VOLUME 94, NUMBER 1 • SUMMER/FALL 2013
HILL TIES
ILL H Living, Learning, and Growing TIES at Our Family Boarding School
HILL TIES
HILL DOER
DUNCAN S. BANFIELD ’91, President of The Hill School Alumni Association HOME: Fairfield, Connecticut. FAMILY/ HILL TIES: Wife, Kelsey; daughter, Daphne; son, Garner. EDUCATION: F.W. Olin Graduate School of Business at Babson College (M.B.A.); Trinity College (B.A., history). CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: Currently a principal with Greenwich Associates, a consultancy to the banking industry; former vice president for General Electric Capital Americas; former director, investment banking for CIT Group. HOBBIES/SPECIAL INTERESTS: Loves being out on the water — lake or ocean, power or sailboat. “Someday I hope to put my commercial captain’s license to use! (I earned my 50-ton master near coastal “ticket” in 2009).” He’s currently reading Susan Casey’s The Wave, an exploration of the power of the sea from many viewpoints.
ON HIS HILL EXPERIENCE: “The Hill prepared me to be independent, but also taught me the value of community. I think The Hill instills in its students a unique combination of work ethic, sense of humor, and the ability to communicate with others that sets them apart and serves them very well throughout their lives. I’ve met and interacted with alumni from many other boarding schools, and few have a similarly balanced proportion of these qualities.”
BUILDING A STRONGER ALUMNI ASSOCIATION: “The Association’s next big step is to energize volunteer leadership in regions around the country. With the excellent oversight of the Alumni Association Executive Committee, we now need other alumni to get involved, potentially as a host of a regional event, as a career mentor, or to support a class gift. I believe The Hill can still play a meaningful role in the lives of alumni five or 50 years after graduation.”
HILL’S VOLUNTEER EFFORTS: President of the Alumni Association; consistent supporter of The Hill’s Annual Fund; Class Secretary; Career Day speaker. “I was very fortunate to attend The Hill. I would never have had such terrific opportunities to learn in and outside of the classroom had I remained in my hometown high school. Supporting and promoting such a unique institution energizes me. It’s also a great excuse to see so many old friends so regularly!”
BESIDES TRUE, AT HILL WHATSOEVER THINGS ARE ______: “Evolving. The Hill has undergone many changes in its long history, and many more will occur so that our School remains on the forefront of education. However, the School’s core values are timeless and will continue to prepare its graduates to be strong contributors to society.” Z
HILL TIES • VOLUME 94, NUMBER 1 • SUMMER/FALL 2013
Board of Trustees
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The Headmaster’s Table
FEED THE HUNGRY INITIATIVE — PAGE 8
Berman ’59 and Wallach ’61 named Honorary Trustees
Hill Views
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Hill-Charterhouse Challenge 2013 2013-2014 Hill By The Numbers Class of 2015 commits to three-year service project Student Philanthropy Council continues support of area nonprofits Our growing campus
Living, Learning, and Growing at Our Family Boarding School 10
Cutrona Family Foundation Innovation Grants create limitlesss opportunities The Hill School’s bumper crop of faculty writers helps grow future wordsmiths For Our Educational Program, we will... Dissecting, analyzing, and reimagining The Hill educational experience Progressing toward Middle States objectives
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Keepers of The Hill
NEW WYETH PRINTS RELEASED — PAGE 21
Donor Docket: Phillip Buhler ’80 P ’10 Leadership and Career Summit: April 10-11, 2014 Hill Alumni: Get Connected! Introducing The Hill Alumnae Society Three new Wyeth prints released
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Athletics
Baseball celebrates 125 years of Lawrenceville rivalry First time’s a charm for Sara Graham ’13 Hill ties strengthen a player/coach relationship Save the Date: November 8-9 Hill vs. Lawrenceville Weekend 2013 Pete Colhoun ’53 introduces students to financial literacy Faculty Brats: Where are they now?
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* Commencement 2013 GIRLS’ GOLF CELEBRATES THE FIRST MAPL CHAMPIONSHIP — PAGE 23
ABOUT OUR COVER: Courtney Neese and Geoff Neese, both members of Hill’s class of 2000 and Hill faculty members, along with their beautiful daughters, McKenzie (4) and Campbell (3), are the first residents of unit nine in the stunning East Campus Faculty Village. Courtney joined The Hill’s English department in 2004 and serves as assistant coach of our School’s championship varsity girls’ soccer team. Geoff joined The Hill’s Advancement Office in 2008 as a capital giving officer and now serves as the office’s associate director of capital giving. Prior to their move to the East Campus Faculty Village, the Neeses were dorm parents in Rolfe Dormitory. Z
* Reunion Weekend 2013
A record-breaking weekend The Walbridges: Celebrating 41 years of love, friendship, good humor, and outstanding teaching
* In Remembrance
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* Faculty and Staff Notes
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* Class Notes
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* These pages are not included in this PDF
Th e H ea dmaster’s Table
In his recent book about motivation, Drive, Daniel Pink eloquently argues that old-fashioned incentives and punishments — “carrots and sticks” — do not effectively motivate individuals. Rather, when coupled with fair compensation, genuine intrinsic motivation results from providing individuals with autonomy over their work, creating a work environment that develops and requires skills mastery, and connecting one’s work with a larger purpose. As The Hill strives to become the preeminent family boarding school, largely by recruiting and retaining the nation’s premier faculty (a crucial directive of our Strategic Plan highlighted in this issue of Hill Ties), I intend to closely follow Pink’s advice. While many of Pink’s readers focus immediately on his motivational theory of “autonomy, mastery, and purpose,” we at Hill must first take note of the “fair compensation” prerequisite. As it stands, our overall faculty compensation and our model for determining that compensation is not highly competitive with our peer schools. At Hill, the median teaching faculty salary is $56,500 which is the lowest in the Ten Schools Admissions Organization1 and has likely contributed to faculty attrition in recent years. We must thus find creative ways to dramatically elevate faculty salaries as soon as possible, and it is imperative that we add $20 million to our endowment fund for faculty compensation in our upcoming comprehensive fundraising campaign. Moreover, our current method for setting starting salaries, determining annual increases, and accounting for advanced degrees or increased responsibilities does not provide Hill’s teachers with the type of predictability and transparency they demand and deserve. In the coming year, I will ask our faculty and trustees to consider a new compensation model that squarely addresses these issues.
“The future success of The Hill will be determined by the expertise, talent, and motivation of our faculty.”
— HEADMASTER ZACHARY G. LEHMAN
Enhancing compensation is critical, but we must likewise address the quality of our faculty’s experience as suggested by Pink:
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By their nature, “independent” schools like The Hill foster an autonomous teaching environment and our teachers are not limited by state curriculum standards. Yet, we must find ways to encourage our teachers to maintain that pedagogical freedom and adventurous spirit in light of the inherent restrictions of Advanced Placement testing, mounting college admission expectations, and the NCAA clearinghouse requirements. Above: Zack Lehman celebrates his first Hill Commencement on the Quad with his sons, Mitch ’16 and Griffin.
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Andover, Choate, Deerfield, Exeter, Hill, Hotchkiss, Lawrenceville, Loomis Chafee, St. Paul’s, and Taft comprise the Ten Schools Admissions Organization. Established in 1956, the TSAO first collaborated to create the SSATs and now works together on various admission, educational, and financial initiatives and best practices.
THE HILL SCHOOL
2. Mastery, like autonomy, has long been part of the teaching culture at The Hill and we still cling to the traditional title of “Master” to describe faculty. But in today’s boarding school industry (and perhaps always), a Hill faculty member must be a “triple threat” — masterful in the classroom, in leading co-curricular activities, and as an adviser and dorm parent in the residential life program. To ensure that a mastery teaching culture at The Hill thrives, we must increase professional development opportunities and funding, formalize a mentoring program for young teachers, and institute a meaningful evaluation system.
3. Finally, every teacher — and really every employee — at The Hill School must feel directly connected to our organizational purpose. We need to actively engage our faculty in the business of culturebuilding — whether inspired by our motto, “Whatsoever things are true;” driven by our mission to prepare students for college, careers, and life; or emboldened by my vision of a Hill simultaneously recognized as both the most traditional and most innovative boarding school in the nation. When I ask current students and alumni what aspect of their Hill career had the greatest impact on their experience, the inevitable response is simple: our teachers. That must never change at The Hill. Best,
POTTSTOWN, PENNSYLVANIA VOLUME 94 • NO. 1 Summer/Fall 2013
Hill Ties is published bi-annually. Issues are mailed free of charge. Hill Ties strives to instill enthusiasm about life at The Hill and encourage constituents to be engaged with the School on many levels, ensuring The Hill’s continued success in providing an excellent, character-building educational experience for our students. The Hill School admits young men and women of any race, color, religion, and national or ethnic origin. The Hill School does not discriminate against any person in admission or employment because of these considerations. The School also adheres to existing state and federal law and regulations regarding disability, sex, and age. EDITORIAL BOARD
Zachary G. Lehman, Headmaster Cathy L. Skitko, Director of Communications Denise A. Spatarella, Hill Ties Editor Jennifer L. Bechtel, Website Editor Nathaniel T. Yinger ’05, Assistant Director of Communications Thomas Eccleston IV ’87, Assistant Headmaster for Enrollment Management Christian P. Sockel, J.D., Director of Advancement and Capital Giving PHOTOGRAPHY
Zachary G. Lehman Headmaster Melanie Berner (far left) and her husband, Seth Boyd, Ph.D. (far right), both instructors of English, celebrate with Alex Price, Marcus Sass, Kara Beckman, and Alec Swartz. Ms. Berner and Dr. Boyd have been at the Hill since 2010 and served as sixth form deans for the class of 2013. For the last three years, they have been dorm parents in Upper School; this summer they moved into the Senter Dormitory in Dell Village.
Charles L. Garrettson Ph.D. ’71, C.C.F. Gachet ’81, Jen Lebo Photography, Dan Burns Photography and alumni, parents, and friends DESIGN
circle S studio Send address changes to The Hill School
717 East High St., Pottstown, PA 19464-5791 www.thehill.org ©2013, THE HILL SCHOOL.
Please recycle our publication.
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Berman ’59 and Wallach ’61 named Honorary Trustees BOARD OF TRUSTEES 2013 - 2014
Thomas McN. Millhiser ‘67, P ‘96, ‘00 Chairman Preston G. Athey ‘67, Vice Chairman James L. Alexandre ’75 Douglas J. Bouquard III ‘00 Walter L. Boyer ‘74, P ‘11 D. Scott Detar, Jr. ‘97 H. Landis Gabel, Ph.D. ‘61 Keith B. Geeslin ‘71, P ‘10 John M. Gvodas ’88, P ’16 Michelle A. Gyves ‘02 Michael W. Harris ‘84 Peter G. Humphrey ‘72, P ‘02 David K. Leinbach Hans S. Maentz ‘89 Jeanne G. McAnaney P ‘87 James P. O’Mealia ‘76, P ‘03, ‘07, ‘08, ‘11 Sung Bin Park ‘86 John Pflieger, Jr. ‘77, P ‘07 Geoffrey A. Richards ‘88 Elizabeth B. Rufe P ‘06, ‘08 Andrew D. Soussloff ‘71 Dan Whalen ‘75, P ‘06, ‘08 Scott C. Wilson P ’10 Honorary Trustees Jay S. Berman ’59, P ’85, ’87, GP ’11, ’13 Charles A. Frank III ’59, P ’88, ’90 Junius T. Moore, Jr. ‘41, P ’71 Everette C. Sherrill ‘60 Marshall F. Wallach ‘61, P ‘05, ‘07
During the June meeting of The Hill School’s Board of Trustees, longtime Trustees Jay S. Berman ’59, P’85, ’87, GP’11, ’13 and Marshall F. Wallach ’61, P’05, ’07 were named Honorary Trustees upon their retirement from the Board. Jay Berman, Pottstown native, has served on the Board since 1988. Fellow Board members recognized him for his extraordinary service and dedication to The Hill by bestowing on him the title of Honorary Trustee. Jay was presented with a special citation exclaiming the following: According to Frank Lloyd Wright, renowned 20th century American architect, the price of success is “dedication, hard work, and an unremitting devotion to the things you want to see happen.” Jay S. Berman personifies dedication, hard work, and devotion in all aspects of his service to The Hill as a Trustee, Chairman of the Campus Planning and Audit Committees, member of the Executive and Medical Committees, alumnus, parent, grandparent, and liaison with the local Pottstown community. The School will be forever indebted to Jay for the integral role he has played as “architect of change” in the historic growth and facility enhancements the School has celebrated during his time of service: creation of the Center For The Arts; Memorial Room and Ryan Library renovation; Middle School demolition and construction of the Academic Center, home to the George Berman Center of College Advising; Dell Village Dormitories; David H. Mercer Field House and Jerry Day ’37 Squash Center; Alumni Chapel restoration; Edward Tuck Hall Hockey Arena and Thomas Eccleston, Jr. Rink; Upper School renovations, including the Class of 1959 Facade; renovation of 715 East High Street into the Class of 1960 Alumni House; renovation of the new Hill baseball field; and, most recently, the East Faculty Village and Far Fields and soccer field enhancement projects. Jay, along with his wife, Susan, have truly put their hearts into making our Family Boarding School an even better living and learning environment for Hill students and faculty, including their own children, Joseph ’85 and Thomas ’87, and two grandchildren, Joseph ’11 and Robert ’13 Scotese. And, when you see the monstrous Chevy Suburban with the “Hill 59” license plate driving around Hill’s beautiful, impressive campus, you can trust that the warm, welcoming, and sincere man behind the wheel is the person who has been making it happen for the last 25 years.
Alumni Association Executive Committee Duncan S. Banfield ‘91, President William J. Robertson ‘92, Secretary, Treasurer, ex-officio\ Bernard Chan ‘83 Kent W. Davis ‘79 Catherine J. Detering ‘04 Kathryn W. Hauch ‘05 Paul S. Lee ‘91 Justin W. Newton ‘91 James L. Spencer IV ‘84 Donald J. Stewart ‘94 Robert E. Walley ‘88 Christine E. Wieand ‘06 Since his appointment to the Board in 1988, Jay Berman along with his wife, Susan, have committed themselves to making The Hill an outstanding secondary school. In May, the Bermans celebrated the graduation of their grandson, Robert Scotese ’13.
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Marshall Wallach from Denver, Colo. also was named an Honorary Trustee by the Board for his remarkable accomplishments and contributions to the School. His citation read: “An investment in knowledge pays the best interest,” said Benjamin Franklin. For Marshall F. Wallach, the foundation for his accomplished career in finance and investments with Wallach Capital Advisors, Inc. began at The Hill, followed by his studies at Dartmouth (B.A.) and Harvard (M.B.A.). Since joining the Board of Trustees in 2003, Marshall F. Wallach has earned the respect and admiration of Hill alumni, students, parents, faculty, and friends for his investments of time, resources, and enthusiasm for building a better Hill. The School will be forever grateful for his service as Vice Chairman of the Board, Trustee Chairman of the 2007-2012 Strategic Plan, Chairman of the Audit Committee, and membership on the Budget, Executive, Investment, and Governance Committees; his generous support of the Jerry Day ’37 Squash Center, which features a court bearing the Wallach name; his key support and
Board Chairman Tom Millhiser ’67 and Marshall Wallach ’61 during Reunion Weekend 2013.
committee membership on the Hockey Rink Replacement Project; his driving force behind the Memorial Room Restoration Project; and his
Also, the Board recognized departing Board members, Omar A.S. Brown ’86
dedicated and untiring service as Chairman of the Headmaster Search
(appt. 1996); George O. Knapp III ’59, P’84, ’85, GP’13 (appt. 2006); and
Committee. Marshall and his wife, Diane, have generously hosted Hill
Eric F. Trump ’02. Joining the Board in June were John M. Gvodas, Jr. ’88,
receptions for alumni, parents, and friends in their Denver, Colorado
P ’16 and James L. Alexandre ’75. John is the CEO of the Norristown,
home. While Marshall is proud to share his Hill ties with his sons,
Pa.-based Montgomery Medical Equipment Company, while Jim is a private
Marshall ’05 and Forbes ’07, The Hill is equally proud and thankful to
investor who resides in Haverford, Pa. (More information about these alumni
have Marshall as part of our Hill family.
can be found on our website at www.thehill.org.) Z
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Hill-Charterhouse Challenge 2013 On Sunday, March 24, 2013, 17 students from The Hill and five visiting students from Charterhouse School in England gathered in the Cunningham Pool for the 10th annual HillCharterhouse Challenge. This year’s Challenge featured underwater robots designed by Hill students and tested each team’s skill in maneuvering the robot to perform a specific task. This event served as a test-run for Hill’s
upcoming participation in the Greater Philadelphia SeaPerch Challenge, which took place at Drexel University on April 27. Students in Luke Block’s Design Technology 2 and Zach Brusko’s Introduction to Computer Science classes collaborated to build the underwater robots using the materials in the kit provided by the SeaPerch program, which included PVC piping and small DC motors.
Students from The Hill and Charterhouse Schools pose for a photo prior to the 2013 Charterhouse Challenge
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The Challenge consisted of three rounds of competition in which each team positioned 10 rings in the deep end of the pool. Teams then had five minutes to maneuver the robot to pick up and transport the rings to the surface. The Charterhouse team had the best combined times overall; however, The Hill team completed one of their rounds in 3 minutes and 18 seconds, which was the best time of the competition. Z
students, including 145 new students
boys
girls
29 interscholastic sports teams
• Hill students are drawn from 29 states and 25 foreign countries • 37% students of color; 19% international
board
75 teaching faculty members; 63% hold or are working toward advanced degrees
24 Advanced Placement subjects offered. In 2013, 191 students took 411 AP exams
commute
About 41% of students receive financial aid $35,500 day tuition; $51,400 boarding tuition
New initiatives include a 1-to-1 iPad program for all students, a digital media studio with a mobile video production unit, and the introduction of new courses in robotics, computer science, art & design, environmental science, modern languages, and humanities. The Hill’s campus is more than 200 acres and includes two new artificial turf fields, a new eight-lane track, and eight new faculty homes The School has approximately 9,656 alumni and a constituency (alumni, parents, friends) of approximately 19,428
Student/teacher ratio Typical class size: 12 to 14 students 36% of students have a Hill legacy connection
School traditions include an academic day dress code in which all students wear blazers; twice-weekly nondenominational chapel services; and seated family-style meals with faculty in the Dining Room. Z
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Class of 2015 commits to three-year service project Behind the scenes, and with characteristic Hill humility, students in the Class of 2015 spent 12 Tuesday evenings throughout the 2012-13 academic year in a service project dubbed the “Feed the Hungry Initiative.” A rotating group of students assisted with set-up, serving, and clean-up at a local soup kitchen — an effort that the Class of 2015 is committed to continuing until they graduate. The ongoing project has been coordinated by History instructor and 2015 class dean Jim Reifsnyder. “One of the most lamentable incongruities of modern American life is we send tons of good food into the dumpsters each day while one in six of our fellow countrymen go to bed hungry — every night,” Jim said. “On a grand scale, why and how this happens is outside of my control. But that doesn’t help me sleep at night. “So my idea for the kids to participate in a program that does some small part to ‘Feed the Hungry’ seemed to be the proverbial win-win situation: at once to actually do something to help feed people, and in the long view, raise awareness amongst our students that all were not born destined to benefit from the kinds of advantages most 21st century Hill kids have been blessed to experience,” he noted.
The project was coordinated with the assistance of the Christian nonprofit group known as Chosen 300 Ministries, based in Philadelphia. Chosen 300 matched Hill’s group of volunteers with the evening soup kitchen located in the Heart of God church in Pottstown. Sodexo, Hill’s dining services provider, also played a notable role in the Feed the Hungry endeavor by providing the meal for the November date. “The experience opened my eyes to our community,” said Connor Rayfield ’15. “I definitely will do it again.” “What tugged on my heart strings was seeing the range of children coming into the soup kitchen with their sad faces,” said Crystal Desai. “I didn’t know if I could handle it at first,” she continued. “When I served the kids and asked if they wanted a cookie, their faces lit up with joy. Drawing pictures and playing games with the kids was the best part: Knowing I was making even the tiniest impact on their lives made me want to help as much as possible. “I also helped myself, because I realize how grateful I should be for all I have,” she said. Mary Kate McArdle recalled that “helping others also brought us together as classmates.”
Members of the Class of 2015 and form Dean Jim Reifsnyder pose with “Feed the Hungry Initiative” t-shirts
“I am so happy that we are continuing this project into the next few years,” she said, noting that the hard work involved with preparing and serving food was an enjoyable team effort. “I can’t wait to go back again.” Altressa Boatwright, operations administrator for Chosen 300 Ministries, wrote to Jim at the end of last school year to say that the students “were enthusiastic and very empathetic to the plight of those they served.” “Your students did a fantastic job all year long,” she said, adding that the ministry is very pleased to welcome them back for ongoing service. Z
Student Philanthropy Council continues support of area nonprofits This past May, The Hill School’s Student Philanthropy Council (SPC) presented checks totaling $10,000 to four local nonprofit organizations to help fund those entities’ educational and community programs: • • • •
Pottstown Downtown Improvement District Authority ($2,110) for the Clean and Safe program The Growing Center ($2,690) Montgomery Child Advocacy Project ($2,500) Pottstown Cluster of Religious Organizations ($2,700) for the Getting Ahead Initiative
The SPC was established in 2009 through a gift to The Hill School courtesy of Charles A. Frank III, Hill ’59, and his wife, Betty. Hill student participants solicit and evaluate local nonprofit requests for funding, and then award a total of $10,000 in grants each year. Last year, through the Franks’ leadership and the generosity of several other donors, The Student Philanthropy Council became an endowed program at the School with the establishment of The Student Philanthropy Council Endowment in honor of Kay and David Dougherty. Z Members of the SPC present a check to the Pottstown Cluster
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Our Growing Campus We hope you can visit soon to see these amazing enhancements in person!
ACADEMIC 3) Widener Science Building 4) Widener Arts and Crafts Building: Jon Silverstein ’09 Electronic Media Studio, Woodshop, and meeting space 5) John P. Ryan Library 6) Academic Center: Headmaster’s Office, Student Center/Grille, Campus Store, College Advising Office, Academic Office, Deans’ Office 19) Music House 21) Classroom Building 28) Center For The Arts
COMMUNITY 1) 2) 7) 8) 13) 17) 22) 28) 29) 39)
Gatehouse – Main Entrance Meigs House – Admission Office Dining Hall Headmaster’s Garden Alumni Chapel Old Hockey Rink Guest House Center For The Arts The Dell Class of 1960 Alumni House (715 East High Street)
RESIDENTIAL 9) 10) 11) 12) 18) 20) 23) 24) 25) 26)
Feroe House – Headmaster’s residence Thomas House Pine Court Faculty Village Dutch Village Dormitories Hunt Upper School Dormitory Wendell Dormitory Dell Village Dormitories East Campus Faculty Village Foster Dormitory Rolfe Dormitory
ATHLETICS 14) 15) 16) 17) 27) 30) 31) 32) 33) 34) 35) 36) 37) 38)
David H. Mercer Field House and Jerry Day ’37 Squash Center Edward Tuck Hall Arena and Thomas Eccleston, Jr. Rink Sweeney Gymnasium Old Hockey Rink Varsity soccer pitch Dell Field Beech Street Tennis Courts Entrance to the Far Fields Varsity baseball field Varsity softball field Harry L. Price Field Briggs Cunningham ’26 ’50 Field William West Hauser ’81 Track Far Fields
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LIVING, LEARNING, AND GROWING AT OUR FAMILY BOARDING SCHOOL
Strategic Plan 2012-2017: For Our Faculty & For Our Educational Program
The Hill cannot be a leader in 21st century education without the intelligent, passionate, and talented men and women on the faculty who are so dedicated to providing the best educational experience to their students. Though much has changed and evolved in defining “the best educational experience” since our School’s founding in 1851, the School has remained committed to fostering and developing the core curricular skills of critical reading, writing, oral communication, quantitative analysis, information management and research skills, and ethical reflection.
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Similarly, the needs of our faculty have also changed through time. Now, more than ever, members of our faculty have chosen to raise their own children in this amazing culture where teachable moments can be found 24/7. As the School continues its journey in implementing its 2012-2017 Strategic Plan, it will address these two crucial areas — For Our Educational Program and For Our Faculty — to ensure that we are indeed providing unmatchable educational opportunities for our students and that they are taught by an inspiring and inspired, challenging and challenged, engaging and engaged faculty. The following pages highlight a few examples of strides the School is making in these areas.
East Campus Faculty Village residents settle into their new homes Construction of eight units in the newly created East Campus Faculty Village was completed this summer in time for faculty and their families to move in before the start of the academic year. These beautiful, spacious homes were designed using “green” components, are energy efficient, and feature basic modern amenities. Most importantly, these houses offer dedicated living and learning spaces where faculty can meet with students comfortably for tutoring or extra help sessions.
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1) Tom Johnson, dean of faculty, and his wife, Leigh Morrison, instructor of religious studies, with their daughter, Harper, enjoy an evening on the porch of their new residence. 2) Zachary Brusko ’97, instructor of computer science, in his new office space.
THE HILL SCHOOL
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LIVING, LEARNING, AND GROWING AT OUR FAMILY BOARDING SCHOOL
classrooms,” new pedagogies, fieldwork, novel instruction methods, experiential programs, collaborative projects, and curriculum enhancements. Interested faculty members must submit an application with a detailed description of their purpose for the grant. In this first year, 10 innovation grants were awarded to faculty representing many academic disciplines. Recipients included the following: Patrick Lake, Ph.D., Isaac Thomas Instructor of Classics and classics department chair, travels overseas with classics and humanities students each spring to locations such as Italy, Greece, and Turkey. Pat was awarded funds to purchase apps and power converters to integrate the use of the iPad into the School’s overseas travel program. Students’ Members of the Cutrona family Salvator Cutrona, Sr., Salvatore, Jr. ’06, Nanette Cutrona, and Dante Cutrona ’99 on the occasion of Sal, Jr.’s commencement. The Salvatore M. Cutrona Family Foundation is a non-profit organization, which strives to enhance the quality of life for children of all ages through educational support. The Cutrona Foundation endeavors to accomplish this through the funding of organizations, educational institutions, non-profit agencies, hospitals and programs that excel in training, educating and developing the whole person in mind, body and spirit. In addition, the Cutrona Foundation supports efforts to increase the general educational programs within the communities that members of the Cutrona family call home and are actively involved like Reading, Berks County, Pa., and the Unites States Virgin Islands.
on-site experiences will become more in-depth, informative, and interactive. Imagine, for example, students standing in front of the ruins of The Temple of Mars Ultor in the Forum of Augustus in Rome. Rather than only painting a portrait in words of the lost grandeur of this building, students can be asked to call up on their iPads an image of a reconstruction of this temple as it looked in the 1st century; they will have basic facts and figures of the site at their fingertips. Integrating the iPad
Cutrona Family Foundation Innovation Grants create limitless opportunities
into the travel program could also make it more collaborative with
Salvatore and Nanette Cutrona, parents of two Hill School graduates,
grants, one on behalf of the entire department and an individual grant.
Dante ’99 and Salvatore, Jr. ’06, are grateful for the education their
A “Presenter 55 Touch Wall” will be installed in the hallway of the
sons received at The Hill and they are pleased to support The Hill’s
mathematics department, providing an additional, interactive space for
efforts in implementing increased technology and innovation in the
continuous math learning. Teachers can incorporate use of the display
classrooms. Echoing the mission of The Hill, supporting programs
into their class instruction as a group activity, or students can play math
which focus on training, educating, and developing the whole person in
games while waiting for their next class. In addition, Elizabeth,
mind, body, and spirit is at the core of the mission of The Salvatore M.
who implements a discussion-oriented, collaborative pedagogy in her
Cutrona Family Foundation.
instruction of Algebra 2, was awarded funds to purchase a modular,
The Cutrona Family Foundation has generously sponsored the purchase of iPads for Hill faculty as well as applications, training, and ongoing innovation grants to encourage Hill teachers in their efforts to create
students being responsible for producing their own “iPad” lecture on a given site. Elizabeth Dollhopf, chair of the mathematics department, received two
trapezoidal desks, which when added to existing desks can be configured to create an oval “Harkness-“ shaped table, which can then be easily separated for testing.
more innovative classroom experiences. While technology alone is not
Jason Coady, instructor of mathematics, is excited to use the funds he
innovative, providing these resources and tools creates limitless
was awarded to purchase books to help renew and revitalize his pre-
opportunities for Hill faculty to explore new, engaging ways
calculus honors course. In his paper, A Mathematician’s Lament (2002),
to approach their teaching and present material to their students.
Paul Lockhart commented on the state of mathematics education and the
The Cutrona Family Foundation Innovation Grants aim to provide funding to teachers who have specific, creative, and thoughtful ideas for achieving innovation in their classrooms. Examples include “flipped
fact that schools spend too much time teaching students about math and not enough time asking students to do math: Jason agrees with Lockhart. With the adoption of Hill’s new daily schedule, Jason is thrilled to have more class time to spend with his students “doing math.”
Andy Skitko, newly appointed director of electronic media production, was awarded funds toward creation of a mobile production trailer to be used for video production. Unique among independent
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schools, the mobile production trailer will be located adjacent to the newly established Jon Silverstein ’09 Electronic Media Studio, which is being built in the first floor of the Widener Arts and Crafts building; the trailer also can be easily relocated to various venues around campus, or even off-campus. This provides flexibility for coverage of different events and provides an exceptional experiential learning platform for students. Zachary Brusko, instructor of computer science, and Luke Block, instructor of fine woodworking and engineering design, were jointly awarded funds to purchase robotics equipment for the new courses in robotics and physical computing which will be added to the Computer Science and Design and Engineering curriculum this year. With the addition of new equipment and expanded offerings, students will have room to “get their hands dirty” with software and hardware.
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Scott Holcomb, instructor of the classics, finds it incredibly helpful as a Latin teacher to be able to project text, pictures, and video clips for his students for collaborative analysis. Scott was awarded funds to purchase a digital display for his classroom. Patrice Patrinostro, instructor of mathematics, was intrigued by the opportunity to “flip” her classroom after receiving her iPad from the School last year. She tested the idea with her precalculus classes. She recorded short videos as lessons to introduce various concepts covered in the class. Students could watch the lessons and learn the material at their own pace and then apply what they learned in class during the next day’s lessons. Patrice plans to continue to record more, higher-quality video lessons and problem explanations with the additional microphones and “Hand Stylus” she was able to purchase for the department as part of the innovation grant. Chris Drowne, McNally Chair of the History Department, will enhance the classroom experience for his World History and Modern European History students by incorporating a multi-display and multi-media options allowing for more visual and project-based learning. Chris’ grant will incorporate the use of a presentation on a front magnetic smart map to provide the framework for a standard class, while a second screen on the north wall would display interactive maps and threedimensional tours of the areas being studied. Student in-class work on their iPads could also be displayed on an AppleTV monitor installed in another area of the classroom. Seth Eilberg, director of athletics, was awarded funds on behalf of the athletics department. The Hill’s weight room is now wireless, enabling our students to utilize their iPads and other devices as resources for workout programs, tutorials, and more. The department looks forward to
1) Luke Block, instructor of fine woodworking and engineering design and 2013 innovation grant recipient, works with students as they prepare for the SeaPerch Challenge which took place in April 2013 (see more on page 8). 2) Patrice Patrinostro, instructor of mathematics, engages her AP Statistics students in a “Chi Squared Goodness of Fit Test” where they test the claim by the M&M Mars Company that M&Ms are produced (and packaged) in specific proportions.
implementing enhancements to our students’ training through this improved technology. Z
THE HILL SCHOOL
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LIVING, LEARNING, AND GROWING AT OUR FAMILY BOARDING SCHOOL
As the School engages in a complete educational review, writing will remain as one of the School’s fundamental core curricular skills to be reaffirmed and strengthened. This group of talented faculty writers will continue their great work in helping students express themselves through the written word creatively, effectively, and persuasively. Pictured, from left, standing: Erik Mortenson (pen name E. K. Mortenson), poet, humor journal editor, and Hill English teacher; Mark Pearson, Ph.D., published writer of short fiction and essays and Hill English teacher; and Patrick Lake, Ph.D., chair of the classics department and Isaac Thomas Instructor of Classics and publisher of textbooks, articles, and book chapters. Seated, from left: The Rev. Dr. John Wm. Houghton, Hill School Chaplain and prolific contributor to a variety of journals on topics from religion to Tolkien, has written and published plays, poems, and, in 2005, a “fantasy novel about a boarding school chaplain”; Willis Pierre, mathematics teacher emeritus and Hill historian, publisher of four books depicting events and details of Hill’s 163-year history, the latest of which presents the story behind each and every one of the 72 bronze plaques in our Alumni Chapel; and Tony Reid ’75, director of the Humphrey Family Writing Center and former Washington Post editor who edited a recently published book, The Longest Fight, about African American boxer Joe Gans. To read more about the writers profiled here, go to www.thehill.org/ facultywriters.
The Hill School’s bumper crop of faculty writers helps grow future wordsmiths The following article appeared in the summer issue of the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS)’s award-winning Independent School magazine.
A remarkable number of active faculty authors and editors are inspiring future writers at The Hill School. Why the bumper crop of working wordsmiths now at Hill? The men of letters — and they happen to be men — muse that they are enthused by Hill’s connection to alumni authors (Edmund Wilson ’12, Tobias Wolff ’64, Pinckney Benedict ’82, to name a few) and published faculty (including James Michener, who taught at Hill for several years). Also, according to English teacher and poet Erik Mortenson, the presence of the Writing Center and its competitive student Writing Fellows program “demonstrates a visible and prominent commitment to the literary arts.” Among the current crop of writers is Mark Pearson, an English teacher whose first book of short stories, Famous Last Lines, was released in the spring. Pearson has taught at independent schools throughout his career as a teacher, writer, and wrestling coach (he is Hill’s varsity coach and often writes about the sport). Pearson’s fiction and essays have appeared, or are forthcoming in The Best American Sports Writing 2011, Altered States, Aethlon, Blueline, Broken Bridge Review, Carve, North Dakota Quarterly, Short Story, Sport Literate, Stories, and Suicidally Beautiful.
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FOR OUR STUDE NTS
English teacher Erik Mortenson (E.K. Mortenson) is a published poet and an editor of
For Our Educational Program...
Kugelmass: A Journal of Literary Humor. The poems in his recent award-winning chapbook, The Mortenson is donating proceeds from The Fifteenth Station to Partners in Health, an
We will undertake a wise, enlightened examination of our educational program and create a curriculum that uses best current pedagogical practices, thus establishing The Hill as a leader in 21st century education. We will:
organization that provides care to women and children suffering from AIDS in Rwanda.
Graduate confident students who possess:
Fifteenth Station, convey the anguish experienced by an impoverished African woman with AIDS.
Tony Reid, Hill ’75, a former Washington Post editor and director of Hill’s Humphrey Family Writing Center, packs a punch by editing professional writers’ work as well as student essays. The Center hosts visiting scribes ranging from prominent journalists to former U.S. poet laureate Billy Collins. Recently, Reid edited the boxing-related book The Longest Fight, penned by former Post colleague William Gildea. The biography-turned-script was being considered by several motion picture studios. Reid has edited other books, including Inside Edge by Christine Brennan, voted by Sports Illustrated as one of the “top 100 sports books of all time.” Also in The Hill mix is Willis Pierre, a mathematics teacher emeritus who still serves the School as an historian and has published A Tablet on a Wall (Morris Publishing), which reveals the stories behind the 72 bronze plaques in Hill’s Alumni Chapel, where students routinely gaze
comprehensive liberal arts background ➣ A ➣ T he ability to collaborate, problem-solve, and express themselves creatively esilience and flexibility attained through rigorous ➣ R study, self-reflection, and character-building experiences Conduct a mission-driven restructuring of our educational program: eaffirm and strengthen Hill’s emphasis on the ➣ R fundamental core curricular skills of critical reading, writing, oral communication, quantitative analysis, information management and research skills, and ethical reflection
upon such names as that of Harry Widener, a young alumnus who perished on the Titanic.
eview all aspects of our calendar and daily schedules, ➣ R including athletics, campus life, and off-campus activities
The Rev. Dr. John Houghton, religious studies teacher and chaplain, is an eclectic writer of
➣ I ntegrate appropriate technology in all aspects of our educational program
poems, articles on topics ranging from Tolkien to church history, and fiction (including Rough Magicke, a fantasy novel about a boarding school chaplain). Houghton’s Baldor’s Saga, a play in
➣ F acilitate opportunities for service learning in our extended community of Pottstown and beyond
alliterative verse, is slated for publication in The Year’s Work in Medievalism.
eview graduation requirements Z ➣ R
Finally, there’s classics teacher Patrick Lake, whose review of Plato and the Poets is forthcoming in Classical World. Lake has previously published textbooks, articles, and book chapters. For Mortenson, “Hill students are interested in our work — not merely as a passing fancy, as in ‘Hey, cool, my teacher wrote some book’ — but because they see us writing and are engaged in our process.” He also credits Hill colleagues who are supportive of the writers’ endeavors and the need for creative role models in the school. “Hill colleagues are supportive teachers who do as well as teach, teachers who are engaged in making as well as explaining.”
For Our Faculty... We will demonstrate our commitment to recruiting, retaining, and enhancing the professional and personal lives of our faculty and their families. We will: ➣ I ncrease faculty salaries to levels commensurate with peer schools by 2017 and regularly review all benefits programs Meet the need for first-class faculty housing by: ompleting the renovation of dormitory apartments ➣ C by September 2017 ompleting Phase 1 (8 units) of the East Campus ➣ C Faculty Village by 2014 and an additional (8 units) by August 2017 ➣ I mplement a comprehensive faculty development program by June 2013 onsider appointing a Director of Human Resources. ➣ C (This was achieved with the hiring of Heather Gelting. Read more about Heather on page 46.) eview our daily schedule to allow faculty time for ➣ R teaching, enrichment, and family Z
THE HILL SCHOOL
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LIVING, LEARNING, AND GROWING AT OUR FAMILY BOARDING SCHOOL
Dissecting, analyzing, and reimagining The Hill educational experience A comprehensive curriculum review, as mandated by the Strategic Plan,
done over the course of their learning at The Hill. They may also have additional opportunities to pursue their studies during the summer, either at Hill or virtually. In addition, expanded community service in and around Pottstown including a related service learning program are also future possibilities.
calls for a complete reexamination of every aspect of a Hill education—
As part of its review, The EPRC formed a faculty group to look carefully at
not only academics, but also the School’s student life and residential,
the yearly calendar, including timing and duration of breaks and school
athletics, technology, and community service programs.
vacations; when school should start and end; and whether the School
Members of the Educational Program Review Committee (EPRC) have
should continue its three-term system or switch to semesters.
been charged with analyzing and revaluating the strengths and areas of
Though the EPRC is merely beginning the important work it will do, the
improvement. Led by Academic Dean John Dollhopf, committee members
most significant product of its first year of effort is a new daily schedule,
include: Seth Boyd, Ph.D., instructor of English; Carl C.F. Gachet ’81,
which has been adopted for the 2013-14 school year. The biggest change
instructor of modern languages; The Reverend Dr. John Wm. Houghton,
is a switch from an eight-class day to a seven-class day, with classes
chaplain and instructor of religious studies; Kathy Malone, Ph.D.,
moving from 40-minute periods each day, to 45-minute periods four days
Elizabeth B. Blossom Chair of Humanities; Kyle Jones, director of
per week and one 70-minute period. Overall, this means faculty now have
information and technology services; Courtney Neese ’00, instructor of
14 percent more time in the classroom with their students, allowing for
English; Ellen Nelson, chair of the arts department; Josh Schmidt,
the implementation of more innovative, creative, collaborative, student-
instructor of science; and Jay Spencer ’84, director of studies and
centered classroom experiences. Also, the general pace of each day and
instructor of mathematics.
week is more manageable as there are three days per week, instead of
“Our work has been both philosophical and practical in nature, so far: We’ve spent a good deal of time discussing what we want Hill students to learn over four years at Hill and the various ways in which we teach,” says John Dollhopf. He continues: “We want our students to grow not just
two, when not all classes meet the next day. Additional passing time between classes has been incorporated into the schedule as well, which allows students and faculty more time to shift from one class to the next, both physically and mentally.
intellectually, but in their character and their body. As our mission
“The EPRC is an incredible group of individuals completely dedicated to
statement emphasizes, we are preparing them for much more than just
the task of making Hill the preeminent family boarding school,” notes
college, we are preparing them for life. To that end, we want them to
John. “We are confident we will create an educational program that is
continue to pursue throughout their lives characteristics such resilience,
well-suited for our students both during their time at Hill and in
passion, truth, and mindfulness, and our educational program must
preparation for the rest of their lives.” Z
deliberately help them along this path.” The Committee has been considering a number of possibilities for improving and enhancing the School’s program. Future students may experience a revised third and fourth form curriculum that is much more interdisciplinary, perhaps organized by theme. This curriculum may combine English, history, History of Art and Music (HAM), and religious studies as well as science and mathematics, or it may be a single integration of all these subjects. Science and mathematics are also being reviewed under our strategic goal of creating a STEM or STEAM curriculum (the “A” referring to graphical and design arts). In the future, students may have the experience of a capstone project during their sixth form year as an opportunity to bring together the learning that they’ve
Mark Nelson, instructor of science, works with biology students on a worm dissection project.
Students enjoying an on-campus spring event supporting the Relay for Life organization
Progressing toward Middle States objectives
The second objective addresses student involvement with and service to
As part of The Hill School’s accreditation with the Middle States
percentage of students who choose to sign out on an open weekend. In
Association of Colleges and Schools, two objectives were established
the most recent academic year, 22 percent of students signed out on an
for growth in student performance. The School is pleased to report the
open weekend on average. This represents a 14 percentage point drop
progress Hill has made toward these objectives as of the end of the 2012-
from the baseline level that was established in 2009-2010. In practical
2013 academic year.
terms, this means that roughly 50 more students are on campus each
The first objective involves an established goal of “reaching and
the campus community. As of this writing, data is available for the 20122013 academic year on one aspect of this objective, the average
weekend, significantly improving the quality of student life.
maintaining a four-year moving average of 40 percent of eligible
“Of all the things our students could do on the weekend, over three-
graduates who are performing on identified national exams at a level
fourths of them choose to spend their time being with the School
considered excellent.” Including test data for the class of 2012, the
community,” says Jason Coady, instructor of mathematics and The Hill’s
average number of graduates performing at this level is 41.7 percent. This
internal coordinator for the Accreditation for Growth. “I can’t think of
is the third year in a row the School has maintained a moving average
stronger validation of our reputation as a close-knit community, and the
above its goal.
credit for this goes to the faculty and students who work hard every day to make the dorms feel like a true second home.”
THE HILL SCHOOL
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KEEPERS OF THE HILL
DONOR DOCKET: Phillip Buhler ’80, P’10 Treasuring the memories of a shared Hill experience...
Phil Buhler ’80 (second from left) and his cousins, Paul H. Buhler, Jr. ’51 and Ted Parish ’82, with Phil’s father, Jean E. Buhler ’36, in the Headmaster’s Garden during Reunion Weekend 1981. Jean was celebrating his 45th reunion, while Phil was celebrating his first.
When it came time for Phillip Buhler ’80 P ’10 to decide whether he would come to The Hill, following in the footsteps of his seven other family members (including his father Jean E. Buhler ’36 P ’80), the answer was a resounding “Yes!”—no hesitation, whatsoever. “The stories I heard about The Hill from my father, uncles, and cousins were all so positive, and I couldn’t wait to go to The Hill,” said Phil, who was the eighth member of the Buhler family to attend the School. In addition to his father, Phil’s uncles, Paul H. Buhler ’23 and Theodore C. Buhler ’27; cousins, Emil Buhler ’53, Peter Buhler ’57, Paul H. Buhler Jr. ’51, and Philip Parish ’53 preceded him in attending our great School. Later, several more immediate and extended Buhler-family members would also call Hill home including Phil’s son, Vincenz Buhler ’10, a senior at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI); and cousins, Captain Theodore Parish ’82 P ’13, Andrew Parish ’89, and Austen Parish ’13. Besides their shared Hill experiences, many members of the Buhler family also share a
Above: Proud grandfather, Jean, and father, Phil, celebrating Vincenz’s Hill graduation in 2010. Right: Phil Buhler's treasured gift.
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K EEPER S O F TH E HI LL
passion for engineering and naval architecture. Phil’s father, Jean, and Jean’s brothers operated Miami Shipbuilding Corporation, the largest employer in Florida’s Dade County during World War II. Jean also celebrated a distinguished 60-year career in varied fields of the marine design and construction industry. Phil, much to the initial shock of his family of engineers, chose an alternate, yet related career path for himself: After The Hill, Phil attended the College of William and Mary, followed by law school at The University of Miami and then Tulane University, where he earned a Master of Laws in Admiralty and began his first practice in New Orleans. He now is an admiralty attorney currently practicing in Jacksonville, Fla. Even though his passion is for maritime law, he understands and appreciates the importance of engineering and the sciences as the keys to future success for America. For this reason, Phil and his wife, Gloria, have chosen to honor the memory of his father (Jean passed away February 29, 2012 at the age of 94.) and his strong belief in providing “hands-on” and “get your hands dirty” educational experiences to students by making a leadership gift supporting The Hill’s new STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) initiative. The School is committed to implementing a cutting-edge engineering program. With the Buhlers’ generosity, the School has taken a giant leap forward toward making this a reality. The gift will allow for the purchase of subtractive and additive technology machines that will supplement the existing design software and programming
components of the current design technology curriculum. Students will now have the opportunity to take their designs and create working prototypes and ultimately finished products. “When my father was a student at The Hill, his fondest memories were of the time spent with Pop Saunders in the wood and metal shops, designing and creating various projects,” said Phil. “One of the pieces—a metal treasure chest—he gave to me when I was a child; that chest is very special to me, and I have it displayed in my office today.” “For me, The Hill is a place where I learned the value of independence and the importance of
taking responsibility for myself,” notes Phil. “Though there were many requirements, you were given a tremendous amount of freedom within those boundaries—you had to take responsibility for your actions.” Phil’s continued support of The Hill’s initiatives and his interest in ensuring superior educational experiences for all students is fueled by his genuine and whole-hearted belief in the foundation on which The Hill is built—what he calls “a traditional culture of focus on life, study, and work where respect is held in the highest regard.” Z
GET CONNECTED! Find us on Facebook. Join the more than 6,450 fans on the official Hill School Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ thehillschool and the Alumni Association fan page at www.facebook.com/hillalumni
Network with us on LinkedIn. Join the 1,245 members of The Hill’s alumni career networking group on LinkedIn. Sign-in and search groups for “The Hill School Alumni/ae Group” to request membership. Anyone who has ever attended The Hill School can become a member.
Follow us on Twitter. Get our latest tweets @TheHillSchool and @HillAthletics
LEADERSHIP & CAREER SUMMIT: April 10-11, 2014 Do you have a product you’d like to spotlight? A clothing line you’d like to demo? Music you’d like to promote? Expertise you’d like to share? The 4th Annual Leadership & Career Summit provides a unique opportunity to promote your professional career while sharing your wisdom and knowledge with current students and young alumni. If you’re interested in participating in April, please contact Bill Robertson ’92, director of alumni relations, at brobertson@thehill.org or 610-705-1284. More photos from the 2013 Summit can be found on The Hill School Alumni Association website at http://alumni.thehill.org/ Z
Visit the Alumni Website.
A huge thank you to our Career Day 2013 participants for sharing their talents and insights with Hill’s fifth and sixth formers!
The Hill School Alumni Association website is the place to go to register for events on and off campus, submit class notes, connect and network with classmates and fellow graduates, and view online obituaries of the School’s recently departed alumni and friends of The Hill. If you haven’t visited the site yet, we encourage you to go to http://alumni.thehill.org/ and create an account today!
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WE ARE PROUD TO INTRODUCE THE HILL ALUMNAE SOCIETY. Emily Kerschner ’03 and Emily (Threlfall) Yoon ’03, co-presidents of The Hill Alumnae Society, share their motivation behind its creation and future goals. A few statistics: The Hill School became coed 15 years ago. We are 793 alumnae living in 27 countries, 29 states, and 330 cities, having attended 246 different colleges and universities, and ranging in age from 18 to 34. We are molded with the same value system, educational foundation, and determination to live fulfilled lives. And, we believe now, more than ever, is an opportune time to lay the foundation of an organization that will cultivate and reunite us in support of each other as well as The Hill School.
Our mission: The Hill Alumnae Society is an affiliate group of The Hill School Alumni Association that supports women affiliated with The Hill School. We seek to act as a lifelong resource that promotes personal fulfillment and sponsors professional development through mentoring and networking. The Hill Alumnae Society is guided by the philosophy 20
K EEPER S O F TH E HI LL
“Whatsoever things are true” and vows to contribute to the continued excellence and fiscal vitality of The Hill School.
Our foundation: Over the last year, a handful of Hill alumnae have recognized the value in reconnecting. Through numerous meetings and several alumnae surveys, we established The Hill Alumnae Society, which will focus on regional alumnae networking, college student and college graduate sponsorship, and current Hill student mentorship. In less than a year, we have written a mission statement, created and voted on a name and logo, penned by-laws, and motivated alumnae to get involved.
Ways to connect and get involved: Update your contact information (http://alumni.thehill. org/connect/directory). Join our LinkedIn Group. Like us on Facebook. Be sure to check back for
updates on events in your city and keep an eye out for our webpage on The Hill alumni website. If you would like to host a Hill Alumnae Society event in your area, please reach out to us. We would love to hear from you! (emily.kerschner@gmail.com; emilyyoon@cami.com) We are proud to be a part of such a powerful group of alumnae as well as introduce you, on behalf of these women, to The Hill Alumnae Society.
Emily A. Kerschner ’03
Emily (Threlfall) Yoon ’03
Emily Kerschner is an account manager at O&M Partners, LLC, a buy-side consulting and investor relations firm in New York. Prior to joining O&M, she was an analyst in the legal and compliance department at BlackRock Inc. in New York, after two years as a paralegal case manager at Cravath, Swaine & Moore, LLP. After graduating from Colgate University with a double major in international relations and English literature in 2007, Emily worked on the “Breaking News” desk at CNN and covered the 2008 presidential primary elections. While traveling between Hong Kong and London, Emily is pursuing a global executive M.B.A. from Columbia University (’15). She is a member of the New York Junior League and the New York Athletic Club (NYAC).
Emily Yoon is an artist manager and producer in the president’s office at Columbia Artists Management Inc. (CAMI), an international firm that specializes in the management of careers and touring activities of the world’s most prominent performing artists, orchestras, and institutions. In 2007, Emily began her career at CAMI as an assistant in the booking department after graduating from Colgate University with a double major in history and Asian studies. Emily is a member of the League of American Orchestras, the International Artist Managers’ Association, the Association of Performing Arts Presenters, and the International Society for the Performing Arts. She lives in New York City with her husband, Hyun (Eric) Yoon ’03. Z
Above: President of the Alumni Association Duncan Banfield ’91 was there to celebrate the occasion with the three alumnae who spearheaded the creation of the Society: Emily Melle ’04, capital giving officer in The Hill’s Advancement Office; Emily Kerschner ’03; and Emily (Threlfall) Yoon ’03.
Left: The first official event of The Hill School’s Alumnae Society, a chapter of the School’s Alumni Association, was held on campus Saturday, June 8 as part of Reunion Weekend 2013 — a tea and punch reception in the Saunders Room. From left, seated: Emily Melle ’04, Emily Yoon ’03, Emily Kerschner ’03, Sarah Detar ’01; standing: Shannon Summers ’05, Jennie Detar ’03, Jessica Mariglio ’03, Amanda Listfield ’03, Ali Jacobs ’07, Anne Confer-Martens ’02, Ariel (Alberti) Wiegard ’03, Charlie Healy ’08, Courtney (Steltz) Neese ’00, Erin (Jones) Higgins, Ph.D. ’03, Catriona Miller ’08.
THREE NEW WYETH PRINTS RELEASED Three more limited edition prints of the School’s N.C. Wyeth painting collection are now available for purchase through the Campus Store. Created as illustrations for the book Poems of American Patriotism, edited by Brander Matthews in 1922, the paintings were a gift to The Hill from Michael Sweeney, former coach and physical education director from 1896-1936.
OUR MOTHER
The UNKNOWN SOLDIER
Through his poem of the same title, Waldron Kinsolving Post pays tribute to the Naval Academy at Annapolis. N.C. Wyeth chose to position “the mother” along the shores of the Severn River. She is robed in classical dress and wears a victory wreath. She becomes a symbol of all mothers who pray for safe return as they watch their sons go off to war. It has been suggested that the model for “Our Mother” was Wyeth’s wife, Carolyn Brenneman Bockius Wyeth.
This painting by N.C. Wyeth was inspired by a poem of the same name by Angela Morgan. The poetess read her poem over the casket of the Unknown Soldier at special memorial exercises held in the rotunda of the capitol in Washington in 1921. Wyeth chose to honor the unknown World War II soldier by accompanying him with other soldiers of the past: a Greek warrior and three crusaders. Z
REGULAR ARMY MAN To match Joseph C. Lincoln’s tenor of his poem, N.C. Wyeth presents the viewer with a frank portrayal of soldiers off the battlefield. Wyeth captures the relaxed atmosphere by painting the soldiers with a casual hand on hip and slumped shoulders. Using predominately warmer tones, Wyeth captures the warm climes of the Caribbean.
Each print is approximately 11” x 14” and matted to fit a standard 16” x 20” frame (frame not included). Cost per print is $125 plus tax and shipping. Prints may be purchased by contacting the Campus Store at 610-705-1291 or online by visiting www.thehill.org/CampusStore.
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Spring Recap: Team Records
Many alumni, parents, and friends were on campus to cheer on our student-athletes during the spring season: Boys’ Golf: 4-3 Girls’ Lacrosse: 7-10 Boys’ Track: 3-1 Varsity Boys’ Lacrosse (8-7)
Baseball celebrates 125 years of Lawrenceville rivalry In the spring of 1888, The Hill and Lawrenceville baseball teams played to a 4-4 tie in the first ever baseball game between the schools. Prior to the schools’ first meeting of the 2013 season on April 27, a pregame ceremony celebrated the 125th anniversary of the schools’ baseball rivalry. Lawrenceville coach Champ Atlee, who is in his 35th season coaching the Big Red, threw the ceremonial first pitch, and each team wore specially designed hats featuring The Hill vs. Lawrenceville 125th anniversary logo. The Hill celebrated the occasion with an 8-4 victory. After spotting the visitors a 2-0 lead in the first inning, Hill’s bats came to life in the middle of the game, scoring eight unanswered runs. Lawrenceville scored two more runs in the top of the seventh inning, but could get no closer as Hill closed out the victory. Starting pitcher Seth Regensburg ’13 allowed just one hit over five innings to pick up the win, and helped his own cause by
going 2-4 at the plate with three RBIs. That same afternoon, the JV baseball team defeated Lawrenceville 11-1, and the varsity softball team won 8-3 to complete the ball-and-bat teams’ sweep of the Big Red. A week later, the baseball teams met again at Lawrenceville for the second and final meeting of the season during Lawrenceville’s Alumni Weekend. Another brief ceremony was held prior to the game, with the teams’ posing for a large group photo. The hosts held a 3-2 lead headed into the final inning and had Hill down to the final out before an offensive rally turned a one-run deficit into a 5-3 victory for The Hill, the team’s sixth straight win against Lawrenceville. Z Below: The Hill and Lawrenceville baseball teams pose for a group photo prior to their May game
Varsity Boys’ Baseball (13-9)
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ATHLETICS
Varsity Boys’ Tennis (6-7) Girls’ Track (3-1) New school records: Sara Graham ’13 (shot put, shown above); 4x400 relay (Deanna Mayza ’13, Kat Barron ’16, Payton Miles ’16, Bronwyn Dewey ’13)
First time’s a charm for Sara Graham ’13
Varsity Girls’ Golf (5-1), MAPL Champions The girls’ golf team celebrates the first MAPL Championship in the program’s short history
Varsity Softball (4-8)
During the PAISAA State Championship track meet on May 15, 2013, Sara Graham ’13 became the first girls’ shot putter in school history to break 40 feet, winning the event with a toss of 40'3". She also shattered the previous meet record by six feet, and re-set her own school record for the third time; just four days earlier, she also set new school and event records at the MAPL Championship. While these accomplishments are highly impressive for anyone, they are even more so considering the 2013 season was Sara’s first as a member of the track team. Prior to joining the track team, Sara already had established herself as a reliable, hard-nosed role player who had a habit of turning in her best performances in big games for the girls’ soccer and basketball teams. She scored several clutch goals in helping lead the soccer team to consecutive PAISAA State Championships, and as a center on the basketball team often faced the unenviable task of fighting for loose balls in the paint and opening up space for teammates. At the urging of her father, Sara decided to join the track team in the spring of 2013. The all-around athleticism that Sara displayed on the soccer pitch and basketball court allowed her to immediately become an impactful contributor to the track program. In addition to excelling in the shot put, she also competed in the long jump, triple jump, javelin throw, and 4x100 meter relay throughout the season; she competed in four events every meet, which is the maximum an individual may do in one meet. Sara showed promise in the shot put in earlyseason practices before having a breakout meet against Blair and Mercersburg, setting a six-foot personal best with a throw of 38'10" and breaking the previous school record by three feet. She re-set her school record a month later at the MAPL Championships before concluding the season with her 40' throw at the PAISAA meet. Z Above: Sara Graham ’13 tosses her school and PAISAA record throw during the PAISAA Championship TH E H IL L SCH OOL
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Hill ties strengthen a player/coach relationship by Nate Yinger ‘05, Assistant Director of Communications
Though they took different paths to The Hill,
Patrick Lee ’08 and Josh Heyliger ’12 share several common bonds. They each were standout players on the boys’ basketball team and led the program to a MAPL Championship during their time at The Hill before moving on to play collegiately for Division II power Stonehill College. Patrick remained with the program as an assistant coach after graduating from Stonehill, and he and Josh currently share a unique coach-player relationship that is strengthened by their Hill Ties. Patrick spent a post-graduate year at The Hill in 2007-08 and was instrumental in leading the team to its first MAPL Championship and a trip to the PAISAA State Championship game. He learned of Stonehill through Hill’s head boys’ basketball coach Seth Eilberg, and accepted the college’s scholarship offer. Patrick was a part of the program’s most accomplished recruiting class that posted a four-year record of 94-31, won two conference championships, and made four trips to the NCAA Tournament. He finished his career with nearly 900 points and 700 rebounds, and was team captain his senior year. After graduating in the spring of 2012, Patrick was offered a position as an assistant coach while pursuing his graduate degree in athletics administration. Josh arrived at The Hill in the fall of 2008 and became the boys’ basketball team’s first third form starter in more than two decades. He quickly distinguished himself as an on-and-off-the-court leader, and was named team captain as a fifth former in 2010-11, leading the team to the 2011 MAPL Championship. Josh again was named team captain in his sixth form year, and in January of 2012 eclipsed the 1,000 career points milestone. While Patrick was finishing his senior year at Stonehill, Josh was concluding his Hill career and searching for a college to call “home.” The Stonehill coaching staff contacted him in the spring of 2012 and set up an official visit. Josh stayed with Patrick during his visit, and committed three days after returning to Pottstown.
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Patrick and Josh both feel that their Hill connection helped to immediately establish a good relationship and made the transition into their new roles — Patrick, a coach and Josh, a college student — easier for both of them. “With both of us being Hill alumni, we had a lot of things in common right away,” Patrick explained. “We developed a very good relationship this past year. Off the court, we would joke about which of us had the better (MAPL Championship) team at Hill, and Josh felt comfortable approaching me about any problems he was having. On the court, Josh is incredibly coachable — he is a great listener and one of the hardest working players on the team. I really enjoyed coaching him.” Josh had a good freshman season, starting 20 of the team’s 26 games. From day one, Josh says he felt comfortable working with Patrick. “Working with Coach Lee has greatly contributed to my successful first year at Stonehill, on-and-off the court,” Josh said. “Whether we were arguing about who had the better Hill team or going over what classes I should take, he has been a familiar face that I have been able to relate to in a new environment.” Z
Please visit www.thehill.org/scoresandschedules for full coverage of games and complete fall season results.
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ATHLETICS
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3 1) Pat was a lead member of Stonehill’s senior class at Stonehill that graduated with a program-best four year record of 92-31, four straight NCAA Tournament bids, and a pair of NE-10 championships. He was named the Northeast-10 Defensive Player of the Year. 2) Josh Heyliger ’12 was a stand-out on the court at Hill, celebrating more than 1,000 career points. During his first season at Stonehill, Josh secured 132 points for the Skyhawks. 3) Patrick Lee ’08, assistant head coach for the Stonehill College men’s basketball program.
Save the Date: November 8-9 Hill vs. Lawrenceville Weekend 2013 On Friday, November 8, The Hill will host the Seventh Annual Alumni Red Meat Dinner featuring the Class of 2013 Athletics Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. The time and on-campus location will be publicized on the website when confirmed. The Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2013 was announced at the alumni luncheon during Reunion Weekend in June. This year’s induction class includes: Dick Hebard ’33 P’72 (Athlete); John Hyatt ’70 (Athlete); Dave Scanlon ’67 P’01, ’03 (Athlete); Stan Ward (Extraordinary Sports Achievement); and the 1958 wrestling team.
Visit the Hall of Fame webpage at www.thehill.org/halloffame to read full biographies for each inductee.
The 2013 Hill vs. Lawrenceville athletics contests will be at Lawrenceville on Saturday, November 9.
If you wish to register for the event, please visit alumni.thehill.org and click on the Events tab.
The Advancement Office will be setting up a hospitality tent for Hill guests again this year. If you are interested in assisting at the tent in any way, please contact Director of Alumni Relations Bill Robertson ’92 (brobertson@thehill. org or 610-705-1284), or Director of Parent Programs Lynda Hamilton-Kirk (lhamilton-kirk@thehill.org or 610-705-1146).
Above: Teams face off during the 2012 historic game.
TH E H IL L SCH OOL
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W E H AV E S O M U C H TO C E L E B R AT E ! oin u We hope you can j
s for these milestone campus events this yea
r!
November 8, 2013 The 7th Annual Red Meat Dinner featuring The 2013 Athletics Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony January 18, 2014 Alumni Winter Games Day April 5, 2014 William West Hauser ‘81 Track Dedication Harry L. Price Field Dedication April 10-11, 2014 Sixth Form Leadership Award Presentation 4th Annual Leadership & Career Summit May 23-24, 2014 Commencement Weekend June 6-8, 2014 Reunion Weekend
Please visit us at www.thehill.org.
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