MAGAZINE
SPRING 2015 BRAD MAIORINO ’88:
LEADING CYBER SECURITY AT TARGET WRESTLING’S WINNING TRIO: DUNHAM, FEDELE, MEAD CLASS OF 1964
HISTORIC REUNION CHALLENGE
It’s All About the
Boys TRINITY-PAWLING CELEBRATES THE LEGACY OF HEADMASTER ARCH SMITH AND GAY SMITH
From the Headmaster
T
ransition inspires reflection, invites analysis. As Gay and I reach the end of our tenure here, people ask what has kept us at TrinityPawling for 40 years. The answer is simple: we had no reason to leave! I was fortunate. I embraced the triple threat—teaching, running a dorm, and coaching. I taught chemistry and physics for a few years, then moved into college placement when an opening came available. In 1984, I became Assistant Head. Six years later, I followed Phil Smith as Headmaster. My parting advice to readers of any age is to find a career that inspires, challenges, and engages you. If you feel yourself growing stale or bored, seek opportunities that will take you to the next level. At Trinity-Pawling I
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dedicated trustees, and supportive parents. We have travelled to all corners of the globe. Thanks to Trinity-Pawling, we have lived a grand life and enjoyed a truly gratifying career. What will I miss? Being with young people! I love the enthusiasm of the boys, the energy of new faculty. Most of all, I will miss being able to help guide boys as they evolve into young men. How will I transition into this next phase of my life? By applying the same principle I learned at Trinity-Pawling: keep fresh, challenged, and engaged. We are elated that Bill and Jennifer Taylor will move back to campus this summer and take up residence in Gamage House. Gay and I have been preparing for this transition for the past two years, and we feel comfortable
Contents
Spring 2015 DEPARTMENTS
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Top five on Instagram...Campus beauty...Live hockey comments
5 A VIEW FROM THE HILL Kirk McCaskill ’79 coaches with major league passion…Senior class sets records…Sal Alonge ’02 at the World Trade Center In the Classroom: Shark Tank at Trinity-Pawling Faculty Minute: Dean of Faculty Todd Hoffman The Big Picture: Click!
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MY PARTING ADVICE TO READERS OF ANY AGE
24 PRIDE ATHLETICS Spring sports overview…Dunham, Fedele and Mead sustain success on the mats…Service academy stars
IS TO FIND A CAREER THAT INSPIRES, CHALLENGES, AND ENGAGES YOU.
found myriad ways to keep fresh. I am a problem-solver, and schools provide plenty of opportunities for solution! Each transition led to the next level of involvement and ownership. I could see what needed to be done, and did it before being asked. As Phil Smith was fond of saying, “Take care of the little things and the big things will take care of themselves.” Gay and I are so grateful for the opportunities Trinity-Pawling has given us. We have been blessed to work with committed faculty, talented students,
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about departing in June, knowing the School will remain in capable hands. In closing, Gay and I wish to thank our extended Trinity-Pawling family one last time, and we are truly humbled by the generous support of so many people over the years. We trust that you will continue to remain engaged and keep the momentum building as this School moves into her next chapter. Your steadfast belief in the School ensures a strong future for upcoming generations of boys.
2 THE SCROLL
FEATURE
Pride Spotlight: Tyler Kellogg ’15 headed to UVA
14 It’s All About The Boys
28 CONNECTIONS
TRINITY-PAWLING CELEBRATES THE LEGACY OF HEADMASTER ARCH SMITH AND GAY SMITH
Rob Ix ’83 on uncommon headmasters… Record T-P turnout in major cities…1,000 Donor Challenge
5 Maiorino ’88 leads cybersecurity at Target 26 Wrestling’s winning trio: Dunham, Fedele and Mead 32 Class of 1964 reunion challenge
Alumni profiles: A.J. McHugh ’95, Rob MacGregor ’09 Events Giving Back Class Notes
Trinity-Pawling School is committed to conserving our world’s natural resources. This magazine is printed by a FSC and SFI certified printer on FSC and SFI certified, and 30% post-consumer waste paper.
40 END NOTE Athletic Trainer Emily Tucci 30%
EMAIL : TWITTER : FACEBOOK : VIMEO : INSTAGRAM : FLICKR : LINKEDIN
The Scroll HEADMASTER’S HOLIDAY
TOP FIVE ON INSTAGRAM
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POPULAR POST
“Many blessings!”
– JOHN DOUGLAS HARREYS ’89
– PAM DIEDE-MIFSUD
“Thank you Dan!”
“Thank you for your service. Be safe!”
– MIKE SCHELL ’88
Trinity-Pawling Football defeats Avon 35-34
“Miss those memories”
“Be safe.”
“Thank you and God Bless you Dan!”
– WILL KIM ’07
“They were great. Thanks to Coach and Mrs. Coratti’s baby and Bill and Jennifer Taylor’s baby being born. What’s the reason for today?”
– DONNA CAHILL P’15
– MICHAEL BURNS ’91
– BETTE TANI
– TOM HENNY
Dan Chandler ’00, Afghanistan.
“Haha this is awesome...Always loved the announcement of headmasters holiday.”
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– MIKEY TEETER ’08
“I wish this would happen in the corporate world...”
“A great game that was played by great bunch of boys!”
– CHRISTOPHER CARR ANDREA ’07
WE POSTED
– PETER C. ZANELLI ’89
“I wish this would happen in college, or the work world...or in my life at all now.”
“One of the best high school football games I’ve seen in a long time.”
– GREGORY BIEGER ’08
– MIKE BRODERICK ’94
“Free day!!!!!”
“Great game! So proud of the team!”
– CHRISTIAN A SUNDAHL ’91
“Congrats to the basketball team as they claimed the Founders League Title outright today with a win over Loomis Chaffee. Pride wrestling is also Founders League champs after beating Taft earlier in the week!”
And we’re back.
#ROLLPRIDE #TPSHOUTOUT
If you build it, they will come.
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– LUCIA CSASZAR P’18, P’20
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Join the conversation twitter.com/TrinityPawling
youtube.com/TPCommunications
facebook.com/TrinityPawling
flickr.com/photos/trinity-pawling_school/sets/
vimeo.com/trinitypawling/videos
linkedin.com
Email: communications@trinitypawling.org
#GoPride #adayinthelifetp #RollPride #tpshoutout
For class notes and alumni matters email, alumni@trinitypawling.org
@trinitypawlingschool @TPrideHockey @rollpridelax
#
We will consider all correspondence for publication unless you stipulate otherwise.
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Write to us: Trinity-Pawling Magazine, 700 Route 22 Pawling, NY 12564
Full Moon over Cluett.
The Pride just got stronger.
Midnight 12/31/14. Happy New Year. SPRING 2015
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NEWS : IN THE CLASSROOM : FACULTY MINUTE : THE BIG PICTURE
A View From The Hill
WE POSTED
Live Hockey Broadcasts T-P VS LOOMIS
“Go Pride! Love the powder blue jackets boys!” – DAN NOLAN P’15
“Go TP. Watching from Tucson, AZ. Stein’s grandparents. Joe and Sue LaFontaine.” – SUSAN LAFONTAINE GP’15
T-P VS BRUNSWICK
Brad Maiorino ’88: on the forefront of cybersecurity
“Another amazing save by Felix!” – DONNA CAHILL P’15
“Tuning in from Colorado Springs, good luck boys.” – AJ BECKWITH ’14
T-P VS CHOATE
“I am cheering from Redmond, WA. Home of Microsoft.” – MARIT ERLAND SUTLIFFE
Today. “Beauty!”
“Beautiful indeed!”
– MIKE MORRELL ’81
– CATHERINE WHITCOMB P’13
“What I would do to wet a line in that pond right now.”
“Gorgeous!”
– PERCY ANDREWS ’12
– KELLY STANFIELD MAJURI
“Beautiful composition!” – BONIAND JIM DENNIS
WE POSTED
Five members of Trinity-Pawling’s football team announced their commitments during the 2015 National Football Signing Day Ceremony in Scully Hall. From left to right: Enrique McFarlane (Merrimack College), DJ Stewart (University of Rhode Island), Austrian Robinson (University of Mississippi), Keegan West (Sprint Football Program, United States Military Academy at West Point), Hergy Malaya (University of Connecticut). Congratulations to these young men and their families!
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Brad Maiorino spends his days on the battlefield, though he’s not in the armed forces. As the Chief Information Security Officer for Target, his job is to understand and defend against one of the 21st century’s most insidious enemies: the cyberthreat. “The cyberthreat landscape is continually evolving, and every day brings greater challenges for all of us who work in this field,” says Maiorino. “The world is a better place because of the rapid pace of technology innovation. But the challenge is that the security of that innovation isn’t keeping up with the threats. I believe we have to spend more time thinking about how we innovate and ensure that security is a core requirement, not an afterthought.” With a lifelong interest in technology, Maiorino— who has a B.S. in Information Systems from Pace University—arrived at Target last June after holding the same position at General Electric, where he spent twelve years, and General Motors. The combination of those jobs, plus previous posts at IBM and Deloitte and Touche, gave him wide experience. “I held various technology roles in infrastructure, networking, application development, databases, and as a programmer,” he explains. “The perfect career for me was to bring that all together into security. In my role now, I lead security for all aspects of tech, so my depth in each of those spaces is very important.” Though Trinity-Pawling, like most schools, didn’t yet offer computer science back when he was a student, Maiorino points to many other things about his time there that have helped him succeed. “T-P gave me a worldly perspective, taught me to be self-driven and
Brad Maiorino ’88
independent, and it gave me the opportunity to build real and lasting relationships,” he says. “The network of people I have in the cybersecurity world right now is significant, and that’s because I tend to hold relationships with people over long periods of time.” No doubt Maiorino will call on those connections as he works to effect wide-reaching change. “I believe we can use what we’re learning and the great things we’re doing at Target to help influence the industry as well. This challenge is not specific to one company, this is a challenge all companies are facing globally and we need to work together to overcome it.”
SPRING 2015
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A VIEW FROM THE HILL I NEWS
Global Links to Learning In recent years, Trinity-Pawling’s service learning program has grown Chris Gillman ’05 with some of the 2015 prefects who helped spearhead the class gift: Chris Nolan (left), Spencer Strauber, Stein LaFontaine and Connor McNamara
steadily in both student involvement and geographic reach, thanks to the
Kirk McCaskill ’79 (front) and team on senior day at Torrey Pines
Kirk McCaskill ’79 brings major league skill to high school baseball Twelve seasons in the majors, 106 wins, over 1,000 strikeouts, Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame—that’s just a snapshot from the pitching career of Kirk McCaskill ’79: a career that took unexpected twists and turns right from the beginning. Born in Kapuskasing, Ontario, McCaskill grew up in hockey skates rather than baseball cleats. For many years he expected to follow his father, Ted, into a career on the ice. Hockey also drew him to Trinity-Pawling, as well as to the University of Vermont, after which he made the unconventional decision to pursue both hockey and baseball professionally. That dual venture, while remarkable in the history of sports, lasted one season. What happened next was perhaps even more unorthodox. McCaskill “walked away from serious money,” as he puts it, to leave the Winnipeg Jets and focus on baseball. It’s that kind of life choice— made with confidence and a deep sense of purpose—that provides insight into his current roles. After pitching his heart out for the California Angels and the Chicago White Sox, McCaskill could have pursued a high-octane MLB coaching job. Instead, his second act
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brought him to the San Diego area to spend quality time with his family—and, since 2012, to head the baseball program at Torrey Pines High School. As a coach, McCaskill traces many of his ideas about teambuilding to his experiences at Trinity-Pawling. They helped him develop an ability to plan and prioritize that “I’m not sure I would have figured out on my own.” And although he’s relatively new to coaching, McCaskill has evolved a management philosophy aligned to his values-driven past. “Today’s young players are under enormous pressure,” says the former pitching star. “With so many stakeholders and so much riding on results, expectations sometimes don’t match up between competitors and their would-be mentors. But if an athlete is empowered to make choices and set meaningful goals, his or her performance will emerge from a place of passion as opposed to pressure.” McCaskill’s own passion, conveyed in every word he speaks, promises that the Torrey Pines Falcons are in good hands. When he insists that his work “is as much about character development as it is about baseball,” he reminds us that pitching your heart out is its own reward.
Senior class continues 100 percent participation streak for the Trinity-Pawling Fund Over the past three years, Trinity-Pawling seniors have committed themselves to a lofty goal: 100 percent participation in the Trinity-Pawling Fund. Each class has achieved that goal well before graduation, and this year is no exception. Thanks to hard work and leadership from prefects and other leaders, the class of 2015 reached their objective with flying colors. And what might those colors be? Blue and gold, of course. “We understand that keeping our class bonds strong and supporting our School financially is an important part of being an alum,” explains Head Prefect Chris Nolan. “We want to get in the habit of giving for the future and to set a good example for the classes that will come behind us.” Director of Alumni Programs Chris Gillman ’05 and Science Instructor Mike Webber, the senior class form advisor, have worked hard in recent years to nurture this culture of student philanthropy. Clear momentum began in 2010, when then-sophomore Theo Kelly ’13 mobilized his classmates to support the inaugural sophomore tree. Since then, the tree project has become a tradition for each sophomore class, allowing the boys to practice both leadership and fundraising skills that culminate in the gift of a tree to the School’s Arboretum program. As seniors, each class rallies again for the senior class gift—and looks forward to celebrating success at the traditional Blue and Gold dinner each May, where they are officially welcomed into the alumni body. “We are very grateful for our seniors, and especially proud of what 2013, 2014, and 2015 have recently achieved,” says Gillman. “It’s an honor to watch them grow, graduate, and then represent Trinity-Pawling as alumni.”
involvement of Spanish teacher Tim Pillsbury, math teacher Ben Kafoglis, and other faculty and staff. This past March, several Trinity-Pawling students had the opportunity to immerse themselves in the diverse culture of Peru while participating in projects focused on eco-tourism and community development. The trip was organized by EF Educational Tours, which partners with educators to help them connect curriculum with real world experiences. Pillsbury and Kafoglis led the trip through the southern region of Peru to the villages surrounding Lake Titicaca. Pillsbury, who also serves on T-P’s Global Initiatives Committee, hopes that over the next few years every discipline will integrate international travel into their curriculum. He adds, “EF’s programs help us provide a more engaging learning experience by helping students plan, participate and reflect on their experiences.”
SPRING 2015
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A VIEW FROM THE HILL I NEWS
Sal Alonge ’00 helps shape the Manhattan skyline
Embracing Diversity MARIA RICHARDS’ NEW COURSE TACKLES TOUGH ISSUES HEAD-ON At Trinity-Pawling, one never knows where a conversation might lead. For Maria Richards, who lives with her family in East Dormitory, a series of informal chats with residents over the course of the last two years has inspired her to design a class that will help prepare Trinity-Pawling students to be thoughtful future citizens of a complex, global society. Starting in the fall of 2015, Richards will teach Trinity-Pawling’s first-ever Introduction to Diversity course, an upper-level elective designed to spur critical thinking about difference in all its various manifestations: race, class, gender, ability, and more. Asked what it means for a school like T-P to offer such a course, Richards reflects for a moment, then says, “I think it speaks to the academic integrity of this community that our teaching and curriculum can evolve to address new knowledge and ideas without counteracting any of the wonderful traditions for which we are known. I think the faculty and staff feel, as I do, that we create better leaders by
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talking about complex and sometimes fraught issues, not by ignoring them.” As far as course content, Richards, a former women’s studies major at The Ohio State University who has managed a domestic violence shelter and worked with troubled teens, plans to draw on pertinent, real-life situations for her classroom discussions and projects. To contextualize the current affairs about which they are reading, she also will ask her students to consider more scholarly theoretical pieces. The overarching goal, she explains, is to enhance, through direct practice, her students’ ability to be individuals who can discuss and debate issues of diversity in ways that maintain respect and dignity. “More so now than ever, our world is expecting leaders in all fields to bring these skills, plus a capacity for empathy, to the table. This is what we are seeking to accomplish with the new course.”
As a third-generation plumber, Sal Alonge knew where his professional interests lay even before he began his career as an apprentice at his father’s Westchester, NY company. What he didn’t know was that only a few years later he’d figure out a way to use 3D drawing software for plumbing design, creating a new industry standard in the process. When he made the shift from field work into the design department at WDF, one of the country’s leading contractors, Alonge remembers, “everything was still 2D drawing done the old way. I saw the potential that 3D design had, and because I had the field experience, I knew what would work.” Two years later he was named chief plumbing designer—he was recently promoted to senior vice president—and other companies were adopting his
ideas. Using software makes it possible to prefabricate pipe to precise dimensions and send it to job sites ready for installation, rather than cutting and measuring in the field—a much less efficient process. As Alonge says, the method he pioneered makes installing even huge projects “like putting a puzzle together.” Among the big projects his firm has executed are not only schools and a number of Manhattan luxury high-rises—“there’s something special when you add to the skyline”—but World Trade Center towers 1 and 3 and the complex’s transportation hub. “There’s definitely big pride in that,” he says. “Definitely.”
SPRING 2015
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IN THE CLASSROOM
When Maria Reade stepped down as dean of faculty in May 2013, she tapped a fellow Hamilton alumnus, Todd Hoffman, as her successor. Todd joined the faculty in the fall of 2001 as a history teacher and coach of lower football, hockey, and lacrosse. He and his wife, Connie Rafferty, also shepherded a freshmen dorm. Todd’s dedication to the three pillars of the T-P experience (academics, athletics, dormitory life), coupled with his commitment to excellence and passion for intellectual pursuits, have made him an esteemed member of the faculty.
Economics and environmental studies merge in Trinity-Pawling’s own “Shark Tank” Who says reality TV can’t be a source of inspiration for deeper learning in the classroom? For the past four years, faculty members Mike Webber (Environmental Science) and Rob Hutchison ’03 (Economics) have modeled a month-long, project-based learning activity after ABC-TV’s reality competition series Shark Tank. The Emmy-winning television show features aspiring entrepreneurs making business presentations to a panel of potential investors, also known as “sharks.” Webber thought the format of the show could provide context for themes taught in the classroom, while at the same time engaging students in collaboration, creativity and critical thinking. “The primary objective of the project is to introduce students to the relationship between environmental stewardship and business,” explains Webber. To understand this relationship, students in Hutchison’s Economics and Webber’s Environment Today “synthesize their talents” and conceive their own environmentally friendly venture. Hutchison adds, “Together, the students create a business plan for a new company that sells a product or service that benefits the environment in some way.” And, as any fan of Shark Tank knows, in addition to developing a strong business plan, the final component is the pitch to potential investors.
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For the first two weeks, students brainstorm ideas, refine their product and calculate costs. The group then spends two weeks preparing their final presentations. The “pitch” features a visual component in the form of a slideshow, music video, commercial, or PowerPoint bid. The groups are given one opportunity for critical feedback before making their final presentations to the “shark panel” comprised of fellow students and faculty. (Examples of recent projects include recyclable toothbrushes, a condiment kiosk, and bottle-free water and beverage services.) “As a group, we were able to create a product that we truly believed in,” says Jackson Gelinas ’15 of his experience. “Ultimately, I gained confidence in myself, and my ability to communicate why I believed our product was the best new invention.” Overall, the goal is to provide a curriculum that feels as relevant as possible to today’s students. “Using a show like Shark Tank keeps students excited about learning,” says Webber. Vahak Hovnanian ’15 agrees, “I liked having the opportunity to step away from the text book, and work with friends on a project together. I definitely felt more motivated.”
FACULTY MINUTE
Dean of Faculty Todd Hoffman On what distinguishes the Trinity-Pawling faculty: Our faculty is highly educated, and two-thirds have earned Master’s degrees. The faculty has very diverse interests but share a singular passion to bring the best out of their students. Many schools farm out extra help to learning coaches, but the T-P faculty prides itself upon providing help for students at any time. Working one-on-one with students is an amazing way to help them learn and to build trusting relationships. I am always impressed with how often I see alums coming back to visit their favorite teachers—I am not so sure how universal that is in the world of education. It speaks volumes about the job these teachers do every year.
On his evolution as a teacher: I used to be a fairly lecture-based teacher when I began, but through class visitations here and other professional development opportunities, I now have the students take the lead much more than in the past. Having a Smart Board has also been a huge game changer—visually and with all the tools available in the software. Finally, I listened to my students’ suggestions in their class evaluations and made many changes—such as the quantity of homework. I now focus more on the quality of a well-designed assessment.
On what he strives to instill: The most important thing for me is a sense of trust. I work to make sure that my students know I am there for them and willing to help them if they struggle. Likewise, I have learned to listen to my colleagues’ thoughts, ideas, complaints, and help them move forward in a positive manner. I hope that my intellectual curiosity inspires my students and colleagues alike. I am constantly inspired by their efforts and accomplishments, and that pushes me to work even harder. As the School prayer says, “…to her teachers, the gift of inspiration.” I love that. SPRING 2015 11
THE BIG PICTURE
Click! The arts continue to thrive at Trinity-Pawling with courses and activities that allow students to explore everything from photography and printmaking to jazz guitar and stagecraft. In February, the Trinity-Pawling community enjoyed two nights of Faustian baseball as 44 students, faculty, and staff joined forces to present Damn Yankees to packed houses in Gardiner Theater.
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SPRING 2015 13
It’s All About the
B YS TRINITY-PAWLING CELEBRATES THE LEGACY OF HEADMASTER ARCH SMITH AND GAY SMITH by Maria Buteux Reade
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SPRING 2015 15
Arch Smith’s desk appears strewn with papers. Reams of letters, budget spreadsheets, magazines and articles, complex travel itineraries. Wedding invitations and birth announcements from alums. Yet he knows exactly where to extract a specific piece of information or data. Including the birthday card he and Gay signed that morning over breakfast, soon to be delivered to the mailbox of a boy or staff member. This is how the dynamic duo, Arch and Gay Smith, have nurtured a community and invigorated a school over the past 40 years. By understanding that birthdays are as significant as budgets, that boys matter as much as buildings.
At his headmaster installation ceremony in September 1990, Arch laid out the philosophy that would guide his work and the School’s over the next 25 years. “To be successful in the future, we must maintain our philosophy while adapting or implementing programs which meet the educational and social needs of the 21st century. We cannot lose sight of our past and our tradition, but we also cannot do things just because we have done them before.” Backed by a dedicated faculty and staff, as well as loyal alumni and parents, Arch has been true to his vision and his word. Trinity-Pawling is stronger than ever before, with a transformed campus and a student body that feels a sense of pride and brotherhood to its very core. In later years, Arch would humbly deflect praise to his predecessor. “Phil Smith set the stage; I just followed the mission and moved us forward.” But Trinity-Pawling knows just how great a debt it owes to both Arch and Gay Smith.
BOYS COME FIRST Some headmasters are visionaries, some problem solvers. Arch Smith is both. He dreams big but leaves nothing to chance. This man loves strategic planning. During his tenure, the School established a pattern of Long Range Planning Committees, comprised of trustees and faculty members, which convene every ten years, followed by the New York State Association of Independent Schools accreditation program. At the center of these intense self-evaluation processes, Arch always kept the School’s focus trained squarely on improving the lives of the boys and faculty. Any subsequent curricular innovation or fundraising objective would flow directly from this first and highest priority. As with Dr. Gamage, Arch’s mantra remains: “It’s all about the boys.”
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When on campus, Arch has always attended every chapel service, sit-down meal, student concert and theater performance, and as many athletic contests—at all levels—as he can. The boys appreciate his presence and rib him if he doesn’t show up. A born problem solver, he jumps in and lends a hand wherever needed. If the school store line is backed up in the opening days of September, Arch hops behind the counter and doles out notebooks and T-P gear. He has helped orchestrate the dish room when it gets hectic. And Arch has done more than his share of emergency runs, taking sick or injured boys to the hospital, or driving a frantic lad to the airport who forgot to schedule a ride. When ‘senioritis’ creeps in a bit too early in spring, Arch volunteers to oversee work hours with those recalcitrants. Arch’s favorite chore is teaching the boys how to stack firewood, properly. What initially seemed like punishment—meeting the headmaster at 6 a.m.— somehow morphs into a deeper understanding of the man. “Mr. Smith liked to appear tough and sometimes scary to us,” said one recent alumnus, “but you could tell pretty quickly he was just a great guy who looked out for us like a father.” While Arch has had opportunities to move his office from the central hall in Cluett to a quieter, less trafficked location, he’s never done so. “I think it’s important for the boys and faculty to see me with my door open, and be able to stop by if they wanted to talk. I shut my door only when I have a private meeting.” Stop by they did—boys, faculty, staff, parents—some willing, some summoned. Yet all left with a better understanding and a sense of direction. And whether in Cluett or Gamage House, on the athletic fields or the campus paths, all of us have felt Arch’s joy in working with boys—a joy that has not diminished in 40 years.
“ Very few of us are ever blessed to have our commitments endure in perpetuity. Arch and Gay’s legacy will continue to inspire future generations of men who compete on the playing fields and in business with honor and respect; sacrifice for their communities; put effort into everything they do.” – ERIK OLSTEIN ’86; P’11, ’14, ’17; TRINITY-PAWLING TRUSTEE
SPRING 2015 17
A STRONGER FACULTY
CAMPUS TRANSFORMATION
Under Arch’s leadership, Trinity-Pawling’s finances have grown steadily stronger; today the endowment stands at $40 million, up from $5 million when Arch took office. As the School became more stable, faculty began to stay longer. Average tenure doubled from four to eight years between 1975 and 1990, rising again from 10 in 2000 to 15 years in 2015. Arch understands that quality of life is vital not only for faculty but for the School as a whole. “If I take care of the faculty—give them a good place to live, make sure they are adequately paid and have solid insurance, provide
Arch also expanded the size of the faculty—from 48 teachers in 1990 to 54 in 2000 and 62 in 2015, thereby improving student-faculty ratios and permitting curricular development. This critical step could only happen because of improved housing—part of a larger campus transformation that touched nearly every corner of the campus. Throughout this landmark transformation, Arch’s vision, planning skills, and personal fortitude were essential to success. With the exception of the Farmhouse and Johnson Hall, every faculty housing unit has undergone a significant upgrade. The renovation of Cluett (1995) created eight new apartments in the center and north end. In the last decade, sixteen non-dorm homes have been built. “As we improved the quality of our housing, we were able to attract and retain a different caliber of faculty,” Arch explained. The Barracks, built as temporary housing for Army personnel in the 1940s and inhabited by six decades of faculty members, were demolished in 2011. No one was sad to see them go. In the past 15 years, the School has invested more than $60 million into its facilities. A perfectionist who does not settle for ‘adequate’ or ‘good enough,’ Arch insisted on high quality, which came at a price, and built structures and facilities that will endure for one hundred years, not twenty or thirty. Arch remains most proud of the Center for the Arts (2004) because it was a venue the School lacked. Finally, all the arts could be in one location, with three floors of classroom space for studio arts, music, and photography. “The theater enables us to have higher quality student productions and to host concerts, lectures, and assemblies. It offers us flexibility for a wider range of performances.” Not many people realize that Arch had extensive technical theater background from his own high school years, and that he oversaw the Lighting Club at T-P in the 1970s. Yet of all the building projects under his purview for a quarter century—from athletic fields to academic facilities—Arch believes that Scully Hall (2009) has had the greatest impact. “It changed the morale of the community. Scully Hall is a beautifully designed space suffused with natural light and a welcoming atmosphere
“ All of us have benefitted greatly from Arch’s unerring common sense and insights into the best practices for teaching boys. He is an internationally recognized leader in boys’ education, a daemon of integrity and decency, and as loyal a friend as anyone could have.” –JOE COX, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR INTERNATIONAL BOYS SCHOOLS COALITION
funding for professional growth—they in turn can focus on the students.” Emphasis on professional development increased as well, and today every faculty member participates in at least two forms of enhancement each year, including graduate education, technology training, and course or coaching-specific workshops. An impressive number of teachers who came to Trinity-Pawling during Phil’s and Arch’s tenures now serve as heads and administrators in other schools. “Although I hate to see them go, it is gratifying to see a colleague move on to lead another school,” says Arch.
(Continued on page 22)
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Snapshot of Leadership Progress milestones under Headmaster Arch Smith
1990 Endowment: $5 million
Our Heritage, Our Future campaign concludes at $13 million
Centennial campaign concludes at $27 million
1995 Cluett restored
2011 2009
Faculty stands at 48 members with an average of eight years of service
1997
2007
Gamage’s Garden opens, sending fresh produce to Scully Dining Hall and local farmers’ market
2000
2001
First faculty contingent attends International Boys Schools Coalition conference
Trinity-Pawling Fund crosses $1 million AP Environmental Science added to curriculum
Scully Dining Hall opens Mandarin Chinese added to curriculum
2013 Coratti Turf Field completed
2004 2002 Dann Building expansion, including Ebert Science and Technology Wing, humanities classrooms, Allen Reading Room 20 TRINIT Y-PAWLING MAGA ZINE
Arts Center opens
2014 Endowment: $40 million Trinity-Pawling Fund crosses $1.6 million
2015 Faculty stands at 62 members with an average of 15 years of service SPRING 2015 21
which is important since people are in there three times a day. The quality of food and service improved even though we had the same personnel and the same equipment.” Few people comprehend the intricate dance of facilities that Arch and his team had to orchestrate to make Scully Hall a reality. When the school year opened in September 2008, all meals were served in the newly-renovated Tirrell hockey rink—until it was time to make ice in mid-October. At this point, service switched to a new barn (built by an Amish construction crew) that would eventually become a hub for maintenance but served until spring as a temporary dining facility. The steadfast dining hall staff dealt with delivering and removing all meals three times a day; the barn lacked cooking and washing stations. This dance of the dining halls was quintessential Arch Smith. He developed the vision, foresaw the challenges, and crafted a solution.
AT THE FOREFRONT OF BOYS’ EDUCATION Arch encourages his faculty to hew to best practices for the teaching of boys, assessing the most effective methods for cultivating young men. “The first question we address in our decennial Long Range Planning Committee is ‘Should we remain a single sex school?’” he says. “If we commit to teaching boys, then we must be the best possible educators of boys.” Over the course of fifteen years, Arch has evolved into a key player in the International Boys Schools Coalition, a consortium of 300 schools from ten countries. He has served on the Board of Directors and is currently treasurer. Since 2000, Trinity-Pawling has sent a strong contingent of faculty to help lead and participate in the IBSC annual summer conference held in various boys’ schools around the world, from New York and Boston to South Africa and New Zealand. As more teachers attended and presented at these high level workshops, Trinity-Pawling became more and more confident in assuming its place at the forefront of boys’ education. “I wanted to expose our faculty to the community of educators at our peer schools around the globe. It is fascinating to realize that boys are pretty similar regardless of the country,” says Arch. “These conferences afford the opportunity to brainstorm with masters from Eton and Harrow, or share meals with teachers from Australia and Hong Kong. Our connection with IBSC programs has clearly enhanced our global perspective.”
“ At Arch’s installation in 1990, I recall him saying that he would ‘stand on the shoulders’ of those who came before him, namely his predecessor Phil Smith. Arch is always quick to give credit to others, yet in his years as teacher and Headmaster, Arch, with much support from Gay, has accomplished the nearly impossible. He has been a wonderful husband, father, and grandfather while touching the lives of thousands of students and faculty in profound ways and building an ever-stronger school. Few have done the same.” –DREW CASERTANO, HEADMASTER, MILLBROOK SCHOOL
“ Through my 13 years as board president, I have been inspired by Arch’s integrity, friendship and tireless work ethic. Our School is stronger today in every aspect of its programming, thanks to Arch and Gay’s service.” – ELIZABETH P. ALLEN, PRESIDENT TRINITY-PAWLING BOARD OF TRUSTEES
BEHIND EVERY STRONG MAN… If Arch Smith has been the head of Trinity-Pawling, then Gay Smith has been the heart. “Gay has a calming persona which is a gift to a boarding school community. She cares for all the boys and faculty, the maintenance crew and office staffs, the dining hall workers and all the faculty families. That’s a lot of love and dedication!” says Holly Smith, wife of former head Phil Smith, who knows the role firsthand. “I worry about people. I want to make sure they’re okay,” says Gay in her gentle voice. She provides quiet behind-the-scenes emotional support, thoughtful touches like a bag of cookies delivered to a student or faculty mailbox, supportive notes to someone who needs a boost, soup to a sick teacher. And her flowers! Gay oversees the flowers and arrangements all around campus, usually digging in and planting them herself. These bright touches soften a boys’ campus. Together, the Smiths have been gracious hosts, opening Gamage House and making it a welcome haven for faculty and students, trustees and guests. Their open door approach sends a clear message: genuine hospitality,
essential at a boarding school, may be the greatest life-long lesson of all. “This has been a terrific place to raise our family,” Arch and Gay agree. “The School has kept us young—at least in heart! It’s been fun to maintain connections with our T-P family over the years: former faculty, trustees, alumni and parents. Trinity-Pawling has been the center of our lives for 40 years, so… it will be hard to leave. But it’s time, and new adventures await.” Back in 1990, then Board Chair Dick Colhoun said of Arch, “We chose this individual to lead because he understood the School’s mission, has great energy and diligence, and could give the School continuity.” Although Colhoun was speaking of Arch’s installation, his words shed light on Arch’s legacy as well. Through strong vision, tireless effort, and boundless integrity, Arch has prepared Trinity-Pawling for a seamless transition to the next great phase of its history. “I will stand on the shoulders of those giants who came before me,” Arch noted on his installation day. Trinity-Pawling has endured for more than a century because each Headmaster understood the truth of these words. And never lost sight that it’s all about the boys. n
Maria Buteux Reade is the former dean of faculty and taught English at Trinity-Pawling for 27 years. She and her husband, Ned Reade (chair of the arts department) are enjoying a commuter marriage these days, with their two dogs, Ogden and Ellie. Maria is a freelance writer and an operating partner of Someday Farm in southern Vermont.
22 TRINIT Y-PAWLING MAGA ZINE
SPRING 2015 23
SPRING SPORTS : WRESTLING COACHES : PRIDE SPOTLIGHT
Pride Athletics THE PRIDE LAUNCHES INTO SPRING LACROSSE Trinity-Pawling lacrosse began the season with their annual spring trip, highlighted by a scrimmage against Delbarton
GOLF The Trinity-Pawling varsity golf team boasts a solid core of returning golfers. Co-captains Chris Drysdale ’15 and Michael Sebetic ’15 lead the way for the Pride and are building on their success from last season. Justin Yip ’15 and Henry Angier ’16 are competing for their third seasons,
School (NJ) and then a regional jamboree with West Genesee (NY), Canandaigua Academy (NY), Summit (NJ),
BASEBALL The 2015 Trinity-Pawling varsity baseball program returns six seniors to “Mo Vaughn Field” this season. Mike O’Connell (1B/OF), Wayne Roberts (OF), AJ Schiano (1B/OF), Vahak Hovnanian (OF), James Langworthy (OF), and Jackson Gelinas (IF/OF) all take the plate for their final season with the Pride in hopes of making a strong run in the competitive Colonial League. The Pride is led this season on the mound and from behind the plate by the young, but skilled, pitching staff of Chris Polletta ’17 , Henry Rickert ’16, and Will Rickert ’19, and catcher James Varian ’16. The team is also bolstered by an exciting group of first-year talents including post-graduate Keegan West (IF), senior Ransley Mendez (OF), and underclassmen Casey Winn ’16 (P/IF), Ryan Winn ’17 (P/IF), and Ricky Norris ’17 (C/IF). JV ball players Stein LaFontaine ’15, Hunter Olstein ’17, Nate Tanner ’18, and Connor Bastidas ’18 put on the pressure as they moved up the ranks. The Pride kicked off their season in early March this year as 20 varsity and junior varsity players and four coaches spent a week in Fort Pierce, FL at the Florida Coast Spring Training Complex. Six days on the ball fields, including four pre-season games, proved to be a grinding but invaluable experience in preparation for the league schedule back home.
24 TRINIT Y-PAWLING MAGA ZINE
while Chris Taylor ’17 is in his second season as a varsity player. Lloyd Timon ’15 also brings experience to the team, with significant match play in the past. With the team’s core having been together for quite a while, hard work is likely to pay off with the attainment of their team and individual goals.
Bridgewater Raritan (NJ), Mountain Lakes (NJ) and St. Augustine Prep (NJ). The team began a new tradition this year, travelling to Harlem, NY to lead a youth lacrosse clinic for Harlem
TRACK AND FIELD
Lacrosse and Leadership, a school based nonprofit organization that provides academic intervention, leadership training and lacrosse to at-risk youth. This youth clinic began a yearlong fundraising effort, with each member of the program serving as a mentor for a member of Harlem Youth Lacrosse. The Pride continues to challenge themselves against some of the best high school lacrosse programs in the country. The team benefits from talented senior class,
TENNIS
headlined by quad-captains Shane Madden ’15 (UMass-
The varsity tennis team will build
Amherst), Mickey Fitzpatrick ’15 (Lehigh University),
on the momentum it earned at the
Gordon Phillips ’15 (Monmouth University) and
end of last year in a close win over
Chris Nolan ’15 (Hobart and William Smith).
With a strong returning core and many new athletes, the Track and Field team looks to build upon last year’s third place finish. Captains Yohann Assouramou ’15 and Will Estony ’17, along with Hergy Mayala ’15, Austrian Robinson ’15, Jeff Thompson ’17, Avery Johnson ’17, Miles Martin ’16, and Joe Paliotti ’15, lead the Pride. Newcomers Raiquan Clark ’15, Enrique McFarlane ’15, Stephen O’Hanlon ’16, Oliver Anderson ’17, Michael Dhliwayo ’16, and Alex Langue ’16 are also key contributors to the team’s success this season. As always, the Pride recently competed in the Prep 4x100 relay at the Penn Relays, the oldest and largest track and field competition in the United States.
Salisbury School. Returning number one seed and captain Sean Solecki ’16 leads the squad with Brad Kim ’16 and Mitsuhiro Mihara ’15. Though still a young group (with no returning seniors), the team has good chemistry and a love of the game that motivates them to come early and leave late every day. The new courts have given the Pride the premier tennis facility in the league. The team’s coaching staff includes the addition of Ben Kafoglis, as well as returning coaches Tim Pillsbury, Adam Dinsmore, and Ray Konchalski.
SPRING 2015 25
from “fac brat” to UVA He spent the first 12 years of his life
West 1 Lacrosse. This is no small
as a “faculty brat” before officially
accomplishment, as the league is
joining the Trinity-Pawling community
widely acknowledged to be one of
as a seventh grader. This fall, Tyler
the best in the country.
Kellogg ’15 will matriculate at the University of Virginia, one of the
consummate leader,” explains Todd
country’s most elite academic
Hoffman, assistant lacrosse coach
institutions.
and dean of faculty. “Last season,
Growing up on campus, Kellogg
DUNHAM, FEDELE AND MEAD ARE WRESTLING’S TRIPLE THREAT To say that Bill Dunham, Ralph Fedele ’04, and
Work it does. Since Dunham assumed the head
“Tyler has emerged as a
when strong personalities translated
forged friendships with literally
to frequent off script play, he worked
hundreds of Trinity-Pawling boys over
hard to keep the offense running
nearly two decades. As he said in a
according to plan, and it was like
recent Chapel Talk, “Little did the boys
having a coach in the game.”
know they were swiftly becoming my
Looking back on his Trinity-Pawling
idols, role models and mentors. They
years, Kellogg reflects, “I’ve heard
taught me to be honest, hard working
adults here say more than once ‘it
and respectful.” Today, Kellogg is one
takes a village to raise a child’. This
of seven prefects, the highest level of
certainly holds true in my case. My
leadership at T-P.
18 years on a single boarding school
He is also one of the most
campus have, without a doubt, shaped
Slade Mead are hands-on coaches would be an
coaching position in 2002-03, Trinity-Pawling has
understatement . . . at any given Trinity-Pawling
earned seven Western New England titles, along
wrestling practice, at least two of the three men
with the 2005 New England title, and produced
are likely to be down on the mats wrestling with
too many Western NE and NE champions (Fedele
their athletes, each exhibiting his own particular
among them) and All-Americans to count. While
technique and passion for what Fedele calls one of
Dunham, Fedele, and Mead are invigorated by this
the “oldest, most physically demanding sports in
winning record and the robust program they have
the world.” Yet it is not just their collective love of
created, they are equally proud to see the principles
wrestling that has created such a stellar program.
they strive to instill carry over into other areas of
According to Dunham, who has been involved with
their wrestlers’ lives. “There’s a mental confidence
the sport as a competitor or coach for the last 41
you gain by having to physically overcome another
Trinity-Pawling has performed its own special
second year at the Air Force Academy, where
years, T-P’s wrestling success is just as much about
individual all on your own,” says Fedele. Dunham
hat trick, placing three recent head prefects in
he’s keeping his ice skills fresh with the club
the bond nurtured among his athletes as they move
agrees, adding, “Wrestling helps our athletes to
United States service academies after outstanding
hockey team.
through a program that demands their very best.
understand that anything they encounter later in life
performances as Pride athletes. Drew Hennessy ’11
“We work hard to give them the tools they need
they can master. This shows up in their grades while
matriculated to West Point and is now playing Army
carry forward our values of unwavering effort, fair
to be successful,” explains Dunham, with typical
they are here and in the mark they make out in the
football as an offensive lineman. After a T-P career
play and devotion to teamwork. We are proud of
charisma; “and they know we care about them as
world after they graduate.”
in soccer, squash and track, Mitch Bottini ’12 studies
their service to Trinity-Pawling, their academies,
individuals and as a team. Once that foundation is
at the Naval Academy where he’s a member of the
and the nation. Go Pride!
laid, they buy in, they believe, and it works.”
squash team. A.J. Beckwith ’14 is wrapping up his
26 TRINIT Y-PAWLING MAGA ZINE
highly touted players in the 2015
my life tremendously.”
graduating class of New England
PREFECTS STAY IN PLAY AT SERVICE ACADEMIES
Like so many graduates of T-P, these young men
SPRING 2015 27
PRIDE SPOTLIGHT
TYLER KELLOGG ’15:
EVENTS : GIVING BACK : CLASS NOTES : IN MEMORIAM
Connections PASSING THE BATON ROB IX ’83 REFLECTS ON THE “COMMON CORE” OF HEADMASTERS SMITH AND TAYLOR
Trustee Rob Ix ’83
Trinity-Pawling’s English Language Program was life-changing for me, and I owe a lot of my later successes to it. Yet it was just one among many of the school’s offerings that attracted me and my parents to T-P more than 36 years ago. I think that’s why my father, Robert Ix, was so delighted and willing to join the board and oversee the search for the school’s new head back in the early 1990s. That journey, as we all know, led to the appointment of Arch Smith as Headmaster—only the sixth person in the school’s history to hold that post. And what a job Arch has done! He has ably guided our beloved alma mater into a new century of pedagogic and technological innovation, diversifying our student body at the very same time that he fortified the value system and culture that makes us who we are. I am deeply honored to have served as a trustee during Arch’s tenure, and most importantly, to have known him in so many different roles—teacher, dorm master, coach, and now friend. This kind of continuity in leadership is one of many characteristics of the Trinity-Pawling community that makes it so unique, and so inimitable. For the most recent head of school search committee that I was fortunate to co-chair with Erik Olstein ’86, finding a leader who could preserve our most vital traditions, while also building upon them, was paramount. Bill Taylor emerged as the person best suited to achieving these goals. Moreover, Bill brings something else that makes him the right leader for Trinity-Pawling: direct knowledge of this community and its traditions . . . experiences gained during his eight years serving as Assistant Head of School under Arch Smith. Thus we come full circle. My father guided the search that led to the appointment of Arch Smith. Twenty-five years later, I co-chaired the search that led to the appointment of Bill Taylor. The continuity continues, just as the school evolves into its next best iteration. Both are to be honored and celebrated, as are the two leaders, one outgoing, one incoming, who carry forward Dr. Gamage’s vision.
“ CONTINUITY IN LEADERSHIP IS ONE OF MANY
CHARACTERISTICS OF THE TRINITY-PAWLING
COMMUNITY THAT MAKES IT SO UNIQUE
”
– Rob Ix ’83
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SPRING 2015 29
EVENTS
TRINITY-PAWLING ON THE ROAD
TRINITY-PAWLING REUNIONS Connecting the Pride, past and present
Over the past seven months, alumni, parents, students and friends have turned out in record numbers for Trinity-Pawling events. In major U.S. cities and throughout Asia we’ve gathered for fellowship, networking, and to celebrate all the School has accomplished under the leadership of Headmaster Arch Smith and his wife, Gay. As we prepare for the coming 2015-16 school year, watch your email and mailbox for another round of events—coming to a city near you!
Al Rock ’59 (left), Bruce Huffine ’58, Fred Modell ’58, Michael Kovner ’58 reunite in NYC
Marcia and Jeff Meighan ’57, P’01, P’06 visit with Ned Reade (left) in NYC
REUNION CLASSES 2015 2010 – 5th reunion See more photos in Trinity-Pawling’s Flickr galley.
SAVE THE DATE Homecoming and Reunion Weekend:
flickr.com/photos/trinity-pawling_school/sets
October 9 & 10, 2015 Tuesday, June 9, 2015 Somerset Hills Country Club Bernardsville, NJ For details or to register:
trinitypawling.org/golfouting
30 TRINIT Y-PAWLING MAGA ZINE
2000 – 15th reunion 1995 – 20th reunion 1990 – 25th reunion 1985 – 30th reunion
11th Annual Golf Outing Created by Nick Holroyd from the Noun Project
2005 – 10th reunion
Rod Shreiber ’01 (left), Geoff Fitzgerald ’02, Arch Smith, Clay Sapp ’02, Chris Gillman ’05 celebrate in Dallas
Visit trinitypawling.org/reunions for more information or contact Beth Bryant at 845-855-4833 or bbryant@trinitypawling.org
1980 – 35th reunion 1975 – 40th reunion 1970 – 45th reunion 1965 – 50th reunion 1926 to 1964 – Old Guard reunion
SPRING 2015 31
GIVING BACK
MILLION DOLLAR MEN CLASS OF ’64 AIMS TO SET HISTORIC RECORD If all goes according to plan, when June 30 arrives, the Class of 1964 will be the first in the school’s history to have raised $1 million in honor of a reunion. The historic sum, made possible by an anonymous class member who has created a $500,000 two-to-one challenge, will be known as the Class of 1964 Legacy Fund and will support faculty salaries and professional development as well as student financial aid. Reunion co-chairs Douglas Ebert, David Jollin, and Montague “Tag” Demment attribute such unprecedented success—30 classmates, plus spouses, returned for the October 2014 reunion—both to having a core group of classmates in charge of event planning and networking and to class communications that emphasized reconnecting and sharing. “Our class had a special connection to begin with, but we had not necessarily stayed in touch through the years,” says Jollin. “The 50th Reunion gave us a chance to rally, once again, around the school that has given us a leg up in life and, just as importantly, to get a sense of today’s students, headmaster, and administration.” While attendees extolled many aspects of the autumn gathering, including a warm tribute to former
Trinity-Pawling teacher and coach William LaBelle, it was the chance to re-engage with one another that many found most inspiring. “I had the opportunity to get reacquainted with classmates I had not known well during my student days; it was just exhilarating,” says Ebert. Demment agrees, adding, “The weekend had lots of retrospect to it. The 50th is significant in that people are gathering themselves at the end of their working lives, so there is a certain sadness, but also great joy.” For the Class of ’64, that joy continues to grow in concert with donations, and the class is now looking to exceed its $1 million original target due to the great response from classmates. Ebert is confident this will happen thanks to the extensive outreach conducted by core reunion planners before the fall event took place. As for advice for T-P alumni who might be on the fence about attending or supporting a future 50th Reunion, Demment offers the following: “This is something you ought to do; if you choose not to, you miss something important in the transition of life.”
10 Weeks 1,000 Donors $100,000 Dollars
Will you be one of the 1,000? Henry B. duPont IV ’86 through the Nor’easter Foundation has pledged $100,000 if 1,000 other donors will support the Trinity-Pawling Fund between now and June 30, 2015. Hundreds of supporters have already joined the cause— now we need you! Join the momentum. You can direct your gift to benefit a specific program or area of the School that is important to you. And your gift can be of any amount—it’s your participation that matters most. Help us rise to the challenge. Make your gift today at www.trinitypawling.org/giving. Thank you.
32 TRINIT Y-PAWLING MAGA ZINE
Join the challenge. Give by June 30th www.trinitypawling.org/giving
SPRING 2015 33
ALUMNI PROFILE
Class Notes This issue of the class notes is devoted to a selection of stories and messages sent to Arch and Gay Smith in honor of their retirement. Our thanks to all those who contributed.
A.J. McHugh and Twitter are a perfect match. Fast, informative, savvy, direct. A.J. McHugh ’95 After 15 years as CBS News journalist, McHugh moved
said McHugh. “My job is to ensure the quality of
across Manhattan in 2014 to join Dataminr, a hot new
tweet is legit, not baloney.” He believes that Dataminr
company that identifies breaking news via Twitter feed
embodies the future of information-sharing. According
analysis. In 2009, Dataminr developed a proprietary
to a senior editor at CNN, “Dataminr is our best
algorithm that sweeps through Twitter’s 500 million to
source of story leads, and journalists live and die
| ’51 | PIERCE H. (PETE) FOSTER
one billion daily tweets to detect newsworthy events
by their leads.”
I have been very fortunate to be able to get back to Trinity-Pawling pretty much every year for Alumni Reunion get-togethers. Two of the primary drawing cards of course have been Gay and Arch Smith. From the first meeting years ago, they had the “Welcome” mat out. They always greeted me by name, as I know they did with literally hundreds of alumni. That alone was amazing! Whether in Arch’s office or on the patio behind their home, they were genuinely interested in what I was up to. Many people talk about being good listeners; Arch and Gay really did endear themselves this way to alumni, parents and students, thereby strengthening the School for years
indicate a trending event; the staff vets its authenticity
Trinity-Pawling with opening his eyes to a vast world
and then transmits the lead to their clients, which
full of new cultures, languages, and ideas. “I was a
include major financial firms and news organization
day student yet I had friends from Venezuela, Mexico,
such as CNN and Gannett. It’s a high intensity job
Spain, Finland, and Seoul. T-P prepared me to be a
geared for fast thinkers like McHugh.
journalist focused on world events where a seemingly
For a full listing, visit www.trinitypawling.org/tribute
as they happen. The algorithm seeks patterns that
“Basically, we sift through all the noise to come up with the most reliable information as it happens,”
McHugh credits the international mix of students at
small event in a remote place can have a significant effect on the lives we lead here.”
to follow. What a wonderful legacy indeed!
| ’58 | BRUCE HUFFINE
| ’78 | PETER (SCHRECK) SCHRECKINGER
Here is my favorite Arch story: I was arriving on campus for an Alumni Day event. As I turned off Route 22 I was surprised to see Arch directing traffic for a cross country race which was in progress. I looked at him and asked, “Do you wash windows as well?” He replied with a twinkle in his eye “Yes, but don’t tell anyone!” I haven’t told anyone until now, so if you need windows washed, you better hurry.
After a trying year at another boarding school, I thankfully entered Trinity-Pawling in 1975. Being a New Yorker, I took the train up from Grand Central with a duffle bag on my shoulder and suitcase in my hand. My trunk had been sent ahead. I can’t remember walking up the hill that sunny September day, but I clearly remember being initially greeted in the old lobby of Cluett by a young chemistry teacher named Archibald Smith. I believe that it was also his first year at the school. Mr. Smith would eventually become my advisor during a difficult 3rd form (junior) year. From the moment I met him, his style and complete poise helped me to try to understand who I was, what I needed to do, and how important those years would be in my life. In their leadership capacities—just like Mr. and Mrs. Phillips Smith and family—Arch, Gay and family serve as a strong frame of reference for me. My heartfelt thanks and very best wishes to the Smith family.
| ’61 | TIM ROBINSON Arch and Gay—Best wishes for wonderful retirement to both of you. Thanks for all you have done for T-P. I fondly recall discussing our mutual love of fly fishing during T-P’s Centennial anniversary celebration. Tight lines!
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SPRING 2015 35
Class Notes | ’81 | YVONNE (VONNIE) BRADLEY-REID When I started at T-P in the fall of 1979, Arch was my chemistry teacher and Phil Smith was Headmaster. Arch was a great, but strict teacher. I enjoyed his sense of humor the most. I was thrilled when Arch was appointed as the next Headmaster, although he had BIG shoes to fill. I knew he was great for the students and would be a tremendous asset to the school while at the helm. As a female at a predominantly male school, it was a different and, at times, difficult atmosphere for us. Gay was always available to lend an ear and offer support, advice and encouragement. I really appreciated her during that time. Arch and Gay—you served T-P well. Thank you for your time, support and service. I wish you and your family well on your retirement, leaving Pawling and enjoying personal time.
| ’83 | ROB IX I think that the Smiths were fortunate to find their calling early. I am a big believer that the most successful people could ascertain what they loved to do early in life and then spend the rest of their lives improving and perfecting it. Arch and Gay were born to lead T-P. Their devotion, passion, and unwavering commitment to the School is incredible. Arch is always thinking about how to improve, refine, adjust. Their schedule would exhaust an army! … It is wonderful to see that the values that T-P instills in the boys are a direct reflection of Arch and Gay. I could not think of a better gift to a T-P graduate.”
| ’08 | MICKEY CARROLL My favorite story of Mr. Smith has to be the very first night of my senior year. I was elected Prefect the previous year and obviously had a lot of stress and pressure to not only be a good example to my peers but a leader as well. I happened to be in Johnson Hall with a bunch of my hockey buddies, and as you can imagine, after going the summer without seeing your friends, some horseplay was to be expected. Long story short, a prank of “antiquing” a friend’s room (blowing baby power under the door to cover the room with “dust”) set off the fire alarm. As we all know, once that happens, the Pawling Fire Department is notified and come right away. This was roughly 10:00 at night, and Mr. and Mrs. Smith were already in bed. I remember sitting on the steps of the dorm “shaking with fear and embarrassment” for doing something so silly and stupid on my first night of being a Prefect. I was expecting Mr. Carp to come and yell at me, but to my horror I saw Mr. Smith walking up the hill. My heart sank. A Mr. Carp yelling I could deal with, but I was still getting acquainted with the Smiths, so I was nervous for what was in store.
36 TRINIT Y-PAWLING MAGA ZINE
As he walked up, Mr. Smith simply asked what happened. As much as I was dreading it, I told him it was my fault—a stupid prank gone wrong and I understand if you don’t want me to be a prefect anymore. His response was simply, “It won’t happen again right? Get some sleep, you all have a big day tomorrow.” He taught me a valuable lesson that day about what it takes to be a great leader. He already understood the punishment that I was going through in even having to tell him my mistake (my heart was going crazy), and he saw the potential in me to grow and be a leader that I have carried with me to this day. He was stern when he had to be, but also forgiving. Mr. Smith was always a fair man, which amongst headmasters is a priceless trait. He will surely be missed at Trinity-Pawling and I wish him and Mrs. Smith the very best.
| P ’96 | OLIVETTE M. TAYLOR-WILLS (PARENT OF DAVID) I personally thank you for everything you have ever done (known and unknown) in partnering with me to educate and assist my firstborn, David, during his successful tenure at T-P from 1992 through 1996. David is happily married and raising two little boys of his own while engaging in a successful career. Although I officially enrolled one of my two biological sons at T-P, I now also have four and more…Two of them are very special to me and their names are Adam Arena ’96 and Toussaint Crosby Romain ’96. The “T-P Village” and circle is coincidentally quite amazing—but that is another story (actually a myriad of stories) for another time! Once again, my life has certainly come full circle! Today, as we celebrate you, dear Headmaster Arch, I pray and trust that I can bestow a gift promised to you for T-P, while still under the leadership and helm of your last couple of months. May God abundantly bless you and Mrs. Gay with continued health, harmony and prosperity wherever he leads you, and in whatever and everything you are inspired to do!
| P ’04 | CARROLL AND GEORGE DUNN (PARENTS OF COLIN) Arch is truly a leader who understands the developmental issues of young men. It is a gift that many schools overlook. Arch and Gay were so hospitable to the boys to make them feel as best they could to be at home in their home. Our son, Colin, excelled in lacrosse at T-P and was recognized in New England for his skills. Thanks to his coach, he arrived at the “best fit” college for him and went on to become an All-American. Today, we as parents are so pleased to say Colin recently received his MBA from the University of Notre Dame. He was married in June to a wonderful gal, Laurie, and thank goodness for second chances! All of the best to you, Arch and Gay, for providing the environment our son needed at that time in his development. SPRING 2015 37
Class Notes
ALUMNI PROFILE
| P ’17 | EMILY ZHU (PARENT OF ZIMO HUANG) My son, Zimo Huang, is a 10th grade student at Trinity-Pawling School. I received a letter from Arch saying that he would like to help our boy become a man, a good husband and good father in the future. I was so moved by this letter and I remembered this name: Arch Smith. Before I wrote this letter I had met Arch three times. The first meeting: I attended the Headmaster’s gathering in the backyard of his house. I saw a gentleman and a graceful lady and, although we only spoke a few words, Arch and Gay were exactly as I had envisioned them. The second meeting: I attended a Parent Committee meeting on campus and I remember that day very well. We spoke about how parent donations are used to support our School. This is a big difference between our Chinese schools and Trinity-Pawling. So, I decided to honor our School and to help. The third meeting: Last October Mr. and Mrs. Smith and Mr. Greg Robinson came to Shanghai to meet our Chinese parents. Arch’s professional dedication has always made a deep impression on me. Because he had just had a long flight and because of the big time difference, I asked if he needed to rest before all of the other Chinese parents arrived, but he declined. He is a wonderful headmaster and we will always remember him. We will miss you, Arch and Gay!
For Rob MacGregor, comfort with risk paid off in the political arena.
Rob MacGregor ’09 Rob MacGregor has learned to take risks and
In 2014, Congressman Steve Pearce of New
persevere. A standout football, hockey, and baseball
Mexico noticed MacGregor and hired him to play an
player, MacGregor graduated from Bowdoin College
additional role as his legislative assistant on energy,
in 2013. Despite government sequestration cuts that
natural resources, transportation, and Indian affairs
year, he headed south to Washington, DC, instead of
issues. In this role MacGregor helps draft legislation
playing it safe and finding a job in Boston. Summer
and meets with constituents from Pearce’s district
internships during college had opened his mind to
regarding impending bills and concerns.
politics, and he was hooked. MacGregor’s post-college search paid off: he
“Until I took that first job with the energy group, I never knew how much these issues would interest
landed an internship with Kevin McCarthy, House
me,” says MacGregor. “In fact, when I came to
majority whip. Eventually, however, college loans
Washington, I questioned myself in the first few
loomed, and he found a more lucrative job with an
months. Should I have stayed up north in my comfort
energy lobbying group. This led to his current position
zone? But I discovered I love the challenges and
| FORMER TRUSTEE | C. ROSS AND FAYNE DANIELS JR.
as communications director for the Congressional
the fast-paced environment of politics. Basically,
Western Caucus, a group that focuses on issues
Trinity-Pawling taught me to persevere even when
Pawling has long been proud of Trinity-Pawling which, under the leadership of Arch and Gay over the past twenty-five years, has become one of the country’s premier boarding schools. Along the way each have been tremendous assets to the Pawling community, contributing endless time and energy as the town grew and developed. Never ones to say no, Arch and Gay have earned universal respect and appreciation for their efforts. Over twenty-five years ago Gay began a traditional Christmas party at their beautiful home to which myriads of local neighbors look forward. Arch has been called on to lead the Community Foundation, serve on the Pawling Savings Bank board, lead the local Rotary Club, and more. Under his guidance, the School has provided scholarship aid to local students, opened the Chapel and dining hall for charitable events, private weddings and memorials. The hockey rink is used by the local teams and the running track by folks trying to keep in shape. The Pawling Concert Series held in the Arts Center attracts people from miles away. All this while managing the lives of 300 young teenagers. Arch and Gay, you have earned a place in our hearts. Your departure is our loss but surely Martha’s Vineyard’s gain.
critical to western states. MacGregor handles the
I second guess myself—to stick it out and make the
social media, website and press releases.
situation work.”
38 TRINIT Y-PAWLING MAGA ZINE
| P ’16 | ANINE SOMERS (PARENT OF CAMERON) On one of the many nights when Cam stayed late at school, it was cold and I was waiting for him in my car. Gay was walking by and stopped to talk to me for a minute to say hello. She was walking her dog. I may have complained about the fact that it was cold and late and having to drive back out. She was so kind as to offer me a hot cup of tea and said I could stop by anytime if I had to wait for an extended period of time for Cam. Her gesture cheered me right up. I never did take her up on her offer only because of course I did not want to bother her! She and Arch are both so approachable and make everyone feel welcome at Trinity-Pawling. They are special people and most prep schools are not as fortunate. Dan and I, and of course Cameron, will miss their presence so much next year after they retire! We hope they will enjoy their well-deserved leisure time and visit as often as possible. Best of luck to both of them!!!
SPRING 2015 39
End Note
Trinity-Pawling Magazine is published by the Office of Communication for alumni, parents and friends of the School.
Headmaster Archibald A. Smith III Director of Advancement Grayson K. Bryant, Ph.D. Director of Communications Connie Rafferty Director of Alumni Programs Chris Gillman ’05 Copy Editor Maria Buteux Reade Photo Credits Tom Kates Andrew Lanoue Nicolle McDougal Connie Rafferty
EMILY TUCCI
Copyright © 2015, Trinity-Pawling School
Most days you’ll find Assistant Athletic Trainer Emily Tucci in Carleton Athletics Center, working hard to keep Trinity-Pawling athletes in top condition and injury-free. She also finds time to teach science classes, serve as a Starr Hall dorm parent, advise the Life Skills club, and run her family of four children (Cameron ’18, Kiera, Tage, Greta) and one rambunctious dog (Travis) with her husband, Keith. What inspired you to pursue a career in athletic training, and how did you get started? I was introduced to physical therapy when I tore my ACL as a freshman in high school playing pick-up tackle football. By senior year, I was a student athletic trainer and knew that I wanted to pursue it as a career. But even earlier, as a four year old, I used to tell everyone that I wanted to be a nurse and a “rah-rah-sis-boom-bah” girl (a cheerleader). I think I have found the perfect combination of that here as an athletic trainer. I get to help the boys with their ailments and injuries and cheer them on from the sidelines as well! You teach Anatomy and Physiology to teenage boys. What’s the secret to your success? I teach very matter-of-fact. I believe that the boys want to be able to ask a question and get a truthful answer. My goal is to have a classroom setting in which every student is comfortable to speak his
40 TRINIT Y-PAWLING MAGA ZINE
mind. My favorite section that we cover is a compilation of books and documentaries discussing why gender matters. The boys learn about the less “obvious” ways that boys are made differently than girls—differences in the cells of the eyes as well as the ears, for example. I want the boys to know why single sex education works and why a strong male role model is many times key to a young man’s success. I want them to grow up to be leaders in their field of choice as well as a presence in their homes. What’s the last best book you read? Sparkly Green Earrings, a memoir about balancing life, work and motherhood—I could certainly relate. What’s your favorite thing about being a member of the Pride? I felt an immediate sense of community when I first came to T-P, and I can say the same today. My kids love having 300 “big brothers” always looking out for them.
Trinity-Pawling School 700 Route 22 Pawling, NY 12564 845-855-3100 www.trinitypawling.org
Trinity-Pawling School admits students of any race, color, creed, sexual orientation, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, sexual orientation, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, scholarship and loan programs and athletic and other school-administrated programs. For Parents of Alumni – If this issue is addressed to your son who no longer maintains a permanent address at your home, please notify the Alumni Office with the correct mailing address. Email alumni@trinitypawling.org or 845-855-4829.
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