Also Inside:
Honoring Fred Fayen | 2008 Letter-in-Life Award Reunion Weekend | Hall of Fame Inductees | Faculty Awards Class of 2008 Commencement summer/FALL 2008
Thank you! The 2008 Annual Fund
came to a close on June 30th with more than 2,600 generous donors supporting Pingry and helping us reach our goal of $2.2 million.
Thank you
for your commitment as Pingry continues to enrich the lives of our students and alumni by
affording opportunities
that make the Pingry experience unique. Thanks to your support, we are proud to continue the tradition of excellence established by Dr. John F. Pingry in 1861.
PINGRY THE PINGRY REVIEW
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11 Global and Community Outreach
Study Tour To China
Headmaster Nat Conard and six faculty members traveled to China in March 2008 to explore curriculum ideas. Carolyn Gibson, assistant director of the Lower School, details the trip in this issue’s cover story. On the cover:
Faculty members Eileen Hymas, Carolyn Gibson, Alice Brown, Trish Lowery, John Crowley-Delman ’97, and Chris Irish, and Headmaster Nat Conard on the Great Wall.
Students and faculty are constantly involved in giving back to their communities and expanding their knowledge of the world, including Pingry’s collaborations with New Jersey SEEDS and American Field Service (AFS).
26 Class of 2008 Commencement
A photo essay including student speakers and award recipients.
28 Fred Fayen Retires
Reflections on Mr. Fayen’s 45 years of teaching, advising, and coaching at Pingry.
46 Letter-in-Life
Awarded to Bruce Jacobsen ’78, founder of Kinetic Books.
47 Reunion Weekend
A photo essay documenting the alumni who returned for two days of activities.
3 5 26 40 44
From the Headmaster From the Chair School News Scene Around Campus Alumni News
66 67 72 76 77
Ask the Archivist Class Notes In Memoriam Dictum Ultimum Alumni Calendar
Board of Trustees, 2007-2008 Victoria Brooks Chair
Administration, 2007-2008 Nathaniel E. Conard Headmaster
John B. Brescher, Jr. ’65 Vice Chair
Theodore M. Corvino, Sr. Assistant Headmaster-Short Hills Lower School Director
Edward S. Atwater IV ’63 Treasurer
Jonathan D. Leef Assistant Headmaster-Martinsville Upper School Director
Harold W. Borden ’62 Secretary
John W. Pratt Chief Financial Officer
Alice F. Rooke Assistant Secretary
what’s new on our web site
news
www.pingry.org/about/news.html
See photo slideshows from the Class of 2008 Commencement and Lower School’s Moving Up Day. Be sure to visit often during the 2008-2009 school year to keep up-to-date with what’s happening at Pingry.
calendar
www.pingry.org/about/calendar.html
Find all the latest 2008-2009 calendar events, cancellations, and reschedulings.
alumni
www.pingry.org/alumni/
We’ve improved our Email Directory to reflect the most current addresses that Pingry has on file. Keep your classmates and friends informed by submitting a Class Note. Find this issue, as well as back issues, of The Review available as PDFs on the Alumni in the News page. We’re posting photos in the Photo Gallery from Reunion 2008 and will have important news about Reunion 2009.
parents
www.pingry.org/about/parentnews.html
Visit Monthly Notices for Parents for the latest letters and announcements concerning your child.
Cynthia Cuffie-Jackson Anne DeLaney ’79 Jeffrey N. Edwards ’78 Miriam T. Esteve E. Lori Halivopoulos ’78 John W. Holman III ’79 Megan Kellogg Martin B. O’Connor II ’77 Terence M. O’Toole Deryck A. Palmer Dan C. Roberts Barbara Leslie Saypol Ian S. Shrank ’71 Julie A. Silbermann Park B. Smith ’50 Henry G. Stifel III ’83 Geraldine I. Vitale Audrey M. Wilf Barry L. Zubrow Honorary Trustees David M. Baldwin ’47 Fred Bartenstein, Jr. William S. Beinecke ’31 John P. Bent, Jr. William M. Bristol III ’39 William V. Engel ’67 John W. Holman, Jr. ’55 Henry H. Hoyt, Jr. ’45 Warren S. Kimber, Jr. ’52 Stephan F. Newhouse ’65 Norman B. Tomlinson, Jr. ’44 F. Helmut Weymar ’54 John C. Whitehead Life Trustee Robert B. Gibby ’31*
*
deceased
Reena Kamins Director of Admission Philip S. Cox Middle School Director Lydia B. Geacintov Director of Studies Melanie P. Hoffmann Director of Development Gerry Vanasse Director of Athletics Quoc Vo Director of Information Technology Office of Alumni Relations Jacqueline Sullivan Director of Alumni and Parent Relations Miller Bugliari ’52 Special Assistant to the Headmaster Kristen Tinson Assistant Director of Alumni Relations Pingry Alumni Association, 2007-2008 E. Lori Halivopoulos ’78 President Sean W. O’Donnell ’75 Vice President Sam Partridge ’92 Vice President Norbert Weldon ’91 Vice President John L. Geddes ’62 Treasurer John Campbell III ’86 Secretary Terms Expiring in 2008 Todd Burrows ’90 David Freinberg ’74 John Geddes ’62 Stewart Lavey ’63* Cathleen Lazor ’88 H. David Rogers ’61 Kevin Schmidt ’98 Tracy S. Klingeman Stalzer ’84 Amy Warner ’78 Susan Barba Welch ’77
Terms Expiring in 2009 Albert Bauer ’45 Bradford Bonner ’93 John Campbell III ’86 Rebecca Frost ’94 Jane Hoffman ’94 Genesia Perlmutter Kamen ’79 Robert Kirkland ’48 Conor Mullet ’84 Samuel Partridge ’92 Mary Sarro-Waite ’01 William J. Silbey ’77 Gordon Sulcer ’61 Katrina Welch ’06 Norbert Weldon ’91 Terms Expiring in 2010 Mark Bigos ’79 Anthony Bowes ’96 Kyle Coleman ’80 Lisa Fraites-Dworkin ’81 Jonathan Gibson ’88 E. Lori Halivopoulos ’78 Robert Hough ’77 Peter Korn, Jr. ’89 Stuart Lederman ’78 Guy Leedom ’54 Steven Lipper ’79 William Mennen ’85 Sean O’Donnell ’75 Ronald Rice, Jr. ’86 Jonathan Robustelli ’90 Sandra Salter ’93 Jonathan Shelby ’74 Alison Zoellner ’83 Honorary Directors Rob Hall ’54 Henry Kreh ’44 Editorial Staff Greg Waxberg ’96, Editor Communications Writer Melanie Hoffmann Director of Development Barbara J. Reef Director of Strategic Communications Darren Greninger Communications Associate Design and Layout Ruby Window Creative Group, Inc. www.rubywindow.com Art Direction James S. Bratek Web Manager and Graphic Designer Photography Bruce Morrison ’64 Bill Storer Debbie Weisman
PINGRY THE PINGRY REVIEW
The Pingry Review is the official magazine of The Pingry School, with the primary purpose of disseminating alumni, school, faculty, and staff news and information. Comments can be sent to the editor at The Pingry School, Martinsville Road, P.O. Box 366, Martinsville, NJ 08836 or gwaxberg@pingry.org.
A Letter from the Headmaster We looked for curricular ideas, programs, and projects to bring back or develop. We also explored possibilities for partnerships of various kinds with the schools that we visited, and the trip proved educational and inspiring for all of us. Carolyn Gibson, assistant director of the Lower School, describes the trip and our group’s experiences in this issue’s cover story. Our visit was part of a larger mission—Pingry’s strategic goal of seeking global connections and extending education beyond the borders of the Martinsville and Short Hills Campuses. That idea of global connections is the theme of this issue of The Pingry Review, which explores our students’ and faculty members’ commitment to community and global outreach.
Dear Members of the Pingry Community,
In Alumni News, we profile the late Dr. Robert H. LeBow ’58. An author and public speaker, he spent his career advocating for health care reform around the world. To honor his legacy, members of the Class of 1958 established the annual Robert H. LeBow Oratorical Competition at Pingry. On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of his class’s graduation, his wife and classmates reflect on his life and career. The Alumni section also has many photos from Reunion Weekend, one of our most popular annual events. I am looking forward to welcoming you back to the Pingry campuses when the new school year starts in September. Sincerely,
Nathaniel E. Conard
3 summer /fall 2008
Usually on this page, you see me somewhere on the Pingry campus. For this photograph taken in March 2008, Terra Cotta Warriors in China are the backdrop. During Spring Break, I joined six Pingry faculty members, two representatives from the program Facing History and Ourselves, five faculty members from the Riverdale Country School, and a group leader from the China Institute for a 10-day study tour to China. The trip was made possible by a Lower School parent who believes, as we do, that the relationship between China and the United States is critical for the future.
This past January, faculty member Fred Fayen decided to retire at the conclusion of the 2007-2008 school year. Fred joined the faculty in 1963, and he has taught history and English, advised students during the college application process, coached, and directed the Guidance program, among other important contributions to the school. Fred was honored several times this year, and I hope you enjoy reading the articles about his Pingry career, including an article about a new fund being established in his name. Few have ever served a school and its students more loyally, cheerfully, calmly, and effectively for as many years as Fred has given to the students of Pingry.
From the Editor
Noted Corrections
As a Pingry alumnus, I am delighted to have joined the Communications Department as a writer and photographer, covering events at both the Martinsville and Short Hills Campuses. Having attended Pingry for seven years, I am pleased to be involved with many aspects of the school’s communication initiatives. In this new position, I have assumed leadership of The Review, and this is my first issue overseeing the editorial process. One of my goals for the magazine is to include the Pingry community—students, faculty, staff, parents, alumni, and trustees—as much as possible in every issue. To help make this vision a reality, I encourage you to contact us if you have a story idea, if you would like to be a contributing writer for future issues, or if you would like to write a Letter to the Editor. The Review is for anyone with a connection to Pingry, and I want you to feel welcome to participate in the creative process. Photo essays are a new feature presented in this issue. To capture the numerous events happening yearround at both campuses, we are letting photographs do more of the talking. We hope you enjoy seeing more of the special moments.
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Now, please explore Pingry’s involvement in global and community outreach, and I am looking forward to sharing more of the Pingry experience in future issues.
the pingry review
Sincerely,
Greg Waxberg ’96 Communications Writer
Please note the following corrections from our Winter 2008 issue: In the obituary about Andrew H. Campbell ’49 on page 54, the survivors include his son Drew Campbell ’81. The article about Bud Ackley ’26 on page 34 lists Emory ’60 and Wes ’64 as his sons who attended Pingry, but we divided Wes (Emory Westlake Ackley ’60) into two people. Wes Ackley ’60 and George Davison Ackley ’64 are the sons who attended Pingry. Upcoming issues: Fall 2008: Athletics. We would like to hear from you if you are a professional athlete or coach, or if you coach college athletics. Winter 2009: 25 years since the opening of the Martinsville Campus. We would like to hear from you if you are a member of the Class of 1984 or if you would like to share memories of moving to the new campus.
As this issue was going to press, we learned that Richard Weiler, a member of the Pingry faculty from 1954 to 1994, passed away on September 5. Mr. Weiler is featured in this issue as a 2008 inductee of Pingry’s Athletic Hall of Fame to recognize his accomplishments as a lacrosse and swimming coach. An obituary will appear in the next issue of The Pingry Review.
In the “Noted Corrections” on page 4, we referred to the article about the Kellogg family in the Winter/Spring 2007 issue, but we neglected the full correction. The sequence should read “great-great-great-great-grandfather” with a hyphen between “great” and “grandfather” to indicate the relationship. In the Spring Sports 2007 section on page 27, the baseball team’s record was 11-10, not 12-15. In a caption for Class Notes on page 51, Elizabeth Roberts is listed as graduating in 2008, but she is a member of the Class of 2009. Because of an editing error, the article about the founding of The Buttondowns on page 17 incorrectly states that Brett Boocock’s wife Betsy suggested the group’s name. It was Mr. Boocock’s first wife Sarah who thought of the name.
A Message from the Chair Given my retirement this June as an active trustee, this is my final letter to you as Chair of the Board of Trustees. It has been an honor and a privilege to lead the Board on behalf of Pingry. Pingry strongly encourages community activity both locally and globally. As you will read in this issue, Pingry students, faculty, and alumni are constantly expanding their understanding of the community and the world through outlets such as these: • The Martinsville and Short Hills Campuses have extensive community service programs. • Teachers use field trips to supplement the classroom experience. • Our students are pen pals with students overseas.
Randfontein Municipality of South Africa, who shared her story of resisting apartheid. Also in this issue, we honor teacher, coach, and college counselor Fred Fayen, who has retired after a 45-year career at Pingry. According to the popular saying, Mr. Fayen wore “numerous hats” after he joined the faculty in 1963, and we will miss his presence in the classroom. We wish him well. Sincerely,
Vicki Brooks PP ’02, ’04 Trustee
A Tribute to Vicki Brooks
• The school has, for many years, participated with American Field Service (AFS) to ensure that students who are interested in going overseas have the opportunity to immerse themselves in new cultures. • Thanks to a few of our students, we hosted a two-day visit this past February by the Speaker of the Joining Headmaster Nat Conard and Park B. Smith ’50 at the dedication of The Carol and Park B. Smith ’50 Middle School in November 2006
5 summer /fall 2008
Addressing the faculty and student body during Convocation in September 2007
Receiving The Cyril and Beatrice Baldwin Pingry Family Citizen of the Year Award from Headmaster Nat Conard during Commencement in June 2008
[ global/community outreach ] faculty members immerse themselves in
the wonders
of china
6 the pingry review
During March break in 2008, Headmaster Nat Conard and six faculty members were privileged to tour historic sites and key schools in China for 10 days. Library Director Eileen Hymas, Upper School history teacher John Crowley-Delman ’97, Middle School science teacher Trish Lowery, Middle School history teacher Alice Brown, Lower School math specialist Chris Irish, and I were selected to participate in this golden opportunity after submitting answers to a series of questions posed by the Pingry administration to elicit our educational aims. By Carolyn Gibson Assistant Director of the Lower School Photo Inset: Eileen Hymas, left, and John Crowley-Delman ’97, right, with college students from Shaanxi Normal School who were tour guides in Xi’an.
7 summer /fall 2008
[ global/community outreach ] Lawrence from the China Institute, the New York City-based organization whose mission since 1926 has been to foster understanding and curriculum development about China. We expected to board a plane filled with Chinese passengers, but, in a clear globalization lesson, the aircraft was pulsing with young Latin American business students singing Spanish pop songs in the aisles. I felt a sensation of tilt, a shift in tectonic plates toward a new center of the world.
Mrs. Ming Liu, Stephanie Chen, Mr. Guo Qing Chen, Headmaster Nat Conard, John Crowley-Delman ’97, Trish Lowery, Alice Brown, Eileen Hymas, Chris Irish, and Carolyn Gibson
The Pingry China Tour was generously sponsored by Shirley and Walter Wang, former Pingry parents whose three children had attended the Short Hills Campus before the family moved to California this past year. The goal of the trip was to provide some firsthand knowledge of both ancient and modern China, beyond western news reporting, in the hope that we could provide enriched curricular offerings to our students and establish possible exchange opportunities. 8 the pingry review
We gathered in the morning at Newark Airport, excited, and a little shy, dressed in our various interpretations of comfortable clothes for a 13-hour flight to Beijing. For us, mostly middle-aged schoolteachers and administrators (with a welcome sprinkle of young educators) from Pingry and the Riverdale Country School in New York City, it was the ultimate field trip, a journey to the other side of the world. At the airport we surrendered our passports and customary authority to our knowledgeable tour leader Kevin
Kevin Lawrence alerted us to be prepared to see incredible growth and construction throughout the trip, yet I was still blown away by the vast tracts in every city we visited of new buildings, cranes, and construction sites. As China continues to embrace and prosper in its relatively new-found capitalist fortunes, this physical growth will continue to both house and mirror the growth in human capital and economic development. And yet these buildings also speak to the toils of the oft-marginalized migrant workers and exponential increase in resource consumption. One memory comes to mind. Our first evening we watched the sun set over Beijing; the Forbidden City in the foreground, a row of cranes in the distance. Even then, I could not help but be struck by the cranes as symbols of China’s future: uncertain, yet promising. alice brown
At the Beijing Capital International Airport, the convergence of nations continued as we surged to the lines for customs; my first impression was of a swept-clean expanse of public space. Uniformed women scurried forward and mopped any disruption of the sanitized image. Our band of wayfarers huddled together, a little disconcerted by the calligraphic signs, the lack of any starting point with the language, no handy Latinate cognates. We inched up to the windows marked “FOREIGNERS” and were checked through by smiling officials. I was amused by the row of buttons on each booth to register quality of service—my introduction to a city that was anxious to be judged friendly and competent in this Olympic year. We were pleasantly surprised to see a welcome sign held by employees of the Chen family, the parents of Stephanie Chen from Pingry’s Form I. Later in the trip, they hosted us at a fabulous banquet in the Emperor’s Summer Palace; the juxtaposition of such an exotic setting and Stephanie conversing with us in her Pingry-blue sweatshirt was typical of the dramatic contrasts of this land. Beijing was a startling place. From a viewing pavilion restored with vivid colors and gilded paint, we stood in the dry wind from the Gobi Desert and looked out over the imperial majesty of the Forbidden City. The tiled roofs were golden in the setting sun like sails adrift in a timeless history, and
My favorite city was Xi’an. I enjoyed our time with Education Majors from Shaanxi Normal University campus. They escorted us to the city wall, a Muslim bazaar, and a tour of a mosque. The tour around the top of the old city wall was fascinating. I was intrigued by the vast number of apartments that had solar water heaters on their roofs. I was impressed by the environmental awareness of the people I spoke to. The ideas of cleaning the environment and saving energy were part of a number of discussions that made it clear to me that there was a general sense of the need for change. I was also surprised by the lack of paper products. Many times during our meals, napkins would appear, but typically they were halved or even quartered. I certainly come back to the U.S. with a much clearer sense of how very wasteful we are. trish lowery the skyline of a modern city formed a thrusting concrete and steel landscape behind the cloistered hush. The next day, we walked to the vast sweep
On the fourth day, we began our school visits at the Yucai School, a handsome high school with a proud history and an affiliated international school. We were struck by the strangeness of the large classes and the familiarity of teenaged students moving about with scholarly purpose and a sense of entitlement. As in many of the high schools we visited, the principal sounded the refrain that China’s “one child” policy had created a school population that is “somewhat spoiled” and lacks interest in community service because the students are so focused on getting into prestigious universities as an entry point for lucrative careers! Next, we visited the Dandelion
Shirley Wang
The trip to China was sponsored by Shirley and Walter Wang, philanthropists based in California with multiple connections to Pingry: their three children— Walter, Chantalle, and Matthew— attended the Lower School during the 2005-2006 and 2006-2007 school years; their niece Lena Young graduated from Pingry in 2006; their nephew David is a member of the Class of 2008; and their nephew Andrew will be a sophomore at Pingry this fall. Shirley serves on the boards of the China Institute and Facing History and Ourselves, a professional development organization for teachers. “The U.S.-China relationship is critical for the future. If we’re going to teach our future generations, it’s best that we teach our teachers first. You can talk about China, you can read about China, but seeing is believing. For people to understand each other is to see each other and know each other, rather than just talk about each other,” Shirley says. “If Pingry is going to make leaders of the world, then these leaders need to know about the world.” The Pingry School is indebted to Shirley and Walter for their generosity and vision that enabled seven members of the school community to experience China this spring.
9 summer /fall 2008
Nighttime view of Shanghai
of Tiananmen Square with its imposing Soviet-style buildings and huge posters of Mao. We witnessed the raising of the red flag in the gray dawn surrounded by domestic tourists from all corners of China snapping pictures on their cell phones while sober-faced soldiers choreographed the clustering of the crowd. That same day, we climbed on the Great Wall at Mutianyu and felt stupefied by the power of a culture that could have created such an outsized “dragon” snaking across the rims of distant hills.
[ global/community outreach ] School, the first middle school for the children of migrant workers—a desperately poor “floating population” of children from far-flung rural provinces living in the cities where their parents provide the labor for China’s rapid rise. When the young teachers in jeans asked us for pedagogical advice, we bowed our heads in admiration of their commitment and resourcefulness; they were already employing enlightened teaching methods (including Howard Gardner’s Theory of Multiple Intelligences) to help these transplanted kids bloom. We traded English sentences with the eager children for an hour; they had been practicing the future tense (“I will be . . . an astronaut.”) and, for the first time in their lives, they have a future. We were on our way to Xi’an with its ancient wonders and contemporary schools. We were charmed by the wide smiles and investigatory methods for teaching math in a
10 the pingry review Terra Cotta Warriors
fourth-grade class at the Fuxiao Primary School. Guided by personable young teachers in training from the Shaanxi Normal School, we visited a Muslim mosque and bazaar which challenged our notion of China as one culture. The next day, we gazed silently at the thousands of terra cotta warriors with their arresting individualized faces marching out of the earth to protect an emperor in the afterlife and signify his power in this world—relics on an imperial scale unimaginable to visitors from an upstart American culture. Shanghai beckoned with its futuristic architecture and rickety pedicabs, and we spent the last leg of our trip on a whirlwind tour of a city that dwarfs the Big Apple. We enjoyed a rushed excursion to Suzhou with its narrow canals, and we visited high schools that spanned the ages. Suzhou Provincial High School was established as a Confucian Academy 1,000 years ago, but it has a pristine
extension campus that rivals the gleam of Pingry’s new Middle School. At the last of many dinners, one of our educator hosts quoted an apt Chinese saying, “Every banquet has an ending.” For 10 days, images had spun past us of a storied land of contradictions—a country concerned not only with with the massive redirection of water, desert sand, migrant workers, and Shanghai traffic, but also with the preservation of ancient core values; a country striving to conserve the environment in the face of runaway growth, a culture of candid people and television screens that went blank to censor disturbing glimpses of Tibetan monks. We shared a singular feast and will savor our memories. In the darkness of the plane cabin, we sat quietly and watched the tiny graphic aircraft on the glowing monitor turn sharply and head for home, arcing over the ridges of mountains with names we struggled to pronounce.
Martinsville Campus Community Service, Then and Now By Upper School faculty member and Community Service Coordinator Shelley Hartz
joined him on a Saturday near the Hillside Campus to participate. Since that time, Community Service and Pingry have always worked well together. What began as a club blossomed into a strong community commitment by administration, faculty, and students. The Community Service program is an integral part of both the school’s curriculum and its educational philosophy, and its goals are to help students develop character and integrity and build self-confidence. As a result, this program benefits both the volunteers as well as the many community recipients.
Middle and Upper School students and faculty sort food at the Food Bank in Hillside on Rufus Gunther Day
According to Vicki Grant, Upper School English teacher and former Head of Community Service, the objective of having a community service requirement was “. . . to make Community Service a part of each student’s education in order to create more involved citizens of the world.”
One of the school’s first community service events took place in 1970 to observe Earth Day. Miller Bugliari ’52, head of the science department at the time, thought of the idea that students who were interested in the environment could help clean up the Elizabeth River; almost 200 students
11 summer /fall 2008
About 20 years ago, Pingry’s French teacher Phyllis Dayer started Community Service as a club. Donna Stone, former English teacher and Head of Forms III and IV, formalized the club into a Community Service organization with faculty involvement, requiring a 10-hour student commitment. Every Pingry Middle School and Upper School student is required to complete this minimum amount of service by the end of May. A student can complete his or her requirement doing summer volunteer work and may serve a maximum of three hours at Pingry. The program provides Pingry students with opportunities to share their time and talents with the larger community.
Our students understand the responsibility of giving back to the larger community, and I am proud of Pingry’s dedication to community service and our longterm involvement with a variety of different organizations. These organizations include the Matheny Medical and Educational Center, a special hospital in Peapack for children and adults with developmental
Community Service Coordinator Shelley Hartz helps students load the BRIDGES truck in May 2008
[ global/community outreach ] disabilities; ECLC in Chatham; Rock Brook School in Skillman for communication-impaired and disabled children; BRIDGES Outreach, Inc., which delivers food and clothing to the homeless in New York; Special Olympics; Kids for Cancer Research Fund; The John Taylor Babbitt (JTB) Foundation; Lift for Learning, which helps families who need food at Thanksgiving and clothing and toys at Christmas; and The Community Food Bank of New Jersey in Hillside. Pingry also brings community service home. The Intergenerational Prom is a favorite event for senior citizens in our area and our students, who act as hosts for the evening— while our Cabaret evening program, another community service event, spotlights our musically-talented students and, at the same time, raises money for a designated charitable organization.
12 the pingry review
The annual Rufus Gunther Day celebration involves the entire Martinsville Campus in a day designated for community service. Students have a myriad of opportunities: sorting food at the food bank, folding origami cranes for families battling cancer, making fleece blankets for children with a lifethreatening illness, preparing mailings, and cleaning up the cemetery of Lamington Presbyterian Church in Bedminster. Whatever the need, the entire school volunteers their time and efforts. Many of our students volunteer with organizations with which they have a personal connection while others work with organizations that span the globe. In each case, students are committed to volunteer service, and their commitment can help change a life, a family, a neighborhood, a community, a country— and even the world.
Short Hills Campus Community Service: Placing the Focus on Hands-On Projects By faculty member and Community Service Coordinator Cathleen Everett
Kindergarten student Kazi Holston with his Humane Hero Award certificate from St. Hubert’s Animal Welfare Center
The Short Hills Campus abounds with many blessings: the laughter of happy children eager to begin their day, classrooms filled with inquisitive minds, hallways decorated with art that only a child’s vision could create, the inexhaustible energy of students on athletic fields, the strains of music from a chorus or an orchestra, a campus of incomparable beauty, teachers who forge bonds with students that last a lifetime, and so much more. With all of these blessings, it is essential that our young children realize the importance of creating a meaningful community within the school and reaching beyond this community to make a difference. By connecting to the world at large, they will learn from others and enrich their own lives. Engaging in hands-on community service projects is a priority of the Short Hills Campus. With this in mind, the campus initiated a buddy system that pairs older children with younger students. Buddy classes engage in activities throughout the year to foster friendships and a deeper sense of
community. Buddies also help each other with various community service projects. Younger children are often seen in the hallways waving to their newly-found older friends and looking forward to their next gathering. The Kindergarten classes put pizzazz into their community service projects. They make dog biscuits in the classroom to be given to their furry friends at St. Hubert’s Animal Welfare Center in Madison where they learn how to care for animals. The children were given the Humane Hero Award for their efforts in supporting St. Hubert’s mission to alleviate the suffering and neglect of companion animals. The Kindergarteners also put their hearts and souls into the making of valentines and the practicing of songs for the residents of King James Care Center in Chatham. Just to hear their innocent voices must give happiness and comfort to all of those who listen. As part of Pingry’s curriculum on communities, the first-grade students deliver snacks daily to the entire
school; they become familiar faces to all of us. They vary their other projects from year to year. The second-grade students have had a close relationship over the years with Jersey Battered Women’s Service (JBWS) in Morris Plains and have centered their projects around Women in History Month. They also decorate holiday wreaths with toys and candy for those at Children’s Specialized Hospital in Mountainside, write letters to the children at the St. Jude Ranch in Arizona, and annually sort and cut over 1,000 holiday cards used for arts and crafts classes at the ranch. The third-grade students have had an ongoing and special connection with Children’s Specialized Hospital for many years. Their projects center around the needs of these truly special children. And, of course, there is the legendary Mitten Tree. Students have been decorating trees for 21 years with mittens, scarves, and hats, and donating them to the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota, Lift for Learning in Elizabeth, and Children and Family Services in Elizabeth.
Kindergarten students Tyler McLaughlin, Leah Edwards, and Dominic Mendelsohn make dog biscuits for St. Hubert’s Animal Welfare Center
These journal entries were written by fourth-grade students after they visited Harmony House. “Harmony House was a fantastic experience. It will live with me for the rest of my life. The mural on the wall at Harmony House told a story. The mural had the words love, peace, hope, and harmony at the top. The words told me that even if you are having a hard time or your family is going through problems, remember to always have love, peace, hope, and harmony in your heart. That’s what these kids were going through. If we have love, peace, hope, and harmony, this should help us along the way, especially going down that bumpy, rough road that everyone goes down once in a while. The girl I met at Harmony House looked just like an old friend, an old friend named Eudora, the kind of friend you need to give you a jumpstart when you’re feeling blue. Laughter, happiness, joy, and loving smiles were the reaction on these cheerful kids’ faces when we walked in the door. It was a great honoring moment for me.” – Ursula Dedekind same everywhere. They also realize that, sometimes by happenstance, others do not have as many advantages. Fourth-grade students also organize Box Tops for Education by decorating collection containers for each homeroom and keeping a tally for the entire school. They cheer us on because they know that each box top will make a difference to the Midland School, which serves 245 developmentallydisabled students. Another long-term relationship is with BRIDGES Outreach, Inc. Each year, the fifth-grade students pack and decorate over 180 bags for individual suppers—they make sandwiches and place fruit, chips, dessert, and a beverage in every bag. A very important part is their handwritten note of
Have you ever had a poem of thanks written to you by a poet laureate? Well, the K-5 string members have. After performing at Ridge Oak Senior Housing in Basking Ridge, the former poet laureate of Bernards Township did just that. K-5 students annually create holiday paintings, valentines, and drawings for veterans in VA hospitals in East Orange and Basking Ridge and residents of 15 senior citizen homes. This year marked the 15th year of the “Sharing Halloween with Others” project; students donate some of their Halloween candy to be given to food banks and soup kitchens. They sort
Fourth-grade students Harry Woods, Spencer Spellman, and John Lima visit with children at Harmony House
13 summer /fall 2008
The fourth-grade visit to Harmony House in Newark is a favorite annual event. Harmony House is a transitional housing facility for families in need in Newark. The students collect children’s winter gear to be brought there, but the fun is in the making of new friends—they gather with the children of Harmony House in their play room to chat, snack, and play games. This experience opens their eyes to a whole new world by making the students realize that children are the
Harmony House Revelations
encouragement. One student wrote, “It means a great deal for me to make this sandwich for you during these rough times. I hope it fills your stomach and makes you realize that you have a friend who cares.” One homeless woman actually saved all of her notes from those who reached out to her. They are her prized possessions, and our students view a copy of her notebook each year. The Short Hills Campus joined the Martinsville Campus in the “Fill the Truck” project for BRIDGES. The fifth-grade community service theme is Hunger. The students launched their annual Bake Sale for Hunger to purchase food certificates for Millburn residents who are referred to the Red Cross. The students also decorated lunch bags and wrote notes to those who participate in the Summit Helps Its People (SHIP) program in Summit.
[ global/community outreach ] and pack over 25 shopping bags of candy each year. October’s “Think Pink Day for Susan G. Komen for the Cure” finds the campus ablaze in pink as K-5 students wear that color and raise awareness for breast cancer. The Student Council was very excited about the launching of an annual Community Service Assembly, which they conducted. Each grade had the opportunity to share their favorite community service projects with the entire K-5 campus.
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The men and women who serve our country have never been far from our students’ hearts and minds. Each year, many of the students write and decorate letters to soldiers with close connections to Pingry. In fact, one year, the second-grade students were made honorary members of the 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment by Commanding Officer Patrick Donahue. He thanked them for their kindness. This year, the fifth-grade students wrote heartfelt letters to Captain Larry Obst ’97 and his company of 80 soldiers in Iraq. The students knew that he had walked the halls of our campus as a child—Larry attended Pingry from Grade 2 at the Short Hills Campus through Form IV at the Martinsville Campus. Larry returned home safely in January of this year. The students also provided toiletry supplies for 50 soldiers returning to Fort Hood, Texas. There are currently 12 soldiers from Summit who are deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan, and it means so much to them to hear from children at home. In conjunction with hands-on activities, students and their families have been very creative—collecting slightly-used items that can make all the difference to others. Cell phones have been donated to shelters for battered women. Empty ink cartridges raise funds for FOP. Eyeglasses go to New Eyes for the Needy. Hotel toiletries and gently-used clothing are distributed to shelters. Athletic equipment provides tons of fun at Happiness Is
The Suzuki Strings, students in Kindergarten through Grade 5, perform at Ridge Oak Senior Housing
Camping, a free camp for children with cancer. Two of our students volunteer at the camp with their mother who is a nurse. This is just a sampling of how students make a difference to improve communities and the lives of those in need.
Harmony House Revelations “This project fit in to our school’s Honor Code because the Code says not to be selfish and to help people who do not have all the great things we have. Now I know that I should never complain about my life.” – Caroline Terens “I connected the trip to Harmony House with a program I participate in at my church which also involves the homeless. Both programs are trying to help people in need to get through a difficult stage in their lives. Both programs give care, love, and shelter. This trip is important for Pingry students because it shows their appreciation and feelings for everyone.” – Ben Shepard “At Harmony House I met a girl named Shanay. Shanay reminded me of my sister because she was older and just as nice. They look alike and are both freespirited. They don’t go with the flow. They make their own flow. Harmony House was a wondrous place to visit, and I hope I can return again some day.” – Jackson Artis
Students and their families also help others by initiating Dress Down Days. Each day tells the story of a child’s personal involvement with an organization that helps others. The Pingry School philosophy is the basis for all community service. It states: “We want our students to know themselves, to respect themselves, and to develop their individual strengths while having a strong sense of personal ethics, personal morality, and social responsibility. Further, we want them to be aware of the needs of others, of the place of personal courtesy, and of the importance of mutual respect. Woven through all of Pingry’s endeavors is the objective of developing character. The school seeks to teach students respect for the rights of others, an appreciation of traditional values and cultural differences, the ability to work with others, and a sense of social responsibility.” As part of the human community, Pingry students discover that each person has unique gifts of the spirit which are to be respected and that we must share with and learn from one another. We are all on this journey together. Some school lessons fade with time, but the lessons learned from reaching out to, touching, and being touched by the lives of others will last a lifetime. Pingry students can make a difference in the world, one step at a time. Here at the Short Hills Campus, this is our endeavor.
Pingry Helps NJ SEEDS Prepare Students for Private School
As part of Pingry’s community outreach, the school partners with New Jersey SEEDS—Scholars, Educators, Excellence, Dedication, Success—a statewide, non-profit organization that provides students from lower economic backgrounds with academic preparation for independent day and boarding schools and, in turn, enables these schools to enroll qualified students from diverse backgrounds. Former Pingry Headmaster John Hanly was one of three key founders of SEEDS in 1992, and Honorary Trustee Bill Engel ’67 has been an active member of the SEEDS Board from the start. Pingry, one of the original four “site” schools, offers its campus for the SEEDS preparatory programs in the summer and on Saturdays during the school year.
He set up a meeting at Pingry with heads of schools and admissions personnel. After the meeting, they established a committee to draw up plans for the organization, and they presented the guidelines to the New Jersey Association of Independent Schools. Two of the major obstacles were transportation (not an issue in New York because of subways and buses) and how to recruit students. As a result, SEEDS provides bus service; high school guidance counselors and local community groups, including churches, synagogues, and the YMCA, assist with recruiting. To be eligible for SEEDS, the income cap is $59,000 for a family of four, with a $5,000 increase for each additional family member; SEEDS helps to negotiate the financial aid packages which the schools provide for these worthy scholars. The SEEDS Scholars Program lasts 14 months and spans three phases. The first takes place during the summer after Grade 7 and involves 200 students, 100 of whom are invited
Toreyan Clarke, Jr. ’07 Mrs. Wolfson’s “Economics: Principles & Issues” course was a fundamental part of my junior year at Pingry because it was my first authentic experience with a business venture. A major part of our final grade in the course was the class project, and it was expected to be unique and wellexecuted. In a class with about six other juniors and seniors, we first came up with the company name “Sacrébleu,” meaning ‘sacred blue,’ a name I proposed after hearing the word in French class the day before. Our product was a royal blue Nalgene with the school insignia and “Pingry Pride” imprinted on opposite sides in white lettering. We developed a business plan based on the principles we learned throughout the semester, received approval and a loan to jumpstart our project, and began advertising our new product throughout the Pingry community. We were successful with the execution of our business plan and we donated all of our proceeds to charity. The opportunity to be involved with such a project would probably have been inconceivable had I been in an environment other than at Pingry where the sky is the limit for its students. I will forever hold The Pingry School in the utmost esteem. Toreyan Clarke, Jr. was a Pingry Class of 2007 SEEDS Scholar. He is attending Colby College.
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Mr. Hanly’s idea for SEEDS was inspired by Prep for Prep, founded in New York City in 1978 by public school teacher Gary Simons. Mr. Hanly taught English at Prep for Prep on weekends and weekday evenings for about five years. Prep for Prep—based on the concept of preparing students for preparatory schools—identifies talented students of color, prepares them for placement in academically-demanding independent schools, and provides peer support. While Prep for Prep only accepts students of color, SEEDS is open to students from every racial and ethnic background.
“If kids of any background are to succeed at a school with a different program, you must prepare them thoroughly and rigorously. I realized that we had to do something similar in New Jersey because there was very little diversity at Pingry and [my] colleagues in New Jersey said the same [about their schools]. They wanted to get a more diverse student population, but weren’t sure how to go about it,” Mr. Hanly says.
back based on their commitment and academic performance. The second phase takes place on 20 Saturdays during Grade 8, when the students take academic courses, prepare for the Secondary School Admission Test (SSAT), and apply to secondary schools. The third phase takes place during the summer after Grade 8, when students spend five weeks at a boarding program hosted by the Lawrenceville School. The scholars then enter independent high school as freshmen.
[ global/community outreach ] SEEDS also has a program for younger students, the Young Scholars Program. Kooheli Chatterji ’93, Pingry Middle School Dean of Students and former dean of the SEEDS Pingry site, worked on establishing this program during her internship with SEEDS in 1995. She says the Young Scholars Program starts the transitional process even sooner than the SEEDS Scholars Program. “As successful as the [high school] program was, by the time students came into the SEEDS program at the end of Grade 7, there were already identifiable gaps academically, so, the earlier you can supplement the education they are getting in their public schools, the better,” Ms. Chatterji explains. The Young Scholars Program is open to Newark-area students; those students selected for the program receive academic enrichment during Grades 5 and 6 and enter independent schools in Grade 7. There are currently six Young Scholars attending Pingry.
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Since the program began, SEEDS has graduated 1,154 students from its preparatory programs. According to SEEDS Director of Placement and Alumni Relations Andy Hoge, 36 SEEDS alumni have graduated from Pingry as of the 2007-08 school year. That is the second-highest number of SEEDS alumni at any school. To put that number in context, SEEDS students are placed in 120 different schools in 20 states. Thirteen SEEDS students attended Pingry during the past year, two of whom graduated this spring. There are three SEEDS scholars entering as freshmen in September. The SEEDS program draws a racially-diverse group of students: 43 percent of the students are AfricanAmerican, 28 percent are Latino, 13 percent are Caucasian, 11 percent
Angela Ramirez ’08
Mr. Hoge says. SEEDS staff members meet with scholars in their schools on a regular basis as part of the SEEDS Alumni Program. Two current Pingry faculty members, History Department Chair Jim Murray and history teacher Phil Gratwick, have been working for the SEEDS Summer Program since 2004—Mr. Gratwick as a language arts teacher and Dr. Murray as the Site Dean, who runs the program. “It’s incredibly rewarding,” Mr. Gratwick says.
I could easily describe NJ SEEDS in two words: life-changing. As a Middle School student going through the program, I was challenged at a very high level of intensity. I was given homework every day and tested often on the advanced material being covered in class—all the while, I was expected to keep up with my schoolwork. Pingry blew away all my previous educational experiences, as I had never been in an environment where most people actually cared about school as much as I did. NJ SEEDS gave me hope, confidence, and the tools that would not have otherwise been provided to someone coming from a not-so-privileged background. I was not only able to set the highest goals for myself, but also was lucky enough to achieve every single one. I will be attending Yale University next year on a full scholarship, but, were it not for NJ SEEDS’s selfless dedication, my future after high school would look much different. Angela Ramirez was a Pingry Class of 2008 SEEDS Scholar. She will be attending Yale University in the fall.
are Asian, and 4 percent are from other backgrounds. Pingry has had SEEDS graduates from all of these backgrounds. “I think Pingry is doing an incredible job of building its socio-economic and racial diversity. That is where SEEDS and Pingry are marching along the same path,”
Dr. Murray points out that educating and supporting the parents is part of the process of preparing students for success. “One of our responsibilities is to meet with the parents once the program has begun and to support them as they meet its ongoing demands. These families are the living, walking embodiment of the ‘American Dream.’ Whether they are immigrants or whether they are African-American families who have been here for many generations, you want to do everything you can for these kids,” he says. Jamie McClintock, parent coordinator for SEEDS, is the mother of two SEEDS Scholars who enrolled at Pingry. Her son Jamil, who garnered media attention for Pingry because of his accomplishments in track and field, graduated from Pingry in 2004 and from Brown University this past June. He is currently in training to persue his dream of track and field at the 2012 Olympics. Her daughter Diamond will be a junior at Pingry this fall. Ms. McClintock’s main concern when her children enrolled at Pingry was how their family was going to fit in the community, but her fears were soon allayed. “Pingry has been such a welcoming and nurturing environment for my children,” she says. “They can be who they are and have been encouraged to bring their culture to the school. Pingry has found every possible way to help
and support us. We are all grateful and feel privileged to have such a wonderful and mutually beneficial relationship with Pingry.”
Diamond McClintock With the SEEDS program, I was able to learn math and writing skills at a very young age [that] I had not yet learned in my public school and, therefore, was ahead of my math class at school and was well-prepared for my future Pingry classes. SEEDS Young Scholar Diamond McClintock will be a junior during the 2008-2009 school year
Endowed Funds Bring SEEDS Scholars to Pingry
him as a potential donor to the scholarships. Mr. Scully is a strong supporter of education, including Princeton University and Stanford University, where he earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees. He feels strongly about funding the SEEDS scholarships at Pingry because he wants to help students of color. “When I was a student and, to my knowledge, as late as the time of my first gift in the late 1990s, Pingry was egregiously underrepresented in students of color and lacked the financial aid capacity of other schools of its caliber. [These funds make] the wonderful Pingry opportunity available to boys and girls of color—Pingry has a responsibility to the community to do this. I am committed to Pingry being open to those populations,” John says. Mr. Hanly thought of the idea to name the first fund after Neha, and Mr. Cissel’s influence inspired John to name the second fund after him. “I’m in the finance business, and Mr. Cissel was the advisor to our eighth-grade math club at Pingry.
One of the donors is John H. Scully ’62, Pingry’s Letter-in-Life recipient in 1999 and co-founder and a managing director of SPO Partners & Co., an investment firm in California. His financial commitment, combined with support from two other donors, established the Neha Pathak ’98 Fund, and he fully endowed the Edward Cissel ’39 Fund.
One of John’s other passions is the Making Waves Education Program, which he founded in 1989 with the late Rev. Eugene Farlough, an African-American minister in Richmond, Calif. Making Waves is a free eight-year after-school tutoring and teaching program in Richmond and San Francisco for students from low-income families and last September opened its first charter school, the first of four planned for the Bay Area. The first executive director thought of the title, based on the idea that what
John originally learned about Pingry’s collaboration with NJ SEEDS from former Headmaster John Hanly, who reached out to
We researched the stock market and bought a couple of stocks, which doubled. From that point on, I was quite certain that I’d end up in a career of finance. Mr. Cissel set that in motion. He was also a superb teacher,” John says.
“Our SEEDS Scholars have enriched the Pingry community in many ways. I am often struck by the scholars’ sincere appreciation for the educational opportunities which Pingry offers. It is quite sobering in an environment where much is taken for granted. The diversity among the SEEDS Scholars also forces one to confront basic stereotypes. Our community would be lacking in significant ways were it not for the presence of these talented students.” Dr. Diana Artis Assistant Director of Admission Students are enrolled in Grade 5—approximately 300 apply for 100 places, and admission is based on siblings of children already in the program and a lottery from inner city schools. Hundreds of these students are later admitted to academically-challenging middle and high schools. Ninety-nine percent of the students are of color, and almost all qualify for the federal free lunch program. Making Waves has grown from 30 to 850 students in the past 19 years. Between SEEDS and Making Waves, John is very oriented toward community outreach. “Pingry had a meaningful part in directing me toward giving back if I should be so fortunate. What I remember most fondly about Pingry was the notion that ‘to whom much is given, much is expected in return.’ Give unto others if you have the capacity to do so, and share your good fortune.”
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Over the last decade, several donors have made it possible for NJ SEEDS Scholars to attend Pingry by establishing endowed funds at Pingry to pay for the students’ tuition. Two of the first funds established during the last fundraising campaign were The Neha Pathak ’98 SEEDS Scholarship Endowment Fund, named for the first SEEDS Scholar who graduated from Pingry, and The Edward W. Cissel ’39 SEEDS Endowment Fund, named for one of Pingry’s former assistant headmasters.
one person does will make waves that impact the lives of other underserved youth.
[ global/community outreach ]
Lower School Students Become Pen Pals with South African Students By Ann D’Innocenzo, Short Hills Library Director
Ann D’Innocenzo provides guidance to students at the Zuurbekom School in South Africa as they write pen pal letters to Pingry students
In the spring of 2007, I was invited to travel to South Africa with the Global Literacy Project to distribute donated books to schools and help build a library. To make a lasting connection between students at the Pingry Lower School and students in South Africa, I suggested a pen pal exchange program. I hoped it would offer reading and writing opportunities and, more importantly, promote an expanded world perspective and cultural awareness for our students. When our group visited schools in the Johannesburg area, I chose the Zuurbekom School as the best match for the exchange based on the similar grades in the school.
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I traveled with about 200 letters that the Pingry students in Kindergarten through Grade 5 had written, and pictures of all the classes. The volunteers and I distributed the letters and photographs to the South African children, most of whom had never received a letter. I explained that Pingry is in New Jersey in the United States, and that our students had written letters to them because they wanted to be friends. Then, the Zuurbekom students wrote their responses and drew lovely pictures for our students. We took pictures of each South African student so that our students could feel more of a bond with them.
Although most of the Zuurbekom students walked miles to school, did not have proper winter clothing, and had suffered personal loss to AIDS, they had beaming smiles and good wishes for their new friends at Pingry. When I distributed the pen pal letters to our students, they were amazed at the South African students’ extraordinary penmanship and beautiful drawings, and surprised by the Zuurbekom students’ references to loving them although they had never met. After reading the letters and looking at the pictures, our students discussed the similarities and differences between their lives and the lives of the Zuurbekom students.
Our students decided to focus on the similarities when they wrote their responses. They wrote about their families, school, friends, pets, sports, and favorite activities. Although they shared similar interests, the Pingry students recognized that they are fortunate to attend Pingry, wear warm clothing, and live lives that offer many choices. “I feel special to be writing to kids in Africa because not many schools do this. The children in Africa are about our age, and yet they are so different from us in so many ways,” says fifth-grade student Jessica Li. In February 2008, Laura Peppetta, literacy consultant for the Global Literacy Project, visited the Pingry Lower School and we presented her with our pen pal letters to take back with her to South Africa. The Pingry students now wait for more pen pal letters from their new friends from a different hemisphere, different continent, different country, and different world. Despite all of the geographic, economic, and cultural differences, it is amazing how much children have in common. I hope that the children from both locales will emerge from the pen pal exchange program with a deeper compassion for others and an expanded world perspective.
Third-grade students wave to their new friends in South Africa. First row, left to right: Aaron Jacobson, Simone Allison, Hadyn Anidjar, Natalie Lifson, Hallie Lau, Julia Dannenbaum, and Natalie Lucciola. Second row, left to right: Anish Seth, Solomon Burt-Murray, Oliver Martin, Jamie Moore-Gillon, Edward Johnson, Scotty McGraw, Kai Holston, and Stephen Hricko. Third row: Kartikeya Sharma (photo by Melissa Van Duyne)
Pingry Encourages South African Speaker to Share Her Story of Resisting Apartheid
Left to right: Chloe Carver (III), her sister Emma Carver (V), Caroline Setsiba, Headmaster Nat Conard, Christina Vanech (V), and Emeka Akaezuwa, a GLP board member
After meeting Caroline Setsiba, Speaker of the Randfontein Municipality of South Africa, Form V student Emma Carver believed strongly that Mrs. Setsiba should visit Pingry to share an episode in her life that she had recently started discussing after 30 years of silence—the story of her leadership of the Soweto Student Uprising on June 16, 1976. Thirty-thousand black students protested the government’s decision to use Afrikaans in their classes, a language that was associated with apartheid and considered oppressive.
The students, who had not told their parents about their planned demonstration, began to march slowly and quietly. “All you could hear was the sound of our shoes until the police arrived,” she says. The students retaliated against the tear gas thrown by police by throwing stones, chanting,
Pingry students, parents, and staff met Mrs. Setsiba in the summer of 2007 during their visit to South Africa in conjunction with the Global Literacy Project (GLP). “On the last day we were in Johannesburg, she came and told us her story,” Emma says. She, her sister Chloe (III), brothers Sean (6) and Reeve (6), and their parents Anne DeLaney ’79 and Chip Carver Jr. ’77 were among the volunteers on the trip, along with Christina Vanech (V) and her mother Denise. Christina and Chloe both say they were enlightened by Mrs. Setsiba’s story. “Coming from a country that values learning from first-hand accounts of history, it was very strange to me when Madame Speaker said that she had never told her story to anyone. The fact that she is able to share her story and insight helps people have a better understanding of apartheid,” Chloe says. The students felt that Mrs. Setsiba’s appearance would be well-received, and that it was important to hear her messages about the leadership of
After the uprising, Mrs. Setsiba continued to fight against apartheid and was arrested and jailed several times. She was held in solitary confinement in 1981 and 1984, and she had her two-week-old baby in jail with her in 1984. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, she was a member of the Soweto Youth Congress and Congress of South African Students. Her political home is the African National Congress and, since her election as Speaker, she has protected the rights of opposition parties. “Politics is my life, and my people are my life. I think that is what I live for, to make sure…that the objectives are achieved from what I started in 1976. The passion cannot die now. It’s quite a huge responsibility,” she says. GLP sponsored her visit to the U.S., including Pingry. She took the time to meet with Psychology, Freedom, European History, World Religions, and U.S. History classes, giving the Upper School students the chance to learn about a part of history that may have been unfamiliar. “I was happy about the ability to link my presentation—my lecture—to the particular class that I was attending,” she says. Tom Keating, who teaches the Freedom course, was pleased that Mrs. Setsiba’s visit coincided with the class’s consideration of race relations. “That coincidence was invaluable because, both in our classroom and in the assembly, she was able to give us a personal perspective on many of the issues we had been discussing. Her story was a living embodiment for our students, and it greatly enhanced their understanding of a vitally important subject,” he says.
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Mrs. Setsiba, 15 years old at the time of the uprising, attended Deliwonga School where she was a member of the 1976 Students Representative Council. Because of her position on the council, she became a planner for the march. On June 16 at 4:00 a.m., she arrived at school in uniform.
and continuing to march. Hundreds of students went missing, were killed, or were arrested.
women, resisting apartheid, and forgiveness. “Caroline had to forgive a lot of people, including the people who shot and paralyzed her brother and the people who shot and killed her classmates. She knew that, to represent all the people of South Africa, she had to forgive and move forward,” Anne says.
[ global/community outreach ]
AFS Students Visit Pingry from Around the World
Since 1965, Pingry has been involved with AFS—American Field Service —an international, voluntary, nonprofit organization that provides intercultural learning opportunities. The AFS international program started in 1945 as an extension of the AFS ambulance corps that served in France during World War I and in France, North Africa, the Middle East, and Italy during World War II.
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According to AFS Advisor and foreign language faculty member Kelly Jordan, who has overseen Pingry’s participation for almost 15 years, AFS’s mission is to change people’s opinions of the world, one person at a time. When students travel abroad with the AFS program, they can stay for the summer, semester, entire school year, or gap year—between high school graduation and starting college. “The way that AFS is different than other organizations that have programs abroad, and what is very important, is no matter what you do—whether you do a language or community service program—you live with a family. That is the best way to learn a language and a culture, because there’s never any way to understand everything about a language if you don’t know about
the culture of the country,” Ms. Jordan says. A crucial part of each year’s process is to find a Pingry family to host a student, and Ms. Jordan tries to ensure that Pingry parents are aware of AFS and the wonderful opportunity it provides. She sends letters to Upper School families about the program, arranges for previous hosts to talk about their experiences during Parents’ Day, and submits AFS news to the PSPA Spotlight. Once a potential host family is identified, Ms. Jordan and two AFS representatives from New Jersey interview the whole family for about two hours and discuss the pros and cons of hosting. “They’re taking on a teenager for a whole year, which is a huge commitment and responsibility,” Ms. Jordan says. One of the representatives is Sue Fershing, an area team coordinator, and the other is Lisa Iervolino, a hosting coordinator for eight years who has personally hosted 10 students from 9 countries. In addition to learning why the family wants to host a child, Ms. Jordan, Ms. Iervolino, and Ms. Fershing ask about issues such as the family’s behavior patterns, methods of communicating,
and interests. “We find that it makes a better hosting experience when they have something in common,” Ms. Iervolino says. Students who want to visit the United States apply to AFS a year in advance, and Ms. Jordan works with the Pingry family to choose a student. “It has to be a student who can attend Pingry for a year and take advantage of the incredible opportunity that we have given them, and it has to be a student who fits into the family. I look at the kid’s grades, interests, and extra-curricular activities,” Ms. Jordan says. AFS emphasizes that its goal is to be recognized for educational youth exchanges and contributing to intercultural learning and global education—thus creating global citizens. Part of its mission statement reads, “AFS activities are based on our core values of dignity, respect for differences, harmony, sensitivity, and tolerance.” Because these goals fit so closely with Pingry’s mission statement of placing “the highest value on honor and respect for others,” Ms. Jordan feels that the school’s involvement with AFS is a natural fit. “There is no way that we cannot embrace what they do,” she says.
Pingry AFS Student for 2007-08 Hailed from Austria Sixteen-year-old Matthias Tinzl, from Innsbruck, Austria, spent the 2007-08 school year at Pingry as a participant in the AFS program. He traveled to the United States in August 2007 and spent the month training with Pingry’s soccer team and adjusting to the culture. Matthias learned about AFS from other students in Austria who had participated in an exchange year and shared their experiences. “I thought it [would be] quite an interesting experience and it’s a good opportunity to learn English and get to know another culture,” he says. In Austria, he attends Adolf-Pichler-Platz High School and lives with his parents and nine-year-old brother. While he was in the U.S. from August to this past June, he lived with Form I parents Bill and Leslie Pye and their son Geordie. “It was a perfect match,” says foreign language faculty member and AFS Advisor Kelly Jordan about Matthias living with the Pye family. “Matthias was a big brother to Geordie. Matthias is young, but he’s pretty mature for his age, and he’s pretty bright. He’s also the kind of kid who is grateful for everything. He has wonderful values. Family is very important to him.” Matthias’s preparation involved informational meetings about the application process, expectations, making friends, and cultural differences. “My father and my mom were always supporting me with [AFS]. They thought it was a good thing to do. We exchanged emails with the Pyes
and [the families] got to know each other better,” he says. The meetings continued every three months with AFS student coordinators in New Jersey. By the time he spoke with The Pingry Review, Matthias had spent seven months as a Pingry Form IV student, and he was able to compare Pingry with his home school. “In Austria, we don’t spend that much time at school, we usually don’t eat lunch at school, we don’t have all those assemblies, and we don’t do sports at school—if you want to do a sport, you go to a club. I think Pingry is more of a community than my school. As a result of that, in Austria, we have more friends outside of school,” he says.
Geordie loved having a brother and asked several times, ‘What will we do when he leaves?’ He loved having someone else his age in the house,” Ms. Pye says. Ms. Jordan feels that Matthias’s visit was among the most satisfying she has overseen because the time abroad was mutually beneficial and rewarding for both the student and family.
After seven months, his original concerns were no longer bothering him. “I always thought that it might be hard to speak in English all the time, but that fear stopped after the first couple of weeks. I also thought that making friends would be pretty hard since everyone has their own group of people. But Pingry is wonderful and everyone was really welcoming and friendly,” Matthias says. The Pyes enjoyed the experience equally. “Matthias’s command of English is such that we didn’t really have any communication problems. Matthias assimilated very well. Kelly [Jordan] told me that by October it was like he had always been at Pingry. We feel much the same way—like he’d always been part of the family.
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[ global/community outreach ]
French Students Visit France
Upper School students in front of the Château du Clos Lucé (Loire Valley), the last residence of Leonardo da Vinci when he was the guest of the King of France
To fully immerse foreign language students in other cultures, teachers have taken students to Europe in recent years for trips that last about two weeks. For example, in the spring of 2006, German students traveled to Berlin, Salzburg, Vienna, and Munich.
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During March break in 2008, Kelly Jordan, Jane Roxbury, and Gail Castaldo took 28 Upper School students, all of whom study French, to France. The trip, which takes place every other year, took them to the Loire Valley, Brittany—for a stay with their host families in SaintMalo—Normandy, and Paris, where they spent four days. A travel agency found host families, with whom the students enjoyed spending time. “This is a cultural trip. It’s not just sight-seeing. We want them to speak French, to experience the culture, and to live with a family,” Ms. Jordan says. Reflecting on the trip, freshman Ashley Feng considers it a tremendous
life experience. “It was the best trip of my life because I was able to speak French [and] I enjoyed visiting cathedrals, abbeys, and monuments because we don’t have such old buildings in the United States. I will always remember the day when I walked in the rain on the Normandy beaches and thought about D-Day. It was sad but truly beautiful,” she says. Tori Meyer, also a freshman, realized a long-standing dream. “My favorite places were the Sainte-Chapelle and l’Orangerie. It was wonderful to see all the details of that magnificent gothic cathedral. L’Orangerie is my favorite museum, and I’ve been dreaming about seeing it for a long time. Sitting in these rooms, completely surrounded by massive paintings of Monet’s Water Lilies, is an experience I will never forget.” For sophomore Nancy Eckenthal, the highlight was time spent with her host family. “I had the opportunity to share family activities and to feel completely relaxed with them.
The stereotypes that we have about the French are not true. The French are just like Americans. They’re so welcoming and helpful. They don’t judge you. By the fourth day, we had so much fun with the family that we didn’t want to leave.”
International Clubs Reach Out to South Africa, Central America, and Beyond Student clubs offer students the opportunity to explore a passion outside the realm of what is offered by Pingry’s curriculum and allow students to supplement what is taught in the classroom. Three of the 50 student-run clubs have an international focus: Girls Learn International, Global Literacy Project Club, and International Relations Club. Form IV co-presidents Louisa Lee, Kristin Scillia, and Carina Chan are
passionate about their club, Girls Learn International (GLI), as is their club advisor Judy Lebowitz—who has corresponded and worked with GLI for many years. With over 60 chapters in 10 states and with partner classrooms in 15 countries, GLI has dual goals: to educate the current generation about cultural diversity and human rights awareness and to promote a movement toward positive social change. Pingry’s partner school is the Nunkapir School in Kenya. “We raised over $500 through bake sales and ended the year having raised $1,000 through a final fundraising project,” Louisa says. Members of the club have asked friends and family to sponsor their achievements. For example, Form IV student Cassidy Reich is sponsored for each goal and assist she makes in lacrosse.
Form V students Emma Carver and Christina Vanech, Form I student Chloe Carver, and their families, as well as Pingry student volunteers,
Jackie Reef (V), right, with members of the International Relations Club. Money collected at the bake sale and matched by an anonymous donor was sent to the Foundation for Self-Sufficiency in Central America
faculty, and staff, helped build a library in South Africa during the summer of 2007 (“Sharing the Magic,” Winter 2008 The Pingry Review). Through the generosity of Pingry families and surrounding communities, over 57,000 books were collected from the Short Hills and Martinsville Campuses, shipped, and shelved in the new library. An outgrowth of the planning for this trip was the formation of the Global Literacy Project Club. Through that club, Emma, Christina, and Chloe continue their efforts to help increase global literacy with the help of club advisor Pat Lionetti. Their mission is to spread awareness about the lack of educational resources in many places, including South Africa, and to brainstorm about ways to help solve these problems. When she was a sophomore, Form V student Jackie Reef founded the International Relations Club. The club’s mission is to study different countries and cultures with particular emphasis on countries that are
Jackie also does volunteer work for the Overbrook Foundation, which has a dual mission of advancing human rights and protecting the environment. The Foundation’s projects are focused both in the United States and internationally. International projects have emphasized South Africa and Latin America. Jackie’s work includes helping the Foundation support human rights organizations in their effort to eliminate discrimination, particularly where activists are at risk. These clubs augment what students learn in the classroom, supplement their involvement in community service, and support the importance of global outreach in an ever-expanding global community.
World History Students Make Intercultural Connection For the past five years, Pingry freshmen in Philip Gratwick’s world history class have traveled to a place where they can talk to Egyptians, Iraqis, and Syrians. This intercultural exchange requires neither passport nor plane ticket, but a 40-minute bus ride to Monmouth Junction, N.J. There, as part of their study of Islam
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Pingry club members sent Nunkapir students a camera two years ago and have enjoyed receiving letters as well as pictures of the Nunkapir girls spending time in class. “It really puts a personality and face to the girls we are writing to,” adds Louisa. Group members are finishing a scrapbook filled with pictures and descriptions of everyday life in America— including pictures of life at Pingry, sports, home, and friends, plus recipes. Louisa continues: “All the money we raise goes straight to the school to help with specified projects. They just finished building a new building thanks to our previous donations, and now we are working toward furnishing the building with beds because the boarding school is growing as girls seize their opportunity for education.” Now that they have learned the ropes of the organization, Louisa, Kristin, and Carina have big plans and high hopes for next year.
known to have global human rights and diversity abuses. The club also raises money to support global human rights projects with the hope of improving the lives of disadvantaged people. With the help of advisor Gerardo Vazquez, the International Relations Club raised money last year through bake sales. Proceeds from the most recent bake sale were donated to the Foundation for Self-Sufficiency in Central America, which works in partnership with low-income communities to help them achieve economic selfsufficiency, peace, social justice, and environmental sustainability.
[ global/community outreach ] Mr. Gratwick plans to continue the visits to the mosque and school each year, since they make a lasting impression on his students. “The kids come back to me years later and say that’s one of the most memorable parts of the course,” he says.
Repairing a Home in New Orleans to Help the Victims of Hurricane Katrina By Dave Allan, former Director of College Guidance
The mosque at the Islamic Society of Central Jersey Center
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and Muslim culture, the students visit a mosque and Muslim school at the Islamic Society of Central Jersey (ISCJ) Center, which serves mainly Middle Eastern and South Asian immigrants from Pakistan, Egypt, Syria, Iraq, and other countries. The visits to the mosque and school are just one way Pingry strives to give its students a global perspective.
warm and gracious, and the students later have a chance to hear his sermon in English during the afternoon prayer session.
Former faculty member Dr. David Korfhage and Mr. Gratwick began the trips in 2004; Dr. Korfhage made the trip again in the 2006-2007 school year. “The trip is designed to give students a unique look at a culture that, while dominant in the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia, is also growing in importance here,” Mr. Gratwick explains. “It is my hope that our yearly trip to the ISCJ Mosque does something to diminish the misconceptions that some students have about Islam, and Muslim culture, in general.”
During the visit, Pingry students also have a chance to talk with the students from the Noor-Ul-Iman School, which is adjacent to the mosque. This was the favorite part of the experience for freshman Robert Bunting, who visited the school during the 2007-2008 school year. “I realized that they are just normal kids like me,” he says.
Before entering the mosque, female students must put on a head scarf and all students must take off their shoes. Once inside the mosque, the students meet with an imam from Egypt who provides a tour. Mr. Gratwick describes the imam as
Freshman Jared Cohen, who visited the mosque during the 2007-2008 school year, enjoyed the overall experience. “I think that the trip was a great firsthand account of the religion,” he says.
Mr. Gratwick says that from their discussions with the Muslim students, “one of the things that comes through . . . is that it’s often a lot more challenging to be a Muslim girl in America than a Muslim boy.” The boys can blend in more easily, he explains, while the girls’ head scarves and clothing mark them as different—and as targets for antiMuslim comments from passersby on the street.
My wife Connie and I, like most Americans, were saddened by the horrors visited upon the Gulf Coast that resulted from Hurricane Katrina, but did not have any idea how to help. After we learned about the Elderhostel New Orleans Service Program from an Elderhostel brochure, we decided to participate in the program and visited New Orleans ..........................................
In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, Pingry hosted New Orleans resident Gem Batuman as an eighth-grade student from September to December 2005. Gem’s family is familiar with Pingry because his sister Elif Batuman graduated from Pingry in 1995. “His classmates adored him and gave him a standing ovation when we said farewell in a December assembly,” says Middle School Dean of Students Kooheli Chatterji ’93. .......................................... for a week in February 2008 to repair houses damaged by the hurricane and its aftermath. We were housed in a hotel, about a block from the Superdome, with 300 Louisiana National Guardsmen—some of whom had been there for nearly
locals and their deeply-felt gratitude made our endeavor seem truly worthwhile and beneficial. Helping rebuild a home damaged by Katrina was the most meaningful community service experience in which my wife and I have ever participated. The devastated homes—and devastated lives— we witnessed have encouraged us to do even more.
Celebrating Iran
Dave and Connie Allan in front of the New Orleans house they helped to repair
three years. They were brought in shortly after the storm when most of the city’s police force abandoned their posts to protect their own families and homes, leaving the city largely unprotected. Our knowledge of today’s New Orleans came from our experiences in the city plus conversations we had with locals; everybody had hurricane stories that they were anxious to tell while vociferously offering their thanks to those of us who were there to help them rebuild. While touring the city, we saw areas that were practically untouched by the storm, but also came across devastating damage in lowland areas.
The week we spent in New Orleans was not only incredibly educational, but also very satisfying. We came away with the feeling that we had done something to make someone else’s life better and help those in need. Our conversations with the
“I was there as an Iranian/American citizen...who wanted to talk about her place of birth to people that have heard of Iran through [the media]. This was a chance for me to tell non-Iranian[s] what my country is all about. I talked to people about traditions, families, food, schools, and other social issues,” Ms. Watts says.
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We worked on a house in a heavilydamaged area called Hollygrove, in one of the lowlands. The house belonged to a single mother living with her young daughter. When we completed our work, the woman’s mother would move in as well, as the mother’s brick home next door was so badly damaged that it needed to be torn down. By the time we arrived, previous crews had replaced the roof and re-established the plumbing and electricity. Our crew of about two dozen people did painting work and replaced the indoor
flooring in just five days. Connie and two other women quickly became experts in laying flooring and painting indoors, while I was largely involved with outdoor painting and preparing ceiling and floor moldings for installation.
This past January, Kindergarten teacher Homa Watts participated in “Exploring Iran: An Afternoon of Iranian and Persian Culture” at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Princeton. The Coalition for Peace Action sponsored the event in conjunction with the local Iranian community. Those who attended learned about Iranian music, literature, artwork, arts and crafts, and food.
Kindergarten faculty member Homa Watts displays books about Iran (Courtesy of Andrea Warriner)
[ School News ]
Class of 2008 Graduates in 147th Commencement Ceremony By Darina Shtrakhman ’08
On June 8, 2008, the 123 members of the Class of 2008 received their diplomas in a graduation ceremony at the Martinsville Campus. The commencement exercise, a culmination of almost two weeks’ worth of senior activities, was attended by Pingry faculty members, trustees, and the graduates’ families.
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Miller Bugliari ’52 gave the invocation, encouraging the soon-to-be graduates to think not only of themselves, but also of others as they step out into the world. Following the address by Class President Taylor Sankovich ’08, Student Body President Jessica Westerman ’08 gave a speech in which she encouraged her classmates to “become who you really are,” in the words of E.E. Cummings.
Class President Taylor Sankovich ’08, left, and Valedictorian Evan Rosenman ’08 address their classmates
Valedictorian Evan Rosenman ’08 gave the final student speech. He remarked on how the building, faculty, and students shape each person’s Pingry experience, and he encouraged his classmates to network, stay in touch, and change the world. Stressing the tight-knit quality that is a hallmark of the Class of 2008, he first quoted Jack Johnson, saying, “It’s always better when we’re together.” Realizing that as valedictorian he is by definition obligated to “say goodbye,” he quoted Thoreau: “Nothing makes the earth seem so spacious as to have friends at a distance; they make the latitudes and longitudes.”
Pingry alumnus. In his acceptance speech, he encouraged the graduates to pursue what they love and to have fun at their respective jobs.
Bruce Jacobsen ’78 was presented with the Letter-in-Life Award, the highest award bestowed upon a
Copies of Commencement speaches are available online at www.pingry.org.
Outgoing Chair of the Board of Trustees Vicki Brooks addressed the class and emphasized that a Pingry education will help the graduates make correct decisions in the coming years. After students were presented with their diplomas, Headmaster Nat Conard gave some brief departing remarks, and the students and faculty processed out to the sounds of Henry Purcell’s “Trumpet Tune.”
Retiring faculty member Fred Fayen and outgoing Chair of the Board of Trustees Vicki Brooks each received The Cyril and Beatrice Baldwin Pingry Family Citizen of the Year Award. It is presented to members of the Pingry family who, in rendering meritorious service to the community, have demonstrated those qualities of responsible citizenship that Pingry aspires to instill in all of those associated with the school. Mr. Fayen was honored for his contributions to Pingry since 1963, and Ms. Brooks was recognized for her dedication to Pingry as a parent of two alumni, a Trustee from 1994-2008, and Chair of the Board of Trustees since 2002
Brian O’Toole ’08, top, received the Magistri Laudandi Award for being the student who cares the most about helping others succeed, and Jessica Westerman ’08 received The Class of 1902 Emblem Award for having the most commitment to the school
27 Left to right: faculty member Dr. Susan Dineen, Tyler Parsels ’08, Peter Corrigan ’08, Cary Corrigan ’08, faculty member Madeline Landau, Kristin Molinari ’08, and Gordon Peeler ’08
Zach Carr ’08, Danika Paulo ’08, Grant Schonberg ’08, Headmaster Nat Conard, and Ali Apruzzese ’08
Lauren Kronthal ’08, her mother Leah, her father Jeff, and her grandmother Antoinette Scheubel
Jordan Shelby ’08 receives her diploma from Headmaster Nat Conard
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Tucker Bourne ’08 shakes hands with faculty member Jeff Jenkins
[ School News ]
Upon His Retirement, a Tribute to
Frederick George Herman Fayen II By English faculty member Ted Li
In Geoffrey Chaucer’s “Prologue” to the classic The Canterbury Tales, there is a magnificently concise description of the chivalric ideals of “Trouthe and honour, fredom and curteisie” 1 embodied by the modestly dressed knight whose loyalty, devotion, and wisdom gained him “sovereyn prys” from both friend and foe. This is the way I envision Fred Fayen, with whom I have worked for the past 35 years. As a teacher of myriad courses, mostly history courses in both the Upper and Middle Schools, Fred has had an unwavering dedication to the exploration of the events of human history, and the means by which various peoples have perceived and communicated their experiences. A consummate teacher, Fred is always prepared, whether it is for a discussion of Quotation from the Chairman Mao in a Far East and Soviet history course, or Lord of the Flies in a Middle School class. One story, related by both Fred and former Assistant Headmaster Allen Ingelsby, illustrates Fred’s equanimity.
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For ten years I never left my books; I went up . . . and won unmerited praise. My high place I do not much prize; The joy of my parents will first make me proud. Fellow students, six or seven men, See me off as I leave the City gate. My covered coach is ready to drive away; Flutes and strings blend their parting tune. Hopes achieved dull the pains of parting; Fumes of wine shorten the long road . . . Shod with wings is the horse of him who rides On a Spring day the road that leads to home.
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Po Chü-i Masterpieces of the Orient W.W. Norton & Company 1977
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Geoffrey Chaucer, “General Prologue,” The Canterbury Tales in The Oxford Anthology of English Literature, vol. I (Oxford University Press, New York, 1973), pp. 133-34. “Trouthe here is integrity; freedom is liberality, material and spiritual, curteisie is well-bred behavior” (ibid., pp. 133).
In Fred’s initial year at Pingry, during an observed class whose topic was ancient divination and prophecy, a student asked what would happen if a sacrificial animal or bird did not contain the entrails needed for a divination. Without a moment’s notice, Fred responded to the question, impressing both the student and the class observer. Another indication of Fred’s dedication to his craft is his habit of requiring revisions of submitted essays. In Fred’s mind, there are always improvements which can be made to a written piece, no matter how good it initially is. For Fred, his students’ pursuit of excellence has always been the goal, and he has encouraged it, demanded it, and pursued it with good humor and compassion. Whatever role Fred assumed during his Pingry career, whether it was Director of Guidance, classroom teacher, or coach, his personal style has been a touchstone for those around him. As some of the departed faculty members tell the story of Fred’s initial years at Pingry, he was often mistaken for a senior because of his youthful demeanor; but very quickly, his quiet dignity, unstinting contributions to the academic and extracurricular life of Pingry, and insistence upon honorable, ethical behavior made him a model for both students and faculty. On the playing field, in the classroom, and behind an administrative desk, Fred is unfailingly calm and dignified: he has a “centered-ness” which is informed by a humanistic ethical system. In whatever he does, there is the sense that Fred respects, values, and empathizes with those around him: each student, each parent, each coach, is someone from whom he can learn, someone whom he can support, and someone whose life is valuable. While his hair has more grey in it, and his movements are slowed by arthritis, Fred’s spirit has not been diminished. An indomitable spirit, he is the same Fred who introduced me 35 years ago to his daughter Blake on the patio of his Fanwood home; he is the same Fred who enjoys the camaraderie that accompanies good food and good conversation; Fred is one of the iconic figures who has, quietly, had a major influence in shaping The Pingry School into what it is today.
History Teacher and College Counselor Fred Fayen Retires Frederick G. H. Fayen II has retired after 45 years as a member of the Pingry faculty. From the perspective of the thousands of students and hundreds of faculty members who have benefited from his knowledge, mentoring, and camaraderie over the years, Mr. Fayen is well-known for his standards of excellence, quiet dignity, calm demeanor, and unceasing eagerness to learn from those around him. “I’ve enjoyed the students, and I’ve enjoyed my colleagues,” he says. He graduated from Phillips Exeter Academy in 1957, earned his bachelor’s degree from Harvard College in 1961, and earned his master’s degree from New York University in 1967. After teaching in California for two years, he wrote a letter of interest to Pingry, which generated an interview with former Headmaster Charles Atwater during Spring Break of 1963. Mr. Fayen’s Pingry career began that fall, and students have been enriched by his teaching, college counseling, coaching, and advising, among other roles. “He lives the mission statement of Pingry and has every day of his Pingry tenure,” says Barbara Edwards, registrar.
Dr. Robert Macrae ’82, who worked at Pingry for 17 years as a teacher, coach, and administrator, played on
the Middle School soccer team for two years. Mr. Fayen was his coach, and he later was Dr. Macrae’s assistant Varsity Girls Soccer coach in the 1990s—a relationship that was part of the familial culture that has characterized Pingry. Dr. Macrae says it has been a privilege to know Mr. Fayen for so many years. About five years ago, when he was Head of the Middle School, Dr. Macrae and Jim Murray, chair of the history department, reviewed Mr. Fayen’s seventhgrade classes. They wrote, “We are always struck by the curious combination of patience and intensity that characterizes his teaching. Fred’s approach to teaching is undeniably cerebral— he appeals to his students’ intellectual curiosity, not their emotions, and he steadfastly refuses to ‘dumb down’ the lesson to make it more accessible and appealing. This can be intimidating for the students, yet, at the same time, he is extraordinarily patient and supportive.” The intercultural connection was an important part of Mr. Fayen’s approach, according to Isaac Davis ’07. “What he taught us wasn’t just ‘social studies,’ but the ability to read
and understand different cultures. He expected us, even as seventh-graders, to set aside our own values in order to better understand those of others, and to make connections where connections seemed unlikely,” he says. One philosophy that dominated Mr. Fayen’s teaching style is that learning is not only about knowledge, but also about making that knowledge serve a higher purpose. “Learning information and learning to think are, to put it simply, vastly different,” Mr. Fayen says. “Patience and positive reinforcement are strong motivational tools, and I believe that pushing students to achieve beyond their comfort zones is a good thing.” He wanted the classroom to provide a supportive atmosphere where students could take intellectual risks. Mr. Fayen was asked to be a college counselor in 1968 and spent 40 years mentoring students during the search process, writing their profiles, and observing admissions trends and changes. For these reasons, Tim Lear ’92, Pingry’s Director of College Counseling, considered working with Mr. Fayen a learning experience and valued his insights into the colleges’ decisions about students. He also
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At first, Mr. Fayen taught Form I history and Form I and II English. Later, he focused on teaching Form I and II history, as well as U.S. History for sophomores, juniors, and seniors. Because Pingry did not have a course in non-Western histories, he created a unit to focus on the modern history of China, Japan, and the Soviet Union—the course became known as “Modern Asian and Soviet History” (“MASH”).
Fred and Connie Fayen in front of the plaque for the The Cyril and Beatrice Baldwin Pingry Family Citizen of the Year Award. Connie has worked as an admission associate at the Short Hills Campus for 20 years. They are joined by their daughter Julie ’02 (far left), their daughter Blake Hargrave ’90, and Blake’s son Sean Hargrave
[ School News ] He was recognized several times during the 2007-2008 academic year for his dedication to the school. In April, to recognize his commitment to students despite the pain from rheumatoid arthritis, he received the 2008 Henry G. Stifel III Award, which is presented to the person who best exemplifies those characteristics exhibited by Henry G. Stifel III in the aftermath of his accident and spinal cord injury: courage, endurance, optimism, compassion, and spirit. In May, faculty and staff honored him at a school reception, and, at Graduation in June, he was presented with The Cyril and Beatrice Baldwin Pingry Family Citizen of the Year Award.
Fred Fayen and Paul Scrudato ’78 during Reunion Weekend. Paul is among those who honored Mr. Fayen during the 2007-2008 academic year
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points out that Mr. Fayen always seeks his colleagues’ opinions.
and coaching Middle School soccer for 15 years.
“The first month I was here, Fred was asking me to review some of his counselor letters—after 40 years of writing these letters, I think he knows what to do, yet he was still looking for constructive feedback. That’s amazing to me,” Tim says.
Coaching Middle School soccer coincided with his years as Director of Guidance, from 1973 to 1988, because the coaching schedule gave him time for parental conferences. According to Dave Allan, former Director of College Guidance, Mr. Fayen initiated an innovative and successful Guidance program.
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Annette Tomaino, Director of Guidance from 1988 to 2001, was part of the college counseling team with Mr. Fayen, Dave Allan, and Jack Dufford. “Fred enjoyed the ‘after application’ process, too, whether by visiting individual colleges or having phone conferences with admission officers to highlight each and every applicant from Pingry,” she says. Mr. Fayen was an assistant to Coach Richard Weiler for Middle School lacrosse, and he coached swimming and soccer—including serving as Head Coach of the Junior Varsity Swimming team for 10 years, coaching ninth-grade soccer for 10 years,
“[It involved] parents and faculty to a degree that was previously non-existent. Every classroom teacher and administrator had an assigned number of student advisees. The coordination and cooperation of the Guidance staff was a product of Fred’s leadership, which generated communication within the school and with parents,” Mr. Allan says. Mr. Fayen also was secretary of the Cum Laude Society from 2001 until April 2008, maintaining membership records and presenting information at elections.
During the Magistri ceremony at Reunion Weekend in May, Paul Scrudato ’78, who had Mr. Fayen as an advisor and college counselor, praised him for his compassion and professionalism. Paul said that Mr. Fayen treated all of the students with the same devotion, “regardless of the objective academic metrics” that they presented, and that Mr. Fayen has been a part of the “institutional culture and memory of Pingry since the school was in Hillside.” “You are a very lucky man,” Paul told him. “There are a lot of students, like me, who will look back at their time at Pingry, and their relationship with you will be a part of their warmest and best memories.”
Fund Established in Honor of Fred Fayen This spring, a new endowment fund was established by Pingry parent Dr. John Young in honor of Mr. Fayen’s 45-year career at Pingry—a tenure that was characterized by passion, enthusiasm, integrity, and excellence. When Dr. Young heard of Mr. Fayen’s plan to retire, he decided to make a donation to the school in honor of
Mr. Fayen’s service to Pingry. When Mr. Fayen, who is also father of Blake ’90 and Juliana ’02, was asked how he would like to direct the funds, he expressed his desire to help Pingry employees with the cost of tuition. “The well-being of faculty and staff children is a major benefit to the institution,” Mr. Fayen says. He believes that the goal of offering the most generous financial aid possible builds loyalty with the faculty and staff by encouraging them to send their children to Pingry. Stability of the faculty and staff also means that the school spends less time and money on recruiting and training new employees. The current policy states that any full-time faculty member who was employed at Pingry on or before September 1, 1989, receives 100 percent tuition remission. In 1989, the Board of Trustees voted to offer 25 percent tuition remission and additional financial aid for all faculty and staff members who were employed after September 1, 1989. Thus, the Fred Fayen Fund will be a catalyst to increase the financial aid offered for Pingry faculty and staff whose children attend Pingry.
According to Dr. Young, Mr. Fayen’s teaching style is rigorous, demanding, and meticulous. When asked to describe Mr. Fayen as a college counselor, Dr. Young emphasizes that he is knowledgeable about what to do and what not to do during the application process; he is comprehensive, concise, and efficient; he offers practical tips; and he has deep connections with some of the best schools, including Harvard, his alma mater.
Another quality that stands out in Dr. Young’s mind is Mr. Fayen’s commitment to helping his students with their writing skills, and that he takes the time to make the necessary corrections regardless of the fact that he is grading history papers. “In my mind, he is both a dedicated history teacher and an excellent English teacher,” Dr. Young says. The new fund went through early planning stages of how it would best recognize Mr. Fayen, and Dr. Young is happy to embrace Mr. Fayen’s goal to help his Pingry colleagues. “From every single angle you look at it, [this financial aid] is needed at Pingry, and I’ll do whatever I can to help, but it is clear that it will require the entire Pingry community to embrace this initiative in order for it to work effectively. I’m sure that, as parents, all of us wish to see a stable and motivated faculty whose children are just as much a part of the school community as the faculty is,” Dr. Young says. If you would like more information about The Frederick G. H. Fayen II Scholarship Fund, please contact Melanie Hoffmann, Director of Development, at (908) 647-7058 or mhoffmann@pingry.org.
Fred Fayen and Nick Rescoe Receive Henry G. Stifel III Award The 21st annual Stifel Award, named for Henry Stifel ’83, was presented in April 2008 to retiring faculty member Fred Fayen and Form VI student Nick Rescoe. Henry, a financial advisor at Morgan Stanley in New York, was paralyzed in an automobile accident during his junior year at Pingry, and part of the award description reads: “It shall be awarded to the person who best exemplifies those characteristics exhibited by Henry G. Stifel III in the aftermath of his accident and spinal injury: courage, endurance, optimism, compassion, and spirit.” “This is always a very special day for me, to return to this community and participate in recognizing an individual who, many times, in a quiet way, serves as a role model for us all,” Henry said. He also thanked Mr. Fayen for being his teacher, advisor, coach, and mentor. School Counselor and AP Psychology teacher Mike Richardson spoke
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Dr. Young is very familiar with Mr. Fayen’s roles as teacher and college counselor because of his children’s education. Lena ’06 and David ’08 had Mr. Fayen as their college counselor, and Lena and Andrew, who will be a sophomore at Pingry in September, had Mr. Fayen for seventh-grade history.
First row: Nick Rescoe’s mother Regina and Henry Stifel ’83. Second row, left to right: Leslie Wolfson, Nick Rescoe, Nick’s father Robert, Headmaster Nat Conard, Fred and Connie Fayen, their daughter Blake Hargrave ’90, and faculty members Pat Lionetti and Mike Richardson
[ School News ] about Mr. Fayen, describing his quiet dignity, and then encouraged students to emulate him as a role model: “Mr. Fayen has taught many different courses and many different grades, but always with a love for his students and an equally important love for his subject.” He praised Mr. Fayen’s role as a college counselor because of his knowledge about colleges and instinct for where a student would thrive. Although Mr. Fayen in recent years has been coping with rheumatoid arthritis, he found ways to maintain the same level of dedication to his students. He used computer voice technology to write senior profiles and, though it was painful for him to write, he still corrected history papers. “He adheres to the same teaching standards that have always defined his career here at Pingry. He believes that students need to write—and write a lot—and that those papers need to be corrected diligently so that students can improve,” Mr. Richardson said.
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Economics teacher Leslie Wolfson spoke on behalf of Nick Rescoe, who is the primary care giver for his mother who has multiple sclerosis. She has been bed and wheelchairridden since he was in Grade 5. “Nick is one of the most incredible young men I have ever met. None of us can imagine what he has given to his mom and his family through the years. I have never heard Nick complain. Instead, I always hear gratitude. I have never heard Nick say it’s too much to handle. Instead, he takes it all in stride and continues to do more,” she said. The audience acknowledged Mr. Fayen and Nick with standing ovations. Members of the faculty have said that the Stifel Award presentation is their favorite assembly each year. It is a day to single out a special person who might otherwise not be recognized.
Novelist Lisa See Speaks at John Hanly Lecture on Ethics
Novelist Lisa See signs a copy of Peony in Love for senior Rebecca Behrman
Best-selling novelist Lisa See delivered this year’s John Hanly Lecture on Ethics and Morality. The John Hanly Lecture Series on Ethics and Morality was established in 1999 in honor of former Headmaster John Hanly, who consistently emphasized the importance of character education. This year’s guest lecturer Lisa See is the author of the bestselling and critically-acclaimed novel Snow Flower and the Secret Fan. Lisa used her writing on Chinese and ChineseAmerican culture as a springboard for examining the moral question of what one should do when societal norms conflict with one’s individual wishes. Lisa’s lecture on March 4, 2008, supplemented faculty and administrators’ study of Chinese culture prior to their trip to China during spring break. Set in 19th-century China, the novel tells the story of a friendship between two women who exchange messages in a language known only by women.
After the lecture, Lisa visited classes and met with students and faculty during lunch, where the discussion turned to U.S.-China relations. “Lisa . . . talked about the need for understanding eastern cultures and not assuming that western rites and rituals are the only moral imperatives for our global society,” said Pingry Director of Studies Lydia Geacintov, who arranged Lisa’s visit. Many of Lisa’s novels are available at Amazon. com.
Faculty Awards Although every faculty member significantly contributes to the Pingry experience, a handful of faculty are recognized at the end of each school year—those who have made outstanding contributions in education to The Pingry School. The following awards were given to faculty in June 2008 for the 2008-2009 school year.
The Albert W. Booth Chair for Master Teachers
The Herbert F. Hahn Junior Faculty Award
Established in 1993, to honor one of Pingry’s beloved Master teachers, Albert “Albie” Booth.
Established in 1993, this award is dedicated to the memory of this Master Teacher to recognize teachers who best personify the Pingry philosophy.
This award is given to faculty members from any department who have taught at Pingry for at least five years and reflect those qualities of honor, integrity, idealism, dedication to students, and reverence for scholarship which defined Mr. Booth’s life and work.
2008 – 2009 Evelyn R. Kastl, English Matilde J. Yorkshire, Spanish
The Edward G. Engel ’33 Chair for Mathematics and Science Pingry’s first endowed Chair, established in 1983 in honor of “Eddie” Engel ’33, the class “mathematical and scientific genius,” who participated in everything from music to soccer.
This award is given to a faculty member in the mathematics or science department who has taught at Pingry for at least five years and made a significant contribution to the life of the school outside the classroom.
2008 – 2011 Drew B. Burns, Science
This award is given to encourage young, experienced teachers to stay in teaching and recognizes good teaching and successful involvement in multiple extracurricular responsibilities.
2008 – 2009 Jill M. Driscoll, Grade 2 Douglas G. Scott, Physical Education
The Senior Class Faculty Chair This award was established to honor a distinguished teacher and provide a stipend for professional and curricular development in his/her discipline.
2008 – 2009 Victoria A. Grant, English
The Norman B. Tomlinson, Jr. ’44, Chair for History and Literature Established in 1989.
The David B. Buffum History Chair
This award is given to a faculty member in the humanities who has taught at Pingry for at least five years and made a significant contribution to the life of the school outside the classroom.
2008 – 2011 Madeline H. Landau
This award recognizes outstanding teachers in the disciplines of natural sciences, mathematics, and technology.
2008 – 2009 Tommie S. Hata, Science
The Woodruff J. English ’27 Faculty Award Established in 1996 in honor of Woodruff J. English ’27.
This award recognizes teachers who instill in their students the love of learning and commitment to living the ideals of the Honor Code.
2008 – 2009 Mary Ogden, Grade 1 Leslie Wolfson, Economics
2008 – 2011 Mark D. Facciani, History
These members of the faculty and staff are departing Pingry after the 2007-2008 school year. We thank them for their service to the school, in many roles, and wish them all the best in their future endeavors. Martinsville Campus Katherine Cassidy Frederick G. H. Fayen II Darren Greninger Jane Hoffman ’94 Stephen Kovacs Judith Lebowitz* Emily Lewis Barbara Reef Jennifer Runge Alan Stanfield Thomas Williams Laura Yorke ’98* Short Hills Campus Kristan Cassady Laura Kehoe ’99 Arlene Rosenblum Jennifer Schader Danice Von Feldt Gail Wills * Leave of absence
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This chair is awarded to an outstanding faculty member in the Pingry History Department who embodies Mr. Buffum’s dedication to and love of education and history at Pingry.
Established in 2005 and first awarded in June 2007.
Established in 1997 and first awarded in June 2007.
First Awarded in June 2005, to honor David B. Buffum who taught and influenced a generation of Pingry students.
James P. Whitlock, Jr. ’60 Faculty Development Fund for Science, Mathematics, and Technology
[ School News ]
Three Teachers Celebrate 25 Years at Pingry Lower School teachers Susanne Alford, Joan Pearlman, and Mary Lou Cilli celebrated 25 years of teaching at Pingry during the 2007-2008 school year. During Reunion Weekend in May, the Pingry Alumni Association honored all three women as members of the Magistri Maxime Laudandi (“Masters Most Greatly to be Praised”), teachers who have dedicated 25 or more years of service to Pingry. Mrs. Alford teaches fifth-grade language arts and study skills. Also a homeroom teacher, she provides primary guidance for 13 students and sees them at the beginning and end of each school day. She began her teaching career at The Browning School in New York City, in charge of Lower School reading and fifthgrade English. A few years later, she moved to The Buckley School, another independent boys’ day school in New York City, where she taught Grade 1. A decade of retirement and two children later, Mrs. Alford was anxious to return to the classroom and became a substitute at Pingry. That opportunity led to her current position.
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“She is a master teacher who has brought the Pingry Honor Code into her classroom each day, helped her students to grow as learners in a supportive environment, and has supported the Pingry sports program as she watched her two sons—Jonathan ’92 and Stuart ’95—excel on a number of athletic teams,” says Lower School Director Ted Corvino. Dr. Pearlman, who also teaches fifthgrade language arts and study skills, began her teaching career in the Westfield Public School System as a third-grade teacher. She then spent several years as an adjunct professor at New York University, teaching literacy to undergraduate students as well as supervising student teachers. She taught in the Parsippany Public School System and worked as a
substitute teacher at Pingry and other independent schools in the area prior to becoming a full-time faculty member in 1983. She received her doctorate in 1998, sponsored by Pingry, and has taught graduate and doctoral students at NYU since then as an adjunct professor. Mr. Corvino praises her as a homeroom teacher. “Joan is always available before, during, or after school to work with children and they flock to her for her help. The mother of three Pingry alums—Heather ’89, Chris ’92, and Megan ’96—she has been a familiar face at events at both campuses,” he says. Prior to teaching primary science at Pingry, Mrs. Cilli taught for 10 years at St. Andrew’s Nursery School in New Providence. Three of her colleagues at St. Andrew’s—Connie Allan, Billie Foil, and Joanne Coker—eventually came to Pingry to teach, and they recommended Mrs. Cilli when the science position became available at Short Hills. “She was always a pleasure to work with and wonderful with the children. Pingry is lucky to have her,” Mrs. Allan says. Mrs. Cilli, mother of Lisa ’88, is known for taking her students out of the classroom to take advantage of the outdoor laboratory the campus provides. “She has brought the magic of science to our K-3 students. Over the years, she and her students have trekked their way through most of the 35 acres at the Short Hills Campus,” Mr. Corvino says. She and her students have a great time creating maple syrup from the sap drawn from two large sugar maple trees. “When you have that much syrup, you have to have a special pancake breakfast where all the teachers and students arrive in their pajamas,” he says. The following two articles provide a glimpse into Mrs. Alford’s, Dr. Pearlman’s, and Mrs. Cilli’s classroom activities during the past 25 years.
Mary Lou Cilli During her 25 years of teaching primary science at the Lower School, Mary Lou Cilli has taken full advantage of Mother Nature to bring science to life for her students. “The campus is beautiful, so I use the grounds as much as possible to incorporate nature into our science curriculum. I enjoy going outdoors to explore the changes in each season. In the fall, we collect and identify leaves and seeds. In the winter, we look for animal tracks in the snow. In the spring, we observe the new growth all around us.” One of Mrs. Cilli’s most popular projects every year is to help the Kindergarteners make maple syrup from the sap of the sugar maple tree at the Short Hills Campus. A pancake breakfast is then enjoyed by all, and this tradition has been taking place for over 25 years. Mrs. Cilli is also involved in afterschool enrichment classes to further increase the students’ love of science. She has taught courses such as “Rocks Hounds,” “Science in the Kitchen,” and “Birding.” For the first decade of her teaching career at the Lower School, Mrs. Cilli taught science by pushing
a cart full of supplies and hands-on activities to each classroom. Today, the children come to her in a fullyequipped primary science lab. Mrs. Cilli’s philosophy of teaching science to young children is to directly involve the students through a wide range of hands-on projects and activities. Students observe caterpillars becoming butterflies and mealworms turning into beetles, and one of the highlights of last fall was watching the birth of baby chicks. In May, The Wetlands Institute from Cape May
visited her class so that students could touch live marine animals, such as starfish and crabs. “We are so fortunate that the class sizes at Pingry are small. Our students have a natural curiosity and a thirst for learning which make teaching science very rewarding. I hope that I have been able to inspire my students to appreciate the beauty of nature all around us.”
Our First 25 Years at Pingry! By Mrs. Susanne H. Alford and Dr. Joan P. Pearlman
We joined the fifth-grade teaching team in the fall of 1983 as Grade 5 transitioned to complete departmentalization. Under this new system, Susanne was hired as the English teacher, Joan was hired to teach reading, and everyone on the team taught his/her discipline to every fifth-grade student. Previously, each homeroom teacher had been responsible for teaching one period per day of English and Reading, plus his/her specialty, such as math or science.
We have different teaching styles and personalities, yet complement each other. We constantly learn from one another and have mutual respect. We would be hard-pressed to think of another relationship as close as ours in which two people get along so well. Just as those who have been together for long periods of time begin to think alike, we have done the same. You need only ask visitors who go from one class to another. They frequently walk into one of our classes and hear the beginning of a sentence, and then walk to the other class only to hear the end of the same sentence. Such has been the first 25 years of our journey together. We have the same teaching schedule which allows us to meet on a daily basis. In addition, we have a standing date every Wednesday morning. During that two-hour block of time, we plan lessons, revise lessons, critique our curriculum as well as our teaching methods, and, of course, pool our ideas. We are committed to fine-tuning our curriculum based on the students’ ever-changing needs. For example, this summer we created a separate study skills course tailored to our fifthgrade students. We want to help them adjust not only to their first year of departmentalization, but also to the Middle School. We keep growing as educators as a result of our time together and are fortunate that our passion for teaching has not waned. Who knows where our journey as educators will take us in our next 25 years?
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Susanne Alford, Mary Lou Cilli, and Dr. Joan Pearlman
We observed early on, and long before the experts agreed, that English and reading could not be considered separate subjects. We began having weekly meetings during which we would plan, critique, and take advantage of our individual and collective areas of expertise. That concept of an inclusive language arts program became clear when we both attended a writing and reading program at Columbia University during the summer of 1991. It was Joyce Hanrahan, Head of the Short Hills Campus at that time, who encouraged us to take this course—and take it together. Little did she know what the results would be! The enthusiasm began to build from our first day in those classes. Before the course had concluded, we had brainstormed for ideas and developed a plan that would totally change how and what we were teaching. We burst into her office and explained our ideas. Our excitement was quickly reciprocated.
We felt that the best way to implement our vision was to develop one comprehensive program that would include English, reading, study skills, vocabulary, and spelling. We thought it would better serve the children if each of us worked with the same students twice each day. That would mean we would no longer be teaching every fifth-grade student. By dividing the student roster in half and having fewer students, we would have the opportunity to know—and therefore teach—each child more effectively.
[ School News ]
Athletic Roundup Winter 2007-2008 Season Results BOYS’ BASKETBALL: 13-13
Colonial Hills Conference: 3rd place in Hills Division Somerset County Interscholastic Athletic Association (SCIAA) Tournament: played through 2nd round New Jersey State Interscholastic Association (NJSIAA) Tournament: qualifier All-Conference in Colonial Hills: Jeff Tanenbaum (2nd team), Andrew Cala, Tyler Parsels (Honorable Mentions)
Senior Jeff Tanenbaum career points: 1,525 (all-time leading scorer at Pingry) Star-Ledger All-Somerset: Jeff Tanenbaum (3rd team) Star-Ledger All-State (Non-Public): Jeff Tanenbaum (3rd team) Courier News All-Area: Jeff Tanenbaum, Tyler Parsels (Honorable Mentions)
GIRLS’ BASKETBALL: 17-7
Colonial Hills Conference: 3rd place in Hills Division Colonial Hills Conference “Player of the Year”: Katie Occhipinti Colonial Hills All-Conference teams: Katie Parsels (2nd team), Casey Rupon, Victoria Morgan (Honorable Mentions) Senior Katie Occhipinti career points: 1,223 (all-time leading scorer at Pingry)
Star-Ledger All-Somerset All-Star: Katie Occhipinti (3rd team) Star-Ledger All-State (Non-Public): Katie Occhipinti (2nd team) Courier News All-Area: Katie Occhipinti, Katie Parsels (Honorable Mentions)
Boys’ Fencing: 0-9
NJSIAA District II Individual Qualifier Sabre: Craig Limoli, 1st
NJSIAA Squad State Championships Sabre: Squad, 9th NJSIAA Individual Championships Sabre: Craig Limoli Star-Ledger All-State: Craig Limoli, Sabre (3rd team)
girls’ Fencing: 2-8 Boys’ Ice Hockey: 15-7-3
Morris County Secondary School Ice Hockey League (MCSSIHL) Mennen Division: 3rd place MCSSIHL Mennen Division Awards: Jay Sogliuzzo, Dan Weiniger (1st team), Conor Starr (2nd team), Tim Naratil (Honorable Mention) MCSSIHL Rookie of the Year: Matt Beattie
Star-Ledger All-State: Dan Weiniger (3rd team) Star-Ledger All-Star (Non-Public): Dan Weiniger (2nd team) Courier News All-Area: Dan Weiniger (1st team) Jay Sogliuzzo, Conor Starr (2nd team), Ryan Kiska, Andrew LaFontaine (Honorable Mentions)
Girls’ Ice Hockey: 1-11
WIHLMA (Women’s Ice Hockey League of the Mid-Atlantic): Ranked 8th WIHLMA Awards: Toland Lawrence (Defense, 2nd team)
Star-Ledger All-State Selection: Toland Lawrence (3rd team) Star-Ledger state rank: 5th
Boys’ Skiing: 25-5
New Jersey Ski Racing Association (NJSRA) Prep Division Champions: 3rd in the GS, 3rd in the Slalom League results: Sam Mackoff (1st), Sam Grabel (2nd), Matt Ford (9th) 36
All NJSRA: Sam Mackoff (1st Team), Sam Grabel (2nd Team)
Girls’ Skiing: 30-0
the pingry review
NJSRA: Champions for second consecutive year State Champion Skiers: Kelsey Hiscano, Kate Strangfeld, Danielle Lashley, Elizabeth Roberts, Jackie Reef, Blake Vessa NJSRA Prep Division: Champions for second consecutive year. Prep League (1st), GS (1st), Slalom (1st)
League results: Kelsey Hiscano (1st), Kate Strangfeld (3rd), Danielle Lashley (8th), Brooke Conti (9th), Liz Roberts (11th) All NJSRA: Kelsey Hiscano (1st team), Kate Strangfeld (3rd team) Regional qualifiers: Kelsey Hiscano, Kate Strangfeld, Sam Mackoff, and Sam Grabel
Squash: 16-5-0
New Jersey High School Champion: Aly Kerr New Jersey High School Championship Finalist: Brian O’Toole
U.S. National Tournament: girls 39th U.S. National Tournament: boys 10th
Boys’ Swimming: 12-2
Colonial Hills Conference Championship: 2nd place SCIAA Tournament: 2nd place Prep B Tournament: 1st place NJSIAA: 1st place (Non-Public B) Big Blue Tournament: 2nd place Colonial Hills Conference Individual Championships: Nick Fink (100 Breaststroke, 1st place) Somerset County Individual Championships: John Guiffre (200-yd Individual Medley, 1st place; 100-yd Butterfly, 1st place), Nick Fink (100-yd Breaststroke, 1st place) Prep B Tournament: Team (1st place), Nick Fink (100-yd Breaststroke, 1st place)
NJSIAA Meet of Champions: Claeson Dillon, John Guiffre, Brandon Moy, Gordon Peeler (200 Free Relay, 3rd place), John Guiffre, Nicolas Fink, Brandon Moy, Gordon Peeler (400 Free Relay, 7th place) Star-Ledger Coach of the Year: Bill Reichle Star-Ledger State Rank: 10th Star-Ledger All-Somerset: John Guiffre (1st team, 200 free), Nicholas Fink (100 breaststroke, 2nd team), Gordon Peeler (100 fly, 200 free relay, 200 medley relay, 3rd team) Brandon Moy (50 free, 400 free relay, 3rd team) Courier News “Swimmer of the Year”: John Guiffre Courier News All-Area: John Guiffre (200 individual medley 1st team), Nicolas Fink (100 breaststroke, 2nd team) Gordon Peeler (200 freestyle, 2nd team), Brandon Moy (Honorable Mention)
Girls’ Swimming: 11-1
Colonial Hills Conference Championship: 1st place SCIAA Tournament: 3rd place Prep A Tournament: 2nd place Big Blue Tournament: 1st place Cougar Invitational: 2nd place
Star-Ledger All-Somerset: Regan Fink (100 breaststroke, 1st team), Christina Daquila (200 freestyle, 2nd team), Alysia Tsui (100 backstroke, 2nd team), Maja Feenick (50 freestyle, 200 free relay, 200 medley relay, 3rd team) Courier News All-Area: Christina Daquila (200 freestyle, 2nd team), Regan Fink (100 breaststroke, 2nd team), Maja Feenick, Alysia Tsui (Honorable Mentions)
Boys’ Winter Track
Colonial Hills Conference Championship: 4th place Prep B Championships: 1st place NJSIAA Championships: 4th place All-Conference: Matt LaForgia, Dan Schuchinsky, Tucker Bourne, Grant Thomas, Tyler Reichert
All Prep: Matt LaForgia, Matt Rybak, Dan Schuchinsky, Grant Thomas, Tyler Reichert Star-Ledger All Non-Public B: Matt LaForgia, Dan Schuchinsky, Tucker Bourne, Grant Thomas, Tyler Reichert
Girls’ Winter Track
Colonial Hills Conference Championship: 4th place Prep A division: 4th place NJSIAA Championships: 2nd place All-Conference: Olivia Tarantino, Olivia Delia, Martha Gross, Kate Sowinski All Prep A: Olivia Tarantino, Olivia Delia, Martha Gross, Kate Sowinski
All Non-Public B: Olivia Tarantino, Olivia Delia, Martha Gross, Kate Sowinski Star-Ledger All Non-Public B: Olivia Tarantino (3,200, 2nd team) All-Somerset/West Jersey: Kate Sowinski (55 dash, 3rd team)
Wrestling: 2-14
SCIAA Tournament: 12th place, Trevor Topf (2nd place at 152 lbs.) Rutgers Prep Tournament: Trevor Topf, David Young (2nd place), Jack Muller, Andrew Stubbs (3rd place) Districts: Team (9th place-out of 10 teams)
Courier News All-Area: Trevor Topf (Honorable Mention) All-Area Top Records: Trevor Topf (152 1bs. weight class: 17-11)
Athletic Roundup Spring 2008 Season Results Colonial Hills Conference: 7th place in Hills Division All-Conference in Colonial Hills: Brendan Burgdorf (2nd team), Brian O’Toole and Louis Riccardi (Honorable Mentions)
Star-Ledger All-Somerset: Brendan Burgdorf (3rd team) Courier News All-Area: Brendan Burgdorf (Honorable Mention)
BOYS’ GOLF: 12-6
Colonial Hills Conference: 10-6 SCIAA Tournament: 9th place team Colonial Hills Conference Championship: 4th place team; Jay Sogliuzzo (10th place) Cherry Valley Tournament: 8th place
All-Conference in Colonial Hills: Dan Weiniger (2nd team), Jay Sogliuzzo (Honorable Mention) As of June 15, 2008, Head Coach Joe Forte has 309 career victories
summer /fall 2008
BASEBALL: 6-13
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[ School News ] GIRLS’ GOLF: 7-4
Prep B Championships: 4th place All-State Prep: Taylor Guiffre (1st team) All-North Jersey Girls Golf League: Taylor Guiffre (1st team)
North Jersey Girls Golf League: 3rd place team
BOYS’ LACROSSE: 5-10
All-Conference Waterman Division: Henry Burchenal (1st team), Eric Oplinger (2nd team), Tanner Combias (Honorable Mention)
As of June 15, 2008, Head Coach Mike Webster has 204 career victories
GIRLS’ LACROSSE: 8-7
SCIAA: Semi-Finalist NJSIAA (Non-Public A) Tournament: Won 1st round NJISAA Prep Tournament: Won 2nd round
Courier News All-Area: Katie Parsels (1st team), Hillary Densen (2nd team), Jennifer Lang, Jordan Shelby (3rd team), Katie Bennett, Darragh Egan (Honorable Mentions)
SOFTBALL: 10-11
Colonial Hills Conference “Player of the Year”: Katie Occhipinti All-Conference in Colonial Hills: Maja Feenick, Emma Carver (2nd team), Biff Parker-Magyar, Jess Westerman (Honorable Mentions)
Courier News All-Area: Katie Occhipinti (2nd team)
BOYS’ TENNIS: 20-4
Colonial Hills Conference: Champions in Hills Division SCIAA Tournament: 2nd place NJSIAA Non-Public A: Sectional Finalists Somerset County “Player of the Year”: Garrett Schuman (undefeated in regular season play) All-Conference: Jeff Tanenbaum (2nd team), Evan Ju (3rd team), Jared Cohen, Brian Weiniger (Honorable Mentions) Star-Ledger State Ranking: 14th
Star-Ledger All-Somerset: Garrett Schuman (1st team singles), David Kerr, Will Klein (1st team doubles) Courier News All-Area: Garrett Schuman (1st team), Evan Ju, Will Klein (2nd team) Courier News All-Area By Flight: Garrett Schuman (2nd team), Evan Ju, Will Klein (3rd team), Jeff Tanenbaum (Honorable Mention) Colonial Hills “Coach of the Year”: Gary Miller
BOYS’ TRACK: 7-0
Colonial Hills Conference: Champions in Hills Division Colonial Hills Conference Championship: 2nd place Colonial Hills Relays: 3rd place Prep B Championships: 1st place SCIAA Tournament: 9th place NJSIAA Non-Public B: 2nd place All-State Non-Public B: Carlton Bowers All-Colonial Hills: Carlton Bowers (1st team)
Star-Ledger “Breakout Performer of the Year”: Carlton Bowers Somerset County/All-Group: Carlton Bowers (All Non-Public 2nd team) Courier News “Most Improved Athlete”: Carlton Bowers Courier News All-Area: Carlton Bowers (2nd team), Dan Schuchinsky (3rd team), Matt LaForgia (Honorable Mention)
GIRLS’ TRACK: 7-0
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Colonial Hills Conference: Champions in Hills Division Colonial Hills Conference Championship: 2nd place Colonial Hills Relays: 3rd place SCIAA Relays Championship: 9th place SCIAA Tournament: 7th place Prep A Tournament: 2nd place NJSIAA B Division: 3rd place Colonial Hills All-Conference: Martha Gross, Olivia Delia, Olivia Tarantino, Louisa Lee (1st team) All-Somerset County: Martha Gross, Olivia Delia All-State Prep A: Olivia Delia, Martha Gross, Olivia Tarantino, Louisa Lee, Adrienne Spiegel, Auriel Dickey, Jackie Reef
NJSIAA All Non-Public B: Martha Gross School records: Martha Gross, 400 m—57.96 (fully automatic time) Casey Rupon, pole vault—8 feet Kate Sowinski, Olivia Delia, Terdoo Nwaoduh, Martha Gross, 1600 m—4:03.77 (fully automatic time) Louisa Lee, Martha Gross, Olivia Delia, Olivia Tarantinto, Distance Medley—12:37.71 (fully automatic time) Star-Ledger All-Somerset All-Star: Martha Gross (1st team), Olivia Delia (2nd team) Star-Ledger All Non-Public B: Martha Gross (2nd team), Olivia Tarantino (3rd team)
[ School News ]
Pingry Robotics Team Faces FIRST Challenge Arriving for the Competition The Pingry robotics team competed in their first competition the weekend of April 4-6, 2008. Arriving early Friday morning for the New York City Regional FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics Competition at the Jacob Javits Center in New York, the team faced a daunting challenge. As other area high school teams participated in the opening practice rounds, the Pingry team scrambled to fix their robot, which had been damaged prior to shipping. Disqualification seemed possible—but, as Pingry science teacher and robotics advisor Jeffrey Jenkins later observed, the team was determined to compete.
The Game Rules For each match, an alliance of three robot teams competes against another alliance in the robot arena. The arena is an elliptical track, bisected by a six-and-a-half-foot-high metal overpass. On top of this overpass, four 40-inch red and blue trackballs rest, soon to be knocked down by robotic appendages that push and grab. Once the trackball is down— rolling and bouncing on the track— the teams score points by picking up a ball and throwing or bouncing it over the metal overpass. Teams also score points for simply completing laps. Teams control their robot with joysticks.
Jack DiMassimo, Victoria Morgan, and Connor Jennings help build Pingry’s robot
scooping them from the track, and raising them back up so that they could be rolled over the overpass; this lift mechanism was what the team fixed on Friday. Although team members refined its design after each match, the robot still had trouble scooping up trackballs during matches. Mr. Jenkins explained that the lift did not perform as expected because, in constructing it, the team had had to rely on hand tools, rather than more precise machining equipment. “It would be great if we had the capacity to fabricate what the students designed,” he says.
The Competition
Pingry’s robot had a forklift-like mechanism for knocking down the balls from the high overpass,
At the competition, a robot has to knock down a trackball from the overpass
Although the robot’s forklift did not work as planned, the robot proved a nimble adversary, holding its own against more elaborate metallic behemoths. Thanks to their robot’s quickness and the team’s success in strategizing with alliance teams, Pingry earned a 4 - 4 record and finished 34th out of the 68 teams,
The team members who attended the weekend competition were co-captains Craig Limoli (VI), Victoria Morgan (IV), and J.P. Patrizio (VI); sophomore Bozhena Lisko; juniors Connor Jennings, Michael Fernando, and James White; and seniors Jack DiMassimo and David Young. Sophomore Victoria Morgan enjoyed the weekend event. “I thought it was a really fun experience. My brother started a team at his high school three years ago, and I always went to watch his team compete. I’m glad that Pingry now has a team I can be on too. I know people hear ‘robotics’ and think ‘nerd,’ but it’s actually pretty cool once you’re a part of it,” she says.
Next Year’s Forecast Mr. Jenkins hopes that next year alumni and/or others in the local community will help the robotics team with fabrication, possibly donating machine shop time. He also points out that the robotics competition gives alumni and others a chance to mentor students.
39 summer /fall 2008
On Saturday morning, the seeding round of the competition began, with fans lining the bleachers to cheer on their teams. Just beyond the arena is a separate pit area where teams make last-minute adjustments to their robots. There, team 2577—Pingry’s team—waited for match play to begin, having restored their robot to life on Friday.
placing ahead of teams with more years of experience. “I couldn’t be more pleased with how our students stepped up to the challenge of competing at the very highest level,” Mr. Jenkins says.
Scene Around Campus
On German Day, Sra. Carr dressed in a typical Austrian dirndl. She stands in front of her Foreign Language Bulletin Board, featuring the world countries where French, German, Spanish, and Latin are spoken The Foreign Language Week gallery outside the Middle School featured projects written by sixth-grade Spanish students about Latin American countries. Front row: Ian Edwards. Second row, left to right: Melanie Naratil, Kristen Stuzynski, Nicole Zezza, Haley La Fontaine, and Hunter Clark. Third row: Tracey Lin
Foreign Language Week Middle School students sampled international cuisine and celebrated foreign languages and cultures as part of National Foreign Language Week in March 2008. Foreign language faculty member Jeanine Carr, who has organized the weeklong celebration at the Lower School for the past 25 years, brought the festivities to the Middle School for the first time this year.
40 the pingry review
“The Commons lends itself to grand decoration for appropriate flags and posters. All the lockers [featured] the languages taken by each Middle School student. A color scheme helped identify languages from afar,” Sra. Carr says.
Thematic menus in the cafeteria included food from a different country each day, such as German apple strudel, Italian ravioli soup, Chinese pork fried rice, Spanish churros, and a French vegetable and cheese quiche. The week’s main event was a quiz bowl with dozens of questions about countries and cultures around the world The Lower School also continued its long-standing participation in the event. French faculty member Jane Roxbury and German faculty member Norman LaValette visited the Short Hills Campus to expose the fifth-grade students to new languages. They are studying Spanish and can switch to other languages when they come to the Martinsville Campus.
Sixth-grade Spanish students displayed their autobiographies written in Spanish. Left to right: Alyssa Baum, Chris Devito, Harrison Boyajian, Roshni Kotla, Tracey Lin, Bart Zanelli, Natalie Gilbert, Kendall Smith, Reeve Carver, and Ryan Lister
Mr. LaValette taught the Lower School students German words and phrases
Scene Around Campus
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2
Family Arts Festival Pingry celebrated the arts and the fifth anniversary of the Hostetter Arts Center with a Family Arts Festival on April 5, 2008. The afternoon showcased the artistic talents of students in Kindergarten through Form VI.
1
Members of the Strolling Madrigal Singers. Left to right: Lindsey James (V), Brian Hart (V), and Maggie Bonadies (V).
2 A performance by members of the Jazz Ensemble.
3 The Balladeers. 4 Pottery demonstration
with seniors Tanner Combias and Gordon Peeler.
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Drama Department Chair Al Romano, Fine Arts Department Chair Miles Boyd, and Music Department Chair Andrew Moore, joined by Headmaster Nat Conard, cut one of the three birthday cakes.
3
6 Children helped paint
a Community Art Project.
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Members of the String Ensemble: First row, left to right: Sydney Li (I), Brian Toner (I), and Justin Louie (VI). Back row, left to right: Julia Price (II) and Koryna
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5
O’Besso (6).
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Faculty member Trisha Wheeler leads a dance workshop for children.
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summer /fall 2008
6
Scene Around Campus
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9 Tracy Arnold, mother
The Middle School Play in May 2008 was “At the Crossroads: Stories, Songs, and Dances from the Heart,” folktales from Africa and India, Grimm’s fairy tales, and Aesop’s Fables. From left to right:
10 Kindergarten students
Molly Schulman (II), Eleanor Johnson (II), Temi Butler (I), Kevin Sampaio (II), and Conor Malloy (I).
of Kindergarten student Amir Arnold, reads to Lower School students during the National African-American Read-In on February 4, 2008.
Leah Edwards, Kazi Holston,
and Teddy McGraw were invited to play the drums when the Spirit Ensemble, a world music touring group, visited the Short Hills Campus on February 15, 2008.
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During the Spring Concert at the Short Hills Campus on May 9, 2008, Patricia Finn conducted the Handbell Choir. Left to right: fifth-grade students Kaelea Composto, Jana Wilson, Natalie Mullins, and Evy Barnett. 42
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13 Kindergarten student Teddy McGraw helps his
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classmates load the BRIDGES truck. Read more about Pingry’s involvement with BRIDGES in this issue’s articles about community service.
14 Pingry students and
their guests from the Lycée Jean Mermoz in Dakar, Senegal. The 22 students from Senegal were hosted by 19 Pingry families for a week.
the pingry review
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Scene Around Campus
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15 Pingry’s chapter of the
Cum Laude Society, which recognizes the academic excellence of juniors and seniors. The newest members were inducted in April 2008. Students who were elected as juniors during the 2007-2008 school year: Daniel Elkind,
Michael Fernando, Diana Jiang, Audrey Li, Zara Mannan, Jenny Palacios, Sarah Paton, Jacqueline Reef, Giancarlo Riotto, Andrew Sartorius, Colleen Tapen, and Christine Willinger.
Students who were elected as seniors during the 2007-2008 school year: Parul Agarwal, Kerry Bickford, Wyatt Komarin, Lauren Kronthal, Ryan Maxwell, Caroline Pinke, Angela Ramirez, Meredith Skiba, Andrew Willinger, Richard Zacharias, Jessica Zhao, and Melinda Zoephel.
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Faculty member Kristan Cassady conducts the Middle
School String Ensemble in the Middle School Commons.
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The Drama IV Spring Play in April 2008 was Tom Griffin’s comedy drama Amateurs. Left to right: Seniors Scott Eckenthal,
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Hallie Bianco, Rocquan Lucas, Jenna Devine, Rick Zacharias, and Maureen Brady.
18 Kindergarten students
Victoria Gu, Alexandra Weber, Madeline Skapper, Julie Katz, and Renee Chan, and faculty member Gail Wills enjoy the
pancake breakfast made complete with syrup that the students made from sap in the school’s maple tree.
19 The Drama and Music
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Departments presented Gilbert and Sullivan’s The Pirates of Penzance as the spring musical in February and March 2008. The cast, crew, and orchestra were comprised of Upper School students.
20 First-grade student
Andrew Cowen with his grandparents on Grandparents’ and Special Friends’ Day.
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[ alumni News ]
A Message from the PAA President Serving as PAA President the past two years has been a very rewarding and fulfilling experience for me. A strong, active board and an everenthusiastic Pingry Alumni Relations office have helped us achieve record attendance levels at several events with many alumni returning to the school for the first time in decades, and increased participation from young alumni. These results tie directly to the objectives set forth in the PAA Mission Statement: to support and promote The Pingry School, preserve the values, history, and tradition of The Pingry School, and foster the attachment of the alumni community to The Pingry School.
44 the pingry review
One of the most exciting responsibilities as PAA President is to lead the Awards Committee in the selection process for two important recognitions: the Letter-in-Life and the Nelson Carr Awards. We have so many talented Pingry alumni who have distinguished careers in professional or civic life and who are dedicated to serving and supporting Pingry. This year, I was thrilled and honored to present the Letter-in-Life Award to Bruce Jacobsen ’78 for his significant career accomplishments and dedication to supporting the environment. His engaging presentation to the Class of 2008 during graduation ceremonies on June 8 can be found online at www.pingry.org, under “All-School News.” I also had the pleasure of awarding John Wight ’62 with the Nelson Carr Award for his many years of dedicated service to The Pingry School; the presentation took place at the PAA Annual Meeting during Reunion Weekend. We have seen an incredible amount of activity in just the first half of this year. In January, we held our annual Back from College Luncheon at the Martinsville Campus with over 50
alumni returning for the event, where they had the opportunity to interact with the current senior class and faculty members. Later that month, we hosted the 10th annual Pingry Career Day, which was, once again, a tremendous success—the entire senior class benefited from the participation of 28 alumni. Career Day was initiated in 1999 as a way for seniors to learn more about possible career choices. This year students gathered in the Macrae Theater to hear keynote speaker David Gelber ’59, producer of 60 Minutes, describe how his news career started. Students then attended three consecutive 45-minute career sessions of their choice. Pingry alumni shared their career experiences across a variety of professions including law, advertising and marketing, investment banking, fine and visual arts, media, sports marketing, and medicine. We say a big “thank you” to all alumni who volunteered for this highly-regarded annual event. Throughout the winter and spring, we hosted college luncheons for young alumni attending Princeton, the University of Pennsylvania, and Columbia. Additionally, we organized alumni receptions in Vero Beach, Delray Beach, Atlanta, and Princeton.
This year’s Reunion Weekend in May was another record-breaker, with a total of 709 registered guests attending various events throughout the weekend. On Friday we held the 50-Year Club Luncheon, where members of the Class of ’58 were inducted into the club. Later that day alumni attended the Magistri Induction for faculty members reaching 25 years of service to Pingry. This year’s honorees, Susanne Alford, Mary Lou Cilli, and Joan Pearlman, were inducted by Ted Corvino, head of the Lower School. Afterward, Paul Scrudato ’78 paid tribute to faculty member Fred Fayen in honor of his 45 years of dedicated service to Pingry. At the Athletic Hall of Fame Ceremony, trainer Mike Lalley, field hockey player Kim Susko ’97, coach Rick Weiler, the 1947 Golf Team, the 1958 Golf Team, and the 1977 Boys’ Lacrosse Team were inducted, and then everyone celebrated at Reminisce Under the Big Top, held in the Hostetter Arts Center due to inclement weather. On Saturday at the PAA Annual Meeting, Headmaster Nat Conard presented his annual State of the School address and we elected new officers to the PAA Board: President Steve Lipper ’79, Vice President Allison Zoellner ’83, Vice President Sam Partridge ’92, Vice President Woody Weldon ’91, Treasurer Chip Korn ’89, and Secretary John Campbell ’88. The annual meeting was followed by a short play written, directed, and performed by alumni. Alumni then gathered under the tent for our popular clam bake, and over 40 people attended the Alumni Lacrosse game. The Class of 1958 continued the tradition of handily beating the 25th reunion class at a “friendly” game of lawn bowling. On Saturday evening reunion parties for class years ending in 3 and 8 were held in various locations in New Jersey and New York.
[ alumni News ] Congratulations to all who were honored throughout Reunion Weekend!
2008 Nelson L. Carr Service Award
This year, we reintroduced the Senior BBQ, held at the headmaster’s home at the Short Hills Campus. Members of the senior class were inducted into the Pingry Alumni Association and encouraged to maintain their ties with their classmates and faculty members as they embark on the next chapter of their lives. Each senior was given a Pingry Laundry Bag, which will certainly come in handy during their college years. As my tenure as President of the Pingry Alumni Association comes to an end, I would like to thank everyone who supported the PAA and me over the past two years, including the PAA Board and the Board of Trustees. I especially want to thank Stuart Lederman ’78, Gordy Sulcer ’61, Director of Alumni Relations and Annual Giving Jackie Sullivan, Director of Development Melanie Hoffmann, Miller Bugliari ’52, Nat Conard, Vicki Brooks, Ned Atwater ’63, Bill Engel ’67, and Stu Lavey ’63. Stu’s sudden passing was a shock and left many of us with a deep sadness. He was a true mentor, and I will be forever grateful for his support and encouragement over the years. Stu will be deeply missed and will be remembered for his love for Pingry and his ongoing commitment and dedication to the school.
Warm regards,
E. Lori Halivopoulos ’78
John W. Wight ’62 is the recipient of the 2008 Nelson L. Carr Service Award. The award, named in honor of Nelson L. Carr ’24 in 1992, is presented annually to an alumnus who has demonstrated faithful and dedicated service in support of Pingry. Nelson devoted almost 70 years of service to Pingry and served as president of the Pingry Alumni Association from 1940 to 1941 and as a class representative. At the Annual Meeting of the Alumni Association during Reunion Weekend, PAA President E. Lori Halivopoulos ’78 presented John with the award. He attended Reunion with his wife Mary and daughter Elizabeth ’03 and was appreciative and surprised to receive the honor. John is clearly well-deserving of the Nelson Carr Award; his years of dedication and service to Pingry are exemplary. John was a member of the Pingry Alumni Association for several years, spoke at Career Day, volunteered at reunion, hosted class parties, reported class news as a
class agent, served on the golf outing committee, and was involved with many Class of ’62 activities. As a student, John was a member of the Blue Key, Spanish, and Math Clubs and the Athletic Executive Committee. He played soccer, basketball, and golf, and was captain of the golf team for two seasons. He earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Civil Engineering at Cornell University and spent his career, almost 40 years, at the architectural/engineering firm of HNTB Corporation, which is among the top design firms in the areas of transportation, bridges, and aviation. He joined the company in 1968, and became Executive Vice President in 1993 and Chief Operating Officer in 1995. “I never considered what I did [for Pingry] anything but enjoyable, and it gave me an opportunity to give back to a great school in some small way,” he says.
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Thank you for the opportunity to serve the PAA over the past two years. The experience has enriched me in so many ways. I look forward to continuing to serve as a PAA board member and supporting the organization’s new leadership.
John W. Wight ’62 with his daughter Liz ’03 and wife Mary
2008 Letter-in-Life Award presented to Bruce Jacobsen ’78 The integration of education, technology, and communications has been the hallmark of Bruce Jacobsen’s career ever since he graduated from Pingry. Teachers Antoine duBourg, Miller Bugliari ’52, Thomas Johnson ’59, and Gordon Rode ’67 developed both his affinity for math and science, and, through lab projects, the hands-on approach which inspired him to create and build. Bruce is grateful for the high level of instruction he received in physics, including an incredibly well-equipped lab. Outside the classroom, he played tennis all four years of high school, he was news editor of “The Pingry Record” during his junior and senior years, he served as class president during his sophomore and junior years, and he was elected president of the student council his senior year.
46 the pingry review
He majored in history at Yale University and worked for the university’s newspaper, the “Yale Daily News,” serving as senior editor for one year. Bruce was elected to Phi Beta Kappa, graduated Summa Cum Laude in 1982, and earned his M.B.A. from Stanford Business School in 1986. His other newspaper reporting included positions with “The Atlanta JournalConstitution,” and “The Miami Herald,” and he was a correspondent for the “Hartford Courant” and “The New York Times.” While in college, he started a book publishing company, RJ Publications, and co-authored several books. Although it was a relatively small company at the time, Bruce joined the Microsoft Corporation in 1986. As general manager of Microsoft’s Kids/Games Business Unit, he developed games and marketed titles that included Microsoft Flight Simulator. Bruce worked on many educational products, including the first versions of the programming language used in
Bruce Jacobsen ’78 holds his Letter-in-Life citation. From left: his niece Lizzie Durkin, sister Martha Durkin, nephew Alec Durkin, and mother Betty Jacobsen, and Headmaster Nat Conard
LEGO Mindstorms robots. In 1995, Microsoft asked him to assume the position of Chief Operating Officer for DreamWorks Interactive, a joint venture between Microsoft and DreamWorks, the entertainment company formed by Steven Spielberg, Jeffrey Katzenberg, and David Geffen. In 1996, following a decade with Microsoft, Bruce became President and Chief Operating Officer of RealNetworks, Inc., a leader in streaming media, and oversaw the company’s milestone of going public. He later became a consultant for RealNetworks and a member of its board of directors. Then, in 2000, he started to teach physics at Garfield High School in Seattle, which led him toward a new career endeavor. Bruce feels strongly that technology “levels the playing field between those who have more and those who have less.” As computer access becomes available to all income levels, a computer lab provides all students with the same learning tools, and he perceives computers as great vehicles for students to acquire a first-class educational experience. With that in mind, he founded Kinetic Books in 2001. This software company creates a digital curriculum for math and physics, including the physics program that Bruce produced, and these courses are used by 80,000 high school and college students in
48 states and 15 countries. The software incorporates audio, animation, and text, and it is intended to replace traditional textbooks. Bruce’s commitment to non-profit organizations encompasses environmental and educational initiatives. He was a member of the national board of The Trust for Public Land, the nation’s largest land trust, which conserves land in many forms, such as parks and historic sites, for the public to enjoy. He helped lead the effort to preserve 30,000 acres in the state of Washington, the last habitat of the lynx in that state. Currently, he is the chairman of College Access Now, a program which helps lowincome high school students apply for and earn admission to college. Many of these students are the first members of their family to attend college, and they receive financial support. He also sponsored the expansion into Africa of “Room to Read,” which builds classrooms and libraries in developing countries. Through his dedication to improving people’s lives with the most recent technological innovations, founding a company that allows any student to have access to state-of-the-art education, and serving the greater community, Bruce Jacobsen has earned distinction in his field. In gaining distinction for himself, he has brought honor to The Pingry School.
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summer 2008
[ alumni News ]
1 2
Reunion Weekend May 16-17, 2008
1 Alumni visit the history
class of John Crowley-Delman ’97, far left, conducted around the Harkness table.
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Standing: Kenneth Engler ’58 and Tom Behr ’58. Sitting: Peter Sherwood ’58, Owen Shea ’58, Terry Corbin ’58, and Peter Behr ’58.
Alumni visit Dr. Susan Dineen’s English class.
6 Theodore Walter ’58, left, and
3 Donald McCulloch ’58. 4 The Buttondowns sing at
50-year citation and Pingry tie at the 50-Year Club Lunch.
the 50-Year Club Lunch.
Steve Schwarz ’58, right, present Gregory McNab, Jr. ’58 with his
7 Joe Irenas ’58. 8 Denny Diebolt ’48.
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9 Headmaster Nat
Conard and the late Charlie Day ’50.
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Jo Sherwood, her husband Peter Sherwood ’58, and Mary Lou Davis, wife of John Davis ’58.
11 Charles Halsey ’34
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and Arthur Oschwald ’38.
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12 Manton Martin ’35
and his wife Rosemarie Gift in the Hostetter Arts Center.
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Jim Porter ’53 and Middle School Director Phil Cox.
14 Billy Cunningham ’77,
third from left, and his family. He is a member of the 1977 Boys’ Lacrosse Team inducted into the Hall of Fame.
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15 Stuart Lederman ’78,
faculty member Mary Ogden, and Jeff Miller ’77.
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Mandy Webster, Mike Lalley, Billy Cunningham ’77, and Lacrosse coach Mike Webster.
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17 Kathryn Gasorek
McAdams ’78 and Hans Bonn ’68.
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Bob Horning, Jr. ’48, his wife Joan, Al Strickler ’48, and his wife Anne.
19 Bruce Gallit ’58 and Peter Behr ’58.
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[ alumni News ]
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20 Louie Dames and his wife Maggie Corbet ’78.
21 Chris Hampson ’98 in the Hostetter Arts Center gallery with two of his photographs.
22 Jeff Edwards ’78, Henry
Ogden ’78, and his wife Mary Ogden.
23 Brad Bonner ’93 and faculty
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member Tom Boyer.
24 August Arace ’48 and Al Bauer ’45.
25 Headmaster Nat Conard,
Stuart Lederman ’78, and Stuart’s daughter Jordan at the Headmaster’s Breakfast.
26 Joe Irenas ’58 and Gordy
Sulcer ’61 at the Headmaster’s Breakfast.
27 Denny Diebolt ’48,
Headmaster Nat Conard, and Kimball Marsh ’48 at the Headmaster’s Breakfast.
28 Headmaster Nat Conard and Owen Shea ’58 at the Headmaster’s Breakfast.
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29 Jane ’94 and Christian
Hoffman ’94 and their daughter Avery.
30 Grant Smith ’77 and Patricia Fernandez Garcia ’83.
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Top row: Richard LeBuhn ’83, Ilene Goldman ’83, and Lance Gould ’83. Bottom row: Buffy Cave ’83, Adrienne Cohen Sodar ’83, and Debra Guss ’83.
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Emily Manly and her husband Justin Manly ’98.
31 Daniel Brown ’58. 32 Alumni enjoy the Clam
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37 Barry Perlman ’83, Richard
Bake.
LeBuhn ’83, Naomi Perlman,
33 Suzanne Bober Weckesser ’88
and Ed Meyercord ’83.
34 Peter Lazor, husband of
Atwater ’63.
and her daughter Laila.
38 Becki Atwater and Chuck
Cathleen Pace Lazor ’88, and
their son Wyatt.
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[ alumni News ]
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39 Kim Hussey and her
46 James Sisto ’77 and
40 Faculty member Fred
Alumni Lacrosse Game.
husband Timothy Hussey ’88. Fayen and Gardiner Welch ’88.
41 Gerry Scully ’88 and his wife and son.
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42 Sean Love ’83 at lawn
bowling.
43 Todd Boylan ’98 at the
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Clam Bake.
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Penny Bunn McCool ’83 sitting in her newly-
won chair.
45 Chris Franklin ‘96, his wife Maggie, and their daughter Lynda.
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John Brady ’78 at the
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The alumni lacrosse team.
48 Peter Behr ’58 shows
Coach Mike Webster the old Pingry lacrosse helmet at the Alumni Lacrosse Game. The helmet belongs to Peter’s twin brother Thomas ’58, who taught and coached at Pingry in the 1960s.
49 Alumni Lacrosse
Game: Cary Corrigan ’08, Tanner Combias ’08, Kim Kimber ’07, and Brad Bonner ’93.
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50 1948 Class Party. 51 1963 and 1968 Class Party. 52 1973 Class Party. 53 1978 Class Party. 54 1983 Class Party.
55 1988 Class Party. 56 1993 Class Party. 57 1998 Class Party. 58 2003 Class Party. 58
Save the Date! Reunion Weekend at the Martinsville Campus, May 15-16, 2009 For classes ending in 4 and 9
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[ alumni News ]
Athletic Hall of Fame Adds 3 Individuals and 3 Teams
The 1977 Boys’ Lacrosse Team
Kim learned new techniques that inspired her teammates and coach. Mrs. Lee also highlighted the fact that Kim was the first athlete ever selected by The Star-Ledger as “Player of the Week.” In her acceptance speech, Kim thanked Mrs. Lee for her encouragement and impact on her life as a student, and thanked her parents for their continuing support.
Pingry’s Hall of Fame honors former student athletes, coaches, or athletic staff members who have demonstrated leadership and whose athletic accomplishments have been of the highest caliber while a student, coach, or athletic staff member at Pingry.
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Eligibility begins 10 years after the nominee graduates. Coaches and athletic staff are eligible once they have retired from coaching or working in that role at Pingry.
the pingry review
The 2008 inductees for the Athletic Hall of Fame are field hockey player Kim Susko ’97, athletic trainer J. Michael Lalley, lacrosse and swimming coach Richard Weiler, the 1947 Golf Team, the 1958 Golf Team, and the 1977 Boys’ Lacrosse Team. The inductees were honored on May 16 during Reunion Weekend. The ceremony opened with remarks by Director of Athletics Gerry Vanasse, who provided an overview of Pingry’s athletics program.
Kim Susko ’97 and her parents Brick, left, and Chris
Mr. Lalley, a certified athletic trainer, anatomy, physiology, and health teacher, and two-time dedicatee of Pingry’s yearbook, devoted 33 years to caring for Pingry students. Marc ’86
Kim Susko was in the starting varsity field hockey lineup every year during high school, helped lead her team to championships, and earned multiple honors. During those four seasons, she scored 48 goals and made 40 assists to help the team compile a record of 64 wins, 7 losses, and 6 ties. In her senior year, she scored 23 goals and led the team to conference and county championships, a school record for most victories in a single season, and a team ranking of 7th in the state by The Star-Ledger. Coach Judy Lee praised her for being a “complete player” and said that
Mike Lalley, his wife MaryAnn, and his son Marc ’86
informal, personal way. It was always about us and never about him,” he said. Vic mentioned that Mr. Weiler motivated the team, showed concern for the team members, prepared thoroughly for meets, and taught the important lesson of moving on after a loss. Miller Bugliari ’52 introduced the golf teams. Ed Roll ’47 and David Baldwin ’47 accepted on behalf of the undefeated 1947 team who won the Union County Tournament, while Bill Hetfield ’58 and Ted Walter Jr. ’58 spoke for the 1958 team, who won the Union County championship for the second consecutive year. The 1958 Golf Team
His teams compiled impressive records season after season. Many of his students played for varsity teams in college, and three of his lacrosse players were named All-American in college. He was instrumental in establishing lacrosse at Pingry in 1956 and became head coach of the varsity team in 1959. The annual Richard C. Weiler Lacrosse Award was established in 1973.
Rick Weiler and his wife Jean
Vic Pfeiffer Jr. ’67, who swam for four years on the varsity team, described Coach Weiler’s outstanding attributes. “He connected with us in an
spoke about his father’s dedication, commitment, and composure, adding that he tries every day to emulate his father’s qualities.
All of the inductees thanked the Hall of Fame Committee for selecting them, said they were honored to be included in this prestigious group, and thanked Pingry for the opportunity to be immersed in athletic and educational excellence. If you would like to nominate someone for the Hall of Fame, please complete the nomination form at www.pingry.org/ alumni/ahof.html.
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“This was my life for 33 years,” Mr. Lalley said. He praised his Pingry colleagues and student trainers and expressed thanks for 33 years of memories. Coach Weiler, whose Pingry career spanned 40 years, proved to be an invaluable force behind Pingry’s lacrosse and swimming teams—the 1961 Lacrosse Team and 1961-1962 Swimming Team are both enshrined in Pingry’s Athletic Hall of Fame.
Lacrosse coach Mike Webster praised the 1977 Boys’ Lacrosse Team for their passion; they defeated several Top 10 schools and finished second in the state. Billy Cunningham ’77 spoke on behalf of his teammates.
The 1947 Golf Team
[ alumni News ]
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PAA Golf Outing The Pingry Alumni Association’s annual Golf Outing was held on June 9, 2008, at Morris County Golf Club in Convent Station, New Jersey.
1 Tim Lear ’92 and Steve Lipper ’79. 2 Chip Carver ’77 and Anne DeLaney ’79, current Pingry parents.
3 Greg Savettiere, current Pingry
parent, and Charles Frazier, guest of current Pingry parent Leonard Murray.
8 Sean O’Donnell ’75, right, and his guest Richard Bartley.
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Robert Cronheim ’06 won the drawing for a Pingry chair.
4 Woody Weldon ’91 and Sam Partridge ’92.
5 Kyle Coleman ’80 and Cliff Broder ’80. 6 Jonathan Shelby ’74 and Bruce
10 Deborah Reperowitz, current Pingry parent.
6
Morrison ’64.
7 Left to right: John McLaughlin,
Miller Bugliari ’52, Headmaster Nat Conard, and Mark McLaughlin ’83.
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Senior BBQ
Seniors gathered at the headmaster’s house on June 2, 2008, for the Senior Barbecue. The Pingry Alumni Association organized the event to honor seniors for their accomplishments and to welcome them into the alumni community.
1 Left to right: Caroline
Pinke ’08, Erik Moss ’08, Scott Bissinger ’08, and Headmaster Nat Conard
2
Faculty member Dr. Joan Pearlman and David Young ’08
3 Faculty member Dr. Susan Dineen, Rocquan Lucas ’08, and faculty member Dean Sluyter
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Left to right: Andrew Cala ’08, John Guiffre ’08, Ali Apruzzese ’08, Brittany Waser ’08, Leslie Springmeyer ’08, Taylor Sankovich ’08, Danika Paulo ’08, and Lindsey Hyman ’08
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Erik Moss ’08, Andrew Willinger ’08, and Luke Beshar ’08
3 4
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[ alumni News ]
Harry Allen ’82 Visits Pingry to Exhibit His Versatile Design Concepts
work is in real life experience. This show of my work is not meant to be an artistic experience. It is documentation of my career.” To appeal to students, he assembled photographs, conceptual designs, and sketches of interior designs for Supreme—a skateboard apparel store—and M•A•C Cosmetics. “In this capacity, I’m serving M•A•C’s needs. I’m not serving Harry Allen’s needs. I wouldn’t create that space if I didn’t like it, but I’m designing for them,” he says.
“Bank in the Form of a Pig” by Harry Allen ’82
An exhibit in January and February in the Hostetter Arts Center Gallery by Harry Allen ’82 gave the Pingry community insight into how he balances his career with corporate and personal work. Harry is president and chief designer of Harry Allen & Associates, an award-winning consulting design firm that he founded in 1993.
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The Manhattan-based company’s projects encompass industrial design, interior design, graphic design, and identity development for corporate clients, some of whom are Estée Lauder, the Guggenheim Museum, Maybelline, the Museum of Modern Art, Sony, Steuben Glass, and Warner Bros. Many of Harry’s works
the pingry review Maureen Baxley-Murray ’82 and Harry Allen ’82
have also been exhibited in museums around the world. While at Pingry, he developed experience in ceramics. “[Harry and I] did pottery together. Even back then, you could see he had amazing talents, and he’s so personable,” says Maureen Baxley-Murray ’82, who attended the closing reception in Harry’s honor. He studied political science at Alfred University, then decided to transform himself into a designer and earned his Master’s degree in Industrial Design at the Pratt Institute. At the same time, he began working at Prescriptives Cosmetics, a company owned by Estée Lauder. He soon opened his own studio and made and sold furniture, which brought international recognition and resulted in some of his work being exhibited at the Museum of Modern Art. Harry wrote a letter to Pingry students, explaining his educational and artistic backgrounds and the exhibit, which was available in the gallery. In the letter, he emphasized that he is a designer, not an artist: “Much of the point of art is in the viewing, in the show itself, in the gallery experience. This does not apply to design. The point of my
He further highlighted his corporate portfolio by showing packaging designs for Sonia Kashuk’s new line of women’s fragrance bottles at Target, a re-design of Johnson & Johnson’s First Aid Kit, and the red Kila Desk Lamp sold by Ikea. Three rubber wheels, attached to legs that form a tripod, allow the lamp to move in circles. “I was a really avid roller-skater for a long time, and I wanted to do something that’s [spun] on wheels,” Harry says.
Harry Allen ’82 and faculty member Jeanine Carr next to the Kila Desk Lamp
The personal work revolved around his Reality series—designs cast from original sources, such as the small, red “Bank in the Form of a Pig” and “My Brother’s Frame.” “The reference is what people are attracted to, so I try to find things that are really easy reads. I like to think that that idea of reality goes through everything I do, that you find beauty in something that’s actually a part of the piece. Those materials are beautiful in and of themselves,” he says. Harry Allen & Associates is online at www.harryallendesign.com.
Oratorical Competition Honors Humanitarian Dr. Robert LeBow ’58 Idaho in June 1972. Bob became the first full-time physician and medical director of the fledgling community clinic that eventually became Terry Reilly Health Services (TRHS). It now serves over 25,000 patients, over 65 percent of whom are uninsured, at sites throughout southwest Idaho.
Dr. Robert H. LeBow ’58
Six Pingry students delivered speeches to a school-wide assembly in February, competing in an event funded by the Class of 1958: the Dr. Robert H. LeBow ’58 Memorial Oratorical Competition which was first held in 2006. After graduating from Pingry 50 years ago, Bob LeBow spent his career advocating for health care reform around the globe, and his passion for changing public policy sparked his interest in public speaking. His Pingry classmates recall his exceptional intelligence and memorization skills and three of his passions: creating elegant, artistic maps of countries that did not exist, building a stamp collection that numbered in the thousands, and riding his bike for long distances, both nationally and internationally in fact, he rode more than 200,000 miles on six continents.
He and his wife Gail and their children Teddy and Tommy moved to
The books were also sold nationally in collaboration with an organization of which Bob had been president for two years, Physicians for a National Health Program. However, the book initially was not available in bookstores because the LeBows did not have contacts in the New York book publishing industry. Bob’s classmate, Alan Hood ’58, came to the rescue. “When I found out about Bob’s accident, Bob had been moved to Philadelphia, and I was shown the book. I didn’t know he had written a book. The book came in from the printer, but he wasn’t able to promote it. Being in the book publishing industry, I volunteered to publish it,” he says. Bob passed away on November 29, 2003, and, since then, two annual events have been established to honor his legacy. One is TRHS’s Bob LeBow Bike Tour, “Health Care for All,” to continue funding the care for the clinic’s uninsured patients; the fund was started by selling Bob’s book. The tour took place for the sixth time in June 2008. “He wanted
The other four finalists offered cultural critiques and inspirational messages. Emily Xia (IV) suggested that the perceived evils of television and computers are overblown, noting that books were once considered dangerous influences too. Hannah Goldstein (V) discussed the pervasive presence of advertisements and their strong influence on children and teenagers. Meanwhile, Sean Salamon (IV) cast doubt on the lawfulness of the Boy Scouts’ exclusion of homosexuals, agnostics, and atheists. Courtney Hulse (IV) offered an inspirational speech about persisting in the face of setbacks. All six finalists received Dr. LeBow’s book on health care reform. In its pages, they likely will find messages that resonate with them: the value of fighting for a cause despite setbacks, the harmful influence of powerful corporations, and perhaps, above all, a concern for improving the world.
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From 1969 to 1971, he was a Peace Corps physician in Bolivia, and then he pursued his master’s degree in Public Health at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. A classmate at Johns Hopkins told Bob about a start-up clinic in rural Idaho that served mostly migrant farm workers. Bob embraced the challenge of developing a comprehensive health care delivery system for a rural, underserved population.
As an outgrowth of his advocacy for his patients and his frustration with the medical establishment, Bob wrote and self-published Health Care Meltdown: Confronting the Myths and Fixing Our Failing System. The first copies came back from the printer in July 2002, one week before Bob was in a bike accident. The books were sold through word-of-mouth in Idaho and the proceeds were used to start a fund for the benefit of the uninsured patients at TRHS.
For this year’s competition, held on February 15, 2008, in Hauser Auditorium, both the winner, Andrew Sartorius (V), and the runner-up, Samuel Baron (IV), gave speeches that defended their generation. Andrew Sartorius argued that his generation’s online research skills and ability to process multiple streams of information mean that they will be the workers of the future—“knowledge workers” and “information artists” who can find and “sculpt” information. Taking a different approach, Samuel Baron rejected attempts by others to label his generation, arguing “we are yet to define who we are.” He pointed out that his generation has many good qualities too, including a concern for improving the world.
[ alumni News ]
Robert Lair ’80 and Sudanese Refugees Bring Education to Sudan
Junior Andrew Sartorius speaks at the Dr. Robert H. LeBow ’58 Memorial Oratorical Competition
to be sure that everyone was able to get access to the health care that they needed regardless of their ability to pay,” Ms. LeBow says. The other annual event is the oratorical competition at Pingry, which offers Pingry sophomores and juniors the chance to give speeches that are informative, persuasive, or inspirational—similar to Bob’s.
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Bill Hetfield ’58, the class representative, was instrumental in establishing the fund for the competition, and one of his first ideas was to make Bob’s book part of the presentation, so each of the finalists receives a copy and the winner also receives a small cash prize. “This [competition] is reserved for sophomores and juniors. The objective is to empower young people. To be good on one’s feet opens many doors, whether they are higher education, civic endeavors such as politics, career choice and advancement, or social settings. Public speaking skills are an asset that can be the difference between success and failure in life’s endeavors,” Bill says. Because of the Class of 1958’s generosity in honoring their classmate, future generations of Pingry students will have the opportunity to develop public speaking skills and, in turn, continue the legacy of a treasured member of the Pingry community.
NESEI Co-Founder Atem Deng and Robert Lair ’80 in front of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) offices in Uganda. The trip marked the first time Atem saw his family in over 17 years
Robert Lair ’80 realized a long-awaited dream this past May. Ever since age 14, when he was a freshman, he wanted to start his own school and be a teacher—goals inspired by his Pingry experience and his desire to share that level of education with others. Now, he is co-director of the New Sudan Education Initiative (NESEI), and he recently celebrated the opening of a new school in Sudan, one of several schools planned for a country ravaged by more than 20 years of civil war.
their background. They introduced themselves and learned that the men had come to the U.S. as refugees from the Sudan Civil Wars. “One of them, Atem Deng, said that he hadn’t seen his mother for 16 years— since he was six-years-old. Four months later, we were on the plane to go find his mother,” Robert says. He witnessed that reunion, and Atem met his sister for the first time; she had been a slave in Khartoum for four years.
Robert has spent his life helping disadvantaged and displaced people in 42 countries, including India, Nepal, and Uganda; Sudan was the most recent. “I thought that I couldn’t be surprised anymore by travel, but, when I went to Sudan in 2006, just a year after the peace agreement was signed, I was absolutely shocked. It was like walking on the moon, completely isolated from the outside world,” he says.
Atem took Robert to the refugee camps, where education is greatly needed, and they devised a plan to build 20 high schools by 2015 to accommodate 20,000 Sudanese students. These schools will be self-sufficient via fees and built-in incomegenerating projects; students and other local people will sell the surplus of food from a 200-acre farm and sell unused cement blocks that are built for construction.
Seven years ago, he and his wife, an anthropologist, saw a group of Sudanese refugees sitting on a porch in Vermont and wanted to know
“Sudanese are very interested in selfsufficiency. They’ve been relying on outside aid for 22 years and they don’t want that [to be the case],” Robert says.
The first school’s location, outside Yei in Southern Sudan, was chosen for its increased security and proximity to the Ugandan border, making it easier for the school to receive supplies, and the school is on one of the main refugee routes. Seventeen chiefs of Lainya County facilitated the process by providing 55 acres of land for free, and then adding seven square miles for farming. Robert and Atem founded NESEI in 2006 as a partnership between the Sudanese and an international network of supporters. Robert is co-director with another refugee, Abraham Awolich, and the group wants to give more students access to education and bring peace to the region. Last May, the World Bank recognized NESEI in its Development Marketplace Competition, an annual contest for emerging nonprofit organizations around the world. It is a search for social businesses—those organizations with social missions that are selfsustaining; NESEI was one of 22 winners from an original pool of 3,000 applications. Robert emphasizes that NESEI has been a collaboration since its inception. “It’s not like the American saving the day in Sudan. It’s about
Sudanese students in their new classroom
Sudanese, who came here as refugees, working side by side with Americans. Our board is divided between Sudanese and Americans, and our implementation in Sudan is divided between Sudanese and Americans. It’s about Africans helping Africans. Abraham went over there, opened all the doors, and made it work,” he says. Robert’s decision to focus his career on helping international communities was inspired at Colgate University, when a representative spoke about her work with Mother Teresa’s organization in Calcutta. Robert visited Calcutta three months later and
In 1998, he joined Saint Michael’s College as an adjunct professor of religious studies and wanted to bring some of his students to countries where he had direct experience with extreme poverty. “I was in the classroom and feeling like the walls were caving in on me because I was trying to explain it to them in words—but I wanted to show it to them. To actually see it, that’s the key,” he says. Reflecting on those overseas trips with students from other schools, Robert would like to do something similar at Pingry. “I have a dream to create a sister high school with Pingry. The Sudanese refugees would come down to Pingry and participate in classes, and students can go over to Sudan and have a relationship with Sudanese high school students.” Now that the first school has opened, he is continuing his international relief work to implement NESEI’s goals for the remaining schools. In that way, Pingry is part of Sudan—the students’ new classrooms partially owe their existence to Robert’s alma mater inspiring him to spread education around the globe. Robert can be reached at robert.nesei@gmail.com.
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Robert Lair ’80 meets students at the opening ceremony of the new school in Sudan
stayed for a year to collaborate with the organization and observe Mother Teresa’s daily work.
[ alumni News ]
Fiction Writers Share Advice with the Next Generation Dani Shapiro ’80 and Rick Reiken ’84 returned to Pingry in April 2008 to participate in the 12th annual Justin Society Creative Writing Festival, named for Justin Ring ’94, to encourage creative writing and its appreciation at Pingry. Dani and Rick read some of their fiction, answered Upper School students’ questions about the writing process, and led writing workshops.
what it meant than just that it be beautiful.” For his part, Rick considers his evolution more general. “The more I evolve as a writer, the more I’m starting to see what it is that I have to say. It’s not that I necessarily know going in what I have to say. I just know it when I see it,” he says.
Dani Shapiro ’80 (photo by Miki Duisterhof )
Dani’s books have been translated into eight languages. Recent books include Black & White (2007), Family History (2003), now in its 7th printing, and the best-selling memoir Slow Motion. Actress Christina Ricci is adapting Black & White as a film in which she plans to star, and Ricci plans to direct. Dani’s short stories and essays have been published by such magazines as The New Yorker and Oprah. She is a visiting writer at Wesleyan University and contributing editor at Travel + Leisure.
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Rick, an associate professor of writing and literature at Emerson College, among other teaching credits, has published two novels. The Odd Sea (1998) won the Hackney Literary Award for a first novel and has received other honors. The Lost Legends of New Jersey (2000) was highlighted by The New York Times as a “Notable Book” and praised as “Best Book of 2000” by both the Los Angeles Times and The Christian Science Monitor. His short stories and essays have appeared in various publications including The New Yorker, Glimmer Train, and The Writer’s Chronicle. Both alumni credit their English teachers for inspiring their love of literature, and both mention English teacher Peter Cowen ’66, whose poetry class exposed Rick to creative
During the few hours that Dani and Rick spent with the students, they gave advice about writing fiction, revealing how they choose character names and plots and discussing the elements that they think make for an effective ending. It was a recent example of alumni providing personto-person guidance for those who may soon follow in their footsteps.
Sarah Filipski ’05 Provides Medical Help in Kenya By Sarah Filipski
Rick Reiken ’84 (photo by Cailin Reiken)
writing. “It felt like . . . some boundaries were being broken open around things like self-expression. It was the first time I was encouraged not to just memorize a form and regurgitate it. It was the first time I was encouraged to actually be creative,” he says. As Rick and Dani continue to hone their skills, they reflect about how their writing styles have changed over the years. “I have increasingly become aware of wanting to use fewer words,” Dani says. “When I look at my first novel, three similes were better than one. I have a background as a pianist, and I think I fell in love with the musicality of language. If I could make a sentence beautiful, I was less concerned about
Davidson College is acclaimed for its community service trips, including college-sponsored trips led by the Chaplain and Dean Rusk International Studies Program. The premedical program also organizes two trips for students to become more involved in international medicine. This year, for the ninth consecutive summer, students joined biology professor Dr. Verna Case in Zambia or biology professor Dr. Jerry Putnam in Kenya to assist doctors in their expanding medical facilities. Through an extensive application process, I was selected—along with eight other Davidson students—to join Dr. Putnam’s group in Kenya for a month starting in mid-May 2008. Throughout our spring semester, we extensively researched an assigned disease with the hopes of applying our new-found knowledge to actual cases we saw in Kenya. My focus was on malaria—a disease responsible for
Michaela MurrayNolan ’98 Makes Children’s Aspirations Her Priority By Michaela Murray-Nolan
“There is no use trying,” said Alice. “One cannot believe impossible things.” “I dare say you haven’t had much practice,” said the Queen. “When I was your age, I always did it for half an hour each day. Why, sometimes I’ve believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast!” Sarah Filipski ’05, second from left, after a long morning of surgery in Nazareth Hospital. To her left is Dr. Mwangi, the hospital’s head surgeon
killing two people every minute— making it one of the fastest-spreading diseases in Africa in addition to AIDS. Our group had the opportunity to work in two hospitals, the Presbyterian Church East Africa (PCEA) Kikuyu Hospital and Nazareth Hospital, both outside of Nairobi. During our rotations at the Kikuyu hospital, we had the opportunity to assist in surgeries ranging from orthopedics to eye removals, and, if we were really brave, delivering babies.
Unfortunately, we witnessed the firsthand severity of the disease, because one of the patients passed away before we arrived at her bed. Along with an impressive HIV/AIDS clinic, the hospital boasted a busy surgical schedule with Cesarean sections, hernias, and lymphomas. At the end of a long week at work, we looked forward to weekends in
Although the predominant purpose of our trip was to assist Kenyan doctors and deepen our understanding of medicine, we also had the opportunity to work with children at orphanages that were founded by our host family. This trip, along with the Zambia program, provided Davidson students with a unique experience of extensive hands-on training and the opportunity to help in the medical battle to control the spread of malaria and AIDS.
My life is all about believing in impossible dreams. I run Kids Corporation, one of Newark’s oldest and largest non-profits for children, so “impossible” is a word I hear constantly. It’s impossible to make a dent in such a big city. It’s impossible to solve the childhood healthcare crisis. It’s impossible to compete with the lure of gangs. It’s impossible to teach an illiterate seventh-grade student to read. It’s impossible to expect my students will go to college. It’s impossible to get most New Jerseyans interested in Newark. Kids Corporation’s mission is to improve the lives of Newark children through programs and services that
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Our focus shifted when we worked at the Nazareth hospital, an AIDS treatment center. We accompanied doctors on medical rounds as they assisted patients who were coping with the realization that they had AIDS.
Amboseli, the Masai Mara, and the Rift Valley, huge tourist attractions for safaris. When in Africa, you have to see some lions and zebras—Kenya is a spectacularly beautiful country, and my photography training with Mr. Boyd and Mrs. Stockwell came in handy.
- Lewis Carroll
My Pingry education instilled in me an interest in serving my community, especially through my tutoring experiences at ECLC and Suburban Cultural Educational Enrichment Program (SCEEP). And that community—I’ve come to realize after my Africa trip—is a global one.
Michaela Murray-Nolan ’98
[ alumni News ] bolster academic skills, promote healthy development, and stimulate a love of learning. Founded in 1971, our goal is to increase children’s readiness for school, academic success, and personal growth. We operate summer and after-school educational programs and provide books, clothing, healthcare, school supplies, and field trips to over 4,500 children ages 5 to 12 at over 60 Newark schools, community, and faith-based partner programs each year. In the midst of running an organization of such impossibly lofty goals, I schedule time to visit one of our school programs almost every day. I love to spend time with some of our 4,500 students, who are filled with hopes and dreams and plans, because no one has told them that they are supposed to be doomed. They do not yet know that because they were born in Newark, and not eight miles away in Short Hills, they are not expected to go to college, have a career, and make something important of themselves.
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So, my kids will pile onto my lap for story time, or ask me to proofread their high school application essays, or ask me to explain long division. Along the way, I learn who wants to be a lawyer, an author, a cop, or a baker—and, in their innocent excitement, I see nothing but endless possibilities. They need real education, proper healthcare, and supportive role models, but they have beautiful dreams that can and deserve to be fulfilled. Through twists of fate and fortune, I find myself in the most exciting and rewarding job I can imagine: responsible for educating thousands of children and keeping them healthy, overseeing a six million dollar capital campaign at Kids Camp, and forging new partnerships that will bring some of my brightest students to Pingry in the next few years. The training that I received during my five years at Pingry helps
me every day. Al Romano’s and Trisha Wheeler’s acting classes get me through speeches in front of hundreds; Tom Keating’s and Dean Sluyter’s writing lessons come in handy for 50-page grant proposals; John Raby’s history classes help me tell a great story. It is precisely the high quality of my Pingry education that elucidates for me the very poor quality of schooling in Newark. Every one of my students deserves the educational opportunities I was given, and my impossible dream is that, by spending my life in Newark, we can progress a little closer toward eradicating this disparity.
Sarah SaxtonFrump ’03 Raises the Standards in Her Classroom By Sarah Saxton-Frump
I teach in Brownsville, Texas, the poorest city in the country, as a member of Teach for America (TFA), a non-profit organization dedicated to closing the achievement gap in education between the academic performances of wealthy and poor students across the country. This gap is the product of a broken public education system that perpetuates the gap that poor children face by the time they enter Kindergarten. TFA recruits mostly young college graduates who have excelled in leadership positions on their campuses. TFA embodies an idea called “Teaching as Leadership,” which believes that the leadership skills required for success in areas like business, student government, and community service are the skills that will make someone an excellent teacher. Once accepted into the program, which requires a two-year commitment, you are assigned to one of almost 30 regions in the country
Sarah Saxton-Frump ’03, Brown University ’07, teaches world geography in Brownsville, Texas
where TFA has partnerships with local school districts. As an example of the challenges I face, I taught my ninth-grade students a unit on Asia in February and March. Thinking I should assess their prior knowledge about the otherwise unfamiliar region of Asia, I asked, “Who knows what the largest mountain chain in the world is called?” Silence. “Who has heard of the Himalaya Mountains?” Silence. These moments are regrettably common in my classroom. The 143 students I teach are the products of the achievement gap in this country’s public education system. Of the 13 million students growing up in poverty, half of them will graduate from high school. Those who do graduate will perform, on average, at an eighth-grade level. Their peers in higher-income communities perform at a twelfth-grade level. I thought all students were held to the same high educational and moral standards that Pingry instilled in me, but I was wrong. However, Pingry— without intending to—taught me how to be a good teacher. My teachers were passionate about what they taught. They expected us to take ownership of our education, but they also showed us how to be responsible.
They were kind without being permissive; they were thought-provoking rather than rote educators. All students at Pingry are expected to act ethically and honorably, so we did. We were expected to be intelligent, capable of critical thought, and thoughtful, so we tried to be. It turns out that, rich or poor, black or white, Hispanic, fluent in English or struggling to write a sentence, all students are the same at their core: they all excel when held to a high standard. This is why Pingry students take their gifts and shine, rather than slipping into the shadows. It is why my students perform best when I ask them to evaluate the Kyoto Protocol or analyze the IsraeliPalestine conflict, not when I ask them to regurgitate information.
Richard West ’49 Teaches Chinese Students to Speak English By Richard West
For the past three years, I have been teaching conversational English at SIAS International University in
Singing is a great idea. It is memorable, uses both sides of the brain, and, every time the tune runs through a person’s head, he or she is thinking in English. It is also a great way to create unity among the students. Richard West ’49
Henan Province, the largest province in China. The experience was a dream-come-true because I have wanted to visit China since 1971. During the years when I used my architecture and planning training to help in Haiti, I observed a lack of confidence in developing nations. They do not realize how far they have come and how much they can do until someone from outside tells them, so I want to help China reach its ancient dreams of world leadership and global trade. When my dream came true, I began a delightful, but arduous, routine. It included 18 classroom hours each week teaching English conversation to Chinese students ages 16-23. I taught teachers several times, and, for five weeks during winter vacation, I taught ages 6-12. The students’ enthusiasm had me bouncing around the room with energy, not fatigue. I lectured on American culture, the impact of Western culture on Asia, and China’s transformation, and we visited cities, villages, and parks. I did not learn much Chinese because the students wanted to practice their English—I was paid to speak English, and the regimen left little time to spare.
The teaching methods in China are different than the small group, interactive process I enjoyed at Pingry. Classes in China are as large as 120 and seldom fewer than 40, from primary school to university. Large classes mean that every class has to be in lecture format. For oral English classes, we split the classes into two or three sections to make them manageable. There is no opportunity to gather around a table to discuss Shakespeare with someone like Cas France, my Pingry English teacher. Opportunities for teachers to share not only information, but also part of themselves, are rare. This may hinder their most important role, communicating Chinese culture to the next generation in the face of a tsunami of Western culture sweeping the land. Yet, somehow, the best teachers build a relationship that changes lives, just like ours were changed at Pingry. After three years of teaching, I am returning to my business career to build bridges of culture and commerce between China and America. I have found that when you leave your comfort zone, your eyes are opened to the world around you in new ways. And maybe I can even learn to converse in Chinese.
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Pingry gave me a model of an excellent education as well as a model for service to the community. I have taken this commitment to service with me to college and out into the “real world.” It is what drove me to choose Teach for America and what drives me to persevere on my worst days in the classroom. Because the day my students explain how the Himalayas block cultural diffusion and hinder the spread of Buddhism to China will be the day I have faith that my students will graduate having performed at the same level as Pingry students. It’s the day when I will remember that a Newark ZIP code or a Far Hills ZIP code is not destiny for our nation’s children.
According to McKinsey research, conversation is one of the most needed and least taught skills in China today. Yet, few teachers followed my example because it is a challenge to observe and grade three to four students at one time. I developed a form to assess 14 skills—the students became quite involved, forgot themselves, and started thinking in English.
Ask the Archivist
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“Halsey Day”
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Fleet Admiral William F. Halsey Jr., Class of 1900 and Letter-in-Life recipient in 1943, returned to Pingry on November 7, 1945, hailed as a hero after World War II. The visit was part of a tour through his hometown of Elizabeth on “Halsey Day.” Can you help us identify the students in this photo? If you know any of the individuals, please email Greg Waxberg ’96 at gwaxberg@pingry.org.
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Identifying The Buttondowns Thanks to the following alumni for contacting us about the picture on page 40, “Early photo of The Buttondowns,” in the Winter 2008 edition of The Pingry Review: Stew Brown ’58 Bruce Gallit ’58 Gregory McNab ’58 Terry Ackerman ’59 Bruce Buck ’59 Kurt Christensen ’59 John Connor ’59 Stone Coxhead ’59 Richard duBusc ’59 Charlie Ffolliott ’59 Kelley Hale ’59 Walter Hunt Jr. ’59 Jim Ludlow ’59 Dick Mitchell ’59 Bill Montfort ’59 Dan Phillips ’59
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Joe Sichler ’59 Norman Smith ’59 Terry Smith ’59 Mike Taranto ’59 Wes Ackley ’60 John Collins ’60 Dave Speno ’60 Don West ’60 Peter Wiley ’60 Mike Wyman ’60 Peter Delfausse ’61 Gordon Sulcer ’61 Bill Lycan ’62 Roger Lathbury ’63 Geoffrey Connor ’64
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The Buttondowns 1. Robert Cubbage ’58 2. Harvey Molé III ’60 3. John Connor, Jr. ’59 4. Arthur “Terry” Ackerman ’59 5. Richard Mitchell ’59 6. Charles Ffolliott ’59 7. James Ludlow II ’59 8. Daniel Phillips, Jr. ’59 9. John Collins ’60 10. Charles Bickford ’59 11. William Montfort ’59 12. Donald West ’60 13. Tony duBourg
Class Notes year 1953 reunion
Bob O’Brien is the President of the New Jersey Museum of Boating in Point Pleasant, N.J., and is planning a major move for the museum to Mantoloking in 2009.
1957
James Urner has been reelected councilman in Bay Head, N.J. He has served on the Council for the last three years. In addition, he has been elected Commodore of the Bay Head Yacht Club. He has been involved with the club his entire life and has served on many committees dealing mostly with sailing and sailboat racing.
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1959
Dan Phillips writes, “Since my wife Jane has had an interim position at Kent Place, I have had the opportunity to visit Pingry several times this past year. I am thoroughly enjoying retirement and being a full-time grandfather. I am looking forward to our 50th reunion next year.”
1965
John Cali, who played soccer for Miller Bugliari ’52 on Pingry’s 1964 undefeated State and County Championship team, is now a State Champion once again—this time as coach of Newark Academy’s varsity boys’ soccer team. Newark
Left to right: John Scully, Miller Bugliari ’52, and James Newhouse ’95 at a San Francisco Giants baseball game
Academy had a tremendous 2007 season, beating prep rival Gill St. Bernard’s for the sectional championship and then winning its first Non-Public Group “B” State Championship. In recognition of his success, John Cali was named Boys Soccer Coach of the Year by The Star-Ledger for the 2007 season. He says that his own coaching has been greatly influenced by Miller Bugliari. “I have stayed in touch with Miller through 15 years of coaching high school soccer and have received a lot of good advice from him. He was a great role model for me in the ’60s and I still consider him my mentor,” John says.
1969
The Rev. Bruce Smith is in his eighth year as Associate Rector at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Columbus, Ohio. Bruce also serves as Vice-President of the Interfaith Center for Peace in Columbus and as Chair of the Central Ohio Advisory Board of Episcopal Retirement Homes, Inc. Bruce was elected last year to a three-year term on the Diocesan Council of the Episcopal Diocese of Southern Ohio and serves on the Budget Committee of the Diocese. He continues his ministry with the Diocesan Stewardship Committee. Bruce’s wife, the Rev. Dr. Susan Warrener Smith, is a Presbyterian pastor. The Smiths have three grown children and three grandchildren.
1972
Joseph Costabile returned to the sandbox in early 2008 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom with the 1st Medical Battalion. His unit erected and prepared a mobile hospital at a combat outpost, and they have been working with doctors, nurses, corpsmen, and Marines to treat and evacuate service members. He writes, “Morale remains high and our unit continues to exhibit great professionalism and esprit de corps, as do the Marines we are here with. I am proud to be with them and proud to serve our great country.”
year 1973 reunion
Charles Cuttic writes, “Thanks to Sandy White for his hospitality in hosting the 35th reunion party. A splendid time was guaranteed for all, and [it was] wonderful to see everyone. Truly invigorating.”
1975
Peter Hiscano writes that “[o]n December 21, 2007, 13 members of classes from the 1970s got together for the annual dinner with Coach Miller Bugliari ’52, at the Morris County Country Club, to trade soccer stories [from] on the field and off. The evening was capped off by a soccer video and slide show of several games from the 1970s.” 67 summer /fall 2008
1975
1963
Left to right: Jack Laporte, Bob Mayer, Miller Bugliari ’52, and Chris Bartlett ’79 playing golf at Caves Country Club in Baltimore
Left to right, 1st row: Jonathan Shelby ’74, Frank DeLaney ’77, Sean O’Donnell, Miller Bugliari ’52; 2nd row: Philip Haselton ’77, Martin O’Connor ’77, Doug Hiscano ’77, Charles Louria ’77, Guy Cipriano ’74, Chip Carver ’77, Charles Stillitano ’77, Peter Hiscano, James Baxley, and John Boozan
1986
On the weekend of October 12, 2007, seven members of the classes of 1975 and 1976 got together for their annual “Bachelor Weekend” at Peter Hiscano’s summer house. Peter writes, “Thirty years seemed to melt away as the guys enjoyed a weekend of jeep rides and cliff jumping.” Pictured here, first row, left to right: Doug Martin ’76, Tom Ward ’76, and Peter Hiscano. Second row, left to right: Rick Bosland ’76, Ken Robson ’76, Connor Seabrook ’76, and Richard McGeehan ’76
year 1978 reunion
Michelle Brot writes, “I still enjoy living in Seattle with my husband Doug and two boys. I am a neuroscientist at a company that does pharmaceutical research to develop drugs for brain disorders. Sorry I had to miss our class reunion, but please get in touch if you’re in Seattle.”
1980
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Lynn (Apruzzese) Tetrault writes, “I am now Executive Vice President of Corporate Affairs and Human Resources for AstraZeneca PLC, a large pharmaceutical company headquartered in London. We have lived in London for the past four years, but are returning to the U.S. (Malvern, PA) this summer and I will continue in my role making frequent trips to London. Our sons Ross and Ryan, age 13, will return to the Haverford School and we look forward to being back in the U.S.!
1985
Denise Lionetti writes, “living and teaching Spanish at a small private school on Maui for the past 10 years has been
paradise. At the same time, ever since I spent a summer in Spain after my 10th grade year, a certain wanderlust has had its grip on me—one so strong that neither the cultural richness of Bahía, Brasil, nor the beauty and serenity of Maui could tame it. Last year, propelled by a desire to brush up on my Italian (hard to believe it had been 16 years since I had last lived in Florence), and excited to live in a city where Cuban salsa (my passion) has a huge community, I set off for Rome. What an experience! (I wish I had read Eat, Pray, Love before going! I might not have felt so guilty about all of the gelato I ate!) I’m now back on Maui, so, if anyone is coming here for vacation, get my number from the alumni office!” WEDDINGS In January 2008, Beatrix von Watzdorf married Brian Grzelkowski in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Susan Kassouf and Stephanie Rosenbaum attended the event. Bea and Brian live in Washington, D.C., where Bea has a private psychotherapy practice specializing in Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Brian works for the humanitarian aid agency Mercy Corps.
Jessica Freedman, M.D., writes, “After almost nine years on the emergency medicine faculty at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York, I have launched a medical school, residency, and fellowship admissions consulting business: www.MedEdits. com. I am also practicing emergency medicine in the community and live in Bergen County, N.J. with my husband and two daughters, ages four and two-and-a-half.”
year 1988 reunion Emmy (Rollenhagen) Hamilton writes, “After 2.5 years living in Benson, Vt., my husband Quin and I packed up Charlie (1) and our dog Sammy and headed back to Nantucket! We are both back at jobs we had prior to our move to Vermont—me at Nantucket Bank as their Loan Operations Officer and Quin at Nantucket Airport as an Airport Firefighter. Everyone said we’d come back—there is an unexplainable hold the island has on those that live here! All Rollenhagens are doing well and were together for Christmas. All the best to everyone for a healthy and happy 2008!” Ravi Jhaveri writes, “We had a great time at the 20-year reunion this year. Our kids Malini, who is 3 1/2, and Rajan, who just turned one, enjoyed time with the grandparents while we caught up with old friends. I look forward to the 25th.”
in honor of Brady Quinn—my husband is a fully insane Notre Dame fan. We’re getting him therapy any day now (especially after this season).” Jody (Goldberg) Seibert writes, “We are happy to announce that our daughter Gabrielle Grace was born on May 19, 2007. Gabrielle joins big sisters Livia (7) and Avery (5).” John Barefoot is happy to announce the birth of Will Barefoot on May 8, 2008.
1989 Diana “Dodie” Port Baker writes, “I am living in San Anselmo, California, with my husband John Baker and have two children—Billy, 3, and Lane, who is 10 months.” BIRTHS Chandra F. (Cain) Davis and her husband George are proud to announce the birth of their first child Carter Cain Davis on May 19, 2007. Carter has already been introduced to his Pingry family by visiting with his aunts—Michelle (Jarney) Jacobs, Heather (Stier) Leibowitz, Katie (Bartlett) Schneider, Catherine (Kolacy) Becker, and Tanya (Fickenscher) Leonard—and by visiting the Martinsville Campus. Chandra is an attorney in Atlanta, GA with the law firm of McGuireWoods LLP.
BIRTHS Kay (Goree) Doyle writes, “I am pleased to announce the birth of my daughter Shannon Quinn Doyle on April 3, 2007, and would like to note that, like her big brother Jack (born March 2004), Shannon brought the Red Sox a World Series victory. For you Notre Dame fans out there, yes, my poor little girl’s middle name was given to her
Carter Cain Davis
1990
Day Rosenberg, director of the Upper School for the Far Hills Country Day School, reports that he has won an Aspiring School Heads fellowship with the National
Association of Independent Schools. Fellows are assigned a mentor and a school project and learn to develop their own leadership style. As a fellow, Day also attended a culminating experience in July 2008 at The School Leadership Institute at the Emory Conference Center in Atlanta, Georgia.
1991
Joe Lucas writes that he has been living in Los Angeles for 11 years and still loves it. “I started my own interior design firm over two years ago and all is well. If anyone needs their house redone, give a call!” Joe’s web site is www.LucasStudioInc.com. Jonathan Siegelbaum writes, “I’m a lawyer at the U.S. Department of the Treasury in Washington, D.C., where I work on matters related to the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States. I live in Bethesda, Md., with my wife Elizabeth, my daughter Ava, who is four-and-a-half, and my son Elliot, who is two.”
BIRTHS Sandra Lee writes, “Greetings from San Francisco. James and I are proud to let you know that we became parents. Winnie Nicole Chun was born at 12:11 a.m. on November 29, 2007. She weighed 6 pounds, 11 ounces and was 18 inches long.”
year 1993 reunion
Steve Kwei writes, “I can’t believe that it’s been 10 years since I left New Jersey and moved to California. I married the love of my life Suzanna Huang on August 6, 2006, at the Ritz-Carlton Huntington in Pasadena, California. We gave birth to our baby girl Chloe on December 12, 2007. After graduating from Rutgers University in 1998 with a B.S. in Finance, I worked for JP Morgan Chase, Citigroup, and GE Capital in San Francisco and Los Angeles. I currently head up Merrill Lynch’s Structured Lending Group in Southern California. Maybe I’ll have a chance to move back to the Tri-State area in a few years.” BIRTHS
Winnie Nicole Chun
Cort Corbin and his wife Isabel are happy to announce the birth of their daughter Chloe on January 5, 2008. Chloe joins her big sister Aiden. The Corbin family lives in Gladstone, N.J.
1992 BIRTHS Tim Lear and his wife Ellie announce the birth of their son James Frederick Lear, born on June 20, 2008. He weighed 7 pounds, 8 ounces, an ounce more than his big sister Hyla Marie, who is 19-months-old.
Kristin Sostowski and her husband Steve Herbes recently welcomed their second child Madeline Jane Sostowski Herbes. Madeline was born on October 9, 2007, and weighed 9 pounds, 2 ounces and measured 21.5 inches. She joins big sister Catherine, who turned three-years-old in January 2008. Kristin continues to practice law at Gibbons P.C. in Newark, N.J., where her practice focuses on counseling companies on labor and employment issues and representing management in employment litigation. Heather (Smith) Steinman writes, “I am proud to announce the arrival of our second son Ryan Wesley Steinman, born on March 14, 2008. He joins his big brother RT, who is two-years-old.”
Jane (Shivers) and Christian Hoffman welcomed their first child Avery Jane on February 8, 2008. They are living in Westfield, N.J., and enjoying being parents.
Avery Jane Hoffman
1995 WEDDINGS Memorial Day Weekend 2008 was memorable for more than just the great weather. On June 1, 2008, Paru Patrawalla wed Steve Bocchichio overlooking the banks of the Hudson River, with boats in the background and helicopters overhead. The two met in Rhode Island five years ago and now live in New York City. Among the many family and friends present were Owen Lefkon, Anjali Mullick, Apu Mullick ’93, Anand Swaminathan, and Chris Williamson. BIRTHS John Flack’s 30th birthday present came a day early. John and his wife Amy had a baby boy, Thomas Joseph, on November 13, 2007. He weighed 7.7 pounds and was 20.5 inches long.
1994 BIRTHS
Blythe Henwood Harris, Jill Griffinger Herbert, and Mara Baydin Kanner
James Frederick Lear
Duncan Hughes and his wife welcomed their first child, a baby boy, on January 21, 2008. Duncan reports that Camden Easton Hughes weighed 7 pounds, 9 ounces, was 21 inches long, and is “a beautiful, healthy baby.”
Thomas Joseph Flack at five months
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Blythe (Henwood) Harris, Jill (Griffinger) Herbert, and Mara (Baydin) Kanner attended Blythe’s baby shower in Manhattan in June 2008. Blythe and Mara are expecting their first children in late summer, and Jill’s second baby girl Emily Evans Herbert was born on June 6, 2008. Blythe, Jill, and Mara recently spent a fun weekend in Washington, D.C., with classmates Beth Blanchard Field and Alex Walsh O’Brien. Everyone is doing well.
Jon Bowden writes, “My feature film The Full Picture premiered at the Rhode Island International Film Festival in August 2008. For more information: www. thefullpicturemovie.com.
1995
Audrey (Wu) Clark ’98, Michael Wu ’96, Vanessa Wong, and Connie (Wu) Cheng ’93 gathered during the 2007 Christmas holiday in Las Vegas, Nevada
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Drew Pinkin and his wife Caroline welcomed their daughter Reed McNeil on November 17, 2007. Reed weighed 7 pounds, 9 ounces. The couple met in business school at Darden (UVA) and recently moved into their home in Towson, Md.
1997
Pritam Dutta and Nora Dutta would like to announce the birth of their first child Kirin James Dutta. Kirin was born on November 9, 2007. He weighed 6 pounds, 8 ounces, and measured 20 inches. Both mother and son are doing fine.
Emily Haverstick married Tyler Umbdenstock on January 12, 2008, at the Caneel Bay hotel on the island of St. John in the United States Virgin Islands.
1996
Michael Ames has returned to Ketchum, Idaho, and is working as the editor of the Sun Valley Guide magazine.
the pingry review
Greg Waxberg is a writer for Pingry’s Communications Department at the Martinsville Campus. As a freelance writer, he continues to write feature articles for magazines and program notes for the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra and opera companies. He and his fiancée HeatherAnn Pukel are engaged to be married in October 2008. BIRTHS Chris Franklin and his wife Maggie announce the birth of their daughter Lynda Elizabeth on Christmas morning, weighing 7 pounds, 6 ounces. “Libby” can’t wait to attend her first Pingry Jersey Shore Party this summer and join the Women’s Glee Club in 2022.
Corey Simonson and Emily Armstrong were married on August 16, 2008, in Woods Hole, MA. They met as classmates at Amherst College. WEDDINGS
year 1998 reunion
Chris Hampson writes, “I am enjoying my life trading commodities infinitely more than had I pursued a career with my J.D. I just completed a snowboarding trip to Zermatt, which included visits to Hamburg and Zurich to see my clients at some of the world’s biggest coffee companies. While visiting them I was fortunate to be taken to the Swiss hockey league playoffs, as well as some fantastic restaurants in both cities. Next up is a trip to Colombia to visit more clients and search for new waves. While in Barbados on another surfing trip, I happened to be staying in the same
Top row, from left: Richard duBusc ’59, Lauren Reid ’99, Samuel Haverstick ’00, James Fraser, Peter duBusc ’00, Corey Simonson, Lynsey Ward, Donald Tansey ’00, and Lauren Koeneke. Middle row, from left: Alexa Reisler ’02, Jamie Shapiro, David Bugliari, Kelsey Umbdenstock ’00, Tyler Umbdenstock (groom), Emily (Haverstick) Umbdenstock (bride), Haley (Joel) Satnick, Julie Hagmann, Melissa Blatt, Jennifer Joel ’94, and Robert Magrane ’05. Front row, from left: Richard Myers ’00, Gregory Stevens, Ken Wilson, Genevieve Haverstick ’07, Nicholas Ross, and Miller Bugliari ’52
Bed & Breakfast as another Pingry alumnus, Dudley [Ryan ’83]. Small world.”
1999
Ronald Pack, Jr. has been promoted to Manager, eBusiness Development, Financial Institutions Group of the American Express Bank Ltd. Currently residing in New York, Ron has been busy traveling throughout the country. WEDDINGS Lauren Pellino married Andy Rodriguez on June 30, 2007, at St. Helen’s Church in
Westfield, N.J. Lauren and Andy met at Governor’s School on the Environment in the summer of 1998. Lauren is a graduate of Princeton University with a B.A. in psychology. Andy received his B.E. in chemical engineering and B.S. in mathematics from Stevens Institute of Technology and received his M.S. in biomedical engineering from Columbia University. Following a honeymoon in the Caribbean, the couple returned home to Piscataway, N.J., where they are in their final year at Robert Wood Johnson Medical School.
Reception at the Maplewood Country Club. Left to right: Shermona Mapp, Michelle Salerno, Sra. Sue Ortner, Lauren, Andy, matron of honor Ellen (Pellino) Gittes ’97, groomsman Adam Gittes ’97, Daniel Gittes ’00, Laura Bellrose ’99, and Joseph Romanides ’01
2000
Ben Golden and Molly Cahill are engaged to be married next year in Philadelphia. Molly and Ben met while attending Ben’s 22nd birthday party at the University of Pennsylvania and became engaged during Ben’s 26th birthday party surrounded by all of their friends. Molly and Ben live in New York where Molly is a candidate for a Ph.D. in Neuroscience at NYU and Ben is an associate in the Equity Derivatives department at Bank of America Securities.
2001
Catherine Pack has completed the JP Morgan Investment Bank Global Investment Banking Analyst Training Program. She is an analyst in their Higher Education/ Non-Profit Finance Group. Catherine is currently residing in New York. Andrew Horowitz is a fulltime member of the rock band Tally Hall, which has a multialbum recording contract with Atlantic Records. Andrew wrote the song “The Whole World and You” that the band performs in a commercial for Crayola 3D Sidewalk Chalk and Paint. The song is from their album “Marvin’s Marvelous Mechanical Museum,” released on April 1, 2008. The band will be touring the country this fall.
year 2003 reunion
Rachel Askin recently took a position with the Sacramento Monarchs of the WNBA, as the Media Relations and Marketing Coordinator for Monarchs’ owner Maloof Sports and Entertainment in Sacramento, Calif. Following her graduation from the University of Rochester in 2007, Rachel spent a year as the Athletic Media Relations Assistant Director for West Texas A&M University in Canyon, Texas; WTAMU’s athletic program is one of the most successful in Division II, as six teams reached the NCAA Tournament including three teams that earned the right to host opening rounds of the playoffs. She graduated from UR with a B.A. in psychology and English (with honors), with a concentration in language, media, and communications. Additionally, Rachel played softball for the university and was the student assistant to the sports information director for three years, while also taking on a number of internships in the sports and media industries, including one with Sirius Satellite Radio and another with the Rochester Red Wings, the Triple-A affiliate of the Minnesota Twins.
2004
At the 2008 Vanderbilt Film Festival, Stewart Anderson took home the Audience Award, one of only three awards given. Stewart’s film, Ten Percent of Nothing, a mockumentary about a college senior trying to be a talent agent on campus, was selected from a field of roughly 20 films as the viewers’ favorite film. Stewart graduated from Vanderbilt University on May 9 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and is heading to Los Angeles to work at a talent agency.
2005
Katie Hampson made dean’s list at Hobart and William Smith Colleges in Geneva, New York. She just moved to Boston for the spring semester to build on her Art History studies and past gallery experience through an internship at Skinner, Inc. Pingry science teacher and varsity squash coach Ramsay Vehslage writes, “Maggie O’Toole and the Princeton women’s squash team won their second consecutive national championship. They were prohibitive favorites last year, but this year they were seeded second and beat undefeated Penn in the finals to win the championship.”
Sarah Filipski, a student at Davidson College, was accepted, along with seven other Davidson students, to travel to Kenya this summer for a public health trip. She applied for the trip under her premedical program and worked in an AIDS clinic and a hospital specializing in orthopedics, ophthalmology, and maternity. Her group also made frequent trips to local orphanages. For time off, they went on a few safaris. Read about Sarah’s trip in the Alumni News section of this issue. Former faculty Phyllis Hawkins, who taught at Pingry from 1975 to 1976, writes, “I was the first female member of The Pingry School’s history department way back when Scott Cunningham was headmaster in the mid-seventies. I so enjoyed my three freshmen Western Civilization [classes] and one eighth-grade American history class during the very special year that I taught there. I would love to learn where my talented and gifted students are today.” Phyllis’s address is Hawk134@gmail.com.
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2002
Ashley Kazmerowski and Travis Lan are excited to announce their recent engagement. The couple met at Pingry and graduated together in 2002. The wedding will take place in Newport, R.I., in the spring of 2009.
Kazmerowski and Lan plan to marry in the spring of 2009
[ in memoriam ]
Pingry Remembers Life Trustee Robert B. Gibby ’31 Pingry Life Trustee Robert B. Gibby ’31 of Meadow Lakes in Hightstown, N.J., and Pocono Lake Preserve, Pa., passed away April 21, 2008, at his home. Born in Roselle, N.J., Mr. Gibby was educated at The Pingry School, the Hill School (Class of 1932), and Princeton University (Class of 1936). At the time of his death, he had served two terms as president of his Princeton class, known as The Pride of Nassau. He was in the office furniture business in New York City and worked at Desks Inc. for 50 years, entering as a salesman and later becoming a co-owner. Mr. Gibby served in World War II as an aide to Major General Donald C. Cubbison at Fort Bragg, N.C., and in U.S.F.E.T. Headquarters, Frankfurt, Germany, in the Adjutant Generals Division in charge of top secret control and cable distribution for all of Europe. He was honorably discharged after 30 months of service as captain. As a member of Westminster Presbyterian Church (later Third-Westminster Pres.) in Elizabeth, he served as deacon, elder, and trustee and was twice elected president of the board of trustees.
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Mr. Gibby was very active in education, serving on The Pingry School Board of Trustees for 40 years. He was awarded Pingry’s highest honor—the Letter-in-Life Award—and he was elected Pingry’s only life trustee. At the time of his 60th reunion at Princeton, Mr. Gibby donated an all-Washington Garden to the Princeton Campus consisting of 19 English boxwoods grown from hedges planted by George Washington in 1798 and 36 varieties of flowers, all from Mount Vernon, Va., Washington’s home. He later
Stewart E. Lavey ’63, 62, loving husband of Suzanne (Laurence) Lavey, died suddenly on May 22, 2008. Mr. Lavey lived on the Upper West Side of Manhattan with his wife, who had a 34-year career as a dancer with The Metropolitan Opera Ballet. He was an enthusiastic supporter of the Met and various other educational and charitable organizations. Mr. Lavey was an attorney at Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP, where he was a managing partner and a leader of the corporate and securities practice in the Florham Park, N.J., office. Mr. Lavey practiced law for 38 years, joining Shanley & Fisher as of counsel in 1985 and becoming a partner in July 1987. When Shanley combined with Drinker Biddle in 1999, he was instrumental in helping lead their integration.
was awarded the Alumni Council Award for service to Princeton. In 1949, Mr. Gibby began a hobby collecting American historical prints that illustrated events in the life of George Washington. During the 1960s and 1970s, he lectured and showed the prints to schools, historical societies, and civic organizations, and, in the mid-70s, the N.J. Cultural Center of Trenton asked for the prints to be exhibited at the museum in Trenton. Over 100,000 people saw the exhibit, and the museum then asked for a selection of prints to travel to the schools in New Jersey during the 200th celebration of the Declaration of Independence. Mr. Gibby’s wife Anne Willard Gibby predeceased him in 2003, and he is survived by his children Robert B. Gibby, Jr. ’60, Bloomfield, Conn.; Susan Gibby Gillim, Chatham, N.J.; Alan W. Gibby ’66, Burlington, N.C.; and James M. Gibby ’73, Bethesda, Md.; and eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
d
He was a proud graduate and active alumnus of The Pingry School—he was president of the PAA Board from 1996 to 2000; a trustee; chair of the Hall of Fame nominating committee, member of the Career Day, Letter-inLife, and Hall of Fame committees; and a class agent. In 1962, he was inducted into Pingry’s Hall of Fame as a member of the 1962 Football Team, and he received the 2002 Nelson L. Carr Service Award for his dedicated service in support of Pingry. He graduated from Syracuse University in 1967 and was a 1970 graduate and adjunct faculty member of Fordham University School of Law.
Mr. Lavey was a respected member of the Schwab House Board of Directors. Mr. Lavey was an avid boater and enjoyed spending many of his summers off the Atlantic coast.
Westfield, N.J., and the Board of Trustees of Carolina Meadows in Chapel Hill, N.C., and he was a member of the Carolina Meadows singing group, the Meadows Singers.
d
In addition to his children, including Marc ’80, he is survived by a sister, Bernadette Jorgensen; his daughtersin-law, Bridget Tuthill and Tracy Figueredo; grandchildren Jennifer Lee and her husband Ray, Christine Norman, Suzanne Norman, Liam Norman, and Elsa Norman; and great-grandson Christian Lee.
Wilfred H. Norman, former trustee, passed away on April 2, 2008, at Carolina Meadows in Chapel Hill, N.C. He was 85. Mr. Norman was the son of Leslie Elliot Norman and Edith Farley Norman and was born on August 15, 1922, in Toronto, Canada, and raised in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. He was a graduate of the University of Manitoba and St. John’s University School of Law.
d
He served as a sergeant in the Canadian Army. He married Corinne Adele Strong in 1946 and they had two children, Bruce Elliot and Lesley Anne. Following Corinne’s untimely death in 1959, Mr. Norman married the late Patricia Clara Norman in 1960 and they had a third child, Marc Edward.
Mr. Norman was an active member of his community. He served on the Board of Governors of the North York Hospital in Toronto, Canada, the Board of Trustees of The Pingry School, the Board of Trustees of Echo Lake Country Club in
Dr. Knauer was Board Certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology and was a Fellow of the International College of Surgeons. He was an associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the New Jersey College of Medicine, chairman of the department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Elizabeth General Medical Center and senior attending physician at St. Elizabeth Hospital and Elizabeth General Medical Center. He was active in the Rotary Club of Elizabeth and a member of Second Presbyterian Church in Elizabeth, where he served on its Board of Deacons. After retiring to Naples in 1987, he was an active member of the Princeton Club of Southwest Florida, enjoying socializing with fellow Tigers.
George Knauer, Jr. ’37, M.D., 89, of Naples, Fla., and Belgrade Lakes, Maine, died on May 12, 2008. He was born March 1, 1919, in Elizabeth, N.J., to George Knauer Sr., M.D., and Bertha (Boller) Knauer. Dr. Knauer graduated from The Pingry School in 1937 and attended Princeton University, graduating with honors in biology in 1941. He went on to Cornell Medical School, graduating in 1944, and completed his internship and first year of residency in obstetrics and gynecology at St. Vincent’s Hospital in New York City. Dr. Knauer served in the Army from 1946 to 1948 at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md., and was discharged with the rank of Captain. Following his army service, he returned to St. Vincent’s Hospital in New York to complete his three-
In addition to his dedication to his profession and family, Dr. Knauer was an avid tropical fish hobbyist and a passionate gardener. Every plant he cultivated became “my best plant” and he asked that the following poem be included here: “The kiss of the sun for pardon, the song of the birds for mirth, one is nearer God’s heart in the garden, than anywhere else on earth.” He was predeceased by his wife Bobbie and his brother Warren H. Knauer ’40, M.D. He is survived by his sister Ottilie “Jan” Griesemer; his daughter Nancy A. Knauer; his sons, George Knauer III ’69, Christopher B. Knauer ’72, and Edward B. Knauer ’73; and his grandchildren Shawn C. Knauer, Elizabeth L. Knauer, and Rachel B. Knauer.
d
73 summer /fall 2008
Mr. Norman had a 23-year career with Ortho Pharmaceuticals and Johnson & Johnson, starting out in sales at Ortho Canada and moving on to President of Johnson Canada, Chairman of Ortho Great Britain, Ortho Belgium, Johnson & Johnson Italy, and Johnson & Johnson South Africa, and finally to the Executive Committee of J&J. Following early retirement in 1975, Mr. Norman graduated from law school and practiced law for several years before taking over as President of the Overlook Hospital Foundation in Summit, N.J. Following his retirement, he and his wife left their home of many years in Westfield and moved to Chapel Hill.
year residency. In 1947, he married Barbara “Bobbie” Jean Brokaw. He joined with Philip Wolgin, M.D., and Harold Goldfield, M.D., to form the Elizabeth Obstetric Group in Elizabeth, N.J.
[ in memoriam ] Chaplain Robert T. Deming ’40, Lt. Col. (Ret.) U.S. Air Force, of Fredericksburg, Tex., died on May 17, 2008, at the age of 85. Robert Treat Deming was born in Elizabeth, N.J., on Dec. 20, 1922. He was the second child of Robert and Adele Deming. Mr. Deming enrolled in Princeton University to pursue a degree in chemical engineering, but suspended his studies during World War II to enlist in the Army Air Corps. During the war, Bob served as a navigator, and after the war he served in the Air Force Reserves.
He is also survived by his grandchildren Esther Deming, Hadley Deming, Justin Deming and his wife Kim, Jonathan Deming and his wife Katherine, Roy Freemont Greider, and Jordy Wayne Greider, and great-grandson Payton Deming.
d
He returned to Princeton and completed his bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering as a member of the Class of 1947. Afterward, he earned a master’s degree in theology from Princeton Theological Seminary.
Thomas R. Cashmore ’45, 79, of South Dartmouth, Mass., died on January 6, 2007, in Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. He was the husband of Patricia L. (Black Loughlin) Cashmore.
Mr. Deming married Alice Louise Webster in Daytona Beach, Fla., on Jan. 1, 1949, and in May 1953 he returned to active duty in the U.S. Air Force as a Chaplain First Lieutenant
Born in Chicago, Ill., he was the son of the late Harold G. and Florence H. (McKay) Cashmore. He spent most of his life living in Elizabeth, N.J., before moving to Cheshire, Connecticut, for 30 years and eventually moving to Dartmouth.
Over the years, they raised five children while Mr. Deming served his country in Lakenheath, England; Detroit, Mich.; Athens, Greece; Big Spring, Tex.; Bangkok, Thailand; and Rantoul, Ill.
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Deming Chong; son Robert Deming and his fiancé Sherrill Fries; ex-daughter-in-law, but forever daughter-in-law, Brenda Boon Deming; son Peter Deming and his wife Terry Griffin; son David Deming and his wife Jana; and daughter Melodie Deming Greider and her husband Ben.
the pingry review
After retiring from the Air Force as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1977, Mr. Deming served as pastor at Pilgrim Presbyterian Church in Pilgrim, Tex., and afterward at Memorial Presbyterian Church in Fredericksburg. He enjoyed a wide range of interests, including traveling, camping, volkssporting, woodworking, baseball, and astronomy. His genuine interest in others allowed him to make friends everywhere he went. Mr. Deming’s wife Alice passed away in 1995. He is survived by his sister Sally Robinson; daughter Adele
After graduating from The Pingry School, Mr. Cashmore attended Lafayette College in Easton, Pa., where he became a charter member of the Brainard Student Union. He was employed as a marketing and manufacturing representative for many companies from 1949 until his retirement in 2002. An avid square dancer, Mr. Cashmore and his late wife Arlene (Smalley) Cashmore founded the Cheshire Cats, a square dance club in Cheshire, Conn. He was also very active in the Boy Scouts as a scout leader and committee chairman for Troop 91 in Cheshire. Mr. Cashmore was a United States Army Veteran of World War II for the Occupation Forces in Germany. When all is said and done Mr. Cashmore will be remembered as an affable, energetic, and engaging
man who touched all he met with his caring and gentle wit. Surviving in addition to his wife are four sons, Douglas Cashmore of Murrietta, Calif., Stephen Cashmore of Rumson, N.J., Alan Cashmore of Cheshire, Conn., and Craig Cleasby of So. Windsor, Conn.; two daughters, Cynthia Sweeney of Fairfield, Conn. and Dianne Cook of Cheshire, Conn.; one brother, Robert Cashmore of Sarasota, Florida; 14 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. Mr. Cashmore was also the brother of the late Harold “Mac” Cashmore ’41.
d Peyton Miller Pitney ’47, formerly of Arendtsville, Pa., died on March 18, 2008, at the Gettysburg Lutheran Nursing Home. He was 78. He was born in Morristown, N.J., on July 22, 1929, a son of the late Mahlon Pitney and Margaret Cooley Wilson. He attended The Pingry School and graduated from Exeter Academy, Class of 1947, and from Kenyon College, Class of 1951, with a degree in mathematics. While at Kenyon, he was captain of the baseball team. In 1963, he received his master’s in education from Harvard University. During the Korean War, Mr. Pitney served as a weatherman with the Navy from 1952 to 1954, stationed at Point Mugu Naval Air Station in California. Upon completion of his military service, he began his teaching career with Pingry (Elizabeth campus). He was awarded a Fulbright teaching exchange in England, where he taught mathematics at a school in Birmingham. During that year, he met his English wife Tricia whom he married before returning to the United States. He continued to teach at Pingry until 1965, when he was invited to teach mathematics at Northfield Mount Hermon School. There he served as chairman of the
mathematics department, then as dean of students, and finally as head of the Northfield campus. He enjoyed summers with his family at their cabin on Silver Lake in New Hampshire. He also enjoyed playing on the faculty ice hockey team. In 1978, he retired to Arendtsville, Pa., where he operated Pitney’s Groundkeeping and later Adams Financial Planners. He taught briefly at Mercersberg Academy, Mount Saint Mary’s University, and York College. He is survived by his wife of 46 years Patricia Foster Pitney; two daughters, Susan Giuffreda and her husband Tony of Gettysburg, Pa., and Jennifer Pitney and her fiancé Steve Schimmel of San Francisco, Calif. He also leaves six grandchildren, Thomas, Timothy, Matthew, Kristin, Elizabeth, and Emily Giuffreda of Gettysburg. Also surviving is a brother, Philip Pitney, and his wife Barbara of Bernardsville, N.J. His brother Mahlon Pitney predeceased him.
d Charles Pope Day Jr. ’50, CDR (Ret.), U.S. Navy, of Short Hills, died suddenly on June 1, 2008, while on board the U.S.S. Tarawa en route from Hawaii to San Diego. Mr. Day passed away while doing what he most enjoyed, supporting his country and the U.S. Navy. He is survived by his wife Sally Day, daughter Margaret Day ’93, stepson Hamilton Peterson, grandson Benjamin Elliott Day Neri, and son-in-law Nick Neri. Gilbert Harry Carver ’79, 46, died suddenly at his home in Los Angeles on March 13, 2008. Gibb grew up in Short Hills, N.J., and graduated from The Pingry School in New Jersey and from Syracuse University in 1983. Mr. Carver always had a great love for domestic pets and gardening and included both in every place he lived. Following graduation from Syracuse, he resided in North Pomfret, Vt.,
Mr. Carver attended the University of Colorado in Denver where he continued his study of architecture for an additional two years. Following this, he moved to Los Angeles, where he resided for the past 17 years. While in Los Angeles, he initially owned and operated the Grateful Pet Service and then was a Real Estate Agent associated with various firms. He leaves his father Calvin R. Carver and his step-mother June G. Carver of Short Hills, N.J. and North Pomfret, Vt.; a sister Marcey Carver of Bradford, Vt.; a brother Chip Carver Jr. ’77, and sister-in-law Anne DeLaney ’79 of Mendham, N.J.; stepsisters Julie F. Snell of Charlottesville, Va.; Janie Scurti of Yardley, Pa.; and Jill DiNola of Cumberland, Md.; his partner for many years, Tony Fernandez, in Los Angeles; and many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and friends. His mother Emma Gilbert Carver predeceased him in 1977.
d Family and friends mourn the loss of Judson Ahrens ’93, 33, wonderful, loving son and brother, business entrepreneur, and dedicated friend to so many. He died suddenly in an automobile accident on October 21, 2007. Judson, a 1994 graduate of Gettysburg College, was a partner with TPS3 in Knoxville, Tenn. He is survived by his fiancée Mary Katherine Tegano of Knoxville, Tenn; his parents Jean and Jay Ahrens of Savannah, Ga.; his sister and brother-in-law Jennifer and Chris Butler and their children Marc and Cate of Arlington, Mass.; his grandparents Pat and Irv Ryerson of Wilmington, N.C.; his aunt and uncle Lynn and Joe Barnard; his uncle Alan B. Ahrens, and cousins Andrew and Matthew Barnard, and Courtney and Chandler Ahrens.
d Dr. Leigh Grieco Cascarilla ’95, 30, passed away at home in New York on May 10, 2008, after battling ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease) for the past few years. She was born in Livingston, N.J. and lived in Short Hills, N.J. until she married Charles C. Cascarilla, CFA, and then moved to New York City. Dr. Cascarilla graduated from Bucknell University in Lewisburg, Pa., where she was a member of Pi Beta Phi Sorority and received a Doctor of Dental Medicine from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey. A licensed dentist, she commenced the dental residency at Morristown Memorial Hospital in Morristown, N.J., before becoming ill. She is survived by her husband Charles G. Cascarilla, CFA, of New York, N.Y.; her parents Gloria E. Grieco and Ralph A. Grieco; her brother Michael J. Grieco, M.D., all of Short Hills, N.J., her in-laws Ralph and Virginia Cascarilla; and sisters-in-law Elizabeth and Grace Cascarilla, all of Bay Village, Ohio.
d Former business manager Anthony J. Carro, 85, died on June 16, 2008, at home in Bridgewater. His career began in public accounting and he was appointed board secretary/business administrator of the Elizabeth Board of Education in 1958. In 1967, he assumed the role of business manager at Pingry’s Hillside Campus and was instrumental in the construction of and move to the new campus in Bernards Township. He remained in that position for over 20 years. Thereafter, he continued to operate his own accounting business until his retirement in 2002. Anthony was happily married for 59 years and is survived by his wife Rosemary, 11 children, including Peter ’78, and 27 grandchildren.
d We also mourn the loss of Ruth Lewis Runge, former librarian at the Short Hills Campus, who passed away on March 29, 2008.
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d
for five years. From his office in Woodstock, Vt., he designed and built homes and various commercial buildings in the area.
[ dictum ultimum ] By Fred Fayen
76 the pingry review
About 20 years ago, when a Form II student and I walked through the Martinsville halls, she earnestly asked why I was “wasting such a fine and expensive education to be just a teacher.” Since I could hear in her question an echo of the perennial adult version, “when I retire, I think I might like to teach,” I understood that she was both defining values and expressing curiosity, unsure of how to reconcile the conflicts that she perceived. When I responded, I spoke of the rewards involved in contributing to student growth, the satisfaction generated by developing skills and shaping character, and the fun of sharing common goals and experiences. I explained that effective teaching takes place in classrooms, in the halls and gathering places, on the athletic fields, in offices, on the bus—in short, in every possible circumstance in the school setting— and, combined with the formal honor code and informal discussions, extends far beyond the school’s boundaries, both in space and time. When we parted at the front door, I knew that my answer lacked the force of concrete examples. It is one thing to tell a student about an experience, but quite another to show the impact of that experience in a more tangible way. If I could re-live the moment, I would ask her to read some of the treasured notes and letters I have received from graduates
defining what they think are the most important character traits or skills that Pingry helped them develop; they may have written a similar note to other teachers, but they clearly believe that somehow my particular role as advisor, teacher, coach, or college counselor had an impact upon their lives. Their notes often echo one or the other of my two favorite mottoes, which both challenge and support students: “No one rises to low expectations,” and the more broadly known, “Give me a fish, and I can eat for a day; teach me to fish, and I can eat for a lifetime.” Each motto is entirely consistent with Dr. Pingry’s belief that the greatest respect is due students. When I was invited to write this article for The Pingry Review, I realized I had an opportunity to finish that long-ago conversation, so I selected a letter that I received some years ago from a graduate—a former college counselee, who, at that point, had been out of Pingry for over 30 years. He wrote, “Dear Mr. Fayen, and perhaps I can call you Fred since I am turning 50 this spring . . . I’m not sure if you remember me, but I graduated [long, long ago] and I think about you often, so I thought I’d drop you a note . . . My oldest son is a senior in high school, and raising him through high school has been severely challenging and has often caused me to look back at my own
experiences and try to find some flicker of hope that he will ignite his engines and get going in his studies . . . What I really want to say is thank you for your help, your insight, and your attention. I was not extremely motivated in high school, and I think I was probably depressed about a lot of things, and filled with selfdoubt. After graduation, you sent me a note saying good luck and expressing conviction that I would be successful, whether ‘as a doctor, lawyer, or Indian chief.’ I was surprised at your confidence, given the lack of my own, but that really inspired me, and I think of it often. I am always grateful to my parents for sending me [and my younger sibling] to Pingry. I have only great memories, and my short time there prepared me well for college. I am truly grateful to you for your even-tempered guidance. I remember you as a stable, influential role model for me, and I have always appreciated that . . . Again, thank you belatedly for really helping to guide and direct a meandering high school kid toward his life…” When I retire, I think I might like to teach. Editor’s Note: Fred retired in June of 2008 after 45 years as a member of the Pingry faculty. A graduate of Phillips Exeter Academy ’57, Harvard College (B.A.) ’61, and NYU (M.A.) ’67, he began his career at Pingry in 1963 after teaching in California for two years.
pingry alumni s
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tuesday, October 21
Alumni Admissions calendar of upcoming eventss Open House
6:30 p.m., Short Hills Campus
Wednesday, October 28
Washington, D.C. Area College Luncheon 12:00 p.m., Location TBA
Washington, D.C. Area Alumni Reception Time and Location TBA
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Back From College Luncheon
11:30 a.m., Lower Commons, Martinsville Campus
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Alumni Basketball Game 10:30 a.m. Warm-up 11:00 a.m. Game Bristol Gym, Martinsville Campus
Friday, November 28
Alumni Ice Hockey Game
8:00 p.m., Beacon Hill Ice Rink, Summit, NJ
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . For additional information please feel free to contact: Jackie Sullivan, Director of Alumni Relations and Annual Giving, at jsullivan@pingry.org Contact person for the classes of the ’30s, ’40s, ’90s, and ’00s Kristen Tinson, Associate Director of Alumni Relations and Annual Giving, at ktinson@pingry.org Contact person for the classes of the ’50s and ’60s Alison Harle, Associate Director of Alumni Relations and Annual Giving, at aharle@pingry.org Contact person for the classes of the ’70s and ’80s Or call the Alumni and Development Office at 800-994-ALUM (2586)
Visit us online:
www.pingry.org
SAVE THE DATE Friday, May 15 to Saturday, May 16, 2009
Reunion Weekend
Martinsville Campus For classes ending in 4 and 9
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Do you have a new job? Do you have a new child? Are you moving? Are you getting married? Do you have other news you would like to share with your classmates? If so, send us your class note for the next issue of The Pingry Review, and we are happy to publish a photo with your note. Please email your note and photo to Kristen Tinson at ktinson@pingry.org or mail them to Kristen Tinson, Associate Director of Alumni Relations and Annual Giving, The Pingry School, P.O. Box 366, Martinsville Road, Martinsville, NJ 08836. We will return all photos.
Save the Date! Reunion Weekend at the Martinsville Campus, May 15-16, 2009 For classes ending in 4 and 9
Non Profit Organization
U.S. Postage PAID
Clifton, N.J. PERMIT NO. 1104
THE PINGRY SCHOOL Martinsville Campus, Upper and Middle School Short Hills Campus, Lower School Martinsville Road PO Box 366 Martinsville, NJ 08836 Change Service Requested