Events & Highlights

from WEBB Magazine Summer 2021

Alumni Profiles

newsnotes

THE WEBB SCHOOLS

Zoom Events

BLACK ALUMNI SUPPORT BSU AND ESVI STUDENTS ) On February 3, the Black Student Union (BSU) and Empowering Student Voices Initiative (ESVI) organized an informal conversation with Black alumni, students and faculty. Many thanks to alumni participants (pictured clockwise) Jarel Hill ’08, Maame Ewusi-Mensah Frimpong ’93, Jordan Taylor ’02, Carly Paris ’10, Zak Kidd ’95 and Christopher Haliburton ’20. They talked about their student experiences and some of the challenges they faced with little representation at Webb. “The students and faculty mentioned how encouraging and powerful the conversations were. They would love to make this a tradition,” Director of Equity John Choi said.

DIES MULIERES/MEN IN THE ARENA SYMPOSIUM * Many thanks to the alumni who participated in our 2021 symposium on March 3: Diana Escalante ’12, Daniel Hernandez ’13, Akua McLeod ’16 and Dakota Santana-Grace ’11. This year’s event, “Education as a Catalyst for Change,” urged students, faculty and staff to think critically about how we can make Webb a more inclusive community. Alumni talked about their Webb experiences. All agreed that faculty played an important and supportive role, especially on issues related to race, sexual orientation or socio-economic background. They also shared ideas on how to build empathy through open dialogue around gender and inclusivity. Following the panel, keynote speaker Schuylar Bailar shared his personal journey as a transgender, Division 1 athlete at Harvard University.

INAUGURAL MEETING OF THE HUDDLE UP NETWORK * On March 24, WSC football coach Amahl Thomas hosted the inaugural meeting of the Huddle Up Network. The network’s goal is to establish and sustain a unique relationship among current and former student-athletes and foster ongoing relationships and opportunities for internships and networking. Fifty-four alumni and coaches attended the online gathering. Coach Dan Pride logged in from Ironton, Ohio, along with assistant coach Michael Dunford, defensive coordinator Chad Mejia and former offensive coordinator Mike McNeece. Alumni from the classes of 1958 through 2020 attended. Thomas showed a video featuring photos from different decades and gave an update on today’s football program. Additional events, including a barbecue, are in the works. For more information, contact the Alumni Office at alumni@webb.org.

Q&A WITH DR. SATSUKI INA AND STACY CHEN ’12 ) On May 5, in honor of Asian American Pacific Islander Month, Stacy Chen ’12 led a virtual Q&A for Webb students and faculty with Dr. Satsuki Ina, an emeritus faculty member at Boston University and the University of Oregon. They discussed current issues and events related to Asian discrimination actions, speech and sentiment. The event was organized by Eugene Guo ’22 and Director of Equity John Choi.

newsnotes

THE WEBB SCHOOLS

ALUMNI PECCARY VIRTUAL CAMPFIRE * On May 1, Peccary Pals from across space and time gathered around the virtual campfire for the second year in a row. Alumni, parents, friends and Webb students were treated to museum highlights, including an update on museum outreach and collections from Gabriel-Philip Santos, exciting new student research from Dr. Andrew Farke, as well as a moving tribute to Dr. Don Lofgren, who transitioned from Alf Museum director to director emeritus in July after more than three decades of service (See our Alf Museum section for more on Lofgren’s legacy, page 38). Museum Trustee Liz Smith ’92 led the annual raffle of wonderful museum prizes. Alumni look forward to returning to the hills of Barstow in May 2022.