T he L og Tabor Academy’s Student Newspaper
thelog@taboracademy.org
Volume 39 Number 9
Graduation Issue
Six Faculty Members to Retire This Spring
Tenured Tabor faculty members move on to life after the school by the sea by Karen Morahan and Claire Brito
Photo by Evelyn Xue ‘16
After 34 years at Tabor, Merry Conway will also be retiring. Mrs. Conway has split her time between the communications department (advising the Log for the past 16 years) and the international program. Through her involvement in the international program, she has had “the opportunity work with so many amazing kids and to travel to many of the countries that our students come from.” She has visited Germany, Bermuda, Thailand, Jamaica, China, Taiwan, Japan, Hong Kong and Vietnam to see students and alumni, and has advised students from around the world. “What I will miss most is the Tabor spirit that has been at the heart of the school since the late 1800’s,” says Conway, “It has always been a caring, friendly community and its spirit is often what Alumni remember long after they graduate.”
The Tabor community will say goodbye to a number of great faculty members this spring.
Faculty members are an integral part of the Tabor Academy community, and bring both personality and past life experiences to their teaching careers. Mr. Duffy, Mrs. Pierce, Mr. Thompson, Mr. Jaillet, Mr. Wing, and Mrs. Conway will all be retiring at the end of this year. Ms. Pierce will be retiring after 30 years
at Tabor, having taught 4 classes of French. She is a beloved advisor to 9 students, and loves attending musical performances and sporting events when she can. Ms. Pierce says that she will miss “working with students, having advisees, being part of the day to day routines with my colleagues, hearing a wonderful chapel talk or
seeing something special at all school meetings.” Because she lives in Marion, she will not be far from the community life, but will miss the “raison d’être” she has at Tabor. “The seniors,” she quotes, “are ready to move on and I will follow them as they leave - not to college, but to new adventures. I hope to meet up with some of you along the way.”
After 29 years of serving the Tabor community, Mr. Jaillet will be retiring at the end of this year. Mr. Jaillet has taught almost every type of math course while at Tabor and has also taught a senior English elective called “Baseball in American Culture.” Outside of the classroom, Mr. Jaillet has been an advisor, a JV and Varsity basketball coach, varsity baseball coach, JV golf coach, an instructional sailing and golf
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Students Highlight Philanthropy on Campus
“Phil” Day provides examples of the generous donations Tabor has received by Madeleine Gregory and Bridget Lattimer
Working with Sara Yeransian, these two organizations introduced Phil Day, short for Philanthropy Day, which was a day where alumni donations were recognized and students remembered the importance of giving back to Tabor. On Monday, May 11, huge sticky notes were placed all over campus labeling
donations from TA alumni. Two tables, one in the Academic Center and one in the dining hall, were set up for students to write letters to donors and alumni introducing themselves and thanking them for their generosity. Yeransian, an advancement officer in charge of Phil Day, got the idea from a conference and thought it would be a great opportunity for Tabor to recognize all the generous philanthropy of the alumni. Nearly a quarter of the Tabor experience is funded by phianthropy so she thought it would be important for students to realize how valuable donations to the school are. Yeransian expects that students were surprised by how many items on campus were donated by alumni. Most dorms, many buildings, equipment, benches, and more are only here because of the generosity of alumni.
Photo by Evelyn Xue ‘16
The Advancement Department, along with the Elizabeth Taber Foundation (ETF) and the Student Alumni Connection Board introduced a new tradition to Tabor Academy. The Elizabeth Taber Foundation, a group of 16 students, works with students who want to raise money for a charity, using matching grants. The Student Alumni Connection Board, new this year from the Leadership Day, is a group that works with connecting students with alumni. For example, sophomore Matt Paliotta has created a LinkedIn group where students can connect with alums to find job and internship opportunities.
Signs that said “Phil Was Here” were placed all around campus on donated buildings and items.