SPRING 2021
SPRING 2021
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CONTEN SPRING 2021
Did You Know? The Mercersburg Intensive— which was held entirely virtually from mid-November to mid-December—offered students more than 50 different course selections during the school’s first-ever mini-term.
FEATURES
Read the feature on page 34.
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18 Fighting the Pandemic How the fall battle against COVID-19 was successfully waged on campus
30 An Interview with Board of Regents President Stacie Rice Lissette ’85
Mercersburg’s Student Council President interviews the school’s new Board leader
34 Mercersburg Intensive A closer look at the four-week immersive experience all students completed this winter
40 Student Voices Four students share their unfiltered experiences as members of underrepresented groups in the school community
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NTS
Editor: Lee Owen P ’24 Senior Contributor: Megan Mallory Contributors: Ryan Bland ’21, Amy Marathe, Tyler Miller, Ebube Onwusika ’21, Avery Poffenberger ’21, Zally Price, Tyerra Rooffener ’23, Doug Smith P ’23, ’24, Matthew Tavarez ’22, Jillian Wilkerson, Farah Yahaya ’21 Design: Mid-Atlantic Media Cover Art: John Mavroudis Head of School: Katie Titus P ’20, ’23 Director of Strategic Marketing and Communications: Amy Marathe Associate Head of School for External Relations: Quentin McDowell Mercersburg Academy magazine is published by the Office of Strategic Marketing and Communications. Magazine correspondence: magazine@mercersburg.edu Class Notes correspondence: classnotes@mercersburg.edu Alumni correspondence/ change of address: alumni@mercersburg.edu 800-588-2550 Read us online: mercersburg.edu/magazine To receive this magazine exclusively online and to be notified electronically when a new issue is available, email magazine@mercersburg.edu.
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© Copyright 2021 Mercersburg Academy. All rights reserved. No content from this publication may be reproduced or reprinted in any form without the express written consent of Mercersburg Academy. Mercersburg Academy abides by both the spirit and the letter of the law in all its employment and admission policies. The school does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, or national or ethnic origin.
Look for this image throughout the magazine to indicate additional photos, videos, and other content online at mercersburg.edu/magazine.
DEPARTMENTS 2 Head of School
10 A Mercersburg Moment
44 Annual Report
3 Calendar
12 College Counseling
51 Class Notes
4 Social Media 5 Living the Values
Infographic
13 Campus Life
76 From the Archives 77 The Last Word
23 Alumni Life SPRING 2021
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FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL
Pivoting Forward
A
s you read this, the school has welcomed our students back to campus for the remaining 13 weeks of the 2020–2021 academic year. It was exactly one year ago that we started talking about and planning for the potential impact of
the coronavirus, which at the time was not yet considered a pandemic. During these last 12 months, we have navigated a pandemic and social and political divides deeper than we might have imagined possible. The “bubble” of Mercersburg, which many recall with deep fondness, was permeated by events outside of our control—forcing us, along with the rest of the world, to radically alter life as we know it on campus. And yet, despite the virtual learning, masks, physical distancing, COVID-19 testing, and difficult conversations about politics and race, the sense of community that is uniqu
We have faced a
to Mercersburg Academy remains strong. Certainly, we can all long for the days when our memories recall a simpler time, and yet what we have learned and continue to
mighty task this year
learn this year has the potential to catapult us forward in ways that will allow us to
and have done so
develop a determination to lead and serve the world.
with faith in each
“pivot.” Our faculty now laugh every time I use it. As a longtime basketball player
other and in our
is a positive—it is a critical skill in order to create space on the floor and to keep the
collective future.
lead in the world of education and to live up to our mission of helping our students At Mercersburg Academy this year, my most commonly used word has been and coach, I am extremely comfortable with the word. Now, in basketball, to pivot defense unsure of your next move with quick strategic steps. In schools, pivoting has not typically been fast. In fact, we often take years to consider our next “pivot,” so you can imagine how disruptive this year has been when pivoting has become the norm. And yet, the manner in which our faculty, staff, students, and parents have responded to each and every uncertainty and challenge has been inspiring. At Mercersburg, we value great faith and ceaseless devotion to a mighty task. We have faced a mighty task this year and have done so with faith in each other and in our collective future. As head of school, it causes me to feel great collective pride in all we have accomplished for our students and for the future of Mercersburg. Another phrase heard repeatedly on campus this past year is “we are all in this together.” We certainly have significant work ahead as the world around us continues to deliver its challenges, but as long as we remain willing to learn from our past successes and mistakes and be open to the possibilities of the future, there is nothing we cannot overcome or achieve in our community. Together, we can sweep mightily onward with full hearts and loud swelling cheers.
Katherine M. Titus P ’20, ’23 Head of School
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MERCERSBURG ACADEMY MAGAZINE
Calendar A Chorus Line
APRIL 23–24
Irving-Marshall Week MARCH 26–29
MARCH
MAY
Irving-Marshall Week March 26–29
Spring Dance Concert May 21–22
Winter term ends March 29
JUNE
Spring term begins March 30
Last day of spring term classes June 3
APRIL
Baccalaureate June 4
Cum Laude Convocation April 9
Commencement June 5
Ammerman Family Lecture: Grace Cavalieri April 12
Virtual Reunion Weekend June 10-13
Stony Batter Players present A Chorus Line April 23–24
Summer Faculty Institute June 14–15
Spring Music Concert April 30
JUNE Last day to give to the 2020–2021 Mercersburg Annual Fund June 30
Commencement
JUNE 5
SUMMER 2021
Look for the next issue of Mercersburg Academy magazine to arrive in your mailbox!
Given the changing situation with COVID-19, please visit mercersburg.edu for the most up-to-date information related to our virtual and in-person activities.
SPRING 2021
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SOCIAL MEDIA
/mercersburgacademy
On a sunny early-autumn day, why not go outside with more than 400 of your friends? Mercersburg held its first in-person all-school meeting of the year October 1, as students and faculty gathered to hear from Head of School Katie Titus and newly elected Student Council President Ryan Bland ’21 and Vice President Matthew Tavarez ’22.
/mburgalumni
CMYK / .eps
@mercersburg
@mburgalumni
Wearing your mask helps keep campus safe and open! Nick Ahrweiler ’23 says, “I wear the mask to protect my friends and the people around me.” #MaskUpMercersburg
Tune in to November’s #MakingADifference podcast featuring Carla Lopez ’97, whose career as a public health officer has taken her around the world serving needy populations. Carla shares her stories of service and explains how her work is evolving. You can see all Mercersburg podcasts at mercersburg.edu/burg’s-eye-view.
@katietitushos One personal tradition that I enjoy is wearing this necklace on special days. Today (September 15) is a special day—first day of in-person classes since February 2020. #OneMercersburg #Grateful
@mercersburg Alumni were invited to join an all-school meeting October 14 to hear from Nancy Abudu ’92, deputy legal director for the Southern Poverty Law Center’s Voting Rights Practice Group, and Sam Rodgers ’11, a candidate for the New York State Senate. In keeping with this year’s theme of “Making a Difference,” their discussion focused on civil liberties and voting rights and was one of the many events offered as part of Mercersburg@Home, a month of virtual programming in lieu of Family and Alumni Weekend. 4
MERCERSBURG ACADEMY MAGAZINE
/mercersburg1893
CMYK / .eps
Enjoy Mercersburg’s new Admission video. #DefineYourselfHere
Mercersburg’s Instagram activity continues to grow. Be sure to check Mercersburg glowed last night (October 23)! Our Community Engagement team partnered with Special Olympics Maryland to host SO Glow, a two-mile, on-campus race to benefit the 8,716 athletes of @spolympicsmd. We raised more than $10,500 for the cause! #OneMercersburg
out all of our accounts! @mburgburgin @bluestormreport @mburgsac
@mburggreenteam @mburgglobal @mburgsummer
Living the
VALUES
A pandemic couldn’t stop members of the Class of 2021 from leaving their mark in paint on the front entrance to campus (or on each other).
SUMMER 2020
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LIVING THE VALUES
BRINGING MERCERSBURG’S VALUES TO LIFE
I
n this section of the magazine, we highlight individuals in our community—students, alumni, faculty, staff, parents, and friends—who are living Mercersburg’s core values: lofty ideals, great faith, noble integrity, and ceaseless devotion to a mighty task. Read more about the individuals
highlighted here on Mercersburg’s website. Want to nominate someone for possible inclusion in a future issue? Contact us at magazine@mercersburg.edu.
for more about these individuals
#LoftyIdeals
MADI NORRIS ’21 Madi Norris ’21 might be one of the busiest people around. After classes and her myriad activities end during the school day, she often gets a ride from a faculty member to nearby Whitetail Ski Resort, where she teaches kids how to snowboard. She’s there until 9:30 p.m., gets back to campus, and does school work until around midnight. Incredibly active in and out of school, Norris is the type of person who would rather be anywhere on campus than in the dorm watching Netflix. She is a prefect in Swank Hall, president of the Irving Literary Society, a member of the Karux yearbook staff, and captain of the field hockey team (a four-year varsity player at that). Norris is also a Hale Scholar, and she says none of her accomplishments and activities would be possible if not for the Academy. As a student leader, she believes deeply in connecting with those around her: “Looking out for other people, being observant to their needs, and just connecting with people in general.”
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MERCERSBURG ACADEMY MAGAZINE
LIVING THE VALUES
#NobleIntegrity JAY HOWLEY ’21
“It’s great. There’s really no experience like it,” says Jay Howley ’21 when describing living on the Mercersburg Academy campus. Howley, a four-year senior, has lived in the borough of Mercersburg and/or on campus his whole life, and this year, as a prefect in Tippetts Hall, he is helping others feel at home too. He thinks of his role as a “big brother” and an older influence to the younger boys in his hallway, many of them first-year students. He likes this and is familiar with it, as he is a big brother to two siblings at home (in Fowle Hall, where his mother, faculty member Emily Parsons P ’21, ’22, is the dorm dean) and has been a camp counselor for Mercersburg Summer Programs. Howley is also an avid artist and an editor for Blue Review, Mercersburg’s literary magazine and arts journal. He sees his art as an outlet. During the first few months of the COVID-19 pandemic, “[art] started out like a fun exercise of technical ability and design, and then in retrospect, morphed into this statement about how isolation pushes us into new places and we really find out about ourselves and what we can do.”
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LIVING THE VALUES
#GreatFaith
VANESSA ANYANSO ’12 What was initially just a quick trip to Target for Vanessa Anyanso ’12 in May 2020 concluded weeks later with Anyanso, a Ph.D. student in counseling psychology at the University of Minnesota, raising more than $22,000 for supplies supporting those protesting the death of George Floyd at the hands of police. Leaving her Minneapolis apartment, Anyanso decided to put out a call to her social networks for donations to purchase food, water, and other personal supplies for people marching in the nearby streets for justice. “By the time I got to Target, I already had $300, and the donations just kept coming,” says Anyanso, who grew up in the Maryland suburbs of Washington, D.C., as the child of two journalists from Nigeria. “Every time I had left my house during the pandemic, in a way I felt like I was taking my life into my own hands—and then I started thinking, because I’m Black, that’s always kind of been the case for me in America. So, I’m going to do this while I can.” Anyanso graduated from Columbia University and spent two years as a clinical research coordinator at the University of Pennsylvania’s Perelman School of Medicine. She is the recipient of a National Science Foundation research fellowship and hosts a podcast at phdiversitypodcast.com.
#CeaselessDevotion DIANE SCHROM ’08
As a travel nurse combating COVID-19, Diane Schrom ’08 has worked in hospitals in Pittsburgh, New York City, and her hometown of York, Pennsylvania—and is currently stationed in Guam: “If I can use my skills and my expertise to help people who really need it, I’m going to do it.” A graduate of Bucknell University, she initially pursued a career in research before deciding she wanted to have more of an impact in people’s dayto-day lives and returned to school for nursing. Schrom feels strongly that she is not alone in her desire to get out there and make a difference: “There are so many members of the Mercersburg community who are doing really good work and helping a lot of people fight this virus and helping people in need. I’m just one of many, and I’m happy to help and will continue to travel and help people in need and learn as much as I can and do whatever I can, and hopefully, this whole COVID thing will be over sooner than we anticipate.”
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MERCERSBURG ACADEMY MAGAZINE
LIVING THE VALUES
#CeaselessDevotion
DANIELLE NORDYKE P ’14 Danielle Nordyke is the director of human resources at Mercersburg, and that’s just part of the important role she now plays as the school navigates the global coronavirus pandemic. “My day-to-day is not the same as it was prior to March 2020,” she says. While she still does the transactional HR work such as enrolling employees in benefits, recruiting, doing performance evaluations, and so forth, Nordyke stays current on the latest COVID-19 protocols and best practices for supporting virtual employees. She is also a contact tracer for the Academy. When she looks back on this time period, she says, “I’m going to be proud of us as a group of people who cared so much about the education of our kids but cared even more for each other. That, to me, is what human resources is all about. It is all about your people and how you support them, and I am very proud of how we have done that throughout COVID-19.”
#MightyTask
JOHN DAVID BENNETT P ’12, ’19, ’23 When COVID-19 made virtual learning a necessity, Dean of Curricular Innovation John David Bennett stepped up to play a key role in what has become known as Virtual ’Burg, Mercersburg’s virtual learning option for students beginning in spring 2020 and continuing during the current academic year. The initial issue with online learning was the varying time zones and finding a format that accommodates students around the world. After many conversations and brainstorming sessions, the final schedule for the fall consisted of virtual, on-campus, and hybrid (or blended) classes. According to Bennett, the challenge is to keep the community together, and that’s what Virtual ’Burg is all about: giving students more opportunities to join the community. Bennett also helped shape the Mercersburg Intensive, the new four-week, one-course term students participated in virtually between the fall and winter terms: “We’re coming out of this stronger, more knowledgeable, with new tools in our tool belt and teachers and students much more open-minded to considering school out of bounds and out of the four walls of the classroom.”
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A MERCERSBURG MOMENT
On Halloween night, 21 students in Mercersburg’s dance program performed “The Space Between,” a large site-specific piece choreographed by Director of Dance Denise Dalton that reimagined the windows of Lenfest Hall as virtual computer windows. It was one of the few fall campus events to feature a live audience (outside the building, of course).
THE CLASS OF 2020 GOES TO COLLEGE BY THE NUMBERS
93% 7.9
Average number of schools applied to per student
25:1
of seniors applying to at least one of Barron’s “Most Competitive” or “Highly Competitive” colleges were accepted
273
Ratio of members of the Class of 2020 per Mercersburg college counselor
Number of unique colleges applied to by the 123 members of the graduating class
GE OF CLASS ENROLLING A T N AT RCE E P
65%
30% 5% 0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
■ Private institutions ■ Public institutions ■ International institutions
33%
of the class matriculated to schools with an acceptance rate below 25 percent
Everywhere you go on campus, Mercersburg community members (including Danny Adusei-Poku ’23 and Griffin Lange ’22) are sporting masks to protect themselves and each other.
CampusLIFE
WINTER 2021
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CAMPUS LIFE
Remembering Dick Thornburgh ’50 Former Pennsylvania Governor/U.S. Attorney General 1932–2020
Richard L. “Dick” Thornburgh ’50, who served
general, he worked tirelessly for the passage of
as the 41st governor of Pennsylvania from
the Americans with Disabilities Act, which was
1979 to 1987 and as U.S. attorney general from
signed into law in 1990.
1988 to 1991, died December 31 in Oakmont, Pennsylvania. He was 88. Thornburgh was the U.S. attorney for
word reached the state capital of the Three Mile Island nuclear accident on March 28, 1979.
when he was appointed assistant attorney
His calm demeanor is credited with reassuring
general for the criminal division. He defeated
a nervous public during the aftermath; he
Peter Flaherty in the 1978 Pennsylvania
famously escorted President Jimmy Carter
gubernatorial election. Thornburgh held
through a tour of the plant, located just south
positions in the Department of Justice under
of Harrisburg.
general by President Ronald Reagan in 1988
Following his public service, Thornburgh retired as counsel to the international law firm
and continued in the role after George H.W.
K&L Gates (which he had originally joined
Bush was elected to the presidency later that
in 1959). In more recent years, he served as
year. He also served as undersecretary-general
the examiner in the WorldCom bankruptcy
of the United Nations.
proceedings; as an investigator into the CBS
In two terms as Pennsylvania’s governor,
News allegations of improprieties by President
Thornburgh steered the state through the 1979
George W. Bush in the Texas Air National
Three Mile Island crisis, balanced state budgets
Guard that led to the resignation of anchor Dan
for eight consecutive years, reduced both
Rather; and as author of a critique questioning
personal and business tax rates, cut the state’s
the accuracy of the Freeh Report regarding the
record-high indebtedness, and left office wit
conduct of former Penn State head football
a $350 million surplus.
coach Joe Paterno.
Born July 16, 1932, in Pittsburgh,
Thornburgh was the 1992 recipient of
Thornburgh followed his older brother, Charlie
Mercersburg’s Class of ’32 Distinguished
’38, to Mercersburg, where he served as sports
Alumni Award, which is the highest honor
editor of The Mercersburg News. Thornburgh
bestowed by the school. He also received
was also a member of the baseball and tennis
the Pennsylvania Society’s Gold Medal for
teams and the Irving Society and active in
Distinguished Achievement, the Distinguished
Stony Batter Players and the Press Club. In a
Service Medal from the American Legion, and
2013 essay published in Mercersburg magazine,
the Lifetime Achievement Award from The
Thornburgh said he initially wanted to become
American Lawyer magazine. He served as a
a sportswriter; instead, he studied engineering
trustee for the University of Pittsburgh, the
at Yale University (where he earned a
Urban Institute, the Gettysburg Foundation,
bachelor’s degree in 1954) before completing
and the World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh,
a law degree at the University of Pittsburgh.
and was the recipient of honorary degrees
In 1960, when Thornburgh was just 28 years old, an automobile accident killed his
from more than 30 colleges and universities. Survivors include his wife, Ginny
first wife, the former Virginia Hooton, and
Judson Thornburgh, as well as four sons,
left their son, Peter, permanently disabled.
six grandchildren, and five great
Thornburgh said the tragedy inspired his
grandchildren.
dedication to public service; as U.S. attorney
MERCERSBURG ACADEMY MAGAZINE
governor for less than three months when
western Pennsylvania from 1969 to 1975,
five U.S. presidents; he was appointed attorney
14
Thornburgh had been Pennsylvania’s
CAMPUS LIFE
128th Opening Convocation Held Virtually inaugural holder of Mercersburg’s Palmer Chair in the Fine Arts. Mufson and her husband, faculty emeritus Jim Applebaum, previously served as dormitory deans in Fowle Hall on campus. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Beloit College and a master of fine arts in theatre from George Washington University. During Convocation, Head of School Katie Titus announced this year’s recipients of the Robert H. Michelet ’30 Prize—Dylan Gantt ’21 of Atlanta, Georgia—and the John H. Laurie Mufson, director of theatre and of the Burgin Center for the Arts
Culbertson (1924) Prize—Greta Lawler ’23 of Arlington, Virginia. The Michelet Prize is given to the student
Dylan Gantt ’21
who, during the upper-middler (11th-grade) For the first time, Mercersburg’s Opening
year, most distinguishes himself or herself
Convocation was presented virtually from the
in scholarship, character, and school spirit.
Irvine Memorial Chapel September 13, one day
The award is supported by an endowment
before the official start of the school’s 128t
established by Simon Michelet in memory of
academic year. The video was shown on the
his son, Robert, whose career at the Academy
school’s YouTube and Facebook channels.
and at Dartmouth College was almost ideal in
Laurie Mufson, director of theatre and of the
its quality and influence. The Culbertson Prize
Burgin Center for the Arts, who is in her 23rd
is supported by the F.M. Kirby Foundation of
year of service to Mercersburg and is retiring at
Morristown, New Jersey, which established an
the close of the 2020-2021 school year, was the
endowed program of scholarships to honor the
featured speaker.
late John H. Culbertson. It recognizes a student
“How odd it is to be speaking to you from
entering the 10th grade who gives evidence
an empty Chapel, yet still eager to see what this
of exceptional promise and who has already
unique year holds in store for us: to see how
demonstrated outstanding accomplishment.
we craft it, to witness how each of us applies
Greta Lawler ’23
Gantt is a three-year member of the
our unique creative spirits, to navigate this
school’s varsity swimming and tennis teams,
challenge,” Mufson said. “I believe that when
and serves as a dormitory prefect in Main Hall
faced with struggle, if we use our innate gifts,
and as a Writing Center Fellow. He has been a
Mercersburg opened 2020-2021 with a
Peer Group Leader and participated in Model
total enrollment of 446 students, including
United Nations.
residents of 27 U.S. states and the District of
the artists within us will guide us to persevere.” Since she arrived on campus in 1998, Mufson has served as arts department chair
Lawler (whose father, Clint ’97, received
Columbia and citizens of 39 nations. The
and director of the Burgin Center for the Arts.
the Culbertson Prize in 1994 during his
Class of 2021 (the Academy’s senior class)
She was appointed director of the arts in 2019.
10th-grade year) was a three-sport varsity
numbers 133 (including 14 postgraduates),
Prior to Mercersburg, Mufson created the
athlete (cross country, squash, and outdoor
with 122 upper middlers (11th graders), 114
academic theatre programs at the Bullis School
track & field) as a ninth grader. She is a Writing
lower middlers (10th graders), and 77 juniors
and Garrison Forest School, and was an adjunct
Center Fellow and a weekend library assistant
(ninth graders).
professor at American University. She is the
on campus.
SPRING 2021
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CAMPUS LIFE
Laura Nickerson Named Health and Wellness Services Director
New Appointments for 2020–2021 NEW ON CAMPUS:
Dr. Laura Nickerson arrived at Mercersburg in late summer 2020 as the school’s director of health and wellness services. Nickerson brings an impressive range of relevant
Melody Batson (controller/director of finance)
Ellie De Leon (science faculty)
Sarah Firestone ’13 (academics, athletics, and student life support)
Peter Kallin (director of summer and external programs)
Laura Nickerson P ’22, ’24 (director of health and wellness services)
Meqmeqka Zeshera (administrative coordinator, college counseling)
experience to her position, including work as the director of health services at Gould Academy (a boarding school in Maine) and as a registered nurse at Maine Medical Center, the largest hospital in northern New England. She holds a doctorate of nursing practice and a master of science in nursing. A native of Canada, Nickerson has worked in nursing, teaching, and health-care administration, with stops in two places not far from Mercersburg (Winchester, Virginia, and Lancaster, Pennsylvania), as well as in Mississippi and Maine. “While it may be a scary time to work in health care, it’s also an interesting one, since we have the chance to really make a difference,” she says. “My entire career has focused on working with evidence and its use in practice, which clearly comes in handy right now. Whether it’s in a school setting or in acute care [at a hospital], the basic principles and priorities of keeping people safe are exactly the same.”
NEW ROLES: Karla Bingaman (human resources coordinator)
Andrew Myers (associate director of athletics/faculty)
Liam Chatterton (director of financial aid and institutional data and strategy)
Paul Sipes P ’22 (associate director of athletics/faculty)
Skyler Clark (science faculty) Rick Hendrickson P ’03, ’06, ’19 (dean of experiential programs) Renee Hicks P ’16, ’19 (science faculty)
Shelley Swope (visit coordinator, admission) Coleman Weibley (assistant dean of students) Leela Woody (interim director of diversity, equity, and inclusion—see page 22)
Lauren Jacobs (associate director of athletics/faculty)
Though Nickerson’s most recent experience is as a neonatal ICU nurse at Maine Medical Center, she has also (in addition to her time at Gould Academy) worked in medical surgical and neuroscience ICUs,
Mercersburg@Home: Staying In = Staying Connected
as a faculty member in the nursing and health information technology programs at the University of Maine Fort Kent and Eastern Maine Community College, and as a registered nurse for several summers at Kamp Kohut, a residential summer camp in Maine. “I love teenagers,” says Nickerson, who has four children (including current students Ellie Williams ’22 and Gavin Williams ’24).
With the cancellation of an in-person Family and Alumni Weekend due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the school created Mercersburg@Home—a month full of virtual programming designed to bring the campus and as many of its activities as possible to parents, families, and alumni. Sessions included virtual events with college counselors, deans of college-admission offices, performance group activity
“They are very savvy and will fact-check you on everything. They
leaders, and advisers; social gatherings for parents and alumni; athletics and arts
are far better informed than I was at that age. The trick is teaching
performances; and even a virtual book club and a livestream of the traditional Step
them how to evaluate and filter all the information available at their
Songs from Main Hall.
fingertips.”
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MERCERSBURG ACADEMY MAGAZINE
To watch video replays of various sessions, visit mercersburg.edu/mercersburghome.
Now on Campus:
The Latinx/Hispanic Student Union
A
campus student organization was formed in the fall to support Mercersburg students who identify as members of the Hispanic or Latinx community. The Latinx/Hispanic Student Union is modeled after the school’s Black Student Union (which has been a fixture on campus since its founding in 1989). Like with the BSU, membership is open to any interested students; approximately 25 students have already taken part in meetings and activities during this unusual school year. “We have two goals: to celebrate Latinx and Hispanic culture, and to raise awareness of what people in the Latinx and Hispanic communities have done for this country and the world,” says Matthew Tavarez ’22, who is a member of the organization’s cabinet and hatched the idea for the organization with faculty member John David Bennett when the two were discussing a possible commemoration of Hispanic Heritage Month. Bennett, who has a Mexican mother and a Caucasian father, says he was honored to be asked to serve as the group’s faculty adviser. “In many ways, the students and employees we have on campus here represent a huge swath of the Latin American community in the U.S.,” he says. “For example, I don’t speak Spanish well because my mother [Rosa] really emphasized assimilation. But I carry a lot of small cultural slivers inside me; maybe I talk so fast because people typically speak Spanish so fast. “Representation is important in our community. I hope I can help the students not just express themselves and promote their own cultures, but also help them feel the pride in and joy of their heritage. Hopefully if we do this well, we’ll create a sort of micro-immersion for people in the Mercersburg community to experience the beauty and intensity and pride of the Latin American culture.” The group hopes to mark Hispanic Heritage Month with a campus celebration in September 2021, and to hold other events to showcase the broad range of cultural traditions that fall under the umbrella of the country’s Latinx and Hispanic communities. “We want everyone to feel included,” says Tavarez, who is one of the students serving on the school’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee [for more, read Tavarez’s essay on page 42]. “We should support each other, and getting more people to join in is an important next step. We’re also excited about bringing in Latinx and Hispanic alumni to talk to our community about their life experiences.”
Matthew Tavarez ’22 addresses the student body at an outdoor school meeting.
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»
A SUCCESSFUL FALL: Zero Campus Transmissions of COVID-19
IN THE MIDST of a global pandemic, Mercersburg
tested as well), plus a strict quarantine for students
successfully navigated the fall 2020 academic term
in their dorm rooms until a third COVID-19 test was
with no transmissions of COVID-19 among the campus
administered five days after arrival. Throughout the
community.
entire term, no outside visitors were allowed
“At Mercersburg, we seek to balance individual
on campus to allow for as controlled an
humility with collective pride,” says Head of School
environment as possible. During the initial
Katie Titus. “It was our sense of individual humility
lockdown, the Office of Student Lif
which allowed our community to put the health
organized virtual activities for both
and safety of others as a priority, making individual
on-campus and virtual students,
sacrifices to ensure our shared success. Not only did
and even delivered supplies to on-
we have no fall cases of COVID-19, but our students
campus dorm rooms.
enjoyed a rich learning experience on campus and in
Throughout each phase of
person, a privilege not all students were afforded this
opening, community members
year. We did it, and we did it really well!”
utilized two important phone apps:
“It’s a good example of resilience and being
a contact-tracing program and a
flexible,” says Chris Howes, assistant head of school
daily health and temperature check
for student life and culture. “Some of the skills we try
that required individuals to identify any
to teach our kids we were actually having to model—
potential COVID-19 symptoms they were
which was not always comfortable—and we had to
experiencing.
figure out how to deal with that discomfort in a way that will help us grow as a community.” In preparing for the fall term, the school made
Mercersburg partnered with Meritus Medical Center in nearby Hagerstown, Maryland, as well as Dan Henderson ’85 of Physician Core Care [see story
the decision to create two separate educational tracks:
on facing page], who assisted in getting the school’s
one for the more than 360 in-person learners, and one
entry testing completed while working closely with the
for approximately 80 students choosing to complete
Rutherford Health and Wellness Center and Director
the fall term virtually through an enhanced distance-
of Health and Wellness Services Dr. Laura Nickerson.
learning program known as Virtual ’Burg. All students
“When dealing with a large volume of tests, it was
attended classes virtually from mid-November
imperative we get results quickly, and [Dan] had easy
through the school’s spring break—which was moved
and open lines of communication,” says Nickerson,
up in the calendar to allow for greater flexibility and
who adds that the Meritus partnership was integral
the best chance of a successful on-campus finish to
to Mercersburg’s fall success. If a student exhibited
the academic year.
possible COVID-19 symptoms, the Health and Wellness
Day students were given the option to board on campus in the fall when it became clear that a number of boarding students wouldn’t be able to get to campus.
Center secured test results within 12 hours, which is very uncommon. “Other than utilizing rapid tests, which are
“One of the ways to mitigate risk is to have as many
generally not as accurate, no one else was able to
students as possible live on campus to cut down on
boast this,” says Nickerson. “We delivered tests
the number of people coming and going,” says Anna
directly to the lab itself, and we had a direct line
Crouch, director of admission. “We were really excited
of communication with Meritus that helped us
to be able to offer day students a boarding bed for what
troubleshoot issues quickly and effectively.”
we felt to be a very fair and highly reduced fee for the
From students and parents to faculty and
fall term. Not only were these day students able to have
staff, Mercersburg’s success going forward depends
a boarding experience, they helped further protect our
on everyone doing their part. As Nickerson says,
community by living on campus.”
“Dedicated employees, committed students, and
Once it was determined that students could return
sheer luck combined to make a strong semester for us.
to campus, the full focus shifted to maintaining a safe
In such an unknown and unusual situation, everyone
environment. To that end, Mercersburg established
had input that contributed to the overall success of
protocols that all students followed: COVID-19 testing
the term.”
prior to and on the day of arrival (faculty and staff were
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MERCERSBURG ACADEMY MAGAZINE
»
DAN HENDERSON ’85: Providing Accurate Results
BOARDING SCHOOLS all across the country worked behind the scenes last spring and summer to determine if they would be able to open for in-person learning for the fall term. Mercersburg was no exception, as the school’s entire community (including its alumni network and parents) worked through the challenges of safely reopening the school during the COVID-19 pandemic. It was during this time that Mercersburg received a call from Dan Henderson ’85. Henderson is vice president of strategic partnerships with Physician Core Care, a Pittsburgh-based health care consulting company specializing in lab management. “We
Dan Henderson ’85 and his wife, Kate
take a provider, like a school, and conduct a thorough needs-analysis process,” says Henderson. “We then match
Physician Core Care,” Strahan says. “We tailored a specific
that client with a lab that best meets their needs. That’s how
and efficient testing plan for their facility and ensure
we partnered with QualiTox Laboratories for the testing that
results back to the school in under 24 hours. This continued
Mercersburg required for its students and faculty.” QualiTox
local partnership for the testing of students and faculty
is a specialty lab in Pittsburgh, one of 80 labs across the
allows the school to remain open—but most importantly,
country with which PCC is contracted, and has worked with
safe—during this pandemic.”
PCC for almost a decade in the toxicology space. Rick Hendrickson, the school’s dean of experiential
Because of the school’s connection with Henderson and his willingness to reach out to offer a service in the
programs who co-chaired Storm Watch (the school’s
school’s time of need, all students, faculty, and staff
campus safety initiative task force) with fellow longtime
were tested upon entry to the school in September and re-
employee Jenn Flanagan Bradley ’99, says that Henderson
tested after the mandatory quarantine period. Henderson
spent hours in important discussions with the school about
even traveled to Mercersburg for the first day of testing in
COVID-19 mitigation strategies and testing options.
September to make sure everything went as planned. The
“At the time, everything with COVID-19 was a maze of confusion,” Hendrickson says. “We agreed that Dan and his company could help us with our pre-entry and entry
school has continued its relationship with both PCC and QualiTox. “I got to know Dan much better during this process
testing, and he personally guaranteed that he would make
and, at one point, asked him about his commitment to
it happen.”
the school,” Hendrickson says. “His answer was simple—
Henderson and his team researched the needs of the
Mercersburg changed his life. It brought tears to both of
school, put together timelines, and made sure everything
our eyes, and was a moment of sharing that I won’t forget.
lined up. It was crucial for all parties to agree on the
Dan exemplifies the spirit of being True Blue in a way that
protocols for testing, how many test kits were needed,
touched my heart and furthered my faith in the people that
and the turnaround time on receiving the results. “I was
are a part of this great school of ours.”
impressed with how hard everyone worked to make this
When Henderson was asked what it meant to give back
happen,” Henderson says. “There was a collective passion
to his alma mater, he reiterated that the school had changed
that everyone wanted students back on campus and no one
his life, adding, “When I came to Mercersburg, I had to learn
wanted to let them down.”
how to study for the first time, and I noticed that a lot of
No one was prouder of the work than Alex Strahan,
my peers put in the time and energy to focus on their school
QualiTox’s chief executive officer. “Alex moved heaven an
work and were disciplined on the field. It humbled me and
earth to make sure [Mercersburg] was not left out of the
I am grateful that the school gave me the tools I needed to
testing timeline and to ensure that the school had a quick
succeed in my adult life as well as friends that I am still in
turnaround time for results,” Henderson says.
touch with today. Offering my company to help during this
“In these difficult times, we are proud to work wit Mercersburg Academy through our partnership with
pandemic is my small way of repaying the school for all it gave to me.”
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19
The Shows (and Games) Go On With the campus closed to visitors in the fall due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Mercersburg’s athletic teams and arts programs adjusted their practices, rehearsals, contests, and performances to comply with a new (and hopefully temporary) normal. The Blue Storm’s opponents became… the Blue Storm; most teams held a Blue/White Series (or, in the case of the swim teams, a Blue/White/Gray Series) featuring intrasquad contests. Arts performances were showcased online. Stony Batter Players offered productions of Dracula! The Radio Play, The Actor’s Nightmare, and Nutcracker and The Mouse King: A Virtual Family Adventure; the latter was an interactive show performed live via Zoom, featuring student actors from all across the globe. The Fall Dance Concert and Fall Music Concert (featuring a number of musical ensembles and soloists) were also streamed to worldwide audiences.
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MERCERSBURG ACADEMY MAGAZINE
SPRING 2021
21
Leela Woody Leading DEI Effort
F
aculty member Leela Woody is serving as Mercersburg’s interim director of diversity, equity, and inclusion during the 2020–2021 academic year. In her role, Woody chairs the school’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee, prioritizing her role as a mentor for
students. The DEI Committee includes students, faculty, and administrators, and works with alumni and collaboratively across campus to build a more inclusive school community. “One of our core values, lofty ideals, states that ‘we welcome and accept all in the tradition of our egalitarian spirit,’” says Head of School Katie Titus. “Living this value means that we must continue to work to create a culture where all students are not only accepted for their unique selves, but also nurtured to develop their authentic voices. Making a commitment to diversity and inclusion in a school community is an important part of our work with this generation of students and will continue to be a priority of the school. “We are grateful to Leela for stepping into this role for our community at this time; she brings a contagious enthusiasm to this work and will be an important resource for our students.” Woody has been a member of the English faculty since 2018, and has also served as an assistant girls’ cross country coach and an adviser and dormitory faculty member affiliate with Fowle Hall on campus. She has been a consistent advocate for students and employees, and has provided specific support for members of the school’s communities of color and LGBTQIA+ population. “It is vital that Mercersburg continues to have engaged conversations about the role that diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice each play in building a strong community for our students and adults,” Woody says. “My primary goal for this year is to challenge us to move toward becoming a place of more authentic belonging and acceptance for individuals of all identities.” Woody received a bachelor’s degree in sociology and English from Mount Holyoke College and is pursuing a master’s from Middlebury College’s Bread Loaf School of English. Her partner, Ellie De Leon, is a fellow member of the faculty who teaches science. Mercersburg has appointed Renata Williams as director of diversity, equity, and inclusion beginning in July 2021. Look for more about her in our next issue. For more information about diversity, equity, and inclusion at Mercersburg, visit mercersburg.edu/DEI.
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MERCERSBURG ACADEMY MAGAZINE
COURAGEOUS CONVERSATIONS CONTINUING With the creation of Mercersburg’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee in 2018, the school has prioritized a number of different initiatives and supported the formation and growth of groups and spaces on campus relating to issues of race, gender, and identity. Some of these initiatives have included: • Formation of the Latinx/Hispanic Student Union and Asian Student Union alongside the Black Student Union • Establishment of a number of affinity spaces on campus for students who identify as members of different groups (including Adoptee, Asian, Black, International, Latinx/Hispanic, LGBTQIA+, Multiracial Heritage, and Trans/Enby), as well as an Adult Ally Group • More than 25 Black Excellence Talks (featuring Black alumni and parents) presented as part of the school’s 2021 Black History Month celebration • Creation of the Thomas Leslie ’66 Scholarship to honor Mercersburg’s first Black graduate (the scholarship will be awarded for the first time in fall 2021) • Ongoing faculty and staff professional development surrounding matters of social justice, race, and belonging
Michael Brannan ’23 was an ensemble member in Stony Batter Players’ Dracula! The Radio Play in November. (See page 20 for more photos of fall arts and athletic events.)
AlumniLIFE
SUMMER 2020
23
Making a
ALUMNI LIFE
In this section, we introduce you to three of the members of Mercersburg’s alumni body who have devoted their professional careers and their personal lives to fighting injustice, defending civil rights, and protecting and nurturing the voices of humanity—from college campuses (and Mercersburg’s campus) to voting booths, federal courts, and underserved communities and their residents, both in the United States and abroad. We encourage you to read more of the stories of our alumni at mercersburg.edu/magazine. Please contact us (magazine@mercersburg.edu) to tell us about the Mercersburg alumni in any and all fields who are doing great things in their communities and in the lives of others.
DEAN PATTERSON ’71: Expert Guidance By Lee Owen
poem hangs on the wall. Visitors to the office of longtime Case Western Reserve Universit administrator G. Dean Patterson Jr. ’71 took note of the words in the frame, which were written specifically for anyone entering the space A Dean’s Mission You are the most important person when entering this room. I promise to do my best to listen, understand, and treat you with respect. I will show genuine concern and sensitivity to you as well as to any issues that we might discuss. I may not always say what you wish to hear but I will say what I feel that you may need to hear. I will always try to act in your best interest and be an advocate for your success. We are both people, human, and students of this life, so I am sure that we can learn from each other if we only take the time. You are the most important person when entering this room. ◊◊◊
Patterson retired in 2019 as associate vice president of student affairs and dean of students at Case Western Reserve in his hometown of Cleveland, Ohio. He devoted his professional career to helping institutions of higher education understand the needs of all students regardless of their perceived race, culture, or ethnicity. “I was raised that people are most important,” Patterson says. “I could get another piece of furniture or another chair, but I could never get another one of you. How could anything material be more important than another person? That came from my mom [Mary], and I based everything I did in my career on it.” For his decades of service and counsel to students and employees at Case Western Reserve and John Carroll University (he taught in the nursing schools
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MERCERSBURG ACADEMY MAGAZINE
Difference
ALUMNI LIFE
and psychology departments at both institutions), as
we had some students who were very prejudiced, and I
well as his work with patients and families at Rainbow
couldn’t understand why. But Headmaster Fowle and
Babies & Children’s Hospital and at University Hospitals
I talked about all that stuff. He got a lot of pushback
of Cleveland, Patterson has been chosen as the 2021
for integrating Mercersburg Academy [in 1964], but he
recipient of Mercersburg’s Class of ’32 Distinguished
was very supportive of diversity and of people of color. I
Alumni Award. This is the school’s highest honor; it
trusted him.”
is presented annually to a member of the alumni body
After completing his master’s, Patterson spent 10
who has most distinguished himself or herself through
years at Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital. He was
character, service, and achievement.
a supervisor in the Child Life Department at University
Patterson has served on the National Advisory
Hospitals of Cleveland. While there, he also taught in
Committee for the National Conference on Race and
the medical and nursing schools and the psychology
Ethnicity in American Higher Education (NCORE), which
departments at both Case Western Reserve and John
was founded at the University of Oklahoma and is the
Carroll before returning full-time to his college alma
leading national forum on issues of race and ethnicity in
mater. He became associate dean for student affairs in
American higher education. He is also an accomplished
1992, assistant vice president in 1995, and
poet, having received the International Who’s Who in
was promoted to associate vice president
Poetry Award from the International Library of Poetry,
in 2002. Patterson assumed the title
Noble House Publishers, and the National Library
of associate vice president and dean of
of Poetry.
students in 2014.
(And yes, Patterson is the author of the poem “A Dean’s Mission.”) Case Western Reserve honored Patterson at
Patterson has been a featured
2020
Paul C. Mellott Jr. ’70 Deborah J. Simon ’74
2019
Steven J. Guttman ’64 James S. Snyder ’69
2018
Andrew R. Ammerman ’68
2017
William B. Zimmerman ’67
taught me that ‘race’ means ‘the human
2016
James C. Pfautz ’48
of Diversity Lecture Series, and has
his retirement by creating the G. Dean Patterson Jr.
presented nationally and internationally with a focus on bringing people together.
to a staff member, faculty member, or alumnus of the
He and his wife, Elisaida, an administrator
university who has consistently made students feel
at the Cleveland Institute of Art, have two
valued, affirmed students’ sense of belonging, an
children and two grandchildren.
for the first time in 2020
DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI AWARD RECENT RECIPIENTS
speaker in Case Western Reserve’s Power
“People are Most Important Award,” which is presented
treated students with respect. The award was presented
Class of ’32
“I was fortunate that my mom race,’” he says. “Today, the world often
2015
John K. Prentiss ’65
as an 11th-grade student in fall 1969), Patterson was
uses the word ‘race’ as a construct, and
a member of the football and track & field teams and a
usually to divide us based on skin color or
2014
Richard W. Cass ’64
musician, living in Main Hall. He earned a bachelor’s
privilege or those types of things. To me,
degree in English and psychology and a master’s in
everybody’s my brother or sister, whether
2013
Andrew E. Bisset ’63 Barrett Burns ’63
health science education and life span development
they know it or not—and whether they
2012
Bruce M. Eckert ’62
from Case Western Reserve.
want to be or not. I say that very
2011
Allen W. Zern ’61
comfortably.”
2010
Albert C. Bellas ’60 Theodore V. Boyd ’60 David O. Frantz ’60 Henry H. Spire ’60
As a Mercersburg student for two years (he arrived
Patterson spotlights teachers James Ealy and Victor Cahn as well as Headmaster William Fowle as faculty
As this year’s Class of ’32 Award
mentors during his time at the Academy. “Bill Fowle
recipient, Patterson will be honored as part
was a great man,” Patterson remembers. “I tried to
of Virtual Reunion Weekend 2021, when
interact with everybody [on campus]; even way back
he and his fellow members of the Class of
then, that’s who I was. It was complicated sometimes;
1971 will celebrate their 50th reunion.
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Difference
ALUMNI LIFE
JOHN HENRY ’91, P ’23: A Catalyst for Change By Megan Mallory
uring Family and Alumni Weekend 2019,
he found himself on that stage at Mercersburg in 2019:
John Henry ’91, P ’23 and his friend and
the school was celebrating the 30th anniversary of the
mentor Ernest Green of the Little Rock
group’s founding.
Nine took the stage as part of a panel discussion to
being at Mercersburg at that time and finding our voice
“Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.” Over the course of
and celebrating who we were as a group from varied and
the conversation, Henry shared the story of how he came
disparate geographic areas, but sharing the common
to Mercersburg: he was accepted in the late 1980s with
cord and cultural threads of being Black in America,”
the stipulation that he repeat ninth grade in order to
says Henry. “It was a very, very, very proud moment for
strengthen his academic skills. As he says, his ego
me [to be back for the 30th anniversary] because at the
wasn’t interested in that.
time when you are doing it, you do not think of legacy. At
Henry’s father and a family friend “helped me see
that age, you’re not thinking of tomorrow, much less 30
that in the end, it would be a better journey for me to
years down the line. It was an absolute proud moment to
repeat so that I could focus academically, and it worked
see that it continued. That seed we planted continued to
out,” he says. “It was the best decision I ever made.
grow and evolve and change over the years.”
Sometimes you need shepherds to take you to where you need to be.”
In many ways, Henry has built his career on his unique ability to see that seed of potential and build
One of those shepherds for Henry while at
connections to success, while helping others along the
Mercersburg was faculty member Tom Rahauser ’74.
way. After graduating from Mercersburg, he attended
“He forced me to look at myself in the mirror, and he
Bucknell University and Washington and Lee University
stood with me and challenged me,” says Henry. “I ran
Law School with the goal of becoming a real-estate
out of excuses and accepted what I needed to do and
developer. Through his work developing affordable
became the man that I have become. He never gave up.”
housing, he says he “saw that low-income folks had to
Henry served as class president, president of the John
choose between paying their rent, the energy burdens, or
Marshall Literary Society, and a Peer Group Leader. He
medications. Because their relative incomes are smaller
earned numerous varsity letters and was founding vice
than most, they are paying a higher percentage on the
president of what would become Mercersburg’s Black
energy burdens.”
Student Union. His involvement in the BSU is part of how
26
“[The creation of the BSU] was an outgrowth of
explore and celebrate the school’s theme for the year of
MERCERSBURG ACADEMY MAGAZINE
A social activist at heart, Henry took that
ALUMNI LIFE
observation a step further and focused on the idea that
American Israel Education Foundation fellowship, Henry
people who live in affordable housing also live with
traveled to Israel and began to see parallels between
technologies (like 1G or “no G”) that cannot keep pace
being an Ethiopian Israeli and an African-American
in the 21st century. “If you really want to fight poverty,
living in the United States. Through connections made
you’ve got to deal with those things on various fronts in
on that trip, he has a goal to bring 10 Ethiopian Israelis
an integrated way,” he says. “That’s the hard part, but
from Israel to Mercersburg Adventure Camp for two
that’s what my companies have set out to do. I started
weeks and then have them spend an additional week in
an infrastructure company, so we touch real estate,
Philadelphia, which has the
and we touch energy through partnerships with energy
third-highest population of
companies like Ameresco and others. That said, our bread
Ethiopians in the United States.
and butter is our technology business through Grace3 Technologies and our partnership with Dejero Labs.” Today, Henry is chairman, founder, and CEO of
As an added component, he is looking to partner with Bahir Dar University in Ethiopia and
Chariot Companies LLC, a minority-owned, mission-
others to create virtual STEAM
based, diversified social-impact organization focused on
opportunities for students all
revitalizing underserved communities throughout the
over the world, and he wants to
United States. Henry is also one of seven new members of
include faculty member Dave
Mercersburg’s Board of Regents [read about the Board’s
Holzwarth ’78 in this plan
new members on page 48], and his son, Austin ’23, is a
“because he is Mr. STEAM,”
member of the school’s 10th-grade class.
says Henry. “He’s the academic.
“In many ways, in the spirit of Ernie Green, I’m trying to go after the last bastion of inequality, and that’s the wealth gap and economic limitations
I’m not. I can connect the people to make it happen. “I have to sell technology
in certain segments and industries,” Henry says.
as my day job, but through
“Telecommunications is a small group. There’s not a lot
selling the technology, I
of players in that space, and the bulk of them don’t have
really get a lot of satisfaction
a social impact goal behind them. Twenty percent of our
with coming up with ways to
net profits go into helping the communities that we serve
creatively link the technologies
so that we can continue to grow STEAM and education
with various communities and
programs to help low-wealth communities and build a
have a meaningful impact.”
sustainable model that doesn’t rely on philanthropy.” Henry’s also using his connections to help students
Get outside your comfort zone. Try different things because there’s no downside to giving it a shot and discovering things you may be interested in.
Henry found that creative spark at Mercersburg. He credits his success today to the
in his community of Philadelphia and around the world.
decision he shared on that Family and Alumni Weekend
Two summers before the global coronavirus pandemic,
stage when he swallowed his pride and enrolled at the
Henry began partnering with Mercersburg’s Summer
Academy. “The advice that I have for current students
Programs to sponsor students from inner-city schools
is for them to take advantage of all the resources that
in Philadelphia to attend Adventure Camp and STEAM
Mercersburg has to offer,” he says. “Get outside your
Camp. “We call them Chariot Scholars, and they have
comfort zone. Try different things because there’s no
an application process,” Henry says. “They have a
downside to giving it a shot and discovering things
wonderful time. I’ll never forget one child—as I drove
you may be interested in. It’s the time to try everything
him back one summer, he said, ‘Mr. Henry, my life has
because as you get older, your options aren’t quite
changed forever.’”
going to be the same, and you never want to say,
This experience is something Henry wants to take to students all over the globe. In May 2019, as one of a handful of African-American leaders selected for the
‘What if?’” Henry has certainly taken every opportunity, and he’s trying to make it possible for others to do the same.
SPRING 2021
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Difference
ALUMNI LIFE
NANCY ABUDU ’92: Voting and Working for Fairness By Lee Owen
ll it takes is a brief glance at the list of
on the heels of the November 2020 U.S. presidential
spent her professional career to understand her
election, which brought issues of voting access to the
commitment to making the nation and the world a more
forefront of America’s national discourse with a degree
equitable and just place.
of focus and scrutiny not seen in decades—all against the
Those groups include the American Civil Liberties Union, Amnesty International, and the Legal Aid Society
backdrop of today’s hyper-partisan political climate. In October, less than a month before the November
of New York, as well as work as a staff attorney for
election, Abudu and fellow Mercersburg graduate Sam
the Eleventh Circuit of the U.S. Court of Appeals. After
Rodgers ’11 (who ran on the Republican ticket in the fall
14 years with the ACLU in Georgia and Florida, she
as a candidate for his New York State Senate district)
is entering her third year as deputy legal director of
participated in a virtual school meeting moderated
the Southern Poverty Law Center. In that role, Abudu
by faculty member David Bell. In the meeting, Abudu
works alongside a team of lawyers and community
emphasized to the assembled students that political
organizers to protect and strengthen the voting rights of
participation does not and should not end after one casts
minority communities and other politically vulnerable
a ballot, and that voters have an ongoing responsibility
populations.
to hold officials accountable
A phone interview during the first week of 2021
28
The Georgia Senate runoff, of course, was held
organizations where Nancy Abudu ’92 has
“What we’re seeing [on Election Day] is people
found Abudu in her Atlanta office as she monitored th
realizing their vote really does matter, and the next step
results of the two Georgia U.S. Senate runoffs, which
is to make sure that everyone’s vote counts,” Abudu says.
resulted in the state electing its first Black U.S. senator
“Once we see the results, that’s where the accountability
(Raphael Warnock) and the first Jewish senator (Jon
piece comes in. As a society, I believe that we may have
Ossoff) to represent any state in the Deep South in more
taken this for granted—in part because in America we
than 140 years.
have some structural checks and balances that we’re all
MERCERSBURG ACADEMY MAGAZINE
ALUMNI LIFE
supposed to believe in and will make sure the right thing happens in the end. The problem is that our society has gotten completely out of balance, and politicians on both sides of the aisle have not been doing a good job.” Abudu was born and raised in Alexandria, Virginia, just a hop, skip, and a short rally from the center of the American political universe across the Potomac River. Her parents both immigrated from Ghana. Abudu credits her father, Paul, who was active in the Pan-African movement and the struggle to liberate South Africa from apartheid, with instilling in her the importance of civic participation and voting. “So when I came of age, I cast my ballot,” she said in the October school meeting. “I was very involved in political and civil rights issues throughout college and law school.”
I’ve had a variety of interests in terms of civil and human rights, and in my career I’ve tried to employ different strategies, not just in the courts, but also through legislative advocacy and public education.
Abudu graduated from Columbia University and Tulane Law School. While at Tulane, she did environmental justice work for a law clinic that worked with communities between New Orleans and Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The corridor is known as “Cancer Alley” due to the high prevalence of cancer diagnoses
“I was challenged at Mercersburg academically,
and deaths in the area, which is home to a significant
which of course is pretty common in terms of the rigor of
number of chemical plants and refining facilities. She
the curriculum,” Abudu recalled in the school meeting.
continued working in support of environmental justice
“It was also a challenge to come in as an 11th grader in
and women’s rights after landing at a corporate law
the middle of my high-school career, and also coming
firm right out of law school, and then transitioned into
from a culturally diverse home environment to a place
nonprofit advocacy on a full-time basis
that at the time was still pretty homogeneous. There
“For me, it’s always been about fairness and justice
were issues of cultural competency that were lacking
and due process, and that everyone should have a fair
from some of the students and maybe even from some of
opportunity to live their life to the fullest,” Abudu says.
the faculty and administration. But thankfully, I had the
“I’ve had a variety of interests in terms of civil and
confidence to speak up for myself and for my classmates
human rights, and in my career I’ve tried to employ
to try and raise awareness and implement some solutions
different strategies, not just in the courts, but also
to address those situations.”
through legislative advocacy and public education.” In two years as a Mercersburg student, Abudu
Reflecting later on her time at Mercersburg, she says, “I appreciated my experience there because I
served as a Peer Group Leader, a Class Council officer
realize how rare that opportunity was for me. I think
a member of the Karux yearbook staff, and president of
of [then Headmaster] Walter Burgin ’53, and his
the Black Student Union, which was founded in 1989
commitment to making sure I was successful there. And
[read the Winter 2020 issue of Mercersburg magazine for
now I appreciate it in terms of the privilege and power
more information]. She was also a member of The Fifteen
that Mercersburg wields in a way that, I think, is trying
and played volleyball and soccer. Her younger sister,
to be progressive and help move our country in a better
Madeline ’94, graduated two years later.
direction. I gained a lot from the school.”
SPRING 2021
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ALUMNI LIFE
AN INTERVIEW WITH
BOARD OF REGENTS PRESIDENT
Stacie Rice Lissette ’85
,
P ’14, ’14, ’17, ’23
30
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ALUMNI LIFE
tacie Rice Lissette ’85, a member of Mercersburg Academy’s Board of Regents for 20 years, became the 18th president of the Board in July 2020. In the role, she succeeds Deborah Simon ’74, who retired from the Board after 22 years of service, including three years as president (2017 to 2020). Student Council President Ryan Bland ’21 (right) conducted the following interview with Lissette virtually. The interview has been edited slightly for length and clarity.
RYAN BLAND: After serving on the Board of Regents for 20 years, you are now the president of the Board. What has it been like to assume this leadership position in such an unusual time, given the pandemic?
STACIE LISSETTE: When I was voted the next president, it was before the pandemic, and we had no idea this was going to happen. Going into the position, I knew what the goals were going to be and what I thought we were going to work on, but just like everything else, suddenly the world changed pretty quickly. I’m thankful that the school was positioned well to handle the pandemic; we went into this really difficult tim in a strong position, and I know that a lot other schools don’t have that sort of privilege. I’m really thankful we are in such a good place because that has made it more manageable. Of course, we all wish the pandemic hadn’t happened and I’m so heartbroken and devastated for what everybody has had to go through, but I do feel thankful that our school was positioned to handle it. We have a great team, and I want to make sure I give full credit to the rest of the Board and to our school leaders and dedicated faculty and staff. We have such a dedicated and fantastic group of Board members, most of whom are alumni and others who are current parents or past parents. We are also really fortunate to have such a wonderful and caring and thoughtful faculty and staff. They make my job really easy, so I’m very grateful
RB: How is the Board connected to Mercersburg, and what are its goals and initiatives for the next few years? SL: Many of us are alumni. I graduated in 1985 and my husband, Dylan, and I are the parents of three graduates [Payton ’14, Max ’14, and Alex ’17] and a current student [Colin ’23]. A lot of us on the Board either have had children attend Mercersburg or have children there now. The Board’s main goal is always to set the strategic vision for the school, and we are very focused on that. We are going through a strategic realignment with school leadership, and at the same time, we are revisiting our bylaws and are in the process of amending them. So we’re getting our governance ducks in a row, and we are creating a playbook
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ALUMNI LIFE
by following NAIS [National Association of Independent
I wouldn’t have done; I wasn’t very athletic, but I played
Schools] best practices. All of the committees are looking
a couple sports and I felt comfortable and I felt welcome.
at what should we be doing in terms of committee
Mercersburg taught me to get out of my comfort zone.
charges and charters. Some of our focus has been a continued commitment to access and affordability, which the
to George Washington Law School, and I always say that
pandemic has made even more important as we continue
Mercersburg was the best four years of my education by
to look at financial aid and scholarships, making sure
far. There’s just something about it.
we are finding ways to attract the best and brightest
And also the friendships I’ve formed—they’re
students and to help the kids that need the financial
lifelong. Even now, during this pandemic, my class has
assistance to be here.
reconnected. We’ve had reunions through Zoom. I hope
Also, just as the entire country is doing, we are
you find the same thing when you leave Mercersburg,
looking at DEI [diversity, equity, and inclusion], which
Ryan; that the connections you make there will carry
is extremely important. I feel good that our school was
through your life whether you see those people routinely
a little bit ahead of that curve, but we are continuing to
or not.
partner with Head of School Katie Titus in that work,
I’m really focused on philanthropy—my parents are
and making sure that that is at the forefront of what
very philanthropic, so they instilled in me the desire to
the school is focusing on—and making sure that we
give back. So for me, serving on the Board was a natural
on the Board are focusing on that as well. We haven’t
fit. I was asked to join the Board in my late 20s, and I have
always been as diverse as we should be, so we’re
such a passion for Mercersburg and what it has provided
putting ourselves under the lens and asking what
for young people that I feel blessed and thankful to give
we can do better.
back to a place that has done so much for me. I hope
So, we have these initiatives that we’re really
that I’m able to make even a small difference in helping
focused on, and I feel excited about it—we just have
the school succeed, and to help the school provide this
to keep pushing.
experience to even more students.
RB: What about your time at Mercersburg was
RB: Over the past several years, the Board has welcomed
transformative for you, and how did that inspire you
a number of younger alumni to its group. As someone
to give back to the school in your adult life?
who joined the Board as a young alumna and has now
SL: I just love Mercersburg so much! I come from Hanover, Pennsylvania, a small town right outside of
been on the Board for many years, how does the Board embrace that young leadership and perspective?
Gettysburg, and growing up, I felt like people here had
SL: We made a concerted effort and decision when we
a lot of similar perspectives. My town did not have a lot
changed our bylaws a few years ago and decided to ensure
of diversity in some ways. I traveled a lot with my family
that we have a number of young-alumni Regents on the
when I was young, and I was exposed to people from
Board—we always have at least three “young alumni,”
other backgrounds. I realized there was this whole other
which means they graduated in the past 15 years. It’s
world out there, and I wanted to be somewhere where I
really important to have that voice and perspective of
could get to know people from different backgrounds
people who graduated more recently on the Board. I think
and different experiences
they bring different yet really valuable perspectives, and
I was lucky because two of my dear friends—who were older than me—went to Mercersburg. And I was always seeking ways to be challenged more. For me, Mercersburg was this small microcosm of the world and
they always jump right in and step up—our young alumni Regents are superstars. We’ve had some fantastic young-alumni Regents, and all of us have really missed being able to be on
helped me meet people from all over the world. I had
campus to connect with the students, everyone else
gone to a larger public school, but Mercersburg opened
on campus, and our alumni.
the world up to me. I felt challenged, yet safe to do things
32
I went on to the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, for my undergraduate education, and then I went
MERCERSBURG ACADEMY MAGAZINE
ALUMNI LIFE
RB: As Board president, you are succeeding Ms. Deborah
by what the strategic vision is for what the academic
Simon ’74, who really transformed Mercersburg
program will look like.
through her giving, devotion, and leadership to the
And then usually what flows from that—and I don’t
school. Could you share what it was like to work
want to get ahead of ourselves here—is some sort of
alongside Ms. Simon and how you feel about being
campaign. I know for sure access and affordability will
her successor?
be extremely critical in any campaign we do, because the
SL: I really enjoyed working with Debbie. She has an
Board is absolutely committed to the idea of raising more
incredible devotion to Mercersburg, and she loves the
money for financial aid. I know we’ve said this before, but
school. It was really fun to work with her. I was on the
we would love to get as close to need-blind as possible, so
Board for nine years, then stepped away for a few years,
that we can accept as many bright and fantastic students
came back, and some of the people I served with the first
as we can and give them whatever aid they need. Right
time were still there. She was one of them. We all became
now, we have a financial-aid pool that we draw from, and
friends. We all have the same passion and love for the
we are able to do a lot with it, but there is always need for
school—the same care and concern for Mercersburg and
more and we always hope for more.
devotion to it. I’m so grateful for everything she has done
RB: What does Mercersburg mean to you and your
for the school.
family?
There’s a group of us—the other former presidents, some of whom I served under—that I stay in touch with. Most of them were men, so many of them are father figures to me, but I really look up to them and respect them. In taking this role, I feel a sense of responsibility to live up to the legacy that they have left me—including Debbie. I want to make sure I do right by living up to their legacies. It’s a responsibility but I feel so honored to be able to do it and I hope I can do a good job like they did!
SL: I’m so thankful that my kids have been able to go here, and for me, it just feels like home. You probably get that feeling already as a student, but I’m going to tell you right now: when I drive down Route 16, and I see the Chapel spire, and I drive onto campus, I still get a lump in my throat. I can go to Mercersburg multiple times a week, and I still feel like I’m coming home. There’s something about spending those transformative years of your life that are such critical years, and the people—the faculty,
RB: In a broader sense, what do you hope to accomplish
the staff, my friends, and my friendships with the faculty
over your time as president?
and staff and Regents now—I just feel so thankful for
SL: I definitely would love for us to complete the strategic
them.
vision, but here’s the thing about a strategic vision: even
And with my kids, I’ve watched it unfold for them.
though you put it in place as the vision for the next three,
My oldest kids are 24 now, and they graduated in 2014,
five, or seven years, it always has to be a living document. It has to be able to change. I’d like us to get it set, but in a way that it can be flexible. Along with that, we are working on the campus master plan, and we’ve hired an outside group to help look at it. The strategic design and campus master plan go hand in hand. We did a facilities assessment a couple years ago that looked at the status and shape of the grounds, the buildings, the infrastructure, and the technology, and the areas we’ll need to support going forward. We have some ideas about what buildings might need to be renovated, what projects are coming up,
and when they get together with their Mercersburg friends, you can just see that they feel like that’s family. We all have that same feeling of home, family, connection to Mercersburg—it’s more than just a place. It’s hard to even put into words what it means to me. I’m big into gratitude, and I know we all have an immense amount of gratitude for what the school did for us, for what it continues to do for us, and for what we know it’s doing for others, including the faculty and staff and their families and for today’s students and future students. That’s really important.
and some of those things will be driven by the strategic vision. For example, if we’re thinking Irvine Hall needs some updates, some of those changes may be determined
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For students and teachers, “unschooling” and “serious play” combined for a unique academic experience between the fall and winter terms BY LEE OWEN
Bryan Morgan ’07 and Jim Brinson co-taught “Songs of Peace and Hope” MERCERSBURG ACADEMY MAGAZINE
34
Above: Atlanta Hawks television broadcaster Bob Rathbun (second row/far left) and fellow Hawks employee Max Strauss ’12 (second row/second from right) address the “Mercersburg StoryCorps” course taught by Dan Walker and Jenn Flanagan Bradley ’99. Right: John David Bennett works with students in “Broadcasting with Podcasting.”
s the curtain slowly closed on the calendar year of 2020, Mercersburg students and faculty connected from down the street and around the world for a four-week academic period unlike anything the Academy had attempted before. Known as the Mercersburg Intensive, the span between the fall and winter academic terms saw the class schedule of each student consist entirely of a single course, allowing for deep and meaningful learning, synthesis, creativity, and exploration to take hold. Teaching faculty (as well as some administrative faculty and staff who led courses) focused on a single topic during the term with their classes—some of which were as small as five students. The school’s faculty and staff curated a roster of more than 50 course topics, many of which were designed specifically with a focus on this moment and year. Mercersburg’s theme for the 2020–2021 academic year is “Making a Difference. The robust and eclectic range of subjects covered everything from improving quality of life for the elderly to tackling bias and inequity, researching and debating the mathematics of voting, and even collecting and sharing the stories of Mercersburg Academy’s alumni and history. All courses were held in a virtual environment due to the closure of campus to in-person learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. John David Bennett, Mercersburg’s dean of curricular innovation, describes the Intensive as “an opportunity to wipe away the periphery and become absorbed in a joyful, inspiring, satisfying sojourn into learning and discovery.” “Some of the deepest learning doesn’t happen in traditional schooling,” says Bennett, who is in his 14th year at Mercersburg. “Research has determined that deep learning—though found in traditional core courses—is common within extracurricular activities and electives, where students work with focused purpose on something that taps their curiosity. An intensive takes away the distractions and lets you engage in some serious play—and where there’s play, there’s usually learning. That’s the goal.” Many faculty and staff spent portions of the summer engaged in professional development and training to best design and refine their
SPRING 2021
35
up producing really was first class. I hope all the students are proud of what they created.” (Brinson, who is the school’s longtime organist and carillonneur in addition to working with students involved in vocal music, is using student-composed music from the course in some of Mercersburg’s Sunday Chapel services the rest of this year.) While a number of schools like Mercersburg implemented a similar Intensivestyle term (many during an equivalent portion of their academic calendars, given the unusual circumstances of 2020–2021), what makes the Mercersburg Intensive different is the sheer breadth and quantity of course offerings. More than 30 Mercersburg alumni participated courses for the Intensive period, including a
in a number of different courses as special
weeklong virtual session with Katie Martin
guests, providing expertise in courses ranging
of Altitude Learning. The school produced
from “Business and Its Role in the Cultural
a handbook for Intensive teachers to help
Foundations of Peace” to “Life Reflected:
guide the process, but teachers (and students)
The Fine Art of History” and even “Stand
enjoyed the freedom to guide their courses to
Up,” which was dedicated to helping students
where the learning truly leads them.
discover their own voices through comedy).
Arts faculty members Jim Brinson and
Top: Andy Brown talks on-screen with his “Living in a World with Autism” class. Center: Nikki Walker teaches her “Medical Issues in Underserved Communities” course virtually.
conversations with a number of administrators
enrolled in the “Songs of Peace and Hope”
at schools that already have intensives is that,
course analyzed historical works of poetry
with all the necessary training we’ve done,
and music—from classical to hip-hop—that
the way to do this is really just to go through
advocate for and focus on reconciliation, love,
it—for the faculty to have the experience of
and hope for humanity. Students then worked
teaching and learning in a bit of an alternative
toward creating their own works of music or
way,” says Bennett, who taught an Intensive
prose inspired by the topic.
titled “Broadcasting with Podcasting: Tell
Brinson says that the idea for the
the Whole World About Heroes Who Make
course came from much of the turmoil and
a Difference.” “In a sense, it’s a little bit of
unsettledness of this year, specifically the
‘unschooling.’
confluence of the pandemic and the ongoing
To see highlights of student work from a number of Mercersburg Intensive courses, visit mercersburg.edu/intensive.
MERCERSBURG ACADEMY MAGAZINE
“For many of us teaching these courses,
struggle for racial justice and equity in the
we started with a canvas that was 100 percent
streets and hearts of America. “We wanted our
blank. In my case, our students were creating
students to have the time to truly be creative
a podcast. And it was great to see some of the
in expressing their desire for peace,” he says.
younger students really shine; honestly, some
“With the way the term is designed, the kids
of the strongest podcasters in the class were
could really focus on this course, take their
ninth graders. Teachers were really excited to
time, be inspired, and let their ideas germinate.
have a diversity in ages among the students in
“It was a really gratifying experience. When we started, I know some of the kids
36
“Something I’ve learned from
Bryan Morgan ’07 and the nine students
their classes.” Daniel Zhong ’23, who lives in nearby
were probably asking themselves how they
Greencastle, Pennsylvania, and is in his second
were going to write their own music. But they
year at Mercersburg, was one of nine students
just started creating, and what they ended
enrolled in “Maker’s Lab: Designing for the
Mercersburg Intensive COURSE LIST I MME RS E .
IMAG INE. IN SPIRE . » Art and Activism in the Digital Era » Be the [Person] in the Arena » Become Your Family’s Archivist
» Black Film Directors from the U.S. » Blankets for Charity (Project Linus) » Broadcasting with Podcasting: Tell the Whole World About Heroes Who Make a Difference » Business and Its Role in the Cultural Foundations of Peace » Custom App Creation » “Dear Adults” Podcast » Discrimination, Bias, and Inequity in Big Data Todd McGuire gives a virtual presentation to students in “Using Entrepreneurship to Address Community Needs.”
» Empowerment and the Art of Bicycle Maintenance » Environmental Justice Is Social Justice » Financial Literacy: Opening Pathways to Change the World
Elderly” with faculty members Franklin Bell and Jessica Doubell. (For a closer look at the “Designing for the Elderly” course, read the sidebar on page 38.) “I enjoyed the whole experience of the class,” Zhong says. “I did not expect to learn so much about the process of helping out people in our
» Find Your Playscript or Screenplay: Making a Difference Through Literary Adaptation » Horse of a Different Color: An Epidemic with No Boundaries (Heroin Epidemic) » Introduction to Big Data
community. Usually, regular classes teach material and then give homework
» Language, Identity, and Power
or tests based on the material.
» Life Reflected: The Fine Art of History
“But in this class, instead of tests or homework, we were given the chance to concentrate on finding ways to design and create products for
» Living in a World with Autism » Looking for Johnny Spain
the elderly. We spent most of our time focusing on interviewing people and
One Another » Love
creating a list of items through 3D printing that those we spoke with could
» Maker’s Lab: Designing for the Elderly
benefit from. My interactions with the people that I talked to or interviewed
» (MAPS) SEARCH: Call to Action
were amazing. They were all so kind and tried their best to help us.”
» (MAPS) TKB: Informed Altruism
“Designing for the Elderly” was based in part on the original Maker’s Lab course, which is one of the school’s Springboard capstone offerings for members of the senior class. One of the advantages of the Intensive format is giving younger students like Zhong exposure to different disciplines at an earlier age, potentially seeding an interest in future study. Bennett, for one, says that many of the Intensive topics could be accurately described as “miniSpringboard courses.” Faculty member Kristen Pixler, who taught “Art and Activism in the
» Mathematics of Voting » Medical Issues in Underserved Communities » Mercersburg “StoryCorps”: Making a Difference » Modern and Contemporary Drag Ball Culture » Police Powers and the Use of Force » Postmodernism » Race and Sexuality in the Ancient World » Recognizing Conspiracy Theories and Stopping the Spread of Misinformation
Digital Era,” counseled students to be ready for a different type of class
» SEED (Seeking Educational Equity and Diversity) Seminar
structure—in a good way—than some may have been used to.
» Selling the Sky: An Open Topic Course about Indigenous People
“Challenge-based learning, which is what we’re diving into here, can
» Sewn Scraps: Quilting the American Experience
be ‘messy’ and requires dedication and focus and true academic curiosity,”
» Social, Cultural, and Science Revolutions
Pixler says. “In this format, students and teachers need to bring a bit of
» Songs of Peace and Hope
patience for themselves. This type of work has a natural evolution that is
» Songwriting in Chinese
unique for each student. It’s not as clear-cut or as linear as [traditional]
» Spice It Up: Food and Your Culture
education. Being prepared for the organic path it takes requires some patience
» Stand Up
and some grit to get through it. Our students had a wonderful journey.”
» Tell Me a Story: Creating an Illustrated Children’s Short Story about the Virtue of Goodness (in Spanish)
From his vantage point as both a teacher of an Intensive and the administrator overseeing the entire experiment, Bennett sees a lot to analyze and dissect as the school continually refines how it tailors its curriculum to best prepare its students for the world beyond Mercersburg. “We learned a lot, and it wasn’t at all learned begrudgingly,” Bennett
» The Science of Food and Cooking » The Story Project » The Subversive Imagination: Creative Writing for Social Justice » The Writings and Work of Dr. King: A Religious Lens
says. “For the teachers, it was probably equal parts stressful and great. I
» Understanding a Hispanic Culture and Its Adaptation to American Culture Through Its Cuisine
really tried to get my students—none of whom chose my course as their first
» Using Entrepreneurship to Address Community Needs
choice—to constructively criticize the class. It was hard for them. The buzz
» Wayfinder: Finding Your Purpose
has been really positive.”
» Walkability: Understanding and Designing Walkable Cities » Why Dance? Understanding Dance from Cultural and Anthropological Perspectives » Writing to Make a Difference
SPRING 2021
37
Difference
From (and Inside) the
Maker’s Lab By Lee Owen
ranklin Bell is one of two Mercersburg faculty members teaching the Springboard senior capstone course “Maker’s Lab” this year. As part of ongoing research related to the course, he came upon a news article about a Canadian community organization located east of Toronto that works with residents of eldercare facilities to improve the quality of life for seniors, many of whom suffer from debilitating physical ailments like arthritis. The group, called Northumberland Makers, uses 3D printing to create different implements that can ease some of the daily tasks made difficult for residents i
Pen grippers, key holders, and can openers specially designed for older citizens are among the implements students and faculty created via 3D printing.
their advancing age and physical condition—buttoning a shirt, turning on a lamp, holding a pen. At the same time, Bell’s 92-year-old father, Malcolm, who had lived in a retirement community near Albany, New York, moved in with Bell and his
“I thought about that conversation I had with my dad,” Franklin Bell says, “and then I put it together with the article—and I thought, how can we help people who are in homes and shut off from the world during the pandemic and do something for them? The creation of the Mercersburg Intensive allowed Bell to team with fellow faculty
wife, former faculty member Carolyn Bell (who is now
member Jessica Doubell for a course called “Maker’s Lab: Designing for the Elderly.”
a member of the nursing staff in the Rutherford Health
The course introduced some of the principles of the traditional “Maker’s Lab” class for
and Wellness Center on campus). Before Malcolm Bell
seniors, with an additional focus on connecting with and helping members of the older
suffered a broken leg in a fall—necessitating the move
population.
he had talked with Franklin about the restrictions on
Students in the course connected with residents of independent- and assisted-
visitors during the COVID-19 pandemic and how many of
living facilities, interviewing them over Zoom to learn about their daily lives and the
the residents had developed feelings of intense loneliness
different physical challenges they face. Some of the contacts came from Doubell’s
and isolation as a result.
godmother, who lives in a development next to Penn Hall in Chambersburg,
38
MERCERSBURG ACADEMY MAGAZINE
The “Maker’s Lab: Designing for the Elderly” course hears from Melissa Searle (top row/center) of Northumberland Makers.
How can we help people who are shut off from the world during the pandemic? Faculty member Franklin Bell Franklin Bell in the Maker’s Lab in fall 2020.
Pennsylvania; others included a number of Malcolm Bell’s
Trostle ’22, one of the students in the course. “When we
former neighbors in Albany, and still others were made through
called them, some of them said that we were some of their first
Maker’s Lab student Daniel Zhong ’23, whose family connected
‘visitors’ since March. They seemed to really enjoy speaking with
with Homewood at Williamsport, a facility in the nearby
us and were eager to help us with our project and try out a few of
Hagerstown area.
our tools.”
“Our kids talked with 16 people in total,” Bell says. “We
Doubell says that the students in the course worked together
started with basically nothing on the table other than that we
to help each other with questions to ask. “They did really well with
wanted to help. Within a week, the students were doing interviews
the interviews, and really wanted to use this opportunity to help
and developing contacts.” After hearing their interviewees’
create things that people really need,” she says. “In the process,
stories, the students matched their interviewees’ needs with a
they gained experience in learning how to cold-call people they’ve
number of different devices that Bell and Doubell 3D printed
never met, and with how to do an interview and how to solve real-
many of which were “manufactured” in the Maker’s Lab on the
world problems.”
lower level of the Burgin Center for the Arts—and then mailed the devices directly to the interviewees at no cost to them. “Many of the residents we spoke to were isolated in their rooms because of strict COVID-19 regulations,” says Drew
“Being able to 3D print the tools and mail them to the residents was extremely rewarding,” Trostle adds. “And knowing that what we were doing was improving the lives of these residents made it all worthwhile.”
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39
Student oices
In this section, we present essays written by four students about their individual experiences at Mercersburg Academy, specifically through each student’s lens as a person of color on campus and in the greater community of Mercersburg—or, in the case of the anonymous student whose essay appears on page 41, as a member of the campus’ LGBTQIA+ community. We believe in the inherent worth and unique power of everyone’s story, and invite you to read on and to step into their shoes as they put pen to paper.
I
n November 2020, I attended the Student
the school from receiving negative public
Diversity Leadership Conference alongside
attention. Students said there were multiple
several of my peers from Mercersburg. The
occasions where a racist act was carried out
conference (held virtually) brought together
and the administrations in their schools did
representatives from hundreds of independent
nothing about the problem.
schools to discuss important topics such as
Tyerra Rooffener ’23 Osage Beach, Missouri
time at Mercersburg Academy, despite being
identity, and oppression. No matter how
a person of color, I have never received unfair
difficult or uncomfortable some of th
treatment in my school community because
topics were, each attendee made the effort
of my identity. When it was my turn to speak,
to demonstrate the most open and honest
I suddenly had a flashback to the first time
version of themselves. For me, this made
stepped onto Mercersburg’s campus, hand in
the conference especially impactful. Every
hand with my Chinese mother and American
attendee shared honest and helpful thoughts
father. I was greeted instantly with open
on the matters discussed to create a learning
arms and helping hands. I believe my school’s
environment that was direct and enlightening.
administration works hard to empower
One particular discussion that I
MERCERSBURG ACADEMY MAGAZINE
students and creates racial affinity grou
participated in will forever change my
meetings and get-togethers because they
perception of Mercersburg Academy. During
understand the difficulty of being far awa
the last day of the conference, a small group
from one’s home country and without people
of 20 attendees in my multiracial affinit
who share one’s language.
group were asked to discuss how our schools
40
I realized through their words that in my
racism within school communities, gender
I am encouraged as a student to fight
dealt with racism and gender identity. I was
and speak up against injustice and to make
astounded to see that every attendee who
a difference within my school community
spoke out expressed severe disappointment
and community at large. As I shared my
for how their schools handled situations
experiences, everyone listened to my words
related to racism and gender equality. Some
with admiration and respected the thought
said they felt like an outsider in their school
and effort put forth by my school faculty to
because of their identity. Others mentioned
create a positive environment for all students.
they were discouraged by their administration
Attendees began to gravitate toward me
from speaking out about racist comments
because of my honesty and unique
a teacher made to a student to prevent
experience and asked me about how
I am encouraged as a student to fight and speak up against injustice and to make a difference within my school community and community at large.
Anonymous Student Member of LGBTQIA+ Community
M
y first day at Mercersburg Academy was the day that I decided to stop suffocating mysel with someone else’s identity. Like many members of the LGBTQIA+ community, I struggled with identifying my sexuality when dating became a prominent aspect in my social life. My
middle-school self struggled to reason with the fact that I liked girls just as much as guys. I would always try to convince myself that there was no way that I could like another girl, but each and every time that I would play mind games, I was only claiming somebody else’s identity. To open up about my true self in an essentially foreign environment was the risk that I took to stop lying to myself. I am now a senior at Mercersburg Academy and I do not regret being my true self one bit. Never once did I have to “pray the gay away” at Mercersburg, which is an inclusive environment with students from all different backgrounds. Though the majority of students, faculty, and staff do no identify as members of the LGBTQIA+ community, they are still supportive allies. I have yet to encounter another member of the Mercersburg community who did not accept me due to my sexual orientation. When I reflect on the four years that I have been at Mercersburg, there has only been one time where I felt uncomfortable because of my sexuality. This interaction occurred my ninth-grade year, when I was seen holding hands with someone of the same sex. A group of guys saw us and decided to make loads of inappropriate comments for a couple of weeks. The school was not made aware of this situation and I by no means blame Mercersburg for what happened. This issue could have occurred anywhere and does not represent the true Mercersburg community. Many members of the school’s LGBTQIA+ community have faced forms of harassment, discrimination, and bullying. Interestingly enough, many of these members would still say that
to make their school communities
Mercersburg Academy is an inclusive and accepting school. In comparison to the rest of the world,
more united and inclusive.
Mercersburg is probably one of the most LGBTQIA+ friendly schools, but when comparisons are
Through the impactful experience of SDLC, I understand
removed, the school still has a lot of room to improve. One of the biggest issues for LGBTQIA+ students at Mercersburg is the disregard of desired
how lucky I am to be in an
pronouns. Though I cannot speak to the experiences, perspectives, or opinions of nonbinary and
environment where I am loved
transgender students, I know of many cases where one’s desired pronouns were not respected. Sure,
and accepted for who I am. I see
there is a lack of proper pronoun education, which is a problem, but the even bigger problem lies in the
now that so many schools—unlike
arms of intention. When one intentionally uses the wrong pronouns for another, not only is there a great
Mercersburg Academy—may not
deal of disrespect, but also a lack of acceptance.
have a nurturing environment
Acceptance is one of the biggest concerns for LGBTQIA+ members. During my senior year at
where students truly feel the
Mercersburg, the school has created affinity spaces for the various minority groups on campus. Th
freedom to express themselves.
LGBTQIA+ Affinity Group is an environment for students who identify as LGBTQIA+ to share commo
Every one of our voices matters, and
interests, talk about inclusion issues on campus, and discuss our shared experiences. This space has
it is only when we recognize these
made me realize that each and every one of us shares a common desire and fear. That desire and fear
issues that we can fix them. Each
is acceptance.
person has the power to cultivate
Whether we seek acceptance from our families, our teachers, our coaches, our peers, or total
more awareness of the inequalities
strangers, we always want to be accepted for being our true and authentic selves. I understand that
people face to create stronger, more
many aspects of the LGBTQIA+ community are changing and evolving daily. As long as the Mercersburg
caring communities.
community is willing to learn about these evolving concepts, willing to treat LGBTQIA+ students in the
Rooffener was one of six
same manner as others, and willing to accept all members of the LGBTQIA+ community for who they
Mercersburg students to attend
are, Mercersburg Academy will be a safer and far more welcoming place for members of the LGBTQIA+
the SDLC this year. Her older sister,
community.
Tancy ’16, is a Mercersburg alum.
SPRING 2021
41
Still, it remains that there are certain
you probably wouldn’t have been able to meet
world: e.g., the color of your skin and where
if you were still at your local school.
your family comes from. When I first came
Matthew Tavarez ’22 Paterson, New Jersey
G
That said, Mercersburg is not perfect by
to Mercersburg, I realized some things
any means. The Academy still has its issues of
fairly quickly. The first was that not many
racism and making certain groups of people
people—let alone faculty members—looked
feel marginalized. That’s why the different
like me on this campus. The second was
affinity groups on campus, the Diversity
that I did not have nearly as much money as
Equity, and Inclusion Committee, and the
certain individuals in this school do. From the
Black and the Latinx/Hispanic Student Unions
moment I stepped foot on campus, I realized
are so important. In addition, you also see a
that there was a huge difference between
commitment on campus to different social
Mercersburg and Paterson. I felt that no one
justice movements happening all over the
would understand my struggle or the things
country. Mercersburg already brings many
I had to do to get to be on campus that fateful
people together from different backgrounds,
day. No one would understand some of the
and is committed to supporting those
issues I’ve dealt with because of my family
who may be marginalized on- and off
structure or how my family got into the U.S.
campus—and to educating those who may
in the first place. I worried that I wouldn’t be
not experience that marginalization firsthand
able to form real connections with the people
about the same topics. Though Mercersburg
around me.
may not be the most diverse or feel the most
Until, that is, Mercersburg welcomed
supportive to some marginalized groups,
rowing up in a Hispanic family in
me with open arms. Mercersburg introduced
the school is working toward this point. And
Paterson, New Jersey, felt like the
me to different people from all differen
even without the work already done this
only reality possible in this world.
backgrounds. It gave me the opportunity to
year, a good portion of the school community
As a kid, you think the way you live is not just
meet people that were completely different
already supports people that may not be like
the right way, but the only way. When I was
from anyone I’d met before, and those
them.
young, I wasn’t exposed to many experiences
connections and conversations were some
that were different than those around me.
of the best I have ever had. I still count
accepting community already. It’s like an
Everyone lived a very similar life—or so I
many of those same friends I made the first
unfinished painting; it just needs a few more
thought, until I reached the fourth grade.
week of school as my closest friendships
brush strokes to make it perfect.
That was about the time I realized that
to this day. Yes, we are different in some
there were people who lived differently than
ways, but we bond over things we have
Council and a member of the cabinet of the
me: different types of lives with differen
control over—music we like, or things we
Latinx/Hispanic Student Union.
mentalities and ways of thinking. I realized
do on the weekends. Our differences of race,
that humans are much more diverse than I
socioeconomic status, or family structure
once thought.
do not get in the way of the bonds formed
I open with this sentiment because this
between us. This is what allows us to build
discovery of how different we all are still
relationships with people who may not be
fascinates and surprises me. Mercersburg is a
like us or look like us.
place where you meet so many people with all
42
see around you. You get to meet people that
commonalities that can aid you in the real
Mercersburg does a pretty good job of
different types of ideologies and ways of life.
allowing us to interact without the boundaries
Even though there may be some overlapping
that are inherently created in the real world.
characteristics between us, there is always
No matter your upbringing or the beliefs that
something that makes us different from one
others may impose on you, you can be with
another.
and surround yourself with those you like to
MERCERSBURG ACADEMY MAGAZINE
This is why Mercersburg is such an
Tavarez is vice president of the Student
I
remember leaning my head against the cool glass of my car window on the afternoon of August 28, 2017. Although I was silent,
my mind was overflowing with thoughts and worries. I anticipated my new life, one that would commence the moment my father drove down the slopes and curves of Sycamore Lane. That fall, I entered my ninth-grade year at Mercersburg Academy, starry-eyed and eager
I have learned to focus on the scope of my individual power, and to recognize that I’m not obligated to be a stepping stone on someone’s path to rejecting their personal biases.
to embark on a new journey I assumed would award me with extraordinary opportunities and long-lasting friendships. Now that I am a senior, I can confirm
As my journey at Mercersburg continues, I have learned how to exceed the expectations
that my assumptions were correct. At
I set for myself without allowing those
Mercersburg, I’m challenged academically but
hardships to consume me and hinder my
encouraged to pursue my passions. I have built
ability to achieve success in and outside of the
friendships, become a student leader, attended
classroom. I have learned to focus on the scope
a leadership symposium in South Africa, and
of my individual power, and to recognize that
so much more. However, I mustn’t ignore
I’m not obligated to be a stepping stone on
the hardships that have remained present
someone’s path to rejecting their personal
throughout my experiences thus far. The day
biases. I focus on the larger picture, while
I moved in, I learned that the dorm I would
speaking up in the little and big moments to
live in was called Fowle, that my adviser’s
not only advocate for myself but for those who
name was Mama V, and lastly, that I was the
are—and will be—in my shoes for many years
only Black girl (and soon to be the only Black
to come.
student) in my grade. Like most of my peers, during my first
Discovering myself within the context of Mercersburg has not been an easy feat.
year, I navigated an unfamiliar social scene
But it has taught me about myself, about the
and grew to become familiar with my life
world, and has piqued interests in me that
away from home. Unlike most of my peers,
have grown to become passions. I am forever
I had to overcome those challenges while
grateful for that.
understanding what it means to be a Black girl at Mercersburg—one of the few, to be specific. Having graduated from a predominantly white institution before secondary school, I was not
Farah Yahaya ’21 Easton, Pennsylvania
Yahaya is a Head Blue Key, a dormitory prefect, a member of the girls’ varsity tennis team, and the older sister of first-year Mercersburg student Haris Yahaya ’24.
unfamiliar with the feelings that accompany being a minority in academia. I was aware that discrimination and prejudice could and would mask themselves under a facade of curiosity, jokes, whispers, and exclusion. However, the wounds that prejudice inflicted on me were easier to dress when my vision was obscured by the naive lens of innocence that childhood provides.
SPRING 2021
43
ANNUAL REPORT 2019-20
MERCERSBURG UPDATES EXCELLENCE AND FLEXIBILITY FUELED ANNUAL FUND GROWTH
#MERCERSBURGCARES (FOOD BANK CHALLENGE)
Last year, flexibility was crucial as Mercersburg faced the onset of COVID-19, and it was because of the $3,424,794 raised from 2,253 alumni, parents, and friends that the school was able to quickly move from in-person learning to a fully online experience. The school’s Virtual ’Burg program allowed our students to continue learning from the same exceptional faculty they enjoyed on campus and we helped, and continue to help, families experiencing unanticipated financial need due to the pandemic. We are also proud that we kept an important promise of employment to our faculty and staff and they in turn worked tirelessly to keep our campus running during a period of exceptional uncertainty.
Food security in Franklin County was a concern even before the pandemic. COVID-19 had caused many food banks and homeless shelters to close at a time when their resources were most needed. In early May 2020, Mercersburg launched a special campaign where for three days every gift made to the Mercersburg Academy Annual Fund earned a $25 donation benefiting local charities: the Maranatha Food Pantry, the Franklin County Homeless Shelter, and the Chambersburg Cold Weather Drop-in Shelter. Approximately 400 donors stepped up to participate in the #MercersburgCares campaign, which led to $11,000 donated to the local charities and provided 3,200 meals for our neighbors in their time of need.
A LEGACY OF BRIGHT FUTURES The late Martha and Harold “Hal” Reed Jr. Esq. ’44, P ’85 had the foresight to establish the Martha J. and Harold F. Reed Jr. ’44 Scholarship Fund in 2003, and to direct a generous bequest to the fund upon their deaths. The income from this endowed fund provides support in perpetuity to a student with financial need, preferably from western Pennsylvania, to attend Mercersburg Academy. Hal (who died in 2020) always remembered his time as a student fondly; even when commuting to and from campus from western Pennsylvania, which was considerably more complicated than today due in large part to gasoline and rubber rationing during World War II. Some 70 years after his Mercersburg graduation, Hal could still recount the lasting influence of faculty members Pratt Tobey, John Montgomery, and Spike Andrew, and classmates like his roommate William Harris ’44. It was important to Hal that Mercersburg Academy remain accessible to students from western Pennsylvania whose lives would be forever changed by their time on campus and who would, like Hal, be prepared for lives of leadership and service in their communities. Hal graduated from Mercersburg Academy, Princeton University, and the University of Pittsburgh School of Law. He and Martha lived in Beaver County, Pennsylvania, and were involved in their church, where Hal served as a deacon, a trustee, an elder, and a Sunday school teacher for more than 50 years. Hal was a Fellow of American College of Trial Lawyers, to which only 1 percent of lawyers in practice are elected. He was a past president of the Beaver County Bar Association, the Beaver Trust Company, the Beaver County Branch of the Pennsylvania Economy League, and Beaver County United Way. The Reeds’ gift serves as a fitting tribute to Hal’s Mercersburg experience and a life of service to their community.
44
MERCERSBURG ACADEMY MAGAZINE
THE MERCERSBURG ACADEMY ENDOWMENT We are pleased to provide this report on the Mercersburg Academy endowment for the year ending June 30, 2020. Thanks to the generosity of donors and the stewardship of the Board of Regents’ Investment Committee, we are able to carry on the mission of Mercersburg Academy and to offer a strong and vibrant education to more than 440 students from around the country and the world. (NOTE: Similar to most school endowments, the FY20 year-end value of Mercersburg’s endowment was impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. By December 31, 2020, the value of Mercersburg’s endowment had rebounded to $354 million.) VALUE $295
$325 $250
$240
$200
$194
$249
$301
$294
$272 $241
$213
$189
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015
0
2014
2011
2012
$50
2013
$100
(IN MILLIONS)
The purpose of the Mercersburg Academy endowment is to support the people, programs, and activities of the school in perpetuity. Over the years, growth of the endowment through investment returns and philanthropic support has enabled the school to offer financial aid to qualified students; to attract, retain, and develop an excellent faculty; and to provide programs that enrich the lives of the entire Mercersburg community.
FISCAL YEAR ENDOWMENT RETURN 2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
18.7%
-0.8%
15.4%
14.5%
1.8%
-3.5%
12.8%
6.3%
3.1%
-2.7%
NUMBER OF ENDOWED FUNDS 2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
438
447
452
463
495
509
519
533
536
537
2017
2018
2019
GIFTS TO ENDOWMENT (IN HUNDRED THOUSANDS) 2011
2012
2013
$863
$4,541
$4,556
2014
2015
$4,314 $13,395
2016 $10,671
$10,943 $14,769 $9,496
2020 $11,939
SPRING 2021
45
ANNUAL REPORT 2019-20
ASSET ALLOCATION 15.9% Cash and Short-Term Bonds
PERFORMANCE The endowment is managed in accordance with the Investment Policy Statement last amended by the Board of Regents on January 25, 2019. The investment objectives of the endowment are the preservation and enhancement of the endowment’s inflation-adjusted purchasing power in order to provide a stable flow of support for the school’s annual operations while preserving the purchasing power of the endowment in perpetuity.
Rolling Ten-Year Annualized Returns*
Actual Return
Total Portfolio Benchmark**
CPI +5.0%
2016
5.7%
5.4%
6.8%
2017
5.0%
5.2%
6.8%
2018
6.1%
6.4%
6.6%
2019
7.9%
7.2%
7.0%
2020
6.4%
6.4%
6.9%
* The returns listed for the endowment are net of all fees and expenses.
1.3% Inflation Protection
30.7% U.S. Equity
24.7% International Equity
7.0% Absolute Return
To achieve the long-term benefits of a diversified endowment, strategic targets for each asset class in which the endowment is invested have been adopted. The portfolio weight for each asset class is expected to remain within minimum and maximum percentage ranges.
SPENDING 12% Faculty Support
1% Physical Plant
** The total portfolio benchmark is a weighted average of market indices using the Academy’s strategic asset allocation through time.
26% Financial Aid 37% Unrestricted
RETURNS
Annualized Return
Portfolio Benchmark
One-year
-2.7%
2.1%
Three-year
2.3%
4.3%
Five-year
3.1%
4.2%
Ten-year
6.4%
6.4%
The long-term performance of the endowment is critical to the school’s financial health. While there was volatility in the one-, three-, and five-year results, the ten-year return matched the benchmark and outperformed the investment policy’s objective of “earning an average annual real rate of return of 5% over rolling ten year periods.”
5.9% Private Equity
14.5% Hedged Equity
24% Restricted/ Other
The endowment spending policy is designed to provide a steady flow of support to the annual operating budget. In FY20 the endowment spending draw was $11,072,000. Of this draw 26% was designated for financial aid. A significant portion of the endowment, 37%, is unrestricted as to its use, giving the school maximum flexibility in the use of these funds.
LIQUIDITY
24.4% Quarterly
22.5% Monthly
19.1% 1-3 Years
5.9% More than 3 years
28.1% Daily
Approximately 28%, or roughly $82.2 million, can be turned into cash on a daily basis. This represents more than seven times the annual draw on endowment necessary to run the school. 46
MERCERSBURG ACADEMY MAGAZINE
INCOME STATEMENT Revenue
2019-20
2018-19
Net Tuition and Student Fees
16,911,077
18,024,275
Contributions Received
3,503,728
3,689,059
Endowment Draw
11,040,582
11,042,797
Auxiliary Activities
1,111,074
869,312
Other Sources
587,536
126,300
Total Operating Revenue
33,153,997
33,751,743
Instruction
9,142,116
9,700,975
Academic Support
2,152,104
2,615,972
Student Services
4,052,876
4,371,661
Institutional Support
6,182,189
5,615,196
Operation and Maintenance
5,642,755
6,196,918
Auxiliary Activities
1,047,300
1,106,368
Interest
2,163,711
2,133,464
Operating Transfers
2,765,016
2,005,917
Total Operating Expenses
33,148,067
33,746,471
Change in Assets from Operating Activities
5,930
5,271
Revenue
2% Other 3% Auxiliary activities
11% Annual giving
33% Endowment income
51% Tuition and fees
Expenses
GIFTS AND COMMITMENTS
12% Student services 18% Auxiliary activities, interest, and operating transfers
34% Instruction and academic support 19% Institutional support
17% Maintenance
Giving Societies
Funding Type Financial Aid
Cash Received $6,920,152
New Commitments $2,456,222
Faculty Support
$2,860,100
$260,150
Program Support
$1,015,305
$314,605
Campus Sustaining
$41,229
$134
Unrestricted Endowment
$1,101,839
$1,082,992
Facilities
$1,306,111
$4,658
Annual Giving
$3,512,392
$3,660,653
To Be Designated
$35,400
$1,537,401
Total
$16,792,528
$9,316,815
ANNUAL FUND Total Annual Fund donors 2,885 First-time Annual Fund donors 254 Gift range $1 to $196,000 Average gift $1,547 Total reunion giving $508,325
Expenses
(number of members)
William Mann Irvine Society: 647 Torchbearers: 2,204 Marshall & Irving Alliance: 474 For descriptions of each society, visit mercersburg.edu/recognition.
Giving by Constituency Friends $238,781
Parents $955,023
Solicited alumni who made gifts Solicited parents who made gifts Faculty who made gifts Staff who made gifts
2,076 423 99% 58%
Alumni $2,318,588
SPRING 2021
47
Announcing:
NEW ALUMNI LEADERS New on the Board of Regents
Andrew Alpert ’82, P ’14 Kensington, Maryland
Kristin Butterfield Vickery ’88, P ’18, ’22 Alexandria, Virginia
Bruce Ricciuti ’83 Boca Raton, Florida
Pablo Coballasi ’91 Mexico City, Mexico
Sassan Shaool ’91 Frederick, Maryland
John Henry ’91, P ’23 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Lorraine Simonis ’10 Haverford, Pennsylvania
New on the Alumni Council
Kathryn Clark Furtado ’94 Silver Spring, Maryland
J.J. Fabrega ’90 Panama City, Panama
Chris Jones ’94 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Katie Stover ’07 Myersville, Maryland
FACULTY IMPARTING LESSONS you can still recall, coaches teaching you how to win and lose gracefully, late hours spent in conversation with friends or early hours walking guard, the Chapel spire rising in the distance to signal that you were home... If moments like these helped to define your life, consider an estate provision and membership in the Marshall & Irving Alliance to help ensure those same special experiences are possible for tomorrow’s students. To discuss your options and to develop a plan that’s right for you, please contact Carolyn Yeager P ’20, ’21, chief development officer, at yeagerc@mercersburg.edu or 717-328-6219.
SUMMER PROGRAMS
COED SUMMER PROGRAMS | AGES 8-17 Sports, Arts, Adventure, and Steam Camps
Choose Your
Adventure
Join us for
VIRTUAL REUNION WEEKEND JUNE 10-13, 2021
thursday at
JUNE 10
7:30 p.m. et
friday at
Premiere of Alumni, Faculty, and Staff Recognition Celebration
JUNE 11
7:30 p.m. et
Artist Reception with Don Freas ’70
saturday at
JUNE 12
sunday
7:30 p.m. et
at
Class Happy Hours
JUNE 13
10 a.m. et
Service of Worship and Remembrance
State of the School Address
D ng Sp k S i Don’t miss these virtual events happening now through May and featuring presenters from reunion classes 0, 1, 5, and 6!
Visit mercersburg.edu/reunionweekend for more information and to register.
#MburgReunion
Girls’ soccer standouts Jolie Viener ’21 and Kate Prentiss ’21 celebrate a goal during this fall’s Blue-White Series. (Both are children of Mercersburg alumni.)
Class
NOTES SPRING 2021
51
Weddings CLASS NOTES
Chris Pick ’99 married Maura Garfield on December 21, 2019, in
Shelby Smith ’14 married James Gale on June 6, 2020.
Bluemont, Virginia. Chris earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees from George Mason University and is employed with Ultimate CNG, a natural gas company. Maura graduated from the University of Maryland and is an art teacher. They live in Oakton, Virginia.
bby Ryland ’12 married Alex Mercer on August 22, 2020, in Cooperstown, New York. A Abby is the daughter of John Ryland ’82 and stepdaughter of Karen Craig Ryland ’81.
52
MERCERSBURG ACADEMY MAGAZINE
abrielle Joffie ’03 married Courtney Richards on March 1, 2020, in Atlanta. Gabrielle G has taken the position of senior brand marketing manager for Nutrablast in that area.
CLASS NOTES
Births/Adoptions
Pamela Scorza Bianchotti ’01 and her husband, Gustavo, welcomed a son, Theodore Rafael, June 8, 2020. Theodore joins big brother León.
Ryan Fay ’01 and his wife, Jenn, welcomed a son, Axel Acierto, July 3, 2020.
Ashley Frankel Way ’01 and her husband, Rich, welcomed a son, Wells Winston, May 15, 2020. Wells joins two big brothers.
Nick Mellott ’04 and his wife, Courtney, welcomed a daughter, Margaret, June 19, 2020.
Wes Harden ’01 and his wife, Nelly, welcomed a daughter, Harper Rose, June 1, 2019.
George Ettenger ’02 and his wife, Elizabeth, welcomed a son, Charles, February 22, 2020. (George and Charles share a birthday!)
Christina Turchi Horstman ’04 and her husband, Robbie, welcomed a son, Brooks, January 22, 2020.
Heidi Anderes Hollier ’01 and her husband, Kent, welcomed a son, Gus Feller, February 5, 2020.
Lee Ware Kaviar ’02 and her husband, Brian, welcomed a son, Henry Blair (future Class of 2038), January 3, 2020.
Katelyn Wiley Johnston ’07 and her husband, Chris, welcomed a son, James Christopher, July 14, 2020.
Abigail Savopoulos Cordova ’15 and her husband, Norman, welcomed a daughter, Amalia Maria, April 21, 2020. SPRING 2021
53
CLASS NOTES
sion s i m Sub dline is a De next issue 1 for
the
y
Ma
15,
202
’45
75th 75th
70 his wife, Anna, Bill Rockey reports that he and are hunkered down in Falls Church, Virginia,th 70 awaiting the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions. th
65 Sowers, passed Rachel Sowers, wife of Robert away April 4, 2020. th
’48
65
60th 60th
Chuck Queenan celebrated his 90th birthday and was honored by K&L Gates,th the law firm he 55 Mac Butts, macsear@gmail.com started in the mid-1950s. In a tribute written Jere Keefer, jsklrk@embarqmail.com for the occasion, his colleagues said, “For55 histh 64 Mac Butts, macsear@gmail.com Jere Keefer, jsklrk@embarqmail.com years as a lawyer, Chuck has been a powerful and humane voice in our firm, the legal 50th Pete Flanagan, flans1@frontier.com profession, and the Pittsburgh community. He Paul Mellott, pmellott@mellotts.com is a leader for the ages, and the only chairman 50th Pete Flanagan, flans1@frontier.com Paul Mellott, pmellott@mellotts.com emeritus of K&L Gates. He has touched the lives of many, inside and outside the firm, and 45th Tony Tito, tonycray33@gmail.com without exception he is an uplifting presence for all.” 45th Eric Reif, ericreif10@gmail.com
Tony Tito, tonycray33@gmail.com
’51
Lynn Brewer Price, lynnbprice@comcast.net
75th
40th
Lynn Brewer Price, lynnbprice@comcast.net
JereMcClelland, Keefer, jsklrk@embarqmail.com Jim jlmcpark@yahoo.com
Andrew Miller, amiller@pioneeringprojects.org
40thth 70
20th
Aaron Mendelson writes, “I amthstill very 60 th 20 involved with improving urban education in 50thth 60 Springfield, Massachusetts, as a board member 15th to open a of a charter school which is soon Jeff Greenberg, jeffdgreenberg@gmail.com Sonya Karbach Marino, skar477@gmail.com second school, and serving on tha committeeth 55 15 Mac Butts, macsear@gmail.com Jeff Greenberg, jeffdgreenberg@gmail.com of area business leaders working to improvethth Jere Keefer, jsklrk@embarqmail.com Eric Reif, ericreif10@gmail.com Andrew Miller, amiller@pioneeringprojects.org Pete Flanagan, flans1@frontier.com PaulReif, Mellott, pmellott@mellotts.com Eric ericreif10@gmail.com
Sonya Karbach Marino, skar477@gmail.com TonyButts, Tito, tonycray33@gmail.com Mac macsear@gmail.com Jere Keefer, jsklrk@embarqmail.com
MERCERSBURG ACADEMY MAGAZINE
Samuel Hook, hooksj01@gmail.com Anmargaret Warner, anmargaret.warner@gmail.com
10th
50th
Pete Flanagan, flans1@frontier.com Samuel Hook, hooksj01@gmail.com Paul Mellott, pmellott@mellotts.com Anmargaret Warner, anmargaret.warner@gmail.com Pete flans1@frontier.com LynnFlanagan, Brewer Price, lynnbprice@comcast.net
Robert Grieves now lives in Lithia, Florida (near Tampa). Bill Thompson, thomps132@gmail.com
When submitting a photo, please 35th Marca Armstrong Ewy,Fisher marca.armstrong@gmail.com Vic has retired from Towson University, provide the highest-quality version 75thof the faculty where he had been a member 35thth Marca Armstrong Ewy, marca.armstrong@gmail.com 65 possible, and include the names th 75 since 1961. He continues to serve as a member Jim McClelland, jlmcpark@yahoo.com of all persons pictured and their of the board (and of the board’s 30thexecutive JJ Fabrega, jfabrega@cableonda.net committee) of the Washington Association of Mercersburg class years. Due to 70th Professional Anthropologists. 30th size and quality considerations, JJ Fabrega, jfabrega@cableonda.net 60thth 70 Eric Reif, ericreif10@gmail.com some images may not be suitable 25th Meredith Glah Coors, meredithcoors@gmail.com for print. ’55 65th 25thth Jim McClelland, jlmcpark@yahoo.com 55th Meredith Glah Coors, meredithcoors@gmail.com 65 Mac Butts, macsear@gmail.com
54
65th
th
Eric Reif, ericreif10@gmail.com
Mercersburg reserves the right to edit submissions for space or content, and is not responsible for more than reasonable editing or fact-checking.
’56
Jim McClelland, jlmcpark@yahoo.com
Jim McClelland, jlmcpark@yahoo.com
Submit class notes via email to classnotes@mercersburg.edu or online at mercersburg.edu/ classnotes. The submission deadline for the next issue is May 15, 2021. Submission does not guarantee publication.
the district’s schools. I also enjoy serving on the board of my retirement community; lots of Zoom meetings which I’m finally getting comfortable with. Looking forward to the June 2021 reunion.”
45 55
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Phil Spillman shares, “We’ve just celebrated Bill Thompson, thomps132@gmail.com our 58th wedding anniversary! My wife, Sondra, has become my closest and best th 55 friend ever.robisonr25@yahoo.com Over the years, I enjoyed a 38-year Rob Robison, career in various banks as a trust administrator, Rob Robison, robisonr25@yahoo.com sales administrator, and manager. I also treasure my year as a varsity soccer player atth 50 Cummings, shc@agileasset.com theScott ’Burg! Later I was a varsity player at Franklin & Marshall College in Lancaster. I also enjoyed Scott Cummings, shc@agileasset.com my time as an ice hockey player at F&M. Now 75thth retired, I am still pursuing my lifelong hobby 45 Tony Furnary, tfurnary@comcast.net of control line model airplanes as an expert Lorelle Pottick Gantt, lagantt@me.com flyer and judge. Sondra and I continue to look Tony Furnary, tfurnary@comcast.net Lorelleof Pottick Gantt, lagantt@me.com forward to the end the pandemic COVID-19 th so that I may return to part-time work at70th 40 Nancy Corwin Sanders, ncsanders63@gmail.com Busch Gardens in Williamsburg, Virginia, thus Jim Jenkins, jim_jenkins@venatorcorp.com continuing my eight-year career there. Best Nancy Corwin Sanders, ncsanders63@gmail.com wishes to all!” Jim Jenkins, jim_jenkins@venatorcorp.com th Jim McClelland, jlmcpark@yahoo.com Margaret O’Brien, mjh.obrien@gmail.com
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Margaret O’Brien, mjh.obrien@gmail.com
Eric Reif, ericreif10@gmail.com Helen Barfield Prichett, helenprichett@yahoo.com Josh Bratter, bratter@bratterpa.com
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Pete Flanagan, flans1@frontier.com Paul Mellott, Heidi Anderespmellott@mellotts.com Hollier, heidihollier@gmail.com Colin Marsh, colin.marsh@gmail.com
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Heidi Anderes Hollier, heidihollier@gmail.com Bill Thompson, thomps132@gmail.com Colin Marsh, colin.marsh@gmail.com Scott Cummings, shc@agileasset.com Bill Thompson, thomps132@gmail.com Tony Tito, tonycray33@gmail.com Pam Aquino, pambaquino@gmail.com Rahde Franke, franke.rahde@gmail.com
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15 Bill Putnam Jr. is still swimming. He competed in the Missouri Senior Games in 2018 and th 55 Rob Robison, Pam100 Aquino,freestyle pambaquino@gmail.com placed firstrobisonr25@yahoo.com in the and third Rahde Franke, franke.rahde@gmail.com Tony Furnary, tfurnary@comcast.net Rob Robison, Lorelle Pottickrobisonr25@yahoo.com Gantt, lagantt@me.com
LynnRizzo, Brewer Price, lynnbprice@comcast.net Liza lizadupre@gmail.com Matt Timoney, timoney.matt@gmail.com
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Malcolm Lesavoy is a clinical professor of Helen Barfield Prichett, helenprichett@yahoo.com Josh Bratter, bratter@bratterpa.com plastic and reconstructive surgery at UCLA th Bill Thompson, thomps132@gmail.com 55 Mac Butts, macsear@gmail.com Medical Center. He is also in private practice Jere Keefer, jsklrk@embarqmail.com 25th Josh Smith, smith.j.c20@gmail.c om in Beverly Hills, California. th Josh Smith, smith.j.c20@gmail.c om Rob Robison, robisonr25@yahoo.com
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Liza Rizzo, lizadupre@gmail.com Scott Cummings, shc@agileasset.com Matt Timoney, timoney.matt@gmail.com Nancy Corwin Sanders, ncsanders63@gmail.com Scott Cummings, shc@agileasset.com th
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Jim McClelland, jlmcpark@yahoo.com
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Phil Marstiller ’62 reports that he is retired but remains active traveling, pheasant and duck hunting, fly fishing, riding, visiting sons and their families (and his four grandchildren) in Richmond, Virginia, and Denver, Colorado, and participating in his church. This photo shows Phil and his wife, Anne, horseback riding in Ireland in 2019. th th th Eric Reif, ericreif10@gmail.com
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in the 200 and 500 freestyle. He qualified for the national meet but could not compete due to injury. 70th
Mac Butts, macsear@gmail.com Jere Keefer, jsklrk@embarqmail.com
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Eric Reif, ericreif10@gmail.com Tony Tito, tonycray33@gmail.com
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Mac Butts, macsear@gmail.com Jere Keefer, jsklrk@embarqmail.com Lynn Brewer Price, lynnbprice@comcast.net
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While working with Charlie Guy and Mercersburg students and faculty on a 50th Pete Flanagan, flans1@frontier.com Springboard project that became “The Tom Paul Mellott, pmellott@mellotts.com 35th Marca Armstrong Ewy, marca.armstrong@gmail.com Leslie Story” [Mercersburg, Winter 2020 issue], Jere Keefer documented his growing up in Mercersburg in the 1950s and 1960s. After 45th Tony Tito, tonycray33@gmail.com discovering that David Clutz ’55 had written 30th JJ Fabrega, jfabrega@cableonda.net about his youth in town from the late 1930s to 1955, Jere decided to submit his work to the Mercersburg Historical Society for publication. 40th “Grant Fleming also helped review the th Lynn Brewer Price, lynnbprice@comcast.net 25 Meredith Glah Coors, meredithcoors@gmail.com document, ” Jere says. “His observations were valuable.”
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th Marca Armstrong Ewy, marca.armstrong@gmail.com Andrew Miller, amiller@pioneeringprojects.org
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50 Eve, mother Carroll Christensen Sommerville of Paul Sommerville and grandmother of Lexi Sommerville ’17, passed away June 27, 2020.
Jim McClelland, jlmcpark@yahoo.com Pete Flanagan, flans1@frontier.com Paul Mellott, pmellott@mellotts.com
Bill Thompson, thomps132@gmail.com
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Dave Cofrin reports, “Retirement is a good gig. The grandparent club is a great one to join, th 50and andScott weCummings, now have six (ages 3-8, three boys shc@agileasset.com three girls). I did not deserve this. I understand what privilege is. We are leaning into the movement for social and racial justice. Longth Bill Thompson, thomps132@gmail.com 45 Tony Furnary, tfurnary@comcast.net overdue. Hard to fathom it is almost 55 years Lorelle Pottick Gantt, lagantt@me.com since we sang the big hit by the Animals in our madras sportcoats. I am still sharp at pool and ping pong. Best Rob wishes to all, especially theth Robison, robisonr25@yahoo.com 40 Nancy Corwin Sanders, ncsanders63@gmail.com human fly!” Jim Jenkins, jim_jenkins@venatorcorp.com Rob Robison writes, “Five years ago the Class of ’66 celebrated our 50thshc@agileasset.com reunion, and by thall Scott Cummings, 35 Margaret O’Brien, mjh.obrien@gmail.com accounts, it was a blast. Unbelievably, it is now five years later, and we are about to celebrate our 55th. Wow! I guess time flies when we are Tony Furnary, tfurnary@comcast.net having fun. Art Ambrose, Bill Goodfellow, Bill Lorelle Pottick Gantt, lagantt@me.com 30th Helen Barfield Prichett, helenprichett@yahoo.com Gordon, Howie Neumann, Jack Seto, John Josh Bratter, bratter@bratterpa.com “Fred” Stenger, John VerStandig, Larry Way, Stan Westbrook, Phil Yates, and I are already Nancyand Corwinare Sanders, ncsanders63@gmail.com planning to attend hard at work th Jim Jenkins, jim_jenkins@venatorcorp.com 25 Josh Smith, smith.j.c20@gmail.c om organizing the sequel, using the Mercersburg Inn as our staging ground once again. Some Margaret O’Brien, mjh.obrien@gmail.com Heidi Anderes Hollier, heidihollier@gmail.com Colin Marsh, colin.marsh@gmail.com
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David Millstein ’63, pictured here with his wife, Diana, reports, “I am now retired, remarried, and relaxed. I live in Naples, Florida, an unusual choice for someone as left wing as I am. But one of my sisters lives here and my brother lives here, and I have cousins who live here, so I have lots of left-wing family to console me. But I am still writing, still active with the ACLU, and enjoying both the nice weather and how many conservatives there are here to torment. Sweet.”
of us have made a pact to meet up at every subsequent fifth reunion until no one remains. John VerStandig has even volunteered to chair the 70th and promises wheelchairs will be 65th to ensure we can get around. Perhaps available golf carts would be more functional? In any case, watch for an announcement, email, or phone call for an opportunity to reconnect 60a thclass Zoom social sometime in the near via future. We eagerly look forward to seeing all of you, sharing war stories, and catching up on each other’s doings.”
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’67 50 Graffagnino is enjoying life in Tom Canton, Georgia. He recently authored and published his second book, No Border Lane, a commentary on philosophical and theological 45th It is available both on Amazon and on prose. his website, tomgraffagnino.com. Tom says that despite the book’s title, it has nothing to do with physical, national, or international 40th boundaries—only spiritual ones. th
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John VerStandig ’66 says, “After waiting many years, last September my first grandchild was born, Adelaide Rose VerStandig. She will arrive at Mercersburg in about 2034, and she should be there for my 70th reunion in 2036.”
Steve Parker reports that after some time as a minister and counselor, he took to carpentry. He is renovating his seventh house and is enjoying six grandchildren as he awaits his wife’s retirement from the administration at Ursinus College. As a result of COVID-19, Lou Prevost had to close both his hotels, The Radnor Hotel and The Wayne Hotel on Philadelphia’s Main Line, in March. Following strict CDC anti-COVID protocols, The Radnor Hotel reopened in August, and The Wayne Hotel will reopen in spring 2021. Not to be deterred by the pandemic and limitations on gatherings, Lou’s hotels began offering “mini-monies” and elopement packages to eager couples looking to wed in 2021 and beyond. The Radnor’s Glenmorgan Bar & Grill reopened for dinner in October. Many of his 160 employees from 24 countries speaking 14 languages look forward to continuing to join the reopening teams. He encourages Mercersburg alumni to come visit!
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th Allan Rose ’67 says, “Hud Connery ’68, Corky Gilmore ’67, and I got together for a round of golf. We do this two or three times a year. After golf, we had lunch at my house, and my son Evan ’10 joined us. Just a great day!”
Mac Butts, macsear@gmail.com Jere Keefer, jsklrk@embarqmail.com
James Snyder participated in a series of fall talks on art, culture, politics, and the possibilities for transcending conflict through cultural connection in the modern Middle East. The series was sponsored by the Belfer 56
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Bill Thompson, thomps132@gmail.com
Rob Robison, robisonr25@yahoo.com
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Pete Flanagan, flans1@frontier.com Paul Mellott, pmellott@mellotts.com
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Harald Holte shares, “I am in good health and still working at Oslo University Hospital as an 45th oncologist and head of section for patients Tony Tito, tonycray33@gmail.com with lymphoma. I plan to resign next year when I am turning 70. I’m still married to the same wife (Ellen Marie), and we have three th 40far. healthy children and five grandchildren so Lynn Brewer Price, lynnbprice@comcast.net I give my regards to all my classmates. I had an enjoyable time at Mercersburg with only good memories!” Marca Armstrong Ewy, marca.armstrong@gmail.com
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Center for Science and International Affairs at Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government. James is the Middle East Institute senior fellow at Harvard University, executive 60th Eric Reif, ericreif10@gmail.com chairman of The Jerusalem Foundation, and director emeritus at The Israel Museum in Jerusalem. Jim McClelland, jlmcpark@yahoo.com
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Dean Seamans writes, “I recently worked with Steve Schmidt ’78, a fellow homeimprovement contractor, whom I have known 30th for many years. While working, we discovered JJ Fabrega, jfabrega@cableonda.net we both went to Mercersburg, and we both played football and lacrosse. He lived in Main Hall 301, my very same room! After working 25th on the Class of ’70’s 50th Reunion Committee Meredith Glah Coors, meredithcoors@gmail.com
MERCERSBURG ACADEMY MAGAZINE Andrew Miller, amiller@pioneeringprojects.org
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Scott Cummings, shc@agileasset.com
Tony Furnary, tfurnary@comcast.net Lorelle Pottick Gantt, lagantt@me.com
Chris Love ’67, the great swimmer, and Steve Warden ’67, the pole vaulter, reconnected after 52 years. Steve says, “Now, I’m retired after practicing urology/urological oncology in Virginia. RetirementNancy is great! I’m enjoying grandkids, limited Corwin Sanders, ncsanders63@gmail.com traveling, and wintering Sarasota, Florida, at Southern Jim in Jenkins, jim_jenkins@venatorcorp.com Atelier for arts. Lastly, my youngest son got married in Hawaii in October. I finally found Chris Love hibernating in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. I miss all my long-lost classmates! Stay well!” Margaret O’Brien, mjh.obrien@gmail.com
since about this time last year, and having the reunion canceled due to COVID-19, it was some amends for me toPrichett, discover this about Helen Barfield helenprichett@yahoo.com Josh Bratter, bratter@bratterpa.com Steve. Yet another reason to like him! Our reunion is rescheduled for 2021. I urge all to try to attend and share the commonality called Mercersburg.” Josh Smith, smith.j.c20@gmail.c om
Heidi Anderes Hollier, heidihollier@gmail.com Colin Marsh, colin.marsh@gmail.com
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Bill Thompson, thomps132@gmail.com
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Mike Broder ’71 and Scott Cummings ’71
Rob Robison, robisonr25@yahoo.com
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’71 Scott Cummings, shc@agileasset.com
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Members of the Class of 1971 submitted a robust number of notes and photos in advance of their th 50th to the cancellation of 45 inTonyreunion—prior Furnary, tfurnary@comcast.net Lorelle Pottick Gantt, lagantt@me.com person Reunion Weekend festivities. Whatever your class year, we invite you to celebrate with your classmates and with us virtually June th 10-13; details at mercersburg.edu/40 Nancyfind Corwinfull Sanders, ncsanders63@gmail.com Jim Jenkins, jim_jenkins@venatorcorp.com reunionweekend. We’ll begin with notes from Reunion Committee 35th chair Scott Cummings: Margaret O’Brien, mjh.obrien@gmail.com As our 50th reunion approaches this June 2021, I hope all of our ’71 classmates will th 30Much Helen Barfield Prichett, our helenprichett@yahoo.com consider joining group in celebrating. Josh Bratter, bratter@bratterpa.com has changed at Mercersburg. As this magazine demonstrates, the student experience is both broad and deep. We have a large reunion th 25 committee, which is committed to achieving Josh Smith, smith.j.c20@gmail.c om our goal of 50 classmates returning for our 50th! I look forward to seeing many of you. Heidi Anderes Hollier, heidihollier@gmail.com
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As Colin some ofcolin.marsh@gmail.com you know, I left the San Francisco Marsh, area after a lengthy career in the stock business and have been in Denver for the past six years. The woman I live with has a ranch 15th Pam Aquino, pambaquino@gmail.com three hours south of Denver nestled in the Rahde Franke, franke.rahde@gmail.com Sangre de Cristo Mountains. The ranch house Liza Rizzo, lizadupre@gmail.com Matt Timoney, timoney.matt@gmail.com
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Scott Cummings ’71, Michael Granet ’71, and Ed Singletary ’71
Scott Cummings ’71 and John McClure ’71
is at 9,000 feet. Above are three photos of classmates who visited us at the ranch within the past couple years.
in the days of Alumni Weekend, I recall seeing silver-haired alumni and thinking ‘these guys are really old.’ Now I’m the old guy! Honestly, I did not see it coming. Like many of you, I realize the years at Mercersburg helped shape me into the person I am today. If the coronavirus doesn’t do me in before next June, I will see all of you again. Until then, aloha (I live in Hawaii) and watch out for George Alter: he is still a wily character. I know because I walked a lot of guard thanks to him!”
Now that I live in Denver, I was fortunate to hook up with fellow classmates Bill Christ and Dan Whiteman. Dan also is a resident of Denver, and we enjoy an occasional round of golf together in addition to other nefarious activities like Christmas parties. Bill lives in New York City and has had numerous acting gigs over the years, and last year had an acting engagement with a local theater in Denver for about six months. It was great to see him on stage (I even have pictures). Dan, Bill, and I were able to grab lunch together. **** Charlie Bell shares, “After retiring in 2019 after 33 years of teaching and coaching, I’ve been spending my time finding ways to share the story of my long-ago lap of the U.S. on foot–online, in print, and in person. While my wife, Kay, continues to teach, I’ve been giving talks, looking for a publisher, and working on my website: longrun.us. Here’s hoping to see at least 71 classmates in June, crushing the record for a 50th reunion!” Bob Bonham says, “Wow, I can hardly believe we are coming up on our 50th reunion! Back
Michael Broder writes, “My wife and I have made the leap from the Garden State of New Jersey to the mountains of Boulder, Colorado. The allure of the outdoors was a significant factor in the move to change it up for us. Amazingly, for many reasons, our 50th class reunion is next June. I plan on returning east for the occasion. Word has it that at least 35 other scholars of the infamous Class of ’71 plan on doing so as well. If you are remotely considering it, go for it!” Bill Cochran reports that he “is probably the last person people want to hear about, but at the urging of classmate Scott Cummings, I am submitting a brief update. After spending my entire career in the software technology space in sales and executive management, I retired 10 months ago to deal with two relatively serious health issues. Having survived and SPRING 2021
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L-R: 1971 classmates Charlie Bell, Roy Birnbaum, and Michael Granet enjoying lunch in Great Barrington, Massachusetts, in October when Roy and his wife, Jungae, came north from New Jersey to enjoy hiking and the autumn foliage.
Bill Christ ’71, Scott Cummings ’71, and Dan Whiteman ’71 having lunch in Denver, Colorado.
recovered fully from these surgeries, my wife of 44 years, Cindy, and I are enjoying our two grandchildren (one each from our two sons). Our daughter is a world traveler and helping an ultra-wealthy family with their social-impact investments for the greater good of humanity in developing countries around the world. Cindy and I are quite proud of Lauren’s work in the field and her recent recognition from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School as one of their top “40 Under 40” alums. I plan to attend our class reunion next spring and hope to see many of our classmates return to catch up on the past 50 years and to discuss many memories from our days at the ’Burg. I and many others from the class have rarely been back to visit the campus, but the occasion of the 50th reunion has made the reunion date a must-attend priority on the calendar. Lastly, I am most interested to hear from Bill Beck. Has anyone heard from Bill? We would like to see you at the reunion! I look forward to seeing everyone again next June.”
workers compensation/personal injury/spinal surgery practice, I am now onto consulting work for injury. During the 50 years, I have lived only in Houston, Texas, raised a family, and have enjoyed life. I hope to make it to the reunion!”
Howard Cotler says, “After 50 years since my graduation from Mercersburg, I am now onto my third phase as an orthopaedic surgeon. After an orthopaedic surgery residency, orthopaedic traumatology and acute spinal cord injury fellowships, 17 years of Life Flight service at a level 1 trauma center, elective 58
MERCERSBURG ACADEMY MAGAZINE
In March, Paul Dickman became presidentelect of the World Council on Isotopes, an organization promoting advancement of medical and industrial isotopes. A note from CB Gaines: “I was a four-year boy, worked on the Mercersburg News, and was there for the first girls and the Chapel Walkout. It was quite a time. I’m now retired and living in Valencia, Spain. We are living the dream, and I thank my AP Spanish professor James Hammond (who recently passed away—see page 75) for laying the foundation for my ability to live here. My wife, Leila, and I moved here from Miami in January 2019 with our three dogs. We like to tell people that we are political refugees from the United States. We love the friendliness of the people, the change of pace, the modern infrastructure, the food and wine, the weather—I could go on. Living in the city center, we don’t need a car and can walk everywhere we need to go. We love the neighborhood so much that before the first year’s lease was up on our apartment,
we bought one across the street. One of my neighbors in the Cuitat Vella (Old Town) neighborhood in which we live is Michaela Higinbotham Mellichamp ’87. We had been meeting with her and her husband, Doug, for Sunday lunches on Valencian restaurant terraces with our dogs for quite a while before we discovered our Mercersburg connection. It all started when one of us mentioned “walking guard” for punishment. I thought it was weird that another prep school would be doing that, but OK. Then when we found out we both went to the ’Burg, my first question was, ‘Marshall or Irving?’” Dave Garber writes, “All good here! I have been retired for more than five years now. My wife, Cindy, and I own and operate Harvest View Stables, a horseback riding and boarding facility, about 30 minutes north of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, where I grew up. This is our 21st year. We raised twin daughters (much better behaved than I was) and are extremely proud of them and what they have accomplished. We have six grandchildren (three boys and three girls), the oldest of which just started college this fall. I am finishing a one-year precision nutrition coaching certification course. This will be added to my personal trainer, senior fitness, and two nutrition certifications. I am starting a fitness and nutrition coaching business. My
CLASS NOTES
Sunday lunch in Spain with (L-R) Michaela Higinbotham Mellichamp ’87, Leila Gaines, CB Gaines ’71, and Doug Mellichamp.
Dave Garber ’71 shares this photo that his wife, Cindy, took. He says, “I am holding her horse, Delight, while we were having a professional photo shoot of her with two of her horses. It says a lot.”
Don Schuck ’71 and his wife, Connie, welcomed their first grandchild, Leo, on January 2, 2020. Don says the only good part of COVID-19 is that Leo has been living with his parents and grandparents together on the North Fork of Long Island since March. Leo (Mercersburg Class of 2038) is pictured here with his mask.
first client is Tom Wohlsen, who is an excellent student and doing great (just like he was at Mercersburg)! Anyone interested in talking about health, fitness, nutrition, or anything else, please drop me a note. In my free time (ha ha), I dine out with Cindy (pre-COVID-19), text with Paul Murray, hang out with my three dogs (a Bernese mountain dog, corgi, and black-and-white miniature dachshund), hike, ride my Harley, listen to music (always looking for new artists), work out, read, and play with my grandkids when I am fortunate enough to see them (they don’t live in Lancaster). I’m looking forward to seeing everybody at our 50th. This is a big one! Where did the time go? It seems like I was just scoring a goal, going to a Cream or Jimi Hendrix concert, attending a dance, walking guard, or spending the morning at the infirmary to miss an unprepared-for test (and of course, some other things that cannot be talked about here).”
and a thirst for lifelong learning are two of the most valuable gifts from my four years at the Academy. I have enjoyed a career in medicine as a hematologist-oncologist, as well as cancer research, academics, and program building. Not infrequently, I have realized the fundamental importance of my Mercersburg experience on all of these fronts. My wife, Diane, and I will be attending the 50th and would be delighted to revisit with those encountered at previous reunions and would be doubly delighted to see those last seen in June of 1971.”
air transport of injured or ailing sea turtles to the local turtle rescue center. Otherwise, we’re busy keeping an eye on our dog and two cats. Assuming Scott Cummings doesn’t hassle me much more, I’m all in for the 50th reunion!”
David Giller says that for more than 30 years, he has been involved in RE Investment and Development, a family-run business in the greater Boston area that has been very rewarding.
Michael Granet writes, “My wife, Carol, and I have been retired for two years now, living in Wilmington, North Carolina. I can get to the Atlantic Ocean or the Cape Fear River in 10 minutes. Carol tutors in the UNC Wilmington STEM program, while I give flight instruction part-time at the local airport. I’m on call for
Larry Gluck writes, “Intellectual curiosity
Alec Graham retired in October 2019 after more than 40 years in the investment business. He divides his time between Stowe, Vermont; Anna Maria, Florida; and Costa Rica. He reports that he is not bored yet, but COVID-19 has put the kibosh on travel plans. He is still skiing, playing tennis, and sailing.
“Hey, classmates,” writes Fred Hazelwood, “I would really like to see 50 at our 50th reunion! I have been retired for two years, and I’m really enjoying this new phase of life. I’m looking forward to seeing all of you! Come on down and have a great time catching up with your fellow classmates. Plenty to do and great memories to make. Golf, anyone? See you there, and pray for good weather!” Bob Jacobius is retired with his wife, Esther, in Fountain Hills, Arizona. Bob and Esther owned a very successful Remedy Intelligent Staffing franchise in the Chicago area prior to its sale in 2007. John McClure says, “Upon retirement, I asked myself, like many: now what? Answering that question took me to Hong Kong, Singapore, Cambodia, and Laos with new fascination and commitment to Phuket, Thailand. During my career, I was a commercial realtor and residential lender. My dream has always SPRING 2021
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Charlie Scammell is still working full time as a strategist in the pharmaceutical business. He lives in his hometown of Flemington, New Jersey, and says he “jumps into my New York apartment when I can.”
Bill Sutherland ’71 is president of Sutherland Lumber Company, which is in its 114th year. Bill and his wife, Kate, live near Pittsburgh in Sewickley, Pennsylvania. Two of his children live in New York City, one in Denver, and one in Los Angeles. He has one grandson.
been to be a developer. I thought, well, why not? Now I am unemployed, after all. So my adventure began by remodeling three properties in Phuket and culminated in building a five-story condo building with two penthouses and an elevator with a college friend. I have gotten “the developer” out of my system. I do still like vacationing in Phuket, though. My summers are most often spent kayaking, swimming, and biking. At this moment, I am repairing a rental home in Tempe, Arizona, to put on Airbnb. As I live in San Diego, I can’t wait to escape this 104-degree heat and get back home. I plan on seeing you all for the 50th reunion this upcoming June!” Paul Murray shares, “Look, folks, we only get to do this once! Fifty on the 50th! I see [Dave] Garber and [Tom] Wohlsen fairly regularly (HELP!). I am self-employed in the insurance and real estate businesses. I played squash three times a week for about 35 years. Knees gave out, so it’s on to pickleball (kidding). I had a good time helping others learn to play squash—a great way to entertain clients and prospects! I have three wonderful children and three awesome grandchildren. Enough about me! Get to the reunion, so we can make plans for our 60th!” 60
MERCERSBURG ACADEMY MAGAZINE
James Thompson ’71 retired recently after 30 years working with the Hilti Corporation, and he built a house on his western Pennsylvania property near Seven Springs Mountain Resort. During his 30 years with Hilti, he says, “We lived in the United States, Japan, Brazil, and Switzerland. My wife and I, plus our two labs, took many great road trips in Europe. One of our favorites was driving our vintage Range Rover over the Col de Sommeiller (pictured here). It was pretty cool to see over 10,000 feet elevation on the handheld GPS. After living on four continents, I look forward to skiing and relaxing in the Laurel Highlands.”
Ethan Perry says, “After graduation, I studied at the Kansas City Art Institute and then at Philadelphia College of Art with a major in woodworking and furniture design. I came back to Bucks County, Pennsylvania. I had a shop, River Wood Studio, across the river in New Jersey and then moved it back to Pennsylvania. I played acoustic guitar in bands in college and afterward (and my future wife ran the coffee house shows). My wife, Ginny, who some of you have met at previous reunions, and I have two daughters who are both doing well. My other interests include vintage European cars that need work, old maps, and local history.” Joe Rendina says, “I can’t wait to see all of you for our 50th reunion in June. The Class of 1970 will be there, too. Should be the best one yet!” Tom Saunders retired as a podiatrist at Lancaster Foot Health in October 2018.
Ed Singletary sends two reports. First, he says, the boring part: Duke University (graduated 1975, bachelor’s degree in political science); Wake Forest University School of Law (graduated 1985, criminal defense/labor and employment); community organizer in the late 70s; public defender in Newark, New Jersey (during the late 80s crack epidemic); represented labor unions and plaintiffs, then the U.S. government, then Fortune 500 companies. Next, he says, the less-boring part: retired from law and worked in a nursing home for several years (doing activities with the folks); in August 2020, accepted an offer to direct a Catholic worker house in Albuquerque, New Mexico, living and working with the homeless, the formerly incarcerated, immigrants, and a variety of pilgrims (all of it a bit of a challenge in COVID-19 times); married, has two daughters, welcomed first grandchild in October 2020. Edward Vinson has been in Raleigh, North Carolina, for the last 15 years “developing once again—this round in the multifamily sector in the Carolinas and throughout the Southeast,” he says. “I’m enjoying as much upland game hunting and fly fishing as I can.” Scott Watkins says, “While I have nothing interesting to share, I will commit to attend the reunion in 2021, which should relieve me of future Scott Cummings shaming.” Tom Wohlsen retired in November 2016 after a deer nearly totaled his truck. He encourages classmates to ask him about that tale and also about a close ’Burg encounter last winter in Florida when he sees you at the reunion. He reports that he frequently sees Paul Murray at the gym, and that Dave Garber is his nutritionist.
CLASS NOTES
75th
70th
Jim McClelland, jlmcpark@yahoo.com
Eric Reif, ericreif10@gmail.com
Mac Butts, macsear@gmail.com Jere Keefer, jsklrk@embarqmail.com
65th
65th
60th
Bill Thompson, thomps132@gmail.com
55th
Rob Robison, robisonr25@yahoo.com
Barry Brogan ’75 has opened Sail Adirondacks, a new sailing charter business in New York state’s Adirondack mountains. Barry says this is his retirement project, with charters and “Learn to Sail” experiences available at Saranac Lake and Port Henry, New York. th
Pete Flanagan, flans1@frontier.com Paul Mellott, pmellott@mellotts.com
50
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’73
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35“Hey, everyone!” 60 David Seibert writes to say, th
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Marca Armstrong Ewy, marca.armstrong@gmail.com Eric Reif, ericreif10@gmail.com
’74 Mac Butts, macsear@gmail.com JJ Fabrega, jfabrega@cableonda.net Jere Keefer, jsklrk@embarqmail.com
30th
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In March, Steve Littauer and his wife, Joan, met up with Vince Nacrelli and his wife, Nancy, for skiing in Park City, Utah. th
Pete Flanagan, flans1@frontier.com Meredith Glah Coors, meredithcoors@gmail.com Paul Mellott, pmellott@mellotts.com
25
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20th
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’75 Andrew Miller, amiller@pioneeringprojects.org Tony Tito, tonycray33@gmail.com
Chris Russell Vick is happily retired and has enjoyed spending time traveling theth 15th around40 Jeff Greenberg, jeffdgreenberg@gmail.com world, though not this year! She has recently Sonya Karbach Marino, skar477@gmail.com Lynn Brewer Price, lynnbprice@comcast.net been enjoying typing up diary entries from her Greyhound trips in 1975 and 1977, plus 10thsummer tennis time spent at the Mercersburg Samuel Hook, hooksj01@gmail.com 35th Anmargaret Warner, anmargaret.warner@gmail.com camp 1977.Ewy, She lives in London, England, Marcain Armstrong marca.armstrong@gmail.com and always enjoys meeting up with classmates who find themselves in her neck of the woods. Emily Schoenberger, ekschoenberger@gmail.com JJ Fabrega, jfabrega@cableonda.net
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’76
th Judge John E. Jones III took45 over as chief70 judge of the U.S. Middle District Court in June 2020, right in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic. The Middle District Court covers 33 counties th 65th from the Maryland border 40 to Pennsylvania’s Lynn Brewer Price, lynnbprice@comcast.net Jim McClelland, jlmcpark@yahoo.com northern tier and has facilities in Harrisburg, Scranton, Williamsport, and Wilkes-Barre. Tony Tito, tonycray33@gmail.com
Scott Cummings, shc@agileasset.com
60th
5th
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Tony Furnary, tfurnary@comcast.net Lorelle Pottick Gantt, lagantt@me.com
45th
Herman Dupré, father of Denise Dupré, Laura Dupré ’77, Janeen Dupré ’80, and th 40Heidi Heidi Hannah ’81; grandfather of Nancy Dupré Corwin Sanders, ncsanders63@gmail.com Jim Jenkins, jim_jenkins@venatorcorp.com Anderes Hollier ’01, Eli Littlefield ’11, Liza Rizzo ’11, and Sabina Rizzo ’12; and uncle of Kenneth Dupré ’77 and Lorraine Dupré th Pentecost ’82, died April 25, 2020. 35 Margaret O’Brien, mjh.obrien@gmail.com Bill Thompson, thomps132@gmail.com
Julie Webster Barclay writes, “Here in the wilds of East Anglia, we have been in ‘lock th Helen Barfield helenprichett@yahoo.com down’ sincePrichett, mid-March. Luckily, we live30 outside Rob Robison, robisonr25@yahoo.com Josh Bratter, bratter@bratterpa.com a small village near Cambridge, so we are very isolated to start. I can’t say we have much news to share, but my cookbooks proceedth 25 at an unprecedented paceshc@agileasset.com as do waistlines Josh Smith, smith.j.c20@gmail.c om Scott Cummings, around here! Our son, Natsuki, got rusticated from King’s College London soon after all university lectures were suspended. Oh, no!th 20 Heidi Anderes Hollier, heidihollier@gmail.com Tony Furnary, tfurnary@comcast.net TheColinHORROR of having to live with PARENTS Marsh, colin.marsh@gmail.com Lorelle Pottick Gantt, lagantt@me.com again! He just finished his second year reading biomedical engineering and playing the rugby th of his life (his KCL side won the London15 Varsity Pam Aquino, pambaquino@gmail.com Nancy Corwin Sanders, ncsanders63@gmail.com Match just before London closed down). Rahde Franke, franke.rahde@gmail.com Jim Jenkins, jim_jenkins@venatorcorp.com Between the kitchen, my gardens, and the dogs, I keep very busy. My husband, Brewster, th 10too also working from home, keeps very busy Liza Rizzo, lizadupre@gmail.com Matt Timoney, (anything totimoney.matt@gmail.com avoid theO’Brien, garden, but he is a very Margaret mjh.obrien@gmail.com good taste-tester). I am very impressed by the way our alma mater has been handling the
5th
Chris Adusei-Poku, chrisybap@gmail.com Elisa Gan, tingxuangan@gmail.com Helen Barfield Prichett, helenprichett@yahoo.com Josh Bratter, bratter@bratterpa.com
Kevin Smith ’76 retired in 2018 from AT&T after 22 years. His wife, Karen, passed away in February 2019 after a long battle with cancer. “We were married 26 years,” he says. “She was the love of my life! Now I’m living just south of Olympia, Washington. Life is great, as I tend to my little ranch; it’s what I call my Blue Heaven! I hope that all my classmates are doing well and staying safe. I am pictured here enjoying oysters at Hama Hama.”
COVID-19 situation. It makes me very proud. I 65theveryone is keeping smart and safe and hope healthy. Be assured, you are in my thoughts, and if anyone would like my recipe for proper pastrami, let me know!”
60th
’77 55 Steiger published a book of plays, John The UFO Trilogy: Dramas for the Stage, in September 2020. The UFO Trilogy is a rendering of three of the leading UFO 50th cases–Roswell (1947), Rendlesham Forest (1980), and the Brooklyn Bridge alien abduction (1989)–in a nutshell. Although a work of fiction, all three plays are based on 45th close-encounter cases. real-life th
’79th 40
Andy Findlay writes that he is doing well in Canton, Ohio, where he retired from Sears management, then rehabbed/flipped houses, 35th and now is making hardwood epoxy creations/ tables and wood fracking-burning. He is excited to share that he is planning to
30th SPRING 2021
61
CLASS NOTES
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Jim McClelland, jlmcpark@yahoo.com Jim McClelland, jlmcpark@yahoo.com
Eric Reif, ericreif10@gmail.com Eric Reif, ericreif10@gmail.com
Mac Butts, macsear@gmail.com Jere Keefer, jsklrk@embarqmail.com Mac Butts, macsear@gmail.com Jere Keefer, jsklrk@embarqmail.com
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Bill Thompson, thomps132@gmail.com Bill Thompson, thomps132@gmail.com
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Rob Robison, robisonr25@yahoo.com Rob Robison, robisonr25@yahoo.com
th
55
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John Hollinshead ’80 and Clay Tettelbach ’80 and their spouses, Carol and Peggy, got together in Virginia. John is a physical therapist in Santa Maria, California, and Clay is a corporate pilot based in Dulles, Virginia. Pete Flanagan, flans1@frontier.com Paul Mellott, pmellott@mellotts.com Pete Flanagan, flans1@frontier.com Paul Mellott, pmellott@mellotts.com
50
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marry Amy Long in mid-2021, “pending COVID-19 control.” Tony Tito, tonycray33@gmail.com
Tony Tito, tonycray33@gmail.com
’80
45
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40
Lynn Brewer Price, lynnbprice@comcast.net Lynn Brewer Price, lynnbprice@comcast.net
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Scott Cummings, shc@agileasset.com
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this year,” John says. “Still have occasion to get into some mischief with fellow Carolinian David Dupont.”Tony Furnary, tfurnary@comcast.net Lorelle Pottick Gantt, lagantt@me.com Tony Furnary, tfurnary@comcast.net Lorelle Pottick Gantt, lagantt@me.com
John Beeken and his wife Bonita have been enjoying life as empty nesters in Davidson, 35th North Carolina. Their oldest daughter Sara Marca Armstrong Ewy, marca.armstrong@gmail.com th 35 Tahoe, while and her wife Taylor live in Lake Marca Armstrong Ewy, marca.armstrong@gmail.com daughter Emily is attending the University of Pittsburgh Law School, and youngest daughter 30th KateJJ Fabrega, graduated from the University of Tampa jfabrega@cableonda.net th 30 in May and worked on the Joe Biden campaign JJ Fabrega, jfabrega@cableonda.net as a regional distributed organizing manager. John is in his 20th year with Masonite 25th International, leading the company’s residential Meredith Glah Coors, meredithcoors@gmail.com th 25 wholesale business for North America. He Meredith Glah Coors, meredithcoors@gmail.com enjoys playing golf and hiking in the warmer months and skiing in the winter. John and th 20 Andrew Miller, amiller@pioneeringprojects.org Bonita have enjoyed frequent escapes to 20th Andrew Miller, amiller@pioneeringprojects.org their home on Beech Mountain in the North Carolina high country to beat the heat of summer and to break the monotony of the 15th Jeff Greenberg, jeffdgreenberg@gmail.com th pandemic. “Good to stay in 15 touch with many Sonya Karbach Marino, skar477@gmail.com Jeff Greenberg, jeffdgreenberg@gmail.com Mercersburg friends via social media despite Sonya Karbach Marino, skar477@gmail.com the disappointment of missing the reunion Samuel Hook, hooksj01@gmail.com th Anmargaret Warner, anmargaret.warner@gmail.com Samuel Hook, hooksj01@gmail.com MERCERSBURG ACADEMY MAGAZINE Anmargaret Warner, anmargaret.warner@gmail.com
Scott Cummings, shc@agileasset.com
45th
’81 Nancy Corwin Sanders, ncsanders63@gmail.com th Jim Jenkins, jim_jenkins@venatorcorp.com Nancy Corwin Sanders, ncsanders63@gmail.com Jim Jenkins, jim_jenkins@venatorcorp.com
40
Doug Burbank shares, “After 34 wonderful and fulfilling years of O’Brien, teaching and coaching Margaret mjh.obrien@gmail.com th at the Brooks School, a boarding school 35 in Margaret O’Brien, mjh.obrien@gmail.com Massachusetts, I have changed my career course. I am now working for an urban Helen Barfield Prichett, helenprichett@yahoo.com youth program called SquashBusters out Josh Bratter, bratter@bratterpa.com 30th Helen Barfield Prichett, helenprichett@yahoo.com of Lawrence, Massachusetts. I will still be Josh Bratter, bratter@bratterpa.com coaching, teaching, mentoring, and driving bussettes; however, no dorm duty or weekend dance chaperone or three-hour Joshduty Smith, smith.j.c20@gmail.c om bus rides 25th to compete against a om rival school.” Josh Smith, smith.j.c20@gmail.c John DeMarino shares that there have Heidi Anderes Hollier, heidihollier@gmail.com been “big changes the DeMarino family th Colin for Marsh, colin.marsh@gmail.com 20 Heidi Anderes Hollier, heidihollier@gmail.com thisColin year. I was recruited to be an attending Marsh, colin.marsh@gmail.com anesthesiologist for the Centra Health System in Lynchburg, Virginia, starting in Pam Aquino, pambaquino@gmail.com July. This changeRahde required my wife and me Franke, franke.rahde@gmail.com 15th Pam Aquino, pambaquino@gmail.com to move from Connecticut to Virginia. My Rahde Franke, franke.rahde@gmail.com daughter, Kate, graduated from Lafayette Liza Rizzo, lizadupre@gmail.com Matt Timoney, timoney.matt@gmail.com Liza Rizzo, lizadupre@gmail.com Matt Timoney, timoney.matt@gmail.com
10
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55th Classmates Mark Pyper ’83 and Harv Weisman ’83 enjoy a visit at Mark’s home in Utah.
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College last May and started as an analyst for the Leveraged Finance Group at Citi in New 45thCity. My younger daughter, Elizabeth, York graduated from New Canaan High School in June and is now attending Colby College.”
40 JD Koch is now consulting part time for several companies, specializing in simulations, knowledge management, and military training and operations. He splits time between his 35th apartment in Budapest and his house in Zamardi, Hungary, at Lake Balaton. He hopes to be able to travel unimpeded to the States this summer for the class reunion. th
30th
’83 25th
Betsy Mitchell has been appointed to the National Collegiate Athletic Association’s Division III Management Council, which is the NCAA’s 20th chief administrative group. Betsy is the director of athletics, physical education, and recreation at Caltech, as well as a member of Mercersburg’s Board of Regents (and an Olympic 15th gold medalist).
10th
5th
70th
Jim McClelland, jlmcpark@yahoo.com
Eric Reif, ericreif10@gmail.com
Mac Butts, macsear@gmail.com Jere Keefer, jsklrk@embarqmail.com
Pete Flanagan, flans1@frontier.com Paul Mellott, pmellott@mellotts.com
CLASS NOTES
65th
65th
60th
60th
Bill Thompson, thomps132@gmail.com
55th
75th
75th
70th
70th
Rob Robison, robisonr25@yahoo.com
50th
Scott Cummings, shc@agileasset.com
Chipper Lichtenstein ’85 and Mark Fenton ’86 met up says, “Markthis doing great. thHe 45th in Las Vegas this past fall. Chipper Tony Tito, tonycray33@gmail.com is the manager of a luxury hotel in Las Vegas. He is married with two children andTony oneFurnary, dog. tfurnary@comcast.net One65 of his children 65 is in Los Lorelle Pottick Gantt, lagantt@me.com Jim McClelland, jlmcpark@yahoo.com Jim McClelland, jlmcpark@yahoo.com Angeles, selling high-end real estate. I asked if he worked with or competed against Luke Ebbin ’85, who sells the same type of homes. Mark didn’t know. Mark’s other son isthin law school at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. I am trying to 65 decide whether I want to move from Florida to Las Vegas.” Lynn Brewer Price, lynnbprice@comcast.net
’85
Bill Thompson, thomps132@gmail.com
Marca Armstrong Ewy, marca.armstrong@gmail.com
40th
60th
60th
55th
55th
Nancy Corwin Sanders, ncsanders63@gmail.com Jim Jenkins, jim_jenkins@venatorcorp.com Eric Reif, ericreif10@gmail.com Eric Reif, ericreif10@gmail.com
60th 35th
practice focuses on the representation of management in labor and employment law matters.
Mac Butts, macsear@gmail.com Mac Butts, macsear@gmail.com Margaret O’Brien, mjh.obrien@gmail.com Jere Keefer, jsklrk@embarqmail.com Jere Keefer, jsklrk@embarqmail.com
’89
th Sean (Perelman) Kanan created a new 55 series Rob Robison, robisonr25@yahoo.com called Studio City, which is seen exclusively on th 30Peteth Flanagan, flans1@frontier.com Douglas MoffetHelen says that after almost 25 Amazon Prime. He plays the central character, 50 50th Barfield Prichett, helenprichett@yahoo.com Pete Flanagan, flans1@frontier.com JJ Fabrega, jfabrega@cableonda.net Josh Bratter, bratter@bratterpa.com Paul Mellott, pmellott@mellotts.com Paul Mellott, pmellott@mellotts.com years in California, he and his wife moved Sam Stephens. The show was nominated to Montana “and made our lives more for eight Daytime Emmys, and Sean was50th Scott Cummings, shc@agileasset.com simple. I have parlayed my finance and nominated for three. In addition, Studio City th th 25He 45th operations background into45 running a shop wasMeredith nominated for 12 Indie Series Awards. Tony Tito, tonycray33@gmail.com Tony Tito, tonycray33@gmail.com Glah Coors, meredithcoors@gmail.com Josh Smith, smith.j.c20@gmail.c om that specializes in architectural design and also co-authored Success Factor X, his second 45th implementation and custom furniture design book, which became an Amazon new-release Tony Furnary, tfurnary@comcast.net Lorelle Pottick Gantt, lagantt@me.com and fabrication. Our two boys are currently bestseller and was named one of the 20 most th 20 th Heidi Anderes Hollier, heidihollier@gmail.com 40 40th sophomores: Jackson is at Purdue University inspirational books of the last two decades by Andrew Miller, amiller@pioneeringprojects.org Colin Marsh, colin.marsh@gmail.com Lynn Brewer Price, lynnbprice@comcast.net Lynn Brewer Price, lynnbprice@comcast.net studying computer engineering, and Grady is Book Authority. 40th attending Bozeman High School with interests Nancy Corwin Sanders, ncsanders63@gmail.com Jim Jenkins, jim_jenkins@venatorcorp.com in sports management and analysis.” th
’86
Jeff Greenberg, jeffdgreenberg@gmail.com Sonya Karbach Marino, skar477@gmail.com
Margaret O’Brien, mjh.obrien@gmail.com Samuel Hook, hooksj01@gmail.com Anmargaret Warner, anmargaret.warner@gmail.com
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’87
Josh Smith, smith.j.c20@gmail.c om
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’90 30
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JJ Fabrega writes that while spending some time in Florida with his mother, he has Chris Adusei-Poku, chrisybap@gmail.com th 25alumni 25th Gan, tingxuangan@gmail.com connected withElisa several other from Meredith Glah Coors, meredithcoors@gmail.com Meredith Glah Coors, meredithcoors@gmail.com different generations—including Mario 25th Santiago ’91, Zasha Robles ’92, and Phil Dunmire ’64. 0th th th
20
20
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In July of 2020, Lance Bowling opened Andrew Miller, amiller@pioneeringprojects.org Andrew Miller, amiller@pioneeringprojects.org The Bowling Firm, his own law firm in The th Kim Lloyd has been promoted to associate 20 Heidi Anderes Hollier, heidihollier@gmail.com Woodlands, Texas (bowlingfirm.com). Lance’s head swimming coach at Denison University; Colin Marsh, colin.marsh@gmail.com Jeff Greenberg, jeffdgreenberg@gmail.com Jeff Greenberg, jeffdgreenberg@gmail.com Sonya Karbach Marino, Sonya skar477@gmail.com Karbach Marino, skar477@gmail.com Pam Aquino, pambaquino@gmail.com Rahde Franke, franke.rahde@gmail.com
Ali Fortmann Bailey ’93 shares that her friend 45th Mohammed is working for a new Bashiru 65th company called Motivating Tutors.
65th
This fall, Geoff Moorhead celebrated the one40thanniversary of his new restaurant, Cheesy year 60th Bill Thompson, thomps132@gmail.com Bill Thompson, thomps132@gmail.com Street Grill, at the Boston Sports Institute in Wellesley, Massachusetts. “Despite being shut down for a number of months due to 35th COVID-19, we have reopened and are starting 55th Rob Robison, robisonr25@yahoo.com Rob Robison, robisonr25@yahoo.com to pick up again,” Geoff says. “If anyone is in the area and has a hankering for a delicious grilled cheese and more, we’d love to see you!”
30th
Scott Cummings, shc@agileasset.com Scott Cummings, shc@agileasset.com
50th
Tonya Rutherford participated in a podcast sponsored by Verizon and Apple called “Lifting Up: Lessons from Verizon Women Leaders”; th 25session 45inth the is titled “Cultivating Intention Tony Furnary, tfurnary@comcast.net Tony Furnary, tfurnary@comcast.net Lorelle Pottick Gantt, lagantt@me.com Lorelle Pottick Gantt, lagantt@me.com your Journey with Tonya Rutherford.” Find the session through Apple Podcasts. Tonya connected recently with Denise Edwards ’76, th 20Christian th 40 PatNancy ’76, and Diane ’74 on a Corwin Sanders, Nancy ncsanders63@gmail.com Corwin Sanders, Wynter ncsanders63@gmail.com Jim Jenkins, jim_jenkins@venatorcorp.com Zoom call; theyJim allJenkins, hadjim_jenkins@venatorcorp.com a great time catching up. She also stays in touch regularly via text withthclassmate Kim Lloyd.
15
Margaret O’Brien, mjh.obrien@gmail.com Margaret O’Brien, mjh.obrien@gmail.com
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50th
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’91
th Liza Rizzo, lizadupre@gmail.com Matt Timoney, timoney.matt@gmail.com JJ Fabrega, jfabrega@cableonda.net JJ Fabrega, jfabrega@cableonda.net
Shawn Meyers and his wife, Nancy, have spent time during the pandemic in limited outdoor 30th social with Tim and Ann Miller, Helengatherings Barfield Prichett, helenprichett@yahoo.com Josh Bratter, bratter@bratterpa.com parents of Thomas ’16 and Ellie ’23. 5th Emily Schoenberger, ekschoenberger@gmail.com
35th
Pam Aquino, pambaquino@gmail.com Franke, franke.rahde@gmail.com Marca Armstrong Ewy,Marca marca.armstrong@gmail.com Armstrong Ewy,Rahde marca.armstrong@gmail.com
she is in her seventh year at the school. Her daughter Addison is a ninth grader at Western Reserve Academy in Hudson, Ohio. Kim is excited 55th for and proud of her Mercersburg classmate Aimee Classen, who was just named the director of the University of Michigan Biological Station (a research and teaching 50th facility located on the south shore of Douglas Lake in Cheboygan County, Michigan).
10th
Helen Barfield Prichett, Helen helenprichett@yahoo.com Barfield Prichett, helenprichett@yahoo.com Josh Bratter, bratter@bratterpa.com Josh Bratter, bratter@bratterpa.com
Kelley Keeler Short writes that this year has been 5th all about family time and staying home. 25th “WeJoshare so grateful to live on our 570-acre Smith, smith.j.c20@gmail.c Josh Smith,om smith.j.c20@gmail.c om farm in southern Delaware,” she says. “Austin is running his saw mill full time, I am raising ‘backyard’ chickens (too many to count) andth 20 Anderes Hollier, Heidi heidihollier@gmail.com Anderes Hollier, heidihollier@gmail.com twoHeidi German shepherds. Our boys, (Eli, age Colin Marsh, colin.marsh@gmail.com Colin Marsh, colin.marsh@gmail.com 10 1/2; Henry, age 9) went back to school in August, in person, five days a week! I continue Pam Aquino, pambaquino@gmail.com Pam Aquino, pambaquino@gmail.com Rahde Franke, franke.rahde@gmail.com Rahde Franke, franke.rahde@gmail.com
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SPRING 2021
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CLASS NOTES
to work (from home) for the National Rental Home Council, a trade association based in Washington, D.C. I’ve been keeping in touch with Tara Brendle Owens, Shani O’Neil Calhoun, Hannah Smith Kudrik, and Becky McNulty Randall.” Russell Spinney is settling into his second year at the Thacher School in California with his wife Nicole and their two kids, Sequoia (age 7) and Maya (age 4). “I am working on issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion at the school along with stronger online teaching and learning experiences based on a couple summer research grants that I received,” says Russell, who is also a former faculty member at Mercersburg. “I am helping the school develop more diverse offerings in the history department with some exciting new interdisciplinary offerings in Indigenous studies, and I continue expand our Tanzania pen pal and exchange program to include more schools, including Santa Fe Prep, Thacher, public schools in Detroit, and schools in Dar es Salaam and Arusha, Tanzania—all to create connections between students in different countries and a greater understanding for each other. On top of all of this, I continue to develop my professional work in German studies and emotional studies and will participate in a roundtable discussion on emotions in our classrooms for next year’s German Studies Association conference.”
’93 Alex Crothers, who is in the music industry and the business of mass gatherings, got creative when COVID-19 hit. He and his company, Higher Ground, built a drive-in for concerts in Burlington, Vermont.
AMY MCGOVERN ’92:
MAKING THE STORM PROUD (AND WEATHERING IT TOO)
Dr. Amy McGovern ’92 was recently awarded a five-year, $20 million grant by the National Science Foundation for her project regarding artificial intelligence techniques and their use in gaining more understanding about the weather. A tenured professor at the University of Oklahoma’s School of Computer Science with a joint appointment to the School of Meteorology, McGovern’s work with her team is aimed at creating revolutionary new AI techniques that are deemed trustworthy by humans. The focus is on developing these techniques to improve humanity’s resilience to weather changes and climate. In McGovern’s words, the group “brings together researchers in AI, environmental science, and risk communication.” McGovern’s inspiration goes way back to Mercersburg and her interest in the AIs in computer games. She concentrated on AIs in college at Carnegie Mellon University, and after experiencing some extreme weather herself in Ohio, she began to engage in AI in relation to weather and environmental sciences and how it could improve the forecasts. McGovern notes, “We can save lives and property through better predictions,” and that is exactly what she has gone on to do. Out of 90 submitted applications, McGovern and her group were among only five chosen submissions, and months later, they were the selected recipients of the NSF fund. Future plans include hiring students and researchers to help with the project and improving the prediction of many hazardous weather phenomena. McGovern offers the following advice to Mercersburg students and young researchers: “Follow your passion for what you want to do, and don’t let the negative people stop you. As a woman in STEM, there are people out there who will try to tell you that you don’t belong, either explicitly or implicitly. Focus on your work and know that you are capable. I’m passionate about making STEM a more diverse and welcoming environment, so I also want us to speak up against the injustices. I am not advocating ignoring the negative voices. What I want us to do is to all work together to create a more diverse and welcoming environment in STEM and for all of us to know that we belong there, if that is where we find our passion! —Ebube Onwusika ’21
64
MERCERSBURG ACADEMY MAGAZINE
Jim McClelland, jlmcpark@yahoo.com
Eric Reif, ericreif10@gmail.com
Mac Butts, macsear@gmail.com Jere Keefer, jsklrk@embarqmail.com
Pete Flanagan, flans1@frontier.com Paul Mellott, pmellott@mellotts.com
65th
65th
60th
Bill Thompson, thomps132@gmail.com
55th
Rob Robison, robisonr25@yahoo.com
50th
Scott Cummings, shc@agileasset.com
CLASS NOTES
60th
55th
50th
65th Tony Tito, tonycray33@gmail.com
Bill Thompson, thomps132@gmail.com
Lynn Brewer Price, lynnbprice@comcast.net
45th
40th th
’95
Tony Furnary, tfurnary@comcast.net Lorelle Pottick Gantt, lagantt@me.com
Meredith Glah Coors, meredithcoors@gmail.com
45th 25th
35th
James Barnes was promoted to vice president 15th Jeff Greenberg, jeffdgreenberg@gmail.com of enterprise architecture and information Sonya Karbach Marino, skar477@gmail.com management at Primerica. Helen Barfield Prichett, helenprichett@yahoo.com Josh Bratter, bratter@bratterpa.com
’96
Samuel Hook, hooksj01@gmail.com Anmargaret Warner, anmargaret.warner@gmail.com
Josh Smith, smith.j.c20@gmail.c om
30th 10th 25th 5th
Josh Smith enjoyed some great visits with classmates this year. “Arlo Crawford and I 20th Heidi Anderes Hollier, heidihollier@gmail.com enjoyed a great stroll around San Francisco Colin Marsh, colin.marsh@gmail.com at the beginning of the year,” Josh says. “Less 0th than a month later, I shared a few rounds with Dominik Van Der Veen during a family skith 15 tripPam toAquino, Parkpambaquino@gmail.com City, Utah. If that wasn’t enough, Rahde Franke, franke.rahde@gmail.com my classmate Charlie “Bo” Kemmler spent time with my family on multiple occasions. From kayaking near my home in Hershey, 10th Liza Rizzo, lizadupre@gmail.com Pennsylvania, to zombie hunting at my virtual Matt Timoney, timoney.matt@gmail.com Emily Schoenberger, ekschoenberger@gmail.com
Chris Adusei-Poku, chrisybap@gmail.com Elisa Gan, tingxuangan@gmail.com
Nancy Corwin Sanders, ncsanders63@gmail.com Jim Jenkins, jim_jenkins@venatorcorp.com
Sylvie Butera Rich ’95 and Meredith Glah Coors ’95 met up in Santa Barbara while Meredith was in California to drop off two of her children at boarding school. Margaret O’Brien, mjh.obrien@gmail.com
30th
40th Nikki Adler-Frigoletto and her husband, Nancy Corwin Sanders, ncsanders63@gmail.com Jim Jenkins, jim_jenkins@venatorcorp.com Anthony Frigoletto, have launched River’s 20th Edge Wealth Partners, an independent wealthAndrew Miller, amiller@pioneeringprojects.org management practice in Red Bank, New Jersey. Margaret O’Brien, mjh.obrien@gmail.com
45th
60th
55 29, John Koontz ’95 married Jessica Teague on February Rob Robison, robisonr25@yahoo.com 2020. He says, “Despite the pandemic, we have loved th our new blended family and the opportunities that 35have Marca Armstrong marca.armstrong@gmail.com come with virtualEwy, schooling. Sophia is 14, Elsie is 12, Zeke is 10, and Chris is 9. We enjoyed the Outer Banks this th summer, and Jess and I plan to hike the Georgia 50 section Scott Cummings, shc@agileasset.com of the Appalachian Trail.” JJ Fabrega, jfabrega@cableonda.net
Tony Furnary, tfurnary@comcast.net Lorelle Pottick Gantt, lagantt@me.com
5th
Helen Barfield Prichett, helenprichett@yahoo.com Josh Bratter, bratter@bratterpa.com
reality arcade, we made some great memories. None of these memories tops his September Josh Smith, smith.j.c20@gmail.c om wedding in Philadelphia. I am proud and grateful for these wonderful friends!”
’97
Heidi Anderes Hollier, heidihollier@gmail.com Colin Marsh, colin.marsh@gmail.com
Leah Rockwell has pursued her dream Pam Aquino, pambaquino@gmail.com of opening a private counseling practice Rahde Franke, franke.rahde@gmail.com focused on supporting and empowering women, Rockwell Wellness Counseling LLC (rockwellwellness.com). She serves clients lizadupre@gmail.com across the stateLiza ofRizzo, Pennsylvania via telehealth. Matt Timoney, timoney.matt@gmail.com
’98
Chris Adusei-Poku, chrisybap@gmail.com Elisa Gan, tingxuangan@gmail.com
Jay Lee is the new accounting manager at Member One Federal Credit Union in Roanoke, Virginia. Ildiko Szekely was chosen as a Bay State Games 2020 Athlete of the Year. She received this honor in the “female athlete 19 and older” category and has competed in Bay State Games Masters Swimming since 2014, winning gold every year in the 200-meter butterfly.
40th Heidi Anderes Hollier ’01 is doing well in Denver and excited to introduce Tilly ’37 and Gus ’38 to her friends th and at her 20th reunion this June. 35classmates
30th She holds the Bay State Games record in the 25th 35-49 200-meter butterfly. Women
’99th 20
Sabrina Bragg graduated with a Ph.D. in educational psychology from the City University of New York. th
15
Eddie Kang had an art exhibition in spring/ summer 2020 at the Paradise Zip Gallery in South 10th Korea. Kent McGlincy, a market consultant at Invesco Global Asset Management, serves on the board 5th of the non-profit organization Wish of a Lifetime, which has the mission to shift the way society views and values our oldest generations by fulfilling seniors’ dreams and sharing their stories to inspire those of all ages. Kent has been involved with the organization since 2018, and he wrote in to share that recently Wish of a Lifetime became affiliated with AARP.
SPRING 2021
65
Scott Cummings, shc@agileasset.com
Marca Armstrong Ewy, marca.armstrong@gmail.com
CLASS NOTES
Tony Furnary, tfurnary@comcast.net Lorelle Pottick Gantt, lagantt@me.com
JJ Fabrega, jfabrega@cableonda.net
Nancy Corwin Sanders, ncsanders63@gmail.com Jim Jenkins, jim_jenkins@venatorcorp.com
Meredith Glah Coors, meredithcoors@gmail.com
’00
Margaret O’Brien, mjh.obrien@gmail.com
Andrew Miller, amiller@pioneeringprojects.org Jim McClelland, jlmcpark@yahoo.com
50th 35th
’01
Samuel Hook, hooksj01@gmail.com Anmargaret Warner, anmargaret.warner@gmail.com Mac Butts, macsear@gmail.com Jere Keefer, jsklrk@embarqmail.com
Heidi Anderes Hollier, heidihollier@gmail.com Colin Marsh, colin.marsh@gmail.com
30thth 75 25thth 70 35th 20thth 65
25th
10th 55th 20th 5th
0 45 Wes Miller is the new head men’s basketball 10th th th
Tony Tito, tonycray33@gmail.com
Liza Rizzo, lizadupre@gmail.com coach at the University of Cincinnati. He Matt Timoney, timoney.matt@gmail.com took UNC Greensboro to the 2021 NCAA Tournament. 40th Chris Adusei-Poku, chrisybap@gmail.com Elisa Gan, tingxuangan@gmail.com
’02
5th
35th
Lieutenant Commander Jac Ullman was recently selected for command at sea and promotion to commander. As a surface th warfare officer, his command at sea tour30 would JJ Fabrega, jfabrega@cableonda.net likely be on an Arleigh Burke Class Destroyer (DDG) or Littoral Combat Ship (LCS). Following his current tour at the Pentagon where he is working on FFG(X), the Navy’s newest class 25thof Meredith Glah Coors, meredithcoors@gmail.com ship, he will begin training before serving 18 months as executive officer, followed by 18 months as commanding officer. Marca Armstrong Ewy, marca.armstrong@gmail.com
Andrew Miller, amiller@pioneeringprojects.org
20th
15
Anmargaret Warner, anmargaret.warner@gmail.com
25th
GNIM BAZIM ’17 AND BRETT GALLAWAY ’04: A MERCERSBURG CONNECTION Heidi Anderes Hollier, heidihollier@gmail.com Colin Marsh, colin.marsh@gmail.com
Pam Aquino, pambaquino@gmail.com Rahde Franke, franke.rahde@gmail.com Bill Thompson, thomps132@gmail.com
Liza Rizzo, lizadupre@gmail.com Matt Timoney, timoney.matt@gmail.com Rob Robison, robisonr25@yahoo.com
20thth 65
15th 60th 10th 55th 5th 50
Chris Adusei-Poku, chrisybap@gmail.com th Elisa Gan, tingxuangan@gmail.com Last summer, Gnim Bazim ’17 (pictured top left) put the Mercersburg alumni network Scott Cummings, shc@agileasset.com
into action when he interned for Brett Gallaway ’04 (bottom right) at McLaughlin & Stern, Gallaway’s law firm in New York City
The internship was made up of a few undergraduates and a few law students, and
45th
Tonydidn’t Furnary, tfurnary@comcast.net it almost happen because of COVID-19. Originally slated to be an entire summer, Lorelle Pottick Gantt, lagantt@me.com
the opportunity for Bazim ultimately became a one-month educational internship. The interns met with Gallaway and his colleague Lauren Cramer through Zoom throughout July. In the mornings, they learned how to write 40thlegal documents, and in the afternoons, Nancy Corwin Sanders, ncsanders63@gmail.com
Jim Jenkins, they met withjim_jenkins@venatorcorp.com lawyers representing different areas of law, who handed the interns real
cases to explore and try to solve. Through the cases, the interns were introduced to different legal practices, including bankruptcy law, corporate law, and real estate law.
35when we learned about corporate not-for“My favorite part of the internship came th
Margaret O’Brien, mjh.obrien@gmail.com
profit law,” Bazim says. “That is where I saw the biggest legal and societal impact, and it’s what I could one day see myself doing.” Bazim’s interest in law began during his senior year at Mercersburg. He contacted
30th
Helenof Barfield Prichett, helenprichett@yahoo.com the Office Advancement and Alumni Relations, which put him in touch with Gallawa Josh Bratter, bratter@bratterpa.com
who, like Bazim, was a member of the wrestling team and the Marshall Society. Gallaway invited Bazim to a two-week externship for high schoolers at his firm the following summer, and the two have stayed in touch while 25thBazim attends Muhlenberg College in Josh Smith, smith.j.c20@gmail.c om
Allentown, Pennsylvania. In August 2019, Gallaway asked Bazim if he would be interested in the fully paid associate internship program for summer 2020. Even after the internship, Bazim has continued to work with Cramer and Gallaway’s
20 has a lot of trust in me and gives me a Heidi Anderes Hollier, heidihollier@gmail.com firm. Bazim says, “It’s really cool because Lauren th
Colin Marsh, colin.marsh@gmail.com
15
had this opportunity. I am especially grateful tothBrett and his colleagues for welcoming Pam Aquino, pambaquino@gmail.com
me backRahde to his law firm for a second time. I see why Mercersburg prides itself on having a Franke, franke.rahde@gmail.com great alumni community and network. Brett, like many other Mercersburg alums, seems to genuinely love helping his fellow alums like me get to where we dream of.”
10th
ToLiza connect with the alumni network, visit mercersburg.edu/networking-andRizzo, lizadupre@gmail.com Matt Timoney, timoney.matt@gmail.com
volunteering or contact Director of Alumni Relations Jenn Flanagan Bradley ’99 at
Claire Lazo was promoted to senior manager at Deloitte Consulting, where she providesth 66
Josh Smith, smith.j.c20@gmail.c om
“As many internships around the world came to a standstill, I am grateful to have th
Steph Grimes has received a Fulbright Award and will begin her studies toward a Ph.D. inth 10 Samuel Hook, hooksj01@gmail.com digital humanities at King’s College London.
Emily Schoenberger, ekschoenberger@gmail.com
30th
lot of confidence. It’s cool to actually be able to do real work
’05 Jeff Greenberg, jeffdgreenberg@gmail.com Sonya Karbach Marino, skar477@gmail.com
Helen Barfield Prichett, helenprichett@yahoo.com Josh Bratter, bratter@bratterpa.com
40th
Wes Harden is ekschoenberger@gmail.com living and working in Northern Emily Schoenberger, 50th Pete Flanagan, flans1@frontier.com Virginia. Hepmellott@mellotts.com married his wife, Nelly, in 2018, Paul Mellott, 15th andPam they are the proud parents of a 1-year-old Aquino, pambaquino@gmail.com Rahde Franke, franke.rahde@gmail.com daughter, Harper Rose.
Lynn Brewer Price, lynnbprice@comcast.net
35th
45th
Alec Harris writes to say that Grant Charles 30th Helen Barfield Prichett, helenprichett@yahoo.com Josh Bratter, bratter@bratterpa.com Harris arrived on February 25, 2020. He says th thatJeffeveryone should be grateful that he15 th Greenberg, jeffdgreenberg@gmail.com 60 Sonya Karbach Marino, skar477@gmail.com resembles his mother. Eric Reif, ericreif10@gmail.com Josh Smith, smith.j.c20@gmail.c om
Margaret O’Brien, mjh.obrien@gmail.com
5
MERCERSBURG ACADEMY MAGAZINE
0th
bradleyj@mercersburg.edu or 717-328-6140. Chris Adusei-Poku, chrisybap@gmail.com Elisa Gan, tingxuangan@gmail.com
5th
—Avery Poffenberger ’2
CLASS NOTES
65th
Bill Thompson, thomps132@gmail.com
Rob Robison, robisonr25@yahoo.com
Scott Cummings, shc@agileasset.com
Tony Furnary, tfurnary@comcast.net Lorelle Pottick Gantt, lagantt@me.com
60th
55th
50th
45th
David Ashton ’06 recently wrote and directed a narrative short film, The Legacy Sessions, that has been selected for various regional festivals, including the Virginia Film Festival, Alexandria Film Festival, Proteus Festival, and the Red Rose International Film Festival in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. 40th The film is about a troubled high-school student who forms Nancy Corwin Sanders, ncsanders63@gmail.com a friendship with a woman in a retirement community. This photo is a behind-the-scenes shot of David with actors Julie Jim Jenkins, jim_jenkins@venatorcorp.com Kashmanian and Jacob Glasser.
th expertise on mergers and acquisitions to35 highMargaret O’Brien, mjh.obrien@gmail.com tech, media, and telecommunications clients. She lives outside Detroit with her partner, Cliff, and their dog, Cinder. Helen Barfield Prichett, helenprichett@yahoo.com Josh Bratter, bratter@bratterpa.com
30th
Zach Light lives in Falls Church, Virginia. He and his wife welcomed their daughter, Vivienne, on April 17, 2020. She joins older brother Griffin, who is 1 year old. 25th Josh Smith, smith.j.c20@gmail.c om
Rafael Lora, father of Jackie Lora, died April 12, 2020. Heidi Anderes Hollier, heidihollier@gmail.com Colin Marsh, colin.marsh@gmail.com
20th
’06
Pam Aquino, pambaquino@gmail.com Rahde Franke, franke.rahde@gmail.com
15th
Pam Aquino enjoyed taking VTO (volunteer time off) at Salesforce, which granted Election 10th DayLiza off and volunteering time off to all Rizzo, lizadupre@gmail.com Matt Timoney, timoney.matt@gmail.com employees. She volunteered in Philadelphia with classmate Crystal Lora and their Boston University classmate Serame Castillo, whoth 5 Chris Adusei-Poku, worked on the chrisybap@gmail.com Joe Biden and Kamala Harris Elisa Gan, tingxuangan@gmail.com campaign. They helped with voter registration in the Latino community in Pennsylvania.
Chris Freeland ’08 pictured aboard the USS Ronald Reagan, standing next to the E2-D Advanced Hawkeye designated with his call sign.
Katie Vickers is pursuing a master of fine arts in dance at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia.
Fleet White has transferred to the University of Chicago Law School and is excited to connect with fellow alumni in a new city.
’08
’09
In 2014, Chris Freeland was commissioned an officer in the U.S. Navy after graduating from the United States Naval Academy. He spent two years in aviation training, earning his pilot wings in December 2016. Chris was selected to fly the E2-D Advanced Hawkeye, the Navy’s carrier-capable tactical airborne early warning aircraft, which is responsible for air space sweeps in advance of a strike and overall mission management. This aircraft required an additional 11 months of specialized training, culminating in Chris’ aircraft carrier qualification. Chris was assigned to the “Tigertails” of Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron VAW-125 (attached to the USS Ronald Reagan) and deployed to Iwakuni, Japan, in January 2018. With his Japan deployment ending in 2020, Chris has been selected as a weapons tactics instructor assigned to the U.S. Navy’s premier air-to-air and air-to-ground training facility in Fallon, Nevada.
John Draper and his wife, Kelly, recently welcomed a new member of the family, Amelia Rose Draper. John and his family plan to move to southeastern Massachusetts where he hopes to connect with fellow Mercersburg alumni. John spent his Mercersburg years actively participating in the Mercersburg Outdoor Education program and cannot wait to involve his daughter in sports like rock climbing, skiing, and hiking. As a professional, John works passionately as a machinist/ programmer. Michael Weinstein moved back to Allentown, Pennsylvania. He married Katerina Saba on November 30, 2019, and their son, Luca, was born January 23, 2020.
SPRING 2021
67
Mac Butts, macsear@gmail.com Jere Keefer, jsklrk@embarqmail.com
CLASS NOTES
Pete Flanagan, flans1@frontier.com Paul Mellott, pmellott@mellotts.com
Tony Tito, tonycray33@gmail.com
th Reif, ericreif10@gmail.com 55Eric
Mac Butts, macsear@gmail.com th Keefer, jsklrk@embarqmail.com Jere
50
Pete Flanagan, flans1@frontier.com th Paul Mellott, pmellott@mellotts.com
45
Rob Robison, robisonr25@yahoo.com
55th Scott Cummings, shc@agileasset.com
50th Tony Furnary, tfurnary@comcast.net Lorelle Pottick Gantt, lagantt@me.com
65th
45th
Tony Tito, tonycray33@gmail.com
Lynn Brewer Price, lynnbprice@comcast.net
Bill Thompson, thomps132@gmail.com
40
th
Nancy Corwin Sanders, ncsanders63@gmail.com Jim Jenkins, jim_jenkins@venatorcorp.com
60th 35
th Brewer Price, lynnbprice@comcast.net Lynn
Marca Armstrong Ewy, marca.armstrong@gmail.com
Rob Robison, robisonr25@yahoo.com
JJ Fabrega, jfabrega@cableonda.net
40th
Margaret O’Brien, mjh.obrien@gmail.com
55th
35th th Armstrong Ewy, marca.armstrong@gmail.com 30Marca Helen Barfield Prichett, helenprichett@yahoo.com Josh Bratter, bratter@bratterpa.com
50
th
Scott Cummings, shc@agileasset.com
Meredith Glah Coors, meredithcoors@gmail.com
Tony Furnary, tfurnary@comcast.net Lorelle Pottick Gantt, lagantt@me.com
25JJthFabrega, jfabrega@cableonda.net
30th Josh Smith, smith.j.c20@gmail.c om
45th
25 It was one of the Carson White ’16 shares, “This past January I was fortunate to summit Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania! th Glah Coors, meredithcoors@gmail.com most mentally and physically challenging things20 I’veMeredith ever done, and was an amazing broadened my Heidiexperience Anderes Hollier, and heidihollier@gmail.com Andrew Miller, amiller@pioneeringprojects.org Colin Marsh, colin.marsh@gmail.com global perspective!” Nancy Corwin Sanders, ncsanders63@gmail.com Jim Jenkins, jim_jenkins@venatorcorp.com Jeff Greenberg, jeffdgreenberg@gmail.com Sonya Karbach Marino, skar477@gmail.com
’10
Margaret O’Brien, mjh.obrien@gmail.com Samuel Hook, hooksj01@gmail.com Anmargaret Warner, anmargaret.warner@gmail.com
th
40th 15
th Andrew Miller, amiller@pioneeringprojects.org
20th
Pam Aquino, pambaquino@gmail.com Rahde Franke, franke.rahde@gmail.com
She lives in McLean, Virginia, with her husband, Dr. Viet Nguyen, a hospital physician at the 35 th 6-month-old INOVA Fairfax Hospital, and 15 their th Greenberg, jeffdgreenberg@gmail.com 10Jeff Sonya Karbachdaughter, Marino, skar477@gmail.com ThuLinh Nguyen. Liza Rizzo, lizadupre@gmail.com th
Matt Timoney, timoney.matt@gmail.com
Jordan Krutek celebrated six years with30 Theth Sami Kebede has started as a resident in Helen Barfield Prichett, helenprichett@yahoo.com 10th medicine Hershey Company and was promoted to thSamuel Hook, hooksj01@gmail.com the primary care and social internal Josh Bratter, bratter@bratterpa.com 5 Anmargaret Warner, anmargaret.warner@gmail.com Chris Adusei-Poku, chrisybap@gmail.com customer sales executive of the Kroger Pacific program at Montefiore Medical Center, which Emily Schoenberger, ekschoenberger@gmail.com Elisa Gan, tingxuangan@gmail.com Northwest Divisions. Jordan is relocating is part of the Albert Einstein College of to Portland, Oregon, with her boyfriend,25th Medicine. 5th Josh Smith, smith.j.c20@gmail.c om Matthew. Emily Schoenberger, ekschoenberger@gmail.com th 0 Sam Rodgers graduated with a master’s Christopher Roden accepted a position degree in public administration from Syracuse as in-house counsel for ClickUp, a rapidly University’s Maxwell School. Sam was chosen 20th Heidi Anderes Hollier, heidihollier@gmail.com Colin Marsh, colin.marsh@gmail.com 0th growing software-as-a-service company to give the student commencement address. in the productivity space. ClickUp is based While studying at Maxwell, Sam worked partin San Diego. time as an assistant district attorney. He ran 15th as the Republican candidate for the New York Pam Aquino, pambaquino@gmail.com Rahde Franke, franke.rahde@gmail.com State Senate’s District 53 in November.
’11
Liza Rizzo, lizadupre@gmail.com Matt Timoney, timoney.matt@gmail.com
10th
HanhLinh Ho Tran’s passion for helping people with their health-care finances is inthfull 5 Chris as Adusei-Poku, chrisybap@gmail.com swing she publishes a book called Smart Elisa Gan, tingxuangan@gmail.com Patient. The book aims to help readers go from the bottom 95 percent to the top 5 percent of savvy and knowledgeable American patients. 68
MERCERSBURG ACADEMY MAGAZINE
’13 Christina Hyrkas recently relocated to Denver from Maryland for a new position in tech. She says, “I’m eager to start rock climbing, skiing, and meeting new alumni out west!”
th Thompson, thomps132@gmail.com 55Bill
50
Lynn Brewer Price, lynnbprice@comcast.net Rob robisonr25@yahoo.com th Robison,
45
Marca Armstrong Ewy, marca.armstrong@gmail.com Scott shc@agileasset.com th Cummings,
’14 40th
Furnary, tfurnary@comcast.net JJTony Fabrega, jfabrega@cableonda.net Lorelle Pottick Gantt, lagantt@me.com
40 55thth
th 35 50th
30 45thth
Robin Fisher is pursuing a career as an attorney. After graduating from college, shethth 25 40 Nancy Sanders, ncsanders63@gmail.com Glah Coors, meredithcoors@gmail.com worked as an intern at the American Civil th Corwin 35Meredith Jim Jenkins, jim_jenkins@venatorcorp.com Liberties Union, and then as a paralegal at Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan. She is th in her second year at Fordham Law School, 20 35th Andrew Miller, amiller@pioneeringprojects.org Margaret O’Brien, mjh.obrien@gmail.com where 30th she is a member of the Fordham Law Review. She spent the summer of 2020 working as a judicial intern for the U.S. District th Court’s Southern District of New York, and 15 Jeff Greenberg, jeffdgreenberg@gmail.com 30th Helen Barfield Prichett, helenprichett@yahoo.com Sonya Karbach Marino, skar477@gmail.com th spent fall as a legal extern for the U.S. 25Josh the Bratter, bratter@bratterpa.com Attorney’s Office in the Eastern District of New York. Samuel Hook, hooksj01@gmail.com Anmargaret anmargaret.warner@gmail.com th Smith, Warner, Josh smith.j.c20@gmail.c om
20
’15
Emily ekschoenberger@gmail.com HeidiSchoenberger, th Anderes Hollier, heidihollier@gmail.com Colin Marsh, colin.marsh@gmail.com
15
10thth 25
5th 20th
Allen Ren completed his first year as a Ph.D. student in robotics at Princeton University. th 0 He recently published his first paper, 15th th Aquino, pambaquino@gmail.com Pam 10 Rahde Franke, franke.rahde@gmail.com which addressed performance guarantees for robotics control learned from human demonstrations. Rizzo, lizadupre@gmail.com 5thLiza Matt Timoney, timoney.matt@gmail.com
10th
’16
Chris Adusei-Poku, chrisybap@gmail.com Elisa Gan, tingxuangan@gmail.com
5th
Chris Adusei-Poku graduated from Stanford University with a degree in management science and engineering. “After four years where I was lucky enough to keep playing sports and singing,” he writes, “I’m excited to continue my studies with a master’s degree in media studies back on the Farm. I can’t wait to come back for our 5th reunion in June and to reconnect with everyone.” Matt Athanas-Linden graduated from Muhlenberg College and has taken a position as a process-improvement consultant with Herren Associates in Washington, D.C. Withney Barthelemy graduated from Wellesley College and has been awarded a
CLASS NOTES
the world’s largest conference on computer graphics. This is the third paper he worked on, and he looks forward to exploring and learning more about the intersection of technology and business. Isiuwa Oghagbon graduated summa cum laude from the HTC Honors College at Coastal Carolina University in three years, while playing on the women’s basketball team. She is studying for the LSAT and interning with a law firm in Fairfax, Virginia. Isiuwa plans to enter law school in fall 2021.
’18 Faculty emeritus Ron Simar shares this photo, which he affectionately captions “Mercersburg’s Grumpy Old Men!” It was taken after these faculty emeriti connected for one of their occasional lunch get-togethers. L-R: Karl Reisner, Brent Gift, Paul Galey, Jack Hawbaker, and Ron.
two-year fellowship with the Immigrant Justice Corps. Ed Foote completed his summer 2020 internship at Baird and is enjoying his final year at Cornell University. In the spring of her senior year at William Smith College, Gabby Fraser earned the Lauren Michaels Squash Coach’s Award. She ended her college squash career with a 57-20 record and represented her school at the CSA Individual Championships for four straight years. Elisa Gan graduated from Middlebury College and moved to Boston in October to work in economic consulting. She hopes all her friends and classmates are finding creative ways to get through the dark times and is looking forward to seeing everyone at the 5th reunion in June 2021. Elliot Hicks started in the fall at Caltech, where he is pursuing a Ph.D. in chemistry. He was also awarded a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship, an award that recognizes and supports outstanding graduate
students in NSF-supported STEM disciplines who are pursuing research-based master’s and doctoral degrees at accredited U.S. institutions. Lucas Lu graduated from the University of Pennsylvania last spring and has started a master’s degree in politics at New York University. Joana Santos graduated from Union College and is working there as a postgraduate research assistant.
’17
Addie Dumm, a junior at Hamilton College, received the Edwin Barrett Prize at Hamilton’s Class & Charter Day in May 2020. The award is presented to a student who, at the end of their sophomore year, has made a significant contribution to the college’s theatre program.
’19 Emma Hicks transferred after her freshman year to Davidson University in North Carolina.
Faculty/S taff Gwendolyn Stearns Turnbull Fenninger, wife of former faculty member Peter Fenninger, died August 4, 2020.
Nathaniel Abel and Will Schoenberger have produced and released a new EP, “Driver,” that is available on all streaming services. Other Mercersburg classmates were also involved in producing this record: Alex DeGrange helped write the songs, while Adam Cromwell and Zach McDonald provided background vocals. Jacky Lu is in his senior year at the University of Pennsylvania, and his recent research project AnisoMPM: Animating Anisotropic Damage Mechanics was presented at SIGGRAPH 2020, SPRING 2021
69
In Memoriam
c ’37
A. Noble McCartney, July 14, 2020. Noble lived in McLean, Virginia. He was preceded in death by a brother, Benjamin ’34; survivors include his wife, Anne. Robert E. Smith, July 25, 2020. Bob graduated from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology with a degree in civil engineering. He served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II, attaining the rank of major. Bob co-founded and spent his career at Capitol Engineering Corporation, including 27 years as CEO. After retirement, he managed Range End Country Club, a golf course built by his father. Bob is survived by three daughters, three grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.
c ’39
Francis A. Chidsey, June 17, 2020. Frank graduated from Lehigh University. He served as a captain in the U.S. Army during World War II. He spent his career with Container Corporation of America, where he was a designer, engineer, and member of senior management. He held 39 patents for various packaging and machine designs. Frank was preceded in death by a brother, Thomas ’47, and is survived by four children, seven grandchildren, and 10 great-grandchildren.
c ’40
George G. Vincent, January 18, 2019. George served in the U.S. Army Signal Corps during World War II. He studied music at The Juilliard School, and was a church organist and choir director. He also managed Barberry Farm and owned and raced thoroughbreds. George was active in many local civic and arts organizations. Survivors include four children and three grandchildren.
c ’42
John K. Chapman, September 23, 2020. “Chappy” graduated from Union College.
70
MERCERSBURG ACADEMY MAGAZINE
He was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II, serving in the European theatre during the invasion of Normandy and the Pacific theatre during the invasion of Okinawa. He co-owned and operated the former Crane-Nevins Electrical Supply Inc. John was preceded in death by his brothers, David (who served on the Mercersburg faculty from 1919 to 1961) and Byron ’44, and an uncle, Bill ’27. He is survived by two children, six grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren.
c ’43
Arthur C. Dale Jr., April 5, 2018. Art was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II, serving with the 10th Mountain Division in the Italian campaign. He held a bachelor’s degree in science and a master’s degree in mechanics. Donald Englander, July 12, 2020. Don graduated from Dickinson College. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II, serving with the 36th Infantry Division in Europe and a contingent of the Rome Area Command. He worked as a campaign director and consultant in professional fundraising for several national firms. After retirement, he and his wife owned a “Mr. Frosty” ice cream truck. Survivors include his wife, Lorraine, as well as three children and a granddaughter. William O. Newman, March 25, 2020. Bill was a U.S. Navy veteran. He earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Cornell University and a law degree from the University of Chicago Law School. After working as an attorney in Washington, D.C., he became secretary and counsel for Landis Tool Company. When it was acquired by Litton Industries, he was promoted to group counsel for Litton’s Machine Tool Systems Group. He later worked as vice president, secretary, and general counsel of Quamco Inc., a former division of Litton. Bill was preceded in death by his son John ’71. He is survived by two children and three grandchildren.
c ’44
Harold F. Reed Jr., May 23, 2020. Harold worked as an attorney, and was elected to the American College of Trial Lawyers. He was a past president of several organizations, including the Beaver County Bar Association, Beaver Trust Company, and Beaver County United Way. He was a Mercersburg Alumni Council member. Harold was preceded in death by his uncle, Edward McDonald (1898), and brother, George Reed ’52. He is survived by four children (including Tom Reed ’85), six grandchildren, and a cousin, Ed Reed Jr. ’54.
c ’45
Austin F. Brisbane Jr., May 12, 2020. Austin was a U.S. Army veteran, serving in Europe. He studied at George Washington University, and worked for the U.S. Marine Corps as a systems accountant. Survivors include his wife, Dinah, as well as a son and a granddaughter. Warren W. Brubaker, April 10, 2020. Warren was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II. He graduated from Dickinson College and Jefferson Medical School in Philadelphia. He served as a family physician in Annville, Pennsylvania, and as medical director for Bethlehem Steel, Alcoa, and Cornwall Mines, retiring as medical director for Hershey Foods. Warren is survived by two children and three grandchildren. Stewart M. Chesnutt, June 19, 2015. “Stew” served in the U.S. Army during World War II. He owned Stewart’s Men’s Wear in Brookville, Pennsylvania, and served as the Brookville Borough tax collector. He is survived by three children and three grandchildren. Milton Lown, April 25, 2020. Born in Lithuania, Milton emigrated to the United States at age 10. He was a U.S. Army veteran, and studied languages at Bowdoin College. He worked in the shoe industry in four states during his career. He is survived by his wife, Naomi, three children, and six grandchildren.
Richard S. Piper, May 31, 2020. Dick was a veteran of the U.S. Army. He earned a bachelor’s degree in business from Penn State University and was a State Farm agent for 38 years. He is survived by five children, 13 grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.
c ’46
George T. Faris III, February 24, 2020. George was a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean War. He graduated from West Virginia University and retired as an agent with New York Life Insurance Company. Survivors include two children, six grandchildren, and five greatgrandchildren. James Hook, July 16, 2020. Jim graduated from Washington and Jefferson College and Dickinson Law School. After working for the First National Bank of Waynesburg Trust Department, he began a law practice, Hook and Hook, with his brother. Two sons and a nephew later joined the firm. He is survived by his wife, Gail, five children (including Bill ’68 and Richard ’71), two stepsons, eight grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, nephews John ’65 and Dave ’67, and great-nephews Phil ’08 and Samuel ’10.
c ’47
Thomas H. Chidester, July 26, 2020. Tom was a veteran of both the U.S. Army and U.S. Navy. He graduated from the University of Denver, and spent his career working for Abbott Laboratories. He was preceded in death by his father, Laclaire (1912), and is survived by two sons and three grandchildren. Archibald R. Newton III, July 6, 2020. Arch graduated from Carnegie Institute of Technology with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering and the Chrysler Institute with a master’s degree in automotive engineering. He served as a lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force. He worked for Chrysler Corporation and Westinghouse Corporation
before joining several former classmates to launch Industrial Colloids Corporation, where he worked as director of research and development and served on the board of directors. The group later started a second company, then merged the two as Grafo Colloids Corporation. Arch is survived by his wife, Roberta; a son, Todd ’87; and two grandchildren.
pharmaceutical industry, working for Merck & Company and Schering Corporation before joining Bayvet Corporation, eventually becoming its president. He later moved to Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health Inc., serving as president and chief operating officer until his retirement. Jim is survived by his wife, Lynn, two children, a stepson, and three grandchildren.
George Resh Jr., July 3, 2020. George was a captain in the U.S. Army. He graduated from the University of Maryland Dental School. He began practicing dentistry with his father, retiring after 57 years. He is survived by his wife, Dorothy, four children (including Jim ’73), 12 grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren.
John P. Young, April 13, 2020. John served in the U.S. Army as an ordnance storage corpsman during the Korean War. He earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Dickinson College, and was one of the first three students to receive master’s degrees in education from Millersville University. He taught in York elementary and middle schools for 41 years, receiving the district’s Teacher of the Year Award. John is survived by his wife, Lois, as well as four children, 11 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, a brother (Ed ’43), and a great-nephew (Drew ’94).
Morton I. Trilling, April 19, 2020. Morton lived in Highlands Ranch, Colorado. Survivors include a son, two grandsons, and two greatgrandchildren.
c ’48
Ralph L. Mason Jr., April 30, 2020. Ralph was a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean War, stationed in Texas and California and serving in the anti-aircraft and guided missiles Artillery Branch. With his father and brother, he operated RLM Inc., which was involved in tomato canning and timber operations. He also served as president of the Home Bank of Newark in Maryland, and was a lifelong member and past president of the Newark Volunteer Fire Company. Ralph is survived by his wife, Joanne; a son; and two granddaughters and a great-grandson.
c ’49
James C. DeCesare Jr., April 4, 2020. Jim served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Syracuse University and a master’s degree from the Wharton Graduate School of Commerce and Finance at the University of Pennsylvania. He spent his career in the veterinarian
c ’50
John H. Albrecht, April 7, 2020. John was a lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War, serving as a squadron commander. He received a bachelor’s degree from Amherst College and a master’s degree at Virginia Theological Seminary. He served as rector and, after his retirement, interim priest at several churches in southeastern and south-central Michigan. He once gave the opening prayer at a session of the U.S. House of Representatives. John is survived by his wife, Christa, as well as four children and seven grandchildren. William J. Evans, April 28, 2020. Bill graduated from the University of Virginia and was a U.S. Army veteran. After working for Time magazine, he began a career on Wall Street, working at Merrill Lynch, Mitchell Hutchins, and PaineWebber before establishing his own hedge fund, Olympic Partners. Bill is survived by his wife, Christina,
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IN MEMORIAM
as well as a daughter, three stepchildren, and 10 grandchildren.
Charles Moore ’47, Olympic Gold Medalist
C
harles H. Moore Jr. ’47, an Olympic gold and silver medalist in track & field, a noted executive, philanthropist, and sportsman, the former director of athletics at Cornell University, and an emeritus member of Mercersburg Academy’s Board of Regents, died October 8, 2020, at his home in Laporte, Pennsylvania. Charlie won the gold medal for the United States in the 400-meter hurdles (in a then-Olympic record time of 50.8 seconds) at the 1952 Summer Olympics in Helsinki, Finland. He also earned a silver medal in those same Olympics by running a leg of the U.S. mile relay team. Charlie was a member of the USA Track & Field Hall of Fame, and the U.S. Olympic Committee named him one of its 100 Golden Athletes in 1996. Born August 12, 1929, in Coatesville, Pennsylvania, Charlie was the son of Jane Scott Moore and Olympic hurdler Charles H. “Crip” Moore Sr. (1922), who also attended Mercersburg. The Moores are the lone father-and-son tandem among the Academy’s 54 Olympians; the elder Moore was a member of the 1924 U.S. Olympic Team in Paris. Despite this strong track & field pedigree, Charlie did not take up the sport until he arrived at Mercersburg as an 11th-grade student in 1945. Legendary Mercersburg track & field coach Jimmy Curran suggested Charlie try the hurdles; in those days, athletes typically took 15 steps between hurdles in the 400-meter event. “I was six feet tall, but I had fairly long legs and a long stride,” Charlie recalled in a 2008 Mercersburg magazine story. “I said, ‘Wait a minute—I can do better, I’ll take 13 steps between hurdles.’ And that was revolutionary.” In addition to his Olympic exploits, Charlie’s Mercersburg relay team won the national prep-school championships at Madison Square Garden in his first year, and he went on to capture NCAA individual titles in the 220-yard hurdles and 440-yard dash while attending Cornell. He retired from competition following the 1952 Olympics having never lost a 400m hurdles race. As a business executive, Charlie worked with his family’s steel-forging business, Lenape Forge, until it was sold to Gulf + Western Industries (later Paramount Communications and now ViacomCBS). He moved on to leadership roles with a number of multinational companies, as well as a five-year stint as director of athletics at his college alma mater (1994 to 1999). Charlie served on Mercersburg’s Board of Regents from 1996 to 2005 and was national chair of the school’s Mightily Onward capital campaign. He chaired the U.S. Olympic Committee’s Audit Committee and was executive director of the Committee Encouraging Corporate Philanthropy. Charlie was the 2002 recipient of Mercersburg’s Class of ’32 Award, which is the highest honor the school bestows upon one of its graduates. His Olympic medals are on display in the school’s Goldthorpe Athletic Complex.
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William W. LeRoy, June 2, 2020. Bill served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He graduated from Bucknell University and worked as a computer programmer for Lebanon Packaging. Bill is survived by three children and four grandchildren.
c ’51
Samuel C. Contakos, April 27, 2019. Survivors include three children. James K. Gray Jr., April 14, 2020. Jim was a U.S. Army veteran, serving as a paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne Division and the Maryland Reserve. He graduated from Shenandoah College. Jim worked for Pan American Airways as a telecommunications supervisor, at one point sending the first ground-to-air document transmission, and was a passenger on the maiden flight of the first Pan Am 747 from Washington, D.C., to London. He later worked for Euro Motor Cars. Jim is survived by his wife, Shirley, as well as a daughter, three grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren.
c ’52
Roger S. Hindman, May 24, 2020. Roger earned a bachelor’s degree from Princeton University, a master’s in economics from Bucknell University, and a doctorate in European history and diplomacy from the University of Chicago. He taught modern European history at Phillips Exeter Academy. Survivors include his wife, Patricia. Louis E. Kraft III, December 8, 2016. Louis was a U.S. Army veteran. After partnering in business with his father for five years, he joined the DuPont Company, retiring after 34 years. He is survived by his wife, Sandra, as well as five children, two stepsons, 17 grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren.
Raymond C. Novatney Jr., July 25, 2020. “Jerry” was a U.S. Army veteran, serving in the 64th Military Police Company in France. He graduated from the College of Wooster and the Chicago College of Dental Surgery. He practiced dentistry in New Smyrna Beach, Florida, for 35 years. Jerry is survived by three children, four grandchildren, and two greatgrandchildren.
c ’54
William E. Conner, May 25, 2020. Bill retired from Glen-Gery Corporation of Wyomissing, Pennsylvania, where he worked as a brick salesman for 43 years. He is survived by his wife, Barbara, as well as two sons and three grandchildren. Harold H. Hoffman Jr., September 8, 2020. Harold graduated from Davidson College and had a successful career as a financial investor. Survivors include a cousin and a brother-in-law.
c ’55
J. Thomas Kremer Jr., August 26, 2020. Tommy earned a bachelor’s degree from Hampden-Sydney College. He worked in the petroleum industry, retiring as president of Kremer Oil Corporation. He was board chairperson and a lifetime honorary member of the Virginia Petroleum Association, and was named Virginia Oil Man of the Year in 1992. He also served in leadership positions in the Winchester, Virginia, community, including with the city council and local chamber of commerce. Tommy is survived by his wife, Carolyn, as well as three sons and five grandchildren. Richard F. Schmidt, September 6, 2020. Dick served in the U.S. Army, obtaining the rank of first lieutenant. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Dartmouth College and a law degree from Case Western Reserve University. Dick was a member of Mercersburg’s Alumni Council from 1989 to 1995 and from 2007
to 2009; he served as president of the Alumni Council from 1992 to 1994 and was vice president from 1989 to 1992. He chaired his 50th reunion committee in 2005, and was a past chair of the school’s Loyalty Club Committee. Survivors include his wife, Jeannie; son Richard ’88 and daughter Ingrid ’96; two grandchildren; and a brother, Ed ’49.
c ’56
Philip G. Eisenhart, February 22, 2020. Phil lived in Jensen Beach, Florida. He was preceded in death by a brother, Robert ’52.
c ’57
Norman S. Macartney, April 7, 2020. Norm served in the U.S. Navy as a seabee in a construction battalion. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Colby College and taught in New York and Texas during his career. He started a Boy Scout troop, mentored young swimmers, volunteered in his local fire department and his church, and was active in numerous other nonprofit organizations. Norman is survived by his wife, Armena, as well as three children and three grandchildren. Thomas G. Moore, May 11, 2020. Tom attended Penn State University and the University of Delaware. He owned and operated a manufacturers’ representative business in West Chester, Pennsylvania, until his retirement, after which he became active in his Florida community, including as a Charlotte County commissioner and a volunteer with the Grove City Civic Association and Englewood Community Hospital. Tom was preceded in death by his father, Charles H. “Crip” Moore (1922), and a nephew, Charles H. Moore III ’67. Survivors include his wife, Judy; children Nancy Moore Banta ’77 and Steve Moore ’79; six grandchildren, including Lee Banta ’06 (and wife Madeleine Deupree Banta ’06), Cameron Banta ’09, and Jane Banta ’11; a great-grandson; and several nieces and nephews, including David Moore ’74,
Susan Moore ’77, and Brian Moore ’94. Tom’s brother, Olympic gold medalist Charles H. Moore Jr. ’47, died in October (see facing page).
c ’58
Leif A. Ericksen, October 14, 2019. Leif attended Albright College and lived in Glen Mills, Pennsylvania. In addition to his wife, Carol, survivors include two sons, two stepchildren, and four grandchildren. John H. Ewing Jr., May 4, 2020. John was a graduate of West Virginia University and a certified financial planner. He was a stockbroker in Pittsburgh for 45 years, retiring from Morgan Stanley. His civic involvement included serving as president of the Epilepsy Foundation and on the boards of the Graduate School of Industrial Administration at Carnegie Mellon University and Mount Lebanon School. John is survived by his wife, Joan, as well as three children, seven grandchildren, and a cousin, Bob ’54. Ennolls A. Stephens Jr., May 10, 2020. “E” graduated from Cornell University. He served in the U.S. Coast Guard. He owned The Tides Lodge and Marina, one of Virginia’s most unique small resorts, and developed the popular Binnacle Restaurants. He was active in his church and served on several community boards, including Christchurch School and the Tidewater Foundation. Survivors include his wife, Molly, as well as four children and four grandchildren.
c ’59
Michael W. Stoner, April 21, 2020. Mike, who was an All-America swimmer at Mercersburg, earned a bachelor’s degree in architecture from Virginia Tech. He was a U.S. Navy veteran, serving as deck and weapons officer on the USS Cheboygan County. He worked for the architectural firm of Bushey and Burrey, then later established the architectural firm for The Patt Organization.
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IN MEMORIAM
He retired from the Hagerstown Housing Authority, where he served as architect and deputy director. Mike was preceded in death by his cousin, Frederick Diehl ’45. He is survived by his wife, Jeanne, as well as three children (including Susan Stoner Leithauser ’86 and Matt Stoner ’87) and six grandchildren. William W. Thornton Jr., December 14, 2019. Bill earned a bachelor’s degree from Babson College and an MBA from California State University, Los Angeles. He worked in the brokerage industry and started a sportsapparel business, Spirit Activewear, from which he retired in 2006 as chief executive officer. Bill lived in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
c ’60
James O. Donaldson III, September 20, 2020. Jim was a U.S. Army veteran, serving as battalion surgeon for the 237th Engineer Battalion in Germany. He graduated from Haverford College with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry and from the University of Pennsylvania Medical School, and completed additional training at National Hospital in London, England. He taught at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine and practiced at John Dempsey Hospital, retiring from both. He served as director of the hospital’s multiple sclerosis clinic and as chief of neurology. Survivors include his wife, Susan, as well as three children and six grandchildren. Ben M. Willwerth, April 3, 2018. Ben earned bachelor’s and medical degrees from Duke University, and completed his surgical residency at Case Western Reserve University. He became an assistant professor of surgery at Penn State University College of Medicine in Hershey, where his research efforts led to the publication of 13 surgical journal articles. Missing the doctor-patient interactions, he eventually left the university to start a vascular and general surgery practice in New York, from which he retired. Survivors
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include his wife, Nancy, as well as two children and five grandchildren.
c ’62
E. Roger Budny, April 7, 2020. Roger earned a bachelor’s degree from George Washington University, and worked in commercial realestate appraisal. He is survived by his wife, Virginia, two sons (including Trevor ’99), and two grandchildren.
c ’68
Kendrick M. Snyder, October 1, 2020. Kendrick attended the University of Colorado. He was a building contractor and carpenter and the owner of Kendrick Snyder Builder Inc. He was involved in several community organizations, including as a board member of the Acoaxet Club and the Fall River YMCA. Survivors include his wife, Anne, as well as two daughters and three grandchildren.
c ’69
James A. Cassell, September 23, 2020. Jim earned varsity letters in football, wrestling, and baseball while at Mercersburg. He received a bachelor’s degree in biology from Shepherd University, where he also played football. A master carpenter, he worked at several Washington, D.C., area construction firms before starting several of his own companies, most recently Great Falls Design Build. In addition to his wife, Susan, survivors include three sons, four grandchildren, and his mother. Peter Y. Henry, July 13, 2020. Pete earned an undergraduate degree from Ohio University and a law degree from St. Mary’s University. He practiced personal injury and family law in San Antonio, Texas. He is survived by his significant other, Kay Morgan, as well as three sons and a grandson.
c ’70
Mark M. Schneider, February 12, 2018. Mark graduated from Elmira College. He spent more than 25 years in public service, working in county and state government, including as chief of staff to a former New York state senator. Survivors include his wife, Julie, and a son.
c ’72
Thomas T. Ashby, January 14, 2017. Tom held various jobs throughout his life, including teacher, warehouse supervisor, and route driver. He was also a high school and youth sports coach. He spent time in the Peace Corps in Lesotho. Survivors include his wife, Tamra, and two children.
c ’75
Lindakay Rendina, July 2, 2020. Lindakay earned a bachelor’s degree in art from Carnegie Mellon University. She became a professional makeup artist, working in the commercial, film, and television industries. After moving from New York to California, she directed the Book Pals Reading in Education program at the Screen Actors Guild. Recently, she worked as a certified medical makeup artist, one of her most gratifying jobs. She also was a gifted artist, creating oil and acrylic paintings and drawings throughout her life. Survivors include her mother, three siblings (including Joe ’71), five nieces (including Gina Rendina ’97 and Savina Rendina Cupps ’99), and a nephew. Janie H. Jaffe Rudov, April 13, 2020. Jane earned a bachelor’s degree from Ohio Wesleyan University and a master’s degree in international management from the Thunderbird School of Global Management at Arizona State University. She worked for Deloitte and the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center before becoming global director of marketing for the Oldham Division of Industrial Scientific Corporation. She last worked as director of marketing and business development at CJL Engineering. Survivors
include her parents, a brother (David Jaffe ’72) and sister (Erica Jaffe Miller ’77), three stepchildren, and a cousin, Fred Robins ’58.
c ’76
Howell W. Mette, April 20, 2020. Howell received a bachelor’s degree in engineering from Columbia University. He worked as a
broadcast engineer at CBS for 33 years. He is survived by his longtime girlfriend, Pam Cioffi, as well as two sisters, a brother, and several nieces and nephews.
c ’82
Loren P. Roth, April 20, 2020. Loren sang in the Octet and participated in theater
Molly Jones Mancini ’79
M
argaret “Molly” Jones Mancini ’79, who served as president of Mercersburg’s Alumni Council from 2015 to 2017 and was a member of the Council from 2010 to 2017, passed away October 9, 2020. Born September 12, 1960, Molly was the daughter of the late J. Richard “Dick” Jones ’48 and attended Mercersburg for three years. As a student, she served as secretary of her Class Council and as a dorm proctor and Blue Key officer; was a member of the field hockey, swimming, tennis, and fencing teams; and was involved with Stuac (the Student Activities Committee) and the Dance Committee.
Molly graduated from Florida Atlantic University in 1984 and from Florida International University in 1986. She held a number of positions in the culinary and food industries, including most recently with Utz Quality Foods in Hanover, Pennsylvania. She also served as president of The Perfect Blend, a catering service in Fort Lauderdale, and worked for the Cibo Corporation, Winter Gardens Quality Foods, Hanover Foods, and Schagrin’s Wine, Spirits, and Gourmet. She married John Mancini in 1995 in the Irvine Memorial Chapel. Their son, Johnny ’14, was born in 1996, and their daughter, Ava ’18, followed in 1999. Molly was a class agent and a longtime supporter of Mercersburg in a number of official and unofficial roles. In addition to her husband, children, and sister, Beth Jones Sisca ’82, survivors include a number of cousins who are Mercersburg alumni: Ted Smith ’83, Hannah Smith Kudrik ’91, Sarah Smith ’93, emeriti faculty member Wirt Winebrenner Jr. ’54, Anne Winebrenner Knuth ’79, Lisa Winebrenner ’81, Wirt Winebrenner III ’82, and Jonathan Winebrenner ’86. A number of classmates and friends have established the Molly Jones Mancini ’79 Scholarship Fund at Mercersburg. For information on how to support this fund in Molly’s memory, contact Tim Crouch, director of leadership giving, at croucht@mercersburg.edu or 717-360-8909.
performances while at Mercersburg, and later attended Dickinson College. Survivors include his father, two sisters, and a niece and nephew.
c ’91
Aimee A. LaFollette, June 1, 2020. Aimee graduated summa cum laude from Fairmont State College. She worked for Jacobs and Hutchinson Hardware Company. Aimee was preceded in death by her father, Bob ’62. Survivors include her son, her mother, and her brothers J.P. ’87 and Rob ’90.
c ’98
Jeffrey M. Adair, former faculty member, December 20, 2020. [A full obituary for Jeff will be published in our next issue.]
c Former
Faculty/ Staff
James W. Hammond, former faculty member (1967-1976) and father of Frederic “Fritz” Hammond ’77 and Heidi Hammond O’Connor ’79, July 3, 2020. At Mercersburg, Jim taught Spanish and German, chaired the language department, and coached football, wrestling, and lacrosse. He later spent 28 years on the faculty at The Holderness School in New Hampshire. William J. Hoppe, former staff member (1973-1987) and father of Neil ’75, Steve ’75, Louise Hoppe Green ’78, and Jon ’80, September 23, 2020. Bill served as a business manager for private independent schools for 35 years, including 18 years at Mercersburg. He was past president of a New England association of private independent secondary schools. M. Jeffrey Moredock, former faculty member (1973-1979), August 1, 2020. Jeffrey served as the chaplain and director of student activities at Mercersburg. He later served as head of school at institutions in New York, Virginia, and California, and as COO for the National Association of Independent Schools.
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FROM THE ARCHIVES
T
he Staley Archives in Lenfest Hall includes an unusual stand that dates at least as far back as the early 1900s. The top of the stand is
covered in an emerald green fabric with a piece of wood attached to the bottom to help hold papers in place. On the back of the stand are dozens of Mercersburg alumni “signatures” carved into the wood, including one of Jimmy Stewart ’28.
“We have gone through and traced the names to see if we could find any commonalities,” says School Archivist Doug Smith. “That wasn’t very easy to do. I suspected it had something to do with Glee Club and then possibly the Irving Literary Society, but have yet to make any true connections.” Readers, do you know more about this intriguing piece of Mercersburg’s history? If you can help fill in any of the details, please contact us at magazine@mercersburg.edu.
The name “Buck Irvine ’26” appears on the bottom of the stand. Buck (son of Dr. William Mann Irvine) died very young; had he lived, he would have graduated from Mercersburg in 1926.
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MERCERSBURG ACADEMY MAGAZINE
THE LAST WORD
“Office of Admission –
SUSAN SIMAR has left the building.” By Jim Kaurudar ’98
remember being quite nervous for my Mercersburg tour and interview, since I was applying as a one-year senior. Susan Simar’s warm smiling face was the first thing I saw when I entered Traylor Hall and her hug at the end of my visit helped put me and my mom at ease. The stars aligned and I was offered a spot in the Class of 1998. During my senior year, I often stopped by Traylor in between classes when I had a random question and Susan always knew the answer. Never without a map and/or pencil in her desk, she drew landmarks to help visitors find their way, whether it was on campus or a hidden antique store. Over the years, we have kept in touch, and Susan sent updates on what was new and exciting at the school. If I found myself taking a detour down Route 16, I would drive to campus and see if Susan was sitting at her desk for a quick hello. She often responded to my emails saying that she was laughing at my anecdotes because she could hear my voice as she read what I wrote. During my class reunion weekends, I always made a point to try to visit Susan. One year, we had a very small window of time to visit because she was going out of town that weekend. She sent me her cell phone number and said to call (not text) when I arrived that Friday, as she would be in a staff meeting. I told her I did not want to interrupt if she had a meeting and I could see her next time. She had already informed her boss that she would be excusing herself from the meeting when I called because we had not seen each other in quite a few years. That was that and we had a good visit.
Last November, we had a #MaskUpMercersburg socially distanced visit and I took her some goodies to celebrate her retirement. Her husband, [faculty emeritus and former director of athletics] Ron Simar, picked up Romeo’s and we visited outside in their courtyard and enjoyed the beautiful warm weather. Susan is adjusting quite well and enjoying retirement. Once the COVID-19 pandemic is under control, I think she will enjoy it even more, especially if she can volunteer somewhere. Susan loved her job and welcoming students and their families into her “living room” in Traylor Hall and making them feel comfortable. I am sorry new students and families will not get to experience the Susan Simar Five-Star Treatment that thousands of us have over the years, but I am so very glad that I experienced it! Attending Mercersburg was one of the best decisions I ever made and I have no doubt that Susan’s care during my first visit helped make that decision. Thank you so very much for your friendship and the tremendous impact you have made on me and the entire Mercersburg community over the years! You truly are a legend, Mrs. Simar! Susan Simar P ’86, ’90, ’91 retired in October after 32 years as Mercersburg’s admission receptionist. Jim Kaurudar ’98 lives in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
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MERCERSBURG ACADEMY MAGAZINE