Beacons Fall 2022

ALBERT “AL” BEATON JR. ’55

Albert “Al” Beaton Jr. ’55 passed away on March 8, 2022. A graduate of State Teachers College at Boston, Beaton began his illustrious five-decade career as the managing director at Harvard University’s Littauer Statistical Laboratory in 1959 and an IBM Research Fellow. He later earned his master of education degree and EdD from Harvard University. Beaton held several senior research and data analytics positions at the world’s largest private nonprofit educational testing and assessment organization. In addition to his full-time career, Beaton taught students as a guest lecturer at various universities, including Princeton, Harvard, Stanford, and Trinity College in Dublin. Beaton was honored with many awards during his career. In 2002, he was awarded the Augustus C. Long Professorship.

AGNES BROWN ’49

Agnes Brown ’49 passed away on March 17, 2022. She was a former elementary school principal who began her teaching career in Boston. Her desire to travel and to learn about other cultures motivated Brown to accept a teaching position with the Department of Defense American School in Fontainebleau, France, where she met and later married her husband, Colonel James J. Brown. Following her retirement, she volunteered at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, working as a docent and later serving on the national board. She was a member of the Clifton Women’s Club, the Country Club View Women’s Club, the George Mason University Symphony, Fairfax County Retired Educators’ Legato School, the Raleigh Tavern Society, and the Smithson Society.

SIDNEY “SID” TOPOL

Sidney “Sid” Topol passed away on March 30, 2022. He graduated from Boston Latin School in 1941 and went on to serve in the Army Air Corps during World War II. Topol enjoyed professional success as an engineer and manager at Raytheon. He later served as president, CEO, and board chair of Scientific Atlanta, Inc. from 1971 to 1990. Topol leaves behind a legacy as a pioneer, a visionary, and a leader. Additionally, he was named the Distinguished Graduate of the Year by Boston Latin School. Upon retirement, Topol dedicated his time to philanthropy, enabling young leaders to learn about nonviolence as a pathway to peace and goodwill, especially in the Middle East, through the Topol Fellowships. He was also an advocate for the Center for Peace, Democracy, and Development at UMass Boston, which investigates and addresses some of the most challenging human security concerns worldwide, including in Boston.