USM Today - Fall/Winter 2017-18 by University School of Milwaukee

FALL / WINTER 17–18

A Classroom Without Walls

LUBAR CENTER OPEN FOR BUSINESS

HOMECOMING 2017

TREASURES FROM USM’S ARCHIVES

Back row, from left: Royale Wilson ’18, Kree Lea ’30, Ava Lammi ’30, Sencere Powell ’18, Harrish Bhela ’18, Bennett Huffman ’18, Thomas Wilkinson ’18, and front row: Annabelle Lantz ’30.

Opening Day 2017–18 Unseasonable rain and a last-minute move indoors couldn’t dampen the excitement for the new school year and all the promise it holds. University School of Milwaukee seniors entered the Opening Day assembly on Aug. 28, 2017 hand-in-hand with senior kindergarten students, and Board of Trustees President Andrew Petzold addressed the crowd. Senior class prefects gave speeches on the Common Trust tenet of fairness, and Head of Middle School Pamela Nosbusch concluded the ceremony by ringing the ceremonial first bell of the 2017–18 school year, just in time for the sun to start shining.

Cover Jack Foley ’31 enjoyed exploring outside with the help of a trusty umbrella. Outdoor education, in all divisions, is an important component of a USM education. Turn to page 14 to learn more. Photo by Jennifer Wisniewski, prekindergarten teacher.

in this issue A Classroom Without Walls Take a walk through USM’s outdoor education curriculum, and learn how students in all divisions benefit from learning outside.

Open for Business The Lubar Center for Innovation and Exploration is unveiled.

Meet USM’s Newest Innovator An interview with David Anderson.

Bringing Our Best Ideas to Life Judy Bloch to retire after 34 years.

You Raise Me (and a Tent) Up Maripat Wilkinson on the direction of the Upper School drama program.

cover to cover 04 | View from the Tower

21 |

Spotlight

30 |

Relics From the Past A spotlight on USM’s archives.

Locker Room

33 |

Beyond USM

USM TODAY STAFF

2017–18 LEADERSHIP

EXECUTIVE EDITOR

HEAD OF SCHOOL

HEAD OF LOWER SCHOOL

Tim Eilbes, Director of Marketing and Communications

Laura J. Fuller

Michael Tauscher

MANAGING EDITOR

ASSISTANT HEAD OF SCHOOL

PRESIDENT, BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Pamela Seiler, Communications and Public Relations Manager

Gregg Bach

Andrew A. Petzold

ART DIRECTION AND DESIGN

HEAD OF UPPER SCHOOL

PRESIDENT, ALUMNI ASSOCIATION BOARD

Gwendolyn GaBree, Design and Creative Services Manager

Stuart Cushman

Charles A. Gordon ’98

ONLINE EDITION

HEAD OF MIDDLE SCHOOL

PRESIDENT, PARENTS’ ASSOCIATION

Eric Schad, Marketing and Digital Communications Manager

Pamela Nosbusch

PHOTOGRAPHY

Gwendolyn GaBree Jeffrey Phelps Visual Image Photography

Margy Stratton ’84

USM Today is published by University School of Milwaukee twice per year. USM is an independent, coeducational, college preparatory day school for students from prekindergarten through grade 12. Our editorial staff has made every attempt to ensure the accuracy of information reported, and we apologize for any inadvertent errors that may have occurred. PARENTS OF ALUMNI: If you are still receiving your child’s USM Today even though he or she no longer lives with you, please let us know so we can send the magazine directly to him or her. To change your address, your child’s address, or to unsubscribe, please contact the USM Advancement Department at 414.540.3339 or usmadvancement@usmk12.org.

competitions—and all our celebrations. We strive for our students to see and feel the importance of being an integral part of something bigger than themselves. All of these connections with so many interesting and accomplished people—in the classrooms, around Milwaukee, and around the country and even the world—provide a web of academic, physical, artistic, and emotional support for our students.

HEAD OF SCHOOL LAURA FULLER Given my charge as head of school, I never miss an opportunity to trumpet all the incredible things that happen at University School. Each year, INDEX, which is a consortium of 54 independent schools that are similar in structure to USM—progressive, coeducational day schools with 750 or more students—holds its national conference, and I was honored to have been asked to present about the value proposition of independent schools at this year’s gathering in October. As a former teacher, I of course worked hard on my presentation. In it, I stressed that one of the most important value-added components of USM is our all-school community closeness. The fact that our students spend so many of their formative years interacting in innumerable ways with the teachers and staff, our parent and alumni communities, and each other provides the opportunity for us to create and build an intentionally positive learning culture based on the tenets of the Common Trust. Our strong sense of community drives us to create all-school experiences for our students like our opening day ceremonies, homecoming, Masquerade March, and Senior Send-off events, and to invite our school parents, grandparents, alumni, parents of alumni, and other friends to join us for our student performances, productions, presentations, and

This strong sense of community, along with our strong academic reputation we are all charged with maintaining and improving, is also what drives Our Common Bond, our comprehensive campaign in support of the school’s facilities, endowment, and annual fund needs. The campaign continues to make tremendous strides, and the physical transformation that is taking place on campus is impressive! We have already opened the Bruce ’81 and Jennifer Lee Community Room and the Lubar Center for Innovation and Exploration, and it is exciting to watch as construction continues for the Virginia Henes Young Theatre expansion, our new performing arts center’s lobby, music hall, and art gallery, and the Jack Olson ’67 Commons. If you have not been on campus recently, I hope you have been able to follow the progress online. The reason schools engage in campaigns like Our Common Bond is to enhance all of the opportunities for students to learn and grow, along with the ways we serve them and prepare them for the future. This benefits not only the students but the entire USM community—including those who have come before them, and those who will follow in their footsteps. This truly is our value proposition as a school. Our student’s academic achievements and outcomes are extraordinary, but the experiences we create for them are what drive those great stories, and we create those as a community. I am excited by all of our progress, but what truly excites me is watching our community come together to make it happen.

Editor’s Note: Follow Our Common Bond campaign progress online at www.USMOurCommonBond.org. 2

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Leadership at USM 2017–18 Board of Trustees

Back from left Mary Jane Martinez, Sangeeta Khanna, Tamora Martin, Gregory Smith (treasurer), Michael M. Grebe ’85, and Michael W. Darrow ’86. Middle from left Sarah Zimmerman ’92 (vice president), Catherine Robinson, Melanie Booth, John Bonnell, Stephen B. Guy, Elmer Moore Jr., and Charles W. Brennan ’86. Front from left Frederick P. Stratton III ’92, Karin Werner, Laura J. Fuller (head of school), Andrew A. Petzold (president), Karen Huffman (secretary), and Michael Pokel. Not pictured Jackie Darr, Bruce Lee ’81, Charles A. Mellowes ’87, Linda Mutschler, Erskine R. Tucker Jr. ’79, and Michael C. Williams ’70. Bold denotes new trustees.

2017–18 Parents’ Association Board Back from left Caroline Hogan, Karen Guy, Sarah Hammes, Susan Brennan, Georgia Dimitropoulos, Krysty Lucarelli, Genna Espinosa, Deb Pokel, and Victoria Schultz. Front from left Colleen Polston, Cathie Torinus, Margy Stratton ’84 (president), Sara LeBrun-Blashka, Meta Ventress, and Melissa Sheppard.

2017–18 Alumni Association Board From left Barbie Brennan Nelson ’91, Ed Eisendrath MUS’61, Sumeeta Krishnaney ’92, F.R. Dengel ’83, Natasha Misra ’04, Alumni Association President Andy Gordon ’98, John Graham ’02, Burt Bartlett ’74, Adam VanderVeen ’01, and Angela Topetzes Strelka ’78. Not pictured Lindsey Grady ’91, Hack Noyes ’66, and Ryan Stewart ’09.

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homecoming Oct. 2–7, 2017

Wildcats of all ages enjoyed the many events at this year’s Homecoming celebration. From numerous athletic events to festive spirit wear days, pep rallies and more, there was something for everyone.

Quinn Tevlin ’18 (standing), president of the Student Athletic Leadership Team, served as the emcee for the all-school pep rally.

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Andrew Han ’05 and his canine companions Slinky (left) and Nalu performed their freestyle canine disk routine during the all-school pep rally. Learn more about Han and his dogs on page 40.

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Vin Baker, former Milwaukee Bucks player and four-time NBA all-star, spoke at the all-school pep rally and met Willie the Wildcat.

Students participated in the Blue and Gold 3K Fun Run/Walk.

Cushman helped to rile up the crowd during the pep rally.

Clayton Cheney ’18 (left) and Head of Upper School Stuart

Chuck Taft, 8th grade American studies history teacher and history

department chair, took a turn in the dunk tank during Willie’s Fun Fest.

Playing for an electric home crowd, the Wildcats trounced

Living Word Lutheran 42-10 during the Homecoming football game. 5

view GRANDPARENTS AND SPECIAL FRIENDS DAY Sponsored by the Parents’ Association, University School of Milwaukee was delighted to host Grandparents and Special Friends Day on Nov. 22, 2017. USM students were joined by their grandparents and other family members in the Lower School for a short program before spending the rest of the morning interacting in classrooms. The event was co-chaired by Georgia Dimitropoulos, Jennifer Eason, and Sarah Hammes.

A From left John Brennan MCDS’53, Head of School Laura Fuller, and Suzy Brennan. B Connor Baumann ’21 (left) and Maureen Baumann. C Back Ted Bekos (left) and Bob Norman. Front Theodoros Dimitropoulos ’26 (left) and Benjamin Norman ’26.

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D From left Taylor Owens ’18, Avery Salb, Demetria Sheppard ’32, Michael Sheppard, Michael Lee, and Theresa Lee. E Anjali Sahi ’31 and Avi Sahi. F From left Skyler Kruse ’26, Cheryl Silberman, and Howard Silberman. G Asiah Davis (left) and Brady Farrow ’25. H From left Geoff Redman, Brandon Rodriguez, Jaylen Trotter ’28, and Sandy Redman.

I F rom left Barbara Slater MUS’61, Tom Slater, Regan Staudt ’23, Jim McGaw, and Diane McGaw. J From left Vikram Goyal, Arthi Susai-Goyal, Amoli Patel, and Pratik Patel. K D ona Mortara (left) and Aaron Mortara ’25.

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view MILK AND COOKIES Upper School students celebrated Pajama Day during Homecoming Week by taking a milk and cookies break with their Lower School friends. Tenth-, 11th- and 12thgraders brought milk cartons and baskets of cookies to share with Preprimary students, who waited at tables with books they selected to read with their “big kid buddies.”

F From left Jennaclaire Ben-Hur ’32, Manasi Simhan ’20, and Jonah Ben-Hur ’32.

Top XinYu Yan ’20 (left) and Antonio Cruz ’32. Bottom, from left TJ Fenton ’20, Mark Zaborszky ’32, and Colin Walberg ’32.

BACK-TO-SCHOOL COFFEE The USM Parents’ Association held a coffee reception in Mellowes Hall to welcome parents on the first day of school.

J Katie Mellowes (left) and PA President Margy Stratton ’84.

Corrine Lee (left) and Christine Kinyon 7

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Open for Business: Lubar Center for Innovation and Exploration In addition to being the first day of school, Aug. 28, 2017 was also the grand opening of the new Lubar Center for Innovation and Exploration. The large, two-story space features highly adaptable work stations that facilitate collaboration, team projects, and free-form experimentation. It also features advanced technology like a laser cutter, 3-D printers, and more. The space is housed in the Upper School but is open to students in all divisions. The ribbon-cutting ceremony From left Dr. John Crouch, Joan Lubar ’77, Madeleine Lubar, David Lubar. featured major supporters David and Madeleine Lubar, and The Lubar Center is a facility funded by contributions Joan Lubar ’77 and her husband Dr. John Crouch. through USM’s Our Common Bond capital campaign, “We are so pleased to support USM and, in particular, which includes additional capital projects, the USM this center,” said David Lubar. “We love the idea of endowment, and the USM Fund. Additional major creating a devoted space with specialized equipment, donors to the space include the Ann and Richard experienced staff, and advanced programming to Teerlink family, the Karen and Steve Guy family, the encourage and facilitate innovation, exploration, Wendy and Andrew Petzold family, and the Shelly creativity, and idea generation. We believe the and Dick Seesel family. students who come here will learn additional skills and knowledge which will be valuable in their careers Read more at www.USMOurCommonBond.org. and their lives ahead.” Added Joan Lubar ’77, “We could not be happier and more proud that we were able to do this and be involved in the Lubar Center for Innovation and Exploration. I think it is so exciting for Our Common Bond The Campaign for University School of Milwaukee USM and also for the city of Milwaukee.”

USM PRESENTS: THE DINING ROOM The Wildcat Theatre Company presented A.R. Gurney’s “The Dining Room,” a humorous look at family life from 1930 to 1980 through one common dining room set. The students turned a logistical challenge into a unique experience; due to construction on the school’s Virginia Henes Young Theatre, the play was held in-the-round in an outdoor tent. See more information about the production and USM’s new Upper School Drama Director Maripat Wilkinson on page 26.

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A Legacy of Success University School of Milwaukee is proud to have a strong legacy family tradition, and we celebrated their continued connection with the school at a legacy family breakfast in November. Currently there are 176 USM students who have a family legacy of attending USM, meaning one or more of their parents, grandparents, or great-grandparents attended the school or one of its predecessor schools. “My father went to Milwaukee Country Day School and my wife’s father went to Milwaukee University School,” said Andy Read ’90, whose daughters Annie ’26 and Mimi ’28 are currently enrolled. “The sense of community at USM has really grown since I left. We always thought the girls would come here, it was just a matter of when.” For Ethan Elser ’06, visiting USM as a parent rather than a student has taken some getting used to. His son, Ethan “EC” Elser Jr. ’32, started in prekindergarten this school year. “Walking up and down the same halls that I used to as a student, and seeing the same teachers that I had, is a little surreal,” he said. “But EC really likes being stimulated and engaged, and we’re enjoying it.”

Top 2017–18 legacy family students. Middle from left Annie ’26, Andy ’90, and Mimi ’28 Read. Bottom Ethan ’06 (left) and EC ’32 Elser Jr.

For a full listing of this year’s legacy students, please visit www.usmtoday.org/2017legacy. 9

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Having Fun While Changing Lives Seventh-grade students in Brian Markwald’s economics class participated in a service project while learning about microfinance and the power of microloans to change lives. They created a wide variety of cardboard arcade games and invited 1st- through 4th-grade students to play the games for 25 cents each. The money raised from the arcades was used to make a microloan through the KIVA organization. Students in 7th grade have participated in this project for many years, and this year they anticipate crossing the $35,000 threshold of loans made collectively over the years. “This project makes the curriculum come alive,” said Markwald, 7th-grade teacher and dean of students. “I love seeing their final creations—some of the games are really clever! I believe learning should be fun, and the KIVA project shows that.”

Top, left David Lim ’29 (left) and Talia Ciralsky ’23. Top, middle (from left) Henry Vincent ’23, Suryan Patel ’29, Maliq Crawford ’23, and Jason Adix ’23. Top, right Harper Karmazin ’28. Bottom Charlie Eilbes ’28 (left) and Jasper Metcalfe ’23.

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Celebrating the 2017 Solar Eclipse at USM University School of Milwaukee welcomed more than 500 students, parents, and friends to view the solar eclipse on Aug. 21, 2017, and learn about the science behind it. USM supplied 500 pairs of viewing glasses as well as handouts with information about the eclipse. Lower School Science Integration Teacher Andrew Stone led the activities and, despite heavy cloud cover, guests were able to get a good view of the moon passing between the sun and Earth. “It was a special opportunity to bring together many members of the USM community, to enjoy a scientific phenomenon, and to experience a sense of wonderment,” said Stone.

Bottom, from left Andrew Stone, Lower School science integration teacher, spoke with Ava Lammi ’30 and Clementine Ferrara ’30.

Top, from left Jack ’26, Lindsay, and Charlie ’28 Wojciechowski tested out their viewing glasses at the 2017 solar eclipse viewing event.

Panelists Address Pitfalls of Early Athletic Specialization Carolyn Kieger, women’s basketball head coach at Marquette University; Joe Amplo, men’s lacrosse head coach at Marquette University; Kate Markgraf, two-time Olympic soccer gold medalist with a master’s degree in kinesiology and educational psychology; and Steve Wojciechowski, men’s basketball head coach at Marquette University. The panel was moderated by Tim Van Vooren, FOX6 sports director (far right). USM, in partnership with REDgen, hosted a speaker series in September that focused on the pitfalls of early athletic specialization. REDgen is an organization that promotes balance and resiliency in the lives of children and teens. The event featured a panelist of experts including (from left) Leigh Podlesny, trainer at Positive Coaching Alliance and former college softball coach;

The panelists noted that the benefits of playing multiple sports from a young age far outweigh those of specializing in one sport. They encouraged parents to think of sports as a way to build character, patience, and positive thinking. Added Wojciechowski, “There are so many different roles to play, lessons to learn, and environments to experience in athletics regardless of your skills, and they are all beneficial.” Learn more about REDgen at www.redgen.org. 11

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notable FALL 2017 CUM LAUDE SOCIETY INDUCTEES Each fall, University School of Milwaukee welcomes the top 10 percent of the senior class into the Cum Laude Society, an organization that honors superior scholastic achievement in secondary schools. Congratulations to (back row, from left) Samuel Browning, Grace Berrien, Nathan Rankin, Nabeel Quryshi, Liam Costomiris, and (front row, from left) Savannah Miracle, Natalia Tovar, Celia Buchband, Eleanor Huffman, and William Kennedy.

NATIONAL MERIT SEMIFINALISTS Four USM seniors were named semifinalists in the 2018 National Merit Scholarship Competition. Congratulations to (from left) Savannah Miracle, Nabeel Quryshi, Sophie Kobylinski, and Jonah Baade. These students earned the opportunity to advance to the finalist level of the competition to compete for some 7,500 scholarships worth more than $32 million. Winners are chosen based on academic records, SAT scores, extracurricular and leadership experiences, and essays.

GRACE PETZOLD ’19 NAMED TO 2018 USA WATER SKI SHOW TEAM Grace Petzold ’19 is one of 35 athletes in the U.S. selected to comprise the 2018 USA Water Ski Show Team. The team will compete in the World Water Ski Show Tournament, which will be held in September 2018 in Ontario, Canada. Petzold is the reigning Girls National Barefoot Champion and competes in several other skiing disciplines including swivel skiing, strap doubles, and jump. She travels to Florida throughout the year to train and perform for the Cypress Gardens Water Ski Team.

USM TODAY | FALL / WINTER 2017—18

notable

NABEEL QURYSHI ’18 NAMED SIEMENS COMPETITION REGIONAL FINALIST Congratulations to University School of Milwaukee senior Nabeel Quryshi, who was among 101 high school students—and the only one from the state of Wisconsin—named regional finalists in this year’s prestigious Siemens Competition in Math, Science and Technology. He was selected from more than 1,860 students nation-wide who submitted innovative research projects for the annual competition. Quryshi researched the damaging vascular effects caused by cardiovascular disease and chemotherapy in an attempt to find a solution that would preserve vascular and cellular function. “Although chemotherapeutics can be great at targeting cancer, they adversely attack the cardiovascular system, creating damage similar to what is experienced during cardiovascular disease,” said Quryshi. He thought there was a need for a mechanism that would combat the effects of both problems. Quryshi partnered with professors in the Cardiovascular Center at the Medical College of Wisconsin to

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conduct the research over his time in high school. “As cardiovascular diseases constitute the leading cause of mortality worldwide, I wanted to contribute to the biomedical community by exploring therapeutics mechanisms.” He hopes to continue the research in the future. “I am deeply humbled and grateful for the opportunity to work alongside such great mentors,” he said. “It has been an inspirational experience and allowed me to see the world of science at the cutting edge.” In addition to being named a Siemens regional finalist, his project won the prestigious First Place Grand Award in Biomedical and Health Sciences at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair in Los Angeles in May 2017. Quryshi didn’t mind spending countless hours working in the laboratory. “Science is my passion and I believe it has the power to enact change on a global scale, and permits us to better understand the world around us,” he said.

Read more about these and other student achievements at www.usmk12.org/news. 13

A Classroom Without Walls

outdoor education at USM fosters curiosity, excitement, a sense of responsibility, and a lifelong love of learning.

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Imagine that you have been given a 4”x6” notecard with a horizontal line drawn through the middle. The space above the line represents air, and the space below represents soil. Now, without any help from Google, draw the entire potato plant, from roots to leaves. Can you do it?

For students in Kip Jacobs’ 7th-grade science class, that is their first assignment at the start of the school year. “I give them colored pencils and tell them, ‘Don’t talk to anyone, just draw the plant.’ And the room becomes silent, and it’s amazing,” said Jacobs ’74.

The drawings run the gamut. Some students add roots and green leaves, while others depict the potatoes growing out of the top of the plant. “After they’re done, we Google the potato plant and they place a screen shot of the actual plant next to their drawing and we have a discussion. I have them explain why their plant would or would not make it in real life.” This is an eye-opening exercise for students, many of whom have never seen a potato plant, much less grown one. “I want the students to have an understanding of where their food comes from,” he said. “It’s so meaningful to have that association with nature and the outdoors.”

At University School of Milwaukee, helping students to build that meaningful association with nature and the outdoors

is not left to chance; in fact, it is incorporated into the curriculum from day one. “We intentionally start our environmental education with the youngest learners in school—Preprimary and Lower School students— because that is where the greatest impact can be experienced,” said Emily (Joerres) Vertacnik ’07, USM’s prekindergarten assistant and environmental education teacher. Exposing children to an outdoor, play-based curriculum has many positive benefits. Not only does it incorporate cognitive, social, emotional, physical, and moral development, it also plants a seed of awareness and appreciation for nature. But perhaps more importantly, it allows children to gain a deeper level of understanding of the world around them, and their place in it. “Kids’ brains are so sponge-like at this age, and they are very curious about their surroundings,” said Vertacnik. “Being outside exposes them to so many different sights, sounds, and smells. It helps them to make sense of the world.” Vertacnik, along with the other Preprimary teachers, use outdoor education to foster wonder and excitement in the young students they teach. The lessons change based on the weather, the season, or the children’s interests. Thanks to 50 new rain suits, students are not limited by the weather. In fact, rainy days with lots of puddles to jump in are often the best days to go outside.

Previous page Savanna Engroff ’32. Right Viraj Kamath ’29. Far right Lower School students assembled compasses from items they found in nature.

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Prekindergarten Teacher Jennifer Keppler established a dedicated Preprimary garden in 2013, which is continually expanding thanks to ongoing support from the Crysdahl Foundation. The garden is located near the Preprimary playground and is one of four gardens on campus. Students are involved in every step, from growing seeds in the winter, to prepping the raised beds, planting in the spring, and harvesting in the fall. “Teaching through gardening helps the children to learn where their food comes from,” said Keppler. “We encourage students to try new foods and practice healthy eating. It is amazing to watch a child taste a tomato freshly picked from a plant they grew, and to see them connect the foods we eat at lunch to items we plant in the garden.” Gardening is enjoyed by students and teachers in all divisions, and there are ample opportunities for students to cultivate a green thumb. Karen’s Garden is a large community garden located on the northeast side of campus where students learn to plant and grow crops. The fruits of their labor are realized around Memorial Day, when they sell tomato and basil plants to the school community. The fruits and vegetables that students grow in Karen’s Garden and the kitchen garden located outside of the Middle School dining room are used by Flik, USM’s food service provider, for the salad bars during school lunches.

Outdoor education at USM is nothing new. “There was a lot already in place when I started teaching here two years ago,”

said Lower School Science Integration Teacher Andrew Stone. “My predecessor [retired Lower School Science Teacher] Patricia Ziegelbauer played a large role in outdoor education here. She took students in all Lower School grade levels outside for science class, organized field trips, explored campus, and more. I’ve tried to preserve a lot of her outdoor education curriculum while initiating new activities,” he said. “I hear again and again from parents that being outside was an integral part of their childhood, so it’s nice to be able to continue that here.” “We’re trying to build on the progress that has been started in Preprimary,” added 3rd Grade Teacher Bonnie Seidel. “I’ve developed a program that I call SPOTS: Special Places Outside the School. We hike out to one of the trails and practice sitting still, being mindful, and observing nature. Then we talk about what we observed—what we saw, smelled, heard, etc.” Students and teachers have also enjoyed participating in Outdoor Classroom Day for the past two years, an international campaign that celebrates and inspires outdoor learning.

“It is amazing to watch a child taste a tomato freshly picked from a plant they grew.” The benefits of outdoor education are recognized not just by teachers, but also by parents, administrators, and the Board of Trustees. As part of USM’s strategic plan started in 2013, trustees established the goal of implementing experiential elements that incorporate outdoor learning. As a result of this strategic commitment, faculty members established a crossdivisional committee called the Outdoor Education Committee, which works collectively to infuse outdoor education into the curricular and extracurricular offerings at all grade levels. Over the last several years,

Jean and Peter Storer, parents of Kim ’98 and Kelly ’01, have generously supported USM’s outdoor education program through the George B. Storer Foundation. Their support has resulted in programmatic enrichment, professional development, and land planning enhancements.

USM is uniquely positioned to further expand its outdoor education program thanks to its large, 120-acre campus.

But with that opportunity comes challenges. “Before the campus was purchased in the mid 1950s, this was all farm land,” said Jacobs, who grew up exploring the property with his friends. “But the land was never actively managed and nothing was deliberately planted.” As a result, the extended campus lacks diverse habitats and is threatened by invasive species like the buckthorn plant and the destructive emerald ash borer. Jacobs and a handful of others, including students, have taken steps to plant new species of trees and remove invasive buckthorn on campus. “Students in my CAT Academy class this fall decided that they wanted to tackle the buckthorn that’s growing near the tennis courts,” said Jacobs. After learning how to identify the buckthorn plant and to safely use the equipment required to remove it, Jacobs set them loose. “Last year this whole area was filled in with buckthorn,” said Will Densmore ’22, “but now that it’s cleared, we’ll easily be able to spot any new buckthorn

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that pops up, so it makes the problem a lot better.” Not only will it help to clear space on campus so new plants can flourish, it gives the students an opportunity to tackle a problem they are passionate about. “I want the kids to take the lead on this,” Jacobs said. “When they get invested in it, it goes to a whole new level and they feel so empowered. I’m just there to support them.” Added Densmore, “It’s pretty fun, and I just really like being outside.” The exposure to student-led initiatives in Middle School is continued in Upper School, where students can pursue an interest in outdoor education through classes such as AP Biology, AP Environmental Science, and Independent Science Research, or through clubs like the Environmental Action Team. “Environmental education in the Upper School is more interest-driven,” said Marja Konkol, Upper School science teacher. “We might not be physically outside as much as the other divisions, but we’re still learning about the environment and the students are applying the knowledge that they have gained.” For her Compass 9 project, Caroline Harkless ’21 is working on creating a campus-wide Arbor Day celebration, complete with a cross-divisional treeplanting event. She has partnered with Jacobs to meet with key stakeholders on campus and gain the necessary approvals. She also is researching the types of trees that would grow best on campus, and identifying the areas that would best accommodate the plantings. “I want to create an experience where people can come together and plant trees,” she said. “I think it’s an important project that will draw people

“ i want the kids to take the lead on this. when they get invested, it goes to a whole new level.” back to campus in five, 10, or 20 years and help them to feel a connection to USM. Even by planting one tree, they will have made a difference.” Cole Wilson ’18, meanwhile, is researching the effects of climate change on the migration patterns of the palm warbler for his senior Tower Project. Wilson, who is considering pursuing a career in environmental sciences, enjoys the opportunity to combine his love of the outdoors with his classroom knowledge. “Being able to apply what I’ve learned in class to a project like this is really interesting,” he said. “In the Upper School, we might not be directly outdoors but we’re learning about things that impact the environment. In physics, we might learn about the forces at work in automobiles, or in chemistry, we might learn about different chemical reactions in cleaning components.” Outdoor education is rooted in USM’s history, and its benefits are well documented: decreased stress; improved attendance and student achievement; better decision-making and problem-solving skills; greater physical activity; and improved classroom behavior, among others. Teachers at USM have long recognized these benefits and developed innovative and creative ways to incorporate outdoor education

into their classrooms. But teaching students how and why to cultivate an appreciation for the outdoors—while important—is not enough. To truly make a lasting impact on both students and our campus, we have to lead by example. Thanks to the involvement of faculty members, students, and parents, our valuable resources will be here for the next century of students to enjoy.

Far left Middle School students worked to clear invasive buckthorn from an area on campus as part of their CAT Academy course. Middle left Ruhiyyih Miller ’23 carried buckthorn to the discard pile. Middle right Upper School students used the campus as a backdrop to practice their outdoor photography. Far right Lucy Flack ’23 (left) helped her brother Owen ’31 hang a birdhouse that he painted as part of last year’s prekindergarten unit on birds.

spotlight

Meet USM’s Newest Innovator By Nathan Rankin ’18 University School of Milwaukee senior Nathan Rankin ’18 recently sat down with David Anderson, USM’s new innovation engineer, to learn more about his role. The newly completed Lubar Center for Innovation and Exploration features workstations for student collaboration, as well as a suite of advanced technology including laser cutters and 3-D printers. As part of his role, Mr. Anderson provides tutorials for students who wish to utilize the equipment, teaches a new Middle School robotics course, and performs maintenance on the machines, among a myriad of other tasks and responsibilities. He holds a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Kettering University and a master’s degree in education from the University of Michigan. Outside of USM, he enjoys staying current with new gadgets as well as repairing and riding motorcycles with his wife.

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I understand you have a unique background that combines both engineering and education. Would you mind sharing a bit about your experiences prior to USM?

Out of high school I knew I liked tinkering, exploring, and building things, specifically computers and electronics, so I went to college for electrical engineering. After graduating, I went to work for the automotive industry. While I was working in Mexico for Nissan, I was teaching new engineers how to do their jobs, and I realized I really liked teaching and helping people. I applied for and received the Woodrow Wilson teaching fellowship that funded my master’s degree, and went into teaching. I taught at various public and charter schools for five years in the Detroit area until I moved to Milwaukee.

spotlight

What aspects of the Lubar Center or greater school community drew you to USM?

The thing that specifically drew me to USM was how much the school supports the center—not just in funding, but how much faculty and staff are investing their time and energy in this center. I can tell the school really believes in it and really wants it to work. The whole community is behind it. How are teachers utilizing the Lubar Center to help supplement learning in a conventional classroom setting?

One of the ways teachers are using the Lubar Center is by designing a project around the capabilities of the center or taking an existing project and modifying it so the finished product is something students can produce in here. Besides a PowerPoint

presentation, what else can students produce to demonstrate understanding? The idea of producing a physical object is intriguing—it’s even a level beyond something like a computer model or rendering; it’s a deeper level of immersion. Using the equipment available in here, students can create very high-quality projects. How can students who find technology to be outside of their comfort zone utilize the space?

We always try to have a low barrier of entry for students. For example, for 3-D printing, we have a very powerful, yet simple software also used in the Lower School. Once students grow beyond the capabilities of this software, they can pick up something more complex. We always want to start with whatever is simplest and easiest, and, to me, that’s part of the idea of innovation. Innovation is not about making something complex. Something that’s overly complex, difficult to use, and barely works is not innovative. Whatever is simple, efficient, and easy to understand—that’s my goal here. How does the Lubar Center prepare students for their future experiences beyond USM?

Even beyond the direct experience of learning how to use the equipment, working with higher-order thinking skills is what employers want to see when hiring. They want to see people who are creative, innovative, and can apply information to create something new, rather than just memorize facts and figures. In the Lubar Center, we encourage students to build something of their own design using 21st-century tools, thus preparing them with higher-order thinking skills that are valued in the workplace.

Help our students be the ONE.

The one who turns a quest for knowledge into a new discovery. The one who stands up for a friend in need. The one who asks the questions that spark a lively discussion. The one who smiles at a new student. The one who discovers a love for writing. The one who finds his voice through theatre. The one who achieves her strength as a member of a team. With your gift to the USM Fund, you can also be the one. Your contribution holds the power to impact the educational experiences of the more than 1,130 USM students and the remarkable work of our teachers every year. One gift is all it takes to make a difference. Will you be the one? www.usmk12.org/usmfund | 414.540.3337 22

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THE ANNUAL

GIVING PROGRAM

Serving Up Tradition Alex Palermo ’86 speaks five languages, but he may be most fluent in one that requires no words—food. For him, food has defined and informed his life since he was a small child. “Growing up with an Italian father and a German mother, it was not unusual for us to have two- or three-hour dinners,” Palermo recalled. “Whenever my friends came over, they were amazed at how long our dinners lasted.” As a senior at Pepperdine University, Palermo took inspiration from his mother’s cooking to launch the Divine Pasta Company, which sold homemade pastas “I love that the school to area restaurants. has continued the The company quickly grew, and Palermo tradition of eating has since acquired a meals together.” variety of additional food manufacturing companies based in Los Angeles and Italy. All of the products, which include pizza, pasta, sauces, boxed dinners, and more, feature quality ingredients with no preservatives or artificial ingredients. While his life and career have taken him far from Milwaukee, he hasn’t forgotten his University School of Milwaukee experience. When Palermo and his wife were looking for an independent school for their children, he searched for one in Los Angeles that replicated his USM education. “I wanted them to have the same quality education with Midwestern values that I had. It was really important to me.” Palermo has supported the school’s Our Common Bond campaign with a gift to fund a new servery in which Upper School students will assemble their lunch before proceeding to the new Jack Olson ’67 Commons, where they will eat together with faculty. The servery will streamline the way in which food is served so that students can more efficiently access their meals, and dining staff members can quickly refill serving dishes. Other features, such as a larger salad bar and dedicated locations for hot entrées and sandwiches, will ensure that students have even more access to healthy and fresh options.

“I love that the school has continued the tradition of eating meals together, which is one of my favorite memories from USM. Being able to take a break from rigorous classes to refuel your mind and body with quality, nutritious food is so important, and I’m really proud to be able to support that.” Eating family meals together is important to Palermo, and something he makes an effort to do despite his—and his family’s—busy schedules. In fact, he may have discovered the secret to keeping teenagers at home. “My wife is Italian and she cooks a lot, and we have family dinners almost every night. We usually have a lot of kids at our house.” Top Alex Palermo ’86 (center) joined Patrick Tevlin (back, right), chief advancement officer, and Upper School students for lunch. Bottom Alex Palermo ’86 (center) and (from left) his son Lodovico, daughter Giulia, wife Valentina, and son Matteo during a recent trip to Japan.

Our Common Bond The Campaign for University School of Milwaukee

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Bringing Our Best Ideas to Life By Elaine Griffin Judy Bloch to retire this August after an exceptional 34 years at University School of Milwaukee.

hen asked to write about Judy Bloch’s contributions to University School of Milwaukee, I knew I faced a herculean task. Judy has directed or supported countless initiatives and programs since coming to University School 34 years ago. Middle School Learning Center Teacher Sandi Deshur captures her impact best: “Judy wears so many hats, she could own a hat store.” Judy was hired in 1984 to launch a Learning Center at USM, through which trained professionals would assist students who needed extra help. While the center began with a small grant, it has become an integral part of USM. Cheryl Vaughn, a Middle School Learning Center teacher, credits Judy’s expertise for the program’s success, saying that she has an “encyclopedic knowledge of all things related to the symptoms, diagnosis, and services for students with learning challenges.” Not only did Judy mentor teachers within her department, but she also taught in the program for many years. She worked with students in all three divisions and was especially regarded for her ability to teach high-level math. Cheryl has seen her work with students first hand and calls her a “master of mathematics.” Judy used her mathematical expertise and business background to develop I.D.E.A.S. at USM (now Summer I.D.E.A.S.), a program she has directed since 1992. She is proud of the forward-thinking nature of the program, commenting that, “Summer I.D.E.A.S. has always been about experiential, hands-on learning, long before the importance of that had become an emphasis in today’s approach to education.” Since its inception, more than 11,000 students and hundreds of teachers have been involved in the program. Will Piper ’96, Middle School social studies teacher, worked as Judy’s assistant in the Summer I.D.E.A.S. office as a college student, and credits her with being 24

USM TODAY | FALL / WINTER 2017—18

a “life-long mentor.” Will characterizes his summer work as incredibly rewarding: “Sitting at the table across from Judy’s desk, I learned a ton about the administrative side of teaching and about running the complex system that is Summer I.D.E.A.S.” Will also revealed something that many don’t know: “Judy is a master prankster and can take a joke in stride.” Will recalled that he and Judy had some fun with former USM bus driver Wayne Rick by creating a fake file for a student named Frank Furter, who needed transportation to his address—the Patrick Cudahy plant. It wasn’t until they dropped several clues about “that hot dog” that Mr. Rick got the joke and the three of them “erupted in a cacophony of laughter.” Judy’s work in the Learning Center and Summer I.D.E.A.S. program showcases the public face of her strong leadership, but she is also the leader of less-visible initiatives that are just as important to advancing the vision and maintaining the quality of USM. Because of her abilities as a wordsmith, she has twice been tapped to refine the school’s mission statement. I served with her on the Curriculum Coordination Team and admired how she guided us toward a more pragmatic process for curriculum documentation. I saw that same kind of innovative leadership when she chaired the Faculty Evaluation Committee that created our current system. Her careful research and regard for best practices led us to develop a system encouraging teachers to reflect upon their growth and aspirations as educators. Judy’s long career in education has made her a leader of leaders not only at USM but also nationally among independent schools. Here at USM, she has led

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the school’s reaccreditation process four times. Former Head of School Ward Ghory calls Judy “a consummate committee and task force leader.” Ward remembered just how organized Judy was when preparing for an Independent Schools Association of the Central States (ISACS) accreditation team. “Judy stocked thumb drives with report templates and individualized assignments that made everyone’s work easier and assured common editing standards.” Judy has co-chaired many ISACS accreditation teams to help other independent schools improve their programming and culture. Because of her expertise in this area, ISACS often asks her to speak at their annual conference. In fact, when ISACS wanted to revise its accreditation guide, they appointed Judy to the committee overseeing this task. A teacher of teachers, Judy is a confidant to many who have come to rely on her good advice. Head of School Laura Fuller calls Judy “one of the most thoughtful and accomplished educators I have encountered during my career,” adding that “she has been my personal

resource on so many various topics and I have learned to rely on her wisdom and balance.” I could say the same thing, as one of many who are living embodiments of how Judy’s example lives on through so many of us who’ve been lucky enough to work with her. Consummate teacher that she is in whatever job she does, her legacy at USM is reflected in the countless lives she’s touched—and the countless peers she’s inspired. Elaine Griffin is the assistant head of Upper School and Upper School English teacher.

Judy Bloch, who will retire in August, looks forward to taking courses at UW–Milwaukee, reading, traveling with her husband, enjoying her grandsons, and volunteering. She will stay connected to USM by serving as a consultant in the next round of the school’s accreditation process starting in 2018–19. 25

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You Raise Me (and a Tent) Up By Maripat Wilkinson A director without a theatre. Not as dramatic as a man without a country, but daunting nonetheless. I knew when I accepted the position of Upper School drama director that the Virginia Henes Young Theatre would be unavailable for at least the first semester of this year, due to construction as part of the Our Common Bond campaign. When Head of Upper School Stuart Cushman gave me a tour of the theatre last May, before construction had started, he enthusiastically and vividly described what the ensuing renovation would produce—more seats, dressing room space, instrumental classrooms in close proximity, a lobby celebrating art, and more. I could see it, and myself in it. “No problem … it will be worth the wait … we can be creative …” All of the right things came out of my mouth at the time, and I meant them. And now that I am in the midst of construction, I still mean every word. This is because of the supportive, innovative, collaborative USM community. I have found this to be a professional organization that walks what it talks, more than any other institution I have been part of in all my many years of working in both the education and corporate worlds. “What if we did the fall play in a tent?” I threw that thought out there in September as Ellen Shuler (Fine Arts Department chair), Jeremy Woods (theatre technical director), and I were discussing where to perform the October play. Immediately, Ellen championed the idea to Head of School Laura Fuller and Assistant Head of School Gregg Bach, who both instantly embraced the notion and set us in motion to make it happen. From there we were supported by everyone: Upper School colleagues and administration, security, maintenance, facilities, our Flik food service partners, parents and the Parents’ Association, Lower School and Middle School faculty, administration, and students … the entire USM community raised the tent (some of them literally) and our show went on.

USM TODAY | FALL / WINTER 2017—18

“The Dining Room” by A.R. Gurney was the perfect play to do in an intimate space in-the-round, and the students adapted to the unusual circumstances and a new director like pros. The whole play-in-a-tent experience fueled my already strong and determined commitment to enhance the Upper School theatre program. During our theatre tour that May afternoon, Stuart shared his vision of USM being known and respected for all three of the “A’s” it offers, wanting the arts to be on par with our academics and athletics. Working in this culture and with this caliber of students, I know it can and will be done. Growing the program This March we are producing the musical “A Chorus Line,” and I want to use the show to start to increase the number of theatre participants, which already is a notable amount. One of my goals is to create more crossover—giving students who normally don’t have the time or inclination to join a show the opportunity to experience what it is like to be part of the newly named Wildcat Theatre Company. I am opening up

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the show’s closing number to all Upper School students and 8th graders, parents, faculty, staff, alumni … it will involve learning simple choreography and music via video, and attending only one rehearsal. I know this experience will spark the “theatre bug” in some students, and will at least create understanding and respect for just how hard and collaboratively the theatre students work to make it all look so easy. USM students are the finest I have ever had the pleasure to direct. The entire school community has raised me up and has inspired me to want to be my best, and offer the best. I know it all can and will happen here. With all of this, who needs a theatre? Well okay, I do—eventually.

Maripat Wilkinson is the Upper School drama director and an English teacher. Read more about the Our Common Bond campaign at www.USMOurCommonBond.org.

Left and right Maripat Wilkinson gave Upper School thespians direction during the dress rehearsal for “The Dining Room.” Bottom, from left Ari Sadek ’20, Eleanor Norman ’19, and Nicholas Mayerson ’18.

spotlight From left Karen Guy, trustee Catherine Robinson, Amy Bruett, Parents’ Association President Margy Stratton ’84, Katie Mellowes, and Moe Buettner.

Holiday Shops 2017 celebrated its 41st year in grand fashion. In addition to fabulous shopping, the Preview Party offered many one-of-a-kind auction items and experiences for patrons to bid on. The three days of shopping that followed proved fruitful for the vendors, who donated 15 percent of their earnings to USM. Many thanks to all who contributed their valuable time, talents, and patronage.

From left Shelly Farrow, Brad Farrow, and Jennifer Reese, Holiday Shops coordinator.

2017 Holiday Shops Committee Leaders Natalie Blais Nancy Bolton Susan Brennan Marlene Connor Kristi Dahlman Jackie Darr Jen Darrow Bernadette Dawson Amy Taylor Diamond Abi Dyke Heather Erlandson ’92 Melissa Freeman Molly Fritz ’80 Stephanie Gardner ’96 Natalia Goris Sara Hermanoff

Nancy Hernandez Penny Howland Patricia Kauffman Jennifer Keough Niven Kingwill Lori Klos Jodi Lurie Heidi Marcelle Ivana Marich Katie McGregor Erica Melick Jock Mutschler Sierra Nimtz Ryan Petersen Stephanie Petersen Colleen Polston

Anna Potter Connie Read Jennifer Reese Rebecca Romano Renee Rooney Julie Sadoff Jen Schoon Victoria Schultz Margy Stratton ’84 Victoria Teerlink ’88 Tami Vincent Pat Wood Barb Zabors John Zabors ’91 Jennifer Zwief

Save the Dates! Be sure to join us for the 2018 Preview Party on Wednesday, Oct. 31 and continue shopping with us from Thursday, Nov. 1 to Saturday, Nov. 3. Visit www.holidayshops.org for updates and additional information throughout the year.

USM TODAY | FALL / WINTER 2017—18

From left Wendy Petzold, Parents’ Association Office Manager Patricia Kauffman, Marina Rickun, Noah Rickun, and Board of Trustees President Andrew Petzold.

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From left Susie Kasten MDS’60, Deanna Braeger, Parents’ Association President Margy Stratton ’84, Mary Buestrin, and Penny Howland.

Trustee Karin Werner (left) and Kelly Grebe.

From left Greg Norman, Buddy Robinson, and trustees Charles Mellowes ’87 and Michael Grebe ’85.

Shar Borg (left) and Kelly Robinson.

locker room

Girls Tennis Wins State Team Championship The University School of Milwaukee girls’ tennis team defeated Kenosha St. Joseph 6-1 and won the WIAA Division 2 State Team Tennis Tournament. USM made it to the tournament finals after winning their semi-final match against Eau Claire Regis by a score of 5-2. The Wildcats won four straight titles from 2004 to 2007, back-to-back championships in 2011 and 2012, and another state title in 2014. The Wildcats were also runners-up three times—in 2008, 2009, and 2013. In the tournament’s doubles competition, USM seniors Celia Buchband and Leah Schneck won the opening round of doubles play, but then fell to East Troy by a score of 6-4, 7-6. Grace Watkins ’19 and Grace Gridley ’20 lost their opening round match against Osceola.

Veda Sane ’19 Wins State Championship Congratulations to Veda Sane ’19, who won the 2017 WIAA Division 2 Girls Individual Tennis Tournament. The number-2 seed Sane defeated Laura Larrain of Newman Catholic in the semifinals before prevailing 3-6, 6-0, 6-3 over top-seeded Olivia Czerwonka of Kenosha St. Joseph Catholic Academy to earn her title. She finished the year 28–3 and is USM’s fourth singles state champion. In addition to Sane, Riley Strauss ’18 also competed in the individual state tournament. Strauss fell to 4th-seed Giana Apostoli of Kenosha St. Joseph Catholic Academy.

USM TODAY | FALL / WINTER 2017—18

USM’s Head Coach Matt Flack said, “I’ve been challenging the team to play their best tennis when it matters most, and they certainly played their best tennis this weekend. They played together as a team and rallied each other to win some very tough matches. They played the big points like champions, and proved they are the best team in the state.”

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USM Receives WIAA Award of Excellence University School of Milwaukee was one of 15 schools in the state of Wisconsin to receive the inaugural Award of Excellence from the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association (WIAA). The 2016–17 award recognizes member schools for their efforts and achievements in the areas of sportsmanship, ethics, integrity, leadership, and character. “To be one of 15 schools in the state to earn this award is a great honor for USM,” said Director of Athletics Luke Houdek (pictured). “I am proud of our studentathletes, coaches, and athletic department personnel as their actions this past year are what allowed us to be recognized. Receiving an award like this is proof that we take education-based athletics seriously at USM.”

Students Race at State Championship Clayton Cheney ’18 and Lexi Keppler ’20 represented USM’s cross country team as individual qualifiers in the WIAA Division 2 State Championships in October. This is the seventh consecutive year that USM’s cross country team has seen at least one individual competing at the state championship.

Cheney ’18

Keppler completed the 5-kilometer run in 21:04.63 against 149 other runners. Cheney crossed the finish line in his final cross country race for USM at 17:50.39 against 151 other runners. Coincidentally, both runners finished in 77th place at the tournament. “The race always goes out fast, so it’s easy to get pulled out over your head,” said USM head coach Eric Pilling. “Lexi and Clayton both ran smart, mature races.”

Keppler ’20

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Girls Swimming and Diving Compete at State Mary Holmes ’18, Katie Hayes ’19, Amanda Hoppe, Minasi Simhan ’20, and Abby Frenkel ’19 represented the Brown Deer/University School of Milwaukee Co-op girls’ swimming and diving team in the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association Girls Swimming and Diving Division 2 Championships on Nov. 11, 2017, earning a 16th-place finish in the competition. Hayes, who had the best finish for BD/USM, took second place in the 100-yard butterfly event with a time of 56.26 seconds. She also finished fourth in the 100-yard breaststroke, at 1:06.85. Holmes captured eighth place in the one-meter diving event, finishing with 355.05 points. Hoppe, Simhan, Hayes, and Frenkel finished 12th in the 200-yard medley relay event at 1:54.47. From left Mya Johnson ’21, Manasi Simhan ’20, Lizzie Borg ’20, Abby Frenkel ’19, Katie Hayes ’19, Mary Holmes ’18, and Mira Giles-Pufahl ’21.

Segerdahl Retires as USM Skiing Head Coach

niversity School of Milwaukee Wildcats Head Skiing Coach Jane Segerdahl has retired from her position following a highly successful run at the helm of the program for 20 years. Segerdahl had skied United States Skiing and Snowboarding Association (USSA) Collegiate Ski Racing before becoming a USSA-certified level 200 coach. The USM ski team competes in what is regarded by many as the most competitive of the six conferences in 32

USM TODAY | FALL / WINTER 2017—18

Wisconsin. The USM team—either the boys’ or girls’— has qualified for the Wisconsin state ski championship in each of the past 19 seasons, and the team has many top-10 finishes since its inception. Sixteen USM student athletes have finished in the top place at state and have qualified for Team Wisconsin, which represents the state at the Eastern National Championships. “The opportunity to be part of the coaching staff at this exceptional school has been an amazing life experience, and one I am grateful for,” Segerdahl said. “Having worked with literally hundreds of students and seeing the support they’ve received from their parents and teachers has been so rewarding. The best experience for me has been watching both beginning and expert skiers improve their skills and compete at the highest level. Some of the best skiers in the state have skied for USM.”

ALUMNI VISITS

alumni events The USM Alumni Association held a variety of events last fall, including visits in Denver, Boston, and Milwaukee. Participants enjoyed seeing old friends and meeting new ones. Turn to page 35 for a list of upcoming 2018 visits, and hopefully we’ll see you soon!

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Don’t Miss Out on the Fun!

REUNION WEEKEND June 22 & 23, 2018

DENVER

Mark your calendars for the annual Reunion Weekend! Catch up with old friends, meet new ones, and reminisce about the good times you had at USM. All alumni classes are invited to attend! www.usmk12.org/reunionweekend 414.540.3328

MILWAUKEE

Coffee with

coLLeGe KIds USM alumni from the Classes of 2013 to 2017 were invited to attend a mini-reunion during Grandparents and Special Friends Day. They enjoyed visiting with classmates and teachers over bagels, donuts, and coffee while home for the holidays.

June 22

June 23

5:30–8:30 p.m. Summer Soirée at Milwaukee Country Club 7 p.m. Class of ’68 50th Reunion Dinner

Food & Froth Fetê, Class Celebrations, and Campus Tours 33

beyond

class notes To submit a class note, email your news to alumni@usmk12.org. Notes may appear up to six months following submission due to USM Today’s production schedule.

’50s

’80s

recently caught up with Gil Thelen MCDS’56 in Tampa, Florida and found him to be doing well despite his struggle with Parkinson’s Disease. Foerster shared a piece that Thelen recently wrote for the Tampa Bay community: goo.gl/XE8N7P

is an avid supporter of Youth Entrepreneurs®, sharing his time, talent, and treasure to advance the mission of YE. YE is an engaging elective course and alumni program that prepares students from fragile communities for success in the workplace and in life.

BRUCE S. FOERSTER MCDS’59

’70s

’90s

MARK RYLANCE ’78

RANDOLPH POST EDDY III ’90

WPA POOL/GETTY IMAGES

Academy and Tony Award-winning actor was appointed a Knight Bachelor at Buckingham Palace on April 19, 2017, for services to drama.

Rylance ’78

TIMOTHY D. JOHNSTON ’79

was named the winner of the 2017 International Book Award for Best Short Fiction, for his collection of short stories, “Friday Afternoon and Other Stories,” in May 2017. The title story is being adapted for film in California. Johnston’s father, Robert Johnston, was headmaster of USM from 1977 to 1986 and led the consolidation of the north and south campuses.

USM TODAY | FALL / WINTER 2017—18

BRUCE LEE ’81

and Richard A. Clarke co-authored and published “Warnings: Finding Cassandras to Stop Catastrophes.” Eddy is a globally recognized national security and intelligence expert and CEO of Ergo, a leading intelligence and analysis firm. Previously, he served as director at the White House National Security Council, chief of staff to the U.S. Ambassador to the UN, Richard Holbrooke, and senior adviser to the Secretary of Energy, Bill Richardson.

AJIT A. KRISHNANEY ’90

was appointed vice chairman of quality and clinical affairs in the Department of Neurosurgery at the Cleveland Clinic. His wife, Mariel, is an anesthesiologist at the Cleveland Clinic, and they have three boys who attend University School (Cleveland).

BROOK D. SCHEIBE ’90

along with his wife Allison and son Augie welcomed the newest addition to the family this past July: Hazel Joy Scheiber was born on July 13, 2017 and is as cute as can be. Everyone is adjusting well and looking forward to the adventures ahead!

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REGINALD A. CHAMBERS ’94

recently joined J.P. Morgan Chase as a managing director - head of business improvement. He will be a part of the leadership team for the new CEO, Thasunda Puckett.

CHARLES A. GORDON ’98

and his wife Melissa welcomed their first child, August Henry Gordon, on Aug. 13, 2017.

DONTE L. MCFADDEN ’95

spoke to Upper School students on Oct. 5, 2017 to highlight the Milwaukee Film Festival and to discuss the Black Lens Program, of which he is the founder. Pictured are (from left) Royale Wilson ’18, Donte McFadden ’95, and Alyse Robinson ’19.

Gordon ’98

’00s

MAGGIE (HAYES) KRUSE ’01

was promoted to associate winemaker at Jordan Vineyard & Winery in Sonoma County, California. Kruse started at the company in 2006 as an enologist. Rob Davis, winemaker at Jordan Winery, stated “Not only does she possess a finetuned palate, but her stamina through harvest is strengthened weekly by a Green Bay Packers win.” Kruse was featured in a Milwaukee Journal Sentinel article on Sept. 10, 2017 for her work.

USM is hitting the road in 2018! Mark your calendar for the below dates, and visit www.usmk12.org/alumni for more information and additional cities to be announced. See you soon!

Los Angeles Jan. 18, 2018

Alumni Paddle Tennis, Milwaukee March 9, 2018

San Francisco Feb. 22, 2018

Washington D.C. April 2018

beyond KATE (TAYLOR) MOUTON ’02

has been named head coach for the USM girls’ soccer program. She also serves as USM’s assistant athletic director and Middle School athletic director. In addition, Mouton was recently recognized as a Certified Athletic Administrator by the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association.

ERIC TAYLOR ’02

was named one of 14 “hottest vegan firefighters” by PETA. See more at www.peta.org/features/veganfirefighters.

KEELEY (WRIGHT) DAVIS ’03

and her husband Kyle welcomed Charlotte Elizabeth Davis on Dec. 23, 2016. She is the granddaughter of Chris Wright ’69 and great-granddaughter of David L. Wright MCDS’40 and Elizabeth Niss Watson MDS’40.

married Elizabeth (Liz) Kenna in 2016 and they had a baby boy in May 2017.

ANN K. (DURKIN) DEGROOT ’04

married Jeffrey DeGroot on July 22, 2017 at the Olympic Sculpture Park in Seattle.

CHRISTINE ESCHE ’05

was selected by U.S. Department of State for a 10-month fellowship project developing an English program in Panama at the Universidad Especializada de las Américas - Panamá. Esche is one of only 140 U.S. citizens selected for the 2017–18 English Language Fellow Program.

MATTHEW C. ROADHOUSE ’05

married Abigail Gilsinger on March 11, 2017 at the Aria Resort in Las Vegas. Roadhouse is the owner of Swing Time Germantown and Paradise Golf. He is also the current varsity boys’ hockey assistant coach at USM.

DOUGLAS SCHADEWALD ’07

Davis ’03

LAURA (WEISMAN) CLEAVLAND ’03

and her husband Luke welcomed Lydia Mae in spring 2017.

MICHAEL J. ANDERSON ’04

married Laura Maly on Oct. 6, 2017 at Green Acre Campus Pointe in San Diego. Together they co-founded Wonderist Agency, a dental marketing agency.

Anderson ’04

PETER T. BURKE ’04

USM TODAY | FALL / WINTER 2017—18

was named to Forbes’ 30 Under 30 class of 2018, in the finance category. Schadewald runs Barclays S&P 500 and VIX derivatives portfolio, one of the biggest options books on Wall Street. He also is a member of the Chicago Futures Exchange’s advisory committee.

EMILY COOLEY ’08

has an orchestral piece, “Green Go to Me” (2014), which will be performed by the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra March 9–10. The symphony previously performed the piece, which Cooley wrote, in 2014.

Roadhouse ’05

Hauske ’08

beyond THOMAS J. HAUSKE ’08

married Sarah Moede, daughter of Peter Moede ’84, on June 9, 2016 in Bay Harbor, Michigan. In the wedding party were: Charlie Hauske ’12, Andrew Robbins ’04, Chris Terris ’08, Spencer Reinhart ’08, Charlie Koss ’08, Billy Crimmins ’08, Patrick Lubar ’12, Colin Fritz ’09, Grace Hauske Robbins ’08, and Harriette Hauske ’14.

’10s

CASSIE BENCE ’12

has been named head coach of the USM ski program. Bence served as assistant coach with the program in 2016–17, and has served as an assistant coach with the Wildcats field hockey program for five years.

STEPHANIE L. (MORELLO) SIMMONDS ’09

married Elliott Simmonds in Orlando, Florida on Oct. 15, 2017.

We’ll Take Successful Alumna for $1,000, Alex One episode of the game show Jeopardy! takes anywhere from 45 minutes to one hour to film, but it feels much shorter than that for the contestants on stage. Just ask Ellen Wernecke ’02, who competed on the show over the course of three days in April 2017 (the episodes aired in September 2017). “It was so strange to be there playing it for real after so many years of watching it on TV,” she said. “It didn’t sink in until the first commercial break when I looked over and saw my mom and uncle in the audience. I was in the zone, and the time just flew by.” To become a contestant, Wernecke took an online test to pre-qualify. From there, she was invited to a regional, on-site interview. “When the casting department called me after almost a year and invited me out to California to film the show, I could not believe it.” Wernecke, who graduated from Brown University with a degree in comparative literature, has always loved facts and general trivia, but some areas required further brushing up. “Geography is not my strong suit, and they have it on almost every show, so I bought an atlas and a fact book and started reading them in my spare time.” Wernecke would record the show while she was at work and watch it at night, practicing with a ball-point pen as her buzzer. Her practice paid off—she took home $24,910 in winnings. “It’s been a surreal experience and great to hear from everyone. I actually got a message on Twitter from Chuck Taft [Middle School history teacher and history department chair]—I had him during his first year teaching at USM! Thankfully, he wasn’t too mad I missed some Vietnam War questions.” 37

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The latest awarding-winning film from University School of Milwaukee alumnus Tom Herman ’66 explores the work of five young journalists whose courageous reporting changed the face of the Vietnam War. Storytelling is in Tom Herman’s DNA. His aunt, Betsy Jager Saltzstein, was one of the first female members of the White House press association in the 1940s. His father, David, partnered with Ben Barkin to form Barkin Herman and Associates, one of the earliest and largest public relations firms in the Midwest, which counted the United Nations among its clients. David also served as a USM trustee. “My father was an English major and a fine writer,” said Herman.

EMILY BACH ’13

graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood/Elementary Education from Saint Norbert College on May 14, 2017. Emily is teaching 4-year-old kindergarten at Saint Jude Catholic School in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin.

Bach ’13

USM TODAY | FALL / WINTER 2017—18

“He was known for his storytelling, but also for being accurate and precise with language. Which was good and bad because, sitting around the dinner table, if we used a word wrong we’d hear about it.” So it’s not a surprise that Herman himself developed a knack and passion for storytelling. While working as a lawyer he moonlighted as a journalist, using his vacation days to cover stories for the likes of CNN and NPR. He served as a co-producer on the 2002 Emmy-award winning television movie “Live from Baghdad.” While on assignment for CNN in 2000, he got the idea for his latest venture—the documentary film “DatelineSaigon.” “I spent several weeks in Vietnam as field producer during the 25th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War, and while there I ran into a number of reporters who had covered the war. They were interesting characters who told fascinating stories, and I thought, ‘My goodness, there’s probably a film here.’ I wanted to capture their stories on camera while they were still around to talk about them.”

ISAAC SCHLENKER ’14

was named a captain for the UW-Madison men’s soccer team. Schlenker is a senior mathematics major and a two-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree.

Schlenker ’14

UW ATHLETICS

Tom Herman ’66 Creates Award-winning Documentary

beyond The resulting film, which Herman wrote and directed, took 12 years to make and profiles the controversial reporting of five Pulitzer Prizewinning journalists: The New York Times’ David Halberstam; the Associated Press’ Malcolm Browne and Peter Arnett; legendary photojournalist Horst Faas; and United Press International’s Neil Sheehan. In 2017, the film won Best Documentary Feature at the Woods Hole Film Festival. Although he graduated more than 50 years ago, Herman’s USM experience still influences his life and, in many ways, his work. “My good friends Charlie Wright ’68 and Richard Chapman ’68 were the film’s first investors. Without them, the film never would have been made. The rigorous education I got at USM was critical to my getting into college and succeeding in college. My history teacher, JS [John Stephens], was tough but inspirational. My math teacher, Howe Lagarde, who also was my wrestling coach,

taught me about character building, persistence, and focus. Those lessons were really extraordinary, and still guide me to this day.” The grit and gumption Herman gained at USM was useful during the making of “Dateline-Saigon,” which was arduous. “It’s difficult to make films. Getting people to talk to you, understanding what the story is, sourcing fresh images and sound, doing the legal work to clear rights and get all the permissions—it’s very hard. And I felt a responsibility to get this film right, to do justice to the many people who spent long hours talking to me. It was the hardest thing I’ve done professionally, but also the most fulfilling.” Learn more about the film at dateline-saigon.com. Far left Tom Herman as a USM senior in 1966. Middle, from left Reporter Peter Arnett and Tom Herman at the Newport Beach Film Festival. Top, from left Photographer Horst Faas, producer Bestor Cram, and Tom Herman.

Alumni Association Updates

Lasting Connections

We are pleased to welcome Charles “Andy” Gordon ’98 (right), as the new Alumni Association president. In addition, we welcome Barbie Brennan Nelson ’91 (left) and Adam VanderVeen ’01 as new Alumni Association members.

No matter the years, the USM alumni community stays connected. From left, Bill Hansen ’64, Gus Hansen ’05, Peter Hansen ’98, and Hack Noyes ’66 (along with Drummer the springer) had a successful hunt at the Delta Waterfowl Station in Manitoba.

beyond

Head of the Pack Blitzen a number of tricks, including speaking versus whispering, and how to limp. But Han still wanted to do more, so he rescued his second dog, Solar, an Australian shepherd, and they began doing freestyle canine disk competitions. Han and Solar placed three times in the Purina® Incredible Dog Challenge, and were named Ashley Whippet® Invitational world champions in 2014, which is the original and longest-running dog disc competition. Han’s pack eventually grew to six dogs, and they travel all over the country for competitions, seminars, and performances in front of audiences.

Most dog owners are happy with a pooch who knows how to sit and stay. Andrew Han ’05 is not most dog owners. “I heard about how doing sports with your dogs can build a stronger bond with them, and something about that intrigued me,” he said. So he started doing agility training with his first dog, Blitzen, a border collie mix, and soon noticed a change. “He was always a happy dog, but he became more focused on me, and he wanted to learn more.” In addition to conquering agility courses, Han taught

FALL / WI

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Today, Han works full time running Capitol Cleaners, the Shorewood, Wisconsin business established by his parents in 1993, and he recently started selling real estate. He and his dogs don’t travel as much as they used to, but he is grateful for the experiences they have had. “You could say I gave my dogs a second chance when I adopted them, but really they’ve given me all these other opportunities. Did I ever think I would someday own six dogs? No. But I love each and every one of them.” Andrew Han and one of his dogs, Slinky, pictured performing at a canine disk event. Both also performed at USM’s Homecoming pep rally.

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USM Today Like You’ve Never Seen It! We are excited to announce the launch of USM Today online, featuring: • • • •

Web-exclusive content including videos and photo galleries. Searchable content so you can find articles that matter to you. Articles you can share with friends on social media. An archive of past issues.

See for yourself at usmtoday.org.

ssroom s out Wall 40

USM TODAY | FALL / WINTER 2017—18 ES FROM

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Relics From the Past

University School of Milwaukee may be known for its forward-thinking, progressive curriculum, but that does not come at the expense of the school’s history. One glance at USM’s archive collection, which includes German-English Academy (a pre-predecessor school) board of directors minutes from 1891 to 1908, a ledger book of Milwaukee Country Day School salaries from 1924 to 1952, numerous scrapbooks, photographs, trophies, films, yearbooks, and more, reveal a treasure trove of relics that paint a detailed picture of USM’s past. Although many people assisted with maintaining the collection over the years, it became difficult to manage and document what was going out and what was coming in. That changed this past summer when Charlotte Lange, daughter of Upper School Math Teacher and Math Department Chair Fred Lange, took over. Charlotte, who is working on a master’s degree in library sciences, spent more than 110 hours over the course of four months documenting and organizing the collection. “I started by taking things off of the floor,” she said, “and grouping like things together. Then I organized them on shelves by predecessor school, year, and item.” Charlotte then created a document that listed each item and its location so it could be quickly and easily located again. “Which has already been helpful, because just

last week someone asked me for an “Oklahoma!” VHS tape and I said, ‘Oh, you mean the one from 1992 on shelf number six?’”

For Charlotte, who is a self-professed minimalist, some days were overwhelming. “I’d open a box and find things that were completely unrelated and I had no idea why they were together. Or times when I’d spend a whole day sorting newspapers by decade, but it was still just a giant pile of newspapers.” Despite the difficulties, the project was also rewarding. “I enjoy being able to piece together a complete set, to create a whole picture of something. Now, everything is in its correct spot.” Charlotte received graduate credit for her efforts, but she still has some work to do. “Now I can focus more on preservation, like storing things in archival-quality boxes, and repairing books with library tape where the binding is gone so people can look through them.”

Items from the collection will be available for public viewing in the future. Stay tuned for more information or email alumni@usmk12.org with questions.

ARCHIVE TREASURES A teddy bear signed by the MUS class of 1944. A time capsule containing various papers, including German newspapers, that was originally laid in 1890 in the building at 560 Broadway. It was transferred on Oct. 26, 1926 to Milwaukee University School on Hartford Avenue. C A sample of 16mm films of football games, the full collection of which ranges from the 1930s to 1970s. D While they look like bowling pins, these are actually wooden clubs used for physical exercise and recreation. A B

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In Memoriam University School of Milwaukee wishes to acknowledge and celebrate the lives of our dearly departed alumni and friends. We thank them for enriching our lives throughout their friendship. 1920s Gertrude Buss Couch Ph.D. MDS’27 June 19, 2017 Silver Spring, MD 1930s D. Ian Thiermann MCDS’36 April 28, 2017 Ben Lomond, Calif. Betty Newald Hart MUS’37 June 16, 2017 Tucson, Ariz. Gordon I. Lindemann MCDS’38 June 10, 2017 Milwaukee Barbara Berger Randolph MUS’39 March 7, 2017 Denver 1940s Betty-Alice Friend Anderson MDS’40 Sept. 8, 2017 Hartland, Wis. Edith Lillie McGovern MDS’40 June 3, 2017 Winnetka, Ill. Margaret Bloomfield Grant MUS’41 June 14, 2017 Philadelphia Richard J. O’Malley MUS’41 April 2, 2017 Mequon, Wis. Mary Ann Neacy Barrows MUS’42 Sept. 9, 2017 Franklin, Wis.

USM TODAY | FALL / WINTER 2017—18

Dr. Harry R. Foerster Jr. MCDS’42 Oct. 12, 2017 Milwaukee

Ralph B. Vogel MUS’52 July 17, 2017 Hobe Sound, Fla.

Charles S. Read MCDS’44 May 29, 2017 Mequon, Wis.

Ellen Hering Langenhahn MDS’53 Oct. 31, 2017 Mequon, Wis.

Mary Bulmahn Speck MDS’45 May 21, 2012 Glendora, Calif.

Jonathan W. Rose MCDS’55 Oct. 16, 2016 San Ramon, Calif.

Truman Hedding MCDS’46 July 17, 2017 Mesa, Ariz.

Thomas E. Wigdale MCDS’55 June 8, 2017 Mequon, Wis.

James F. Hornig Ph.D. MUS’46 June 12, 2017 Oakmont, Penn.

Elizabeth Bliedung Brown MDS’56 March 17, 2017 San Antonio, Texas

Betsy Whiteside Huntress MDS’46 June 13, 2017 Stamford, Conn.

Eleni Stacy Camino MDS’57 June 3, 2017 Lake Forest, Ill.

Suzanne Rohn Schmidt MUS’46 Sept. 6, 2017 Grafton, Wis.

Judith Brown Holbrook MDS’58 Nov. 4, 2017 Shorewood, Wis.

Louise Ott Van Antwerpen MUS’46 Aug. 10, 2017 Hartland, Wis.

Mac I. Sawyer MUS’58 Dec. 23, 2016 Lake Oswego, Ore.

Myron Laskin Jr. MCDS’48 Sept. 23, 2017 Pacific Palisades, Calif.

Gail Watson VanderLaan MDS’58 May 6, 2017 Owings Mills, MD

Jean Allen Neal MUS’49 July 12, 2017 Oconomowoc, Wis.

Judith Poole McAlister MDS’59 2014 Tucson, Ariz.

1950s 1960s Joan Nason MDS’50 Sept. 17, 2017 Milwaukee

Judith Werner MUS’60 Milwaukee

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John R. Werner MUS’63 Sept. 5, 2015 Wauwatosa, Wis. Robert D. Brennan MUS’63 Aug. 28, 2017 Grafton, Wis.

Friends Gary Jungkuntz Sept. 22, 2017 Colgate, Wis. Husband of former Lower School Teacher Kathy Jungkuntz

Dave Kosmider Aug. 2, 2017 Summerfield, Fla. Husband of retired Lower School Teacher Marilyn Kosmider

Updated as of Nov. 14, 2017.

Henry (Chip) Holt Uihlein Jr. MCDS’63 passed away on July 5, 2017, at the age of 72. Beloved older brother of Chris ’65, Phil ’68 and Richard ’72 (Lauralee) and cousin of Sandy (Nancy) Martin. Loving father of Jennifer ’88 and Marnie ’91 (Jonathan) Omer. Proud grandfather of Anna ’19 and Tyler ’22 Straszewski and Aston ’27 Omer. Preceded in death by his parents Polly ’38 and Henry ’39 Uihlein. Chip attended Milwaukee Country Day School from 3-year old kindergarten through graduation in 1963. He attended the University of Vermont (UVM) with one of his lifelong friends, Jim Klode Jr. MCDS’63, and they both graduated from UVM in 1967. UVM was where he met and married Betsy, the mother of Jennifer and Marnie. Chip was a remarkable athlete and excelled in baseball, football, and hockey. Chip was one of the original non-scholarship hockey players at UVM and was inducted into the UVM Hall of Fame in 1989. Although a diligent and committed business executive, as illustrated by his 40-year career with NCR Corporation and U-Line Corporation, his true passion was youth hockey. He coached, mentored, and administrated for the Milwaukee Winter Club for more than 20 years, where he impacted the lives of many young players. He was a significant donor to the renovations of the Polly and Henry Uihlein Sr. Ice Arena and presented the Henry H. Uihlein Sportsmanship Trophy (named for his late father) each year during the Upper School honors assembly with great pride. His family continually supported USM’s faculty and the scholarship program through the endowed funds they established and maintained throughout many years. Most recently, Chip and his brothers supported the Our Common Bond capital campaign with a leadership gift that will be recognized with the naming of the USM Athletic Hall of Fame wall. Chip had many personal and professional accomplishments, but they are only the details of his life. The quintessential elements of who Chip was, his greatest gift and legacy, are kindness, generosity, and love. He was a true family man, unconditional friend, and gentleman. 43

a look back Reflections on 40 Years at USM By Pamela Nosbusch

ave been part of University School of Milwaukee for 40 years, which h is strange to write because it hasn’t felt like 40 years. The time has passed in the blink of an eye. During my career, I have been blessed to take on many different roles that have challenged me, strengthened me, inspired me, and validated my decision to be an educator. Over the years, I have been a French teacher, grade level coordinator, world language department chair, academic dean and now, head of Middle School. Many people ask me what my path looked like to this current leadership role. Did I always want to be a principal? Do I miss the kids? Do I like what I’m doing? Sometimes when I tell people that I’m a Middle School principal, they just shake their heads in disbelief. But I have to say, although I never intended to be in administration, I do love it. The past 10 years have been a great professional challenge for me, and an interesting and rewarding journey. In my division, no two days are alike. Middle School is an interesting time in a child’s development. Students in these grades bring a unique set of strengths and challenges to the table. What makes our division work so well is that we have teachers who love and understand Middle School students. We work with them day after day and keep coming back with smiles on our faces because we appreciate this quirky age. Nothing is more gratifying than helping children work through young adolescent challenges, teaching them life skills, and watching them cross the stage at graduation, knowing that you had a big part in their success. Of course, I miss being in the classroom. But over the years, I came to realize that I still am engaged with the students, just in a very different way. Although I no longer impact students via the classroom, my daily work affects them in a number of ways: hiring and supporting great teachers; working with committees to design or adopt new programs; and leading the implementation of our current strategic plan that has ramifications for students of all ages. The need to always keep in mind the big picture of a student’s education at USM has given me greater appreciation for our well-balanced machine that starts in PK and ends at 12th-grade graduation. The dedication and passion of everyone who works here to always make USM a better place for all are evident in the myriad of conversations that I am involved in on a daily basis. When I came to USM 40 years ago as a very young educator, my goals were to make a difference in young people’s lives and to contribute positively to a school community. Those goals continue to energize and challenge me today.

Head of Middle School Pamela Nosbusch is the longesttenured faculty at USM. 44

USM TODAY | FALL / WINTER 2017—18

a look ahead

INTERN NAME HERE

Upper School students took a break from classes to sign a beam that is being used in the construction of the Jack Olson â&#x20AC;&#x2122;67 Commons as part of the Our Common Bond campaign. All members of the USM community were invited to sign the beam and leave their mark on the school.

Summer is closer than you think! Summer I.D.E.A.S. at University School of Milwaukee Full- and half-day camps and enrichment programs Age 3â&#x20AC;&#x2018;Grade 12 | June-August

www.usmk12.org/IDEAS | 414.540.3350

2100 W. Fairy Chasm Road Milwaukee, WI 53217 ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Milwaukee, WI Permit No. 1025

In a photo taken in October 1992, (back from left) Michael Kwalek, Michael Stansberry ’98, and Brenna Argall ’98 were joined by Middle School English/Math Teacher Dolores Kendall in Woodwinds. Donated by Virginia Henes Young MDS’31, Woodwinds was a five-acre parcel of wooded land adjacent to the main campus that was used for outdoor experiential learning for many years.

We loved this photo of outdoor education dating back to the 1960s, even though we were not able to identify the girls. Do you have any ideas? Email alumni@usmk12.org with your thoughts!