What’s Ahead?
Spring 2012
Moses Brown Cupola
{
Moses Brown School
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
Moses Brown School Board of Trustees 2011-2012 Frohman C. Anderson ’80 P ’10 ’12 John T. Barrett, Jr. ’63 P ’01 Neil S. Beranbaum ’86 P ’22 ’24 Emily Low Boenning ’81
About Our Cover
Russell Carpenter ’59 David Costantino P ’12 Clerk, Buildings & Grounds Committee Marc A. Crisafulli P ’12 ’14 ’17
This issue of Cupola examines the topic of “the future”
and Kristen met Michael on top of The Residences
and where we’re headed, both at MB and beyond.
Providence, one of the many properties he oversees
Inside, we share forward-looking perspectives and
for the Procaccianti Group. The unique vantage
experiences from Frank Sulloway ’65, Scott Wolf ’71,
point from Providence’s highest residential point
Michael Voccola ’76, Parker Ramspott ’78, Cheryl
let MB staff get some great pictures of Michael as
Schadone Cohen ’81, David Everett ’81, Albie Dahlberg
well of Moses Brown, downtown Providence, and
Treasurer
’87, Irving Fain ’98, Wiley Cerilli ’98, Albert Huang ’99,
Narragansett Bay.
Clerk, Budget & Finance Committee
Drew Harry ’01, Dan Winston ’05, and Reva Street ’05.
Gary Goldberg ’87 P ’17 ’19 ’20
Thanks to Hardi Parker ’78, our guest editor for this
editions of Cupola to Karin and Kristen at kmorse@
issue.
mosesbrown.org / kcurry@mosesbrown.org. Field
trip invitations welcome!
Alumni Relations Director Karin Morse ’79 and
Send comments on this issue or ideas for future
Managing Editor Kristen Curry captured our cover
image this fall while meeting with profilee Michael
weekend this May.
Catch up with Cupola and MB staff at MB Reunion
Voccola, a downtown developer (see page 12). Karin
Dana Falk P ’11 ’14 ’14 Clerk, Parents’ Association Ted Fischer ’83 P ’12 ’14 ’17 Clerk, Development Committee Katharine Hazard Flynn P ’12 ’15
Brian Goldner P ’14 Habib Y. Gorgi ’74 P ’08 ’10 ’12 ’17 Clerk of the Board Clerk, Executive Committee Melissa Crouchley Hem ’85 David Holdt Lee Jaspers P ’11 ’14 Mary Jo Kaplan P ’08 ’11 Kathleen Levesque P’ 12 ’14 ’17 Frederick Martin
Looking forward … Reunion 2012: May 12
M. Willis Monroe ’04
Randy Street will be recognized as Faculty Member of the Year at spring Reunion.
Neal Pandozzi ’91
David Morsilli ’87 and Peter Kilborn ’57 will receive 25th Reunion Achievement and Distinguished Alumnus awards from the Moses Brown Alumni Association. Know of someone who’s forward-looking for Moses Brown or within their field? Send nominations for future awards to alumni@mosesbrown.org.
Elizabeth Morse Jaymin Patel P ’16 ’17 Dieter Pohl P ’14 Stephanie Ogidan Preston ’97 Clerk, Alumni Association James Reavis P ’11 ’13 ’16 Clerk, Trustees Committee Cynthia West Reik Lisa Rocchio ’85 P ’14 ’15 ’21
MB Commencement 2012: June 14
Martha Schwope
Heather Tow-Yick ’94, executive director of Teach for America Rhode Island, will deliver this year’s commencement address. Alumni and community members are always invited to come back to MB for Commencement.
Friends Coordinator Carol Smith Recording Clerk E. Paul Sorensen P ’02 Blair D. Stambaugh Sheri Sweitzer P ’05 Assistant Clerk of the Board Clerk, Strategic Planning Committee Reza Taleghani ’90 Catherine Terry Taylor P ’15 Clerk, Nominating Committee Steven Tripp P ’19 ’24 Carl Weinberg P ’90 ’94 ’16 ’24
Remember when “media of the future” looked like this?
Elizabeth R. B. Zimmerman P ’94
(Circa 1959-60, Mr. Jordan’s classroom)
Matt Glendinning
Don’t wait for “rabbit ears” to arrive to stay current. Visit MB on Facebook or www.mosesbrown.org for videos of MB classrooms, activities and events today.
Clerk, Nurturing Friends Education
Head of School Jackie Stillwell Clerk of NEYM
Cupola
Spring 2012
Cupola A bi-annual magazine for Moses Brown School alumni
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Editor Sandi Seltzer P ’09 ’13 Managing Editor Kristen A. Curry Class Notes Editor Susan Cordina P ’14 ’16 Director of Alumni Relations Karin Morse ’79 Director of Development and Alumni Relations Ronald Dalgliesh P ’19 ’21 Photography Peter Goldberg David O’Connor Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau Designer Bridget Snow Design
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Printer Colonial Printing, Warwick, certified by the Forest Stewardship Council 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. Moses Brown School is a nonprofit institution. www.mosesbrown.org
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The Future Issue Guest editor: Richard “Hardi” Parker ’78, page 7
8
Frank Sulloway ’65: a life of the mind
10 Scott Wolf ’71: helping Rhode Island grow smart 12 Michael Voccola ’76: Providence perspective 14 Albie Dahlberg ’87: sparking change
Departments “Creativity Matters” from Head of School Matt Glendinning
4
Hope & Lloyd: School News
5
15 Albert Huang ’99: a path to robotics 16 Reva Street ’05: engineering a career in biomedicine 17 What Will Our Graduates Face? The MB 2030 Forum
Alumni Events & Awards
21
18 New Faculty Snapshot
Homecoming 2011
22
20 Coming this April: TEDx MosesBrownSchool
Class Notes
24
43 Endowment Fuels the Future!
The Moses Brown Fund
37
MyMB: Molly Sullivan ’11
39
In Memoriam
40
Ramspott ’78, Cheryl Schadone Cohen ’81, David Everett ’81, Barrett Bready
Former Faculty & Staff
42
’95, Irving Fain ’98, Wiley Cerilli ’98, Drew Harry ’01, and Dan Winston ’05
Please see Class Notes, starting on page 24, for special profiles on Parker
Creativity Matters
A letter from Matt Glendinning, Head of School
THIS ISSUE OF CUPOLA
subject since then, it seems that many in the
intellectual agility to shape the future.
FOCUSES on the future,
world of both business and academia agree.
and some of the Moses
will recognize some of these traits in the
Brown alumni who are
of Education Week, author Sarah Sparks says,
stories of scholar Frank Sulloway ’65,
helping to shape it.
“Teaching creativity has been a hot-button
environmental activist Albie Dahlberg ’87,
topic this fall, from the National Academy of
computer scientist Albert Huang ’99, and
electric and driverless
Education’s annual meeting in Washington
biomedical researcher Reva Street ’05,
cars, from urban
to a Learning and the Brain conference in
among others.
renewal to nerve
Boston. Yet researchers are just beginning to
regeneration in the
determine what makes some students more
in some of MB’s most recent initiatives,
spinal cord, this edition of the MB alumni
creative than their peers, and how the
e.g., a biannual education summit called
magazine presents the stories of some
classroom environment can nurture or
the MB 2030 Forum (see page 17), and our
remarkable people making a real difference
smother that ability.”
inaugural TEDx conference entitled Lives
in the world.
that Speak, scheduled for April 19 (see page
From robotics to
4
Writing in the December 14, 2011 edition
What exactly is creativity? Clearly it
In the pages that follow, I hope that you
I also hope that you will find interest
involves originality and imagination. But
20). By hosting and leading conversations
stories are far from unique among MB
more, it means the ability to problem-solve
at the forefront of educational practice,
alums. Indeed, so often do our graduates
by applying the known to the unknown, and
Moses Brown both honors its core values
seem to find themselves at the leading edge
to innovate by transcending conventional
and time-tested philosophy and embraces
of human intellectual, scientific, cultural
wisdom.
a changing future.
and artistic achievement, one might well
wonder: what’s in the water at this 228-year-
creativity is challenging, I believe that
“Hardi” Parker ’78 for helping us collect and
old Quaker school in Providence?
MB’s Quaker heritage provides a distinct
shape these inspiring stories. As always, I
No less remarkable is the fact that such
While research suggests that teaching
I’d like to thank guest editor Richard
advantage. By encouraging students to be
invite you to keep the conversation going.
conducted by IBM in 2010, in which 1,500
intellectually curious and self-reflective, to
Please email me at mglendinning@
CEOs world-wide identified creativity as the
nurture their inner passion, and to take
mosesbrown.org if you would like to
attribute most needed for success in the
appropriate risks and learn from challenge
respond to anything you see in these pages.
future. Judging by the myriad books,
(even failure), MB provides students with a
conferences and articles written on the
foundation in creativity, and hence the
One possible clue comes from a survey
d
News from Moses Brown Today Congratulations Four MB seniors have been selected as R.I.
for outstanding black American high school
Presidential Scholar candidates. Yixin Sun, Noah
students. It was recently announced that Gracie
Jennis, Jacob Sim, and Marena Richardson were
won the award.
named as 2012 candidates for Rhode Island.
The Rhode Island Arts Education Association
Junior Emma Rantanen won an Honorable
named eight MB students as recipients of its
Mention Silver Award in Cornell University’s
2012 Scholastic Arts Awards: Charlie Simmons,
Design contest for fashion. Emma’s work
Paige Davidson, Ariana Gomez, Jessica Litwin,
considered “Our Dichotomous World,” combining
Virginia Kain, Aisha Kuforiji, Ashton Penney,
urban street fashion with natural elements by
and Lauren Doberstein.
incorporating feathers into high-fashion design. Emma’s entry was selected as a finalist from
The Rhode Island Interscholastic League
more than 150 submissions.
honored the boys’ varsity soccer team with the
Four MB wrestlers qualified for Rhode Island
second consecutive year. The league also
State Championships this year, with freshman
named Coach Eric Aaronian Coach of the Year.
Andrew Howard taking first place.
league’s statewide Sportsmanship Award for the
Seventeen Moses Brown students earned
Seniors Gracie Gilbert and Ian Killgore advanced
placement in the All-State Music Festival. Two
to finalist standing in the National Achievement
students, Lydia Parr and Matthew Papa, placed
Scholarship Program. The academic competition
first in the state on bassoon and timpani,
was established in 1964 to provide recognition
respectively.
Salt marsh science and service An upper school AP Biology class has begun work on a salt marsh restoration project, which also doubles as a service learning opportunity. “The kids collected data on plant and animal species richness and abundance (part of our
Hope Street connection
ecology unit) of the salt marsh from the high
This year, 33 MB upper school students were involved in the annual student exchange with
marsh to low marsh,” says instructor Amy
peers from nearby Hope High School. This is the third annual partnership, with this year’s events
Newbold. “We used seine nets to sample diver-
coordinated by MB alumna Melissa Francois ’97, assistant program director for the H20 After School
sity of vertebrates and invertebrate animals in
Program at Hope High, along with MB’s interim dean of students, Kevin Matson, and student leaders
the tidal water in the marsh. These two sets of
at both schools. The exchange program allows students to gain an understanding of differences and
data were used to assess the health of this salt
commonalities between the schools and was featured in a Providence Journal article. Students also
marsh. This is especially important given the
enjoyed a presentation by psychologist and performer Dr. Michael Fowlin (a.k.a. Mykee), who gave a
general importance of estuary habitats.”
compelling talk on identity, difference, and tolerance.
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Dumplings & differences: Chinese exchange and experiences at MB What are the differences between Chinese and American classrooms? Twenty-three Chinese secondary-level educators visited campus this year to find out as part of an eight-week program at Brown University’s Shenzhen Institute for Teachers. According to the visiting teachers, instructors in the U.S. are often more skilled at developing relationships with students and teaching creativity, problem-solving, and analysis. In contrast, Chinese instructors specialize at
New roles
imparting high volumes of information to very large classes.
Erik Wilker has been appointed director of
MB’s lower school also had a Chinese exchange of its own. As part of its unit on China, fifth grade invited visitors with Chinese origins to offer students a firsthand account of what life is like there. This year, students heard an upper school family member, Jing Song, describe life growing up in China,
administrative and strategic affairs at Moses Brown. Erik is responsible for the smooth operation of the school’s day-to-day governance and management, as well as coordination of the school’s long-term strategic plans.
as well as upper school Chinese language teacher Hui Gao.
Tammie Worthington-Witczak has taken a new
Hui and her students also recently invited the MB community
role at MB as associate director of development
to celebrate Chinese New Year with a dumpling party in the
for annual programs and advancement services.
Meetinghouse.
Tammie has served MB in many important capacities, most recently as a member of the Global Stewardship Task Force.
Middle school science in action: (sometimes) wet and (occasionally) balloon-powered! Seventh grade students recently engaged in a water-carrying lab for their water use, sources, and pollution unit. In small groups, they simulated the carrying of five gallons of water from a “town well” back to their “home” a mile away. The
New MB website
project was featured in Scholastic Instructor magazine. Eighth
If you haven’t visited the MB website
grade also studied Newton’s law of motion in about the most
recently, have a look at our new design
fun way possible: by creating balloon-powered race cars and
and see what’s going on with the school,
then competing against each other in the Sinclair Room.
as well as keep up with recent alumni news (www.mosesbrown.org/alumni) and events (www.mosesbrown.org/events).
Follow along If you are in the world of Twitter or Facebook, then please find us there as well; we’ll keep you up-to-date on everything from academic, sports and arts news, to Homecoming or Reunion reminders, and of course Doc Odell’s presiden-
This was a topic considered at this winter’s round of diversity workshops in lower school. Other
tial run! Where? Twitter.com/mosesbrown,
topics included “Multicultural Manners,” “Through Different Eyes,” “I Know I Don’t NEED It, but I
Twitter.com/mbalumni and www.facebook.com/
really WANT It!,” “Our Many Colors,” and “Viewing the World Through Different Lenses of Faith.”
MosesBrownschool
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What do Derek Jeter, Barack Obama, and Lower School Head Abby Guinn have in common?
Photo: Nicholas Millard
What Would Andy Do? By Guest Editor Richard “Hardi” Parker ’78
“Hard work, vision, and even hardship, not simply the expectation of receiving success without effort, create a deeply rewarding condition from which stewardship and fiduciary responsibility can blossom.”
A LARGE PART OF WHAT DEFINES OUR
batteries to his plant in wooden boxes,
the passing of Andrew Arkway ’78, my
LIVES is our professions and careers. Over
built to exact specifications. These boxes,
very closest friend throughout our entire
the past several decades, and especially
once received with the batteries, were not
lives. When speaking at Andy’s Celebration
during the last 20 years, traditional
simply discarded, but disassembled, and the
of Life this past July, I chose to address,
professions have been augmented and,
materials used as floorboards for these early
“What Would Andy Do?” Throughout his
at times, upstaged by careers that did not
automobiles. At the same time, while green
life, Andy was both an environmentalist and
exist prior. While professions in fields like
space around metropolitan Detroit was
an advocate of social welfare causes. Most
information technology are still considered
rapidly giving way to factories and housing,
recently, Andy had worked as a stewardship
new, prior “new” careers, like those in
Ford maintained extensive open land with
director for the Aquidneck Land Trust,
plastics (as professed in the movie The
functional farming in Dearborn, directly
working to preserve the ever-threatened
Graduate), have not only become mature, but
adjacent to his company’s future world
green spaces on Newport, Portsmouth, and
are now leaving North America, dominated
headquarters.
Middletown.
by emerging economies.
As we look at the past, the future,
only an opportunity, but a responsibility,
it made economic sense (yet!), but because
professions, Quakerism, and ethics, it
to work responsibly and nurture the next
he believed in supporting transitional
is important to see consistency through
generation. We need to work toward
technologies that will ultimately benefit our
the ages. Hard work, vision, and even
influencing our future leaders educationally
environment.
hardship, not simply the expectation of
so that they will consider both their
receiving success without effort, create a
personal needs and those of others and the
who are profiled in this issue of Cupola,
deeply rewarding condition from which
environment, as they pursue their careers.
consider the positive impact each is making
stewardship and fiduciary responsibility can
It will be important for them to consider
in their own way. As you go forward in your
blossom.
essential personal needs, such as providing
own endeavors, perhaps you too might
Long before the concepts of reuse and
for their families, while at the same time
consider how you can challenge yourself
green space were visible in the public eye,
providing stable growth opportunities for
to embrace the concept of stewardship,
Henry Ford was already pursuing these
their employees and conservation of our
nurture the next generation, work towards
concepts. Ford required that suppliers
environment and planet.
improving our world, and ask this simple
of batteries for his early cars ship the
question, “What would Andy do?”
Like Henry Ford, we, too, have not
Elsewhere in this issue, you will note
Andy drove a Toyota Prius, not because
As we look at the Moses Brown alumni
Richard “Hardi” Parker attended Providence College and Siena Heights University after MB and is now vice president and director of business development for a reusable packaging manufacturer in Michigan. Creative Techniques, Inc. provides reusable transport packaging solutions and products to customers around the world. The company helps eliminate waste related to expendable packaging. The company serves a range of industries, from automotive, aerospace, and food & beverage to pharmaceutical and alternative energy. Hardi is pleased to report some “rust belt recovery” with an influx of work from existing and new clients. They are operating on a 24/6 schedule, on both traditional automotive work and projects for new clients. Hardi cites faculty members Jim Maland, Wayne Curtis, Robert Clough, Beth Taylor, and Dave McNab as significant influences during his time at MB. While at MB, Hardi ran track & field for Doc Odell and rowed crew. Contact Hardi at parker-rick@hotmail.com.
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Born to Rebel: A Life of the Mind
Frank Sulloway ’65 Frank Sulloway’s career has included research in the history of science, psychology, and evolutionary biology. His earliest passion, however, was for astronomy — an interest he pursued during his five years at MB. Frank’s first publication, which appeared in Sky & Telescope when he was 14, was a photograph he took of a spectacular aurora borealis as it shimmered above one of the school’s athletic fields. His interest in photography has provided a useful adjunct to his research. Today, he is engaged in a long-term project in the Galápagos Islands, begun three years after While an undergraduate at Harvard, Frank Sulloway organized an expedition to South America, retracing Darwin’s Beagle voyage. This fostered Frank’s lifelong interest in evolutionary theory, which continues to take him to the Galápagos.
his graduation from Moses Brown in 1965, that makes use of “repeat photography” to document ecological changes caused by invasive species.
The Future
Birth Order and Family Dynamics
8
A PRINCIPAL FOCUS OF FRANK’S BOOK
BORN TO REBEL was to understand what
Freud (about whom Frank wrote a prize-
For his research on Darwin as well as on
Frank back to the Galápagos Islands 12 times
influence, if any, birth order exerts on
winning book, Freud, Biologist of the Mind,
since his first visit there in 1968.
personality and radical thinking. “The book
1979), Frank received a MacArthur Award in
was also an effort to test a broader,
1984, which gave him five years of
of my education at Moses Brown that have
Darwinian perspective on how family
no-strings-attached funding to do whatever
exerted a lasting impact on my life and
dynamics relates to individual development,”
he wanted — a serendipitous event that
career,” Frank says. “Both of these
Frank says. Many birth order effects, Frank
helped him to transition from the history of
influences were associated with Doc Odell,
argued, represent sibling strategies for
science to psychology, and to complete his
who taught me French as well as Russian.
surviving childhood and increasing fitness,
research for Born to Rebel. Over the last
When I was conducting research for my
sometimes at the expense of siblings. He
decade Frank has increasingly collaborated
book Born to Rebel, I had to consult
maintained that siblings are much like
with behavioral ecologists and evolutionary
biographies of famous scientists and other
Darwin’s famous finches in that they tend
biologists. Much of this research (which has
historical figures written in more than half a
to diversify within the family by occupying
required him to do some significant
dozen languages. Doc’s tutelage helped me
and exploiting different family niches in
retooling) has focused on evolutionary
to take what I had learned at Moses Brown
order to garner familial resources,
processes in the Galápagos Islands: “Among
and to apply this linguistic foundation to the
particularly parental investment. Publication
other findings, my colleagues and I have
learning of other languages.”
of the book led to Frank’s selection as a
shown that Darwin’s finches exhibit
recipient of the Golden Plate Award of the
morphological differences over modest
Frank’s academic career is the fact that he
American Academy of Achievement (1997)
geographic distances within the same island,
has been an independent scholar for the last
by three prior recipients, Francis Crick,
highlighting the power of natural selection to
40 years, supporting himself almost entirely
Stephen Jay Gould, and Edward O. Wilson.
fine-tune adaptations to local resources.”
through grants, fellowships, occasional
This and other research projects have taken
“Looking back, I can identify two aspects
Perhaps the most unusual feature of
“Although my training, research, and theoretical work are very diverse, these activities are united by my deep and sustained interest in all things ‘Darwinian.’ Darwin himself has served as an inspiring role model for me — in his tenacity, his focus on detail, his remarkable openness to experience, and, finally, his search for overarching theories to explain seemingly disparate facts.” photos: Eric Rorer
Measuring the beaks of Darwin’s finches at the California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco (2009). This study involves documentation of morphological changes in beak size among three tree finches over the last century.
Darwin Redo AT HARVARD, FRANK BEGAN TO FORGE the path as the independent scholar he is today. Frank’s interests and independent research led him to challenge one of the most widespread legends in the history of science, that of Charles Darwin and his theory of evolution. Not content to rely solely on library sources or the research of others, Frank organized an expedition during the summer of his junior year. He organized an eight-person film crew that traveled to South America, retracing Darwin’s route during his voyage on the H.M.S. Beagle (1831-1836). In the course of this three-month trip, Frank made several discoveries about how the voyage influenced Darwin’s conversion to the theory of evolution. In contrast to the established legend that Darwin first converted to evolution in the Galápagos Islands — as a result of his discovery Looking for invasive wasps (Polistes versicolor) inside the caldera of Volcan Alcedo in the Galapagos Islands in 2008. In the background are several steaming fumaroles.
of “Darwin’s finches” — Frank was able to demonstrate from manuscript sources that Darwin initially misunderstood this famous evidence. Frank cites the finches’ “diverse beak morphology” which he says led Darwin to misclassify the birds, overlooking their evolutionary implications. In a series of publications about Darwin’s intellectual development, Frank showed that Darwin’s conversion to evolution did not occur during the Beagle voyage, as previously believed, but
awards, and by royalties from his various
rather took place six months after his return to England. Frank made this discovery by
publications. Although he has always been
conducting a detailed investigation of Darwin’s voyage and post-voyage notebooks as well as
affiliated with a university and was recently
the specimens he collected during the Beagle voyage.
made adjunct professor in the Department
of Psychology at U.C. Berkeley, he has never
intellectual development,” says Frank, “was my realization that Darwin’s conversion to the theory
held a full-time job and says, “I have never
of evolution was an extended process, and that his personality played a major role in this
wanted one. I have tried to live the life of
transformation. Darwin’s revolutionary insights arose from evidence that became widely known
the mind and to follow my research
to his scientific peers two decades before the Origin of Species (1859) was published. Yet his peers
interests wherever they might lead. Looking
— often more knowledgeable than Darwin about the proper classification of his specimens —
back, it seems that I enjoyed being a student
generally failed to see the full implications of this evidence; and even when they did suspect its
so much, both at Moses Brown and later at
importance, they shied away from breaking with conventional wisdom and interpreting the new
Harvard, that I decided to make a career of it.”
data in the revolutionary manner that Darwin did. Although young Darwin actually knew less
“What was perhaps most consequential about my revision of prior accounts of Darwin’s
science, he was the one who had the conceptual breakthroughs that initiated a scientific revolution.” Frank Sulloway is an adjunct professor in the
Department of Psychology at the University of
begin studying the psychology of creative achievement, examining individual life histories.
Later, as a graduate student at Harvard, Frank’s conclusions about Darwin stimulated him to
California – Berkeley. Frank received his A.B.
Frank began to direct his work toward the psychology of scientific creativity and the causes of
from Harvard College and his master’s and Ph.D.
radical achievement in science. This led to his book Born to Rebel: Birth Order, Family Dynamics,
from Harvard University, focusing on the history
and Creative Lives (1996). Using statistical methods and a database of more than 6,000 eminent
of science. In 1984 Frank received a five-year
scientists and other historical figures, Frank showed that birth order and family dynamics are
MacArthur Award for his work on Darwin and
surprisingly good predictors of radical thinking and revolutionary achievements, as well as
Freud. See more on his work at sulloway.org or
other aspects of human behavior. His book presented a Darwinian framework for understanding
contact Frank at sulloway@berkeley.edu.
personality development in terms of sibling competition for parental resources.
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Photos courtesy of PWCVB
Photo: Marianne Lee
Realistic Optimism about Rhode Island’s Future Scott Wolf ’71 Executive Director, Grow Smart Rhode Island WHEN I SPEAK ACROSS RHODE ISLAND, I
failure of leadership and vision could deny a
system, but not on the manufactured
deliver a message of optimism about our
bright future for a state with the following
problems embodied in false and misguided
state because I think that we have
assets:
Rhode Island “urban legends” (all untrue)
tremendous untapped potential. I want to
• more historic buildings per square mile
that have gained too much currency: our
help my fellow Rhode Islanders build for a better future here.
than any other • more college students per capita than
I’ve learned that in Rhode Island, it’s
almost revolutionary to be publicly positive
virtually any other • well-positioned deep water ports and
about our state’s future given the negative group think and “Chicken Littleism”
harbors • some of the most energy-efficient
seeing a mass exodus of wealthy people from Rhode Island.
As leaders, we must push back against
lazy thinking and gratuitous pessimism. One
development patterns and public
of the biggest problems with a pessimistic
Rhode Island’s future places you at risk of
policies in the nation at a time when the
mindset is that it can make us too easily
era of cheap oil is ending
satisfied with our state’s performance, and
questioned. By envisioning a better Rhode
• an outstanding urban-rural balance as
not demanding enough of our leaders.
Island, you put yourself in a position to
the second most urbanized and 15th
propose action vs. capitulation, engagement
most forested state in the country
neighborhoods, what we need most urgently
vs. withdrawal, accountability vs.
The Future
magnet within the Northeast, and we are
pervasive here. Expressing optimism about being embarrassed, even having your sanity
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sales tax burden is high, we are a welfare
To ensure economic vitality and stronger
is a paradigm shift toward a broad
scapegoating.
We need to build on such assets.
prosperity initiative that plays to our
numerous strengths.
Unfortunately, many Rhode Islanders
Rhode Island should focus on the
tend to revel in our real and perceived
growing number of knowledge economy
weaknesses while remaining oblivious to
companies and entrepreneurs that want the
aggressive urban revitalization policy so we
our impressive strengths. George Wein,
kind of funky, historic, highly walkable,
don’t have more Central Falls-style
noted impresario of the Newport Jazz and
mixed-use neighborhood settings that we
bankruptcy debacles, which can have
Folk festivals and a native New Yorker, once
have in abundance. Fortunately, state
serious statewide implications in a footprint
observed, “Rhode Island thinks it’s a
leaders are finally beginning to market these
as small as ours. Grow Smart advocates for
depressed area, they think it’s a permanent
appealing neighborhoods beyond Rhode
a targeted state historic tax credit, more
way of life.”
Island’s borders.
effective marketing by the State’s Economic
Development Corporation of historic
In order to avoid having our state
As we focus on our challenges, it is
For our cities, we need a conscious and
continue to sell itself short and under-
critical that we view them through the
buildings that have already been rehabbed,
perform, we need to better understand
prism of our strengths and focus on real
and incentives for infrastructure and
Rhode Island’s current reality and better
problems like a decaying transportation
business investment in our urban, town and
imagine its potential future. Only a dramatic
infrastructure and an underfunded pension
village centers. We’re heartened that
Photo: Marianne Lee
Photo: PWCVB
Photo: PWCVB
Photo: Nicholas Millard
Grow Smart Rhode Island advocates sustainable economic growth in our state. See growsmartri.org to access resources or learn more. This May, Grow Smart will hold its 4th biennial Power of Place Summit at the R.I. Convention Center.
“I think retaining a commitment to a core liberal arts curriculum is critical because the acceleration of technological advancement and globalization in our world today puts a premium on intellectual versatility and nimbleness. If Moses Brown is committed to training society’s future leaders, not just our future workers, there is no practical option for Moses Brown other than a core liberal arts curriculum.”
Governor Chafee and the EDC are calling for a restoration of the State’s Main Street program along with other revitalization initiatives.
Let’s make it a priority to raise the
consciousness of all our residents about the vast untapped potential of our special state. We can and must grow smart, but this will
Scott recently gave the graduation address, on Rhode Island’s future, to the most recent graduating class of Leadership Rhode Island, which included Heather Tow-Yick ’94. Scott is a 1987 LRI graduate.
only happen if we become smarter about the numerous assets we have to build on for a better future. Class stats: While at MB, Scott was editor-
Scott highlights a number of promising trends and developments that Rhode Island can leverage
in-chief of The Quaker. He attended MB
for a brighter future:
for 11 years, arriving at Moses Brown in second grade.
Studio 38 and Hasbro coming to downtown Providence, bringing more than 500 new knowledge economy jobs. | Two major ports recently awarded major federal grants to purchase state-of-the-
| |
After MB, Scott Wolf headed to Brown to
art cranes, better positioning Rhode Island to compete in the emerging short sea shipping market.
study political science. While volunteering for
Full implementation of the I-Way project, which has reduced highway bottlenecks in Providence.
Senator Pell’s 1972 reelection campaign in his
More than 20 acres of valuable I-195 land opening up, offering significant economic development
sophomore year, he discovered a love for public
opportunity. | According to some political observers, for the first time in more than 30 years,
service and working in politics. After Brown, he
Rhode Island has a state governor and Providence mayor who actually like each other and who are
worked for the Democratic National Committee
working together closely and productively. | The new Interlink Commuter Rail facility at Green
and was research director for the Carter-
Airport is operational, offering service to Providence and Boston (and soon to Wickford Junction).
Mondale reelection campaign. He has worked on
The long debated/studied runway extension at the airport is moving forward. | The highly creative
political and public policy campaigns in most of
Beta Spring operation in Providence, coaching young entrepreneurs to translate their creative ideas
the 50 states. In Rhode Island, Scott has served
and concepts into marketable businesses. | Impressive new “knowledge economy” companies
as director of the Governor’s Office of Housing
emerging in Rhode Island, led by Rhode Islanders who see R.I.’s potential and assets. | The new
Energy and Intergovernmental Relations for
energy of our agricultural sector, which has experienced major increases recently in the number
Governor Sundlun. Contact Scott at swolf@
of local farms, farm income, and farmers’ markets. | Newport was recently named one of the ten
growsmartri.org.
most beautiful places in America and the site of the upcoming World Series of Sailing
|
[Excerpted from Scott’s recent speech to Leadership Rhode Island]
11
The Future of Providence: a Smarter City Michael Voccola ’76 Rhode Island Real Estate Developer Michael started his real estate career working for his father after school while a student at MB. The summer before his senior year at Boston College, he landed an entry-level position at a firm known as Downing Corporation (now Churchill & Banks) as the self-described “assistant to the copy machine.” By the end of Michael’s tenure there six years later, he was directly involved in the development of 2,000 residential condominium units in Providence and thousands of square feet of commercial space. After starting his own firm and working for a decade as a commercial broker, today Michael is vice president of the Procaccianti Group in Cranston (helmed by classmate Jim Procaccianti ’76). TPG is the third largest hotel owner/operator in the U.S.,
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with 60 hotels in 23 states and 7,500 employees nationally.
12
IN MAY, PROVIDENCE MAYOR ANGEL
noticing how undeveloped and stagnant the
employment, greater investment and an
TAVERAS appointed Michael to one of the
city was and realized that it could not
overall greater city for everyone.”
advisory committees that will lay out the
possibly remain like this and that at some
rules for developing the land uncovered by
point it would blossom.”
dying city — low employment, low
the recent Route 195 realignment. The
investment, low technology and low self-
removal of the historic 195 highway
estate, Michael has been involved in every
esteem,” he comments. “Over the past two
structure at the base of Wickenden Street
aspect of commercial real estate in and
decades, Providence has made tremendous
last summer opened up a 19-acre parcel of
around Providence — from acquisitions to
strides — from the relocation of the railroad
land that is a significant part of the city
financing to legal and management. At the
tracks and the rivers, new train station,
grid, awaiting development. Formerly the
Procaccianti Group, he oversees notable
development of Capital Center, skating rink,
core of the city’s manufacturing industry,
properties throughout the country, operating
Providence Place Mall, WaterFire, PPAC and
the site connects Fox Point, the East Side,
Hyatts and Hiltons from Boston to Santa
Trinity. Those engines drove other engines
Jewelry District, downtown and hospitals.
Monica. The company’s major local property
of investment. We have arrived at a critical
Development of the land has been identified
is The Westin Providence, acquired from the
juncture and now have a multitude of assets
by city and state leaders as a top economic
State of Rhode Island in 2005. They operate
which, properly assembled and maintained,
priority. The advisory committee also includes
a number of properties in Rhode Island from
will continue to foster investment and
Arnold “Buff” Chace ’65, Peter Hayes P ’10’12,
the Sheraton Airport Hotel in Warwick to
development in Providence. The expansion
Robert Gilbane ’67, Barbara Bennett P ’09, and
the Ocean Rose Inn in Narragansett.
of our hospitals and colleges and
Edward Sanderson P’94.
universities will provide further growth
Knowledge Committee allows me to put a
upon which supporting investments and
for nine years,” Michael says. “My daily
fingerprint on the future of the recently-
ideas can flourish. We need to keep going.”
commute was through Providence, and it
liberated portions of the city in terms of use,
The committee is looking at new ways to
was a dismal and dark city back then.
zoning, timing and value,” Michael says. He
define the cityscape — elements of the new
When I would return home from Boston
hopes that the committee’s work will result
development may include European-style
College in the mid-1970s, I distinctly
in a faster, more efficient, effective way to
crosswalks (at road midpoints) that ensure
remember driving through Providence and
develop this land, resulting in “greater
pedestrian safety and smoother traffic flow,
“I grew up in Cranston and attended MB
After 33 years in Rhode Island real
“My involvement with the Providence
“For the longest time, Providence was a
“A liberal arts curriculum is of geometrically growing importance. Middle and upper school students need to be exposed to a variety of arts so that as intelligent and thoughtful a selection can be made when a life course is determined. Historically, one ‘follows in one’s parents’ footsteps,’ but the world now offers a tremendous variety of opportunities in myriad areas, and these are literally changing by the day the planet over. Having solid exposure through a well-designed and executed liberal arts curriculum provides excellent guidance and an invaluable platform to learn, know and select one’s life choices.”
promoting pedestrian activity, ecological
Providence last summer. Michael was one
commitments, ‘green’ technology and other
invited to meet with top IBM executives to
ideas. “These ideas were too futuristic a few
discuss the varied processes of permits and
years ago,” he says, “but now these kind of
approvals — from zoning relief to building
concepts are no longer the way of the
permits — and to work to incorporate
future, they are the way of the present.”
technology into the system to increase
effectiveness and efficiency. Providence was
“The first rule of business is ‘Don’t
ignore the obvious,’” Michael says. “Right in
one of only 24 cities worldwide to receive an
our midst, we have world-class hospitals —
IBM Smarter Cities grant last summer. IBM
Rhode Island, Hasbro, Miriam — and
consultants and specialists are studying how
universities — Brown, RISD, and Johnson &
intelligent technology might unite and
Wales. Joining together with these venerable
advance different aspects of life in Providence,
institutions and creating and fostering the
looking at ways to make the city healthier, safer,
“Visitors to Providence in 20-30 years will see a
natural synergy among them is the basis for
smarter, more prosperous and attractive to
pedestrian-oriented city tied together with walking
city growth. In turn, ancillary growth will
current and prospective residents and businesses.
and bike paths, maybe trolleys. Residents will see
come in the form of residences, restaurants,
Photo: Marianne Lee
billions of dollars in new investment by our
retailers, right down to coffeeshops, tailors
Michael Voccola ’76 is corporate vice president at
hospitals and universities. We will see extensive
and dry cleaners. All of this is needed to
the Procaccianti Group. After MB, he headed to
residential in downtown, citizens availing
transform a conventional city into a
Boston College. Michael worked full-time for the
themselves of the cultural fabric of our performing
cohesive community.”
final three years of his undergraduate program,
arts, and world-class businesses of all types coming
graduating with a degree in marketing from the
in to take advantage of the new population. All
Smarter Cities: A challenging aspect of
School of Management. He received his law degree
this will lead to greater, more stable employment
Michael’s work involves permitting and
from Roger Williams University School of Law and
for all. I look forward to seeing a new Providence
approvals, which differ among municipalities.
is a past recipient of a Providence Preservation
as our forefathers saw when they first started to
For this reason, he became involved with the
Award for Reuse of Historically Significant
create our financial district by filling the basin in
IBM Smarter Cities Challenge awarded to
Property (Vineyard Court, Providence).
the early 1800s.”
13
Sparking Change Albie Dahlberg ’87 “With seven billion people on this planet, most of whom want to live like Americans, our resources are under tremendous stress. I think, for most photo: Providence Phoenix
people, it will be impossible not to be aware of the environmental costs of our lifestyle. As we deplete the cheap resources, there will be more conflicts and rising prices, so there will be economic impacts as well.”
Many in the MB community know Albie Dahlberg ’87 for his service to the school as a member of
Are there other ways that you personally are trying to be more energy independent?
Have you encountered any surprising sources of support for this initiative?
the Alumni Association Board and a member
I have solar thermal panels on my roof to
I am surprised by the boldness of the U.S.
produce hot water. It replaced using our oil
Navy’s goals for petroleum reduction and
burner for hot water. We also use a wood
new renewable energy sources, but it makes
pellet stove for heat, so together, those two
perfect sense. The Newport Naval base is
changes reduced our oil consumption
the leader in plug-in electric vehicles in
significantly.
Rhode Island right now, with about 20
of MB Forum 2030 (see page 17). Albie continues to help Rhode Island look forward and recently launched an effort to help make our state a leader in the move toward electric vehicles: How did you get involved with Project Get Ready? I started Project Get Ready Rhode Island (PGR RI) to address what I believe is one of the greatest threats facing this nation — our
smaller vehicles used only on the base. You think that electric vehicles stand a good chance of adoption in Rhode Island, given our state’s small size … are there other benefits or challenges to be faced here?
tremendous reliance on imported oil. We
Given Rhode Island’s small size, it is
use 20 million barrels of oil each day in the
relatively easy to convene a broad and
U.S., half of which is imported. More than
representative coalition of stakeholders and
70% of our oil goes towards transportation,
build the social capital behind an effort like
mostly gasoline for cars. I realized that the
this. However, Rhode Island is generally not
only way to address our addiction to oil is to
a first adopter state, so that is a challenge.
replace gasoline miles with electricity miles.
PGR RI is a broad coalition of stakeholders:
small businesses, large companies, electricity
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providers, auto dealers, environmental
14
The theme for this issue is “the Future” — how is Rhode Island faring in its quest to get 10,000 plug-in vehicles registered by 2015?
advocates, electricians, engineers, professors,
Plug-in electric vehicles like the Chevy Volt
students and others, working to promote
and Nissan Leaf are just arriving in showrooms
plug-in electric vehicles and the charging
now so we’re a little behind our planned
infrastructure in Rhode Island. Our goal is to
schedule, but this is really a 20-year project,
establish Rhode Island as a leader in green
and that is just phase one. This transition to
transportation, decrease transportation
a new fuel source for transportation will
costs, and reduce emissions by getting
take decades; it is really our only choice.
10,000 plug-in electric vehicles by 2015.
The era of cheap oil is over (as witnessed by
the extreme depths to which we’ll drill in
PGR RI is part of a network of PGR sites
across North America, sharing best
the Gulf of Mexico when the Deepwater Rig
practices, lessons learned, and policy
exploded). I think it is a pretty safe bet that
development, while developing industry
oil prices will continue to increase and
partnerships with auto manufacturers and
battery technology will continue to improve.
electricity providers. Rhode Island was the
Those two trends make vehicle electrification
sixth PGR site nationally and first
more appealing every day.
community in the Northeast.
A decade ago, you were working for the Senate Environmental & Public Works committee in Washington, then returned to Rhode Island to work in state government. What are the benefits, or challenges, of trying to effect change at the local level? Working for Senator John Chafee on the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee was a transformative experience. As a young attorney, it opened my eyes to the complexity of public policy development and the challenges we face to meet increasing energy demands. Working at the U.S. EPA, and then in state government, gave me a firsthand view of the challenges of policy implementation. It is important to get these different perspectives: legislative and executive, state and federal. Albie Dahlberg ’87 is director of state and community relations at Brown University. After MB, Albie attended George Washington University and Boston College Law School. He was named one of seven “energy innovators” by Planet Forward, on a nationally-televised PBS special last April. Albie is a member of MB’s 2030 Forum (see page 17) and the Moses Brown Alumni Association board. Albie and his wife Hilary live in Providence with their three children. Contact Albie at albert_a_dahlberg@brown.edu.
Robots! Albert Huang ’99 MY PATH TO ROBOTICS started with
nobody’s sitting in the driver’s seat. We
in part because we’re at a point where a
computers — I’d been interested in using
spent the month leading up to the final race
great deal of robotics research is ready to be
them to alternately have fun and solve
testing at an abandoned military air base in
developed for widespread use. At Heartland,
problems since I was a kid, including my
Southern California during wildfire season,
we’re building affordable robots to help
days at MB. Back then, there weren’t really
and at some points it had this weird post-
revitalize manufacturing in the U.S. by
any computer science classes (hopefully
apocalyptic future feel because we were
making small-business operations more
there are more options now!), but in my
driving around deserted barracks in a robot
productive.
junior year, I took a class at Brown. Every
car while we could see (and smell) the hills
Tuesday and Thursday afternoon, I’d
of California burning in the distance. Some
Albert Huang graduated from Brown and
rollerblade down Thayer Street to make it in
people I met in that project have since gone
went on to receive his Ph.D. in computer science
time for class.
on to lead the Google self-driving car project
at MIT. While a student at MB, Albert ran
that’s been in the news lately; I’m hoping
cross-country and played handbells. At MIT,
until midway through graduate school.
that they’ll take those techniques and
he focused on machine vision for mobile robots
Looking back, I think I’d always been
eventually build a car that can take me
and even saw his work mentioned in Popular
intimidated by all the math involved, but
somewhere with the push of a button.
Science and on CNN. He also co-wrote a
finally decided to take the plunge because it
book on Bluetooth, Bluetooth Essentials for
seemed so interesting. The idea of building
because we’re able to leverage all of these
Programmers. Albert can be reached at
something that could perform complex
great technologies coming out of other
ashuang@gmail.com.
tasks and help solve real problems was so
sectors and use them to build robots. This
alluring to me that I completely switched
includes not only computer chips, but also
At the heart of it: Albert’s new employer,
research topics several years into my Ph.D.
lightweight materials, and even developments
Heartland Robotics, predicts that, “Robots will
to study robotics.
from entertainment industries. For example,
change the way we work.” The company is located
a recent project I worked on at MIT involved
in Boston’s Innovation District, where Albert works
work on in graduate school was the DARPA
outfitting a small robotic quadrotor helicopter
for founder Rodney Brooks, former director of the
Urban Challenge, a robotic car race where
with a Microsoft Kinect to autonomously
MIT Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence
we modified a Land Rover LR3 to drive itself
navigate confined indoor spaces while
Laboratory (and inventor of the Roomba).
60 miles through an urban road network
building high-resolution 3D maps.
Heartland’s goal is to introduce robots into places
while safely interacting with other cars
Eventually, we could use robots like this to
that have not been automated before, making
(both human and robot-driven) and obeying
give a detailed view of areas inaccessible to
manufacturers more efficient, workers more
California state traffic laws. There’s
people, such as an unstable building after
productive and keeping jobs from migrating to
something incredible about being in a car
an earthquake, or inside a nuclear reactor
low-cost regions. Thomson Reuters’ Venture Capital
while it’s driving itself around using the
with dangerously high radiation levels.
Journal recently ranked Heartland number seven on
software that you’ve written — when
its Top 20 Most Promising Startups list.
I didn’t actually get started in robotics
One project I was fortunate enough to
In general, robotics is exciting right now
I transitioned from academia to industry
photos: Jason Dorfman/MIT
Autonomous forklifts, vehicles and more: Albert Huang, shown “working” on a robot, parlayed an interest in computers into a career.
15
Engineering a Career
An MB “lifer,” Reva Street was noted at MB for her hard work and willingness to step off the beaten track to explore interesting ideas. She received the MB Faculty Award and held a range of interests, from music to sports, French to the GBSA. A three-season athlete, she also competed in crew, swim, and lacrosse.
Reva Street ’05 Our youngest featured alumnus in this future issue, Reva Street ’05 has distinguished herself in both art and science. After MB, she headed to Carnegie Mellon for her undergraduate degree, then her master’s in biomedical engineering. Now Reva is in a Ph.D program at Drexel University in Philadelphia,
The Future
pursuing advancements in the field of spinal cord regeneration.
16
I WAS DRAWN TO BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING
with a similar material combination, but
the support forming the foundation of the
because of my interest in the behind-the-
now looking at applying this to guided nerve
entire medical industry. Working with
scenes aspects of medicine. A surprising
regeneration in the spinal cord. Again, the
materials manufacturers and contacts in the
amount of research has to go into even the
impetus is derived from the struggles of our
tissue bank industry has helped reinforce
seemingly simplest devices and treatments.
country’s service members who face
this perspective.
Essential implements, like surgical or
paralysis due to battlefield wounds. These
implantable devices, have even more
treatments also apply to the thousands of
Reva Street came by her propensity for both
stringent requirements involved.
people across the U.S. who struggle with
building and art from her parents. Reva is the
spinal cord injuries.
daughter of Randy and Kristin Street, longtime
range of interests, combining them into one
MB faculty (woodshop and art, respectively).
field. Biomedical engineering is dependent
personal motivator for me in doing this work,
Reva attended MB for 15 years and can be
upon collaborations, and covers a wide
as well as the many other patients who can
reached at revastreet@gmail.com.
range of disciplines: biology, chemistry,
benefit from these new advances in technology.
mechanical engineering, electrical
One of the really difficult things about spinal
engineering and materials engineering.
cord injuries is that they tend to occur in
Future possibilities: Reva says the science still has
people under 30, who then have a lifetime of
ways to go, but potential exists for spinal cord
on finding new ways to regenerate bone in
dealing with full or partial paralysis.
regeneration to become reality in the future.
craniofacial areas. The impetus for this
Treatments are being approached from many
research was the needs of soldiers wounded
my work is that the work I do is so far up
angles: pharmaceuticals, physical therapies/
on the battlefield who sustained serious
the medical device research pipeline. That
devices and surgical solutions. “There is definitely
head traumas. In some of these cases,
was especially hard in the thick of my
hope,” she says, “but it remains one of the body’s
enough skull bone is destroyed that the
undergraduate coursework, where it was a
most challenging medical issues.” Working with
body’s healing mechanisms cannot
lot harder to tie what I was learning in the
biomaterials that are early in development, it will
adequately close the area. I worked on
classroom back to my goals of helping
be at least a decade before Reva’s work will see
biomaterials that could be injected into the
patients. Now I have a better perspective on
clinical trials, if ever, given the nature of work-
site and help the body fill those areas in
how my education and research fits into the
ing within FDA constraints. However, these same
with new bone formation.
grand scheme of biomedical research, and I
regulatory mechanisms keep patients safe, she
can better appreciate how basic science is
says, terming them a “worthwhile hassle.”
Biomed also allows me to explore a wide
My research at Carnegie Mellon focused
At Drexel, I am extending my research
Veterans of current wars are definitely a
One of the most challenging aspects of
What Will Graduates Face in 2030? In December, Matt Glendinning introduced the MB 2030 Forum. Taking its name from our three-year-olds’ college graduation year, the 2030 Forum is a bi-annual summit. The first session included 20 community members, leaders from a variety of fields. The challenge presented was deceptively simple: What conditions will our graduates face in the year 2030, and how should Moses Brown evolve in order to prepare students for that future?
To answer that question, participants were led through a series of events by Matt, along with Seth Goldenberg and Charlie Cannon. Seth is a former VP of Bruce Mau Design in Chicago, and is founder and CEO of the innovation agency IP.21 Studio in Providence. Charlie is professor of industrial design and co-founder of the Innovation Studio at RISD. A ‘think tank’ by design, the MB 2030 Forum generated wide-ranging conversation and insight about numerous trends — past, present and future. For example:
> While ultimately unknowable, the future will be characterized by increasing complexity, the rapid pace of change, information
>
Persistent economic instability will challenge both public and private
overflow, and exponential advances in technology.
programs and student body, MB must enhance access, affordability,
> The world is shrinking, as new forms of communication, transportation, financial practices, and political policies bring global economies and cultures into close contact or conflict.
>
and long-term financial sustainability, e.g., off-setting rising costs with new sources of revenue and dramatic growth in the endowment.
>
In a changing future, MB will be well served by its historic strengths:
The value of traditional education is being questioned. Mastery of
communication, listening and research; promotion of ethical
for an emphasis on “softer” skills such as critical thinking (e.g., and adaptability; global savvy; collaboration; communication; and character (e.g., humility, integrity, resilience, accountability, empathy).
a core, liberal arts curriculum; a whole child approach (fostering intellect and character; mind, body and spirit); a strong emphasis on
concrete or technical knowledge, while important, must make way synthesis, judgment, evaluation of risk, problem solving); creativity
educational models. To ensure the continuing excellence of its
citizenship; and an expansive campus.
>
New pedagogies, directions, or initiatives that show promise for a changing future include: project-based learning and case studies; design thinking methodology; online learning; social entrepreneurship; travel and immersion experiences; internships; service and civic engagement.
MB Discernment Dialogues The conversations held at the 2030 Forum proved so effective that the school will expand this model over the next 12 months. A series of MB Discernment Dialogues with multiple groups will foster rich conversation and personal story telling. The goal is to design a collective vision for the future of a Moses Brown education.
Art by nursery students, MB ’26
17
Rebecca Biggs
Brooke Coleman
Jim Dickson ’05
Lance Evans
Katie (Evans) Goldman ’06
New generation MB: new faculty snapshot What are new faculty at MB like? Do they resemble faculty from decades past in any way? Take a look at this sampling of some of the teachers who are just beginning their Moses Brown careers. See mosesbrown.org and future issues of Cupola for more on our faculty.
Rebecca Biggs is MB’s lower school math specialist, a newly created
Lance Evans, fifth grade, has taught at independent schools across the
position. Becky previously taught in Moses Brown’s third grade
country — in New York, L.A., Boston, Providence and Maui. “I feel most
classroom and is in her second year at MB. Becky has ten years of
rewarded when I am teaching and learning with pre-teen and middle
teaching experience, with her B.A. from Colby and her master’s from
grade students,” says Lance. “The energy and exuberance fifth graders
Lesley. She has taught students in nursery through fifth grade. An avid
bring to school with them each day amazes me. I am excited to embrace
swimmer, she’s also coached at the high school and college levels.
the thoughtful model of Quaker education at MB.” Lance has 14 years of teaching experience and previously taught at Wheeler and the MET
Brooke Coleman joined the upper school math department this year after
School. Lance has his B.S. in business from UNH and a master’s from
teaching at Westtown School since 2003. A graduate of Mount Holyoke,
Emerson. He is a member of the lower school diversity committee.
where she captained the varsity soccer team, Brooke also completed the M.A. in education leadership at the Klingenstein Center of Columbia
Katie (Evans) Goldman ’06, middle school science, embraced the chance to
University. At Westtown, she ran a dormitory, trained and supported
return to MB this year: “It is through my advisor and teachers at Moses
the residential dorm faculty, and served on the upper school steering
Brown that I learned the power of giving others enough confidence to be
committee — while also coaching soccer, basketball, and tennis. At MB,
the people they want to be. They empowered me through learning, and I
Brooke is coaching girls’ JV soccer and advising MB’s GSA group.
am fortunate to have the opportunity to now do the same.” Katie
The Future
graduated from Brown with a degree in neuroscience and anthropology
18
Jim Dickson ’05, upper school math, says, “Learning mathematics requires
and previously taught at Boston Trinity Academy. She also co-authored
creativity, logic, and intense study, precisely what Moses Brown students
the Go Ask Your Teenager cards, which received the iParenting Media
excel at. MB’s small class sizes are crucial to mathematics education.” Jim
Award. Katie oversees middle school robotics and coaches track.
graduated from Davidson, where he earned recognition for his work in math and community service. Jim began doctoral studies at Virginia Tech,
Katherine Hawkins, first grade, has her master’s in early childhood
but a change in advisor led to his coming to MB this year. Jim served as a
education from Bank Street College in New York. She has taught fifth
teaching assistant at Virginia Tech and also taught courses for their math
grade and served as an early childhood teacher at Tuxedo Park School.
department. He also is a nationally-ranked chess player.
“One thing that drew me to MB was the school’s dedication to
Katherine Hawkins
Allison Weitberg Jones ’96
ReAnna Laney
Beth Lantz
Justin Peters
“It is through my advisor and teachers at Moses Brown that I learned the power of giving others enough confidence to be the people they want to be. They empowered me through learning, and I am fortunate to have the opportunity to now do the same.”
— Katie (Evans) Goldman ’06
Responsive Classroom, Writing and Reading Workshop, as well as
Performing Arts (the “Fame” school) in New York City. ReAnna has her
small-group guided reading,” Katy says. “Moses Brown supports life-
B.A. in English from Lee University in Tennessee. With time spent
long learning, and encourages teachers to better themselves and
studying abroad in England and living in Paris, ReAnna brings with her
their teaching by attending professional development. I also love
a love of travel, reading, and learning.
working at a nursery-12 school; seeing all the ages walking around campus makes me smile.” Katy is assistant coach for the varsity girls’
Beth Lantz joined the upper school humanities department. After
soccer team.
graduating from Holy Cross, Beth pursued her M.A. in teaching at Simmons. She joined Berkeley Carroll in 2005. There, Beth served as a
Allison Weitberg Jones ’96, preprimary, has spent 12 years working in
class dean and chaired the assessment committee. “I believe that
schools, including Northern Virginia Friends School and Sidwell
history is more than just a collection of dates and facts,” says Beth, “but
Friends. She has her bachelor’s degree from James Madison University.
rather a discipline that provides us with countless stories to examine in
Allie previously worked at Gordon School for several years as director
order to understand our world as it is today. My approach to teaching
of after-school programs and nursery teacher. Spending summers
matches MB’s mission to guide students to becoming knowledgeable,
working at RISE camp led her to work with children: “It is a very special
caring and active global citizens.”
experience to join children at the beginning of their educational journey. It gives me great joy to meet young learners where they are
Justin Peters joined the performing arts department this year, teaching
and open the door to discovery and rediscovery as the world around
in the upper and middle schools. He earned his bachelor’s in music
them becomes their classroom!”
composition from Wittenberg University. Most recently, Justin served as choral director and music teacher at Lincoln School. At MB, he is
ReAnna Laney is MB’s new lower school librarian. Recently graduating
directing the middle school musical, serving as vocal director for the
with a master’s degree in information and library science from Pratt
upper school musical, advising the Versatones, and teaching Music
Institute in New York City, ReAnna previously worked as a library
Theory and Music & Computers.
assistant at the Berkeley Carroll School in Brooklyn. She also interned at the Collegiate School and at LaGuardia High School for the Arts and
19
MosesBrownSchool Place Speakers Afternoon Session, 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Lives That Speak Thursday April 19, 2012
Jeff Cruzan Former Harvard research scientist, EMT, mountaineer, and current high school math teacher at Moses Brown School Louise Lamphere Anthropologist, gender scholar, advocate, professor at University of New Mexico, author Uday Kumar ‘90 Founder, iRhythm Technologies Inc.; cardiologist; inventor; fellowship director, Global Biodesign Programs at Stanford University Melissa Maxwell ’81 Television, film, and stage actress, director, dramaturge; guest artist/ director of dramatic writing at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts Don Sweitzer P ‘05 Chairman of GTECH, authority on global politics, business, and public affairs Sam Tsemberis Friend, founder and CEO of Pathways to Housing, mental health advocate
Melissa Maxwell ’81 Uday Kumar ’90 Carlos Andrés Gómez ’00
Evening Session, 6:30 – 9:00 p.m. Joan Countryman Friend, former head of school, Lincoln School; founding head of school, the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls in South Africa; interim head, Atlanta Girl’s School Maria DeCarvalho P ’02 ‘05
IN THE SPIRIT OF IDEAS worth spreading, TED has created a program
Episcopal priest, performance consultant for courageous executives
called TEDx.
Carlos Andrés Gómez
Pushcart Prize-nominated poet; actor, Inside Man; author, Man Up.
TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people
together to share a TED-like experience. Our event is TEDxMosesBrownSchool, where x=independently organized TED event.
At TEDxMosesBrownSchool, TED Talks video and live speakers will
combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. The
Grammy winning artist in the spoken word category Debbie Humphries
individual TEDx events, including the one at MB, are self-organized.
Friend, international health, public health expert, Yale professor —
This independent TEDx event is operated under license from TED.
microbial diseases
TEDxMosesBrownSchool is shaped by the theme Lives that Speak, a
Donald McNemar
reference to George Fox, the founder of Quakerism, and his call to live
Friend, former President of Guilford College, former Headmaster of
daringly and with a bold sense of purpose. Speakers share their stories
Phillips Academy (Andover), senior lecturer at Bentley University,
and thoughts on listening to the voice within and on ways that our
expert in global studies/stewardship
Register early! The Future
Friend, storyteller, author, songwriter, teaching artist; two-time
TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but
lives reflect our passions and values.
20
Bill Harley P ’02 05
Meenakshi Narain Brown University professor, physicist, co-discoverer of the top quark particle Jenny Peek
TEDxMosesBrownSchool is offered free and open to the public, with a
Artist, entrepreneur, advocate, founder of the Manton Avenue Project
capacity for 1,000 in attendance. For registration information, please
Paul Sorensen P ‘02
visit www.tedxmosesbrown.com
Engineer and entrepreneur, philanthropist, co-founder, Hibbitt, Karlsson & Sorensen, Inc.
Moses Brown Alumni Association Alumni Connections Coast to Coast
The MB Alumni Association and Moses Brown School partner to provide opportunities for alumni to engage with each other and MB, near and far. To host an alumni event in your area or get involved with the MB Alumni Association, contact Alumni Relations Director Karin Morse at 831-7350 x191 or kmorse@mosesbrown.org.
Alumni & Friends Receptions in New York, Boston and Washington, D.C. The MBAA and Moses Brown School brought together local alumni in New York, Boston and D.C. for area receptions. Look online for photos of our March events in California and Florida.
Washington D.C.
With MBAA Board members Rich White ’84 and Adrian Hendricks ’58, D.C. alumni gathered at the city’s newest hotspot, The Hamilton, for an MB Happy Hour. In April, MB holds its D.C. Alumni & Friends Reception with Matt Glendinning.
New York City Boston
The World Bar was this year’s location for our NYC Reception with Matt Glendinning. Alumni from the metro area enjoyed the event, as did others like Jorge Tobon ’08 who had travelled from L.A. for an internship across the street at the UN.
In January, 42 alumni across the generations and numerous faculty, staff and coaches gathered at the Old State House for hors d’oeuvres and winter solstice cocktails and heard about Matt Glendinning’s priorities and the campus master plan.
Top: In what has now become a tradition, young alumni walked together to The Campbell Apartment to continue the night’s festivities.
21
Moses Brown Alumni Association Alumni Connections Coast to Coast
Congratulations to the MBAA’s fall 2011 award recipients, recognized at Homecoming. Darrell Ross ’65, Service to Alma Mater Award Darrell Ross has served MB in many capacities over the years, including 13 years as a member of the Board and as Chair of the Board for seven years. Darrell has been generous with his time and resources, always thoughtfully considering Moses Brown’s future. He has led his class reunion committees and was instrumental in the success of the Campaign for Moses Brown School. Darrell is a graduate of Yale University and also attended Harvard Law School. He was president of Ross-Simons, which began in 1952 as a retail store in Providence and became a nationally-recognized retailer of fine jewelry and luxury items. Today, RossSimons is a thriving multi-channel retailer of which Darrell is president and CEO. As he recently tweeted, “When I am not in the office, I travel the globe to find the distinctive jewelry Ross-Simons’ customers love.” Darrell and his wife Susan are proud parents of Leslie ’97, Meredith ’00, and Dan ’03 and in 2006 honored their family and Moses Brown with the establishment of Ross House, the newest building on MB’s campus. Marie Ewens Brown ’95, Outstanding Young Alumnus Award Marie Ewens Brown works in the U.S. Executive Director’s Office at the World Bank where she studies economic development issues in Africa as an advisor to the U.S. representative on the World Bank Executive Board. The World Bank’s primary focus is to provide financial and technical expertise to help reduce poverty around the world. The Bank is currently involved in more than 1,800 projects worldwide. Marie joined the U.S. Treasury Dept. in 2004 and worked on the Multilateral Debt Relief Initiative, which financed $60 billion in debt relief for the poorest
Homecoming
countries to the IMF and the World Bank. Thereafter,
The day was filled with alumni soccer, great games, a multicultural parents group and alumni
Marie moved to the White House to work as a director
panel, Johnny Rockets, and kids’ activities.
for African Affairs for the National Security Council during both the Bush and Obama administrations.
Homecoming Reception at The Squantum Club
Marie attended Columbia University and received
Alumni, faculty, staff and coaches gathered in the historic bakehouse overlooking the head of
her master’s degree in international relations from
Narragansett Bay.
Johns Hopkins.
22
The Quaker Classic On a gorgeous October day, the MBAA brought together alumni from near and far, including Michael Patterson ’65 and his son Andrew ’02 from South Carolina as well as Brad Engle ’05 from D.C. The tournament raised $8,338 for the Bliss Scholarship and $3,338 in support of local programming and events. Special thanks to the Golf Committee: Dave Keyser ’89, John Baldwin ’94, Phil Zexter ’81, George Panichas ’83 and Jason Engle ’98. Tournament sponsors who made the event possible were Foundry Orthopedics, stretch-tite, Lincoln Appraisal, Turfer Athletic and M.H. Stallman Company. Other alumni and friends supported the event through tee sponsorships.
Providence
Alumni Baseball & Hockey Games
18th Annual Skating Party at Meehan Auditorium
MB on the Move: Watch for future 2012 MBAA events including: May 23 Harpoon Brewery, Boston 23
The Moses Brown Alumni Association Board 2011-12
1948
The mission of the Moses Brown Alumni Association is to foster lifelong relationships with the school and fellow alumni. Stephanie Ogidan Preston ’97, Clerk
David Keyser ’89
Keith Monchik ’90, Assistant Clerk
Todd Machtley ’00
Timothy Rhodes ’80, Treasurer
George Panichas ’83
The class of ’48 enjoyed their annual gathering for luncheon at the Rue De L’Espoir on
Adrian Hendricks ’58, Recording Clerk
Brian Panoff ’94
Hope Street in Providence, joined by Matt Glendinning.
Taylor Rotondi Anderson ’02
John Pariseault ’97
John Baldwin ’94
Joss Poulton ’07
Angelo Bianco ’86
Brad Shipp ’83
Joyce Chang ’94
Ahvi Spindell ’72
82, USCG Auxiliary last January, 2011. In
Pamela Fishman Cianci ’91
Dawn West ’79
2010, they came in third out of nine flotillas.
Albie Dahlberg ’87
Richard White ’84
He hopes they will place second or first this
Jason Engle ’98
Thomas Wynn ’87
year. For their exemplary work, the Flotilla
Gina Guiducci ’97
Philip Zexter ’81
crew was invited to a personal tour of the
1948
Bill Myers ’48 assumed command of Flotilla
USCG Cutter Resolute, berthed in St. Peters-
Hugh Hysell ’83
burg, Florida. Bill is pictured with host Ensign Slater and Staff Officer Joseph Young.
1946 After 55 years, Charles “Alex” Robinson has retired from refereeing basketball at the high school, college, and professional levels. At his retirement party last December, he was made an honorary life member of referee associations. In addition to refereeing, Alex has organized more than 150 basketball camps nationwide. He moved to Freeport, Maine in July with Pat, his wife of 61 years.
1947
Thanks to Dean Woodman ’46 for donating several GoPro Hero mini-cameras to MB. Dean’s company produces best-selling wearable sports cams that capture footage by athletes skiing down mountains, riding motocross, skateboarding, and more. GoPro is the world’s leading activity image capture company. Knowing Head of School Matt Glendinning’s interest in sports, Dean sent some cameras to MB, and now students and alumni can gain a unique look at life on the MB campus. Visit gopro.com for more about the image-capture products that Dean’s company produces. Dean lives in Sausalito, California.
24
1947 Reunion 2012
August. “I was a day student at
Charles Staples continues to
paratrooper,” Charles says. “I
stay active through walking,
had very little in common with
Ed Desrochers writes from
stair climbing, and hiking.
my classmates other than a
Melbourne Beach, Florida,
Last summer, he and his wife
couple of other veterans. They
where he and his wife Shirley
Joan spent a week in the Colo-
might remember me if they
reside: “I retired from USAFR
rado Rockies. They also trav-
are still alive. I will be 86 in
as a Lt. Colonel and a Deputy
eled to Rhode Island and New
May.” Charles and his wife
Commander of the 482 Tacti-
Hampshire where they hiked
Beverly have five children. He
cal Fighter Wing, Homestead
in the White Mountains and
worked as an R&D physicist for
Air Force Base, Florida in 1983.
attended several classical
38 years at Dupont, GE, and
I owned and operated a con-
music festivals. In September,
IBM before retiring in 1990.
struction company that had
they went on an Elbe River
“Occasionally I shoot my age
mostly government contracts.
cruise in Germany and trav-
in golf,” he says. “I hope the
I live in Sugar Mountain, North
eled to Poland. Charles still
reunion is a great success.”
Carolina in the summer time. I
1948
recently talked to Bill Considine
volunteers at the Landmark Cultural Center in Chicago and
MB and a returning WWII
is looking forward to his 65th reunion in May.
1949
and we talked about Billy O’Connor, who we haven’t
Class Correspondent
heard from in years. We both
Marshall Cannell
lived on Shirley Boulevard in
Charles Watts and his wife
25 Sheridan Rd
Cranston.” Ed can be reached
Beverly live in North Carolina.
Wellesley Hills, MA 02481-5418
at ed.desrochers@earthlink.net
They celebrated their 63rd
781-237-0055
and says, “Help us find lost
wedding anniversary in
mca4nnell@aol.com
classmates!”
Class Notes 1955
Global Alumni: Martin Cassidy ’51 Jack Houriet ’55 and family.
Martin Cassidy graduated from MB in 1951 after spending eight years here as a boarding student. “The school greatly
1951
In May, Francis “Bud” Brooks (far right), former MB baseball captain and pitcher, attended a baseball
shaped my life and I value continued contact with MB,” he says. After graduation he attended Harvard College and pursued a career in international oil exploration.
game at the University of Texas
against Brown University with his
during the time when Gaddafi came to power in the
Martin lived with his family for four years in Libya,
grandson Grant (second from left).
September revolution. As a technical expert and manager
Graham Tyler ’08 (far left) played
of Pan American exploration effort, he worked daily with
for Brown, and Bud reports that he
Libyans, both Western-educated and desert dwellers. “One
made some nice plays at shortstop.
cannot know a culture by visiting for a few weeks,” he says. He recalls the “culture shock” that his family and coworkers encountered when working and living in that part of the
Thomas Benjamin still works at
In summer, the Leons return
world, experiencing daily life in Arab culture.
“There are certain basic truths which many leaders of
Harvard Medical School doing
to Newtown, Pennsylvania
needed cancer research. He
where classmate Jack Houriet
and his wife Mary Jo live in
lives nearby. Last year, the
culture. People are not the same all over the world. The
Class Correspondent
Brookline, Massachusetts.
Leons and Houriets got to-
system of society in a country is theirs. Living in a foreign
Jack Houriet
They have two sons, Ari and
gether to view an exhibition of
country, one cannot say they cannot do something just
2525 Turner Rd.
Noah. Ari is a sophomore at
the President’s Marine Silent
because it is not our way.
Willow Grove, PA 19090-1625
Oberlin College while Noah is a
Drill Team with the Marine
215-657-3786
junior at Brookline High
Band: “A truly inspiring event
not inserting ourselves forcibly in other countries. As I
jwhour@jwhour.cnc.net
School.
that these two Marines en-
learned on the MB playgrounds, you do not get long-term
1955
joyed immensely,” Jerry writes. Jeremy and Dottie also stay
the U.S. ignore,” says Martin. “All countries have their own
“How many lives and money could have been saved by
cooperation by hitting someone on the head.
Class Correspondent Jack
Donald Dwares and his wife
Houriet and his wife Alice
Bonnie became grandparents
busy with their six grandchil-
celebrated their 50th wedding
for the first time in June with
dren and recently visited Penn-
anniversary with sons Jack and
the birth of their granddaugh-
sylvania’s Westtown School,
Andy and their families in
ter, Maya Lenore Dwares, born
where beloved Headmaster L.
and service to others. Treasure these, for they lead to success
Puerto Rico last December.
to their son David Dwares ’92
Ralston Thomas served before
in international affairs and life in general.”
Jack writes, “We toured the
and his wife Catherine. Donald
coming to MB. Jerry says, “If
island and old San Juan, where
writes, “What a thrill! The
one ever gets a chance to roam
I was able to show them where
only problem is that they are
this campus after having lived
I grew up during my years at
living in San Francisco, so
the MB life, you will be re-
MB.”
fortunately for them, and un-
warded with absolute hospital-
Jack currently lives in Wil-
fortunately for us, we cannot
ity from the school faculty as
low Grove, Pennsylvania and is
just stop in and visit for a few
well as the student body. It’s a
on the board of the Boileau
minutes.”
must stop when passing
This past summer, Marc
for excellent health to all of
through Philadelphia.”
Williams and his wife Sara
my former class members.”
Farmstead. He adds, “Our
“So here is the point: at Moses Brown, one has a culture of
acceptance, thoughtful examination of other persons’ views, non-violence when possible, leadership through example,
1956 Please extend my best wishes
grandkids continue to be a
Jeremy Leon and wife Dottie
major part of our lives.” John
are enjoying winter in Naples,
In May, Charlie Wilson moved
tour of the eastern half of the
Continuing his work as
graduated from Geneva Col-
Florida with plenty of tennis
to Cape Cod to join his partner
United States in their motor
concert artist manager, Joel
lege and Drew attends Drexel
and inviting warm weather. He
Irene. He says that this next
home. Highlights of the trip
Altman shares that his client,
University. Nick completed his
reports that a tradition has de-
phase of retirement “calls for
included a visit to Westminster
pianist Roberto Plano, will be
Eagle Scout project and will at-
veloped in nearby Punta Gorda
less work, less aggravation,
College, site of Churchill’s Iron
playing at this summer’s
tend Drexel this fall. Mason’s
where Houghty Wetherald,
and also less money.” Charlie
Curtain speech, and Galena,
Newport Music Festival. The
objective is to get his Eagle
Marc Williams ’56, and Jerry
has also started a small but
Illinois for the national Pack-
program will include the U.S.
Scout award by the age of 15.
meet at a local restaurant for
fun business called The Tool
ard show. Marc adds, “We have
premiere of works by the
Alex completed his school year
some reminiscing each winter:
Doctor which caters to the
enjoyed visiting many dear
Italian composer Andrea
with straight As.
“It’s great to see one another.”
Cape’s gardening community.
friends while on this journey.
Luchesi.
went on a Presidential library
25
1962 Reunion 2012
Paul Hodge is chair of the Global Generations Policy Institute (www.genpolicy.com) and director of the Harvard Genera-
Peter Dwares married Leilani Pilar at the Fairmont
tions Policy Project. Paul recently returned from a daunting
Orchid in Hawaii, Big Island last November. Their
three-week around-the-world adventure/research initiative.
three-and-a-half-year-old daughter, Chloe, attends
He says the trip was fantastic and included a Kate Winslet
Marin Day preschool. Pathways For Kids, which
walk-on, a CNBC Michelle Caruso-Cabrera report, Athens
Peter founded in 1998, is in its 13th year. Peter
riots, Madrid protests, being teargassed by Athens police,
also started a real estate investment/development
having his Athens digs set on fire by rioters, riding one of
company in 1974 which he says has been holding its
the world’s fastest trains, experiencing a Tokyo/Fukushima
own despite the challenging economy. Of his fellow
nuclear leak alert, and having his China videos appear on in-
1961
ternational TV. See Paul’s adventure video trailer at youtube. com and research blog at http://genpolicy.com/blog.
classmates, he writes, “I continue to feel sad about the loss of David Leach and Jodi Wells, but was very, very happy to have dinner with Rick Turner, Rob MacColl, and Peter Winslow in San Francisco this year. It was a lot of fun. I was also happy to host a joyous evening with many local alumni for our guests Matt and Katherine Glendinning and Ron Dalgliesh.”
Congratulations to Darrell Ross ’65, honored this fall with the MBAA’s Service to Alma Mater
1962 Reunion 2012
Award. Darrell has served MB in many capacities over the years, including 13 years as a member of the Board and as chair of the Board for seven
Rick Turner’s classmate Joe Lovett submitted a photo
years. Darrell has always looked to MB’s future
of Rick’s Pretzel Guitar (1969), which was in the
in his work on behalf of the school.
“Crafting Modernism” exhibit at the Museum of Art and Design in New York City. Rick lives in Santa Cruz, California. To see more of Rick’s work or see clips of John Mayer and Van Morrison playing Rick’s guitars, visit www.renaissanceguitars.com. Joe wrote, “Pretty cool, Rick!” We agree!
Global Advocate: Marshall Meyers ’57
1971
Marshall Meyers ’57 spent his career as a lawyer in
Led by Steve Bienenfeld, local members of the class of 1971 came out in force
Washington, D.C., but you won’t find him behind a desk
to donate blood for a classmate in need. The group met on a Saturday morning
often. Working on aviation issues led him to travel the
at the Rhode Island Blood Center (left to right): Peter Gross, Scott Wolf, Steve
globe, advocating for regulation in the pet industry and
Bienenfeld, Jess Eschenheimer, and Perry Buroker (from MB’s alumni office).
pursuing other projects around the globe.
After Haverford, Marshall attended Penn Law and
joined his father’s law firm in Washington, D.C., specializing in aviation work. Marshall also moved into environmental and animal law and has represented the pet industry and biomedical research communities for 40 years. “We deal with cutting-edge legal issues — animal welfare, endangered species, research ethics, invasive species, wildlife, animal diseases, and socioeconomic-legal issues.” For the past decade, Marshall also has been working on a project to bridge rifts in the Middle East.
When going full swing for the pet industry and his
MyMB: “The curriculum at MB stands out the most for me, as well many of whom I’ve been friends with for more than 50 years. If I had to characterize a Moses Brown education, I’d call it effective, secure, quiet and exciting. MB is a tremendous part of your life. Once you’re here for even a short time, you remember it forever.” — Stanley Milton Wick III ’71, interviewed at Reunion 2011. A 12-year veteran of MB, Stan was interviewed at Reunion last year. He lives in East Greenwich. He is shown with students Erik Matson, Tom Rice, and Ben Sack.
overseas projects, Marshall traveled upwards of 200,000 miles a year in the air. His work has taken him to more than 115 countries. He still hopes to visit the only continent
1971
as the teachers and the camaraderie with all my classmates,
1957 Reunion 2012
Frank Dougherty shares an update after almost 55 years:
officer and captain in the U.S.
“I received my B.A. in psychol-
Air Force. I am married with
Class Correspondent
ogy and completed a graduate
children and have my civilian
Jerry Knowles
degree in clinical psychology at
pilot license. I am a DIYer,
60 Blackstone Blvd.
Antioch College. I also got my
boater and published writer.
Providence, RI 02906
Ph.D. in clinical psychology at
My nickname at MB was ‘Doc.’
my future by steering me to Haverford. Looking back, I
401-421-9788
the University of Southern
Who would have thought I’d
realize more and more the great influence MB had on me.”
bigthundur1@yahoo.com
California. I was an avionics
become one!”
he’s missed — Antarctica. MB memories: “My post-MB journey has been a great trip,” Marshall comments, “that I would never have dreamt of when sitting in study halls or having Basil Meserve chart
26
Class Notes 1965
Sulloway Spurred On Frank Sulloway shown winning the 1000yard race against Governor Dummer in 1965, helping the team go undefeated for the season. Frank Sulloway ’65 ran track and cross country at MB. At one point, to spur him on, Coach King “Doc” Odell offered to give Frank a very expensive chronographic watch he owned, which Frank often used to time himself during interval training — but the offer was good only if Frank broke the long-standing school record in the half mile. Although the half-mile record eluded Frank, under Doc’s coaching, Frank became the New England indoor mile champion and broke the school record in the mile, running 4:28 in his last meet. Running continued to be an important part of his life at Harvard, where he competed on the varsity team. “Running became engrained in my psyche,” says Frank, “as I transferred what I learned from endurance training to scholarship. I spent 26 years researching and writing Born to Rebel and have sometimes felt that each year I spent on this book was like each mile of a marathon. My predilection for endurance sports also has come in handy during my expeditions, as we pack 70 pounds of equipment up and down 5,000-foot volcanoes on the Galápagos’ uninhabited islands.”
Conservative commentary: Carl Bogus ’66
See page 8 for more about Frank’s work and post-MB path.
Congratulations to Carl Bogus ’66 on his newest book Buckley: William F. Buckley Jr. and the Rise of American Conservatism. Carl says the book focuses on how Buckley changed the modern conservative movement.
1971
“I am a liberal,” says Carl, “but I have maintained a strong
interest in the intellectual history of the political right ever since an MB English teacher, Alvah Sulloway, assigned me a research paper titled ‘The John Birch Society: Threat to Freedom or Defender of the Republic?’” This was considered a plum topic, as the John Birch Society was then a somewhat mysterious and controversial group. Sulloway often assigned the same topic year to year so students were, in a sense, competing against those who had preceded them.
“Mr. Sulloway was an unusual teacher,” comments Carl.
“He was a graduate of Harvard Law School who had practiced law, and he taught his students not only how to write well, but how to write persuasively. His students learned a great Scott Wolf (front, middle) enjoyed returning to Reunion
1967
this past spring. See page 10 for more on Scott’s work leading Grow Smart Rhode Island.
deal about critical reasoning. Mr. Sulloway also stressed the importance of rigorous research, both primary and secondary.”
Because the John Birch Society was then headquartered
in Massachusetts, Sulloway insisted that as part of his research on the ‘radical right,’ that Carl travel to Belmont and interview one of the Society’s officials. “It was the highlight of my MB career,” says Carl, “when Mr. Sulloway informed me that I had done such a good job on the paper — no one,
Herbert “Chip” Tucker
he said, could ever do better — that he was retiring the topic. It is no coincidence that my book contains a long section University of Virginia. He
gasoline and convenience store
writes, “This trip is not
with locations in Ohio,
business as usual, so let’s see
Kentucky and West Virginia.
Herbert “Chip” Tucker is unable
each other at the amazing
He and his wife Connie re-
to make his 45th reunion this
50th instead.”
cently celebrated their 35th
1967 Reunion 2012 May because he will be out of
wedding anniversary. They
about how William F. Buckley Jr. excommunicated the John Birch Society from the conservative movement.” Carl Bogus is a law professor at Roger Williams University in Bristol. He also is the author of Why Lawsuits Are Good for
the country on a Fulbright.
Peter Lacaillade is president
have two sons, Peter, 30, and
America and editor of The Second Amendment in Law and
He is taking a sabbatical year
and CEO of Certified Oil
Nicholas, 28. Peter and Connie
History. He was recognized by Common Cause for his work on
from teaching English at the
Company, an independent
live in Boston.
separation of powers in Rhode Island.
27
1972
1976 1975
Bob Riesman (second from left) enjoyed seeing classmates
Tony Aponte ’75, director of educational services
Howell Smith, Mike Gordon, and John Blacher at his book-
for the Boys’ Club of New York, visited MB while
signing at Books on the Square. Bob published a biography
in Rhode Island where he was working to place
on blues musician Bill Broonzy, I Feel So Good: The Life
students in independent schools. Tony came to
and Times of Big Bill Broonzy. This is Bob’s first biography.
Moses Brown in 1971 through this program and
He attributes his interest in blues and folk music to
was a dedicated athlete and actor at MB. Tony
Providence’s late ’60s scene and coffeehouses.
visited Barry Marshall’s drama class to speak
Class of 1976 — May 2011 Reunion
with students about his experience in Broadway productions and how this experience shaped who he is today.
1976 Joe Dziczek and Mark Hallett got
1972
together at Joe’s place on Cape Cod last summer. Mark writes, “Leslie, our younger son Alex, and I visited with Missy and Joe during a vacation that took us through NYC, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania, visiting family and friends before heading back home to Lynchburg, Virginia. Joe
Michael Voccola ’76 recalls that as senior class president of MB’s last
and I are both looking forward to our
all-boy class, he looked into developing an on-campus parking area
(OMG!) 40-year reunion this spring.”
for students to alleviate on-street parking and enhance security. “I did a complete budget and sought proposals from contractors,” says Michael. “The school didn’t embrace the idea; in retrospect, that was my first taste of seeking a development approval!” See page 12 for
Ahvi Spindell writes, “For one of my
more on Michael’s career in real estate development in Providence.
clients, United Spinal Association,
“The beauty of real estate development is that one realizes tangible
I have been at the forefront secur-
results of one’s efforts,” Michael says.
ing media coverage regarding their lawsuit against New York City. This will mandate wheelchair-accessible taxis under the Americans With Disabilities Act when new taxis are purchased in the future.”
1972
1974 P. H. Liotta ’74 is now the Thomas Hawkins Johnson
1972 Reunion 2012
world’s newest democracy and they still live in a world where
Jon Bell is president of Simply
political parties are essentially
Sight & Sound (simplysas.
tribal,” he says. “Now I’m back
com), a custom installation
in Prague, one semester shy of
and home theater business in
getting a master’s degree in
Providence. He enjoys skiing as
geopolitics at Charles Univer-
often as possible.
sity (1348), the oldest in central
Richard “Hardi” Parker served
Europe. Should be able to get
as guest editor for this issue
an instructor’s job at Charles
of Cupola and interviewed
or a U.S. extension university
classmate Parker Ramspott (see page opposite).
1975
Visiting Scholar at the United
Richardson Kovar is currently
once I’m finished, or another
States Military Academy
living in Prague. Rick decided
job at an international school.”
in West Point, New York.
to go back into teaching and
The author of 18 books and
spent 2009-10 in the Balkans
1977 Reunion 2012
1978
Several ’78 classmates gathered this past July to
numerous articles, Peter’s latest
teaching American history
work is The Real Population
and political science at the
Class Correspondent
Arkway ’78. Honoring Andy’s
Bomb: Megacities, Global
American School of Kosovo
Gordon Ondis
lifelong work for environmental
in Pristina. “I did a special
43 Duncan Ave.
and social welfare causes, the
project on critical thinking
Providence, RI 02906
group gathered at a spot dear
and democracy for juniors and
401-831-5636
to Andy, the Aquidneck Land
seniors, since Kosovo is the
gordonondis@gmail.com
Trust.
Security & The Map of the Future.
28
celebrate the life of Andy
CLIENT: Laughing Dog
Raglan Jersey
DESIGN NAME: 2007
Art Time Elapsed:
ZIPPER: Full
Date:
Class Hr.Notes
7/20/07
Parker Ramspott ’78, Owner, Laughing Dog Bicycles, Amherst, Mass. Interview conducted by Richard “Hardi” Parker ’78 Parker Ramspott came to Moses Brown in the ninth grade from Dighton-
Portland, Oregon and Paris, France, require public/private investment, but offer
Rehoboth. Known affectionately as “Spott” by his friends, Parker was one of his
“grab and go” convenience for bike use, which could open it up to a whole new
class’s more colorful characters. Often seen on a skateboard, and wearing a
segment of the population.
swordfish-billed cap, Parker was known for his diverse musical interests and related opinions on the subject.
After MB, Parker went on to the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.
Graduating in 1983 with a B.A. in English, Parker took an unusual turn and almost immediately became a small business owner. Now, more than 25 years later, Parker, with his wife Ann and daughter Helen, remains in the “Happy Valley” where he owns and operates Laughing Dog Bicycles. Please tell us how you entered your profession. I really didn’t want to take my GREs or go to graduate school, and an opportunity presented itself at Bicycle World Too, the predecessor to my current business. I started there as a “wrench,” working as a mechanic on bicycles in 1984, and bought into the business later that same year. What are your primary likes and dislikes with your profession? I really enjoy the variety of tasks, the independence, and doing it all. As for dislikes, taxes are right up there, along with whiny, self-involved customers. Bicycles are “in” and definitely part of the green movement. How do you see bicycle use in the U.S. and the future? Bicycle manufacturing is an off-shore industry, with only a few niche domestic producers. Virtually all frames and components
Does your store focus on any particular market segment? In line with our college town environment, Laughing Dog’s primary focus is on transportation and utility, not on the rarified and high end, “all about me” bikes. Our customers ride their bikes to get to class and get their groceries. They get used. The “How to” link on your website is really good! I take it you believe in an educated customer. Yes, or at least a customer who is willing to be educated, rather than a customer who is simply responding to a trend. So what about the dog, Max? You really need to read the page on our website. Max is the logo, and in his day, he was a town fixture. He was brilliant; he was a good dog. Some of your friends consider you a Luddite. Why? I guess I am simply mistrustful of modern communication. However, I do have an email, which I occasionally even read. You can contact me at parker@laughingdogbicycles.com, but don’t expect a response. Are you still in contact with any fellow MB alumni? I’m still in touch with a few: Dave Woronov ’78, Hardi Parker ’78, and, until this past summer, Andy Arkway ’78.
are manufactured elsewhere. As a result, while we feel good about riding bikes
Do you still play the guitar, and what music are you into these days? Oh yes, I am
and polluting less, we have essentially exported our pollution by manufacturing
still playing the guitar. As for music, it’s probably safer to ask me what I’m not
in countries with fewer regulations.
into!
That said, bicycles are an integral part of our future transportation model, as
long as the U.S. invests in mass transit and required infrastructure. This means parking for bikes and the ability to bring a bike onto a train or subway, so bicyclists can connect to transit.
Beyond that, bicycle sharing systems, like “Yellow Bike” and the ones in
Any sage advice from a small business owner? Laughing Dog Bicycles started in 1998 when the Bicycle World Too name was retired, to address a change in ownership. Real advice in today’s economic climate: maintain your independence and limit your economic exposure.
29
1985
Skip Davis is living in the Ukraine and writes, “My previous contract to help prevent the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction has ended. However, you can usually count on me for doing something unusual anyway.” This past fall, Skip was on his way to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, leading an effort to build an integrated management “dashboard” to help the Saudi Arabian government monitor the design and construction of 800,000 homes for its people. Skip says King Abdullah’s new initiative resulted from the Arab Spring, last
Cheryl Schadone Cohen ‘81: At the Dunk
year’s series of revolutions that took place throughout North Africa and the Middle East. “It is a massive
Most MB alumni don’t go on tour with World Wide Wrestling.
initiative, you may have noticed recently, is the granting of voting rights to women.”
As marketing director for Providence’s Dunkin’ Donuts
Center (affectionately known as “the Dunk”), Cheryl Cohen has enjoyed a varied and interesting career and is now a key part of the Providence entertainment landscape.
Over the past ten years, Cheryl has worked with artists
ranging from Andrea Bocelli to Led Zeppelin (and everyone in
outreach program designed also to introduce some reforms into their country,” Skip wrote. “Another Skip also continues to visit Peru frequently (shown) and says his first trip there was a direct result of his time at MB. The upper school sponsored an informational session about study abroad during Skip’s senior year, with Peru one of the opportunities presented. He went to Peru in 1985 for a semester and returns frequently to visit his godson and family and to help do cultural preservation. While there, Skip learned the ancient art of Andean sling braiding: “The art is now mostly lost and I’m trying to reintroduce it into the region. I go down to give classes each year,” he says. Skip is shown in Ollantaytambo, Peru, along with a photo of one of his sling recreations.
between), major touring family shows, NCAA National Championships, worldwide pay-per-view specials and a host of national sporting events. Cheryl says, “2012 will be another
1982
outstanding year at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center. I will be working with several top-named artists, the Harlem
Kristen Murray Porcaro ’82 and Vinnie Porcaro ’83
Globetrotters, Disney on Ice, World Wrestling Entertainment,
gather with new MB graduate Sonny Porcaro ’11
and more.” Cheryl also will be involved in the local marketing
and his younger brother, Luke ’24, a member of
launch of two new national tours: “How to Train Your
MB’s kindergarten class.
Dragon” and Cirque du Soleil’s “Michael Jackson: The Immortal World Tour.”
“I am sure that everyone has their favorite story from
here and many of them saw their very first concert at the Civic Center/Dunk!” says Cheryl.
Cheryl’s career spans more than 25 years in the
entertainment industry. Cheryl started her career in at the
Congratulations to Jamie Worrell – Jamie won the 2011
Warwick Musical Theatre, where she was responsible for all
PlanSponsor “Retirement Plan Adviser of the Year”
marketing and public relations for the theater. After
award by PLANSPONSOR Magazine. Jamie works at
graduating from Wheaton, Cheryl spent summers in Rhode
GPS Investments in Providence.
Island working at the theatre and winters working for a
1985
concert entertainment production company located in Arizona.
Prior to joining the Dunk, Cheryl was a senior marketing
representative for World Wrestling Entertainment. Her
1979
1981
Kristen’s dad, Wayne Curtis, former MB faculty member
responsibilities included marketing and promoting
Peter Kilmarx and his wife
nationally-televised events and worldwide pay-per-view
Nicha moved to Harare, Zim-
Kristen Curtis Marcks writes,
specials throughout the U.S., Canada, and Australia.
babwe from Dulles, Virginia;
“My mother Ginny Nelson
Peter is the director of the U.S.
Curtis is the most courageous
Centers for Disease Control
woman in Rhode Island and
Class Correspondent
and Prevention Office, focusing
this year’s ALS Association of
Ashley Haffenreffer Wagstaff
on HIV prevention, care, and
Rhode Island Brian Dickinson
136 Highland Ave.
treatment. Peter writes,
Courage Award Recipient.”
Rowayton, CT 06853
“Among other things, Zimba-
Ginny was honored at the 15th
917-941-9412
bwe is a tourist destination
Annual Evening of Hope in
ahwagstaff@mac.com
with fabulous weather, game
where I am today,” says Cheryl. “The teachers, staff, and
May. She was featured in a
parks, and Victoria Falls. Y’all
video for the event, which can
Class Correspondent Ashley
coaches at MB taught me to take on challenges and persevere.
come visit any time. See you
be found on YouTube. Also
Haffenreffer Wagstaff writes
The skills I acquired at MB have been the key to my success.”
on Facebook!”
interviewed in the video is
“Reunion is coming up in May.
Cheryl joined the management team of the Dunkin’
Donuts Center in 2002 and was recently appointed as a regional director of marketing for SMG, the management company for the Dunk. Cheryl oversees the marketing efforts in more than 15 SMG arenas along the Eastern seaboard and in Puerto Rico.
30
“My days at MB were the most valuable in leading me to
and beloved lacrosse coach.
1982 Reunion 2012
Class Notes 1985 Dr. Lisa Rocchio ’85 P ’14 ’15 ’21 has joined the MB board of trustees. Lisa has a doctorate degree in psychology and is a clinical and forensic psychologist with a practice in Johnston. Married to Vincent Giordano ‘83, Lisa has three children at MB. She has been an active parent and alumni volunteer, and lives with her family in East Greenwich. Lisa’s professional expertise lies in the areas of interpersonal violence, traumatic stress and ethics. Lisa is a founding member of the American Psychological Society’s Division 56, an organization focused on research and policy development in the field of psychological trauma. She is current president-elect of the Rhode Island Psychological Association.
David Everett ’81: Principal Planner / Environmental Coordinator for the City of Providence When people ask “What do you do?”, it usually implies “How
Neil Beranbaum ‘86 P’22’24 is a frequent presence on the
do you make a living?” When that question is posed to David
MB campus and one of MB’s newest board members. Neil
Everett ’81, he usually makes a point of mentioning his
and his wife Randi have three daughters, two in lower
painting (and sometimes writing) in addition to his job as a
school. They live on the East Side. Neil has been buying
city planner in Providence: “I like to think it’s all related,” he
and building companies for more than 20 years and is
says.
co-founder and partner of United Waste Management, a
regional waste and recycling company with operations in
David’s interest in urban studies and planning stems from
an aesthetic sensibility and love of nature that started as a
Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Neil received his B.A.
young child. As a child he drew and painted, and took art
from Emory University and his law degree from the George Washington University Law Center. Neil has been an active
1986
reunion volunteer and alumni event attendee.
classes with Gino Conti in Providence and also at MB, particularly in middle school. “My talents were writing and drawing,” David says, “as well as most team sports, and I
Albie Dahlberg ‘87 accompanied his son Eric to school one day this winter. Eric is now a student in
managed to finesse the rest. My upbringing on the East Side of Providence and my MB education in grades 6 through 10 gave
sixth grade at MB. See page 14 for more on Albie’s
me a solid foundation and helped me to nurture my creativity
work as founder of Project Get Ready Rhode Island.
— especially in writing (hats off to Beth Taylor and Richard Nutt) and my career and avocation flowed from that and continue to evolve.”
1987
To David, love of nature went hand in hand with painting
and drawing — about beauty and how things connect. He spent time in northwestern Connecticut, read Rachel Carson and John Muir; eventually, environmental advocacy seemed a logical extension of his interests — and let him continue to draw and write.
1987
In college, he was initially an English and art major,
switched to urban design studies at NYU to be more Meri Bleeker Goette lives in St. Louis, Missouri with her two children, Davia, 8, and Trystan, 10. In January, she took a position as an account director at Paradowski Creative, a St. Louis-based marketing agency. A few years ago, she joined a women’s soccer team. She writes, “Our only goals are to have fun, avoid injury, and beat the other team.”
“practical,” took time off and worked at Save the Bay on land use issues, and eventually got a master’s in city planning from MIT with a concentration in environmental design and development. Since then, he has worked primarily as a land use planner, mainly in New York, Connecticut, and Rhode Island, but has spent considerable time on artistic projects as well (“perhaps to the occasional detriment of professional
Let’s see if we can all give
advancement”).
(large and small gifts are ac-
dence; she has taught there for
cepted) and show up. 30 years
seven years and in Providence
ballet school for the New York
is something to celebrate!”
for 18 years. E3 is a Providence
City Ballet company. Our
current job as a planner for the city of Providence, much of my
public school, located on
daughter Amanda is a growing,
work is concerned with what can broadly be termed
Kristen Porcaro’s son Sonny
Branch Avenue. She is the
independent, force of nature.
‘environmental,” David says. “This includes promoting
Porcaro ’11 graduated from
English Language Arts teacher
They continue to amaze us.
Moses Brown in June. Kristen
sustainable development, supporting urban agriculture,
leader and also serves on the
My husband Doug is continu-
says it was an emotional day
district’s curriculum writing
ing to do his senior partner
drafting flood zone regulations, and harbor management
under ‘The Shadow of the
team.
thing at Paul Weiss and I am
Elms’: “Another generation of MB graduates!”
enjoying the challenges, free-
“While I cover a wide range of projects and issues in my
planning. Meanwhile, my artwork has come to be dominated by nature, usually far from any city, almost to the exclusion of the imprint of humankind.”
Rachel Littman writes, “Life is
doms and creativity of working
still busy and going well for me
in higher education adminis-
and my family in New York.
tration at Pace Law School in
David has two daughters, Annabelle (18) and Viola (7), and lives in
Our son, Adam, was recently
White Plains, New York. I hope
Warren. He can be reached at deverett2663@gmail.com and has a
Stephanie Morrison is a teacher
accepted to the School of
everyone is well. We are look-
Facebook page: David Everett, Painting and Drawing. He is currently
at E Cubed Academy in Provi-
American Ballet, which is the
ing forward to reunion in May!”
planning a probable show at the Audubon Center in Pomfret, Conn.
1987 Reunion 2012
31
photo: Stephanie Alvarez Ewens
1995 1993
Jake Bliss traveled from California to New York City to support and compete in Ethan Ruby’s charity poker tournament. Jake also represented the charity this year at the World Poker Tour Celebrity Invitational in Commerce, California. In its seventh year, Poker4Life has raised more than $1,000,000. The charity of choice has been The Buoniconti Fund to Cure Paralysis, which maintains an unprecedented 86 cents of every dollar going directly to research.
Marie Ewens Brown, shown with her husband Charlie and daughter Anna, was honored this fall with the Outstanding Young Alumna award.
1995 The Mobray brothers gathered with Tia and Dan Gareau’95 at MB’s NYC gathering this past fall.
MB Innovator: Barrett Bready ’95
1991
Congratulations to Barrett Bready ’95, M.D., named Rhode Island’s Innovator of the Year this past fall. Barrett is CEO of Nabsys, Inc. in Providence. The Rhode Island Innovation
few years, I’ve gotten back into
Awards were presented by Providence Business News in
playing live music, switching
partnership with the Rhode Island Economic Development
from drums to guitar and vocals.”
Corporation, honoring Rhode Island companies, organizations and individuals that replace existing methods,
Kristin Santopietro Pugliese is
models and products with better ones.
living in Atlanta, Georgia with
her husband. She created
Nabsys is a life sciences company working at the
Note Knacks Music in 2009 to
intersection of physics, biology and computer science to develop an electronic solid-state DNA sequencing platform.
John Knowles ‘91 and his wife
NABsys’ vision is to power DNA sequencing and analysis by
Noel, shown here on the Cape,
using solid-state systems coupled with innovations in
live in East Providence.
chemistry and algorithms to achieve increased accuracy, speed and cost. These systems are being designed to address a broad range of applications, from analysis of DNA structural variation, to sequencing of targeted genes, to whole-genome sequencing. The levels of performance being targeted will dramatically impact biological research in
1990
1991
provide music educators with the tools needed to make music more accessible for
Class Correspondent
young children. Kristin recently
Hillary Monahan Ramos
visited Karin Morse and Steve
289 Main St.
Toro on the MB campus.
Hampton, CT 06247
1992 Reunion 2012
401-952-4552 hillaryramos@gmail.com
Class Correspondent
many fields. NABsys was the first company to receive a
Class Correspondent
John Knowles ’91 and wife
Kelley Ciampi Wigren
“$1000 Genome” award from the National Human Genome
Julie Reitzas
Noel live in East Providence
8 Juniper Rd.
Research Institute of the National Institutes of Health for an
1688 Drift Rd.
with their four cats and puppy.
Wellesley, MA 02482
electronic approach to sequencing.
P.O. Box 302
John writes, “I’m coming up on
781-235-4512
Westport Point, MA
five years with Fidelity Invest-
kelleywigren11@yahoo.com
02791-0302
ments (longest I’ve ever been
508-636-6928
employed at one company),
tnbjr@msn.com
working at their Smithfield,
Barrett has been named one of the top “30 under 30” in
New England by Mass High Tech: The Journal of New England Technology and one of “25 movers and shakers” in the state by Rhode Island Monthly. Barrett co-chairs BioGroup, Rhode
1993
Rhode Island site. Last January,
Jason Weiss received his M.F.A.
Jeffrey Geller ’90 and his wife
I started an MBA program at
degree from the University of
Gabrielle welcomed their first
Southern New Hampshire Uni-
Florida. Over the past two
Providence Preservation Society and WaterFire. Nabsys is
child in July. They are city
versity with a tentative gradu-
years, he has been a member
located in Providence’s Jewelry/Innovation District.
planners for New York City.
ation in mid-2015. In the last
of the resident acting company
Island’s biotechnology industry organization, and serves on boards for the Brown Medical Alumni Association,
32
Class Notes 1997
This December, Gina Guiducci ‘97 married
1996
Stephen McKinnon ‘97 in New Bedford, Massachusetts. The ceremony was held at St. James Church, followed by a reception at the New Bedford Whaling Museum with all-local menu and libations: “Truly, a very special day spent having A Whale of a Time!”
1997
Allison Weitberg Jones has joined Kathy Ryan in MB’s pre-primary classroom this year. Allie has spent the past 12 years working in schools, including Northern Virginia Friends School and Sidwell Friends. Allie previously worked at Gordon School for several years as director of after-school programs and nursery teacher. She is thrilled to rejoin the MB community. Her daughters also joined the Baby Henry Cabot Earle is pictured with
MB community this year – Lyla in nursery and Ava in first grade.
grandmother and former staff member Anne Earle. Henry was born last June to proud parents Christina and Cabot Earle, who live in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Where are the women? This issue of Cupola looks to the future and includes a profile on several alumni who attended MB when it was still officially a boys’ school. In future issues, Cupola hopes to expand coverage of female graduates. MB alumnae: do we have your most recent info in our database? Do you know of a female classmate with an interesting story worth featuring in Cupola? Let us know. Email alumni@mosesbrown.org or our managing editor at kcurry@mosesbrown.org.
at the Hippodrome Theatre which is the state theatre
1994
1997 Reunion 2012 Class Correspondent
of Florida. There he has performed in such plays as
Daniel Gilbert writes, “Just
Cara Camacho
The 39 Steps, Boeing Boeing, and
wanted to let my old MB
401 13th St. NE, Apt. 105
Dracula, among others. He
friends know that I released
Washington, DC 20002-6316
moved to West Hollywood,
my first album this summer.
401-742-4658
California in August and would
It’s called The Great Recession
cara.camacho@gmail.com
enjoy catching up with any
Goodbye, and you can check
alumni who might be out west.
it out at your favorite online
Another MB alum sighting:
Gina Guiducci lives on the
Contact him at jason.weiss@
music store or at www.dangil-
Last year, MB staff perusing
East Side, not too far from
mac.com.
bertmusic.com.”
Rhode Island Monthly saw that
the beautiful MB campus: “I
says. Gina also is a new
Hyun Kim ’97 and his mother,
especially love the vegetable
member of the Moses Brown
Sook, had opened a new Korean
garden.” Gina works as a
Alumni Association board.
food truck in downtown
dietitian for Brown University
[Note: Friends Garden was
In October, Rebecca and Mark
1995
Silverman welcomed Zachary
Most recent MB Reunion: come back!
Leo to their family. Zach joins
Dan Gareau, recently married,
Providence. They operate
and is a columnist for The
created at MB as an environ-
his older sibling Alex, now 4.
is now teaching at Rockefeller
Rhode Island’s first Korean
Providence Journal’s Monday
mental education center on
They live in Washington, D.C.,
University. Dan attended the
BBQ truck. It was cited in RIM’s
wellness section, “Thrive.” “I
campus. The garden also has a
where Mark works for the
NYC event in November with
annual “Best of” issue and is a
am passionate about health,
service mission with student-
International Committee of
Tia Gareau and shared details
completely local operation. See
wellness and nutrition and
grown vegetables donated to
the Red Cross.
of his latest research.
www.mamakims.us for more.
love the work that I do,” she
Camp Street Ministries.]
33
2000
In October, Jacob Brier and his wife Dani welcomed a son, Soren Jon Brier. Pictured the day before Soren’s bris is great-grandfather Milton Brier ’46, father Jacob Brier, Soren (2030?) and grandfather Jeffrey Brier ’71. Also in attendance at the bris were Jim
1998
Engle ’71, Scott Wolf ’71, John
Former library staff members Judith Lewis and Ricky Brightman as well as
Blacher ’72, and Soren’s great
current staff Paula Lopes and Melanie Lindell are pictured with the newly
uncle Neil Brier ’70.
married Kimberly Lewis LeBlanc. Kim and Barry LeBlanc were married at Bittersweet Farm in Westport, Massachusetts last May. Kim is a massage therapist at the Beach Plum Spa in Plymouth, Massachusetts. She and Barry reside in New Bedford.
Solving the Data Dilemma: Irving Fain ’98
1999
Albert Huang ’99 is working in robotics in Boston. See page 15 for an update on Albert’s work today.
Irving Fain is CEO and co-founder of CrowdTwist, a company that helps brands create customer loyalty with a platform that allows users to earn points for activities online. “CrowdTwist is the only multi-channel brand loyalty platform that is fundamentally changing the way marketers build rewarding relationships between brands and people,” Irving says. Customers include Pepsi, The Miami Dolphins, and
Manish Naik ’92, Kirstin McCarthy
JCPenney.
’99 and her fiancée Eric, and Cara
Vileno ’97 gathered at the Hamilton
Before founding CrowdTwist, Irving ran digital marketing
for the February D.C. Happy Hour.
and social platforms for Clear Channel Radio Digital, developing and implementing strategy for 1,000+ radio stations nationwide.
Before becoming a media entrepreneur, Irving worked in
the world of finance. He spent time as a venture investor and an investment banker, specializing in raising capital for early stage companies.
Using social media as a business tool: Wiley Cerilli ’98
1998
2001
2002 Reunion 2012
In response to the last Cupola,
Class Correspondent
Class Correspondent
Kyla Rudnick writes, “Hi, I just
Liz Donat
Jason Engle
saw the listing of MB alumni
957 NW 63rd St.
12 Marsden Court
who served in the Peace Corps
Seattle, WA 98107-2215
Seekonk, MA 02771
and a call for who else has
401-864-9600
401-475-4342
served. I served in the Peace
emdonat@gmail.com
jasonengle@littlekidsinc.com
Corps in Ghana from 2006-
1999
2008. I did a master’s interna-
Emily Glinick continues to work
tional program with Peace
as a freelance stage manager
Corps and Washington State
in New York City, primarily for
Wiley Cerilli ’98 of SinglePlatform is another alumnus at the
Class Correspondent
University and did research for
Lincoln Center Theater. She
forefront of new technology and business models. Wiley was
Kirstin McCarthy
my master’s in environmental
spends most of her summers
highlighted in Business Insider in an article on the Top 25
1751 New Hampshire Ave., NW,
anthropology while serving. I
working with the Chautauqua
Startups in NYC in 2011. Two of the highlighted companies
Apt. A
know it’s far in the future for
Theater Company. She is close
were founded by Moses Brown alums from the class of ‘98
Washington, DC 20009
MB students, but master’s in-
with fellow classmates Zara Se-
401-447-5770
ternational degrees are inter-
rabian-Arthur and Edith Palm-
kirstinmccarthy@yahoo.com
esting programs that combine
ieri, who also reside in New
course work with Peace Corps
York City.
including Wiley’s startup (SinglePlatform) and Irving Fain’s (CrowdTwist).
Wiley’s company, SinglePlatform, works with restaurants
Karissa Bollengier Thrall and
service for the completion of
her husband Steven welcomed
an M.A. or M.S. degree.” Kyla
Jake Hays has been on the road
their first child, Charlie
lives in Seattle and can be
and out of the country. He just
interest from Google. Wiley was previously the executive vice
Thomas, in May. They live in
reached at kylarudnick@
finished an M.A. in philosophy
president of SeamlessWeb.
Warwick.
yahoo.com.
(with a focus on environmen-
to bring their menus and businesses online and recently partnered with Foursquare. Wiley’s start-up has also attracted
34
Class Notes 2002
Three MB alumni
Tech Sociality: Drew Harry ’01
joined the Moses Brown Alumni Association board this year: Gina Guiducci ’97 Ahvi Spindell ’72 Taylor Rotondi Anderson ’02
Drew Harry is a Ph.D. student in the Media Lab at MIT, Sergeant Will MacLeod ’02 came home in September for two weeks of leave after seven months of daily combat southwest
working specifically in the Speech + Mobility group. He worked in the Sociable Media Group from 2006-2008. Drew is
of Kandahar, Afghanistan. His girlfriend Maura Strickland is the
interested in designing, building, and studying systems for
assistant varsity field hockey coach at Moses Brown. Will is a
technology-mediated sociality.
Cavalry Scout with the 4th Squadron, 4th Cavalry, 1HBCT, 1st
Infantry. While on leave, Will got together with Julia Shaw, Kara
that can be used to complement some other social
Foley, Andrew Patterson, Vark Markarian and many other friends.
situation,” Drew says, “like a lecture, business meeting, class
Will returned to Afghanistan and safely completed his deployment
discussion, or large-scale live events. I joke sometimes that
in December. He had a grand visit with Christian Sorensen at
all my work is secretly about helping introverts manage
Christmas and hopes to attend his 10th reunion at MB in 2012.
“My work focuses on designing communication systems
introversion by creating new communication channels where it’s easier to participate and feel like part of a group.”
Learn more or see videos on Drew’s website at http://
web.media.mit.edu/~dharry/.
2001
Matthew Fishbein writes, “Hello to all my classmates and friends! I married my love, Jackie Asadorian Fishbein, in September! Vark Markarian, Jimmy Falcon, and Derek Freeman all stood by my side. Sara Farley and Peter and Kathy Shank were also on hand to celebrate this momentous occasion. Hope all is well and I look forward to seeing everyone at our 10th Reunion this May!” Matt works in annual giving/ alumni affairs at Thayer Academy in Braintree and also coaches Thayer’s football team.
Congratulations to Becca Rotelli ’01 and Matt Mignanelli ’01 on their wedding! In attendance were several MB alumni: Seamus Deegan, Amanda Gannaway, Adam Pennacchio, Adam Mignanelli ’03,
tal ethics) at the University of
Hayden Jones, Ashley Silvestri ’05, Matt Holland, Veronica Rotelli Vacca ’97, Michael Vacca ’96, Kate
Montana and arrived in NYC
Brier ’02, Kyle Rotelli ’04, Michael Jacober, Chris Rotelli ’99, and Kate Sullivan ’96. Becca and Matt live
in June. Jake is working as a
Jenny Moniz is happy to have
program director for an organi-
finally settled into her new
zation called PSE (Physicians,
apartment on Beacon Hill in
Scientists, & Engineers for
Boston. She is eager to catch
Sustainable Healthy Energy).
up with any alumni in the area
Aside from a recent trip to
when she is not busy working
Banff, Alberta, and a spring
on her business, Ivy Sit.
trip to Moab, Utah, his
2003
A quick scan of the alumni list at the Leadership Rhode Island website indicates several LRI
Montana for the past two
Aaron Tracy finished his mas-
Several other MB community members join them, including current parents Paul Adler,
years. Jake graduated from
ter’s in healthcare manage-
Lori Basilico and MJ Kaplan; past parent Carolyn Benedict-Drew; and MB Communications
Connecticut College in 2006
ment at Duquesne University
Director Sandi Seltzer. Are you a Leadership Rhode Island alumnus, too, or doing work here
and has several stories to re-
in June. In August, he started
in our state worthy of mention in Cupola? Updates welcome: send a photo/note to alumni@
port. Before Montana, he lived
medical school at Sackler
mosesbrown.org for our next issue.
in Hawaii working as a bee-
School of Medicine in Tel Aviv,
keeper and in Alaska working
Israel. One of his classmates is
as a dog musher/handler.
Aaron Abrams ’05.
adventures have been centered mostly around western
in New York City.
250 Lloyd: fertile ground for future Rhode Island leaders? graduates with MB connections: Alan Axelrod ’72, Paul Boghossian ’72, and Neal Pandozzi ’91.
35
MosesBrownSchool Place
Reva Street ’05 can now be found in Philadelphia, pursuing a doctoral program at Drexel. “Drexel is a great place to be doing innovative research!” Reva says. “The school has a major focus on engineering co-ops, emphasizing the importance of
A few MB alumni are presenting at the TEDx event taking
collaboration between academia and industry. The city of Philadelphia is also full
place at Moses Brown on April 19. “Lives That Speak” will
of hospitals, schools and companies that offer opportunities to make contacts. I
feature Melissa Maxwell ’81, Uday Kumar ’90, and Carlos
love the city; once my work is done for the day, there is a wealth of history, arts,
Andrés Gómez ’00. Some MB parents are also featured: Bill
2005
Harley P’02 ’05, Don Sweitzer P’05, Paul Sorensen P’02, and
theater, restaurants and museums to explore.” See page 16 for more from Reva.
Maria DeCarvalho P ’02 ’05. See more on page 20.
2004
photos: Veolia
Willis Monroe married Hayley Lacis this past October at the Great Friends Meeting House, a beautiful building dating from 1699 in Newport. In attendance were Bill Domineau ’07, Dylan Block-Harley ’05, Mike Blackman ’04, Lanny Fox ’05, Dan Gardiner ’03, Jon Smalletz ’04 and Zac Brenner ’04. Willis and Hayley have a blog, about their wedding and about their summer working in Turkey. Enjoy! http://hayleyandwillis.com.
2004
Moving Ahead: Dan Winston ’05 Ted Parker married Heather Harken last August. He met his wife at freshman orientation at
After two years in management consulting, Dan Winston ’05
Middlebury College and they were married at Mead Memorial Chapel on the Middlebury
has moved into transportation, hoping to focus on making
campus. John Campopiano was best man and Ted’s brother Matt ’00 and classmate Dan
urban communities great places to live and work. “Public
Ostroff were his groomsmen. Pam Priestley also attended. Heather is a teacher at the Mary
transportation is a big part of that,” he says. Dan works for
McDowell Center for Learning in Brooklyn and received her master’s in special education at
Veolia Transportation, a Paris-based company that manages
the Bank Street College in New York. Ted is presently teaching high school English at the
public transit networks in cities and towns across the world:
King School in Stamford, Connecticut.
“We run commuter rail in Boston, streetcars in New Orleans, and also taxis and airport shuttles.”
Dan is transition manager for the start-up of Veolia’s
2004
Class Correspondent
public-private partnership to operate the bus system in
Kori Burnham
Nassau County, New York. “This is an amazing chance to
1872 Commonwealth Ave.,
Hannah Schofield is back at
play a role in a project that could completely change the
Apartment 10
MB, as a long-term substitute
passion for Shakespeare, serv-
public transit industry,” he says. “Nassau is a cash-strapped
Brighton, MA 02135
in the middle school, through
ing as a coordinator for the
suburb of a big city, like so many others across the country.
508-954-3981
June. Hannah is teaching
Brown University and Gamm
kori.burnham@gmail.com
English for Maureen Nagle,
Theatre Shakespeare Institute
2005
now on maternity leave.
and as an actor, assistant
Hannah earned her B.A. from
director and dramaturge of
Bryn Mawr College in English
the Bryn Mawr Shakespeare
Class Correspondent
and her M.A.T. from Brown
Performance Troupe.
Nick Artenstein
University. Last spring, while
Hannah’s drama background
538 East Ave.
Nassau County — and could also transform the way cities,
completing her final course-
will certainly help as MB
Pawtucket, RI 02860
work at Brown, Hannah was
middle schoolers study A
counties and states across the U.S. think about their transit
401-413-1265
hired to teach English and
Raisin in the Sun and Romeo
systems.”
nick.artenstein@gmail.com
advise at Wheeler. She has a
and Juliet this year.
We’re trying to make the best use of limited funds for such important goals: transporting 100,000 people every day to jobs, schools, or hospitals; keeping our drivers and other workers well-compensated members of the middle class; and minimizing the burden on Nassau County’s taxpayers. Our project will have tremendous impact on the residents of
36
Brochure Inside FINAL.pdf
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11/22/2011
9:40:51 AM
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CMY
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37
1953, 1980, 2011 Sarah Engle graduated magna cum laude from Brown with a B.A. in psychology. She works as an assistant buyer at Bloomingdale’s in New York City and also teaches SAT classes for Kaplan.
2007
photo: Annie Potash
2010
Three generations: Bob Oresman ’80, his dad Dick ’53, and son David ’11 gathered for a photo at graduation this past May. David is now is in his freshman year at Syracuse.
2006
Anne Goldberg is working on her master’s of classical composition at the Manhattan School of Music in New York City. She is the founder and artistic director of her own dance company and music collective, the Synthesis Aesthetics Project. Featuring
Jack Ryan ’10, now in his second year at MIT, had an interesting summer.
original music and choreography
He landed a job writing code for the MIT nuclear lab. Jack is a nuclear
by Anne, the company is a non-
science and engineering major, interested in clean energy. He also
profit organization that focuses on
competes on the varsity rowing team and is the fourth fastest freshman
bringing the arts into schools and
in MIT’s history.
communities around New York and New England.
2007 Reunion 2012 Class Correspondent
Kelly Pearson works for
Lindy Nash
Cannon Design, an architec-
1312 Narragansett Blvd.
ture and engineering firm in
Cranston, RI 02905
Boston, Massachusetts.
401-527-0896
2010
linden.nash@conncoll.edu
2008
base for Tufts in 2011. The team finished their season
Class Correspondent
Class Correspondent
Last summer, Alexandra Bicki
Class Correspondent
with a 27-9-1 record and won
Jamie Gilson
Nate Silver
worked at Clinica Esperanza in
Natalie Triedman
their second straight New
100 Prospect St.
2046 W Cortez #2
Olneyville developing clinical
283 Wayland Ave.
England Small College Athletic
Providence, RI 02906
Chicago, IL 60622
research projects to improve
Providence, RI 02906
Conference title.
401-421-1640
Home 401-272-3319
Hispanics’ access to health-
401-575-3142
silver.nate@gmail.com
care. She credits Señora Baez
nkt387@aol.com
2009
2006
jmgilson425@gmail.com After a semester studying in
and Señor Flaxman for her Evan Ruppell is a first-year
ability to communicate well
Sam Sager, currently a senior
Class Correspondent
Paris last fall, class correspon-
medical student at Lake
with patients. Alexandra will
at Tufts University, signed
Betsy Tammaro
dent Jamie Gilson had another
Erie College of Medicine in
be graduating from the Univer-
on to play with the Harwich
69 Londonderry Way
“fantastic and significantly
Greensburg, Pennsylvania. He
sity of Miami in December and
Mariners of the Cape Cod
Uxbridge, MA 01569
warmer” second semester at
participated in his white coat
hopes to begin studying for her
League this past summer. Sam
401-477-6545
the University of Southern
ceremony in October.
master’s of public health soon.
started all 37 games at third
betsy.tammaro@gmail.com
California in the spring.
38
Class Notes
1980s At their eighth grade graduation last June, Class of 2015 alumni children smile with their parents from left to right: George Panichas, III, George Panichas, Jr. ’83, Mindy Fischer Penney ’84, Bobby Penney, Heather Handrigan Ross ’85, Hayden Ross, Gregory Schadone ’85, Danielle Schadone, Vin Giordano ’83, Gabby Rocchio-Giordano, and Lisa Rocchio ’85. There are a total of 12 alumni families in this year’s MB freshman class including Bernie Buonanno III ’84 and his daughter Meghan, Stephen DeLeo ’79 and his son Stephen, Jr., Marc Janigian ’82 and his son Leo, Tim McCahan ’80 and his daughter Olivia, Charles Milot ’76 and his son Bret, Matt Slepkow ’88 and his son Cal, and Phil Zexter ’81 and his daughter Lily.
MyMB: Molly Sullivan ’11 2011 Alumni Office Summer Intern Interviewed at Reunion 2011 When you think of Moses Brown, what are the first words that come to mind? One word is community. There is a huge sense of community at MB, especially when you have lower, middle, and upper schoolers all together. We’re not isolated from one another, there’s a lot of interaction. When did you come to MB? What did you think at the time? I came to MB in fourth grade. In terms of my overall Moses Brown experience, I don’t really think my little ten-year-old brain would have ever predicted half the things that I’ve done and what I’m going to do. How would you describe a Moses Brown student? Everyone at Moses Brown is really open to learning about other people. Everyone has different interests but there’s kind of this mutual sense of respect, and openness and understanding of each other that I don’t think is as present in other schools. Was there any particular teacher or experience at MB that really helped shape you? The science and English departments: both departments are just fabulous in terms of teaching, and being really helpful and inspiring. While at MB, Molly was a member of the debate team, Student Alumni Association, Media Club, and Environmental Club. Molly is now a freshman at the University of Southern California.
Share your own comments on this issue at our online survey page visit www.mosesbrown.org • email alumni@mosesbrown.org comment at facebook.com/MosesBrownSchool
Send news/notes/photos/feedback for the next issue to:
Susan Cordina, Class Notes Editor
Alumni Relations
Moses Brown School
alumni@mosesbrown.org
Become a FAN of Moses Brown at facebook.com/mosesbrownschool Log in to CAMPUSLINK, MB’s online directory, at www.mosesbrown.org SEE photos and videos from the past year at MB Follow MB on TWITTER | Be sure we have your personal email address At Reunion 2011, several alumni and fami-
to send E-NEWS with info on special events and regional gatherings
lies gathered: Hugh Madden ’84’s family,
near you.
Todd Grant ’84 and his son Tyler, Rich Bache ’06, Allison Weitberg Jones ’96 and daughters, and Tom Andrew.
39
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.
Everett White, Class of 1938, attended Brown
Samuel Parsons, Class of 1940, graduated from
Charles Edwards, Class of 1947, a graduate of Brown
University and was employed by the Providence
Harvard and Boston University Law School. In World
University and Harvard Law School, served in the U.S.
Journal Company for 38 years. He was a fighter pilot
War II, he served in the Navy as a Quartermaster First
Navy as a lieutenant on the USS Fletcher, DDE 445. He
in the U.S. Army Air Corps in World War II serving in
Class on the WWI Battleship Nevada at Normandy and
practiced law at Edwards & Angell with a brief
China with the Flying Tigers of the 14th Air Force,
in the Mediterranean, was on the new destroyer
interval as Assistant Attorney General of Rhode Island
23rd Group, 75th Squadron. Everett was a member of
Hawkins, and was in Tokyo when the war ended. Sam
in charge of the civil division, and later had a private
First Baptist Church in America, St. Johns Lodge #1
worked for 35 years at the Old Colony Trust Company,
practice in Little Compton. He was proud of his pro
F&AM and the Roger Williams Family Association. He
where he became a vice president in the trust
bono work with the American Civil Liberties Union,
served the town of Barrington as chairman of the
division, working as a portfolio manager
defending such rights as pro-choice, Indian land
board of tax assessors, was past president and
concentrating in pension trusts. He was a sailing
rights, fair housing, and free speech. He served on the
director of the Advertising Media Credit Executives
enthusiast with a particular interest in classic wooden
boards of Hospice Care of R.I., Providence Players, the
Association and a director of the National Newspaper
sailboats. (11/5/11)
Charitable Fuel Society, Little Compton Historical
Purchasing Association. (9/26/11)
Society and the Sakonnet Preservation Association.
James Elder, Class of 1942, was a graduate of Brown
(8/20/11)
Robert Allen, Class of 1939, the first student to
and had a long and distinguished career as a financial
represent Moses Brown in a sailing regatta, graduated
analyst, most recently with Janney, Montgomery &
Richard O’Neil, Class of 1949, a U.S. veteran, was
from Brown University where he was on the sailing
Scott. A WWII Navy veteran, he was a member of the
executive director of American Standard, Inc. He
and tennis teams. Bob joined the U.S. Coast Guard,
Providence Art Club, the University Club, Barrington
lived in Placentia, California. Dick and his wife
serving on the Cutter Calypso, and was executive
Yacht Club and Barrington Congregational Church.
Jacquelyn had six children and were longtime regular
officer on the tanker Michigamme. He worked for G.P.
James and his wife Helen had four children and
supporters of Moses Brown via annual gifts. Dick was
Metcalf, Franklin Processing Co. and owned
several grandchildren. (1/2/12)
a day student, commuting from Edgewood. He spent
Barrington Yarns until retiring. A member of the Barrington Yacht Club, Bob also delivered for Meals on Wheels and St. John’s Church Meals and enjoyed flying kites at Colt State Park and Bailey’s Beach. (10/20/11)
only one year at MB, post-grad, but said, “It was the
John Cady, Class of 1945, an avid sailor, graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy where he crewed on the yawl, Royono, for the renowned Bermuda Race. He served in Korea aboard the USS St. Paul, and later
best year of my school days. I cherish the people I met, the memories and education I got at Moses Brown.” Dick competed on MB’s football and wrestling teams. (6/3/11)
aboard a number of nuclear submarines. Pete
Tristram Coffin, Class of 1939, attended Haverford,
commanded the USS Seawolf and the FBM nuclear
Malcolm Chace, Class of 1952, a Yale University
then spent three years in the Army Air Corps and
submarine USS George Bancroft. After retiring from
graduate, began his career as a private investor at
Signal Corps during WWII. He received his M.A. and
service as captain, Pete brought his nuclear
Chase Manhattan Bank and returned to Providence to
Ph.D. from the University of Pennsylvania. Tris taught
engineering expertise to several companies in the
participate in the family businesses. He founded Bank
at Denison University for nine years, then returned to
New York tri-state area. He volunteered at the
RI and remained as chairman of the board and
Penn where he taught until his retirement. He co-
Strawbery Banke carpentry shop and was active with
succeeded his father on the board of Berkshire
founded the university’s department of folklore and
the Strawbery Banke croquet group. (3/24/11)
Hathaway, Inc. One of Kim’s proudest moments in
was an internationally known folklorist. His books include The British Traditional Ballad in North America and The Book of Christmas Folklore (a Book-of-the-Month Club selection). Dr. Coffin hosted the national PBS show Lyrics and Legends and edited the “American Folklore” series for Voice of America. Tris also loved sports. He served as tennis pro at Point Judith Country Club for 23 years; coached the Denison tennis team to five titles; and authored two books on the sport. He also coached soccer at Denison and refereed soccer for 15 years in the Philadelphia area. Tris always felt the most satisfactory accomplishment of his life was, without ever having played soccer, taking over the Denison University varsity team which had gone 0-10 in 1955 and, with the same squad, winning the Ohio Conference league in 1956 with a 6-2-2 record. (1/31/12)
support of the arts in Providence was the opening of
Ormston Aldred, Class of 1946, a Korean War U.S. army veteran, attended Brown University. Following his father and grandfather, he was an executive at Gladdings Department Store in Providence. Orm retired to Utica, New York and worked for his friends
the Rhode Island School of Design Chace Center. In recognition of his dedication to Rhode Island education, he received honorary degrees from Brown University, Bryant University and Johnson & Wales University. (6/23/11)
at Express Systems Integration and later became a private consultant. While in Rhode Island, he was a
Robert Mirando, Class of 1952, graduated from the
member of the Barrington Yacht Club. (5/13/11)
Babson Institute of Business Administration, then worked at his family’s company, Imperial Knife Associated Companies, Inc. He established R.P.M. Metals, working as a metallurgic consultant to several manufacturing companies throughout New England and New York. Bobby’s avid interest in automobiles drew him to participate in some SCCA races; he was owner of Mirando Toyota and Mirando Motors, Inc. Bobby was an avid Notre Dame football fan and, in retirement, published a vacation magazine about Cape Cod and the Islands. (7/10/11)
40
G. Phillips Kelly, Class of 1954, a graduate of Amherst College and Columbia School of Business, began a 17-year career at Bloomingdale’s in New York while a graduate student. He became chairman of Marshall Field’s Chicago Division, president and CEO of J.W. Robinson’s, in California, and president and CEO of Garfinckel’s, Washington, D.C. When Marshall
Louis Jackvony, Class of 1965, a graduate of
Sarah Crane, Class of 1991, graduated from Lake
Field’s became the target of a hostile takeover, Phil and
Villanova and Suffolk University Law, practiced law at
Forest College and received her M.A. in higher
business partner opened up Mallard’s, a popular chain
his father’s firm, Jackvony and Jackvony Attorneys at
education administration from Suffolk University.
of men’s clothing stores, around the corner from
Law, and was North Smithfield town solicitor. He was
She was associate director of admissions at the
Marshall Field’s flagship store. Phil was president and
the founder of RI Title Services, Ltd., was licensed as a
Wentworth Institute of Technology and a board
actively planned the successful expansion of privately-
real estate broker and president of Olde Towne Realty,
member for the New England Transfer Association.
held Almacenes De Prati in Guayaquil and Quito,
Inc., as well as a Florida licensed title agent and
One of Sarah’s greatest joys was spending summers
Ecuador. He served on the board of the Museum of
founder of Eastern Title and Closing Services Inc of
with family in Glen Arbor, Michigan. (8/25/11
Contemporary Art in Chicago. (4/5/11)
Merritt Island. Recently Louis attended Providence College, pursuing a master’s degree in American
Edwin Howell, Class of 1956, studied civil
history. (7/28/11)
engineering at the University of Pennsylvania on a
Michael Bono, Class of 1998, lived in Georgia with his family: wife Heather and twin children, Aiden and Emma. Michael served in the U.S. Army with the
Navy ROTC scholarship, then served with the Seabees
Paul Warburton, Class of 1971, attended Dartmouth
501th Airborne in Iraq and was stationed at Camp
in San Diego and on Christmas Island, taking part in
and graduated from Providence College, majoring in
Merrill in Dahlonega, Ga. He previously had been
the final above-ground nuclear tests in the South
history and playing hockey for both schools. He
stationed in Alaska. After Moses Brown, he attended
Pacific. Following his naval service, Ted worked for
worked in the claims department of Metropolitan Life
Alfred University. Mike was a devoted father. While
the Peter Kiewit Construction Company before
Home & Auto and was a sports writer for several local
an MB student, he competed in lacrosse and track for
starting Howell Estimating Systems. He volunteered
papers. He enjoyed tennis, ping-pong, traveling and
the Quakers. (3/17/12))
with the town of Seekonk, Edgewood Yacht Club, and
swimming at the beach. In 2010, Paul accomplished a
the First Unitarian Church of Providence. An avid
lifelong dream by publishing a book on his beloved
sailor, Ted sailed in the Newport to Bermuda Race as
sport of baseball entitled Signature Seasons: Fifteen
well as the regular Tuesday evening series at
Baseball Legends at Their Most Memorable 1908-1949.
Edgewood Yacht Club on Narragansett Bay. (6/22/11)
(10/2/11)
Donald Troppoli, Class of 1958, served in the U.S.
Seabury Waring, Class of 1973, a graduate of Ohio
lacrosse. After graduation, Evan remained in
Army. He was employed by Laserfare, Imperial Knife
State, was a self-employed welding engineer and
Colorado, working as a ski instructor and enjoying the
and most recently as a purchasing manager for
certified welding inspector. He was a member of the
powder at Vail. He particularly enjoyed spending
GTECH. Donald lived in Rehoboth for the past 30
American Welding Society and the American Society
summers with his cousins at his grandmother’s home
years. (6/30/11)
of Nondestructive Testing. Seabury was a parishioner
in Mattapoisett, Massachusetts. (11/2/11)
Evan Spirito, Class of 2006, loved team sports and played football, hockey and lacrosse at MB and, more recently, was a dedicated MB coach for the latter. He was a recent graduate of Colorado College where he majored in economics and played football and
of Sacred Heart Church in East Providence and a
James Pearson, Class of 1962, a Florida Atlantic
member of People of God’s Love prayer community. (6/26/11)
Former Faculty/Staff
Education Association. He graduated in the charter
Andrew Arkway, Class of 1978, a longtime Rhode
Jane Rotch Boissevain taught French, coached, and
class of Nova University Law School and practiced law
Island resident, worked at the Roger Williams Park
was a member of MB’s Residential Community from
in Broward County for 35 years. James served in
Zoo and then as stewardship director of the
1981–1985. She graduated from Williams College and
several civic organizations and was a founding
Aquidneck Land Trust. His premier project while at
lived for two years in Switzerland where she attended
member of the Broward County Prologue Society.
the ALT was the five-mile-long Sakonnet Greenway
the Valmont School in Lausanne. After MB, she
(6/30/11)
Trail. Andy was a great outdoorsman, who loved
volunteered at Youth for Understanding and worked
mountaineering and skiing. He learned to climb in the
for Amideast in Washington, D.C., the Weldon-Cooper
MB Field House with Dave McNab. Andy was a
Center for Public Service and then the Center for the
member of the Narragansett Bay Wheelmen and lived
Study of Mind and Human Interaction. Joy then
in Newport. (7/8/11)
served as associate director of the Center for Global
University graduate, taught in Broward County and served as a field representative for the Florida
Roger Davis, Class of 1964, served in the U.S. Air Force National Guard as a technical sergeant. He worked as a technician for the Hawaiian Telephone Company and as a maintenance supervisor for Certified Management, Inc. Roger lived in Hawaii and had 23 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. (11/5/09)
Health. Recently, she was awarded her master’s in public health from the University of Virginia where she was also recognized for her years of service with the Leonard Sandridge Award for Outstanding Contribution to the University. (10/5/11)
41
Former Faculty & Staff Upper school math teacher Bill Whitmore writes from Maine: “Teaching at Moses Brown … to this day I still tell people it was the best job I have ever had. I remember clearly the June day in 1986 that I drove off the Moses Brown campus for the last time, not sure if I was doing the right thing. I felt the pull to return home to Maine but I knew that I was leaving something special. MB had, and still has, it all: a motivated student body, dedicated faculty, strong administrative leadership, and an amazing commitment from its alumni. Teaching at MB as my first job after college was tremendous preparation and training for my future. In many ways I feel like I have a degree from MB as well.”
Bill taught for three years in Portland, then took a job as an actuary for Blue
Storytime at MB, another time.
Cross and Blue Shield. He still works for Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Maine as vice president of underwriting. “Health insurance has been a particularly dynamic industry to work in over the past few years,” Bill says, “given the current administration’s focus on health care.” He spends his nonwork time running, cycling, and relaxing with family. Bill lives in Falmouth with his wife Kay and teenage children, Abigail and Alex. “Abigail inherited her mother’s beautiful soprano voice and plays clarinet, piano, and tuba,” he says. “Alex followed more in my footsteps and competes at basketball, baseball, and golf. Life is busy, but great.”
Bill still calls many of his MB colleagues good friends and even ran a half-
marathon in Providence with Ted Fischer ’83 last year. “Thank you, MB, for all you did for me,” he writes. Say hello to Bill at william.whitmore@anthem.com.
MB faculty member Marga Jones circa 1971.
Alumni still recall the works Robert Clough (upper school English, 1968-77) assigned in class. Robert left MB to chair his own English department at Hamden Hall CDS in 1976. From there, he switched to alumni relations at Cranbrook School where he became point person for two capital campaigns. Robert assumed his first director of An ’89 alumnus recently wrote in
development position at Cheshire Academy, then transferred to Vermont Academy to complete two more
looking for news on former faculty
campaigns. Robert spent a year at Viewpoint School in California before taking his first higher-ed, home-satellite
member John Baird (1981-1989). John
position with Norwich University.
is now head of school at Westtown
School in West Chester, Pennsylvania.
my dean and I have an ambitious pact to facilitate new College of Engineering facilities, so I currently have some
Read more about John today at
job security. Though I find less time to read for pleasure, I always enjoy John Irving and occasionally revisit a
www.westtown.edu.
classic. Having been involved with Project Discovery at MB, I continue as a faithful Trinity Rep subscriber. Finally,
“I’ve since been with the URI College of Engineering for 15 years,” he writes. “I’m certainly eligible to retire, but
for those who might remember a couple of my personal interests, yes, I still drive a Porsche and downhill ski.” Contact Robert at rclough@foundation.uri.edu.
42
Bigelow steam boilers installed in MB’s power plant in 1940.
Endowment fuels the future Imagine if you never had to buy gas for your car! That’s what a strong endowment and your legacy gift can do for MB. Like a smooth running machine, Moses Brown’s fiscal engine is powered by income received through tuition, charitable donations and annual distributions from endowed funds. A legacy gift to MB is an investment in the future that fuels the school’s ability to build long-term financial sustainability on a
foundation of increasing endowment income. The school uses the annual income distributions from the endowment to help ensure that we are providing the best education possible; from funds that support great teaching to particular program areas and scholarship. You can set up a named, endowed scholarship
or faculty chair, or provide endowed support for your favorite program (athletic team, theater, music, service, etc.) via a bequest or life income giving strategy. In many cases, a life income gift can provide you with tax benefits and income TODAY, while MB gets a significant gift TOMORROW.
peer comparisons: financial strength & sustainability As Moses Brown looks to the future, plans are emerging to raise significant funds to increase endowment and bolster long-term financial sustainability. School BB&N Germantown Friends Milton Academy Moses Brown Noble & Greenough Sidwell Friends St. George’s
Founded
2011-12 Enrollment
1889 1845 1798 1784 1866 1883 1896
965 1,120 990 779 555 1,100 345
Endowment value* $50M 37M 190M 21M 42M 37M 95M
Endowment per student
2011-12 Tuition**
$51,813 33,036 191,919 26,958 75,676 33,636 275,362
$36,600 27,500 37,530 28,385 37,300 32,960 32,600
* Endowment figures are the market value as of June 30, 2011. ** Represents upper school day tuition.
To learn more and to forever be associated with Moses Brown as a member of the Obadiah Brown Society, contact Ron Dalgliesh, director of development and alumni relations, at 401-831-7350 x111 or rdalgliesh@mosesbrown.org or visit www.mosesbrown.org/plannedgiving
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
For the Honor of Truth
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.
What’s Ahead! MB Reunion 2012 May 11-12
For the Classes of ‘37 ‘42 ‘47 ‘52 ‘57 ‘62 ‘67 ‘72 ‘77 ‘82 ‘87 ‘92 ‘97 ‘02 ‘07 See how things look at MB today and see old friends and new. Something to look forward to! MB Reunion 2012 Refresh your Moses Brown view anew this May. Register for Reunion at mosesbrown.org/alumni and connect with other folks in the MB community anytime at www.facebook.com/mosesbrownschool. Reunion 2012 will offer special events for classes ending in 2 and 7, though all alumni are welcome to attend, from any year, former faculty, too! To register, see who is coming, or get the latest MB updates, visit mosesbrown.org/alumni, contact alumni@mosesbrown.org, or call 401-831-7350 x288.