Q&A With Dr. Barkin and Dr. Linas

Q: What does receiving the Ruth Gorham Alumni Award mean to you?

Dr. Barkin: “It is truly a great honor to receive this award. Graland holds a special place for myself and my family as both my brother and I attended Graland, and now my own two sons are Graland students. The Graland community—both current families and alumni—is a special group of caring, thoughtful, and intelligent people who value their school but also the world around them. To be recognized by this group means a tremendous amount to me.”

Dr. Linas: “It is an honor to receive the Ruth Gorham Alumni Award. My Graland experiences in the classroom and on all the amazing school trips sparked my intellectual curiosity and laid the foundation for all my future academic endeavors. While at Graland, I fell in love with learning—particularly math and science—and I credit the school with sparking my interest in pursuing public health. Ruth Gorham was a formidable woman who strived to make Graland a welcoming home for learning, and I am grateful to be among the list of awardees.”

Q: How were you inspired during your time at Graland?

Dr. Barkin: “I believe that Graland’s teachers are its strength and engine. This was the case when I was a student, and I still believe it to be true. Graland’s teachers have always been ever dedicated to innovative and engaging education for their students. A school is only as great as its teachers, and Graland has consistently recruited and retained some of the absolute best. There are too many to list, but it was the teachers who inspired me as a student to become a lifelong learner and really taught me that skill.”

Dr. Linas: “While at Graland, I was inspired by teachers who thought outside of the box. The variety of experiences, both in and outside of the classroom, inspired me to take academic risks and push myself. I was also inspired by my peers. Some of my closest friends today are people I met at Graland, and I am forever thankful to have them in my life.”