Opening of the Hub Women in Tech The Passionate Falconer SSM’s Global Network
THROUGH THE ARCH
Winter
2019
FROM THE EDITOR
6
Summer 2018
CONTENTS
7 WOMEN IN TECH
Five alums offer an inside look at their exciting jobs in technology-related fields.
4
18 CARRYING THE TORCH
Bruce King ’65 and the story of King’s Saddlery/King Ropes
24 I LOVE TRAINS
Joe McMillan ’58 shares his lifelong passion for trains.
24
28 BEING ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF RIGHT An interview with Rich McHugh ’94 (PG) about his work as an investigative journalist
36 SPORTS NEWS 45 ALUMNI GATHERINGS 52 CLASS NOTES
36
14 •
Editor: Amy Wolf • Amy.Wolf@s-sm.org • 507.333.1585 Design: Alyssa Christian Contributing Writers: Matt Addington, Ryan Cardarella, Matt Cavellier, Megan Maschoff, Joe McMillan ’58, Amy Wolf Photography: Matt Addington, Zoe Chen ’19, Andrew Garlinski ’98, Heather Heart, Maggie Osterbaur Lee ’03, Megan Maschoff, Joe McMillan ’58, Johnnie Walker, Amy Wolf Class Notes: Kim Bakken, Fr. Henry Doyle Our Mission We are a global learning community that honors tradition while embracing innovation. By cultivating creative, independent thinking, we foster the transformation of our students to become citizens of integrity for an ever-changing world. Shattuck-St. Mary’s School community, with its strong commitment to protecting human rights and dignity, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, sexual orientation, religion, national or ethnic origin in its admissions and scholarship programs, the administration of its educational, athletic, or other school programs, or its employment practices. Shattuck-St. Mary’s School P.O. Box 218 • 1000 Shumway Avenue Faribault, MN 55021 • 888.729.4946 www.s-sm.org About the Covers: The Hub officially opened on January 11. Since that time, the three-story space has quickly become “the Hub” of student activity. The Servery, featured on the back cover, has revolutionized the dining experience at SSM. See pages 4-5 for more photos. Photo by Matt Addington.
34
CORRECTIONS AND COMMENTS From Susie Gaynor Day ’60 regarding the “Deep Roots: SSM Family Legacies” feature in our summer 2018 Arch issue: “Thank you and all who worked with you on this. We are all so appreciative of being remembered as a family who valued and cherished our times at St. Mary's and Shattuck. I also enjoyed reading the other legacy articles. Some of those family names recall connections from my family history there—the Krahmer and Dobbin families I had heard of for years. The Gould family story was especially nice to read, since (Mina) Jane Gould was a classmate and life long friend of our mother, Phoebe Foot Gaynor. Jan Gould Martin and I shared a few sweet tears of memory of our mothers when we met at an SSM reunion!”
45
Susie was also very diplomatic in pointing out an error in the story. “I was curious about the photos of our father, Frederick B. Gaynor and Frank Gould lII, which are so very similar. It does look like my father, but I don't know what Frank Gould looked like!” We appreciate the catch. Here are the photos with their correct names. Our apologies.
Frederick B. Gaynor ’34, pg 8
Frank Gould III ’59, pg 11 Winter 2019
1
FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL
C
ourtney and I have spent the last fifteen years of our careers at Shattuck-St. Mary’s School. As east coast transplants, and despite our closest relatives living in Chicago, we have been able to feel quite comfortable— indeed quite at home here in Faribault, Minnesota. When we arrived, it was just the two of us. Then came one dog almost immediately. Then another dog a year later. Then two boys—at the same time!—and all of a sudden we found ourselves with a home (at that time in the South Clapp apartment) brimming with activity. Fast forward almost eight years and we are down to one dog, and our boys—Peter and Joseph—are second graders at Roosevelt Elementary School, already looking forward to the day when they get to join the SSM community as students. Right now, though, they are learning what school is like, what activities they enjoy, and how and when to assert themselves as little humans with autonomy. Courtney and I are learning that our boys, though twins, are very different individuals, that poor behavior often belies anxiety, and that patience is often a lot easier to practice with other peoples’ children. People often ask us who Peter and Joe take after—and, as is probably the case with all children and their parents, the answer is both of us. Joe is friendly and talkative when he knows people, but he isn’t always comfortable in new settings—that’s me. Peter has the gift of his mother and maternal grandfather—he is comfortable talking to anyone. At any time. It is a gift that will serve him well. Joe is a perfectionist—whether it is drawing or writing out his homework, he is
meticulous in his work. Peter…not so much. He always gets his work done, and he is eager to please, but there are times when the process of completing a task is—for him—just as satisfying as the perfection is to Joe. After his first wrestling match of the year— yes, second graders already enter wrestling matches, and yes, Courtney and I were initially worried about this sport we knew little about—Peter came in last place in his group of four. He was disappointed and stated that he wanted to do better the next time. That he certainly did—he came in first in his next tournament. After the pictures and the gathering of the award, he said to us, “Now all I need to get is second and third place to have them all.” To Peter, the “places” are something to collect. In some ways, that’s both of us. Courtney and I “collect” license plates as we drive, trying to see them all in a month’s time. We gather passport stamps from places we have visited. We look to complete collections of books, national park visits, etc. Numerous times, Courtney has made the comment that it is a shame both teams can’t win. I can tell you—somewhat chagrined— that I never, ever, thought of places other than first as worthy of collection. Until Peter spoke those words, it would have never crossed my mind to “collect” anything other than first place. But then I thought of running, and, in particular, my running. Over the last several years I have run over a dozen half marathons, one marathon, and one ultramarathon. In none of those races did I ever even “sniff” first place (or second,
third, or fourth for that matter). When I reflected on my running experience—and expectations—I recognized myself in Peter’s words. I recognized that all I wanted to do was compete and improve on my previous performance. I recognized we were both collecting experiences—not places. When we talk about, and tout, our Centers of Excellence, we are proud of what we have developed and proud of what our students accomplish. While some of these accomplishments are attached to winning— and we do our fair share of that—the vast majority of them are not. Our COE students strive for a collective excellence, but all of our students, whether they are in a COE or not, strive for personal excellence—one that does not come with trophies, one where excellence may look as different as the number of students we have enrolled. This is what makes Shattuck-St. Mary’s School a vibrant and compelling place to be—every day we are all on a journey to our own personal excellence. That’s pretty special.
Matt Cavellier SSM Head of School Winter 2019
3
“This is what design does–it impacts you just by being in and amongst it. And the Hub is no exception. When you go into the Hub and have time to experience it, it will speak to you.”
THE SERVERY
The new Servery has revolutionized dining at SSM! Built around the food station concept found in many collegiate dining halls, the Servery offers a vast array of meal choices, including: a pasta bar, locally sourced greens on an extensive salad bar, multiple variety of soups and a daily broth, wood-fired pizza. There are vegetarian and gluten-free options, made from scratch breads and buns, and many more entrees. There is happy eating in Morgan Refectory!
4
Winter 2019
THE HUB
“The old fuses with the new. Our past is respected and serves as an integral part of this new and contemporary facility. These walls will give you a sense of permanence and comfort from knowing that each of you is a part of something substantial, part of a School with a foundation from which you can launch.”
The Hub officially opened on January 11, 2019. To set the stage for the very first “Hub experience,” Nick Stoneman addressed students and staff in Newhall Auditorium. Here are excerpts from his remarks.
Winter 2019
5
The new gymnasium will feature a suspended running track.
sports complex update
In mid-October, the Dane Family Fieldhouse rose again following the April 2018 snowstorm that collapsed it. With a new outer shell and amazingly bright interior lighting, the Fieldhouse is back in full use. From early morning walkers and runners to the afternoon soccer practices to outside rentals on the weekend—it is a hub of warm activity. The Sports Complex Addition is also coming along and there is nearly daily progress to note. The new facility will include a gymnasium (complete with the Johnson Armory doors), a suspended running track over the basketball/ volleyball court, a strength and conditioning area, a climbing wall, soccer offices and conference room, locker rooms, and a new alumni “blue line” room for hockey.
A 27-foot climbing tower will be a unique addition to the new space.
The new alumni “blue line” hockey room will include viewing areas of both ice arenas.
“I want to inspire other women and young leaders to pursue their dreams by showing them it is possible and helping them find their way.”
ALUMNI STORIES
- Mallory Lindgren ’02
W men in T
Tech
he U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that technology will be the field with the highest increase in jobs between now and 2030. However, the Bureau also predicts that the vast of majority of these new technology jobs will go to men. The reason? Women are not pursuing science and technology degrees at the same rate as men. Experts believe that young girls lose interest in science and technology as they approach adolescence for a variety of reasons including a lack of mentors and hands-on experience. There are efforts to combat this trend. At ShattuckSt. Mary’s, two Centers of Excellence (COE) are devoted to fostering an interest in technology and science—the BioScience and Engineering COEs. Mike Boone, Director of the Engineering Center of Excellence, has seen some progress in attracting more female students to his program. “There certainly has been an upswing in the number of young women entering the field of engineering, but it’s certainly not reached its potential for gender balance,” he notes. “There is
By Matt Addington
such opportunity for women to do great things in our field and we’ve definitely had more interest from the female students in our program.” Dr. Maren LaLiberty, Director of the BioScience Center of Excellence, sees a need for more gender balance. “We need more female voices in science because it just gives a greater probability that more ideas will come to the surface.” In the longer view, Dr. LaLiberty adds, “We need to inspire them because they’re students for such a short period of time. Really they’re potential colleagues, they will be treating us someday and they’re problem solvers for the rest of their lives.” In this feature story, we spotlight five female Shattuck-St. Mary’s graduates who are making a difference in their fields of science, technology, and engineering. Without the benefit of having the BioScience or Engineering Centers of Excellence in place while they were attending Shattuck-St. Mary’s, they are nonetheless paving the way for others in their respective workplaces. Winter 2019
7
Mallory Peper Lindgren ’02 Director, Solar and Storage Westwood Professional Services, Minnetonka, Minnesota B.S., Hydrology, St. Cloud State University
Additional experience and community outreach: KidWind Advisor, Minnesota Renewable Energy Challenge, Habitat for Humanity, Mary’s Place, Girls Go Green & Girl Scouts wind energy mentor, Minnesota Science Museum’s Make: Day Presenter
T
o say that sunshine energizes and motivates SSM grad Mallory Peper Lindgren ’02 would be a vast understatement. Her work as the director of solar and storage at Westwood Professional Services (Westwood) literally revolves around the sun on a daily basis. With offices across the country, Minnesota-based Westwood is a multi-disciplined surveying and engineering company that serves the commerical, residential, wind, solar, power delivery, and gas markets. Mallory’s interest in science, engineering, and technology can be traced to her childhood years and later was fueled by college courses. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) classes taught her to analyze datasets and in turn, reveal relationships, patterns, and trends. “I have always enjoyed learning a wide variety of topics and then figuring out how that information is related to or modifies what I had previously learned,” Mallory explained. “It’s always been easy for me to identify relationships and think in terms of networks.” When Mallory was first hired at Westwood in 2007, she analyzed how various environmental factors would interact with potential renewable energy projects. “Right away I was able to apply my broad understanding of environmental sciences to siting and permitting wind and solar projects,” Mallory said. Over time, she dug into understanding Westwood’s business and got involved
8
Winter 2019
Mallory (second from right) and a team of her colleagues volunteered at a GRID Altneratives’ We Build, a program for training other women into the solar industry.
in renewable industry trade groups and non-profits to learn how Westwood could interact at the frontline of global energy. Now, she is responsible for developing Westwood’s strategic pursuit of the global solar energy and energy storage markets as well as overseeing the engineering, surveying, and environmental services they provide to clients. Mallory has taken an active role in the non-profit organization Women of Renewable Industries and Sustainable Energy (WRISE) and volunteered in a variety of programs to teach students and young people about renewable energy. “I’m continually surprised how few women I see working in the energy sector. The transition of our grid to carbon-free resources is a complex problem that will require a diverse set of minds and backgrounds to solve,” she said. “I think it will provide great opportunity for companies to grow and be profitable.” Even more importantly, her greatest contribution to the future involves her family, especially raising her young boys Rutledge (5) and Ben (2) with her spouse. “I am blessed to have an unbelievably supportive husband who focuses on our family while being incredibly talented in his own right,” Mallory said. “And my work now is making a cleaner future for my kids. This needs to be a better place for them and their kids.”
Natalia Mendoza-Orr ’06
F
or Natalia Mendoza-Orr ’06, her love of math at a young age has now, in some geometric way, come full-circle. She grew up in the shadow of the Clock Tower as a faculty child on campus, with an early fascination and curiosity for math. This passion ultimately led her into the world of civil engineering and brought her back to Faribault as an Architectural Solutions Project Manager for SageGlass.
Architectural Solutions Project Manager, SageGlass, Faribault, Minnesota B.S., Civil Engineering, B.S., Mathematics, University of North Dakota
Additional experience: Hydraulic Fracturing Field Engineer
SageGlass is a wholly owned subsidiary of Saint-Gobain, a French multinational company specializing in high performance construction materials. The Faribault-based SageGlass uses electrochromic technology to tint glass in response to the sun at the user’s discretion. In layman’s terms, it is “smart” glass. This specialized glass is featured in the skylight windows in the newly opened Hub at SSM (see story on page 13). Natalia’s experience at SSM was inspired by Mr. Irby and his love of geometry. “He just made it so fun and left me wanting to know more,” Natalia said. She also attributes her passion for learning to Mr. Ray, who was a very challenging teacher, but pushed her and inspired her to use reason, especially when math had already come relatively easy to her. “Taking theoretical-based mathematics and figuring out how to use it in the real world is what fuels me and eventually led me from math into engineering.” Even with her intensive left-brain, theoretical mind, Natalia also considers herself a very spatial person. While at SSM, she found great enjoyment in sculpture classes with Mr. Walker. “He sort of let me do my thing and working with clay and using my hands made sense to me,” Natalia said. “In order to make something truly unique, you need a balance between the theoretical and creative.” In her current position with SageGlass, Natalia’s department oversees the entire process of a project from ordering, to production, to delivery, to installation and functionality for the client. Her foundations in math serve her well. “As someone with a degree in engineering, but not working directly as an engineer, I am astounded how often I use my math skills,” Natalie explained. “In the past, I have used algebra, geometry, and reasoning to align prospective glass projects with our manufacturing capabilities.” Natalia has truly found her niche professionally. “I really like the path that I am on. I feel my role is an integral link between our customers and SageGlass. Currently, I facilitate a lot of data collection regarding warranty claims and use statistics to evaluate and analyze data sets to help inform business decisions related to continuous improvement initiatives.” Winter 2019
9
“I had a really positive experience with my math teachers at SSM, specifically Mr. Irby and Ms. Oliver. They were really influential in my decision to major in math in college.”
Becky Stoneman ’10 Product Manager on the Core User Interface team, Pinterest, San Francisco, California B.S., Math and Psychology, Bowdoin College
Additional experience and activities: Mentor/camp counselor for ZGiRLS, an organization focused on helping girls build confidence through athletic pursuits
P
interest is an immensely popular social media site. It is THE place for creative collaborators to share ideas with other users around the globe. As someone with creative interests and analytical skills, Becky Stoneman ’10 landed her “dream job” working for Pinterest right out of college in 2014. Now, nearly five years later, she is one of the more tenured employees at the fast-growing firm. After two years working for Pinterest as a Product Specialist, which included hands-on work with software engineers and engaging users on social media, Becky was promoted to a Product Manager on the Core User Interface (UI) team. In this capacity, she works with software engineers and product designers to improve the core functionalities of the platform. After graduating from Bowdoin College in 2014 with a double major in math and psychology, Becky knew that finance or consulting jobs weren’t going to appeal to her. “I knew I wasn’t interested in a corporate setting and was really hoping to find work in a creative, fast-paced environment. And technology just seemed like a great fit,” she explained. Another Bowdoin alumna tipped her off to a position at Pinterest and she jumped at it. “I do a lot of
10
Winter 2019
data analysis to understand if features are working as expected. With my math degree, I’m really comfortable with the numbers and different types of analysis techniques,” she explained. “And I spend a lot of time understanding our users, so there are pieces of my psychology degree that are also really relevant.” Though she’s not a software engineer, Becky has made an effort to develop a baseline understanding of coding, which builds credibility with the engineers on her team. Since joining Pinterest, she has taken some coursework to increase this knowledge base and has learned to write Structured Query Language (SQL). Becky looks back on her seven years at SSM and notes the influence of several teachers. “I had a really positive experience with my math teachers at SSM, specifically Mr. Irby and Ms. Oliver. They were really influential in my decision to major in math in college,” Becky reflected. Her Shattuck-St. Mary’s experience was one that prepared her not only for college life, but beyond. As a member of a soccer team—both at SSM and at Bowdoin—she developed confidence while learning to work with others towards a common goal.
C
amille Varin-Tremblay ’11 knew at an early age that she was destined to work in the healthcare field. With that singular focus, she has made a quick ascent into the new medical frontier of genetic counseling. “Even though the BioScience Center of Excellence didn’t exist when I was at SSM, I really enjoyed my science classes and knew that I wanted to pursue a career in the healthcare field,” Camille said. “Shattuck-St. Mary’s also helped me learn English as a second language and gave me the chance to explore opportunities outside of Quebec and meet new people.” During her undergraduate studies at the University of Maine, while playing soccer and taking science classes, Camille was inspired by her first genetics course. “My professor was so passionate about the field of genetics and this passion transferred instantly to me,” she said. “I was able to work in his lab for two years and focused the rest of my science studies on genetics.” Genetics can be a sensitive and delicate subject for patients and their families. Because of this, advanced degree programs are paired with extensive study in counseling as well. Upon graduation from the University of Maine, Camille was accepted into an intensive two-year Master’s Program at McGill University in Montreal where she earned her degree in genetic counseling. Genetic counseling helps patients understand their genetic risk, explore testing that may be right for them, and help to interpret the results of those tests for them and members of their family. “Genetic counseling is the perfect balance between science and patient care,” Camille said. “I love that every patient has a different story to tell.”
Camille Varin-Tremblay ’11 Cancer Genetics Counselor Yale-New Haven Hospital, New Haven, Connecticut B.S., Biology/Genetics, University of Maine M.S., Genetic Counseling, McGill University
After graduation in May 2018 from McGill, Camille was hired at Yale-New Haven Hospital and specializes in the area of cancer genetics. “I chose cancer genetics because the field is so rapidly expanding, but more importantly to help prevent cancer as much as possible in families with a genetic predisposition,” Camille said. “We are constantly striving for new treatments and ways to improve the prognosis of patients diagnosed with cancer.” Camille’s daily work is primarily spent in the clinic with patients, but she is also looking into the wide range of research opportunities in the field of cancer genetics. And, as a person with forward-looking goals, she hopes to have the opportunity to teach in one of the genetic counseling programs somewhere in North America. Winter 2019
11
Lori Eich ’99 Senior Product Manager, Analytics DialogTech, Chicago, Illinois
I
n today’s world of technology, consumers are being constantly evaluated. Businesses are using advanced analytics to understand their customers beyond hard statistics and numbers. In fact, businesses are using artificial intelligence (AI) to drive growth and win customers. Lori Eich ’99 is immersed in this amazing world of technology, software, and artificial intelligence as a Senior Product Manager in Analytics for DialogTech. DialogTech is a world leader in phone call analytics whose AI software turns inbound voice conversations into actionable insights for businesses and marketers, much like clicks are measured for website effectiveness.
S.B., Geology, S.M., Geophysics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
Additional expertise: Visual Basic, C#, Python, and other computer science courses through MIT’s EdX platform
The position is a fascinating one even for someone with such wide-ranging experience as Lori. After completing two degrees from MIT and starting her career as a geologist, Lori gravitated to software engineering and data science. She is now managing a team and learning the value of an inter-disciplinary approach. “While my immediate goals are very focused on software usability, when I look at the bigger picture, our team can’t build anything unless somebody will pay for it,” she explains. “My involvement with the sales and marketing teams is required if I want to make sure our software has a future.” Relationship-building and collaboration are essential to successful product management. Lori reflects how these two skills were fostered at SSM, especially through her time with teacher and coach Jon Freeman. “While Coach Freeman’s AP Physics class was fantastic preparation for MIT physics, I learned a lot about coaching, leadership, and teamwork from him on the basketball and track teams. He was good at emphasizing a teamfirst approach, and my goal is to do the same. I try to recognize who the expert is for any given situation and make sure that person is heard. I try to fit the team’s strategy to the talent I have available to me. Most importantly, I have to take a step back, check my ego, and make sure the best idea (not necessarily my idea) always wins.” Lori also credits David Burdoin and his BC Calculus class at SSM for preparing her well for MIT math. “Mr. Burdoin constantly challenged us with harder and harder problems, and by the end of the year we had not only completed the BC Calculus exam material, but we also finished the equivalent of a semester of linear algebra.” Because of this rigorous track, she was able to skip an entire semester of calculus at MIT. “I was never intimidated by any of the math I needed to use throughout my college career.” As for the future, Lori would love to someday lead a small startup and build something that ultimately helps people. “I want to take a good idea and help my team make it a reality and I want to feel like someone else’s life has improved as a result.”
12
Winter 2019
The SSM SageGlass Story SageGlass is a high-tech glass manufacturer that was established in Faribault and acquired in 2012 by the French multinational corporation— Saint-Gobain. When SSM began working on architectural designs for the new Hub space, using SageGlass and its “dynamic glass” technology was a priority. SageGlass is electrochromic glass that is controlled by an electronic circuit which can automatically darken or lighten depending on the sunlight levels, achieving a comfortable temperature and brightness levels for people inside. As it turns out, SageGlass was eager to partner with Shattuck-St. Mary’s on the Hub project. The close proximity of SSM to SageGlass made is mutually beneficial for both— greater and more frequent data collection for SageGlass and more personalized control parameters for SSM. Two SSM graduates—Nick Blackmer ’11 and Natalia Mendoza-Orr ’06— also work for SageGlass and took special pride in the SSM project. Nick is a Process Engineer and Natalia is a Project Manager with the
Maddie Mills ’17 Cornell University
Brette Pettet ’17
Architectural Solutions Team. “I love the idea of some young student at SSM seeing and learning about SageGlass and becoming inspired to study STEM because of it. It really opened my eyes to what is still possible to accomplish in the future of our technological world,” Nick said. Beyond its innovative properties, SageGlass skylights offer special inspiration. In opening the Hub, Nick Stoneman offered these thoughts: “The skylights that run the length of the great room open the sky to us, letting in sunshine that beams in optimism. It warms us, brightens us, and encourages us in ways we don’t even realize.” SageGlass will certainly let the sunshine in, and in just the right doses.
Maddie Mills ’17 Nick Blackmer ’11 and Natalia Mendoza-Orr ’06 visited SSM to check out the installation of SageGlass that make up the Hub’s skylights.
Cornell University I was further influenced to pursue the engineering field because I got to see the types of jobs that were available to people in the engineering industry. I would say that the most influential thing was getting to do some hands-on projects that really
I was further influenced to pursue the engineering field GeoScience because I got toEnvironmental see the types of jobs that were available University of Wisconsin-Madison to people in the engineering industry. I would say that the most influential was gettingto to docomplex some hands-on “Not only wasthing the introduction more projects that really pushed me to explore more technology problems a great help for my years at college but and experience than aspect a normal classroom setting would have the creativity that Mr. Boone implemented in theLastly, program, to be incredibly helpful, ever given me. in served the engineering center of excellence as engineering is all bit about problems I got to experience a little ofsolving a lot of different types and discovering the best solutions. I feel the of engineering to knowCOE what I would be interested in The five women profiled for the “Women in Tech” story did not have Engineering at SSM provided a the benefit of the BioScience or Engineering Centers of Excellence pursuing in college. I really noticed that to be an base of knowledge that is definitely fueling their science passions while at SSM. Here are two SSM important forpeers beginning, advantage over my hereintense at in college.
The Next Wave
college level classes.”
I am studying Chemical Engineering at Cornell University
graduates currently in college who were the beneficiaries of being members of the Engineering COE while also pursuing their passion for ice hockey. Both young women are currently collegiate student-athletes.
Maddie Mills ’17 Chemical Engineering Cornell University Maddie (left) and Brette (right) during a poster session while SSM students
“I would say that the most influential thing was getting to do some hands-on projects that really pushed me to explore technology and applications beyond a normal classroom setting. I really noticed that to be an advantage over my peers here in college.” Winter 2019
13
ind your passion.” It’s an overused directive that rings hollow for many people. And yet, there are a fortunate few who discover an interest early in life and pursue it with a joyful focus and yes, even passion. Take Pete Widener ’68 for example. From the time he was a young boy, he was drawn to birds. After his parents’ divorce when he was age nine, Pete and his younger brother divided their time between life with their father on his various properties, including a Montana ranch. They lived with their mom in Whitefish, Mont., where Pete said she “put them to work,” but it was his father who opened the door of possibilities to young Pete by sharing his interest in birds and hunting. “I love to hunt and I love birds. I put those two together and that’s how I discovered falconry.”
ALUMNI STORIES PETE WIDENER ’68
By Amy Wolf
While Pete’s mom was an avid sportswoman who actively supported Pete’s hunting interests, she was less enthused about live birds in and around the house. “Every day I’d come home from school and I had a BB gun. I hate to admit it, but I learned about birds by shooting them.” However, it wasn’t long before Pete figured out a more humane way to catch his first bird. “I was about 11 or 12 years old. We were on our way to Kalispell and several times I saw this kestrel (a small falcon) perched on a telephone line. My mom wouldn’t drive me out so I rode my bike. I built a trap from what I learned in a book. It had a mouse in the cage to lure the bird. I actually caught it. That was the first bird I had.”
His father was insistent that Pete and his brother (George Widener, Class of 1970) be properly educated so, they explored boarding schools and selected Shattuck School based on its relative proximity to Montana. It was a difficult adjustment for Pete his first year. However, as a 15-year-old at the start of his sophomore year, Pete wrote to the game warden in Minnesota requesting a permit to have captive falcons on campus. Burge Ayres was Headmaster at the time and supported Pete’s unique interest, allowing him to build a ten-foot square plywood mews just below the Rectory in the woods for housing his hawks. It was from his vantage point inside his residence that Headmaster Ayres observed Pete with his birds. He wrote his parents about his impressions:
That is how Pete Widener began a lifetime journey exploring the art of falconry and teaching himself throughout the process. Back when he was a youngster, it was just something he was drawn to do. “You go through a lot of emotional issues as a kid. When I think back on it, I gravitated to this as my thing. This was my release.”
“A week before he left for the Christmas holidays, I watched him from my living room window as he worked with his hawk in the ravine below. Never have I seen such rapport between a young man with his bird or animal. His patience and firmness with what I look upon as a vicious bird of prey was astounding. I shall have to take a few lessons out of his book!”
Winter 2019
15
After college, Pete returned to Wyoming to work at his father’s beef cattle ranch where he has remained ever since. His falconry interest had continued, but by 1970, there was a severe decline in the Peregrine Falcon population and they were placed under the Endangered Species Act. Out of necessity, Pete started breeding falcons because he couldn’t trap wild ones anymore and they were now considered endangered and off limits. He also got involved with a non-profit organization, the Peregrine Fund, which was founded at Cornell University and is now based in Boise, Idaho as the World Center for Birds of Prey. Through the efforts of the Peregrine Fund, more than 6,000 peregrine falcons were raised. Pete has bred seven generations of peregrines and is considered an expert on the intricacies of captive breeding. “The only reason why there are birds around now is because of nuts like me. To my knowledge, there are only five birds that have ever come off the endangered list and the peregrine falcon is one of them. The Peregrine Fund made things happen in a volume way. The people behind all that were falconers. Most worked for peanuts. It was a grassroots thing that grew to save the peregrine. It shows you what passion can do—you can’t buy passion.” In saving the peregrine, Pete’s knowledge and reputation spread. The University of Minnesota’s Raptor Center worked with Pete to use some of his birds to repopulate falcons along the Mississippi River. Pete has also been involved in establishing standards for
Left: A young Pete on the Shattuck grounds with a RedTail Hawk. Above: Pete with a peregrine falcon
falconry, including a required apprenticeship for newcomers with an experienced sponsor and a written test. Pete continues to sponsor new falconers and notes that the fastest growing group in the field is women. He is also working on a book on the sport of falconry in terms of his personal experience as well as sharing what he has learned about the art of training falcons. Peregrine breeding continues on the Widener Ranch. Pete raises 10-20 birds a year, which he sells within his close network of other falconers across the country. He is the first to admit that falconry is all-consuming. “You’re a little bit fanatical, kind of a nut case because you really have to be singularly focused. That’s your interest. Period. You just can’t put it in a closet.” Lucy Widener, his spouse of 41 years, thinks it just might be “an extra chromosome.”
“I totally relax when I get out there to fly the bird. I don’t think about anything else.” Pete Widener ’68, and his wife Lucy
Regardless, it is a passion that has filled Pete’s life and kept him intent on improving. “You never can reach the top of the mountain. It’s really just fancy bird watching when you boil it down. I get to go out and watch a hawk on a daily basis do its thing.” Despite his passion for falconry, the emotions well up when Pete talks about his family. “The greatest thing in my life is watching my kids be successful. That could bring tears to my eyes thinking about it. Falconry’s nothing. When it comes to my kids, I just sit back and think ‘their mother was something!’” Lucy and Pete have three sons—Sam ’00, Ben, and Peter. Falconry has been very present in their family life despite Pete being watchful of its influence. “It’s a humbling thing. I never wanted to impose on them because I didn’t like people telling me what to do.” Lucy flew a Redtail hawk and a Goshawk and of the three boys, Peter has had the greatest interest in falconry. As a young dad and business owner in Sheridan, he has limited time for falconry these days but has enjoyed sharing a common interest with his father. For Pete, his daily life has a rhythm to it, the highlight of which is flying his birds. “It’s such a habit pattern. I totally relax when I get out there to fly the bird. I don’t think about anything else. It’s a big release for me daily. It’s spectacular scenery in nature. I never get tired of watching them. I guess I’m hard wired to do it.”
Falcon Facts There are six types of falcons in North America: ♦ Gyrfalcon (artic birds) ♦ Peregrine (also known as a duck hawk is found on every continent except Antarctica) ♦ Prairie falcon ♦ Merlin (pigeon hawk) ♦ Kestrel ♦ Aplamado (occasional to rare sightings in SW Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona)
Average lifespan of a peregrine falcon that survives its first year: 7-8 years Peregrine falcons generally mate for life. A falcon’s main diet in the wild is typically small to medium sized birds. Hunting targets for falconry birds might be sharp-tailed grouse, duck, and
pheasant.
Peregrine falcons are considered one of the fastest animals on earth. When in a dive in pursuit of quarry they have been clocked at over 200 miles per hour. A trained peregrine under falconry conditions is encouraged to circle as high as possible (5001000 feet) overhead of the falconer. All hunting is preferably done within sight of the falconer in a stoop (dive) in pursuit from overhead. The peregrine and the bald eagle are the only two raptors to have been removed from the endangered species list, to a large extent through dedicated conservation efforts. At its lowest census, there were no peregrine falcons east of the Mississippi River and less than ten percent of historically known sites were occupied. Today, there are more known active sites than were known historically. Winter 2019
17
Carrying
ALUMNI STORIES BRUCE KING ’65
Torch the
By Amy Wolf
“I
am just a caretaker.” So says Bruce King ’65 rather matter-of-factly as the phone rings and
he fields questions from colleagues while keeping an eye on all the action in a bustling retail store below his paper-laden second floor desk. If the words don’t quite match his actions, chalk it up to a tall dose of cowboy humbleness.
Winter 2019
19
“You go through that Arch for the first or second or hundredth time and it kind of makes your head swell.”
The cowboy part Bruce comes by honestly. He grew up in Sheridan, Wyo. where he was the second of four boys, born to a dude ranch cowboy and a mother who was a dude at Eaton’s Ranch (founded in 1879 and still going strong). His father, the legendary Don King, was a cowboy who broke horses during the day and worked on leather saddles at night. He created a distinctive leather design known as the “Sheridan style” that uses interlocking wild roses in a circular pattern. After about 20 years of developing his craft at home, Don opened a shop in downtown Sheridan in 1961. That is how King’s Saddlery began—a humble beginning for what would become an iconic Western brand with an international following that includes Queen Elizabeth and Princess Anne. At the time of the store’s opening in 1961, Bruce was a new boy (9th grade) at Shattuck School. When he came home for Christmas Break, he helped out in the store. Bruce graduated from Shattuck School in 1965, went to college and then joined the Navy as a jet mechanic. By the time he returned to Sheridan in 1972, he was ready to devote himself to the family business. By then, King’s Saddlery was a true family affair. The youngest of the four boys, John, started tooling leather when he was 12. The 20
Winter 2019
second youngest was Bob, who became a renowned cowboy and gravitated toward building the rope business which today boasts nearly 100 varieties under the King Ropes brand. In one of life’s cruel twists, both John and Bob died before their father, who passed away in 2007 at age 84. Bruce describes his role as “carrying the torch” as he shepherds the business towards the next generation. His older brother, Bill, operates an art gallery next to the store. Bruce spends time on paperwork and then he sneaks down to the basement that is filled with tables, tools, and leather. He’ll work on anything he can. “It’s kind of a hide out for me,” Bruce admits. Bruce acknowledges that being involved in a family business may not always be easy. Yet, he says, “We’ve been fortunate because we get along and still talk to each other.” Bruce’s mom, Dorothy King, continues as the matriarch of the family at age 96. “Family” is the operative word for Bruce and there are many “families” in his life. Through his mother’s family—the Clapps—he learned
about a summer camp in Faribault, Minn. He attended the camp several years and loved it so much that he pushed for his parents to allow him to attend Shattuck School. His three brothers were not so winclined, but Bruce had met Harry O’Connor during summer camp and was drawn to this surrogate father figure. It brings tears to his eyes just talking about the influence Harry had on him. Heck, he taught him to swim correctly! “In the sixth grade, he made me swim the mile in the little swimming pool—60 or 80 laps. I was a skinny little runt. But he made me do that. He was more of a dad than my dad was at that time. He gave me his trench knife from WWII. He taught Ancient History and Speech and he coached track and freshman football. He was just a great guy. He was a guy’s guy.” The School was a good fit for Bruce during his high school years. He is still sentimental about the Arch. “You go through that Arch for the first or second or hundredth time and it kind of makes your head swell.” Bruce was a member of the Crack Squad his junior and senior years and was recognized as “best driller.” He says the structure helped him. He
Learn More King Ropes carries 75-100 varieties of ropes.
King’s Saddlery, King Ropes, and the Don King Museum are located in Sheridan,Wyoming
Online sales at kingssaddlery.com are primarily of ropes and caps. Western memorabilia displayed in the Don King Museum
will also acknowledge that he wasn’t a saint. “You either get in trouble or you don’t—and I did both.” He made lifelong friends at the School who are now members of the extended King family with Bruce and his wife, Mary, organizing get-togethers. “We have quite a network (of friends) and it’s a wonderful thing,” Bruce says. “We’ve held together real close.”
The company employs 28-30 people−some of whom have been with them for over 40 years.
The Don King museum, located off the rope shop, houses over three decades of the King family’s dedication to collecting Western and cowboy memorabilia from all over the world.
The allure of
And, getting back to King’s Saddlery—Bruce is now the father figure to about 30 employees who he describes as “family.” A handful of the employees have been with the business more than 40 years. Mary works closely with Bruce in all aspects of the business. They have been married 49 years and have three sons. The youngest son, Ryan, is a leather crafter and is being groomed to succeed Bruce, while the middle son Barry has pursued the tooling side of leatherworking and owns Barry King Tools in Sheridan. Don, the eldest son, has opted for a warmer lifestyle as a yacht captain in Florida, which provides Bruce and Mary a good excuse to escape Wyoming winters.
KING ROPES Caps
According to Bruce, “It’s kind of a cult deal or something. It’s strange. Back in the late 60s, we dug a catalog out of the garbage because there was a sporting goods store right next door to us. We thought it would be nice to send out a cap for a big order to help spread our name around. So, we did. It took a while to really take off but in the past 15 or 20 years it’s been just amazing.” The now iconic King Ropes caps been seen atop the heads of famous celebrities such as Johnny Depp, and have appeared in several movies.
Bruce remembers and lives by what his father taught him: “Whatever you do—do it with pride. Do it right.” Actor Johnny Depp giving an interview
Actor Robert Taylor on the set of Longmire
As seen in National Lampoon’s Vacation (1983)
As seen in The Lion of Africa (1988)
Up to the Challenge By Ryan Cardarella
W
hether it be in the classroom or on the ice, one thing has always been certain—Patrick Needham ’71 is always up for a challenge. A descendant of Anishinaabe chief lineage, Patrick grew up on the Red Lake Indian Reservation in northern Minnesota (roughly an hour north of Bemidji, Minn.) and persevered in a home environment without electricity or running water. Despite the difficult, rural living conditions and lack of educational resources, he excelled in school—though he soon realized that his exemplary grades would take him only so far. Through a scholarship from A Better Chance (ABC), an organization dedicated to connecting underprivileged students to high-performing public and private schools, Patrick came to Shattuck School as a sophomore in 1969 eager to make the most of a new opportunity. While the environment was admittedly much more academically challenging, he excelled both in the classroom and on the ice. Though only 5’4”, he “lived to play hockey” at that time and played on varsity all three years, progressing to team captain as a senior. 22
Winter 2019
ALUMNI STORIES PATRICK NEEDHAM ’71
He also found his footing academically and earned an engineering scholarship to the General Motors Institute in Flint, Mich. However, he declined the opportunity and would not pursue a career in engineering until nearly 20 years later, opting instead to pursue other interests at Concordia College—Moorhead. “I needed to understand more about myself and become a stronger, more well-rounded person first,” Patrick said. “I wasn’t ready yet at that time.” He would go on to earn his master’s in Education and Counseling at Concordia, but the itch to pursue a career in engineering never truly went away. As a 38-year-old student, Patrick returned to the classroom on an Indian Health Service (IHS) scholarship and earned his degree in Mechanical Engineering from North Dakota State University in 1992. Following a stint in Denver working for the US West telephone company (now CenturyLink), Patrick has served as a staff engineer at the Phoenix Indian Medical Center since 2004. Reflecting on his Shattuck School experience, Patrick credits the discipline he learned through his time at the School— most notably classes and interactions with Mr. Neslund, Mr. Irby, and Mr. Schuster—as foundational to his growth as a person. “It’s difficult to have self-discipline without first understanding what discipline is,” he explained. “I didn’t have a lot of structure or priority-setting growing up, and the idea of establishing goals and being rewarded for hard work was something that was new to me. I liked that.”
Today, Patrick satiates his energy and intellectual curiosity through tinkering with computers, building 3D printers, and practicing Tae Kwon Do. He is currently a second-degree black belt and continues to personify what it means to be a lifelong learner. “As you may have gathered, I get bored pretty easily and need a lot of stimulation,” Patrick said. “It’s really important to continue to challenge yourself and learn something new.” Winter 2019
23
All Photos by Joe McMillan ’58 Top: Chicago Great Western RS-2 #52 switching at Faribault, Minn., February 13, 1957; Middle: Rock Island F2 44 and mates switch at Faribault, Minn., June 8, 1958; Bottom: A Milwaukee Road switcher crossing 4th Street in Faribault, Minn., February 6, 1957. 24
Winter 2019
By Joe McMillan ’58
ALUMNI STORIES JOE MCMILLAN ’58 Editor’s note: Joe McMillan ’58 attended his 60th SSM reunion last June in Faribault. During one of the class dinners, he regaled his classmates with some of his train stories. Not one to toot his own whistle, we were tipped off about Joe and followed up. It turns out that Joe is a great writer! As a bonus, he shared some amazing photographs. He has traveled all over the world to photograph trains. You can find his collection of photos at flickr.com/photos/joemcmillan118. After retiring from Santa Fe Railway, Joe and his wife Nickie specifically chose their retirement home in Arvada, Colorado because there is a train track in their back yard.
I
love trains. I have loved trains since my childhood days in my hometown in South Texas when I would ride my bike down to the depot, visit with the station agent, and wait for the local freight to roll into town. The agent and train crew were very friendly and encouraged me to learn about the railroad. On occasion, I would ride around on the locomotive as the crew performed their work before heading to the next town. In the fall of 1954, when it came time to travel to Shattuck School, my dad booked passage on Rock Island’s Twin Star Rocket, which ran from Houston to the Twin Cities. (Many Shads from Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, and Missouri rode this train to and from school during that time). During my four years at Shattuck, I rode the Rocket about 26 times, and each trip was a thrill. I enjoyed seeing trains and locomotives of railroads that I had only read about. It was always a joy to wake up as our train arrived in Kansas City, where there was always something to see. Trains from
the Union Pacific, Santa Fe, Burlington, Frisco, and Kansas City Southern would be loading or unloading passengers, mail, and express cars. Switch engines of the Kansas City Terminal Railroad were busy shifting mail and express cars from track to track and train to train. After our thirty-minute Kansas City stop, we were off again, arriving in Faribault at 4:55 p.m. that afternoon. My railroad interests were on hold during my freshman year (1954-1955). There was just too much going on, plus a complete change in culture for a kid from hot and humid South Texas to bitter cold Minnesota. I adapted quickly, however, and I learned to enjoy my new environment. During my sophomore year (1955-1956) I started to rekindle my railroad interests. In those days we were allowed to go downtown on Wednesday and Saturday afternoons. There were three railroads in Faribault at that time: the Rock Island, the Chicago Great Western, and the
Milwaukee Road. The CGW station was just a block or so west of the Rock Island station, but the Milwaukee depot was across town west of 8th Avenue. I began visiting these railroads and meeting the crews and station personnel. I developed several friendships that lasted until I left Shattuck in 1958. On the Milwaukee Road, a fellow named Hart befriended me. He was a locomotive engineer on a switch engine that served Faribault industries in the west and northwest part of town. I would ride with him on the locomotive for hours and occasionally go with him to Northfield, where the crew would exchange cars with another railroad. On January 18, 1956, on a run to Northfield, Hart let me operate the locomotive back to Faribault. (This was an early birthday present. My birthday wasn’t until Saturday the 21st, but the crew was not scheduled to go to Northfield that day.) My diary shows that I made the 13-mile trip in 20 minutes, which might have been a bit fast. Winter 2019
25
Rock Island train #507, the TWIN STAR ROCKET, departs Faribault, Minnesota, May 11, 1957
A flanger train out of Antonito, Colorado crosses Hangman’s Trestle (also known as Ferguson’s Trestle) near mile 286 early on March 12, 2016, just as the sun was making its daily appearance.
Sometime later, Hart was assigned engineer on a freight train operating between Austin, Minnesota, and St. Paul. He asked if I would like to go with him on one of these runs. The answer was obvious, but since this was mostly a night trip, I had to get permission from the school to go. At the appointed time, I met Hart’s train at the Faribault station and rode with him to St. Paul. For the return trip, we caught a CGW passenger train to Kenyon, where Hart’s wife picked us up and drove us to Faribault. This venture was quite a thrill for me. The CGW also operated switch engines in Faribault out of its small station off 1st Avenue. The railroad served industries in the north and northwest side of town. I spent many hours riding with the crews as they did their work. The Rock Island station was on 3rd St NE, where it still stands as the Depot Bar and Grill. The Rock Island had very little local business, so no switch engines were assigned to Faribault. I spent most of my time in the station with a man named Bennie Kirscht, a young fellow who attended one of the Northfield colleges. He was a train order operator and ticket agent on the afternoon shift. We spent hours watching trains pass and talking about railroading. 26
Winter 2019
My roommate at Shattuck was Jim Schroeder ’58 who lived in nearby Owatonna. His home was near the Rock Island tracks and over the years he had befriended an engineer named Arthur Helland. Art lived in Manly, Iowa, and during my years at Shattuck, he was an engineer on Train No. 16, a mail and express train from Kansas City to Minneapolis. No. 16 was due out of Faribault at 5:42 p.m. My routine in the late afternoon was to visit with Bennie in the station until #16 arrived, then visit with Art and his fireman, Fred, in the locomotive cab. When it was time for the train to leave, I would ride the locomotive down toward the old brewery where Art would slow the train, and I would hop off and walk the path back to school.
Western Pacific 921-A East rumbles across the Keddie wye bridge at Keddie, California, May 26, 1970
The Nevada Northern #93 on the Hiline east of Ely, Nevada, in February 2004.
to the station. As I recall, it was twenty below that night and I distinctly remember the crunching of my footfalls on the snow. Soon after I arrived, the train whizzed through town creating its own little blizzard. Satisfied that I’d seen what I came to see, I hurried back to the dorm. Only my roommate Jim knew of my nocturnal adventure.
To hop off the locomotive, I would exit the cab and descend to the bottom step. On one winter evening, Art got busy doing something and forgot I was hanging on the step. The train kept accelerating. I had to get off, so I jumped into a snow bank and landed unscathed. After brushing off the snow, I walked up to the school arriving in time for supper. In 1956, the Rock Island was exhibiting a new, light-weight train called the Jet Rocket. It was scheduled to come through Faribault early on the morning of February 3, 1956, en route to the Twin Cities for display. I wanted to see this train, so about 1:00 a.m., I snuck out of the dorm and walked down
My interest in trains continued. After I left Shattuck in 1958, I attended Texas Tech in Lubbock, Texas, majoring in civil engineering. I established close relationships with employees of the Santa Fe Railway there. In June 1964, I graduated, got married, and joined the Santa Fe family where I worked in various positions for 31 years in several states. I retired in 1995 as assistant director of safety and rules and moved my family to Colorado, where I now reside. I still maintain my interest in railroads and have traveled to many parts of the world to ride and photograph railroads. I have a home business (since 1973) of publishing railroad books and calendars. When I revisit Shattuck and Faribault from time to time, I am amazed at the changes. The three railroads are long gone. Some tracks remain but owned by successor companies. My railroad friends there have passed on, but my fond memories of them and my experiences remain ever engraved in my being. Winter 2019
27
BEING ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF RIGHT On August 30, 2018, the New York Times ran a story detailing statements by a former investigative producer for NBC, which claimed the network had impeded the Harvey Weinstein sexual abuse investigation. That producer was Rich McHugh, a 1994 post-graduate alumnus of Shattuck-St. Mary’s. He had worked with reporter Ronan Farrow for more than a year compiling the stories of women who accused Weinstein of misconduct. Their accounts were eventually published by the New Yorker magazine and are credited with adding significant momentum to the worldwide “Me Too” movement. Ronan Farrow referred to Rich as “an unsung hero of this entire story.” In the aftermath of his departure from NBC, Rich told ABC News, “As the father of four girls I knew that if I did not pursue this story with everything I had, how could I live with myself?” Who is this “unsung hero” and what is his SSM story? Here is a brief interview with Rich McHugh.
How did you discover SSM? In 1993, Craig Norwich recruited me from suburban Chicago to come to SSM for a post-grad year. I came to SSM in the summer of 1993, worked as a counselor for the hockey camps and was at SSM for the 1993-94 academic year. Did you have any life-directing experiences while here—teachers/coaches who made a difference or who pointed you in a certain direction? When I look back at my time at SSM, two people had a lasting impact on me over the years. Coach Craig Norwich and Mike Frankenfield. Craig was a huge influence in convincing me to come play for SSM and joining a team of guys—many of whom, I am fortunate to say—I’m very close with today, 25 years later. In the 28
Winter 2019
early 90s, he assembled a team out of thin air, from all across the country and helped turn 20 strangers into brothers, not to mention an incredible hockey team. In many ways, he’s the architect of what SSM hockey is today. As a coach, he was fearless, creative, and persistent in how he led our team and I think that rubbed off on each of us, both on and off the ice. While my hockey career never materialized, the lessons I learned from SSM hockey have served me well in my career. I know many on our team would say the same thing. In school, I was among eight post-grads that year and Mike Frankefield taught an English class just for us. We read great works by American giants like Mark Twain and William Faulkner and had a lot of fun in the process— he made it relatable. Mike’s enthusiasm for the material
ALUMNI STORIES RICH MCHUGH ’94 (PG)
Ronan Farrow (left) and Rich McHugh at the Society of Professional Journalists Deadline Club Awards in May of 2017
gave me an appreciation for good writing I did not have before, and I’m sure that helped influence my decision to major in English and Writing in college. Where did you attend college and what did you study? After SSM, I decided to stop pursuing hockey—a tough decision at the time—and attended Santa Clara University in California. In my second year, my brother, Dan, was finishing his undergraduate degree at Columbia University in New York and suggested that I apply to Columbia—that there was a good chance they would accept me. I didn’t think much about it, and applied. They accepted my application and I knew it was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up. I transferred to Columbia, majored in English and Writing, and played on the Columbia hockey team. How did you decide to pursue a career in journalism? My first job out of college was in advertising, working at Ogilvy & Mather in New York City. I loved Ogilvy but after two years wasn’t sure advertising was the right fit for me. My sister-in-law, Pippa, a TV news producer at the time, suggested TV news might be a better fit, as it combined a lot of what I loved: photography, writing, and teamwork in a fast-paced environment. She helped me get an interview at Fox News, and they hired me to be a production assistant on a news magazine show they were launching, The Pulse. I loved it, and right away was drawn to
the investigative stuff. After that show ended, Bill O’Reilly hired me to be a producer on his show, which was truly a birds-eye view of the TV news world. After Fox News, I became a producer for Joe Scarborough at MSNBC, and later spent nine years at ABC News/Good Morning America. My time at Good Morning America really taught me everything about journalism and TV news, traveling the Rich (back row, second from left) with his SSM hockey teammates world, working alongside some of the best in the business: Diane Sawyer, George Stephanopoulous, Robin Roberts, Amy Robach, Bianna Golodryga, Ginger Zee, Sam Champion, and Josh Elliott In 2015, I was offered an opportunity I couldn’t pass up—to be a Supervising Producer in the Investigative Unit at NBC News. Not long after I was at NBC, I partnered with Ronan Farrow on an investigative series for The Today Show, “Undercovered”—stories that were outside the daily news cycle but were worthy of coverage. For two years we covered everything from nuclear waste sites in the US, to sexual assault on college campuses. Winter 2019
29
For a person in his early 40s, Rich McHugh has accumulated an impressive array of awards and honors during his career to date. Here are some of the highlights: • Five Emmy Awards — four at ABC News and one at NBC News • Edward R. Murrow Award for outstanding achievement in broadcast and digital journalism • Peabody Award for excellence in storytelling
How did the Harvey Weinstein story evolve? Our investigation into Harvey Weinstein began in July 2016, initially as a look into the ‘casting couch’ culture in Hollywood. By the fall of 2016, we zeroed in on Weinstein and knew there was a big story, if we could ever get people— victims—to talk to us. The ‘Weinstein’ story was the White Whale of Hollywood—most people had heard the stories, but no news outlet had successfully published anything about them. Actress Rose McGowan was long rumored to be a victim, but she had never spoken publicly about it. In February 2017, we interviewed McGowan, and that’s when we knew we had a giant story, and a responsibility to publish it. Throughout the winter and spring of 2017, we cast a wide net, chased down every lead, and spoke to as many alleged victims as possible. Their stories were gut-wrenching. By late spring, we had obtained an audio recording of an NYPD police sting in which Weinstein admitted to sexual assault of a woman the day prior to the sting. I remember the first time I heard the audio—it was chilling, and a bit scary, because I knew at that moment we had the story, and one way or another it was going to come out, and, in my opinion, it was very likely the beginning of the end of Harvey Weinstein. By August 2017, Ronan and I had spent the better part of a year working on this story, day and night, crisscrossing the country trying to nail it down. In mid-August, I was ordered to stand-down on the story and make no further calls. It was infuriating, to say the least. I packed up all of our interviews and materials, loaded it to a portable hard drive (it took 24 hours, it was that much material) and gave it to Ronan. 30
Winter 2019
“As the father of four girls I knew that if I did not pursue this story with everything I had, how could I live with myself?”
The New Yorker writer Ken Auletta had suggested we bring it to The New Yorker magazine if we hit a roadblock at NBC News—so Ronan took the drive to The New Yorker and they published the first piece on this six weeks later. The rest is history. When I left NBC last August, it was very important to me that I finally speak my mind publicly—I was very clear that the order to stop reporting came from the highest levels of NBC, and that the way the network handled the matter was a massive breach of journalistic integrity. They’ve since called me a liar. They can say whatever they want—my position remains unchanged, and the truth will come out. It’s unfortunate that they opted to handle it the way they did rather than publish the truth and validate the stories of so many victims. History will only view their decision one way and it isn’t favorably. Tell us about your family. My wife, Danie and I, have been married since 2005. We have two sets of twin girls—Izzy and Maddie, 8, and Lilly and Jackie, 5. We are both from Chicago, and try to get back to the Midwest often. What are you working on now? Right now I am developing a couple of long-term projects with Lionsgate TV, one of them for a potential investigative documentary-series. I’m also working on another film that I’m passionate about—it’s the full story of SSM hockey, how it was born, how it has grown into one of the most influential youth hockey organizations in the world, and the change it has helped engender within the entire SSM community. It’s truly a remarkable story, full of incredible people, and it’s been an honor to work on it.
2018-2019 SSM AT A GLANCE STUDENT BODY
AVERAGE CLASS SIZE
Day: 124 (25%)
502
58%
42%
*A record enrollment for SSM!
Boarding: 378 (75%)
CLASS DISTRIBUTION 100
124
CENTERS OF EXCELLENCE 121
82
50
30 5 Grade 6
12
7
Grade 7
Grade 8
Grade 9
Grade 10
CAMPUS
students student/ faculty ratio
TOTAL STUDENTS
121
12 8:1
Grade 11
Grade 12
PG
10
BioScience • Engineering • Vocal Performance Pre-Conservatory • Boys Choir • The Major Figure Skating • Hockey • Soccer • Golf
GEOGRAPHIC REPRESENTATION 41 states • 1 U.S. Territory • 28 Countries
245 acres,
45 miles south of
the Twin Cities
Faribault, MN
Andorra Australia Bermuda Brazil Burundi Canada China Costa Rica Ethiopia
France Germany Hong Kong India Jamaica Japan Mexico Russia Saudi Arabia
South Africa South Korea Spain Sweden Taiwan Thailand United States United Arab Emirates Venezuela Vietnam
Winter 2019
31
Fall Family Weekend
32
Winter 2019
winter Family Weekend
Winter 2019
33
34
Winter 2019
Winter 2019
35
Front row (L-R): Miya Lennon ’18, Chelsea Cline ’09, Harper DeMay ’16; Back row (L-R): Alex Skinner ’18, Ari Morgan ’18, Ingrid Engelhardt ’18, Maddie Justin ’09, Gabby Ainsworth Keller ’09
(L-R): Hollie Gray ’11 (SSM Assistant Coach), Tony Huerta-Apanco ’18, Demitrius Kigeya ’18, Jack Hickey ’18, Frankie Ljucovic ’19
Soccer Alumni Weekend On January 12, former Sabre soccer athletes made their way back to 1000 Shumway Avenue for the annual games against our current Soccer Center of Excellence members. Alumni were also able to share a meal with our Sabre athletes and give them an insight into what life is like after SSM. It was great to have the familiar faces back on campus!
Akeem Ward ’14 Selected by D.C. United in MLS SuperDraft On Friday, January 11, 2019 former ShattuckSt. Mary’s Soccer Center of Excellence member, Akeem Ward ’14, got a great start to the new year as he was selected 14th overall by D.C. United in the 2019 MLS SuperDraft. Akeem, who attended Shattuck-St. Mary’s for four years, will join D.C. United after spending three seasons of his collegiate career at Creighton University. In his time with Bluejays, Akeem recorded two goals and six assists in 47 games. In his final season, he earned a USC First Team AllEast Region selection and was named First Team All-Big East Conference. Prior to his time with the Creighton, Akeem spent his first collegiate season at Hastings College where he scored two goals and five assists. “I can remember when Akeem arrived to participate in our Christmas camp eight years ago. He actually
36
Winter 2019
accompanied a potential recruit. However, it did not take the coaching staff very long to realize how much we wanted Akeem to attend Shattuck-St. Mary’s School. During his time at SSM, he was the hardest worker and played many positions, always putting the team first. During his first year at SSM, he missed the spring season because of an injury. However, he worked extremely hard to get fit again and always supported his teammates during this time. He had an excellent college career and it was no surprise to see Akeem drafted in the first round. He is an example to all our players that hard work and putting your team first, can translate to realizing your dreams. The SSM community wishes Akeem every success in the future,” said Akeem’s former coach, Bob Moullin.
Photo credit: Nuccio DiNuzzoUSA TODAY Sports
SPORTS
NEWS Sabres Participate in IIHF World Championship For the second year in a row, six Shattuck-St. Mary’s girls hockey players competed for Team USA in the International Ice Hockey Federation Women’s World Championship in Obihiro, Japan. Hannah Bilka ’19, Lacey Eden ’20, Hadley Hartmetz ’19, Casey O’Brien ’20, Maddy Samoskevich ’20, and Makenna Webster ’20 helped lead the red, white, and blue to a silver medal as they were defeated by Canada in overtime during the gold medal game. The six Sabres combined for seven goals and 11 assists in the tournament. Alumna Brianna Decker ’09 also played a role in this year’s tournament as one of the assistant coaches for Team USA.
Murray Eaves Inducted into AHL Hall of Fame Two Calder Cups and the career leader in points per game within the league made an induction into the American Hockey League (AHL) Hall of Fame no question for former SSM coach Murray Eaves. Eaves, who spent 15 years as a coach in the SSM hockey program (and remains an integral Photo credit: Eaves family part of the SSM Hockey family), was inducted into the AHL Hall of Fame on January 28th as part of the 2019 Lexus AHL All-Star Classic events. Unable to make it to the event, Murray’s children, Tyler ’04 and Rian, accepted the award in his honor. In addition to his time in the AHL, Murray also had his time in the National Hockey League, where he played games with the Winnipeg Jets and Detroit Red Wings. While at SSM, he coached six different teams throughout his tenure, in which he spent seven of those with the Midget AAA team. Murray offered this perspective on his honor: “I am both humbled and honored to be a part of this special group.”
Winter 2019
37
1
2 3
SSM's l a b o l G k r o w t Ne
38
Winter 2019
4
5
6
7 8
9
11 10
12
13
14
Winter 2019
39
1
2
On December 5, 2018, members of the SSM family gathered together at the Minneapolis Club for a festive holiday celebration.
4
5
(Photos L-R) 1. Zach Wiegand ’00, Grace Hayden ’86, Michael Gergen ’05, Michael McGregor ’98, Sadie McGregor, JC St. Onge Holm ’98, Liz Dwinnell ’98 2. Jen Hillesheim, George Welles ’58, Maren Welles 3. John Lindley, Meredith Willis Lindley ’69 4. Esther Agbaje ’03, Bobbi Sumner, John Sumner, Hugh Hadlund ’74 5. Creg Shumann, Andrew Arsenault ’12 6. Shannon Blackmer ’14, Jack Dudley ’13, Patrick Schaefer 7. Natalia Mendoza ’06, Merry Mendoza, Alejandro Mendoza ’08, Jose Mendoza 8. Bill Brester ’85, Donna Burch-Brown ’86
3
6
7 40
Winter 2019
8
1
2
3
5
4
6
7
1. Current parents Toni and Dominic Steinke attended the event with their daughter Taylor ’20 and their two sons. They were joined by Kadaria Livingston ’19. 2. Dean Fox, Kara Hanson Fox ’01, Karen Ronningen Jones ’95, Ruth Schenck Wiegand ’97, Zach Wiegand ’00 3. Hugh Hadlund ’74, Amy Wolf 4. Scott and Michelle Henricks, parents of Ty ’23 5. Chuck Beard ’54, Karl Hauschild ’55, Matt Cavellier 6. Dave Williams ’54, Nick Stoneman, Steve Coleman ’61 7. A performance by the SSM Boys Choir 8. Lisa Lilyerd ’19 offers a vocal performance. 9. Christie Jennings ’86, Heidi Mathews Kapacinskas ’86, Dave Berglund
8
9 Winter 2019
41
MEET SSM’S
NEWEST
TRUSTEES Entered SSM in 1999 and attended the School for four years.
Entered SSM in 1991 and attended the School for four years. Education: B.A., Government, Hamilton College, 2000, MBA, Finance, University of Denver, 2008, CFP (Certified Financial Planner) designation, 2016
Education: B.A., Political Science, The George Washington University, 2007, Masters in Public Administration, The University of Pennsylvania, 2009, and J.D., Harvard Law School, 2017
ESTHER AGBAJE ‘03
Profession: Lawyer Interests: Playing the flute
Currently reading: A People’s History of the United States 1492–Present, by Howard Zinn Favorite SSM memory: Christmas dinners, and theater productions. Great times with friends and classmates in a creative space.
42
Winter 2019
Profession: Financial Advisor
TERRY BEVAN ‘95
Interests: The Colorado outdoors and spending time with my wife Molly, son Jack 9, and daughter Annie 7. We love to ski, hike, golf, and camp. I also enjoy helping out with the sports and activities in which my kids participate.
Currently reading: Dreamland, by Sam Quinones Favorite SSM memory: Beating Culver Military Academy my sophomore year during the 1992-93 season. We won the game 1-0 and it was the first time Culver had been shut out in their home rink in about 20 years. Joe Casey ’93 scored the lone goal and it put SSM on the map in terms of being able to compete with the elite teams around the country.
NORA BROWN ‘96
Entered SSM in 1993 and attended the School for three years.
Entered SSM in 1981 and attended the School for four years.
Education: B.A., International Studies, Johns Hopkins University and a M.A., International Relations & Economics, Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS)
Education: B.A. St. Olaf College, one undergraduate year at Oxford University
Profession: Strategic Investment Advisor for International Development for DAI, currently working on a USAID project focused on mobilizing private capital
Interests: Traveling and hiking Currently reading: Henderson the Rain King, by Saul Bellow, and my favorite book is The Roots of Heaven, by Romain Gary Favorite SSM memory: I loved the Christmas dinners for the combination of tradition, celebrating the season with friends, and the excitement of the upcoming winter break.
Entered SSM in 2002 and attended the School for two years.
Profession: Business Owner professional services, public relations, publishing, entertainment
VICTOR LUND ‘85
Currently re-reading: Boards That Deliver by Ram Charan “It is a short book that we use aggressively to set the table before any strategic planning meeting.” Favorite SSM memory: Dorm life
MEET SSM’S NEW
PARENTS’ ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT
Education: Two B.A. degrees in International Relations and Sociology-based Human Relations, Connecticut College, 2008, J.D., University of Colorado Law School, 2011
Arrived at SSM as a family in July of 2006. Profession: Project Manager, Minnesota Department of Corrections Interests: Camping, gardening, and time with my family
Profession: ADM Manager Female Hockey, USA Hockey
KRISTEN WRIGHT ‘04
Interests: Yoga, running, cooking, and taking my dogs for walks
Currently reading: Confidence Code by Katty Kay and Claire Shipman, Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert, and Dare to Lead by Brené Brown
Interests: Golf, sailing, and skiing
KRISTI POLITOSKI
Currently reading: All the Missing Girls, by Megan Miranda
Favorite SSM memory so far: Watching my children win awards at the Middle School Awards Ceremony. Such a proud moment!!
Favorite SSM memory: My favorite SSM memory is Pilgrims’ Breakfast where all of the female students get together to celebrate the senior girls. Winter 2019
43
Distinguished Alumni Award
TRUSTEES, ADMINISTRATION, AND ALUMNI ASSOCIATION Officers The Rt. Rev. Brian Prior Honorary Chair Mike Daley ’68 Chair Bill Brewster ’85 Vice Chair Nick Stoneman President Kristi Klungness ’84 Secretary-Treasurer
Trustees Esther Agbaje ’03 Minneapolis, Minnesota Lev Alcott ’65 Cincinnati, Ohio
At the September 2018 Board of Trustees meeting, Ed Carpenter ’60 was presented the Distinguished Alumnus Award from the SSM Alumni Association. Marion Gorton Edwards ’68, a fellow trustee, presented Ed his award. Both Marion and Ed have previously served SSM as trustees and Board Chairs and continue to give of their time and talent to the School. The Alumni Association is currently seeking nominees for: • • •
Honorary Alumni Membership Class Agent of the Year Award The Alumni Association Distinguished Alumnus/Alumna Award
Honorary Membership is the Association’s way of recognizing outstanding service to the School by individuals who were not students at Shattuck-St. Mary’s. The Class Agent of the Year award is presented to those current Class Agents who have done an exemplary job in keeping their classmates aware of class news and updating the School with any changes to classmates’ contact information. The Distinguished Alumnus Award, the second highest award given by Shattuck-St. Mary’s, is reserved for those members of the alumni who have demonstrated the highest level of service and accomplishment in their careers, to their community or to the School. To make a nomination, please contact Maggie Lee at Maggie.Lee@s-sm.org.
44
Winter 2019
Steve Barrager ’59 San Francisco, California Collin Benson ’91 Mahomet, Illinois Terry Bevan ’95 Denver, Colorado Bill Brewster ’85 Denver, Colorado
Victor Lund ’85 Arroyo Grande, California
Erin Sellner Director of Human Resources
Michael McLafferty ’95 San Francisco, California
Don MacMillan Chief International Officer
Marty Mjelleli ’01 Bloomington, Minnesota
Rev. Colin Maltbie School Chaplain
John Thomas ’74 Bethesda, Maryland
Heather Moorhead Director of the Middle School
Kristen Van Slyke Wright ’04 Colorado Springs, Colorado
Mark Olson Director of Technology Integration and Safety
Ex Officio The Rt. Rev. Brian Prior IX Bishop of the Episcopal Church in Minnesota Nick Stoneman President Faribault, Minnesota
Kristi Politoski Parents’ Association President Faribault, Minnesota
Amy Wolf Director of Marketing and Communications
Co-opted Kim Bakken Administrative Assistant
Alumni Association Board
John “Stoney” Burke ’65 Ketchum, Idaho
Linda Stone Dasher ’56
Marion Gorton Edwards ’68 Templeton, California David Gray ’68 Indianapolis, Indiana Claire Wittich Harper ’05 Edina, Minnesota Tony Jenkins ’70 Detroit, Michigan Michael Johnson ’94 Minneapolis, Minnesota
Patrick Schaefer Director of the Upper School Karen Scheel Assistant Head of School for Academics
Trustee Emeriti
Mike Daley ’68 Holland, Michigan
Scott Ryberg Chief Financial Officer
Ruth Schenck Wiegand ’97 Alumni Association Board President Lakeville, Minnesota
Nora Brown ’96 Washington, D.C.
Ed Carpenter ’60 Rio Verde, Arizona
Dan Ray Academic Dean
Sharon Hoffman Avent ’64 Jack Fuller ’40
Ruth Wiegand ’97 President Mark Alpert ’60 Vice President
Hugh Wooldridge ’55
Laurel Simer ’07 Secretary
Administration
Alumni Board Members
Matthew Cavellier Head of School
Claire Benton ’95
John Blackmer Director of Community Life
Jack Dudley ’13
Courtney Cavellier Chief Academic Officer
Grace Hayden ’86
Michele Cornish Director of Athletics
Bill Humleker ’69
Kelly DeShane Director of Enrollment Management
Michael MacGregor ’98
Kristi Klungness ’84 Bloomfield, Michigan
Heather Heart Director of Institutional Advancement
Theo Lubke ’85 Warren, New Jersey
Jody Koch Director of Health Services
Donna Burch-Brown ’86 John Goldfine ’73 Marc Helgeson ’66 Ty Leech ’13 Roger Paquin ’95 Emily Petraglia ’04 Linda Cayce Rachels ’66 Michael Sadjadi ’05 Zach Wiegand ’00 Kristen Wright ’04
ALUMNI GATHERINGS DENVER, COLORADO August 11, 2018
Alumni, family and friends gathered for a fun night at Coors Field for baseball, brats, and beer. (L-R) 1. Scott MacClure ’69, Danni MacClure, Nickie McMillan, Joe McMillan ’58 2. Torey Wodnick (wife of Willis Wodnik ’94) and their daughter Sasha, Rebecca Wodnik Gould ’01, Michael Gould, and their two children 3. Debonney Fox ’05, Maggie Osterbauer Lee ’03, Katherine Porter ’04 4. Corky Douglas ’66, Kelly Douglas, Bill Brewster ’85, Heather Medina 5. Laura Van Erp ’83, Troy Weippert 6. John Van Pelt ’99, Cally Van Pelt
1
2
4
3
5
6 Winter 2019
45
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA September 15, 2018
Alumni gathering at Minnehaha Park
4
1. Michael McGregor ’98, Joey Resch ’04, Kylie Vanderpool, Kasey Resch, Heather Heart, Sadie McGregor 2. Matt Cavellier, Elsa Raaen Bullard ’95, Roger Paquin ’95 3. Karen Ronningen Jones ’95, Mathilda Jones, Elsa Raaen Bullard ’95 4. Jayna Paquin and Henry Paquin, Thor Bullard, Peter Cavellier 5. Shirley Garner, Frank Garner ’48, Alex Bednar ’06 6. Alex Bednar ’06, Claire Wittich Harper ’05 7. Creg Schumann, Andrew Arsenault ’12, Grace Hayden ’86, Larry Evans ’80
5
1
ALUMNI GATHERINGS
6
2 46
Winter 2019
3
7
LA JOLLA, CALIFORNIA October 18, 2018
1. Lincoln Timson ’71, Matt Cavellier, Maggie Osterbauer Lee ’03, Steve Wendfedlt ’65, Heather Heart, Susan Wilkie Battalie ’83, Lorrie Roshek ’64, Hans Speidel, Kim Pederson ’67, William Speidel ’56 2. Back: Henry (Hank) Falstad ’49, Bill Humphrey ’62, Abby Carlstrom Humphrey ’62, Maggie Osterbauer Lee ’03, Matt Cavellier; Front: Lee Zielger ’59, Betsy Neighbors ’62, Heather Heart, Brownell Clikeman Cochran ’62 (Host) 3. Standing: Dale Fuller ’51, Bob Van Tour ’71, Calley Skiles, Patti Von Tour, Michael Clark ’72, Matt Cavellier, Keltysue Harris ’64, Jim Grover ’73, David McClendon ’74, Maggie Osterbauer Lee ’03, Heather Heart, Louis Storm ’66, Schelly Storm; Sitting: Aaron Skiles ’01, Cargill Hall ’55, Ryan Merz ’03 4. Chuck Teeter ’54, Heather Heart, Sid Gonzalez, Rachelle Paquin Gonzalez ’03, Matt Cavellier, Maggie Osterbauer Lee ’03, William Scheel ’54, Kristen Trandem ’92, Elle Fuertes, Keira Fuertes, Andy Fuertes, Mark Alpert ’60, Stephen Lay ’65, Noel Gonsalvez (father of Emil Gonsalvez ’12) 5. Matt Cavellier, James Munger ’49, Heather Heart, Julia Moriarty, Larry Sommers ’64, Pam Huck, Maggie Osterbauer Lee ’03, Krista Peterson ’03, Matt Fisher
HENDERSON, NEVADA October 20, 2018 1
DALLAS, TEXAS November 14, 2018
2
3
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS November 12, 2018
AUSTIN, TEXAS November 13, 2018
5 Winter 2019
47
ALUMNI GATHERINGS
4
PHOENIX, ARIZONA January 18, 2019
1
2
1. Vihn Nguyen ’20, Cate Carson ’20, Theo Lubke ’85, Harrison Oh ’19 2. Bill Brewster ’85, Nora Brown ’96, Kristi Klungness ’84, Theo Lubke ’85, Bishop Brian Prior 3. Nora Brown ’96, Kristi Klungness ’84, Heather Heart, Scott Gruber ’92, Miki Gruber 4. Todd Harper, Claire Wittich Harper ’05, Bruce Mannes ’49, Maggie Osterbauer Lee ’03 5. Ruth Schenck Wiegand ’97, Nora Brown ’96, Brigetta McLafferty, Maggie Osterbauer Lee ’03 6. Heather Heart, Jimmy Alauria ’93, Nadine Alauria 7. Mike Elmore ’92, Mary Elmore 8. Robert Edwards, Mike McLafferty ’95, Mike Daley ’68, Brigetta McLafferty
4
3
ALUMNI GATHERINGS
5
6 48
Winter 2019
7
8
Jennifer and Mike Elmore ‘94 hosted a large alumni gathering at their home in Phoenix that included a backyard concert by three members of the SSM Pre-Conservatory Center of Excellence.
2 1. Sharon Brescian, Ron Brescian ’63, Maggie Osterbauer Lee ’03, Mike Daly ’68 2. Vicky Stoneman, Victor Lund ’85, Marion Gorton Edwards ’68 3. Glenn Miller, Danette Miller, Nick Stoneman, Kayleen Miller McAllister ’07, Ryan McAllister, Matt Cavellier 4. Jennifer Elmore, Mike Elmore ’92, Matt Cavellier 5. Jeremy Walters ’93, Michael Johnson ’94 6. Mike Daley ’68, David Gray ’68, Sally Gray 7. John Thomas ’74, Chris Bateman ’65, Jim Clapp ’66
1
3
4
6
6
7 Winter 2019
49
ALUMNI GATHERINGS
5
SARASOTA, FLORIDA February 9, 2019
Members of the SSM Golf Center of Excellence joined alumni for golf in Sarasota and a gathering at the home of Beth and Gary Spencer ‘68.
1
2
3
ALUMNI GATHERINGS
1. Standing: Gary Spencer ’68, Joe Hayes, Andrew Bergveinsson, Paul Foderick ’83, Kris Norstrom Hayes ’80, Bill Munsell, Jon Stolp ’89, Eric Brua ’89, Tim DeSormeau, Michael Hauer ’20, Matt Cooper ’19, Owen Mullen ’21, Matt Cavellier; Kneeling: Beth Spencer, Mike Daley ’68, Nick LaMotte ’20, Gabby Tremblay ’19, Maureen Murphy 2. Matt Cavellier, Nick LaMotte ’20, Matt Cooper ’19, Mike Daley ’68, Tim DeSormeau, Gary Spencer ’68, Gabby Tremblay ’19, Michael Hauer ’20, Owen Mullen ’21 3. Matt Cooper ’19, Owen Mullen ’21, 4. Gabby Tremblay ’19, Michael Hauer ’20 5. Gary Spencer ’68, Mike Daley ’68, Matt Cavellier 6. Paul Foderick ’82, Bill Munsell, Kris Norstrom Hayes ’80
4 50
Winter 2019
5
6
Founders’ Day 2018
REUNION JUNE 6-9, 2019 ALL ALUMNI WELCOME!
SSM Alum, Fred Krahmer ’88 was the keynote speaker at SSM’s annual Founders’ Day all-school gathering on September 21, 2018. He encouraged students to make impacts in small ways. “The currents of change and progress come not from single events nor a single individual—they come from a multitude of constant ripples made by each of us. Make ripples.” Following the assembly, students, faculty, staff, and trustees boarded busses spread helpful collective “Hands Across Faribault.”
RETURN REUNITE REMEMBER
Join us in celebrating our 4’s and 9’s Classes! Visit s-sm.org/alumni for details and to register.
WIN an Apple iWatch! To enter: Update/verify your current information with the Advancement Office! Visit s-sm.org/alumni/update-my-information/ Or Contact Kim.Bakken@s-sm.org • (507) 333-1638 Drawing will be held during the Yearbook Party on Saturday evening of Reunion 2019. You do NOT need to be present to win. Sponsored by the Alumni Association Board
Winter 2019
51
Creative Lives Beyond
weCreate® Guppy Garbe ’13 (left) ran a module dedicated to stop motion animation.
SSM’s weCreate® Center is a hub of activity. During any given week, one can find students experimenting, creating, imagining, and also studying comfortably. During this school year, it has been a special treat to welcome back to SSM and the weCreate Center – two very creative and entrepreneurial alumni. They are out in the world making their mark now, but are still close enough to their weCreate experience to recognize the importance it has played in their lives.
Guppy Garbe ’13 At the September 2018 Board of Trustees meeting, Ed Carpenter ’60 was presented the Distinguished Alumnus Award from the SSM Alumni Association. Marion Gorton Edwards ’68, a fellow trustee, presented Ed his award. Guppy Garbe served ’13 (middle) with SSM Visual Both Marion and Ed have previously teacher Johnnie Walker and weCreate® SSM as trustees and Board Arts Chairs and Director Sttephanie Vagle continue to give of their time and talent to the School.
Gabrielle “Guppy” Garbe ’13, a devotee of the weCreate Center in its early years, returned to campus on September 19, 2018 to share her journey as a student, an athlete, and as an artist. After SSM, she attended the Savannah School of Art and Design (SCAD) for four years and played collegiate soccer. She pursued a number of internships focusing on design and animation and landed her dream job with FC Barcelona working as a commercial designer and animator. Guppy worked with SSM students on an animation module and offered a personal talk during a “Deep Dive & Dessert” event in weCreate—a space she spent endless hours in as a student. Guppy gave a shout out to Mr. Walker who had recognized her strong creative drive and encouraged her to pursue art school—a decision that has shaped her life.
Uyi Omorogbe ’15
Uyi Omorogbe ’15 (standing) ran a module for students interested in branding and marketing new product ideas.
Uyi Omorogbe ’15 returned to campus on December 7, 2018 to share his weCreate story. He is a senior at Colgate University and the founder of NaSo, a contemporary clothing company with a social mission. The first project, using a portion of the funds from a successful Kickstarter campaign, will provide chairs, desks, bathrooms, a new roof, and fresh paint to Okuosa Primary School in Nigeria. This is the school that Uyi’s father attended and that Uyi visited last summer. During his well-attended “Deep Dive & Dessert” talk in the weCreate Center, Uyi urged students to pursue creative ideas they have and to try new things. He also encouraged reading and offered an unprompted testimonial for his college readiness by sharing how he learned time management at SSM.
1
Mr. Cavellier, who was the Director of the weCreate Center when Uyi was a student, shared this observation: “Uyi blossomed in the weCreate Center; he spent hours there working in the Recording Studio. It was great to have him back here, talking to our current students about the importance of creativity and innovation. It was equally important for them to hear about how creativity and innovation intersect with drive and purpose. That’s how he found NaSo’s sweet spot, and that is how all successful entrepreneurial thinking begins.” Winter 2019
weCreate director Stephanie Vagle introduces Uyi Omorogbe ’15 to the large crowd assembled for his “Deep Dive & Dessert” presentation.
1000 Shumway Avenue Faribault, Minnesota 55021
Nonprofit Org U.S. Postage PAID Twin Cities, MN Permit No. 3844
THE NEW SSM SERVERY Winter
2019
Dining at Shattuck-St. Mary’s has been elevated to a new level, rivaling the meal time experience at colleges. The new Servery (and the new kitchen and bakery that came with it) are nestled between the new Hub and Morgan Refectory. The gleaming new space is organized around food stations offering customized or small batch entrees. There is a separate area for preparing foods for individuals with food allergies. The ever-present greens for building salads are locally sourced. The wood-fired pizza, with its homemade crust and wide range of creative toppings, is quickly becoming a fan favorite. Note to our alumni: a campus visit will be a new culinary experience for you!