Gordon
alumni connection
Summer 2014
Dear Gordon Friends, The students and teachers of 45 Maxfield Avenue are navigating the final weeks of school as we push toward the finish line that is Commencement. If you make your way to campus over the next few months, you will surely notice Gordon’s new spaces. These thoughtful additions reflect the tremendous investment that all of you have made in the school. Your incredible support has allowed Gordon to move forward with the construction of facilities that will allow deserving programs from all areas of school life to flourish, including a theater, a dining hall, two music classrooms and an after-school programs classroom. In addition, the Second Century Campaign has raised close to $2 million to support financial aid endowment; a strategic intention of the Board of Trustees. As I contemplated the summer edition of the Gordon Alumni Connection, technology was on the forefront of my mind. Our growing robotics program, a successful iPad arts elective course for middle schoolers and the i2 Camp we will be hosting this summer (all highlighted in the Campus Notes section) are just a few of the newsworthy technology-themed initiatives. Gordon is a forward thinking school in so many ways, and that is evidenced through the impact and success of our graduates. I have had the privilege of meeting with many talented alumni who are contributing to society through technology, so I’ve highlighted just a few them in this issue to complement the innovation taking place at school. Additionally, I’ve enjoyed receiving the news of the next steps for the students from the Class of 2010. Four of them agreed to discuss their experience at Gordon, and their hopes for the future. We are proud to share the growing list of colleges and universities that they have chosen to continue their academic careers. I hope you enjoy the issue, and as always your feedback is welcome! Warm regards, Mollie Mattuchio
Associate Development Director mmattuchio@gordonschool.org
Raise the Red Roof
On Wednesday, April 23rd, over two hundred and fifty Gordon parents, alumni, faculty and friends gathered to celebrate the continuing success of the Second Century Campaign. Head of School Ralph L. Wales and Gordon Community Association Co-President Kitty Douglas were the emcees for the celebration, which was sponsored by the GCA and Bottles Fine Wine. The campaign has reached new heights as the largest fundraising effort in the school’s history, supporting goals that have already begun to enrich the Gordon experience. The campaign publicly launched in March 2013, having already raised $5.3 million. Since then, the Gordon community has come together to raise a total of $7.5 million.
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1. Chip Riegel, Amanda Riegel 2. Michelle Collie, Curt Beckwith, Susanna Rhodes Beckwith ‘84 3. Ro Mede, Tom Rainey 4 Tammy Metz, Martha Palan, Amy Orth 5. Maggie Friedfeld, Eric Friedfeld, Bill Beaudoin, Sonnie Kpangbai 6. Irene Pappas, Peter Oppenheimer 7. Sue Brown, Harry Romain 8. Bernie Buonanno, Heidi Buonanno 9. Angela Alston, Lisa Jacobson, Rachel Gahan 10. Nick Longo, Gil MacLean 11. Don Powers, Dana Powers 12. Kevin Bowman, Lynn Bowman 13. Kathryn Webber, Rachel Legend, Stacey Legend 14. Peter Fuller, Amy Fuller 14.
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Campus Notes
Class of 2014 Civil Rights Trip The Class of 2014 embarked on Gordon’s annual tri p to G eo rg i a an d Ala ba ma to conclu d e thei r stu d y o f the C i vi l R ights Movemen t. Th i s ti me-ho n o red tr adition bega n i n 2002, an d i s fun d ed b y the Cla ss o f 2003 Museu m Ad mi ssi o n s Endowme n t Fu n d an d th e Br ead y-La pi des Eighth Grad e Edu cati o na l Tri p Fu n d , which was esta bli shed th ro u gh th e
Day one: Monday February 10th
Birmingham Civil Rights Institute and Kelly Ingram Park
In April and May of 1963, Fred Shuttlesworth, generosity o f Ri ch a rd Br ea d y (pa rent o f
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and James Bevel led more than three thousand men, women and
Arik a ’0 2 an d Max ’03) a n d Sa lly La pi des
children in large-scale protests against segregation in Birmingham, Alabama. These marches
( pare nt of Ian Barnacle ’99 and Emmett Barnacle ’03.)
began in Kelly Ingram Park, where police, led by Birmingham chief Bull Connor, used mass arrests, fire hoses and police dogs to disperse the crowds. Images of these police actions
This year’s trip boasted four new events:
• A meeting with three white students who helped expose continued segregation at the University of Alabama • A tour of Selma with the youngest participant in the Bloody Sunday march • Breakfast with activists who are leading efforts to help African-American farmers retain ownership of their land. • Lunch with white activists who helped Dr. King organize the 1954 Montgomery Bus Boycott
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were published and broadcast internationally, increasing public pressure to desegregate public spaces in the South.
Day two: Tuesday February 11th
Birmingham’s 16th Street Baptist Church
The marches in spring 1963 gave momentum to the movement, and also to segregationist resistance. Less than six months after the Birmingham marches, in September, four African-American girls were killed by a bomb placed at Birmingham’s 16th Street Baptist Church. The church had been used as a meeting place for marchers that spring. The investigation into these bombings stretched for decades. In 2002, the first group of Gordon eighth graders to travel to Alabama were able to witness part of the trial of Bobby Frank Cherry,
south, and the importance of recognizing an
has been told in a book and movie, Selma,
one of four bombers identified by the FBI.
opportunity to make a difference. The question
Lord, Selma, as well as in a book by Doreen
Later Gordon groups have been able to meet
of sorority segregation had been a perennial
Rappaport, Gordon’s visiting author last fall.
with law enforcement investigators who had
conversation on the University of Alabama
The group met Ms. Christburg and volunteer
been involved in this case.
campus.
Sam Walker at Selma’s Voting Rights Institute. The Voting Rights Institute is on the Montgom-
Meeting with University of Alabama
What made it different this year was Ms.
ery side of the Edmund Pettus Bridge, where
students Abbey Crain, Matt Ford and
Gotz’s willingness to go on the record with
police confronted marchers with bloody force
Melanie Gotz.
her experiences, a lesson in the importance
fifty years ago. On the way through town, stu-
In the basement of the 16th Street Baptist Church,
of taking a public stand for one’s own beliefs.
dents saw the current site of a memorial being
students met with University of Alabama
After the presentation, the Gordon students
built honoring General Nathan Bedford Forrest,
current students Abbey Crain, Matt Ford and
surprised their guests by asking for autographs.
a Confederate general who was the first grand
Melanie Gotz. The integration of the University
wizard of the Ku Klux Klan.
of Alabama in June 1963, and Governor
Touring Selma and crossing the Edmund
George Wallace’s resistance, helped put the
Pettus Bridge
Brown Chapel A.M.E. Church
Civil Rights Movement into the national con-
In 1965, Selma, Alabama entered the national
Next stop was Brown Chapel A.M.E. Church.
sciousness. This year, fifty years after the school
spotlight when police used tear gas and clubs
Ms. Christburg met Dr. King when she was a
was first integrated, two white U of A students,
to halt a voting rights march. The march was
child, growing up next door to Brown Chapel
Ms. Crain and Mr. Ford, exposed the continued
planned to leave from Selma’s Edmund Pettus
A.M.E. Church. Before entering the church,
segregation of the school’s white sororities. In
Bridge and proceed to Montgomery. After two
she pointed out a few childhood landmarks
their article for the school newspaper, sorority
more attempts, the march was completed.
that would later figure in her stories about
member Ms. Gotz went on the record exposing
The anniversary of the Edmund Pettus Bridge
sneaking out of her house, at age seven, to
how sorority policies hindered integration.
crossing has become an annual media event,
listen to the organizing meetings at the church.
Gordon students read the article and discussed
and the bridge served as the central metaphor
Inside, she elaborated on her story, and led the
the issue in preparation for this meeting.
for David Remnick’s recent book The Bridge.
students in song. On the ride back downtown,
The conversation covered a great deal of
Gordon students toured Selma, and crossed the
answering questions until the last possible
cultural ground, exploring the intricacies of
bridge, with Cheyann Webb Christburg, who
moment. Then, she led the group across the
the Greek system at southern universities,
was part of the first bloody attempt to cross the
Edmund Pettus Bridge, retracing the steps she
the difference between Texas and the “real”
bridge when she was eight years old. Her story
had taken almost fifty years before.
Ms. Christburg stayed on the microphone
continued 5
Day three: Wednesday February 12th
On Tuesday, students heard how the sorority
Meeting with Gus Townes and George
system had been changed because Melanie
Parris, Montgomery, Alabama
Gotz was willing to speak publicly to the press.
Gus Townes and George Parris are longtime
So, the significance of seeing their own names
activists, who spoke about their work with the
projected on the wall was not lost on Gordon
Federation of Southern Cooperatives to help
students. As students added their own names,
African-American farmers retain ownership
they saw the names of siblings and school-
of their land.
mates who had added their names in years before.
Mr. Parris explained the many ways that AfricanAmerican families have systematically lost
Lunch at Odessa’s Blessing with Robert and
control of their land over the past fifty years.
Jeannie Graetz
The group was joined by Reverend Robert and They both made the case for land ownership
Jeannie Graetz for a large buffet at Odessa’s
as an essential part of economic and political
Blessing. Rev. and Mrs. Graetz have been
self-determination. The conversation under-
social justice advocates since the early 1950s.
scored how certain simple advantages, or disadvantages, can impact a family for many
Rev. Graetz spoke about his path to Montgom-
generations.
ery, and to the Civil Rights Movement. Before moving south, he had been active in civil rights
Tour of the Southern Poverty Law Center
actions. He had promised the church that he
and Civil Rights Memorial
would not “start any trouble” in Montgomery.
The SPLC was founded in 1971 to follow
But when the bus boycott began, and Rosa
through on the promise of the Civil Rights
Parks was one of his parishioners, what else
Movement of the 1950s and 1960s, by tracking
could he do but show his support?
the activities of hate groups, using the courts to pursue reform, and developing educational
With gentle humor, he responded candidly to
resources like Teaching Tolerance (used at
the students’ questions, speaking about the role
Gordon).
of the clergy in a political movement, the role of whites in a black movement, and the impor-
At the SPLC, students met with an undercover
tance of love, guilt and the willingness to risk
hate crimes investigator, and Ashley Jackson
one’s life.
of the Center’s LGBT Project. The students responded warmly and effusively The SPLC has a Wall of Tolerance, where
to the couple, who let the group know they
visitors can add their own names and pledge
were celebrating the sixty-second anniversary
to speak out, and act, against injustice.
of their first date.
Earlier that morning, Ms. Jackson had spoken about the importance of finding plaintiffs willing to take a case to court.
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Campus Notes
Head’s Advisory Council
Middle School performs iPan and Seussical
Head’s Advisory Council co-chairs Johnnie
iPan was the Middle School’s rewrite of J.M.
Chace (parent of Sarah ’97, Ben ’97, Nathaniel
Barrie’s classic Peter Pan. The student’s adap-
’00 and Lilly ’03) and Rob Glancy ’97 opened
tation last winter brought the humor, and the
the fall meeting by welcoming over thirty
dark edges, of the original into focus, while
alumni and parents of alumni. Johnnie and
also delivering plenty of swordplay, and dance
Rob discussed their commitment to participat-
numbers too. This May, the Middle School
ing in the Second Century Campaign, and
performed Seussical, which was the last pro-
the significance and depth of their individual
duction in the Activity Room before the new
relationships with the school.
theater opens next fall. Gordon first performed Seussical in 2008, and many alumni returned
Head of School Ralph L. Wales then revealed
to enjoy the revival.
the progress of the Second Century Campaign. The funds raised have yielded a new theater,
2014 Scholastic Arts & Writing Awards
two Middle School music classrooms, an after
A Gordon seventh grader’s novel earned a
school programs classroom and a dining hall,
Gold Key award in the Scholastic Arts &
as well as funds for financial aid and unre-
Writing Awards Competition, making him
stricted endowments.
one of the youngest novelists on this year’s list of honorees. He wrote the novel in November
Next on the agenda was a discussion surround-
2013, when he and the rest of his Gordon
ing the 2012-2013 Community Diversity
classmates participated in National Novel
Assessment. Every four years since 2004, the
Writing Month. Gordon alumni were repre-
Board of Trustees has engaged in an assessment
sented at the highest award level by Singne
of the school’s work regarding diversity, and
Brown ’10, who received a Gold Medal in
how it can strategically further the Gordon
the drawing category. She was one of only
National Association of Independent Schools
mission. The 2012-13 Community Diversity
two gold medalists from Rhode Island.
calls on the expertise of Gordon’s own
Assessment (CDA) was designed to collect
Dr. Kim Ridley
feedback across the entire Gordon community
High School Alumni Breakfast
When the National Association of Independent
including parents, faculty, staff, students and
The traditional December high school alumni
Schools was compiling the book Diversity
trustees. The findings from the assessment were
breakfast took place again this year. Over
Work in Independent Schools, the editor asked
presented by Mr. Wales, and Assistant Head
thirty members from the classes of 2010-2013
Dr. Kim Ridley, Gordon’s Assistant Head for
for Faculty Professional Growth and Multicul-
returned to Maxfield Avenue to connect with
Faculty Professional Growth and Multicultural
tural Practice, Dr. Kim Ridley.
Gordon classmates, faculty and staff prior to
Practice, to write a chapter on Gordon titled
the winter assembly.
“Sustaining the Momentum” as a case study.
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Campus Notes Lower School presents MathStart Musical
This winter, the third and fourth graders presented five performances of The Main Street Kids Club: A MathStart Musical in the Activity Room. The production explored the development of mathematics across time and culture. Young Gators perform short play
The youngest students of Gordon’s after school
Doreen Rappaport visits as Karla Harry
program were inspired to put on a short play
Visiting Author
based on Who Made Me? by Shirley Tulloch.
Doreen Rappaport visited Gordon’s campus
They performed the play for some faculty, staff
Monday, November 18th to Friday, November
and Early Childhood students.
22nd as the seventh annual Karla Harry Visiting Author. She worked directly with
A.T. Wall ’67 visits campus
students ranging from Kindergarten to eighth
A.T. Wall ’67 spent an afternoon on campus
grade, bringing her lessons on writing and
this spring meeting with Gordon’s seventh
social justice into the students’ ongoing
graders and the members of the Student Lead-
exploration of biography, research, and
ership Council. The seventh grade was fresh
the role of the individual in social change.
from a field trip to the federal courthouse in Providence, where they witnessed a sentencing
Ms. Rappaport is an award-winning author of
hearing and met with Judge John McConnell,
thirty-eight fiction and non-fiction books that
himself the father of three Gordon graduates.
celebrate multiculturalism, the retelling of folktales and myths, history, the lives of world
Wall is the Director of the Rhode Island
leaders and the stories of those she calls
Department of Corrections, the longest-serving
‘not-yet-celebrated.’
state director in the nation. He is also deeply tied into Gordon’s history; his father John
The Karla Harry Visiting Author Fund was
Wall ’36, his sister Polly ’65, and his children
initially endowed by Almon and Suzanne Hall
Lucy ’98 and Ash ’01 all attended Gordon.
and their children Stephen ’06 and Sara ’07 in 2006. Continued gifts from friends and family
He met with the seventh graders as part of their
have expanded its mission to bring an author
continuing study of the US Constitution, to talk
to Gordon annually for one week.
about what he called “the often-forgotten last step of the criminal justice system.” Each of his
Next year’s Karla Harry Visiting Author, Andrea
three small group conversations were driven
Davis Pinkney, will be on campus for four full
entirely by student questions.
days in November thanks to the support of the Karla Harry Fund Visiting Author Fund and the Gordon Community Association.
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cla ss of 2014 HIG H SCHOO L c h oic es
Barrington High School Bay View Academy Bishop Hendricken High School Brooks School Classical High School Concord Academy Cranston West High School Dana Hall School Groton School Harvard-Westlake School Holderness School The Hotchkiss School LaSalle Academy Lincoln School Middlesex School Moses Brown School Mount Saint Charles Academy Phillips Academy Andover Phillips Exeter Academy Pomfret School Portsmouth Abbey School Providence Country Day School Putney School Rocky Hill School St. Andrew’s School St. George’s School St. Mark’s School Tabor Academy Taft School Westover School Wheeler School
Seventeenth Britt Nelson Visiting Artist
Beginning April 7th, the Gordon community welcomed ceramic artist Seth Rainville as the seventeenth Britt Nelson Visiting Artist. He worked with third, sixth and some seventh and eighth graders in the studio. Rainville is a potter and arts administrator based in Dartmouth, Massachusetts. His work has been exhibited at multiple galleries and museums, and events such as SOFA Chicago and New York. Rainville’s exquisitely formed ceramic work is noted for its narrative surfaces and his obvious devotion to storytelling.
cla ss of 2010 Coll ege c h oic es
i2 Camp comes to Gordon for summer 2014
This summer, a new partnership launches as Gordon faculty lead i2 Camp, a two-week STEM day camp for middle schoolers. Robotics team named “Most Innovative”
i2 Camp is a hands-on summer day camp that
Gordon’s Middle School Robotics Team was
offers a broad range of science, technology,
named “Most Innovative” out of forty teams
engineering and math courses created by
at the First Lego League’s state competition
scientific and academic institutions that include
in January.
MIT and Boston’s Museum of Science. iPad Course adopted by RISD
Each twenty-student course will be led by
This June, the Rhode Island School of Design’s
a lead teacher drawn from Gordon’s faculty,
continuing education department is offering
supported by a graduate student and a recent
iPhone Sketching with faculty member
Gordon graduate.
Rebecca Jenness. The techniques covered in the workshop (which RISD, significantly, filed
Course topics include rocketry, medicine,
under “Drawing and Illustration”, not “Digital
space exploration and acoustic science,
Design”) were developed by Ms. Jenness and
and guest speakers include entrepreneurs,
her seventh and eighth grade art students over
scientists, bioethicists and FBI professionals.
the past two years.
For more information, please visit:
At Gordon, the elective is titled Experimental
i2camp.org/location/gordon/
Drawing, where students build on their existing skills by drawing with their fingers on iPads.
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Berklee College of Music Boston College Boston University Brown University Colby College College of Charleston College of the Holy Cross Connecticut College Cornell University Elon University Franklin & Marshall College The George Washington University Harvard University Johnson & Wales University Kenyon College Miami University Middlebury College Princeton University Rollins College Stanford University Tufts University University of Delaware University of Pennsylvania Vassar College Warren Wilson College Yale University
al um n i p r o f i l e
Nate Bresnick ’10 N at e Br e s n i c k ’ 1 0 i s a s enior at Milton
fun, and I learned a tremendous amount of
really shaped the person I became. Middle
Ac a d e m y, a n d h e p l a n s to attend Yale
Spanish and a lot about myself.
school, especially, is when you first begin to think independently, and my friends and teach-
U n ive r s i t y n e x t fa l l .
This fall, I took a pretty incredible history class
ers were always there to help me figure out
How did you decide Yale was the right fit for
called Senior Seminar. While it was ostensibly
exactly the kind of person I wanted to become.
you as a student? What do you hope to study
about American culture in the ’60s and ’70s,
Spending so much time with people who
there?
it was really about the kinds of existential
were so formative impressed upon me the
As this whole process began last summer, I
questions that high school seniors face as we
significance of building such close relationships,
visited the campus and I loved the place. I went
start thinking about what happens after high
not just making acquaintances. Through today,
for the revisit days in April, and no matter how
school. For maybe the first time in our lives,
this is one of the most important things I want
much they tried to impress us as pre-freshmen
we get to think about what we, not our families
in my future, and I can’t imagine myself with-
with all of the Gothic architecture, it was the
or schools, want from our futures. In trying to
out my Gordon friends.
people I met that sold me. The vibe at Yale is,
answer those questions, I also got hooked on
for me, the best imaginable. Everyone is ridicu-
writing poetry.
I did build a computer, in seventh grade on a snow day. Making things has always been a big
lously passionate about any number of pursuits and ideas, but for the most part, they don’t take
What kinds of activities did you become
part of my life, and everyone at Gordon was so
themselves too seriously. It’s humbling and
involved in outside of the classroom?
excited to share the perspective I gained from
really exciting.
I spent an absurd amount of time this year as
my less common endeavors like these. When
Opinion Manager for The Milton Paper. We
I brought in a transistor as my time capsule
One of the most exciting parts of college
publish weekly, so meetings were three times
item in eighth grade, Mr. Wales said he wasn’t
is the expectation of tremendous personal
a week well into the night, but it was worth
even a little bit surprised. What surprises me,
change, but as of now I think I want to study
it. We had so much fun, and it really helped
in hindsight, is how directly my love of building
cognitive science. It’s an awesome, cutting-
shape my views on community. I was responsi-
things came from my growing up at Gordon.
edge combination of neuroscience, psychology,
ble, in part, for the weekly editorials, and that
Everything we learned was always taught
philosophy, and computer science, with the
was awesome. At our best, we were somewhat
with the expectation of innovation, of making
end goal of figuring out how and why we think. able to provoke school-wide discourse, and at our worst, we had a blast. I’ve also been pretty And because I’m really interested in all those
new and better ideas to supplant the old ones. The worldview this made us develop was a
involved in liberal politics, in and outside of
progressive one, always seeing the universe
school, and doing biology research at the
as an exciting, dynamic place—a place which
Pierce Lab at Harvard University.
we had a duty to make even better.
Honestly, most of my time here has been worth
How did your time at Gordon influence who
Do you have a favorite memory from Gordon
remembering, even the most trying late nights
you are today? Is it true you built a computer
that you would like to share?
of work and self-doubt. What I’ve always loved
while you were a student?
I remember the Civil Rights Trip most fondly. It
about Milton is that with each year, everything
Gordon was such an exciting place to be a kid.
was such an exciting time, as we got a glimpse
just keeps intensifying. Yes, there’s more work,
Academically, it was foundational in my love
of the world outside Gordon which we were
but there’s also more academic achievement,
of seeing all of my interests as inherently,
soon to inhabit. I remember sitting in the back
more opportunities, more fun to be had with
obviously connected. The constant overlap
of the bus with my friends as we drove through
friends and more crazy stories to tell.
between my humanities and math or science
the Alabama night. Someone’s iPod was play-
classes, the way we took big ideas and tackled
ing Lonely Island and we were laughing so
Looking back, I would single out a few things.
them from every perspective imaginable,
much we could hardly hear it. I just remember
The summer after my sophomore year, I went
instilled in me a passion for the unity of
being suddenly filled with an intense excitement
on Milton’s Spanish Exchange. We spent a
knowledge. More importantly, however, were
for the future and a love for the friends with
month living with students in Madrid, explor-
all the people I spent my time with. My closest
whom I was going to spend it.
ing the city and making friends. It was a lot of
friends, and favorite teachers and advisors
fields, I don’t have to pick just one. What are some of the highlights from your time at Milton?
10
MARTYNA SZCZESNA
al um n i p r o f i l e
Caroline Woolard ’98 C a r ol ine W o o l a r d ’ 9 8 is a co- founder of OurGoods a n d Tra d eSch o o l, wh i ch are bot h on l i n e n e t wo r k s that encourage indiv iduals to use ski lls, spa ces an d o bject s a s ba rt e r i n g t o o l s . From 2 0 0 8 - 2 0 1 3 , Caroline was suppo rt ed by tran sfo rmati ve orga n i z e r s s h e m e t a s the media coordinator for So li da ri tyNYC .o rg , a Fello wshi p at E ye b e a m , a r e s i d e n cy at the MacDowell Colony, Watermi ll, i LAND an d fun d i n g f r om t he R o c k e f e l l e r Cultural Innovation Fund. She i s cu rr ently an Arti st i n Re s id e n c e at t h e Q u e e n s Museum, a lect urer at Cooper Un i o n an d th e New Sc h o o l, a n d a m e m b e r o f T r a de Sc hool and the Pedagogy Gro up. Mo st recently Ca ro li n e wa s n am e d t o t h e W i r ed Smart List 2 0 1 3 .
What is OurGoods, and what was your intent
We will use our online platform to support
filmmaking group called Meerkat. Meerkat
as co-founder?
deep, in-person connection.
helps produce media for another collective I help coordinate called Solidarity NYC
OurGoods is a resource sharing network for
(solidaritynyc.org/).
independent artists, performers, and makers
You also co-founded Trade School. Can you
in New York City. We foster a community of
discuss what prompted you to do so?
mutual support by creating in-person resource
After OurGoods.org started, I realized that
What’s next for Caroline Woolard and
sharing events, at which independent artists
sharing skills did not need to happen as
OurGoods?
can support each others’ work and find support
a one-to-one exchange. Trade School is a
Last June, I finished a project at The Museum
for their own work. Our online platform
non-traditional learning space where students
of Modern Art. The project was organized
makes visible the resources available in our
barter with teachers. Anyone can teach a class.
as part of the Department of Education’s Artists
community, supports and amplifies our in-
Students sign up for class by agreeing to bring
Experiment Initiative. Entitled Exchange Café,
person events, and helps artists share resources
a barter item that the teacher requests. An
it was set up as a social space in the mezzanine
asynchronously.
example from the Indianapolis Trade School
of MoMA’s Education and Research building.
chapter is half a pound of organic coffee for
It was dedicated to exposing guests to
OurGoods users have established hundreds
a spot in a Real World Nutrition lesson. Since
exchange-based practices. Taking the form
of mutually beneficial relationships. Dancer
2010, TradeSchool.coop has spread to fifty
of a café, the studio encouraged visitors to
and choreographer Maria Bauman wrote an
cities internationally, forming a global network
question notions of reciprocity, value, and
artist statement for visual artist Sarah Vogwill,
of volunteers who believe that education is
property through shared experiences. Tea,
and in exchange Sarah designed a promotional
a human right. The full story is online at
milk, and honey were available by exchange.
postcard for Maria’s work; it was a successful
tradeschool.coop/story/.
Instead of paying with cash or credit cards, Exchange Café patrons were asked to make a
barter for both individuals. Users often develop genuine relationships, and aside from the
What was the impact of your experience
resource based currency, basically exposing
integrity piece, there is also rating system
at Gordon, and how did it influence your
visitors to the ideas and practices found on
that provides incentive for artists to produce
decision to pursue a career as a creative
OurGoods.com. Now, as an Artist in Residence
strong work for each other. More stories about
professional?
in the Queens Museum of Art and a member
successful bartering can be found at ourgoods.
I think having equal playing time on the soccer
of a coalition for affordable housing in New
org/stories
field contributed to my understanding of the
York City (nyctbd.com), I am working to orga-
power of cooperation. Initially frustrated that
nize artists (bfamfaphd.com) while making
We believe that a culture of resource sharing
we might not win because the best players
furniture, sculpture, and installations. You can
in the arts is best facilitated by a fusion of live
were put on the field as often as the weakest
find updates at carolinewoolard.com.
events and cutting-edge technology. After five
players, I now see how this ethos of shared
years of research and development on the
ability and interest permeates my work.
online platform ourgoods.org, we believe that
Gordon also connected me with Zara
our next five years should focus on creating
Serabian-Arthur ’98, and we have been
live events that are supported by online tools.
working together as she is part of a cooperative
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al um n i p r o f i l e
Yi Liu ’98 A gra du at e o f H a r va r d univ ersity and Stanford Grad u ate Sch o o l o f Bu si ness, Yi
America, and once I had memorized and could
L iu ’ 98 c u rre n t ly r e s i d es j ust outside of San Fr ancisco wi th her h u sban d . Early i n
draw that, the rest of the continents didn’t seem
h e r c a r e e r , Y i h e l d a job with the large engineering fi rm No rt h ro p G ru mma n i n Lo s
so bad. I also liked the project because, as
A n g e l e s . A f t e r r e c e i v i ng her MBA , she decided to pursu e a ca reer wi th th e start-up
typical with every Gordon project, it had a
f ir m I n k l i n g . I n k l i n g p roduces editions of interact ive bo o ks o n vari o u s to pi cs.
creative component. The border was a unique art project, and I loved turning mine into a
Did you know you wanted to work in
influential in strategy, operations and product
technology when you graduated from
development. Stanford, being in the Silicon
Harvard?
Valley, was a natural fit.
I’ve always been curious about how things
tropical fish seascape. How did your experience at Gordon shape who you are today?
worked from an early age and really enjoyed
What is your role at Inkling?
Gordon really promotes intellectual curiosity.
math and science in high school. That led me
Inkling is a platform for publishing and reading
Anytime I had a question or interest, all of
to pursue a degree in engineering in college.
interactive eBooks on the iPad and iPhone,
my teachers supported me in pursuing greater
I loved all my hands-on engineering classes,
Android, and the web. We work with a variety
understanding and mastery. Gordon was a
and I even built a surfboard that helped
of publishers and corporations to help transform
special environment where I felt supported,
beginner surfers learn how to surf as my senior
their content for the Inkling platform. As a
confident, and eager to explore the outside
thesis. When I graduated from Harvard, most
Senior Implementation Manager at Inkling,
world. I learned how to push myself into new
of my engineering friends went on to do invest-
I help our clients develop their vision for
challenges and not be satisfied with the status
ment banking or consulting, but I thought it
interactive content across devices, distill that
quo and I think that has really shaped who
would be fun and rewarding to be an engineer
vision into goals and requirements and then
I am today. I have so much love for Gordon.
and build things of my own. So, for my first job
lead cross-functional teams to execute that
It’s such a unique place for a child to grow up.
after college I joined an aerospace engineering
plan. For example, in my latest project I
company, Northrop Grumman, to build
managed the implementation for Inkling’s first
What are your goals for the future?
satellites.
enterprise partner, Elsevier. We adapted over
What I learned in business school is that while
800 of their medical titles to Inkling and built
you can set five, ten and twenty year plans for
What prompted you to pursue business
two white-labeled sites that replaced their out-
yourself, you never quite end up where you
school?
dated digital libraries (studentconsult.inkling.
think you will. I would love to stay connected
I worked at Northrop Grumman for a few years
com and expertconsult.inkling.com). I really
to technology, especially products that can
and I learned a tremendous amount about
enjoy my role because it is very fast-paced
revolutionize an entire industry like education.
satellite design, engineering and testing, but
and challenging. I am able to keep my feet wet
I also want to scale a company and grow it from
I also realized that the space defense industry
in both the technical product and operational
one hundred people to one thousand or more
has notoriously fickle funding levels and a
strategy worlds.
people. One of my favorite parts about my current job is that I can help this start-up grow and
risk-averse attitude. The product development cycle is long and complex. It can take up to
What is your favorite memory of Gordon?
mature from an idea into a real business with
ten years and one billion dollars to launch
My favorite Gordon memory is the Memory
paying customers! I hope to do more of that,
a satellite. I also felt I wasn’t making enough
Map experience in seventh grade. My map still
and eventually lead my own tech firm one day.
of an impact. When I transitioned to business
hangs in my parents’ house today. I remember
At the same time, I also want to keep exploring
development at Northrop, I realized I loved
being in awe of the memory maps that previous
the world, a bug that probably started when I
analyzing the business case for new markets,
seventh graders drew and wondering, “how
was at Gordon. I recently got married. My hus-
formulating the capture plan and then execut-
on earth did they do it?” It seemed to be such
band and I would love to live abroad for a few
ing the strategy in the proposal phases. This
a daunting task! That year-long journey was
years and make time for some surf trips before
made me want to go to business school and
an incredible experience for me. Not only did
the kids come.
learn the business side of technology. I wanted
I learn a tremendous amount about geography,
to transition to a company with shorter
but I also learned that every formidable task
development cycles, like a start-up, and be
starts with a single step. We started with North
12
al um n i p r o f i l e
Dan Landy ’78 D a n L a n d y ’ 7 8 gra d u ated from Har vard univ ersity, and wen t o n to pu rsue h i s Ph.D.
What is your favorite memory of Gordon?
at t h e U n i v e r s i t y o f C a lifornia, Berk eley in Industr ial En gi n eeri n g an d Operati o ns
I have many memories of both teachers and
Re s e a rc h . C u rre n t ly, Dan resides in San Fr ancisco, an d i s a freelan ce so ftware
friends, some of whom I still keep in touch
e n g in e er d e v e l o p i n g b usiness applications for early-stage tech n o lo gy co mpa n i es.
with. A particular highlight was putting on
Pr ior t o h i s w o r k at I nv u, Dan was a founder and sen i o r arc h i tect at G etActi ve
our graduation play, Bye Bye Birdie. It was
S of t war e ( n o w C o n v i o ), which prov ides web - b ased co n sti tuent relati o n shi p
a huge amount of fun, and it felt good to end
m a n a g e m e n t s e r v i c e s to charitab le organizations. Dan ha s a lso co n sulted fo r
our time together collaborating on a big project
n u m e r o u s t e c h n o l o g y firms.
like that.
Did you know you wanted technology to
Why did you decide to become a software
I also have a distinct memory of being at a
be a significant part of your career when
engineer, and what do you really enjoy
summer camp one year when the season
you graduated from Harvard? What was
about your work?
was drawing to a close. Some kids there were
your major?
I started my career doing consulting of a tech-
complaining about having to return to school
When I was an undergraduate, the field of
nical nature, helping clients to solve various
imminently, and I remember thinking, “What?
software engineering barely existed, so it was
business problems like how to schedule
I can’t wait to go back to school!”
not a career that many people were consider-
operations in a factory, or plan maintenance
ing. In fact, Harvard first created a major in
in an electric power plant. In the course of
How did your experience at Gordon shape
Computer Science while I was a student there.
doing this work, it seemed to me that the
who you are today?
I studied pure math, which is great training
software engineers were the ones grappling
I credit Gordon with giving me an early love
for any sort of technical or scientific field.
with the challenging pieces of the puzzle.
of learning, and the freedom to think in
They were the ones who had to devise and
unconventional ways. Gordon encouraged
What prompted you to pursue your Ph.D.?
implement the algorithms used to generate
us to approach new subjects from a variety
After college I was very interested in environ-
solutions. So, I got into software the way
of perspectives, and to not get stuck in one
mental issues, so I began a master’s degree
many people do, by learning it on the job.
standard viewpoint. That is a great mental habit for people who work in technology today,
in Energy and Resources, which was an interdisciplinary department at the University
There are several things I love about creating
of California, Berkeley. At some point in the
software. One is the satisfaction that comes
middle of that program I came to the conclu-
from creating something new from scratch.
sion that the obstacles to improving our
Hopefully, it has an internal structure and logic
relationship to the environment were more
which not only solves the problem at hand but
political than technical, and I didn’t think that
also can be extended and generalized to apply
I had much to contribute in that realm. So I
to future, unanticipated scenarios. There is
switched over to the department of Industrial
a certain elegance to such a structure. You
Engineering and Operations Research, which
know it when you achieve it, or when you see
is a field concerned with optimization and
it in the work of others.
because things change so quickly.
efficiency. I originally decided to get a Ph.D. because I was interested in becoming an
An aspect of software development that is both
academic, but by the end of the program I
a blessing and a curse is the high degree of
decided that I have a practical bent and would
control one has. Operating in a very contained
prefer solving real-world problems over
and well-defined space means having total
theoretical ones.
responsibility for what gets built. In other words: if it’s working, you can take full credit, but if it isn’t, you must take full blame.
13
Class of 2010 al um n i at h l e t e s
Mia Murphy ’10
Maddy Berkson ’10 M a d d y B e r k s o n ’ 1 0 i s an accomplished
What are some of the highlights from your
Mi a Murphy ’10 ro ws crew at N o bl e a n d
s e n ior r u n n e r at C l a s sical High Sc hool.
track career this year so far?
G reen o u gh i n Dedh a m, Ma s s a c h u s e tt s .
At t h e g i r l s s tat e c h a mpionships on
I competed in cross country for the first time
She i s a fo ur-ti me lett er w i n n e r , a n d s h e
S at u r d ay F e b r u a ry 1 5 th, Maddy won
for Classical High School, and placed third in
cu rr ently ca ptai n s the squa d . S h e h a s
t h e 1, 0 0 0 , 1 , 5 0 0 a n d 3 ,0 0 0 meter races.
the state meet. I broke the Rhode Island indoor
earn ed Hi gh Di sti n cti o n at N o bl e s , w h i c h
A d d it io n a l ly s h e a n c hored Classical’s
state record for the 3000 meter on January 4th
is an award based on Grade point average,
4x400 me t e r r e l ay t e am to the state
of this year.
a n d wa s o n e o f 3,000 seni o r s i n t h e country nominated to be a US Presidential
t it l e . R e c e n t ly s h e wa s named the 2 0 1 3 V irgin i a L . “ G i n i ” D u a rte At hlete of the
How did your time at Gordon influence who
Sc h o la r. Mi a wi ll co n ti nu e h e r r o w i n g
Y e a r . M a d d y wi l l c o n tinue her stellar
you are today?
ca reer at Br o wn Un i versi ty n e xt fa l l .
r u n n in g c a r e e r at Stanford univ ersity
It was a friendly, welcoming environment that
t h is fa l l .
encouraged me to do my best. It allowed me
How did you decide Brown was the right fit
to become immersed in learning, without
for you as a student-athlete? What do you
How did you decide Stanford was the right
unnecessary pressure or competition. I learned
hope to study there?
fit for you as a student-athlete? What do
how to work hard, not for a test score, but for
I think I will concentrate in public health and
you hope to study there?
the sheer joy of learning.
try to fulfill additional pre-med requirements as well. I’m also looking forward to taking more
When I visited Stanford, it was incredible. The weather was great, the campus was massive
Do you have a favorite memory from
unique courses in philosophy and English. The
and beautiful, and everyone I met was friendly
Gordon that you would like to share?
rowing team is extremely successful, hardwork-
and interesting. I knew that Stanford is a great
I have many happy memories from Gordon
ing, and closely knit and I’m really looking
school, and many successful students and
recesses. Every day at recess my group of
forward to being a part of the program. For me,
professors have emerged from there. Since
friends and I would play some game we had
Brown is the perfect fit for me to push myself
it is near Silicon Valley, which is a hub of
invented. The games usually involved a lot
academically and athletically over the next four
technological innovation, it has a unique,
of running around, hiding in bushes and trees,
years, while also living in my favorite city.
entrepreneurial spirit. I am interested in
arguing over the teams or rules and laughing.
biotechnology; there is a lot happening in
I always came back into class after recesses
What are some of the highlights from your
that field right now all over the world, and
pleasantly tired and smiling about the idiosyn-
rowing career?
especially at Stanford. All kinds of famous
crasies of that day’s game. We all loved
Last fall, I raced in the Head of the Charles
professors teach there, including Drew Endy,
playing these games and looked forward to
Regatta in the women’s youth four event. It was
a pioneer in synthetic biology. I figured going
recess every day.
so humbling to race down the same course as
to Stanford would be a great opportunity to be immersed in that inventive, creative atmosphere.
so many legends in the rowing world, and it Another memory that stands out is testing a
was thrilling to row under bridges packed with
mysterious liquid found in the school parking
spectators. It was a very special race, and I’m so
Also, I think being a member of the Stanford
lot. Every day when I walked into school,
lucky that I got to share it with my teammates.
track team is a great way for me to improve my
I noticed a strange-colored puddle. It was
running. Stanford has a high level of success in
always there, no matter the season or time of
Pictured above right, Mia and teammates row the
track; many Stanford runners have continued
day. My friends and I were curious about it so
Powerhouse Stretch of the Charles River in Boston
their careers professionally and have competed
we took the school science equipment out to
last year. They went on to win the race!
in the Olympics and other world-class events.
the parking lot one day after school and tested
The athletes currently on the team are competi-
puddle samples. I forget exactly what the
tive on national and international levels. The
puddle was, but I think we found evidence of
sunny, warm weather year-round and access
rust and oil in it. It was very satisfying to apply
to high-tech sports equipment is conducive to
the knowledge from class to real life.
great performance.
14
Sarah Steingold ’10 How did your time at Gordon influence who
Sarah Ste i n go ld ’10 ha s h a d an extrao r-
How did your time at Gordon influence who
you are today?
dinarily succ essful ca reer i n th e Mo ses
you are today?
I feel that I have a really deep understanding of
Brown sw i m pro gr a m fo r the pa st fo ur
At Gordon, I learned to take a step back and
social issues that our generation will be facing
y ears. In ad d i ti o n to swi mmi n g at MB ,
be thoughtful and respectful of others’ feelings,
and fighting for the next several decades. I’m
Sarah co mpetes o u tsi d e o f sch o o l yea r-
thoughts and opinions. Essentially, I learned
really grateful to Gordon for teaching us about
round. Her sch edu le i n clu d es th ree ho u r
how to be a good citizen to the communities
these issues and encouraging us to share our
pract ices, ea ch an d every d ay o f the
I am a part of.
own opinions. Personally, I gained a lot of
week . Her ca reer as a swi mmer wi ll co n -
confidence and maturity while at Gordon, and
tinue at Co n n ect i cu t C o llege next fall.
I’m really happy that my younger sister and
Do you have a favorite memory from Gordon that you would like to share?
How did you decide Connecticut College was
I have a few favorite memories from my time
the right fit for you as a student-athlete?
at Gordon. I will never forget Mrs. Reeves’
Do you have a favorite memory from Gordon
What do you hope to study there?
(Diana Reeves, Lower School teacher) legend-
that you would like to share?
There were many factors that went into my
ary “teacher touchdowns.” Whenever the
I ran track at Gordon for three years, and I was
decision to attend Connecticut College. Fairly
class did something well she would reward us
really hopeless at running, especially compared
early in my college search, I realized that I
by taking us outside and doing a cartwheel.
to my teammates Maddy Berkson ’10 and
wanted to attend a smaller sized liberal arts
Another highlight was in eighth grade science
Sylvia Skerry ’10. In eighth grade, Mr. McAdam
college with a good faculty to student ratio,
class with Mr. Kravitz (Eric Kravitz, 8th grade
(Bob McAdam, physical education teacher)
which would allow me to know my professors
math and science) when we made ice cream
decided to teach me how to throw the discus,
and pursue my love of learning. Initially, my
from liquid nitrogen. Finally, I will never forget
so while the other runners were doing their
search to find the right swim program led me
the time I spent at a senior center with my good
laps around the field, I would practice throw-
to the New England Small College Athletic
friend Audrey Chisholm ’10, for our experien-
ing with Mr. McAdam. Several weeks later
Conference, also known as the NESCAC.
tial learning project at the end of eighth grade.
I competed at the State Meet, and I was up
From my first visit to Connecticut College,
I never could have anticipated how much fun
on the discus pitch with Mr. McAdam for the
it was clear that the coach, swim program
I would have and how much I would learn
event while the runners were down by the
and facility would be a perfect fit for me to
working at a place that provides services to
track. In the contest, you’re supposed to get
pursue my love of competitive swimming.
elderly people when I was just fourteen.
brother have shared that with me.
three throws each. Well, there was some confusion, and the woman who was in charge
What are some of the highlights from your
of the event only let us do two. I wasn’t very
swimming career so far this year?
high on the rankings, but Mr. McAdam walked
This year, I competed at the Division III New
right up to her and insisted that we follow
England Prep School Championship winning
the rules and get a third throw. After the third
the 200 meter freestyle and placing third in
throw I came in fourth, and my very mediocre
the 100 meter butterfly. I was recognized
career as a runner culminated with a great
as an outstanding swimmer at the Bay View
moment with the discus thanks to Mr. McAdam.
Invitational, a meet for thirty area high schools. In addition, I was awarded the MVP award of the Moses Brown swim team all four years.
15
s e t o sn
clas
1
2
3Os
7Os
9Os
having fun working—I do income taxes. I go
The Other Room, last November at Books on
our second child, Luke Thomas Brown. He was
to Jamestown, Rhode Island July, August and
the Square in Providence, Rhode Island. photo 2
born on December 8, 2013.”
8Os
Abby Ruby ’93 resides in Colorado, and
‘Fricky’ Lyon Vaugn ’36 writes: “I am still
Kim Triedman ’73 promoted her debut novel,
3
Marie Ewens Brown ’91 writes: “we welcomed
part of September.”
4Os
Last November, five members of the class of
she welcomed a baby girl named Kinley on January 8, 2014.
Dr. W.B. ’Buck’ Greenough ’42 was awarded
1983 gathered for dinner at Rasa in East Green-
the Arnold P. Gold Foundation Humanism in
wich, Rhode Island. Michaela O’Donnell ’83
Chris Liao ’94 writes: “Last summer I experi-
Medicine Award by the American Geriatrics
captured the moment. Pictured in the back
enced a change in career and have become
Society.
row, left to right: Monika Merva ’83 of New
Assistant Front Desk Manager at the Langham
York, Michaela O’Donnell ’83 of Rhode Island.
Hotel in Boston. It is always a pleasure to
Front row: Deborah Forman ’83 of Rhode
continue to help guests as well as enriching
Island, Lauren Hall ’83 of New Jersey, Erica
my experience in the tourism industry.”
5Os
Kit Langdon ’50 writes: “My life in Northamp-
Craig ’83 of Rhode Island. photo 3 Anthony Dumville ’96 and Kimberly VanNess
ton, Massachusetts is busy and challenging. I am a hospice volunteer. I love having time to
Frank Ryan ’87 and his wife, Agnieszka, live
were married in Romainmotier on October 5,
paint with pastels. Mostly portraits of children
in Cranston with their two boys Francis V and
2013. They live and work in Lausanne,
in my family, and children I take care of a few
Mitchell. Frank works for Entercom Communi-
Switzerland. Anthony is a creative director
mornings per week. I exercise with a personal
cations as a producer.
for Leo Burnett, Lausanne office. photo 4
exceptional teacher. I sing at a preschool once
Sarah McKenna ’87 welcomed daughter
Sarah Reeves Williams ’96 writes: “I now live
per week. I’ve seen my sister Ann Langdon ’56
Lidewij (Dutch name) at home on March 3,
in central Maine with my husband and three
quite a bit.”
2014. Her parents, and siblings Eloïse (9),
children. I am pleased to say that I have my
Lucas (6) and Ilias (2.5), are smitten.
own mental health counseling private practice.”
a visit with my granddaughters Eilidh (10)
Eugene Johnson ’87 is part of the Kappa II
Jenn Andreoli ’97 has been living in down-
and Zoe (6) and my son Ted in Lake Stevens,
class for Leadership Rhode Island this year.
town Boston for the last ten years. She’s a
trainer and do yoga twice per week with an
Dottie Lund Sager ’51 writes: “I just enjoyed
Washington. I had a great visit with my brother
Senior Manager for a recruitment company,
Ned E.G. Lund, Jr. ’49 and his wife Judy last
Todd Greenbaum ’87 lives in San Francisco
and has been in human resources for nine
fall.”
with wife Assia and children Amaya (7) and
years now. Jenn lives with her boyfriend and
Kenzo (3). Todd works for Adobe where he
their crazy cat.
6Os
Barbara Taylor Renza ’65 stopped by campus
runs their Adobe Pass business for which he accepted an Emmy Engineering Plaque at the
Tal Bar-Zemer ’97 is living in Brooklyn, New
Primetime Emmy Engineering Awards.
York and works at an arts non-profit called City Lore, running arts education programs in schools
in the fall to say hello. She is pictured with Sarah Funke Butler ’87 reports that Lucy
all over the city. She is getting married in Sep-
Abigail Butler, who was born on August 14,
tember to Nate Storey, and in May, Tal was in
James F. Causey ’68 writes: “Jan and I dodged
2013, chews on a Gordon frisbee every
the wedding of Zara Serabian-Arthur ’98. Zara
the terrible tornados of last November. No direct
morning—the world’s largest teething ring!
married Tal’s best friend Jay!
Chris Bissonnette ’87 married a wonderful
Tiffany Spencer ’97 lives in Land O’Lakes,
woman in October. He lives in Durango,
Florida with her husband Ross and their ten
Colorado, and works as a sous chef at a great
month old son Boone. She’s a New Teacher
restaurant called El Moro. He still rides his
Mentor under the Gates Grant (she coaches
snowboard forty-plus days a year. Chris sends
new teachers through their first years of
Development Director Kerrie Donahue. photo 1
hits, just lots of wind. Still growing soybeans and food-grade corn out here on the prairie.”
much love to the Gordon family! 16
4
g o r d o n
5
a l u m n i
6
c o n n e ct i o n
7
S u mm e r
2 0 1 4
teaching.) They have a crazy dog, Jax, who
Karl Dunkelman ’97 lives in Winter Park, Flor-
Adam Mandelson ’97 married his wife
is more of a handful than the baby.
ida with his wife Megan and their dog, Daisy.
Joan in 2012. James Thomas ’97 was a
Karl is a Senior Digital Producer at Lightmaker,
groomsman and Lisa Tartaglione ’97
an Orlando-based digital advertising agency.
attended the wedding. They currently split
Lily Benedict ’97 pursued a Masters in Public
their time between Arlington, Virginia and
Humanities at Brown University. She finished in May. Before going back to school, she
Director Sam Fleischner ’97 is promoting his
Harrisonburg, Virginia since Joan is getting her
worked as the education curator at the
award-winning film Stand Clear of the Closing
master’s degree at James Madison University,
Museum of Natural History in Providence.
Doors. The drama tells the story of an autistic
and Adam works in Washington, DC in televi-
Lily lives in Providence with her husband
teenage runaway and his mother in the days
sion as the Head of Network Planning for the
Nidal Fakhouri. They were married in 2011.
leading up to Hurricane Sandy.
EBU, Eurovision’s U.S. subsidiary.
Emily Bresnahan-McRae Mahoney ’97 is
Gia Garzone ’97 works at Early Intervention
Julia McCann ’97 received her M.S. in public
working at the Groden Center in a position
as a language specialist. She is engaged to be
relations in 2012 from Boston University, and
contracted by the Rhode Island Department
married to an awesome guy, Jesse Walsh, and
is now living in Bristol with her boyfriend Josh
of Children, Youth & Families. She works with
they have a beautiful nineteen month old son
and their dog Bruin. She works at Hasbro (the
families whose children have been placed out
named Anthony Joseph. photo 6
toy company, not the hospital) in corporate communications.
of state. Last summer, Emily worked on a case with fellow social worker and Gordon class-
Rob Glancy ’97 lives in Cambridge, Massachu-
mate Raydeana Watts Roderick ’97. Emily
setts and manages business operations, staffing
Cara Monroe ’97 has been working in
married her wife, Laura Mahoney on September and enrollment for the Family Schools and
Healthcare IT since 2009, and is now living
10, 2011 in Narragansett, Rhode Island, and
Brewster Day Camp, a year-round independent
in Dallas, Texas where she recently accepted
classmate Rob Glancy ’97 attended the recep-
school for young children and summer day
a senior consulting position with Deloitte.
tion. Emily and Laura are living in Providence
camp, located on Cape Cod. These programs
with their dog, Sully. photo 5
host over seven hundred children and one
Ben Papps ’97 recently moved to Scottsdale,
hundred seasonal employees in Brewster each
Arizona with his girlfriend of six years, Sara.
Sarah Chace Cotter ’97 was married in 2010
summer. Rob is currently co-chair of the
They have two Border Collies, Ella and Timora,
to Robert Cotter, and their first son Robert
Head’s Advisory Council at Gordon, alongside
(eight and ten years old) and Ben’s been work-
Benjamin Cotter was born in August 2012.
former parent Johnnie Chace. Rob also sits
ing at REI to support his outdoor habits. He’s
A second baby, a girl, is due this spring. They
on the Alumni Board at the Wheeler School.
backpacking the 210-mile John Muir Trail
live in Connecticut with their two dogs, and
Recently Rob and classmates Andrea Weisman
in California’s High Sierras this July.
Sarah works as a marketing consultant when
Russell ’97, Gia Garzone ’97, Lisa Tartaglione
she doesn’t have her hands full with being a
’97 and Emily Bresnahan-McRae Mahoney ’97
Sareh Rajaee ’97 attended Alpert Medical
mom. Sarah reports that Ben Chace ’97 is in
gathered for dinner in Providence. photo 7
School at Brown and has a Master’s in Public Health from Harvard. Sareh is currently in
the process of finishing a movie he directed in Cuba (in Spanish—shout out to Mr. Isidoro).
Kristen Hopkins ’97 lives in Asheville, North
training to become a Vascular Surgeon at Yale
Sarah also reports that Carter Read ’97 is get-
Carolina. She recently received her master’s
New Haven Hospital.
ting married this summer in Dartmouth, MA.
degree, and for the last three years has been a medical social worker for a hospice organi-
Andrea Weisman Russell ’97 has been working
Noah Davis ’97 is a freelance writer living
zation in the rural south. Mr. Isidoro (beloved
as a licensed therapist at Community Counseling
in Brooklyn, New York. In June, he’s headed
Spanish teacher) has been on her mind
of Bristol County in Taunton, Massachusetts
to the World Cup in Brazil to report on the
recently as she tries to recall all the Spanish
since 2009. She married Ben Russell on
United States National Team. He hopes his
she learned at Gordon. Kristen also has two
September 9, 2012; Gia Garzone ’97 served
editors don’t mind when he uses the inventive
rescue pups, Annabella and Maybe.
as one of her maids of honor. She and her
spelling he honed in Mrs. Emmet’s Kinder-
husband bought a house in Seekonk this
garten and Mr. Moore’s first grade classrooms
past October, and on September 29, 2013
at Gordon. 17
8
10
9
11
they welcomed their son, Steven Alexander
home to Buffalo, NY where we both grew up,
taking in some of the fantastic sites around the
Russell. He was born 8 lb., 10 oz. and 21.5”
almost ten years ago. We have such wonderful
north island.” photo 10
long. photo 8
memories of our time at Gordon, especially Pat Emmet and Elizabeth Bakst.” photo 9
Lisa Tartaglione ’97 has been living in New
Terry Moran ’02 writes, “I worked for Heavy Seas Brewery in Maryland as their Maryland
York City for the past nine years, since she
Greg Katzen ’99 is engaged to Caitlin Miller,
Marketing Manager. I moved up north in April
attended New York University for graduate
sister of Gordon employee Joe Miller ’02, and
to take over the New England Territory for the
school in 2005. She’s been working at an inner
they have just moved west to a town outside of
brewery and I am based out of Boston.”
city school in Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn for
Palo Alto, CA. Greg started a doctoral program
the last eight years as a special education
in Clinical Psychology this past fall. He writes,
Katja Nelson ’02 writes: “I’m working for
first grade teacher for students with Asperger
“life is lovely on all fronts out here on the
Twitter in San Francisco as the Mobile Special-
Syndrome. Lisa also has a nine month old
Golden Coast; lots of work and lots of play!”
ist for the Global Sales Team. I’m living in the
puppy named Sachi.
Lower Haight in what my neighbors tell me Jamie Storrs ’99 writes: “I have recently moved
is Janis Joplin’s old house.” In February, Katja
James Thomas ’97 got married in 2011 and
from Jackson Hole, Wyoming back to New
and Sasha Nelson ’99 had breakfast with Mr.
had both Adam Mandelson ’97 and Steve
England and took a job in tech public relations
Wales while he was in San Francisco visiting
Johnston ’97 as groomsmen. Recently he and
with fama PR in Boston.”
alumni. photo 11
OOs
James Pinkham ’02 writes: “I’ve graduated
Elana Goldberg ’00 is a Senior Consultant with
master’s degree in Educational Leadership.
Sailor Charlie Enright ’98 will skipper the Volvo
Accenture. She and her husband, Seth, live in
I will be leaving the Forman School where I
Ocean Race Team, which is a nine-month race
Chicago.
have worked for the last four years and I will
his wife Ashley bought a condo in Washington, DC where James is a lieutenant in the Navy serving as an intel-officer.
around the world that starts in Spain next
from the University of New England with my
be taking a job at Ridley College. Ridley is a
October, and concludes in Newport in May
McCurdy Miller ’00 is currently studying for
boarding school in St. Catharines, Ontario. I
of 2015.
her International MBA at the IE Business
will be working in their admissions office as
School in Madrid. She will be living in Spain
the American recruiter, so I will travel around
until at least next December.
the United States representing the school at
Last year, Emily Glinick ’98 decided to leave theatrical stage management for a less stressful
school fairs and on the road trying to increase
career as a massage therapist. So far it has been
Kelly Allen-Kujawski ’01 writes: “I’m a stay-
a welcomed change and incredibly satisfying.
at-home mom to our son Ethan who turned
She still gets to hang out with Gordon class-
two last December. My husband and I excit-
Nolan Hartley ’03 writes: “I am currently in
mates and best friends Zara Serabian-Arthur
edly welcomed our second child, a little girl,
my first year in the interdisciplinary graduate
’98 and Edith Palmieri ’98 in New York City,
in March. We’ve also recently adopted a dog,
program in the biomedical sciences at
now friends for over twenty years.
so I’m pretty entertained and busy.”
Vanderbilt University, where I will pursue my
American enrollment at the school.”
Ph.D. in the neuroscience program. Thus, I Noa Goldberg ’98 is a first grade teacher and
Ash Wall ’01 writes: “I recently joined up with
lives in Los Angeles. She is getting married to
a software startup company in Auckland, New
her fiance Jon in July. Noa’s mother, and for-
Zealand, working on a new platform for com-
Allie Ziino Hicks ’03 writes: “Things are going
mer Gordon Nursery teacher Shira Goldberg,
panies to reward their customers. It’s a small,
well here! My husband and I celebrated our
sent along a photo of the Goldberg family, and
but energetic group which allows me to take
second wedding anniversary on January 7th,
she writes: “I taught in the Nursery class with
on a few different roles. It is exciting, challeng-
so that was pretty great. I’m working as an
Maryjane Heymann from 1988-1994. Each
ing and a tremendous learning experience.
Adoption Social Worker in Delaware with
one of my three children attended Gordon
Auckland is in a beautiful setting, and I’ve
Bethany Christian Services and have been
School during that time. Rob and I returned
been lucky enough to spend some free time
doing that for the last four years. I work with
18
have landed myself in Nashville, Tennessee.”
12
13
14
children in foster care helping them process
Maggie Moran ’04 stopped by campus on
Aspiring journalist Avery Stone ’06 was
where they have come from and where they
December 23rd last winter to come and
recognized as a voice for gay rights in a January
are going. I also work to find adoptive families
see the new facilities. She is pictured with
issue of the Boston Globe. Avery has had work
for children in foster care who are in need of
Mrs. Baker. Maggie will be the 2014
featured in the Washington Post, the Huffington
permanent families. I love what I do!”
Commencement speaker. photo 13
Post and on Forbes.com. Avery recently
Justin Kahn ’03 writes: “I’ve been working
Nate Ardente ’05 received a master’s degree
as an actor and musician in Providence. I
in Sustainable Real Estate Development from
Jessie Litwin ’08 had the opportunity to
performed music and acted in two shows by
Tulane University this spring.
perform at the White House with her college
graduated from Amherst College.
a cappella group, the Nor’easters, in a private
Elizabeth Keiser, my former acting teacher from Gordon who is currently an artist in
Chris Kingdon ’05 started at Bloomberg News
performance for the President and the First
residence at AS220. The shows were called
in London as a journalist on April 22nd. He
Lady at the end of last semester. Jessie joined
“Perversion Incognito” and “Blue Collar
will take on the role of Social Media Monitor-
the Nor’easters her freshman year at Northeast-
Clown” and were performed at the 95 Empire
ing Reporter.
ern University and had the chance to compete in (and win!) the International Competition
Black Box Theatre. The shows dealt with Elizabeth’s experiences of working with at-risk
Liam Miner ’05 is working as a Business
of Collegiate A Cappella with the group last
youth in New York and Rhode Island, using
Analyst and Consultant at ClickFox, a software
spring in New York City. Jessie is pictured in
comedy as an intervention. Also a part of the
company based in Denver. He has spent the
the group photo in the first row second from
show was an independent RISD movie called
past year enjoying the beauty of the Rocky
the left. photo 14
“Shelf Life” which featured Elizabeth. That
Mountains, including its wonderful ski resorts
movie is currently up for an Ivy League Film
and gorgeous hikes.
Festival award for Best Undergraduate Comedy.
1Os
I’ve also been volunteering with Allegra
Maggie Sawdy ’05 will continue her work with
Audrey Chisholm ’10 earned a spot on the
Scharff ’03, who has been coordinating
hyenas in Kenya. You can follow her adventures
All-State Girls Volleyball team last fall for her
mentoring programs in Pawtucket Housing
though her blog at: travelsofacollegegrad.
performance on the Classical High School
Authority Community Centers. Last year I
wordpress.com/.
team. Audrey is a four year letter winner,
helped a girl learn how to perform Girl On
and she played a significant role in Classical’s
Fire by Alicia Keys. This summer I plan on
Coby Unger ’05 spends most of his time
mentoring again.” photo 12
building things in his wood shop, hiking in
journey to the Division I state title game.
Philadelphia’s parks with middle schoolers
Margot Creamer ’10, Mia Murphy ’10 and
Jamie Macdonald ’03 lives in Los Angeles and
and conducting design research about the con-
Alice Rayner ’10 were all named Presidential
is a performance coach and recruiting director
struction industry. He graduated in May from
Scholar nominees for the state of Rhode Island.
at Velocity Sports. Jamie also plays professional
Philadelphia University with a degree in indus-
The Presidential Scholar Award recognizes
lacrosse for team LXM Pro Team STX.
trial design. He has been working on a series
some of the nation’s most distinguished high
of tool design projects culminating in his thesis
school seniors. Up to 141 students nationwide
Bo (Bret) Clarkson ’04 graduated from the
project for DeWalt Tools. He will be spending
are selected for the honor.
College of Charleston in 2012, and now works
the upcoming summer in San Francisco, work-
as an insurance agent for Bankers Life and
ing as an artist in residence at Instructables.
Jillian DeStefano ’10 was named to the Rhode Island All-State team for her performance on the
Casualty Company in Charleston, South Carolina.
Tavie Abell ’06 was recently selected as the
Moses Brown girls field hockey team last fall.
recipient of the 2014 Political Economy Senior Ari Goldberg ’04 graduated from the
Scholar award, given annually to a top senior
Tom Horvat ’10 was named to the Boys Soccer
University at Buffalo with honors and will be
in the political economy program at Tulane
All-State Second Team for his performance on
attending law school in the fall.
University. This award was given in recogni-
the Providence Country Day squad last fall.
tion of her outstanding record of academic achievement as a political economy major. 19
Visit Gordon School online
w w w. g o r d o n s c h o o l . o r g facebook.com/thegordonschool @GordonSchool @gordonschool 15
Rhode Island Scholastic Art Awards were
Dani Michaud ’11 is enjoying her second
Xilian Sansoucy ’13 is now a freshman at
awarded to Jonah Parker ’10 and Ruby Schnir-
year in the Studio Art Program at Wheeler.
Classical High School on the high honor roll.
man ’13. Jonah won a gold key for his portfolio,
As Wheeler’s varsity field hockey goalkeeper
She is involved in two Providence youth
and Ruby won a silver key for her sculpture of
last fall, she led the league in saves with 235
programs and is the co-secretary for the board
a dress. They both attend Wheeler.
for the season and another 31 in her team’s
of the non-profit organization, Young Voices.
single playoff game against the top seed
As part of inspiring other Providence students
Gordon was well represented in Wheeler’s
Barrington. She was selected for First Team
for education reform, she has helped plan a
winter production of A Chorus Line. Ben Tau-
All Division by the Rhode Island Field Hockey
Providence Mayoral Candidate Forum that took
ber ’10, Sherry Romanzi ’10, Kayla Campbell
Coaches Association and earned a place on
place in April 2014. Xilian also was accepted
’11, Trevor Dorman ’11, Kat Templeton ’11,
Rhode Island’s second team All-State roster.
into a three week summer program at Bryant
Henry Frishman ’12 and Jonathan Gunasti ’12
University where she will be studying Chinese
all had leading roles, and Will Lupica ’10,
Last winter Jamie Pine ’11 earned her second
in an intense Chinese language immersion
Jonah Parker ’10, Sarah Chin ’11, Dani
consecutive first-team All-State selection as a
class.
Michaud ’11, Sophie Jackson ’12, Macken
member of the Lincoln School Girls Tennis
Murphy ’12, Chase Penhallurick ’12, Maya
team. She achieved an 11-4 record.
Hayda ’13 and Will Templeton ’13 were all part of the Ensemble. Meghan Wales ’10
Lucy Carpenter ’12 was the lead in Classical’s
served as the stage manager. This March
Black Comedy this winter.
Class Secretaries 1987
Wheeler’s a cappella group the 18 Wheelers placed third in the Northeast division of the
Case Taylor ’12 recently won first place in
Annie White
International Championship of High School
the pro-division at the Maul’s Brawl BMX
A Cappella. Representing Gordon were
competition in Taunton, MA. Case is currently
1997
Sam Becker ’10, Sherry Romanzi ’10, Trevor
a tenth grader at Charleston Collegiate School
Dorman ’11, Kat Templeton ’11, and Jonathan
in Charleston, South Carolina. photo 15
Gunasti ’12. Tyler Frails ’13 is thriving at St. Andrew’s Emily Sulanowski ’10 is a senior at Bay View
School in Barrington. He is living at school
Academy in Riverside, RI. Emily was named
with four housemates and one roommate.
a National Merit Scholarship Semifinalist for 2014, and also received the Rensselaer Medal
Anthia Joukowsky ’13 portrayed Warren
from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. This
Sheffield in Lincoln’s Meet Me In St. Louis
award is given to one junior student at partici-
this winter. She was joined on stage by Gordon
pating high schools who has shown outstand-
alumnae Madison Kelly ’13, Kara Berlin-Gallo
ing achievement in math and science. Emily
’13, and Mimi Springwater ’13.
Rob Glancy
1998
Merebea Danforth
1999
Georgia Mischak Nick Wall
2000
Isaiah Osofisan
2001
Rebecca Nelson
2002
Katja Nelson
2003
is a member of the National Honor Society, the Excalibur Science Honor Society, the Mu
Lex Majoros ’13 played the major role of
Carlin O’Donnell
Alpha Theta Mathematics Honor Society and
Lysander in A Midsummer Night’s Dream
2005
the National English Honor Society. She has
at Moses Brown last fall. Lex originally slated
received bronze and gold medals in the annual
to play Moth; he was able to learn a lot of
National Spanish Exam.
dance choreography and play cello parts.
Liam Miner Interested in becoming a class secretary
As Lysander, Lex had to transform his
and managing updates for your class?
character, which included learning a lot of
Email Mollie Mattuchio, Associate
fight choreography, and falling in love twice.
Development Director, at mma ttu ch i o @ g o rd o n sc hool.or g for more information.
20
Please consider making your donation to the Annual Fund before June 30th for the 2013-2014 school year.
Alumni Voices:
Supporting the Annual Fund at Gordon
Your participation is so important, and enriches the lives of students and faculty year after year.
Eugene Johnson ’87 current Gordon parent and trustee
“I support the Annual Fund, because I believe in my school’s mission. As a child, I experienced a lot of joy at Gordon. As an adult, I appreciate the foundation that Gordon School provided me. Ultimately, Gordon School’s mission strengthens our community by developing our next generation of leaders. Giving to the Annual Fund is my show of support and faithful hope that this school will continue to grow its legacy, shaping brilliant young minds.” Georgia Mischak ‘99
“The reason I give to the Annual Fund is simple: I’m in love with Gordon. I give $25 a year, which isn’t breaking any records, but I know it goes towards supporting an incredible community of students and faculty!” Jeff Peirce ’81
“I give because I see the options available to my friends’ kids and they don’t compare. Gordon is a special place. My regular donations help ensure future generations benefit as much as I have from the student-centric, rigorous, yet fun approach to learning that seems to be in such short supply today.” Lauren Rosalanko ‘07
“I was a student at Gordon from first through eighth grade. Over the course of those eight years I had countless amazing teachers, met many of my closest and oldest friends and I was introduced to community service, which I am passionate about today. I believe it is important to support the Annual Fund to help give students the same unique opportunities that I was able to enjoy and to stay connected with Gordon after graduating several years ago.”
Ways to give: 1
Log on to www.gordonschool.org/give
2
Use the enclosed envelope
3
Phone the Development Office at 401 434-3833
Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage
PAID
45 Maxfield Avenue East Providence RI 02914 www.gordonschool.org f a c e b o o k . c o m / t h e g o rd o n sch o o l
@ Go rd o n School
Permit #365 Providence, RI @gordonschool
1910 SOCIETY In April, members of the 1910 Society had a preview of the new facilities during their annual luncheon.
The 1910 Society honors those supporters who have designated a portion of their assets in their will or through their estate planning to benefit Gordon. If you are interested in joining this group of Gordon’s loyal supporters, please contact Kerrie Donahue, Development Director at kdonahue@gordonschool.org.