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The Heritage Society
“The cadets and preps of St. John’s Northwestern Academies are so very grateful for the experiences made here through YOUR support.” – Cadet Sofia Tung 2022, Emcee
After last year’s virtual event, St. John’s Northwestern was delighted to host the annual gathering of The Heritage Society back on campus this past fall! Following the historic rededication and naming of the Stangeland Family Parade Field on the evening of October 14, 2021, Heritage Society members and others collected in Welles Dining Hall. Sponsored by Heritage Society member and parent Kathy Goggins, social hour was well attended and guests enjoyed delicious appetizers, cocktails, and friendship.
After the Herald Trumpets announced dinner, the SJNA Color Guard posted the colors, and Cadets Sean Harres 2023 and Cody Strang 2023 sang the National Anthem. A delicious dinner was sponsored by Heritage Society members Chairman Michael H2016 and Kim Henn and prepared by our dining service, Flik. President MG Paul E. Lima, U.S. Army (Ret.), provided remarks before introducing First Captain Pablo Lopez 2023 and Head Prefect John Divane 2023, who delivered speeches about their SJNA experiences. Next, Dean of Advancement Stephen Matz presented the new Heritage Society brochure and realignment of The Heritage Society that now incorporates the Leaders Circle to recognize annual giving; the Loyalty Circle to recognize lifetime giving; and the Legacy Circle to recognize planned giving. After each Circle was described, members who were present were recognized respectively.
Cindy Trione, director of donor relations and special events, came to the podium to recognize Heritage Society members present who had upgraded to a new level of membership (Joe and Linda Giammanco N1970; Michael H2016 and Kim Henn; and Randy and Wendi Lauer) and to welcome our newest members who were present (Anthony Giammanco S1980 and Randall Giammanco S1980). Board Chair Henn and MG Lima presented each with The Heritage Society medal and a certificate.
Board Chair Henn concluded the evening with the presentation of the Chairman’s Distinguished Service Medal that was awarded to former Parents Club President Debra Fairfield. Debra has gone above and beyond with her work as Parents Club President and past and present assistance with enrollment efforts and the Academies overall. She was recently appointed to the Board of Trustees and serves on the Academic and Student Life committees. Debra and her husband Neil have three children. Their son, Daniel, graduated from SJNMA in 2021.
The Academies would like to thank ALL of our Heritage Society members for your selfless generosity. With your steadfast leadership, we look ahead with great confidence.
Parents Scott and Angila Allen (left) are members of the Leaders Circle. Their daughter, Ellie, graduated from SJNMA in 2019. President Emeritus Tom and Marie Stocks are members of the Leaders Circle and Legacy Circle.
Pictured with MG Lima and Board Chair Henn (left), Joe and Linda Giammanco N1970 were upgraded from the Kemper level to the DeKoven level of the Loyalty Circle. Joe and Linda are also members of the Leaders Circle, and Joe serves on the Academies’ Board of Trustees. Loyalty Circle and Leaders Circle member Kathy Goggins is pictured with her guest, Brian Glaessner. Kathy has two sons who graduated from SJNMA (Cody 2016 and Thad 2018).
Parents Randy and Wend Lauer (middle) were upgraded to the Farrand level of the Loyalty Circle. Randy serves on the Academies’ Board of Trustees. Their sons Charlie, Ted, and Matt all attended SJNMA, and Charlie graduated in 2011. After graduation, Charlie went on to the United States Naval Academy and is currently a Captain in the United States Marine Corps. Leaders Circle members Greg and Susan Van Praag S1972 (left) and VADM Dirk Debbink, Chairman and CEO of MSI General, pose for a photo during social hour.
Leaders Circle member Debra Fairfield received the Chairman’s Distinguished Service Medal from Board Chair Henn. She is pictured here with her son, Daniel 2021, during social hour.
Born in 1862, a young Rev. Sidney T. Smythe founded St. John’s Military Academy on September 11, 1884. For all practical purposes, he was the school faculty, administration, athletic staff, chaplain, public relations man, and fundraiser. Rev. Smythe dedicated the rest of his life to building the Academy, with all buildings tied together in English Gothic style, including heavy stone construction and battlements to resemble European castles. Smythe exercised his dynamic personality for 39 years as Headmaster by inspiring, guiding, and instilling a strong sense of pride in his cadets.
Davidson ($10,000,000 / Diamond)
Born in 1838, Harlan Page Davidson founded Northwestern Military Academy on September 19, 1888, when he was 50 years old. A man of tremendous drive and resilience, Harlan Davidson gave the school its character and established its purpose. He was the school’s superintendent as well as a teacher of civics and psychology. Before he left Northwestern in 1911, Davidson moved his beloved school from Highland Park to Lake Geneva, Wisconsin.
Stangeland ($5,000,000 / Ruby Cluster)
Roger Stangeland graduated from SJMA in 1947 and married Lilah in 1950. Roger was described as an astute entrepreneur with greater concern for the team than the individual. He dedicated his leadership toward many significant institutional advances of the time, including the merger of SJMA and NMNA. Mrs. Lilah Stangeland and family perpetuate Roger’s keen fondness for his high school through their own roles. Mrs. Stangeland currently serves as one of the longest tenured Board of Trustee members and is considered by many to be the matriarch of the school. Through Roger’s dedication to his beloved alma mater and Lilah’s strong belief in the Academy’s mission and committed leadership, the Stangeland family is the most generous donor in SJNA history. The Stangeland family was the first donor to ever reach the $5MM milestone.
Noble ($1,000,000 / Ruby)
Sam and Ed Noble are graduates of St. John’s Military Academy. Their father, Lloyd, founded The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation in 1945 (named in honor of Lloyd’s father). Sam was Honored Old Boy in 1972 and received the Academy’s Distinguished Service Award in 1992. Ed served on the Academy Board of Trustees and was Honored Old Boy in 1984. The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation has maintained a charitable relationship with the Academies for decades, donating over $5.3 million since 1962. The Noble family was the first donor to ever reach the $1MM milestone. James Jacobson served NMNA for thirty years (1942-1972) as Assistant Superintendent, Superintendent, Headmaster, Rector, and President and Treasurer of the legal corporation. At the end of his career, it was noted that “he brought to his task a patent honesty and integrity which impressed all who came into contact with him.”
DeKoven ($250,000 / Sapphire)
In 1858, the schoolhouse served as an Episcopal college, St. John’s Hall, which was founded by James DeKoven who was Sidney T. Smythe’s mentor. St. John’s Hall merged with another college, but Smythe knew DeKoven’s plans for St. John’s deserved a second chance. Thus, he began to turn it into a lasting monument to his mentor.
Farrand ($100,000 / Emerald Cluster)
General Roy Farrand S1894 served as Academy President from 1923-1961. A decorated service man, Farrand served as a Colonel and later attained the rank of Brigadier General in the Wisconsin National Guard. General Farrand is credited with guiding the Academy through a period of steady expansion and progress for 38 years.
Kemper ($50,000 / Emerald)
Jackson Kemper can loosely be defined as the “Grandfather of St. John’s Military Academy” through his relationship with James DeKoven and key efforts in founding the Nashotah House and Racine College.
