Porter-Gaud Magazine - Spring 2017 by Porter-Gaud School

PORTER-GAUD magazine Spring 2017

PORTER-GAUD magazine SPRING 2017

Publication Staff Art Direction/Photography/Layout

Brink Norton, Director of Digital Media and Publications Content Management

Jennifer Lorenz, Director of Strategic Communications Research and Development

Kathryn Sherrod, Director of Annual and Major Gifts Katie Heath, Director of Alumni Relations

ON THE COVER

Rob Weil, George Campsen â&#x20AC;&#x2122;10, and John Stuhr â&#x20AC;&#x2122;91 aboard a pilot boat in Charleston Harbor

ON THE LEFT

Lower School Students celebrate victory over their teachers at Field Day 2017

Porter-Gaud Magazine is published for the benefit of alumni, students, parents, grandparents, faculty, staff, and friends of Porter-Gaud. All content, including articles and photographs, is property of Porter-Gaud School, unless otherwise stated. Any person or entity wanting to use or reproduce, in part or whole, any portion of this publication must do so with permission only.

300 Albemarle Road Charleston, SC 29407 843.556.3620 portergaud.edu

[table of contents]

In His Own Words: John Chitwood ’83

artist John Chitwood ’83 was selected to create the Piccolo Spoleto Festival’s annual 4 Graphic poster.

THRIVE SC: Mackie Krawcheck Moore ’82

6 Mackie Krawcheck Moore ’82 is building a place of healing for survivors of domestic violence.

An Interview with Josef Myers II ’05

10 Josef Myers mixes his love of music and technology to create some incredible apps. The Harbor Pilots

Rob Weil and alums John Stuhr ’91 and George Campsen IV ’10 belong to a team of long12 Parent storied mariners called the Charleston Branch Pilots.

Hemingway’s Brain: Dr. Andy Farah ’83

Andy Farah ’83 explores the neuropsychiatric conditions that may have affected writer Ernest 24 Dr.Hemingway.

Catherine Gibson ’17

FEATURES Grandparent’s Day 9 Faculty Farewell 18 reNEWal 20 Fine Arts Gallery 22 The First One 28 Alumni Weekend 30 Cyclone Notes 34 Cyclones Highlight Reel 38 The Class of 2017 40

Catherine Gibson spent her year educating her classmates about mental illness, and in the 26 Senior process, became a champion for those who suffer silently.

Parting Shot 42

John Frye ’17

The Cyclone Fund 43

John Frye shares his article on the importance of environmental stewardship and the 32 Senior science behind climate change.

‘83

JOHN CHITWOOD GRAPHIC ARTIST, DESIGNER

IN MY OWN WORDS

My decision to pursue a career in art has as much to do with the influence of Jeannie Gleaton at Porter-Gaud as anything else. While I certainly wouldn’t be where I am today without the support and encouragement of my family, some natural ability, a lot of luck and hard work, I may have not chosen art as a career if not for her.

seem to have hit this one out of the park. The response has been overwhelmingly positive, and I’m hoping that the image and the festival are a great success this year.

After having taken weekly art lessons for more years than I could recall, I was burned out by the time I reached high school. I had ceased formal lessons, and really wasn’t drawing much. But then a friend clued me in that I could get out of study hall by going to art class instead. Perhaps I owe my friend David a thank you, too. David introduced me to Mrs. Gleaton and told her that I really needed to be in her class. She was overtly skeptical at first questioning why she had never seen me before, and she tested my abilities with a series of drawings before agreeing to accept me into her art classes. I’d like to think that I didn’t let her down. She made art fun for me again. Without that renewed interest and encouragement my junior and senior years I may not have had a desire to pursue a career as an artist.

John Chitwood is a Charleston native – growing up in West Ashley with his parents and two older sisters. He was encouraged to pursue his talent early on, and took weekly art lessons all through grammar school. Inspired by birds and animals from the marshes and forest surrounding his Edgewater Park home, his wildlife drawings reflected is love of nature, and often received honors in area art shows.

As Robert Frost wrote in “The Road Not Taken”, Two roads diverged in a wood, and I— I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference.

After graduating from Porter-Gaud in 1983, John attended the University of Georgia, where he was first exposed to woodworking - a passion he still enjoys in his garage workshop today. After interning with an advertising agency in Daytona Beach, he moved to Sarasota, Florida and attended Ringling School of Art & Design. In 1988, John returned to Charleston and began a successful career in graphic design. In 2000, he opened Renaissart Graphic Design. To see more of John’s work, visit www.Renaissart.com.

I, too, wonder where I might now be or how things might be different if I had not spent so many afternoons painting, drawing, creating with Mrs. Gleaton in that marvelously unfinished art room upstairs in the fine arts building. In March, I was asked by Piccolo Spoleto to produce artwork for the festival. The poster I titled Music Lessons attempts to convey some of the charm of Charleston, SC, and Piccolo Spoleto. The subject matter is inspired by art lessons that I took as a child. After lessons, I’d wait inside the house for my mother to pick me up and sometimes take me for a pastrami sandwich at Patrick’s on King Street. In the poster scene, the little girl peeping through the mail slot is waiting on her mother to pick her up after piano lessons and take her for ice cream. While inspired by my actual experiences, I changed the “art” to “music” in the poster because shadows of someone drawing or painting would be far less interesting and recognizable then the musicians depicted here in the poster. The illustration was created over the course of a week. It is not a painting in the traditional sense of the word. It was produced digitally. Starting with a digital photo of a downtown home, I cropped the image vertically, saturated and tweaked the colors, added textures and pixel stylization, eliminated some and added other elements and supplemental imagery to achieve the compositional and narrative goals I wanted. By all accounts, I

’82

MACKIE KRAWCHECK MOORE HUMANITARIAN, FOUNDER OF THRIVE SC

Mackie Krawcheck Moore '82 noticed an uptick in direct messages on Facebook. What had once been one or two each week became 5-10. All the messages had the same terrifying theme: "Help me. My children and I are being beaten and held captive by my husband."

all day watching the images. That's when it all changed for me. I didn't want to be an industry that covered bad news. I wanted to do good in the world."

At the time, Mackie was working at My Sister's House, a local non-profit that operates an emergency temporary shelter for up to 36 women and children who flee abusive situations in Charleston, Berkeley, and Dorchester counties. But even with 36 beds, My Sister's House was turning people away.

After resigning from My Sister's House in April 2015, Mackie set out to find support for her vision, and reached out to an old friend, Stephen Colbert ‘82.

“It was then I knew the need was greater than what was available. I had to do something,” says Mackie. So she took a leap of faith, resigned, and set out to establish an alternative solution for victims of domestic violence in South Carolina and beyond. THE SPARK Mackie Krawcheck Moore '82 gives all of herself. It is where she is most comfortable. "At Porter-Gaud, I was involved in everything. As one of the first class of girls accepted to PG in the late 70s, I felt compelled to blaze a trail for the female minority. I ran track, played basketball, worked on the school yearbook, excelled as an all-state volleyball player, and even tried cheerleading,” says Mackie. “I also served as the first female vice president of student council, and the first female chair of the honor council.” Although a natural extrovert, she also had a great source of strength in her corner at PG. His name was Ted. R. Richardson, the Middle School principal. Nicknamed "The Maje", Mr. Richardson saw a spark in Mackie and continually pushed her to prove herself. After graduating fourth in her class, Mackie went onto Georgetown University and pursued broadcast journalism. But January 28, 1986 would shift her paradigm. While interning at the CNN Washington Bureau, Mackie was running the teleprompter for Bernard Shaw on the anchor desk when breaking news cut in. The Space Shuttle Challenger had exploded 37 seconds into lift-off and all seven crew members had perished. "For hours, we ran clips of the explosion, the crew's families crying, and the horrified crowd at Cape Canaveral. I stood there

BEGINNING AGAIN

"Stephen and I dated throughout high school and college and had remained good friends, so I decided to call him." Mackie laid out her plan, shared the staggering statistics, and asked for his support. Without hesitation, Colbert was in. With a single Tweet, he crashed the preliminary website but launched her new non-profit, THRIVE SC. THRIVE SC provides transitional housing, services, and holistic resources for survivors of domestic violence and their family pets. Mackie’s goal is to eradicate violence against women and children in the state of South Carolina. For a year and a half, Mackie says it was tough going. A survivor saw the THRIVE SC Facebook posts and offered up her James Island house for use as a new shelter. But the day before it was to open, the donor got cold feet and the deal fell through. After that, Mackie faced a lot of skepticism, but she would not give up. "I knew I could take the blow one of two ways. Either the project was not meant to be or I was not going to take no for an answer. I chose B, and slowly doors started opening. Soon after, I found a new place in Summerville to be a safe harbor for five women and their children,“ she says. But Summerville was not nearly enough. In South Carolina, a women dies from domestic violence every 12 days. It’s a staggering toll that for more than 15 years, South Carolina has consistently placed in the top five states nationally in the rate of women killed by men. Cutting across all ethic and socio-economic backgrounds, the problem has remained constant in South Carolina, even as domestic violence rates have tumbled 64% nationwide in the past two decades. Mackie knew so much more was possible. Brainstorming with Anne Lee, founder of Darkness to Light, the two came up with a provocative, eco-friendly solution for

Architect’s rendering of housing at THRIVE SC

transitional housing. THRIVE SC would replace the traditional, shared living space setting with modern, individual efficiencies constructed of recycled shipping containers. This cutting-edge approach would help residents and families to heal by providing much-needed personal space. “Privacy fosters the re-establishment of dignity, “Mackie says, “as most abuse victims are deprived of personal space and are often subjected to strict and harsh rules.” Architect and dear friend Sandy Logan drew up the plans for the healing community located on land secured in the Awendaw/Huger area in late 2016. In addition to the innovative housing solution, Mackie envisions a healing farm so women and children can stay for at least a year (most housing solutions have a 60-day limit). Residents will receive therapeutic services, including group and individual counseling, parenting classes, employment training and placement, and more. Residents will be able to farm the land, growing organic fruits, vegetables, and flowers for residents and a CSA, while others will learn to craft organic bath and body products to sell on THRIVE SC website. Mackie also plans to implement a home-school program so families remain intact 24/7. Her unique model is inspired by several national programs including the Washington State Coalition on Domestic Violence, Kentucky’s Greenhouse 45, and Nashville’s Thistle Farms. THRIVE SC’s newest facility and healing farm is scheduled to open in late 2017. TAKING THE NATIONAL STAGE

is a community of survivors who believe in creating awareness and funding causes that support the betterment of humanity. The website provides the platform to shop while donating to one of eight designated nonprofits. Gloria selected THRIVE SC to be her charity of choice to represent the worldwide domestic violence community. It is the only one in the category. Gloria also agreed to serve on THRIVE SC’s advisory board and to attend one THRIVE SC fundraising event a year. Mackie and her two daughters, Sophie and Chase, spent the entire May weekend with Gloria, which included participating in a HBO documentary, launching iwillsurvive.org with Good Morning America’s Robin Roberts, and interviews with The Washington Post, The New York Times, and the New York Post. “It was such a high note to have my daughters by my side and seeing what's possible when you embrace your passion and follow your dreams,” she says. Mackie is excited about the road ahead. “I’ve grown more as a person and from meeting these courageous women,” she says. “They are determined to reclaim their lives, and it is such an inspiration. I don’t take anything for granted anymore. Even on the worst day, it’s about being grateful and teaching others to be grateful and to get beyond their limitations.” To learn more about THRIVE SC or to make a donation,please visit thrivesc.life/donate.

Just a few months ago, Mackie met someone who would help her take THRIVE SC to the national stage - Grammy award winning singer and 80’s disco legend, Gloria Gaynor. In early May in Washington DC, Gloria led a celebration of disco, performing her greatest hit, “I Will Survive” in the gilded, grand Great Hall of the Library of Congress (LOC), just a year and two months after the LOC added her hit song and every woman’s anthem to the National Registry. Gloria, a survivor of domestic violence, used the event and concert to launch her iwillsurvive.org national website. Iwillsurvive.org

Gloria Gaynor with Mackie

GRANDPARENTâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S DAY

February 17, 2017

‘05

JOSEF MYERS II

ENTREPRENEUR, APP DEVELOPER, MUSIC LOVER

When did you come to Porter-Gaud?

Twitter feed. Since then it has been used at Charleston Fashion Week and other big local events.

At the end of 5th grade at Mitchell Elementary, my parents decided PG would provide me with more opportunities and a better education. I was at PG from 6th -12th grade. I was the kind of kid who was energized by new environments and new experiences, so I really enjoyed PG. It was really hard, but it opened up my world.

When did you enter mobile realm?

Favorite teacher?

We saw everything was shifting to mobile, so we launched Erli, an app for music superfans. Fans pay a premium to have a first listen to a song before it was released. It was limited edition digital streaming. When did you launch That Level?

Dr. Slayton taught me the value of being an independent thinker and that my value is in manifesting ideas and changing paradigms. I carry that with me to this day. Any others?

In music engineering class, Mr. LaCasse taught me about media and technology. He was the first to help me combine my interests and give me a taste of what was possible. How about friends in Class of ‘05?

The Sharkbanz duo, Nathan Garrison ‘05 and Davis Mercereau ‘05 were good friends. We are all most comfortable thinking outside the box. Entrepreneurial concepts you explored while at PG?

I was in band called Ionic Bonds (in honor of chemistry teacher Dr. Burrows) and fellow band members lived in I’on). My first concept was called Live Jam - a platform for bands to record music together from different locations using a Skype-like interface.

Where did you go to college?

I went to Warren Wilson, a small school in Asheville, but came home after a semester and enrolled at the College of Charleston (CofC). What was your first project in media/technology industry while at CofC? I started at CofC in 2006 and met Alex Summer and Will Willis. We started Visualive TV. We provided custom advertising with live tweets embedded in advertising to restaurants and bars. It was the first example of a live

Will Willis, another CofC graduate, and I formed That Level a few years ago. We are an iOS and Android app development shop specializing in start-up concepts, enterprise productions, and mobile gaming. Tell us about the Jermaine Dupri app.

We partnered with the rapper and entertainment mogul Jermaine Dupri on a new gaming app called 4 Lanes. The game, inspired by his “switching four lanes” lyrics in his 1998 single, “Money Ain’t But A Thang,” gives players the ability to navigate between two cars that are “escaping from police while collecting bags of money.” Gamers can challenge not only friends and strangers, but also Dupri himself. In the first week we had 10,000 downloads. We are working on an updated version now. Tell us about the CofC emoji project and its success.

We were contacted by the College’s Marketing department. We built an entire keyboard dedicated to everything students love about Charleston and CofC. We helped combine campus classics, Charleston icons, and hilarious GIFs to help Cougar fans all over the world interact in a very unique way. To date, we’ve had more than 6,000 downloads - pretty good for a student base of 10,000.

What’s next for That Level?

We just launched a new app called Apollo that will blend your playlists and music libraries from different platforms like iTunes, Spotify, SoundCloud, and YouTube. Go check it out!

THE HARBOR PILOTS THE PORTER-GAUD CONNECTION

Parent Rob Weil and alums John Stuhr ’91 and George Campsen ’10, and are just three of eight pilots with connections to PorterGaud.

CHARLESTON HARBOR PILOTS

Rob Weil, John Stuhr ’91, George Campsen ’10

DRIVING A GIANT

Porter-Gaud parent Rob Weil answered the call at 5:15 a.m. It was dispatch. “Rob, I’ve got you on the Cosco Development, you have a conference call with the State Ports Authority, tugs, and Cosco at 5:40, and I need you at the office at 6:45.” By 7:00 a.m., Weil was aboard one of two 75-foot aluminum pilot boats heading out to meet the largest container ship to ever visit the East Coast. The Cosco Development is 1,200 feet long (the size of the Empire State Building on its side), 158 feet wide and carries more than 9,000 containers. Weil walked out onto the bow of the pilot boat riding alongside the container ship. He stepped onto a rope ladder hanging over the side, and climbed up to the deck. All the while both vessels were moving at about eleven knots. “That was the moment I realized just how big she really was,” says Weil. Once on the bridge, Weil introduced himself to the captain and provided him with current tides, weather, boat traffic, and tugboat positions. With the approval of the ship’s master, Weil took over the controls and was now piloting the largest ship to ever enter Charleston Harbor.

Harbor Pilots - 1915. Photo credit: DuBose Blakeney

Of the current team of twenty Charleston harbor pilots, eight are either alumni or parents of students at Porter-Gaud School. The pilots navigate vessels in a myriad of conditions: strong winds, precipitation, thunderstorms, fog, and more. The majority of vessel movements are under the cover of darkness and early in the morning. A harbor pilot’s skills are critical to manage the safe and efficient flow of commerce amongst ever-larger ships confined to the fixed, narrow channels, while accounting for the continual changes of tides and weather. They combine their extensive navigational training and vast experience in the local waterways to safely steer these ships into and out of the Harbor every day.

“We have a big job, an important job, and a dangerous job, and if we take short cuts, there could be major consequences. Integrity lies within you to do the right thing at all times.” - Rob Weil “It ranks at the very top of my career,” says Weil, “It was a historical day for South Carolina and the entire Southeast. I was truly honored that I got to do it.”

All ships carrying cargo internationally must hire a harbor pilot, as well as foreign naval ships and large foreign yachts. Ships over 100 net tons inspected by the Coast Guard for domestic trade also must take a pilot. Most pilot boardings take place approximately 15 miles offshore of Sullivan’s Island and then pilots guide the ships into the Harbor, under the Ravenel Bridge, and into the terminals. When vessels depart, a pilot is aboard to provide the same service in reverse, allowing for vessels to safely continue to their next port of call.

The view from the helm of a container ship. Photo credit: Pilot John Dukes

HISTORY OF HARBOR PILOTS Rob Weil belongs to a team of long-storied veteran mariners called the Charleston Branch Pilots. Spanning three centuries, its members have been making their way out to sea, sailing, rowing and motoring to climb aboard schooners, steamships, and various types of ships to help captains navigate the confines of Charleston Harbor, as well as the Ashley, Cooper, and Wando Rivers.

“We are licensed to serve the interests of South Carolina to safeguard the public, the marine environment, and the flow of commerce that’s so critical to the state’s economy, and we are, in turn, hired by shipping lines to supervise the safe navigation of their vessels,” says John Stuhr ‘91, a seasoned pilot of more than 20 years. “It’s a team effort between the ship’s master and other officers on bridge. They tell me about the vessel, I tell them about the port of Charleston, current conditions, and vessel traffic. It’s a constant conversation from the moment I board the vessel to the moment I disembark.” Pilots work in two teams, one team on and one team off each week. Every pilot has a three-mark rotation, completing three

jobs and then going to the bottom of the rotation. A pilot’s shift may start at 1:00 a.m. bringing a ship into harbor, and then taking one out at 7:00 a.m., but then the pilot might get a third job at 4:00 or 5:00 p.m. After three jobs, it’s time to go home, sleep, and be back at it again when dispatch calls at midnight with seven ships lined up to come in. There’s a sign over the kitchen in the Charleston branch pilot headquarters off S. Adgers Wharf: “Grumble, you may. Go, you must.” “It can be grueling, but the service we provide for the industry, and the people you meet from around the world on the different vessels is very rewarding,” says Stuhr.

BECOMING A PILOT

For centuries, the role of harbor pilot was handed down from father to son - a tradition common across the country. That all changed some 20 years ago, when the South Carolina Pilot Commission stepped in and opened the process up to bring in more pilots with varied experience and backgrounds. Parent Rob Weil, John Stuhr ‘91 and pilot apprentice George Campsen IV ‘10 are all direct results of that change. After graduating from Porter-Gaud in 1991, Stuhr went on to Hampden Sydney College in Virginia and majored in biology. After college, he worked on offshore fishing boats in the Bahamas, Turks and Caicos, and Mexico. “I had a job lined up in Venezuela, but heard the apprentice program had opened up, so I applied and went through the process. After seven months, I was accepted. It was a dream come true.” The apprentice program puts an emphasis on a superior high school and undergraduate record as well as advanced degrees. It requires significant hours in local waters, an extensive pilot exam, a passion for the job, and in-depth interviews with the S.C. Pilot Commission and all 20 Charleston branch pilots. “I did well at Porter, which prepared me to go to Hampden Sydney, where I graduated with honors. Without really excelling at school, I would never be here today,” says Stuhr. Rob Weil entered the program after securing his master’s in business administration from the Citadel and working more than 15 years both as a deckhand on the tugboats and as a pilot boat captain. For George Campsen IV ‘10, currently two and a half years into the three-year program, the road to the apprentice program was different. Campsen set his sights on being a pilot as a sophomore at Porter-Gaud. “I worked eight summers on Charleston’s offshore fishing boats,” says Campsen. “I also captained tour boats in the Charleston

Harbor when fishing season was over to master the shipping channel. I saw the big container ships coming in, and I heard about harbor pilots. From then on, I set my mind to achieve my end goal of being a pilot.” Campsen got his captain’s license at 18, and then secured his 100-ton near-shore license at 19. After a stellar academic career at Porter-Gaud and the Citadel, he worked six months on a sport fishing boat traveling the East Coast. “I did everything I could to further my maritime experience and make myself the best applicant for the job,” adds Campsen.

EIGHTEEN DAYS ON, THREE DAYS OFF Apprentices work hard. For three years, it’s 18 days on - riding with every pilot around the clock - and then, three days off. “We work on the pilot boats and in the dispatch office,” says Campsen, “We train to take employees’ jobs from handling logistics of the operation to making sure pilots get where they need to be. They demand a lot out of you, but I love it, so it feels like I’m not even working. “ An apprentice’s day starts at midnight. It is purposely grueling so that young pilots experience working really hard at every hour of the night and they see every scenario, every meeting and passing situation, and so they can operate every type of vessel. Apprentices will log more than 1,500 trips under the supervision of a fully licensed pilot, so that when they reach the bridge on their own for the first time, they are prepared, proficient, and confident. Confidence and stamina are the most valuable skills apprentices learn. Campsen credits both Porter-Gaud and the Citadel’s academic rigor for building his self-confidence in handling ships. Playing sports also had a hand. “I played football and surfed competitively where teamwork was key. As pilots, we are members of the bridge resource team on the vessel. You have to learn the ins and outs of the crew to be successful.” Campsen says he’s learned so much over the last few years, but nothing like what he will learn his first week as licensed pilot. “I can’t wait. I wake up everyday grateful of where I am and what I’m doing.”

BATTLING THE ELEMENTS For Stuhr, the toughest part of the job can be the weather. “Mother Nature finds a way to make things difficult. There’s fog, limited visibility, and summer squalls. We’re all trained and we know how to do it, so when visibility goes black, you trust your instincts, the instruments, and your experience.”

Confidence and accountability are prominent qualities of all the harbor pilots.

should take the port to a depth of 52 feet and allow Charleston to serve as the Southeast’s deepest harbor.

“We’re asked to make decisions all the time, and you must be confident in your decisions. It was the kind of workload PG demands of its students, and the excellence students must provide that ultimately develops confidence and accountability in your decisions. It was a great stepping stone for the professional world.”

Says Weil, “There are a lot of people relying on us, The ships rely on us to get them safely in and out. Everybody is playing on the same team with the same end goal: To maintain our exceptional safety record.

Stuhr adds, “PG and Hampton Sydney prepared me for how to communicate, how to work with people, and how to deal and adapt under pressure, as well as planning, organizing, and improvising when a plan does not go as expected. “ Time and time again these qualities come into play as harbor pilots in one of the busiest ports on eastern seaboard. The Charleston Branch Pilots handle more than 4,500 vessels a year which call on six State Ports Authority terminals, ten private cargo terminals, two shipyards, two Federal Government facilities, three marinas, and four anchorages.

“A good harbor pilot is a conscientious pilot,” says Weil. “You can’t be a cowboy or do it all by yourself. We work with so many people from shore side operations to line handlers and the tugboat captains, you have to be able to work with a variety of personalities. I think it’s the number one characteristic, as well as integrity. We have a big job, an important job, and a dangerous job, and if we take short cuts, there could be major consequences. Integrity lies within you to do the right thing at all times.” Despite the risks, harbor pilots love what they do, and many times the job can lead to an opportunity of a lifetime like it did for Weil in early May.

Charleston is the eighth largest container trade in the country, and the State Ports Authority terminals generate more than $45 billion in economic activity each year. The port handles 700,000 standard 40-foot containers every year. Car carriers export more than 300,000 BMWs per year built in Upstate South Carolina. In addition to the manufacturers throughout the state trading through the State Ports Authority container terminals, other major manufacturers such as Nucor Steel, Alcoa, and BP rely on our private terminals for shipment of their bulk raw materials. As a nationally strategic port, Charleston also serves the Department of Defense’s transportation command, deploying military hardware throughout the world. As a global leader in containerization, the State Ports Authority is embarking on construction of a new container terminal on the former Charleston Navy Base, due to open by 2020. The next harbor -deepening project is scheduled to be completed by 2018, which

The Ravenel Bridge lined with people welcoming the Cosco Development. Photo credit: Elizabeth Hills

“Coming under the Ravenel Bridge aboard the Cosco, I knew my wife and kids would be on the bridge. I saw my daughter in her hot pink raincoat, so I hit the whistle for everybody and suddenly I saw six little arms waving down to their daddy. It was very, very special.” Once in the Wando River and approaching the terminal, three tugs slow the ship, turn it into position, and push it into its berth. Weil then delegates the duties of issuing commands to a licensed docking pilot who directs the ship’s crew and the fleet of tugs necessary to conduct these final and critical maneuvers. Now Weil was done. He walked off the ship and headed back to office to wait to do it all over again.

A view from the High Battery with docks filled with sailing vessels brought in by Harbor Pilots - late 1800’s. Photo credit: DuBose Blakeney

FACULTY FAREWELL

This June, we say goodbye to four extraordinary faculty and staff members. They are Ms. Lou Evans of the Lower School; Ms. Marley Drayton of the Lower School; Ms. Allyn Bruce of the Upper School, and Mr. Richard Washington of the Facilities Department. Together, they leave behind a legacy of more than 125+ combined years of service to Porter-Gaud. They will be deeply missed and we are forever grateful for their commitment to our school community. 1) How long have your worked at Porter-Gaud? What are your favorite memories or what did you enjoy most while a member of the Porter-Gaud family? Lou Evans: I have been a full-time employee at Porter-Gaud School for 31 years. The students that I have taught over the years stand out as my favorite memories. Rather than specific students, I recall the different types of children that touched my life over the years. I was privileged to teach some extremely bright and talented young people. They were a joy, and I never failed to be impressed with their extraordinary intellect. I particularly cherish the students who worked hard each and every day. It was gratifying and heartwarming to see their successes that resulted from their work ethic.

Marley Drayton: Over my 25 years at Porter Gaud, I have worked as the Lower School counselor, the director of the after-school enrichment program and the summer camp program, and as the Lower School receptionist. My favorite memories are of having lunch in the classroom with different teachers who shared heartwarming or funny stories about their students. All of the stories were uplifting and made you feel better. My memories also are of all the bright, energetic, and talented students we have here and all the wonderful things they have accomplished.

Allyn Bruce: I have worked at Porter-Gaud since 1989. Hurricane Hugo and I blew in at the same time! What I have enjoyed most about my time at Porter-Gaud is feeling that I am a part of such a tight-knit community. The teachers here are very collegial and there is a strong rapport between the teachers and the students. Richard Washington: I have worked here for 41 years. I get along with everybody, and I have a good bond with people here because I'm just being me. I started off in the dining room with my uncle William Washington. He would come by and get me after school while I was at Rivers High School on King Street, and I'd help out in the kitchen with the cooking. Back then it was a hot breakfast, lunch, and dinner. There was no buffet, deli bar, salad bar, and all that. The shift was 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. I would cook, serve breakfast, work out in the yard, cook and help serve lunch, and then clean the classrooms. I used to work seven days a week when there were boarders and all boys here, now it's just five days a week and we have multiple shifts. I've also been directing traffic in the morning and in the afternoon for more than 20 years!

2) Where have you seen the biggest changes at PorterGaud School in your tenure here?

3) What is your advice to students about making the most of their education?

Lou Evans: The use of technology and the expansion of the campus facilities over my tenure at PG have been amazing. Coming from a generation that grew up without computers or cell phones, the advent of technology for both teachers and our students has been truly revolutionary.

Lou Evans: My advice to students is to make the most of each and every day. You are only a kid once, so make it count. Work hard and enjoy the success that will surely follow. Don't totally overcommit yourself. Leave some time to relax and just be a kid. Take time to play hard, enjoy your friends, and take time out to smell life's flowers. You will be building friendships and memories that will last a lifetime.

Marley Drayton: The most obvious changes are in classroom technology and new facilities. There are also changes in the expansion of several departments, a more diverse student body and faculty, and the introduction of school uniforms. Allyn Bruce: As for changes, where do you start?! When I arrived, there was no S & T building. All the Upper School classes were conducted in Tyler Hall and Middle School classes were in Richardson Hall. The Upper School library was in the area now occupied by math classrooms on the breeze way. And as for technology, there has been a virtual explosion! iPads, laptops, cell phones--no one even thought about those things. As far as academics are concerned, the course offerings have multiplied as well. There are now so many wonderful choices that the students can make that reflect their varied interests. Richard Washington: The size of the campus has grown so much. It was just Tyler Hall, Richardson Hall, and the Lower School. The football field and the track used to be right across from the dining hall.

Marley Drayton: Do your best and be your best every day. Take advantage of all the opportunities this school and your education provide. Follow the Golden Rule as you interact with your fellow students. Don’t be afraid to stretch yourself beyond your comfort zone. Finally, take time for yourself and enjoy life. Allyn Bruce: The best advice I can give to students is to be faithful in their attendance. Come to class and don’t waste precious time. Also, take advantage of every opportunity to explore new ideas and subjects which come your way. Richard Washington: Listen before you speak. I like to say "Let the man sing". I also encourage students to be more observant of people.

A NEW FACE ON CAMPUS

We are proud to welcome Craig Stewart as our next Executive Director of the Foundation. Craig has diverse career experience in both the for-profit and non-profit arenas. His most notable experience is serving for more than 10 years in the development office at Episcopal High School in Alexandria, Virginia, during two successful capital and endowment campaigns totaling $110 million. His leadership will serve Porter-Gaud well as we enter the next phase of the reNEWal campaign. In addition to Craig's work experience at Episcopal, he is also an alumnus. He and his wife, Cricket, also sent all three of their children there. Craig sees many wonderful similarities between Episcopal and Porter-Gaud in our commitment to superior academics, character, honor, faith, and community service. "Porter-Gaud is already a superior school with so many positives. My starting point is at a very high level, but there is more in the future for this great school," says Craig. "It isn’t just new facilities," he adds, "It's about the life and the opportunities these new learning spaces will bring to the students and to the parents, who will proudly watch their children growing, performing, and blossoming."

Craig is looking forward to getting to know all facets of the Porter-Gaud community - our exceptional faculty and staff, alumni, parents, and other supporters. He is excited about sharing his philanthropic vision with all who are part of our past, present, and future. "Alumni are rightly proud of their school, and I hope more will come back for reunions, events, performances and athletic competitions. Parents have already entrusted us with the care and nurturing of their children and believe in our mission. My job is to raise awareness of the importance of supporting Porter-Gaud financially through the Cyclone Fund, the reNEWal campaign, the Parents 19 Guild, and the Fathers Association. We are all one Porter-Gaud."

In July, DuBose will move his office into the beautiful new Upper School building. I wanted our family to leave a hidden mark in his office that will document our time here as a family in some small

www.portergaud.edu/reNEWal

way. Last month, we walked over to the construction site late one Sunday afternoon with Sharpies in hand. We measured each child on the wall, marking the heights of our 13, 11 and 8 year olds. Then, we

had them each sign their name and their year of PG graduation. DuBose and I added ourselves to the wall next to the children. I couldn’t help but list his many years of being on campus and the roles he has played here. When I added up all of the years, I was astonished that it was 29 years! He spent 12 years here as a student and then returned in 2000 where he has served as the IT Director, the Assistant Head of School for Finance and Operations, and now his current role as the Head of School. A few days later, after we wrote our names on his wall, the built-in bookcases were installed, covering our family’s stamp on this space. The five of us are proud to be here, proud to call PG home and will look at that wall fondly in the future remembering this time in our lives and the small part we’ve played in the life of this remarkable 150-year-old school. - Nancy Egleston

AS THE FINISHING TOUCHES ARE COMPLETED ON THE NEW UPPER SCHOOL BUILDING, WE STILL HAVE $3 MILLION TO RAISE IN ORDER TO RELEASE FUNDS TO BEGIN RENOVATIONS AND UPGRADES TO OUR ART, THEATER, AND MUSIC ROOMS. PLEASE HELP US BEGIN THE SECOND PHASE OF THE RENEWAL CAMPAIGN FOR ARTS RENOVATIONS AND THE NEW PERFORMING ARTS CENTER. FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT WWW.PORTERGAUD.EDU/RENEWAL.

HELP US HONOR AN AMAZING MAN. In 1969, Ben Hutto â&#x20AC;&#x2122;64 came to Porter-Gaud and forever changed the school and the lives of hundreds of students. Ben spent years creating a choral program that would serve as the foundation for an array of performing arts. Today, we embark on a new era of the fine and performing arts with the construction of a Performing Arts Center, and we want every student to know the legacy of Ben Hutto. To do this, we challenge our alumni to help us raise $2 million to name the new Performing Arts Center after Ben to ensure his humor, grace, and talent are forever remembered. If you are interested in learning more, please contact Craig Stewart at cstewart@portergaud.edu.

Lower School Fine Arts Presents

JUNGLE BOOK, KIDS

Upper School Fine Arts Presents

MARY POPPINS

DR. ANDY FARAH

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;83

PSYCHIATRIST AND AUTHOR OF HEMINGWAYâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S BRAIN 1) What experiences at PG have you applied along the way in your career in psychiatry? Porter-Gaud certainly prepared me for college and med school, as I learned study habits at a very young age, and I learned to prepare for all types of exams, and of course we had, and still have, the very best teachers. Mr. Nordlund, Mr. Whitaker, Mr. Hazzard, Mr. Robinson, Mrs. Gleaton, and Mrs. Chanson all expected our work to reflect our own ideas. I was also honored to win the Donnan Award my junior year, which highlights quiet service. In healthcare, we are always asked to take on leadership roles and those skills are never taught. I think that kind recognition at such a young age gave me permission to develop fully this style of leading by thoughtfulness and by example.

2) When did you decide to pursue psychiatry? At Porter-Gaud, Mr. Nordlund sparked my curiosity with our lengthy discussions in class about Plato, Aristotle, and the nature of the soul. By the time I was a freshman at Clemson I realized I wanted to pursue psychiatry. I came home and attended the Medical University of South Carolina with several PG classmates, and then finished residency in psychiatry at Wake Forest. While at Wake Forest, my research focused on electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) - the exact treatment Hemingway received. Electroconvulsive therapy is a procedure in which a brief application of electric stimulus is used to produce a generalized seizure. It is generally used in treating patients with severe depression, acute mania, and certain schizophrenic syndromes. ECT is also used with some suicidal patients, who cannot wait for antidepressant medication to take effect.

3) Why Hemingway? I read Hemingway’s For Whom the Bell Tolls as summer reading at PG, but I was in middle school, and the Spanish Civil War was too complex for me at the time. Much later, in 1997, I was introduced to the author of The Idaho Hemingway, a book that focuses on the last decade of Hemingway’s life in Ketchum, Idaho. He asked me why Hemingway had deteriorated instead of improved after ECT. I explained that patients who decline with ECT usually have some organic brain disease that was previously undiagnosed, and that ECT is a biological stress that propels the demise, not cures the patient. I read all his biographies, letters, and memoirs to see if I could find that disease for Hemingway, and it was very obvious. I went through selected letters and placed a sticky note everywhere Hemingway suffered a concussion in his life - from mortar blast injuries in World War I, to car accidents in London and Cuba, to plane crashes in Africa. In the end, I counted nine major concussions. It was clear to me that Hemingway had been misdiagnosed. My book, Hemingway’s Brain, is the first forensic psychiatric examination of the Nobel Prize–winning genius. Contrary to the commonly accepted myths he was bipolar and an alcoholic, I provide a comprehensive explanation of the neuropsychiatric conditions that led Hemingway to suicide. 4) Describe the parallels you see in your patients and Hemingway. I’ve seen numerous patients that fit Hemingway’s description, a gentleman over age 50 with a cognitive decline, a dementia, and we have to figure out why. They usually come to our attention when symptoms are so severe as to need hospitalization, like in Hemingway’s case. Much like the NFL players at risk, a history of repeated head traumas and concussions can lead to chronic traumatic encephalopathy or CTE. This explains Hemingway’s late life decline in handwriting and the quality of his work. Fortunately, there are many treatments for our patients now that were not even theoretical in Hemingway’s time. 5) How did you compile the book? What was your process? Once I came up with a basic theory of Hemingway’s demise, I wrote an article entitled “Hemingway’s Brain,” and this was over 15 years ago. I shopped it around to various magazines but of course most of them sent it back unread. But I felt it was an original-enough contribution and that I should pursue a fulllength book, so I made a couple of trips to the John F. Kennedy Library to work with the material at the Hemingway archives there, and continued research until I spent about three years off and on pulling it together. I usually wrote in the evenings. Then it took about three years to find a publisher, and of course, I was very impatient because I had pointed out the role of concussions and chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) about a decade before it was a headline sports news story. The University of

South Carolina Press had a strong interest in modernism and had published several works on Fitzgerald so it was a natural fit. You also can’t say, “If I have time off, I’ll start my book.” You have to just start it. If you wait for the time to start it, you’ll never have the time. It’s like going to the gym. You just have to stop what you’re doing and go. 6) What has been or is most rewarding about publishing Hemingway’s Brain? It has been such a joy to meet real Hemingway scholars such as Hilary Justis and Linda Patterson Miller, and correspond with biographers like Scott Donaldson and Wendy Flory. These are brilliant scholars I’ve read and admired for years, and as it turns out, they are extremely kind and helpful, just wonderful to know. I now feel like I’m in a special club with these brilliant individuals. Also, the next International Hemingway conference is in Paris - not bad for a business trip! 7) What is the book jacket summary of the new book you’re working on now about Ezra Pound? We are now past the century mark of Pound scholarship, and this work, Diagnosing Ezra, is necessary because it contains the missing data. Pound inspires so many biographical studies, memoirs, as well as political, historical, and literary analyses, partly because he was, and remains, such an enigma. Yet, when viewed through the prism of his psychiatric condition, the veil finally lifts. When Pound sat at a typewriter, put pen to paper, or seized a microphone, his output was all too often rambling, disjointed, careless, and disinhibited—all core symptoms of his illness. When he was driven and obsessed, he was unstoppable. When he was at his worst, he was so delusional as to be oblivious of the fact that his words and actions would have severe consequences, even for him. The book describes the life and work of a creative genius with the intermittent and untreated conditions of mania, psychosis, and finally, severe catatonic depression. It is time to finally diagnose Ezra. I hope to wrap up the Pound book within two years. (Every time I get back into it, someone asks me to edit a journal and that sidetracks me for a while.) It is about 90% done, but the fact-checking takes time, and the last detail is to travel to St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in D.C. and read his medical file. There is also a new method to scoring his Rorschach test, which will hopefully support my theory of bipolar disorder. Andrew Farah serves as the chief of psychiatry and medical director at the High Point Division of the University of North Carolina Healthcare System. He is a native of Charleston, South Carolina, and attended Porter-Gaud for 12 years and is a member of the Class of 1983. He is a graduate of Clemson University and the Medical University of South Carolina. Farah completed his residency at Wake Forest University. He was named Distinguished Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association in 2015 for his teaching, research, and his original contributions to the field.

’17

CATHERINE GIBSON VESTRY LEADER, HONOR COUNCIL CO-CHAIR, MENTAL HEALTH ADVOCATE

For the majority of my life I’ve struggled with depression, anxiety, and obsessive compulsive disorder. This may sound surprising as I don’t really fit the picture most people have in mind when they think of those disorders. My wardrobe’s not comprised of only black, my room is a mess, not perfectly organized (just ask my mother), and I’m not obviously anxious about anything. But these disorders have all been a major part of my life, and I’ve had to deal with them every second of every day. November of my junior year, I spent a week in a mental hospital. It was the worst week of my life. And I could go on for pages about that place, but what was proven to me was important. There is no perfect picture of a depressed person, or someone with any kind of mental disorder. People of all ages, races, and genders suffer from mental disorders. And mental disorders are, unfortunately, common. Between one in four and one in five young adults suffer from some sort of mental illness. That means about ninety of our high schoolers are currently suffering from a mental illness, and even more might suffer from one in the future. Almost half of all college students will at some point contemplate taking their own lives. Suicide is the second leading cause of death for young adults, which means it’s a massive problem. But it’s not something we talk about a whole lot. Part of what I seek to do with my project through the program established this year is to spread education throughout our school community and the community as a larger whole. I want those kids who may be in the same position I was last year to realize this isn’t the end, it’s the beginning of the rest of a beautiful life. I want people to realize that most mental illnesses are not only manageable, but curable. I hope that by speaking up and drawing attention to the issue, other students, and adults too, will realize that having a mental illness is not something anyone needs to hide or be ashamed of. It’s something you can speak about, get help for, and conquer. Thus far, I’ve mostly focused on taking small steps to start a conversation with regard to mental health and attempt to offer some comfort for those who might be suffering from a mental affliction. Brinkley Norton ‘19 helped me make some posters with some of my favorite quotes discussing mental illness back in December, which we hung around campus. Mrs. Ridgell and I worked together to put together a small-scale suicide prevention week, with a video of support from many of our faculty members. A goal of mine with this project is to prove that just because you had a mental illness in the past or even if you have one now, there are still a great many things you can do to contribute to the world in one way or another. It’s my hope that after I graduate in May, conversation will continue and we can become more vocal about mental health issues and the problems they present. They’re so common that it makes more sense to talk about them than to stay silent. I fully believe the best way to help people is to let them know they are not alone, they are not crazy, they have value and potential, they are loved, and that there is hope, no matter what their brains might tell them.

The solution to what you can do to support those around you who might have a mental illness is surprisingly easy. Simple acts of kindness and compassion can mean the world to someone who may feel unloved, abandoned, and rejected. Asking a friend how they’re doing, including them in things even if you know they probably won’t come, Talking to them about how they feel and just letting them know that they are genuinely loved. Things that may seem insignificant can have a big impact on those who are depressed or struggling with other mental illnesses, and can help prove to someone who has lost all hope that not everything is terrible and good can and will prevail. If you worried about someone, reach out in a sense of seriousness. And if you are suffering from a mental illness, be it depression, anxiety, OCD, body dysmorphia, bipolar disorder, or any other disorder, know there are people in your life right now who care about you and want to help you. Not everyone will be willing or able to help, but a surprising amount of people will. Talk to your friends, talk to your family, talk to a counselor (Mrs. Ridgell for current Upper School Students), a religious figure (Such as Father Brian), or a doctor. I’m not on campus for very much longer, but even after I leave Porter, I’m always going to be happy to talk to any students about what I’ve been through, what I’ve learned, or just listen to whatever someone’s feeling . There are resources in place to help you with whatever you are struggling with. There are people who want to and will help you. There is help, there is hope, there’s a future. All is full of love. Trust me on this: you are not alone.

I’d like to thank my family for all their support, especially Emily Gibson ‘10, as well as Brinkley Norton ‘19 for her tremendous amount of help, Mrs. Ridgell for being there for every crazy idea I had and helping them become a reality, Father Brian, Mrs. Frazier, and all the teachers who have helped me with my senior project and other mental health projects this year (Mrs. Reinhold, Dr. Sessions, Dr. Westerman, Mr. Baran, Mrs. Collins, Dr. Gates, Mr. Greenwell, Mrs. Greenwell, Mrs. Cohen, Mrs. Tate, Mrs. Schenkel, Mr. Lipka, Mrs. Hyde, Ms. Jolly, Mr. Bergman, Mrs. Campbell, Mr. Moore, Mrs. Smith, Ms. Fisk, Mr. Myer, Mr. Smith, Mrs. Jones, Mrs. Batalis, and Mrs. Adelson).

THE FIRST ONE

GIRLS LACROSSE WINS THE FIRST CHAMPIONSHIP IN SCHOOL HISTORY 28

THE TEAM: Nelle Alexander, Chloe Elebash, Jaime Frey, Anna Grace Greenho, Ashton Kennington, Claire Kester, Halle Kilburn, Marion Kohlheim, Caroline Linkous, Kathryn Lucas, Erin McGhee, Karlee Propes, Sophie Schaffler, Kate Schaible, Meg Truluck, Becky Van Kirk, Olivia Varner, Leslie Wade THE COACHES: Head Coach Becky Williams and Assistant Coach Samantha Fisk

Girls Lacrosse: This was the first season in which SCISA sanctioned girlsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; lacrosse as a championship sport, and in only their second year as a program, the Cyclones were led by a new coach, Becky Williams. The returning squad of girls who began the program from scratch last year were bolstered by the arrival of newcomer Becky Van Kirk, whose seven goals in the state championship game against crosstown rival Ashley Hall led PG to the first-ever girlsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; lacrosse state title in SCISA history.

ALUMNI WEEKEND April 27-29

ALUMNI SOCCER April 28

PMA REUNION

’17

JOHN FRYE

ACTOR, WRITER, FUTURE JOHNS HOPKINS STUDENT GRASSROOTS: Why We Should Care About Our Environment Imagine that a foreign power attacked the United States, claiming upwards of 200,000 innocent lives. Citizens both young and old snuffed out as indiscriminately as the destroyed landscape about them.

forms the basis of knowledge and discovery, refusal to believe decades of evidence violates the very principle of science and thrusts humanity down a path of baselessness and, ultimately, self-harm.

How quickly do you think America would respond? Within a day? An hour? Even a few minutes? Imagine, again, that the same power bombarded the globe year after year, and even after millions of annual deaths, politicians still prattled about countering it for little more than 82 seconds at events as publicized as the presidential debates.

Climate change is entirely too real. It is a scientific fact; therefore, the majority of Americans (aside from the obvious climate characteristics) cannot contest its existence and prevalence in our lives. Yet an overwhelming number believe that, while real, climate change has spiraled out of control; it doesn’t matter if one lives a life of conspicuous consumption and wastefulness—our planet is already doomed! How can one person’s actions—or any actions, for that matter—change Earth’s future?!

Though seemingly preposterous, such a situation currently a affects our planet: millions of people die annually, not at the whim of some nefarious military force, but due to man-made pollutants. Whether by land, air, or sea, pollution and its more important consequence, global warming, invade our lives. And as testified by the vast majority of climatologists, climate change poses a genuine threat to humanity. Yet, just as in the aforementioned scenario, both politicians and much of the general public disregard our planet’s monumental crisis, behaving as if human pollution shares absolutely no correlation to global warming or that mankind lacks the power to ameliorate it. In my opinion, both beliefs, and the lifestyles they promote, contribute to our current environmental degradation, and both stem from dangerous misinformation about the impact that we have on the world around us. On the one hand, climate change deniers—as their name implies—outright disbelieve claims that human action influences the environment. As noted from the movement’s bafflingly inconsistent notion that carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, bears no culpability for increasing temperatures, climate change denial roots itself in a malignant degree of scientific illiteracy. To reason with such an ideology often bears little fruit. To present scientific data—such as the fact that global temperatures rose 1.53° in the past century—is to present to them information manipulated by governments and selfinterested organizations. The truth, they ironically believe, lies in fallacies purveyed by oil corporations like ExxonMobil. Even though nearly 120 years of independent studies strongly support the reality of man-made climate change, deniers shun scientific evidence in favor of personal skepticism. And while healthy skepticism

This absolute nihilism, I find, is infinitely more painful than absolute denial. I’m often stricken by the fact that, faced with the challenge of creating a more ecologically friendly world, people so easily give up. They can’t bear the possibility of standing behind something they believe in if it is threatened with failure or futility, and so they retreat into a cave of consumption they claim to be freedom. But to me, people who hide their own intellectual vacuity, their own lack of belief or individuality, in a sea of material consumption, do not represent freedom. Freedom, I believe, is the ability to live in and explore a world you unquestionably shape. For that freedom to marvel at an unadulterated night sky, bask in pure water, or walk beside trees centuries old, I am willing to change the way I live. My lifestyle matters for the Earth. As much as we can pretend, sated by our own cynicism, that no individual action can decelerate our changing climate, the fact of the matter is that individual lifestyle choices unquestionably impact our environment. One average American produces nearly 18 tons of carbon dioxide each year. How many of them, do you think, scoff at the notion of taking environmental action out of the belief that their actions don’t matter? Even if we can’t immediately register it, every infinitesimally small action we take to save our environment helps— everything from cutting plastic bottles and utensils out of our life, to using less fuel and electricity, and even to voting for lawmakers brave enough to confront the menace of climate change. We can continue to believe that mankind wields no power in combating a man-exacerbated issue, or we, as individuals and a nation as a whole, can fight for a cleaner, freer world for both us and the generations to come. For the environment, every action matters. And that, unlike climatological ignorance or nihilism, is a scientific fact.

CYCLONE NOTES

EXCITING NEWS FROM OUR ALUMNI

Class of 1953 in California.

Maj. Christopher F. Hottinger Jr. ‘53 is enjoying retirement and helping to care for his grandson

Class of 1963

Dr. John P. Knud-Hansen ‘63 is a urologist at the University of Maryland Community Medical Group on the Eastern shore of Maryland. He is looking forward to retirement in September!

Class of 1970

Mr. Randell C. Stoney, Jr. ‘70 was appointed managing member of the firm Barnwell Whaley Patterson & Helms, LLC. A third generation attorney, Randell joined Barnwell Whaley in 2006 and focuses his law practice on premises and product liability, construction law, and general liability litigation. He is also a South Carolina Supreme Court certified mediator and arbitrator. Randell served on the executive committees of both the Berkeley and Charleston Bar Associations, and was president of the C.B.A. He was also chairman of the Commissioners of the Pilotage for the Port of Charleston. Additionally, he is and has served on numerous advisory and executive boards including the Center for Heirs Property, Trident Technical College Foundation, Goodwill Industries, the Preservation Society of Charleston, and the College of Charleston Alumni Board. Established in Charleston in 1938, Barnwell Whaley Patterson & Helms, LLC, represents and counsels businesses and professionals in both North and South Carolina, throughout the United States in Federal Court, and beyond. Widely respected for their work in complex litigation matters, the firm’s 18 members and associates focus on the areas of complex civil litigation defense, patents, trademarks and intellectual property, professional malpractice defense, construction law, business law, business immigration, immigration litigation, and products liability defense.

Class of 1974

Mr. Herbert J. Butler, Jr. ‘74 joined Carolina One Real Estate Services as an agent based in the downtown Charleston office. He has 29 years of real estate industry experience. He has a bachelor’s degree in history from Hampton-Sydney College.

Class of 1977

Mr. John M. Padgett ‘77 is the President/CEO of The Padgett Smith Project, a marketing firm in Charleston, SC. Over the past thirty years, John has worked with brands such as Coca-Cola, McDonald’s, AFLAC, Piggly Wiggly, Cheerwine, Minute Maid, and Marriott. John lives in Mt. Pleasant, SC and is the proud father of four amazing people.

Class of 1978

Mr. Barry I. Kalinsky ‘78 joined Carriage Properties as a sales associate. Previously, he was owner of Bob Ellis Shoes. He has a bachelor’s degree in political science and government from George Washington University and a law degree from the University of South Carolina School of Law.

Class of 1979

Dr. J. “Jamie” C. Upshaw Downs ‘79 was named the Medical Director for the new Physician Assistant program at Charleston Southern University. Jamie was previously working for the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and in 2015 was named to the White House National Commission on Forensic Sciences subcommittee on Reporting & Testimony. He was also asked to present to the entire National Committee on the topic of ethics in forensic science.

Class of 1981

Mrs. Melisa H. Vinci ‘81 works in the Intensive Care Unit as a Quality Coordinator at Coastal Carolina Hospital in Hardeeville, SC.

Class of 1982

Mr. Charles “Charlie” Snedeker ‘82 has opened his own pilot and management services company, Aircraft Management of Charleston.

Class of 1983

Mr. John L. Chitwood ‘83 had his work Music Lessons featured in the 2017 Piccolo Spoleto Festival poster. See page __ for full article.

Class of 1984

Mr. Paul Oberman ’84 will be leaving the Atlantic Jewish Academy as the Head of the Upper School in Atlanta, GA to become the Head of School at Beren Academy in Houston, TX. Paul will be moving this summer. This spring, he traveled to Jerusalem to run his first half marathon for Team Shalva, an organization that works with children with special needs.

Class of 1987

Maj. Philip A. Middleton, Jr. ‘87 was named to the Patriots Point Foundation. The Patriots Point Foundation was established in 1976 and is an all-volunteer 501c3 that supports both the Naval and Maritime Museum and more recently the proposed land site of the National Medal of Honor Museum.

Class of 1988

Mr. Timonthy (Tim) M. Hussey ‘88 opened his own studio, T. Hussey Studio, to exhibit his latest works. The studio is located in downtown Charleston. Tim also showed his work at the 2016 Piccolo Spoleto Festival.

Class of 1997

Mr. Matthew V. B. Cochrane-Logan ‘97 and Heather Morin were married on January 7, 2017 at Our Lady of Mercy Chapel on the grounds of Salve Regina University in Newport, RI. The groom hosted a rehearsal dinner at the International Tennis Hall of Fame the previous evening and the couple’s reception took place at Rosecliff after the wedding ceremony amidst a blizzard of roughly ten inches of snow on Newport.

Class of 1990

Scott Broaddus ‘90 completed 10 years as CFO of Broaddus & Associates in Texas. His brother, Jeff Broaddus ‘94 heads federal and public safety programs for Broaddus & Associates. Mr. William C. Ravenel ‘90 and Ashley Ravenel welcomed their daughter, Caroline Ruth (Ruthie) Ravenel on December 19, 2016.

Class of 1991

Mr. Matthew S. Gibson ‘91 was named Executive Director of the Virginia Foundation for the Humanities (VFH) Board of Directors, the largest of all fiftysix state humanities councils, with the most diverse programs and funding sources in the nation. Matthew is a nationally recognized expert in digital humanities. He lives in Charlottesville with his wife Jennifer Billingsly and their children, Frannie and Bennett. Mr. Michael C. Scarafile ‘91, president of Carolina One Real Estate Services, has been named by the Swanepoel T3 Group as one of the top 200 Most Powerful People in Residential Real Estate for 2016. These real estate leaders are selected based upon their personal influence, tenure, decision-making power, and their organization’s industry significance and geographical reach.

Class of 1993

Reverend Andrew R. O’Dell ‘93 accepted a call to serve as Senior Associate Rector at St. Philip’s Church in Charleston, SC.

Class of 1995 Class of 1996

Lt. Colonel Cayton L. Johnson ‘95 is Squadron Commander at Fort Campbell in Kentucky.

Dr. Carter C. Hudgins ‘96 was named to the Charleston Regional Business Journal’s Forty under 40 for his work as the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Drayton Hall Preservation Trust.

Class of 1998

Mr. Thomas L. Berry III ‘98 married Abigail Lauren Wrenn on March 25, 2017 at Old Wide Awake Plantation in Hollywood, SC. Abigail attended the University of South Carolina and the College of Charleston and is employed as a dental assistant with Assey Dental Associates. Thomas graduated from Tulane University and is the co-owner of The Shelter Kitchen and Bar in Mt. Pleasant, SC.

CYCLONE NOTES

EXCITING NEWS FROM OUR ALUMNI

Mrs. Catherine Holland Chase ‘98 was named partner at Young Clement River LLP. She practices primarily in the commercial litigation and appellate, primary casualty, and transportation practice groups. Mr. Samuel R. Clawson, Jr. ‘98 was named as a member of Clawson and Staubes LLC. He has his bachelor’s degree in history from the University of South Carolina, a law degree from the University of South Carolina School of Law, and a master’s degree in international transportation management from New York Maritime College.

Class of 1999

Mrs. Kathleen Stelling Hodgson ‘99 and her husband, Mac, welcome their second baby girl, Penny McEver Hodgson on November 16, 2016. Mr. Alexander (Alex) W. Ramsay, Jr. ‘99 married Rebecca Blackman on November 19, 2016. The couple honeymooned in Scotland and Portugal. Alex is a Development Consultant with King Street Commercial Real Estate and the couple resides in Charleston, SC.

Class of 2001

Mr. William R. Cathcart Jr. ‘01 is a freelance journalist and editor based in Tbilsi, Georgia, covering geopolitics in the post-Soviet region. Recently he has been published by USA Today and the Post and Courier.

Class of 2002

Mr. H. Walker Bruce ‘02 married Janice Hartley at Tides Folly Beach on May 20, 2017. Walker is a chemistry teacher at Porter-Gaud School, and Janice is a cardiac nurse at Roper Hospital.

Mrs. Connor Atkinson Macon ‘02 married Marshall Brock Macon on April 9, 2016 in Charleston. The couple was married at St. Philip’s Church with reception following at the Country Club of Charleston. Connor and Marshall reside in Charlotte where Connor works for Wells Fargo’s Commercial Real Estate team and Marshall is the Director of Development at Morningstar Properties.

Mr. Hudson M. Rogers ‘02 and his wife, Margaret, welcomed their first child, Elizabeth Rutherford Rogers on April 25, 2017. Hudson was recently named Senior Development Manager at Twin Rivers Capital, a Charleston-based commercial real estate developer. Hudson has been in the commercial real estate industry for over a decade and with Twin Rivers Capital since 2013.

Class of 2003

Mr. Thomas H. Anderson ‘03 married Heyward Boykin Foxworth on January 23, 2016 at St. Philip’s Church in Charleston, SC. Thomas works for South State Bank and Heyward works at Lou Hammond & Associates. The couple resides in Charleston, SC. Andrew Hagood ’03 married Kathleen Hay on October 15, 2016. Andrew is a Project Manager with Trident Construction and was named to the Charleston Regional Business Journal’s Forty Under 40 in 2015. Kathleen works at Croghan’s Jewel Box, her family’s 100-plus-year-old jewelry store on King Street. The couple was married at the Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist in Charleston, SC with the reception at the bride’s family home on Broad Street.

Mr. Ryan C. Neff ‘03 and his wife Morgan welcomed their first child, Peyton Kennedy Neff, on November 10, 2016.

Miss Amanda M. Jones ‘10 graduated from Physician Assistant School May 2017. Mr. Andrew D. (Davis) Saul ‘10 moved to Toulouse in the South of France in March 2017. He is fully certified as an Infant Developmental Movement Educator with the Body-Mind Centering (R) Association and is educating young children at home within their family dynamics. The family he is currently working with has two boys, 3 and 6, both adopted from Tahiti. Last year, Davis completed theatre projects with 1st, 5th, and 8th graders in Varanasi, India at the Southpoint School.

Class of 2013 Class of 2004

Miss Alden E. Knowlton ‘04 is the Director of Political Affairs at Mortgage Bankers Association.

Mrs. Ruth M. Welch ‘04 and her husband, Chris welcomed their first child, Christopher Ethan Ravenel Welch, on February 10, 2017.

Class of 2006

Lt. Michael B. Burris, Jr. ‘06 was accepted to UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School.

Class of 2007

Mr. Charles S. Carmody, Jr. ‘07 is the manager of Charleston Music Hall. He was recently featured in The Post and Courier where he was credited with reviving this music venue from being little used to being “a cornerstone of the music scene”.

Mr. Michael W. Byrd ‘13 was named as a finalist for the Murphy Osborne Award. Michael is a senior men’s basketball player for Erskine College in High Point, NC. To be eligible for the award, nominees must be a senior student-athlete with a minimum grade point average of 3.25. The candidate must be a full-time student at the time of nomination, must have been a full-time student for at least two years at the member school, and must be a starter or important substitute in a conference sport. The recipient is selected by the conference Faculty Athletic Representatives. Michael has been a four-year member of the basketball team and is a Biology major with a minor in Chemistry. He is currently ranked number one in his senior class with a 3.98 GPA and has been accepted into MUSC for the fall of 2017. He has also served as Student Body President at Erskine for the past two years. Michael also received the Omicron Delta Kappa Student-Athlete Award last May for his service and leadership both on and off the court.

Mrs. Lillian S. Greene ‘07 and her husband, Gregory welcomed their first child, Eleanor English Greene, on August 16, 2016. The new family of three currently lives in Dallas, TX.

Class of 2008

Mrs. Catherine H. (Heyward) Bartlett ‘08 married Ben Bartlett on November 12, 2016 in Charleston, SC. The couple married at St. Philip’s Episcopal Church with the reception held at Hibernian Hall. Heyward and Ben originally met at Washington & Lee University and reside in New York City . Heyward works with The Boston Consulting Group (BCG) as Communications and Marketing Lead. Mr. Ross M. Jones ‘08 married Grayson Schirmer in December 2016.

Class of 2009

Mr. Austin S. M. Burris ‘09 joined Twin Rivers Capital LLC as an associate development manager. Previously, he was with Hughes Commercial Properties and KeenanSuggs. He has a bachelor’s degree in marketing and a master’s degree in business administration with an emphasis in entrepreneurship and real estate development from Clemson University. Miss Elenore P. Stoney ‘09 is a property manager for Paramount Properties and lives in West Ashley.

Class of 2010

Miss Anne V. Cai ‘10 is an MBA Candidate at MIT Sloan School of Management. Anne also has her undergraduate degree from MIT with a double major in mathematics and political science and minors in management science and economics.

Class of 2014

Mr. Brent M. Demarest ‘14 just crossed the finish line at the ACC cross-country championships. Brent, a redshirt sophomore, placed 7th overall and was the first finisher for UVA, who claimed team runner-up honors behind #6 Syracuse. UVA is ranked in the top 15 nationally. Brent earned first-team All-ACC honors.

Class of 2015

Miss Christiana (Ana) B. Olbrych ‘15 received the 2017 George Walker Waring Award for an outstanding sophomore English Major at the University of South Carolina.

Class of 2016

Miss Garis A. Grant ‘16 led the Agnes Scott Scotties in scoring, field goal percentage, blocks, and rebounds as a freshman. She was named the USA South Rookie of Year.

HIGHLIGHTREEL Girls Varsity Basketball: A year after graduating all five starters from a team that played in the state championship game, Coach Kevin Ziman’s team took the first step in building a brand-new dynasty. Led by returning seniors Maggie Berlin and Caroline Hills, along with junior captain Leslie Wade, a strong core of underclassmen, including all-state freshman Elise Pearson, sophomore Halle Kilburn, and sophomore forward Becky Van Kirk stepped up to make the next generation of Cyclone basketball a good one. Boys Basketball: The 2017 Cyclones were not only the best team in SCISA, but arguably the best team in South Carolina. MaxPreps consistently ranked Coach John Pearson’s 25-3 squad in their top three teams statewide en route to their second consecutive SCISA state championship. Junior Aaron Nesmith was named Post & Courier Lowcountry Player of the Year for the second straight year, while sophomore Josiah James took home the Most Outstanding Player award from the state finals. He was joined on the all-tournament team by junior center Jake Lanford.

Boys Soccer: A year removed from the graduation of ten seniors from a state championship team, Coach Juan Roncancio’s team has turned to the next generation to mount their title defense. The Cyclones have played a very tough out-of-conference schedule in preparation for the postseason, and ran undefeated through region play before falling in a hard-fought match in the SCISA state semifinals.

Girls’ Soccer: The Cyclones put together one of the best regular seasons in women’s soccer history at Porter-Gaud, earning 16 wins against a single loss (to SCHSL powerhouse Academic Magnet) and an undefeated season in SCISA. Led by a stingy defense anchored by senior goalie Maggie Berlin, a College of Charleston commit, Coach Hope Atkinson’s Cyclones steamrolled their playoff opponents and earned a berth in the state championship game for the first time since 2013. The Cyclones fell in overtime to defending state champion Cardinal Newman to earn state runner-up honors.

Boys Lacrosse: Coach David Scully’s lacrosse team played a tough schedule of teams from inside and outside South Carolina to prepare for a run at a SCISA state title. The Cyclones swept arch rival Hammond in the regular season, but fell to the Skyhawks in the state finals to finish the season as state runners-up.

Baseball: Coach Ricky Tillman’s Cyclones were a mix of senior experience and upcoming young talent this season. Seniors Joe Rosso, Jack Ihrke, John Jordan, Moravia Johnson, and William Rama provided the leadership, while key roles were played by eighth-grade catcher Emmett Descherer and a strong group of incoming freshmen. The Cyclones finished 14-9 in a very competitive region.

Boys Tennis: Quietly, consistently, and methodically, Cyclone tennis continues to be one of the best tennis programs in SCISA, in the Lowcountry, and in all of South Carolina. Coach Jonathan Barth’s team pulled off a third consecutive state championship victory, earning Porter-Gaud’s 17th tennis title in the past 23 years.

Bowling: In only their second year of competitive bowling, Coach Al Wilson’s bowlers became the only school in all of SCISA to place all three squads (boys, girls, and coed) in the championship round of the SCISA state finals. Amir Smalls was named outstanding men’s bowler and Ally Roskill won the women’s title. Derrick Main became the first all-state bowler in PG history. Boys Track: Coach Hugh Knight’s Cyclone squad continued their streak, earning a seventh consecutive SCISA state championship. Senior Judah Ellison, who claimed gold medals in the 1,600 and 3,200 meter runs, was named top performer in the state meet. Senior Gray Eubank won his second consecutive state title in the discus throw, and the 4x400 relay team of Judah Ellison, Ed Sessions, Michael Doyle, and Legend Waring also brought home gold medals. Girls Track: The Cyclones’ girls track team ended a strong season on a high note, over-performing expectations by over 25 points to finish a strong third in the SCISA state championship meet. Senior Maggie Berlin won the shot put, the team of Simone Handfield, Jasmine Smith, Riley Psenka, and Nelle Alexander won the 4x400 relay, and the team of Bryce Marion, Ellen Nirenblatt, Taylor Cristo, and Jasmine Smith not only won the 4x800 relay, but also broke the Porter-Gaud school record.

Boys Golf: Porter-Gaud’s golf team ran roughshod over their region opponents this season, going undefeated in regional play. Coach Hutson Dodd’s squad was led by two-time region player of the year Kent Lawrence, who also earned all-state honors. The Cyclones ended their season as state runners-up in a rain-shortened championship match.

Sailing: Although the Cyclones won the SCISA state championship regatta back in November as a “fall” sport, their season was just getting started. Coach Kael Martin’s crew of year-round sailors competed in the prestigious Great Oaks Invitational in New Orleans, and then earned a trip to Miami to compete in the ISSA district championships to cap off a fabulous year of sailing.

PARTING SHOT

Richard Washington rides his famous bike down Albemarle Road, just like he has every day for decades. In July, Mr. Washington will ride that bike right into a well-deserved retirement after 41 years of service to Porter-Gaud .

To go “ALL IN” means to be fully committed to a task or endeavor; to give or be prepared to give all of one’s energy or resources toward something. Porter-Gaud goes ALL IN for each and every Cyclone who has or will walk the halls on this campus. WHO WILL YOU GO ALL IN FOR?

PORTERGAUD.EDU/GIVE

300 Albemarle Road Charleston, SC 29407

UPCOMING EVENTS

August 22 - First Day of School August 25 - CycloneTown and New Upper School Opening Ceremony

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