Reunion

from The Pingry Review: Fall/Winter 2022

by The Pingry School

Faculty Awards/Chairs

First Women of Pingry Garden Party

Touring the Pottersville Campus with then–Head of School Appointee Tim Lear Athletics Hall of Fame inductions

PAA President Kevin Schmidt ’98 and Woody Weldon ’91, P ’23

Pingry pride during Class Parties

Alumni mingling at Class Parties

Norbert “Woody” Weldon ’91 Receives Nelson L. Carr ’24 Service Award

The Nelson L. Carr ’24 Service Award is named for the former Pingry Alumni Association President (1942–43) and Letter-In-Life Award winner (1982). The PAA presents it—as a surprise—for faithful and dedicated service to Pingry, with special consideration given to the nature and duration of service.

Vice President of Weldon Materials, Inc., Woody Weldon ’91, P ’23 has been an active member of the PAA since 2006, serving two terms as president (2016–2020). As a member of Pingry’s Board of Trustees, he put his industry knowledge to work on Pingry’s Buildings and Grounds Committee. A quiet champion of Pingry, he is a tireless volunteer and advocate for the School. He always puts Pingry’s needs first and is willing to do what is best for students. He seeks no accolades, keeping the focus on the institution and its needs.

In addition to giving his time, efforts, and energy to the School, Mr. Weldon has continued his family’s philanthropic legacy*, furnishing vital resources to help make a Pingry education more accessible to deserving students and families. He is a longtime supporter of The Pingry Fund and remains a fixture at alumni events—whether on campus at Reunion or at alumni receptions. He supports Pingry’s endowment through the Norbert A. Weldon ’35 Scholarship Fund, established by the Weldon family in 2010 to provide tuition assistance to deserving Middle and Upper School students. He has also supported the Theodore M. Corvino Scholarship, which honors the beloved former Lower School Director and awards aid to deserving Pingry students in need of tuition assistance.

A quote from Mr. Weldon in The Pingry Review (Summer 2017) summarizes his motivation: “Pingry has given so much to my family and me that it only feels right to give back to the School. […] It is time for us to help make sure that future generations of Pingry families have an equally positive—if not better—experience.”

*Mr. Weldon’s family has been a presence at Pingry for decades, beginning in the 1920s. Alumni include his great-uncles, William ’27 and Robert ’30; his grandfather, Norbert A. Weldon ’35; his uncles, Peter Weldon ’67 and William Weldon IV ’72; his niece, Whitney Weldon ’11; and his nephew, William Weldon ’09. Mr. Weldon and his wife, Mary, have three children, including Thomas ’23. Altogether, the family has nearly a century of history at Pingry.

Alumni Lacrosse Game

Members of the Class of 1992 with former Upper School English Teacher Dr. Susan Dineen, then–Upper School English Teacher Vicki Grant P ’03, ’06, Chemistry Teacher Tim Grant P ’03, ’06, and former Upper School English Teacher Ted Li. Reminiscing at the 50-Year Club Luncheon

Dancing is breaking out at the Class Parties!

Pingry Athletics Hall of Fame Inductions

Former Counselor and Coach Dr. Mike Richardson P ’86 with his wife Valerie and their son Jake

2020 Inductees

COACH MIKE RICHARDSON

Beloved Coach and Counselor Who Started Girls’ Soccer

He started the program in 1972–73 as a club team and served as the team’s head coach for nearly 20 years. Under his guidance, Pingry girls’ soccer posted an overall record of 130-81-15, won two county tournaments, made it to the Prep Finals nine times, and took home the championship trophy four times. “Some of the most fun and carefree days I had at Pingry was coaching girls’ soccer, especially on bright and sunny fall days. I would not trade those days for anything . . . And I thank the hundreds of girl soccer players who gave me so much joy and happiness and effort during those years.”

KATIE SCOTT OLD ’99

Field hockey powerhouse earned All-American and All-Ivy honors

Overall, the team’s record was 66-8-6 during her high school career. At Harvard, she would continue her field hockey career as a center back/ sweeper. “I find myself thinking about . . . the environment and expectations that were set. The development as a student and athlete, but also as a good human. I am so grateful for you, Mrs. Lee, and all the other coaches who Former Field Hockey Head Coach Judy Lee and make sure students leave Katie Scott Old ’99 this school knowing what is truly important—sportsmanship, accountability, teamwork. In some places, these are just words. Here at Pingry, you make sure students know what they mean.”

halloffame.pingry.org

Browse the Pingry Athletics Hall of Fame and view the citations for the 2020 and 2022 inductees.

Ranait Griff, Mary Ellen Phelan P ’02, ’04, ’06, ’11, Liam Griff ’04, Kelly Griff, Morgan Griff ’06, Kristen Griff, and Tierney Griff ’11

LIAM GRIFF ’04

Pingry’s “Captain America,” a leader in three sports

He earned eight varsity letters and held three captainships in soccer, basketball, and lacrosse, and was elected Senior Class President. He went on to play four years of varsity lacrosse at Harvard. “Sports matter. The people in my life, the lessons I’ve learned, the opportunities and experiences that I have been afforded—most of them have some connection to sports. And will power matters. I am tall and fairly coordinated, but I am not particularly fast or strong . . . and I made it a long way in sports, largely because of will power. I set my mind to certain goals . . . and then I just tried and worked as hard as I possibly could until I achieved them. So, play sports and expose your kids to sports; be willful and go do whatever it is you want to do.”

2022 Inductee

2006 BOYS’ LACROSSE TEAM

With a 17-3 season, this team set the Pingry record for most wins in a season. They won the Bristol Bowl, the Waterman Conference Championship, and the Somerset County Championship, then went on to win the NJSIAA Non-Public Group B championship in that tournament’s inaugural year.

Members of the 2006 Boys’ Lacrosse Team: Justin Oplinger ’06, Coach Fred Hedengren, Coach David Giarrusso, Logan Bartlett ’06, Head Coach Mike Webster P ’24, ’27 ’27, Brian Combias ’06, Coach Patrick Birotte ’87, P ’20, and Morgan Griff