Spring Summer 2016
Cupola
Learning Emanuela Binello ’91 Pathway to Reinvention Greg Stones ’92 Meredith Achey ’06
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 2015-2016 Paul Adler P ’14 ’16 Issmat Atteereh P ’13 ’18 Greg Baldwin ’87 Neil S. Beranbaum ’86 P ’22 ’24 Clerk, Enrollment & Marketing Committee Russell Carpenter ’59 Charlene Cassese P ’16 ’18 Clerk, Parents’ Association Peter Crysdale Elaine Dickson P ’18 ’22 Ted Fischer ’83 P ’12 ’14 ’17 Gary Goldberg ’87 P ’17 ’19 ’20 Clerk, Campaign Steering Committee Brian Goldner P ’14 Habib Y. Gorgi ’74 P ’08 ’10 ’12 ’17 Clerk of the Board Clerk, Executive Committee Karen Hammond P ’10 ’14 ’14 Michael Hirtle Lee Jaspers P ’11 ’14 Recording Clerk of the Board Gardner Lane P ’27 ’28 Kathleen Levesque P ’12 ’14 ’17 Assistant Clerk of the Board Rachel Littman ’87 P ’20 ’22 Clerk, Trustees Committee Frederick Martin Mike McGuigan Donald McNemar Friends Coordinator Kara Milner P ’19 ’21 ’27 Mary Lee Morrison Elizabeth Morse George Panichas ’83 P ’15 ’18 Clerk, MB Alumni Association Lisa Rocchio ’85 P ’14 ’15 ’21 Clerk, Nominating Committee W. Bradley Shipp ’83 Clerk, Buildings & Grounds Committee Liesa Stamm Alisha Pina Thounsavath ’96 Heather Tow-Yick ’94 Dawn Tripp P ’19 ’24
About Our Cover
Clerk, Nurturing Friends Education Carl Weinberg P ’90 ’94 ’16 ’24 Treasurer of the Board Clerk, Budget & Finance Committee Cecily Kerr Ziegler P ’22 ’24 Elizabeth R.B. Zimmerman P ’94 Matt Glendinning Head of School Frederick Weiss Clerk of NEYM
The next issue of Cupola will focus on People. Suggestions welcome!
Emanuela Binello ’91 is shown at Boston Medical Center where she works as a neurosurgeon. See page 16 for more from Emanuela. Are you on a learning path, too? Let us know! alumni@mosesbrown.org.
Learning
Cupola Spring/Summer 2016 Letter from Matt Glendinning
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News from Moses Brown Today
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Reflecting on Learning
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Reaching Beyond the Gates
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Gifts in Action
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Alumni Profiles:
Emanuela Binello ’91
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Greg Stones ’92
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Meredith Achey ’06
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Zoe Bell ’05
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Tom Myers ’77
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Nat White ’59
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Tim Hurley ’99
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MB Alumni Association Events & News
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Departing Faculty
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MBAA Award Recipients
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Reunion 2016
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Class Notes
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The Class of 2016: Commencement
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In Memoriam
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Essay: Brad Martin ’91
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Thanks to Guest Editor Marnie Patterson Cochran ’86, p. 15.
Cupola A bi-annual magazine for Moses Brown School alumni Editor: Adam Olenn ’91 P ’25 ’27 Managing Editor: Kristen A. Curry Class Notes Editor: Susan Cordina P ’16 Director of Alumni Relations: Karin Morse ’79 Assistant Head of School for Institutional Affairs: Ronald Dalgliesh P ’21 Contributors: Emily Atkinson P ’14 ’18, Kristen A. Curry, Sam Mandeville, Adam Olenn ’91 P ’25 ’27 Photography: Peter Goldberg, David O’Connor, Adam Olenn ’91 P ’25 ’27 Designer: Bridget Snow Design
Stay in touch! Good luck to the Class of 2016, heading off to new learning adventures! See Commencement video/photos at mosesbrown.org/commencement. All alumni: be sure we have your best email and mailing addresses for MB news and event invitations. Send address changes, comments, news, photos, or suggestions to alumni@ mosesbrown.org. Follow: www.mosesbrown.org | Facebook.com/MosesBrownSchool | Youtube.com/MosesBrownSchoolNews | mosesbrownblog.wordpress.com | twitter. com/MosesBrown | Instagram.com/mosesbrownschool | MB Connects app
Printer: Colonial Printing, Warwick, certified by the Forest Stewardship Council 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
MB’s vision for world-class Learning: deep content mastery combined with insatiable curiosity and a keen ability to adapt to changing circumstances.
Life Lessons A letter from Matt Glendinning, Head of School
One of my favorite moments of the school year at Moses Brown is Reunion, and on April 30, several hundred alumni returned to campus. Some were there to celebrate their fifth reunion, others their seventieth. What always makes the weekend so special for me as Head of School is having a chance to connect with the history, values, and relationships that have been at the heart of MB since 1784. When I ask alumni what they remember most about Moses Brown, the answer frequently has to do with learning. While that may seem too obvious to warrant mention (we are a school, after all) often what they mean is something quite profound: “ I learned to think and to communicate at Moses Brown.”
“ How to approach a problem, and stick with it until I’d figured it out.”
“ MB gave me the confidence to trust my own intellectual ability.”
“ Moses Brown instilled in me a preoccupation with finding and expressing the truth.”
“ Learning from teachers with vastly different styles prepared me for college and life beyond.”
“I learned how to learn.”
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In addition to more traditional “book learning,” Moses Brown has a long history of conveying such “life lessons,” and this is more important in 2016 than ever. Today, when just about any fact can be accessed instantaneously on a cell phone, the best schools are focused on developing students’ metacognition, i.e., learning about learning, or how to plan, monitor, and assess one’s understanding. Not that foundational skills and knowledge aren’t important; they are. But what really matters is the capacity for agile thinking, developing a mental toolkit that can be adapted to any situation or problem. As I reflect on my own work as Head of School, as you might expect there is a certain base of knowledge that makes doing the job possible — familiarity with child development, pedagogy, budgeting, etc. But in the daily ebb and flow of life at MB, I find myself constantly honing new skills, such as creativity, collaboration, empathy, and equanimity. The need and opportunity for such personal growth is part of what makes this a rewarding career. Sociologist William Bruce Cameron once wrote, “Not everything that counts can be counted, and not everything that can be counted counts.” The challenge for schools, of course, is that teaching ‘soft’
skills and instilling a lifelong love of learning is both an art and a science. At Moses Brown, we’re addressing this challenge head-on by introducing teaching methods like Project-Based Learning and subjects like Engineering and Design, where students learn rigorous content while working as part of a team to solve an authentic problem. In this issue of Cupola we profile a number of alumni whose personal and professional lives exemplify MB’s vision for world-class learning: deep content mastery combined with insatiable curiosity and a keen ability to adapt to changing circumstances. I think you’ll enjoy reading about alumni such as Nat White ’59 and Meredith Achey ’06, who were willing to pivot and adjust as circumstances demanded. And please join us for your next Reunion! I’m eager to hear the story of what you learned at Moses Brown. In friendship,
d
The H. Scotte Gordon Endowed TRIPs Fund at MB was established this year by Scotte’s family and friends to expand opportunities for educational travel, research, and immersion experiences. Scotte was a deeply-valued presence in the Moses Brown community during her 26 years as the director of College Counseling. She is remembered as an exquisite writer with deep intellect and a quick wit, and was a tireless
News from Moses Brown Today
advocate for students and their families, with whom she established meaningful and enduring relationships. A broad cross-section of the community has quickly rallied to support this initiative, with more than $31,000 in contributions from 200 donors as of July. Those wishing to participate can do so at mosesbrown.org/onlinegiving or by contacting Ron Dalgliesh, Asst. Head of School, at (401) 831-7350 x111 or rdalgliesh@ mosesbrown.org.
Kudos to Andrew Binder ’17 who had his work accepted into Earthworks 43rd Open Juried Clay Annual. This very prestigious show is mainly entered by adults who have been working in clay for decades so for Andrew to get in is a real feather in his cap!
Athletics:
Moses Brown was pleased to host visiting poet Brian Turner this year for the annual Book Festival. Turner is an award-winning author of several books of poetry, including Phantom Noise; Here, Bullet; and My Life as a Foreign Country.
• Four MB squash players went 3-0 in the Class C Championship this winter. • MB wrestlers came in first and second for State Championships, qualifying for the New England Championship. • Upper school varsity girls’ basketball had a perfect season (21-0), claiming the title of Division II State Champs. This is the first time in ten years the team has won a championship. • Upper school girls’ swim team placed first at the Providence Cup. • The coed golf team achieved its third undefeated regular season. Will Dickson, co-captain Riley Griffin, and Eli Epstein are ranked in the top ten golfers in Rhode Island. Co-captain Caroline Farber was awarded the Rhode Island Interscholastic League girls’ title. • Jacob Lambert was honored as a Silver Scholar by the Rhode Island Chapter of the National Football Foundation. • Middle school boys’ lacrosse hosted the Harlem Lacrosse and Leadership team for a week in April. They played a joint game against Gordon School and watched the Brown vs. Dartmouth lacrosse game. 5
Tenth-, eleventh-, and twelfth-graders will be off to The Hague this summer. They will be attending the Global Student Leaders Summit exploring human rights. There they will hear from keynote speakers Sheryl WuDunn and Nicholas Kristof, as well as Arun Gandhi and Ndaba Mandela, the grandsons of Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela.
Director of Communications and Community Engagement Adam Olenn ’91 was announced as Rhode Island’s Rising Star this year by Providence Business News.
Students from Beth Lantz’ Global Issues course put together a team for Day One’s 5k. Together the team raised $580 for the program. Upper school students also held their annual Spring Service Day. With locations including the Women’s Center of Rhode Island, Ronald McDonald House, various Providence parks, and on-campus service, students were hard at work helping our community.
Secretary of State Nellie Gorbea visited the fifth grade in February. She spoke to the students about human rights and the ways that they can help make a difference in Rhode Island.
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Engineering Week at MB was a blast this year. The Girl Up Club hosted a lunch with Janet Blume, associate professor of engineering at Brown and former MB parent. Mark Love from Engineers Teaching Algebra held workshops with eighthgraders. And in the lower school, fourthgraders built robots while the first grade engineered their own spinning tops.
Changes in the upper school MB is pleased to announce that Beth Lantz will be the new Dean of Student Life for the upcoming year. The upper school has also created four class dean roles to work alongside Beth. Chosen for their experiences in curriculum development and social emotional learning, we congratulate Meg Fifer (grade 9), David Flaxman (grade 10), Abby Phyfe (grade 11), and Jennifer Stewart (grade 12) in their new roles. Anni Barnard will continue for one year in an interim role to see the seniors she’s worked with graduate in 2017. Elena Mansolillo will be directing the Learning Center next year, continuing the work of retiring faculty member Joyce Hooley-Bartlett.
Thanks to the generosity of the entire community, MBe There raised a record-breaking $84,098. This money will be used for student scholarships and faculty/staff development.
Middle and upper school students traveled to Puerto Rico during Spring Break. The trip was an educational experience to learn about the ecological environment through cultural immersion.
Sustainability update >D uring Earth Week this April, the upper school environmental council took it upon themselves to bring sustainability to the whole community. They led an all-school meeting for worship, created videos to be shared with the community, and ran environmental workshops for lower school students (despite having the day off).
he sustainability committee welcomed Peterson Toscano, >T a queer Quaker climate change activist and performer. He worked with the middle and upper school GSAs, met with an emerging LGBTQ faculty affinity group, and performed for the middle and upper schools. > A 50 kilowatt solar array was installed on the top of the Operations Building in May. We look forward to reducing the amount of energy that we use at MB. > Faculty participated in an in-service day focusing on climate change, Islamophobia, and transgenderism. 7
Reflecting on Learning Current community members on what learning means at MB.
Ghazi Ghumman ‘17 Student
Angus Davis ’95 Tech Entrepreneur and Education Reform Advocate
You might know Angus Davis as the whiz kid who skipped second grade at MB and went on to hack the phone system at Phillips Andover, or as the techno-genius who skipped college to head to Silicon Valley. From his days as the youngest staffer at Netscape to founder/CEO at Swipely (now Upserve), Angus has always pursued learning on his own. Angus attended MB from nursery-9th grade — as the centerpiece of his formal education, Moses Brown influenced his life in many ways. While he confesses that he didn’t have a perfect record here, he also says that the skills he learned in MB’s classrooms and community stuck with him. Despite more visits to Mrs. Raymond’s office than his parents would have liked, in the end, “The values helped me become a better person. Moses Brown encouraged me to pursue creativity, even if I didn’t always fit the mold.” Angus believes in translating classroom lessons to real life. Out-ofschool jobs also added to his education, letting him put skills he learned at MB into use. After middle school English teacher Mrs. Goff taught him writing, he spent a summer at the Bristol Phoenix, rewriting 30-columninch stories to fit 20 inches. After moving back to Rhode Island a decade ago, Angus became interested in public education from an economic development perspective and how great schools could attract people (and jobs) to the state. Then he realized that education is really a civil rights issue, and it’s been a cause for him ever since. He’s tutored fourth graders at the Cuffee School; served on the R.I. Board of Regents; helped bring Teach for America here; won the largest-ever federal grant awarded to the state for “Race to the Top;” and is now on the board for the R.I. Mayoral Academies. “A child’s demographics do not determine her destiny,” Angus says. At Blackstone Valley Prep, the public charter school he helped open, lowincome students now outperform their wealthier peers at Barrington Public Schools. It’s not magic, just the result of investing in great teachers, more time in school, and high expectations. Angus is proud of youth now forging their own paths to success. “I am proud of the kids who are succeeding here in Rhode Island, regardless of zip code,” he comments, “and what this says about our society and the American Dream. People are often reluctant to attempt change to current policies controlling how education dollars are spent. It’s easier for many to give $50 or $100 to a reading program than try to change the way our government spends $50-100 million teaching kids how to read in the first place. Many who read this may be in a position to influence public policies that shape our $621+ billion annual public investment in K12 education. Speak up!” 8
Not even a senior in high school yet and Ghazi Ghumman can already check off two major accomplishments for a career in medical research: presenting a study at a conference at Yale and publishing a paper in the Rhode Island Medical Journal. As a volunteer at Memorial Hospital, Ghazi noticed that although medical personnel were meticulous about sanitizing their hands after every patient interaction, they used the same stethoscope each time without cleaning it. He studied the sanitization of stethoscopes by physicians, nurses, and medical students and had his study selected for a presentation at the Society of General Internal Medicine’s meeting at Yale this March. Along the way, one of the biggest barriers Ghazi encountered was his age. “As a high school student, I would often not get responses or be taken seriously.” But he persevered and was gratified to see his poster accepted and drawing positive responses from doctors at the meeting. Now Ghazi has turned his attention to organ donation. He credits Eric Aaronian and Galen Hamann for sparking his interest in biomedicine. Ghazi wrote about donation for his English class I-Search project, but was not content to leave it there. He was surprised to learn that 122,625 patients wait for transplants (and 22 people die each day waiting) yet only a third of U.S. residents consent to donate. He feels strongly about increasing donation and says, “I wanted other people to read my ideas — publishing it was the best way to do that.” English teacher Kathy O’Connell encouraged Ghazi throughout the submission process. “That encouragement and guidance is a great example of how teachers can drive learning and inspire students to make an impact,” he says. “The best way for me to learn how to publish a paper was to do it myself. Having people read it is the best part because it encourages conversations about how we can improve organ donation. That’s the ultimate goal.”
Carol Entin Lower School Science
A good teacher has most of the answers; an excellent teacher knows she doesn’t have them all and sets out to discover them. Carol Entin took a year-long sabbatical this past year to pursue conservation efforts and creative endeavors. “Having time to be focused and productive was very appealing,” she says. “I love to learn new skills and marry them with the old.” For someone whose career has been a fairly straight path, Carol has always been open to new discoveries. She began at MB in 1984, teaching third grade. Ten years later, she created a full-fledged, hands-on science program for lower
school that foreshadowed MB’s commitment to STEM and project-based learning. MB’s lower school science program has nurtured a love of science in over 1,000 children to date. During her sabbatical, Carol designed materials for the Rehoboth Land Trust and served as a trustee. She also volunteered as an amphibian monitor for the Massachusetts Division of Fish and Wildlife and documented the presence of the endangered eastern spadefoot toad. She integrated technology into her artwork and used her graphic skills to create farmer’s market signs for Elizabeth Silvia Frary’s (’00) Copicut Farms.
In class or out, Carol’s approach to learning is all about discovery. “It has always been my hope that students will become hooked on experimentation,” she says, “and find that by persevering, they may learn something new and unexpected. The problem might not get solved, though! Accepting that deadends and frustrations are inevitable is another tool in the toolbox.”
Frederick Spector P’23 Parent
You may not know new MB parent Fred Spector but you’ve probably seen — or used — something he’s designed, whether furniture, flatware, chairs, or lighting. You can see his work in Macy’s, Jordan’s, Raymour & Flanigan, Smith & Hawken, Williams-Sonoma, Anthropologie, Pottery Barn, and Restoration Hardware. Growing up near Philadelphia, Fred was no stranger to Quaker education. When it came time to look for a new school for his son Benjamin, Fred and his wife thought MB would be an ideal place for
a young athlete and violinist. “The combination of academics, music, string orchestra, strong athletics, and Quaker values attracted us,” Fred says. “It’s been great. Ben is so happy at MB, every day.” In addition to his long list of design credits, Fred is also the coordinator of the furniture design program at Savannah College of Art and Design. “My high school had a great shop program,” he recalls. “I had a great teacher and just fell in love with it.” No surprise — the Woodshop was part of the appeal for Fred. Fred is happiest seeing real-world use of objects that first germinated as an idea in his mind. Watching a movie or walking down the street, he’ll see something he’s designed on set or in someone’s garden. “People are out there using, enjoying, living with things I’ve made,” he says. “Furniture is functional sculpture.” Fred and Barbara look forward to the opening of MB’s Woodman Family Community & Performing Arts Center later this year. “As artists, MB’s creative directions are exciting to us. I’m looking forward to seeing more arts on campus.” 9
Open Access Open Access: MB Seeks $15 million in new endowment dedicated to scholarship One of the centerpieces of MB’s Campaign for Learning, People, and Place is a commitment to Open Access, or ensuring that Moses Brown can enroll the very best students, regardless of their financial situation. “Open Access enables us to create our best student body, allowing the most qualified candidates to enroll,” says Hugh Madden ’84, director of admissions, “and lets us support present families who may suffer a business setback or job loss.” After 25 years at MB, he’s seen the impact of scholarship over time. “As a core part of the campaign, Open Access will give us the long-term financial strength to enroll kids who are the best fit for MB, academically, artistically, athletically, in every way.” MB aims to extend support to a full third of the student body in future years. In individual terms, this means welcoming at least 50 more scholarship students, boosting the annual scholarship budget by $1 million by raising $15 million in scholarship endowment, increased annual giving, and strategic budget growth. One of the many compelling examples of the power of Open Access is Luis Hernandez ’16. Luis came to MB in the eighth grade through Project GOAL’s afterschool soccer program. He worked hard to adjust to MB’s academic demands and his academic record reflects that. His soccer coach Eric Aaronian calls Luis an exceptional player, person, and leader. This past fall, Luis was one of only three Rhode Islanders named an NSCAA All-New England selection — the first player to win this honor in MB history. Luis volunteered during MB’s Dominican Republic service trip and tutored younger students in his hometown of Central Falls, and heads to Denison University this fall. “Project GOAL opened my eyes to private school. With the help of PG, and David Ortiz ‘97, I applied to MB and nothing has been the same,” he says. “It has been the best five years of my life, and I am so glad to have made that decision.” With MB’s expanded scholarship support in the Open Access initiative, we’ll be able to welcome new scholars, artists, and athletes this fall. And if they’re anything like Luis, our classrooms, ensembles, and teams will be the better for it.
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Reaching Beyond
the Gates The missions of both Moses Brown and SquashBusters center on the importance of fostering inner promise, building character and integrity, engaging students in long-term, supportive, and challenging programming, and serving the broader community.
Moses Brown Announces Partnership with SquashBusters Moses Brown is pleased to announce a new partnership with SquashBusters, a sports-based, after-school youth program that uses squash as a gateway to academic achievement (squashbusters.org). The Boston-based organization guides low-income youth to academic success and college placement through tutoring, life and study skills coaching, and fitness and team-building. The program began in Boston more than 20 years ago, and has achieved a college matriculation rate of 99% for more than 640 underprivileged youth so far. Thanks to a long-term partnership agreement, MB will also gain a significant enhancement to its athletic and fitness/wellness facilities. This spring, Moses Brown’s board of trustees approved the partnership, which includes construction of a 12-court facility on MB’s campus for the new SquashBusters program and as a home for MB squash. SquashBusters will have year-round rights to six courts in the MB-owned facility and will provide $4.5 million in funding. MB will raise $1.5 million and the two organizations will work together to raise the remaining $1.5 million from the local community. MB joins several other schools who’ve partnered with SquashBusters or joined the urban squash movement, including Phillips Academy, Brooks School, Northeastern, Harvard, Yale, the University of Chicago, and Johns Hopkins. Moses Brown will be the first private high school in the country to partner with an urban squash program to develop a shared squash facility. In seeking to expand to Providence, SquashBusters found a perfect partner in MB due to the close alignment of both organizations’ missions. Head of School Matt Glendinning says, “Both Moses Brown and SquashBusters focus on fostering inner promise, building character and integrity, engaging students in long-term, supportive, and challenging programming,
and serving the broader community. We see this first and foremost as a chance to advance MB’s mission, serving more children in Providence, in addition to providing enrollment and scholarship opportunities.” One hundred Providence students from outside MB will be part of the SquashBusters program. They’ll commit to coming to MB three hours a day, five days a week, during the school year for academic work and squash training. The partnership will increase the number of low-income students MB serves, provide long-term, on-campus volunteer opportunities, and attract qualified students to MB, while MB’s squash program gets a needed upgrade. MB squash players will trade limited court time at Brown and endless sessions running stairs in Ross House for a chance to practice in one of the premier high school facilities in the nation. MB’s teams have had significant successes over the years, competing for New England titles in their respective divisions in NEPSAC. However, without afternoon court time available, MB had to reduce players on its teams, essentially dropping the JV programs. MB’s devoted players and coaches welcome the SquashBusters partnership. The new squash courts will be located along Hope Street, where Friends Garden is currently located (to be relocated elsewhere). The facility is tentatively slated to open for the 2017-18 squash season. “The Moses Brown/SquashBusters partnership is historic by any measure,” says squash coach Graham Holland. “It will be transformative, not only for our boys’ and girls’ programs, but for squash in the state of Rhode Island. Just as SquashBusters is not simply about squash, the significance of this partnership goes well beyond athletics. Community and service lie at the heart of MB’s mission. This partnership has the potential to transform the lives of all involved.” 11
Gifts in Action
Teaching Cohort Program Celebrates Five-Year Mark Thanks to support from Wanda Lincoln and Dick Chadwell ’51
“Quality education is created and delivered by quality teachers who themselves continue to learn. We are very happy to support MB teachers as they learn and grow to the benefit of MB students, themselves, and the school. It is exciting to read about the teachers’ varied, interesting, and challenging projects created as part of their own teaching-learning journey. We are delighted to play a small part.” —R ichard Chadwell ’51 and Wanda Lincoln
Hilary Major used her cohort year to write a method book for beginning strings players which she piloted with the lower school ensemble: “My method book would never quite go where I or the students needed it to go. I now have the perfect teaching tool for our beginning 12 string group and am looking forward to using it this fall!”
Dick Chadwell ’51 still remembers the imprint that legendary faculty members like Bill Paxton made on his life. More than 60 years after his graduation, Mr. Chadwell decided to leave MB 15% of his estate to establish the Richard H.W. Chadwell ’51 Endowed Fund for Faculty and Student Excellence. Since then, he and his wife Wanda have also made a $10,000 gift each year to support MB’s innovative ‘cohort program’ in support of faculty professional development and the World-Class Teaching goals of MB Believes. MB’s annual Veteran Teacher Cohort Program energizes and challenges teachers in a unique manner. Similar to the alumni reunion model, teachers engage in cohort work every five years — kind of a year-long reunion of learning. Each year’s cohort is a cross-divisional group of teachers who collaborate in a shared professional growth experience spanning the school year. Participants engage in an intensive year-long project that often involves curriculum research, developing new courses or units of study, or deepening expertise by means of intensive reading and application of new skills and methods. Matt Glendinning launched the program in 2011, so this summer marks an important milestone: all MB faculty members here five years or more have now engaged in a cohort project. This past year, lower school’s Melinda Van Lare wrote and published books for early readers and is currently submitting them to publishers. In upper school, Eric Aaronian developed a new science elective, Ornithology — fitting for a school with a noted bird collection. In middle school, Jon Gold blogged for Teaching Tolerance (a project of the Southern Poverty Law Center) and contributed two feature articles to their magazine. Cohort funding helped him travel to Montgomery, Alabama to interview Butler Browder, son of little-known civil rights activist Aurelia Browder, for an article on the Supreme Court case Browder v. Gayle, which legally desegregated the buses in Montgomery in 1956. Read more at http://www.tolerance.org/ author/jonathan-gold. Whether faculty are working on a project specific to their roles at MB or engaging in work that is larger in scope, participants get to follow a passion and become students again — which invariably makes them better teachers.
Community Commitment Former faculty spouse Ruth Whitford shares why she’s a Moses Brown Fund donor
“MB is a wonderful school, with wonderful people,” Ruth comments. “MB was an important place to us and I am happy to continue to support MB each and every year.”
Ruth Whitford lived on the MB campus for 24 years with her husband, upper school language teacher Ted Whitford, and has remained a loyal presence at Moses Brown ever since. Ted was a celebrated French teacher (1931-72) and Ruth was a key member of the community. Ted passed away in 1992 but the Whitford name lives on at Moses Brown in Ruth’s stories, in the Whitford Language Lab, the Whitford Faculty Room, and on Academic Awards Day when the recipient of the Theodore Whitford Prize for Excellence in French is announced. Ruth, who just turned 98 years old, has stayed a devoted fan of the school (watching the snow-day videos on her iPad) and has made a gift to MB for 30 years straight. Incroyable! She gives to honor Ted’s memory and their long relationship with MB; she feels her continued giving would be important to him. Their son (Ned ’68) and granddaughter (Sarah ’94) also attended, adding reasons to give. Ruth made her largest gift to what was formerly called the “Faculty Fund.” These gifts supported a scholarship award to a minority student during the student’s entire enrollment at MB. Ruth gave for 13 straight years to support this important program.
Moses Brown’s Campaign Steering Committee (CSC) Working to Support Learning, People, and Place Honorary Chairs Jane & Dean Woodman ’46 P’78 Russell Carpenter ’59 Campaign Chairs Brian & Barbara Goldner P’14 Clerk of the Board Habib Gorgi ’74 P’08 ’10 ’12 ’17 Head of School Matt Glendinning
MB Believes campaign soars past $34 million with 2,707 donors to date
Clerk of CSC Gary Goldberg ’87 P’17 ’19 ’20
1,293 more contributors needed to reach goals
Vice Chairs Frohman Anderson ’80 P’10 ’12 Ted Fischer ’83 P’12 ’14 ’17
107 more n eed ed 35 mo re ore neede d 43 m
ed ed ne
2098 d ono rs 542 do no r s 33 don or s 15 do no rs 9 don ors 10 do n
Gardner Lane P’27 ’28
s or July 1, 2013 to June 30, 2016
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m or e ne eded
Kate & Shaun Levesque P’12 ’14 ’17 Members Campaign Gift Levels
$1-999 $1,000+ $25,000+
Chris Baker ’70 John E. Baldwin ’94 John T. Barrett ’63 P’01 Charlene Cassese P’16 ’18 Michael Chase P’15 ’16 ’18 ’21 Roger Clifton GP’19 ’24
$100,000+
Meg Clurman P’12 ’14 ’19
$250,000+
Anne Earle P’97 ’01
$1 million +
Matt Fishbein ’02 Heidi Gilkenson P’12 ’14 ’17 Rebecca Leuchak P’04 ’09 Don McNemar GP’31
d 253 more neede
851 m ore needed
Jane Ritson-Parsons P’17
Thank you to our Campaign Leaders!
Learn more: www.mbbelieves.org 13
Learning
Lower school students embarked on a voyage of discovery on a field trip to the Whaling Museum in 1974. Today, their MB successors plotted a similar course — as part of the school’s TRIPs program, thirdgraders visited New Bedford and Nantucket this spring. 14
New Chapters If you’d asked me to define learning when I was a teenager at MB, I’d probably have told you it was something done formally and exclusively in a classroom. Now, 30 years removed from the upper school, I can appreciate that it’s about far more than facts and figures, it’s an attitude and mindset. Though I’ve been in book publishing for 26 of those years, I’ve worked for three different companies. Furthermore, print books have been pronounced dead, dying, or at least critically wounded more times that I can count! Being able to adapt to change, to tinker with new formats for delivering stories and information, and to connect the dots of my knowledge (as well as acknowledge what I don’t know) — all these things have required a learning mindset.
MB teachers and staff understood this. Whether in the classroom, in a lab, in the studio, or on a playing field, they were ingeniously (and sneakily) encouraging learning all the time. They were intent on helping us develop curiosity and compassion for other ways of seeing the world; they laid the base for us to be nimble and critical thinkers. That’s a valuable skillset indeed. The MB alumni who are profiled in this “Learning Issue” of the Cupola are proof-positive that once ignited, learning never stops. In a world in which we can no longer expect to work at one job or career for life — where we have to zig-zag, unlearn, and relearn — we give thanks to the Moses Brown culture and to the sneaky teachers from each of our eras for weaving these capabilities into the very fabric of our lives.
Marnie (Patterson) Cochran ’86 is executive editor for nonfiction at Ballantine Bantam Dell, a Random House Publishing Group imprint. She started her career at Houghton Mifflin Company (now Houghton Mifflin Harcourt) and also worked as an editor for many years with the Perseus Books Group. She has been married to Monny Cochran, a high school teacher in the Weston Public School system, for 20 years. They have two teenagers and live in Boston.
Photo: Kate Shaw Patterson
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Emanuela Binello ’91 Pathway to Reinvention
High school graduation: for all, a rite of passage, for some, a departure point to reinvention. Having immigrated with her family from Italy at age 8 (she joined MB as a fifth grader in 1983), Emanuela Binello was already no stranger to making transitions when she graduated Moses Brown in 1991. But she would go on to an impressive string of schools for an astounding six further degrees (including two Ph.D.s and an M.D.), and seems to never stop pushing herself to learn new things. Her long journey in education and her career in neurosurgery exemplify her willingness to push her own mental capacities. MB YEARS Despite the many prestigious institutions she has attended, MB stands out for Emanuela. She fondly recalls faculty like Mrs. Breindel, Mr. Gosselink, Ransom Griffin, and Mrs. Heckman. “MB was very formative on my path. I benefitted greatly from being here. MB helped shape me,” she says. “They required facts for context — in their classrooms, you had to back up your assertions, not just say what you thought.” Emanuela was also involved with performing arts, sang in chorus, played piano and violin, was a bell ringer for Mrs. Alexander, and participated in the musicals, as well as being a member of the Environmental Concerns Group. She took five years of Latin and several years of ancient Greek with Mrs. Breindel and 16
studied government and history with Mr. Gosselink. Both topics required a student to be up on her facts. Emanuela was drawn to the humanities at MB largely because of the faculty teaching those subjects. Faculty remember Emanuela as a focused, dedicated student who loved learning. She had “an inquiring mind,” says Tom Andrew. Neurosurgery may not have been the expected path for her, but no one here is surprised to learn that Emanuela had the capacity to become a neurosurgeon. Upon receiving the Alumni Association’s 25th Reunion Alumni Achievement Award at Reunion this spring, she said, “I was honored and grateful to have been chosen as recipient of this year’s 25th Reunion Achievement Award. Over the years, I have come to appreciate more and more the critical
thinking skills that were instilled in me while a student at MB, as well as the core values of tolerance and the pursuit of truth.” MB’s emphasis on truth, in particular, had a big impact on Emanuela. “The school motto resonates with me,” she says. That search for truth applies whether you work in humanities or science. “Everything you do, you’re looking for the truth. The search for truth is something that leads you, regardless of discipline.” MOVING ON After MB, Emanuela was ready for more technical, skill-based pursuits, and turned her inquiring mind to science. She headed to MIT to study nuclear engineering, demonstrating her facility for so-called left and right brain work.
From humanities at MB to engineering at MIT and medicine at Harvard Medical School, Emanuela Binello’s curiosity and drive for learning led her to 11 years of advanced study. Today she’s still at the epicenter of learning — the brain — working as a neurosurgeon at Boston Medical Center and Boston University School of Medicine.
Its applications to medicine appealed to her and she spent several years at the university doing research on magnetic imaging and neutron therapy. Emanuela went on to obtain dual degrees in nuclear engineering and Russian studies, to be followed by her M.S. and her doctorate in nuclear engineering. (She was initially inspired to study Russian after her MB trip to Russia with Mr. Bickford and Mr. Gosselink.) While many would stop at this point and rest on their laurels, Emanuela kept going, heading to Harvard Medical School for a medical degree, combined with a second doctoral degree in health science and technology at MIT. Adding a medical degree let her fully explore her interest in medicine. She wanted to not only be a researcher, but a practitioner as well. Neurosurgery appealed to her immediately when she was exposed to it in rotation: “It was intense! The days went
by so quickly. A ten-hour shift just flew by, I was so engaged. There are lots of downs, as in all professions, so the ups have to be strong enough to balance them. The ups in my work are pretty up.” As a neurosurgeon, she now brings her interests in engineering and medicine together. With a focus on brain tumors, she has tremendous impact on people’s lives. She also values the service component of her work today — another MB influence. It’s one reason why she was drawn to work at Boston Medical Center with its mission to serve the underserved and undocumented. Many of her patients come in without insurance. “You almost have to do better than if this person had resources — there is no fall-back,” says Emanuela. “You have to get it right and get them well enough to walk out OK. They don’t have funds for physical therapy or in-home rehab. These cases have to go well.”
Despite her career in science as an academic neurosurgeon at Boston University School of Medicine and Boston Medical Center, Emanuela’s love of the humanities continues to peek through the fabric of her medical career. She co-authored, with one of her students, an award-winning abstract on prehistoric cranial surgery in ancient China that was presented at the American Association of Neurological Surgeons this past May. In 1996, she published Muscovite Politics and Culture in the Sixteenth and Seventeenth Centuries Through the Eyes of Foreign Travellers, a book on Russian historical politics and culture. As impressive as her accomplishments are, Emanuela remains humble on the subject of her life’s work. It’s also what spurs her on: “There’s too much to know for me to ever know everything about the brain. I’ll always be learning.”
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Greg Stones ‘92 In the Picture What’s that in the sky? Is it a penguin? A UFO? Well, if it’s a Greg Stones painting, it could be almost anything! Combining watercolor landscapes with the unexpected — from zombies to lawn gnomes — Greg has made a name for himself since leaving MB. With six books to his credit, he now travels the country promoting his work at bookstores and art shows. Who influenced you the most at MB? My biggest influences at Moses Brown were Robert Scofield, who encouraged my cartooning and painting, and Ransom Griffin, who taught me to write. Has your career trajectory been what you thought it would be at the outset? When I was at Moses Brown, all I wanted to be was a syndicated cartoonist. Fast forward 14 years, and guess what? I never became a syndicated cartoonist! Way to make things NOT HAPPEN! On the bright side, after all the syndicates rejected my comic strip in 1996, I concentrated on painting tiny watercolors, and that is how I have been making a living for the last 20 years. Even better, I got picked up by Chronicle Books in 2011, and currently have six illustrated humor titles in bookstores all over the world. So that’s cool.
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How have you had to adapt or learn on the job? When I was majoring in art at Bates, it never occurred to me to take any business classes. Do you know what would have been really smart to take? BUSINESS CLASSES! Luckily, I know how to use a calculator, so the business end hasn’t been that overwhelming, but it is definitely the least fun part of my job. The other big learning curve has come from my relationship with Chronicle Books. In the past five years I have learned so much about the publishing world, mostly thanks to my amazing editor who always tells me like it is. What would you say is the most difficult thing about being an artist? The most difficult part is promoting and selling my books and paintings at venues all over the country. Every year I put about 40,000 miles on my car in order to get my work into the hands of as many people as possible.
Have you had any sudden moments of unexpected learning? The biggest eye-opener has been how incredibly unglamorous it is being a published author. It turns out that it is the rare writer who sells millions of copies and goes on all-expense-paid book tours. The rest of us have to get out there and do all the promotion ourselves in the hopes that we will sell enough books to justify the publisher’s investment in us. And selling enough books so that your publisher asks you to create even more? Even more challenging. With six books published so far, what else can we expect? Though I have written and sketched out several potential new books, nothing is locked down at the moment. My last three titles were all written, illustrated, and published at six-month intervals, so I am happy to just promote the works that are already in print and decompress a bit. Greg is based in Greenville. He is traveling around the country to art festivals this summer, and will be back in Rhode Island in October at the Scituate Art Festival, and in December at The Foundry.
Meredith Achey ’06: Key Change — Music to Medicine In 2010, with a degree from the Eastman School of Music, Meredith Achey embarked on a career in opera and art song. But six months after graduation, she lost her voice. While the diagnosis wasn’t career-ending, treating the underlying causes was anything but simple. “I spent a lot of time with my primary care doctor and ENT,” she recalls. “Finally, a constellation of ‘aha’ moments revealed that I had a gluten intolerance, which caused all sorts of problems and created inflammation.” Her voice made a full recovery, but months of vocal rest and soul-searching pointed her in a new direction: medicine. “Musicians learn to process every challenge as a form of learning. Still, it was a hard transition — emotionally, financially, physically. I realized I couldn’t devote myself to that life, the way it was shaping up for me. Medicine seemed to offer a wider range of possibilities.” She faced no small endeavor. She had to complete all of the college pre-med courses before she could even apply to medical school. “I hadn’t taken a hard science course since Dr. Moss’s honors physics in junior year!” she laughs. She shadowed her ENT, became an EMT-B, and worked with hospitalized children while taking calculus at the University of Rochester, “— and it went fine!” Encouraged, she applied to a number of post-baccalaureate premedical programs, and completed Johns Hopkins University’s one-year program in 2013. While at Hopkins, she volunteered at the Charm City Clinic in East Baltimore as a health resource center volunteer. “Less than a mile from one of the country’s most prestigious medical centers, I met people who couldn’t get basic treatment for diabetes. This raised my awareness of inequity of access to healthcare.” She attributes this sensibility to the Friends education she received at MB and her family’s values: “My grandfather was passionate about us growing up to do good in the world, make things better, fix problems. In health, our country does a terrible job. We spend much more than our peer nations, yet have worse outcomes, especially in poorer sectors of society.” After her year in
Baltimore, Meredith joined a research team at the University of Rochester and spent two years studying movement disorders and telemedicine (use of telecommunication to provide health care at a distance). She is now a first-year medical student at the Duke University School of Medicine. Taking a different path from the traditional, direct route to medical school gave Meredith the opportunity for longterm self-reflection. “It’s given me a better sense that I’m never ‘done.’ There’ll never be a point where I’ll feel I’ve finished learning, where I’m finished becoming a doctor or a musician or a person, and am only doing. Learning is a lifelong pursuit that will hopefully keep motivating and challenging me to stay active, thinking. If I’ve learned anything about medicine, it’s that there’s so much we don’t know — yet!” Meredith sees parallels between medicine and music: “Both have passionate people who learn by doing, and so much depends on how you apply that experience. In medicine, we’re with patients and their families for their most challenging moments. It sounds corny, but it’s a privilege and responsibility to be so intimately involved. What drew me to medicine is that daily experience of being able to connect. As a musician, performing is only 5% of your time. The rest is in the practice room, very solitary.” Still, she’s thrilled to be performing again, now as a soloist with the Duke Medicine Orchestra and as assistant director of the medical school a cappella group. Meredith’s MB experience nurtured her confidence to be nimble. “In theater, we took risks every day,” she declares. She notes the mentorship and support of the performing arts faculty, especially Elaine Alexander, Hilary Major, Barry Marshall, and Stephen Toro. She recalls, “I’d decided I wanted to be a singer, full-time. I remember saying ‘what if I can’t do it?’ Barry said, ‘what are you talking about, of course you can do it!’” Their support in her pursuit of medicine continues to encourage her, as she looks forward to beginning her clinical clerkships this August.
“Learning never stops… it’s a constant and a goal.” 19
Tom Myers ’77
An appetite for the unknown
Zoe Bell ’05
Creative vision When Zoe Bell graduated from Johns Hopkins seven years ago, the social gaming industry was blooming into existence and changing rapidly. She jumped right in, landing her first job as an assistant producer with Zynga, the company that created hit Facebook games such as Farmville and Words with Friends. “The speed of change has been astonishing. I’m constantly learning about new platforms and how they can be adapted for our games,” she says. Zoe learned the importance of iteration in game design: build something, play it, take it apart, and make it better. “Finding the fun is a process that takes a whole team. It’s not like someone writes a script and we just follow it.” As a game producer, Zoe’s job is to pull together all of the people needed to create a game — engineers, artists, and designers. She spends much time putting herself in other people’s shoes. “Everyone has the same goal: make a really cool game. But people solve the problem in different ways,” she explains. “I have had to learn a lot about other people’s workflows and what they value.” At MB, Zoe acted, played basketball, threw clay, and sewed theater costumes. She performed in the wind ensemble and served on the Discipline Committee. “I got a very broad creative and analytical background,” she says. “That’s been invaluable to me in an industry that encompasses multiple fields.” She credits Abby (Hertzmark) Phyfe, Ransom Griffin, and Lenke Wood for giving her a great foundation in creative analysis, and she recalls sitting in Abby’s class, discussing The Great Gatsby — no props, no activities, just focusing on the root of the author’s meaning. “What I’m doing now, deciding which games to publish, is a business application of that. We’re judging creative work in two ways — how do each of the smaller parts come together to generate revenue and fun?” Zoe is now working at Kongregate; her games there — including Bullet Boy, Slashy Hero, Sky Squad, and BattleHand — have been downloaded over 6.5 million times. “I was looking for a company with a vision I believed in, good people, and a strong sense of importance on both design and metrics.” Kongregate partners with independent game developers, emphasizing fair deals that turn a profit for both sides. She says, “I enjoy working at a company that is all about the little guy.” 20
“We’re always learning how to do this better,” he says. “That’s the essence of this work, testing things and learning limits.”
“We blow stuff up.” That’s how Tom Myers tests powerful lasers in his Silicon Valley lab, adding, “One of my old bosses impressed upon me that in R&D, if people are not regularly blowing things up, they’re not trying hard enough. You need to push the envelope until it breaks. We call it ‘accelerated disassembly.’” Tom has always been wired for this kind of thing since age 5, when he disassembled his cherished Lionel train to see how it worked. Tom recalls MB as an ideal learning environment, with teachers who went to extra effort: “In lower school, I couldn’t understand how the moon could revolve around the Earth but only have one side visible. So the teacher had me stand in the center of the room and had another kid walk around me, taking one step at a time and turning slightly, so that he was always facing me. That was a big ‘a-ha’ moment about how orbit and rotation can keep things in a constant attitude towards one another.” At Brown University, Tom helped research artificial eyes and went on to a Ph.D. at Stanford, where he helped invent the first artificial ears: “It was amazing that my professors trusted me with this. It’s a big deal to put electrical impulses into someone’s brain.” The cochlear implants Tom’s group created are now commonplace, helping thousands hear again — or for the first time. “We all want to make the world a better place,” he says, “and it’s nice to look back on that.” Later, Tom moved to a startup focused on lasers, bringing his expertise in creating control loops to help machines regulate themselves. In one afternoon, he and the founder invented the Fraxel laser system, now widely used in dermatology. He went on to apply his know-how to eye care, and now collaborates with engineers from different disciplines to build ultrahigh-power lasers at IPG Photonics. “We’re always learning how to do this better,” he says. “That’s the essence of this work, testing things and learning limits.” Tom plans to keep pushing farther to see how powerful these lasers can be, and to continue looking for new things to discover.
Nat White ‘59 Looking up
Some students master academic challenges easily and shine, while others find their potential stymied by traditional teaching and learning styles. Nat White fell into the latter category, though you wouldn’t know it by his eventual career. Now retired, Nat was a noted astronomer with the famous Lowell Observatory and holds the position of emeritus astronomer there. Best known for the discovery of Pluto, Lowell is where scientists gathered the first evidence of the expanding universe. Nat’s particular focus was the measurement of stellar properties using lunar occultations. The observatory draws 70,000 curious visitors a year to learn about the work of Nat and others at the famed observatory. He has been an advocate for learning in his community as well, and was even voted Citizen of the Year in Flagstaff, Arizona in recognition of his many civic and educational contributions in his community. Though known for his running prowess at MB, Nat found
high school difficult. After working as hard as he could, he graduated with great success as an athlete, but last in his senior class, which felt daunting at the time. Despite early academic challenges, Nat says that his understanding stemmed from the freedom to explore and investigate he enjoyed while growing up in the country, his own inquisitiveness, and the fact that at MB and later Earlham College, he was not treated as just a number. In time, school became more manageable and Nat went on to earn four advanced degrees including a Ph.D. in astronomy. Teachers who could see past Nat’s early grades taught creatively and kept him trying. “MB provided ways to excel other than scholastic,” he says. “I had encouraging teachers who loved their subjects. Self-respect is fundamentally important for a challenged learner to keep on trying.”
“Don’t ever think you shouldn’t try something.” Tim Hurley ‘99 Take the leap Tim Hurley ’99 wears a lot of hats. He runs an event management company, Peak 5, in Los Angeles that has produced red-carpet events, intimate parties, and multi-day festivals for clients including Old Spice, Time Warner, Nestle, and China Airlines. He represents his clients’ needs, negotiates with headliners, and sometimes steps up to the microphone himself to sing with his country-western band. For all those hats, in the country-western music world, it’s Tim’s cowboy hat that fits best. Tim used to relax after work by singing at karaoke bars in his neighborhood. One night in 2014, a man insisted Tim was destined to sing with a guitarist he knew
in El Paso. “He’d had a few drinks,” Tim recalls, “but he called the next day to put me in touch with Mark Monroe. Mark was even more skeptical than I was: ‘You’re from Rhode Island?’ But I flew down there and we clicked.” Tim and Mark write the songs and have added four other musicians to round out the band — together they perform as American Stone. In 2014, they opened for John Montgomery at the Freedom Crossing summer concert at Ft. Bliss for a crowd of 10,000, and there was no turning back. SoundCloud calls their eclectic fusion of sound ‘groove country’. Meanwhile, Tim’s day job at Peak 5 keeps the music
playing. This summer, they’ll headline several shows in California and Texas. Did MB prepare Tim to take the leap and juggle roles like this? “I was one of the worst students ever to walk the halls,” he laughs, “but my teachers and coaches saw the good in me and built me up. Larry Tremblay, my hockey coach, was inspirational. I was a terrible Latin student, but Ruth Breindel would tell me, ‘You’re always so positive!’ And if you’d told me I’d be an English major in college, I would have laughed, and so would Tom Andrew, my teacher and soccer coach. In college, I could handle anything. The strong, supportive MB community gave me a lifetime of confidence.” His advice to young people? “Don’t ever think you shouldn’t try something. I’m a 34-year-old guy from Rhode Island, starting a career in the country music industry — how crazy is that?” 21
Events Daril Geisser ’11 wants YOU to attend Reunion! 22
Alumni Connections Coast to Coast A
The Alumni Association and Moses Brown School have partnered to provide many opportunities for alumni to engage with each other and the school, locally and from coast to coast. If you would like to host an event or serve on the Alumni Association Board, please contact Director of Alumni Relations Karin Morse ’79 at kmorse@mosesbrown.org or (401) 831-7350 x191.
California A Director of Alumni Relations Karin Morse ’79 (left) and Dir. of Leadership Giving Linda Kaplan P’14 ’16 (right) met Darryl Wood ’77 and Laura Marasco ’94 in Del Mar, California for dinner on their No & SoCal tour.
B Director of Alumni Relations Karin Morse ’79
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(second from left) had a wonderful, animated brunch with (l-r) Richard Donovan ’62, Arnie Gass ’59, Joan Gass, Pat Donovan, Jeff Forman ’60, Linda Forman, and Bruce Haggerty ’58.
C Greg Katzen ’03, Nick Salmons ’03, Ashley Haffenreffer Wagstaff ’83, Tom Myers ’77, Sam Yules ’12, Dir. of Alumni Relations Karin Morse ’79, John Slafsky ’83, Dir. of Leadership Giving Linda Kaplan P’14 ’16, and Caitlin Miller ’03 enjoyed a Palo Alto dinner during MB’s StoryDrive tour of California.
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Upcoming Events July 30 Newport International Polo Reception August 3 Alumni Football 7v7 August 4 Providence Young Alumni Reception October 14-15 Homecoming & MB Expo May 20, 2017 Reunion
On a visit from Chicago, Joan and Chuck Staples ’47 joined Assistant Head of School Ron Dalgliesh (left) to tour the Woodman Center slated to open this fall.
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Alumni Connections Coast to Coast B
A Boston A Paul Shamirian ’08, Nate Ardente ’09, Alex Patch ’08, Sarah Brady ’06, Matt Brady ’08, and Maggie Moran ’08 gathered at the StoryDrive Boston event in February.
B Adam Olenn ’91 accompanied headliner Ransom Griffin where he entertained an audience of 50 people at the Boston StoryDrive event.
Providence A 2016 classmates Cecily Adler and Luis Hernandez smile for Ben Cassese on their visit to the cupola after their induction into the MB Alumni Association.
B Hockey players Andrew Plumb ’18, Luke Dow ’19, Anthony D’Arcangelo ’16, Charlie Ballou ’19, and Collin McCormack ’18 flank the Moses Brown mascot at the last MBAA Skating Party in February.
C Lauren Angelone Pelletier ’94 and Corey Pelletier ’94 glided around Meehan Auditorium with daughter Leah ’29 at the MBAA Skating Party.
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Moses Brown Alumni Association A
Providence A Henry Diamond ’77, Tom Frater ’82’s sister Candy Frater, and Tom Cotter ’82 pose for an Instagram photo before Tom’s sold-out Alumni Hall performance.
B Tom Cotter ’82 took time out to speak with students about his life as a comedian before his May 20 performance sponsored by the MBAA. 1st row (l to r) Liza Farnham ’17, Victoria Parker ’17, Maddie Gorgi ’18, Director of Alumni Relations Karin Morse ’79, Tom Cotter ’82, Ben Steingold ’16. 2nd row Caroline Veale ’17, Elisabeth Silverstein ’17, Sam Alofsin ’17, Eve Harrington ’20. 3rd row Adam Towey ’18, Matt Parker ’16, Kieran Harrington ’16, Chase Harrington ’18, Steve DeLeo ’15.
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Congrats to 9 Legacy Families! 1st row (l to r): Spencer Penney ’16, Mindy Fischer Penney ’84, Natasha Ramirez ’98, Ismael Ramirez ’16, Emma Myers ’16, Haley Ramsden ’16, Tom Harden ’16, Reed Nani ’16. 2nd row: Stephen Griffin ’84, Riley Griffin ’16, James Calabresi ’16, Benjamin Steingold ’16, Neal Steingold ’78, Jim Myers ’79, Peter Ramsden ’82, Tom Harden’s uncle Rob Breslin ’86, Doug Nani ’81.
New York City In January, Jill Teverow ’04, Gabe Long ’04, Hannah Woodberry ’04, Bay Hudner ’04, Taylor Anderson ’02, Karin Morse ’79, and Miles Rutter ’04 gathered at the Helen Mills Theater for StoryDrive NYC and kept up the fine tradition of dinner after the show.
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Leaders in Learning
MB says thanks and best wishes to departing longtime employees
Vicki Gibb retired after 25 years of service this June. Vicki held a variety of positions: working in the main office, Head of School office, Development, and finally joining Athletics as office manager in 2002. In that role, Vicki provided exceptional support on all matters having to do with transportation, field availability, facility rentals, and daily management of the entire athletic schedule. Vicki plans to travel, spend more time with family, work with the Gloria Gemma Foundation — and maintain her Baggo skills for a return to the MBBL court next spring! When asked what she will miss most about MB when she retires, Vicki said, “I’m going to miss the sense of community. I’ve been very fortunate to have worked at Moses Brown. I will miss all the friends I’ve made here. So you will see me from time to time catching up with my colleagues.”
After a long, fruitful career at MB, lower school music teacher Mary Pollart retired in June. Given the long commute from her South County home, Mary took the position at MB expecting it to last for just one year as she and her husband Gene settled into their new state and she found a position closer to home. Thirty-seven years later, Mary continued to make the commute because she found MB to be her home away from home. “From the very beginning, there was such a caring atmosphere that was so unusual — certainly stemming from the Quaker philosophy of finding the Light in everyone!” she says. “It has been my joy and pleasure to have a career filled with singing, dancing, playing instruments, and listening to music with children,” she says. “I wish that all of my former students are fortunate enough to settle in a career that is so joyful and fulfilling to each of them!” Mary looks forward to traveling, having more time for family and reading, and riding her electric bike on local bike paths. 26
In her 17 years here, Joyce Hooley Bartlett has served many roles in upper school science, developing new courses to address identified curricular needs and contributing to creation of the Collis Science Center. Joyce also has been instrumental in developing MB’s approach to differentiated learning. Her commitment to life-long learning is reflected in her extracurricular occupations as a storyteller on the Jamestown/ Newport ferry and volunteer farm worker. Joyce used science as the mechanism to work with students on their life skills: “I hope students take away that it is ok to fail, especially if you took a risk. Learn to meet your responsibilities with pride, always present your best self, and if you make a mistake, own it, make it right. To my colleagues, I hope they realize that the subject matter they teach is important, but not the most important. Learn to be the best teacher you can be for each student so the child will leave your classroom with greater understanding about how he/she learns and knows that they can take on challenges.”
After a 15-year career at MB, Cathy Van Lancker is relocating with her husband to Florida, where she will serve as arts director at a charter school in Volusia County. Cathy joined MB in 2001 as a lower school art teacher, moving to middle school in 2006, and served as department chair for Visual Arts since 2008. Cathy has been a passionate, supportive art teacher and caring advisor. Her infectious energy and willingness to see where the creative process takes students is empowering. She has worked tirelessly to support creative thinking in all classes and brought fresh ideas and energy to pioneering Design Thinking teaching at MB. “As a teacher I try to demonstrate commitment, perseverance, high ethical standards, and pride in my work,” Cathy says. “Children possess a remarkable, intuitive relationship to what they see; their senses are truly alive. I try to dispel negative notions of who is an artist and who can benefit from an arts education. Everyone is an artist!”
After a sabbatical last year, lower school science teacher Carol Entin has stepped down from full-time teaching to care for her 90-year-old mother. See more from Carol on page 9.
Congratulations!
Moses Brown Alumni Association Recognizes 2016 Inductees at Reunion A.T. Wall II ’71 Distinguished Alumnus Award A.T. Wall II ’71 is director of the Rhode Island Department of Corrections. His career in corrections began in 1976 as a line probation officer. Then, after his graduation from law school, he served as a prosecutor in Manhattan and oversaw sentencing of chronic offenders. He returned to Rhode Island in 1985 to work in the Governor’s Office on criminal justice matters. In 1987, A.T. joined the Rhode Island Department of Corrections and was ultimately appointed director in 2000. He oversees all aspects of the state’s adult correctional system: prisons, jails, probation, parole, and home confinement. A.T. is the longest-serving corrections director in the nation, and is current president of the Association of State Correctional Administrators. He was named Outstanding Director of Corrections in 2008. “I think that the Quaker concept of the Light within every person is at the core of corrections work,” he says. A.T. attended MB from the fourth through eighth grades before heading to Phillips Exeter Academy. He holds a B.A. from Yale University and a J.D. degree from Yale Law School. Both of his children are graduates of MB.
Steven Calabresi ’76 Distinguished Alumnus Award After graduating MB, Steven Calabresi attended Yale College and Yale Law School before going on to clerk for the Hon. Robert Bork on the D.C. Circuit and Justice Antonin Scalia on the U.S. Supreme Court. He is an active author and commentator and a member of the faculty at Northwestern. Steven also served under Presidents Ronald Reagan and George H. W. Bush, advised Attorney General Edwin Meese III, and wrote speeches for Vice President Dan Quayle. Steve says, “The kindness and encouragement to push myself academically that came from my teachers at MB continues to influence me. I benefitted from the Quaker value of respect for individual conscience that is so important at MB. I loved the school’s emphasis on tolerance, and how it pushed me to try to excel in as many different areas of life as possible. I learned a great deal from the classes I took and from my work on The Quaker.” Underscoring Steve’s positivity about Moses Brown is the fact that he and his wife Mimi sent all four of their children here.
Dr. Emanuela Binello '91 M.D., Ph.D., Sc.D. received the 25th Reunion Alumna Achievement Award at Reunion. See page 16 for more on Emanuela’s accomplishments and inspirations.
Congratulations to Ransom Griffin, recipient of the MBAA Faculty Member of the Year Award. Ransom joined the middle school faculty in 1979 and moved to the upper school in 1987. He served as English department chair from 1992-2010, coached girls’ basketball for several years, serves on the Discipline Committee, and has been the varsity golf coach since 1997. Ransom coordinates MB’s annual visiting poet series, and is advisor for Omnia, the school literary magazine. A student once commented, “Ransom has a distinct ability to connect with students and he always finds innnovative ways to bring literature to life.”
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Reunion 2016 Classes celebrating their 5th-70th Reunions came together in April to spend time in the shadow of the elms, see old friends, recount memories, and reconnect to MB.
Rachel Falk ’11, Rachel Eides ’11, Alex Camara-Haworth ’11, Alex Sacco ’11, and Greta Janigian ’11 played to the Bluecube camera.
Doc Odell jokes with Board Clerk Habib Gorgi ’74 and Dean Woodman ’46 at Reunion 2016. Dean celebrated his 70th Reunion with five other classmates who came back to campus.
Bruce Derbyshire ’46 and Dick Nourie ’51 at their 70th and 65th Reunion Celebration Dinner on April 30.
Elizabeth ’17, Tyler ’21, and James Calabresi ’16 admire the Distinguished Alumnus Award that their father Steve Calabresi ’76 received on Reunion Weekend.
Matt Glendinning and MBAA Clerk George Panichas ’83 P’15’18 presented Emanuela Binello ’91 with the 25th Reunion Alumna Achievement Award at Reunion 2016.
Alumni and coaches came out to play at the 2016 annual Alumni Lacrosse Game held on Reunion. Four 50th Reunion alums Don Richardson ’66, Turner Scott ’66, Alec Turner ’66, and John Owen ’66 dusted off their lax sticks to join in on the fun. 28
Moses Brown Alumni Association 1990
The Class of 1971 and Andy Richardson ’71’s family reunited at the Waterman Grille on Friday night of Reunion Weekend. 1st row (l to r) Scott Wolf ’71, Stephen Caraccia ’71, Rory Riggs ’71, Head of School Matt Glendinning, Hal Espo ’71, Kate Richardson. 2nd row Sean McKenna ’71, Richard Kaplan ’71, Burr Stewart ’71, Rob Rulon-Miller ’71, Jesse Eschenheimer ’71, Brad Coleman ’71, Rachael Richardson ’08.
1966 Paula and Greg Morrison '66 hosted classmates on Friday evening at their Cranston home. On Saturday the class posed for a photo: 1st row (l to r) Bill Wheeler, Turner Scott, Step Morris, Greg Morrison, John Owen. 2nd row Wade Wilks, Jerry Chase, Alec Turner, Bob Christensen, David Kolsky, Jackson Despres. Al Hunt, Carl Johnson, Don Richardson, and Michael Sweetser also attended Reunion.
Ransom Griffin received the Faculty Member of the Year award from MBAA Clerk George Panichas ’83 P’15 ’18 and Director of Alumni Relations Karin Morse ’79.
1956 Small in numbers, but BIG in spirit, Joel Altman and Chuck Stuart represented their class at the 60th reunion.
Matt Osofisan ’06, Christiaan Ballard, Savannah and Terry Moran ’06 ham it up for the candids at Reunion. Classes ending in 2s & 7s will celebrate their reunion next year on May 20, 2017. Save the date!
For more Reunion photos, visit www.mosesbrown.org.
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Class Notes
1945 After retiring in 1994 as professor emeritus of New Testament, Judaism, and Biblical languages from the Episcopal Divinity School in Cambridge, Massachusetts, John Townsend taught Jewish Studies at the Harvard Divinity School for the next 15 years. Even though he no longer teaches, he still celebrates the 8:00 a.m. Eucharist each Sunday at his local Episcopal Church and continues to write.
1945
Dotty and Bob Farwell visited Sacred Valley, Peru this past November. He writes, “We had a wonderful trip that included Ecuador where we saw many active volcanos and the currency is the U.S. dollar. Gas was $2.04 a gallon.”
2015-16 Alumni Association Board The mission of the Moses Brown Alumni Association is to foster lifelong relationships with the school and fellow alumni. George Panichas ’83, Clerk
Todd Machtley ’00
Albie Dahlberg ’87, Assistant Clerk
Vin Marcello ’60
Brian Panoff ’94, Treasurer
Maggie Moran ’08
John Baldwin ’94, Recording Clerk
David Murdock ’93
Gabriel Amo ’05
David Murphy ’91
Taylor Rotondi Anderson ’02
Nicole Navega ’89
Cheryl Schadone Cohen ’81
Neath Pal ’81
Joanne Debrah ’97
John Pariseault ’97
Jason Engle ’98
Vincent Porcaro ’83
Thomas Frater ’82
Joss Poulton ’07
Adrian Hendricks ’58
Matthew Runci ’64
Austin Jaspers ’11
Miles Rutter ’04
Ngina Johnson ’94
Conal Smith ’06
David Keyser ’89
Ahvi Spindell ’72
Jane Knowles ’81 30
Class Notes
1946
The Class of 1946 celebrated their 70th Reunion in May: left to right are Bill Claflin, Bruce Derbyshire, Dean Woodman, Lenny Triedman, and Bob Breslin. Bill Maguire, in California, was part of the reunion committee, but was unable to attend.
1959
1946
1951 Bud Brooks is pictured with his granddaughter Hannah Winton, a senior at Oklahoma University. He regretted missing his 65th reunion after a recent knee operation, but he is healing nicely.
Nat White shares his story on page 21.
1954 Buzz Mills would love more news from his classmates. He shares, “I have been retired from Books Are Fun, a Readers Digest Company, for a few years, but have been busy the past two years taking people shopping, to doctor’s appointments, or to the hair salon, etc. For fun, I still play tenor banjo and guitar.” Dave Ridderheim writes, “There are a few milestones for us this year. My wife Margaret is now 70, I will hit 80, and we will celebrate our 25th anniversary. Thanks to being an active blended family will have our 50th grand- and greatgrandchild.” Dave retired in 1997 as president and CEO of Parkview Health, the major health system in the Fort Wayne, Indiana area employing about 10,000 staff. They are looking forward to a late summer vacation at a cottage on the ocean in East Matunuck.
Don Snyder, pictured on his veranda overlooking the Chartres Cathedral, was unable to make the trip from France for his 70th reunion. He writes, “I miss my classmates, and it was great to see the group on the steps of Middle House.”
1957
Thank you to civil rights lawyer Malcolm Farmer III ‘57 for addressing the students at this year's annual Fifth Grade Nonviolence Training graduation. Malcolm shared the story of his participation in the movement and the impact of nonviolence in his life.
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1964 Matthew Runci is now retired and has been living in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. “I volunteer in support of area nonprofits by providing pro-bono consulting in the areas of strategic planning, board development, and managing organizational change,” he writes.
1977
Tom Myers ’77 talks about his work with lasers on page 20. Tom’s team recently announced a new breakthrough: a laser-based movie projection system with unparalleled color and vividness.
1971 A.T. Wall ’71 was honored by the MBAA this spring, receiving Moses Brown’s Distinguished Alumni Award (with Steven Calabresi ’76). See page 27 for more.
1980
There was a strong MB presence at Providence Business News’ C-Suite Awards in April. Renee Aloisio, wife of Arthur Aloisio ’80, was recognized for her work at LGC+D, along with 13 other C-Suite executives who are leaders in the community, including Adam Olenn ’91. The Aloisios live in Lincoln.
Former faculty member Beth Taylor shared this photograph from a series she did in 1978 of students in her classroom. Beth now directs the nonfiction writing program at Brown. The photo depicts after-school fun with (l-r) Scott DiDonato ‘80, Sue Minter ‘79, Bill Land ‘79, Kim Canning '78, Bob Moore ‘79, Kathy McCarthy ‘80, and Jim Millward ‘79.
1982 Comedian Tom Cotter performed live to a sold-out audience in Alumni Hall at an Alumni Association event in May. Before taking the stage, Tom spent some time with the Student Alumni Association and Improv We Trust, MB’s student improv group. Rhode Island comedian Frank O’Donnell was the warm-up act. Tom’s 1.5-hour set had the whole room in hysterics. Find out if Tom is performing near you at www.tomcotter.com.
Comedian Tom Cotter ’82 performed to a sold-out audience of 175 people at the MBAA’s event in May. Tom may have come in second to a dog act in 2013 on the finale of America’s Got Talent, but he’s first in our book! As a thank you, Director of Alumni Relations Karin Morse presented Tom with a wrestling singlet.
1985 Michael DiStefano founded the Scholarships in Sobriety Program, which provides scholarships to meritorious young men and women making the transition from sober house living back into mainstream society. 32
1982
Class Notes
1986 Reid Flamer was confirmed by the Eleventh and Fourteenth Judicial Circuit of Florida to become a legal guardian for the court. Additionally, he was appointed to the Florida Statewide Executive Guardianship Committee for all guardians throughout the state and will chair the Ethics Committee.
Kaplan Mobray ’90 returned to MB in June as the 2016 Commencement speaker. He encouraged graduates to find their focus, seize opportunity, and disrupt the world for good: “If you can see it in the present, you become it in the future.”
1990 1990 1986
Keith Monchik ’90 and his son Nathan ’24 and daughter Emmeline ’27 enjoyed the MBAA/PA Skating Party in February.
“ natalya
Christian Davis (right) is now running the California division of Pinnacle, America’s third-largest real estate management company. He lives in Ramona, Calif. but returned to Providence for Reunion with his dad Joe Davis ’61.
and i were impressed by mb’s
challenging program , willingness to
evolve with the times , and the core values
it instills . the fact that my father , sister , and i are all alumni is special . we know mb will provide sammy with the best
opportunities to grow and develop.”
– Jeffrey Buckler ’01, P’30
Left to right: Rebecca ’05, Samuel ’30, Jeffrey ’01, and Steven Buckler ’70
For information about Admissions, please contact the Director of Admissions & Financial Aid Hugh Madden ’84 at hmadden@mosesbrown.org 33
1991
Thanks to Brad Martin ’91 for sharing his thoughts on learning for this issue of Cupola. Brad has recently moved back to Rhode Island. See page 42 for more.
The Class of 1991 showed great spirit as they gathered on the front steps after their 25th reunion cocktail reception. 1st row (l to r) Liz Newton, Jennifer Anderson, Adrienne Schaberg Filipov, Emanuela Binello. 2nd row Neal Pandozzi, Adam Olenn, Rich Overcash, Saulein Song Huang 3rd row Karissa Box Wallin, Kristin Pugliese, Rebecca Mellion Blake, Cliff Nulman, Kimberly Hurley Birmingham, Pamela Fishman Cianci, Alexis Miles 4th row Phil Ayoub, Dave Murphy, Dan Gold, John Knowles, Todd Greenbaum, Brad Martin.
1991
1995 Angus Davis’s son Ryder just finished his first year in MB’s nursery classroom and enjoyed learning music from Mrs. Pollart, his dad’s music teacher many moons ago. Angus says. “I am glad for the Quaker foundations of MB — like I did, Ryder learned about sharing, getting along with others peacefully, including those with different ideas, and more.” Angus says his grandfather, Spink Davis ’37, also inspires his work in education. Angus reflects on his work in Rhode Island — see page 8.
For the second consecutive year, 1992’s Catherine Gellman Hersacher’s interior design company, Bespoke Fine Interiors of Aiken, South Carolina, has been awarded “Best of Houzz” for Customer Service by Houzz Inc., the world’s leading platform for home remodeling and design.
1992 1992
Intrigued? See page 18 for more on Greg Stones’ post-MB path.
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1991
1995
Emanuela Binello ’91 shares on page 16.
Angus Davis discusses education on page 8.
Class Notes
1999
1996
Tim Hurley shares his surprising post-MB journey on page 21.
Beth Brier married Francisco Ortiz this May in Palm Beach, Florida. In attendance were Jim Engle ’71, Steven Bienenfeld ’71, David Lewis ’73, Jeffrey Brier ’71, Beth Brier Ortiz ’96, Francisco Ortiz, Jacob Brier ’98, John Blacher ’72, Neil Brier ’70, and past parent Carl Freedman.
1998 Heather Ellis and her family relocated to the Philadelphia area last summer. She teaches fourth grade at Friends Select School. She writes, “It has been a really neat experience to be back in a Quaker school.”
2001 Eric Cioe Pena writes, “We’re doing well!” He lives in Brooklyn with his wife Maria and their 10-month-old son Emiliano. He works as an emergency room doctor in Staten Island and is the director of global health for the hospital.
1996
1999 Kirstin McCarthy Boehm ’99 moved to Burlington, Vermont last year with her husband Eric and their son Nash. Kirstin works remotely from her home for IREX, an international development nonprofit based in Washington, D.C.
While Jennifer Kacewicz Carney, Amy Andersen Wyatt, and Kate Sullivan Fleming missed their 20th reunion in April, they did get together last summer in Brewster, Massachusetts.
community THAN WE ARE AS INDIVIDUALS.
WE BELIEVE THAT WE ARE MORE POWERFUL AS A
A priority of
Together we can strengthen the experience of today’s students. make your gift today! www . mosesbrown . org / onlinegiving
MB Believes A CAMPAIGN FOR LEARNING, PEOPLE, AND PLACE
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2002
2005
Sam Daly’s movie Black Road, a sci-fi thriller set in the year 2029, had its Rhode Island premiere at the Cable Car Cinema in June. The film’s trailer has had over 4 million views.
2005
2003 Mónica Rodríguez welcomed her daughter Amalia Lynn Rodríguez-Husband last October. Mónica continues to work as the alumni and high school coordinator at Community Preparatory School in Providence.
2006 Frank Candelmo married Caitlin Murphy last August. His brother Nico Candelmo ’08 was his best man. Frank graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 2013 with a degree in operations research, and is now an aviation officer and a Blackhawk pilot in the United States Army. Caitlin is a freelance editor. They honeymooned in Jamaica and now reside in Cameron, North Carolina, near where Frank is stationed at Fort Bragg.
Congratulations to Sara Dickson ’05, named Woman Player of the Year for Met PGA in April.
2004
Unfortunately Liam Deegan ’05 was in Paris on business when Director of Alumni Relations Karin Morse ’79 was visiting New Orleans, but she did stop by his business Barrel Proof, a bar that serves 275 whiskies. Salut!
Alexa Flinton ’04 married Jason Gold at the Conanicut Yacht Club in Jamestown last June. Classmates Erika Hodess, Pamela Priestly Gyles, and Peter Rock were in attendance; Erika was the maid of honor. Alexa works at EMC in Hopkinton, Massachusetts while Jason owns Gold’s Wine and Spirits in Middletown; they reside in Jamestown.
2006
Meredith Achey is working in medicine, beginning her clinical clerkships this August. See more from Meredith on page 19.
2005 36
Zoe Bell dons a fancy hat every time she launches a new video game! Read more on page 20.
2002 After Will MacLeod’s (’02) deployment as a Cavalry Scout in Afghanistan, he completed his enlistment in the regular Army and joined the Army Reserve. He continues to excel in advanced military training. Will also attended two grad schools and completed two master’s degrees. He interned with the State Department last fall and now works for Homeland Security in Washington, D.C.
Class Notes
Kristin Rocha ’06 is the author of the four-book middle grade series Secrets of Bearhaven, published by Scholastic. In addition to writing and promoting her own books, Kristin works as a story developer for Egg in the Hole Productions, helping to create series for young readers. She looks forward to appearing at the MB book festival in the future!
2006 2011 2009 Hannah Monroe is studying critical sociology at Brock University in Ontario, Canada. Through the Quaker Voluntary Service, she worked for the Atlanta Legal Aid Society on disability rights.
Faculty Member of the Year Ransom Griffin caught up with Despina Durand and Sam DiBella at Reunion in April.
2011 Joe Picozzi wrote, directed, and produced a short film that just completed a film festival run, garnered numerous awards, and took second place in comedy at the College Emmys in Los Angeles in May. A magna cum laude graduate of the University of Miami, Joe is living and working in Los Angeles. This spring, he made GoLocalProv’s Who’s Hot list. Rob Rinn had a great season in baseball, playing for Bryant University. The Bulldogs were named the No. 1 team in New England according to the New England Intercollegiate Baseball Association. A senior, Robby played first base and was named the New England Player of the Year, while also collecting his 200th career hit. In June, he was drafted in the 25th round (763rd overall) by the Kansas City Royals.
2008
Congratulations to Hannah Stahl ’08 (second from right). She recently won first place in the Westminster Kennel Club’s dog art contest, held several months before the club’s 140th annual show. Lucy, shown here, depicts a leaping Staffordshire bull terrier.
2012 Tim Graul, catcher for University of Pennsylvania, was named the Ivy League’s Player of the Year. He ended his season with a .432 in conference play and a .364 overall.
2012
2013 Ahmer Kidwai is studying entomology at Loyola University in Chicago. This summer his paid internship will have him studying the Zika virus.
2015 Congratulations to Cal Slepkow, named NEWMAC Pitcher of the Week at Clark University!
2015 Pictured at front right, Singne Brown ’15 played at the USTA Southern California Club Championship for the University of San Diego. This summer Singne is back in Rhode Island for her second year teaching as head sailing instructor at the Sakonnet Yacht Club in Little Compton.
Congratulations to Erin Mullins at Bowdoin. This spring, she was named NEISA Sailor of the Week. 37
Welcome: The Class of 2016! This chapter of their learning journey comes to a close. The Class of 2016 now heads off to freshman year at college and adventures beyond MB. We wish them the best.
Kaplan Mobray ’90 delivered the 2016 commencement address. “Your life will take many turns as you move forward from MB,” he told graduates. “You will have major triumphs and some of you will have the gift of a major setback. You will meet people who will change your life and you will take on jobs and occupations that allow you to change the world.” Kaplan recalled community members such as Jamie German, Doc Odell, Ransom Griffin, Susan Brown, Rob Edmonds, and David Burnham who helped him at MB and said Quaker meetings taught him how to center himself and find strength in any situation. Kaplan advised new graduates to disrupt the world for good and “become an original superhero.” See his full address at www.mosesbrown.org/commencement2016.
Learning Continues Best wishes to the Class of 2016 heading to: American University (2) Belmont University (2) Boston College (2) Boston University Bowdoin College Brown University (3) Bucknell University California Institute of Technology University of California, Los Angeles Case Western Reserve University College of Charleston University of Chicago (2) 38
Colby College University of Colorado at Boulder Cornell University Dartmouth College (3) Denison University (3) Dickinson College Eckerd College Elon University Emory University (4) Fairfield University (2) George Washington University Harvard University
Haverford College Kenyon College Loyola University Maryland (2) University of Massachusetts, Amherst Miami University of Ohio University of Miami (2) University of Michigan Middlebury College New York University Northeastern University (2) Northfield-Mt. Hermon School (PG) (2)
MB “Lifers,� here since lower school, marked the end of their Moses Brown years. New Upper School Head Rachel Moulton also celebrated her first MB Commencement.
Oberlin College Pennsylvania State University University of Pennsylvania University of Pittsburgh Providence College (3) University of Puget Sound Purdue University Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute University of Rhode Island (3) Roanoke College Skidmore College University of Southern California (2) Southern Methodist University
Syracuse University (2) Texas Christian University Trinity College (2) Tufts University (4) Union College University of Vermont (4) Villanova University University of Virginia Wake Forest University (2) Washington University in St. Louis (3) Worcester Academy (PG) (1) Youngstown State U - 7 Yr Med
Keep in touch! Share a note for the next magazine: www.mosesbrown.org/classnote Give us your email for alumni e-news and event invites: www.mosesbrown.org/alumni Send news/notes/photos for Cupola to: alumni@mosesbrown.org Get the MB Connects app today!
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Country Club. He is the father of MB faculty member Elena Jackvony-Mansolillo and grandfather of two current students, Abby M. ’17 and Alexander M. ’24. He was predeceased by his son, alumnus Louis Jackvony III ’65. Lou lived in North Providence with his wife, Marilyn. (2/12/16)
In Memoriam Henry Pierce, Class of 1937, attended Moses Brown School before graduating from Andover Prep School in Andover, Massachusetts. He later received a bachelor’s degree from Yale University. During World War II, he served with the United States Army Air Corps as a pilot, flying C-47 aircraft over Puerto Rico, India, and Africa. After the war, Henry worked for American Standard, Inc. and was an invaluable employee of the company for 41 years. In 1956 he transferred to Kansas City, and eventually retired with the company as regional manager of the Midwestern states. Henry had a passion for hunting, a pastime he especially enjoyed with his sons. He married his first wife, Lucille “Geoy” Ross Pierce in 1941, and his second wife Sandy Peterman Ricketts in 1996. (12/8/15) Louis Jackvony, Jr., Class of 1940, served in the United States Army during World War II, where he specialized in military intelligence. He was a graduate of Brown University and received his juris doctorate from Boston University. Lou was a prominent Rhode Island attorney and president of Jackvony & Jackvony, Incorporated. He headed the Department of Business Regulation for the State of Rhode Island, served on the Board of Bar Examiners, and was on the President’s Council of Providence College. He was an active member of the Republican Party and many community organizations, including the Aurora Civic Association, Brown University Faculty Club, and Alpine
Edgar John Lownes III, Class of 1945, served in the United States Navy in 1945 and 1946 and trained as an electronics technician. He attended Brown University, where he was a member of the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity, and graduated in 1950 with a Bachelor of Arts in economics. After graduation, he joined the family business, American Silk Spinning Company. His career in the textile industry also included sales with Astro Dyeworks and Tillinghast Stiles. Upon retirement, he was a selectman for the Town of Lyme, New Hampshire and a New Hampshire State Senator. Ed moved to Ft. Myers, Florida with his wife Penny where he enjoyed outdoor activities, gardening, cooking, and music. He was one of a long line of Lownes men to attend Moses Brown, including his father Edgar Lownes, Jr. ’19, brothers Bob ’46, David ’49, and Walter ’54, cousin Allan ’31, and uncle Albert ’16. (1/11/16) David Schoolman, Class of 1947, received his bachelor’s degree from Harvard University in 1951. Upon graduation, he enlisted in the United States Navy and served in Italy. He retired from the Navy in 1967 with the rank of lieutenant. David worked for many years with the Morse Shoe Company and was its vice president of advertising. He later established his own advertising company, ID Associates of Framingham and Falmouth. He was a Master Mason of 56 years and a member of the Quittacus Lodge Ancient Free & Accepted Masons in New Bedford, Massachusetts. David loved animals, especially his dogs, and had an unflagging sense of humor. He was married to his wife Isa-Maria for 60 years. (1/24/16) Paul H. Anderson, Class of 1951, was a resident of Foxboro, Massachusetts. He was married to his wife, Patricia. (12/30/14)
Frederick “Fritz” Stein, Class of 1951, received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Rhode Island. During the Korean War he served in the United States Coast Guard Reserve aboard a fireboat out of New York City. Fritz owned and operated Stone Ledge Art Gallery in Noank, Connecticut, which was started by his father. In line with his passion for art, he became a certified art appraiser, was a longtime member and past president of the Mystic Art Association, and was past president of the Groton Regional Theater. He served as director of operations for the Southeastern Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence for over ten years, and was a member of the Groton Town RTM, the Groton Rotary Club, and the Mystic Fire Department. Fritz enjoyed gardening, collecting antique fire memorabilia, and, most especially, spending time with his family. He was married to his wife Candice for 21 years. (7/12/07) Herbert Lawrence Triedman, Class of 1951, graduated from Harvard College before serving two years with the United States Army. In 1958, Herb founded Lawrence & Brooks, Inc., the oldest advertising, marketing, and public relations agency in Rhode Island, and served as its chairman. He was also vice-chairman of Webxchange, an internet company in Palo Alto, California. Over the years, Herb was a member of Temple Beth-El, the Providence Athenaeum, the Rhode Island School of Design Museum, and the University Club. Herb served on the board at Moses Brown for a number of years. He was married to his wife Susan Aaron Triedman for 57 years. Other Moses Brown graduates in his family include his son Steve Triedman ’76 and his granddaughter, Pamela Granoff Simon ’02. (12/28/15) William Wurt White, Jr., Class of 1951, attended Yale University. Upon graduation, he became an officer in the United States Air Force, serving in Texas, Oklahoma, and Japan. After leaving the service, he was a reporter with the Providence Journal and Evening Bulletin. He was director of development and public relations at Roger Williams College, and business manager for Bridgton Academy in North Bridgton,
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. 40
Maine. After retiring in 1990, Bill was selfemployed as a consultant helping various local nonprofit organizations. Outside of work, Bill spent time at his home on Moose Pond in Maine swimming, boating, and ice skating. He also enjoyed tennis, skiing, travel, and photography. He served as a trustee of the Bridgton Hospital and was co-chair of its capital funds drive with his wife, Beatrice. (1/23/16) Richard “Dick” Cummings, Jr., Class of 1955, attended Cyrus Peirce School and Nantucket High School before graduating from Moses Brown. He served two years in the United States Army. Dick worked for the Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company before beginning his four-decade-long career with the United States Postal Service; he worked for the USPS for 36 years, retiring in 2001 as a clerk supervisor station manager. He lived in Pompano Beach, Florida with Joanne, his wife of 56 years. (1/8/16) David Schartner, Class of 1955, graduated from the University of Rhode Island with a master’s in civil engineering. He was a 21year United States Army veteran, served in the Vietnam War, and retired with the rank of Major. David spent the last 40 summers of his life camping with his family at Bear Island on Lake Winnipesaukee in New Hampshire. He was an active outdoorsman and skied many winters at Pats Peak in Henniker, New Hampshire. He also enjoyed reading, snowmobiling, cross country skiing, and walking his five dogs. David lived in Weare, New Hampshire with his wife Virginia. (12/22/15) Vincent A. “Buddy” Cianci, Jr, Class of 1958, received a bachelor’s degree from Fairfield College, a master’s degree from Villanova University, and a law degree from Marquette University. After law school, he enlisted in the United States Army and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Military Police Corps and as a civil affairs officer in the Army Reserve. Upon his discharge he opened a private law practice and became a state prosecutor on the attorney general’s anti-corruption task force. Buddy served two non-consecutive tenures as mayor of Providence and is the city’s longest-serving mayor, having held office for over 21 years. He is credited with
the revitalization of the city’s economy and image; he helped to orchestrate WaterFire, brought the Providence Bruins to Rhode Island, and pushed to further several development projects in the city, such as the Providence Place Mall. He also had a successful radio and television career. (1/28/16) Edward “Ted” Malley III, Class of 1960, was a graduate of Colby College. He was a three-sport athlete and a nationallyranked squash player. Ted loved to be at sea, harpooning tuna and swordfish from the Gulf of Mexico to Georges Bank. Ted was also passionate about flying. He built his own Pitts Special and flew it from Boston to Florida. He spent his summers flying as a spotter pilot both locally and in Tunisia. Ted loved spending time with his children, and spent countless hours at the hockey rink coaching his sons. He even maintained a pond skating rink for his children during winters at their home in Scituate. Ted’s father, Edward Malley, Jr., graduated from Moses Brown in the Class of 1934. (2/27/16) Frederick Walters, Class of 1960, earned his associate’s degree in metals engineering at Wentworth Institute of Technology and his bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering from Northeastern University. He worked for several years in various executive capacities in the foundry equipment industry. Later, he became active in real estate development on Cape Cod and in importing wooden flooring from China. Fred greatly enjoyed international travel and spent years in Russia and China on business. Fred has three children and several grandchildren, all of whom live in eastern Massachusetts. Fred lived in Cape Cod with his wife, Denise. (4/28/16) Mark Bouck Paternoster, Class of 1965, attended Moses Brown in a post-graduate year after graduating from Walton Central School in Walton, New York. He received an associate’s degree in business administration from the State University of New York at Delhi. Mark had a variety of careers, claiming he never held a job that he didn’t like. He worked as a carpenter for many years building cabinets and custom woodworks until he was injured by a table saw. After that, he worked as an appraiser
for Roosevelt County, New York, and later as a bailiff for the county court. Mark had a passion for people-watching, and frequently cared for the many stray animals that crossed his path. (12/16/15) Robert Diamond, III, Class of 1975, was a resident of Johnston, Massachusetts. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics from the University of Rhode Island in 1980. (12/29/15)
Former Faculty/Staff Frank Basso, of East Providence, worked at Moses Brown from 1956 to 1986. He supported thousands of students as a member of the house staff. The 1982 yearbook was dedicated to him, and includes this fond remembrance: “The Class of 1982 is indeed proud to dedicate this issue of the MOSAIC to one of the unsung heroes of the school’s staff. For his dedication to the school and its students, for his friendly and supportive attitude, for his willing ear, for his oft unknown help and advice through the years, and mostly for his concern and interest in us and Moses Brown School, we are very happy to dedicate the 1982 edition to Frank Basso.” (4/28/16) Lawrence “Larry” Mangei worked at Moses Brown for seven years, serving the MB community at mealtimes and greeting everyone with a smile. Larry had a long and successful career in the food service industry. He attended the Culinary Arts Institute of America and the Buffalo State Food Service Management Program. He was the food director for Raytheon for 21 years, co-owner of Oak Manor Restaurant in Tiverton, chef at the Officer’s Club in Newport, and vice president of Helen’s Café in Providence. He was a communicant member of St. Anthony’s Church in North Providence, and a member of the Portsmouth Lions Club, among many other community organizations. He was actively involved with the Boy Scouts since he was 13, and served as Scoutmaster for Troop 70 Newport and Troop 5 Portsmouth. Larry served in the United States Army during the Korean War. He was married to his wife, Helen, for 36 years. (4/11/16)
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One Student at a Time By Brad Martin ’91
Having worked in a personalized learning environment for years now, I truly believe this is the only way to learn for some students. I also now have three young daughters, which has also helped evolve my interpretation of learning and the role school plays in that process. Think about all the learning that happens before even starting school — the more a school environment can build on everyone’s innate ability to learn and be curious, the better the school experience will be. Having options that include “non-traditional” personalized schools is essential in our education system. While I was fortunate to attend MB and enjoyed my four years there, I believe that places like my school, Met, are critical in the continuing development of education in our state. Met just celebrated 20 years and has been an innovator in now widely-accepted programming (internships and senior projects), continuing to push for deeper learning for all students. 42
I did not expect to find myself here. I was lucky after college to connect to a therapeutic wilderness school in Virginia where I worked around the clock with a passionate group of 20-somethings to help students achieve their goals. I learned much about leadership, facing fears, and developing relationships. My entire life changed — I learned about myself. After six years, I transitioned back to UConn to become a counselor/ therapist. One thing led to another and I got a job in a public high school in Storrs, as the first director of a new “school within a school” based on the Met School in Providence. I was exposed to school reform and connected my own personal experiences to the “one-student-at-atime” philosophy. I wouldn’t have predicted this — but I couldn’t be happier to have the opportunity to string all these experiences into a career in education. Any school is much more than a sum of its parts. Our students have two days
of internships a week — and most students say that’s the best part. This real-world learning allows students to explore a variety of interests. Their mentors (and we have such a rich community of professionals across Rhode Island who volunteer their time to work with students) become the teachers and help students develop skills. We try to connect student interests to their work. In the best cases, students do research, learn skills, build a product that benefits a community outside the classroom, and then present their work publicly. Overall, our students develop deep relationships with the adults at school — that connection becomes powerful and lasting. I have worked with a range of students and learners and I’m thrilled by what I see students accomplish — from traditional “hands-on” trade work like welding and auto-body fabrication to high-end academic writing and original artwork. Yet I see that students’ ability to succeed in their pursuits is often impacted by the negativity that can so easily surface on social media and interactions with others outside of school. As at MB, we have people here to help students make better decisions. This hard work pays off when I see kids reach their goals and feel great about their experiences. My hope for high school students anywhere — whether at the Met or MB — is that they graduate with a love of learning, an ability to relate to and collaborate with other people, an understanding of other perspectives, a connection between their passions and their living, gratitude for opportunities and what others provide for them, and a general hope that they have felt understood, listened to, and accepted as they have passed through one of the most tumultuous and challenging times of their lives! Brad Martin recently finished his first year as principal at the East Bay Met School in Newport. He has been a part of Big Picture Learning since 2008, most recently in Connecticut. He lives in Jamestown with his wife and three daughters.
alex & ani™ has created a
once-in-a-lifetime edition of their signature bracelet for moses brown
These unique keepsakes will never be produced again, and proceeds will fund a full scholarship — this memory of your past is the key to someone else’s future.
Order through the Moses Brown bookstore at mosesbrown.org/alexandani or call 401.831.7350 x138.
Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage Paid Providence, RI Permit No. 3264
Moses Brown School 250 Lloyd Avenue, Providence, RI 02906 www.mosesbrown.org 401-831-7350
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.
Woodman Family Community & Performance Center Opening December, 2016!
Renovated Walter Jones Library Opening Fall, 2016