Webb Magazine Summer 2023

Webb

A Legacy of Building Community

MAGAZINE SUMMER 2023

Stockdale Honored McMillin’s Legacy LIves On

COVER

Taylor and Anne Stockdale, April 2023.

Taylor B. Stockdale joined The Webb Schools in 1988, a young teacher just heading into his second job in education. Over the next 35 years, through roles in admission and advancement and finally as head of schools, he came to embody the FOUNDATIONAL STRENGTHS upon which Webb’s mission rests.

Embracing Growth, Holding on to Values

As I pen this opening for the spring edition of Webb Magazine, I can’t help but feel nostalgic. This is my final edition as head of schools, and it represents a surreal passage of time for me. I think back to Ray

Alf’s time spiral, and his deepest of all questions when getting toward the end: what will we do with your moment of time?

While I’m pleased to report that my personal time spiral does not represent millions of years (though after a long day it can feel that way), it does represent a full set of experiences that I never dreamed I would have. Webb is a big part of my time spiral, as it represents well over half my life.

So much has changed at the Webb I first encountered as a young man in 1988.

Our spirit of unbounded thinking pushes Webb to challenge conventional wisdom and evokes an entrepreneurial mindset. This thinking has driven a revolution in academics, a doubling of our footprint and facilities and shifts in student demographics. Through it all, though, our core values have remained constant: a focus on honor and moral courage. Our mission is our north star, one literally etched in stone at the entrance of our campus.

for two or three years. It also took me a little while to find the rhythm of Webb. Along the way, I learned from Webb icons Ramsay Harris, Larry McMillin and Ray Alf. I also had mentors in Kathy Hasse Simon, Steve Patterson, Roy Bergeson, Dan White and Susan Nelson. And I had many colleagues who quickly became good friends.

Soon, days turned into weeks, the weeks into months and the months, years … and years. Anne and I raised two lovely kids on this glorious campus (and many dogs and other pets). I got to try and do many things for the school, and Anne taught kindergarten in Claremont.

Our kids are now in their late 20s, and they too are feeling nostalgic this spring. Bailey is moving to Manhattan, New York, with his wife, Ana. Claire lives in Orange County with her husband, Jacob, and my grandson (YAY!) Liam. I will be transitioning to my new role as head emeritus.

Webb has given us a life full of joy, happiness and fulfillment – nothing less.

Boarding school applications across the nation have been dropping at a rate of about 5% a year for a decade – a perilous freefall. The reason isn’t a mystery; the model of a school sequestered from the world, where all students receive a uniform academic experience, is increasingly irrelevant.

But, as we know, Webb isn’t a traditional boarding school. Our academic model allows students to plot their own course of study and recognizes that teaching happens in all sorts of venues – not just in a classroom and not just led by a teacher. Indeed, our students connect academically and socially with the booming cultural, environmental and community dynamo that is Southern California.

Of course, when Anne and I rolled onto campus in 1988, I knew little of this. I was 26 and thought I might be here

Anne and I keep wondering, “How did we get so fortunate to land in this remarkable community – a place with so much history and character and so much potential for the future?” Webb’s story is ever unfolding, and it has been the joy of a lifetime to be a part of it. Thank you for your continued support in ensuring Webb’s future is bright in the next 100 and beyond.

Taylor B. Stockdale Head of Schools

This balance of values and unbounded thinking is why Webb is thriving while traditional boarding schools struggle.

“Webb has given us a life full of joy, happiness and fulfillment – nothing less.”

Taylor B. Stockdale

A Legacy of Community

Taylor B. Stockdale joined The Webb Schools in 1988, a young teacher just heading into his second education job. In what would become a signature move, he sought advice from the senior teachers and engaged other campus leaders in conversation about what made Webb a powerhouse in academic circles. Over the next 35 years, in roles in admission and advancement and finally as head of schools, he came to embody those FOUNDATIONAL STRENGTHS upon which Webb’s reputation rests.

In Stockdale’s words – uttered at every annual convocation for the last decade – without honor there can be no trust and without trust there can be no community. And when it comes to community, Webb enjoys an embarrassment of riches – an inclusive, supportive community stretching back 100 years, with HONOR and TRUST at its core.

This July, Stockdale will step into his latest role, as head emeritus. As he does, let us reflect on his legacy of community in the words of those who shared the journey with him.

A SERIES OF TRIBUTES

Susan A. Nelson

Susan A. Nelson led Webb as head of schools for two decades, joining in 1988 – the same year as Taylor Stockdale. She is a life trustee and the 2022 recipient of the Ruzicka Compass Premier Leadership Award from The Association of Boarding Schools.

From the moment I met him, I knew Taylor was destined for school leadership. What I didn’t know was that he and I would have the special gift of a true and tried professional relationship that would become an enduring friendship. We had many shared experiences, but the most impactful for Webb and for me were our countless visits with so many alumni, families and friends that also became enduring relationships.

It is difficult to describe Taylor’s impact as he excelled in so many arenas. In all the roles I had the great pleasure of placing Taylor, he not only fulfilled hopes, needs and expectations but also exceeded them and ultimately came to transform Webb.

Under Taylor's leadership, Advancement raised the bar on both Webb's security and reputation, and it engendered a new awareness of the significance of philanthropy among constituents who were capable but previously a bit less inspired.

It was visionary.

Taylor’s great sense of humor, ability to laugh at himself and tendency to see the best in everyone and every job were qualities that drew people to him. Whether serving Webb, TABS or other boarding schools, Taylor was counted upon and always placed the needs and plans of the organization or institution he served first.

As Taylor transitions to the emeritus role, he will always be committed to Webb. It was and always will be a home for him, a community of great support for him and his family, and he will always do anything he can to ensure Webb's strength and growth and to honor and enforce its mission.

Dr. Don Lofgren

Don “Doc” Lofgren joined Webb as the director of the Raymond M. Alf Museum of Paleontology in 1991. He held the post until 2021, when he transitioned into a role as director emeritus for a year. He helped modernize the museum and secure national accreditation – a status accorded only a small number of museums across the country.

I was at Webb for 31 years. Taylor was there the whole time, from teacher to head of schools. That is a lot of growth at one institution. Perhaps Taylor's finest hour was in October 2003, when the roaring Grand Prix fire threatened Webb. Taylor was acting head as Susan Nelson was on sabbatical, so it was literally a baptism of fire. At 11 p.m., Taylor gave the order to evacuate campus and we relocated to a building near Claremont High. Taylor then briefed us on the fire's progress in a somber

This is because Taylor articulated the future of Webb in ways that were realistic and practical but also compelling regarding what Webb could be with greater financial support.

but remarkably optimistic manner. There was no sugar coating the situation as everyone could see the massive wall of flames heading toward campus, but Taylor's calm demeanor kept our hopes up.

I drove around all night tracking the fire and, at 5:30 a.m., the fire was just north of Webb or burning the upper campus. Two hours later, faculty was allowed back on campus and it was 100% intact, a miraculous outcome. I often reflect on Taylor's leadership when Webb faced what surely was its greatest potential natural disaster and how strong he was that night.

Taylor's major accomplishments as head of schools are many, but on a personal level, Taylor was my neighbor, my boss, my friend and my colleague. I think a boarding school is one of the few places where all that could be possible at the same time.

One day we might be in his office for a meeting and the next sitting beside a campfire on a Barstow Peccary Trip sharing stories with alumni or gathering in a driveway on lawn chairs during Covid talking about getting back to normal while raising a glass of wine. Taylor wore many hats well.

Beyond being a visionary leader who strived to make the student experience at Webb the very best, I admired Taylor for how he masterfully built community with his good humor and character. One great experience we shared was flying to Salt Lake City in 1999 to ask Larry Ashton ’70 to chair the Museum Board of Trustees and spearhead the museum's drive to achieve world-class status.

Taylor often quoted Ray Alf when speaking to students, asking "What are you going to do with your moment of time?" If that question were to be redirected to Taylor with regard to his 35-year Webb career, the answer would be exceptional.

Roy Bergeson

Roy Bergeson has a long history at Webb, arriving in 1969 when Thompson and Vivian Webb were a presence on campus and Fred Hooper was head of school. He was active in many roles, including history teacher, department chair, dean of students, assistant to the head and dean of faculty. He was director of admission in 1988 when Taylor Stockdale was hired as an economics teacher and assistant director of admission.

I was involved in the discussions surrounding the hiring of Taylor Stockdale, whose first campus home was in my basement at the Webb House. As director of admission, I worked directly with Taylor in his first years on campus. Since leaving Webb, I have visited and worked at public and independent schools in the U.S. and China, most recently as founding head of an international school in Beijing.

My sense of Webb is that the DNA has always been good and strong, but Taylor's care enabled the school to really blossom. For a lot of schools, it's easy to look good with slick viewbooks, websites and nice campus entrances. But excellence lies in the details, in the nuts and bolts of a school.

Recently, a student I had tutored in Beijing for just over two years needed a hand in selecting a U.S. boarding school. Our review of many schools brought us to Webb, where he enrolled. I was pleased to hear his thoughts after enrolling: he loves it, and what he tells me about his experience is exactly what he read on the website and what Taylor talks about.

What Taylor has done is remarkable and rare at any school. His nurture and vision for Webb has allowed it to become the best version of itself.

Wendin Smith ’89

Dr. Wendin Smith ’89 serves as a senior official at the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) headquarters in Brussels, Belgium. She is a member of Webb’s Board of Trustees.

As a rising senior in the proud Class of 1989, life was good. We pondered how to maximize time with friends during our final year at Webb and sought to distinguish ourselves with compelling college applications. We also, admittedly, contemplated how to terrorize the newest, most innocent faculty member … one “Taylor Stockdale” – who boldly offered Economics during the infamous final semester –our Senior Spring.

That spring, and across the years that followed, we have all learned many important skills from Taylor: the power of curiosity, respect for diverse views, the value of solid analysis, how to maximize the performance of teams and … yes … even the role of markets and finance (as much as we tried otherwise, we did actually learn lots that Senior Spring).

I will always recall a “moment” with Taylor, when – several decades later, as a new board member – I had the pleasure of hosting him and another Webb colleague at the Pentagon. Before heading to my office deep in the bowels of the impressive building, I walked Taylor past a few exhibits.

As we approached the “Hall of Heroes,” which honors brave service members who have received the Medal of Honor, Taylor casually remarked “I think my father’s name is on that wall.”

Astounded, I entered the exhibit with Taylor – to indeed find one Rear Admiral James Bond Stockdale listed.

In learning more about the incredible service and sacrifices of Taylor’s mother, father and family, I came to better understand Taylor’s calm and powerful approach to genuine leadership, courageous service and unbounded thinking.

Throughout my time at Webb and in the decades that have followed, Taylor has consistently embodied a “work hard, play hard” approach. As a student in his class back in 1989, and as a board member today, I still learn from Taylor. Together, as a team, we work hard at ensuring that Webb does the utmost to uphold its values and deliver on its mission. And in turn, we have fun – celebrating accomplishments, encouraging one another and supporting our communities.

Taylor demonstrates infectious joy, indefatigable patience and strength, as well as an ironclad commitment to the highest principles. His humble manner draws us in, confident in the knowledge that we are all contributing to, and members of, a community that will serve many – today and into the future. Thank you, Taylor!

Bailey Stockdale ’11

Bailey Stockdale ’11 – son of Taylor and Anne Stockdale – is CEO of Leaf Agriculture. He earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from Colorado College.

Growing up at Webb was an absolute joy. The campus is filled with green fields, a big pool, friendly people and endless nooks and crannies to explore. My dad, mom, my sister, Claire, and I would spend hours lying on the grass listening to the lazy drone of planes, kicking and throwing balls on the

fields, going on nature walks, playing Marco Polo in the pool and hiking in the hills. We played endlessly with campus friends. Webb was our domain.

Once I grew older and became a student at Webb, the previously friendly yet mostly anonymous faces that I saw while exploring suddenly became my peers and the campus transformed into our shared home. I quickly realized that while I knew every corner of campus, I didn’t know anything about its true purpose. Understanding the purpose of Webb and using the campus for its purpose brought a new and different – and deeper – respect for the campus itself and the faculty and staff that bring it to life.

In a similar way, my respect and love for my dad deepened as I watched him teaching students and leading the school.

Growing up, I had always assumed my dad’s purpose was to be a father. He was phenomenal at it and always there guiding us and showing us the joy of life.

As a student at Webb, I realized that his purpose extended beyond me and Claire. Anyone who has seen my dad work can tell you how much he loves working with students and how full of energy he becomes when he is thinking about how to improve their education.

Every Webb student has a sense that my dad cares for them personally (ask them!), and he knows the students so well that he can consistently draw their attention to the lesson or chapel topic of the day. Some of the proudest moments of my life are watching my dad speak in front of the Webb students during chapel or all school events.

He is a master storyteller, a thoughtful educator, an outstanding father and a strong leader – and his secret is care.

CAREER TIMELINE

1985: B.A. history/political science , Colorado College

1985-86:

Bank of America, San Francisco

1986-88:

Rumsey Hall School, Connecticut: Taught Latin, algebra, American government, U.S. history; coached football, basketball, crew; dorm parent for seventh grade; director of summer school

1988:

Webb Assistant Director of Admission (four years); taught AP Economics, American history, coach, dorm head, Honor Committee advisor, Lead Class advisor for the Class of 1992

1992:

M.A. in economics, University of Delaware

1992-95: Director of Alumni Relations

1995-2005: Director of Institutional Advancement

2005: Assistant Head of Schools; assumed responsibilities of school directors in 2006

2011: Head of Schools

2023: Head Emeritus

CAREER ACHIEVEMENTS

1991: Worked with the California Council on Economic Education to establish an Advanced Placement program and tests in both AP Micro and Macroeconomics

1992: Led campus wide initiative to review and strengthen the Webb Honor Code

1994-99: Facilitated Webb’s first major comprehensive campaign, the Building Character Campaign, which raised over $22 million

2005: As Assistant Head of Schools, revamped the curriculum and strengthened boarding and weekend programs

2012: In partnership with the Senior Administrative Team, renewed the curriculum to increase its impact and to address the needs of the future workforce and global economy

2013: In partnership with the Board of Trustees, crafted the Centennial Strategic Plan

2017: Launched The Centennial Campaign to support the goals of the Centennial Strategic Plan

2017: Acquired 75 acres of land contiguous to the campus, doubling Webb’s footprint

2020: Successfully guided the community through the COVID-19 pandemic

2022: Celebrated the Centennial and announced the landmark estate gift of $100 Million or more

Claire Deutsch ’14

Claire Deutsch ’14 – daughter of Taylor and Anne Stockdale – is a registered veterinary technician. She holds an Associate of Science from Carrington College California-Pomona in veterinary/animal health technology/technician and is a veternary assistant.

My earliest memory growing up at Webb was pretending to be asleep until I heard my dad’s keys jingle as he unlocked the door to come home after a night of dorm duty. I’d jump out of bed and run down the hall to give him a big hug. This was our little tradition most nights of the week.

My dad worked hard and for long hours almost every day. I would have never known it – he always made time for us. I remember him encouraging me to jump off the old high dive at the Webb pool, playing endless games of Marco Polo, and he was always on the sidelines cheering me on at my soccer games. He’d be on the carpooling schedule to take us to school and quiz us on which 80s band sang each song he played. Looking back, it’s clear that he’s a natural teacher, and he’s taught me a wide variety of life lessons as long as I can remember.

I knew when the chapel bells rang, it meant it was time for the dining hall to serve chocolate milk. I’d race down to get some and then look for him to give him a hug.

Deval Dvivedi ’00

Deval Dvivedi ’00 is head of international for Eagle Proprietary Investments Ltd. He holds a Bachelor of Science in finance from Boston College and spent a year at the London School of Economics. He serves on Webb’s Board of Trustees

In 1998, I came to Webb for my junior year. I came from Bahrain, a desert island in the Middle East, to this beautiful school in the foothills east of LA. Suffice it to say, it took me a while to settle in.

A few months into the school year, I was seated with Taylor during formal dinner. I was immediately drawn in! He asked questions about growing up in Bahrain, about my family and appreciated how difficult it must be being so far from everything I had known. He pointed out how brave it was for me to be there. His charming, compassionate and calming personality was exactly what I needed. This ability to connect with anyone and to make them feel important is one of Taylor’s gifts and an incredibly valuable quality for any leader.

The following year I found myself in Taylor’s AP Economics class. Ever since I could remember, I always wanted to do something in business or finance. I was terrified of performing poorly and hurting my chances of getting into a decent undergrad business program. But, as it turned out, Taylor had a real knack for simplifying complex concepts and teaching in a way that was easy to understand. He taught us how to bring any concept back to first principles and logic – another invaluable leadership quality. He was easily the best teacher I ever had.

Over a decade after graduating, I had lost touch with Webb as I created a life far away in New York. In spring 2011, I got a message informing me that the new head of schools was coming to town and asking whether I would be interested in a meeting. A few weeks later I got an email coordinating my meeting with the new head – and I was more than stunned to see Taylor’s name.

We had a wonderful breakfast and, like the first time I met Taylor, I was captivated. I was excited to learn about Webb’s focus on unbounded thinking, the innovative curriculum, the world class Alf Museum and the partnerships with area colleges. From that point on, Taylor and I met frequently. In 2016, he asked me to join Webb’s Board of Trustees. It has been the honor of a lifetime to work alongside Taylor as a trustee for the last seven years.

Taylor frequently speaks of thinking boldly and creatively, acting with moral courage, leading with distinction and serving with a generous spirit. It’s no secret these are the same words that form Webb’s mission. After 35 years together, it’s almost as if Taylor and Webb have become connected as one soul – indivisible and together forever.

Roger Millar ’61

Roger Millar ’61 has supported The Webb Schools for more than 50 years, including more than 12 years as a class agent as well as two terms on the Board and is now a Life Trustee.

I’m not too clear how the conversation began. Taylor and I were sitting under the redwoods, enjoying the dappled light and the sun’s perfect warmth. The synapses were relaxed.

Any defenses were deactivated. My high-tech work in the secret “black world” of classified weapons systems was behind me, or perhaps elsewhere, since it didn’t really exist.

Since I couldn’t talk about my work, I felt no disinclination when it came to asking questions about Webb. After all, I had been there ages ago, and a “Webbie” is always a “Webbie.”

We chatted, informally, but not frivolously, and Taylor became somewhat more pensive, more serious, more focused on me, though I hadn’t noticed at the time. And then it came … the big question he must have been planning all along. “Have you ever thought of serving on Webb’s Board of Trustees?”

I was uncharacteristically speechless. I muttered an ambiguity. I dithered. I demurred. I waited for another visitor to come by so that I could graciously excuse myself. There I was, unable to articulate an answer. None of this fazed Taylor, who quietly and persuasively ignored my nattering.

Knowing the nearest phone was over a mile away, I begged for the time to call Judith.

A few pointed observations on her part, and my worries were set adrift. I accepted the honor and the challenge Taylor had presented to me. The second-best decision I ever made. Thank you, Taylor and voting board members.

Lei “Ella” Liu P ’18, ’23

Lei “Ella” Liu is the parent of two Webbies – sons Andy Zhou ’18 and Jack Zhou ’23 – and has been named an honorary trustee in recognition of her service to Webb. Liu formerly operated an education consulting firm that guided many prospective students to Webb. She also supports Webb international trips with her current firm, a travel agency.

I have known Taylor for about 10 years, since my older son, Andy, attended Webb. I still remember how worried Andy's father and I were when he broke the Honor Code during his freshman year. We were concerned that he might get dismissed from school, which would have a negative impact on his future life and education.

However, Taylor had a serious and sincere talk with Andy's father and me after this incident. He explained how Webb would help Andy and gave us some suggestions on how to help Andy as his parents. Having this open and sincere discussion made us feel much more relieved and assured.

Through this experience, I was greatly impressed that Webb holds strict standards for its students. Webb’s culture of educating honorable young people is very much in line with our expectations for our children. Meanwhile, I found it very encouraging that the head of schools, Taylor, paid so much attention to an individual student.

Ever since, Andy was very diligent about adhering to the Honor Code and all of Webb’s other rules. When Andy received his diploma from Taylor at the graduation ceremony, his father and I were deeply moved.

I absorbed, with reasonable speed, an avalanche of material, I thought of myself as potentially competent and even sagacious and set to work. And now, Taylor is off on waves of rightfully earned accolades and adulations. He put his qualities of enthusiasm, loyalty and commitment to achieve truly remarkable results. Taylor, thanks for your service, and for giving me the chance to participate in these years of your tenure.

Taylor is a responsible and competent educator, as well as a sincere and supportive friend. When we first met him in Beijing, he carefully talked to us about how Andy performed in and outside the classroom. These details enabled us to believe that both the head of schools and Webb care about each student deeply on a personal level.

Andy’s father and I felt assured about him studying and living alone in a foreign country. Likewise, we believe we have made the right choice by sending Andy to Webb, a school we’d be happy and proud to recommend to our Chinese friends.

Now, our younger son, Jack, will be graduating from Webb soon as well. I believe Taylor and the Webb community have had a significant impact on our kids and helped shape them into the people they are now.

Dr. Theresa Smith P ’22

Theresa Smith was hired by Taylor Stockdale in 2011 as director of academic affairs. She later became assistant head of schools and associate head of schools before being chosen to succeed him as the seventh head of schools. She holds a Master of Arts and a Ph.D. in history from UC San Diego, and a Bachelor of Arts in history with a minor in Spanish from UC Berkeley.

Throughout the past 12 years, Taylor and I have met for early morning hikes in the hills alongside the Webb campus. Our conversations during those hikes are in many ways an extension of one that began during my interview process in the fall of 2010.

Over coffee in Pasadena, I remember Taylor asking me, “What does honor mean to you?” In that moment, he both invited and challenged me to integrate a broader vision, beyond

academics, into my role as an educator and leader. His question was the first sign I had that Webb’s mission would guide us in our work together, that we were part of something bigger than ourselves.

Many schools have missions. Not all have leaders who use them as a true north star.

When our hikes involved sorting through a new challenge, Taylor often quoted Peter Drucker, reminding me that “the main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing.” I can’t begin to count the number of times Taylor brought us back to Webb’s mission to center us.

On our hikes and in his life with students, Taylor was – he is – real. I remember a Sunday chapel talk in which he shared a story from his senior year in high school. He had not been selected as captain of the football team, and his coach told him he was glad Taylor had lost the team vote. Taylor shared the pain he felt, his journey of self-reflection and what he ultimately learned: that leadership is not about your own accomplishments and success, it is about being ready to serve others, to enable their successes.

It was a powerful message about our mission, made effective because of Taylor’s vulnerability. Taylor challenged us all to share and learn from our setbacks, not just our successes.

I have learned from Taylor how a boarding school community makes possible the work of our mission. As someone who attended boarding school, Taylor understands firsthand the ways students need to be nurtured.

He taught this by example, hosting students at his home for pizza nights and Super Bowl parties, meeting seniors and their advisors in the early morning as they headed off on their trips to the Grand Canyon and Yosemite, bringing Anne’s delicious holiday cupcakes to the dorms, cheering on sports teams, and more. Taylor reminds me that these little moments of showing up for the community are connected to the big picture.

More than I ever imagined during my first conversations with Taylor, his leadership, his commitment to a boarding school education grounded in shared values and his belief in the power of community have transformed me as an educator. I often find myself going back to his question about honor. Centering that question – centering Webb’s mission – has been perhaps the greatest lesson I have learned from Taylor, and an incredible gift for the entire Webb community.

LEGACIES

Webb Honors Stockdale for Building Community

Webb leaders honored retiring Head of Schools Taylor B. Stockdale for 35 years of service to the organization, thanking him for leading efforts to double the campus footprint, re-imagine the academic focus and deepen a commitment to educating morally courageous leaders.

Stockdale’s commitment to Webb has transformed the school and its community, Dholakia said.

“Over the last decade, our stature in the world has doubled,” Dholakia said. “This doesn’t happen alone – but there has to be somebody who inspires. Taylor inspires. Taylor creates connections with his ability to put people at ease with a smile or a word. One of Taylor’s gifts is to be able to create community everywhere he goes.”

In recognition of Stockdale’s impact, Webb renamed its newly renovated community center, which sits at the center of campus, the Taylor B. Stockdale Community Center. The honor captures Stockdale’s unwavering support of community life.

The Board of Trustees also established a special legacy fund in the name of Stockdale and his wife, Anne, to support the center as well as campus life programs.

The honors were announced on Feb. 17 during a triennial leadership dinner attended by Webb’s Board of Trustees, the Alf Museum Board of Trustees, the Webb Alumni Council, and Affiliates Executive Board.

Stockdale was stunned.

“This I did not expect at all. I’m still totally in shock,” he said.

Stockdale thanked his wife, Anne, and children, Claire and Bailey, who were raised on the Webb campus.

He credited Dholakia and two former Board of Trustee chairs, Robert “Bob” Adler P ’96, ’00 and Paul Reitler ’54, GP ’13, for their support.

He also recognized his mentor at Webb, former Head of Schools Susan A. Nelson, for whom he served as assistant head of schools and director of institutional advancement over nearly two decades.

Nelson praised Stockdale for his impact on Webb.

“It’s difficult to describe Taylor’s impact because he excelled in so many different arenas. In all the challenges that he was faced with, he not only fulfilled needs and expectations – he exceeded them. He worked very, very hard to do that. It was a joy to work with him.”

Stockdale built a community of dedicated alumni and supporters as well as strong faculty and staff committed to elevating Webb, Nelson said.

“Taylor raised the bar on people’s expectations for what Webb could be and would become,” she said. “Thank you, Taylor, from me and from all of us. You’ve done great.”

Dean of Faculty Michael Szanyi said Stockdale embodies Webb’s mission, inscribed in stone at the entry to the campus.

“You have thought boldly, mindfully and creatively about how to continue to propel Webb into a prosperous future,” he said. “You acted with honor and moral courage. You led with distinction. And, it goes without saying that you continuously served with a generous spirit year after year. You’ve demonstrated your leadership, commitment and love for the Webb community.”

Stockdale will become head emeritus in July, when Head Elect Dr. Theresa Smith becomes Webb’s seventh head of schools. Smith, who worked for 12 years alongside Stockdale as his assistant head of schools and then associate head of schools, also voiced her admiration.

“You’re genuine and you’re real. I admire your tireless work ethic, all the behind-the-scenes planning that often goes unnoticed – that you let go unnoticed. I admire the way you take time to express gratitude, to make people feel seen for their contributions and to recognize the way people’s efforts help to build up this community.”

Stockdale’s leadership ensured Webb has successfully navigated political, cultural, social and health challenges –including the pandemic, Smith said.

“Your steadfast resolve held this community together and encouraged us all to continue going,” she said. “You never worried about making the popular decision or making the easy decision. You took the time, and you were thoughtful and deliberate and you worried about doing what was right. Day in and day out, you modeled a clear and unswerving devotion to Webb’s mission and the enduring values embedded in it.”

“Head of schools is truly one of the most complex jobs you can imagine. The true measure of an incredible leader is someone who makes it look easy,” said Sanjay Dholakia ’87, chair of the Webb Board of Trustees. “Taylor deserves every accolade and 10 more.”

A LOVE OF LEARNING, A Family Legacy

There is the Webb family – a 5,000-plus cadre of students, alumni, parents, grandparents, faculty, administrators and friends. And then, there are Webb families, a group so invested in the value of a Webb education that they send multiple generations through its doors.

If you attended or were associated with The Webb Schools in the early 1980s through current times, there’s a good chance you’ve crossed paths with one such group: the Sun family and their relatives. With Jordon Sun ’23 preparing to graduate this spring, 11 Sun family members count themselves as Webb alumni – that’s two generations and 46 years of Webb loyalty.

And it all began when a young George Sun ’81 arrived on campus in fall 1977. His family immigrated to the United States from Taiwan in 1974, when he was in the sixth grade. Sun attended a small, private junior high school in Pasadena, where the family lived, and then a family acquaintance suggested that his parents, Pi-Lin Sun and Hwei-Chih Cheng Sun, visit Webb.

“I was very impressed with Webb,” George said. “It was a college-level environment, and the campus was so large and beautiful, set against the hills. I saw a diverse campus, and when I started, I encountered many students of different upbringings and personalities.”

A strong education was of immense importance to George’s parents. In Taiwan, his mother was a prominent elementary school teacher who founded a private school in Taipei. On a 1996 trip to Taiwan, then-Head of Schools Susan A. Nelson and then-Assistant Head of Schools Taylor B. Stockdale visited Hwei-Chih Cheng Sun’s school, the Lih-Jen International Private School, a bilingual international school.

“Her school was quite impressive and we were happy to meet with her, and discuss the cultural and intellectual richness that students from her school could bring to Webb. It was the last stop on our way home,” Stockdale said, “and Mrs. Sun presented us with a box of mooncakes for everyone at Webb!”

Though George said the Webb admission office initially had concerns about his English language skills, he completed an IQ test on which he scored quite high in math. He joined the Class of 1981 during his sophomore year, and the family legacy was underway.

George attended UCLA for his undergraduate degree, USC for his medical degree and Rutgers University for his internship and residency, but he regards the discipline and organizational skills he acquired at Webb to be of utmost importance to his life and career.

He was impressed by the traditions and remembers with great fondness the formal dinners where he dressed in a jacket and tie and where a faculty member was the head of the table.

“It’s where I met people of very diverse backgrounds,” he said. “There was nothing like that at UCLA. My friends in college told me that formal dinner was outdated when I appeared at my first meal there in a jacket and tie, but it was one of my favoriate traditions at Webb.”

Even his wife, Zehra, is a devotee.

"I love Webb so much even though I’m the only one who didn’t go,” she said.

On one of their earliest dates, nearly 40 years ago, George took Zehra to Webb to show her the campus. He told her about the Honor Code, the sense of community, the camaraderie of faculty and students, the emphasis on academics but also the importance of honor, friendships, community service and independent thinking.

He told her: “I want all my children to go to Webb!”

It is a prophecy fulfilled as Jordon ’23, the Suns’ youngest child, graduates this year, following in the footsteps of his siblings, Gordon ’09, Sarah ’10 and Kara ’20.

George’s brother, Richard, also entrusted three of his children to Webb: Kathy ’02, Lorraine ’04 and Michael ’06.

Zehra’s sister, Kuyas Myhre and her husband, Carl Myhre, sent three of theirs as well: Yolbars ’17, Takim ’18 and Solfrid ’19.

Sarah ’10 remembers receiving a confetti-filled acceptance letter to Vivian Webb School and running around the house with delight.

Sarah was involved in several leadership positions at Webb, including tennis team co-captain, and dorm prefect. She helped found Webb’s badminton team.

“Being in these leadership positions helped me grow as a person – it just made me more likely to be a leader and gave me clarity on what kinds of opportunities that I enjoy,” Sarah said.

Sarah recently completed projects for Netflix in Toronto, Mexico City and Buenos Aires in her role as a project manager in design and construction for the popular streaming service. She previously worked for the Walt Disney Co.

Sarah even spoke at her sister Kara ’20’s Sophomore Career Evening.

“It felt great to give back to the school, but it was extra special to see my sister’s face in the room,” she added.

Kara ’20 shares her big sister’s sentiments about Webb and says the consistent high ratings of the school from her older siblings played a huge factor in why she chose to follow in the family footsteps.

“There are teachers like Brian Caldwell and Michael Kozden who I heard about all the time from my siblings,” said Kara. “Through their humor and caring, these teachers have had a huge impact on us – they were always there for me, no matter what I was going through.”

Kara will be a junior at the University of Southern California this fall but says she is still very close to her Webb friends. Their strong connections helped the class overcome the impact of COVID-19 restrictions and the disruption of their senior year.

“We made such good connections,” she said. “We didn’t have our official graduation until 2021, but it was a heart-warming experience to be together again with my Webb family.”

Kathy ’02 was a dorm counselor, played on the volleyball and basketball teams and co-founded the Asian Student Association.

“I valued my experience at Webb from the very first week,” Kathy said. “Webb has so much to offer, and you quickly learn how to manage your time. I remember the day-to-day routine, trying not to miss breakfast check-ins before a full schedule of classes, then walking up Gym Hill for volleyball or basketball practice, attending formal dinners, getting homework done during study hours and still making time to hang out with friends before lights out.”

Kathy remembers her teachers with great fondness – Brian Caldwell (“whenever I’m on campus I say hello to him, he is a great mentor and friend,”) and advisor Juli James (“she encouraged me to join things and even start my own club”).

“Campus life was everything when I was a student,” she said. “Webb was like a second home for me. Beyond academics and a one-of-a-kind educational experience, I value the relationships I made while I was there – some of my best friends today are from Webb.”

The strong community ties and a sense of belonging persuaded Kathy to stay involved at Webb. Today, she serves as president of the Alumni Council.

“My Dad was the first to go to Webb, then my cousins and my older brother. At family dinners they would talk about it, and I would get really excited,” she said.

“ There is an instant relationship with other alumni, no matter what year you graduated, you shared so many common experiences. As alumni, we are the best resources for each other,” she said.

Michael ’06, was a little wary of going to boarding school but said he soon realized that “Webb provided the structure and environment to succeed while still leaving a level of accountability that I believe every teenager needs.”

Though he appreciates the diverse experience that was his Webb education, Michael said his most memorable experiences did not occur at a specific event or activity but rather in the everyday interactions with classmates and faculty.

“I remember the nightly discussions of whacky hypothetical scenarios in Price Dining Hall, watching NBA playoffs in the Ruddick Room and impromptu sessions of playing catch on the Alamo Lawn,” he said. “Whenever I step foot on campus now, every nook and cranny brings me back to the countless, bitesized moments that I cherish most from my time at Webb.”

Michael’s sister, Lorraine ’04 said her favorite experiences at Webb revolved around boarding life. She was co-captain of the volleyball team, flutist in the orchestra and a dorm counselor for Jones.

“Calling school your home added such a unique component to my education and personal growth,” she explained. “Events like chapel talks, formal dinner, candlelight ceremony, Webb day, and even simple activities like breakfast check-ins and weekend van runs all made up my favorite moments at Webb. When I think back now, what I’ll remember most about Webb are the unique experiences the school offered that allowed me to build lifelong connections and relationships. My closest friends, to this day, almost 20 years later, are Webbies.”

For now, Jordon ’23 is the last family member leaving Webb. George recently visited on Family Weekend and said he was pleased by the evolution of Webb’s academic program since his time.

“There’s no assigned seating and very few textbooks –flexibility, cooperation and teamwork are much more important, and the classroom environment is much less dogmatic,” he said. “Students are encouraged to be creative and there’s more emphasis on discussion and research. The school has also been enriched so much physically and culturally over the years. And it’s much more diverse.”

Jordon said the teaching style is one of the aspects he most appreciates about Webb.

“My humanities classes, for example, are so in-depth and taught in a different way. Teachers are open to discussing new ideas and listening to different opinions,” he said.

“Webb prepared me really well academically,” George said. “But in the long span of life it was the character development that’s been most important to the person I’ve become.”

In addition to his own family members, George has recommended many, many others to Webb with the wholehearted endorsement that, “The Webb Schools provides unparalleled learning and community experiences.”

Family legacies are beliefs, values, and attitudes. Though the Suns and all the branches of their family tree have gone on to different careers and interests, their appreciation and support of Webb is a lifelong sentiment. And what they have provided to the school – through their heartfelt endorsement of the value of a Webb education to children, family members and friends – is the gift of a lifetime.

A next generation of the Sun family could very well be in the offing: Kathy said that if it’s what her son wants, she would encourage him to apply to Webb when the time comes.

“Family connections – like the Suns’ – have long been a part of the success of The Webb Schools and its students,” Stockdale said. “It is through alumni families that the heritage of Webb passes from one generation to the next. One of the greatest gifts the Sun family has given us is the opportunity to inspire future generations.”

A common denominator for the entire extended family is the value of Webb’s Honor Code.

“Larry’s legacy lives on in every student whose heart and mind he touched.”

Legacy of Inspiration Laurence McMillin

A new park at the heart of The Webb Schools provides a creative space for classes and campus gatherings while paying tribute to a beloved educator and an iconic school building.

McMillin Park, which opened in fall 2022, encompasses an open-air amphitheater featuring more than 40 boulders arrayed around a central plaza below a dozen majestic oak trees at the center of campus.

The park’s rock-strewn design is a nod to the stone hut that occupied the spot for seven decades and which served as a classroom for humanities teacher Laurence McMillin, who taught at Webb from 1955 - 1992.

McMillin shaped generations of Webb graduates and is best known for creating an innovative course called Individual Humanities that explored how extraordinary individuals contribute to history and culture.

“Larry McMillin embodies the best of Webb – a teacher dedicated to inspiring students to stretch their scope of imagination to new heights, to expand their understanding of themselves and the world around them,” Head of Schools Taylor B. Stockdale said. “This park is a testament to his impact over his 37 years as an educator here.”

The park is designed to accommodate casual gatherings of students, classes and campus events.

At the south side of the park, a tile wall created by Stephen Farley ’81 celebrates McMillin. The wall displays McMillin’s image, a scene of him teaching in front of the stone hut and his favorite quote from Albert Einstein: “The aim of education must be the training of independently acting and thinking individuals who, however, can see in the service to the community their highest life achievement.”

McMillin had been a journalist in the south when he learned of Tennessee boys’ school founder William Robert “Sawney” Webb, the father of Webb’s founder, Thompson Webb. Sawney Webb’s school was considered the best college prep school in the South, and his approach to education inspired McMillin, who journeyed to California to research a book about the educator.

Thompson Webb invited him to join the school’s staff and learn firsthand about how father and son built schools around moral courage, honor, leadership and community.

cMillin arrived at Webb in 1955, worked for 16 years to complete his book, The Schoolmaker, and remained for 21 years after that.

In 1974, he launched the Individual Humanities class for which he is so well remembered.

“Mr. McMillin was immensely smart, and he made you work,” Fletcher Strickler ’67 said. “He made you be the best you could be. He assigned tough assignments. You had to read good books. You had to write intelligent papers. He was a guy you respected. You didn’t just like him; you respected him.”

David Shernoff ’85, an associate professor at Rutgers University, was inspired by McMillin to write a book about the educator titled The Individual-Maker.

“Larry’s legacy lives on in every student whose heart and mind he touched. Everything we, his students, do – in all our decisions, in how we regard the world around us, in

our habits of mind – reflects his power to inspire, to teach,” Shernoff said. “This park is a wonderful celebration of that potent, life-changing influence.”

Farley said the class was an audacious idea – even for Webb. Students studied great thinkers, produced the campus newspaper and crafted in-depth biographical studies. Farley’s ran to 70 pages.

“He didn’t tell us what we were supposed to learn. He’d come into the stone hut, and he’d lean back, and he’d ask us what we thought. And we had to create the lecture. He had this absolute dedication to our advancement as individuals, and not just scholars. He lit a spark within you.

“For me, it was absolutely liberating, and it stayed with me my entire life,” Farley said.

Ingrid Ulrey ’85 was in the pioneering class of VWS students – and one of McMillin’s first VWS students.

“It was tremendous to be in Larry McMillin’s class. We met in the gorgeous little stone hut, and just walking down to the special space put you in a different mindset,” she said. “He created a space that allowed us to think big and explore, to understand that while life is short, that even one

David J. Neuman, FAIA, Webb campus architect, leading a park planning session.

Larry McMillin teaching a class outside the stone hut

individual can have a big impact on society. Depending on who people chose and what their interests were, we learned different things.”

The class inspired students to reflect on their own goals.

The same is true of Shernoff, who maintained a regular correspondence with McMillin after his graduation. He described it in his remarks at McMillin’s memorial in April 2005.

“The usual pattern was that I would come across some materials or experience with such a strong connection to Individual Humanities that I wanted to share it with him. He, being Larry, would write back with a carefully thought out three-pager. I think what meant the most to me in those letters were his words of encouragement, so individualized as only Larry could do,” Shernoff recalled.

Shernoff said that teachers, like McMillin, who combine a passion for their craft with genuine concern for their students, possess a rare power to change lives.

Ulrey – who wrote her in-depth paper on Joan of Arc –credits the class for guiding her to a career of service as a community organizer and roles at nonprofit organizations and the U.S. government. As a result, the class is as present in her life today as it was in 1985.

“It never ended for me,” she said. “It deepened my own forming identity as someone willing to take a different path and be comfortable being different from others and to fight for a cause.”

Author John Scalzi ’87, who took the Individual Humanities class his junior year, dedicated his first book to McMillin and eulogized him in his blog, Whatever, in March 2005.

“He was an individual who saw as his life crisis the need to serve his community. He did it by teaching, and by teaching the ideals he saw as critical in fostering in others, for their sake and for the sake of the larger community. And he loved it; he loved teaching. You don’t spend 37 years of your life teaching, and much of that time developing and refining an incredibly work-intensive course, if you don’t love the process of cracking open the brains of your students to make them aware of the world and their place in it, and then actively engaging in the back-and-forth with your students that such a process requires. Larry loved it.”

“It made us think more broadly about the contribution we could make to society and enabled us to see that whatever that contribution is could come in many different forms – the arts, or through science, or through political activity,” she said. “Whatever road we took, the important thing was the legacy of an individual and the ability to impact society.”

“Larry possessed an unwavering belief in individuals and their ability to create a better world. Because of this, he strove to instill in us the courage to be individuals, to appreciate our differences. To him, the goal isn’t to wield power, but to serve as a leader, seeker and friend,” Shernoff said.

The Class of 1967 celebrating their 55th reunion and the opening of McMillin Park in October 2022.

The Raymond M. Alf Museum of Paleontology

There and Back Again

My Expedition to Antarctica

By Gabriel-Philip Santos Alf Museum Director of Visitor Engagement & Education

It all started in 2021, when I was selected to become one of 50 Grosvenor Teacher Fellows (GTFs) with Lindblad Expeditions and National Geographic. This incredible professional development opportunity provides educators across Canada and the United States the chance to grow as storytellers and understand what it means to have an “explorer mindset.”

Growing up, I had dreamed of being part of National Geographic and exploring the frozen seas of Antarctica. I wanted to be like Hui Te Rangiora, the Polynesian explorer who first sailed to the continent in the early 600s and the other European explorers who finally reached the continent over a thousand years later. As time went on, it just always seemed like a far-off dream.

And then one day a phone call made it a reality.

Our expedition began with a few plane rides to reach Ushuaia, Argentina, the southernmost city in the world. Arriving at the dock, I can’t even explain the feeling of seeing the bow of the National Geographic Explorer.

After making sure our new parkas fit, we set sail across the infamous Drake’s Passage, known as the roughest seas in the world. Apparently, it was a relatively calm crossing for the Explorer, but I couldn’t really tell. I discovered that I’m prone to sea sickness. So after quite a long nap, I woke up to find myself surrounded by snow-capped mountains, bluetinted icebergs and some very stinky penguins.

Over the next six days, we sailed through the incredible landscape of the Antarctic Peninsula, seeing glaciers, whales, leopard seals and even an active volcano on Deception Island! Between landings and Zodiac rides,

Antarctica, the frozen continent. Except for a privileged few, the continent is a whole world away! I now find myself lucky and honored to be counted among them.

we learned from the ship’s naturalists about the natural history of Antarctica, human impacts on conservation and most importantly, climate change.

At the end of our expedition, I returned across Drake’s Passage with a new perspective about the frozen continent and its inhabitants. I felt a responsibility to share what I learned about the amazing world and to advocate for its (and, by extension, our) future.

Antarctica is the most at-risk when it comes to climate change!

Alf Museum Joins Museums for All

As part of its mission to be a resource for the local community and encourage lifelong museum-going for everyone, the Alf Museum is now a member of Museums for All. This program provides free museum entrance to anyone receiving SNAP benefits (food assistance).

The program is coordinated by the Institute of Museum and Library Services and administered by the Association of Children’s Museums. More than 500 people have accessed the museum using this program since its inception at the Alf Museum! The museum joins more than 850 cultural institutions across the country that offer free or reduced admission via Museums for All.

Melting glaciers, loss of sea ice, population loss of krill, and the many other changes in Antarctica will have dangerous and long-lasting effects for populations all over the globe. But all is not yet lost. As a newly minted “Antarctic Ambassador,”

I am incredibly excited to share with the Webb community and our museum guests to help them better understand the importance of a frozen continent a world away.

Augustyn Family Curator Brings Expertise on Fossil Mammals

Dr. Mairin Balisi – a world-recognized expert on fossil mammals – joined the Alf Museum staff as Augustyn Family Curator of Paleontology, continuing the museum’s long history of research excellence and collaborations with Webb students.

Balisi has established herself as a nationally known expert on fossil mammals, with a particular focus on carnivorans (dogs, cats and relatives). She completed a Bachelor of Arts in integrative biology (and a second B.A. in comparative literature) at UC Berkeley, and then finished a Master of Science in ecology & evolutionary biology at the University of Michigan.

Balisi earned her Ph.D. in ecology and evolutionary biology at UCLA, with a dissertation titled “Carnivory in the Oligo-Miocene: Resource specialization, competition, and coexistence among North American canids.”

Before joining the Alf Museum, Balisi was a National Science Foundation postdoctoral research fellow in a joint position split between La Brea Tar Pits and UC Merced.

Balisi arrived at the Alf Museum with an extensive publication and outreach record, along with deep connections in the Southern California paleontological community. She has conducted fieldwork throughout the western United States and Mexico, in addition to her work at the Tar Pits.

Furthermore, she has a significant track record of mentoring students – including high school students – prior to her time at Webb. For several years, Balisi also served as a counselor at California Girls State, all while completing her Ph.D. She has been a natural fit for the unique program at the Alf Museum and Webb.

In her first year as curator, Balisi has been taking a leadership role in the Advanced Studies in Paleontology class, mentoring eight 11th-grade students on original research projects. Most of these focus on the asphalt deposits (“tar pits”) of California, including everything from identification of fossil insects to the evolution of limb bones in bobcats.

Additionally, Balisi is assisting in the Honors Paleontology and Honors Museum Research classes as well as with the museum afternoon activity.

Webb Student Co-authors Scientific Paper on Turtle Discovery

A research paper co-authored by Webb senior Terrence Wu –focusing on a remarkable 80 millionyear-old fossil turtle – is working its way through peer review as a precursor to being published in a scientific journal.

“It’s been an amazing experience,” Wu said. “I’m exhilarated by what I’ve been able to accomplish and am incredibly thankful for the opportunity.”

Wu chose Webb for high school because of the Raymond M. Alf Museum of Paleontology, the only accredited museum of paleontology on a high school campus.

Since his freshman year, he has taken part in an afternoon activity that allows students to work in the museum’s prep lab and help with exhibits. He has also taken the full run of Webb’s paleontology science and elective courses, including the Advanced Studies in Paleontology class in which students conduct their own research project with guidance from Alf Museum Director Dr. Andrew Farke and Curator Dr. Mairin Balisi.

Over the last two decades, students like Wu have worked with the Alf Museum to author more than 50 papers published in peer-reviewed journals in a program unique to The Webb Schools.

Wu connected with the turtle, nicknamed Gamera, in the fall of his junior year.

“I like working in the prep lab, so I asked for a project that would require a lot of prep work. Dr. Farke went into a closet and handed me a big giant plaster jacket and said, ‘We think there’s a turtle inside – probably in lots of little pieces,’ “ Wu said.

The fossil was collected in 2021 from the Mesaverde Formation in Wyoming during Webb’s annual summer Peccary Trip. Wu dug in.

For more than half a year, Wu chipped away at a rock and dirt matrix to uncover the fossils with guidance from museum fossil preparator Jared Heuck. He often came in at lunch, during his free period and after school to speed up the delicate process.

“We started seeing more and more, and realized that it was a lot more intact than we thought. What I first thought was going to be tiny little pieces scattered around turned out to be half a complete plastron, which is basically the belly side of the turtle,” he said.

Next, Wu launched into research to identify the fossil.

“I lost count of how many scientific journals I pored through,” he said. “It was really quite frustrating.”

That’s because he could find nothing that matched the specimen.

The plastron has a curiously shaped groove by the leg, and the shell is much larger than most others from the same turtle family, Baenidae.

“This is possibly a new species. It doesn’t look like anything that has been documented,” he said.

“We can’t be completely sure because even though it’s intact, it’s weathered down. We’re not going to be giving it a new name because we don’t know for sure.”

Fossil turtles can tell a lot about prehistoric environments (marine vs. freshwater, rivers vs. lakes, land vs. water) and biogeography, which can be important for figuring out connections between land masses and bodies of water, Farke said.

“This fossil helps build the picture of how a little-known part of Wyoming fit into the bigger global picture at the end of the Mesozoic,” Farke said. “Only five previous peerreviewed publications have focused on vertebrate fossils from the Mesaverde Formation, so even a partial turtle shell is a surprisingly major contribution to scientific knowledge.”

Wu took the lead in researching and writing the paper. Farke assisted, as did co-authors Heuck and paleontologist Dr. Frank Varriale, who helped discover the fossil.

“Terrence is among an amazing group of students in our Advanced Studies class, working on everything from ice age bobcats to Mesozoic birds,” Farke said. “He and his classmates are creating new scientific knowledge.”

Wu, who is heading to Amherst in the fall, said he is incredibly grateful to Farke for mentoring him during the two-year project.

“This was an invaluable experience,” he said. “Dr. Farke created an environment where I could work independently, but whenever I needed someone to guide me, he would always be there. He’s everything I could wish for in a mentor.”

Alf Museum Hosts ACCESS Paleo SoCal Interns

The Alf Museum was excited to welcome the first cohort of the ACCESS Paleo SoCal internship in summer 2022 – a program that will continue in summer 2023.

and through invited guest speakers, such as Dr. Lisa White of UC Berkeley and Michelle Barboza, host of PBS Eons.

Lastly, with the assistance of Alf Museum mentors, Ashley Torres (CSULA) and Reggie Sauls (CSUSB), the interns received training to prepare them for the next step in their academic careers as they transfer from community college to four-year institutions.

Developed as a collaborative project with University of California Museum of Paleontology (UCMP), the Advancing Community College Education and Student Success (ACCESS) program aims to increase access to paleontology and other STEM fields for community college students from historically excluded communities.

ACCESS Paleo SoCal is the Southern California branch aimed at providing opportunities for students in Los Angeles County, Orange County and the Inland Empire.

Over the course of seven weeks during summer 2022, interns Josina Montes (Riverside Community College), Braden Griffen (Cypress College), Alexa Nguyen (Orange Coast College), and Nathan Orozco (Chaffey College) were introduced to the fields of paleontology, museum science and science communication.

With the help of Alf Museum staff, the interns learned fossil conservation, plaster jacket making and even science storytelling. Interns were also provided opportunities to develop their networking skills and connect with our community of local professionals through visits to other science institutions such as the La Brea Tar Pits, USC Paleosciences Department and the Western Science Center,

One of the most important elements of ACCESS is to provide a community of support for our students. Finding strong support networks can be difficult for those historically excluded from academia, which often leads to many leaving the field.

As part of ACCESS, participants are part of regular checkins after the internship program, and many were able to travel to the Geological Society of America annual meeting in Denver, Colorado, to experience their first large professional conference. Many were even able to attend the 2022 Peccary Dinner.

The ACCESS Paleo SoCal program is funded by a three-year grant from the David B. Jones Foundation. The original program at UC Berkeley is led by White, who provided additional support for ACCESS Paleo SoCal.

One of the most important elements of ACCESS is to provide a community of support for our students. Finding strong support networks can be difficult for those historically excluded from academia, which often leads to many leaving the field.

THE WEBB SCHOOLS

Science & Engineering Class

Jackie Shugert ’24 waved a can of spray paint back and forth, carefully layering the head of a wooden guitar in pale green hues. * A few minutes later, students joined teacher Brian Kays in splashing special paint in a trash can filled with water before slowly dunking his guitar head to create a fantastic pattern. * Nearby, Obehi Akpengbe ’24 prepared to add a coat of forest green spray paint to her guitar – a preliminary step needed before she paints on a design she is creating.

In each case, painting was one of a series of steps students in Kays’ Science & Engineering class must take to create electric guitars. The project is among several highlights of a yearlong course that explores how science and engineering can solve local problems, including a key section on low-cost shelter solutions.

“The belief in this course is that meaningful work emerges when we help each other undo the mindsets that limit us and instead hold each other up as creative individuals,” Kays said. “This course is not only for the student interested in the hands-on application of science and engineering, but also for those who want to shape the world for the betterment of others.”

Already, students have explored the basics of shelters and discussed sustainable building options, he said. “Hopefully, we will end with a smallscale build of portable shelters or an aspect of a portable shelter,” Kays said.

Akpengbe said she likes how the class blends engineering concepts with an understanding of the goals of engineering. The section on shelter especially sparked her interest because it addressed the issue of building with limited resources. Students learned people built structures with water bottles, an arcade from cardboard and a play structure from tires.

The guitar project gives students a chance to explore a host of science and engineering topics all at once, from the geometry of the guitar body and the properties of the woods used, to the algebra of fret spacing and the physics of music waves. Students

learn about soldering, string tension, material tolerances and the assembly of the guitar electronics.

Kays brought the task to Webb after attending a five-day National STEM Guitar Project training institute in summer 2022, part of a partnership with the National Science Foundation.

The guitar project begins with a touch of wood art – students plan and carve out a design for the top of the mahogany guitar necks before coating the necks in lacquer. Then, they shape the guitar head to allow for the angle of their playing arm and for it to rest comfortably against them while playing.

Painting and assembly follow, with electronics installed as the last step.

“I never thought that I'd be making my own guitar before joining this class,” Akpengbe said.

“I’m having so much fun. I’m a handson person so I enjoy building things.”

All students echoed that thought –especially the hydro-dipping activity. Shugert agreed.

“I wanted to get my hands dirty and figure out the nuts and bolts of engineering because it is something I’m interested in but never really had a chance to pursue before this,” Shugert said.

“ These lessons have not only taught me how to think outside the box, but also have made me more grateful for the things that I have that I usually take for granted,” she said.

Winter Dance Show Enthralls Audiences

Webb’s dance program presented In a Space, an intriguing exploration of movement and thought, on Feb. 3 and 4 to rave reviews from packed houses.

The hour long show featured 18 separate but connected dance sequences, as well as art by teachers Jackie Leishman, Anthony Flucker and Stefanie Plumley, student work supported by teachers Ardina Greco, Megan Horejsi and Linda Silva, and a musical performance by Jolina Zhao ’23.

There were also contributions from Webb dance alums from 2014-2022.

“The students have been working hard all season to put together an hour-long journey of creativity, joy and reflection,” said Michael Szanyi, Webb’s dean of faculty and leader of the dance program.

The show is Szanyi’s 10th for Webb and included callbacks to his previous works.

Scan to watch the dance show on Webb’s YouTube channel.

Webb Clarinetist Performs with Honor Bands

Webb 10th grader Hanbo

Xu ’25, a gifted clarinetist, performed this winter with both statewide and Southern California honor bands.

It is Xu’s second year in the Southern California School Band and Orchestra Association High School Honor Band’s wind ensemble. The group performed Jan. 22 at the Hyatt Regency Orange County.

He also performed with the California Band Directors Association’s All-State Wind Symphony on Feb. 18 in Fresno.

Xu thanked Webb Director of Instrumental Music Linda Silva for assisting him with his preparation for the auditions.

For her part, Silva said Xu has worked hard for his success.

“This is a big honor for a high school student, as there is a huge pool of applicants from all over Southern California. We are so proud of him,” she said.

Xu primarily plays the B flat clarinet, or soprano clarinet in B flat, the most popular type of clarinet. He also plays an A clarinet, which is a requirement for advanced orchestral literature. He is the principal clarinetist with the Claremont Young Musicians Orchestra.

“I used to play the clarinet because my parents wanted me to play it. But in the past year or so, I’ve really begun to love playing the clarinet simply for the sake of playing it, of enjoying it,” he said.

Xu hopes to double major in music and a STEM field.

Five Students Perform with CAIS Honor Band

Two students from Webb’s wind ensemble and three from the string ensemble performed as part of the 2023 California Association of Independent Schools honor band.

Annie Huang ’24 plays percussion, Thomas Hu ’25 the trombone, Karen Chen ’23 and Jessica Cao ’23 the violin and Aurora Deng ’26 the viola.

Participation in the program is open to students in grades eight through 12 who receive a recommendation from their music teacher. In 2020, more than 250 students from 17 schools across Southern California took part in the event.

Webb has participated in the program for 10 years.

Last year’s band – for which Huang was also selected – did not get to perform due to the pandemic. However, the students did perform this year in the 2023 Southern Section CAIS Honors Music Festival, held Feb. 4 at Viewpoint School in Calabasas.

“This is a wonderful recognition of our students and their talents,” said Linda Silva, Webb’s director of instrumental music.

VWS Soccer Team Receives CIF Championship Rings

Members of Vivian Webb School’s undefeated 2021-22 varsity soccer team celebrated their historic season with a ring ceremony held Jan. 4.

Webb students gathered as Steve Wishek, Webb’s director of athletics and afternoon activities, recounted the team’s many accomplishments: San Joaquin League Champions, CIF-SS Division Six Champions, Southern California Division 5 Regional Champions.

The team’s regional title is the highest possible in California – and the first time any Webb team has secured a state championship.

“Our soccer players and our coaches achieved something remarkable, a victory that reflects on all of Webb,” Wishek said. “Congratulations to all the incredible athletes!”

The team included Eva Annabi, Jasmine Beseth, Noelani Chock, Abbey Cook, Olivia Cooke, Taylor Crawford, Ava Darby, Lauren Duffy, Taren Duffy, Ella Garcia, Sienna Gomez, Valeria Gonzalez, Emma Holliday, Dorothy Ma, Caroline Metz, Kaitlyn Metz, Reagan Ollivierre, Reece Ollivierre, Julia Tyck, Paige West and Elizabeth Whitaker. It was coached by Webb teacher Malick Mbengue with assistance from George Sipa and Syrah Russell. Team managers were Tory Baer, Narineh Madikians and Bryan Oglesby.

The rings are emblazoned with the Webb “W”, the player’s name, their CIF and state victories and the year.

For the latest in sports, including a story highlighting Webb’s six league titles this spring, go to www.webb.org .

Explore the Alf Method

A new video celebrates The Webb Schools’ unique approach to education, known as the Alf Method.

The video presents a view of Webb’s unbounded philosophy for academics, from classrooms at Webb’s hilltop campus in Claremont and across Southern California, from the cityscapes of Los Angeles to the nuanced landscape of the Mojave Desert, from cultural institutions to the shores of the Pacific Ocean.

Webb Honors Five Educators with Perry Awards

Three educators – Fine Arts Department Chair Stefanie K. Plumley, Director of Teaching and Learning Resources Dr. Mark Dzula and Director of Experiential Learning Dr. Susanna Linsley – were announced as recipients of 2022 Perry Awards. Sept. 30, 2022 during Webb’s annual Family Weekend.

Two additional awards were conferred to VWS Dean of Students Sarah Lantz and WSC Dean of Students Rick Duque during Webb’s triennial Leadership Dinner, held Feb. 17.

“The Perry Award recognizes our teachers for their extraordinary dedication to the growth and development of Webb students,” Head of Schools Taylor B. Stockdale said. “Today’s honorees exemplify all that is best about Webb’s faculty.”

The awards are named for Les and Barbara Perry, who served at Webb from 1946 to 1976. Les Perry was athletic director, head football coach, head basketball coach, head baseball coach, advisor to the Block W Club, math teacher and assistant head under both Stephen Longley and Fred Hooper.

Barbara Perry was a committed dorm parent, providing students with much needed support. She also hosted seniors for breakfast on Sundays and organized table seating in the Price Dining Hall. Together, they made an indelible mark on Webb. Legions of Webb alumni continue to profess their gratitude for the couple.

The award’s financial gift can be used for a variety of purposes: sabbatical support, study abroad, conference attendance, research, continuing education, and more.

Stefanie Plumley

Director of Studies Michael Hoe lauded Plumley, who not only leads the Fine Arts Department, but also directs all student plays and musicals. Plumley has worked as an educator for 20 years, including 15 at Webb.

“In the past three years, Ms. Plumley has been tested, tried and thrown every single wrench possible in trying to navigate how to run our arts program. However, with incredible grace, flexibility, and empathy, she has been able to not just allow our arts program to survive, but thrive throughout the pandemic,” Hoe said.

Plumley managed to stage a play with student actors who lived across the globe appearing remotely, shifted arts

programs outdoors and engaged students effectively online in a field that relies heavily on in-person contact.

“Whether it was the outdoor play production during the peak pandemic, the outdoor concerts and rehearsals, the revival of Mamma Mia!, the outdoor dance performance, or otherwise, Ms. Plumley has been able to provide a full, engaging, and incredibly rich experience for all of our students,” he said.

Hoe praised Dzula for his ability to serve in multiple, critical roles at Webb – and then some. In addition to his role as director of teaching and learning resources, Dzula is a dorm parent for Jones Dormitory, a journalism teacher, advisor to the Webb Canyon Chronicle, accreditation coordinator, Jubilee coordinator, COVID testing center coordinator and plays bass in a band.

Dzula, an educator for 15 years, has been at Webb for eight years.

“What Dr. Mark Dzula has been able to juggle and do has been nothing short of incredible,” Hoe said. “His willingness to adapt, be flexible and jump into any roles that Webb needs is just a fraction of how much he means to our community.”

“Dr. Dzula has done a phenomenal job in creating a safe, nurturing, inclusive and open residential community. Similarly, in the library, Dr. Dzula has done an incredible job creating an inclusive, inviting and studious space to ensure that students have somewhere to go to focus, be productive and also still feel like they are part of a community. In the classroom, Dr. Dzula has elevated our journalism program to national prominence, winning countless awards for his role in overseeing our student-run newspaper.”

Linsley guides her peers in incorporating experiential elements into their instruction, an essential element of the Alf Method of instruction that is core to Webb’s pursuit of unbounded education. She also runs Webb’s Junior Scholars Summer Program, coordinates Webb’s trips program and the biennial Unbounded Days, and teaches courses in Webb’s Humanities Department.

Dr. Mark Dzula

Dr. Susanna Linsley

Dean of Faculty Michael Szanyi praised Linsley – who has been at Webb for eight years – for guiding her students to new discoveries.

“Suzi Linsley is not shy in moving herself or her students out of their comfort zones,” he said. “Whether it’s through her leadership, her classes or through the vital programs in Unbounded Days and the Summer Junior Scholars Program that she leads that are central to our mission, Suzi acts to cultivate our curiosity and desire to connect to the world around us.”

Linsley, he noted, has a history of this type of work. In 2017, she traveled to Oaxaca to practice Spanish and build comfort and familiarity working and traveling in Mexico. The experience helped inform her instruction for such classes as Global Indigenous Studies, the Politics and Culture of the U.S.Mexico Border and Latin American Studies.

“Since that trip, Suzi has been thinking a lot about how she could return to Mexico for a longer period and about how she could make exploring the Spanish language and exploring the world in Spanish a bigger part of her life and her children’s lives,” he said.

Rick Duque and Sarah Lantz

“I’d like to recognize two very special people who went above and beyond during the pandemic and continue to do so in their roles as deans of students,” Stockdale said.

Lantz joined Webb in 2007, starting in the Advancement Office before transitioning to the faculty as a math teacher in 2010 and became VWS dean in 2017. She is also lead class advisor for the VWS Class of 2023.

Duque, who has been with Webb for 21 years, also teaches courses in the Humanities Department. He has been WSC’s dean of students since July 2019.

Stockdale said Webb’s entire faculty, staff and leadership was critical to ensuring success during the pandemic and resulting closure of boarding programs. But Lantz and Duque were essential to keeping families engaged.

“It happened at the ground level. Our deans contacted each family on a regular basis and in various ways those who needed the support the most. We probably have 20 kids here who would not otherwise be here without the deans’ constant care and attention,” he said.

That support continues now that Webb’s programs are up and running again.

“We have a whole school of kids who would not be enjoying their Webb experience without the deans’ guidance, compassion, wisdom and love,” he said.

webbtoday HONORS

Former Head of Schools Receives National Honor

Webb life trustee Susan A. Nelson, who led The Webb Schools as head of schools for two decades, has been awarded the 2022 Ruzicka Compass Premier Leadership Award by The Association of Boarding Schools (TABS).

The award recognizes extraordinary contributions to the excellence, advancement and success of boarding schools. It is named for the late Steven D. Ruzicka, TABS’ executive director from 1995-2007.

“Steve was a phenomenal human being, and to be a recipient of the award that bears his name is a little overwhelming,” Nelson said.

Nelson joined Webb in 1988 as head of Vivian Webb School. In 1991, she was appointed the first female head of The Webb Schools. Programs launched under her leadership transformed the campus and the boarding program and significantly strengthened Webb’s endowment.

“I loved every single thing about my work at Webb. I loved the people, I loved the passion,” Nelson said.

When Nelson arrived at Webb, the institution had only recently launched Vivian Webb School and structures for managing the two schools had some challenges. Among her accomplishments was guiding the schools to a new operational model that ensured both would thrive.

“Webb’s ability to face challenges and stay true to its mission for over 100 years is part of the reason for today’s success,” Nelson added. “Like all such extraordinary institutions, it’s about the people, and Webb has been blessed with amazing people.”

Stockdale nominated Nelson for the award.

“Susan Nelson is one of the bravest, most courageous people I’ve ever met. To me that is the essence of who she is,” Stockdale said. “She inspires people around her to march up the hill, if you will, and take on the really difficult work, but to do so with a sense of joy and a sense of pride.”

Nelson joined the TABS board in 2006 and served as chair from 2012-18.

She has served on the Secondary School Admission Test Board, the advisory board of Cal West, the Claremont University Consortium Board of Overseers and the Claremont Hills Conservation Corporation.

She was vice chair of the California Association of Independent Schools Secondary Board of Standards and the accrediting team chair of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.

Nelson’s two sons, Max ’95 and Damian ’97, are graduates of The Webb Schools.

TABS created a video celebrating Nelson’s achievements.

Robinson Award

Honors 25-year Staff Member

Janet Heald, a 25-year employee of The Webb Schools, received the 2022-23 Joann Robinson Staff Distinguished Service Award for her years of dedicated support for the school’s mission.

Heald, an administrative assistant for the Advancement Office, has toiled behind the scenes to provide stellar service to Webb’s families, donors and her colleagues, Chief Advancement Officer Bob Fass said.

Heald’s work has supported three of Webb’s comprehensive campaigns.

“It is said that the true test of character is doing the right thing when no one is looking,” Fass said. “Janet consistently does the right thing while seeking no public recognition whatsoever. In her 25 years of service to Webb, she has worked tirelessly. Ask anyone who knows her, and you will hear about her kindness, her empathy and her willingness to lend a hand.”

Past Robinson Award Recipients

2012 – Joann Robinson

2013 – Susan LaCroix

2014 – Steve Hutzell

2015 – Sandy Ostrow

2016 – Gilda McCleary

2017 – Rebeca Torres

2018 – Kathy Sanders

2019 – Sergio Alcaraz

2020 – Rona Pangilinan

2020 – Tina Paredes

2020 – Rachelle Sesma

2021 – Mario Rodriguez

Webb Honors 2021-22 Coaches of the Year

The Webb Schools named Webb School of California wrestling coach Eric Hansen and Vivian Webb School soccer coach Malick Mbengue as the 2021-22 Coaches of the Year.

ERIC HANSEN

Hansen joined Webb in 2019 as a humanities teacher and coach, inheriting a wrestling program that had struggled with turnover and reduced participation. Hansen quickly brought new energy to the program, creating a dynamic experience for the students who joined.

Then the pandemic hit, and Webb was unable to field a team. The shutdown created a new surge of worries for the program’s future. Again, Hansen stepped up – this time to restore the program in 2021.

“The program had its biggest turnout and most successful season in over a decade. This turnaround is a testament to the care, positivity and openness this coach brings to the program and the athletes in his charge. The sense of camaraderie in the team is real and infectious,” Director of Afternoon Activities and Athletics Steve Wishek said.

MALICK MBENGUE

Mbengue joined Webb in 2017 as a world languages teacher and VWS varsity soccer coach. Before his arrival, the team had only won a single league championship. After his arrival, the team has won three league championships, one CIF title (the first in VWS history for any sport) and a state regional title (the first ever for Webb).

This is in addition to a host of individual honors for his athletes.

“With a deep understanding of the game and a natural ability to connect with his athletes he has led his players individually to 20 first-team all-league selections, two League Players of the Year Awards, seven All CIF recognitions and one CIF player of the year award,” Wishek said.

Mbengue’s stellar coaching also led to him being named San Joaquin League coach of the year and CIF coach of the year in 2021-22.

Webb Recieves 2022 AP Computer Science Female Diversity Award

The College Board has recognized Vivian Webb School with a 2022 AP Computer Science Female Diversity Award for expanding young women’s access to AP Computer Science Principles.

“I am thrilled that Webb has received this honor,” said Dr. Theresa Smith. “It is a recognition of how our program empowers students to pursue their own paths to success, whether that’s in the arts, humanities, math or the sciences.”

Research shows that female students who take AP computer science in high school are five times as likely to major in computer science in college compared with matched peers. But, despite growing demand, women still only earn 18% of computer science bachelor’s degrees and make up just 28% of the science and engineering workforce, according to the National Girls Collaborative Project.

The award honors schools that have either reached 50% or higher female examinee representation or whose percentage of the female examinees met or exceeded that of the school’s female population.

“Through your leadership in diversifying computer science education, you’re preparing your female students for the high-paying, in-demand jobs of the future and giving them the opportunity to help solve some of society’s most challenging problems,” the announcement reads.

Andrew Neyer, chair of Webb’s Mathematics & Computer Science Department, credits Webb’s strength at engaging young women in computer science to the course’s past and present teachers: Christina Duron ’08, Carissa DeRanek and Maria Suarez, who currently holds the post.

“These teachers have all worked hard to make computer science feel accessible to all students – young women in particular,” Neyer said.

webbtodayLEADERSHIP

THE WEBB SCHOOLS

John Choi Director of Equity

Building Community

With a rich blend of affinity spaces, campus events, leadership training and educational efforts, Webb’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) program has continued to support the development of a strong community on campus.

First, the Webb affinity group program has expanded and thrived, providing students with safe spaces in which to explore and express their identities.

In addition to the Black, Latinx, Asian, Mixed-Race, LGBTQ+, and BIPOC Residential affinity group meetings, we have created three more groups in response to student requests: Hong Kong Affinity, FLIers (First-generation, Lowincome) and QTSOC (Queer Trans Students of Color).

The groups meet to share their triumphs and their challenges in a space of mutual support. This year, Webb also launched monthly student affinity lunches, where all affinity students get together to share ideas, plan co-hosted events and learn across many different identities. These meetings have resulted in impactful conversations about allyship and cross-cultural understanding.

The groups have also held social gatherings and targeted educational programming. For example, faculty members hosted cookouts, pancake breakfasts and fish fries, as well as cooked dishes from Nigeria, Mexico, El Salvador, Colombia, China, Korea and the Philippines. College Guidance spoke to FLIers about financial aid, and seniors were able to share tips and resources to their younger peers.

In addition to the affinity program, the DEI program has coordinated community-wide events, including an Hispanic/Latinx Heritage month celebration with the world’s first LGBTQ Mariachi band in September 2022. Parent volunteers brought a variety of amazing Latin American food and were able to share many traditions, music and piñatas with the larger community.

In November 2022, we hosted national award-winning artist and sixth-generation Chicana altarista Ofelia Esparza in honor of Native American and Indigenous Peoples’ Month, as well as Dia De Los Muertos.

In January, the international student liaisons staged a Lunar New Year Community Dinner celebration. The event included food stations from seven Asian countries hosted by Affiliates volunteers and faculty members. Students were also able to share their diverse Lunar New Year traditions with the community in Price Dining Hall before amazing dragon and lion dance performances.

In February, in honor of Black Heritage Month, Fawcett Library played jazz music, featured Black poets and their works and hosted a screening of Black is King. We staged trips to community events in the Claremont area, and the Dining Hall team prepared several dishes, including Cajun, Caribbean, Ethiopian and Moroccan-inspired cuisine, to celebrate the month.

Webb’s DEI program has also continued its storytelling series in Fawcett Library, with a total of 34 stories told over two years by students, faculty and staff from many walks of life. Additional programs were held for Webb’s Alumni Council, the Affiliates, faculty and staff.

With these, and our other events, we are working to strengthen Webb’s community of understanding and belonging for all students.

John Choi is Webb’s director of equity, heading a team that includes Assistant Director of Equity Gretel Barsotti, two BIPOC residential advisors and many affinity group leaders.

MICHAEL HOE ’04, ASSISTANT HEAD OF SCHOOLS

Michael Hoe, a Webb alum with degrees from Brown and Harvard, will become assistant head of schools effective Jul. 1, 2023. Hoe, who has served as Webb’s director of studies, was chosen after a national search.

The assistant head oversees daily operations, including academics, faculty, residential life, student advising, student activities and athletics.

Hoe, who graduated from Webb in 2004, earned a Bachelor of Science in neuroscience from Brown University and a Master of Education from Harvard University. An educator for 15 years, he previously served in multiple roles at Noble and Greenough School in Massachusetts.

He returned to Webb in 2019. In addition to his administrative duties, Hoe teaches in Webb’s Science Department and has held secondary roles in residential life and the student advising program. He is a fellow in the National Association of Independent Schools’ prestigious Aspiring School Heads Program.

“I’m really honored to be selected,” Hoe said. “It’s an exciting time to be at Webb, not just as an educator, but also as an alum. We are about to embark on something that has never been done before – reimagining Webb’s program in a way that celebrates our innovative and unbounded spirit while also honoring our history. I hope to continue to make Webb proud.”

WEBB CONNECTS AT DIVERSITY CONFERENCE

Six students and 14 members of Webb’s faculty and staff gathered with 7,800 peers from independent schools across the globe from Nov. 30 to Dec. 3, 2022 in San Antonio, Texas for the 2022 NAIS People of Color Conference and Student Diversity Leadership Conference.

People of Color Conference events, for independent school professionals, offered guidance on coaching, mentoring, ways to foster inclusive hiring, auditing diversity, equity and inclusion programs, addressing the marginalization of different communities, cross-cultural models of teacher/ leadership development, school community building and the intersectionality of core identities.

Students – their numbers capped at six per school – engaged in programs from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily, participating in selfreflection activities, forming networks of allies, developing communication skills, discussing identity in affinity groups and designing strategies for social justice advocacy.

“The POCC/SDLC is an amazing opportunity to re-energize underrepresented members of our community and provide resources to support their roles on campus, whether you are a teacher, staff member or student,” Webb’s Director of Equity John Choi said. “Across our differences, we really enjoyed connecting through our passions and shared commitment to creating communities of genuine belonging, unpacking our experiences and learning from one another.”

Webb has participated in the program for more than five years. Previous conferences, influenced by the pandemic, focused on self-care. This year, the program focused more on advocacy and community growth, Choi said.

“It takes real courage to tackle these issues and to bring new perspectives back to our schools,” Assistant Director of Equity Gretel Barsotti said. “We are so impressed with the dedication of our students and colleagues for investing so much of themselves in this effort.”

The ripples and effects of this conference influence many parts of Webb’s programming. Examples include Webb’s Black family reception on Saturday, Dec. 11 and a prospective family admission event on Saturday, Jan. 7 for members of underrepresented populations.

The 2022-23 faculty and staff participants from Webb included: Barsotti, Choi, Adriana Flores, Anthony Flucker, Ardina Greco, Cindy Lopez, Melissa Mani, Malick Mbengue, Lisa Nacionales, Kenny Nguyen, Cuong Pham, Anthony Shin, Michael Szanyi and Helga Zambrano.

The students who participated were Obehi Akpengbe ’24, Kenny Clay ’25, Ale Fountain ’24, Izzy Kim ’24, Jackie Shugert ’24 and Jenny Wang ’24.

Webb Students Explore Fears, Serve Fearlessly

Webb students explored their innermost fears during a day of discussion and served the community fearlessly during a day of service as part of the school’s 2023 Dies Mulieres/ Men in the Arena program.

Dies Mulieres is Latin for Day of the Women. Men in the Arena is a term that dates to a 1910 Theodore Roosevelt speech about the importance of striving despite the risk of failure.

The two-day, biennial symposium is sometimes held as separate events for Vivian Webb School and Webb School of California and sometimes as a joint activity, as was the case this year.

“

This year, the goal of the symposium was to provide students with an opportunity for self-discovery, to engage in thinking about what holds them back from bringing their ‘true colors’ to everyday situations and experiences,” VWS Dean of Students Sarah Lantz said.

About 400 students came together on Feb. 13 to hear speaker Darryl Bellamy, Jr. guide them in confronting their fears. As part of the exercise, students wrote their fears on cards and shared them aloud; Bellamy, in turn, showed them that many of their fears are shared by students across the globe.

Bellamy urged Webb students to have more fearless moments, acting despite their fears. Students discussed and reflected on his message during small groups throughout the day and quizzed Bellamy on his ideas during a closing session.

“It can be scary to put yourself out there and step out of your comfort zone,” said Isamar Theobald, a Webb sophomore.

“I liked Mr. Bellamy’s five-second rule – where he said we should take action within five seconds and not wait so long that our fear stops us.”

On Feb. 14, Webb students headed to Ontario, Chino, La Verne, Pomona, Claremont and Huntington Beach for service projects. Students weeded, fed animals and cleaned fruit at community farms, spruced up trails and youth centers, read to children at a local school, picked up litter on beaches and organized goods for people who are homeless.

Nicole Lee ’25, a sophomore, painted canvases at the Claremont Youth Activity Center to beautify Claremont High School. Other students picked up trash, built furniture and painted walls at the activity center.

Theobald and Yilia Han ’26, a freshman, picked up trash at Huntington Beach. Ken Sirimontaporn, a senior, prepared meals at Isaiah’s Rock in Chino for families in need.

Pui Fong ’24, a junior, pulled weeds at Amy’s Farm in Ontario, an organization that helps supply food pantries with organic fruits and vegetables.

“It’s important to give back to the community,” Fong said. Amy Wang ’24, a junior, helped at Huerta del Valle, an urban community farm in Ontario.

“It’s a great experience,” Wang said. “Acknowledging our privilege is really important. We have a lot. This is a chance for us to see the real world and give back.”

At Webb, groups of students made hygiene kits and wrote Valentine’s Day cards for seniors citizens. Members of a campus club made soap to be shared with local families.

Alumnus Named Philanthropist of the Year

Blake Johnson ’95 has been named Philanthropist of the Year by the 2023 Los Angeles Business Journal Nonprofit and Corporate Citizenship Awards. Each year, this award recognizes the incredible work of those who donate their time, funds, and efforts to improving the communities they serve.

In 2015, Blake started the Blake Johnson Alliance with the mission of taking a creative approach towards the advancement of Los Angeles-based youth. The goal is to provide children with access to education, arts, and science, with a focus on their social well-being. Over the past eight years, the Blake Johnson Alliance has donated over $4 million to Southern California based organizations committed to enriching the lives of young Angelenos, including The Webb Schools.

Blake has been a dedicated supporter of Webb for over 20 years, serving as a class agent, reunion chair, frequent speaker on campus, and a consistent donor. Most recently, Blake has made a generous commitment to create the new Bonnie Johnson Hall, a multi-level project that will be comprised of a state-of-the-art science lab, and increased collections space for the Alf Museum. The Bonnie Johnson Hall will occupy what is currently lecture hall space adjacent to the Alf Museum and the science building. Construction will begin in Summer 2023.

Project Will Reimagine Fawcett Library

The Webb Schools are embarking on a $1 million reimagination of the 11,000-square-foot W. Russell Fawcett Library to create flexible learning spaces, a digital media innovation lab and a digital gallery, and add innovation tools to foster collaboration and creativity.

Built in 1987, Fawcett Library is the academic hub of Webb.

The project was made possible by a $1 million donation from the Charles Huang Foundation received during Webb’s Centennial Celebration in October. A wing of the building will be named the Charles Huang Innovation Wing in recognition of the significant gift.

“The Charles Huang Innovation Wing will enable our students to experience the benefits of a state-of-the-art center for unbounded thinking and learning, with flexible new learning spaces, digital technology and experiential learning resources,” Head of Schools Taylor B. Stockdale said.

“It will be a place to collaborate, to create and to innovate with faculty and industry leaders. We are deeply grateful and appreciative of Dr. Charles Huang and the Charles Huang Foundation for making this substantial donation to Webb.”

Dr. Huang is the founder and chair of Pasaca Capital Inc., a California-based multi-billion-dollar evergreen fund with global portfolio companies in North America, Europe, Asia and the Middle East.

In summer 2022, Fawcett Library began a preliminary update to reconfigure the main library space. In spring 2023, new furniture solutions were being added to maximize comfort, collaboration and access to resources, funded by a generous gift from Xue Ping Xu and Bei Xu, parents of Albert ’20 and Benjamin ’26. Webb’s vision for the library is to create a comfortable and flexible space that encourages all styles of learning and collaboration, including the Charles Huang Innovation Wing. The effort encompasses small study spaces and tools to facilitate gatherings, presentations and performances. The project is currently in the conceptual design phase.

Webb hopes to begin construction in summer 2024.

The Alumni Office launched a new alumni networking platform called WebbWorks. WebbWorks is a place where alumni can come together to share and guide others on their career journeys. By providing a space for people to connect, alumni can:

• Connect with one another,

• Provide mentorship opportunities,

• Share advice on different industries,

• Find a new job,

• And more!

The Webb network can be tapped into to advance careers or help pivot to a new one. WebbWorks is a trusted network of only Webb alumni who are willing to work with each other. WebbWorks is a powerful tool that can drive long-term success and all alumni are invited to join.

With the support of the Alumni Council, WebbWorks went from idea to reality in just a few short months. Thank you to the lead donors who fast tracked this program: Kathy Fredrich ’02, Sandeep Madhavan ’99, Ed Ratinoff ’83, Kunal Shah ’97, and Nihar Shah ’04. And thank you to the many other Alumni Council members who supported this program.

Alumni – If you have not signed up, we invite you to do so today! If you have any questions, please contact the Alumni Office at alumni@webb.org or (909) 445-8253.

Support for the Alf Museum Grows

Museum Trustee Page Thibodeaux and his wife, Kathy, have recently documented a planned gift intention for the Raymond M. Alf Museum of Paleontology. When realized, this future gift will establish the Thibodeaux Family Fund, helping to expand the Alf Museum’s endowment in perpetuity.

The endowment provides critical support for museum programs on an annual basis, and future planned gifts ensure that the endowment will continue to grow for many years to come. Endowed funds at the museum directly support the unparalleled collections, dedicated staff, research and outreach opportunities and so much more.

“It’s fabulous to watch the evolution of the Raymond M. Alf Museum of Paleontology into a world class educational and research institution in support of the world class educational mission of The Webb Schools. Marvelous to be a part of it!” Page said.

Declaring your future gift intentions has never been easier. You can designate the Alf Museum as a beneficiary of a retirement account or life insurance policy, set up a charitable gift annuity or trust that pays you money during your lifetime or leave a specific asset or portion of your estate to the museum.

For more information on estate gifts, contact Danielle Gordon at dgordon@webb.org or (909) 482-5267.

Alumni author supports the next generation with a reunion gift

John Scalzi ’87 and his wife, Kristine, recently made a multi-year leadership commitment to support The Webb Fund. The gift is in honor of John’s 35th reunion, which also coincided with the Centennial Celebration in fall 2022. The Webb Fund supports our areas of greatest need on campus, ranging from financial aid to faculty support, from leadership programming to academic partnerships.

“Webb gave so much to me during my time here, and still does with the community that extends far beyond the campus. Kristine and I are delighted to be able to return the favor, and in doing so, help another generation of students, who will go out into the world to do wonderful things,” John said.

During Alumni Weekend 2022, John hosted a special reading and author Q & A in Ahmanson Lecture Hall and read excerpts from some of his recent works, as well as a sneak preview of a yet unpublished short story.

Later that day, John received the Outstanding Alumni Achievement Award at the Alumni Awards Ceremony in the Liu/Cheung Theater. Many members of the Class of 1987 were in the audience to cheer him on. Webb is thrilled to celebrate John and Kristine Scalzi and their generous support over the years.

Multi-year pledges are an excellent way to maximize your support for current students and teachers, and share your impact over up to five years. For more information, please contact Danielle Gordon at dgordon@webb.org or (909) 482-5267.

Kathy and Page Thibodeaux with Don Lofgren

John '87 and Kristine Scalzi

A Tribute to the Legacy of Laurence McMillin, an ‘Individual Maker’

How do you find your individual identity while creating a life of meaning, heart, purpose and service to others? For more than 37 years as an educator at Webb, humanities teacher Larry McMillin had a calling and deep purpose of helping his students answer this question. He left an indelible impression on them and their character. It is no surprise that McMillin’s legacy lives on and now Webb’s campus pays tribute to this extraordinary educator in the newly constructed McMillin Park, unveiled during Alumni Weekend 2022.

McMillin Park was a gift from the Class of 1967 and many others to honor the tenure and impact of their beloved teacher. It is now an outdoor amphitheater complete with new seating and a custom mural that honors Larry McMillin. The park sits near the crossroads in front of the Alamo dormitory and features more than 40 boulders arrayed around a central plaza below a dozen oak trees. The park’s design is a nod to a stone hut that occupied the spot for seven decades and which served as McMillin’s classroom from 1955-1992.

At the south side of the park, a tile wall created by Stephen Farley ’81 celebrates McMillin. The wall displays McMillin’s image, a scene of him teaching in front of the stone hut, and his favorite quote from Albert Einstein: “The aim of education must be the training of independently acting and thinking individuals who, however, can see in the service to the community their highest life achievement.”

The project was primarily funded by Webb’s Class of 1967. Fletcher Strickler ’67 shepherded the project over the years, collaborating with classmates to raise the bulk of $400,000plus in funding, with additional support from the Rancho Santa Fe Foundation. The idea of dedicating the park to McMillin came from Strickler and his classmates, who had McMillin for junior year English.

Thank you to the Class of 1967, Stephen Farley ’81 and everyone who supported the construction of McMillin Park in honor of one of Webb’s most legendary and inspiring teachers.

Read more about this project on page 23.

The Class of 1967 at the opening of McMillin Park during Alumni Weekend 2022

Stephen Farley ’81 in front of the mural honoring Larry McMillin

newsnotes

THE WEBB SCHOOLS

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by Jessica Rice ’12

A HALF MINUTES with Dakota Santana-Grace ’11 Principal at Boston Consulting Group

People are often drawn to Webb by what happens inside the classroom: challenging classes, great faculty and a clear path to college. But so much of learning at Webb happens outside of class, and Dakota Santana-Grace ’11 is a testament to that. Santana-Grace was involved in theater, the Alf Museum and the debate team at Webb — the last of which he helped create.

Over the last 15 years, the life lessons he learned at Webb have helped him go from performing in Les Misérables and securing Webb’s first debate win to graduating from Harvard University and managing 30 people at Boston Consulting Group (BCG). Here, he reflects on his career and how those lessons prepared him for life after Webb.

Q&A

Can you tell me a little bit about your work?

When I joined BCG right out of undergrad in 2016, I started working –almost immediately – in our industrial goods practice area and logistics practice, which involves anything about manufacturing or moving things. So trucks, supply chain, spare parts distribution, if we’re moving something, I think about it. I’ve stayed in that space for the past seven years.

What has made you stay at the company for seven years?

To work in any consulting business or professional services firm, I think you have to ask yourself, ‘Do you want to be here?’ Usually, the hours are a little unpredictable, and things are a little crazy. You have to be willing to prioritize and figure out how to balance your life.

The reality is I have amazing teams and amazing managers that I work with. I like my clients, the stuff that I do and the topics that I spend 90% of my time in. When you mix that together, I think, ‘I’m not going to find that anywhere else in the world, right?’ I get to sit with executives of some of the largest companies in the world and think about the hardest problems. I don’t know where else I could do that.

Did you always know what you wanted to do with your career?

I was pre-med on my first day at Harvard and stopped being pre-med by my 10th, so absolutely not. It all was an accident. I knew a lot of my friends were interviewing for BCG, and I decided, ‘I’m going to do it.’ Then I ended up really liking my internship. If you asked all my friends in college, I was the least likely to end up on the corporate route, so it’s a hilarious reality.

What’s the most rewarding thing about your job?

A few things come to mind. I work globally across the firm on what we’re doing in artificial intelligence. It’s outside my day-to-day work, but it’s cool to see the type of ways AI is disrupting the world and the ways that it’s not.

I also do a ton of work on our LGBT group, Pride@BCG. It’s probably my favorite part of my job outside of my client work. We work on building a more inclusive culture for our employees. I came in as an associate, so it’s fun to now be part of figuring out what that journey looks like. For a lot of people, it’s their first time out at work or out with a client. We get to be part of helping people navigate these things.

Do you feel like Webb prepared you for college?

Webb was hard! Webb was harder than Harvard. Kevin Quick’s physics class was really brutal freshman year – that will live with me. And our writing classes are really good, too. I came in at a higher writing level than most and then continued my writing training at Harvard. Because of that, I can write super fast and clearly today.

Webb also forces you to start balancing and making trade-offs when you wonder, ‘How am I going to study for too many things at once?’ That’s just life: figuring out how to balance too many things at once. We started that journey earlier in a really safe environment, and I think that pays off. What were you involved in at Webb? Webb was a fun time. I was a theater kid and a museum kid, and I actually created the debate team with Elena Scott-Kakures ’11 back in 2008 (pictured above). It’s still kicking, which is really cool.

We went to our first competition, and we won. But we went in Webb T-shirts and looked horrible. I suggested that we go in t-shirts, and Elena didn’t agree. Elena was, of course, right. We kicked butt, but we did not look good doing it. From then on, we were in formal uniforms.

Is there anything you learned at Webb, during class or through extracurricular activities, that serves you well today?

The first thing is that nothing will ever be stressful once you’ve done theater for enough years. Stuff goes wrong in a twohour live performance, and at the end of the day, the show’s usually fine. That always sticks with me. I don’t know if there’s a day in my life when something does not go wrong. At the end of the day, though, everything’s usually fine. It’s about constantly rolling with it and figuring out how to make things work.

The second thing was learning how to go rogue a little bit. When we started the debate club, we had to get funding, find an advisor and figure out how to get parents to drive us. We didn’t have anything. That little moment when you’re figuring out how to get a group of people somewhat coordinated – that’s lived with me forever. I think Webb equips you for the years ahead.

Do you have any advice for current students or young alumni?

Take a deep breath. You have no idea what you’re actually about to go do. Do something a little scary once a semester in college, and you’ll find something that’s exciting. When you do, chase that.

For the recent college grads, use your intuition to guide you, but also take a moment to take a step back and assess. Yesterday, I thought I knew something through my gut, and then I sat with my data scientists and they explained to me how deeply wrong I was. Trust your gut, but also assess it. When you do that, you find out some interesting things.

Answers have been edited for length and clarity.

Jessica Rice ’12 is a user experience copywriter at Endpoint. She graduated cum laude from Colgate University with a Bachelor of Arts in English and political science.

THE WEBB SCHOOLS

T

Dr. Kristen Henkins

Ambegaokar ’02

Kristen Henkins

Ambegaokar, member of the Class of 2002, says that one of the greatest skills Webb taught her was time management – estimating how long a task will take, focusing for a given period and preparing for future events. And yet, if Ambegaokar could give her younger self a piece of advice, she would tell herself to worry about time, and the future, less.

by Abigail Johnson Hess ’12

oday, Ambegaokar is a medical director at MERGE, an advertising agency, and one of Medical Marketing & Media’s 40 Under 40 honorees. Her job is to help ensure that medical ads and scientific communications are accurate, from the written descriptions down to the illustrations. But years ago, Ambegaokar attended Foothill Country Day School before joining the Webb community in 1998.

“The things that were fostered at Foothill continued to be fostered at Webb, not just the curriculum, but how to be a good student and how to be a good thinker and how to be a thoughtful student. Things like good study skills and time management,” Ambegaokar said. “Obviously, you can talk about great pedagogy and those kinds of things, but the life skills that I learned at Webb and just to help me become a mini adult before going off to college were perhaps the most useful.”

Growing up a 10-minute drive from Webb’s campus, Ambegaokar’s father was a manager at the Automobile Club of Southern California and her mother was an English professor at colleges such as Chaffey College and Mt. San Antonio College.

“I had two working parents,” she said. “The extra support and extracurriculars that Webb had going on for the boarders, I actually got to take advantage of a lot of the time. Just having sports every afternoon, and knowing that I could go to the dining hall if I needed to because my parents were still at work, was tremendous.”

To take advantage of all of the opportunities Webb had to offer, Ambegaokar competed in soccer, volleyball and track and field and participated in several plays, including The Two Gentlemen of Verona.

“I got to play a man, which was fun,” she said with a chuckle. “Ultimately, I made some of my best friends through the theater program.”

Ambegaokar also became involved with the Raymond M. Alf Museum of Paleontology, which helped shape her professional path in an unexpected way.

“All the sciences at Webb were great, but honestly, the museum really, really impacted me the most. I went on a lot of Peccary Trips,” she said.

She described how the repetitive and methodical nature of fossil preparation provided her with skills that would come in handy in scientific labs in college and beyond.

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT

Abigail Johnson “AJ” Hess ’12 is a multimedia journalist based in Brooklyn, New York. Hess is an editor at Fast Company and has also appeared online and on-air for outlets such as CNBC, MSNBC and NPR. You can follow Hess on Twitter and LinkedIn.

Ambegaokar studied neuroscience at Pomona College because she wanted to pursue a field that combined the intrigue of psychology with the hands-on nature of a hard science. She especially loved bench work as a member of a research lab. This love would lead her to earn a Ph.D. in neuroscience from UCLA.

Just as with meticulously preparing fossils, Ambegaokar initially found a sense of relaxing focus when working in neuroscience research labs.

“There is nothing glamorous,” Ambegaokar said. “What really attracted me to working in a lab is that it’s such a controlled environment. I would come in with a list of things to do, I would check things off, I would put my headphones in, and I would

have some zen time while doing probably the same thing over and over again 100 times.”

But after working in labs that investigated conditions such as Alzheimer’s and neurodegeneration and after participating on postdoctoral fellowships at Fox Chase Cancer Center and Ohio State University, Ambegaokar grew tired of the slow-moving, and sometimes isolating, nature of research.

“All of the things that had attracted me to lab research as a young 20-year-old, were eventually less attractive to me as an almost-30-year-old.”

Ambegaokar said finding her next role, in fact her next career, was a “complete fluke.” She saw a LinkedIn post for a medical writing job at an advertising agency located 10 minutes away from her home. She interviewed for the job –and got it.

of my work right now is incredibly interdisciplinary. I work with lots of different teams of people from very different backgrounds and mindsets. I work with account managers, who are usually business-minded folks. And I work with artists and copywriters, who are more creative-minded folks. Now, I actually find meetings to be so enjoyable, which younger me might have found surprising.”

The advice she would give her younger self and to current Webb students?

Say “yes” to every opportunity you can, even if you don’t think it will impact your academic record or professional path, because you can never predict exactly where life will take you.

She enjoys the fast pace and excitement of client-based work, as well as the interdisciplinary nature of collaborating with different teams.

“When you’re doing client-based work, everything that you think is going to happen has the potential to change at any moment,” she said. “And all

“As counterintuitive as it is, don’t look too far into the future to make the decisions for what you’re doing now. Try to enjoy everything that Webb has to give, even if you don’t think it’s going to immediately impact your career. Because kids today are so focused on their career paths,” Ambegaokar said. “Make sure you do some things that enrich your life, not just your career.”

Today, Ambegaokar lives with her husband and their 3-year-old, Laela, in Columbus, Ohio. She says they would love to send Laela to a school like Webb one day, adding that the environment to learn, grow, and try new things “is just a great way to spend your high school years.”

“This second career path has been so different than my first one, but has also been so much more enjoyable in ways that I never would have predicted,” Ambegaokar said.

Alumni Weekend and Centennial Celebration

The Webb campus welcomed over 700 guests for Alumni Weekend 2022, which included a special event in recognition of Webb’s 100th anniversary during The Centennial Celebration on Saturday evening.

FRIDAY EVENTS *

The weekend opened Friday, with alumni welcomed into classrooms to sit alongside students to learn about the current curriculum. Vivian Webb Chapel hosted alumna AJ Hess ’12 as the chapel speaker Friday morning. She shared a message of her own journey with her identity, career path and how Webb impacted her.

John Scalzi ’87, award-winning author, hosted a book reading over lunch in Ahmanson Lecture Hall. Later in the day, alumni learned about Webb admission, college guidance and summer programs from campus leaders. Attendees also visited the newly renovated community center to see how the community uses the updated space, complete with new technology, a café, student workspace and offices.

Friday evening brought the 30th annual Peccary Society Dinner to Centennial Field, the Alf Museum’s annual fundraiser, which provides critical funds for the museum and supports education and outreach, collections, research and so much more.

The program celebrated the incredible work of the museum staff and volunteers, as well as the research projects of this year’s Rogers Peccary Scholars. Guests heard presentations from Museum Director Dr. Andy Farke, Augustyn Family Curator Dr. Mairin Balisi and Director of Visitor Engagement and Education GabrielPhilip Santos. The Raymond M. Alf Award was presented to Dr. Don Lofgren, and Larry Ashton ’70, chairman of the museum board of trustees, led attendees in the Peccary Song to close the evening.

Reunion classes and Webb alumni also met off campus on Friday evening at Old Stump Brewery in Pomona. More than 100 alumni gathered to see their classmates and friends and meet fellow alumni over food and beverages.

newsnotes

THE WEBB SCHOOLS

SATURDAY EVENTS *

On Saturday morning, alumni visited the Crossroads near Alamo dorm to check in and enjoy breakfast at the newly constructed McMillin Park (read more on pg 22). Alumni joined a tour of the Alf Museum led by Dr. Farke. Guests saw the Hall of Life and peeked behind the scenes into the labs where fossils are processed, prepped and studied by Webb students and visiting paleontologists.

Director of Equity John Choi and Assistant Director of Equity Gretel Barsotti hosted a DEI information session highlighting the efforts of the school around diversity, equity and inclusion. Alumni heard from Webb Board members and students on programming and goals. The Robert A. Hefner III ’53 Observatory was also open to visitors to see the variety of scopes in Webb’s collection. Appleby Dorm welcomed alumni to see recent renovations and upgrades. Guests joined Head of Schools Taylor B. Stockdale in the Liu/ Cheung Theater for an overview of the school and an update on The Centennial Campaign.

For lunch, alumni and guests joined the rest of the community for a barbecue at Faculty Field while watching the WSC football team take on St. Jeanne. The Webb Dining Hall served lunch, and alumni relaxed under a tent by the picturesque field. Throughout the day, alumni also enjoyed archival displays across campus that highlighted the early years of the schools, campus activities and unique aspects of the Webb experience. You can find digital versions of those displays on the Webb website.

The afternoon was filled with more gatherings; the classes of 1972 and 1970 celebrated their 50th and 50th-plus reunions at the Vivian Webb Chapel, events that included their class pinning ceremony and remembrances of classmates no longer with us. The traditional Alumni Chapel Service was once again led by the Rev. Bill Ripley ’60 and included a chapel talk by 50th reunion class member David Ditz ’72 and a scripture reading by Leilani Aguila ’17.

ALUMNI AWARDS +

Alumni, guests, faculty and staff gathered in the Liu/ Cheung Theater to recognize the 2022 Alumni Awards recipients, along with honoring award winners from 2020 and 2021, when the events were virtual. This year’s recipients were Summer Swee-Singh ’07, John Scalzi ’87 and Chip Greening ’62.

Alumni Weekend 2022 culminated with Webb’s largest-ever on-campus event, the Centennial Celebration Dinner. Over 700 alumni, staff, faculty, parents and Webb community members joined us under the tent on Centennial Field to celebrate the first 100 years of Webb and to look forward to the Next 100.

Guests were treated to specialty drinks and dinner while hearing from Board Chairman Sanjay Dholakia ’87, former Head of Schools Susan A. Nelson and current Head of Schools Taylor B. Stockdale. Webb students performed an orchestral piece specially written by Andy Street P ’16, and guests were treated to a video celebrating Webb’s first 100 years. After the dinner and program, guests danced the night away with Los Angeles DJ and SiriusXM radio host Richard Blade.

The Webb community is thankful to all who attended Alumni Weekend 2022 and the Centennial Celebration and to everyone who supported Webb during the first 100 years. We look forward to seeing the Webb community across the country in the upcoming months and again here on campus very soon.

newsnotes

THE WEBB SCHOOLS FAMILY WEEKEND +*

On September 30 through October 1, we welcomed over 300 family members from across the globe for a program that granted them a behind-the-scenes experience of academic and residential life at Webb.

Families were invited into the classroom to engage with students and faculty. Other highlights included information sessions on spring and summer travel opportunities, college financial aid workshops, and a parent-student ice cream social.

Family members also helped to celebrate Webb teachers, staff and coaches at the annual Head of Schools Update and Perry Awards Ceremony. The weekend concluded with a parentadvisor breakfast, grade-level parent programming and a parent affinity group meeting.

Events & Highlights

Be sure to keep your email updated with the Alumni Office to hear about upcoming events. Contact us at alumni@webb.org to update your contact information.

PORTLAND, OREGON ,

It was wonderful to see everyone in Portland on Apr. 24, 2022 at the Lucky Labrador! A special thank you to Chip ’62 and Toni Greening, Larry Price ’61 and Martha Lussenhop and David ’72 and Gigi Ditz for hosting such a fun event.

SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA ,

On Feb. 23, we enjoyed seeing alumni at Culinary Dropout in Scottsdale, Arizona! Alumni spanning five decades were in attendance. Many thanks to those who joined us!

SILICON VALLEY +

Over 40 alumni, parents, and friends attended the Silicon Valley regional event on March 15. Hosted by Sameer ’91 and Laura Dholakia at their home, Webbies of all generations enjoyed mingling and networking.

ALUMNI & FRIENDS PECCARY TRIP ,

More than 60 alumni and friends gathered in Barstow for the annual Alumni & Friends Peccary Trip Apr. 29-May 1, 2022. This was the first alumni trip since 2019. Thank you to everyone for spending the weekend with the Alf Museum hunting for fossils!

newsnotes

THE WEBB SCHOOLS

2022 HOLIDAY PARTIES +*

In December 2022, the Webb Advancement Team hosted five holiday parties stretching from Los Angeles to Hong Kong, providing alumni with a chance to gather with classmates, parents and friends. These parties were also a chance to hear from Webb staff and faculty, as well as honor and celebrate the career of Head of Schools Taylor B. Stockdale and wish him well as he becomes head emeritus after this school year.

On Dec.5, Webb hosted events in both Hong Kong and San Francisco. The event in Hong Kong was hosted by Michael Chang ’92, P ’23 and Denis Yip P ’18, ’19. Stockdale and Chief Advancement Officer Bob Fass were able to virtually join the event and give their updates and greetings to over 40 attendees. In San Francisco, more than 50 alumni and friends gathered at China Live with Taylor and Anne Stockdale and Webb Advancement staff at the event hosted by David Myles ’80 and Carrie Horsey.

On Dec. 8, over 30 young alumni gathered with Associate Head of Schools Dr. Theresa Smith, Dean of College Guidance Hector Martinez and Director of Alumni and Donor Relations Lexus Beaman ’08 at Cask Bar & Kitchen in New York City. On the West Coast, over 130 members of the Webb community joined us at The Athenaeum in Pasadena to celebrate with Taylor and Anne Stockdale, Alf Museum Director Dr. Andy Farke, and Director of Admission and Financial Aid Dr. Jamila Everett. This event was hosted by Bill Bauman ’82.

To wrap up the Webb holiday party season, collegeaged alumni were welcomed back on campus by the Webb Alumni Office on Dec. 13 with hot chocolate, coffee and the famous Price Dining Hall chocolate chip cookies. Alumni saw former classmates and Webb faculty, visited their favorite campus spots and cheered on the Gauls at WSC soccer and wrestling home events.

Events & Highlights

Be sure to keep your email updated with the Alumni Office to hear about upcoming events. Contact us at alumni@webb.org to update your contact information.

LOS ANGELES SUMMER MIXER ,

In August, Webb hosted its annual Los Angeles Area Mixer at Everson Royce Bar. This event brings Webbies together from all over Southern California and a few from even farther away. The event welcomed over 50 Webb alumni from the Class of 2022 to the Class of 1951 and garnered excitement for the upcoming Alumni Weekend and Centennial Celebration.

AFFILIATES BENEFIT 2023 ,+

Webb families and friends celebrated the annual Affiliates Benefit on March 31 on Faculty Field at the top of campus while the sun set over the mountains on a beautiful evening. This year’s event, “Passport Around the World,” brought together nearly 200 parents, faculty, staff and guests to celebrate and support The Webb Schools.

The goal for the benefit was to raise money in support of leadership and transportation at Webb. Proceeds will support Webb’s leadership and weekend programs as well as other signature Webb experiences. At the core of Webb’s mission is honorable leadership development: cultivating the next generation of leaders who can transform their communities and their world in meaningful, positive ways.

Special thanks to event co-chairs Jennifer and Barry Oglesby P ’23, ’27, President of the Affiliates Janel Henriksen Hastings ’87, P ’22, ’25, and all the volunteers for making this event a great success.

Save the date for Friday, Sept. 29, 2023, when the Affiliates Benefit will once again return to its habitual place as the culminating event on Family Day!

JUNIOR CAREER EVENING:

Students Gather Career Advice from Alumni

The Webb Alumni Council, in conjunction with the Advancement Office, hosted Junior Career Evening on February 26. This was the second time this event was offered to Webb juniors, a shift from being a sophomore class event until 2022. The event welcomes alumni back to campus to speak about their professional and educational journeys.

To kick off the evening, Director of Alumni and Donor Relations Lexus Beaman ’08 welcomed the junior class in Liu/Cheung Theater, introduced alumni speakers and provided a few pointers for the students to make the most out of their time that evening. Four sessions were led by alumni in their respective industries; each student participated in two.

The Finance session included Ed Ratinoff ’83 and Raj Dayalan ’90. The speakers talked about all the positions available within the finance field, what educational pathways have brought them to their roles and what steps current students should take to pursue a career in finance.

Jennifer Ishiguro ’91 and Jason Keyes ’82 led the Law session, touching on their career journeys. Students heard about the many ways you can practice law and how you can align your law career with your passions. Students asked great questions about work-life balance, the glass ceiling and school demands.

Mental Health featured Chad Pharnichyakul ’06 and Asim Rizvi ’00. Students heard about the difference between therapists, psychiatrists and psychologists. The speakers also covered how to best prevent burnout, the educational requirements for each role and how students can be successful in the field.

Alya Ahmad ’09 and Gabe Bouz ’10 discussed their careers in Medicine. Both speakers are in their residency and were able to share the joys and challenges of medical school. Students learned about being a surgeon versus an OB/GYN and other career options.

After the sessions, students gathered inside the community center to enjoy cookies and cocoa and continue their conversations with the alumni speakers, while honing their networking skills. Faculty and staff also stopped by to thank the alumni for volunteering.

Many thanks to the Alumni Council and to each of our alumni speakers.

FINANCE

Raj Dayalan ’90, Partner at Perella Weinberg Partners

Ed Ratinoff ’83 , Managing Principal and Founder of James Investment Partners

LAW

Jennifer Ishiguro ’91 , Chief Legal Officer & Corporate Secretary at Stepstone Group, Inc.

Jason Keyes ’82 , Partner at Keyes & Fox, LLP.

MENTAL HEALTH

Chad Pharnichyakul ’06 , Licensed Therapist at Kaiser Permanente in Addiction

Asim Rizvi ’00, Adolescent Psychiatrist at Orbit Health

MEDICINE

Alya Ahmad ’09, Third Year OB/GYN Resident Physician at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center

Gabe Bouz ’10, Fourth Year Orthopedic Surgery Resident at LA County/USC Medical Center

newsnotes

1953 We welcome the Class of 1953 to join us in celebrating their 70th reunion this fall! Mark your calendars for October 20-21 and join us here on campus. Please email any questions to alumni@webb.org. 1

1958 We welcome the Class of 1958 to celebrate their 65th reunion this upcoming fall. Save the date for October 20-21. Stay tuned for more details!

1960 Members of the Class of 1960 and spouses joined together for a reunion on campus in January. Tom Ackerson, Jack Williams, Andy Chaffey, Bill Ripley, Steve Geremia, Roger Witalis and John Heintz visited the museum, toured several campus locations and caught up over lunch in the dining hall. 2

1961 The Class of 1961 celebrated a belated 60th reunion this fall as part of Alumni Weekend 2022. We thank Larry Price for heading up his reunion planning!

1962 Chip Greening was awarded the Colborn Distinguished Service Award during Alumni Weekend 2022. Chip has been as connected to Webb as you can be from a distance. A Portland, Oregon resident, Chip has continued to support Webb and keep his classmates involved throughout the years. He has been a reunion chair many times, served as a class agent and hosted numerous Webb events in Portland. Congratulations, Chip! 3

The Class of 1962 gathered at Webb during Alumni Weekend 2022 to celebrate their 60th reunion. They gathered Friday evening at Walter’s Restaurant and were also present Saturday to congratulate Chip Greening on his Alumni Award. We thank Stephen Shafer, Chip Greening, John Bayne and Peter Smoot for serving as reunion chairs.

1963 Class of 1963, mark your calendars to join us October 20-21 on campus to celebrate your 60th reunion! We look forward to seeing you there! 4

1965 It was great to see David Wright in New York! Christine Leible from the Advancement Office had a wonderful visit with him during her travels to the area. David has been a freelance music critic in Boston or New York since 1981. His assignments for New York Classical Review (newyorkclassicalreview. com) take him regularly to Carnegie Hall, the New York Philharmonic, the Metropolitan Opera and other Gotham music venues. But he says that, at heart, he’s still “a Peccary Man, out looking for bones.” 5

1967 It was wonderful to see the Class of 1967 at Alumni Weekend 2022 celebrating their 55th reunion! They gathered at the new McMillin Park (read more on pg 22 and pg 53) for breakfast on Saturday morning. Thank you to Fletcher Strickler for heading up the reunion. 6

1968 We welcome back the Class of 1968 for your upcoming 55-year reunion! Mark your calendars for October 20-21 and let us know at alumni@webb.org if you’d like to help plan. 7

1970 The Class of 1970 celebrated a belated 50th reunion this fall as part of Alumni Weekend 2022. Members of the class joined us for their pinning ceremony, tour of the museum, and more. Special thanks to Joe Thomas for helping plan this special occasion. 8

1972 After 34 years with Wells Fargo, Karl Brown has retired. He worked on ATM software for the bank. We wish him well in this next phase!

The Class of 1972 celebrated their milestone 50th reunion this past fall during Alumni Weekend 2022. The class gathered on campus to join in all the festivities, including their pinning ceremony. David Ditz was the chapel speaker and talked about the importance of honor. We thank Bill Chadwick and David for their volunteerism as chairs of the reunion. 9

HONORS SYMPOSIUM 2023 BRINGS ALUMNI BACK TO CAMPUS

Honor Symposium 2023 was a chance to hear from several alumni who returned to campus to speak about how their Webb experiences have served them. To kick off the symposium, Jason Melson Ross ’92 gave a chapel talk at Sunday Night Chapel, speaking on vulnerability and courage. He talked about his hurdles at Webb and overcoming them and how those life lessons served him in law school and in starting his own law firm.

On Martin Luther King Jr. Day, alumni Chris Haliburton ’20, Savanna Cespedes ’22, Abbie Arroyo ’21, Livia Hughson ’21, Charlotte Pu ’15, Silas Gaines ’13 and James Romero ’15 joined students in the Liu/Cheung Theater for an Honor Symposium

Alumni panel. They shared how their Webb experiences shaped them after graduation.

The panel was moderated by Connor Plunkett ’23 and Julia Tyck ’23, who, along with fellow Honor Committee/Cabinet members Riley Fass ’23 and Ben Thien-Ngern ’23, organized the event. The panelists were asked to share how the Honor Code has stayed with them after Webb, what experiences at Webb shaped them the most and what hurdles they had to overcome. Students also asked the panel their own questions.

1973 We hope to see the Class of 1973 back on campus for their 50th reunion this fall! We always look forward to this special reunion. Join us for your pinning ceremony, your class chapel speaker and much more. Direct questions to alumni@ webb.org.

1974 Jose Govea, Tom Turner ’71 and their wives got together for breakfast in Pasadena in January. Tom is completing his 24th year teaching math with LAUSD. Jose represents teachers and staff through UTLA teachers union. Jose says, “Webb is a place of lasting friendship. Go Gauls!” 10

1976 Over the Thanksgiving holiday, Peter Sanders met up with Will DeShazo in Virginia. 11

1978 Class of 1978: Everyone is welcome to join us for your 45-year reunion! Make sure to save the date for October 20-21 and we look forward to having you back on campus. Email any questions to alumni@ webb.org.

1982 Jason Keyes, Robbie Warner, Carl Curtis, Sam Gregory and John Wirum completed the Run to the Top of Mt. Baldy on Labor Day. 12

The roaring Class of 1982 celebrated their 40th reunion during Alumni Weekend 2022. Friday evening they gathered at Last Name Brewing and on Saturday they attended the football game, campus tours and danced the night away at the Centennial Celebration. Thanks to Scott Austin, David Ivey-Soto, Jason Keyes and Robbie Warner for planning the reunion. 13

1983 We are excited to welcome the Class of 1983 to campus on October 20-21 for their 40th reunion! Save the date and look for more updates coming soon! 14 Christopher Riggio and his spouse, Jean Bodeau, had a fun week of hiking, beach walks and shared dinners with six friends at Cape Lookout State Park on the Oregon Coast in early April. Through mutual friends, Jean and Chris enjoyed hanging out with Steve Lillie ’70 and his spouse, Carrie. Chris and Steve realized they had both graduated from Webb and then proceeded to bore the group with their Webbie stories and laughs! 15

1985 Simon Mansfield visited the Webb campus with his son James in September 2022. This was his first visit since graduation, and he enjoyed seeing his old dorm room in Alamo. 16

1986 Tom Monroe, Christine Helmbrecht Jones, Simon Jones and Elena Monroe ’18 returned to campus to watch Tom’s daughter Nicola graduate as part of the Class of 2022. 17

1987 We welcomed the Class of 1987 to campus for Alumni Weekend 2022 to celebrate their 35th reunion. The class attended Friday events on campus, including class member John Scalzi’s book reading, gathered at Walter’s Restaurant and joined us for all the Saturday activities on campus, including the Alumni Awards and the Centennial Celebration. Many thanks to reunion chairs Sanjay Dholakia, James Duncan, Megan Heinze, Michael Kwon, Josh Saltman and James Sun 18

John Scalzi was the 2022 recipient of the Alumni Outstanding Achievement Award. John’s many books have won numerous awards, and he has maintained his connection with Webb throughout the years, returning for reunions, participating in online events for the school, keeping connected to his class and other alumni and meeting with students about the art and profession of writing. Congratulations, John! 19

James Sun started a new job as corporate counsel for NEFT Vodka. He generously donated NEFT Vodka to the Centennial Dinner, which was highlighted in a specialty cocktail, The Webb 100, during the event. 20

1988 Hey Class of 1988, it’s time for your 35-year reunion! Please join us Oct. 20-21 at Webb to celebrate! If you’re interested in helping to plan, email alumni@ webb.org. 21

1990 Brookie Best was named the new dean of the Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences at UC San Diego in August 2022. As dean, Brookie will provide strategic and intellectual leadership for a dynamic and growing program that spans education, research and clinical care. She joined its faculty in 2003, just a year after the Skaggs School’s inaugural class. In 2014, she received UC San Diego’s Distinguished Teaching Award for Academic Senate Members and was named Professor of the Year by the Associated Students in 2010, 2013 and 2020. Congratulations, Brookie!

1991 Head of Schools Taylor B. Stockdale and Chief Advancement Officer Bob Fass enjoyed visiting with Sameer Dholakia in April 2022. 22

1992 The Class of 1992 gathered on campus for Alumni Weekend 2022 to celebrate their 30th reunion. The class joined other Webb alumni at Old Stump Brewing on Friday evening and attended Saturday events on campus, including the Centennial Celebration. Thank you to the reunion chairs Naren Desai, Jennifer Wong Holzman, Mary Presecan and Clifford Rice. 23

Jason Melson Ross returned to campus to give a Sunday chapel talk in January to kick off the Honors Symposium programming. He spoke about being vulnerable, having courage and continuing to persevere in the face of adversity. 24

1993 Everyone is welcome to join us for your 30th reunion! Plan on being at Webb Oct. 20-21 and joining in the celebration. Stay tuned for more updates, and email alumni@webb.org with any questions. 25

1997 Charles Hung

welcomed Madelyn Isabella Hung to the family in October 2022. 26

Members of the Class of 1997 enjoyed reconnecting during Alumni Weekend 2022 to celebrate their 25-year reunion. The class attended a variety of events on campus, including campus tours, the Alumni BBQ and Webb varsity football game. Their reunion activities culminated with the Centennial Celebration and an after-party in the Claremont Village. Thanks to Namath Hussain, Lisa Shonnard Sipprell, Kunal Shah and Tito Tarin for chairing their reunion. 27

1998 We can’t wait to welcome the Class of 1998 for their 25th reunion! Save the date for October 20-21 and look out for details soon! If you’re interested in volunteering to help plan your reunion, please contact alumni@webb.org.

Webbies at the Super Bowl!

Preston Clarke, Charles Hadsell and Rick Clarke ’63 attended Super Bowl LVII in Glendale, Arizona, this February. 28

1999 Dean of College Guidance Hector Martinez was thrilled to catch up with Jason Woertink ’97 and Julia Salas Woertink when they dropped off their twin students, Claire ’26 and Nina ’26, to begin their freshman year at Webb. Hector said, “It’s a first in my 25 years that I will go through the college process with the children of former students who I helped through the same process when they were at Webb!” 29

2002 The Class of 2002 celebrated their 20th reunion this fall as part of Alumni Weekend 2022. Class members joined us for Friday and Saturday activities across campus and a Friday evening gathering at Old Stump Brewing. Thank you to our reunion chairs Eric Carlson, Kathy Fredrich, Kristen Ambegaokar, Luke McReynolds and Nkonye Okoh 30 Andrea Hobby married Michael Broome in Middleburg, Virginia on Oct. 29, 2021. Andrea works at Accenture as a data scientist and recently launched the Health Data Science Newsletter on Substack.

ALUMNA AND PARENT LIZ SMITH SUPPORTS ALF MUSEUM, AFFILIATES

Liz Smith ’92 has long been a dedicated alumna, and supporter of the Alf Museum and The Webb Schools. Her commitment has only grown over the last few years as she has joined the Board of Trustees for the Raymond M. Alf Museum of Paleontology. And Liz also added the title of “Webb parent” to the list when her son Luke ’25 started as a freshman in fall 2021. In addition to serving as a trustee, Liz is also the museum liaison for the Affiliates Executive Board, Webb’s parent volunteer leadership body. Liz and her family live in Northern California, but she is on campus often for water polo and volleyball games, museum activities and monthly Affiliates meetings.

2003 Raina Dunkelberger welcomed a new member to her family, Rosalie Arianna Dunkelberger, born in August 2022. 32

Eric Freeman and his wife, Caitlin, welcomed daughter Helen (though they mostly call her Lennie) on Sept. 5, 2022. They live in San Francisco. Enjoy “this photo of her happily clawing” at Eric’s face! 33

We are looking forward to welcoming the Class of 2003 for their 20th Reunion! Mark your calendars for Oct. 20-21 this fall. Contact alumni@ webb.org if you’d like to help! 34

Michael Shelton and his wife welcomed Lindsey Rose Shelton, born in August 2022. He states she “sure is easier so far than her brothers!” 35

2004 Tiffany Lee and her husband, Hamilton, had a baby in January 2023. Baby Matthew is pictured here at three weeks old. 36

Christopher Oakley met his wife, Pallavi, almost five years ago through a work-sponsored co-ed soccer team. They were married in India in February 2022 before holding a U.S. wedding in Temecula on May 15. A number of Chris’s Webb friends from the Class of 2004 came to the U.S. wedding. They also just bought a house in Vista, California. 37

Nihar J. Shah and his wife, Vivian, welcomed Thomas Archie Dilip Shah at 6 lbs., 7 oz., into the family on November 10, 2022. 38

2005 Whitney Wharton and her husband, GT, welcomed Oliver Garrett, Webb Class of 2041, born January 9, 2023! 39

2007 Francisca Escobar welcomed Colt Raymond Escobar on Feb. 4, 2022. Colt enjoyed his first visit to Webb during Alumni Weekend 2022. 40

Aviana Gracial D’Souza and her husband, Johnson, welcomed Alastair St. John Gracial D’ Souza on Aug. 1, 2022 at 2 lbs. 11 oz. and 15 inches. They had quite a whirlwind start with Alastair arriving three months early at 27 weeks but thankfully he is thriving. Aviana reports: “He has quite the personality and is a great mix of mama and dada, very talkative, social and inquisitive. He’s a big fan of hip hop music and his doggie siblings. We’re enjoying family life in San Francisco.” 41

The Class of 2007 celebrated their 15th reunion in conjunction with Alumni Weekend 2022. Attendees joined Webb alumni at Old Stump Brewing on Friday evening and attended Saturday campus events, including the Alumni Awards, where their classmate Summer SweeSingh received the Young Alumni Rising Star Award. Thank you, Riley Lewis and Angie Alexander for serving as reunion chairs. 42

Alyssa Leppla and her husband, Nick, welcomed their second son, Emmett Frederick Leppla, on Apr. 24. All are healthy and on their way to settling into life as a family of four! 43

Alumni Share the Webb Experience with Their Children During Summer Programs 2022

Webb Junior Scholars returned to campus this summer, bringing with them alumni from California, Arizona, Texas, Mississippi, and even as far away as New Jersey! The Webb Junior Scholars Program hosts rising seventh-, eighth- and ninth-graders for a boarding-only learning experience. In 2022, the program featured four tracks: Paleontology, Global Ethics, Science & Engineering and Digital Arts.

The program was led by faculty and fellows, including several Webb alumni. Alumni Fellows pictured are Alejandra Butcher ’18, Catherine Lou ’21, Keigan McCullagh ’21, Leah West ’18, Maya Gutierrez ’21, Maddie Stoddard ’18, Rebecca Whithorn ’18, Stephen Li ’21, Nicholas Lee ’22, Alex Xiao ’21, Jimmy Feng ’21 and Arshia Sazi ’22.

Junior Scholars come from near and far, and we enjoyed connecting with several alumni who brought their children to Webb! Clifford Rice ’92, Heather Rohrer ’97, Elizabeth Lane ’91, Jamie Muldoon ’85 and Maren Berg ’90 were among the Californians to bring their students to campus. Webb also welcomed Shampa Chatterjee Mukerji ’97 from Texas and Luis Corella ’96 from Arizona. Scott Kirk ’92 and Pia Chatterjee ’92 sent their student from Mississippi and David Huang ’88 sent his student from New Jersey. To say it was great to see alumni back on campus again is an understatement!

For information on the 2023 Junior Scholars Program, visit webb.org/summer.

newsnotes

Summer Swee-Singh received the Young Alumni Rising Star Award in 2022 for her outstanding work and career in the music industry. Even while having a robust touring schedule, Summer stays connected with Webb and was featured as a musician with Unwind with Webb during the pandemic. She also provided music for Webb’s dance show, Centum, in January 2022. She enjoys staying connected to the Webb community through her music. Congratulations, Summer! 44

2008 Calling the Class of 2008! It’s that time – your 15th reunion! Join us Oct. 20-21 at Webb to celebrate! If you’re interested in being a reunion chair, contact alumni@webb.org. 45

Jeffrey Cripe and his wife, Eleanor, welcomed Carver Michael Cripe to the family in August 2022.

2010 Stephanie Black married Zachary Kruger in Asheville, North Carolina, in September 2022 surrounded by family and friends, including her sophomore and junior year roommate, Claire Staggs. 46

2011 Madison Fuelling Fox and her husband, Casey, welcomed another baby boy to their family this past year. They now have two future Webbies! 47

2012 Members of the Class of 2012 joined us during Alumni Weekend 2022 to celebrate their 10th reunion. The class attended Friday chapel in which classmate AJ Hess gave the chapel talk, gathered at Ken Rosenfeld’s campus house to celebrate Friday evening and joined us for Saturday events that culminated with the Centennial Celebration. Thanks to Jessica Jaw and Seraphina Oney for chairing their reunion. 48 Ivie Tokunboh got married in April 2022 to Chris Umoye. Her maid of honor was Marja Diaz and her bridesmaids included Connie Zhang, Yiwa Lau and Nancy Cheng. Webbies in attendance included Angie Irwin, Kinza Jamal, Brianna Gaytan, Justin Armstrong, Jeffrey Zhang, Eunice Kim ’10 and Barbara Smith ’13.

2013 We are looking forward to welcoming the Class of 2013 for their 10-year reunion! Keep an eye out for more details, but for now, you can plan on gathering at Webb Oct. 20-21. Hope to see you there! 49

Barbara Smith started a new job in January as a music creative for Netflix Feature Animations. As a music creative for animated features, Barbara assists in providing premiere music support to the productions and Netflix cross-functional partners by leveraging relationships and guiding the music creative, scoring and budgeting process from development to launch.

2017 Leilani Aguila and Apollo Thomas took on the reunion chair duties for the Class of 2017’s five-year reunion during Alumni Weekend 2022. The class attended many campus events including Saturday alumni chapel in which Leilani was the reader. The class joined Webb alumni on Friday evening at Old Stump Brewing and celebrated the Centennial at Saturday evening’s event. 50 Briana Garabet opened her own insurance agency. She grew up around insurance with family members in the industry and has been selling insurance for three years. “It’s been a dream of mine to own my own business, so I decided to make the leap and open my own agency with Farmers Insurance. I couldn’t be more excited!” She has a few team members now and is excited for the future of her business.

2018 Class of 2018, mark your calendars for your very first class reunion! We hope to see you on campus Oct. 20-21 to celebrate your five-year reunion! Any questions, contact alumni@ webb.org.

It was great to see Elena Suherman when she stopped by campus during her spring break in March 2022. She caught up with some of her favorite faculty and enjoyed some delicious Dining Hall cookies.

2023 Young Alumni Cookie Mailing Brings Treats to Mailboxes

Almost 300 boxes of the famous Webb Dining Hall cookies were shipped out to Webb’s young alumni in college in February. The treats hit the mailboxes of many students as they approached the midterm mark of their second semester.

Longtime Webb Dining Hall staff member Guadalupe Perez took on the enormous feat of getting to campus at 5 a.m. to make more than 2,000 of the delicious chocolate chip cookies, a student favorite. Lupe has been with Webb since 2005! With the cookies fresh out of the oven, Webb parents assisted alumni and parent relations staff with the box making, packaging and labeling to make sure they were as fresh as possible for alumni. Thank you to all of the Webb parents for your amazing help in undertaking this fun tradition!

Individual packages – branded with a custom 2023 Cookie Mailing sticker and containing half a dozen cookies – were shipped to alumni at colleges, universities and homes in 29 states and Washington, D.C. Other Webb goodies were shipped to alumni living or studying internationally so they could enjoy a special treat from Webb. All alumni were greeted with their treats and a special message from the Alumni Office.

Once cookies started hitting mailboxes, young alumni showed love and gratitude for their alma mater by sharing photos of their cookies and packages – on athletic fields, near gorgeous campus backdrops, in the snow, with horses, dogs, fellow alumni and at late-night study sessions. So many alumni remarked how much they missed these cookies and being on campus. These posts and photos are a highlight for the Alumni Office each year. Check out all the photos from the young alumni on our “Cookie Mailing 2023” highlight reel on Instagram @webbalumni.

newsnotes

2019 Garrett Goodrich spent the spring semester of 2022 in Claremont interning at California Botanic Garden, digitizing in the herbarium, getting to know the researchers and participating in discussion groups and classes. Garrett returned to Vassar for senior year. Next up, is a thesis on queer botany while preparing for a master of science program in fall. 51

Edward Moreira shared this update: “I’m still a student at UC Berkeley majoring in public health. I have interned at multiple companies and just finished a chemistry internship in New York City with CUNY Lehman College and City College of New York. I plan to continue to finish my degree and come home to do an internship on disease prevention at City of Hope Hospital in Duarte, California.”

2020 Emily Arias is doing research in an ecology and physics lab. She is also president of the Be the Match Club at Santa Clara University, which raises awareness and funds for bone and blood diseases. 52

Eleanor Corbin is the features editor of the student newspaper at Grinnell College. She is also the president of the debate union, peer educator at the sexual health information center and a Truman scholarship candidate. 53

Christopher Haliburton is majoring in diplomacy and world affairs, while balancing his time on the track and field team along with the ultimate frisbee team at Occidental College. He’s also a resident advisor and a member of the Black Student Association. 54

Congrats to Bridgette Lee, who was named a Skyline Fall 2022 Scholar-Athlete of the Year. A member of the historic 2022 Sarah Lawrence women’s soccer team, she adds this award to her resume in addition to being named first-team all-conference this past season after helping lead the Gryphons to a Skyline tournament championship as well as the program’s first NCAA tournament berth. As a goalkeeper, she has allowed just two goals in 14 Skyline games and led the team to numerous program firsts. 55

Janitza Luna returned to Northwestern after studying abroad in Madrid. She is spending the rest of the school year interning at a sustainable personal-care startup. 56

Malika Neogi is a junior at University of Washington studying biology with a specialization in physiology. She is also in the Kinnear Husky Battalion’s Army ROTC program at UW. “Both are going well and this summer I have a few things related to ROTC going on and one of them is going to Japan for a medical internship with the Army. I’m also now a certified EMT which is something I’ve been trying to work towards for a while, so that’s exciting!”

In March 2022, Luke Raus shared: “I’m having a great start to my fourth semester at Olin. Shortly, I’ll be officially declaring my major in robotics engineering. I’m working on some cool robotics research this semester, where we’re investigating multi-robot collaboration between small hexapods for lunar exploration applications through the NASA Big Idea challenge – I’ll be focusing on perception, planning and control algorithms. And I’m continuing to work on our Formula SAE Electric vehicle team!”

Ava Sinha is in her third year at Penn State University. She is majoring in veterinary and biomedical sciences and getting her certificate in business. She is also in the pre-vet club and the small and exotic animal club. She is also the sustainability ambassador for THON, a completely student-run organization that works to fight against childhood cancer.

2021 Mert Albeyoglu has been selected as the firstyear representative on the board of the Computer Science Society at University College London. In this role, he will represent and provide feedback for the first-year students of the university. The role also includes organizing events, such as the upcoming “Engineers are Superheroes Hackathon” sponsored by such companies as Microsoft and Meta. “I was extremely honored to be selected as the representative for the UCL Computer Science Society. I see it as a starting point to more important positions in the society and I am proud to have the opportunity to contribute to my community.”

Abbie Arroyo is part of student government at Scripps College and is serving as chair of faculty and staff relations, mentors Scripps first years in the Asian American Sponsor Program and is co-head of the Claremont Colleges’ chapter of a nationwide organization called Dear Asian Youth. She was recently selected as part of the executive board of 5C Korean Student Association. Outside of college, she is working on her own film projects and hopes to use film as a medium of advocacy. 57

Claire Diepenbrock is enjoying her sophomore year at Brown University, after transferring in January 2023 from UC Davis. In addition to double majoring in psychology and literary arts, she is a photo editor for the student newspaper, the Brown Daily Herald, tutors Spanish-speaking students at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School in Providence, takes part in a campus outdoors club and an MMA club and volunteers with Fiction for Kids, where she writes original children’s books for local hospitals. She even found time to visit Webb classmate Lily Miller in Maine.

Faith Ferry is volunteering at Cleveland Clinic and Laura’s Home shelter while she’s at Case Western. She is also conducting research at Tabuchi Lab and is the Cleveland Public Schools Connection Club president. 58

Santiago Noblin is working at the Daily Orange, a Syracuse University student newspaper that releases print and digital editions daily. He also holds leadership positions within the National Association of Graphic Design chapter at Syracuse University, in which he hosts events for other design students and connects with the org at a national level. On top of that, Santiago has said of his Syracuse experience: “We’ve enjoyed getting to have a successful football season and going to a bowl game, becoming NCAA national champs in soccer, and the energy on campus is picking up with our basketball season getting underway!

My sophomore year has been fun so far, lots of work and not enough sleep but that’s all part of the job. Go Orange!”

Shannon Uppal is in her second year at USC where she is the vice president of the Trojans for More Housing club and on the board for a preprofessional club focused on pharmacology and biotechnology. 59

2022 In her first year at Yale, Josephine Burdekin is conducting research in a cancer immunotherapy lab while working for the Graduate-Undergraduate Mentorship Initiative, a program within the Yale Undergraduate Research Association. She is also a member of the Yale Figure Skating Team and an affinity group called Asian-ish. 60

Nick Lee is serving as freshman class president, as well as working with the Admissions Department on improving educational equity and access at Brown University. He is double majoring in education and biomedical engineering. “I was recently awarded a fellowship position to engage with local community farms. I’m also loving my classes and having a lot of fun making friends and catching sports games around Providence!” 61

As an insights associate for Global Research and Consulting Group, Laura Li helps Houston NGOs and social impact startups achieve their vision. At Rice, she is executive vice president of Rice Red Cross and a period equity representative. She is also involved in Wiess’s New Student Council, Women in Business, American Medical Women’s Association, Chinese Student Association and Club Tennis. This summer, she is returning as an undergraduate international advisor for orientation. 62

FORMER FACULTY/STAFF

Bill Ripley ’60 invited Art House (Webb faculty, 197192) and Debbie Carlton (Les Perry’s daughter) to campus for a visit in March 2022. Don Lofgren gave them a tour of the museum before the group walked around campus visiting their old stomping grounds. Debbie enjoyed seeing the gym that bears her father’s name and her old home on campus. Also along for the ride were Bill’s wife, Erin, and Debbie’s husband, Paul. 63

In Memoriam

STUDENTS 2023

The Webb community sadly lost current Webb senior JONAH CANTY on Apr. 23, 2023 in an accident on Mt. Baldy. Jonah was creative, empathetic and expressive and was known and loved by many on campus. He made a special impact in the theatre, on the soccer pitch, in the art studio and beyond. He was passionate about the outdoors and photography. The spirit he brought to everything, including the 2022 summer peccary trip, will always be remembered. A resident of Upland, Jonah leaves behind his parents, Geoffrey and Heather, and siblings Ben and Ellie ’18.

ISABELLA SAEEDY passed away in July 2022, just before she would have started her senior year at Webb, after a long battle against cancer. Isabella’s goal was to become a research scientist so she could help pursue a cure for the disease she faced since childhood. In that effort, she had earned the Distinguished Science Award from Webb in her junior year and secured a lab job at City of Hope, where she was learning about the metabolic properties of cancer cells. In her memory, Isabella’s family has established a fund to purchase condominiums in Iran for rural families seeking care for children with pediatric cancer. In March, the Webb community gathered in the chapel with Isabella's family to remember and honor her life.

FORMER FACULTY/STAFF

Former faculty member SYLVIA CONNOLLY passed away on Aug. 27, 2022. She came to Webb when Vivian Webb School was in its early stages and was proud to be part of its growth. She joined the faculty as a math and computer science teacher in 1983. Her husband, Robert Connolly, Sr., joined her as a math teacher shortly after. She was also mother to three Webb graduates: BOB ’89,

SARA ’90 and VERONICA ’93. She left Webb in 1991 to become the principal of St. Anthony High School in Long Beach. She loved being a teacher and remembered her Webb years fondly.

MURRAY H. HUTCHISON, former chair of the Webb Board of Trustees who was instrumental in the founding of Vivian Webb School passed away in September 2022. Murray's time at Webb started as a parent with four of his sons attending Webb: CHRIS ’80, ANDREW ’86, ERIC ’87 and KEVIN ’89. He became chair of the board in 1984 and held that post until 1990. At Webb, Murray helped lead the first major campaign in Webb’s history. In 1986, he and his brother John (parent of STUART ’83) made a large gift to the schools to build the Mary N. Hutchison Center & Dorm in memory of their mother. Better known as North and South Hutch, the dorm is now home to 60 students and also houses Webb’s art studio and digital arts studio.

Former Alf Museum Trustee DAVID FRANKLIN MAURER passed away on May 11, 2022, age 88, in Kalispell, Montana. Born in Upland, California, he excelled in school, attending the U.S. Military Academy at West Point leading to a 30year career in the Corps of Engineers. During his career he obtained a master’s degree in nuclear engineering, taught at West Point, served in Vietnam, was the military attaché in Germany, and was involved with numerous construction projects, rising to the rank of colonel before retiring in 1984. Following Army retirement, he worked in the private sector, settling first in Claremont and in 2004, moved to Somers before moving to Kalispell in 2018. David was a man of faith who cared about the community and actively took part on various advisory boards and with Rotary Club. He served on the Alf Museum Board from 1991 to 2004. Even after leaving

the board, he would still attend Peccary Dinners, which he noted were something he looked forward to each year.

CLARA SOTO IVEY, Webb faculty member from 1978 to 1999, died peacefully in her sleep in September. Affectionately known as Señora Ivey, she became the first woman to be a full-time faculty member at the Webb School of California, starting in 1978 teaching Spanish. At the same time, her son DAVID ’82 was starting his freshman year. She was supportive of the new Vivian Webb School and the new faculty that joined the campus in the fall of 1981. At Webb, she would organize trips to Spain for her students, many of whom became friends and colleagues as adults. She developed life-long friendships with her students, the parents of her advisees, staff and fellow faculty. She was also known for her delicious Cuban flan, baking them for special occasions and especially for people’s birthdays.

Former Webb faculty member JINX TONG passed away in September 2022. Jinx was a beloved member of the Webb community; starting in 1983 as she served as the director of residence, was the dean of VWS from 1991-96, and taught biology throughout her tenure. Her students described her as inspiring, patient, kind, intelligent and wonderful. Jinx embodied this place in so many ways. She worked hard to ensure her daughters strong were well cared for in the dorms and all over campus. She was an adventuresome scholar who exuded her love for the outdoors.

ALUMNI 1934

We recently learned of the passing of ROBERT THOLEN on Nov. 29, 2018. Robert was known to his Webb class as very sociable and was involved in football and baseball here at Webb. He was also a member of the El Tovars.

1937

L. GRAHAM CAMPBELL passed away on April 30, 2022. At Webb, Graham loved riding horses and competed in every gymkhana offered. He was also involved in trap-shooting, tennis, football and horseshoes.

1943

ALEXANDER “SANDY” POWER passed away on May 14, 2022 in his home outside Solvang, California. Sandy always spoke fondly of Webb throughout his life. He was drafted while in college and later served in the Korean War, during which he was stationed for two years in Guam. In 1951, he married Heloise Bacon and the couple began their married life in Redlands, California. For several years, Sandy designed rockets for Lockheed, then joined his childhood friend in a commercial real estate development business. In 1973, the Powers moved to Santa Ynez Valley, where they raised thoroughbreds. Sandy was vibrant, fun and generous – especially when it came to entertaining. At the drop of a hat he would tell a joke or pull out a guitar or ukulele and sing an old cowboy song or a funny folk song from the 1930s. Sandy dug deeply into heavy books on history, science and classical music. He enjoyed bird watching, travel, sailing and natural history. Sandy is survived by his wife of 71 years, his daughter Callie, grandson Julian, and beloved cat, Orkitty.

1948

On Sept. 5, 2022, JAMES T. BURTON, passed away at the age of 92. At Webb, Jim was very active in athletics, dramatics, and art. He played varsity football for two years and was an active member of Block W. He was involved with Webb drama for three years. Jim earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from UCLA, and after a tour as a lieutenant in the Korean War, followed his father’s footsteps into a 40-year career in

aerospace at McDonnell Douglas Corp. At Douglas, Jim met Margot, and in 1957 they married and raised three children while he traveled the world. Jim accepted a promotion to become president of McDonnell Douglas in Japan. Returning to Newport Beach in 1987, Jim retired and gave his time volunteering at the OC Food Bank and later served on the Orange County Grand Jury, becoming foreman. A lover of big band jazz, golden retrievers and a competitive game of cribbage, Jim loved to entertain, attracting the best in others by drawing out their strengths through his loving charm and charisma. A gentle giant, Jim was a people person, incredibly funny with a joyous laugh and soul-warming smile. A gifted writer, Jim was known internationally for his annual Christmas family newsletter, “The Burton Bugle.” He is survived by Margot, his wife of 65 years, his daughter Hilary, and sons Marcus and Clay.

We recently learned of the passing of DAVID HAWKS on Sept. 14, 2021. David was president of his class at Webb, a member of Block W and participated in football and track.

1950

CHARLES NEFF passed away on Mercer Island, Washington, on Apr. 17, 2022. He led an active life as a teacher, musician, author and college administrator. He was the second of twins born on Dec. 26, 1932, in Guadalajara, Mexico to missionary parents. When Charles was five, the family moved to Claremont, California, where he attended Claremont public schools, Webb then Pomona College, where he was president of the Glee Club and earned a B.A. with high honors in 1954. After a year of study in Germany on a Fulbright Fellowship, Charles served two years in the U. S. Army. He then received a Ph.D. in political science from Yale. In 1958, Charles met Karen Jensen at Middlebury Language School,

A celebration of life

and they were married a year later. They soon had a family of four children. He retired to Seattle, Washington, in 1999. Charles had a talent for languages, having learned English and Spanish as a child. He mastered German in college, and became fluent in Russian while in graduate school. Charles’ life was full of music. He became attached to his trumpet while in elementary school, and it was his companion throughout his life. His taste was eclectic, but his favorite was Dixieland Jazz, which he continued to play into his 80s. Charles is survived by his twin brother, JOHN ’51, younger brother, SAM ’53, and 10 grandchildren.

WILLIAM RACE passed away on May 5, 2022. He is survived by his three children, his grandchildren and former wife, Heather. Although Bill was only with his Webb class for a short time, he remained connected with Webb and his classmates. After a brief period at Pomona College, Bill entered the Air Force during the Korean War, later finished his education at the University of Denver and went on to earn his MBA at USC. Bill had a long, successful career in banking. Bill was also a committed dad, attending soccer games, volunteering for countless Woodlands Swim Team meets, fixing bikes and attending school events. He took up camping and camped every summer all over Northern California. He had an active social life with many friends, including the Sierra Club Camping group, Rossmoor Singles Salon and Shipmates.

1951

ALEXANDER “MIKE” BABCOCK passed away on Oct. 18, 2022. He was preceded in death by his wife, Carole, and is survived by four children, eight grandchildren and two great grandchildren. At Webb, Mike was active in many activities. The 1951 El Espejo noted “there are few important campus activities which Mike has not

In Memoriam

aided in one way or another.” He was class and student body president, editor of El Espejo, captain of the tennis team, a basketball star, played football and was active in many leadership roles while at Webb. After Webb, Mike graduated from Princeton and joined the Navy. He later completed a Master of Science in education at USC and taught at La Jolla Country Day School, Polytechnic School in Pasadena and, eventually, became head of Pasadena Poly, where he remained until he retired in 1998. Education was always his passion, and he served on several school boards. He loved RV trips to the desert, staying active with outdoor sports and spending quality time with his family.

1952

We recently learned of the passing of JOHN KINZER in August 2021. John grew up in San Diego and was an active scholar and athlete at Webb. While at Webb he maintained all A’s in all four years, while also competing in football, basketball, baseball and track.

1953

JOHN “JACK” SUTRO, JR., a former judge of the California Superior Court, passed away on Apr. 11, 2023. He died peacefully at his Kentfield, California home of 56 years, surrounded by his loving family and devoted dog. He leaves behind his wife, Loulie, daughters Dodie, Sarah, son Stephen, and eight grandchildren. While at Webb, Jack was the assistant editor of the school paper, a member of Quill and Scroll, and was an active athlete in football, basketball, and baseball. After graduating from Webb, he attended Stanford University and Harvard Law School. Sutro started his legal career and later became a partner at the law firm founded by his grandfather, Pillsbury, Madison & Sutro. After 32 years of practice, Jack became a trial judge on the Marin County Superior Court where he

would serve for 17 years. Jack attended Stanford football games for seven decades. He loved all animals, tennis, dominoes, hiking, family dinners, the San Francisco opera and symphony, and collecting and listening to music. He and Loulie traveled worldwide, and with his family spent summers on Lake Tahoe at Glenbrook, Nevada. Jack served on the Webb Board of Trustees, and as a Webb reunion chair and class agent.

We learned that N. THOMPSON USSHER passed away on Aug. 8, 2022.

1960

CHRISTOPHER CORD passed away on Jul. 28, 2022. He is survived by his wife, Katrina, his three children and his eight grandchildren. Chris attended Webb from 1956-1958 where he was active in sports, mainly football, soccer, tennis and swimming. Chris was an avid car racing enthusiast and driver. He raced on tracks across North America in the IMSA series, starting in the late 1970s. He achieved the ultimate in motor sports: winning a World Driver’s and a Manufacturers Championship for Dan Gurney’s All American Racing team and Toyota in 1987 in the IMSA GTO class. He had a passion and an eye for art that complemented his dream home along the Wood River, where he loved to spend his days sitting on his patio watching the river flow past his home, enjoying the wildlife that surrounded him. After his retirement from investment banking, it was that home with Katrina and the children that opened up a new chapter of his life.

RONALD WHYTE passed away on Apr. 10, 2023. He is survived by his wife, Ann, children Kevin and Susan, and four grandchildren, Kavya, Anand, Brooke, and Maya. During his time at Webb, Ron was a four-year varsity athletic tennis player, and lettered in football and basketball. He was also initiated into

Block W his junior year. After Webb he attended Wesleyan University where he played tennis and met his wife of 56 years, Ann. Ron received a J.D. at University of Southern California, and served in the U.S. Navy’s Judge Advocate General’s Corps as a lieutenant. He started in corporate law before being appointed to the Superior Court in 1989 and then the Federal District Court in 1992. He was recognized as an expert in intellectual property law and oversaw countless cases on the subject, one which caused Congress to enact the Digital Millennium Copyright Act. Ron stayed active and engaged with his community and pursued his interests in theater, gardening and art. Ron loved traveling, especially to all the tennis Grand Slams.

1967

On Dec. 4, 2022, JAMES L. DAVIS JR. passed away peacefully with his wife, Sally, by his side in Portland, Oregon. James is survived by his wife, daughter, grandson, siblings, nephew and nieces. At Webb, Jim was the captain of the swim team, class playwright and choreographer and president of the Camera Club. He attended Duke University and then UC Santa Barbara, where he became deeply involved with the local Zero Population Growth chapter. This led to membership on the National Board of Planned Parenthood for several years. He obtained a master’s in zoology at Colorado State UniversityFort Collins, and later received CSU’s 1999 Honor Alumnus Award from the College of Natural Sciences. James started his career in California, where he led outreach programs at two zoos and taught middle and high school biology. James worked for the Portland Audubon Society as its first education director, establishing many of its programs and helping to lead enormous growth in the organization. At the same

time, he found a musical community as the rhythm guitarist for bands for over two decades. He also became an author, writing The Seasonal Guide to the Natural Year: Oregon, Washington and British Columbia. James became a full-time nature educator for Portland’s Metro Regional Government, where he co-founded and staged many of its highprofile annual events. In 2009, James’ book came out in a new edition under the title The Northwest Nature Guide.

LARAWAY “LARRY” GIUSTINA passed away on Jul. 19, 2022. He is survived by his mother, his wife, Carolyn, his sisters, his daughter, his son and six grandchildren. During his time at Webb, Larry was a varsity athlete in football, basketball and track. He was also a two-year honor committeeman. After Webb, Larry went on to Oregon State University, where he studied business and lettered in golf. His passions in life included his family, golf, Oregon State University and timber. Larry dedicated his career to his family’s businesses, Giustina Land and Timber and Tokatee Golf Club. He was happiest outside on a golf course or amongst the trees. Due to his prominent involvement in the world of timber, the governor of Oregon appointed him to serve three terms on the State Board of Forestry. As an avid Oregon State fan, you could find Larry cheering on the Beavers at all their home football and basketball games. His service to the university was also extraordinary, spanning over 30 years and serving on many leadership boards including the OSU Board of Trustees.

HERBERT B. HOLT passed away Apr. 24, 2022 from complications related to Parkinson’s disease. Herb was a member of the Webb rugby team, captain of the baseball team and was an honor committeeman. He kept in close contact with the Class of 1967, and last attended their 50th reunion. He is survived by his wife, Debby.

1969

JAMES R. MICHAELSON passed away on May 21, 2022 while on a walk at the Redondo Beach Pier. Jim attended Pomona College after graduating from Webb. His residency in Redondo Beach for 40 years gathered him many dear friends who shared his love of running, swimming and his wry and witty sense of humor. Jim was an entrepreneur who established a solo business “Apograph” which he managed very successfully for over 40 years. He is survived by his sisters, nephew and niece.

1970

We recently learned the news of the passing of ALLAN O. HUNTER JR. in September 2020. Allan was an active alumni class agent and was on the staff of El Espejo.

We recently learned the news of the passing of JEFFREY JORDAN in 2021. Jeffrey was a member of the Webb football and tennis teams.

1973

We recently learned of the passing of WARREN H. PERSON in 2016. After Webb, Warren attended Pomona before having a long career in the automotive industry. He was the president and general manager at Person Ford for over 25 years before starting Person Consulting in 2007 where he provided automotive-based consulting to dealerships and law firms, based on 30 years of retail automotive management experience.

RICHARD SWALLOW passed away in November 2022. He was an active alumnus, serving on the Alumni Council and going backpacking with classmates often. He was also a parent to BRENDON ’05.

We recently learned of the passing of JAMES WATTS on Dec. 11, 2019. James was active with the San Francisco area Webb alumni. He was an artist

A celebration of life

and sculptor whose work included a collection of bronzes, mixed-media sculptures, broken paintings on slate and digital images. James also illustrated 24 published children’s books. In 1983 he won the Society of Children’s Books Writers and Illustrators Don Freeman Grant for Illustrators. Three of his books have been designated International Reading Association Children’s Choices. His books have been translated into German, Swedish and Finnish.

1977

JONATHAN GREEN died on Dec. 18, 2022 in Mason, New Hampshire. John is survived by his partner of 17 years, Walter Ulrich, his brother, and his nephew. After Webb, he attended UCLA before moving to New York City where he pursued his interests in the arts and antique toys. He ran a successful import business, selling antique and collectable dolls and other unique toys, frequently traveling to Germany with Walter on buying trips. Jon was an active lecturer with the United Federation of Doll Clubs as well as other organizations across the U.S. After moving to New Hampshire, he was a member of the staff at the Pine Hill Waldorf School, where he used his talents to assist with its fiber arts program and assist with theater performances. Each year, he presented hand-made dolls to each student at the school.

We recently learned of the passing of LEON INDART

2007

We recently learned of the passing of DINO VAGENAS on Jan. 24, 2020. While at Webb, Dino was a member of the WSC cross country and track teams.

The Final Word

By Michael Hoe ’04 A True

Legacy

In the fall of 2000, I stepped onto campus, ready to move into my room in Jameson and gear up for our retreat to San Jacinto. As I stuffed my hiking backpack with what felt like a month’s worth of clothes and supplies, I couldn’t help but feel overwhelmed. But with my seven advisory mates by my side and our advisor’s simple command of “alright, let’s go,” we formed a single file line and began our trek to the first camping spot. And just like that, my journey at Webb had begun.

The first day of the trip was relatively easy, with the exception of a few pesky mosquitoes and steep switchbacks. As I gazed up at the stars that night, I couldn’t help but think that this was a rather enjoyable experience. However, my optimism was short-lived. The next morning, I woke up feeling feverish and achy. When my advisor took my temperature, it was evident that I had a fever. He presented me with two options: return home and rest in the comfort of my own bed, or tough it out for another few days with the group. As a 14-year-old used to adults making decisions for me, this was a significant moment. Despite my fever not being high enough to warrant immediate action from the adults, my advisor made it clear that the choice was mine. This marked the first of many difficult decisions that I would encounter as a student at Webb.

I decided to press on, but the second night was the worst of all. After a pretty strenuous day, we rolled into our camping

site and the skies opened up. It started pouring. Luckily, we all had tarps to set up, and as I unpacked my tarp to tie up between a few trees, I noticed that it was full of holes. I tried to wedge my sleeping back in between some trees and underneath the small portion of the tarp that hadn’t been torn up and get some much-needed sleep.

I woke up the next morning with a large puddle on my sleeping bag. I felt significantly worse, my fever had spiked, and I had little to no strength. As I walked over to my advisor to let him know that it was probably time for me to turn around, my advisory mates and the senior leaders who were with us started divvying up my belongings into their packs so I wouldn’t have to carry as much. One of the senior leaders took the initiative to attach my backpack to his own, allowing me to carry a lighter daypack during the most challenging part of the journey.

We completed our longest hike of the trip, and it was all worth it when we finally reached the highest point and belted “Honor the Blue and Gold” from the mountaintops. On our way back to the campsite, something miraculous happened: my fever broke, and suddenly, the rain ceased. The sky was a beautiful blue, the temperature was perfect, and the campground was serene and ideal.

Time flew by, and before we realized it, we were back at Webb preparing to begin our classes. I had no idea that in just a little over a year, I would have the opportunity to pay it forward during future retreats and help carry the loads of my classmates and younger students, just as my fellow hikers had done for me during that challenging trip.

Since that memorable moment, I have had the distinct privilege of experiencing Webb in multiple capacities -- as both a student and a faculty member. As a proud alumnus of the class of 2004, the current director of studies and incoming assistant head of schools, I have had the opportunity to view Webb through various lenses. Regardless of the lens I look through or how much Webb has evolved over time, the mission remains firmly at the heart of every moment that students, faculty, alumni and parents encounter.

Returning to Webb as the director of studies has been as rewarding as I had hoped. I have been awed by the creativity, bravery, perseverance and kindness that this community has displayed in recent years. On countless occasions, I have witnessed community members lifting each other up and sharing the burden of difficult times, much like my classmates did for me during our retreat.

Whether it is students organizing their schedules to support their teammates on the path to championships or throwing themselves into the Macarena during a dance show performance with infectious enthusiasm, the unwavering commitment to one another is truly inspiring. Our world-class faculty have also shown their dedication by stepping up to cover classes for their colleagues in times of need. As much as I could endlessly rave about our impressive academic program, none of it would be possible

without the incredible individuals within our community. While I didn’t know it at the time, my first experience at Webb laid the groundwork for my professional experience as a Webb administrator.

The spirit of this community that has remained constant over the past century inspires me daily to help our students find their own inner strength and resilience and to always look to help others in need in the community.

What makes Webb truly exceptional is its ability to honor its past, embrace the present and look toward the future – a testament of a true legacy. As I prepare to take on my new role as assistant head of schools, I cannot help but feel a sense of excitement for what is to come. We find ourselves at an extraordinary moment in the school’s history, and to have the privilege of playing a direct role in guiding Webb into its next century is an incredible opportunity that I feel grateful and fortunate to be a part of. In many ways, I am reminded of the exhilarating feeling I experienced before embarking on that challenging freshman year retreat.

So, just like that, let’s have this new journey begin.

“I have been awed by the creativity, bravery, perseverance and kindness that this community has displayed in recent years.”

Leading by Example

GREAT LEADERS LEAD BY EXAMPLE

and nothing could be more true than celebrating the forward-thinking generosity of two Heads of The Webb Schools. who collectively led Webb for more than a third of its first century. Taylor Stockdale and Susan Nelson have blue and gold coursing through their veins. Their history is our history, which is why we are happy to celebrate their recent planned gifts in honor of Webb’s Centennial.

Head of Schools Taylor Stockdale fondly recalls the impact of his life at Webb as he concludes his final year in the leadership role. “Anne and I feel so grateful to have Webb play such a central role in our lives. We really grew up here, at least as adults and as a couple. And raised our kids here and watched them benefit from this extraordinary education firsthand. We have had the great fortune of immersing ourselves in the life of the school for 35 years. It is our great honor to do our small part in ensuring the Webb community remains so special for the years to come.”

Similarly, Susan Nelson is never too far from Webb to immerse herself in the ongoing work of propelling us forward. As a Life Trustee and a member of the Campaign Executive Committee, Susan’s continued dedication to Webb is inspiring. She states, “Webb’s impact on my life and the lives of my family was transformative. Leaving our home and family in New York was challenging, but the Webb community embraced us and became our extended family. My sons are proud Webb alumni who maintain close relationships with Webb buddies. It was certain and inevitable Webb would be included in my estate plan. No other institution means more to me than Webb.”

Taylor and Susan join over a hundred alumni, parents, and former staff who have included Webb in their estate planning.

For more information on how to make an impact at Webb or the Alf Museum, contact Bob Fass at bfass@webb.org or Danielle Gordon at dgordon@webb.org.

Taylor Stockdale and Susan Nelson

ADMINISTRATION

Taylor B. Stockdale

Head of Schools

Theresa A. Smith, Ph.D.

Associate Head of Schools

John Choi

Director of Equity

Jamila Everett, Ed.D.

Director of Admission & Financial Aid

Andy Farke, Ph.D.

Director, Raymond M. Alf Museum of Paleontology

BOARD OF TRUSTEES 2022-23

Sanjay Dholakia ’87, Chairman

Christina Mercer McGinley, Ph.D. ’84, Vice Chair, Secretary

R. Larry Ashton ’70, Chairman, Raymond

M. Alf Museum of Paleontology, ex officio

Michael M. Chang ‘92

Deval R. Dvivedi ‘00

Jenna Z. Gambaro ’95

Wendy Hornbuckle

William Hornbuckle

Jennifer Ishiguro ’91

Naveen Jeereddi ’92

Sandra Lee Rebish, M.D. ’88

Julia Marciari-Alexander, Ph.D. ’85

Rahmi Mowjood, D.O. ‘90

David Myles, Ph.D. ’80

Mickey Novak ’70

Melvin Oliver, Ph.D.

Ming “Andrew” Pan

Janet K. Peddy, Director of Finance, Planning and Operations, Chief Financial Officer and Assistant Secretary, ex officio

Miles Rosedale ’69

Wendin Smith, Ph.D. ’89

Taylor Stockdale, Head of Schools, President and Chief Executive Officer, ex officio

Jordan Taylor ’02

Lara Tiedens, Ph.D.

Lance Williams ’97

Denis Yip

LIFE TRUSTEES

Robert “Bob” Adler

Jim Drasdo ’63

Hugh H. Evans Jr. ’49

Anne Gould

H. Earl (Bud) Hoover ’52

Ann Longley

Claire H. McCloud

Kimball (Kim) McCloud

Roger J. Millar ’61

Susan A. Nelson

Paul M. Reitler ’54

Peter M. Ziegler ’63

Bob Fass

Chief Advancement Officer

Michael Hoe ’04

Director of Studies

Hector Martinez

Dean of College Guidance

Janet K. Peddy

Director of Finance, Planning & Operations

HONORARY TRUSTEES

William Chiu

Robert Hefner ‘53

Lei “Ella” Liu

Ming Chung Liu

Pak Fu King

Col. John Rogers ’59 (Ret.)

Yafei Yuan

ALF MUSEUM BOARD OF TRUSTEES 2022-23

R. Larry Ashton Jr. ’70, Chairman

Caroline Adler Morales ’00

Gretchen J. Augustyn

Terry W. Baganz

Richard H. Clark

Jeffrey C. Cripe ’08

Sanjiv P. Dholakia ’87, Chairman, The Webb Schools, ex officio

Andy Farke, Ph.D., Museum Director, President, ex officio

Daniel Gluckstein, M.D.

Ronald P. Hagander ’66

James E. Hall, Ph.D. ’59

Lexington B. Henn ’09

F. Gard Jameson, Ph.D. ’71

Jenny Kong

Carl W. R. Lachman ’86

David P. Mirkin, M.D. ’66

L.J. Patrick Muffler, Ph.D. ’54

Michelle Plyley

Mary W. Rose, Ph.D.

Elizabeth A. Smith ’92

Charles Steinmann, M.D.

Taylor B. Stockdale, Head of Schools, ex officio

Page W. Thibodeaux

Thomas Yu ’06

Tammy Zipser

LIFE TRUSTEES

Anne G. Earhart

Sherwood C. Kingsley ’58

John (Dick) R. Lynas ’55

Douglas F. Myles

Michael O. Woodburne, Ph.D.

CREDITS

CONTRIBUTORS

VOLUME 26, NUMBER 1

Lexus Beaman ’08, Debbie Carini, John Choi, Scott Cooper, Andy Farke, Bob Fass, Danielle Gordon, Abigail Johnson Hess ’12, Michael Hoe, Jessica Rice ’12, Carrie Rosema, Gabriel-Philip Santos

DESIGN

Shari Fournier-O’Leary

PHOTOGRAPHY

Scott Nichols, Elise Ferrari, Nancy Newman, Carrie Rosema, Gabriel-Philip Santos, Jamie Zeng ’23,

PRINTING

Precision Services Group

NONDISCRIMINATION POLICY

The Webb Schools admit students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin, sexual orientation or any other characteristic protected by state or federal law to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the schools. The Webb Schools do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, sexual orientation or any other characteristic protected by state or federal law in administration of their educational policies, tuition assistance, athletic, and other school-administered programs, or any other basis in law.

THE WEBB SCHOOLS – MEMBERSHIPS

The Association of Boarding Schools; National Association of Independent Schools; California Association of Independent Schools; Western Boarding Schools Association; Western Association of Schools and Colleges; National Coalition of Girls’ Schools; Independent Curriculum Group; College Entrance Examination Board; Educational Records Bureau; Association of Independent School Admission Professionals; National Association of College Admission Counselors; Council for the Advancement and Support of Education; and the Cum Laude Society.

ALF MUSEUM – MEMBERSHIPS

Geological Society of America; Society of Vertebrate Paleontology; American Alliance of Museums; Association of Science Museum Directors; American Association for the Advancement of Science; Society for the Preservation of Natural History Collections; and the National Association of Geology Teachers.

PUBLICATION INFORMATION

WEBB Magazine is the official publication of The Webb Schools.

Postmaster: Send address changes to:

The Webb Schools

1175 W. Baseline Road Claremont, CA 91711

PH: (909) 626-3587

FAX: (909) 621-4582

EMAIL: alumni@webb.org webb.org

THE MISSION of The Webb Schools is to provide an exemplary learning community that nurtures and inspires boys and girls to become men and women who:

• Think boldly, mindfully and creatively,

• Act with honor and moral courage,

• Lead with distinction,

• Serve with a generous spirit.

Annual gifts to The Webb Fund and the Alf Museum unlock exciting opportunities for each of our students, guided by the highly committed faculty and staff who support them.

It is thanks to our donor community that we ensure the truly one-of-a-kind Webb experience will continue for generations to come.

If you haven’t yet made your annual gift to Webb or the Alf Museum, it’s not too late to join us today.

Simply scan the QR Code below to access our online giving form and make your gift!

For more information on making a recurring gift or a special multi-year pledge, please contact Peter Gilman, director of The Webb Fund, at (909) 482-5288 or giving@webb.org.

Thank you for your support of our mission.

To sustain, adapt and evolve our unbounded educational programming, we require the resources and investments to match our ambitious goals.