PINGRY THE PINGRY REVIEW
Financial Aid
Unlocking Opportunity
Retiring and Departing Faculty Members | Three Faculty Members Celebrate 25 Years at Pingry 2010 Stifel Award | Alumni Help in Haiti | Four Coaches are Honored | Reunion Photo Gallery Athletics Hall of Fame Inductees | Architects Featured in Alumni Art Exhibition SUMMER 2010
2010 the Pingry fund
Because of your contriBution to the Pingry fund we can continue to... Honor TradiTion, sTrengTHen our CommuniTy, and seCure our FuTure
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PINGRY THE PINGRY REVIEW
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Financial Aid: Unlocking Opportunity
Pingry’s financial aid program provides educational opportunities for those who otherwise could not afford to attend the school. The Review explains how the program works and shares testimonials from those who have benefited.
est. 1861
13 Enduring Generosity of Norbert A. Weldon ’35
A new endowed fund for financial aid, named in honor of Mr. Weldon, is the most recent of the Weldon family’s numerous gifts to Pingry.
14 Saying Farewell to Faculty and Staff Members
Eleven members of Pingry’s faculty and staff retired or decided to pursue new opportunities at the conclusion of the 2009-10 academic year.
22 Digital Display: Lower School Students Find New Ways to Create Art The Short Hills Campus’ first student digital photography exhibition, representing the work of fourth- and fifth-grade students, was on display this spring.
30 Reunion Photo Gallery
In May, alumni returned to Pingry for three days of activities, including the Fifty-Year Club Luncheon, Clam Bake, and Class Parties.
42 Athletics Hall of Fame Inductees
Thomas R. Ferry ’80, Jay Antonelli ’88, J. Owen Tully ’94, Coach William Ambrose*, and the 1994-95 Boys’ Swimming Team were inducted on May 14, 2010. (* posthumously)
44 Alumni Make Time to Help in Haiti
Dr. Sanjay Lalla ’85, P ’21, ’22, a plastic surgeon, and Marisa LaValette ’04, eager to perform large-scale humanitarian work, traveled separately to Haiti to help the victims of the January 2010 earthquake.
46 Career Progression on Display in “Young Architects Show”
For the first time, Pingry’s annual alumni art exhibition focused on architecture by displaying the works of four alumni who are in college or who are in the early stages of their careers.
On the cover: Financial aid is the “key” that opens the door to knowledge for many Pingry students.
3 From the Headmaster 4 Sesquicentennial Kick-Off 6 Scene Around Campus 14 School News 27 Alumni News
48 49 67 68 69
Ask the Archivist Class Notes In Memoriam Dictum Ultimum Alumni Calendar
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. Editorial Staff Greg Waxberg ’96, Editor Communications Writer
what’s new on our web site
The pingry.org homepage provides links to new and expanded content.
News
Read about the clock tower renovation and new roof project at the Martinsville Campus, and see how the building’s visual appeal will improve during the coming months. The architectural drawings illustrate the tower’s new appearance.
Calendar
The 2010-2011 school calendar lists the newest school events and activities, new athletics events, dates for upcoming alumni events, and parent activities. All of the information can be easily downloaded to mobile devices.
Pingry’s Grandparents and Special Friends
The Lower School hosted a fun-filled day for the students’ grandparents and special friends on May 7, 2010. The Multimedia Gallery contains a slide show of the grandparents and friends spending a day at school with the Lower School students. This is a special day for everyone, and the photographs capture these priceless moments.
Alumni
Watch the slide show from Reunion Weekend, which took place in May at the Martinsville Campus. Events include the Pen Pal Program, Fifty-Year Club Luncheon, Alumni Luncheon Theatre, Clam Bake, Athletics Hall of Fame induction ceremony, Nelson L. Carr Service Awards, and more. To purchase any of the photos, click the “Peter Chollick Photography Link” under the “Alumni” section.
Find Us On Facebook and Twitter
For all the latest news, events, and photos from the current school year, Like our official all-school Facebook Page (search Pages for “The Pingry School”; it is the only one with the Excellence & Honor seal) and follow our official all-school Twitter page at @ thepingryschool!
Melanie Hoffmann P ’20 Director of Institutional Advancement Mark J. Sullivan Director of Strategic Communications and Marketing
Board of Trustees, 2010-2011 John B. Brescher, Jr. ’65, P ’99 Chair John W. Holman III ’79, P ’09, ’11, ’14 Vice Chair Edward S. Atwater IV ’63 Treasurer Ian S. Shrank ’71 Secretary Alice F. Rooke P ’02, ’04 Assistant Secretary Deborah J. Barker P ’12, ’16 Angela Burt-Murray P ’17, ’19 Kurt G. Conti P ’07, ’09, ’15 Holly Hegener Cummings P ’14, ’16 Jeffrey N. Edwards ’78, P ’12, ’14 Miriam T. Esteve P ’09, ’11, ’19 Kathleen M. Hugin P ’11, ’13 William D. Ju P ’09, ’11 Stuart M. Lederman ’78 Steven M. Lipper ’79, P ’09, ’12, ’14 Conor T. Mullett ’84, P ’14, ’15 Donald C. Mullins, Jr. P ’15, ’20 Terence M. O’Toole P ’05, ’08 Dan C. Roberts P ’99, ’02, ’09 Park B. Smith ’50 Henry G. Stifel III ’83 Denise E. Vanech P ’09 Audrey M. Wilf P ’02, ’04, ’13 Noreen C. Witte P ’13, ’16 Barry L. Zubrow P ’10
Honorary Trustees
Jacqueline Sullivan Director of Alumni Relations and Annual Giving
Design and Layout
Kristen Tinson Associate Director of Alumni Relations and Annual Giving
Photography
Maureen E. Maher Communications Manager Denise M. Brown-Allen P ’13 Upper School Director Philip S. Cox Middle School Director John W. Pratt Chief Financial Officer Sara Boisvert Director of Global Programs Allison C. Brunhouse ’00 Director of Admission and Financial Aid Lydia B. Geacintov P ’84, ’88 Director of Studies Melanie P. Hoffmann P ’20 Director of Institutional Advancement Gerry Vanasse P ’14 Director of Athletics Quoc Vo Director of Information Technology
Office of Alumni Relations and Annual Giving Miller Bugliari ’52, P ’86, ’90, ’97 Special Assistant to the Headmaster Jacqueline Sullivan Director of Alumni Relations and Annual Giving Brooke Alper Associate Director of Alumni Relations and Annual Giving Kristen Tinson Associate Director of Alumni Relations and Annual Giving
David M. Baldwin ’47, P ’75, ’76, ’78, ’81 Fred Bartenstein, Jr. P ’68, ’70, ’72, ’75 William S. Beinecke ’31, P ’61, ’64 John P. Bent, Jr. P ’80, ’82, ’84 Victoria Brooks P ’02, ’04 William V. Engel ’67 John W. Holman, Jr. ’55, P ’79 Henry H. Hoyt, Jr. ’45 Warren S. Kimber, Jr. ’52, P ’76, ’79 Stephan F. Newhouse ’65, P ’95, ’97, ’99 Norman B. Tomlinson, Jr. ’44 F. Helmut Weymar ’54 John C. Whitehead P ’73
TBD Associate Director of The Parent Fund
Administration, 2010-2011
Sam Partridge ’92 Vice President
Nathaniel E. Conard P ’09, ’11 Headmaster Theodore M. Corvino, Sr. P ’94, ’97, ’02 Assistant Headmaster-Short Hills Lower School Director Jonathan D. Leef P ’15, ’18 Assistant Headmaster-Martinsville
Laura K. Stoffel Assistant Director of Alumni Relations and Annual Giving Yolanda G. Carden Development Assistant
Pingry Alumni Association, 2010-2011 Steve Lipper ’79, P ’09, ’12, ’14 President Alison Zoellner ’83, P ’16, ’18 Vice President
Norbert Weldon ’91 Vice President Chip Korn ’89 Treasurer Genesia Perlmutter Kamen ’79 Secretary
Ruby Window Creative Group, Inc. www.rubywindow.com Peter Chollick Bruce Morrison ’64 Debbie Weisman
Terms Expiring in 2011
Jake Angell ’90 Todd Burrows ’90 David Freinberg ’74, P ’12, ’15 Allison Haltmaier ’80, P ’11, ’13 Cathleen Lazor ’88 H. David Rogers ’61 Kevin Schmidt ’98 Tracy Klingeman Stalzer ’84 Betsy Vreeland ’84, P ’11, ’12, ’15 Amy Warner ’78 Susan Barba Welch ’77, P ’06, ’09, ’11, ’13, ’16
Terms Expiring in 2012 Bradford Bonner ’93 John Campbell III ’86 Rebecca Frost ’94 Jane Hoffman ’94 Christian E. Hoffman ’94 Genesia Perlmutter Kamen ’79, P ’11, ’13 Conor Mullett ’84, P ’14, ’15 Samuel Partridge ’92 Peter Rosenbauer ’89 Mary Sarro-Waite ’01 William J. Silbey ’77 Gordon Sulcer ’61, P ’95, ’01 Katrina Welch ’06 Norbert Weldon ’91
Terms Expiring in 2013
Mark Bigos ’79 Anthony Bowes ’96 Kyle Coleman ’80 Nicole Daniele ’05 Thomas Diemar ’96 Lisa Fraites-Dworkin ’81 Jonathan Gibson ’88 Martha Graff ’84, P ’15, ’17 E. Lori Halivopoulos ’78 Robert Hough ’77 Peter Korn, Jr. ’89 Stuart Lederman ’78 Guy Leedom ’54 Steven Lipper ’79, P ’09, ’12, ’14 William Mennen ’85, P ’21, ’22 Katharine Outcalt ’87 Sean O’Donnell ’75, P ’05, ’10 Ronald Rice, Jr. ’86 Jonathan Robustelli ’90 Sandra Salter ’93 Jonathan Shelby ’74, P ’08, ’11 Alison Zoellner ’83, P ’16, ’18
Honorary Directors John Geddes ’62, P ’95 Robert C. Hall ’54, P ’79 Henry G. Kreh ’44
A Letter from the Headmaster doubled to $1,400, his successor, Charles Atwater, in his Headmaster’s Report to the Board of Trustees in April of 1970, wrote, “We have observed an increase in the number of families that are filing for financial aid, a fact which is a bit distressing since we may lose some good applicants because of our limited funds for this purpose.”
Dear Members of the Pingry Community,
Recently, I was looking through old minutes of meetings of the Pingry Board of Trustees. In the minutes from February 15, 1956, I found that E. Laurence Springer, the legendary headmaster who served from 1936 to 1961, was cited as saying that “he doubted that tuition and fees could be raised continually.” At that time, Upper School tuition was $700 per year. Fourteen years later, when Upper School tuition had
In this issue of The Review, among other things, we take a look at the important issue of access to a Pingry education, and the crucial role that financial aid plays in delivering on our goal of ensuring that the best students for Pingry will continue to be able to afford to join our community—or, once here, will be able to stay. Also in this issue, we celebrate some of our colleagues who are retiring from Pingry and three new members of the Magistri Maxime Laudandi, recap a wonderful Reunion Weekend, and continue our theme of sharing stories of members of the Pingry community giving back. Finally, I am thrilled that our class notes section continues to grow with news of all the interesting things that our alumni are engaged in—keep the news coming! As always, we love your feedback and look forward to seeing you on campus any time. Sincerely,
Nathaniel E. Conard P ’09, ’11
3 summer 2010
Over the past several years, the global bumpy road of the economy has brought into sharp relief the fundamental challenge long faced by privately funded schools and colleges: that of delivering on our missions within the constraints of the real economy. For many years, as anyone who has ever faced a tuition bill knows, tuition increases have outpaced overall inflation and median income growth. There are many legitimate economic drivers of this historical trend, and concern about increasing tuitions and access to an independent school education are not—as many might think— a recent phenomenon.
Today, while the issue is not new, the scale of the numbers involved has reached a level where we cannot simply continue to bemoan the situation. In our most recent strategic plan, one of the goals that we articulated was to “manage and steward our resources— financial, physical, and human—to ensure that future generations of Pingry students will have access to opportunities even greater than those available to our students today.” In pursuing this goal, we have begun to address, in a thoughtful, strategic way, the long-term financial sustainability of the independent school model—at least as it applies to Pingry. And we are making some headway. Our efforts at managing expenses, including significant energy savings, have enabled us to begin to moderate the rate of increase in tuition. The trailing five-year compound growth rate in Form VI tuition at Pingry, which peaked in 1984-85 at an astonishing 14.4 percent, is today at 5.1 percent, the lowest it has been in nearly 50 years.
From One Master Teacher to Another: An Account of The Pingry School’s Beginnings Preliminary research into the Pingry archives has revealed this letter from April 17, 1915, written by Jonathan Townley at age 82. Mr. Townley founded a select classical school for boys in 1859, and this letter describes his involvement in the establishment of The Pingry School in 1861. These pages will be among the archival treasures on display during the Sesquicentennial Celebration.
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Counting Down to an Event 150 Years in the Making
Sesquicentennial Kick-Off Celebration on May 13, 2011, During Reunion Weekend Preparations are underway for a kick-off celebration in honor of Pingry’s Sesquicentennial. This celebratory kick-off will be the first of many events, programs, and activities scheduled to take place throughout the year, culminating in a spectacular gala during Reunion Weekend in May 2012. Lynne Brum, 150th Anniversary Coordinator, assures us that all alumni, parents, past parents, grandparents, trustees, faculty, and students will have ample opportunities to come together to celebrate, in meaningful ways, this significant milestone.
Letters to the Editor I would like to shed more light on [Miss Harriet Budd’s] role as Head of the Lower School [Fall/Winter 2009]. There are three living members of the Lower School who were there for six years under [her] leadership: David Wilson ’39, George Lowden ’39, and me. We remember each teacher—Grades 1 and 2, Miss Clayton and Miss Clifford (both grades were taught in the same room); Grade 3, Miss Gibbons; Grade 4, Miss Prevost; Grade 5, Mrs. Pearson; and Miss Budd in Grade 6. If we were good ‘boys,’ Miss Budd would read us a story at the end of the day. The day would start in the Harriet Budd room with Bible readings and a hymn led by Mrs. Gibbons [at] the piano. Miss Budd was in charge, and you had better behave. - Former faculty member and Assistant Headmaster Ed Cissel ’39, P ’73
I attended my 60th reunion at the Martinsville Campus on May 14 and 15, 2010. Two days on campus were an exciting validation of Pingry life and culture as portrayed in The Pingry Review. The Review is equal to or exceeds any similar publication in the quality of content, photography, graphics, and layout. A vibrant picture is painted of current students, faculty, and alumni, which resonates loudly when actually wandering the building and grounds during a reunion. In the last issue, I particularly enjoyed the article on alumni who have dedicated a good part of their lives to public service. I was there when Admiral “Bull” Halsey returned to Pingry at the end of World War II—what a great day that was! Reading the Review and attending reunions occasionally gives one a real sense of never having left. This year, I really got my batteries charged thanks to the attending alumni, Headmaster Nat Conard, faculty, staff, students, and the excellent background material provided by the Winter/Spring 2010 issue and previous issues of The Pingry Review. - Duane St. John ’50, USMC (Ret.)
Correction/Addendum to the article “Pingry Tennis Courts Moving to Higher Ground” that appeared in the Winter/Spring 2010 issue:
summer 2010
The Pingry School wishes to apologize to the Thomas family for mistakenly omitting some important information in the article regarding plans for the new tennis courts. The current tennis courts are named for our distinguished alumnus, the late George Comyns Thomas, Class of 1907, who was a Letter-in-Life recipient, a significant benefactor of The Pingry School during his lifetime, and an accomplished tennis player. In fact, he was the doubles partner for Dean Mathey, Class of 1908, at Wimbledon in 1918 as they were waiting to be sent back home from World War I. These facts were brought to light by Mr. Thomas’ son, Edward “Ted” Thomas ’47, whom we also wish to thank for his contribution to this article and for his and his family’s longstanding support of Pingry and our tennis program.
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Scene Around Campus
The Drama and Music Departments presented Stephen Sondheim’s musical thriller Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street in February 2010 in the Macrae Theatre at the Martinsville Campus.
In honor of the Chinese New Year (the “Year of the Tiger,” which began on February 14, 2010), the Short Hills Campus welcomed master puppeteer and Beijing native Hua Hua Zhang on February 5, 2010. She performed her show “East Meets West”—a blending of Chinese and American culture—with string puppets, hand puppets, and rod puppets. To conclude the assembly, the students participated in the Chinese Dragon Dance to celebrate the New Year.
6 the pingry review The third annual Piano Potpourri took place on May 3, 2010, at the Short Hills Campus. In addition to the Spring Concert, this assembly gives fourthand fifth-grade students an opportunity to share their keyboard talents with the rest of the school; they perform a wide variety of music, from jazz to pop to classical. Students audition for music teachers Tom Berdos and Patty Finn in the early spring.
Katie Koestner, founder of Campus Outreach Services and a national expert on student safety and teen relationship culture, spoke to students on March 1, 2010, for the Second Annual Lecture sponsored by The Gilbert Harry Carver ’79 Memorial Fund, which serves to open dialogue on self-esteem and acceptance. The fund was established in memory of Gibb Carver ’79 by his father Calvin and stepmother June Carver, his sister Marcey Carver, his brother Calvin “Chip” Carver, Jr. ’77, P ’09, ’11, ’14, and Chip’s wife, former Trustee Anne DeLaney ’79, P ’09, ’11, ’14. Ms. Koestner addressed the community about respect and consent in relationships, respect and safety on the Internet, and the permanence of one’s online activity. She emphasized that online information can be traced and retrieved.
Upper School students in the Drawing and Painting courses conceived of the idea to draw portraits (each measuring about six feet by three feet) of 13 bearded faculty members and students; the drawings were showcased in the PSPA’s Spring Benefit in March 2010. From left: science faculty member Jeff Jenkins, drawn by Vitor Oliveira ‘11; history faculty member John Raby P ‘95, drawn by Terdoo Nwaoduh ‘10; and Visual Arts Department Chair Miles Boyd, drawn by Roxanne Oghaz ‘11.
Pingry hosted 42 students and faculty from the Lycée Jean Mermoz in Dakar, Senegal on April 22, 2010, at the Martinsville Campus; the visit was coordinated by Laye Thiam P ’01, ’03. The Senegalese students and faculty visited Middle and Upper School classes as part of a two-week tour of the United States. Pingry hopes to participate in an exchange with this school in the spring of 2011.
7 summer 2010
The Drama Department and Middle School presented Charles Strouse’s musical Bye Bye Birdie in May 2010 in the Macrae Theatre at the Martinsville Campus.
The annual “Grandparents’ and Special Friends’ Day” took place on May 7, 2010, at the Short Hills Campus, with about 300 guests from across the country and overseas. Photos from the event are available for viewing at www.pingry.org.
The annual Spring Concert took place on May 14, 2010, at the Short Hills Campus. Ensembles included the Handbell Choir, Grade 4 Band, Grade 5 Band, Grade 5 Chorus, and Strings. Six fifth-grade pianists also performed (individually) between each ensemble piece. The concert program acknowledged the 35 students in the “1,000 Minutes Club”—those who have practiced at home for at least 1,000 minutes during the academic year. A majority of students accumulate 2,000 or 3,000 minutes.
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the pingry review
Financial Aid
Unlocking Opportunity The identities of those who benefit are confidential, but the significance of the financial aid program at Pingry cannot be overstated. Pingry has been awarding need-based financial aid grants of varying amounts for decades to ensure that families who cannot afford to pay full tuition and other fees can still enroll their children at Pingry. As an indication of the program’s growth over the years, 20 students were awarded a total of $63,000 for the 1986-87 academic year. For the 2010-11 academic year, it is estimated that 151 students will be awarded a total of over $3.3 million. The amount awarded has increased every year, and the financial aid budget has increased by over $1 million in the past three years alone, largely to meet the growing demand for financial aid from returning families.
However, the scope of financial aid is broader than closing the gap between tuition and a family’s income. The program enables Pingry to have socioeconomic diversity, which is an important aspect of the school’s commitment to diversity. Bringing together students of different backgrounds and experiences enriches the classroom experience for everyone—including the faculty members—and each of these students can share his or her talents as an active member of the Pingry community. To date, the Pingry community (alumni, parents, and friends of the school) has established 50 endowed funds for need-based financial aid; these donors are committed to making a Pingry education available to qualified students.
9 summer 2010
Among these funds are the Miller Bugliari ’52 Scholarship Endowment Fund, which provides assistance to qualified children and grandchildren of Pingry alumni, and children of faculty and staff, and The Frederick G. H. Fayen II Scholarship Fund, which provides assistance to qualified children of Pingry faculty and staff. The Bugliari Fund was established in 2000 by a single donor who challenged the school and its alumni and parents to raise a total of $2.3 million in honor of Mr. Bugliari for the benefit of legacy applicants. The Fayen Fund was established by Dr. John Young P ’06, ’08, ’11 upon Mr. Fayen’s retirement in 2008 to honor Mr. Fayen and his passion for educating the children of faculty and staff (see “Fund Established in Honor of Fred Fayen” in the Summer/Fall 2008 issue of The Pingry Review), with the intention that others in the community will also support this Fund. Examples of other significant financial aid endowment funds established over the years include the Dunphy Family Scholarship Fund, the Edward Scott, Jr. Scholarship Endowment Fund, and the Percy H. Buchanan ’12 Scholarship Endowment Fund. The Dunphy Family Fund, established by Mr. and Mrs. T. J. Dermot Dunphy in 1996, provides aid for qualified African-American and Hispanic students. The Edward Scott, Jr. Fund, established by Mr. Daniel L. Markovitz ’81 and named in honor of the former Pingry track coach and faculty member, provides aid for qualified
students who are committed to track and field, regardless of their competitive level, and/or minority students, and/or students from a poorer geographic region of New Jersey, thereby helping Pingry increase its socioeconomic diversity. The Buchanan Fund, established by Peter Buchanan ’52 in memory of his father Percy H. Buchanan of the Class of 1912, provides aid for any qualified students in need, giving the school the most flexibility. Testimonials from those who have benefited from financial aid are, perhaps, the most compelling evidence that Pingry’s financial aid program is an integral component of the school’s mission. One graduate whose life was changed is Sean O’Donnell ’75, P ’05, ’10, because he would not otherwise have been able to attend Pingry. He was a talented soccer player, leading to rumors both within and outside of the school that he had been recruited on an athletic scholarship, but his aid, like all aid at Pingry, was need-driven. “The financial aid covered some of the standard charges such as tuition and books. The other costs were covered by my parents’ sacrifices and the generosity of the Pingry community. For example, instead of having to pay for transportation to Hillside from Union, I got rides to school from other students and teachers, and my parents picked me up or I got a ride home from someone. My parents sacrificed by driving cars longer than they should have, and my father worked a lot of overtime,” Mr. O’Donnell says.
Attending Pingry showed him that “wealthy people are no different than non-wealthy people and that class is a function of respect, not one’s bank account.” Mr. O’Donnell believes that, if he had not attended Pingry, he probably would not have met his wife Mimi (she attended Oak Knoll) or his closest friend Greg McDermott ’75, and he would not have attended the University of Pennsylvania, received an M.B.A., or owned a successful software company. He also formed some immeasurably valuable connections, such as working on the 1994 Soccer World Cup with Charlie Stillitano, Jr. ’77. “Lastly, I would not have played for the greatest high school soccer coach in the history of the sport, Miller Bugliari ’52, who became a friend and mentor since the first day of pre-season,” he says. Mr. O’Donnell credits his immense gratitude to Pingry as one of the primary reasons for his active involvement as an alumnus. “When you are given an opportunity like going to Pingry, which is outside of your expected life course, you greatly appreciate it and want to give back. I have stayed involved with the school because of what I got from my education, and I want others to get the same benefits. I have been fortunate in my career, and I could afford to send my children Caitlin ’05 and Christian ’10 to Pingry, but, even if that were not the case, I would have made sacrifices and applied for financial aid so they could have the same opportunities that I had,” he says.
Myth No. 1
Myth No. 2
Financial aid is offered as merit scholarships, benefiting students who display exceptional talents.
All financial aid grants are for full tuition, so a family will not receive any aid if they are able to pay even a portion of the tuition.
Pingry Even though some schools offer merit scholarships in addition to or instead of need-based financial aid, Pingry does not offer merit aid. All of Pingry’s financial aid is need-based.
Pingry Financial aid grants are calculated to meet a family’s need, which may be all or part of a student’s tuition. Grants vary in size depending on a family’s situation, and many middleor upper middle-income families receive partial tuition grants.
According to one Pingry graduate from the 1970s, her parents’ primary objective was to ensure that their children received the best possible education. Her older brother was already enrolled at Pingry, so, when the school opened its doors to girls, her parents had a clear understanding of what it would mean for her to attend as well. The extra help that Pingry provided made it easier for her parents to send both children to Pingry at the same time. Today, she continues to support the financial aid program. “Everyone who is academically and otherwise talented, qualified, and prepared deserves the opportunity to attend Pingry. In these difficult economic times, it’s more important than ever that Pingry continues to offer aid to families with a wide range of financial needs,” she says.
In the words of a current faculty member whose child receives financial aid:
Because the tuition for independent schools and colleges continues to rise at a faster rate than many household incomes, financial aid will make it possible for a Pingry education to remain accessible to current and prospective families who may have been able to afford the tuition without assistance. According to Headmaster Nat Conard P ’09, ’11, that accessibility makes the school stronger. “Socioeconomic diversity is important to classroom discussions so that students can learn from the insights and experiences of their classmates. Financial aid enables Pingry to admit those students who are best suited to Pingry’s mission, the Pingry community, and, ultimately, the global community,” he says.
“The Financial Aid Committee [was] the single most important factor in my Pingry career. Without [its] generosity, my life would not have been changed, and I would never have been heading off to an Ivy League University.
“I have been impressed with the school’s commitment to families, and financial aid is one area where this is especially true. Funding a current student, whose financial situation may change, is not based on his or her contributions to the community, but on the fact that he or she is a member of the community. Our financial aid initiatives are an important way in which Pingry creates a sense of community.” For this faculty member, being a Pingry student is an integral part of her child’s identity.
In the words of a financial aid student: “Pingry changed my life.”
It took me the first four months of school to make my first friends. Eventually, I found my niche, and my circle of friends grew. These friends have opened my eyes to a side of life I had never experienced. Economic differences between us were great, yet these differences did not prevent friendships. Pingry’s generosity in funding my education at this wonderful school has affected my life in the most positive ways. If someone told me that, by the time
I graduate [from] high school, I would run for student body president, win a speech competition, start an Italian Culture Club, become a peer leader, graduate Cum Laude, shadow New York City’s top neurosurgeon, and be accepted into The University of Pennsylvania, I would have thought that person was crazy. However, as incredible as that last sentence sounds, I was able to do all these things due to the selflessness of the Pingry community, administration, and benevolent donors. I have been given an opportunity that few people in my situation could have ever imagined. I was given access to a world that resides in the dreams of many and the realities of few. I was able to fully partake in everything that Pingry had to offer; I was never excluded from any school activity due to a financial concern, and I never felt uncomfortable around my classmates. My experience at Pingry has given me an immense amount of classroom and worldly knowledge. I can say with absolute certainty that Pingry allowed me to not only enjoy my time, but to be extraordinary, and for that no amount of thanks can compare to what I have been blessed with.”
Three Prospective Students Who Got Away
These students were among the most qualified, dynamic, and impressive applicants because of their character, dedication to academics and extracurricular activities, and potential 11
Myth No. 4
Myth No. 5
Financial aid and racial diversity are linked.
Financial aid is awarded only to families whose income is below a certain level.
Financial aid is awarded only for certain grade levels.
Pingry
The school awards financial aid for Kindergarten through Grade 12 so that a Pingry education is available at all grade levels regardless of a family’s ability to pay.
Pingry Racial diversity at Pingry is neither a result nor a goal of financial aid. In fact, the school’s goal is to decouple these dimensions of diversity. There is racial diversity both among the financial aid recipients and among full-tuition paying families.
A family’s income is only one of many factors considered during the financial aid process. For example, 17 percent of financial aid grants (26 awards out of 151) during the 2009-10 academic year were awarded to families who annually earn more than $180,000.
Pingry
summer 2010
Myth No. 3
contributions to the Pingry community. They would have been assets to the community, but the school was unable to fund them because of constraints on the financial aid budget. “Powerful, in the classroom, on the field, and across the campus … [she] combines talent, determination, and maturity to succeed. From the day she enrolled, her enthusiasm for learning and willingness to contribute have defined her.” This is how an advisor at the first student’s current school described her. An outstanding and energetic student, her numerous interests and talents include choral singing (in school and as a member of the New Jersey Youth Chorus), drama (in school productions and in a summer workshop), volleyball, diving, and playing the piano. She is especially dedicated to soccer (eight years) and gymnastics (seven years) and excels in gymnastics as a member of a nationally-ranked gymnastics team and as a gymnastics teacher; like many Pingry students, she balances a rigorous academic program with a demanding schedule of practices and meets. She was also selected to be principal editor of her school’s yearbook and is described as mature, focused, extremely polite, and kind to and respectful of others. Her English teacher praised her as a “dedicated scholar.” She was eagerly looking forward to playing soccer at Pingry and, having twice lived abroad, to sharing her experiences and global perspectives with the Pingry community, especially in class discussions.
The second student, an artist with a passion for writing, impressed the admission committee with his quiet determination and demonstration of high moral character. He has been on the Honor Roll for 16 consecutive semesters and plays basketball and volleyball, yet is humble about his many accomplishments. He received his school’s Presidential Academic Achievement Award and attended the National Young Leaders Conference in Washington, D.C. In his application essay, he revealed his insight into Pingry’s Honor Code when he wrote that, by allowing others to borrow one of his most valuable possessions, he “worked for the good and advantage of others … which is [an example of] selflessness [that] Pingry tries to instill in its students.” When asked on the application how he would see himself contributing to the Pingry community, he replied: “I see myself contributing to the Pingry community by being an example for others to follow. I try to uphold morals such as being honest, forgiving, and kind to others.” An administrator at the third student’s school praised this student as “beloved by her teachers” because of her academic strengths and contributions to class discussions with insightful, analytical, and reflective comments and questions. Others describe her as mature, poised, and focused. Outside the classroom, she is a member of the yearbook staff, plays clarinet in a band,
Myth No. 6 Financial aid is awarded only during the initial admission process because families are expected to pay in full in subsequent years.
Pingry The school considers every family’s needs each year that they apply for aid. To ensure that a Pingry education remains available, the school is committed to supporting a family for up to the full 13 years if neces-
has been an active participant in school plays for three years, and plays tennis and track. She has displayed exemplary leadership skills as a member of her school’s student council, serving as vice president and president in consecutive years and twice attending the National Young Leaders Conference in Washington, D.C. She also was chosen to attend President Obama’s inauguration. Demonstrating her commitment to education, this student attended a three-week summer course on zoology at the Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth. She is also active in community service, having participated in a 5K breast cancer walk and worked for the Market Street Mission Project and the Global Literacy Project’s Schoolto-School program in South Africa, among other projects. At Pingry, she had looked forward to playing tennis, helping with the environment, and helping to raise money for charities. These students’ accomplishments, their commitment to community service, and their high moral values help indicate how they and the Pingry community would have benefited if these applicants could have been funded. For more information about supporting the financial aid program at Pingry, please contact Melanie Hoffmann P ’20, Director of Institutional Advancement, at (908) 647-7058 or mhoffmann@ pingry.org.
sary, and current families receive priority over prospective families for financial aid. “We are committed to ensuring that a student’s academic experience is not affected if his or her family’s financial situation changes. For the 2009-10 academic year, we had 45 current students request financial aid for the first time, and we were able to meet the need of every family that qualified,” says Director of Admission and Financial Aid Allie Brunhouse ’00.
[ PHILANTHROPY ]
Enduring Generosity of Norbert A. Weldon ’35 The enduring generosity of one of Pingry’s most loyal families has culminated in their largest gift ever to the school—the newest endowed fund for financial aid. In June 2010, Mr. Norbert A. Weldon ’35 made a generous endowment gift to the school for financial aid. As a result of this gift, Norbert’s sons Peter J. Weldon ’67 and William H. Weldon IV ’72 and grandson Woody Weldon ’91 suggested establishing The Norbert A. Weldon ’35 Scholarship Endowment Fund in his honor. This new Fund will provide financial assistance to future generations of qualified Pingry Middle School and Upper School students. “We are truly honored to help in the naming of this fund after my grandfather, who was guided by the Pingry Honor Code throughout his life. Norbert’s many accomplishments have only been dwarfed by his enduring love for his family and friends. He has always been known as a warm-hearted and caring individual with a sharp competitive streak that was honed on the playing fields of Pingry,” says Mr. Weldon ’91.
As a long-time supporter of The Pingry Fund and as a significant contributor to the school over the decades, Norbert has enjoyed a long and distinguished history with Pingry. In 1993, he received the school’s Letter-in-Life Award, which
described him as a leader in his industry who exemplifies decency and integrity. The award honored his lifetime of service to Pingry, to his local community (especially Westfield, New Jersey, where he was named in the YMCA’s Book of Honor for his civic contributions), and to the country. He earned the Distinguished Flying Cross as a First Lieutenant in the Air Corp of the U.S. Army in April 1944 for his service in the Pacific during World War II. In 1995, he was inducted into Pingry’s Athletics Hall of Fame to honor his achievements in football and track. “Norbert Weldon is one of Pingry’s finest. A consummate sportsman and gentleman, Norbert epitomizes ‘excellence and honor.’ Whether playing golf or just visiting, it is always a pleasure to spend time with Norb. This latest gift to Pingry is another example of the lasting legacy that the Weldon family has established at the school,” says Special Assistant to the Headmaster Miller Bugliari ’52, P ’86, ’90, ’97. For four generations, the Weldon family has provided Pingry with annual and endowed gifts, plus gifts in kind for construction projects from their company Weldon
Materials. One of these many gifts in kind was construction material for the school’s first turf field, The John Taylor Babbitt ’07 Memorial Field. The family has demonstrated its devotion to Pingry not only through funding and other similar gifts, but also through the generations who have attended the school. Norbert’s sons Peter and William and grandson Woody graduated from Pingry, in addition to Norbert’s brothers William H. Weldon III ’27 and Robert F. Weldon ’30. The children of William H. Weldon IV ’72 have also attended the school— William H. Weldon, Jr. ’09 and Whitney Weldon, who will graduate in 2011. In fact, Whitney will be a member of the 150th graduating class in May 2011, kicking off the School’s Sesquicentennial celebration year. Pingry is grateful to the Weldon family for providing decades of generous support to the school. Their contributions to The Pingry Fund and financial aid funds, as well as their other gifts, have enabled Pingry to make great strides in its efforts to provide current and future students with outstanding facilities and educational opportunities.
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Prior to the establishment of this fund, Norbert A. Weldon had already supported other financial aid funds at Pingry, including the Timothy C. Cornwall ’64 Scholarship Endowment Fund, the Pingry Alumni Association Scholarship Endowment Fund, the Vincent L. Lesneski Memorial Scholarship Fund, and the Miller Bugliari ’52 Scholarship Endowment Fund.
From left: Jane Weldon, Norbert Weldon ‘35, Bill Weldon ‘72, Whitney Weldon ‘11, Thomas Weldon, and Woody Weldon ‘91 at Reunion 2007
[ School News ] Faculty and Staff News At the conclusion of the 200910 academic year, eleven members of Pingry’s faculty and staff retired or decided to pursue new opportunities. The school wishes them well for their future endeavors and thanks them for their years of service to the community. Retiring and Departing Faculty and Staff History faculty member Jeffrey Bartsch P ’17
is leaving Pingry after four years. He also coached Middle School Boys’ Soccer and Ultimate Frisbee and advised the Middle School Quiz Bowl team. His family is moving to Providence, Rhode Island to be closer to Boston, where his wife works.
Fanwood. She also wants to resume her volunteering. What will she miss most about Pingry? “As much as everything else changes, the kids don’t change. They’re still wonderful and funny,” she says.
Level Knowledge—and Receive an Extraordinary Honor” in the Fall/ Winter 2009 issue of The Pingry Review). “I’m happy about the fact that I had a huge role in those two programs while I worked at Pingry,” he says.
Associate Director of Alumni Relations and Annual Giving Alison Harle is leaving Pingry after four years to join Greenwich Country Day School as their Director of Alumni Relations. She previously served as Pingry’s Assistant Director of Annual Giving. Ms. Harle managed many aspects of The Pingry Fund and most recently coordinated regional events for alumni.
Following nine years as Pingry’s Dean of Student Life, Joan Hearst is leaving the school to work closer to home at Lacordaire Academy in Montclair, New Jersey; this fall, she will become the academy’s Director of Admissions. Since 2001, she has developed close relationships with countless Pingry students and their families, especially because she oversaw all academic and disciplinary aspects of student life. “The beauty of the nine years is that I know the families very well now,” she says.
Barbara Edwards is
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retiring after serving for 27 years as Pingry’s Upper School Registrar. She spent her entire Pingry career at the Martinsville Campus, having joined the school after its move from Hillside to Martinsville in 1983. In addition to maintaining the Upper School office’s efficient operations, she was heavily involved in planning each year’s Commencement exercises and preparing students for PSAT testing, and she provided support to the Upper School Director. Mrs. Edwards and her husband plan to spend about five months each year in the Adirondacks, where they own a house on a lake, and the rest of the year at their home in
Tommie Hata working in the Darst Lab at Rockefeller University, surrounded by models of S.M.A.R.T. Team products designed by Pingry students
Science faculty member Tommie Hata is following his wife to the Washington, D.C. area and will join the faculty of the Sidwell Friends School, where he will teach biology and start a molecular biology research course. His wife Olga, a molecular biologist, will be working for the National Institutes of Health. Mr. Hata spent eight years teaching biology at Pingry. He also created the course “Introduction to Scientific Research” and coordinated Pingry’s S.M.A.R.T. Team (for background about the S.M.A.R.T. Team, see “Science Students Pursue Graduate-
One of her main roles was serving as faculty advisor to the Honor Board, a committee of students and faculty whose mission is to enhance the spirit of the Honor Code and whose responsibilities include mediation of Honor Code violations. “I loved that [role], because it felt like the class that I taught,” she says. Students who serve on the Honor Board have different leadership roles than other students because they are unable to talk openly about their decisions, and Mrs. Hearst emphasizes the importance of listening to others’ opinions and leaving one’s emotions at the door. Her favorite role at the school was being an advisor. She also served on the Dean’s Council with Pingry’s nurses and school counselors, oversaw the Advisory Program for Grades 9 to 12, planned class trips for Grades 10 to 12, and co-chaired the ISP Committee.
Social worker Jean Knee is retiring after 17 years at the Short Hills Campus, where she provided emotional and moral support and a safe haven for students, parents, faculty, and staff. Through her training at Columbia University in family therapy (a master’s degree in social work), she was able to use her Decisions course to give students the skills and tools they would need to successfully negotiate problems common to their age group. In Grade 3, for the students entering Pingry, she helped with the transition to a new school and mentored them about the complexity of friendships and the principles of social fairness and honorable behavior. She continued with these themes in fourth- and fifthgrade classes, always restructuring her emphases to fit developmental changes and the needs of each group. She wrote a workbook to allow students to practice and internalize these valuable skills in order to apply them to life situations.
Mrs. Knee’s influence extended beyond her Decisions classroom. She coordinated the Lower School’s assemblies and tried to ensure that each child would see his or her heritage represented in an assembly every year. With her input, administrators, teachers, and parents devised clear plans of action when faced with sensitive life events. In the aftermath of
Now that she is retiring and moving to Cape Cod, Massachusetts, Mrs. Knee wants to explore consulting opportunities in the Boston area and enjoy leisure time to pursue writing and photography. “While I look forward to this new stage of life, I loved my work and the meaningful relationships I developed over the years with people at Pingry,” she says. For 26 years, history faculty member Madeline Landau P ’91
has been invigorated by teaching at Pingry (for background about Mrs. Landau’s Pingry career, see “150 Combined Years of Teaching,” The Pingry Review, Commemorative Edition). “I have not only taught, but also learned so much from my students. I was also fortunate to be mentored by some extraordinary people including [former Headmaster] John Hanly, [former Director of Guidance] Annette Tomaino, and [former History Department Chair, Upper School Director, and Assistant Headmaster] Joe LaValley, one of the most gifted teachers I have ever known,” she says. In addition to her work with the Awareness Society and Vital Signs and as coordinator of the assemblies for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Veterans’ Day, and Holocaust Remembrance, Mrs. Landau is especially proud of her accomplishments as Chair of the history department
(1989 to 1998). She warmly remembers mentoring many young teachers and watching them develop both inside and outside the classroom. She also remembers her interaction with China. Because she wanted to establish a “sister” relationship with a top Chinese school, Mrs. Landau initiated contact with the Chinese government in the fall of 1987. In the summer of 1988, at their invitation, she led a group of 39 Pingry students, three faculty, and four parents to China to make that wish a reality. They visited five cities. “It was a unique experience for all of us, especially our stay in Shanghai, where we were hosted by the Nanyang Model Middle School, one of the top schools in China. A contingent of Pingry students visited that school the following year, and a number of their students visited us on different occasions,” she says. When she retires, Mrs. Landau and her husband Peter will move to Park City, Utah, where they are building a ski-in/ski-out home right on the ski slopes. They will be closer to their family in Los Angeles, including daughter Hanny ’91. “Peter and I also love to travel to all parts of the world, so we just hope to have good health and enjoy it all,” she says. Associate Director of The Parent Fund Tony
Obst P ’92, ’95, ’97, ’02, ’07 is leaving
Pingry. “I came to Pingry on a mission to give back for my five kids who benefited greatly here and paved my way at Pingry. I am tremendously gratified by the support of the parents, grandparents, faculty and staff, and the fact that they have rallied for Pingry and increased parent and faculty/staff participation in The Pingry Fund in the face of tough economic times,” Mr. Obst says.
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“My role has always been to provide a safe environment for families and individuals, so we always used hypothetical scenarios from films and videos, as well as role-playing, to protect students’ privacy and feelings of selfworth,” Mrs. Knee says. It was important to her that all children, including those who are shy, find a voice in her classroom.
9/11, Mrs. Knee was a key figure when the Pingry community was forced to deal with shock, grief, and lasting anxiety. Her training and talents were also invaluable when a young teacher died over Spring Break, and she was called upon to counsel and reassure students on both campuses who struggled with the sudden loss.
[ School News ]
History faculty member John Raby P ’95, retiring after 21 years at Pingry, was teaching at Caldwell High School when he learned about an opening in Pingry’s history department. Teaching at Pingry would mean that he could watch his son John ’95 advance through the school and that he could share vacations with him, so Mr. Raby joined the Pingry faculty in the fall of 1989—but decided that he would never be his son’s teacher.
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He has taught several of Pingry’s history courses: European History, AP European History, and the ninthgrade course that has evolved to its current form as “World History 9” (continuing for sophomores as “World History 10”). He is pleased not only with the current version of the ninth-grade class, which includes a close collaboration with Librarian Eileen Hymas and significant library research for the students, but also with the overall history curriculum. He hastens to emphasize that it is difficult to name memorable students because of what he considers an “extraordinary student body,” but does mention Morgan Foster ’10 and Josephine LaCosta ’10, both of whom proposed Civilization, a new interdisciplinary course that will be offered as a history elective for the first time in the fall of 2010. Mr. Raby has also been the Head Coach of the Boys’ Varsity Cross Country Team since 1995; before becoming the team’s head coach, he was Ed Scott’s assistant coach in 1993 and 1994 while also coaching Middle School cross country. “Before
I came to Pingry, I never conceived of myself as a coach. I had advised indoor-oriented extracurricular activities, but I was happy to get outdoors. I decided that it would be a good idea to coach by example, so I started running seriously and entering races. I wanted to put myself through the same sort of regimen that I asked the boys to do. One of the gifts that Pingry has given me is that it taught me how to coach—largely through Ed Scott, Tim Grant, [Director of Athletics] Gerry Vanasse, and Victor Nazario,” Mr. Raby says. In 2008, he ran the Boston Marathon and finished 88th in a field of about 800 men in his age group.
the Middle School. He has coached swimming at Pingry for 23 years, and, to assist the swimmers who wanted to play a fall sport to prepare for the winter swimming season, he initiated the Water Polo program (for Middle School and Upper School), which he coached for several years. Mr. Reichle also coached the varsity softball team for six years and freshman soccer for four years.
“I like that cross country is outdoors. There’s no bench, so the sport teaches the lesson that life is about participation, not sitting and watching. It also teaches persistence against adversity and the idea that everyone can improve. Not only can individuals stand out, but they can also contribute to the progress of the group,” he says. Mr. Raby feels strongly that cross country teaches three other important life lessons—being tough without being cruel, being competitive without being vicious, and being brave without being violent. His cross country teams have won numerous championships over the past 15 years: five Colonial Hills Conference championships, seven prep state championships, and three state championships in Non-Public B.
In retirement, Mr. Reichle is looking forward to having more time to play in softball tournaments and focus on his swimming; he has competed in several marathon swims, including the 28-mile swim around Manhattan. He already has a few open water swims on his calendar and will be focusing on training for them.
Perhaps in a few years, Mr. Raby and his wife Betty will settle in New England, but for now he is looking forward to spending time outdoors gardening, camping, hiking, and traveling. Mathematics faculty member Bill Reichle P ’00, who has been teaching and coaching at Pingry since 1987, is retiring from teaching, although he will continue as the boys’ varsity swimming coach. Mr. Reichle has taught Pre-Algebra, Algebra, and Math 2A, primarily in
“I have enjoyed teaching and coaching at Pingry. The parent involvement and the caliber of students are the very best,” he says. For more background about Mr. Reichle’s Pingry career and coaching accomplishments, refer to the Commemorative, Fall/Winter 2009, and Winter/Spring 2010 editions of The Pingry Review. English faculty member Dean Sluyter P ’90, ’98 is moving to Los Angeles to join the faculty of Milken Community High School and marry his fiancée Yaffa Lerea, a documentary film editor. Mr. Sluyter has been sharing his passions for literature, meditation, and enlightenment with Pingry’s Upper School students since 1977, and he expects to share those same passions with his new students in California. During his 33-year Pingry career, he taught English 10 and American Literature and created several
He played roles in several Shakespearean plays presented by the Drama Department and sometimes played saxophone in the jazz band.
Dean Sluyter P ’90, ’98 and his fiancée Yaffa Lerea
electives—Classic Cinema (an interdisciplinary course with the Art Department), Acting and Public Speaking, and Utopian Literature. However, he is most proud of his accomplishments with Literature of Enlightenment and Mindful Awareness. The former is an elective for juniors and seniors who read ancient and modern literary and scriptural texts and participate in a lab component that involves meditation techniques; Mr. Sluyter believes that this course is the longest-running nonsectarian meditation-based high school program in the United States. Based on the success of Literature of Enlightenment, he established Mindful Awareness in 2002 to make the meditative practice available to the entire Upper School twice each week during the morning break. “The school has been open to letting me develop these programs and astute in recognizing when I was doing something worthwhile,” he says.
Mr. Sluyter is grateful that Pingry has fostered not only his growth, but also that of his two children, Day Rosenberg ’90 and Tara Wings Sluyter ’98. “I am deeply appreciative of the incredible education that they both received at Pingry, and for the fact that the school has been very supportive of my growth outside and in the school,” he says. New Positions
Ananya Chatterji
Upper School Academic Dean
Previously the Assistant Dean, Ms. Chatterji will develop academic policies and serve as a liaison among parents, students, teachers, advisors, and department chairs for academic
Ms. Chatterji will continue to teach two math classes, serve as a College Counselor, coordinate the Independent Senior Program (ISP), and assemble the Upper School schedule during the summer. She joined Pingry’s Technology Department in 1996, has been teaching math since 1997, and became a College Counselor in 2002.
Allie Brunhouse ’00 Director of Admission
Ms. Brunhouse, who joined Pingry in 2007 as Assistant Director of Admission and Coordinator of Financial Aid, is looking forward to promoting the Pingry experience so that prospective students and their families can learn about the opportunities available to them. Among her responsibilities, she will manage all aspects of the admission cycle and financial aid process on both campuses, work to ensure that prospective families have a positive experience as they navigate the admission process, and develop plans for marketing and advertising. “I am passionate about Pingry, and my goal is to ensure that families and students who visit Pingry leave with an excellent impression and an understanding of who we are as a school,” Ms. Brunhouse says. She will also continue in her role as Director of Financial Aid.
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Mr. Sluyter also created The Pingry Manual of Style to set the standard for student writing in both the Middle and Upper Schools; introduced desktop publishing in 1988; taught the school’s first word-processing course; oversaw the design and layout of The Pingry Record and Vital Signs, among other publications; and edited and laid out the Curriculum Guide. Years ago, he served as an assistant cross-country coach, an assistant track coach, and the weight-training coach.
Outside Pingry, Mr. Sluyter has volunteered as a Buddhist chaplain for the New Jersey Department of Corrections at Northern State Prison in Newark and at Mountainview Youth Correctional Facility in Annandale. He teaches weekend seminars across the country about meditation- and enlightenment-related topics and has published three books: Cinema Nirvana:Enlightenment Lessons from the Movies, The Zen Commandments: Ten Suggestions for a Life of Inner Freedom, and Why the Chicken Crossed the Road & Other Hidden Enlightenment Teachings. A story of his is featured in the book You Are Not Here and Other Works of Buddhist Fiction, and he has written a number of articles and film reviews for various New Jersey newspapers as well as Tricycle magazine.
issues. “I was immediately drawn to the opportunity to bring my ideas and vision to the Upper School Advisory Program,” she says, and one of her goals is to help guide students through a comfortable, yet challenging, academic path at Pingry. She will also collaborate with the new Dean of Students on assemblies and student wellness topics.
[ School News ] Dale Seabury
Assistant Director of Admission and Coordinator of Financial Aid
In her new role, Mrs. Seabury will be involved with the daily operations of the Martinsville Campus Admission Office: interviewing, communicating with prospective families throughout the admission process, and planning admission events. As Coordinator of Financial Aid, she will serve as the liaison between Pingry and families who apply for financial aid, and she will serve on Pingry’s Financial Aid Committee. Mrs. Seabury served as Pingry’s Assistant Director of Athletics and sixth-grade Physical Education
Ridie Markenson
attended a school (St. Andrew’s School in Delaware) that has an Honor Code. She is looking forward to working with students to help them navigate adolescence. “Teaching students personal and social responsibility is as important as teaching them history and math,” she says.
Mrs. Markenson, who previously served as Head of the Upper School at Morristown-Beard School, is impressed by Pingry’s faculty and the school’s longstanding commitment to both academic and personal excellence; in fact, she had also
As Dean of Students, Mrs. Markenson will promote the health and safety of Pingry’s students, and she will serve as a liaison among parents, students, teachers, advisors, and department chairs for discipline. She will also teach two sections of ninth-grade English.
teacher for the past three years and has been a member of the Middle School Admission Committee for the past two years. She is currently working toward an M.B.A. “My experience in the Athletics Department has been valuable and enjoyable, yet I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to know and serve Pingry in a different capacity. Communicating Pingry’s character, culture, and sense of community to prospective families is an exciting prospect for me,” Mrs. Seabury says. Upper School Dean of Students
More Music by Faculty Member Tom Berdos is Published Waterton Brass Music has published a composition by music faculty member Tom Berdos. His Festive Prelude for brass quintet (2 trumpets, horn, trombone, and tuba) was composed for the 2010 Easter services at Hilltop Church in Mendham, New Jersey, where he is music director. “Our choir sang an early Baroque motet, and I wanted
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a brass prelude to match the style. I composed the Festive Prelude for the instruments I knew we would have available,” Mr. Berdos says. Waterton Brass has also published Mr. Berdos’ Processional for brass quartet and Chorale and Variation for brass quintet.
the pingry review
Henry G. Stifel III Award is Presented to Jon Brenner ’10 Trustee Henry Stifel III ’83 returned to the Martinsville Campus on April 26, 2010, to present Jon Brenner ’10 with the annual Stifel Award. This honor recognizes extraordinary members of the Pingry community who have faced and continue to face significant challenges in their lives while, at the same time, helping others; their actions, in the words of Headmaster Nat Conard P ’09, ’11, instill in others “a sense of hope and inspiration.” Mr. Stifel 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.” Established in 1984, the Stifel Award is regarded as one of the highest honors given to a member of the Pingry community. It also offers a unique opportunity to single out a special person who might otherwise not be recognized.
While in college at William & Mary, Mr. Stifel participated in a research project at Wright State University in Ohio, working with pioneering researcher Dr. Gerald Petrovsky to develop a bicycle that uses electric stimulation; these bicycles are now widely used by paraplegics. For many years, Mr. Stifel worked with the late
Upon returning to Pingry in April to present this year’s award, Mr. Stifel noted that everyone is vulnerable to the unpredictability of life. The character similarities between Mr. Stifel and Mr. Brenner became apparent when Norman LaValette, chair of Pingry’s world languages department and Mr. Brenner’s former advisor and coach, told Mr. Brenner’s story. During spring break in 2007, he was injured during a collision with an AAU (Amateur Athletic Union) basketball teammate. He suffered a traumatic brain injury when he fell to the court and was rendered unconscious. The resulting concussion and skull fracture led to a large epidural hematoma—bleeding between the brain and skull that can cause a fatal increase in pressure on the brain if not relieved immediately.
With the coordinated help of the Pingry community, Mr. Brenner caught up on all of his classes over the summer, took his exams, and was back on track with his sophomore classmates by the fall of 2007. He has since returned to the basketball court, the honor roll, track and field, the Blue Key Club, and community service with the ECLC special-needs school in Chatham. As described by Mr. LaValette during his remarks, Mr. Brenner now looks at his remaining challenges with a “rear-view mirror” mentality: they continue “moving farther behind and away from him— despite the warning on the mirror that they may be closer than they appear.” He was accepted early at Williams College, which he will attend in the fall, and he credits a variety of people at Pingry for their help throughout his continued recovery: Glenn Friedman ’10, Randall Jordan ’10, Dan Muller ’10, Will Pinke ’10, and Luke Pounder ’10; faculty members Ananya Chatterji, Joan Hearst, Madeline Landau P ’91, Norm LaValette P ’04, Deirdre O’Mara, John Raby P ’95, and Martha Torres; and coaches Jason Murdock and Vic Nazario P ’90, ’94. Mr. Stifel, who completed all 13 years of school at Pingry (including four years at Short Hills Country Day School, where he entered pre-Kindergarten in 1970), works in Manhattan for Morgan Stanley.
Mr. Brenner’s life was saved by the skill of a neurosurgeon and the mechanical assistance of four plates and eight screws that were needed to close the fracture. After three hours of brain surgery, his challenges were only beginning. The injury had caused short- and long-term memory deficits, and he needed to relearn how to speak and read. After six months of cognitive, physical, and occupational therapy, he gradually returned to classes at Pingry and tried “to reinstate First row: Trustee Henry Stifel III ’83. 2nd row: Jon Brenner ’10 surrounded by, himself as quietly and from left, his mother Debbie, sister Allie, grandparent Linda Werbel, father efficiently as possible.” Robert, and grandparents Sara Lavetan, JoAnn Werbel, and Robert Werbel
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Before his accident, Mr. Stifel’s outlook on life resembled that of most of today’s students: at times, he struggled socially and academically, but he anticipated college and a career in the business world. Nearly nine months after the accident, demonstrating tremendous resolve, he returned to Pingry in a wheelchair while continuing to undergo physical therapy and countless hours of tutoring that enabled him to graduate with his class and attend college. He had to learn new ways of functioning, both physically and mentally, so he could live independently.
Christopher Reeve and his late wife Dana to raise awareness of and funds for spinal cord injury research. He continues to counsel and mentor young people who have suffered paralyzing spinal cord injuries, and he serves as Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, an organization that began in 1982 as the Stifel Paralysis Research Foundation
[ School News ] A Quarter-Century at Pingry for Judy Lee, Sue Marotto, and Michele Parvensky These three faculty members joined the school in the fall of 1985 and celebrated 25 years of teaching at Pingry during the 2009-10 academic year. The Pingry Alumni Association honored them in May as members of Magistri Maxime Laudandi (“Masters Most Greatly to be Praised”), teachers who have dedicated 25 or more years of service to Pingry. In Judy Lee’s words, a “perfect storm” brought her to Pingry. She had spent over 10 years teaching math and coaching field hockey at Roselle Park High School—with a fervent desire to coach high school swimming at some point—when Roselle Park’s Director of Athletics, Frank Antonelli P ’88, left the school to become Pingry’s Director of Athletics. Not long after his arrival at Pingry, there were openings for two math teachers, a swimming coach, and an assistant field hockey coach. Knowing of Mrs. Lee’s experience and aspirations, Mr. Antonelli was instrumental in bringing her to Pingry.
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After some more personnel changes, she became the assistant swimming coach and head field hockey coach. Within a few years, the coaching duties for swimming were re-structured, making Mrs. Lee head coach of the girls’ swimming team while she continued as head coach of the field hockey team.
the pingry review
Since 1985, the field hockey team has won four state championships, 11 county championships, and eight Colonial Hills Conference championships. The girls’ swimming team has also enjoyed numerous championships, including three state championships and three consecutive Colonial Hills Conference championships. While Mrs. Lee was head coach of both the boys’ and girls’ swimming teams, the boys’ team won two state championships. In 2008, Mrs. Lee received a Sports Award from the
who has taught at Pingry for at least five years and made a significant contribution to the life of the school outside the classroom. Mrs. Lee considers the people the best part of the past 25 years at Pingry, and she always feels pride when former students return. “I like when alumni come back to [work at] Pingry because they enjoyed their experience at the school and want to contribute their time. That is very satisfying,” she says.
Trustee and PAA President Steve Lipper ’79, P ’09, ’12, ’14 and Judy Lee
New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA), and she is a member of the New Jersey Scholastic Coaches Association Hall of Fame. Her other honors include Star-Ledger State “Coach of the Year” for field hockey and girls’ swimming, Courier News All-Area “Coach of the Year” for both sports, and National Coach of the Year for field hockey. Two of the teams she coached have been inducted into Pingry’s Athletics Hall of Fame: the 1988 Field Hockey Team and the 1994-95 Boys’ Swimming Team. In the classroom, she has taught Geometry, Trigonometry, AP Calculus, Math Analysis, and various levels of Algebra, and she emphasizes problembased learning because it generates discussions. “I try to give the students preparatory assignments. Their homework leads them into the next day’s lesson, so they are introduced to the concepts before the formal lecture. That preparation generates questions before they learn the new material. I like discussing homework and reminding the students to keep a concept in the back of their minds because it will come back later in the course in another context,” Mrs. Lee says. From 1992 to 1995, she held The Edward G. Engel ’33 Chair for Mathematics and Science. This award is given to a faculty member in the mathematics or science department
Health Department Chair Sue Marotto has spent more than half of her life at Pingry, having joined the faculty three months after graduating from Gettysburg College, where she was inducted into the Athletics Hall of Fame in 1995 (she earned a master’s degree from Montclair State College in 1989). Thanks to her summer softball coach’s connection to Pingry’s former Director of Athletics Frank Antonelli P ’88, Mrs. Marotto applied to be a physical education/ health teacher and a coach for basketball and softball, the two sports she played in college. Seven years later, she was promoted to chair of the health and physical education departments. In 1999, when the Greig Fitness Center opened, the departments split, and Mrs. Marotto remained as chair of the health department. One of her most important accomplishments as chair was helping to establish Pingry’s Public Access Defibrillation Program; AEDs (automated external defibrillators) that were purchased for Pingry in 2001 saved the life of former facilities worker Hank Langowski in 2006. “Helping to save Hank was a life-altering experience. I don’t think a day goes by that I don’t think about him and helping to save his life,” she says. Mrs. Marotto oversees a health curriculum that has changed significantly in the past 25 years. When she started teaching at Pingry, the health courses were offered only in Grades 9 and 11 and focused mainly on education about sexuality, nutrition, and
an important part of the health curriculum. Bob, Jackie, Joy, and Joanne make me a better teacher and a better person,” Mrs. Marotto says. Michele Parvensky has been teaching
Sue Marotto
drugs. She has since added health courses for Grades 6 and 8, and the topics now include Internet safety, bullying, sexual assault, alcohol and drug use, contraception and sexually transmitted diseases, and eating disorders. The required health class for Grade 10 is an advanced CPR/AED certification course similar to the certification provided for EMTs and nurses (she has additional expertise in this area because she is an EMT). “It is a great feeling to teach CPR and First Aid, knowing that I am enabling the students to help someone. It’s very important to me that I’m teaching kids skills that they’re going to use for the rest of their lives,” she says. As an instructor for the American Heart Association, Mrs. Marotto is also certified to teach CRP, AED, and First Aid courses in school and outside school.
She is grateful for the support of her husband Bob, who also teaches, and her daughter Jackie, as well as the support of Pingry nurses and health teachers Joy Livak and Joanne Childs. “It is an honor to work with two professional and outstanding nurses who are such
These activities were based on Dr. Parvensky’s interest in Indian culture, an interest she developed while attending graduate school in Utah. Under Dr. Parvensky’s guidance, Pingry students adopted two families from Pine Ridge Reservation, raising money to support them, collecting clothing for them, and exchanging letters with the families to facilitate cultural learning. In addition, Pingry held the popular Native American Food Day each year, and Dr. Parvensky published the monthly newsletter Eyapaha (“herald” or “crier” in Lakota) to present information and perspective about Native Americans. During the students’ visits to the reservation, they worked at Head Start, refurbished houses, operated a soup kitchen, and substituted as teachers in the elementary school, to name a few of their services. “It was an extremely positive experience for the kids, and a lot of work for me, but it was worth it,” Dr. Parvensky says. Her Pingry career has also been enriched by other experiences outside the classroom. She had the honor of winning the McClelland Fellowship for the top independent study project among private school teachers in New Jersey. “My research project involved placing polymers on a watershed in northern Utah in areas subject to erosion. These polymers held vegetation in place and would enable the plants to grow without being carried down slope during times of erosion due to
In addition, she was one of 26 teachers out of several hundred applicants to be accepted into the Woodrow Wilson Institute for Environmental Chemistry at Princeton University in 1989. The workshop required four weeks of coursework and lab work with chemistry teachers from across the United States who wanted to develop lesson plans for a specific environmental area; Dr. Parvensky collaborated with a teacher from Iowa on a soil chemistry unit. “It was an honor and a privilege to be accepted into the Institute. To be around such top people is mind-boggling. Many of the labs that were developed were on the micro-scale level, so they were perfect for me to use in labs,” she says. Overall, working at Pingry has enabled Dr. Parvensky to attend chemistry conferences not only in the U.S. and Canada, but also in Budapest, Hungary, experiences that were not available for her in the public school system where she used to teach. “The fact that Pingry has paid for me to go and learn with other chemistry teachers, and have fun in the process, is one of the primary reasons that I enjoy teaching here. These conferences have taught me so many new aspects of chemistry that I have brought back to my classes and shared with the department,” she says.
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For the first 17 years of her Pingry career, Mrs. Marotto coached three sports each year. Her teams included varsity softball (17 years), varsity basketball (seven years), varsity field hockey (one year), Middle School basketball (10 years), Middle School soccer (10 years), and Middle School tennis (five years). She eventually relinquished her coaching duties to focus on her responsibilities with the health department and its curriculum.
Chemistry and Honors Chemistry for 25 years, as well as serving as an assistant coach for Middle School Track and Field for almost 15 years. To raise the school’s consciousness about Native Americans, she initiated the Native American Club, served as its advisor for many years, and took students to Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota for community service during spring break.
rain or snow melting. I was way ahead of highway departments who now use these same types of polymers for hillsides on new highway construction,” Dr. Parvensky says.
Dr. Michele Parvensky
[ School News ]
Digital Display
Lower School Students Find New Ways to Create Art
Flowers by Kartikeya Sharma, Grade 5
To foster the connections between art, technology, and the world, and to prompt students to talk about art, Lower School faculty members Lindsay Baydin and Susy Ferris Rights organized the Short Hills Campus’ first student digital photography exhibition. “Through Our Eyes,” with about 70 digital photos by fourth- and fifth-grade students, was on display from April 19, 2010, through the end of the school year.
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Students were asked to take one photograph outside of school, and, if necessary, Pingry provided a camera and any other necessary tools. “This was a celebration of art and creativity, and we wanted every child to be able to participate,” Mrs. Ferris Rights says. The photographs represented a range of skill levels, and both teachers were impressed by the sophistication of the images; subjects included fruit, animals, flowers, landscapes, still lifes, sports, and landmarks.
the pingry review
The photographs were framed and hung with the students’ comments describing where and why they took the pictures. In fact, some of the comments revealed the students’ insights into photography—phrases such as “I had the most perfect angle,” “the tint of pink was just right,” “the snow in the background completed [the photo],” “the sun was exactly on the landscape, making the colors stand out,” and “the fruit looked so pretty, and I wanted to give
Swaying Branches by Dylan Cheng, Grade 4
Masks of Many Faces by Giancarlo Castillo, Grade 4
Yosemite by Natalie Lima, Grade 5
Swimming Bacon by Simone Allison, Grade 5
it a life of its own” indicated the students’ deepening understanding of the medium. During the exhibit, the first-grade students made sketches of the photos, enabling the exhibit to act like “a little museum,” in Ms. Baydin’s words. At the conclusion of the exhibit, each student was allowed to keep his or her framed photograph, which Mrs. Ferris Rights and Ms. Baydin intended as a gesture to legitimize the students as artists; both of them remember having their work displayed for the first time and wanted the students to feel that same sense of accomplishment. They have also created a Shutterfly book to preserve the photos.
Big Ben by Graham Matthews, Grade 4
Ms. Baydin and Mrs. Ferris Rights are grateful to Miles Boyd, chair of Pingry’s visual arts department, for helping to facilitate this show. “Mr. Boyd was so exuberant about the show’s success and the students’ efforts. All three of us have a common desire to see the community participate in artistic endeavors. We want to awaken people’s sense of creativity on an ongoing basis,” Ms. Baydin says.
Kiln Provides New Creative Possibilities for Ceramics Students “This kiln is a fantastic addition to the fine arts program, and it is a wonderful memorial to Marvin and to his own love for and dedication to the arts, particularly ceramics,” said Headmaster Nat Conard P ’09, ’11 during the dedication ceremony on May 27, 2010, in the Hostetter Arts Center. To the left: Marvin Flowerman’s family. From left: Marvin’s daughter Amy Cades, Gabrielle Weber (wife of Marvin’s grandson Josh), Josh Flowerman, Zac Flowerman ’07, Marvin’s widow Libby, Marvin’s daughter-inlaw Margot Jackler, and Marvin’s son Paul Flowerman. To the right: fine arts faculty member Rich Freiwald with Lori and John Westerhold and their children Dylan ’10, Laura, and Tommy.
A long-time dream for Pingry’s fine arts department has become a reality. Thanks to the efforts of two Pingry families, a gas kiln has been installed at the Martinsville Campus. The kiln belonged to the late Marvin Flowerman GP ’04 (Seth), ’07 (Zac) and was donated by his family, and the building in which the kiln is housed was donated by John and Lori Westerhold, parents of Dylan Westerhold ’10. Mr. Flowerman’s son, Paul Flowerman, P ’04, ’07, witnessed the degree to which his father treasured ceramics and sculpture. “Marvin Flowerman was a force of nature who channeled his tremendous energy, intellect, and passion into ceramic creations. Every piece expressed elements of his personality and physicality, and his friends all over the world enjoyed having his art in their homes and businesses,” Mr. Flowerman says.
Pingry students will benefit from the kiln’s “special effects” capabilities, according to Mr. Freiwald, who supervised the deconstruction and re-assembly of the kiln when it was moved to Pingry from Marvin Flowerman’s studio. “The kiln makes the studio complete because, until now, students could only use oxidation firing. Now, they can also use reduction firing,” he says. In oxidation firing, sufficient oxygen in the kiln produces more uniform colors. In reduction firing, less oxygen is supplied to the kiln, resulting in a wider variety of colors. “We have already seen some wonderful results achieved with brilliant red copper glazes. Pingry likely now has the premier high school ceramics program of any public or private high school in New Jersey,” Mr. Flowerman says. Mr. Freiwald, speaking during the dedication ceremony, thanked the families “for the opportunity to fill the new spaces, where there was once nothing, with creative usefulness, goodness, and thoughtful beauty.”
A One-Man Pottery Studio “What I like about ceramics is that it’s a very expressive medium. There’s no limit to what you can do or try. There’s always something more to learn, and it satisfies my desire to do creative things,” says the late Marvin Flowerman GP ’04, ’07 in Marvin Flowerman’s Artistic Journey, a video that Seth Flowerman ’04 filmed in 2003 as a birthday present for his grandfather. Marvin Flowerman’s fascination for sculpture can be traced to the summer of 1962, when he visited the home and studio of American sculptor Daniel Chester French (known for many public monuments, including the sculpture of Abraham Lincoln at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C.) and was intrigued by the number of skills that sculpting requires. Upon returning home, he began six years of private lessons with Long Island sculptor John Terkin. Decades later, after retiring in 1986 as the president of an international trade business, Mr. Flowerman resumed his studies of ceramics and sculpture at Raritan Valley Community College (formerly Somerset County Community College) and became an independent artist. He set up his own ceramics studio in his Far Hills home—including a wheel, an electric kiln, a raku kiln (for Japanesestyle raku pottery), and a gas kiln —and made all of his own glazes. “Marvin enjoyed the feel of materials and was skillful in manipulating them. The tactile component, where he infused his strength and passion into his artistic creations, made clay his ideal medium,” says his son Paul Flowerman P ’04, ’07.
23 summer 2010
The Flowerman family considered the kiln a valuable centerpiece of Marvin Flowerman’s studio. Fine arts faculty member Rich Freiwald, who had met Marvin Flowerman years ago at Raritan Valley Community College, expressed interest in the gas kiln and spoke with Paul Flowerman for six months before the project was able to move forward. The family decided to give the kiln to Pingry because Marvin Flowerman’s grandchildren attended the school and the family wanted to strengthen what they call “Pingry’s vibrant ceramics program.”
Funding for and construction of the building happened fortuitously. When Mr. Freiwald mentioned to his clayworking class that the Flowerman family had donated a gas kiln, but that it needed to be housed in a separate building, Dylan Westerhold notified his parents, knowing that his father had access to a construction crew. “With the burden of cost removed for Pingry, the kiln project was able to move forward, and a happy marriage of kiln and building became a reality. This is an example of how an individual person making an inquiry can make an impact,” Mrs. Westerhold says.
Marvin Flowerman GP ’04, ’07:
[ School News ] AthleticS Roundup: Winter 2009-2010 Season Results Boys’ Basketball: 10-11
NJSIAA Non-Public A Tournament: Qualifiers Skyland Conference All Conference Honors/Valley Division: Scott Sowinski (1st team), Dan Keller (2nd team), Otis Osman (Honorable Mention) Skyland Conference/Valley Division: 3rd place
Courier News All Area: Dan Keller, Scott Sowinski (Honorable Mentions) Star-Ledger All Somerset: Scott Sowinski (All-underrated team), Otis Osman (All-sixth-man team)
Girls’ Basketball: 21-4 (most victories in program history)
Skyland Conference/Valley Division: Champions SCIAA Tournament: Advanced to quarter-finals NJSIAA Non-Public A: Advanced to north semifinals Skyland Conference Honors/Valley Division: Emily Damstrom, Stephanie Hanchuk (1st team), Victoria Morgan (2nd team), Tierney Griff (Honorable Mention) Boys’ Fencing: 2-12
Courier News: Ranked 9th in Final Top 10 Courier News All Area: Emily Damstrom (2nd team), Stephanie Hanchuk, Victoria Morgan (Honorable Mentions) Star-Ledger All Somerset: Emily Damstrom (1st team), Stephanie Hanchuk (3rd team) Star-Ledger: Ranked 4th in Somerset County
Cetrulo Boys Relay Tournament: Sabre (19th out of 46), Foil (42nd out of 46), Epee (20th out of 46). Overall, tied for 29th out of 46
NJSIAA District No. 2 Qualifier: Sabre (8th), Foil (8th), Epee (9th). Overall 10th
Girls’ Fencing: 4-10
Santelli Girls Relay Tournament: Sabre (10th out of 46), Foil (43rd out of 46), Epee (35th out of 46). Overall, 34th out of 46 NJSIAA District No. 2 Qualifier: Sabre (1st), Foil (10th), Epee (8th). Overall 8th. Individuals: Susan Contess (Sabre, 4th), Ashley Feng (Sabre, 5th), Diamond McClintock (Sabre, 7th)
NJSIAA Squad States: Sabre (7th) NJSIAA Individual States: Susan Contess (Sabre, 12th), Ashley Feng (Sabre, 19th)
Boys’ Ice Hockey: 20-4-1 (most victories in program history)
Skyland Conference: Champions Skyland Cup: Finalists NJISAA Prep Championship: Finalists NJSIAA Non-Public A: Advanced to quarter-finals New Jersey Devils “High School Player of the Month”: Matt Beattie (February 2010) Skyland Conference All Conference: Matt Beattie, Ryan Kiska, Peter Martin (1st team), Rob Kiska, Brian Weiniger (2nd team)
Courier News All Area: Matt Beattie, Ryan Kiska (1st team), Brian Weiniger, Peter Martin (2nd team), Rob Kiska, Andrew LaFontaine, Pat Lackey (Honorable Mentions) Star-Ledger: Ranked No. 9 in New Jersey Star-Ledger All-Star/All Non-Public: Peter Martin (2nd team), Ryan Kiska (2nd team), Matt Beattie (3rd team). All Central Jersey: Peter Martin, Ryan Kiska, Matt Beattie (1st team), Brian Weiniger (2nd team) Star-Ledger Central Jersey “Player of the Year”: Ryan Kiska
Girls’ Ice Hockey: 1-13-1
WIHLMA: Hanna Beattie (3rd team) Star-Ledger “Top Rookies”: Hanna Beattie, Amanda Hulse, Rachel Lima, Nikki Witte Boys’ Skiing
Freedom League: 8th place
GIRLs’ Skiing
Freedom League: 5th place
24 Boys’ Squash: 9-2 (Co-Ed: 8-0)
the pingry review
National Ranking: 10th New Jersey State High School Championship Finalist: Will Moore New Jersey State High School Championship Semifinalists: Michael Sankovich, Will Moore, David Kerr
U.S. Squash “Scholar-Athlete Awards”: David Kerr, Avi Bhavnani, Shivan Bhavnani
Girls’ Squash: 5-6
National Ranking: 43rd New Jersey State High School Championship Winner: Chloe Blacker
U.S. Squash “Scholar-Athlete Awards”: Chloe Blacker, Kristin Scillia
Boys’ Swimming: 15-0
NJSIAA Non-Public B: Champions NJISAA Prep A: Champions Big Blue Invitational: Champions SCIAA Championship: 1st place Skyland Conference Regular Season: Champions Skyland Conference Tournament: Champions Meet of Champions: Pingry swept all three relays (Brandon Moy, James Ross, Calvin Jones, Nic Fink, Nick Gilligan) Meet of Champions: Nic Fink, individual winner, 100-yard breaststroke National Independent School Record: Nic Fink, 100-meter breaststroke, 1:03:37 Star-Ledger: Ranked 2nd in the state News 12 New Jersey “Scholar Athlete of the Month”: Nick Gilligan (February 2010) Courier News: Ranked 1st in Final Top 10 Courier News All Area: Nic Fink, Nick Gilligan, Brandon Moy, James Ross (1st team, 200-medley relay), Nic Fink (1st team, 200-Individual Medley), Brandon Moy (1st team, 50 freestyle), Calvin Jones (1st team, 100 freestyle), Nic Fink, Calvin Jones, Brandon Moy, James Ross (1st team, 200 freestyle relay; 1st team, 400 freestyle relay), Calvin Jones (2nd team, 50 freestyle), Nick Gilligan (2nd team, 100 breaststroke)
Courier News and Star-Ledger “Swimmer of the Year”: Nic Fink Star-Ledger All Non-Public Honors: Nic Fink (1st team, 100-yard breaststroke), James Ross, Calvin Jones, Brandon Moy, Nic Fink (1st team, 200-yard freestyle relay; 1st team, 400-yard freestyle relay), Nick Gilligan, Nic Fink, James Ross, Brandon Moy (1st team, 200-yard medley relay), Brandon Moy (3rd team, 50-yard freestyle), James Ross (3rd team, 100-yard butterfly) Star-Ledger All Somerset Honors: Nic Fink (1st team, 100yard breaststroke), Brandon Moy (1st team, 50-yard freestyle), James Ross (1st team, 100-yard freestyle), Nick Gilligan (1st team, 100-yard backstroke), James Ross, Calvin Jones, Brandon Moy, Nic Fink (1st team, 200-yard freestyle relay; 1st team, 400-yard freestyle relay), Nick Gilligan, Nic Fink, James Ross, Brandon Moy (1st team, 200-yard medley relay), Calvin Jones (2nd team, 50-yard freestyle), Alex Mango (2nd team, 200-yard freestyle), Jon Ciriello (3rd team, 200-yard individual medley) Team records: Nic Fink, Nick Gilligan, Brandon Moy, and James Ross broke the meter record and yard record for the 200 medley relay, 200 free relay, and 400 free relay. Nic Fink broke the record in the 200 freestyle, 100 freestyle, and 100 breaststroke.
Girls’ Swimming: 10-5
NJSIAA Non-Public B: Champions Skyland Conference Regular Season: 3rd place Skyland Conference Tournament: 3rd place Big Blue Invitational: Champions NJISAA Prep A Championship: 3rd place SCIAA Tournament: 5th place Courier News: Ranked 5th in the top 10 Courier News All Area: Morgan Burke, Cailee Cassidy, Regan Fink, Kathryn Kolb (2nd team, 200 freestyle relay); Alysia Tsui, Kate Leib (Honorable Mentions, 100 backstroke) Star-Ledger: Ranked 9th in the state
Star-Ledger All Non-Public Honors: Cailee Cassidy, Kathryn Kolb, Regan Fink, Morgan Burke (2nd team, 200 freestyle relay), Kate Leib, Alysia Tsui, Regan Fink, Morgan Burke (2nd team, 400 freestyle relay), Alysia Tsui, Kate Leib, Cailee Cassidy, Kathryn Kolb (3rd team, 200 medley relay) Star-Ledger All Somerset Honors: Morgan Burke (2nd team, 100 freestyle), Alysia Tsui (2nd team, 100 backstroke), Kate Leib (3rd team, 500 freestyle), Regan Fink (3rd team, 100 breaststroke), Cailee Cassidy, Kathryn Kolb, Regan Fink, Morgan Burke (3rd team, 200 freestyle relay) Team records: Cailee Cassidy, Kathryn Kolb, Kate Leib, and Alysia Tsui broke the yard record for the 200 medley relay. Alysia Tsui broke the yard record for 100 fly, and Morgan Burke broke the record for 100 free.
Boys’ Winter Track
Girls’ Winter Track
NJSIAA Non-Public B: Rob Hugin (1st place, 55-meter hurdles)
Star-Ledger All-Somerset: Terdoo Nwaoduh (2nd team, 400-meter event)
Wrestling: 2-12
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Judy Lee: Star-Ledger State Coach of the Year for girls swimming John Magadini: Courier News Boys’ Ice Hockey Coach of the Year David White: Star-Ledger Somerset County Coach of the Year for girls’ basketball
SCIAA—Somerset County Interscholastic Athletic Association NJISAA—New Jersey Independent School Athletic Association NJSIAA—New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association WIHLMA—Women’s Ice Hockey League of the Mid-Atlantic
summer 2010
Congratulations to the following coaches for earning “Coach of the Year” honors:
Pingry’s Sixth Inductee into the NJSCA Hall of Fame Coach Tim Grant P ’03, ’06 has been inducted into the New Jersey Scholastic Coaches Association (NJSCA) Hall of Fame. He serves as Head Coach of three Pingry teams: girls’ varsity track (20 years), girls’ varsity cross country (14 years), and boys’ varsity winter track (three years). The Star-Ledger selected Coach Grant as “Coach of the Year” in 1999 for cross country and in 2003 for track. In dual meet events, his Pingry teams have a combined record of 359-17 (194-12 for track and 165-5 for cross country). The teams have won numerous conference, county, and state championships—including track’s seven consecutive state championships (Non-Public B) from 2001 to 2007 and six prep state championships between 1992 and 2004, as well as cross country’s four state championships (Non-Public B) and nine prep state championships. Many former Pingry track athletes have continued their careers at the college level, and several have since earned NCAA All-American honors. Coach Grant lettered in track, cross country, and golf before graduating from Ursinus College. He won a gold medal in the Empire State Games and, during his college career, posted personal-best times of 0:48.4 for the quarter-mile and 1:55.2 for the half-mile. He became known for his ability to out-kick other longdistance runners by using his sprinting speed in the closing stages of cross country races.
Vicki and Tim Grant P ’03, ’06
He is highly regarded for his ability to teach athletes how to run well as a group instead of individually, and the camaraderie on his teams fosters a sense of unity. His goal is to develop life-long athletes who enjoy running and its health and fitness benefits.
excellence. I am very pleased to see Tim receive this honor, joining Miller Bugliari ’52, Judy Lee, Bill Reichle, Manny Tramontana, and Mike Webster as Pingry’s inductees into the New Jersey Scholastic Coaches Association Hall of Fame,” says Gerry Vanasse, Pingry’s Director of Athletics.
“This award reflects the widespread recognition of Tim’s skills as a coach. He has elevated Pingry’s track and field program to a position of sustained
Coach Grant joined the Pingry science faculty in 1984. His wife Vicki Grant chairs Pingry’s English Department.
26 the pingry review
Platform tennis player Corey DeLaney ’12 was honored in Sports Illustrated’s “Faces in the Crowd” in the March 15, 2010 issue. She and her doubles partner, Nicki Ross, have won four junior nationals titles in the U-12, U-14, and U-18 ages groups (in 2006, 2008, 2009, and 2010). Ms. DeLaney also plays varsity soccer and lacrosse at Pingry. In addition, along with teammates Emily Damstrom ’12, Maggie Morash ’12, and Melissa Murphy ’11, she
plays in a national-level soccer club, the Players Development Academy, which promotes and develops youth soccer in New Jersey. During the past several years, Ms. DeLaney’s team (for U-16 girls) has played games and tournaments in 16 states; the team was most recently ranked seventh in the country and first in New Jersey.
[ alumni News ]
A Message from the PAA President I had the opportunity to speak with many alumni during Reunion Weekend, as always, and some of the conversations revolved around the financial aid they received as students. These alumni were so grateful for the opportunity they had to attend Pingry, and they were keenly aware that their lives might have turned out quite differently if that door had not been opened for them. In one sense, all Pingry alumni receive financial aid, as the cost of a Pingry education is greater than the tuition price. The balance is made up mostly through the generosity of parents and alumni giving to The Pingry Fund and the Pingry Endowment. I encourage all alumni to support Financial Aid at Pingry so that others may benefit as we all have. We hope you enjoy the coverage of Reunion Weekend in this issue. The weekend is always great fun for everyone involved. I had the honor of presenting not one, but two Nelson L. Carr Service Awards, as we had two extraordinarily deserving recipients. You can read more about the award recipients Sean O’Donnell ’75, P ’05, ’10 and Rob Gibby, Jr. ’60, P ’87.
Usually, the Pingry Alumni Association surprises one graduate with the Nelson L. Carr Service Award during Reunion Weekend. Named in honor of Nelson L. Carr ’24, this award is presented annually to an alumnus or alumna who has demonstrated faithful and dedicated service in support of Pingry; Mr. Carr devoted almost 70 years of service to the school.
Trustee and PAA President Steve Lipper ’79, P ’09, ’12, ’14 presenting Sean O’Donnell ’75, P ’05, ’10 with the 2010 Nelson L. Carr Service Award
Special circumstances made this an unusual year, resulting in two alumni being surprised—Sean O’Donnell ’75, P ’05, ’10 on Friday evening after the Athletics Hall of Fame induction ceremony, and former Trustee and former PAA President Rob Gibby, Jr. ’60, P ’87 on Saturday morning during the Annual Meeting of the PAA.
Mr. O’Donnell, the President of Datacor, Inc, has been the Chair of Pingry’s Athletics Hall of Fame Committee since 2003 and has been inducted into the Hall three times, once as an individual and twice as a member of the 1972 and 1974 Boys’ Soccer Teams. In addition, he volunteers for Reunion and The Pingry Fund, speaks at Career Day, co-chairs the Athletics Events Committee, serves as a member of the PAA Board and Committees, serves on the Golf Committee, is a Class Agent, and co-chaired the celebrations of the 500th and 700th career victories for Boys’ Varsity Soccer Coach Miller Bugliari ’52, P ’86, ’90, ’97. “It has been my honor and privilege to give back to the Pingry community, which has done so much for my family and me. I can’t imagine what my life would be like without Pingry. Receiving this award was a great surprise,” Mr. O’Donnell says. Celebrating his 50th reunion this year, Rob Gibby, who attended Pingry for 12 years, was honored in the presence of many of his classmates. He is President of GP Resources, a contract manufacturing company that produces metal goods in China, and served as both President of the PAA and a Pingry trustee from 1992 to 1996. Mr. Gibby currently serves as a volunteer for The Pingry Fund and Reunion and as a Class Agent. In all, he has devoted over 50 years of service to the school.
Sincerely,
Steve Lipper ’79, P ’09, ’12, ’14
Former Trustee and former PAA President Rob Gibby, Jr. ’60, P ’87 received the 2010 Nelson L. Carr Service Award
“In addition to providing me with wonderful guideposts for life, Pingry has also given me wonderful memories. In 1953, as president of the Lower School, I sat onstage with my father, Robert Gibby ’31, who was PAA President, and grandfather, Edgar Gibby, who was a trustee, for the dedication of the new Hillside building. Most recently, in 2007, I attended the Athletics Hall of Fame induction ceremony for my son Todd ’87. Pingry is a lifetime love, and it is a privilege to be associated with the school,” he says.
27 summer 2010
As you make your plans for the fall, please put on your calendar the Alumnae and Alumni Soccer Games in September and Homecoming in October.
Two Alumni are Honored for Their Service to Pingry
[ alumni News ]
A Car from 1930 Returns to Pingry, A Teacher Receives a Reminder about His Legacy, and Other Reunion Events The following pages of Reunion photographs capture the numerous events that took place from Thursday to Saturday, May 13 to 15, and help convey the festive atmosphere of the weekend. In addition, The Pingry Review wants to share some of the stories behind the photos. Thursday’s activities were devoted to the Class of 1960 as they celebrated the 50th anniversary of their Pingry graduation. Members of the class rode a school bus to the old Hillside and Parker Road (Elizabeth) Campuses for a tour led by Special Assistant to the Headmaster Miller Bugliari ’52, P ’86, ’90, ’97; the tour proved to be nostalgic and emotional for many of the alumni. Although the exterior appears the same, the interior of the Hillside Campus was recently renovated by Kean University. Among the similarities and differences from when they attended Pingry, the alumni saw the same tiles in the hallways and on the floors; athletic fields have become parking lots; the swimming pool, the only part of the building not to have been renovated, is empty and forlorn; and the Chapel, no longer containing the large arched windows that allowed for morning light, is now an auditorium with an expanded stage. Classmates also gathered in the Fiske Garden for a class picture. 28 the pingry review
“Visiting the Hillside Campus reminded me of visiting the RMS Queen Mary, now a relic in Long Beach, California, years after sailing aboard her last trans-Atlantic crossing out of New York Harbor in 1967. Here, various locations, brought to life with Miller Bugliari’s recollections and stories and classmates’ reminiscences, triggered palpable memories of people, events, and associations from my formative years, awakening feelings of attachment and longing,” writes Henry English ’60.
That evening’s Welcome Dinner, hosted by Headmaster Nat Conard P ’09, ’11 to kick-off the weekend, was held in the intimate setting of the Martinsville Campus’ newlyrenovated Carriage House. On Friday morning in The Wilf Family Commons in the Middle School, the generations united when members of the Class of 1960 met their seventh-grade pen pals, with whom they had been corresponding during the school year. Middle School Dean of Students Kooheli Chatterji ’93 encouraged the students to think about the similarities and differences between Pingry today and Pingry 50 years ago and about what the Class of 1960 has accomplished. Perhaps, she suggested, the students could begin visualizing what they would like to be doing with their lives when they return for Reunion many years from now. Some of the seventh-grade students, accompanied by Latin faculty member Margaret Kelleher ’01, presented a list of facts about Pingry and the world in 1960 compared with Pingry and the world in 2010. This theme continued in advisory groups, as the students and their pen pals discussed Pingry then and now. Later that morning, Science Department Chair Chuck Coe P ’88, history faculty member Madeline Landau P ’91, and English Department Chair Vicki Grant P ’03, ’06 welcomed alumni to their classrooms to observe and participate in discussions with the students. Mrs. Landau asked the students to describe Marxist and Social Darwinist interpretations of illustrations of working class people, while Mrs. Grant’s students discussed Ibsen’s play A Doll House. “It was exhilarating to be a part of such an open exchange of ideas. Both the students and the alumni were actively
engaged in an intellectual discussion of what constitutes human nature and how each generation faces its special challenges. It was a pleasure to have such thoughtful guests. My students loved having them in the classroom, and I felt very proud to be a member of this community,” Mrs. Grant says. The annual Fifty-Year Club Luncheon, open to any alumni from the Class of 1960 and earlier years, was held on Friday afternoon to induct the Class of 1960 into the Fifty-Year Club. Along with remarks by Board Chair Jack Brescher ’65, P ’99, Headmaster Nat Conard P ’09, ’11, and Trustee and PAA President Steve Lipper ’79, P ’09, ’12, ’14, the luncheon featured a performance by The Buttondowns, led by Music Department Chair Andrew Moore. Judge Wertheimer ’60 gave the Invocation, and Class Representatives Don West ’60 and former Trustee Rob Gibby ’60, P ’87 reminisced about their classmates’ Pingry days and presented each of them with a certificate and Pingry tie. Immediately after the luncheon, the alumni gathered for a unique class photo with Mr. Gibby’s 1930 Model A Ford Coupe. Three other annual events took place on Friday night: the Athletics Hall of Fame induction ceremony (see article on page 42), the Magistri ceremony (see article on page 20), and the presentation of the first of two Nelson L. Carr Service Awards (see article on page 27). The evening’s festivities concluded with “Reminisce Under the Big Top,” which was held in the Hostetter Arts Center due to the threat of inclement weather. Mr. Lipper presented the second Nelson L. Carr Service Award while presiding over the Annual Meeting of the Pingry Alumni Association on Saturday morning in The Wilf
Family Commons—a meeting that also included Mr. Bugliari’s report about Alumni Relations and the election of next year’s PAA officers and directors. Mr. Conard delivered his Headmaster’s State of the School Report, covering such topics as the Curriculum Review that is in progress; guest speakers who have addressed the students about ethical issues; global and semester programs; admissions, college admissions, financial aid, athletics, and the school’s financial sustainability. Another tradition returned on Saturday afternoon in Hauser Auditorium, as Drama Department Chair Al Romano introduced Alumni Luncheon Theater, a short play written, directed, and performed by Pingry alumni. Actor Gibson Knott ’93 wrote Inscription, which takes place during reunion in
the hallway of an elite private school in New Jersey; the wall is lined with class and team photos from past years. Actor Drew Cortese ’93 portrayed Paul Carson, an English teacher in his early 60s who is eagerly awaiting retirement in two years because of what he considers his students’ apathetic and cynical approach to education. He does not appreciate the impact he has made until he meets Rachel Bowman (performed by Mr. Cortese’s fiancée Jeanine Serralles), the widow of one of his former students, Jim Franklin from the Class of 1990, who had died in a car accident three months before the reunion. She has come specifically to give Mr. Carson a copy of her late husband’s novel, dedicated to him, and Mr. Carson is not only touched, but also realizes that the true impact of a teacher or a school
The centerpiece of the 1960 Class Photo was the 1930 Model A Ford Coupe that former Trustee and former PAA President Rob Gibby ’60, P ’87 had driven to Pingry as a student. Mr. Gibby, who loves cars and loves working on cars, sold this car in 1961 to Ric Schumann ’60. Nearly 40 years later, he began to wonder what had happened to the car and placed an advertisement in Street Scene, a specialty old car magazine, to see if any of the readers knew anything about its location. He eventually heard from a man who thought he had the car, and he later learned that the car was sitting
on a student may not be known for many, many years. The remainder of Saturday afternoon was devoted to outdoor activities: the Clam Bake, Lawn Bowling between the Class of 1985 and Class of 1960 (the Class of 1960 won), and the Alumnae and Alumni Lacrosse Games on The John Taylor Babbitt ’07 Memorial Field. Reunion came to a close on Saturday night with parties for all classes ending in “0” and “5”; the parties were held at various locations in New Jersey and Manhattan. Those who attended Reunion also had the opportunity to view the Alumni Art Exhibition, in which four young alumni architects displayed some of their projects. For more about the exhibit, see the article on page 46.
in a garage. Mr. Gibby re-purchased both the body— which he always considered the most unique part of the car—and the original parts. Because the previous owner had transformed the car for a different purpose and painted it red, Mr. Gibby painted it black and spent seven years collecting all of the other parts that would have been installed in the original car. “What you see today is almost exactly what this car looked like in 1960. My goal was to get it to Pingry for Reunion. At this point, it’s not a matter of wanting to drive it. It’s a matter of enjoying the car and having fun with it as a hobby,” Mr. Gibby says. 29 summer 2010
[ alumni News ]
May 13-15, 2010 Photo Gallery
25th anniversary for the Class of 1985 and the 50th anniversary for the Class of 1960
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1 The Class of 1960 visiting the space at the former Hillside Campus that used to be the Chapel.
2 This conversation in the classroom of English
teacher Laura Gerard was one of several pen pal discussions that took place in various classrooms. Each group of students prepared a list of questions for the alumni.
3 The Class of 1960 shaking hands with their sev-
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enth-grade pen pals in the Wilf Family Commons of the Carol and Park B. Smith ’50 Middle School. Dave Speno ’60 and Rachel Jacob ’15 are in the foreground.
4 Honorary Trustee Bill Beinecke ’31, P ’61, ’64
shaking hands with former PAA President and former trustee Rob Gibby, Jr. ’60, P ’87 during the Fifty-Year Club Luncheon. They are joined by Special Assistant to the Headmaster Miller Bugliari ’52, P ’86, ’90, ’97 and Headmaster Nat Conard P ’09, ’11. 31 summer 2010
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5 Paul Boyer ’60 visiting with Mary Kate Martinson ’11 and Kate O’Connor ’11 in the classroom of science department chair Chuck Coe P ’88. 6 A literary discussion in the classroom of English 7
department chair Vicki Grant P ’03, ’06. From left: Jake Aronwald ’12, Rob Kiska ’12, Peter Benton ’53, Grace Putman ’12, and Freddy Elliot ’12.
7 Manton Martin ’35 and his wife Rosemarie Gift in
the gallery of the Hostetter Arts Center, looking at the 1935 Blue Book.
8 Dave Starkweather ’50 and Duane St. John ’50 in the gallery of the Hostetter Arts Center.
9 The Class of 1960 photo taken with the 1930 Model A Ford Coupe belonging to Rob Gibby, Jr. ’60, P ’87 (see story on page 29).
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10 From left: Abigail Boozan, PAA Board Member
Genesia Perlmutter Kamen ’79, P ’11, ’13, Abigail Boozan’s husband John Boozan ’75, Lee Shelley ’74, Richard Sirois ’72, Lee Shelley’s wife Janet Shelley, and Mark Bigos ’79.
11 Caitlin O’Donnell ’05 and Andrea McDermott
(wife of Greg McDermott ’75).
12 Ezra Jennings ’89, his wife Alix Jennings, and David Crosby ’90.
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13 Howard Danzig ’60, Michael Wyman ’60, and John Sloboda ’60.
14 Collette Karnovsky ’98 (second from left) and Neal Karnovsky ’95 (right) with their father Roy Karnovsky and Neal’s fiancée Kristy Walsh (they were wed on May 30, 2010) at the Headmaster’s Reception.
15 Chuck ’90 and Laura Van Hise ’90, Ali Fritsche Lipton ’90, and her husband Keith Lipton.
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16 From left: Varsity Swimming Head
Coaches Judy Lee and Bill Reichle P ’00 with Athletics Hall of Fame inductees Chris Franklin ’96, Neal Karnovsky ’95, Jimmy Euwer ’97, Greg Franzone ’97, and Brian Hirsch ’97 of the 1994-95 Boys’ Swimming Team.
17 Steve Brisgel ’80, Brad Roth ’80, and Cliff Broder ’80.
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18 Julie Ann Aeuron ’05 and Jess Meyer ’05. 19 Bill Boozan ’73. 20 Drew Cortese ’93 and his fiancée
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Jeanine Serralles performing the play Inscription by Gibson Knott ’93 during Alumni Luncheon Theater in Hauser Auditorium.
21 Sitting, from left: Ric Schumann, Jr. ’60, Jim Petrie III ’60, and John Welsh ’55. Standing: Former trustee Gordy Sulcer ’61, P ’95, ’01 and John Welsh’s wife Kay Welsh.
22 John Flack ’95 with his wife Amy and 20
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sons Thomas and Ryan.
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23 Alumni Lacrosse Team. 24 Trustee Park Smith ’50, GP ’06, ’08, ’09, ’10 and his wife Linda.
25 Greg McDermott ’75 and Sam Partridge ’92.
26 Andy Faber ’75 won the raffle
27 Bruce Morrison ’64. 28 Jane Hoffman ’94 with her daughter Claire and Marisa O’Brien (wife of Kevin O’Brien ’97).
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29 Bart Wood ’60.
for a Pingry chair.
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30 Steve Wilson ’40, his
daughter Jill Fuller and his granddaughters Beth and Katie Fuller.
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31 Jeff Roos ’00, Elizabeth
Vesely, Director of Admission and Financial Aid Allie Brunhouse ’00, and her husband Bif Brunhouse ’00.
32 Lawn Bowling with
members of the Class of 1960 and 1985.
33 Class of 1955. 33
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34 Class of 1960. 35 Class of 1965.
36 Class of 1970. 37 Class of 1975.
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38 Class of 1980. 39 Class of 1985. 40 Class of 1990. 41 Class of 1995. 42 Class of 2000. 43 Class of 2005.
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[ alumni News ]
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Alumni Events Atlanta Reception on March 7, 2010 1 Sitting, from left: Connor Seabrook ’76 with dog Sandy, Stuart Truslow ’49, Helen Truslow, and Joe Carragher ’49
Standing, from left: Headmaster Nat Conard P ’09, ’11, Special Assistant to the Headmaster Miller Bugliari ’52, P ’86, ’90, ’97, George Ways ’67, Ric Schumann ’60, Nancy Ways, Kathy Hendricks, Pete Hendricks ’62, Francine Morrison, Doug Morrison ’62, Cynthia Waterbury, John Olsen ’51, Wilma Olsen, Joe Helyar ’61, Chip Humphrey ’83, Janet Cady P ’07, Dr. Jeffrey Davidson P ’07, Elizabeth Hampson ’00, Amy EhrlichPeskin ’80, Matt Cathey, Francis Schefer ’77, Cathy Schefer, Courtney Walsh, James Walsh ’98, Grade 1 faculty member Heather Smith-Willis, Dave Waterbury ’85, Martha Seabrook, Susan Humphrey, Paulette Carragher, and Scott Peskin
Vero Beach Reception on March 8, 2010 2 Sitting, from left: Former trustee Henry Wood P ’80, ’84,
GP ’98, Dr. David Zenker P ’72, and John Walbridge P ’71 Standing, from left: Headmaster Nat Conard P ’09, ’11, Carolyn Wood, Gail Malin, Director of Alumni Relations and Annual Giving Jackie Sullivan, John Davis ’58, Steve Brown ’62, Director of Institutional Advancement Melanie Hoffmann P ’20, Mary Lou Davis, Joe Cornell ’58, Art Scutro ’60, Anke Cornell, Pamela Barefoot, Curtis Booth, former staff member Elizabeth (Bandekow) Booth, H. J. Toffey ’48, Jeanne Zenker, John Dugan P ’69, Barbara Dugan, former Lower School staff member Nicki Doggett P ’89, Honorary Trustee Steve Newhouse ’65, P ’95, ’97, ’99, Judy Newhouse, Mary Ellen Scutro, Jay Wood ’84, former trustee Bob Malin P ’83, GP ’16, ’18, Betty Jacobsen, Pat Waterbury, Steve Waterbury ’49, former trustee Freeman Bunn ’53, P ’78, ’80, ’82, ’83, Sue Thomas, Anne Bunn, Cynthia Campbell, Elizabeth Bugliari P ’86, ’90, ’97, and former trustee Charlie Thomas P ’88, ’90, ’92
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Boca Raton Reception on March 9, 2010 3 From left: Steve Rothenberg ’86, Rick Murdoch
’64, Shari Solomon Cedar ’88, Geoffrey Liddy ’89, former Trustee Bob Pyle, Jr. ’56 P ’91, Dr. Michael Lewis ’67, Drew Campbell ’90, Betsy Lewis, Jane Engel P ’67, ’70, Janie Lewis, Honorary Trustee John Bent, Jr. P ’80, ’82, ’84, Honorary Trustee Bill Beinecke ’31, P ’61, ’64, Janet Bent, Headmaster Nat Conard P ’09, ’11, Lauren Alpert Morris ’92, Special Assistant to the Headmaster Miller Bugliari ’52, P ’86, ’90, ’97, Barbara Wortley, and her husband Joe Wortley, Jr. ’60
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Princeton Area Reception on February 18, 2010 4 Back row, from left: Dr. Bill Burks ’51, Board
Chair Jack Brescher ’65 P ’99, former Trustee Ted Thomas ’47, Dr. Bill Prevost ’67, Headmaster Nat Conard P ’09, ’11, Special Assistant to the Headmaster Miller Bugliari ’52 P ’86, ’90, ’97, Ev Pinneo ’44, Dr. Burks’ brother Bob Burks ’56, Kay Pinneo, English faculty member John Murray ’65 P ’91, “Judge” Landis ’51, and former Assistant Director of Development Bruce Woodger
London Reception on June 22, 2010 5 Sitting, from left: Kirsten Bennett Horner ’89,
Brittany Wigmore ’03, and Gordon Seabright ’84
Standing, from left: Sean Kulkarni ’98, Pete Rosenbauer ’89, Mike Paget ’94, Rich Paget ’87, and Todd Tosti ’05
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Front row, from left: Penny Thomas, Elwood Phares II ’47, Jacqueline Phares, and Jen Landis
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[ alumni News ]
Athletics Hall of Fame Inducts Three Players, One Coach, and One Team
J. Owen Tully ’94, Jay Antonelli ’88, Thomas R. Ferry ’80, Coach William Ambrose*, and the 1994-95 Boys’ Swimming Team
Every year, Pingry’s Hall of Fame inducts new members during Reunion Weekend. The event honors former student athletes, varsity coaches, and members of the athletics staff who have demonstrated leadership and whose athletic accomplishments at Pingry have been of the highest caliber. J. OWEN TULLY ’94
LEADER OF THREE TEAMS EARNED HONORS AND SET STANDARDS
of the team. Owen also helped lead the team to the NJSIAA State QuarterFinals in 1993 and 1994. In 1994, the team was ranked 9th in the state. Owen won three varsity letters for lacrosse, and the team competed in the NJSIAA State Tournament all three years. In his junior year, he was instrumental in leading Pingry to victory in the State Prep Championship. He served as the team’s captain his senior year, earned All-American honors, and was named 1st Team All-State and 1st Team All-Prep. He was a highlyrecruited Division I athlete. After graduating from Pingry, Owen played four years of varsity lacrosse at Brown University and served as an assistant coach for Pingry’s Boys’ Varsity Lacrosse Team in 1999 and 2001.
Dr. Owen Tully ’94 with, from left, his stepmother Patti Tully, daughter Sophia Tully, son Jack Tully, wife Dr. Amber Tully, and father John Tully
42 the pingry review
J. Owen Tully was a giant on the football and lacrosse fields and on the ice. At six feet, five inches, Owen towered over most of the players in each sport he played. His former coaches describe him as a fierce, relentless competitor who exhibited consummate leadership qualities and acted in a respectful and supportive manner toward others. A tackle and defensive end, Owen won three varsity letters for football and served as captain of the team his senior year. The team finished 6-4 and competed in their first playoff game in four years. He was named 1st Team All-Prep and 1st Team All-County and was recruited to play Division I and Division III football. In ice hockey, Owen won four varsity letters and served as assistant captain * Posthumously
History faculty member and Boys’ Varsity Lacrosse Head Coach Mike Webster named four of Dr. Tully’s attributes that distinguished him as an athlete: outstanding and diverse athletic abilities, intelligence, dedication to personal improvement, and a will to win that he also conveyed to players when he coached. Dr. Tully expressed his gratitude to Pingry for teaching him life lessons.
JAY ANTONELLI ’88
PINGRY’S FIRST INDIVIDUAL DISTRICT WRESTLING CHAMP
Jay Antonelli ’88 with, from left, his mother Susan Antonelli, wife Ingrid Antonelli, father Frank Antonelli (Pingry’s former Director of Athletics), aunt Barbara Antonelli, and uncle Paul Antonelli
Jay Antonelli won two varsity letters each in football and lacrosse, and served as captain of the football team his senior year. Yet his major achievements at Pingry were in wrestling, for which he won four varsity letters. As a sophomore, he was named Pingry’s “Outstanding Wrestler of the Year.” The following summer, he represented New Jersey on a U.S. Wrestling Team in Japan. During his junior year, when he served as co-captain, Pingry’s wrestling team placed 1st in the Somerset County Tournament, and he became district champion in his weight class—the first individual district wrestling championship in Pingry history. With Jay serving as captain during his senior year, the team won the Hun Invitational Tournament for the third consecutive year and placed second in the State District Tournament. Having won 93 matches during high school, Jay amassed what was, at the time, the secondhighest total in Pingry wresting history. Jay won both the Michael Jupka, Jr. ’76 Wrestling Award and the Centennial Cup, which is awarded to each graduating class’ most outstanding athlete. After graduating from the U.S. Naval Academy, Jay entered the Marine Corps and served as Head Coach of the Marine Corps Wrestling Team from 1997 to 2004. He coached the U.S. Greco Roman World Teams in 2003, 2005, and 2007—the 2007 team was the first in U.S. history to win a world team title. Jay was an assistant coach for the 2000 Olympic Games and Head Coach for the 2008 Olympic Games. He has twice been named USA Wrestling Greco-Roman “Coach of the Year.”
Fitness Education Department Chair Joe Forte P ’00, Mr. Antonelli’s wrestling coach at Pingry, described Mr. Antonelli as a natural-born leader who was a “teammate first, competitor second” and said his hard work in the wrestling room was “legendary.” Mr. Antonelli thanked Mr. Forte for demonstrating how a person develops leadership and credited Pingry’s Honor Code for preparing him to be a coach and a Marine.
THOMAS R. FERRY ’80
SET RECORDS FOR POINTS, GOALS, AND ASSISTS IN LACROSSE
Tom Ferry excelled as a goalie for both the soccer and ice hockey teams, and his accomplishments in lacrosse were notable because of the records he set in several categories. He won two varsity letters for soccer and was named 3rd Team All-State during his senior year, when he recorded 11 shutouts. In hockey, he won three varsity letters and, also during his senior year, Tom was named “Most Valuable Player” of the Princeton Day School State Ice Hockey Tournament.
His honors at Pingry included the Lacrosse Cup and the Centennial Cup, which is awarded to each class’ most outstanding athlete. Tom continued to
Special Assistant to the Headmaster and Boys’ Varsity Soccer Head Coach Miller Bugliari ’52, P ’86, ’90, ’97 praised Mr. Ferry’s “diverse set of skills” that extended far beyond serving as a goalie.
WILLIAM G. AMBROSE
CROSS COUNTRY AND FENCING COACH’S TEAMS MADE HISTORY
Upon joining the mathematics faculty in the fall of 1965, the late Coach Ambrose was instrumental in establishing cross country and fencing at Pingry. The cross country team, which was formed that fall, was intended to prepare boys for winter athletics and develop distance runners for spring track. Fencing started as a club in the 1965-66 season and then expanded to a varsity team.
The Italian News Tribune said the 1972-73 team was “perhaps the strongest high school epee team ever put together in New Jersey,” while The Pingry Review (June 1973) wrote of Coach Ambrose: “The outstanding success of fencing at Pingry is due in great part to his skillful coaching, insistence on detail, and his ability to make champions out of good raw material.” In addition, many of Coach Ambrose’s players won individual awards in both sports and enjoyed successful college and post-college careers. Special Assistant to the Headmaster and Boys’ Varsity Soccer Head Coach Miller Bugliari ’52, P ’86, ’90, ’97 recalled the late coach’s “amazing ability to rally people and generate publicity for his sports.” Coach Ambrose’s son Dr. Will Ambrose, Jr. ’73 accepted on his father’s behalf and said that his father was a demanding coach who connected with athletes on an individual level and motivated them to reach beyond their potential.
1994-95 BOYS’ SWIMMING TEAM UNDEFEATED, WITH A RECORD OF 18-0, AND A SEASON OF FIRSTS Pingry’s first New Jersey State Parochial “B” Championship Pingry’s first Somerset County Championship
During 12 seasons as head coach of the cross country team, from 1965 to 1976, Coach Ambrose amassed a record of 100 wins, 53 losses, and 2 ties. The 1976 team was the most successful cross country team in Pingry’s history at the time. He guided the fencing team through the 1972-73 season, when the team enjoyed the best season in Pingry history with a record of 11 wins and 1 loss. The 1972-73 team won the Grand Slam in the New Jersey Independent School Athletic Association tournament by sweeping all three weapon trophies and the overall trophy—by doing so, Pingry became the first private school in history to win the Grand Slam in two consecutive years.
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Mathematics faculty member and Girls’ Varsity Swimming Head Coach Judy Lee said, in lauding the team, that 18 meets is a huge number of swim meets in one season, making the undefeated record even more remarkable. Mathematics faculty member and Boys’ Varsity Swimming Head Coach Bill Reichle P ’00 said the boys loved to compete as a team, and it showed when they won Pingry’s first Somerset County title in swimming.
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As a member of the lacrosse team, he set five school records in his senior year: most points in one season (85, which is still the record); total career points (113, which stood for nine years), most goals in one season (45, which stood for 11 years), most assists in one season (40, which stood for 23 years), and total career assists (52, which stood for 12 years). Tom was also the leading scorer in the state that year. He won two varsity letters, was Pingry’s second lacrosse All-American, and was named 1st Team All-State.
play soccer and lacrosse at Cornell University, where he won three varsity letters for soccer. He was named “Red Key Society Athlete of the Month” and “Most Valuable Player” in the 1983 New York State Invitational for Cornell’s varsity soccer team.
[ alumni News ]
Dr. Sanjay Lalla ’85, P ’21, ’22 with Haitian children
Dr. Lalla’s wife Gina with Haitian children
Alumni Make Time to Help in Haiti Upon hearing of the devastation caused by the magnitude 7.0 earthquake in Haiti on January 12, 2010, two Pingry alumni decided to visit the region in early February to do what they could to assist with the recovery effort. Although they made their trips independently of each other, The Pingry Review felt it would be appropriate to profile them simultaneously because their efforts reflect the spirit of Pingry’s Honor Code—working for the common good, contributing to the global community, and giving back in order to help those less fortunate. Their experiences and observations help convey the severity of the earthquake’s aftermath. Dr. Sanjay Lalla ’85, P ’21, ’22, a 44 the pingry review
board-certified plastic surgeon at St. Barnabas Medical Center and Chief of Plastic Surgery at Jersey City Medical Center, and his wife Gina Lalla, a certified nurse practitioner and registered nurse, participate in medical missions almost every year, performing surgeries mainly on children with cleft lips, cleft palates, and other deformities. Although the Lallas are members of “Healing the Children” and have visited such locations as Thailand, Africa, the Philippines, India, and South America, their trip to Haiti marked the first time that they experienced the aftermath of an acute disaster.
“I was willing to do anything. We felt like we should help. You can’t just watch on TV and feel badly for the victims—we knew that we could do something,” says Dr. Lalla, who rearranged his schedule to accommodate the six-day trip. Since only military personnel and organizations such as the Red Cross could fly into Port-auPrince, the Lallas flew to Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic and drove for seven hours to the Dominican Republic/Haiti border. They worked at Good Samaritan Hospital in Jimani in the Dominican Republic, located about 90 minutes from Port-au-Prince. The hospital staff consisted of teams from across the United States and around the world, under the leadership of the International Medical Alliance (IMA).
because they did not have proper equipment, there was no anesthesiologist when they arrived, and the supplies were disorganized. “People improvised. They did what they could do, the best they could do it, under less-than-optimal circumstances,” Mrs. Lalla says. Despite these obstacles, Dr. Lalla completed 26 operations in four days, making a huge difference for the patients. Speaking about both this trip to Haiti and his overall medical missionary
“We could have walked into almost any hospital, but it was a matter of where you could sleep and how you could eat,” Mrs. Lalla says. Dr. Lalla was the only plastic surgeon at Good Samaritan and operated mostly to close large open wounds that resulted from patients being stuck under rubble. Good Samaritan was the only hospital in the area, and it was set up with makeshift operating areas and tents that housed patients by age and sickness. Dr. Lalla and his wife made the best of the challenging circumstances
Haitian children wearing tee-shirts that Pingry’s Kindergarten students designed and created for them
Marisa LaValette ’04 and her boyfriend Shane Young with Joel, a patient whom Mr. Young treated during the entire month of their visit
work, he says, “We’re addicted to these trips. You can change someone’s life in 15 minutes.” Read about the Lallas’ trip to Haiti on their blog: www.drlallahaitirelief.blogspot.com. Marisa LaValette ’04, who has long
wanted to do large-scale humanitarian work abroad, and her boyfriend Shane Young, a mountain climber who was certified as a wilderness emergency medical technician in late 2009, spent four weeks volunteering at CDTI (Centre de Diagnostique et de Traitement Integre) Sacre Coeur Hospital in Port-au-Prince. Like the Lallas, they flew to Santo Domingo, and an eight-hour bus ride took them to Port-au-Prince.
Ms. LaValette distributed toiletries, snacks, and water to the 80 in-patients
who were housed in tents on the hospital’s front lawn, and she played with the children (who taught her to speak basic Creole) and did arts and crafts with them. For two weeks, she also served as a translator for a team of doctors and nurses from the Mexican Navy who did not speak English. When new teams of nurses, doctors, and surgeons arrived to volunteer, Ms. LaValette and Mr. Young helped them assimilate. “I was happy to do all the hard work I did, because I realized I did all the tasks that the medical people did not have time to do. I also love to stress to people how friendly and welcoming the Haitian people are. They are a people who I find to be ‘in a good mood’ all the time, despite everything that has happened to them. When you meet a Haitian person, he or she is more optimistic than the typical American,” Ms. LaValette says. She
Marisa LaValette ’04 with doctors and nurses from the Mexican Navy, for whom she served as a translator
and Mr. Young stayed in a tent on the front lawn of the Quisqueya Christian School. While they were in Haiti, they felt four smaller earthquakes, and they were busy at the hospital clinic for up to 48 hours after each one to treat crush injuries. These wounds resulted from debris falling on people’s feet or legs, causing skin damage and dislocations of bones. Since returning from their trip, Ms. LaValette has shared her experiences with Clinton Township Middle School, where her mother teaches— the teachers collected 70 pounds of supplies, while the students raised money for TeacHaiti, an organization started by Miquette Denie (a friend of Ms. LaValette and a Haitian native) that pays for Haitian students’ school fees, uniforms, and supplies. Ms. LaValette and Mr. Young also spoke at Georgetown University, their alma mater, in mid-April, and they were invited to speak at Blair Academy in early May. They are also helping Mr. Young’s high school find a sister school in Haiti. Ms. LaValette’s priority is finding a way to help the 15 translators who worked at the hospital secure visas to study in the United States. Anyone interested in helping with the relief effort can contact Ms. LaValette at mklavalette@gmail.com.
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They worked for Dr. Justine Crowley, a pelvic orthopedic surgeon from Colorado Springs who acted as the hospital’s overall administrator. Mr. Young was placed in charge of the hospital’s triage area, changing bandages, taking vital signs, and diagnosing problems for hundreds of walk-in patients each day, while Dr. Crowley treated Ms. LaValette as her personal assistant, putting her in charge of all supplies and giving her the title “Child Life Specialist” for about 20 children at the hospital who were injured or waiting for sick family members to recover.
Marisa LaValette ’04 doing arts and crafts with Haitian children
[ alumni News ]
Career Progression on Display in Pingry’s “Young Architects Show” For the first time, architecture was the subject of Pingry’s annual Alumni Art Exhibition as four young alumni—either still in school or recently graduated—displayed their project designs and models in the Hostetter Arts Center Gallery at the Martinsville Campus in May 2010. Fine Arts Department Chair Miles Boyd invited them to participate. “Alumni who are still in college have rarely been showcased in the gallery, but it made sense in this case because our students could see what our alumni architects are doing at various stages of their academic careers. At some point in the future, we will have a follow-up exhibit with alumni architects who are established in the field,” Mr. Boyd says. Most of the projects in this exhibit were theoretical, although based on real scenarios and capable of being constructed.
46 the pingry review
When she graduated from Pingry, Megan Sprenger ’00 knew that she wanted to spend her career doing something that was both creative and technical. In 2005, she received a B.F.A. in Photography from the School of Visual Arts in New York, where she had a rare opportunity to photograph several projects by the group 1100 Architects. “Architectural photography seemed like a great fit until I realized that I did not want to spend my life documenting someone else’s creations—I wanted to design the spaces I was photographing,” she
says. At that point, Ms. Sprenger pursued a Master’s degree in Architecture at Rice University. Her work in the exhibit was represented by drawings of four projects. One project, San Juan International Film Festival Headquarters, completed in the spring of 2009, is a design for film festival headquarters in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The site already contained a steel airplane hangar from the 1940s, so part of the challenge was to adapt this relic as part of the design (it was a challenge because schools usually give students a blank site as a starting point). Almost all of the required spaces, such as theaters, could fit inside the hangar, but Ms. Sprenger imagined that when the last piece was inserted, all of the spaces would explode outward under pressure and slide across the site. The most crucial pieces— two indoor theaters and gallery space—were allowed to return to the hangar.
Projects by Andrew Werner ’04 from Carnegie Mellon University’s “Design Awards”
stration. As the Student Director of the School of Architecture’s handson Digital Fabrication Lab, he led exploration into processes of 3-D rapid prototyping. He also taught architecture to high school students as part of Carnegie Mellon’s Architecture Explorations Saturday Sequence program.
Andrew Werner ’04 received his Bachelor of Architecture from Carnegie Mellon University in 2009, with a minor in Business Admini-
He is currently a Junior Designer in the New York office of the architectural firm Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates (KPF), where he worked as a summer intern from 2004 to 2008 and where his tenure began with his Pingry ISP. His project experience includes large-scale, mixed-use buildings across North America and Asia, from commercial high-rises to hotels, casinos, and sports architecture.
The Center for Sustainable Landscapes, designed by Andrew Werner ’04 as an expansion of Pittsburgh’s Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens
Among the major design projects from his semester-long design studios at Carnegie Mellon, the Center for Sustainable Landscapes is designed as an expansion of Pittsburgh’s Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens. “The Center serves as a hub for research, events, administrative support, and horticultural education for children and adults. Form and program—the building’s shape and the spaces within the building—are orga-
Diagrams by Megan Sprenger ’00 that depict the explosion of required spaces in her design for the San Juan International Film Festival Headquarters
nized around a longitudinal atrium that houses the building’s major mechanical systems, turning the entire area into an interactive display and making the building a learning tool unto itself,” Mr. Werner says For the Phipps project, he and his classmates worked with the client, architects, and consultant team to develop their own design. “At the end of the semester, many of them served as jurors on our final review panel. The client used our ideas to help push the real architects to develop a more thoughtful design than they had initially proposed,” he says. Mr. Werner also displayed his projects from “Design Awards,” such as an annex for the Frick Museum, a mobile library unit, and a music performance space. “Design Awards” is a contest at Carnegie Mellon for which the top designers in the class were nominated in their fourth year to compete for a limited number of cash and travel scholarships; each student displayed his or her work from the previous four years of school. As a result of the competition, Mr. Werner won The Richard M. Gensert Memorial Scholarship, given to students whose design work expresses sensitive consideration of structural issues and their relationship to architecture.
Ben Rosenthal ’05 completed a three-week architecture program at Amherst College in the summer of 2003 and Cornell University’s sixweek Summer College in 2004. Most recently, he entered the Bachelor of Architecture program at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and is currently
His work in the exhibit included models for Integrated Lifestyle Housing, designed in conjunction with Rensselaer classmate David Lynch, and a train station at the Paseo de Chamartin in Madrid. The housing proposal, as Mr. Rosenthal explains, explores spatial manipulation of “universal areas” in architecture—those spaces that surround and connect individual spaces, which have specific functions and are usually smaller and more restricted than the universal areas.
are interwoven through a series of connecting spaces,” he says. Melinda Zoephel ’08 was heavily involved in theater and the fine arts at Pingry, and she has completed her second year in the five-year architecture program at Cornell University’s College of Architecture, Art, and Planning. For this exhibit, her display included a floor plan for a museum in Buffalo, New York, a model for a pavilion, and wood block prints. Hammondsport was Ms. Zoephel’s final model from her first year. She designed a building for the small town of Hammondsport, New York, basing the design on the grid of the city and how the city shifts in relation to the adjacent mountain.
“In this proposal, universal areas will be stretched, crossed, and linked to re-define the ways that spaces attach to each other. Using this organizational system, individual living units
A view of Hammondsport looking down at the design. The mountain is at the top of the photo.
Integrated Lifestyle Housing designed by Ben Rosenthal ’05
Madrid train station designed by Ben Rosenthal ’05. The station serves as a continuation of the landscape through its use of natural curves, both on the interior and exterior.
Filmmaker Steven Edell ’99, who was featured in the 2009 Alumni Art Exhibition (see “Announcing a New Generation of Filmmakers” in the Fall/Winter 2009 issue of The Pingry Review), has won additional awards for A Son’s War: “Best Student Film” at the Academy-qualifying USA Film Festival in Dallas, Texas (May 2010), and “Best Student Film” and “Best Cinematography” at the 12th Annual California Independent Film Festival in Orinda, California (April 2010). The film chronicles the fate of a family caught in the turmoil of the Nazi occupation of Prague.
47 summer 2010
“The recognition of my award highlights an ability to design architecture that may be theoretical, but whose detailing suggests it could definitely be built. My projects were never the most outlandish or extreme proposals. They were intended to be restrained and contextual and respond to real issues with thoughtful, real solutions,” he says.
finishing his undergraduate thesis. After graduating from Rensselaer this year, he plans to continue working as an architect to obtain his professional license. During the past few years, Mr. Rosenthal has worked with some of the most prestigious residential architecture firms in New Jersey.
Ask the Archivist 8
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Orchestra We believe this photo was taken in 1936. If you can identify any students, please contact Greg Waxberg ’96 at gwaxberg@pingry.org. We plan to publish the answers in the next issue.
48 the pingry review
Since the publication of the Fall/Winter 2009 issue of The Pingry Review, we have heard from seven alumni who either identified or attempted to identify the students in the photo on page 44. We want to thank Bill Hillbrant ’48, Ted Thomas ’48, Dick Koth ’51, Frank Mountcastle ’51, Pete Buchanan ’52, Alan Embree ’52, and Pete Benton ’53. Based on their input, these are the names that we currently have available. If we receive additional names, we will publish them in a future issue.
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1. Denny Diebolt ’48? 2. John Thomas ’48 3. Richard Bull? 4. Sonny Lenheart? 5. Dick Corbet ’52 6. Scott Knoke ’52 7. Alan Embree ’52 8. Stan Wegryn ’48 9. Pete Buchanan ’52 10. Hans Walter? 11. 12. Bill Mackey ’50 13. Dave Weston? 14. John Vilett ’48 15. Bill Burks ’51 16. Dick Koth ’51 17. Frank Mountcastle ’51
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18. 19. 20. Harold Switzgable ’48 21. Peter Jasper ’51 or Pete Benton ’53? 22. Solyin Hunt? 23. Willison Gray ’50 24. Steve Waterbury ’49 25. 26. Jubb Corbet, Jr. ’50 27. 28. 29. Dick Hnat ’50 30. Harry Oleynick ’48 31. Henry Wheeler ’48 32. Al Strickler ’48 33.
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ClassNotes Share your news! Email your notes and photos to Associate Director of Alumni Relations and Annual Giving Kristen Tinson at ktinson@pingry.org, or mail them to Kristen at The Pingry School, P.O. Box 366, Martinsville Road, Martinsville, NJ 08836.
1934
Charles Halsey wrote: “I talked with John Hanrahan and Guy Mulford by phone this winter and they are doing well and sounded fine. They both live a little far away to make it back to any school activities. Our class has dwindled to this group of hardy souls, but we keep on going.”
1947
Dr. Richard Cruess wrote: “Hi all. It has been a long time since I submitted any notes on my activities. Briefly, I graduated with an M.D. from Columbia University, married a classmate, spent two years in the Navy as a physician, trained in orthopedics in Montréal and at Columbia, followed by a year of research training. My wife and I moved to Montréal where we both pursued academic careers at McGill University. I was Chair of Orthopedics and she was the Medical Director of our largest teaching hospital. From 1981 to 1995, I served as Dean of Medicine at McGill. At age 65, we then took a sabbatical year
because of the preparation that I had enjoyed. My best to all surviving classmates.”
1950
Duane St. John wrote: “We had four classmates attend our reunion, representing the Class of 1950. In addition to Nancy and me from Destin, Florida, we had Dot and Dave Starkweather from Biddeford, Maine; Linda and [trustee] Park Smith GP ’06, ’08, ’09, ’10 (New York City), suffering from jet lag, came from India; and Joan and [former trustee] Jubb Corbet, Jr. P ’77, ’78 from their temporary abode in Westfield, N.J. This was our 60th Reunion, and we really raided the raw bar at the reception, the clam bake (including a whole lobster), and the final dinner at the Red Oak Grille. We all had plenty of time for storytelling—both personal and about our days at Pingry. Dave Starkweather still plays 27 holes of golf, and Dot is very busy with her artwork. Jubb and Joan spend a great deal of time in the Bahamas and escorting their granddaughter around the world to participate in championship sailing races. Park and Linda are still at the helm of Park B. Smith Ltd. in New York City where he also enjoys a glass of wine at his restaurant, Veritas. For my part, I am on the board of Opportunity, Inc., an organization to help homeless women with children and families get back on their feet. I manage the volunteer meals program to assure they get a fulfilling dinner each night. Nancy continues to volunteer at Henderson Beach State Recreation Area in Destin where she founded the volunteer program. Please keep the alumni office apprised of your current email and personal address. We look forward to seeing more classmates at our 65th Reunion in 2015.”
49 summer 2010
Frank “Jack” Binns wrote: “As a prelim, a quick synopsis of my career. I managed to survive MIT and graduated in 1951. I then spent 5 1/2 years in the Air Force. During that time, the USAF sent me to Columbia University where I got my masters degree. Upon discharge, I eventually went to work for M&C Nuclear in Attleboro, Massachusetts. This later became a part of Texas Instruments. I worked there for 33 years, ending up as a manager of several tool groups. In 1990, TI gave me an offer I couldn’t refuse, so I took an early retirement. I then kept myself busy doing volunteer work for the local Council on Aging and continued pursuing sports, music, and computer technology. I also held many positions in our local Universalist Church. I used to go camping, sailing, skiing, golfing, and bowling, and I played softball in my younger years. I continued to play a passable game of tennis until three years ago. I got interested in computers when they first appeared and have maintained my interest ever since. My second wife Claudia is an accomplished pianist and was active in The Chaminade Opera Group and The Norton Singers, local opera and Broadway show performance groups.
I finally succumbed and joined the group as treasurer and as a member of their board of directors. I learned to sing bass and appeared in several operas, Broadway shows, dinner dances, oratorios, and senior shows. I also sang in the church choir. My second back operation 2 1/2 years ago resulted in a damaged nerve, leaving me basically with one good leg and one partially paralyzed leg. This ended most of my physical activities. My beard is grey, but my hair is still dark. I must admit there is not as much of it as there used to be. Between my wife and me, we have five children, seven grandchildren, and four greatgrandchildren. My wife is not a native New Englander either, but we both feel this is where we belong. I still remember the speech Clark Lum gave in front of the school assembly. The only worse presentation was mine. I’ll never forget the days we had in the Lumpmobile. My best to all who have managed to survive this great experience called life.”
at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton and at Oxford University studying medical professionalism. We fully expected to write up our experiences and then retire. This was not to be, as professionalism became of extreme importance to medicine. Current healthcare systems pose threats to professionalism, and the medical profession has not fully met all of the public’s expectations. One of the solutions has been the explicit teaching and evaluating of professionalism that is now a requirement for undergraduate and postgraduate medical education. Consequently, 15 years later, to our great surprise, we are still working full-time and extremely busy. We have a heavy teaching load at McGill, have lectured throughout the world, and have written a substantial amount on the subject. One of the joys of our present situation is that we are working with much younger colleagues who inspire us every day. We are extremely fortunate in that we remain healthy in spite of some medical conditions that have been largely corrected or controlled. Our two children and four grandchildren—all of whom are in Canada— appear to be doing well. I keep up with Bill Hanaway and Suzanne Hoyt, the widow of [former trustee] Charles (Buddy) Hoyt P ’71. Bill, who apparently is not a great communicator to alumni magazines, is well. He has had a distinguished career at the University of Pennsylvania as one of the United States’ preeminent scholars on Iran and Persian culture. I continue to believe that Pingry was a primary element in my own personal growth and development. Many people look to other parts of their education as the most important, but, to me, Pingry was where I learned to think and synthesize material. When I went to university, the transition was easy
1951
Dr. William Burks wrote: “I was not able to attend Reunion this year. God willing, I will attend our 60th Reunion in 2011. We greatly enjoyed hosting the Princeton-Pingry reception in April 2010—a good chance not only to see old friends, but also to see the Pingry school administration, which turned out in force.” Colonel Donald Kaiserman wrote: “Following retirement and a move to Virginia, I’ve had the opportunity to be actively involved in many military/veteran services organizations. I’ve held key leadership positions in the Richmond Chapter of the Military Officers Association of America (two-term president), and I am currently 1st V.P. of the Virginia Council of MOAA Chapters, Legislative Chair of the Joint Leadership Council (JLC), which represents 23 veteran services organizations with some 260,000 members, and a member of the Ft. Lee Retiree Council and the Virginia War Memorial Military Advisory Council. While these positions keep me very active, I fully enjoy what we achieve for our military community in the Commonwealth.”
1952 50 the pingry review
Dick Corbet enjoyed getting together and catching up with Miller Bugliari P ’86, ’90, ’97 and Phil Burrows ’55, P ’90 down at the shore on a hot, sunny day in June 2010. Miller Bugliari P ’86, ’90, ’97 was thrilled to be heading to South Africa this summer for the World Cup.
1953
Fred Duffy wrote: “Still selling real estate—mostly commercial and adult com-
munities. I spend my winters on Marco Island, Florida. I serve on the St. Mary’s parish building committee, I’m the treasurer of the church, and I’m active as a trustee of the Southern Ocean County Hospital in Manahawkin, N.J. I lost my wife Marcia in December 2008 and have been dating a neighbor and friend of both Marcia and me. My health seems good and I stay busy.” Jon Murphy wrote: “Long retired, like many—and also like many, not really retired. I am shy a leg, but still play golf. I carve wood and make woodturnings on a lathe. I last handled a sailboat a few years ago, before I forgot to ‘take all my possessions home’ from the hospital—forgot that leg. I am the musical director of a small harp ensemble (Celtic harp, not orchestral) and a player. Making instruments (including said harp) and playing them. To my mind, the old voice is gone, but, at a harp ensemble ‘gig’ the other night, the audience said ‘there is the singer’ (we’d been there before). Obviously, their standards weren’t very high, but it was a pleasant moment. Haven’t changed, still indecisive. Made harps and a lute, and a Scot’s mandora, and a psaltery, and a mountain dulcimer—can’t decide which to play when, or whether to turn a bowl or a goblet on the lathe. Here’s to all you lads of our time; we were the last in the old building and the first in the new, and we’ll be the best of all—not necessarily in specific awards or rewards, but we reserve the privilege of defining our own ‘letter in life.’”
Society. On May 15, 2010, the chorus participated in the Atlantic Division for a competition in the MidAtlantic District, and we won the ‘Most Improved Chorus’ award as well as first place in the small (AA) chorus category. Nancy is also busy as a choral director for two groups. One is at the Holiday City South adult community in Toms River. The other, the Lakewood Maennerchor, sings in German.”
1955
Eric Hall Anderson wrote: “In our day, back in the ’50s, we never heard about a 55th Reunion. Today, thanks to modern medicine and luck, there are enough of us around to have one. That’s what the Class of 1955 did this May. Present at the 50-Year Club Luncheon were Bob Wegryn P ’79, ’80, ’85 and his wife Roberta, and Chick Martin and his wife Ann. They had to leave immediately afterward to continue on their trip together to parts unknown. On Saturday, Jack O’Brien and I joined Phil Burrows P ’90 and Miller Bugliari ’52, P ’86, ’90, ’97 for lunch under the tent at the clambake. The conversation was—not surprisingly—about cars. Jack
said, over and over again, ‘The weather is perfect!’” Phil Burrows P ’90 enjoyed catching up with old friends during the clam bake at his 55th Reunion. He said the food was great, and the company was even better. He still believes the Honor Code is the most important part of Pingry. Dr. Richard Weiss GP ’17 presented a three-day “Navigation Rules” course at the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary 5th Northern District Spring Conference in March 2010. The conference took place in York, Pennsylvania. John Welsh wrote about Reunion: “The Saturday night dinner included Eric Hall Anderson, Pim Goodbody, Jr., Lester Hopton, Jr., Jack O’Brien and his wife Ruth, Dick Welch and Marti Sullivan, my wife Kay, and me. We celebrated the class that graduated with a huge sigh of relief from E. Laurence Springer, Casmir France, and the Pingry community. We toasted to our classmates who survive today, to those we have lost, and to those we have lost contact with over the last 55 years. We enjoyed the stories and lore which have been greatly embellished with time. The dinner was
1954
Peter Thorne wrote: “I’m a semi-retired CPA with a small practice. For fun, I sing with the “Chorus of the Atlantic,” one of two choruses of the Red Bank Area Chapter of the Barbershop Harmony
Dr. Richard Weiss ’55, GP ’17 and Rear Admiral Cari Thomas
excellent, and the countryside and campus beautiful and a far cry from Parker Road. Thank you, Pingry, the Reunion staff, and all those who were there for us over these years.” John and Eric wish to thank Associate Director of Alumni Relations and Annual Giving Kristen Tinson and Director of Alumni Relations and Annual Giving Jackie Sullivan for organizing a very good time for them and their classmates.
1957
Chuck Klein wrote: “This fall I started studying for my certificate to teach elementary grades. It’s an online program that can be accomplished at your own pace. I have been substituting in the Mesa, Arizona school district for three years and decided I would like to teach school because I enjoyed that experience so much. Also, it is a great way to keep my brain challenged. I have two grandkids in college—one playing football for Murray State in Kentucky and a granddaughter on the pom-pom team at the University of Tennessee in the fall of 2010. Why is everyone getting old, but not us? We go to Poland every year to work with a recovery counselor who is administering a Christian recovery program.”
Kuala Lumpur, India, Oman, the Red Sea, Jordan, Egypt, and Athens. We then flew to Damascus in Syria, drove to Amman in Jordan, then over Allenby Bridge into Israel, where we joined our church group for eight days in Israel. It was the trip of a lifetime! We’d go back to Syria in a heartbeat. We’re now on the road to Virginia to see our new granddaughter, then on to Cleveland and Kansas City. We will have then seen all 13 grands—the best!” Dr. Tom Corbin wrote: “I have had a good bit of fun doing backyard astronomy since retiring almost 10 years ago from the U.S. Naval Observatory, where I was head of the Cataloging Division.” Tom finished observing the “Herschel 400” in early 2010, having started in early 2008. The “Herschel 400” are 400 of about 2,500 deep-sky objects (such as star clusters, galaxies, and nebulae) that Sir William Herschel observed and catalogued over 200 years ago in an attempt to understand the structure of the universe; The Astronomical League maintains this catalogue. These objects are always present and in the same position relative to the stars. The main challenge to amateurs observing Herschel’s list is that any particular object is visible
From left: Mike Monier ’58, the late Bill Hetfield ’58, P ’01, and John Voorhees ’58 at Reunion in 2009
only during certain months each year, and some parts of the sky, Virgo and Leo for example, are loaded with galaxies. Thus, it is difficult to observe all the objects in the course of just one year, and most observers need two or more years to complete the list. These challenges are more complicated because of the light-polluted skies in the eastern United States—artificial light causes the night sky to be so bright that, in some
1958
Stewart Brown wrote: “Judy and I just finished a two-month trip out of the country—a cruise ship repositioning from Hong Kong to Vietnam, Thailand, Singapore,
Dr. Tom Corbin ’58 at the U.S. Naval Observatory’s Open House on April 4, 2009. His telescope was one of 22 in the field that day, and about 9,000 people attended the event. A sun filter at the front end of his telescope enables people to look directly at the sun.
John Voorhees wrote: “The photo above was taken at Reunion in 2009. Mike Monier, the late Bill Hetfield P ’01, and I were great friends for many, many years. The significance of this picture is that, on the inside page of our 1958 yearbook, there is a photo showing us pitching quarters against the wall at the old Elizabeth campus, with a few of our classmates watching, with the title of ‘King Coin (me) and His Court.’ We pitched quarters to see who could get their coin closest to the wall, and the closest coin
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Jim Urner and his wife Sherry have returned from an eight-day cruise in the Galapagos. Jim says it was on their “bucket list.” He also wrote, “If you haven’t seen the movie, do, and if you haven’t visited this pristine environment, it is a must while we can all still climb and hike.”
urban areas, almost no stars are visible to the naked eye. The more light pollution there is, the more difficult it is to see these faint objects. Tom lives in Chevy Chase, Maryland, so he drives to a park about a half-hour north of his house for what he calls “reasonable observing.” Tom was also active in the International Year of Astronomy (IYA) in 2009, participating in several events at which he showed a total of over 800 members of the public astronomical objects through his telescope.
Reunion. Read more about his service to Pingry on page 27.
would win all the coins that were pitched. Sophomoric, but FUN! We wanted to replicate the quarter pitching at Reunion, so I brought a couple of rolls of quarters, and we amused ourselves and many of the current students and faculty for a few minutes with great laughs and a fun time. Great friendships, fun times, and lifetime memories. Look at our faces—that says it all.”
Carl Haines and Jeff Ruddy wrote: “As co-chairmen of the reunion for the Class of 1960, we would like to thank Miller Bugliari ’52, Jackie Sullivan, and Kristen Tinson from the Alumni and Development Offices for their invaluable help in putting together such a successful 50th Reunion for our class. On behalf of our class, thank you for your hard work and efforts in creating such a memorable event.”
1959
David Gelber, an awardwinning journalist and producer for CBS’ 60 Minutes, received the 2010 Letter-inLife Award during Pingry’s Commencement ceremony on June 13. This award is the most prestigious honor that the Pingry Alumni Association bestows upon a Pingry alumnus. “This means so much to me,” David says, “at least as much as any honor I’ve ever received for my work as a journalist.” The full text of his citation will be published in the next issue of The Pingry Review.
1960
52 the pingry review
Larry Clayton wrote: “I was in Miami early in May 2010 to continue work on a book on the air war over the Bay of Pigs, April 1961. I interviewed one of the UDT Cuban exiles who went in on the day of the landing, April 17. For all you guys who did military duty, or did service in CIA, this is a fascinating story of CIA hubris, presidential failure, honor, and commitment. Alabama Air National Guardsmen were heavily involved training the exile pilots in the B-26 which were used during the invasion. That’s how I got involved, since they were stationed just up the road in Birmingham from Tuscaloosa, where I live. Four were killed flying combat missions, although the U. S. denied any par-
Dr. John Collins ’60 and his wife Heike
ticipation and made Adlai Stevenson, then Kennedy’s rep at the U.N., look like a fool. Sigh. Plus ça change, plus c’est la même chose…” Dr. John Collins wrote: “It was great to reconnect with our class. Unfortunately, there was not enough time to talk with everyone. I believe that this was a first step to keeping up with friends. Thank you Carl Haines and Jeff Ruddy for your efforts to get as many classmates back for the reunion. The Hillside campus tour was amazing and the renovations were sensational.” Howard Danzig wrote: “After graduating from Pingry, I spent the summer in Africa and then attended Dartmouth College, where I majored in government and skiing. I went to the University of Michigan Law School and then began a legal career in New Jersey. I lived for 20 years in Short Hills and, for the past 17 years, in Harding Township. For many years, we also had a house in Vermont. My wife Linda and I have three children and seven grandchildren between us. The kids live in New Jersey, Oregon, and California. In 2000, I was diagnosed with lymphoma and began a long, slow move toward retirement. I’m almost there, and my
lymphoma has been dormant. I’m looking forward to a complete retirement soon in a warm climate. I collaborated with the late Jim Boskey in making the N.J. Supreme Court aware of joint custody in divorce cases. Bill Wertheimer officiated at my marriage to Linda—it might have been the best thing he has done. It’s hard to believe that we are all older than the old men who were such great teachers when we were young and at Pingry.” Henry English wrote: “At our recent 50th Reunion, I thoroughly enjoyed reconnecting with my classmates, some of whom I hadn’t seen since graduation. One of the highlights of the wonderful three days was the tour of the Hillside, Parker Road, and Westminster Avenue campuses, led by Miller Bugliari ’52. I am a filmmaker living in New York with my wife Marquis. We have two children, Emily 25 and Alexander 21.” Rob Gibby P ’87 was one of the 2010 recipients of the Nelson L. Carr Service Award, along with Sean O’Donnell ’75, P ’05, ’10. Rob received this distinguished award during Reunion Weekend while celebrating his 50th
Dave Hixson wrote: “My wife Bobbie and I live in a Chicago suburb, and being ‘early retired’ leaves plenty of time for part-time teaching, walking, and skiing in the Southeastern Wisconsin Alps (don’t look for these on a map). I am teaching Business Law courses at a couple of community colleges with, I imagine, much the same satisfaction that Socrates got from tutoring Plato (although the comparison ends there). I am torn between a fervent desire to live forever and the recognition that, if I don’t die fairly soon, I may run out of money.” Jay Hughes wrote: “I am happily married to my second wife Jacqueline Merrill and we live in Aspen, Colorado—where I have come to love our mountains. We have 10 children between us and 10 grandchildren. I am retired from a law practice that took me all over the world. I am also the author of two books published by Bloomberg Press: Family Wealth—Keeping It in the Family: How Family Members and Their Advisers Preserve Human, Intellectual, and Financial Assets for Generations and Family: The Compact Among Generations: Answers and Insights from a Lifetime of Helping Families Flourish. I am working with the boards of various family organizations and am a member of the Board of Prescott College.”
Peter Johannsen wrote: “I really enjoyed our 50th Reunion. The best part of the weekend was the Saturday afternoon lawn bowling, in which the Class of 1960 blew away the 25th Reunion class. But, that was to be expected because—as Don West pointed out to our opponents— ‘This is now all we do.’” Bill Low thought Reunion was great, and he looks forward to returning to campus for alumni events now that he is retired and living on the East Coast. Ernie May wrote: “Reunion was terrific! Since I didn’t submit a biography, let me offer a super brief overview: Harvard B.A. ’64 (music), study with Nadia Boulanger in Paris (’64-’66), Ph.D. Princeton ’75 (musicology), director of music at several churches, music department chair for 12 years at UMass/Amherst, now Professor of Music and Secretary (head) of the Faculty Senate at UMass for the past 10 years. I seem to have made a career of mid-level academic administration! Along the way, two marriages, seven children, seven grandchildren, and second homes in Vineyard Haven, Massachusetts and Fairlee, Vermont. Not retiring yet—very much enjoying what I do.”
Jim Petrie and his wife Patricia are looking to move from Memphis back east—well, at least as far as Nashville—but will probably stay in Tennessee where the taxes are low and the living is good! Dr. John Sloboda wrote: “My wife June and I have been married for over 40 years. The ‘children’ have morphed into adults, married, and, for the moment, settled down—our daughter and her husband in Santa Fe, our son and his wife in New York. I’ve started to think about the next stage— retirement—but I’m still reluctant to let go of this one. I’ve discovered that working daily with younger colleagues and avoiding mirrors helps keep such thoughts at bay.” David Speno wrote: “My wife Lynn and I had a great time at the 50th Reunion. It was very good to see so many former classmates and catch up on old and new times. Stayed at the home of my good friend Jerry Dempsey ’59. We visited Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty (never did that growing up) and also climbed the 300-plus steps to the crown—it was a fabulous and moving experience at both venues. Visited with my soon-to-be-101-yearold across-the-street-neighbor after touring my old home in Summit. Have to say that, for an old man, Miller Bugliari ’52 looks great! The other highlight of the reunion was visiting with my seventh-grade pen pals. The future looks bright after conversing with these young Pingry students.” Bart Wood wrote: “Our 50th Reunion was terrific. All those wondering whether to attend theirs should just DO
IT. The school looks great and is in very good hands.” Peter Wood wrote: “My classmates doubtless remember me as the skinny kid who drew cartoons for the school newspaper, played guitar with the Five Counts, and occasionally cleared the bar as a pole vaulter. While my athleticism in later life has been limited to a bit of skiing and hiking, the art and music have remained central. Shortly after my retirement in 2001, I began teaching part-time at Essex Art Center, a non-profit in Lawrence, Massachusetts. I have taught pre-teens through octogenarians how to work with clay, my preferred medium since the 1970s when I built a kiln on the property of a friend in Ipswich. I have recently scaled back my teaching to one weekly class of adult regulars who have become like family.” Mike Wyman works fulltime developing computer software for TLO in Boca Raton, Florida. He lives in Boca full-time with his wife of 45 years, the former Kathy Mongan. During the summer—thanks to telecommuting—they spend half their time in Asheville, North Carolina. Mike and Kathy have two children: son Gregory is a programmer living in Fort Lauderdale, and daughter Stacia is a postdoctoral fellow at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle.
1961 The Class of 1960 graciously invited the Class of 1961 to attend their 50th Reunion Party at the Beacon Hill Club in Summit. It was a great party with lots of old friends from 1960. In attendance from ’61 were Dave Archibald, Liz and Don Meyer, Linda and Bob Popper, Barbara and Gordy Sulcer P ’95, ’01, and Nancy and Dave Rogers. All agreed
that the Class of 1960 should be extended an invitation to our own 50th Reunion. Gordy Sulcer P ’95, ’01 wrote: “Back in early April, Barb and I had dinner with Pam and Jock Lockwood in their new home in Sarasota, Florida. They love it down there and don’t miss the Chicago winters. Jock is a sales manager with the Bosch Corporation and travels extensively. Later in May at the Reunion at Pingry, we ran into Pete Hilgendorff and his wife Patricia. Pete is still practicing law in Morristown and living in Basking Ridge. He says he looks forward to our 50th Reunion coming up in May 2011.”
1962
Harry Moser wrote: “I am working full-time on ‘Re-Shoring: Bringing Manufacturing Jobs Back to the U.S.’ See https://www. ntma.org/eweb/dynamicpage. aspx?webcode=RSPF and http://cbs2chicago.com/ video/?id=70068@wbbm.dayport.com. I would love to hear from any other alumni who share my passion for restoring U.S. manufacturing. Email me at harry.moser@comcast.net.”
1963
The artistry of Peter Corbin was on display from June 7 to September 25, 2010, at the Cascapedia River Museum in Quebec to help celebrate the museum’s 10th anniversary. The exhibit, Three Rivers— One Artist’s View, showcased Peter’s tribute to the Grand Cascapedia, Moisie, and Restigouche Rivers, consisting of new oil paintings, graphite drawings, photography, and written reflections on these three rivers that he has painted, photographed, and fished for over 35 years. Peter’s other work is on public display at The National Art Museum
53 summer 2010
Ted Mook wrote: “I retired in July 1999 and moved from Illinois to Memphis, Tennessee for three years until my wife completed her work as a flight attendant/ trainer at Northwest Airlines. We then retired to Land O’ Lakes, Florida where we now reside. I enjoy bridge, golf, boating, travel, and church activities. We’ve seen most of the United States and toured the ancient sites of Egypt, Greece, Italy, England, France, and Germany that were so much expounded upon by Mr. Buffum in Ancient History class and by Mr. Weiler in Modern History. Besides our three
children, we also enjoy our grandson Andy and our three granddaughters Katie, Emily, and Molly. We see them as much as possible. After all, that is what retirement is.”
Alfred Moore wrote: “Several weeks ago I attended a dinner put on by Sangerfest (a men’s singing group in the Boston area). While there, I ran into Chris Milton, my old classmate (I sat next to him in chapel for years). Thanks to Mr. DuBourg for those longago chorus sessions.”
1968
A Run Upstream by Peter Corbin ’63 (2010, oil on canvas, 20 x 30 inches), the featured painting in the exhibition Three Rivers—One Artist’s View at the Cascapedia River Museum in Quebec
of Sport, The Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum, The American Museum of Fly Fishing, and The Catskill Fly Fishing Center and Museum. He was also featured in the Summer 2010 issue of the Atlantic Salmon Journal. Steve Roehm wrote: “I just returned from hiking in Peru for seven days with my wife Diane. Great weather and fantastic hiking in the Andes Mountains at altitudes ranging from 10,000 to 15,000 feet. Salkantay Pass was magnificent, as was Machu Picchu—but I have to admit, the altitude was a bit of a challenge for folks like us coming from sea level.”
Bruce Laing retired on July 31, 2010, after nearly 25 years with Chubb Ins. Co. He and his wife just built a house at Penn National, a golfing community in Fayetteville, Pennsylvania, 20 miles west of Gettysburg. Bruce does not golf, but reports, “I look good in the clubhouse wearing pastel colored pants.”
Doug Smith recently traveled to China to accompany San Antonio’s mayor to the Shanghai World Expo. His son Jonathan also just graduated from Northwestern University.
Joe Monier traveled with his brothers Michael Monier ’58 and David Monier ’56 on their annual trip to the fishing mecca of Islamorada in the Florida Keys. They caught lots of fish and even managed to have a cocktail or two.
Guy Fisher wrote: “Sorry I missed Reunion. Lib (yup, the same gal I dated while at Pingry) and I celebrated our 40th on the Amalfi coast, so we weren’t able to attend. I hope you all had a grand time!”
1965
54 the pingry review
1964
Bill Hanger and his wife Nancy spent a month in Australia earlier this year. April found them on Sanibel Island, Florida with their younger daughter and three granddaughters. In June, they visited Banff and Jasper National Parks in the Canadian Rockies with their elder daughter and family. Bill agrees that “Ah yes, retirement suits us.”
Karl Fenske and Barbara Franz competed in American Zofingen, a duathlon with 85 miles of hard biking and 20 miles of trail running. They both won in their age groups.
Karl Fenske wrote: “Divorced (at last), traveling a lot doing triathlons, and still practicing law. Kids are mostly out of college. Life is grand, ain’t it?” Gilbert Klein left Media General at the end of 2007 and spent 2008 touring the United States for the National Press Club, organizing forums on the future of journalism. He now has his own media consulting business and recently celebrated Peter Epstein’s 60th birthday with a small contingent from the class: Chris Downs, Evan Johnson, Hans Bonn, and Bruce Merrifield.
1969 1966
Bruce Schundler wrote: “Sara and I are working again this summer as seasonal Park Rangers for the National Park Service. Sara will be at the Statue of Liberty, and I’ll be half a mile away at Ellis Island! So if you’ve never been to either of these amazing places, why not come visit us this summer? We’d love to see you!”
Craig Davis wrote: “I’ve been staying connected through Facebook and Linked In with some of the 1969 members who I was able to reconnect with at last year’s 40th Reunion. Bruce Conway and I stay in touch with joke emails and political
quips. Also, I have done some work with Forbes and The New York Times over the last six months, and I’m trying to get a golf photo book off the ground that would get me back to New Jersey a few times and elsewhere on the East Coast.” Larch Fidler is Chair of the English Department at Morristown-Beard School. He is working with his faculty to create a Middle and Upper School curriculum that nurtures the sequential development of skills in reading, writing, and thinking through a seven-year program. In this context, he is collaborating with the History Department to create a ninth-grade Humanities program. Larch seeks to nurture the integration of technology within an English classroom, particularly with respect to the development of writing. He also explores the ways in which an understanding of brain function helps students to learn complex ideas in multiple ways. Larch lives in Morristown and enjoys music, ballet, and theater in New York.
1970
Peter Arbes P ’04, ’08 sent in his perspectives on the “unofficial” June 19 Pingry Reunion of the Class of 1970: “I want to echo the comments offered by my co-organizer, Bruce Crawford, on our recent reunion dinner, and I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge the effort and hard work Bruce put into locating our
Dr. Alan Berkower wrote: “I enjoyed renewing friendships with Pingry classmates at both the official and follow-up 40th Reunions. My wife and I live on Long Island with our two middle school-aged daughters. My two older daughters work in the New York City Parks Department as a city planner and as a teacher. I have three grandchildren. Besides my career as an otolaryngologist/ head and neck surgeon (I am an associate professor at New York Medical College and operate at Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx), I try to keep up with my girls’ ice skating competitions, music recitals, and school functions. In my free time, I also ice skate, swim, and bike ride. If more free time appears, I may even try fencing again!” Peter Blanchard III, whose previous writing focused on large-scale conservation studies, has written a new book,
We Were an Island: The Maine Life of Art and Nan Kellam. As a work of non-fiction, the book recounts the story of this couple who married in 1935, moved to an uninhabited island off the coast of Maine in 1949, and lived there until 1985, when Art Kellam passed away. In the summer of 1987, while volunteering with the Maine Chapter of the Nature Conservancy, Peter met Nan Kellam on Placentia Island. To write his book about these local legends, Peter used journals, the manuscript of the couple’s unfinished book, letters, and photos. He is involved in the restoration of Greenwood Gardens, a historic public garden in New Jersey, and he serves on the boards of Orion Magazine, the Frick Collection, and Maine Coast Heritage Trust. Peter lives on the Upper West Side of Manhattan and in Somesville, Maine with his wife Sofia, 7-year-old son Theo, and two Welch corgis— Major Andre and Doodles. Dr. Don Brunnquell wrote: “My career has veered from child clinical psychology (degree from the University of Minnesota in 1981) to bioethics, and I have worked for almost 15 years as the Director of the Office of Bioethics at Children’s Hospitals and
Clinics of Minnesota—a job I still hold and enjoy almost every day. Education, policy, and direct consultation with families and staff are the bulk of the work, in addition to chairing the IRB (Institutional Review Board) and the less glamorous task of compliance with CMS (Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services) and JCAHO (Joint Commission for Accreditation of Health Care Organizations) ethics rules. I’ve been married for 30 years to Sally Scoggin, whom I met at Lawrence in Appleton, Wisconsin, where we both graduated. It has been a great 30 years—actually, almost 40 since we met, but that’s a long story. Sally is an employment attorney at Briggs and Morgan, an established Twin Cities firm. We have two boys: Mike is 24 and started medical school at the University of Minnesota in August 2010, and Will just graduated from Bates. My passions—in addition to work and the boys—are music (I play with a folkie-type string band called Stealin’ Home), poetry (reading and some writing), fantasy baseball, cross country skiing, and a great mixture of music and theater in the Twin Cities. We’d love to see anyone who passes through the Twin Cities— give an e-holler or call!”
55 summer 2010
Jonno Alcaro wrote: “Nanette and I and our nine-year-old daughter Marion relocated to Charlottesville, Virginia in late July 2010. We bought a great place and will welcome any classmates/friends who just want to get away to a slower pace and some country relaxation! My new cell number is (434) 906-9300, and my email is still jonno@alcaro.org.”
classmates. His persistence and ingenuity in hunting down ‘his prey’ was remarkable. He even managed to find our own Mr. Rogers, who took time out from his duties as President Obama’s unofficial advisor on social issues to decline our invitation. A special thank you to Bill Maass who brought what might be the only surviving copy of the 1970 Pingry yearbook in order to show everyone how much hair was lost and weight gained in the last 40 years (except, of course, for Bruce, who looked like he stepped out of some 1970s time machine). Bill, what were you thinking? Finally, we were all thrilled and honored to have been joined by Elizabeth and Miller Bugliari ’52. It was a special treat for us to reminisce with Miller, who embodies all the good that we remember about the school and our time there. As you can see from the group photograph (see page 37), not only was Miller willing to be ‘seen’ with the Class of 1970, but he also had the ‘courage’ to take a picture with us.”
Bruce Crawford sent in his perspectives on the Reunion for the Class of 1970: “At Martinsville, there are probably not too many people who spend time thinking about the Class of 1970. Over the past 40 years, we have likely distinguished ourselves as the class that, on average, contributed the least amount of money to the school. We have probably also done the best job of avoiding each and every request to provide information about ourselves. Some have perfected the art of clandestine living. Having been alumni in absentia for such a long time, the school likely wrote us off as one of those lost classes— and as somewhat of a hopeless case. This perspective was confirmed when I dropped by the Hillside Campus in 1977. A woman in the administrative office said lunch was still underway and walked me down to the cafeteria. While I was looking around for familiar faces, she found a seat for me at [former Pingry football coach] George Christow’s table. The first thing he said was ‘you’re only here because you want a free lunch.’ He was serious. As could be expected, most of us have kept in touch with only a few classmates and don’t maintain an active relationship with the school. However, when we found out that only five from our class attended Pingry’s official Reunion Weekend on May 15,
something seemed seriously out of balance. Consequently, a small group created a substitute event—motivated in part by the belief that we didn’t have a lot of opportunities left for a major gathering. We found our classmates through considerable networking and extensive web searches. Clearly, all of the work was worth it, and those who attended really enjoyed the evening. In fact, it was quite memorable. Who would have thought that Pingry’s most rebellious class would actually show up in large numbers? Further, who would have predicted that Richard Lowish would travel in from London, Charlie Cox from Minnesota, Rob Monroe from Michigan, and John Spagnolo from North Carolina? Chris Klem hiked in from Massachusetts, and Brad Seaman journeyed from Pennsylvania. We missed a few who had to cancel due to circumstances beyond their control, including John Ford, Jon Hill, Cliff Nelson, Tom Fowler, and Nick Pearson. We also regret that Myke Connell had to go searching for his horse at 2:00 a.m. that Sunday morning. Allegedly, it was the same horse he had brought along to trash Arbes’ country club. However, better things lie ahead. Mark Biedron has offered to host our next major event in June 2012, which will collectively commemorate our 60th
56 the pingry review
1970
Bill Maass submitted a photo of the five members of the Class of 1970 who attended their 40th Reunion at Pingry on May 15. Sitting, from left: Rich Engel and Rob Monroe. Standing, from left: Bill, Dr. Stu Homer P ’07, ’11, ’13, and Dr. Alan Berkower.
birthdays. As an incentive to attend, he will set aside a case of Lafite Rothschild 1961, which goes for a mere $36,000. We will insist that all who couldn’t make it this time plan to attend, especially Marano, whose aging girlfriend will be 31 by then. We hope to have a great turnout for that event and look forward to seeing everyone again.”
1971
Gil Barno wrote: “I retired from Boston law in 1989 because it all started to look the same. Moved to Columbus, Ohio and fell into a non-profit gig that has become my life, helping dropouts get back into the game. Best move I ever made. No money in it, but I partook enough of the money grab in Boston. Besides, money can’t buy goose bumps.” Peter Mindnich wrote: “I am still living with my family in Southern California on the Palos Verdes Peninsula, having moved out here from Chicago in 1991. After retiring from a 30-year career on Wall Street, I am working toward my Masters in Social Work at USC. I am enjoying the opportunity to learn new things, stay busy, and prepare for my second career. I plan to combine my previous business experience with the social work degree and provide services to the military veteran population upon graduation in December 2011. I have also enjoyed being able to see Tim Gustafson, who is an English professor at USC and lives 25 yards from the School of Social Work. We enjoyed watching a few World Cup games together this summer! I am also grateful to be able to see Oliver Mading periodically as he runs a large regional food services company and lives in Palm Desert with his wife. Who would have thought all three of us would be living in California!”
1972
Dr. Ian Alexander accepted a post as Clinical Professor and Vice-Chairman in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at The Ohio State University in June 2010. His daughter is a senior resident in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Ohio State, and his son started medical school there in August 2010. Dr. Joe Costabile just finished his term as President of the Vascular Society of New Jersey.
1973
Dr. David Reisner wrote: “I am still active in commercializing nanotechnology products in companies I founded and ran in 1996 (Inframat, US Nanocorp). Our family recently did volunteer work in Haiti. My oldest daughter graduated from Wesleyan, my son is at Dartmouth, and my youngest daughter is at Choate.”
1975 Mark Fury wrote: “Travel kept me from the 35th Reunion, but that week I reconnected with Todd Grundy for the first time in years, and we celebrated our class together in Philadelphia. Todd is a grandfather and is doing well with systems management, while I am an
old country lawyer practicing criminal defense in Burlington County and South Central New Jersey—won three murder trials in a row.” Sean O’Donnell, Chair of the Pingry Athletics Hall of Fame Committee, enjoyed seeing his classmates over Reunion Weekend for their 35th Reunion. Sean was honored to be one of the 2010 Nelson L. Carr Service Award recipients, along with Rob Gibby ’60, P ’87. Sean and his wife Mimi are proud parents of a new Pingry graduate—Christian O’Donnell ’10, who is heading off to Lafayette College this fall. Their daughter Caitlin O’Donnell ’05 is living and working in Washington, D.C. Read more about Sean’s award on page 27.
1978 Gordon Bloom really enjoyed teaching at Princeton during the 2009-10 academic year and almost made it to Pingry for a visit. His course at Princeton was called Social Entrepreneurship Collaboratory (SE Lab), which provided undergraduate and graduate students with the opportunity to design and develop innovative social ventures.
1979
Steve Lipper P ’09, ’12, ’14 wrote: “Six of us ’79ers—Jon Younghans, Chuck Connant,
Kim (Warendorf) Prey wrote: “I was sorry to miss our 30th Reunion in May 2009. I was on my first medical mission trip in Nicaragua during that time. Over the past year, Genesia Perlmutter Kamen P ’11, ’13 has been trying to convince me to write in about my adventures as well as join Facebook. My kids have forbidden me from Facebook, so here is the scoop on my travels. I have recently returned from my second trip to Nicaragua. I work as an operating room nurse at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore. I traveled with a team of doctors and nurses from the Baltimore area to a very rural area two hours outside of Managua. We performed 58 surgeries over the course of five days. The majority of these surgeries involved facial abnormalities—including cleft lips and palates—ear deformities, and burn sequelae. The patients ranged in age from six months to 67 years old, and their medical care was provided free of charge to them. Some of these patients traveled for several days to reach our location. We provide the necessary supplies for the mission through donations and funds raised throughout the year. We have developed a wonder-
ful relationship with a hospital in Managua that helps to coordinate the missions as well as provide necessary followup for the patients whom we treat. My first two trips have been phenomenal experiences, and I look forward to continuing this type of work. On the home front, I am surrounded by college students. My son Tim will be a junior at Wake Forest this fall. My twin daughters (no, they are not identical) will be freshmen this fall—Molly is off to the University of Vermont, and Katie is off to the University of Virginia. My husband Jim is also back in college. He is pursuing a master’s in teaching at Loyola University after retiring from T. Rowe Price. It is busy, but fun, here in Baltimore, and I would love to hear from my 1979 classmates!”
1980
Mark Diamond wrote: “I had a great time seeing everyone from 1980 at the 30th Reunion! I refuse to believe it’s been 30 years. How did we all become so responsible? For those whom I didn’t see, I’m living just outside of Boston (Arlington, Massachusetts) with my wife Laura, an architect, and our daughter Rafaela, who just turned eight. I’m working as an airline consultant and, in my spare time, messing around with a couple of old, cranky sports cars. I know this sounds like every other alumni note, but I would truly welcome a visit from anyone from our class who is passing through the Boston area!” Susan Quinn had a very nice time seeing everyone at her recent 30th Reunion. She is the Library Director for the Ocean County Library System, which has 21 locations at the beautiful New Jersey Shore. Susan encourages everyone to stop by her libraries for that perfect summer read and great programs for children
and families when vacationing “down the shore!” (Yes, they have Dani Shapiro’s new book, Devotion, as well as her other books, too!)
Brad Roth wrote: “Since 1997, I have been teaching political science and law at Wayne State University in Detroit and writing (and recently, to my surprise, blogging) on theoretical issues in international law. Mentoring students is the best part of my job, and it reminds me of the mentorship that I received from great Pingry teachers. I keep in touch with many alumni—some folks who were my best friends in the old days, but also a surprising number who have only become my good friends in the years since.” David Thalheimer is running for the Howard County, Maryland Board of Education and wrote: “I appreciate the high-quality education I received at Pingry and want to help raise the quality of the public system for everyone else.”
1981
Chris Campbell wrote: “Boy time flies. It seems like yesterday we were graduating; now our kids are moving on. Jack will be a senior at Dickinson. He’s now in Beijing interning for JFP Holdings. Lisa will be a sophomore at Lehigh, and George will graduate from Summit High School in the spring of 2011. I hope everyone has a great summer.”
57 summer 2010
Genesia Perlmutter Kamen P ’11, ’13 had a great time in June at the annual Pingry Golf Outing. She enjoyed playing with Kyle Coleman ’80, current parent Menekse Robinson P ’09, ’11, and Pingry faculty member and coach Judy Lee. Genesia also continues to serve as Secretary on the Pingry Alumni Association Board.
Kris Rollenhagen, Mark Bigos, Genesia Perlmutter Kamen P ’11, ’13, and me—came out to enjoy the Friday night reception of Reunion Weekend. It was easy to just come on out to school and join in the fun. We decided we didn’t have to wait five years to get together and catch up. It was great seeing everyone again and swapping stories about updates of other classmates. Jon and I then saw each other the next weekend when our families went to the Middle School’s production of Bye Bye Birdie, which brought back memories of the last time Pingry did this production during our era!”
Dr. Ed Fernandez wrote: “Anyone with kids graduating from high school this year? My son Eddie is going to Lehigh and it would be awesome to hook up. Let me know—my email is hemeddies@verizon.net.” Daniel Markovitz wrote: “Lynn Brody and I continue our bi-coastal life. Lynn is an interventional radiologist at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York, and I’m a productivity and time management consultant wherever my clients are. We split our time between New York and Corte Madera, California, which provides us with a wonderful lifestyle—if a bit too much familiarity with United Airlines seating configurations. Classmates or Pingry alumni coming through San Francisco are welcome to visit.”
1982
Jonathan Karp has been named the new publisher for Simon & Schuster’s flagship imprint. He had been publisher and editor-in-chief of TWELVE Books since 2005.
1984
Geordy Mahr wrote: “In May 2010, I ran into David Eisenbud ’85 by chance at a diner in Scotch Plains, N.J. We only had 15 minutes to catch up, but it was a flurry of reminiscing about Pingry classmates and our present lives. I live with my wife and three boys in Fanwood, N.J., and Dave now lives with his wife and two girls in Toronto, Canada. I liked Dave at Pingry, and he seemed to be the same friendly, genuine person today.” Rick Reiken, director of the graduate program in writing at Emerson College, published his third novel Day For Night in April 2010. The book, featuring nearly a dozen narrators from across the United States and the Middle East, is structured around dual protagonists and concerns the intricate unraveling of a family’s mysterious past. Rick appeared on NPR’s Weekend Edition Saturday on May 8, 2010, and explained that the novel is about connection and the way that people are interconnected, whether they know it or not. Day For Night
was a Boston Globe “Pick of the Week” in May 2010 and an Indie Next List selection for May 2010. The London Daily Telegraph cited Rick as one of the “10 rising literary stars of 2010.” Rick’s previous novels are Lost Legends of New Jersey and The Odd Sea. For more information: FrederickReiken.com.
1986
1985
Kathy Apruzzese Sherbrooke wrote: “So sorry to have missed Reunion. It has been way too long. After the successful acquisition of the company I started almost 15 years ago, I have recently stepped out of my company and off the grid for a muchneeded break. I love having more time with our two boys, Henry (9) and George (6), and am looking forward to a summer on the beach up here in Cohasset, Massachusetts. I’m also planning to see Pam Ostroff Intrater for a few days when she is stateside from Singapore. I don’t know what will be next for me professionally, but hope I might cross paths with more of you somewhere, somehow.”
Newark Mayor Cory Booker and Ron Rice ’86
Ron Rice wrote: “I was just re-elected to the Newark Municipal Council with Mayor Cory Booker. I was first elected as a member of the Booker Team for Newark in 2006, and on May 11, 2010, I was re-elected for a second four-year term as West Ward Councilman. Won by a 3-to-1 margin and won every district in the ward, the biggest margin of victory for the ward councilman in over 15 years. For more information, you can access www.ron-rice.com.”
58 the pingry review
1984
Rick Reiken read excerpts from and signed copies of Day For Night at the Livingston Mall Barnes and Noble in Livingston, New Jersey on May 13, 2010. Front row, from left: Martha (Ryan) Graff P ’15, ’17, Betsy Lucas Vreeland P ’11, ’12, ’15, Wendy Reiken-Waldron ’87, Rick Reiken, Rick’s wife Cailin Reiken, and Genesia Perlmutter Kamen ’79, P ’11, ’13. Back row, from left: Sue (Brody) Thomas, Jon Dressner ’83, Edie (McLaughlin) Nussbaumer, Howard Herman, and David Stanton ’80.
Alden Pace Lazor with big brothers Wyatt and Cooper
1988 BIRTHS Cathleen (Pace) Lazor and her husband Peter are pleased to announce the birth of their daughter Alden Pace Lazor. Alden was born on March 6, 2010, and weighed 8 pounds, 3 ounces. She joins big brothers Wyatt and Cooper.
1989
Chris Bender is a film producer and president of Benderspink Productions. He is in New York filming a remake of the movie Arthur. Michelle Lerner wrote: “I am pregnant—my first pregnancy at 38! My partner Gray and I have been together for 17 years now (which makes me feel very old). I do legal and policy work for several nonprofits, mostly focusing
Kathryn Elise Fay
family resides in Atlanta, Georgia, and Chandra is a trial attorney for the EEOC (U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission).
doing anything else these days other than spending additional time fly fishing. I wish everyone the very best and hope to see many of you soon.”
Peter Rosenbauer and his wife Michelle welcomed their first daughter, Maggie, on July 18, 2009.
John Raby wrote: “Great to see so many of my fellow classmates at the 20th Reunion and friends from all classes at the Alumni Lacrosse Game. Together with my wife Jennifer and son Liam, we call Newport, Rhode Island home-base now and urge any Pingry alumni who are coming to town to let us know in advance so we can point them to the best parts of Newport and the Ocean State.”
BIRTHS Chandra (Cain) Davis and George Davis announce the arrival of their second child, Brielle Cain Davis, on April 15, 2010 (tax day). Three-year-old big brother Carter loves his new baby sister! The Davis
1990
Anthony Bugliari is excited that the next generation of his family will be attending Pingry. His son William, the oldest of his four children, will be enrolling in Grade 3 this fall. David Curtis wrote: “I wanted to send a quick hello to my class, as I was on the West Coast the night of our reunion. Life is going very well for my family and me these days. My wife Karen and I are parents to two wonderful children: a three-yearold daughter, Katie, and a 10-month-old son, Alexander. In addition to being a proud father, work these days keeps me very busy managing the global Internet consolidation for Inverness Medical. I have found a job that I love, working with some very good people, and couldn’t imagine
BIRTHS Ben Fay and his wife Kristen became delighted first-time parents when Kathryn Elise was born on November 4, 2009. Kate and her parents live south of San Francisco in Palo Alto. Earlier this year, Pete Ackerman flew out from New York to meet the little princess.
1991
Christopher Krantz enjoyed playing in the annual Pingry Golf Outing on June 14 at Morris County Golf Club with his good friends Ryan Saniuk ’90, Sam Partridge ’92, and
59 summer 2010
Brielle Cain Davis and Carter Davis
on environmental law and humane feral cat management policy (a shift from a decade of work as a legal aid lawyer focusing on welfare and disability law). I started a local cat rescue and TrapNeuter-Return organization in my hometown of Mt. Olive, which is about a half-hour north of Pingry. Since midAugust of 2009, we have handled over 150 cats and kittens. Our web site is www.mtolivetnr.org. If you live in or near New Jersey and are interested in adopting or fostering a cat or kitten, please email me at lernermichelle@aol.com.
Pingry faculty member and golf coach Joe Forte P ’00. During their senior years, Christopher, Sam, and Ryan were successive captains of the ’90, ’91, and ’92 Pingry golf teams. This marked the 20th anniversary of the season they played in spots 1, 2, and 3 together on the Pingry golf team. One of the highlights of their day at the outing was Coach Forte’s slam-dunk from 155 yards for an eagle on the 16th hole, a shot that helped them win the top prize with a score of 58. BIRTHS Jon Bowden wrote: “My wife Denise and I welcomed our son, Wyeth Robert Bowden, into the world in June 2009. It was a long labor, but we were ultimately able to have a home birth as we envisioned. In addition, after a year-anda-half of playing at festivals, my film The Full Picture opened in San Francisco theaters in June 2010.” Dr. Sandra Lee, her husband James, and big sister Winnie welcomed Wallace Jason Chun into the world on April 11, 2010. He weighed 7 pounds, 7 ounces and measured 19 inches long.
1992 60
Nicole (Fargnoli) Gerhardt wrote: “Scott ’90 and I are beginning the summer in our new home in Madison, N.J. After moving around the
country for the past few years, we’re looking forward to settling down! Jack is having a great time making friends with all of the kids in the neighborhood and celebrated his 4th birthday in August 2010. We’d love to catch up with any Pingry friends in the area— you can find us on Facebook.” Tim Lear wrote: “My daughter Hyla (3) attended Pingry’s day camp this summer, learning how to swim and, on rainy days, watching old SAC videos of Mike Breheney ’92 (bartending as Sam Malone in Cheers) and Andrew Goldstein ’92 (cross-dressing as Pat in ‘It’s Pat’ or as Cindy Crawford in a Pepsi commercial). Hyla’s brother James just celebrated his second birthday and was excited to spend the summer months making train noises and knocking things over. If any members of the class of ’92 visit Martinsville, stop by the Upper School Office—I’d love to catch up.” Gautam Malhotra wrote: “I’m now triple boarded somehow: PM&R (Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation), Neuromuscular Medicine, & Electrodiagnostic medicine. Oh, we’re also pregnant and it’s going to be a girl! Yippeee!!!” Chris Pearlman wrote: “I have made the move out to the suburbs with my wife Laura and our two boys, Padraig (4) and Malachy (3), having recently bought a house in Westchester (Pelham,
Michael Zigmont ’92 and his daughter Penelope Simone Zigmont
N.Y.). I work for Van Wagner Sports and Entertainment, overseeing our Media and Properties group. I am fortunate to have two other Pingry alumni in the Sports Group here: Amanda Pagoulatos ’05 and Scott Bissinger ’08 (our uber-intern).” BIRTHS Michael Zigmont wrote: “My wife Margot gave birth to our first child on June 28, 2010, a 7 pound, 4 ounce girl. We named her Penelope Simone Zigmont. We’re thrilled! Pingry Class of 2028? We’ll see!” WEDDINGS Vanessa Motto and Michael Rosenthal were married on November 7, 2009, in Atlantic City, N.J. In attendance were matron of honor Shelby Luke Rideout and
her parents—former Pingry French teacher “Madame Jodi” and Jim Luke.
1993
Mary Moan is the new head coach of the women’s golf team at Bradley University. She’s looking forward to this next phase of her career and especially helping young athletes reach their athletic and academic goals—Go Braves!
the pingry review
Emily Yorke Schauers wrote: “For the past four years, I have been living in Little Rock, Arkansas working as an engineer for Verizon Wireless. It has been a long year of single parenting, as my husband was deployed to Afghanistan, where he flew the Russianmade AN-32 with the Afghan National Army. He returned home safe on May 22, 2010. Our sons Andrew (5) and Matthew (2) were happy to see their daddy—me, too! Life is back to normal for us now.”
1994
Wyeth Robert Bowden
Wallace Jason Chun
Jane (Shivers) Hoffman and Christian Hoffman and their two daughters, Avery (2) and Claire (1), will be relocating to Wayne, Pennsylvania from Westfield, N.J. in mid-September 2010. Christian will be working in Philadelphia,
Brooke Allyn Slavitt
leading the Northeast Region for Aon’s Financial Services Group. They are excited for this new adventure and would love to hear from any classmates living in the area! BIRTHS Joshua Slavitt and his wife Nicole welcomed their first baby girl, Brooke Allyn Slavitt, on November 6, 2009.
Kristina and Neal Karnovsky ’95
N.J. Neal is a Director at Cowen and Company, where he specializes in Mergers & Acquisitions for life sciences companies. Kristy is a Vice President of Institutional Sales at FactSet, a financial software firm. Neal and Kristy live in midtown Manhattan.
1996 Greg Waxberg continues to enjoy his freelance writing, especially feature articles for Classical Singer, a monthly magazine that provides resources, advice,
1997 John Crowley-Delman wrote: “I am teaching history at a little place called The Pingry School in Martinsville, N.J. I also traveled to Morocco with my sister Catherine Crowley-Delman ’98, over winter break. We learned that you don’t quite understand the meaning of the word ‘labyrinth’ until you’ve navigated the medina of Fez or Marrakesh on an empty stomach.”
Diana (Wiss) Tebbe, husband Nelson, and big sister Clementine welcomed the arrival of Waitsfield Tebbe in October 2009.
1995 BIRTHS
Kirstin (Rowan) Kelly and her husband Tim were expecting their first child this July. WEDDINGS
Amy Murnick McKeag ’94 and Mark McKeag
Corey Simonson just finished his first season as Head Coach of the Milton Academy boys’ lacrosse team, earning a 9-6 record. He missed one game to attend his college roommate’s wedding in Sonoma, California. At the same wedding were David Greig ’98 and Matt Margolis ’99. Corey, David, and Matt have a distinct bond—they were successive captains of the lacrosse teams at both Pingry and Amherst.
61 summer 2010
WEDDINGS Amy Murnick McKeag is still living in Boston and doing well. She enjoys being a newlywed to her wonderful husband Mark, and she loves her new job as the Brand Manager of Veggie Patch, a vegetarian line of products.
Neal Karnovsky married Kristina Walsh on May 30, 2010, at the Pleasantdale Chateau in West Orange,
and inspiration for singers throughout their careers. He also writes program notes for opera companies, including San Francisco Opera and Lyric Opera of Chicago.
Ling, a Buddhist Monastery in upstate New York. Finally, some alumni may be interested to know that, at Pingry, I will be teaching Literature of Enlightenment, facilitating the Mindful Awareness meditation program, and, with guidance from Pat Lionetti and Mike Richardson, working with [faculty member] Jason Murdock to oversee the Peer Leadership program.” BIRTHS Andrew Wilkinson wrote: “On December 13, 2009, my wife Emily and I welcomed our son, Asher Thomas. We are thrilled with him and enjoying every minute!”
1999
Jessica Dee wrote: “In April 2010, I finally got engaged to my boyfriend of nine years, Donald Sawyer. We plan to get married in May 2011 in Newport, Rhode Island.” Casey Hannon ’97 and Kristin Hannon
Sarah Dee was engaged to Eric Miller on April 23, 2010, while on a trip to Scottsdale, Arizona. They will be married next spring. Some of the
WEDDINGS Casey Hannon married Kristin D’Onofrio on June 20, 2009, at St. Frances Cabrini Church in Ocean City, N.J. They spent their honeymoon in France. Casey is a Vice President at J.P. Morgan Private Bank in New York, and Kristin is a second-grade teacher in Westfield, N.J. They live in Guttenberg, N.J.
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Jillian Burgess has been working in Hong Kong for six months designing a new business, exhibition, and convention center in Zhuhai, China. Joshua Levin, in collaboration with Andrew Gruel, launched The GoodEater Collaborative on June 1, 2010—an online platform for food executives, chefs, farmers, and the public to write about, discuss, and debate issues in food sustainability. The GEC can be found at www.GoodEater.org.
Kevin Schmidt finished 11th in the Northern New Jersey Trap Shooting Competition. He then took a two-week trip to South Africa with some college friends to watch group play of the World Cup in Johannesburg. Laura Yorke wrote: “This summer, I attended the Phillips Exeter Academy Humanities Institute in Exeter, New Hampshire where I studied the Harkness Discussion Method. Also this summer, I worked as the head Chef at Palden Padma Samye
Asher Thomas Wilkinson
Pingry friends who will be in attendance are Ajay Sarkaria, Brie Corbin, Dana Seeley, and Mike Zeiler. The couple recently moved into their new house in South Orange. Eric works for a hedge fund in Manhattan, while Sarah is working for her family business in Union, N.J. Caroline Diemar wrote: “Hello everyone! I was inspired to write a class note after a great time at Reunion Weekend. As always, the seafood buffet was delicious, and watching my brothers Thomas ’96 and Charlie ’02 ‘play’ in the guys’ alumni lacrosse game was loads of fun. I plan to get myself out on the field next year for the girls’ alumni lacrosse game— hopefully I can recruit some of my fellow classmates to join me as well! I’m living in New Haven, Connecticut and working for the Yale Child Study Center’s Trauma Clinic. We work very closely with the New Haven Police Department and accompany them to the sites of traumatic events that involve children— it’s a very exciting job, and I love every minute of it.”
Dana Seeley ’99, Ajay Sarkaria ’99, Katie Roberts ’02, and Julian Scurci ’99 enjoyed some black-tie partying and dancing at the 23rd annual “Denver Polo Classic” in June 2010. Julian and Ajay are members of The Denver Active 20-30 Children’s Foundation, an all-male service organization made up of professionals in their 20s and 30s that raises over $1 million annually (primarily through the three-day “Denver Polo Classic”) to benefit non-profit organizations that support at-risk youth in Denver, Colorado. The “Denver Polo Classic” is the largest charity polo tournament in the country. For more information: www.da2030.com.
Nick Sarro-Waite wrote: “Still best friends after over 10 years, Katie Scott Old, Devon Graham, Kelly Florentino, Matthew Margolis, David Fahey, Dan Buell, and I got together for a dinner party at the Graham family home in Connecticut.”
2000
Andrew Greig enjoyed playing in the Pingry Golf Outing on June 14 at Morris County Country Club with his brother David ’98, father Tom Greig P ’94, ’98, ’00, and father inlaw Bill Washychyn P ’00. Lauren (Washychyn) Greig ran in the Boston Marathon in April 2010 and finished
Sam Haverstick and his wife Casey live in London and are expecting a baby boy in October 2010. Lauren Kovacs graduated from UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in May 2010 and began her residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Saint Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston, New Jersey in July 2010. In April 2010, Lauren spent a month in Costa Rica studying Spanish and working in clinics and hospitals. She and her husband Chris Horch enjoyed catching up with people at the 10th Reunion.
Jessica V. Merkel-Keller graduated from UMDNJRobert Wood Johnson Medical School with Distinction in Medical Education. Jessica will continue her training in Obstetrics and Gynecology with plans to continue in Gynecologic Oncology at Montefiore-Einstein Medical Center in New York. On May 15, 2010, at New York’s One if by Land Two if by Sea, Jessica was engaged to her fellow medical school classmate, David J. Sinopoli.
Rich Myers met up with fellow alum Dave Alchus during a recent business trip to Austin, and they reminisced over steaks at the old Austin standby Stransky, Quick and Gallagher. Rich reports that Dave is doing well and says “Austin is fabulous!” Arianna Papasikos wrote: “I am extremely sad and disappointed that I was not able to attend Reunion. I was at a wedding that weekend. I hope everyone had a wonderful time, and I missed not being able to hang out with everyone!”
63 summer 2010
Keith Castaldo and his wife Elissa recently moved to the Capitol Hill neighborhood of Washington D.C. Keith is working for Congressman Bill Pascrell, who represents New Jersey’s Eighth District. Keith is the Congressman’s Economic Policy Advisor and Counsel, and he also advises Congressman Pascrell on finance and tax policy, as well as on his work for the Committee on Ways and Means.
with a time of 3:20:34, which placed her 569th out of the 9,468 women who ran. She enjoyed the race—her third marathon in the past two years—and is looking forward to running in the Chicago Marathon this fall. For training, she ran the Covered Bridges Half Marathon in Woodstock, Vermont on June 6 and, with a time of 1:34.14, placed 92nd out of nearly 2,000 runners and third for her age group. Her husband Andrew Greig was there to cheer her on and take pictures.
From left: Matt Margolis ’99, Devon Graham ’99, David Fahey ’99, Nick Sarro-Waite ’99, Katherine Scott Old ’99, Dan Buell ’99, and Kelly Sheridan Florentino ’99
Lauren (Washychyn) Greig ’00, in the green shirt, running in the Boston Marathon
Dr. Purvi Parikh is finishing her residency in Internal Medicine at the prestigious Cleveland Clinic in Ohio. She is going to be pursuing a further specialization in Allergy, Immunology and Rheumatology in July 2011 at Montefiore-Einstein Medical Center in New York. She was recently awarded the resident research award for her work on H1N1 and asthma by the American Thoracic Society. Jeff Roos is engaged to be married to Elizabeth Vesely in September 2010 in New Jersey. Nicole Scillia is working for a criminal judge in Newark, N.J. She is having a wonderful experience and highly recommends doing a clerkship after law school. James Skiba recently graduated from medical school and is doing his residency at the University of Michigan.
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2001
the pingry review
Army Reserve Private Keri Brown has graduated from Basic Combat Training at Fort Sill in Lawton, Oklahoma. Her job training took place at Fort Bragg in North Carolina. Jon DeCola was Pingry’s first guest curator for an exhibit in the Hostetter Arts Center Gallery when he assembled a show in April 2010 that showcased young artists from New York. Three of his works were included. Jon lives in New York and is pursuing a career as a photographer.
Daniel Scher ’02 and Lauren Jacobwitz
Jonathan Jacobs graduated in May 2010 from Fordham University School of Law with an LL.M. in International Law and Justice. This follows the J.D. he earned in 2008 from Boston University School of Law. WEDDINGS Margaret Kelleher married Gavin Millard on December 5, 2009. Ellis Kelleher ’04, Erin Murphy, and Hannah Bloom were all in the bridal party. Also in attendance were Kevin Kurylak ’05 and current Pingry faculty members Laura Mila, Kristine Spano, Susan Forrester P ’96, and Pat Egan. Margaret and Gavin live in Somerville, N.J. Margaret continues to teach Latin in the Pingry Middle School.
2002
Proud father Mark Scher sent in news that Daniel Jonathan Scher and Lauren Michelle Jacobwitz were to be married at Pleasantdale Chateau in West Orange, NJ on June 25, 2010. Daniel graduated from Cornell with a degree in biology and is a medical student
at Georgetown University. He will receive his M.D. degree in May 2011. Lauren graduated from Newark Academy and received her undergraduate degree in neuroscience and behavioral biology from Emory. She is a research assistant at the Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center at Georgetown University, where she works on Ewing’s Sarcoma research and drug development. She will be attending medical school at Georgetown beginning in August 2010. Lauren and Danny were introduced by their mutual friend Jessica Magidson—one of Lauren’s bridesmaids. Daniel honored his Pingry friends by selecting Adam Sandelovsky and Matthew Strangfeld as his best men and Ian Halvorsen, Travis Lan, and Michael Hilzenrath as his groomsmen.
2003
Sonia Alam graduated in May 2010 from Columbia University with an M.P.H. in Sociomedical Sciences and moved to the San Francisco Bay Area in June to start her Ph.D. in Medical Sociology
at UCSF. Sonia wrote: “I am thrilled to be moving to the West Coast and excited to begin my doctoral studies. I intend to teach masculinity studies and medical sociology to undergraduates upon completion of my degree.” David Cronheim wrote: “I graduated from Cornell Law School in May 2010. In July, I sat for the Florida and New Jersey Bar Exams, and I will join the firm of Norris, McLaughlin & Marcus in September. During the winter months, I am the North American Resorts and Destinations Editor for www.Ultimate-Ski. com, the largest snowsports web site in England.” Marisa Fershing just graduated from Stanford Law School and is now studying for the California Bar Exam. She will begin a new position at Milbank Tweed in January 2011.
2004
Marissa Drell just graduated from Brandeis University with an M.A. in social/ developmental psychology.
Jodie Francis ’06
the music industry. She is also looking to expand upon her independent work in photography and design, and she is confident that her experience working for the New Brunswick Office of Information Technology and interning at Atlantic Records and Warner Music Group will help her toward reaching these goals!
Jason Levinn ’04 with his parents Steven and Karen and sister Sarah Levinn ’07
Jill Kehoe wrote: “I still love teaching science and coaching JV girls’ soccer and softball at Pingry. I had a great time at the annual Pingry Golf Outing on June 14, and I plan to practice a lot this summer (when I’m not visiting my new nephew, Sean Michael Kehoe).” Katie Lawrence is still working at Barclays in rates sales. She ran the Disney Marathon in January 2010 and will be running the New York City Marathon in November 2010.
Andrew Werner’s architectural design work was featured in the “Pingry Alumni Art Exhibition: The Architecture Show” that was held in the Hostetter Arts Center Gallery (see article on page 46). Since graduating from Carnegie Mellon University, he has been back at work as a Junior Designer at Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates (KPF) in New
2005
Becky Ng graduated from the University of Michigan with a B.A. in Sociology and minor in Spanish. She is working as a research assistant and wet lab manager for two laboratories at the Institute for Social Research in Ann Arbor, Michigan. She will be attending Emory University for her Master’s in Public Health in the fall of 2010. Sarah Tarplin will be attending the Georgetown University School of Medicine as a member of their class of 2014.
2006
Jonathan Bregman wrote: “I graduated from Yale with a degree in Ethics, Politics & Economics and celebrated the waning ‘unbearable lightness’ of a student’s lifestyle with a summer’s trek through Europe. In May 2010, the Yale Symphony Orchestra—for which I served as principal violist—was invited to Turkey to perform a concert
Tommy Strackhouse graduated from Boston University in May 2010 and planned to play soccer in Switzerland.
Jonathan Bregman ’06
series with famed pianist Idil Biret. I will be moving to New York City to accept a position with Goldman Sachs in their Investment Banking Division and to pursue amateur studies in classical music on weekends.” Jodie Francis recently graduated cum laude from Rutgers University with a B.A. in psychology and minors in music and cognitive science. She is heading to North Carolina to pursue an M.A. in Management from Wake Forest University. She hopes to return to the Northeast with a fresh, perhaps more Southern, perspective and to seek a position in either the technological field or
Jeremy Teicher graduated cum laude from Dartmouth College in June 2010. He was awarded the Lombard Public Service Fellowship and is now living in Senegal where he’s working to produce a series of short documentaries on female education and empowerment. These films, meant for use as inspirational tools, will focus on a group of young women who have successfully overcome the social and economic barriers to complete their high school educations. Jeremy has been working closely with the Women’s Health Education and Prevention Strategic Alliance on this project and divides his time between Dakar, Senegal (for filming) and Hanover, New Hampshire (for research and editing). Before he graduated from Dartmouth, Jeremy wrote and directed Foursquare Day, a short comedy film
65 summer 2010
Jason Levinn recently received his Masters in Environmental Management from Duke University’s Nicholas School of the Environment and will be starting work as a consultant at Booz Allen Hamilton in Washington, D.C., working on contracts with the Department of Energy and the General Services Administration.
York. Andrew first joined KPF during his senior year ISP at Pingry and has been with the firm ever since.
set in Grade 5 with a cast of nearly 20 young actors. Jeremy majored in English and Film and minored in Theater. After the Fellowship ends, Jeremy hopes to return to the more narrative side of film and continue to make music videos, short films, and hopefully—partnered with Max Cooper ’06—direct his first feature. Jeremy and Max look forward to heading west to try to make it big in Los Angeles. Rob Tilson graduated from Boston College in May 2010. He traveled in Europe with some Pingry friends before starting his new job at Gabelli Asset Management (GAMCO) at the end of June.
2007
Caitlin Demkin spent the fall semester of her junior year studying in Rome. Upon returning to Amherst College, Caitlin completed her third season playing squash for the Lord Jeffs. Caitlin was named a 2009-2010 Scholar-Athlete by the Women’s College Squash Association, and she has also received 2009-2010 NESCAC (New England Small College Athletic Conference) Winter All Academic Honors. Caitlin’s coach, Tom Carmean, has called her a “fiery competitor,” and she has helped the Amherst women’s squash team earn a ranking of 13th in the nation for the 2009-2010 season. 66 the pingry review
Caroline Kwon, a rising senior at Wellesley College, ran her first Boston Marathon on April 19, 2010.
2008
Hallie Bianco had a great time in Rome this summer studying archeology and ancient history with 25 classmates from The College of the Holy Cross. Martha Gross, a rising junior at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, competed in the NCAA Division III Championships in Berea, Ohio on May 27-29, 2010, and achieved her second All American status with a second-place showing in the 4x400 meter relay. She completed her leg in a personalbest time of 56.4 seconds. Eric Hynes wrote: “It was great coaching alongside Miller Bugliari ’52, Grant Schonberg, and Matt Fechter ’09 at the Pingry soccer camp in June. Coach Bugliari brought in some great trainers to coach the players. The team is definitely going to have a great season this fall, led by Matt Sheeleigh ’11 and Randy Falk ’11. I’m entering my junior year at Gettysburg College, and I am very excited to have Andrew LaFontaine ’10 joining the team. I will also be studying abroad in Australia in the spring of 2011.” Caroline Pinke is now the president of the Princeton Figure Skating Club, and she performed in their spring skating show on April 23, 2010. Darina Shtrakhman, a rising junior at the University of Pennsylvania, received The John Thouron Prize and studied at Pembroke College,
Cambridge University for eight weeks this summer. The prize, awarded to a total of nine undergraduate students from Harvard, Yale, and Penn, is designed to give students an understanding of shared and differing aspects of British and American culture. Darina is also the Campus News Editor for The Daily Pennsylvanian, Penn’s student newspaper. Sarah Strackhouse, a rising junior at Lehigh University and a member of the women’s soccer team, is a new sports writer for the university’s student-run newspaper, The Brown and White. On March 23, 2010, she published an article about that day’s game between Lehigh’s men’s lacrosse team and the Army Black Knights. The article included an interview with Lehigh’s team captain, Richard Bradley ’07. Jessica Westerman, a rising junior at Princeton University, is majoring in English with a minor in American Studies. She is the project coordinator for Princeton Young Achievers, an after-school tutoring program for underprivileged elementary-aged children at the Pannell Center in Princeton Township. She was appointed to the position after volunteering with the program for a year. She schedules student tutors’ daily visits to Pannell and joins them once each week to help the children with homework, studying, and enrichment.
2009
Caroline Albanese and Katherine Sheeleigh ’07 are members of the Harvard women’s soccer team, winners of the 2009 Ivy League Championship. Will Stamatis wrote: “College was great this year! New York City is an amazing place to go to school, and I ended the year by going to the other Colombia (the country). I’m (as usual) playing soccer this summer for two teams, the CJ Spartans and PDA Cruyff. The soccer camp went really well. I coached alongside my current college coach, Kevin Anderson, and had a great time. There is a lot of talent in the current Pingry soccer team—the boys below me have greatly matured both as players and people, and there are some very skilled new members as well.”
ClassNotes Share your news! Email your notes and photos to Associate Director of Alumni Relations and Annual Giving Kristen Tinson at ktinson@pingry.org, or mail them to Kristen atThe Pingry School, P.O. Box 366, Martinsville Road, Martinsville, NJ 08836.
[ in memoriam ] Macdonald Halsey ’36
George W. Wilmot III ’42
Peter Boles O’Brien ’56
March 23, 2010, age 91, Bedford, Mass.
January 11, 2010, age 87, Jensen Beach, Fla.
March 3, 2010, age 73, Greenwich, Conn.
Mr. Halsey graduated from Princeton University and later served as a Lieutenant in the U.S. Navy. He served as the fifth Head of School at Kent Place School in Summit, N.J. from 1965 to 1980, and he served a term as President of the New Jersey Association of Independent Schools. Survivors include his son Woodruff and daughter Comfort.
Mr. Wilmot, who served in the U.S. Coast Guard during World War II, was a landscape contractor and owned Spooky Brook Herbary in East Millstone, N.J. Survivors include his wife of 28 years, Laverne, daughters Marna and Amy, and sons Robert, Arthur, and G. William.
Mr. O’Brien is survived by his wife of 51 years, Gayle, their four children Timothy, Kerrie, Laurie, and Peter, Jr., and 10 grandchildren.
Henry Melville Hicks, Jr. ’48 April 30, 2010, age 80, Larchmont, N.Y.
Harvey Leland Bryant ’40 November 16, 2002, age 82, Pelsor, Ark.
Martin J. Corcoran, Jr. ’40 May 22, 2004, age 82, Tyler, Tex.
Mr. Corcoran attended Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and Lehigh University, where he received a B.S. in engineering. He served in the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers from 1942 to 1946 and then worked as an engineer for Texas Instruments. Survivors include his wife Betty and daughter Marcia.
Dr. Myles C. Morrison, Jr. ’41 April 5, 2010, age 86, Hackettstown, N.J.
Richard Wagner Ley ’48 March 31, 2010, age 80, Portland, Ore.
Mr. Ley served in the U.S. Army from 1951 to 1953, attended San José State University, and worked first in sales and then for over 30 years in real estate. Survivors include his wife Pat, brothers Darwin and Robert, and eight children, John, Colleen, Suzanne, Teresa, Harris, Tim, Jeff, and Terry.
Robert E. Randall ’50 February 21, 2010, age 77, Tampa, Fla.
Mr. Randall is survived by his brother, sons, daughters, and several grandchildren.
February 20, 2010, age 67, Clayton, N.Y.
Mr. Foster graduated from Colgate University and received an M.B.A. from Boston University. He also served in the U.S. Navy. In addition to his career as a financial consultant, he served as Chair of the Board of Trustees of Clarkson University and served on the boards of many foundations and task forces. In 2008, he was inducted into Pingry’s Athletics Hall of Fame as a member of the 1958 Golf Team. Survivors include his wife Judith, brother Henry, sister Susan, son Benjamin, and daughter Katharine.
James Mergott ’65 April 15, 2008, age 61, Spicer, Minn.
Mr. Mergott graduated from Lawrence University with a B.A. in religion. He taught civics and sociology and coached football at Helena Senior High School, then spent almost 30 years as an executive with Sears. Survivors include his wife of 39 years, Taya, brother Wayne, sister Jan, and sons Dustin and Jason.
67 summer 2010
Dr. Morrison attended Princeton University and earned his M.D. degree at the University of Rochester. He also served as a Lieutenant in the U.S. Navy Reserve. From 1954 to 2009, he was affiliated with Morristown Memorial Hospital, including serving as Chair of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Survivors include his wife of 59 years, Pat, and five children.
Mr. Hicks graduated from Washington and Lee University and received his law degree from New York University. A veteran of the Korean War, he served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1952 to 1956. He spent his career as an attorney in Manhattan. Survivors include his daughter Ruthmarie and sister Gail.
Everett G. “Rett” Foster ’60
[ dictum ultimum ] By John Green ’60 At last, the long-anticipated weekend had arrived. For the Class of 1960, our 50th Reunion was upon us. Since graduating from the Hillside Campus, I had often thought about this event, particularly as I read in The Pingry Review of other classes returning to campus. Foremost in my mind was the anticipation of seeing classmates, some of whom I had not seen since that June evening. How much had they changed? What professions had they chosen? These were only two of the questions that I pondered as I drove to New Jersey from my home in Washington, D.C.
68 the pingry review
The breakfast on Friday was an ideal format to meet returning old Blues, beginning two days of reminiscing and embellishing stories from classrooms and athletic fields. I think most of my classmates would agree that, despite the graying or loss of hair and the addition of a few pounds, there was little difficulty in identifying one another. I was pleased to see how many spouses joined their husbands in our festivities. In addition to adding to our knowledge of how our classmates spent the last 50 years, they proved to be “good sports,” enduring endless tales of their spouses’ teenage years. Friday’s events also allowed us to attend classes and to recognize that girls are a vital part of today’s Pingry. We were also amazed by the facilities and resources that are available for today’s students. Having embarked on a second career teaching sixthgrade students, I was fascinated as
John Green ’60 with his pen pals in the classroom of Latin faculty member Margaret Kelleher ’01
I witnessed how Middle and Upper School teachers engaged and challenged their students. Many of the tales that were told involved our former teachers—men like Albie Booth, Herbert Hahn, Ernie “The Shark” Shawcross, Tony “The Count” du Bourg, and Mr. Les. While we were saddened that so many of these men had passed away and could not share this event with us, our senior class was blessed as the first year of teaching and coaching by the one and only Miller Bugliari ’52. Each of us who went on our senior trip to Bermuda recalls the “guidance” that Miller furnished on this memorable excursion. We were grateful for his presence at a number of events at our reunion and continue to marvel at his memory of our shared experiences. Several members of the Class of l961, who will celebrate their 50th Reunion next year, joined us at our class party at the Beacon Hill Club. They have
invited us to join them for their celebration next May. On behalf of my classmates, I want to extend our gratitude to those individuals who helped make this special weekend possible. First, many thanks are due to Jeff Ruddy ’60 and Carl Haines ’60 for their tireless efforts to coordinate and organize all the events. We also want to thank the staff of the Alumni and Development Office—particularly Kristen Tinson—the Alumni Association, Headmaster Nat Conard, and Pingry’s faculty, staff, and students. We are sorry that several members of our class were unable to attend our 50th Reunion. They were truly missed, and we earnestly hope that they will be able to join us in May 2020 for our 60th Reunion. In the meantime, I look forward to spending more time with my Pingry classmates, renewing our friendships, and reliving some of the memorable experiences we share from our past.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . SAVE THE DATE Friday, May 13, 2011 Sesquicentennial Kick-Off Celebration during Reunion Weekend 2011 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
pingry alumni
September 11, 2010
December 2, 2010
9:00 a.m. Miller Bugliari ’52 World Cup Field Martinsville Campus
7:00 p.m. Session 73
Alumnae Soccer Game
Alumni Soccer Game
calendar of upcoming eventsl
11:00 a.m. Miller Bugliari ’52 World Cup Field Martinsville Campus
September 30, 2010
Young Alumni Holiday Party
December 18, 2010
Alumni/ae Squash Game 1:00 p.m. Drew University
Alumnae Networking Reception
January 20, 2011
October 9, 2010
March 6, 2011
Time and Location TBA
Homecoming
12:30 p.m. Martinsville Campus
October 27, 2010
Washington, D.C. College Luncheon 12:00 p.m. Clyde’s of Georgetown
Washington, D.C. Reception
New York City Reception Time and Location TBA
Naples Reception
Time and Location TBA
March 7, 2011
Delray Beach Reception Time and Location TBA
March 8, 2011
Vero Beach Reception Time and Location TBA
6:30 p.m. Cosmos Club
November 26, 2010
Alumni/ae Ice Hockey Game
Alumni Class Notes Send us your latest news!
8:00 p.m. Beacon Hill Club
Do you have a new job? New baby? Just married? Recently moved? Or any updates to share with your classmates? We are collecting class notes and photos for the next issue of The Pingry Review. Mail them to Kristen Tinson at The Pingry School, P.O. Box 366, Martinsville Road, Martinsville, NJ 08836 or email them to Kristen at ktinson@pingry.org. For more information about News and Events, please visit www.pingry.org/alumni/newsevents.html.
Find us on Facebook! *Profile name is John Pingry TM
Follow us on Twitter! *Handle is @PingryAlumni
Visit us online:
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dates are subject to change. Check www.pingry.org for any updates.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . For volunteer opportunities or any additional questions: Contact for the ’30s and ’40s
Jackie Sullivan Director of Alumni Relations and Annual Giving jsullivan@pingry.org Contact for the ’50s and ’60s Kristen Tinson Associate Director of Alumni Relations and Annual Giving ktinson@pingry.org Contact for the ’70s and ’80s Brooke Alper Associate Director of Alumni Relations and Annual Giving balper@pingry.org Contact for the ’90s and ’00s Laura Stoffel Assistant Director of Alumni Relations and Annual Giving lstoffel@pingry.org Or call the Alumni and Development Office at 800-994-ALUM (2586).
www.pingry.org
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Save The Date
Homecoming October 9, 2010
Join us! Homecoming at the Martinsville Campus. Visit www.pingry.org for more information.