PRIDE THE
In This Issue...
St. Mark’s Summer~ At Home & Around the Globe Alumni Weekend 2011 Centennial Challenge Update
Summer 2011 Volume 17, Issue 2 St. Mark’s School of Texas Alumni Magazine
Contents
THE
PRIDE St. Mark’s School of Texas Alumni Magazine Volume 17, Issue 2 • Summer 2011
ON CAMPUS 2 | In Retrospect 3 | From the Editor 4 | College Matriculations 6 | Spring Sports News 8 | Student Accolades 13 | Baccalaureate & Commencement 2011 15 | Retiring Faculty 17 | Faculty Forum
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19 | Allen Cullum ’64 Named Life Trustee
ALUMNI NEWS 20 | Alumni in the News 22 | Summer Alumni Lunches 24 | Spotlight on Philanthropy 26 | Centennial Challenge Launches on West Coast
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30 | Alumni Board Report 32 | Alumni Weekend 39 | Alumni Welcome Graduating Seniors
FEATURES 40 | Summer at St. Mark’s 48 | Becoming Global Citizens
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REMARKS 56 | Alumni Class Notes 65 | Faculty & Staff Notes 66 | In Memoriam 68 | Endnotes
32 ABOUT OUR COVER The St. Mark’s Choir paused on the hike down from the viewing point at the Cape of Good Hope, the southernmost tip of South Africa, where the cold waters of the Atlantic Ocean collide with the warm currents of the Indian Ocean.
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PHOTO BY NATE HOLTBERG
St. Mark’s School of Texas
Summer 2011 | Contents
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On Campus
in retrospect 1983 –1984 The St. Mark’s archives are full of photos with very little identification on them. This photo is marked 1983 –1984, but we cannot identify the guys and do not know why they are together for this photo. If you can help identify them or have a good story about this group of students, please let us know. Send information to Katy Rubarth, St. Mark’s School of Texas, 10600 Preston Road, Dallas, TX 75230-4047 or email her at rubarthk@smtexas.org.
In the Issue Before Last Many thanks to Margery Donovan for sending me the following email and shedding some light on the fellows to the right. Dear Katy, By way of introduction, John and I were at St. Mark’s from 1982 to 1996. I taught in Lower School and he was Director of Operations and taught AP U.S. History. We still have many friends and acquaintances among the faculty and staff.
Class of 1995
The boys in the picture, Class of 1995, were my students in fourth grade. On the left, Michael Wu and Joseph Tsai, center slightly back is Hampton Richards, now a doctor and in practice with his father in Dallas, and third from the right is Charlie Kuntz. All the faces are familiar and as the day goes on, I know more names will pop up from my quite antique memory bank. You may have emails from many others who taught these boys or were their classmates. We both enjoy reading THE PRIDE and its coverage of all the range of student and alumni activities. ~ Margery & John Donovan, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
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On Campus | THE PRIDE
St. Mark’s School of Texas
Letters
from the editor
w
What did you do on your summer vacation? It’s the classic question upon returning to school in the fall. This summer I gained some new perspectives on the answer, both on campus and away from school. I always knew that St. Mark’s didn’t shut down over the summer, but putting this issue of THE PRIDE together really underscored the many important things that happen during three short months. During the academic year our community is a structured, nurturing, and largely predictable
of skim boarding, and in my youngest son’s
environment; a place where routine is the norm.
case, learning to swim. My summer ended on
But over the summer the structure becomes
campus with a discussion of summer reading
less formal. We venture out and we invite others
with juniors and seniors. The annual summer
in, expanding our boundaries and our vision.
reading seminars allow Upper School students
As we highlight the programs, travel, and faculty
to choose a book from a list offered by various
and student enrichment that take place here
members of the faculty and staff. Listening to
over the summer, I’m reminded that the lessons
the boys discuss my choice, The Last Lecture,
in character, leadership, and social responsi-
by Randy Pausch, I thought of Stephanie Barta’s
bility we learn by stepping out of our comfort
philosophy and the importance of helping
zone and making new friends from different
others discover new things, express themselves,
worlds can be as important as the lessons we
and learn to fulfill their childhood dreams.
learn from textbooks. The other thing that struck me as we put
As we get back into our routines, my hope is that this issue rekindles fond summer memories
together this issue was how important it is to
and finds each of you rested, recharged, and
just have fun. When I chatted with Stephanie
ready for a healthy and productive year. As
Barta on her 25th Anniversary as Summer
always, I encourage you to share your thoughts
Camps Director, she emphasized that we learn
and comments on THE PRIDE with me. I’d love
what we love through play. She believes so
to hear how you spent your summer vacation!
many adults who feel unfulfilled are yearning for “that excited feeling, which they can’t create
~ Katy B. Rubarth Director of Communications
for themselves because they never learned what they love.” As for what I love, off campus I experienced the joy of watching my own boys splashing and playing in the surf, mastering the new skill
St. Mark’s School of Texas
Summer 2011 | On Campus
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On Campus
college matriculations 2007–2011 Where Have They Gone?
St. Mark’s graduates attend some of the finest colleges and universities in the world. The following list indicates where Marksmen from the Classes of 2007 through 2011 have enrolled. Ten or more students at: Dartmouth College Duke University Harvard University Northwestern University Princeton University Southern Methodist University Stanford University University of Pennsylvania University of Southern California University of Texas at Austin Vanderbilt University Washington University in St. Louis
Five to nine students at: Boston University Georgetown University Massachusetts Institute of Technology New York University Rhodes College Rice University Texas A&M University United States Naval Academy University of Chicago University of Miami University of Missouri at Columbia University of Texas at Austin, Plan II University of Virginia Yale University
Four students at: Baylor University Columbia University Davidson College Pomona College Trinity University University of Notre Dame University of Texas at Dallas
Three students at: Brown University Claremont McKenna College Northeastern University
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On Campus | THE PRIDE
Occidental College Southwestern University Tufts University Tulane University University of Oklahoma University of Richmond University of South Carolina Wake Forest University
Two students at: Boston College Carnegie Mellon University Colby College Colorado College Colorado School of Mines Cornell University Elon University Furman University Harvey Mudd College Hendrix College Indiana University Middlebury College Texas Tech University United States Military Academy University of Colorado at Boulder University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill University of Rochester Williams College
One student at: Austin College Bates College Bowdoin College Brandeis University Bucknell University California Institute of Technology College of Charleston Colgate University Drexel University Emory University
Franklin & Marshall College Franklin Olin College of Engineering George Washington University Georgia Institute of Technology Hampshire College Haverford College Loyola Marymount University Loyola University — New Orleans Millsaps College Pepperdine University Pitzer College Purdue University Queen’s University — Ontario, Canada Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Rhode Island School of Design Rollins College Samford University Santa Clara University Schreiner University St. Edward’s University Swarthmore College Texas Christian University United States Air Force Academy University of Alabama University of Arkansas University of California at Berkeley University of California at Santa Barbara University of Edinburgh — Scotland University of Illinois University of Kansas University of Maryland at College Park University of Michigan University of North Texas University of Pittsburgh University of Texas at Arlington University of Texas at San Antonio Virginia Polytechnic Institute Washington & Lee University Yeshiva University
St. Mark’s School of Texas
On Campus
class of 2011 matriculations
University of Texas at Austin.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Daniel Abramson Dean Butler Ben Chesnut Will Daspit Will Golden Garrett Huffines Scurry Johnson Cole Marlow John Noble Roberto Toto Ross Yudkin University of Southern California.. . . . . . . . . . . . . McCrae Dunlap Kevin Hale Joe Mallick Austin Mora Larry Tran Daniel Trevino Hayden Wolf Southern Methodist University. . . . . . . . . . . . . Andrew Dorsaneo Alex Hoskins Will McNamara Matt Murphy Francisco Neira Texas A&M University. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gus Blessing Eric Graffy Nate Naylor Josh Way University of Pennsylvania. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Moez Aziz Reece Cannady Adam Goldman Connor Theilmann Duke University. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jordan Dyslin Josh Izzard Gregory Moore Vanderbilt University. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jeffrey Eichenholz Patrick McGee Tanner Montgomery Dartmouth College. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Nick Gannon Joe Loftus Harvard University. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Vicente de la Torre Dean Itani New York University. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Johnathan Chen Teddy Farrell Northwestern University. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jacob McClellan Alex Miles Bates College. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gil Cassagne
St. Mark’s School of Texas
Baylor University.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Luke Okada Brown University.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Max Genecov Bucknell University. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Colin Lind Carnegie Mellon University. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Peyton Randolph Columbia University. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Zachary Christian Cornell University. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Max Weisbrod Franklin Olin College of Engineering. . . . . . . . . Ndungu Muturi Georgetown University.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Andrew Haddad Georgia Institute of Technology. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Hank Williams Haverford College. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Daniel Waranch Indiana University. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Max Berkowitz Massachusetts Institute of Technology. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Chris Kim Pomona College. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Spencer Heim Princeton University. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bobby Koudelka Purdue University. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jamie Rough Rhode Island School of Design. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Christian Larrave Rice University. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Landon Blair Rollins College. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Diego Moreno Schreiner University. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kevon Morrow Stanford University. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ty Montgomery Texas Tech University. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Alberto Muratalla Trinity University.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Aidan Kirksey United States Air Force Academy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dare Ogundipe United States Naval Academy.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P.J. Taylor University of California at Santa Barbara. . . . . . . . Rob Dickson University of Chicago. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Shashank Mittal University of Miami. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jake Windlinger University of Notre Dame.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . John Wetzel University of Oklahoma.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Carl Green University of Richmond. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jordan Young University of Texas at Arlington. . . . . . . . . . . . Emmanuel Ladera University of Texas at Dallas.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Max Grunewald University of Texas at San Antonio. . . . . . . . . . . . . Robert Pruser University of Virginia. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Scott Popplewell Washington & Lee University. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lincoln Neely Washington University in St. Louis. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rishi Das Williams College.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Will Raskin
Summer 2011 | On Campus
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On Campus
spring sports news SPC Championship Team Recaps Photo by Andrew Goodman ’13
(above) Daniel Trevino ’11, Gregory Moore ’11, Jordan Young ’11, Ryan Petty ’12, and Isaiah Huerta ’12, with their SPC Championship trophy and winning scorecard. (right) Will Perkins ’12 battling to a victory.
Golf The St. Mark’s Varsity Golf Team entered five tournaments this year and won them all. Starting with an incredible 30-shot victory at the
magazine, highlighted the Lions on their unexpectedly strong season. “We didn’t get talked up a lot at the begin-
All Saints’ tournament in March and culminating
ning of the season,” the magazine quoted
in a thrilling Southwest Preparatory Conference
Gil Cassagne ’11. “People thought that we
victory, the team demonstrated depth, talent,
were going to have a rebuilding year, but we
and determination.
may have surprised some people.”
At the SPC Championship in Houston, the
At the end of this season, St. Mark’s Lacrosse
Lions posted a second day score of 301, which
was ranked 32nd overall in the Powerade Fab 50,
was 10 shots better than Kinkaid and John
a national ranking of lacrosse teams.
Cooper, and 20 shots better than first day leader Episcopal (Houston). The final margin of victory
The team, coached by Hayward Lee, finished its season 19–2.
was three shots over second place Kinkaid. For the first time since 2006 (when the team also overcame a nine shot deficit), the
tournament with top 10 individual scores, earning them All-SPC honors. The team is
Final Spring SPC Standings
Lions were SPC Champions. Juniors Ryan Petty and Isaiah Huerta both finished the two-day
coached by Director of Admission David Baker.
Lacrosse The St. Mark’s Lacrosse Team emerged as SPC Champions once again this year, and ESPN RISE, the network’s high school sports
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On Campus | THE PRIDE
Final Winter SPC Standings Basketball. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8th Soccer.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2nd Swimming. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1st Wrestling. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1st
Baseball.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3rd Crew. . . . . . . . . . . . 1 State Title, 1 State Runner-Up Golf . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1st Lacrosse.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1st Tennis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2nd Track & Field. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1st Water Polo. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2nd in State
St. Mark’s School of Texas
On Campus
Track & Field For its eighth consecutive year, St. Mark’s
program grow
Track & Field finished as SPC Champions,
with every
adding a few names to the record books
passing season.
along the way. In all, six Marksmen secured first place SPC
“The seeds of success for this
titles, including Kendrick Spraglin ’13, winning
program were in
the triple jump and placing 2nd on the All-Time
place 40 years ago,”
List. Bryce Holcomb ’13 became the top point
he says. “We’re always evolving, offering more
earner for the Lions by winning the long jump
sports with the same number of students — and
and 300m hurdles with marks that placed in the
still finding great success. We now have 45 teams
top five All-Time List. Ty Montgomery ’11, in his
in 16 different sports so that every type of kid
first and only year on the team, won the 100m,
can participate in athletics at St. Mark’s.”
200m, and anchored the winning relay team. The team is coached by John Turek.
Athletic Director Mark Sullivan in the Mike Mullen ’68 Weight Room.
But whatever sport an athlete competes in, Mark teaches them that there are no shortcuts to success. Even in the middle of summer, the
Lion Trainer This year, the St. Mark’s athletic department was awarded its 10th consecutive Director’s Cup from the SPC. That’s no small feat, but the
hallway outside of his office echoes with the clang of weights as students take turns spotting each other. “The championships and titles we’ve won as
news comes as little surprise to Athletic Director
a school measure wins and losses,” Mark says.
Mark Sullivan.
“But I think what sets St. Mark’s apart is that
“There isn’t a secret,” Mark explains. “We
when we walk onto the court, everyone sees
have kids are who willing to go that extra mile
a team that plays fairly, behaves like gentlemen,
for whoever’s in front of them, whether it’s an
and at the same time, brings our best game to
English teacher or an athletic coach.”
our opponent.”
Celebrating his 30th anniversary with the School this year, Sullivan has seen the athletic
For a 10th straight year, St. Mark’s continues to bring the “game” and return victorious.
Seven Seniors to Play Collegiate Sports Reece Cannady, Track. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . University of Pennsylvania Gil Cassagne, Lacrosse. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bates College Will McNamara, Swimming. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bates College Zach Christian, Track. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Columbia University Chris Kim, Crew. . . . . . . . . . . . . Massachusetts Institute of Technology Ty Montgomery, Football.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Stanford University P.J. Taylor, Water Polo. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . United States Naval Academy
St. Mark’s School of Texas
Summer 2011 | On Campus
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On Campus
student accolades
From the Class of 2012: Jason Altschuler, Joseph Bush, Prajan Divakar, Galen Gao, Charles Jin, Greg Kinman, Patrick Ng, Alex Nguyen, Garrett Watumull, and Taylor Wilson.
WordMasters ~ National Champions The Cum Laude Society at the induction ceremony.
A team of students representing St. Mark’s recently won highest honors in the WordMasters
Cum Laude Society The Cum Laude Society recognizes academic
entered by approximately 220,000 students
achievement in secondary schools for the purpose
annually. The competition consists of three
of promoting excellence (Areté), justice (Diké),
separate meets held at intervals during the
and honor (Timé). Seventeen Marksmen were
school year.
inducted into The Cum Laude Society on April 27, 2011, at a ceremony in the St. Mark’s Chapel. Otis Jennings ’90, an associate professor at
coached by Lower School teachers Sherri Darver and Teri Broom, placed first in the nation in
was the honored speaker. Dr. Jennings has
the year’s second meet, held in February,
served as a visiting scholar and instructor at
among 694 school teams and 35,700 students
Massachusetts Institute of Technology and
competing at this grade level and division. Three of the School’s students won highest
While a student at St. Mark’s, Dr. Jennings
individual honors for achievement as well.
exemplified the qualities of scholar-athlete,
Fourth graders Charlie Hubbard, Jonah Simon,
participating in football, basketball, and track
and Kyle Smith were three of only 50 fourth
and field. He was also an extraordinary mathe-
graders in the entire country to earn perfect
matician, an honor roll student, and a member
scores in the meet.
of the Discipline Council. Thank you to Otis Jennings ’90 for his
Other fourth graders who achieved outstanding results included Ruoming Fan,
inspiring words and congratulations to the
Nance Hill, Chad Kim, Wyatt Northcut, Wheeler
newest members of The Cum Laude Society.
Sears, Carter Thompson, Mark Weisberg, Landon
From the Class of 2011: Nick Gannon, Alex
On Campus | THE PRIDE
Competing in the difficult Blue Division of the Challenge, the School’s fourth graders,
Fuqua School of Business, Duke University,
a postdoctoral fellow at Stanford University.
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Challenge — a national language arts competition
Wood, Rhys Arana, Parker Davis, Shazeb Dayani,
Hoskins, Josh Izzard, Shashank Mittal, Gregory
Nathan Han, Adnan Khan, Eric Martin, Connor
Moore, Austin Mora, and Will Raskin.
Pierce, Simon Unglaub, and Matthew Zhang.
St. Mark’s School of Texas
On Campus
(above) Award-winning photos by John Wetzel ’11.
Presidential Scholar & YoungArts Finalists Named
(above left) Sculpture by Presidential Scholar semifinalist Scurry Johnson ’11.
Scurry Johnson ’11 and John Wetzel ’11
(left) Award-winning photograph by Kahan Chavda ’12.
were both selected as finalists in YoungArts, a National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts program. Scurry was selected based on his woodworking and John for his photography. Each year, the highly competitive national YoungArts Program chooses only 150 finalists out of up to 7,000 applicants. It is the sole nominating committee for the selective Presidential Scholars in the Arts Program. Scurry then moved forward to become a semi-finalist for the 2011 U.S. Presidential Scholars competition, joining 560 other students who advanced to the final round of this competition. Only 3,000 candidates from around the country are chosen. Candidates are evaluated on their academic achievement, personal char-
Photo Contest Winners The Association of Texas Photography
acteristics, leadership and service activities, and
Instructors has named St. Mark’s Photography
an analysis of their essays.
the “Top Program in Texas” for the fifth consec-
The YoungArts Program recognized several
utive year. Twenty Marksmen submitted photo-
other St. Mark’s students as well: Ben Chesnut ’11
graphs that were compiled into four 10-image
and Will Raskin ’11 received Honorable Mention
portfolios. The portfolio concentrations were
for Photography, and Bobby Koudelka ’11
Portrait/People, Still Life, Architecture, and
received Honorable Mention for Ceramics.
Landscape/Nature.
St. Mark’s School of Texas
Summer 2011 | On Campus
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On Campus
(above) Architectural photo by Will Raskin ’11. (above right) Max Grunewald ’11 stands with his winning science fair project entitled “Nanowired!”
Congratulations to Halbert Bai ’14,
“Basically, a supercapacitor is a better
Kahan Chavda ’12, Rodney Chen ’12, Otto
battery,” Max explains. “One of the promising
Clark-Martinek ’13, Andrew Gatherer ’14, Bear
applications is that it could be used to support
Goldstein ’13, Justin Harvey ’13, Greg Kinman ’12,
the electric grid. Right now, the grid has zero
Aidan Kirksey ’11, Gio Lincon ’13, Andrew
storage and power plants run at peak capacity
Graffey ’13, Riley Graham ’14, Josh Izzard ’11,
all the time. These supercapacitors mean that
Naeem Muscatwalla ’12, Will Raskin ’11, Blake
the grid could store unneeded energy for later
Robins ’14, John Wetzel ’11, Hayden Wolf ’11,
and produce less waste.”
and Ross Yudkin ’11. And a big pat on the back for the seniors, who have swept the competition throughout their Upper School career!
For Max, this is more than just a passing curiosity; he hopes to turn it into a career. “I’m definitely interested in pursuing nanotechnology and engineering,” Max says. “Alternative energy and energy storage devices
Science Fair Winner Would you ever think that a high school
are very interesting to me.” Max discovered nanotechnology after
science project might one day change the way
studying alternative energy for a debate class.
we use electricity? Max Grunewald ’11 certainly
This led him to sign up for NanoExplorers,
hopes so. Max, along with his teammate, Plano
a nanotechnology-based summer program
East High School student Bijal Patel, recently
offered at the University of Texas at Dallas.
won second place in the chemistry category at the state-level 2011 ExxonMobile Texas Science and Engineering Fair for their experiment titled
On Campus | THE PRIDE
The ReMarker and the Marksmen have been
“Nanowired!: A Study on the Fabrication of
named as recipients of the Gold Crown award —
Composite Carbon Nanotube and Vanadium
the highest award given by the Columbia
Oxide Nanowire Supercapacitors.”
Scholastic Press Association (CSPA).
Max hopes that advances in nanotechnology
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Gold Crown Awards
This marks the eighth consecutive Gold
will one day create more efficient means of
Crown for The ReMarker — the longest winning
storing energy, for example, smaller, cheaper
streak by a secondary school in the history of
batteries for hybrid cars.
the organization.
St. Mark’s School of Texas
On Campus
“This is always the one we look forward to,” ReMarker managing editor Spencer Heim ’11 said. “For us it’s both a sigh of relief and a reaffirmation that we’ve done our best.” For the Marksmen, this is the seventh Crown designation in eight years and its fourth Gold Crown. Both the 2008 and 2009 editions of the Marksmen were named Gold Crown winners. CSPA’s Gold Crown winners include 12 newspapers and 15 yearbooks from among 1,771 total entries. Publications were evaluated by a committee consisting of journalism educators
Print Awards, the publishing equivalent of the
and professional journalists on writing and
Oscars. To put the award into perspective, other
editing, coverage, editorial leadership, design,
recipients include Cornell University, Penn
graphics and artwork, and photography.
State, and Dartmouth College.
Editor of The ReMarker was Zach Wolfe ’10,
Six new Eagle Scouts, four who are Marksmen, were honored at a ceremony in the Chapel.
The Printing Industries of America’s Premier
who is now a student at the University of Texas
Print Awards accepts more than 2,700 entries
at Austin. Other Class of 2010 Alumni who held
annually and judges the overall quality of the
key staff positions include Aaron Campbell, L.C.
publication, examining the photography,
Chandler, Ritodhi Chatterjee, Tom Duffy, Adam
design expertise, printing, and binding quality.
Eichenwald, Getty Hall, Shibi Kannan, Sam
The award tops off a year of high praise for
Mallick, John Michel, Matt Miller, Blake
the 2011 Marksmen.
Montgomery, John Montgomery, and Shashwat Samudra, as well as Class of 2011 alumnus Ross Yudkin. Editor of the Marksmen was Sloan Rudberg ’10,
Eagle Scouts In a ceremony on Sunday, March 27, 2011, four St. Mark’s students were honored with the
now attending Princeton University. Other
rank of Eagle Scout, the Boy Scouts of America’s
alumni from the Class of 2010 who held key staff
highest attainable rank.
positions include Fred Addy, Ronan Anand,
The Scout Honor Court, held in the St. Mark’s
Noah Bricker, Daniel Rafkin, Charles Branch,
Chapel, recognized new Eagle Scouts Larry
Davis Johnson, Zach Jolly, Getty Hall, Matt
Tran ’11, Carson Warnberg ’12, Vishal Gokani ’14,
Miller, Michael Shulman, and Jonathan Swygert.
and Phillip Kopita ’16, who was inducted as one of the youngest Eagle Scouts in the country.
Marksmen Wins National Award This summer, the Marksmen yearbook received
The honor of Eagle Scout comes after a long road of hard work and dedication. Candidates
a high honor from the world’s most prestigious
were required to earn at least 21 merit badges,
international publishing competition, capping
serve six months in a leadership position, take
off what has been a landmark year for the staff.
part in a Scoutmaster conference, complete an
The Printing Industries of America awarded
approved service plan, and pass an Eagle Scout
the yearbook a Certificate of Merit in its Premier
St. Mark’s School of Texas
board of review, all before their 18th birthday.
Summer 2011 | On Campus
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On Campus
Concert for Japan On May 26, 2011, musicians from St. Mark’s and beyond took part in the special studentorganized Japan Concert for Hope in Decherd Auditorium. The St. Mark’s String Quartet and the (above) The St. Mark’s and Hockaday Drama Program’s whimsical performance of Seussical The Musical secured nine Cappies Awards. Christian Larrave ’11 won for his portrayal of the iconic Cat in the Hat.
St. Mark’s and Hockaday Trio performed,
Marksmen Light Up The Stage Four Marksmen lit up the stage this year,
along with a number of professional musicians including Naoko Nakamura Stromberg, the
each winning Cappies Awards for their
principal harpist with the Dallas Wind
performances in the St. Mark’s/Hockaday
Symphony, Christina Long, internationally
Drama Program.
renowned solo and duo pianist, and Motoi
Christian Larrave ’11, pictured above,
Takeda, the Associate Concertmaster of the
won the award for Lead Actor in a Play for his
Dallas Symphony Orchestra. The concert
role in Laughing Stock, as well as Lead Actor
featured a diverse musical program including
in a Musical for Seussical The Musical. Nabeel
works by Mozart, Mendelssohn, Liszt, and
Muscatwalla ’14 won Featured Actor for
Saint-Saens.
Laughing Stock. Alex Hoskins ’11 and Taubert Nadalini ’13
Proceeds from the evening went to Second Harvest Japan, a relief organization providing
were also recognized with the Outstanding
immediate help to the victims of the tragic
Cappies Team Award.
March 11, 2011, earthquake and tsunami that
The Cappies is an organization of high
devastated Japan.
school students who attend the productions of their peer schools as critics, then write and publish formal reviews for local papers. Each year, they vote on the best performances and technical achievements and present the winners at the Cappies Awards Gala. Together, the St. Mark’s/Hockaday Drama Program brought home a total of nine Cappies. Congratulations to these fine thespians!
12
On Campus | THE PRIDE
St. Mark’s School of Texas
On Campus
baccalaureate & commencement 2011 Ross Perot Offers Graduates Sage Advice
o
On May 17, 2011, the Class of 2011 filed into the St. Mark’s Chapel for Baccalaureate — one of their last steps toward graduation. As requested by the senior class, Cecil H. and Ida Green Master Teacher Paul Weadon delivered the address for the faculty, congratulating the boys and encouraging them as they continue their journey. “We, the faculty, love you and we hope the best for you and your future,” Weadon told them. The night was also a poignant occasion for the senior members of the Choir, as this would be their last Chapel singing together. Among
(above) The traditional procession through the faculty, who join together to congratulate the seniors after the Baccalaureate service.
the choristers from the Class of 2011 was Landon Blair, who offered the address on behalf of his classmates. “I am blessed to be a member of these
(left) Retiring faculty member Paul Weadon with Curtis Smith.
happy few,” Landon said. “We are brothers. For he who walks across that stage with me Friday night will be my brother forever.” Following the conclusion of the service, the robed members of the faculty and staff lined the walkway outside the Chapel and applauded the senior Marksmen as they exited. Three days later, on May 20, 2011, a line of men in white tuxedoes marched into the Thomas O. Hicks Family Athletic Center for what would be their final hours as St. Mark’s students. Class President McCrae Dunlap ’11 and Valedictorian Moez Aziz ’11 spoke to their fellow students and the audience about hard work and the great reward of their time at St. Mark’s. Business legend Ross Perot then delivered
Senior Awards Valedictorian ~ Moez Aziz
the Commencement Address to the Class of
Salutatorian ~ Will Raskin
2011, including his grandson Patrick McGee ’11,
Citizenship Cup ~ Patrick McGee
and encouraged the graduates to “Do what
School Flag ~ Hank Williams
fits you. Don’t go with the herd, listen to your
Headmaster’s Cup ~ Dean Itani
own drummer.”
St. Mark’s School of Texas
Summer 2011 | On Campus
13
On Campus
(above) Valedictorian Moez Aziz addresses the Class of 2011. (above right) Ty Montgomery celebrates with family. (right) Ross Perot delivers the Commencement Address. (far right) Graduates celebrate together. (below right) Citizenship Cup winner Patrick McGee with parents Suzanne and Patrick.
Mr. Perot urged the graduates to thank their parents and the faculty who have helped them along their path to Commencement. “I ask each of you graduates to seek out your teachers and the leaders of this great school and thank them as part of this celebration.” He went on to share memorable examples of men and women who had succeeded despite tremendous hardships, and he stressed humility and gratitude, saying “The people who make it for the long pull are the people who keenly understand their weaknesses as well as their strengths. They’re not arrogant, cocky, or special. That can make all of the difference in the world.”
14
On Campus | THE PRIDE
St. Mark’s School of Texas
On Campus
retiring faculty A Fond Farewell
t
This summer, St. Mark’s bid farewell to three of its most beloved instructors who together represent a 101-year commitment to the boys of 10600 Preston Road.
Larry Cavitt ~ 42 years In 1969 Larry Cavitt began his 42-year journey as a member of the St. Mark’s faculty. During his tenure, he has taught Social Studies, U.S. History in the Upper School, Advanced Placement Law and Government, and most recently, Fifth Grade
(above) Jorge Correa, Eslendy Noble, Laura Ward, Pamela Abbott, and David Evans celebrate with Jeanie Laube at her retirement reception.
Humanities. He has served as an athletics coach, sponsor to the Discipline Council, and member of the Faculty Advisory Committee. As a mentor to newer faculty members, he inspired fellow
(left) Paul Weadon and Larry Cavitt, sitting on their Captain’s Chairs, appreciate thanks and good wishes from Arnie Holtberg at the reception to honor them both.
humanities teacher Nick Sberna to refer to him as “one of my three sages” (along with Curtis Smith and Tom Adams). “My heartiest thanks go to Larry for his commitment to the School and our boys for all these many years,” said Arnie Holtberg, “He has devoted himself to ensuring that our boys learn to think clearly and express themselves respectfully.” In 2008, Larry received the Ackerman Award
Head of Upper School. He served as a faculty member of The Cum Laude Society and received
for Character Education, and in 1996 he was
the John H. Murrell Excellence-in-Teaching
awarded the John H. Murrell Excellence-in-
Award in 2002. In 2010, he became the Cecil H.
Teaching Award. In 2009, an alumni family named
and Ida Green Master Teaching Chair, and
a classroom in Centennial Hall in his honor.
delivered the faculty address to the Class of 2011 at the Baccalaureate service.
Paul Weadon ~ 39 years Paul Weadon began his nearly 40 years of
“He was a major influence on me during my years at St. Mark’s; I would do almost anything
service to St. Mark’s in 1972. Fresh from receiving
for Herr Weadon.” These words, recently offered
his master’s in Russian Language and Linguistics,
by current Trustee Scott Kimple ’84, have been
he joined the faculty as a member of the foreign
uttered more than once by Marksmen over the
language department, teaching German and
years. Several former students were so inspired
Russian. Over his many years at the School, he
that they were moved to create the Paul Weadon
also taught Spanish and history and served as
Fund for International Experience to help
Chair of the Language Department and Assistant
underwrite student and faculty summer
St. Mark’s School of Texas
Summer 2011 | On Campus
15
On Campus
(above) Bob Zorn ’75, Paul Weadon, Paul Stewart ’74, and Mark Jacobs ’74.
enrichment opportunities so that others might benefit from the same kind of experience that
(above right) Jeanie Laube and Nancy Marmion.
shaped them so meaningfully.
(right) Sharon Hiner, Etsuko Barber, Larry Cavitt, and Bill Kysor.
together to name the language lab in his honor.
A few years later, former students joined In the words of current parent and Trustee, Bill
extend the reach of the lessons they learned
Graue ’84, “Mr. Weadon, among many great
through the Community Service Program into
teachers at St. Mark’s, really inspired us.”
new communities in college and beyond.
The Paul Weadon Language Lab is one of
“Our Community Service Program has
many new classrooms in Centennial Hall and
been outstanding not because of the awards it
the Robert K. Hoffman Center that have been
has garnered, but for the lives it has changed,”
named in honor of current or former faculty.
said Arnie Holtberg, “Jeanie has achieved so
These gifts stand as permanent tributes to the
much because she sees infinite possibilities
St. Mark’s faculty and their passionate dedica-
at every turn.”
tion to their students through the years.
Among her many awards, Jeanie received the Ralph B. Rogers Alumni Award and The Meadows
Jeanie Laube ~ 20 years Jeanie Laube walked onto the St. Mark’s
Jane Doe Award, the Presbyterian Communities
St. Mark’s Community Service Program. Over
and Services Foundation Each Moment Matters
the past 20 years, she has taught Spanish at all
Award, and the Volunteer Center of North Texas
levels and served as a Junior/Senior advisor.
Lone Star Legend Award. In 2009, her work received national acclaim: The President’s Council
from the ground up to become one of the most
on Service and Civic Participation awarded her
effective and celebrated programs in the
the President’s Volunteer Service Award.
country. She has developed strong student
On Campus | THE PRIDE
the recipient of the Genesis Women’s Shelter
campus in 1991 as the Director of the Hockaday/
Jeanie built the Community Service Program
16
Award for Outstanding Sponsor in 1999. She is
We wish Jeanie, Larry, and Paul all the best
leaders at both Hockaday and St. Mark’s and has
as they begin a new chapter in their lives. Please
taught thousands of young men and women the
share with us your fond memories of these
importance of serving others. Thanks to her
retirees. You may email them to Katy Rubarth
leadership, many of our students go on to
at rubarthk@smtexas.org.
St. Mark’s School of Texas
On Campus
faculty forum Teachers Share Their Talent
i
If you’re feeling a bit nostalgic for a science lesson from Mrs. Barta, a poem from Mr. Brown, or a trip through the wilderness with Mr. Northcut, look no further than the premiere volume of St. Mark’s Faculty Forum. This new publication compiles more than 30 entries from St. Mark’s faculty members that cover everything from Moby Dick to foot posture, and from African American cinema to a curious Downy Woodpecker chick. Brought to fruition by Trustee Master Teaching Chair in Humanities Lynne Weber, the concept of the Forum was sparked by the experience of one faculty member who was
(above) “Three of a Kind” by John Mead.
writing an academic paper along with her class. She knew that many other St. Mark’s teachers were producing original scholarly and artistic work as well, and she felt that a publication of faculty work could become a platform for
From “Science and Religion” by Stephanie Barta If we knew everything, we would be too
colleagues who wanted to share their thinking,
full of perfectly known things. In the order
writing, and art with one another, the St. Mark’s
of the world there is a deep pattern. You
community, and the students.
can’t always know it beforehand. If you did,
(far left) The Faculty Forum, edited by Howard Hand, Stephen Houpt, Byron Lawson, Claire Strange, Dr. Henry Ploegstra, Marta Napiorkowska, and Lynne Weber.
you would be unsurprised and dwarfed and hardened. There are many amazing and awesome mysteries yet to be explored and investigated. Before these mysteries we are silent. And yet we have that hunger for knowledge to satisfy an insatiable curiosity and an excellent intelligence. We have fine minds with which to attempt to work out some of the mechanisms not yet unraveled. But with that knowledge we are still silent — and humbled — by the vast realm of what is not yet understood — and the fact that there is much that we may never comprehend.
St. Mark’s School of Texas
Summer 2011 | On Campus
17
On Campus
Born to Wear Red by David Brown Some people are born for red, like Juanita from my third-grade past who wore her sneakers like ruby slippers and outran every boy, or like
(above) “Old Icelander” by Dan Northcut.
Charles whose cherry cheeks always betrayed his
(above right) “Sweet Gum Seed Pod” by John Mead.
Vernon by Stephen Houpt He’d been sitting in that choir chair for more than fifty years, Wednesdays and Sundays seemingly without end, filling the chancel with his deep rumbling voice, the earthy wisdom of his prayers. When I saw him the week before he died, he looked bad, his eyelids rimmed with red, his movements creaky, like the doors on a million mile Olds ’88. But when I looked past all that into the clarity of his eyes, I saw that it was all still there:
sotted father’s leather belt, or more recently like the single mother of one of my students, who will one day push past crowded corners a shopping cart that carries everything she owns but still will flash her hot vermilion nails. These survivors wear their will to rise above it all like the banner of blood those French misèrables waved in the faces of their tormentors, or like the whore of Jericho who hid two Hebrew spies within her walls till the walls tumbled down. Joshua tells us Rahab saved her life by hanging red cords in her window. They were a sign to the marauding bands of God that not all who suffer are destined to be victims —
the guts he had repeatedly shown, enduring the pain, the encouragement he had given me
laugh in their sleep, to measure a star’s worth,
as I sat beside him through the years,
to pardon what is unpardonable, to open
the rough edges of his wit, the little movements of his soft, weathered hands.
18
On Campus | THE PRIDE
Some are born to make children smile, to
their ample arms and enfold the world. Yes, some are born to wear red.
St. Mark’s School of Texas
On Campus
allen cullum ’64 named life trustee Annual Dinner Honors Board Service
o
On April 27, the St. Mark’s Board of Trustees honored Allen Cullum ’64 by naming him a Life Trustee. Allen initially joined the Board of Trustees in 1988 as President of the St. Mark’s Alumni Association. Allen chaired the Development Committee and, not long after, joined the leadership team of The Campaign for St. Mark’s as one of the Co-Chairs. Allen earned a reputation for being a tenacious fundraiser during the development of the Alumni Commons project named in honor of his late father, A. Earl Cullum, Jr. Allen knew well that St. Mark’s had been the beneficiary of a tremendous history of philanthropy and volunteer support dating back genera-
of Nearburg Hall, the Thomas O. Hicks Family
tions. He treasured the School’s relationships with
Athletic Center, and the Mullen Family Fitness
people like Cecil Green, Margaret McDermott,
Center. In 2003, the St. Mark’s Alumni Association
Robert Decherd, and many others who cultivated
awarded Allen the Alumni Service Medal for his
St. Mark’s into one of the finest schools in the
distinguished and longstanding service to the
country. Allen took that legacy seriously; he felt an
School. In 2005, Allen once again shepherded
obligation to move the School forward as never
a major construction project for the School,
before, and knew that it would require unprece-
working alongside fellow Trustee and close
dented and broad-based leadership from alumni.
friend Wallace Hall ’80 to manage the develop-
Allen became President of the Board in 1998 and
ment of the Norma and Lamar Hunt Family
was instrumental in overseeing the construction
Stadium and Fields project.
Victoria Cullum, B.A. Cullum ’99, Allen Cullum ’64, Sissy Cullum, Charles Cullum, and Brannon Cullum at the Trustee Dinner.
Board Honors Retiring Trustees The School also paid tribute to four retiring Trustees, who collectively served the Board for 30 years. Vinay Jain joined the Board in 2008 and served on both the Education and Finance Committees, always bringing great energy and intelligence to the Board’s deliberations. As President-elect of the Parents’ Association, Melinda Johnson joined the Board in 2008 and thoughtfully reconciled the perspectives of diverse constituents during her service on the Development, Finance, and Education Committees. Noé Hinojosa retired from the Board
St. Mark’s School of Texas
after six years and brought considerable insight and passion to his participation as a member of the Audit, Investment, and Finance Committees. George Bayoud ’73 retired after 18 years, including service as President of the Board and Chairman of the Executive Committee. George always kept the needs of his alma mater foremost in his mind as a dedicated volunteer and visionary leader, and on Friday, April 15, 2011, the Alumni Association awarded George the Alumni Service Medal (see page 35). (clockwise from top) George S. Bayoud ’73, Melinda Johnson, Vinay K. Jain, and Noé Hinojosa.
Summer 2011 | On Campus
19
Alumni News alumni in the news Marksmen Making Headlines
Heisman,” in recognition of his athletic and academic achievements. Earlier this year, Sam was named Big 12 Sportsman of the Year and awarded the 2010 Wuerffel Trophy. Sam’s career in professional football begins after finishing his college career, graduating in December, 2010, with a degree from the prestigious Business Honors Program in the University of Texas McCombs School of Business.
Berndt Mader ’97
(above) Sam Acho ’07 suits up as #94, the Arizona Cardinal’s newest outside linebacker.
Berndt Mader ’97 recently premiered Five Time Champion, an independent film he wrote, produced, and directed, at the 2011 South by
(right) Berndt Mader ’97 on the set of his new film, Five Time Champion.
Southwest Film Festival in Austin. The film was chosen as an official selection for the Dallas International Film Festival, where it subsequently won MPS Studios’ Texas Filmmaker Award. Five Time Champion, a coming of age story set in small-town Texas, is Berndt’s first feature film, for which he was also awarded the Panavision
Samuel Acho ’07 From Lion to Longhorn to Cardinal, Sam
New Filmmaker grant; a grant from Eastman Kodak; and an award from the Austin Film
Acho ’07, former University of Texas defensive
Society’s Texas Filmmaker Production Fund.
end, was chosen 103rd overall in the fourth round
Berndt visited campus this spring and spoke to
of the NFL draft on Saturday, April 30, 2011.
the Film Studies class. Best wishes to Berndt
“Words cannot describe how I feel right now,”
come Oscar season.
Sam said upon receiving the news. “The Arizona Cardinals are an unbelievable organization. I couldn’t even imagine being picked by the Cardinals. It’s a complete shocker to me.” During his time at St. Mark’s and UT, Sam
20
Christian Dean ’01 Crinny Dean was appointed by Texas Governor Rick Perry to serve in a higher education post. He joins 11 student appointees who
earned a reputation as an all-star athlete and an
will serve terms from June 1, 2011 through
excellent student. Sam was awarded the 2010
May 31, 2012. The governor announced his
William V. Campbell trophy, or “Academic
appointment on April 20, 2011.
Alumni News | THE PRIDE
St. Mark’s School of Texas
Alumni News
Photo By Parker Matthews ’13
Crinny is student regent to the UNT System, which oversees the UNT Health Science Center, University of North Texas, and UNT Dallas. He earned a bachelor’s degree in molecular, cellular, and developmental biology from the University of Colorado at Boulder and a master’s degree in biomedical sciences from the UNTHSC.
Jim Moran ’01 While the recession has sent many businesses scrambling to stay afloat, Jim Moran ’01 is turning
(above) Veeral Rathod ’97.
a nation’s newfound frugality into Internet gold.
(left) Award winning artwork by Ty Nguyen ’09.
Jim, along with business partner Vinicius Vacanti, formed Yipit, a website that simplifies and personalizes the online experience of daily deal websites like Groupon and LivingSocial. Pulling from more than 400 sites in 32 cities, Yipit is quickly becoming a home for users trying to sort through the quickly expanding daily deals market. The site’s subscriber base has grown 25 percent every month this year and now tops 185,000.
Ty Nguyen ’09 Some people say that medicine is as much an art as a science, and few appreciate that more than pre-med student Ty Nguyen ’09. While witnessing an open-heart surgery during a
Veeral Rathod ’97 Veeral Rathod ’97 is shaking up the world of
summer job shadow program, Ty was compelled
men’s apparel with a simple observation.
to reproduce what he saw on paper.
According to Veeral, “Men don’t mind buying.
Ty’s drawing is the Grand Prize Winner of the 2011 “Frame My Future” contest. The contest
They just don’t like shopping.” Veeral is co-founder of J. Hilburn, a custom
judges paintings, sketches, photos, poems, and
men’s clothing company that is taking the
stories submitted by current college students
online approach to business. Instead of making
expressing their passions for their future careers.
customers come to their store, J. Hilburn sends
“Through this piece,” Ty explains, “I am able to combine my dreams of being a doctor and my passion for art and drawing.” While a panel of judges selected the finalists,
one of its 800 style advisors to a customer’s home or business for measurements and advice. The company, based near Love Field, is finding great success in this e-commerce strategy.
the ultimate winner was determined by a public
J. Hilburn has been featured in The Dallas
vote held on the contest’s website.
Morning News and The New York Times.
St. Mark’s School of Texas
Summer 2011 | Alumni News
21
Alumni News
summer alumni lunches Different Decades, Different Days, All Marksmen
(above) Jim Clark ’54, Stuart Morse ’61, and Ivan Irwin ’50. (above right) Brady Baxter ’75, and Ley Waggoner ’64. (right) Scurry Johnson ’81 and Marc Hubbard ’81. (far right) Robert Einsohn ’67, McCrae Dunlap ’11, and Al McClendon ’67. (below right) Hank Williams ’11, Dustin Hesseltine ’07, and Clifford Katz ’07.
m
Marksmen from every generation returned to campus June 13 –16, 2011, to enjoy lunch with classmates and friends. Arranged by decades, a series of four lunches was hosted by the Office of Development & Alumni Relations. Alumni Director Jim Bob Womack ’98 provided attendees with highlights from the 2010 – 2011 school year, and recent graduates McCrae Dunlap ’11, Jeffrey Eichenholz ’11, and Hayden Wolf ’11, presented glimpses of their lives as Marksmen and as members of their senior class.
22
Alumni News | THE PRIDE
St. Mark’s School of Texas
Thank You For A Record Year! Thanks to the extraordinary generosity of our entire community, the St. Mark’s Fund exceeded its financial goal and raised more than $2.7 million. These gifts directly support the operating budget — strengthening the experience for all Marksmen across campus and throughout the life of the School.
87% of all current parents contributed to the Fund, a record number of donors. 56% of the alumni community contributed nearly $1.4 million, more than doubling
the amount contributed five years ago and leading the nation in participation.
23 alumni classes broke the 50% mark for participation. 6 alumni classes broke giving records. 100% participation was reached by the parents of the Classes of 2019, 2021, and 2022. Many thanks to the more than 75 St. Mark’s Fund volunteers who helped make this our most successful year ever!
Lead | Inspire | Be Counted
Alumni News
spotlight on philanthropy New Alumni and Reunion Classes Raise the Bar
post-graduation events, and future class reunions. A few years ago, graduating classes began the tradition of allocating a portion of Auction proceeds to establish a Senior Class Legacy Gift. These gifts have included support of the St. Mark’s Fund, the Centennial Hall and Hoffman Center Project, financial aid, and the newly-created Senior Support Fund, which assists seniors on financial aid with expenses related to the senior year. One hundred percent of the Class supported establishing this year’s Legacy Gift. It includes a four-year commitment to the St. Mark’s Fund, ensuring 100 percent class participation in the Fund during their college years. St. Mark’s boasts one of the highest rates of alumni participation in the country, and the Class of 2011 affirmed its commitment to be a part of this tradition. (above) Class President McCrae Dunlap ’11 presents the 2011 Legacy Gift to Headmaster Arnie Holtberg at the SeniorAlumni Luncheon
The Class also allocated $20,000 of the Legacy
Class of 2011 Establishes Its Legacy Gift At the Senior-Alumni Luncheon this year,
These funds will be directed to endowed
the Class of 2011 presented Eugene McDermott
financial aid and are a direct response to the
Headmaster Arnie Holtberg with its Legacy
Alumni Financial Aid Challenge, a $5 million
Gift — a class commitment to the St. Mark’s
challenge established by Megan and Casey
Fund, the St. Mark’s Scholarship Fund, and the
McManemin ’79 and Eveline and Bob Roberts ’64.
Senior Support Fund. In the words of Class
Finally, the Class allocated funds to underwrite
President McCrae Dunlap, “Our Class Legacy
senior activities for future classes.
Gift reflects our loyalty to St. Mark’s, our gratitude
In accepting the gift, Mr. Holtberg noted, “The
to the men and women who worked so hard to
Class of 2011 has left its mark on 10600 Preston
make us the men we are, and our commitment
Road in a multitude of ways, and their Legacy
to supporting and strengthening our alma mater
Gift is but one important way the Class has
for future generations of Marksmen.”
affirmed its pride in St. Mark’s and its commit-
Each fall, seniors raise funds by donating
24
Gift for the St. Mark’s Scholarship Fund.
ment to supporting future generations here.”
their services at the annual Senior Auction to
He concluded, “On behalf of our teachers and
support junior and senior year activities,
our boys, I extend my deepest gratitude to the
including class retreats, the Marksmen Ball,
Class of 2011 for its generous gift.”
Alumni News | THE PRIDE
St. Mark’s School of Texas
Alumni News
Reunion Classes Lead Record Participation in St. Mark’s Fund Since Alumni Weekend migrated to the spring four years ago, classes have redoubled efforts to engage with one another and their alma mater. Attendance at class reunions and other school activities throughout the weekend grows impressively every year and reflects the zeal among Reunion Committees. Reunion Committees have also energized reunion giving. Alumni participation (56 percent (above) Class of ’76 alumni Andreas Reimold, Hays Lindsley, and Kenny Moore.
and among the highest rates in the nation) and total giving have both grown considerably during the past four years. Without question,
(left) Class of ’06 alumni Preston Early, Bryan Block, and Andrew Smith.
Reunion giving has fueled this unprecedented growth and, this year, St. Mark’s benefited from one of the most effective Reunion gift cycles in its history. Ten classes, representing graduating years ending in 1’s and 6’s, dedicated themselves to establishing new standards of support. Six classes established reunion records. Pushing hard until the very end of June, the Class of 2006 set a 5th Reunion participation record, as 61 percent of the class contributed. The Class of 2001 set a record for 10th Reunion
Fund by a class in a single year. Seventy-nine
giving and raised more than $18,000. Sixty-six
percent of the Class of 1976 contributed
percent of the Class of 1996 contributed more
$79,000, setting records for both participation
than $58,000, establishing records for both
and total giving.
participation and overall giving in the 15th
Collectively, Reunion classes raised more
Reunion. The Class of 1986 came out of the
than $500,000 for the 2010 – 2011 St. Mark’s
planning gates strong and never looked back.
Fund. Average class participation in Reunion
They reached $100,000 faster than any class in
years exceeded 57 percent. This leadership
School history and ultimately set a new 25th
drove St. Mark’s alumni giving to record levels
Reunion record, raising more than $155,000.
and, most important, directly supported current
The Class of 1981 set a new milestone for the
Marsksmen by providing mission-critical
30th Reunion, raising more than $160,000. This
resources to their teachers and coaches.
achievement also earned the Class of 1981
Congratulations to all Reunion classes for their
another record — the largest gift to the St. Mark’s
outstanding efforts on behalf of their alma mater.
St. Mark’s School of Texas
Summer 2011 | Alumni News
25
Alumni News
the centennial challenge launches on the west coast Campaign Reunites Area Marksmen with the School
(above) Jeanie Laube, Edwin Rodriguez ’02, Jillian Simard, Marc Vimolratana ’02, and Megan Swanson. (above right) David Brown and Lynne Weber. (right) Adam Genecov ’09 and Jeff Genecov ’77. (far right) Edward McCullough ’99, Colin Stewart ’99, and Will Craig ’00.
i
In a whirlwind of activity over two days in
Together, these 45 men personally contacted
April, St. Mark’s headed west to California to
alumni living throughout California and other
launch The Centennial Challenge. Faculty,
western states to encourage broad participation
Trustees, Campaign volunteers, and staff
in the event. Their outreach resulted in record
traveled to San Francisco and Los Angeles
turnouts in both San Francisco and Los Angeles
for events that included classes taught by
as roughly 200 alumni and guests attended
current and retired teachers, a reception,
the events.
and a special dinner program. Alumni representing five decades served as members of the West Coast Host Committee.
26
Alumni News | THE PRIDE
Like the East Coast Launch held the prior year, enthusiastic alumni engagement shaped each day’s program. Eight faculty members participated
St. Mark’s School of Texas
Alumni News
(above) Henry Hsu ’98, Tzui Lin, and Headmaster Arnie Holtberg. (above left) Mike Blakely ’05, Chase Sanders ’05, and Hawkins Golden ’07. (left) Randy Zisk ’77 addresses the gathering in Los Angeles. (far left) David Newell ’07, Lynne Weber, Mark O’Meara ’09, and Jake Vandermeer ’08.
and led classes for alumni and guests, ranging
Adam Genecov ’09 represented local alumni.
from Tom Adams’ lecture on World Wars I
In Los Angeles, Steven Sklaver ’90 and Randy
and II to a panel discussion on the St. Mark’s
Zisk ’77 shared their reflections on St. Mark’s
approach to educating the “whole boy.”
and regional alumni activity. Each evening’s
The dinner program in each city highlighted
program also included remarks from President
the Campaign’s priorities and early successes.
of the Board of Trustees Ken Hersh ’81, Alumni
It included local alumni leaders as well as
Association President Mike Warnecke ’87,
Trustees from Dallas and Eugene McDermott
and Arnie Holtberg.
Headmaster Arnie Holtberg. In San Francisco, Regional Club President Michael Merrill ’72 and
St. Mark’s School of Texas
The West Coast Launch powerfully demonstrated the breadth of support among alumni
Summer 2011 | Alumni News
27
Alumni News
(above) Allen Cullum ’64 and Doug Rummel. (above right) Erin and Matt Wallach ’99 and Director of Alumni Relations Jim Bob Womack ’98. (right) Robert Lo ’94, Phillip Tate ’94, Taylor Hamra ’95, Liz Smagala, and Gianpaulo Santarelli ’94. (below right) Joe Milliet, Jeanie Laube, and Stephanie Barta.
and parents for St. Mark’s and its mission. As Arnie Holtberg concluded each launch event, he acknowledged the importance of the community’s passionate involvement and thanked attendees for their personal commitment to the School. “St. Mark’s School of Texas is strong because our people believe in the School’s mission and seek to fulfill it at every step. Achieving excellence is challenging; sustaining top level performance demands fervent commitment and unwavering resolve. Thank you for your dedication.”
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Alumni News | THE PRIDE
St. Mark’s School of Texas
Alumni News
Faculty Classes The United States and the Two World Wars with Tom Adams
Let’s Do Lit: A Roundtable Discussion with David Brown and Lynne Weber
Robot Wars with Fletch Carron and Doug Rummel
Nurturing the Whole Boy with Stephanie Barta, Jeanie Laube, and Joe Milliet
West Coast Host Committee San Francisco Michael Agnich ’96 Howard Chang ’05 Jeremy Downs ’96 Robert Einspruch ’91 Jon Gaulding ’06 Adam Genecov ’09 Jeremy Ginsberg ’96 J.R. Heberle ’00 Steve Jurvetson ’85 Alex Katz ’08 Holden Lee ’84 Michael McBride ’92 Tommy Mercer ’97 Michael Merrill ’72 David Mottram ’01
David Newell ’07 Nick Orenstein ’01 Dillon Parker ’88 Sam Ramirez ’06 Tony Roberts ’01 David Sanchez ’90 Darius White ’07 Neal Williams ’65 Malcolm Winspear ’78
Los Angeles Mark Capri ’69 Evan Daugherty ’00 Josh Einsohn ’90 Beau Falgout ’09 Miles Fisher ’02
Scott Ginsburg ’94 Taylor Hamra ’95 David Hudgins ’83 Andrew Langdon ’09 Stephen Langdon ’09 Jbeau Lewis ’98 Doug Mankoff ’81 Reid McGlamery ’96 Russell Myers ’99 Steven Sklaver ’90 Phillip Tate ’94 Michael Upton ’84 Kurt Voelker ’85 Matt Wallach ’99 Mike Wolfram ’63 Randy Zisk ’77
(top left) Doug Rummel, Lynne Weber, Joe Milliet, Jeanie Laube, Fletch Carron, Stephanie Barta, and David Brown. (top) Science teacher Fletch Carron. (above left) Michael Merrill ’72, Mark Capri ’69, and Ken Hersh ’81. (above) Beau Falgout ’09, Josh Dunn ’07, Travis Primm ’08.
Launch Events Coming Soon... Austin ~ November 6, 2011
St. Mark’s School of Texas
•
Houston ~ February 25, 2012
Summer 2011 | Alumni News
29
Alumni News
alumni board report A Letter from the President
2010 – 2011 Retiring Members
2011 – 2012 New Members
Michael Ginsberg ’66
George Diamond ’83
Roby Mize ’83
Mike MacAdams ’65
Michael Newman ’88
Fraser Marcus ’72
Veeral Rathod ’97
Jon Morgan ’90
Michael Warnecke ’87
Perch Nelson ’79
Randy Williams ’74
Alumni Association President Mike Warnecke ’87.
t
The Alumni Board’s vision for the Alumni
they reside. Our biggest step toward fortifying
Association is to be recognized as the best inde-
our regional outreach was the creation of the
pendent school alumni network in the country.
Regional Club Program. In recognition of years
The Board is proud of our progress in bringing
of hard work from alumni committees in New
our vision more clearly into focus. In the past
York and San Francisco, these cities became
year, we were recognized nationally as leaders
our first two Clubs in 2010. Austin, Houston,
in alumni engagement and won an award for
Los Angeles, and Washington D.C. are busy
our program. It took two universities with tens
laying the groundwork to join the program.
of thousands of alumni between them to beat
Our focus on non-Dallas alumni is generating
out just 4,000 Marksmen for this honor.
incredible enthusiasm, as evidenced by the East
Our alumni network has earned its national recognition. With the support of Marksmen across
West Coast Campaign Launch in April 2011.
the country, the Alumni Board has concentrated
These events, hosted in New York City, San
its efforts on three key aspects of our program.
Francisco, and Los Angeles, were the culmina-
Regional Programming: Nearly half of all
tion of many years of great work by alumni
St. Mark’s alumni live outside North Texas.
volunteers and a combined 350 attendees to
To bring the campus to them, administrators,
experience classes with faculty and hear updates
faculty members, and the members of the
on the School and its goals by the Headmaster,
Alumni Office visit more than a dozen cities
the Board of Trustees, and alumni leadership.
and college campuses each year to give alumni
Through Regional Club activity, we have taken
a chance to reconnect and catch up on what is
a commanding leap forward in facilitating and
happening at the School. To focus even more
supporting alumni engagement across the
specifically on alumni-to-alumni interaction,
country and beyond.
the Alumni Board has increased the attention given to supporting all alumni, no matter where
30
Coast Campaign Launch in April 2010 and the
Alumni News | THE PRIDE
Dallas Area Programming: We continue to reap the benefits of making Alumni Weekend
St. Mark’s School of Texas
Alumni News
(above) Ming Chan, Josh Rodriguez ’07, Carlos Barcena ’97, Byron Lawson, Bob Porter ’75, Emre Yucell ’04, and April Lee at the alumni event in Washington, D.C. in March.
a three-day event open to all alumni, regardless of reunion year. Attendance has grown each year as non-reunion alumni join together with
(above left) Beau Falgout ’09, Talbot Penner ’53, Jackie Penner, and Don Avant ’85 gathered in London, England, for the alumni event in July.
Reunion classes for an extraordinary event that includes activities for all alumni and their families. The Alumni Board also expanded our existing speaker series. The newly branded Alumni Leadership Speaker Series, created three years ago, brings alumni together for cultural and educational events, featuring speakers
highest, if not the highest, in the country and
from the St. Mark’s community. Our Holiday
reflects how important our alma mater has been
Luncheon with the Headmaster, where nearly
and continues to be in our lives. This number is,
150 alumni gather to hear an update on the state
of course, only one measure of how our alumni
of the School, continues to bring good cheer to all.
feel about the School, but it is an important
Most importantly, and because of the excitement
number and one that will continue to grow in
these events have generated, we now consistently
the years ahead.
see graduates spanning seven different decades at our major events. St. Mark’s Fund: To help achieve national
It has been an honor and, frankly, a lot of fun serving as President of the St. Mark’s Alumni Association for the last two years. I want
recognition, the Alumni Board chose the
to thank my fellow Officers, Jeff Hillier ’76 and
St. Mark’s Fund participation rate as a very
Ivan Irwin ’50, for their service as Vice President
objective and public measure of our alumni
and Secretary, respectively. I also wish to thank
engagement. Accordingly, the Alumni Board
the rest of our Alumni Board leaders and the
has joined the St. Mark’s Fund Chairs and Class
Alumni Office for their dedication to St. Mark’s.
Agents in their fundraising effort. As alumni
Thank you, St. Mark’s alumni, for continuing to
involvement on campus and around the globe
engage with the School and each other. I look
continues to grow, so does our participation
forward to seeing where you all take our alumni
in the St. Mark’s Fund. This year, 56 percent
network next.
of our Alumni Association made a gift to the School. Our rate of participation is among the
St. Mark’s School of Texas
(left) Alumni Board members Jeff Hillier ’76 and Jeff Genecov ’77 at the Centennial Challenge West Coast Launch in Los Angeles.
~ A. Michael Warnecke ’87 President, Alumni Association
Summer 2011 | Alumni News
31
Alumni Weekend
alumni weekend 2011 The Tradition Rocks On
(above) Alumni reminisce while attending Nick Sberna’s Pecos Wilderness class. (above right) Distinguished Alumni Robert Edsel ’75 and Steve Miller ’61 after an afternoon concert. (right) Randy Williams ’74 and Ben Vig ’89 flip burgers on the quad. (below right) Backed by his band of Marksmen, Steve Miller ’61 rocks out in Decherd Auditorium.
m
More than 900 alumni and guests returned to campus April 14–16, 2011, for Alumni Weekend. The record number of attendees enjoyed connecting with former teachers and classmates and building new friendships. By all accounts, Alumni Weekend 2011 was a huge success!
Friday on Campus Alumni Golf Tournament On Thursday, nearly 100 golfers joined
32
Headmaster Arnie Holtberg kicked off the day with his annual Headmaster’s Welcome,
together for a fun day on the links at Preston-
where he delivered the State of the School
wood Country Club in Dallas. The day ended
address. Alumni Board President Mike
with a players’ banquet and BBQ dinner in
Warnecke ’87 welcomed Reunion classes and
the clubhouse.
announced several St. Mark’s Fund awards.
Alumni News | THE PRIDE
St. Mark’s School of Texas
Alumni Weekend
Alumni Golf Tournament
As always, first through sixth periods helped remind alumni of all generations about their days on campus, as they spent time in Alumni (this page) Alumni of all ages enjoyed the time together at the annual Alumni Golf Tournament.
Chapel and in class with St. Mark’s faculty members. Tom Adams came out of retirement to discuss the 1960’s in America; Scott Hunt and Nick Sberna gave alumni a look at a 21st
Spring Alumni Dinner The A. Earl Cullum, Jr., Alumni Commons
Century Pecos Trip; Steve Balog answered
was at capacity as more than 360 alumni and
the question of whether black holes exist; and
guests enjoyed a special evening together.
Marty Stegemoeller discussed how philosophy is
During the program, the Alumni Association
shaping the concept of leadership at St. Mark’s.
took a moment to recognize special faculty
The day was capped off with an “unplugged”
and alumni leaders. Retiring faculty members
show by 2007 Distinguished Alumnus Steve
Larry Cavitt, Jeanie Laube, and Paul Weadon
Miller ’61, who played a quick set for current
were honored for their many years of service
students and alumni. Backing him up were
to the School. Stephanie Barta, Greg Guiler,
current students and Middle School humanities
and John Turek were named as finalists for
teacher Tim Mank ’87.
The Ralph B. Rogers Alumni Award for their
Thanks to Alan Schoellkopf ’91, his Alumni Weekend Committee, and our numerous alumni
contributions to the School community. George Bayoud ’73 accepted the Alumni
volunteers for their hard work organizing a great
Service Medal, and Greg Sutton ’99 received
weekend for all.
the Young Alumni Service Citation.
St. Mark’s School of Texas
Thanks to our many golfers, our Tournament Sponsor Bank of Texas, our Gold Sponsors Al G. Hill, Jr. ’63, Sewell Automotive Companies, and Signal Metal Industries, and all of our hole and gift-inkind sponsors.
Summer 2011 | Alumni News
33
Alumni Weekend
Spring Alumni Dinner & Awards To close the evening, Robert Edsel ’75 was honored as the 2011 Distinguished Alumnus for his outstanding work as an author and historian and his dedication to preserving the history of the Monuments Men.
Many thanks to our Spring Alumni Dinner sponsors: Ackerman Capital Management, Chris Flanagan ’88 and Michael Flanagan ’90, Haynes and Boone, Al G. Hill, Jr. ’63, and Hillier & Associates.
2011 DISTINGUISHED ALUMNUS Robert Edsel ’75 Distinguished Alumnus Award The Distinguished Alumnus Award is conferred by the Board of Trustees on the recommendation of the Alumni Association and recognizes achievement of exceptional nature in any field, vocational or voluntary career. On Friday, April 15, 2011, the Alumni Association presented its Distinguished Alumnus Award to Robert Edsel ’75, at the Spring Alumni Dinner. Upon accepting the award, Mr. Edsel remarked on the significant role that St. Mark’s played in shaping his character and reflected on the importance of his work with The Monuments Men Foundation. After graduating from St. Mark’s, Edsel attended SMU and played on several nationally ranked tennis teams. He then entered the oil and gas business, eventually forming Gemini Exploration. In 1995, he sold his business and moved to Europe. It was while touring Florence’s historical medieval bridges that he stumbled upon his true passion: uncovering the secret behind the survival of Europe’s greatest art treasures during World War II. This seemingly uncomplicated question began to unravel a slew of mysteries surrounding brave individuals who were determined to save the greatest art and cultural treasures for the enhancement of mankind. Edsel began to meticulously search and reveal these “Monuments Men” in the hopes of making their efforts known and recognized. By 2005, he had gathered thousands of photographs and other documents, and began writing the manuscript for his first
34
Alumni News | THE PRIDE
Robert Edsel ’75 accepts the Distinguished Alumnus Award from Alumni Association President Mike Warnecke ’87.
book Rescuing Da Vinci, published in 2006. Edsel went on to co-produce the critically-acclaimed documentary film, The Rape of Europa, based on the award-winning book by Lynn Nicholas. He has since published the best-selling book The Monuments Men: Allied Heroes, Nazi Thieves, and the Greatest Treasure Hunt in History, established a non-profit foundation to honor the heritage of the Monuments Men, and worked with Congress to ratify a resolution in the House and Senate to acknowledge their contributions. On behalf of The Monuments Men Foundation, Edsel accepted The National Humanities Medal from President George W. Bush in 2007. The National Humanities Medal is the highest honor given by the American government for excellence in the Humanities. Recently, he received the 2011 Texas Medal of the Arts Award.
St. Mark’s School of Texas
Alumni Weekend
2011 ALUMNI ASSOCIATION AWARDS At the Spring Alumni Dinner, the Alumni Association conferred its annual awards. Congratulations to each of these awardees.
Alumni Service Medal The Alumni Service Medal is St. Mark’s highest volunteer service award, and it is presented to an alumnus who has distinguished himself through sustained and outstanding service to the School. George Bayoud ’73 joined the St. Mark’s School of Texas Board of Trustees in 1993. During his nearly two-decade tenure on the Board he served on the Education Committee, the Finance Committee, the Development Committee, and the Committee on Trustees. He also chaired the Executive Committee as Vice President of the Board of Trustees and led several Board subcommittees. In 2008, he was elected President of the Board and led the School through the completion of Centennial Hall and the Robert K. Hoffman Center, the largest building project in School history. He supervised the successful construction process from start to finish. George’s contributions over his 18-year tenure on the Board are felt every day on campus and will be appreciated by generations of Marksmen for years to come.
Alumni Service Medal recipient George Bayoud ’73.
Young Alumni Service Citation The Young Alumni Service Citation recognizes young alumni for outstanding service to the School. Greg Sutton ’99 began his service to the Alumni Association as a member of the Rogers Award Committee in 2005 and has since served as a member of the Alumni Awards Committee and an active class volunteer. In 2008, Greg assisted the Alumni Board in its efforts to increase alumni participation in the St. Mark’s Fund, helping the School reach 45 percent participation that year and 50 percent for the first time the following year. Over the past three years, Greg has been an integral member of the St. Mark’s Fund Committee, which has worked to achieve record alumni participation. He currently serves as one of the youngest co-chairs of the St. Mark’s Fund in the School’s history. In 2009, Greg was asked to join the Alumni Board and is now a member of the Executive Committee.
Young Alumni Service Citation recipient Greg Sutton ’99.
Ralph B. Rogers Excellence in Teaching Alumni Award The Ralph B. Rogers Award honors the legacy of Ralph B. Rogers, the Rogers family, and the St. Mark’s faculty. The award is given annually to a teacher or staff member who supports the School’s mission by extending him or herself beyond the confines of the job description. Three faculty or staff members are nominated for the award each year. Stephanie Barta was presented with the award at the Upper School Final Assembly (see story on p. 33).
St. Mark’s School of Texas
Mike Warnecke ’87 with Stephanie Barta.
Summer 2011 | Alumni News
35
Alumni Weekend
Saturday Family BBQ
in Lower School Alice Oltrogge invited alumni and their children into her art room for a clay Alumni and their families enjoy the Saturday cookout.
project. Science teacher Ken Owens ’89 hosted
Campus Family Cookout On Saturday, more than 450 alumni and their families joined together on the Cecil & Ida Green Commencement Theater for the Family
Captain Sunshine’s Chemistry Show. And the College Counseling staff held a session discussing today’s college admissions process. The weekend concluded with Reunions
Cookout. Lions of all ages were greeted with an
for the classes of 6’s and 1’s, as well as the
array of activities, including a face painter, a
Golden Lions.
balloon clown, and a bounce house. Tours and
Mark your calendars now for Alumni
planetarium shows were held throughout the
Weekend 2012, April 19 –21. Classes ending in
day. Ackerman Family Master Teaching Chair
2’s and 7’s will have special Reunion events.
Class Reunions (right) Class of 1961 50-year Reunion. (below) 2011 Golden Lions Luncheon.
36
Alumni News | THE PRIDE
St. Mark’s School of Texas
Alumni Weekend
Class Reunions
(top) Class of 1966 45-year Reunion. (above left) Class of 1971 40-year Reunion. (above) Class of 1976 35-year Reunion. (left) Class of 1981 30-year Reunion.
St. Mark’s School of Texas
Summer 2011 | Alumni News
37
Alumni Weekend
More Class Reunions
(top) Class of 1986 25-year Reunion. (top right) Class of 1991 20-year Reunion. (above) Class of 1996 15-year Reunion. (above right) Class of 2001 10-year Reunion. (right) Class of 2006 5-year Reunion.
38
Alumni News | THE PRIDE
St. Mark’s School of Texas
Alumni News
alumni welcome graduating seniors Class of 2011 Joins St. Mark’s Alumni Association
s
St. Mark’s Alumni Association officially welcomed the Class of 2011 into the ranks of Marksmen alumni with the traditional SeniorAlumni Luncheon on May 20, 2011, just hours before Commencement. Alumni Board President Mike Warnecke ’87 and Director of Alumni Relations Jim Bob Womack ’98 encouraged seniors to maintain contact with each other and reach out through the alumni network as they journeyed out into the world. “When you start thinking about your own career, give me a call,” Jim Bob told the new
(above) Seniors and their families enjoy the SeniorAlumni Luncheon.
alumni. “The doors to the Alumni Office are always open.”
(left) New and seasoned alumni introduce themselves to each other.
The seniors also received a brick that had once been part of Davis Hall. Since the Class of 2011 was the last class to attend Davis Hall
(far left) Seniors pick up their bricks, which once supported Davis Hall.
before its demolition in 2008, they will be the last seniors to receive bricks.
(below) Seniors Matt Murphy, Will Golden, and Cole Marlow just hours from graduating.
St. Mark’s School of Texas
Summer 2011 | Alumni News
39
Features
Marksmen in white tuxes signal only a brief respite before the campus is once again abuzz with activity and faculty and students travel the globe.
Summer
at St. Mark’s Regular classes at 10600 Preston Road may be suspended for three months, but St. Mark’s gets right down to business with several programs that support the School’s second mission: to serve the greater Dallas community.
40
Features | THE PRIDE
St. Mark’s School of Texas
Features
Stephanie Barta Celebrates her Silver Anniversary as Director of St. Mark’s Summer Programs Stroll the campus on a summer’s day and you will see a
There are campers in the ceramics studio, campers in the
landscape of tiny shoes and folded towels stretching down the
music room, campers in the kitchen, campers on stage, and
sidewalk outside the pool. The echoing laughter of children
campers in the science building who are not only learning
trickles out through the glass wall. Pass through the Science
how to make ice cream, but also the science behind the
courtyard and witness children searching down objects in a
process. This is but a glimpse of St. Mark’s Day Camp in full
nature scavenger hunt. Step into Decherd Hall and you will
swing, and Day Camp is only one piece of the summer
find children busy creating rainbow colored piñatas while
program that keeps the St. Mark’s campus humming with
they learn about how children in Mexico play. Pass by the
children for six weeks of every summer.
Lower School library and you’re likely to catch a glimpse of
St. Mark’s Summer Programs were first created some forty
children sitting rapt as a storyteller leads their imaginations
years ago by John Byrne, the School’s Athletic Director, and
through a world of shy dragons, magic pebbles, or adven-
taken over in 1976 by Bob Kohler ’63. After running the camps
turous cats. The Great Hall, emptied of chairs and tables, is
for ten years, Kohler stepped down in 1986 and Headmaster
transformed into an open space for games or puppet shows
David Hicks offered the position to Science Department Chair
while across the Alumni Commons in Spencer Gym, the
Stephanie Barta. She agreed, but under the condition that
sounds of children’s enthusiastic cries mark the high-spirited
camp must be fun. This philosophy has come to define the
support with which the campers cheer on their teammates.
St. Mark’s Summer Camps Program ever since.
St. Mark’s School of Texas
Summer 2011 | Features
41
“Our first conversation was: ‘I’ll take this job if there are no remedial classes,’” Barta recalls. “No summer school. Children need to play.” Throwing such a condition out to Headmaster Hicks was bold, to say the least. “This was pretty cheeky of me
minute of a child’s day, leaving no opportunity to play. Our
back in the day,” Barta confesses.
summer programs are carefully and thoughtfully designed
Twenty-five years later, she is celebrating her Silver Anniversary as Director of a slate of Summer Programs that
“If kids don’t play, they’re not going to find out who they
range from the Day Camp to Sports Skills Camps to Science
really are,” she says. “Adults too frequently ignore the fact
Camps and “Popular Demand” offerings such as cooking,
that free time does not necessarily mean that a child will be
sewing, and photography. But at the heart of all the camps,
doing ‘nothing.’ The Day Camps, the Science Camps and the
be it Robotics, Chemistry, or Claymation, is play.
Sports Camps are all about finding a passion.”
“When kids have to go to summer school every year or
Whereas many parents may think of day camp as a way
take very structured lessons for everything under the sun,
to keep kids from spending summer days moaning about
they often do not have time to pursue the important part of
boredom or glued to a screen, Barta sees the camp experience
growing up — tending to their imaginations,” explains Barta.
as an important investment in a child’s future.
“Schoolwork, sports practice, music lessons, tutoring lessons, and other so-called enrichment programs can easily fill every
42
to combat that problem.”
Features | THE PRIDE
“It’s important to find that sense of excitement, which kids get at camp.” Barta likes to think of it as “hidden learning.”
St. Mark’s School of Texas
that taught the kids dance moves and simple rhythmic accompaniment using some of the campus band instruments. “The kids were rocking out with this ‘real’ guitarist and ‘real’ drummer — they were dancing up a storm. I couldn’t get anyone to go home,” says Barta, but with a laugh that reveals “It’s fun, but what they don’t know is that it’s really very
her delight at seeing kids having fun in “wholesome, creative
educational. If you go to Science Camp you might learn more
ways.” In an age where kids are bombarded by material
in one week than some kids learn in an entire year of science.
“needs,” Barta loves to see kids engaged by the ideas in their
Sewing class can teach a child to be a great planner and problem
heads and activities around them.
solver as well as an artist as he or she completes a quilt.” Even the youngest day campers are learning. Day Camp gives many kids their first experiences with socialization. They learn to express themselves and interact with others. They learn
The campers are not the only ones learning. Counselors can begin as volunteers at age 13, and can begin a paid position once they turn 14. “I hire the world,” confesses Barta. The camp’s ratio is as
how to make and keep friends, the importance of cooperation,
small as three or four campers for every one counselor. Many
and how to work in a group. Kids as young as four get to expe-
of the kids who apply for counselor positions were campers
rience art and music through the St. Mark’s Summer Camps.
themselves who remember vividly how they once looked up
From magicians and clowns to bubble demonstrations and
to their own counselor.
Siberian tigers, the activities engage the children and get them involved in using skills of observation and scientific method. The campers are exposed to literature, vocabulary, and the art of performance with storytelling and puppet shows. Older children will improvise their own performances, learn clowning skills, and build stories in a Tall Tale contest. Once every two weeks, older kids have the opportunity to
“One of the questions I ask them is if they have a hero,” says Barta. “I tell them they are going to be that hero for these kids. The kids will want to be just like you. Whatever you do, they are going to be copying it 100 percent.” The whole staff gets training to learn the campus, the rules, and how to talk to a child. A counselor must maintain boundaries that keep campers feeling safe, supported, and loved.
“Stay Late” for extra special activities. At a recent “Stay Late”
The counselors Barta hires seem to succeed overwhelmingly.
the camp arranged for a visit from a (kid-friendly) rock band
Counselors are often hand-in-hand with a camper, or letting
St. Mark’s School of Texas
Summer 2011 | Features
43
Features
St. Mark’s Leadership Institute More than 20 students attended the third annual St. Mark’s Leadership Institute for high school students on June 1– 3. John Perryman and Martin Stegemoeller organized and led the two-and-a-half day seminar, which featured leaders from the North Dallas area as they spoke about service to commua tired camper sit on their lap, ride on their back, or rest a
nity and leadership practices. City Attorney Adam McGough
sleepy head on their shoulder. No child who feels afraid in
gave a presentation on conflict resolution, Betsy Cullum
the water has to get in the pool without the strong arms
described her work as a Supervisor at North Dallas Shared
of a counselor keeping him safe.
Ministries, and Dan Plumlee ’74 talked about real estate
That learning comes through play remains a philosophy Barta defends in an environment where parents think structure
from The Smartest Guys in the Room, the award-winning
is the essential ingredient for success. She will continue her
documentary about the Enron scandal, discussing corporate
mission to prove the worth of the human imagination, as well
culture and obligations to community.
as keep the St. Mark’s Summer Programs an ever-evolving and enriching program of play. “Look,” Barta says with the no-nonsense tone one would
The following week, St. Mark’s sponsored its third annual Faculty Leadership Institute. In the past, St. Mark’s has sent four or five faculty members to the University of Richmond
expect from the Stephen M. Seay ’68 Science Department
to work with faculty from the Jepson School of Leadership
Chair and Director of Summer Programs for one quarter of
Studies. This year, UR Professor Tom Shields met St. Mark’s
a century, “let’s make this a place where kids are safer than
faculty for a two-day, off campus program directed by Martin
anywhere else on the planet and where they’re doing some-
Stegemoeller. Participants included Director of Development
thing meaningful and happy. Children deserve to be happy.”
Brian Hargrove ’88, Thomas B. Walker III ’73 Mathematics
The mission Stephanie Barta launched when she first took
Department Chair Joe Milliet, math teacher and Assistant
the controls of the St. Mark’s Summer Programs has taken off,
Director of the Visiting Scholars Program Marjorie Morrison,
not as explosively as the student-built rockets that shoot up
and math teacher and math team sponsor Amy Reck. The
from the back field at the end of Rocketry Camp, but certainly
group discussed leadership practices and how to integrate
with no less wonder and delight. Better yet, the passions
theory into the daily workings of campus activities, focusing
discovered each summer as campers silk screen t-shirts, learn
on topics as wide-ranging as class management and the
to sing a round, touch a Vandergrift generator, or wade
School’s advisory program.
through creeks netting native fish, are the passions that feed
44
investment and business ethics. Students watched excerpts
The Leadership and Ethics Program also had a busy spring.
more than a momentary happiness. This is play, and it is the
In March, best-selling author and consultant Gus Lee once
play that builds lifelong adventures in learning.
again visited the St. Mark’s campus, meeting with a cross
Features | THE PRIDE
St. Mark’s School of Texas
Features
section of faculty and administrators in order to more fully understand how the Leadership and Ethics Program is being integrated into the culture and curriculum of the School.
Dallas, and West Dallas. The program gives students the
He was especially interested in how the practices might
chance to experience academic enrichment, cultural events,
enhance the Wilderness Program.
and personal growth through an interactive relationship with
For the first time in School history, St. Mark’s received an invitation to the U.S. Air Force Academy’s Visionary Leader-
private and public schools in Dallas. The initiative is the first of its kind in Texas—bringing
ship Invitational. The conference was held in late April at the
public and private school administrators and teachers
Academy in Colorado Springs. Computer Science teacher
together to design and implement a program that places
Dr. Robert Kenyon attended the event with two members
equal focus on academic enrichment, cultural awareness,
of the School’s Discipline Council: Hank Williams ’11 and
leadership, and personal development. The program began
Spencer Bruno ’12. Cadets organized and led the conference.
with just 20 students, but now involves more than 175
The first day began with a ropes course before breaking into
students, grades 5–12, from 13 DISD schools.
small discussion groups that focused on how to develop
St. Mark’s was a founding partner of the FLP, agreeing
listening skills, strategies for actively shaping the future of
to host the program on its campus and engage its teachers.
one’s community, and commitment to a cause.
Eugene McDermott Headmaster Arnie Holtberg saw the alignment between this program and the longstanding
Future Leaders Gather for Summer Enrichment Camp Every weekday morning for three weeks in June, a bus
commitment of St. Mark’s to contribute to education in the community at large. “The Bickel & Brewer Foundation
pulls into the St. Mark’s parking lot to deposit an energetic
has clearly put into place the resources to ensure that in
group of promising young students. They arrive from some of
trying to achieve excellence for young people, there are
the most economically challenged areas of the city but have
no compromises,” Holtberg said.
a zest for learning that is simply contagious. These students are at St. Mark’s for the summer camp
“St Mark’s has been instumental in helping the Future Leaders Program realize the vision upon which it was
portion of an innovative program founded in 2001 by the
founded — to help deserving students from DISD achieve
Bickel & Brewer Foundation. Law firm partners William A.
success in high school, college, and beyond,” says Brewer.
Brewer III and John Bickel decided one of the greatest ways
“The administration, the faculty, and the School itself are
they could give back to the community was to invest in
among the reasons the FLP has become an educational
education. Their solution was to found the Future Leaders
model that is inspiring communities across the nation.”
Program (FLP), which benefits deserving Dallas Independent School District students from schools in Oak Cliff, South
St. Mark’s School of Texas
FLP students are selected based on scholastic aptitude, attendance, civic involvement, and leadership potential.
Summer 2011 | Features
45
Features
They attend after school classes twice a week on the St. Mark’s
or in short supply at the campers’ home schools. Campers
campus, as well as in classrooms at three other Dallas inde-
swim daily, learn yoga and tae kwon do, and use digital
pendent schools, including Hockaday, Greenhill, and ESD, to
cameras and computers to create websites.”
strengthen their skills in writing, mathematics, science, and
A team of teachers from FLP’s public/private school
technology. With the strong support of the Foundation, they
partnership brings a range of skills and styles to the camp.
also participate in innumerable enrichment activities, including
“I work to keep leader/student ratios very low so that
trips to Washington, D.C., New York City, and Chicago to visit
students and teachers can know one another better,” notes
some of the finest college campuses in America.
Jenkins. The personal attention and development of relation-
Veteran DISD administrator, Shirley Ison-Newsome praised FLP. “This program is one of the most promising I have seen in a long time, in terms of what it can contribute to the community at large.” When summer arrives, FLP students become campers
of the FLP. “I tailor the curriculum in such a way that allows teachers the space to be creative, yet insists that we address one of our goals, which is to bring intellectual explorations and learning
as three of the four private school campuses host a summer
in ‘through the back door,’” Jenkins explains. “All of our
camp. The St. Mark’s camp is designed to serve FLP students
activities develop skills in ways that are so engrossing to the
entering seventh grade and is run by sixth grade Humanities
campers that they often aren’t even aware of the hard work
teacher, Rebecca Jenkins.
they are doing to grow intellectually. For example, they
“I have loved the experience of designing the FLP camp
improved their math and fine motor skills as they learned
over the years!” Jenkins confirms. Jenkins finds the challenge
to knit, crafting 50 caps to donate to charities serving children
a creative venture.
in need. What they do recognize is how much they have
“We want to teach them that what we, as individuals, become is based in choice,” explains Jenkins. FLP students are certainly on the right path by choosing to continue
accomplished after the three weeks, which reinforces the concept that learning can be a joy in and of itself.” “We simply couldn’t make this happen without the
their education for three additional weeks in the summer
magnificent support we receive from St. Mark’s, the Bickel
camp program.
& Brewer Foundation, and all of our public and private
The camp’s mission is multifaceted. The curriculum is equally focused on education, leadership development,
school partners,” Jenkins says. At the end of each three-week session, the campers
and recreation. Campers take part in academic classes,
complete surveys anonymously. The response is always
team-building activities, and field trips that promote their
“99.9 percent favorable,” according to Jenkins. “The kids
growth as students and community leaders.
love coming to St. Mark’s.”
In designing the camp Jenkins explains, “I intentionally focus on skills that require resources that may be non-existent
46
ships between student and teacher is an important benefit
Features | THE PRIDE
The FLP, which celebrates its 10th anniversary this year, allows current St. Mark’s students to serve as mentors.
St. Mark’s School of Texas
Features
Brendan Court ’06 Summer Enrichment Program While students and faculty may have been dismissed for the summer, the St. Mark’s campus is by no means empty. The excited laughs of children attending summer camp echo through the quad, but in Nearburg Hall, classes of boys sit quietly, learning math, science, social studies, and English from a unique group of teachers. These boys are part of the Brendan Court ’06 Summer Enrichment Program, a community outreach program directed by Curtis Smith since its inception in the 1990s, which takes recommended high-performing middle school
This summer, Hank introduced his students to
students from low-income schools around Dallas and brings
The Contender, a book by Robert Listyle about a high school
them together for 20 days of extended education.
dropout in Harlem who trains to be a boxer. After reading the
Standing at the front of each class, teaching these boys, are junior and senior Marksmen. It’s as much an education for the young boys as it is for their rookie student-teachers. Less than a month after donning a white tux and receiving
book, Hank teaches his students how to write a paper, stressing the importance of proper grammar and critical thinking. “Everyone compliments each other in these classes,” Hank said. “From the start, we work on teaching them fundamentals,
the School Flag at Commencement, Hank Williams ’11
like studying and classroom etiquette. We have an idea of
returned to St. Mark’s to teach seventh grade English in the
what we want the kids to learn, and we have to teach them
Brendan Court ’06 Program.
how to get there.”
“Teaching is in my blood,” said Hank, whose father, Vaughn
This kind of enriched exchange between the newly graduated
Williams, taught and coached at St. Mark’s, as well as with the
and the up-and-coming students is exactly why David and
Brendan Court ’06 Program. “Teaching keeps my mind stimu-
Alice Court return to St. Mark’s every year to visit the boys in
lated. You have to think like the kids, and ask yourself, ‘When
their classrooms. The program is named in memory of their son,
I was their age, how did I feel about these things?’”
Brendan ’06, who taught in the program when he was a senior.
While four weeks of summer school may not appeal to all students, there are few complaints from these boys. “I like how we can improve our skills so we don’t forget
“I love seeing boys learning like this,” Mr. Court said. “This is what our son was all about.” The Courts described their son as a vertical student, who
most of the things we learned over the school year,” said
was involved not just within his whole grade, but across the
eighth-grader Diego Contreras, adding that it isn’t all hard
School and far beyond 10600 Preston Road. Students who
work. “During summer vacation I don’t really see my friends,
embody the spirit of Brendan continue to fulfill what St. Mark’s
I don’t get to socialize. Here I have friends and teachers that
has long considered to be its second mission: to serve the
I can talk to. I get to learn and have fun, too.”
needs of the greater Dallas community.
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Summer 2011 | Features
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Becoming Global Citizens
Photo by Nate Hol
tberg
This summer, students and faculty traveled far and wide, learning valuable life lessons. From the majesty of the Grand Tetons and the waterfalls of Costa Rica to the historic beauty of the Roman Coliseum and the Cape of Good Hope, Marksmen experienced the world as never before. This fall, they returned to campus with a broadened perspective about what it means to be a member of the global community.
St. Mark’s Choir in South Africa While the campus remains alive during the summer, many Marksmen take the St. Mark’s Experience across the country and around the world. This summer, roughly half of the St. Mark’s Choir traveled across the globe on their
Monument, the home of Nelson Mandela, the
longest overseas trip to date, more than 20 hours by plane.
Cradle of Humankind, and the site of the 2010 Soccer
For 17 days, these 22 boys and their chaperones visited South
World Cup. The boys also brought clothes and food to
Africa on the Choir’s 13th biennial Cathedral Tour, primarily
the children in Soweto’s shanty towns, toured the Hector
in and around the Johannesburg, Pretoria, and Cape Town
Pieterson Museum (a tribute to the end of apartheid),
areas. Throughout the more than two-week trip, the boys
and traveled to the Cape of Good Hope.
performed a wide variety of concerts, interacted with local
The Choir performed in historic venues around the
citizens in urban and rural areas, learned South African
country, including St. George’s Cathedral in Cape Town
customs and traditions, and visited some of the most fasci-
and St. Alban’s Cathedral in Pretoria, to great acclaim.
nating locations in the southern hemisphere. They toured
They also befriended choir students from other parts of
Desmond Tutu’s Regina Mundi Church, the Voortrekker
the world, including St. Stithian’s Boys College, St. Cyprian’s
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Summer 2011 | Features
49
Girls Choir, the
the trip and Headmaster Arnie Holtberg joined for the second
Kensington Girls Choir,
half of the trip with his son, Nate, a professional photographer
the Drakensberg Boys
(who took several of the beautiful photos here, including this
Choir, and the Miami
issue’s cover shot).
Girls Choir. Nine adults accompanied the boys on the trip, including Interim
Boys and adults alike returned from this adventure tired and depleted, but with a much greater sense of appreciation for the world around them.
Choirmaster Tinsley Silcox. Lower School drama teacher Marion Glorioso served as Head Chaperone, and she was joined by mathematics teacher Paul Mlakar, his wife Kristin Mlakar, former Middle School Administrative Assistant Carmen Hammonds, and current parent Dr. Carla Cole. Assistant Headmaster David Dini attended the first half of
South Africa
June 15 – July 1, 2011
Day 1– 2~Left DFW for Washington, D.C., refueled in Senegal, and landed in Johannesburg, South Africa, a mere 7-hour time difference from Texas. Day 3 ~Visited Sterkfontein Caves and tried out the accoustics; we sound great even 100 feet underground. Mingled with Miami Children’s Chorus over dinner and sang a little together. Day 4~ First concert today at St. Stithian’s Boys College. Swapped Dallas Cowboys gear with some great locals; they sang Happy Birthday to Spencer Cheng ’16. Saw the Pieterson Museum and learned about apartheid in South Africa’s history. Day 5 ~ Sang a concert at the Regina Mundi Church with the Miami Children’s Chorus and the Imilonji Kantu Choral Society. Day 6 ~ Safari! The boys got to play with lion cubs. Also spotted some lions, giraffes, hippos, rhinos, buffalo, and zebras! Day 7– 8 ~Flew to Cape Town, went to bed, then woke up to cold winter weather. Learned how to barter at the market, then collaborated with some other visiting choirs. Our performance of “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” was quite a hit with the Kensington Girls Choir and Miami Girls Choir. Day 9~ Sang and hung out with local school children today. Performed our evening concert in a beautiful building from the early 1900s. Day 10~Adorable penguins, baboons stealing bags of chips, and spectacular views at Cape Point. Day 11~Practicing for tomorrow’s Sunday morning church service and Evensong. Finished the day with a cable car ride to the top of Table Mountain and some nice springbok and kudu for dinner. Day 12~Sang Mass at the historic St. George’s Cathedral, the home of Archbishop Desmond Tutu. Took some free time, then back in our robes for Evensong! Day 13~Flew to Johannesburg, then rode a bus four-and-a-half hours to Winterton to visit some old friends: the Drakensberg Boys Choir School. Day 14~Rehearsal with the Drakies, then a day of sight-seeing in the mountains. Day 15~Performed one more amazing concert with the Drakies. What a way to cap off our trip! Day 16 –17~Bus ride back to Jo’burg to catch our flight to the States. Arrived back at DFW. Starting to miss South Africa’s weather... ~ Paul Mlakar, Chaperone
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St. Mark’s School of Texas
Features
The Theodore Roosevelt about whom Jordan teaches his third graders, believed in “the effectiveness of outdoor life and recreation in the production of good citizenship.” ~The Outlook, 1912
Wyoming Trip Many of the great minds who have shaped St. Mark’s have understood the importance of nature as teacher, muse, and mentor to the boys who walk these halls. They have structured the programs that take students beyond the
of his junior colleagues, knows the importance of hands-on
campus and into the wilderness. For many boys, that journey
experience, and so it was only a matter of time before he
begins in Frank Jordan’s classroom, but Jordan knows that
decided to bolster his classroom lessons by taking a group of
standing in the presence of nature at her finest is what gives
students with him each year to Wyoming. Offered to 15 boys
the message its meaning. Thank goodness he is indefatigable
as they transition from Lower School to Middle School, the
in his passion to show the boys all that nature has to give.
Wyoming Trip just completed its 23rd year.
Every spring, Jordan teaches his third graders about
This year’s group consisted of 15 boys and their fathers as
Teddy Roosevelt and The National Parks. His passion for
well as Jordan (“Mr. J,”as he is affectionately called by boys
the subject ignites the classroom with stories and photos
and colleagues alike) and a select group of faculty chaperones.
of his own travels to the very lands and creatures that America
Arriving in Jackson Hole, the group set up their base at a
began to restore and preserve during that important chapter
campground in the Grand Tetons National Park and then
in its history. Jordan, who has taught multiple generations
immediately set out to explore. Days were spent exploring on
of Marksmen with an energy and enthusiasm envied by many
foot, and evenings were set aside for “Animal Watch” drives
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Summer 2011 | Features
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Features
where the boys saw a diverse assortment of animals, some
the roaring Yellowstone River. After a picnic lunch on the
on the brink of extinction, now reclaiming their place in these
banks of Hellroaring Creek, the indefatigable Mr. J herded
mountains and stretches of wilderness.
his troops back down the trail, across the bridge, and up the
In the middle of the week-long trip, the group headed over to the Roosevelt Lodge. Completed in 1920, the lodge sits in the northern end of Yellowstone Park. The boys traveled
“except Mr J. He didn’t show any signs of being tired...any.” “The man is a machine,” confirms Wyatt’s father, Dan
back in time as they slept under the lodge’s exposed log
Northcut ’81, with a knowing laugh. Northcut ’81 also
beams and sat beside the stone fireplace centered in the
happens to be a colleague of Jordan’s and, as the Director
lodge’s communal lobby.
of Environmental Studies, he understands the incredible
Restful nights in the lodge alternated with day hikes, lake
benefit this trip offers the students. “By taking students
fishing, a rafting trip, and visits to the geysers. The boys
directly into Nature’s classroom, Frank’s Wyoming Trip
witnessed the power of Old Faithful and the deep and brilliant
contributes in a valuable way to the overall goals of our
colors reflecting off the Grand Prismatic Springs. While rafting
Environmental Studies program as well as those of the
they saw bald eagles, nesting osprey, and Canadian goslings
St. Mark’s Wilderness program.”
all waddle behind their mother. The Hellroaring Creek trail
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switchbacks. “We were all exhausted,” says Wyatt Northcut ’19,
“The boys’ exploration of the Wyoming ecosystems nicely
made for a memorable hike, consisting of multiple switch-
foreshadows their future experiences on the Pecos Wilderness
backs that led down a 600 foot drop to a suspension bridge
trip, which all Marksmen take before entering their freshman
that swayed as the boys and their fathers crossed it high above
year,” notes Northcut ’81.
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St. Mark’s School of Texas
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A Gregarious Grizzly Family Five years ago, a special occurrence happened in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. In the winter of 2006, a grizzly, called #399, had a set of three cubs. When she came out of hibernation, she and her cubs went to a human populated area, near Jackson Lake Lodge, and spent their summer there. Unlike most grizzlies, she seemed very comfortable being around people. With her continual appearance near the lodge that summer, she became a celebrated bear, and several articles were written about her. She even showed up the next summer with all of her cubs and, like the previous summer, stayed in populated areas. Why did she do this, since grizzlies are usually so hesitant to be around people? According to park rangers, several years earlier in her life she had given birth to one cub, which probably had been killed by a male grizzly. So she decided to stay near humans with this litter to ward off any future attacks on her young. As #399 continued to stay around populated areas with her young, park service people wondered if her cubs would feel as comfortable being around people. The parents and students who’ve gone with me on Wyoming trips have been blessed to see either #399 and/or her offspring the past five years. We saw her the first two years when she was with her cubs. After she separated from them, we saw at least one of her offspring the next two years. Her cubs, now fully grown, seemed as habituated as she did around humans. This summer, a magical occurrence happened. #399 returned to the Jackson Hole area with a new set of three cubs. Also, one of her offspring from her previous litter, a female called #610, appeared in the same general area with her own set of two cubs. Both bear families were near populated roads, allowing many visitors (including our group) to see them numerous times. When our school group left to return to Dallas after our week’s stay in Wyoming, the two bear families had come very close to each other, being only about ¼ of a mile apart. According to rangers whom I’ve talked to after I returned to Dallas, both bear families are overlapping on their territories but not actually coming into contact with each other. Since #399 and #610 are related, they tend to be tolerant of each other. Park service people continue to monitor both families, hoping to ensure their safety along with the many Jackson Hole visitors who are viewing them. Truly, seeing them is an experience that no one will probably ever forget. ~ Frank Jordan
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Summer 2011 | Features
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Features
Costa Rica Trip What’s the best way to see Costa Rica? Spanish teacher Martin Pulido may suggest seeing it from above, while traveling at 70 miles-per-hour over the rain forest on a mile-long zip line between two mountain peaks. Martin, along with his wife, Director of College Counseling Veronica Pulido, led a group of 17 Middle and Upper Schoolers on a two-week trip to the Central American nation of Costa Rica. During their stay, the boys roomed with Costa Rican host families in two distinct regions of the country — Monteverde and Heredia. The students studied Spanish in a relaxed environment through small classes in the mornings, and enjoyed regular field trips and excursions. One of the early excursions was in no small way a test of courage. Students, aided by trained guides, repelled off of (and occasionally into) the 250-foot Los Chorros waterfall. Other excursions included hiking up a volcano, visiting a coffee plantation, and photographing an 18-foot crocodile
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Features | THE PRIDE
St. Mark’s School of Texas
Features
Italy Trip while their boat captain baited it with fish. Even though
When in Rome, Marksmen do as the Romans do. That was
the group never visited a zoo, the natural rain forests of
certainly the case for the nine students who toured Italy, led
Costa Rica provided more rare animal sightings than
by Latin teacher David Cox. The group soaked up the warm
anyone could have expected, including the endangered
Italian sun, enjoyed authentic cuisine, and toured some of the
scarlet macaw and the famous basilisk lizard, better known
most famous sites of the ancient world. In Pompeii, they saw
as the Jesus-lizard for its ability to run across water. When
plaster molds of the city’s last inhabitants, frozen in place by
they weren’t studying or trekking through the wilderness,
the fury of Mount Vesuvius. In Rome, they witnessed the
the boys gave back to the country. During a volunteer project,
splendor of St. Peter’s Basilica, and the might of the Roman
they broke off into two groups to build, deliver, and assemble
Coliseum. As part of their tour, the boys even donned gladia-
bunk beds to El Caprio, an impoverished community that
torial gear and received some light combat training from the
has been rocked by civil war and earthquakes. Capped off
local lanista, or gladiator trainer. There was hardly a need to
by multiple trips to stunning beaches and waterfalls, the
tell them the history behind the land; it was written all around
boys returned to Texas invigorated by what was surely one
them in the numerous sculptures, statues, and murals that
of the greatest trips of their lives.
dotted the landscape.
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Summer 2011 | Features
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Remarks 1957 MARSHALL CLOYD ’57 received the Honorary Alumnus
relations campaigns, his second with publisher Kendall
Award from the SMU Dedman School of Law on Saturday,
Hunt. He and his wife, Vonne, reside in Austin. Chuck
February 19, 2011. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in
served as the Communications Chair for his 40th Reunion
civil engineering from SMU (1964) and a Master of Science
and authored the class newsletter, ’71 Still Remarkable.
in civil engineering from Stanford University. He attended Harvard Business School, and in 2010, was made Domus Fellow for St. Catherine’s College, Oxford, England. Marshall’s
1975
mother, Frances Spears Cloyd, was one of the first women to earn a law degree at SMU, and the first to earn an L.L.M. degree from the SMU Dedman School of Law. While Marshall himself did not attend the law school, he has provided scholarship opportunities in honor of his mother’s legacy for both current J.D. and L.L.M. students. Cloyd is founder and Chairman of the Board of InterMarine Incorporated, an international oil services company for the marine sector that has operated for 29 years in 40 countries.
1967
45 Years
AARON KAPLAN ’67, a symphonic and film composer, created the award-winning song, “We’re Coming Home,” which was selected as the #1 religious/Jewish song of the
Philip Page ’75 hit a hole-in-one on July 2, 2011 at the James River Country Club, Hole #17 — a distance of 140 yards using his #6 iron.
year in the United States. The song has been recorded and broadcast around the world. Also an orchestrator, pianist,
MARC STANLEY ’75 has been appointed by President
songwriter, and performer, Aaron has a style that spans
Obama as a member to the United States Holocaust Memorial
many musical genres and includes sweeping melodic
Council. Marc is a founder and partner of Stanley & Iola, LLP,
themes, violin and piano concertos, and choir with
a law firm that focuses on complex litigation nationally.
orchestra compositions.
He is the Chairman of the National Jewish Democratic Council, a Vice-Chair of the Jewish Council for Public
1971 CHUCK KAUFMAN ’71 was honored by Texas State University as one of its Foundations of Excellence professors. Chuck is a Senior Lecturer who teaches Public Relations Writing, Public Relations Campaigns, and Writing for Mass Media courses. He’s also writing a textbook on public
Affairs, and Treasurer/Co-Chair Elect of the Foundation for Jewish Culture. In addition, Marc has served as President of the Texas Trial Lawyers Association, President of the Dallas Trial Lawyers Association, President of the Dallas Home for the Jewish Aged, and President of the Southwest Region of the American Jewish Congress. He has previously served as Chairman of the Texas Public Finance Authority and as a Member of the Board of Visitors of the Air University of the United States Air Force.
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1977
35 Years
1980
JIM BASS ’77 joined the Board of Trustees for the
CAMM MAGUIRE ’80 lives with his family in Lawrence,
Communities Foundation of Texas, one of the largest
New Jersey, and is finishing a book he is writing on the
community foundations in the nation. Jim also serves on
Philosophy of Physics. Camm and his wife, Rhonda,
the St. Mark’s Board of Trustees. Fellow Marksman and
have a daughter, Ariana, a ninth grader, and a son, Thomas,
St. Mark’s Trustee HAROLD MONTGOMERY ’78 also serves
a second grader.
on both boards with Jim. The Communities Foundation of Texas professionally manages more than 900 funds and serves as a hub for collaboration between donors, nonprofit groups, and other funding organizations. LEE KLEINMAN ’77 and JEFF GENECOV ’77 are founding members of the Friends of the Northaven Trail (NHT), a volunteer organization for the support, maintenance, and
1984 SHAWN MCGEE ’84 is the new Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Homestead Miami Speedway. He and his wife, Lisa, live in Kennesaw, Georgia with their son, Spencer.
1987
25 Years
beautification of the Northaven Trail. The NHT is a future commuter and recreational bike and hike trail to be built by the Dallas Parks and Recreation Department. It will connect the White Rock Creek Trail on the east and Irving’s Campion Trail on the west. Lee is in his fourth year as his district’s representative on the Dallas Park Board and also serves on the Board at the Dallas Zoo. Members from the CLASS OF ’77 gathered for an early season Rangers game in Arlington. The class has a tradition of meeting for informal reunions at ball games, concerts, and dinners, and they are looking forward to celebrating their 35th Reunion this April during Alumni Weekend.
Long time fan and season ticket holder Paul Genender ’87 took the opportunity to show his Pride for the Dallas Mavericks. Go Mavs!
1988 Linda and BRIAN HARGROVE ’88 have a new baby girl, Mary Claire. She was born in July and joins siblings Lois (8), Faith (5), and Mac (3). See page 61 for a photo of Mary Claire.
’77 Classmates cheer on the Rangers at an early season game.
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Remarks
1989 JAWAD METNI ’89 and Mona Iskander were married Saturday, June 11, 2011, in New York City. ALAN METNI ’84, Jawad’s brother, served as best man. Other Marksmen in attendance included BENNETT VIG ’89, JASON GLAST ’89, DAVID ACKERMAN ’89, ROBERT BRUANT ’89, GREG HUTTON ’89, GILAD BLOCK ’89, JAMES STEWART ’90, PAT BARTA ’90, PETER STRELITZ ’90, THOMAS TOLAND ’90, and ADAM MCGILL ’91. Fellow Hockadaisies Blair Wylie ’90 and Channing Henry ’90 also attended. Jawad has worked in documentary and commercial production since 1994, and is currently editing a feature documentary on the Texas State Board of Education. Mona is a producer and correspondent for the PBS news show Need to Know.
Maj. Darren Ream ’89 outside Army facilities in Iraq.
1990 WILSON WAGGONER ’90 was the Director of Photography for When I Rise, a documentary shown nationwide on PBS on the Independent Lens series. When I Rise is the story of Barbara Smith Conrad, a gifted mezzo-soprano who, as a music student at the University of Texas in the 1950s, found herself in a civil rights storm that changed her life forever. Wilson and his wife, Sarah, reside in Austin with their two daughters, Jane and Mae. Newlyweds Mona and Jawad Metni ’89.
1992
20 Years
JON ROSENTHAL ’92 moved with his family in April 2011 MAJ. DARREN REAM ’89 is currently serving a second tour
from Seattle to the island of Kauai, Hawaii. He and his
in Iraq with the United States Army 116th Cavalry Brigade.
wife, Amanda, had been in Seattle for 11 years and decided
He says he has kept up to date on all things St. Mark’s by
to take a break from the Pacific Northwest coast. Jon is a
reading THE PRIDE, which always takes him back to home
Hospitalist/Internist at Wilcox Hospital in Lihue, and he
and to friends, even if for just a little while.
and Amanda live with their son Graydon (3) and daughter Cora (9 months) in Kalaheo with a view of the ocean.
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1994 STEVE APPLETON ’94 and his wife, Monece, welcomed their third son on March 3, 2011, at 1:13 p.m. Cole Cullum weighed 8 lbs., 14 oz. After a busy year in Shelburne, Vermont, the family is looking forward to moving to Durham, North Carolina, in June while Steve does a oneyear fellowship in Total Joints at Duke University.
Howard and Rory Meyers, Kelly and Craig Meyers ’94, and Kevin Meyers ’98 at the groundbreaking celebration.
1995
Baby Cole joins his brothers, Boone and Jack, and dog, Baloo.
SCOTT GINSBURG ’94 and his wife, Jamie, welcomed a baby boy, Jackson Turner, on March 3, 2011. Scott reports that Jackson and his mom are doing great. Scott and his family live in Los Angeles, where he is Vice President of Development & Acquisitions for Combined Properties, Inc., a full-service real estate firm. Howard and Rory Meyers, Kelly and CRAIG MEYERS ’94, and KEVIN MEYERS ’98, celebrated the groundbreaking of the Rory Meyers Children’s Adventure Garden at the Dallas
Fry Wernick ’95 (middle left) joined Jeremy Stein ’96 (left) and friends in Miami to celebrate the NBA Finals Game 6 Mavericks win at the American Airlines Arena.
Arboretum this spring. Howard Meyers and his sons presented the Arboretum with a challenge grant for the Children’s Garden in honor of his wife and their mother, Rory Meyers. Craig and Kevin live in New York City where they co-founded Turtle Creek Investment Advisors. Craig and Kevin are actively involved in helping lead the New York
1996 ALEX BLACK ’96 graduated from UT Southwestern Medical School in June 2011. He is doing his residency in Emergency Medicine at UT Southwestern/Parkland Hospital in Dallas.
Alumni Club. Howard is a past member of the St. Mark's Board of Trustees.
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Remarks
MATTHEW FULLER ’96 and his wife, Katherine, were
In Cairo this spring, GRAEME WOOD ’97 reported on the
blessed with the birth of a healthy baby girl, Ella Reed,
Egyptian revolution, and he described the clampdowns and
on May 26, 2011. Ella was also welcomed by her big sister,
attacks on journalists (himself included) on MSNBC, CNN,
Judy Grace. The Fuller family lives in Dallas where Matthew
the BBC, and ABC’s Nightline.
teaches in the Upper School religion department at the Episcopal School of Dallas.
1998 KENNETH GEORGE ’98 and his wife, Carolyn, are proud to announce the arrival of Kenneth Suggett George III, born March 3, 2011, at 8 lbs., 10 oz. Kenneth works for Avenir Corporation, an investment management firm in Washington, D.C. and resides with his family in Chevy Chase, Maryland.
Ella Reed Fuller.
1997
15 Years
JAS ALLEN ’97 is married to Agata Allen. The couple have a baby girl named Alice who is 6 months old. Jas and his family reside in Chicago, Illinois. Kenneth Suggett George III.
BERNDT MADER ’97 ~ Turn to “Alumni in the News” on page 20 for information about Berndt.
This spring, JUSTIN JARAMILLO ’98 received his
VEERAL RATHOD ’97 ~ Turn to “Alumni in the News” on
doctorate in Clinical Psychology and finished his work
page 20 for information about Veeral.
in the Department of Psychiatry at Columbia University’s College of Physicians and Surgeons. Justin moved to
JONATHAN STEIN ’97 founded a company, Betterment.com,
Chicago this summer to do a post-doctoral residency at
to assist busy people in investing their savings. The company,
the University of Illinois College of Medicine, where he
located in SoHo in New York City, launched more than a
specializes in neuropsychology.
year ago and has been growing steadily ever since. Jonathan
60
reports that the company has received positive reviews in
Jola and SCOTT PORTNOY ’98 welcomed the birth of their
The New York Times, NBC, Bloomberg, and other media
first child, Ethan Michael Portnoy, born on April 12, 2011,
outlets. He is engaged to Polina Khentov, and they plan to
and weighing 9 lbs., 6 oz. Mom, Dad, and Ethan are all doing
marry in the summer of 2012.
well and getting plenty of sleep.
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St. Mark’s School of Texas
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1999 EVAN RANDALL ’98 and his wife, Audrey, welcomed their
DANIEL NOVAKOV ’99 and Sarah Conrow married on
first child, Finneas Watters, into the world on March 9, 2011.
February 26, 2011, in Dallas. The couple resides in Dallas.
He weighed 7 lbs. and measured 19 inches in length. Evan is a senior manager in sales operations at JDSU, a publicly
WRIGHT SIGMUND ’99 was recently named the Associate
traded telecommunications company. Audrey is a Social
Director of Vornado Realty Trust, a real estate investment
Security attorney at Greenburg and Bederman, LLP. The
trust in Washington, D.C. He serves as the Director of Retail
family resides in Bethesda, Maryland.
Leasing for the Washington, D.C. metro region. Members of the CLASS OF ’99 enjoyed an evening of celebration at St. Mark’s Spring Alumni Dinner with classmate GREG SUTTON ’99, who was honored as the 2011 recipient of the Young Alumni Service Citation.
Finneas Watters Randall.
Jen and ADAM ROBBINS ’98 are proud to announce the birth of their second son, Cameron Chase Robbins. Cameron was born on June 15, 2011, and weighed 7 lbs., 11 oz., and measured 19 ¼ inches. Cameron, mom, dad, and big brother Colton are all doing well.
Class of ’99 members Anthony Pearson, B.A. Cullum, Preston Zapffe, Kyle Richards, Chris Winn, Greg Sutton, Rob Jackson, and Jeremy Zidell at the Spring Alumni Dinner.
2000 JUSTIN GINSBERG ’00 is a glass artist whose work, including a 23-foot installation, was on view this spring in a group exhibit at the Craighead Green Gallery in Dallas. Justin was featured in GLASS Quarterly online, a magazine focusing on glass as a medium for contemporary art. According to the magazine, “Justin embraces linguistic overlaps of art forms, describing his installations of looping, twisting, hand-pulled strands of glass with words more typical of dance reviews and photography exhibitions than Cameron Chase Robbins.
St. Mark’s School of Texas
that of sculpture.” (photo next page)
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DAVID OWEN ’00 and his wife, Nancy, are proud to announce the birth of Douglas Belknap Owen II at 12:35 p.m. on Wednesday, March 23, 2011. Doug was a healthy 9½ lbs. The Owen family reports that they are all doing great and feel so blessed. They look forward to introducing Doug to everyone. Justin Ginsberg ’00 with his sculpture that was on exhibit at the Craighead Green Gallery in Dallas.
ERIC KUSIN ’00 married Irene Preston aboard the Natchez riverboat in New Orleans on March 12, 2011. Irene is a Class of 2000 alumna from Ursuline Academy. Eric and Irene studied in Madrid, and ended up together in Texas when she was a dietitian at Scott & White Hospital in Temple and Eric
David works in the Dallas office of John L. Wortham & Son, L.P. and actively serves as a St. Mark’s Fund volunteer for the Class of 2000.
was finishing up the JD/MBA program at UT–Austin. Irene
David Owen ’00 holds his new son, Douglas.
teaches nutrition at Le Cordon Bleu, and Eric is a buyer in the Neiman Marcus corporate office. The couple resides in Dallas. Eric serves on the St. Mark's Alumni Board.
KALEN THORNTON ’00 and Kim are excited to announce the arrival of Karter Miles Thornton into this world. He was born on April 1, 2011, and shares his birthday with his older brother, Kingston (2). Both Mom and Karter are happy, healthy, and enjoying time back at home. This spring, Kalen graduated from Stanford University Graduate School of Business with his M.B.A. and joined Nike this summer in Portland, Oregon.
Irene and Eric Kusin ’00, along with St. Mark’s classmates, left the reception in a traditional New Orleans fashion, dancing in a Second Line Parade down Bourbon Street.
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Kim and Kalen Thornton ’00 after the arrival of their new son, Karter.
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2002
10 Years
JAKE WAGNER ’00 married Caroline Snell on November 22,
JOSH BRANSON ’02 and Cassandra Malik were married in
2010, in Florence, Italy. Other Marksmen there to celebrate
August 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. Four classmates joined the
included: KALEN THORNTON ’00, KYLE MAPES ’00, ERIC
couple to celebrate: WITT CHANG ’02, MICHAEL MARTIN ’02,
KUSIN ’00, FADI CONSTANTINE ’00, WILLIE KLINE ’00,
KEITH COHAN ’02, and MARC VIMOLRATANA ’02.
TONY RUGGERI ’00, and BRAD SCHLUETER ’00. Caroline and Jake live in Dallas where Jake works for Republic Property Group, a private real estate development company.
Cassandra and Josh Branson ’02. (from the left) Kalen Thornton ’00, Kyle Mapes ’00, Eric Kusin ’00, Fadi Constantine ’00, Jake Wagner ’00, Willie Kline ’00, Tony Ruggeri ’00, and Brad Schlueter ’00.
2001 CRINNY DEAN ’01 ~ Turn to “Alumni in the News” on page 20 for information about Crinny. TATE LOWN ’01 is the creative director and co-founder of Thalicer Entertainment & Thalicer Image Studio. The Image Studio produces a wide variety of still photography for advertising, publishing, and fine art applications,
SETH COLLINS ’02 married Megahn Moll on May 21, 2011. The ceremony took place at Highland Park United Methodist Church, followed by a reception at The Mansion on Turtle Creek. Members of the wedding party included classmates NICK ENGLISH ’02, ALEX HICKS ’02, BRYAN PRYOR ’02, and CARL SEWELL ’02. The couple met at PlainsCapital Bank, where Megahn works as a commercial loan officer. Seth received his M.B.A. from Southern Methodist University in May 2011 and recently accepted a position with AT&T. The couple resides in Dallas.
specializing in high production narrative photography. Tate shares that they are developing their first feature film, The Lumberjack, a suspense film based in the 1920s set in the rainforest of northwest Washington. Tate resides in Los Angeles, California. JIM MORAN ’01 ~ Turn to “Alumni in the News” on page 20 for information about Jim.
Megahn and Seth Collins ’02.
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Summer 2011 | Remarks
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CAPT. BOBBY CROTTY ’02 is now working at Kanakuk
SWAYZE SMARTT ’07 competed on the team of business
Kamps and will be attending the Kanakuk Institute in the
school students from Wake Forest University that took first
fall. He previously served as the Battalion Signal Officer
place at this year’s KPMG International Case Competition
for the Regimental Special Troops Battalion, 75th Ranger
(KICC), held April 6–8, 2011 in Istanbul, Turkey. The Wake
Regiment, at Ft. Benning, Georgia.
Forest team, representing the United States, came into this year’s KICC as the defending champion, this time competing for the title against teams from 18 other countries around the world, the largest number in the history of the event. The KICC brings together the winning teams from KPMG member firm competitions to compete on a global stage, challenging them to prepare business cases based on a scenario representing the kind of issues KPMG member firms often tackle on behalf of clients. Swayze was also a member of last year’s Wake Forest team, interned at KPMG’s Dallas office last winter, and will join KPMG’s Transaction Services practice full-time following graduation. JOSH DUNN ’07 graduated cum laude from the University of Southern California in May 2011 with a B.A. in Fine Arts and Studio Art with an Organizational Leadership and Management minor.
2008 Bobby Crotty ’02 parachutes during a training mission.
PAUL OCKELMANN ’08 spent the spring/summer quarter in Berlin with Stanford University. He will spend the remainder of his summer in Berlin with an internship
2006
provided through the Krupps Foundation and Stanford. Paul
TANNER MOUSSA ’06 graduated from Washington and Lee University in May 2010. He moved to New York City in September 2010 where he completed his remaining credits
is conducting research for Dr. Henning Riecke, who leads the Transatlantic Relations Program at the Berlin-based German Council for Foreign Relations (DGAP).
the Gramercy Park Hotel. He joined Deloitte and Touche
2009
LLP in January 2011 where he works as a junior accounting
TY NGUYEN ’09 ~ Turn to “Alumni in the News” on page 20
analyst in the audit division of the company. He is looking
for information about Ty.
for his CPA exam while also working as a guest attendant at
forward to winding down after an intensely busy season, completing his CPA exam, and enjoying the summer in New York City.
2007
2010 After his first year at the University of Missouri, OLTHA AUSTIN ’10 is spending his summer working at Camp
5 Years
SAM ACHO ’07 ~ Turn to “Alumni in the News” on page 20
Wyman in Eureka in St. Louis County as a mentor to young teens and also as a wilderness trek leader.
for information about Sam.
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St. Mark’s School of Texas
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Faculty & Staff There was a baby boom from the faculty and staff of St. Mark’s this past spring. Science teacher RACHEL FINEMAN and partner Christine Bedocs were blessed with the early arrival of a daughter, Olivia Fineman Bedocs, on March 11, 2011. Then within two days, beginning on April 27, 2011, Hadley Virginia Sberna, was born to Humanities teacher NICK SBERNA and his wife, Lindsey, and the next day, Debate coach TIM MAHONEY and his wife, Julie, welcomed Darby Elizabeth Mahoney into the world. On the last day of school, JOHN ENDRES, Technology and Network Specialist, and his wife, Suzanne, celebrated the arrival of David Nicholas Endres. Soon after, the “girl-trend” continued when on June 17, 2011, Special Events Coordinator AMEE MCGOUGH and her husband, Dan, welcomed Mason’s little sister, Keeran Layne McGough, to their family. Finally, Mary Claire Hargrove made her appearance on July 13, 2011. Her proud parents are Linda and BRIAN HARGROVE ’88, Director of Development. DAVE CARDEN, Communications Coordinator in the Development Office, is newly married to his college sweetheart, Kristi Crill. They met and married in Denton, Texas, where they were both students at the University of North Texas. Kristi teaches English at Arlington High School.
Kristi and Dave Carden.
CARMEN HAMMONDS, former Administrative Assistant in the Middle School Office, married Dean Nixon on March 12, 2011 but finished out the school year before moving to San Antonio.
St. Mark’s School of Texas
(from the top) Olivia Fineman, David Endres, Keeran McGough, and Mary Claire Hargrove.
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In Memoriam FRANK JORDAN was voted the runner-up for “Best Teacher
BILLIE LOUIS ARONOFF, May 28, 2011, grandfather of
for 2011” by the subscribers of the Preston Hollow People
Alex F. Aronoff ’97 and Matthew R. Aronoff ’99.
newspaper. The winner, by coincidence, was Christi Morrow, wife of Cory Morrow ’87, one of Frank’s former students.
CLAIRE BENNERS, June 16, 2011, mother of David
Frank also celebrated his 50th high school anniversary
Benners ’84 and Smith Benners ’74* and cousin
this past January.
of John Pace, Jr. ’52.
Former Assistant Director of Communications in the
JOY LIPSHY BURK, April 25, 2011, mother of Lowell
Development Office, ANDI PETERSON, married Drew
Burk ’76 and grandmother of Evan Burk ’01, Collin Burk ’03,
Wethington on April 23, 2011, in Colleyville, Texas. Master
and Harlan Burk ’12.
Teacher Emeritus Tom Adams played Master of Ceremonies at the reception following the wedding.
WILLIAM CLARKSON III, March 18, 2011, father of Bill Clarkson ’66. WILLIAM PERRY CLEMENTS, JR., May 29, 2011, stepfather of Richard D. Bass, Jr. ’74 and James E. Bass ’77, and grandfather of Kevin E. Bass ’13 and Mason P. Smith ’15. LEO CORRIGAN, JR. ’43, May 20, 2011. JOHN P. DOERING ’54, December 13, 2010. ELIZABETH EMENHISER FISCHER, May 31, 2011, mother of Richard L. Fischer ’77.
Andi and Drew Wethington.
At the annual end of the year luncheon, several special recognition awards were presented to faculty and staff. The John H. Murrell Awards were given to science teacher STEPHEN HOUPT, industrial arts teacher JOHN FROST, and fourth grade teacher SHERRI DARVER. The Ackerman Family Character Education Award was given to NICK SBERNA. The Ralph B. Rogers Award, given by the
JERRY HOSEK, February 26, 2011, father of Jerry J. Hosek, Jr. ’79. JOHN STUART HUNT, March 18, 2011, grandfather of Andrew Hunt ’97. MADDIE JAMES, March 13, 2011, daughter of Collie James ’89.
Alumni Board, was awarded to Steven M. Seay ’68 Science Department Chair STEPHANIE BARTA. Superior Staff Awards were presented to RICK CEROVSKY, Director of Media Services, and ANNA MORRIS, Development Office Coordinator. Senior Master Frank Jordan presented special Senior Master
Note: In the previous issue, we erroneously listed Bruce Raguet Burrow as the grandson of Joe Irion Worsham ’28.* He is the nephew of Joe Irion Worsham ’28.*
Awards to JOHN STUTSMAN, CINDA THOMA, and TINSLEY SILCOX for their service to the School this year.
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* Deceased
St. Mark’s School of Texas
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EMILY ANNE STEWART JOBST, May 2, 2011, mother-in-law
JOHN R. “DICK” PARKS, JR., April 11, 2011, father
of C. Wesley Goyer III ’68.
of Andrew L. Parks ’91.
JAMES WILLIAM KEAY, June 23, 2011, father of
REGINA GUTTMAN ROTH, March 15, 2011, grandmother
James W. Keay, Jr. ’74.
of Michael Freeman ’91 and Jonathan Freeman ’93.
H.A. “BUDDY” KNOX, March 13, 2011, grandfather of
CHARLES F. SEAY, JR., April 3, 2011, father of Charles
Jake Windlinger ’11, Michael L. Windlinger ’15, and father-
F. Seay III ’67 and grandfather of Charles F. Seay IV ’00
in-law of Jim Windlinger, St. Mark's Controller.
and Michael J. Seay ’02.
JOAN S. KOSNIK, March 23, 2011, mother of Julie Hersh,
BRUCE B. SWENSON, July 6, 2011, father of Smokey
mother-in-law of Kenneth A. Hersh ’81, and grandmother
Swenson ’63 and grandfather of Bruce H. Swenson ’97.
of Daniel J. Hersh ’13. ROBERT MAINORD TODD, March 9, 2011, father of MILDRED LOUISE (BOBO) LADYMAN, March 21, 2011,
David W. Todd ’82 and Robert M. Todd II ’77.
mother of David L. Ladyman ’73. TONY THOMAS TODORA, JR., May 15, 2011, father HENRY LINDSLEY III, April 12, 2011, father of
of Michael Todora ’89.
Hays Lindsley ’76. JOHN L. VON-BRIESEN, March 8, 2011, uncle of Austin RUTH REVERE RAY LUTKEN, April 14, 2011, mother
Peña ’04 and Travis Peña ’06.
of Peter K. Lutken III ’67. VIVIAN BASHARA WEISBERG, May 2011, mother DOUGLAS WELLER MACLAY, SR., June 23, 2011,
of Michael D. Weisberg ’65, Steven R. Weisberg ’67,
grandfather of John G. Washburne ’04 and father-in-law
and Richard D. Weisberg ’74.
of Elihu B. Washburne, Jr. ’72. EDWARD LEWIS WILSON, JR., March 18, 2011, father SALLY SARAH LEE WOLDERT MCCLUNG,
of Edward Lewis Wilson III ’62.
March 29, 2011, wife of Elliott McClung ’32.* JULIUS WOLFRAM, March 16, 2011, father of CORYDON O. NICHOLS, June 16, 2011, father-in-law
Michael L. Wolfram ’63, Stephen L. Wolfram ’67,
of Brett Campbell ’74.
and Richard H. Wolfram ’70. FRANCIS WILLIAM ZIDELL, July 2, 2011, grandfather of Blake Zidell ’95 and Jeremy Zidell ’99 and stepfather of Philip Samelson ’86.*
* Deceased
St. Mark’s School of Texas
Summer 2011 | Remarks
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Endnotes ONLINE GIVING The St. Mark’s Fund is the School’s most important, ongoing fundraising priority, providing more than 10 percent of the School’s annual operating budget. You may give online through our secure server at www.smtexas.org/ smfund. Every gift is appreciated.
THE
PRIDE St. Mark’s School of Texas Alumni Magazine
ARCHIVE From the Terrill School all the way to St. Mark’s School of Texas, ours is a school with a long and rich history. If you have something you would like
Editor Katy B. Rubarth
to donate to St. Mark’s to be preserved in our archives, please contact the
Art Director
Office of Development & Alumni Relations at 214.346.8800.
Missy Patrello
Communications Coordinator
SUBMISSIONS Do you have a great story you’d like to share with your fellow alumni? Have you made any changes in your life such as a new job, new degree, marriage, children, or other announcement? Please send your stories, along with any photos, to the Office of Development & Alumni Relations so we may include them in our next issue. Submissions may be made in any of three ways: ~ www.smtexas.org: Use our handy online form to send in your “Remarks.”
David Carden
Editorial Contributors Frank Jordan Paul Mlakar Beth Northcut John Perryman
Photographic Contributor Nate Holtberg
Director of Alumni Relations Jim Bob Womack ’98
~ Email: Send your information and high-resolution photos to
Jim Bob Womack at womackj@smtexas.org. ~ U.S. Mail: Send to St. Mark’s School of Texas; Attn. Jim Bob Womack;
10600 Preston Road; Dallas, TX 75230-4047.
Submissions received after July 15, 2011, will appear in the next issue of THE PRIDE.
Printed on paper containing 10% POST-CONSUMER WASTE.
THE PRIDE is published twice annually by St. Mark’s School of Texas, Office of Development & Alumni Relations, 10600 Preston Road, Dallas, Texas 75230-4047, and is distributed to alumni, parents, and friends of the School. In producing this magazine, every effort has been made to ensure that it is accurate. Please report any errors, or receipt of multiple copies, to the Office of Development & Alumni Relations and accept our sincerest apologies. St. Mark’s School of Texas does not discriminate in the administration of its admission and education policies on the basis of race, color, religion, sexual orientation, or national or ethnic origin. © 2011 St. Mark’s School of Texas An Office of Development & Alumni Relations Publication
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Endnotes | THE PRIDE
St. Mark’s School of Texas
Lifelong Passion: Menter B. Terrill Society Since graduating from St. Mark’s in 1967, Bennett Cullum has dedicated countless hours to serving and advancing his alma mater. As an alumni leader, he has worn many hats: from Class Agent to Alumni Ambassador to Reunion Chair to Alumni Board President to member of the Board of Trustees. In 2010, the Alumni Association, which he helped to establish, recognized Bennett’s many contributions to St. Mark’s by awarding him the Alumni Service Medal. Bennett recently noted how satisfying it has been for him to see the Alumni Association flourish and alumni of all generations become involved. “Alumni now play an integral part in the life of St. Mark’s as Trustees, as volunteers, as parents and grandparents of current students, and in other capacities. I have enjoyed seeing the tremendous change in the relationship between the School and our alumni and the overall growth of the program.” Today, Bennett focuses primarily on Class of 1967 activities including periodic campus lunches, the establishment of an endowed scholarship, and preparations for its 45th Reunion. He also recently named the School as a beneficiary of his estate and directed his future support to the Class of 1967 Financial Aid Fund. When reflecting on his lifelong commitment to St. Mark’s, Bennett is clear: St. Mark’s made an enormous difference in my life. My involvement and support are small ways of attempting to repay the School for what it did, and continues to do, for me. I believe in St. Mark’s and its mission of educating young men for leadership and service to the community. Quite simply, the School makes a meaningful impact in the lives of its students and alumni. It is only right that we should honor St. Mark’s as part of our last legal act on this earth. With his commitment, Bennett Cullum ’67 has made an important gift in support of the Centennial Challenge and its priority to strengthen the School’s financial aid resources. Bennett has joined with the other men and women who have included St. Mark’s in their long-term plans as members of the Menter B. Terrill Society. If you have included St. Mark’s in your estate plans or would like more information about the Menter B. Terrill Society, please contact Scott Jolly in the Office of Development at 214.346.8132 or jollys@smtexas.org.
10600 Preston Road Dallas, Texas 75230-4047 214.346.8000 • www.smtexas.org
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St. Mark’s Summer | Alumni Weekend | Centennial Challenge
THE PRIDE | Summer 2011 | Vol. 17, No. 2
Frank Jordan’s Wyoming group at the Continental Divide.