Westminster Magazine Fall 2023: The Power of the Alumni Network

Going above and beyond for our Wildcats

Westminster strives to meet students where they are and provide them the support and resources they need to further their development as leaders of conscience. The Westminster Fund preserves and expands opportunities and experiences that encourage our students to seek challenge and ignite positive change on campus, across Atlanta, and far beyond. When we come together as a community, our support for the annual fund elevates the School to higher levels of excellence in education and learning.

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CONTRIBUTORS

Executive Editors

Liz Ball

Emilie Henry

Managing Editor

Kathleen Poe Ross ’01

Production Manager

Marisa Crissey

Art Director

Alyssa Henderson

Editorial Staff

Kavita Athalye

Taylor Boozer ’20

Alyssa Henderson

Landon Rowe

Mackenzie Watson ’22

Contributors

President Keith Evans

Jane Lauderdale Armstrong ’74

Andrew Blaisdell ’99

Erin Dentmon

Mallory McKenzie

Pamela Nye

Brandi Tant

Regina Wood

Tiffany Wooten

Art Direction & Design Green Gate Marketing

Photography

Kavita Athalye

Alyssa Henderson

Clyde Click

Frederick Johnson

Landon Rowe

Paul Ward

Student, faculty, staff, and parent photographers

The Lewis H. Beck Archives at Westminster

Printing

Perfect Image

FEATURES

The Power of the Alumni Network

What’s one of the most powerful assets available to every Westminster graduate? A network of more than 12,000 fellow Wildcats. Find out how alumni are leveraging this network professionally, personally, and to change the world.

The Wildcat Connection

Whether contemporaries or generations apart, Westminster alumni often support, mentor, and inspire each other. These are just a few examples of the many meaningful connections our alums have made.

Preparing to Launch

Each spring, the Alumni Association welcomes a new class of Wildcats to its ranks—but the journey to becoming an engaged alum starts long before Commencement.

Dear Westminster Community,

“It’s complicated.” This pithy phrase is the title of a 2009 movie, at least one book, an international online therapy platform, and a song by an obscure band, A Day to Remember, whose song is described as an “anthem for the brokenhearted.” It is also an escape hatch at the end of an explanation of some matter in human affairs where the tangled web of contradiction and paradox reaches the limits of our understanding. Try fully explaining the trajectory of the United States, the dynamic of your family, your career choices, or your past romances, and you will likely reach a cul-de-sac and exit with “It’s complicated.”

Being an alumnus is complicated. It is a status that we all have, often with multiple institutions and organizations. It is a single marker that can represent widely varying

Further, for many, our feelings for our alma mater(s) change over time as we change and as the places that shaped us evolve.

From high school to grad school, I am an alumnus four times over, with academic credits from three additional institutions. Decades separate me from receiving my last diploma, yet my assessment of the impact and value of each alma mater has shifted over time. I am not the same person who walked the Commencement stage, and the place is not the same place. I size it all up differently now than I did a few years ago and differently than I did a few years before that. In sum, it’s complicated.

“Alumnus” shares a Latin root with the verb “to nourish.” Our alma maters did indeed feed us, shape us, and, in the best cases, reveal something to us about ourselves that we never knew. The fun and funny parts are the stuff of alum gatherings, while the arduous journey toward maturity was often navigated alone. Gratitude for the struggle often arrives as the memory of the experience recedes into the past and we see the imprint left behind on our character and capacity. Yes, again,

Fortunately, there is one part of the alumni journey that is pretty simple. When a fellow alum reaches out, we answer the call. Whether we sat next to each other in class, pursued the same interests, or even graduated years apart, we share an unspoken understanding with our fellow

alums that transcends time and circumstance. We know one another in some mysterious way that inspires us to connect and, if needed, to help.

The power of an alumni network draws its energy from seeing ourselves reflected in someone else. For Westminster alums, we know fellow Wildcats did not shrink from the challenge of our school but rather embraced it. We know, too, that our alums carry in them abundant ambition tethered to a desire to serve and make a difference. These are powerful connectors and call forth the impulse to collaborate and support.

Multiply that across more than 12,000 Wildcat alumni, and the potential is awesome, the impact life-changing.

Our students say it best in some version of the following: “We know they walked these hallways and learned in these classrooms. Their path from here demonstrates we can do anything we set our minds to.”

These are the uncomplicated aspects of being an alum—connector, supporter, enabler, trailblazer, and, ultimately, role model. Through these factors, combined with unrivaled generosity, Wildcat alums shape the Westminster experience and ensure that the vitality of this place will continue to endure through generations.

Onward,

Keith Evans President

ADMINISTRATION

Keith A. Evans

President

Toni Boyd

Vice President for Finance and Operations

Frank Brown ’04

Director of DEI and Community Engagement

Lauren DuPriest Head of Lower School

Emilie Henry Vice President for Institutional Advancement

Jim Justice Dean of Academics and Curriculum

Leslie Ann Little Head of Middle School

Marjorie Dixon Mitchell ’82 Director of Enrollment Management

Danette Morton

Executive Director, Center for Teaching

Thad Persons ’88 Dean of Faculty

Chanley Small ’87 Head of Upper School

Shannon Soares Director of Athletics

Torrey Williams Chief Information Officer

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Katharine W. Kelley ’82, Chair

Allison Bolch Moran ’86, Vice Chair

Marilyn S. Black

Elizabeth Kilcullen Blake

Javan Bunch ’81

Mahnaz Charania

J. Donald Childress

David D. Cummings

Clare H. Draper IV

Michael J. Egan ’74

Rand Glenn Hagen ’95

F. Sheffield Hale ’78

Scott D. Hawkins

Angela Hsu

Ira L. Jackson ’83

Suja Katarya

Stephen S. Lanier ’96

Jenny Pocalyko Latz ’91

Janet M. Lavine

David M. Love ’90

Lisa Olivetti McGahan

Richard V. McPhail III

Floyd C. Newton III ’73

R. Davis Noell

Rahul Patel

Leslie D. Patterson

Natosha Reid Rice

Louise Scott Sams ’75

Jeffrey P. Small Jr. ’85

Timothy P. Tassopoulos

Dana Weeks Ugwonali

D. Scott Weimer

PRESIDENT

Keith A. Evans

ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

REPRESENTATIVE

Andrew Blaisdell ’99

EMERITUS TRUSTEES

Claire L. Arnold

Betsy Barge Birkholz ’69

Lisa Borders ’75

WESTMINSTER

James E. Bostic Jr.

David E. Boyd

Rosalind G. Brewer

Peter M. Candler ’60

Samuel G. Candler

Richard W. Courts II ’55

Ann Draughon Cousins

Suzanne LeCraw Cox ’71

F. T. Davis Jr. ’56

Harold A. Dawson Jr. ’82

Virginia Gaines Dearborn ’56

W. Douglas Ellis Jr.

J. Rex Fuqua

Thomas K. Glenn II ’65

Joseph W. Hamilton Jr.

Allen S. Hardin

Doug Hertz ’70

Thomas D. Hills ’62

Ronald P. Hogan

Barbara Benson Howell

W. Stell Huie

L. Phillip Humann

M. Hill Jeffries Jr. ’73

James C. Kennedy

E. Cody Laird Jr.

J. Hicks Lanier ’58

Dennis M. Love ’74

James E. Love III ’75

Carolyn Cody McClatchey ’65

Terence F. McGuirk

R. Brand Morgan ’94

Joel T. Murphy ’76

William T. Plybon

Olga Goizueta Rawls ’73

Kelly A. Regal

Margaret Conant Reiser ’73

B. Clayton Rolader ’72

John W. Rooker ’56

S. Stephen Selig ’61

Alana J. Shepherd

C. Austin Stephens ’93

L. Barry Teague

John A. Wallace

James B. Williams

George B. Wirth

Wildcat Tracks

All over Westminster’s campus, Wildcats experienced an engaging spring semester filled with service projects, theater productions, class excursions, and much more throughout each division of the School. While students and faculty continued to challenge themselves inside and outside the classroom, they also embraced all the celebrations, field trips, school spirit, and fun that second semester can bring.

WCATChats

By Taylor Boozer ’20

Red-Carpet Ready

Every spring, eighth grade English students divide into groups within their classes, choose a scene from one of the Shakespeare plays they’ve studied, and work together to create short film adaptations. After working hard on script writing, acting, and filming, students present their videos in class and hope their group will be nominated for an Eighth Grade Oscar, which are given out at a ceremony and screening at the end of the school year. Win or lose, dressing up in Hollywood finery and walking the red carpet is always a highlight of the last month of Middle School!

Can’t get enough of the WCAT Weekly News and livestreams? Then you are in luck! WCAT has started WCATChats, a podcast in which students interview classmates, teachers, alumni, and the occasional celebrity on sports updates, academic goals, and future plans. In the spring, WCAT posted phenomenal interviews with people such as MLB star Will Benson ’16, Braves General Manager Alex Anthopoulos P ’29, and sports broadcaster Brandon Gaudin. Follow along on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and ListenNotes—or visit the YouTube playlist—to listen in on the latest WCATChats!

WILDCAT TRACKS

Oh, the Places You’ll Go … Around Atlanta

The Middle School closed out the school year with its second annual MayATL. Launched in the spring of 2022, MayATL sees teachers developing creative, immersive, and experiential classes that allow students to stretch themselves and explore during the last week of school. Some popular classes this year included A Culinary Tour de France, which taught the art of French cooking; A League of Our Own, which dove into the history of sports in Atlanta; and It IS Rocket Science, which took a field trip to Delta Air Lines to get a closer look at the engineering behind various aircraft. Using the fleet of Westminster minibuses, the faculty led excursions all around Atlanta for a new type of engaging learning.

Benvenuto in Italia, Wildcats!

During the Upper School Ensemble’s annual spring break trip abroad, the chamber chorus visited Italy, stopping in Florence, Orvieto, Pisa, Lucca, and Rome. The students toured Rome on Segways, visited the Duomo in Florence, and sang in many famous cathedrals, including St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City. The group also explored many historical sites, museums, and ancient ruins as well as performed and enjoyed time with the students at the American Overseas School of Rome.

WILDCAT TRACKS

Bringing History to Life

Second grade students showed their passion for learning and the arts through their performances in the Living Museum, where they each dressed as one of their favorite influential figures and shared stories from that person’s life. From Frida Kahlo and Sonia Sotomayor to Elvis Presley and Abraham Lincoln, the young Wildcats dove into the minds of musicians, athletes, politicians, artists, and historical figures in order to demonstrate their knowledge and passion for their chosen leader and for educating themselves and others.

Outstanding Individuals

Congrats to our students selected for the 2023 Georgia Governor’s Honors Program!

Peering into the Past

From the history of politics and technology to the evolution of beauty and fashion, seventh grade students demonstrated their knowledge of varying subjects through their annual History Fair in Barge Commons. A few fascinating topics included the history of McDonald’s, the importance of prison reform, and the frontier for civil rights and mathematics. The seventh graders presented to their fellow Middle School students and teachers to spread knowledge about niche areas of history in the United States.

from more than 300,000

to the nation’s longest-running and most prestigious awards for creative teens.

(1) Nandana Avasarala ’24 (Spanish), (2) Alex Wa ’24 (mathematics), and (3) Lauren Foglesong ’25 (Spanish) were selected out of 4,000 candidates statewide to participate in the prestigious summer program.

(4) Kirsten Liang ’26, (5) Samanyu Ganesh ’26, and (6) Sunanya Guthikonda ’24 received recognition from the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards as part of the 100th annual class of national medalists. These Wildcats were selected

submissions

(7) Melanie Zhang ’23 and (8) Frances Munger’23, captains of the Mock Trial team, won regional honors as Outstanding Witness and Outstanding Lawyer, respectively.

Black History Month

Westminster students celebrated Black History Month last February in new and engaging ways. Assemblies for the Middle School and Upper School highlighted different styles of dance while the Lower School continued its annual celebration and learning through the Door Project.

The Middle School hosted Manga African Dance for an interactive Black History Month assembly that got students and teachers on their feet. In the Upper School assembly, step teams from Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. at Morehouse College and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. at Spelman College gave exciting performances and discussed the history and missions of historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and the Divine Nine Black Greek Organizations.

In Love Hall, students decorated their classroom doors in honor of HBCUs for Black History Month. Each homeroom chose an HBCU and adorned its door with information about the school, such as school colors, mascots, organizations around campus, and notable alumni. The students and teachers also wore their chosen school’s colors on the day of the Lower School Black History Month assembly, where the Wildcats learned more about HBCUs and their historical significance in the United States.

Love Hall Innovation Underway!

At the Lower School Innovation Fair in April, current and incoming Lower School students explored the theme “How Innovation Connects Us.” The youngest Wildcats investigated technology such as hoverboards and

virtual reality and researched the intersection of art and innovation through turning trash into fashion and drawing patterns using robots. The children showed off their skills through obstacle courses, arts and crafts, physics challenges, and outdoor games.

WILDCAT TRACKS

Cats on the National Stage

WiredCats Rank at Worlds

Middle School Robotics had one of its best seasons this past spring. Three WiredCats teams advanced from the state competition to the Vex Robotics World Championship in Dallas, Texas, where they competed against the 500 best teams from around the world. All three teams had a strong showing, with teams D and E solidifying their spots in the top 300 in the world. Team C was selected for their division playoff as a No. 10 seed and pulled off an upset in the first round. They lost in the quarterfinals but placed in the top 100 teams in the world. Congrats, WiredCats!

Science Bowl State Champs Earn National Bronze

The Upper School Science Bowl team defended their state championship title in the spring, making them regional champions. They advanced to the national tournament, hosted by the U.S. Department of Energy, which included 68 teams from qualifying high schools around the nation. The team of Mason Yu ’23, Luke Guan ’23, Albert Tang ’24, Samanyu Ganesh ’26, and Chris Chen ’24, pictured with coach Steve Frappier, achieved the Wildcats’ best result since Westminster won the National Science Bowl in 1994.

Westminster eSports Regional Champs

The Westminster eSports teams leveled up in the regional championship this past spring when they competed in Super Smash Bros., Madden, and NBA 2K, among others. The NBA 2K team reached the third round in the playoffs in their field, and this year’s Smash Bros. team, made up of Lawrence Marks ’23, Cody Wang ’23, and Will Earnest ’25, won the 2023 regional championship. The team’s victory earned them a spot in the national PlayVS Cup, where they advanced to the quarterfinals.

Academic Quiz Team Competes at Nationals

Westminster’s Upper School Academic Quiz Team had a strong run in the state tournament, where they were runner-up in GATA’s small private school division. The national tournament was held locally at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis, where the QuizCats made the playoffs and tied for 65th in a field of 304 teams from around the country. Westminster tied for third among the 17 teams competing from Georgia.

WILDCAT TRACKS

Westminster Players’ Spring Finale

The StageCats wrapped up their 2022–23 season with two outstanding productions in the spring semester:

CLUE the Musical and Cyrano de Bergerac. Inspired by the classic murder mystery board game, CLUE is an interactive musical in which each performance has a

different ending, and the audience is asked to sleuth alongside the cast to determine who the killer is. Cyrano de Bergerac, featuring a heartbreaking love triangle, exciting sword fights, and more than 40 cast and crew members, provided a grand finale to another fantastic season of Westminster Players productions.

These were among our top Instagram posts of the spring semester.

Can you guess which one was the most popular?

Answer: Mr. Mosley

Winning kick by Harrison Butker ’13

Commencement 2023

Christian Emphasis Week

Remembering Mr. Mosley

Fundance Film Festival

Making a Difference Together

In late March, The Glenn Institute and PAWS partnered to host the second annual schoolwide Day of Service at Westminster, gathering more than 600 volunteers to aid 28 local organizations in addressing community needs. Students, faculty, staff, and other members of the Westminster community made an impact by helping organizations such as the Atlanta Community Food Bank, the American Red Cross, Chattahoochee Riverkeeper, Rise Against Hunger, and many more. From assembling Easter baskets for children at Agape Youth and Family Center to preparing garden spaces for AgLanta Grows-a-Lot to picking up trash along the Chattahoochee River, the Westminster community made a difference through this year’s Day of Service.

Wildcats for a Day

The Lower School hosted many new and familiar faces in the spring at Grandparents and Special Friends Day! The young students showed their special guests some of the new and innovative ideas they had learned, projects they had created, and activities they love. They also demonstrated their musical abilities by putting on a concert for their visitors. Other fun activities included a photo booth, an art wall, and a buffet luncheon for the grandparents and special friends. Scroll back in our Instagram feed to see a video recap of the day!

Christian Emphasis Week 2023

Students in each division celebrated Christian Emphasis Week (CEW) by participating in special assemblies and activities and attending divisional Easter services. Our Lower Schoolers kicked off their festivities by decorating cardboard instruments to go with their theme from Psalm 100:1, “Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth.” Middle School CEW activities included a day of service and a day of fun with a theme of “Don’t Stop Believin’,” inspired by Joshua 1:9. In the Upper School, students explored the theme of “The Mosaic of Christianity” as they learned about different faith practices and styles of worship within Christianity.

WILDCAT TRACKS

Cats on the Move!

Wildcats in all divisions participated in field day competitions throughout the spring. The Lower School had games ranging from balloon relay races to tug of war to bucket dunking challenges, making sure everyone in the vicinity got soaked. In the Middle School and Upper

School, students donned their assigned team colors and competed against each other in wacky relay races, track and field events, and the occasional water event. No matter the outcome, each Wildcat ended their field day with a smile on their face.

New Leaders

The start of the 2023–24 school year saw two longtime Middle School administrators stepping into new roles. Danette Morton, head of the Middle School since her arrival at Westminster in 2012, became executive director of the Center for Teaching, and Leslie Ann Little, a revered teacher, grade chair, and administrator in the Middle School for nearly three decades, assumed Danette’s previous position as head of Middle School.

Danette Morton Executive Director of the Center for Teaching

“It’s always been really clear to me the importance of teachers to our mission,” says Danette Morton, the new executive director of Westminster’s Center for Teaching. “Educating students is our mission, and teachers are the how. I know that if I can support a teacher to be at their best, then I am going to impact the lives of hundreds of kids over time.”

“Danette has always demonstrated a talent for bringing out the best in faculty, and there is no better time to spread her influence and impact more broadly at Westminster,” says President Keith Evans.

Danette assumes leadership of the Center for Teaching at a critical moment in the field of education as teachers at Westminster and beyond look for ways to expand their expertise and meet the ever-evolving needs of their students. The Center for Teaching was established in 2007 as a key resource to help Westminster faculty members improve their understanding of the craft of teaching through a variety of programs that support their learning and advance their professional development. Attracting, retaining, and developing an excellent faculty is a core priority for Danette and the center.

In her previous position as head of the Middle School, which she held for 11 years, supporting teachers was a core part of Danette’s work. As she leads the Center for Teaching into the future, she is expanding that capacity, bringing her unique blend of experience and perspective—as a teacher, administrator, and Westminster parent—to an office that is focused on faculty support and development.

As Middle School head, Danette shepherded students and faculty alike through the pandemic, probably the greatest challenge the field of education has faced in recent memory. Coming out of COVID, she invested new energy into supporting teachers in the Middle School and explored questions like how to help them bounce back and how to help them thrive. This new role allows Danette to focus on big ideas like these alongside the daily work of uplifting, engaging, and developing Westminster’s teachers.

“What makes me so excited about this work is that, in an unprecedented time of challenge for the education profession, I get to cultivate a professional culture to optimally support the critical work of teaching,”

“I know that if I can support a teacher to be at their best, then I am going to impact the lives of hundreds of kids over time.”

Danette says. “While I’m not working directly with students, I’m able to exponentially impact the lives of students, the experience of students— and parents, for that matter—by focusing my energies on our teachers.”

As she grounds herself in her new role, Danette says she is focused on three things: learning, meeting, and designing. She’s learning about the faculty in all divisions—who they are, where they are on campus, what their core work is—and exploring the resources the center has to offer. She’s meeting in groups with department chairs and other cohorts to hear about their interests as well as working with the three division heads and their teams. And all the information she gathers goes into designing professional development programs for Westminster’s faculty and staff to take advantage of throughout the year. It’s a new

challenge for Danette, but one she is energized and eager to take on.

“We all want this to be a place of constant and continual growth where

Leslie Ann Little Head of Middle School

As a longtime English teacher, new Head of Middle School Leslie Ann Little knows well the importance of words. She frequently describes life in the Middle School with words like “fun”, “quirky”, and “a bit messy”— and, in fact, she sees these attributes as essential to this formative time in students’ development.

“You have to embrace the messy to get to the magic in the middle,” Leslie Ann says. “I love middle school because you can’t take yourself too seriously—because the students sure won’t let you! We have a lot of fun in the Middle School. We laugh a lot, and yet we still learn an amazing amount.”

Leslie Ann succeeds Danette Morton, now leading the Center for Teaching, as Middle School head. The two were close administrative colleagues for the past decade, paving the way for a smooth transition into their new roles. Leslie Ann hopes to carry on Danette’s tradition of leading from the heart while bringing her signature wit and passion to the job.

“It would be hard to overstate how fortunate we are to have new leadership prepared and ready for a moment like this,” President Keith Evans wrote in an email announcing the change to the School’s faculty and staff earlier this year.

Leslie Ann has always embraced opportunities to serve the Middle School in new ways, taking on roles of greater and greater responsibility

people feel like they are stretched here professionally, they’re supported here professionally, and they feel excited to bring their very best to students every day,” Danette says. “I

through the years. It was just a few years after she joined the Westminster community, as an English teacher in 1995, that she became a grade chair; over time, appointments as dean of students and assistant head for academic programs followed.

In these positions, she helped launch a student-friendly modified schedule with midday office hours as well as a host of innovations that have come to define Westminster’s Middle School experience— things like Monday Morning Meeting, the eighth grade retreat, and MayATL. To further her own growth through the years, she earned an MA in independent school leadership from the Klingenstein Center at Columbia University.

am really excited about contributing to the School in this way. I feel deeply grateful that I get to do this work and do it at Westminster, in a community that I love.”

you can never forget why you’re here and why you do what you do.”

The biggest adjustment for Leslie Ann now is the fact that, as head, she won’t teach any classes. She notes that colleagues have been checking on her to see how she’s doing without a classroom, knowing how she prizes interacting with the students. To fill that hole, she makes a point to greet students every day.

“We are here to support young people in their growing and becoming.”

“I stand out in the hall and say, ‘Hey, what’s up? How are you doing? What’s your favorite class?’” Leslie Ann says. “At the opening assembly, I told the students that I’d be out and about, and if they see me, speak to me—and so they do. I love it, because

For Leslie Ann, leading the Middle School is where her passion meets this community’s need—and there’s nothing more fulfilling than that, in her mind. She and her colleagues have the joy of watching Westminster’s bright, curious Cats come alive to the world as they transition from learning because it’s expected to having those aha moments and making connections on their own. The worn-out cliche about teachers “molding young minds,” Leslie Ann notes, simply does not apply here.

“We might provide role models, but we don’t ‘mold,’” Leslie Ann says. “We are here to support young people in their growing and becoming— whatever that is, whoever that is— and providing the environment in which they can do that.”

By Erin Dentmon Contributing Writer

“Where should I go to college?” This was the question looming in the mind of Gevin Reynolds ’15 as he prepared for beloved senior year rituals like the senior tribute band concert and the Alpha Omega Reunion.

By April 2015, Gevin had narrowed it down to two—Harvard University or the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. One day, he was sitting with a friend in the foyer of Pressly Hall when he recognized then-board chair Mike Egan ’74, the uncle of his classmate Mallie Egan ’15, walking by with President Keith Evans. Knowing that Mike had attended both universities Gevin was considering, Keith suggested that the two of them might want to chat sometime.

Gevin and Mike went to lunch, where Gevin asked questions about the two schools and Mike encouraged him, saying either school would work out to be a good choice. Gevin soon decided on Harvard instead of UNC, and the friendship between the two continued to grow.

“I failed miserably at the effort to recruit Gevin to accept UNC’s Morehead-Cain Scholarship, but gained an enduring friendship in the process,” Mike says. “Gevin and

I quickly discovered that we have shared passions for education, the rule of law, politics, history, sports, and many other topics—including Westminster!—and I have found his curiosity and thirst for knowledge inspiring.”

But the friendship didn’t stop after that encounter.

“Along the way, I would make an effort to catch up with Mike every time I came home,” Gevin says. “Around winter break of my junior year, I pulled out of an internship offer, because I knew it wasn’t where I really wanted to be. I texted Mike and told him what happened. He was working with Arthur Blank at the time, and he immediately plugged me into the right people at the Blank Foundation, where they were able to put something together for me.”

During the summer working with the Arthur M. Blank Foundation, Gevin was exposed to the world of sports management, as Blank owns the Atlanta Falcons, Atlanta United FC, and Mercedes-Benz Stadium. He also learned about a selective twoyear rotational program for young college graduates to spend time working in different operational areas for the National Football League. With Mike, then working as VP and general counsel for AMB Sports & Entertainment, as his advocate, Gevin pursued and completed the

program, gaining private-sector experience before entering the government realm.

“I sharpened my professional skill set with the NFL and even got to work with the league’s public policy team in Washington, DC. Following the 2020 election and the subsequent end of my rotational program, I got on the radar of some people who were helping to manage political appointments in the Biden-Harris administration, and the rest was history!” he says.

After working in the Biden-Harris administration for several years, Gevin began a joint JD/MBA program at Yale Law School and Stanford University Graduate School of Business in August 2023.

As Gevin enters this new phase, Mike remains one of his staunchest supporters. “It has been extremely meaningful to me to play a small role in guiding someone of the next generation who is such a leader and driver of positive change,” Mike says.

And that guidance has been indispensable for Gevin. “Time and time again, Mike has been a source of mentorship and advice and guidance. As I’ve started law school and am preparing to follow in his footsteps, so to speak, I’m so grateful for him and for Westminster and for the alumni network,” he says.

Westminster’s alumni body, at more than 12,000 strong, is proof of the School’s value—and a lifelong asset for each graduate. Wildcats can be found all over the globe and in nearly every industry. Almost all alumni say Westminster taught them skills like critical thinking, time management, how to lead a group, and how to tackle complex

problems. But there’s another nearuniversal lesson that alumni cite time after time: how working together can make an exponential impact. Within the Westminster network and beyond, the fruits of this lesson are evident. Westminster alumni have accomplished a great deal individually; what they have accomplished with one another is even greater.

Wildcats don’t stop at individual impact, or even community impact— they leverage their connections with each other in world-changing ways. That’s the true power of the Westminster network.

FROM COMMON FOUNDATION TO VALUABLE CONNECTION

When Stockton Croft ’87 and Bill Lundstrom ’91 were asked to speak on a panel at a business event about private equity earlier this year as co-founders of investment firm Eagle Merchant Partners, they found themselves in good company: all their fellow panelists and the event organizer were Westminster alumni. But Stockton wasn’t surprised. After all, he has seen the power of the Westminster network many times over.

“The network works because, I fundamentally believe, it’s the best high school in the country and produces great, high-achieving people who are part of your network. It all goes back to the common base of going through a rigorous program,” he says.

Finance, real estate, law, and medicine are just a few of the industries in which, particularly in Atlanta, you don’t have to look far at all to find Wildcats at the helm—or Wildcats working together, even across different specialties and companies.

Tom Harbin ’93 founded Atlanta-based investment firm Source Capital in the early 2000s after spending time working in New York, San Francisco, and Japan. He and Stockton, pursuing similar entrepreneurial paths, connected then and have remained friends and co-investors since.

“I have worked with a number of alums in Atlanta ranging from investment banking support, commercial lending, legal advice, and fundraising and count a number of Westminster alumni as our investors,” Tom says.

Much of the power of the Westminster network lies in connections like these—Wildcats collaborating in ways big and small, within and across industries. There’s a level of built-in trust when working with a fellow alumnus, knowing the common Westminster foundation.

Stockton Croft ’87, Bill Lundstrom ’91, Jonathan Hartley ’93, Rob Douglass ’88, and Steve Tye ’93 appeared on a panel together in August 2023.

And because of that mutual respect, the network gives back in many ways, even among alumni meeting for the first time. Stockton’s children, Addie Croft ’16, Ward Croft ’18, and Wicker Croft ’20, have kept up their Westminster connections as they move through college and their early careers by maintaining Westminster friendships, obtaining job interviews and employment through the Westminster network, and taking advantage of the New York City alumni chapter offerings.

“There’s so much respect between Westminster alumni. There are so many graduates who have been remarkably successful, which comes from having that high-achieving environment. You get successful people who want to give back to that network,” Stockton says.

For younger alumni who want to leverage Westminster’s network, Tom’s advice is simple: “A thoughtful note or request for a meeting can go far. Older alums are generally used to sharing their time with younger professionals who need help and guidance. And stay in touch with your classmates— old friends are the best friends!”

POWERING NEW IDEAS

Donnel Baird ’99 founded BlocPower a decade ago in New York City, helping residents and businesses convert their inefficient heating and cooling systems

into high-efficiency heat pumps, lowering their energy bills while being more climate-conscious. BlocPower now operates programs in several cities. With this expansion, two familiar faces recently joined Donnel: his Westminster classmates Liana D’Anjou ’99 and David Ewing ’99.

“We at BlocPower believe in smarter, greener, healthier buildings for all. And we’ve accomplished a heck of a lot this year, expanding coast to coast, training and hiring vulnerable New Yorkers in green jobs, and using our software to analyze and finance the decarbonization of low-income buildings in these communities and cities at scale,” Donnel says. “Part of the key to getting this work done is trusting the people in the trenches with you. I’m excited that Liana and David decided to join BlocPower—I know the combined brainpower of the Westminster Wildcats will really help us in addressing the climate crisis.”

Liana is the co-lead of BlocPower’s content and community team, and David concentrates on its workforce development program and corporate operations. In addition to their formal roles, Liana and David are both part of BlocPower’s expansion into Atlanta. BlocPower marks the first time either has joined a start-up—Liana came from Delta Air Lines, most recently, and David from HartsfieldJackson International Airport.

“It’s a learning opportunity for sure, and that’s something I’m very excited about,” Liana says. “When I learned I was having my second child, that forced me to think about the impact I wanted to

Donnel Baird ’99, founder and CEO of BlocPower

David Ewing ’99 and Liana D’Anjou ’99 recently joined Donnel Baird ’99 at BlocPower.

have in this world and how I wanted to spend my time. Every now and then, timing works out that you want to make a change and one of your best friends says, ‘Come make that change at my company.’”

Donnel and David initially discussed teaming up in the early days of BlocPower. While it took about a decade for the right opportunity to come to fruition, David is able to use skills he honed while working for Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport—and the local network he has cultivated over the years.

“Having graduated from Georgia Tech and Westminster makes Atlanta feel like more of a small town where you’re one degree away from everyone,” David says. “You’re able to learn from a lot of people and get people’s thoughts pretty quickly about who you should talk to, what might work, or what might not work. That feedback helps us be nimble and dynamic as we try to build the company here.”

Thanks to having nearly 30 years of friendship behind them, Donnel, David, and Liana have a working relationship built on a level of trust they say is hard to replicate. Westminster was the setting for their friendship and also helped establish the skills and habits that make them a solid professional team now.

“The academic rigor at Westminster becomes a foundation for life. When Donnel is thinking about who he wants to bring into the company, there’s that knowledge that [Westminster alumni] have plus the skill and excellence to help drive the company forward. We are invested in it succeeding,” Liana says.

WORKING TOGETHER TO MENTOR THOUSANDS

In the mountains of North Carolina, two Wildcats oversee life-changing summer camp experiences for thousands of campers each year at Camp MerriMac for girls and Camp Timberlake for boys. They have learned quite a few things from each other over the years about mentorship, leadership, and building relationships—lessons they both say they learned in their youth at Westminster, despite having attended 25 years apart.

Adam Boyd ’84 is the second-generation owner of both camps and also owns Black Mountain Expeditions, an outdoor adventure company. He and his wife, Ann, take the reins on day-to-day operations at Camp Merri-Mac as its co-directors.

To run the day-to-day of Camp Timberlake, Adam brought on a former camper and counselor who’s also a Wildcat, John Menendez ’09, in 2016.

When John and his wife, Catherine, were ready to move back to the United States after living and working internationally, they “jumped at the chance” to return to the camp where John spent 10 summers as a camper and four as a summer staffer working under Adam.

“I did not expect that I’d be back to work at Timberlake, but I was always interested. I just didn’t think I’d ever have the chance!” John says.

(Clockwise from right) Donnel Baird, Liana D’Anjou, and David Ewing with their friend and classmate Jeremy Oliver at their Westminster graduation in 1999.

John Menendez ’09, center, with Camp Timberlake colleagues

John and Adam spend their summers supervising staff and counselors, getting to know the many campers they encounter, and making sure the variety of camp activities—outdoor skill building, team sports, water sports, art activities, excursions, and more—run smoothly.

Both camps offer a wide array of activities designed so that all their campers can find areas where they excel and thrive. For Adam, it reminds him of the way he was encouraged to thrive as a Westminster student. “I’ll never forget teachers talking more about what I could do rather than what I hadn’t done, and after a while, I started to believe it,” he says. “Great camps are the same way. Campers come back summer after summer, living together as a family, and healthy families always bring out the best in each other.”

The campuses of Camp Merri-Mac and Camp Timberlake are about 25 minutes apart, so John and Adam don’t get much face time during the summer months. While campers are at home during the school year, though, they work from an office shared by the year-round staff of both camps. As Adam, John, and the Merri-Mac and Timberlake teams work to create summer camp experiences that develop skills like leadership and collaboration in their campers, the work done during the nonsummer months is crucial to their success. John says he learned the skills necessary for that type of long-term work while at Westminster and has seen it modeled by Adam for many years.

“I feel like I was always known at Westminster for my best qualities. One of the things that really jumps out about my Westminster experience is the commitment to doing everything with excellence and understanding the preparation it took to do something with excellence. There was a culture of learning to prepare, study, and manage your time— and that’s something Adam has brought as long as I’ve known him,” he says.

Now that John has finished his eighth summer working at his camp “alma mater” alongside a fellow Westminster alum, he is grateful for the opportunity to help young people hone their talents, develop their Christian faith, and become leaders.

“We want to develop the whole person here,” John says. “Coming from a background like Westminster laid a strong foundation for us to be able to do those things in the summertime. This job, in many ways, feels like such a wonderful continuation of what Westminster was for me growing up.”

Adam Boyd ’84 is the second-generation owner of Camp Merri-Mac and Camp Timberlake. His father’s first camp, based in Atlanta, was originally made up of Westminster students.

Adam Boyd ’84, second from right, with his family.

CREATING A JANTERM EXPERIENCE

Sometimes, when the Westminster alumni network comes together, it’s to benefit the current generation of students on campus. When faculty members Dr. Kasia Darlak and Dr. Nathan Vigil developed Voices of Resilience, a course for students to learn about Jewish history and the Holocaust through travel to Poland and the Czech Republic, Jack Halpern ’67 and his wife, Lynne, jumped at the chance to provide partial funding for the trip.

“When I described the itinerary and goals of the project to three friends, fellow Jewish alumni of Westminster, they responded—immediately and generously,” Jack says. Lila and Doug ’70 Hertz, Linda and Steve ’61 Selig, and Joyce and Jay ’65 Schwartz contributed to the first years of the course, later joined by past parents Eva and Robert Ratonyi and Debbie and Lon Neese.

“We came together to help financially sustain what we thought was a great opportunity to educate Westminster students of all backgrounds—isn’t that what a school’s mission is?—and to help turn the great idea of the Halperns into a reality,” says Doug Hertz. “We are thrilled with the results and so thankful for the faculty and administration that have helped make the course such a resounding success.”

Voices of Resilience tackles heavy topics in history as well as present-day discrimination. During the course, an interfaith group of students visited Holocaust sites including concentration camps at Auschwitz and other sites, learned about Ashkenazi

history and culture, and discussed how to battle antisemitism today, later bringing those discussions to their Upper School peers.

“Antisemitism is on the rise, as evidenced by the bomb threat to the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta in August. Holocaust denial is also growing,” Jay Schwartz says. “Education is the key to reducing antisemitism and to eliminating any possibility of a repeat of the Holocaust. Exposing students to the Holocaust is our way of bringing all of us together, educating them and attempting to stifle a reoccurrence.”

For students, Voices of Resilience has been lifechanging and deeply meaningful. Because JanTerm immerses students in a single topic for three weeks, those who take the class leave with a multifaceted understanding of the Holocaust.

“Voices of Resilience not only teaches Westminster students about Jewish history but also improves the perception of Westminster within the Jewish community,” says Steve Selig. “My family is proud to support this most worthy addition to Westminster. It is my understanding that this course is one of the most popular offered and has had a profoundly positive effect on those students who were able to attend.”

One of those students is Abby Warshauer ’23, who was part of the first Voices of Resilience cohort during JanTerm 2022.

“After everything that we see on the trip, we cannot help but ask ourselves: What do we do with this information? How do we act on this obligation that we now have, after seeing both the devastation and resilience of the Jewish communities we visit, to work for a better world?” Abby says. “The lucky thing is, this trip gives us this opportunity to realize

Students and faculty in the JanTerm23 Voices of Resilience course cross the Charles Bridge in Prague.

Abby Warshauer ’23 (front row, fourth from left) and the rest of the JanTerm22 Voices of Resilience cohort visited the Spanish Synagogue in Prague.

this obligation to do good in the world while we are still in high school. Not a day goes by when I don’t think about how privileged I was to be able to go on this trip. The memories from this experience remind me every day of the purpose I have—a purpose to help design a more just and equitable world.”

Jack says that hearing the students speak about the course and viewing the documentary films that they produced during the class gives the sponsors a sense of pride in their investment. “We are hopeful that the lessons learned by the participants will impact their lives forever,” he says, “as well as the lives of everyone they encounter.”

A LIFESAVING NETWORK

When a Westminster alum needs medical care, it’s not rare to seek out a doctor they know through the School. Mary Kent Harrison Ellis ’92 chose a schoolmate, Dr. Shep Dunlevie ’91, as her general practitioner—which she now says turned out to be a lifesaving decision.

“Shep is maybe the smartest person on the planet. I told a classmate that I felt a little weird going to see him because we went to school together. She said, ‘If he’s the smartest person you know, who cares?’ So, he became my primary care doctor,” she says.

In her mid-40s, Mary Kent made an appointment after experiencing frequent stomach pains. Shep ordered a CAT scan, and a nurse in the office asked Mary Kent to come in immediately when the results were returned.

“Shep told me I had a tumor on my pancreas, and that it was so serious, I needed to pray about it and avoid reading anything about it on the internet. He told me he had already called Dr. Preston Stewart ’88 [a gastroenterologist practicing in Atlanta] to get a biopsy done,” Mary Kent says. “Another doctor might have totally blown me off or written off my symptoms, but Shep knew me well enough to take me seriously, and Westminster taught him those values of treating people well.”

Like Shep, Preston was exposed to a strong work ethic, value system, and spiritual faith at Westminster that have benefited him throughout his career, and he strives to put these into practice every day.

“One of the most important and enjoyable aspects of being a physician is the connections that I am able to make with patients,” Preston says. “When afforded the opportunity to take care of someone from the Westminster community, I have found that these connections—or reconnections—are all the more meaningful. It is especially rewarding to be able to potentially help faculty and fellow students who were instrumental in my academic and character development.”

The biopsy came back with inconclusive results, and Preston and Shep both encouraged her to have the tumor removed anyway. She sought a second opinion and was advised that surgery was not necessary but proceeded with the initial recommendation and had surgery to have the tumor removed.

“My surgeon knew when he opened me up and saw the tumor that it was malignant. I had pancreatic cancer at age 44. If I’d waited until my symptoms progressed, I could have died,” Mary Kent says.

For the following six months, Mary Kent underwent chemotherapy under the joint care of a medical practice in Arizona and another Westminster alum, oncologist Dr. Perry Ballard ’70. After completing chemotherapy, she has been cancer-free for five years and credits her health to the network of Westminster alumni who provided her medical care.

“The power of the Westminster community really stays with you. It’s such a gift, and sometimes you can’t appreciate it while you’re a student,” she says. “One of the things that makes it wonderful is being able to depend on each other for help, for wisdom, for community, and even for saving your life.”

After each Voices of Resilience trip, Jack Halpern ’67 hosts the course’s students, faculty advisors, and sponsors in his home for an evening of reflection and sharing.

BLACK ALUMNI COUNCIL

Committed to Reengagement

Westminster’s Black Alumni Council (BAC), on the heels of a successful inaugural Black Alumni Conference that involved nearly 100 alumni during Homecoming Weekend in 2022, is working to elevate its offerings for the coming years.

Now in its fourth year of existence, the BAC is focused on executing on its next initiatives, including more opportunities for Black alumni to connect with current students—to open up the network even sooner.

The BAC is a catalyst for community and connection among alumni, pursuing the “five R’s” of its mission: reconciliation, reengagement, representation, recruitment, and renewal.

“The five R’s of the BAC’s mission provide a pathway into the Westminster network for alums who have been disengaged or seek to grow their engagement,” says Dominique Holloman ’97, founding chair of the Black Alumni Council. “A network’s strength lies in the deepness and diversity of its membership. The work of the BAC has allowed for Black alums to be more visible and valued participants in our Westminster network.”

Formed under the Alumni Governing Board’s most recent strategic plan, which included goals for connecting alumni to one another and to students, the BAC has become an important vehicle for building relationships and helping alumni engage more deeply with the School. As the Alumni Governing Board develops strategic priorities that will guide programming, the BAC will continue to play a vital role.

As Dominique said to her fellow alumni at the end of last year’s conference, maintaining a strong Westminster network requires that alumni go, show, and give:

“Go to BAC events and other alumni events hosted by Westminster here in Atlanta or our chapter cities of DC, New York, and San Francisco. Show up on campus for your class reunion and other campus activities. Give your time to connect with our current students and young alumni.”

MAKING AN IMPACT IN MEMPHIS

Three alumni living in Memphis, Tennessee, have taken different approaches to making a difference in the city. Even when their day-to-day work doesn’t overlap, they multiply one another’s impact by working toward a common cause: improved lives for all in their city.

Dr. Scott Morris ’72 knew from his Westminster days that he wanted his life’s work to combine faith and

health care. So, he became both an ordained United Methodist minister and a family physician. Unsure of exactly what his ministry would look like, he moved to Memphis upon graduating from medical school in 1986, knowing nothing about the city other than the fact it was the poorest major city in the United States at the time.

After about a year and a half of fundraising and start-up work, he opened Church Health to serve uninsured patients in 1987. It is now the nation’s largest faith-based privately funded health center,

with a roster of nearly 80,000 patients. One of Scott’s first tasks upon moving to Memphis was to build community support for the clinic he’d envisioned—and a Wildcat stepped in. Bena Broyles Cates ’57 and her late husband, George Cates, were among the earliest philanthropic supporters.

“I was too young and naive to realize what I wanted to do had almost zero chance of succeeding,” Scott, still the executive director of Church Health, remembers. “But some of the first people I met were George and Bena Cates, and then their sons, Staley and Andy. At one point in the early days, I took a look at my list, and every major donor Church Health had was someone who I’d been introduced to by George and Bena.”

Bena has spent much of her life connecting people in Memphis, especially across racial and religious groups. She was an early part of the Memphis Interfaith Association, an organization founded after the death of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. that created the nation’s first Meals on Wheels program. She led the Mid-South Minority Business Council Continuum, helping business leaders form critical relationships across racial lines. And when it was time for Church Health to consolidate its 14 sites in the mid-2010s, the Cates family once again played a pivotal role.

One of Bena’s sons, Staley Cates, spearheaded the redevelopment of Crosstown Concourse, the repurposed Sears warehouse that now houses Church Health. While its architecture and size are nearly identical to Atlanta’s Ponce City Market, another repurposed Sears warehouse, the building’s tenants are primarily nonprofits invested in health, education, and the arts. Much like Ponce City Market, the building sat empty and dilapidated for many years before being redeveloped.

“Renovating the building was beyond what many people thought could possibly be done,” Scott says. “But Staley’s audacious willingness to see it accomplished brought in 48 tenants and a $300 million renovation.”

Another alumna, Barbara Rosser Hyde ’79, makes an impact across Memphis through the Hyde Family Foundation. With a background in fundraising, Barbara was delighted to take the reins of the foundation started by the family of her husband, Pitt Hyde, when they married and she relocated to Memphis.

Scott Morris ’72 and Barbara Rosser Hyde ’79 at the recent rededication of Tom Lee Park in Memphis. The Hyde Family Foundation provided major philanthropic support to renovate the park, and Scott led a group of interfaith clergy in blessing the park at the ceremony and pouring holy water from rivers around the world into the Mississippi River inside the park.

“The focus of the foundation is place-based, so the lion’s share of our work is based in Memphis. The number one priority is providing access to high-quality education through a variety of options. We also concentrate on placemaking and livable communities, as well as investing in leadership for the city,” Barbara explains. Shelby Farms Park has been one of the foundation’s largest projects. One current project of note is the relocation of the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art from a midtown location to a downtown site along the Mississippi River. The foundation has also supported Church Health’s important mission over the years.

“When we think about identifying and accelerating the development of the next generation of civic leaders, we are thinking about ‘How do we bring up and grow more Scott Morrises?’” Barbara says. “Church Health itself is a wonderful thing, but Scott’s moral and intellectual leadership has touched many other areas of the city.”

In addition to philanthropic giving, Barbara is known as someone who takes a deep interest in shaping the future of Memphis. “Big civic endeavors here don’t happen without Barbara and Pitt behind them,” Scott says. “She rolls up her sleeves and puts her heart and soul into these things.”

Bena, now in her 80s, describes herself as having more of a background role focused on supporting her family in their philanthropic and professional endeavors. “Barbara and Scott have both changed Memphis forever and keep doing incredible things,” she says. “While I have had a lot of projects on my own that have made a difference, my roles have been less tangible and more as being a nurturer and encourager.”

Each of the three has used what Barbara describes as an “entrepreneurial spirit” to make change— requiring the critical thinking and creativity they honed at Westminster.

“Spending six years at Westminster added onto the values I learned from my family around giving back, helping, and not just benefiting from a community but doing your part to make it better,” Barbara says. “Westminster gave us all so many opportunities to learn to serve and learn to lead. Those values were modeled every day, and we were given opportunities to develop those muscles.”

MORE THAN A NETWORK

Westminster’s values endure long after graduation, and the alumni network is proof. Membership in this alumni network can connect an attorney at the height of his career with a student trying to decide on a college, like Mike Egan and Gevin Reynolds. It allows young professionals to find mentors and difference makers to find mutual support. Together, Wildcats are reshaping cities, mentoring young people, building businesses, and caring for one another.

Each alumnus carries the lessons in leadership, service, and care for the community they learned as students with them as they go through the world. To be surrounded by more than 12,000 people carrying these values in every industry imaginable all over the world is an incalculable benefit for all the School’s graduates. It’s also a gift to any individual alumnus who leverages it.

As Gevin has navigated the early years of his career and continued his education, he has moved a few times, like many young professionals. As he has gone through the twists and turns of his 20s, the Westminster network has been with him—and just like his chance encounter with Mike Egan years ago, fellow alumni continue to support and encourage him, from Boston to Washington, DC, to Stanford and everywhere in between.

“No matter where I went in life, I found Westminster. And I found community anywhere I found Westminster.”

Gevin Reynolds ’15 recently left his post as associate director of speechwriting in Vice President Kamala Harris’s office to pursue a joint JD/MBA at Yale and Stanford, respectively.

The Wildcat Connection

Westminster graduates bring the alumni network to life as they support, mentor, and inspire each other from near and far, across class years and generations. Whether through a shared occupation, a common passion, or a particular industry, when Wildcats find one another, the connections can be powerful, influencing the course of one’s life or career. These snapshots represent only a few of the innumerable Westminster connections that comprise our dynamic alumni network.

“Years ago, I was eager to meet Richard after I was told we had a new summer associate who was a Westminster graduate. That day brought me the great fortune of a very talented colleague and a wonderful friendship. It has been a pleasure watching Richard grow as an attorney, join our partnership, raise a beautiful family, and exhibit all the excellent qualities of a leader.”

“I chaired the search committee that selected Kimbrell as Head of School at Atlanta Girls’ School. Kimbrell, who passionately embraces the AGS mission, ‘inspiring girls to lead lives of purpose,’ is an extraordinary leader—she lifts up those around her and wants to leave the world a better place. We developed a deep friendship over the past few years. Mentoring is really a two-way street, and I learned from her. In many ways, mentoring is part of our DNA. When you invest in people and make relationships count, you make a difference. We are the lucky ones—there are few experiences that are as rewarding as mentoring the next generation.”

“One cannot overstate the importance of having a mentor, particularly one like Wab. Wab’s mentorship has not only shaped my career in intellectual property law, but through his friendship and wisdom, he has also provided me invaluable guidance in my day-to-day life as a father, alumnus, and member of the Atlanta community.”

“Nancy’s legacy as an advocate and champion of young women through education and mentorship has been the blueprint for my career. I treasure her, learn from her, and would not be head of school at Atlanta Girls’ School without Nancy’s outsized influence on my life.”

Richard Goldstucker ’02 Partner, Kilpatrick Townsend

Wab Kadaba ’87 Partner and Chair of Intellectual Property Department, Kilpatrick Townsend

Kimbrell Smith ’99 Head of School, Atlanta Girls’ School

Nancy Reeves Mansfield ’71 Professor Emeritus and Founding Director, WomenLead, Georgia State University

“Coach Morse has been such an incredible mentor for me because he was in my shoes. There’s something to be said about having someone in your corner who looks like you, who has lived your same experiences, and is here to help you navigate tough times. I’m incredibly grateful for him, and I can honestly say I wouldn’t be the man I am today without his help and guidance over the years.”

“As a coach, I have a lot of power and influence to impact a student's life positively and/or negatively. I choose to intentionally impact students’ lives for the better. These are a few of the mentees I have had over the years. Oprah Winfrey defines a mentor as someone who allows you to see the hope inside yourself, and I can confidently say that in each of these relationships, I benefited the most from having had each of these students touch my life. They are gifts that continue to pour life into me, and I hope that I made an equally lasting impression on them.”

“Coach Morse and I developed a uniquely meaningful relationship while I was a student at Westminster. He taught me how to go the extra mile through his example. We often were the last ones to leave the athletic facilities long after the games were over—he would close down the building while I helped pack up WCAT’s equipment. Our postgame conversations ranged from the Cats’ performance to life philosophy. They are some of my most cherished adolescent memories. Westminster wouldn’t feel like home to me without him.”

“ Wiley has been an incredible mentor to me since I first met him when I was in ninth grade. At the time, I was looking to get into sports broadcasting but didn’t really know much about the ins and outs. He showed me how to do the job and let me work with him a lot when I was starting out with WCAT. Getting to work with him during the summer of 2022 when he was filling in on the Braves Radio Network postgame coverage and I was an intern was a full-circle moment for me. He’s been a great resource for me as I start looking for full-time jobs in the industry.”

Wiley Ballard ’12 Sports Broadcaster

Matthew ’12

Wiley ’12

Hallie ’21

Abinav ’15

Bryce ’21

Quinton ’15

Ralph ’11

Jasmine ’15

Jamal ’15

Russ ’15

DJ ’17

Chase ’16

Will ’17

Michael ’17

Ian ’17

Zay ’17

Zaire ’23

Marshall ’23

Courtney ’23

Qadir ’23

Malcolm ’18

Bryson ’18 Grace ’18

Julian ’18

Halim ’19

Macy ’19

Betty ’19

Imani ’19

JT ’11

Ayana ’14

Zoë Grace ’19

Sydney ’17

Tyler ’16

Regina ’19

Fer ’19

Mackenzi ’19

Holden ’22

Labib ’20

Taylor ’20

Chandler ’20

Daniel ’22

Katherine ’22

Sam ’09

Campbelle ’22

Sean ’20

Thomas Morse ’93 Athletic Facilities Assistant Manager and Middle School Football Coach, Westminster

Jack Hunter ’20 Journalism Student and Sports Broadcaster

Michael Russell Jr. ’12 Director of Partnership Sales, Fenway Sports Management

“I originally encountered a great deal of failure throughout my internship search for the summer of 2023. I wanted to pursue commercial real estate, but every lead kindly responded that I was either too late, too young, or they simply were not taking interns. That was until I reached out to Brand Morgan. He and his team went out of their way to make room for me at Brand Properties, thanks to our connection as Wildcats. Not only was the internship at Brand an incredible learning experience, but it also set the trajectory for my hopeful career. I will be forever grateful for Mr. Morgan and the Westminster alumni network for the impact they have had on my professional development.”

“This summer I had the opportunity of interning at Brand Properties for a few Westminster alumni alongside a fellow Wildcat from my graduating class. It was an amazing experience to reignite my Westminster connections beyond the classroom and into the professional world. Westminster provided me with so many opportunities during my time in school, and now only a couple years out, this summer showed me that within the alumni network, the possibilities are endless. There are so many Wildcats out there leading change in their respective professions, and my experience working for alumni this summer inspired me to continue to follow in their footsteps and explore the bounds of the Wildcat connection while inspiring change within my communities.”

“The relationships and education from my years at Westminster have had a tremendous impact on my career. It’s so great to see the same values supporting alumni professional growth decades later.”

“With my 30th reunion coming up in the spring, it’s safe to say that my memories of the Westminster classrooms are a bit distant, but after spending this past summer with Aidan Henry and Virginia Hatcher in the office, it was like stepping back in time. Having the younger Cats join the elderly ones in the office was a lot of fun. The horsepower Virginia and Aidan brought to the table without having any real estate experience was pretty remarkable.”

“The depth and quality of the Westminster connections that span across multiple generations of graduates never ceases to amaze me. I did not fully appreciate the value of the network until I entered the workforce and found myself routinely encountering Westminster alumni in decision-making roles. As a graduate who works with two other alumni, I have witnessed this up close and attribute much of my personal career success to the network. In my opinion, the peer group that graduates from Westminster is unparalleled.”

Aidan Henry ’21 Real Estate and Finance Student; Summer Development Intern, Brand Properties

Jonathon Barge ’95 Development Partner, Brand Properties

Derek Kahn ’91 Chief Financial Officer, Brand Properties

Brand Morgan ’94 Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Brand Properties

Virginia Hatcher ’21 Business Administration and Political Science Student; Summer Development Intern, Brand Properties

“I have been the team physician at Westminster for 28 years. In addition to treating student-athletes, I have enjoyed taking care of the faculty who nurtured me and those who taught and coached my children. Walter joined me several years ago, and it has been great having him on the sidelines. We have students join us at our practice during JanTerm as a part of our mentoring. We benefit from this, and I think the students do too. It has been meaningful for us to give back to the school that means so much to both of us.”

Hartley

Jeffries

Associate Director of Middle School Admissions, Westminster

“It has been such a joy to help Carter move into the role of civic engagement coordinator as I transitioned out of it. Our friendship and Westminster alumni/faculty connection have always kept us close, but it’s especially meaningful that our overlapping work has now connected us even more deeply. We both share a passion for serving our community in meaningful and authentic ways, and just as importantly, showing our Middle School students why it matters. I think we would both agree that the spark of wanting to serve a cause bigger than ourselves was lit when we were students at Westminster, and it has only grown in intensity through our work with the Glenn Institute. I can’t wait to see the way Carter carries the torch forward in the future, for the benefit of Westminster students and the greater Atlanta community!”

“I was thrilled when Jon approached me to serve jointly as team physician for our alma mater. Jon has an excellent legacy at Westminster, having served the Athletics Department for several decades. Having him as a mentor has been invaluable, and our practices are very complementary in terms of covering the breadth of athletic injuries we encounter. Serving as team physician has been a rewarding way to remain involved in the Westminster community, and sharing the sideline with a friend and partner is a great way to spend Friday nights in the fall! While the Westminster network is a global one, this is a great example of how local Westminster connections have had a big impact on my career.”

Carter

Thomas ’98

“As we’ve forged a strong friendship since her arrival back at Westminster to teach in 2012, I have always admired Hartley and her heart for the broader community. When she created the EngageATL course, I admired her extraordinary vision and execution to help Middle Schoolers get out into the community and not just serve but engage with others and build relationships. This is, to me, what real education is all about—when the classroom gains height, width, and mostly depth, and the lessons are broadened into the context of our larger community. This is where deep, life-changing meaning can be made. This is her legacy at Westminster—with these courses and the extraordinary work she’s done with service learning and civic engagement in the Middle School—and it’s what I’m so deeply grateful and honored to carry forward.”

’02

Middle School Civic Engagement Coordinator, Westminster

Jon York ’79

Orthopedic Surgeon, Peachtree Orthopedics; Team Physician, Westminster Athletics

Walter McClelland ’97

Orthopedic Surgeon, Peachtree Orthopedics; Team Physician, Westminster Athletics

PREPARING TO L AUNCH

The network of Westminster alumni spans the globe and encompasses thousands of jobs, locations, lifestyles, and careers—if you can think of it, there’s probably a Wildcat doing it somewhere in the world. But regardless of geography or job status, the School’s alumni share one foundational thing in common: Westminster launched them all.

This shared start is a key that can unlock any number of doors. A student’s welcome into the Wildcat community begins the moment they are accepted to Westminster through family events, outreach, and communications. The School intentionally plants the seeds of alumni connection and engagement for students once they reach the Upper School. Westminster shows current students several ways to stay connected to the School after graduation and encourages them to leverage the

power of the Westminster alumni network as they venture beyond the gates of the School.

The Student Alumni Council (SAC) is one of the first alumni organizations today’s Wildcats will encounter. Westminster’s Alumni Engagement team, part of the Office for Institutional Advancement (OIA), created the SAC in 2018 to introduce Upper School students to the Alumni Association. The SAC is a club for current students that creates an early pathway for continued connection to the School after graduation while also providing leadership and networking opportunities for its members.

“The Student Alumni Council is our first touch point with current students to prepare them to become alums and stay connected,” says Brandi Tant, assistant director of alumni engagement and staff

The Class of 2023 on College T-Shirt Day during Commencement week

advisor to the SAC. “Our events create awareness of the council and what we do as well as make sure students know about the alumni network, events, and resources they have access to as members of the Westminster community.”

The opening Student Alumni Council event of every new school year is hosting a freshman welcome table on orientation day. Right after the ceremonial Blessing of the Backpacks on Pressly Plaza, a tradition for freshmen for nearly a decade now, members of the SAC are there as student ambassadors to greet and welcome the Upper School’s newest students and answer their questions. From there, the SAC turns its focus to the seniors, planning a series of events to mark various milestones along the countdown to graduation. “100 Days to Become an Alum” is the first of these— then 50 days, then 25. The programming typically features alumni speakers, panel discussions, shared resources, and celebratory snacks to carry the seniors from winter into spring.

Phillips Moore ’24, co-president of the Student Alumni Council this year, has been involved with the SAC since he was a sophomore.

“The Student Alumni Council has been amazing for me so far. It has really helped me learn how to reconnect with alumni that I probably wouldn’t have reconnected with if not for the council,” Phillips says. “The council has also taught me the thought process and the behind the scenes of how the Office for Institutional Advancement works and the huge role they play on campus.”

A new event for the SAC this year is College Preview Day, which follows the SAC-hosted College Alumni Holiday Brunch on the day school lets out for winter break. The goal is to give current Westminster upperclassmen a direct line to alumni who are studying at various colleges and universities and are willing to share their experiences with fellow Wildcats. Having alumni volunteer to represent their college or university at this informal, in-house college fair can give Upper School students greater insight into these institutions and facilitate valuable connections.

The SAC’s final event of the programming year is actually the first official alumni event for the School’s newest graduates: the Summer Send-Off. This event gives college-age alumni the chance to come back to campus and be with friends and classmates one more time before they all head off to their respective colleges and universities to start a new academic year.

A natural partner of the SAC and OIA in many of these activities is the Office of College Counseling. Their work is focused on helping students find their academic home for their college years, which often involves tapping into the alumni network and connecting current Wildcats to recent alums. Director of College Counseling Steve Frappier and his colleagues help the SAC assemble panels of college-age and young alumni each year to give the seniors an idea of what post-Westminster life looks like and who’s out there willing to lend a hand.

“We depend on the feedback of our youngest alumni,” Steve says. “When we think about college preparation and the experience of being in a residential hall in college today, they are the only ones who have experienced that.” When building a panel, College Counseling tries to include Wildcats with diverse experiences—who have various majors, attend different sizes of school, have spent time studying abroad, or have transferred schools to find the right fit—to show the range of what is possible.

He also notes that of the 91 colleges and universities that 2023 graduates are attending, 55 of them are represented by a single Wildcat. Each new point on the map represents an expansion of the Westminster network and the resources available to current students beginning to look at schools.

“Wildcats are everywhere,” Steve says. “When we’re working with juniors or seniors who may be taking

The Young Alumni Council hosted a happy hour and trivia night at a local brewery to kick off its 2023–24 programming, creating a fun opportunity for Atlanta-area alums to connect.

a college trip, we look at who might be available on that campus or in that city as a connection point. Sometimes it’s just a chat; sometimes it’s, ‘Hey, I’m free, shadow me for the day.’”

College Counseling also enlists alums in the process of preparing soon-to-be grads for their next steps, reinforcing the value of alumni connections in the process. Since 2011, the office has hosted mock interview nights to help seniors prepare for that key part of a college, scholarship, or internship application. This year, the School offered both virtual and in-person formats. Among the interviewers each year are dozens of alumni, giving guidance and helping to set up their fellow Wildcats for future success. There’s an obvious benefit to the students who participate, and it’s also a way for the alumni interviewers to keep in touch with the School and spark new Wildcat connections that could extend into the future.

The college years can be a time when alums find themselves on either side of the alumni networking equation. One day they might be talking to a current Westminster student who’s interested in their university; the next they might be the one reaching out to an older alum for a summer internship or job inquiry. The School keeps in touch with this cohort through targeted events, like those hosted and planned by the SAC around holidays and breaks. On a smaller scale, when traveling for work, the College Counseling team may invite recent alums to meet up for dinner or otherwise reconnect to hear how things are going.

On the other side of college is the young alumni experience, guided by the Young Alumni Council

(YAC), which creates programming for alumni who are five to 15 years out from their graduation from the School. Alums in this phase are often looking for jobs, mentors, and connections, and Westminster offers plenty of opportunities for alumni to reengage with the School and leverage the School’s network as they enter the professional world or pursue advanced degrees.

The YAC hosts social, service, and networking events in Atlanta and chapter locations across the country and presents young alums with opportunities to join leadership councils, chapter committees, fundraising efforts, and reunion committees. They also promote online networking opportunities like the Westminster Career Network group on LinkedIn or Wildcats Connect, an opt-in alumni database with robust search capabilities. These are all tools alumni can use to connect with each other, whether for professional or personal reasons, as well as give back to the School with their time.

Kate Lindgren ’19 is a member of the YAC board and a 2023 UGA grad who sought out Westminster connections as she was figuring out where she might land after college graduation. Through the Westminster Career Network on LinkedIn, she found two older alums on similar career paths, and through them, she found an internship and a mentor for her job search.

“Whether you’re looking for a job or looking for advice, or if you’re moving to a new place and a new city you’ve never been to before, connecting with other Westminster alumni makes those bigger,

Each year, the SAC helps organize “100 Days to Become an Alum,” a series of events counting down to Commencement.

Campbell Henn ’24, Phillips Moore ’24, Kate Quigley ’24, and Kate Harley ’24 are some of the senior members of the 2023–24 SAC.

scarier situations feel a lot less intimidating,” Kate says. “For me, it was really helpful in determining where I am in my career now.”

The foundation laid by the SAC, YAC, the Office for Institutional Advancement, and the Office of College Counseling establishes a base of longlasting affinity and connection that feeds back into the School, strengthening the alumni network and enhancing the Westminster experience for current students. JanTerm in the Upper School and MayATL in the Middle School draw heavily on the alumni network, bringing in alumni experts to speak to or work with students. A visual or performing arts class might bring in an alumni artist; the culmination of the eighth grade Shark Tank unit features a panel of alumni judges. When students see their predecessors—adults who once walked these same halls—make the time to come back to campus and interact with them all these years later, it can make a big impression.

Kate remembers being in awe of the alums who came back to engage with students after they had graduated, whether they were community coaches or JanTerm speakers, and it reinforced for her that she wanted to stay involved too. “Seeing those alums come back always served as an inspiration—I was excited to see that even once you graduate, you’re able to come back and give back in different ways,” she says.

Coming back and giving back are the key concepts that Westminster reinforces time and again through

alumni-oriented programming starting as early as ninth grade. The School plants the seeds of alumni engagement among current students to make them aware of the resources available to them—to open the door and show them what’s possible when the Westminster network is on your side.

Get connected!

You can plug in to the Westminster network no matter when you graduated or where you live. Email alumni@westminster.net to get started.

Members of the classes of 2021 and 2022 catch up before departing for college at this year’s Summer Send-Off event.

College-age Wildcats come back to campus every December for the annual College Alumni Holiday Brunch, now held in Barge Commons.

Thank You!

Our Wildcat community’s tradition of philanthropy continues to fuel our students’ greatest aspirations, differentiating the Westminster experience and ensuring every student is afforded the opportunity to become all they were created to be.

2022 2023

$2.9M

In new estate plan commitments

Total philanthropic commitments

$33.5M ($33,523,928) $1.5M

167

First-time donors

419 $4.9M

Members of Pressly Leadership Society

Tax Redirections in Support of Financial Aid through the Georgia Private School Tax Credit Program Total dollars

WESTMINSTER FUND HIGHLIGHTS

2,546 Total

1,880 Students impacted

275 Alumni and parent volunteers

101 Unique programs supported

Thanks to the dedication and generous contributions of each donor, our hundreds of annual fund volunteers, and parents and alumni across the Wildcat community, this year’s annual Westminster Fund reached new heights!

The impact of this collective generosity will be felt across campus in meaningful ways.

Even making a small recurring gift can have a profound impact.

Sarah Crosier Kaplan ’09 and Drew Kaplan ’09, now members of the Young Alumni Leadership Society, started off giving just $10 as new graduates. When young alumni support the annual fund in any amount, they are not just contributing financially—they are investing in the legacy and growth of their alma mater, shaping its future for years to come.

Are you an alum who graduated between 2009 and 2023? We invite you to consider becoming a member of the Young Alumni Leadership Society for The Westminster Fund.

“Drew and I choose to give every year to Westminster for a couple of reasons, but mostly because we think education is very important. We give generously to all of our alma maters. We credit much of our adult success to the education and friendships we gained at these institutions, especially Westminster. Individually, we started giving because of the Senior Giving campaign, and then once we got married in 2017, we recommitted to Westminster as a key giving opportunity for us as a couple because of our belief that education is a cornerstone to many future life opportunities. We are honored to have graduated from Westminster and hope to continue to offer the same opportunity to many generations in the future, including our own children.”

SARAH, DREW, AND THEIR DAUGHTER, EMILY, IN 2023

Sarah Crosier Kaplan ’09 and Drew Kaplan ’09, members of the Young Alumni Leadership Society

SARAH AND DREW AT THEIR WESTMINSTER GRADUATION IN 2009

SPRING 2023 SPORTS

Boys Lacrosse

The boys LaxCats crushed the competition on their way to becoming 2023 state champions in a rivalry match against Lovett. In the state semifinal game against Wesleyan, fully healthy for the first time all year, the Cats played their best lacrosse of the season. Standout players were Aidan Wooley ’23 (first team all-state and all-American), Jonny Fritz ’23 (second team all-state), Mason Theis ’25 (second team all-state), and Tyler Harris ’23 (academic all-American).

Girls Lacrosse

The girls lacrosse team finished the regular season 11–6, securing their spot as area champions, and ended the season on a nine-game winning streak before their loss in the state semifinals. The team tied for the lead with six players on the A–4A all-state team. Some standout players this year were Madison Townsend ’25, scoring the game-winning goal in overtime to beat Fellowship Christian; Cate Collier ’25, dominating on the draw to help the Cats win the second half over McIntosh 10–0; Carter Frieden ’23 and Millie Normark ’23, teaming up to shut down a high-octane Mt. Paran offense; and Kate Quigley ’24, leading the offense to victory in the state quarterfinals.

Baseball

Varsity baseball had an overall excellent season, securing the team’s best record since their state championship season in 2016. They finished second in the region and advanced to the quarterfinals of the state playoffs. The best series of the year was their second-round sweep of Cedartown on the road in the state playoffs—the Wildcats defeated the Region 7 champions in two straight games on their home field. This season’s MVP was Ryan Carr ’23.

Gymnastics

The GymCats had a terrific season. A highlight was dominating the competition against Pace and Lovett at home, securing a Wildcat victory for the annual Battle of Buckhead meet. The team placed eighth in Georgia (1A–5A) at the state qualifying meet in Buford. Captains Emma Dotson ’23 and Alex Irwin ’23 provided terrific team leadership, and Elizabeth Stone ’25 was the top-scoring all-around competitor.

Boys Soccer

The Wildcats fought hard this year, clawing their way to a spot in the state championship and the title of state runner-up. The boys had a number of notable victories this year, including wins over Lovett, Whitefield, and Benedictine—won with a free kick with just 26 seconds left. Standout players were Preston Halford ’23, who led in the win over Clarkston; Noah Cooney ’23, who switched from defense to leading the attack this year; and Lucas Searl ’23, who saved two penalty kicks in a row to beat Whitefield.

Girls Soccer

The KickCats capped an amazing 18–3–0 season by winning their eighth straight state championship, this time over North Oconee. Over the course of the season, on their way to the state title, the team scored 148 goals and conceded only 15. Allie Ross ’23 was recognized as all-American, academic all-American, all-region, and all-state by United Soccer Coaches; named to the Super XI Team and named AAAA Player of the Year by georgiahighschoolsoccer.com; and ranked sixth in the country by MaxPreps. Kiera Staude ’23 earned United Soccer Coaches academic all-American, all-region, and all-state honors. Evelyn Shores ’23, Jenny Jacobson ’23, and Margot Carr ’23, Allie, and Kiera have all gone on to play at the collegiate level.

Boys Tennis

The boys tennis team had a fiery season that took them to a state championship victory over a previously undefeated North Oconee team. Standout upperclassmen Evan Le ’23, George Mattie ’23, Kanav Kakkar ’23, Charlie Burdell ’24, Jack Burdell ’24, and Ryan Sager ’24 had a combined match record of 103–17 on the season. At the Chattanooga Rotary Tournament, Charlie Burdell (2S and 1D) and Evan Le (1D) notched individual first-place finishes, and runners-up were Evan Le (3S), Ryan Sager (4S), and Jack Burdell and George Mattie (2D).

Girls Tennis

The girls tennis team dominated the court this year with a great run of wins carrying them to the state semifinals. They fought hard all season long and placed well in the Chattanooga Rotary Tournament. In addition, many members of the team were involved with the Tennis Service Club, providing on-court drills and academic tutoring to children in Atlanta. The NetCats are looking forward to making another state championship run next year.

Rowing

The CrewCats qualified an 8+ boat for the Scholastic Rowing Association of America (SRAA) National Championship Regatta for the first time in Westminster rowing history. The Junior 8+ boat qualified for the semifinals at the Stotesbury Cup Regatta in Philadelphia and placed 16th. That boat then went on to improve the following week and place 13th at SRAA nationals in Oak Ridge, Tennessee.

Boys Track and Field

The boys track and field team had an electric year on their way to the state championship meet, where they took third place. The winning 4x800 relay team set a new GHSA AAAA state meet record, and Phillips Moore ’24 brought home an individual state champion title in shot put. The Cats had a strong showing throughout the state meet, with multiple top-10 finishes.

Girls Track and Field

The TrackCats had an outstanding showing at the state meet, with six individual state champion titles, 12 topthree finishes, and two dozen top-10 finishes. Highlights included a clean sweep of the long jump podium by Grace Smith ’24, Kelsey Chambers ’23, and Ryan McFadden ’24; an overall adapted state meet championship title and two individual titles by Kat Farr ’24; a pole vault title by Madison Townsend ’25; and a sweep of the hurdles titles by Grace Smith alongside a third consecutive AAAA state meet high-point award.

Boys Golf

The 2023 boys golf team made strides on the green throughout the year and finished third in the state tournament. They won the Muscogee County Invitational for the fourth straight year and captured their seventh straight all-area championship. Matthew Young ’23 earned low medalist honors at the UGA Athens Classic, was recognized on all-tournament teams at the Trojan Invitational and MCI, and was named 4A first team all-state. Michael Krevolin ’23 and Jacob Wood ’24 were named 4A honorable mention all-state.

Girls Golf

Girls varsity golf had another great season, winning the all-area tournament trophy on their way to the state championship, where they placed second as a team. At the state tournament, Jessy Young ’25 was the low medalist, with scores of 71 and 74, and Kyra Dube ’23 was the individual runner-up, with scores of 78 and 73. Jessy Young was also named 4A Player of the Year.

SHANNON SOARES

A NEW LEADER FOR WILDCAT ATHLETICS

Growing up in the northern Virginia suburbs of Washington, DC, Shannon Soares spent a lot of time on the sidelines of sports fields. Her mom had been a collegiate athlete and became a high school teacher and field hockey coach, and Shannon stayed close to the action—observing practices, riding the bus home with the team after away games, watching jubilant studentathletes hoist trophies in triumph.

These experiences during Shannon’s formative years not only sparked her love of sports but also laid the foundation for her life’s work. She’s been a student-athlete, an assistant coach, a head coach, an administrator, and an advisor to owners and GMs in the professional sports world; now she brings her experience and expertise to Westminster as the School’s new director of athletics.

“There is excellence around every corner here,” Shannon says of Westminster. “The opportunity to help impact the student experience, to grow as a leader, and to work with esteemed leadership; talented faculty, coaches, and staff; driven and dedicated student-athletes; and a passionate alumni and donor community was something I couldn’t pass up.”

Shannon emphasizes that her own experiences as a student-athlete playing lacrosse, basketball, soccer, golf, and field hockey were deeply impactful and helped shape who she is. As a member of the field hockey team at the College of William & Mary, she competed in the 2002 NCAA Tournament and served as the team’s captain her senior year. After earning a BA in kinesiology from William & Mary, she went on to earn an MA in sport administration from the University of Louisville.

From there, Shannon launched her coaching career as an assistant field hockey coach at Virginia Commonwealth University, becoming head coach in 2011. She then served as the director of sports operations at the University of Washington before

taking on the role of head field hockey coach at Georgetown University. In 2017, Shannon stepped into athletics administration at Georgetown, and in 2020, Shannon took her expertise into the professional sports realm as the director of project strategy and operations at Sportsology. Most recently, before coming to Westminster, Shannon founded Bloom Sports Partners, an advisory firm working to elevate the standard across women’s professional sport worldwide.

“I’ve had the privilege of working within sport at several levels,” Shannon says. “Those experiences have no doubt helped widen my perspective, but most importantly they’ve helped me understand the value of intentionally building and sustaining culture.”

At Westminster, Shannon says she is eager to discover all the amazing things happening across all divisions within the School. She wants to learn how the Athletics Department can be a strong partner to everyone on campus— from The Glenn Institute to robotics to the performing arts and beyond—especially since the vast majority of coaches are also faculty members.

“I genuinely believe our athletic programs can and should serve as extensions of the classroom: a place where our student-athletes can feel connected, challenged, supported, seen, and ultimately a place where they can grow,” Shannon says. “We as a department will do our very best to provide that type of environment.”

Shannon and her husband, Sean, have felt a warm welcome from the Wildcat community since their arrival in July, and their two kids, Carrick ’33 and Scout ’34, have settled into their new school.

Although the independent school space is a new one for Shannon, the depth and breadth of Shannon’s experience in athletics has taught her that there’s no bigger privilege than being a coach— particularly in a K–12 setting.

“I used to think the most formative years of a young person’s life were their first years of college, but I now believe there’s so much we can be doing to help our young people prepare now,” Shannon says. “Having the opportunity to help shape the student-athlete experience at an academically rigorous institution like Westminster allows us to provide a soft place to land for our bright, driven, and committed student-athletes while helping them understand what’s around the corner and how to cope. While the challenges are hard and heavy sometimes, the reward of literally watching young people grow up through sport is palpable.”

Faculty and Staff Farewells

With nearly 90 years of combined experience teaching at Westminster, the three educators who retired in 2023 have made an indelible mark across all divisions of the School. Whether welcoming our youngest learners, coaching Middle School mathletes and Upper School track and field athletes, or helping teachers hone their craft, this trio has guided students and faculty alike during their decades of service. We are deeply grateful for their contributions to the Westminster community and wish them all the best in the new phase to come.

Laura Arledge

Lower School Teacher, 24 years

For someone just starting off their Wildcat career, there could be no better friend than Laura Arledge.

Among current students and alums alike, Love Hall is full of Laura’s fans—and the affection of our youngest Cats knows no bounds! Laura has been the warm, loving, and patient presence in the lives of our Lower School’s juststarting-out students. Children in her care feel seen, and she pays close attention to allowing each a turn in the spotlight, giving each a chance to shine. After a career at Westminster that started in 1999, Laura is retiring and leaving it to her colleagues to follow her model and celebrate the uniqueness of each of their students across all grades and divisions.

For as much as Laura has placed her students on center stage, she is most comfortable working behind the scenes—and she has proven that a spot out of the spotlight can be a very productive place to make progress. She has been the guiding light of our summer Get Set program, which prepares our youngest admitted Wildcats for a Westminster classroom. Her curricular work has focused on literacy, especially as it relates to social studies, and her effortless skill with social and emotional learning has helped to establish that initiative as central to the Love Hall experience.

To no one’s surprise, Laura was honored with the Schoen Faculty Excellence Award in 2011 in recognition of over a decade of high-impact work. More than a decade has

passed since then, and Laura has continued to capture the hearts of her students while exemplifying the heart of the School. For all these contributions, we give thanks and wish Laura nothing but perfect days in her retirement. Congratulations!

Mark Cutbirth

Middle School Math Teacher, 46 years

Mark Cutbirth has been a teacher, coach, and wise mentor at Westminster for 46 years. He retired at the end of the 2022–23 school year, having been honored with virtually every recognition the School offers: The Merrill Award, The Math and Science Faculty of Excellence Professorship, the Alumni Fellows Award, and the Schoen Faculty Excellence Award—twice. More than these awards, Mark has earned the profound respect of students, colleagues, parents, and alumni who know him to possess an unmatched instinct for what it means to be a Wildcat.

Mark spent much of his career looking around corners. He appreciated and incorporated adolescent brain science before it was mainstream. Mark was all about executive functioning before the rest of us even knew what it was. He has been a leading voice for advanced curricula in mathematics and has long combined innovative teaching with rigor, demonstrating how deep engagement is foundational to a challenging experience.

More than four decades of service to Westminster almost automatically means wearing a lot of different hats. Mark

has been a devoted track and field coach, supporter, and fan. He has been a grade chair, a retreat organizer, and a mentor for the Middle School Math Team. And then there are committees—Mark has been a frequent recruit when it is time to deliberate. The breadth of his experience and the depth of his wisdom mean that he has been in high demand when problems need to be solved.

Since 1977, Mark has led with insight and with grace. He is an example of the influence of sterling character on a community, a true professional whose presence elevates a conversation. We wish Mark the retirement that he has earned and deserves following a career of distinction.

Congratulations, Mark!

Bob Ryshke

Executive Director, Center for Teaching; Upper School Science Teacher, 16 years

Bob Ryshke arrived at Westminster to lead the Center for Teaching in 2007, and now, 16 years later, he is retiring. His career here has been about making each of us better at what we do, whether teaching, coaching, or leading. It is a rare member of our campus community who could not quickly produce a list of the ways that Bob has promoted their growth, whether professionally, personally, or both.

Bob’s varied career experiences explain, at least in part, his ability to relate to and connect with so many different people. At various points in his pre-Westminster life,

Bob was a science teacher, basketball coach, Upper School head, and head of school. That broad foundation of knowledge and experience has meant that Bob has a point of reference for virtually anyone working in a school setting. When added to his voracious appetite for reading and his wide network of contacts, Bob has offered more than just a listening ear to the campus community. He has been able to match resources to needs and help anyone who simply asked to find the way forward.

Early on in Bob’s Westminster career, he led the School’s outreach through a partnership with Drew Charter School, Atlanta Public Schools’ first charter school. Over time, Bob brought the two school communities together to learn from each other and take on various joint projects. In the bigger picture, Drew was connected to Purpose Built Communities, a nonprofit that revolutionized how neighborhood revitalization was conceived and undertaken. Bob’s contribution was critical to this larger effort and remains a vital part of his legacy.

Perhaps the most important role Bob played at Westminster was that of fellow traveler. He never turned down a thought experiment, was never too busy to be helpful, and was always willing to say, “Let’s give it a try.” In this way, he brought out the best in us—all of us—and that is a rare gift to any community.

We are grateful for Bob’s leadership and friendship here at Westminster. His next act will look different than the last few, but it will certainly include the same curiosity about what makes us tick and how we can be stronger professionals and better people.

President Keith Evans (second from right) honored longtime teachers Mark Cutbirth, Laura Arledge, and Bob Ryshke at this year’s Retirement Celebration in Blake Hall.

2023 Faculty and Staff Award Recipients

Our faculty and staff bring their best selves to help our students grow every day. Through endowed funds established by generous friends of Westminster, these annual awards recognize faculty and staff excellence. We extend our congratulations to this year’s recipients and our heartfelt thanks to the donors who invest in our teachers, coaches, and staff members.

Alumni Fellows Award

David Abraham, Brenda Cobler, Sara

Darling, Jaron Neal

The Bobo Family Award

Joel Argall

The Madison F. Cole Sr. Professorship

Jennifer Griffith

The Davidson Family Professorship

Bobby Bryant

The Mary DuPriest Award for Staff Excellence

Drew Solomonson, William Turton ’19

The Endowed Chair for Performing Arts

Bo Na

The Goizueta Foundation Faculty of Distinction

Ellen Vesey

The Goizueta Foundation Professorship in Language

Leonor Taylor

The Hawkins Professorship in English

Alan Goodrow

The Kravet Family Faculty/Staff Award

Michele Persons

The William A. Parker Sr. Mentoring Faculty Award (7th Grade Student)

Jill Bochniak

The William A. Parker Sr. Mentoring Faculty Award (8th Grade Student)

Cynthia Swanson ’02

The William A. Parker Sr. Mentoring Faculty Award (9th Grade Student)

Manuela Kelly

The William A. Parker Sr. Mentoring Faculty Award (10th Grade Student)

Sara Pangle

The William A. Parker Sr. Mentoring Faculty Award (11th Grade Student)

Audra Ward

The William A. Parker Sr. Exceptional Service Award

Beth Downes, Elizabeth Hogan Closs ’10, Addie Matteson, Christian Woolfolk

Dr. William L. Pressly Endowed Chair of English

Mario Chard

The O. Wayne Rollins Faculty Award for Excellence in Teaching

Lauri Jones, Clara Jurczak, Ashley Lizano, Pamela Martinez, David Mitchem, Julia Singer Myrick ’75, Will Pitts, Tori Sparks, Pearl Zhu

The Schoen Faculty Excellence Award

Sara Shadburn Chapman ’76, Robert Cochran, Jay McCann

The Schoen Staff Excellence Award

Antonio Garrett

The Robert M. Sims Endowed Chair in Science

Adam Pullen

The Edward D. Smith Endowed Chair in Honor of Dr. William L. Pressly

Heather Widness

The Anise Chason Wallace Foreign Language Professorship

Xuefei Sun

Bob Ward Catbacker’s Award

Andy Dunn

The Woodward Fund Biblical Studies Professorship

Laura Kopp

Welcome, New Faculty!

In August, we welcomed 31 new and returning faculty members to our Wildcat community. From the Lower School to the Upper School, these teachers, strategists, coaches, and more are prepared to lead and inspire our students. Keep reading to discover fun facts about our newest community members.

By Taylor Boozer ’20

MAGGIE BAILEY

Upper School English

I have been to the base camp of Mount Everest.

DANIELLE COGBILL

Middle School Learning

Strategist

I love to travel, bake, and try new restaurants.

JESSE BREITE

Upper School English

I am from Arkansas and cheer on the Razorbacks in all sports. Woooo Pig Sooie!

GARY BROWN

Middle School Math

My family has lived abroad in England, Singapore, and Italy.

JOSIE CALAMARI ’00

Lower School Learning

Strategist

I am the eighth generation (consecutively) in my mom’s family to have attended the University of Georgia.

MICHELLE CARDONA

Middle School English

A unique hobby and passion of mine is collecting old/antique books. Currently, I am working on completing my collection of Alexandre Dumas novels, specifically a leather-bound series published by Thomas Nelson and Sons.

ASHA DAWSON

Upper School English

My husband and I were featured on the Today show for a special segment on Philadelphia’s recovery from COVID. I’m also a certified event/ wedding planner!

ELLIE DARBYSHIRE

Fifth Grade Math

Before this year, I was the only member of my family to never live in Atlanta. My brothers were born here, but we all grew up in Savannah, Georgia. I’m excited to explore a new city!

COREY GOERGEN

Middle School English

I ran the Atlanta Marathon in February.

REID HAMILTON ’10

Upper School English

My wife and I were married on a leap day.

MAGNOLIA HEMINGWAY

Middle School Spanish

I like to hike and cook in my spare time.

SARAH MASON

Middle School Innovation Lab Manager

One of the most incredible experiences of my life was watching a SpaceX Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy lift off of Launch Pad 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

MATT HIXENBAUGH

Upper School History

I have been fortunate to coach more than 60 student-athletes who have gone on to participate in NCAA athletics.

RACHEL HOUSE

Middle School Learning

Strategist I have a deep love of sneakers, and before the pandemic I was very into boxing and powerlifting. I still love them both but haven’t been able to get back to them.

KRISTEN KAUFMANN

Fifth Grade Humanities

I enjoy crafting T-shirts and earrings with my Cricut machine.

EDDA LIEJA

Upper School Spanish

I love water skiing and snowboarding, and I try to practice them as much as I can. I also love food, so as a family we like to try out new recipes or restaurants in the Atlanta area.

CAMYRN MACE

First Grade

I was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri. I will always stay true to my city and root for the Cardinals and Blues!

MARTA MILLER

Upper School Spanish

I was a Peace Corps volunteer in Bolivia.

TAYLOR MONTEMAYOR

Third Grade

I am in the top 0.3 percent of listeners for Taylor Swift on Spotify. I loved attending the Eras Tour last spring!

CHRISTINE MONTGOMERY

Middle School English

I am besotted with Great Danes and mastiffs and have been lucky to share my home with five so far. They are goofy, emotional dogs—tremendously endearing.

BEN MOSTELLER

Upper School History

I lived in Australia for a year.

BRIA PETE

Fifth Grade Humanities

I watch the same five TV shows over and over again from beginning to end. It drives my friends and family nuts! Also, I don’t know how to wink.

LEAH ROBERTS

Middle School STEAM

After mentoring a Westminster student through a science fair competition at the national level, he won scholarship money and I got a minor planet named after me!

KELLY TRACY

Upper School Science

I am a bit of an adventure seeker. I have enjoyed hang gliding, scuba diving, and skydiving at various times in my life. I’ve always wanted to travel into space too—just haven’t had that opportunity yet.

BILL SCRUGGS

Middle School Orchestra

I am an actively performing cellist and play approximately 50 weddings a year around Georgia.

CHRISTINA SNYDER

Upper School Computer Science

I come from a very large family—I have 28 first cousins!

CAROLINE STEWART ’18

Middle School Drama and Dance

I lead worship at my church, which has allowed me to sing at some pretty cool places—like Mercedes-Benz Stadium!

ED WILLIAMS

Middle School History

I love off-the-beaten-path eating establishments and street food anywhere in the world.

ADAM WOOD

Upper School Math

At a math conference five years ago, I played a game of backgammon against a world-champion backgammon player. I did get some help, of course.

TIARA WYNN

Second Grade

I like to garden, and I have a passion for fashion. My background is in fashion design.

SHANNON SOARES

Director of Athletics

When I was coaching field hockey at Virginia Commonwealth University, I came across a talented recruit from California at the last minute. She ended up signing with us and joining the program. Little did I know her brother would come to the East Coast to see a game and I would end up marrying him.

Turn back to Page 37 to hear more from Shannon.

New Trustees

With the new school year underway, Westminster would like to welcome six new members to the Board of Trustees. This cohort has a range of experiences across a variety of different fields and occupations, and they are sure to bring new perspectives and insights to the board and the Westminster community.

Sheffield Hale ’78, P ’08

Serving as president and CEO of the Atlanta History Center since 2012, Sheffield Hale ’78 is dedicated and passionate about providing history for the people of his home city of Atlanta. Choosing history as a major was an easy choice for Sheffield during his studies at the University of Georgia. Later, he attended the University of Virginia School of Law, after which he started his career as a lawyer at Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton LLP, where he became a partner. He then moved on to be chief counsel of the American Cancer Society immediately before moving into his current position at the Atlanta History Center.

However, his civic engagement and dedication to the city of Atlanta doesn’t stop there. Sheffield has given his time to many different organizations over the years. He currently sits on the board of directors at the Buckhead Coalition, Sweet Auburn Works, and Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau, to name just a few. In the past, he has served as a chairman or board member for numerous organizations, including the Fox Theatre, Camp Sunshine, the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation, and the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Additionally, Sheffield has served UGA as a trustee of the University of Georgia Foundation. Sheffield received the 2021 Governor’s Award for the Arts & Humanities for his lifetime commitment to history and preservation in the state of Georgia.

Sheffield’s mentor:

“My father, Bradley Hale, instilled in me the ethic for civic involvement. He often said, ‘Nobody will remember you for that deal you closed—they will honor you for what you did to help your community.’”

By Mackenzie Watson ’22

Suja Katarya P ’27, ’29

Suja Katarya grew up in New Delhi, India, and first experienced Atlanta when she attended Georgia Tech to receive her MBA. Subsequently, after several years working in investment banking, Suja went on to be co-founder and CEO of Procure Analytics. She started the company to help clients navigate the often difficult process of purchasing maintenance, repair, and operations (MRO) products. Suja runs her company with the mentality of “customer value over company growth, [celebrating] best efforts over results, and [creating] a win-win-win culture.” With that mindset, Suja has grown Procure Analytics in the last decade from its humble beginnings with two employees to more than $1.6 billion in sales and 125 employees.

Suja is involved with Westminster through her two children and has also been a guest speaker for JanTerm, sharing her knowledge and experience as CEO of a start-up with Upper School students learning about leadership. Suja serves on the board of directors of the Metro Atlanta Chamber and Agape Youth and Family Center and is a strategic business advisor to Genstar Capital. She is honored to join the Board of Trustees and start working with accomplished leaders from all walks of life. “We are developing leaders of tomorrow at Westminster,” Suja says. “I look forward to working with the board on further enhancing our curriculum to create compassionate, responsible, and genuine future leaders.”

Suja's role model:

“My mother has been the biggest influence in my life and career. She always stressed hard work, personal responsibility, and the highest standard of ethical behavior in every action, every day.”

Javan Bunch ’81

Javan Bunch ’81 is executive vice president of the New York City–based G-III Apparel Group, where he is responsible for a global fleet of retail stores, e-commerce businesses, and specialty product design and development for fashion brands including Karl Lagerfeld Paris, DKNY, and Wilson’s Leather. Javan completed his bachelor’s degree in American history at Harvard University and later received his MBA from Harvard Business School. A resident of New York City since college, he started out working in investment banking at Merrill Lynch and subsequently built a career focused on the fashion industry. He has an extensive history in the footwear sector, having launched footwear brands for Tory Burch and Vince Camuto and served as CEO of Donald J Pliner and president of Rockport. Outside of fashion, Javan is an operating partner at Overton Venture Capital in New York, and he served on the board of MCC Theater, an offBroadway theater that works with New York City Public Schools, for 15 years.

As a new member of Westminster’s Board of Trustees, Javan is excited to help with strategic decision-making to benefit all students. “Westminster’s sustained success is grounded in its ability to arm its students not only with knowledge but also the ability to think critically about themselves and the world around them, wherever they are,” Javan says. “This combination creates valuable and ongoing options throughout life to pursue success and happiness, however they choose to define them.”

Mahnaz Charania P ’27, ’29

Dr. Mahnaz Charania is driven by innovation and continuously advocates for fair learning opportunities for different communities. After receiving her bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Texas at Austin, she went on to complete a master’s and PhD degree in experimental social psychology at the University of Texas at Arlington. Mahnaz most recently used her training as a research psychologist in her job as a senior research fellow at the Clayton Christensen Institute, where she researched how innovation theory can transform students’ learning environments and networks in ways that amplify equitable access to opportunities, particularly for under-resourced students. Her past work as director of the Strategic Planning and Program Evaluation Department for Fulton County Schools saw her spearheading the first-ever Research and Evaluation Department and building out a program to monitor and evaluate district practices, which was used by nearly 100 principals. Mahnaz serves as an advocate for equity-driven practices and spends her time as an advisor to local, federal, and international agencies on translating evidence-based education research to system-level practice. Within the Westminster community, Mahnaz is not only a parent but also previously worked as the head of the Glenn Institute. She is dedicated to her family and three children—two of whom are Wildcats—which stems from being a firstgeneration immigrant and her deep appreciation of her own parents. “I am eternally grateful to them and my in-laws for the sacrifices they made and the risks they took,” Mahnaz says. “Thanks to them—and their belief that pursuit of education remains a critical pathway to economic mobility—my kids are now enjoying experiences, and learning environments, that I only dreamt about.”

Mahnaz’s favorite family tradition:

Javan’s personal goals:

Javan says he wishes he were a better tennis player (despite playing regularly), and he has been planning to learn how to cook for several decades (despite eating out three meals per day).

“I realized that asking, ‘How was your day?’ only got me the response, ‘Good.’ Now, we go around the table at dinnertime and respond to the following three questions: (1) What did you enjoy today? (2) What did you fail at? (3) What are you looking forward to? It gives us a chance to appreciate each other’s day and share.”

Jenny Latz ’91, P ’22, ’24, ’27

As CEO and founder of JP Latz Advisors, Jenny Latz ’91 leads a team of CFOs serving nonprofits and private companies on a flexible basis. After attending Westminster, Jenny earned a degree in psychology and markets and management from Duke University, then received her MBA from the University of Virginia.

Since her time in college, Jenny worked in investment banking in New York and Atlanta before starting her company. Jenny strives to better the Atlanta community by serving as contract CFO of Trees Atlanta, a nonprofit organization that aims to conserve and improve Atlanta’s urban forest environment.

Outside of her profession, Jenny serves on the board of trustees for Trinity School in Atlanta. She is also on the advisory council of Odyssey, a nonprofit providing summer education and a path to college for Atlanta-area students, based at Westminster. With her new board position, she hopes “to help bridge the connections between Westminster families and the school’s leadership.”

As well as being an alum, she is the parent of three Westminster Wildcats. Of time with her family, she says, “Despite the hectic pace that we all keep at times, I’ve always valued the moments when our family can gather together for dinner over a home-cooked meal. Family dinners are often the one moment when we can all take a deep breath, pause and reconnect.”

Davis Noell P ’28, ’30, ’32

Davis Noell is senior managing director with Providence Equity Partners, where he’s worked for 20 years. He and his wife relocated their family to Atlanta a decade ago to raise their kids, but he’s continued to work out of the New York City office, from which he co-leads all private equity investment activities in North America and supervises investor relations and fundraising efforts. His current portfolio includes clients like 365 Retail Markets, A2MAC1, the Chernin Group, DoubleVerify, North Road, Smartly.io, and Wasserman.

Davis grew up in Baltimore, Maryland, and attended the Gilman School, where he now serves on the board of trustees. After high school, he enrolled at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he completed a bachelor’s degree in economics and political science. As a Westminster parent, Davis is excited to see what the future holds as his three children progress through the divisions and continue to learn and explore the extensive opportunities Westminster offers. To help facilitate and develop an amazing experience for all students, Davis hopes that he can make a difference with his new board position: “I want to spend a lot of my first year trying to learn as much as possible from [the board]. Given my experience in finance, I’m hopeful that I can be helpful in that area early on.”

Jenny’s favorite hobby:

“When I turned 40, I decided to pick up the piano and take lessons again. I find playing the piano to be such an effective way of unplugging and clearing my mind. When I’m playing the piano, I can’t think of anything but the music I’m reading, the rhythm I’m trying to keep, and the sound the music makes.”

Davis’ favorite quote:

“Luck plays a part in success, but you’ll find the harder you work, the luckier you get”—former New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg. “I’ve always admired Mike Bloomberg for what he has accomplished in business and politics and love this quote.”

Catching Up with Retired Faculty:

Nancy Beane

By Jane Lauderdale Armstrong ’74

Nancy Beane has always been her students’ greatest fan, cheering them on in the classroom, at the athletic fields, in the theater, and beyond. As a college counselor, she had a reputation—now legendary—for connecting her advisees with the colleges that would best nourish their talents and aspirations. Even after graduation, her open-door embrace of “once a Wildcat, always a Wildcat”

assured our alumni that they could, indeed, come back to revisit their choices with her and consider an alternative path forward that would meet their evolving dreams. In all her relationships—with students, colleagues, and even Westminster itself—Nancy used her distinctive lens to see the big picture.

Nancy grew up in Kingsport, Tennessee. Drawing on her Presbyterian roots, she chose to attend Agnes Scott College, a small, nurturing women’s college in Decatur, Georgia. Her professors there encouraged her to trust her abilities and assured her that she had a voice and she needed to use it. She received a BA in history and teaching certification in elementary education at Agnes Scott and earned her MAT at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. During her time in North Carolina, she met her future husband, John Beane.

Nancy Beane and her husband, John, celebrated their 50th anniversary in 2022 with a trip to Greece.

Over the course of her 46 years in education, Nancy taught in Wilmington, Asheville, Houston, and Atlanta, and she eventually taught every grade except eighth. Once settled in Atlanta and while teaching at Lakeshore and Westlake

high schools, Nancy enrolled at Georgia State University to obtain an education specialist (EdS) postgraduate professional degree in social studies. She brought the topics from her studies to her students, exposing them to emerging fields of investigation and substantially broadening the traditional curriculum.

After her daughter, Kathryn Beane ’97, started at Westminster, Nancy decided to apply to teach at the School and joined the Upper School History Department in 1989. It was the perfect match.

“Westminster felt like coming home,” she says, noting the School’s shared connections with Agnes Scott, where James McCain had been president and Vernon Broyles was on the board. She found a welcoming community in her faculty colleagues. She is quick to name every member of the History Department, gratefully recalling the support and friendship they extended to her. “I had the opportunity to work with true scholars like George Lamplugh and Rick Byrd,” she says, also noting that English Department colleagues Nedra Roberts, Jane Saral, Lasley Gober, and many more were mentors to her as well. “Both the students and the faculty were my teachers.”

In 1992, Nancy took over as girls college counselor. She relied on the

sage advice of English teacher and college counselor Leon Scott as she learned the ropes, and she remains indebted to him for his kindness and steady guidance. Nancy saw the importance of bringing the family into the process and worked hard to pull all the pieces together. Over her 28 years in that role, the Office of College Counseling grew, and a team approach emerged. Anthea Economy joined that team in 2016 and worked closely with Nancy until her retirement in 2020.

“Nancy has a knack for knowing where students can flourish, grow, and be their best selves,” Anthea says. “Students adore her—she champions every one of them that comes her way and fights to get the best results she can. Nancy has been a mentor and friend to me for well over a decade. She took me under her wing and taught me everything I know today.”

Nancy’s participation in the regional and national associations for college counseling forged connections with other professionals in the field. Her leadership among her peers resulted in her election to the presidency of the Southern Association for College Admission Counseling (SACAC) and the board of trustees of the Association of College Counselors in Independent Schools (ACCIS), and from 2016 to 2017, Nancy served

as the president of the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC).

In retirement, Nancy remains active in several endeavors. She currently serves on the board of Theological Horizons, a Christian campus ministry at the University of Virginia co-founded by Karen Wright Marsh ’79 and her husband, Dr. Charles Marsh, that supports Christians and seekers in academia by providing a welcoming community for engaging faith, thought, and life. For years, Nancy made sure that any Wildcats headed to Charlottesville connected with Karen.

“Nancy’s deep care for ‘her kids’ has always extended far beyond the day when those college admission letters arrived,” Karen says. “Every summer for decades, Nancy would call me in Charlottesville to introduce me to the fresh Westminster graduates who were heading to the University of Virginia. Nancy wouldn’t rest until she knew that each student was settled in for their college years. Over many meals with generations of Atlanta students and their parents, Charles and I have traded stories about the legendary Mrs. Beane, who has been a loving connection between us all.”

Nancy is very active in her church, the Cathedral of St. Philip, where she serves on the board of directors of The Cathedral Preschool and participates in the St. Anne’s Guild, the lay eucharist ministry, and the Cathedral Scholars program, which gives scholarship funds to students in need. Together she and John have co-chaired the church’s stewardship campaign. She also still participates in the college ministry at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church.

Indicative of Nancy, John, and Kathryn’s abiding commitment to Westminster, in 2006 they established the Thompson Science and Technology Hall of Fame in

honor of Nancy’s father, John Will Thompson, a retired Tennessee Eastman Company research chemist. This gave Westminster the opportunity to recognize alumni who have made significant contributions to a professional field related to the sciences, medicine, and/or engineering.

As Nancy reflects on her time at Westminster, she says, “Westminster is a phenomenal place for helping young people grow personally, intellectually, and spiritually.” Recognizing how fortunate we in this community are for the opportunities we have been given, Nancy always keeps two important passages of scripture in mind: from Luke 12:48, “From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked,” and from Micah 6:8, “What does the Lord require of you, but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”

Nancy ran her first Peachtree Road Race in 2021.

Jane Lauderdale Armstrong ’74 P ’07, ’10 is a lifelong Wildcat—alumna, teacher, and daughter of David Lauderdale, one of our School’s earliest faculty members. She combines her love for Westminster’s history and her penchant for the written word to write profiles about retired faculty members for each issue of Westminster Magazine.

School Days: The Evolution of the Alumni Association

The unique history of Westminster, stretching back into Atlanta history through its predecessors the North Avenue Presbyterian School and Washington Seminary, provides connections between people and places that are endlessly fascinating. One thing alumni of all three schools share in common is that they were—and still are—interested in maintaining the high standards of education and facilities that they experienced during their school days. These alumni have also always been invested in the future of the students as they go out into the world after graduation. Their alumni associations created scholarships, assisted with fundraising, mentored students, and played an active role in the health of the schools, eventually merging to become the Alumni Association of The Westminster Schools.

By Pamela Nye, Director of Archives

NAPS and Washington Seminary

The alumnae associations of the North Avenue Presbyterian School and Washington Seminary began very early on in the lives of the respective schools, with mentions of an alumnae association in various records in the archives. The first class note was submitted by Mary Wills NAPS ’15—that’s 1915—to the 1919 Napsonian yearbook. Within the catalogs, the newspapers, and the yearbooks, the activities and adventures of alumnae were recorded for their friends to read and enjoy. Both schools frequently held their alumni gatherings around graduation. In addition to building and maintaining connections between alumnae and strengthening institutional ties, these reunions also facilitated the creation of scholarships to help students attend college or raised money for local charities such as Scottish Rite.

Westminster

The Westminster Alumni Association was established in 1956, one year after the first class graduated from the Boys School, with the wholehearted encouragement of Dr. Pressly. According to The Westminster Letter from winter 1957, the group was organized after a breakfast given in Campbell Hall by Dr. and Mrs. Pressly, which was attended by graduates of the boys and girls schools’ classes of 1952 through 1956. Jean Carter Fisher ’55 and Charlie Hurt ’55 served as the Alumni Association’s first co-presidents.

A meeting of the 1973–74 Alumni Governing Board included Dodie Owens Chapman WS ’49, co-presidents Peter M. Candler ’60 and Marsha Hill Mitchell ’57, and Bettie Hoyt Savell NAPS ’39.

In the beginning, the Westminster Alumni Association and the alumnae of NAPS and Washington Seminary were separate entities. An Alumnae Day celebration was held on April 27, 1954, to honor Miss Thyrza Askew, former NAPS principal, and Miss Emma Scott, former Washington Seminary principal. The two main events for the gathered

alumnae were the unveiling of Miss Scott’s portrait and the presentation of the history of NAPS, written by Miss Askew. Today, NAPS and Washington Seminary alumnae are included in all Westminster Alumni Association activities, but the two schools continued to have separate alumnae teas until the events paused with the pandemic.

The School’s second decade brought several developments within the Alumni Association. In 1960 the Westminster Alumni News magazine debuted, containing news of the school and notes on the activities of former students. The next year, the familiar structures of annual giving and appointing class representatives to do outreach and plan events began to take shape. The Alumni Association soon set up an office in the Administration Building—now Pressly Hall—and, in 1967, developed and adopted bylaws and established the Alumni Governing Board.

In the September 1974 issue of the alumni magazine, news from the graduating classes of NAPS and Washington Seminary began to be included. Co-presidents Peter M. Candler ’60 and Marsha Hill Mitchell ’57 wrote, “The 1973–1974 school year confirmed the hope that Westminster could recognize its past, gather all its alumni family under one umbrella and together with this combined strength move forward to meet the challenges which face independent schools in this country today.” The Ties that Bind photos, included alongside the magazine’s annual Commencement recap for decades, have long illustrated this collective strength, featuring Westminster

alumni with their parents, grandparents, and other close relations who attended one of the legacy schools.

In the 1980s, the Alumni Association established several programs to honor outstanding former and current faculty members and alumni—inclusive of all three schools—that continue today. The Alumni Fellows Program, established in 1982, spotlights excellence in teaching by honoring four faculty members each year. In 1985, it created the Distinguished Alumni Award and the Alumni Service Award to honor the contributions of alumni.

Although the programming, leaders, and roles change frequently over time, there can be no doubt that the Alumni Association has made enormous contributions to the excellence and continued development of the School—and the exceptional power and devotion of the Westminster alumni network.

A Home for Your School Memories and Artifacts

The Lewis H. Beck Archives of The Westminster Schools now has an online wish list! You can help the School Archives fill in the gaps in our collection while you’re decluttering or doing seasonal cleaning. The Archives welcomes materials from NAPS, Washington Seminary, and Westminster to help expand the scope of the schools’ documented history. Scan the QR code to see if you might have what we’re looking for. Questions can be sent to archives@westminster.net.

Arnetta Hill-Eady ’77 volunteered at the 1981–82 alumni fundraising telethon

Preston Moister ’99, this year’s alumni giving chair, participated in a volunteer kickoff event prior to the 2022 EveryCat Challenge.

Congratulations, Class of 2023!

Senior celebrations occur throughout the year, but many of the most highly anticipated traditions happen in the last few weeks before graduation. As the soon-to-be graduates count down the days to Commencement, these events celebrate their accomplishments and friendships from their time at Westminster.

25 DAYS TO BECOME AN ALUM

With 25 days to go until Commencement, seniors marked the milestone with King of Pops popsicles on Pressly Patio during the school day.

FINAL ASSEMBLY

the seniors’

By Mackenzie Watson ’22

SENIOR DOG DAY

What better way to kick off the last week of classes than with some four-legged friends? The seniors spent the morning showing off their dogs—and their college T-shirts—on the quad before heading to class.

SENIOR COUNTDOWN AND MUDSLIDE

The seniors huddled around the seal on Pressly Patio, cheering and spraying water guns as they counted down the final seconds of their last day of school. Rainy weather made the subsequent mudslide on Broyles Field even soggier than usual!

On

last day, the Upper School gathered in McCain Chapel for one last assembly together featuring MAC and WAC, the School’s a cappella groups.

COMMENCEMENT

SENIOR CELEBRATION

Seniors and their families came together in the Oglesby Room in the Middle School for a celebratory dinner with a live band, a cotton candy cart, and the senior video.

ALPHA OMEGA AND LOWER SCHOOL REUNION

All seniors who started at Westminster in the Lower School returned to Love Hall to visit with past teachers and practice singing the alma mater for the commencement ceremony with retired music teacher Maxine Smith.

CLASS OF 2023 SENIOR HONORS

Luke Guan, Clara Wang Valedictorians

Tyler Harris, Kara Stevens Salutatorians

Brandon Yao Forensics Award

Kelsey Chambers Performing Arts Award–Band

Joe Kuester

Frank Boggs Award for Outstanding Vocal Achievement

Levi McMillan, James Rosenblath Performing Arts Award–Theatre Arts

Evan Le

Norma Allen Gaebelein Orchestra Award

Rogelio Zamudio-Galvan Visual Arts Award–Three-Dimensional Design

Janine Horst Visual Arts Award–Drawing and Painting

Annie Gough Visual Arts Award–Digital Imaging

Sam Reavis, Kiera Staude Senior Athlete Award

Kelley Lu

Goizueta Foundation Foreign Language Student Award (Latin)

Levi McMillan

Goizueta Foundation Foreign Language Student Award (French)

Palmer Walstad

Goizueta Foundation Foreign Language Student Award (Spanish)

Eleanor Knight

Goizueta Foundation Foreign Language Student Award (Chinese)

Abby Warshauer

George R. Lamplugh Excellence in American History

Alex Lalli

Gwendolyn M. Cleghorn Award

Hugh Sheehan

David T. Lauderdale Jr. Memorial Award

Luke Guan, Katie Stollmack

Leila Mason Venable Eldridge Memorial Award

Sam Maas, Clara Wang

Robert M. Sims Math/Science Award

Dorothy Tordella

The Branham Award for Greatest Progress

Phillip McPhail Berry Senior Award

Bo Koebler Dean’s Award

Marshall Benton, Hope Kistulinec

Vernon S. Broyles Jr. Christian Leadership Award

Henry Douglass, Christian Flournoy, Virginia Hernandez, Lawrence Marks, Maggie Minson, Elle Morrison, Carolyn Rendle

The President’s Volunteer Service Award

Hana Hafeez Community Service Award

Claire Bonds, Kanav Kakkar Spirit Award

Hewlett Connell, Frances Munger

Croft Family Service and Fellowship Award

Olivia Montag

Head of Upper School Award

Lauren James

Atlanta Journal-Constitution Cup

Virginia Hernandez

Thyrza S. Askew Nobility Award

Alyse Harrell

Judith A. Smith Citizenship Award

Qadir Smith

James G. Patton Citizenship Award

Ava Wong

Frances Isabelle Outler Memorial Award

Tyler Harris

Richard L. Hull Memorial Award

Commencement

On Sunday, May 14, the Westminster community welcomed its newest alumni: the members of the Class of 2023. Claire Sulmers ’99, CEO and founder of Fashion Bomb Daily, addressed the graduating Wildcats before they walked across the stage on Alice McCallie Pressly Plaza. After receiving their diplomas and Bibles, the new grads threw their caps into the air, officially marking their entrance into the Westminster Alumni Association.

By Mackenzie Watson ’22

Mapping the Future

UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO BOULDER

COLORADO SCHOOL OF MINES

COLORADO

NUMBER

Graduates from the Class of 2023 are enrolled at 91 colleges and universities in 28 states, the District of Columbia, Japan, and the United Kingdom. We are excited to watch these Wildcats continue their educational journeys, whether near or far! 0

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, BERKELEY

SANTA CLARA UNIVERSITY

CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, LOS ANGELES

LOYOLA MARYMOUNT UNIVERSITY

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

SOUTHERN METHODIST UNIVERSITY (2)

TEXAS CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY (8)

UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN (3)

AUSTIN COMMUNITY COLLEGE

WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY IN ST. LOUIS (2)

UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI

GRINNELL COLLEGE

UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO

NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY (2)

UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSINMADISON

RHODES COLLEGE

TULANE UNIVERSITY (3)

UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN (3)

UNIVERSITY OF NOTRE DAME (5)

COLGATE UNIVERSITY (3)

CORNELL UNIVERSITY

SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY (3)

PURDUE UNIVERSITY DENISON UNIVERSITY (2)

KENYON COLLEGE

THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY

XAVIER UNIVERSITY BUCKNELL UNIVERSITY

CULINARY INSTITUTE OF AMERICA

BARD COLLEGE

AMHERST COLLEGE (2)

COLLEGE OF THE HOLY CROSS

WORCESTER POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE

BATES COLLEGE

DARTMOUTH COLLEGE (2)

CLASS OF 2023

LAFAYETTE COLLEGE

MARYLAND INSTITUTE COLLEGE OF ART

VIRGINIA TECH (2)

DAVIDSON COLLEGE

CLEMSON UNIVERSITY

UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT

TRINITY COLLEGE

BABSON COLLEGE

BOSTON COLLEGE

FRAMINGHAM STATE UNIVERSITY

TUFTS UNIVERSITY (2)

BROWN UNIVERSITY (4)

BRYANT UNIVERSITY

RHODE ISLAND SCHOOL OF DESIGN (RISD)

YALE UNIVERSITY

COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY (2)

NEW YORK UNIVERSITY (3)

PARSONS SCHOOL OF DESIGN AT THE NEW SCHOOL

PRATT INSTITUTE

PRINCETON UNIVERSITY

BRYN MAWR COLLEGE

UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA

VILLANOVA UNIVERSITY

GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY (3)

GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY

HOWARD UNIVERSITY

UNITED STATES NAVAL ACADEMY (2)

WILLIAM & MARY

UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND (2)

UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA (8)

WASHINGTON AND LEE UNIVERSITY (2)

DUKE UNIVERSITY (3)

ELON UNIVERSITY

UNIVERSITY OF NORTH

CAROLINA AT CHAPEL HILL (6)

WAKE FOREST UNIVERSITY (5)

FURMAN UNIVERSITY (2)

UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA (17)

EMORY UNIVERSITY (3)

GEORGIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY (17)

SEWANEE: THE UNIVERSITY OF THE SOUTH

AUBURN UNIVERSITY (8)

VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY (5)

RICE UNIVERSITY

FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY

FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA (2)

MERCER UNIVERSITY

UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI (3)

UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH

TEMPLE UNIVERSITY, JAPAN CAMPUS

Ties That Bind

Ties That Bind photos are a special tradition for Westminster families that have more than one graduate of the School and its predecessor institutions, Washington Seminary and NAPS. Once the Commencement ceremony ends, the newest Wildcat graduates and their family members who are fellow alums pose for photos to document and celebrate the many School ties that bind them together.

John Abernathy ’18, Andrew Abernathy ’84, Storey Abernathy ’23, Margaret Storey Wasson ’57, Tread Davis ’56, Winifred Storey Davis ’57

Ikechi Adele ’23, Ogechi Adele ’18, Ejike Adele ’21 (pictured in photo)

Will Benton ’20, Marshall Benton ’23

Olivia Bontempo ’21, Vincent Bontempo ’23

Avery Carabajal ’23, Amelia Carabajal ’21

Cannon Carr ’85, Alice Hurt Carr ’59, Ryan Carr ’23, James Carr ’21

Andrew Dotson ’21, Lia Dotson ’23

Laith Bandukwala ’23, Aydin Bandukwala ’21

Laura Brackett ’23, Sara Ann Brackett ’20

Dancy Allcorn Cassell ’62, Kent Carson ’23

Frances Connell McCann ’67, Hewlett Connell ’23, George Connell ’92

Emma Dotson ’23, Sharon Carmichael Dotson ’89

Rob Douglass ’88, Henry Douglass ’23

Benjamin Egan ’19, Gregory Egan ’23, Robyn Cohen Freedman ’84

Leah Elliott ’23, Vance Elliott ’21

Chris Faussemagne ’90, John Faussemagne ’23

Evander Fogle ’90, Fletcher Fogle ’23

Jonny Fritz ’23, Max Fritz ’21

Ava Gavin ’21, Rose Gavin ’23

Juliet McClatchey Allan ’81, Christy McClatchey Gituku ’95, William Gituku ’23, Carolyn Cody McClatchey ’65, Bill McClatchey ’66

Maya Hafeez ’20, Hana Hafeez ’23

Preston Halford ’23, Emory Halford ’21

Caroline Harper ’23, Mason Harper ’21

Jay McDaniel ’08, Laura Hendrix McDaniel ’78, John Hendrix ’23, Vern Hendrix ’80, Lucy McDaniel Poole ’06

Riley Hernandez ’20, Virginia Hernandez ’23, James Hernandez ’20

Bryce Howard ’23, Kennedy Howard ’21

Evelyn Hunter ’21, Claire Hunter ’23

Bill Izlar ’71, Elizabeth Izlar ’15, Henry Izlar ’23, Paul Izlar ’75

Watson Jackson ’17, Meredith Jackson ’23, Ellie Jackson ’20 Trammell Summers ’00, Sam Jenkins ’23

Mark Kagika ’09, Nyambura Kagika ’23

Kanav Kakkar ’23, Avni Kakkar ’17

Billy Kistulinec ’20, Hope Kistulinec ’23

Phillip Shinall ’94, Phillip McPhail ’23, Wimberly Shinall McPhail ’91

Chelsea Mozen ’94, Eleanor Knight ’23, Rand Knight ’90

Brooks Kuester ’12, Margaret Kuester ’14, Virginia Kuester ’16, Sims Kuester ’19, Joseph Kuester ’23, Pamela Meeks Kuester ’80 Kelsey Li ’23, Connor Li ’21

Bill Lundstrom ’91, Elizabeth Lundstrom ’23, Catherine Lankford Lundstrom ’93, Frank Lankford ’89

George Mattie ’23, Kellam Graitcer Mattie ’89 Deirdre McCrohan ’23, Christie Howard ’91

Sarah Lawrence McGill ’18, Ireland McGill ’23, Jennings McGill ’20

Kimberlee Kruger Perras ’86, Gavin McNulty ’23, Julie Kruger McNulty ’89

John Montag ’86, Olivia Montag ’23, Benjamin Montag ’21

Max Motley ’17, Ceci Motley ’23, Franny Motley ’19

Katherine Peterson ’23, Sarah Jane Peterson ’20

Karen Koenig Winarsky ’86, Logan Raptis ’23, Deborah Koenig Raptis ’88, Allison Koenig ’90

Susan Carswell Rawls ’61, Caroline Rawls ’23 Sam Reavis ’23, Martha Reavis ’21

Edward Rendle ’22, Carolyn Rendle ’23

Reese Norman ’23, Matthew Norman ’87

Larson Normack ’21, Millie Normack ’23

Sidney Rodbell ’64, Harrison Rodbell ’23, Jonathan Rodbell ’90

Will Rogers ’22, Margaret Rogers ’23, Mary Louise Rogers ’20 James Rosenblath ’23, Henry Rosenblath ’20

Savannah Rossin ’23, Michael Rossin ’17

Frankie Sayers ’23, Cannon Wilson Sayers ’90

Consie Beckman ’92, Conrad Schuver ’23, Eleanor Westbrook Beckman ’61

Joe Sheehan ’13, Hugh Sheehan ’23, Rose Sheehan ’15, John Sheehan ’17

Kara Stevens ’23, Brooke Stevens ’20

Preston Stewart ’88, Helen Wilson Stewart ’88, Preston Stewart ’23, Lucy Stewart ’19, Price Wilson ’97, Leslie Wilson Moye ’94, John Moye ’94, Mary Michael Stewart Pringle ’90

Fiona Sturgeon ’23, Kyle Sturgeon ’00

Keleigh Thomas Morgan ’93, Porter Thomas ’21, Cooper Thomas ’23, Grady Thomas ’19, Court Thomas ’90

Judy Johnson Varn Hays ’59, Kelsey Cooper Varn ’20, Sierra Elizabeth Varn ’23, Robert Varn ’89, Lilly Varn Reid ’89

Kathy Lewis McClelland ’66, Palmer Walstad ’23, Stephanie McClelland Walstad ’95

Kellson Tucker ’16, Lilly Tucker ’23, Mary Tucker ’17

Clara Wang ’23, Catherine Wang ’20

Aaron Yu ’21, Mason Yu ’23

Rogelio Zamudio-Galvan ’23, Damaris Zamudio-Galvan ’18

Alumni News

Greetings, Westminster Community!

One of our School’s greatest assets is a powerful alumni network, spanning the globe, replete with thoughtful and talented leaders, and ready to help. Look closely at any field of study or professional endeavor, and you will not only find a Wildcat but one that is at work with both joyful energy and a servant’s heart. This network is an incredible resource to enrich opportunities for our alumni, for our current students and families, for our faculty and administrators, and even for future generations of Wildcats.

I’ve certainly benefited from the support of this network throughout my academic and professional life. Perhaps my earliest memory of this was as a college student timidly reaching out to an executive-level alumnus to learn more about a career in a particular industry. I had literally found his name in a Westminster directory and had little hope he would even reply to my email. He not only responded, but in a proceeding phone conversation, he shared insights and guidance

that would help me eventually land an internship. At that moment, I was amazed he took the time to share his wisdom with me. But in reflecting years later, I now know that was an expression of the character we cultivate in our students and a firsthand experience with the power of the Westminster alumni network.

In my new role as president of Westminster’s Alumni Governing Board, I’m looking forward to playing a small part in creating more stories like these for our School community. I’m honored to work alongside our Office for Institutional Advancement and a collection of passionate volunteer leaders in engaging our alumni community and amplifying the power of our alumni network. I’m particularly grateful for the newest members of our Alumni Governing Board, Black Alumni Council, and Young Alumni Council who have stepped forward to share their time and insights in support of our work.

This talented team is going to take on a big opportunity during the 2023–24 school year. Over the coming months, we will refresh our Alumni Strategic Plan to guide how we engage alumni, enhance student-alumni interactions, and create meaningful opportunities for networking and mentorship. After the successful conclusion of our previous five-year plan, which saw signature achievements like new alumni chapters in cities around the world and the reinvention of “engagement” in the face of a global pandemic, we look ahead to what’s next. I’m excited about what’s possible, and we’ll approach our work with both ambition and clarity of purpose.

You also play a critical role in this process. Every voice is important in helping to shape our planning, and I want to thank everyone who took time to answer our call for feedback via the comprehensive Alumni Survey. We look forward to sharing our findings with you in the coming months. We’ll continue to find opportunities to speak directly with our alumni as we refine our plans, and I will also commit to sharing updates on our progress via this forum.

Go Cats!

Andrew Blaisdell ’99 President, Alumni Governing Board

Alumni Leadership

As leaders within our Alumni Association, the volunteer members of these boards and councils help fulfill Westminster’s alumni strategic plan and act as ambassadors for the School. Join us in thanking them for their service!

ALUMNI GOVERNING BOARD

Andrew Blaisdell ’99 President

Caroline Rawls Strumph ’08 President-Elect

Samiyyah Ali ’06 Recording Secretary

Preston Moister ’99 Alumni Giving Chair

John Jones ’74 Honorary Member and Board Historian

BLACK ALUMNI COUNCIL

Dominique I. H. Holloman ’97 Chair

Jannard Wade ’72

Vic Bolton ’76

Cheryl Jones Pappy ’77

Lucretia Denson ’88

YOUNG ALUMNI COUNCIL

Franklin Sacha ’08 Advisor

Crawford Long ’09 Chair

Bennett Gillogly ’10 Co-Chair

Nigel Walker ’13 Young Alumni Giving Chair

Susie Soper ’64

Bob Woodward ’67

David Martin ’72

Corliss Blount Denman ’73

Althea Broughton ’84

Bob Gunkel ’84

Kim Maziar Hockstein ’88

Christy Cook Ziglar ’91

David Overend ’92

Bianca Camac Bell ’94

Dominique I. H. Holloman ’97

Walter McClelland ’97

Qahir Madhany ’02

Charles Ralston ’02

Mary Lowell Downing Pettit ’06

Fielding Kidd Jamieson ’07

Crawford Long ’09

Young Alumni Council Liaison

Brian Moore ’90

Andre Sulmers ’95

Lauren Duncan Griffey ’97

Bobby Rashad Jones ’97

Jae Scarborough ’99

Charles Mason ’01

Ryland McClendon ’03

Samiyyah Ali ’06

Michael Russell Jr. ’12

R Matthews ’15

Julian Mason ’18

Zoë-Grace Hargrove ’19

Miray Seward ’10

Ginger Abblitt ’11

Quinton Bennett ’15

Maggie Borders ’15

Deja Clay ’15

R Matthews ’15

Ruwenne Moodley ’15

Julia Grady ’17

Jack Schlafly ’17

Raeba Roy ’18

Kelsey Russell ’18

Isabella Velarde ’18

Kate Lindgren ’19

Alumni Awards

ALUMNI SERVICE AWARD

The Alumni Service Award is presented annually to an alumnus who has given exceptional service to the School.

Clay Rolader ’72

Clay Rolader has been a lifelong fan and supporter of Westminster. He was a member of the 1971 state championship football team and an active member of the chorale and theater programs. He graduated with a love of learning that propelled him to undergraduate and law degrees from Harvard University and a master’s degree from Oxford University as a Rhodes Scholar. After a career in the worlds of law, real estate, and investment advice, he returned to Westminster to teach English in the Upper School and coach the boys varsity soccer team, which he did with great gusto. For the past 15 years, Clay has been president of Fuqua Capital,

and he currently serves on the board of the J.B. Fuqua Foundation, the Tull Charitable Foundation, and the Southern Environmental Law Center. He is also an advisor to the R. Howard Dobbs Jr. Foundation and One Hundred Miles, a nonprofit working to protect and preserve Georgia’s coast. He was a member of the Westminster Board of Trustees for 19 years, and he’s been actively involved in fundraising for a number of successful School capital campaigns and milestone reunion years for the Class of 1972. His devotion to Westminster has been proven time and again by his ongoing service to the school.

2022–23 Alumni Governing Board President Wab Kadaba ’87, Westminster President Keith Evans, Board of Trustees Chair Katharine Kelley ’82, Claire Sulmers ’99, Clay Rolader ’72, Marc Lipsitch ’87

DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI AWARD

Westminster recognizes and honors outstanding personal, business, or professional achievements by alumni with the Distinguished Alumni Award.

Marc Lipsitch ’87

Marc Lipsitch is professor of epidemiology and director of the Center for Communicable Disease Dynamics at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health in Boston. Trained as an evolutionary biologist, Marc teaches infectious disease epidemiology at Harvard and runs a research group focused on the impact of immunity, vaccination, and antibiotic treatment on pathogenic microbes and the consequences for human health and disease. He has been a prominent voice in research and science communication during the COVID-19 pandemic and a vocal advocate for proper oversight and research ethics for virologic and clinical research. In addition, he

Claire Sulmers ’99

Claire Sulmers is the CEO and founder of Fashion Bomb Daily, one of the most influential media and retail companies in the world and a top destination for multicultural fashionistas. Her pioneering work ushered in a new wave of digital journalism and e-commerce that fed and fueled an underserved community of diverse fashion lovers who wanted to see themselves reflected in popular culture while learning more about celebrity style, design, and international trends. Claire holds a degree in romance languages and literatures and African American studies from Harvard University. Beyond developing and directing content for Fashion Bomb Daily and its affiliate sites for the past 17 years, Claire has written a book, The Bomb Life, and now leads a team of 20 for Fashion Bomb Daily’s media, e-commerce, marketing, and event platforms. Her body of work and online following—now numbering more than two million—have made Claire the influencer of choice for major corporate brands who want to reach her audience, including Toyota, Verizon, Macy’s, and others. In addition, Claire has done extensive style writing for other platforms including Vogue Italia, Vogue France, and Essence magazine

serves as senior advisor to the Center for Forecasting and Outbreak Analytics at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. After Westminster, Marc studied philosophy at Yale University and mathematical biology at Oxford University on a Rhodes Scholarship. Marc won the Kenneth Rothman Epidemiology Prize in 2011 and is an elected fellow of the American Academy of Microbiology and the National Academy of Medicine. In 2009, he was inducted into Westminster’s Thompson Science and Technology Hall of Fame. He credits his Westminster teachers with kindling his love of math and science and teaching him the scientific habits he uses every day.

Distinguished Alumni Award honoree Claire Sulmers ’99 gave this year’s commencement address.

Alumni and Community Events

100 Days to Become an Alum

February 3, 2023

The Student Alumni Council hosted a series of events and activities for the Class of 2023 counting down the days until Commencement from 100 days out. After kicking off in February, the 50day milestone was marked with a visit from Jeff Lewis ’73, celebrating his 50th Reunion, who spoke to the seniors about how the School has changed since he graduated, the competitive advantages Westminster provided him over the years, and advice for college and career. TURN TO

Golden Wildcats Celebration March 3, 2023

This past spring, more than 100 Golden Wildcats—alumni celebrating a reunion beyond their 50th—came together for a special brunch hosted at the Piedmont Room at Park Tavern in Midtown. Alumni enjoyed reconnecting and hearing from President Keith Evans about what’s new on campus while sharing fond memories and swapping stories!

A Conversation with Isabel Wilkerson March 15, 2023

Westminster’s Alumni Governing Board and Black Alumni Council hosted a hybrid viewing of journalist and author Isabel Wilkerson’s virtual keynote address from the 2022 Black Alumni Conference. The viewing was followed by a moderated Q&A session, both in person and over Zoom, featuring Black Alumni Council Chair Dominique Holloman ’97 and Director of DEI and Community Engagement Frank Brown ’04.

Reunion Weekend April 28–29, 2023

More than 800 alumni and guests returned to campus for Westminster Reunion Weekend 2023! The Friday night Kickoff Party saw alums of all ages reconnecting and reminiscing with classmates while enjoying food trucks and a live band. During Saturday’s Alumni Family Lunch,

ALUMNI AND COMMUNITY EVENTS

DC Alumni Chapter Annual Reception

April 13, 2023

The Washington, DC, Alumni Chapter Council hosted its annual reception at Iron Gate restaurant, near Dupont Circle. President Evans shared an update from campus about the second annual Westminster Day of Service, last fall’s Black Alumni Conference, JanTerm, and the Love Hall expansion and renovation.

alumni toured campus and enjoyed performances by MAC and WAC, the Upper School’s a cappella groups, while the Wildcat Spirit Group offered face painting to the littlest Wildcats. The Class of 1973 celebrated their milestone 50th Reunion with a special brunch hosted by President Evans, girls and boys lunches, a festive off-campus class party, and a record-breaking class gift total!

1951 Celebration May 4, 2023

Westminster invited more than 500 community members to campus as the school year came to a

close to celebrate and thank them for their support and commitment as donors to the 1951 Circle and Young Alumni Leadership Society.

NYC Chapter Event: Transforming the Westminster Campus through Architectural Design May 11, 2023

Jason Gold ’77, architect, Princeton alumni chapter leader, and Westminster alumni chapter leader, coordinated a joint event for Westminster’s New York City Alumni Chapter and the Princeton Association of New York City (PANYC). This unique evening highlighted the work of Ennead Architects, the design firm behind state-of-the-art buildings at both Westminster and Princeton.

Pinning Ceremony for Black Graduates May 5, 2023

The Village, an affinity group for parents of students of African descent, hosted a senior celebration for Black graduates of the Class of 2023. The program included a pinning ceremony from the Black Alumni Council in the spirit of the African philosophy of ubuntu: “I am because we are.” Seniors and their parents participated in a ceremonial donning of kente cloth stoles–a symbol of achievement and overcoming hardship.

Principals’ Circle Celebration

May 23, 2023

Westminster celebrated the philanthropic generosity of the Principals’ Circle by welcoming more than 100 community members to Atlanta’s Intown Golf Club. Guests enjoyed a conversation between President Keith Evans and David Cummings, Intown Golf Club co-founder and Westminster parent and trustee. Intown Golf Club’s unique, elevated golf experience offered guests the opportunity to play virtual rounds of golf on simulations of courses from around the globe.

NYC Alumni Chapter Day of Service

June 10, 2023

New York City-area alumni came together in partnership with Friends of Morningside Park for a morning of maintenance in the park. Morningside Park is one of four designated Historic Harlem Parks, and it features multiple playgrounds and breathtaking views of Harlem.

ALUMNI AND COMMUNITY EVENTS

Young Alumni Night at the Braves

May 24, 2023

More than 50 young alums in the Atlanta area joined together to cheer on the Braves for the first Young Alumni Night at the Braves event hosted by the Young Alumni Council! Alums gathered together in the Xfinity Cabanas at The Battery before the game and enjoyed the Braves’ victory over the Dodgers.

DC Alumni Chapter Day of Service

June 25, 2023

Alums in the Washington, DC, area volunteered at DC Central Kitchen, preparing nutritious meals to be distributed to various local nonprofits, youth programs, and shelters. The kitchen distributes 10,000 meals per week to those in need, and alumni volunteers at our day of service helped fulfill the organization’s mission of using food to strengthen bodies, empower minds, and build communities.

DC Alumni White House Tour

July 15, 2023

White House staffer and Westminster alum Gevin Reynolds ’15 arranged for an exclusive selfguided tour through the East Wing of the White House. Alumni got to immerse themselves in history as they toured iconic spaces including the State Dining Room, the East Room, the Blue Room, the Red Room, the Green Room, and the Family Theater.

Class Notes

From travel to making connections to exciting career moves, Westminster alumni never sit still. Read on to find out what your fellow Wildcats have been up to! Visit westminster.net/classnews to join in and submit your updates for the next issue.

This issue reflects class news submitted by September 5, 2023.

1958

Virginia Stone Hicks writes, “My exciting news is I am still here, along with my husband of 60 years. We still live on the shore of Lake Lanier. Our life is full with enjoying five children (four are nearby), 10 grandchildren, and 10 great-grandchildren. We count our blessings every day.”

Fran Lloyd Galbreath writes, “My husband, Fred, passed away on October 31, 2022. We just had our 49th anniversary.”

1960

John Harris Kirkley is rounding out two years as a volunteer missionary in Kenya and Uganda, speaking at churches, prisons, and schools about God, Jesus, and the Bible. He credits Westminster for his lifelong passion for studying scripture and recalls Jesus’s pithy maxim, “Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness.”

1962

Laura Whitner Dorsey writes, “I moved to Presbyterian Village in Austell and love it! Downsizing can be difficult, but I enjoyed sharing belongings and telling stories as adult children and grandchildren helped with the process.”

1965

Jerdone Davis writes, “In retirement, I enjoy teaching healthcare-related courses at Greenville Technical College: a nurse refresher course and a sterile processing technician course. As well, I edit doctoral dissertations, which prove to be an education in themselves. Most of these doctoral students are practicing chaplains or counselors who are memorializing the work they have done for many years: marriage counseling, addiction counseling, PTSD counseling for our military, and much more. This is a fascinating ‘job.’ Recently, I moved into a retirement community, where I purchased a twobedroom home. Totally separate from the homeowners, there is apartment living, assisted living, and skilled nursing care. Thankfully, at this point, I am the skilled one (RN) and still extremely independent! LOL!”

1966

Last spring Bill Rothschild finished his 30th year back at Westminster as a guest teacher in the Bible Department.

In May, the New Jersey Association of School Psychologists awarded James Hewitt the Jane Bostrum Service to School Psychology Award for lifetime service to students in New Jersey schools. At the ceremony he shared, “I continue to practice psychiatry because my partner is my son Joe, I still enjoy the intellectual challenge of figuring out why a child is struggling in school, and post-pandemic the need is so great and the families are so eager to work with me to sort it all out.”

Laurie Lea had an exhibition at the office gallery of Sotheby’s International in Highlands, North Carolina, for the months of October and November at a gallery run by the Bascom Art Center.

1969

Ren Davis and Helen Davis write, “We are delighted to share that our son, Nelson Davis, CEO of Analytic Vizion, has been selected by the Georgia Tech Alumni Association as a member of their 40 under 40 class for 2023. Also, this past July 4, Ren completed his 37th Peachtree Road Race and Nelson completed his 22nd.”

1970

Cliff Davenport submitted a photo of himself with his eight Davenport grandchildren at Rosemary Beach in June.

Mary Miller is delighted to announce her one-woman show, Things I Learned in Isolation, was selected to be part of United Solo Fall 2023 Festival—the world’s largest solo theater festival. She performed it in October in New York City on Theatre Row! She also formed the production company Mary Miller Productions LLC (marymillerproductions.com) and currently has three projects in the works: her drama Witness; her play A Matter of Grace, written with music by Mario Sprouse; and The Sisters, co-authored with Michael LaPollo, the first in a Jewish Italian family trilogy after World War II.

Members of the Class of 1965 toured Westminster’s campus before their standing monthly lunch. Pictured are

,

, June

, Eleanor

,

Scoot Dimon writes, “First of all: Go Cats! Secondly, my wonderful wife, Maggie, has just published her first book, An Avian Alphabet, a beautiful book of bird drawings and poems associated with each of those drawings. It is selling like hotcakes on Amazon and Barnes & Noble.”

(front) Laura Mitchell

Parker Hudson

Horsey Ridley

Metzger Davis

Mary Savell Clarke, Graham Allen, (back) Joe Davis, John Stewart, Jay Schwartz, Martha Garrett Massey, and Ralph Griffin. (Not pictured: George Beattie.)

1971

Suzanne LeCraw Cox writes, “On a hot July weekend, nine women from the Class of ’71 went to cool Highlands, North Carolina, to celebrate our 70th birthdays. All friends from long ago, Suzanne LeCraw Cox, Suzanne Reynaud King, Candy Lloyd, Patsy Jackson Van Derveer, Dini Driggs Mallory, Carol Fulwiler Jones, Donna Gude Barwick, Millie Avery Lockridge, and Robin Pendleton enjoyed telling stories, hiking, eating, drinking French martinis, and getting massages. It was such a gift from our parents to go to Westminster, and the fact that we still enjoy each other’s company is telling on its own. We decided not to wait until we’re 80 to celebrate again, so it will be 75, if not sooner. Thank you, Westminster, for making us friends (and young) forever!”

1973

Cathy Goodhart Henson writes, “It was wonderful to see well over 120 classmates. Many thanks to our reunion cochairs Mary Susan Jackson Stacy and Jeff Lewis for their planning and leadership. Congrats to Patty Hertz Reid and Floyd Newton on raising over $2.5 million. WOW! Also, our committee members and hostesses were a huge help. Jimmy Eastham and I would like to especially thank all of you who took the time to send in an entry for our Class of 1973 50th Reunion Book. Cheers!”

Randy Siegel recently started a Facebook group for those experiencing a “life quake.” Life quakes are those few times in our lives that shake us to the core and invite us to transform our lives. Examples include illness, divorce, financial reverses, and death of a loved one. When faced with a life quake, we have two choices. The first is to deny, or wallpaper, over the pain. The other is

Phil Saul ’74: Medical Leader Leaves Legacy for Future Wildcats

Phil Saul and his wife, Amy Davis, set up a will bequest to Westminster in appreciation for how Phil’s time at the School helped shape his life and career in the medical field.

Phil writes, “The advantage of a planned gift is you can do the things that you want to do when you’re not quite ready to hand over assets, but once you’re gone, it’s a good way to make an impact. We know our gift will provide ongoing resources for a school that continues to do great work.”

Westminster looks forward to welcoming Phil and the rest of the Class of 1974 back to campus for their 50th Reunion on April 26 and 27, 2024!

If you’re interested in learning more about ways your estate can benefit your family and support future generations of Wildcats, contact Lauren Flores at laurenflores@westminster.net or 404-609-6438.

to be present to the circumstance, our self, others, and the divine. By being present, we open ourselves to the gifts of deeper personhood, purpose, and peace. Visit InTheBellyOfTheWhale.com for more information.

1975

Nolen Eastham and his mother and beloved former faculty member, Merrilyn Eastham, joined Clark Howard ’73 at Truist Park for a Braves game benefiting the Aflac Cancer Center at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.

Cindy Newberry Martin ’s third novel, The Art of Her Life , was published in June. It’s the story of a single mother who’s lost the thread of her life. Emily lives in the world of art, and Matisse’s words and paintings permeate her days and nights. Glancing at a notecard of her favorite painting, she sees something she’s never seen before. The Art of Her Life shows the power of art to transform an ordinary life. Kirkus Reviews calls it “an unsentimental, luminous story about art, illness, and complicated relationships.” Cindy loves talking with book clubs!

1976

Ben Joel writes, “For the fourth year I have been named to Forbes’ Best-In-State Wealth Advisors for the state of Georgia.”

1978

Malcolm Proudfoot writes, “This is my first submission to the alumni magazine since graduation, so there is certainly a lot to share. The ‘Cliffs Notes’ version is that I went off to graduate Northwestern University in ’82 then Kellogg Graduate School of Management in ’86 and married Linda in ’86. Proud father of Katy, Brett, Taylor, and Kevin as well as grandfather of two with No. 3 due in August! Retired at the end of ’21 as a managing director at Morgan Stanley after nearly 30 years and 12 years prior with Osco Drug Stores. Hope to see you all at the 50th!”

1979

Bob Royalty writes, “After 22 years at Indiana University Indianapolis, my wife, Anne, took a job at UNCGreensboro. I’ve continued at Wabash College, going back and forth during the semester and living in North Carolina

during the summer and winter breaks. Last year we sold our Indiana home and bought a townhouse in Fisher Park, Greensboro. I’ll continue at Wabash until the magic age of 65 and relocate permanently to the Tar Heel State. We also have a small place in Wilmington on the Cape Fear Riverwalk and continue to travel as much as we can.”

Katherine Baer writes, “So happy to share the news that my daughter Sofia graduated from Cornell University last May with a degree in physics. She was also a Humanities Scholar. Gabrielle is a rising junior at Columbia University in NYC, studying English literature and Arabic. Quite a combo! I am a deputy director at the International Monetary Fund (IMF), where I lead the IMF’s work on fiscal policies in developing countries and provide technical assistance to countries in the Middle East and Central Asia and assistance to countries denoted as fragile and in conflict. I recently added gender issues to my portfolio, reflecting that women are a critical aspect of economic welfare and growth! It’s been a wild ride in the field of international economics, and I’ve loved every minute. I miss my Westminster friends, especially those I haven’t seen or talked to in a long time: Barnes Woodhall, Glad Owens, David Mathews—please report to duty! Take care, everyone!”

1980

Laura Bond Barker is enjoying her latest career as a knitting designer and teacher. One of her designs was recently featured on the cover of Interweave Knits magazine. You can find her work at cathedralknits.com and ravelry.com/designers/laura-barker.

1981

David Woodham writes, “During the April 2023 Reunion Weekend, a number of alumni from the Westminster classes of 1981 to 1984, along with varsity boys soccer coach Scott Snyder, played in a soccer scrimmage on the back practice fields.” David has two daughters (Gray Woodham ’15 and Rollins Woodham ’17) who graduated from Westminster. Alumni from left to right are Craig Siegenthaler ’83, Alex Chambers ’83, Tommy Joiner ’83, Mac Gibson ’83, Grant Serafy ’83, Trey Bynum ’83, Doug Altizer ’84, David Woodham ’81, and Ivan Allen ’82. Kneeling in front is boys varsity soccer coach Scott Snyder, who graciously hosted the event.

Memory Lane Revisiting the Westminster days of this year’s reunion classes

1982

Susan Gunn is thriving at her home on 30A in Santa Rosa Beach. She is living as a freelance writer and photographer whose work has been published in several nationally distributed magazines. Her unique photography is available on medium- and large-format metal and float mount acrylic. Her work was recently featured in Garden & Gun, and not long ago she was voted 30A’s Photographer of the Year 2023. Her work can be seen on Instagram at @susangunnphotography.

1984

In Chicago, David Zivan is the lead writer and program book editor for Lyric Opera of Chicago.

1986

Lezlee Peterzell-Bellanich writes, “After 17 years living in Nyack, New York, my family is relocating to St. Augustine, Florida, where the weather is warmer, cost of living is lower, people are friendly, and location is near Mayo Clinic, beaches, and historic town. I am excited about this new chapter!”

Mary-L Bevington writes, “Well hey, I’m celebrating 35 years as an outdoor educator and team builder this year. I’ve worked in Alaska, the Cascades, the Rockies, the Sierras, the western deserts, and the southern Appalachians. I also moonlight as a spiritual counselor, writer, editor, and counselor at Greyrocks, and professor of contemplative dance. Here, I’m pictured with my colleague, Tanmay, prior to a wilderness jaunt as Colorado Outward Bound leaders this 2023 summer.”

1987

Amanda Hughen’s art collaborative Hughen/ Starkweather recently completed a permanent, large-scale artwork comprised of 74 glass panels on the exterior of the Union Square subway station in downtown San Francisco. The artwork layers references to local topography, fog, earthquakes, and data from commuting statistics.

1988

Christiana Dunn Roussel writes, “I recently earned three awards from the Alabama Press Association for travel columns I produced that run locally in Birmingham area magazines. As a food and travel writer, I love exploring, meeting interesting people, discovering hidden gems, having adventures, and writing about them for outlets such as Garden & Gun, Good Grit, Covey Rise, Birmingham Home & Garden and other outlets. I’ve set a personal goal to have writing work placed in the Wall Street Journal’s Off-Duty section. When I am not

traveling or writing, I also work with a Birminghambased recruiting/retention firm, Chalker Group, dedicated to helping Birmingham businesses attract and retain top talent. Having lived here for 20+ years, I love showing visitors how they too can make the Magic City their home, should they accept a job offer here. I am driven to foster connection in everything I do.”

1989

Carl Christie (trail name: Smarticus) has had the tremendous fortune of being able to spend time doing overnight hikes on the Appalachian Trail for four years in a row with best buddy Curtis Gunn (trail name: GunnSlinger). Gunn completed the AT in 2021; as of this writing, he is working his way through the Pacific Crest Trail.

1990

Che’ Barbour writes, “Harris Kirson ’14 and I had the pleasure of coaching the sons of a couple of fellow alums this summer. This picture of me, Liz Davies Chiaffredo ’96, Emi Shaffer Gragnani ’95, and Harris Kirson ’14 is from our end-of-season party in Panama City.”

Mark Boomershine ’91 and Cinda Koets Boomershine, along with their 10-year-old daughter and 8-year-old son (and two cats), completed the Great American Loop and a bit beyond. Their 15-month, 7,000-mile nautical journey encompassed part of the Atlantic Ocean, Intracoastal Waterways, the Great Lakes, Canadian Heritage Canals, the inland rivers of America’s heartland, and the Gulf of Mexico. Approximately 150 boats complete this intense journey every year.

Rob Kutner has just published his first kids’ book, a “horror-comedy-grossout” graphic novel called Snot Goblins & Other Tasteless Tales (First Second/Macmillan). It’s five stories about monsters with a heavy dose of humor and an even heavier one of grossness. Perfect for kids who like the Captain Underpants books. Rob came through Atlanta on a book tour in August but would love to bring the book to any schools or libraries who might have an interest!

1991

Members of the Class of 1991 David Shapiro, Emanuel Citron, Derek Kahn, and Jamey Howard recently gathered in the Poconos for a mini reunion.

1996

Whitney Brown Novak and her husband, Joe, owners of Kazoo Toys, celebrated their store’s 10th anniversary in April. Kazoo Toys provides the Atlanta area with a curated selection of premium toys that allow for education—and fun. Challenged during the pandemic, Kazoo qualified as an essential business by providing surprise deliveries to keep kids (and parents!) sane while stuck at home. Joe sits on several American Specialty Toy Retailing Association (ASTRA) committees, and Whitney, who left her position as COO at Mathnasium in 2018, is essentially the C-suite. The Novaks live in Buckhead with their daughter, Sierra ’30, but still root for UCLA.

1997

Old Crow Medicine Show celebrates their 25th year with a new album, Jubilee, featuring Morgan Jahnig on bass.

2001

In May 2023, Abby Wolbe Dan along with her business partner, Wisconsin’s own Betsy Finesilver Haberl, purchased Booked, the small, independent bookstore in Evanston, Illinois, where both women have worked since summer 2022. Booked is beloved in Evanston for having a tiny door for kids and a staff of kind, knowledegeable booksellers who can help anyone find the perfect gift or their next read. Come visit the next time you’re in the Chicago area! Abby also never did announce her 2014 marriage to Charles Dan or the 2016 (Hildy Elizabeth) and 2019 (George Albert) births of her children in this magazine, so here’s that, also.

DeAndre Hamilton (center) is the owner of @DreSmokesMeats, an Atlanta-area catering business known for its smoked ribs, brisket, and salmon (seen here). Andrew Stein ’02 (left) and Beth Marlowe ’00 (right) are among his many fans.

2002

As Peter MacKenzie enters his 18th year in financial services, he and his partners have incorporated and rebranded their practice as the MacKenzie Financial Group.

2003

William Akers and Megan Zhao write, “We are excited to have relocated back to Atlanta after living 12 years abroad in Hong Kong, China. Additionally, on November 19,

2022, we welcomed our second daughter to the family: Katherine Elizabeth Akers, who is thrilled to be nearby her grandparents, uncles, aunts, and cousins.”

2004

Elizabeth Ezzell Perry and Jeff Perry ’96 write that their son, Ben Perry, started his Wildcat journey this fall in first grade. Who knows, maybe he will meet his future spouse at a Westminster alumni event one day—just like how his parents met!

William Warren recently published a book, The Conquering Creative: 9 Shifts to Build an Unstoppable Creative Business. As a creative-turned-entrepreneur himself, William wrote and illustrated this readable, approachable, and practical business book for creative people—the kind of people who don’t typically read business books. Any creative person who longs to make a living from their artistic passions will find actionable advice, encouragement, and nourishment through William’s personal stories, illustrations and diagrams, and teachings based on 10+ years of running his successful creative business, The Sketch Effect.

2006

Catherine Butsch Villarreal and her communications team at the Coalition for the Homeless of Houston/ Harris County were recently honored with an Excalibur Award from the Public Relations Society of America–Houston Chapter for their work that culminated in the publication of the widely read New York Times article “How Houston Moved 25,000 People from the Streets into Homes of Their Own.” The article has brought national and international attention to Houston, helped to shape attitudes, and demonstrate that homelessness is solvable.

Erlanger Health Care Systems in Chattanooga recently announced the appointment of Jensen Hart Hyde as chief medical officer. She is the first female CMO to lead the 130-year-old health system.

2007

Cameron Weller O’Brien started her own executive search firm, Aperture Partners, where she will focus on VP and C-level go-to-market searches for high-growth technology companies. Prior to Aperture Partners, Cameron was a partner at The Cole Group out of San Francisco for six years and focused on CMO and CRO searches across SaaS and consumer tech.

2010

Remy Hassett was named Teacher of the Year for D. M. Therrell High School (Atlanta Public Schools) for the 2022–2023 school year. It was her fifth year at Therrell and her first year serving as the Social Studies Department chair.

After graduating from internal medicine residency at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Thomas Brooke joined Fleet Surgical Team 8 in Norfolk, Virginia. As a part of this naval medical team, he augments various naval warships to improve their medical capabilities while at sea. Carrying a general surgeon, anesthesia provider, and various nurses and technicians, the ships are able to provide basic inpatient and surgical care. He deployed with the USS Mesa Verde in support of Operation UNITAS in Brazil, a joint training exercise with multiple South American nations. He is currently deployed on the USS Bataan to the Middle East, supporting more than 3,000 sailors and marines on their six-month deployment.

Hollis Hart Montgomery, executive director at Morgan Stanley, was recently named one of the top 100 women wealth management advisors in the country by Barron’s magazine. Hollis has also been named to the Forbes 2023 America’s Top Next-Gen Wealth Advisors list and secured the prestigious rank of No. 1 in Georgia.

2011

Emily Williams, DMD, completed her residency in periodontology at Louisiana State University in

New Orleans in June 2023. There, she served as chief resident and earned a Master of Science in dentistry for her research: “Hard Tissue Dimensional Changes Following Extraction and Ridge Preservation Using Three Different Techniques: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial.” She is excited to be returning to Atlanta to join the practice of Kara Kramer, DMD, at West Cobb Periodontics and Implant Dentistry. Dr. Williams would like to thank all her art and Latin teachers at Westminster for helping her achieve her dreams.

2014

Michael He submitted “then and now” photos of Class of 2014 alumni. Pictured in 2014: Margaret Wilson, Jake Forte, Maya Grimes, Lexi Smith, J. Paul Meyer, Chris Ufere, Michael He, and Ramsey Fahs. Pictured in 2023: J. Paul Meyer, Lexi Smith, Michael He, and Ramsey Fahs

Sara Fridovich-Keil recently completed her PhD in electrical engineering and computer sciences at UC Berkeley. Her research focuses on “inverse problems” that arise in computer vision as well as medical and scientific computational imaging.

Shelvis ’97 and Nancy ’98 Smith-Mather: Peace building in South Sudan

Many outside organizations enter war-torn countries hoping to encourage peace, yet they need help understanding the cultural complexities of the context and building meaningful local partnerships. As a result, peace building often lacks the nuance and local ownership needed for sustainable solutions. Working through South Sudanese faith-based organizations, Shelvis Smith-Mather ’97 and Nancy Smith-Mather ’98 are bridging the gap by pairing international partners with South Sudanese faith leaders serving on embattled communities’ front lines. For example, Shelvis is curating a

historical exhibit with the University of Oxford’s Africa Society that reimagines Sudan and South Sudan beyond poverty and military conflict narratives. This project highlights how “ordinary people” and vibrant communities positively impact these nations. In addition, Nancy helped the Reformed Church in America launch a South Sudan resource guide by spotlighting personal testimonies, traditional recipes, and discussion questions on pursuing peace.

Earlier this year, Shelvis participated in a “pilgrimage for peace” led by the pope, the archbishop of Canterbury, South Sudan’s president, and several South Sudanese church leaders. In the spring, he traveled with a

delegation of South Sudanese church leaders to the refugee camps to survey the condition brought on by escalating violence in Sudan and limited resources. The Smith-Mathers returned to the United States to raise awareness of these conditions and secure strategic partnerships. They met with humanitarian agencies, embassy officials, foundations, academics, and church leaders. They also participated in the High-Level Political Forum for Sustainable Development at the United Nations. Nancy, Shelvis, and their four small children recently returned to East Africa to rejoin efforts in the refugee camps. If successful, these efforts will positively impact a nation where millions are displaced by war and the death toll of international relief workers is the highest worldwide. Visit rca.org/give/south-sudanrefugee-care-project/ to learn more about the Refugee Care Project.

Sheridan Nulty Sommerman was recently promoted to manager, web analytics and content operations, at The Home Depot. She leads a team of analysts that support managing digital content operations and customer engagement analytics for the entire online and mobile app catalog.

Catherine Zhang started a food and lifestyle YouTube channel (youtube.com/@catthecritic) during the pandemic and recently surpassed 1,000 subscribers! Her top video about Kasama, the world’s first Filipino restaurant to receive a Michelin star, has gained more than 100,000 views.

2015

Marshall Weber received his MD from the Medical College of Georgia (MCG) at Augusta University in May 2023. He is currently a resident physician in internal medicine at MCG, with hopes of pursuing a fellowship in rheumatology.

2016

Morgan Rimmer is an associate producer for CNN on Capitol Hill. She spends her days interviewing senators and members of Congress reporting news from the Hill. Some of her stories can be found on CNN’s website.

2017

Joshua Pinckney writes, “I was awarded a Fulbright ETA award to Spain for the 2023–2024 school year. I’ll be in Madrid at Camilo José Cela University Madrid.”

2019

Drew Hockstein graduated from the University of Colorado in May 2023 and has accepted a position as a software developer for Lumen Technologies. He lives in Boulder, Colorado.

2020

Christianna Doele recently completed an internship with the European and International Department of Toulouse Métropole. Christianna worked to support the local government in its engagement with international partners to address climate change and understand efforts to further the environmental, economic, and digital transition across Toulouse. Presenting on climate collaboration in Paris and assisting in the renewal of cooperation between Toulouse and its sister city Atlanta were among the highlights of her internship. Following this experience, made possible by the Embassy of France’s Innovation Policy Internship Program, Christianna hopes to gain further insight into the French public and private sector.

Matt Ellis spent the summer in Europe with Georgia Tech. The first half of the summer was spent studying art and music history in Germany, Austria, the Czech Republic, Italy, and France. During the second half of the summer, he took two courses at Mansfield College at Oxford University in England. From there, he enjoyed traveling to Ireland, Scotland, and sites around England, such as Blenheim Palace and Stonehenge. Matt is a fourth-year student at Georgia Tech, where he is working on a major in computer science and a minor in robotics.

2021

As a rider for Texas 4000 for Cancer, a student organization attached to an Austin-based nonprofit, Selle James and 45 other students at UT Austin biked 4,000 miles from Austin, Texas, to Anchorage, Alaska, this past summer to support the fight against cancer. Following 17 months of preparation, the team spent 70 days on the road and raised a total of more than $450,000 toward cancer research and support services. Selle was a member of the Rockies route alongside 22 others. Visit texas4000.org to learn more about the 2023 team, support the cause, and view Selle’s rider profile.

Marriages

Congratulations to all Wildcats celebrating recent marriages!

1986

Samiyyah Ali and Krystal Ramseur April 29, 2023

Anne Montgomery and Jay van Gerpen ’85 April 14, 2022

Margaret Coats and Adam Pullen (Upper School faculty) June 17, 2023

Jessie Swickey and Zack Rabin July 15, 2023

2006

2009

2010

2011

Julia Metzger and John Whelchel April 29, 2023

2013

Haley Stutts and John Carney April 1, 2023

2013

Skyler Serenbetz and John McGonigle June 11, 2022

2014

Natalie Fitzgerald and B. Davis Couch Jr. April 22, 2023

Births and Adoptions

Welcome to the Wildcat family, new additions!

1989

Sampson Nseabasi Bassey, June 9, 2022

Son of Pamay Bassey

2005

Cecilia “Cece” Ann Harmata, February 15, 2023

Daughter of Emily Eckert Harmata and Drew Harmata

2004

Henry L. Bowden IV, July 9, 2023

Son of Yao Wu and Henry Bowden III

2006

2006

Henry David Stevenson, March 1, 2023

Son of Leisy and Dan Stevenson

Dillon Whitmore Kohli, March 16, 2023

Son of Brittany Whitmore and Rishav Kohli

2008

Lee Phillips Hutchinson, May 20, 2023

Son of Robin Attkisson Hutchinson and Patrick Hutchinson

2009

Mary Frances Sumner, July 9, 2023

Daughter of Margaret Sasser Sumner and Brady Sumner

2012

James Erik McGee and Charles Patrick McGee, June 20, 2023

Sons of Eliza Granade McGee and William McGee

2009

Benjamin Ellis Lukens, April 25, 2023

Son of Catherine Ellis Lukens and Davis Lukens

Faculty/Staff

Zachary Jefferson Wooten, August 22, 2022

Son of Tiffany Wooten (staff) and Wesley Wooten

In Memoriam

We extend our deepest sympathies to the members of the Westminster community who have recently lost a loved one. Included in these listings are immediate family members of the deceased who graduated from or attended Washington Seminary, NAPS, or Westminster. This issue reflects deaths reported or received by September 22, 2023. Family listings may not be comprehensive.

NAPS Alumnae

1950

Myrtle Bennett “Mims” Joyner, August 5, 2023

Washington Seminary Alumnae

1952

Ellen McDow Gunn Bonner, February 2, 2022

Westminster Alumni

1958

Elaine Johnson Grooms, July 2, 2023

1959

Nancy Sibley Rempe, September 22, 2022

Sister of Susan Sibley Traendly ’64

Bill Sewell, July 28, 2023

1960

George A. “Speed” Howell III, July 19, 2023

Brother of Caroline “Lindy” Howell Rogers ’62, Eleanor Howell Effinger ’63, Richard Howell ’66, and Peter Howell ’67; father of Austin Howell Waychoff ’07

Walter Weinberg , June 5, 2023

Father of Jamie Weinberg Jefkin ’91

1963

Barbara “Jean” Fraser Jones, August 7, 2023

1969

Larry Jamison, September 19, 2023

1971

Michael F. Heazel, June 22, 2023

Brother of Robert “Bob” Heazel ’70; father of Ryan Heazel ’12 and Jackson Heazel ’13

1973

Doug Aldridge, August 6, 2023

Husband of Mopsy Stuckey Aldridge ’73; father of Doug Aldridge Jr. ’98 and Frank Aldridge ’02

1984

Paul Morgan, July 3, 2023

Westminster Community Members

Susan Block Abrams, January 19, 2023

Mother of David Abrams ’76, Jan Abrams ’79, and Judy Abrams O’Neill ’86

Robert Wayne Alexander, January 6, 2023

Father of Kate Alexander Harmer ’92, Melissa Alexander ’93, and David Alexander ’99

Elaine Larsen Berry, August 27, 2023

Mother of Julie Berry Maggiolo ’71, Steven Berry (Elizabeth Gunn Berry ’74), and David Berry ’76

David E. Boyd, June 13, 2023

Father of Susan Boyd ’84, Emory Boyd ’82, and Joel Boyd ’90

Robert “Bob” Cohn, July 4, 2023

Father of Greg Cohn ’90

Fred Galbreath, October 31, 2022

Husband of Fran Lloyd Galbreath ’58

Thomas E. Moak, March 17, 2023

Husband of Mary Neely Moak ’75; father of Ed Moak ’07 and Tom Moak ’09

A. L. “Al” Mullins Jr., June 9, 2023

Father of Elizabeth Mullins Crosby ’85, Catherine Mullins Arnold ’88, and Annie Mullins Billions ’95

Margaret Rayle, August 22, 2023

Mother of Peggy Rayle Hines ’71, Bert Rayle ’74, and Tricia Rayle DuBose ’75

Kathleen Summers (former staff), November 22, 2022

Sister of Frank Summers ’84 and Margaret Summers ’88

Gwen Warren (retired faculty), September 18, 2023

Charles M. Williams, September 5, 2023

Father of Bob Williams ’77 and Mary Williams Bondurant ’79

Ernest L Young Sr., April 26, 2023

Father of Ernest L. Young Jr. ’96 and Marcus A. Young ’98

In Memoriam: Bill Mosley

Bill Mosley taught physical education at Westminster from 1979 until his retirement in 2020—an era-defining career that spanned six decades. During his 41 years at the School, he taught multiple generations of Wildcats how to juggle scarves, climb the cargo net, play Pillo Polo, and save the galaxy in Star Wars—the most epic

life skills. Mr. Mosley taught kids to be the best version of themselves. His gentle manner and kind way was like no other. His students adored him and felt his love.”

variation on dodgeball the universe has ever seen—always helping his students find the joy in being physically active.

He passed away on April 3, 2023, at the MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas, following a stem cell transplant as he fought leukemia. He was 68 years old.

Kahlil Boyette and Sharon Lynn Throckmorton were Bill’s teaching partners in PE—Kahlil for 25 years and Sharon Lynn for 13. Kahlil delivered a eulogy at his memorial service in April.

“Westminster was Bill’s second family—he bled green,” Kahlil said. “Bill was a child whisperer. He saw the best in every child and made them feel special. He not only taught them physical skills; he taught them

Bill followed in both his father’s and grandfather’s footsteps and became an educator, and by all accounts, he was one of the best. The outpouring of comments about Mr. Mosley on Westminster’s social media posts sharing the news of his death was further proof of how beloved and special he was to the Westminster community. These remembrances described Mr. Mosley as a role model, a rock star, a legend, and an undisputed expert at extracting students’ loose teeth. In many cases, multiple generations of a family were privileged to experience the joy and delight of PE class with Mr. Mosley.

Bill retired from Westminster in 2020, having shared life lessons, encouragement, and the fun of physical activity with countless Wildcats—not just students but colleagues as well—over more than four decades. “Bill was not only my work partner; he was my best friend,” Kahlil said. “I am a better teacher having worked by his side, but more importantly, I’m a better person.”

Worth 1,000 Words

Every spring, Wildcats from far and wide return to Westminster to celebrate a milestone reunion with their classmates. Reunion Weekend begins on Friday evening with a Reunion Kickoff celebration, which welcomes alumni from all classes—not just reunion alums—back to campus for a massive party on the quad with music, photo ops, food trucks, and old friends. Whether or not it’s your year, Reunion Weekend gives all Wildcats an opportunity to strengthen old Westminster connections and create new ones.