Spring 2020

Kimball Union

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Contents

SPRING ����

Features

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Eight Questions for Tyler Lewis

Tyler Lewis joined Kimball Union Academy as head of school in July 2019.

On the Frontlines

Three alumni recount their experiences treating COVID-19 patients.

Community Interrupted

Faced with the once unimaginable task of closing school in the face of a global pandemic, Kimball Union Academy acted swiftly to transform its 209-year-old independent boarding school into a thriving virtual campus.

Farm-to-Table

Dining Hall

The Pig Program celebrates �� years.

EDITOR

TRICIA MCKEON Director of Marketing and Communications

Kimball Union

EDITORIAL DESIGN

WENDY MCMILLAN ’78, P’09, ’11 McMillan Design

COPY EDITOR

THERESA D’ORSI

PHOTOGRAPHY

Courtney Cania, Kit Creeger P’09

Ken Hamilton, Roy Knight P’10

Dustin Meltzer ’05, Forest Simon ’21

CONTRIBUTORS

Polly Antol, Kit Creeger P’09

Jane Fielder H’13 P’90 ’90, Kristen Laundry

Dustin Meltzer ’05, Tricia McKeon

Victoria Pipas ’14, Marjorie Sa’adah

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

OFFICERS

CHRISTOPHER BURNS ’83 Board Chair New Canaan, CT

ANDREA STERN P’19 Vice Chair New York, NY

PETER SCHIEFFELIN ’96 Treasurer Jamestown, RI

KARLA RADKE P’21 Secretary New York, NY

GENERAL MEMBERSHIP

DAVID ALLYN ’86, P’17 Skaneateles, NY

MOLLY BOURNE STEFFEY ’92, P’20, ’22 Hanover, NH

ROBIN GRONLUND ’81, P’11 Shelburne, VT

EDWARD G. HILD, J.D., ’88 Washington, DC

DONALD LOWERY ’73 New York, NY

JILL SHEPHERD P’21 Greenwich, CT

STEPHEN TAYLOR Meriden, NH

CHRISTOPHER P. YOSHIDA ’96 New York, NY

KIMBALL UNION MAGAZINE

MAIL: Kimball Union Magazine welcomes submissions, letters, and comments. We reserve the right to review and edit all material that is accepted for publication. Please email submissions to Tricia McKeon at tmckeon@kua.org or send to: Kimball Union Magazine, PO Box 188, Meriden, NH 03770.

Head of School

A View From the Hilltop

Although still counting my time at KUA in months, I am writing to you as we wrap up a year that challenged our students and faculty in unique ways and led them to respond in remarkable fashion. On all accounts we were having what could only be considered an exceptional school year of deep engagement, high spirits, and thoughtful planning about the future. On every level we were marveling at this group of students and praising their leadership and energy as they departed for spring break in early March.

This year’s seniors selected “vision” as their theme for the year, a concept that lent itself to many creative analogies and connections and spoke well of the Class of 2020. Little did any of us realize vision was exactly what we would need to deliver academic and extracurricular programming through our distance learning and community program as the campus was forced to close.

Although campus has never been closed for this long, generations of KUA students have weathered extreme challenges through the years, and we are not the first group to confront adversity. I am certain that whenever these watershed moments have occurred in the past, there have been adults who reacted with instincts similar to ours—with concern, first and foremost, for the well-being of our students and their families. At a time in life when everything inside our students’ hearts, minds, and even DNA and hormones are telling them to push toward independence, we have necessarily retreated to nuclear families and small, isolated groups.

With the paradox of this challenge playing out for our students, we wondered how they would react. This year, as I am sure was the case in previous years, our students have risen to the challenge. This is not to be dismissive of the real challenges that our students and families are encountering in managing their personal versions of quarantine, health issues, family dynamics, distance learning, and community. Rather, I hope to highlight the excellence we have witnessed rise up through this adversity.

As faculty sought answers on how to best balance a remote curriculum, our students offered shrewd and insightful perspectives on how to enhance the academic experience. As we searched for ways to build community, our students created videos, collaborated on music, and developed physical challenges to compete with one another and other schools. They encouraged and cajoled each other, created phone chains to offer support, and expanded our network of clubs to conquer virtual challenges as modern as VR gaming platforms and as timeless as hiking the Appalachian Trail, albeit virtually by logging collective miles.

When we frame our work with students, we always design elements of adversity, as we know it will build resiliency for times when they need it most. I have to believe that the window we have had into the character of our current students is representative of decades, and even centuries, of similar traits embedded in the many who passed through KUA before them. To you, our alumni, I hope KUA has been a source of strength as you have managed our current global reality.

Still merely months into my first year here at KUA, I share with you my incredible gratitude to our faculty and staff. This year’s unique challenges have reinforced their willingness to embrace any challenge that will benefit our students. It is upon that foundation—along with the love and support of their families—that our students build their strength, and it has been a marvel to witness.

Our “Tale of Two Years” at KUA in 2019-20 is filled with much to celebrate, so please enjoy a deeper dive into our community in the pages that follow. We are looking forward to safely welcoming our students back to campus in the fall and welcoming you home to The Hilltop. K

“Our ‘Tale of Two Years’ at KUA in 2019-20 is filled with much to celebrate.”

TYLER LEWIS Head of School

After 32 years on The Hilltop, Cynthia Howe and Murray Dewdney retired from their roles at the close of this academic year.

As the longest-serving faculty members at KUA, Howe and Dewdney left indelible marks on the Academy. They arrived in 1988, when Dewdney was named director of buildings and grounds. At that time, Howe served as a dorm parent in Bryant Hall, where they resided. Soon after, Howe was named dean of faculty and head of college counseling. They moved to Frost House, where they lived for many years and raised their two sons, Tyler ’06 and Morgan ’14. Dewdney retired from his position as physics teacher, a position he held for many years while serving as the chair of the science department. Howe most recently taught in the Gosselin Learning Center, which she established and led as director of studies and academic support for more than a decade.

“They have both been an integral part of our school for as long as any of us can remember, and we’ve all been so blessed by their caring devotion to their students and the employees of the Academy,” says Julie Haskell, dean of faculty. Alumni, parents, and friends shared their support and thanks on social media.

A COMMUNITY SAYS GOODBYE

SHAPREKA

CLARKE ’09

Congratulations on your retirement! Well-deserved! Thank you both for all you did for me. You helped to make my time at KUA absolutely amazing.

JEFF BEER ’94

Congrats to you both! Ms. Howe was the best college counselor this clueless Canadian could’ve asked for—“What’s an SAT?”

ANGELA

AUGUSTA ’15

DAN SHEFF ’97

They are two of the most important people in my KUA life. Each helped me succeed and feel confident and valued, and each helped me through difficult moments— and moments when I was just being difficult.

FAITH LARSEN ’01

You are two of my most favorite people in the world! This retirement is well-deserved after everything you have given to us all.

DEVIN MCDONOUGH ’91

They were my dorm parents in Bryant ’91. Ms. Howe was so kind and caring to me. It was hard entering a new school far away from home—and I’d never lived away for as long. Ms. Howe and Mr. Dewdney always were thoughtful, warm, and generous with their time and advice. It takes special people to act as surrogate parents.

Cynthia Howe was my advisor for my two years at KUA. She guided me and was a motherly figure every step of the way. Mr. Dewdney was the best physics teacher and probably one of the greatest teachers I’ve ever had. He never wanted anyone to misunderstand his lessons and always helped you with any problem in class. I love them both dearly!

MEGAN PIERCE ’04

Congratulations, you two! I’m so lucky to have had the privilege of experiencing KUA with you both as mentors.

TORI LESHUK ’00

Coach Dewdney pushed me hard as a soccer player at KUA, but I will never forget what he said to me after our final game my senior year—how proud he was of the player I had become. It’s something that resonated with me for a long time as I continued playing at the college level.

MICHAEL COELHO ’92

Great family! Congrats and good luck with your next endeavors! I remember when Tyler was born! Fly fishing with Cynthia Howe / Senior English Elective.

“They are two of the most important people in my KUA life.”

Arts Scholar Peili Heitzman ’21 of Lyme, New Hampshire, works on a painting in the art studio in Flickinger Hall.

Hilltop

FACULTY SPOTLIGHT Jesse Mathers

Jesse Mathers arrived on The Hilltop in fall 2019 as head of the science department. Mathers holds undergraduate degrees in biology and Spanish from the Pennsylvania State University Schreyer Honors College and earned her Ph.D. in genetics at the Milton S. Hershey College of Medicine, where she worked on targeted treatments for breast-cancer metastasis. She has taught at boarding schools in Pennsylvania and Maryland. In the summer she teaches at the Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth.

Why did you choose KUA?

It really came down to three Ps—place, program, and people. My husband and I saw an opportunity to share the snow and the outdoors with our three children, and Meriden really fit the bill. We’ve been able to ski 8 miles from our house. KUA also has a program that provides resources for teachers to teach science in a hands-on way. That’s important. But really it came down to the people. There is an amazing feeling of community here where people are so supportive of one another.

BRICKS AND MORTAR

Alumni Gymnasium

Alumni Gymnasium received a facelift in time for the 2019-20 basketball season, providing an upgraded facility for today’s student-athletes.

During the summer of 2019, a renovation of the gym included the removal of the stage to expand the court dimensions and accommodate more fans. New bleachers were added along the sideline and additional seating was installed behind the basket on east side of the court.

New court flooring introduced updated orange graphics featuring the wildcat paw. In addition, new lighting has elevated the space. The George Akerstrom Chair and Director of Athletics Mike Doherty P’11 ’16 says the renovation was well-received by the boys’ and girls’ basketball teams as well as KUA opponents. Indeed, the boys’ team went undefeated at home for the season. K

How would you describe your educational philosophy? When I was a boarding student, I learned so much more when I was given a question, a set of tools, and told to go and figure out how something works. At KUA explorations are part of every student’s experience, either in the lab or outside at the pond.

What’s your vision for the science department?

We are blessed with amazing resources on campus and in the local area, and we’re poised to take advantage of those. In the fall all ninth-graders will take conceptual physics, where they’ll receive a hands-on approach to looking at the forces that govern the interactions of everything on our planet. We see this as a great tool to tackle problems, approach solutions, and develop a love of science early on.

How have you enjoyed campus and dorm life? My family is really enjoying the time we spend with students in the dorm. We live in Welch with nine ninthgrade girls. For many, this is their first experience away from home. They’re learning a lot about how you live with someone, how you share a space with someone. This is not something they’re going to have to struggle with when they get to college. We offer them a lot of independence, but with a safety net. K

Number of pizzas made by students for the K-Term All-School Dinner

“At KUA explorations are part of every student’s experience, either in the lab or outside at the pond.”

—JESSE MATHERS

Jesse Mathers, Ph.D.

Science Department Chair

Head Dorm Parent

Yearbook Advisor

Mathers lives in Welch House with her husband, Craig, and children Katie, John, and Sarah.

Hilltop

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT In His Element

The pool at Kimball Union Academy closed in the early 2000s, but that hasn’t stopped an NCAA Division I school from recruiting Reese Stevenson ’20 to its swim team.

While most students are fast asleep, Stevenson is at the Carter Community Building Association (CCBA) in nearby Lebanon, where he swims from 5:30 to 7:30 a.m. every weekday. He trains two days a week with a masters swim team and three days a week he works out on his own, motivated by a

commitment to the sport. At the end of each session he drives the five miles back to campus, ready to start classes.

On weekends Stevenson commutes to his hometown of Harvard, Massachusetts, where he competes in sprint freestyle and butterfly with a recreational swim league, the Thoreau Sharks.

Stevenson’s discipline, sacrifice, and passion have paid off, despite his unconventional path as an athlete. He has landed a spot on the swimming and diving team at Bryant University in Rhode Island, where he’ll begin his studies in the fall.

“I’ve been able to do my best and keep up with other swimmers despite having half the training they’ve had,” says Stevenson.

“Other kids are on a USA club team, they practice multiple times a week with a coach, and get in five days of 7,000 yards. If I want to take it to the next level, I have to work so much harder since I’m behind the others.”

Stevenson, who began swimming competitively at age 11, selected KUA over schools with established swim programs. “For me it came down to KUA and Suffield,” he says. “Suffield had a swim team, but I knew in talking with

Reese Stevenson ’20

KUA Activities: Theater Fire Brigade

Recruited to Bryant University’s Division I swim team

PHOTOGRAPH BY ROB MORAN

people at KUA that we could make it work for me to continue my swimming even without a pool.”

“We are supportive of any student who has a passion for a sport,” says Athletic Director Mike Doherty. Former student-athletes have pursued sports such as rowing and fencing through Lebanon High School and Dartmouth College or swimming through the CCBA or Upper Valley Aquatic Center. “These students exhibit tremendous independence, and we want to help them achieve their goals however we can.”

And although Stevenson lacked the camaraderie of a team in the pool, he found it in the theater program, where he worked alongside his brother, Elliot ’18. For this year’s musical, The Producers, Stevenson says he spent long hours late into the night perfecting sets and lighting. His mornings in the pool gave him a sense of stability during the hectic show season.

“I’ve been involved in every single show in the theater except one,” he says. “Community is such a big part of KUA, and for me the theater has provided a sense of community. We all consider each other family.”

Assistant Head of School David Weidman, who oversees the theater productions, attributes Stevenson’s success to an unparalleled work ethic. “He handles tension and adversity like it’s his best friend,” says Weidman, “and his kindness always shines through.”

With pools closed this spring due to COVID-19, Stevenson trained at home and waited for the water temperature to rise to 60 before getting into the family’s backyard pool. With collegiate swimming and the Olympics on the horizon, Stevenson says a little cold water wouldn’t stand in his way. K

OBJECT LESSON

Porter’s Scoreboard Controller

From 1935 to 1961 it would’ve been challenging to stroll throughout The Hilltop and surrounding areas without encountering a Wayland Porter project. The physics teacher and avid outdoorsman spearheaded efforts to construct a log cabin on campus known as Porter’s Cabin, as well as a structure on French’s Ledges. He devised the legendary Potato Patch rope tow using Headmaster Brewster’s old Pierce Arrow touring car to “deliver boys at the top of the 600-hundred-foot slope at the rate of 20 per minute.”

Another of his contributions to the life of the school, seen here, was a homemade, electronic scoreboard controller, used during basketball games in the 1940s. Crafted from wood and sporting knobs, toggles, and a light switch for power, it resembled the control panel in an airplane cockpit. Porter was ahead of his time: The Smithsonian National Museum of American History reports that electronic scoreboards first appeared in the 1950s. K

“I knew at KUA we could make it work for me to continue my swimming even without a pool.”

—REESE STEVENSON ’20

Gallons of McNamara Dairy chocolate milk consumed in an average week at Doe Dining Hall

Hilltop

The Class of 2020

93

Total students applying to college

58% ACCEPTANCE RATE

Class

Xu ’20 describes her college choice as a “true heaven for every student wanting to pursue a career in STEM.” The Beijing, China, native heads in the fall to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where she will study computer science. Xu, a STEM Scholar who is passionate about music and theater, hopes to examine ethical decision-making surrounding the use of technology, particularly artificial intelligence, and how these decisions impact society. “At home equally in the STEM Maker Space and in the backstage of the theater, Jessica is a renaissance woman,” says her advisor, Jennifer Blue, the Peter Holland/ Lionel Mosher Chair, English. “She moves from the language of computer programming to the language of Shakespeare with ease and delights in the combined power of humanities and science.” Xu says her four years at KUA “were so worth it. I worked and played and had fun, and I’m very thankful that I allowed myself to enjoy this time.”

College Destinations

American University

Babson College

Bentley University

Bocconi University (Milan, Italy)

Bryant University

Bucknell University

Carnegie Mellon University

Clark University

College of the Holy Cross

Colorado State University (Fort Collins)

Connecticut College

673

Applications submitted

48% ACCEPTANCE RATE Early Decision

29

Students applied to 10 or more colleges

44

Students applied to 6 or fewer colleges

19

Students applied to only 1 college

Cornell University

Dartmouth College

Elon University

Endicott College

Fordham University

George Washington University

Haverford College

Ithaca College

James Madison University

Keene State College

Lafayette College

Lesley University

Long Island University (Brooklyn)

Lynn University

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Merrimack College

New York University

Northeastern University

Norwich University

Pratt Institute

Providence College

Purdue University

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Rhodes College

Saint Mary’s University

Sarah Lawrence College

Skidmore College

St.Lawrence University

Suffolk University

Syracuse University

The College of Wooster

Trinity College

Union College

United States Air Force Academy

University of California (Los Angeles)

University of California (San Diego)

University of California (Santa Barbara)

University of Connecticut

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

University of Maine

University of Miami

University of New Hampshire

University of Southern California

University of Vermont

University of Washington

Utica College

Washington University in St. Louis

Wellesley College

Wesleyan University

of 2020 Valedictorian Xinyu “Jessica”

Class of 2020 is enrolling in 60 different colleges and universities in four countries, including the United States, and 21 states.

AGENTS OF CHANGE

More than 100 students and faculty joined members of the Upper Valley community in September 2019 to sound the alarm on climate change as part of the Global Climate Strike. Buses departed at 6:45 a.m. bound for nearby Norwich, Vermont, where KUA joined other local schools to demonstrate their concern for the planet’s future.

“We’ve promised our senior class that we will come together again, in person, to honor you and mark this occasion.”

—TYLER LEWIS, HEAD OF SCHOOL

Hilltop

DORM LIFE

Safer at Home

On-campus faculty reflect on kid wrangling, dog walking, and family bonding in the confines of a global pandemic.

1. Kurth House

Julie Haskell P’13 Dean of faculty

“I’m getting through this pandemic with the support and amazing efforts of all of my colleagues here at KUA—I am inspired every day! I also try to get out and walk every day. It is wonderful to see spring slowly unfolding.”

2. Chellis Hall

Erin Mellow

Mathematics teacher

Susan Mellow, mother

Ada and Sylvie, children

Dog: Barley

“Ada dictates the schedule in our household these days. I am sorry that Robin, my husband, is not here to see Ada’s hilarious singing and dancing. Robin works in the ER at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, and we thought it best that he live elsewhere while he works extra shifts for colleagues who were exposed to the virus. I am thankful for my mom, who has been so helpful and an adult ear.”

3. Brewster House

Tae Kim

Economics and history teacher

Younglim Song, spouse

Daein and Hayne, children

“The kids have been ‘rescuing trees’ by taking all the maple seedlings—dozens and dozens of them—from the soccer fields and replanting them in our yard. I haven’t the heart to tell them the grounds crew will most likely mow over them in a few weeks.”

4. Kilton

Whit Willocks College advisor and girls’ lacrosse coach

James Willocks, spouse Charlie and Bo, children

“We’re enjoying the quality family time, but we really miss our never-ending list of babysitters. Please come back to us soon!”

5. Kurth House

Eric Russman P’20, ’24 Dean of students

Jenny Araya P’20, ’24

Admission visit coordinator

Kyra ’20 and Svia ’24, children

Dog: Rico

“As unsettling and unanticipated as this has been, the added time together and slower pace of life has created more family time. We know we will make it through this and carry with us odd but warm memories of long walks, sibling lacrosse and soccer training on the fields, inventive and delicious meals, Netflix binge sessions, and an even more blended mix of family and professional overlap (if that were even possible for a prep-school teacher) as we balance Zoom meetings and classes and arguments about who last walked the dog, did the dishes, or is on deck to cook a meal.”

Bryant Harris ’04

Learning Center teacher and boys’ assistant hockey coach Dogs: George and Luther

“My dogs are loving the extra attention—lots and lots of walks up the Potato Patch or through the bird sanctuary.”

(on page 5)

Rowe Cottage

Polly Antol, director of advancement

Nick Antol, director of financial aid and boys’ lacrosse coach Carter and Gracie, children

“We are spending as much time outside as possible!”

6. Dexter Richards Hall

“As unsettling and unanticipated as this has been, the added time together and slower pace of life has created more family time.”

—ERIC RUSSMAN

Hilltop SPORTS

Game Changer

New boys’ basketball coach builds team on and off the court.

Cory McClure had no interest in a building year when he arrived at Kimball Union in 2019 as head coach of the boys’ basketball team. McClure, who comes to The Hilltop from Gould Academy, had one goal: make it to the NEPSAC AA playoffs in 2020.

All he needed was a roster.

With only two returning players, McClure got to work fielding a quality team that could competently compete in the league. It helped that two of his Gould players, Jarron Flynn ’20 and Ryan Banks ’21, followed McClure to KUA and brought early leadership to the team.

“We wouldn’t have been as successful without the two of them, even if they don’t show up in the stat sheet,” says McClure, whose resume includes Bridgton Academy, New Hampton, and New England College. He has also served as an assistant coach at the University of New Hampshire and St. Bonaventure University.

McClure tapped into this extensive network to identify eight additional players.

While some prep schools rely on postgraduate (PG) players to maintain a level of competitiveness, McClure prefers a mix of underclassmen and upperclassmen. PG players need to fit the school culture to make the team.

“I tell families that if you’re just coming to my program for basketball, then I have three of four other schools I can recommend,” says McClure. “I want

players to care about grades, not just basketball. They need to be good community members who are leaning in.”

Using this strategy, McClure built a cohesive team that hustled to meet his goal. Despite being picked last in the NEPSAC AA preseason poll, the team was the fifth seed out of 13 teams heading into the tournament. The team capped a 20-8 season with victories over well-established NEPSAC AA teams and Lakes Region rivals New Hampton and Vermont Academy.

Next year eight players return to The Hilltop, while Flynn joins the Camels at Connecticut College and Robert McRae III ’20 heads to Dartmouth College. McClure sees promise in recruiting despite the challenges of COVID-19.

“Having some quality success with this year’s group allowed recruiting to be much more successful earlier than I expected,” says McClure, who also serves as associate director of admissions.

“Parents trust that I’ll take care of their kid. When you talk to families about the cost of private school, you need to have a clear value proposition. Parents are focused on college, but they need to consider the high school experience too.”

McClure, who lives on campus with his wife and three children, says he wants to continue building a familystyle culture throughout the basketball program at KUA. K

20-8

COMMITTED

Robert McRae III ’20 will head to the Ivy League next year to join the men’s basketball team at Dartmouth College. The Inglewood, California, native was named to the 2019-20 All Lakes Region Team with fellow Wildcats Rob Brown III ’21 and Matt Price ’21.

Games livestreamed during the 2019-20 winter sports season

VIVE LA FRANCE

Lucie Turcotte ’21 competed with the French women’s national ice hockey team in the 2019 Six Nations Tournament as both the tournament’s youngest player and the only French player representing an American high school.

2019 basketball season record, with eight players returning for the 2020 season

SEASONED

McClure’s resume includes Gould Academy, Bridgton Academy, New Hampton, and New England College. He’s also served as an assistant at UNH and St. Bonaventure.

ONE LOVE

KUA was designated a One Love Hero School by the One Love Foundation for its commitment to healthy relationship education. One Love was founded in honor of University of Virginia lacrosse player Yeardley Love, a former teammate of College Advisor and Lacrosse Coach Whit Willocks.

MILESTONE

Senior guard Maddy Haynes ’20 scored her 1,000th point on February 26 in a game against New Hampton School. Haynes entered the night needing only nine points to reach the milestone, which she achieved before a full house of Wildcat fans.

TWO BEANPOTS FOR ALUMNI

Two KUA alumni propelled Northeastern University hockey teams to two 2020 Beanpot championships in February, when the Huskies claimed both the men’s and women’s titles. Jordan Harris ’18 scored in double overtime to give Northeastern its third-consecutive Beanpot title. Harris was the Montreal Canadiens’ thirdround draft pick at the 2018 NHL Draft. The Northeastern women’s team won in double overtime against Boston University with help from forward Mia Brown ’18.

“I want players to be good community members who are leaning in.”

—COACH CORY MCCLURE

Hilltop

ARTS SCHOLAR PROGRAM Immersive Artist

Tiantian “Rachel” Xia ’20 has spent the last four years living and learning in the United States, but when it came time to create her capstone project for the Art Scholar Program, she drew inspiration from her Chinese roots.

Xia created a 360-degree panoramic painting of an underwater city designed for optimal viewing using virtual reality, a simulated experience that can be similar to or completely different from the real world. The piece, which she created in Photoshop using an interactive pen tablet, has the beauty and uniqueness of a watercolor painting.

Viewers are suspended between the water’s surface and the seabed floor. They can gaze at koi fish, a whale, and glowing lanterns, or look up to find stone steps that lead to the surface, or look down to find they’re perched atop the intricate posts of a Chinese building’s roof.

“The Asian architecture has always appealed to me and remains untouched by my time in the United States,” says Xia, who will study communication design at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri, in the fall.

Xia first sketched her underwater city before transferring it to Photoshop, where she was able to draw and paint in a 3-D space. She ultimately wrapped the project in a sphere with the viewer at the center, providing the full virtual reality experience.

The entire project took 180 hours to complete and brought together faculty from across campus to see Xia’s vision come to life. Xia tapped the expertise of her advisor, Dean of Faculty and Visual Art Teacher Julie Haskell, and Computer Science Teacher Sean McDonough, who helped her with the tools. She spent afternoons in the Maker Space immersed in Photoshop.

In March, when Xia’s spring break plans fell through at the last minute and her window to return home to Beijing closed during Covid-19, she stayed on campus in Kurth House and found solace and meaning in her work.

“I think the capstone was the most challenging, most rewarding experience I had at KUA,” she says. K

DANCE MOVES

New York City-based modern dance company J Chen Project conducted workshops with the Arts Scholar Program and Dance I and Dance II classes this winter. Artistic Director Jessica Chen continued working on an original piece with the students by Zoom.

IN THE GALLERY Art Department Chair Kay McCabe held an exhibit at Taylor Gallery in the fall. The exhibit, “Crosscurrents: People, Places and Patterns,” included a collection of photographs from around the world showing, textures and landscapes.

JANUARY

Tiantian “Rachel” Xia ’20 spent 180 hours to bring her underwater city to life.

60

FEBRUARY 27, 2020

On a cold winter evening, Coffee House brings students and faculty together for music and laughter.

9, 2020 Chamber-music group Warp Trio worked with the Arts Scholar Program during a two-day seminar and performed during a Flick Gig.

UNDERWATER CITY

Tiantian “Rachel” Xia ’20 drew inspiration from her Chinese roots for her 360degree virtual painting.

Students participating in the Winter Musical production of The Producers

Hilltop

“I Am a Part of All That I Have Met”

Here’s a picture of a KUA classroom lesson: It’s a rainy fall afternoon, and I’m observing Jenny Blue’s C period “Literature of the Quest” class, sitting at her “accessory table,” as she calls it, which is heaped with textbooks and memorabilia from former students. I’m here to watch and learn, not so much from the content as I once did in her classroom, but rather from the skill with which she instructs. I scribble in the journal we pass back and forth while observing one another’s classes—her notes mostly gracious feedback, mine a trove of techniques learned from observation.

BY VICTORIA PIPAS ’14

Jenny is animated, seeming to sense and empathize with the emotions of every student in the room even as she draws them through a lesson on introductory paragraphs. I turn to my notes, and my eyes catch sight of a faded piece of pink construction paper hanging at eye-level above the desk. I’m startled to see my own name in my 13-year-old handwriting. Above it is written in neat but slanting pink magic marker: “ ‘I write because nothing is half as bad on paper’—Anne Lamott.” I recognize the quotation from my ninthgrade English “declamation,” in which Ms. Blue, as she was to me then, charged us with choosing a piece of text that represented our inner voice and then memorizing and declaiming it to the class. Mine was a selection from Lamott’s Bird by Bird, a bible for writers, on letting go of perfectionism to write that first, crappy, essential draft. When I tell Jenny that I’m amazed she’s preserved it for nearly 10 years, she responds simply: “I saved it because it’s so true.”

I never expected to find myself returning to KUA to learn more, but how wrong I was. In April 2019 I was sitting in Oxford’s Bodleian Library, stacks of books cluttering my study carrel and my laptop open to several dissertation drafts, countless JSTOR searches, and a single email. I was coming to the end of a year-long master’s in early modern English literature, and doctoral admissions had not panned out as planned. The email I was drafting went something like this: “Dear Ms. Blue (or Jenny?), I’m reaching out seeking some professional advice.” I contin-

ued to explain my interest in gaining teaching experience in an environment like KUA’s, asking for advice or leads. Her response was nearly instantaneous and exuberant. She informed me that, though an opening was not listed, KUA was looking to hire in the English department and my inquiry had come at just the right time.

And so I found myself stepping back onto the KUA campus in August as an English teaching fellow for the 2019-20 school year, almost a decade after having done so as a ninth-grader. I was perhaps equally as terrified.

If there’s one fundamental thing among the many I’ve learned this year teaching at KUA, it’s this: I am a part of all that I have met. This is actually a line from Alfred Lord Tennyson’s poem, Ulysses, one Jenny shared with my ninth-grade class and one we chose to share with our respective “Literature of the Quest” classes on the first day this year. It has become a mantra of sorts for our “LoQ” students, and they likely understand its meaning better than I do, having engaged with it several times in verse and narrative writing. To me, however, it is the truest maxim I can think of to epitomize the spirit of the KUA community: We are each an immutable part of KUA, having once belonged, and KUA is always a part of us. I am a part of all that I have met—the line reminds me of a lesson articulated to me first in a book that Jenny gave me prior to my fellowship and then again and again by KUA teachers. “Good teaching cannot be reduced to technique,” writes Parker Palmer in The Courage to Teach. “Good teaching comes from the identity and integrity of the teacher.” Learning and teaching are good at KUA not so much because of how or what our teachers teach us, but because of who they are. It is not content or skills that we carry away when we are graduated from KUA, but the people we have become and the people who have become a part of us. I am a part of all that I have met.

It was the people I had met, such as Jenny herself, who also drew me back. Funnily enough, a part of me had remained here all those years, hung from her classroom wall. “Nothing is half as bad on paper” is as

true today as it was when I wrote it down as my ninthgrade manifesto and as it was when Jenny Blue first read it in Lamott’s book as a young teacher aspiring to teach students how to write. Sitting and learning in her classroom that day, I realized that we sometimes discover new things from the same lessons, new lessons from the same teachers, and new teachers in the same place. It was a bittersweet departure from KUA this

spring, a second graduation of sorts as I head off to more graduate school in the coming fall. But if there’s one thing that KUA, my students, and my teachers have taught me, it’s that you always take a piece of Meriden with you on your voyage. And in some serendipitous way, KUA always finds a way of calling you back to home port and to the mentors, family, and friends waiting there for you. K

“You always take a piece of Meriden with you on your voyage.”

VICTORIA PIPAS ’14

Pipas graduated summa cum laude from Middlebury College with a degree in literary studies, and earned a master’s of studies in English literature, 1550-1700, from University of Oxford. Next year, Pipas heads to Dartmouth College for the master’s program in comparative literature.

Head of School

Tyler Lewis

What drew you and your family to KUA?

My wife and I are small boarding school people. We couldn’t picture ourselves anywhere else. We knew KUA for a long time through healthy rivalries and friendships and formed some early impressions of the school that were universally positive. We were impressed with how the kids and adults carried themselves in respectful ways with class and character. That’s a big window into the culture of a school and the standards it holds.

What influences your approach to education?

We all bring personal passions to our work. One significant piece of my background is growing up in Maine with the outdoors as a significant part of my connection to the world. I believe we need to be rooted in place-based education and capitalize on those unique educational opportunities based on where we are. Here in Meriden, the natural environment extends our classroom by offering access to the lakes, streams, and mountains as natural laboratories for intellectual exploration. Our environment also provides room for recreation, a sense of peace, and a good place for focusing on the tasks at hand.

How do you envision place-based education at KUA?

I’m excited to get to work on what I’m calling “SEO”— sustainability, environment, and the outdoors. We have a proud history of work in the area, but there is room for a more intentional and integrated approach. We have the farm team, a solar array, and a wind turbine, as well as environmental science coursework, but these things need to be unified under a strategy. This will enable us to realize the truly exceptional opportunity we have to be authentic in place-based education and excel in an area of such significance for our world, our students, and our families. We’re going to reconnect with that part of our history.

How has COVID-19 impacted your first year on The Hilltop?

We were only six months into school when the coronavirus started to rear its head. These are the situations that bring out the best in people of high character—such as those we have here at KUA. I believe that leading through a challenge is what can transform a first-year head of school from simply being hired into the position to actually becoming the head of school. You’re forced into a situation of having to lead, make decisions, and move things forward in a calm but intentional way. We feel really good about what we’re doing. We’re not failing anyone—not our kids, ourselves, or our school.

I am incredibly proud of our students and all the adults I work with here at KUA. The response to COVID-19 has made obvious the caliber of our people and affirmed my family’s decision to immerse ourselves in this community.

Have there been any silver linings?

This has truly been an incredible relationship accelerant among the adults—the senior administrative team, faculty, and staff—working to deliver on our mission. And we see and feel that radiating out to our kids. When you’re confronted with a challenge such as this, it makes a lot of things transparent. As you’re dealing with discomfort and unnatural work patterns, you quickly see the best in people as we rally around our kids. The faculty did not miss a beat on this. They had a clear understanding of what the kids needed and moved forward without question. I’ve watched our team drop everything to support one another—from learning new technology and working crazy hours to responding effectively to ongoing crises.

“Belonging.” What does this mean for KUA?

It is a new articulation of the culture of KUA that’s always been defined as “community,” but we’re putting modern thinking around it through social-emotional development and brain science. Positive psychology is helping us create a model of the ideal environment for students to thrive on a personal and social-emotional level, which we know translates to doing everything they do at a higher level. Understanding this foundational philosophy grounds our thinking and our work and all of our relationships.

What’s next for KUA?

We had to push pause on a lot of things that we were moving forward. We’re now returning to some earlier conversations regarding accreditation, campus master planning, and visioning our SEO work. The campus master planning process will ensure that all of our facilities and every square inch of campus is thought about in terms of maximizing it for teaching, learning, and interacting. We want to think about how all our physical assets—building, facilities, and fields—are considered as a means to support our students and teachers. It is exciting work for our school and all who are using it today and well into the future.

Anything else you’d like to share with alumni?

In my first year I’ve really prioritized steeping myself in the campus community. If you’re going to be head of school, you need to understand how the place works and the people on its campus. For me, it has necessarily been a year of deep investment in the community here in Meriden. The COVID-19 situation has limited things in so many ways. Sadly, we won’t have reunion weekend and other important events in the cycle that unites alumni, parents, and friends. With deeper roots in Meriden, I’m excited to build relationships with the extended KUA community once we are able to travel and connect more. K

Tyler Lewis joined Kimball Union Academy as head of school in July 2019. Lewis previously served as head of school at Bishop’s College School in Quebec, Canada. During the past 25 years, Lewis has served as a teacher and coach at Blair Academy and director of admission at Holderness. He holds a B.A. in economics from Colby College and master’s in leadership from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. He resides in Munro House with his wife, Renee, and children Ben, Finn, and Hadley.

“My wife and I are small boarding school people. We couldn’t picture ourselves anywhere else.”

TYLER LEWIS

ON THE FRONTLINES

THREE ALUMNI RECOUNT THEIR EXPERIENCES TREATING COVID-19 PATIENTS.

DIARY OF A DOCTOR

BY MAI COLVIN ’03, M.D.

Every time I saw reports and footage from hospitals in China and Italy, I worried that my hospital was going to be in a similar, disastrous situation in the near future. I was hoping not, but I knew it was coming here one day. I thought I was preparing my mind for it, but I was not prepared at all.

New York City healthcare is on the verge of collapse. In my hospital, the number of COVID patients has increased from one to 50 to 200 to 500 during the last two weeks of March. They filled up our emergency department, internal care units (ICUs), and wards very quickly and we ran out of space. We have four ICUs in our hospital, and they are all filled with COVID patients. Even our cardiothoracic ICU is now filled with COVID patients. We have created three new ICUs, but it is still not enough.

No matter how many extra beds we create, there are more COVID patients who are waiting for admission. The emergency department is filled with patients who need supplemental oxygen and ventilator support. We are running out of ventilators—it is only a matter of time. In fact, some hospitals in N.Y.C. have already run out of ventilators. Many COVID patients develop renal failure, and we are now running out of dialysis machines, so we are starting to transition from hemodialysis to peritoneal dialysis. Until this crisis, I had never heard of a hospital running out of ventilators and dialysis machines. Suppose there are two patients who require immediate intubation and ventilator support but I have only one ventilator left? As an intensivist, how am I supposed to choose one patient to intubate?

Suppose the emergency room and wards are filled with patients waiting for ICU admission and one bed opens up. How am I supposed to pick that single patient who gets to be admitted to the ICU rather than the general ward?

These are the scenarios that we

will likely face in the very near future. In fact, we discussed this exact topic during a faculty meeting held this week. We will have to choose a patient who is most likely to survive, based on our experience and the patient’s condition. Yes, age and comorbidities matter, but it’s not an easy decision by any means.

I see a lot of death as an intensivist, sometimes on a daily basis. I am used to talking to family members about their loved one’s end-of-life care and goals of care. But what am I supposed to say to family members when I cannot give their loved one a chance to survive because we don’t have enough ventilators?

These days, anyone in New York City could have COVID, so most hospitals have a no-visitor policy. The only exception we make is when a patient is “actively dying”—when a physician determines that a patient will almost definitively die within the next 24 hours—and then one person is allowed to visit. But only for five minutes. It is heartbreaking to see patients suffering and fighting in the hospital alone. Some of my colleagues have fallen ill. In my ICU, I have a physician and a nurse who are fighting for their lives on ventilators. The media tend to focus on reports that only the elderly and patients with comorbidities are at risk; however, I have seen many young patients without comorbidities die in the last two weeks. We have seen many sudden deaths as well. I have joined many international conference calls with Italian and Chinese physicians, but there are still a lot we don’t know about this virus.

No matter how hard I try to work extra days, COVID cases continue to climb. This battle seems endless. It is estimated that it will still take weeks until we reach the peak. I can’t and don’t even want to imagine what this hospital will look like in two to three weeks. And there is no guarantee that I won’t contract this virus. My biggest fear is to bring it home and get my family sick.

A CRITICAL CARE SPECIALIST BATTLES THE DEADLY CONTAGION AS IT HITS MONTEFIORE MEDICAL CENTER IN NEW YORK CITY.

In New York City we had only a handful of cases at the beginning of the month. Today, we have more than 53,000. I’m worried about the future of New York, but I’m also worried about other cities. Many New Yorkers probably did not expect things to get this bad. Many of the patients who died of COVID probably thought, “I will be fine.” Even as they watched reports from China and Italy, many people probably felt that it was something that was happening far away.

It is too late to regret your behavior after you or a loved one gets critically ill. You may be asymptomatic, but you can be spreading it to many others who are at a higher risk. There were a lot of people who returned to Japan from Europe and the United States recently. I wouldn’t be surprised if there is a bigger, second wave to hit Japan in the near future. In New York City, people were pretty relaxed just two weeks ago. Even after the lockdown, I saw a lot of people out and about. Now, finally, people are staying in, but it is much too late.

CALLED TO SERVE

LINDSEY LANDWEHRLE ’14 had only recently completed her master’s as a nurse practitioner from Boston College when COVID-19 reached the Boston area. Landwehrle joined a drivethrough clinic that conducted testing for the virus. “I feel very grateful that I am able to help on the frontlines in such a hard-hit area right now,” she says.

Landwehrle joined other healthcare workers to test symptomatic patients, those who had been exposed to a positive family member, and those who had previously tested positive for Covid. The drive-through clinic limits the exposure of healthcare providers while enabling them to provide test results within 48 hours.

“Being healthy right now is truly a blessing, and to be able to help others at such a time is always what I hoped to do as a healthcare worker,” says Landwehrle. “I appreciate the support and health of my friends and family and the continuing efforts of other healthcare workers on the frontlines.”

CAM BEECY ’15 is working in a medical surgical unit on the West Coast, the latest step in his long record of service to others.

Hospitals look like scenes from hell. I really don’t wish this upon on any other cities. I hope no other cities have to experience what we are going through right now. If residents don’t take action now, any city can be the next New York. I know it is boring to stay home. I know it is hard for the kids. But please, please stay home and take social distancing seriously, just a little longer. Please learn from New York.

Now that I am in this situation, I realize that I was taking a lot of simple things for granted—all the small things, such as hanging out with friends, going shopping, playing in the park, going to school, etc. We are all very lucky that we can normally do all these things without worry. We are so extremely lucky just to be alive.

Now, I hope I can kiss and hug my kids good night soon. K

MAI COLVIN, who specializes in critical care and internal medicine, lives in Bronx, New York, with her husband, Chris Colvin ’03, and their children. This article is based on a Facebook entry she posted in late March.

As a nursing student at Norwich University, he helped lead the men’s ice hockey team to the NCAA Division III National Championship in 2017. In 2019 he was a finalist for the Hockey Humanitarian Award, which recognizes college hockey’s “finest citizen.” He was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Air Force upon graduation in 2019, and now serves as a nurse at Travis Air Force Base in Fairfield, California, working with veterans and active-duty personnel.

As a citizen or airman, Beecy is guided by his consideration for those around him. “It feels good to do something that directly helps others,” says the former ROTC scholar. “That’s something I can fulfill for myself. I try to live life in the most healthy and wholesome way. And as a nurse I’m treating the whole person.”

Beecy followed in the footsteps of his father, a 20-year Air Force officer; his grandfather, a Vietnam veteran; as well as family members who work in nursing. He also attributes his interest in healthcare to his time at KUA, particularly a psychology class with Bob Hyjek and an anatomy and physiology class with Susan Halliday. “Throughout my senior year I realized that I wanted the quickest way possible to pursue a medical career. The Air Force gave me a change to get into the field right away.”

While COVID-19 has not impacted his day-to-day work at the Air Force’s flagship hospital, the virus is present in his thoughts about his profession and the future of nursing. “This situation is bringing about a heightened awareness of taking care of one’s self and taking care of others,” he says. “We’re creating a society where these things matter.”

Athletic Assistant Charles Muhlauri P’14, ’17, ’23, Associate Dean of Students

Sam Ftorek P‘24, and Maintenance Assistant Eric LaBombard coordinated the moving and storage of dorm-room belongings in Akerstrom Arena.

COMMUNITY INTERRUPTED

Academic Dean Tom Kardel and Dean of Students

Eric Russman P’20, ’24 sat down—via Zoom—to talk about how KUA is fulfilling its mission to prepare students for the challenges of tomorrow’s world through the challenges of COVID-19.

First off, how are you doing?

Kardel: Well, I’m certainly not doing what I thought I would be doing, either this year or at this point in my career. But overall, I’m trying to keep to a routine: get up and ready for work every day, even if that means a dress shirt with sweatpants, and I make sure to get some exercise, eat right, and stay in touch with family and friends. Of course, I miss the life of the KUA community. Spring especially is a wonderful time on campus with the flowers and trees coming to life, and the campus buzzing with the end-of-the-year activities.

Russman: We are fortunate to live in such a supportive and caring community. The camaraderie among the faculty and staff and the resilience of our students is reassuring and uplifting. For every act of kindness there is always an equal expression of gratitude. The word “together” is the single most accurate word to explain, despite our social distancing, what it has felt like to create and experience our Distance Learning and Community program these past few months, and for that I will always be grateful.

What guided your planning for the distance program?

Kardel: When we sat down in early March to plan for the spring our two main objectives were to provide continuity of education and maintain the spirit of community and belonging, even if we had to do those things from a distance. That guided our development of the academic schedule, for instance. KUA students are spread across the globe, and we had to think about them as being spread across a day. Our first students rise every morning in Japan and Korea, and, as the sun sweeps westward, they are followed by students in China, Thailand, and Vietnam. From there onward to India, the Middle East, and Europe. Finally, the physical community here in Meriden wakes to start its day, followed by the remainder of the United States and Mexico, finishing in Alaska. That’s an incredible span of time. Our hope was to bring everyone together even if for only a couple of hours each day.

FACED WITH THE ONCE UNIMAGINABLE TASK OF CLOSING SCHOOL IN THE FACE OF A GLOBAL PANDEMIC, KIMBALL UNION ACADEMY ACTED SWIFTLY TO TRANSFORM ITS 209-YEAROLD INDEPENDENT BOARDING SCHOOL INTO A THRIVING VIRTUAL CAMPUS.

How did faculty transition to distance learning on the heels of spring break?

Kardel: We have a faculty that cares deeply about the kids and their education. We leveraged momentum from our tech-savvy teachers, who jumped in to help fellow teachers. Our faculty absorbed a semester of graduation-level education in distance learning in only two weeks. Each teacher took his or her discipline and identified and learned the tools necessary to deliver the coursework.

Russman: I’d say we’re also a school that is unbound by tradition. We’re always searching for ways to deliver an education based on the needs of the individuals. We’ve never been afraid of innovation and change, and that has served us well in this environment. What we’re seeing is an accelerated example of how our faculty are predisposed to thinking through new ideas and perspectives.

How has the response been to the Distance Learning and Community program?

Kardel: The vast majority of emails and calls we receive from parents are grateful and thankful. Some parents have shared that they’ve been listening into classes and have enjoyed hearing the engagement between teachers and classmates. We’ve received a lot of unsolicited positive feedback from students as well. We know we are truly delivering on our promise when we have students writing to share appreciation for the efforts of teachers and saying the transition is as seamless as it could be. Anyone who works with, or lives with, teenagers knows that’s really meaningful.

How are you helping students cope with the stress?

Russman: We’re helping students process the emotional journey that comes when the end of the year coincides with a global pandemic. We have honest conversations about mental health and well-being. Even before our distance-learning program began, Director of Counseling Services Coley Hapeman reached out to all students to offer mental-health support. Students could schedule a personal conversation, join group chats, or request a referral to a local therapist. She received tremendous response and heard from students who had not previously sought support. That’s actually a good thing. Students were able to identify that they needed help and were comfortable asking for it. The relationships we built with our students weren’t dependent on a physical campus.

Kardel: I’d add that some of the virtual social opportunities we’ve created for students have had an ulterior motive—to get more adult eyes on students. And from an academic perspective, teachers in the Gosselin Learning Center continue to offer structured and individualized support programs that help students overcome their existing challenges to learning while also accounting for how these challenges present in a distance-learning environment.

What have you had to change since the program launched?

Kardel: Frankly, I think we overestimated all of our abilities. We didn’t want an underwhelming program—our students deserve more—but perhaps we overwhelmed them with the workload. And we don’t want to add additional stress to the lives of our kids. We’ve heard this from other schools as well. Even our most intellectually engaged kids are saying it’s too much. We’ve used weekly surveys to students, parents, and faculty to gauge our efforts and adjust workload and grading accordingly. Flexibility has been key.

How are you handling activities and sports?

Kardel: Our pre-coronavirus community is something cherished by students. I thought students would be dismissive of our typical on-campus activities, such as virtual all-school meetings, but they actually wanted more. We are always balancing what we’re giving them and what they’re giving each other. We realized much of our sense of belonging on campus is a result of random interactions—a conversation over lunch, passing someone on the way to class. Instead, we’re manufacturing serendipity, putting random students and faculty together for group-based activities. Russman: We’re constantly thinking of new ways to engage our community and keep them active. We believe that the health and wellness of our students requires healthy minds and bodies. Coaches are still very much “coaching” their teams through group workouts, training programs, and instruction. My daughter, a senior at KUA, is up early three times a week working out with her lacrosse coach. We live in a nearly 200-year-old New England farmhouse and the floors and walls shake with each pushup. Her experience is typical of so many of our students. Our athletic department also hosted its first all-school workout. It’s not something we’ve ever done in person but we ended up really enjoying it virtually. Everything is designed to be accessible for everyone without the need for specialized equipment or gear.

What are the takeaways from this experience?

Kardel: This has shown me that we are resilient, confident, and secure in how our community works. I’m blown away by the incredible warmth in these spaces through this shared experience. The virtual moments are rich and vibrant and there’s more happening than you see on the screen. The bottom line is that these kids want to be here. While I’m proud of the faculty and students for rising to this “distant” occasion, the experience has only reinforced for me the choice I made 24 years ago when I first started teaching at KUA. I love the everyday interactions with the members of the community because, as small as they may be, each one builds to create an environment that is greater than the sum of its parts. K

CAMPUS IN THE TIME OF COVID

1. Each senior received a package with his or her diploma, cap, gown, and other surprises. They opened their boxes together on Zoom during “Senior Hour,” while they shared memories and decorated their caps.

2. Students left for spring break unaware that they’d be unable to return to campus and retrieve their belongings after COVID-19 shut down the campus for the spring trimester.

3. Nearly 70 members of the faculty returned from spring break in March to undergo extensive professional development and planning for the Distance Learning and Community program.

4. Facilities team members Doug Plummer P’07, ’11, John Murphy, Chris Cook, and Brad Bonneau painted a tribute to the senior class on the quad where graduation would have taken place.

5. Director of Sports Medicine Bob Hyjek P’20, ’20, picks up food from Doe Dining Hall as part of a program to provide lowcost groceries to employees and utilize food purchased for the spring trimester. Additional food went to local food pantries.

6. Neruda Perdomo ’21 and his father, William Perdomo, arrived on campus from Exeter, New Hampshire, to pick up Neruda’s belongings once the state stay-at-home orders were relaxed.

7. Director of Financial Aid and dorm parent Nick Antol connects with a boarding student through Zoom as he carefully packs a Rowe Hall dorm room.

“WE’VE NEVER BEEN AFRAID OF INNOVATION AND CHANGE, AND THAT HAS SERVED US WELL IN THIS ENVIRONMENT.”

—DEAN OF STUDENTS ERIC RUSSMAN

FARM-TO-TABLE DINING HALL

THE PIG PROGRAM CELEBRATES �� YEARS.

The April afternoon I met Dr. Blaine Kopp P’22, ’23, the Louis Munro Chair of Environmental Science at Kimball Union’s pig pen, three seasons passed. Kopp greeted me in the full sun of a promised summer. An enormous pig, basking in the sun, lifted her nose from a bucket of milk as if to say hello. When a light spring rain started, Kopp and I moved inside a work shed, a postand-beam construction, repurposed from the discarded set of a school theater production. Soon we were shouting under a full-force gale. Kopp, an oceanographer by training, did not pull his jacket closer. The pig hustled into her shelter, a spacious half-dome framed by metal poles that once fenced Carver Field and clad in sheathing discarded from construction of the Field House. “It’s these blizzard days,” he says, “when the kids are wheeling the garden cart uphill from the dining hall, that I wish I’d taken pictures—photos of them doing the work in every weather.”

While many students are catching extra sleep or serving up a bowl of piping-hot oatmeal in Doe Dining Hall, eight members of the KUA Farm Team are out in the elements, wheeling a cart across campus filled with the discarded produce scraps from their fellow students and delivering them to a hungry herd of pigs. This year is the 10-year anniversary of the Farm Team’s pig program—part experiential learning, part school activity, and part farm-to-table dining.

Farming and sustainability are not new to KUA, but when Kopp arrived in 2010 he looked at the campus with fresh eyes and honed in on the

BY MARJORIE SA’ADAH

FOOD FOR THOUGHT Pigs were introduced to campus in an effort to connect students with their food source.

dining hall. The dining hall was producing 15 tons of food waste a year, which was trucked to the Lebanon landfill. For each load, the Academy paid fees for landfill, hauling, tipping, and fuel, and even 45 cents per heavy-duty trash bag. In return KUA received an empty dumpster to start the cycle again and the ecosystem absorbed the school’s greenhouse gas emissions.

Kopp began looking at how KUA could reduce its carbon footprint and saw promise in the pigs. Two former faculty members had introduced pigs to campus in an effort to connect students with their food source. “I saw an opportunity to divert waste from the kitchen and dining hall away from the landfill and recapture the energy in the form of our own pork,” says Kopp.

Ten years of bucket-carrying and slopping and mucking and catching the occasional loose piglet later, it’s clear that the benefits to students are wide- and long-ranging. Along the way, the initiative won the Best Waste Reduction Program in the Green Up New England Challenge, which recognizes schools for “developing the next generation of environmental leaders through hands-on, project-based, solutions-based learning, community service, and action.”

Farm Team responsibilities give shape to students’ days: chores in the morning before class, chores again after class. The pigs are wholly reliant on the students to thrive. Farm Team members make and execute the work schedule and solve problems as needed. And, as Rachel Xia ’20 says, “There were some days when the weather made the chores really difficult. But after I finish my chores, I feel even more accomplished.”

Some students make a connection between the simple and ancient tasks of raising animals to a larger purpose. “I saw how much it helps reduce our carbon footprint on the Hilltop, and anything that we could do as a team to help with the global warming crisis is essential to sustaining life,” says Andrew Jones ’21.

The program also teaches the entire campus community about sustainability. From their very first meal at KUA, students learn the Academy’s culture of scraping plates, placing appropriate scraps in the bin labeled

FOOD SOURCE

Dr. Blaine Kopp began looking at how KUA could reduce its carbon footprint and saw promise in the pigs.

“

I SAW AN OPPORTUNITY TO DIVERT WASTE AND RECAPTURE THE ENERGY IN THE FORM OF OUR OWN PORK.”

—DR. BLAINE KOPP

“Pig Food” and understanding they are energy and not garbage.

“The Farm Team is so important,” says former dining hall chef Daniel McCarthy. “It provides a piece of the puzzle of how kids learn. Animals add something nothing else can.”

Indeed, it seems “the piggies,” as so many students affectionately call them, have expanded the students’ practice of empathy and gratitude. “The Farm Team taught me how difficult it must be for farmers in America and around the world,” says Jones.

“I am forever grateful that I signed up for Farm Team because it has given me a new appreciation for the things we have,” adds Sophie Mitchell ’21. “Every Saturday on my rounds I am shocked at how much food we as a community didn’t consume and would otherwise go to waste. We have so much here at KUA, feeding the pigs is just a little way I can give back. I have gained a new appreciation for all that our dinning staff does for us!”

The pig pen is joined behind Miller Bicentennial Hall by a solar array and wind turbine, additional steps KUA has taken to create a sustainable campus. The Academy has also adopted a robust recycling program and the dining hall has further reduced food waste by shifting to tray-less dining—with one plate, students don’t overfill trays when they’re at their hungriest.

The Farm Team helps with admissions as well. Students relish the opportunity to work with animals, motivated in part by the relaxing surrounding and the chance to do their part to improve the community. For Jesang Yim ’21, it was nothing less than “saving the environment, saving the world.”

Participation on the Farm Team also bolsters a KUA education. Kopp uses data from the pig program in his classroom, complementing and informing the study of ecology, population dynamics, air and water pollution, atmospheric change, resource management, biodiversity, and energy sources. Students learn how to calculate the carbon footprint of food waste, use EPA waste reduction models, review scientific literature for methods and models of sustainability, and, sadly, but scientifically, use deceased piglets for dissection in biology class.

“What is the question you are trying to answer, what is the problem you are trying to

solve?” Kopp asks his students. “You aren’t going to find an answer that you’ll quickly move on from. You are going to return to the question over and over again.”

KUA graduates have continued the academic inquiry they began tackling while on the Farm Team. Gus Jaynes ’17 is double-majoring in environmental studies and politics at Oberlin College. He helped build the pig shelter from salvaged materials. “Dr. Kopp was teaching us how to be resourceful,” he says. “And it was a pretty urgent scenario. We had a pregnant sow, and we’d learned that we needed a shelter with dividers to keep the sow from accidentally crushing her piglets.”

At KUA, Jaynes investigated the longterm risks and benefits of genetically modified organisms as a Global Scholar, and studied native pollinator health and diversity with the Earthwatch Institute through his Cullman Scholarship. He says Kopp was the mentor who taught him to think about complicated ideas even if they couldn’t be solved. Although Jaynes never finalized the “serious composting” project he thought KUA needed or added more local food sources to the dining hall’s supply chain, he thought about the challenges and puzzled through how to get buy-in from all the stakeholders. “Working with Dr. Kopp, I learned to structure the way I think, the way I approach thinking about things now,” he says.

Aidan Davie ’22 says the Farm Team has been a great opportunity because “you can get your hands dirty and know that you are supporting the KUA community by helping raise these pigs that will later be used as our food.”

Which brings us to the bacon, the barbecue, the sausage links, ham steaks, pulled pork, and picnic roasts. One of the final student tasks of the year is to say goodbye to the pigs, knowing that they were raised ethically and humanely. This year the Farm Team produced 1,500 pounds of pork that found its way into Doe Dining Hall and onto the plates of an appreciative campus.

“I have to admit,” says Xia, “they’re so tasty that I can forgive them for cutting into my pescatarian diet.” K

MARJORIE SA’ADAH is a writer who lives in Lebanon, New Hampshire.

A LIGHTER LOAD

Last year the Farm Team received an electric Yamaha UMax Rally golf cart to lighten the load during chores. The electric cart was made possible by a donation from Pete and Gretchen Titsworth P’18, parents of Calvin Titsworth ’18, who was an active member of the Farm Team. The cart is used to transport buckets of food waste between the dining hall and the farm and assist with other chores. Students who obtain a N.H. off-highway recreational vehicle license through an online course can operate the cart. Blaine Kopp, who oversees the Farm Team, says they intend to use solar charging in the near future.

“It has been game-changing for the farm program, allowing more students to have a more consistent role in running the program,” says Kopp. “For some students, they might be moving more than their own weight of kitchen waste in a single trip, which was really challenging, and often too challenging, with just a simple garden cart. Students can now take full responsibility for the daily chores, even on the most bitter winter days.”

A FORCE FOR CHANGE.

At this time of societal anger, frustration, and confusion over the lack of progress to address the embedded racism in our society, we reinforce Kimball Union Academy’s opposition to racism and its unwavering position of absolute intolerance of race-based discrimination. Our anti-discrimination ethos reaches further than race, but it is imperative that we stand with our fellow citizens in denouncing the killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery as the most recent casualties involving police and law enforcement processes, and proclaim our need for deep societal change.

We fully commit ourselves to using the power of education to grow our intellectual and emotional intelligence so that we may first work to understand; to nurture a learning environment based on dignity, equity, and justice; to help members of our community find their voice as anti-racist members of our community and as citizens of our global society; and to affirm that

BLACK LIVES MATTER.

APPROVED BY THE KIMBALL UNION ACADEMY FACULTY, STAFF, ADMINISTRATION, AND BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Connect

EVENTS

Snapshots from KUA get-togethers

UPPER VALLEY HOLIDAY RECEPTION

December 13, 2019

BOSTON HOLIDAY RECEPTION

December 12, 2019

BOSTON HARBOR CRUISE

August 8, 2019

FEICHTINGER CUP & HARRY ROBINSON MEMORIAL SKI DAY

February 1, 2020

“I was able to participate in the KUA Feichtinger Cup. Plenty of fun was had by all, and it was an extra kick for me when my son, Scott Hagar ’90, placed first in the race.”

—WILLIAM HAGAR ’61

NEWS FROM ALUMNI

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT

Senie Hunt ’13 | Jim Herbert ’14

A Confluence of Passions

Jim Herbert ’14 explored music at KUA in a variety of ways, playing bass in ensembles and taking courses to hone his talent. While recovering from an injury that prevented him from alpine ski racing, Herbert discovered lutherie—the art of making wooden, stringed musical instruments. What started as an afternoon activity resulted in the production of two instruments as a senior capstone project and ultimately a career.

At the same time, Senie Hunt ’13 was developing his guitar playing with KUAid and Singers Night performances, often alongside Herbert. Hunt found a love of music at an early age, using the djembe drum as a “coping mechanism to drown out the sounds of war” in his native Sierra Leone. He was adopted by an American family at the age of 5, and through his adoptive father picked up the guitar. He developed his signature, percussion-influenced style on The Hilltop, drawing on the strong influences of West African rhythms and percussion.

Hunt returned to campus as an alumnus to perform a Friday night “Flick Gig.” During the evening, he spoke with former music teacher Doc Winslow, who shared that Herbert was crafting bespoke musical instruments in Burlington, Vermont. Hunt, who lives in Concord, New Hampshire, immediately inquired about a custom guitar.

Herbert and Hunt spent a few months spec’ing out a guitar. “It was sort of a dream,” says Hunt. “I had wanted to design the perfect guitar to fit my style of playing. Jim helped me flesh it out and I just said, ‘Well, eventually when I can afford it, I’ll let you know.’ ”

Meanwhile Herbert, who runs Ring Brook Strings, decided to build Hunt a guitar as a surprise. “Because I was building the guitar secretly, I took some liberties with it that weren’t exactly what he wanted,” says Herbert. “I wanted to make a guitar that was a little different, and since I was giving it to him, I figured, why not?”

Through the summer of 2019, Herbert perfected the guitar, crafting a thin body that would respond to Hunt’s percussive approach with a lighter touch and be able to project tap-style playing and lower-tension open tunings in a way that a standard guitar could not. Herbert selected AA-grade woods for tonal quality and beauty that spoke to Hunt’s needs and style.

Late that summer, Herbert invited Hunt to his house in Vermont and presented the musician with the finished piece. “I was speechless—it was one of the best things that has happened in my music career,” says Hunt. “I was really excited to show it off and show Jim what his creation does.

“I could not be more impressed with the work and quality that Jim Herbert put into this instrument!” adds Hunt. “I’ve decided to call her Salone, which is the nickname for my birth country. I am looking forward to many years on the road with her.”

One of his first trips was to KUA last fall, when Hunt and friend and filmmaker Brett Marshall ’08 shot a music video in the pine grove above the Potato Patch. Salone has a featured role. K

MUSICAL COLLABORATION

“I had wanted to design the perfect guitar to fit my style of playing. Jim helped me flesh it out.” —SENIE HUNT ’13

Senie Hunt ’13 strums a guitar crafted by Jim Herbert ’14.

Class Notes

DISPATCHES NEWS FROM ALUMNI

1943

Joseph D. Hayes (603)964-6503 • jhayes697@yahoo.com

I write this in the times of home confinement, keeping your distance from people, food delivered to the garage, and entertainment and news from TV only. The coronavirus has upended the world and, not to make light of World Wars and local conflicts, this is truly staggering. At 95 I’m still in relatively good health and in this time of nominations, elections, and candidates, I thought I’d share one event that took place in our time at KUA.

It took place in the fall of 1940, 80 years ago, Franklin Roosevelt was running for his third term as president, but others were as well. One candidate came to KUA to speak to the whole student body, mind you, no one had the right to vote, but there he was. It turns out that my classmate, Roger Webber ’43 (deceased), had a grandfather named Roger Babson, founder of Babson College in Wellesley, MA. Roger Babson was running for president of the United States; he explained the experiences of that endeavor as well as the state of the nation. Needless to say, he didn’t win, but the whole school turned out to hear him, teachers and staff included, in the lower-level dining room in DR. I wonder how many other classes had a similar experience in those 80 years. Regards to all!

1945

David Taylor returned to campus with grandson Will Robbins-Cole ’16 for a visit in February.

1948

Donald A. Spear

(207) 518-9093

• ponderingpundit@gmail.com

Changes in the Alumni Office have continued since the retirement of longtime faithful, Nancy Norwalk. My new contact for these Class Notes columns is Kristen Laundry, who just started last October. Welcome aboard, Kristen.

Kristen’s last name reminded me of my first days at KUA. When we sent our laundry out, the company used the first three initials of our last name as its customer identification code. So, mine was stamped SPE—nothing exciting there—but it was another matter for my bottom-floor Baxter floormate, the late Jim Branch; his came back BRA, which was greeted by us with great hilarity and immediately became his first nickname.

No issues of our magazine were published last year but because of my age I didn’t even notice. I suppose you must all be 90 or more now. Use of the word “all” may be misleading, for Kristen informed me that of the 79 in our graduating class, she has contact information for only 16 of us. That struck me as pretty sad; indeed, I’ve had a touch of depression since learning that statistic.

As you may have deduced over the years that I have been your class correspondent, I’m fond of old sayings, so, depending on how you feel about yourselves, you can take your pick of “They save the best for last” or “Only the good die young.”

Musing No. 1: Have you ever wondered who “they” are? I turned 90 last November and have yet to meet a single one of them. So, I don’t know if they’re left or right, Democrat or Republican, anti-Trump or pro-Trump.

I have tried over the years to give tribute to any classmate who has died. This became particularly important to me when the magazine dropped its necrology section. Too bad; for I believe that as long as someone remembers us, we live on.

Anyway, in comparing the new list

with my old one, I became aware of the passing of three of our classmates whose deaths I had not previously reported in the Class Notes. I consider each one to have been a close friend and a pillar in our class. They are Fred Carleton, Alden “Bid” Guild, and Roger Pierce.

All three of them graduated from Dartmouth. There were 17 from our class alone that went to Dartmouth. Back then, KUA had a reputation for being a feeder to Dartmouth, as both Chief Brewster, our headmaster, and Coach Carver, our assistant headmaster, were distinguished alumni of Dartmouth. There would have been 18 of us if I had heeded Chief Brewster’s advice. Ah! But that’s a story for another column.

Roger Pierce died on May 17, 2017, still living in his home of 55 years in Cos Cob, CT. Ann Claiborne, his wife of 62 years, had died the previous year. He was a varsity basketball letterman at Dartmouth. After serving a tour in the U.S. Navy, he went to work for Chicopee Mills Inc., a textile company in Texas. In the early 1960s he returned to the Northeast and bought his home in Cos Cob. He joined the textile business of Hercules Inc. and spent 27 years with it in sales management, retiring in 1989. He was an active Dartmouth alumnus. He is survived children Nancy, Roger, and Tyler and their families.

At KUA Roger made the best of his one year, lettering in football and basketball. He was also in the glee club, and as such had a part as one of the policemen in the fabulous production of Gilbert and Sullivan’s The Pirates of Penzance put on during our graduation week in the Lebanon High auditorium (in collaboration with the Lebanon High girls chorus) .

Basketball was Roger’s specialty and he was the star of our team, so it meant a lot to me when he inscribed in my yearbook, “I never saw a better ball player

for your size” (5-foot-3 in my sneakers; whereas Roger was well over 6 feet.

Fred Pillsbury Carleton Jr., died on August 23, 2015, a resident of Kendal, a continuing care retirement community in Hanover, NH. He grew up in Minneapolis, MN, and Denver, CO, but the family returned every summer to their farm in River Falls, WI. He entered KUA as a junior in 1946 and was very active in all its “walks of life,” excelling in skiing and tennis. He did a postgraduate year and entered Dartmouth as a member of the Class of 1953.

He continued on to graduate from its Amos Tuck School of Business in 1954 and did further postgraduate studies at MIT. He served with the U.S. Army in Japan and then worked in the computer industry with IBM, Honeywell, and Litton Industries. In 1974 he became a partner in Greenwich (NY) Investment Co., which specialized in brokering small businesses. A stroke of genius, for two years later he bought one of its clients, the K-Ross Building Supply Co. of Lebanon, NH, which he subsequently sold to Barker Steel in 1985, staying on as its president until his retirement in the early 1990s.

You all know by now that life is a struggle, with one challenge after another. Fred had more than his share. He continued his athleticism until 1978, when he was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and stenosis. Being one who never complained, he met this challenge with unflagging optimism and determination to enjoy life each and every day.

In 1997, he married his second wife, Mitzi, on Isle au Haut, Maine, her summer home, where for many summers thereafter they happily hosted their extended families. Mitzi had five children by her prior marriage and Fred, two. (Just before graduation,Fred entrusted me with his brother’s extensive collection of original Dixieland jazz records (78s) for the summer. Ken

Clarke drove him to Bath in the fall of 1948 to pick them up. Ken was driving a convertible that was identical to the one driven by a woman I was heavily involved with at the time. Ah! But that, too, is a story for another column.)

Alden “Bid” Guild entered KUA as a sophomore in 1945, His strength may not have been in varsity level athletics but that does not mean that he was not a competitor. He was active in skiing, the arts, and student government. He was the salutatorian of our class and also our vice president. He belonged to many of the societies and won a number of prizes over his extended time at KUA. He had a tremendous sense of humor.

When Jim Branch was in the infirmary recovering from an operation after his appendix was torn as a result of a football injury, Bid and I paid him a visit to cheer him up. The pain caused by the laughter from our antics was worse than the surgery, so the nurse threw us out.

In December of 1950 Bid enlisted in the Air Force and served in Korea. He attained the rank of staff sergeant and returned to Dartmouth in 1953, graduating in 1955. He earned his law degree at Chicago Law School, where, among other honors, he was on the law journal. He then affiliated himself with National Life Insurance Co. of Vermont. At the end of a 33-year tenure, he had become senior vice president and general counsel and had authored three books related to stock, business, and partnership agreements.

He was active in the civic affairs of his community. He was a trustee of KUA from 1972-1974. He was very involved with the Dartmouth Alumni Association and served as its president from 1975 to 1978. His distinguished accomplishments are too numerous for this column, but if any reader would like to have a copy of his obituary, I’d be delighted to send them a copy upon

request. (I continued my friendship with Bid even after he, as master of ceremonies of the 40th Annual Rev. Charles Carroll Carpenter Declamation Contest—held during Mothers’ Weekend—gave a totally inappropriate introduction of me as one of the 11 contestants. Nevertheless, I was able to garner second place, just behind Deke Emmons’ stirring rendition of “The Highwayman” by Alfred Noyes. Fifty years later I committed it to memory and still employ it as part of my repertoire. There again, however, the full story must await another column.)

Musing No. 2: Reporting that Bid had three books published is an unpleasant reminder to me that I have yet to find a publisher for my first endeavor, which is an autobiographical work titled, How to Combat Depression After a Week-Long Boot Camp of Self-Analysis

I’ve pretty much given up from ever hearing from any of you who graduated with us; however, there are a couple of class members who left before our last year and who faithfully keep in touch with me. One of those is Bill McKenney Apparently inspired by my last column, he sent me an email on December 3, 2018. Thanks, Bill. And, late news being better than no news, here (only slightly paraphrased) are a few excerpts.

“Your terrific article about Mike Chambers brought me to attention. I worked with Mike in the dining room clearing the tables and resetting them for the next meal. This included moving dirty plates to the washroom, wiping down the table, and I think setting for the next meal.

“Mike was a very cheery guy and easy to get along with. I was always at ease with him. While reading your article I certainly gained a lot more about his life. While at KUA I knew about his journey from the United Kingdom. During the war there were many children in the same situation. I didn’t

know that he left KUA his senior year to return home.

“Magda, my wife, is German, and we still live part-time in Tampa, FL, and part-time in Germany. We have homes with cars, bank accounts, and driver’s licenses in both places. All we need are air tickets and passports. Actually, it is not quite as simple as that sounds. We have yards that need to be maintained, bills to be paid, newspapers and mail to start and stop, houses to close up, and so forth. And the older we get the more difficult it gets. Also, I suffered a stroke two years ago, so I only can do half as much as in the past before being beat. What makes it all worthwhile is we get to spend summer in not-so-hot Germany and winter in mild Florida.”

Musing No. 3: I inherited from my father a four-volume set, The Outline of History, by H.G. Wells (Review of Reviews, 1924). Since retiring in 1995, I read through all four volumes twice at our farm in the foothills of the western mountains of Maine, and once again after moving into the Park Danforth here in Portland 11 years ago. I have just recently embarked on my fourth journey through this amazing work. And I want to pass on to you this quote that I just read from Vol. 2: “The Athenian democracy suffered much from that narrowness of ‘patriotism,’ which is the ruin of all nations.” Ponder that fellow readers…and Mr. President.

And while you’re at it, ponder also Columbus’ second trip to the Americas (nothing of which is taught in our schools), when he returned with armed soldiers and hunting dogs that tracked down and slaughtered the natives like beasts of prey.

All the summers of my youth were spent at Popham Beach (about 10 miles by the waters of the Kennebec River from my hometown of Bath), which was the site of the first settlement of the English in the New World. It failed

(so Plymouth Rock gets all the glory!) due in large part because of its brutal treatment of the Native Americans (part of the Wabanaki Nation). Those settlers built the first ship, The Virginia, on our shores and sailed back to England in her, taking with them five kidnapped natives to “show” the folks back home.

Musing No. 4: Slavery is actually this nation’s second sin. The first is our treatment of the Native Americans, which continues to this day, as do the effects of slavery. Talk about dark nights of the soul. Let’s stop the boasting and harken well to these words of one of the greatest hymns ever written:

This is my song, O God of all the nations, A song of peace for lands afar and mine.

This is my home, the country where my heart is; Here are my hopes, my dreams, my holy shrine.

But other hearts in other lands are beating, With hopes and dreams as true and high as mine.

My country’s skies are bluer than the ocean, And sunlight beams on cloverleaf and pine.

But other lands have sunlight too and clover,

And skies are everywhere as blue as mine.

Oh, hear my song, O God of all the nations, A song of peace for their land and for mine.

A song of peace for their land and for mine.

Until the next issue (if you are still able!): Be of good cheer, do good works, stay healthy, and keep on keeping on.

“The coronavirus has upended the world and, not to make light of World Wars and local conflicts, this is truly staggering. ”

JOSEPH D. HAYES ’43

Class Notes

1950

Foster Kay

1215 Main Road Apt 438, Tiverton, RI 02878 (508) 567-1397 • fosterkay@earthlink.net

1952

Karl A. Brautigam (203) 866-5812 • karllass@webtv.net

1953

Stan B. Vincent (508) 457-6237 • stan@vincentcurtis.com

We were delighted to hear this year from classmates from across the country. All now in their mid-80s, some having to stay closer to home, but all sounding as chipper as ever.

Roger Cotton Brown, Gypsum, CO—“I’m too old to do the crazy stuff anymore.” He’s working on a book of his photographic adventures based on seven volumes of journals he’s kept over the years—50 expeditions in 30 countries more or less, hundreds of photos, and lots of exciting stories, but “in need of lots of editing.” The book will be called Tales from the Cutting Room Floor.

Pete Bowser, San Rafael, CA—Pete has no health or mobility problems. He plays bocce in a league seven months of the year and last fall joined a couple of friends on a fun excursion riding the rails from Oakland to L.A. and back. Both Pete and Sue continue to sing, each with a different chorus group.

Tony Brockelman, Fort Myers, FL— Tony still has that “get up and go.” He’s playing golf and bocce regularly, volunteers at a local food bank, and once a week tutors for an afterschool program called New Horizons. He and Ann do some traveling: to New England this spring for a granddaughter’s college graduation; to Lake George, NY, this summer; and to D.C. come Christmas.

Sam Cummings, Essex Fells, VT— Sam has fond memories of his younger years growing up in Lebanon, his time at KUA, and as an undergrad at UVM. He and Joy are proud of their four grandchildren. Like others in our class, they will be celebrating their 60th wed-

DISPATCHES NEWS FROM ALUMNI

ding anniversary this year.

Tom Fay, Manhattan Beach, CA— Tom let it be known that he’s not moving as fast as he used to move and spends more time in his armchair.

Pete Meleney, Martha’s Vineyard, MA—Pete continues to volunteer his time with several nonprofit and town-sponsored groups on Martha’s Vineyard. Family is spread far and wide, with a son in Colorado and a daughter with grandchildren in England. Once or twice a year he’ll find his way to the mainland and we’ll have lunch. Pete is as energetic and upbeat as always.

Jerry Pringle, Medford, OR—Last spring, thanks to new heart medication, Jerry was able to row without problems on the family’s annual Rogue River Canyon trip. In November he wasn’t so lucky: while cutting logs for the winter, he fell and fractured five ribs. According to wife Harriet, he was out two weeks before he could finish the job.

Ralph Rose, Bradford, PA—Ralph’s extended family recently enjoyed a trip to Greece and Italy, followed by a winter get together on Sanibel Island, FL. With assistance of two of his four daughters, Ralph continues to run the world-famous Wright Monumental Works, now in its 106th year. Ralph has 10 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.

Paul Russo, Chelmsford, MA— Children and grandchildren keep Paul and Helen quite active and involved, though we don’t see them as often now that they no longer have a summer home on Cape Cod.

Pete Whiteside, Naples, FL—Pete writes that he and Jeri have moved to condos in both Naples, FL (2016), and Clarendon Hills, IL (2018). Tragically, they lost two daughters last year. He and Jeri became Florida residents a long time ago. Both are still playing golf two to three times a week.

Henry Zukowski, South Deerfield, MA—Hank says he’s slowing down a bit. He’s had to downsize his garden, but he still enjoys making his own Italian sauce.

It is heartwarming to share the news from so many of our classmates.

Of our graduating class of 56, there are 20 who have stayed in touch. That’s a remarkable number, all things considered. As Pete Whiteside says, “We are very lucky.”

1955

Warren D. Huse (603)524-6593 • warrenhuse1@gmail.com

I am sorry to report that Phil S. Brockelman died, March 14, 2019; Dick A. Cleary, May 1, 2019; Bill Goddard, June 10, 2019; and Dick W. Waite, July 11, 2019. Phil Brockelman was the retired director of human resources for the Barden Corp. in Danbury, CT. Dick Cleary was a special agent for the Federal Bureau of Investigation for 21 years and then ran his own private investigation firm until 2003. Dick Waite worked for Digital Equipment Corp., where he was in charge of personnel and supervised training. He also “meticulously maintained and raced vintage cars for over 30 years” and was a model train enthusiast. Bill Goddard ’56, but an adopted member of our class, worked for the Perini Corp. as a supervisor for many years. Our condolences go out to their families. More complete obituaries are posted to the KUA website. (Go to “Alumni” and then click “Obituaries” or visit https://www.kua.org/alumni/ obituaries.)

On March 25, 2020, Al Munro left us. From George Place: “Dear classmates, I know we were all expecting this unhappy day to come, and the sad reality is that today is that day. Kathy called me this afternoon with the news that Al had a fitful night last night, but this morning he was apparently much subdued and serene. He was surrounded by Kathy, he and Kathy’s two children, Amy and Jonathan, and passed peacefully in the morning. We’ve lost a hero! Not only for all he did for KUA, which is beyond comprehension, but as a human being who excelled in business and his personal life and who never lost his personal touch with all he knew. And yet despite all his achievements he stayed incredibly humble and unassuming. There was nobody he didn’t con-

sider a friend. I am convinced that I’m a better person for having known him and lucky enough to be one of those friends. I am confident that you feel the same! Please join me in raising a glass in celebration of the life of an outstanding individual, classmate and friend: Allan F. Munro. Respectfully, George.”

Our peripatetic George Place took his daughter with him to Vietnam in April of last year. “With a retired Army colonel (who taught at West Point and has a Ph.D. in military history) and others, we toured the country from Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) to Hanoi, visiting battle sites along the way. It started with Ap Bac, in the Mekong Delta one of the earliest battles of the war in 1963, leading to the first of many escalations because we and the South Vietnamese were outsmarted by the North! We flew to Pleiku and visited Landing Zone X-Ray, on the Cambodian border, another brutal, three-day battle we didn’t win, but neither did the North. (South Vietnam soldiers guarding this sacred ground made us leave after about 15 minutes because of tensions with Cambodia and the risk of a confrontation.) The landing strip in Dak To was a major airstrip during the war and still exists although now, instead of planes and helicopters, it’s used by kids on bicycles and motorbikes at play. We had a planned meeting with Le Ly Hayslip whose family home is in Xa Hoa Qui. Le Ly wrote the book, When Heaven and Earth Changed Places, which became a movie by Oliver Stone and featured Tommy Lee Jones as the lead actor. Le Ly was a Viet Cong during the war as a teenager, and helped supply the VC with food and supplies into their hiding places. Our small group had occasion to interview, through our guide, several ex-VC soldiers who today are as friendly and welcoming of Americans as one could imagine! We spent a day at the citadel in Hue, which, during Tet in 1968, was the site of some of the worst, deadliest urban fighting of the war. Walter Cronkite visited Hue during the height of the battle and came home convinced that the war was unwinnable, which sadly proved prophetic. Next was Khe Sanh,

a mountaintop battleground, which was another battle that proved disastrous for the Americans. The base was surrounded by mountains which were heavily occupied by VC and North Vietnam troops and they shelled Khe Sanh from all sides during a two-month period! Americans dropped 100,000 tons of bombs and fired 158,000 artillery rounds at the enemy during the battle! We visited several other battle sites before arriving in Hanoi. Went to the ‘Hanoi Hilton’ and saw where John McCain was imprisoned and stayed in a hotel overlooking the lake he parachuted into where he was captured. Took a two-day cruise on Ha Long Bay (Gulf of Tonkin) and enjoyed, among many other things, a cigar on the top deck with the colonel, until he turned blue and had to go to his cabin. Returned home the next day.” George’s next excursion was last March, “and this time Carolyn and I traveled to Israel with my son, his wife, and her family. The tour was organized by a Christian church group from Tempe, AZ, with the plan to follow the various routes Jesus took during his pilgrimage (ministry) around the country during his lifetime. We ‘swam’ (floated) in the Dead Sea in the south, took a gondola up to Masada, the mountaintop site to where a band of Jewish zealots escaped when the Romans conquered Jerusalem around 37-34 BCE. The Romans were ordered by Julius Caesar to pursue them but the soldiers couldn’t scale the surrounding terrain to reach them so a huge ramp was built and Jewish slaves were forced to pull/push a huge battering ram to the top. When the Romans broke through, all the zealots were dead, having committed suicide to prevent being taken alive to become Roman slaves. Masada is sacred ground to Israelis; a very moving place to visit! A great deal of Israel is inhabited by Palestinians, their ancestral homeland, (although it is shrinking rapidly as Jewish settlements are built on what is left of their land), and we had to go through numerous check points, traveling in and out of Palestinian areas. Occasionally, armed Israeli soldiers would board our bus to check for…I don’t know

what. We visited Bethlehem (ironically in Palestinian-controlled land) and the Holy Sepulcher where Jesus was crucified. The men in our group visited the Western (Wailing) Wall; women were not allowed. We also walked around the Garden of Gethsemane, the Temple Mount, and toured much of Old Jerusalem containing many religious sites. We traveled to the north, visiting famous stops Jesus made in his travels (too numerous to list here), except for a cruise on the Sea of Galilee during which the minister, traveling with us, said a blessing for Phil Brockelman, who I had just learned had passed away back home. The final bit of news from this trip was being baptized by the minister, with water from the River Jordan—my first! How great is that?”

John Booth wrote in mid-September: “We are through another hot summer. Like almost everyone our age I have had some health issues, but am on the mend. We are in the process of selling Five Gables Inn so I may be retired by the end of the year. It can’t come too soon for Bonnie and me. We have four kids and nine grandchildren, all doing well all over the country. I am planning to make the 65th next spring. Hope to see you all there.” I asked John how long they had been running Five Gables Inn and the answer was 25 years. They started with two rooms, now have 20.

Vin Godleski sends the following: “From KUA I went to Tufts to study engineering and play hockey, then to Tuck Business School at Dartmouth. After Tuck I started out in the space craft business with RCA and NASA. That got me involved in the broadcast television transmission and delivery (satellite and cable). I retired from Cisco Systems a few years ago after having been able to contribute to the development and implementation of advanced video transmission technology. It contributed to helping the world to go from snowy black-and-white images to ultra-high definition TV programs, live from just about anywhere. This year I also retired from the NHL after a long run as an off-ice official. The NHL send-off was impressive (https://www.youtube.com/

watch?v=rt7JzzNxcqU). I took up refereeing, with Big George’s help, while at Tuck to help pay the rent. After graduating I continued refereeing as a hobby job. It got me to some interesting countries and cities and kept me in touch with a lot of old hockey friends and many new ones. Bobbi and I are still enjoying rural NJ and some time in Hilton Head, SC. It gives us more time now to cheer on our six grandkids, including four undergrads, an astrophysicist designing advanced weaponry, and a practicing neurologist P.A.”

Howie Goldberg wrote in early September: The first item is a positive end to a sad story. “Sheila, two of my daughters (Jodi and Misa), and I attended a memorial service for Phil Brockelman last month at his daughter Jennifer’s house in Groton, CT. The sad part is Phil’s passing. The positive end is a wonderful day celebrating his amazing spirit. It was great to see Tony ’55 (older brother), Curt ’57 (younger brother), Judy, and their kids. While our kids were growing up we had many fun times together. We were like one extended family. It was a wonderful way to celebrate our relationship over the years. It was also incredible to hear the various stories from people we knew and people we didn’t know, tell how he impacted their lives in a positive way. It was particularly emotional to hear a letter written by Judy’s younger brother. He had had some challenging times when growing. He told how Phil took him under his wing, and helped him to grow up into an adult who contributed to his society. Appropriately, the gathering took place next to the 17th hole of a golf course looking out on the ocean on a sunny, beautiful day. As you know from previous notes, George Place and I get together for lunch on a regular basis. Last week we took a ride up to New London, NH, to visit Al and Kathy Munro. Al has been dealing with some health issues over the last year or so. We enjoyed a very good visit over lunch. Kathy is doing an amazing job of managing Al’s care. We had some good conversation and laughs thinking about our shared experiences at KUA.

It’s hard to believe we have been friends for 67 years. Never thought I’d reach 67 years in age, let alone have friends for that long. Sheila and I moved during the summer. We have actually moved into an apartment complex where we started out 60 years ago. Our unit is bigger than our 1 bedroom that we had then. We were literally the first people to move in when the first couple of buildings were built. Our youngest grandson is in France in a seven-year apprentice program traveling toward becoming a master in the metalworker’s guild. He is following in his father’s footsteps. Our son-in-law is an amazing metal artist. He first came to the United States from France as the lead in making the torch for the restoration of the Statue of Liberty. It’s a long journey, but he seems to be taking to it well. He was an A student in all AP classes, but decided this was the route he wanted to follow instead of going on to college. He works a full day in a forge, then goes to classes at night. We’re very proud of him.”

From Steve Smith: “It is sad to hear of the loss of good friends from the good years. My thoughts are with Al as well. Like the rest of us, I am feeling the test of time but convinced that it wasn’t that long ago that I left the hill in Meriden and keep plugging along. I had a knee replacement in January and have almost convinced my wife that golf is the best physical therapy available. I feel blessed to have a supportive spouse and a golf course two miles from home.”

Having received an email from me while on the road in Maine, Charlie Dart wrote in late September that “Sylvia and I were celebrating our 50th wedding anniversary. We had originally celebrated our honeymoon in Maine 50 years ago. The list of our departed classmates is disturbing. The things to come! We are doing fine and plan to come to Florida this winter at Panama City Beach in early November. This migration has been occurring for the last 20 years. But always looking forward to returning to Indiana for the summer. We still miss New England; part of our DNA I guess.”

From Charles Darling in early Oc-

“We’ve lost a hero! Not only for all he did for KUA, but as a human being who excelled in business and his personal life.”

—GEORGE PLACE ’55 ON THE PASSING OF ALAN MUNRO ’55

Class Notes

tober: “Not a lot of news from Broadkill Beach. Ann and I returned from a trip to Canada (Montreal), where we were visiting relatives. We both are in reasonably good health for a couple of old fuddy-duddies. We still are watching the tides advance and recede, which they seem to do with great regularity. Had a quiet summer, trying to stay in air-conditioned spaces. We did add a new rescue dog to our pet list, a 5-year-old Springer spaniel, and are enjoying her antics. She was very reluctant to enter the water, but now loves to run/play in it. Our class is shrinking but, considering our ages, is understandable. My eyesight is excellent, but my hearing has diminished a lot, due to working in loud areas and shooting. I do shoot skeet every Wednesday with a group of similarly aged reprobates, occasionally do some tactical practice shooting at a friend’s farm range. I am still doing some volunteer work for Prime Hook NWR. Our daughter was divorced a couple of years ago and we are still doing some work on her house—right now upgrading the kitchen with new flooring, cabinets, and countertops. Cheers to everyone.”

Warren Huse is still compiling the “Our Yesterdays” column once a week for the local newspaper and learning every week how much more there is to learn in the field of local history—not only from the past but from the present. For example, on September 21, the band Recycled Percussion opened its first Chaos and Kindness retail store, here in Laconia. Justin Spencer, leader, has Laconia connections. Wonder how many of you have caught their act in Las Vegas or while they have been on tour. If you never heard of Recycled Percussion, their website or Wikipedia can shed some light on them.

1959

Gene Cenci’s daughter, Lisa Sherman ’89 writes: “Gene recently celebrated his 80th birthday alongside his former KUA classmate, Bill Nussbum.

“Their friendship has spanned the years since they met at KUA, and their families remain close to this day. In fact, Gene introduced Bill to his wife, Tink! They were married within two weeks of each other, and the best man for each other’s wedding.

“As this milestone birthday was approaching, I secretly reached out to my dad’s friends and asked them to share stories—how they met him, funny adventures, etc. I then placed them all into a book and presented them to him on his special day. Also planned was a surprise visit by Bill and Tink Nussbum, and therefore Bill was able to read his ‘testimony’ to my father in person. Here are the first two paragraphs.

“ ‘I am sure everyone in the Cenci family is wondering why Gene has had a vendetta against me through all these years, so here is the rest of the story.

“ ‘It began 61 years ago at Kimball Union Academy in our senior year at Dexter Richards Hall. Gene gleefully relates to all, that every night on his way to the bathroom which passed my room, he would open my door, shut off the lights, and cackle away down the hall. One evening, having had enough of his nonsense, I awaited his arrival behind the door, and when that hand hit the light, the door which I slammed with some pleasurable intent, did its thing. After the howling and rather vile language had ceased, his cries of revenge spurted out.’

“Not only did Bill and Tink surprise him, but their daughter, Kristi, and her husband, Bob, joined in as well. They are parents to Nate Wilson ’15.

“My father was so touched and honored and it is a night he is still talking about!”

1958

1. Rocky Mann ’67 & Bob Jamback ’67

2. Gene Cenci ’59 80th birthday party. Standing L-R: Bob Wilson, Kristi Wilson (parents of Nate Wilson ’15), Geno Cenci, Chris Sherman, Lisa Cenci Sherman ‘89. Seated L-R: Tink Nussbum, Bill Nussbum ’59, Gene Cenci ’59, Ann Cenci

3. Bill Nussbum ’59 & Gene Cenci ’59

1961

William S. Hagar (802) 772-7448 • whagar467@comcast.net

Since I now live less than 50 miles from KUA, I am able to attend events there from time to time. Last June one of these was the dedication of the Schafer Library, where I was joined by Tony Gilmore and Norm Turcotte. We enjoyed the opportunity for a last contact with Mike who has been such a great strength to the Academy for many years.

In July Jeninne and I were returning to NH from Maine, and had a visit with Bob Bentley in Naples, ME. Bob is finally retired now, but continues his interest in the railroad industry.

In October I was contacted by Pete Fenn to join him for a campus visit, and we were able to enjoy lunch together at the 99 Restaurant in West Lebanon. Pete is conducting a remarkable battle with health issues that began during his service years in Vietnam.

In November Jeninne and I attended the celebration of life for Chris Abajian’s wife, Margaret. At that event, we also enjoyed reconnecting with Alan Levine, who was part of our class for one year. Chris has sold his longtime residence and relocated to an assisted living facility in South Burlington, VT.

In December I attended the holiday reception held at Miller Student Center and enjoyed the opportunity of meeting Tyler Lewis, our new headmaster.

In February I was able to participate in the KUA Feichtinger Cup alumni reunion and ski event at Pico Resort in Mendon, VT. Plenty of fun was had by all, and it was an extra kick for me when my son, Scott Hagar ’90, placed first in the race. Congratulations to Scott for a great performance!

Recently I also received a note from Charles Cohen stating he and Sandi enjoy living in Marina Del Rey, CA, when they are not enjoying travel elsewhere. For seven years they cruised the South Pacific with friends aboard a 56-foot sailboat. Charles still works as a veterinarian two days a week, but they

plan their own “tours” and do Europe a lot and the West. Lots of fun! Coming up is a nine-day venture about eastern Arizona and New Mexico; then, pending coronavirus, in late May Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands. Charles and Sandi also do a bit of horseback riding.

Chris Abajian writes, “2019 was a good year and a bad year. My loving wife of 47 years passed away after a long battle with dementia. She is now in a better place. We were honored by the installation of the Chris Abajian, M.D., ’69 and Margaret Abajian Green and Gold Professorship in Pediatric Anesthesiology by the University of Vermont Larner College of Medicine. It can be viewed at https://m.youtube. com/watch?v=lOHjXddE_eA&feature =youtu.be.

1966

Dale L. Meltzer 603-443-3672 • dale444@aol.com

1967

Bob Jamback (508) 561-1013 • bobjamback@yahoo.com

In September, my wife and I visited Rocky Mann at his home in Bar Harbor, ME. He and his wife showed us their home, which Rocky built, as well as Rocky’s pottery studio. It was fun to catch up with Rocky and to see his work. John Preston has had a busy winter attending his son Jake’s basketball games at Hobart. I think John is the team’s biggest fan. Earl Rhue continues to educate, enlighten, and amuse all who follow him on Facebook with his posts on life and politics which he usually infuses with his humor and passion. Due to some unexpected health issues, I only attended seven KUA hockey games this year. The team was well coached as usual and were strong skaters. With a core of younger players returning, next year should prove to be an exciting team to watch. Best to our class for the next year and be well.

Rocky Mann shares: “I recently had the pleasure of meeting up with Bob Jam-

back and his wife, Susan, who stopped by my gallery in Bar Harbor. I am starting my 49th year as a potter. How time flies by. I occasionally see James Blanchard, Class of 1964, in town.”

1969

Malcolm Cooper (802) 867-2528 • tractormalc@gmail.com

A few weeks ago, I reconnected with my good friend Paul Menneg, a classmate from the famous class of 1969! Paul was a football player and a standout competitive diver who finished fourth in the New England championships. Paul always loved to ski; however, he was allowed very little skiing at KUA as his first sport was diving and all coaches worried that skiing was a good way to get injured. Paul would often visit me in Vermont during breaks and we would tear up the slopes at Bromley and Stratton. I was sworn to secrecy to never let his diving coaches know that he was risking his life and career in such a reckless manner.

Paul recently retired after a career teaching art at Milton Academy, where he helped coach the Milton ski racing team. Paul lives in Dorchester, MA, but has a small condo at Loon Mountain in Lincoln, NH, where I joined him recently for some nice NH skiing (us Vermonters have a state attitude). I am pleased to say that Paul actually skis better today than he did in 1969. Paul is married with two daughters and hopes to ski for another 20 years.

Malcolm continues to run his family business, JK Adams Co., and returned to campus in January to speak with students about his career experience at KUA’s annual Senior Ethics Day.

1970

Michael Broder has spent the past 30plus years working in the environmental field in DC on risk assessment issues. He is married to a reporter who writes for the Journal of the American Medical Association. His older daughter graduated from the College of Charles -

ton in May 2019 and works for the Mid Atlantic Sports Network (MASN) that broadcasts the Orioles and Nationals games. His younger daughter is a theater major who has appeared in several productions at West Virginia University. Mike is looking forward to reliving the interesting times at KUA with fellow classmates in 2021.

Dudley “Lee” Baker writes, “I had knee surgery in February to replace a replacement that was done in 2009. No refunds there, I guess! The surgeon told me that I am way too hard on my body, so take it easy. So here I sit with my leg up on a stool with my little dog at my side enjoying my wife attempting to take care of this stubborn old fellow.

“We have recently done some remodeling at our house here in Hancock and now are really enjoying the expansive view of North and South Peak Monadnock here in southern NH. I am looking forward to seeing my old classmates again in 2021.”

Brock Wommack writes: “Here is my first memory of being on campus as a first time junior at KUA in 1968: struggling up the hill with canes, dressed in striped pants, dress jackets, and bowler hats were a half dozen gentleman making a visit on their 50th reunion year (which makes that the class of 1918). Well, that would be me today. I can’t imagine making that climb today. My concern coming to the reunion this year (now postponed to 2021) is that there better be a golf cart shuttle or I’ll never make it to Baxter’s Hall! Not gray yet, boys, but at 68 I’ve got balance issues. Still lifting weights with my trainer and can look down and see everything without a mirror, but I only feel right in the heated saltwater pool. Blessings to you all.”

1971

Stanford M. Bradeen (802) 863-2740

1974

Paul Keenan writes: “I recently started a

Their friendship has spanned since they met at KUA and their families remain close to this day. In fact, Gene introduced Bill to his wife, Tink!

GENE CENCI ’59 & BILL NUSSBUM ’59

Class Notes

new job at Edwards Air Force Base, CA, as the force support squadron director. I have held jobs in Tokyo and Okinawa over the last six years working for the U.S. Air Force.”

1976

Doug Mattern (603) 382-5269 • mattern71385@yahoo.com

While there is nothing new to report for the class of 1976, Doug says, “Good luck during these interesting times.”

1977

John M. Shaw (978) 761-0313 • johnshaw59@gmail.com

1978

Deborah Sanders-Dame is the director of special education at Thetford Academy and returned to campus in January to participate in Senior Ethics Day.

1979

Clare Dingwell clare.dingwell@gmail.com

1981

John Wall passed away in October, reports a classmate. I don’t have to ask if anyone remembers John because as we have seen in our own lives, John was unlike anyone you had ever met or will meet. It’s no surprise that he worked in the entertainment industry. His vitality, that voice, his naturally entertaining brand and his swagger in the best sense of the word. How does one walk into the room the way John did, as if everyone felt that whatever was happening hadn’t started until John showed up. John also had tremendous compassion and an extremely deep moral compass and he genuinely loved people which is how he was able to make hilarious and ironic observations about his classmates that never belittled them. He was a champion for both the underdog and the star and he made you see and

DISPATCHES NEWS FROM ALUMNI

believe in the value of both. John met the love of his life, Liz, at age 14. He is survived by her and his three daughters.

Sarah Lummus writes: “Dear class, please make the commitment now. Say you will be there for our 40th. Take small steps. They will lead you to wherever you would like to be.”

1982

Todd Segal (818) 434-9189 • todd.segal@yahoo.com

It’s hard to write notes this year without addressing Covid-19, especially since I just received an email from KUA expressing their commitment to the safety of the students, staff, and community. When I look back at our time at KUA I am reminded what a safe place it was, something I know I took for granted. I also can’t imagine a safer place to be now.

I recently moved to Kyoto, Japan, a dream of mine for many years. It’s a completely different culture, history and language but like KUA it is remarkably safe. It wasn’t an impulsive move but one that was made over years by taking small steps to make it happen.

I bought an old house that I am renovating. As a child I grew up in a house filled with Asian art. I was fascinated by it and maybe that is what planted the seeds for something that has stayed with me for this long. Kyoto is a truly beautiful city and I would welcome any alumni and friends to please visit.

Brooks Robinson reports he is still happily in Pittsburgh, PA: “Basically empty-nested, free of tuition at last, and leading the redevelopment of downtown Pittsburgh’s arts and theater district.” He has every intention of being back on the hilltop for the 40th.

Mark Nolan and Bob Fitzgerald also report they are well but nothing newsworthy to share. Given the beautiful photos both of them are sharing on Facebook, I beg to differ.

1983

Lauren M. Dole (503) 534-1396 • lauren.dole@me.com

Kelley Tully was appointed to fill a vacant seat in the Vermont House of Representatives by Gov. Phil Scott in April.

Emily Moore is the director of college counseling at Dexter Southfield School and returned to KUA in January to speak with students at Senior Ethics Day.

1984

In February, after 15 years of service, Dr. Kate Whybrow purchased the Riverbend Veterinary Clinic from longtime owner Dr. Barbara LeClair P’99, ’04.

1986

Kathleen R. Reinke (269) 408-8090 • kcreinke2@hotmail.com

1987

Bronwen E. Jones (973) 715-3962 • bronjones1@gmail.com

1989

Melissa Longacre (603) 675-9974 • mlongacre@myfairpoint.net

A few ’89ers represented in the Covid hair pictures—thanks to Scott Warner ’88 for inviting me to those Facebook posts! They are a great distraction from these crazy times. As I write this, I’m sure there are some of you in various stages of quarantine. My best to you and your loved ones. Looking forward to the big celebration and reunions we can have when we get to the other side of this.

Jim Jonas should be nominated for president of the Class of ’89’s grandparent club. He and PJ welcomed their first grandson, Landon, to the family last year. Check out Goat Milk Stuff online to see Landon and their ever-growing family! They are expecting another grandson in May. Any other grandparents out there?

Robyn Sachs-Carpenter and her family are still in Centerville, MA, and she is still working at Beth-Israel Deaconess Hospital in Plymouth, where she is the director of the Breast Cancer

Center. Their daughter, Sophia, is getting so big! Hoping we can get together this summer.

I am still working for Gardener’s Supply, managing the Lebanon, NH, retail store. I have been traveling a little bit recently to help get our new store up and running in Hadley, MA. My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed the KUA spring musical, The Producers Great show! Drop me a line anytime. Stay safe!

1992

Kevin D. Wickless (203) 641-4681 • kevinwickless@gmail.com

1993

Katherine E. Landrigan (303) 530-1074 • mckkatherine@hotmail.com

1994

Peter M. Coughlin (603) 477-3942 • cughlinpeter@yahoo.com

1995

Annalise Grant (978) 764-2368 • annelise.a.grant@gmail.com

All is well here! I’ve launched a new career as a postpartum doula, and it is truly an amazing job. I frequently run into Elise (Kusselow) Buckley and Lori Lamanuzzi ’96, as we all live in the same area.

Recently Emilie Drinkwater ’94 made an appearance at a local brewery in Newburyport, MA (where I live), to share her experience being a guide for the first Afghani woman to ascend one of the highest peaks in Afghanistan. Not only was her presentation inspiring and incredible to hear, but there was quite an audience of KUA alum who attended, including Elise Buckley, Jill Marshall ’94, Lisa Cordner ’94, and Kate Brady ’94. It was so great to reconnect with former classmates about all our KUA memories and where we all are today.

Ray Ramos returned to campus in April 2019 to discuss his career in sports and entertainment communications with current KUA students.

Bill Riley shares: “I am spending time in Cape Cod and recently created a KUA Class of 1995 Facebook group. I invite all classmates to join and connect about news and our upcoming 26th Reunion, which will be held on June 11-13, 2021. I continue to work as director of financial aid at Groton School and coach the boys varsity hockey team, which broke a school record with 22 wins this past season.”

1996

Bianca Saul

(978) 494-0544 • Bianca.saul@gmail.com

It has been almost four years since I last reported out on our class. I write as I am practicing “social distancing” with my family for the next few weeks. Given all of the technology we have, we are fortunate we can virtually connect with friends and family worldwide.

Unfortunately, the same tools we can use to connect can also overwhelm us with both good and bad news. My heart broke upon hearing the news that one of our own is no longer with us. Turley Muller, who spent three years with us at KUA, passed away earlier this year. Generally, he will be remembered for being a good guy (TJ Moran) with a great sense of humor (Derrick Shaw) and a good friend (Evan Thompson). Andrea McKnight shared that, “Turls was always making people laugh. He was a kind soul. My prayers are with his family.” Many thanks to Alex Pierson for sharing the following: “Turley was a good friend. At KUA and our very brief time together at Hobart, he would sometimes tell us about his hometown of Memphis and how if we were ever able to visit, he would show us around. From 2000 to 2004, I drove a truck for a company based in Memphis, and I would see Turley just about every time I passed through. True to his word, I got to know that city by being introduced to all of his favorite places one by one. There was Dyer’s, the burger place that had been on Beale Street since Turley’s dad was our age; there was an after-hours place where he could

get us in. Every time out with Turley was a good time.

“Once, on a Sunday night, he asked if I felt like going out. Growing up in MA, I assumed that things would wind down early since it was Sunday. Instead, he took me to a place on Beale Street where a band he liked called Free World had a Sunday residency. The music was amazing! We had a great time as always and I didn’t get much sleep before I had to load the truck on Monday, but it was well worth it.

“I moved to Nashville in 2012, and I assumed that, being three hours from Turley, we would see each other all the time. Unfortunately, the only time we got together was two years ago, at the Flying Saucer in Memphis. It was just like old times, great to see him as always. If you drink 200 different beers at the Saucer (only allowed three per day), they give you a plate on the ceiling.

“Turley’s funeral service was beautiful. A woman who had worked with him said some really nice things about him to a packed house. Afterwards, I drove to the Saucer, the last place I had seen him, and ordered the last beer we had together: Memphis’ own Wiseacre Gotta Get Up to Get Down. Turley was always so proud of everything Memphis. I sat underneath his plate and could feel his energy—he’d have had to have been there at least 67 times to earn that plate, so I knew he’d spent some time there. One thing I regret is never going to the Memphis in May BBQ and Music Festival. I always figured I’d go next year, never thinking that Turley wouldn’t be around. This year I plan on finally going, but if it gets canceled due to coronavirus concerns, then I guess there’s always next year.”

I agree with you, Alex, there is nothing like an in-person get together under any pretext to share a good time. Around this time last year, I joined Ashley Brooks, Akeya (Stewart) Holt, and Jessica (Jones) Purdy on a girl’s weekend trip to NYC, where we shared many laughs along with some great food and drinks.

Gillian Frothingham-Gordon sent

“When I look back at our time at KUA I am reminded what a safe place it was. I can’t imagine a safer place to be now.”

TODD SEGAL ’82

1. Emilie Drinkwater ’94, Elise Buckley, Jill Marshall ’94, Lisa Cordner ’94, Kate Brady ’94, Annalise Grant ’95

2. Estabrooks brothers: Tom ’06, Charlie ’10, James ’13

3. 96’s Bianca Saul, Ashley Brooks, Akeya (Stewart) Holt, and Jessica (Jones) Purdy

Class Notes

in a brief update that after two years in Dallas, she is now in Indianapolis as the director of catering/convention services for Hyatt.

Steven Lieberman and his wife, Jennifer, are adding to their empire. In addition to their successful restaurant in Santa Monica, CA (11 years strong), they opened Surfridge Brewing Company in 2019 in El Segundo, CA, and are expanding the brewery to a second facility in Essex, CT, this year. Of course, doing it all while raising their son, Gavin, who is now 8 years old.

Next year will be our 25th reunion, and I hope we can all make an effort to get together, if not on the hill, then anywhere else that can bring you joy!

1997

Daniel M. Sheff (860) 417-9215 • dansheff@gmail.com

1998

Brandi L. Chilton (603) 727-2624 • mrsvas.bv@gmail.com

Katherine R. Mans (603) 709-7079 • katiermans@gmail.com

Brandi Chilton, an advanced medical support assistant at the VA Medical Center in White River Junction, VT, returned to campus in January as a volunteer participant in KUA’s annual Senior Ethics Day.

1999

Natalie Philpot (802) 681-6376 • nataliephilpot@hotmail.com

Members of the Class of 1999 are out in the world doing amazing things!

Katie Taylor is active on Facebook, so check out her page if you want to see some adorable videos of her snowshoeing with her dog!

Phil Najemy reports that he was actually headed back to KUA for a visit at the time of this publication. He is doing well!

Scott Kaplan is living in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, and founded his own film and TV sales company, which is

focusing on factual series and documentary sales and production.

Natalie Philpot is a single mom living in Southern Vermont with her two daughters, Bryce and Brooklyn. She recently obtained her recovery coach certification to help addicts in recovery. She works for a nonprofit creating substance-free programming for youth in her community. In January Natalie returned to KUA as a volunteer participant in the Senior Ethics Day program.

Brandon King reports that his wife, family, and he live happily in Kentucky. They have four children, two boys and two girls. Their youngest just reaching one month of age. “Career wise, I am a ‘financial controller’ for a hospitality firm; my wife, a full-time mother at home.”

John Bergin writes that this past year he was appointed a deputy assistant secretary of the Army.

2000

Kelly (Farrell) Miller kellyjanefarrell@gmail.com

Class of 2000, I cannot believe we are actually coming up on 20 years! It seems like just yesterday we were hanging out on The Hilltop, which I hope we will be able to do again in a few short months. I am currently living in the seacoast area with my husband and two kiddos. Wrenn (Johns) Cavallo is still living out in Truckee, CA, and welcomed her second child, Sam Cavallo, in April of 2019.

Nolan Albarelli writes: “Hunkered down in Virginia with my wife and daughters—and all is well! Thinking about all the KUA alumni and faculty. I hope everyone is safe and in good spirits.”

Matt Lord and his partner, Kat Berry, are both healthy and (relatively) happy on their property in Montague, MA. Kat is pregnant and expecting in late July, which brings them much joy. Matt’s recent work recruiting for grassroots campaigns ended because of Covid-19. He took advantage of the break in work to plant 29 cider apple trees on part of his land, but he also looks forward to re-

1. Spencer Slaine ’06 and Elizabeth Russell were married on June 1, 2019

3. Brandon King ’99 and his wife welcomed a baby girl

3. Erin Frisch ’05 married Peter L. Newton in September

4. Madison Kenyon ’11 married Luke Psyhojos July 2019

turning to his prior work as an attorney representing SSDI claimants.

Congratulations to Ben Sheehan ’00 and Miriah Wall, who welcomed their daughter, Etta Lydon Wall, in September of 2019.

2001

Robin Liston ventured into Fitch in December 2018 to help out with Ms. Burroughs’ anatomy classes’ suture lab. He and wife Erin Mellow also welcomed their second daughter, Sylvie Argyle, in February 2020.

Chris Farrell ‘01 is working at Proctor Academy, and he and his wife welcomed their first baby, Martin Landon Farrell, in June of 2019.

2002

Lindsey J. Rickard (508) 769-7369 • lindseyjrickard@gmail.com

Tony Bragg returned to campus in February to exhibit his fantasy-inspired art show, Good News in a Bad News World , in Flickinger Art Center’s Taylor Gallery.

The class of 2023 Arts K-Term group met up with Nikki Williams, assistant registrar at the Hood Museum at Dartmouth College, and heard about her start in the art world in AP Art History at KUA in March. Nikki also joined fellow members of the KUA community at this year’s Georg Feichtinger Cup and Harry Robinson ’74 Memorial Ski day at Pico Mountain, where she successfully defended her title for the third year in a row.

Art and Shirley Sotloff, parents of Steven Sotloff, returned to The Hilltop in April 2019 to share and celebrate Steven’s life with the KUA Community.

2003

Nicole Ford-Burley is a senior research administrator at Norris Cotton Cancer Center at Dartmouth College returned to campus in January to work with current students for KUA’s Senior Ethics Day.

Dustin McLellan and Yuki Miyazaki were able to reconnect while in Tokyo in March 2019.

Alexis Liston returned to KUA in the fall as the dean of community life and belonging. She and Joshua Hunnewell welcomed their first child, Windsor “Winnie” Gray Harriet Hunnewell-Liston, in January 2020.

2004

Dylan McGraw is working for Hint Water and returned to campus in January for Senior Ethics Day and enjoyed speaking with students about his career experience.

Bryant Harris chaperoned the sophomore K-Term DC trip in March 2019 and bumped into Kathleen Nicholson while they were both chaperoning trips to a Washington Wizards game.

Bryan Frates and his wife welcomed their second child, daughter Alta Marin Frates, in November 2019.

Calder Gage married Abigail Vandenbosch on June 22, 2019.

2005

Dave Barrette, master chef, helped with the 2019 French & Spanish Cooking K-Term class and returned to campus in January to participate as a volunteer in Senior Ethics Day.

Erin Frisch married Peter L. Newton in September at the Hanover Inn in Hanover, NH, with Courtney A. Calia as her maid of honor.

Alyssa Mae (Bonnette) Eastman and husband Justin welcomed Lucas Gregory Eastman on April 16.

2006

Lauren M. Simaitis (603) 252-823 • aura.simaitis@gmail.com

Tom Estabrook is still living in San Francisco, where in 2019 he started a new role at the cryptocurrency company Coinbase. He will be leading talent strategy and analytics for recruiting, for which he will focus on implementing new, data-informed recruiting processes for the

company’s current hyper-growth stage.

Colby Clarkson married Emily Wilson on June 1, 2019, with alumni Peter Logan ’08, Ben Young, and Andy Wheating in attendance.

Spencer Slaine and Elizabeth Russell were married on June 1, 2019, in Burgundy.

Jeff Galvin and wife Leba welcomed their second child, Avery Benjamin Galvin, on May 25, 2019.

Congratulations to Matt Cosinuke, who was named the head coach of the EKU soccer program in early 2019.

2007

On April 22, 2020, Evan Roberts and wife Sarah (Cutts) Roberts ’08 welcomed daughter London Elizabeth.

2008

Tai Nixa Peterson (603) 731-4055 • nixatai@gmail.com

Juliet Taylor still resides in the Telegraph Hill neighborhood of South Boston with her lovely rescue dog Bronn. She started working in April 2019 at leading online video company Vimeo, which is based out of Manhattan, where she frequently visits.

Tai Nixa Peterson has been busy dancing! She looks forward to performing in August in The Quarry Project, a site-specific dance/theater piece being created for the Wells Lamson quarry, one of the oldest, deepest granite quarries in the country. She is also a company member with Ballet Vermont and last summer had the opportunity to tour in Farm to Ballet, a dance project that celebrates Vermont’s farming culture. Additionally, Tai is busy working as the deputy director of development for the Himalayan Cataract Project, a global public health nonprofit with a mission to cure blindness. Besides work and dance, she has enjoyed being active and spending time outdoors, and also recently traveled to Kenya, Tanzania, and Mexico.

Sarah Roberts was honored by receiving the 2019 KUA Faculty Cup by

vote of the senior class. On April 22, 2020, she and husband Evan Roberts ’07 welcomed daughter London Elizabeth.

2010

Daniel P. Lowenstein (914) 806-7085 • danny.lowenstein@gmail.com

Josh Dollinger and Lauren Borislow were married in Stowe, VT, on August 28, 2018, surrounded by many KUA family members and friends.

2011

Charlotte (Herbert) Alberts and husband George welcomed son Griffin on April 13, 2020.

2013

Jonathan Gould writes: “In the past year-ish I backpacked across Europe, moved to Boston, and started working at Greentown Labs—the world’s largest green-tech incubator. This past February my partner and I celebrated our four-year anniversary and I’ve started studying for the GMAT to get an M.B..A. in the coming year or two. PS, if you’re the one reading this, hi, Zack!” Parker Beaupre returned to campus in February 2019 to guest lecture in Mr. Hunewell’s Spanish class.

Senie Hunt returned to campus in February 2019 to perform an incredible Flick gig in the Flickinger Arts Center.

2016

Will Robbins-Cole returned to campus with grandfather, David Taylor ’45, for a visit in February.

2018

Congratulations to Jordan Harris, who played for Team USA in the 2019 Junior Summer Showcase. Additionally, Jordan scored the winning overtime goal against Boston University in the 2020 Beanpot Tournament, bringing home the third straight Beanpot title for Northeastern.

“It seems like just yesterday we were hanging out on The Hilltop.” KELLY FARRELL MILLER ’00

Class Notes

Obituaries

Remembering Allan Munro

Allan Munro ’55 P’81 ’83 ’11 ’13, a longtime supporter and devoted member of the Kimball Union family, passed away on March 25 at his home in New London, New Hampshire. He was 83.

Munro’s contributions to the KUA community began as student, when he served as president of the Class of 1955 during his senior year and was awarded the Class of 1920 Award. As an alumnus, he leaves an unparalleled legacy of service to the Academy.

While attending Dartmouth College, serving in the Army, raising a family, and developing a distinguished career, Munro still found time to devote significant effort to volunteering for his alma mater. Twice, for a total of 17 years, he served as a member of the KUA Board of Trustees, including nine years as its chairman. As an alumnus, he was a member of the Alumni Council and the National Advisory Council and served as chair of the Campaign Steering, Annual Fund Leadership Gift, and Reunion Giving Committees. He also acted as a class agent for more than 60 years.

Upon Munro’s retirement as board chair, Paul Sheff, a former trustee and longtime faculty member, commented: “Allan Munro stands out as one of the best trustees KUA has ever had. Few have outworked him or have been as generous or have so completely committed themselves to our mission.” Sheff went on, “I also want to speak of another kind of contribution Allan has made, and that is as a model of what it means to be a trustee. By his actions and his words, Allan provides guidance and stands as a wonderful model for service to school.”

“Allan’s contributions to the Academy are seen at every turn on The Hilltop,” said Head of School Tyler Lewis. “His generosity of spirit, dedication to the Academy’s mission, and unwavering support have benefited generations of KUA students. He is an example of how one can so fully embrace their educational experience and create a lasting legacy for others to share in that experience. We are enormously grateful for his support and deeply saddened by his passing.”

For his commitment of both time and treasure to the Academy, Munro was recognized in 1995 with the Alumni Council Volunteer Award and in 2005 was bestowed KUA’s highest hon-

or, the Kimball Union Medal. In 2005, Munroe House was renamed Munro House as a tribute to his exemplary service. Munro House continues to serve as the home to the head of school.

In 2006, Munro served as KUA’s commencement speaker. “I was told by a very successful person when I was at KUA—‘Success is holding onto one friendship in each phase of your life. It takes work, but it’s the best investment you can make,’ ” he advised graduates. “My volunteer work for KUA is selfish in a way, it disciplines me to stay connected.” Munro lived by these words and held onto far more friendships than just one from each phase of his life. His volunteer work was anything but selfish.

Many of Munro’s family members followed in his footsteps to KUA, including his wife, Kathy Munro H’13; brothers Louis Munro ’57 and Blake Munro ’62; daughters Robin Gronlund ’81, Lauren Dole ’83, and Amy Munro ’11; son Jonathan Munro ’13; and granddaughter Annie Gronlund ’11. Munro’s presence on The Hilltop will be missed, but his impact will be felt forever.

Trustee Bill Elliott

Trustee William “Bill” Elliott ’60 passed away on December 4, 2019, after a brief and sudden illness at the age of 77

Elliott was a member of the Kimball Union Academy Board of Trustees since 2013. He was greatly admired as a champion of education, having served as director of admission and vice president for enrollment at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) for 38 years. During his time at CMU, Elliott founded the Summer Academy for Math and Science, an enrichment program for underrepresented minority high school students.

Elliott earned a bachelor’s in mechanical engineering from Worcester Polytechnic Institute in 1966, a master’s in psychology from Clark University in 1969, and a Ph.D. from the University of Pittsburgh.

Elliott’s expertise in enrollment management and in marketing assisted the KUA Board of Trustees in making strategic enrollment decisions for more than a decade.

Elliott is survived by his wife, Cathy Downey, daughters Jennifer Elliott and Penny Hays, son-inlaw Sandy Hays, and granddaughter Avery Hays. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Joan.

Deaths

Robert P. Athanas ’65

Darrell S. Atwater ’86

David E. Babson ’62

Robert S. Ballantyne ’59

Wesley E. Barbour ’62

Robert A. Barrows ’42

Stephen H. Bishop Jr. ’56

Joseph R. Bove Jr. ’65

Philip S. Brockelman ’55

Otis W. Carney ’51

Norman F. Carver Jr. ’45

David G. Chase ’38

Rev. Paul C. Clayton ’51

Richard A. Cleary ’55

Donald J. Conner ’51

Robert L. Cutts ’41

Richard H. Daley ’57

William H. Davison ’51

John F. Decker ’61

Walter V. Demers Jr. ’47

Stephen A. Douglas ’64

Philias H. Dutille ’47

William Elliott ’60

Richard W. Esten ’50

Elizabeth Exton ’12

David B. Gaudes Sr. ’59

Paul B. Gifford ’45

Robert E. Graham ’43

David P. Guest

H.T. Hagstrom ’50

Richard F. Holden ’58

Wayne Hrydziusko ’81

Omar Isaac ’93

Edward F. Johnson ’62

Burt M. Keene ’68

James M. Kelley II ’47

Robert C. Kelly ’49

Rev. Ray H. Kiely ’36

Thaddius J. Launderville ’87

Edwin M. Leach ’45

Michael E. Lerner ’59

Malcolm F. MacLean III ’58

Peter M. Martinson ’59

Emma Towne Mosher ’36

Donald L. Muller ’45

Turley M. Muller ’96

Allan F. Munro ’55

James A. Nassikas ’45

Scott Noonan ’74

Jane C. Noonan ’74

John S. Norris ’56

Hugh O’Brien ’81

Ian M. Peacock ’46

Raymond W. Pratt ’57

William C. Quimby ’46

Burton D. Reed Jr. ’51

Luke V. Robinson ’85

James A. Saggiotes ’41

Erich G. Schmitt ’47

Peter T. Shallcross ’63

William Slade III ’43

Drew C. Sleeper ’48

Robbins B. Smith ’53

Edward L. Spalding Jr. ’59

Edward H. Stone ’37

Michael E. Sullivan ’85

Hubert D. Sycamore ’48

Robert B. Thomas ’49

Kenneth G. Tondreau ’56

Richard W. Waite ’55

Kinsley H. Walker ’50

John M. Wall ’81

Harry A. Wallace III ’54

Nathaniel H. Whiteside III ’47

Spencer V. Wright ’42

Walter E. Youtt ’53

FACULTY

Leonard Everett

John W. Ragle

Susan Ridgway

John M. Tichenor

Last Word

A Daughter of KUA Begins a New Chapter

Archivist Jane Fielder’s connection to Kimball Union is one for the history books—and perhaps there is no more appropriate book than the one she wrote to honor and chronicle the history of KUA for its bicentennial in 2013. In May Fielder retired from her role, capping 34 years of service to the Academy and a lifetime of KUA memories.

As the daughter of the 14th headmaster, Fielder spent her childhood immersed in the KUA experience. Her father, Fred “Coach” Carver, served as headmaster from 1936 to 1969 and raised his four children on The Hilltop. Fielder’s brothers, Jim ’56, Dave ’57, and Doug ’61, attended KUA, but the school’s boys-only policy dashed her hope of joining her siblings. Fielder’s children, Abigail ’91 and David ’90, however, continued the family legacy.

Despite her inability to attend KUA, Fielder’s dedication to the community never wavered. In 1978, after 12 years of living in the Scottish West Highlands, Meriden called her home. She joined the KUA staff in 1986 and has filled multiple roles during her tenure—working with the day care, development and

alumni relations, and public relations. She coached tennis and field hockey, managed the yearbook, advised students, assisted with graduation, acted as school photographer, and ultimately found her true calling as the Academy’s archivist and historian in 2002. Along the way she had an impact on generations of alumni, faculty, and students.

As archivist, she has worked tirelessly to manage, catalog, grow, and preserve the Academy’s collection of historical records, photographs, and memorabilia. Her blog, From the Archives, brought history to life and shared whimsical moments from KUA’s past. She corresponded frequently with individuals seeking to learn more about their ancestors and the lives they led at KUA. In 2013 Fielder’s extensive research into KUA’s 200-year history was compiled into a book, On the Hilltop, and a film, 200 Years on the Hilltop.

The degree that was long overdue was bestowed on Fielder in 2013, when she was recognized as an honorary member of the graduating class.

ALL IN THE FAMILY The Carver family at commencement in 1961. Fred and Jessie with Dave ’57, Doug ’61, Jane H’13, and Jim ’56

MERIDEN,

THE PATH HOME Students return to residence halls after practice on the track.