Becky Tynan offered the ultimate of praise when she said, “as a student-athlete, Maddy offers the girls at Deerfield the best possible role model. “Maddy’s an outstanding person, athlete and leader . . . she’s the whole package,” said Tynan.

And it’s not just Keeshan’s coach who thinks she’s pretty special. “That All-American nomination she received last spring resulted from a vote by opposing coaches, and I don’t think you can receive a bigger compliment than that,” said Tynan. Heidi Valk, the school’s soccer coach has also enjoyed her time with Keeshan. “Maddy’s just a fabulous athlete,” said Valk, “and a big reason for that is the fact that nobody works harder than she does. She’s in perpetual motion on the field . . . she never tires . . . and due to that, we call her the ‘Energizer Bunny.’ ” One other characteristic Valk has come to cherish about Keeshan, is her smile. “It just never goes away,” she said.

LOOKING AHEAD >>>>>>>>>>>>> Tucker Dayton and Maddy Keeshan will replace their soccer spikes with hockey skates later this month, as Deerfield Academy’s winter sports schedule swings into gear. And that means the Big Green boys swim team will have a big red and white bull’s-eye on its back over the next few months as it will be looking to capture its third consecutive New England championship. Other teams hoping to build on postseason success from a year ago will be girls squash and the boys ski team, who both posted silver medals in New England tourney competition. The Deerfield girls ski team finished fourth during its New England competition, while girls swimming and boys squash both finished fifth and wrestling wound up No.12. Boys and girls basketball will be looking to earn a tourney invite this season, as will boys and girls hockey.

Current sports schedules and scores at deerfield.edu/athletics

deerfield.edu

along albany road

A Sea of Solar Panels The Koch Centerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Roof Gets Even Greener

PV Peak Power Rating =20kW DC

No. of Modules=100

Orientation of Modules=25Â°

Students can analyze how production and consumption are effected by ambient temperature, panel temperature, humidity, wind speed, wind direction, and solar irradiance

Fall 2009

of two students in the Environmental Club, the solar panel project came to fruition thanks to their hard work, the generosity of the green donor, and through the commitment and contribution of academy resources. Due to the donor contribution and a rebate from the Massachusetts Commonwealth Solar Program, there should be a 100 percent return on the academy’s investment in less than four years. The return for current students will be even sooner: “The easy-to-use online interface (of the dashboard) makes acquiring information a breeze, and will enable students and teachers from Algebra II through calculus the ability to incorporate our own ‘in house’ data into the classroom,” said math teacher and alumnus Marc Dancer ’79. His colleague, physics teacher Rich Calhoun, added, “I’ve been trying to incorporate energy production and sustainability into my physics courses. Not only is it an interesting topic of how physics is applied but it is a great example of an area of economic growth that produces goods and services for the greater good and may spark an interest in students.”

Along with a new weather station, which is located in close proximity to the panels, students and faculty are able to access a “Deerfield Dashboard,” which allows them to monitor energy production and use in the Koch Center.

along albany road

One hundred photovoltaic panels are in place and harvesting energy from the sun amongst the green sedum on the Koch Center’s turf roof. A student-initiated project that was partially funded by a donor who is particularly interested in “green” projects (and wishes to remain anonymous), the panels are a visible sign of the academy’s commitment to environmental stewardship. The panels have the obvious use of gathering energy to be converted to electricity for the Koch Center, but they serve a dual purpose as well—they are teaching tools. Along with a new weather station, which is located in close proximity to the panels, students and faculty are able to access a “Deerfield Dashboard,” which allows them to monitor energy production and use in the Koch Center. Part of a data acquisition system, the dashboard shows real-time photovoltaic energy production and building energy consumption in an attractive, user-friendly format. Students can analyze how production and consumption are effected by ambient temperature, panel temperature, humidity, wind speed, wind direction, and solar irradiance (how much sun is shining on the panels). They can also view energy consumption in relative terms—kilowatts versus dollars, versus carbon, versus coal, and more. In addition to showing data in real-time, the information that is gathered can be stored in the dashboard indefinitely, so eventually Deerfield students will be able to do year-toyear comparisons. “Nationally, there’s a desire to make the data from the electrical grid more accessible to industry and consumers,” said chemistry and physics teacher Mark Teutsch. “The dashboard is analogous to Google’s PowerMeter that lets consumers track and manage home energy use while measuring environmental impact in homes or workplaces. By effectively learning about energy use patterns, Deerfield graduates become better and smarter consumers of energy.” The panels are the first renewable energy source on campus, and the latest step the academy has taken towards lowering its carbon footprint and practicing the highest possible level of environmental stewardship. Originally the idea

buildingdashboard.com/clients/deerfield

deerfield.edu

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Fall 2009

Photograph by David Thiel

LOOKING BACK, LOOKING FORWARD COEDUCATION AT DEERFIELD by Jessica Day

deerfield.edu

21 21

If the 124 girls who arrived at Deerfield in September 1989 were apprehensive, it doesn’t show in their photographs. Though the fashions look dated, the girls in them are remarkably similar to today’s “Deerfield Girl.” Even today, these early photos still relay confidence and strength, through upright postures and selfassured smiles. Some doubts must have lurked inside, but the camera didn’t capture them. Truth be told, their male counterparts at the time didn’t sense them either. Just a short 19 months after the board of trustees’ historic vote, girls arrived on campus— after an absence of more than 40 years. That momentous day was twenty years ago. It was common knowledge that the road to coeducation had been a long one, and the journey was by no means smooth. Trustees, alumni, and the administration agonized over the decision, and no matter what individual opinions might have been—pro or con—all were in agreement that the decision was not made lightly. The facultytrustee Committee to Study Coeducation, chaired by Philip Greer ’53, was diligent. Finally, at their winter 1988 meeting, the board voted 20 to 2 in favor of the restoration of coeducation—after six hours of debate. Headmaster Robert Kaufmann wrote to the Deerfield community on February 1, 1988: This was not an easy decision; we never thought it would be. But I believe it is the right decision and I move ahead with enthusiasm and excitement. This is an extraordinary school, blessed with an unparalleled community of students, parents, alumni, faculty and staff. The board’s decision is testimony to its faith in all of us to pull together to continue building this school’s distinguished record. As we move towards the 1990s we have a large but worthy task in front of us; to make Deerfield the best school it can be for all young people. I invite and encourage you to join us in this mission as the Deerfield boy welcomes the Deerfield girl. When the Deerfield girls finally arrived on campus, there was a mix of anticipation, excitement, and curiosity, according to then sophomore and now Trustee Carrie Freeman Braddock ’92. “I remember being excited for the first month of school to be over so we could just settle into being Deerfield students rather than Deerfield girls,” she recalls.

Fall 2009

Photography by Gabriel Amadeus Cooney

       

   When the Deerfield girls finally   arrived on campus, there was a mix of   anticipation, excitement, and curiosity       “Which I now realize was a bit naïve, given the historic shift going on. If I encountered resistance to coeducation along the way, I perceived it to be stemming from a fear of change rather than negative feelings towards girls.” Ms. Braddock’s intuition seems to be on the mark. Deerfield boys from the early nineties, though staunchly opposed to coeducation at the time, today cite their fear of change as the real issue. Ms. Braddock continues, “Looking back, I have always been very proud to be a Deerfield girl—lucky to have experienced that period of transition. I think the reason the process was so successful was that the students from that era didn’t choose to divide along gender lines. There was a cohesiveness and sense of community that brought us all together.” In short, coeducation was a major change for both the boys and girls, but the shared experience—the awkwardness and uncertainty of it all—seems to have pulled the school together. The question is, twenty years later, does that cohesiveness between the two genders still exist? This year, for the first time ever, girls are the majority: 50.6 percent of the student body. Remarkably few gender issues have cropped up in the last twenty years—or at least remarkably few have been discussed. Only occasional rumblings have seen the light of day. Among them, an article in the February 27, 2008 issue of the Scroll; its headline proclaimed: “Divided Voices: Cheerleading Controversy Highlights Gender Divisions.” Written by two girls in the Class of ’08, the story detailed what appeared to be gender discrimination promoted by the male cheerleaders at ice hockey games. It read in part: While the game began with a high level of school spirit, the energy was shattered when a group of girls began a cheer. Most of the crowd joined in at first but a loud hush ran through the stands, beginning at the top. Slowly the crowd faded out, leaving the girls’ voices the only ones to be heard. Immediately after the girls finished their cheer, the male cheerleaders began the same one, and this time, the entire crowd joined in without pause. The article detailed other similar incidents, and it ended with the co-writers encouraging both the cheerleaders and the senior class to set a better example. When hockey season ended and warm

weather wound its way into the valley, the concerns of the student body lay elsewhere. Girls and boys alike were focused on exams, the seniors savored their senior spring, and the ’07–’08 academic year moved rapidly towards Commencement. Juniors Liz Schieffelin and Hillary Hoyt, however, remained undistracted: they couldn’t stop thinking about the Scroll article. They knew of other anecdotal evidence to support the claim of a growing gender divide at the academy. Liz decided to investigate further, and proposed an independent study on gender at Deerfield for her senior spring. Her study was approved, wholeheartedly supported by the faculty, and in particular by Head of School Margarita Curtis. With Hillary’s assistance, Liz dove into her research. She read books about gender at boarding schools, reviewed Scroll articles, met with President of the Board Philip Greer to discuss gender issues, and she and Hillary together gathered anecdotal evidence from their peers and faculty members. Dr. Curtis and Mr. Greer suggested that Liz and Hillary prepare a report for the spring 2009 meeting of the board of trustees—to begin a larger conversation on gender issues at the academy. In the preface of their report, Liz and Hillary wrote: We . . . have discussed the Deerfield culture that drives the school. Through many conversations about Deerfield life with peers and teachers, personal experience, and with anecdotal evidence, we have come to the conclusion that the biggest problem facing Deerfield culture is gender division. Deerfield arguably has not one culture but two: male and female. In fact, we hear students make comments like, “I feel like we go to single sex schools” or “I literally don’t understand the Deerfield boy experience . . . ” These two clashing cultures dominate social life . . .

deerfield.edu

  I think the reason the process was so successful was that the students from  that era didn’t choose to divide along gender lines. There was a cohesiveness  and sense of community that brought us all together.   Along with a student panel, Liz and Hillary answered questions for board members— many of whom were surprised to learn of the perceived gender issues. Hillary, Liz, and their fellow students spoke frankly about “bro” (short for “brother”) culture at Deerfield. One boy prioritized bro values as “bros, sports, academics, chicks.” Female culture at Deerfield, by contrast, apparently tends to be dominated by academics and extra-curricular activities. The panel agreed that bro culture tends to be chauvinistic. Liz commented, “(They) are proud to be guys here—‘Sons of Deerfield.’ A lot of the traditions, such as the cheerleaders, are rooted in male dominance.” Hillary, a Deerfield cheerleader at the time, shared a story about experiencing “bro culture” firsthand; she and another female cheerleader once attempted to stand on the top row of the bleachers in the hockey rink with the male cheerleaders, and they were told “point blank” by the boys to “step down.” “Girls don’t stand on the top row,” explained a male friend. Sadly, it seems that Deerfield boys explain this chauvinism as “tradition.” Even as the social scene seems to be controlled by “bros,” Hillary and Liz discovered a great deal of evidence to support the theory that girls control the classroom; it is part of Deerfield’s “girl culture” to put forth extra effort academically, though not generally considered “cool” for boys to do the same. It may be common for cheerleaders to wield power in high school social settings but segregated bleachers are quite unusual. Through their research, Liz and Hillary discovered that certain gender-related patterns are found with any group of adolescents but they concluded that Deerfield went beyond “the norm” in many instances; in closing they said, “Essentially, for the current and future student body, (we believe) this is a major cultural issue, perhaps the issue.” 24

Fall 2009

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Dr. Curtis exudes the same confident, pioneer spirit of the “girls of ’89.” After all, she is the first woman to head the academy since Principal Orpha Julina Hall in 1874. One of four sisters who are all professionals, Dr. Curtis is quite familiar with what she calls strong, warm, feminine, well-educated women. “When I began the process of interviewing for the position of head of school,” Dr. Curtis said, “it didn’t even occur to me that there might be an issue with the fact I’m a woman. I knew the board of trustees would choose the most qualified candidate. It should also be remembered that I was following in the footsteps of a strong, academic woman— Headmaster Eric Widmer’s wife, Meera Viswanathan. She had already modeled the possibilities—it seemed like a natural progression.” After reflecting for a moment, Dr. Curtis added, “We must also remember that Mr. Boyden didn’t build this school alone.” “As we recognize the 20th anniversary of the return to coeducation, we are presented with an opportunity to pause and take stock of the issues relating to gender,” said Dr. Curtis after the presentation to the trustees. She continued, “We have an opportunity to make the relationship between boys and girls even better than it is now—there is obviously room for both personal and institutional improvement and growth. We want to continue the conversation, not have a confrontation; any further discussion should be inclusive.” In answer to Dr. Curtis’ call, Trustee Linda Whitton, Chair of the Student Life Committee and the parent of four Deerfield girls, said, “We plan to study the topics of diversity and community over the next two years; the current focus on gender and coeducation is step one in that process. Coeducation has been a major factor in Deerfield’s continued rise over the last 20 years, so beginning our diversity study with a campuswide discourse about gender makes sense.”

     This year the committee’s primary objectives are to implement a faculty-led process to broaden the gender discussion to include both older and younger students, as well as teachers and staff, and to provide balanced and constructive recommendations to Deerfield’s leadership. The Dean of Students Office, under the leadership of Toby Emerson, has already created a committee that will encourage upperclassmen to voice their opinions on gender issues and then help mentor and model conversations with younger students. Mrs. Whitton added, “Deerfield is an exceptional place because the whole is more than the sum of the parts. We are proud of the good work being done by so many to ensure that Deerfield’s policies and practices promote understanding and collaboration between the genders, and to model respectful, caring behavior worthy of a school known for its exemplary community.”

Photography by Jim Gipe and David Thiel

Balancing Tradition and Change

Liz Schieffelin and Hillary Hoyt have joined the ranks of proud Deerfield alumnae—one moving on to Georgetown, the other to Trinity College. But both have agreed to return to campus and help move the gender discussion forward. They certainly can take pride in raising the issue within the Deerfield community. What will the final results of this discussion be? An even stronger and more unified Deerfield. Anniversaries of momentous occasions present us with an opportunity to reminisce and reflect, to take stock of where we have been and where we are going, and the 20th anniversary of Deerfield’s “return to coeducation” is no exception. Trustee Carrie Braddock, Class of 1992, and pioneer Deerfield girl commented: “Over time, the remarkable thing about Deerfield is its ability to balance a strong sense of tradition with the ability to embrace change and remain relevant in the modern world. The community is a unique blend of past, present, and future. It is a school that values its legacy while challenging students to think critically and be prepared to address the most pressing issues of today and the future.” Mr. Boyden would be proud. 25

“Mo”

Mildred

Boyden’s Girls

by Jessica Day

“We used to have a coffee break between 10:00 and 10:30 in the morning every day,” reminisced Mildred Myers.

Gretchen

Photography by Brent M. Hale; doily by istockphoto

“Everyone would gather in the break room in the Main School Building and a woman came in and prepared it—coffee in china cups, and cookies from the Dining Hall. It was a great way to socialize and bring each other up to date, and it was a really enjoyable time.” Mrs. Myers paused and looked over the top of her glasses, and added, “Let me preface this by saying it was a different time—a time when smoking was accepted, but Mr. Boyden frowned upon it.” Mildred Myers, Gretchen Miner, and Maureen “Mo” Sabin had gathered in the Miller Conference Room in the Main School Building, located just a few feet behind the spot where Mr. Boyden’s desk still resides. It was an appropriate place to sit and listen to three grande dames share memories of the legendary man. Sitting down to chat was also a way to capture some of Mrs. Myers’ Deerfield stories before she officially retired, after 47 years in the academy’s Finance Office. “We would be in the break room,” Mrs. Myers continued, “and people would be chatting and smoking, and having their coffee. And then Mr. Boyden would come in. Everyone stood up, and every cigarette was instantly put out, because we knew this was something he did not like. He would put his arms up and greet us—he wouldn’t actually say anything but we knew the gesture meant ‘Hello, family!’ Really, ‘I love you’ was what he was saying. He was happy to see us.” Mrs. Myers paused again, and said, “I still think about that all the time. I can’t stress enough how much ‘family’ meant to him. Everybody here—no matter who they were—they were treated with the same degree of respect and integrity, and they returned it in kind.”

He would put his arms up and greet us—he wouldn’t actually say anything but we knew the gesture meant ‘Hello, family!’

Mr. Boyden didn’t want to hire me because he

thought I was too young . . . he thought I might be a distraction

for his boys. —Mrs. Miner

Fall 2009

Mo Sabin, currently executive assistant to the dean of faculty, and a 36-year veteran of the academy, nodded in agreement; she was in perhaps the best position of the three women to comment on Mr. Boyden, since she worked directly for the headmaster for three years in the early 60s. “I was one of two fulltime secretaries who worked for Mr. Boyden,” Mrs. Sabin said. “His other secretary at the time was Louise Tidyman, and she used to travel with him. He also had two part-time secretaries who would come in and do work at night to keep up with correspondence and prepare the schedules that told who was coming to campus the next day. They had to be brought to various points around the school, so Mr. Boyden could have one on hand to refer to as he moved around the campus. His secretaries also prepared grade books for him every night, so he could review them and keep track of how each boy was doing.” Although Mr. Boyden was slowing down somewhat in his 80s, he still possessed a great deal of restless energy, and had a golf cart that he used to zip from one location to another. “He would have a sheet of calls he wanted to make and would bring them over to Pat Graves, the switchboard operator,” recalled Mrs. Sabin. “The call would finally come through, and Mr. Boyden would be nowhere to be found—he’d be off in the golf cart— he would just disappear!” At the mention of the switchboard, Gretchen Miner chuckled. She began working part-time at Deerfield as a switchboard operator in 1967, but she almost didn’t get the job at all. “Mr. Boyden didn’t want to hire me because he thought I was too young,” said Mrs. Miner— a pretty blonde 19-year-old at the time. “He thought I might be a distraction for his boys,” she

said, laughing. “Bob Merriam finally convinced him it would be okay.” And therein lies the reason for Mr. Boyden’s “aversion” to girls. Even though he had a daughter of his own, Mr. Boyden was always concerned that the fairer sex might divert his boys’ attention from what he believed were more important matters such as academics, athletics, and good old-fashioned hard work. “He only liked girls when they were little and when they were grown-up,” Mrs. Myers commented. “In-between they might be a distraction to his boys. He even used to stand right there with them when a bus arrived for a dance . . . always vigilant.” “Mr. Boyden wouldn’t have liked coeducation,” added Mrs. Miner, then she chuckled and added, “I’m fine with it now, but I was against it myself at first. I thought, why can’t we have a single sex school? Stoneleigh was (and is) a single sex school—what’s wrong with having a choice?” Echoing Mr. Boyden’s thoughts on the matter, Mrs. Myers said, “We thought they would be more of a distraction, but then . . . women have progressed to being Supreme Court justices, and governors, and to high-ranking positions of all sorts, so why should we have kept women out of Deerfield?” In fact, Mrs. Myers came to Deerfield thanks to the woman “who ran the whole school.” That woman was not Mrs. Boyden, as some might assume, but Priscilla Butterworth—assistant treasurer, clerk of the corporation for the Board of Trustees, bursar, and the trusted employee who took care of all the Boydens’ personal work. “She was all-powerful,” said Mrs. Myers. “Nobody did anything without her authority or authorization, and we were scared to death of her.”

I can’t stress enough how much ‘family’ meant to him. Everybody here—no matter who they were—they were treated with the same degree of respect and integrity, and they returned it in kind. —Mrs. Myers

Then she added, “But I was always grateful to her because she gave me the opportunity to work at Deerfield. I had recently been widowed, and I needed to get out . . . when I came to Deerfield another life began for me.” Mrs. Myers recalled a particularly busy day in the Finance Office, a day when she was occupied from the moment she arrived for work until late in the afternoon. When the last task of the day was completed, Mrs. Myers turned to Miss Butterworth in surprise: “I remember saying to her that it was the first day in nine months when I hadn’t thought of my husband all day long . . . not only was Deerfield my income, it was my socialization.” That socialization included joining an office staff of four, which grew to eleven. Mrs. Myers trained many of the new employees, and as was noted when she was honored for 40 years of service to the academy, she was “relied upon for a meticulous approach to work and an uncanny ability to unravel the most complex of problems.” Even if Mr. Boyden was unwilling to accept girls as students while he was headmaster, women such as Mrs. Myers did become a part of the Deerfield family. “The sense of family here was so great,” said Mrs. Myers. “Mr. Boyden instilled it, and he showed it—we were so, so bonded.” The other two “Boyden ladies” nodded in agreement. “I’m not going to say that time was better or this time is better,” continued Mrs. Myers. “But I will say I couldn’t have asked for better employers or a better place to work.”

Mildred Myers displays her 2009 Class Ring; a gift from Deerfield that was presented at her retirement party.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Ready All . . .

Photographs by Brent M. Hale

Interviews conducted by Lee Wicks - Introduction by David Thiel

deerfield.edu

. . . Row.”

Rowers, so attuned to their teammates, require little warning. “Ready All . . . Row” is the command to begin; like musicians in a pickup at the start of a jazz number, things start suddenly—but smoothly.

Jess Hoy ’03, graduated from Deerfield only to

INTER VIEW

become coxswain for the Men’s Varsity Crew Team at Harvard—in her freshman year. Harvard awarded her the Fredrick Sheldon Travelling Fellowship “for a year of purposeful travel abroad.” Now she is back in the United States and looking forward to medical school. Deerfield Magazine caught up with her after her exams and before she started a summer job, to learn what pulled her into crew at Deerfield—and what kept her interested long after leaving the valley.

For Lou Kinder ‘05, life and athletics are inextricably linked. A three-season varsity athlete at Deerfield, and a member of the Cal-Berkeley NCAA crew team that placed second in last year’s championship, Lou headed to Seattle, WA, after graduation. There, at the Pocock Rowing Center, she continues her training with the ultimate goal of racing internationally.

ROWING CHEAT SHEET

Blade: The flattened

Catch: The position of the

Bow: Front of the boat (seat #1).

Catching a Crab:

portion at the oar’s end.

Bow pair: seats # 1-2,

important for balance. Also: bow four (seats 1-4 in an 8).

Fall 2009

body when the hands and seat are furthest forward.

Slang; getting an unexpected tug or jerk on your blade, sometimes boat-stoppingly violent.

DM: What prompted your interest in crew? LK: I went ‘sport shopping’ my sophomore spring at DA. I spent some time on the track team and even played third base in a softball scrimmage before a spot opened up on the crew team. My hall resident and one of the crew coaches assured me that you didn’t have to be six feet tall to be good (though it helps), only good at pushing yourself, so I gave it a try. JH: The long story? As a freshman, I didn’t have a winter sport so I tried out for the JV basketball team. I was small and terrible had to be cut. I decided to join JV swimming with Amanda Cashman Harvey. By habit, I began to count the reps for our dry-land training routine. I think the combination of my determination and counting caught Amanda’s eye, and she talked to me about trying out to be a coxswain. She became an incredible driving force in my crew experience. She taught me so much about respect for others, determination and leadership.

Coxswain (“cox’n”; cox): The person who steers and gives commands to the rowers; usually seated in the back of the boat facing forward.

Drive: The work portion

of the stroke, when you are pushing with your legs, and pulling with your back and arms.

Eights: Boats with 8

sweep rowers and a cox.

Jessica Hoy photograph by Oli Rosenbladt

The boats are delicate, beautiful, and tough. Each weighs less than 150 pounds and is just a quarterinch thick—but it must buoy five people. Oars are staggered asymmetrically, so that with each stroke the shell must withstand extraordinary twisting forces. But the boats are nothing compared to the rowers. Their feet strapped to the boat, these girls literally lever themselves against water, straining every muscle. “Dry land” training includes running, weight training, circuit training, and work on the ergometer. Just to practice, the team must carry their boats 200 yards from the boathouse down to the waters of the often inhospitable Connecticut River . . . and back up the same hill at the end of grueling practices. Rowing clearly builds body, mind, and character. The girls’ crew team is a microcosm of the female population at Deerfield. These girls are different: they have a confidence borne of achievement, a poise produced only from pushing beyond their own comfort zones, and a sense of community that comes from pulling together. They embody the timeless character of Deerfield, even as their gender illustrates the school’s ability to succeed in change. Below, you will find the brief story of two Deerfield girls who made it big in rowing—leaving Deerfield to win national championships on their college crew teams. Both were novices when they arrived in the valley, but today, it’s easy to see the impact rowing has had on the lives of these two young women.

DM: Lou, you were a three-season athlete at Deerfield. How does crew compare to the other sports? LK: The elements for success are the same across all sports. Attitude, effort, and teamwork win championships. Good teams develop rhythm, flow, and trust from consistent performances in practice. In crew this is a little more literal, but I think these concepts are at the root of all successful teams and individual athletes. Rowing is pretty obscure. The remoteness of a lot of rowing venues, the quirky language, the level of comfort rowers have walking around in full body spandex . . . all this adds to the mystery. It definitely has its own culture, but so did all the other sports I’ve played. It’s a lot more simple than say, ice hockey. There’s no defense in rowing, just full-tilt offense. Perhaps the most difficult aspect of rowing is keeping it simple. DM: Can you remember your first days on the river? LK: Novice year was a fiasco! None of us had any idea what was going on—just getting the boat out of the boathouse and into the water was an adventure. Crabs were caught, boats were damaged, oars popped out of oarlocks. I believe the novice boys even managed to flip an eight once. One of my favorite memories is the time our coxswain managed to tell us very calmly and politely to “please weigh enough” (crew speak for “stop”) just before she cruised under a particularly large, and especially lowhanging, branch that smacked each of us, one by one, squarely in the back of the head. >>

Finish: The position of

the body when the seat is at the back end of the slide and the handle is close to the body, having just completed the drive.

Forward Body Angle:

The forward position of the upper body during the recovery and at the beginning of the drive.

deerfield.edu

Photographs by Brent M. Hale

DM: How hard was it to acquire the necessary skills and did you know right away that you were going to be very good? JH: Nothing prepares you for coxing except for coxing itself. Maybe certain personality types are better suited, but there are so many pieces to coxing—steering, commands, translation, leadership, and timing—that it’s really figuring out the balancing act that makes you a competent coxswain. I think a lot of people believe a good coxswain is a good leader and while that’s partially true, I think I am a good diplomat more than anything. I can be decisive when necessary— drawing on past conversations with coaches and rowers to know the right move—but I also always incorporate the boat’s desires into my commands. I always ask the rowers questions about what they think because, in the end, they are the experts, I am the manager. I can organize and mobilize, but crew is a team sport and requires everyone’s participation for success. LK: I’m still trying to acquire the necessary skills. Rowing is a constant process of refining and improving skills, fitness, and strength. It’s taken every one of the thousands of hours I’ve spent training to get as good as I am now. As goals and standards change, ‘what’s necessary’ changes, too; the definition of ‘good’ changes with that. I don’t know if I knew I’d be good right away. I have always had a lot of faith in my athletic abilities, so I think I at least knew I could improve. But as far as ‘being good’ goes, we have a saying on my college team: ‘You’ve never arrived.’ It’s a disservice to my future, faster, rowing self to get too excited about where I am now.

room, no door and a dirt floor (and to think it was only 10 years ago!). We didn’t have a JV team so it was only the top four “varsity” boats that rowed. Amanda took me under her wing and placed me in the third boat for the season. It was a huge honor and allowed me to work with a lot of older girls who had more experience. I have learned so much from people with more experience; over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to cox national team rowers, guys who raced in the famous Oxford/Cambridge race and even Olympians. At the end of my first season, I was in the fourth boat and we got first at New Englands—the big race of the year . . . I had never won a sporting event before.

DM: Jess, were you novice all your first season or did you move up quickly? JH: When I joined the crew team, it was much smaller than it is today. We were rowing out of a tobacco shed with no electricity, no bath-

DM: How has your involvement shaped you? LK: Wow, the answer to this question could easily grow into my first novel! It’s become my lifestyle. Eating and sleeping, for example, are done with much more purpose these days. It’s increased my valuation of the pursuit of excellence in every aspect of life. The challenges of sports in particular are often so visceral and objective that they are especially effective in exposing personal weaknesses. I think if people are open and honest, sport will make them better people. I know my commitment to succeeding at rowing has made me a better person. It provides me with an opportunity to confront myself with myself on a daily basis: How do I respond to pressure? Can I keep going when it hurts? How hard can I work? How much? What could I have done differently? How well do I deal with adversity, suffering, frustration, loss, and success? I suppose I honestly believe that competitive sports can change the world. I think crew has given me the tools to succeed at just about anything . . . I have a better appreciation for both the difficulty and the simplicity of getting good at something.

Layback: The position

Race Pace: The effort

of the upper body at the finish of the stroke. The upper body should lean slightly backward, up to 10 degrees back from vertical.

Pace: A measure of the effort put into each stroke. Piece: The term used to describe a work segment, such as a “2-minute piece.”

you could maintain for an entire race distance.

On the men’s crew team, I learned to balance my comforts with a very different world of competition, urgency and strength. I made my place on the team with short, sharp commands and home baked cookies, well-placed expletives, and occasional hugs.

Ratio: The ratio between the time spent on the drive part of the stroke and the time spent on the recovery. Ideally, you spend more time on the recovery than the drive (up to 2x more). deerfield.edu

On the girls’ team, I learned the sport of rowing, self-confidence, and leadership. I learned how to motivate with cheerleading and positivity. Conversely, I learned quickly on the men’s team that my success would not be due to pointing out the strengths of the team, but instead by strengthening the weaknesses. I’ve learned that a team’s success does not depend on avoiding conflict and failure, but rather how well they deal with the conflicts and failures that inevitably arise. JH: Rowing is behind every success I have had. Being on the supportive, energetic, and determined girl’s team at DA laid a foundation for all of my later pursuits on and off the water. I would have never had the confidence to join the men’s team at Harvard if I hadn’t felt so buoyed by the DA team. I learned to make decisions, to take control of a situation, to speak calmly but firmly, to engage everyone and to build a team. I learned humility because my mistakes were amplified (literally!) by the microphone system in the boat. The girls’ team at DA set the stage, and the men’s team at Harvard has made me confident in my interactions. I feel like I can deal with anyone because I have dealt with athletes in their rawest and most vulnerable state.

DM: Jess, how did it feel to cox for the men after being here with the girls? JH: Coxing for men and women is a completely different experience. On the girls’ team, I learned the sport of rowing, self-confidence, and leadership. I learned how to motivate with cheerleading and positivity. Conversely, I learned quickly on the men’s team that my success would not be due to pointing out the strengths of the team, but instead by strengthening the weaknesses. On the girl’s team, I was able to gain trust and respect as I learned the sport; also, my personality fit well with the energetic and supportive team mentality. On the men’s team, I spent every day trying to gain the respect and trust of the rowers while feeling constantly intimidated by their size and confidence. I could not hide on this team, so I embraced the foreignness and worked it to my advantage. I am naturally nurturing and very unnaturally competitive and forceful, but on the men’s crew team, I learned to balance my comforts with a very different world of competition, urgency and strength. I made my place on the team with short, sharp commands and home-baked cookies, well placed expletives, and occasional hugs. (Gosh, that sounds like I’m maintaining terrible gender roles—but I love to cook and I’m a big hugger!) In immersing myself in the world of large and macho varsity athletes, I grew comfortable in a male world. I wouldn’t have done any of this without my experiences on the girls’ team during high school.

DM: Since this issue of Deerfield Magazine commemorates the 20 th anniversary of the return to coeducation . . . Do you think crew is especially empowering for women? LK: I think the sense of purpose involved in committing fully to accomplishing any goal, athletic or otherwise, empowers anybody, male or female. That being said, sports are an especially important outlet for women because they provide spaces where your body is evaluated only for what it can do. Unlike some women’s sport cultures, the rowing community is very open about the strength, power, and toughness it right: Calloused hands of the Deerfield Academy Girls at requires to excel. I appreciate that.

the New England Interscholastic Rowing Championships

Rating: Number of

strokes per minute (SPM).

Recovery: The non-drive part of the stroke, when you are moving the oar handle and then the body from the finish back to the catch position.

Fall 2009

Rigger: Metal “arms”

extending from the boat to support each oar/oarlock.

Sculls: Boats (singles,

doubles, etc.) using two oars per person.

Shell: Boat, hollow,

with sliding seats for up to eight rowers and riggings for their oars. The intramural program uses “eights,” or 8-person shells with one oar per rower (“sweep” rowing).

Slide: The rails upon

which the seat slides.

SPM: Strokes per minute. Usually a 28-32 SPM rating is ideal for a race.

Stern: Back of the boat, where the coxswain sits facing the rowers.

Photograph by Liz Parker P’08, ’11

The amazing thing about coaches is they don’t give up. When we have a bad practice, they find a way to turn it around and make us learn from it. (They also) teach us to apply that strategy to the rest of our lives.

Fall 2009

DM: It is cold on the river in early spring, did you ever think of quitting? LK: Yeah, it was pretty cold. I never thought of quitting, but I did end up moving to California, so, read into that what you will . . . JH: Crew is an outdoor sport. The cold was tough and draining, but I learned quickly how to stay warm and in the end, the cold was inconsequential to the whole experience. There were two times in my eight years that I thought about quitting. Both times were in college; I had made a huge mistake and I was humbled, embarrassed, and

JH: I owe everything to the coaches who have taught me along the way. Oli (Rosenbladt), Booth (Kyle), and Amanda (Cashman Harvey) have given me the greatest gift: they trusted me completely. They prepared me for every imaginable scenario and then trusted me when a new problem emerged. They asked my opinion, which allowed me to form one and to learn how to express it. They treated me as an adult, a confidant, a leader, and they supported me when things got stressful. The amazing thing about coaches is they don’t give up. When we have a bad practice,

Photographs by Oli Rosenbladt; middle left photograph by Rose Pempler ’11

I feel like I can deal with anyone because I have dealt with athletes in their RAWEST and most vulnerable state. felt unworthy of the team. I learned more from those mistakes than any perfect practice or race, and it was not only a reality check but also a big motivator for me to improve. I never once thought about quitting during high school. I loved the team, the support, and the activity. No matter what work or stress I had off the water, 4 crew was a time for me to focus exclusively on one thing, and that was essential for my mental health during high school. DM: What role did Deerfield’s coaches play? LK: A good coach not only has to have a clear vision, but needs to clearly communicate that vision to his or her athletes. That task becomes especially difficult when you’re dealing with a large number of strong, independent young women. left: Deerfield girls working hard,

and not so hard, on the river

Stern Pair: Seats # 7

and 8. Also: stern four in an 8 (seats 5-8).

Stroke: The basic

rowing motion, comprised of the catch, drive, finish, and recovery.

Sweep Rowing: Rowing

with one oar per person (usually in fours or eights).

they find a way to turn it around and make us learn from it. (They also) teach us to apply that strategy to the rest of our lives. DM: How do you feel when you can’t row; will you find a way to continue? JH: Rowing is a huge commitment; it becomes a lifestyle. I spent at least two hours a day rowing all throughout college. The rowers became my brothers. Although I’m not on the team any more, it’s very much still in my heart. I love to cheer on the Harvard teams, and occasionally I’ve had the opportunity to sub in for a practice and I even raced with them once in the fall. I’m part of a DA alumni master’s team that raced twice last fall and will continue to race this fall. It’s a big treat to be back in green for those races. Sometimes I’m stunned by how competitive my college team was and how uncompetitive I feel now. I’m happy to be on the sidelines cheering at this point in my life. 

Swing: The action of the

upper body as it pivots at the hips during the drive, swinging from forward body angle through perpendicular to the layback position.

Weigh Enough:

Command to stop rowing.

deerfield.edu

A Life Well Lived

by Bob York

“When I came to Deerfield for an interview in June,

1970, I was struck by the possibility that I might be in Baseball Heaven. From the Headmaster’s office, I saw in the middle of the Upper Level a carefully manicured baseball field . . . The baseball field made me feel right at home, since the game had always held a special place in my life.” Sic Transit—Remembrances of Deerfield Past Deerfield Magazine—Summer 2002 G. Richard McKelvey

Fall 2009

“To be honest, I enjoy writing more than collecting,” admitted McKelvey, who proved to be as versatile an educator as he was a baseball junkie. During his three plus decades at Deerfield, McKelvey served as chairman of the school’s Department of Philosophy and Religion, was an assistant dean of students, and directed the school’s Counseling and Human Services Program. He also served as the Big Green’s varsity baseball coach for 22 years and was an assistant varsity basketball coach for a dozen seasons. “I got into writing that first book because I really love baseball,” said McKelvey, prior to the debut of the book. “I did a lot of research on these events and I figured if I get such a kick out of them, there must be a lot of other people out there who have an interest in them too . . . so why not share this research with them.” >>

Photography by Brent M. Hale

Back in the spring of 1998, the Reverend G. Richard ‘Dick’ McKelvey sat in his basement, gestured toward the baseball memorabilia that surrounded him and admitted “that little kid in me never grew up.” Nor would that little kid in him ever grow up. The love of McKelvey’s life was his family: his wife, Joan, his children, Steve ’77, Rick ’79, Mark ’81, Kevin ’83, and Kathleen; his 12 grandchildren, and his religion. His passion, however, was baseball. The man who came to be affectionately known as “Rev” during his 35 years at Deerfield, spent a lifetime covering his bases when it came to baseball. McKelvey played it, coached it, and collected its tools of the trade. And when he outgrew the playing and coaching and his basement began fighting its own battle of the bulge due to his collecting, he began writing about it. In the fall of 1998, he published his first book on baseball: Fisk’s Homer, Willie’s Catch and The Shot Heard ’Round the World, which featured some of the classic moments of postseason play from 1940 to 1996.

deerfield.edu

A scorced photograph of Benjamin and his dad circa 19??.

“”

Kind words for The Rev, from Deerfield’s online alumni community:

McKelvey would ultimately author seven books on baseball. They would include topics such as baseball teams’ great falls and comebacks, the history of the designated hitter, and the comebacks and comedowns of major league ballplayers. And he was laying the groundwork for an eighth when he passed away on July 7, 2009. “Dad was an educator . . . a coach . . . a minister . . . a historian . . . and an author. And that’s a lot of hats for one person to wear, but he wore all of them well,” said McKelvey’s oldest son, Steve, who shared his father’s passion for the game. In fact, Steve worked as director of corporate marketing under three commissioners of Major League Baseball: Peter Ueberroth, Bart Giamatti, and Fay Vincent. “And between his writing and his collecting, he became quite an accomplished baseball historian.” McKelvey’s eighth project was going to be a coffee table book, which, according to Steve, “would explain just how some of that memorabilia made its way into our basement. Every piece had a tale to tell and some were pretty interesting.” McKelvey’s collection, which cracked the four-figure mark decades ago and resulted in him relying on a computer to keep track of his entries, began innocently enough when he was 12 years old. “A neighbor of dad’s in Wilmington, Delaware, had lost her son in World War II,” said Steve, “so, she asked dad if he would be interested in some of the memorabilia her son had collected . . . and he was.” Among the items Dick McKelvey walked home with that day was a signature sheet of the 1937 Yankees that included the autographs of Lou Gehrig and Joe DiMaggio. “When I look back on my days at Deerfield, Dick McKelvey

is one of the people there I’ll never forget…he always put a smile on your face,” said Jeff Binswanger ’74, who served as captain of the Big Green baseball team his senior season. “Dick was an outstanding husband, father, teacher, and coach, and he was also one of my great friends. “Helping people was his true calling,” added Binswanger. “He had a calming sense about him, and as one of the many players he coached at Deerfield, you never had to worry about his reaction if you made a mistake. He dealt with everything, good or bad, in a positive manner. “And he really knew his baseball,” added McKelvey’s former pupil. “He was the assistant coach while I was at Deerfield . . . but if you wanted to learn about baseball, you went down to the far end of the bench, where Dick was sitting.” “Dick McKelvey was one of the great guys in my life,” said Binswanger. “He’ll be missed by everyone who knew him.” McKelvey’s own playing days contained plenty of bragging material, but you would never hear about them from Dick. “Dad was a humble man,” said Steve, “but fortunately, my grandfather was very proud of his son’s accomplishments, and therefore, we learned of them.” What they learned was that Dick did pretty well for himself on both the baseball field and the basketball court. And at 6ˇ4ˇˇ, he must have been an imposing figure in both arenas. But especially in baseball, where he was a left-handed pitcher. He attended the University of Delaware, where, again, he played both baseball and basketball. During his junior year he posted a 5-1 record and an 0.68 earned run average, which still stands today as a school record. And, according to Steve, who played for his father at Deerfield, his dad still had some pop left in his arm some 20 years later.

Mr. McKelvey . . . I know he touched so many lives, and his legacy is so strong . . . A truly great man. —Adam J. Sureau ‘01

knew and visited in England nothing major but genuine. —Bill Macartney ‘86

Mr. McKelvey was a great man. My prayers are with his family. —Arlette Balram ‘96

Fall 2009

He was a great man and had a great sense of humor . . . And was a great coach . . .. —Janelle Young-Matias ‘95 The Rev was always a gentleman and my most recent casual conversation with him at a reunion a few years back was about a host family we both

The Rev will truly be missed. My condolences to his family. —Cedric Lowe ‘97

I fondly remember taking a class with Rev. McKelvey shortly after he joined the Deerfield community. He was a good man! —Steve Prokesch ‘71 We already miss you, Rev. Hopefully, we all will keep your legacy alive. Go DA. —Shauvi Rogers ‘00

“I was a catcher at Deerfield,” said Steve, “and I remember working out with him one day, challenging him to show me what he had. And he finally did. He threw me a forkball that dropped off so (much), it nearly broke my thumb.” “He attracted quite a bit of attention from professional baseball, especially from the Phillies,” said Steve. But the interest began to fade when word got out that McKelvey was interested in entering theology school. And there was no looking back. Some four decades later, McKelvey would say, “I’m glad I did what I did . . . I never had any second thoughts about it.” It was actually during a baseball game that McKelvey was first asked if he wanted to teach at Deerfield. John Taylor, the academy’s dean of faculty, relayed the story: “While Dick was playing in the infield, one of the outfielders yelled, ‘Dick, would you like to start working at Deerfield next year?’ Dick casually responded, ‘Why don’t we talk about this in between innings?’ This story reminded me that regardless of the approach the school has used over the years, hiring caring, thoughtful, and talented faculty members like Dick is crucial to Deerfield’s success . . . ” Taylor added that McKelvey, humble as always, later said to his wife, “‘I’m glad I took this job, but I’m not sure if I’ll be good at it.’ As the story goes, Dick questioned his ability many times before the start of the school year. For any of us who knew how invaluable Dick was to the community, it’s hard to believe that he would worry so much about his potential contributions to Deerfield. Ultimately, however, his humility put those around him at ease and allowed him to be a wonderful teacher, coach, counselor, and colleague.” That opinion was shared by the coaches in opposing dugouts as well. “His teams always knew how to play the game,” said longtime friendly foe Dick Peller, a Northfield Mount Hermon School baseball coach. “And as far as I’m concerned, he served as a role model for me,” added Peller. “No matter what was going on around him, he always kept his cool, and I always would think of him when I began to lose mine.”

Tom Suchanek ’65, who coached at nearby Greenfield High School, was another admirer. “We’d either play or scrimmage Deerfield every spring,” said Suchanek, “and you could always tell that Dick was very knowledgeable of the game; he truly loved it and you could see that his affection for baseball rubbed off on his players. “But despite his passion for the game, he always kept his perspective,” added Suchanek. “He always remained low key . . . always remained a gentleman. “Dick wasn’t sure he’d do well at Deerfield,” said Reverend Judd Blain, a longtime friend and the man who helped land McKelvey his job at the academy, “but he did a great job there. “In fact, he was just what the doctor ordered,” added Blain. “He loved helping others. He was a big man and had broad shoulders, and the entire Deerfield community would lean on those shoulders on many occasions.” Chuck Demers, former athletic trainer at Deerfield, echoed the same sentiment when remembering his close friend. “Dick was a gentleman with a capital G,” said Demers, “and his passing is a great loss for the academy and the entire Deerfield community. I think people often feel the need to embellish the life of those who have passed away,” added Demers, “but there is no need to embellish the life of Dick McKelvey. He was a five-star person; he was a winner all the way through.” And now, as we round third and head for home with this story, it seems only fitting that, since Dick led it off with his own pen, he end it in the same manner. The following is the final paragraph he wrote in his “Remembrance of Deerfield Past:”

“Headmaster’s Field is a special place for every baseball fan who watches a game there and for every baseball player who sets foot on it. It is a worthy reminder of the tradition of the game at the academy. And, for me, there is nothing better than sitting on the sideline on a warm spring afternoon, looking at the field and at the splendor of the hills beyond, and remembering the game.”

in 2002 by an Services Fund was established er McKelvey Counseling and Hum Richard ’79, ’77, hen Step e, Burk . McK The Rev. G. Richard and Joan Mill leen nts of Kath of Dick and Joan McKelvey, pare ent. It further honors the children, family, and friends seling and Human Services Departm Coun ’s field Deer orts supp fund Academy funds, or to field Deer r othe and Mark ’81, and Kevin ’83. The this others. For more information on to ent mitm com ng eerfield.edu lifelo ly@d ’s slive Joan or Dick’s and hip, at 413.774.1467 Sandra Lively, Director of Stewards make a donation, please contact

deerfield.edu

class notes class notes

1939 “After a life spent traveling the world—including stretches of time with the U.S. Navy, the foreign aid agency, the Jeep company, my own company in West Africa, and finally as founder and chair of a windmill manufacturing company—I retired to become unofficial chief of staff to my politically active wife, Vi, who was chair of the Vermont Democratic party for many years,” Ned Coffin writes. “Vi died last March, and I’ve slowed down, but I enjoy visiting my 23 direct family members. Some live just south of Deerfield, and I was proud that my veteran son-in-law was chosen to speak before the Deerfield students on Memorial Day.”

1941 Edward Crabtree died on April 4, 2009. He is survived by his widow, Marie. “Old age has crept up on me! I am retired from all town offices and working places,” Edith (Reid) Fisher writes. “My sense of humor is better in my old age than it was when I was younger. Can’t get around very well but I keep going. I’m 87 years old now.”

1942

Class Captains Theodore F. T. Crolius William W. Dunn Edward (Ted) Baily died in Green Valley, AZ, on May 30, 2009. Ted’s summers were

Fall 2009

spent at a lodge near Fourth Lake (NY) that was built by his grandfather in 1900, and his ashes will be scattered over that lake. Ted was predeceased by his wife, Julie; he is survived by his sons Jeffrey and Scott, and his brother Fred. “While visiting friends in Sun Valley, ID, recently, I was reminded of returning from Christmas vacation my junior year to the Old Dorm, to our corridor presided over by Mr. Tisdale.” John Dugger writes. “One of my dorm friends was Harry Whitney, who had just come back from Sun Valley, recently developed by his stepfather, Averill Harriman; Harry told of its wonders, particularly its chair lifts, rare in 1940. While my wife Norma played golf, I rented a bike and enjoyed the superb bike trails, particularly the Wood River Trail, which runs in the valley for 22 miles. It is a ‘rail-trail’ developed along the right-of-way of the abandoned spur connecting Ketcham, where Sun Valley is located, to the Union Pacific main line. Harriman developed Sun Valley to promote passenger traffic on the Union Pacific, and in its early days dedicated trains carried skiers there from Los Angeles, including many movie celebrities, in a party atmosphere.”

1943

Class Captain Walter L. Fisher Tom Bradley reports that he’s still “looking at the right side of the grass,” but he is “somewhat dismayed by the number of the Class of ’43 that have left us.” Namely, John Robinson and John Weinberg. “Peggy and I have moved two towns closer to Portland to a retirement community in Falmouth called Ocean View. Bill Moody ’42 and Jane live here also. It’s a wonderful place with lots to do.” “It would be so refreshing to hear less about how glorious Deerfield considers itself and one whale of a lot more about the world we all find ourselves a part of; and to stop being so singular and egocentric! Deerfield is a good school, so are most of the others!” Walter Fisher writes. David Teaze died on December 1, 2008, in St. Petersburg, FL. He was the brother of Allison ’41. David is survived by his widow, Mary Jane.

1944

Class Captain Robert S. Erskine Sydney Foscato died in Los Gatos, CA, on May 23, 2009. After a year at Trinity College, he received an appointment to the US Naval Academy, where he graduated from with the class of 1949. He spent four years serving on several US Navy

destroyers in the Mediterranean. After two years at the US Naval Postgraduate School and a year at MIT, he received his MA in electrical engineering. Before spending 28 years as an electrical engineer at Lockheed, he served as fire control officer on the USS Norton Sound, which took him to Antarctica. He was a world traveler and frequented theaters and concerts, in addition to being an avid model railroader. He was married for 54 years to the former Cathren Ann de la Roza. He is survived by daughters Kyle and Kimberly, and predeceased by son Kirk.

1945 On March 10, 2009 Charles Thomas died in La Jolla, CA. He is survived by his widow, Margaret; a daughter, Linda Terhune; a son, Stephen Thomas; and a sister, Frances Thomas Martin. Also surviving are three grandchildren.

1947

Class Captain Gordon B. McWilliams Sara Asche writes, “Fred (Tex) Asche celebrated his big 80th this February and all children (five) and grandchildren (ten) attended. It was a black tie affair and all looked wonderful. Granddaughter Elizabeth ’08 is an alumnus of Deerfield, too! Unfortunately, Tex suffered a stroke in 1997 and lost most of his mobility on the right side. However, he is a lefty

1950

Class Captain R. Warren Breckenridge Richard Jennison died on April 15, 2009. He was predeceased by his wife, Martha. The Alumni Office was recently informed that Edwin Mumford died on July 16, 1991. He lived most of his life in San Francisco, never married nor had children. He left brothers Peter and David Mumford, and his sisters, Daphne Mumford and Barbara Mumford Fisher.

class notes

and still can hold his martini glass! Deerfield has always been dear to Tex’s heart and he always looks forward to the magazine.”

’49 back: Classmates who were housed together at Sheldon House during their sophomore year, reunited! front: George Bass, Bob Rosenman, Liz Rosenman, John Gray, Fay Gray, AP and Bea Cook (standing) right: Another former Sheldon House resident, John Beard, pictured here with his wife. below: Tom Bloomer, Hal Doyne-Ditmas (who traveled to Deerfield from “Bonnie England” for the occasion), and noted author John McPhee

’49

bottom: “Rick” Littlefield, Bruce Walker, Harvey Loomis, and AP Cook (standing)

1952

Class Captain Richard F. Boyden John Allen reports that the Class of ’52 held a minireunion in Tucson, AZ, recently. Attendees were John Moritz and Carol, Bucky Buchwalter and Casey, and Dick Boyden and Linda Genest. Dave Grumman and Mary Ann met with Phil Palmedo and Betsy over lunch in Stony Brook, Long Island, recently. Bill Hubble had a total knee replacement done, right around the deadline for his book, Portland: The City by the Sea. Ken Liebman is staying active, still working as an insurance broker and involved in playing golf, singing, and serving on

’49 various community boards. Ned Montgomery remains busy at the United Way, as well as serving as vicechairman of the board at the Curtis Institute. Alan Samuels has become involved in the study of history since retiring, and keeps up with Deerfield by attending DA events in the NYC area.

classnotes@deerfield.edu

THEN

’55

NOW

top row: Mr. Hubbard, John Hubbell, Bud Hinckley, Peter Schoff, George Fowlkes ’53 middle row: Peter Bauer, Toby Clark, Ray Garard, Mark Norman, Peter Esty bottom row: Gerry Tipper, Kit Main, Peter Tacy, Karl Robinson, David Clark front, center: Jake Hubbard

1955

Class Captain Michael D. Grant Tom L’Esperance sent in the following report: “John (Hub) Hubbell and Libby are retired and enjoying a mild climate and gorgeous views of the mountains around Asheville, NC. Hub continues to sing in the church choir, and a couple of new hips and knees have helped him overcome the aftermath of his many sports wear-and-tear years. He considers himself a benefactor from Mike Mayor’s research in joint parts. And Hub’s resourcefulness greatly contributed to our recognizing each other

Fall 2009

with his bib-sized IDs at our 50th Reunion. Kit Main is getting along well, and remains upbeat, despite an eye impediment. He had a pleasant 50th college reunion at Bowdoin, where he spent some quality time with Skelly Williams. Kit has also kept in touch with Fritz Maytag, who last year won the James Beard Foundation’s Lifetime Achievement Award for his work at Anchor Brewing. Kit reports that he’s a ‘one-eyed golfer’ these days and that his fellow players ‘watch the ball’ for him. He and Sara live in Cleveland and often see their four young grandchildren, who live nearby. They had a wonderful summer

(photo taken at the Class of ’55 50th Reunion): top row: John Hubbell, Bud Hinckley, Peter Schoff middle row: David Clark, Gerry Tipper, Kit Main bottom row: Peter Esty, Peter Tacy, Karl Robinson

family vacation on the outer banks of North Carolina. Mike Grant and Betsy are well, and when we last heard, they were looking forward to ‘romantically moving around the wine country for a day or so’ before visiting with their two sons, Andrew and Luke, for rounds of golf in San Francisco and Los Angeles. Mike continues to maintain a marketing presence with the conservative wealth preservation management firm Gabelli Funds, LLC. Art Atkinson and Mary Jo were on Gibson Island this summer. They had a nice mini-cruise in June and also traveled with friends to the Ukraine for two weeks. Art

said that if his work schedule permitted, they would ‘head East again late in August for some more sailing, and then put the boat away for the winter at the end of October.’ Empty nesters Nancy and Carl Hedden are now living in northeastern PA, near the town of Hazleton. They say the winters are tough but they like it there. Carl has become a glider pilot in his spare time, and one of his dreams is to soar above the scenic cliffs at Torrey Pines in La Jolla. Carl and Nancy have four children who are all ‘gainfully employed and happily married,’ and nine grandchildren. Carl had an interesting encounter with

All for one moment. The Deerfield experience is a compendium of special moments, including the prom, that linger in the memory of alumni. These moments are made possible in part by the support of generous alumni, parents, and friends of the school who value what Deerfield gives her students today: rigorous academics within a uniquely supportive community. Please consider a gift or pledge to Annual Support by returning the form on the reverse, or make your gift online.

deerfield.edu/alumni

Annual Support and Class Notes Make your gift at deerfield.edu/alumni; mail a check to: P.O. Box 306, Deerfield, MA 01342; or use the provided envelope.

Deerfield

ID# (on the address label of this magazine)

Societies

D00

The 1797 Society

Recognition

President's Circle $100,000 and above

■ Enclosed is a check for $ ■ Please charge my gift of $ Card Number:

to: ■ AMEX ■ MC

__ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __

Name on card:

Headmasters Associates

made payable to Deerfield Academy.

$50,000 to $99,999

■ VISA

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Exp. Date

$25,000 to $49,999 Founders Associates

Signature:

$10,000 to $24,999

Billing address for credit card (if different from printed address on label):

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Employer matching gift form: ■ Enclosed ■ Completed online ■ To follow

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Name of matching gift company:

$1,000 to $3,499

Preferred email address:

Young Alumni Recognition Societies

I prefer my gift funds ONE of the following:

Those not yet in 20th Reunion year:

■ Wherever the need is greatest ■ Arts ■ Athletics ■ Faculty Salaries

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$1,797 to $9,999 Pocumtuck Associates $1,000 to $1,796

Class Notes: Use the space below or send news to: classnotes@deerfield.edu

Those not yet in 15th Reunion year: Ashley Society $250 to $999 Those not yet in 5th Reunion year: Green and White $1 to $249

MAG4Q

Thank you for your support.

Fall 2009

Rowland eschewed a job offer with a law firm in Phoenix in 1965, and followed his dream to live in Alaska. He and his wife, Felicia, live in Seldovia, a village of about 300 people, idyllically accessible only by boat or by air, and where jaywalking is most likely permissible. He served on the bench for 20 years and has survived his recreational hobby, flying all over the Arctic. Mark and Pony Duke, who is in Montana, keep in touch and reciprocate visits. Sandy and Tim Day enjoyed an afternoon in June with Merry and Tom L’Esperance at SeaWorld in San Diego. There appeared to be no recession that day, as scores of voracious vacationers kept the concession stands rocking. Tim and Sandy couldn’t find a hot dog anywhere, though, and had to settle for popcorn. I’m certain that Tim texted the marketing staff at Bar-S Foods in bold letters about the oversight between Shamu Stadium and the Cirque de la Mer show. Joyce and temporary househusband Jerry Rood had their international wanderlust interrupted earlier in the summer by Joyce’s hip replacement surgery, which appears to be the popular ‘surgery du jour’ these days amongst us ’55-ers. Jerry says, ‘Cooking, washing dishes, and cleaning up is a X%@*&. God bless our wives.’”

Dennis Furbush ’56 made a new friend on a recent trip to Oman.

1956

1960

Class Captain Joseph B. Twichell

Reunion Chair Douglas A. Cummins

“Last Thanksgiving, Barbie and I celebrated anniversary number 47,” reports Jack Hodgson. “We still love to travel. This year, we went to Cape Breton Island with friends, and to Maine. We went to our 70th birthday party with the Dartmouth Class of 1960, with whom we reunite whenever we have a chance. We had a McGregor family reunion in Milwaukee. Our children rejoiced in meeting their cousins again. Barbie’s niece, Beezie, came back from Hong Kong with her medals for Equestrian Jumping and we all got to hold them and be proud of her. We fished again in three or four places, including the Big Hole of Montana. The same friends each year host and make us feel so privileged to be in these special retreats. In short, more of the same is good and we are thankful.”

Christian Baldenhofer writes, “My wife Phyllis went on a Stanford Jordan Women’s Seminar this spring, where a group of women from the US met with professional women in Jordan. I had suggested a stop at King’s Academy; Stanford asked why that would fit their program, and Phyllis wrote a response pointing out the obvious benefit. Then I found out at a recent Deerfield San Francisco event that Meera Viswanathan got three degrees at Stanford, so we mentioned that to the tour folks; a visit was arranged, and on May 3, the group did visit. What the academy is doing is impressive, from financial aid for many students to bringing kids, who may be future prospects, starting in the fifth grade from around Jordan to the academy for two week sessions in the summer, to get used to the

50th Reunion

class notes

Stewart Mott that he says will enhance the good stories agenda at the next reunion. Carl also recommends that we all read John McPhee ’49’s definitive book entitled The Headmaster about Mr. Boyden. He adds that both Mr. and Mrs. Boyden created indelible impressions in boys’ minds such as, ‘Other fools have done it, so can you!’, and, ‘Look to the hills, boys.’ Jim Scott took time off from his summer sailing adventures in the waters around Friendship, ME, to pay a visit to his dentist and granddaughters in Amherst, MA. Jim also attended his 50th reunion at Amherst College, where, he noted, ‘A huge delegation of 14 boys in our class chose to matriculate in 1955! Those also in attendance were Lou Greer, Fran Lawler, and Peter Esty, who is indefatigably opening another school and commuting between his home in Sausalito and Vietnam.’ While in Amherst Jim stays involved in community activities including the Five College Learning and Retirement Program, which has presented interesting seminars in physics, chemistry, and banking. Moose Morton’s devotion to showing up in the speed-of-light world of stocks and bonds is happily adjusting to more leisure time with friends, family, and five ‘wonderful’ grandchildren in Ben & Jerry’s country. And with a couple of new hips he’ll be calling on Mike Grant & Co. for a round of golf this fall. Mark

’56 classnotes@deerfield.edu

’57

left: Eric Widmer ’57 and Meera Viswanathan welcomed a group from Stanford University to King’s Academy this past spring. See Christian Baldenhofer’s ’60 note for more details . . . below: Members of the Class of ’62, Howard Coonley, Howard McMorris, Randall Walton, and Ted Zeller, gathered to pay their

class notes

last respects to classmate John Miller, who died on August 5, 2009. John’s portrait is visible in the center of the four men.

’62 environment before attending a few years later. A coed prep school in the Middle East is a very positive sign for the future in that area.” Richard Sincerbeaux and Patricia Lynch are happy to announce their marriage on August 15, 2009 in Woodstock, VT.

1961

Class Captains Jon W. Barker Thomas M. Poor James Botkin says, “Hi, Classmates! I spend a lot of time in New Mexico near Santa Fe, where my grandson lives. Granddaughter is on the way. I built a new house in New Mexico on Lake Abiquiu. Visit VRBO.com to see it. I am listing #224422. Deerfield classmates can stay for a week or more. Let me know when you will be in the Southwest!”

Fall 2009

1962

Class Captains Howard Coonley Mark C. Garrison Howard Coonley wrote, “The family of classmate John Miller sends its sincere appreciation for the outpouring of condolences after John’s passing in the first week of August. I am especially grateful to classmates Ted Zeller, Howard McMorris, and Randall Walton, for joining me at the funeral in Maryland. A wonderful family man, John will be missed by his Deerfield family, too.”

1963

Class Captains Peter A. Acly Timothy J. Balch David D. Sicher Please send us your news and notes! See page 48.

1964

Class Captains John L. Heath Robert S. Lyle Charles B. Sethness David Dowley tells us, “This year I will celebrate 36 years living in Downeast Maine. A more unlikely anniversary I couldn’t have imagined. In 1936 my father, George (Pidge) ‘36, and his brother, Harpo, sailed into Cutler Harbor. Dad was enchanted with this deep-water anchorage and picturesque fishing village, and the spark of owning a cabin on the coast of Maine was kindled. In 1968, he purchased a 500ˇ strip of shorefront just east of the Cutler Bold Coast Trail on Holmes Cove. Fresh from three years traveling in South America and serving an extended Peace Corps tour in Colombia, I quickly became a refugee of the cultural revolution sweeping the country. Downeast Maine offered a simple, family centered,

rugged, individualistic way of life that appealed to my basic instincts. After visiting the compound on several occasions I decided to stay, got married, started a family, and followed my passion to build my house after a three week course at the Shelter Institute. Got divorced in 1980. I was inoculated in the building trades and in 1984 I remarried and started my own business. Heathside Builders continues to work in residential light construction, mostly building and remodeling summer homes. My oldest daughter, Chloe (Swarthmore ’00), after three years serving in Bolivia as a PC volunteer with her husband Tom, has set up a homestead in Machias, a neighboring community. With their two-and-a-half year-old son, Arlo, three generations of Dowleys are making their mark in the Downeast Coast. Amy, my younger daughter, (NMH ’04 she thought Deerfield

class notes

BENJAMIN legacy

PATTN ’83 Like a Phoenix Rising Sometimes careers begin in the strangest of places. As Benjamin Patton ’83 explained in the June 2009 edition of Smithsonian magazine, he found his calling in his parents’ basement, among the ashes of his father’s diaries.

“I wanted him to be able to share his stories with someone who cared—and who found them inherently valuable,” explained Mr. Patton. And so, over the next six years, Mr. Patton and his father spent hours upon hours talking. “Once we got going, it was as though a massive vault had been opened, and the stories began to pour out,” said Mr. Patton. “What our taped conversations helped me realize was that my dad was every bit the soldier that his father was. He saw

Mr. Patton, grandson of World War II General George

more actual frontline combat and was just as highly

S. Patton Jr., wrote, “. . . the year I turned 21, my father

decorated by his country for valor.”

accidentally set fire to our basement. Until then he could often be found down there, in the office he’d carved out for himself in a far corner, smoking a cigar and working in his diaries. He’d been keeping them —dozens of identical volumes bound in red canvas— for most of his adult life.” Years of work were destroyed in a matter of hours. Something in Mr. Patton’s father was destroyed as well, because when a conservator presented the senior Mr. Patton with what was left of his diaries and suggested that he could use the remains as a starting point for new journals, he refused. “Someone once told me that when a person dies, it’s like a library burning down,” reflected Benjamin Patton. “My dad reversed the idea: the burning of his office extinguished something in him.”

Mr. Patton continued, “Re-examining his life had always kept him engaged; now, our interviews revived him. Eventually, Dad gave the transcripts to a biographer, and a book about his life—Brian Sobel’s The Fighting

Pattons—was published after all.” And what of Benjamin Patton’s career? He said, “I disappointed my father when I chose not to follow him into the military, and I frustrated him even more when I dawdled about a career. But here’s the strange thing: after our taping was finished, other families with stories to preserve began to find me.” The families included that of an African-American general on the eve of his 80th birthday, and Manfred Rommel, son of the “Desert Fox” of World War II, among others. “I found a career as a producer and film educator, much of which I devote to recording personal

But it seems that whatever was extinguished in Mr.

histories,” said Mr. Patton. He added, “Every family

Patton may have lighted in his son, when he offered

has a story, and every member’s story is worth

to interview his father on audiotape about a year

preserving—certainly for the living family, but even

after the fire.

more so for future generations.”

classnotes@deerfield.edu

class notes

’64

above: Forrest Holly ’64,

his wife Joyce, and son Lance, enjoyed a Southwestern hike together. bottom: Deerfield Trustee Sally Bedell Smith P’93, ’02, her son David ’02, and husband Stephen ’67, at

the London wedding of Stephen and Sally’s daughter.

Fall 2009

was too formal, Vassar ’08) embarked on her Peace Corps adventure to the Dominican Republic in August. I recently became involved in the local land trust, Quoddy Regional Land Trust, and currently serve as their president. School board, planning board, soccer officiating, hiking, birding, gardening, canoeing, and wood-lot managing occupy my spare time. I couldn’t be happier.” “Joyce and I are back in Iowa City for a few months after a half year in Tucson, in a small old house in the old downtown Barrio Viejo,” wrote Forrest Holly when we last heard from him. “Doing some flight instruc-

tion and consulting engineering, and trying to keep body and soul together by doing road biking and hiking. Son Lance has finished his first year of grad work in archaeology at CU Boulder. I’m enjoying re-reading a lot of Dickens and Hardy, vaguely recognizing words I once underlined and looked up for the famous weekly Bart Boyden vocab test!” Mark Wallace writes, “I took my 13-year-old son, Mitchell, to New York City for a week in July, and we had lunch one day with Rick Sterne. Rick was also kind enough to introduce Mitchell to the game of squash.”

1965

45th Reunion

Reunion Chair Edward G. Flickinger

1966

Class Captain David H. Bradley

1967

Douglas F. Allen John R. Bass George W. Lee Please send us your news and notes! See page 48.

Class Captain John R. Clementi Matthew Welsh died on May 16, 2009. Matthew graduated from St. Lawrence University, where he enjoyed football and track. Matt is survived by his sisters Jane Hamlin and Suzy Nickerson, his brother Michael Welsh, and many nieces and nephews.

1969

Class Captain Douglas W. Squires Marty Kaiser, editor of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, is the new president of the American Society of News Editors, the nation’s largest organization of newsroom leaders. Marty was formally appointed in a meeting with the society’s board of directors. He is quoted as saying that bylaw changes will assist the organization in “capturing the best thinking and shaping the best approaches to assure that our democracy can continue to count on vigorous, probing journalism.”

1970

40th Reunion

Reunion Chair G. Kent Kahle

1971

Class Captains K. C. Ramsay John L. Reed “After 34 years of federal service, I retired from the US Department of Health and Human Services in July

of ’08,” Gary Martin writes. “Worked for eight different presidents—thought that was enough. Sandra and I will remain here in the Lone Star State, hopefully doing some travel around the country. Seems like everyone from ’71 is taking sabbaticals—ours includes Luckenback and Terlingua, TX, respectfully... Hah! Our best to all.”

1972

Class Captain Paul R. Barkus Bruce Dines is now heading the technology investment practice at Liberty Global Ventures.

1973

Class Captains Lawrence C. Jerome Peter D. Van Oot Mark Recktenwald writes, “I became an associate justice on the Hawaii Supreme Court on May 11, 2009.”

1974

Class Captain Geoffrey A. Gordon Bill Ju recently accepted a position at Follica Inc., located in Boston, MA, as president and CEO. He was previously employed at PTC Therapeutics as CEO. “We are thrilled to welcome Bill Ju as the CEO of Follica. He brings the ideal blend of dermatology and drug development experience, creativity, and leadership skills to Follica in this next exciting phase of development.” (Said Ms.

Daphne Zohar, founding CEO of Follica.)

1975

35th Reunion

Reunion Chair Dwight R. Hilson When we last heard from him, Andy Rhodes reported, “Getting married again—in September ’09. Honeymooning on Nantucket and want to introduce my new wife to Brian Pluff!”

1976

Class Captains Marshall F. Campbell David R. DeCamp Kenneth Klaus recently accepted a position at Ambrosia Treatment Center of The Palm Beaches located in both Port St. Lucie and Singer Island, FL, as the Philadelphia-area outreach coordinator. Ken recently was employed at Malvern Institute as aftercare coordinator. “This fantastic opportunity was presented to me completely by surprise! I am now with a great company that provides truly cutting-edge treatment for all forms of substance abuse as well as dual-diagnosed psychological issues. My job entails building and maintaining relationships with Philadelphia-area substance abuse treatment providers and private practitioners, in order to gain a greater share of their patient referrals to our facilities. I work from my home office (where I am rarely found) and I’m back on the road again, putting many

miles on my car these days. I had forgotten how much of a challenge working from home can be. So many distractions to deal with; (but) I’ll take it over an office and difficult commute any day!” To learn more, please see: ambrosiatreatmentcenter.com Kenneth also reported: “I am thrilled and honored to announce my marriage to Catharine Duane Stryker. She and I were married on May 9, 2009 at St. David’s Episcopal Church in Wayne, PA. We were blessed with a perfect springtime day of 75 degrees and brilliant sunshine, followed by a reception at my family home in Devon, PA, ending the night with a spectacular fireworks display right on our front lawn! We were joined by 85 friends and family for the reception and, of COURSE, I hired a great keyboard player, with whom I jammed on harmonica. (Yes, I’m STILL playing, now more than ever before with my new blues band Pokerface) in preparation for the First Annual Paoli BluesFest. We honeymooned at our beach house in Beach Haven, NJ, (on Long Beach Island). Our weather was fantastic with one brief rain shower at night. We planted our vegetable garden, prepped the sailboat and launched her for the season, cooked amazing meals (she’s an awesome chef!) took long walks on the beach, rode our bikes, including my Honda VTX 1800R, and did all the other things you do on a honeymoon! It was a perfect week together

classnotes@deerfield.edu

class notes

1968

class notes

BOB environmentalist GIDDINGS ’61 medicine became economically untenable, and I switched to small animal medicine, which, at the During his sophomore year at Amherst College,

Bob Giddings ’61 decided to switch from human to animal medicine—and never regretted the decision. This past summer he officially retired after a 40-year practice, and the Record-Journal of Meriden, Connecticut, ran an article on Dr. Giddings, the bird and animal hospital he founded, and what he’s been up to in his 18-acre backyard.

has preserved 525

(he was a “very” active member of the Deerfield

acres of land in

Ornithology Club) got the better of him, and in 1988 he established the Kensington Bird and Animal traditional” or “exotic” pet care, and catered to small mammals, reptiles, and birds. Due to the high percentage of birds seen at KBAH, the hospital was (and remains) at the top of a national list of nontraditional veterinary practices. Dr. Giddings added, “In

that has included signing an agreement with the

1994 I became one of the very early board-certified

Cheshire Land Trust in 2003, which designated

avian specialists; as of 2009 the American Board of

his property as a preserved natural space. “No

Veterinary Practitioners has certified about 125 avian

permanent structure can ever be put out back,”

specialists world-wide. A very big feather in my cap!” Despite his retirement, Dr. Giddings’ work will go on.

Even before the land was officially designated, Dr.

In 2005 he sold his practice to a fellow veterinarian

Giddings was particular about its use. Over the years

and former intern, who came to KBAH specifically

he has let people grow pumpkins and corn on it, and

because she was interested in birds, and Dr.

practice bee-keeping. He also maintains a four-acre

Giddings’ practice offered an unusual opportunity

wildflower meadow for himself. Never charging for

to gain knowledge in the field.

organic, community-supported farm to use water from a well on his property for irrigation.

As for Dr. Giddings, he and his wife plan to continue their mostly self-sustaining lifestyle, which includes growing their own food and heating their house with

Dr. Giddings began his veterinary practice as a large

wood. He added, “As I have grown older, the main

animal doctor, but said, “As times and land values

thrust of my efforts has been to preserve the earth as

shifted here in southern Connecticut, large animal

a habitat for wildlife—as a habitat for people . . .”

Fall 2009

Connecticut.

Hospital (KBAH). The hospital emphasized “non-

has done his best to tread lightly on the earth, and

use of his land, Dr. Giddings currently allows an

Cheshire Land Trust

dogs and cats.” Then his lifelong interest in birds

In addition to caring for its creatures, Dr. Giddings

Dr. Giddings said. “It’s forever.”

hospital where I worked at the time, meant primarily

Since 1969, the

Photographs by Christopher Zajac/Record-Journal

and His Big Backyard

1977

Class Captains John C. Buckley James Paul MacPherson Wayne W. Wall

“My Deerfield experience has been renewed with the acceptance of my daughter Phoebe for next year,” wrote Robert Burr. “Our visits during the interview process reminded me of what an incredible place Deerfield was and is. Looking forward to renewing old acquaintances.”

1978

Class Captains Paul J. S. Haigney Stephen R. Quazzo Willard Arnold and his wife Jean are proud to announce

the birth of a baby girl, Olivia. She was born on January 22, 2009.

1979

Class Captains Arthur Ryan Dwight Daniel C. Pryor Mark Anderson writes, “I’m pleased to report that my daughter, Sarah, was a member of the championship Georgia Medley State Relay swim team.” Art Dwight reported, “Daniel Maynard recently reunited with classmate Masao Iketani during a

trip to Japan.” Ralph Gaines and Colby Louise are proud to announce the birth of a baby girl, Caroline Chilton. She was born on March 3, 2009. “I live in Berkeley with my wife, Sara, and children, Henry (four) and Matilda (two),” Jeff Grant writes. “Most of my work as a physician, these days, is at San Quentin State Prison. I am happy to report no sightings of any ’79-ers there.”

class notes

after so much preparation, as well as long hours at our respective jobs.” Kenneth concluded, “We both look forward to reuniting with the Class of ’76 at our 35th Reunion in June, 2011. Please let us know if you’re in the Philly area anytime and give us a call to get together. Our numbers and emails are in the directory.”

Art Dwight ’79 wrote: “The Class of ‘79 had a blast at their 30th Reunion!” Attendees included: Bill Chiarchiaro, Bob Lee, Art Dwight, Brad Palmer, Colin Cooper, Dave Lucas, Peter Todd, Tee Rowe, Doug Brown, Kip Howard, Dan Pryor, Adam Reeves, John Dinneen, Rick McKelvey, Scott Fauver, Doug Baily, Paul Chow, John Christel, Scott Rippey, Marc Dancer, Steve Wyman, Thom Kendall, Ralph Gaines, Bob Simms, and Tracey Powell.

’79

classnotes@deerfield.edu

class notes

’83

’85 clockwise from top l: Adam Weinberg ’83 was recently promoted to president and CEO

of World Learning, located in Brattleboro, VT.

’83 1980

30th Reunion

Reunion Chairs Stephen McCauley Casey Joseph P. Manory Michael Falcone writes, “I’m very excited to have my oldest daughter, Olivia ’10, attend DA as a PG this fall! As luck would have it, we will share reunion years, which I’m sure will not necessarily be greeted with such enthusiasm by her!”

1981

Class Captains Michael M. Boardman Andrew A. Cohen Peter R. Dinneen

1982

Class Captains Frank H. Reichel Please send us your news and notes! See page 48.

Fall 2009

On August 7 the 25th Reunion year for the Class of 1985 was unofficially kicked off with a world-class event hosted by Frederick Ilchman ’85 at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. l to r: Greg Fitzgerald, Anna Pinto Fitzgerald, Sydney Williams, Frederick Ilchman, Meghan Knight, George Knight, John Emery Whit Sheppard ’83 and his wife Molly are proud to announce the birth of their first child, Emily Vaughan. She was born on November 19, 2008 in Henrico Doctors’ Hospital in Richmond, VA, and weighed 7 lbs., 6 oz. at birth. “A joy to behold!” said Whit.

1983

Class Captains John G. Knight J. Douglas Schmidt Gregory Atkinson and Kristin are proud to announce the birth of a baby girl, Claire Alicia. She was born on May 6, 2009 in Midland, TX. George Hicks writes, “I’m officially retiring from medical advertising to teach and pursue graduate studies at Columbia Teachers College.” Lt. Col. Bob Keirstead writes, “I am attending the Army War College in Carlisle, PA. On the first day of class I saw a guy that looked familiar, and then he introduced himself. It was Dave Smith, another Air Force guy at the Army school. Absolutely remarkable that two ’83 Deerfield graduates would attend the same professional military education course 26 years after graduation; this, after running into Bill Wester, at church in Nashville, TN, in June. It truly is a small world! If any of you are in this part of the world

in the next ten months, give us a ring!” John Knight reminds everyone that ’83 has a Facebook group and more current news and interviews can always be found at da1983. blogspot.com. Benjamin Patton and Dr. Michele Pauporte are proud to announce the birth of a baby boy, Tiger Pauporte Patton. He was born on June 5, 2009 and “he’s a very cool cat,” Ben reports. Ben is a documentary filmmaker and produces high quality video biographies through his company, Patton Productions (pattonproductions. com). He also films workshops for teens and adults through Fred’s Experimental Media (fredsfilms.com). For more details, see the Alumni Spotlight featuring Ben on page 51. “I now have two boys, Pierce, (two), and Victor, nine months,” Scott Pryce writes. “They are both quite cosmopolitan, with a French mom, US (and British now) father, and living in Spain

(or Catalunia, as the Catans insist). We are still living in Barcelona and enjoying the weather, if not the recession. Alex Compagno and his wife visited for a week and Andrew Witherspoon will come in the fall. They are Pierce and Victor’s godfathers. Here’s a small world story: my DA wrestling cocaptain Rob Dowling ’84, put me in touch with one of his best friends and classmates, Steven Wayne ’84, who was also doing real estate development in Russia. DA alums are encouraged to let me know if they are in Europe! scott.pryce@alumni.insead. edu. When we last heard from him, Brian Steward wrote, “Just finished up a five week oil field explosion case.” “Playing soccer whenever I can, socializing, and cooking up a storm,” Van Sullivan reports. “Living in Greenfield (MA) is sort of nice, actually. Fell off the cliff at Poets Seat trail while running and messed up my knee pretty bad—probably my most

1984 Christopher Cloney and Kate Driscoll Cloney are proud to announce the birth of a baby boy, James Oliver. He was born on May 4, 2008. Johannes Dazert is an architect in Bergisch Gladbach, Germany, and wrote that he was sad to have missed reunions this year.

1985

25th Reunion

Reunion Chairs Charles B. Berwick Sydney M. Williams Frederick Ilchman appeared on CBS’ Sunday Morning to discuss an exhibit he was curator of at Boston’s Museum of Fine Art. The exhibit was entitled “Titian,

Tintoretto, Veronese: Rivals in Renaissance Venice” and was on view March 15 - August 16, 2009. Wesley and Carrie Pratt are proud to announce the birth of a baby boy, Stuart W. Pratt. He was born on November 9, 2008, in San Francisco, CA. Sydney Williams wrote, “The 25th Reunion year for the Class of 1985 was unofficially kicked off with a world-class event hosted by Frederick Ilchman at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. As the curator of the well-received “Titian, Tintoretto, Veronese” exhibit, Fred regaled the group with insider tidbits on the artists, the intrigue of 16th century Venice (including sarcasm by Michelangelo), and the task of assembling 50 plus paintings from around the world. The only other stop for this acclaimed show is the Louvre in Paris. Thank you Fred! Other attendees included George Knight and Meg, Greg Fitzgerald and Anna Pinto, John Emery and myself. Knight Architecture just helped design a new restaurant named Bark Hot Dogs in Park Slope, NY, and George still teaches three courses at Yale School of Architecture while running his business! Greg owns his own firm, which does research for product development, and he is also working with Mediaman.net. John works in Boston for Bowen Advisors investment banking in the ‘improving’ technology sector.”

1986 Christopher Burns appeared on Broadway at the Becket Theater from March 8 - April 11, 2009 in Arthur Miller’s Incident At Vichy, which received great reviews.

1987

Class Captain Andrew P. Bonanno “This summer was great,” wrote Andrew Bonanno when we last heard from him. “We spent a good chunk of time on Martha’s Vineyard. I ran into Pete Fearey as he tried to race to the top of a climbing tower at the MV Preservation Society Fundraiser (he came in second). Additionally, I made my triumphant return to DJ Fairbanks’ 15th Annual Falmouth Roadrace and Clambake after considerable time off for weddings, kids, house renovation, etc., to grab Last Man Standing honors at the Friday night inauguration of the new beer-pong-coliseum. However, a Nantucket gathering with John Twichell, Rob Van Genderen and Pete O’Brien (the latter two were in from Russia) was interrupted by work . . .” Andrew added that he was looking forward to attending the US Open with Jon Murchinson.

1988

Class Captains Oscar K. Anderson David Field Willis

Kevin Gunther and Keil are proud to announce the birth of a baby girl, Quinn. She was born on November 5, 2008.

class notes

exciting news of the summer. Healing pretty well, although I was supposed to stay off of it and haven’t.” Arthur Thorner says, “I have started my own design /build firm in Freeport, ME. thornerbuildingcorp.com. “World Learning is an amazing organization that is doing some of the most dynamic and exciting work using education, training, and exchange to create a more peaceful and just world,” writes Adam Weinberg. “We are working in about 80 countries with an emphasis on the developing world and the Middle East. Learn more at worldlearning.org. In response to the question, “How are you?” Samuel Zales writes, “I am the same as I ever was, only more so.”

1989

Class Captains Gustave K. Lipman Edward S. Williams Jacques Cattier and his wife Jennifer are proud to announce the birth of a baby girl, Adele Marie. She was born on April 30, 2008. “We love the lifestyle of our small funky mountain town of Victor, ID,” Derek Hutton wrote. “Our son Reed (12) won first place for Alpine skiing in our valley and Ryan (ten) won first place in snowboarding for middle and elementary public schools. We continue to travel to Central America—three trips to Costa Rica and one to Panama. We stayed off the grid in a solar-powered casa constructed entirely of bamboo. We are captivated by the primitive remoteness and wildlife of the Pacific coast of southern Costa Rica and the Osa Peninsula. We awoke every morning to the bellows of howler monkeys and scarlet macaws dropping almond shells on the tin roof of our casa. If anyone is ever near Yellowstone or Jackson Hole, WY, call me, and we’ll ski or go fly fishing!” Gustave and Karen Lipman are proud to announce the birth of a baby girl, Clara Alexandra. She was born on March 6, 2009.

classnotes@deerfield.edu

Ms. Nolan went on to write condensed yet satisfying histories of each property included in the book, along with brief descriptions some of their rooms.

MEG NOLAN

traveler

’97

Meg Nolan’s 30 Recommendations

Accompanying photographs by David Cicconi, former photo editor at Travel + Leisure, provide a rich visual reference for each of Ms. Nolan’s descriptions. From sleekly chic accommodations to ancient castles, Ms. Nolan and Mr. Cicconi present an array of options for those traveling abroad, and they present those options in a way sure to induce travel. For those who might prefer traveling to other

If you’re looking for a place to stay in Italy,

locales, Ms. Nolan recently completed Caribbean

Meg Nolan ’97 can probably help you out.

Hideaways, to be released this fall, and English

From Puglia to the Veneto, Ms. Nolan scoured

Hideaways, to be published in the fall of 2011.

the country and came up with 30 properties

All three books have been or will be published by

that represent the best of Italy’s smaller hotels

Rizzoli International Publications.

and private villas. The results of her research have been compiled in the beautifully written and photographed book, Italian Hideaways. An author and freelance travel writer who lives in

Meg Nolan in Hong Kong

New York City, Ms. Nolan has worked at Vanity

Fair, Travel + Leisure Golf, and Town and Country, in addition to other publications. She was recently hired as travel editor for PLUM TV, and will also host “Where Next with Meg Nolan,” and author the corresponding blog, wherenextwithmeg.com

Fall 2009

Italian Hideaways – Discovering Enchanting Rooms and Private Villas, Meg Nolan, Photography by David Cicconi, Rizzoli International Publications, Inc., 2008

class notes

“The central purpose of the book is to illustrate the wide variety of Italy’s smaller and lesser-known hotels and private villas, particularly those outside the tourist-heavy regions. There were more than enough wonderful spots to choose from; it was narrowing them down while ensuring that Italy’s impressive and diverse landscapes and design style were well documented that provided the challenge.”

WHIT SHEPPARD

author

’83

A Dash of Deerfield in Chicken Soup for the Soul Hugely popular, Chicken Soup for the Soul has

Chris Sheppard ’54, who died in 2002. The essay

published hundreds of titles about family and

focuses on Mr. Sheppard’s golfing relationship with

personal dynamics. One of the most recent books,

his dad but it is really about much more than their

released in April of 2009, is Chicken Soup for

interaction while playing a game.

the Soul: The Golf Book, and a contributor to that

Chicken Soup for the Soul: The Golf Book – 101 Great Stories from the Course and the Clubhouse; Jack Canfield, et al, Chicken Soup for the Soul, 2009. Photograph: istockphoto.com

book was Whit Sheppard ’83.

Mr. Sheppard wrote, “Something I really like about golf is the way it illuminates and sheds light on the

“I saw a call for submissions in Golf Digest, wrote

essential character of those who play the game.

the piece, and sent it in by email,” Mr. Sheppard

The game has a knack for enhancing the positive

said. His essay, titled “Dreamer,” made the cut out

attributes of those who play it and shining a light on

of 3000 submissions. Mr. Sheppard commented,

the character defects that we all struggle with from

“My piece was fortunate enough to make it through.

time to time. (Some, I’m afraid, more than others.)

decision, though, since Mr. Sheppard is a skilled

We’ve all played with the guy who gives himself five-footers to halve a hole without the faintest indication of guilt or remorse. That says something

author who has been writing professionally for over

important, I think, about the golfer in question.”

(It was) an exciting day when I found out.” Perhaps fortune had little to do with the editors’

a decade. He most recently covered Grand Slam tennis for ESPN.com, and is currently working on a biography of tennis great Arthur Ashe. He also teaches English and French at an independent day school in Richmond, VA.

Mr. Sheppard went on to describe his father as “a dreamer whose optimistic streak far surpassed the reality of life . . . ,” and how this trait in turn affected Mr. Sheppard’s own life. Never turning completely away from his father, Mr. Sheppard acknowledged

The Chicken Soup series is billed as a collection of

the fact that he never quite believed in him, either,

great, true personal stories to inspire and amuse.

but a common bond was formed and maintained

Mr. Sheppard chose to write about his father,

through the game of golf.

classnotes@deerfield.edu

class notes

Hard Work Pays Off in Gold—the evening of September 20 was quite a night for Michael Sucsy ’91, as his film, Grey Gardens, captured six Emmy Awards, including one for Outstanding Made for Television Movie. Grey Gardens, released by HBO and starring Drew Barrymore and Jessica Lange, was a long-term project for Mr. Sucsy, who was screenwriter, director, and one of three producers of the film. Inspired by a 1976 documentary of the same name, Mr. Sucsy’s

Grey Gardens is a fact-based drama about two eccentric relatives of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. The mother/daughter duo made headlines in the early 70s when the health department declared their 28-room, decrepit mansion in East Hampton, NY, unfit for habitation, due to an infestation of feral cats, general filth, and structural instability. Pictured above (far left), Mr. Sucsy shared a laugh with Jessica Lange, who won an Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie for her portrayal of “Big Edie Bouvier Beale,” Executive Producer Lucy Barzun Donnelly, actor Ken Howard, who won an Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie for his portrayal of Phelan Beale, Executive Producer Rachael Horovitz, and filmmaker Albert Maysles, who created the original Grey Gardens documentary with his brother David. Mr. Sucsy’s film also won Emmys for Outstanding Art Direction, Outstanding Hair Design, and Outstanding Prosthetic Makeup.

Fall 2009

1990

Rob McCarthy writes, “From time to time I see Curry Ford and Matt Ripperger (who work together), and Bill Nook, whose wife recently had their third child. Had the pleasure of attending Dewey Brinkley’s wedding in NC this past spring.” Matt Ripperger and Cristina are proud to announce the birth of a baby girl, Norah Alexandra. She was born on March 16, 2009.

girl, Jacqueline Alexandra, born on November 18, 2008. She joins twins Isabelle Sophia and Benjamin Gregory, born on May 15, 2007. Osman Khan and Amina Habib are proud to announce the birth of a baby boy, Ismaeel Osman Khan. He was born on July 11, 2009 in Chicago, IL, exactly two weeks before their 10th wedding anniversary! Christopher and Letitia Wahl are proud to announce the birth of a baby boy, Charles. He was born on April 23, 2008.

1991

1992

Elizabeth (Baze) Berzin and Edward are proud to announce the birth of a baby

“I just recently moved back to the East Coast

20th Reunion

Reunion Chair Jeb S. Armstrong

Class Captain Timothy B. Weymouth

Class Captains Thomas R. Appleton William J. Willis

Photograph by Getty Images/Mathew Imaging

’91

awards the group received last year. “We are still living in Santa Monica, CA, and having a blast with Tripp, can’t believe he’s one!” wrote Martina (Love) Harris. Rush McCloy and Brooke Goodchild ’95 were married in March of 2009. Jennifer (Ward) Prior and Brett are proud to announce the birth of a baby girl, Caitlin. She was born on December 18, 2007. Clayton Sullivan wrote, “After 12 years in New York City, I am in the process of moving back to Boston to continue to torture myself, also known as venture capital investing.”

clockwise from l: Samuel Ross Harris III (“Tripp”) was born on May 16, 2008 to Martina (Love) Harris ’92 and her husband Paul.

Sean Thomas Mahdavian, 7 lbs., was born on February 11, 2009 to Melanie Corcoran ’93 and Daniel Mahdavian. Sadie Grace was born on July 3, 2008 to Heather (Hornik)

1993

Class Captains Richard D. Hillenbrand Charlotte York Matthews Colby D. Schwartz David Allen and Jordana Phillips are happy to announce their marriage on June 13, 2009. They currently reside in New York, NY. Katherine (Gamble) Marvin and her husband Ira are proud to announce the birth of a baby girl, Grace. She was born on April 7, 2009. Katherine is practicing family medicine in Stowe, VT. Elisabeth (Dick) Oak and her husband Matthew are proud to announce the birth of a baby boy, Henry Orlan Oak. He was born on December 4, 2008. Elisabeth and Matthew were married on January 19, 2008. Virginia (Douglas) DiGuglielmo sent word about

Brietta (DelManzo) Walker: “I just wanted to let you know that Brietta was redeployed to Afghanistan until Christmas. She is flying the CH53E Super Stallion helicopters. She left behind her almost three year old and one year old daughters, Hazel and Ella. With Jason at MBA school in London, the girls are with her mom in Albany. Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers. We are so fortunate to have people like Brietta willing to sacrifice for all of us. If you ever feel like sending a letter or care package, her address is: Major Brietta L. Walker, USMC, MAG-40, ATTN: HMH-772 Safety Unit 78368, FPO AE 09510-8368 Alexander and Nicole Kollock are proud to announce the birth of a baby girl, Madeleine. She was born on June 13, 2009.

class notes

(Providence, RI), and it’s great to be back in the area,” reported Shameem Awan. “I’d love to catch up with Deerfield friends, so give me a call or send me an email!” Ryan FitzSimons’ marketing firm, Gigunda Group Inc., was featured in a New Hampshire Union Leader article about helping national brand names do well by doing good. Gigunda helped Tide bring clean clothes to Hurricane Katrina victims and Charmin bring creature comfort to holiday shoppers in Times Square. Gigunda was selected as the Most Creative Agency in America by Promo magazine in 2008. It was one of more than 40

Luth ’92 and Chris Luth.

’92

’93

’92

classnotes@deerfield.edu

class notes

clockwise from l:

Max Whelen VanDusen was born on March 26, 2009. He was welcomed by proud parents Tanner (Morris) VanDusen ’94 and her husband Edwin. Emily (Stahl) Mollenkopf, her husband Mark, and daughter Hannah strike a springtime pose. Jared Paquette ’94 and his wife Kristi are proud to announce the birth of a baby girl, Brooke Isabelle. She was born on June 16, 2009 and weighed 7 lbs. 6 oz.

Burke Elizabeth Hastings was born August 11, 2009, weighing 7 lbs. 11 oz. Proud dad Tucker Hastings ’95 commented, “Our daughter Burke was born on August 11 and made for a wonderful end to the summer. Best to everyone.”

Fall 2009

1994

Class Captain Daniel B. Garrison Betsey (Clark) Dickson and her husband Michael are proud to announce the birth of a baby girl, Amelia Helen. She was born on June 4, 2009 in Greenfield, MA, and weighed 8 lb., 6 oz. Jamie (Roach) and Ian Murray are happy to announce their marriage on May 30, 2009.

1995

15th Reunion

Reunion Chair Daniel D. Meyer Brett Cooper and Julie are proud to announce the birth of a baby boy, Holden Young. He was born on January 5, 2009. Elizabeth (Merritt) Dougan and Paul are proud to announce the birth of twins John (Jack) Ford Dougan and Alexander (Alex) Merritt Dougan. They were born on February 22, 2009. Lindsay (Elliman) Falvey and Brendan are proud to announce the birth of a baby

boy, Wyatt Walker. He was born on May 28, 2009. Wyatt joins big brother Jackson, who recently turned two. Aaron Kirley and his wife, Jessica, currently reside in Hingham, MA. “My cofounder, Zeke Adkins, and I have been busy with our thriving company, Luggage Forward (luggageforward. com), which provides a worldwide luggage delivery service for travelers,” writes Aaron. “We are excited to note that we have a growing list of DA alumni who forward their luggage regularly.” Hayes MacArthur and Ali Larter are happy to announce their marriage on August 1, 2009 in Kennebunkport, ME. Their wedding was featured in People magazine and other publications.

1996

Class Captain Christine Michelle Cronin Nicholas Acquavella and Travis Long are proud to announce the birth of a baby girl, Shelby Allen. She was born on March 18, 2009.

Katherine McCutcheon and Jan Kengelbach are happy to announce their marriage on June 14, 2008 in Chatham, MA. Maja (Byrnes) Clark and Laura (Doyle) Hammam were bridesmaids; other classmates in attendance were: Adrienne (Gratry) Schoetz, Kati (Haack) Morris, Lisle Leonard, Devon Binch, Cameron Murphy, Jessica Roberts, Tim Hall, and Hanley Baxter. Aaron Patnode wrote, “After three long years of work, I finally received my MBA and MHA degrees from the University of Minnesota this past May. Having completed my studies (for good), I’m skipping town and setting up shop in Portland, OR, where I will be starting a job with Kaiser Permanente Northwest in July. I’m looking forward to being close to the mountains and the ocean, which will definitely be a change from Minneapolis. As always, if anyone is in town and would like to meet up or needs a place to stay, please look me up!”

class notes

’95 above: Aaron Kirley ’95 and Jessica Sinagra are happy to announce their marriage on July 26, 2008 at the Willowdale Estate in Topsfield, MA. The ceremony was attended by l to r: George Gumpert ‘95, Keith Kirley ‘99, Richard Friary ‘92, Tucker Bixby ‘93, Zeke Adkins ‘95, Brett Cooper ‘95, Stephen MacLeod ‘95, Stephen Bixby ‘95, Dan Meyer ‘95, and Matt Hyde ‘95. “It has been a decade since I updated anyone, so, in short: currently I am a published musician in LA writing for TV and film, as well as video games. I am also a coordinator on the new Sony Imageworks animated feature Hotel Transylvania. I would love to hear from anyone I went to DA with and/or people who find themselves in LA. Hope all is well,” Michael Schenk wrote when we last heard from him.

1997

1998

Jillian Joyce and Alexander Sheets are happy to announce their marriage on July 21, 2007. Emily (Stahl) Mollenkopf reported, “Been a busy couple of years for us . . . Hannah turned two this year, we are expecting a little boy in July, and I finish nursing school at the end of May. We are very excited for all the changes in our lives and couldn’t ask for a better time!”

Jonathan Harris was highlighted in the August 10–17 issue of Newsweek in the “Scope” section for his work with the website Sputnik Observatory: sputnikobservatory.com. Andrew Wong recently accepted a position at Metropolitan Jewish Hospice located in Brooklyn, NY, as RN case manager on the Asian Hospice Team. Andrew was recently employed at Calvary Hospital

Class Captains Margot M. Pfohl Amy Elizabeth Sodha

Class Captain Thomas Dudley Bloomer

as palliative care nurse. “As of October 2008, I’ve been working on the first hospice (end-of-life care) program geared towards the Chinese population in New York City. It has been challenging teaching other non-Chinese to care for Chinese at the end of life, both culturally and linguistically, and also teaching other Asians that there is such a program out there for them at this time of crisis in their lives.” In other news, Andrew is happy to announce his marriage to Mirlene Wong on August 16, 2008.

classnotes@deerfield.edu

class notes

1999

Class Captains Adele McCarthy-Beauvais Michael P. Weissman

top: Jonathan Adamski ’99 and Maribeth Page

were married on April 17, 2009 in Palm Beach, FL.

’99

bottom: George Craft ’01 and Sarah Stanton are

happy to announce their marriage on March 13, 2009 in Most Holy Name of Jesus Church in New Orleans. They currently reside in New York City. Both are cum laude graduates of Washington and Lee University. Wedding attendees included: Elizabeth Craft ‘05, Christina Williams ‘01, James Dunning ‘01, Charlie Williams ‘99, Doyle Flaherty ‘01, Christian O’Mara ‘01, Bob Gilbane ‘01, Jamie Hahn ‘01, and Alex Appel ‘02.

Fall 2009

Jonathan Adamski and Maribeth Page were married on April 17, 2009 in Palm Beach, FL. They reside in West Palm Beach, FL. Jonathan finished his MBA at Florida Atlantic University and works in finance. Andrea (Morton) Grigg and Cody Grigg are proud to announce the birth of a baby girl, Elise Francisca, on May 30, 2009. Kathryn Kellogg and Raime Masket are happy to announce their marriage on June 28, 2008 in Burlington, VT. They currently reside in Rochester, NY. Bridesmaids included Anna Filip and Diana Torres. Also in attendance were Tamara Brisk, Britt Palmedo, and Steve Porter.

2000

10th Reunion

Reunion Chair Martha Riker Nicol

’01

“I’ve recently taken up Shotokan Karate here at UMass, and have met a lot of great people and found it to be a worthwhile way to relieve the pent up energy after long days in lab,” reported Casey Kimball when we last heard from him. “Soon, I test for my orange belt. I also joined the local Republican Lodge of Freemasons with my brother and friends from back home in Greenfield. In terms of my research, it’s busy as ever and recently my

class notes

research group received a large grant from the National Institutes of Health for modifying polyurethane catheters. This is among many other projects we have running in the group.” Steven Wright and Lindsay Hughes are happy to announce their marriage on June 13, 2009 in Little Rock, AR. They currently reside in Nashville, TN. Billy Moss was in the wedding party and Allethaire Medlicott attended.

2001 ’01

Class Captains Eion Stephen D'Anjou Sara Elisabeth di Bonaventura Please send us your news and notes! See page 48.

2002

Class Captains William Malcolm Dorson David Branson Smith

top: Lindsey (Burnett) Coleman ’01 and Reed Coleman are happy to announce their marriage on April 18, 2009 at Bethesda-by-the-Sea in Palm Beach, FL. They currently reside in New York City. bottom: Deerfield alumni attending their wedding included, from left to right, back row: Alex Robertson’97, Sara di Bonaventura ‘01, Alexander Acquavella ‘99, Grace Epstein ‘00, Christopher Randolph ‘99, Alexander Mejia ‘99, Andrew Hunt ‘00, Chase Coleman ’93 (Charles Payson Coleman III), Payson Coleman ’68 (Charles Payson Coleman Jr); front row, l to r: Beatrice Gratry ‘01, Lindsey Whitton Christ ‘01, Emily Geiger ‘01, Allison Talley Burns ‘01, Bud Nolan ‘01, Steven Sheresky ’69, Lindsey (Burnett) Coleman’01 (bride), Reed Coleman (groom), Nancy Schmicker ‘01, Carter (Brooks) Simonds ’95, Tantivy (Gubelmann) Bostwick ’95, Allison Fast ‘02, Ogden Phipps ’96

Melissa Gregson writes, “I recently moved back to Boston after serving as a seventh/ eighth grade science teacher in Washington Heights, NY, with Teach For America. I am now working on staff with Teach For America as a recruitment director in the Boston area.” “I completed my two-year Teach for America commitment in the South Bronx last June, and I am currently the corporate and foundation relations officer at Prep for Prep, a nonprofit educational and leadership development program for talented students of color in New York City,” says Jennifer McEachern.

classnotes@deerfield.edu

SARAH athlete HUTCHINS ’05 Alumna Chops the Competition

Nevertheless, her final competition, which was

When Sara Hutchins ’05 arrived at Colby in the

ESPNU, presented some stiff competition. Roger

fall of 2005, she felt that something was missing in

Phelps, promotional communications manager

her afternoons. After participating in a sport every

for STIHL Inc., said in an ESPN release, “The

term at Deerfield (field hockey, skiing, and tennis)

Northeastern conclave is always an exciting event

she missed the daily routine of a team experience,

because of the high level of skill that these students

and in the spirit of learning new things, decided

have. In fact, our 2008 collegiate champion

to join Colby’s Woodsmen Team. As a senior, she

competed in our Northeast qualifier last year and

was elected team captain, and won the top honor

won a slot in the 2009 professional series.”

STIHL Timbersports Collegiate Challenge at Dartmouth College.

Fall 2009

Ms. Hutchins competed in three events to bring home first prize for the Colby team. The underhand chop, in which she stood on a block of wood and chopped

To become top “lumberjill” Ms. Hutchins spent

between her feet; a chainsaw event, where she made

months perfecting skills such as “the underhand

two cuts—one up and one down—with a chainsaw

chop,” the “single buck,” and how to handle a chain-

on a 16” piece of wood; and the single buck, in which

saw. She and her teammates braved frigid Maine

Ms. Hutchins used a large, one-handled saw to make

winters to practice outside, and even though the

a cut in a 16” piece of wood. A total of 23 points was

Colby team functions as a club sport, they often

enough to win the competition, a $500 prize awarded

compete against Canadian teams, where woodsmen

to Colby, a competition axe for herself, and the title

teams are varsity sports sponsored by their schools.

of champion.

“Our team at Colby was much more relaxed,” said

Ms. Hutchins graduated from Colby this past spring

Ms. Hutchins. “We usually had between 18 and 25

and moved to Colorado to work at the High Mountain

active members, and the people who competed were

Institute as the non-profit apprentice for the Rocky

those who came to practice the most and showed

Mountain Semester. She said, “My woodsmen skills

the most dedication to practicing, so competition

will come in handy there, too, as we have to chop

teams were not based on skill alone.”

and stack wood to heat all the cabins on campus!”

Photographs courtesy of Sara Hutchins

at the first-ever dedicated women’s event in the

covered by sports network ESPN and featured on

Former Deerfield teammates met up at a Middlebury vs. Connecticut College men’s lacrosse game; from l to r: Pat Shanley ‘07, Charlie Schopp ‘06, Mat Degan ‘08 and Mike Smith ‘06. When we last heard from Victoria Suchodolski, she wrote, “I am currently training to run the seven-mile Falmouth Road Race in Cape Cod this August. I am running this race to raise money for the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America, in order to fund research on Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. My goal is to raise $1000, and I am almost a third of the way there!”

2003

Class Captain Amanda J. Kessler Please send us your news and notes! See page 48.

2004

Class Captains Nicholas Zachary Hammerschlag Caroline C. Whitton Kathryne Benesh wrote, “I’m graduating from the University of Chicago this June, majoring in both Political Science and Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations. Sadly, my graduation falls on the exact same weekend as our reunion, so I won’t be able to make it!” She

continued, “I’m starting work with Bain & Company this January in Chicago, and will be spending part of my time until then traveling in India and returning to the Middle East to volunteer for a non-profit.” “I am currently living in Naples, FL, and I’m working as a conservation associate with the policy department of the Conservancy of Southwest Florida, a small environmental non-profit,” says Eliza Davis. Eliza was unable to attend the 5th Reunion but sent her best wishes for a “great time.” When we last heard from Dominick Uguccioni, he reported, “I have accepted a summer internship at the University of Georgia as part of my graduate school program, and will sadly not make my 5th Reunion.”

2005

5th Reunion

Reunion Chairs H. Jett Fein Torey A. Van Oot Glenn Wong wrote, “I graduated cum laude with a BS in psychology from Amherst College in May 2009. I played on the

DEERFIELD ACADEMY online basketball team and golf team for four years. The basketball team won the National Championship in 2007. I was co-captain of the golf team.”

2006

The first place to go is:

deerfield.edu/go/social Your source for all things Deerfield—from school news, to sports scores, to photo of the day. You will also find direct links to all of our social networking communities.

Class Captains Patrick Connor Hines Ashley R. Laporte Please send us your news and notes! See page 48.

Show your face on Facebook, where you will find our official fan page. Page Name: Deerfield Academy

2007

Class Captains Matthew McCormick Carney Elizabeth Conover Cowan Peter Bernard was recently in an article in The Daily Yomiuri, which highlighted his internship at a secondhand Japanese bookstore in Tokyo. He is currently a sophomore at Harvard, majoring in East Asian studies.

2008

Class Captain Taro Funabashi

2009

Please send us your news and notes! See page 48.

For green tweets, sign on to Twitter. Look for: Deerfield

To link in with other connected professionals, become a member of the Deerfield Alumni Group on LinkedIn. Group name: Deerfield Academy Alumni

Campus snapshots, big events, and other photo-worthy moments are captured on Flickr. Photostream: Deerfield Academy

Yes, Deerfield has a YouTube page. Watch The Widdies, and more! Channel: Deerfield Academy

class notes

Supplement your retirement and support the school you love. A charitable gift annuity provides a secure income stream for life, a substantial charitable income tax deduction, and minimized capital gains tax.

Sample Chart for a $25K Single Life Gift Annuity Age

Rate

Annual Payment

Tax-Free Portion

Tax Deduction

5.0%

$1,250

$751

$6,902

5.3%

$1,325

$840

$8,281

5.7%

$1,425

$960

$9,772

6.3%

$1,575

$1,112

$11,220

7.1%

$1,775

$1,310

$12,688

8.1%

$2,025

$1,588

$14,210

9.5%

$2,375

$1,929

$15,547

* Figures are based on age of annuitant and on the monthly IRS Discount Rate in effect at the time the annuity is created. The current discount rate is 3.4%. Please be sure to consult your financial advisors before making any planned gift.

Contact Linda Minoff, Director of Planned Giving 413.774.1872 or lminoff@deerfield.edu deerfield.edu/go/boyden

The Frank L. & Helen Childs Boyden Society Deerfield Academy established the Frank L. and Helen Childs Boyden Society to honor and recognize those individuals who have made planned gifts to Deerfield . 68

Fall 2009

in memorium

1932

1941

1935

Richard Thomas Stacy December 25, 2008

Seymour (Budd) Wilson Schulberg August 5, 2009

Robert Grant Nims May 4, 2009 George Gibson Willis July 3, 2009

1937

Dana Clay Ackerly August 5, 2008 Clifford Wallace Dow, Jr. May 15, 2009 Thomas William Murphy, Jr. July 2, 2009

1938

Janet Abigail Childs May 23, 2009 Richard Warfield Marsellus April 25, 2009 Harry Adam Trautmann Jr. January 19, 2009

1939

William Thomas Lybrand April 2, 2009

1940

William Clifford Maxwell August 11, 2009

Edward Melvin Crabtree April 4, 2009

1942

William Raymond Avison, Jr. November 28, 2008 Edward Ayres Baily May 30, 2009

1943

Kenneth Howard Childs May 12, 2009 David Alexander Teaze December 1, 2008

1944

Francis Taggart Christy, Jr. June 25, 2009 Sidney Ellis Foscato, Jr. May 23, 2009

1945

Richard Alexander Gregg December 11, 2008 Chester Moore Inman, Jr. July 11, 2009 Shannon Moffat January 23, 2009 Charles Allen Thomas, Jr. March 10, 2009

1946

Alec Miller Gallup June 22, 2009

1947

Henry Eisner July 4, 2009

1948

Emmet Gordon Pullar May 6, 2009

1950

Richard Paul Jennison April 15, 2009

1952

Ralph Edward McLeod, III June 11, 2009

1962

John Randolph Miller August 5, 2009

1963

Wright Tisdale, Jr. July 22, 2009

1968

Matthew Welsh May 16, 2009

1977

Gordon Bennett Buell June 2, 2009

1991

Alison Baird Macdonald June 17, 2009

Seymour “Budd” Schulberg ’32 Academy Award-winning author Seymour “Budd” Schulberg ’32 died at his Westhampton Beach, NY, home on August 5, 2009. He was 95. At the age of 27, Mr. Schulberg became a best-selling author with the publication of What Makes Sammy Run? the tale of Sammy Glick, an unscrupulous man who climbs the ladder of success in Hollywood. Mr. Schulberg served in the US Navy from 1943 to 1946, during which time he gathered war crime evidence from Nazi film materials for the Nuremberg trials. He was awarded the Army Commendation Ribbon for his service. After the war, Mr. Schulberg was approached by director Elia Kazan, who proposed the project that eventually became the film On The Waterfront. The picture won eight Academy Awards in 1954, including best picture, best director, and best screenplay. Deerfield recognized Mr. Schulberg’s many achievements in 1986, when the Executive Committee of the Alumni Association voted to present him with the Heritage Award for his “contributions to public service in the arts.” Mr. Schulberg is survived by his wife Betsy and their son Benn and daughter Jessica, as well as a son Stephen and daughter Victoria from previous marriages.

classnotes@deerfield.edu

Signing Off

by Brock Hines ’79

I discovered the world of popular music on the Panasonic cassette radio I received at Christmas, 1972. After listening for hours a day to different radio personalities, I decided I wanted to be a radio disc jockey or at least involved in broadcasting in some way. Also waiting in the wings was a family insurance business. Even then, I knew the risk and reward each career path offered. Little did I know I would be lucky enough to have the opportunity to travel both paths instead making one choice at the fork in the road. There was no radio station at Deerfield in 1975, my freshman year. Like my fellow students, I was wrapped up in academics and sports all day. And the thought of starting one? I didn’t know where to begin. But two fellow youth hockey players knew of my passion. One, Doug Stotz, was a genius and assembled a contraption that broadcast an AM signal to about 20 households. My neighbor Jamie Hanley assisted by hooking up a turntable, and my neighborhood station was live. I was playing the hits for ten dedicated listeners Hockey became my favorite sport in the 70s and if I wasn’t playing, I was watching my neighbors’ games with a microphone in hand, calling 70

Fall 2009

the action. Although sports broadcasting wasn’t on my radar initially, calling the games and broadcasting them on my station on a delayed basis was great. After Deerfield, I attended Babson College. I had outgrown the homemade station and wondered what lay ahead. Babson didn’t have a radio station either, but I partnered in a student mobile DJ service that played at many colleges and high schools, and my broadcasting fix continued to be satisfied. Then in 1982 Mark Beaubein ’83 and a team of students did the necessary work to get Deerfield a student radio station, and WGAJ-FM 91.7 was born. Beaubien was the station’s first student general manager, and he told me the time involved in launching WGAJ made keeping his grades up a challenge, adding “I never slept.” He also had at his disposal faculty member and engineer Jim Hemmingway, who was invaluable to the process. I reunited with childhood friends Tim Hanley ’84 and Danny Smith ’85 after college graduation, and watched the duo and others spin the vinyl at WGAJ. With their help and Jim Hemmingway’s,

Photography by Danae DiNicola and Brent M. Hale

Remembering WGAJ

Listen online:

twotonshoe.com peplab.com myspace.com/theteenagefanclub rippo.com

Radio and popular music underwent some unprecedented changes in the 90s. . .This wasn’t a big deal for WGAJ. One of the truly great things about the station: no format. I finally secured an after curfew Tuesday night 10PM show in 1983. It was always a full house at WGAJ in the 80s. In my first few years, I taught students the ropes of broadcasting. To get a show during the school year was a challenge, but faculty station manager Wes Brown was an ally—helping me access WGAJ and keep my show during the summer. During the summer, I was able to move to “primetime,” and it was then that I forged a relationship with Ed Sanborn of Record Town in Greenfield. Since the mid 70s, I charted music popularity with limited access to local record sales. With his help, I combined sales records with station airplay and requests I received, and produced a WGAJ music survey that was distributed at the store. He also donated records and tapes to give away. This was a far cry from what my homemade radio station listeners won: scratched 45s I threw out my window or my half eaten Village Pizza grinder. The 80s were the heyday of WGAJ. Radio and popular music underwent some unprecedented changes in the 90s. Compact discs replaced vinyl; music formats splintered; country and rap became more mainstream. This wasn’t a big deal for WGAJ. One of the truly great things about the station: no format. Lee Magee, faculty adviser after Wes Brown, kept that tradition. But neither he nor anyone in the music industry could imagine what was to come at the end of the decade: music on the Internet and the popularization of MP3s. At first there wasn’t a big reduction in student interest, but I could sense that would change

as the millennium grew closer. As music stores joined terrestrial radio in the fight to stay alive, one casualty was my relationship with Record Town. As the year 2000 passed, the final station advisors, Sean Terwilliger and Chris Stacy, did everything in their power to keep WGAJ alive. But returning to dorms or home to listen to radio was going the way of the 45-rpm a decade earlier. New challengers to conventional radio, such as the iPod and satellite radio, were becoming more popular. Student interest as radio personalities and listeners declined steadily as the decade progressed, and by the spring of 2008 I was one of the few bodies climbing the stairs of the Memorial Building with music in tow. When Chris Stacy informed me we were going off the air for good this past May, I was disappointed but hardly surprised. I broadcast WGAJ’s last show on May 19, 2009. I had logged 1200 shows over 26 years. In 1993, thanks to my experience at WGAJ, I became one of the voices of UMass hockey. WGAJ never turned out to be the breeding ground for future big market broadcasters, but it helped groom me for what I do now, and allowed me to live my dream. I have been a DJ for more than a quarter of a century, and for that I am forever grateful. Brock Hines lives in Montague, MA, with his wife Laurie. He is president of the Albert B. Allen Insurance Agency in Greenfield and the Powell Insurance Agency in Northfield and is beginning his 17 th season as hockey color commentator on the UMass Sports Network. deerfield.edu

Final Exam by Danae DiNicola

SUBMIT

YOUR

ACROSS 1. Postgrad year, perhaps 4. ___ constrictor 7. Tokyo, formerly 10. HOS office location 13. ___ Today 14. Mythical monster 15. Barbecue offering 16. Sticker 17. Arborial landmark 18. Hindu Mr. 19. Crumpin-Fox gear 20. Farfetched 22. Scatters 26. “Comprende?” 29. Classes taught in Dewey 31. On, as a lamp 32. ___ fruit 34. “Rocks” 35. Along the ___ Road 38. Wooden shoes 40. Leafy green 43. Of the dogwood family 44. Defeatist’s word 46. Blazer, e.g. 47. “Deerfield days ___ days of glory” 48. NE of MA 72

Fall 2009

49. Search ___ 50. Charlotte-to-Raleigh dir. 51. Avis offering 53. Said 54. ___ Solo of “Star Wars” 55. Amount eaten 56. Positions 57. Breed 58. ___ gestae 59. Aces, sometimes 60. Deerfield cold league 61. Annual Support participants? 64. His portrait hangs in the Dining Hall 65. His middle name was Learoyd 67. Freud’s interest 69. Hamlet was one 70. Burial garment 74. Landmark on the hill 77. “The Three Faces of ___” 78. A pint, maybe 79. College app. score 80. ___ v. Wade 81. “Are we there ___ ?” 82. Found in the Brick Church 83. Wield 84. Fin, to Jacques

DOWN 1. Sail motivators 2. Heretofore 3. Harness racer 4. A shout heard on Choate Day? 5. ___ White Hitchcock 6. Trick taker, often 7. “To ___ is human ...” 8. Losing proposition? 9. West Indies magic 10. Perhaps pursued upon graduation 11. Grinder 12. Deerfield great, retired in ‘09 18. ___ Box Theater 21. “Fantasy Island” prop 23. Brio 24. Vintner 25. Plain 26. Curtis is to Widmer 27. Also known as “sweet briar” 28. Extended 30. Property tenure 33. Undergoes combustion 35. Mites, e.g. 36. “Two Women” Oscar winner 37. Designer of this magazine 39. Loudness units 41. Kind of cycle 42. Javelin, e.g. 45. “First Blood” director Kotcheff 52. Hawaiian tuber 57. More bashful 60. Carbonium, e.g. 61. ___ House 62. Pointed arch 63. Fair-sized musical group 65. One can be driven there 66. Exposed 68. Eye 69. “Agreed!” 71. Taken during a free period 72. Clinch, with “up” 73. Clairvoyance, e.g. 75. Bauxite, e.g. 76. Not pro Answers: deerfield.edu/go/puzzle

PHOTOS & CLASS

NOTES

Photos will be published based on quality and available space. Please be sure to identify everyone.

DEADLINE: December 1, 2009

DIGITAL IMAGES

(prefered) Digital photos should be at least 2 megapixels [1600 x 1200 pixels] classnotes@deerfield.edu

PRINTS Mail to: Class Notes, P.O. Box 306, Deerfield, MA 01342

object lesson

The Stanley Can

by John Knight ’83, Maple Leafs Goalie With twenty kids per team—and as many as six teams every winter—a fifth of the school played in the Intramural Hockey League. Gaining a fan-base was not an issue even for the worst team in the league: IHL was a spectator sport, and during final rounds the rink was absolutely packed. Our games were watched with fervor, and we had lots of fun. Still, we organized like a serious sport. For example, our league Chaplain, David Foster, took the stage at school meetings to reverently intone that IHL stood for “I Hate Losers.” And we had two league commissioners—John O’Brien and Rick Melvoin—who, though schoolmen, knew that more than a mere hockey game was at stake. Pride, self-respect, and sheer unadulterated good times were on the line, and this attitude ruled our practices and play. Each team had three lines and no one sat the bench. The first line was forged from players only recently cut from JV; these guys could skate. The second line was populated by those who could skate, or who could handle a stick—but not both at the same time. The third line was fashioned with kids from Texas and Saudi Arabia. The only real rule in the league was that first lines only played first lines, second lines only played second lines, and third lines only played third lines— though the third line matchups resembled an icy yardsale more than a hockey match. IHL embodied the spirit of the school when I was here, and the pride we felt in our lineups, chaotic skating, and occasionally epic sports moments was shared by all. The professionals amongst us had the same triumphs and defeats as the worst players. Throughout, we all reached for the same goal: that thrilling moment when our ragged team could hoist the golden Stanley Can overhead, to the deafening cheers of 530 of our closest friends.

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