Update october11 f

october 2011

The Campaign for Lake Forest Academy

Update

Campaign Leadership Campaign Resources Committee (CRC) Catherine M. Waddell P’01, P’03, Chair Merrill J. Ferguson ’72, P’10 Karl R. Gedge ’69, P’01 Lauren A. Gorter P’06, P’09 Richard R. Jaros ’70 Jeffrey B. Keller ’87 Jeffrey C. Neal P’00, P’02 Robin G. Zafirovski P’04, P’05, P’09 Head of School John A. Strudwick Dean of External Relations Marina S. Krejci Marts & Lundy Consultant Katherine Doub Parents Campaign Committee (PCC) Lauren A. Gorter P’06, P’09, Chair Susan D. Coburn P’07, P’09, P’13 Julie M. Kennedy P’08, P’11, P’13, P’15 Cynthia W. Yingling P’09, P’11 Robin G. Zafirovski P’04, P’05, P’09

Dear LFA Community, Capital campaigns often seem like jigsaw puzzles: lots of interlocking pieces with partial pictures. While assembling, sometimes you get stuck and can’t seem to fit a single piece, and later you get on a roll, and every piece fits into place.

The Campaign for LFA is much like this. We’ve enjoyed tremendous success thanks to the support of some very committed and generous donors; yet, at times, we’ve stalled when the economy has thrown us a curveball.

But through it all, we’ve maintained our focus on our strategic priorities. It has been thrilling to see people come together to make the magic happen. We’ve shared some of our successes with you in recent months, and any student at LFA can tell you how the new facilities and program enhancements have made a difference at the school. It is truly transformational.

In this issue of the Campaign Update you will read the story of our beloved Ray Bird and how he inspired the minds of many students. Testimonials from these students illustrate the impact Ray had on their lives at LFA and beyond. This is precisely the kind of teacher we want LFA to continue to attract and retain, teachers who make a transformational difference in the lives of young people.

As we see more of the puzzle pieces fitting into place in athletics, the arts, our residential program, and faculty housing, the picture is clearly improving. Next on the horizon is possibly the most exciting project of all and the one that truly speaks to our core mission to educate citizens of the world. The last piece of the puzzle will refocus us on ensuring that our academic program and the spaces in which we deliver it are upgraded to reflect our commitment to excellence in all we do. This initiative includes 1.) raising funds for our Endowment, which will ensure the financial sustainability of the school and enhance the academic program, and 2.) constructing a freestanding Science and Technology Center to support LFA’s dynamic and innovative curriculum in this field. At the risk of repeating ourselves, this will be transformational.

Our ambitions reflect tremendous optimism and belief in the continuous generosity of the Ferry Hall and Lake Forest Academy communities. In the coming months, you will hear more specific news about the final phase of the Campaign for LFA. Thank you so much for your support!

Jeffrey B. Keller ’87 Chair, Board of Trustees

John A. Strudwick P’13, P’15 Head of School

Comprehensive Capital Campaign Contributions to Date Campaign Dollars Raised $32,578,630 Annual Charitable Giving $11,652,963 (Academy Fund and Gala from fiscal years 2005–2011)

Total

$44,231,593

Campaign contributions received after September 20, 2011, will be recognized in future publications.

LFA Announces $2.5M Bird Chair Master chair a first for school; honors former Academy English teacher Ray Bird

by Ruth Keyso You can learn a lot about Ray Bird by looking at his books. I don’t mean the titles of the novels that fill his shelves; rather, what’s inside. When I cracked the cover of a hardback during a recent visit to his home in New Jersey, I discovered ink annotations in every conceivable white space—inside cover, footer, margin.

Ray doesn’t just read a book; he ravages it.

This passion for the written word influenced his teaching. For 36 years—12 at LFA—Ray taught students to love literature, to test the boundaries of their imaginative abilities, and to open their minds to ideas both novel and arcane. With a quick wit, abundant gestures, and a limitless supply of energy, Ray captivated his students and instilled a lifelong passion for reading, writing, and creative expression.

In honor of his distinguished career and in the spirit of promoting exceptional teaching at the Academy, the school established the Dr. Ray Bird Master Chair in English in 2011. This $2.5 million master chair—the first master chair in Academy history—will provide $125,000 in income annually to attract and retain strong English Department faculty members, to enhance academic rigor, to provide opportunities for faculty professional development, and to initiate greater faculty-student learning experiences. A formal announcement of the chair will be made at the school’s Cornerstone Society celebration on Nov. 5, 2011.

Nearly two dozen alumni, parents of alumni, and trustees of the Academy made leadership gifts to fund the Bird Chair. Cate Waddell P’01, P’03, chair of the capital campaign, and her husband, Rick, were among the top donors. Cate says their commitment stems from a desire to perpetuate the legacy of fine teaching at LFA and to honor an educator who touched the lives of many.

“Excellent teaching and excellent teachers are probably the most important hallmarks of the combined Lake Forest Academy and Ferry Hall legacies,” says Cate. “They stand out as the reason Rick and I chose LFA for our boys. Supporting the Bird Chair is our way of ensuring that this legacy—which Ray Bird wholeheartedly embraced—continues at the Academy.”

Background Ray was raised in New Jersey and graduated from Phillips Academy Andover. He matriculated at Rollins College and later earned an MA in English from Middlebury College and a Ph.D. from Columbia University. In 1971 he joined Rye Country Day School, where he spent 7 years as a teacher. He later taught at Columbia University and at The Spence School in New York City before taking a position as chair of the LFA English Department in 1995. His wife, Anita, joined the Admission Office as associate director.

Ray always wanted to become a teacher. For him, the career meant engaging young people in ideas and thoughts and getting them thinking “seriously, imaginatively, and passionately” about life and literature from a young age.

“I felt it had taken me a long time—too long—to get thinking,” Ray says. “I wanted to be a catalyst for young people, to help them develop enthusiasm and passion for ideas, to get them engaged and enjoying the study of literature.”

At LFA, Ray taught English 9, 10, and AP English literature. He introduced students to Lolita and Frankenstein, Oedipus and Lear. To enhance the curriculum and extend the learning experience for students, Ray, along with his departmental colleagues, brought writers and poets to the Academy, luminaries such as Lawrence Thornton, Rick Moody, Stuart Dybeck, and Amy Hempel ’69. In the classroom he referred to his students as “scholars in training,” and engaged in serious dialogue about the power and purpose of literature and how it could change their lives.

Since retiring in 2007, Ray has been working on a book about the art of teaching. At the heart of it are his thoughts about helping students realize their capacity for intellectual and imaginative power, through the teaching of great literature. As Ray says, books can—and do—change lives. And so do teachers. The Academy salutes Dr. Bird for his years of devoted teaching, his passion for the profession, and his commitment to Lake Forest Academy. The school is honored to announce the Dr. Ray Bird Master Chair in English, a symbol of the strength of LFA’s academic mission and the power of accomplishment. (above) Dr. Ray Bird in the LFA classroom, 2005 (left) Anita and Ray Bird, summer 2011

“ Having Dr. Bird as a teacher was an experience you think only happens in the movies, except it happened in real life, and it was awesome. He was stimulating and engaging—my writing improved not just technically but in depth, clarity, and meaning. He approached each text with an open mind, but also stayed rigorously in tune with the author’s motives.

This was especially true with poetry and plays like ‘Waiting for Godot,’ which he performed to a captive audience. He was always so alive in the classroom, sweating, pounding on the table, pointing out the window, head spinning around the room—keeping everyone actively involved. When he graded papers, there would be so many comments in his green pen that you felt like he was having a conversation with you. Sometimes he’d write as many as four exclamation points next to a passage to show that he really liked what you said!!!! There was a depth and meaning to everything he did that was truly singular—you felt it in his presence that he loved his work.” —Will Hayes, LFA 2007, B.A., University of Pennsylvania 2011

rigorously in tune

“ We could usually hear Dr. Bird before he entered the room. In the hallway of Reid, his voice would echo, sometimes in banter with colleagues, sometimes just muttering to himself about the day’s activities. As we discussed Kundera and Shakespeare, the chalkboard would shake with the force of his scrawl. He would call out page numbers and positions of quotations—‘page 22, top right-hand corner!’–without consulting his notes. And even on cold winter mornings he would perspire from the frenetic pace he maintained as he led the class. Yet as different as this persona may have seemed from the sleep-deprived teenagers seated around the table, he always treated students as equals. We were, as he said, ‘ontological detectives,’ searching for meaning together. As his copious comments in the margins of our papers suggested, every lead in this endeavor of textual sleuthing merited attention. For this blend of enthusiasm, energy, and sincerity, I oftentimes still hear Dr. Bird when I read or write seriously.”

ontological detectives

—Sam Dolbee, LFA 2004, B.A., University of North Carolina 2008; M.A., Georgetown University 2010; Ph.D. candidate, New York University

“My experience as Dr. Bird’s student was a ‘bookend’ for my LFA English education. I entered his Freshman English class as an avid reader and passionate writer; his passion and rigorous material pushed me to the next level as a critical thinker, reader, and writer. I went home with English assignments that my mom would drool over because of their depth and rigor. I always did my English homework first because I was so excited to tackle the challenge. We students joked about how long it took Dr. Bird to return our papers. When he did, they were covered in his green handwritten comments, exclamation marks in the margins, suggestions for further reading, and detailed comments that included both positive reinforcement and constructive criticism. As an English teacher at LFA today, I think about Dr. Bird’s comments as a model and I try to give my students the same kind of individualized feedback. As a senior in his AP English class, I learned all of the important terms that I needed to succeed on the AP exam and also in my English classes at Middlebury. Those 45-minute in-class essays made last-minute college English papers a breeze. It was the perfect end to an incredible LFA English experience.” —Emily Asher, LFA 2005, B.A., Middlebury College, 2009

passion

“ Dr. Bird was one of my favorite instructors at LFA. His passion and excitement sparked a love of literature for me.

I even kept all of my books because I had such fond memories of his classes. And I took an additional class, just so I could have him as an instructor again. There was never a dull moment in class. Dr. Bird had the ability to make every book exciting (sometimes through theatrics) whether it was Shakespeare, the Bible, poetry or Greek mythology. When I started at LFA, I didn’t really know how to study. Dr. Bird took me aside and taught me how to annotate my reading— identify facts, pay attention to detail, identify important subtleties. By the time the school year ended, I could remember what pages—and even what portion of the page—a sentence or fact was on. I use those skills to this day in my law practice. I am so happy for Dr. Bird and feel blessed that we crossed paths.”

love of literature

—Dennericka Brooks, LFA 2000, B.A., Grinnell College 2004; J.D., Loyola University School of Law 2007

“ I’d never had a teacher before—and haven’t since—who exuded such enthusiasm for a subject matter as Dr. Bird.

He could be whipped into a frenzy of literary joy with a single passage of diction, practically vibrating at an author’s choice of words. He is as well known for his passion in the classroom as he is for his impressive collection of bow ties and corporal displays of enthusiasm while reading. Just pound your fist on a table and exclaim, ‘Epistemological!

Teleological!’ with a grin on your face, and students of Dr. Bird will know exactly who you’re talking about. He imbued in me the importance of, and respect for, literary precision, down to the smallest details of writing. He helped cement my foundational love of literature; there was no question about going back for a second dose for senior year AP English Lit. I majored in English in college and still count Nabokov, Kundera, and Rudolfo Anaya among my favorite authors.”

—Sara Calfee, LFA 2005, B.A., Emory University 2009

epistemological

“ Dr. Bird had more enthusiasm and passion for teaching than any teacher I’ve ever had. In freshman English he opened my eyes to literature and poetry and taught me how to write critically. As a young freshman in his class I was intimidated at first, but his enthusiasm for the subject and the way he presented the material made me eager to learn and participate. It’s not difficult to gain interest in a subject when you’re with someone like Dr. Bird who loves what he’s doing. I also got to know him through tennis and as an advisor. He was my coach for 3 years, and his love for the sport was just as strong as his love for literature. He was a great player and coach and was always constructive with his coaching methods. We’ve stayed in touch over the years, and I see him every time he comes back to Chicago. We even went to a Rolling Stones concert 5 years ago. It was a great experience to have him there since he is such a huge rock ’n roll enthusiast. He knew every word to every song played for 3 straight hours. He was—and still is—a great friend and mentor.” —Brian Neal, LFA 2000, University of Iowa 2004, Loyola University Chicago MBA 2010

LFA Announces $2.5M Bird Chair

Lake Forest Academy 1500 W. Kennedy Road • Lake Forest, IL 60045

INSIDE

“ This campaign is about walls and what happens within those walls. Ray Bird cared deeply about what happened in the classroom at LFA. He dedicated himself to moving each of his students to a higher level of thinking, intellectual exploration, and judgment. He was equally serious about the hiring of teacher-scholars who would strive to meet the high standards he set for teaching and for the English curriculum at LFA. Ray was the epitome of an excellent teacher, committed scholar, and department chair. It is fitting that we honor him through the establishment of this chair.”

— Cate Waddell P’01, P’03; Life trustee; Chair of the LFA capital campaign

8 Click: www.lfanet.org

october 2011

The Campaign for Lake Forest Academy

For more information about Lake Forest Academy’s capital campaign, contact Dean of External Relations Marina Krejci at: (847) 615-3223 or mkrejci@lfanet.org.

leaving a legacy at lfa Have you considered your personal legacy at Lake Forest Academy? Have you wondered how you can make a difference at your alma mater both now and into the future? If so, we encourage you to support LFA’s Endowment Fund.

Donors to the Endowment Fund are making an investment in LFA’s future. Income from the endowment helps underwrite annual operating expenses while the principal of the fund is invested and allowed to grow, thereby providing the Academy a financial cushion for the future. Many donors choose to support the endowment through outright gifts; others make deferred giving arrangements, such as including the Academy in their estate plans. By choosing to support the Endowment Fund, donors are demonstrating their loyalty and commitment to their alma mater and ensuring that the school faces the future on a sound and stable financial footing.

Gifts of all sizes are encouraged and welcome. All bequests (unless otherwise noted) are directed to the Endowment Fund. Donors may choose to restrict their gifts to a certain area of school life (athletics, financial aid, arts) or designate the gift unrestricted, allowing the school to use it in the area of greatest need. Naming opportunities for scholarship funds and endowed chairs are available.

For more information about the Endowment Fund and how to leave your legacy at LFA, please contact Marina Krejci, dean of external relations, at: (847) 615-3223/mkrejci@lfanet.org or Ruth Keyso, major gifts officer, at: (847) 615-3268/rkeyso@lfanet.org. Or visit www.lfanet.org/endowment Thank you for your support!

Lake Forest Academy Board of Trustees 2011–12 Zaid Abdul-Aleem ’90 Makola M. Abdullah ’86 Mark T. Ahern ’74 Lawrence S. Benjamin Stephen J. Brewster, Treasurer Patrick J. Carroll ’87, Secretary Chinni Chilamkurti Susan D. Coburn Jim C. Cowart ’69 Nancy C. Crown Thomas J. Duckworth Elizabeth J. Ellrodt Christopher E. Freeburg ’90 Brian R. Gamache Karl R. Gedge ’69 Lauren A. Gorter, Vice Chair L. Thomas Gregory Gloria W. Harper Maurice L. Holmes ’83 Michele Marsh Ihlanfeldt ’89 Ned Jessen Gregory K. Jones Laurel Bye Kamen ’64 Loretta Kalnow Kaplan ’73 Jeffrey B. Keller ’87, Chair Ben Malek ’91 Monique Pittman-Lui J. Michael Schell ’65 Jeffrey L. Silver Mark S. Simonian ’77 Regina E. Spellers Sims ’85 Nancy How Speer ’59, Vice Chair John A. Walton Robin G. Zafirovski Richard L. Zhao ’04