Bulletin Fall 2023

ST. GEORGE’S

THE BULLETIN OF ST. GEORGE’S SCHOOL // FALL 2023

The student band, The Tooners, performs during Spring Dance Weekend 2023.

ST. GEORGE’S

FEATURES

8 Merck legacy lives on as new academic dean takes the helm

Introducing Dr. Gretchen Boger

10 Schmaltz Family Wellness Center opens to rave reviews

Joyful ribbon-cutting ceremony draws a crowd

18 Head of School Michael C. Wirtz ready to lead St. George’s 13th head joined the community on July 1

24 ‘The Exceptions’

A new book by Kate Zernike ’86 explores the challenges of women in science

DEPARTMENTS

02 Letter from the Head of School

03 Campus News

23 Alumni News

34 Class Notes

79 Student Essay

81 From the Archives

ON THE COVER

13th Head of School

Michael C. Wirtz

PHOTO BY ANDREA HANSEN

used are Antwerp, Brix Sans and Brix Slab. Please send

© 2023 St. George's School

OUR MISSION The specific objectives of St. George’s are to give its students the opportunity of developing to the fullest extent possible the particular gifts that are theirs and to encourage in them the desire to do so. Their immediate job after leaving school is to handle successfully the demands of college; later it is hoped that their lives will be ones of constructive service to the world and to God.

Today, we continue to teach our students the value of learning and achievement, service to others and respect for the individual. We believe that these goals can best be accomplished by exposing students to a wide range of ideas and choices in the context of a rigorous curriculum and a supportive residential community. Therefore, we welcome students and teachers of various talents and backgrounds, and we encourage their dedication to a multiplicity of pursuits — intellectual, spiritual and physical — that will enable them to succeed in and contribute to a complex, changing world.

stgeorges.edu

The Bulletin of ST. GEORGE’S SCHOOL

Michael C. Wirtz Head of School

Jedd Whitlock

Director of Advancement

Suzanne McGrady

Director of Communications

Tia Rogers

Associate Director of Constituent Relations

Jeremy Moreau Web Manager

Ian Vescera

Digital Communications Specialist

Adam Bastien Designer

From the Hilltop

Ican still recall waking up to see an email from Dana Schmaltz ’85, St. George’s Board Chair, asking if I had time to talk that day. It was only a few days earlier that I was in Newport to meet with the Search Committee, the culmination of numerous in-depth and energizing conversations about St. George’s, the field of education, and my background and experiences. Each previous interaction with members of the Search Committee left me ever more excited about the opportunity to lead the school, and I was hopeful that this was the call that would bring me and my family to St. George’s. It was.

Having worked in New England boarding schools for the majority of my career, I have long known about St. George’s. If you had asked me about the school before I engaged in the search process, I would have noted the iconic campus, its Episcopal identity, marquee programs such as Geronimo, and the school’s history, both celebratory and difficult. What the search process and the months since my announcement helped me better understand, however, is the strength of the community and the power of our potential.

St. George’s is already a great school, one of the best in the country by any objectiveand even subjective - measure. We begin with clarity about the school’s mission, rooted in its Episcopal identity and with an exhortation that we prepare students to “be of constructive service to the world and God” and that we do so in an inclusive school community. Of course, none of that is possible without an exceptional professional community, the dedicated staff and

faculty who power a St. George’s education. Over the last few months, I have had the chance to begin building relationships with my new colleagues and to hear their stories. I am struck by their deep commitment to the student experience, whether in the classroom, in the dorm, or on the field of competition.

St. George’s talented and creative educators position the academic program to be forward-looking. Not only does the school continue to teach students enduring fundamentals, but it also provides students with engaging transformational learning experiences that promote connections across all disciplines. Alongside a demonstrated commitment to future generations of Dragons through extensive investments in the campus - including the completed renovation of Memorial Schoolhouse and the newly initiated work on the Arden/Diman/Eccles dormitory complex - these elements combine to create the foundation from which we build. Together.

The excitement and anticipation I first felt when I saw Dana’s email has not subsided. In fact, it has intensified as I continue to get to know the school and its people. I know I have much more to learn, yet I am confident that all the elements for our future success are present: a dedicated and talented professional community, a school clear about its mission and commitment to its students, and a culture of continuous improvement. I look forward to the days and years ahead, working with all members of the St. George’s community to chart a course that will positively impact students for generations to come.

Dormitory renovation underway

The two-year-long renovation of the Arden/Diman/Eccles dormitory complex got underway in June. During the 2023-2024 school year, the Arden wing of the complex will be offline and a number of students will live in the West Village, two newly constructed residential buildings on the Lower Road. Next summer, work will commence on the Eccles wing. At left: Construction crews begin site work on the west side of the dormitory complex in preparation for an addition that will allow for larger community spaces and an area for day students.

Oohs and aahs as star appears on screen

It was a special moment in the Academic Center Atrium Friday, May 5, when students got the incredible opportunity to engage with none other than actor, comedian, writer, producer, and playwright Tina Fey. Joining us via Zoom, Ms. Fey popped on the screen as the event started to sounds of excitement from the audience before answering questions from student actor and singer Emmeline Heaney ’24, who arranged the interview. Community members also got to ask the star about her many experiences — such as her early improv days in Chicago, being head writer on "Saturday Night Live," and writing and starring in "Mean Girls" — and Ms. Fey couldn’t have been more generous with her stories and time.

PRIZE DAY

ALWAYS A DRAGON Members of the Class of 2023 make their way past West Steps toward the Front Circle to kick off this year’s Prize Day ceremony. In total, 96 Dragons ascended the steps of Old School to receive their diplomas.

Students learn away from the Hilltop

One facet of the Connected Learning Program at St. George’s provides students with the opportunity to travel across the globe and learn about all different subjects while tapping into our diverse community to build knowledge and forge connections. This past school year, students were able to travel to Greece aboard Geronimo, to D.C. to meet with alumni for an all-access view of politics in our nation’s capital, to Los Angeles for a behind-the-scenes look at the entertainment industry, and to Puerto Rico to explore topics for research papers and view the country through a global studies lens. A big thank you to all of our alumni who were involved in these trips, giving our current Dragons the best possible firsthand learning experiences!

Merck legacy lives on as new academic dean takes the helm

with the goal of improving education overall and helping teachers harness the power of technology to benefit students’ learning.

Now, our new Director of the Merck Center and Dean of Teaching and Learning, Dr. Gretchen Boger, is excited to add her own mark to this historic center. “I really value helping shape and set a tone for places that have deep traditions and are well loved, figuring out what I can add to that,” she said.

Since its creation in 2011, the Merck Center for Teaching has been assisting faculty members in bringing improved and innovative teaching techniques to the classroom. Made possible by a generous donation from Albert W. Merck ’39, P’76, the center was one of the first to be established in New England boarding schools, a fact in which Mr. Merck took deep pride.

A member of the family who founded the Merck & Co. Inc. pharmaceutical company, Mr. Merck, who died in 2014, was a devoted philanthropist as well as a devoted Dragon. Throughout his life, Mr. Merck and his wife, Katharine E. Merck, donated generously to St. George’s as well as to their alma maters — Harvard University and Bennington College, respectively — all

Dr. Boger arrives at SG with an impressive background in education. She earned her undergraduate degree in history from Yale University and her master’s degree and Ph.D. from Princeton University. Dr. Boger specialized in African American history, U.S. cultural history, U.S. religious history, urban history, and U.S.–Latin American relations during her studies.

After graduating, Dr. Boger taught in higher education for a combined eight years at Princeton University and Colorado College. And for the past 11 years, Dr. Boger taught at the Baldwin School. At the Baldwin School, a pre-K- grade 12 independent school for girls in Bryn Mahr, Pennsylvania, Dr. Boger held various roles, including coordinator of curriculum

development for the past three years. Dr. Boger looks forward to taking on even more administrative duties here at SG.

“I love that it’s absolutely curriculum-based and I can geek out all day long about students learning,” Dr. Boger said about her new role. “But also, about adults and how they continue to become the best version of their teaching selves and work together to build programs that really excite students to come here and to become lifelong learners.”

Whether it’s inside the classroom or outside of it, Dr. Boger always wants to see her students be curious, and she

changing world and increases their comfort with ambiguity and uncertainty,” she said. “It’s important that they know how to go looking for answers.”

She also takes joy in getting to shape students, helping them to figure out who they are, where they want to go, and what they want to be.

“When you develop trust with teenagers, they’re often wonderfully excited about sharing those other pieces of their lives with trusted adults, and it can be really rewarding,” Dr. Boger said.

As for building off what already exists at SG, Dr. Boger noted that she loves

“Alums are able to give students windows into journeys they have taken since St. George’s and introduce them to folks who do the kinds of things that maybe they are starting to imagine doing,” she said. “I think those are wonderful opportunities to tap into the network.”

Dr. Boger also mentioned that she is looking forward to meeting with the Academic Council, talking with students about their own education and doing even more reading and studying about the current state of the field of education — all to help better our teachers.

“Having a dedicated academic leader in a school who keeps apprised of trends, possibilities, and best practices in education and shares them thoughtfully with the community is important in a busy setting where the day-to-day work is all-consuming,” she said.

And despite the fact that she is the one at the helm, Dr. Boger believes the best way for teachers to benefit and grow from the Merck Center is through collaboration.

“Advancing a program of teaching and learning is … never top-down,” she said. “It’s working side by side with people, getting to know teachers — who they are and what makes them tick, what special ingredient they bring to the St. George’s recipe.

values their development of that critical way of thinking.

“I do think that sending the kids out the door with more questions than answers makes them ready for a very quickly

the excitement around the Connected Learning Program, specifically how alumni are involved in the Dragons in Hollywood and Rogers Scholars programs.

“Then we’ll figure out where they are stumped in the classroom or their work with students, want new inspiration, or otherwise want to grow.” n

“Advancing a program of teaching and learning is … never top-down. It’s working side by side with people, getting to know teachers — who they are and what makes them tick, what special ingredient they bring to the St. George’s recipe.”

– GRETCHEN BOGER, DIRECTOR OF THE MERCK CENTER AND DEAN OF TEACHING AND LEARNING

SCHMALTZ FAMILY WELLNESS CENTER OPENS TO RAVE REVIEWS

THESE ARE JUST SOME OF THE WORDS used by students to describe the new Schmaltz Family Wellness Center, which officially opened on May 8, 2023, ushering in the next era of physical fitness on the Hilltop.

The new state-of-the-art facility — made possible by a generous gift from Dana

Schmaltz ’85, his wife Kate Enroth, and their children: Isabelle ’17, Bower ’20, and Phoebe — occupies a premier space on campus: It’s attached to the Dorrance Field House and the athletic center’s Sturtevant Lobby. From inside, those working out have a spectacular view of the Chapel, Memorial Schoolhouse, and

the Montgomery and Crocker athletic fields.

“I think having a designated spot really says a lot for the program,” said Associate Director of Athletics and Director of the Strength and Conditioning Program Derry Mason. “I feel flattered and honored and so fortunate to be here in this space. This is an incredible

Board Chair Dana Schmaltz ’85, P’17, ’20 addresses the crowd at the opening of the Schmaltz Family Wellness Center in May.

Associate Director of Athletics and Director of the Strength and Conditioning Program Derry Mason instructs students in the new wellness center. 

facility. I don’t think there’s anybody that comes close at the high school level to this — definitely in our league, probably in New England. It looks like a collegiate-level gym or a professional sports gym.” Mr. Mason was directly involved with ordering the equipment for the wellness center, a process he did not take lightly. Over the course of his training career, he has discovered some companies and equipment that consistently rise to the top — exactly what he wanted to provide for SG students. This diligent ordering process led to St. George’s purchase of four Spirit Fitness CT900 treadmills, two Rogue Echo bikes, three Concept 2 BikeErgs, two 14-foot Monster Lite Rig 2.0s, and two 9-foot Rogue Cable Towers, among countless other weights, barbells, and more.

And the new high-level equipment was an instant success.

“I feel like this is another step ahead,” said Zuriel Jiménez ’23, who will be on the track-and-field team at Columbia University this fall. “Ultimately, the last gym, although it did prepare us, limited us to what was available: the older equipment you see at regular gyms all around.”

“Now that we have new machines, more machines, and more things for people to do, I think people are a lot more motivated to come in here and actually start to work out,” Oliver Scott ’24 said. “I had some friends who said that once that thing was built they were really going to start getting into it — and they have … and it’s been really cool to see.”

The new Schmaltz Family Wellness Center also brings about the relocation of the athletic trainers’ room, sporting six training tables, a hydrotherapy tub, a hydrocollator, and an ice machine. Formerly located on the ground level of the Dorrance Field House, the room is now directly attached to the weight room, which allows easier access for students.

“There’s a lot of back-andforth with the athletic trainers about what we do in this space. So having us actually share a wall and share office space and be together really allows us to seamlessly create a support system for students,” Mr. Mason said.

When you combine the advanced weight layout with the modern athletic training area, it positions student-

Tayshawn Cunningham-Pemberton ’23

Matthew Dellarusso ’24

Gwenn Hosmer ’24

athletes to become the best versions of themselves — as they train for their sports here at SG and for further play at the collegiate level.

“I’m going to become a monster!” proclaimed Leon Correia ’24 when asked about the new facility. “I can

really work on every type of muscle group and bring my athletic ability to the next level.”

From an admission standpoint, Mr. Mason said the new facility will certainly draw the attention of prospective students.

“If you’re … looking to come to St. George’s, and you come in and see this space, that’s a selling point for a really good athlete and why they should want to come to St. George’s and be able to work out [here],” he said.

Oliver Scott ’24

Leon Correia ’24

Myraa Watkins Rodriguez ’24

And even for those folks who don’t play a sport or consider themselves an avid gym-goer, the new space offers a welcoming place to realize wellness goals.

“Whether you’re an elite athlete who’s coming for the first time, you’re a returning student, or you’re totally new to this whole thing, we take every person,” Mr. Mason said. In the spring, the center drew faculty, staff, and students with various levels of fitness experience during all times of the day.

Mr. Mason said he and fellow strength and conditioning

coach Hannah O’Brien can offer guidance on appropriate workouts or training for everyone.

“For some people, it’s simply learning how to move with proper mechanics and use the right muscles when they go to move,” he said.

If working out solo is too daunting, group programming is also available.

“We provide programming too, so for students who want to learn how to use the equipment, we offer opportunities for them to come in and learn how to use a barbell, or how to move properly, how to do squats, how to use the kettlebells and the rowers,” Mr. Mason added. Students love that the new center fits perfectly into campus and brings a sense of Dragon Pride to the Hilltop.

“I feel like it adds an extra focus and emphasis to the beautiful aspects of our

school, which are the Chapel, the ocean fields, and the flag. When other teams come over, they’ll be able to see not only students but also athletes who are dedicated to the regimen and dedicated to working hard and building,” Zuriel said.

“You’ve got the shields on either side of the gym, you’ve got ‘Dragons’ right behind you so you kind of know why you’re here and why you’re working out — so you get better either for yourself or for your team,” Oliver said.

In its short time on the Hilltop, the new Schmaltz Family Wellness Center has already had a big impact on campus life.

“The community is really fortunate to have the Schmaltz family think of doing this and support the school in this way,” Mr. Mason said. “We will benefit from it for a long time.” n

Zuriel Jiménez ’23 lifts weights in the new wellness center.

 A new training room now sits adjacent to the workout areas in the new wellness center.

HEAD OF SCHOOL MICHAEL C. WIRTZ ready to lead St. George’s

13th head joined the community July 1

Even before Head of School Michael C. Wirtz began his official tenure at St. George’s on July 1, he leaned into the task of getting to know St. George’s. Mr. Wirtz spent a number of hours with students this spring — making rounds through the dormitories, attending classes, eating in King Hall, and being interviewed for a video series. He met numerous alumni during Alumni Weekend in early May, and started interacting with faculty members right after he was announced as our 13th head in Madeira Hall on Feb. 24.

The year ahead, Mr. Wirtz said, will be one of continued learning. “One of the great gifts of my transition has been getting to know so many community members,” he said in late spring as he was getting ready to leave Hackley School, where he served as head from 2016 to 2023.

“Each of these conversations has added a new layer to my understanding of the school, and importantly, there are so many more of these conversations to come.”

Mr. Wirtz greets students in the Hamblet Campus Center in February.

Mr. Wirtz’s appointment was the culmination of months of work by the Head of School Search Committee, co-chaired by two stalwart Dragons, Meade Thayer ’70 and Rodolphus “Rudy” Bethea Jr. ’87. Also on the committee were three faculty members: Associate Head of School for Faculty and School Affairs Elizabeth “Beezie” Bickford, Spanish teacher Amy Dorrien Traisci, and Associate Director of Admission and Director of Multicultural Recruitment Dwayne Pina; five trustees and alumni: Dana Schmaltz ’85, P’17, ’20; Kirtley Cameron ’91, P’23; Jim “Bear” Dyke ’87, P’21, ’25; Sando Ojukwu ’05; and Isabella Ridall ’01; and parent Steve Fitzgibbons P’24, ’25.

According to Mr. Thayer, the committee was impressed by both Mr. Wirtz’s level of expertise and his people skills. “By being at different schools, Mike has had a variety of experiences that will help him in his leadership of St. George’s,” he said.

Ms. Bickford first got to know Mike in 2014 when he was the assistant head of school and dean of faculty at St. Mark’s School. At the time, Ms. Bickford was new to the dean of faculty role at SG and was part of a group of deans of faculty from other New England schools that met a few times a year.

“Mike always impressed me,” Ms. Bickford said. “I distinctly remember the gathering he hosted for us at St. Mark’s. He was welcoming, eager to share the work they’d been doing, and interested in our own initiatives and challenges. … He’s generous with his time and skilled at bringing different people together. When I heard he was a potential candidate for SG, I was excited.”

Both Ms. Bickford and Mr. Thayer had dinner with Mr. Wirtz the night before his St. George’s interview.

“We had the chance to hear about his family, his first jobs, his wife and children, and the different paths he chose along the way to the present,” Ms. Bickford said. “Conversation was easy and I found Mike to be engaging, funny, humble, and kind.”

Mr. Thayer said that dinner solidified his positive feeling about Mr. Wirtz.

“I found that Mike is very keen on building relationships and respecting the work that other talented people do,” he added. “Being so personable is a great asset of his.”

Mr. Wirtz grew up in Northeast Ohio, and many of his family members remain there. “Going ‘home’ — no matter where I might be living — is often about going back to Ohio,” he said. “I am fortunate to have a big, extended family that has always been close and enjoys being together.”

The Wirtzes also have a home on Cape Cod, which they cherish. “Having a place that is ours, close to friends and family, and in a beautiful part of the world is special and something we value,” Mr. Wirtz said.

In school, Mr. Wirtz said, science courses were his favorites and he went on to earn his bachelor’s degree in chemistry at Ohio University and his master’s degree in policy, planning, and administration at Boston University. His first professional job was as a scientist at Pfizer Corp., and when he entered the education field, he grew to become head of the science department at Concord Academy and, later, led the STEM education initiative at St. Mark’s.

In college, Mr. Wirtz said, he came to understand that science is less about concrete answers and more about

A few things we found out about Mr. Wirtz

Favorite lunch: Burrito

Athlete he admires: Larry Bird

Favorite movie: “It’s a Wonderful Life”

Professional sports team he roots for: The Red Sox

What he thought when he walked in the St. George’s Chapel the first time: WOW!

Artistic talent: Plays the trombone

Favorite class in school: Science

Favorite candy: York Peppermint Patty

“an approach to answering questions and exploring complexity.”

“As a school leader, I try to employ my training as a scientist — using data, systems, tools, reasoning — as a vehicle to understand and analyze whatever complex issue I might be trying to address,” he said. “I hope that by blending an analytical mindset within the human context of a community, I can lead the school forward.”

During the search for our new head, Mr. Bethea said he was impressed by the way Mr. Wirtz answered a question about how he would approach the job of representing the school out in the community.

“He said, ‘I’m the lead storyteller,’” Mr. Bethea said. “I liked that. To me, that meant Mike was already excited about the opportunity and would be proud to share the SG story with the world. I think he has a great emotional intelligence, reads the room well, and will be a great ambassador for the school.”

Mr. Fitzgibbons said he admires the way Mr. Wirtz values academic rigor and community wellness.

“On one hand, he is highly motivated by and focused on constant improvement and academic excellence. He has a reputation for getting things done without much drama,” Mr. Fitzgibbons said. “On the

life balance for students, teachers, and staff. Winning with anxiety and exhaustion is not winning in Mike’s book.”

And with St. George’s continuing to reach new milestones in applications for admission, fundraising, and alumni engagement, Mr. Wirtz has the opportunity to lead our already strong institution to new heights, Mr. Thayer said.

“I think Mike is ready to further the visibility of the school in new ways,” he said. “He’s ready to show off St. George’s.”

“GETTING TO KNOW MR. WIRTZ”

VIDEO EPISODE GUIDE

Episode 1: Student Life

In our inaugural episode of "Getting to Know Mr. Wirtz”, listen in as Mr. Wirtz talks about student life, school traditions — and even what he’s hoping to eat in King Hall — with Mae Lial ’24 and Duncan Van Norden ’25.

Episode 2: Athletics

Mr. Wirtz talks with Laura Johnson-Shedd ’24 and Ethan Stearns ’25 about how he’ll support our athletics teams and why he admires one particular former professional athlete.

Episode 3: Academics

Mr. Wirtz talks with South Fulweiler ’25 and Yash Naik ’25 about his favorite subject in school, how he became a teacher, and what he thinks of artificial intelligence.

Episode 4: Spiritual Life

Ireland Nordstrom ’25 and Riley Eyman ’24 ask Mr. Wirtz what he thought the first time he walked in the St. George’s Chapel, what role the chapel plays in the life of the school, and what he would’ve talked about in his own senior chapel talk.

Episode 5: Performing Arts

Connor Hadfield ’25 and JJ Richards ’25 discuss the performing arts with Mr. Wirtz, asking about his plans to support the program, who his favorite musician is, what his favorite movie is, and what artistic talents he has.

Alumni News

Kate Zernike ’86 signs her new book, “The Exceptions,” during a publicity tour this spring.

Kate Zernike’s new book explores the challenges of women in science

Author and journalist Kate Zernike ’86 had known the molecular biologist and Massachusetts Institute of Technology professor Nancy Hopkins and some of her colleagues for nearly 25 years when she started to write her most recent book, “The Exceptions” (Simon & Schuster, 2023) four years ago. “And as I wrote the book and then went out on the book tour, the story

kept touching on my personal and professional life in ways I hadn’t expected,” she said. Ms. Zernike first met the scientists in 1999 when she was a higher education reporter for the Boston Globe and broke the story about how they had convinced MIT, using their already-inherent skills of collecting data, to admit that it had discriminated against them. From salaries and grants

for research to committee assignments and office space, the way women scientists were treated compared to their male counterparts was clearly unequal. And, faced with the numbers, MIT administrators unexpectedly fessed up.

“The story went viral at the time, much to the women’s surprise and mine,” Ms. Zernike said. “Partly because it was MIT, of course, and partly

“One woman at a bookstore in Greenwich, Connecticut, asked me if I planned to continue by writing the story of discrimination against women in ‘all the other fields,’” she said. “She had her 12-year-old daughter with her and also kept pushing me to write a kids’ version.”

Writing a book, Ms. Zernike noted, can be a really lonely enterprise. “You and the blank screen,” she said. “And you live with it for so long that it’s a little scary to then present it to the world, not knowing how it’s going to be received. But that makes it so much more exciting and gratifying when people then do connect with the book.”

For her, “The Exceptions” was also a reminder of her family’s history.

Ms. Zernike’s late father, Frits Zernike Jr., was a physicist who worked with people in and around MIT throughout his career, she said. “He had been the first person to talk to me about the issues for women in science, even before I did the story for the Globe.”

Her grandfather, Frits Zernike, received the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1953.

Ms. Zernike’s mother, who died while Ms. Zernike was writing “The Exceptions,” went to business school and law school at a time when not many women did, “so I thought of her when I first wrote the Globe

story, and constantly when I was writing the book.”

Writing the book and talking about it publicly, Ms. Zernike said, “was a chance to reflect on them and in a nice way felt like a shared experience with them.”

Ms. Zernike will be at the Boston Book Festival in October and has some talks at Emory, Brown, and Harvard universities, as well as at the Scripps Institute this fall. The paperback will come out in February 2024.

She is also back to writing for the New York Times and, she says, searching for an idea for her next book. “I loved the characters in this one, the inspiration in their story. It’s hard to find one that can match that.” n

“Reporting and writing this book was in many ways a labor of love for me.”

—KATE ZERNIKE ’86

S ave the Date alumni weekend

May 17-19, 2024

5th - 2019

20th - 2003, 2004, 2005

25th - 1999

30th - 1994

35th - 1988, 1989, 1990

50th - 1974

55th - 1969

60th - 1964

65th - 1959

70th - 1954

75th - 1949

80th - 1944

Making a return to the Hilltop

Alumni connect with today’s teachers, students on campus

ALUM, FORMER TEACHER, DELIVERS ADDRESS

Tommy Lamont ’79, a St. George’s faculty member from 1991 to 1997, joined us back on campus in May as part of our annual Beloved Community Chapel Talk Series. The series aims to take up topics of inclusivity and belonging — and Tommy delivered a poignant address on anti-bullying you may watch on our Vimeo channel at vimeo.com/stgeorgesschool.

Tommy earned a bachelor’s degree in history from Harvard University in 1983 and a Master of Philosophy degree in history from the University of Oxford in 1991. She is the Lawrence Family Chair in History and World Affairs at the Groton School.

ALUMNI COUNCIL GATHERS ON CAMPUS

For the first time since 2019, the Alumni Council met in person at SG on May 5. Members of the council spent Friday morning interacting with students, which included attending assembly, classes, and have lunch with sixth-formers. In the afternoon, the 25 council members met with heads of several departments as well as heard about the history of the Connected Learning Program from Captain and Director of the Geronimo Program Mike Dawson and five students who’ve participated in Connected Learning programs — Paige Breyer ’23, who participated in our Rogers Scholars Program; Alban Erdle ’23 and Bryce O’Brien ’24, who were crew members on Geronimo; and Marina Duff ’23 and Banya Sam ’24, who participated in our Dragons in Hollywood Program.

ALUMNI AUTHOR IMPARTS WRITING WISDOM TO STUDENTS

David Gilbert ’86, P’20, ’26, joined students in Jeff Simpson’s English Honors classes in May to discuss his career as a professional writer. David, who has written novels and short stories, and has been published in the New Yorker, Harper’s, and GQ, offered advice for writing, mentioning the importance of having a very strong first paragraph and finding your voice. David discussed his 2022 New Yorker story “Come Softly to Me” with journalist Cressida Leyson in the Oct. 10 edition of the magazine.

EDUCATION RETREAT BRINGS ALUMNA BACK TO THE HILLTOP

Stephanie Downey Toledo ’99 was back on campus in March as part of the Barr Foundation’s School Leader Community of Practice retreat at St. George’s. Stephanie is now the superintendent of schools in Central Falls, Rhode Island. The event brought 20 educators to the Hilltop to advance the foundation’s mission “to connect all students to success in and beyond high school.” The educators participated in roundtable discussions with faculty, staff, and students; took part in a Connected Learning Stakeholder Conversation with selected students and teachers; and visited classes.

ALUMNA SCIENTIST SPEAKS AT BROWN BAG LUNCH SERIES

Margaret Schroeder ’14 returned to SG on April 11 to participate in our Brown Bag Lunch Series, which brings special guests to the Hilltop to discuss science-related topics with students. Margaret spoke about her journey from SG to the University of Pennsylvania, where she earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees, to what she is currently doing: working as a Ph.D. candidate at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. At MIT, Margaret is studying molecular profiling of cellular diversity in the brain development of mammals.

U.S. Rep. Christina Jampoler

Houlahan ’85 was presented with the 2023 John B. Diman Award, the school’s highest alumni honor, during a chapel service on Saturday, April 22, in the St. George’s Chapel. The entire campus community was in attendance, and many students had the chance to meet and speak with Ms. Houlahan before and after the service.

During her acceptance speech, Congresswoman Houlahan called her education at St. George’s “second to none.”

“And I mean that,” she added. “Better than Stanford. Better than MIT. Better than Penn, in terms of the skills it provided me.”

The theme of her talk centered around the giving and receiving of challenge coins, “a coin or medallion given from one person to another as a sign of respect and acknowledgment of accomplishment, or in gratitude.”

Ms. Houlahan said that in her travels, she has collected many challenge coins, which she keeps on display in her office in Washington, D.C. She also has her own challenge coin, which she said “tells the story of how I got here and my values, and reminds me of whom I serve.”

The iconography of her coin relates to her life journey. “And as I tell my own coin story, I hope to somehow successfully weave in what my journey was like to find my way back to you!”

Growing up in a military family,

she said, meant that she had moved 12 times in her first 17 years. She arrived at St. George’s as a fifth-former when her dad, a Naval aviator, was transferred to the Naval War College, in Newport.

She said she benefited greatly from taking AP Physics with Mr. Ted Hersey and English from Mr. Jeff Simpson. Mr. Porky Clark was her advisor.

“But I won’t lie. School was hard for me. I felt alone and isolated.” Still, she added, St. George’s set her on a path to success.

After Prize Day, Ms. Houlahan attended Stanford University on an Air Force ROTC scholarship, graduating in 1989 with a degree in industrial engineering. She was one of just four graduates, from an original class of 40, to complete the AFROTC program — and the only woman.

From Stanford, she began her active-duty career in the U.S. Air Force. In 1994, after transitioning to the Air Force Reserve, she earned a master’s degree in technology and policy from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Ms. Houlahan completed her military service in 2004 as a captain.

After her military career, Ms. Houlahan helped lead several thriving southeastern Pennsylvania companies, including B Lab, the organization that launched the B Corporation movement, certifying businesses that “meet the highest standards of verified social and environmental performance, public

transparency, and legal accountability to balance profit and purpose.”

From B Lab, she went on to serve in Teach For America as a chemistry teacher in North Philadelphia, and then led a nonprofit, Springboard Collaborative, helping thousands of underserved students all across America build their literacy skills.

In 2017, she decided to run for Congress and became the first woman ever to represent Pennsylvania’s 6th Congressional District. She has been re-elected twice, and sits on the House Armed Services, Foreign Affairs, and Small Business committees.

Symbols on Ms. Houlahan’s challenge coin include a sequoia, the symbol of Stanford; a pair of cogs, “symbolizing engineering, ingenuity, and invention;” the Air Force symbol; the letter “B,” for the B Corp movement; and an open book.

“Bringing us back to the key to everything: equitable education and lifelong learning. It is why I’m back here on the Hilltop. This place is a gift — for me the best education I’ve ever received.”

“So the big question is: How will we all choose to use this gift?” Ms. Houlahan said, urging students to ponder. “And to what end?” n

U.S. Rep. Chrissy Houlahan ’85 holds up a challenge coin during her Diman Award acceptance speech.

Joseph C. Hoopes Jr. ’62 Receives Howard B. Dean Service Award

The 2023 Howard B. Dean Service Award was presented to longtime trustee Joseph C. Hoopes Jr. ’62 in front of an adoring crowd during the Alumni Weekend dinner on May 6.

“I think we can easily say that Joe Hoopes is in a category all his own when it comes to service to the school,” said then-Head of School Alixe Callen. “Last year, Joe officially became St. George’s longest-serving trustee when he stepped down after 40 faithful years on the board.”

Mr. Hoopes’ philanthropic support of SG has ranged from leadership gifts to the St. George’s Fund to gifts large and small for myriad projects the school has undertaken; most notably as the lead donor of the Hoopes Squash Center. He has also served countless years as a class agent, a Dragon Weeks caller, and a Reunion Committee member for the Class of 1962.

During Mr. Hoopes’ tenure on the Board of Trustees, he served under a record seven board chairs, who all counted him among their closest confidantes and advisors.

Several sent in words of appreciation, which were read at the ceremony alternately by Ms. Callen and Bill Dean ’73, the youngest of Mr. Dean’s four sons.

“I valued [Joe’s] support and assistance on so many fronts, in so many ways,” Betsy Michel P’85, ’89, Board

Chair 1989-1999 wrote. “I valued surprises. The squash center wasn’t always a top priority, but thanks to Joe, we got it done. I valued his leadership. He chaired the Investment Committee for years and helped grow our endowment well beyond our olden-day dreams. I valued his enthusiastic … care for so many sides of trusteeship. … But mostly, I valued Joe. He’s a good person and a good friend.”

“Your continued devotion to St. George’s has been the thread that ran through all years since you joined the Board in 1981,” wrote Tim Sturtevant ’52, Board Chair 1999-2004. “A remarkable legacy! We love you, Joe.”

Skip Branin ’65, P’06 Board Chair 2004-2015, added: “[Joe] has been the consummate supporter of our school in every sense of the word. I never knew of a task or challenge that he was asked to take on that he even hesitated to accept with enthusiasm … He always put the best interests of SG at the top of his priority list — a true Dragon!”

And Leslie Bathgate Heaney ’92, Board Chair 20152021, wrote: “We all owe Joe a debt of gratitude. Joe has raised the bar of service and commitment for all of us Dragons today — and every Dragon to come.”

Mr. Hoopes received two standing ovations from the crowd of around 850 in attendance — once as he accepted the Dean Award, and another after he delivered his own remarks.

During his acceptance speech, Mr. Hoopes recalled several of his memorable interactions with Mr. Howard B. Dean Sr., who died in 2001. He also regaled the crowd with a number of personal anecdotes, many of them humorous, from his many years in service to SG. n

12th Head of School Alixe Callen with Joe Hoopes ‘62 after Mr. Hoopes received the Howard B. Dean Service Award.

Bill Dean ‘73 provided the introduction for Joe Hoopes ‘62 at the Howard B. Dean Service Award ceremony on Alumni Weekend.

The CLASS NOTES section has been removed from this digital copy of the Bulletin to respect our alums’ privacy.

Class notes are only available in the print edition.

The CLASS NOTES section has been removed from this digital copy of the Bulletin to respect our alums’ privacy.

Class notes are only available in the print edition.

Remembering Valerie Simpson

Valerie G. Simpson, committed keeper of St. George’s history, dies at 68

The placement of this article — opposite our “From the Archives” feature — is quite intentional. For decades, Val Simpson was a great friend to this magazine, dedicating innumerable hours to digging out photos and historical facts for the “From the Archives” feature, as well as offering up snippets of St. George’s history she thought might be worthy of an article. Of course, these often sent me excitedly into some all-consuming deep dive of research and reverie. “Remembering Baoth” (Summer 2022) was an example. Val and I found joy together in discovering, for instance, that Baoth’s portrait as a young child was taken by none other than Man Ray, and certainly in planting a new tree in his memory. And so many other stories in the Bulletin over the years were the direct result of Val’s passion and curiosity. When Val died earlier this year, the school lost a St. George’s scholar who cherished our history and who found the utmost joy in sharing it with others. We benefited greatly from her service.

—S.M.

Following is an excerpt from a letter that was sent to the community this spring announcing Val’s passing:

It is with deep sadness that we report the death of one of St. George’s most devoted champions of the school, longtime faculty member and school archivist Valerie Simpson.

Val, as she was known to most, died suddenly in her longtime campus home, Wyn Wyc House, on Monday, June 5, 2023. She was 68.

Val arrived at St. George’s with her husband, English teacher Jeff Simpson, in 1982 and served for many years as the school’s librarian before taking time off to be a full-time mother to her and Jeff’s

cherished son, Will, a member of the St. George’s Class of 2014.

In 2011, Val became school archivist and presided over St. George’s collection of historic artifacts, trinkets, photographs, publications, and various eclectic ephemera with fastidious, heartfelt care and reverence.

In fact, the various women and men who long ago shaped the school in many ways came back to life, earning our reinvigorated attention, as the result of Val’s vast knowledge and anecdotes.

And a visit to the School Archives often became an engaging,

pleasantly circuitous conversation with Val, who would provide not only the desired information and materials but a good laugh and a welcomed respite from an otherwise humdrum day.

We will miss our friend Val dearly, and our most heartfelt condolences go to Jeff, Will, Val’s extended family, and the vast network of alumni, colleagues, and friends who were blessed by her love, storytelling, wit, and camaraderie.

A celebration of her life will be held at the St. George’s Chapel on Sunday, Aug. 27, at 11 a.m.

c.1958

For the first 50 years of life on the Hilltop, St. George’s youngest students lived in cubicles, not fully walled rooms — first in Old School, and then in Arden and Diman halls. In its early days, St. George’s offered admission to students in the first and second forms, as young as 11, and founder John B. Diman believed living in the more open quarters was best. “It is the best way to take care of the youngest members of the school,” he wrote. “Bad hours, ventilation and all matters of importance can be so thoroughly and systematically regulated, which is never the case in a room behind a closed door.”

This photo, taken on the third floor of Diman, shows students outside the curtained cubicles, which offered just enough room for a very small metal cot and a small dresser. There was no closet space or desk and clothes were hung on hooks. The last of the cubicles were eliminated in 1959 upon extensive renovations of the second and third floors of Arden and Diman.