WINTER 2014
EXPLORING USM AFTER THE BELL A GRAND PERFORMANCE
CRACKING THE CODE
A COOL NEW WORLD
GAMIFICATION: BUILDING BETTER LEARNERS
Our Wildcats are
champions! Congratulations to the USM boys’ soccer team and the girls’ tennis duo of Taylor Benard ’15 and Julia Veitinger ’15 who won WIAA state championships! The boys finished off a 20-2-3 season by defeating The Prairie School 1-0 to win the WIAA Division 4 crown, while Benard and Veitinger defeated the top-seeded and previously undefeated tandem from Racine St. Catherine’s in straight sets to claim the state doubles title.
Go ’Cats!
in this issue 08 USM After the Bell 02 Head of School Message
16 A Grand Performance
04 Events Around Campus 14 Academic Achievement 18 Staff Retirements 23 What is a Phonathon? 24 Class Notes
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26 Alumni Events
Alumni Spotlight– Scott Friedman ’90
38 Holiday Shops
30 Cracking the Code
28 In Memoriam
ALSO IN THIS ISSUE:
21 Bruemmer Family Endowed Scholarship Fund 32 Gamification: Building Better Learners
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34 USM Coaches Honored
A Cool New World
USM TODAY USM Today is published by University School of Milwaukee three times 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.
2013-2014 LEADERSHIP
EXECUTIVE EDITOR
Tim Eilbes Director of Marketing and Communications
HEAD OF SCHOOL
MANAGING EDITOR
ASSISTANT HEAD OF SCHOOL
Ryan Cardarella Communications Coordinator CONTRIBUTING EDITOR
Julie Piwowarczyk Associate Director of Communications CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Laura Fuller Gregg Bach HEAD OF UPPER SCHOOL
Stuart Cushman HEAD OF MIDDLE SCHOOL
Pamela Nosbusch
Maria Stone Director of Development
HEAD OF LOWER SCHOOL
Kayte Parkin Annual Giving Manager
PRESIDENT, BOARD OF TRUSTEES
ART DIRECTION AND DESIGN
PRESIDENT, ALUMNI ASSOCIATION BOARD
Carolyn Lengh Richard Seesel
McDill Design
Thomas W. Parker ’79
PHOTOGRAPHY
PRESIDENT, PARENTS’ ASSOCIATION
James Schnepf
Stacey Radke
Visual Image Photography
To change your address or unsubscribe from the USM Today mailing list, please contact the USM Advancement Department at 414.540.3339 or usmadvancement@usmk12.org.
Cover: From Left Deven Sharma ’27, Sofia Elejalde ’26, Austin Schultz ’24, Junior Kindergarten junior teacher Courtney Schemming, and Delia Narrai ’26 make vegetable soup at an after-school cooking class.
HEAD OF SCHOOL LAURA FULLER I often talk with students and families about the outstanding academic experience that we offer at University School of Milwaukee, but just as often I find myself praising the amazing things that happen outside of the classrooms here.
2
Our feature story in this issue is all about USM “after the
I am happy to formally recognize our fall and winter Cum
bell,” and I think you’ll be impressed with some of the
Laude students in this issue, along with our National Merit
examples of the great opportunities our exceptionally
finalists. The top ten percent of the senior class is inducted
well-rounded students have available to them. We have
into the Cum Laude Society in the fall semester, and another
revised our daily schedules for the Middle School and
10 percent joins during the spring semester. This year, all 11
Upper School, which will take effect with the start of the
of our National Merit semifinalists were selected as finalists,
next school year, and these revisions help keep the fine
an incredible achievement. The accomplishments of all of
balance between classroom and extracurricular activities.
these Upper School students are to be commended, as
The revised schedules also allow for deeper student and
we know how very hard each and every student at USM
faculty engagement, help us to better support 21st-century
works to achieve his or her greatest academic potential.
education best practices, and enable us to better
On the courts and playing fields, all of our fall sports
implement elements of our new Strategic Plan into
teams enjoyed great success, highlighted by the state
the curriculum.
championships won by the boys’ soccer team and the
USM TODAY | WINTER 2014
girls’ tennis duo of Taylor Benard ’15 and Julia Veitinger ’15 in
and Milwaukee University School–that will commence with the
doubles play. Additionally, the girls’ tennis team finished as the
start of the next school year in August. Although the legacy of
runner-up in the state team championships. The coaches of these
those schools dates all the way back to 1851 and is filled with great
two teams, Jock Mutschler for boys soccer and Andy Paley for girls
accomplishments and memories, it is exciting that this singular
tennis–along with Russ Trimble, boys’ tennis coach, who led the
school that evolved from their merger, University School of
Wildcats to the state team championship back in June–were all
Milwaukee, will itself have 50 years of students, alumni, and legacy
named state coaches of the year by their respective organizations.
to celebrate. More information about this year of celebration is set
The recognition of these individuals is a great honor for them and
to be included in the June issue of USM Today, and I encourage all
for USM Athletics!
members of the USM community to participate as they are able.
Staying on the topic of accomplishments, I’m excited to share
As you can tell, there are many exciting things going on here at
that USM has received its formal reaccreditation from ISACS, the
USM. Our students continue to receive a world-class education–
Independent Schools Association of the Central States, including
not only in their classrooms, but “after the bell” as well–and this is
a full report of commendations and recommendations. This
made possible by those families who continue to see the value of
milestone is highlighted in more detail below. The entire USM
a USM education, as well as those who support the School
community owes a big “thank you” to USM Director of
through their philanthropy. The ongoing efforts related to our new
Academic Initiatives Judy Bloch, who organized the ISACS Visiting
Strategic Plan, introduced and highlighted in the previous issue
Team’s evaluation visit and facilitated the work that went into the
of USM Today, will also introduce even more of these types of
reaccreditation process.
“experiential learning” opportunities for our students, and I am
I am excited as we continue our planning for “50 Years of USM,” a year-long celebration of the merger of our three predecessor
excited to lead a School where these ideas have the ability to become realities.
schools–Milwaukee Country Day, Milwaukee Downer Seminary,
ISACS reaccreditation USM has received its formal reaccreditation from ISACS, the Independent Schools Association of the Central States, having passed each of the 54 standards with ease. The 16-member ISACS Visiting Team, chaired by Lisa L. Lyle, head of school at Mary Institute and St. Louis Country Day School, was guided by an extensive self-study report prepared by members of the USM community, and delved into all aspects of USM, including mission, philosophy, and curriculum. Their final report provided an affirmation of the work done at USM, including the introduction of the new Strategic Plan, and observed that “the School is poised and ready to take a bold step forward.”
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events around campus GRANDPARENTS AND SPECIAL FRIENDS DAY Sponsored by the Parents’ Association, Grandparents and Special Friends Day was held on Wednesday, November 27, 2013. USM students from each division gathered with grandparents, relatives, and family friends for a short program in the Marion and Verne Read Gymnasium before spending the morning with them in the classroom.
A A Students perform a short program in the Marion and Verne Read Gymnasium
before dispersing with grandparents and special friends to their classrooms.
B From left Grandparents and Special Friends Day Co-Chairs Shelly Farrow,
Karen Schneiberg, and Melissa Sheppard.
C Kathleen Radke ’19, with paternal grandparents Marlene and Otto Radke (outside)
and maternal grandfather Charles Beard (inside).
D Sheryl Barfoot with granddaughter Liliana Espinosa ’27. E M’Johno Foster ’25 with his grandparents Antoinette and Connie Davis. F Camryn Brennan ’18 and her grandmother Suzy Brennan. G Thomas and Peggy Gurnett visiting grandson Chase Kinjerski ’27. H From left Maternal grandparents Ruth and Jerry Weeden, Jonah Bosworth ’24,
and his paternal grandparents Don and Mary Jo Bosworth.
I Tatiana Mamalakis ’24 with her grandfather Dr. Markos Mamalakis. J From left Katie Hayes ‘19, her brother Chris Hayes, Robinson Bosworth MCD’59,
and his grandson Sam Plummer ‘19 observe during a science lab in Kip Jacobs’ 7th-grade classroom.
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USM TODAY | WINTER 2014
D
H
B
C
E
I
F
J 5
DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. DAY Turning a “day off” into a “day on,” USM students, parents, faculty, and staff members participated in service events throughout the greater Milwaukee community in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The day included service opportunities at the Rite-Hite Family YMCA, Urban Ecology Center, Guest House, Kathy’s House, and RedLine Community Art Studio, among other projects.
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USM TODAY | WINTER 2014
CHINESE NEW YEAR Coordinated by Upper School Chinese Teacher Haiyun Lu, USM celebrated the Chinese New Year on January 31 through a variety of activities, including a 50-foot long dragon that was paraded throughout the School.
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Exploring USM After the Bell University School of Milwaukee takes great pride in its strong tradition of academic excellence. USM’s faculty motivate students across all three divisions through a balance of classroom application and experiental learning opportunities that will prepare them for life both within and outside of the classroom. But opportunities that promote character development and establish life skills extend well past the end of the school day. The following activities allow students to explore their interests, push their boundaries, take risks, and grow both intellectually and emotionally, augmenting their stellar academic experiences.
AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMS
Offering Safety, Variety, and Fun
Students work together on a vegetable soup recipe and join together in a soccer contest during after-school programs.
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USM TODAY | WINTER 2014
The After School Program at USM is built on the principles of choice and self-guided play, facilitating learning in a more relaxed setting. The Program offers activities that include art projects, games, reading, and time on the playgrounds and athletic fields. “Our Program offers a safe space for students where they can interact with friends, make choices, and explore,” said Kelly Strains, USM After School Program director. Mimicking neighborhood play, Preprimary and Lower School students have the opportunity to engage with other grade levels and groups of students. Additionally, a series of After School Program classes, taught primarily by USM faculty and staff members, continues to expand student opportunities on campus. The curriculum also gives younger students the chance to “look ahead,” and provides great leadership opportunities for Upper School students who volunteer their time to help. “You see this really great learning experience when our Preprimary students interact with third- and fourth-graders,” Strains said. “Additionally, having Upper School students help out with some of these programs has been important for our younger students, who have the opportunity to see what’s next for them.” Middle School offerings are more self-guided, as much of the after-school programming includes existing clubs and athletic offerings. Some club offerings include Art Attack, Battle of the Books, Bowling Club, Creation Club, the Junior Thespian Society, Math Explorers, Science Innovation, and Student Leadership, among other options. Students also have the option to utilize the Middle School Commons area, also known as the “Wildcat Den,” that provides a safe space for students to complete homework, work on group projects, and relax with friends.
ATHLETICS
Teaching Life Lessons Across All Age Groups
USM Athletics prides itself on promoting a positive experience for all student-athletes, supporting 23 varsity programs, 10 Middle School programs, and an emerging Mighty Cats program in the Lower School. USM’s no-cut policy exemplifies the School’s commitment to providing athletic opportunities for all students. “Our programs provide valuable lessons for practical situations: teamwork, sportsmanship, winning and losing, hard work, and leadership,” said Rick Johns, USM athletic director. “Intramurals and interscholastic athletics round out the options that lead to a healthy lifestyle. These positive attributes help improve students’ academic performances, as well as concentration and attentiveness in the classroom.” USM’s Mighty Cats are exposed to a wide variety of athletic offerings, which helps them decide which sports they might wish to pursue as they get older. Two extracurricular classes are offered each season that coincide with an in-season varsity sport. “The Mighty Cats program develops social skills and better peer interactions in addition to helping students discover what they enjoy athletically,” said Michael Sweet, Lower School teacher and Mighty Cats coordinator. Students begin to narrow their athletic focus and participate in organized sports in Middle and Upper School, but the advantages of USM’s “teacher as coach” model continue. “One of the biggest assets of coaching is being able to establish a rapport with students,” said Middle School Athletics Coordinator and 5th-Grade Teacher Will Piper ‘96. “As a coach, I’m able to see students in a different environment, learn about their sense of humor, and discover how they handle certain situations. This helps build stronger relationships and establish trust that we can bring back into the classroom.”
According to Mike Snyder, Upper School math teacher and assistant athletic director, the successes and failures experienced through participation in athletics also provide essential life lessons that challenge students to push through difficult situations. “Getting students to understand the importance of failure and perseverance is critical. As a coach, helping these kids learn how to respond to adversity and grow through it is such a great opportunity.”
USM coaches develop a rapport with students that carries through to the classroom.
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Students expand their knowledge base and explore their interests through a variety of Summer I.D.E.A.S. program options.
PERFORMING ARTS
Pushing Boundaries Through Participation
Theatrical productions such as “Alice In Wonderland,” “The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes,” and “Almost, Maine” serve as a creative outlet for students. 10
USM TODAY | WINTER 2014
During a time in which many school districts are administering cuts to arts programming, USM’s offerings in the visual and performing arts, music, and dance artistically enrich student learning and provide students with a lifelong appreciation and support of the arts. Extracurricular opportunities in the arts allow for more than just the artistic development of students; they allow students to push their own individual boundaries and comfort levels in an encouraging environment. “In our program, students are challenged to be wildly creative, work their hardest, and produce work they can be proud of,” said Adam Moreno, Middle School drama teacher. “The focus is not on getting the ‘right’ answer or achieving the highest grade. We focus on helping students discover the best version of themselves.” Creating an atmosphere in which students can challenge their boundaries is key to intellectual and emotional growth, producing the kind of confidence that carries over into the classroom. “We try to provide an environment where students feel safe and supported so they can take risks and feel comfortable challenging themselves. We hold students to high expectations, knowing they will rise to meet those expectations and achieve more than they thought was possible,” Moreno said. According to Upper School Drama and English Teacher Ann Johnson, that confidence and eagerness to attack challenges translates seamlessly into the classroom, even as many students juggle additional responsibilities. “Faculty members report that students are sharper and more productive when a show is in rehearsal,” Johnson said. “They understand they have to use their study time during the day, because they will be busy after school.”
SUMMER I.D.E.A.S.
Extending Opportunities for Year-Round Learning
USM believes that opportunities to apply critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving skills should not stop for the summer. Summer I.D.E.A.S. offers a multi-faceted program for students from age three through 12th grade. The program provides a broad spectrum of opportunities in enrichment and instructional academics, the arts, athletics, and more. For children ages 3-8, program options emphasize social, physical, emotional, and cognitive development. Specialty programs which include sports, theater, music, arts and crafts, science, cooking, and more are offered. Older students have their choice of a variety of enrichment experiences that reflect their advancing skills. Higher-level offerings in reading, writing, study skills, technology, science, and the arts draw on students’ individual interests and needs, while credit courses such as Economics, World Religions, and Geometry provide them with opportunities
to fulfill graduation requirements and take electives. Creativity, energy, and excitement flow as students learn in a supportive, purposeful environment taught by USM faculty members and other highly qualified teachers. “The best way to learn and to retain learning is through active engagement. It’s the ‘use it or lose it’ syndrome,” said Judy Bloch, director of summer programs. “Participating in focused, extended workshops without the pressure of tests, homework, and multiple academic responsibilities allows students to focus on learning and enjoying the material.” Summer I.D.E.A.S. gives students a chance to expand their knowledge and sharpen their academic and social skills that will pay dividends during the traditional school year. “The more background experiences that students have in terms of concepts, skills, and vocabulary, the more connections they can make to new learning. This helps students feel more confident when they return in the fall,” Bloch said.
SERVICE LEARNING
Adding Critical Context to Classroom Learning
Participation in service learning is a foundational principle for USM students, beginning in prekindergarten and continuing on through Upper School. Experiences within the school community and around the greater Milwaukee area provide students with a rewarding sense of worth and inspire their investment in making a difference. As USM begins to implement its new Strategic Plan, the School is transitioning toward a service learning program more directly integrated into the classroom curriculum. “We are trying to grow into the establishment of a PK-12 service learning program that faculty members can use to deliver classroom lessons,” said Ben York, USM service learning coordinator. “This allows us a more direct opportunity to openly discuss our values with students and consider what resonates with them.” These student experiences conceptualize societal and environmental problems, adding critical context to classroom learning. Students, who often question “why,” develop complex societal questions, experience those issues through service learning, and engage in vital classroom reflection that builds upon those experiences. “Service learning develops an emotional quotient in our younger students and provides true character-building opportunities,” said Lower School service learning coordinator and 4th-Grade Teacher Cheryl Bair. “The program will institute project-based learning that answers the ‘why’ for many students and helps them develop in terms of critical thinking.” York applauded the community service efforts of faculty, staff, and parents, and hopes that the new program structure will streamline the service learning program. “One of our great strengths at USM has been our grassroots, student-led community service,” York said. “We are just looking to focus those efforts in a more consistent way that leads back to the academic curriculum.”
Service learning activities take place across all divisions. Here, students sort food items and participate in Jump Rope for Heart. 11
STUDENTS PREPARED FOR LIFE After the “Final” USM Bell
The ultimate academic goal for USM is to provide the kind of multi-faceted educational experience that will prepare students for life beyond its walls. The School’s powerful, individualized, four-year college guidance program helps translate the bevy of academic, social, and emotional experiences developed at USM into each student’s best-fit college choice. “USM’s four-year program includes a variety of activities that help families understand the college process, and more importantly, help students understand themselves and what they are looking for in a college,” said Robin Miller, associate director of college guidance. “It’s about finding the right fit.” Establishing a rapport with students over that four-year period helps USM counselors learn more about an individual student’s personality, interests, and academic and extracurricular experiences, which provides insight and understanding to advise the student about college plans. Through formal meetings that begin during sophomore year and run through the acceptance process, counselors have ample time to get to know students on a more personal level. “Because we get to know our students so well, it makes it easier for us to be advocates for them,” Miller said. “Working with students to set realistic and attainable goals is a primary reason why so many of them are eventually accepted to their first- or second-choice school.”
Class of 2013 students showcase their colleges. Ninety-two percent of the Class of 2013 is attending their first–or second-choice school.
An Educational Value Second-to-None Through every season and age group, grade level and area of interest, time of day or skill level, USM is committed to providing its students with an educational and social value that is second-to-none. Beyond the School’s outstanding academic reputation, USM is dedicated to building a foundation for lifelong learning through its vast instructional and developmental offerings that helps to mold and shape our students outside of the traditional school day. The emotional and social skills developed through participation in the arts, athletics, summer and after-school programming, service learning, and college guidance will serve to complement their academic experience at USM and enhance their progress as well-informed, discerning adults in the years to come.
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USM TODAY | WINTER 2014
Discovery Camp • Clubhouse Capers • Academics • Arts • Science • Technology Theatre • Sports • Cooking • Hobbies • High School Enrichment Courses
Age 3 - Grade 12 June 16 - August 22
2100 W. Fairy Chasm Rd. • Milwaukee, WI • 53217 Call 414.540.3350 • www.usmk12.org/IDEAS
academic achievement
CUM LAUDE SOCIETY
Each fall and winter, USM welcomes the top ten percent of the senior class into the Cum Laude Society, an organization honoring superior scholastic achievement in secondary schools. After a breakfast with their parents and faculty members, the seniors each deliver a short speech about an important and meaningful academic experience. October 2013 Front from left Griffin Damron, Julia Hanson, Harriette Hauske, Klara Kobylinski, and Kiran Kuttickat. Back from left Derek Rott, Emily Waples, Ben Zaydman, Ben Sampson, and Jason Seter.
Congratulations to the following fall and winter inductees: Aaron Bickert, Griffin Damron, Julia Hanson, Harriette Hauske, Klara Kobylinski, Kiran Kuttickat, Peter Li, Anna Brook Lowery, Alex Matthaeus, Maahum Mehdi, Alex Meyers, Derek Rott, Sophia Rouze, Ben Sampson, Jason Seter, Greg Trinkl, Emily Waples, Megan Waples, and Ben Zaydman. The Cum Laude Society was founded in 1906. Approximately two dozen of the 382 chapters are located in public schools, with the majority in independent schools. Membership is predominantly in the United States, but chapters are also located across the globe.
February 2014 Front from left Sophia Rouze, Aaron Bickert, Anna Brook Lowery, Megan Waples, and Peter Li. Back from left Alex Meyers, Maahum Mehdi, Alex Matthaeus, and Greg Trinkl.
17 seniors from our 2013 class of 96 students were recognized by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation in their 2014 competition
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USM TODAY | WINTER 2014
The Class of 2013 received an average score of
4.0
on Advanced Placement exams
90%
of students who took an Advanced Placement exam in 2013 earned a passing score
NATIONAL MERIT FINALISTS
The National Merit Scholarship Corporation honors academic excellence by awarding scholarships to the nation’s top students each year. USM is pleased to announce that all eleven of our National Merit Semifinalists were also named as Finalists. Congratulations to the following seniors: Aaron Bickert, Julia Hanson, Joseph Harris, John Hiller, Klara Kobylinski, Charlotte Kovach, Derek Rott, Benjamin Sampson, Jason Seter, Emily Waples, and Benjamin Zaydman. These students will have the opportunity to compete for some 8,000 National Merit Scholarships worth about $35 million. Winners are chosen based on academic records, SAT scores, extracurricular and leadership experiences, and essays.
National Merit Finalists From left Derek Rott, Aaron Bickert, Emily Waples, Benjamin Sampson, Charlotte Kovach, Klara Kobylinski, Joseph Harris, Julia Hanson, John Hiller, Benjamin Zaydman, and Jason Seter.
SCHOLASTIC ART AWARDS
Middle School
Ten USM Middle and Upper School students earned a total of 11 state recognition awards, including three gold keys, from the Wisconsin Scholastic Art Awards. Gold Key recipients advance to the national competition in New York City in May.
Kristen Chou ’19 – Honorable Mention for a monoprint, “Rainy Afternoon,” and a Silver Key for a monoprint, “Chameleon’s Tail” Kasey DePoy ’17 – Honorable mention for a block print, “Eureka!” Ella Godfrey ’18 – Gold Key for a drawing, “Beneath the Catacombs” Mary Holmes ’18 – Silver Key for a digital print, “This is Me, Who are You?”
Award-winners were honored in a closed ceremony at the Milwaukee Art Museum on Saturday, February 8, and have their work featured at an exhibit in the museum from February 1 through March 16. A total of 388 outstanding works, by Wisconsin students in grades 7-12, compromise the annual Scholastic Art Awards– Wisconsin Regional exhibition. Students from 88 schools throughout Wisconsin enter this competition.
The average ACT score for the Class of 2013 is
28.6
28%
of the Class of 2013 earned Advanced Placement Scholar distinction
Upper School
Abby Wigdale ’14 – Gold Key for a painting, “Simon” Luisa Perez ’14 – Silver Key for a drawing, “Self-Portrait” Simon Eng ’14 – Honorable Mention for a photo, “Fjords” Adam Malkin ’15 – Gold Key for a photo, “Portrait of a Matriarch” Emily Waples ’14 – Silver Key for a digital image, “White Noise” Drew Glaeser ’15 – Honorable Mention for a digital image, “The End Feels Good”
USM students have won
14 awards at the INTEL international science fair over the past 10 years
92%
of the Class of 2013 graduates are attending their first— or second— choice school
Be sure to check back in our Spring 2014 edition of USM Today for more academic achievements!
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FOR SOME, A PERFORMANCE AT NEW YORK CITY’S HISTORIC CARNEGIE HALL IS A CULMINATION OF A LIFETIME OF WORK AND PREPARATION. For University School of Milwaukee’s Trevor Smith ’19, it was the result of a dynamic five-minute video that landed him front and center at the iconic venue.
Trevor Smith performing at Carnegie Hall
Smith was selected as one of 19 winners of the International Golden Voice Competition, earning him a spot at the winners’ recital at the Weill Recital Hall inside Carnegie Hall on November 16, 2013. The performance was part of the 11th annual American Fine Arts Festival.
A relative newcomer to singing competitions, Trevor Smith ’19 collaborated with his voice coach to expand his range and skill level, and ultimately decide on his submitted selections to perform at the International Golden Voice Competition at New York City’s iconic Carnegie Hall. “It was a really cool process,” Smith explained. “My voice teacher introduced me to different pieces and helped me build them into my repertoire. Then, for competition, we went through and picked out what was best for me.” After cycling through his repertoire, Smith settled on the spiritual “Deep River” and “Non lo diro col labbro,” an Italian opera song by George Frideric Handel, as his submitted pieces. Competition entrants are allowed to submit as many songs as they like, but are held to a five-minute time limit. USM Middle School Music Teacher Miriam Altman has also played an integral role in Smith’s development, witnessing him emerge as a stronger, more confident performer in her classroom. “Since I met Trevor more than two years ago, it has been clear he loves music, and loves to sing,” Altman said. “He is focused, creative, he practices, and is a strong leader in rehearsals, both musically and behaviorally. This self-assurance has developed in direct correlation to the richness of his multiple musical experiences.” Smith also had the opportunity to take in the sights and sounds of the city during his visit. “It was actually my second time in New York City, so it was really fun to show my family around,” Smith said. “But my favorite memory from the trip will be singing at Carnegie Hall in front of so many people.” Smith plans to enter the 2014 Hal Leonard Vocal Competition in both the musical theatre and classical categories, but also has his sights set on a different kind of goal. “American Idol isn’t really for kids, but as soon as I’m old enough, I’m definitely going for it,” Smith said. Don’t bet against him.
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The Changing Faces of Admissions USM Bids Farewell to Two Members of the Admissions Department
I have enjoyed and derived great satisfaction from seeing the students that we have admitted thrive in this amazing School.
Kathleen Friedman
After 16 years serving in University School of Milwaukee’s Admissions Department, Kathleen Friedman will be vacating her position as Director of Admissions for Grades 8-12 at the end of the school year.
In addition to her full-time position as Director of Admissions, Friedman has served on the Administrative Council, the Finance Committee (ex-officio), the Advancement Committee, the Middle and Upper School Admissions Committees, the Diversity Study Team, the Gorilla Group (USM’s faculty and staff social events group), and as an ex-officio member of the Board of Trustees.
Friedman’s legacy at USM began with a very important role at USM: parent. Her four children are all USM alumni: Scott ’90, Ryan ’94, Andrea ’97, and Sean ’02. As a USM parent, Friedman held many volunteer positions including Class Sponsor, Parents’ Association (PA) Upper School Coordinator, and Holiday Shops liaison. She also served on several PA committees and was the PA President from 1992-1993.
As for her future, Friedman doesn’t see herself as “retiring” anytime soon. She will be moving on to another position outside USM that will allow her more time and flexibility to travel with her husband, Randy Dean, and visit their children and grandchildren. She also plans to spend more time painting in her studio–a hobby she has been developing for the past 10 years–and getting involved in the nonprofit community.
Following her years of service with the PA, she was elected to USM’s Board of Trustees, where she served for five years. During that time, Friedman sat on Board committees that included Admissions, Facilities Planning, and Diversity. As if she wasn’t busy enough, she also co-chaired the Annual Fund for two years.
As much as she is looking forward to her future endeavors, spending time away from USM will be an adjustment for Friedman. “I will miss meeting and working with the students and their families. And I will miss collaborating every day with our terrific admissions team and the many highly professional and hard-working colleagues and friends throughout the School. Through the years, I have had the privilege of working with so many wonderful and interesting people, and at a place in which I truly believe.”
In 1988, Friedman was hired as the Director of Admissions and Financial Aid. With the expansion of the Admissions Department over the years, her role evolved into her current position as Director of Admissions and the responsibility of enrolling students in grades 8-12.
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USM TODAY | WINTER 2014
During her tenure in the department, Friedman led the School through a period of great development and growth. The Financial Aid program has more than doubled in size and the diversity of the student body has grown significantly. The School has also benefited from healthy enrollment for many years–in fact, the current school year’s enrollment is the largest in the history of USM.
Creating relationships within a community of outstanding educators and motivated students where students thrive as lifelong learners—this is what USM is all about. Kathy Housiaux has spent nearly a lifetime at University School of Milwaukee and its predecessor schools. At the close of the school year, however, she will be leaving after 29 combined years of teaching and welcoming new families to USM as Associate Director of Admissions for grades PK-2. Her history with the School goes back many years: her father is an alumnus of Milwaukee Country Day and her mother attended Milwaukee Downer Seminary. Housiaux herself attended Milwaukee Downer Seminary beginning in 4th grade, through her freshman year at USM. Continuing the family tradition, all three of Housiaux’s children attended the School from kindergarten through grade 12: Andy ’97, Julie ’99, and Charlie ’02. Her husband, John, coached Middle and Upper School basketball at USM for 20 years. Her three brothers, William ’81, Bob ’78, and Kip ’74, a 7th-grade science teacher at USM, are also graduates. Housiaux began her professional career teaching in public schools for seven years prior to accepting a teaching position at USM in 1985. She found her niche teaching junior kindergarten and senior kindergarten children for a combined 12 years, and also served as both JK and SK grade coordinator and the Preprimary Department head. Her role at USM changed in 1997 when she became the Associate Director of Admissions, and currently she is responsible for prekindergarten through grade 2. Remaining a strong advocate for the preprimary grades, Housiaux started several initiatives to enhance USM’s preprimary program. She was integral in the creation of USM’s three-morning prekindergarten program, now in its fourth year. Additionally, more than six years ago, she began the Early Education Consortium, an active group of area preschool directors who meet several times during the year to network and share information.
Kathy Housiaux
Throughout her tenure at USM, Housiaux has chaired several self-study committees during the School’s reaccreditation processes with the Independent Schools Association of the Central States (ISACS). She was co-chair of the original Diversity Study Team and is a current member. She is an admissions liaison with the Alumni Office and has held numerous parent volunteer positions throughout her years at the School, including captains’ mom and class sponsor. It’s only natural that after having USM as such a big part of her life, there are many things Housiaux will miss. “I will definitely miss the relationships that have developed and been nurtured over many years with my admissions colleagues as well as with the teachers and administrators,” Housiaux said. “I will miss the sense of community that is created every day by teachers who care, students who are eager to learn, and new families who are interested in learning about USM.” Housiaux looks forward to spending more time with her husband, children, and grandson, and finding extended time for her friends, as well as for traveling. She also plans to garden, golf, and ski more often. She will not officially retire, though, as she wants to continue to volunteer within the greater Milwaukee community and, more importantly, continue to stay active and engaged with USM. “I feel incredibly fortunate that I have been able to work at such a fine School for so many years and have been part of a vibrant and engaging community of wonderful families.”
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In recognition of his 39 exceptional years of teaching, coaching, and mentoring, USM is pleased to establish the Bruemmer Family Endowed Scholarship Fund. In the hope of providing greater accessibility to that education, Bruemmer and his family have presented USM with a lead gift to establish this endowed scholarship fund. USM is delighted to be offering an opportunity
{
for members of our community to additionally support this fund.
For a list of contributors to the Bruemmer Family Endowed Scholarship Fund, or to make a contribution to the Fund, visit www.usmk12.org/bruemmerfamilyscholarship
}
Throughout his career, Bruemmer consistently spoke of the unsurpassed quality of a USM education. It is through this fund
Honoring 39 Years of Excellence
that he and USM hope to provide tuition assistance to an incoming freshman who demonstrates outstanding achievement in academic merit, character, extracurricular activities, and
with the Bruemmer Family
community service. The assistance will be awarded over a fouryear period. Maintaining tuition affordability at USM is a high
Endowed Scholarship Fund
priority, and this scholarship will allow the School to continue to expand its reach into the greater Milwaukee community.
When former Upper School History Teacher Steve Bruemmer retired from University School of Milwaukee in 2012, he left behind
USM very much looks forward to the day when it can
a legacy that touched the lives of countless students. Whether
acknowledge the Upper School admission of the first Bruemmer
he was leading a freshman World Civilizations course, coaching
Family Scholar.
varsity
soccer,
holding
a
presidential
campaign
simulation, or presenting at one of his famous political cartoon assemblies, Bruemmer was an inspiration to over 2,800 students—and still remains so today.
21
Curiosity is Key for Award-Winning Investigative Reporter
A poetential news story can pop up just about anywhere for award-winning NBC 5 Dallas investigative television reporter Scott Friedman ’90. Friedman was recently awarded the Edward R. Murrow award in the Investigative Report–Series category for a nine-month investigation titled “Driven to Distraction” that originated from a quiet commute home one evening. The impetus for the story came when Friedman observed a squad car swerving back and forth on the road in front of him. As he passed the squad car, he observed a distracted officer entering data into his dashboard computer and so he began to dig deeper, resulting in the lauded series. Searching department records and Texas state accident reports, Friedman’s team found a systemic problem, with crashes involving distractions inside patrol vehicles taking place at least two to three times per month in the state. As a result of his team’s work, the story has become part of mandatory training for many regional departments, including the Missouri State Troopers. Friedman’s investigative team has also won the National Sigma Delta Chi Award for Investigative Reporting from the Society of Professional Journalists, and seven Emmy Awards in the state of Texas, including the Emmy for Best Investigative Series. Friedman, a University of Notre Dame graduate, arrived at NBC 5 Dallas with a wealth of reporting experience, including stints at the NBC affiliate in South Bend, Ind. and ten years at TMJ4 in Milwaukee, where he served in a variety of roles, including weekend evening news anchor.
Scott Friedman ’90 far right, with his investigative team at the Lone Star Emmy Awards on November 9, 2013.
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USM TODAY | WINTER 2014
Scott Friedman ’90
“I feel very blessed,” Friedman said. “Most people do not get the opportunity to work in their home market for 10 years like I did.” Friedman fondly recalled his USM education and credited the development of his writing ability to teachers such as Roseann Lyons, Mary “Peetie” Basson, and Michael Dentice that pushed his skills to their limits. “Writing is at the heart of what I do, and my USM education is the best foundation that I could have asked for,” Friedman said. He also attributes the curiosity that fuels his investigative work to his education at USM, citing the influence of government courses taught by retired faculty members Steve Bruemmer and John “J.S.” Stephens as integral to his reporting pursuits. Friedman will return to campus in May to deliver the 2014 Commencement speech, a distinction he is very much looking forward to. “It’s a great honor, and I’m especially excited to share the moment with my mom (Director of Admissions Kathleen Friedman),” Friedman said. “It has been wonderful to stay connected to the School through her and stay updated on the new generation at USM that continues to make it such a vibrant community.”
Each semester, parent and alumni volunteers meet at School to participate in a series of Annual Giving Program Phonathons. During a phonathon, volunteers gather together and make calls to donors and prospective donors asking for their support of USM. Each year, volunteer callers contact hundreds of alumni and parents to ask for their support of USM and update them with news from School.
CALLER STATUS: VETERAN
Last year, over 80 members of the USM community offered their time to the USM Annual Giving Program and helped the School raise over $1.1 million! Without volunteer participation at our annual phonathon evenings, this type of success would not be possible.
USM CONNECTION Parent
FAVORITE USM MEMORY My daughter Caroline’s research project on the post office, including her visit to the Mequon/Thiensville office. She still remembers it like it was yesterday. WHY SHE VOLUNTEERS Because I believe in USM and their creative approach to education.
CALLER STATUS: VETERAN USM CONNECTION Alumni, Parent, and Parent of Alumni
FAVORITE USM MEMORY Winning multiple state tennis titles under coach Jim Laing. WHY SHE VOLUNTEERS Because I love USM! My family has been a part of USM or a predecessor school since the late 1920’s. The School has been a wonderful place for my kids and I am happy to help in any way that I can. CALLER STATUS: VETERAN USM CONNECTION Alumni and Parent
FAVORITE USM MEMORY Being ranked #1 in the state in hockey. WHY HE VOLUNTEERS To help ensure others receive the same level of education that I was fortunate enough to receive.
CALLER STATUS: ROOKIE USM CONNECTION Alumni
FAVORITE USM MEMORY Senior prank day, and negotiating with J.S. the release of classmates from their “holding cells” on campus! WHY HE VOLUNTEERS Volunteering keeps me busy. Helping out the USM community, which gave so much to me, feels as though I am repaying a debt.
class notes THE FOLLOWING PAGES INCLUDE NEWS AND NOTES SUBMITTED PRIOR TO JANUARY 10, 2014.
40s
Members of the Milwaukee Country Day Class of 1945
continued their annual tradition of meeting at the Milwaukee Country Club around the Christmas holiday. From left Dean Fitzgerald, John O’Brien, Gordon Davidson, Sandy Boyd, Peter Friend, Dave Tolan, Art Laskin, Lee Johnson, and John Sproule.
60s
PETER STRAUB
MCD’61
and Susan Bitker Straub MUS’62 became grandparents in August 2013. The baby’s name is River.
importantly, I connected with an old classmate, Peter Ljubic, whom I had not seen since 1965 (he spent the 7th grade at USM but then transferred away after that grade). It turns out that Peter has been living in Seoul, South Korea for the last 21 years, and has had a fascinating life working with the military all around the world. We met up in Seoul in early November when I was there on business and toured the Dragon Hill (Yongsan) base where Peter is working as a contractor. He and his wife live in a nearby apartment that allows Peter to walk to work, which made me very envious. If any of the alumni from the Class of ’70 would like to get in touch with Peter, please send an email to paul_la_pointe@yahoo.com, and I’ll forward to you some contact information.”
80s
RAKESH K. BHALA
’80
in New Delhi. He completed the November 2013 New York City Marathon in 3:37:34, 6,827 out of 50,266 finishers. His wife, Dr. Kara Tan Bhala, delivered a lecture on global finance and ethics at Oxford University, and has been invited to deliver more such lectures at the University of London, and her Seven Pillars Institute is preparing a video training series on financial ethics. Their daughter, Shera, is an excellent Middle School student at Bishop Seabury Academy and a captain of the volleyball team.
ALLISON KELSEY
’84
married Michael Kreutzer on November 2. Pam Holz Rupright ’84 shared in the celebration in Philadelphia. Classmates can meet Michael at the 2014 Reunion!
ELISA M. T. THARPS BASNIGHT
’87
70s
PAUL R. LA POINTE
’70
“This year, I was elected a Fellow of the American Association of Petroleum Geologists, and also received the Distinguished Engineering Achievement Award for 2013 from the College of Engineering at the University of Wisconsin-Madison for work on the development of Discrete Fracture Network Modeling, a technology that is widely used in the petroleum, mining, and civil engineering industries. But more
is happy to report that: His two volume treatise, “Modern GATT Law,” was published by Thomson Sweet and Maxwell in London, England. The treatise covers the law and political economy of the “Constitution” of world trade law, the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT,) and related World Trade Organization (WTO) agreements. He was awarded Life Membership in the Indian Society of International Law, which is headquartered
To submit a class note: Email your news to alumni@usmk12.org Or mail to: University School of Milwaukee, Alumni Relations 2100 W. Fairy Chasm Road, Milwaukee, WI 53217 24
USM TODAY | WINTER 2014
was nominated to be Director of the Center for Women Veterans at the United States Department of Veterans Affairs and approved by the White House as a Presidential appointee. In this role, she is the primary advisor to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs on programs and issues related to women veterans. Prior to her appointment, Basnight was an attorney with Debevoise & Plimpton LLP and Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney PC. Basnight graduated from the U.S. Military Academy-West Point in 1991, and has also earned degrees from Boston UniversityBrussels, Rutgers Law School-Newark, and Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government. Basnight is the founder of Girls Action Network, Inc. and former term member of the Council on Foreign Relations.
90s
00s
’90
’00
SCOTT FRIEDMAN
MATTHEW SULLIVAN
NATE SERVIS
’05
married Carolyn Wansbrough on August 30, 2013 at Central Park’s Shakespeare Garden in New York, N.Y.
Members of the Class of 2008
pictured far right at Times Square was recently awarded a National Edward R. Murrow award for his work as an investigative journalist at NBC 5 (KXAS-TV) in Dallas/Fort Worth. Friedman and his team also received an Emmy for Best Investigative Series.
MARC BALCER
’92
completed a 54-mile run in the 20in24 Back on My Feet Challenge in Philadelphia this past September. He received an award for being the top fundraiser in this race, which supports individuals experiencing homelessness.
JILL LITWIN
’92
is the founder of Peas of Mind and was most recently featured in the Boelter SuperStore magazine for her creative solution for encouraging kids to eat healthy. Jill’s products have been featured in hundreds of magazines and television reports and are carried in grocery stores across the country.
USM
and Sierra Reece Sullivan ’00 welcomed a baby girl, Delilah Reece Sullivan, on October 20. Delilah’s big brother, Michael, is very excited about his baby sister. The family lives in Mequon.
ALANNA WINDSOR
’04
graduated from Harvard Medical School in May 2013, and in June, started her residency in Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. During her medical school training, she received a research fellowship through the Howard Hughes Medical Institute to spend a year at the National Institutes of Health (2011-2012), researching genes linked to deafness using a mouse model. Windsor hopes to continue her research efforts into understanding the basic mechanisms of the auditory system while also learning the clinical skills to treat head and neck disease as a physician.
ow ball players sh alumni basket
t game at the they’ve still go
celebrated the Thanksgiving holiday together! From left T.J. Hauske, Chris Terris, Melissa Mayfield, Read Servis, Grace Hauske, and Kyle Jacobs.
10s
KEVLYN HOLMES
’12
played Celia in Shakespeare’s “As You Like It.” Holmes has been accepted into the Oxford Program through California Lutheran University for the fall 2014 semester.
in
age.
ll scrimm ing basketba
-Thanksgiv augural post
z- Reyes ’05, ft Beny Pere Front from le ford ’12, an St aw ’11, Lane ’10. Michael Tecl Schadewald m To d eh ’12, an el ha ic M d Adam Salaym an 6 akowski ’0 ow N m 2, Sa ’0 ng Squatti ft Rob Jacobs Back from le 2. ’0 ay 2, w ’0 en x Gre Housiau ll ’06, Charlie Ben McDouga ham ’10, ld O n i ’05, Bria 6, David Koteck y Stribling ’0 les ’06, Aver Johnny Bow , ’12 er ’08, Josh Bak Jack Ulricson anford ’10, ’10, Peyton St n Dan Simonse ams ’10, ’10, Matt Willi Fitz Stratton . ’13 n diso and Julien Ad
young alumni brunch In November, recent USM graduates returned to campus to get together with faculty and current seniors
From left Class of 2013 Alumni, Julien Addison, Joey Judge, Spencer Haas, Clifford Pitts, and Jacob Watton.
over brunch in Mellowes Hall.
Alumni Hockey Scrimmage On December 23, USM hockey alumni organized their annual scrimmage at the Polly and Henry Uihlein Ice Arena. Following the scrimmage, alumni joined retired hockey coach Cal Roadhouse for a reception in the Lower School/Middle School dining room.
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USM TODAY | WINTER 2014
Get Connected with the USM Alumni App! Join the more than 300 fellow alumni who have already downloaded EverTrue, the free USM alumni app, available for iPhone From left Michael Short ’11, Willie the Wildcat, Upper School Dean of Students Rishi Raghunathan, Paul Martinez ’11, Catie Downey ’12, and Fatima Malik ’12.
and Android.
From left Head of School Laura Fuller, Michelle Bal ’13, and Sarah Severson ’13.
iPhone
Android
Tower Breakfast featuring Dr. Henry Wend
Front from left David Fritz ’81, Zach Hafeman ’11, Charlie James ’10, Simon Leahy ’11, Alex Tesensky ’10, Ryan Revolinski ’13, Robbie Schmidt ’13, Dane Maher-Mehciz ’09, Milton Padway ’13, Joey Judge ’13, Chris Kaczmarek ’94, Read Servis ’08, and Peter Lanigan ’09. Back from left Yves Preston, Cal Roadhouse, Kenny Servis ’12, James Shovers ’11, Kent Peterson ’09, Jay Wigdale ’78, Mike Sullivan ’10, Corey Roadhouse ’12, Nick Hermberg ’11, Michael Crimmins ’09, Ben Walker ’13, Nathan Burke ’12, Matt Roadhouse ’05, Colin Fritz ’09, Charlie Wigdale ’10, Augie Fritz ’10, Geordy Baumann ’04, Karl Burns ’07, Ben Jurken ’06, Ben Meyer, Emily Wigdale ’13, and Doug Coleman.
Dr. Wend addresses Tower Breakfast attendees in Mellowes Hall.
On December 11, Upper School History Teacher and Director of USM’s Global Scholars Program Dr. Henry Wend presented on teaching economics without a textbook at the first Tower Breakfast of the 2013-2014 school year.
27
In Memoriam USM wishes to acknowledge and celebrate the lives of our dearly departed alumni and friends. We thank them for enriching our lives through their friendship.
Thomas N. “Tom” Tuttle MCD’45 passed away on September 11, 2013, at the age of 85. Tuttle, who after finishing school had enlisted in the U.S. Navy and spent a year in radio and radar training, went on to spend seven years at Yale University and Yale Law School, marrying the love of his life and wife of 57 years, Marye “Marnie” Read Tuttle MDS’51 during law school. Tuttle worked as a lawyer at Quarles & Brady, was president of the Junior Bar, and moderated the political talk show “The Open Question.” After an unsuccessful run for U.S. Congress in 1964, he began a second career as a north woods real estate agent. He also helped to raise money for The Nature Conservancy and Riveredge Nature Center and initiated a local conservation foundation to protect his cherished Crab Lake in Vilas County, Wis. Tuttle served as a member of MCD’s Board of Trustees from 1959-1961, including one year as that Board’s secretary. He also served as an Alumni Association Board member and a Reunion Volunteer, getting his MCD’45 classmates together for an annual holiday luncheon as recently as 2012. He and Marnie were the recipients of the Alumni Service Award in 2007, honoring their faithful attendance at their grandchildren’s USM athletic events, among their many contributions to the School. He is survived by his six children; Todd Tuttle, Kareth T. Servis ’72 (Jeffrey M. Servis Sr. ’69), Amanda T. Kemnitz ’75 (Joseph), Gwyn T. Goy ’77 (Peter), Liza P. Tuttle ’80 (Kent Taylor), and Thomas N. Tuttle Jr. ’83 (Kate); as well as 20 grandchildren; Jeffrey M. Servis ’03, Nathaniel W. Servis ’05, Read N. Servis ’08, Kenneth T. Servis ’12, Julia and Joey Kemnitz, Perry N. Goy ’05, Lydia M. Goy ’07, Robin and Elaina Goy, Hannah Tuttle, Cassandra Taylor, and Redmond, Keara, Billy, Lane, Grace, Thomas, Read, and Maeve Tuttle. Tuttle’s mother, Florence King Tuttle MDS’15 was an alumna of Milwaukee Downer Seminary, and his sister, Susan Dickens MDS’48, is also an alumna of the school.
Frank R. “F.R.” Dengel II MUS’53 passed away on October 3, 2013, at the age of 77. During his senior year at Milwaukee University School, Dengel was captain of the football team and named Most Valuable Player for football and tennis. He received several awards, including the Williams College Award,
28
USM TODAY | WINTER 2014
Princeton Award, and Thompson Trophy. Dengel graduated from Williams College before serving his country as an Air Force pilot, attaining the rank of Captain. Following his service in the Air Force, he earned his MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Business, then moved to New York City and purchased a seat on the New York Stock Exchange, where he worked on the “floor” for seven years. After the birth of his two sons, he moved the family back to Milwaukee where he opened an office for the investment firm of Blunt, Ellis and Simmons, before joining U.S. Bank. Dengel was active in the community, serving as a Trustee or Board Member of many organizations, including Goodwill Industries, Children’s Service Society, Curative Care Network and the Foundation, Salvation Army, Cardinal Stritch University, Wisconsin Society to Prevent Blindness (President), Fox Point Foundation (President), and Village of Fox Point Trustee (nine years) and President (six years). He also served USM as an Alumni Association Board member in the mid-1970s and a member of the Board of Trustees from 1975-1981. He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Mary, as well as sons Robert H. Dengel ’85 and F.R. Dengel III ’83 (Katrina), and grandchildren Abigail Dengel ’27 and F.R. Dengel IV ’28.
Betty Quadracci Betty Quadracci died peacefully in her Wisconsin home, surrounded by her children, siblings, and close friends, on December 9, 2013, at the age of 75. Quadracci, who along with her late husband and partner Harry V. Quadracci co-founded Quad/Graphics in 1971, was also president of both Quad Creative and Milwaukee Magazine. Quadracci served on University School of Milwaukee’s Board of Trustees from 1985-1991. She and her late husband were also members of University School of Milwaukee’s Lifetime Giving society, which honors individuals, corporations, and foundations that have given more than $100,000 to support the USM Annual Giving Program, the Endowment, capital projects, and similar key funding priorities. Their support of USM’s Next Generation Campaign in fall 2008 resulted in a successful challenge match for members of the community and the renaming of the Upper School gym lobby as the Quadracci Lodge. She is survived by her four children, H. Richard Quadracci ’82, Kathryn Quadracci Flores ’85 (Raja), James “Joel” Quadracci ’87 (Caran Frater), and Elizabeth Harned ’89 (Christopher), as well as her 10 grandchildren and five siblings.
1920s
1950s
1960s
Dorothy Kopmeier Vallier
Nancy Michael Wallace
Edward M. Hipke
Michael J. Krzoska
MDS’28 November 12, 2013 Milwaukee
MDS’44 March 24, 2012 Sarasota, Fla.
MCD’50 December 3, 2013 Milwaukee
MUS’64 September 25, 2013 Little Chute, Wis.
Marguerite Stark Fowle 1930s
Paul J. Riesen MCD’33 October 31, 2013 Milwaukee
Rhoda Grings Velguth MDS’34 September 17, 2013 Milwaukee
Dorthea Greene Mumford MDS’36 November 18, 2013 Carmel, Calif.
Mary Louise Wiener Marsh MUS’39 July 9, 2013 Naples, Fla.
William W. Allis MCD’39 December 2, 2013 Mequon, Wis.
John R. Redford
Jane Wieland Senft
MDS’46 December 13, 2013 Mequon, Wis.
MUS’53 May 4, 2013 Milwaukee
’68 September 20, 2013 Southport, N.C.
Thomas Van Alyea
Nancy Hirschboeck Jaekels
MCD’46 September 20, 2013 Milwaukee
MDS’53 October 7, 2013 Boca Grande, Fla.
William D. Lindsay
Michael A. Humml
MUS’47 December 2, 2013 Springstead, Wis.
MUS’54 Bad Salzuflen, Germany
Barbara Paul Franke
MDS’55 October 14, 2013 West Bend, Wis.
MDS’48 November 14, 2013 Lake Forest, Ill.
Helen Wear Ostby MDS’49 October 21, 2013 Madison, Wis.
Frank L. Stamberg
MUS’49 October 20, 2013 St. Joseph, Mich.
MDS’42 November 3, 2013 West Bend, Wis.
’00 (attended through 8th grade) January 13, 2014 Milwaukee
Mary Kassuba Hochmuth
Suzanne Darling MacClurg MDS’55 July 30, 2013 Marcellus, N.Y.
MDS’49 October 24, 2013 Milwaukee
Kurt W. Remus
Constance Chester Squier
Elizabeth A. Kendall
Janet Boughton Pflieger
1940s MCD’40 August 9, 2013 Stamford, Conn.
2000s
Mary Kamman Tierney MUS’49 November 19, 2013 Boca Raton, Fla.
Worden L. McCallum MCD’43 September 6, 2013 Peterborough, Ontario, Canada
Marion R. “Polly” Strauss Uihlein MDS’38 found peace and joined her beloved husband Henry H. Uihlein Sr. MCD’39 on January 31, 2014. Additional coverage of her life and contributions to University School of Milwaukee will
Updated as of January 31, 2014.
appear in the Spring 2014 issue of USM Today.
Cracking the Code Hour of Code Movement Brings Software Applications to Life This past December, during Computer Science Education Week, University School of Milwaukee students from each division joined together with students from all over the world to participate in the Hour of Code, a movement designed to teach K-12 students the basics of writing computer programs. The campaign, powered by Silicon Valley luminaries such as Microsoft’s Bill Gates, Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg, and tech industry giants Apple, Google, and Amazon, among others, engaged students of all ages and computer programming skill levels in a series of online tutorials offered at www.code.org. Utilizing Hopscotch, an iPad programming tool, Lower School students were able to manipulate the movements and actions of various animated characters in code. Preliminary exercises had students rotate and move an animated monkey around their iPad screens, while more advanced exercises in programs like Tynker
and Scratch allowed students to create their own games, stories, and animations. Middle and Upper School students had the opportunity to watch a series of tutorials before challenging their programming capabilities in popular gaming environments like Angry Birds and Plants vs. Zombies. While the tutorials had a “gaming” feel, at the root of every coding exercise was a heavy emphasis on problem solving that can be integrated into almost every subject. “Students love to solve problems, and they are so curious,” said Nikki Lucyk, USM dean of academic technology. “Once they learn the tools and discover their capabilities, the problem-solving aspect is so fascinating to them. I think we are in the early stages of something really amazing.”
Lower School students collaborate to solve a problem during an Hour of Code activity.
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USM TODAY | WINTER 2014
Building on the success and interest piqued during the Hour of Code activities, Lucyk indicated that the week of sessions represented a “soft launch” for more robust computer programming offerings at USM. An after-school coding class will be offered later this spring, and plans for additional weekend and summer courses are currently underway. Members of USM’s academic staff are also working on ways to integrate computer programming into future math and science curriculum. According to recent studies, understanding and excelling in code could also help students fill a gaping hole in the job market. Through 2020, there are slated to be approximately one million more computing jobs than incoming candidates to fill them, with job growth in the field advancing at twice the national average. “We use software to do just about everything. Once students understand how to code and how software applications work, they have the opportunity to be entrepreneurial and design and develop better products,” Lucyk said. “But it’s about more than the job market. Acquiring these skills will allow students to marry their love of design and creation with coding. It’s all connected.”
H ur of Hou o Code C Cod de d e { by the numbers} 90%
of schools currently do not offer computer science courses
15
by 2020, there will be
1,000,000
more computing jobs than students to fill them
MILLION students participated from more than 170 countries
more than
500
MILLION lines of code were written during the week
It appears that students not only understand how to write code, they are enjoying it as well. Tom Mussoline, Middle School academic technology coordinator, noticed a buzz in the Middle School halls leading up to the Hour of Code events and noted that a few students even traveled to the nearby Apple store in Glendale to receive additional training following the coding sessions at School. “Most kids today will tell you that it is very cool to know how to write code,” Mussoline said. “Students are beginning to realize that their potential job might not even be created yet, and that coding and programming ability will be an important aspect of their arsenal of knowledge.” For more information or to engage in a tutorial, visit www.code.org.
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building better learners by building better experiences BY MICHAEL MATERA
In June, Michael Matera and Rory Newcomb, a high school physics teacher from Mumbai, India, will host the gamification workshop at the 2014 International Society for Technology and Education Conference in Atlanta. Matera will present and work with over 300 educators during the three-hour workshop that he hopes will help to spread the educational method. “I’m excited for the opportunity to help other educators fall in love with gamification and bring it back to their students,” said Matera.
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USM TODAY | WINTER 2014
With each passing year, the educational pendulum swings from one technique or method to the next. One thing that these techniques have in common is that they don’t pay enough attention to the student experience. As teachers, we spend a great deal of time focusing on content or our technique of assessment. With that in mind, I have spent the last few years focusing my attention on gamification. Gamification is the idea of using the most motivational aspects of gaming to complete a task. If school were looked at as a game, I’d argue that it’s a poorly designed game. Think about it–school has all the core components of games, including points, levels, and rewards. Each level presents challenges in the forms of tests, quizzes, and papers that students must master to successfully prepare for future levels. That said, why not make school as engaging as a game? Video games are all about engagement. Players constantly receive feedback, both positive and negative, which allows them to make complex decisions in meaningful ways. Players are often rewarded and given new abilities or powers. However, the payout or impact from their successes and failures in school don’t come fast enough to be motivational or corrective. Schools often treat students as empty vessels to fill with knowledge, and not as players who want to explore, create, and be challenged. Games are the only voluntary activity that we choose to make more difficult. In Jane McGonigal’s book “Reality is Broken,” she gives an example about the game of golf. The game is simple; put the ball in the hole. We make it more complicated by putting the hole 500 yards away, with sand and water traps in the way. These extra challenges make it more fun. So how can we harness this power to unlock student enthusiasm in the classroom? As noted author Dr. Norman Peale said, “Enthusiasm spells the difference between mediocrity and accomplishment.” If we want all of our students to reach their potential, then we must focus on the way we present our information.
Michael Matera legislates an epic historical battle through gamification in his 6th-grade classroom.
The view from 5th-Grade Teacher Nicola De Torre’s “buggy” outside of Churchill, Manitoba, Canada included lots of polar bears!
My Polar Bear Plunge Gamification has changed the “game” of school for my students. My World History class, or the “Realm of Nobles,” goes on side quests that allow them to produce from their passions. They make video documentaries, podcasts, scale replicas of ancient buildings, and hundreds of other creative projects. They see their talents and interests used within the class. Simply put, gamification has helped these students see learning as an active process rather than a passive one. Gamification helps all students, motivating the struggling student by helping build collaborative bonds with his guild and pushing the top student to continue to learn beyond the “A.” Gaming concepts such as intrinsic motivation, self-taught exploration, and learning through failure have transferred to the classroom with great success. However, the key part of this success is that the learning is student-driven. Learning to take the initiative in their schoolwork; attacking each assignment with enthusiasm, creativity, and effort; and overcoming challenges with their own curiosity and resilience builds independent learners. We understand that in the struggle is where the learning takes place. No matter where the educational pendulum continues to swing, gamification will enhance that style. Focusing on how we present the material and create an experience for our students forces us to reflect on the difference between a captive audience and a captivated one.
Michael Matera is a 6th-grade history teacher at University School of Milwaukee and runs an informational blog on gamification at www.mrmatera.com.
By Nicola De Torre At the end of October 2013, I participated in the adventure of a lifetime. As part of a “Think Big” grant awarded to me by USM for experiential professional development, I traveled with Frontiers North Adventures to visit and study polar bears just outside of Churchill, Manitoba, Canada. This small town, home to fewer people than are enrolled at USM, is known as the “Polar Bear Capital of the World.” Many bears are found around Churchill because the counter-clockwise currents in Hudson Bay make the area one of the last icy spots left as summer approaches, and the first to freeze in the winter. In October and November, the bears converge at the water’s edge, preparing to head out onto the ice to hunt seals for the winter. The program I joined had three purposes. It was designed to raise awareness about polar bears, introduce local culture, and offer a chance to see the polar bears. The first few days were spent in Churchill, visiting museums and touring the town. We even spent an afternoon dog sledding. Next, we headed several miles out of town to Polar Bear Point, where our feet did not touch the ground for three days. We went on a bumpy buggy ride out to a lodge, which consisted of two bunkhouses, a lounge car, and a dining/kitchen car. We spent the evening hours at the Lodge and headed out in Buggy #9 early each morning to spot as much wildlife as possible. To read the rest of De Torre’s “polar bear plunge” feature, visit www.usmk12.org/polarbear.
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Legendary Coach Cal Roadhouse Retires After 28 years with the USM boys’ hockey program, including 15 years as head coach, Cal Roadhouse retired prior to the 2013-2014 season, ending his run with one of the great all-time hockey programs in Wisconsin. Roadhouse, whose teams earned 10 appearances at the State Tournament and won state titles in 2006 and 2010, left the program in great shape–as of press time for this issue, the Wildcats had a record of 17-4-3 as they readied for the postseason.
Having had the privilege to coach so many wonderful young men over the years is what Roadhouse is most proud of. “Many former players return to the rink to visit with the coaches and watch the current team,” Roadhouse said. “They often say that what they learned while playing hockey at USM was the best part of their education. We coaches are all honored to have worked with them, and I personally value having known them all.” A celebration with current players and hockey alumni took place following the annual alumni hockey scrimmage in December, and a formal retirement ceremony honoring Roadhouse’s USM hockey career was held at the Watermark at Shully’s in Thiensville in January. “My best memory (at USM) is winning the two state championships,” Roadhouse said at the reception. “I’m proud to have made those memories at USM with the kids and coaches. I miss it already.”
Roadhouse, who grew up in Alberta, Canada, played professional hockey from 1976 to 1984, including a three-year run with the Milwaukee Admirals, where he met his wife, Gina. A knee injury in 1984 led to the end of his playing days, but opened the door to the start of his career at USM. He was recruited to help coach hockey at the School by Lowell MacDonald, who had played hockey for the Pittsburgh Penguins and served as athletic director and head hockey and baseball coach for the Wildcats. The 2006 team that Roadhouse led to the state championship was the first-ever Milwaukee-area team to win a WIAA championship. His 2010 team also won the state championship, having entered the state tournament as an unranked team on an upswing. A tougher personal battle awaited him that following winter, however, when he was diagnosed with cancer. He emerged from that battle victorious, after being pronounced cancer-free in June of 2011.
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USM TODAY | WINTER 2014
Roadhouse second from right, with his 2010 state title-winning team.
USM Coaches Honored as State Coaches of the Year Following a year of great successes leading their respective teams, three USM coaches have been honored as state coaches of the year by their respective organizations. Boys’ tennis head coach Russ Trimble and girls’ tennis head coach Andy Paley were each selected by the Wisconsin Tennis Coaches Association as the Wisconsin recipients of the 2012-13 National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Coaches Association Coach of the Year awards, and boys’ soccer head coach Jock Mutschler was selected by the Wisconsin Soccer Coaches Association (WSCA) as the recipient of the 2013 Coach of the Year award in the All Private Schools category.
Trimble, also a former USM faculty member, led the Wildcats to the WIAA Division 2 Boys State Team Tennis championship this past June. This was USM’s eighth tournament title in the sport, including a stretch of six straight championships from 2006-2011, with Trimble at the helm for five of those years. USM also had six members of the team who competed in the state singles and doubles tournament in 2013.
Paley, a four-time WIAA Division I state champion and three-time All-American in college, led the Wildcats to the WIAA Division 2 Girls State Team Tennis championship in 2012, the second year in a row that they won it, and coached the team to a runner-up finish in the 2013 tournament this past fall. In addition, the tandem of Julia Veitinger ‘15 and Taylor Benard ‘15 earned the state doubles title last October.
Mutschler, who is also the coach of the USM Wildcats girls’ soccer program and serves as the Regional Director for the Milwaukee Kickers’ Milwaukee East Region, led the Wildcats to the WIAA Division 4 Boys Soccer state title in October, capping a 20-2-3 season. This was just his second season at the helm of the USM soccer programs, although he previously served as USM’s Middle School boys’ and girls’ soccer coach from 2009-2012, and as the junior varsity head coach in 2010.
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A Cool
“We have never seen anything like it,” said Michael Elam of Arena Systems. “Beats me how you were making ice.”
In March 2011, a consultant identified the need to replace the Polly and Henry Uihlein Ice Arena floor and cooling system before it failed, potentially in-season. The previous system, which carried an approximate shelf life of 25 years, had been installed in 1985, meaning that the unit was living on borrowed time. Work on the initial $625,000 phase of the arena began on May 6, 2013, and just in the nick of time. When installers opened up the rink floor to replace the cooling system that creates the surface ice for the rink, they found 28 years of sludge. “When the floor was removed, we saw just how close the rink floor was to a major failure. It was plugged with sludge created by a mixture of salt water that ran through the metal piping in the floor,” said Jason Woods, USM ice arena manager and head girls’ hockey coach. The piping has been replaced by plastic tubing in the new system to avoid similar buildup in the years to come. Early reviews have been positive, with the new cooling system proving to be quicker and more efficient, and the new surface ice playing faster than ever.
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USM TODAY | WINTER 2014
New World
Ice rink improvements to benefit players, coaches, and spectators
“USM has always prided itself on having a great ice surface which plays “The beauty of the new space is the synthetic ice,” said David Ells ’86, fast. That hasn’t changed,” Woods said. “The difference is how quickly the president of the Milwaukee Winter Club. “The shooting area will allow ice now freezes after a Zamboni resurface. Some of our current players players to develop their skills in a concentrated, authentic environment.” have remarked that the puck seems to move faster on the ice and that the Goalies will have the opportunity to hone their abilities on the synthetic ice seems to be even faster than the past.” ice in drills that simulate in-game situations, and the extra space will The project also included new insulation, state-of-the-art dasher boards, allow players to work on their skating, passing, stickhandling, and and the addition of new heat mats that allow for better year-round rink shooting skills. usage that will greatly enhance the functionality of the rink, as well as the “With the surface that will be installed, it is my belief that every single player overall spectator experience. on a hockey team can benefit from this,” Woods said. “Coaches can do so With the support of the USM Athletic Department and the Milwaukee Winter many things in this area that there just isn’t time to do during a normal on-ice Club, work on Phase I was completed in time for summer hockey camps. practice. This will allow more skill work to be performed on-ice, creating more fundamentally sound players. It’s truly a great time to be a Wildcat.”
Phase II nearing completion
The second phase of the rink project is currently underway. Construction of a brand-new 1,600-square-foot shooting area began in early October For more information visit www.usmk12.org/mwcicerink. and is slated to be ready for use in early April 2014. Located on the south For the latest on all USM sports, visit www.usmathletics.org, side of the existing arena, the addition will feature a synthetic ice surface and follow @USMathletics on Twitter. with four sections to be used as year-round player practice areas.
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From left Liza Perry, Bruce Ross, Parents’ Association Board President Stacey Radke, and Steve Booth.
A special thank you to everyone for their tireless work in creating this three-day event, which kicked off with a dazzling Preview Party on Wednesday, October 30, 2013. 2013 Holiday Shops Committee Leaders
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USM TODAY | WINTER 2014
Ashley Borges Susan Brennan Shaw Bridges Carrie Burton Marina Carlson Lynne Charmoli Jenny Ells Chou ’84 Jen Darrow Amy Taylor Diamond Julie Erickson Liz Fleming Sara Hermanoff Lorre Inda Patricia Kauffman Niven Kingwill Sara LeBrun-Blashka Patti Levy Deb Mackman Heidi Marcelle Susan Mortara Jock Mutschler Denise Neihardt Don Neihardt Upasna Pandey Janice Pennington Stephanie Petersen Wendy Petzold
Sandy Pickart Deb Pokel Colleen Polston Stacey Radke Cathey Ralph Jennifer Reese Rebecca Romano Rénee Rooney Nancy Roos Jen Schoon Kristin Sheehan Gigi Mestier Short ’79 Susan Smith Margy Stratton Norman ’84 Danielle Wagner Strauss ’94 Cathie Torinus Ellen Venable Tim Vertz Angela Vogel Megan Wallskog Jill Westveer Julie Whitney Robin Wine Lisa Wright Barb Zabors Jennifer Zwief
From left USM Board of Trustees member Mike Roth, Cathy Roth, Shelly Seesel, and Board of Trustees President Dick Seesel.
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From left Treasury Chair Marina Carlson and Treasury Chair-Elect Jennifer Zwief.
From left Daphne Lerner ‘88, Parents’ Association President-Elect Niven Kingwill, and Preview Party Creative Coordinator Jill Westveer.
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a look back THE USM LEARN TO SKATE PROGRAM
Learn to Skate Director Jill Herbst guides a group of young skaters at the Polly and Henry Uihlein Ice Rink in January.
The USM Learn To Skate program just celebrated its 27th year at the Polly and Henry Uihlein Ice Arena in 2013, making the program one of the oldest in the state. Skating lessons, open to the greater Milwaukee community, have been an integral part of the USM skating rink since 1986, when the ice arena celebrated its grand opening. The majority of all ice facilities use a learn to skate program as a tool to bring young skaters into their facilities and enhance other skating programs such as hockey. The learn to skate lessons are designed to meet the needs of recreational skaters by providing a goal-oriented program that teaches skills which encourage ice skating at all levels. When our program began 27 years ago, its primary goals were to provide a fun and safe skating experience for beginning skaters, to promote health and physical fitness, and to enable participants to achieve the necessary skills to enjoy skating for the rest of their lives. Our USM Learn To Skate program, which initially served Milwaukee’s North Shore suburbs, now draws many skaters from outside the region. Each year our skating community comes from a larger area of the state, drawing families from every corner
of southeastern Wisconsin. With a comprehensive integration of the USM Mission Statement and the School Philosophy, we have been able to turn the typical learn to skate lessons into a strong program that exudes creativity, engagement, and excellence. Many USM families have been introduced to the School first through the Learn To Skate program. We partner with other schools in the community that still offer half-day junior and senior kindergarten by offering five morning and early afternoon classes for the younger skaters. We also dropped our program’s entry-level prerequisite age to two last year, and earlier this year to 18 months, offering a “baby skates” session. Our advanced figure skating club has an enrollment of 17 skaters. During this class, skaters are introduced to classical music and basic dance instruction, head and body movements, music interpretation and program development, and an overall body awareness using upper and lower body extensions. This past October, in partnership with Milwaukee Winter Club, the USM Learn To Skate program “fed” 24 skaters into the hockey program. Reaching out into the community, many Girl Scouts have earned their skating badges on our ice and several Boy Scout troops have learned to play hockey here. Just recently, a father of a young child in our program came up to me and said, “you taught me how to skate when I was four and now you are teaching my daughter.” A lot has happened in 27 years!
Jill Herbst has directed USM’s Learn to Skate program since 1986.
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USM TODAY | WINTER 2014
a look ahead UPCOMING EVENTS THROUGH JUNE 01, 2014
1
mar
Upper School Musical
11 Grades 1-2 Choral Concert
12 A Light Lunch with Devorah Heitner– “Raising Digital Natives”
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apr
may
1
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Parents of Alumni Reception at The Watermark at Shully’s
Senior Send-Off, Senior Brunch
3-4 Rummage at the Rink
9-10 Middle School Musical
13 Grades 5-6 Choral Concert
18 Upper School Commencement
21 Lower School Orchestra Concert USM Retirement Celebration
31 Joe Lubar Memorial Baseball Event
14 Grades 3-4 Choral Concert
USM Visits Chicago
13 Arts Live at USM
24 Tower Breakfast with ManpowerGlobal CEO, Jonas Prising
26 Prom
Homecoming And Reunion Weekend Unite!
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September 18-20, 2014
USM Visits Atlanta
www.usmk12.org/homecomingandreunions
For more information visit
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2100 West Fairy Chasm Road Milwaukee, WI 53217 ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
Students from Milwaukee Downer Seminary and Milwaukee Country Day face off during their annual field hockey game. For more archival photos and much more, visit the USM Alumni Association Facebook page.
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