Fall/Winter Cupola 2010 by Moses Brown School

Fall/Winter 2009-2010

Moses Brown

Looking Back, Looking Forward

Cupola

With new Head of School Matt Glendinning, Raymond Pasquariello ’88, Abigail Reibman ’04, Alessandro Thompson ’88, Jessica Villella ’09, Ted Widmer ’80, Ruffin Powell, Doug Burgess ’95

Moses Brown, a Friends school, exists to inspire the inner promise of each student and instill the utmost care for learning, people, and place. — Moses Brown School mission statement

Classic MB: Moses Brown Homecoming and Reunion celebrate the timeless contributions of members of our community.

Moses Brown School Board of Overseers 2009-2010 Frohman C. Anderson ’80 P ’10 ’12 John T. Barrett, Jr. ’63 P ’01 Emily Low Boenning ’81

Congratulations to the MBAA’s fall 2009 award recipients.

Russell Carpenter ’59

Russell H. Carpenter ’59

Marc A. Crisafulli P ’12 ’14 ’17

Service to Alma Mater

Linda Doberstein P ’08 ’10 ’12 ’15

Russ has enjoyed many honors for his work as an attorney in Washington, D.C. and is also

President, Parents’ Association

well known for his pro bono work for organizations such as the International Law Institute.

Ted Fischer ’83 P ’12 ’14 ’17

His service to his alma mater spans the decades. He received the Alumni Association’s 25th Reunion Award and most recently served on his 50th Reunion committee. He also is a member of the Board of Overseers. Muneer Ahmad ’89 Outstanding Young Alumnus Muneer joined Yale Law’s faculty in July and also has taught at American and Georgetown. A specialist in immigration law and international human rights, Muneer was a staff attorney

David Costantino P ’12

Chair, Development Committee Katharine Hazard Flynn P ’12 ’15 Chair, Budget & Finance Committee Habib Y. Gorgi ’74 P ’08 ’10 ’12 ’17 Chair of the Board Chair, Executive Committee Melissa Crouchley Hem ’85 David Holdt Mary Jo Kaplan P ’08 ’11

at the Asian Pacific American Legal Center in Los Angeles. He has written and spoken widely

Thia Lord

about the impact of the September 11 attacks on Arab, Muslim, and South Asian communities.

Robert D. Mann ’69 P ’08 ’10 Treasurer

James Skillings

M. Willis Monroe ’04

Faculty Member of the Year

Neal Pandozzi ’91

Jim was an All-State athlete and captain at East Providence High in soccer and hockey. A

Jaymin Patel P ’16 ’17

graduate of Rhode Island College, Jim has taught and coached middle school sports at MB for

Dieter Pohl P ’14

28 years. An ardent supporter of the middle school team trips, he has been on the Team II trip to New Hampshire for 22 years. (That includes many hikes up Mt. Chocorua.) Jim and his wife are the proud parents of 4-year-old Lindsey, MB Class of 2023. Earlier in 2009, other MB alumni were recognized by the Moses Brown Alumni Association at Reunion in May: Peter Kilmarx ’79, MB’s 2009 Distinguished Alumnus; and Rick Metters ’84 and Michael Geffroy ’84, 25th Reunion Achievement Award recipients. Send nominations for future awards to alumni@mosesbrown.org.

Stephanie Ogidan Preston ’97 President, Alumni Association James Reavis P ’11 ’13 ’16 Chair, Trustee Committee Cynthia West Reik Martha Schwope Carol Smith Secretary E. Paul Sorensen P ’02 Chair, Buildings & Grounds Committee Blair D. Stambaugh Sheri Sweitzer P ’05

History in the making: See present-day MB at www.mosesbrown.org Look up a classmate in our alumni directory or stay up to date with classic MB events (login via Campus Link) • See alumni memories in this year’s annual report (www. mosesbrown.org/annualreport) • Make a suggestion for our next issue, Freshman

Vice-Chair Chair, Strategic Planning Committee Reza Taleghani ’90 Catherine Terry Taylor P ’13 ’15 Chair, Nominating Committee

Year (Alumni > Contact Us) • Go Quakers! Read about MB athletes, sports scores and schedules • See what’s

Steven Tripp P ’19 ’24

going on now: watch recent campus videos, view photos, and hear fun audio clips in the Media Gallery.

Elizabeth R. B. Zimmerman Friends Coordinator

Also, find us at www.facebook.com/MosesBrownSchool or twitter.com/mosesbrown

Chair, Nurturing Friends Education Matt Glendinning Head of School Andrew H. Davis, Jr. ’55 P ’88

Join MB for an alumni event!

School Counsel

Upcoming events will take place in Florida (Vero Beach and Palm Beach,

Linda Jenkins

March 23-25) and Washington, D.C. (April 8).

Clerk of NEYM

Cupola

Fall/Winter 2009-2010

Cupola A bi-annual magazine for Moses Brown School alumni Editor Sandi Seltzer P ’09 ’13 Managing Editor Kristen A. Curry Class Notes Editor Susan Cordina P ’14 ’16

Director of Alumni/ae Relations Karin Morse ’79

Photography Peter Goldberg David O’Connor John Carter Brown Library at Brown University (p. 3, 12, 14, 16, 18, 19, 20)

Designer Bridget Snow Design Printer Colonial Printing, Warwick, certified by the Forest Stewardship Council Moses Brown School is a nonprofit institution owned by and under the care of the New England Yearly Meeting of Friends. The Cupola is produced by the Office of Alumni Relations for alumni and friends of Moses Brown. Your feedback is welcome. Please send comments to: Cupola, Moses Brown School, 250 Lloyd Avenue, Providence, RI 02906. Send suggestions, class notes, and address updates to MB Alumni Relations via mosesbrown.org or alumni@mosesbrown.org; 401-831-7350 x114. www.mosesbrown.org

Making History: Commenting on the Classics Guest editor: Doug Burgess ’95, page 12

13 Raymond Pasquariello ’88

Archaeologist and cultural resources

manager, Providence

14 Abigail Reibman ’04 moby dick (or, the white whale), 2008 By 1988 graduates / artists Alessandro Thompson and Alex Weinstein

Departments “Passion in Action,” from Head of School Matt Glendinning 4 Hope & Commitment: Matt Glendinning’s Installation, September 22

Hope & Lloyd: School News

Mobile MB: Alumni Events

Class Notes

Classic Ransom: Ransom Griffin & the Annual Fund

A New Appreciation for MB History: Betsy Tammaro ’09

In Memoriam

David Burnham on MB Architect Robert Jones ’51

The Obadiah Brown Society: Leaving a Lasting Legacy

Classics student to chef to classics

student, Edinburgh

15 Alessandro Thompson ’88

Sculptor and entertainment/art

maker, Los Angeles

16 Jessica Villella ’09

A senior project on MB Myths

and Legends

18 Ted Widmer ’80 Q&A

Director, John Carter Brown

Library, Providence

20 Ruffin Powell

Director of library services,

Moses Brown

Passion in Action

A letter from Matt Glendinning, Head of School

AT AN EDUCATIONAL CONFERENCE LAST YEAR, I heard Dan Heath, co-author of best-selling marketing guide Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die, decry the state of independent “What these and other alums seem to have in common is a core sense of integrity — a harmony of personal identity and professional aspiration — coupled with a sense of responsibility for something they view as important. They are motivated by something larger than themselves: a desire to preserve the past, serve the present and create the future. They are natural stewards, and that is not a common trait today.”

school branding, at least as reflected in school mission statements. There, he argued, you will typically find a blend of academic rigor, care for the whole child, and values-based education — inspirational, perhaps, but also somewhat predictable and generic, and hardly serving to differentiate one school from another.

I mention this because since first becoming acquainted with MB a year ago, I have experienced

the opposite. I am continuously impressed by the cogency, vitality and genuineness of MB’s mission:

Moses Brown, a Friends school, exists to inspire the inner promise of each student and instill the utmost

care for learning, people and place.

Not only are we bucking the trend cited by Mr. Heath, I think MB’s mission as a whole is in many

ways countercultural. This issue of Cupola illustrates how and why.

Conversations with alumni, parents, teachers and students have convinced me that one of

MB’s enduring strengths is its ability to help children discover their personal identity, develop inner passion, and put that passion to use in creative, often noble ways. This happens daily in our

Matt Glendinning

classrooms, and emerges from a host of tangible and intangible factors, e.g., expert and caring teachers; rich curricular and co-curricular programs; our Quaker heritage; an extensive, historic campus; a culture that encourages intellectual achievement; and of course, creative and talented students who challenge and inspire each other. Consider the testimony I heard from two alums this summer:

“

MB broadened my world and built for me a sense of empowerment, giving me the tools to become the entrepreneur of my own world. . . . That I had someone to talk to, who believed in me and let the art studio become my safe haven, was invaluable. . . . Moses Brown taught me many lessons, the most important of which is to persevere, follow my dreams and give back. E lizabeth Newton ’91

”

Will You Join Me in Athens?

The year 2010 offers me a once-in-a-lifetime chance

Athens to announce victory against the Persians.

to tap into my own passions, as it marks the 2500th

Fortunately, the part of the story where Pheidippides

anniversary of the original marathon in ancient

collapses and dies after shouting “nike” (victory) is

Greek history. On October 31, I plan to run the Athens

apocryphal. This will be my seventh marathon, so

Classic Marathon in commemoration, along with

I’m hoping for a better outcome!

fellow runners from the MB community.

The race follows the course taken by the Greek

in related academic and athletic activities, including

Pheidippides in 490 BCE as he ran from Marathon to

lower school students staging their own Olympics;

During the fall, the schoolhouse will participate

Registration for the marathon opens in February 2010: find out more at www.athensclassicmarathon.gr

“

My MB education laid the foundation for the rest of my life in academe (I have been both an assistant dean at Georgetown and now at UVA). I learned not only how to write well or analyze texts, but also to help others and do what makes your heart sing. In my own case, there is nothing quite like working with a person experiencing personal, academic, family, or financial

Students Explore Passions, With Thanks to the Class of ‘48

troubles and helping them to transform those troubles. Success is not measured

Four seniors were recipients of last summer’s Class of 1948 Awards for

by dollars or job titles — but by affecting change one person at a time.

Independent Study & Inquiry, a classic MB opportunity to travel and

C lay Hysell ’79

”

pursue intellectual promise.

I think you will find the alumni highlighted in this issue similarly inspiring.

Jacob Berman worked at an orphanage in Romania. “I yearned to go

Of course, as a classicist and archaeologist I am thrilled to learn about Ray

to Romania to explore my roots and, more importantly, do something

Pasquariello ’88 and his field work focusing on the slave trade, Abigail

for a country which still struggles to recover after decades of control by

Reibman ’04 and her scholarly interest in Roman food and social customs,

a communist dictatorship,” he says. “The Class of 1948 Award helped

and Ted Widmer ’80 and his curatorial work with rare books at the John

me accomplish these goals. Helping people with whom I feel connected

Carter Brown Library at Brown University.

always was a dream of mine. I wanted to give something back to the

country that has given me part of my identity.

What these and other alums seem to have in common is a core sense of

integrity — a harmony of personal identity and professional aspiration — coupled with a sense of responsibility for something they view as important.

Evan Springhetti spent two weeks at the Second City Training Center

They are motivated by something larger than themselves: a desire to

in Chicago, the largest school of improvisation and sketch comedy in the

preserve the past, serve the present and create the future. They are natural

world. The center has trained and supported some of the best and

stewards, and that is not a common trait today.

brightest comedians and actors in the business, and, during its 50-year

legacy, has created a wealth of comedic material from a legendary group

I hope you will enjoy these “classic” people and stories. To me they illustrate

the enduring value of a Moses Brown education, as MB alumni continue to

of performers. Evan had the opportunity to work with known and

have an impact on our world far out of proportion to their number.

emerging talents and to hone his skills in performance and scriptwriting. Matt D’Uva studied guitar at the National Guitar Workshop in Connecticut, a premier school for serious musicians. With a 25-year history, the guitar workshop is dedicated to bringing the best in music education to guitarists, bassists, keyboardists, drummers, and vocalists of all styles and abilities. Matt was able to advance his musical talent while working with well-established and prominent musicians, an opportunity unlike any other for young artists.

older students examining historical context; and the track team providing demonstrations of events such

Eliza DeCroce-Movson conducted research on primates in South

as jumping, javelin and discus. “Fun runs” will take

America, a three-week adventure in Costa Rica and Panama. The

place at both Alumni and Homecoming weekends,

program was academically rigorous and provided once-in-a-lifetime

and scholarship funds will be raised by the MB 2010

experiences, including taking walks at 4:30 a.m. to observe the

Marathon runners. For more information, visit the

monkeys in their natural habitat and providing needed services at

school website or contact me at mglendinning@

local primate rehabilitation and research centers. “I was very happy

mosesbrown.org.

to have this opportunity, where I was surrounded by others who were as driven and passionate about biology as I am,” says Eliza.

Moses Brown Welcomes Matt Glendinning

More than 600 members of the Moses Brown School community welcomed Head of School Matt Glendinning — a scholar and an athlete with a decade of leadership in Quaker schools — in a formal installation ceremony on Tuesday, September 22, 2009, in the Waughtel-Howe Field House. Former heads of school Dave Burnham and Joanne Hoffman joined the event, which was led by Chair of the Board Habib Gorgi ’74.

The event began with the Upper School Strings ensemble breaking

silence with “Simple Gifts.” As part of the celebration, in a format that was based on a traditional Quaker wedding ceremony, guests shared their reflections, hopes, and commitments for the school today and in years ahead. As part of the event, all members of the community were asked to contribute a written Hope & Commitment card, as a way of symbolizing our collective responsibility to helping the school stay strong and true to its mission. Students, parents, faculty, staff, and alumni then read their contributions as part of the installation.

The ceremony also included a welcome from alumni representative

Chris Hill ’70, the current U.S. Ambassador to Iraq, and a formal welcome from Providence Mayor David Cicilline. An inaugural speech by Matt Glendinning was followed by time for the whole school to pause in a Meeting for Worship, which elicited powerful and unprogrammed reflections from students and faculty.

Steadfast promises and reflections were shared by students in all divisions, as well as from faculty, parents, and Friends, on these cards collected at the event.

September 22, 2009: Head of School Installation Welcoming Matt Glendinning

A Community Dreams, A Community Commits Reflections Shared at the Installation New England Yearly Meeting, Debbie Block and Betsy Zimmerman Debbie Block, Friend, parent of alumni As the Moses Brown community begins its next chapter, our hope is that this will be a place of restless searching and experimenting; a place for risk taking with a ceaseless search for new levels of perfection. We hope that human development and human excellence will take precedence over just academic excellence. We hope that as a community and as individuals we will be models for what is possible in a world that places its priorities in truth and justice, equality, integrity, peace and joy.

Hope & Commitment Matt Glendinning’s inaugural address I THINK MANY OF YOU KNOW that I have a strong interest in classical

antiquity — the civilizations of the ancient Mediterranean world. Ok, I admit it, I’m a bit of an ancient history geek, and I’m at it again today. This morning, I’d like to tap into Greek history in order to share my own Hope & Commitment with you. I want to tell you about a personal hero of mine, Socrates.

Who’s heard of Socrates? Where are our students from the Lower

School? I don’t know if you’ve heard of this guy, but I’m sure you’ve heard of Hercules, right? Well Hercules was the strongest man in ancient Greece, and Socrates was the smartest.

Much of what I admire in the field of education is encapsulated in the

life of this Athenian philosopher. For me, Socrates’ life and accomplishments serve as a model for the kind of learning community I’d like to see us build at Moses Brown. A master teacher

Teachers will know Socrates’ name because it’s the basis of the famous

Socratic Method. This is a fundamental way of teaching by means of asking questions, often questions for which there is more than one correct answer, or maybe no clear answer at all.

In an age that lacked smart boards, the internet, or even organized

schools, Socrates was famous for his informal method of teaching that took the form of dialogues with friends and students. Typically these conversations were about some area of expertise that the other person claimed to have.

Socrates asked a lot of questions. Each one by itself was fairly simple.

But cumulatively they became an irresistible force. Using critical inquiry,

Betsy Zimmerman, Friend, Board Member, co-chair Religious Life Committee As members of the Providence Friends Meeting and New England Yearly Meeting, we commit to supporting all the ways you answer that of God in everyone. We commit to engaging with you to bring our communities closer to one another and to work together in the tasks of teaching, learning and service to others with an attitude that is guided by cooperation, compassion and respect. We commit to holding this community in the Light as this new chapter unfolds and offer our guidance, support and love. Middle school, Ananya Lakshmi Hariharan and Jon Gold Ananya Lakshmi Hariharan, seventh grade My hope is that we can all find our place in this community, that we learn everywhere we go, from the classrooms to the hallways, from the soccer fields to the cafeteria, and that we all become citizens of the world with the utmost care for people and place. I hope that we become close enough that we never lose each other in life, wherever it takes us, and we hold on to the lessons Moses Brown has taught us. I hope we can all be Moses Brown kids forever. Jon Gold, history My commitment is to work to my utmost to generate Moses Brown kids, students who value one another’s opinions, practice compassion and empathy, and care about the world beyond our gates. As a teacher, I commit to challenging students to adopt new ways of thinking, to demanding that students learn from all of their experiences at MB, and to giving students the skills they need to function in an increasingly complicated world. At the same time, I commit to creating a learning environment where student voices matter, where risk-taking is encouraged, and where expansive, open-minded thinking is required. I commit to producing people who will be MB kids forever. Parents, Linda Doberstein and Debbie Artenstein Linda Doberstein As Moses Brown parents, we hope that the school continues to foster our children’s academic, spiritual, creative and athletic growth, while preparing them for a changing world. We hope that MB will maintain the fine balance of nurturing students while challenging them to always perform at their best, and will enable them to be successful in all their future endeavors. Finally, we hope that despite giving our curriculum a more global focus, the school does not allow its students to overlook those in their immediate surroundings who need help, or to forget about the wonderful opportunities that they have been given here at MB.

Socrates unmasked weak logic, exposed opinion masquerading as fact, and undermined unwarranted confidence in the truth of popular ideas.

Through questions, Socrates would often lead his partner to a puzzled

realization that he didn’t know much at all for certain, causing some to complain that a conversation with Socrates left you feeling like you’d been bitten by a stingray!

(continued)

Debbie Artenstein As parents we are fully committed to the understanding that progress requires change. We will not be intimidated by this change, but rather we will embrace it as a challenge, to be met with a tolerant attitude and abundance of patience, even on the stormiest of days. We commit ourselves to working in partnership with faculty and staff to create a nurturing, supportive community that allows each person who passes through the gates an opportunity to discover their inner light.

Community Reflections Alumni, Stephanie Ogidan Preston ‘97 I bring this hope and commitment to you from the Moses Brown Alumni Association. MBAA’s mission is to connect alumni to each other and the school. With that in mind, representing the thousands of alumni around the country and the world, we hope that MB can connect with us and keep us informed of all the great things our alma mater will be doing. We hope in this transition there will be a commitment to finding new ways to reach out, whether it be through technology, events, reunions or conferences. We love our school and want to be engaged in new ways. At the same time, our commitment as alumni needs to be to continue to help steward and enhance our alma mater by caring deeply about its current faculty, students, and programs; by staying informed about and engaged with our school; and by investing our time, talent, and resources in its future.

honor the truth as they grow to become progressive global citizens. Here, our teachers are empowered to shape the future as they strive to enrich our knowledge, engage our minds, and equip us with the tools essential to the success of each of our future endeavors. Through fostering an environment of mutual learning, Moses Brown must remain committed to be the place where all of us can discover that we have the power to make our world a better place. Jamie German, science In this time of transition, I hope that Moses Brown maintains and strengthens its commitment to Quaker values. I count as one of the most important of these values our respect for a diversity of voices. To explore those alternate perspectives, to learn from each other, to see things from different viewpoints, to find creative ways to settle differences and to solve problems, we need to call out this diversity of voices, and hear them.

Upper School, Austin Jaspers and Jamie German Austin Jaspers, eleventh grade At this time of transition, Moses Brown must reaffirm its commitment to inspire and challenge all learners. In our increasingly complex and ever-changing world, members of the Moses Brown community are encouraged to explore alternate perspectives and

Staff, Ryan Vemmer and Lily Cataldi Simmers Ryan Vemmer, web manager My hope is that Moses Brown will always be filled with teachers and staff members who, no matter their age, still sparkle with youth, idealism, humor, and passion for learning. Be vigilant about preserving your youthful energy, and your idealism.

Students, this is one of our goals for you

possessed. He said one of the most profound

— not a numb sense of puzzlement, of course;

things I’ve ever heard: ‘If I am the wisest man

fairly elusive trait in the world today. In a

not a stingray bite; but the stretching of your

alive, it’s because I know one thing, that I

study by the Gallup organization that surveyed

minds. We want your learning to involve you

know nothing.’

more than 10 million people, 70% reported

as an equal partner in dialogue and exchange.

In other words, Socrates’ wisdom lay in

that in their daily lives they were not tapping

It should require the application of reasoning

the fact that he was conscious of his own

into their personal strengths and doing what

skills that leads to discovery and the building

ignorance.

they do best. That’s a shame, because the 30%

of new understanding. And it should at times

I really admire that kind of humility and

who were doing that were six times more

make you uncomfortable, as new information

honesty. To me, such self-awareness makes

likely to be engaged in their jobs and more

or perspectives cause you to think about your

Socrates the epitome of the life-long learner.

than three times as likely to report having an

own assumptions.

He never claimed to be an expert in anything,

excellent quality of life (Tom Rath, Strengths

arguing that the only thing one can really

Finder 2.0, iii, 11).

Know Thyself

know for sure is oneself. And written on the

Socrates’ reputation for brilliance spread

Understanding your inner excellence is a

All of this is a really important part of

wall inside the temple at Delphi were perhaps

what we’re trying to do at Moses Brown

across Greece when the Delphic oracle — the

his most famous words, Know Thyself.

School. The idea is enshrined in our mission

priestess who foretold the future — proclaimed

Maybe you remember those same words

statement: Moses Brown, a Friends school, exists

that “no man is wiser than Socrates.” Some,

from the film The Matrix: Neo sees the phrase

to inspire the inner promise of each student. What

however, found him to be an insufferable

on the wall of the oracle’s kitchen, but has no

does that mean, exactly? It means that we are

know-it-all. Parents of his students weren’t at

idea what it means. He needed Socrates on

committed to helping students identify their

all pleased when their children started using

hand to explain: to “know thyself” means to

own areté — or excellence. It means that we

critical reasoning to question things like parental

search inwardly for something the Greeks

have a genuine commitment to educating the

authority. Students, don’t try that at home!

called areté, one’s inner excellence, virtue,

whole child: mind, body and spirit. And it

What you should try at home, and here at

justice and goodness. Socrates spent a lifetime

means that, together with parents, we strive

school, and throughout your life, is to emulate

trying to develop these qualities in himself

to develop a strong sense of moral integrity.

the kind of simple wisdom that Socrates

and others.

September 22, 2009: Head of School Installation Welcoming Matt Glendinning

I commit myself to MB, and to go on contributing to this place of dreaming and learning. At school and at home, I will guard my energy, laugh, and hold on to my ideals and wishes for the future. Lily Cataldi Simmers, administrative assistant My hope is that all of us in the Moses Brown community will take our personal experience and act in spirit for the good of all. That we will remain open to “possibilities”… the possibilities of growth in knowledge and perspective…the possibilities inherent in our ever-changing world… and that we remain open to the possibilities brought to us through spirit and attitude. My commitment to this community is to do my job with mindfulness: to see the light in everyone and to guide our students in their inward as well as outward journeys to the best of my ability. This is a sacred opportunity we all share, that I am happy to undertake each day. Lower School, Randy Street, woodshop, and Alasia Destine Defreece, fifth grade Our hope for Moses Brown is: • that each of us experience the strength, the support and the specialness of being in a caring, dedicated community

• • • • •

that as we respond to the pace and challenges of a quickly changing world, we also respect the traditions of our past and take the time to savor the present with curiosity, reflection and wonder that as it continues in its mission to educate and guide tomorrow’s leaders, our school is itself guided by the virtues of simplicity, generosity and compassion to have a good leader for the school to have a great last year in the Lower School to have Mr. G come to our classrooms

Our commitment to Moses Brown is: • to join many school activities • to help keep the school clean, starting with our classrooms • to help people • to be a positive and fully involved part of our school community • to look for the good and bring out the best in the people around us • to treat all those and all things around us with respect and dignity — to be the best example we can for those who will come after us

Citizen of the world

After many years of teaching, Socrates

need “citizens of the world” today. There are

As Ambassador Hill suggested, I think we

was eventually charged by his political rivals

significant problems facing our planet: war,

this: that you will be a modern Socrates. That

with impiety, and weakening the state by

hunger, global warming, etc. Solving problems

you will take the opportunity that is an MB

corrupting the minds of its youth.

of this magnitude will obviously require

education to stretch your minds, absorb new

Conclusion So, students, my Hope for each of you is

During his trial, he did something very

international cooperation. And it will require

ideas and perspectives, and challenge assump-

interesting. Rather than beg for mercy in

leaders whose motivation transcends wealth

tions. That you will come to know yourself,

order to save his life, he used his speech as a

and prestige, who feel a sense of kinship with

and in the process become a citizen of the

chance to educate the jurors, pointing out

and responsibility for the rest of the world.

world.

that their understanding of justice and piety

was, in fact, illogical and inconsistent.

education we offer at MB needs to:

entire community is this: that I will work hard

To accomplish that, I believe that the

And my Commitment to you and to the

He argued that no law court could ever

• emphasize process, (i.e., critical thinking,

on your behalf to provide the resources and

stop him from teaching the way he was teaching.

problem-solving) as much as deep content

the kind of educational environment where

And he used a now-famous phrase to explain

knowledge;

Socrates would have felt at home, where all of

why. He said, “I am not an Athenian, or a

• impart global competency, i.e., knowledge of

us are encouraged to develop our individual

Greek, but a citizen of the world.”

other world regions, and other languages;

areté, our excellence and passion.

I think what Socrates was trying to say is

• develop an actively ethical mindset, i.e.,

that membership in the human race brings

values such as respect for differences, and

this means we’re now married. Katherine:

a willingness to confront injustice.

don’t worry, this is really just symbolic. I look

with it certain obligations, and that these

If my courtship analogy holds true, I think

sometimes are more important than local

If we can do these three things, I think we

loyalty or personal identity. Socrates was

will go a long way toward empowering this

more committed to living according to human

generation of students to bring our planet,

Matt Glendinning and his wife Katherine joined the

values that transcend time and place than he

and our global society, to a better place.

Moses Brown community on July 1, 2009.

forward to a long and prosperous relationship!

was to obeying arbitrary Athenian laws.

d MB Rocket Launchers, Then and Now In December 1957, the MB Rocket Club was featured in Life magazine: Carter Buckley’s (’58) rocket reached a height of 1,650 feet on that snowy day, set the state

News from Moses Brown Today

record, and just missed the nationwide schoolboy rocket record. More than a half-century after the Life photo, an MB physics class was out on the turf field this fall, shooting rockets to study projectile motion. See video at mosesbrown.org>AboutMB>Media Gallery.

A Contract for Respect: Responsive Classroom in Action in Lower School Last year, all lower school faculty spent a full week in training for the Responsive Classroom program, thanks to support from parents and alumni. This fall, teachers began incorporating the Responsive approach into their teaching. One method was through class “contracts.” Students discussed behavior they would like to see and aspire to in each classroom, forming a written agreement for each grade. For instance, fifth graders pledged to “Act as

Faculty Development

elders of Lower School by being welcoming,

Upper school history teacher Jennifer Stewart

inclusive and friendly to everyone.”

used professional development funds this summer to attend an NEH Seminar on Developing Cartographic Literacy with Historic Maps. At MB since 2006, Jennifer is the humanities department chair for sixth through 12th grades.

Welcome, New Board Members MB welcomes seven new members to the Board of Overseers this year (l-r):

MB Receives Coveted Grant from The Edward E. Ford Foundation In June, Moses Brown was one of 12 schools in the country awarded a grant from The Edward E. Ford Foundation. To earn the $50,000 grant, MB will

David Costantino P ’12, M. Willis Monroe ’04, Melissa Crouchley Hem ’85, Neal Pandozzi ’91, Martha Schwope, Linda Doberstein P ’08 ’10 ’12 ’15, and David Holdt (not shown).

seek $75,000 in matching funds from alumni and parents before June 30, 2010: the combined $125,000 will launch a unique five-year professional

Dictum Sapienti Sat Est

development program of inter-disciplinary faculty

(A word of the wise is sufficient)

team travel. One trip will occur each summer, with

This past year, longtime upper school

every member of the upper school faculty expected

Latin teacher Ruth Breindel hosted a

to participate during the life of the program (MB

book publishing party for the release of

plans to include lower and middle school faculty,

her latest book, Disciplina Clericalis by

as well). The collaborative trips will encourage

Peter Alphonsus (and has since revised

faculty to re-energize as lifelong learners.

three additional books). Ruth is in her 25th year teaching Latin at MB.

“Kick Like a Girl”: Fall Visiting Speaker has an Alumni Connection MB students discuss teamwork and gender differences This fall, MB welcomed visiting scholar and documentary filmmaker Jenny Mackenzie (daughter of Will Mackenzie ’56) to discuss her film Kick Like a Girl, the story of a girls’ soccer team. Dr. Mackenzie’s visit was part

The Classics at MB Today

of the 10th Annual MB Lecture Series.

The upper school staged Arsenic & Old Lace in Alumni Hall this fall.

Save the Date: MB will welcome poet Naomi Shihab Nye to the Annual Spring Poetry Reading on March 11 in the Waughtel-Howe Field House. The event is free and open to the public.

Books & Biology: New Spaces Unveiled This summer, Carol Entin and MB’s lower school science program moved to Middle House. Carol’s new space offers focused and permanent areas for labs, lectures, and group projects. Lower School’s Debbie Goff Library moved into the Walter Jones Library, giving MB a centralized cross-divisional library at the

Welcome, New Faculty and Staff

heart of the MB campus. The Walter Jones Library houses approximately

New faces at MB this fall, in addition to Matt Glendinning, include (l-r)

25,000 selections and serves about 20,000 people per year.

Glen Seelenbrandt, Mariesa DelSesto, Lisa Evans P ’06 ’06 ’07, Amy

Contemporary Classics

Beckhusen, Erin Seelenbrandt, Jeff Cruzan, Jerrett Wilson, and Khalie

Top take-outs in the Moses Brown Library this fall include Diary of a Wimpy

Núñez, as well as Maureen Fitzgerald Nagle (returning) and Karen

Kid (lower school) and The Hunger Games (middle and upper school).

Schaper (not shown). The next Cupola will look at first-year experiences.

Moving Toward Green: MB Sustainability

In-depth Iliad

MB is moving toward a greener campus and will

This fall, upper school English classes welcomed

open a community garden on campus this

Head of School Matt Glendinning, who shared

teaching session “was informative and interesting.

spring, created and farmed by faculty and staff.

some background on their work in ancient texts

He put the Odyssey into a proper context in the

Here, Peter Arpin gets the soil beds ready.

such as Homer’s Odyssey, as well as insights on

ancient world for us. I was most impressed by

Elsewhere on campus, the dining hall is exploring

the social and historical context of Greek epic

Mr. Glenndinning’s recitation of the opening of

more local food offerings and trayless dining;

poetry, the process of how ancient rhapsodes

the Iliad in Greek.” “These works are so much

operations is boosting energy upgrades and

(bards) spontaneously composed these long

richer in the original spoken language,” says

recycling; and classrooms are incorporating

poems within complex metrical schemes.

Matt. “I enjoyed visiting and sharing some of my

environmental literacy.

Senior Dan Sack thought Mr. Glenndinning’s

background with the students.”

By Guest Editor Doug Burgess ’95, Ph.D., author and historian-in-residence at the New York Historical Society

s a fellow historian, it gives me great

tested the love and friendship of his own

pleasure to welcome Mr. Matt

brother because of his stand on slavery, and

hallmarks of an MB education as well. While

Looking Back, Looking Forward

Toleration and independent thought are

Glendinning, Moses Brown’s new head

since his example many of our graduates

it would be impossible to gauge exactly how

of school, and to share some thoughts on the

have faced similar moral dilemmas. It is the

much of Rhode Island’s independent streak

history of MB. It is actually two histories: one

hope of every succeeding generation of edu-

may be traced back to the Quaker teachings

of the institution, and one of its effect on the

cators that they have prepared their students

of Moses Brown and his successors, as the

greater community.

to meet these tests of morality and faith, and

pre-eminent private secondary school in the

Since its inception in 1784, the history of

it is a weighty trust to be placed in the hands

state (as well as one of the oldest), I suspect

Moses Brown School has been embodied by

of our head of school.

its influence has been profound indeed.

its motto: “For the Honor of Truth.” Truth has

The history of Moses Brown School is also

This leads me to the second strain of MB’s

inextricably linked to the

history: its role in the community. While

place it inhabits. Established

most private schools boast a distinguished

one year after the end of

roster of alumni, Moses Brown goes further.

the War of Independence,

This school measures personal success not

MB emerged from the most

by how much its graduates attain, but how

ornery and intractable state

much they give back. Community service can

in the Union. Rhode Island

take many forms (as a quick perusal through

was founded by men and

past issues of this magazine will demon-

women who disliked being

strate) but the inspiration remains the same:

a unique meaning for Quakers. Honesty and

told what to think, and refused to press their

live modestly, and let your successes benefit

the everlasting search for the right and good

convictions on others. In a time when

others, as theirs would you. MB alumni have

are pillars of that faith. As an institution, MB

Quakerism was heresy in Massachusetts,

gone on to careers in almost every field of

exists to instill these virtues in its students.

Quakers, Jews, Catholics, Antinomians, atheists,

endeavor: politicians, authors, jurists, artists,

Over many decades, the nature of that student

and all others were welcomed in Rhode Island.

scientists, educators, and hundreds more. Their

body has changed, broadening to become

This early precedent of defiance and toleration

lives have enriched those around them, and

co-educational, multiracial, and multinational,

has had a profound effect on the character of

added immeasurably to the American experi-

but the virtues themselves are immutable.

the populace. Rhode Islanders do not take

ence. They are history, in the purest sense.

As a “preparatory” school in every sense, MB

well to authority. We were the first colony to

strives to look past the unique circumstances

sign the Declaration of Independence, and

profiled in this issue of the Cupola: Ray

of birth and background and educate the soul

the last to sign the Constitution. In 1814,

Pasquariello ’88, Abigail Reibman ’04,

within.

some of the same men that fought in the

Alessandro Thompson ’88, Jessica Villella ’09,

“As a ‘preparatory’ school in every sense, MB strives to look past the unique circumstances of birth and background and educate the soul within.”

Images courtesy of the John Carter Brown Library at Brown University

Making History

A small segment of these alums are

Yet honoring the truth means not only

Revolution voted to secede from the Union; in

and Ted Widmer ’80. I join with them in

practicing personal fidelity, but seeking out

1841 a group of agitated and well-lubricated

extending my warmest wishes to Matt

truth and declaring it. This requires courage.

merchants launched a full-scale revolt over

Glendinning, our new head of school.

Truth can be unpopular, even dangerous. It is

suffrage rights. A cantankerous liberalism

almost always “inconvenient.” Our founder

runs deep in the Rhode Island psyche.

Let’s make history.

Raymond D. Pasquariello ’88 A love of history — and the Caribbean — leads to a career uniting the past and the present

where the record becomes most revealing.

with a research plan that will address the

archaeology was the travel. I partici-

resource in question, and come in on budget,

pated in my first archaeological field

me to work for the National Park Sevice in

school as an undergraduate on the north

San Juan, Puerto Rico. Next stop was a

coast of Jamaica nearly 20 years ago and I

Pawtucket-based CRM (or cultural resource

studies in anthropology have given me a greater

was hooked. The more I traveled and experi-

management) company. After that, I opened

awareness and a greater appreciation of the

enced the Caribbean islands the more I realized

an office off Gano Street for TRC Environmental

human culture and, more importantly, of culture

that even within the Caribbean basin, from

Corporation. I am now with a Cincinnati-

change. I appreciate my studies in the social

one small island to the next, people and

based company, Gray & Pape, where I work

sciences more. At Syracuse, I studied the

communities were vastly different. These

out of a converted mill in Olneyville. I

pure science behind the human condition

differences manifested themselves in the

manage projects throughout the Northeast

(anatomy, physiology, genetics) while also

area’s archaeological record.

and Caribbean.

researching (through anthropology, sociology,

Graduate school prepared me, as do most

archaeology, and history) that which separates

for example, all followed a specific (and

graduate programs, to teach. I recall partici-

us, socially, from other species. Archaeology

somewhat rigid) European formula for design

pating in what was then referred to as the

allowed me to bridge the gap between pure

and implementation. But the resulting material

Future

record left behind — from Barbados to

Program, designed to

Jamaica to the U.S. and British Virgin Islands

prepare us for landing a

— varied from one island (and sometimes

tenure-track job. Well,

one plantation) to the next.

those never material-

ized.

y initial attraction to the field of

The Caribbean’s historic sugar plantations,

My work in the Caribbean — and my thesis

My work as an archaeologist next took

is where the fun starts. The benefits of a classical education: My

Professoriate

Nothing

could

“I balance the need to protect and manage cultural resources with the needs to move forward with energy projects and contemporary space requirements.”

at Syracuse — centered on the burial grounds

have prepared me for

of enslaved Africans in Puerto Rico and

what I do now, that is

Jamaica. The Transatlantic Slave Trade forced

for sure.

science and anthropology; most of my

the migration of millions of Africans from

I balance the need to protect and manage

primary research on historic-era burial sites

hundreds of different ethnolinguistic groups,

cultural resources with the needs to move

enabled me to apply my scientific training in

groups as foreign to each other as they were

forward with energy projects and contemporary

human osteology as well as my social science

to the Europeans responsible for their

space requirements. In the CRM field, we walk

training in the human condition.

upheaval. The Middle Passage transported

a fine line between protecting resources and

them to the Caribbean, South America,

satisfying clients. This is truly a balancing act.

Carolina coast, and New England. Separated

I struggle with the fact that my clients

com) headed to Syracuse University after MB,

from kin, they were forced into brutal labor

often see cultural resources as “obstacles” —

where he was a pre-med student before switching

while adapting to enslaved life with fellow

though that is where my work gets really

to historical archaeology. Ray is regional manager

Africans, all speaking different languages

challenging, and rewarding. Convincing a

for Gray & Pape’s Northeast and Caribbean

and holding very different memories and

client that they need to spend X number of

operations, working out of a restored mill building

traditions of a homeland an ocean away. The

dollars to protect, avoid, or mitigate an

in Olneyville. He continues to work toward com-

archaeological record reflects that cultural

historic resource and then selling them on

pletion on his Ph.D. at Syracuse, is a Registered

transformation. How these enslaved individuals

the right approach is difficult enough. To

Professional Archaeologist, and lives in Cranston

responded to this forced environment is

then turn to the state and federal reviewers

with his wife and three children.

Ray Pasquariello (rpasquariello@graypape.

understand and interpret. The famous chestnuts from Montella, introduced in the 5th century BC, became either sweetened with honey, or roasted and made into a cream, to be served alongside Podolico veal. Even the local wine articulates the history of the region. Greek settlers at Cumae cultivated Aglianico, the principal grape found in the Falernian wine celebrated by Catullus and Pliny the Elder.

Back in the States after culinary school, I

worked at an Italian BYOB, L’Oca, in Philadelphia. Being back in a kitchen, speak-

Abigail Reibman ’04

ing Italian to the chefs, felt comfortable —

A scholar at heart, and chef by trade, pursues her passion for the classics

Looking Back, Looking Forward

able to create the dishes I had spent time studying and wanted others to appreciate the history of each dish, each ingredient going

bigail Reibman majored in Classics and Italian

discovery stimulated my thirst for food

into it. Soon, I had to once again immerse

at Penn, writing her honors thesis on food

knowledge, a journey that has taken me from

myself into the historical and archaeological

and identity in Ancient Rome. She earned a

the kitchens of the ancient world, culinary

record of ancient foodways.

diploma from the French Culinary Institute, then

school, and now — to the classics faculty and

spent nearly a year training in New York City and

emerging foodie capital of the United

various peoples of Magna Graecia ate. As I am

in Italy, acquiring the skills to work as a chef in

Kingdom. It has become a passion: to learn

beginning this research at the University of

Philadelphia. Abby can now be found at the

from the master Apicius and the fictional

Edinburgh, I am looking toward the archaeo-

University of Edinburgh, pursuing a master’s in

Trimalchio so as to better wield a spatula, like

logical evidence of faunal remains, animal

Classics — she will again be looking at food and

a trowel, to uncover the foodways of the

bones, cookware and fine-ware ceramic typol-

identity, this time in Magna Graecia.

ancient world.

ogy, and the structure of domestic spaces as

At Penn, I studied food from various angles

clues to understanding subtle changes in how

Reconstructing the culinary traditions of

— writing about food and death in Homer’s

food can be interpreted as a means to discov-

Rome allows a scholar to act as a detective:

Iliad and Odyssey, the significance of food in

ering identity. With iconographical represen-

to pull back each grammatical structure,

wall paintings in the triclinia of Pompeii, and

tations, such as Apulian fish-plates, the

layer of soil, or artistic representation, isolate

the purpose of slave-food jests in Plautus. My

Aristotelian philosophy of household knowl-

each context, and unearth a trove of hidden

honors thesis in classics gave me the chance

edge, anecdotes recorded by Athenaeus, and

clues. Since MB, I’ve studied classics and

to incorporate reflections from coursework in

the comedic portrayal of the cook in Plautus, I

Italian at the University of Pennsylvania,

archaeology, politics, and psychology with

hope the answers may boil to the surface.

spent a summer excavating at Villamagna,

discussions of luxury-display, productivity,

and attended cooking school in Italy — these

and opulence in Rome, beginning with the

my master’s or continue on for doctoral

varied experiences taught me about the

verse of Horace, Juvenal, and Petronius.

research? As my instructor Chef Paolo was

ancient world, and also exposed me to different

As a culinary student at Scuola

fond of saying, it’s not the recipe that

intellectual methodologies.

Internazionale di Cucina Italiana and then as

matters, it’s the target. A recipe is just a

Like Hercule Poirot, I have been given the

a cook in Irpinia, I learned the importance of

series of steps designed to get you to an end-

opportunity to use my “little grey cells” to

understanding a region’s ingredients and

point. Each chef has his or her own way of

solve the mysteries of the ancient world and

culinary past — how reflections and reactions

getting to a result, and in the process, lends a

experience the cultures of the kitchen. I first

to cultural and historical events are often

unique character and perception to the dish.

understood how similar these two areas of

expressed through culinary language.

study were while living in Italy during my

Plutarch wrote of Caesar’s praise for the

these difficult notions of food history as it

junior year of high school. Coming home to

butter served with asparagus at Celtic

relates to identity — the path continues to

the tantalizing smells my host mom put forth

Mediolanum; the famous spiral-shaped

unfold as each new clue, piece of research, or

— golden garlic and simmering tomatoes, I

sausage Lucanica was introduced to Rome in

interesting flavor piques my interest. However,

quickly enjoyed a greater appreciation for

290 AD by the Lucanian slaves; and not until

I will always be in my metaphorical kitchen

food as both source of cultural knowledge

the Spanish Inquisition forced the Jews from

— adding new notions and theories to the pot,

and art form. It took only a few days to

Sicily did eggplant become a prominent ingre-

constantly stirring and creating layers of

understand the necessity of allowing the garlic

dient of Calabrian cuisine. Working at La

flavor. It is this ability to appreciate all aspects

to sauté first and to use only the best olive oil

Locanda di Bu in Nusco, I learned that each

of food scholarship, both in a practical and

grown in nearby Montefiescone in order to

ingredient has its own history within the

academic sense, that derives from my dual

unleash its powerful aromatics. This simple

physical landscape, which the cook must

study of the classics and culinary arts.

the rush of the kitchen was stimulating. I was

Now, I want to discover how and what the

Will I return to the kitchen after completing

My target is to learn and comprehend

inside; all the furniture in Shepard Fairey’s new studio; and a hippo out of mud for the VB (see below). We built a Zaha Hadid sculpture for Chanel’s big, disgusting art funland in Central Park.

Right now, I am working on a sculptural

commission for L.A.’s Department of Cultural Affairs and repainting four six-foot-tall monster heads by Ugo Rondinioni.

Oh, and last night, I built an eight-

foot-tall bicycle for a clown named Jester, to ride while she wears stilts.

Alessandro Thompson ’88

classic sculpture is one that’s paid for in full,

His work is based in a classical discipline, but his post-MB path has been anything but

n my senior year at Moses Brown, I wrote my

on time, with a 45% or better profit margin.

Check us out at Barnaclebros.com. Or, if

you are in the neighborhood, stop by.

My company offers services for sculpture

Props Plus: At MB, Alessandro made props

own course of study. Scof (art teacher Robert

fabrication in all media. We make art for

for Barry Marshall. Since, he started a sculpture

Scofield) said, “I don’t care what you’re

artists, props for movies, furniture of our own

fabrication company that provides pieces for film

doing, just DO something!” I used that little

design, and also serve as a launch pad/center

and theatre, puppetry, parades, burlesque shows,

cupola in the art building as a studio. I used to

to enable creative people to realize their

signage, as well as traditional furniture, fine arts

sit on the roof smoking cigarettes with Clio

ideas. We also have a soft spot for anything

and sculpture. Alessandro’s company made

Chafee, Monique Schubert, or Eun Young

entailing puppets, motorcycles, or circus

stop-motion puppets for commercials for Doritos,

(Amy) Lee, watching people go to classes.

performers.

Sony, Volkswagen, and the Pork Board of America,

Elizabeth Johnson bought one of my first pieces:

My role is more that of a craftsman than

props for the Los Angeles Opera, as well as a

a pelican made out of a windshield wiper.

an artist. It takes a lot of creative thinking to

transparent guitar for a commercial for the Milk

I never really wanted a steady job because

figure out how to make, say, a floating

Board starring rock star “White Gold.” “He drank

I’d get bored. In school, I pushed my ability

island, or a fax machine out of limestone

milk out of it,” Alessandro recalls. He can be

and comfort level to apprehend, understand,

that can really send faxes. I meet a lot of cool

reached at heysmileeb@yahoo.com.

and make installation art, performance art,

artists who really push my limits of creative

performance-based

fabrication as well as for business solutions.

environments,

specific-entropy-activated

site-

arrangements,

“Classic” is a pretty subjective term, and

beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I’d say a

My shop is organized along the traditional,

bicycles that play the accordion, and puppets

classical artistic model: studio work is

for guerilla social interventions. I’ve always

commissioned by clients and is built by me

worked doing something: boats, construction,

and a team of assistants of myriad expertise.

renovation, welding. After getting out of art

We’ve built hundreds of hyper-realistic

school at Bard, I renovated houses in the

half-eaten corn sculptures for Reuben

Armory, built boats in Bristol, even worked at

Ortiz-Torres;

the carousel in Roger Williams Park. I learned

Cardboard sign for Alejandro Diaz; a

a lot working for Big Nazo in Providence.

10’x10’ mirrored box for Julio

Morales & Eamon

When picked to be on a TV show called

The

Monster House, I used my fake pirate name

Ore-Giron with a

“Smilee Barnacle” so nobody would know

recording

who I was if the show made me look bad.

studio

World’s

Largest

Unexpectedly, I was made the protagonist, and then became a top-rated rerun! I parlayed my 15 minutes of fame into a fabrication business. I moved out of my garage, into a warehouse with a few friends,

and

called

the

venture

Barnacle Bros. So that is how I came to own my own business in the dog-eat-dog world of contemporary art. Ha!

Is MB haunted? Before departing MB, a senior tackles the facts, rumors, stories and legends of the Moses Brown campus

MB Myths & Legends By Jessica Villella ’09

First got the idea for my Senior Project in

Investigating MB’s attic in the dark of

fifth grade. My friends and I were fascinated

night, my team of MB “ghostbusters” —

by MB’s scary history. We even used to

Meredith Arpin, Jazmine Eaves, Elizabeth

sneak into the Middle School (which at the

Mastors and myself — found an abandoned

time we thought very daring!) and would go

cot, old metal frames, and glassware. We can

investigate the area where the old dormito-

report that it gets really creepy up there.

ries used to be. Of course, our obsession with

school ghosts was unfounded, but the sight of

appears in the window.

an antique metal-frame bed in those old

dormitories was enough to get our imagina-

larly frightening about the school attic, we did

tions going. Since those early ghost hunts, I

find an interesting story about its cupola. In

Jessica Villela ’09 spent her senior spring digging

have been drawn to the school’s history.

1938, a devastating hurricane swept through

through the Archives and tracking down tales to

The urban legends and stories about

Rhode Island and the MB campus. One brave

settle looming campus mysteries once and for all. In

MB’s history can be heard repeatedly almost

teacher, Ted Whitford, and school custodian

her film documentary, Jessica investigates myths and

anywhere on campus: myths about haunt-

Bill Turner rushed up to the cupola to board

legends associated with Moses Brown. A haunting in

ings, murders, deaths, and the school’s

up the windows and save it from the wind.

Middle House, the mysterious resting place of the

involvement in the Underground Railroad.

Thanks to the brave efforts of these staff and

headmaster’s dog … a two-centuries-old campus is

These stories build up, evolve, and become

students, MB’s iconic cupola was saved.

bound to be filled with stories and legends, passing

exaggerated. So to prove these stories legends

from one generation and year to the next.

and legends only, I chose to investigate any

Here’s what she found.

history behind these myths and go where no person has gone before — the library basement, after dark. I researched with King “Doc” Odell in Archives and did online research,

However, we left proving that no face Although we didn’t find anything particu-

Myth busted.

There was a swimming pool in the

library basement — and it’s haunted.

Some say that a boy drowned in Moses

read books on the school’s history, ventured

Brown’s swimming pool and his ghost still

into the alleged locations, and busted most of

haunts the library’s basement. MB’s library

the myths. And of course, I brought my three

was built in 1902 and served as the school’s

buddies from fifth grade along with me.

first official gymnasium. The first floor held a workout space with a track around the upper

Looking Back, Looking Forward

MB Myths: Fact or Fiction?

walls; the basement had a pool for swim team practices. Too small, the pool was eventually

The haunted attic: a woman’s face

filled in and used for workout/storage space

appears in the old infirmary window

until the Waughtel-Howe Field House was

every night after dark.

built in 1964.

Middle House was the first building built on

campus. The land was donated by Moses

ment — there’s not a lot down there except

My team and I went to the library base-

Brown, having previously been used as his

for really scary hallways and some creepy

farmland. Students today believe that the

closets. The pool is all cemented over, though

attic served as the old infirmary and that a

there are still a few tiles visible on the walls.

woman’s face appearing there is that of the

nurse. However, records show that the attic

ment. The record books and archives show

We found no ghosts in the library base-

was never used for anything but record storage

no deaths related to the library basement or

space. The old infirmary was actually located

to the pool. The pool was very small — it

on the third floor below the attic. Most recently,

would have been very hard to drown in and

archival material was stored in the attic

there was definitely no ghost doing any

before being moved to another location on

nocturnal laps.

campus; the attic is now empty.

Myth busted.

4 3

While climbing across the windows at

the top of Alumni Hall, a student fell

off — and died.

Alumni Hall was built in 1868 and has served

MB mythbusting

many functions over the years: study space,

performance center, gathering area, classroom.

of my project, addressing each myth; my

My final documentary is a visual reflection

The top floor above Alumni Hall — now the

video shows the real history behind the locations

Three Oaks housed slaves on the

English department — served as a dormitory

of the legends, along with photos and facts

Underground Railroad.

during the latter half of the 20th century

from Moses Brown’s Archives. I enjoyed

Some say that this beloved building was part

when MB was a boarding school for boys. (MB

examining some of the scary stories and

of the Underground Railroad and that there is

went co-ed in 1976 and hosted a boarding

legends associated with Moses Brown. I hope

still a crawl space there today, where slaves

department into the 1980s.) The dormitory

I cleared some up some rumors and validated

would hide.

boys would use the gutters outside the windows

some facts. There were many to choose from.

to get from room to room — and avoid hall

Perhaps a future MB student will unravel the

always been used for art classes and wood-

monitors.

mystery of the Vault or … ?

shop. Students today believe this building

connects

Railroad

gerous stunts. Although climbing on the

ever been involved in at MB. As a fifth grader,

because it was built in the 19th century and

gutters above Alumni Hall was risky, there

I would have found it impossible to believe

is one of the older buildings on campus. And

were no accidents surrounding this particular

that one day I would get access to MB’s juicy

yes — it does have a mysterious crawl space

story — so where did this myth come from?

secrets and be able to film my own ghost

hidden away inside the building.

Another section of dormitories from the

hunt on campus after dark. This project has

From my MB American history classes, I

1950s and ’60s was located above the Sinclair

been one of the most frightening, terrifying,

knew that the Underground Railroad ran

Room, near what is now middle school science.

nightmare-inducing things that I have ever

from the 1830s through the 1860s. So the

These dorm rooms were visible until a few

done — but well worth it.

theory that this building had a crawl space

years ago, when these spaces were repur-

for escaped slaves is iffy — the building was

posed in the middle school renovation. After

explore the campus some evening at night

built in 1892, long after the Railroad had

researching in archives and with longtime

and unravel a myth of your own — if you

ended.

members of our school community, I confirmed

dare.

Three Oaks was built in 1892 and has

the

Underground

However, no one died during these dan-

This was the most fascinating project I’ve

This winter, stop by Moses Brown and

The crawl space is located above the cabinet

that there was a death associated with the

over the sink in Three Oaks — and is just

old dormitory area above Sinclair. In the 1940s,

To see Jessica’s video, visit

enough for one person to hide in. I found this

a young boarder was climbing outside a win-

www.mosesbrown.org>Alumni>Cupola.

strange and was curious why a crawl space

dow and fell from the windowsill, the only

was there at all. Why didn’t they just build

accidental death recorded in MB’s history.*

Jessica Villella began at MB in fifth grade. She is

right up to the ceiling? Something like that is

now a freshman at Colby College, where she

bound to cause rumors.

location than rumored.

Myth confirmed — although in a different

Today’s Three Oaks residents, the art

intends to pursue American studies and, later, law school. While at MB, Jessica was a member

teachers, agree: the Underground Railroad

* The boy was Paul Messer, the son of Editha

of Key Ambassadors, Student Alumni Association,

rumor is an urban legend, probably because

Messer Thomas, a single parent at the time;

Orientation Committee, and a volunteer at Open

the Quakers were such active abolitionists

Headmaster L. Ralston Thomas went to console

Houses — delivering the MB history presentation,

and this was a crossroads for freedom. I could

her and they eventually fell in love and married

of course. Jessica attributes her love of history to

find no confirmed accounts of other “stops”

— Editha later moved to campus and became a

her parents; the Villellas have toured the country

on campus.

vibrant part of campus life and an inspiration

by camper, visiting historical sites in virtually

to countless young students at MB.

every state. Contact Jessica at javillel@colby.edu.

Myth busted.

Images courtesy of the John Carter Brown Library at Brown University

Ted Widmer ’80 oversees the John Carter Brown Library, among the largest collections in the world of early European and Native American accounts of North and South America.

Preserving and Promoting the Past: Ted Widmer ’80 Q&A Our top neighboring historian on the value of preserving and promoting history

Looking Back, Looking Forward

ed Widmer is director of the John Carter

access to; it’s similar to their American

make past forms of “information technology,”

Brown Library at Brown University, an

Revolution. If there were books describing the

the printed book, relevant to today’s world.

independent center for advanced research in

founding of our country that were not in our

history and the humanities, founded in 1846.

possession, we would surely want access to

used by people who took the time to visit in

Amid reviewing an inbox of rare books and boosting

them.

person. Now our website gets visitors from

the Library’s growing online presence, Ted took

all over the world.

the time answer some questions from Cupola.

information. Even in the relatively slow-moving

A lot is happening right now in the world of

Once this was a library that could only be

world of rare books, things are changing quickly.

What at the JCB might other MB community

What are some recent additions to the John

We always want to maintain a high level of

members be interested in?

Carter Brown Library or programs that you are

quality, but with new tools we can expand

excited about?

access by putting our work online and making it

connected to the Brown family and their

more available than it ever has been.

businesses, including their slave voyages,

One thing I’m excited about right now is

trying to make our books about Haiti digitally

We have a huge amount of material

which of course, connect to Moses Brown, an

available to the people of Haiti. We have an

What are the biggest challenges in your work

abolitionist, and his brother John, an anti-

important collection of books and manuscripts

at the John Carter Brown Library?

abolitionist. When Brown University looked

from before and after the Haitian revolution,

In a world in which young people read

into its past, we were the starting point for its

very rare original documents describing the

less and less on paper, I have to think about

investigation. I believe that Brown’s attempt

country’s founding events. These are amazing

making old documents engaging to new audi-

to come to terms with this legacy was coura-

artifacts that Haitian people should have

ences. I’m trying to use new technologies to

geous, and very well done. It’s important to

Original prints showing the arrival of European explorers in America, artifacts from the Haitian revolution, the Rhode Island state seal, and more: Ted Widmer oversees a diverse collection at Providence’s John Carter Brown Library.

note that in the 19th century, after these

responsibility to past and future generations

After Harvard, Ted’s route to the JCB included

early arguments between John and Moses,

that I think Matt is probably feeling, too.

stints as special assistant and senior advisor to

the Browns were actively opposed to slavery.

Much of what you learn in high school is

President Clinton, director of speechwriting at the

That part of the story does not often get told.

not in the classroom. It’s things like multi-

National Security Council, and professor at

We also will have an increasing focus on

tasking, or dealing with all kinds of different

Washington College. His most recent book is Ark

our Latin American collection, which seems

people, or just rethinking things all the time.

of the Liberties. Contact Ted at edward_widmer@

fitting, as Rhode Island is increasingly

Those are the lessons I got at Moses Brown

brown.edu or visit www.brown.edu/Facilities/

a Latino community. The JCB has a deep

and have taken with me to today.

John_Carter_Brown_Library.

collection of Hispanic documents, from the time of Spain’s arrival in the New World. In some ways, care of the historic collection of

At press time, the MB community was saddened to hear news of the catastrophic earthquake in Haiti.

the JCB seems similar to the charge of Moses

This issue of Cupola features Ted Widmer ’80 at the JCB, which has been working with the Yele

Brown’s new head of school, to oversee an

Haiti organization, sharing cultural resources. With the earthquake, the MB community is rallying to do

historic institution and the work of scholars …

more. Soon after the disaster, MB parent and alumnus Dr. Keith Monchik ’90 was one who left for Haiti

any thoughts or advice for Matt Glendinning?

to provide what help he could. MB students in all divisions are raising funds and assembling relief kits

for the earthquake victims, whether by staging a dress-down day or selling empanadas in the cafeteria.

I feel like I’m a custodian of something

that’s important and that will be here, hope-

Watch for an update on efforts in the next Cupola.

fully, long after me. There are feelings of

“In MB’s libraries, we teach all the members of our community how to move easily through multiple formats.”

Speaking Up: Keeping Charge of MB’s Classics By Ruffin Powell, director of library services

Looking Back, Looking Forward

ugust 18, 2009 — it was the hottest day

Whether the information is a book, webpage,

detailed information. And we are preparing

of the Rhode Island summer, and we

database, CD or digital file is a secondary

our students with the skills they need in an

were moving the library. The movers

consideration.

information-saturated world.

struggled to pass hundreds of big boxes up

the stairs. We decided to keep the heavier

online. Only some are accessible through the

of our community how to move easily among

reference tomes downstairs and tried to put

biggest search engines. That’s right: the best

all those formats. I think of it as a sort of

aside concerns about the effect of the heat on

estimates are that Google, for instance, only

bilingualism; I don’t want our MB graduates to

the books and, more urgently, the people.

searches 18-20% of the whole internet. It

be cut off from valuable sources of information

Nevertheless, our summer work beat moving

can’t find anything that is locked behind a

just because they can’t read the street signs.

clay tablets, as they had in ancient Assyria.

password, such as magazine archives, or

Colleges, universities, and many workplaces

Probably the collection of papyrus rolls that

things that are buried deeply in vast websites,

have libraries that are filled with books and

was once in the Great Library at Alexandria

such as complex government systems.

electronic resources. The best library

was lighter. Certainly the medieval libraries

And what is found all depends on which

researchers move fluently through both

had only a small fraction of the number of

words are typed into that simple box. Not

types, gathering what they need. This is the

books. But I stop to envy future librarians

that books are much easier. An index is

first part of the school library’s mission:

who might pick up some small electronic

sometimes less forgiving.

to teach our students to be effective and

storage devices, check the number of comfort-

efficient users of information.

able chairs and worktables, and walk out.

here in the early 21st century. Considering

Some sources of information are only

Information finding is a complex process

In MB’s libraries, we teach all the members

The format of a library’s holdings has

the amount of information available, that is

Ruffin Powell received her M.L.S. from the

changed significantly over thousands of years

not surprising. I heard Stephen Abrams speak

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. An

of civilization, as technology has changed.

at the American Library Association conference

avid reader and enthusiastic user of technology,

The mission of a library has not. We gather

in 2006. He said that the amount of information

Ruffin has written discussion guides for young

information that we know or anticipate will

was then doubling every 11 months. And

adult novels and articles on graphic novels. She

be of interest to the community that we

that was three years ago!

can be reached at rpowell@mosesbrown.org.

serve, with primary emphasis on quality of

Follow library news at www.twitter.com/

information,

accuracy,

jobs are exciting: students and teachers asking

currency, relevance, reliability and audience.

complex questions, refined searches yielding

examine

To the MB library staff, it means that our

mblibrary.

MB Connecting Coast to Coast Moses Brown and Head of School Matt Glendinning will be on the road coming to a town near you. Go to mosesbrown.org/alumni > Events for more details, or contact Director of Alumni Relations Karin Morse ’79 at kmorse@mosesbrown.org, 401-831-7350 x191.

DC Alumni Social 6.09 About 30 alumni and friends attended the DC Alumni Social in June, which was hosted by Joe Petrosinelli ’84, including Kirstin McCarthy ’99, Mike and Kate Patterson Gilles ’99, Jon Boc ’06, and David Bresnahan-McRae ’08.

Providence Alumni Social 10.09 More than 100 alumni and friends attended the Providence Alumni Social this October, kicking off the 2009 Homecoming festivities. Thanks to host Jim Procaccianti ’76. 1981’s Doug Nani and

New York Social 11.09

Maurice Etheredge reminisced about their days

This fall’s New York Social was held at the New York

as co-captains of varsity basketball.

Yacht Club in November, with almost 80 alumni and friends in attendance. John Gochberg ’92 was our host. Jeremy Forsythe ’01, Geoff Nelson ’01, Pam Triedman ’02, and Jonathan Forsythe ’03 attended.

Homecoming 10.09

Ben Rhodes ’82 with son Holden ’13.

MB Connects 12.09 MB’s networking breakfast series featured “Local Leadership, Global Perspectives” with Head of School Matt Glendinning, moderator, and panelists P.H. Liotta ’74, executive director of the Pell Center at Salve Regina University; Jaymin Patel P ’16 ’17, president/CEO of GTECH Corporation; and Laurent Vernerey P ’10 ’13, president/CEO of APC by Schneider Electric.

MB on the Move 2010 Events January 28................................

Boston

February 22-25........................

California: San Diego, L.A., and San Francisco

March 23-25.............................

Florida: Vero Beach and Palm Beach

April 8........................................

Washington, D.C.

Class Notes Moses Brown Alumni Association Board 2009-2010 Charles Barrett ’67

Keith Monchik ’90, Vice President

John Blacher ’72

Neal Pandozzi ’91

Steele Blackall ’42

Stephanie Ogidan Preston ’97,

James Briden ’81

President

Cara Camacho ’97

Timothy Rhodes ’80, Treasurer

Carl DeLuca ’78, Secretary

Phil Zexter ’81

Hugh Madden ’84

The mission of the Moses Brown Alumni Association is to foster lifelong relationships with the school and fellow alumni.

At MBAA’s Providence Social, new Head Matt Glendinning compares MB tenure with MB archivist Doc Odell and coach Larry Tremblay (4 months, 56 years, and 14 years, respectively).

Watch for MBAA news in e-news and the next issue.

1943

1945

rectilinear almost, figure of L. Ralston Thomas, our headmaster. So many, many GOOD

Gardner Jacobs ’43 and Sunny Lee-Park ’84 met at the alumni dinner in Philadelphia

Wendell Phillips ’45 has

people from MB. If only there

enjoyed a career in the

were a way to have bottled

classical discipline of

their worthwhileness and open

architecture. Recent projects

it up every once in a while so

include the conversion of

that today’s MB students could

Sts. Peter and Paul Church

savor and sample their won-

in South Boston into

drous qualities, enthusiasm,

condominiums (shown)

and vibrancy. Golly, but they

and a mountain home

were an outstanding crew.

at Loon Mountain in

In memory of outstanding

New Hampshire.

teachers and friends, MB will always hold a fond grip of

last February. Sunny, a social worker, and

heartfelt thanks!”

Gardner, a psychologist, later teamed up to

1945 Reunion 2010

offer a continuing education discussion on the film The Joy Luck Club.

1940 Reunion 2010

From Tennessee, Eliot Roberts Robert Peck celebrated 26 years in Maine, with three sons

1942

thundering fullback of MB.

congratulates new Head of

Jack Miller, terrific at every-

School Matt Glendinning:

thing, and who went on to

“Dr. Glendinning has come to

Bill Bellows writes, “Life

and six grandchildren living

goes on without my jazz

close by. He writes, “Nance and

Bob Aaron reminisces, “1942

Yale, joined the USAF, was

Providence from Moorestown

connections — Maine Jazz

I are in reasonably good

sounds antediluvian! To us

lost in a B-17 bomber over

Friends School in New Jersey.

Alliance, my reviews column,

health, but I have given up

who were there, ‘tis vibrantly

Germany. Charlie Talbot, our

My father, Benjamin Roberts,

and my jazz band, but I still

sailing and skiing.” Robert

alive. Not much time goes

varsity football captain and

was a graduate of Moorestown

broadcast from my collection

spends his time building

by without my pausing to re-

Hoppy Hopkins, two others

Friends and I attended the

twice a semester at Bowdoin

remote-controlled sailboats,

member the loss of the

who had so much to offer in

school through the second

College radio (91.1 FM). Read-

golfing, reading, and research-

gentleman-scholar-athletes

future and in so many ways —

grade. With Dr. Glendinning,

ing constantly, working out at

ing family genealogy. Ten

Harry Webster ’41, recently de-

but whose lives were lost in

we know that Moses Brown

Bath YMCA, and family are the

years ago, Robert retired,

parted Icarian sailor Abbott

WWII. I recall vividly the

is in good hands and its

chief foci. I still drive, so our

selling the company he started

Fletcher, and WWII casualties

impeccably attired Mr. Henderson

Quaker identity will be

camp is still part of each

in 2000. He shares, “I increas-

like Ralph Cotter who left MB

quietly infusing his charges

well-maintained.”

summer. I will miss seeing

ingly feel the sorrow of how

to join the RCAF and switched

with wit, charm, and loads

Allen McConnell ’40 at reunions

many classmates and longtime

to the RAF in England, downed

of diurnal wisdom; the

Wilson Utter is “still alive

and regret never having seen

good friends have gone. I am

five German planes as a fighter

enthusiasm and sheer

and well and just back from

Jerry Myers ’40 since graduation,

enormously pleased at how MB

pilot and was later shot down

contagious love for MB by

another great week on the

both great losses. Write and I’ll

has changed and improved in

himself. Ralph ‘I’m from

swim coach and ‘French

Allagash.” He reports that his

reply.” Bill can be reached at

the last 70 years; it was such a

‘Taunton’, Massachusetts’ is

teacher de luxe’ Ted Whitford;

four children and four

bilsbeat@gmail.com.

wonderful place in my youth.”

readily recallable as a

the handsomely erect,

grandchildren are thriving.

1948 Jack Houriet ’55 (middle) has been busy with grandkids, Phillies games, and a visit with the Curtises and Leons which included “multiple reminisces of our great days at MB! Next big activity: our 55th Reunion. Start planning for May!”

1955

Five members of ’48 met for lunch in June at Rue de l’Espoir: Helene and Bill Myers, Ray Mountain, Fran Sargent, Mary Mountain, Dolores and George Nazareth, and Lucy and Gene Tortolani.

1948

1955 While teaching at Amherst, Bruce McInnes ’55 (right) was made an honorary member of the college’s class of 1959. This spring, he was invited to return to Amherst for their 50th Reunion where he met Tony Hindley, Tom Benjamin, and Doug Behrendt. Bruce teaches Several members of the Class of 1948 turned out for this year’s ’48 Award assembly: Fran

music at the University of Maine, Farmington and conducts the

1952

UMF Community Chorus, his church choir, and his semi-professional

Sargent, Ray Mountain, George Nazareth, David

men’s choir (www.mastersingersusa.org): “This all keeps me young,

Lubrano, and Marshall Cannell are shown with

but not so fit!”

recipients from the Class of 2010 Jacob Berman, Evan Springhetti, Eliza DeCroce-Movson, and Matthew D’Uva.

Richard “Buzzy” Curtis welcomed Jack Houriet,

1955 Reunion 2010

Jeremy Leon, and their wives to Narragansett this summer. Jerry is enrolled in macroeco-

Class Correspondent

nomics at Villanova: “I feel like

Jack Houriet

a grandfather to 10,000 young

Frederic Blakeman ’52 recently

2525 Turner Road

people, and it’s a delight. I’m

returned from a three-month

Willow Grove, PA

looking forward to a great

trip around the world. He and

19090-1625

turn-out by the class of ’55

Nancy visited Hawaii, Singa-

215-657-3786

in May.”

General surgeon Robert Conrad

pore, Hong Kong, India, Dubai,

jwhour@jwhour.cnc.net

retired from South County

Morocco, Madrid, and enjoyed

Hospital in 2000. He lives in

a one-month stay with family

George Chappell is enrolled

to work full-time advising

his family home of 70 years

in Australia before returning

in an M.F.A. creative writing

companies on developmental strategy. “Times are challeng-

1950 Reunion 2010 1948

Andrew Tothy continues

Class Correspondent

in Narragansett with his wife

home to Virginia. Frederic can

program at Goddard College

Marshall Cannell

and two black labs. They have

be contacted at a4skyhwk@aol.

in Vermont: “My goal is to

ing and interesting,” he says.

25 Sheridan Road

five children and seven grand-

com or (703) 680-5214.

write a book of poems and get

“Family-wise, we enjoy having

Wellesley Hills, MA 02481-5418

children close by: “Besides

a job teaching writing at the

my 98-year-old mother hold

781-237-0055

entertaining grandchildren, we

college or high school level —

one extreme of the age spec-

mca4nnell@aol.com

are boaters, skiers, ballroom

not a bad follow-up to a 30-

trum and grandson, Zachary,

year journalism career.”

at 5 months, the other. Two

Fred Goodrich is still working.

George is guest editor for the

other grandsons and two

He combined a business trip to

next issue of Cupola, examining

granddaughters round out

“Freshman Year.”

the lineup, with my daughter

1951

dancers, and also tend to a few Congratulations to Bill Myers

farm animals.”

on two recent awards. He was named one of three

Joseph Kinder lives partly in

China with time to see the

Unsung Heroes by the

Bristol and does a little legal

2008 Olympic Games last

Sarasota Community

work at Armstrong, Gibbons &

August. His travels also

Tony Hindley shares that he

my son in Chicago. As always,

Foundation for his work with

Gnys. Joe writes, “Mostly I am

brought him skiing in Europe

and his wife are “doing well

we delight in hearing from and

at-risk middle school students.

swimming and walking the

in 2007 and 2008. This year he

and are finally enjoying some

seeing MB alums in New York.”

Bill also was named a

beach in Lauderdale-by-the-

went to Colorado, where he

sunshine on Cape Cod after a

Andrew can be reached at

Presidential Point of Light.

Sea, Florida — not a bad life!”

enjoyed the snow more.

miserable spring.”

atothy@goodcap.com.

living in North Carolina and

Peter Kilborn ’57 debuted a new book this summer: Next Stop, Reloville, which investigates the phenomenon of “Relos,” professionals for whom relocation is a way of life. Peter says the idea arose from earlier work on class in America for The New York Times. He came across a town near Atlanta (Alpharetta), where people referred to themselves as “relos,” or corPhoto Lauren Shay Lavin

Richard Seiferheld ’57 and his wife Susan hiked in the Canadian Rockies this summer: “It is quite amazing to see the nearly flat plains run smack into a towering mass that rises vertically like skyscrapers.” Surviving some bear encounters, Richard shared his

1957

travel journal, now on the 1957 class page. See mosesbrown.org for more on Richard’s travels on the “Cowboy Trail.”

porate relocatees who spent much of their lives being moved for their jobs. Later, he found the same phenomenon in other upscale suburbs, mostly in the South and Southwest, and that became grist for a book. Contact Peter at pkborn@aol.com.

Russ Carpenter ’59 received the Service to Alma Mater Award at Homecoming this fall. Russ has served on many reunion panels and committees, most recently for his 50th reunion. He also serves on MB’s Board and is a member of the project committee.

1959

Why Do We Teach? Peter Rapelye ’65 Bob Marshall ’60 lives in California with his wife Galina. Peter Rapelye sent welcoming thoughts, from one head of school to

1960

another, to Matt Glendinning this summer. Peter is headmaster at

Galina was born. Bob’s company, Marshall Consultants, a

his school’s magazine in an article based on Parker Palmer’s The

14-year-old appointment-setting company, is in the process

Courage to Teach. In it, Pete refers to the “teaching giants” at MB

of franchising; by January, he hopes to have the company

from his days here.

ready for sale. Bob’s five children are well, with most in New England. “I am looking forward to my 50th reunion

“After graduation exercises at Princeton Junior School

at MB,” he says. “It’s hard to believe where all of the time

this spring, I recall asking myself the simple question, ‘Why

has gone, but as the poet Elizabeth Barrett Browning said,

do we teach?’

traveled to L.A. to meet with local alumni. This summer, they traveled to Russia and then Kiev, Ukraine, where

Princeton Junior School in New Jersey and was recently profiled in

In March, they enjoyed meeting Joanne Hoffman who

Grow old with me, the best is yet to be, and that is the

“I look back on my own career, as a classroom teacher,

beat that I march to.”

coach and dorm parent, and recall the excitement of sharing one’s passion for learning with young people, whether it be a pivotal moment in American history, an important lesson on the playing field, or a few parting words of wisdom in the hallway. Yes, there were the typical butterflies and speed

1957

1959

Class Correspondent

Al Harrison is retired from the

Jerry Knowles

time to time. I spent some time

University of California-Davis.

60 Blackstone Boulevard

with Bill Hill and Peter Kilborn

He still spends much time

Providence, RI 02906

this summer. I don’t want to

studying and writing and re-

years later when former students reconnect and cite the

401-421-9788

steal Peter’s thunder, but he

mains involved in professional

difference, large or small, you made in their lives. One begins

bigthundur1@yahoo.com

has just had his book Next Stop

activities, but he and Mary

Reloville: Life Inside America’s

Ann do more traveling.

bumps along the way for this aspiring young teacher. One never fully grasps the significance of these encounters until

to realize that over time, teaching has its own rewards — the satisfaction that you have passed on the excitement of

Jerry Knowles writes, “Hello

New Rootless Professional Class

learning, a foundation of skills, and imparting core values to a

classmates, MB would love ’57

published. Bill visits his sister

Nat White is alive and well in

generation or more of young people. The profession is not for

updates for Cupola. Email

and brother-in-law in Dart-

Flagstaff. He retired in 2007

Susan Cordina at scordina@

mouth each summer so I get to

after 39 years as an astrono-

mosesbrown.org with a copy to

spend a little time catching up

mer at the Lowell Observatory.

me so I’m up to speed. I see

with him. His home is Florida,

Nat travels back to Rhode

several classmates fairly fre-

but he and his wife travel quite

Island regularly and is very

quently. Ron Boss, Brad Steere,

a bit. His dream trip: travel the

involved in politics in Arizona,

John Drew, and I are on a char-

Alcan Highway to Alaska. Keep

particularly in smart growth

nourishes the soul. It makes the lives of the children we teach

itable foundation board, and

those calls and letters coming,

and education. He continues to

and our own more whole.”

get out on the golf course from

regards to all.”

run, setting age group records

the faint of heart; it is a craft not easily attained and requires constant attention in finding ways for self-improvement and renewal. Nevertheless, the rewards are limitless.

“As we sharpen our craft, we draw inspiration from the

children we teach. It is a process that expands the mind and

1970

1969

Chris Hill ’70 made a special appearance at MB this September, with a video welcome for the installation of new Head of School Matt Glendinning. Chris is stationed in Baghdad as the U.S. Ambassador to Iraq. Chris was previously Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs. Visit the MB website to view videos from the installation at www.mosesbrown.org> About MB>Head of School. Steven Schneider ’69 and his wife Reefka visited campus in June. He even collected his Moses Brown Reunion 2009 hat.

Scott Thurrott ’73 and his partner Susan traveled

1973

from Florida to visit MB in August. Doc Odell was on campus, so Scott had a chance to reminisce about student life here in the ’70s. Scott chided Doc about only awarding him a B in Spanish and Doc playfully retorted, “You didn’t deserve an A!”

Rhode Island’s Chief Justice: Paul Suttell ’67

Nonetheless, Scott admitted that what he learned in Doc’s class gave him the base he needed to do business with customers in South America. Scott

In July, Paul Suttell was sworn in as the 51st chief justice of the

still uses his Spanish regularly in his family

Rhode Island Supreme Court. Paul served as a Republican legislator

business. He can be reached at sthurrott@cfl.rr.com.

for eight years before Governor Edward DiPrete appointed him to the Family Court. In 2003, he was nominated to the state Supreme Court by Governor Carcieri. Paul shared some thoughts on his new role in Rhode Island:

Stuart Sheehan ’09, son of Peter Sheehan ’75, was one of several legacy graduates this May. Stuart is now in his freshman year at Bowdoin. Peter lives in Wakefield and

1975

“I did not plan on studying law when I graduated from

Moses Brown. In fact, it may not have even been on my radar screen at the time. I intended to major in economics at Northwestern, but quickly learned that political science was

works for Washington Trust Investments

my true interest.

in Providence; he previously coached MB’s

boys’ lacrosse team.

graduated during the very early stages of the school’s

“Looking back at Moses Brown in the 1960s, I think I

transformation. It was still a relatively conservative era. David Stenmark writes that he

1960 Reunion 2010

is enjoying life as a retired architect, living in Cranston and Bonnet Shores: “I spend my time

The coat and tie dress code was very much in effect, and most of us were aware of, but not terribly affected by, the social turmoil beginning to take root on college campuses.

“There were so many teachers at MB that impacted me

Stephen Estee looks forward to

with our grandchildren and

deeply; it would be impossible to mention only one or two.

Reunion, writing, “When we

playing with my toys. I don’t

I have always thought that my education at Moses Brown

800 meters. “Moses Brown is

graduated in 1960, a 50th class

know how I had time to work.”

provided the foundation for a lifetime love of learning. Over

where I first competed under

reunion was the furthest thing

Mr. Howe and where I made

from our minds. My MB days

1970 Reunion 2010

many team friends,” he says.

were some of the best years

“My 1940 Buick Roadmaster

of my life, thanks to great

Peter Rotelli and his wife

mentioned in the yearbook

classmates and splendid

Rosemary welcomed their first

is still in my possession! We

mentors such as William

Now, as Chief Justice, I hope to be able to have a positive

grandchild, Linus, last year. He

live about 70 minutes from

Paxton, Frank Fuller, Leo Cole,

writes, “His parents, Veronica

impact on the administration of justice in Rhode Island.”

the Grand Canyon. Come

Basil Meserve, Army

’97 and Michael Vacca ’96, hope

visit!” Nat can be reached at

Armstrong, and especially

Linus will become a member of

nwhite@lowell.edu.

Ted Whitford and Jerry Zeoli.”

the MB class of 2027!”

from 17-mile trail runs to

the past several years, I have tried to rekindle my interest in French and German. I am somewhat amazed that I still retain so much from Mr. Whitford’s and Herr Pratt’s classes. “I have very much enjoyed my career in public service.

MOSES BROWN ANNUAL FUND S U P P O RT I N G T H E P L AC E O F P O S S I B I L I T I E S

CLASSIC Ransom “At the beginning of the year, I make the expectation clear with each class that our discussions will be in search of a truth, not in defense of an opinion. This understanding requires students to consider their deeper selves as they seek to be come more perceptive readers, expressive writers and critical thinkers.”

Ransom Griffin, upper school English,

reflecting on teaching at MB

At MB for more than 30 years, Ransom Griffin first began teaching English in our middle school and later joined the upper school English department. Ransom exemplifies the broad scope of faculty dedication and involvement. He coaches the golf team and serves as faculty advisor for MB’s literary magazine, Omnia. Through these varied roles, Ransom mentors and helps students to better understand themselves and the world around them. MB’s teacher/ scholars have always been dedicated mentors who support and challenge each student — constantly striving to bring out the best in every child.

Who was it for you?

The Annual Fund at MB supports an incredibly wide-ranging program where teachers demand a level of excellence that affords students endless possibilities for exploration and growth. To make a gift, learn more, or find out when you made your last gift, please contact Director of Development & Alumni Relations Ron Dalgliesh at 401-831-7350 ext. 111, or via email at rdalgliesh@mosesbrown.org.

1977

1982

Peter Liotta ’77 celebrated the MB graduation of his daughter, Gaia ’09, as did Jeff Liotta ’71.

This summer, Ashley Haffenreffer Wagstaff ’82 caught up with Jane Knowles

1980

’81 and her daughters. Jane is still working at Rocky Hill.

“Walter Capone reports that

See page 18 for an interview with Ted Widmer ’80. When not at

his son Brett’s team won their

1982

regional soccer championship in July, putting them in the

the John Carter Brown Library, Ted keeps busy with his writing.

Class Correspondent

national top 10. Walter also

His articles have appeared in numerous publications, including

Ashley Haffenreffer Wagstaff

shared an interesting alumni

The New York Times, Chicago Tribune, Guardian, and Slate. Ted

136 Highland Avenue

connection. Dr. Phil Blazar

recently posted a review of the new book on Bill Clinton on The

Rowayton, CT 06853

Daily Beast and, earlier this year, had op-ed pieces in the Times on

203-899-1935

“John Barrengos finished a

Walter’s mom, resetting a

Lincoln’s assassination and Haiti. He also is using his JCB experience

ahwagstaff@mac.com

year as head of a school and

broken forearm and wrist at

was relieved that summer

his Brigham & Women’s facil-

“We’re all turning 45! (Or have

arrived, Billy Baker was

ity in Foxboro. Walter’s mom

already as the case may be —

prepping his kids for hockey

came out on the short end of a

and nearly 46 for Owen O’Neil,

season, George Gregorian is

fight with the garage door;

the Barrengos and ‘the

traveling from Florida to

after a visit to the ER and

unmentionable one.’ So, who

Newport, Cotter has added

many doctor visits and re-cast-

had the biggest party? Did any-

Asia to his comedic locales.

ings, she was still in a great

one welcome it in like we did

Tom DeLuca is still working for

deal of pain. Enter Dr. B...

for our 16th or 18th birthdays?

Citigroup in Miami. I’ve seen

orthopedics is his specialty,

family photos from John

right? Hand/wrist surgery to be

“I’ve laughed at some notes

Rosen’s adventures and Allison

precise! ‘It has been several

recently, as some of our

Kaplan Sommer’s trip to

years since we had any contact

to consider the idea of writing a fun book, possibly a thriller set in a rare book store? Stay tuned.

1977 Class Correspondent Gordon Ondis

1979

43 Duncan Avenue

operated (successfully) on

Providence, RI 02906

Roger Goodman was re-elected

classmates remarked that 45

Venice. Sara Pratter is happy;

aside from Cupola updates,’

401-831-5636

to the Washington State House

isn’t so bad, it’s having teenag-

her son is going to her

says Walter, ‘but there is no

gordonondis@gmail.com

of Representatives in 2008,

ers that is (Peter Ramsden and

California alma mater as a

one else we could trust like a

and his other work in drug

a couple others)! So many of

kindergartner and she is busy

highly regarded specialist like

Kevin Barcohana is an

policy reform is flourishing.

you ‘got going’ so early! Some

with her film business. We

Phil. We were able to get in

anesthesiologist and assistant

He serves as vice-chief of the

of these kids are graduating

were in L.A. in March and got

touch (home phone via MB web-

clinical professor at Albert

house judiciary committee and

from MB and other high

together with her and her new

site!) and he was incredible —

Einstein School of Medicine.

lives in the Seattle suburb of

schools soon, and me, with a

beau — it was as if time hadn’t

from taking our calls to

He has four kids and a busy

Kirkland, Washington, the

four-year-old and six-year-old!

passed. Ed Spargo has a great

arranging for all the pre-op

life and writes that he will

home of Costco. “Home life is

The spread between kids is

jazz CD out, Playroom. Email

testing to be done quickly. My

always miss being in the

full of joy with two young kids,

huge. Ben Rhodes might have

him (edspargo@comcast.net)

mom is doing great. A huge

shadow of the elms in the

6 and 2.” Roger had to miss

the eldest child. Is Ed Spargo

for a copy. Who else was part

thanks to Phil — and our time

spring. Kevin can be reached

Reunion because of a

or Tom Frater leading the

of those jam sessions down-

at MB for bringing us together

at kevbarco@yahoo.com.

conference in North Carolina.

youngest child race?

stairs in that old music room?

in the first place!’”

Allen Hall ’84 and his family live in Philadelphia. “My sons

1984

are probably tired of hearing me reminisce about MB,” he says. “Even though I left MB after the seventh grade, I consider it my alma mater. I was pleased to see the 25th Reunion Committee stocked with old friends (and a new one). After a few years in Chicago and Bermuda, my wife and I settled here. I have worked in the (now vilified)

1983

hedge fund business for 20 years and still enjoy it in spite of the recent market turmoil. I stay in touch with Hugh Madden but would love to catch up with other friends from 1970s MB.” (allenhall@yahoo.com)

1988

Melissa Zexter ’83 brought her daughters to visit with Ashley Haffenreffer ’82 and family in Little Compton this summer. Melissa teaches photography in New York City and lives in Brooklyn.

Alessandro Thompson ’88 went to California to attend Cal Arts for set design and ended up in animation and sculpture. He writes, “We’re building a floating island for Andrea Zittell, props for Dita Von Teese, and building furniture and motorcycles on the side, as usual.” He also has been working on a line of low-volume furniture, in the tradition of

1988

California studio furniture of the ’60s and ’70s, and even built a few wave sculptures for Alex Weinstein. See page 15 for more.

Ray Pasquariello ’88 lives in Cranston with his wife Antonella and children, Maxwell, Valentina and newest arrival August. Ray was Tad Jose ’78, Jon Boc ’06, Brad Engle ’05, Dan Rocha P ’06 ’10 and

profiled for this issue of Cupola; see page 13 for more.

David Bresnahan-McRae ’08 attended last summer’s Alumni Social in Washington, D.C.

1984

1985 Reunion 2010

Class Correspondent

Melissa Crouchley Hem saw

Dale and their two-year-old

Jon Scott

many ’85ers on the Rhode

son Tanner.

but reflect that Senator

18 Mayflower Street

Island shoreline this summer,

Romi Skolnik-Knott lives in San Diego with her husband

1983

Edward Kennedy embodied

Providence, RI 02906

including Dan Kortick, Eugene

David Leventhal writes,

Nils Haaland sent condolences

many of the ideals expressed

401-454-4452

Bernardo, Lisa Rocchio, Sam

“Hello to all my classmates,

to Max Kennedy and family.

at Moses Brown — those of

jscott357@yahoo.com

Baker, Charles Dowling, Min

hope you’re all well. I am in

He recalls, “It is an indelible

friendship, compassion,

Ahn, and Steve Winoker: “all

Florida, near Sarasota, so

memory and a touchstone

empathy, egalitarianism,

Michele Goldsmith is sorry

looking like just like they did

look me up if you are ever in

event to have had Max’s uncle,

sportsmanship and the MB

to have missed Reunion. If

when they left MB — really

town. I would love to recon-

Ted, give the commencement

creed, For the Honor of Truth.

anyone is visiting the Chicago

(OK, Sam may be taller). I am

nect, and can’t believe it’s

address to our class of 1983.

What an inspiring example

area, please let her know

looking forward to our Reunion

been so long.” Email him at

With his passing, I can’t help

of a life of service.”

(mgo2@hotmail.com).

in May to see everyone else.”

david@theleventhalteam.com.

1987 Camilla Carlbom Flinn ’87 welcomed a new addition to her family, Cecilia, in March. “I am working in the family shipping business on the northeast coast of England; or I can be found chasing two-year-old Astrid, and otherwise am surrounded by chickens, ducks, dogs, geese, horses, and nappies!” Millie lives in London; she can be reached at carlbom2002@hotmail.com.

Inspired Achievements: Heather Tow-Yick ’94 Yale Law Professor Muneer Ahmad ’89 caught up with Jamie

1989

German at the Providence Social this fall. Muneer received this

Heather Tow-Yick, then managing director of Teach For America’s national office in New York City, spoke at Reunion

year’s Outstanding Young Alumnus Award and comments, “My

this spring as an Inspired Achievements panelist. After

time at MB served me well. It was nice to see the faces of former

graduating from Brown, Heather launched her career in

teachers and to re-trace some of those formative steps.” Muneer

public service when she joined Teach For America in New

joined Yale in July and previously taught at American and

York City. There, she learned firsthand what it took to close

Georgetown universities. A specialist in immigration law and

the achievement gap for students in the South Bronx. After

international human rights, Muneer was a staff attorney at the

teaching for two years, she went on to take positions in

Asian Pacific American Legal Center in Los Angeles.

instructional leadership, district leadership, and management consulting to better understand the problem of educational inequity. She worked for the New York City Department of Education as special assistant to the chancellor.

1989 Courtney Collins Nowell ’89 welcomed twin boys

Speaking at Reunion gave Heather the chance to reflect

on her own education: “MB taught me how to be an individ-

to her family in May: Thomas Cooper and John

ual person in a collective environment,” she told students. “I

Buckley. “Both boys are doing really well,” she says,

learned to take risks and was able to do lots of different

“and enjoy being doted on by their big sisters, Lily

things at Moses Brown, from sports to music. I learned to

and Maggie. Not a lot of sleeping yet, but we are

play saxophone and joined the jazz band. Now I apply what I

having a lot of fun trying to manage two babies at

am passionate about at Teach for America.”

the same time! It is never dull, I can tell you that.”

The Nowells live in Maryland.

Heather earned her M.A. from Columbia University and

an M.B.A. from MIT. She is committed to continuing her work in education reform and recently returned to Rhode Island in a position to influence the state’s economic and education systems. In January, Teach for America announced expansion to Rhode Island for the 2010-11 school year —

1984

Not only did devoted Yankees fan Florence

with Heather at the helm as R.I. executive director.

Lambrese celebrate her team’s World Series win this fall, she also took time to celebrate and meet up with many MB alumni at the Providence Alumni Social in October. Florence enjoyed the evening with her son Anthony Lambrese ’84, his wife Marla, Florence’s sister Marie Del Padre (still at MB in the middle school office), and King “Doc” Odell. Jim Procaccianti

1990

’76 was kind enough to host the event, held in the top floor graybox (unfinished space) of the Westin Residences.

C@mpus Link

To update your own info with MB or to contact other alumni, visit mosesbrown.org:

1 Go to CampusLink and log in.

“The best part about living in Westport is being so close to the

2 Sign in: first name last name two digit class year (MosesBrown84)

water and being able to get on a boat or head to the beach within

3 Password: your birth date MM/DD/YEAR (or 01/01/1966).

minutes!” says Julie Reitzas ’90, mom of Nolan and Liam.

(You can later change your password.) Problems? Click “Need login help?”

1993

In July, Josh Breindel ’93 began a new role as rabbi at Temple Anshe Amunim in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. Anshe Amunim is the fourth oldest Reform congregation in New England, now celebrating its 140th year. Josh received his B.A. from Brandeis, followed by two master’s degrees at Hebrew College in Boston, in Jewish studies and education. A gifted educator, singer and storyteller, he previously worked as assistant education director

Seeing the Big Picture: Brad Martin ’91

at Temple Shir Tikvah in Winchester, Massachusetts and taught at the Prozdor School of Hebrew College in Newton. He was

After working at a wilderness school and pursuing a

ordained by the Hebrew College in May. Josh and his wife,

graduate degree in educational psychology, Brad Martin

Stephanie, are delighted to be part of the Jewish community

landed a job teaching a careers class at E.O. Smith High

of the Berkshires and Temple Anshe Amunim.

School in Storrs, Connecticut. His position enabled him to become involved with efforts to develop a non-traditional school within the larger school; the goal of this new school was to help keep kids in school who were showing signs of Jayma and

heading toward dropout or school failure. Brad and colleagues

Jay Sitton ’92

visited the Met School in Providence and designed a similar

welcomed daughter

program, officially founding a Big Picture School.

Piper in March.

Says Brad, “We offer an innovative curriculum that puts

Dad says, “She is

students at the center of their learning. The traditional

doing great!”

school model doesn’t work for every student, which is where our school — the Depot Campus — comes in.”

Three alumni recently joined MB’s Board

1992

of Overseers: Willis Monroe ’04, Melissa

“MB taught me to value the learning that happens

Crouchley Hem ’85, and Neal Pandozzi ’91.

outside of the classroom,” he comments. “The nature of the traditional public education system often puts students in a rut of learning the same old content year after year. When students lose their passion for learning, they are not left with many options for inspiration, and often end up forgetting how to learn. MB did a good job of keeping that interest alive in students. At Depot, we are trying to get kids to both find themselves again and to discover a passion

1994

Dave Burnham welcomes back

for learning.” Brad’s school puts students in a variety of

the Class of ’94 at Reunion.

challenging situations, including 12 hours a week in an internship with a “real-world” mentor.

“We like to think that we are helping kids become

‘lifelong learners,” he says. Brad’s students create quarterly

a great visit with Audrey

1987

1990 Reunion 2010

students practical skills that will help in the real world;

Andrew Fowler ’87, in Oregon,

Class Correspondent

youngest, Lucy, were born a

we believe that being able to be a good learner outside of

recently contacted MB to

Julie Reitzas

few weeks apart and enjoyed

school is essential — it’s a complex world and kids need to

access the online Alumni

1688 Drift Road

getting acquainted!”

Directory to connect with

P.O. Box 302

members of the residential

Westport Point, MA 02791-0302

Rhonda Clement moved back to

community. “I still have fond

508-636-6928

Rhode Island with her daughters,

memories of my stay at Moses

tnbjr@msn.com

Alexa, 6, and Kailey, 5. “I’d

learning plans and find ways to demonstrate what they

be prepared to fend for themselves. Kids don’t really need to memorize facts in order to succeed in life after high school; they need to learn how to think, how to to discern truthful information, and how to understand and synthesize multiple perspectives.”

Dreibelbis, her husband Emery, and son Dillon. Dillon and our

learned from out-of-class reading: “We want to teach

love to catch up with old

Brown and all the great people I met there. I wanted to recon-

Adrian Hurditch is still

classmates.” Rhonda’s email is

nect with some of my fellow

living in Seattle, working for

rhonda@emaginepr.com.

with Dr. Peter Thompson. “Our work at Depot mimics the

boarders and classmates.”

T-Mobile. He enjoyed a great

MB model in many ways, in the sense that getting to know

Andrew consults to help

summer of hiking, biking,

Julie Reitzas teaches

students is considered part of a teacher’s work, and that

companies and organizations

and barbeques.

math part-time at UMass

students learn better in an intimate environment. MB

maximize their websites for

gave me (and many other students) the opportunity to

marketing, advertising, and

Julie LeMaire Rein and her

ran into Liz Silverman at

public relations; see more at

husband Dave live in Stow,

Westport’s Barn Dance, then

www.newsvetter.com or con-

Massachusetts with their three

saw her brother Ned ’92 at a

tact him at andrew@single-

young daughters, Gretchen,

wedding in Portsmouth. Julie

cell.com. Andrew’s wife is a

Eliza, and Lucy. Julie spends

has been chatting with many

lawyer at Nike and they have

most of her time with the girls,

MB alums via Facebook and

twin boys, age 5. Andrew ran

but enjoys working three shifts

stays busy with committees

After MB, Brad Martin majored in English at Middlebury College

into Marc Patrick ’89 a few

a month as a hospitalist at

in Westport. Julie and TJ

and received his master’s in educational psychology at the

years back who also works at

Newton Wellesley Hospital.

celebrated their 12-year

University of Connecticut. Contact him at bmartin@eosmith.org.

Nike. “It’s a small world!”

She shares, “We recently had

anniversary in July.

Brad recalls his MB days fondly, including advisory

learn and practice leadership skills. MB does a great job of teaching kids to think and allowing a certain sense of freedom in gaining an education. Our model certainly reflects those values.”

Dartmouth. She recently

1995

All members of the Class of 1995 are invited to return to MB for Reunion 2010 — see changes to the MB campus, enjoy a new and improved celebration in the Waughtel-Howe Field House, meet MB’s new head of school, and enjoy more family activities. All local alumni — regardless of graduation year — are welcome to attend.

Staging the Classics: Emily Glinick ’02 Young alumna Emily Glinick works in New York City as a

Jim Skillings caught up with Phil Ayoub ’91

freelance stage director and has recently stage managed for

and Ted Trafton ’98 at fall’s Providence

such theatre companies as The Public Theater, New York

Social, where Jim received the MBAA’s

Theatre Workshop, and The Signature. Outside NYC, she has

Faculty Member of the Year Award. Jim has been teaching and coaching middle school soccer, basketball and baseball at Moses Brown for 28 years. Jim’s daughter Lindsey is in MB’s preprimary classroom.

worked for Trinity Repertory Company, Chautauqua Theatre Company, Paper Mill Playhouse, Stamford Theatre Works, and Hartford Stage.

This spring, Emily also toured Sweden with Lemon

Andersen’s powerful staged memoir, County of Kings, a show that she production stage-managed this fall in New York. “It

Brian Panoff ’94, shown with Jerry Zeoli, was one of several alumni interviewed for MB’s online Annual Report, 2008-09 (see www.

was an incredible experience to share the production with a

1994

totally new audience and see the power of theatre at work in a different culture,” she says.

mosesbrown.org). “My classmates, teammates, teachers, and the

spirit of the school all influenced my growth during a very precious

Putting classic or contemporary works on stage can be a

challenge at any time, particularly in the current economy.

and formative stage of my life,” says Brian. “I feel a tremendous

“Even without an economic downturn, it has always been

fondness for MB.” Brian lives in California, but enjoyed visiting

a challenge to get people into the seats to see theatre,”

with Mr. Zeoli when he was back home in Rhode Island this summer: “Mr. Z is such a terrific guy and my friendship with him

Emily comments. “Cultivating an audience is difficult for any

is a real highlight from my time at MB.” See mosesbrown.org to

theatre company, but in terms of the larger picture, what the

see more from Brian, as well as Ted Fischer ’83, Will Mackenzie ’56,

American theatre needs right now is a new, young audience

Dawn West ’79, and the family of Nat Earle ’70.

that will continue to sustain the arts into the future. The current economy makes this an even mightier challenge, and

“Shawn Selby and her

I hope that artists of all kinds will rise to the challenge. What

family love living in western

really excites me about my current show, County of Kings, is

Massachusetts and welcomed

that it is a new kind of theatre that no one is making right

Class Correspondent

Zoe to their family in June.

Hillary Monahan Ramos

now. Lemon Andersen, the writer and performer, is a poet

‘We are all well, although big

289 Main Street

brother Miles doesn’t quite

“Amidst these many births,

Hampton, CT 06247

know what to do!’

we also have a marriage to

1991

401-952-4552

announce! Aaron Capuano

hillaryramos@gmail.com

“Peter Petrarca and his wife

writes that he was married last

1992

Michelle welcomed their third

August to Lyndsley Frazier.

who draws from hip-hop culture and his own life experience to spin beautiful storytelling into a powerful piece of theatre. This innovative kind of work is what can bring in new kinds of people from different backgrounds and generations into the performing arts.”

son, Fabrizio, last January. “Andy, Owen, Ella, and I

Class Correspondent

“Danielle Weiss and her

recently moved to Wellesley.

Kelley Ciampi Wigren

husband announce the arrival

We love having a backyard

1938 Washington Street #16

of twin girls Gabrielle and

and more space! We recently

Newton, MA 02466

Alaina, last September.

enjoyed dinner at our new

(617) 916-9058

place with Sean, Austin,

Emily can be reached at eglinick@gmail.com.

1994

“Mark Morrison and his wife

Cameron, and Margaret Lynch.

Nikki welcomed Rex last

Many of us are turning or have

Kelley Ciampi Wigren writes,

October. In addition, they

already turned 35 in 2009.

In April, Max Ricci and his

“Hello ’92, I love hearing from

recently had Kirsten Hall and

I can’t believe it! Happy

wife Sara welcomed their first

classmates about exciting

her family over for a fun

Birthday everyone, this is a

child, Rasmus.

news so thanks for keeping in

Saturday night. Rex and

big one to celebrate! I hope 35

touch with me! Since I last

Kirsten’s youngest son, Stefan,

treats us all well. It feels like

wrote, we have had many new

are close in age and becoming

we were all just learning

additions to the Class of ’92

fast friends. Kirsten and Mark

and Moses Brown communities.

live close by in Manhattan.

kelleywigren11@yahoo.com

Nate Heavers graduated with a master’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania

1996

in landscape architecture

how to drive, time flies. Keep

Congratulations to two

Veena Reddy placed 16th in

in touch!”

members of the Class of 1996:

the Boston Marathon this year.

this May.

1997

In May, Sharon Silveira wed Jim Hart. On hand were Stephanie Ogidan Preston, Joanne Debrah, Melissa Francois, and Hakeem Adeniyi ’99. Then it was off to honeymoon in Costa Rica, followed by graduation and a move to Boston. Sharon is now finishing up her intern year in obstetrics/gynecology at Brigham and Women’s Hospital/Mass General. “The other big change in my life is that I have a puppy named Stormy,” she writes, “a black lab mix that we rescued. She loves to go mountain biking! Keep in touch.” (silverhart47@gmail.com)

Al Asante ’03 (right) at Homecoming with Matt Parker ’00

1999

Latin & Labor Studies: Preparation for the Real World Alfred Asante ’03 Before returning to MB this fall for Homecoming, Alfred Asante put together an unusual double-major combination: in classics — and engineering. Al graduated from Wesleyan with

1999

a B.A. in Classical Civilizations and from Columbia with a B.S. in Industrial Engineering. “Although this may sound like an

“Proving Democrats haven’t lost their sense of

odd pairing,” he says, “my majors exposed me to the unlimited

humor,” Seth Weitberg ’99 has hosted many at the

potential for future possibilities. Being a classics major helped

Woolly Mammoth Theatre in Chicago for Second

me improve my public speaking abilities by studying famous

City’s show Barack Stars. The show drew sell-out

rhetorical pieces such as Cicero’s Rhetorica ad Herennium,

audiences before closing in August. One who dropped in on the Obama sketchfest was White

Plato’s Republic, and the Socratic Dialogues. My classics back-

House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel with his wife

ground also was important to how I approached engineering at

Amy; Emanuel stayed after the performance to

Columbia — one learns quantitative and technical skills as an

meet the cast and give Seth some pointers on

engineer, but you also need to be able to market them.”

playing him. Seth also welcomed visits from the

At Wesleyan, Al devoted much time to the admissions

office, but says his experience at Columbia was more entrepreneurial. There, he was a part of the Columbia

Democratic Senate Campaign Committee and Congratulations to Priya Desai ’99 on her

Senators Kerry, Specter, and Durbin.

marriage to Archit Patel. They live in Boston.

Bartending Agency, a student-run, for-profit enterprise,

2002

and also co-founded Kleos Financial Group for students interested in finance. His next steps will continue in this

Class Correspondent

vein. Al recently landed a job as a financial advisor with

2000 Reunion 2010

MetLife and, someday, would like to obtain his certification as a chartered financial analyst.

In the meantime, I am

Al can be reached at aasante@wesleyan.edu.

Jay Millikan works at a policy research firm in

1997

Washington, D.C.

Liz Donat 714 W. Portland Street Phoenix, AZ 85007

celebrating my one-year

Greg Gale won’t be able to

emdonat@gmail.com

anniversary with Dan Gilman

attend Reunion as he will be

401-864-9600

by heading to Ireland for a

graduating from Washington

mini-moon. We live in

University at St. Louis Medical

Adrienne St. Aubin is working

Providence with our five-year-

School. He hopes to enter a

in Silicon Valley: “I spend more

old Boston terrier, Norman.”

residency program in Boston

time thinking about the future

and writes, “I’m looking

than the past,” she says. “Any

forward to returning to the

chance there will be a “Future”

East Coast.”

themed issue of this magazine

1999

Kerri Monteiro married

Class Correspondent

Giovanni Mothersille in

Kirstin McCarthy

Cara Camacho

April in Providence; they

1511 Vermont Avenue, NW

216 Maryland Avenue NE, #203

live in Virginia.

Washington, DC 20005

Rebecca Tanguay is attending

Valley and living in the Mission

401-447-5770

NYU’s Silver School of Social

district of San Francisco (home

kirstinmccarthy@yahoo.com

Work. She will intern at

of the legendary mission burrito

Planned Parenthood Manhattan

and some of the best public

Washington, DC 20002-5749 401-742-4658

Jessica Zuehlke passed her

cara.camacho@gmail.com

licensing exam and postdoc at

2001

anytime soon? I’m having a great time in California, working at Google down in Silicon

URI’s counseling center:

Karissa Bollengier married

as a clinician. She plans to

murals in the world). I look

Ian Heavers is the proud new

“I am an official licensed

Steven Thrall in August in

travel to Chicago to work at

back on my days at MB very

father to Robert, born in April.

psychologist! I will be working

Portsmouth. They make their

the Berman Center and Costa

fondly. My best regards to

Robert joins his big sister

as a psychologist for the

home in Warwick with their

Rica for an intensive social

all at MB, especially to Mrs.

Ellen, now 2.

Providence VA in September.

Golden Retriever Jackson.

work and Spanish course.

Breindel, Ransom, Lee, and Doc.”

First-Year Report: Ted Parker ’04 At this fall’s alumni soccer game, Dave Gower ’87, Steve Johnson ’05, Eric Egan ’04, and David Slepkow

Ted Parker is in his second year of teaching at Portsmouth Abbey.

’89 were joined by current MB faculty members

“I’ve known since my time at Moses Brown that I wanted to teach,”

Eric Aaronian, Karim Sow, and Tom Andrew, as

he says. “Fabulous teachers like Ransom Griffin, Tom Andrew,

well as new Head of School Matt Glendinning.

Amy (Todd) Newbold, and Sharyn Hallal, with their passions for

Lower school students representing the future

all sorts of learning and genuine enthusiasm for sharing those with

alumnus contingent included Jude Goldberg ’19,

students, inspired me to this path.” Ted teaches humanities and

son of Gary Goldberg ’87. An accomplished soccer player, Matt has been spotted training with MB’s

2004

team this fall and even swam across Narragansett Bay this summer with MB trainer Joyce Freeman

Abby Reibman’s interest in culinary arts began

for Save the Bay. See page 4 to join Matt at the

when she was living in Italy during her junior

anniversary of the Marathon in Greece next fall.

year of high school: “The way people ate, drank, and celebrated products specific to la terra has continued to stick with me,” she says. Abby is now in Edinburgh, pursuing a master’s in classics. See page 14 for more.

English at Portsmouth Abbey School, coaches sailing and squash, and lives as a dorm houseparent at The Abbey (which, yes, is a real abbey with real monks!). Ted says the curriculum taught in Portsmouth takes a decidedly classical bent:

“What entails a classic? Transcendence probably is the

closest that I can come — transcendence of mere historical context; continued relevance and sublimity despite the turbulent, eradicating sweeps of history. Sublimity? Well, there’s no proving that. And relevance to whom — to scholars or casual readers? And measured how? It’s more

2005

Class of ’05: Reunion 2010 is coming up! Line up

than just a problem of determining bestsellers: consider

your plans for your first MB Reunion this May.

Mao Tse-tung’s ‘little red book’ of quotations, likely the most

Shawn Neves graduated from Boston College with a double

2005 Reunion 2010 2004 Class Correspondent Kori Burnham 250 Creek Street Wrentham, MA 02093 508-954-3981 kori.burnham@gmail.com Having graduated from URI with a degree in communications and film studies, Ben Brodeur now works as a production assistant at Barclays Capital in Manhattan. Bay Hudner writes, “Endless

Class Correspondent

major in accounting/marketing. He began work in July as a

printed book of the 20th century, thanks to party decree. Politics, race, wealth, influence, and acceptability to fickle public tastes — all these affect determinations of ‘classical’ literature. Who are we, then, to present our chosen texts to

tax associate at Pricewater-

students, presuming to call them ‘classics’?

houseCoopers in Boston.

“The debate takes shape in the conflict between cultural

representation and focused study of classical thought — the

Nick Artenstein 538 East Avenue

Hilary Snyder graduated

essential difference between the curricula at MB and at

Pawtucket, RI 02860

summa cum laude with

Portsmouth Abbey. I maintain that a balance is best, although

401-413-1265

Presidential Honors from the University of New Hampshire

in this contemporary debate, instruction in the classics often

nick.artenstein@gmail.com

with a major in molecular,

gets the short end of the stick.

“Capable teachers can facilitate such connections to

Dana Scott finished four

cellular and developmental

“incredible” years at Brown as

biology and a minor in

an Italian studies and biology

Spanish. During Hilary’s

concentrator. This fall she is

last two years at UNH, she

moving on to her first year

volunteered as an EMT with

students to great books. Most classics are ideally suited to

of medical school at Brown,

McGregor Memorial EMS in

skills-based instruction for critical thinking, writing, and

excited to begin this next

Durham. Hilary attends Drexel

speaking, suited to historical instruction, and present

adventure: “I look forward to

University College of Medicine.

opportunities to break down artificial, complicating barriers

seeing everyone at our fiveyear Reunion this spring.”

texts that have persisted over time, thanks largely to the universality of their themes, relevant to all human experience. Teaching classics isn’t about just exposing

between different subjects of study. Jen Bennett graduated from Bennington College with a

“Though we have a responsibility to prepare students for

cooperation in an ever-shrinking world, we mustn’t prioritize

thanks to Moses Brown and

James Dickson graduated

concentration in costume

the community that continues

from Davison College and

design and Japanese. She

to give us so much — all the

will be entering the graduate

spent the summer working

best from San Francisco.”

mathematics program at

in the costume shop of the

Virginia Tech on fellowship.

Williamstown Theatre Festival

Carson Jones missed attending

He was the recipient of

and is in graduate school at

tradition simply because it’s been privileged in the past; we

his five-year Reunion because

the William McGavock

Boston University studying for

cannot right the wrongs of the past by doing the opposite

he was traveling to Argentina.

Mathematics Award.

her M.F.A. in costume design.

disservice to the next generation.”

cultural representation over the study of quality literature. Students deserve to experience such works; teachers shouldn’t choose texts based only on their cultural context. We mustn’t deny the West’s own vibrant intellectual

Nick Gregory-Bernstein was recently appointed chief of

conference on the power of

Clark University EMS, in

social and environmental

addition to being a Massachu-

activism and collaboration in

setts-certified EMT. He made

design — A Better World by

Dean’s List with high honors,

Design — held in October

Cassie Rogg graduated from

all while working on starting

(www.abetterworldbydesign.

Brown with a B.A. in architec-

his own company, Re-Volv.

com).

tural history and comparative

Re-Volv was started in 2007

literature. She recently moved

as a way to find reasonably

Nate Silver says, “I am still

to Chicago, starting a master’s

priced used parts for Volvos.

having a blast as a theater

in interior architecture at the

The company also sells

kid.” He spent the summer

School of the Art Institute. Let

entire cars at wholesale

running the National Student

her know if you’re ever visiting

prices to the consumer; see

Leadership Conference on

the Windy City! (catherine.

www.re-volvparts.com.

Theater at Fordham University and has plenty of theatrical

rogg@gmail.com) Devon Hopkins has a forth-

adventures planned for this

Emily Salander works for Teach

coming book to be published

year, from directing an

for America, Greater Boston, as

sometime next year.

adaptation of Clue in November to working on RENT

a learning specialist at Excel Academy. She can be reached

Terry Moran spent spring

for December. The majority

at emily.salander@gmail.com.

in Denmark and skiied in

of his year will be spent

the Alps. This summer, he

preparing for his senior thesis

interned at the Clipper City

project: directing the first

Brewery in Baltimore, learning

quarto of Hamlet (April 1-3,

Class Correspondent

the science behind beermaking.

2010). “Anyone and everyone

Nate Silver

He is captain of the Loyola

is welcome to come to Vassar

310 Olney Street

cross-country team.

to see these shows,” he says.

2006

Classic Hip-Hop: Matthew Osofisan ’06 Matthew Osofisan has launched a line of hip-hop clothing. Now a junior at Northeastern (major: entrepreneurship

“As always, it’s great to hear

Providence, RI 02906 401-272-3319

Julie O’Neil spent spring in

from you — please keep your

nasilver@vasser.edu

Florence, Italy, living with a

updates coming!”

sweet, old Italian woman who

2007

Nate Silver writes, “The

cooked amazing food and did

majority of the Class of 2006

all her laundry — pretty much

just began their senior year in

“the life.” She spent the

Class Correspondent

college — a bit scary if you ask

summer interning at a

Lindy Nash

me, as it feels like mere weeks

nonprofit in Boston and is

1312 Narragansett Blvd

ago we were sharing peace

the head of the Bryn Mawr

Cranston, RI 02905

although they are finding other customers, including Glen

pops in the Grove and sledding

Democrats. She also is a

401-527-0896

Davis of the Celtics, Tully Banta-Cain of the Patriots, and

on trays into the Pit.”

student representative for

linden.nash@conncoll.edu

and marketing), Matt has started, with another student, a clothing line called Annie Mulz. Their line was featured in the music video for “Chillin” by Wale (with Lady Gaga) when it filmed in Boston.

The company’s target audience is college students —

Teach for America and will be

The Clipses. “Nas told us our gear is fresh!” Matt says. This year, they also are doing the Galaxy 20/20 fashion show

Prabhat Dhar spent his spring

applying for the program. She

Felicia Jacobvitz studied abroad

hosted by Vanessa and Angela Simmons from Run’s House.

in the eastern part of the

encourages anyone interested

in Italy for five weeks this

The company has been experiencing growth and has even

Sahara desert — his first visit

in TFA to contact her and

summer at Florence University

to Africa. He also traveled to

hopes that our entire class is

of the Arts before traveling

India this spring and is excited

enjoying life as almost-adults!

around Greece. She is a junior

had to turn down distribution opportunities because of time demands and knowing that education comes first: “I have learned to become more organized and really grow up,” says Matt. “You get out what you put in. On nights when my

in the business school at the

to inform you that he recently joined Twitter.

Nasha Patel is obtaining

University of Miami and was

her public school teaching

named to the President’s

friends go out, I might have to do inventory and pack orders,

Anne Goldberg is working on

certification and plans to teach

Honor Roll for each of the

go to networking events, or go over our finances!” Matt

her honors thesis, writing and

Latin for a few years between

three semesters that she has

credits taking economics at MB with helping him to discover

choreographing a contempo-

college and law school.

attended the university. Larissa

his passion for business: “Without the knowledge and

rary ballet. She splits her

tutoring I received there, I could not be where I am.”

coursework between Wellesley

Willem Van Lancker worked

Emerson College in Boston.

and MIT and also has become

as a designer for Apple this

If any MB classmates are in

involved with the orchestra at

summer. Don’t ask him what

Boston this semester, she

Berklee College of Music. Anne

he was working on because the

would love to hear from

is still in the New England

projects are top secret, but he

them! Kylie Harwood had a

Philharmonic and, in dance,

definitely enjoyed every

great summer working and

was recently accepted to

minute. He also volunteered at

traveling. She is going into her

Unyted Stylz Crew in Boston as

826 Valencia in San Francisco,

junior year at Boston College

a hip-hop dancer. She was part

a program that helps young

and is looking forward to

of the crew that opened for

adults develop writing skills.

studying abroad for the spring

Daddy Yankee and Victor

His other project was

semester in Madrid with fellow

Manuel at Fenway Park.

organizing a joint Brown-RISD

MB classmate Lindy!

Matt also connects to the topic for this issue, albeit with

a different spin: “I love the classics!” he says. “I am heavily influenced by what I consider classics in music: Stevie Wonder, Isley Brothers, Al Green, Percy Sledge, Neil Young, Otis Redding, A Tribe Called Quest, Eric B. and Rakim, The Roots. These people were unique, innovative, and among the best at what they do, which made them classic. My vision of Annie Mulz is to do the same.”

Green has just transferred to

2009

2008 This summer, Sophie Siegel-Warren ’09 worked at a horse farm in New Hampshire for girls: “I led trails through the woods, helped teach lessons, lifeguarded, and did a lot of farm work. The farm actually suffered a major fire in May, so there was a lot of rebuilding (both literally and emotionally) taking place. I am interested in possibly becoming a teacher, so I loved the experience of working with kids.” Sophie now attends Carleton.

2008 classmates Alex Ardente, Kate Gorgi, and Maggie Moran attended the recent Providence Alumni Social. They are students

Sam Chafee ’09, son of

at the College of Charleston, George Washington University, and

Zechariah Chafee ’69, was one

Elon College, respectively. Young alumni: mark your calendar for

of several legacy graduates in

upcoming socials in California and Florida.

May. Sam is in his freshman year at Roanoke College. His father is an assistant U.S. attorney; his mother Lee is a freelance writer for several publications; she interviewed outgoing Head of School Joanne Hoffman for East Side

2009

Monthly this spring.

2009

Spooky senior project: Jessica Villella ’09 held a longtime love of history in her years at MB and decided to explore the school’s myths

MB to Metcalf: Laura Marrin ’07

before graduating this past spring. See page 16 for the results of her senior project. Other MB alumni reacted favorably to the article’s posting on, appropriately, Halloween. To hear their feedback, visit mosesbrown.org or connect via Facebook. Fan Moses Brown School or connect with Cupola MB.

Laura Marrin, a junior at Wellesley, was one of five 2009 Metcalf Fellows named by the Rhode Island Foundation this summer. The experiences — self-designed adventures for college students outside their college classwork — are intended to promote personal growth through travel.

Laura went to Peru with Cross-Cultural Solutions and

volunteered in Villa El Salvador. “I wanted to learn more about the Peruvian culture, and become a more educated

2009

2008

Class Correspondent Class Correspondent

outstanding first-year male

and engaged global citizen,” she says. “I left with valuable insight into the world of cross-cultural dialogue, social injustice, and international relations.”

Betsy Tammaro

Laura is an international relations major at Wellesley.

Natalie Triedman

athlete. In his first season after

69 Londonderry Way

This summer, she also interned with a small NGO in Boston,

283 Wayland Ave.

moving across the street from

Uxbridge, MA 01569

at the Consortium on Gender, Security, and Human Rights.

Providence, RI 02906

MB, Tyler stepped into a con-

(401) 477-6545

“My summer experience in Peru reminds me of my MB Class

401-575-3142

tributing role immediately for

betsy.tammaro@gmail.com

of ’48 award experience in a number of ways,” she says.

natalie_triedman@

the Bears, earning the starting

coloradocollege.edu

job at shortstop and solidifying

Kaia Simmons, now a freshman

the infield defense. Tyler hit

at Stanford, writes, “The Class

Natalie Triedman writes, “Hi

over .300 on the season, and

of 2009 never bonded so much

everyone! I hope all is well. I’m

added 31 RBIs and five home

as it did during those last few

loving school so much and I

runs as the Bears won a school

months. It was as if everyone

couldn’t be happier!”

record: 15 Ivy League games.

was suddenly injected with a

Head coach Marek Drabinski

dose of maturity. I am very

relations. “Volunteering in Villa El Salvador, the largest

Graham Tyler won the Paterno

called Tyler the best defensive

proud of the capable, kind,

shantytown in Lima, I experienced international relations

Award at Brown University this

shortstop he has ever coached,

self-possessed people we have

firsthand, whether by teaching in the classroom or speaking

spring, recognized as Brown’s

despite his rookie status.

become.”

with my Peruvian drivers about national politics.”

“Both experiences focused on volunteering as a way to immerse myself into a different culture. My volunteer trips to China and Peru were amazing experiences that forced me to move beyond my comfort zone and grow as a person.”

Laura says that the top thing she takes away from

this experience is a better understanding of international

Freshman Year Do you have a story to share of a compelling “first” year of your life? The spring issue of Cupola will examine the peculiar, exhilarating, fun and challenging first-year experiences at and after MB. Send comments/suggestions/ stories to alumni@mosesbrown.org.

Share your own comments on this issue at our online survey page — visit www.mosesbrown.org email alumni@mosesbrown.org

A New Appreciation for MB History: Elizabeth Tammaro ’09 Alumni Office Summer Intern “Throughout my time at Moses Brown, I saw the ‘1784’ in

Think spring!

the school’s seal almost every day. From the cover of my

The spring/summer issue of Cupola is approaching. Send news/notes/photos/feedback to: Susan Cordina, Class Notes Editor Alumni Relations Moses Brown School alumni@mosesbrown.org

planbook to the sign on the corner of Hope and Lloyd, the year of MB’s founding is virtually inescapable. The two and a quarter centuries of history our school has seen should have been staring me in the face for the past four years, but it wasn’t until this summer that I really discovered how impressive our school’s past is. Working in the school’s alumni relations office not only illuminated the history of Moses Brown itself, but showed me how my alma mater changed and interacted with larger events.

2005

“With each yearbook I dusted off and yellowing

photograph I gingerly examined, the young faces of Moses

MB in Manhattan: Stephen Johnson

Brown students of the past seemed more similar to my own

’05 and Rebecca Tanis ’04 attended

class. I was startled to see images of a student from the

the N.Y. Alumni Social this fall.

class of 1945 walking the same route around campus that I

Outside of Rhode Island, New York

used to get to class, found myself recognizing the familiar

is one of the top locations for MB

look of mingled boredom and frustration that appeared in a

alumni: 42% of MB graduates stay

study hall candid from 1960. Certainly, the 40 years that

in R.I., while 6% reside in New York.

separated my life from that of the student in this picture is

Massachusetts and California are other top sites for MB grads. Visit

nothing compared to the huge stretches of history talked

mosesbrown.org to connect with

about in the rest of this issue, but for me, it was fascinating

other alumni in your area.

to identify with students from Moses Brown’s past.

“Yet still there were marks of the gaping distance

between my generation and that of the archived photos. I learned how teenage boys from London came to Moses

she headed off to Georgetown

Brown to escape the bombings of World War II, and how the turbulence and unrest of the seventies inspired political

This summer, Alex D’Agostino

with classmates Dan Eichler,

interned at a fastener

Courtney Sherman, Sophie

activism. The student body itself has undergone huge

Amanda Ramirez writes, “All I

distribution company, Vertex,

Stevenson, and Zoe Weiner —

changes. While older images showed all or mostly young

can say is thank you. Moses

operated by Mark Alperin ’76: “I

Hoyas 2013!

men, in the past few decades, women have become vital

Brown changed my life, and if I

learned, not only about nuts,

members of the Moses Brown community.

can help MB in any way in the

bolts and threaded rod, but

Rosa Heyman is at Washington

future, I definitely would be

also about the import/export

University in St. Louis,

images from my time at Moses Brown, I hope they

willing to.” Amanda attends

industry, networking with

Missouri: “I had my first real

experience the same emotions I did while looking through

Boston University.

suppliers in Taiwan, China,

job this summer working as a

Thailand, and India. The

caterer, but made virtually no

Camerin Brodie-Gifford spent

organization and regulations of

money. I wish my classmates

the summer as a camp coun-

the fastening industry are in-

the best of luck on their next

selor for girls. The other part of

credibly detailed and more

adventure!”

the summer, she learned to

complicated than I could have

plaster and paint and applied

ever imagined.” Alex also

Aidan Greer-Heffernan is

her new skill to two living

coxed at the Narragansett Boat

enrolled at the University of

rooms. Camerin attends Case

Club and may continue to row

King’s College in Halifax, Nova

Western Reserve University.

in college. At summer’s end,

Scotia. He writes, “It’s great!”

“In future decades, when people will look back on

the archives. Maybe they’ll see a candid taken on Friends Hall porch and recognize a familiar place, or maybe they’ll just be shocked at how different life here used to be. Moses Brown’s commitment to progress means our school will always continue to grow and change, continuing to evolve with time while still remaining a symbol of the past.” Betsy just began her first year at Wesleyan.

In Memoriam Moses Brown publishes memorial notes based on published obituaries. Please forward to Office of Alumni Relations, Moses Brown School, 250 Lloyd Avenue, Providence, RI 02906; fax (401) 455-0084; email alumni@mosesbrown.org.

Former Faculty/Staff

Robert Moeller, Class of 1927, attended MIT

Brian Curtis, Class of 1954, worked at Kenyon

and worked at Collyer Company in Pawtucket. He

Dyeworks and Bradford Printing. He was active in

ultimately succeeded his father as president. Robert

the Republican Party and was a member of East

Louis Davis was the first African-American to join the

enjoyed sailing, playing tennis and golf, and skiing

Greenwich’s Town Council. In the 1980s, Brian began

faculty at Phillips Andover Academy and at Moses

with family. (5/18/09)

making his farm in Vermont his home. (5/15/09)

Brown, where he was music director from 1961-1967. After MB, he was a professor at CCRI for 20 years. (7/21/09)

David Evans, Class of 1935, a graduate of

Charles Southworth, Class of 1956, moved to Cape

Northeastern, served as a staff sergeant in the U.S.

Cod after Brown. He rescued the Federal building in

Army during World War II. He was comptroller of

Brewster from demolition and opened Pepper House

Hope Silva worked at MB from 1970 through the

several local businesses, studied pipe organ and sang

Antiques. In Orleans, Charles was involved with the

1980s. She was a CCD instructor and a communicant

in local choirs. David established Operation Bach

Yacht Club, Board of Appeals, and Rotary. He served

of Our Lady of the Rosary Church. She enjoyed

Organ Scholarships for Rhode Island college students.

on the board of Cape Cod Academy and collected

knitting and, when her daughters were young,

(12/31/08)

Model A automobiles. (4/9/08)

volunteering as a Girl Scout leader. Hope lived in Providence. (1/23/09)

Sterling Dimmitt, Class of 1950, graduated from

Anthony Noviello, Class of 1958, was the sales

Choate and Brown. He served as a naval aviator and

manager of Frank DeClemente’s Appliances in

intelligence officer on the U.S.S. Wasp. Sterling earned

Cranston. He previously owned and operated

his M.B.A from Harvard, was a founding partner of

Tony Goodrich TV and Appliances in Cranston

Dressel, Dimmitt & Andrews Executive Search, and

and in Warwick. (7/26/09)

CEO of Metropolitan Sunday Newspapers. He also sang with the University Glee Club (NYC) for many years. (7/17/09)

John Tomlinson, Class of 1960, attended Ohio State. After graduation, he returned to Chillicothe to work in the family insurance business. John was a member

John Hall, Class of 1950, worked for the First

of Elks Lodge 52 and served as Exalted Ruler in 2005,

National Bank of Boston after graduating from the

following in the family tradition of his father and

University of Pennsylvania. He spent 20 years in

grandfather. He served in the U.S. Marines. (10/18/08)

England and Switzerland before retiring to the U.S. John lived in Boca Grande, Florida and Alna, Maine. (6/18/09)

Peter Cate, Class of 1970, graduated from Bates College and received his M.B.A. from Providence College. He was previously employed at M.R.I.

Robert Jones, Class of 1951, became an architect

Network in East Providence and most recently

in New York after graduating from the Cornell School

worked for Kent County VNA. (3/26/09)

of Architecture. His connection with MB continued over the years, as a board member and a designer of several buildings and renovation projects at Moses Brown; see page 38 for more. Bob lived in Connecticut. (5/15/09)

Robert Stuart, Class of 1953, lived in Connecticut until he retired to Florida. While at Moses Brown, he played football and was in the Glee Club. His brother, Charles ’56, also is an MB alumnus. (8/10/09)

Philip Sweetland, Class of 1971, a resident of Stamford and Mystic, grew up in Stonington, Connecticut. He received his bachelor’s degree from American University in Washington, D.C. (3/22/08)

Matthew Barrall, Class of 1981, a graduate of Ohio Wesleyan University, was a trader in the options market. He lived in Providence for most of his life and was a member of St. Martin’s Episcopal Church. (8/6/09)

After graduation from Cornell, Bob Jones ’51 became a successful New York architect, overseeing a large firm. Years later, he commented, “One day, I realized I had gone six months without lifting a pencil to draw. That led me to close my business and move to Connecticut to work independently, taking only customers I enjoy.” Soon after this major lifestyle change, Bob took Moses Brown as a pro bono “customer.”

Part of MB History: Appreciation for an MB Architect David Burnham on Robert Jones When Robert Wagenseil Jones passed away last spring, former MB Head of School David

tried to look out ‘Bob’s window.’ He had enormous talent. The night before the

Burnham (1978-1994) took the time to note Bob’s passing and to comment on his legacy,

Jenks Center was opened, he drew freehand two perfect columns to flank the

still evident in the halls we walk and buildings we enter.

door from the faculty lounge to the student lounge.

“Bob Jones and I first met in 1981 when he was back for his 30th Reunion.

“Bob was big in heart as well as body. During the 13 years that he was our

On the porch of Friends Hall, we chatted about ways a friendly architect

architect, he must have made 100 trips from Branford, Connecticut to MB. He

alumnus could help the school. Dreaming together, we built a bond that was

never charged for his work as an architect. After his son died in an airplane

only physically severed when he died this past May. He will live many years

crash, Moses Brown increasingly became Bob’s child. Those who found him a

more through the buildings which are his monument at Moses Brown.

little inflexible at times may have underestimated the depth of Bob’s knowledge

of his trade and the extent of his commitment to our school. Even those of us

“Bob Jones was a big man who dominated a room through sheer physical

size and energetic presence. Yet his huge hands could draw the smallest details.

who knew him well sometimes underestimated his love for Moses Brown and its

He was a true artist. When I suggested he should have placed a window on the

people, past and present. Look closely at the outer east wall of Henderson and

south wall of the present Krause Gallery, he disagreed but overnight painted,

you will see that Bob clearly placed there a huge, though subtle, ‘H’. Surely

framed and hung a picture of exactly what one would see on an autumn’s day

someone looking at our campus from above will see for years to come that

if there were a window there. So real did it appear that people often mistakenly

Bob’s spirit has deftly woven into the fabric an enormous ‘J’.”

The Jenks Center was the first of many projects architect Bob Jones designed for Moses Brown, at a time when the school had little money and needed to rebuild, both in facilities and in reputation. Named for James Jenks ’15, inventor of the electro-cardiograph, this building with its beautiful curved façade is now the Collis Science Center. The Henderson Building, originally the school barn, was used only for wrestling in the 1970s — Bob added a second floor and gave MB the Editha Thomas Music Center (now the Dwares Family Student Center; the music program has moved to Ross House). Bob also rebuilt Burnham House, transformed dorm rooms to classrooms, and designed the lower school addition, stair tower of the north wing, and the entire change of that building from dormitory rooms to classrooms.

Obadiah Brown

Amy Roebuck Jones ’79

Dan Winston ’05

Peter Hoyle Armstrong ’52

William Howard Claflin ’46

You?

The Obadiah Brown Society Leaving a Lasting Legacy The Obadiah Brown Society is named in honor of Moses Brown’s only son, Obadiah, whose $100,000 bequest in 1882 provided the foundation for Moses Brown School’s current endowment. At the time, it was said to be the largest single bequest to an institution of learning in America. Today, more than 100 alumni, parents, and friends of MB have followed in Obadiah’s footsteps by making planned gifts, including bequests, to support MB in perpetuity.

Current members, as of December 2009 Anonymous (5)

Harley A. Frank ’81

Lester N. Odams ’47

Mark Richard Alperin ’76

Mary Jo Griffin GP ’96 ’98

King B. Odell

Frohman C. Anderson ’80 P ’10 ’12

Gordon Holmes ’56

Harmon A. Poole, Jr. ’42

Peter Hoyle Armstrong ’52

Charles P. Isherwood ’40

Beth A. Prairie ’89

Barbara and James Bachand P ’84

E. Gardner Jacobs, Jr. ’43

Marianne and John Renza P ’90 ’94

Robert Gifford Berry ’40

Amy Roebuck Jones ’79

Ann and Robert Rheault P ’09 ’11

Zenas W. Bliss ’44

Richard H. Jones ’42

Donna and Stuart Robinson P ’87 ’89

Russell A. Boss ’57

Peter E. Lacaillade ’67

Gail S. Samdperil ’81

Jeffrey G. Brier ’71

Theodore Low ’44 P ’81

Bob Samors ’77

Thomas Chappell ’61 and

Will Mackenzie ’56

Francis B. Sargent ’48 P ’73

Stanley Markowitz ’46

Turner C. Scott ’66

William Howard Claflin ’46

Douglas P. Marquis ’58

Craig S. C. Shaw ’48 P ’78 ’82

Americo W. and Judith L. Colaluca P ’92 ’97

William C. McClaskey ’57

A. Homer Skinner, Jr. ’38

Ellen and Charles Collis P ’80 ’81 ’87

James R. McCulloch ’70 P ’08

Stephen Toro

Sarah E. Crane ’91

Bruce G. McInnes ’55

Leonard J. Triedman ’46 P ’75 ’78 ’81

Melissa MacGillivray Dane ’87

Terrence P. Moran ’76 P ’06 ’08

Paul H. Welch ’53

Donald Dwares ’55 P ’92 ’94

C. William Myers ’48 P ’77 ’79

Dan Winston ’05

Peter Lance Dwares ’62

C. Rodney O’Connor ’50

Dean Stuart Woodman ’46 P ’78

Katherine Chappell

Join the Obadiah Brown Society by informing the school that you have left a provision in your will or established a planned gift directed to Moses Brown. To see why those listed have joined the Obadiah Brown Society or how your gift can impact the school’s continued excellence in teaching and learning, visit www.mosesbrown.org.

For the Honor of Truth For more information contact Ron Dalgliesh, director of development and alumni relations, at 401-831-7350, ext. 111, rdalgliesh@mosesbrown.org

Moses Brown School 250 Lloyd Avenue, Providence, RI 02906 www.mosesbrown.org 401-831-7350

Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage Paid Providence, RI Permit No. 3264

Alumni parents: If this Cupola is addressed to a graduate no longer residing at your home, please contact alumni@mosesbrown.org or call x114 to update his or her address.

Reunion 2010: May 8 ’40 ’45 ’50 ’55 ’60 ’65 ’70 ’75 ’80 ’85 ’90 ’95 ’00 ’05

Make plans now to return to MB this May to revisit your MB days gone by. We’ll have special events for ’5s and ’0s, but all alumni are welcome to attend, regardless of year:

“I thoroughly enjoyed mingling with other classes and past teachers in the Front Circle …”

See old friends and classmates • Reconnect with faculty • Attend class with current faculty and students • Join an alumni game or cheer on the Quakers • Attend our alumni panel • Meet new Head of School Matt Glendinning To join your reunion committee, register, see who is coming, or get the latest MB updates, visit www.mosesbrown.org/alumni or contact alumni@mosesbrown.org, 401-831-7350 x288

For the Honor of Truth