TRUSTEE NEWS

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TRUSTEE NEWS

The beautiful view of New York City from the Upper School cafeteria

Dear MKA Community,

One of the highlights of my tenure as President of the Board of Trustees took place in October when I presided over the Investiture of Nigel D. Furlonge as MKA’s fifth Head of School. It was a meaningful and historic event made even more special by the fact that this has happened so infrequently in the 48 years of the school’s existence. It is a great source of pride for members of the Board and for me to point to the longevity of so many of our leaders, both on the staff and on the faculty. Many educators choose to stay at MKA because of the opportunity for personal growth and the dynamic environment in which they are able to make a positive impact on students through world class academics, arts, and athletics.

At his Investiture, I described Nigel as an authentic leader, fully aligned with MKA’s mission and beliefs. I know Nigel will help us to uphold our most valued traditions and lead our growth in a transformative way. These accomplishments will not be achieved alone, without the support of the entire community. Scott Coronis, MKA’s longest-serving faculty member, said at the Investiture, “Your largest (and newest) group of supporters is the other group sitting here today: the faculty and staff of MKA. Each one of us wants nothing more than to be a resource and a rock for you. We have a vested interest in your success: if you succeed, we all succeed. We know that you are here for us, and we want you to know that we are here for you.”

As we approach spring and the end of the school year, it would be negligent of me not to recognize the sacrifices that our faculty and staff have made, yet again, during this past school year. They have faced new challenges with courage and resilience, and the Board is profoundly grateful.

The members of the Board of Trustees and I stand at the ready to support the school and help deliver on the mission of MKA.

With warmest regards,

Kathleen M. Logan, President, Board of Trustees

MONTCLAIR KIMBERLEY ACADEMY

2021-2022 BOARD OF TRUSTEES

OFFICERS Kathleen M. Logan President Luke A. Sarsfield III ’91 Vice President Karen T. Gulliver Vice President Jeffrey G. Szilagyi Treasurer Evelyn M. Colbert Secretary

MEMBER TRUSTEES Merrick G. Andlinger Naveen Ballem ’90 Jennifer A. Barbetta Anya C. Barrett ’89 James L. Bromley Bonnie S. Carter Evelyn M. Colbert Paige L. Cottingham-Streater ’79 Caitlin DiRuggiero ’06 Carolyn N. Everson Clifford B. Finkle IV ’92 Peter J. Fusco ’89 Tracy E. Higgins Janice L. Jacobson Tina A. Jordan Lauren H. Kaplan ’93 Thomas W. Nammack Robert J. Ruberton Stephanie A. Salzman Matthew J. Sherman Margaret A. Wager

HONORARY TRUSTEES Aubin Z. Ames ’54 John E. Garippa Alice M. Hirsh Michal V. Johnson Newton B. Schott, Jr.

ADVISORY TRUSTEES David A. Crichlow Barry W. Ridings ’70 Robert L. Tortoriello

For more information about our Board of Trustees, please visit www.mka.org/about/ board-of-trustees

Remembering a Cherished Member of our Community

Mary Johnson

P’06 ’08 ’10 ’13 ’19

MKA parent and integral community member Mary L. Johnson, 61, of Montclair, NJ and Nantucket, MA passed away unexpectedly in her sleep from heart complications on December 15, 2021. She was vigorous and active up until her untimely death and will be greatly missed. Michael V. Johnson, Mary’s beloved husband, has been on MKA’s Board of Trustees since 2000. He was MKA’s Board President for six years and remains on the Board as an Honorary Trustee. Michael and Mary have five children, Sarah ’06, Matt ’08, Will ’10, MH ’13, and Annie ’19; all graduated from MKA and are considered Lifers at the school.

Born in Oklahoma City, OK, Mary graduated from Southern Methodist University in 1983 with a BS in Mechanical Engineering. She practiced engineering from 1984-1988 in the workplace and for the rest of her life in the home. Mary and Michael wed in 1983. They were joyously married for nearly 38 years and lived in Dallas until 1989, when they moved to Montclair. Mary was very active in her community and church. A woman of profound faith, Mary sensed when people needed help and helped them herself. From waking up at 5:00 a.m. to drive a friend into the city for dozens of chemo treatments, to delivering a meal to someone with an upsetting family event, to fixing the boiler of a grieving family, she was simply there for people. She shrugged off any credit or thanks, always wishing she could do more. Her giving often went beyond what friends knew, such as the secretive provision of airconditioning for her church, the secret payment of tuition for a family in need, or the quiet payment of a medical bill.

At MKA, Mary served on PAMKA for more than 15 years in a variety of positions but especially as a treasurer. She is remembered for creating models and spreadsheets for the Book Fair finance team on each campus, and while the models were complex, they were created in such a way as to make it easier for everyone on the team to succeed. Mary hosted innumerable grade socials and made newcomers feel especially welcome as she embraced them as part of the MKA family. In particular, Mary’s long lasting impact can be seen and felt in the continuation of the PAMKA Faculty Trust Grants. Faculty Trust Grants were her favorite part of PAMKA, and she was honored to chair that committee. She loved the teachers and truly enjoyed seeing them rewarded for intellectual pursuit and personal renewal, thought through the details, and always worked to ensure there were maximum rewards for the dollars allotted.

In addition to PAMKA, Mary hosted Board functions while Michael was President; served as class parent; and always followed the activities of their five children.

It is clear in all she did that Mary felt a duty to give but also took genuine joy in providing. She taught us the meaning of love and charity, and she was kind, compassionate, and thoughtful. Her life serves as inspiration to us all, and her memory will live on.

“Mary was a person of great integrity who engaged with MKA as a parent and a volunteer with warmth, candor, and deep respect for teachers. She and Michael and their five children made MKA a second home and in so doing imbued the school with a deeper sense of family. As a volunteer, Mary completely committed to whatever assignment came her way, motivated by the desire to see the school fulfill its mission for every child and every colleague. She was a joy to work with on any committee or initiative. Mary’s sense of purpose moved MKA forward on countless occasions and was a source of inspiration for me and many other colleagues, students, and parents.”

–Tom Nammack, Former MKA Head of School