Winter 2019 Deerfield Magazine

DE E RF I E LD

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M A G A Z I N E

Indigenous hip-hop artist Supaman entertained and educated as part of the Martin Luther King Jr. Day activities at Deerfield.

On Our Cover

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DANCER Mina Liang '19 began ballet lessons when she was five years old.

Her co-curricular as a ninth-grader at Deerfield was dance, and she performed in the Nutcracker that year, too. Pursuing other interests—swimming, violin, track, and debate—Mina did not return to the dance studio until this past fall, when she "stepped up" to fill out the cast in this year's performance of the Nutcracker.

PHOTOGRAPHER Kendal Duff ’21, a student in Timothy Trelease's Topics: Post AP Photography class, and her camera have been a constant presence at events such as the Nutcracker this year. In addition to her clear talent for photography, Kendal has a knack for getting dynamic behind-the-scenes shots. More of Kendal's photos are featured on pages 4 and 5.

Director of Communications

Multimedia Specialist

Production Manager

Design & Art Director

Archivist

Social Media & Email Manager

Jessica Day

Jacklyn Bunch

Steve Berman

Brent M. Hale

Anne Lozier

Jess Wissemann

Produced by the Deerfield Academy Communications Office: Deerfield Academy, Deerfield, MA 01342. Telephone: 413-774-1860 communications@deerfield.edu Publication Office: Cummings Printing, Hooksett, NH. Third class postage paid at Deerfield, Massachusetts, and additional mailing office.

Deerfield Magazine is published in the fall, winter, and spring.

Deerfield Academy does not discriminate against any individual on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, marital status, national origin, ancestry, genetic information, age, disability, status as a veteran or being a member of the Reserves or National Guard, or any other classification protected under state or federal law. Copyright © The Trustees of Deerfield Academy (all rights reserved)

| VOLUME 76, NUMBER 2

Inside spread: Brent M. Hale

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COVERING DEERFIELD

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4

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12

BEHIND THE BENCH

TINY LOVE STORIES

NUTCRACKER PHOTOS

REPORTS

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F E AT U R E S

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26

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REPORT FROM FINANCE

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COMPLEX ANATOMY

CHUCK WILLIAMS ’72 RETIRES

FARM TEAM

COMMON ROOM

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CLASS NOTES

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TALES FROM THE BOYDEN ERA

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FIRST PERSON: REVISITING COEDUCATION

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PETER RAY ’71 WAR PROTEST PHOTO ESSAY

97 OBJECT LESSON

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90 IN MEMORIAM

Covering Deerfield 2019 marks 75 years since the Class of 1944 voted to decide upon their senior gift to the school.

According to the notes from that meeting (meticulously typed up by Nickels W. Huston, Class Secretary): For simplicity's sake and because the war had eliminated certain suggestions, Jim (James Spelman, Treasurer) had narrowed the list of possible gifts down to four. They were: money to start an alumni paper, money for the Church lights, money to repair and improve the shack, and money for a memorial plaque. After much discussion a show of hands was taken on the four suggestions that were retained. By a close margin the class chose to leave a donation to start an alumni paper.

Barnes (Wallace Barnes, Class President) then suggested a committee from the class which would go into consultation with Mr. Boyden as to just when and how this paper should be issued.

I am curious to know which of the remaining three possibilities was such a close runner-up, but thanks to that slim margin, here we are: celebrating the “alumni paper’s” diamond anniversary. From “Deerfield Alumni Journal” to “Deerfield Magazine,” nomenclature and appearance have evolved over three-quarters of a century, but much like the Academy itself, structure, purpose, and principles remain the same.

This issue of the magazine comes at a Janus time of year: Winter term has just come to a close, and I write to you from a quiet campus as students and faculty are taking a well-deserved break. It was a busy term, as you will see in the following pages, and from the Nutcracker to Voices of Change: A Celebration of the Life and Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., students were engaged and learning. It was also the inaugural season for the Class of 1993 Rink—a technological powerhouse that you can learn more about beginning on page 26. We said goodbye to a key yet quiet member of the campus community—Chuck Williams ’72—who retired as director of facilities after more than two decades of service to the Academy. And, in this issue, we’ve included some beautiful photos from the fall beginning on page 32, that show Deerfield students “digging in” to the broader local community.

The Common Room, which begins on page 38, is particularly rich in stories and Archival photos this winter. Doug Gortner ’61 shared some great stories “from the Boyden era” (page 48), and thanks to some photography that Peter Ray ’71 shot during his senior year, a little Deerfield-sponsored time travel is even possible. And as always, class notes reveal the breadth and depth of your activities.

Volume One of the Deerfield Alumni Journal was dedicated to “the alumni of Deerfield.” This issue is, too. Please continue to send in your news and notes and know that we always welcome your feedback and suggestions. After all, without our alumni/ae, there would be no publication.

Thank you for your support, and happy anniversary! //

Director of Communications

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THE N U T C R AC K E R P h o t o g ra p h y b y Ke n d a l D u f f ’ 2 1

On December 8 in the Hess Center for the Arts, months of rehearsals culminated in the Deerfield Orchestra, Dance Program, and Dining Services' collaborative presentation of Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker (Act II). The performance featured the Academy's 50-piece symphony orchestra, a troupe of talented ballet dancers, and a reception with tasty holiday treats inspired by flavors from the production, including chocolate, peppermint, marzipan, sugar plums, coffee, tea, and—of course—nuts.

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Heritage Award Winner 2018

Milton J. "Jamie" Sands III ’88 was presented with the 2018 Heritage Award at School Meeting on November 28. Captain Sands, who was recently confirmed by the US Senate for promotion to rear admiral, has had a distinguished career in the Navy, where he has led SEAL teams in special operations around the world.

The Heritage Award is presented annually to a Deerfield alumnus or alumna whose professional and personal achievements represent a special contribution to the betterment of society. A video of the awards ceremony and an interview with Captain Sands by Deerfield senior Nathan Hu is available online at vimeo.com/303368121.

Brent M. Hale

Milton J. Sands III ’88

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Headed to Jordan Head-ed to Jordan Deerfield's Own Peter B. Nilsson Appointed as King’s Academy Head of School A February 2019 Head of School day off announcement at School Meeting featured not one, not two, but THREE Heads of School: l to r, incoming King's Academy Head of School Peter Nilsson, current Deerfield Academy Head of School Dr. Margarita O'Byrne Curtis, and current King's Academy and incoming Deerfield Academy Head of School Dr. John Austin.

We wanted an energetic thought-leader in education who is as eager to keep learning as to take action, someone who inspires through character, hard work, and talent.

The King’s Academy Board of Trustees announced the appointment of Peter B. Nilsson as King’s third head of school on January 31. Nilsson will begin in July 2019 and succeeds Dr. John Austin, who will be taking on the position of head of school at Deerfield.

Nilsson’s appointment was the result of a global search process that began last August. According to the announcement, in their selection process, King's trustees sought a visionary leader who relentlessly strives for excellence: “We wanted an energetic thought-leader in education who is as eager to keep learning as to take action, someone who inspires through character, hard work and talent. We sought a leader who is excited to absorb the local culture in order to bring out the best in the dual Jordanian-International identity of King’s.”

They found those attributes in Nilsson, who at Deerfield most recently held the position of assistant dean of faculty and director of research, innovation, and outreach. In that position, he connected research to school practices and developed systems for ongoing growth and innovation in the faculty. He has also explored strategic goals outside of the traditional school model. This is particularly important to King’s, as the school continues establishing itself as a leading academy that can provide an exceptional traditional boarding school experience in a digital and hyper-connected world.

Nilsson, who was a boarding student himself at Phillips Academy Andover, holds a master’s degree in educational leadership from Columbia University and a bachelor’s in English and music from Middlebury College. At Deerfield he also served as assistant academic dean and as an English teacher and sports coach.

Nilsson’s own path in life reflects his belief that teaching happens both inside and outside the classroom and that a student’s personal growth is measured by more than academic markers. He was a musician in New York for four years, where he composed and performed.

Following the announcement of Nilsson's appointment, the King's Board of Trustees also thanked Dr. John Austin for his “inspiring leadership and superb work in growing King’s Academy from its fourth year until today,” adding that “it is truly amazing to see that you have done so much in such short time,” and wishing him success in his future role as Deerfield's head of school.

Nilsson will be joined at King’s by his wife Crystal, their four-year-old son Oliver, and their infant daughter, Everly. //

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MLK Day 2019: “Voices of Change”

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Deerfield students, faculty, and staff celebrated the life and legacy of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on January 21 and January 22. This year's theme was “Voices of Change,” and the community heard from speakers and participated in workshops with individuals who are using their voices to advance the work of social justice in a variety of ways.

Dr. Oluwaferanmi "Feranmi" Okanlami ‘03 was the keynote speaker.

Dr. Okanlami is an Assistant Professor in the Departments of Family Medicine and Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, as well as the Director of Medical Student Programs in the Office for Health Equity & Inclusion, at the University of Michigan. After sustaining a spinal cord injury in 2013, he has been working to spread a message that disability does not necessarily mean inability. Like Dr. King, he has been using his voice to represent those dealing with disabilities and is breaking new ground in collegiate adaptive sports at the University of Michigan.

Other guests included Michael Carter ’07, Perry Cohen ’94, and Holocaust Survivor Henia Lewin. This year, the majority of workshops were presented by outside facilitators (rather than faculty and staff) so that everyone had a chance to participate.

Building on last year’s success, some off-campus community service for ninth-graders was also included in the celebration through a studentdriven collaboration with The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts. //

Far left: A celebration of the life and legacy of Dr. King began at School Meeting on January 22.

This page t to b: Dr. Oluwaferanmi Okanlami '03, keynote speaker; students examine a gallery exhibit by artist Mark Guglielmo; after sit-down dinner on January 21, students could choose between attending a performance by indigenous hip-hop artist Supaman or attending a showing of the movie The Hate U Give.

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SHOW YOUR WORK

THIS PLACE At first, it was more of a horror story than a love story. I was leaving my friends, my family, my home, my dog. “But, it’s such an amazing opportunity,” my parents would insist. So finally I gave in and packed my bags. At first little by little and then all of a sudden, halfway through winter term, on yet another bitter, gray, freezing cold day, I realized I loved this place. Even when everything seems the worst, and you have so much to do, and never enough sleep, this place and its people can somehow lift you up.—HS

BROTHER When I first met him he was beautiful, no one was like him and it made him more special. But as I grew older he became ugly to me. His skin, too dark. Hair, too curly. His lips, too big. His nose, too broad. He looked nothing like my friends and I hated him for it. As I grew older, I became envious of him, he had a stronger jawline and much lighter skin, and my concept of beauty was skewed. Now, I simply enjoy the fact he exists. He’s not a mirror, no need to judge myself through him.—NB THE CLASS Defining Literary Traditions (A tenth-grade English class) THE STUDENTS Haley Sundstrom '21, Nikhil Barnes '21, and Kevin Gu '21 THE TEACHER Emily Richardson THE ASSIGNMENT: Write a 100 word or less "tiny love story" as inspired by the Modern Love column in the New York Times.

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MORNING EGGS There's a light breeze outside and rays of sun slip through the shades. The soft sounds of chirping birds sneak through the silence. I tiptoe from my room into the kitchen. I grab a few eggs from the refrigerator. A gentle turn of the knob; the fire lights up. Two cracks in succession.

A thick, golden yolk pours out. Mixed gently with a pair of chopsticks. A touch of oil, the eggs go in.

A sizzle fills the air, and the gentle aroma of scrambled eggs reaches my nose. Now that's the proper way to start the day.—KG

W I N T E R P L AY P E R F O R M E D BY D E E R F I E L D A CA D E M Y T H E AT E R DIRECTED BY LORI HOLMES CLARK P H O T O G R A P H Y BY B E NJA M I N G R I M M

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Brooke Fernandez Girls Varsity Hockey BEHIND THE BENCH

b y B o b Yo r k

14-8-3 2019 season record as of press time

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It’s doubtful you’ll find many Loomis Chaffee School graduates describing Deerfield Academy as a “special place” or that they “feel lucky to be here,” but Big Green Athletic Director Bob Howe would be one. Brooke Fernandez would be another. In fact, those were the exact words the new Deerfield girls’ hockey coach uttered earlier this winter, right after smiling ear-to-ear as she pointed out her new digs—the Class of 1993 Rink.

Brent M. Hale

Howe, as you may know, not only graduated from Loomis but he returned to the school later in life and served as the school’s athletic director for 12 years. It was during his stay in Loomis’ oval office of athletics that he watched Fernandez chalk up a storied four-year hockey career for the Pelicans, then wrap it in a bow by being named the New England Prep School Athletic Council’s Division I Player of the Year.

As AD, Howe also probably had a hand in counting up the ballots when Fernandez—who also competed in field hockey and lacrosse at Loomis—was voted the school’s Outstanding Female Athlete both her junior and senior years.

“I’ve known Brooke for quite some time now,” said Howe. “She has an outstanding resume as a player on the prep school, collegiate, and professional levels and has proven to be a very capable coach, as well.

“She’s always exhibited a remarkable amount of energy and a tremendous amount of love for the game of hockey,” added Howe, “and with her coaching and recruiting experience, we feel she can help continue to raise the level of the girls hockey program here at Deerfield.”

Fernandez, who also serves as associate athletic director, is chalking up her third coaching stop in the past five years. She came to Deerfield following a two-year stint as an associate coach at Middlebury College, where she helped guide the Panthers to a pair of New England Small College Athletic conference crowns and an overall showing of 39-12-5. Last season, the Panthers went 20-5-3 before falling in the quarterfinal round of the NCAA tournament. Despite their early exit, they still managed a seventh-place slot in the final Div. III national rankings.

“Brooke did an outstanding job for us during the two years she spent on our coaching staff at Middlebury,” said Bill Mandigo, the Panthers head coach. “Having played both forward and defense at Loomis, she was familiar with both ends of the rink and proved invaluable at being able to work with both our forwards and defensemen.

“Brooke was a senior at Loomis when my daughter, Katie, was a freshman, added Mandigo.

“In fact, they played on the same line together that season. I could see back then that Brooke was not only a talented hockey player, but had a real knowledge of the game, so when the opportunity arose to get her to come to Middlebury and help coach our hockey team, I made the most of it.

“I hated to see her go,” added the Panther mentor, “but as I like to say, ‘there’s a time to learn and a time to leave’ and I think Brooke learned a great deal about hockey, about coaching, and about recruiting while she was here, and with the great opportunity that Deerfield presented, I was really happy for her.”

“I decided to step away from college hockey and come to Deerfield because coaching prep school hockey has always been my passion,” said Fernandez. “It’s so much fun to connect with the kids in all aspects of life—not just the rink.

Having the opportunity to watch players grow up and find their passions in life is truly special.”

Prior to making her debut as a coach on the collegiate level, Fernandez spent two seasons tutoring the girls hockey program at Brewster Academy. She spent the first winter paying her dues with the Bobcats as an assistant coach, and moved up to fill the head coaching job in year two.

Fernandez grew up in Bloomfield, CT, (just outside of Hartford) and began playing hockey when she was four. During her formative years in the sport, she turned out to be, as she put it, “just one of the guys.”

M O R E S C O R E S / S TAT S / S T O R I E S :

“I played boys hockey up until high school, and looking back, I feel it really helped me,” said Fernandez of a game that was more physical and much faster than what most girls experience at that age.

During her first two years with the Pelicans, Fernandez was stationed along the blue line, while she moved up to a forward slot her junior and senior seasons. She made the move a profitable one by leading the team in scoring her senior season with 30 points on 15 goals and 15 assists.

At St. Lawrence, Fernandez returned to defense, but that didn’t stop her from enjoying the best of both worlds. The offensive-minded defenseman still found the back of opponents’ nets quite frequently, ranking second on the school’s all-time ledger of goals by a defenseman (26) and third in points (87). Her two-way play helped the Saints capture the 2012 ECAC championship and earned her a spot on its All-Tournament team. In the classroom, Fernandez owned a double major in history and anthropology, earned a spot on the ECAC All-Academic team four years running, and was a finalist for the 2013 ECAC Hockey Student/Athlete of the Year Award.

“I’m really excited about this opportunity to coach at Deerfield,” said Fernandez, whose Big Green team picked up some early-season hardware by winning Cushing Academy’s E.G. Watkins Invitational Hockey Tournament over the winter break. “This has always been a good hockey program,” she added of the varsity squads that chalked up 53 wins over the past six seasons under the guidance of former head Coach Gen Pitt, “now, we’re hoping to make it a great program. It has long been on the cusp of making the playoffs—this year we’re hoping to get there.”//

deerfield.edu/athletics

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There was a changing of the guard this winter: Dan Houston stepped into the role of head coach for the Big Green wrestling program, while its long-time mentor, Mark Scandling, stepped aside—but not away—not yet anyhow.

BEHIND THE BENCH

b y B o b Yo r k

Dan Houston Wrestling

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Brent M. Hale

“Mark and I both believe in doing what’s best for Deerfield Academy wrestling,” said Houston, who came to DA following a two-year stint as an assistant coach at Cardigan Mountain School, “and at this point in time, we both feel that means maintaining the program’s continuity as much as possible. So, Mark and I worked closely together this season to insure as seamless a transition as possible.

“Ever since I arrived on campus this fall, Mark’s been a huge resource for me as far as the wrestling program is concerned,” added Houston of his new “assistant,” who has been associated with Deerfield wrestling for the past 32 years, 21 of them as head coach. “I feel fortunate to be able to pick his brain—he’s a wealth of knowledge on our wrestlers, our program, our league, and our sport.”

“I’ve always enjoyed having the opportunity to watch these athletes grow from the first day of practice through their final match of the season —it’s been a pleasure to see them mature,” said Scandling, who coached the Big Green to a New England title in 1993. “I just think this is a great way of preserving the program’s continuity.”

“When we were looking for a new coach, we wanted to maintain many of the outstanding traits that Mark brought to our wrestling program,” said Deerfield Athletic Director Bob Howe, “and we feel Dan’s the perfect person to step into those shoes. Like Mark, he’s both truly passionate about the sport and loves to teach it, and that will make him a great successor.

“And I think Dan has the ability to inspire students to join the wrestling program,” added Howe. “I’m hoping he’ll reestablish a deeper, stronger program—like we had here in years past. He’s working on recruiting kids whose primary sport is wrestling, and then surrounding them with kids who want to learn the sport.”

“It’s my hope to raise the profile of wrestling here at Deerfield,” said Houston, who teaches Classics—Latin and Greek—when not holding class in the Kravis Room. “I want people to pay attention to Deerfield wrestling and to make it a sport student-athletes will like to join. I really want wrestling to find its place in Deerfield’s culture; I want our wrestlers to have a vision of where they can take this program, and I want them to feel a sense of purpose about Deerfield wrestling.

“I also want our wrestlers to create an identity for the program,” added Houston. “That identity will consist of what I call the three I’s: integrity, intensity, and intelligence. To be successful in wrestling—or in anything, for that matter—you need all three.”

Despite this being his rookie campaign as a head coach, Houston is optimistic about this year’s team—and the ones in years to come: “I feel great about where this program is,” he said.

“Overall, we have a young team, but it’s experienced. We have ten juniors, including our two team captains. We also have six freshmen, three sophomores, and just one senior, so as far as the

building process is concerned, I feel as though we’re in a good place.

“Having so many young wrestlers adds to both the program’s continuity as well as its skill level,” explained Houston, “because most of our wrestlers come here with little to no experience in the sport, so they will be able to learn by training and competing here over multiple seasons.”

Sitting atop Houston’s to-do list is a threeyear plan during which he hopes to fill out his weight lineup; there are 14 weight classes in prep school wrestling, ranging from 106 pounds to 285 pounds, and the Big Green has 12 of those weight classes currently covered.

I also want our wrestlers to create an identity for the program . . . That identity will consist of what I call THE THREE I’S: INTEGRITY, INTENSITY, & INTELLIGENCE.

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Houston’s own wrestling career was rather short and sweet, as it spanned just the four years he spent at Exeter (NH) High School, but when he describes his showing on the mat as “modestly successful,” he’s simply being modest, as he chalked up silver medals in the 152-pound weight class of the Class L State Tournament in both his junior and senior years. “At that time though, I never dreamed the sport of wrestling would end up playing such a huge part of my life,” he added.

Following his graduation from Exeter, Houston joined the Marine Corps, where teaching handto-hand combat kept his competitive juices flowing. Following his discharge, he attended the University of Vermont, “which didn’t have a wrestling program.” He then made his way from Burlington to Baltimore, landing his first teaching and coaching job at the Gilman School, “and it was there that I began to discover a passion for wrestling and an enthusiasm for its one-on-one competition that I’d never really felt before.”

“I’m very proud to have been a part of this program for more than three decades,” said Scandling, who has seen Deerfield wrestling through both thick and thin. Scandling, who also coaches boys water polo in the fall and girls water polo in the spring, would probably point to a six-year run from 1988 through 1993 as the high point of the program—when he served as assistant to math teacher and then-head Coach Art Horst. Horst and Scandling led the team to New England championships four out of five years, culminating with the 1993 title. That ’93 squad also posted a school record five Class A champions.

“We’ve been fortunate to have had a good number of wrestling champions represent this program throughout the years,” said Scandling of the 21 New England champions, 42 Class A champions, and four National place winners who earned a spot on the team’s champions banner during his tenure at Deerfield. “I hope those names and titles serve as motivation for future wrestlers,” he said. //

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The Sisterhood of the Singlet b y B o b Yo rk

A couple years ago, Deerfield wrestling had a problem: The team was a little too lean on the light end of its roster. So, hoping to remedy that situation, the captains took to the Dining Hall mic at sit-down one day and announced: “Anyone weighing around 100 pounds is urged to report to the Kravis Room this afternoon at 3:30.”

And it worked! The Big Green picked up at least one recruit that day: Angela Osei-Ampadu ’21.

“I decided to give it a shot,” said Osei-Ampadu of venturing into this male-dominated sport. “I felt I needed something to challenge me, so I showed up, and I’m glad I did—I love it.

“I love how you are part of a team sport while at the same time, I enjoy the one-on-one competition,” added the tenth-grader, who combined with Anne Duong ’22 this winter to make the “coed” in Deerfield coed wrestling a little bigger and bolder.

Both girls debuted at the Phillips Academy Girls Wrestling Tournament, where 40 athletes representing 23 different high schools across New England competed in the fifth annual event. Osei-Ampadu captured a silver medal in the 113-pound weight class, and Duong wound up fifth in the 169-pound competition.

“It’s the first time I competed against girls this season,” quipped Osei-Ampadu. On a more serious note, however, she admitted, “all those practices and matches I’ve had against boys finally paid off—it made it much easier competing against other girls,” she noted of her first career pin.

“It is difficult to do well against the boys—they’re naturally stronger— especially in their upper body,” admitted Osei-Ampadu, “but I’ve spent a lot of time working on my strength and stamina and following that tournament, I feel I’m getting to where I want to be.

Typically, matches consist of three, two-minute periods. “Last year, I rarely made it out of the first period before I’d lose,” said Osei-Ampadu.

“But this season, with better strength and stamina and having learning some evasive actions, I’m consistently making it into the second and sometimes the third period, so I’m making progress.

“And the boys have made us feel like we belong—that we’re just ‘one of the guys,’” added Osei-Ampadu. “They’ve been very helpful and I don’t feel our presence on the team has caused any awkwardness.”

Just ask Co-captain John Chung ’20, who has led the Big Green wrestlers in hanging out the “Welcome” sign; Chung is especially aware of the fact that the “Sisterhood of the Singlet” has earned the right to compete in this athletic arena: during his freshman season, Chung was pitted against a girl from Andover. He lost.

Wrestling is a sport that leaves its competitors with no place to hide when things go south, and Chung freely admits, “She was just better than me,” after losing on points. He has long since recovered, however, and has qualified for the New England Championships the past three years.

“All the guys have really been supportive of Angela and Anne,” said Chung, ”There’s nothing we’d enjoy more than to watch them go out there and beat some boys, too.”

Anne duOng ’22 WEIGHT CLASS: 169-pound

5th in weight class

AngelA Osei-AmpAdu ’21 WEIGHT CLASS: 113-pound

Captured a silver medal in the 113-pound weight class

“I don’t feel that we’ve been treated any differently than anyone else on the team,” said Duong, “and I think I would have been kind of offended if I felt we had been. I don’t think the boys see us as girls so much as teammates, and want to help us improve. As for competing against them, I think they see us as opponents and want to beat us.

“I’ll never forget that first practice—I was sore for a week,” quipped Duong.

“One thing I’ve learned about wrestling, though, is that it’s not just a physical sport; to be successful, you need a great deal of determination, too.”

Despite an increase in the number of girls participating in wrestling overall the past few years, it doesn’t necessarily mean they will competing against each other during regular and postseason matches.

“It’s all determined by weight,” explained Big Green Head Coach Dan Houston, who recalls seeing at least one and often two girls on nearly every opposing team this season. “According to the rules, all wrestlers must compete in their proper weight class; if no other girls are listed in their bracket, then they wrestle boys.

“Neither Angela nor Anne seem to get discouraged, though,” added Houston. “They’ve kept their chins up and they deserve a lot of credit. This sport plays no favorites. There are no special rules that come into play.” //

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Leadership and Excellence A Re p o r t f r o m Ass o c i a t e H e a d o f S c h o o l fo r O p e r a t i o ns a n d C h i e f F i n a n c i a l O f f i c e r Ke i t h F i n a n

When Dr. Margarita O’Byrne Curtis announced her retirement at the end of the 2018/19 academic year, I took a few moments to stop and reflect on leadership and excellence. All of us associated with the Academy—alumni/ae, students, employees, parents, and friends—recognize the quality of the people, place, and programs that we are fortunate to be associated with as part of the school. We also recognize the fact that achieving excellence is difficult, and sustaining excellence is even more challenging.

Strong leadership builds the foundation for stalwart institutions—no matter what the field. In education, Mr. Boyden set the standard for his successors, and Dr. Curtis has been equal to the task.

Dr. Curtis’ gift to us has been her ability to lead, sustain, and advance the Academy throughout her tenure. Under normal circumstances this is no easy task for a Head of School, and the challenges during Dr. Curtis’ tenure included the Great Recession, unprecedented legal claims, and unusual natural disasters, and yet, we are an even better institution now than thirteen years ago when she took the helm.

Financial resources are the waters that nourish learning and growth.

Dr. Curtis has carefully stewarded the use of these resources to ensure the Academy remains a leader in the independent school world. During her tenure, the market value of the endowment has grown from $359 million to over $600 million. Financial aid for deserving students has more than doubled, allowing the “best and brightest” to attend the Academy.

Enhanced programs in the arts, sciences, and global studies now enable more of our students to experience the world in new and creative ways.

Investments in renovations to our existing facilities and in building new ones have created exciting spaces for teaching and learning. Moreover, they protect our physical endowment—the campus facilities—from erosion and decay.

To sustain institutional leadership also requires an organization to be keenly attentive to using its resources wisely and only for its highest priorities. Operating Budget expenditures in fiscal year 2017/18 were $55.4 million (net of financial aid), an increase of only 1.65 percent from the prior year. This growth was the result of careful planning and spending discipline, which has allowed the Academy to moderate its tuition increases and implement the third lowest tuition increase among 40 peer schools.

At the same time, financial aid grew by almost twice the percentage increase in tuition. Our loyal and generous alumni/ae and parents are to be credited for their outstanding support of the Annual Fund, which is crucial for operations and strengthens the endowment.

18 | ALBANY ROAD

While the financial markets had another good year in 2017/18, our Endowment Committee, led by now President of the Board of Trustees Brian Simmons P’12,’14, guided the Academy’s investment pool to an 11.8 percent return, exceeding the S&P 500 by 2.0 percent. Total assets, as of June 30, 2018, are $970.8 million, an increase of $96.8 million (or 11.0 percent) from the prior year. Net assets grew by $71.8 million to $877.5 million as of June 30, 2018.

Our investment pool maintains a conservative risk profile while exceeding the benchmark by one to three percent over the last one, three, five, and seven-year periods. Investments and perpetual trusts ended the year with a market value of $631.6 million, an increase of $57.5 million from 2016/17.

Indeed, Dr. Curtis’ leadership has inspired faculty, students, and staff—and perhaps more importantly—alumni/ae, parents, and friends of the school, to provide the support that enables the current robust financial condition of the Academy. We are strong and a leader among our peers. Maintaining this strength is critical to the Academy’s ability to attract and retain the students, faculty, and staff who continue to make Deerfield both a leader in education and the school we cherish.

Remaining an institutional leader is also our obligation to the alumni/ae, parents, and friends of the Academy whose support for decades has sustained Deerfield in this role.

To each of those who have helped us, we owe both our gratitude and our commitment to be judicious and prudent with the resources they have entrusted to us. Be assured that we take this responsibility very seriously, and thank you for your gifts and your support. //

$600

+

970.8

$

Million

Total assets as of 6/30/18

Million

During her tenure, the market value of the endowment has grown from $359 million to over $600 million.

$359 Million

$55.4

Million

Operating Budget expenditures in fiscal year 2017-18 (net of financial aid)

INCREASE OF ONLY

1.65%

Strong leadership builds the foundation for stalwart institutions— no matter what the field. In education, Mr. Boyden set the standard for his successors, and Dr. Curtis has been equal to the task.

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Trustees of Deerfield Academy

Statement of Financial Position Assets

AS OF JUNE 30, 2018; WITH COMPARATIVE TOTALS AS OF JUNE 30, 2017

2018

2017

$15,985,824 631,600

$18,673,566 598,856

777,550 63,817,108 4,578,653 1,164,029 611,138,719 20,539,548 252,160,807

1,119,547 58,375,659 4,543,288 1,247,865 554,877,116 19,243,309 215,275,177

$970,793,838

$873,954,383

Liabilities Accounts payable and accrued liabilities Due to brokers, net Life income obligations Debt payable, net Deferred income Total Liabilities

$12,870,521 1,911,053 3,491,171 70,771,386 4,224,115 93,268,246

$8,625,190 — 3,642,997 52,147,984 3,804,638 68,220,809

Net Assets Unrestricted Temporarily restricted Permanently restricted Total Net Assets

345,978,079 314,363,760 217,183,753 877,525,592

317,415,557 279,953,403 208,364,614 805,733,574

$970,793,838

$873,954,383

Cash and cash equivalents Restricted cash Receivables: net of allowance of $160,873 in 2018 and $463,443 in 2017 Contributions receivable, net Charitable remainder unitrusts and other deferred gifts Prepaid and other assets Investments Beneficial interest in perpetual trust Land, buildings and equipment, net Total Assets

Liabilities and Net Assets

Total Liabilities and Net Assets

20 | ALBANY ROAD

Trustees of Deerfield Academy

Statement of Activities Revenues, Gains, and Other Support Student income: Tuition and fees Less financial aid Net tuition and fees School stores Net student income Interest and dividends Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) Other income Gifts and bequests, net Total revenues, gains, and other support

FOR THE YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2018; WITH COMPARATIVE TOTALS FOR THE YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2017

2018

2017

$36,979,447 (11,315,259) 25,664,188 1,001,898 26,666,086 2,707,861 61,642,607 1,518,299 34,636,830 127,171,683

$36,586,932 (10,952,741) 25,634,191 1,004,641 26,638,832 1,740,532 78,671,694 1,578,779 22,354,964 130,984,801

13,506,128 5,928,833 484,400 8,440,771 12,065,153 8,089,932 6,864,448 55,379,665

13,214,180 5,503,527 468,248 8,434,159 12,422,371 7,858,683 6,578,490 54,479,658

71,792,018

76,505,143

805,773,574

729,228,431

$877,525,592

$805,733,574

Expenditures Instruction Student support Summer programs Operation and maintenance of physical plant General administration General institutional Depreciation and amortization Total expenditures

Change in Net Assets Net Assets – Beginning of Year Net Assets – End of Year

21

A

Chuck Williams Retires

E

NE

by DanaĂŤ DiNicola

Chuck as a Deerfield freshman circa 1968.

22

T H I S W I N T E R , A F T E R T W E N T Y - O N E Y E A R S A S D E E R F I E L D ’ S D I R E C T O R O F FA C I L I T I E S , M I LT O N “ C H U C K ” W I L L I A M S ’ 72 R E T I R E D O N D E C E M B E R 2 1 , 2 0 1 8 . C O L L E A G U E S , F R I E N D S , A N D FA M I LY G AT H E R E D AT T H E P H Y S I C A L P L A N T T O T H A N K H I M F O R H I S T W O D E C A D E S O F W O R K A N D L E A D E R S H I P, A N D T O W I S H H I M H A P P I N E S S I N T H E N E X T C H A P T E R O F H I S L I F E .

C H U C K ’ S L E G A C Y I S O N E O F P E O P L E - F O C U S E D M A N A G E M E N T, E N V I R O N M E N TA L AWA R E N E S S , A N D A R O C K - S O L I D W O R K E T H I C . H E W I L L B E S U C C E E D E D B Y J E F F G A L L I , W H O H A S S E RV E D

Deerfield Academy Archives

FOR 13 YEARS AS DEERFIELD’S MANAGER OF CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS AND PLANNING.

Chuck Williams’ formal relationship with Deerfield Academy began just over fifty years ago when he first walked onto campus as a student. His history with the school goes back even further than that, to childhood days when he would walk up the road from his house on Wells Street to visit Frank Boyden’s horses in the barn where DeNunzio dormitory now stands. Chuck’s father, Milton “Milty” Williams ’42—farmer, town fire chief and tree warden—was a friend of Mr. Boyden’s. And Mr. Boyden’s chauffeur, “Fuzzy” Babineau, would often let Milty know when the horses were getting tacked up so Chuck could go and watch.

Chuck’s family has owned farmland in Deerfield for generations, going back to his paternal great-grandfather, Henry Wells, who started farming in Deerfield in the late 1800s. Some of the Williams Farm property is even part of the Academy’s campus now—includ-

ing Wells’ farmhouse, which now serves as the school’s Physical Plant headquarters. Chuck’s knowledge of the town—from the fields to the river to the people—runs deep, so it makes sense that his relationship to the town and the school would not end with his graduation in 1972. And it also makes sense that years later, his three children (Lucas ’97, Adam ’99, and Jesslyn ’02) would attended Deerfield as well.

After completing his Deerfield education—including two years of varsity soccer, which he remembers fondly for the friendships he forged with his teammates—Chuck went on to the University of Vermont. There, he studied plant and soil science, botany, and animal sciences; subjects that would serve him well when he returned home to work on the farm.

After two decades of farming, Chuck decided it was time for a change. He expressed his interest in Deerfield Academy facilities work to then Chief Financial Officer Mike Sheridan ’58, and was hired as Supervisor of Grounds in 1996.

Two years later (in February of 1998), then Director of Facilities Paul Berube passed away suddenly, leaving the department in shock.

After Paul’s passing, Chuck was named Director of Facilities, diving head-first into the new position. Because the change had been so sudden, there was not much formal documentation handed to him on his first day. It was a difficult time on many levels, but if there was a bright side to any of it, Chuck says it was the fact that he was able to really shape the job as he saw fit.

Managing the Academy’s facilities, as one might imagine, is not a simple task. The work involves overseeing largescale projects and day-to-day operations simultaneously.

The campus requires constant attention—from the 350 acres of grounds, land, and athletics fields, to 18 dormitories, to the 46 faculty apartments in those dorms, to 55 faculty homes, and over 20 academic, athletics, and service buildings.

In addition to daily upkeep and large construction projects, there are the unexpected events to contend with, such as the Dining Hall fire that broke out the night of December 18, 2009, resulting in extensive smoke and water damage to the building. Chuck and members of his crew had

23

to work around the clock over the holiday break to get the Dining Hall—arguably the most crucial building on campus—back up and running before students returned just two weeks later.

Then, in August of 2011, there was the flooding caused by Tropical Storm Irene, which devastated local farmlands and deposited tons of silt from the Deerfield River on the Academy’s playing fields—just days before the start of the school year.

Events like this are not exactly something you can plan for, but you have to be equipped to handle them. One way to do that is to make sure that the people on your crew are well trained and equipped to do their work. “To do my job,” Chuck says, “I could only be as good as the people I surrounded myself with. That was key—bringing in experienced people and providing opportunities to make sure their skills were maintained and expanded.”

Managing a crew of more than 70 people is no small feat.

Staying in touch with what everyone is doing on a daily basis is crucial—not for the purpose of micromanagement, but rather, to be able to manage budgets and to understand people’s skill sets.

One of the keys to Chuck’s success as a manager, according to Jeff Galli, is that “Chuck would never ask someone else to do something that he would not do himself.”

Chuck asserts that the employees were always the most important asset he had in his department. Even through his slightly gruff demeanor, Chuck’s pride in “the crew” and their work comes through. He always tried to keep the right touch on the reins, making sure people stayed focused on their work. According to Brett Gewanter ’88 (who also worked for Chuck at the Williams Farm before working at the Academy), “I always felt like I worked with Chuck, not for him. We worked together for 38 years, and that feeling has never changed.”

The first big project Chuck oversaw at Deerfield was the completion of Louis Marx and John Louis dormitories, which were well under construction when he became the facilities director. They opened nine months later, in September of 1998. He has overseen numerous projects since then, from the Koch Center (in 2007), whose visually striking, curved design made for a complex and challenging building project, to the 2016 renovation of the Boyden Library, which was

Major

capital projects

completed during Chuck’s tenure: 24

Brent M. Hale

Managing the Academy’s facilities, as one might imagine, is not a simple task. The work involves overseeing large-scale projects and day-to-day operations simultaneously.

The campus requires constant attention—from the 350 acres of grounds, land, and athletics fields, to 18 dormitories, to the 46 faculty apartments in those dorms, to 55 faculty homes, and over 20 academic, athletics, and service buildings.

Chuck asserts that the employees were always the most important asset he had in his department.

Even through his slightly gruff demeanor, Chuck’s pride in “the crew” and their work comes through.

Top: At Chuck’s retirement party, l to r: Erin Williams, Adam Williams ‘99, Denise Dwelley, Betty Williams, Chuck, Lucas Williams ‘97, Nicole Williams, and grandchildren. Left to right: Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing Manager Gary Grybko, Eaglebrook School Project Manager Wes Smith, Manager of Grounds and Infrastructure Construction Brett Gewanter ’88, Director of Facilities Jeff Galli, Head of School Margarita O’Byrne Curtis, and Chuck Williams ’72. completed within a tight time frame but was “relatively smooth” as construction projects go—a fact that Chuck attributes in large part to Jeff Galli’s stellar oversight.

Over the past five years, Galli assumed management of the Physical Plant’s large projects; Chuck says this adjustment began in earnest after the construction of the New Dorm, and this shift allowed Chuck to turn his attention to more long-term planning and negotiations alongside Associate Head of School for Operations and Chief Financial Officer Keith Finan. “It’s thanks in large part to Chuck that the Academy was able to negotiate our extraordinary utilities contract, for instance,” Finan says. He also points to the thousands—literally thousands—of LED bulbs that light up campus, and credits Chuck’s initiative for making the switch.

“It might seem like a little thing—switching from traditional bulbs to LEDs,” Finan comments, “but it’s those little things that

• • • • • • • • • • •

Construction of Louis Marx and John Louis dormitories Ephraim Williams renovation 18 new tennis courts 4 new athletics fields Harold Smith dorm construction John Williams dorm addition Dance studio addition Pocumtuck dorm addition Construction of the Koch Center for Science, Math and Technology Renovation of the Main School Building’s 3rd floor Dewey Squash Center construction

• • • • • • • • • •

add up to tens of thousands of dollars of savings over the years, and that winds up having a big effect on the operating budget.”

Chuck says that Jeff Galli’s excellent project-management skills will serve the school well as Deerfield looks at least ten more years of steady construction, mainly to catch up with faculty housing needs. For his part, Jeff says he is “grateful for the opportunity to try and fill such big shoes.”

Now, when asked what he plans to do in retirement, Chuck replies with a grin and says, “Nothing. At least not for a while.” But after a few months decompressing, he does plan to continue pursuing his interests in organic gardening and permaculture in the form of his home gardens, which he shares with his wife Denise Dwelley at their home in Conway, MA. //

New track and turf fields Renovation of Bewkes House into a dormitory Dining Hall addition and renovation Greer and Fitness Center renovation New Dormitory construction Hess Center renovation and additions Boyden Library renovation Field House and Skating Rink construction Tennis Pavilion construction New Health Center (currently under construction on the site of the old Physical Plant) 25

COMPlEX

ANATOMY

BY B OB YORK

[Fig.1]

26

FO R A F I R ST - T I M E V I S I T O R , A N EXC U R S I O N T H R O U G H D E E R F I E L D ’S N E W AT H L E T I C S C O M P L E X M AY S E E M M O R E L I K E A M A G I C A L M Y S T E R Y T O U R T H A N A S I G H T S E E I N G E X P E D I T I O N , B U T T H AT ’ S T H E WAY T H I S B U I L D I N G WA S D E S I G N E D . Y O U C O M E AWAY S H A K I N G Y O U R H E A D I N A M A Z E M E N T W I T H A H E A LT H Y D O S E O F B E W I L D E R M E N T A B O U T W H AT ’ S B E H I N D T H E S C E N E S .

[Fig. 1]

Imbedded in cement just below its 200 x 85-foot surface lie nine miles of plastic piping that circulate 1,000 gallons of ethylene (antifreeze) to maintain a constant ice temperature of 17 degrees (Fahrenheit).

“You see that light?” asks Gary Grybko, manager of the Academy’s Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing Department, as he points up at the ceiling in the complex’s lobby. “I can dim it from anywhere. I can dim it from 100 miles away,” he adds, as a smile breaks across his face. “All I need is my laptop. Everything here is run by computer.” Grybko nods toward the windows at the rear of the foyer. “I can raise or lower those shades—same as the lights—from anywhere.”

What everyone notices right away, notes Athletic Director Bob Howe, is a fabulous structure. “It’s a building that has people talking about Deerfield Academy,” he says. “Prospective student-athletes are talking about it, as well as parents, opposing teams, refs, college scouts, and the local community, too.”

The Class of 1993 Hockey Rink, for instance, hosted exhilarating games all through its inaugural season, but the rink also saw plenty of blades during open community skates and local figure skating club hours. Howe is also a big advocate of everything else that helps fill out the remainder of this 130,000 square-foot structure, and he’s excited about the fact that this is a space for the whole community —not just varsity athletes.

“We’re already making use of every bit of this facility,” Howe says. “Sharing the top floor with the field house, which now gives us an indoor area in which to practice outdoor events, is a basketball and volleyball court that will allow us to add thirds teams in both sports,” he explains. “In addition to the hockey arena, the second floor is home to rowing tanks and a golf simulator, while the rink and locker room facilities are located on the first floor.

“So those are some areas where the students really benefit,” Howe comments.

“But if you come in here when it’s snowing or raining out, you’ll see employees running on the track in the field house, or participating in an early morning or evening yoga class. We’ve added a spin class and pilates, too, and those have been hugely popular.”

During any of these activities, a trek through the Athletics Complex readily reveals the building’s brawn, but less apparent is its brain.

[Fig.2]

[Fig. 2] 89,000 feet of data cable, including over 3000 feet

of fiber-optics extend throughout the complex, serving as nerve-like receptors, relaying messages to and from computer servers.

27

[Arteries & Veins] “What makes this building really state-ofthe-art is hidden above the ceilings and behind the walls and under the floors,” says Gary Grybko. “That’s where the miles— and I emphasize the word miles—of wires, cables, and piping are located that allow this building to function as incredibly as it does.

“I was involved in the planning and building phases of this project, and that was fortunate,” adds Grybko. “When we entered the building stage, we held weekly walk-throughs to familiarize ourselves with the location of various conduits so that once everything was in place, we’d know where to go if we had to troubleshoot.”

Even the crystal-clear sheet of ice in the rink serves as camouflage. Imbedded in cement just below its 200 by 85-foot surface lie six miles of plastic piping that circulate 1,000 gallons of ethylene (antifreeze) to maintain a constant ice temperature of 17 degrees (Fahrenheit).

“If the ice gets too cold it has a tendency to become brittle and crack under the pressure of skate blades,” explains Grybko. “If it gets too warm, the blades begin to get caught in the softer ice. The slab takes 24 to 36-hours for initial flooding, then we keep slowly adding water over two to three days, until it’s an inch thick,” says Grybko.

Those miles of piping that chill the ice begin and end in what is simply known as the “Mechanical Room,” which is adjacent to the rink. Inside, ten refrigeration units maintain the ice, and in the event of a power outage, the ice is so cold that it could last up to two days with only minimum melting.

“The temperature of the ice is constantly monitored by a computer,” says Grybko, “and if it rises or falls just one degree from that 17-degree mark, a computer signals for another refrigeration unit to kick in.”

That being said, there’s still a need for the good old-fashioned “Morsman” Zamboni to resurface the rink during games and after heavy usage.

28

Other machinery that places the Athletics Complex on the cutting edge are air handlers that bring fresh air into the building once every hour—delivering up to 12,000 cubic feet per minute of air—and circulating it throughout the structure; dehumidifiers keep the dew point as low as possible to prevent condensation from building up on the Plexiglas boards around the rink. And while it’s much chillier on the ice itself, spectators enjoy a comfortable 50 degrees Fahrenheit in the stands.

[Fig. 3]

HVAC

Other machinery that places the Athletics Complex on the cutting edge are air handlers that bring fresh air into the building once every hour—delivering up to 12,000 cubic feet per minute of air— and circulating it throughout the structure; dehumidifiers keep the dew point as low as possible to prevent condensation from building up on the Plexiglas boards around the rink.

[The HEART of the Matter]

[Fig.3]

Of course there’s a process for the major construction projects that become a part of the campus skyline, and that process begins on the desk of Associate Head of School for Operations and Chief Financial Officer Keith Finan.

“I’m fond of saying ‘the more planning, the better the outcome,’” says Finan, whose job as CFO is in part to gather pertinent information about capital projects and then present it to the Academy’s Board of Trustees, “and on the basis of that information, they in turn will either vote for or against moving ahead with a project.

“The initial step is to identify need,” adds Finan, who, as far as project management is concerned, serves as the liaison between the school and its trustees. “We then pull together the most pertinent people on campus and get their input on needs; in this case that meant the athletic director as well as coaches, players, and the Student Life Office, among others.”

From there, it’s a matter of figuring out two vital components: cost and funding. “Once that is accomplished,” says Finan, “I take all that information to the trustees. For this particular project, a definite need was identified, the Board liked our plan, and they backed it.”

[Fig. 4]

[Fig.4]

Cold Water Pumps

Deliver water to the ice rink.

29

Another face frequently seen tucked under a hard hat during the complex’s 18-month construction period was that of Jeff Galli, then senior manager of construction projects and planning, and now successor to longtime Director of Facilities Chuck Williams. Galli was on hand for the initial planning meeting back in May 2015, and he was there every step of the way during construction.

“A ton of planning went into this building,” says Galli, “and there’s no way it would have been finished in just 18 months without a lot of planning up front; we spent almost as much time with that process (16- months) as we did building.”

Galli also endorsed bringing both the architect and construction manager for the project on board early and simultaneously.

“When you want a building like this finished in just 18 months, you want everyone on the same page right from the start,” says Galli. “You don’t want to run into unexpected problems further down the line because someone was unaware of the overall plan.”

For instance, the team was able to identify a huge potential pitfall early on: “The rink and the field house were originally designed to run east and west,” explains Galli. “After studying the designs, however, we realized that if it was built according to that plan, there wouldn’t be enough room for everything we wanted this building to include.”

“Much of our time early on was spent testing potential options on design and layout,” says Architect Bill Massey of Sasaki Associates, lead architects for the complex. “Considering we were analyzing other ideas as well, it didn’t take long to recognize constraints and find a solution.

[Fig.5]

30

“We were already looking for alternative breathing room,” explains Massey, who pointed out that the original plan was constrained on all four sides: floodplain to the south, cemetery to the west, dorms to the north, and the original hockey rink and gymnasiums to the east, “so the idea of switching the building’s direction made sense. Deerfield had allowed us a generous amount of time to plan, so there wasn’t any rush to find an answer but when we did, it paid off big time,” he adds.

“Not only did we find room for everything, we were able to design a structure with a more open concept. This plan allowed for a front hallway to run the length of the building, and a lobby that would allow people to enter through the main doors on the third floor and walk directly to the stairway and down to the second floor. From there,

they could make their way back to the original building via another hallway by the existing squash courts; it would no longer be necessary to walk through one gym to get to another.”

Today, standing in the lobby just outside of the ice rink, Bob Howe says, “I don’t feel as though we built a shrine to hockey, but rather, a structure for everyone. Sure—it provides us with an outstanding arena for hockey—but in my opinion, it gives us so much more.

“If you come back and walk through this building around 9:30 at night,” says Howe, “you’ll find some kids have turned team rooms into study halls, and others are enjoying the field house.

That’s what I like most about this building—it has something for everyone.” //

The idea of switching the building’s direction made sense . . . not only did we find room for everything, we were able to design a structure with a more open concept. . . . This building has something for everyone.

[Fig. 5] Community spaces {spine} Main floor: meeting room, lounge, and group exercise room; Hockey rink: 466 seats and standing area; a “Central spine” links the Athletics Complex to the Hale Family Gymnasium and the Class of 1953 Gymnasium, the Strandberg Fitness Center, and the Greer Store.

31

G

ING

TH THE

A M TEAM

DEERFIELD STUDENTS DIG IN To LoCAL AG ICuLTu E

Photos by Jess Marsh Wissemann

32

“Deerfield students often measure their community service in years, not hours,” says Director of Educational Initiatives David Miller.

Miller heads up the Academy’s Center for Service and Global Citizenship (CSGC), which among other initiatives, involves managing academic cocurricular programs, working with students to develop professional and leadership skills—such as public speaking and grant writing—and providing opportunities for experiential learning and service projects. Partnering with nearby towns and organizations takes this community-based learning to a new level—one where students might gain a better understanding of food insecurity issues in the region, for instance, or what it takes to grow the food that winds up on local tables.

In the fall and spring, a significant portion of this hands-on learning takes place in nearby Conway, MA, just west of Deerfield, at a horse-powered vegetable farm called Natural Roots.

33

Visual and performing arts teacher Timothy Trelease has led the “Farm Team” for fifteen years now. Over that time the team has included a mix of grades, genders, backgrounds, and interests. In other words, it’s representative of the school itself, and reflects the long-standing relationship between the Academy and local farms, which by location and student body composition has been a fact of daily life since the beginning days of the school.

For a decade the team has worked at Natural Roots and Riverland Farm, in Sunderland.

They’ve also pitched in at Clarkdale Fruit Farm, located in Deerfield and owned and operated by Academy Trustee Ben Clark ’96 and his family, as well as the Food Bank Farm in Hadley, MA, and Juanita’s Homestead Farm—just across the road from the Academy on Woolman Hill.

At each location students may learn about a vast array of farm equipment and food systems; they get to know the farm animals and pets as well as the farm owners and their families, employees, and apprentices. There have also been Spanish-speaking migrant workers at Riverland Farm in recent years, and this has been an opportunity for important interactions and discussions in Spanish and English.

Students learn about soil chemistry and crop rotation, how to raise chickens and pigs, and

34

Left (and left to right): 1. The Fall 2018 Farm Team: Kyle Patton ’21, Andari Deswandhy ’19, Cate O’Byrne ’19, and Adrian Todd ’21; back row: Timothy Trelease and Andy Pelc ’21 2. Fred the Pig This page: Draft horses Tim and Pat

35

THERE ARE R AN THE

E

N

THE EER

FARM TEAM LOCATIONS:

36

TU

ENT

E N C TE E

H

N THE TEA T A E

nA u Al OO s N A MA

AN

E TAKEN A

UR

RTANT

REAT EAR

ART

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i e lAnd A m SUN E LAN MA

lA dAle ui EE IEL MA

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how to manage Belgian draft horses. They also learn about community supported agriculture—when families or individuals prepay for a seasonal “subscription” of fresh produce, bread, cheese, maple syrup, and more.

At Natural Roots, Trelease says students’ tasks have included sorting and planting garlic, harvesting carrots, potatoes, beets, and popcorn, stacking firewood, and “lots and lots of weeding.” Some have even volunteered for the optional and not-for-the-faint-of-heart task of slaughtering chickens.

“The work is gritty and weather conditions can be challenging, but that often serves to bring the team closer together,” Trelease points out.

It has been typical for one or two Farm Team members to be on the team throughout their four years at the Academy—even as they participate on athletics teams as a cocurricular during other terms.

Tenth-grader Andy Pelc, for instance, has been a major contributor to the Farm Team for the past two years. He’s also the starting catcher for Deerfield varsity baseball.

Some Farm Team graduates have gone on to major in agricultural studies in college, and some have pursued careers in farming.

“There are students who’ve taken great pride in being on the team all four years,” Trelease says, “and they cite it as an important part of the Deerfield Experience. Some have even said that the Farm Team should be a graduation requirement.” //

37

1934 1935 1936 1937 1938 1939 1940 1941 1942 1 9 4 3 1 9 4 4 1 9 4 5 1 9 4 6 1 9 47 1 9 4 8 1 9 4 9 1 9 5 0 1 9 5 1 1 9 52 1 9 5 3 1 9 5 4 1 9 5 5 1 9 5 6 1 9 57 1 9 5 8 1 9 5 9 1 9 6 0 1 9 6 1 1 9 62 1 9 6 3 1 9 6 4 1 9 6 5 1 9 6 6 1 9 6 7 1 9 6 8 1 9 6 9 1 970 1 97 1 1 972 1 9 73 1 974 1 9 75 1 9 76 1 9 7 7 1 9 78 1 97 9 1 9 8 0 1 9 8 1 1 9 82 1 9 8 3 1 9 8 4 1 9 8 5 1 9 8 6 1 9 8 7 1 9 8 8 1 9 8 9 1 9 9 0 1 9 9 1 1 9 92 1 9 9 3 1 9 9 4 1 9 9 5 1 9 9 6 1 9 9 7 1 9 9 8 1 9 9 9 2 0 0 0 2 0 0 1 2 0 02 2 0 0 3 2 0 0 4 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2 0 1 3 2 0 1 4 2 0 1 5 2 0 1 6 2 0 17 2 0 1 8 * 2 0 1 9 R e u n i o n Ye a r s

the Common Room

38 | THE COMMON ROOM

CIRCA

19 79

FROM THE ARCHIVES

39

left: “The Quid” A photograph by PETER RAY ’71.

See more of Peter’s photos beginning on page 80.

40 | THE COMMON ROOM

1947

“Cornelius Thurston Chase IV passed away at age 90 on December 3, 2018 in Quakertown, PA. Neil was a leading American educator and early founding father of tennis and golf camps on the East Coast of the United States, notably the Chase Golf & Tennis Camps, his crowning achievement. Educated at Eaglebrook School, Deerfield Academy, and Williams College, Neil devoted his life to teaching and learning through sports. While growing up at Eaglebrook School in Deerfield, MA, where his father was headmaster, he acquired the skill of organizing youngsters for fun activities. At age 17, Neil started and directed a swimming, sailing, and tennis day camp on Bassett’s Island located at the head of Buzzards Bay, off Cape Cod. Neil and his brothers had to first build a tennis court, which involved ferrying all the supplies from the mainland in a rowboat. In 1947, Neil sailed aboard the Brigantine Yankee on her fourth round-the-world voyage exploring remote locations such as Easter Island and Pitcairn Island. In 1952, he graduated from Williams College, where he played tennis and lacrosse as a student, receiving a BA in political science. He served in the US Navy from 1952-1956, stationed in Bermuda in US Naval Flight School with VP Squadron 49 when he met his first wife, Deborah Welsh. In 1957, they were married and moved to Cheyney, PA, where Neil taught seventh grade at the Westtown School. Neil and Deborah had three children: Patrick Chase, Rebecca Chase, and Cornelius Chase V. In the summer of 1958, Deborah and Neil established the Chase Tennis Center at the Westtown School. In 1968 Neil and his second wife, Linda Morrison, started an additional tennis camp in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, reviving an old 1890’s summer resort and building thirty red clay tennis courts. Neil and Linda had two children, Eric Chase and Christine Chase. The family moved to Manchester, MA, where Neil directed the camps and taught English at Shore Country Day School. In 1970, Neil became a full-time director of the two locations. The Chase Tennis Camps were the first of their kind to teach tennis to thousands of young players while also training hundreds of coaches and future camp directors. A life-long member of the USPTA, Neil is regarded as one of the deans of tennis instruction.

In 2012, he was inducted into The International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport, RI. Neil’s holistic philosophy encouraged social and emotional learning with opportunities to participate in art, musical theater, meditation, environmental conservation, hiking, rock climbing, camping, and community life that fostered life-long friendships.

In 1975, Neil purchased the Maplewood Casino Golf Course and the Uplands Terrace Hotel in Bethlehem, NH, and started a golf camp.

Thousands of campers from twenty-five states and fifteen countries came to the beautiful White Mountains and experienced top-level tennis and golf instruction and many continued to play and coach at accomplished levels and felt that their experience at Chase changed their lives. Neil is survived by his children Becky, Neil, Eric, and Chrissy and grandchildren Ian, Rich, Kristen, Jasper, and Annabelle and great-grandson Apollo.”

—Chrissy Chase Sinatra, Neil Chase’s daughter

1948

“David Buick Van Dusen, Episcopal priest, husband, and father of six children, passed away peacefully on October 16, 2018.

Reverend Van Dusen served as rector of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Weston, MA, from 1976 until 1991 when he retired and moved to South Brooksville, ME, with his beloved wife of 35 years, Althea Wilbur Van Dusen, who passed away in 2006 after a long illness. David loved his entangled web of a family and believed deeply in ministering to the poor. Rev. Van Dusen was predeceased by his son, E. Reed Wilbur, and daughter, Anne Wilbur Van Dusen. He is survived by his daughter-in-law, Sara, widow of Reed Wilbur, and their children, Regan and Christopher; Annie Van Dusen Wohlgenant, her husband, Tim, and their children Zoe and Clio; Lynne Van Dusen Lawhead, her husband, Alan, and their children Rachel and Eric; Charles David Van Dusen, his wife, Hilary, and their children, Marika and Islay; Catherine Van Dusen Godschalk, her husband, David, and their children Peter and Claire. He is also survived by his former wife and close friend Margaret Matter. Rev. Van Dusen was predeceased by his first wife, Isabel Baxter Van Dusen (mother of his children, Annie and Charles), who died in 1999 after a life-long illness. Rev. Van Dusen was born on June 2, 1929 in Bloomfield Hills, MI. He graduated from Princeton University in 1951. Within months of his graduation, he married and went to the front lines of the Korean War as a Marine Corps captain, where he was recognized for an act of bravery and valor. He attended Virginia Theological Seminary, graduating in 1957, having been called to his vocation in the Episcopal Church at the age of 16 when was awed by the splendor of the mountains while working at the Teton Valley Ranch. Over the course of his 40-year ministry, Rev. Van Dusen protested the Vietnam War, stood up for civil rights, and traveled to the front lines of the war in Nicaragua as a Witness for Peace.”—Lynne Lawhead, David Van Dusen’s daughter

1949

John Notz was awarded the 2018 Preservation Hero Award by the Library of American Landscape History. The award celebrates decades of commitment to the study of preservation of American landscapes.

1950

“Jim Price ’50 died peacefully on September 29, 2018 after a full and happy life. We will always remember his stories from spirited days at Deerfield under the leadership of Mr. Boyden.”

—Sharon Price Purdy

MORE CLASS NOTES AND PHOTOS: DEERFIELD.EDU/COMMONRO OM

41

t to b: Valerie Ekanayake, JAY KEYWORTH ’57, Polly Keyworth, Arthur C. Clarke, and MICHAEL SNOWDEN ’57 at Sigiriya, Sri Lanka, in September of 1995. / SANDY NEAVE ’55 / Mimi and JAY MORSMAN, Margarita Curtis, and Todd Martin, a former professional tennis player who was ranked #4 in the world. / Lulu and Sandy Day

1955

“Our classmate, Sandy Neave, passed away on September 24, 2018. He practiced Trusts and Estates Law in NYC for 52 years! He leaves behind his ‘loving wife,’ Lynne, three sons from his first marriage, and his sisterin-law, Mary Neave W’50. We are left to speculate on whatever happened to Fuller Torrey’s pet alligator that was kept on the roof of their dorm in the springtime of our junior year. . . We have since learned from Fuller that the alligator ‘survived Deerfield but met its demise in an early fall frost a few months later.’ Our celebrated Class of 1955 has been immortalized with a new Tennis Pavilion dedicated to our classmate Jay and Mimi Morsman. Jay was head coach of Boys Varsity Tennis for 29 years in which his team won two New England Championships and a National Championship. The new indoor facility will allow players to stay tuned year-round. Two more Marine Corps officers have been selected as recipients of Tim Day’s Marine Corps Entrepreneur program at Harvard Business School. Tim and Sandy also provide a greatly appreciated ‘helping hand for abused and abandoned dogs’ via Lulu’s Fund which is named after their beloved pug, Lulu. Merry and I have returned to Carlsbad, CA, after a wonderful year-long break in Kauai. We’ve noticed a dramatic increase in traffic and congestion as more snowbirds are flocking to sunny Southern California. We’re glad that we’ve earned our retirement papers and aren’t commuter worker bees anymore. As a reminder our Class Notes and The Scroll can be accessed at: deerfield.edu/alumni/classof-1955/class-notes and deerfield.edu/scroll. Please write us a note about your goings-on for the next issue of Deerfield Magazine.”

—Tom L’Esperance tmlski@roadrunner.com

42 | THE COMMON ROOM

1957

“George Allen Keyworth II, known to his friends as Jay (‘from G-A’), died after a protracted battle with prostate cancer in his home in Carmel, CA, on August 23, 2017. He was 77. After an exemplary performance as a student at Deerfield Academy, Jay majored in physics at Yale University and graduated in 1962. He subsequently attended graduate school at Duke University where he completed a PhD in nuclear physics in 1968. Following graduate school, Jay acquired a research position at the Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory (LASL) in New Mexico, where he was heavily involved in defense-related problems in experimental neutron physics. He later became the director of both the Physics and Laser Fusion Divisions, the only director to serve two divisions at LASL at the same time. Jay served diverse prominent leaders in science, politics, and high-level corporate business (Hewlett Packard and General Atomic) with dedication for decades. Never shy of controversy nor short on adulation, it was at Los Alamos that he developed a rapport with Edward Teller and was responsible to a large extent for bringing Teller back into the fold at LASL after Teller had been ostracized in considerable controversy for decades.

His association with Teller led eventually to an appointment as the Science Advisor to President Ronald Reagan, whom he served with dedication and with still more controversy at a highly critical time of the Cold War. As Science Advisor to the president Jay plunged deeply into development of the President’s Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI, called Star Wars), a major and imaginative project at the very height of the Cold War designed to challenge the Soviet Union.

Jay once told me that anyone who does not idolize a hero is like someone having a brain that tries to live without oxygen. Adulation for him was a deep personality trait that he convolved with his considerable imagination and technical enthusiasm, all of which resulted in a profile ideal for serving President Reagan. The two of them developed a special relationship of mutual support and respect that puzzled some of the other personnel at the White House. Although most of his work at the White House involved defense-related work, he once told me that he found it easy to catch the President’s attention on matters of basic science. On one occasion, he told the President that the most important basic science project for America at that time was to secure the Space Telescope, then under development and facing serious danger of being cut. The project was subsequently given lavish support. He said that he considered the two most important basic sciences to support were astronomy and biology, an interesting comment from a physicist.

Sadly, only a draft of his professional autobiography survives, as he never completed it to publication. In it, Jay speaks openly of his close association with the President, Teller, and subsequently with David Packard and his long-term service on the Hewlett Packard board of directors, which developed eventually into major conflicts and yes, more controversy in his life. It was publicized on a large scandalous national scale in 2006.

Born a month apart, my life-long association with Jay started at 14, when in 1954 we were assigned roommates at the Ashley House, a Deerfield residence filled with eccentric adolescent nerds, and which served as a background in 1955 for four kids who later became serious research scientists. From the very first, we both recognized each other as a couple of obsessed nerds hopelessly destined to careers in science, eventually leading to my becoming a minor back-water observational astronomer and to his becoming a prominent nuclear physicist. Building small astronomical telescopes together at Deerfield, I assumed we would both become astronomers. Fascinated with the idea of space telescopes, at Deerfield I constantly fed him essays by Arthur C. Clarke, Wernher von Braun, and Hermann Oberth (the inventor of the space telescope), all of whom were imaginatively pushing the idea of observational perfection in a space environment and largely laughed at by the establishment.

‘Wild as a March hare’ in adolescence, his boundless physical energy from then all the way to his sad demise in 2017 went a long way in helping him to pursue such high achievements without fatigue.

Those of us at Deerfield who knew him well were always entertained with Jay’s ubiquitous and subtle humor, and later we saw that his humor was actually remarkably insightful for such a youngster.

Always intense, Jay suffered terribly from a bipolar condition and severe asthma, was only marginally in control of his considerable alcohol consumption, and was well out of control with cigarette addiction starting at ‘the Bank’ at Deerfield.

For decades I was convinced that he would never reach 50. With that background, reaching 77 years was yet one more of his considerable achievements. Jay is survived by a son, Prof George Keyworth III; a daughter, Dierdre Hernandez; four grandchildren; and a widow, Marion Schwartz. All of us are missing him deeply. As a scientific colleague, frequent skiing partner, and close family friend for so many decades, the loss of Jay Keyworth is huge. For me it all started at Ashley House in 1954. Thank you, Deerfield Academy.

If classmates would like to share additional remembrances, please feel free to contact me at michael@2516.co.nz.” —Michael Snowden

43

1958

He had a particular interest in science fiction poetry and in 2015 he became one of the six Grand Masters of Science Fiction Poetry, a very prestigious award.

44 | THE COMMON ROOM

“Those of you who follow Deerfield on the Internet may have already read of Steve Sneyd’s death, but for those who are not wed to the web, the following excerpts a letter I received from Steve’s brother Michael on October 7, 2018. (He likely had my name because I, along with Brian Rosborough, sent letters to Steve imploring him to return for our 60th Reunion. Sadly, he must have received them about the time he went into the hospital.) ‘As Steve Sneyd’s brother I’m writing to inform you that Steve passed away in June of this year after having been in hospital for about a month suffering from emphysema and a weak heart. After Steve returned to England in 1958 he attended Bristol University where he studied chemistry. After graduation he worked for a while for the large chemical company ICI. After that he moved into the field of copywriting and for many years worked for the Manchester Evening News. Apart from his professional life Steve was a prolific poet. And, in this field, he established a considerable reputation. He had a particular interest in science fiction poetry and in 2015 he became one of the six Grand Masters of Science Fiction Poetry, a very prestigious award. If you Google ‘Steve Sneyd, poet’ you will find a number of websites devoted to him, including some with interviews with him. He leaves his wife, Rita; a son, Michael; and a daughter, Paula.’

Coming to Deerfield from his home in California (where his English father was a teacher/tutor) as a new-boy sophomore in the fall of 1955, Steve took up residence in a corner room on the third floor of Ashley House. The entry had a number of ‘bright,’ new-boy sophomores in it, but it didn’t take long before the breadth of Steve’s extraordinary mind was revealed. One evening I walked into his room to find him scribbling on a map of Africa. ‘What are you up to?’ ‘This map shows the various tribes in Africa and the languages they speak.’ The rest of us were busting our chops trying to get the next day’s homework finished, and Steve was long done with that and off on a special mission of discovery. As some of you may remember, Mr. Boyden and the faculty so respected Steve’s intelligence that when a Latin teacher died, Steve stepped in and taught Latin to students for the remainder of the term. Steve was always writing, and also always drawing. He signed classmates’ Pocumtucks with a curious precursor of an emoji, a charming little Mayan-esque drawing of himself. If you do Google ‘Steve Sneyd, poet,’ as his brother suggests, you will see that his relentless curiosity never left him. The sheer volume of Sneydiana is most amazing. One blog by Andy Darlington (Andy met Steve in 1971, when they started a lifetime of ‘collaborating on live readings and publishing’) that I quote at some length that illustrates those Sneyd qualities that so many of us got to see and admire at Deerfield.

To Fred Beak, writing the afterword of Steve’s 200-page collection In Coils Of Earthen Hold, ‘the neglect of Steve Sneyd’s work is one of the mysteries of our poetic era.’ There’s possibly something in what he says, but neglect is not what you’d normally associate with a writer responsible for over 3000 magazine appearances and a near-ubiquity in literary magazines for over thirty years. Steve is Britain’s most widely published poet, and one of the world’s top ten most frequently published, too.

Steve Sneyd, Britain’s most widely published poet. Wow! He was a most unique and special person, an intensely creative and wide-ranging intellect, and, in my memory at least, a wonderfully gentle soul. Surely we who shared our three years with him at Deerfield were fortunate to know him, and greatly enriched by having known him. May he rest in peace. (Ha! I can’t help but think he’s somewhere opining on heavenly possibilities and furiously scribbling words and drawings on whatever medium is handy.)

—Dave Willis

STEVE SNEYD: FROM MARS TO MARSDEN THE UNTOLD STORY andrewdarlington.blogspot.com He is Britain’s—and possibly the world’s most widely published poet. He’s been featured regularly, week-by-week, month-by-month, year-by-year since the 1960’s in more strange, obscure, and esoteric journals than even he can possibly remember. Now he’s singlehandedly resurrecting the ‘Genre SF’ poem as a unique and distinctive verse-form. He is Steve Sneyd . . .

Steve Sneyd can be a distracting interview.

He’s the guy sitting at the end of the bar, with a Philip K. Dick paperback crammed conveniently into his corduroy jacket pocket and an obscure crossword-completing word on the tip of his tongue. Spinning looping, leisurely soliloquies that lengthen for about the time it takes for a pint of best to settle, or for someone to get the next round in. As we talk he sketches zigzag castles and mythic faces on the beer-mat, scribbles sudden ideas in interacting hieroglyphs of longhand script into the dog-eared flyleaf of the paperback in his pocket, then hand-rolls a matchstick-thin cigarette infiltrating a fallout of tobacco strands across the table between us. He has quotes, phrases, lines and useful expressions for future use in black biro on scraps of paper in every pocket.

As he tells Marge Simon, ‘I’m endlessly writing such bits down on paper, always carry some, and a pen, or into notebooks—though the problem is the vast majority never develop any further, just silt up in vast accumulations of such scraps, though sometimes, years later even, one or another will resurface and a poem will come together out of that seed. Ideas can come from anywhere— flashbacks of memory, of places, people, events, items from the radio or books, curious facts or images, fragments of phrases, odd images springing to mind.’ And he talks. He talks about everything from the lost galaxy-spanning poetry of obscure American fantasist Lilith Lorraine, to an interminably convoluted comic routine about Bob Marley’s arrival in heaven, to tales of legendary Beat poetry heroics in the back rooms of 1970’s Yorkshire pubs, and about the prehistory of Pennine earthworks and tumuli. About everything, in fact, but Steve Sneyd himself. //

MORE AT: andrewdarlington.blogspot.com/2015/12/steve-sneyd-interview-from-mars-to.html 45

1959

“This review of Bob Oelman’s work says it all: This affectionate film of a life and current passion is fantastic. It is rare that a person devoted to what he calls ‘life force’ comes into view with a major change in his own life’s direction. This life of Robert Oelman in filmed by his son, Jake Oelman, and brings into focus how a life and a commitment can be created. Yes, there is great footage of the exact practice of photographing insects in wild places and great footage of Robert’s co-worker, Christian Lopez and his family. This film informs and warms on many levels. Brilliant.”—Brooks Goddard

1961

“While serving as Deerfield’s first Planned Giving Officer (’83—91’), it was my distinct privilege to visit with alumni and parents from the first 40 years of Frank L. Boyden’s (FLB) headmastership. When asked to recall their favorite memories of FLB and their time at the Academy, I was treated to some of the most wonderful and astonishing stories that give insight into how Deerfield became renowned for building character. Pretty clearly, FLB felt that it is not what you say but what you do that has lasting impact on your charges.

Without much embellishment, here are some of the more interesting anecdotes burned into my brain forever . . .” (see Tales from Doug Gortner, page 48-51)—Doug Gortner

1964

RON BATTOCCHI ’66 and GARY LARSEN ’66 enjoyed lunch and

catching up in Seattle, where Gary lives. Ron was visiting family.

46 | THE COMMON ROOM

“After 30 years working for Massachusetts libraries and cultural institutions, I am retiring. I came to the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners in 1988 and became nationally and internationally recognized for my work in preservation and disaster preparedness. My latest project was “Finding Common Ground: Collaborative Training for the Cultural Heritage and Emergency Response Communities” and was funded through a prestigious $196,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH). This project builds on the quarter century of the MBLC’s statewide preservation activities and the work of its partners–the statewide cultural heritage emergency network, COSTEP MA, the Massachusetts Archives, the New England Museum Association, the Massachusetts Cultural Council, Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency, and the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services— to ensure that the cultural heritage community is included in a municipality’s Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan (CEMP) and that emergency responders play a formal role in the protection of local humanities collections. For many years I led the effort to make libraries in Massachusetts disaster recovery centers (DRC) in collaboration with the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA), and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

I served as president of the New England Archivists from 1995-1996, was elected a fellow of the Society of American Archivists in 2006, and served as president of the Society from 2011 to 2012. He helped

coordinated that organization’s response to Hurricane Katrina, Hurricane Rita, and Hurricane Wilma in 2005 as chair of the Society’s Preservation Section. I have been awarded the 2006 Society of American Archivists, Council Resolution for Service to the Society and its members Regarding Response to Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Wilma, and, in 2008, I was awarded the Heritage Preservation and American Institute for Conservation Award for Outstanding Commitment to the Preservation and Care of Collections. I have also received the 2012 George Cunha and Susan Swartzburg Preservation Award (ALCT/PARS), and, in 2013, was presented with the New England Archivists’ (NEA) Distinguished Service Award. Most recently I was awarded the Distinguished Service Award by the Academy of Certified Archivists.”—Gregor Trinkaus-Randall

1965

“I can’t believe Choate clobbered us again. Yes, definitely looking forward to 2020 Reunion. No special news from me or the Dean family. Another grandchild (now two); still working away in pathology in the Finger Lakes, living the good life, and in good health. Lots to be thankful for.—Bill Dean “I’m now in my fifth year as a Professional-In-Residence at WRHU, Hofstra University. We have won the Marconi Award for the best non-commercial radio station in the country for two of the last three years. It’s a great way to continue a career after five years at ESPN, 22 at Madison Square Garden Network, five with the Philadelphia Flyers, and seven with WCAU in Philadelphia.”—Peter Silverman

“I always had it in the back of my mind that when I retired I would make time to volunteer in some capacity. I wasn’t sure what form that would take, but since I enjoy driving I thought that perhaps I could find a spot driving folks for the Red Cross or a similar agency.

And so it happened that in the fall of 2015 I saw a story in the Hancock Happenings, our town newsletter, that introduced me to CVTC, the Contoocook Valley Transportation Company, as it was then called.

A phone call lead to an appointment, and I met with staff at their office in Peterborough, where I filled out the application paperwork. After completing the driver registration form, as well as the paperwork for a release of my motor vehicle record and a criminal background check, I waited for the all clear to drive. Within a week or so the necessary ‘I’s’ and ‘T’s’ were dotted and crossed and I was ready to drive for CVTC. That was about November of 2015, and I’ve been driving ever since. I usually do a drive or two a week, and it’s been a privilege, in retirement, to give back. We drive all sorts of people.

Usually, but not always, seniors, and typically they’re going to a doctor’s appointment, or the dentist, or physical therapy, or the supermarket. Some have physical challenges. They might require a walker, or oxygen, or both. And some just need to get to work, but don’t drive. I’ve gotten to meet dozens of interesting people over the almost three years I’ve been driving, and it’s been a wonderful experience. One of my rides, a former WWII fighter pilot was typical.

We bonded over our shared love of flying (I flew sailplanes with a soaring club in CT), and the second time I drove him he showed me, as he’d promised, a photo of his airplane. He also brought along a poem he wanted to show me, but when the ride was done, he (and I) continued on page 53

“As we prepare students for leadership in a rapidly changing world, it is essential that they gain the ability to lead balanced, healthy, mindful lives.

The new Health and Wellness Center promotes these skills and dispositions —and demonstrates this vital priority to our community.”

—Head of School Margarita O’Byrne Curtis

deerfield.edu/give

47

TA L E S F R O M T H E B OY D E N E R A

by D ou g G ortn er ’ 61

GRADE DEFLATION

I said, ‘It’s Bob Calder, Mrs. Boyden,’ to which she replied, ‘How nice of you Bob Calder ’33: “I had graduated from high school at age 16 and been accepted at Princeton University. to visit, Bob. Boys, Mr. Calder was one our finest students in the early years.

Bob, why don’t you take you your old seat, which I see is vacant—you Much to my dismay, my mother announced that remember . . . the second one from the left in the third row.’” she was not going to send her son off to college DG: Bob served for many years as General Counsel of the Campbell Soup at such a tender age, and that I would be taking a Company, was President of the American Association of General Counsels, post-graduate year at Deerfield Academy. I can tell and served with distinction as a Deerfield Class Agent from the inception of you, my nose was more than a little bent out of “Annual Support” in 1965 until his death in 1996. He rarely returned for Reunions shape. Having been given no choice, I went off to explaining: “I like to remember my classmates with flat bellies and hair.”

Deerfield, and, though more rigorous than my previous school, I found the work not overly challenging and cruised along with what I was confident would be an honor roll average.

In those days, Mr. Boyden would meet with each student in his lobby office and read the semester’s grades out of a large ledger book. To my chagrin, I was advised that I had received two Bs, a C+, and a C. I felt so mortified that I resolved to really hit the books hard when I returned from Thanksgiving vacation and show them what I could do.

When mother picked me up a few days later, I told her that Deerfield was more competitive than I had anticipated. But I also said that the Frank L. Boyden legend—that he knows what’s in the hearts and minds of every Deerfield boy at all times—was bunk! Most of the time he acted as if he didn’t even recognize me.

I returned from vacation fired up, threw myself into my studies and extracurricular activities, had a great year, and matriculated at Amherst College the following fall.

Some years later my mother told me that she had stopped by for a visit with the Head before picking me up that day. She recalled that Mr. Boyden had told her, “Bob thinks he is a little too good for this place, so I didn’t tell him his real grades. Also, I am giving him the I-don’t-know-who-you-are treatment.

Don’t worry, he’ll be fine, and I will make sure he gets accepted at Amherst.”

DG: Bob’s son John attended the Academy and graduated in 1966. On a trip to pick him up, Bob arrived early and decided to visit Helen Boyden’s classroom.

“I walked in the back door and . . . well, you know she was practically blind.

48 | THE COMMON ROOM

RUGGED INDIVIDUALISM

DG: F. Earl Williams ’19 (That’s Class of 1919!) loved to recount the story of his first day trying out for the football team. “I was a new junior trying out for quarterback, a different position in those days. After a rigorous practice, Mr. Boyden dismissed the team and then said, ‘Earl, please stay after for a few moments . . . and you too, Moose.’ Picture this: Moose was the 230-lb. fullback who came from a local Polish farming family; I was 6’1 and 147 lbs . . . soaking wet.

When all but the three of us had departed, the coach turned to Moose saying, ‘Moose, I want you to walk down the sideline about 30 yards. When I give the signal, (he made a chopping motion with his right arm) I want you to run past me to the other end of the field, staying on the sideline marker. Oh, and Moose, make sure nothing stops you.’

Turning to me he said, ‘Now Earl, I want you to position yourself astride the sideline right over here and make sure nothing gets past you.’

I knew that my career hung in the balance. Somehow, I brought him down.

I was sore for a week!”

DG: Following his graduation from ‘Mass Aggie’ (now the University of Massachusetts Amherst’s Stockbridge School of Agriculture) in the summer of 1923, Earl secured a position as principal and (sole teacher) of a two-room school in Cummington, MA. Naturally, he sought out his role model for some advice.)

“I told Mr. Boyden that those hilltown boys were mighty rough and had run two principals out of town the previous year. Did he have any words of advice? Mr. Boyden replied: ‘Earl, just make sure that from the moment you walk into that classroom everyone knows who is in charge.’ I was fired up that first day and, before the first class commenced, was presented with the perfect opportunity.

All the students were seated except one girl, who, arriving late, scurried down the center aisle clutching her books to her chest (as they did back in the days before backpacks). Some wise guy stuck his foot out in front of her, and she fell flat on her face. Well, let me tell you, I was on that boy quicker than a duck on a June bug. I grabbed him by the belt and the back of his shirt collar, ripped him out of his chair, carried him to the door, kicked it open, and threw him out on his face.”

DG: Earl, antecedent of the Deerfield Williams Brothers Farm family, went on to a distinguished career as a headmaster and principal and served the Academy as Class Agent for many years. When he died in 1988, he left the Academy the beautiful painting “North Mowing” and $750,000 for scholarships. The other half of his estate went to Smith College for the Ruth Williams Scholarship.

49

TA L E S F R O M T H E B OY D E N E R A

/

REMORSE

DG: In his 66 years running Deerfield, Mr. Boyden expelled only four boys during the course of the school year, and, in general, punishment was not something to which he subscribed. He understood that genuine remorse was what was sought, and he was the master at its elicitation. John (Johnny) Suitor ’34, long-time English teacher and chief Mr. Boyden factotum, confided the following tale: “One Monday night my roommate and I sneaked out after curfew, hitched a ride to Greenfield, and were enjoying a libation at the local watering hole. Much to our dismay, a faculty member arrived, and, acknowledging our presence with a nod, took his place at the bar. When he finished his drink, he turned to us and said, ‘I imagine you boys would like a ride back to campus.’

Naturally we accepted. As he turned onto the Street, he said, ‘ I trust you boys understand that I must to report this to the Head,’ to which we replied that we understood that it was his duty to do so.

50 | THE COMMON ROOM

by D oug G o r tne r ’ 6 1 I went back to my room and didn’t sleep a wink that night. You see, my mother was the school nurse and my father the groundskeeper. I was truly family, so my actions were particularly egregious. What, I thought, was the Quid going to do to me? Tuesday came and went, Wednesday came and went. Finally, on Thursday evening, our corridor master poked his head in the door and told us that the Headmaster would like to see us after study hours.

Per instructions, we went to Ephraim Williams and took a seat in the outer office. At 9:50, the door opened a crack, and, without looking out, Mr. Boyden asked Sam to come in. Ten o’clock came and went; eleven o’clock came and went; the grandfather clock announced midnight. By this time I was sitting in a puddle of perspiration saying to myself, ‘If he is doing this to Sam, what the heck is he going to do to me?’ I swore an oath that if I came out of this alive, I would never break another rule so long as I was at Deerfield. An eternity later, the Quid wandered out of his study in his bathrobe and, seeing me, ran his hands through his hair. ‘Johnny, Johnny Suitor, what are you doing here? Why Johnny, it’s almost 1:30. You’d better get back to your room and get some sleep or you will be a wreck in the morning.’ . . .

Remorse elicited!”

DG: John Suitor went on to teach at Deerfield for 38 years, and worked at and then ran Camp Timanous in Maine for 40 summers. He is best remembered for his piano stylings at Deerfield Sunday night sings. He was instrumental in securing the Academy’s first life-income gift, and as a consequence, the John Suitor ’34 Scholarship was established at the Academy with more than $1 million in funding.

MCGLYNN

DG: Although it was not my privilege to encounter the great Robert W. McGlynn in the classroom or the dormitory at Deerfield, it was a distinct privilege to have him as a colleague for one year. When I visited him in graceful retirement in Middleburg, VA, he prepared a lunch of black bean soup and a fine salad. I asked him what it had been like working for Mr. Boyden.

“He was such a wonderful man that every time you did anything you thought, ‘How would the Head want me to do this?’ You really wanted to please him. Of course, he had a very busy schedule, but if you had five minutes on his calendar, you were the center of the universe for those few minutes. He would never look at his watch.”

McGlynn graduated Summa Cum Laude from Wesleyan in 1943 and accepted an offer to teach English at Phillips Academy Andover. When he checked in with the headmaster on his arrival a few days before classes started, he asked for, and was given, directions to the local Roman Catholic Church. The next day the headmaster summoned McGlynn to the office, and asked if he was a Catholic; he received an affirmative answer: “I’m about as Irish Catholic as you can get!”

In response, the headmaster said that to his utter shame, he had to withdraw McGlynn’s job offer “since the Academy’s (Andover’s) charter specifies that all instructors must be Protestant gentlemen.”

The headmaster picked up the phone and called his friend Frank Boyden at Deerfield, explained the situation, and was told to send McGlynn along—that they would surely find a place for him. A year later McGlynn was summoned to Mr. Boyden’s office; to his surprise, there was the Andover headmaster.

“He told me he was so mortified by what he had been required to do to me that he had told the trustees at their next meeting that they would either amend their charter or find themselves another boy to run their school. As a result, he told me, ‘I am now in a position to offer you a position again.’

At this, Mr. Boyden looked up and said, ‘You’re happy here, aren’t you, Bob?’ I replied, ‘Yes, Mr. Boyden.’”

McGlynn taught at Deerfield for 41 years. For hundreds, if not thousands, (including the esteemed author John McPhee ’49), he was the most inspiring teacher they ever encountered. //

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Deerfield made a difference in A.C.’s life. “Critical thinking, independence, the maturity gained from living away from home . . .”

A PA RT O F T H E L E G AC Y :

A.C. Starkey ’69

Remembering his Deerfield days, A.C. Starkey ’69 conjures up roast beef feasts, swimming in the River, and waiting on tables for the Boydens and their guests before Sunday Sing. He recalls the “fabulous teachers” who inspired him, including Red Sullivan: “crusty and authoritarian” in the Dining Hall, but in the classroom “the most kind, caring, and encouraging” teacher. “He would take us one by one to the blackboard and do a ‘chalk talk’ individually, all in a supportive way with his shirttails flapping and his face red as can be!”

Deerfield made a difference in A.C.’s life. “Critical thinking, independence, the maturity gained from living away from home. . .” All these skills and more were instilled at Deerfield.

A.C. has supported Deerfield annually since he graduated, and in honor of his 50th Reunion he included the Academy in his will. “I look at my charitable giving in a holistic way: a blend of annual gifts and an estate gift to achieve a balance that works, both in total amounts and in timing.” As a member of the 50th Reunion Committee, A.C. was especially pleased to receive 50th Reunion gift credit for his bequest intention.

Now retired after a 35-year career in banking, A.C. and his wife Ann enjoy traveling: Saint Bart’s or Florida in the winter; Madagascar, Kenya, Australia, New Zealand, Patagonia, Egypt, and western Europe at other times. He has served on the boards of the New Jersey State Museum, the Princeton Area Community Foundation, and the Princeton University Art Museum, among others.

Lest his life sound too staid, A.C. hastens to reveal that—to the surprise of friends and family—he and Ann became dedicated fans, in fact one might even say groupies, of the late David Bowie, traveling to ten shows during Bowie’s final concert tour in 2004! A.C.’s colleagues recognized this fact when they presented him with silver knee-high platform boots upon his retirement. “I wear them on special occasions,” A.C. jokes. Perhaps the Class of ’69’s reunion will be one such occasion . . .

To learn more about Charitable Gift Annuities and the Boyden Society, please contact Director of Gift Planning Rachel Moore: 413-774-1872 or rmoore@deerfield.edu

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continued from page 47 forgot to look at it. To my surprise, my phone rang that night and my rider was on the line. He apologized for forgetting to show me the poem, which, as it turned out, was one I knew through my time as a pilot. It’s called ‘High Flight,’ and was written by a WWII Canadian Air Force pilot named John Gillespie Magee Jr. My rider then asked, if I didn’t mind, was it all right if he read it to me. I said I would be honored. And so he read: Oh, I have slipped the surly bonds of earth And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings; Sunward I’ve climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth. Of sun-split clouds—and done a hundred things You have not dreamed of—Wheeled and soared and swung High in the sunlit silence. Hov’ring there, I’ve chased the shouting wind along, and flung My eager craft throught footless halls of air. Up, up the long, delirious, burning blue I’ve topped the windswept heights with easy grace Where never lark, or even eagle flew. And, while with silent, lifting mind I’ve trod The high untrespassed sancitity of space, Put out my hand and touched the face of God. If my memory serves, my rider was 94 years old!”—Andy Steele

1966

“It is with great sadness that I share the news of Larry Phillips’ passing on October 31, 2018. At the time of our reunion those close to Larry confided that his health had been declining, but even so, it likely didn’t prepare us for Larry’s death resulting from Type 1 diabetes.

His obituary in the Boston Globe, which I will send to you in a separate email, underscores Larry’s extraordinary musical accomplishments and the way that he touched others through his personal courage and humanity. At Deerfield we all sensed that Larry possessed a rare musical talent as he worked quietly “under the radar” to hone his craft, at times playing the organ for our Deerfield community. These glimpses of Larry the musician only allowed us to guess how much time he spent practicing behind the scenes to gain mastery of an immensely complex instrument. In his obituary it was noted that Larry gave Deerfield credit for quietly handing him the keys to gain access to the Brick Church, thereby providing him the opportunity to perfect his craft as a musician. Larry’s obituary will offer a more complete overview of his musical journey and the respect that he gained in his field. In his obituary Larry is described as a harpsichordist, organist, composer, music critic, and philanthropist. These areas of work only scratch the surface of the range of accomplishments that were spawned during his schoolboy days at Deerfield. He was a scholar of the highest order, the managing editor of the Deerfield Scroll and a devoted friend to all of us in the Class of 1966. During his life after Deerfield, both at Harvard and in the professional world, Larry earned widespread admiration for his groundbreaking leadership in combating sexual discrimination, thus becoming a pioneer for the movement that was to follow. As Larry’s classmates, with his passing we all share a profound loss. We were touched by his creative genius, warmth of personality and brave independence.”—Peter Drake

Pictured from right to left are myself (EDGAR BATES ’68), RICK EASTON ’72, and CHRIS KRUEGER ’98. Not pictured, but also Army Navy Country Club member and tennis player is JOHN LEHMAN ’97. Furthest left in the photo and in the spirit of inclusiveness is Herb Lai, Choate ’90.

Classmates JOHN WALBRIDGE ’68 and DEKE JAMIESON ’68 spent a day board “Benevolence” sailing around Narragansett Bay. “Must say it makes us both think of June and being with you all at Reunions.”

MORE CLASS NOTES AND PHOTOS: DEERFIELD.EDU/COMMONRO OM

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ARCHIVES

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MORE CLASS NOTES AND PHOTOS: DEERFIELD.EDU/COMMONRO OM

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11

2

Art Would Walk

2,190

miles

1979

“On August 26, 2018, I completed the 2,190-mile, 14-state thru hike of the Appalachian Trail from Georgia to Maine. I dedicated my hike to my ’79 classmates past and present. Each time I entered a new state, I created a video dedication to all classmates currently living in that state; I carried a Deerfield Class of ’79 flag with me. I was overwhelmed by the generosity and support of my classmates during the 133-day trek.

Throughout the journey, I received support and encouragement from classmates who met me on or just off the trail: Chris Sullivan, Scott Rippey, Tee Rowe, Dan Pryor, John Dinneen, Kip Howard, Tuck Collins, Marc Dancer, Eric Sachsse, Dan Newton, and Chris Craig gave me so much support and encouragement that I’m not sure I could’ve completed the trek without them. They all provided logistical and inspirational support that helped sustain me on a fantastically difficult journey.”—Art Dwight

8

4 10

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14 states

3

1

Photo 1: Art Dwight at the summit of Mt Katahdin, Maine, the northern terminus of the Appalachian Trail

9

Photo 2: Art Dwight moments after completing the hike on top of Mt Katahdin, Maine.

Photo 3: Art Dwight with

CHRIS “MAD DOG” SULLIVAN ’79

in Shenandoah National Park, Virginia.

Photo 4: Art Dwight with JOHN DINNEEN ’79, Dan Pryor ’79 and Kip Howard ’79 in Pawling, NY

6

Photo 5: Art Dwight with ERIC SACHSSE ’79 (who’s making fun of the “hiker odor”) in Hanover, NH Photo 6: With TEE ROWE ’79, near Front Royal, Virginia.

Photo 7: With SCOTT RIPPEY ’79, Maryland-Pennsylvania border Photo 8: With MARC DANCER ’79, near Bennington, Vermont

7

5

Photo 9: With TUCK COLLINS ’79, near Manchester, Vermont Photo 10: With CHRIS CRAIG ’79, toasting the finish in Bangor, Maine Photo 11: Art making the final climb up Mt. Katahdin, Maine

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“We had a great day back in July bombing around Lake George in Craig’s Whaler, grilling burgers on the deck and trying to avoid the park Rangers.”

—ANDREW ROSS ’82 WITH CRAIG MARKCROW

1983

“Kudos to Doug Cruikshank (pictured left) for making the effort to reach out to the Nottages in the Bahamas over the holidays. It’s not difficult to find classmates on your travels: reach out to Knight or Schmidt for classmate info or use the DA app! (info here: deerfield. edu/alumni/notes-and-social-media/) You may remember that Chris Flagg and yours truly are both on the Executive Committee of the Alumni Association now (pictured above), so you’ll be happy to know that your class continues to have a voice in the engagement efforts for alumni. Chris and JK only vote as a block and only talk just to each other during meetings. Then they retire to the Deerfield Inn for refreshments! SPORTS UPDATE: Team New England fell to proud Team New York in a battle that was 75 percent Class of ’83.

Spence Brown and partner Ben Patton edged Peter Townsend and Stuart Strong ’84 in a recent tilt. Brown quipped that he and Ben ‘Beat them like a rented mule,’ so I’m sure the score was very close . . . ’ —John Knight

1986

Dan Cranshaw has been named a trustee of Kansas City’s American Jazz Museum. Dan and his fellow trustees were elected by an interim board after the museum’s former director and most of the previous 22-member board resigned last spring after a consultants’ report that called for a “complete rebirth, starting with its leadership, but continuing with a revamped financial model, visitor experience, and operational infrastructure.”

“I was excited to reconnect with a few DA buddies the last couple of years (Jim Smith, Jud Damon, Mike Sabourin, and Ken DeCubellis).

I moved back up to WMass in ’09 to join the family’s financial planning business. I was in southwest Florida for sixteen years until I retired from baseball or until they retired me. Gave up too many HRs . . .

Guys have been talking about getting together sometime in the future for a reunion.”—Mike Trombley

“Deerfield boys from the classes of ’77 to ’79 in Chicago on October 25, 2018.”—REED WEBSTER ’79 58 | THE COMMON ROOM

My wife Beatriz and I feted TED VAN ITALLIE ’37 on his 99th birthday (November 8, 2018) at the Old Lyme Country Club.

Dr Van Itallie, a proud Deerfield alum, is a world-renowned expert in clinical nutrition and metabolism. An inspiration to everyone, he’s still publishing research. However, it’s his special fondness of Anthony Trollope that’s hooked Beatriz.

—SYDNEY WILLIAMS ’85

ANDREW STARR ’87 met actor Henry Winkler at the Midwest Center for Holocaust Education’s 25th anniversary gala, where Winkler was the keynote speaker.

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1992

61

“Introducing Fitzgerald “Fitz” Higgins, born September 13, 2018 in San Francisco, California, and shown here with his Mom and Dad in his first outing by the Bay!”—BRIAN HIGGINS ’89

ANNA (DOHRMANN) MCIVER ’07 and

husband Matt welcomed their first child, Caleb Robert Hammond McIver, on December 11, 2018. They live in Rockport, ME, where they are both licensed clinical social workers.

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1992

“Saturday, September 29, 2018 was a beautiful day in Burlington, VT. Our ten-year-old daughter, Elle, joined me in the walk this year and she spoke so beautifully in front of the crowd, displaying her artwork on the importance of erasing the stigma around mental illness so that everyone can and will always get the help they so deserve.

I am extremely proud of her! My Dad surprised us at the walk and the day touched hundreds of hearts and souls. I am deeply thankful to everyone there and extend huge thanks to my amazing supporters and all of our incredible corporate supporters. All total, we raised over $41,000 (and counting) for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention in support of their life-saving mission. Thank you for the love and support. Brud, this is for you! We love you forever!”

—Ashley Prout McAvey

1993

“’93 Classmates: The fun memories we shared at our June Reunion seem like last weekend. The weekend was filled with so much happiness and joy. It has been really difficult processing Alison (Buck)’s departure. I loved her like a sister and her spirit and infectious laugh will always be with us. She loved sharing our good times at Reunions and hearing how everyone was doing, even though she wasn’t able to be there in person. Alison’s brilliant creative energy and everlasting love for others and her surroundings will always be remembered.

She’s an angel, true blue friend, and classmate we will never forget.

Much love to you Alison—we will love you forever. In my heart always.”

—Jorie Widener

ASHLEY (PROUT) MCAVEY ’92,

her father, and her daughter, Elle, walked in Burlington, Vermont’s 2018 American Foundation for Suicide Prevention event this past fall in memory of Ashley’s brother, IAN PROUT ’90.

2005

“My husband and I were married on June 9, 2018 at the Brooklyn Historical Society in New York. Many Deerfield alums joined us including Hillery Williams Stack ’04, Charlie Williams ’70, Grier Potter ’01, and Alexandra Traber ’02. Another close Deerfield friend, Margaret McSpadden ’04, made a special cameo on the dance floor. We had so much fun, we completely forgot to take a DA pic! We are grateful to our friends and family for celebrating this special day with us.”—Christy Williams Coombs

left: MALCOLM DORSON, BEN LAVELY, DOUG WEEDEN, CARTER GRAY, and JEREMY LINDBLAD, all Class of ’02 gathered for the screening of Doug Weeden’s first film, Double Belgian.

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left: BEA WHITTON ’09 and PETER TUFO ’05 were married in Manchester, Vermont, on August 4, 2018. The couple have Deerfield family ties to thank for their marriage: Peter had attended day school with NICK HAMMERSCHLAG ’04 since age five and was a good friend of both Nick’s and his future wife CRICKET WHITTON ’04 during their Deerfield years. Peter first met Bea at the Bermuda wedding of Cricket and Nick in 2011. The bride’s three sisters and the groom’s sister also are graduates of Deerfield. A large and happy group of Deerfield alumni spanning the years celebrated this very GREEN union. Bea and Peter, with their two dogs and cat, live in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.

First row, l to y: PETER TUFO ’05, BEA WHITTON TUFO ’09 Second row, l to r: BROOKS SCHOLL ’04, EMILY WOODWARD ’09, CHRISTINA PROCTOR ’09, CAROLINE MERIN ’05, LIBBY WHITTON ’12, MEGGIE KEMPNER ’05, NINA KEMPNER ’11, HILLARY HOYT ’09, CJ YORK ’15, LINDSEY WHITTON CHRIST ’01, SERENA TUFO ROBINSON ’02 Third row, l to r: VIRGINIA ELDRED SCHOLL ’05, DAN SHRIBMAN ’03, WILL BOARDMAN ’04, ALEX NICHOLSON ’09, JAKE INGRASSIA ’09, KATE FOBARE ’09, JIMMY FORREY ’09, MIKE MORRIS ’09, ELIZABETH SCHIEFFELIN ’09, FRANZ BURDA ’09, ANNABEL PROUTY ’09, ZACH DEWITT ’05, SELBY JENKINS ’09, JUSTIN WEISS ’05, ALEX HAMMERSCHLAG ’04, MIKE HESS ’05, TATE HUFFARD ’05, ALEXANDRA MICHLER ’05, JAMIE KEMPNER ’75, ALI BERRY ’05, STEPHEN SMITH ’67, CRICKET WHITTON ’04, DAVIS WITTIG ’07, ROSE CORNELSON ’09, Sally Bedell Smith (Trustee Emeritus), JIMMY BERRY ’03, CHRIS KEMPNER ’03, MAX GOTTSCHALL ’05, NICK HAMMERSCHLAG ’04, Linda Whitton (Trustee Emeritus), PETER BERG ’09, Susan Wallach (Trustee Emeritus), CC CONRAD BERNSTEIN ’07, NICK SQUIRES ’09 Fourth row, l to r: ROBB SCOTT ’09, TJ SULLIVAN ’09, JIMMY FINNERAN ’05, JAMES CANNING ’05

above: TRAVIS RACHAL ’06 and Paige Pointer were married in New Orleans on March 10, 2018.

They celebrated with Deerfield classmates and friends: l to r: CHRIS GROSSE ’06, ANNA BARNARD ’06, JAMES NILLES ’06, BOB SINCERBEAUX ’06, CHINO SALDANA ’06, KYLE AVERY ’06, ALAN GLASS ’06, GEOFF LAPORTE ’06, LESLIE HAYES (HOTCHKISS) ’06, CONNOR HINES ’06, SAM HAYES ’06, ALISON RACHAL ’99, GEOFF CURFMAN ’06, Martha Lyman, TYLER RACHAL ’03

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R E C E N T LY PUBLISHED

BLANCA & ROJA

ANNA-MARIE M C LEMORE ’04 Feiwel and Friends / 2018 “The biggest lie of all is the story you think you already know” is an apt opening for Blanca & Roja—Anna-Marie McLemore’s fourth book in as many years. A lyrical synthesis of the familiar fairy tale “Snow White and Rose Red” and Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake, McLemore’s young adult fiction breathes new life into old stories.

From the Kirkus Review: As long as anyone in the Latinx del Cisne (“of the swans”) family can remember, there have always been two daughters: One is destined to be transformed into a swan shortly after the younger sister’s 15th birthday, while the other is left behind to live as a human. Fiery, darker-skinned, redheaded 15-year-old Roja has always believed she’s the one the swans will claim, while kind, fair-skinned, golden-haired, 17-year-old Blanca has always promised Roja they would do everything to fight the curse. Despite being considered opposites, the sisters share a seemingly unbreakable bond that’s tested when two missing local high school boys reappear in the woods near their home as a cygnet and a bear. Yearling, a boy from a rich but toxic family, and Page, a trans boy whose family are apple farmers, hide in the del Cisne home after returning to their human bodies. As love blossoms between the sisters and the best friends, they attempt to avoid a heartbreaking destiny. As with her other stories, McLemore (Wild Beauty, 2017, etc.) weaves in powerful themes of identity, family, and first love, but there are also much-needed messages about overcoming hurtful stereotypes and expectations. McLemore’s poignant retelling is a must-read for fans of fantasy and fairy tales. //

EXCERPT: Then the swans would come for us. Los cisnes, birds as beautiful as they were terrifying. Their arrival always marked the season when they would decide which daughter would remain a girl, and which they would take.

From where my mother and I stood, those swans looked as distant as if they lived on the moon. That was what Roja and I would be to each other one day, after los cisnes finished with us. One of us would stay rooted to the ground, the other bound to the sky.

The thought of it felt like my veins being ripped from my heart. Roja was not just my blood. She was the sister who chased garden lizards like they were kittens, but hid in her bed every time a cricket got into our room. She saw

66 | THE COMMON ROOM

my fear during thunderstorms and told me lightening was nothing but ribbons, no different from the ones we set in our hair, just made of stars.

I could not let that kind of distance spread between me and the girl I’d mapped the woods with, both of us learning them as well as each other’s faces.

The next morning was still pale silver when I got Roja up out of bed. I buttoned her into the berry-red coat our father had bought her for Christmas, and I put on the cream wool one my mother had picked out for me.

I brought her outside, and from the garden we took everything I thought might save us. White roses and red ones.

Sour berries and sweet. Herbs with every kind of leaf. //

WOLF BY THE EARS

ALAN ARMSTRONG ’56

BookBaby / 2019

The novel Alan Armstrong mentioned working on in the Spring 2015 issue of Deerfield Magazine—based on his real-life experiences and memories as an assistant Army attaché during the United States’ withdrawal from South Vietnam and Cambodia—has been published.

“It is 1974. Major David DeRussy is ordered to return to Cambodia for a second year as an assistant Army attaché to the Khmer Republic. Pol Pot’s murderous “Khmer Rouge” army is growing stronger and more aggressive. The republican army shows signs of crumbling. If its defenses pop like a soap bubble, DeRussy’s chances of dying go from possible to probable. America’s newspapers, magazines, and television news programs all say that the United States is going to abandon the Khmer Republic.

How is DeRussy to answer when his Cambodian friends and comrades in arms ask him whether America will run away?

Most anyone can deliver DeRussy to the enemy to save his own skin. Who is he to trust on the battlefield?” //

DIGITAL REALITY: KNOWLED GE AS SET CONSTRUCTION

GEORGE TOWNER ’49

Archway Publishing / 2018

George Towner retired in 2018 at the age of 85 after 31 years at Apple on the company’s senior technical team. “It was an exciting career and it led to my side work in philosophy,” Towner recently said. “As Steve Jobs used to say, my journey was the reward.”

Digital Reality was also published last year, and is the “final report” of a 30-year study of how computers are designed.

“George Towner shares his research and uncovers (these) truths hidden in digital architectures, assembling them into a new explanation of human knowledge. In addition, he includes an analysis of computing architectures that provides insights into some of the great questions of traditional philosophy, because much of digital technology is now dedicated to creating new realities.”

Mr. Towner also published a paper— “The New Philosophers”—which was written for and published in the Mensa Bulletin in 2012. //

ENCHANTÉE

GITA TRELEASE

/ DEERFIELD COMMUNIT Y MEMBER

Flatiron Books / 2019 For almost 15 years, the name Trelease has brought to mind Visual Arts teacher Timothy Trelease. But with the recent publication of Enchantée, his wife Gita may become more well-known. An impressive first novel, Enchantée is a historical fantasy set in the early days of the French Revolution, before the magic of the Ancien Régime was swept aside by violence and bloodshed. Readers of all ages will be fascinated by the protagonist, teenage Camille, who uses guile and sorcery to keep from starving.

It is not long before the allure and decadence of the court of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette, captivates Camille, who, by means of glamour, impersonates an aristocrat without realizing the real dangers lurking at Versailles.

Packed with historical details (Gita Trelease’s research skills were honed through earning a PhD and teaching 19th century literature), intrigue and gambling, and helpings of lofty romance with a young balloonist, this novel is indeed enchanting. Beau travail! //

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R E C E N T LY PUBLISHED

THE DAEMON AT THE CASEMENT, OR FRANKENSTEIN, PART II

MICHAEL R. KENNEDY ’75

(WRITING AS M. REESE KENNEDY) Sunken Gardens Press / 2018

PIPSQUEAK THE PUPPY

WRITTEN BY LISSA (PETTER) WEBBER ’03 / ILLUSTRATED BY TAMI BOYCE

Argonne Books LLC / 2018 Lissa Webber penned this delightful children’s book after becoming disillusioned by many of the not-so-great children’s books she found at her local library and in bookstores.

Inspired while listening to Taylor Swift (“Because who isn’t inspired by T-Swift?”) Lissa was determined to write a “happy, sweet book with a positive, useful message and a good melody.” Pipsqueak is the happy result.

After some less-than inspiring feedback from agents and publishers, Lissa decided to self-publish and turn her book into a fundraiser for Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, to whom she and her family were indebted for the life-saving surgery her son Ryan had there at just seven-months old.

Readers of all ages are invited to join Pipsqueak, who is born on a farm, “as she cultivates an unusual friendship and wins top dog when she learns to embrace her unique talents.”

All proceeds from the sale of Pipsqueak the Puppy will benefit Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. //

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Heralded as the 200-year sequel to Mary Shelley’s 1818 classic, Frankenstein, this recently-published novel is Michael Kennedy’s fourth book.

In an author’s note, Kennedy says, “In her (Shelley’s) closing pages, the title character lay dead; but his creature’s demise, while self-decreed, was unconfirmed. She’d left a fortuitous opening, for we’d seen far too little of her most compelling creation...In The Daemon at the Casement, the creature makes the instinctive decision to live, and tells his own extended story of the pursuit of companionship and the conflict of savagery and civility.”

Although it is not necessary to have read Frankenstein to enjoy Kennedy’s sequel, he does highly encourage reading the original, if not beforehand, then at some other time. “It’s a brilliant work, packed with memorable passages; and, if you’re pressed for time, Frankenstein, compared to other enduring novels of its time, is marked by its brevity.” //

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OLIVIA PIVIROTTO ’15

TEAM PIVIROTTO / by Lynn Horowitch P’16’17

SWIG SAFE

ENTREPRENEUR

Olivia Pivirotto, currently a senior at the University of Richmond, has created the SWIGSAFE Party Tumbler, designed to show how much alcohol you’re drinking, with a secure lid to help protect your drink, for a safer experience when out having fun. During her first year of college, Olivia became aware that throughout campuses “there was a lot of binge drinking, and students weren’t always cognizant of how much alcohol they were consuming,” Olivia says. “I had always been told to never leave my drink unattended, but that’s not always easy, and I was tired of having drinks spilled on me. As a society, we are more aware of the dangers of drinking, so I decided to come up with a solution that would help me, my friends, and others feel more in control when going out.”

Olivia, a Leadership Studies major who minors in psychology, started brainstorming various concepts with her mother, Brenda Pivirotto P’15, a commercial real estate professional based in Washington, DC. It was Olivia who came up with the idea for SWIGSAFE—a non-breakable tumbler with a secure lid to help keep unwanted substances out, with clear measurement icons to keep track of how much is being consumed. She also added a wrist strap to make it easy to take SWIGSAFE everywhere from day to night.

Her final design included measurements representative of standard drink sizes on the side of the tumbler, and a series of decorative charms for users to customize (and help keep track of) their tumblers. Through research, Olivia also determined that she wanted the product to be made from USA-manufactured “Eastman Tritan,” a type of plastic that feels like glass, goes in the dishwasher, and is BPA- and BPS-free. It wasn’t easy to find a manufacturer that could develop the tumbler with the quality and features that Olivia and Brenda required, but eventually they found a firm in China that could make SWIGSAFE to their exacting specifications. They also partnered with a fulfillment and distribution facility in Richmond, VA.

SWIGSAFE FEATURES: / non-breakable / secure lid / wrist strap

Photos: swigsafe.com

/ clear ounce markings

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THERE WAS A LOT OF BINGE DRINKING, AND STUDENTS WEREN’T COGNIZANT OF HOW MUCH ALCOHOL THEY WERE CONSUMING . . . I DECIDED TO COME UP WITH A SOLUTION THAT WOULD HELP ME, MY FRIENDS, AND OTHERS FEEL MORE IN CONTROL . . .

SWIGSAFE launched in late summer/early fall 2018.

A press release led to coverage in Forbes, the Richmond Times Dispatch, Washingtonian magazine (which included the tumbler in their “Gift Guide for That Healthy Person in Your Life;” WTOP.com, a local Washington, DC, radio station, and others. In addition to online sales through the SWIGSAFE website, the tumblers are now sold in Richmond’s bookstore and in two other retail outlets in DC. Now Olivia’s goal is to scale the business, as she focuses on the marketing and creative aspects of SWIGSAFE, while Brenda takes responsibility for the financial side of the business. Olivia’s priority is to raise awareness of SWIGSAFE among college students and large collegiate organizations— such as the Greek system, which she has been involved with throughout her college experience—while Brenda markets the brand to parents of college-age children.

Although Olivia didn’t start college with a vision to build a company, she has been bitten by the entrepreneurial bug.

She says, “It wasn’t in our wheelhouse, and honestly, starting a business was completely new to me.” As Brenda has learned, “One thing I would tell anyone trying to bring an idea to market is that you need lots and lots of patience. If it is really important, hang in there, and it will happen!”

As far as making time in her busy college schedule, Olivia says, “A lot of people have a job outside of school. I spend my free hours and build my day around SWIGSAFE.” Her commitment to the mission of SWIGSAFE makes building the business “a unique and truly meaningful experience,” says Olivia. “It’s a cause I’m passionate about.”

As she prepares to graduate this coming May, Olivia says that she will have to see where the business goes. But she knows one thing: In her mother, she has the ideal business partner. “We’re very much a team, very much yin and yang,” she says.

Brenda adds, “It’s been an incredible experience; the opportunity to work side-by-side with my daughter and create something from an idea she had is amazing. I can’t think of anything more rewarding.” Olivia concurs. “It’s been a really great experience. Personally, I wouldn’t want to do this with anyone else.” //

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I AM SERVING AS AN EDUCATION VOLUNTEER IN PEACE CORPS CHINA. I’VE BEEN LIVING AND WORKING IN SOUTHWEST CHINA FOR OVER A YEAR NOW, TEACHING ENGLISH TO COLLEGE STUDENTS AT A SMALL PUBLIC UNIVERSITY. OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM I RUN TWO SECONDARY PROJECTS: PRE-PROFESSIONAL CLUB AND ULTIMATE FRISBEE CLUB. —ANNA PETTEE ’13

72 | THE COMMON ROOM

2013

“I am serving as an education volunteer in Peace Corps China. I’ve been living and working in Southwest China for over a year now, teaching English to college students at a small public university. Outside the classroom I run two secondary projects: Pre-Professional Club and Ultimate Frisbee Club. In the former, I work with my colleague to provide professional development support to her Foreign Language Department students. In the latter, I coach university students in Ultimate Frisbee, helping them learn the sport and gain confidence in the process. I have become proficient in Chinese and I enjoy spending my free time with Chinese friends, exploring my small Chinese city, and traveling with Peace Corps friends. I also joined the growing Ultimate Frisbee community in China, and have been invited to play in multiple tournaments across the country. I’m looking forward to attending the China Nationals in December, and traveling to Japan over winter vacation.”— Anna Pettee “I just wanted to check in with my alma mater with an update of what is going on in my career; I recently had an article written up about me in the Commercial Observer that I wanted to share: TJ Randall, 23, Loan Officer and Underwriter, W Financial. It’s a competitive lending market out there, but that doesn’t intimidate T.J. Randall. Perhaps he gets some of that valor from his father, James “Jim” Randall, who was both a lender and developer and made it onto a young professionals list himself back in the day (Crain’s New York’s 40 Under 40). As an originator for W Financial, Randall has clocked up an impressive $210 million in transactions over the past year, closing $40 million in deals in July alone. Phew! Recent transactions include a $20 million mortgage for an office property on Madison Avenue, where the borrower had another investment and needed to pull money out of the property quickly (from start to close the deal took two weeks) and a $14 million second mortgage on a development site in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, on which W Financial already had the first mortgage. The property was rezoned to include residential development, increasing its value, and the deal closed in a matter of days. ‘Our big competitive advantage is our integrity,’ Randall told CO. ‘We’ve no interest in owning people’s properties. We see our customers as partners. We want them to take a loan from us but then take us out with a bank [financing] or sale.’

Speed of execution and flexibility are additional feathers in the bridge lender’s cap, with deals closed in less than 24 hours and no prepayment penalties after as little as 20 days. Randall first interned for W Financial before being hired by the company a year later. He kept in touch with David Heiden, a managing partner at the firm, and considers him a mentor. ‘I’ve learned so much and had exposure to so many things. I couldn’t ask for a better boss,’ he said. The role keeps him on his toes, as every deal is different. “You have to stay sharp and be diligent in everything you’re doing,” he said. To those entering the industry today, Randall advised to ‘use your network as much as you can, but if people don’t respond, just keep going. You’re going to get rejected 99 times, but it’s a great feeling when the one person who responds and you put a deal together. It’s completely worth it.’”

—TJ Randall

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ALUMNI ATHLETE

HIGHLIGHTS Fikayo Ajayi ’15 Amherst College (Soccer) •Played in 19 games for the Mammoths during his senior season; scored five goals and registered seven assists, leading the team in points in the fall.

Totaling 68 games played; 12 goals and 10 assists during his career.

• All-NESCAC Second Team honoree; • NESCAC Championship Tournament

Deerfield alumni/ae athletes took to the fields at colleges and universities across the nation this past fall season.

Congratulations to all on their successes! For stories about some of our collegiate athletes and current Deerfield students:

Mirjam Keochakian ’15 Mount Holyoke College (Field Hockey) • As a captain, started all 18 games one assist for a total of seven points.

for second straight year;

Scored the game-winning goal in a 3-1 victory over Westfield State on September 11, 2018; • NEWMAC Academic All-Conference, All-NEWMAC Second Team selection, and named All-New England East

Sweet Sixteen.

straight year;

• Played in 19 games in her senior campaign, registering two assists.

• Finished Mount Holyoke career having played in 75 contests, including 74 as a starter. Mirjam amassed 18 goals with 19 assists for 55 points, while

During career, played in 70 games,

adding four game-winning tallies.

scoring 21 goals and seven assists

Among the team’s record holders, she

for a total of 49 career points;

ranks 10th in all-time in career assists

• NEWMAC Conference Champions for the second consecutive year; • NCAA DIII Championship Tournament Round of 32.

and is 19th in all-time career points; • NEWMAC Championship Tournament Quarterfinalist.

Lucy Lytle ’15 Boston College (Field Hockey) • Team captain, played in all 19 games, starting in 16, tied for third most goals on the team with five and had three assists. Scored the first goal of the game in four consecutive contests (vs. North Carolina, vs. UMass, at Duke, and at Liberty); • In her career as an Eagle, played in 78 games scoring 26 goals and seven assists, totaling 59 career points; • ACC Championship Tournament Quarterfinalist.

74 | THE COMMON ROOM

• Played in 16 games; named ODAC All-Second team

Region Second Team for the second

MIT (Soccer)

Caroline Coppinger ’16 Washington and Lee University (Soccer)

she played, recorded three goals and

Semifinalists and NCAA DIII

Allie Hrabchak ’15

deerfield.edu/athletics

• ODAC Championship Tournament Quarterfinalists.

Elizabeth Growney ’16 Bowdoin (Field Hockey) • Started and played in 15 games for the Polar Bears. Registered nine goals and three assists during the fall 2018 campaign. Ranked third on the team in total points (19) in 2018; • NESCAC Championship Tournament Quarterfinalists.

Nina McGowan ’16 Williams (Field Hockey) • Played in 14 games, registering two goals; • NESCAC Championship Tournament Semifinalists.

Isabel Perry ’16 Williams (Field Hockey) • Played and started 17 games for the Ephs, registering five goals, three of which were game-winners, and four assists.

Tyreak Richardson ’16 New Hampshire (Football) • Played in two games for the Wildcats this season, helping the team earn their first win of the season against Holy Cross.

Jake Gallehdari ’17

Justin Masella ’17

Niko Kvietkus ’18

Johns Hopkins University (Football)

Colby (Football)

New Hampshire (Football)

• Played in eight games; totaled

• Played in two games for the Mules in

• Saw action in nine games this season;

two tackles, both unassisted,

fall 2018 season, recording two total

recorded five solo tackles and eight

and one pass breakup;

tackles, including one tackle for a loss.

in total.

• NCAA DIII National Championship Tournament Semifinalists.

Dallas Hobbs ’17 Washington State University (Football) • In redshirt freshman year, appeared in five games, making collegiate debut

Mike Bevino ’18 Colgate University (Football) • Played in 11 games; making three catches for a total of 31 yards,

and rushed for 20 yards, with longest carry for nine yards;

• 2018 Patriot League Champions & 2018 FCS Championship Tourna-

career tackle-for-loss against San Jose

ment Quarterfinalists;

• 2018 Valero Alamo Bowl Champions over Iowa State, 28-26; • Cougars recorded first 11-win season in program history in 2018 season.

Hunter Long ’17 Boston College (Football) • In redshirt freshman season, appeared in all 12 games at tight end. Hunter

• Colgate finished seventh in the final AFCA Coaches Poll and eighth in the STATS FCA Media/SID Poll.

Ali Dougal ’18 Bowdoin (Soccer) • Played in 14 games, registering one goal and two assists in her rookie campaign.

Brenna Hoar ’18

finished the season with four

Trinity College (Soccer)

receptions for 103 yards and two

• Played in seven games, which

touchdowns, grabbing a 26-yard reception in his debut vs. UMass and scored first career touchdown on a 35-yard catch vs. Holy Cross; • Eagles were selected to the SERVPRO First Response Bowl vs.

Boise State (game was canceled due to weather conditions).

Dartmouth (Football) • Played in two games during first year

amassing 21 yards on longest catch;

on defense at Wyoming, recorded first State;

Keegan McHugh ’18

• NESCAC Championship Tournament Semifinalists.

Josh Stevens ’18 Georgetown University (Football) • Played in six games on the offensive line in his rookie season with the Hoyas.

Erin Tudryn ’18 Molloy College (Field Hockey) • Appeared in 18 contests, earning 16 starts and logging 1162 minutes of action. Erin scored three goals in three straight contests.

included three conference games.

Cabrel Happi Kamseu ’18 University of Virginia (Soccer) • Played in 16 games, starting 14 in his rookie season; scored five goals, two of which were game-winners, and one assist; led team in goals and third on team in points; • NCAA Tournament Round of 16; • Named ACC All-Freshman team.

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ANNIE BLASBERG ’16 D A RT M O U T H S Q U A S H

BLEEDING GREEN...AGAIN / b y B o b Yo r k

“I fell in love with the school on my first visit; I loved the campus setting, I loved the team dynamics, and I loved the scholastic challenges I knew it would afford me.

It all reminded me of Deerfield.”

76 | THE COMMON ROOM

There is at least one aspect of Blasberg’s collegiate career that differs from her prep school days, however: She no longer competes in three sports—now she’s concentrating on just one.

“Coming to Dartmouth marked the first time I can remember playing just one sport,” said Blasberg, who also competed in soccer and lacrosse at Deerfield and was voted both captain and MVP of her squash and soccer teams her senior year. “I truly enjoyed playing three sports at Deerfield. It was encouraged, and I’m glad I did. Squash has always been my primary sport, but I think if I hadn’t competed in soccer and lacrosse at Deerfield and had concentrated solely on squash, I may have suffered burnout by now.”

Blasberg currently occupies the top seed atop a collegiate squash program that has enjoyed a storied history in the sport. Dartmouth has captured two of the past three Kurtz Cups, which is presented annually to the winner of the College Squash Association’s B Division, and has captured four cups since its inception for the 200910 postseason. The school can also boast of finishing in the Top-10 nationally every year this century.

Courtesy of Dartmouth College Athletics

Annie Blasberg enjoyed playing for the Big Green so much she decided to do it all over again. This time around, though, it’s not Deerfield Academy she’s competing for, it’s that institution up the road that also calls itself the Big Green: Dartmouth College.

As Blasberg enters the midway mark of her junior year at Dartmouth, school nicknames aren’t the only aspect of her athletic lifestyle that has remained the same: She still occupies the identical spot in Dartmouth’s squash lineup that she held at Deerfield: No. 1. And she still owns the same title for this season’s Big Green squad as she did during her senior year at Deerfield: Captain. Another striking similarity is that she has helped play a key role in making both clubs synonymous with the same adjective: winning. And Blasberg’s talents have helped both Big Green squash programs elevate themselves to an elite level among their peers in New England and throughout the country.

“Annie’s something really special,” said Hansi Wiens, the Dartmouth women’s squash coach. “We’re all extremely happy she decided to come play for us at Dartmouth. She’s a tremendous competitor, an outstanding leader, and a great student; she’s the epitome of a student-athlete.”

Wiens had little to worry about as far as Blasberg spurning a Big Green do-over; in addition to the schools’ nicknames, there were other aspects about Dartmouth that were similar to what she had come to know and love about Deerfield.

“When it came to the recruiting process, Dartmouth was my first choice,” said the highly-touted Blasberg, who was presented with the Jennie Maria Arms Sheldon Award her senior year at Deerfield for demonstrating excellence in academics and athletics, as well as the William B. Jaffe Award for exhibiting courage, leadership and sportsmanship in athletics. “I fell in love with the school on my first visit; I loved the campus setting, I loved the team dynamics, and I loved the scholastic challenges I knew it would afford me. It all reminded me of Deerfield.”

She still occupies the identical spot in Dartmouth’s squash lineup that she held at Deerfield:

No.1

And she still owns the same title for this season’s Big Green squad as she did during her senior year at Deerfield:

Captain Another striking similarity is that she has helped play a key role in making both clubs synonymous with the same adjective:

winning.

“Playing No. 1 at this level of the game isn’t easy,” said Wiens.

“Just about every time Annie steps onto the court, she’s competing against a world-class opponent.

The key to success here is to be patient and not to force things. It took Annie a while to learn that, but she’s come around. She now realizes if you’re patient and hang in there, you can win at No. I. At this point, I’d say she’s winning about 50 percent of her matches, and when you’re playing No. 1, at this level, that’s pretty darn good.

“Annie’s been a tremendous leader for us as well,” added Wiens, who also mentioned that in his decade at Dartmouth, Blasberg is just the second junior to ever be voted a team captain.

“She’s one of the most positive people you’ll ever meet, and her optimism has really rubbed off on everyone.”

Blasberg’s ascent to No. 1 at Dartmouth has been short and sweet; she began her freshman year at No. 2, and, after winning five matches her rookie year, earned a spot at the top. From there, she posted six wins her sophomore year.

At Deerfield, however, Blasberg’s road to No. 1 was more of a journey than a jaunt.

“Annie began her freshman season at No. 7,” remembers Karinne Heise, Deerfield girls squash coach. “From there, she continued to work hard and improve her game, and finished out her senior year at No. 1. She

was a fierce competitor, an outstanding player, and a great leader who was a tremendous role model for all of her teammates. Considering what she did here at Deerfield and the way she did it, I’m not surprised at all by the amount of success she’s achieved on the collegiate level.”

During Blasberg’s four years at Deerfield, the Big Green chalked up an astounding regular-season record of 35-2. Due to the geographical proximity of perennial powerhouse Greenwich Academy, however, the best Deerfield could manage at the New England Championships was three silver medals and one bronze.

“I feel very fortunate to have been a part of such an outstanding squash program at Deerfield,”

said Blasberg of a program that posted a second-place finish at the Nationals her freshman year.

“I think we all looked forward to the weekly challenge match at practice; we’d square off against each other once a week and often it was much stiffer competition than we’d face during many of our matches.

“I also appreciate having had the opportunity to play for someone like Coach Heise,” added Blasberg. “She was a real stable force in my life during my four years at Deerfield. I could talk with her about anything—especially on those long bus rides back to Deerfield.” //

77

J U S T A D D W AT E R / b y B o b Yo r k

MILES S M AC H LO ’16

Water seems to be the only ingredient the Smachlo family has ever needed to create a recipe for success in their athletic arena. No end zones. No hoops. No goals . . . other than shooting for the opposite end of the pool.

Siblings Alex and Julia did just that during their swimming careers, and more often than not, they got there before their opponents did at Andover and Bates College before throwing in the towel following their senior seasons at Bates in 2015 and 2017, respectively. At Bates, Julia earned All-American status. Now all that’s left on the family sonar screen is little brother Miles, and he’s come up big: He’s currently ranked among the elite collegiate swimmers throughout the country in his specialty: the butterfly.

Although Miles followed his brother and sister to the prep school ranks, he shunned the Big Blue of Andover for the Big Green.

78 | THE COMMON ROOM

“I was primarily interested in getting a great education,” said the Rexford, NY, native.

“What originally caught my attention about Deerfield was that I was interested in attending a school where I could really grow, develop, and explore different opportunities, and the more I learned about Deerfield, the more I felt it would be a perfect fit for me.

“As for the swimming program,” he added, “I watched many of my brother’s and sister’s meets at Andover and I got to see numerous teams; whenever I watched Deerfield, I always came away impressed by the way its swimmers competed.”

Walt Middleton

M I C H I G A N SW I M M E R

During Miles’ four seasons at Deerfield, the 2016 grad earned 15 All-American nominations for posting times within the top 100 finishes throughout the country. Five of those kudos came his senior year, as did the Babcock Award, which is annually presented to the male New England Prep School Swimming Conference Student-Athlete of the Year, and the John A. Pigeon Award, which goes to Deerfield’s outstanding male swimmer.

As for college, Smachlo spurned the Division III scene that had enticed his siblings and ended up at one of the biggest Division I venues in the country: the University of Michigan.

Entering his junior season at Michigan, Smachlo attained College Swimming Coaches Association of America All-American honors in the 200-yard butterfly, and contributed to Michigan’s second-place finish at the Big Ten Championships.

All of Miles’ successes, however, have come with a price; this past summer he was diagnosed with a rare vascular condition called Popliteal Artery Entrapment Syndrome (PAES) and underwent corrective surgeries in June and August.

“It affects the legs, as the muscles and tendons near the knee enlarge and compress the popliteal artery, which is the main artery that runs behind the knee,” explained Smachlo.

“And then compression of this artery restricts blood flow to the lower legs and feet.”

Some patients, like Miles, suffer from a type of PAES known as functional PAES, in which the condition developed over time; exercise can sometime lead to enlarged calf muscles that compress the popliteal artery.

“I never had much feeling in my toes, but having had this condition all my life, I never really thought that much about it—it’s all I’ve ever known,” said Smachlo.

Last year the situation really began to deteriorate, though. “I would wake up to my calves cramping at night, and just walking to class or going up a flight of stairs was like running a marathon; my calves would be burning with exhaustion and tingling for a long time as blood flowed back into them.”

DURING MILES’ FOUR SEASONS AT DEERFIELD, THE 2016 GRAD EARNED 15 ALL-AMERICAN NOMINATIONS FOR POSTING TIMES WITHIN THE TOP 100 FINISHES THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY. FIVE OF THOSE KUDOS CAME HIS SENIOR YEAR, AS DID THE BABCOCK AWARD, WHICH IS ANNUALLY PRESENTED TO THE MALE NEW ENGLAND PREP SCHOOL SWIMMING CONFERENCE STUDENT-ATHLETE OF THE YEAR, AND THE JOHN A. PIGEON AWARD, WHICH GOES TO DEERFIELD’S OUTSTANDING MALE SWIMMER.

Finally, last May, Smachlo turned to the University of Michigan Cardiovascular Center for help.

“I feel extremely fortunate to have finally gotten a diagnosis,” said Smachlo, who underwent surgery on both legs last summer, during which some muscles were stripped of fibrous bands. “Not only did I finally find out exactly what was affecting me, but I was also told that if this problem had gone undetected, it could have eventually damaged my arteries to the point that my legs might have needed to be amputated.”

“Miles deserves a lot of credit,” said Josh White, associate head coach of the men’s swim team at Michigan. “Elite athletes are more in tune with their bodies than most people; they know when something isn’t right, and Miles kept insisting that something wasn’t right and he kept seeking answers until he found one.

“I think his teammates have learned a lot from his ability to deal with setbacks, and I know the coaching staff certainly has,” added White. “He’s exhibited a great deal of courage throughout this situation and considering what he’s endured mentally and physically while maintaining such a high level of competitiveness—that’s truly incredible.”

Miles departed Deerfield either owning or sharing a school and/or New England record in seven events. Those blue-ribbon performances included both New England and school marks in the 200-medley relay, 200-freestyle, 200-individual medley, 100-butterfly and 100-freestyle. He also helped earn

schools records in the 200- and 400-freestyle relays. Now, he’s hoping his future in swimming will be even brighter than his past.

“It’s exciting to think about what the future could hold,” said Smachlo, an Academic All-Big Ten and CSCAA Scholar All-American, who received permission from his doctors around mid-September to begin swimming again. “If all goes well, who knows how much more I might be able to shave off my times.”

According to White, Smachlo has earned All-American status in the 200-yard butterfly, and has already trimmed a good number of ticks off his primary event since coming to Michigan.

“Since the summer following his senior year at Deerfield until the summer following his freshman year here, Miles shaved five full seconds off his 200-butterfly time,” said White.

“In other words, in one year, he went from not even having an Olympic Trials qualifying time to owning the eighth best time in that event in the entire country . . . that’s amazing stuff.”

As of this writing, Smachlo had a breakout swim in the 100-yard butterfly at the Big Ten Championships, placing first and achieving the fastest time in Division 1 NCAA in the country so far. He also set a new Michigan record as the first Michigan man under :45 seconds in the 100-yard butterfly.

And with the mixture of success, courage, and determination that Miles Smachlo has exhibited while reaching the other end of the pool throughout his life, there’s a chance he’ll earn a spot on the 2020 USA Olympic men’s swim team roster. //

79

local movement

Photographs by Peter Ray ’71

80 | THE COMMON ROOM

Peter Ray, also a senior, had spent a busy winter as co-captain of the varsity swim team, but according to Ray, his spring term senior project was “loosely (based) around photographing Deerfield.” And as photo editor of the ’71 Pocumtuck with classmate Rory Cowan, he more often than not carried his camera.

“I was mostly shooting black and white film then,” said Ray recently, “so the fact that I have so many (color) slides of this says that it was kind of special.”

According to the Scroll, the five-hour event began around 4:00 pm on the Greenfield Town Common, where marchers disembarked from buses and began walking up Federal Street to Veterans’ Field for speeches and “group singing.” At the conclusion of the event, the protesters held a cleanup operation and “had departed by 9:30 pm or their respective schools.”

The only blemish on the peaceful and well-organized event was a group of “alleged Vietnam War veterans” who were part of the march and were highly criticized by some town residents for “unruly conduct and the use of profanity en route to the rally.”

Tooey Rogers contended that the disruptive group was “eventually silenced due to the persuasion of the student parade marshals and the cooperation of the majority with those marshals, many of whom were Deerfield students.”

<< From the 1971 yearbook: “Peter Ray: Photographic Editor”

H I ST O RY L E S S O N: On May 5, 1971, about 135 Deerfield students joined in an anti-war march and rally just up the road from the Academy in Greenfield.

The march coincided with the May Day Protests in Washington, DC, which was a series of large-scale demonstrations against the Vietnam War. According to the June 4, 1971 Deerfield Scroll, Deerfield senior and protest organizer Arthur “Tooey” Rogers said that the Greenfield march, which included about 500 protesters in total—most being students from other local high schools including “Mount Hermon” and “Northfield,” prior to the schools merging that same year—was a “demonstration for peace with a rational approach.”

Greenfield, MA May 5, 1971

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82

This page: Top: Headmaster David Pynchon walks and talks with event organizer Arthur “Tooey” Rogers ’71

83

This page: Above: Donald “Red” Sullivan had retired from the Academy, but came to watch the event at the corner of East Cleveland and Federal Streets. Right: (l to r) on guitar, Bruce Vandusen ’71, Bill Casler ’71, and Bob Lawson ’71; in the center of the crowd, toward the back, with a shock of white hair and beard, language teacher Kimberly Bush and English teacher Robert McGlynn (in a gray hat).

84 | THE COMMON ROOM

85

D I V E R S I T Y & I N C L U S I O N E V E N T / N Y C , JA N UA R Y 2 0 1 9 This well-attended event included reflections on diversity and inclusion from Dr. Margarita Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Byrne Curtis; they included her move to the United States in her youth to her experiences in diversity & inclusion professionally.

S E E EV E N M O R E F R I E N D LY FAC E S !

flickr.com/deerfieldalumni

86 | THE COMMON ROOM

L O O K FO R U P C O M I N G EV E N TS :

deerfield.edu/events

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1946 1949 1950 1951 1951 1952 1952 1953 1954 1954 1955 1956 1958 1961 1961 1962 1963 1963 1964 1964 1965 1966 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1972 1972 1973 1973 1973 1975 1975 1976 1976 1977 1977 1977 1978 1978

Gerald Lauderdale Harvey Battell Loomis R. Warren Breckenridge Sherwood L. Anderson John B. Bell John Robin Allen Richard F. Boyden Hugh R. Smith Philip R. Chase Gordon R. Knight Michael D. Grant Joseph B. Twichell Bruce D. Grinnell Jon W. Barker Thomas M. Poor Dwight E. Zeller Peter A. Acly Stuart S. Orrick Neal S. Garonzik Robert S. Lyle Andrew R. Steele David H. Bradley Peter P. Drake Douglas F. Allen John W. Walbridge Douglas W. Squires G. Kent Kahle K. C. Ramsay Bradford Warren Agry Michael C. Perry Robert Dell Vuyosevich Lawrence C. Jerome Samuel A. Wardwell Thomas K. Whitehurst Dwight R. Hilson Peter M. Schulte Marshall F. Campbell David R. DeCamp James Paul MacPherson J. H. Tucker Smith Wayne W. Wall Paul J. S. Haigney Stephen R. Quazzo

88 | THE COMMON ROOM

Class Captain Class Captain Class Captain Class Captain Class Captain Class Captain Class Captain Class Captain Reunion Chair Reunion Chair Class Captain Class Captain Class Captain Class Captain Class Captain Class Captain Class Captain Class Captain Reunion Chair Reunion Chair Class Captain Class Captain Class Captain Class Captain Class Captain Reunion Chair Class Captain Class Captain Class Captain Class Captain Class Captain Class Captain Class Captain Class Captain Class Captain Class Captain Class Captain Class Captain Class Captain Class Captain Class Captain Class Captain Class Captain

1979 1979 1979 1979 1980 1980 1981 1982 1983 1983 1984 1984 1985 1986 1986 1987 1987 1988 1989 1989 1989 1990 1991 1991 1991 1992 1992 1992 1992 1992

John J. Dinneen Marcus B. Dowd Arthur Ryan Dwight Daniel F. Goss John B. Mattes Paul M. Nowak Kurt F. Ostergaard Frank H. Reichel John G. Knight J. Douglas Schmidt B. Barrett Hinckley David A. Rancourt Sydney M. Williams Henri R. Cattier Michael W. Chorske John D. Amorosi Andrew P. Bonanno Oscar K. Anderson Gustave K. Lipman Edward S. Williams Edward S. Williams Jeb S. Armstrong J. Nathaniel Arata Andrew W. Lodge Timothy B. Weymouth Elizabeth B. Cooper Kristina I. Hess Jeffrey Morrison McDowell Raymond Laurence Walker Hardy Grumman Watts

Reunion Chair Reunion Chair Reunion Chair Class Captain Class Captain Class Captain Class Captain Class Captain Class Captain Class Captain Reunion Chair Reunion Chair Class Captain Class Captain Class Captain Class Captain Class Captain Class Captain Reunion Chair Class Captain Reunion Chair Class Captain Class Captain Class Captain Class Captain Class Captain Class Captain Class Captain Class Captain Class Captain

1993 1993 1993 1993 1993 1993 1993 1994 1994 1994 1994 1995 1995 1996 1997 1997 1998 1999 1999 1999 1999 1999 1999 2000 2000 2001 2002 2002 2002 2003 2003

Kimberly Ann Capello Christopher T. DeRosa Garrett P. James Charlotte York Matthews Shantel C. Moses Sarah D. Weihman Marjorie Gibbons Widener Eleanor A. Bueno Sherlock V. Grigsby Kristen Currier Hintze Adam Brian Sichol Paula Taryn Edgar Daniel D. Meyer Leslie W. Yeransian Amy Sodha Harsch Margot M. Pfohl Ashley Muldoon Lavin Amory Bradley Barnes Diana Torres Hawken Alexander Hooker Mejia Reed Weeden Minor Christopher Colin Wallace Michael P. Weissman Emily Battle Lisa Rosemary Craig Adam Joseph Sureau Dorothy Elizabeth Decarlo William Malcolm Dorson Terrence Paul Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Toole Eric David Grossman Tara Ann Tersigni

4s& 9s

Class Captain Class Captain Class Captain Class Captain Class Captain Class Captain Class Captain Reunion Chair Reunion Chair Reunion Chair Reunion Chair Class Captain Class Captain Class Captain Class Captain Class Captain Class Captain Reunion Chair Reunion Chair Reunion Chair Reunion Chair Reunion Chair Reunion Chair Class Captain Class Captain Class Captain Class Captain Class Captain Class Captain Class Captain Class Captain

2004 2004 2004 2004 2005 2005 2005 2006 2007 2007 2009 2009 2009 2009 2009 2009 2009 2009 2009 2010 2010 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2014 2014 2014 2015 2016 2017 2017

Nicholas Zachary Hammerschlag Alexander Mark Kleiner Carolyn Redfield Romney Caroline C. Whitton H. Jett Fein Anne R. Gibbons Bentley J. Rubinstein Davis A. Rosborough Elizabeth Conover Cowan Jennifer Ross Rowland William Joseph Civitillo Kathryn Moir Clinard Samantha Jan Hilson Yongju Jason Jung Matthew Nicholas Lu Elizabeth Winifred Olchowski Elizabeth Utley Schieffelin Nicholas W. Squires Sterling Wardwell Emily Fox Blau West Dauphinot Hubbard Emilie Ottaway Murphy Sergio Arturo Morales Carley George Porter Madeline Elena McGraw Sidney Elizabeth Hulburd Michael Robert Lively Xavier Zak Salvador Margaret Stediford Shilling Margaret Emma McGraw Charles Folks Carpenter Mary Glass deLisser Anshi Jeffrey Sun

Class Captain Reunion Chair Reunion Chair Class Captain Class Captain Class Captain Class Captain Class Captain Class Captain Class Captain Reunion Chair Reunion Chair Reunion Chair Reunion Chair Reunion Chair Reunion Chair Reunion Chair Reunion Chair Reunion Chair Class Captain Class Captain Class Captain Class Captain Class Captain Class Captain Reunion Chair Reunion Chair Reunion Chair Reunion Chair Class Captain Class Captain Class Captain Class Captain

CLASS CAPTAINS & REUNION CHAIRS

REUNIONS / JUNE 6-9 DEERFIELD.EDU/REUNIONS

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IN MEMORIAM

90 | THE COMMON ROOM

1937

1949

1961

Robert Daniel Graff

John Dexter Camp, Jr.

John Anderson Payne

January 27, 2019

December 19, 2015

November 16, 2018

1938

David Sargent Hazelton October 31, 2018

1942

Thomas Kingsford Sisson October 2, 2018

1943

Thomas Wells Bradley * September 30, 2018

1944

E. Garrett Bewkes, Jr. January 7, 2019

1945

John Davidson Fogarty Unknown

Laurence Bache Rossbach, Jr. December 23, 2018

1948

Robert Otis Clapp September 9, 2018

Charles Dunlap Shriver January 20, 2019

Frederick Adler Klingenstein

Richard Thompson Stuart

January 5, 2019

November 30, 2018

1950

1966

William Hampshire Stetson

Mark E. Engle

January 3, 2019

December 16, 2017

Jack Harrison Vining, Sr.

Ellis Laurimore Phillips, III

February 2, 2019

October 31, 2018

1951

1967

William H. Crandall

Thomas Dixon Hedges

October 31, 2016

November 14, 2018

1952

1973

Frederick Earl Bikle

Christopher Stuart Pitcairn

October 13, 2017

January 7, 2019

1953

1974

James Russell Donnelley

Stephen MacDonald Kendall

September 25, 2018

November 4, 2018

1954

1979

Francis Alfred Harrington, Jr.

Robert Nash Lee

November 5, 2017

March 29, 2017

James William Hunt

1983

September 22, 2018

Robert Frederick Meyer

Samuel Zales January 15, 2019

October 5, 2016

* Boyden Society Member In Memoriam as of February 12, 2019.

Please go to deerfield.edu/commonroom for the most up-to-date information on classmates, including obituaries.

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F I R S T P E R S O N / Yingtong Guo ’18

Revisiting Deerfield’s Return to Coeducation

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F I R S T P E R S O N / Yingtong Guo ’18

Yingtong Guo, currently in her first year at UCLA, was one of two inaugural Montague Grant recipients last spring.

Funded by Richard W. Montague ’52, the grant promotes research and writing on the history and purpose of Deerfield Academy to current students. Using documents from the Academy Archives, Yingtong examined the early days of the Academy’s “return to coeducation” in 1989, and using her research as a starting point, she reflected on the progress of gender equality at Deerfield and in the world at large through that 29-year lens.

What follows is an excerpted version of Yingtong’s essay.

In the early 1970s, some of Deerfield’s peer schools, such as Phillips Academy Andover and Choate Rosemary Hall merged with existing girls’ schools, while others, such as Phillips Academy Exeter, Hotchkiss, and Groton, simply started admitting female students. By the 1980s, single-sex schools still existed, but they already faced stiff competition from coeducational institutions. As Michael Cary— then Deerfield’s dean of admission noted—“many fine students never put Deerfield on their list.” The school’s ever-thinning pile of applications made it clear that it was failing to attract the best and the brightest not only due to the ineligibility of half of the teenage population to try their luck, but also because of the reluctance of many of the ablest boys to enroll in a male-only institution.

After the Board of Trustees voted twenty for and two against coeducation on January 30, 1988, then-Headmaster Robert Kaufmann sent a letter addressed to all members of the Deerfield community, reminding them of the school’s purpose: “recruiting the best and most diverse student body and assembling the strongest faculty,” and informing them that these goals “were best accomplished in a coeducational setting.”

However, many still saw Deerfield’s exceptional ethos as inextricably intertwined with its traditional maleness. In a poll conducted in the Deerfield Scroll three months prior to the Board vote, two-thirds of the senior class and 57 percent of the school as a whole (faculty and staff) had opposed the revolutionary decision.

“How could the trustees still stand there smiling,” asked one senior, “while they watched hundreds of mournful Deerfield boys, loyal to the end, choking back tears while singing our school songs as Mr. Kaufmann made his declaration?”

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In spite of such resistance, a transition plan went into motion.

The camaraderie and loyalty Deerfield boys felt toward each other resulted not from their maleness, Mr. Kaufmann countered, but from their strong sense of community and collaborative pursuit of excellence, which a female presence would only support and expand. By emphasizing that his students’ qualities “were not gender-based,” Mr. Kaufmann expressed his belief in the inherent potential of teenage girls—a belief that explains the thoroughness of his preparations for the following school year.

GETTING READY From the Dining Hall to dormitories, subtle, yet important, changes were made. Coaches were assigned to newly-formed girls’ varsity teams and a part-time dance instructor was hired to teach ballet, modern, and tap to students at all levels. To ensure representation of the female gender, the Student Council planned to welcome girls to its ranks from each of the classes; other organizations, such as the Peer Counselors and the Christian Fellowship, reserved special leadership positions for 1989’s women visionaries. And a “Style Committee” that included students and faculty announced that all Deerfield awards could be presented to either gender, with the exception of one, the McDermott Prize. A comparable “sister prize” was soon announced.

New rules were established and previously unnecessary services were put in place: On Fridays between 8:00 and 10:00pm and on Saturdays between 8:00 and 11:00pm, students were given permission to visit members of the opposite sex in their rooms, as long as doors stood open and lights burnt brightly. The school did not endorse adolescent sexual activity, but the Health Center would offer contraceptive counseling and pregnancy testing as requested.

During the spring of 1989, a lecture series delivered by invited educators ranging from professors at Dartmouth College to the headmistress of Miss Porter’s School spoke on topics that included “A Non-sexist Curriculum—Teaching Science to Girls and Boys” and “Women in the Arts,” among others.

After the Board of Trustees voted twenty for and two against coeducation on January 30, 1988, then-Headmaster Robert Kaufmann sent a letter addressed to all members of the Deerfield community, reminding them of the school’s purpose: “recruiting the best and most diverse student body and assembling the strongest faculty,” and informing them that these goals “were best accomplished in a coeducational setting.”

Moreover, Mr. Kaufmann believed that the community needed to see “not only women in leadership roles, but also women on a numerical parity with men.” In addition to female faculty, a female stock clerk and a female security guard were hired to replace male employees who had retired.

A list of neutral synonyms was compiled in an effort to replace ostracizing terms in Deerfield’s common vocabulary. “Chairman,” for example, became “chair,” while “masters” and “corridor masters” would be called “teachers” and “faculty residents.” Likewise, “son” was changed to “one” in the “Deerfield Evensong.”

By providing equal campus housing, offering an education inside and outside the classroom, and hiring new staff members who might serve as mother figures and role models to both girls and boys, as well as combating the stereotypical thinking of some of the pre-coeducation student body, Mr. Kaufmann was striving to keep Deerfield’s new girls healthy and safe. He helped facilitate their search for friends and mentors, nurture the community’s respect for their goals and accomplishments, and placed them in positions to become leaders on and off campus.

A GREAT AND (NOT SO) SUDDEN CHANGE In Frankenstein, Mary Shelley wrote that “nothing is so painful to the human mind as a great and sudden change,” and in the winter of 1989, Deerfield’s Admission Office could have opted for more radical models of girls’ enrollment. Proposals included a “flex model” that permitted a three to two proportion of new girls to new boys in all grades but the twelfth, while an “accelerated model” allowed at least eighty percent more girls than boys to enter the three under classes. However, the committee settled on a conservative “parity model,” which proposed accepting girls and boys in equal numbers over a four-year period. By the fall of 1989, 104 female boarders and 95 male boarders had decided to join the Deerfield community.

A decade later, when a retired Mr. Kaufmann returned to Deerfield to give a speech that celebrated the transformations the school had undergone over the prior ten years, he noted that from 1981 to 1988, the number of seniors who continued to pursue their studies at Ivy League colleges rose from 59 to 67 percent. In 1998 and 1999, that number had reached a figure close to 90 percent.

And although student matriculation constitutes only one measure of a school’s quality, colleges seemed to agree that Deerfield had begun turning out more academic, artistic, and athletic high achievers after 1989.

Senior faculty who had taught at Deerfield since the 1970s confirmed that the school’s co-curriculars had grown in diversity and popularity. The dance program, which initially comprised only two class levels and a dance activity that satisfied the athletic requirement, had also assembled a faculty troupe. The Rhapso-D’s, the female a cappella group, complemented the Mellow-D’s, their male equivalents in popularity. Above all, school publications and community service were thriving, while both girls and boys athletics teams displayed admirable confidence, commitment, and success.

Pleased with a capable and flourishing student body, the alumni— even those who had attended an all-male Deerfield—were supporting their school with an unprecedented eagerness through a capital campaign. For the previous nine graduating classes, moreover, these donors were slightly more likely to be girls than boys.

Lastly, many agreed that the girls’ presence had made Deerfield a more humane place. Not only had good humor—without malice and sarcasm—crossed gender lines, but the campus enjoyed a more relaxed and accessible atmosphere without the vehemence that had sometimes plagued fields and classrooms in years prior.

Since Deerfield’s return to coeducation, the Academy’s mission has included raising not only informed leaders and considerate girls and boys aware of gender issues, but also young women and young men who balance their bodies, minds, and souls. Perhaps Deerfield’s success in achieving this has actually stemmed from its old reputation among ex-boys-only institutions as the last bastion for stereotypically male values, which are often dismissed as elitist and outdated today. “Because it was 1989,” Mr. Kaufmann said, “everyone expected us to do better. We had to be good enough so that three years in, we’d look as good as Andover did after 15.”

For a secluded community such as Deerfield’s to catch up with American society, however, students, faculty, staff, and alumni needed a motivator a little stronger than outside pressure. Indeed, I believe they were driven from within by a desire to live up to our motto: “Be worthy of your heritage.” //

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WO R D S E A RC H P UZZ L E

KEY WORDS

FLANNEL

HIEMS

POET

SINGLET

AGRICULTURE

GLORY

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will reveal a line from a famous poem. Send it to Communications Office, PO Box 87, Deerfield, MA 01342, and you’ll be entered to win a DEERFIELD ZIP-TOTE AND SUN HAT! (The winner will be chosen at random

do not circle backwards words.

WIN THESE!

Fill in the blanks to reveal the hidden phrase: “ _ / _ _ _ _ / _ _ _ _ _ _ / _ _ _ / _ _ _ _ _ _ / _ _ _ / _ _ _ _ _ _ / _ _ / _ _ _ / _ _ _ _ / _ _ _ / _ _ _ /_ _ _ _ _ / _ _ / _ _ _ _ / _ _ _ / _ _ _ _ _ / _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ / _ _ _ / _ _ _ _ _ _ / _ _ _ _ _ _ / _ _ _ _ _ _ .” — E L I ZA B ET H B I S H O P

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More gear at: store.deerfield.edu

D E E R F I E L D M AG AZ I N E ’S

OBJECT LESSON E DWA R D H I T C H C O C K’S VERSION OF A “ T I N Y L OV E ST O RY ” 1 8 14

Deerfield Academy Archives

This poem was written by geologist Edward Hitchcock just before his 21st birthday— two years before he became the Academy’s 13th “preceptor.” It is addressed to his close friend, Jackson Dickinson, Demens ab amore (mad for love), just before Dickinson’s marriage to Harriet Cooley.

It seems that Hitchcock was not only fond of his friend, but had a well-developed sense of humor, too. Classics teacher and wrestling coach Dan Houston noted, “Hitchcock seems to be paraphrasing the Roman author Seneca (c. 4 BC-AD 65). One of his “commonplaces” was amor formae rationis oblivio est et insaniae proximus [the love of appearance is the oblivion of reason and closest to insanity].

Outside the quotation, Hitchcock added a tag of his own: nempe cum bonis [certainly among good (people)]. //

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DE E RF I E LD M A G A Z I N E

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