The Gow Life Spring 2019
Gow’s MAIN BUILDING Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow Honoring our legacy and embracing the future The Gow Life Magazine
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Inside Gow Life
2 - Table of Contents
3 - Headmaster’s Message
4 - The Class of 2019
5 - Commencement 2019
6/7 - Board of Trustees
8 - Around Campus
9 - Planned Giving at Gow
10/11 - Gow’s Wishlist
12/13 - Development News
14/19 - Main Building
20/23 - Gow on the Road
24/30 - Class Notes
THE GOW SCHOOL ADMINISTRATIVE TEAM M. Bradley Rogers, Jr. Douglas B. Cotter ’87, P ’19, P ’23 Gayle E. Hutton Robin Marshman Marty O’Connor Luke Salerno Katie Tierney
Headmaster Director of Admissions Director of Development Head of the Upper School Director of Buildings and Grounds Head of the Middle School Director of Business Operations, CFO
The Gow Life Magazine is created by The Gow School Development Office. We welcome your comments. To submit Alumni News (family, job and any other news you wish to share) please send update and photos to development@gow.org. Thank you! The Gow School Development Office
The Gow Life Magazine
2491 Emery Road
South Wales, NY 14139
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716.687.2075
development@gow.org
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Message from the Headmaster
M. Bradley Rogers, Jr.
Dear Friends, Another transformational year has come to a close at Gow. Once again, all 26 graduating seniors will be attending college in the fall. This class hails from seven countries and eleven states, and will be attending universities in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Mexico. The Gow School remains true to its mission of educating students with languagebased learning difficulties. As our girl’s boarding program continues to expand, we provide the structured programming, academic support, and life-changing experiences for those young men and women who need it most. Our school continues to evolve to best meet the needs of the students of tomorrow. Over the years, Gow has modernized the campus and built needed teaching, athletic, artistic, and living spaces to improve the faculty and student experience. While we are still in the planning stages, we invite you to read more about our vision for a new Main Building. If you haven’t yet done so, I invite you to visit Gow’s website (gow.org) to see frequently updated photos in the Media Gallery, join us on Facebook (including Gow Connect for our alumni), and follow us on Twitter. Most importantly, please update your email and address with the Development Office. These are easy ways to connect with the school and each other. With thanks to the generosity of many donors and to fiscal discipline by the school and Trustees, Gow has no debt and a significant $20 million endowment. This enables the school to hire and retain exceptional faculty, to provide scholarships to 30% of students, to maintain our campus, and to purchase academic and athletic equipment. We are so thankful to our families, alumni, and friends for their financial support and belief in the life-changing mission of Gow. In closing, I invite you to come back and see Gow. Stop by for a tour and the chance to meet students. There is no better way to experience the Gow of today. Warm regards,
M. Bradley Rogers, Jr.
Pictured above: Headmaster Rogers with Caroline ’25 and James ’23 Brooke. Pictured below: Alex Acquaviva ’20 and his parents; Nathaniel Archie ’20 and his father; Thomas Wood ’21 and his dad; and Blair Greminger ’23 with his mom.
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CELEBRATING THE CLASS OF 2019
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NAME
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HOMETOWN
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COLLEGE
Jacob Thaddeus Alper (1) Cincinnati, OH Xavier University Harold Arthur Armington (2) Austinburg, OH Muskingum University
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Rebekah-Hope Badders + (3)
Nacogdoches, TX
University Mary Hardin Baylor
William Houghton Beardwood (4)
Montchanin, DE
University of Delaware
Duncan Allen Cady (5)
San Francisco, CA
Hofstra University
Andrew Douglas Cotter + (6)
East Amherst, NY
Niagara University
Trent Edward Garvey (7)
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Williamsville, NY
Mercyhurst University
Cristóbal Cuesta Garza + (8)
Ambato, Ecuador
Technologico de Monterrey
Philippe Jean Halet (9)
Oxshott, Surrey, United Kingdom
American University
Matthew Jonathan Hamilton (10)
Washington, DC
Dalhousie University
Harrison David Huffman (11) Glenview, IL Xavier University 13
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Matthew Charles Hunter (12)
University Place, WA
University of Toledo
Shugo Izumi (13)
Chou-ku, Niigata, Japan
Guilford College
Daniel Ferdinando Ladurini (14)
Lake Forest, IL
Southern Illinois University
Junxi (Jacky) Li (15)
Guangzhou, China
Southern Illinois University
Luke P. Loeffel (16) Frankfort, IL Clarkson University Keifer Keith McNichols (17)
Villencia, Trinidad and Tobago
Richmond College London
Isaiah Monereau Merry (18) Brooklyn, NY Beacon College 12
James Anthony Murray (19)
Camana Bay, Grand Cayman
University of West London
John Jude Ogilvie (20)
New Lebanon, NY
Skidmore College
Caroline duPont Richards (21)
Wilbraham, MA
Hofstra University
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Alexander Perry Roger (22) Sparkill, NY Elizabethtown College
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Nicholas Vlahos (23)
Kitty Hawk, NC
Ithaca College
Campbell James Wilson (24)
Takoma Park, MD
WV Wesleyan College
Heinrik Xie (25)
Hong Kong, China
University of British Columbia
Zachary Ashford Zaepfel (26)
Williamsville, NY
Saint Bonaventure University
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LEGEND + = Child or sibling of Gow Alumnus
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COMMENCEMENT HIGHLIGHTS
Commencement is one of Gow’s most magical moments. Each year during the ceremony, every graduating senior reads a speech that he or she has written. Some are serious, others humorous, and all express their gratitude to families, friends, and teachers for helping them to realize the dream of graduating from Gow. In addition to the Commencement ceremony, Govians are honored at the Athletic Awards and Honors Convocation. We are so proud of all the award recipients and wish them continued success. Pictured Row 1: Isaiah Merry, Keifer McNichols, Campbell Wilson, Heinrik Xie, Harry Huffman, Kiki Richards, Headmaster M. Bradley Rogers, Jr., Hope Badders, Jude Ogilvie, Cristobel Cuesta, Andrew Cotter, Trent Garvey, Nick Vlahos. Row 2: Will Beardwood, James Murray, Jacob Alper, Philippe Halet, Alex Roger, Luke Loeffel, H.A. Armington, Duncan Cady, Zak Zaepfel, Shugo Izumi, Matthew Hunter, Jacky Li, Matthew Hamilton, and Danny Ladurini.
Lynn Ottaway Chafin Receives Lowell Lundell Excellence in Teaching Award Lynn Chafin, a Reconstructive teacher for 14 years, received the Lowell Lundell Excellence in Teaching Award at Commencement. This honor is presented each year to that faculty member who, through dedication, concern, and skill, has demonstrated the highest qualities of a professional teacher. Mrs. Chafin began working in The Gow School Summer Program in 2002, and started her teaching career at The Gow School in 2005. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education/Early Childhood from Edinboro University and a MS as a Literary Specialist from SUNY at Buffalo. Mrs. Chafin has served as Student Council Advisor, an Executive Function Coach, and as an Advisor for the Green Team (a student-run club focused on campus recycling). In addition, she has been an instructor for Gow’s summer Teacher Training Institute in 2005, 2012, 2013 and 2017. In 2010, she received The International Multisensory Structured Language Education Council’s (IMSLEC) Innovator Award as Outstanding Teacher. Mrs. Chafin has given fluency presentations at The International Dyslexia Association’s annual conferences held in New York City and Orlando. She has an award named in her honor. The Lynn Ottaway Chafin Award, given during Parents Weekend, recognizes those who make a difference in the Gow community. Outside of school, Mrs. Chafin enjoys going to garage sales, yoga, working out, reading, repurposing items, and bike riding. She and her husband, Dean of Students, Jon Chafin, live on campus with their twin girls. Pictured: Lynn Chafin with her husband Jon and Kathleen Rose, Chair of Reconstructive Language who presented the Lundell Award.
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VIEW FROM THE TOP
John Bullock ’80, Chair Gow Board of Trustees
Greetings from Gow, On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I want to thank you for your support of our school. We are so proud of Gow, of the faculty and staff for their dedication, and of the good work students do each and every day to excel in the classroom, on the athletic fields, in the art rooms, and as citizens. When I think back to my time as a Gow student, I remember arriving as an insecure student who had yet to realize academic success. My years at Gow were transformational. I quickly gained confidence, and that provided a foundation for my success in college, business, family, and as a community leader. My Gow teachers and friends guided me on a path to a successful life and helped me to overcome the challenges that dyslexia presents every day. I trust that the students of today also think of Gow as a place that transforms lives. What an honor to lead Gow’s dynamic Board of Trustees and to be part of this special place. Thank you for your continued belief in The Gow School.
John R. Bullock II, ’80 Chairman, Board of Trustees
Gow’s Board of Trustees 2019-2020 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE: John R. Bullock II ’80 Chair of the Board Cincinnati, OH
TRUSTEES AT LARGE: Tammy Baker Vice Chair of Technology Committee San Francisco, CA
Skip Wilday P ’17, P ’21, P ’21 Vice Chair of Board, Chair of Investment Committee, Chair Development Committee Cuba, NY
Al Chircop P ’06 Northfield, IL
John Brinkworth, Jr. P ’18 Treasurer, Chair of Finance Committee East Aurora, NY
Graeme Hepburn ’84, P ’19 Toronto, Ontario, CANADA
Lawrence Ross Secretary, Chair of Compensation, Vice Chair Campus Planning Committee Williamsville, NY Mary Ann Coulson P ’04 Member at Large, and Chair Committee on Trustees Buffalo, New York Robert Vail ’68 Member at Large, and Chair of Campus Planning Committee Cleveland, OH
The Gow Life Magazine
David W. Gow, Jr. Belmont, MA
Steven Ibbotson ’80 Chair of Technology Committee, Vice Chair of Investment Committee Canmore, AB, CANADA Robert Ittmann ’62 Gulf Stream, FL K. Carson Jones ’92 Dallas, TX Edward “Ted” Knight ’70 Lewisburg, WV Paul Kohan ’07 New York, NY
Karen Kopp P ’22 Vice Chair Student Life Committee Hamburg, NY
Paige Payne P ’21 Parent Association President Charleston, WV
Creighton Murch ’63, P ’23, P ’23 Cleveland Heights, OH
M. Bradley Rogers, Jr. Headmaster, The Gow School
Lowell G. Powers, Jr. ’59 Middletown, RI
EMERITUS TRUSTEES Andrew Evans ’62 Kentfield, CA
Daniel Reininga Vice Chair Finance Committee Dunkirk, NY Christine Standish P ’11 Vice Chair Development Committee Buffalo, NY Daphne Uliana P ’14 and P ’16 Chair of Student Life Committee Bethlehem, PA Robert Warner, Jr. ’64 Vice Chair Committee on Trustees Vail, CO
Joseph C. Giallanza Elma, NY Dean H. Jewett ’61 East Aurora, NY K. Peter Knudsen ’59 Palm Beach, FL J. Gibson McIlvain, III ’66 Lincoln University, PA John A. Pulvermann Jr. ’64 San Francisco, CA
EX-OFFICIO TRUSTEES: Jonathon I. Gutkind ’01 Alumni Association President King of Prussia, PA
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Welcome New Gow Trustees
Jonathon Gutkind ’01 Alumni Assn President (Ex-officio Member) Jonathon graduated from The University of Pittsburgh with a degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering. He works as an insurance and engineering consultant to Fortune 500 companies, and as a realtor in Philadelphia. In his free time, Jonathon enjoys spending time with friends, family, and his fiancee Lyla. He is a collegiate crew coach, sits on several boards, and mentors young professionals and entrepreneurs.
Edward Knight ’70 Ted earned a BS in finance from West Virginia University and a JD from the Thomas Cooley Law School. Ted has practiced law in Lewisburg, WV since 1985. Ted and his wife Anne operate the Tuscawilla Farm which has been in Ted’s family since 1901. He is President of the Virginian Land Company and Chairman and CEO of Coal Fillers Inc., in Bluefield, VA. Ted has served as Chair of the New River Community and Technical College Foundation and is a board member.
Paul Kohan ’07 Paul has served as President of The Gow Alumni Association for the 2018-19 year. Paul received his BS from the State University of New York at Brockport and JD from the Vermont Law School. Paul now practices law in New York City as a special education lawyer with the Skyler and Associates Law Firm. As president of The Alumni Association, Paul has focused on engaging more alumni and developing stronger regional alumni networks across the country.
Karen Kopp Karen graduated with a BS in Business from LeMoyne College and a degree in interior design from Villa Maria College. In 2010 she founded “Sew What? Custom Fabric Creations” which focuses on window treatments and soft furnishings. Karen loves being a small business owner and bringing joy to her clients one pillow at a time! She and her husband Chris have five children. Their youngest, Michael ’22 came to Gow in 7th grade and will be a sophomore this fall. Karen has served as the Parents Association President for the last two years.
Paige Payne Parent Assn President (Ex-officio Member) Paige was born and raised in Charlotte, NC. She met her husband, Lewis while attending The College of Charleston in South Carolina. They live in Charleston, WV and have two children; a daughter Cameron (19) who attends Macalester College and son Davis (16) who is a rising junior at The Gow School. Paige works at J. Q. Dickinson Salt-Works, a family business.
Daniel Reininga Dan has been President and CEO of Lake Shore Bancorp and Lake Shore Savings Bank since 2011. He was Vice Chair of the Board from 2003-2010, Executive VP and Chief Operating Officer from 20102011, and a Director since 1994. Dan served as President of G.H. Graf Realty Corporation from 1993-2009 and is currently the Chairman of the Board. Dan has a BS from Allegheny College and an MBA from the University of South Florida. He and his wife Wendy have four children and live in Fredonia, NY.
Pictured: John Brinkworth (P Jack ’18, Maggie GSSP); Lawrence Ross; Graeme Hepburn ’84 (P Magnus ’18); John Bullock ’80; Christine Standish (P Spencer Wilk ’11); Daniel Reininga; Karen Kopp (P Michael ’23 ,Parent Assocation President), Ted Knight ’70; M. Bradley Rogers, Jr., Headmaster; David Gow Jr.; Daphne Uliana (P Nick ’14 and Sam ’16); Creighton Murch ’63 (P John and James ’23); Robert Vail ’68; Al Chircop (P Craig ’06); Lowell Powers ’59; and Tammy Baker. Not pictured: Lynne Biladeau (P Laurent ’17); Mary Ann Coulson (P Adam Kendrick ’04); Paul Kohan ’07 (Alumni Association President); Steve Ibbotson ’80; Robert Ittmann ’62; and Carson Jones ’92.
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CAMPUS NEWS Gow Welcomes a New Reconstructive Language Department Chair Written by Kathleen Rose, retiring RL Chair
By Mark Szafnicki, Varsity Tennis Coach
It is my pleasure to announce Mr. Brian Thompson as the next Reconstructive Language Department Chairperson. Brian hails from Marilla, New York and inherited his love of the classroom from a family of respected educators. From the moment he arrived at Gow to be trained in 2011, Brian stood out for his excellence as an RL teacher. Earning his Master of Science in Education degree in 2015, Brian is qualified at the Instructor of Teaching level under robust International Multisensory Structured Language Education Council (IMSLEC) standards. In 2016, Brian received the prestigious Innovator Award for Outstanding Multisensory Structured Language Education Teacher from this accrediting organization. He is engaging as a teacher trainer and has consistently backed up the tenets of the Gow language program with current research to make sure best practices are effective and in place. Gow is blessed with a strong Reconstructive Language faculty, and I am confident and excited that Brian will lead his colleagues with professionalism and as a faithful steward of The Gow School Reconstructive Language Program. Congratulations, Brian!
We thank the following Gow faculty for their service and dedication. As they leave Gow to pursue other passions, we wish them all the very best! Kathleen Rose - Chair, Reconstructive Language Department Kathy is retiring after more than 30 years as a Gow dorm master, faculty and staff member, and department chair. William Schnaithman - Foreign Language Department Chair William will be attending Law School at The University at Buffalo. Reyna Vergara - Librarian Reyna has accepted a tenure track position at the Mississippi University for Women in Columbus, MS. John Simms ’02 - Reconstructive Language Teacher John will be a Learning Support Specialist at The Beacon Academy in Evanston, IL. Michael Stilson - Instructional Assistant Michael will be pursuing a Masters of Science in Higher Education and Student Affairs Administration at Canisius College. The Gow Life Magazine
Gow Tennis Victorious!
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Due to a realignment of the league this year, the varsity tennis team was challenged to win their 10th straight division title. Despite losing a close 3-2 Jude Ogilvie ’19 and decision to Cristobal Cuesta ’19 eventual league champion Canisius in their first outing of the season, the Ravens showed their resolve and determination in a different way. After injuring his ankle and potentially derailing the remainder of the season, Gow’s #1 singles player, Jude Ogilvie ’19, fought back in the championship tournament to win the singles title, becoming the first ever Gow tennis player to do so. Along the way, Jude defeated highly ranked Jonathan Goodloe of Nichols 6-1, 7-5 in the semifinals, and Canisius’ Matt Jackson of 6-0, 6-0 in the finals. In addition to Jude’s success at singles, Gow’s #2 singles player Cristóbal Cuesta ’19 advanced to the semifinals and took 3rd place in the tournament. Cuesta lost to Jackson 6-3, 6-3 in the semifinals, but rebounded in the consolation singles final to defeat Goodloe 6-2, 6-2. The doubles team of Nicholas O’Neill ’20 and Davis Payne ’21 also reached the semifinals and placed 4th, losing a tough match to the Canisius team that took the title, and a close match to Nichols 6-4, 7-5 in the consolation final. Ogilvie and Cuesta are both seniors and will be going to college. Coach Szafnicki looks forward to next year where he expects many veteran players to step up and younger players to work diligently to earn spots on the varsity squad. Visit us at gow.org
PLANNED GIVING AT GOW
What, why and how
If you have already included Gow in your estate plan, please let us know so we can recognize your generosity. If you would like further information about Planned Giving, please contact Gayle Hutton, Director of Development at 716.687.2074 or ghutton@gow.org. Thank you!
Alumnus Bob Vail ’68 reflects on the meaning of his parent’s gift to Gow
WHAT IS A PLANNED GIFT?
Regardless of your life circumstances or estate size, your Planned Gift may be the most important document you create. A Planned Gift is a charitable instrument designed (preferably with professional advice) to optimize your financial, tax, and estate wishes. Planned Gifts help donors to maximize their charitable giving and minimize taxes. You can stipulate this gift in your will as either a set amount or percentage of your estate (called a bequest), or make a gift of life insurance or retirement funds during your life.
From the moment I started at Gow in 1961 as a sixth grader, my life (and my parent’s lives) were forever changed. I will always treasure my very first week at Gow when the students were lined up and the upperclassmen were choosing soccer teams. Used to being picked last at my home school, imagine my surprise when the team captain scanned the crowd (okay - there were probably only twelve of us), and picked me first. What a boost when I realized that Gow was truly that level playing field and fresh start I had dreamt of. Those teammates didn’t know (or care) that I was that student who couldn’t read. For the first time, I was just a kid who could hopefully play soccer.
WHY HAVE A PLANNED GIFT?
Estate planning offers tax benefits for you and your family, and ensures that your assets are distributed to the people and institutions that are most important to you. Your gift can be unrestricted (so that Gow can use it where needed most) or restricted to a program such as scholarship or endowment. You may create a fund in your name or in honor or memory of someone else.
WAYS TO MAKE A PLANNED GIFT TO GOW
Designate a Gift to Gow in your Will This is one of the easiest ways to make an estate gift. Simply ask your attorney to review the following wording and include it in your will: “I give and bequeath to The Gow School (Tax ID# 16-1034793), located in South Wales, New York, the sum of $______ OR ______% of the rest, residue and remainder of my estate.
I am forever grateful that my parents found Gow. Coming from Cleveland, it wasn’t nearly as far from home as many of my Gow friends, but it was definitely another world. All of us who found Gow were lucky that in the days before the Internet, our parents knew there was a right place for us. They persevered and heard about Gow from pediatricians, dinner party companions, business colleagues, and fellow moms who had, by chance, heard of a place that could help their struggling child learn to read.
Donate a Life Insurance Policy Donate a policy that has been paid off or name Gow as your beneficiary. If you make the premium payments, they become deductions and the policy’s value is removed from your estate. You could also sell an unneeded insurance policy and donate the proceeds, earning an immediate tax-deduction.
Throughout their lives, my parents remained passionate about Gow. Just a few years ago when my mom was well into her 70s, she hosted a Gow dinner at her home in Cleveland for alumni and families. She was always a cheerleader for the school and often talked about how thankful the Vail family was to have found Gow. Attending Gow set me on the path to success.
Donate your IRA If you are age 70½ and have to take a Required Minimum Distribution from your IRA distribution, you can donate that to Gow. This will reduce your adjusted gross income and tax burden. Make Gow a Beneficiary of Your Retirement Plan Leaving your retirement plan or IRA (or a portion of it) to Gow or naming Gow as the recipient of your retirement plan after your lifetime (or following the deaths of you and your spouse), avoids all estate and income taxes on the plan assets. If you name Gow as the beneficiary of the remainder of your retirement plan at your death, 100% goes to Gow.
My dad passed away in 2003, and my mom and I created The H. Lansing and Katherine Vail Scholarship Fund in their names. When my mom passed away, this endowed scholarship was established to help students attend Gow. What an honor it will be to present this meaningful scholarship in the name of my parents.
Please consult your professional advisor to determine which Planned Giving option would be most appropriate for you.
Pictured above: Bob and his mom Katherine Vail The Gow Life Magazine
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We love Gow’s Wishlist! Gow’s Wishlist provides a meaningful way for donors to support a particular program or to purchase a specific item. Faculty and staff are asked to add items that will benefit students in the classroom or dormitory, and the Wishlist is updated as items are purchased. Your gift to purchase a specific item or donation to the general Wishlist Fund helps Gow students. We are thankful to those who have recently answered the call and provided the funding to purchase some terrific items including a beautiful grand piano, golf swing analyzer, spinning bikes, robotics and athletic equipment, and more.
Gow’s new Grand Piano Anne Moot’s love for music inspired her to help purchase Gow’s new grand piano. A noted pianist, Anne is a pillar of the Buffalo musical community and frequently performs and records with her duo piano partner. Gow’s new piano, chosen personally by Anne, will allow Gow to expand its music programs and bring visiting artists to campus. Anne’s husband Welles attended Gow for one year and graduated in 1939. Gow gave him the academic boost he needed to succeed as a businessman and philanthropist in Buffalo. His role as a pillar of the community and President of the Western New York Foundation helped to inspire many key projects in Buffalo. Throughout his life, he was an advocate for Gow and its educational program. We thank Anne for offering a challenge gift, and to the other donors who made this musical gift possible. A plaque thanking these donors is displayed in the Simms Theater.
Golf Analyzer Takes Gow Team to Next Level Recommended by Gow’s coaches, the Trackman 4 system will help team members and coaches to analyze performance, improve shots and enhance technique. This system will help with golf instruction, coaching, and fitting. The system analyzes the launch angle, spin rate, curvature, path, face angle, swing direction, and spin loft. We are thankful to the Zaepfel family (Zak ’19) for purchasing a Trackman dual-radar system which will help our golf team to improve and to become better athletes.
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PURCHASE SOMETHING FUN for GOW’S WISHLIST This list contains items which will benefit students and teachers in their classrooms and dorms. If you wish to make a donation to purchase items on the Wishlist, can help us buy items at a reduced price, or want to donate money to the general Wishlist fund, please contact Kate in the Development Office at development@gow.org or call 716.687.2075. We will recognize your generosity with a plaque (when appropriate) and in our Annual Report. Thank you!
Item Description Department/Area # needed Cost Rebel t6i DSLR Camera with lens, tripod, flash Light Table for Drawing Class
Applied Technology Art Department
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$700 $4,200
Tennis Courts (price each) Athletics 3 $75,000 Crew Boat (four-person) Athletics 1 $15,000 Spinning Bikes (price per bike) Athletics 8 $1,000 Board of Champions Plaque for Wrestling Team Athletics 1 $500 Garmin Forerunner 235 Watches (for Cross Country Team) Athletics 9 $250 Pop-up Tents for the scoring tables Athletics 2 $250 Individual Plyometric Boxes Athletics 1 $500 Automated External Defibrillator (AED) Health Office 1 $1,295 TI-84 Plus Calculators (Pack of 10) Math Department 2 $100 each $1040/ten pack Math Class Games (BreakoutEDU Kits) Math Department 2 $150 Rock Drum Kit with Cymbal Music Department 1 $2,200 Multi-Touch Music Production Console Music Department 1 $1,000 Kindle E-Reader (high resolution display) Reconstructive Language 7 $120 Dynamic DNA models – classroom set Science Department 1 $1,000 Telescope for Astronomy Club Science Department 1 $1,000 PASCO “Shoot The Target” demonstration Science Department 1 $400 Animal Kingdom Survey Set Science Department 1 $345 Microscope Science Department 2 $300 Mercury Free Barometer Science Department 1 $300 Vex IQ Superkit (800 robotics components, motors, sensors etc.) Gift Certificate for FingerTech Robot Company (To buy batteries, parts and switches for class projects)
Robotics and Technology Robotics and Technology
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$400 $100
Walkie-talkies (4 pack) Summer Program 4 $200 Tents (can accommodate eight people) Summer Program 5 $160
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A NOTE FROM GAYLE HUTTON
Gow’s Director of Development
Dear friends, It’s been a joy to visit with many of you in the past few months. With travels to more than forty cities since September, I have enjoyed the chance to reconnect with hundreds of Gow alumni and parents, to become better acquainted with our current families, to visit schools and potential students who want to know more about Gow’s programs, and of course, to reconnect with our alumni who are out in the world and doing great things. Your accomplishments are so inspiring! We are fortunate to have a dynamic network of alumni and families who want to Polly Florius (mom of Toula ’22) and Gayle Hutton make a difference for Gow. I sincerely thank those of you who have hosted events in your homes or at a restaurant, or helped us identify the perfect meeting space. It is wonderful to bring people together who share a passion for Gow and its programs. We know there are so many people who need a place like Gow, but can’t even begin to imagine that it exists. Your help in identifying schools and potential families assists us in spreading the word. This is a dynamic time at Gow. Thanks to the generosity of alumni, parents and friends, Gow has a significant endowment of over $20 million. This doesn’t mean we can rest on our laurels, but rather that we must continue to fundraise in order to guarantee a strong future. Securing more need-based financial aid, unrestricted Gow Annual Fund dollars, and support for capital projects is vital to the fiscal health of our school. This edition of Gow Life contains a sneak peek at our vision for a new Main Building, as well as information about other ways you can help Gow. The generosity of others who came before us helped to create our beautiful campus and robust programs. I hope you will continue this tradition of giving.
Easy ways to make a difference: • Give to the Gow Annual Fund. Visit https://www.gow.org/support-gow or call 716.687.2075 • Include Gow in your will. To find out more, see page 9. • Make a Gift of Appreciated Stock. Email the Development Office for stock transfer instructions. • If you are age 70 1/2, make a gift from your IRA. To find out more, visit page 9. • Create a Named Fund in your name or in honor of someone special. • Buy an Item for Gow’s Wishlist! For a list of items you can sponsor, please see page 11. Please call or email with questions about giving to Gow. Thank you for your continued belief in the life-changing mission of our school. I hope our paths will cross sometime soon! Most sincerely,
Gayle E. Hutton 716.687.2074 ghutton@gow.org
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GOW ATHLETES HONORED For many Govians, athletics plays a key role in their experience. Through the years, Gow has added more athletic options, and today’s students can participate in nearly twenty sports. Voted on by Gow coaches and presented at Fall Weekend, the Athletic Wall of Fame recognizes stellar athletes who have excelled athletically while at Gow and after. We are proud to induct these five exceptional athletes into the Wall of Fame and to recognize their many accomplishments. Roger Adams ’71 Roger Adams attended The Gow School from 1966 to 1970. Roger was an exceptional athlete who played tennis, lacrosse and ski raced. He was the captain and leading scorer for the undefeated 1969 Gow soccer team. At Notre Dame College, Roger was voted Athlete of the Year in 1972 and inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1991. Roger graduated from the University of Windsor in 1976 where he played both basketball and football. He was drafted as a tight end by the Saskatchewan Rough Riders of the Canadian Football League in 1977. Paul Allen ’89 Paul Allen attended The Gow School from 1986 to 1989. Paul was a member of the varsity basketball team for four consecutive years and during his tenure, Gow won two IAC basketball championships. Paul also played lacrosse and started on the varsity soccer team as a sophomore. At Muskingum University, he walked on to the soccer team, and founded the school’s lacrosse program. After college, Paul created a youth lacrosse program in Avon, OH, and is the current head coach for the local high school team. Michael Mitsche ’09 Michael Mitsche attended The Gow School from 2006-2009. Michael wrestled for three seasons and was captain of the team in his senior year. As a junior, he was a member of the MMHSAA Division II The Gow Life Magazine
Gow Wall of Fame Inductees
Championship team, and in his senior year Michael earned a spot in the CHSAA state tournament. Additionally, Michael was also an outstanding rower, earning three varsity letters, captaining the team both junior and senior year. He also competed in the Canadian National Rowing Championships Pictured: Jimmy Ayers ’11, Paul Allen ’89, Toma Blatchford ’12, and was the junior Michael Mitsche ’09 and Roger Adams ’71 singles champion at the Royal Canadian Henley Previously inducted winners include: Regatta in 2008. Michael attended Coe Kevin Behan ’93 College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa where Basketball College of Eastern Utah he wrestled for one season. Timothy Sean Bridgman ’91 First team all-star soccer, basketball Jimmy Ayers ’11 Jamie Forer ’96 Jimmy Ayers attended The Gow Soccer Norwich University School from 2009 to 2011. Jimmy Robert Garcia (Coach) earned six varsity letters in cross Varsity Basketball Coach ’83-97; IAC country, basketball and rowing. He Championships ’87 and ’88 was named captain of the basketball Garth Gittens ’80 team in his senior year and earned Soccer and lacrosse New England First Team All IAC Honors. Jimmy won College; Head coach Algonquin the Most Improved Rower Award as College Women’s Soccer Team a senior. While at Gow, Jimmy also Frank Haner ’87 competed in two Buffalo Marathons Soccer Hampden-Sydney College and one cross country ski race. A Drew Hendley ’91 rare two-time winner of the 1939 Tennis Muskingum College Competitive Spirit Award in both his Charles Hoffman ’37 junior and senior years, Jimmy was Soccer, lacrosse and skiing one of the finest and most versatile Jon H. Holt ’58 athletes ever to attend Gow. Today, Coach undefeated 1969 Soccer Team he is an avid runner and cyclist. Aaron Krause ’00 Swimmer Towson University Toma Blatchford ’12 Ryan McGrath ’94 Toma Blatchford attended The Gow Tennis, ski racing and soccer School from 2009 to 2012. As a tennis Adam Oberkircher ’83 player, Toma played singles for four Soccer West Virginia Wesleyan consecutive seasons and was named David Owen ’36 captain of the team in each of those Lacrosse Hobart College seasons. He earned the team’s Most Grant Philips ’80 Improved Player Award as a freshman Founded Ontario Minor LAX League and a senior. Toma led the tennis Michael Schmidt ’96 team to three consecutive MMHSAA Soccer Regis University; Professional Division II titles from 2010-2012, and Soccer player in El Paso, TX he finished his Gow tennis career Adam Steinberg ’86 with 28 victories. Toma attended the Marshall University Rugby Team prestigious Chris Evert Academy in Brian Talma ’83 Florida for one semester and played Professional Windsurfer Division III tennis at Curry College for The 1969 Soccer Team four straight years. 10-0 undefeated season 13
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Celebrating Main Building
through the ages
Main has served as a key campus building for nearly 100 years. As we look to the future, we envision a new Main Building that will provide handicapped accessibility and an elevator, an improved health suite, and larger, more flexible classrooms. Planning is underway, and as we know this building has thousands of memories for our alumni, we wanted to take a look back at some of its many reincarnations, while also sharing our vision for tomorrow. Enjoy!
The original barn that was purchased and renovated to become Main Building
Originally, Main Building was a barn situated behind the Gow house about fifty yards from the creek. Once moved, it served as the hub of campus life, housing classes, dorm rooms, the cafeteria, locker room, and study hall from 1926 until 1979. Over the years, the building has also accommodated the Govian bookstore, business office, infirmary, development office, the summer program office, and Little Seniors (a student run snack shop).
Studying by the fireplace in the 1930s
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Sitting on the front steps 1950s
Studyhall in the 1950s
Headmaster Norman Howard in his classroom
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Headmaster David Gow in the 1980s Studyhall in the 1980s
Adding new dormitory space has allowed Gow to grow. In addition to the original dorms of Cornwall, Green, Main, White Cottage and Hill House, students are housed in dorms Templeton (1961), Whitcomb (1989), Warner (2001) and Rogers-Ivie (2015). As these new dorms were built, students no longer lived in Main, Hill House, White Cottage or Green, although all but Main are still used as faculty housing.
Early computer lab
Study Hall moved to Orton when the building was constructed in the late 1980s.
Studyhall in the lobby of Main Kathy Rose teaches RL in the ’90s
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Spotlight on Little Seniors For decades, students have honed entrepreneurship skills by operating Little Seniors, the student run store in the basement of Main. Located next to the barbershop, this area has been a special place for students to gather and enjoy a snack after study hall. Each year, the students in the program donate the proceeds to the school in support of the scholarship fund or another worthy project. Visiting alumni always enjoy the chance to stop by Little Seniors to see their names painted on the walls.
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MAIN TODAY
John Simms ’02 teaching RL
Lynn Chafin in RL classroom
Kathy Rose with Kuvaal Patel ’15
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A Look Ahead - Meeting the Needs of Reconstructive Language
THE VISION FOR TOMORROW’S MAIN BUILDING The Main Building has served nearly every role at Gow in the past 95 years - as a dorm, dining area, study hall, classroom, storage area, administrative office and more. As we look ahead, we realize the importance of constructing a building that will best serve the needs of tomorrow’s Gow students. We have begun to consider what this might look like. Architects have developed a vision for a new Main Building. Located on the site of the current Main, we hope this newly designed space will be twice as large and have flexible learning spaces. We are committed to carefully archiving, dismantling, preserving and reusing many of the key elements of Main. With three floors and a walkout basement, this new Main will have 12 larger classrooms, a health office suite with privacy for male and female students, an ADA accessible elevator, the business and development offices, and reception area to welcome students and their families. To take full advantage of the setting and views of the Cazenovia Creek, Little Seniors (the student run store) will have a walkout patio and seating – perfect for grilling hot dogs on a warm spring day. As we finalize blueprints and develop a fundraising strategy to make this building a reality, we hope you will want to play a role in this important project. The campaign will include funds to build and furnish the building, as well as an endowment to support its maintenance and operation in the future. As we consider the needs of the school looking forward, we can expect the new Main to have the same look, the same feel, and the same culture of practicality to serve Gow for the next hundred years. We look forward to sharing the details and plans with you in the coming months. If you should have any questions or want to find out more about ways to help, please contact Development Director Gayle Hutton at ghutton@gow.org or 716.687.2074. Thank you!
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We wish we could post photos from all our events, but here are a few from Gow gatherings around the country. Thanks to our hosts and to all who attended!
Gow Connections - Near and Far
ATLANTA, GA at the Benecki home Thanks to Melanie Turner, Stan Benecki (Colin ’20) Phil, Patti, and Matt Junger ’95, Scott Melnick ’90 and his wife Alyssa Cassatto, Bridget and Michael Wright ’91, Melanie Turner, Colin Benecki ’20, Stan Benecki, Alex Friedrich ’92, and Gayle Hutton
CINCINNATI, OH at Trio Bistro Cam Baker, Dawson Bullock, Lowell Powers ’59, Cindy and Patrick Seery ’90, Dave Stroeppel ’71. Row 2: Gayle Hutton, Tony Baker ’53, Patrick Maundrell ’07, Rush Packham ’12, David Woodside ’64, Mary Wolowicz, Allison Farber ’18 and John Bullock ’80
CHICAGO, IL at the Ladurini home
Thanks to Janet and Dan Ladurini (Danny ’19) Dan Ladurini, Jenn Bamann, Colleen Huffman, Gayle Hutton. Row 2: Janet Ladurini, Walker Meers ’12, Caryllon Huggins, Alan Freemond ’82, Melissa and Paul Loeffel, Gam Huggins, Tom Huffman and Mike Bond ’68
NAPLES, FL at Lamoraga Restaurant Al Chircop, Walt Silver ’67, Tristan Argenti ’51, Joan Fontana, Pat Silver, Susan and Laren Addabbo, Cindy and Jeff Sweet, Gayle Hutton, Gaye Chircop, Chris Fontana ’88, and Carole Hall
MINNEAPOLIS at the Minneapolis Club
Thanks to hosts Jean and Charlie Krogness ’46 Jean Krogness, Wade Campbell, Carol Siegel, Sara Letourneau. Row 2: Kathy Campbell, Zach Siegel ’89, Charlie Krogness ’46, Mary and Dan Crear ’71, James and Kelli Reid, Catharine Reid, Todd Letourneau and Gayle Hutton The Gow Life Magazine
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BETHESDA, MD at the Fisch home
Thanks to Alan and Louise Fisch (Seth ’23) Lex Bittle ’06, Janet Firth, Peter Johnson, Carter Merrick ’08, Pamela Tedesco, Shawna Buckley, Thomas Oggier ’15, Karen Wilson, Joe Hallowell ’66, John Kopec ’90, Louise and Alan Fisch, Michael Fannon ’01, Lois Fisch, Rick Thompson ’72 and Tim Wells ’08
OYSTER BAY, NY at the Englander home
Thanks to Julia and Dan Englander (Harry ’20) Pat and Jessica Darcy, Dan Englander, Margaret and Ben Parker ’95, Jenn Bamann, Paul Kohan ’07, and Julia Englander
TIBURON, CA at the Ittmann home
Thanks to hosts Lila Lohr & Robert Ittmann ’62 Charlotte Andrews ’21, Tammy Baker, Robert Ittmann ’62, Andy Evans ’62 Row 2: Alec Rodriguez Stangle ’20, Matt Fontana ’20, Peter Rosenthal ’79, Ardythe Andrews, Lila Lohr, Patrick Dunn ’11, and Liz Stangle
GEORGIA EVENTS - SAVANNAH at Churchills Henry Minis ’66, Ross Hardigan ’08, Sam Adams ’66, Tom and Billie Maier, Schley Knight ’66 and Gayle Hutton
HILTON HEAD at The Black Marlin Dave Theobald, Bill Wallace ’74, Aaron Krause ’00, Jane Ellsworth, Gayle Hutton, and Michael Jordan ’64
CHARLESTON, WV at the Payne home
Thanks to Paige and Lewis Payne (Davis ’21) Alec Mansfield ’60, Tyler Baiz ’17, Sara Barker, Lori Dubrawka. Row 2: Connor Smith ’18, Sam Uliana ’16, Daphne Uliana, Jeff Bailey, Barbie and Brooks McCabe ’66, Anne and Ted Knight ’70, Patricia and Dabney Graney, Paige Payne, Melissa Menon, Jennifer Carriger, and Lewis Payne The Gow Life Magazine
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PHOENIX, AZ at Windsor Row 1: Barbara Ketover, Spencer and Parker Cowles, Toni Shattuck Row 2: Matt Delasotta ’07, Jon Cowles ’87, Bita Buckler and her mom, Michael Schmidt ’96, Jim Purdy ’61, Wendy Husser, Kerr Gelvin ’96, John and Trey Shattuck ’15
FAIRFIELD, CT at the Shea home
Thanks to Amanda and Chris Shea (Chris ’20) Adam Balinsky, Tracey Aaron, Jeff Kling ’09, Hande Gurdogan. Row 2: Todd Mitchell, George Clark ’66, Paul Kohan ’07, Chris Shea, Amanda Shea, Dana Stahl, and Maura Craig
SUDBURY, MA at the Acquaviva home
Thanks to Jan and Tom Acquaviva (Alex ’20) Sam Diarbakerly ’11, Jan Acquavivia, Alexis Stephenson Downing, Tom Acquaviva and Norris Mead ’10
RANCHO MIRAGE, CA at the Jenks home
Thanks Roger Lujan & Roy Jenks (Jack LeMaster ’21) Roger Lujan, Wendy and Tad McKay ’66, Roy Jenks
MIAMI, FL at Boxelder Craft Beer Market Thanks to host Matt Kleinberg ’07
Peter Knudsen ’59, Jeff Gordon ’72, Matt Kleinberg ’07, Blake Hatch ’16, William Lashbrook ’10, Gayle Hutton, Larry Acheson ’84, and Chip Wilkinson ’87
DENVER, CO at Il Fornaio
Thanks to Richard King Brown (Jason ’92) Lexi Fortna, Sandra Gommel, Gayle Hutton, Kathryn Addabbo, Wilson Wehmeier Row 2: Jason Brown ’92, Joe Schneiders ’15, Griff McClure ’65, James Berry ’89, Fred Bernard ’60, Hugh Gommel, Philip Addabbo ’15, and Porter Follett ’13
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BUFFALO, NY at the O’Neill home
Thanks to Gina and Erik O’Neill (Nick ’20) Nick O’Neill ’20, Jude Ogilvie ’19, Jack Dressler ’20, Kiki Richards ’19, Hope Badders ’19, Allison Garvey, Mary Lou Rath, Tanya Davis, Priscilla Bennett, Kate Piazza, Karen Kopp, Erik and Gina O’Neill, Marc and Karen Klementowski, John Hatcher ’70, Dan Kelley, Laura Zaepfel, John and Jane Kearn, and Jeff Davis
NEW YORK, NY at The Pig Bleeker Thanks to host Paul Kohan ’07
Mark Camenzuli ’14, Michael Johnson ’07, Kevin Challberg ’07, Paul Kohan ’07, and Josh Lerman ’06
CHICAGO, IL at the Mark home Thanks to host Peter Mark ’86
Thomas Romano ’11, Dan Mehta ’03, Haruko Shino, Willard Korfhage, Michael Bond ’68, Spencer Simms ’05, Connor O’Shaughnessy ’15, Izer Martinez ’14, Peter Mark ’86, and Alex Laethem ’13
GRAND CAYMAN at the Frawley home
Thanks to Anne and Tim Frawley (Patrick ’23) Lois Kellyman, Anne Frawley, Latasha and LaRue Nixon, Deirdre Billes, Jasmine, Jamie Coats, and Tim Frawley
APEX, NC at the Rodger home
Thanks to hosts Amanda & Andy Rodgers ’97 Matt Kelly ’96, Betsy Carmichael, Amanda and Andy Rodgers ’97. Row 2: Dent and Kathy Allison, Drew Hendley ’91, Greg and Kathy Michalek, Grayson Chalmers ’00, Jack Milani ’87, and Russell Pearlman ’79
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CLASS NOTES Charlie Krogness ’46 and his wife Jean hosted a Gow alumni dinner at The Minneapolis Club The family of George Reid ’43 who passed away in December 2017 also attended. Pictured below: Charlie and his daughter Kathy, with James, Kelli & Catharine Reid.
1940s
Jon Holt ’58 returned to Gow in October to induct Roger Adams ’71 into Gow’s Athletic Wall of Fame. After graduating in 1958, Jon served as a Gow faculty member and coach of Gow’s winning soccer team in the 1960s, including the undefeated 1969 Championship Team. Jon and his wife, Barbara live on Cape Cod.
1950s
Sig Lonegrin ’60 and his wife, Karin are living in the Province of Drenthe in the Netherlands. They live near some Hunebedden which are large rock structures created 5,000 years ago. Sig and Karin enjoy exploring these marvels. Skip Ledyard ’61 and his wife Denise live in Zion, IL. He is retired from an auto parts distributor. David Underdown ’61 is enjoying retirement in Bloomfield Hills, MI. This past winter, he skied for two weeks with fellow Govian Peter Booth ’59 in CO. They are planning a trip to Tibet in September and will be taking the train from Tibet to Beijing and trekking for six days. Robert Ittmann ’62 and his wife Lila Lohr hosted a Gow event at the their home in Tiburon, CA. Lila is the interim head of the Marin Day School. Next year, Lila and Robert will be living in Seattle where Lila will be the interim head at University Prep. Robert serves as a Gow Trustee. Pictured below: Robert, Lila, Andy Evans ’62 and Tammy Baker, a Gow trustee and daughter of Tony Baker ’53.
Peter Booth ’59 was a judge in Colorado Springs for 36 years. Now retired, he volunteers for the Red Cross, enjoys time with family and being outdoors. He has two daughters, one who lives in Denver and another who lives in Colorado Springs. He and David Underdown ’61 ski together every year.
1960s
Hem Ewing ’60 and his wife Ginger (pictured below) moved four years ago from Westport, CT to Winston-Salem, NC to be near their sons Scout and Spencer ’96.
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Creighton Murch ’63 and his wife Janice have twin sons attending Gow. John and James are in the class of 2023. Pictured: Janice Smith Murch, Bob Warner ’64 and his wife Jill, and Creighton Murch ’63. Both Bob and Creighton serve as Gow Trustees.
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David Fuger ’64 lives in Harbor Springs, MI and Elbow Bay, Bahamas. His company supplied parts to the auto industry and he enjoys hunting and boating in retirement. He and his wife sailed the Great Loop (a 6,000 mile system of waterways in the eastern US and Canada). Tom Hord ’64 and his wife Mary live in Petosky, MI and enjoy cross country skiing and mountain biking. Tom works parttime for the Petosky city parking department. Steve Bryan ’65 lives in Palatine, IL and retired from All State Insurance. His daughter attends medical school and recently had a baby. Steve is loving being a grandfather! Sam Adams ’66 and his wife Berta live in Savannah. His company repairs ocean-going shipping containers, and as Savannah is one of the busiest ports on the East Coast, business is good. He recently came to a Gow dinner in Savannah and enjoyed reminiscing with Henry Minis ’66, and Schley Knight ’66.
George Clark ’66 and his wife have homes in Newport, RI and in Southport, CT where he serves on the board of the Southport School. George was in sales for Pitney Bowes for 40 years and retired a few years ago. He recently attended a Gow event in Fairfield, CT. Visit us at gow.org
CLASS NOTES Joe Hallowell ’66 and his wife Terry recently attended a Gow event in Bethesda, MD. Joe attended Gow for 8th grade and graduated from the Belmont Hill School. After college, he became a dairy farmer in VT for 17 years. He then owned several businesses including a propane company and a manufactured housing and modular home business in VA. He and Terry live in Winchester, VA.
Mike Shockey ’67 lives in Greencastle, PA and is retired after 40 years as a teacher and administrator. He enjoys spending time outdoors and with his five grandchildren. He writes that “Life is good. Thanks to Gow, my dyslexia turned out to be a blessing!” Walt Silver ’67 and his wife Pat are enjoying the winter months at their home in Naples, FL and summers in Akron, OH. He recently retired from his company Akrochem in Akron.
Schley Knight ’66 and his wife Terry are enjoying spending time with their grandchildren in Savannah, GA. Schley is a retired banker. (Pictured previous page with Sam Adams and Henry Minis. Brooks McCabe ’66 and his wife Barbie attended a Gow event in Charleston, WV. Brooks was a Democratic member of the WV Senate and has been in commercial and investment real estate for over thirtyfive years. They have a daughter, Katie, and two grandchildren. Henry Minis ’66 and his wife Sally sold their house in Savannah and moved to a smaller home which they are enjoying. He and his son, Henry, Jr. ’09 are hoping to come back for Gow’s Fall Weekend. Tad McKay ’67 and his wife Wendy attended a Gow dinner in Rancho Mirage, CA. They split their time between Leland, MI and the Palm Springs area. James Nowak ’67 has been married for 46 years and has four children and 11 grandchildren. He recently visited with Mike Bond ’68. The Gow Life Magazine
John Manson ’68 came back to Gow for Fall Weekend. He is retired from a career in higher education and now lives in Hermitage, TN. Pictured below: Alan Botto ’57, Abbott Brownell ’61, George Ehrhorn ’67, John, and Bill Bredenberg ’66.
Howard Nusbaum ’68 and his wife Debb live in Hope, ID and have three children.
1970s
Ted Knight ’70 recently became a member of Gow’s Board of Trustees. He is an attorney in Lewisburg, WV, and he and his wife Anne came back to campus for Gow’s Fall Weekend.
Roger Adams ’71, his wife Ann and daughter Katie at Gow. 25
Robert Manice ’71 and his wife Heidi enjoy spending time at their homes in Boston and Newport. They purchased a historic home in Newport and are renovating it. Robert and Heidi have three children. Pictured: Robert and Gayle Hutton in Newport. Bob Morgan ’71 recently retired from working for Amtrak after 33 years as a conductor. He now operates a private investigative business and is looking forward to doing more traveling. He and his wife, Amie live in Pearl River, LA. Rick Thompson ’72 and his wife, Ellee are enjoying retirement after teaching at McDonogh School for a total of 77 years. She taught in the lower school and Rick in the middle school. They enjoy visiting their son’s two boys and daughter’s two sons. They also go back and forth to their beach house in Bethany Beach, Delaware a few weekends a month, with extended time in the summer. Golf, fishing, kayaking, reading, travel and long walks with their chocolate lab, Gracie keep them busy. Pictured: Rick and grandson Britton. Bill Wallace ’74 lives in Charleston, SC and retired two years ago from Lowe’s where he was in commercial sales. Both his daughters live close by and he enjoys his three grandsons. His wife Diane works in finance at a hospital. David Fletcher ’75 and his 90-year old mom (pictured left) attended a Gow dinner in Asheville. He runs the family farm. David is married, has three children, and two grandsons. Visit us at gow.org
CLASS NOTES Gregory Hirsch ’85 recently returned to Gow to speak at Commencement and welcome the Class of 2019 to the Alumni Association. He and his wife Laura live in Hollywood, FL where Gregg owns a property management company that oversees more than fifty residential properties. He graduated from Muskingum College and earned an MBA in FL. Pictured: Gregg with Gow teacher Dale Hazen. Russell Pearlman ’79 is an architect in Raleigh, NC and enjoys travelling. He recently attended a Gow event in Apex, NC and is pictured with Grayson Chalmers ’00, Matt Kelly ’96, Andy Rodgers ’97, Drew Hendley ’91, Jack Milani ’87 and Russell Pearlman ’79. Peter Rosenthal ’79, his wife Patti and son Marty live in San Francisco where he is a contractor and builder.
1980s
Bill Moore ’81 is a licensed boat captain at Barton and Gray Mariners Club and a ski instructor at Nobs Hill. He recently relocated to Petosky, MI. He and Lea Givens ’82 skied together in MI this winter. Charlie Whitelaw ’83 lives in Bloomfield Hills, MI and is a contractor. He has four children. Pictured left. Chris Saylor ’84, his wife Caroline and daughter Narelle (pictured below) attended the Alumni Ski Weekend in Ellicottville. He has worked at the Okemo Mountain Resort for 18 years and is the Director of the Okemo Ski and Ride School. His wife Caroline is a podiatrist and they live in Proctorsville, VT.
Dean Cox ’87 married Aimee Tucker on September 28, 2018. Paul Allen ’89 and his family (pictured below) came back to campus in October when he was inducted into Gow’s Athletic Wall of Fame. He and his wife Jennifer have four children and live in Avon, OH.
Eric Davis ’89 has been a fishing guide for 23 years and has clients from around the world. He speaks at fishing events and attributes his ease in front of a crowd to Mr. Kimball’s classes and the speeches he had to give in front of the senior class. He and his wife Nancy also owned a fly fishing/life style store for 19 years but prefer to fish. They live in Vero Beach, FL.
Weston Lorenz ’90 is living in Racine, WI and enjoys spending time with his two sons. Scott Melnick ’90 and his wife Alyssa Cassatto attended a Gow dinner in Atlanta. He works in computers in the gaming industry and Alyssa is a jewelry designer. Patrick Seery ’90 and his wife Cindy live in Cincinnati with their three children. He works at GE and she is a floral designer. Jason Brown ’92, his daughter, and father attended a Gow dinner in Denver. Jason and his wife Sarah have three children.
Paul Brouillard ’94 writes “Quite a bit has changed for me over this year. I have a new job with a new home address in a whole new state. I have moved to Kansas City and am working for a wonderful new company called Weight Watchers.” Matt Junger ’95 is a real estate developer Atlanta. He and his parents Patti and Phil attended a Gow dinner in Atlanta.
1990s
John Kopec ’90 lives in Germantown, MD and attended a Gow event. (Pictured right). Colin Legge ’90 celebrated his 18th year working at Home Depot in Calgary. He attended the 2018 Calgary Comic Con show dressed up as a Lord of the Rings character. The Gow Life Magazine
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CLASS NOTES Ben Parker ’95, his wife Margaret (pictured right) and their two children attended a recent Gow event in Old Westbury, NY. Ben is the manager of a private 18-hole golf course in Long Island. He graduated from Southern Illinois University in turf management.
Matthew Greyard ’03 was a finalist on Food Networks Cutthroat Kitchen. He moved to Chicago and spent the last couple years working for Chef Grant Achatz and John Shields, placing 3rd and 10th in the country for fine dining teams. He was selected to cook for all the Michelin winners in Chicago at the end of 2018. He is taking some time off for reflection and working as a chef part time.
Matthew Kelly ’96 graduated from The Culinary Institute of America (CIA) and now owns six restaurants in Durham, NC.
Lee Nelson ’03 is a 4th year Doctoral Candidate in Science and Technology Studies at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Pictured with Charlie Brown and Matt Kleinberg ’07.
Andy Rodgers ’97 works for Cisco in Raleigh, NC. He graduated from NC State with a BS in finance and accounting. He and his wife Amanda recently hosted a Gow event at their home in Apex, NC.
2000s Michael Broderick ’00 was a policeman in northwest PA from 2002-2017 until he took a disability retirement. He currently lives in Nashville, TN and works in the family home building business. Pictured below: Michael with his brother, parents and children.
Heath Badders ’05 is an attorney in Nacogdoches, TX. He, his wife Mariko and daughter came to Commencement to see Heath’s sister Hope graduate from Gow! Henry Cadwalader ’05 is a firefighter and paramedic in Jackson, WY.
Patrick Maundrell ’07 started a new position as a Sr. Specialist at Fifth Third Bank in Cincinnati, OH and recently completed his MBA. Ross Hardigan ’08 is a food and beverage manager at The Palmetto Bluff in Bluffton, SC and is getting his MBA at Johnson and Wales. Carter Merrick ’08 is a Financial Analyst at Baltimore County Public Library, and lives in Towson, MD. Brooks Tao ’08 recently completed the South China Regatta which is a five day sailing trip from Hong Kong to the Philippines. Class of 2008 members including Gabe House, Steven Greve, Jack Foley, Thomas Allison, Simon Rivard, Robert Boswell and Harrison Spence celebrated their 10 year reunion on campus in September. Pictured with Gayle Hutton.
Nick Ceren ’05 is living and working in Erie, PA in the jewelry business. Chaitu Cotha ’05 is Executive Director of C. Krishniah Chetty and Sons in Bangelore, India. Chaitu and his wife Yagnika have two sons Vyanna and Tharik.
Grayson Chalmers ’00 is an Outsource Manager at Epic Games and recently moved to Raleigh, NC. John Hanley ’02, his wife Lauren and three sons moved to Wisconsin from Atlanta last year. John is a Project Manager for a construction firm just outside the Milwaukee area and his wife runs her own Graphic Design Business called Orange Moss Creative. Pictured: the Hanleys, Gayle Hutton and Peggy and Ned Purtell (parents of Eddie ’15).
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Oliver Smith ’05 married Sarah Wood on October 6, 2018 in Richmond, VA. Matt Delasotta ’07 is selling real estate in Phoenix. He and his wife have been married for two years. Paul Kohan ’07 is working at Skyler and Associates in NYC. Dan Lieberman ’07 served four years in the United States Navy as a 2nd Class Petty Officer. He served two years in Atsugi, Japan on the 7th Fleet. After completing his duties in the Navy, Dan enrolled in the University of Baltimore for Business Administration and graduated in 2017. He is now a graduate student at the University of Baltimore studying for an MBA and holds a full-time position as a resource analyst for NASA stationed at Goddard Space Fleet Center. 27
Jesse Amideneau ’09 is an aviation mechanic in the US Navy. Bleu Marceaux ’09 is living in Wisconsin and training to become a butcher. Michael Mitsche ’09 lives in Columbus, OH and is a quantitative analyst for Third Fifth Bank. He got his undergraduate degree in math and economics from Coe College and Masters in math and statistics from the University of Iowa. He is pursuing an actuarial science certification in credit modeling. Pictured: with friend MacKenzie and Headmaster Rogers at Gow. Visit us at gow.org
CLASS NOTES 2010s
Charlie Silverstein ’10 is living and working in Chicago. A graduate of Denver University, he is a chef for Lettuce Entertain You restaurants in Chicago and makes terrific pasta. Pictured left in Chicago with Gayle Hutton. Zachary Lyon ’11 graduated from the University of Virginia graduate certificate program in project management with straight A’s! Thomas Romano ’11 and his father Michael recently hosted a homemade pizza party for Govians in downtown Chicago. Thomas is working at Cannabinoid Creations. (Pictured below Steve Bryan ’65, Gayle Hutton, Thomas Romano ’11, Adam Herbert ’12, Peter Obletz ’15 and Matthew Greyard ’03)
Grant Furton ’12 is working at Dubway Studios in NYC. Adam Herbert ’12 is living in Chicago and working at a virtual reality company and doing cinematography work. He recently attended a Gow dinner in Chicago. Rush Packham ’12 is working as an coach in Cincinnati. Pictured left at a Gow dinner in Cincinnati with Allison Farber ’18. Jacob Podyma ’12 started a new job as a financial analyst for Dairy Maid Dairy in Frederick, MD. Porter Follett ’13 is a licensed real estate broker at David Hicks & Lampert Brokerage in CO. He is enjoying living in Boulder and recently attended a Gow dinner in Denver. Thomas Gruber ’13 and his mom Pat attended a Gow event in Jacksonville, FL. Thomas has purchased a new home in Fernandina Beach, FL and is renovating it.
Jimmy Ayers ’11, his wife Hillary and two daughters came for Jimmy’s induction into the Gow Athletic Wall of Fame. Jimmy enjoys endurance running and works as an engineer in Williamsport, PA. Spencer Wilk ’11 is a junior brewer at the Brewdog Brewery in Columbus, OH. Pictured: Tyler Bischoff ’11, Bill Parsons and Spencer Wilk ’11.
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Izer Martinez ’13, Alex Laethem ’13, Thomas Romano ’11 and Connor O’Shaughnessy ’15 at a Chicago event.
Oleg Carter ’14 is a Lance Corporal in the Marine Corp. in Washington, DC. He performs ceremonies and participated in George H.W. Bush’s funeral service. Jason Ganje ’14 graduated from Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) and is working as an engineer at Moog in East Aurora, NY. 28
Kevin Gondokusumo ’14 graduated from Curry College with a degree in business in May. His dad writes that “Gow has given him the foundation of learning to succeed. He has developed self-discipline and hard work and carries these qualities to Curry. We are so happy to have sent him to Gow and believe that Gow has given him the chance to succeed!” John Edwards ’15 is in his third year at The College of Charleston. His mom writes that he is doing well, passing his courses and is making steady progress toward an accounting degree. John is still passionate about fishing, diving, and sailing. He sailed from Bermuda to the U.S. Virgin Islands in December and from St. Thomas to Portugal in May. Sergei Evans ’15 graduated magna cum laude with a double major in psychology and criminal justice from Curry College in May. Pictured with his family.
Tham Limpanonda ’15 graduated from Manhattanville College in Westchester, NY with a BA in Business Management. Thomas Oggier ’15 attends Ohio Wesleyan University. He had an internship at the UN in DC this semester and attended a Gow brunch in Bethesda. Kuvaal Patel ’15 is running operations for the Los Angeles area of Cutco/Vector, and has satellite offices in Kona, HI and Manhattan Beach, CA. He expects to do $500K in revenue this year and exceed $1 million next year. He is also acting, having appeared in commercials over the last few months, is taking acting classes, and is working on obtaining his CA real estate license.
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CLASS NOTES Lelaina Sullivan ’15 graduated from Ashland University with a B.A. in Health and Risk Communications and a minor in Public Relations in May 2019. Pictured below: Lelaina with Janna Milks ’14, Megan Putney ’18 and Dean of Female Students Kelli Fisher at Gow.
Sam Uliana ’16 and Connor Smith ’18 are going to Marshall University and attended a recent Gow dinner in Charleston, WV.
PJ Scocchi ’18 is attending the University of Maine. His mom writes that he is doing well in his engineering classes, is on the crew team, and has joined a fraternity. She writes “Gow and its incredible teachers, administration and staff gave PJ the ability to see his potential, taught him character, strength, discipline, study habits, leadership, social skills and most of all, gave him hope for his future!”
FORMER FACULTY & STAFF
Kyle (Foggon) Suriner ’15 was one of only 14 people selected for The Fashion Institute of Technology competitive Toy Design program in NYC. Pictured below with his family, including brother Kieran ’21 at Gow.
Matthew Dell’Agnese ’17 returned for the alumni ski weekend in Ellicottville. Pictured with his dad and Joe Cendrowski, Gow Teacher. Kade Keesee ’17 is studying in Australia for the semester. Elizabeth Raiff ’17 is attending Ithaca College and will be a Gow Summer Program counselor for the second year. Jared Wangelin ’17 is studying education at Niagara University and will be a counselor at Gow’s Summer Program for the second year.
Kaleigh Davidson ’16 is attending the University at Buffalo and plans to study medicine. Pictured below with Jenna Rosser ’18, Courtney Wilday ’17 and Jenna’s mom Dawn Marie Rosser. Kaleigh, Jenna and Courtney and Jared Wangelin ’17 spoke at Spring Parents Weekend about successfully transitioning to college.
Courtney Wilday ’17 is studying at St. Bonaventure University. Allison Farber ’18 is attending Xavier University in Cincinnati, OH and recently attended a Gow dinner there. Devon Felton Green ’18 is attending University of the Arts in Philadelphia. He came back for Commencement and is pictured with Emma Radford ’18 who is attending Lynn University and Carlton Alsheimer ’19.
Todd Avis and his wife Sandy are living in Empire, MI and Todd is CEO of the Leelanau Education Group which owns and manages two schools: The Shreiner Academy in Marietta, GA, a PK-Grade 8, and the Tampa Day School which serves 120 young students with learning differences. Jesse Dougherty (pictured) is headmaster of The Green Vale School in Old Brookville, NY. Jesse is married and has three children. Ross Griswold, is a Licensed Social Worker and has a job at University Correctional Health Care in New Brunswick, NJ. He is a clinical social worker providing individual psychotherapy to incarcerated men in the NJ prison system. Brett Marcoux is the Executive Director of the Springer School in Cincinnati. Previously, he was the Founding Principal and CEO of the Provident Charter School in Pittsburgh. He and his wife Julie Kinder Marcoux have two daughters. Pictured: the Marceaux family with Jon and Lynn Chafin and their twin daughters.
Zach Hubenek ’16 became a certified firefighter in Austin, TX. Andersen Negley ’16 and his dad moved to the Nashville area in August. Anderson is attending The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.
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Jenna Rosser ’18 will be attending RIT to study interior design.
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CLASS NOTES FONDLY REMEMBERED
Matt Mariacher is attending divinity school in Rochester. (Pictured with faculty member Jason Rothfuss.) Merritt Minnemeyer (Weisenburger) recently started a new position as Proprietor and Professional Coach at Master of One Coaching in New Paltz, NY. Jeff and Cindy Sweet are enjoying living in Sunset Beach, NC. They recently attended a Gow dinner in Naples, FL and returned to Gow for Commencement. PK and Walter Sanieski are living in Enfield, CT and are enjoying retirement. Brian Taylor is the Director of Admissions at The Brehm School in Carbondale, IL.
CURRENT FACULTY NEWS: Tom Jolls (Maintenance) and his wife Amy welcomed Madison Elizabeth on December 10, 2018. Pictured right. Amy Renaldo (RL Teacher) and her husband had their third child, Ezekiel Henry Renaldo on November 30, 2018. Jason Rothfuss (Science Teacher) and his wife Alex welcomed their third child, a daughter Piper on April 27, 2019.
Newton D. Baker ’53 passed away on May 29, 2019 in Maineville, OH. He served as a Gow trustee for 15 years, including as Chair of the Board and Finance Committee. A native Clevelander, Tony arrived at Gow as a young teenager in the late 1940s, and graduated in the Class of 1953. He attended Denison University, served in the United States Marine Corps, attended Harvard Business School, and had a noted business career. Tony is survived by his wife Camilla and three daughters, including Tammy who serves as a member of Gow’s Board of Trustees. Paul M. Hughes ’56 of Bloomfield, passed away July 18, 2014, following an accident in Bloomfield, MI. Paul Dewar ’80 passed away on February 6, 2019. Dewar, 56, was diagnosed with Stage 4 glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer in February 2018. Paul served as the MP for Ottawa Centre from 2006 to 2015, and was previously an elementary-school teacher and union executive. Dewar credited his dyslexia with making him more resilient as well as a better teacher and politician. “I certainly identify strongly with people who are in need of help, be it with learning challenges or life challenges in general,” he told The Canadian Press in November 2011. “It’s about empathizing and understanding.”
Marc Brennen YaDeau ’81, died of a heart attack on July 20, 2011. Ernest Burnett ’87 passed away June 6, 2019 in Tampa, FL. Ernest was an avid outdoorsman and hunter who treasured his time in nature. Ernest was a former member of Ye Mystic Krew of Gasparilla, past president of Merrymakers Club, and a Valuation Analyst for the Hillsborough County Property Appraiser for 30 years. He is survived by his wife, Bethany Burnett, children, Ernest P. “Sonny” Burnett III, Elise and Jackson Beebe, his mother Nancy Bishop Burnett, a large extended family, and many dear friends. Eric William Jones ’99, of Williamsport, MD passed away on March 6, 2019. Eric was employed by Matheson Tri-Gas of Chambersburg, PA and Frederick, MD as a site manager for the past 15 years. Eric owned and operated Canal View Candle and Barrel with his wife in Williamsport. He enjoyed traveling, fishing, designing and woodworking. He loved music and to ride his Triumph. He is survived by his parents, wife Jessie, three sons, and other relatives.
Keeping in touch with Gow keeps getting easier! Scan to visit gow.org
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YouTube
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SIMPLE THINGS
CAN DO TO PROMOTE 1
Make a Gift to the Gow Fund!
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Your financial support helps Gow to serve those students who most need and deserve a life-changing education. Come to an event! Attend a Gow alumni event or offer to host Make your gift at https://www.gow.org/support-gow one in your home area. We love to get Gow folks together.
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Show your Gow spirit!
Put a Gow sticker on your car, motorcycle, or boat. To get ours, just send an email to development@gow.org or give us a call at 716.687.2074
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Follow us on Twitter and re-tweet us! This is a great way to stay upto-date on the latest at Gow and to help promote the school.
Watch and comment on Gow’s YouTube videos. Created by our students, these videos are a great way to watch today’s Gow School in action. Check out sports, assembly, classes and more.
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Share what Gow means to you! Send your favorite Gow memory to us at development@gow.org. We may use your words of wisdom in publications and on our website.
Like us on Facebook!
Check out both our Facebook pages: Gow Connect and The Gow School.
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Don’t forget about the Gow Summer Program!
For your own kids or someone else’s. A five week, coed program for students ages 8-16, Gow’s Summer Program offers an academic boost and fun.
Come to campus!
Return for a reunion, to talk to students, visit classes, attend Commencement. We love having guests!
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Tell a friend about Gow!
If you meet someone who needs Gow, refer them www.gow.org or call Admissions at 716.687.2001.
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The Gow School Development Office 2491 Emery Road South Wales NY 14139 gow.org
NON-PROFIT ORG. US POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO. 2469 BUFFALO, NY
Come to Gow’s Fall Weekend October 11-13!
RE__NION
(We can’t have a reunion without “U”)
If you’d like to reach out to your classmates to encourage them to attend, please call or email Kate Piazza (716.687.2075 or kpiazza@gow.org). To register and view a weekend agenda, please visit https://www.gow.org/alumni/fall-alumni-weekend The Gow Life Magazine
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