Pingry Review, December 2014 by The Pingry School

ANNOUNCING THE CAMPAIGN! MEET THE CHALLENGE

$1 Million Athletics Center Challenge • $2.5 Million Leadership Challenge • Squash Challenge THE FUTURE OF LOWER SCHOOL MODERNIZATION

MILLER REACHES 800TH WIN

NUTRITION FOR PINGRY ATHLETES

DAVID GELBER ’59 WINS EMMY

HOMECOMING

DECEMBER 2014

What Kicking-Off the Most Ambitious Fundraising Initiative in Pingry’s History Looks Like…

DECEMBER 2014

THE PINGRY REVIEW

THE PINGRY REVIEW 34 Marching for Climate Change Seven Pingry students participated in the People’s Climate March in Manhattan, which took place prior to the United Nation’s Climate Summit. Over 310,000 people from around the world marched to demand that world leaders take steps to combat climate change and other environmental issues.

35 Food for Thought Physical education teacher Doug Scott introduces students to the science of nutrition, enabling them to make informed decisions about food choices. In keeping with that initiative, SAGE Dining provides foods that are not only nutritious and made from scratch, but also are locally-sourced and organic when possible.

36 Six Senior Boys’ Lacrosse Players Aspire to Play in College The boys’ lacrosse team garnered headlines this fall with six seniors determined to play at the college level next year. That number is in keeping with the totals from 2010 and represents a proud tradition of Pingry producing college lacrosse players.

Announcing the Campaign! Pingry has launched the public phase of the largest fundraising initiative in School history, the $65 million Blueprint for the Future Campaign. It will benefit financial aid, athletics, professional growth for faculty, modernization of the Lower and Upper Schools, and The Pingry Fund.

42 David Gelber ’59 Explores Climate Change with Blockbuster-Style Filmmaking and Investigative Journalism Mr. Gelber is an Executive Producer of Years of Living Dangerously, a multi-year, multi-episode documentary about climate change. Featuring celebrities and journalists who travel the globe to explore the issue, Years won a Primetime Emmy for “Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Series.”

46 Plasma Research Earns Simone Moten ’14 a National Gold Medal This summer, Simone won a Gold Medal in Physics in the national competition of the 25th annual NAACP Afro-Academic, Cultural, Technological, and Scientific Olympics in Las Vegas. Simone worked on her project, involving plasma discharges within water, at the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory.

On the cover: The celebratory conclusion of the Campaign Kick-Off’s opening program on October 25. Departments

From the Headmaster . . . . 3 Philanthropy . . . . . . . . . 4 Scene Around Campus . . 22 Ask the Archivist . . . . . . 52 Class Notes . . . . . . . . . 53 In Memoriam . . . . . . . . 62 Closing Word . . . . . . . . 64 Alumni Calendar . . . . . . 65

School News

New Trustees . . . . . . . . 24 New Faculty and Staff . . . 26 New Positions . . . . . . . . 28 Summer Fellowships . . . 30

Sports

Big Blue Roundup . . . . . 36 College Student-Athletes . 38

Alumni News

Homecoming . . . . . . . . 39 Pingry in Print . . . . . . . . 47 Alumni Events . . . . . . . 48

DECEMBER 2014

Opening Shot Why are these students smiling? Probably because they are looking forward to the completion of Phase 1 of Lower School modernization!

Editor Greg Waxberg ’96 Communications Writer

Editorial Staff Melanie P. Hoffmann P ’20, ’27 Director of Institutional Advancement Rob Schur P ’25 Associate Director of Advancement Marisa Marks Director of Strategic Communications and Marketing David M. Fahey ’99 Director of Alumni Relations and Senior Major Gifts Officer for Athletics

Design and Layout Ruby Window Creative Group, Inc. www.rubywindow.com

Photography Peter Chollick Bruce Morrison ’64 Debbie Weisman

Administration, 2014-2015 Nathaniel E. Conard P ’09, ’11 Headmaster Theodore M. Corvino P ’94, ’97, ’02 Assistant Headmaster-Short Hills, Lower School Director Jonathan D. Leef P ’15, ’18 Assistant Headmaster-Basking Ridge Denise M. Brown-Allen P ’13 Upper School Director Philip Cox Middle School Director Olaf J. Weckesser P ’25 Chief Financial Officer and Director of Operations John W. Pratt Chief Operating Officer Allison C. Brunhouse ’00 Director of Admission and Enrollment Lydia B. Geacintov P ’84, ’88 Director of Studies Melanie P. Hoffmann P ’20, ’27 Director of Institutional Advancement Carter Marsh Abbott Director of Athletics Brian C. Burkhart Director of Educational and Information Technology

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. The editor tries to ensure the timeliness of each issue. Due to printing and production deadlines, this edition contains major events that happened by October 25, 2014. Occurrences after that date will be included in the next issue. Comments can be sent to the editor at The Pingry School, 131 Martinsville Road, Basking Ridge, NJ 07920 or gwaxberg@pingry.org.

THE PINGRY REVIEW

A LETTER FROM THE HEADMASTER

Dear Members of the Pingry Community The crowd sat hushed in Hauser Auditorium, captivated by spectacular aerial photographs of the Basking Ridge Campus streaming across an enormous screen above the stage. Suddenly, there was a tremendous thud accompanied by the sound of breaking glass, followed by the appearance of Miller Bugliari walking across the stage with a parachute trailing behind him, aviator’s goggles on his forehead, and a video camera tucked under his arm. And so was “launched” the public phase of Pingry’s Blueprint for the Future Campaign. Truth be told, there isn’t much that any of us—especially Miller—would not do for Pingry. The recent Campaign launch has brought into focus the enduring pride that our students, alumni, parents, grandparents, faculty, and staff have for the School. Countless members of the community have worked tirelessly to kick off the public phase of our largest fundraising effort to date. In the process, they have shared their own stories about what brought them here, and even more important, why they’ve stayed connected to Pingry. At the launch celebration, Campaign Co-Chair Kathy Hugin recalled that before her son left for college, he needed to stop by Pingry to say goodbye to a close friend. The friend turned out to be one of his teachers. Kathy’s son is not alone in feeling grateful to a faculty member who has mentored him and shaped his life at Pingry and beyond. Our current Campaign is aimed at ensuring that future generations are afforded this same opportunity: to learn and grow in a supportive educational environment, guided by caring faculty members and coaches who teach perseverance and humility as much as knowledge and skills. Members of Pingry’s community understand the value of an education that emphasizes intellectual engagement, honor and character, inclusion and diversity, and stewardship and sustainability. We believe in, and are proud of, a school that prepares students to be better people and global citizens. It therefore is not surprising, but nonetheless impressive, that we have already raised $44.9 million—just shy of 70%—toward our overall $65 million Campaign goal. Indeed, we have achieved great momentum, but there remains much more to be done. If we are truly going to be able to continue to offer an unparalleled education to students for years to come, and if we are going to fulfill our aspirations for the future, we must stay in keeping with the tradition of continuous improvement that has guided us for 153 years. Pingry, as we know, is not a school that rests on its laurels. As we charge ahead at full speed toward the successful culmination of the Campaign in 2016, we also must remember that the number is not the most important goal before us; rather, it is what the $65 million will do for Pingry that is the true driver of our efforts. It will enable students to form lasting bonds with teachers in a modern learning environment designed around how students learn best. It will build facilities that help our young athletes to develop and achieve their fullest potential. It will open our doors to the best and brightest students, regardless of their financial means. And finally, reaching our goal will enable the School to keep doing, each day, the myriad impactful things that make the Pingry experience possible. This issue of The Pingry Review is dedicated to sharing our vision and our plan for the future of this exemplary institution. Although I am not suggesting that you don a parachute and fly around Campus to show your dedication to Pingry, I do encourage you to read through the pages of this magazine to learn about the many exciting improvements that are already underway and become inspired by what is yet to come. I hope that you will join us in making our aspirations a reality.

If we are truly going to be able to continue to offer an unparalleled education to students for years to come, and if we are going to fulfill our aspirations for the future, we must stay in keeping with the tradition of continuous improvement that has guided us for 153 years.

Sincerely,

Nathaniel E. Conard P ’09, ’11 DECEMBER 2014

BLUEPRINT FOR THE FUTURE

THE CAMPAIGN FOR PINGRY OUR VISION Tomorrow is ours to shape. Today’s Pingry students, as well as those to come, deserve a plan that considers the evolution of educational needs and takes the necessary steps to meet them. With that in mind, we have given careful thought to shaping the educational experience for the next generation of Pingry students, and to what we must do to deliver that experience. We are pleased to announce that we are making this vision a reality: on October 25, we launched our Blueprint for the Future, a capital campaign for $65 million.

DEVELOPING THE BLUEPRINT The 2007 Strategic Plan guided Pingry in creating the plan for the Campaign goals: modernization of both the Lower School and Upper School Campuses, enhancements to our athletics facilities—including a new Athletics Center—increase in funds for financial aid and faculty development, and support for The Pingry Fund to ensure there are enough funds to manage the Schools immediate operating expenses. Along with the Strategic Plan, Pingry’s extensive Curriculum Review and an in-depth feasibility study within the Pingry community influenced our Campaign objectives. Pingry’s Board of Trustees, entrusted with maintaining our institution’s stature as one of the premier independent schools in the nation, resolved to meet these priorities. The steps to achieving these goals—Pingry’s Blueprint for the Future—are outlined on the following pages.

“We are all beneficiaries of the past generosity of the many individual, families, and foundations who have contributed to creating this unique institution. It is now our task to honor that past generosity by carrying it forward so that Pingry will remain the gold standard for independent school education.” - Steve Newhouse ’65, P ’95, ’97, ’99, Trustee and Campaign Co-Chair

THE PINGRY REVIEW

Dear Pingry Friends, The most significant fundraising campaign in Pingry’s history has just been launched: Blueprint for the Future, and we are pleased to announce that we have raised $44.4 million toward our $65 million goal. We are also pleased to share some very exciting news: a group of donors has pledged to match every new Campaign gift or pledge, dollar-for-dollar, over the next six months, up to $2.5 million. This match will include gifts to all Campaign objectives, including any new or increased Pingry Fund gifts. Additionally, another anonymous donor has offered to designate up to $1 million to match, dollar-for-dollar, all new gifts and pledges for The Miller A. Bugliari ’52 Athletics Center between October 25 and December 31, 2014. These challenges mean that any new gift and pledge to the Campaign will automatically be doubled! While we have made great progress toward our fundraising goals, we still have $20.6 million left to raise. We need the support of the entire Pingry community to reach the $65 million goal which will fund some critical initiatives which stem from Pingry’s Strategic Plan including: faculty support and development, modernization of both campuses, endowment for financial aid, enhanced athletics facilities, including The Miller A. Bugliari ’52 Athletics Center, and strengthening The Pingry Fund. Whether we attended Pingry ourselves or have seen our children or grandchildren grow and thrive at the School, we are all beneficiaries of the past generosity of the many individuals, families, and foundations who have contributed to creating this unique institution. It is now our task to honor that past generosity by carrying it forward so that Pingry will remain the gold standard for independent school education. For information about the Campaign, we invite you to visit our new Campaign website: blueprint.pingry.org. Here, you will find Campaign priorities, ways to give, event information, donor stories, and our fundraising progress. We hope you will check in regularly, as this Campaign is truly an historic and inspirational occasion for Pingry. Of course, you may also contact Pingry’s Institutional Advancement Office at: (908) 647-7058, or email them anytime at: blueprint@pingry.org. We hope you will support the Blueprint for the Future: The Campaign for Pingry, and become one of the architects of the future—a future in which a Pingry education retains its exceptional and enduring standards of excellence. Please join us in our efforts to realize our vision for the future of The Pingry School. With our sincere best wishes,

Stephan F. Newhouse ’65, P ’95, ’97, ’99 Member, Board of Trustees Campaign Co-Chair

Kathleen M. Hugin P ’11, ’13 Member, Board of Trustees Campaign Co-Chair

DECEMBER 2014

MEET THE CHALLENGE Several generous donors are offering matching challenge grants to help Pingry move closer to its $65 million Campaign goal. “This is exciting news because it means that, together, we can get closer to our ultimate goal faster, and make the needed changes and improvements and financial aid a reality sooner rather than later,” Trustee and Campaign Co-Chair Steve Newhouse ’65, P ’95, ’97, ’99 said at the Kick-Off.

$2.5 MILLION LEADERSHIP CHALLENGE * A group of donors has pledged to match every new Campaign gift or pledge, dollar-for-dollar, up to $2.5 million (check blueprint.pingry.org for details and deadline information). This match will include every new gift or pledge received toward a Campaign objective. Additionally, new donors and increased gifts to The Pingry Fund will also be matched. IT’S YOUR CHOICE... Faculty Support Endowment Financial Aid Endowment Lower School Modernization Upper School Modernization Athletics Facilities The Pingry Fund To make a gift: blueprint.pingry.org.

*New gifts or pledges to the Campaign will be matched by one of these two challenges, but not both. 6

THE PINGRY REVIEW

The Miller A. Bugliari ’52 Athletics Center

$1 MILLION ATHLETICS CENTER CHALLENGE*

An anonymous donor has agreed to designate up to $1 million to match, dollar-for-dollar, all new gifts and pledges for The Miller A. Bugliari ’52 Athletics Center received since October 25, 2014 (check blueprint.pingry.org for deadline information and qualifying details). If this challenge is met, we will have $7 million of the $8 million (80% of total goal) in commitments needed to break ground on the new facility. *New gifts or pledges to the Campaign will be matched by one of these two challenges, but not both.

SQUASH CHALLENGE

“Squash started out as an idea, then a club, and then an official team at Pingry. Now, two Pingry students, Sam Scherl ’17 and Lindsay Stanley ’16, have been selected to compete in the upcoming British Open Junior Squash Championships as part of the U.S. Team! Squash at Pingry has come a long way. We know there are many of you who, like us, believe in the value of playing squash and the benefits it affords our children. That’s why we need courts here on campus. To this end, we are offering a special challenge.” - Terence and Polly O’Toole P ’05, ’08 The O’Toole Family will match dollar-for-dollar, up to $500,000, all new gifts and pledges toward the squash courts received by December 31, 2015 (check blueprint.pingry.org for details). The School has received over $300,000 in donations to date toward this challenge, and needs to raise another $170,000 in order to reach $500,000. Please consider making a gift to help bring squash courts to Pingry!

These challenges mean that any new gift and pledge to the Campaign will automatically be doubled! For more information, please visit blueprint.pingry.org. To learn more about naming opportunities, please refer to “Ways to Give.”

DECEMBER 2014

A COMPETITIVE EDGE

$14.4 MILLION TO IMPROVE THE ATHLETICS FACILITIES By creating a state-of-the-art Athletics Center, as well as making improvements to other athletics facilities, we will enable our student-athletes to realize their athletic and competitive potential. From its early days, Pingry has placed a high value on participation in athletics as an important component in the development of each student and its educational mission. Athletics teach invaluable life lessons, impart leadership skills, form the basis of enduring friendships, and promote school spirit. Competing on a team contributes to the development of character, teamwork, resilience, integrity, and commitment. Pingry continues to seek ways to give its students meaningful sports opportunities, regardless of ability. What would make this commitment possible is the availability of suitable indoor and outdoor athletics facilities for team sports, recreation, and physical fitness. Facilities on the Basking Ridge Campus that were once considered exceptional are showing signs of wear-and-tear after more than a quarter-century of continuous use. The Basking Ridge Campus serves more than 800 Middle and Upper school students and provides competitive athletic opportunities for more than 85% of the Upper School student body. The lack of adequate facilities has meant that caps must be placed on student participation in certain sports. Teams also vie with one another for practice and instructional time and space. For example, Pingry’s highly-ranked squash team is required to practice and play at an off-campus location 18 miles away and to limit the roster, despite great demand. The restraints placed on athletics, recreational, and fitness programs must be addressed if Pingry is to demonstrate that athletics are an integral part of the educational experience.

EVOLUTION OF ATHLETICS Over the past 25 years, athletics have changed dramatically at independent day schools. While broad participation remains a key goal for Pingry’s athletics program, creating and sustaining winning teams is also a priority. A reputation for athletic success helps retain student-athletes, enhances college admission results, and builds school spirit within the Pingry community. Pingry’s best student-athletes are often heavily recruited by rival day and boarding schools, which highlight their stellar athletics facilities. In addition, many prospective families make enrollment decisions based on their child’s chances for success on a specific sports team, and many athletes seek to gain an edge in the highlycompetitive college recruiting process through sports. “In today’s hyper-competitive college world, Pingry’s student-athletes stand out,” says Tim Lear ’92, Director of College Counseling, English teacher, and boys’ cross country assistant coach. “They possess the work ethic and leadership skills to contribute to teams at every level. To help this continue, we need our facilities to match and help our student-athletes to realize their potential.” As detailed in the Blueprint for the Future Campaign, Pingry seeks to provide its students with state-of-the-art resources that will allow them to maximize their talents and reach their full potential. The new Athletics Center will enable Pingry student-athletes to be successful in today’s competitive world of middle and high school sports and to continue the winning tradition of Pingry athletics.

In the past two years, 55 of our seniors (26% of Pingry’s senior student-athletes) have gone on to play at Division I or Division III schools—a testament to the commitment of our athletes and coaches.

THE PINGRY REVIEW

$10 MILLION FOR THE MILLER A. BUGLIARI ’52 ATHLETICS CENTER The new state-of-the-art Athletics Center will serve as the centerpiece of Pingry athletics. The 44,000-square-foot facility will reflect the true importance of athletics to the Pingry experience. Upon entering, visitors will be inspired by the Athletics Hall of Fame, which will showcase the proud heritage of Pingry sports and the accomplishments of its acclaimed athletes and coaches. The Sports Arena (two 9,740-square-foot contiguous gymnasiums) is configurable for physical education, practice, and competition for numerous sports year-round and is especially beneficial during inclement weather. The Strength and Conditioning Center, squash courts, locker rooms, and coaches’ offices make this space equivalent to some college-level facilities in terms of equipment and available offerings.

STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING CENTER The new 4,500-square-foot Strength and Conditioning Center is more than double its current size, providing an atmosphere conducive to training multiple teams at the same time. With Pingry’s focus on preventative sports medicine, this means more teams will have access to progressive exercise for the purpose of injury prevention then ever before. Our current equipment inventory will almost double to include neck machines (for reducing concussive forces), lower body and midsection machines, upper body pieces, and over 10,000 pounds of free weights. Our cardiovascular section will include high-speed treadmills, ARC Trainers, and bikes. A multi-use space will include wall-mounted dip bars, chin-up bars, as well as a portable dumbbell rack providing another training alternative for our in-season athletes. The open floor plan will allow the student-athlete to perform running and agility drills during the winter off-season, which is currently not possible, and during the summer months the temperature-controlled environment will allow for gradually acclimatizing the student to the heat and humidity while still providing a solid running workout, so they are better prepared for the demands of August pre-season. There is also a plan for adding spin bikes and rowers to this open space to be used as interval workout devices for athletes who are injured and cannot run. With our goal to better “prepare and protect” our athletes for the sports they play, this center and the offerings it will provide will be like no other.

BENEFITS OF THE ATHLETICS CENTER

IN THE COACHES’ WORDS FOOTBALL

The weight room will be a dynamic place to train and allow strength and football coaches to work together. Increased strength leads to confidence, and confidence leads to greater success on the field. – Chris Shilts

SOCCER

Thanks to the weight room, both the boys and girls teams will benefit from strength and agility training as well as injury prevention. The Sports Arena offers a huge area for off-season work and team meetings. – Miller Bugliari ’52

BASKETBALL

Currently, the girls and boys Middle School and varsity basketball teams, varsity wrestling, and fencing all share the Bristol and Hyde and Watson Gymnasiums, creating less practice time and scheduling problems for home games. The Sports Arena inside the Athletics Center will maximize space and time for our games, a huge benefit. – Jason Murdock

SQUASH

Our teams compete against schools with squash traditions dating back decades, and as the level of play has increased both locally and nationally, our limited court space and time have prevented us from reaching our full potential. The new Athletics Center will enable us to train better so we can continue to compete against the best programs in the country. With six courts right on campus, there is no limit to how far we will be able to go. – Ramsay Vehslage

BASEBALL

The new Center will allow us to integrate more kids into drills, recreate more game-like situations, and ultimately make better use of practice time. I am particularly excited to use the batting tunnels that will lower from the ceiling. Players will have an unobtrusive place to hit year-round. – Ted Corvino ’94

FENCING

The new athletics facility would allow the six squads of the boys and girls fencing teams to practice on an appropriate floor surface within one expansive space, enhancing team cohesiveness and camaraderie. – Ted Li

LACROSSE

The Strength and Conditioning Center will let the entire boys’ lacrosse team work out together, which is a great motivator, and we can get more done in a timely fashion. The Sports Arena will be able to fit both JV and Varsity teams, so everyone gets equal practice time. – Mike Webster

WRESTLING

Our team will have its own defined space in a state-of-the-art facility adjacent to the new fitness center...a dynamic atmosphere for training and competition. The Center will be a perfect home for a wrestling program that is raising the bar for itself. – Mark Facciani

DECEMBER 2014

FRIENDS OF MILLER Perhaps it was proximity that first led Miller A. Bugliari ’52 to Pingry. In the 1930s, the School was located in his hometown of Elizabeth. When his parents learned that Pingry gave its students individualized attention, they eagerly enrolled their two sons. Six-year-old Miller and his brother Joe embarked on the short commute to their new school, right next to their house. Years later, Pingry became his professional home, and his love for the school was evident in every role he filled. Miller became chair of Pingry’s science department, while his soccer acumen continued to grow. During his illustrious coaching career that continues to this day, he earned four “National Coach of the Year” awards, seven “New Jersey State Coach of the Year” awards, and membership in the New Jersey High School Hall of Fame and the National Soccer Hall of Fame. Currently, he also serves as Pingry’s Special Assistant to the Headmaster. Through all his successes, he has remained humble and devoted to academic life, always making sure students understand that schoolwork comes first. Through coaching, he has earned the respect and admiration of his student-athletes.

“Miller makes you feel there is a greater meaning to playing a sport, a sense of pride for the program,” said Andrew La Fontaine ’10. “It’s not about you; it’s about something that’s been here for a while, that’s been established throughout the years.” The opportunity to celebrate a living icon and perpetuate a legacy of excellence and honor does not come often. Help Pingry honor this special teacher, coach, department chair, alumnus, parent, grandparent, and friend who fosters a champion spirit and remains a beloved role model for all. As of the Campaign’s public launch, we have raised $5 million toward the $10 million goal for the new Athletics Center, and a special challenge to match $1 million (by December 31, 2014) would bring the total to $7 million. That means only $1 million is left before we can break ground on this spectacular project and $3 million to complete it. Donors who give $10,000 or more will be recognized on a plaque in the Center. To learn how you can double your impact to the Athletics Center, visit blueprint.pingry.org and click on the Meet the Challenge button on the top of the homepage. For naming opportunities, please click on “Ways to Give.”

THE SQUASH ANNEX While Pingry’s success in squash is phenomenal, the time has come to take the program to the next level. Last year, the boys’ varsity team was ranked eighth in the nation. It is worth noting that every team ranked ahead of Pingry has its own campus courts. Imagine if Pingry’s players had the chance to hit thousands of balls each week on its own courts. Competitive squash programs serve as fertile feeding grounds to the nation’s top colleges and universities. Many Pingry players have continued playing squash in college. Several have served as captains at schools such as Dartmouth, Penn, and Princeton. Squash courts on campus will enable Pingry to: create full varsity boys’ and girls’ teams; create full JV boys’ and girls’ teams; provide squash as a winter team option for students in Forms I and II as part of the Middle School athletics program; and provide access to squash for the entire Pingry community. Pingry’s Blueprint for the Future Campaign calls for the construction of a premier Squash Annex that will house six squash courts and a Squash Viewing and Reception Space, where teams can gather and spectators can watch matches. In addition, three squash viewing areas will provide stadium seating. Pingry Squash team members Sam Scherl ’17 and Lindsay Stanley ’16 have been selected to travel abroad with the U.S. Team to compete in the British Open Junior Squash Championships. The British Open is generally considered to be the “Wimbledon” of Squash. The event will be held January 2-6, 2015, in Manchester, England, and Sam and Lindsay will be competing in the Boys U17 and Girls U17 divisions, respectively. Lindsay Stanley ’16 and Sam Scherl ’17.

THE PINGRY REVIEW

$1 MILLION FOR THE FOOTBALL AND LACROSSE FIELD

A new synthetic turf field will create better playing conditions and infuse greater excitement into the football and lacrosse programs. It will also allow these teams to compete at a higher level by providing better playing conditions. With better drainage and no mud during inclement weather, turf provides a safer and more reliable surface for practices and competitions. Because turf is more durable than grass, it enables a longer practice season and grants more flexibility in planning sporting events. With the new field, more opportunities will exist for Pingry to host tournaments and championships. New goalposts and a scoreboard will also be included in the project. Already funded and completed is the construction of a new state-ofthe-art stadium, which includes stadium seating and a press box, creating a spectacular venue for games and tournaments.

$1.3 MILLION FOR THE TRACK

Pingry’s track needs to be high-performing to enable our student-athletes to reach their potential. Since the current track is more than 30 years old, it has surpassed its expected lifespan; continuous deterioration of the track’s surface has resulted in annual repairs and patching. A new track will benefit from the combination of new technology, new synthetic materials that are costeffective and durable, and new construction methods. The track will also perform better in poor-weather conditions. A new track will demonstrate to our athletes that the School fully supports them—in the words of cross country coach Matt Horesta, “Great facilities can inspire and motivate athletes to achieve their best and commit fully to the sport, and a new surface will set us up to continue Pingry’s strong track tradition.” Pingry’s entire track and field program will benefit from this construction. New jump and vaulting pits, an equipment storage unit, and a designated area for discus and shot put are all part of the plan.

$1.1 MILLION FOR THE TENNIS COURTS

For the past century, Pingry has been recognized for fielding one of the best tennis programs in the state. The boys’ tennis team won the 2014 NJSIAA Non-Public A State Championship and, in 2013, the girls’ team won its fourth consecutive state sectional title and the NJSIAA Non-Public A State Championship. “Pingry has championship tennis programs for both boys and girls, and it’s time to bring our tennis facilities up to that same championship caliber,” says Carter Marsh Abbott, Director of Athletics and Head Coach of the Girls’ Varsity Lacrosse Team. The existing 12 courts are more than 30 years old and have far surpassed their expected lifespan. Due to drainage issues, sections of the surface have become unplayable and need constant repair. Rebuilding the 12 courts with well-engineered drainage and high-quality materials will resolve these issues. Clearly, Pingry students have demonstrated a championship spirit. In return, Pingry’s tennis facilities must rise to the standard of its outstanding program. For more information, please visit blueprint.pingry.org. To learn more about naming opportunities, please refer to “Ways to Give.”

FUNDING PROGRESS

58.7%

as of November 30, 2014

FUNDING PROGRESS

as of November 30, 2014

FUNDING PROGRESS

as of November 30, 2014

34.2% 25.4%

Athletics Center

$5.8 million

Tennis Courts

$376,000

Football and Lacrosse Field, Stadium, and Track

$583,000

Charlotte ’87, and the lessons that would stay with their daughters for a lifetime. A stand-out football and lacrosse player at Dickinson College who ascended to positions of Board Chair and CEO in his professional career, John Stafford knew the imporA new gift toward the constructance of combining intellectual tion of our football and lacrosse engagement with the characterfield comes with a long history. and leadership-building impact of More than 30 years ago, John and athletics. Witnessing his daughters’ Inge Stafford recognized the experiences participating and exceptional opportunities Pingry competing on the playing fields could offer their daughters Jenof Pingry, John developed deep nifer ’82, Christina ’85, and appreciation for how this aspect

of their education taught them the values of sportsmanship, hard work, grit, loyalty, and perseverance—all of which translate to success in ones’ career as much as they do in athletic competition. Because of the lasting impact Pingry made on John and his family, John made an equally enduring commitment to the School through a generous bequest in his estate plan. Like his daughters, future student athletes will not only be challenged and grow intellectually at Pingry, but they also will come to know the lessons

intrinsic in picking themselves up after defeat, working hard, and coming back to win another day.

“My Dad had a life-long passion for sports. He often told me how his time on the field, court, diamond, or golf course applied to his philosophy and enjoyment of life. Putting my Dad’s gift toward the new football and lacrosse field is a fitting way to honor who he was, how he lived, and how he felt about Pingry.” -Jennifer Stafford Farrow ’82

DECEMBER 2014

AN ENHANCED LEARNING ENVIRONMENT

$3 MILLION TO MODERNIZE THE LOWER SCHOOL When you walk into the Lower School, you see walls lined with an array of artwork, a large open dining room, and classrooms filled with Chromebooks, SMART Boards, and engaged children raising their hands to answer questions or offer opinions. So, why change something that seems to be working so well? The short answer is that how students learn today has evolved over the years, so their environment must also evolve to enhance their learning experience. That is why the goal of modernizing our Lower School (built in 1961) to facilitate project-based learning and collaboration is critical to complete. “Our building plans are a direct response to current pedagogical research,” says Lower School Director Ted Corvino P ‘94, ‘97, ‘02. “More than just physical classroom space, this modernization project will provide additional opportunities for our community to thrive through innovative teaching, hands-on learning, and genuine collaboration. Every student at Pingry will benefit from these reconfigured spaces.” Mr. Corvino’s 40-plus years at the Lower School have given him the insight to guide many design decisions during the renovation. With Phase 1 nearly complete, Phase 2 will provide the ideal opportunity to honor Mr. Corvino’s years of service as a Pingry administrator, teacher, coach, and parent, because the new Lower School Commons will be named for him. Reflecting the way he has greeted his students with a smile every morning for years, the Theodore M. Corvino Lower School Commons will be a welcoming place for visitors, students, and faculty to gather. At the Lower School, classrooms will be reconfigured and clustered into learning areas called neighborhoods. These neighborhoods will be grouped by grade, and each will have its own identity, defined by color scheme and a learning commons. These flexible common spaces will promote project work and collaboration.

Lower School Director Ted Corvino P ’94, ’97, ’02 giving a tour in the nearly-completed Phase 1.

“Students will use the learning commons for peer editing conversations, individual projects, book talks about our readings, and much more,” says third-grade teacher Patti Euwer P ’97. “With added space, the students will be more productive, because working groups won’t be as easily distracted by the comments of other groups.” For budding scientists, the Lower School renovation includes the creation of a cluster of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics) classrooms. Grouped closely together, the STEAM classrooms will encourage students to make interdisciplinary connections. They will be grade-specific and allow students to learn in age-appropriate groupings. “An additional science lab will offer Lower School students the space to experience hand-on lessons in a true ‘inquiry-based’ setting. The new space will create an environment for young scientists to engage in activities that encourage collaboration, exploration, and problem-solving. Students will be better prepared to be our future innovators,” says K-3 science teacher Heather Smith-Willis P ’16. For Pingry’s youngest students, a Kindergarten suite will consist of two classrooms and a learning commons for children to interact in a comfortable setting with books, toys, and other learning tools. The space will feature a heated vestibule for coats and boots with access to the expanded playground. Other project highlights include the creation of two language labs and a new Dining Commons. Designed with new furniture, the Dining Commons will also feature wireless capabilities and video displays. The flexible space can be transformed for informal gatherings, performances, or school meetings. Throughout the entire Lower School, air conditioning will be added, and new technology will be integrated, providing Pingry students with every advantage in their formative years. This new building design will give Pingry’s youngest students an environment suited to the demands of the 21st century—a world that depends on collaboration, social responsibility, problem-solving, and creativity. For more information and to view the plans for the Lower School, please visit blueprint.pingry.org. To learn more about naming opportunities, including the Theodore M. Corvino Lower School Commons, please refer to “Ways to Give.” 12

THE PINGRY REVIEW

FUNDING THE PHASES OF LOWER SCHOOL MODERNIZATION Whether your child is a student in the Lower School or you have recently visited the campus for another reason, you have had the opportunity to see how Phase 1 of modernization is nearing completion for Kindergarten and Grades 3 and 4. Pingry is now looking to move forward as quickly as possible with Phase 2 to build new classroom spaces for Grades 1, 2, and 5, a new Dining Commons, and the new Lower School Commons, among other enhancements. Help us raise funds for Phase 2, and we can begin to make a modernized Lower School a reality.

PHASE 2 RELIES ON THE GENEROSITY OF THE PINGRY COMMUNITY Unlike Phase 1, Phase 2 of the project is not self-funded. Self-funding for the first phase resulted from additional revenue that will be generated by 32 additional students on the Short Hills Campus when Pingry changes the entry years to Grades 2 and 4 next fall. Previously, Lower and Middle School admission entry years were Grades K, 3, 5, and 7. Once The Carol and Park B. Smith ’50 Middle School opened in 2007, the years changed to Grades K, 3, 5, and 6. The idea was to return to a more logical progression of entry years by changing to K, 2, 4, and 6. The advantage of starting construction early was to accommodate the new students. Plus, as the project continues to proceed, the excitement continues to build because current Lower School families can see how their children will benefit. It is important to note that these two phases were originally eight. However, the architects said the project would be more cost-effective, faster, and less disruptive to Pingry if the remaining phases were combined into Phase 2 to create a fully-modernized building by next fall. Lower School Director of Admission Sheila Ramirez P ’01, ’04, ’07 reports that “current and prospective families are very excited about our STEAM initiatives, and…a modernized building will enhance this focus.” Everyone is invited to take a stroll through the building and see the work that has already been completed. To view a full floor plan, visit blueprint.pingry.org. To arrange a tour of the new facility, please contact Sheila Ramirez.

FUNDING PROGRESS

as of November 30, 2014

27.4%

$823,289

When deciding where to direct their gift to Pingry this year, Matt and Paige Guest had not a moment’s hesitation. Their decision to fund the modernization of a Kindergarten classroom in the Lower School was an outgrowth of their inherent appreciation for early education. In describing the impetus for their gift, Paige remarked, “We feel that early education is essential in the formative years of a child’s life. It lays the foundation for which all subsequent life skills are built upon. We believe that supporting the enhancement

of the facilities at the Lower School benefits all the children who come through Pingry, enriching the experience of both the teachers and students. Supporting this effort is rewarding for us, and we welcome the opportunity to participate.” Below is a sample rendering of the

modernized Kindergarten classroom, where students will enjoy a more flexible, hands-on learning environment focused on building their skills in collaboration and problem-solving. With their generous gift, Matt and Paige have helped set the pace for the Short Hills Modernization project.

DECEMBER 2014

AN ENHANCED LEARNING ENVIRONMENT

$6.35 MILLION TO MODERNIZE THE UPPER SCHOOL Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s world is more complex than ever, and that means there is a growing need for collaboration, problem-solving, and critical-thinking. Our vision is to prepare Pingry students for future success through more personal interaction with teachers, increased opportunities to work with peers in small groups, and new spaces that encourage learning across the disciplines. Modernizing the Upper School will improve access to technology, provide the most current equipment to facilitate learning, incorporate visible learning in classrooms, create additional collaboration spaces for students and faculty alike, and utilize the outdoor space of the campus as an educational resource. The planned building and renovation projects reflect careful research about how students learn best. That is why, in Pingryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Curriculum Review process, the focus was on how teachers teach, rather than simply on the content of what they teach. We also know that, for generations, collaboration among students and teachers has been a Pingry hallmark. In the recent Harvard Assessment Seminars survey, a high percentage of Pingry students cite the connections they make with teachers as the best part of their academic experience. The plan to modernize the Upper School will ensure that both current and future students have an even greater opportunity to cultivate these crucial relationships. What is the plan to turn a school built in the early 1980s into a dynamic new environment for 21st-century learning? Here is a list of key areas of the Upper School modernization, and we are excited about the direct and positive impact they will make on Pingry students.

THE PINGRY REVIEW

THE PLAN FOR 21ST-CENTURY LEARNING

BUILDING COMMUNITY Greater accessibility to common spaces that create more opportunities for interaction and teamwork • Areas for displaying student artwork • Improved Dining Commons with booth seating

CROSS-DISCIPLINARY TEACHING AND LEARNING Increased engagement, creativity, curiosity, critical-thinking, and problem-solving • Science and math classrooms connected by a STEM commons

• Larger, more welcoming, community commons as part of main entrance area

• Disciplines grouped by wing

FLEXIBLE ENVIRONMENTS

Increased communication, social responsibility, and collaboration

Improved critical-thinking and problem-solving skills through collaboration and peer interaction

ACADEMIC NEIGHBORHOODS • Student and teacher planning and conference areas

• Flexible furniture, movable partitions

• Learning commons spaces shared by clusters of classrooms

• Increased connection between hallways and classrooms

OUTDOOR CONNECTIONS

VISIBLE LEARNING Increased collaboration raises standards and emphasizes Pingry’s culture as a community of learning

Greater sense of environmental stewardship; support for science learning; diversified educational experience • Classroom and common spaces connected with greenhouse

• Windows connecting classrooms with hallways

• Sheltered outdoor classroom

• Windows connecting classrooms with administrative offices

• Garden and nature trails

• Windowed collaboration spaces For more information and to view the blueprint of the Upper School, please visit blueprint.pingry.org. To learn more about naming opportunities, please refer to “Ways to Give.”

FUNDING PROGRESS

as of November 30, 2014

27.9%

$1.77 million

DECEMBER 2014

GREATER OPPORTUNITY

$20 MILLION FOR FINANCIAL AID We will build the endowment for financial aid to ensure that the most deserving students have access to a Pingry education, while providing greater opportunity for families from a broad range of socioeconomic backgrounds to attend Pingry. The cost of attending Pingry presents a considerable challenge to many current and prospective families, including middle-income families who have historically been a core constituency. As always, Pingry’s goal is to maintain a broad cross-section of families from a variety of backgrounds and income levels. This means that financial support of varying degrees must be available to families across a much broader range of socioeconomic levels than in the past. Pingry will provide the most enriching educational experience by being accessible to students who will make unique contributions to the School’s community. To make that possible, Pingry must build its financial aid endowment to a level that keeps Pingry a place of opportunity. Steve Newhouse ’65, P ’95, ’97, ’99, trustee and campaign co-chair, noted that the largest funding priority in Pingry’s Blueprint for the Future Campaign is $20 million dedicated to financial aid, an amount that is necessary to preserve and nourish Pingry. “We need to provide additional and more flexible financial assistance programs, not only so we can attract lower-income students, but so that middle class families can sustain the burden of one or more tuitions,” he says. “If we fail to do this, the profile of our student body is likely to change in ways that we do not intend.” At Pingry, financial aid transforms lives by opening doors to learning experiences that might otherwise have remained closed. It also enhances learning for all students by increasing the range of talents, backgrounds, and experiences of Pingry students. It helps long-time Pingry families ensure continuity in their children’s education through changing financial circumstances. Above all, financial aid at Pingry enables the School to fulfill its mission, which includes fostering intellectual exploration, individual growth, and social responsibility. Pingry commits to meeting the full financial needs of all enrolled students. However, with a limited financial aid budget, Pingry is increasingly turning away qualified applicants, particularly those middle-income families whose needs exceed available resources. Qualified students should not be turned away because of the financial circumstances of their families. The principles and values that Pingry has represented for more than 150 years dictate that we commit ourselves fully to this goal. For more information about supporting Pingry’s financial aid program, please visit blueprint.pingry.org.

FUNDING PROGRESS

as of November 30, 2014

THE PINGRY REVIEW

58.9%

When scholarship recipient Anthony Parisi ’10 started at Pingry, he was an exceedingly shy seventh-grade student. But during his time at Pingry, he was transformed. Upon graduation, he was poised for success. “If someone had told me six years ago that 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 at the University of Pennsylvania, I would have thought that person was crazy,” he said recently. Pingry truly changed his life, and his gratitude is palpable. A Penn graduate, Anthony now attends Rutgers’ Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. Receiving financial aid from Pingry changed the course of his life. In return, he plans to help others as a physician.

$11.8 million

What if beloved educator and coach Miller A. Bugliari ‘52 had not been able to attend Pingry? There probably would not have been an “Italian Wing” at Hillside (the students’ name for the classrooms belonging to Mr. Bugliari, Mr. Romano, and Mr. Tramontana), the Miller A. Bugliari World Cup Soccer Field, nor an 800th soccer win, to name just three of his influences. The financial aid that Miller received at a difficult time had an enormous ripple effect. He graduated from Pingry and became a teacher and coach, giving him the abilities to inspire countless students, athletes, and teachers during his 55-plus years of service to Pingry.

“When my father passed away, I was fortunate to receive financial aid to attend Pingry. If not for the values I acquired here, my entire life would have been different.” – Miller A. Bugliari ’52, P ’86, ’90, ’97, GP ’20 Honorary Campaign Co-Chair

million

AMOUNT OF FINANCIAL AID AWARDED PER ACADEMIC YEAR

2004- 2005- 2006- 2007- 2008- 2009- 2010- 2011- 2012- 2013- 20142005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 DECEMBER 2014

A TRANSFORMATIVE INFLUENCE

$5 MILLION TO ATTRACT AND SUPPORT FACULTY We will carry on the tradition of extraordinary, devoted, and dynamic teachers at Pingry. By creating named and endowed chairs, and by offering competitive salaries and professional growth opportunities, we will ensure that Pingry continues to recruit and retain an outstanding faculty. Many factors contribute to the added value of a Pingry education, but none is more essential than the quality and dedication of those who serve on the faculty. Pingry teachers embody the School’s educational aspirations and fulfill its mission day after day. They serve with equal ease as instructors, coaches, mentors, and counselors. Tom Keating, an English teacher since 1988, says it best: “Students need educators willing to make the extra effort and sacrifice that meaningful teaching requires, the kind of selfless commitment that can make the teacher-student relationship so rewarding and enduring.” Investing in Pingry’s faculty—providing them with compensation based on both their experience and contributions to School programs; competitive benefits; and opportunities to enhance their teaching skills—is one of the most productive investments the Pingry community can make to ensure the continued excellence of a Pingry education. While Pingry is fortunate to have 36 teachers who have served for 25 years or more, the School faces a challenge when veteran teachers retire, as seasoned teachers cannot be replaced with inexperienced ones. It lends urgency to the goal of providing greater opportunities for career development and enhancing teaching skills and subject mastery.

THE PINGRY REVIEW

When teachers are given opportunities for professional growth, everyone benefits. Teachers stay sharp and inspired, and students receive the most up-to-date instruction in their classes. Those teachers who further their education set an example for students that intellectual exploration is a life-long pursuit. Opportunities to support professional growth at Pingry include summer educational programs, which allow teachers to learn about best practices; mentorships, which provide junior faculty members with guidance from more experienced colleagues; curriculum development, to gain knowledge and develop new courses; faculty sabbaticals to further professional growth; funds that support faculty research to help teachers grow in their respective disciplines; and technology workshops for learning new technology and how to incorporate it into the classroom. Supporting faculty members through endowed funds will enable Pingry to model the highest standards in K-12 education. For more information, please visit blueprint.pingry.org. To learn more about supporting faculty, coaches, and students through endowments, awards, and scholarships, please refer to “Ways to Give.”

FUNDING PROGRESS

as of November 30, 2014

42.3%

$2.11 million

“Teachers who are recipients of named and endowed chairs feel honored, supported, and integrated into a time-honored network of highly-respected colleagues.” – Lower School music teacher Tom Berdos

DECEMBER 2014

AN ELEVATED EDUCATION

$16.25 MILLION FOR THE PINGRY FUND We will raise funds to keep Pingry’s daily operations strong. By making immediate use of unrestricted gifts, we will ensure the School’s vitality and flexibility and keep Pingry among the top independent schools in the country. Tuition alone does not cover the full cost of a Pingry education, so the generosity of alumni, parents, grandparents, and friends helps meet annual operating expenses. Gifts to The Pingry Fund do more than balance Pingry’s budget—they provide an invaluable stream of unrestricted dollars to support various academic initiatives and extracurricular enhancements. The Pingry Fund supports every dimension of the Pingry experience and ensures that the most deserving students have access to a Pingry education. For example, The Pingry Fund can assist a family whose economic circumstances have unexpectedly changed during the year. The fund can also be used to benefit various departments and causes throughout the School. Teachers can seek opportunities for professional growth, while athletic fields can be renovated. The Pingry Fund can make the arts a more vibrant part of Pingry’s culture and update classrooms with the latest technology. One of the goals of the Blueprint for the Future Campaign is to increase participation in The Pingry Fund within the entire community. Consistent participation by Pingry’s donor base is an ambitious goal, but an important one that will cement Pingry’s place as a premiere educational institution. Participating in The Pingry Fund shows your passion for Pingry, that you believe in the School’s mission, and that you want to help advance it. By making a gift to The Pingry Fund, donors will contribute to the current annual operating budget, allowing the School to sustain its excellence across the board—from financial aid and faculty support to equipment, supplies, and improvements in athletics, arts, and technology.

“When I decided to support an endowed scholarship this year, I also continued my participation in The Pingry Fund in order to keep Pingry’s daily operations strong. I feel great that my two gifts worked together to keep Pingry among the best.” – Amy B. Warner ’78

“As a parent, I understand that needs can change with unforeseen circumstances. For this reason, I always contribute to The Pingry Fund, to give the School the ability to meet whatever needs arise.” – Trustee Donald C. Mullins, Jr. P ’15, ’20 Seth Flowerman ’04 has given back to Pingry every year since graduation. A lead supporter of The Pingry Fund, Seth also has made significant contributions to Pingry’s new athletics facility, and he and his family donated his late grandfather’s gas kiln to Pingry’s Fine Arts Department. Named to Business Week’s “25 Entrepreneurs under 25” list in 2008, and named one of the “Twenty Hot Young Entrepreneurs Under 30” in 2010 by Blogtrepreneur. com, Seth has built an extraordinary reputation in the business world at a very young age. In 2010 and 2012, he came back to campus to share some of his business experiences as a Career Day speaker. In the summer of 2012, Seth welcomed a Pingry student from the Class of 2013 to intern at his company. The student shadowing him reported that, during this experience, she “acquired some fantastic contacts and gained great opportunities.” When asked about what motivates him to support Pingry, Seth commented, “Pingry sets the standard for excellence. I was fortunate to be the 13-year beneficiary of a Pingry education and am pleased to play a small part to support the next generation of students.”

THE PINGRY REVIEW

$2.5 million Leadership Challenge Your gift is more important now than ever before. If you did not make a gift last year, your entire gift will be matched. Increase your gift amount from last year, and the increase will be matched. Don’t miss this opportunity to double the impact of your gift, and together we will prepare our students to thrive and lead in tomorrow's world. Learn more at blueprint.pingry. org/challenge. THE PINGRY FUND 2014–2015

THE PINGRY FUND:

AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE CAMPAIGN

Simply put, The Pingry Fund is the foundation of Pingry’s philanthropic culture and makes it possible for the School to create an exceptional experience for all students. Initiatives that enhance the School, such as new technology in the classrooms and professional growth opportunities for faculty, are funded by our community’s annual giving. For this reason, The Pingry Fund is part of the Blueprint for the Future Campaign, to serve as a reminder of our need for annual support. We hope you will make a comprehensive Campaign gift, beginning with The Pingry Fund. The Pingry Fund is included in the $2.5 Million Leadership Challenge. If you did not make a gift last year, your entire gift will be matched. If you increase your gift, the increase will be matched. You can pledge your annual fund support and make a multi-year commitment to The Pingry Fund, in addition to supporting any other Campaign objective. For more information about supporting The Pingry Fund or to make your gift, please visit blueprint.pingry.org and refer to “Ways to Give.” You may also contact: Holland Sunyak ’02 hsunyak@pingry.org 908-647-5555, ext. 1284

FUNDING PROGRESS

as of November 30, 2014

Dawn Baker dbaker@pingry.org 908-647-5555, ext. 1266

74%

$12 million

PLANNED GIVING IMPACTS

CAMPAIGN SUCCESS EDWARD S. ATWATER IV ’63, CHAIR, C.B. NEWTON SOCIETY AND HONORARY TRUSTEE

As we celebrate the recent Kickoff of the $65 million Campaign for Pingry, planned gifts are vital to this significant fundraising effort. Planned gifts right now represent 15% or $6.3 million of all Campaign funds raised to date. Proceeds can help meet various financial goals of the School, such as financial aid and faculty development. The most common and convenient planned giving vehicles include designation of the School as a beneficiary to an IRA, establishment of a charitable gift annuity, or a simple bequest intention in your will. Planned gifts not only leave a legacy for Pingry’s future success, but they also propel the School to greatness in the here and now. I hope you will join me in considering a planned gift for the Campaign. To learn more about these and other options for supporting Pingry, please contact Rob Schur, Associate Director of Advancement, at 908-647-5555 (ext. 1267) or at rschur@pingry.org.

DECEMBER 2014

Scene Around Campus

Convocation—“Work for the Common Good” This official opening of Pingry’s school year marks the time when students reaffirm their commitment to the Honor Code in the presence of the Headmaster, Chair of the Board of Trustees, trustees, and faculty. Student Body President Taylor Dillon ’15 encouraged students to use the support of the Pingry community to achieve their goals, and Honor Board Chair Max Leef ’15 urged the student body to be a force for good and positively impact those around them. Taylor and Max collected Honor Code pledges that Middle and Upper School students had signed in their advisory groups, and Board of Trustees Chair Jeff Edwards ’78, P ’12, ’14, ’18 announced that, for the first time this year, each trustee also signed a pledge to uphold the Honor Code. In his remarks, Headmaster Nat Conard P ’09, ’11 reflected on the similarities between today’s headlines and the headlines when he was a freshman in high school, wondering if he and his friends did enough to make the world a better place. He charged the students to “work for the common good,” thereby doing their part to improve the world. To conclude the ceremony, the entire assemblage sang “Old John Pingry” by Pingry’s late English teacher and Director of Admission C. Brett Boocock. Transcripts and videos of three speeches are available on Pingry’s web site under “School News.” 22

THE PINGRY REVIEW

Music Demonstration The Jazz Band, Balladeers, and Buttondowns take time to visit the Short Hills Campus every October to perform for Lower School students and, by doing so, encourage their involvement in the music program. “This is one of our favorite assemblies every year,” Lower School Director Ted Corvino P ’94, ’97, ’02 told the Short Hills students, “and, one day, maybe you’ll be coming back to perform.” Music teacher Jay Winston pointed out that “many of the Upper School students are in these groups because they had the same experience. When I ask the Balladeers why they wanted to be in the group, those who were in the Lower School often say they wanted to be Balladeers since they saw them perform at the Short Hills concert.”

Dr. Pingry’s Birthday

Garden Lunches

Lower, Middle, and Upper School students celebrated Dr. Pingry’s birthday on September 26. The occasion featured cake and trivia…Middle and Upper School students answered three questions about Dr. Pingry to enter a raffle for the chance to win a collection of items from the Pingry Bookstore in honor of his birthday.

Middle and Upper School students enjoyed Garden Lunches in September and October to sample food made from produce in the garden, including pasta sauce and kale salad. Students also learned about some of the benefits of buying local: supporting the local economy and local farmers, and protecting the environment.

AFS Student from Austria

Cum Laude Society Inductions In September, Pingry inducted its 14 newest members of The Cum Laude Society. Established in 1906 and modeled after Phi Beta Kappa, The Cum Laude Society honors academic excellence and scholarship among its 382 member schools, and it recognizes individuals who demonstrate a love of learning and respect for honor, integrity, and character. Membership in this prestigious academic organization is limited to 20% of each Pingry class, with half elected as juniors and half elected as seniors. These members of the Class of 2015 were elected at the end of junior year: Sharanya Pulapura, James Chartouni, Elizabeth Kraeutler, Christina Ou, Peter Rothpletz, Hunter Stires, Gaurav Gupta, Peter Shim, Andrew Verdesca, Abhiram Karuppur, Claudia Jiang, Maxwell Leef, Tiffany Yu, and Kimberly Chen.

Pingry welcomes 2014-15 American Field Service (AFS) student Franziska Sauer (below, left), who lives near Vienna; she is being hosted by junior Kylie Kirschner ’16. Upper School students met Franziska at a welcome party in October in the classroom of AFS Advisor and French teacher Kelly Jordan P ’04, ’06. Pingry has been hosting AFS students annually since 1960.

Phil Cox’s Birthday In a true demonstration of community, students surprised Middle School Director Phil Cox (right) with streamers, a cake, a giant card, and, of course, a rousing rendition of “Happy Birthday” for his special day in October. He told the students that the surprise was a perfect example of why he loves to come to work at Pingry every day! SEPTEMBER 2014

Front row: Alison C. Malin Zoellner ’83, P ’16, ’18, Holly Hegener Cummings P ’14, ’16, Kevin D. Eng P ’24, ’26, Genesia P. Kamen ’79, P ’11, ’13, Donald C. Mullins, Jr. P ’15, ’20, Henry G. Stifel III ’83, Katharine Procter P ’22, ’26, Stephan F. Newhouse ’65, P ’95, ’97, ’99, Denise M. Grant P ’23, John T. Connor ’92, P ’22, ’24, and Kathleen M. Hugin P ’11, ’13. Back row: Louis G. Zachary P ’14, ’16, ’19, Kendrick K. Jahng P ’19, ’23, Stuart M. Lederman ’78, Janice C. Beckmen P ’15, ’19, PAA President Peter L. “Chip” Korn ’89, Board of Trustees Chair Jeffrey N. Edwards ’78, P ’12, ’14, ’18, Ian S. Shrank ’71, Deborah J. Barker P ’12, ’16, Craig Larson P ’18, ’20, William G. Mennen IV ’85, P ’21, ’22, Conor T. Mullett ’84, P ’14, ’15, Anne DeLaney ’79, P ’09, ’11, ’14, and John W. Holman III ’79, P ’09, ’11, ’14. (Not pictured: Kent A. Clark P ’15, ’20, Kurt G. Conti P ’07, ’09, ’15, and Julian H.B.L. Scurci ’99)

Board of Trustees Welcomes Five New Members Anniversary celebration, a leadership volunteer for The Pingry Fund, and a Career Day speaker. Ms. DeLaney is a partner and psychotherapist at DeLaney Psychotherapy and co-founder (with Leigh Porges P ’03, ’05, ’07, ’10, ’13, ’15) of One Gift, a wish fulfillment program for adults with cancer. Ms. DeLaney received a B.A. from Connecticut College and an M.S.W. from New York University School of Social Work.

Anne DeLaney ’79.

Anne DeLaney ’79 and her husband Chip Carver, Jr. ’77 are the parents of Emma Carver ’09, Chloe Carver ’11, Reeve Carver ’14, and Sean Carver ’14. Ms. DeLaney re-joined the Board, having served as a Pingry trustee from 1994 to 2009. She is on the Friends of Miller Steering Committee and has been a member of the tennis and golf committees for the Pingry Alumni Association, a member of the Steering Committee for Pingry’s 150th 24

THE PINGRY REVIEW

Kevin D. Eng.

Kevin D. Eng and his wife Un Hae Song have four children, including Julia ’24 and Elliott ’26. Mr. Eng is Portfolio Manager and Chief Executive Officer of Columbus Hill Capital Management, L.P. Prior to forming Columbus Hill in 2006, he was a managing director at Duquesne Capital Management, LLC, and a principal at Appaloosa Management, L.P. Mr. Eng received a B.S. in Economics from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, and he serves on the board of the Museum of Chinese in America. Kendrick K. Jahng and his wife Grace are the parents of Josephine ’19 and Spencer ’23. Mr. Jahng is President of the Pingry School Parents’ Association (PSPA) for the 2014-15 school year. Mr. Jahng is founder and CEO of Big Click Syndicate LLC, which specializes in digital/social community and donor engagement strategies for cause-related, non-profit, and faith-based organizations. The company has produced and led campaigns for brands such as Bethany Christian Services (the largest adoption agency in the country), Land of a Thousand Hills

Larson is Head of Investor Relations at KKR & Co. (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts, a leading global investment firm) and leads KKR’s efforts to engage with public investors and industry analysts. Prior to KKR, Mr. Larson spent 17 years at Citigroup Global Markets, Inc., where he was a managing director in the Global Communications franchise. While at Citigroup, he played a leading role in a broad array of merger and acquisition and financing assignments for global media and telecommunications clients. Mr. Larson received a B.A. with honors from Queen’s University in Canada. Kendrick K. Jahng.

Coffee, Olive Tree TV, The United Methodist Church denomination, Biblica (publisher of The Bible), Rising Tide Capital, and others. In addition, he serves as Media and Innovation Pastor for one of New Jersey’s largest and fastest-growing churches, where his work in public relations and online communications has earned coverage on ABC, CNN, and FOX, and in The Star-Ledger and other national and international media outlets. His background also includes brand strategy at Spydre LLC, a venture catalyst for software start-ups, as well as traditional advertising agency account management. Mr. Jahng received a B.A. in Economics from Duke University, an M.B.A. in Entrepreneurial Management and Strategic Marketing from Columbia Business School, and an M. Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary. Craig Larson and his wife Karen are the parents of Lindsey ’18 and Ian ’20. Mr.

Craig Larson.

Pingry thanks Laura E. San Miguel P ’15, ’17, ’24 for her service on the board as PSPA President during the 2013-14 school year, and for being a wonderful representative of the PSPA. According to former Board of Trustees Chair Jack Brescher ’65, P ’99, Mrs. San Miguel also provided valuable input about the School’s financial sustainability.

Katharine Procter.

Katharine Procter and her husband William Lewis are the parents of Sophia Lewis ’22 and Richard Lewis ’26. Ms. Procter is a Managing Director at White Elm Capital, a global long-short hedge fund based in Greenwich, Connecticut. Prior to While Elm, she worked as a generalist at HHR Asset Management, a Principal at Abacus Investment, and an Assistant Vice President and global pharmaceutical analyst at T. Rowe Price Associates. Ms. Procter began her career as an Associate in Latin American Mergers & Acquisitions for JP Morgan & Company. She received a B.A. in Government from Dartmouth College and an M.B.A. from Stanford University. “We are very fortunate to have the commitment and wisdom of our new trustees. They will clearly add substantial value to the Board and the School,” says Board of Trustees Chair Jeff Edwards ’78, P ’12, ’14, ’18.

“It was my pleasure to serve as both the PSPA President and a member of the Board of Trustees. The 2013-2014 PSPA Board was able to further our mission of community-building and inclusion by expanding our programming, fine-tuning existing programs, and solidifying initiatives introduced by former PSPA Presidents Noreen Witte, Leonard Murray, and Michelle Keller. Each member of the PSPA Board deserves sincere thanks for his/her time, service, and dedication. Their thoughtfulness drove our programming with the singular goal of creating a welcoming environment for all members of the Pingry community,” she says. Mrs. San Miguel adds that “I was incredibly impressed by each and every member of the board. The thoughtfulness and depth of discussion regarding each issue at hand validated our decision as a family to send our children to Pingry.”

DECEMBER 2014

Pingry Welcomes New Faculty and Staff Upper School French teacher Steve Benoit, who will also be the coordinator of Independent Senior Projects, joined Pingry from the Solebury School in Pennsylvania. In addition to his experience as a French teacher, he has served as Director of Studies, Chair of the Foreign Language Department, Chair of the Academic Committee, Diversity Coordinator, and Director of Student Advising. Mr. Benoit began his teaching career at Saint Timothy’s-Hale School in North Carolina. He received a B.A. in French Language from Pennsylvania State University and an M.A. in French Literature from the University of Texas at Austin. Upper School Latin teacher Caroline Burke is also an assistant coach for JV field hockey, varsity ice hockey, and JV lacrosse. Ms. Burke came to Pingry after three years at Wilbraham and Monson Academy. She received a B.A. magna cum laude in Latin and Economics from Amherst College, where she also played lacrosse. Ms. Burke is a graduate of the Winsor School in Boston. Sixth-grade English teacher Shamayne Cumberbatch is an assistant coach for Middle School field hockey. For the past two years, Ms. Cumberbatch taught at KIPP Rise Academy Middle School in Newark through the Teach for America program. She earned a B.A. in English at Princeton as well as a certificate from Princeton’s Teacher Preparation Program, and she earned an Ed.M. in Education Policy and Management at 26

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Left to right: George Sullivan, Colleen Kent, Karsten Niehues, Allen Thomas, Steve Benoit, Jeff Jewett, Alyssa Johns, Shamayne Cumberbatch, Meaghan Singer, Caroline Burke, Julia Dunbar, and Payal Patel.

Harvard’s Graduate School of Education. Ms. Cumberbatch is a graduate of Kent Place School. Upper School history teacher Julia Dunbar (Grades 10 and 12), also the newest member of the Peer Leadership program, joined Pingry from the Manhattan High School for Girls, where she taught history and political science and coached debate. She also spent two years teaching at the Winchester Thurston School in Pittsburgh. Ms. Dunbar earned a B.A. in History with departmental honors at Haverford College, and an M.A. with distinction in History at Kings College in London. She is also a graduate of the Bryn Mawr School. Director of Global Education Jeff Jewett is also teaching biology at Pingry. Mr. Jewett came to Pingry from Deerfield Academy where he served as the Sustainability Coordinator, taught AP Environmental Science and Environmental Science Research, helped develop the Sustainability Action Plan, served as a dorm parent, and helped lead the outdoor program. Mr. Jewett has also taught at the Westridge School for Girls in Pasadena and the American College of Sofia in Bulgaria. He earned a B.A. in Biology with a minor in History at Northwestern University and an M.S. in

Land Resources and Environmental Sciences at Montana State University. Counseling intern Alyssa Johns came to Pingry from the Rutgers doctoral program in school psychology. Before entering the program at Rutgers, Ms. Johns earned a B.A. in Psychology cum laude at Boston University and an M.A. in Psychology at New York University. She graduated from Watchung Hills Regional High School. Ms. Johns brings to her position a range of clinical and research experience with children. In addition to her counseling work, she is assisting with Peer Leadership. Upper School history teacher Colleen Kent (Grade 9 World History and Grade 11 American Society and Culture), also advising Student Government, most recently taught history at Princeton Day School. She received an A.B. in History from Princeton, where she also earned a certificate in the Teacher Preparation Program. As a Princeton Fellow, Ms. Kent taught history and English, including classes on Shakespeare and the American Revolution, at the Sherborne School in Dorset, England. Lower School Math Specialist Verna Lange earned a B.S.E. cum laude in Mechanical Engineering at Princeton and spent six years working as an

engineer for Schlumberger Oilfield Services in North America and Europe before earning an M.Ed. in Secondary Mathematics Education at the City College of New York. Ms. Lange then taught at I.S. 98 and at the High School for Math, Science and Engineering in New York. She brings to our program experience with applications of STEM.

in Psychology. Having decided that she wanted to pursue a career in mathematics because of her love for the subject, and for teaching it, Ms. Patel undertook coursework at The College of New Jersey. She earned an M.S. Ed. in Secondary Mathematics Education at the University of Pennsylvania’s Graduate School of Education.

Director of Summer and Auxiliary Programs Cindy McArthur is responsible for the continued growth and success of all of Pingry’s auxiliary programs—those academic, artistic, and athletics offerings that fall outside of the traditional school day, week, and year. A singer, dancer, and dance instructor, she has over 13 years of experience building exciting student programs and summer camps. Prior to Pingry, Ms. McArthur served as Director of the Youth and Performing Arts program, as well as Summer Camp Director, at The Connection for Women and Families in Summit. She received a B.F.A. in Musical Theatre from Elon University, as well as numerous professional certifications from nationally-recognized organizations including AFAA (Aerobics and Fitness Association of America) and The Bar Method.

Administrative Assistant to the Headmaster Lisa Reichart comes to Pingry from Portland, Oregon where she served as Administrative Assistant to the President and Vice President of Cain Petroleum. She also held other executive or administrative assistant positions in Chicago and Sydney, Australia after receiving a B.S. in Business Administration from the University of Sydney.

Middle and Upper School German teacher Karsten Niehues (Grades 7, 8, and 10) has taught German and French at the middle or high school level in the Pascack Valley, Kittatinny, and Linden school districts, and has taught in Germany and France as well. Mr. Niehues holds the equivalent of a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in German and history from Universität des Saarlandes in Saarbrücken, Germany. He has also done extensive graduate work in French at Rutgers University. Upper School math teacher Payal Patel (Geometry, Advanced Algebra, Trigonometry) graduated magna cum laude from Boston University with a major in Medical Sciences and a minor

Fifth-grade math teacher Mary Sartorio is our second new faculty member in Short Hills. She earned a B.S. in Mathematics at St. John’s University and an M.S. in Applied Mathematics at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. After briefly working as a researcher and statistician, she began to teach. She taught math at St. George Academy in Greenwich Village, the School of the Future in New York City, and at Brooklyn Friends School, where she also served as Math Department Chair. Lower School Academic Secretary Gretchen Sheffield was most recently Executive Administrative Assistant at the JCC in West Orange. She has also held positions

with Cordis Corporation ( a Johnson & Johnson Company), and Ha-lo Marketing. Upper School English teacher Meaghan Singer (Grades 9 and 10), also advising the Blue Book and helping with stage productions, joined Pingry from the Manhattan High School for Girls, where she taught English and drama, and was the Literary Journal advisor. Ms. Singer also taught at Our Lady of Mercy Academy, where she taught drama and advised the newspaper. She earned an undergraduate degree at Loyola University, graduated from Loyola University’s Honors College cum laude, and earned an M.F.A. in Writing at the National University of Ireland. Middle and Upper School Financial Literacy teacher George Sullivan (Grades 6 and 9) joined Pingry as a career-changer and will be an assistant coach for varsity wrestling. After attending Belmont Hill School and graduating from Williams College (where he wrestled and was a member of the crew team) with a B.A. in Political Science, he joined TD Bank in Boston as a Credit Analyst and then a Credit Manager. Deciding he wanted a more meaningful career, Mr. Sullivan heard the call to teach, so he is thrilled to make the transition to education. Middle School Spanish teacher Allen Thomas (Grades 6 and 7) came to Pingry from Stuart Country Day of the Sacred Heart. After graduating magna cum laude from Brown University with a bachelor’s degree in History, he studied Spanish-American history on a Fulbright Scholarship in Seville before testing the waters to see if he liked working in law. However, Mr. Thomas had been volunteering as a teacher since his time at Brown and decided he wanted a career in education. He earned a master’s in Childhood Education at Hunter College, then taught in Manhattan for 13 years, first at Friends Seminary and then at PS 333. DECEMBER 2014

New Positions

Dr. Megan Jones

Educational Technology Integrator

Carter Marsh Abbott

Director of Athletics

Mark Facciani Ms. Abbott is the second female Director of Athletics in Pingry history and brings to the position her passion for sports. She has taught history and coached girls’ varsity lacrosse at the School since 2010 and will continue as Head Coach of the Girls’ Varsity Lacrosse Team. At Princeton University, Ms. Abbott was a four-year starter on the varsity lacrosse team, serving as captain of the team her senior year and earning many honors, including First Team All-American and “Ivy League Player of the Year.” This fall, she introduced the “Game of the Week” to raise the profile of athletics within the Pingry community and encourage the student body and teachers to go to at least one game each season.

Russell Christian

Lower School Art (Full-Time) Mr. Christian joined the Lower School as a part-time art teacher in April 2013. He has experience as a designer at Scholastic, an illustrator, an art handler (for the Guggenheim Museum and Visual Arts Center in Summit), and an art teacher for after-school programs. Mr. Christian, who received a B.A. in Fine Art from the University of the West of England, Bristol, U.K., is thrilled to be a full-time art teacher. 28

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Middle School History

Dr. Jones came to Pingry in 2010 and taught full-time in the History Department for four years. In 2012, she earned a Ph.D. in American History at the University of Delaware. Along with her current technology position for the Middle and Upper Schools, Dr. Jones is continuing to teach one section of U.S. Environmental History (Honors). She has served as an assistant coach for JV girls’ soccer and co-advises Upper School Student Government.

David Maxwell

Science Department Chair Mr. Facciani decided to return to teaching Middle School history after serving as Director of Summer and Auxiliary Programs for two years. He is also continuing as Head Coach of the Varsity Wrestling Team. A member of the Pingry faculty since 2002, Mr. Facciani joined the School as a sixth-grade history and English teacher in the Lower School and then switched to the Middle School when Grade 6 moved to Basking Ridge. He is a past winner of the Norman B. Tomlinson, Jr. ’44 Chair for History and Literature, and the Herbert F. Hahn Junior Faculty Award. In 2011-12, his coaching peers awarded him “District 18 Wrestling Coach of the Year.”

Mr. Maxwell has been a member of the science department since 2002, teaching biology, AP biology, and chemistry. The science department used to teach biology for freshmen and chemistry for sophomores, but the biology teachers needed to teach about three weeks of chemistry due to the molecular nature of biology. With that in mind, Mr. Maxwell was a major participant in the department’s transition to the Chemistry/ Biology/Chemistry sequence that covers Grades 9 and 10. In fact, Mr. Maxwell started teaching chemistry to prepare for the switch and acted as a resource for other biology and chemistry teachers. To support the efforts to expand the research program, he launched Pingry Community Research, which publishes

Christine Taylor

English Department Chair

student research. Mr. Maxwell strongly supports student-centered experiences in which students conduct science research and teach it to other students.

Brad Poprik

Math Department Chair

Ms. Taylor joined Pingry in 2012 and has taught English 9 and 10 as well as American Literature and Creative Writing. She previously taught at Watchung Hills Regional High School and Elizabeth High School, and was head of the English department at the American International School in Hong Kong.

Gerry Vanasse

Director of Summer Camp; Director of Middle School Athletics Mr. Vanasse, who directed Upper and Middle School Athletics at Pingry from 2005-2014, assumed leadership of Mr. Poprik has been teaching math at Pingry since 2007, after a career in finance that included positions with Deutsche Bank and Merrill Lynch (he had planned to teach, and retired from finance to have more time with his family). During his years at Pingry, Mr. Poprik has taught Intermediate Algebra, Advanced Algebra & Trigonometry, Geometry & Advanced Algebra, Advanced Pre-Calculus, AP Calculus AB, and AP Statistics. He has also taught Financial Literacy, having helped write the initial ninth-grade curriculum in 2009, and served as Co-Chair of the Curriculum Review’s Time and Schedule Committee. Mr. Poprik is pursuing a Doctorate in Mathematics Education at Rutgers University.

Pingry’s Summer Camp in 2014. In 1989, Mr. Vanasse founded the Mega-V Day Camp and operated it for 16 years (1990-1992 at Fairfield Country Day School; 1993-2005 at Gill St. Bernard’s) before introducing it to Pingry. Running the Mega-V program for many years was a highlight of his school year, so Mr. Vanasse believed he owed it to the children to bring it back after a hiatus. At the same time, he is maintaining his leadership in Pingry athletics by taking on a newly-created position to develop the Middle School program. Because participation in Middle School athletics is mandatory, but optional for Upper School athletics, Mr. Vanasse wants to increase the number of athletes who continue to Upper School teams by enhancing the middle school experience, demonstrating the value of athletics, and promoting the Upper School program.

Departing Staff Jim Bratek, who worked in Pingry’s Communications Department from 2001-2014, is now Web and Social Media Manager at Carrollton School of the Sacred Heart in Miami, Florida. Mr. Bratek came to Pingry as a graphic designer, and rose to Web and Portal Manager and then to Web and Social Media Manager as the School’s needs evolved. He was instrumental in creating the School’s web site and oversaw a complete site redesign, which received high praise from the community. In conjunction with Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey’s appearance at Pingry in 2012 for the 150th Anniversary celebration, Mr. Bratek launched the School’s social media channels and later created a strategic plan for social media.

DECEMBER 2014

With Fellowships, Teachers Benefit from Professional Growth

Summer fellowships enable two goals to happen simultaneously: professional growth for teachers and enhanced learning experiences for students when their teachers relate lessons to actual experiences. Fellowships play an important role in keeping Pingry’s curriculum up-to-date and global. The School remains grateful to the donors whose generous funding continues to help make these summer fellowships possible. Luke De, Judy Lebowitz, Shelley Hartz, and Megan Jones were awarded fellowships for 2014.

Luke De

Investigating Environmental Science Upper School biology teacher Luke De, Mentor to Independent Research Projects, wanted a fellowship that would take him out of his comfort zone; in contrast with his lab work, he was eager to make an impact on the environment in a big, uncontrolled setting. 30

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That setting turned out to be underwater! With Global Vision International (GVI), Mr. De traveled with 30 people to Fiji’s Nanuya Island, where he went scuba diving twice every day to survey the reefs. “GVI inserted itself as unobtrusively as possible into an indigenous environment, accepting all of the customs. This was a really important part of the conservation mission. We made sure that anything we did was acceptable to the locals,” Mr. De says.

Luke De scuba diving in Fiji to survey the reefs in order to help local fishermen understand where fish are spawning.

GVI’s main purpose was to make recommendations to the villagers about how to protect the reefs and fish. Mr. De explains, “It was a case of scientists working with local fishermen. While both are aware of the problems, without the scientists understanding the local traditions, they won’t be able to affect change. Without core scientific knowledge, fishermen won’t know what to do, either. Two groups of people were coming from different perspectives with the same goal.” From the trip, Mr. De realized the importance of living in a community to affect scientific change. “The villagers listened to our recommendations because of the respect we showed by integrating ourselves into their culture and living like they do. As the United States’ scientists make recommenda-

tions to other countries, unless we’re in those countries and living like those people, I don’t think we can say much to them.” Encountering Fiji’s biodiversity, including sea creatures that he had never seen before, gave him a new perception of his own knowledge and how much there is to learn. Looking to his future work at Pingry, Mr. De learned the difference between advocating for the environment and being an environmental scientist who does ecological research: “Ecological research involves a different skill set than the skills I use as a molecular biologist in the lab. This was my first foray into that world. I have just begun to understand what it means to quantify environmental change, and my Pingry research groups will reflect that gained knowledge. As important as cancer research is, environmental research deserves a spot in Pingry’s research curriculum.”

Judy Lebowitz

Witnessing the Tradition of Oral Storytelling Seven years ago, Upper School English teacher Judy Lebowitz traveled through Newfoundland and Nova Scotia and found herself captivated by the stories, folklore, and superstitions that have been passed down through generations and which are shared through music, plays, professional storytellers, and, above all, casual conversations with locals. “It occurred to me that the oral tradition of storytelling is still very much alive in the modern era and is a defining cultural aspect of Canada’s Atlantic Provinces,” she recalls. Through her summer fellowship, Ms. Lebowitz traveled to Prince Edward Island to immerse herself in oral storytelling, an activity that brings people together. “During my stay, I wondered whether future generations would continue to preserve the storytelling culture of the island. I was pleased to find that many of the younger musicians and performers seemed intent on continuing the

oral tradition by passing down stories that their grandparents, parents, or friends had told them. The stories reflect the identity and essence of the island and are thoroughly ingrained in the culture,” Ms. Lebowitz says. Upon her return to the classroom, she asked her students some thought-provoking questions about literature and storytelling: Why are stories important? Why do 2,500-year-old stories still feel relevant and effective? Why do they still move us? Why do characters who come from worlds so different from our own still resonate with us? Reflecting on her experiences over the summer, Ms. Lebowitz is approaching the craft of oral storytelling as an art in

The Trailside Café and Inn in Mount Stewart, Prince Edward Island was one of Judy Lebowitz’s favorite venues for listening to storytellers, folk singers, and musicians.

itself—with cliffhangers and descriptions that lend themselves to vivid and dramatic delivery. In addition, her students are thinking about how to tell stories by watching YouTube videos of spoken-word poets Taylor Mali, Carlos Andrés Gómez, and Thuli Zuma (Mr. Gómez and Ms. Zuma appeared at Pingry); creating studentgenerated performances, such as recitations of Shakespeare, whose plays are meant to be spoken; studying the storyteller’s use of language; and analyzing tone, delivery, and word-choice. DECEMBER 2014

Shelley Hartz

Deepening Her Understanding of the Holocaust Director of Community Service Shelley Hartz, faculty advisor to the annual Holocaust and Genocide Remembrance Assembly, traveled to Amsterdam, Nuremberg, and Berlin to deepen her understanding of the Holocaust by visiting museums and historic locations. “While I appreciate the importance of the students’ voices [in the assembly], my lack of personal experience with the Holocaust has limited my own voice. I have visited Holocaust museums in the United States and Israel, but I have no intimate knowledge through relatives since none of my immediate family were survivors,” she says. The Anne Frank Museum was “the most impactful place I visited,” she says, “because it is difficult to picture the millions of people who were killed, but this was where one young woman hid in an attic. In some way, the individuality of Anne Frank will figure in to the Holocaust Assembly.” This fellowship also enhanced her role as Director of Community Service, through which Ms. Hartz also teaches a Service Learning class (introduced in the fall of 2013). “Students learn about the reasons for the need. When donating a can of food, some students assume that their service stops with giving that can, but what you experience is equally or more important than what you give. Without students understanding that need, community service can reinforce stereotypes, and part of what the Holocaust teaches is how stereotypes and lack of acceptance can lead to dehumanization, hatred, and genocide.” One result of her trip was a question that does not have an easy answer: when a country was involved in a horrific event, how does that country 32

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portray that history to the outside world? “I kept thinking to myself, ‘How do they teach it?’ How do you educate people without putting guilt on generations that had nothing to do with the Holocaust?” Ms. Hartz is also in a better position to help educate students about the lessons to be learned from genocide, why it is important to take a stand against intolerance, and how ordinary citizens did the right thing when faced with

Shelley Hartz at the Holocaust Memorial in Berlin. The stones in the memorial are intended to rise so high that a person is closed in, representative of Jews being trapped during the Holocaust.

danger to themselves and their families. “It is important that the stories presented in the assembly contribute to the students’ appreciation and importance of learning about tolerance and acceptance,” she says.

Dr. Megan Jones

Studying Soviet History Upper School history teacher and Educational Technology Integrator Dr. Megan Jones, who has taught AP European history and World History, wanted to learn more about the history of the Soviet Union. She traveled to Prague (Czech Republic), Krakow (Poland), and Budapest (Hungary) to study the history of Central Europe, particularly the Soviet and post-Soviet years; all three countries were part of the revolutions of 1989 that led to the collapse of the Soviet Union. Dr. Jones chose these three cities for their importance in history and relevance to the 20th century. Prague was the site of protests against the Communist regimes in 1968 and 1989, and is known for the beauty of its architecture. Krakow dates to the early Middle Ages and has one of the few

Soviet-planned suburbs, Nowa Huta. Budapest was the site of revolution in 1956 and has a museum dedicated to the history of Communism, the House of Terror. “Looking at the cityscapes—architecture, landscape, historical sites—of these major cities provides an excellent way of understanding the recent history, notably the effects of Communism and the role of the Soviet regime in altering some of the spaces. Additionally, viewing the spaces in which major protests or actions took place gives the viewer a better sense of what the event would have been like…and helps you think about the effects of the actions on the people in that time and place,” she says. Her goal was to visualize how people lived in the same space over a significant length of time and changed the environment to reflect their ideologies. Similar to Ms. Hartz’s fellowship, a major question for Dr. Jones was how these countries see their history compared with how we see it. “An example is the

Dr. Megan Jones on the banks of the Vltava River that flows through Prague, with the Hradcāny (Castle District) and St. Vitus Cathedral in the background.

House of Terror, which explores eras of terror by dictatorial regimes in 20th century Hungary. It’s also a memorial to the victims. The people who created this museum don’t see ideological differences between Nazis and Communists. They just see the regimes as occupying forces,” Dr. Jones says. These experiences in Central Europe will enable her to help students see a more complete picture of 20th century European history, through observations about the cityscapes of these important places and asking them to consider how different national experiences shape perceptions of major historical events. “Standing in the places where historical figures stood while considering their political future,” Dr. Jones says, “is a very powerful way to understand and imagine the past.” DECEMBER 2014

Global Citizenship

Marching for Climate Change

Making sure their voices were heard as part of a global effort, seven Pingry students participated in the People’s Climate March in Manhattan, which took place prior to the United Nation’s Climate Summit. More than 310,000 people from around the world marched to demand that world leaders take further measures to combat climate change and other environmental issues. “Our students were part of one of the largest environmental efforts ever, with their patience, energy, and wonderful enthusiasm,” says Green Group Advisor Peter Delman P ’97, ’98. Student marchers on that Sunday were Emily Jin ’15, Caitlin Mahoney ’15, Katie Murray ’15, Frances Steele ’15, Grace Wollmuth ’16, Coby Weiss ’17, and Isabel DeVito ’19 (joined by Isabel’s mother Hazel England, fine arts teacher Rebecca Sullivan, Middle School Green Group Advisor Zak Cohen, Director of Global Education Jeff Jewett, Mr. Jewett’s wife and daughter, Mr. Delman, and Mr. Delman’s wife Maureen Crowley P ’97, ’98). Their passion for the topic reflects the 34

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Fine arts teacher Rebecca Sullivan, Emily Jin ’15, Grace Wollmuth ’16, Middle School teacher Zachary Cohen, Director of Global Education Jeff Jewett, Green Group Advisor Peter Delman, Katie Murray ’15, and Caitlin Mahoney ’15 in the People’s Climate March on September 21.

fact that Pingry and other sources have educated them about climate change as a serious issue that needs immediate attention, and they want to do something about it—and this march is another example of Pingry students coming together on an important issue to send a message as a unit. “Just one person advocating [for] climate change won’t do much, but, when more than 300,000 people come together with the same goal in mind, it really demonstrates the amount of support behind the climate change movement,” Emily says. “The biggest changes, such as cutting emissions and switching off of fossil fuels, can only be enacted on a policy level. However, the Green Group believes that every small thing we can do, be it using a metal water bottle instead of a plastic one, or growing our own food in the garden so that [the

food] doesn’t need to be delivered on a truck, is a step in the right direction,” Caitlin says. Similarly, Isabel wants to help the combined efforts to find a solution: “My generation will be [most] affected by climate change, and I want to do my part to prevent my own future from being negatively impacted by it. Climate change can drastically change the earth, and I want to be able to experience an equally-healthy planet that those before me have [experienced]. Places that I have never been to will be lost, and species that are here now can go extinct if we don’t fix the climate problems.” Editor’s Note: To see how a Pingry alumnus is making people aware of the human impact on climate change, read about David Gelber ’59 on page 42.

Food for Thought: Pingry Complements Nutritional Literacy with Healthy and Sustainable Dining Ancient grains, juice diets, paleo fitness…with stories about trendy superfoods and fitness fads constantly in the media, sorting the substance from the hype is increasingly challenging. As part of a new required freshman course on fitness, Physical Education Teacher and Strength and Conditioning Coach Doug Scott introduced a unit about nutritional literacy to help students. By teaching the basics of nutrition and focusing on how different foods fuel the body, he provides students with the background necessary to evaluate claims.

Science or Myth? The idea for nutritional literacy evolved from informal discussions with students, and it became clear that students had a lot of questions and could not always separate myth from fact. According to Coach Scott, “What they learn here isn’t fundamentally different from what they could learn on their own. I simply provide a scientific basis for understanding nutrition so they can make educated decisions about what is best for their own health amid the constant flux of nutritional information. With a basic grounding in nutrition, students then have the tools to continue researching and learning about nutrition on their own. We talk about what nutrition means to athletes and non-athletes and how needs change over the course of your life. The answers aren’t simple, and they aren’t static.” For example, lots of students asked about taking dietary supplements, thinking supplements might provide more energy or an athletic advantage. Coach Scott likes to recast that question in terms of nutrition, explaining, “The word supplement suggests you aren’t getting enough of something essential, so let’s look at your nutrition, see what’s missing, and start there.” In a similar way, he provides a nutritional context for assessing food choices and the relative benefits of vitamins. Students come to understand that nutrition is more complex and more personal than they thought, and his

course offers a one-to-one program in which each student finds the choices that work best for him or her. Along with Coach Scott’s course, the health teachers also include nutrition in the freshman curriculum.

Healthy Choices, Sustainable Practices On the Short Hills and Basking Ridge Campuses, the professionals at SAGE Dining Services offer foods that are not only nutritious, but also locally-sourced, organic, and made from scratch. For Food Service Director Andrew Whitman, the search for local and organic produce starts with Pingry’s gardens. “Everything edible from the garden, we will find a way to incorporate,” Mr. Whitman says, looking out the window at the last of the autumn vegetables. “If we have fresh potatoes, we make potato salad that day. If we get a little bit of Swiss chard, we offer tilapia with Swiss chard.” Using produce from Pingry’s gardens and regional farms not only makes the food taste better, but also speaks to Pingry’s sustainability commitment by demonstrating that sustainable and environmentally-friendly practices can work on a relatively large scale.

Mr. Whitman, Assistant Food Service Director Rosane Barreiro, Executive Chef Jay Glassberg, and Lower School Chef Charlie Williams see Pingry’s kitchens as an integral part of the School community, and they support the students’ schedules. Recognizing that students on the Basking Ridge Campus often eat on-the-go, SAGE offers “transit food” each day by providing an array of wraps, typically containing cheese, and fruits or vegetables. In addition, SAGE works with coaches to offer teams pre-sport meals for away games. A pre-sport meal, which might include house-made granola, fruit, and small sandwiches, does not weigh athletes down, but it gives them the fuel they need to compete at their best. When he is not running the kitchen, Mr. Whitman loves to talk with the students about food and nutrition, discussing the rationale behind SAGE’s menus. Students may be surprised to learn that registered dietitians at SAGE vet each menu on both campuses to meet the students’ nutritional guidelines, and a menu will be scratched if it fails to balance selections from among different food groups. All of this behind-the-scenes activity makes it that much easier for students at Pingry to eat right and to enjoy healthy foods. DECEMBER 2014

Sports Results

BIG BLUE ROUNDUP: Fall 2014

Boys’ Cross Country: 2-3 NJISAA Prep A State Championships: 2nd place

Girls’ Cross Country: 5-1 NJSIAA Non-Public B State Championships: 2nd place, and advanced to NJSIAA Meet of Champions NJISAA Prep A State Championship: 2nd place Newark Academy Invitational: placed 5th out of 13 teams Manhattan Invitational: placed 16th out of 33 teams Somerset County Meet: 5th place

Field Hockey: 8-11-1 Somerset County Tournament: Advanced to semifinals

Football: 1-9 NJSIAA Non-Public Group 2: Advanced to quarterfinals

Boys’ Soccer: 18-3-2 NJSIAA Non-Public B State Tournament: State Champions NJSIAA Non-Public B, South Jersey: Sectional Champions (3rd consecutive year and 11th in team history) Somerset County Tournament: Champions Skyland Conference/Delaware Division: 1st place

Girls’ Soccer: 13-8 Somerset County Tournament: Champions NJSIAA Non-Public A, North Jersey: Advanced to sectional semifinals

Girls’ Tennis: 6-12 NJSIAA Non-Public A, South Jersey: Sectional Champions (5th consecutive year)

Water Polo: 9-11

Among the six, JC Sorenson ’15 and Jonathan Butler ’15 are applying early to Division I Schools, and JC has been invited to sign a National Letter-of-Intent for the University of Michigan. Rob Diaz ’15, Clay McCollum ’15, Jamie Smith ’15, and Clayton Wright ’15 will apply early to Division III schools. The schools to which the boys are submitting early applications are Harvard (Butler), University of Michigan (Sorenson), Denison (Diaz), Hamilton (McCollum), Amherst (Smith), and Bowdoin (Wright). For many of these players, conversations with college coaches began in their sophomore or even freshman years. Similarly, this year’s team includes several younger players who already know they want to continue playing in college, according to Coach Webster. With college conversations taking place earlier and earlier, for many players lacrosse is a four-season sport that includes off-season training, travel teams, and summer clinics. A case in point, JC Sorenson ’15 completed Project 9.9 this September, an invitational pre-collegiate lacrosse camp specifically designed to prepare players for the rigors of Division I play. The three-day camp is run by Paul Rabil, a legendary midfielder and a graduate of Johns Hopkins University, where Coach Webster played. JC’s call to participate in Project 9.9 resulted from the fact that the University of Michigan invited him to sign a National Letter-of-Intent in November. Coaches from the University have been talking with JC since the fall of his sophomore year, after having seen his freshman season with Pingry and his performance during the summer club season. An invitation to sign an NLI means that a School’s Athletics Department has set aside funding for a player. When asked about continuing with lacrosse in college, JC says, “My focus right now is on ending my four years at Pingry with a winning season and a State and County championship. We have such a strong, experienced varsity team this year with so many future college players, and we are all great friends off the field.” This year’s record number of six aspiring college players follows on the heels of a stellar season last spring, when the team finished with a record of 14-5. That record marked the team’s second best in the history of the School. In addition, Coach Webster was named State Coach of the Year by The Star-Ledger, the Skyland Conference, and the New Jersey Interscholastic Lacrosse Coaches Association. With so many athletes determined to play at the college level, and such a high level of engagement with the sport, Pingry boys’ lacrosse looks forward to an exciting season this spring.

NJISAA—New Jersey Independent School Athletic Association NJSIAA—New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association

Six Seniors from Boys’ Lacrosse Team Aspire to Continue the Sport in College Although lacrosse season will not officially begin until March, the Pingry boys’ lacrosse team garners headlines this fall with six seniors determined to play at the college level next year. Although six marks an uptick from the past few years, in which that number ranged from one to four, it is in keeping with the totals from 2010 and speaks to what Head Coach Mike Webster P ’24, ’27 calls “a long and proud tradition of producing college lacrosse players.” 36

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Front row: Jamie Smith ’15, Jonathan Butler ’15, and Clayton Wright ’15. Back row: JC Sorenson ’15, Clay McCollum ’15, and Rob Diaz ’15.

Coach Bugliari celebrating with members of the boys’ soccer team.

800 Career Wins for Miller Bugliari ’52 Coach Bugliari earned his 800th career victory as Head Coach of the Boys’ Varsity Soccer Team on September 16 when Pingry defeated Watchung Hills Regional High School 1-0. With that win, his Pingry coaching record stood at 800-100-62. The head coach for 55 years, he is only the second high school soccer coach in the country to win 800 games! “It’s great for New Jersey coaches, it’s great for Pingry, and it’s great for me,” he says. “Let’s face it—the guys I coach against weren’t born when I started…that’s a scary thought sometimes.” “Miller has enjoyed a remarkable journey during his time at Pingry, and we are all fortunate to benefit from his wisdom and guidance. Eight hundred wins is a watershed moment in the history of high school soccer in this country…it is credit to Miller and all of the boys he has coached over the years,” says Director of Athletics Carter Marsh Abbott. Jamie Cook ’15, who plays defense, scored Pingry’s only goal of the game late in the first half. Setting up for a corner kick, Jamie took the entire field by surprise, trying a shot on goal, which eventually curled into the back of the net. “This is easily the greatest goal of my life. I’m glad I was able to contribute, get the 800th, and do what I can to help the team.”

Coach Bugliari with Assistant Coaches Kim Kimber ’76, P ’07, Mike Coughlin ’90, David M. Fahey ’99, and Jacob Ross ’96.

Coach Bugliari with his wife Elizabeth Bugliari (Parents ’86, ’90, ’97, GP ’20).

Coach Bugliari with Jerry Fechter P ’05, ’09, ’13. DECEMBER 2014

College Student-Athletes

Men’s Soccer

Five former soccer players are on teams that reached the NCAA tournament: Rachel Corboz ’14 and Drew Topor ’14 (Georgetown), Shayna Blackwood ’12 (Northeastern), Maggie Morash ’12 (Rutgers), and Carly Rotatori ’13 (Harvard). 38

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Credit: Villanova University

Women’s Soccer

Emily Damstrom ’12 (center back, Villanova University) was named to the All-BIG EAST 2nd Team. She had appeared in all 18 games as of November 4, while making 17 starts, and played

squad and automatically added to the Academic All-American ballot.

Swimming Courtesy: Doug Austin

Courtesy of The Diamondback

Mael Corboz ’12 (midfielder, University of Maryland) scored the game-winning goal on a free kick from 20 yards in the Big Ten Tournament finals to give the Terrapins their first Big Ten Tournament championship—in just their first season in the conference. They defeated Indiana 2-1 for their third straight conference title after winning the ACC title the past two seasons. Mael earned the tournament’s Offensive Most Valuable Player Award and was selected to the All-Big Ten 1st Team. Overall, he scored 10 goals and made three assists this season.

The BIG EAST Conference honored midfielder Rachel Corboz ’14 (Georgetown University) four times this fall. She was named to the AllBIG EAST 2nd Team, selected unanimously to the BIG EAST All-Rookie Team, and named “Rookie of the Week” twice. On October 12, after a scoreless first half against Marquette, she scored two of Georgetown’s four secondhalf goals on their way to a 4-0 win (on both goals, she took assists from her older sister Daphne). Rachel’s first “Rookie of the Week” honor came on September 29. She was also named to the NSCAA Alll-Northeast Region 3rd Team.

Credit: Ben Solomon/Courtesy of Rutgers Athletics

1,680 minutes on the pitch this season—the most for any Villanova student-athlete. Emily also scored a goal in a critical 1-1 draw at Georgetown on October 26, which helped solidify the Wildcats berth into the BIG EAST Tournament.

Corey DeLaney ’12 (forward, Dartmouth College) was TopDrawerSoccer’s National Player of the Week for October 27-November 2. Playing at home on October 25 against defending NCAA champion Harvard, Dartmouth needed to win to stay alive in the tournament—Corey scored both goals for a 2-0 win. She finished second on the Big Green with 11 points on four goals and three assists, started all 17 games, and scored two game-winning goals, earning her a place on the All-Ivy 1st Team for the third consecutive season. Maggie Morash ’12 (backline, Rutgers University) was named to the 2014 Capital One Academic All-District Women’s Soccer Team, selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America. She was chosen for the District 2, First Team

Nic Fink ’11 (University of Georgia) was nominated for a 2014 USA Swimming Golden Goggle Award. He also received UGA’s 2014-15 Joel Eaves Scholar-Athlete Award, presented to the male and female studentathletes with the highest GPA (in any sport) entering the fall semester of senior year. The students must also have earned at least two varsity letters to be eligible. Joel Eaves was the university’s Director of Athletics from 1963 to 1979, and the award was established to acknowledge his contributions while highlighting the academic achievements of current student-athletes. Nic is majoring in Agricultural Engineering and, among numerous other honors, has been named to the SEC Academic Honor Roll during each of his first three seasons at Georgia.

NSCAA—National Soccer Coaches Association of America SEC—Southeastern Conference

Homecoming 2014 The sky was crystal clear, and summer-like temperatures were still in the air on September 27 for Homecoming on the Basking Ridge Campus…an absolutely perfect setting for the Pingry community to gather for a delicious barbeque lunch and an afternoon of games. Following on the heels of Upper School Parents’ Back-to-School Day and an Admission Open House for alumni, the event welcomed over 900 current students, parents, trustees, and alumni. Many people also made pledges to The Pingry Fund, entered a Class Notes raffle, and took home Pingry Homecoming 2014 t-shirts and “800” t-shirts (commemorating the 800th career victory, on September 16, of Boys’ Varsity Soccer Head Coach Miller Bugliari ’52). All in all, there were smiles all around, with everyone having fun in the sun and sharing Pingry pride!

DECEMBER 2014

Homecoming 2014 [ 1 ] Standing: Harrison Jones ’16, Sophia Cortazzo ’16, Libby Lee ’16,

Brian Grimaldi ’16, and Lindsay Stanley ’16. Sitting: Danielle LeGrand ’16, Nia Gooding ’16, and Katie Coyne ’16. [ 2 ] Stephen Daigle ’17, Lucas Monserrat ’17, Jack Smith ’17, John Lucciola ’17, Brian Grimaldi ’16, Jamie Moore-Gillon ’17, Matt San Miguel ’17, Eddie Dugan ’17, Chris Lachenauer ’17, and TanTan Wang ’16. [ 3 ] Former PAA President and former trustee Jubb Corbet, Jr. ’50, P ’77, ’78, Grant Smith ’77, P ’19, ’22, and Mariah Smith ’19. [ 4 ] The Varsity Field Hockey Team playing Bernards High School. [ 5 ] The Varsity Football Team playing New Providence High School. [ 6 ] The Water Polo Team playing Friends Central School. [ 7 ] Gabby Stern ’15 and Coby Harris ’15. [ 8 ] Every seat under the tent was filled!

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Homecoming 2014 [ 9 ] Michael Fu P ’22, Julia Fu ’22, Kristine Fu, Shirley Ying P ’22, Kui Duan P ’18, and Chinese teacher Yi Hao P ’11, ’13. [ 10 ] Andrew Woode, Pauline Lacey-Woode, and Eon Woode (Parents ’17). [ 11 ] Grace Sander P ’16, Debbie Atulomah P ’16, ’18, and Susan Palmer P ’15, ’17. [ 12 ] Joei Drozjock ’18, Lauren Shelby ’19, Vicky Chen ’19, Amanda Saunders ’19, Abby Beckmen ’19, Ilana Lurie ’18, and Lindsey Larson ’18. [ 13 ] Deborah Capanna P ’16, ’18, ’20, Denise Bulgar P ’18, and Holly Fields P ’18, ’24. [ 14 ] Sarah Vazquez P ’18, ’19 and Beth Korn P ’14, ’17, ’21.

DECEMBER 2014

Credit: The Years Project

David Gelber ’59 and Teams Explore Climate Change with Blockbuster-Style Filmmaking and Investigative Journalism From a helicopter, Harrison Ford witnesses thousands of acres of a degraded, burned forest within Sumatra’s Tesso Nilo National Park. He is outraged and shouts, “I can’t wait to see the Minister of Forestry! I can’t wait!” Mr. Ford is not acting in a new action film, and the scenery is not an elaborate staging effect. Instead, this scene is an all-tooreal example of the destruction plaguing Indonesia, where trees were burned to make space for manufacturers of palm oil, a common ingredient in many consumer goods. Worst of all, deforestation is altering our climate by releasing greenhouse gases into the alreadywarming atmosphere.

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Harrison Ford (below), YEARS correspondent, and Lone Droscher-Nielsen, founder of Borneo Orangutan Survival’s Nyaru Menteng Orangutan Rescue Center in Rungan.

Executive Producers is award-winning investigative journalist David Gelber ’59, who is trying to expose the potential disaster of human interference with the climate; he also hopes to put climate change on the agenda for the 2016 presidential campaign, since it was not mentioned in the 2012 debates.

Credit: The Years Project

Mr. Ford, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Matt Damon, Don Cheadle, 60 Minutes correspondent Lesley Stahl, and The New York Times’ Thomas L. Friedman are among the celebrities and journalists who have been traveling the globe to explore climate change and conduct in-depth interviews for Years of Living Dangerously, a multi-year documentary. One of the

Above, a degraded forest within Sumatra’s Tesso Nilo National Park. Deforestation in Indonesia is a topic covered in Years of Living Dangerously.

Season One of Years, nine episodes, aired on Showtime this spring, won the 2014 Primetime Emmy for “Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Series,” and was nominated for “Outstanding Writing for Nonfiction Programming.” “This series is very topical and important for the world. Showtime knew it was important and would make an impact if we did it the right way. David Gelber is a wonderful producer,” says Jerry Weintraub, one of six other Executive Producers, along with James Cameron, Mr. Schwarzenegger, climate expert Daniel Abbasi, Avatar Alliance Foundation Executive Director Maria Wilhelm, and Joel Bach. The title, inspired by the film The Year of Living Dangerously, conveys the idea of a multi-year series. Mr. Gelber and Mr. Bach are directly involved with the series on a daily basis. They created Years with their production company Roaring Fork Films (Mr.

“Something else” is the Years project. Both he and Mr. Bach wanted to tackle climate change in a substantive manner; Mr. Gelber became interested in the topic based on two stories he produced at 60 Minutes—one about huge forest fires in the western United States, and the other about Jim Rodgers, former CEO of Duke Energy, who lobbied for a federal bill to regulate carbon dioxide emissions. To produce Years, award-winning correspondents, producers, associate producers, cinematographers, and sound technicians have been filming segments around the world.

Gelber is Managing Director), which they formed in 2011 after leaving their producing jobs at 60 Minutes. “I loved my time at 60 Minutes, but, after 25 years, it was time to do something else,” Mr. Gelber says.

Storytelling is key to Years of Living Dangerously, based on an approach that Mr. Gelber learned at 60 Minutes. “[Executive Producer Don Hewitt] YEARS Correspondent Arnold Schwarzenegger conducting an interview with Snake River Hotshot Crew Member Randy Anderson in Superior, Montana while the crew films.

Credit: The Years Project

DECEMBER 2014

Credit: The Years Project

Above, at left, Abdulrahman Al-Eryani, special advisor on climate change to the President of Yemen, with Thomas L. Friedman, YEARS correspondent. YEARS Correspondent Lesley Stahl, below, visiting Greenland Ice Sheet with Marco Tedesco (Polar Cyberinfrastructure Program Director at the National Science Foundation).

insisted we do stories driven by great characters,” Mr. Gelber said in an interview for the Swarthmore College Bulletin, adding that Mr. Hewitt did not want viewers to be able to figure out how a narrative will end. “Increasingly, documentaries have adapted the narrative techniques of feature films and fiction,”

Credit: The Years Project

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Mr. Gelber explains. “In the past, documentaries tended to be more like lectures. There wasn’t much suspense. For instance, PBS’ documentaries are excellent, but many of them are lectures illustrated with brilliant graphics—they’re not storytelling, with conflict and an uncertain outcome.” Grasping the importance of the producers’ pitch, Showtime offered to televise Years (Mr. Bach and Mr. Gelber pitched the series to several networks, but chose Showtime to distribute the series because they liked the enthusiasm of President of Entertainment David Nevins). Showtime had never broadcast programming about climate change and was not actively looking to do so, but “the series presented a unique opportunity to combine large-scale filmmaking with hard-hitting journalism to explore [this] critical issue. Week after week, through first-person accounts, we were able to reveal critical stories of

series would never have happened without him.”

heartbreak, hope, and heroism in the race to save the planet,” says a network spokesperson.

Brussels, Syria, Egypt, Yemen, and many locations within the U.S.). “We aimed to do a series with the highest possible production values and firstrate storytelling,” he says. In addition to funding from Showtime and other sources, philanthropist Amos Hostetter, Jr. ’54 (the same family of Pingry’s Hostetter Arts Center), Continental Cablevision’s founder and former CEO, proved invaluable.

A big challenge for Mr. Gelber was Season One’s budget of nearly $20 million to hire the correspondents and production teams and send them to places that have experienced extreme weather (Bangladesh, Greenland, Chile, Great Britain, the South Pacific,

“I knew about Amos’ passion on the climate issue and mentioned to [Headmaster] Nat [Conard] that I’d love to tell Amos what we were up to,” Mr. Gelber says. “Shortly after that, Amos invited me to Boston. He is an iconic figure in the television industry, and this

YEARS Correspondent Chris Hayes, above right, interviewing Congressman Michael Grimm (R-NY) about Hurricane Sandy and climate change. David Gelber ’59 is in the middle. Below, a huge forest fire in the western United States. The impact of these mega-fires on global warming and climate change is a topic covered in Years of Living Dangerously.

Describing climate change as “the issue of our generation,” Mr. Hostetter says he cannot imagine any other single challenge that will have a larger impact on our children’s lives. After meeting with Mr. Gelber, he checked with friends who knew Mr. Gelber’s work at 60 Minutes, received “rave reviews about him as a journalist,” and decided to proceed with the project; Mr. Hostetter and his wife Barbara are Co-Producers of Years. “The series was a gigantic artistic success. The whole thing is well-done. Certain segments will appeal to different people, but, across the board, it’s quality work. David Gelber lived up to his professional reputation,” Mr. Hostetter says. Season One of Years of Living Dangerously, receiving rave reviews from the public, is available from iTunes and Amazon.com—both as a DVD set and on Amazon Instant Video. Season Two is scheduled to air on a to-be-determined network in September/October 2016. Editor’s Note: Mr. Gelber delivered the Keynote Address at Pingry’s Career Day in 2008, received the School’s Letter-inLife Award in 2010, and will return to Pingry for the Earth Day Assembly in April 2015. To read about Pingry students’ recent involvement with climate change, see page 34.

Credit: The Years Project

DECEMBER 2014

Plasma Research Earns Simone Moten ’14 a National Gold Medal

Credit: Elle Starkman/Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory

This summer, Simone Moten ’14 won a Gold Medal in Physics in the national competition of the 25th annual NAACP Afro-Academic, Cultural, Technological, and Scientific Olympics (ACT-SO) in Las Vegas. Simone worked on her project, involving plasma discharges within water, with Dr. Sophia Gershman at the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL), a U.S. Department of Energy national laboratory for plasma physics. The concept of plasma discharges within water is a complicated subject, but has implications in the purification of water and in the medical field, including surgeries on animals. According to IEEE Xplore Digital Library, pulsed discharge plasma produced underwater is a helpful method to treat waste water. For her research, Simone recorded a lot of data about plasma, including its electrical characteristics. “This project is unlike anything I had ever done in science. By examining these electrical characteristics, I understood some of the basic features of plasma discharges. This type of research is the future because, as we continue to deplete our natural resources, we have to continue 46

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Simone Moten ’14 and Dr. Sophia Gershman, a research collaborator in the PPPL’s Science Education Department, setting up for an experiment.

to look toward alternative energy sources. In addition, plasma is part of our everyday lives—in fluorescent light bulbs, lightning, stars, and even in our televisions,” she says. “Simone’s work is impressive for the sophistication of what she has done, and the mathematical skill she applied to the analysis. Studying plasma discharges, although it seems fairly arcane, has some real ties to medical science and fusion research, which are both intense areas of concern for society’s future,” says former Science Department Chair Chuck Coe P ’88. Simone credits Pingry’s teachers for helping her reach this point: “Ms. Kehoe and Mr. Burns helped to create a strong foundation in physics, which allowed me to obtain the internship at Princeton’s lab. Mr. Romano and Mrs. Romankow helped as well—through them and the drama program, I learned strong presentation skills. Mentors, teachers, and advisors like Mr. De, Dr. Artis, and Dr. Brown-Allen provided their

unwavering support throughout the entire process.” Looking to the future, Simone, a freshman at Dartmouth College, plans to pursue science. “I only hope that I can continue to be a role model for women in the sciences and further encourage them,” she says.

About ACT-SO ACT-SO is a yearlong achievement program designed to recruit, stimulate, and encourage high academic and cultural achievement among African-American and under-represented minority high school students. Students compete in up to three of 26 categories in the sciences, humanities, business, performing arts, and visual arts. Representing the New Brunswick chapter of ACT-SO, Simone earned her trip to the national competition by winning gold at the state level while she was at Pingry. Sixhundred gold medalists representing all 50 states then advanced to the national level. In the Physics category, Simone competed against six other gold medalists and presented her project to judges who are professionals in the field of physics, resulting in her winning the national gold medal.

Pingry in Print: New Books by Alumni Sweet Survival: Tales of Cooking & Coping Laura Zinn Fromm ’82, P ’15, ’19 Ms. Zinn Fromm’s first book is a memoir with recipes. As this award-winning editor and journalist explains, “I was initially inspired to write about food because when we moved from New York City to New Jersey, there were very few restaurants that delivered. I hadn’t cooked much when we lived in the city because there were so many good take-out places. When we moved out here, I realized that if I wanted my kids to eat well, I was going to have to cook for them. I started to love to cook as much as I love to write, so I started writing about cooking and coping.” Formerly a reporter at Business Week in Manhattan, Ms. Zinn Fromm told the newsletter Clown Town that she had been writing about food and family for The Huffington Post, while also working on a book about her father’s extended family. “One of my father’s first cousins

had kidnapped a baby. She and her husband were brilliant, fascinating people and, initially, the book focused on the kidnapping and the events leading up to and following it. But over time, I realized I wanted to write not only about the kidnapping, but also about why I had been drawn to writing about the kidnapping. I decided to expand the scope of the book and turn it into a memoir, which included recipes.” According to a review on Amazon.com, “Fromm writes about life with tenderness and tenacity, and about food with a devotion and sensuality that will inspire even the most kitchen-phobic among us to bolt for our sauté pans.” Ms. Zinn Fromm teaches fiction and creative non-fiction in New York and New Jersey, and has taught at Columbia University and Montclair State University.

The Life & Times of Miller A. Bugliari - Coming this Spring Amazingly, Miller has been a vital part of Pingry for almost half of its existence. So, while The Life & Times of Miller A. Bugliari tells his incredibly-successful, deeply-caring, and constantly-hilarious story, it is the history of Pingry as an institution that matters most. The book starts with Miller’s memories of his family: his father’s tragic death when Miller was just 10 years old, and his mother’s love, courage, and perseverance in helping Miller and his brother Joe grow into caring, confident, honorable men. Pingry played a huge role in that growth, thanks to Dr. Springer’s generosity in allowing the two boys to attend Pingry at a time when scholarships did not exist. Arguably, Miller’s whole 55-year teaching career has been devoted to repaying that gift. In Miller’s recollections, the Parker Road Campus of his student years comes richly back to life, as does the zany world of the Hillside Campus’ Italian Wing. Pingry today is a far more inclusive school than the school Miller attended in the

1940s and ’50s. Through all the change, Miller has stayed true to what he values most deeply about Pingry. The old table that used to serve as the altar for the Pingry Chapel in Hillside now stands in the entrance foyer to the present Pingry library. On one side appear the words “The Fear of the Lord is the Beginning of Wisdom.” On the other side is another quotation, from John 13:34, inscribed when the table was moved to the new campus: “This is my commandment, that you love one another.” In The Life & Times of Miller A. Bugliari, contributions of friends, alumni, and parents describe in touching detail how Miller has honored that commandment his whole life. One realizes that what Miller has been doing all this time is turning the people with whom he works into a family—a gigantic, exuberant, hilarious, unflinchingly-moral, and deeply-loving Italian family. A big part of that family have been his soccer teams. For players from the early years, reading this book may be like looking at a child and wondering what kind of person he or she might grow up to be—then fast-forwarding 50 years to discover that the child is now an adult you would be proud to know. For today’s players, reading this book may be like wondering “Where did he come from?” Had he known Miller, Dr. Pingry might well have said, “That’s what I meant by Maxima Reverentia Pueris (et Puellis) Debetur.”

DECEMBER 2014

Alumni Events

Alumni Events [ 1 ] Shore Party: Attendees included Special Assistant to the Headmaster Miller Bugliari ’52, P ’86, ’90, ’97, GP ’20, former faculty members Connie Allan and David Allan (Parents ’75, ’77, ’79, ’83), Annetta Benedict, Pete Benedict ’61, Cliff Broder ’80, Cynthia Campbell P ’81, Joan Corbet and former PAA President Jubb Corbet, Jr. ’50 (Parents ’77, ’78; hosts), Maggie Corbet ’78, Lewis Dames, Barbara Donohue and George Donohue (Parents ’83, ’86, ’90), Takako Hall, Iruka Hall, Bradley Hall ’79, Jane (Shivers) Hoffman ’94, Christian Hoffman ’94, Bob Hugin and Trustee Kathy Hugin (Parents ’11, ’13), Mac Hugin ’13, James Kovacs ’80, P ’19, ’21, Bill Ledder ’52, Sean Love ’83, David McIlwain ’81, John McIlwain ’79, John McLaughlin ’78, Bob Meszar ’57, former PAA President Bob Pyle ’56, P ’91, Nancy Priest, David Rogers ’61, Barbara Sulcer and Gordy Sulcer ’61 (Parents ’95, ’01), Bob Sweeney ’61, Jim Urner ’57, Pat Waterbury and Steve Waterbury ’49 (Parents ’82, ’85), Richard Welch ’55, Sheila Welt and Dr. Aaron Welt ’67 (Parents ’06), Rose Mary Werner and Karl Werner (Parents ’12, ’14, ’16), Mark Werner, Matthew Werner, Marina Werner, Michael Werner ’12, and Maria Werner. [ 2 ] Field Hockey: Front row: Gretchen (Weiss) Oatman ’89, P ’20, Jordan Shelby ’08, Taylor Sankovich ’08, Meghan Duarte-Silva Barry ’11, Jessica (Saraceno) Carroll ’02, Amanda (Walsh) McNamara ’98, and Betsy (Lucas) Vreeland ’84, P ’11, ’12, ’15. Back row: Cathleen (Pace) Lazor ’88, Margaret Kelleher ’01, Hillary Densen ’09, Jennifer Lang ’09, Georgia Cook ’09, Katie Parsels ’09, Leslie Springmeyer ’08, Anna Kamen ’11, Lauren Callaghan ’02, Edie (McLaughlin) Nussbaumer ’84, P ’18, ’21, Martha (Ryan) Graff ’84, P ’15, ’17, ’20, Krista Haley ’95, Christina Barba Mullen ’98, and Field Hockey Head Coach Judy Lee. 48

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Alumni Events [ 3 ] Alumnae Soccer: Girls’ Varsity Soccer Head Coach Andrew Egginton, Maggie O’Toole ’05, Jill Kehoe ’04, Sarah Dwyer ’03, Kellen Kroll ’03, Kim Kroll ’08, Jessica Fallon ’92, and Lindsay Holmes ’99. [ 4 ] Alumni Soccer: Front row: Todd Kehoe ’99, Steve McCarthy ’77, Gianfranco Tripicchio ’00, Brad Fechter ’05, Jeff Zimering ’07, Peter Hiscano ’75, Sean O’Donnell ’75, P ’05, ’10, Andrew La Fontaine ’10, John Stamatis ’05, John Rhodes ’02, Tyler Umbdenstock ’97, Gilbert Lai ’86, and Larry Hallett ’75. Back row: Boys’ Varsity Soccer Head Coach Miller Bugliari ’52, P ’86, ’90, ’97, GP ’20, Jim Corbett ’69, Nick Ross ’97, Boys’ Varsity Soccer Assistant Coach David M. Fahey ’99, Kevin Schmidt ’98, Amadi Thiam ’03, Liam Griff ’04, Morgan Griff ’06, Tyler Smith ’10, Grant Palmer ’09, Brian Combias ’06, Boys’ Varsity Soccer Assistant Coach Kim Kimber ’76, P ’07, Skot Koenig ’77, Josh Gradwohl ’80, Chip Carver, Jr. ’77, P ’09, ’11, ’14, Steve Lipper ’79, P ’09, ’12, ’14, Mike Roberts ’99, Jonathan Shelby ’74, P ’08, ’11, ’19, Paul Ciszak ’72, and Tom Trynin ’79.

DECEMBER 2014

Alumni Events Pingry Finance Networking Event: [ 5 ] Kevin Kurylak ’05, Liam Griff ’04, Bobby Gildea ’04, Rob Oh ’03, Billy Kovacs ’03, and Michael Ferrara ’04. [ 6 ] John Leathers ’57, David Greig ’98, Trustee Craig Larson P ’18, ’20, Greg Cortese ’97, and Steve Newhouse ’99. [ 7 ] Logan Marshall ’06, Lauren Callaghan ’02, Pamela Lang ’05, Abigail Conger ’05, and Lexy Knopp ’02. [ 8 ] Harvard University Economics Department Chair and Economics Professor Gregory Mankiw ’76, the event’s speaker, and Pingry on Wall Street LinkedIn Group founder Jason Kurz ’03. [ 9 ] Sridhar Sambamurthy P ’17, Sagar Bhimavarapu P ’18, ’21, Dr. Neela Gollapudi P ’19, ’22, and Michael Fu P ’22. [ 10 ] Fred Chang ’15, Wenrui Lu ’14, James Chartouni ’15, Abhiram Karuppur ’15, and William Johnson ’15. [ 11 ] Sarah Dwyer ’03, Amit Cheela ’03, and Douglas Hirsch ’03.

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DECEMBER 2014

Ask the Archivist 16

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Basketball Team from the Early 1960s Coach Bugliari is on the far right, but do you recognize anyone else in this photo? Please contact Greg Waxberg ’96 at gwaxberg@pingry.org or 908-647-5555, ext. 1296. Thanks to Rick Sirois ’72 who suggested three names from the Earth Day photo in the September 2014 issue:

10. Joe Baird ’72?

12. Eric Fullilove ’72?

13. Tony du Bourg

12 7 8

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Class Notes Share all your news!

Contact Assistant Director of Alumni Relations and Annual Giving Tara Enzmann at tenzmann@pingry.org, The Pingry School, 131 Martinsville Road, Basking Ridge, NJ 07920.

1953

’66, and over 150 alumni and friends. A fabulous experience!”

PHILIP SCRUDATO (above) writes, “Susan and I were married 45 years in November. We have two children and six grandchildren, and we are all well.”

1959

Dr. Richard L. Cruess ’47 and His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada.

1957

Dr. Richard L. Cruess ’47 Promoted to Companion within Order of Canada

BOB MESZAR writes, “Have kept postponing ‘retirement,’ as there is still a great deal to accomplish in software and electronic engineering! But there’s always enough time to attend the Homecoming festivities!”

Orthopedic surgeon and researcher DR. RICHARD L. CRUESS ’47, Professor of Surgery at McGill’s Centre for Medical Education, is one of 86 Canadian civilians to receive appointments to the Order of Canada, announced by His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada. Dr. Cruess is one of three new Companions (C.C.) of the Order of Canada—the highest rank, representing a promotion within the Order—in recognition of “his numerous contributions as a world leader and pioneer in the field of medical professionalism in Canada and abroad.” The first two levels are Member and Officer. Dr. Cruess was named a Member of the Order of Canada in 1995 to recognize his 14-year service as Dean of the McGill University Faculty of Medicine (1981-1995). Four years later, he was promoted to Officer. Since 1995, together with his wife Sylvia, Dr. Cruess has been researching the concept of “what it means to be a professional in the medical field” and developing tools to teach and assess professionalism.

1958 DR. TOM BEHR writes, “I am finishing the biography of MILLER BUGLIARI ’52 with the help of GIL ROESSNER ’66, GEORGE ELLIS

DAVID GELBER is Managing Director of Roaring Fork Films and an Executive Producer of the climate change documentary Years of Living Dangerously, which won a Primetime EMMY. He will visit Pingry in April 2015 for the Earth Day Assembly. Read more on page 42.

1961 GORDY SULCER (below) and Barbara Sulcer (Parents ’95, ’01) enjoyed their summer at a Wyoming dude ranch. After seeing a Pingry hat at dinner one night, Gordy was surprised to find out that, in the past, a week at the ranch had been donated to the PSPA Benefit.

The country’s highest civilian honor, the Order of Canada was established in 1967, during Canada’s centennial year, to recognize outstanding achievement, dedication to the community, and service to the nation (Canadians received British honors until 1928, when the United Kingdom ended that practice; the Order of Canada is similar to the U.K.’s civilian honor system). Over the last 45 years, more than 6,000 people from all sectors of society have been invested into the Order. The appointments are made on the recommendation of the Advisory Council for the Order of Canada. There are only 147 living recipients of this award—the Order limits to 150 the number of people who can hold the honor of Companion at any given time. Dr. Cruess and his two fellow Companions are joined by 19 Officers (O.C.) and 64 Members (C.M.). His wife was appointed an Officer two years ago, and Dr. Cruess has received other honors over the years, including the 2012 Canadian Medical Association’s Medal of Service.

DECEMBER 2014

Mark Biedron ’70 Elected President of New Jersey State Board of Education Credit: Steve Hockstein/For the Star-Ledger

The Class of ’61 was well-represented this year at the annual Pingry Shore Party in Mantoloking. BOB SWEENEY, GORDY SULCER and BARBARA SULCER (Parents ’95, ’01), DAVE ROGERS and Nancy Priest, and Annetta and PETE BENEDICT managed a brief moment from conversations for a photo. The Corbets were their usual great selves hosting this event.

1976 FRANK PERLMUTTER was honored by the Dover-Sherborn Boosters in Massachusetts for his 12-plus years of commitment creating a large triathlon fundraiser and raising money for a new stadium turf field and track.

1977 JANE SARKIN O’CONNOR P ’11, ’14, Features Editor of Vanity Fair magazine, was profiled in the Vênsette blog on October 1 in “Office Space: Jane Sarkin’s Hollywood by Way of Vanity Fair’s New York” (Vênsette, founded by CEO LAUREN REMINGTON

The Willow School Co-Founder MARK BIEDRON ’70, P ’15, ’17 was unanimously elected President of the New Jersey State Board of Education for the 2014-15 school year (the board consists of 13 Governor-appointed members who set the rules needed to implement state education law for New Jersey’s 2,500 public schools). Mark has served on the board since 2011 and was chosen to be President because of his enthusiasm for and active involvement in the board’s activities. “New Jersey ranks number two in the nation in education, right behind Massachusetts, but we have a huge achievement gap—your ZIP code basically decides what level of education you receive, and that is not right. There is a lot of work to do, and the methods and processes we have used in the past have not worked well and need to be adjusted,” he says.

PLATT ’02, is the premier ondemand hair and makeup service offered in New York City, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Miami. Vênsette recently launched their Beauty Stories web site to celebrate professional and successful women in the worlds of fashion, beauty, and the arts.). In the article, Jane talks about the humility she has gained from producing the magazine’s celebrity cover shoots, and about the empty nest she shares with MARTIN O’CONNOR now that both KATE ’11 and LAUREN ’14 are at Boston College. Before working at Vanity Fair, Jane was an editor at Andy Warhol’s Interview magazine, where she produced celebrity interviews and cover shoots.

Located in Gladstone, The Willow School is an independent elementary school with 130 students in Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 8. Stemming from his passion for the environment, one of the school’s themes is “ethical relationships between people and nature.” The school has LEED-certified buildings—a LEED Gold classroom building (2003), a LEED Platinum multipurpose building (2007), and a new Health, Wellness and Nutrition Center that will be certified to both LEED Platinum and The Living Building Challenge, making it the first building in the country to meet both of these green building standards—and constructed wetlands. He is a member of the U.S. Green Building Council and heads the Advisory Board of the University of Vermont’s Rubinstein School of Environment and Natural Resources; he earned a B.A. in Business Administration at the university. One of the key tenants at The Willow School is the Core Virtues Program, conceived and designed by Gretchen Johnson Biedron, in which the concepts of ethics and ethical relationships are infused into the curriculum and daily life of the school. “In designing the Virtues Program, we took a look at the great philosophers and saw that many of these philosophers’ works were inspired by nature. Until then, I thought that humans and nature were separate, but I realized that’s absolutely not true. Human beings are part of nature, and we function within nature—we are here to participate and coevolve with nature,” Mark says. “To make decisions that support the environment, we must educate our children about how the planet works, and why it’s important that they know how it works.” Although it might seem odd for a private school founder to be working on behalf of public schools, the setup actually makes a great deal of sense. “I have my hat in public schools, higher education, and independent education. The independent school world can innovate—Willow is being innovative—so hopefully I can bring a piece of that innovation to the public school arena in the areas of green technology and sustainability in both the built environment and pedagogy,” Mark says.

Credit: Jeremy Allen

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In general terms, he compares his own education to the experience for today’s students. When he was a student, the school model was to deliver the information necessary for success in the world, and that information remained static from year to year. “Today,” Mark says, “it is not about information, but about what you can do with it. My 13-yearold daughter can get all the information she needs simply by pressing a button. In 10 to 15 years, students will be looking for jobs, many of which don’t exist right now, and the jobs that do exist won’t look the same. Students need critical-thinking skills and communication and collaboration skills. Many independent schools are bringing things into their curricula that public schools need.”

NYU Silver School Dean Dr. Lynn Videka, Anne DeLaney ’79, P ’09, ’11, ’14, and NYU Silver School Director of Development Karen Wright.

ANNE DELANEY ’79, P ’09, ’11, ’14, who earned an M.S.W. at the NYU Silver School of Social Work, received their “Making a Difference” Award at the Dean’s Luncheon on November 8. A licensed clinical social worker and partner of DeLaney Psychotherapy, Anne has spent 26 years providing grief-counseling services to individuals and families in northern New Jersey. She is co-founder of OneGift, the nation’s first wish fulfillment program for adults with cancer—since its formation in 1988, the program has granted over 3,500 wishes, ranging from once-in-a-lifetime vacations to family reunions. Anne and her organization try to bring hope, solace, and joy to cancer patients and their families during a most anxious and difficult time. Since 2006, Anne has also been active with the Global Literacy Project (GLP), an organization that fosters community-based literacy initiatives throughout Africa, South Asia, and the Caribbean. Anne and her family have organized seven annual trips with the founders of GLP and other volunteers to promote literacy in rural communities outside Johannesburg. She and the GLP volunteers have built libraries, remodeled classrooms, conducted teacher training programs, distributed books, and organized partnerships between schools in New Jersey and South Africa. She continues to organize book drives and fundraising efforts for GLP and plans to return to South Africa. Along with being a Pingry trustee, Anne is a trustee of the Morristown Medical Health Foundation and Homeless Solutions, and a member of the Advisory Board for the Global Mental Health Program at Columbia University. This Advisory Board provides support to the leadership of the Global Mental Health Program to help grow and sustain the groundbreaking work in closing the gap between what is known and what is done about mental health around the world. Adapted from NYU’s web site.

1979

1981

BRADLEY HALL writes, “We had such a good time at the Pingry Jersey Shore Party. Hooray for the Corbets!”

KAREN (SCHATMAN) BENTON P ’16 writes, “We live in Randolph, New Jersey with our three kids. I work at Saint Barnabas Medical Center. We have a junior at Pingry and love running into old classmates.”

1980

35th Reunion

CLIFF BRODER writes, “Just started a mobile marketing engagement platform (app). Still living in Warren. My son William is applying for 9th grade.”

1983 LARRY BIEGELSEN writes, “On October 24, I attended ANDRÉ BIROTTE, JR.’s investiture as United States District Judge in the

Black River, Morris County by Dwight Hiscano ’80.

DWIGHT HISCANO ’80, internationally-published and highly-collected nature photographer, has been capturing the American landscape for over 30 years, and he opened the Dwight Hiscano Gallery in Harding Township in October 2013. A trustee of the New Jersey Highlands Coalition and a former trustee of the New Jersey chapter of the Nature Conservancy, Dwight’s love for the outdoors has led to a passionate effort to capture the North American wilderness on film while bringing new perspectives to the art of landscape photography. Dwight’s photographs are held in numerous collections both in the U.S. and abroad. All five former New Jersey governors, along with late congressman Peter Frelinghuysen, former congressman James Saxton, and former acting governor Donald DiFranscesco, have been presented with signed Hiscano prints in recognition of their efforts to preserve New Jersey’s open space. His photographs are also held in a number of prominent corporate collections, including those at AT&T, AtlantiCare, Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield, Johnson & Johnson, Merck & Co., Merrill Lynch, Oppenheimer, and Pfizer. Dwight’s photographs have been featured in many group and solo exhibits, including the Nature’s Best exhibit at the Smithsonian. One of his images was on display at the National Geographic-sponsored International Mountain Summit in Italy, and his Black River, Morris County print was recently featured in an exhibit at the Ross Art Museum, along with original works by Winslow Homer, Thomas Hart Benton, and John Marin. The New York Times, Outdoor Photographer, Nature’s Best Photography, and Nature Conservancy Magazine have published Dwight’s photographs, and his work has also been featured online, on posters, and in books, calendars, and annual reports, both in the U.S. and abroad. He often leads photography workshops, lectures, and gallery talks, and was the featured speaker at the Garden Club of America’s Annual Horticultural Conference. Part of Dwight’s mission is to “show off our state’s natural beauty. The real New Jersey, which may come as a surprise to outsiders, offers a wealth of subjects whose scenic beauty can rival anything other states have to offer,” he said in an interview for Recorder Community Newspapers’ Out & About section (July 24). Along with photographing the state’s nature, Dwight has donated his photographs to conservation efforts. For information, email dwighthiscano@ gmail.com. Dwight Hiscano ’80 in his new gallery in Harding Township, New Jersey.

DECEMBER 2014

Cathleen (Pace) Lazor ’88, Gretchen (Weiss) Oatman ’89, P ’20, Martha (Ryan) Graff ’84, P ’15, ’17, ’20, and Betsy (Lucas) Vreeland ’84, P ’11, ’12, ’15.

Larry Biegelsen ’83 and André Birotte, Jr. ’83.

Central District of California. Other alumni in attendance were André’s brother PATRICK BIROTTE ’87 and JASON (HARRY) DECASTRO ’84. It was an amazing event with over 750 guests, a record for an investiture, according to one of the other judges. Attorney General Eric Holder made a special trip from Washington, and he spoke glowingly about André (as did all the other speakers). André’s speech was very heartfelt and witty. Congratulations, André, on this incredible achievement!”

1984 MARTHA (RYAN) GRAFF P ’15, ’17, ’20 writes, “Great time at the Corbets’ house—once again, they hosted a great night at the Jersey Shore to reconnect with local Pingry folks. Pingry continues to do a great job with all—Graff kids are very happy here! And congrats to Miller and the soccer boys on win #800!!! Yeah!”

1985

30th Reunion

NED WARD writes, “Mattel’s very own all-employee band, The Toys—which I founded in 1995— played in the finals of the 14th Annual FORTUNE Battle of the Corporate Bands at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum in Cleveland on September 6. We practiced for months and had an amazing weekend! Lots of great bands performed, and we brought home third place! We want to thank everyone for all of their support, including family and friends who came out to Cleveland to cheer us on, as well as everyone who watched the live streaming on the web. In case you missed it, you can still watch it on the Hall of Fame’s web site at www.rockhall. com/event/14th-annual-fortunebattle-of-the-bands.” Ned was in two bands at Pingry: in Form II, White Lightning, with ERIC BERLIN, ERIC SCHUPP, TOM NEWMAN, and MATT HEY ’86; from Form IV to Form VI, the Gerns,

Ned Ward ’85 (guitar, vocals), fourth from right, with other members of The Toys at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum on September 6: Gillian Hunt (vocals, percussion), Scott Page-Pagter (keyboards, vocals), Michael Heralda (guitar), Christina Fadale (vocals), Lorie Doswell (vocals, acoustic guitar), Chris Roy (bass, vocals), Tim Kilpin (keys, guitar, vocals), and James Brittain (drums). 56

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with WILL MENNEN, RICHARD GILBERT, and ADAM WEISS. Ned played in the Chapel in Hillside with both bands, and, with the Gerns, in Hauser Auditorium and for several AFS picnics. At the end of September, Ned left Mattel after 17 great years and started NW Associates to help consult companies with global/local marketing, promotional partnerships, and licensing.

1989 GRETCHEN (WEISS) OATMAN P ’20 writes, “I had a great time on the Basking Ridge Campus at the Alumnae Field Hockey game with CATHLEEN (PACE) LAZOR ’88, MARTHA (RYAN) GRAFF ’84, and BETSY (LUCAS) VREELAND ’84. The Alumnae team won!”

1992 DOUG CHERNACK and MIKE BENDER ’93, co-founders of Awkward Family Photos, launched

a traveling museum exhibit, as noted in Recorder Community Newspapers’ Out & About section (July 24). Doug writes, “The exhibit aims to explore the perfectly imperfect moments that come with the family experience and provide a place for people to celebrate the awkwardness while taking comfort in the fact that their family is not alone. Featuring over 200 of our all-time favorite photos and stories in many categories, including the family portrait, pets, siblings, and the holidays, the exhibition is touring the country.” For dates and information, visit awkwardfamilyphotos.com/the-exhibition. VANESSA MOTTO ROSENTHAL and her husband Michael Rosenthal welcomed a baby girl, Camille Leigh Rosenthal, on May 5. Camille weighed 8 pounds, 11 ounces.

1993 RENEE (KURIYAN) WITTEMYER received the Gemtech Award from

Awkward Family Photos co-founders Mike Bender ’93 and Doug Chernack ’92 have turned the popular web site and book series into a traveling exhibition. They are pictured in the John Michael Kohler Arts Center in Kohler, Wisconsin.

the United Nation’s International Telecommunication Union (ITU), a specialized agency for information and communication technologies (ICTs) and United Nations Women. Renee received this prestigious award for her work as the Director of Social Innovation in Intel Corporation’s Corporate Responsibility Office. In her role, she works across Intel’s business to develop social innovation opportunities, works on strategy, policy, and research for Intel’s girls’ and women’s initiative, and manages strategic relationships with groups such as USAID, NGOs, and UN Women. She led the Women and the Web research report on the gender and Internet gap. This led to the launch of Intel® She Will Connect, which is focused on bringing millions of women online in Sub Saharan Africa. The Gemtech Award seeks to create a platform for advancing women’s meaningful engagement with ICTs and their role as decision-makers and producers within this sector. In considering “gender equality mainstreaming,” the Award committee was looking not only at ICT, government, and development actors that are mainstreaming gender equality perspectives within their work, but also ICT and gender advocates that are seeking to “mainstream” gender equality into a larger context.

1996 DANIEL PINCUS is Co-Chair of the Muslim Jewish Conference (MJC), a dialogue and leadership organization for students and young professionals, bringing together important representatives and young leadership from Muslim and Jewish communities and beyond. The MJC wants to deepen interest in, and evoke curiosity for, intercultural communication and interfaith issues, in particular Muslim-Jewish relations. If you are interested in learning more about MJC and how you can get involved, visit www. mjconference.de.

1997 MATT EVERETT, his wife Kim, and big brother Ben welcomed Caroline Andi Everett to their family on July 28.

1998

Callahan Greig and Farrell Elizabeth Greig.

DAVID GREIG, his wife Sarah, and their daughter Callahan welcomed the newest member of their family, Farrell Elizabeth Greig, on September 27.

baked goods. Her store also makes 100 percent organic superfood smoothies and carries many delicious organic snacks: kale chips, roasted chickpeas, energy bars, flavored pumpkin and sunflower seeds, granola, honey, nut butters, and the highly-demanded SNO bar (for peanut butter lovers). For more information: greennectarjuicery.com. DR. DAVID ROTHSCHILD, an economist at Microsoft Research, recently had his project Microsoft Prediction Lab featured in The New York Times. Microsoft Prediction Lab is a web site where users can submit their views and predictions regarding politics, sports, and other subjects. Microsoft also plans to utilize this polling system through Cortana—Microsoft’s answer to Siri—which could start conducting interviews herself, imitating human pollsters. Find out more by visiting www.prediction. microsoft.com. David lives in the East Village of New York City and enjoys meeting up with his old classmates from Pingry!

1999 ALAN DANZIS is Vice President of Media Relations at MSLGROUP, a full-service communications and engagement agency—the fourth-largest PR agency in the world. He is engaged to Amy Duvall, and the two are planning to marry in October 2015. They also recently adopted an adorable dog named Leo.

Lillian Aubrey Farkas.

COURTNEY (SCHNEIDER) FARKAS and her husband Robert Farkas are happy to announce the birth of their daughter Lillian Aubrey Farkas on September 2.

Eve Drake Leonard.

ANDREW LEONARD writes, “Hi, everyone. I’d like you to meet my new pal. Eve Drake Leonard (‘Evie’) was born on August 17 at George Washington University Hospital in Washington, D.C. Despite being 17 days late (!!!), Evie weighed a cool 6 pounds, 14 ounces. Shelley was heroic, and I am in awe of her (and women everywhere). Evie has been such a fun baby, and she is very loved.” TARA PRUPIS is the owner of Green Nectar Juicery in downtown Millburn, New Jersey. The store opened its doors on September 23, 2013, and has been a hub for healthy drinking and eating in Essex County. Her store carries local, 100 percent organic, raw, cold-pressed juices and an array of organic, gluten-free, and vegan

Dr. Arianna Papasikos ’00 and Timothy Austin. DECEMBER 2014

2000

JASMIN BROWN-JOHNSON and LaQuan Rankins became engaged on September 13. The two are planning to marry on July 3, 2016.

15th Reunion

DR. ARIANNA PAPASIKOS married Timothy Austin on June 7 at Baltusrol Golf Club. In the wedding party were NICOLE SCILLIA and LIZ (SWANICKE) LOONAM.

Elizabeth Sessa Smith.

TED SMITH and KATE (MARTUSCELLO) SMITH are happy to announce the birth of their daughter Elizabeth Sessa Smith on October at 11:52 p.m.

2002

CHARLIE DIEMAR and his wife Abby Diemar are happy to announce the birth of their second son Andrew “Drew” James Diemar on August 18. LISA KLEINMAN married Casey Jost on June 21 in Red Hook, Brooklyn. In the wedding party was LISA EISENBERG. Casey Jost’s father DAN JOST ’70 is also a Pingry alumnus, which is a very charming coincidence.

BRIAN MARTIN (above) writes, “On a beautiful September day in East Berkshire, Vermont, I married the love of my life, Katherine Leigh Amestoy. I am very lucky. We were joined by many family and friends, including ALAN WASHINGTON ’99 and STEPHEN BROWN-KLINGER ’01. Following the wedding, Katie and I continue to reside in Burlington, Vermont, and we both practice law in public service: Katie is an assistant attorney general, and I am the associate general counsel for the Green Mountain Care Board, the state board charged with guiding health care reform. Vermont is beautiful, and we love to see old friends from Pingry. Hi, all!”

2004

ASHLEY JACKSON was the harpist for Pingry’s Campaign Preview Party at the home of Honorary Campaign Co-Chair AUDREY WILF and ZYGMUNT WILF (PARENTS ’02, ’04, ’13) in Manhattan on October 9. The event featured a special Campaign video and generated excited for the Campaign Kick-Off on October 25. Ashley was selected to perform because of her impressive background and her Pingry pride.

2006 LISA HARRIS is engaged to Eric Himelman. The two are planning to get married in July 2015. LINDSAY POUNDER will be Maid of Honor. Lisa graduated from Monmouth University in January 2014 with a Master of Science in Education degree in Student Affairs and College Counseling. She works at Monmouth as an administrator for the Department of Psychological Counseling. Eric is

Charlie Diemar (age 2) with new little brother Andrew “Drew” James Diemar.

ANNA BALCH and Adam Sullivan became engaged on September 28. The two are planning to marry in October 2015.

Lisa Kleinman ’02 and Casey Jost.

Stephanie Edelson ’78, Vanessa Procopio Pumo ’78, Lori Halivopoulos ’78, Robin Breene Hetrick ’78, P ’06, Amy Birkenstock Molé ’06, Frances Callaghan ’06, Nick Molé ’06, Margot Gianis ’06, Jennifer Bryn Hetrick ’06, Robert Lawrence, Katy Pinke ’06, Juliette Jordan ’06, Dana Apruzzese ’06, Charlotte Williams ’06, Kelley Finlayson ’06, and Kristin Maletsky ’06.

THE PINGRY REVIEW

pursuing a Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences degree, with a concentration in stem cell research, at Rutgers University. They live in Red Bank, New Jersey. JENNIFER BRYN HETRICK married Robert William Lawrence on August 30 at Camp Riverbend in Warren, New Jersey. ROBIN BREENE HETRICK ’78, P ’06 writes, “It was so much fun to have two generations of alumnae at the wedding. In attendance from 1978: LORI HALIVOPOULOS, VANESSA PROCOPIO PUMO, STEPHANIE EDELSON, and me. We missed you, STUART LEDERMAN! From 2006: JULIETTE JORDAN, MARGOT GIANIS, KATY PINKE, KRISTIN MALETSKY, DANA APRUZZESE, FRANCES CALLAGHAN, AMY BIRKENSTOCK MOLÉ, NICK MOLÉ, CHARLOTTE WILLIAMS, and KELLEY FINLAYSON. We missed you, ASHLEY ULKER!” CAROLINE HOLT married Alexander Duddy on October 4 in

Carmel, California. In the wedding party was CHRIS HOLT ’02. KATIE JENNINGS writes, “My master’s thesis for Columbia Journalism School, a nine-monthlong investigation into the role of an American Medical Association committee and its impact on health care costs, was published on August 20 in POLITICO MAGAZINE.” SAM JURIST is happy to announce a new web app launched by his company, MyGradPad. If you are looking for a place to live in New York City, sign up at www.mygradpad.com. A MyGradPad Specialist will contact you within 24 hours with a handpicked list of apartments that fit

your search criteria. Need a roommate to cover the cost of living in the city? MyGradPad also makes the roommate search process easier by showing you people in your network (friends, and friends of friends) who are looking for roommates, too. WILLIAM PARHAM writes, “Had a great time at the Pingry on Wall Street event. Thanks to my old colleague JASON KURZ ’03. In other news, the family left New Jersey for Carversville, Pennsylvania, so happy to catch up with anyone visiting Bucks County. It is an especially nice time when apple-picking is in season.”

2011

2007 CRAIG RAMIREZ, a Ph.D. candidate at New York University, was interviewed about his work in the cancer research lab at NYU Langone Medical Center. A graduate of Pomona College, Craig highlights the fact that he was one of the first participants in Pingry’s research program—conducting “hands-on, original research in high school.” The video is available at www.labtv. com.

2009 MAYA ARTIS writes, “Enjoying grad school at Montclair State. Working toward my masters in Music Therapy! Hoping to work with children who have autism.”

2010 Alexander Duddy and Caroline Holt ’06.

this summer and continues to stay in touch with the extensive Pingry network. He enjoyed the Pingry on Wall Street networking event on September 18 and writes, “The event is a superior platform for connecting those members of the community who work in financial services. The capability to hold such events with strong alumni— and even student turnout—really speaks to the culture of commitment and honor that Pingry instills in its students. When I first began searching for summer internship opportunities in college, I reached out to several parents and alumni to express interest in the industry, which yielded an internship with a hedge fund during my sophomore summer. The Pingry on Wall Street event will undoubtedly continue to strengthen this network and provide opportunities for students to engage in careers in finance.”

5th Reunion

TYLER SMITH started working for Franklin Templeton Investments

Penn State men’s soccer defender RANDY FALK’s photo officially welcomed Rutgers University and the University of Maryland to the Big Ten Conference. The photo was seen online 24 days (and he wears number 24) before the first Big Ten game when Rutgers became part of the conference. Randy was a major contributor to the Nittany Lions’ Big Ten Conference Championship in 2013; Penn State reached the Sweet 16 in the Division I National Championship. Successful off the field, the All-Big-Ten Academic studies business management at the Smeal College of Business, has been named to the Dean’s List, and was recently nominated to Penn State’s Athletic Honor Society Spiritus Leoninus, which recognizes student-athletes for outstanding performance in athletics, academics, leadership, and community service. DECEMBER 2014

Ayana Kareem ’11.

NIC FINK, swimming at The University of Georgia, received scholar-athlete honors this fall. Read more on page 38. AYANA KAREEM was featured in Mason Gross Galleries this fall in a show called “Black Box,” for which several African-American students from Mason Gross came together to create this wonderful display of fine arts. Ayana’s primary media are sculpture and painting, but this show extended into a field that meshes drawing, painting, and wood etching. You can see more of Ayana’s work on her Facebook page: Facebook.com/Pause4AK.

2012 Young alumni enjoyed catching up with science teacher LUKE DE at Yale in October. Pictured belowe are CAMERON KIRDZIK ’13, ASHLEY FENG ’11, EDWARD KONG, LUKE DE, AVERY VELLA ’14, and DANI TEMARES ’13.

Matt Barickman ’14.

2013 Need some shades? Then check out Shady Eyedeas, a company that ANDREW BENITO joined as VP of Sales in its early stages. Shadys are fully interchangeable, fashionable, unbreakable, affordable sunglasses! You can change the arms, frames, and lenses. To purchase Shadys, or find out more, visit www.shadyeyedeas.com. Andrew is working on launching Shadys to large retailers. For more information, please email Andrew at andrewxbenito@gmail.com.

2014 MATT BARICKMAN played at a winner’s recital on May 25 in Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall as a result of placing first in The Piano Teachers Society of America’s state piano competition. He performed the solo piece Reflection and Dance and an ensemble piece, Cool Gus,

by Warren piano teacher and composer Danette Whelan. This is the fourth year that Matt has performed at Carnegie Hall—last year, he won the prestigious Young Artist Award with the Prelude from Claude Debussy’s suite Pour le piano. Matt has also performed at numerous charity and community venues. Now a freshman at Tufts University, Matt was recruited for the Men’s Swimming & Diving Team. RACHEL CORBOZ, playing soccer at Georgetown University, was honored four times this fall by the BIG EAST Conference. Read more on page 38. LAUREN GRAVES writes, “I’m having a fantastic freshman year at Lehigh University!” SAMANTHA KORN presented her first solo art show in Bernardsville, New Jersey on August 4. There were about 50 attendees—current Pingry stu-

dents, alumni, and faculty from Short Hills and Basking Ridge. Over 100 pieces of her artwork filled Wallflowers Gallery on Mill Street and included canvas art, photo prints, posters, and greeting cards. Her pop art series was created during her time at Pingry, and many of the originals hung throughout the School building over the past four years. The series includes pop icons like Marilyn, Mick, Ozzy, Audrey, Lana, Beyoncé, and the Beatles. Sam took art classes with PETER DELMAN P ’97, ’98 for three years, and he was a major source of inspiration for her as she continued to develop her own style. STEPHANIE LIPPER was an intern with New Jersey State Assemblywoman Nancy F. Munoz this summer. During her internship, Stephanie attended voting sessions in Trenton while spending most of her time in Munoz’s district office in Summit. Stephanie is attending Colgate University.

Nikka Zezza ’14, Lizzie Abbott ’14, Samantha Korn ’14, Sara Gagnon ’14, and Lauren O’Connor ’14. 60

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RAVEN MICKENS writes, “I am enjoying my next phase of education at Ursinus! Loving it!” Catherine Lipper ’09, Matt Lipper ’12, Abby Tizzio ’14, Matthew Marvin ’14, EmmaClaire Marvin ’17, Stephanie Lipper ’14, Ronnie Newman, and former trustee and former PAA President Steve Lipper ’79, P ’09, ’12, ’14.

Professional Theater Debut of Matthew Marvin ’14 By EmmaClaire Marvin ’17

This summer, MATTHEW MARVIN ’14 made his professional theater debut in Theater Workshop of Nantucket’s (TWN) production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s OKLAHOMA! Throughout the supportive audience the night of August 6 were several Pingry faces, including alumni, students, and teachers: CATHERINE LIPPER ’09, MATT LIPPER ’12, ABBY TIZZIO ’14, EMMACLAIRE MARVIN ’17, STEPHANIE LIPPER ’14, [science teacher and Blue Book Advisor] RONNIE NEWMAN, and STEVE LIPPER ’79. Matthew was hoping to spend the summer on Nantucket with his family at their summer home, and knew that Theater Workshop of Nantucket would be staging a musical. TWN is one of the country’s oldest regional theaters and has been operating on Nantucket since 1956. Matthew kept up-to-date with information about what they would be offering for the summer, and, as soon as he heard OKLAHOMA! was the choice, he anticipated the day he would audition. He participated in an open call audition in New York City in May and had a follow-up audition on Nantucket Island a few weeks later. After auditioning, he was given the opportunity of playing the ensemble role of “Duke,” which allowed him to showcase his acting, singing, and dancing! Matthew was thrilled about this opportunity and the experience, saying that he is “so proud that OKLAHOMA! was my professional theater debut.”

SIMONE MOTEN, now at Dartmouth College, won a national gold medal in Physics in this summer’s NAACP ACT-SO Olympics in Las Vegas. She writes, “I am studying science in college. I am a science researcher in Professor Kristina Lynch’s lab, working with other students on the GreenCube Experiment, studying rocket payloads. It’s an extremely fascinating and very rewarding job.” Read more about Simone’s medal-winning project on page 46. KISHON PINCKNEY writes, “Currently at the University of Maryland, College Park. Thank you, Pingry, for great college preparation.”

Celebrate Pingry Reunion 2015 Classes ending in “5” and “0,” join your fellow alumni on campus May 14-16 to celebrate your Reunion! Come enjoy the 50-Year Club Luncheon, Athletics Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, Class Parties, and more! Committees are working to plan Reunions. If you would like to help with planning or fundraising, please contact Associate Director of Alumni Relations and Annual Giving Judy Brown at jbrown@pingry.org or 908-647-5555, ext. 1288.

CLASSNOTES

Share all your news! Contact Assistant Director of Alumni Relations and Annual Giving Tara Enzmann at tenzmann@pingry.org, The Pingry School, 131 Martinsville Road, Basking Ridge, NJ 07920. DECEMBER 2014

In Memoriam Jesse J. Morgan, Jr.

September 22, 2014, age 84, Sun City Center, Fla.

Mr. Morgan taught and coached at Pingry from 1956 to 1972, culminating with his appointment as Assistant Headmaster in 1967. Among his many roles, he taught Civilization, English, and Modern European and U.S. History, coached football and golf, and served as a college counselor, Assistant Director of Admission, and Head of the History Department. The yearbook staff dedicated the 1969 Blue Book to him. Mr. Morgan graduated from Dartmouth College with a degree in music and history and later pursued graduate work in European history at New York University, receiving an M.A. with honors and completing all coursework toward his Doctorate. Prior to his years at Pingry, he worked at Cardigan Mountain School in New Hampshire. His 25-year career as an independent school headmaster took him to the VailDeane School in Elizabeth, New Jersey, the Palmer School in Miami, and the Wheeling Country Day School in Wheeling, West Virginia. Mr. Morgan was predeceased by his brother David. Survivors include his wife Dottie; children Jesse J. Morgan III ’71, Cheryl, and Peter; and five grandchildren.

Dr. Robert E. Brenner ’38

August 12, 2014, age 94, Wesley Chapel, Fla.

Dr. Brenner received a degree in Dental Medicine from the University of Pennsylvania, served in World War II, and practiced dentistry for 40 years in Elizabeth, New Jersey. His wife Anne and daughter Christine predeceased him. Survivors include a son Eric, granddaughters Kelli and Jenah, two greatgranddaughters, and companion Ruth.

THE PINGRY REVIEW

Robert L. Marcalus ’39

Robert W. Rohn ’46

Mr. Marcalus attended the University of Vermont and enlisted in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He was a self-taught papermaker and worked with the family business, Marcalus Manufacturing Co., which evolved into Marcal Paper Mills, Inc. Mr. Marcalus later became President of Marcal, then Chairman of the Board and CEO. Marcal continued to operate as a family business until 2008. For over 45 years, Mr. Marcalus was also President of Green Acre Woodlands, Inc., a timberlands and real estate investment company. His leadership resulted in the preservation of thousands of acres of New Hampshire forests for open spaces, agriculture, and public recreational use. His son Robert predeceased him. Survivors include his wife of 72 years, Norma; sons Nicholas and Peter; daughters Jeannette, Anne, and Lisa; 17 grandchildren; and 23 great-grandchildren.

Mr. Rohn served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War and attended Edgewood Junior College, Franklin & Marshall College, and Rutgers University. He was a salesman for Newark Boxboard Company and Subsidiary Book Covers. Survivors include his wife of 61 years, Joan, and brothers Fred and Richard.

August 4, 2014, age 93, Wyckoff, N.J.

Richard L. Hagadorn ’41 August 2, 2014, age 90, West Chester, Pa.

Mr. Hagadorn served for three years as a First Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Infantry Occupying Forces in Japan and received a B.S. in Business Administration from Lehigh University. He was a salesman with Flexible Packaging, Super Insulation for NASA, Brewer Company, and Dunmoor Company. He was inducted into Pingry’s Athletics Hall of Fame as a member of the undefeated and state champion 1941 Baseball Team. Survivors include his wife of 63 years, Jean; daughters Jill, Jan, and Lori; nine grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and sister Helen.

Daniel M. Barton, Sr. ’46 August 21, 2014, age 86, Tulsa, Ok.

Mr. Barton graduated from the University of Pennsylvania and served in the Air Force during the Korean War. He worked for Getty Oil Company. Survivors include his wife of 61 years, Patricia; children Daniel, Jr., Andrew, Charles, and Judith; 12 grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren.

October 14, 2014, age 86, Fort Myers, Fla.

John C. “Jack” Howell ’48

January 3, 2014, age 83, New Port Richey, Fla.

Mr. Howell attended Princeton University and Harvard Law School, and practiced with the law firm of Moore and Howell in Newark, New Jersey. Survivors include two cousins.

Peter Van Leight ’52

August 7, 2014, age 79, Bonita Springs, Fla.

Mr. Van Leight graduated from Brown University and Aviation Officers Candidate School. He was a First Lieutenant U.S. Navy Navigator AEWRON THREE. His magazine publishing career included advertising, marketing, research, promotion, production, and circulation management at major publishing New York City companies such as Time Inc., Condé Nast, Kiplinger’s, and The Harvard Business Review. In addition, Mr. Van Leight was part of the launch team for New York Magazine. He was inducted into Pingry’s Athletics Hall of Fame as a member of the 1950 Football Team. Survivors include his wife of 26 years, Victoria; daughters Nicole and Courtney; son Erik; one grandson; and one granddaughter.

John G. “Gery” Torborg ’54

August 8, 2014, age 78, Vinalhaven, Maine

Mr. Torborg earned a B.M.E. at Cornell University, worked as a mechanical engineer for refiners including Esso, Humble, Bayway, and Exxon, and had a second career in consulting. Survivors include his second wife Ruth; sister Nancy; sons John, Tadd, and Jeffrey; and three grandchildren.

Charles A. Louria ’77

November 13, 2014, age 54, Mendham, N.J.

Mr. Louria attended Ohio Wesleyan University and spent his career in the telecom industries as a developer and owner. Most recently, he was Founder and Principal of Capital Telecom in Morristown. At Pingry, Mr. Louria was on the soccer, wrestling, and lacrosse teams, including serving as captain of the 1976-77 Wrestling Team. He was inducted into Pingry’s Athletics Hall of Fame as an individual (2005), recognizing his accomplishments in all three sports—the soccer team was County Co-Champion, he was 10-1 as a wrestler and finished fourth in the state tournament, and he was 2nd Team All-State in lacrosse. Mr. Louria was also inducted into the Hall of Fame (2008) as a member of the 1977 Boys’ Lacrosse Team. He continued to play soccer and lacrosse in college and became a team captain and AllAmerican in both sports. In soccer, Mr. Louria was a three-time All-Mideast, All-Ohio, and All-Ohio Athletic Conference pick and helped Ohio Wesleyan to three league titles and four NCAA Division III playoff appearances. In lacrosse, the team made three NCAA playoff appearances and won two MLA championships. Mr. Louria was inducted into Ohio Wesleyan’s Athletics Hall of Fame in 1988. Survivors include his wife Agnes, sons David ’09 and Stephen ’11, sister Anne Louria Ludes ’86, father Dr. Donald Louria, and mother Barbara.

Allison Lemansky ’91

September 18, 2014, age 41, Tustin, Calif.

Survivors include her husband James, sons Jimmy and Casey, mother Hilary, and brothers Daniel ’95 and Matthew.

Matthew D. Harjes ’93

September 26, 2014, age 40, Flemington, N.J.

Mr. Harjes graduated from Muhlenberg College and was an insurance agent with the Harjes Agency in Flemington. Survivors include his parents, sons Luke and Kaempfer, and sister Meg Mulry ’94.

Elizabeth Dorothy Winkler August 19, 2014, age 87, Parlin, N.J.

Ms. Winkler, library assistant at Pingry from 1974 to 1991, received an Associate’s Degree from Middlesex County College. She was predeceased by her two brothers and three sisters. Survivors include her husband of 67 years, Charles; children Margaret, Kathleen, Charles, John, Robert, and Mary Grace; 17 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

Marjorie Hill Noon

October 29, 2014, age 92, Hopkinton, N.H.

Ms. Noon was Director of Pingry’s Primary Division from 1974 to 1978 after Pingry merged with Short Hills Country Day School, where she had been teaching art. She majored in sculpture at Bennington College and pursued lifelong creative interests, holding a retrospective exhibition in her late 80s. When the New Hopkinton Library was built, she painted a mural of Hopkinton Village in the history room, and she helped launch the adult education program at the Learning Institute of New England College. Ms. Noon was predeceased by her husband Ted in 1988 after 66 years of marriage. Survivors include her brother Walter; children Nicholas, Jonathan, and Laura; eight grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren.

DECEMBER 2014

Closing Word

Lasting Impressions from the Campaign Kick-Off Pingry is not a school that rests on its laurels. Aspiration, not complacency, is our watchword. If we are going to be able to continue to offer this extraordinary education to future generations, if we are to fulfill our aspirations, we need to continue the tradition of constant improvement that has guided Pingry from its earliest days. Access, academic and athletic excellence, leadership, and opportunity are the ideals that inspired this Campaign. - Headmaster Nat Conard P ’09, ’11

Problems are solved and goals are reached much more effectively by groups of individuals working together. The modernization plans for both the Short Hills and Basking Ridge Campuses reflect these very important skills and will create a learning environment that will continue Pingry’s wonderful tradition of Excellence and Honor well into the 21st century and beyond. At the heart of this tradition is and always will be the relationships built among students and teachers. - Lower School Director Ted Corvino P ’94, ’97, ’02

[This Campaign is] a labor of love. I have been fortunate enough to have been exposed to several pretty fair educational institutions in my life, but it is Pingry that was the most influential of them all, and it is Pingry that holds the most important place in my heart… If you or your spouse or your children or your grandchildren, or all of the above, attended Pingry, and you like the kind of person you are or the kind of people they ended up becoming, I would suggest to you that this School deserves a significant part of the credit. - Trustee and Campaign Co-Chair Steve Newhouse ’65, P ’95, ’97, ’99

THE PINGRY REVIEW

Last year, the Upper School went 1-to-1…[and we] implemented a brand new schedule that facilitates our teachers’ use of technology in the classroom…to increase student engagement, collaboration, and enhance learning…That’s why I am so excited about the Blueprint for the Future Campaign. Our teachers deserve to teach in inviting, well-equipped classrooms… our students will thrive in a learning environment that encourages them to collaborate, create, and innovate. - Upper School Director Dr. Denise Brown-Allen P ’13

I am passionate about Pingry and…thrilled with the impact it had on my children. Our oldest son Robbie, as a junior in college, fulfilled the dream inspired years ago by Pingry’s Director of Global Programs—to volunteer at an orphanage in Tanzania. When our younger son Mac comes home from college, he pretty quickly heads for Pingry to use the gym and reconnect with friends and faculty. The Pingry influence clearly outlives our children’s years on campus.

Pingry is so much more than grades and achievements. It is teams, clubs, events, community service, and incredibly-talented people…teachers and coaches who know how to mentor and do it well. So how do I say “Thank you” to the school I love? By becoming the Co-Chair of the Senior Class Giving Committee. Now, I know more about where the funds for the School come from and why we need them…so I will do my best to help others learn the same.

- Trustee and Campaign Co-Chair Kathy Hugin P ’11, ’13

- Senior Class Giving Committee Co-Chair Ruthie Advokat ’15

PINGRY ALUMNI CALENDAR OF UPCOMING EVENTS

Alumni Class Notes Send us your latest news!

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 Tara Enzmann at The Pingry School, 131 Martinsville Road, Basking Ridge, NJ 07920 or email them to Tara at tenzmann@pingry.org.

Wednesday, January 7, 2015

Back-from-College Luncheon Basking Ridge Campus 11:30 a.m.

Thursday, January 15, 2015

Pingry Reception in New York City

Hosted by Terry and Polly O’Toole and their children Maggie ’05 and Brian ’08 Racquet and Tennis Club 6:30 p.m.

Wednesday, February 4, 2015

Pingry Innovation & Entrepreneurship WEST San Francisco’s St. Francis Yacht Club 6:30 p.m.

Thursday-Saturday, May 14-16, 2015

Reunion 2015 Find us on Facebook! * Page name is Pingry School Alumni Follow us on Twitter! *Handle is @PingryAlumni Join us on LinkedIn! *The Pingry School Alumni Network

Classes ending in “5” and “0” are celebrating milestone Reunions! Basking Ridge Campus Events will include the Achievement in the Arts Awards Ceremony, Athletics Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, Celebrate Pingry!, Annual Meeting of Alumni, Alumni Lacrosse Game, and Class Parties. Check pingry.org and watch your emails for information about upcoming regional events.

Visit us online: For volunteer opportunities or any additional questions, please contact:

David M. Fahey ’99 Director of Alumni Relations and Senior Major Gifts Officer for Athletics dfahey@pingry.org Dates, locations, and times are subject to change or will be announced soon. Check www.pingry.org for updates. (908) 647-7058

Non Profit Org

U.S. Postage PAID Paterson, N.J. PERMIT NO. 1225

THE PINGRY SCHOOL Basking Ridge Campus, Upper and Middle School Short Hills Campus, Lower School 131 Martinsville Road Basking Ridge, NJ 07920 Change Service Requested

Miller Drops In A cameo appearance by Miller Bugliari ’52 during our Blueprint for the Future Campaign Kick-Off. With parachute and camera in hand, Miller greets the audience after “filming” aerial shots of Pingry for the event’s opening video. He truly will do anything for Pingry!