The
Gow Life
Magazine
Winter/Spring 2015
Visit us at gow.org
The Gow Life Magazine Table of Contents
Gowapalooza April 25, 2015 Page 4 The Rogers-Ivie Dormitory
Page 5 A Big Party at Gow!
Page 6 Gow’s Summer Program
Page 7 Grandparents Day
Page 8-9 Alumni Profile - John Bullock ‘80
Page 10-11 Honoring Dan Kelley
Page 12-13 Girls at Gow
Page 14-16 Celebrating 20+ Years at Gow!
Page 17 Gow’s Wishlist
Page 18 Little Seniors Turns 25!
Page 20-27 Alumni and Faculty News
Page 3 Letters from our Leaders
The Gow Life Magazine is published twice a year by The Gow School Development Office. We welcome your comments. Please send them to development@gow.org or call 716.687.2075. We hope you enjoy reading this edition of Gow Life!
THE MISSION OF THE GOW SCHOOL A leader and innovator in dyslexia education with a commitment to the values of kindness, respect, honesty and hardwork, since 1926 The Gow School has been helping students with language based learning disabilities develop the skills and confidence to succeed in higher education and beyond as creative, compassionate adults and engaged citizens.
FOR CHANGE OF ADDRESS: Call 716.687.2075 or email development@gow.org TO SUBMIT ALUMNI NEWS: Email news and photos to development@gow.org
Pictured front cover lower panel from left to right: Elizabeth ‘17, Courtney ‘17, Megan ‘18 and Michelle ‘20; Blake ‘16 with Mr. Eric Bray in Math; and Dakota ‘15
THE GOW DEVELOPMENT OFFICE Post Office Box 85 South Wales, NY 14139
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A Message from the Board of Trustees Chair Mary Ann Coulson Warmest Greetings from South Wales, I write this to you today not only as the Chair of Gow’s Board of Trustees and a passionate advocate for Gow, but most importantly as the mom of Adam Kendrick ‘04. When my son came to Gow as a struggling 9th grader, he could barely read. I knew that I had a wonderful and talented young son who hadn’t yet discovered the right place to learn. The transformation from the moment he arrived at Gow was astounding. What a difference compassionate and trained teachers made to his life. Within weeks, he had far exceeded my expectations - not to mention his own! Today Adam has two degrees from the University of Cincinnati in Architectural Engineering Technology and Construction Management, and is working for the Kroger Company Corporate Office as a store designer for the facility-engineering department. I know my passion for The Gow School is shared by alumni and families alike, whose lives have been forever transformed by this school. It is for this reason that I am so proud to be the Chair of the Board of Trustees which is charged with helping to guide our school into the future. Under the able and visionary leadership of Headmaster Brad Rogers, Gow is in a good place. We have no debt, passionate donors, a robust admissions picture and program that is ever evolving to meet the educational and social needs of today’s students. Between building a new dormitory, preparing to house girls on campus next fall, and enhancing the opportunities for hands-on learning, Gow is continuing to offer opportunities which enable students like Adam to succeed. On behalf of the other members of the board, I thank you for caring about Gow and believing in its mission. We are all fortunate to be part of such a life-changing place. Mary Ann Coulson Chair, Gow School Board of Trustees
A Message from the Headmaster M. Bradley Rogers, Jr. Dear Govian Friends, We love our winter sports at Gow! Fortunately with our recent epic snowfall, we embrace our Gow winter wonderland with two of my favorite character traits - grit and hope. According to the MerriamWebster dictionary, grit is defined as “firmness of character; indomitable spirit.” We put it all to good use during the winter months with snowshoeing, snowboarding, and cross country skiing on our own ski hill, in use since the school first opened. Did you know that New York State has over 200 defunct ski resorts? These forested ski hills were once used for fun and recreation. Now most are dormant or have fallen to modern day building development. Not Mt. Gow! While the tow rope is a thing of the past, our ski hill, thanks to ample snow and a bit of gravity, remains a place for Govian fun. A winter storm like the one that we experienced just before Thanksgiving, with a national record of snowfall within 24 hours, provides us with the downtime to contemplate what it takes to thrive. Thanks to the grit and hope of our Gow students, faculty and families, we continue to grow and develop our program. Gow requires academic grit as well. Like being required to do what you don’t already do well. Like studying late into every evening. It takes grit to be at Gow, striving to accomplish things you might never have dreamed possible. Our teachers have grit. In this edition of The Gow Life, you can read about sixteen of our faculty and staff who have stayed with us for twenty years or more! Like our Assistant Headmaster and Director of the Upper School, Dan Kelley, who’s in his 39th year at Gow. He has shaken hundreds of graduates’ hands in those years. Many of our teachers, including Mr. Kelley, have raised their families right here on campus, along with the students who become a part of our Gow family. Our teachers and graduates are brokers of hope to students during the cold winter months. Join me in celebrating the grit and hope of Gow this New Year! With all best wishes, M. Bradley Rogers, Jr. Headmaster
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The ROGERS-IVIE DORMITORY UPDATE We have achieved 86% of our fund raising goal. Your gift will help us to reach our $3.8 million target!
We are building a new dorm at The Gow School! And why, might you ask? Improving residential life is always a focus for schools like ours, since it is such an integral part of the learning experience. Quality housing provides the stability of a secure environment for our students, whether they are studying or resting after a busy day. This residence hall, when completed in July, will provide an improved boarding experience for our students and faculty families. Completion of this new dorm will also enable Gow to house young women in one of the smaller existing dorms on campus. We currently have nine female day students, but know that there are those from other areas who would also benefit from a Gow education. This project, the Rogers-Ivie Dormitory, will cost a total of $3.8 million, and to date we have already secured $3.3 million on gifts and pledges. We have only $500,000 to raise to complete this project in time for our new incoming class in the fall! Several nmaing opportun ities are available for our donors. NAMING OPPORTUNITY AMOUNT NUMBER AVAILABLE Building $500,000 1 (already named) Faculty Residence $150,000 2 (one already named) Faculty Apartment $100,000 1 Lobby Naming $50,000 2 (two already named) Dormitory Rooms $50,000 14 Dormitory Kitchenette $40,000 2 Lobby Furnishings $35,000 2 Outside patio area $25,000 1 (already named) Garden Benches $5,000 10 Your donation will make a difference! It is easy to make a tax-deductible gift by clicking on gow.org/gift or calling the Development Office at 716.687.2075. Thank you!
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A NOTE OF THANKS TO GAYLE HUTTON, GOW’S DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT
from Headmaster Brad Rogers
January 12, 2015 Dear Govian Community:
After 15 years of very successful contributions and professional service, I write to tell you that our dynamic Director of Development, Gayle Hutton has accepted a wonderful professional opportunity with The University at Buffalo. This bittersweet news is important for you to know because Gayle has played such a significant role in Gow’s progress. She will be greatly missed and I know you join me in celebrating Gayle’s service to Gow. As you may know, the City of Buffalo and Western New York is experiencing considerable economic growth. One of the gems of this progress is the medical campus of The University at Buffalo. Gayle’s new position fully utilizes her strengths as a major gifts officer. Frankly, this is an exciting time for this region and UB wisely sought out Gayle for such a role. Before joining Gow, Gayle worked at UB where she learned many of her fundraising skills. I am not surprised they approached her to return. Over the years, Gayle has been one of our finest cheerleaders. She is so good at helping others feel connected to the School. Gayle has helped us build special relationships with donors and friends across the country. Her enthusiasm for Gow is remarkable and that positive spirit will be missed. As she mentions in her letter of resignation, “I expect you know how much I have loved my time at the School. The administrative team, faculty, staff, and students are exceptional. I have been honored to represent the School as the Director of Development. Raising money and promoting the School’s life-changing mission to alumni, parents, and friends in our community and across the country has been an invigorating and rewarding professional experience.” Gayle will make this transition at the end of this month. Looking forward, our Associate Director of Development, Ms. Megan Mills Hoffman will continue to coordinate daily operations in the Development Office. In the coming weeks, we will develop a transition plan and begin a search for Gow’s next Director of Development. On a personal note, I wish to share my appreciation and honor for Gayle. Working in partnership with her has been rewarding for the School in many ways. We have generated considerable named scholarship and financial aid funds along with increasing financial resources to plan and construct buildings. As meaningful, Gayle has helped us expand the School’s endowment which sets us up for success for our next decade. In closing, feel free to reach out to Gayle to send her good wishes. She won’t be far away, and we know once a Govian, always a Govian. Be on the lookout for news updates as we proceed. Cheers, M. Bradley Rogers, Jr. Headmaster Pictured top: Jeffrey Spoon ‘65, Rick Thompson ‘72, Gayle, Jay Mandarino ‘79 and Liam Devine ‘84 at Career Day ‘04; Kathleen Clarke, Gaye Chircop, Joan Sullivan, Sally Schneiders, Al Chircop, Gayle, Doug Cotter ‘87, Daniel Mehta ‘03, Gabriel Viti and Jean Basse at the Miramar Bistro in Highland, IL 2014; Gayle with Headmaster Brad Rogers and Assistant Headmaster Dan Kelley, James Ketover ‘98, Gayle and Lowell Powers ‘59 at Fall Weekend ‘11; Howard Nusbaum ‘68, Mike Bond ‘68, Bob Vail ‘68, Gayle and Anne Rogers at Fall Weekend ‘08; Sally Obletz, Gayle and Jennifer Goddard at Spring Parents Weekend ‘14. The Gow Life Magazine
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SUMMER FUN AT GOW!
By Matt Fisher, GSSP Director
Increased self-esteem. Academic confidence. Success in the classroom. This is what Gow is all about. For nearly 90 years, students have reaped these benefits during the school year, and each summer, 130 students can enjoy these same life-changing experiences at GSSP. For the past 25 years, The Gow School Summer Program has provided an opportunity for boys and girls ages 8-16 to get a taste of all Gow offers with a balanced blend of morning academics, traditional camp activities and weekend off-campus trips. Each summer, Gow hosts students from around the world, including many alumni children who have attended the Summer Program and received the same attention and dedication in the classroom that their fathers received. Summer students have the opportunity to take classes including Reconstructive Language (RL), Writing Processes, Robotics, Summer Reading, Studio Art, and Organization and Study Skills. Many are taught by year-round Gow faculty and all use a technology rich, multisensory approach. Our low student-to-teacher ratio enables students to experience a safe environment where they can take academic risks. For many students, the Summer Program offers them their first positive classroom experience. Each afternoon after classes, students have three recreational periods. Selecting their own activities, they can choose traditional camp activities such as gaga ball, slip and slide, arts and crafts, and archery, or they can sign up for sports like basketball, rugby, soccer and golf. This past summer, Gow offered a three-week rowing program at the West Side Rowing Club and are excited to continue the relationship for the summer of 2015. Evening activities include camp fires, Color Wars, Icky Olympics, Casino Night, off campus trips to the movies, a trampoline park, laser tag and more. We also take advantage of the natural beauty of Western New York with trips to Niagara Falls to ride The Maid of The Mist, watching July 4 fireworks in a nearby town park, and afternoons of fun in the sun at local beaches. Weekends trips include visits to Erie and Hershey, Pennsylvania; Cleveland, Ohio; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; and Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio. There, students experience major league baseball games, museums and amusement parks, as well as camping and whitewater rafting at Letchworth State Park. In the middle of the summer, families have a chance to see their children and view their work, and to with meet teachers at Parents Weekend. In addition to bolstering academic and social skills, The Gow School Summer Program provides students with new strategies to improve their school year academic performance. If you know of students who might benefit from a summer at Gow or would like more information, please visit gow.org/summer. To request an application, please contact the Gow Admissions Office at 716.687.2001 or email us at summer@gow.org.
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Always a favorite - September 19
GOW GRANDPARENTS’ DAY
Brenden ‘17 and his grandparents
Otto ‘20 with his mom and family
James ‘19 and his grandparents
Gordon ‘17 and his family
Will ‘17, his dad and grandmother
Mr. Rogers and Thomas ‘16 family
Magnus ‘20 and his grandparents
Ethan ‘15 and his family
Adam ‘17 and his grandfather
Mr. Rogers, Cole ‘17 and family
The families of Oumar ‘19 & Isaiah ‘19
Nick ‘18 with his family
More than 80 grandparents, aunts, uncles, and friends returned to campus for the chance to visit classes, better understand the history of Gow, take a campus tour, watch sporting events and most importantly, spend time with their Govian. Several of the guests had been to campus before, but for many, it was the first opportunity to see the school in action. What a wonderful day it was! Thanks to all who were able to join us. Guests are always welcome on campus, so if you ever find yourself near South Wales, we would love to have you meet with our students and attend a class or two!
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Alumni Perspective
JOHN BULLOCK ‘80
If you find yourself in South Wales on a weekend when The Gow School Board of Trustees is meeting and you happen to hear a robust chorus of “Govian Days” emanating from the Reid Arts Center or perhaps the Willis House den, you’ll know that John Bullock is in town. Since he became a trustee in 2007, the 1980 graduate has rarely missed a meeting, nor has he missed an opportunity to energize new trustees by having them join him in a rendition of the official Gow song. It’s impressive to note how many trustees are, like John Bullock, also school alumni—young men who sought out Gow after frustration and failure in traditional educational settings, who went on to college, built careers and started families and who, grateful for the school’s influence on their success as adults, have brought Gow back into their lives. For John, it was Gow’s 75th anniversary that rekindled his interest in his alma mater. Back on campus in 2001 for the first time in many years, he was delighted to find his former teachers—Dan Kelley, Jay Wright and Paul Rose—still vital members of the faculty and administration. As he reminisced with them and as he came to know fifth headmaster Bill Patterson, he experienced the sensation of still belonging to a special place that had transformed him. Before long, he was involved in alumni activities and soon took over the presidency of the Gow Alumni Association. It was early in his tenure with the Alumni Association that he experienced a turning point, the moment when he became a truly committed advocate for The Gow School. Speaking to a group of parents as an alumni representative, John conceded that he generally hid his dyslexia from
by Rick Ohler
his peers and colleagues. “I figured that it was none their business. Well, a Gow mother stood up and basically blasted me. ‘You’re doing such a disservice to our young boys, hiding behind your dyslexia,’ she said. ‘Why don’t you tell people about it?’ That was a pivotal moment for me. I became more involved in the school, and I began sharing the story of my dyslexia and the story of Gow’s role in helping me to overcome it.” From there, with the gentle urging of Development Director Gayle Hutton and Headmaster Brad Rogers, he made the logical leap to Gow’s Board of Trustees. He’s been there ever since, as chair of the Trustees Committee (and unofficial songmaster) and a member of the Development Committee. While the board’s function is to act “as a rudder for the sturdy ship that Brad Rogers and his staff are sailing,” he sees his specific task as guiding new trustees as they smoothly transition to the board. “I tell them,” he says, “that if you bring passion, energy and commitment to your position as a trustee, you’ll have a good time and you’ll get a lot out of your service to Gow.” He’s a role model for that commitment, because even though his responsibilities at pharmaceutical giant Biogen Idec keep him busy, he makes sure to clear his schedule for all trustee meetings and conference calls. What brought John to South Wales in the first place will resonate with many. He was first diagnosed as dyslexic in fourth grade when, he recalls, a schoolmate asked his mother, “What language is your son speaking?” She had suspected for a few years that John was having difficulties, so in the summer after fourth grade, his parents sent him to Camp Dunnabeck, the oldest residential camp
Pictured from top: Larry Acheson ‘83, Graeme Hepburn ‘84 and John Bullock ‘80; John and his mom, Ann; Steve Ibbotson ‘80, Assistant Headmaster Dan Kelley and John; Rob Reid ‘82 and John; John walking with Gary Kozlowski ‘14 and Greg Kelly ‘14, John with Headaster Rogers and Carson Jones ‘92. The Gow Life Magazine
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for dyslexics in the country, to see if some intense instruction would help. He struggled through the next few years at a private school in Cincinnati where there wasn’t much remedial help for a learning disabled kid. By ninth grade, “between the girls and schoolwork, it wasn’t working out.” John learned about the school from a Cincinnati friend named Tommy Haydock ‘79 who was going to Gow and whose father had graduated from Gow in 1951, and from a teacher at his school knew about Gow. “So in the cold month of January 1977, my father drove me from Cincinnati to South Wales where I sat by the fireplace in Link Lundell’s Reconstructive Language office in Main Building [now Kathy Rose’s office] being tested. There seemed to be nothing but positives about Gow, so the next fall, I enrolled as a sophomore.” Even though John had difficulty in comprehending the written word, he had a thirst for reading. He blossomed with RL instruction at Gow, and his grades rose dramatically. By junior year, he had earned the privilege of living in the honors dorm called Hill House where house parents Dan and Jody Kelley entered his life. They were a young couple, just married, “sort of like peers, but you still respected them for who they were.” They became fast friends and remain so today. At a time when recreational opportunities were decidedly limited since the Andy Thompson Gym (now the Reid Center) and the Arnold Library were still under construction, Hill House was a desired assignment because of its proximity to the ski hill. “We skied every day after classes. I could put my boots on in Hill House and walk to the rope tow”—the original ski-in, ski-out alpine chalet. With his new love for skiing and after three years of hiking the wilds of South Wales, John enrolled at Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colorado, declaring a major in biology with The Gow Life Magazine
hopes of becoming a forest ranger. He dropped out after two years— too much skiing, too much of a good time, he admits—and spent a year working on the riverboat Mississippi Queen, saving his money until he could re-enroll at Fort Lewis College. After receiving his bachelor’s degree in business in 1986, he was off, “carrying the bag,” as a salesman for a pharmaceutical company in Cincinnati that immediately shipped him off to Shreveport, Louisiana. He rose through the ranks, then decided to tackle an MBA in Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Management at Saint Joseph’s University in Philadelphia. He’s held sales and management positions with several of the big players in the industry—Marion Merrill Dow, Purdue, Eisai Pharmaceuticals, Endo Pharmaceuticals—before landing his current job at Biogen Idec in 2013. As Channel Liason, he works with national accounts in the distribution end of the company’s hemophilia division. It’s a demanding job, one that calls upon all the study skills and learning strategies he mastered at Gow. “Whenever a new drug comes out, you have learn about it thoroughly, make sure you present it properly, and continue to be tested on your knowledge. Thirty-five years out of Gow and I’m still being tested.” And 35 years later, John still loves coming back to Gow. “I’m a firm believer in getting up in the morning, going to the dining hall, eating with the students and realizing that they’re not so different from the kid I was at their age. We can share a few laughs and have some fun. I get to know them and track them through their years at Gow. It’s an important part of being a trustee. Then, at the end of a long day of trustee meetings, I head over to Dan and Jody Kelley’s Willis House, where classmate and fellow trustee Steve Ibbotson and I still stay whenever we’re back. We have a glass of bourbon—my lodging gift 9
to the Kelleys—and we talk about Govians past and present. Dan and Jody have an amazing memory of almost all the students, good and bad, that have come through Gow in their 38 years. And if there’s time for some authentic chicken wings in East Aurora, well, there’s nothing better than that.“ In recent years John has brought his family with him to trustee events. His wife, Dawson, owner of the successful Designs by Dawson Custom and Personalized Paper and Gift Boutique in Cincinnati, shares his passion for Gow and accompanies him when she can. She has enjoyed exploring South Wales, East Aurora, Buffalo, Western New York and beyond with other trustees and Gow first lady, Anne Rogers. His two daughters, Caroline and Gibson, now sophomores in college and high school respectively, experienced Gow before coeducation, shadowing students for the day, and getting a sense of the dyslexic’s challenges and the range of strategies the Gow faculty employs to help student overcome those obstacles. “It gave them a taste of what it’s like to give back to those who have helped you. And giving back is really what it’s all about.” As the final line of Gow song encourages, “Govian days shall have our praise, until we close the book. Enchanted days shall have our praise until we close the book.”
Writer Rick Ohler is a lifelong friend of The Gow School and frequent contributing writer to Gow Life. His first book, “Have You Lived Here All Your Life? Not Yet” was published last year by Right Field Books. Visit www.rickohler.com.
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HONORING DAN KELLEY Assistant Headmaster, Head of the Upper School, RL Teacher, Friend, Mentor, Sox Fan, Family Man and so much more!
By Rick Ohler
Little did Dan Kelley know in the fall of 1976 when he came here from Connecticut to “get a few years teaching experience, and then, who knows, maybe move on,” that The Gow School would be his first and only stop in an exceptional teaching career. In the 38 plus years since a placement agency sent Dan to a little dot on the map called South Wales to teach dyslexic boys at a small boarding school, he has earned his reputation as the consummate educator. Arriving as a rookie with only public school substitute teaching on his resume and no experience with special education, he learned his craft and now not only teaches Reconstructive Language but serves as assistant headmaster and director of the Upper School. Along the way, he has been Gow’s Renaissance Man: he has taught history (serving as History Department chair for many years), geography, global studies, economics, American Perspectives, English, and RL; coached soccer, basketball and lacrosse; helped found Gow’s Teacher Training Institute; been involved in the Gow Summer Program; and been one half of a much-loved dorm parent team with his wife, Jody. From Emery Road to the educational world at large, Dan Kelley has helped Gow become a name associated with excellence in the education of students with dyslexia and related learning disabilities. And he has managed all this by being unfailingly good-natured, progressively wiser, subtly funny, eternally self-effacing, and justifiably confident. Some day when he retires, he will leave the school well prepared for the upcoming decades, and he will leave colleagues, peers and alumni trying to remember that distant time when there was no Dan Kelley at The Gow School. As much as Dan thought, at first, that he might not tarry at Gow—he was, after all, billeted in closetlike quarters on Main Building’s second floor and showering in the dungeon-esque basement his first year, not exactly five-star accommodations—he has come to acknowledge that soon after he arrived, the cards were stacked against any possibility of him leaving. A few weeks into his first semester, he met fellow Gow teacher and lifelong East Auroran Bill Allen. As the Blizzard of ’77 receded and the summer approached, Bill suggested that Dan stay in the area, play some baseball on Allen’s team and grill hot dogs at Chet’s, the Allen family’s restaurant. Then, as if Fate had intervened, on one midsummer’s night at Ali Baba’s Bar in the basement of the historic Roycroft Inn, Bill introduced Dan to Jody Mehl, a lovely local lass, and coincidentally, sister to Edward “Sandy” Mehl, a junior at Gow and a student of Dan’s. There would be, he realized, “no escape from Gow.” Although Jody already knew more than most about the Spartan Gow experience after her brother’s four years as a boarder (and Vesta Howard’s attempts to fix her up with various Gow faculty members), she embraced the idea of being a dorm parent. Married in 1979, the young couple moved to the honors dorm called Hill House where their charges included future trustees Steve Ibbotson and John Bullock. The Gow School awaiting the Kelleys in the late 1970s looked very different from The Gow School that greets new faculty in 2015. As Dan says in his typical deadpan humor, “The campus tour didn’t take very long back then.” On the north side of Emery Road were Ellis, White Cottage, Cornwall and the Chapel. On the south side stood Green Cottage, the Science Lab, Main Building, Templeton and the Dining Hall. Suffice it to say that the number of buildings erected or bought during Dan’s tenure at Gow exceeds the number of buildings existing when he arrived. There was no gym, no library, limited recreational options, and basic, at best, staff housing. “The faculty consisted mostly of young single guys; there were few wives. Faculty turnover was high; if a teacher stayed four years, he qualified as a long-timer.” Dan Kelley, newly married to an East Aurora girl, would never be a short-timer. “The bottom line,” he says, “is that I liked what I was doing. I enjoyed working with Norm Howard, David Gow and Link Lundell. The kids were rough and tumble back then, but I found that I was pretty good with them. I got to know them well in the classroom, at athletics, and in the dorm. I seemed to have good instincts for how to deal with them. I was good at being firm and having some presence. The biggest development, the thing that changed everything at Gow was the gradual longevity of the faculty. Teachers began to stay, and to get married and have families, and the school worked on getting more housing. Families made the place much less harsh; more empathetic to the needs of the students, more of a place parents wanted to send their kids.” The Kelleys, following the lead of the Roses, were in the vanguard of that movement. Seth and Erin Kelley were born in Hill House in 1985 and 1987, respectively, and grew up both as Govians and members of the East Aurora community where they attended public school. They were little brother and sister to the boarders at Hill House as toddlers and later became part of the whole Pictured top to bottom: Dan and his wife Jody; Dan with Michael Aiviolatis ‘14 dressed as Dan for Halloween; Dan (in madras pants!) and Jody with students in the early 1980s; Dan and his wife, Jody with David Gow, Jr. and Alice Gow; Dan (far right) with fellow faculty members in 1978. The Gow Life Magazine
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Gow family at Willis House where the Kelleys moved (and still reside) when Dan became assistant headmaster in 1993. Jody, along with Jan Kimball, wife of former assistant headmaster Mark Kimball, headed the student dance committee, baked cakes for students’ birthdays and brought a touch of home to them. As Jody Kelley says, “One of the positives was that even though Dan worked very long hours, his kids could always have a little time with him. He was never more than a short walk or bike ride away. If he had worked those hours at a job in the city, his kids might never have seen him. And when the routine at Gow did get a little too hectic, a break would come along. I wouldn’t have traded raising my kids here for anything.” Both of the Kelley kids made the most of their lives on campus. Seth played sports on the Gow teams, attended the Gow Summer Program and joined Paul Rose’s Buildings and Grounds crews during his college summers. Now an attorney, Seth works in the law offices of former Gow faculty member and Summer Program director Peter Sorgi. Erin attended the Summer Program, too, as a camper for many seasons, then served as a counselor during her college years. As if that weren’t enough, she began dating Govian P.J. Chmura, Class of ’06, during high school, taking him to the East Aurora High School prom. With college behind them and their careers under way—she as a social worker with Uncle Sandy’s wife Laura at Baker Victory Services and he a cutting edge chef at Cravings on Hertel Avenue in Buffalo—the two married in 2013 and moved to the city. They’re expecting Dan and Jody’s first grandchild in February. When Dan, with his encyclopedic memory, reminisces about his life as a teacher, administrator and coach, he builds a montage of images that transports the listener. First there were his mentors Norm Howard and Tom Moore—“RL through a blue haze,” he called it, referring to the ever-present cigarettes—who taught him Reconstructive Language. And Link Lundell, who showed him how to run an orderly night study hall. He talked about David Gow, who was just ascending to the headmaster’s post as Dan was cutting his teeth on RL. It was David Gow, with Dan’s help, who presided over a precarious time in the school’s history when enrollment was down and there was a serious need for new buildings, faculty housing and The Gow Life Magazine
a development department. The Arnold Library, Thompson Gym, Orton Hall and Whitcomb House, results of robust alumni giving, all rose during that time. The other names he mentions speak to the collegiality and cooperation that is one of modern Gow’s hallmarks: Mark Kimball, Bill Adams, Bill Patterson, Jay Wright, Paul Rose, Charlie Brown, Jeff Sweet, Dale Hazen, Bill Parsons. “The younglings,” as he calls the newer teachers today, “understand the spirit of cooperation and are carrying it forward. That says something about the community they’re coming into.” “I’ll always be grateful to the Canadians,” Dan said. Because of a Canadian government program that helped with the cost of education for dyslexic students, Gow became a favored destination. “The Class of 1980 had sixteen members, twelve from Canada. They are some of our best alums—I call them the cowboys— definitely the most fun.” ‘While it is true that the school has modernized—there is hot water in all the dorms, even for seventh and eighth graders (he says facetiously)—the essence of what Peter Gow envisioned is still intact and flourishing. Most of our alumni are happy with where we are headed. Thanks to Brad Rogers’ initiative, we are active in the community, have day students and girls. Kids understand that they are in a place where people care about them, where student and faculty can have a little give and take, share a few laughs. It used to be that all parents wanted was for us to teach their kids to read, now they ask for design, art, engineering, technology, and we can offer those educational options. Parents, even though they are different from the parents of the ‘70s, trust us to take care of their children. Kids might still have some difficulties with language when they leave here, but if we’ve taught them well, given them a good work ethic and good study habits, they find they can carve a path to success in college and later.” All these things Dan says with a genuine modesty. When you ask about his awards—the Lowell Lundell Excellence in Teaching Award, the Gow School Distinguished Service Award, and the 2012 Administrator of the Year Award from International Multisensory Structured Language Education Council, he says, “When you’ve been around as 11
long as I have, people have to either give you an award or admit they messed up in hiring you in the first place.” He says that his career has been “satisfying and rewarding,” then adds with a sly smirk, “but all this sensitivity has taken years off my life.” The part of this article I thought might be the easiest—gathering thoughts about Dan from colleagues and former students—has turned out to be the most difficult. Not because no one has anything nice to say about him; just the opposite is true. His near unanimous approval rating would be the envy of any politician. No, it’s because everyone says the same thing. They speak almost as a chorus. Remarks about him, condensed in a Readers Digest style, might go something like this: wonderful guy, terrific teacher, great listener, natty dresser, dedicated family man, mild-mannered, intelligent, funny, does the right thing, connects with students because they know he’s genuine. Then, so he doesn’t get a swelled head, the chorus might add this from former student Tristan Carrier ’90: “he looked really silly stuffing that six-foot-three frame into a Dodge Omni.” Director of the Lower School Jeff Sweet has a special appreciation for Dan. “For 24 years we’ve done everything at Gow together—hiring, firing, interviewing, discipline, night duty, weekend duty, athletics, you name it—and Dan’s been a pleasure to work with. And he has seen a way to inject a sense of humor into things. The only difference between us is that Dan’s trained more headmasters (five) than I have (three). Brad Rogers probably summed it up best: “He’s Mr. Integrity at the Gow School. He’s a voice of reason. Gow can be an emotional place for kids at a difficult time in their lives and Dan’s style of active listening is comforting and valuable. When students, faculty or I have a concern, we can air it out with Dan. He knows how to sit deep in his chair and look at you and ask questions to make you think more. And he always does right by the students.” Writer Rick Ohler is well aware that even with a generous allotment of 2000 words, he barely began to tell the whole Dan Kelley story.
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Girls at Gow
Coeducation Turns Three — Checking In With the Gow Girls
They arrived together, right on time, bringing with them an enthusiasm and a vitality that was immediately apparent. You would have excused them Maggie ‘20 in class if they’d been timid or reticent as they gathered around a conference table for an interview with a fellow they’d never met, but just the opposite was the case. We introduced ourselves and were immediately immersed in animated conversation, all of them talking at once, as if they could hardly wait to tell me all about their new life at The Gow School. It was my pleasant task on a recent December Monday to interview seven of the nine girls who make up the female contingent of The Gow student body for the 2014-15 school year: seventh graders Michelle, Maggie and Elelia; freshman Megan; sophomores Elizabeth and Courtney; and senior Lelaina. Unable to be with us were seniors Emily who was meeting with teachers, and Gow’s first female student, Shelby. Shelby, who is headed to Savannah College of Art and Design next fall was hard at work in the robotics lab at the Alice R. Gow Science Center. [Note: while Shelby is accorded pioneer status as the 7th graders on way to Charity Ball
The Gow Life Magazine
by Rick Ohler
first girl student, school historians When I asked them about their will remember that founder Peter decision to come to Gow, they Gow, Jr.’s daughter, Vesta Gow were just as forthcoming and Howard, did take effervescent: some courses at “My teachers at Gow listen when I “I felt the the school in the ask a question, and they help me.” difference right 1930s.] The nine away.” “My girls are all day mother could tell students although Courtney hails in the second week that I was much from Cuba, New York, near Olean happier.” “My teachers at Gow listen and boards with Megan’s family when I ask a question, and they in East Aurora, and Maggie is from help me.” “They know when I don’t Savannah, Georgia. She and her understand something, and will go mother have taken an apartment in over it until I get it.” “Tutorial is a big East Aurora for the school year, and help.” “At Gow, it’s about the effort are hoping that Maggie can board at you put in.” “I feel so much smarter Gow in the future. here. There are so many options besides regular school courses.” “I These seven impressive young feel loved at Gow.” ladies were both forthcoming and captivating, and before our meeting Beyond academics, the girls was five minutes old, I understood admitted that there were some that Gow has already begun to turn uncomfortable moments at first; their lives around. The stories of the having 140 sets of eyes trained on rough times they experienced in you will do that. And being the only their former schools—public, private girl in many of their classes can be and parochial—came gushing unnerving, too. Most of the girls, out and rang with familiarity. “My however, said their awkwardness teachers thought I wasn’t trying.” disappeared quickly. “The boys, “My teachers made me feel so they’re like brothers, now.” “They stupid.” “I got detention or had can be annoying and clueless, like to miss lunch if I didn’t finish my trees in the wilderness, but I love work on time.” “I was sent into the most of them.” And the young men hall when the class read aloud.” have rediscovered chivalry. “The first “Everyone laughed at me.” “I was time a guy opened a door for me, up until one in the morning just I was, like, ‘What’s this all about?’ finishing my homework.” “At first Now it’s common. I almost never I cried, after I realized that college get to open a door for myself.” wasn’t going to be an option for me; then I stopped caring.” “I was done The boys are very protective of with school.” “I hated school.” the Gow girls, especially in offcampus settings. Several of the girls
Lelaina with Adam & Sergei
Michele, Megan & Maggie
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Megan & Elizabeth with friends
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recounted a trip to an amusement park where some non-Govian boys were being bothersome and the Gow boys intervened, nipping any potential trouble in the bud. The girls say they have formed a kind of sorority, one that includes both the hardened veterans and the newly arrived. Bound together by common learning issues, they recognize that, “we’re all different, but we’re good with each other. We have to be able to talk, since we know we all need each other. So there really isn’t any drama.” When Maggie arrived from South Carolina with the fall semester already underway, her fellow females immediately gravitated to her, forming a kind of insulation until she was comfortable in a mostly-male environment. They all acknowledge the steadfast support they get from Day Student Coordinator Julie Struzynski. “She’s amazing. She’s like our Gow mom. We go to see her all the time to vent or ask questions, anything.” And the girls have their own refuge above Mrs. Rose’s office in Main—no boys allowed. Would the girls board at Gow if a facility became available? A chorus of agreement greeted that question. Absolutely, they say. “Then we could be a part of Gow, and hang out with the guys.” “Gow during the day and Gow in the evening and on weekends are different experiences. There’s a whole life after school. There is so much to do here.” The idea of having girls board at Shelby & Lelaina
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Gow is much on Headmaster Brad Rogers’ mind these days. While he’s pleased with the coeducation process so far and is willing to take the next step and have girls board at Shelby ‘15 in art Cornwall House, he is using the same thorough deliberation process he employed when Shelby enrolled. “We began to enroll girls in 2012 because we wanted to, not because we had to. As a school that educates students with learning issues such as dyslexia, we felt it was our moral obligation to include girls, and I didn’t want to be the one to turn down students with academic needs simply because they were female. We took our time, studied the idea for many years. We understood that one day Gow would enroll girls, especially after the success of the coeducational Gow Summer Program. When Shelby knocked on the door, we decided that the time was right. David Gow gave me his blessing, and with a wry smirk said, ‘And good luck with that.’” Since then ten girls have become part of the student body, with two—Jenna Milks and Kristen Klementowski—becoming the first-ever female graduates in May of 2014. All these girls, says the headmaster, have a certain grit, toughness and pioneer spirit spirit that allows them to succeed
Michele with her dad & sister Kristen ‘14
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Emily & her mom
academically and socially while they chart new territory in a school that was all-male for 86 years. If there has been one surprise, Mr. Rogers says, “It’s that all the girls get it, they get why they’re here and how it can work for them. Their families, these trusting pioneer parents, get it, too, making the sacrifices and commitment to their kids. We had seven feet of snow in one week last November, with roads closed all over the county and these parents were driving their kids to school every day.” “However, “ he adds, “we are still a boys’ school that is enrolling girls, not a full coeducational institution. We can’t just launch a huge coeducation cannonball shot; we have been calibrating, sighting in with smaller rounds—very carefully, very thoroughly, knowing that this is new territory and we have to be cautious. Now that we can see that we are hitting our targets—one girl in 2012, then three, now nine—we can begin to move ahead. If we can get four to eight girls to commit to boarding at Gow, we’ll go ahead with making Cornwall House the temporary girls’ dorm. Rogers’ colleagues at coeducational boarding schools have not been shy about warning of the challenges he will face, some of which he might anticipate, others not at all. But Rogers is confident that if he proceeds slowly and cautiously, staying loyal to his sense of moral commitment to the education of boys and girls with dyslexia and related language based difficulties, Gow will continue to prosper. Courtney & Elizabeth on track team
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STILL TOGETHER.... After all these years! Heidi Baust - Art (20 years) was teaching part-time in Williamsville when a parent of one of her students suggested to Art Department Chair Bill Parsons that he hire her for an open Gow position. Among her favorite memories is a New York City trip interrupted when a storm shut down the airport, and necessitated a bus ride home through a blizzard, arriving on campus just in time for Monday morning classes. Heidi says, “I really appreciate Gow’s support for the arts, their cutting edge technology, and the freedom to change my lessons as needed.” Heidi and her husband, Rick Hausauer (shown next page) live in East Aurora with their two children, Alexis and Ethan.
Pictured: Row 1: Kathy Rose, Cindy Sweet, Marybeth Giallanza, Jay Wright. Row 2: Rick Hausauer, Heidi Baust, Debbie Hinman, Tom Giallanza, Jeff Sweet. Row 3: Dale Hazen, Mark Szafnicki, Dan Kelley, Doug Cotter. Top row: Paul Rose, Charlie Brown and Bill Parsons
Charlie Brown - Math (32 years) grew up in Buffalo, met the Gows as a camp counselor in Vermont, and was hired as a math teacher once he graduated from Amherst College. With his growing family settled into campus life, his young daughter would set out with her toy curlers to “beautify my boys”, which they would good-naturedly go along with. Along the years, he’s experienced Gow evolving into the professional organization that thrives in today’s world. For many Gow students, he points out, “This is their first opportunity to make a connection with a teacher who respects their abilities.” He loves hearing about what alumni are up
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to, and what kind of math they are using. He enjoys seeing Govians realize that they’re just as smart as their college classmates. Charlie and his wife, Alice have two grown children and live in Hill House. Doug Cotter - Director of Admissions (21 years) grew up in Buffalo, was a student from 19831985, joined Gow as an instructional assistant, then a History teacher and now, Director of Admissions. “To see the learning process reignited in our students after years of academic frustration is very powerful. The part I enjoy most is helping families find their
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way to our door step. Knowing what these families have gone through and being able to bring them into Gow warms my heart. Knowing what the school did for me and others over the last 88 years shows that Gow works.” Doug and his wife, Kelly have two sons and live in East Amherst. Mary Beth Giallanza - Webmaster (20 years) grew up just ten minutes from Gow but never visited until her grandfather invited her to join him for a community Open House. He had worked as a free-lance carpenter for Gow in the 1930s and ‘40s under Peter Gow and was curious to see how the school
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Celebrating 20+ years at Gow
had changed. She went along. She then applied to work at the Summer Program, and never left. She met her husband, Tom at Gow and now raises her family surrounded by other faculty children and students. “The students are so wonderful with the younger kids”, she says, “coaching them at sports, or rescuing them when their shoe laces tangle in their bike chain. It’s so interesting to reconnect twenty years later with students who were only a few years younger than I was as their teacher, and find how our lives are similar.” Marybeth and her husband, Tom (shown below) live on campus with their children, Steven and Laura. Tom Giallanza - History (26 years) carpooled with the Gow children when they were students at Nichols. His father, Joe, was a developer who sat on Gow’s board and oversaw the construction of the library and gym. After college, his father told him about an open history position. Back then the teachers were on duty most of the time, with only a half day off every two weeks. Being together all of the time led to a very tight faculty
The Gow Life Magazine
community. He enjoys “learning so much more about history than I did in grad school from the students who have insightful questions that require more research.” Rick Hausauer Maintenance (23 years) grew up on Willis Avenue, right across the street from the school. His bus stop was on the corner of Willis and Emery where over the years he saw the school go through many changes. “Starting out part-time in 1994, I spent most of my time cutting grass and doing minor repairs on campus. These days, I really enjoy removing snow from the driveways and parking lots, doing the purchasing for the department and networking with many of our venders. And I still love cutting grass.” Originally from Ohio, Dale Hazen, Biology (33 years) found Gow through his college placement office. Widely known for using a four-color pen, his students write their notes in different colored ink. “I work in finance now”,
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says Steven Luby ’00, “and I still carry a four-color pen with me everywhere”. Others remember him for the dog biscuits he carries for the campus pets, or last year when by popular demand, he danced the twist - with coffee cup in hand. So what keeps him here after all these years? “Having the freedom to design our own curriculum. Programs that I started are still in place. And to see alums visit and that they have families and lives all their own.” Dale and his wife, Rachel have three children and live in West Falls. Debbie Hinman - Business Office (22 years) discovered Gow when her daughter babysat for Bill Adams, Gow’s fourth Headmaster. Her warmest memories are of visiting with Vesta Howard, daughter of Peter Gow, wife of Headmaster Norman Howard, and Gow’s first official female student. Today, Hinman enjoys watching the students as they develop confidence, and when alumni stop by to talk about anything. “It’s great to see what they’ve done since they left Gow, and how happy they are now.” Debbie has two grown daughters who live in East Aurora with their families.
Dan Kelley - Assistant Headmaster (38 years) came to Gow as a young tutor. He fell in love with Western New York’s summers, and a local girl named Jody. In between his teaching duties, he worked summers at Chet’s Doghouse in East Aurora and played on a basketball team. He affectionately remembers “The Canadian Invasion”, an infusion of students funded by the Canadian government in the mid70s, which helped Gow survive during some lean times. “Great alums”, Kelley says, “Rowdy and fun, very loyal, they knew how to have a good time.” Dan says, “We help students and parents who didn’t think they could finish high school, let alone go on to college. If they have difficulties after Gow, they are manageable because they succeeded here at Gow first. And,” he continues, “we’re able to offer more support now where needed because of the current faculty, improved housing, and better facilities.” Dan and his wife, Jody live in Willis House. They have two children, Seth and Erin. Erin is married to PJ Chmura, a 2006 Gow graduate.
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Bill Parsons - Art (41 years), originally from New Jersey, Bill came to work at Gow after his friend’s mother recommended him to Norm Howard, Gow’s second Headmaster. Fresh from a young art career in New York City, he assumed he’d be at Gow for just a short time - until he was encouraged to give teaching a chance. He can’t imagine anything more meaningful and says “We’re in the business of rebuilding confidence. All that Gow does to help, results in students that by graduation, have me in tears.” Bill and his wife, Kris have twin six year old daughters. Kathy Rose - RL (25 years) grew up in East Aurora and was working at the East Aurora Hardware Store during the summer of 1978 when she met her future husband Paul. He had just started working at Gow, and she fell in love with Paul and Gow together. “My favorite part of Gow is hearing from students and parents how much the school has impacted their children for the better. I love the entire community: students, first and foremost, colleagues and their families and being a bridge between Gow and the South Wales communities.” Kathy and Paul (pictured below) have three children and four grandchildren. Paul Rose - Director of Buildings and Grounds (37 years) has been Director of Buildings and Grounds for 23 years. Previously, he served as a teacher, coach, and dorm master. Paul’s favorite memory is “One evening, (English
The Gow Life Magazine
Chair) Jay Wright and I ran out of our dormitory expecting to catch a group of students who had snuck out of the building. We were quite surprised to run smack dab into a gathering of cows that had escaped from a local farm!” What he most enjoys are sharing memories with alumni and hearing about their lives after Gow. Cynthia Sweet - Librarian (24 years). Cindy and her husband, Jeff came to Gow from New Jersey with their three children, Lauren, Doug and Kim, in the early 1990s. Her favorite memories include working in the library alongside Librarian Bobette Hurd. “She made every day special and had an amazing outlook on life.” She speaks fondly of her students and colleagues at Gow, “I enjoy seeing the students mature into confident learners. At graduation, it is so gratifying to hear the stories and see, or hear, what they have achieved. Jeff Sweet - Head of the Lower School (24 years) came to Gow when he was recruited to join Bill Adams as he was becoming Gow’s fourth Headmaster. “I’ve worked with incredible colleagues here,” shares Sweet. “Thanks to our shared efforts, we take students who are struggling and make them successful, save their lives.” He adds, reflectively, “I most appreciate the leadership provided by our Headmasters and working side by side with Dan Kelley all of these years. Becoming one of the elder statesmen has been hard! But it’s all worth it when I hear about the early struggles of our students, see them graduate, go to college,
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get a good job, marry, and have a happy life!” Mark Szafnicki - Athletic Director (26 years) first came to Gow as a college student from Orchard Park to play tennis (on the courts when they were located where Orton Hall now stands) with Mason Winfield, then the English Department Chair. One of his favorite memories is of becoming Gow’s Athletic Director. “Although I wasn’t good at all sports, my parents instilled in me the importance of trying something new until you found something you really liked and wanted to pursue. Here at Gow, the progress our athletes make is remarkable.” Mark and his wife, Darcy live on campus with their three children, Chase, Kendall and Tanner. Jay Wright - English (26 years) is a sixth generation Western New Yorker who started teaching at Gow after college graduation. He has taught in boarding schools, at a community college and university. He says he most appreciates working at Gow because of its dedicated colleagues. When reconnecting with past students, he enjoys hearing about how they have applied what they learned at Gow. “They all achieve success in their own way,” he says, “and it is quite satisfying to share their stories. I also especially enjoy when a graduate, or one’s mom, tells of earning an A in freshman writing.” Jay and his wife, Ann have two grown children and live in downtown Buffalo.
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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 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. We thank you! Department Item Description Athletic Department Assorted Dumb Bells and Free Weights Camera and Telephoto Lens to photograph games Tennis Ball Machine Skier’s Edge Ski Training Machine Garmin Forerunner GPS Watches with Heart Rate Monitors Classrooms Portable 4 x 6 Dry-erase Boards
# Needed
$1,000 $1,500 $3,500 $300
1 1 10
$550
2
Foosball Table Harvard XP1000 $700
1
Ellis Dormitory
Cost per
Green Team Biobuddy 53 Gallon Biodiesel Processor $2,000 already donated, additional $1000 needed 3-in-1 Recycling Sorter for cans, returnable bottles, and other recyclables
$1000 $150
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Music Department Complete Drum Set Drums Shell Pack + Snare, Gretsch Drums Marquee 4 Piece Shell $1400 Cymbals Zildjian A Custom Cymbal Pack $750 Stands Gibraltar flat base Hi-Hat Stands $120 Cymbal Stand Gibraltar Turning Point Deluxe $120 Adjustable Snare Stand Gibraltar 9606 Ultra $100 Nurses Office Electronic Scale
$425
3
1
Physics Manipulatives for Science Building Foyer and Grand Room $500 Interactive displays built by Lab Physics and Engineering Club. Hexapod Robot (with Aurduino Controller) $450 Fully articulated hexapod robot kit with six legs, and 19 servo motors. Reconstructive Language Assorted reading books $300 Student Activities Weekend Trip Scholarship $600 Scholarship for a student to attend Holiday Valley ski trips, indoor lacrosse, sporting events, airsoft and paintball trips, Dave & Busters, Sky Zone trips and more. Drone Kit for the New Gow UAV and Drone Club $1,200 1 Kit for students to build remote control drone to take video of campus and sporting events. Frisbee/Disk Golf Targets $120 3 This will allow the students to play the popular disk golf game on athletic fields and campus. Templeton Dormitory Various Board Games with Storage Cabinet $200 DVD Player for Lounge $50 Videography Class GoPro Camera Here 4 Black Edition $500 Canon T4i Camera $600 The Gow Life Magazine
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2 1
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AROUND CAMPUS Gow’s Winning Golf Team! Little Seniors Celebrates 25 Years!
Gow’s golf program started three years ago. This past year their most successful yet, tying for first place in the division. The team, led by senior captain Tempel Viti ‘15, was the youngest in the league with two seniors, a junior, two sophomores, and one freshman. During the season, they travelled on the new Gow 15 passenger bus to several weekend golf outings, and rose at 6:00 a.m. each Sunday to practice.
Started as a Business Seminar in 1990 for Gow seniors, the Little Seniors have remained a Gow elective since the late 90s. Today Little Seniors manage two locations, the original location in the Main Building and a new space in The Gow Center, open for tournaments and campus events. Although originally the shop was supported by pizza delivery and dry cleaning fees, today the shop relies on candy, snack, and beverage sales. Generally students who join are naturally good at business, understand risk, and are willing to try new things without prior experience. They must manage the cash register, inventory, the nightly schedule, and work out director and employee relationships. New products they have successfully introduced include Bagel Bites, Shirley Temple sodas, root beer, and Gatorade.
Nearby Elma Meadows has been Gow’s home course for three years, but thanks to a parent, The Brookfield Country Club in Clarence (a 40 minute drive from campus) will be their home course next year. Having access to more challenging courses will improve the team’s development and scores.
Operated as a non-profit business, every year Little Seniors donate their proceeds back to campus for various improvements such as chairs at the Senior Circle, a donation to the new dorm fund, board games, ping pong paddles and balls for the Gow Center, and Keurig coffee machines for every office on campus.
The team was coached by Jim Kaufmann (IT Department) and Brian Thompson (RL teacher) with guidance from faculty members Rob Garcia, Dan Kelley, Rob Marshman, and Jeff Sweet. Golf is a lifetime sport which builds camaraderie, team work, and time management skills. To further develop the program, Gow hopes to create a Junior Varsity team for 9th and 10th graders, and a team comprised of those younger than 9th grade.
Started under the direction of Mike Holland, other faculty advisors have included Kirk Rhodes and currently, Neil Howe and Tom Giallanza.
GOW HOSTS FIRST CYCLOCROSS RACE Cyclocross is a 45-minute timed bicycle race on grass and through mud with lots of tricky elements. Gow offered the perfect terrain for a challenging race on November 15. Ten students and two faculty members joined 68 community racers for a great time, and even won some medals! (Pictured Ryan ‘16, Anderson ‘16, Magnus 20, Headmaster Rogers, Nick ‘18, Luke ‘15, Joe Cendrowski, Ruan ‘18 and Gayle Hutton. Racers not pictured: Devon ‘16, Ryan ‘16 and Philippe ‘19.
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And yes, at the end of the year, each class member still signs his or her name to the brick walls of the original shop, as they have for 25 years. Pictured: this year’s Little Seniors team and their advisors, Tom Giallanza, Neil Howe ‘91 and David Maier ‘92.
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NEWS FROM THE DEVELOPMENT OFFICE Dear friends, Thank you for being part of Gow! Construction of the new dormitory is underway and will be completed by this summer and ready for 28 students and three faculty families to move in next fall. Fundraising for this project is nearly complete. Of the $3.8 million needed, we need to raise just over $500,000 more. Your gift or pledge (of up to four years), will make a huge difference! To give, please visit gow.org/gift or call the Development Office at 716.687.2075. Pictured at Fall Weekend: Wendy Syed, We are always striving to increase opportunities for people to be part of Gow. Scott Jackson, Lynn Chafin, Gayle We are geographically challenged since Gow’s alumni and parents live across Hutton, Justine Kossman and David ‘19 the world, but our travels bring us to many of you. The Alumni Association under the direction of Chris Fetter ‘98, will be hosting several events in the Buffalo area that will bring alumni and families together, both in town and on campus. Check out Gow’s Alumni Association Facebook page for more info about upcoming events.
I wish you a coming year filled with the courage to try new things, the curiosity to learn, and the will to make a difference. Thank you for caring about Gow and its mission. Sincerely,
• Give a gift to the Annual Fund - visit gow.org/gift or call 716.687.2075; • Make a Planned Gift - include Gow in your will. This is good for you, your heirs and of course, the school; • Donate Appreciated Stock - this is a win/win since you avoid paying capital gains and Gow recieves a donation for the current value of the stock; • Create a Named Fund - for a gift of $25,000 over five years, you can create a fund in your name or in honor of someone special. It can be restricted or unresticted so that Gow can use it where needed; and • Support Capital Projects such as the new dormitory mentioned on page 4.
Gayle E. Hutton Director of Development
new faces on campus Katie Tierney (right) has joined the Business Office team as part of its three to five year succession plan. Currently she assists in human resources, management, planning, payroll support, accounting, and the audit. Her background is in higher education, having come from SUNY Geneseo as an accreditation coordinator, overseeing institutional effectiveness and accreditation mapping for the college. She is well versed in statistical software and analyzing data. Before that, she was assessment coordinator and certification officer at Canisius College. She has a B.A. from SUNY Geneseo and an MBA from Canisius College. She has four children, two of whom are college students, and lives in East Aurora. She enjoys running and outdoor activities. Megan Mills Hoffman joins the Development Office after working in development for a variety of local organizations, including the Western New York Land Conservancy, Buffalo State College, and the Burchfield Penney Art Center. She is also familiar with higher education, having worked in residence life at The University of Montana, graduate admissions at The University of Mississippi, and the registrar’s office at Pacific University outside of Portland, Oregon. She has a B.S. in Sociology from Buffalo State College. Originally from southcentral Alaska, she now lives in Derby with her husband, Kevin, and their Bernese Mountain dog.
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Class Notes 1940s George Reid ‘43 and Charlie Krogness ‘46 attended a Gow dinner in Minneapolis in December. The dinner was held at George Reid’s home and was a wonderful evening. Pictured: Janelle and Ben Jordan ‘88, Dan Crear ‘71, Charlie Krogness ‘46, George Reid ‘43, Adam Sullivan ‘99, Mary Crear, Jean Krogness and Zack Siegel ‘89.
Jon Holt ‘58 and his wife, Barbara, (pictured below) attended a Gow dinner in Boston in October. They are enjoying retirement and live in Orleans, Massachusetts.
K. Peter Knudsen ‘59 is serving as a Gow School trustee. He and his wife, Judy divide their time between homes in Palm Beach, Florida and Harbor Springs, Michigan. Peter enjoys hunting and playing golf. Rod Griffis ‘45 (pictured below) and his wife live in New York City. He writes “Mr. Gow taught me how to tie a bow tie which has actually been a big help all my party life. But Mr. Howard started me over in arithmetic, one plus one. I resented it and resisted, but it saved my life. Eventually I went to Middlebury College and on to be a professional actor. Gow saved me.”
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Jamie Spitzley ‘63 and his wife, Susan (pictured below), live in Cambria, California on a ranch where they raise grapes and avocados. They recently returned from a trip to Europe. Susan is the sister of two Gow alumni: George Higbie ‘61 and Steve Higbie ‘60.
Lowell Powers ‘59 attended Gow’s Fall Weekend in October. He is a Gow trustee and lives in Newport, Rhode Island.
1960s Abbott Brownell ‘61, pictured below with Ida and Alan Botto ‘57, is retired and divides his time between his homes in San Diego and Maine.
1950s A. Alan Botto ‘57 and his wife, Ida are retired and live in Alexandria, Virginia. (Pictured with Abbott Brownell ‘60 in next column).
David Nesbitt ‘62 writes “I went to Gow in 1962. As I look back, I realize how important Gow was to my development and the creation of my being. Had I stayed in public school, I doubt my education would have been completed successfully as I was so engrossed in aviation that I never got the big picture and without that, I could not see what else was presented to me. Your teachers were the best I ever had and they made sure I got it.”
Andy Evans ‘62 and his wife, Stephanie attended a Gow dinner in San Francisco. Andy recently retired from serving as a Gow Trustee.
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John Pulvermann ‘64 and his wife, Mary Lee live in Walpole, New Hampshire and are enjoying retirement. John serves on Gow’s Board of Trustees and is Chairman of the Investment Committee. Bob Warner ‘64 and Stu Lipp ‘65 and their wives recently returned from a bicycling trip to Eastern Europe. They had a great time! Bob and his wife, Jill live in Vail, Colorado. Stu and his wife, Julia live in Chagrin Heights, Ohio. Bob writes, “After 45 years of construction, development and real estate in the Vail area, I am in the
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Class Notes process of closing down my office. I will be serving on the County Planning Commission and on the board of the Eagle Valley Land Trust. Volunteering for various non-profit events including the 2015 World Alpine Ski Championships, World Cup Ski events and bike events in the summer will keep me busy. My wife, Jill and I are Mountain Hosts on Beaver Creek one day a week. Last winter I skied 133 days and over 2.3 million vertical feet.” (Pictured below: Stu Lipp ‘65, Jill Warner, Julia Lipp and Bob Warner ‘64).
Jeffrey Spoon ‘65 has lots of family news to share! His daughter, JaeJae received tenure; son, Jeremy got married this past summer; and stepson, Noah Ginsburg will be married in August. Jeffrey and his wife, Terri are avid cyclists and live in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Mike Bond ‘68 (pictured left) and his wife, Mary live in St. John, Indiana. He is a retired Episcopalian priest and enjoys working with students at The University of Chicago and playing his guitar. Bill Longley ‘68 and his wife, Candace have three sons with dyslexia. All graduated from Trinity
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College and have jobs in New York City. “Just goes to show that once a dyslexic gets over the hump, they can go far,” says Bill. They have lived in Atlanta for 15 years. Bill’s medical device company is hoping for FDA approval in the spring.
Lorena Urrutia, and The Honourable Elizabeth Dowdeswell, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario).
1970s Roger Adams ‘71 and his wife, Ann (pictured left), recently visited Gow with friends. They own Hanley’s in Ancaster, Ontario, and Roger serves as a Gow School Trustee.
1980s John Bullock ‘80 and his family attended the Macys Thanksgiving Day Parade. (Pictured below: John, his wife, Dawson and their daughters, Caroline and Gibson).
Dan Crear ‘71 and his wife, Mary live in Wayzata, Minnesota. They recently attended a Gow dinner in Minneapolis and have four grown children. (Pictured with George Reid ‘43 and others on previous page). John Venables ‘71 (pictured left) lives in Seattle where he owns commercial properties. He and his daughter and son-in-law own and operate a classic roller skating rink. Ross Dingwall ‘74 resides in northern British Columbia. Jay Mandarino ‘79 is one of 13 Ontario citizens to receive this year’s Ontario Medal for Good Citizenship. Jay is founder and president of the C.J. Group of Companies and the C.J. Skateboard Park and School, a 28,000 square-foot facility for atrisk youth. (Pictured: Jay, his wife,
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Neill Clark ‘81 has two children, a son Patrick, 13 and daughter Gabby who is 11. Neill is working for the Canadian Federal Government, and lives in Wasaga Beach, Ontario. Alan Freemond ‘82 recently attended a Gow dinner in Chicago. He and his wife, Kathryn have twin 15 year old daughters. Pictured: Class of 1983 friends Duncan McIntosh, Larry Acheson and Jeff Swann at Fall Weekend.
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Class Notes Matthew McKeever ‘83 works in satellite and electronic news gathering and editing and as a Live Shot Field Coordinator for TV station WDBJ7 in Roanoke, Virginia.
Harry Knight ‘84 and his family came to Fall Weekend. Pictured below are Harry, his parents, wife Donna and their two children. Harry lives in New York City where he operates a greeting card business.
Jeff Swann ‘83 and his wife, Viviane (pictured right) live in Komoka, Ontario and own a gelato store. Matt Thompson ‘83 (pictured with Physics Teacher Joe Gullo), is president of DeLeon Thompson and has provided several vital tools for Gow’s Robotics Program.
Liam Devine ‘84 (shown with Science teacher Dale Hazen), lives in Toronto, and enjoys riding his motorcycle.
Charles Luce ‘84 is pictured below with Alan Botto ‘57. Charles lives in Ottawa and is a Logistics Technician for the Supply Chain Group for Curtiss Wright. He and his wife, Stacy have a daughter.
Pictured below: Adam Oberkircher ‘83, Assistant Headmaster Dan Kelley, and Sam Cosmano ‘84 at Fall Weekend.
Eric Shallhorn ‘84 and Rob Rhamy ‘84 at Fall Weekend. Eric lives in Toronto and Rob lives in Atlanta.
Graeme Hepburn ‘84, is pictured with his son Magnus, a Gow 7th grader.
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Stacy and Sam Cosmano ‘84 hosted a dinner at their home in East Aurora during Fall Weekend! Pictured below: Doug Cotter ‘87, Bill Parsons, Trevor Devine ‘09, Henry Minis ‘09, Anne Rogers, Jody Kelley, Abbott Brownell ‘61, Brad Rogers, Magnus Hepburn ‘20, Graeme Hepburn ‘84, Charles Luce ‘84, Stacy Cosmano, Ida Botto, Alan Botto ‘57, Peter Driscoll ‘09, Lawrence Solomon ‘82, Larry Acheson ‘83, Vince Bailey ‘87, Andrew Thompson ‘85, Liam Devine ‘84, Harry Knight ‘84, Sam Cosmano ‘84, Matt Thompson ‘83, Dan Kelley, Adam Oberkircher ‘83, Eric Shallhorn ‘84, Trafford Hill ‘84, Jeff Swann ‘83, and Rob Rhamy ‘84.
Tim Doherty ‘85 and his wife, Leslie Eckel welcomed their son William on September 24. Tim writes, “We’re excited about this new adventure, and are getting ready to chase him around the world!” Tim is a Senior Transportation Planner
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Class Notes for the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission of Massachusetts and completing a 15 year passenger rail project. (Tim pictured left.) The 1980s were well represented at Gow’s Fall Weekend! Pictured below are Trafford Hill ‘84, Graeme Hepburn ‘84, Sam Cosmano’s wife Stacy, Vince Bailey ‘87 and Doug Cotter ‘87. Trafford is married and lives in Virginia; Graeme and his wife, Claudia have three children and live in Toronto; Vince has two children and lives in Ontario; Sam and Stacy live in East Aurora with their two children; and Doug Cotter ‘87 and his wife Kelly have two sons. Doug is Gow’s Director of Admissions.
Peter Mark ‘86 (pictured on elephant), attended a recent Gow event in Chicago. He works in the investment business and enjoys traveling. John Remar ‘86 and his wife, Jennifer welcomed a son, Jake on August 27. They live in Long Beach, California. (Pictured next column: John and his family).
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1990s Claude Stuart ‘90 recently appeared on ABC's "Last Man Standing" & ABC FAMILY's "Melissa & Joey”, and will appear in the upcoming Adam Carolla movie, Road Hard! But more importantly, on April 5, he and his wife gave birth to a baby boy named Claude Stuart V (pictured below). Vince Bailey ‘87 and his girlfriend, Sylvia returned for Fall Weekend. Vince lives in Paris, Ontario. Chris Perry ‘87 returned to campus for a visit in October. He lives in Indianapolis and works for Main Gate, Inc. as a Traveling Event Logistics Coordinator. (Pictured, Chris and Director of Grounds Paul Rose).
Ben Jordan ‘88 and his wife, Janelle live in Minneapolis with their two daughters. They recently attended a Gow dinner and are pictured on page 21. Zack Siegel ‘89, his wife, Leslie and two sons live in St. Anthony, Minnesota. Zack attended a Gow dinner and is pictured on page 21.
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Andy Sims ‘91 is a new Gow School Trustee. Andy lives and works in San Francisco. He is pictured with Gow Economics teacher Neil Howe ‘91.
Steve Muir ‘93 writes that in January he will return to college for his second term as a heavy equipment technician. He will have only two years left to become a Red Seal. Andy Pendexter ‘94 and his wife, Michele had a boy, Rylee October 4. Keith Breisch ‘96 and his fiancee, April Martin were married on November 5. They reside in Buffalo, New York.
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Class Notes Michael Helwig ‘97 and his wife, Toni have two sons, Mike and Abel, and daughter, Trinity. They adopted their son Mike on September 8, 2014. Michael recently became a Resident Manager at Lifetime Assistance, a residential group home. Mark Neill ‘98 and his wife, Amanda have three daughters: Sarah (12), Ailani (5) and Emma (2). They live in Lake Worth, Florida where Mark is about to earn his MBA from Lynn University. His wife is a registered nurse and is continuing her education online at Villanova. Travis Borland ‘99 is becoming a certified electrician and lives in Woodstock, Ontario. Adam Sullivan ‘99 is living in Northfield, Minnesota.
2000s Zachary Harra ‘00 is a chef at the five star Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Manhattan. Chris Massey ‘01 and his wife, Kara had a son, James on October 6. Adam Baxandall ‘02 and his wife, Carmen had a daughter Addison Marie on January 2 in Alberta. John Hanley ‘02 and his wife, Lauren had their son Nathan on August 21 in Marietta, Georgia. They also have a two year old son, Jacob. Nick Ritchie ‘02 married Kim Cravens on December 18, 2014. They are currently living in Calgary, but moving to Toronto in 2015. John Simms ’02 married Elizabeth Heelam in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin
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on August 2. The wedding party included Spencer Simms ‘05 and Chris Ceren ‘08. John teaches RL at Gow and Elizabeth is a nurse. (Simms wedding pictured below).
Spencer Simms ‘05 is a watchmaker at Cartier on Michigan Avenue in Chicago and loves his job! He attended a Gow event in Chicago. Brian Slosson ’02 married Mary June on July 11 at The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe, New Mexico. Quinn Bradlee ‘03 (pictured) is esquire in the Most Venerable Order of St. John and an honorary member of the Teutonic Knights. Visit his website at www. friendsofquinn.com. Nabeel Chaudri ‘03 is living and working in Karachi, Pakistan. Gordon Naumberg ‘03 is living in New York City. He recently graduated with a Master’s degree from Sotheby’s and is hoping to work at an art auction house.
Drew Donaldson ‘06 is currently working as Lead Video Producer for St. Johns University in Queens, New York. He recently completed a national TV campaign for the university which will air this fall, winter and potentially next spring. You can view all of his work including the new campaign at his company's website http:// OutlierMedia.tv. Drew spends his free time hiking, reading US history, and working on side projects including two feature length documentaries: one about Cerebral Palsy and the other, a study of his family's history. (Pictured below.)
Lee Nelson ’03 has finished his second Master’s degree in Science and Technology Studies from the University of British Columbia. He is now applying to PhD programs and preparing to take the LSAT. Daniel Mehta ‘03 is working for the Boy Scout National Council in Chicago and AMC Theaters. Daniel recently attended two Chicago Gow events. Pictured next column: Daniel Mehta ‘03 and Spencer Simms ‘05.
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Steve Ippolito ‘07 is working in sports for a TV station in Boston. Kent Vaughn ‘07 is in the Peace Corps and lives in a village 40 miles from Lundazi, Zambia. He is with the medical corps and is teaching
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Class Notes villagers about AIDS and malaria. He gives lectures, distributes mosquito nets, and works at a clinic. He is working to get potable water and to establish a chicken farm in a nearby village. Peter Diarbakerly ‘08 is working in Boston. He and his mom attended a recent Gow dinner. Pictured: Anne-Marie and Toma Blatchford ‘12. Mary and Steve Ippolito ‘07, and Regina Pusantian and Peter Diarbakerly ‘08.
Peter Driscoll ‘09, Trevor Devine ‘09 and Henry Minis ‘09 had a chance to catch up at Fall Weekend. Peter is going to school in Minnesota, Henry is working in graphic design in Chicago, and Trevor is going to school and working in Buffalo.
Thomas Cook ‘11 is attending Drexel University and just finished a paid internship at General Electric.
Taylor Hall ‘09 is in his fourth year at Mount Allison University in Sackville, New Brunswick, Canada and is looking forward to graduating this summer.
Ross Hardigan ‘08 (pictured) is a Food and Beverage Manager at the Ritz Carlton Hotel in Boston and loves it. He graduated from Roanoke College. Gabriel House ‘08 and Nicole Van Drunen were married August 16 in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. Pictured left, they are living and working in Toronto where Gabriel is a Group Instructor for the Learning Disabilities Association of Toronto and manages an after school program for LD students.
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Colin Krafft ‘09 is working as a Financial Services Representative with First Investors Corporation in Hartford, Connecticut. After graduating from St. Lawrence University in 2013 with a degree in Government and Economics, he travelled a bit and spent the 201314 winter skiing in Alta, Utah. Mike Mitsche ‘09 is in a graduate program at University of Iowa for a PhD in Statistics - big number sets. His family recently moved to Wisconsin where they are building a home on the water.
Billy Hughes ‘11 is studying acting in San Francisco at The Academy of Art University. (Pictured left). Spencer Wilk ‘11 is a senior at Siena College in Albany, New York. He has an internship and a part time job. He plans to graduate in the fall, and enter into the beverage industry, hopefully brewing beer. Toma Blatchford ‘12 is attending Curry College and is playing first singles and doubles tennis. Toma’s family recently hosted a lovely Gow evening at their home in Boston. Pictured: Toma and his mom, Anne Marie.
Ren Tsuchida ‘09 transferred from Montana State University to the University of Komazawa in Tokyo, Japan where he will study Archaeology. Adriano Asperti ‘10 recently attended a Gow lunch in New York. Pictured next column: Adriano with Nathaniel Clarke ‘11 who is working at Old Navy in Manhattan.
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John Ebersole ‘13 spent the past year working in Germany. He is now attending Boston College.
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Class Notes Porter Follett ‘13 and Tim LaRocca ‘13 (pictured below) met in Newport Beach, California for a visit. Tim attends the University of Arizona, and Porter attends the University of Colorado in Boulder. Eddie Purtell ‘13 has been accepted into the business school at Denver University. His dad writes “Eddie used their learning center, and went from class directly to the library. These are all skills learned at Gow.” Noah Fields ‘14 is a freshman at Morehouse College in Atlanta and his mom says he is doing very well.
Roddy O’Conner ‘14 is enjoying the Savannah College of Art and Design. He recently attended an alumni event in New York City.
CURRENT FACULTY
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Todd Avis and his family live in Empire, Michigan. Pictured are his three sons: Mac, Gabe and Elliot.
Eric Bray (Math) and his wife, Tiffany had a son, Isaac on July 6. (Pictured left: Tiffany and Isaac). Ben Duffy is teaching and living in Dundee, New York with his wife, Lauren and their three children.
Joe Gullo (Physics) and his wife, Leslie, had a daughter Mary (right) on December 22. She joins three brothers.
Alan Hermann is a Wine Associate at Premier Wine and Spirits in Orchard Park, New York. He and his wife, Sara live in East Aurora. Marykate Russo Hoffman (RL) and her husband, Nick had a daughter, Emily October 7 (pictured left).
Jason Ganje ‘14 and Victor Mohney ‘14 are freshman at RIT. They are pictured at a “Pumpkin Chuckin” contest where their pumpkin went furthest. Janna Milks ‘14 and Mark Camenzuli ‘14 visited with Mr. Rogers on campus. Mark attends West Virginia Wesleyan and Janna attends Erie Community College.
FORMER FACULTY
Rob Marshman and Jen Cannon (current and former math teachers) had their third child, Willa on November 5. (Shown with sister Sophie.)
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Nick Sprague married his girlfriend of five years, Vanessa Weber (pictured right), on August 9. Just five days later, they moved to Quito, Ecuador to teach at Academia Cotopaxi, one of the most respected schools in South America. Nick currently teaches English as a Second Language. Liz Vail and her husband, Paul came back to Gow for a visit. They are living in Cody, Wyoming but are thinking of moving to Arizona.
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Class Notes Pictured below: Liz and Paul Vail with Dan Kelley and Charlie Brown.
OBITUARIES Thomas C. Haydock Jr. ‘51 (father of Tom ‘79) of Village of Golf, Florida, passed away April 23, 2014.
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Alfred Gildersleeve ‘55 of Stonington, Connecticut, died January 10, 2014. He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Barbara Spaulding Gildersleeve.
SIMPLE THINGS
To PROMOTE
William Heffner, Jr. ‘71 of Terrace Park, Ohio, passed away suddenly on December 3 at the age of 63. Bill is survived by Laurie, his wife of 34 years, and his son and family. Also surviving are sisters Susan and Nancy. Bill graduated from Gow and Ashland University. He was a member of Phi Kappa Psi, Milford Gun Club, Terrace Park Country Club, past board member of Beech Acres and past president of The Cincinnati Gyro Club.
YOU CAN DO
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1 Tell a friend about Gow - Invite them check out gow.org or call at 716.652.3450. 2 Support the school - Make a gift to the Annual Fund, or donate something for the auction. 3 Like us on Facebook - Check out our Facebook pages: the Gow Alumni Association and Gow School. 4 Come to an event - Attend a Gow alumni event or host one in your area. We love to get together! 5 Tell us what Gow means to you - Send a few sentences to development@gow.org. 6 Watch and comment on our YouTube videos - Check out sports, classes and more. 7 Come for a visit - Come for a reunion, to talk to students, or visit classes. 8 Don’t forget about Gow’s Summer Program - Five weeks of classes, sports, friends and fun! 9 Show your Gow spirit! Put a Gow sticker on your car. To get one, email development@gow.org. 10 Sign up for AmazonSmile or iGive - A portion of every purchase you make goes to Gow!
The Gow School Development Office PO Box 85 South Wales NY 14139 gow.org
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