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Update november 2013

BE A PART OF

SOMETHING

Discovery, Imagination, and Connection:

Science at LFA

The Campaign for Lake Forest Academy

Dear LFA Community, It is with very special pride that we introduce this issue of the Campaign Update.

november 2013

EDITORIAL Ruth Keyso Director of Alumni Relations— Major Gifts Officer rkeyso@lfanet.org CAMPAIGN COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE Susan Hoagland Julie Kennedy P’08, P’11, P’13, P’15 Ruth Keyso Cathy Morrison John Strudwick P’13, P’15 DESIGN Sarah Stec Archetype Graphic Design PHOTOGRAPHY Ruth Keyso George Pfoertner PRINTING John S. Swift Co. Lake Forest Academy 1500 W. Kennedy Road Lake Forest, IL 60045 www.lfanet.org (847) 234-3210

board of trustees Jeffrey B. Keller ’87 Chair Campaign Leadership Ruth and A. John Huss, Jr. ’58 Honorary Campaign Co-Chairs Catherine M. Waddell Campaign Chair Sandra F. Boles Patrick J. Carroll ’87 Susan D. Coburn Jim C. Cowart ’69 Merrill J. Ferguson ’72 Karl R. Gedge ’69 Lauren A. Gorter Richard R. Jaros ’70 Allan M. Kaplan ’72 Loretta Kalnow Kaplan ’73 Julie M. Kennedy Jeffrey C. Neal Ellory Peck J. Michael Schell ’65 Nancy How Speer ’59 Cynthia W. Yingling Robin G. Zafirovski Head of School John Strudwick

In this, the final year of the Campaign for LFA, we have enhanced our campus even further with the addition of a new Science Center. The Center, which opened for classes in fall 2013, is the final building project of this campaign, which has transformed the physical plant and enriched the learning and living experience of our entire community of students, faculty, and staff. We are enormously thankful to each and every one of you for your exceptional generosity and your belief in the Academy and its mission.

While our science faculty and students are enjoying the new building, their former home in the Corbin Academic Center has been transformed into improved study space, newly outfitted classrooms, and a media center, the J.C. Cowart Media Commons. Thanks to funds raised at the annual Spring Gala, the school was able to re-imagine lower Corbin and to recreate the space to accommodate a growing student population and changing technology needs.

In this publication, we get a glimpse of the Science Center in action and discover how the new facility is enhancing the school’s program and curriculum while turning students’ passion for science into practice. We will read about two families who have made leadership gifts to the Science Center and what impact they hope this new facility will have on the school. In addition, we will learn more about the school’s endowment and how six new funds are improving the educational experience of our students, and the professional experience of our faculty.

As we move into the final seven months of this historic campaign, we hope all alumni, parents, and friends of the school will commit to supporting the institution. The primary focus will be on the endowment (through both outright and planned gifts), the annual fund (including multi-year pledges), and Gala support (which will be used toward the Academic Space Initiative).

Once again, thank you for your faith in the Academy, your commitment to seeing the institution thrive, and for your gifts of time and financial resources, which have made this campaign so successful. On behalf of the entire school, we are grateful for all you do to make LFA a great place.

Catherine M. Waddell P’01, P’03 Chair, Campaign for LFA

The building is the final bricks-and-mortar project of the Campaign for LFA, which concludes in June 2014.

Science Center Lake Forest Academy opened its new Science Center to much fanfare in the fall 2013 and formally dedicated the structure during the annual Cornerstone Society Celebration on Nov. 1, 2013.

This issue of Update focuses on the impact the new building has had on faculty and students at LFA and how the study of science has been transformed as a result. It also shines the spotlight on several generous donors whose support made this project possible.

While this campaign has focused heavily on building projects —faculty and student housing, athletic facilities, classroom space—it has not neglected the endowment. In the past year the school has added six new named funds to its growing list of endowed funds and has increased the endowment to more than $25 million, a 66% increase from 2005 when the Campaign kicked off. Hear from the donors who funded these newly endowed gifts and the reasons behind their generosity on pages 12–14 of this publication.

Lake Forest Academy is grateful to all of its supporters, from those who have helped fund the new buildings on campus to those who have enhanced the educational experience of every student through support of the endowment. Thank you for your generosity and commitment to the Academy.

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“ The space in the new Science Center has given me the opportunity not only to talk about a concept but also to demonstrate that concept as I’m teaching it. My sophomore class is particularly benefitting from this, because they need as much sensory activity as possible; it really helps them learn about a concept when they see it right before their eyes. The natural light in the building, inviting seating areas and open floor plans, and the building itself make it an environment very conducive to learning.”

— Science Department Chair and chemistry teacher Dr. Kerry Cedergren P’13, P’17

“ Both of the classes I teach, AP Environmental Science and Advanced Chemistry, are flipped classes. This means that we do activities or labs nearly every day. So having an integrated classroom is invaluable. We have state-of-theart multimedia capability as well as labs that are part of the classroom, so we can move back and forth between multiple activities.

Student feedback has been very positive!”

— Chemistry and environmental science teacher Dr. Kathleen Barton P’12

“ This new teaching environment is very conducive to learning. The space is incredibly well-lit with ambient light, and the spacious lab-classrooms allow for spontaneous activities.

The entire feel of the classrooms and the building sets a seriousness-of-purpose tone.”

—Physics teacher Ed Shaughnessy P’14, P’16, P’17

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“ The Science Center provides a big space for us to do even bigger things. The mobility and versatility of the lab-classrooms allow for seamless transition between demonstrations, labs, lecture, and class work. This is a vast improvement over our former facilities. The new building is a truly modern educational facility equipped to prepare our students for the rapidly advancing scientific and technological world.”

—Physics and chemistry teacher Mike Rogan

“ One word that comes to my mind when I look at this new building is ‘inviting.’ It’s an open space that welcomes students, and the openness invites collaboration. Whether this collaboration is between teacher and student or student and student, this is a space where ideas can develop and be shared.”

—Biology teacher Mathias Kerr

“ Who would’ve thought my teaching could get even better, but believe it or not, more space was the trick. It’s great to have enough space to easily move from classroom discussions at the board to lab activities in the back of the room. The new classroom allows me to be much more flexible with my daily plans.”

—Physics teacher Erica Wood

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“ LFA is making every effort to improve the robotics program by providing dedicated space in the Science Center basement. The program now has a fully outfitted industrial lab for manufacturing metal equipment, as well as a private area to practice driving the robot.

The Science Center is a visible monument on campus, evidence of the Academy’s commitment to science and technology.”

— IT Help Desk Technician and leading mentor for FIRST Robotics Team Keith Cameron

“ I love the lab/lecture feature in each room.

Each class can easily transition from a discussion to performing a demonstration or conducting a lab.”

—Biology and chemistry teacher Stephanie Ramirez

“ I am excited when I can provide an environment in which students can apply the principles they have learned about biology to real and current investigations that are taking place in labs around the world.”

—Biology teacher Dr. Ruth Smith P’15

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7 lab-classrooms state-of-the-art equipment innovative furnishings LEED-certified research and conference areas ample, flexible spaces

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Kellers Invest in Success at LFA Family makes lead gift to Science Center, helps position Academy at forefront of science education

BY RUTH KEYSO Life trustee Dennis Keller P’87, P’91 is a businessman.

He understands investments and appreciates a good return.

One of the best investments he and his wife, Connie, made was in an LFA education for their sons Jeff ’87 and David ’91. The strong foundation the boys received at the Academy contributed to their success in college and business school and gave them a platform from which to develop satisfying careers.

The Keller Family recently made another investment at the school, this time to benefit future generations of students. Their leadership gift to the Academy’s new Science Center reflects their commitment to the fields of science and education, and is a powerful testament to their belief in the Academy, its mission, and its objectives.

“We’ve supported several projects at LFA in the past,” says Dennis, whose family has provided major gifts for the construction of boys’ dormitory Atlass Hall and girls’ dorm Ferry Hall. “The story of why LFA needed— and would benefit from— a new Science Center was a very strong story.”

Dennis says he hopes the new facility, and the expanded programming it allows, will inspire more students to take an interest in science and discover how “fun and rewarding” science and engineering can be.

“All of us have a lot of bandwidth and only use part of it,” says Dennis. “If some students discover they have significant bandwidth for science and engineering, I’d be thrilled.”

• • • Both Jeff Keller and his brother, David, were boarding students at LFA in the late 1980s. Jeff joined the Academy his sophomore year after spending one year at a public high school in Hinsdale, Ill.; David was a four-year boarder. Jeff says the Academy was “a powerful experience” for him.

Like today, the classes were small, the teachers impactful, and the environment conducive to study. He has fond memories of serving the school as all-school president, helping develop the hockey program, and being part of a close-knit community of students and faculty.

David, too, enjoyed a positive experience at the Academy and appreciated the structured, supportive envi-

ronment of teachers, day students, and boarders. An ice hockey player, he was thrilled to be at the school when the David O. MacKenzie Ice Arena was enclosed in 1988.

He remembers painting the lines on the ice and playing hockey daily with teammates and Coach John Edgcomb.

After graduating from LFA, Jeff and David maintained a relationship with the school, but mostly from afar. It wasn’t until 2001, when Jeff returned to campus for an alumni hockey

siastically in its efforts to expand and enhance facilities and programming.

“The Academy has stayed on track with everything being done,” says Jeff. “We’ve watched how the money is being used; the school is a good steward.”

When the concept of a new Science Center became a reality, the Kellers stepped forward to support the fundraising effort. The family believes LFA’s emphasis on science is a “big step in the right direction” in encour-

“ All of us have a lot of bandwidth and only use part of it. If some students discover they have significant bandwidth for science and engineering, I’d be thrilled.” —Dennis Keller event, that he became reengaged with his alma mater and joined the Alumni Council. In 2003, he was named to the board of trustees; in 2010, he became chair.

Through Jeff’s involvement with the school, the Keller Family has seen the Academy from the inside out. They’ve watched the school grow—and the campus transform—since 2005 when the Campaign for LFA launched. What they’ve witnessed has inspired them to support the Academy enthu-

aging students to take an interest in the discipline and, ultimately, to pursue careers in the field. Given Dennis’ personal involvement in the industry —he is co-founder of DeVry Inc. and co-chair of the advisory council for Princeton University’s School of Engineering and Applied Science, where the Keller family has also funded the Keller Center for Innovation in Engineering Education, the project seemed like a “win-win” decision for the Kellers personally. continued on page 15...

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Update November 2013

(above) Members of the Keller Family join other supporters of the Science Center for the ribbon-cutting ceremony on May 31, 2013. (l to r) Life trustee and former chair of the board of trustees Rich Jaros ’70, Science Department Chair Kerry Cedergren P’13, P’17, Dean of Faculty and Curriculum Phil Schwartz, Breck Keller, Molly Keller, Wyatt Keller, Grace Keller, Board Chair Jeff Keller ’87, David Keller ’91, Avery Keller; (three children in blue (l to r) Coleman Keller, Jack Keller, and Reese Keller), Connie Duckworth and her husband, trustee Tom Duckworth P’08, P’10, P’12, P’14.

The Keller Family tours the Science Center in April 2013. (front row, l to r): Chair of the LFA Board of Trustees Jeff Keller ’87, Jeff’s son Breck, Molly Keller, Connie Keller P’87, P’91; (back, l to r): life trustee Dennis Keller P’87, P’91 and Temp Keller.

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Making Their Mark on LFA Gallagher family supports Science Center, gives gift of learning to next generation of students

BY RUTH KEYSO When you talk with the Gallagher family about Lake Forest Academy, the word “opportunity” comes up. A lot.

Whether it was the opportunity for Rich ’09 to travel to China with the soccer team or Megan ’07 to visit South Africa; for Tom ’11 to start three different clubs during his four years as a day student; or for Charles ’13 to surround himself with peers whose devotion to schoolwork and sports influenced and motivated him, the Gallagher children made the most of their years at LFA. When the Academy decided to build a new Science Center on campus, parents Debbie and Rick Gallagher saw another opportunity: the chance to support the school at a leadership level and to make a difference in the academic program.

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“Science is important to us,” says Debbie, a trained chemist, and Rick, a mechanical engineer. “This project just resonated with us; it was very much in our realm.”

Debbie and Rick say the building gives LFA an “incredible advantage” in that it will “bring more science” to the school and allow students to experiment and explore in ways previously impossible. They are particularly excited about the full basement space for robotics experimentation and the lab classrooms and project areas, where students can extend scientific research over longer periods of time. This will result, they hope, in more young people pursuing science as a career, or even as a hobby. (above) The Science Department Office on the first floor of the Science Center. The office is named for the Gallagher Family.

“It’s mind-boggling, the different things the students will be able to do,” says Debbie.

The Science Department Office on the first floor of the Science Center will be named for the Gallagher Family.

Tom ’11 and Rich ’09 are glad to know that the school is devoting the final building project of the Campaign for LFA to academics and believe it “makes sense” to improve upon the old science classrooms, with their limited space and functionality.

“I’m excited to see what comes out of the new rooms and the new technology there,” says Rich ’09. “I hope there are some cool new studies; the school needed a platform for science to launch.”

• • •

“ Even though my brothers and I have graduated, I think it’s great that my parents want to pass the gift of learning on to others.” —Megan Gallagher Gosselin ’07 Though they’ve lived in Lake Bluff for many years, the Gallaghers knew little about the Academy before 2003.

The Gallagher Family (l to r): Josh Howard and Katie Gallagher Howard, Rich ’09, Tom ’11, Charles ’13, Rick, Debbie, Megan Gallagher Gosselin ’07, and John Gallagher

They sent their eldest two children, John and Katie, to Lake Forest High School, because that was the norm. But when Megan ’07 decided she wanted a more focused high school experience, Debbie and Rick supported her decision to enroll at LFA. Megan says she connected with the Academy early on when she saw how committed students were to learning and to experiencing different cultures.

“LFA made me who I am today,” says Megan, an industrial engineer. “I’m passionate about learning and stepping outside my comfort zone. All of this stems from my experience at LFA and the close-knit community there.”

Megan’s positive experience at the Academy inspired her younger brothers to follow in her footsteps. Now the parents of four LFA alumni, Debbie and Rick are approached frequently by local families and asked for their advice about the school. Would you recommend the Academy? Tell me what’s great about the place. Both Debbie and Rick focus on the curriculum, the caring faculty, sports, the sense of comcontinued on page 15... www.lfanet.org

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Gaining Momentum: LFA Endowment Adds Six New Funds During the past year, donors supported the endowment at LFA by establishing named funds to enhance the arts, faculty professional development, and student scholarships. The endowment now boasts six new funds in its pool of resources. A percentage of money from the endowment helps underwrite the school’s operating budget each year and provides a source of income to support student and faculty needs, both in and out of the classroom. The Academy is grateful for these generous gifts and for the kindness and foresight of the donors behind them.

The Fine & Performing Arts Visiting Artists Series was established through a lead gift from the Kaplan Family (Matt, Karen, Doug ’07). Income from the fund supports campus visits from world-class artists and performers from a variety of arts disciplines.

“ Being involved in the fine arts was a highlight of Doug’s experience at the Academy. Through Co-ax and participation in the musicals, he honed his performance and arranging skills and learned to be a leader. His AP music theory class gave him a strong foundation in the fundamentals of music and music history that led to undergraduate and graduate work in the field during college.

By establishing this gift, we hope that future generations of students will grow from similar life-changing experiences. We thought that a visiting artist series would be a wonderful way for our family to give back to the LFA community and the greater community as well.”

—Karen and Matt Kaplan P’07 12

Update November 2013

The Gorter Family Faculty Fund, established by life trustee Lauren Gorter and her husband, David Gorter P’06, P’09, along with Audrey and Jim Gorter, supports faculty educational enrichment through attendance at seminars, conferences, and lectures.

“ By establishing this fund, our family has the opportunity not only to honor the tremendous faculty currently at LFA, but also to help in the process of cultivating outstanding teachers and mentors for the benefit of future students at the school.” —Lauren and David Gorter P’06, P’09 The Goulet Family Faculty Development Fund, established

by LFA alumnus Peter Goulet ’62 and his wife, Lynda, provides annual support to one deserving faculty member to further his or her professional development.

The Giesen Family Scholarship Fund, established by Jeannine and Richard A. Giesen P’75, provides financial aid to a student in need.

“ This fund was established to assist in a long-time tradition at LFA of providing financial assistance to students in need. My father was the beneficiary of such generosity from educational institutions early in his life. I’m proud that my father and mother wanted to establish this fund at such a fine school as Lake Forest Academy.”—Rick Giesen ’75

“ I was a teacher for 40 years. I know how expensive it is for teachers to do the things they want to do that might not be funded by the school.

This motivated me to create an endowment at LFA that would provide funds to allow deserving and motivated faculty to conduct research, take a trip to a conference or a library, to buy books or to upgrade a computer—things that the school might not be able to provide. I was fortunate that at the end of my teaching career I held the chair in entrepreneurship at the University of Northern Iowa. I benefitted from not being constrained by the university’s budget. I remember how nice that was. When you’re free to do what you need to enhance your experience or knowledge, it makes your life richer and you are better able to offer your students what they need.”

— Dr. Peter Goulet ’62, retired professor of management and finance, University of Northern Iowa, and holder of the T. Wayne Davis Chair in Entrepreneurship (1996–07) www.lfanet.org

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The Lynne B. Kulieke Scholarship Fund, named in honor of longtime Spanish and English teacher Lynne Kulieke, supports a student in need of financial assistance who has already completed one year of study at LFA and who has a strong interest in the humanities. Established by an alumnus, this fund celebrates Lynne’s love of literature, language, and learning, which she has enthusiastically shared with generations of LFA and Ferry Hall students.

“ There are several reasons why I established this endowed fund in Ms. Kulieke’s honor.

Ms. Kulieke, who was my Spanish and English teacher, reached out to me. Several times when there was no one on campus she took me to the mall to get shoes or to get a cookie at Mrs. Fields. She did more than she needed to do as a teacher, and was so kind and helpful. I also admired the way she stuck with LFA over the years. The school had lots of ups and downs, but she committed herself to the Academy and the kids. It’s clear she loves what she is doing.

She is a real symbol of what an educator is, the kind of teacher you want to have. Ms. Kulieke has committed her life to LFA. I have a lot of admiration for that; it shows principle and integrity.” —Anonymous donor from the 1980s

The Schell-O’Connor Family Scholarship Fund, established by trustee and alumnus Mike Schell ’65 and his wife, Kathy, supports need-based financial aid at LFA.

“ We wanted to help talented and capable youngsters who otherwise wouldn’t have access to educational opportunities, such as those at the Academy. We’ve been fortunate in our life and want to give back, to make sure intelligent and talented kids don’t get lost in the system but have an opportunity to make a go at the world.” —Kathy and trustee Mike Schell ’65

For more information about supporting the endowment or establishing a named fund at the Academy, please contact Ruth Keyso, Director of Alumni Relations and Major Gifts Officer, at (847) 615-3268 or rkeyso@lfanet.org. For a full list of endowed funds at the school, visit www.lfanet.org/endowment n

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Kellers Invest in Success at LFA

Making Their Mark on LFA

The Kellers hope LFA can be at the forefront of a national effort to stay competitive and progressive in the fields of science and engineering.

For those inspired by science at a young age, Dennis cites the huge areas of opportunity available to them. And to those whose interests lie elsewhere, Dennis says he believes a basic understanding of science and “what it makes possible in our lives” is essential in today’s everchanging and increasingly complex world.

The Kellers are pleased to see the Campaign for LFA conclude with a building devoted to academics. The Science Center is the final facility in a long line of successful construction projects on campus, including girls’ dorm Ferry Hall, two athletics structures, and new and improved faculty housing and classroom space.

“It’s appropriate and wonderful to have the Science Center as the capstone to this campaign,” says Jeff. “It’s so central to the core of the educational mission at LFA.” The new building—and all of the recent additions to campus—has people in town talking. Since David, his wife, Avery, and their three

children moved to Lake Forest in 2012 from Chicago, David has heard “overwhelmingly positive feedback” about the school and the strides it has made. He enjoys running into former classmates in town and sharing thoughts and news about the ever-improving campus.

“I remember the experience I had, being part of a community and being so prepared for college and beyond,” says David, exactly the kind of high school experience he wishes for his own children.

As for Jeff, like all good board chairs, he’s already looking ahead to the next campaign. He hopes the Academy will continue to keep an eye trained on the endowment and growing this investment fund to a level that will ensure financial stability for the school in perpetuity. “We’re moving in the right direction,” Jeff says. “But we’ve still got a lot of road to run.”

Dennis Keller is a former trustee at LFA (1980–87) and a current life trustee. He and his wife, Connie, have three sons, Jeff ’87, David ’91, and Temp, and eight grandchildren. Jeff Keller ’87 is the current chair of the LFA Board of Trustees. n

munity, and discipline as factors that distinguish LFA from other high schools.

“Over time we just grew more and more impressed with the school,” says Rick. “When we saw what a fantastic experience Megan was having, it was a no-brainer that [Rich, Tom, and Charles] would go there.”

Debbie and Rick say they’re pleased to have had the opportunity to support the construction of the much-needed Science Center on campus. Their gift—their largest philanthropic contribution to date—signals their confidence in the Academy and its programming and their desire to see the school thrive.

For the Gallagher children, especially Charles, who witnessed rapid campus expansion during his years at the Academy, this new building “shows that LFA cares about its students, to give them all of these new spaces.” Tom agrees. Not only have the new buildings improved the school physically, but emotionally they’ve instilled a deeper sense of pride in the institution among students and alumni, he says.

The entire Gallagher family is proud of the legacy they leave at LFA and the knowledge that they are supporting the next generation of scholars. Megan believes her parents’ gift is “the perfect way” for them to show their support of the Academy.

“They’re so passionate about LFA and about science,” Megan explains. “They brought the blueprints [of the Science Center] home to show us. ‘This is going to be our room!’ they said. You could just hear the excitement in their voices.

And even though my brothers and I have graduated, I think it’s great that my parents want to pass the gift of learning on to others.” n

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The Campaign for Lake Forest Academy

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

8 Click: www.lfanet.org/campaign