Deerfield Academy 7 Boyden Lane Deerfield, MA 01342
Winter Issue Two Thousand Ten: Vol. 16
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Topics Today
Executive Committee Creates The Ashley Award by P.B. Weymouth ’83, President of the Executive Committee of the Alumni Association
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Alumni Making a Big Difference: Hale, Koch, Trovato Although decades separate their Deerfield graduations, three alumni were simultaneously in the news this past fall for their generous contributions to society. David Koch ’58 was recognized for his multimillion dollar donation to the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History, which will fund a new exhibition hall dedicated to the discovery and understanding of human origins. Rob Hale ’84 and Peter Trovato ’01 were acknowledged for the three million dollars they have raised for the Massachusetts Soldiers Legacy Fund, which helps to defray college education costs for the children of fallen Massachusetts’ servicemen and women.
In a press release from the Smithsonian, Mr. Koch said, “Remarkable advances in the
understanding of human evolution are taking place at the Smithsonian Institution as part of the Human Origins Initiative. The program has the power to influence the way we view our identity as humans, not only today, but for generations to come. I am happy to offer this gift as an indication of the importance it holds in my own life and the significance I feel it offers the whole of humankind.”
Alumni Association Executive Committee 2009-2010 Mrs. Elizabeth Greer Anderson '94 Mr. Oscar K. Anderson III '88
The David H. Koch Hall of Human Origins is scheduled to open on March 17, 2010, which also happens to mark the 100-year anniversary of the museum’s official opening on the National Mall. Visitors to the 15,000-square-foot hall will be immersed in a unique, interactive museum experience illuminating the major milestones in the origin of human beings and the drama of climate change, survival, and extinction that have characterized humans’ ancient past. The grand opening celebration will include a number of special events, a human evolution and climate change symposium, educational outreach with resources for students and teachers, and other activities for visitors of all ages. In addition, to assist with public engagement around the exhibition, the museum has assembled the Broader Social Impacts Committee, with members from a range of cultural perspectives, to support dialogue about science and religion.
The fund that Peter Trovato began with a check for $50 is now worth $3 million, thanks to his
efforts and a partnership with Granite Telecommunications, and Granite CEO Rob Hale. According to an article in the Boston Business Journal, just five years
ago Mr. Trovato came up with the idea to help the children of fallen soldiers attend college, but he also said, “The Massachusetts Soldiers Legacy Fund wouldn’t have gotten off the ground if it wasn’t for the support of Rob Hale and Granite Telecommunications.” “I liked the fact that the MSL Fund was specific and a grass-roots effort to honor veterans and their families in our community,” Mr. Hale said. “Those were all the ingredients that mattered to us.” When the MSL Fund began, Mr. Hale said, its goal was to raise $600,000. The goal then moved to $2 million. Then $3 million. “We’ve eclipsed all of them,” he said. Five years ago, there were 20 children eligible; now there are 51. The MSL Fund awards up to $10,000 per year, per son or daughter attending a four-year college. “We’d love to give full scholarships but as the number grows and the cost of education goes up . . . it’s still an internal goal,” said Mr. Trovato. “We try to provide as much support to each child as we can.” “Our mission will end when the war ends and with luck that won’t be much longer,” said Mr. Hale. “However, we’ll be there as long as there is a need. We’re honored to be a part of this cause.”
then & now: The Deerfield Scroll
With pride and excitement, the Executive Committee of the Alumni Association is happy to announce “The Ashley Award,” which will be presented annually to a young alumnus or alumna (someone who has graduated in the last 20 years) beginning in the spring of 2011! In its efforts to continuously innovate ways to both engage and recognize alumni/ae, the Executive Committee created this award after it determined that the Alumni Association was missing an important opportunity for recognition, particularly of those involved in service. The committee hopes that uniting the concepts of “service” and “young alumni/ae” will result in honoring these deserving Deerfield graduates, who could then serve as guideposts for current students, and model an example of service for their fellow alumni/ae. Due to the fact that Tom Ashley exemplified this ideal of service in many ways, the committee enthusiastically agreed to name the award after him. “Tom Ashley” is a name that all students hear when they enter Deerfield, and as seniors they sit together and listen to the Tom Ashley story the night before Commencement, to be reminded of the selfless man who so inspired Mr. Boyden. Even so, many students may not know how integral Tom was to the founding of the academy as we know it today. For those who need a refresher, Tom Ashley was a local farm boy who attended Deerfield early in the 20th century, then Amherst College, before returning to the
Ms. Sara E. di Bonaventura '01
Tom Ashley ’11 is remembered for his loyalty to Deerfield, his outstanding character, and his tireless service to others. The Ashley Award is given annually to a young alumnus or alumna who demonstrates Tom’s character and devotion to a people, cause, or place through unwavering volunteer service. academy in 1916 to teach history. Before he enlisted in the Marine Corps, his time at Deerfield was devoted to helping plan the campus, developing a school mission statement, and creating a school catalogue. He once wrote that Deerfield’s mission was “intellectual development, a desire to do service through influence, and a high standard of character;” and, “If the spirit of Deerfield Academy could be condensed into a word, that word would be ‘loyalty.’” Tom Ashley was killed in 1918 while serving his country during World War I, but his “unswerving idealism” will never be forgotten. In the spring of 2011 and in subsequent years, the Ashley Award recipient will come to campus to address the student body and faculty. We look forward to your participation in the nominating process!
Nominations for the 2011 inaugural award will be accepted up until September 1, 2010. To submit a nomination go to deerfield.edu/go/ashleyaward or contact Mimi Morsman at 413.774.1586 or lmorsman@deerfield.edu.
The content and format may have changed over the years but The Scroll is still a great source of information on campus.
REUNIONS: ZEROS AND FIVES SAVE THE DATES! June 10-13, 2010
Mr. Rick Anderson '72, P'10, P'12 Mr. Bayard T. DeMallie III '80
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circa 1959
2009
Mr. John J. Dinneen III '79 Mr. Malcolm Dorson '02 Mr. David B. Findlay Jr. '51, P'76, G'03, '05, '08
If your class year ends in a “0” or “5”, hope you’ve got the dates for Reunion
Dr. Edward G. Flickinger '65
Weekend on your calendars! Some reasons to Rally in the Valley: See friends and
Mr. Peter W. Gonzalez '62, P'94, P'97, Emeritus Mr. David S. Hagerman '64, P'99
former teachers Visit the beautiful campus Listen to commentary from fellow
Ms. Judith Hegedus '92
alumni on current world events Share Deerfield with your family Be welcomed
Mr. Hudson Holland III '84
by incredibly friendly staff Enjoy the clambake Play a class softball game
Mr. Steven N. Katz '70
Feel the relaxed atmosphere Bond with alumni from classes other than your
Mr. Gordon R. (Zeke) Knight '54, G'03, Ex-Officio Mr. Rush M. McCloy '92
own Meet Head of School Margarita Curtis Pick up where you left off 50 or
Mr. Richard M. McKelvey '79, P'10, P'13
more years ago Benefit from the wonderful combination of “downtime” and
Mr. John P. B. Moran '58
“programming” Utilize the magnificent childcare program Experience again
Ms. Margot Pfohl '97 Mr. John F. Rand '65, P'09, P'13, P'13
“the Deerfied touch.” Pre-registration (featuring reduced rates) takes place from
Mr. Walter S. Tomenson III '95
December 1, 2009 until mid-March 2010. Hope to see you in June!
Mr. Okechukwu Ugwonali '98 Ms. Cassandra Walters '00
deerfield.edu/go/reunions
Mr. Philip B. (P.B.) Weymouth III '83, President
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The Rowland Family Field was
dedicated on October 24, 2009. Girls Varsity Field Hockey Head Coach Kim Wright said, “It’s fitting that this new field, which allows Deerfield field hockey to play at a higher level, will always bear the Rowland name, because Jen (Rowland ’07), or J-Ro, as we called her, was one of the most intense competitors I have ever coached. She was a ball of fire who loved the game and pushed herself and her teammates to be better every day . . .” In response, Jen said, “Don’t ever settle for ties, never accept losses. This isn’t a team built on mediocrity—whatever it takes, find your voracious, insatiable appetites for excellence and fill them until your body gives out . . . ”
The Debate Team documentary, A Call for
Civil Discourse, screened on November 14 at the third annual Youth Film Showcase in nearby Amherst, MA, along with other student-made videos inspired by themes of peace and social justice.
Trustee Rodge Cohen ’61, P’99 was featured
in a November 15, 2009 article in The New York Times titled “Rodge
Cohen, The Trauma Surgeon of Wall Street.”
Among other things, according to the article, Mr. Cohen’s influence over Wall Street is both “legendary and pervasive.” Full text at nytimes.com, search for “Rodge Cohen.”
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