7 minute read
Remarks from the Head of School
Dear MBS Family & Friends,
Occasionally we take leaps of faith and wonder if reality will match our dreams. When I left a small island in the Caribbean to lead an independent school in suburban New Jersey, I had a sense of the community’s strength and support systems. Impressed by its studentcentered philosophy, I hoped my daily interactions would match the promise. As I reflect on my first academic year at MBS, it is fair to say the experience has simply exceeded my expectations.
Though our families and alumni understand how special this place is, in some ways Morristown Beard School has been New Jersey’s best kept secret for some time. While there’s something precious about being a hidden gem, the secret is out.
Perhaps one of the most profound outcomes of the pandemic is the revelation that protecting the mental health and wellbeing of young people is developmentally essential and leads to adults who experience healthier, more fulfilled lives. MBS has long believed that each student should be known, nurtured, and encouraged to find a sense of belonging. For some, that means tinkering in a science lab while for others it’s the stage or center field. Students are taught to practice intellectual risk-taking with the realization that it is okay, even brave, to change course. In this way, Morristown Beard is ahead of the curve. Our focus on balance and wellness has long been a cornerstone of the MBS philosophy, even as it gains momentum elsewhere.
Proud to be leaders, we recognize that we cannot become complacent. Adopted in 2021, our Strategic Plan will continue to guide us in the coming years and help us enhance every facet of the student experience. As you may know, the plan has five pillars: Academic Program, Wellness, DEIB, Experiential Learning, and Enrollment Management. In order to fulfill the promise of each pillar, we need to further assess our facilities. We recently met with an architectural firm to begin envisioning our Campus Master Plan. They call this the “Dream Phase,” in which students, faculty, families and alumni are surveyed and asked to consider how our facilities can best align with our community’s needs. Some of the areas we are looking at include: the dining hall, ways to integrate wellness across campus, parking, the athletic center, and studio arts. Yet there are so many possibilities. Perhaps you have heard of—or been given—the “paper clip” test. Premised on the research of psychologist J.P. Guilford, it’s an assessment of creativity. Imagine you have a paper clip. How many alternate uses can you list? The ability to envision multiple solutions to a problem lays at the core of creativity, which Guilford labeled divergent thinking. The most creative thinkers come up with dozens of alternate uses and wonder: what if the paper clip was ten feet tall? What if it was made out of yarn? It’s that type of divergent thinking I hope to capture as we envision Morristown Beard’s future. What if we boldly think of a classroom as more than walls? Or experiential learning as the embodiment of our ethos? I’m excited by the possibilities and to see what our community creates.
Looking ahead marks another important transition—the conclusion of John Fay’s tenure as a board member and President of the Board of
Trustees. After joining the MBS community as a parent in 2007, John joined the board in 2009, serving on the Development, Buildings & Grounds and Endowment Committees. He chaired the Finance Committee for four years and served as vice president for two years before becoming president in 2017. Deeply committed to the student experience, while simultaneously applying a strategic lens through which to lead the board, he held steady through unprecedented times. The School has flourished during his leadership, and for that we are grateful. We look forward to welcoming Dr. David Molowa, current trustee, former parent, and former faculty member, as our new board president.
As a school, we are in an enviable position. We are crafting a culture that encourages students to explore many dimensions of themselves and perhaps discover passions they never knew existed. With your help, I look forward to building on our successes and advancing the mission of this remarkable institution.
Go Crimson!
All the best,
Liz Morrison Head of School Office of Advancement
Director of Advancement Betsy B. Patterson P ’14, ’16 Advancement Assistant Cheryl Bartlett
Director of Marketing & Communications Crimson Managing Editor Janet Burdorf News & Information Manager Crimson Senior Writer Steve Patchett P ’24, ’26 Graphic Design Associate Crimson Graphic Designer Sharon Cain Website Manager Michael Smith Media Manager Tiffany Zuber
Associate Director of Alumni Relations & Faculty/Staff Giving Monya Taylor Davis ’88 Associate Director of Annual Giving & Young Alumni Maggie Ranger ’10 Advancement Services Manager Melissa Hickey
Director of Special Events & Parents Association Dianna Carroll P ’14, ’16
Contributing Writers Kate Muttick ’97, Bob Namar ’74 P ’16, ’19, Betsy B. Patterson P ’14, ’16, Carol Selman ’64, Monya Taylor Davis ’88
Photography Janet Burdorf, Vincent Carchietta (MCV Photography), Peter Chollick Photography, Elaine Conti ’75, Emily Freelund ’22, David Kramer ’69, Steve Patchett P ’24, ’26, Jopofoto, Maggie Yurachek Photography, Tiffany Zuber
Spring 2022
Board of Trustees 2021-2022
OFFICERS
John F. Fay P ’11, ’14, ’20, President Paul R. Hawkins ’85, P ’18, ’20, Vice President Lee Kellogg Sadrian ’89, P ’26, ’28,
Vice President Gail Kaltenbacher Kurz ’86, P ’17, ’19,
Vice President Carisa V. Strauss P ’20, ’22, ’24, Vice President Scott J. Tannen ’95, P ’22, ’25, ’25,
Vice President Ravi Chopra ’97, Treasurer Pamela Nelson Davidson ’90, Secretary
TRUSTEES
Liz Morrison, Head of School Dena Y. Baptiste P ’14 Mary-Ellen Campbell P ’72, ’78 (Honorary) Ron DePoalo P ’10, ’12, ’14, ’19 Kelly MacMahon Ewing ’91, P ’24, ’24, ’24 Lissa Jean Ferrell P ’22 Peter Fiverson P ’25, ’28 Shanae M. Green P ’27 David V. H. Hedley ’64, P ’87, ’90, ’97 (Honorary) Allan P. Kirby Jr. ’49, P ’75, GP ’01 (Honorary)* David A. McManus P ’21 David T. Molowa P ’05 Ajay Nagpal P ’19, ’21 Darnell T. Parker ’00 Michael W. Ranger P ’10, ’13 (Honorary) Bruce Sanford P ’16, ’20 Marlynn Scully P ’87, ’92, GP ’20, ’22 (Honorary) Laurence H. Sherman P ’20, ’22, ’26 Penny Sokolowski P ’18, ’20, ’25 R. Cartwright Wallace ’93 Janine Webb P ’24, ’26 Sherif Zakhary P ’20, ’22, ’27
* Deceased
Senior Leadership Team
Liz Morrison - Head of School Darren Burns - Associate Head of School P ’19, ’22 Klarissa Karosen - Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging P ’26, ’28 Philicia Levinson - Chief Financial & Operating Officer P ’19 Ryan Liese - Head of Upper School Boni Luna - Head of Middle School Robert L. Mitchell II - Director of Enrollment Management P ’15, ’20, ’23 Betsy B. Patterson - Director of Advancement P ’14, ’16
Proudly Announcing the John F. Fay
Faculty Endowment Fund
Established in 2022 by the Board of Trustees in honor of John F. Fay for his dedicated service and leadership as a Board member from 2009-2022 and as Board President from 2017-2022, this endowed fund will be used to support a summer educational travel award, presented to a selected faculty member, to inspire and enhance their work in the classroom.
“I have always admired John’s deep respect for the faculty and for the role they play in the life of our School. He never misses an opportunity to ask how they are doing and truly cares about their wellbeing. I have often heard him remark that all of our beautiful facilities are not our greatest asset. Our greatest asset at this School is our people and the important role they play. This fund will not only honor John’s legacy, it will honor, celebrate, and support the very people who make this School the remarkable place it is.” —Liz Morrison Head of School
“John’s dedication and commitment to Morristown Beard School as a trustee over the past 13 years has been outstanding. The School has seen extraordinary growth and improvement over the last decade with John’s leadership, commitment, and caring for our School. I am proud to support this fund in honor of John and our talented faculty and ask that you join me in making a gift.” —Lee Kellogg Sadrian ’89 P ’26, ’28 Vice President, Board of Trustees
