FACULTY FAREWELLS TO THREE GREAT MCCALLIE MEN
DUCK DAY QUACKS UP THE SPRING SEASON
SUMMER 2017
TORNADO TERM STORMS CAMPUS IN INAUGURAL YEAR
MAGAZINE
C h ris Lee Takes
C hicago
A look at one alum’s meteoric rise, plus other McCallie men living musical lives
SENIOR STEPS
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Senior year at McCallie is comprised of many steps from the beginning of the school year to the thrill of graduation. We followed boarding student Josh Azan as walked through an exciting final year on the Ridge and captured a video that highlights this special time.
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CONTENTS
MAGAZINE
COVER STORY
CHRIS LEE IS NONSTOP It’s been a wild ride for Chris Lee ’13, going from college student to a major role in the Chicago production of hit Broadway musical “Hamilton,” but his love of music was born on the Ridge.
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TORNADO TERM
QUACK!
This February, an experiment in learning came to the Ridge as Upper School students took two weeks to focus on new forms of learning in one of 40 intensive and nontraditional courses.
Duck Day is always a great way for students to blow off some steam and celebrate the return of spring. Take a look at some of the sights from Duck Day 2017.
DEPARTMENTS
ON THE RIDGE Leo Procise, Ph.D. Starts New Life IN THE STORM A Season of Champions ALUMNI NEWS John Green ’84 to lead Honor Fund CLASS NOTES Births | Weddings | Updates IN MEMORIAM
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FACULTY FAREWELLS Three longtime and well-liked teachers retired in 2017. Terry Evans, Tom Makepeace ’71 and David Mouron ’73 leave a legacy of learning that won’t be forgotten.
The McCallie Magazine is published by McCallie School, 500 Dodds Avenue, Missionary Ridge, Chattanooga, Tennessee 37404. | news@mccallie.org | www.mccallie.org | The name “McCallie School,” the McCallie School logo and the McCallie School seal are all trademarks/namemarks of McCallie School. All materials appearing in the McCallie Magazine, including photography, are ©1996–2017 by McCallie School. Reprint or electronic reproduction of any such material for commercial purposes is prohibited without the written permission of McCallie School. Permission to use written material (not photographs) is granted for non-commercial purposes as long as McCallie is credited. | Photography by McCallie staff and contributed photos. | For information about McCallie Magazine and to obtain permission to reproduce trademarked and copyrighted material, contact the McCallie School Communications Office at info@mccallie.org (423.624.8300) or write the Communications Office, McCallie School, 500 Dodds Avenue, Chattanooga, Tennessee 37404. | McCallie School fully supports all applicable anti-discrimination laws and does not engage in any unlawful discrimination.
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Starting a new life on the Ridge
N E W S
ON THE RIDGE
C A M PUS
FIRST PERSON
Upper School biology teacher Leo Procise Ph.D. is completing is first year on the Ridge, where he has become a well-liked and active member of the McCallie community.
Man’s Chief End is to Glorify God and to Enjoy Him Forever. That was my first impression of McCallie when I pulled up for my interview on a sunny spring day in 2016. My thoughts were as follows: they have a gate around campus that is on a large ridge, they have a lake, where do I park and am I dressed appropriately? Immediately after I met Dean Sholl and sat in his office, I had a good idea that if I was offered the position I would accept. I knew instantly that McCallie was a place where I could thrive as a science educator with the best facilities and a supportive group of coworkers that aren’t limited to the science department. I’ve spent the last 14 years of my life exploring myself, my relationship with God, my relationship with others, and the natural world. Traveling the world has done so much for me in my quest to figure out who I am and how I work to become the best me. Those traveling experiences prepared me to make tough, life-changing decisions in circumstances such as choosing a job in a city that I have never visited where I don’t know anyone. Getting to know God better through actively practicing Judaism has also helped with the huge transition I made leaving my family and friends for a place where I would have to start life over.
Now that I am in the final weeks of my first year teaching Biology at McCallie, I can gladly say that I have been able to step out of my normal quiet personality to get to know many people on campus, which seems to never sleep with all of the activities going on. I’ve had the opportunity to know more of my students this year on a personal level than I have in all four of my previous years teaching. I also have the amazing opportunity to fulfill a goal I set in college of leading students to the Bahamas to learn about coral reef ecology. I could continue to list examples of how much life this school has given me in less than a school year. Instead, I would like to end by saying that every day I wake up ready for a day of teaching and coaching by thanking God for the morning with the promise to glorify His creation using gifts He gave me. When the day ends, I thank Him again for giving me every opportunity and promise that I will give more the following day. As a side note, I try to live life preparing for God to ask me two questions when I get to Heaven, “What of My creation have you enjoyed during your lifetime and why did you not enjoy more?” I knew from sitting at the red light back in the spring of 2016 on Dodds Avenue that McCallie would be the place that would help me prepare for those questions. n
CLARIFICATION In our previous issue, we highlighted the visit to campus of former Atlanta Mayor and U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Andrew Young at the start of the school year. That article failed to mention that Young's visit was made possible by the Mandela Fund, an endowed fund at McCallie spearheaded by alumnus Bob Eager '63. We regret the omission, and encourage you to learn more about the Mandela Fund's creation in the Spring 2016 issue of McCallie Magazine on mccallie.org.
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ON THE RIDGE
Athletes to Continue Competition in College McCallie students have shown that they can excel in all facets of the McCallie experience — in academics, in music and the arts, as leaders in their communities, and in athletic competition. The skills developed on the Ridge are valuable attributes that can help our alumni not only survive but thrive when they get to college. The Class of 2017 displayed excellence in all areas of student life, and more than 30 Blue Tornado athletes will continue to compete as college athletes, with several graduates earning athletic scholarships to help pay for their college education.
The hard work put into practice and competition has led to several athletic victories, but more importantly these young men have learned valuable life skills and perseverance that makes them more than just great athletes. The lessons learned from their coaches, teachers, teammates and classmates has prepared them to be leaders on campus, in competition and in the classroom. McCallie prides itself on excellence, and these young men are just the latest group to carry that banner to the next chapter of life after graduation.
These McCallie athletes and members of the Class of 2017 will continue their athletic careers as college athletes, using the lessons of teamwork, sportsmanship and competition at the next level.
McCallie Magazine | Spring 2017 HEADMASTER
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Dr. G. Turner Howard III ’65
Alberto J. McGregor ’82
Dennis Oakley ’72
A. Lee Burns III ’87
Charles S. Anderson ’93
Knoxville, Tennessee
Leesburg, Virginia
Waynesville, North Carolina
DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS & MARKETING
New York, New York
Houston B. Hunt ’76
Richard D. McRae Jr. ’66
James M. Ruffi n, ’80
Jay Mayfield ’97
Benjamin G. Brock ’89
Dallas, Texas
Jackson, Mississippi
Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Lookout Mountain, Tennessee
Dr. Sean K. Jenkins ’97
Jon E. Meacham ’87
Joseph A. Schmissrauter III ’75
Stanley M. Brock ’68
Charlottesville, Virginia
Nashville, Tennessee
Signal Mountain, Tennessee
Birmingham, Alabama
ASSISTANT DIR. OF COMMUNICATIONS & MARKETING
Graeme M. Keith III ’04
Edward G. Michaels III ’60
David A. Stonecipher ’59
S. Elliott Davenport ’78
Kristin Youngblood
Charlotte, North Carolina
Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta, Georgia
Lookout Mountain, Georgia
Charles E. Knox ’83
R. Kincaid Mills ’88
Nathaniel H. Taylor ’94
CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD
John Fogarty ’73
North Augusta, South Carolina
Lookout Mountain, Georgia
Charlotte, North Carolina
J. Hal Daughdrill III ’73
Williamsburg, Virginia
Barry P. Large ’96
N. Carter Newbold IV ’84
William F. Womble Jr. ’60
Chattanooga, Tennessee
Signal Mountain, Tennessee
Winston-Salem, North Carolina
DEPUTY DIR. OF COMMUNICATIONS & MARKETING Jim Tanner ’86
Atlanta, Georgia
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National History Day dominance continues Fifteen boys competed in the state National History Day contest in April, and nine of them placed in the top three in various categories. Five boys were top two and will compete at nationals in June at the University of Maryland. Four others were alternates for the national competition. These impressive scholars worked with Dr. Duke Richey ’86 on these projects for months, becoming experts in their subject areas while learning the skills and habits of historical scholars. 1st place, Grant Smith, Individual Documentary Film, “The East Tennessee Bridge Burners: Lincolnites Taking a Stand”
2nd place, Duke Richey, Individual Exhibit, “Still Standing: Rex Richey and the Fight Against Bootlegging in Tennessee” 2nd place, Dawson Yates, Josh Martin, and John Knox, Group Performance, “Osceola: An American Freedom Fighter Makes a Stand” 3rd place, Joseph Richard, Paper, “Thy Will Be Done: Clergy, Napalm, and the War in Vietnam” 3rd place, Walt Buzzini, Individual Performance, “Ralph McGill: Taking a Stand in the Segregated South” 3rd place, Will Klein and Emerson Wright, “Coal Operators and the Evicted Miners in the Paint CreekCabin Creek Coal Strike of 1912”
Continuing McCallie’s strong tradition of history scholarship, 15 boys competed at the state-level competition for National History Day in Nashville.
2 017 T OP HONORS King Jemison’s hard work and dedication during his time at McCallie has culminated in two of the school’s top honors as Commencement 2017 approached. The day student from Lookout Mountain was named Valedictorian for the Class of 2017 for his outstanding academic record and followed that the next day by being presented with the Grayson Medal, the highest honor bestowed on a member of the graduating class. His classmates gave him loud ovations twice during the two-day awards presentation, showing their respect for the young man who will attend Stanford in the fall. Also bringing the Upper School to its feet was English teacher Sam Currin ’03, recipient of the Keo-Kio Distinguished Teacher award. Boarding student Walt Buzzini from San Antonio, Texas, — who will attend the University of Virginia in the fall — won the Campbell Memorial Award, recognizing the second most-esteemed member of his graduating class. A full list of the 2017 class award winners can be seen at www.mccallie.org. n
King Jemison, left, capped an amazing high school career by being named Valedictorian of the Class of 2017 and winning the Grayson Medal, McCallie’s top honor. Jemison’s classmate, student council president Walt Buzzini claimed the Campbell Award for the secondhighest honor bestowed on a senior.
MCCALLIE
MANIA M AGA ZI N E
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ONLINE AUCTION
A BIG THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT FOR OUR STUDENTS!
ON THE RIDGE
Students sweep Black History Month Poetry Contest WINNERS Left: Eighth-graders Jonas Mull, left, and Alex Williams won the Middle School division of the EPB Black History Month Poetry Contest. Right: McCallie sophomores Ryan Huynh, left, and David Horne were the Upper School winners in the 2017 EPB Black History Month Poetry Contest.
Two Upper School and two Middle School students were recognized recently as the top winners in their divisions in the EPB Black History Month Poetry Contest. The annual contest is open to students in grades 1-12, and EPB received 141 entries this year. McCallie students were four of eight students recognized in the contest. In the Middle School division, poems by eighth-graders Jonas Mull and Alex Williams were chosen as the two winning poems. Jonas and Alex are students in Tammy Barber’s English class. Jonas wrote about World War II hero Doris Miller, a U.S. Navy cook who survived the attack on Pearl Harbor. Alex’s “A Window into the Soul” was a broader look at the struggle to achieve Civil Rights. In the Upper School competition, sophomores David Horne and Ryan Huynh took the two winning spots. David and Ryan are
students taught by English teacher Sam Currin ’03. David wrote about author and inventor William Kamkwamba, who built a wind-powered generator to help his family in the African nation of Malawi. Kamkwamba visited McCallie in September 2016 to speak about his book “The Boy Who Harnassed The Wind” which tells the story of how education helped his family and gave him a chance at a better life. Ryan’s poem was about his admiration of former President Barack Obama. These four boys and their English teachers were honored at special banquet hosted by EPB. In addition, the winners and their teachers each received a prize of $100. n
Will McGregor accepts prestigious Morehead-Cain scholarship to UNC
McCallie senior Will McGregor has accepted the highly respected Morehead-Cain Scholarship to attend the University of North Carolina.
Will McGregor joins a long line of McCallie graduates to accept the Morehead scholarship, and he is the first McCallie alumnus to accept the scholarship since John Stevenson ’07. “The Morehead-Cain Scholarship is one of the most selective and highly regarded college scholarship opportunities in the United States,” McCallie Headmaster Lee Burns ’87 said. “Will McGregor has proven himself to be an outstanding student, athlete and leader at McCallie, and he will be an outstanding Morehead-Cain scholar when he begins his college career in Chapel Hill.” Will’s accomplishments at McCallie are beyond impressive. He was a first-team all-state soccer selection and was on the preseason watch list for All-America honors for his senior season. He also excelled in diving, finishing in the top 10 at the state diving meet. At McCallie, Will was a member of the TEPS and Keo-Kio leadership organizations, served on Student Council and was a member of the Cum Laude honor society. He mentored younger students as an RA in the Pressly allfreshman dorm. In addition he was the co-founder and president of McCallie’s LEO Club, and he planned the club’s service trip to Nicaragua during his sophomore year. He has been selected to attend the Lions International Youth Camp in the Italian Alps. Established in 1945 and inspired by the Rhodes Scholarship at Oxford University, the Morehead-Cain Scholarship was the first merit scholarship program established in the United States. n S U M M E R 2 017 |
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IN THE STORM Soccer lifted a state championship trophy on the strength of an amazing offensive attack.
SEASON OF CHAMPIONS
Ryan Crump and Charlie Thel (above) gave Tennis Coach Jeff Clark ’91 his first state title since returning to the Ridge. In rowing (left), seniors Michael Kalinowski, Bailey Nelson, Jackson Moore, Josh Gable and Shalin Naik were national silver medalists.
Blue Tornado athletes shine in spring sports McCallie had its best showing in Spring athletics in years with outstanding efforts in all sports. Junior Hakim McMorris demolished the competition in the decathlon. In tennis, Ryan Crump and Charlie Thel defeated Baylor for a state doubles title, and soccer claimed its first state championship since 1999. Baseball and Lacrosse each made runs to the state championship finals, and the Crew team capped an amazing year as the Senior Four boat finished their high school rowing careers with a silver medal in the prep national championships in Cherry Hill, N.J.
ABOVE AND BEYOND
Lacrosse and baseball fought hard to make appearances in their state championship finals before coming up just short, but these programs are on the rise and will be bringing home championships in the near future.
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Junior Hakim McMorris won nine of the 10 events for an impressive state decathlon championship, championship, and he followed up that accomplishment by winning a state title in the 300 hurdles. McMorris’ decathalon score of 6892 is ranked No. 1 in the nation by athletic.net.
HONOR. TRUTH. DUTY.
Faculty Farewells Longtime educators and staff retire after 104 years of combined service
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Terry Evans MIDDLE SCHOOL SCIENCE
Started 1976
As a football coach, spiritual mentor and a science teacher, Terry Evans has been a guiding force in the Middle School (formerly Junior School) for 41 years. His “learning opportunities” and hard-charging coaching style are the stuff of legend, but his love for boys and the admiration he inspires are equally well known. “He gives students a pathway to success and never gives up,” said former Middle School head Lynn Goss. “He keeps encouraging and tells them ‘you can do it if you just keep working.’” His love for McCallie has always been shared by his wife, Marilyn, and inherited by his children, fellow Middle School teachers Roc Evans ’91 and Tammy Barber, and he has been a shining light to generations of young men who have learned how to live a determined and faithful life. “Everything he does, teaching, coaching and mentoring these boys he does for the glory of God,” Middle School Principal Scotty Jones said. “His presence in the Middle School and on this campus will be missed greatly.”
Tom Makepeace ’71 UPPER SCHOOL MATH
For more than four decades, Tom Makepeace has been a part of the McCallie community. He first came to the Ridge as a boarding student and graduated in 1971. He soon returned to the Ridge, and for decades has taught math, coached swimming, diving and track, and with his wife and fellow teacher Skeeter Makepeace raised his family on this campus while helping countless young men grasp complex mathematical concepts. “Give Tom a student who is struggling with a calculus problem, and for the most part a smile will spread across his face as his patience in asking pointed questions and providing analogies finally clears away the cobwebs in the student,” said Dean of Faculty and Curriculum Sumner McCallie. Tom’s love of the outdoors also helped him create another connection with boys over the years on hunting, fishing and shooting excursions, teaching safety and the importance of conservation while enjoying this area’s natural beauty. “Tom fights, mines and refuses to give in to boys who want an easy answer,” Assistant Headmaster Kenny Sholl said. “He wants them to truly love the material.”
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Started 1976
David Mouron ’73 Started 1995
UPPER SCHOOL SCIENCE
A member of the McCallie class of 1973, David is the consummate scientist, and he brought that love for science and knowledge to his role as the chairman of the McCallie Science Department. He is a member of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Teacher Research Associate program and also was the recipient of two summer research fellowships at Georgia Tech. “David’s love of science is evident, and that makes his students love what they’re learning,” honors chemistry teacher Nancy Olencheck said. “He brings his passion to the classroom every day.” In 2003, David was named a Joseph B. Whitehead Educator of Distinction. In 2008, he received the Keo-Kio Distinguished Teacher Award. In 2009, he participated in Spallation Neutron Source to the Classroom at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. In addition to teaching AP Chemistry and AP Physics C, David has served as a reader (grader) for the AP Physics exam. His insight into the world of science will be missed on the Ridge, but his impact will continue.
STAFF FAREWELLS
Janet Best ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT TO MIDDLE SCHOOL HEAD Started 2006
For boys beginning their McCallie journey in sixth grade, the pleasant face of Janet Best in the Middle School office has been a comforting sight in the front office of McDonald Hall since 2011. She guides them as they enter the community and learn how to survive and then thrive on the Ridge. Janet will retire at the end of the summer, and she will be missed by the boys and by the many moms and dads, as well as her colleagues in McDonald Hall, who have come to her for friendly guidance and comfort over the years. She will now devote more time to singing in the church choir, playing her flute, traveling with her husband, Jerry, sewing, and spending time with her granddaughter.
Watch the retiring faculty describe their McCallie journey on our YouTube channel!
youtube.com/mccallieschool
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Prosthetics
Master Chef
2-D Painting
DAY 1
Down on the Bayou
Crabtree Farms
DAY 3
1st Annual DAY 2 UTC Forensics
M AGA ZI N E Waterfalls
Wood Working
Orange Grove
Sense of Adventure
Forensics
Food for Thought Dinner & Movie Digital Storytelling Forensic Fingerprints
Guitar Building
DAY 4
Improv Classes
DAY 5
Music Recording
Two Weeks. Endless Experiences. Tornado Term blew across the Ridge this February, with new experiences, new learning techniques, and lots of fun for McCallie’s Upper School students and faculty. Over almost two weeks, regular classes were suspended so faculty and students could devote time and effort to focus intensely on 40 unique courses that covered everything from Digital Storytelling to Yoga Meditation to Guitar Making to the Physics of Radio. Some courses were physically challenging for boys while others had a more traditionally academic nature. All of the T-Term courses featured a combination of experiential learning, off-campus travel, and student-led presentations designed to engage boys’ minds and let them think about things differently.
Dish T’Pass
Escape Experience
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Hockey
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1st Annual Wildlife Conservation Glass Street Art
DAY 6
GolF
Rock Climbing
Top Chef
Beyond the news
DAY 7 Murder Forensics
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Escape Room
Yoga
Guitar Making
Beyond the News Orchard Knob Elementary
Down on the Bayou - Boat making
Master Chef
Tool Time
DAY 8
Students embraced the challenges and chaos that came from Tornado Term, found new talents and discovered a new way of looking at the world and themselves. McCallie teachers worked as teams, often with colleagues from different departments, and showed students a different side of their personalities while teaching the most important lesson of Tornado Term — a love of learning, trying new things, and daring to fail. By taking boys out of the traditional educational setting and taking advantage of the resources at McCallie, in Chattanooga, and in our surrounding areas, Tornado Term allowed students and faculty to learn together as a community simply for the joy of learning. Spending two weeks away from the classroom certainly isn’t an ordinary way for things to work at a world-class college-preparatory school such as McCallie, but being ordinary has never been what makes McCallie special. Finally, by assessing student achievement differently during Tornado Term, boys were allowed to learn valuable lessons at times through failure. Those people who are willing to take risks are the ones who will excel, and Tornado Term was nothing if not a risk. But it allowed students to take risks in a controlled setting that can lead to growth and resilience without worrying about long-term consequences of failure on their academic records. Over the next several months, plans will be made for Tornado Term 2018. Faculty and students will look for ways to make the experience better and more fulfilling. The first experience of Tornado Term was exciting, chaotic, frustrating, and at times frightening. In that way, it was just the experience needed to foster a love of learning in new ways. n
Watch the Tornado Term highlight video on our YouTube channel!
youtube.com/mccallieschool
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QUA
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DUCK DAY 2017
Each year, McCallie celebrates Duck Day - a day in which students forego classes for a day of fun, food, fellowship, and a lot of large belly flops. Enjoy these photos from this April’s Upper School Duck Day.
C h ris Lee is
Recent alum hits it big on stage thanks to work on Ridge
Chris Lee ’13 will never forget the moment in 2010 when he walked out on stage for the McCallie-GPS talent show, and the roar of applause hit him. It was then the 14-year-old freshman knew not just what he wanted to do, but what he needed to do. The life of a performer beckoned, and he was not looking back. “I remember going on stage and just starting to sing, and it was crazy. I had never really had that before. All I have to do is sing? It really clicked that this is something,” said Lee, who is currently playing the paired roles of the Marquis de Lafayette and President Thomas Jefferson in the Chicago production of the groundbreaking “Hamilton: An American Musical.” But before Chicago, before the star turn in McCallie-GPS musicals, there was Atlanta, and a wholly unexpected path to the Ridge. LOOK AT WHERE YOU ARE, LOOK AT WHERE YOU STARTED Lee grew up in Atlanta as part of what he describes as a musical family — singing in church and at home was part of life, but it was never something he pursued as a passion. “My mom sang, my uncle sang, but that was something you did in church or at home,” said Lee. “I never thought of it as a career.” As a public school student in Atlanta, Chris Lee was part of two programs, Breakthrough Atlanta and A Better Chance, that were focused on providing intense academic preparation over the summer for middle schoolers and exposure to educational options, such as independent schools, they may not have previously considered.
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Non Stop
e ’13 e L s i r h us C quis n r a m M u l f a o McCallie n the dual roles ferson ti Jef s s a a c m s o a h w T ny o d T n e a h t e t f t o e de Lafay ago production milton”. hic Ha in the C ning musical “ in Award-w from second e ’13, e L s ri Ch
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Each year, A Better Chance holds a conference and it was there with his friend Matthew Jones ’13 that Chris went to a panel on independent schools that included Troy Kemp, McCallie’s former dean of admission and now executive director of the National Center for the Development of Boys. The impact was immediate. Private school had never been on Lee’s radar, much less boarding school, but Kemp’s presentation caught his attention. His mother was hesitant at first, but it was a visit to McCallie’s campus that helped open her eyes to the possibilities that McCallie offered. “I really went up to Chattanooga thinking this was not the place for me, but at least it was a day off school,” said Lee. “But when I got onto campus, it totally changed. There were all these kids doing all these activities.You had to be exceptional inside the classroom as well as outside.” From Kemp’s perspective, it was clear that Lee had immense potential even before he became a student. “I remember distinctly that people who met Chris consistently asked, ‘Who was that guy? That guy needs to be here.’” said Kemp. “Admission decisions often come down to things you can’t really measure, and it was
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clear that Chris was the kind of guy who would have an impact on everyone he came in contact with.” When he first arrived at McCallie, Chris dove into athletics, playing both football and basketball his freshman year while taking on leadership roles in dorm life and around campus. After his first taste of the stage in the talent show, though, it was a dare from a classmate that brought him into the limelight for good. UNAFRAID TO STEP IN It was standard McCallie fare in a lot of ways: a dare from one boarder to another to do something that veers a little outside the lines. In this case, it was Alec Josiah ’13 putting the challenge to Lee: try out for “Annie,” the spring musical. “We went over to GPS to audition, and to be honest, I wasn’t trying to do very well. I was kind of making fun of it,” said Lee. “I was auditioning for the radio host, Bert Healy, and was just there trying to be silly.” What Lee didn’t realize in
his attempt to throw the audition was that Bert Healy is among the silliest of characters. “From the moment he started his audition, we could see that he was someone special,” recalled Catherine Bolden, a former director of the drama program at GPS. “His talent was so clear. We gave him a basic dance step to show us, and he picked it up immediately.” Lee was cast as Healy and was instantly drawn into the process, passing on tryouts for the track team in favor of diving deeper into rehearsals. Once again, it was the moment he stepped on stage that told Lee what he needed to know about his calling to perform. “I just remember being like, ‘What is happening?’” said Lee. “I didn’t know that I could have this effect, and I didn’t know that the audience could have this effect on me. It was life to me; It was amazing.” From there, Lee performed like he was running out of time. He joined McCallie’s pep band — the Tornado Winds — as a percussionist, and sang in every possible vocal ensemble available to him. Candlelight Chorus, Men’s Chorus, Chamber Singers and more filled nearly every waking moment. He’d found his passion and McCallie offered the chance to own it in ways he never thought, possible and faculty who opened doors to him.
“There was something Rev. Snow said to me at McCallie, ‘If we both think exactly the same way, then one of us is unnecessary,’” and that has stuck with me. You learn from other people, but when you try to copy them, one of you is unnecessary.”
COVER STORY
Lee fell in love with music and musical theater as a student at McCallie, taking part in several student productions
Lee, center, went to Belmont University in Nashville to further his musical education after graduation, but his rise to stardom has smashed the expectations of a performer his age.
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McCallie Musician Spotlight On a recent visit to campus, Eric Dozier ’87, gave the Upper School a glimpse of his unique approach to blending music, education and social justice. Dozier has built a career in music around the idea of music as a uniting and inspiring force for change and reconciliation in America and the world. Dozier’s lecture, delivered from behind the keys of a piano on the Chapel stage, was a “musical history of American race relations,” ranging from African-American spirituals to the music of the civil rights movement. Among his numerous musical projects are an album of original music recorded with a children’s choir, work in expanding the understanding of gospel choir music to diverse audiences and more. “One of the ways that I’ve been able to understand, process, and endure my turbulent love affair with my country,” said Dozier, “has been through music in general, and my music, the music of Black America.”
In addition to dramatic roles at McCallie, Lee participated in other musical groups such as the McCallie Men’s Chorus.
EricDozier
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“Candlelight Chorus was my favorite time of year, and my first introduction to classical music came from Lew Cisto [the longtime chair of McCallie’s Music Department], and Brent Alverson [McCallie’s director of instrumental music], who helped me develop a respect for the arts.” Even then, though, the idea of a career in performance still had not taken root in Lee’s imagination. He was cast his sophomore year as Seaweed in the musical “Hairspray,” and it was a conversation with his mother after the show that opened his eyes. “I remember fighting back tears as I was talking to her,” said Lee. “She told me I needed to go to Broadway, and I didn’t even realize that this was something people got paid to do. From then on, my high school journey was about anything to do with the arts.” LIKE HE’S RUNNING OUT OF TIME In addition to star turns in the McCallie-GPS productions of “Les Miserables” and “Footloose” his junior and senior years, Lee’s life was made of music however he could find it. He learned to play piano and took music theory class and he started a business as a DJ for everything from middle school dances to bar mitzvahs. He recorded his own songs, and posted them online — in short, there was nothing that would get in between him and music. As a senior, Lee sought and won the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation’s Millennium Scholarship, a program designed to reduce the barriers to college for diverse student populations with a significant financial need. That opened the door to a huge array of college options, and Lee landed at Belmont University in Nashville, which has been a hub for success in the music industry for decades. It was there that he first heard “Hamilton.” He was already a fan of creator Lin-Manuel Miranda’s work, including his first hit musical, “In the Heights,” which Lee performed in as a student at Belmont. But when a friend played him the cast album in the fall of 2015, Lee knew he’d heard something special. Within a few weeks, he’d learned every line of every song in the show, but when the announcement was made that auditions would
COVER STORY be held around the country to replace the original Broadway cast and fill a planned Chicago production, Lee wasn’t optimistic about his chances. “Everybody in the world went to the cities where they were doing these auditions, but being the broke college student I was, I didn’t think I would actually get cast,” he said. “And you don’t audition for Broadway as a junior. You’re not there yet.” Even knowing that the odds were beyond scary, Lee sent in a video audition — as he put it, “the thing that never works” — and hoped for the best. At first, he didn’t hear anything, which was not surprising, but during a trip to New York to audition for other shows, he got an e-mail: could he come in Tuesday? As fate would have it, he had meetings Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, but Tuesday was wide open. Lee initially auditioned for the role of Hercules Mulligan, but over the course of multiple callbacks, the show’s team had him shift his focus to the dual roles of Lafayette and Jefferson. “Up until rehearsal started, I still didn’t believe it,” he said. “People I know, people who are extremely talented, also went out for this... I have done nothing. I am 21, in college, my resume is empty. They saw different, thank God for that. They have changed my life.” HISTORY HAS ITS EYES ON YOU He spent weeks rehearsing for “Hamilton,” and then came another momentous first time on stage: this time in the 2,000seat PrivateBank Theatre in Chicago, where he fell to his knees giving thanks to God for the opportunity he’d been given. Since then, it’s been eight sold-out shows a week. As Lafayette, Lee plays “America’s favorite fighting Frenchman” and one of Alexander Hamilton’s closest allies during his time in the Revolutionary War. The role features a particular verse in the song “Guns and Ships,” which includes
more syllables in less time than in any Broadway musical before it. But for Lee, it was no sweat. “It wasn’t that hard for me,” said Lee. “This is the stuff I do. Rapping, improvisation, these are things I do for fun. It just fits so well.” As Jefferson, Lee plays Hamilton’s ultimate foe: an unrepentant yet genteel slave owner opposed to Hamilton’s fiscal policies, his objection to slavery and his brash approach to, well, everything. It’s no coincidence that Lee’s costume features a bright red coat in this role; he’s the bad guy and relishes the part. The Chicago Sun-Times called his turn as Jefferson “wonderfully obnoxious”, while Variety said he was “both mellifluous and hilarious in his twin roles.” Lee says that playing two roles so far apart in motivation actually makes the task more manageable. “It has been easier than I thought it would be,” said Lee. “It’s almost like doing two plays, two different arcs.They are just so contrasting in their mission.” “Hamilton” is nothing short of a phenomenon, with the Broadway production continuing to sell out nearly a year in advance, and the standing Chicago performance doing the same. Planned national tours are selling out two years before their scheduled appearances. The musical has touched off deep discussions about the role of non-white actors and producers in the theatre, and has thrown open the doors of Broadway to a new generation of young people who may never have been interested in musical theatre. “I talk to people that tell me how they changed and are inspired by this show,” said Lee. “When I hear from little black boys and black girls who say ‘I saw myself up there when I saw you,’ that wrecks me.”
New Mad rid
McCallie Musician Spotlight
Though based in Athens, Ga. — the cradle of Southern independent music — the fast-rising group New Madrid is tied closely to the Ridge. Ben Hackett ’09 on bass, Graham Powers ’11 on guitar, and Phil McGill ’09 on guitar and vocals make up threequarters of the group. The band started as a long-distance recording project where the band members sent each other pieces of music to add to and build on — “a theoretical band,” as McGill referred to it in an interview with Atlanta’s Creative Loafing magazine. New Madrid now tours nationwide, sharing their Southern-infused psychedelic sound with the masses. The band released their fourth album, “magnetkingmagnetqueen”, last year. S U M M E R 2 017 |
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Watch our feature on the life and career of Chris and his time at McCallie on our YouTube page!
youtube.com/mccallieschool
McCallie Musician Spotlight
Thomas West ’13 grew up singing; as a child, he sang in a choir for young boys, and from the day he stepped into the Middle School, he found a home at McCallie for his vocal and musical talents. He joined nearly every single singing group offered at McCallie, took every music class he could and combined with intense individual study he was accepted to the Juilliard School — one of the nation’s most elite conservatory programs. He was one of few students accepted from a school where the arts were not a singular focus. “I’m so glad I went to McCallie and didn’t go to an art school. It’s 100 percent for the best. I feel like I had a well-rounded high school experience, and I value community and relationship. The things that McCallie instilled in me — how to research, how to study, how to write — influence my musical work.” M AGA ZI N E
NOT THROWING AWAY HIS SHOT Lee has no intention of letting this moment pass. He’s already earned a two-episode arc in the hit Fox show Empire, and is developing a massive social media presence. “I’m hungry,” said Lee. “When you’re hungry you have to eat or you’ll die. I’m always thinking, writing, playing, singing. I wake up, I work out, I do music. It’s just about — whatever you’re doing — to stay sharp. Make sure you’re bettering something every day.” In the moments when he has a chance to reflect on how his story is playing out each day, he thinks back to the decision to attend McCallie. “I didn’t grow up wanting to do this; it wasn’t tangible to me, it wasn’t a thing that people did. And I didn’t know until I was at McCallie,” he said. “There are so many people who are stuck, and I was so blessed as a young person thanks to McCallie to see everything and be cultured.” Lee’s advice to others who are thinking about taking a leap similar to his? “I would just say, if you’re given any opportunity to be exposed to things you didn’t grow up doing. Go out, try it, look it up, try something else. Do it.” n
Thomas West
MCCALLIE MUSIC Since its founding in 1905, music has played a key role in the McCallie experience. From the military band and glee club to handbells, the men's chorus and the Tornado Winds pep band. Do you have a story of how music impacted your McCallie experience or know of a McCallie alumnus who is working in the music industry?
Send us your stories and memories by emailing us at info@mccallie.org
ALUMNI ACTION
After 10 years in the classroom, John Green ’84 has made the move to Caldwell Hall, where he will work to keep McCallie’s mission strong as director of the Honor Fund.
GENE T IC R ESE A RCH
Ben Neely ’99 is studying the genetic makeup of dolphins in an attempt to gain a better understanding of human DNA in his work with the National Institute of Standards and Technology.
Humans and dolphins may look quite different, but both are mammals and share many genetic similarities. Understanding these similarities can lead to improved health for both species. McCallie alumnus Ben Neely ’99, a scientist at the National Institute of Standards and Technology, and colleagues recently completed an index of all proteins found in the bottlenose dolphin genome. The project was conducted at the Hollings Marine Laboratory, a research facility in Charleston, South Carolina. “Once you can identify all of the proteins and know their amounts as expressed by the genome,” Neely said in a recent article posted on the NIST website, “You can figure out what’s going on in the bottlenose dolphin’s biological systems in this really detailed manner.” n
Eric Voges ’81 selected to Tennessee Tennis Hall of Fame
Eric Voges ’81
McCallie’s Director of Tennis Operations Eric Voges ’81 was inducted into the Tennessee Tennis Hall of Fame Jan. 28 at a ceremony in Nashville. Mr.Voges served as head coach of the Blue Tornado tennis program for 29 years until transitioning into his current role with the school where he assists McCallie tennis coach Jeff Clark ’91 with the current varsity team and oversees the Strang-Voges Tennis Center which bears his name.
Voges is the third Blue Tornado coach to earn this Hall of Fame honor, joining John Strang and G. Turner Howard ’65. The Strang-Voges Tennis Center is one of the top tennis facilities in the regions and has played host to many top tournaments, including the 2017 NCAA Division III National Tennis Championships, which were held in May. n
N E W S
Covenant Transport, Inc. “It is an honor to be able to give back to my alma mater,” said Green, who began in his new role on June 1.“I look forward for the chance to work with a great team to help our alumni, parents, and other supporters see the impact their annual gifts make to ensure McCallie continues to be a national leader in boys’ education.” Green is an alumnus of the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, N.Y. and served as a U.S. Army helicopter pilot in Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. “McCallie’s motto is Honor, Truth, Duty and West Point’s is Duty, Honor, Country,” said Green. “I think the combination of those two sentiments provides my inspiration to serve.” n
ALUMNI ACTION
John Green, a 1984 McCallie alumnus, has joined the school’s development office as the director of the Honor Fund. In his new role, Green will oversee McCallie’s annual giving campaign, which provides key support to the school’s operations in addition to tuition and endowment support. “We are tremendously excited to welcome John into this new role, where he can bring his wealth of experience to bear on one of the most important parts of our development efforts,” said McCallie Headmaster Lee Burns ’87. Green most recently served as a math teacher at McCallie, and he has also been a coach and dorm head. He returned to the Ridge in 2007 after working as director of corporate training and development at
A LUM NI
Green ’84 to lead Honor Fund
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80s |
James Lovett ’82 married Robin Halpern on February 1, 2017. Tad Hutcheson ’85 and Janin had a daughter, Eliza Jane Hutcheson on June 27, 2016. Parke Morris ’88 and Whitley had a son, Warren Worthington Morris, on March 3, 2017.
90s |
Drew Johnson ’94 and Ashley had a daughter, Ellis Suzanne Johnson on February 21, 2017. David Levitt ’94 and Kat had a son, Isaiah Levitt, on March 22, 2017. Sam Snow ’95 and Lisa had a son, Henry Martin Snow, on February 1, 2017. Robbie Page ’97 and Denise had a son, Patrick Timothy Page, on October 23, 2016. KC Dyer ’99 and Janice had a son, Cooper David Dyer on December 23, 2016. Reagan Wolfe ’99 and Julia, had a daughter, Mary Estelle “Elle” Wolfe, on April 18, 2017.
CLASS Upcoming Alumni Events September 14 | TornadoThon September 18 | Grandparent Phonathon September 19 | Out of Town Phonathons (Atlanta, Birmingham, Nashville, New York) October 12-14 | Reunion Weekend (Classes of 1972, 1977, 1982, 1987, 1992, 1997, 2002, 2007, 2012) October 26-28 | Golden M Homecoming & Reunion Weekend (Classes of 1952, 1957, 1962, 1967)
Evelyn “Evy” Meyer, born on January 23, 2017 to Matthew Swann ’04 and Lauren.
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M AGA ZI N E
BIRTHSWEDDINGS
notes
00s |
Steve Pitts ’01 married Myra Withers on December 31, 2016. Merril F. Nelson II ’03 married Gray Shamblin Harris on November 19, 2016. Lee Coan ’03 and Martha had a son, William Lee Boone Coan Jr., on December 27, 2016. Web Raulston ’03 and Liz had a daughter, Alley in September 2016. Ramsey Brock ’03 and Megan had a daughter, Scout, on January 1, 2017. Samuel Neely ’03 and Rebecca had a son, John Benjamin Neely, on January 3, 2017. Trey Meyer ’04 and Lindsey had a son, Cameron Joshua, on April 8,2016. Matthew Swann ’04 and Lauren had a girl, Evelyn “Evy” Meyer, on January 23, 2017. Will Miller ’05 and Candace had a son, Matthew James Miller, on December 5, 2016. Nick Moore ’05 and Claire had a son, Hiram Edmond Moore, on September 26, 2016. J. Wesley Giglio ’05 and Katherine, had a son, John Wesley "Jack" Giglio Jr., on May 1, 2017. Brian Keys ’06 married Olivia Beeson on September 17, 2016. Eugene P. “Tripp” Schlereth III ’06 married Cameron Leigh Parcus on June 3, 2016. Capt. Haden Fullam, USAF ’07 and Lindsey, had a son, Emmett Charles Fullam, on May 16, 2017.
10s |
Mitchell Meek ’10 married Arden Pitman on October 15, 2016. David McCandless ’11 married Ashley Binns on December 31, 2016. Brian D. Bilbo ’12 married Anna Andrini on June 4, 2016. Hamilton R. Heald ’14 married Laura Lenore Kathleen Dassow on December 30, 2016.
Patrick Timothy Page, born on Mary Estelle “Elle” Wolfe, born on April 18, 2017 to October 23, 2016 to Robbie Reagan Wolfe ’99 and Julia. Page ’97 and Denise.
Matthew James Miller, born on December 5, 2016 to Will Miller ’05 and Candace.
CLASS NOTES
WHAT ARE YOU UP TO? Send your news to: CLASSNOTES@MCCALLIE.ORG
Ellis Suzanne Johnson, born on February 21, 2017 to Drew Johnson ’94 and Ashley. Pictured here surrounded by her siblings, from left: Riggs, Larkin, and Miller
1stSgt Andrew C. West ’89 and Sgt Andrue L. Potts ’08. West is the Battery 1stSgt and Sgt Potts is the Headquarters Platoon Sergeant for Mike Battery, 3rd Battalion, 14th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division in Chattanooga.
Brian Keys ’06 married Olivia Beeson on September 17, 2016. McCallie alumni sharing in the celebration were: Adam Gadberry ’06, Dave Shuster ’06, Tyler Keys ’10, Phil Brock ’06 and Spencer Conner ’06
CLASSUPDATES
50s |
Bob Blalock ’56 was named Manatee (Florida) 2017 Citizen of the Year. Dr. Carter Smith ’52 was recognized for his exemplary partnership by the Emory Alumni Association during the May 7th Commencement Weekend Corpus Cordis Aureum induction ceremony as the ninth recipient of the Judson C. Ward “Jake’s” Golden Heart Award
60s |
George S. Hazard ’64 was introduced with Margaret Jane Butler as king and queen of the 67th annual Junior Auxiliary of Columbus Charity Ball. Dr. David Brody ’67 recently retired from his position as academic dean and chair of the early childhood department at the Efrata Teachers College in Jerusalem, Israel. His newest book, Teacher Educator’s Professional Learning in Community came out this year. David has five children, 11 grandchildren, most of whom live in Israel. He lives in the settlement of Efrat, south of Jerusalem and Bethlehem.
70s |
Cameron Joshua, born on April 8, 2016 to Trey Meyer ’04 and Lindsey.
Dr. Robert B. Betz ‘70 Adjunct Professor of Health Policy and Politics in the Department of Political Science at George Washington University, has been named a Senior Scholar for the GW Institute of Public Policy. Jason Makansi ’74 announces the publication of his fourth book of non-fiction, Painting By Numbers: How to Sharpen your BS Detector and Smoke Out the Experts, which advocates for, and teaches better numerical literacy in an informal, approachable style that requires no math background. Dr. Jack McCallie ’75 was elected to serve on the board of directors for BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee.
80s |
James Lovett ’82 became Chief Operating officer of Myoderm. Andrew C. West ’89 is the Battery 1stSgt for Mike Battery, 3rd Battalion, 14th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division in Chattanooga.
90s |
Sam Snow ’95 is still involved in his family’s business and in the last year completed his instrument pilot rating. Ruston Pierce ’96 was named new head of Mount Pisgah Christian School. William H.F. Bowen ’99 was sworn in as a Deputy U.S. Marshal. He and his family will be relocating from Ashburn, Virginia to Columbus, Georgia. Benjamin Curtis ’99 has just landed the lead role in his 3rd OffBroadway production, “The Crusade of Connor Stephens,” for an open-ended run starting June 17th. The play has already won 7 awards and Ben is making national news. Reagan H. Wolfe ’99 was selected as one of NAIFA Atlanta’s Top Advisors Under 40 for the fourth consecutive year. Reagan is a Financial Representative with Ashford Advisors in Atlanta.
00s |
Joseph Hoyle ’01 finished his residency and will begin his career as a family physician in Florence, South Carolina. Phillip Small ’01 in his 8th year coaching varsity boys basketball at Vanguard High School (Ocala, FL) took the Knights to the first Final Four for the school in 35 years. Phillip was later named to Class 7A State Coach of the Year by the Florida Association of Basketball Coaches and District Coach of the Year by the Florida Athletic Coaches Association. Earlier this school year, Philip coached Vanguard’s girl’s golf team to their first state finals appearance in the school’s 47-year history. S U M M E R 2 017 |
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CLASS NOTES
From left, Mark Oldham ’78, Donald McGregor ’78, Kemper Harr ’78, and Don (Chico) McGregor ’48 met up during a recent trip that Mark and Kemper made to Nicaragua to celebrate both of their birthdays with classmate Donald McGregor.
Several alumni from the class of ’96 met up at Camp Alpine for a father/son retreat. From left, Nick and Niko Wilkinson; Steven and Wes Simmons; Ben and Harrison Scott; Will, Crue and new McCallie man, William Haisten
Eugene P. “Tripp” Schlereth III ’06 married Cameron Leigh Parcus on June 3, 2016.
Warren Worthington Morris born on March 3, 2017 to Parke Morris ’88 and Whitley.
Mitchell Meek ’10 married Arden Pitman on October 15, 2016. McCallie men were in attendance. From left: Sam Dowlen ’09, Drew Tompkins ’10, David Clark ’09, Mitchell Meek ’10, Arden Pitman Meek, Cole Sawyer ’77, Samuel Sawyer ’20, David Sawyer, ’82, George Clark ’77. Donte Flanagan ’02 pictured here with his mother, graduated with his Doctorate in Nursing Practice from Columbia University.
00s |
CLASSUPDATES
Nick Bradford ’02 has taken a math teaching position and is the head soccer coach for the boys and girls program at Hardin Valley Academy in Knoxville, Tennessee. Donte Flanagan ’02 just graduated with his Doctorate in Nursing Practice from Columbia University. Phillip Hammond ’03 and his wife Samantha, have moved to Camden, South Carolina, with their two dogs and are building a horse farm. Phillip is an attorney in Columbia. Sean Dunn ’06 completed his internal medicine residency in June and will begin a fellowship in cardiology at UAB in Birmingham, Alabama. William J. Kent ’06 joins Bass, Berry & Sims Law Firm. He joins the firm’s Corporate & Securities Practice Group where he will counsel clients on corporate and securities issues including mergers and acquisitions, capital markets transactions, and securities matters and filings.
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Scout, born on January 1, 2017 to Ramsey Brock ’03 and Megan.
Andrue L. Potts ’08 is the Headquarters Platoon Sergeant for Mike Battery, 3rd Battalion, 14th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division in Chattanooga.
10s |
Sean Dunn ’10 graduated from UConn in three years with the help of 30 McCallie AP class credits. He majored in Actuarial Science & Mathematics, and completed an internship at The Hartford in Connecticut. He now lives in Boston working as an actuary at Liberty Mutual Insurance Company. Kaleb Gosdin ’16 was announced as the winner of the 2016-2017 Freshman Writing Award at a recent ceremony at Webster University. Gosdin won for his essay, “Christianity and Sustainability” written for his First Year Seminar, Your Ecological Footprint. Gosdin is also a writing coach in the Writing Center at Webster University and a member of the Susan Polgar for Chess Excellence (SPICE) team.
In Memoriam 40s |
Philip Stevenson Busby ’40 of Ada, Okla., died November 19, 2016. He attended both Oklahoma A&M and the University of Oklahoma, where he was a member of the Sigma Nu Fraternity. During World War II, he was commissioned as an officer. He spent the war years as a U.S. Army drill instructor at Officer Candidate School. After the war, he returned home to take over the management of the family’s 4B Ranch near Allen. He later established his adjacent Lone-B Ranch. As a rancher, he spent 40 years outdoors. Philip was a lifetime advocate of water conservation, beginning with his job as a field supervisor for the Oklahoma Corporation Commission. He was a founder and the first chairman of the Upper Muddy Boggy Creek Watershed Association. He served as president of the Pontotoc County Farm Bureau. He taught Sunday school for 10 years at First Baptist Church of Ada and later developed the bus ministry for that church. He was also instrumental in founding Faith Baptist Church of Ada. He was preceded in death by his brother and a daughter. He is survived by his wife, Carolyn, two daughters, his son Steve Busby ’71, and his 12 grandchildren including Josh Dunigan ’92 and his eight great-grandchildren. He is also survived by a brother and numerous adoring nieces and nephews. Robert “Bob” Harrison Hunt Street Sr. ’40 of Ashland City, Tenn., died February 13, 2017. At McCallie, he graduated valedictorian. He graduated from The Georgia Technology School of Architecture, magna cum laude in 1945. He is probably best known for his architectural works at The Blair School of Music, the residence of Huldah & Walter Sharp’s contemporary home in Brentwood, TN, Sarratt Center at Vanderbilt University and Cumberland Heights treatment center. He served as an officer in the 86th (Blackhawk) Infantry and fought in both Germany and the Philippine Islands. He was a part of the liberation of Nazi camps. The 86th Division was recognized as a liberating unit by the US Army’s Center of Military History and United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in 1996. In 1950 he was recalled into service at the outbreak of the Korean conflict. He began his own architecture firm in 1954. His younger brother Edward Street joined him in 1959, thus creating Street & Street Architects. He was awarded The Lifetime Achievement Award of Architecture in 2001. He is survived by his wife Ann Sharp Street of 69 years, his son and daughter, his grandchildren, and his sister and his brother Edward “Ed” Street ’48 and great-nephew, Martin Jackson Longshore ’18 (Jack). Sen. Douglas Selph Henry Jr. ’43 of Nashville, Tenn., died March 5, 2017. He served as a First Lieutenant in the Field Artillery of the United States Army during World War II before taking up studies at Vanderbilt University where he pursued a degree in classical French, Greek, and Latin and earned a degree in law. After practicing law for a short while, he served a two year term in the House of Representatives. Soon after he was recruited by his father to work as an attorney in the family business at National Life Accident and Insurance Company. His interest in government and the desire to help others never wavered, and that ultimately motivated him to secure the office of State Senator for the 21st district of Tennessee. He is preceded in death by Loiette Hume Henry, his wife of 67 years,a daughter and granddaughter. He is survived by his children including Douglas ’87, his grandchildren, many greatgrandchildren and his sister.
James “Bob” Robert Dobyns ’44 of Henrico, Va., died January 1, 2012. A graduate of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in Civil Engineering, Dobyns was a building contractor for 25 years in the New River Valley. He was a certified licensed Professional Engineer in the State of Virginia and a past state Director and Treasurer of the Associated General Contractors of America, Virginia Branch. Dobyns was a veteran of World War II, serving with the 46th Infantry in the Philippines and Japan. He was a veteran of the Army Reserve, having served as a paratrooper. He began his political career as a member of the Pulaski County Board of Supervisors and went on to be elected to the Virginia House of Delegates, where he served seven years in the mid-1980s. He was a member and trustee of the New Dublin Presbyterian Church. He is survived by wife of 60 years, Cornelia Gates, and his two daughters. He is also survived by a brother, Richard A. Dobyns Jr. ’51 Ogburn Fletcher Stafford Jr. ’46 of Burlington died October 26, 2016. He was a graduate of Wake Forest University where he played football. Mr. Stafford was a veteran of the U.S. Navy and formerly owned and operated a vending company. He was a member of Glen Hope Baptist Church. He is survived by his wife, Gwyn, his five daughters, two sons, and eight grandchildren. Louis Thompson Runge Jr. ’49 of Greenville, S.C., died February 20, 2017. He attended Davidson College during which time he played guitar for the country and western group, the Dismembered Tennesseans. College was interrupted by service in the Air Force during the Korean War, where upon completing his service, Louie finished college at Clemson University, graduating cum laude. Thereafter he started a long, successful career in textiles, working for Abney Mills, Woodside Mills, Dan River Mills, and retiring as Executive Vice President of Alice Manufacturing in 1987. Louis served on many boards including the Poinsett Club, Cotillion Club, American Textile Manufacturers Institute, PIYC and Christ Church Episcopal School, and was a long standing and devoted member of Christ Episcopal Church. He is survived by his cherished wife of 65 years, Evelyn Thornton Runge, and five children, 11 grandchildren and two great grandchildren. He was predeceased by his sister, Eyleen Runge Martin.
50s |
Gilbert Reginal Campbell Jr. ’50 of Nashville, Tenn., died February 24, 2017. He graduated from the University of Tennessee with a B.S. and Juris Doctorate. Before law school, he was stationed in Greenland and at the Port of Embarkation in New Orleans, with the U.S. Army, where he rose to the rank of captain. He worked in the advertising business in Knoxville and then moved to Atlanta where he began a 20-year career as executive director of the Decatur/DeKalb Chamber of Commerce. In 1983, he served as executive director of the Tennessee Bar Association. He served as president of the National Association of Bar Executives in 19992000 and executive director of the Tennessee Supreme Court Historical Society until 2009. Post retirement, he enthusiastically embraced the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Vanderbilt University, where he taught several classes. He was elected its president in 2010. He was a member of First Presbyterian Church of Nashville. He is survived by his wife Mattoinette “Matte” McCeney Campbell; his daughter, his son, and four grandchildren.
IN MEMORIAM
Gordon Laidlaw Smith Jr. ’43 of Chattanooga, Tenn., died March 5, 2017. While at McCallie, which was military at the time, Gordon was captain and adjutant. He was honored with Carter Trophy for Best Officer in Battalion. Gordon served McCallie on the board of trustees for several terms 1968-2002. He was chairman, board of trustees, from 1998-2000. He also was chairman of the building committee which was appropriate since his father was one of the original architects of the campus. Gordon was honored in 1989 as McCallie Distinguished Alumnus and more recently as director emeritus. Gordon attended Duke University on a Naval ROTC scholarship and received a Civil Engineering degree in 1948. He completed service in the Naval Reserve. He was employed by the Wheland Foundry and traveled the country selling saw mill and oil field equipment as well as parts for the Patton tank to France. As Wheland later merged and ultimately became part of NAR, he was VP of Finance, CFO. Gordon retired from NAR as VP of Strategic Planning and Business Development in 1994. One of his greatest achievement was being on the founding board of Chattanooga Boys and Girls Club 60 years ago. Gordon was a faithful member of First Presbyterian Church of Chattanooga and proudly served as a deacon. He is survived by this wife, Frances Street and his three children, Trip ’72, Preston ’74; daughter, Sally, five grandchildren, and great grandchildren. He is also survived by three nieces and a nephew.
William Thomas Bland Jr. ’51 of Mount Dora, Fla., died November 3, 2016. James Ballard Brotbeck ’51 of Chattanooga, Tenn., died December 17, 2016. He along with his wife, owned and operated The Printer until their retirement in 1997. He was a member of First Lutheran Church. He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, and three sons. He is survived by his wife, Jimmye, daughter Lynda, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
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In Memoriam Paul Byron Dye Jr. ’51 of Waynesboro, Ga. died December 18, 2016. Mr. Dye was a farmer and a Southern Company retiree. He attended the University of Georgia as an Army ROTC cadet and graduated with a degree in agriculture. He enlisted as a captain with the United States Army and served in Fort Hood, TX, and Fort Polk, LA, where he was Aide de Camp to General of the 3rd Armored Tank Division. After his service, he returned to his family farm, Ivanhoe Plantation, in Burke County where he enjoyed hunting, fishing and studying history. Mr. Dye was instrumental in Ivanhoe’s 2013 inclusion on the Georgia Civil War Heritage Trail, the State’s historic driving tour of Sherman’s march from Atlanta to the sea. He was a past president of the Georgia Field Trial Association, a founding member and past president of the Waynesboro Jaycees, a founding father of Edmund Burke Academy, and a lifelong member of First Presbyterian Church of Waynesboro. He was preceded in death by his parents, Paul B. and Alden Rowland Dye, and his brother A. Rowland Dye. He is survived by his wife, Louise Johns Dye of Waynesboro; two daughters, a stepson, a grandson, and a number of nieces, nephews and cousins. Stanley Edward Worlen ’52 of Chattanooga, Tenn., died December 7, 2016. Stan graduated from UT Chattanooga in 1956, where he was a member on the football team. Stan was also a member of the Quarterback Club and the Moc Club. Stan was a veteran of the U.S. Army and served his country in Germany. Stan retired from Combustion Engineering after 30 years of service. He was a member of Christ United Methodist Church. Stan is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 61 years, Alfreida Joyce Worlen; son, Todd Worlen and granddaughter, Abby Taylor Worlen. George Argue Putnam ’54 of Abbeville, LA., died December 30, 2016. He earned a Bachelor of Science Degree from Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN. After graduating he enlisted in the United States Marine Corp reserves. Afterwards, he returned home to join his father in the family business at Abbeville Lumber Company where he built fine homes, commercial buildings including the Bank of Erath and concrete rice bins that still stand in Abbeville and throughout the region. In 1967, he started building offshore living quarters. This vision would eventually become Abbeville Offshore Quarters which grew to have over 180 employees, a rental fleet of over 350 buildings and fabricated permanent quarters housing people offshore Israel, Nigeria, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, Mexico, Trinidad and the Gulf of Mexico. He was Senior Warden of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, and sang in its choir. Mr. Putman showed extreme determination and strength in living with Parkinson’s Disease for over 35 years. He is survived by his wife Sylvia Brown Putnam and their three sons; George Putnam ’79, John Putnam ’84, Thomas “Tommy” Putnam ’83, and four grandchildren, George was preceded in death by his parents, his sister, and a son.
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M AGA ZI N E
David Allan Floyd Sr. ’55 of Nashville, Tenn., died December 13, 2016. His senior year at McCallie, he was elected captain of the baseball and basketball teams. Dave was awarded the Morehead and ROTC Scholarships to the University of North Carolina. Dave was a pitcher for the UNC Tar Heels baseball team. Upon graduation from UNC, he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps where he served on active duty for three years. Dave was a manager for AT&T in Atlanta and Nashville. He became a licensed real estate broker in 1969 and retired after 41 years. Dave was affiliated with Dobsen and Johnson Realtors, as well as Dave Floyd & Associates, Town and Country Realtors, and in 2005, was a cofounder of Silverpointe Properties, where he served as Principal Broker until 2010. Dave was a member of the Woodmont Hills Church of Christ, the Exchange Club, Lions Club and Men of Valor Prison Ministries. Dave is preceded in death by his parents. Dave is survived by his wife, Deanna; two sons, stepdaughter, stepson, and several grandchildren. Dr. Charles Langdon Rutherford Jr. ’55 of Mobile, Ala., died December 29, 2016. He graduated from Davidson College, and the University of Alabama School of Medicine. Charles served 2 years in the United States Air Force following medical school graduation. He then practiced medicine with Mobile Urology Group, P.A. until his retirement in 1992. Charles was a past President of the Alabama Urological Association and of the Alabama Chapter of The American College of Surgeons. He served on the Board of Censors for the State Medical Association Board of Examiners, and was a founding director of The Bank of Mobile, which became BankTrust. Dr. Rutherford also served on the Boards of The Julius T. Wright School for Girls (now UMS-Wright Preparatory School), Boy Scouts of America (Mobile Area Council), and the University of South Alabama Medical School Foundation. Early in his career he was a Clinical Professor of Urology at the University of South Alabama Medical School, and he was also a member of several mystic organizations. Charles was a member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Mobile. Dr. Rutherford is survived by his wife of 53 years, Harriet Kelly Rutherford; his two daughters, six grandchildren, his brother, a nephew and niece, and numerous cousins. CDR (Ret.) Joseph “Frank” Franklin Gall ’58 of Mobile, Ala., died February 23, 2017. He attended North Carolina State, the University of North Carolina, and Charlotte College. He joined the United States Coast Guard in 1961 and completed Navy Flight School training in 1967. He flew helicopters and fixed wing aircraft on search and rescue missions and was a helicopter instructor pilot for 8 years. Frank was promoted to Commander and retired in 1984. He is survived by his son, daughter and one grandchild.
60s |
Dr. Donald Wood Cooper ’61 of Murphy, N.C. died December 5, 2016. He received his B.S. from the University of Alabama. Don was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon and an avid Alabama football fan. He received both his doctorate DMD and his specialty in Endodontics degrees from the University of Alabama in Birmingham. He owned an Endodontics practice in Birmingham and he also volunteered at Lloyd Noland Hospital in Fairfield. He was a member of the Lake Guntersville Yacht Club for many years. He moved to the Blue Ridge Mountains, outside of Murphy, NC, when he retired. He is survived by his widow, Jeana, his sister, his daughter Sarah, and his son William David Cooper. John Beverly League Jr. ’61 of Greenville, S.C.,died December 12, 2016. In 1965 he received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Furman University. While at Furman he was initiated into the Kappa Alpha Order and he served as treasurer his senior year. He attended Officer Candidate School and served as a Lieutenant in the United States Coast Guard during the Vietnam War. He served on board the Tanager out of Yorktown, Virginia and the Papaw out of Charleston, South Carolina. John retired from OneBeacon Insurance Company, formerly CGU Insurance Company, formerly General Accident Insurance Company where he was the Appraiser Supervisor for North and South Carolina. John was a member of First Baptist Church. He is survived by his two sons, two grandchildren, his sister and niece and nephew. Dr. Ronald “Ron” Baker Cox ’61 of Signal Mountain, Tenn., died January 12, 2017. While at McCallie, he was a four-sport letterman (Football, Basketball, Baseball, and Track). Ron later served McCallie with work on reunion committees, advisory boards, and other capacities. Ron earned his bachelor and master’s degrees in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. In 1970 he earned his Ph.D. in mechanical engineering from Rice University where he held a Rice Engineering Fellowship. In 1978 he became a member of the first class in the Executive MBA program at Vanderbilt University. At the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, Ron became Dean of the College of Engineering and Computer Science in 1979 – the youngest engineering dean in the United States. He served in the role for 17 years. In 1996 Ron became professor and holder of the Burkett Miller Chair of Excellence in Management and Technology at UTC. He was named Engineer of the Year in 1982 by the Chattanooga Engineers Club — the youngest recipient ever. In 1990, Dr. Cox was named “Engineer of the Decade” of the Tri-state region. Ron also served as deacon and Sunday School teacher at Signal Mountain Baptist Church and was an active member in the Rotary Club and the Mountain City Club. He is survived by his wife, Nancy Charline Barger Cox. two daughters and son Ronald David Cox ’90, and many grandchildren.
IN MEMORIAM
Dr. Eugene “Gene” Adair Hatfield ’62 of Jonesboro, Ga., died January 12, 2017. He graduated from Washington & Lee University. He enrolled in ROTC at W&L, receiving his commission as an officer in the U.S. Army upon graduation. After serving his country in Vietnam, Gene resumed his studies at the University of North Carolina where he received a Ph.D. in American History. In 1976, Gene began teaching at Clayton Junior College, now Clayton State University. He served as the first director of the university’s Honors Program. He served as the president of the Clayton State Retirees Association and helped to establish the Gene Hatfield Annual Service Awards. He served as chairman of the Clayton County Democratic Party, chairman of the Sixth District Congressional Committee, as a member of the State Executive Committee, and as a delegate to the 1984 and 1988 Democratic National Conventions. He spent twenty years on the Atlanta Regional Commission’s board. He served as an Elder and Sunday School teacher at First Presbyterian Church of Jonesboro. He is survived by wife Carol, two children, and two granddaughters, two sisters and brother Robert Hatfield ’70.
70s |
Robert “Bob” Mercer Vance Jr. ’71 of Las Vegas, Nev., died January 21, 2017. He studied photography and psychology at La Grange College. Bob completed his education at the University of South Carolina, graduating as the first, Bachelor of Media Arts in 1976. Beginning in 1977 he developed a passion for the film industry working first with Dr. Don Gillis to propose the original SC Film Commission, which is what it has become today. Moving to California in 1984, Bob was involved in the production of several movies including “The Fixx and Gramma’s Gold,” and worked on a television series, “Buck James.” He also worked with ABC Television and Columbia Studio and completed a classical motion picture script, “Beowulf.” Since 1996 his passion was to work with Laserless Holographic Lens Camera Systems. Bob was an active member of the Motion Picture Association of America, the American Film Institute, and the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers. He was President of Windward West, Inc., Nevada, and Eyecon International, California. Bob is preceded in death by his father, Robert “Bob” Vance ’33. Bob is survived by his mother, his brother, his niece, and grandnephew. He is also survived by his ex-wife Sharon Beth Dalgo.
John-McNeal “John” Wilson ’64 of Chattanooga, Tenn.,died January 25, 2017. He graduated from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. John was a Vietnam Veteran and a member of Trinity Lutheran Church. He was preceded in death by his father Mark Wilson ’29, mother and sister. He is survived by his daughter, brother, Mark King Wilson ’56 and one niece and one nephew. James “Jim” Edward Glasser ’67 of Smyrna, Ga., died March 9, 2017. While at McCallie he won two national prep wrestling championships, one MidSouth Conference title, lettered in football, wrestling and baseball and received The Campbell Award, the second highest award presented to a senior. At UTC, he won three S.E.I.W.A. titles. He graduated from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga in 1972. He moved to Atlanta where he was a teacher and coach at The Lovett School for 36 years. “Coach Glasser” coached multiple sports during his tenure but is best known for his record breaking success as a National Hall of Fame Wrestling Legend. With more than 750 dual meet victories and 13 state wrestling team titles, he’s one of the winningest wrestling coaches of all-time at any level in the country. Jim was a member of the Chattanooga Area Sports Hall of Fame and the Georgia Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. Jim is survived by his three children Julie Stebbins, Brennen Glasser and Tyson Glasser; brother, William Glasser ’61, son-in-law, Jason Stebbins and daughter-in-law Suzanne Glasser, nieces, grandchildren, Jessa and Jacob Stebbins.
Obituaries are included in McCallie Magazine by class year in chronological order by date of death. Those not included in this issue will appear in the next. The Alumni Office sends email announcements about confirmed deaths to all classmates whose email addresses are updated in our system as soon as the school is notified of them. Stay informed of such things. Make sure the Alumni Office has your updated email address.
90s |
Sheikh TeeJan Faye Jr. ’97 of Chattanooga, Tenn., died February 28, 2017. While at McCallie he played football as a defensive tackle and nose guard. He also participated in two events in Track and Field; the discus and shot put. He graduated from University of Tennessee at Knoxville with a Bachelors of Arts Degree; majoring in Economics in 2002. He was skilled in selling and a maniacal customer service representative at H.H. Gregg Retail Store, all floor seller and electronics sales manager in Chattanooga, and at Best Buy, as a supervisor/sales manager in Knoxville and Chattanooga. In addition, Sheikh served as an Executive Trader for the Forex Project in Chattanooga. He conducted numerous presentations on how to trade currency and the intricacies of trading in currency market in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Spartanburg, South Carolina and Chattanooga. He was preceeded in death by his father, and his loving aunt. He is survived by his mother, Natalie Scott Elder; his beloved, Adrienne Nichol Buchanan; one child, Sheikh TeeJan Faye III; seven sisters; and his right-hand man, Darius; and several extended family members. William “Tripp” David Polen III ’99 of Charlotte, N.C., died March 11, 2017. He was a vice president at The Bank of America in Charlotte, where he has been employed for many years. He was a Park Scholar at North Carolina State University, where he graduated in 2003 with a degree in business. He was preceded in death by his father and his sister. He is survived by his wife Julie, daughter, mother, sister, brothers, and nephews, and step-brother Adam Polin ’21.
Jackson Alan Standefer ’21
Jackson Alan Standefer ’21, 14, was born Sept. 18, 2002, was lost while on a backpacking trip in the Grand Canyon April 15, 2017. Jackson was beloved by his friends and family and had a close relationship with God. He was incredibly active and spent years playing baseball at Rivermont park, basketball at the YMCA and CFC soccer. He enjoyed everything outdoors and was active in McCallie’s Outdoor Program, the rock climbing team, the Crew team and Young Life. Jackson was preceded in death by his grandfather, Charles A. (Buz) Standefer, whom he loved dearly and had even spoken of their good times together while in the Canyon. Luke A. Merrell, uncle. He also took this journey and crossed the veil with his stepgrandmother, LouAnn Merrell, of Vernal, Utah. He was also preceded in death by all of his great-grandparents on all sides of his family and some great-aunts and great-uncles. He is survived by his father, Alan Standefer ’86; his mother Julie StandeferMerrell; his stepfather Karstan Merrell; his sister, Alli Standefer; as well as grandparents, stepgrandfather, his aunts and uncles, and cousins. To celebrate the life of Jackson Standefer and allow those in the community the opportunity to express their love for Jackson and his family, The Jackson Standefer ‘21 Fund has been established at the McCallie School.
Maximus (Max) Jones Raynor ’19 of Chattanooga, Tenn., died January 9, 2017. Max was a sophomore at The McCallie School in Chattanooga, where his interests included Mandarin, Band (he played the euphonium), science, history, varsity crew and video gaming with his friends. He was also an avid fisherman and was a regular acolyte at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church. He was also a dedicated volunteer employee at the Tennessee Aquarium. In his short lifetime, Max enjoyed traveling to New York City, Rosemary Beach, Fla. (frequently), St. Kitts and Nevis in the Caribbean, the Bahamas, China and most recently England where he performed with the McCallie Band at London’s New Year’s Day Parade. Max is survived by his parents, Ted and Carla Raynor; his brother, Theodore Chase Raynor ’23; his grandparents, and much extended family, many, many friends; and his dog Lilly.
Maximus (Max) Jones Raynor ’19
S U M M E R 2 017 |
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