Spring 2019

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Kimball Union

JUNE ľļĽ9

The Schafer Years 2003–2019

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h There’s an excitement that reverberates throughout Kimball 8QLRQ $FDGHP\ WKDW LV ¿UPO\ rooted in history, nurtured by the guardians of the present, and protected and nourished by a vision for the future. Mike and Gayle have been and continue to be stewards of the dream that was born more than 200 years ago and is reaching with purpose and intention towards the future. Their impact on The Academy and on thousands of students and alumni cannot be PHDVXUHGħLW ZLOO FRQWLQXH WR JURZ throughout the coming years. The Schafer legacy is the strengthening of Kimball Union’s future, evident in the bricks and mortar, on the balance sheet, and in the heart of every Wildcat. —KATHY H’13 & ALLAN MUNRO ’55, P’81, ’83, ’11, ’13

Mike and Gayle have been and continue to be stewards of the dream that was born more than 200 years ago and is reaching with purpose and intention toward the future.

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h Over my 13 years as a parent, trustee, and fan of the school, I have watched as buildings, walkways, and interior spaces have been lovingly brought back to life with vibrancy and vision, all with Mike at the helm. I have seen the program transform from a pretty good one to a truly outstanding one through the hard work and dedication of a tireless and gifted faculty. I have watched a little school that didn’t fully believe in itself transform into one that is EULPPLQJ ZLWK FRQ¿GHQFH VWULGLQJ into the future knowing better than ever who it is and who it wants to be, and yet, somehow, wonderfully retaining that core humility that is so warm and welcoming, so KUA. —KRISTIN GRAHAM P’09, ’12, ’15

Over my 13 years as a parent and trustee, I have watched as buildings, walkways, and interior spaces have been lovingly brought back to life with vibrancy and vision, all with Mike at the helm.

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h Whether you were from a mile away or a continent away, you always felt like you had a home at KUA. That environment ZDV FXUDWHG E\ 0U 6FKDIHUħKH made an impression with every interaction and had a unique ability to make all of us feel important. I cannot emphasize enough the support that he provided me in my time of need. After I had cardiac arrest during football practice and was hospitalized for an extended period of time, Mr. Schafer made it known that KUA would be there whenever I was cleared to return, and when that time came, he was always available to make sure my transition back to Meriden was nothing short of excellent. —MATT KEENE ’08

Whether you were from a mile away or a continent away, you always felt like you had a home at KUA. That environment was curated by Mr. Schafer.

From the Board

As I consider my own departure as chair of Kimball Union’s Board of Trustees, coincident with Mike’s retirement, I look back fondly on the years we shared together under the spell of The Hilltop and the substantial changes and improvements that visited the school during that time. It seems therefore natural to celebrate what has been accomplished and how that has set the stage for what lies ahead in a commemorative magazine to be shared with the KUA community and beyond. This special edition is a retrospective on the Schafers’ time at KUA. It provides a window into the relationships that they forged within the community, the growth and success of KUA’s programs, and the transformation of the physical campus that grew directly out of Mike’s vision, and celebrates the Schafers’ thoughtful, caring stewardship of this KLVWRULF LQVWLWXWLRQ ,Q WKH FRQWH[W RI WKH ĥ\HDU history of the school, 2003 to 2019 might not seem like a long time; however, the growth that Kimball Union experienced during Mike’s tenure as Head of School has been nothing short of remarkable. On behalf of the entire Kimball Union Academy community, I thank Mike Schafer for a tremendously successful sixteen years on The Hilltop. —ROB SNOW ’85

Board Chair ħ 6

THE SCHAFER YEARS

LIBRARY NAMED IN HONOR OF THE SCHAFER FAMILY ON JUNE 7, KIMBALL UNION ACADEMY DEDICATED THE SCHAFER FAMILY LIBRARY IN MILLER BICENTENNIAL HALL IN HONOR OF THE SCHAFERS’ MANY CONTRIBUTIONS TO OUR SCHOOL AND THE COMMUNITY.

I look back fondly on the years we shared together under the spell of The Hilltop and the substantial changes and improvements that visited the school during Mike’s tenure.

JUNE 2019

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It’s All About the Kids BY J U LI A BR EN NA N .8$ 'LUHFWRU RI &RPPXQLFDWLRQV ħ

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THE SCHAFER YEARS

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“Mike was dedicated to bringing alumni back to FDPSXV LQ PDQ\ GLɲ HUHQW ways, as speakers, trustees, DQG IDFXOW\ĨHVSHFLDOO\ young faculty. Mike believed that the alumni had a unique perspective and an indescribable commitment to giving all of themselves to the institution.” DARRELL BEAUPRE ’86, P’16, ’20 FACULTY

—ALEXIS LISTON ’03

Faculty 10

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LFKDHO - 6FKDIHU EHJDQ KLV ÄĽ\HDU WHQXUH DV .LPEDOO 8QLRQÂśV WK +HDG RI 6FKRRO DW D SLYRWDO WLPH LQ WKH VFKRROÂśV KLVWRU\ħZLWK WKH advent of the new millennium and on the cusp of KUA’s bicentennial in 2013. An experienced independent school educator recognized for his innovation and energy, Mike immediately sensed that Kimball Union was poised to face the opportunities and challenges of its third century. He believed that the commitment and dedication of past leaders, faculty, and alumni, combined with an emerging VWUDWHJLF ORQJÄĽUDQJH YLVLRQ IRU WKH IXWXUH KDG XQLTXHO\ SRVLWLRQHG .LPEDOO 8QLRQ WR EHFRPH D OHDGLQJ WZHQW\ÄĽÂż UVWÄĽFHQWXU\ VFKRRO It was clear that KUA had found the right person, and that he had found the right school. Heralding his arrival, The Valley News quoted Mike, “It’s All About the Kids!â€? This became the mantra he used to guide Kimball Union Academy as he and his wife Gayle moved to The Hilltop with their three children, Hannah ’12, Joanna ’15, and Jonathan ’19. .LPEDOO 8QLRQÂśV FORVHÄĽNQLW FRPPXQLW\ LV RQH RI LWV IXQGDPHQWDO cornerstones and greatest assets. Nurturing, strengthening, and engaging the community and fostering connections among its members became a hallmark of Mike’s tenure, extending to all areas of school life and to each Kimball Union constituency. With a focus on Kimball Union’s most important constituents, a diverse and talented student body, Mike made shaping this JURXS RI WHHQDJHUVħZKR ZRXOG LQVSLUH RQH DQRWKHU ZKLOH OLYLQJ DQG OHDUQLQJ WRJHWKHUħD WRS SULRULW\ )LQGLQJ ZD\V WR PDNH WKDW possible was central to his mission. The Admission team traveled the globe to spread the word. Scholarship opportunities were H[SDQGHG DQG Âż QDQFLDO DLG VXSSRUW LQFUHDVHG WR DWWUDFW GHVHUYLQJ students who would contribute to Kimball Union through their common goals and unique perspectives. As a result, students from across the United States and from dozens of countries around the world came to The Hilltop in increasing numbers.

MICHAEL J. SCHAFER 18th Head of School: 2003–2019

JUNE 2019

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Actively engaging students in their education has long been a guiding principle. Under Mike’s leadership, KUA’s philosophy RI VWXGHQWÄĽOHG OHDUQLQJ WKDW HQFRXUDJHV VWXGHQWV WR FROODERUDWH with classmates and teachers, to take responsibility for their learning, and to develop their passions gathered momentum HDFK \HDU %ROVWHUHG E\ D PRGHUQ FXUULFXOXP FXWWLQJÄĽHGJH technology, and signature programs such as Senior Capstone, Writing Across the Curriculum, STEM, The Cullman 6FKRODU 3URJUDP DQG .ÄĽ7HUP WRGD\ÂśV VWXGHQWV KDYH FRXQWOHVV opportunities to explore their interests in depth and to interact with the world beyond their classrooms. As a bilingual former language teacher who had lived abroad DQG WUDYHOHG H[WHQVLYHO\ 0LNH NQHZ Âż UVWÄĽKDQG WKH YDOXH RI learning in an international environment. The Global Scholars Program, which allows students to immerse themselves in other cultures, was introduced. KUA became a founding member of the *OREDO $OOLDQFH IRU ,QQRYDWLYH /HDUQLQJ ÄŞ*$,/ÄŤ DQ HLJKWÄĽ school international consortium that gives students the chance to participate in cultural exchanges around the world and to interact virtually for discourse and discussion. .LPEDOO 8QLRQ HYROYHG LQWR D VWXGHQWÄĽOHG VFKRRO ZKHUH every student strives for their personal level of leadership and has a role to play in the community. A new Student Leadership program encourages students to discover opportunities that allow them to work collaboratively to enrich the community experience and build skills that ZLOO KHOS WKHP PDNH D GLÉą HUHQFH RECOGNIZING THE VITAL ROLE THAT THEY both at KUA and beyond in an increasingly complex world. To PLAY AS TEACHERS, MENTORS, COACHES, DORM UHĂ€ HFW WKLV FULWLFDO LQLWLDWLYH 0LNH PARENTS, AND ROLE MODELS, MIKE EXPANDED and the Board of Trustees updated FACULTY OPPORTUNITIES FOR PROFESSIONAL the Mission Statement to include GROWTH AND CURRICULAR DEVELOPMENT. “leadershipâ€? in addition to the ORQJÄĽKHOG SUHFHSWV RI DFDGHPLF mastery, creativity and responsibility. KUA’s connection to its community extends well beyond Meriden. Frequently accompanied by Gayle, Mike travelled far and wide to meet with alumni and friends. He listened to their experiences on The Hilltop, heard inspirational stories of Kimball Union’s past, and spoke of aspirations for the future. His 12

THE SCHAFER YEARS

“I truly believe that KUA is a stronger place now because of our investment in student leadership. Mike always said that there were many kinds of leaders; they are not all captain of the hockey team or All School President, but also are the students that make the most of their education and quietly and positively contribute to life around them.” —KAY MCCABE Faculty

“It’s already been nine years since I graduated from KUA, but I still cannot forget the warm welcoming moments from Mr. Schafer and his family whenever I visited his house on the top of the hill. Despite his busy schedule as the headmaster, he was always approachable and willing to help students in any way he could. I truly appreciate the fact that his door ZDV RSHQĨKLV ZLOOLQJQHVV WR OLVWHQ WR students’ voices made KUA a better and stronger community.” 14

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—JI EUN LEE ’10

ability to share his pride and enthusiasm for the school and his EROG YLVLRQ IRU WKH IXWXUH UHÄ¥LJQLWHG WKH LQWHUHVW RI PDQ\ DOXPQL 0DQ\ VLJQL¿ FDQW JLIWV WKDW KHOSHG WR WUDQVIRUP WKH VFKRRO and secure its future followed. The historic IMPACT capital campaign easily surpassed its goal when it concluded in 2013 DQG LQ WKH ODUJHVW JLIW LQ WKH VFKRRO¶V KLVWRU\ ZDV UHDOL]HG Thanks to the increased engagement and ongoing support by the Kimball Union family, annual giving grew dramatically under Mike’s stewardship. One of the biggest challenges of the Schafer era came in 2004 when a proposed housing development threatened to change the campus irrevocably. With the support of a group of GHGLFDWHG WUXVWHHV DQG DOXPQL WKH 6FKRRO DFTXLUHG D VLJQL¿ FDQW portion of the property, including the historic Annie Duncan House and 26 acres of land along the southeast border of the campus. A substantial gift from John Pope ’49 and his procurement of the Guesthouse from The Academy helped to ¿ QDQFH WKH SXUFKDVH 7KH 3RSH IDPLO\ ODWHU JDYH WKH EHDXWLIXOO\ restored and renamed Dad’s House back to the school. A subsequent gift from Mr. Pope helped to launch the Campus Masterplan in 2006. Community support for Mike’s vision for KUA became clear HDUO\ RQ ZKHQ WKH VFKRRO UHFHLYHG DQ DQRQ\PRXV UHFRUGÄ¥VHWWLQJ gift in 2007. This and other donations allowed Kimball Union to begin to realize some of the initiatives Mike had envisioned. While the Campus Masterplan was a FROODERUDWLYH ZRUN 0LNH¶V VWXGHQWÄ¥FHQWHUHG YLVLRQ SOD\HG DQ LPSRUWDQW DQG LQÀ XHQWLDO WHILE THE CAMPUS MASTERPLAN role in its conception and realization. WAS A COLLABORATIVE WORK, MIKE’S Soon the Lower Fields project, with Pope 678'(17Ħ&(17(5(' 9,6,21 3/$<(' $1 Field as its centerpiece, took shape. The IMPORTANT AND INFLUENTIAL ROLE IN ITS Academy acquired Brewster House and its CONCEPTION AND REALIZATION. acreage along Route 120, which provided a VLJQL¿ FDQW RSSRUWXQLW\ WR H[SDQG WKH DGMDFHQW DWKOHWLF ¿ HOGV 0LNH KDG HQYLVLRQHG D VHULHV RI FRQWLJXRXV ¿ HOGV with athletes of all levels playing side by side. Today Wildcat spirit is in full evidence every fall and spring Wednesday and Saturday ZKHQ VWXGHQWV IDFXOW\ SDUHQWV DOXPQL DQG IULHQGV ¿ OO WKH sidelines to support KUA athletes. 7KH ¿ UVW PDMRU EXLOGLQJ LQLWLDWLYH WKH EHDXWLIXO %DUUHWWH JUNE 2019

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&DPSXV &HQWHU RSHQHG LWV GRRUV LQ 7KLV UHQRYDWLRQ WR WKH 'LQLQJ &RPPRQV DQG QHZ OLJKWĥ¿ OOHG DWULXP DGGLWLRQ TXLFNO\ became a campus hub for both day and boarding students. Returning to KUA’s agrarian roots, the Farm Program was LQWURGXFHG LQ ZLWK D WZRÄ¥IROG JRDO WR ¿ QG ZD\V WR UHGXFH waste and to connect the community with its food sources. In 2017 Kimball Union’s Pork Project won an award for Best :DVWH 5HGXFWLRQ 3URJUDP LQ WKH 1HZ (QJODQGĦEDVHG *UHHQ Up Challenge. The Bicentennial Celebration in 2013 brought almost 900 alumni and guests from 30 states and 9 countries back to The +LOOWRS 7KH FDPSXV HYHQWV ZHUH WKH JUDQG ¿ QDOH RI D \HDUÄ¥ long celebration during which Mike and Gayle traveled across the United States and around the world meeting with alumni, families, and friends. With the Bicentennial as a catalyst and the historic success of the IMPACT capital campaign as a vehicle, Kimball Union’s campus continued to be enhanced and transformed. Miller Bicentennial Hall became the campus centerpiece and academic FRUH KRXVLQJ D VWDWHÄ¥RIÄ¥WKH DUW OLEUDU\ ĪUHFHQWO\ GHGLFDWHG 7KH 6FKDIHU )DPLO\ /LEUDU\Ä« 6PDUW TM classrooms, meeting rooms, study spaces, and the Learning Center. The Barn indoor WXUI ¿ HOG ZDV EXLOW WR SURYLGH DWKOHWHV ZLWK YDOXDEOH SUDFWLFH space during inclement weather and shoulder seasons. The Bishop Alumni house was purchased and renovated. The former ONE OF MIKE’S GOALS WAS THAT EVERY KUA &RÉ· Q /LEUDU\ ZDV UHLPDJLQHG DV WKH home of the STEM program and a STUDENT WOULD BE A GUEST AT HIS HOME, MUNRO HOUSE, AT LEAST ONCE DURING THEIR Maker Space. The beautiful McCray Lobby is the crowning jewel of KUA EXPERIENCE. HE AND GAYLE DID THEIR renovations to Flickinger Arts Center. BEST TO MAKE THAT A REALITY. The Fitch Science classrooms were updated and Baxter Hall was repurposed LQWR DGPLQLVWUDWLYH RÉ· FHV 7KH KRFNH\ ULQN DQG WHQQLV FRXUWV ZHUH UHQRYDWHG D VRODU ¿ HOG DQG WUDLO QHWZRUN ZHUH GHYHORSHG and campus lighting was redesigned. The new Carver Courtyard and Bicentennial Quadrangle enhance existing outdoor spaces. .XUWK +RXVH D QHZ JLUO¶V GRUPLWRU\ ZDV DGGHG WR WKH House, which had been purchased earlier as a faculty home. 16

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JOY THROUGH SORROW TEAMMATES OF JANIE CHASE COZZI ’19 AFTER THEIR LAKES REGION CHAMPIONSHIP WIN PLAYED IN HER MEMORY

´2QH RI RXU VWDQGÄŚRXW PHPRULHV of Mike as a leader was how he handled the tragic GHDWKV RI 6WHYHQ 6RWORɲ ¡ and, later, Janie Cozzi. His focus and attention in a crisis situation were nothing short RI EULOOLDQWĨD VSHFLDO JLIW :H often say, “A leader is someone you follow even if you don’t have toâ€? and the entire KUA family was fully behind Mike.â€? —MICHAEL AND JENNIFER KURTH BORISLOW ’78, P’07, ’10

FALL ĽŅņ

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Additional faculty housing, including Annie Duncan House, Gray House, Brewster House, and MacLeay House, were SXUFKDVHG ([LVWLQJ IDFXOW\ KRPHV UHFHLYHG VLJQL¿ FDQW XSJUDGHV and updates and outdoor spaces were added. Renovations were designed to provide privacy for faculty and their families while at the same time giving students ready access to their dorm parents and advisors. In keeping with a commitment to the environment and sustainability, solar panels were added to the roof of Miller and D ODUJH VRODU DUUD\ ZDV LQVWDOOHG EHKLQG WKH EXLOGLQJ $ VWXGHQWÄ¥ initiated wind turbine provides auxiliary power to Miller as well. And then, amid the many successes and celebrations of the Schafer era, the Kimball Union community showed its true strength when it faced two unimaginable tragedies. 7KH EUXWDO PXUGHU RI 6WHSKHQ 6RWORɱ ¶ E\ ,6,6 LQ September 2014 put Kimball Union on the world stage. Students, faculty, and alumni came together in horror and disbelief to honor and pay tribute to him. Mike represented the school at Stephen’s memorial service in Florida and worked with his family WR HVWDEOLVK WKH 6WHSKHQ - 6RWORɱ )XQG WR ,QVSLUH -RXUQDOLVP DQG Global Scholarship in his memory. Tragedy struck closer to home in October 2016 when a member of the Class of 2019, Janie Chase Cozzi, was killed in a senseless car accident. Mike, together with a grieving faculty, rose to the challenge of supporting her devastated classmates and friends and found countless ways to pay tribute to Janie as they mourned A BEAUTIFUL STONE BENCH someone who had touched them so closely. OVERLOOKING CHELLIS POND AND THE A beautiful stone bench overlooking Chellis 3RQG DQG WKH DWKOHWLF ¿ HOGV ZDV FRQVWUXFWHG ATHLETIC FIELDS WAS CONSTRUCTED to provide a space for community members TO PROVIDE A SPACE FOR COMMUNITY WR FRQWHPSODWH UHÀ HFW UHPHPEHU -DQLH DQG MEMBERS TO CONTEMPLATE, REFLECT, REMEMBER JANIE, AND CELEBRATE THEIR celebrate their KUA experience. She was especially remembered at Commencement KUA EXPERIENCE. 2019 as her classmates graduated. Mike’s overarching goal as Head of School at Kimball Union was to create the best environment IRU OHDUQLQJ D VWXGHQWÄ¥FHQWHUHG DSSURDFK WKDW H[WHQGHG WR all campus improvements. Mike believed in the creation of intentional formal and informal spaces and places for living 18

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“It was my job to see that The Academy created the KUA Wildcat and the Victory %HOOĨ, H[SODLQHG WR 0LNH ZKDW I needed, and he gave me the green light. I had more support than I could possibly need. What I remember the most about these events was how much freedom I had to create these icons and the support I got from Mike to do the best job for The Academy's Bicentennial.” —MIKE TAUPIER H’14, P’98, ’01

Former Senior Master

TRADITIONS ELVA’S BELL TOLLS TO SIGNAL WILDCAT VICTORIES.

“Kimball Union Academy was RQH RI WKH À UVW LQGHSHQGHQW schools in the country to produce 7KH /DUDPLH 3URMHFWĨWKH story of Matthew Shepherd, who was killed for being gay. When I told Mike I wanted to produce the play, he was incredibly supportive and trusting. Ultimately, he helped the Arts Department bring to KUA, what is, to this day, one of the most important, timely, IXOO\ HQJDJLQJ FRPPXQLW\ĦZLGH HGXFDWLRQDO PRPHQWV LQ P\ Ħ year career here.” —DAVID WEIDMAN

Assistant Head of School

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and learning. Honoring and respecting Kimball Union’s rural YLOODJH VHWWLQJ DQG KLVWRULF EXLOGLQJV ZKLOH FUHDWLQJ D WZHQW\ÄĽ Âż UVWÄĽFHQWXU\ FDPSXV ZDV WKH JXLGLQJ SULQFLSDO %XLOGLQJ DQG renovating with energy reduction and sustainability in mind were critical goals. Connecting past to present, many of the campus improvement projects honor members of the Kimball Union community who have contributed in countless ways to the school. While the programmatic enhancements and physical manifestations of Kimball Union’s growth and progress under Mike’s leadership are easy to appreciate, some of his most VLJQLÂż FDQW FRQWULEXWLRQV DUH OHVV YLVLEOH ,Q DGGLWLRQ WR KLV steadfast stewardship of the learning enterprise, the spirit of .LPEDOO 8QLRQ Ă€ RXULVKHG XQGHU KLV OHDGHUVKLS Mike had a deep appreciation for the Kimball Union legacy and the role it played in school culture. He wanted each Kimball Union student, past and present, to be aware of the school’s ULFK KLVWRU\ DQG RI WKHLU VKDUHG H[SHULHQFHV 7LPHÄĽKRQRUHG traditions such as Baccalaureate, the Candle Light Service, and All School Meetings were embraced. Traditions that had fallen by the wayside, including Convocation and the ringing of the Baxter Bell, were renewed. And new traditions, such as 2ULHQWDWLRQ &DPSLQJ 7ULSV DQ DOOÄĽVFKRRO $ZDUGV &HUHPRQ\ DQG )UHVKPHQ 0DWULFXODWLRQ ZHUH LQWURGXFHGħDOO ZLWK WKH JRDO of connecting students throughout the decades to The Hilltop and to one another. ,Q UHĂ€ HFWLQJ EDFN 0LNH KDV RIWHQ STUDENTS AND FACULTY EMBRACE attributed the progress and growth during THEIR SCHOOL’S TRADITIONS AND HAVE KLV \HDUV DW .8$ÂśV KHOP WR D PLQGÄĽVHW CREATED NEW ONES OF THEIR OWN. and culture of continuous improvement. He strove to build a common sense of purpose within the school community, taking a long view for the institution while at the same time focusing on each current student every day. Mike is undoubtedly most proud of something that is consistently remarked upon by campus YLVLWRUV Âł.8$ IHHOV OLNH VXFK D KDSS\ SODFH ´ &UHDWLQJ D SRVLWLYH HQYLURQPHQW ZKHUH VWXGHQWV Ă€ RXULVK live, learn, and grow together was always the goal. Happy students who are engaged members of a vibrant learning community was the intended and inevitable outcome. After all, for Mike Schafer, it was always “all about the kids.â€? K JUNE 2019

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Kimball Union

A Global Community 2003–2019

40

States represented

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2332 Number of students

61

Countries where international students are represented

JUNE 2019

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2016 CUBA TRIP INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL AND IMMERSION IN OTHER CULTURES WAS ENCOURAGED AND EXPANDED DURING THE SCHAFER YEARS.

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The World is My Campus I was attracted to KUA because I thought it would be a school that would RÉąHU RSSRUWXQLWLHV WR WU\ QHZ WKLQJV DQG H[SORUH RWKHU SDUWV RI WKH ZRUOG I didn’t come from a family that traveled, and even though KUA was in the middle of nowhere, I knew I would have opportunities there I would never get at home in Massachusetts. KUA was a great place to try new things, and while basketball was my IRFXV , WULHG FURVVÄĽFRXQWU\ UXQQLQJ ÂżHOG KRFNH\ DQG , DOVR SOD\HG WHQQLV IRU WKH ÂżUVW WLPH , ZDV RQ WKH YDUVLW\ EDVNHWEDOO WHDP DOO IRXU \HDUV DQG was planning to play in college. My freshman year at KUA, we won the 2007 NEPSAC championships and I remember looking up in the crowd and seeing Mr. Schafer in the stands. It meant a lot to me to realize that the head of our school drove three hours just to watch our game. Of course, it’s also a game I’ll never forget DV , HQGHG XS VLQNLQJ WKH JDPHÄĽZLQQLQJ IUHH WKURZV , GRQÂśW UHPHPEHU P\ ÂżUVW PHHWLQJ ZLWK 0U 6FKDIHUħEXW KH was always very friendly and went out of his way for the students of color. There were times when we felt isolated in the woods of New Hampshire, so it was incredibly important to know that he really cared and wanted to make sure all the students were truly comfortable at KUA. For my junior year, I wanted to study abroad in China. I came from a VLQJOHÄĽSDUHQW KRXVHKROG DQG ZRQGHUHG KRZ , FRXOG IXQG WKLV WULS , QHYHU wanted a handout; my mom worked extremely hard for everything we had and to provide for our education, so I wanted to follow that example. I went to him to explain my challenge and he said, “I think I can help you. Would you be interested in helping watch our son, Jon?â€? , GRQÂśW WKLQN , UHDOL]HG LW DW WKH WLPH EXW KH GHÂżQLWHO\ RYHUSDLG PH and he did so in a way that made me feel like I was earning what I needed. Being in China opened my mind to the world. Growing up, I had gone to the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico with my family, but China was unlike any place I had ever been. Until then, I was focused on playing college basketball. That experience changed my focus. Since then, I have traveled to more than 20 countries to study, volunteer, and simply explore. Travel has shaped my writing and my world. That trip to China changed my life, and it wouldn’t have happened if Mr. Schafer hadn’t made it —GREYDY DIAZ ’10 possible by letting me work for it. JUNE 2019

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Mike had the vision and resolve to see the lower campus transformed into a beautiful athletic facility.” —ANDREW KAPLAN

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Athletics Recast +HDGV RI VFKRROV KDYH WR PDNH GLÉ· FXOW GHFLVLRQV 2QH RI WKH ¿ UVW FRQWURYHUVLDO decisions Mike Schafer made had to do with improving our DWKOHWLF ¿ HOG FRPSOH[ 7KH ORZHU ¿ HOGV ZHUH dated, covered in crab grass and weeds, uneven, and had sections where WKH JUDVV ZDV EHLQJ VWLÀ HG by pine needles. Mike had the vision and resolve to see the lower campus transformed into a beautiful athletic facility with proper grading, drainage, irrigation, lush grass, DQG RI FRXUVH D WXUI ¿ HOG 'RLQJ VR required the removal of several trees and the installation of lights. Those changes, while necessary, were met ZLWK VWLɱ RSSRVLWLRQ E\ DOXPQL DQG town residents. With patience and perseverance, he was able to navigate through the obstacles, resulting in an athletic complex that is the envy of the Lakes Region. The importance of the WXUI ¿ HOG DQG D IDFLOLW\ OLNH WKH %DUQ LQ D Northern New England school can’t be overemphasized. 0LNH 6FKDIHU¶V ¿ QJHUSULQWV FDQ be seen in every corner and on every surface of Kimball Union Academy. From programming and infrastructure to arts, athletics, global awareness, and WKH HWKRV LQ JHQHUDO KLV LQÀ XHQFH LV ubiquitous. —ANDREW KAPLAN, Faculty JUNE 2019

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H Helping guide the construction and renovation of Miller Bicentennial Hall is perhaps Mike Schafer’s single greatest contribution to the story of KUA today.” —DAVID WEIDMAN

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THE SCHAFER YEARS

Campus Transformation Helping guide the construction and renovation of Miller Bicentennial Hall is perhaps Mike Schafer’s single greatest contribution to the story of KUA today. Upon recommendation from UK Architects, his vision to use the strong, existing building called for breaking down historic silos of activity to bring the humanities, library sciences, technology, and learning services under one roof. The building embodies Mike’s educational philosophy of interpersonal education and the supreme importance RI UHODWLRQDO OHDUQLQJ ZLWKLQ FRPPXQLW\ ,WV WUDQVSDUHQW OLJKWĥ¿ OOHG LQWHULRUV DQG WHFKQRORJLFDOO\ HQKDQFHG FODVVURRPV HQFRXUDJH FROODERUDWLRQ UHÀ HFWLRQ DQG LQQRYDWLRQ :RUNLQJ with Mike on this project and witnessing his unrelenting approach to his philosophy of education and WKH KLJKHVW DHVWKHWLF VWDQGDUGV ZKLOH UHVSRQVLEO\ YDOXHÄ¥HQJLQHHULQJ WKH VFRSH RI WKH SURMHFW LV P\ —DAVID WEIDMAN fondest memory of our time together. Assistant Head of School

0LNH 6FKDIHU FDQ EH GHVFULEHG LQ RQH ZRUG YLVLRQDU\ 7KURXJK KLV WDOHQWV DV ERWK D visionary and a fundraiser, Mike transformed a sleepy, rural campus into a polished, VWDWHÄ¥RIÄ¥WKHÄ¥DUW OHDUQLQJ DQG OLYLQJ HQYLURQPHQW 7KH SLQQDFOH RI WKLV HYROXWLRQ ZDV WKH WUDQVIRUPDWLRQ RI 0LOOHU 6WXGHQW &HQWHU LQWR 0LOOHU %LFHQWHQQLDO +DOO D VWDWHÄ¥RIÄ¥WKHÄ¥DUW humanities facility with tech classrooms and library, placing KUA on solid footing to SURFHHG WKURXJK WKH WZHQW\ĥ¿ UVW FHQWXU\ ZLWK ERWK WHFKQRORJLFDOO\ VRXQG SULQFLSOHV as well as informed faculty. This transformation spread across campus to Fitch and ultimately the development of a nationally renowned STEM program. Student spaces were improved ZLWK HTXDO OHYHOV RI WKRXJKWIXOQHVV IURP WKH FRQVWUXFWLRQ RI D QHZ JLUO¶V GRUP WR WKH À RZ RI WKH TXDG WKH FRQVWUXFWLRQ RI WKH ¿ HOG KRXVH WKH LQVWDOODWLRQ RI WKH RXWGRRU WXUI ¿ HOG LPSURYHPHQWV WR WKH RWKHU DWKOHWLF ¿ HOGV SOXV WKH DGGLWLRQV RI WKH :LOGFDW VWDWXH DQG (OYD¶V EHOO 7KH OLVW LV H[SDQVLYH touching every aspect of campus life. From the moment Mike’s feet hit the ground in Meriden, he IDFHG HYHU\ SUREOHP ZLWK 7KH $FDGHP\¶V ORQJÄ¥WHUP VXFFHVV LQ PLQG )URP KLV EDWWOH WR VWRS D PDMRU housing development from encroaching on our picturesque campus to courageously eliminating the school’s storied football program, he understood the needs of both today’s and tomorrow’s students and the school’s place in their minds and hearts. Mike understood the changing needs of WKH VWXGHQWV DQG WKH FKDQJLQJ GHPRJUDSKLFV RI 7KH $FDGHP\ DV ZHOO DV KRZ SULYDWH HGXFDWLRQ ¿ WV LQWR WKH WZHQW\ĥ¿ UVWÄ¥FHQWXU\ IDPLO\ +H DSSURDFKHG VWXGHQWV¶ GHYHORSPHQWDO QHHGV ZLWK WKRXJKWIXO compassion, helping each individual grow in an environment that engendered diversity. MILLER EXPANSION

—JIM GRAY ’66, H’14, P’02, ’04

Former CFO/COO JUNE 2019

29

+ QHVW OHJDF\ LV KLV ORYH RI WKLV VFKRRO +LV À KLV VXSSRUW RI WKLV IDFXOW\ KLV GHHS NQRZOHGJH RI RXU VWXGHQWV his ability to connect.” —JOHN KLUGE

30

THE SCHAFER YEARS

Love of School

JENNY BLUE FACULTY

I was a member of the small faculty committee that was an integral part of the interview process. I remember Mike hustling into the room, possibly a few minutes late, needing to quickly put on a suit. I had an immediate impression of energy and purpose. In our interview process, he spoke articulately about what he saw as KUA’s most pressing needs, making it evident that he foresaw having to be on the road quite a bit fundraising, but that the core of the future was in the hands of the faculty working with students, that our visions mattered. At the end of the interview, KH DVNHG LI ZH KDG DQ\ Âż QDO SLHFHV RI DGYLFH IRU KLP , VDLG Âł:KHQ SODQQLQJ IDFXOW\ VWDÉą SDUWLHV DOZD\V JR IRU WKH ELJ VKULPS ´ 2YHU WKH \HDUV KH WRRN P\ DGYLFHħDQG RYHU WKH \HDUV , JUHZ WR LQFUHDVLQJO\ XQGHUVWDQG his knowledge of, and love for, this school. He was always busy, and often on fundraising expeditions, but when you talked with him, he always had this wonderful ability to make you feel that you truly mattered. Every once in a while, perhaps only every other year, I would make an appointment to chat with him, and I always came away from those discussions feeling uplifted, as Mike listened carefully, shared his knowledge and his dreams for The Academy, and left me with a sense that he supported me as both an educator and a person. , KDG FKDLUHG WKH 1($6& ÄŞ1HZ (QJODQG $VVRFLDWLRQ RI 6FKRROV DQG &ROOHJHVÄŤ DFFUHGLWDWLRQ HYDOXDWLRQ RI .8$ IRU 7LP .QR[ VR DW VRPH SRLQW in 2009, Mike asked me if I would once again chair that process for him. Of FRXUVH , VDLG Âł<HV ´ )RU WZR \HDUV , ZRUNHG FORVHO\ ZLWK WKH IDFXOW\ WKH VWDÉą WKH DGPLQLVWUDWRUV DQG WKH +HDG WR SUHVHQW DQ LQVLJKWIXO FRPSUHKHQVLYH VHOIÄĽ study to NEASC. That can be a challenging and stressful process, and Mike ORYHG WR ZRUGVPLWK <HW LQ WKH HQG RXU GLVFXVVLRQV OHG WR D EHWWHU VHOIÄĽVWXG\ and to a shared understanding of Kimball Union Academy and its future. In fact, last year I noted to Mike that 2021 was just around the corner. He asked, “Do you want to chair another one?â€? Of course, I said, “Yes.â€? So, I am not very good at foretelling the future, as a new Head needs to make his own choices, but this I do know; in his 16 years as Head of School, Mike brought The Academy forward into a secure present, poised for a vigorous IXWXUH +LV Âż QHVW OHJDF\ LV KLV ORYH RI WKLV VFKRRO KLV VXSSRUW RI WKLV IDFXOW\ KLV deep knowledge of our students, his ability to connect. I always felt that Mike understood teaching, that he understood my challenges and passions, that he had my back. I will miss him. —JOHN KLUGE ’66, Faculty JUNE 2019

31

The Power of Relationships $V , UHĂ€ HFW RQ P\ WLPH ZRUNLQJ ZLWK DQG observing Mike Schafer, I keep coming back to two themes that are powerful legacies of his time at Kimball Union. 7KH Âż UVW LV DVSLUDWLRQħ0LNH KHOSHG XV and often challenged us, to believe in what we could become and needed to become to secure a bright future for Kimball Union. He was unrelenting in his vision for the program and the facilities needed WR IXOÂż OO RXU HGXFDWLRQDO JRDOV DQG IRU WKH SHRSOH ERWK VWXGHQWV DQG DGXOWV who brought personality and purpose to the community. Through these HÉą RUWV KH SURIHVVLRQDOL]HG WKH LQVWLWXWLRQ DQG VWUHQJWKHQHG RXU EUDQG LQ profound ways. Without a doubt, the second theme for me is relationships. I don’t think there was ever a speech or communication where Mike didn’t keep the importance of relationships at the forefront. Whether it was to people, ideas, experiences, or “the place,â€? Mike reminded us that relationships enhance our engagement and emotional connection to the community, and would be sustained long after one’s time on The Hilltop concluded. Mike’s own relationships with students ran deep, and my close partnership with him allowed me to see just how meaningful those were to him. He took great pride in the success of a student and felt great pain when adversity struck. I will always remember Mike recounting FRQYHUVDWLRQV ZLWK 6WHYHQ 6RWORÉą KXGGOHG XQGHU D GHVN IRU VDIHW\ VRPHZKHUH LQ WKH ZDUÄĽWRUQ 0LGGOH (DVW GLVFXVVLQJ WKH FKDOOHQJHV RI sustaining the school’s football program, or his later visit to campus to present at Global Fair. Mike cared deeply for Steven’s safety and for the safety of all the students and adults in his care, and I would argue he was at his best in those quiet and personal moments of caring for others. , DP LQGHEWHG WR 0LNH IRU KLV FRQÂż GHQFH DQG WUXVW DQG IRU WKH important ways he mentored me as I progressed in my various roles at the school. Occasionally, he would share openings at other schools he thought , VKRXOG SXUVXH DQG ,ÂśG DVN KLP LI KH ZDQWHG PH WR OHDYHħEXW WKDW ZDV QRW it at all. Mike simply had aspirations for me that I just wasn’t ready to see for myself. —JOE WILLIAMS P’15, ’16, ’19 Former Assistant Head of School 32

THE SCHAFER YEARS

FALL ĽÅ…ņ

33

Transitions When one retires as head of a boarding school, one is not just leaving a job. One is leaving a complete life. You have been totally immersed. The school has been your home, your entertainment, your friends, and your children. When we left Kimball Union after 14 years, Tim had been a headmaster for 23 years, and at the age of 63, was ready to retire. But Kimball Union had been a wonderful place for us and we ZHUH WRWDOO\ LQYHVWHG LQ LWV SDVWħDQG LWV IXWXUH So, when we were to meet the choice of the board to be Tim’s replacement, we were anxious that it should be someone who would look after this “babyâ€? of ours. The Schafers were introduced to us in a UHOD[HG ZD\ LQ RXU NLWFKHQ ÄŞVRRQ WR EH WKHLUVÄŤ DQG LPPHGLDWHO\ ZH IHOW reassured. These were people who could be as comfortable at KUA as we had been. They would look after our faculty and students, take care of the campus, and help our school with all its history move into the WZHQW\ÄĽÂż UVW FHQWXU\ It’s a tricky thing, handing over a child! We wanted our successor parents to love that child as much as we had, and to look after it well. At the same time, the retiring head needs not to get in the way of the new one. He would need to feel that same ownership, and be able to make decisions that were his own, not just a continuation of what we had done. So, although we remained in the Upper Valley, we moved D GLVWDQFH DZD\ ÄŞWR (DVWPDQÄŤ DQG GHFLGHG WR VSHQG SDUW RI HDFK \HDU in Wales, where we could be within easy reach of two of our three children, who by then were based in London. Now, suddenly, it is 16 years later and we are seeing the Schafers go through their own transition. Looking back, it has been a really good 16 years for Kimball Union. From the start, Mike and Gayle always made us feel welcome on campus. Although we tried not to get in their way, their friendship has been an important element in our continuing relationship with KUA. We would catch up with them at games or at openings or productions in the Arts Center. More formally, they have always acknowledged us warmly at the receptions we have been able to attend. We have so enjoyed watching our school become their school, too. We still feel part of Kimball Union Academy, and we are very proud of “ourâ€? school. Thank you so much, Mike and Gayle! —ELIZABETH KNOX H’99 Former Director of Publications 34

THE SCHAFER YEARS

1 1RZ VXGGHQO\ LW LV 16 years later and we are seeing the Schafers go through their own transition.Looking EDFN LW KDV EHHQ a really good 16 years for Kimball Union.� —ELIZABETH KNOX

Working as Kimball Union’s archivist and having immersed myself in its history, I’ve come to believe that there are two things that have made this Academy WKULYH DQG JURZ LWV ERG\ DQG LWV VRXO ,WV ERG\ħWKH FDPSXVħ began when a small, wooden structure, built partly with the KDQGV RI WKH Âż UVW PDMRU GRQRU Daniel Kimball, opened its doors to seven students on January 10, 7RGD\ RYHU \HDUV ODWHU WKURXJK WKH OHDGHUVKLS RI Heads of School, we have a most impressive campus of both new, modern buildings and renewed ROG RQHV SOXV XSÄĽWRÄĽGDWH DWKOHWLF Âż HOGV DQG ZHOO RYHU VWXGHQWV The soul of The Academy comes from the men and women in the classrooms, the students they teach and coach, the administrators, their VWDÉą DQG WKH IDFLOLWLHV crew who, daily, keep it all running smoothly. Michael Schafer, the WK +HDG RI 6FKRRO appreciated all that he found here in the fall of 2003, but came with his own vision for expansion and development in both the campus and in education. We can see all around us the result of his 16 years of tireless work at Kimball Union. Speaking as a faculty child from the Brewster/Carver years, one thing I know about the seven Heads with whom, in one ZD\ RU DQRWKHU ,ÂśYH DVVRFLDWHGħ without their partners, the

experience wouldn’t have been as fruitful or as worthwhile. Gayle was always right there alongside Mike and did her part to make The Academy a place where young people would want to spend the best years of their teenage lives. In 2009, Mike presented my mother, Jessie Carver English, with the school’s highest honor, the Kimball Union Medal. He XQGHUVWRRG WKH VDFUL¿ FH WKHVH women made raising a family in D SULYDWH VFKRRO ZKLOH IXO¿ OOLQJ one’s duties to the school, whether WKURXJK KDUG ¿ QDQFLDO WLPHV ZKHQ WKHUH ZDV DQ ³DOOļKDQGVļRQļ deck� approach or during more prosperous times, when growth was viable. My mother was grateful that her past dedication to Kimball Union was recognized, as was I when Michael surprised me with an honorary Kimball Union diploma at the Bicentennial Commencement in 2013. It was a wonderful honor and I very much appreciated being able to join my three brothers, who were able to attend The Academy during the DOOļER\V \HDUV DV D JUDGXDWH RI Kimball Union. I wish Mike and Gayle and their three children, Hannah ’12, Joanna ’15 and Jonathan ’19, all the best in the years to come; they surely deserve our heartfelt thanks and appreciation for all that they accomplished during 16 years at Kimball Union Academy. —JANE FIEDLER H’13, P’90, ’91

School Archivist JUNE 2019

35

Kimball Union

Campus Growth 2003–2019 Duncan House & 26 acres

Barrette Campus Center

Gray House

2006

2010

MacLeay House

2003 2004

2007 2008 Brewster House

3RSH )LHOGV &RPSOH[

36

THE SCHAFER YEARS

Miller Renovation

Solar Installations

Kurth House Dormitory The Barn

2018

2013

2014ďšť16

2017

2019

New Faculty Houses

Bicentenial Courtyard

JUNE 2019

37

Reflections

h

Mike was extremely skilled at making connections with people and EXLOGLQJ ORQJļODVWLQJ UHODWLRQVKLSV +H showed genuine interest and concern for the people he surrounded himself ZLWK +H PDGH WKH Hɹ RUW WR JHW WR NQRZ my extended family. I will be forever grateful to Mike for making my dad DQG IDWKHUļLQļODZ IHHO ZHOFRPH DW WKH school when they showed up for sporting events and grandparents’ days to support our daughter. Mike’s great energy and HQWKXVLDVP IRU .8$ ZDV HYHUļSUHVHQW He was always interested in bettering the facilities, advocating for the faculty, and making the school a welcoming environment. KUA is a tremendously EHWWHU VFKRRO WRGD\ WKDQ ZKHQ KH ¿ UVW arrived and well positioned for the future because of Mike’s leadership.

2QH RI WKH PRUH GLɡ FXOW and important jobs that a Head of School must do is deal with the Board of Trustees. As a IRUPHU ÄŞDQG VRRQ UHWXUQLQJÄŤ member of the Board, I was always impressed with how Mike navigated through the frequently rough road that he had to travel to establish consensus among a very opinionated group. Every one of us was quite certain that we knew how to run the school better than anyone had ever done, and we were not reluctant to make sure that Mike, and our fellow trustees, knew that. While the Board’s mission is to oversee and support the Head of School LQ PDNLQJ GLɡ FXOW FKRLFHV RXU meetings sometimes resembled a not especially impressive debate club competition. It’s an understatement to say that Mike demonstrated exceptional aplomb in every instance in dealing with these mildly contentious gatherings. He always made each of us feel that our opinions counted and we were making real contributions to The Academy. Somehow, despite the intensity of the discussion, we all became closer after these meetings. I think there is a job at the United Nations for Mike.

—JEFF CUTTS ’73, H’08, P’08

—DON LOWERY ’73

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38

THE SCHAFER YEARS

, Âż UVW PHW 0LNH ZKHQ , ZDV just barely 14 years old. My father, -HÉą &XWWV LQYLWHG 0LNH DQG KLV family over to catch up during an especially hot March day in Naples, Florida. After initially meeting Jon, Jojo, and Hannah in the waves on that hot March day, I had the opportunity as a KUA student to watch them bound down Densmore KLOO WRZDUG WKH SOD\LQJ Âż HOGV ZLWK their soccer balls and spend their weekend mornings playing peewee hockey in the rink. Later, I had the distinct pleasure of advising both Jojo and Jon when I returned to KUA as a faculty member. I loved watching them evolve into the mature, driven, successful people they are today. Even more than that, I appreciated witnessing Âż UVWKDQG WKH XQFRQGLWLRQDO support the entire Schafer family lent each other throughout this growth. Mike transferred this authentic, deep caring for his family to the entirety of the KUA community, inspired by a drive to create meaningful relationships within the myriad layers of faculty, students, and alumni. Mike curated D FORVHÄĽNQLW KRPH IRU VR PDQ\ RQ The Hilltop. He will be sincerely missed.

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—SARAH CUTTS ROBERTS ’08

Faculty

“

0LNH WUDQVIHUUHG WKLV DXWKHQWLF GHHS FDULQJ IRU KLV IDPLO\ WR WKH HQWLUHW\ RI WKH .8$ FRPPXQLW\ LQVSLUHG by a drive to create meaning ful relationships within the P\ULDG OD\HUV RI IDFXOW\ VWXGHQWV DQG DOXPQL µ

JUNE 2019

39

Reflections

40

THE SCHAFER YEARS

“

He was a huge presence on campus and went out of his way to know every student. He warmly welcomed all constituents to campus— SDUHQWV JUDQGSDUHQWV DOXPQL IDPLO\ DQG IULHQGV ¾

h

Mike is an educator who is constantly learning and striving to gain a broader perspective, and he is a very approachable guy who connects really well with people and makes them feel comfortable. I was fortunate to get to see DOO WKLV Âż UVWÄĽKDQG ERWK DV D trustee and through the time when Mike came to the Tuck School at Dartmouth for our summer executive program. While many of the companies represented are among the best known in their countries and markets, few, if any, people there had heard of a small school in New Hampshire called Kimball Union. But even in that intimidating environment, Mike quickly became a classroom leader, driven by his innate curiosity and his ability to engage with new topics. Some people naturally step up, and, despite KDYLQJ D ORW RI KLJKÄĽSRZHUHG executives around him, he didn’t shy away from the opportunity. Soon he became WKH ÂłJRÄĽWR´ IRU KLV FODVVPDWHV including many of the Japanese executives. It’s pretty easy to see why KUA was able to expand its international SURJUDPV DQG SURÂż OH XQGHU Mike’s watch.

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Mike and Gayle arrived on campus the same year our oldest daughter, Jess ’07, started at KUA. He considered himself a part of that freshmen class and TXLFNO\ Âż W ULJKW LQ HQJDJLQJ WKH students and gaining the respect and admiration of the KUA IDFXOW\ DQG VWDÉą +H ZDV D KXJH presence on campus and went out of his way to know every student. He warmly welcomed all FRQVWLWXHQWV WR FDPSXVħSDUHQWV grandparents, alumni, family, and friends. He had a special relationship with our family, especially my parents, Wil Kurth ’50, H’07 and Margaret Kurth H’10. He respected KUA history and honored past traditions while encouraging new traditions that drove the school forward. We saw this time and time again between Jess’s time at KUA and the graduation of our younger daughter, Lauren ’10. Mike was always enthusiastic with alumni, interested in their KUA experience and inviting them to visit and participate in the school. He took the time to know the students and often invited them to his house. Mike and Gayle were gracious hosts. Their home was always open and they were warm and welcoming.

—MICHAEL BORISLOW & JENNIFER KURTH BORISLOW ’78, P’07, ’10

—SYDNEY FINKELSTEIN P’09 JUNE 2019

41

Reflections

“

They showed us how much they truly care about the people in the whole KUA community.”

h

Once all the guests had gone, after a lengthy and very fun KUA summer party at our house on Cape Cod, Mike and Gayle stood in our messy kitchen and talked for hours with our whole family. Knowing their busy schedule of summer meetings, visits, and gatherings, we would have certainly understood if they departed right after the festivities ended, but they did not. They showed us how much they truly care about the people in the whole KUA community. —JIM & LIZ MCNAIR P’12, ’14

42

THE SCHAFER YEARS

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When we read that a new head of school had been DQQRXQFHGħ0LNH 6FKDIHUħZH hoped he would be a good ¿ W 7KDW UHDOO\ PDWWHUHG WR us because we had spent 25 years at KUA in faculty and administrative positions, and two of our children were educated there. What we quickly learned about Mike is that he had energy to burn, he was inclined to thinking outside the box, and he was a fearless doer. Powerful tools, and KUA needed them all. As a former head of school, I came to deeply admire not only Mike’s quick assessment of the direction KUA should carve out, but also the emotional energy he exhibited when facing some serious challenges that ZRXOG OD\ DKHDG WKH *UHDW Recession, the death of current and former students, and the changing admission landscape, to mention a few. Mike transformed KUA, plain and simple. He and Gayle will be sorely missed. —PAUL & JAMIE SHEFF P’94, ’97

Former faculty

JUNE 2019

43

Reflections h I remember when the Schafers Âż UVW DUULYHG RQ FDPSXV LQ Mike joined us at some point that summer, in advance of his family. Although I had gotten to know Mike through the search DQG LQWHUYLHZ SURFHVV P\ Âż UVW encounter with him after he had accepted the position was in the parking lot of the building shared E\ WKH 0HULGHQ 8 6 3RVW 2ɡ FH and the KUA School Store. It was fairly early in the morning and the alarm was sounding and sirens were blaring. Apparently, Mike, staying in temporary housing at the time, needed milk IRU KLV PRUQLQJ FRÉą HH :LWK KLV EUDQGÄĽQHZ VHW RI PDVWHU NH\V KH let himself into the school store, thereby triggering all the security devices! Unusual incidences did not VWRS ZLWK 0LNHÂśV LQLWLDO EUHDNÄĽLQ When his family arrived to join KLP LQ ÄŞWKHQÄŤ 0RQURH +RXVH ZH were all charmed by the youngest child, who must have been about three years old at the time. When I was introduced to Jonathan, he turned to me and loudly announced, “I am not Jonathan; I am Charlie Bucket!â€? Fortunately, I had rather recently read Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. This young toddler didn’t merely act like Charlie Bucket, the character in the book, he WAS Charlie Bucket! He refused to respond to his 44

THE SCHAFER YEARS

given name, but when addressed as “Charlie Bucket,â€? he carried on an animated conversation. I believe this went on for weeks, and possibly longer. Needless to say, the Schafers were quick to endear themselves to the school community. At the time Mike was hired, with 25 years of independent school experience under my belt, I was serving KUA as both the Director of College Counseling and the Dean of Faculty, both administrative positions that had the potential to be vulnerable under new leadership. Additionally, WKLV ZDV WKH Âż UVW WLPH LQ P\ professional career when I was working for a head of school who was younger than me! It was clear from the start that Mike wanted to guide KUA to further growth and H[FHOOHQFH KH ZDV D FKDQJH DJHQW and we were going on a journey! Over the past 16 years, that journey has been a good one, on both professional and personal levels. Within a couple of years, Mike and I came to similar FRQFOXVLRQV WKURXJK YHU\ GLÉą HUHQW pathways. We agreed that college advising had become a very slick business, and of all my personality traits, being slick was never one of them! I shared with Mike that I wanted to remain at KUA, no matter how it could be arranged, because of my deep love for the

“

Relationships and our interpersonal connections were always at the core of the KUA that Gayle and Mike envisioned and shaped in their 16 years on The Hilltop.� entire community. When he told me he would give it some thought, his resulting proposal was beyond my wildest imagination. In a rather dramatic fashion, he demonstrated something to me that I had already observed but hadn’t yet named. Mike is a creative thinker who has a knack for seeing the possibilities and not allowing potential obstacles to KROG KLP EDFN +H RɹHUHG PH WKH opportunity to build an academic support program that would meet KUA’s future needs. The timing was perfect, since my predecessor, the very talented Beverly Wakely, was retiring. Also, much of my graduate degree work concentrated on related subject areas. This was D WRWDO ZLQļZLQ WKDQNV WR 0LNHœV creative approach. Relationships and our interpersonal connections were always at the core of the KUA that Gayle and Mike envisioned and shaped in their 16 years on The Hilltop. They opened their home to all of us, whether it was for parent or alumni functions, a faculty gathering, cookies and milk for ninth graders, to host a Seder, or an untold number of other gatherings. Gayle and Mike shepherded us through boom times and low points with the greatest attention and care. Their profound commitment to our community and their deep compassion were

particularly evident during crises. 7KH UHFHVVLRQ WKH ORVV RI a member of the class of 2019 in her sophomore year, and my own cancer diagnosis are three examples that leap to mind of times when Gayle and Mike sprang into action to minister, support, and care for us all. It has been an honor to have known Gayle, Mike, and their children throughout this time. Our connections are many; Mike trusted me to serve the students wholly, regardless of my role at The Academy; Gayle was the ¿UVW WR UHDFK RXW DQG DUUDQJH VL[ months of meals for my family when I was unable to do so; I was Hannah’s advisor when she attended KUA; Joanna and our younger son have been good friends throughout grade school, KUA, and college; and Jonathan will always and forever be my favorite Charlie Bucket. Along with the entire extended KUA community, I am grateful that I have been part of KUA’s history during the Schafer years. Kimball Union Academy and everyone who has had any connection with KUA in the last 16 years have appreciated DQG EHQH¿WHG IURP WKH YLVLRQ DQG energy with which Mike has led us and the love of The Academy that the entire family has bestowed upon us. —CYNTHIA HOWE P’06, ’14

Faculty JUNE 2019

45

Graduation 2019 H IG H L IG H T S A N D E XC E R P T S

QR

F

riday, May 24, started under cloudy skies, but the sun slowly EHJDQ WR OLJKW WKH IDFHV RQ 7KH +LOOWRS DV VRRQÄĽWRÄĽEH graduates and their families gathered for Kimball Union Academy’s 203rd Commencement. Interim Head of School Pamela J. Clarke H’19, Valedictorian Julian Erhard ’19, and Class Speaker Simon Pelzman ’19 all shared their thoughts, humor, and wisdom with the graduating class. Mike Schafer stepped up to the podium for the last time as Head of School to share some words and to bestow an honorary diploma on Janie Chase Cozzi, given to her mother, Erin Chase. “Janie was a gift to us. We are uplifted by her legacy. As her friends said when we honored her with a memorial bench on May 11, ‘In life, Janie did not make a small splash, and in her passing, the waves and ripples of her impact are on us; her smile, her warmth, and her promise will always be with us. She is the source of so much laughter, and passion. In your passing, you have brought us even closer.’ And Erin and your beautiful family, as much strength and courage as we have tried to provide for you, you and \RXU IDPLO\ KDYH JLYHQ XV IDU PRUHħ\RXU JUDFH DQG \RXU FRPSDVVLRQ \RXU empathy and love, have helped heal us. We are truly grateful. We pledge our support to you and to her brothers, Ollie and Ryder, to always be here for you, as you have and always will be here for these young people.â€?

46

THE SCHAFER YEARS

Graduation

Mike began his speech by saying, “One of the few things between you and your diploma are a few brief comments IURP PH ,Q 0U Whittemore of the Whittemore Center and Akerstrom Arena said that a good commencement speech was like a pair of VKRUWVĨORQJ HQRXJK WR cover the subject, and short enough to keep it interesting.â€?

QR JUNE 2019

47

MIKE INTERSPERSED HIS OWN THOUGHTS WITH THE WISDOM OF OTHERS WHO HELPED SHAPE HIS PERSPECTIVES, FROM HIS OWN GRADE SCHOOL TEACHERS AND COACHES TO JOHN DEWEY, YUVAL NOAH HARARI, SIMON SINEK, DAVID BROOKS, AND THE DALAI LAMA. “The Dalai Lama wrote, ‘There are only two days of the year that nothing can be done. One is called yesterday and the other is called tomorrow. Today is the right day to love, to believe, to do, and mostly, to live. Keep your mind and heart open. Everything comes to you in the right moment if we are awake to the world around us.’ Today is your day, class of 2019, and today is our day of gratitude. Whenever we passionately invest in what we are doing, it is hard to GLVSDVVLRQDWHO\ VD\ IDUHZHOOħDQG LW LV always important on days like today, and every day, to say THANK YOU. Today, Gayle and I are grateful to the teachers and this entire community. Today, we also feel like graduates of Kimball Union. Our family has learned so much from everyone, our peers and colleagues, WKH WHDFKHUV DQG GHGLFDWHG VWDÉą SDUHQWV JUDQGSDUHQWV DQG JUDGXDWHVħDQG ZH have learned from you, this good class, and you Muggins and Ninnybottoms. We thank you for all.â€?

QR “I shared this formative story in my Âż UVW UHPDUNV DW .8$ LQ DQG DP proud to share it with my parents here. ,Q WKH \HDU DIWHU WKH 5HG 6R[ÂśV Âľ,PSRVVLEOH 'UHDPÂś SHQQDQWÄĽZLQQLQJ season, my parents allowed my sister, who had just turned 13 years old, and my brother, who was nine, and my twin brother and I, who were just seven, to take the train by ourselves to as many Red Sox games as we possibly could attend. We each had a dime in our shoe. We memorized our phone QXPEHUħ ÄĽ ħMXVW LQ FDVH ZH JRW lost or separated. We’d hold hands, lean into the turns, stick together through 48

THE SCHAFER YEARS

the pregame bustle at Kenmore Square, a glove in one hand, and our sibling’s hand in the other. We’d buy a program, some Cracker Jacks, stand for ‘Take Me Out to the Ball Game’, and take turns keeping score. We’d always stay until the end of the game so my parents could estimate our time of return. Somehow, they knew we would safely take the right train home. I will never forget that trust, the freedom of independence, and our togetherness. This is never lost on Gayle and me as parents, and this appreciation has always informed our role at the school, particularly in the intentional design of our school as D IDPLO\ VFKRRO DQG DV D VWXGHQWÄĽOHG school. Our teachers know the leap of faith you take as parents, for us, for our IDFXOW\ DQG VWDÉą LQ ORFR SDUHQWLV DQG 0267 LPSRUWDQWO\ IRU RXU VWXGHQWVħ we can feel that trust. We know that to build strong, independent, healthy, and happy adults who contribute to whatever communities they join, there must be a balance of push and comfort.â€?

QR “At KUA, we are a place where students respect each other. We recognize that everyone contributes in their own unique way. We believe that every person KDV VRPHWKLQJ WR OHDUQ DQG WR RÉą HU :H believe every student has the capacity to grow and develop in her own time. *UDGHV DUH PDUNHUV QRW PDUNLQJV (Éą RUW over outcome is a core value. Triumphs and tragedy are shared transparently and without judgment or comparison. Competition is for and with, not against. Each student has the freedom to develop her own voice, and his own important place in the community. Here, we can be

vulnerable and take healthy risks, and we can fail forward. We live and laugh out loud. We have a sense of belonging, and a sense of common purpose. You have built up layers of strength through the strength of your relationships. You are ready to learn, and even ready to lead. You are grateful, you have vision beyond yourselves, you have strength, and you have each other. There is a lot of work WR GRħLW LV FKDRWLF RXW WKHUHħDQG ZH are counting on you to hear the signals through the noise.â€?

QR “Yuval Noah Harari, in his latest book, 21 Lessons for the 21st Century, wrote, ‘In a world of excess information, clarity is power. Seven billion people, seven GLÉą HUHQW DJHQGDV \HW LQ WRGD\ÂśV ZRUOG WRR PDQ\ RI XV FDQ KDUGO\ DÉą RUG WKH luxury to think about and do anything about our future, let alone the future of mankind. We are too busy living our lives. We have more pressing things to GRħJR WR ZRUN WDNH FDUH RI WKH NLGV or parents. If the future of humanity is decided in your absence because you are too busy caring for yourself and your family, you will not be free from the consequences.’ It’s a tall order to DVN \RXħRU DQ\RQHħWR KHOS GHFLGH the future of humanity. But still, in today’s world, one person, for good or bad, can start a movement, good or bad. You have the wherewithal in whatever community you join to start your own movement. We can start by paying attention to what matters most. If knowledge was power in the prior generation, and clarity is power in this one, my wish is that empathy is power in your generation.â€? K

´&ODVV RI you will go far. Go with gratitude, go with vision, go with strength, and go with peace. It has been my honor to be your head of school. 7KLV JRRG FODVV RI has taught us the rules of the game, and has shown us the road ahead. Thank you.â€?

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KIMBALL UNION ACADEMY 64 MAIN ST MERIDEN, NH 03770

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