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THE MAGAZINE OF LAUSANNE COLLEGIATE SCHOOL / spring 2016 Vol. 9 Issue 2
Empowering Individuals With Meaningful Relationships
Fr om th e He a d m a s t e r Dear Friends of Lausanne, There is a standing tradition every Tuesday at Lausanne Middle School lunch. At approximately 12:15 p.m. all Middle School students grades 5-8 in Tully Dining Hall rise to their feet and begin rapturous applause as Mr. Eddie Spencer, a World War II veteran and longtime Lausanne friend, makes his exit from lunch. This student-led phenomenon began spontaneously two years ago. They care about Mr. Eddie and have come to appreciate how much the ovation means to him. While this event is unique to our Middle School lunch, it reflects our institutional culture of empathy and our students’ appreciation for one another. The pursuit of meaningful relationships, whether student-to-student or faculty member-to-student, is the cornerstone of The Lausanne Way. Given conversations with alumni from past decades, it is evident that the importance of building positive relationships has been at the core of Lausanne since its beginning in 1926. Lausanne graduates can be found across the continental U.S. and numerous overseas countries. Their experience with Lausanne’s culture, built around the importance of relationships, has served them well professionally. It has also encouraged them to create a broad-based network of individuals regardless of background, religion, ethnicity, socioeconomic standing or culture. They are indeed “Global Citizens.” It is evident within Lausanne’s culture that no one individual is more important than anyone else, and that the diversity of our community makes our bonds stronger. Our school and community embrace all individuals by supporting them, while at the same time challenging them to be their very best. When an individual member of our community, for whatever reason is no longer with us, the loss is deep and heartfelt. This year has been especially hard given the tragic loss of Barbie Burgmeier and Reginald Marshall. They will forever be a part of our school and community. While their combined time at Lausanne was less than four years, they embodied The Lausanne Way by building positive relationships with students and adult colleagues each and every day. Lausanne is certainly a much better school for their contribution, and we miss them greatly! Our Lausanne students and graduates are comfortable with whom they are. Whether they are enrolled students, recent graduates or alumnae from the early years, they are all united in their excitement about the possibilities and opportunities that lie ahead for them and for the new relationships that will emerge. Students and graduates of Lausanne are not entitled, arrogant or self-absorbed. They have experienced an educational environment at Lausanne that is without stereotyping, prejudice or exclusion, making them servant leaders within their communities dedicated to putting others first. And at every opportunity they continue to build meaningful and sustaining relationships they learned to develop during their time at Lausanne.
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M A GAZINE
SPRING IN
2016
THIS ISSUE
1 From the Editor 2 Looking Back 6 Lausanne Today 25 What Lausanne Means To Me 26 The Road Ahead 28 Linking Our Lynx: Lausanne Reunions 2015 30 Class Notes
On the cover: Jessica LeCroy ‘70 and Shayna Giles ‘10 stand on the front steps of the Robert C. Khayat Law Center at the University of Mississippi.
Lausanne Magazine is a publication of Lausanne Collegiate School whose mission is to prepare each of its students for college and for life in a global environment. EDITOR
Carrie Linder Lotterhos Assistant Director of Strategic Communications clotterhos@lausanneschool.com 901.474.1003 CONTRIBUTING EDITOR
Drew Smith Director of Strategic Communications dsmith@lausanneschool.com 901.474.1047 MANAGING EDITOR
Laura S. Trott Director of Admission & Marketing ltrott@lausanneschool.com 901.474.1036 COPY EDITOR
Susannah Reese ‘00 ART DIRECTOR
Alison Johnson Charles CLASS NOTES AND ALUMNI NEWS
It’s The Lausanne Way.
Charlotte Albertson Director of Annual Giving & Alumni Affairs calbertson@lausanneschool.com 901.474.1029 PHOTOGRAPHY
Michael Christopher Carrie Linder Lotterhos Dominic Bardos
Stuart McCathie Headmaster The life of Barbie Burgmeier was celebrated on campus February 19, 2016
by the Lausanne Community and her family.
Pictured from left to right: Lausanne teacher Emma Perkinson, Mike Burgmeier (Barbie’s brother), Mike Burgmeier (Barbies’s father), Deb Burgmeier (Barbie’s mother), Lausanne Headmaste r Stuart McCathie, Marissa Schwalm (Barbie’s sister), Mark Kaszubinski (Barbie’s brother-in-law), Head of Upper School Stuart Dunster, Lausanne teacher Mary O’Rourke and Lausanne teacher Jon Lemay. Read more on page 34.
Lausanne Collegiate School 1381 W. Massey Rd., Memphis, TN 38120 901.474.1000 www.lausanneschool.com
From the Editor
Freshman Cameron Faulkner ’19 works on the life-sized geodesic dome with the help of third grader Birou Kong ’25.
SK student Morgan McBride ’28 enjoys her egg roll and other delicious cuisine at the SK International Feast. She is joined by her parents Lang and Erica McBride, Assistant Head of Lower School.
As the 2016 Lausanne Chair of Ideas Michael Widener ’04 thoughtfully shared with our students in March, there is a point where a space becomes a place.
Dishes representing an array of cultures were beautifully laid out in the Alumni Dining Hall for the students and their parents to enjoy. As six-year-old Morgan McBride ‘28 gathered the food for her plate, her mother pointed to a basket of bread and offered her a roll.
material together to complete the masterpiece. And because of the hard work of the two classes, our first grade Lynx will now be able to enjoy the dome as a planetarium. The class of 2027 will digitally see the night sky projected onto the surface’s interior walls.
“I have a roll,” Morgan answered with a confused look on her face. “An egg roll.” Only at Lausanne.
Three different classes. Three different lessons. All connected through a joyful and challenging learning process.
Not only are culturally diverse connections being made daily but also cross-divisional connections. This spring our third grade classes embarked on learning to draw angles in math. When Upper School art teacher Jonathan Auger heard this, he decided it would be fun to combine the third graders’ lessons with what he was teaching his 3-D design class. The Upper School students were building structures out of corrugated materials, and combining the two classes’ efforts turned into one amazing project: a life-sized geodesic dome.
Some of the most powerful Lausanne relationships you see are across our generations of alumni. Whether they are coming together for the yearly StatlerJett Tea or are being introduced because of a shared passion, the network of the Lausanne community is strong. As you read through this issue, you will see many different connections. Some are unlikely, some serendipitous but all of them are because individual journeys are interwoven and make up the history of one place: Lausanne.
That happens when the people in that space begin to share ideas and create memories, forming relationships through a web of interactions. For so many people Lausanne Collegiate School is not just a space, but the place that has empowered them to build some of their most meaningful relationships. The 2015-2016 school year has been no different. Deep connections continue to be made as global citizens are being formed in the classrooms of even our youngest students. If you take the time to stroll around campus on an ordinary Lausanne day, you will be hard pressed not to find an instance you observe, then laugh and think, “That was a Lausanne moment.” One of those moments came during the annual SK International Feast this past November. Having discussed their classmates’ different countries of origin on a regular basis throughout the year, our little Lynx were excited about sharing each of their families’ heritages through food.
Third grade students and Upper School 3-D design students collaborated to create a life-sized geodesic dome.
Enjoy, Lausanne place-makers. The Lower School and Upper School classes collaborated on building the structure, learning from each other throughout the process. Before the older 3-D students designed the large dome, they assisted the third graders with creating one on a smaller scale with newspapers.
Go Lynx!
Carrie Linder Lotterhos Assistant Director of Strategic Communications
With the help of their third grade counterparts, the Upper School students then moved onto the big project. The team fit the large triangles of corrugated
Oklahoma City Thunder players D.J. Augustin and Kevin Durant with Carrie Linder Lotterhos on the Lausanne campus during the jersey retirement reception honoring former Lynx, Cameron Payne ’13. Read more on page 35.
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Looking Ba c k
Following his Chair of Idea’s address, Dr. Widener conducted a question and answer session with the Lausanne Class of 2016.
Continuing the Tradition of Sharing Ideas
Lausanne class of 2003 graduate Michael Widener was named the 2016 Chair of Ideas.
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Lausanne was honored to welcome back class of 2003 graduate Dr. Michael Widener as our 2016 Chair of Ideas. Dr. Widener addressed the entire Upper School body, shared stories about his memorable time at Lausanne and encouraged them all to strive to make a difference wherever they are in life. He then met with the senior class for a question and answer session which was a wonderful opportunity for our class of 2016 to hear from a distinguished alumnus. Michael Widener ‘03 is a tenure-track Assistant Professor in Urban Geography and Geographic Information Science at the Department of Geography and Planning at the University of Toronto-St. George, the primary campus in downtown Toronto. Prior to this appointment, he spent three years as tenure-track faculty at the University of Cincinnati. He earned his Ph.D from SUNY at Buffalo in 2012, Master of Science from Florida State University in 2009, and Bachelor of Arts with Highest Honors from the University of Illinois UrbanaChampaign in 2007. Michael’s research focuses on topics related to health, transportation and urban planning. He uses a number of mathematical tools to explore problems in these areas. By using data to understand how a person’s mobility affects, and is affected by, their health, he helps inform city planning policies that aim to make cities more equitable and healthy for everyone.
His current projects involve understanding how time pressure affects spatial access to healthy foods, whether the activity patterns of children with acute asthma and their parents worsen attacks, and how different modes of emergency medical service transport impact trauma survival. He is also responsible for teaching graduate and undergraduate courses on spatial statistics, computer mapping and geocomputation. Outside of work, Michael enjoys long distance running and cycling, cheesy science fiction novels, traveling, cooking new meals while fending off his annoying cats and exploring Toronto’s many neighborhoods with his wife, Rohini. #AlwaysALynx
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Looking Ba c k
Chair of Ideas
In the 1960’s, Lausanne Headmaster Walter Coppedge began the school’s Distinguished Speaker’s series with such guests as Margaret Mead, William F. Buckley, B.F. Skinner and Aldous Huxley. Since that time, it has developed into the long standing tradition of The Chair of Ideas, which is held each year on the Lausanne campus. Dr. Coppedge wanted his students to have the opportunity to hear from numerous voices and viewpoints, broadening their global understanding through people making a positive impact on the world.
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Dr. Widener sits in the Chair of Ideas underneath the portrait of Dr. Walter Coppedge who began the Distinguished Speaker’s series in the 1960’s.
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Lausan n e To d a y
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Empowering Individuals With Meaningful Relationships Lausanne Collegiate School has always been a place that encourages people to seek their own journeys. Students are empowered to be individuals, building their own character and instilling respect for the paths of others throughout the Lausanne community. Meaningful relationships grow throughout the vast network of people that make up Lausanne school, turning friends into family. Across generations, stories unfold of unlikely connections made possible because of a shared love for one place: Lausanne.
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CURRENT STUDENT AND ALUMNI
Ashley Thomas ‘16 and Kanya Balakrishna ‘05
During the school day, Ashley Thomas ‘16 Skypes with Kanya Balakrishna ‘05 (in her office at The Future Project in New York) about the progress of SupportMe.
After Lausanne senior Ashley Thomas ’16 completed Governor’s School in Business this past summer, she came home and knew exactly what she wanted to do. She, along with classmates Savannah Woods ’17 and Hannah Jordan ‘17, composed a 56-page business plan with the objective of using it as the syllabus for a new class. After review by Stuart Dunster and Stephen Campbell, Head and Assistant Head of Upper School, the new “Entrepreneurship and Business Technology” class was enthusiastically approved. And the classwork for this year has been jaw-dropping. The students have been able to fully immerse themselves in the world of business by starting a non-profit organization (NPO), not a typical move for an ordinary high school business class. The goals for the class were to learn through real-world and hands-on experience about the business world and its internal mechanisms. The students also decided at the beginning of the year that the end goal of the class would be to create a finished marketable product and a successful business team.
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They developed an app called “SupportMe” aimed at improving teenagers’ everyday mental health. They plan to grow their market to all ages as the app grows in popularity. “From the beginning we knew that trying to start and build a non-profit organization like SupportMe would not be an easy task,” says Ashley, the company CEO. “But if we could talk with someone who has successfully created and developed their NPO who focuses on the well-being and worth of teenagers like we
do, then maybe we would be able to have a greater chance to make an impact.” Knowing they needed guidance, the SupportMe team began to tap into the Lausanne community and alumni for advice and professional help. With a recommendation from Michael Christopher, Assistant Headmaster for Development, they reached out to Lausanne class of 2005 graduate Kanya Balakrishna, the co-founder and president of the New York based non-profit The Future Project. The company works with
Ashley, along with the other members of the SupportMe team Hannah Jordan ’17 and Savannah Woods ’17, pitched the idea of the “Entrepreneurship and Business Technology” class to Lausanne administrat ors at the beginning of the 2015-2016 school year.
Kanya Balakrishna celebrated her Lausa nne graduation in 2005 with her father, Bala. She went on to Yale and graduated in 2009, then co-founded The Future Proje ct in the fall of 2011.
Ashley Thomas ‘16 graduates from Lausanne in May and will continue to work with her team and Kanya on growing their business, SupportMe.
Kanya is not the only Lynx at The Future Project. Zac Hill ’04 is the organization’s Chief Innovation Officer and Anjali Balakrishna ’10 is the Lead Designer in the New York office.
schools to help young people discover their potential and build the skills they need to change their lives in the world. “The reason we wanted to start The Future Project is how little exposure in school students get to the world,” says Kanya. “So much of who I am and starting the company came from my time at Lausanne. The school has impacted my own personal decisions and encouraged me to search for the best way to make my greatest impact on the community and the world around me. “The school is obviously important to me but since I don’t live there and cannot get back that often, this was a great way to connect and have an impact on the Lausanne community in a concrete way.” Each quarter of the school year, the SupportMe team has had certain check points to meet. Throughout the process, Ashley and Kanya have Skyped about how to think through the growth process
and to collaborate, which Ashley feels has given her powerful direction and insight for SupportMe. To her, it has made it even more special to have the mentorship of a fellow Lynx. “It is mind-boggling to think about how this huge world-impacter walked the same halls that I do in very similar shoes as me,” says Ashley. “I am so grateful that Kanya and The Future Project have been generous with their resources, willing to help talk through ideas and suggest contacts.” As the semester closes, the entrepreneurs hope to launch their SupportMe app and website to coincide with May being Mental Health Awareness month. As for the relationship Ashley and Kanya have developed along the way, both ladies see it extending far past this May. “What Kanya has accomplished gives me hope that one day I will be able to be as successful in helping others,” Ashley says.
“I am learning that a strong education paired with meaningful relationships is key to a successful career but more importantly a truly healthy, happy life.” “I definitely see myself supporting the product and Ashley even after she graduates,” shares Kanya. “She is so much more impressive than I was at my time at Lausanne and I look forward to seeing how her business grows. I even hope to be on the board!” “I see her making a difference in thousands of lives with the philosophy that even I, a high school student, can turn my dream into a reality,” Ashley adds. “The fact that I can have open discussions with Kanya about what I ought to individually be working on and where SupportMe should be headed in the future is very empowering.” It’s The Lausanne Way.
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SK Feast: Ava Azari ’28 and Sloane Sledd ’28 enjoy time together at the annual SK International Feast.
Lausanne parents Teleesa Mason and Sumaiya Amin with SK teacher Erin Bowden and parent Shanna Rasoul are excited about feasting together with SK students Jaiya Siffrard ‘28, Mustafa Mirza ‘28, Nisha Mawani ‘28, Mahi Upadhyay ‘28 and Olivia Rasoul ‘28.
Jean and Alexander Brown ‘28
Each year the SK students enjoy sampling different cuisines from around the globe during their International Thanksgiving Feast.
SK International Thanksgiving Feast Annually, our SK students have the special opportunity to host an International Thanksgiving feast for their classmates and parents. Each child brings a dish usually served at their own family holiday celebration that represents their cultural background. Not only are they learning about each other’s differences in the classroom, they are able to experience that diversity around the table as well.
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Lausanne sixth grader Ella Simpson ’22 gives her presidential inauguration speech for her fictional country Maplewood.
Global Endeavors Project The Lausanne sixth grade class participates each year in a special learning experience called Global Endeavors. Using the theme of connection in preparation for the Upper School International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme, the team of sixth grade teachers designs the curriculum to connect across subjects and guides the students as they create an imaginary country. In history and English classes, students map out the borders and give their presidential inauguration speech. As they move through math and science, they create and design a statue which represents their country. In language, they create a flag for their country and give a speech in the foreign language spoken within their borders. By the end of the year, they are ready to have a UN debate and hold the World Fair, sharing all they have learned. w w w . l a u s a n n e s c h o o l . c o m 11
CURRENT PARENTS
Tara Engelberg and Asima Farooq
ion together this past October.
The families enjoying a Vail, Colorado vacat
The families celebrating Hanukah at the Engelberg home.
Tara and Asima at the annual Lausanne
The friends had a girl’s day out together and dyed their hair fun colors before Tara shaved her head following her chemotherapy treatments.
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Carnival in 2014.
In 2007, Tara Engelberg and Asima Farooq both moved with their families to the city of Memphis. When their paths crossed four years later at a birthday party for another Lausanne student, they met for the first time. The meeting and the friendship that grew out of it changed both of their lives. “Her energy was great and so positive,” said Tara, mother of Mia ’24 and Charlie Engelberg ’25. “I am always attracted to that.” “We knew we would be friends almost immediately because we were both talking just as fast and bounced around from topic to topic,” Asima, mother of Ibrahim ’20, Hana ’23 and Haris Farooq ’25, added with a smile. While parents becoming friends through their childrens’ school is common, it is the backgrounds from which these two come that make this friendship unique. Tara is a self-described “Jewish girl from New York raised in a very liberal family” while Asima paints her upbringing as “a Muslim-Indian girl from Chicago with very strict parents.” Asima began taking the spin class Tara teaches and they began meeting for lunch on a regular basis. As their friendship grew, Tara got Asima involved more in the Lausanne community through Lausanne Parent Connections.
“I had been a Lausanne parent for four years before Tara’s family came to the school and had never volunteered,” said Asima. “But soon after we became friends, she encouraged me to start coming to the parent meetings and since that first time, we have both worked on many projects together for the school.” Soon the friendship made the two inseparable, and in April of 2015 when Tara was diagnosed with breast cancer, Asima was with her every step of the way. “She was my rock,” said Tara. “She went with me to every single doctor appointment and even shaved my head for me when my hair began to fall out. I have never had a friend like her before.” “Our backgrounds are so unbelievably different,” stated Asima. “We would never be friends if it weren’t for Lausanne, we wouldn’t have met otherwise. All of the friends I had before we came to Lausanne were the same ethnic and religious background as me. But, it’s because of the diverse environment at Lausanne that leads to these other friendships.”
“On paper, our friendship doesn’t make sense,” added Tara with a laugh. “Match.com would never have matched us up!” Through these two Lausanne moms, their children and husbands have all become friends. The families now vacation together, go to religious lectures together and even invite each other into their homes on holidays to experience different traditions. “I love that our children openly discuss their religions with each other,” said Asima. “They are so blessed to have this opportunity because of Lausanne and have a greater understanding that people are different, and that’s ok.” “Our kids are now more knowledgeable about the world because they have people in their lives they are close to from opposite backgrounds,” Tara reflected. “The Lausanne family has produced a new family, and for that we are forever grateful.” It’s The Lausanne Way.
The Engelberg and Farooq families. Seated from left to right: Mia Engelberg ’24, Hana Farooq ’23, Ibrahim Farooq ’20, Haris Farooq ’25 and Charlie Engelberg ’25 Standing from left to right: Jeff and Tara Engelberg with Asima and Farees Farooq
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The fifth and sixth grade boys who are the Varsity football team water boys enjoy a pre-game talk before the Lynx kick-off. Standing left to right: Craig Cunninghamm, Jerren White ‘22, KJ Sneed ‘22 and Johnny Roberts ‘23. Seated left to right: Chance Love, Miles Breedlove, Rayquan Williams and Joseph Hamer.
Varsity Football Team and Waterboys Standing on the sidelines every Friday night alongside the varsity football team and coaches are a handful of fifth and sixth grade Lausanne football players. These younger Lynx are not there to hit the gridiron but to support the team as water boys. It gives the Middle School students the opportunity to experience varsity football from a different perspective and engrains in them at a younger age the commitment it takes to be a part of a successful program. But the bonds that form don’t stop under the Friday night lights. How the current players act as mentors and build relationships with the up-and-comers is the best part of this connection. The players and their younger friends can be seen sharing high-fives throughout the week as they pass in the hallways headed to class.
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(clockwise from left) Senior Tony Chen ’16 navigates down the Upper School hallways via Double the Robot. Freshman Isaac Weiss ’19 was out of school for a few days due to a knee surgery. He was able to still virtually attend class while at home thanks to Double the Robot. Double the Robot attending Mr. Jon Lemay’s freshman English class for Isaac Weiss ’19.
Double the Robot When the Head of Upper School Stuart Dunster saw Double the Robot on a research trip for optimal classroom learning environments, he knew it was a perfect fit for Lausanne. “I was wowed by the technology and how clear and easy the communication was,” shares Mr. Dunster. “Because the culture of our school is one of embracing technology and new ideas, if we believe our student body can benefit, then we will always give something a shot.” Double the Robot allows anyone who is given the access rights to login, drive and communicate through the robot. It can act as a virtual student and allow a presence in class for our students even when not physically present. “When a student has a long-term absence through injury or sickness, our main goal is to find a way to help them continue in school and to maximize their learning,” Mr. Dunster explains. “The robot can also be put to a wide array of other uses that will enhance communication and benefit the school.” The operator may freely turn, move, look and speak in any direction, giving the driver a lifelike experience during class. It also allows people communicating with the robot to make eye contact and see the person’s expressions. Double is also capable of varying its height with a telescopic arm and uses the IPad’s camera to allow the operator to take pictures. “As a school we are always trying to think outside of the box and come up with ways to improve student learning within the school, and Double is the perfect solution,” says Mr. Dunster. “Students can interact in class, join in with group activities and can stay connected with their teachers and peers.” w w w . l a u s a n n e s c h o o l . c o m 15
ALUMNI AND PARENT
Marisa Rozzi ‘14 and Sharon Rozzi
Marisa and Sharon Rozzi
When Valedictorian Marisa Rozzi stepped up to the podium to address her fellow 2014 Lausanne graduates, she shared her inspirational thoughts with her classmates and the title with her grandmother. In 1951, her grandmother Theresa Nutter, then a senior at St. Anne’s High School in Glace Bay, Nova Scotia, had earned the top-of-the-class honor. But Theresa was denied being named the Valedictorian because in those times, Marisa explains, women weren’t allowed to hold the title. “Now that I’m older I know more about the history of injustice faced by women, but my childhood conviction that my grandmother deserved to be Valedictorian remained,” explains Marisa. That’s why Marisa decided to try to correct the injustice by sharing the accolade with her grandmother Theresa.
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“My grandmother is an amazing woman, and I am constantly inspired by her hard work and perseverance… I wanted to honor her for all that she has accomplished and how far she has come.” Mrs. Nutter passed on her pursuit of excellence in education to her daughter Sharon Rozzi, who developed a passion for engineering, which lead to a career at Medtronic. That sense of drive from her mother and father, William, was inspirational to both Marisa and her brother Paul ’17, and they began to form their own love of engineering at early ages.
“My organizational and problemsolving skills developed through time with my family, whether that be playing board games or dissecting broken electronics,” reflected Marisa. “Beyond that, my mother has always been a powerful and impressive role model, both my parents are ambitious engineers.” Not only did the Rozzis understand the importance of instilling a problemsolving mindset in their children, but they also wanted a partner to help prepare their children to make a difference in a global community.
Marisa with fellow 2014 graduate Manoj Gollamudi on the annual senior college t-shirt walkthrough.
Marisa on her Lausanne graduation day with her grandmother, Theresa Nutter, with whom she shared her Valedictorian honor.
“We were looking for an environment where they are taught, through experiential learning, not what to think, but how to think,” said Sharon. “We were looking for an environment that was both academically challenging and at the same time joyful… where students have ownership of their learning and are therefore prepared to be lifelong learners. Lausanne has met these expectations in spades.” Marisa’s love of engineering continued to grow through her years at Lausanne, in large part due to the meaningful relationships she had with her teachers. “What makes Lausanne so special, is that not only are they your mentors and support staff, but they are also your friends,” says Marisa. “The genuine interest in both my success and wellbeing meant so much to me while at
Lausanne and is something I will never forget. Dedicated and passionate teachers like Mr. Page and Mr. Brewster encouraged me to constantly push myself and explore the furthest reaches of my abilities. Their confidence in my capabilities remains a reminder of how much I have accomplished and lessens any worries about my future.”
virtually everything you participate in,” she explains. “I think this awareness is very valuable in any workplace. Google is involved in thousands of projects all over the world, and I think my cognizance of global connections and relationships will serve me well.”
And a bright future it will be for Marisa. This summer, the MIT sophomore will venture out to Mountain View, California to intern on the Search team at Google. She hopes to see it turn into a fulltime job in software development after graduation. The upcoming experience at Google is a major career stepping stone for Marisa and because of the globalenvironment experienced at Lausanne, she feels prepared.
The love of learning and academic inspiration Marisa received from multiple generations of her family was nurtured and encouraged by her Lausanne family. This alliance has empowered Marisa to form enduring relationships as she moves forward, a fact not lost on her mother.
“Lausanne encourages you to consider the broader implications and connections associated with schoolwork, teamwork and
“The depth of the Lausanne connections made will no doubt inspire my children to seek deeper relationships in the future organizations they join,” says Sharon. “The people connections are the heart of the Lausanne experience.” It’s The Lausanne Way.
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Alumnus Carlos Taylor ’04 and Upper School students Camren Taylor ‘17 and Emma Whitehorn ’17 have assisted Lausanne archivist Cissi Loftis throughout the year to build an impressive archive of Lausanne history.
Archives Because of Lausanne’s rich history, longtime staff member Cissi Loftis was named the official school archivist this past summer. Her passion for history made this a dream opportunity for Mrs. Loftis. Throughout the school year, she has assembled an intricate display room and archive library. Her vision guides the collection, connecting the many generations of Lausanne with their past. “I visited several other area schools to see how they set up their archives and decided that I was going to arrange Lausanne’s archives more in a museum setup than an archive setting,” she shared. “I wanted to give anyone who wanted to come and explore Lausanne history the chance to sit down with yearbooks, magazines, file folders… whatever it would take for them to find the answer to their quest. The excitement of finding an answer will make you remember it forever.” The archives are located behind the Lower School Library and are open from 7:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m. every Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday morning. Please come and enjoy learning the heritage of the Lausanne community first-hand. 18 L A U S A N N E s p r i n g 2 0 1 6
Lausanne Historian in Residence Eddie Spencer salutes the Upper School band as they play the Army’s anthem during the annual Veteran’s Day Concert.
Oral-History Program: Veterans Day and MLK Concert As the Chapman-Woodbury Oral History Program has grown, so have the relationships between our Lausanne students and the Memphis community. Each year, our students in the program sit down with local war veterans and people who were involved in the civil rights movement to document their experiences. In November, Lausanne holds the Veterans Day Concert and, in January, a program in honor of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King. At both of these special annual events, the oral history contributors, their families and other members of Memphis community are invited to see final projects. Our history students along with our band and chorus, produce moving performances, connecting generations through the remembrance of these historical events. .
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LAUSANNE ALUMNAE
Jessica LeCroy ‘70 and Shayna Giles ‘10
Jessica LeCroy’s 1970 senior portrait.
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of 2010 Lausanne Senior portrait of class es. Gil a graduate Shayn
In January, second-year law student Shayna Giles ’10 slid into her seat in the Robert C. Khayat Law Center at The University of Mississippi for her International Economic Sanctions class. “The door opens, our professor confidently walks in, introduces herself and begins to give a little bit of her background,” Shayna said with a laugh. “As she continued to share some of her experiences with the class, we all began to glance around at each other with looks of complete awe.” It was at that moment during class that Shayna pulled up Google and typed in her professor’s name. Not only did the search lead Shayna to find out more about the law and foreign service career of the woman standing before her, she found a treasured fact which connected them, and it almost knocked her out of her chair: her impressive professor had attended Lausanne! Jessica LeCroy graduated from the then all-girls boarding, Lausanne School in 1970. The Prentiss County Mississippi farm girl headed north to the Memphis school for her senior year, along with her younger sister, because their mother didn’t agree with the segregation practiced by the public school they were attending in Mississippi. “My mom felt that spending the money was worth it for her girls to experience diversity,” said Jessica. “It was obviously not as diverse as when Shayna was there, but it was the most diverse you could get. It was the only school that admitted Jews, black people and other minorities at the time.” Jessica credits her time at Lausanne with establishing her global mindset and for building the foundation in many ways for her continued education and career. “I was never running away from anything but towards something,” she says. After leaving Lausanne, Jessica went on to graduate from the University of Virginia, obtain her law degree from Boston University and begin her career in foreign service. She’s worked for the
U.S. Embassy in Nicaragua and The Netherlands, as a senior strategic advisor to generals in Iraq and as the U.S. Consulate General in Canada. She learned multiple languages along the way. Her life has been one amazing story after another. She was in Memphis the day Martin Luther King Jr. was shot. Twenty years after receiving her law degree, she went back for her master’s at National War College in Washington D.C. and was in the first National Security Council meeting with the President after 9/11.
The collage of jobs, events and locations has changed multiple times over the years but she said it was one class and teacher at Lausanne that launched it all. “If it weren’t for Ms. [Helen] Allen’s World Areas Studies class, I never would have gone into foreign service. The discussions we had and how she opened all of our eyes to the different cultures and issues really impacted the rest of my life,” Jessica shares. Ms. LeCroy has stayed connected with her alma mater. In 2010 she was given the distinguished
Jessica LeCroy’s Lausanne World Areas Studies teacher Helen Allen.
honor of being named the Lausanne Chair of Ideas and addressed the class of 2011 at their graduation. As Shayna and Jessica got to know each other during their time together in Oxford they were able to reminisce about their separate experiences at Lausanne. During their discussions, they discovered one major connection despite attending the West Massey campus 40 years apart: writing. “During my undergrad years at Tulane, I studied international relations and Spanish,” explains Shayna. “Because of
w w w . l a u s a n n e s c h o o l . c o m 21
the way my writing had been honed through my years at Lausanne, it made my political science classes easier. And because I could write so well in English, Spanish was never a problem for me.” Jessica quickly agreed. “When I arrived at UVA, I was way ahead of my peers as far as writing went,” says Ms. LeCroy. “I even had a professor pull me to the side after class one day and ask how I had learned to write in such an advanced way as just a freshman. I learned it at Lausanne.” The class has concluded and Shayna is now full-swing into her spring semester at Ole Miss and Jessica has returned home. The older Lausanne graduate shared with the younger before they parted ways what she could see her doing after law school. “I think Shayna has the potential to be a really great litigator,” Jessica said with a
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smile. “She could disarm any jury or judge. It would be a good fit for her.” As for Shayna, her thoughts on this chance crossing-of-paths with a fellow Lausanne alumna has been an experience she will never forget.
“I am so thankful that I was able to learn under Ms. LeCroy, even if it was for a short time. Not only was I able to take an intensive course on a narrow subject that is not offered at any other university in the nation, I was able to gain knowledge about global law from someone who hasn’t just learned it but has lived it.” It was one generation of Lausanne empowering another. It’s The Lausanne Way.
(clockwise from top) Upper School actor Gabriella Gonzalez ’18 gives make-up and acting tips to Lower School actor Aliyah Nevels ’24 before the Lion King Jr. The Lower School cast of the Lion King Jr. Bravo, Lynx! David Rhea ’18, Jay Lattimore ’18, Tali Rosenfeld ’17 and Zack Brownlee ’17 discuss the Lion King Jr. during the final rehearsal. All four Upper School students acted as mentors to the Lower School thespians during the show.
Lower School Musical with Middle School and Upper School Mentors Throughout the school year, the curtain goes up multiple times on the Elder Performing Arts Center (EPAC) stage for Lower, Middle and Upper School productions. Whenever it does, the talent and artistic abilities of our Lausanne thespians shine. One special connection throughout the Lausanne theater community is the mentorship our older Lynx share with our Lower School actors. Middle and Upper School students have the unique opportunity to serve as apprentice artists during the rehearsal and production periods of the Lower School musical each year. In addition to production duties, older assistants also have the incredible experience of serving as mentors to Lower School performers. The older students connect with their younger peers by helping guide them through the rehearsal process, offering kind encouragement and providing substantial performance advice. “Theater is a fun way to get to know people better and break past your fears,” says Lausanne freshman Mackenzie Barbour ’19. She was able to share her passion for theater this year when she assisted in the Lower School production of Lion King Jr. Mackenzie loved the experience and hopes that the younger thespians continue to develop their appreciation for theater. “Whether it was showing them steps in a dance or learning how to use stage makeup, the Lion King Jr. cast was an amazing group of energetic and talented kids that I hope I get to work with again.” The relationships built during the run of the Lower School Musical are beneficial to all involved and often last for years to come.
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(clockwise from top) Second grader Noah Bowden ‘26 shows his grandfather Warren Crain what he has been working on during his robotics project. Middle School student Jalen Montgomery ‘20 appreciated hearing Grandma and Grandpa, Roy and Ruby Strong, share life experiences during Grandparents and Family Friends Day. Drew Sklar ‘20 listens along with grandparents, Joan and Howard Spector, his Mimi and Pops. Sophomore John Williams ‘18 enjoys having his grandparents at the Upper School lunch honoring guests on Grandparents and Family Friends Day.
Grandparents and Family Friends Day Each year, Lausanne grandparents and family friends are invited to campus the day before Thanksgiving Break to have a glimpse of their Lausanne students’ daily learning experience. All divisions of the school participate in this warm welcome to campus. The Early Childhood and Lower School students serenade their guests with an always entertaining selection of songs. The guests then move to the classrooms to meet the students’ teachers and to learn about some of the exciting projects and activities that happen at school. In the Middle School, the goal of the day is to allow the older generation the opportunity to share their life experiences so their grandchildren can better understand world events through a personal connection. In each grade level, the grandparents are sent topics which are covered in their grandchildren’s classes, and they are asked to sit as a panel to field the questions from the students. The Upper School students lead their grandparents on a campus-wide tour, and then a lunch is hosted in the guests’ honor. This day is always highly anticipated by all involved and is a chance for many different ages in the Lausanne Community to connect with The Lausanne Way together.
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How Lausanne Empowers Individuals with Meaningful Relationships
Lausanne students are gr owing up expecting to interact with people from diverse cultures. For them this won’t be the exception, it ’ll be their expectation...their no rmal. Noma Anderson, William Anderson, Robert Dyson ’21 and Rachel Anderson
What Lausanne Means To Me By Noma Anderson—President of the Lausanne Board of Trustees
The Lausanne community is immensely important to our family. Our grandson Robert Dyson ‘21 is currently in the seventh grade, with this being his fifth year at Lausanne. He is thriving beautifully. Academically, he is stimulated by his teachers and his classes, and his classmates are his learning community. The collaborative learning process that occurs among the teachers and students in his classes is fostering his success. It has been wonderful to observe our grandson beginning to understand that he’s a responsible component of the learning process. He recognizes that while his teachers have a role in his learning, so does he.
For example, he plays on a basketball team that ended the season as the number one seed (yeah, I’m bragging). During the games, so many of the parents remarked about how supportive and encouraging the teammates were with each other, regardless of skill and ability. The coach and the team were a cohesive unit. On every team he has been on, he not only advances his skill level but he, as well as all the players, develop positive and supportive relationships. Just as the interactions that take place in the classrooms, being a member of Lausanne athletic teams has been an important part of our grandson’s growth and development.
The emotional maturity that he is developing comes from the strong and positive relationships that he has with his teachers and his classmates. He is being empowered.
The wonderful diversity of Lausanne creates a wonderful learning and developmental community for our students. When you come to the Lausanne campus and you see the students walking about, engaging with each other, studying together, playing together, it’s looks like a microcosm of what our children’s work and social futures will look like. Lausanne students are growing up expecting to interact with people from diverse cultures. For them
The Lausanne student community is joyous, active, electric and supportive. We are especially grateful for the varied relationships that Robert has at Lausanne.
this won’t be the exception, it’ll be their expectation... their normal. I can see the students from Lausanne engaging in their careers and in their civic, social and cultural communities being leaders and role models because of their intellect, their character and their ability to engage collaboratively with others. This they will gain from having been empowered by the Lausanne environment. As a grandparent, I am grateful that Robert is at Lausanne because the skills that he is acquiring the confidence that he is developing, and the respect that he shows to everyone with whom he interacts is empowering. Additionally, by being president of the Lausanne Board of Trustees, I am immensely impressed by the commitment that each board member has to the school’s students, the mission and the future of Lausanne Collegiate School. It is an honor to work with the extraordinary individuals serving on the board and with all who are a part of the school’s administration. Our family values the relationships that all of us have developed at Lausanne.
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T he Ro a d Ah e a d
I don’t know anyone who doesn’t enjoy celebrating his or her birthday. Even those for whom the word ‘age’ seems like an epithet, birthdays are a happy excuse to have a little ‘me’ time … to bask in the attention of others, to celebrate an important milestone and to reflect on our dreams and aspirations. And, of course, to eat a little cake. On February 19, 2016, a number of us went over to Trezevant Manor to celebrate the 100th birthday of our oldest living alumna Gladys “Janey” Caughlin Campbell ’32. Janey has an infectious and winning positive attitude about life and an enduring love for Lausanne from which she graduated just 84 years ago. What was the school like then? Women from that era talk about the rigorous academics, the attention to the individual and the tolerance for differences. Our founders, Mrs. Emma Jett and Miss Bessie Statler, promoted those values as part of our school culture, modeling Lausanne after what they thought of as the enlightened educational environment present in Lausanne, Switzerland. So, while the face of Lausanne has changed radically since Janey Campbell graduated in 1932, the spirit of the school has not. The Lausanne Way reflects all that has been historically true of our school and our students who have always been empowered to seek their own journeys. Just ask Janey. Lausanne will be celebrating a birthday of its own during the next school year. That’s when the school will turn 90 years old.
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And we are going to have a little ‘me’ time. We are going to honor all those who have come before us and have laid the foundation for our wonderful school. We are going to celebrate our birthday in many special ways. And we are going to imagine our future and our next 90 years—making the plans to continue the Lausanne legacy for the next several generations of students. In this issue, we have included a list of the many events that are being planned by our 90th anniversary committee, chaired by Lausanne parent and trustee Catherine Nichols. It is our hope that everyone in the school will join in on the fun and find a reason to honor our past, celebrate our present and imagine a great future for our students. And, of course, eat a little cake.
Michael Christopher Assistant Headmaster for Development
90
TH
Gladys “Janey” Caughlin Campbell ’32 pictured holding her Lausanne Diploma
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Linking Our 65 Re un io ntraveling to Fairhope, Alabama, home of one of Cl as s of 19 brated their 50th Reunion by of spent a lot The Class of 1965 cele enjoyed local seafood and penter ‘65. They shopped, tic locale. exo ther their classmates Roxie Car ano in r yea this s to continue this tradition plan e hav y The up! hing time catc
1975
Class of 1975 Reunion
The Class of 1975 celebrated their 40th reunion this past October during Alumni Reunion Weekend. They started the weekend with cocktails at the home of Alison Markell Wetter ‘75 before heading to Jim’s Place for dinner and catching up. On Friday, they joined fellow alumni from other reunion classes on campus for tours and a reception before the Homecoming football game. They concluded their weekend with a dinner at the home of Nancy Schneider Raileanu ‘75 on Saturday.
Clas s of 2005 Reun ion
The Class of 2005 also celebrated their 10-year reunion during Alumni Reunion Weekend in October. They gathered for tours and cocktails before the big Homecoming game on Friday and returned on Saturday for a picnic by Blue Heron Lake. They concluded their weekend with a cocktail party at Jay Etkins Gallery, then dinner in Cooper Young.
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Lynx: Lausanne Reunions 2015
Class of 1965 Class of 1975 Class of 2005
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Class N o t e s
“ Because Lausanne is the best school in Memphis.” That was my reply to Stuart McCathie during my job interview in 2014 when he asked me why I wanted to come to Lausanne. I think he laughed a bit at my answer, because it seemed like a ploy to get the job, but as I went on to explain, I know first-hand the impact that Lausanne has on its graduates. Several of my closest friends have graduated from Lausanne and have gone on to become architects, non-profit executives, entrepreneurs, international communications consultants and educators at leading institutions across the U.S. Now, two years after I began my journey here, I feel fortunate to be a part of a school that continues its tradition of preparing graduates who become leaders in the community and the world. Having already spent six years in the development field, two and a half of those in alumni relations, working with alumni and building relationships is a passion for me. I have already been busy meeting with alumni in Memphis, Birmingham, Atlanta and Nashville, and I look forward to seeing many more of you as the road trips continue in the summer and fall. Please know that I am here for each and every one of you and, we are working very hard in the Alumni Office to build a stronger and more effective Lausanne Alumni Association. More news to come on that!
1932 B Gladys Jane Caughlin Campbell
Janey recently celebrated her 100th birthday in style at Trezevant Manor in Memphis, Tenn. with a Mardi Gras themed bash attended by more than 80 family members and friends. Headmaster Stuart McCathie, Peggy Reed, Michael Christopher, and Charlotte Albertson, were there to catch up with Janey and bring her gifts from the Lausanne family.
1962 B Sally Goodman Graflund
Sally spent the holidays at her Midtown Memphis home surrounded by her family, including her husband Danny Graflund, her grandchildren Ryan McGown, age 11, Thomas McGown ‘26, age 7, who is a second grader at Lausanne, and the family lab puppy, Star.
1967 B Mary Swihart Schupbach and
Best,
Charlotte J. Albertson Director of Annual Giving & Alumni Affairs calbertson@lausanneschool.com 30 L A U S A N N E s p r i n g 2 0 1 6
Karen Conner D’Angelo Mary and Karen met for a long lunch in Scottsdale, AZ where they both reside.
B Kathryn Heymann Messinger
Kathryn married Roger Messinger on March 22, 2015. She is loving retired life after being a registered nurse for 30 years and has four grandchildren to keep her busy!
1976 B Barbara Thoman Rhoads
Barbara celebrated the holidays with lots of snow in beautiful Spokane, Washington.
1977 B Kathryn Morelli
Kathryn rang in the New Year off the coast of Florida deep-sea fishing with her family.
in memoriam:
Annie Laurie McGee Hall ’40 Annie Laurie Mcgee Hall ’40 passed away December 25, 2015 at the age of 93. She was a student of the Lausanne School for Girls and The Memphis Art Academy. In 2001, she was inducted into Lausanne’s Alumni Hall of Fame. Annie Laurie was an active member of Germantown United Methodist Church (GUMC) since 1963. Outside of the church, Annie Laurie was an active community volunteer. She was a member of Suburban Garden Club, Poplar Estates Garden Club and Germantown Women’s Club. She was a member of Pegasus and the Germantown Horseshow Committee. She was also a member of the Germantown City Beautification Committee. In 1993, she was named the Lions Club Citizen of the Year. In 1994, she was named Tennessee Citizen of the Year. In 2000, she was named Germantown Hometown Hero. In 2001, Memphis Women Magazine awarded Annie Laurie one of the “50 Women Who Make A Difference.” That same year she was also awarded the Jo Reed Community Service Award. Annie Laurie was also an avid ballroom dancer and won many first place awards.
1996 B Andy Wohlfarth
Andy and his wife Rachel welcomed with love Evelyn Ann Wohlfarth on December 10, 2015, at 7 lbs. 13 oz. and 21 inches.
1997 B Q-Juan Taylor
Nashville-based restaurant owner Q-Juan had a lot to celebrate February 3 as he opened his second Nashville area restaurant The Hook. His other stand-out restaurant, Sinema, which is housed in Nashville’s historic Melrose Theater, was recently featured in USA TODAY’s article “10 Restaurants in Cool Converted Structures.” The Class of 1940. Top Row (left to right) – Janet Kelso, Helen Tully, Louise Clarke, Mary Margaret Campbell, Susan Jett & Annie Laurie McGee. Bottom Row (Left to right) – Pat Corrother, Edith Snowden, Mrs. Wray (faculty), & Jessie Woods
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Class N o t e s 1998
2003
B Patrick McManis
B Lucy Hadskey
Living in Austin, Texas these days, Patrick is working with friends at theCHIVE.com, a photo-entertainment website that was designed “to entertain and inspire, not to inform.” As Patrick stated, “I still haven’t grown up.”
Lucy was married to Patrick Belote on October 3, 2015, at her family’s weekend home in Greer’s Ferry, Ark. The wedding was inspired by the fall timing and the beautiful rural setting. Their wedding was featured in the January 2016 issue of Memphis magazine.
2000 B Kristin Dohrn
Kristin is currently getting her doctorate in physical therapy at New York University in New York, N.Y. She will be completing her degree in 2017.
2004 B Aarica Blackett Smith
Aarica and her husband Marcus Smith welcomed their first child on December 5, 2015. Their daughter, Laryn Renee Smith, and the family are doing well and enjoying every minute of her. B Tyler Cotton
in memoriam:
Tyler is now Senior Account Executive at WE Communications in Beijing City, China.
Nathalie Latham Manire ’42
2005
Nathalie Latham Manire ’42 passed away peacefully on January 11, 2016, at the age of 89 in Memphis, Tenn. Nathalie graduated from Lausanne School for Girls in Memphis, attended Southwestern College (now Rhodes College), and graduated from Hollins College in Roanoke, Va. She was a lifelong member of Idlewild Presbyterian Church, of which her grandfather was a founder. Nathalie worked as a psychiatric social worker at Gailor Hospital, performed community service through the Junior League of Memphis and brightened the lives of her co-workers. Nathalie’s impact was best measured by the countless people whose lives she touched with her extraordinary grace, strength and sense of humor. To her last days, Nathalie was still making new friends and cherishing happy moments with existing ones. Nathalie is survived by her brother, James Davant Latham; her sons, James McDonnell Manire, Jr. of Denver, Colorado, and Michael Latham Manire of Port Chester, New York; her daughter, Nathalie Manire Willard of Lewes, Delaware; her grandchildren, Jack Manire, Jessie Manire, Kate Manire, Maggie Manire, Sam Willard, Will Willard and Nate Willard; and great-grandson, Connor Manire. She was preceded in death by her brother, Swayne Latham, Jr.
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B Brian Dragutsky
Brian is now Director of Research at Stern Cardiovascular in Memphis, Tenn. B Brittany McDonald Owen
Brittany welcomed Michael Bodden Owen on October 16, 2015, at 8:41 p.m., weighing 9 lbs. 0 oz. and 21.25 inches long. Her husband Richard and twoyear-old daughter Madeleine are also so in love with this sweet little boy! B Janelle Crandall Osowski
Janelle is an employment attorney in Midtown Memphis and is expecting her first child in March of 2016. B Valencia Lewis
After graduating from Christian Brothers University with a degree in Natural Science, Valencia is District Sales Coordinator at Medtronic, Inc. in Memphis, Tenn. B Asena May
Asena has accepted an offer with Clifford Chance LLP in the fall, which is ranked the #1 Global Law Firm on the Chambers Global Top 30. She will be splitting her time between finance and corporate mergers and acquisitions. This summer, she will already be spending time in their London or Hong Kong offices. Until then, Asena is focused on school this spring, Law Review and traveling to Barcelona in February, Cuba in March and France in May.
in memoriam:
B Rebecca Newman Casamayor
Currently living in Miami, Rebecca is a practicing business and commercial litigation attorney. Also, she was recently married in 2015.
Gail Grider Gurley ‘60 Gail Grider Gurley ‘60, a long-time resident of Memphis, passed away on January 8, 2016 in Chattanooga, Tenn. Born July 13, 1942 in Louisville, Ky., Gail is an alumna of Lausanne Collegiate School.
B Marshall Wade
Marshall will be completing his M.B.A. in international business from the University of Tampa in May of 2016.
2007 B Kydlan Duchek
Kydlan married Eric Margulies on August 29, 2015, in Saugatuck, Mich. They met while studying at McGill University in Montreal, Canada, where Kydlan received her B.A. in economics. She also went on to pursue her Masters of Education from DePaul University. She and her husband currently reside in Chicago, Ill., where Kydlan is public programs facilitator at the Lincoln Park Zoo.
2008 B Ryan Thornton
Ryan is keeping busy in New York working in Digital Strategy at Sony Music Entertainment. He is on a team dedicated to online marketing for the streaming services (audio and video) such as Spotify, Apple Music, VEVO and more. Currently, his team is working on Sony artists such as Elvis, Bob Dylan, The Isley Brothers and Michael Jackson, but they also handle the entire Sony roster. Also, Ryan has his own consultancy where he provides digital solutions related to analytics and search engine optimization (SEO) for clients in the New York metropolitan area. Before working at Sony, Ryan was a digital strategist with Ketchum Digital, a digital public relations and marketing agency in Washington, D.C. He moved to New York to pursue his interests working in entertainment and further his singing career. His very first performances were on the Lausanne EPAC stage. Since his time at Lausanne, he has performed at the Apollo Theatre in Harlem, N.Y. on multiple occasions.
2009 B Class of 2009
The Class of 2009, together with Lausanne faculty member Michael Naya, reunited during the holiday break.
Gail loved her pets, good food, reading, crossword puzzles, Bridge, and Bunko. She enjoyed her family and had a wonderful wit about her. She is survived by her daughters, Ann Gurley Keylon of Harrison, Tenn., Nicki Gurley Downing of Bartlett, Tenn., her son, Jim Gurley of Portland, Tenn. and six grandchildren. She is also survived by her former husband and friend, James Gurley of Memphis, several siblings including George Grider of Memphis, Wilson Grider of Lewiston, N.Y., Sally Elizabeth Grider of Portland, Ore. and several nieces and nephews.
B Katherine Dye, Devin Brooks, Anahita Rahimi-Saber, and
Rachel Davidson ’10 Katherine, Devin, Anahita and Rachel celebrated New Year’s Eve together. B Stuart Rucker
Stuart moved to Oregon and is pursuing his PhD in political science. He is also working at a world-class hotel there, FivePine Lodge and Conference Center.
WE WANT TO
HEAR FROM YOU! Top row, (left to right): Devin Brooks ‘09, Alex Fraser ‘09, Andrew Landers ‘09, Trey Fisher ‘09, Bryant Reams ‘09, and Michael Naya. Bottom row, (left to right): Caitlin Likens ‘09 and Anahita Rahimi-Saber ‘09
Please let us know about new jobs, marriages, children, travel opportunities, accolades, etc.
Email calbertson@lausanneschool.com Charlotte J. Albertson, Director of Annual Giving & Alumni Affairs
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Class N o t e s 2010
2012
B Josh Steiner
B Abshir Hassan Esse
Josh and his restaurant Strano! Sicilian Kitchen & Bar in the Cooper Young District of Memphis were recently featured in the January 25 issue of The Commercial Appeal. In the article, Josh reminisces about his time at Lausanne where he played both basketball and lacrosse, but after school he washed dishes and eventually made pizzas at Johnny Brusco’s New York Style Pizza in Collierville. Renowned Memphis chef and restaurateur Kelly English of Restaurant Iris and The Second Line is quoted as saying, “I was a lot older than he was when I opened my restaurant. I know what it feels like to be a young guy opening a restaurant. He should be really proud of himself.”
Abshir was on the Dean’s List at Cornell University last semester and has accepted an offer from Barclays Capital as a financial analyst. Abshir is currently a senior at Cornell University studying industrial and labor relations.
B Benjamin Orgel and Logan Scheidt
Alexus was selected into the prestigious Jack Kent Cooke Foundation’s College Scholarship Program. Cooke College Scholars receive up to $40,000 a year for up to four years to complete her degree. Scholars are also automatically eligible to receive continued graduate school funding of up to $50,000 a year for up to three years. Selected from a nationwide pool of applicants, only 40 students are awarded this honor. Alex is currently a freshman at Princeton University.
Benjamin and Logan started the Revival at Tennessee Brewery, a popup beer garden in Memphis, Tenn., which was such a huge success in April and May of 2015 that they did it again with Station 3: The Memphis Firehaus, the old Fire Station No. 3 at the corner of Third Street and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue in October and November 2015. Both ventures have received huge press in the Memphis Business Journal and The Commercial Appeal. All of Memphis can’t wait to see what’s next for these two! B Meagan Fairchild
Meagan graduated from University of Tennessee, Chattanooga, in 2014 and is currently working in Nashville at the Vanderbilt University Medical Center as a clinical trial associate.
2011 B Olivia Hope Lewis
Olivia graduated Cum Laude from DePaul University with a bachelor’s degree in education and literature. She is now teaching 10th grade English Language Arts at Voyageur/Consortium College Preparatory High School in Detroit, Michigan, as well as being academic advisor to their student athletes. As if she wasn’t busy enough, she is also pursuing her master’s degree at the University of Michigan. B Stefan Tuomanen Masure
Making sure to come by Lausanne and say hello this past fall, Stefan has returned to Memphis, Tenn. to pursue a master’s degree in computational physics at the University of Memphis while doing research at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. He graduated from Swarthmore College with degrees in astrophysics and theater. He mentioned, “I hope to translate my degree from the University of Memphis into a Ph.D. in medical physics at another institution. Not sure which yet!”
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B Christopher Giles
Christopher will be interning with PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) in Manhattan this summer in their Tax Department. Chris is a senior at Rhodes College studying accounting and finance.
2013 B Kirsten Webb
Kirsten started the University of Memphis Loewenberg College of Nursing in January.
2015 B Alexus Fraser
B Bailey Morris
Bailey along with her mother, Lausanne faculty member Kate Manzo, visited family in the Northeast and made a point to stop by the Big Apple! Bailey is currently a freshman at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. B Carly Nahon
Carly has been very busy in her first year at Emerson College in Boston, Mass., appearing in her first production, Treasure Island, through Emerson’s “Kidding Around” thespian group which promotes theater for young audiences. Also, she is working with WERS radio station, is treasurer of the Musical Theater Society and was featured in em Magazine, Emerson’s culture and fashion publication.
Cameron Payne ’13 Becomes Fourth Lynx to Have Jersey Retired Cameron Payne walked through the doors of the Main Gym on December 7, 2015 at Lausanne Collegiate School just as he had many times since his seventh grade year at the school. But this time was different. The class of 2013 graduate was the man of the hour and the reason for the gathering of familiar Lausanne faces and the entire Oklahoma City Thunder basketball team and coaching staff. Cameron was there to be celebrated as his #3 Lausanne basketball jersey was retired by the school. While at Lausanne, he was a four-year starter for the Lynx and amassed over 1600 points and 600 assists during his career. Between the girls and boys varsity games that night, Cameron was accompanied to mid-court by Lausanne Headmaster Stuart McCathie, Athletic Director Kevin Locastro, current Head Basketball Coach Marvis Davis and former Head Basketball Coach Kenneth White. After being presented his framed jersey, Cameron returned the honor by
presenting Mr. McCathie his autographed Oklahoma jersey. Cameron was chosen number fourteen overall in the 2015 NBA draft by the Oklahoma City Thunder on June 25, 2015. The point guard finished his sophomore season at Murray State University before declaring early for the draft after seeing his stock rise following an excellent year. The jersey retirement made Cameron only the fourth Lynx to receive this honor. The first retired-jersey player in Lausanne history was class of 1999 graduate Andrew Ross. Andrew finished his career at Lausanne as first team all-state with 1,099 points, the first Lynx to ever reach this milestone. His #25 jersey was retired during a sports awards ceremony in late January of 1999. Andrew is an attorney and now lives with his wife and baby girl in Nashville, Tenn. Carlos Taylor ’04, #31, became the second Lynx to be honored with a retired jersey at the end of his Lausanne playing
career. The point guard shattered all of the school’s records, finishing his time at Lausanne with 2,123 points, 614 assists, 289 steals and was named to the Tennessee all-state first team. Carlos still holds top the spot for all Lausanne basketball records. He now works at Lausanne in the Physical Education department as a coach and owns his own basketball skills academy iEvolve Performance Training. Carlos is the proud father of his six-year-old daughter, Rylee. The third Lynx retirement came seven years before, almost to the day, of Cameron’s ceremony. The NBA star and Memphis Grizzlies center Marc Gasol ‘04 had his Lausanne #33 jersey raised to the rafters on December 9, 2008. Congratulations to Cameron and all of the other retired jersey Lynx! #AlwaysALynx #AlwaysLausanne
Photos, from top left: Cameron Payne ’13 was honored at center court by Athletic Director Kevin Locastro, Headmaster Stuart McCathie, Varsity Head Coach Marvis Davis and former Lausanne Varsity Head Coach Kenneth White. He presented a his signed OKC Thunder jersey to Mr. McCathie. Andrew Ross ’99 was the first Lynx in the history of the school to have his jersey retired. Andrew visited with Headmaster Stuart McCathie earlier this year at a Nashville alumni event. Carlos Taylor ’04 stands below his retired jersey in the lobby of the Main Gym. Marc Gasol ’04 with Headmaster Stuart McCathie in 2008 during his jersey retirement ceremony. The retired Lausanne basketball jerseys in the Main Gym lobby belong to Marc Gasol ’04, Cameron Payne ’13, Andrew Ross ’99 and Carlos Taylor ’04. w w w . l a u s a n n e s c h o o l . c o m 35
Class N o t e s
Nashville Alumni Reception Headmaster Stuart McCathie, Alumni Director Charlotte Albertson and Assistant Headmaster for Development Michael Christopher had a chance to catch up with close to 20 alumni in Nashville on March 1, 2016. The event was held at Sinema Restaurant, owned by alumnus Q-Juan Taylor ‘97. Mark your calendars for the next one this fall!
REUNION WEEKENDS ARE COMING! Class of 1996 We can’t wait to see you back for our 20th reunion June 10–June 12, 2016. To RSVP and get the full details, email Josh Goldin ’96 at jgoldin1@bellsouth.net or call the Alumni Office at 901-474-1029.
Class of 1976
Chris Lampley Fullen (left to right) Tonya Pascale Richardson ‘86, Lucie Wallace Cammack ‘76, Williams ‘76. Forbes Kay and ‘76 Nash h ‘75, Liz Alperin Simonian ‘76, Tamyra Kavanaug
Many of you have already heard from Elizabeth Alperin Simonian ‘76 about your upcoming reunion September 30–October 2, 2016 during Homecoming Weekend. We look forward to welcoming this class back to campus in the fall!
Class of 1967 Mary Swihart Schupbach ‘67, Jill Williams Niell ‘67 and LaGrange Griffith Gippe ’67 are already hard at work planning their 50th reunion for 2017. More details to come soon and the exciting location they have chosen! Be sure to update your contact info with the Alumni Office to make sure you are on the mailing list. Dawne Dickey Davis ‘82, , and Alexandria Scarbrough Fisher ‘05 Q-Juan Taylor ‘97 and Stuart McCathie
STAY IN THE LOOP!
Want to be invited to upcoming happy hours, sporting events, and networking events in your region? Want to make sure you are on your reunion mailing list? Are you wondering what happened to your favorite teacher or best friend from math class? Then be sure to update your contact information with the Alumni Office.
It only takes a moment at www.lausanneschool.com/alumniupdate.
36 L A U S A N N E s p r i n g 2 0 1 6
Classes that end in 1’s and 6’s (and even 2’s and 7’s!) We have already started planning several reunions for the summer and fall, and we don’t want to leave you out! We have a Reunion Planning Guide to get you started and can provide you with class contact information, suggested hotels and venues for parties, etc. We are happy to sponsor your picnic by Blue Heron Lake or cocktail reception. Email Charlotte Albertson, Director of Alumni Affairs, at calbertson@lausanneschool.com or call 901-474-1029.
In Loving Memory of
Ms. Barbie Burgmeier, Beloved Biology and Chemistry teacher (march 3, 1993–december 17, 2015)
In spite of being at Lausanne for a short amount of time, Ms. Burgmeier was an invaluable member of the Lausanne family, and her presence was a gift to all of us for each moment she was a part of our lives. We remember Ms. Burgmeier’s infectious smile and sense of humor, which never failed to brighten the days of anyone she interacted with in the halls of Lausanne. We remember the safe and exciting atmosphere of learning she created in the classroom—a space in which students always felt empowered to risk, fail, succeed and risk again. We remember her endless dedication to instilling in her students the confidence and curiosity necessary to navigate life in all its complexities. But, perhaps more than anything, we remember the kindness she demonstrated toward us all. Ms. Burgmeier’s contagious passion for learning could be seen in the biology and chemistry classroom, and her sincere care for all living things could be seen in her guidance of the Lausanne Loves Animals club. To those who knew Ms. Burgmeier, the loss is great, but the joy that she brought in her lifetime is far greater. The unbreakable bonds she formed with students and colleagues alike in such a short time is truly a testimony to the incredible person she was, and we will always remember her.
In Loving Memory of
Mr. Reginald Marshall, Beloved member of the Lausanne Building and Service Staff (February 5, 1958–March 19, 2016)
Mr. Reginald Marshall, one of our building services staff, passed away Saturday, March 19, 2016. Reginald, or Mr. Reggie as he was so fondly called by all around campus, had been a welcoming face in the Tully Dining Hall for over three years. Mr. Reggie was always ready to help every day at lunch, from a dropped tray to a spilled drink. He valued working at Lausanne and took pride in everything he did, much of it behind the scenes. He would often say that he loves it when a kid drops a tray or cup in the cafeteria because that’s what allows him to have a job. He just wished they didn’t all do it at once! Reggie will be deeply missed. #AlwaysALynx
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WHAT DO
YOU REMEMBER?
The 90th anniversary committee, led by Catherine Nicholls, is busily planning a wonderful celebration of our founding throughout the 2016-2017 school year. Some of the special events are noted here, but most importantly, we want to hear from YOU. Share your most cherished memory from your time at Lausanne and we will make it part of the celebration. You can send your stories to Charlotte Albertson, Director of Alumni Affairs or go to www.lausanneschool.com/90Stories and submit it online. Memories shared by the end of summer may become part of the special 90th anniversary edition of the magazine coming out in the Fall!
WE’RE LOOKING FOR 90 STORIES FROM YOU TO HELP CELEBRATE 90 WONDERFUL YEARS! DECADE CELEBRATED
MONTH
EVENTS
‘20’s
August
All School Birthday Party for Students
‘30’s
September
Archives Dedication and Homecoming weekend
‘40’s
October
History of Lausanne Book
‘50’s
November
Blue Heron Coffeehouse
‘60’s
December
Lower School Musical
‘70’s
January
Speaker Series
‘80’s
February
Spaghetti Dinner
‘90’s
March
Chair of Ideas
‘00’s
April
Auction (April 1, 2017) 90th Celebration (April 22, 2017)
‘10’s
May
Baccalaureate/Graduation