The Old 160 Magazine - Homecoming 2022

My Fellow Bishops,

I was my privilege to welcome back to VES nearly 600 of you for Homecoming 2022 and The Bishop’s Ball. We are pleased to provide this special edition of The Old 160 that reflects on a party weekend to remember, which was distinguished by old friends and fellowship, Wilber’s Barbecue, and “Party on the Moon.”

Homecoming marked VES’ 107th session and was the largest gathering of Bishops since our school’s centennial celebration. It provided a fitting opportunity to dedicate Pannill-Smith Hall, our new $15 M humanities building, Mary Feagans Garden, and the Costas Wellness Center. We honored the extraordinary lifetime service to VES of John Ellison ’65 by conferring on him the 3rd Robert Carter Jett Award, VES’ highest distinction, and we

acknowledged the many contributions of longtime alumni director Ron Hood with the Ron Hood ’74 Alumni Lawn. Perhaps as a footnote more than anything else, after two years of Covid, I officially became your 13th Head of School.

If you missed Homecoming or have not been back to campus in a while, we eagerly await your return home. We have a huge reunion planned for June 2-4, and Anne and I look forward to seeing you there.

Sincerely,

Garth Ainslie Head of School

OUR MISSION

Virginia Episcopal School is an engaging community that guides students to strive toward full stature in their academic, ethical, spiritual, and personal growth.

2022-23 BOARD OF TRUSTEES

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

MARY HODGES GEORGE ’89 P ’23 CHAIR, BOARD OF TRUSTEES Charlottesville, VA

JOEL T. C. WILLIAMS ’85 P ’17 VICE CHAIR, BOARD OF TRUSTEES Raleigh, NC

CHARLES M. JOHNSON III ’71 CHAIR, ADVANCEMENT Charlottesville, VA

DONTAY J. RILEY ’99 CHAIR, COMMITTEE ON TRUSTEES Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

HEAD OF SCHOOL

Garth Ainslie

ASSISTANT HEAD OF SCHOOL FOR ADVANCEMENT

Henry Clarke ’03

DIRECTOR OF BRAND MARKETING

Esther Underwood

WRITERS

Henry Clarke ’03

Katherine McWane Pitts ’12

PHOTOGRAPHERS

Hannah Deloach

Adam Underwood

Esther Underwood

Fisher Zhang ’23

Virginia Episcopal School, founded in 1916 in Lynchburg, Virginia, is an independent, coeducational college preparatory boarding and day school for students in grades 9-12.

PAUL H. SHEEHY ’81 CHAIR, FINANCE Richmond, VA

KENAN S. WALKER ’93 P ’24 CHAIR, BUILDINGS & GROUNDS Myrtle Beach, SC

STEPHEN M. FARMER

Charlottesville, VA

JOHN M. FLIPPIN, JR. ’89 P ’24, ’26 Lynchburg, VA

MEREDITH MORAN GERMAN ’95 Lewisburg, WV

ROBERT P. GORRELL, JR. ’73 Richmond, VA

JAMES T. JOHNSON, JR. ’73 Ahoskie, NC

MALCOLM L. MILES P ’20 Lynchburg, VA

JAMES B. MOORE III ’00 Mount Pleasant, SC

ANNE MARIE POORE P ’12, ’15, ’19 Roanoke, VA

DOUGLAS E. QUARLES III ’73 Fredericksburg, VA

ELIZABETH FULTON SAYE P ’25 Pinehurst, NC

THE HONORABLE EMILY M. ASTOR London, England

DR. MARVIN BARNARD ’71 Fort Washington, MD

HALL F. BARNETT P ’19 Raleigh, NC

THE RIGHT REVEREND MARK A. BOURLAKAS EX-OFFICIO Roanoke, VA

MARVIN J. CARVER III ’71 Chapel Hill, NC

LEIGH-ANN W. SPROCK P ’18, ’20 Charlotte, NC

FRANCIS B. TEAGUE ’81 Charlotte, NC

KINDELL HANSEN WALTERS ’99 Oklahoma City, OK

LOUIS E. WOOTEN III ’81 P ’19 Raleigh, NC

2022-23 BOARD OF VISITORS

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

AUSTIN BARNHILL ’97

CO-CHAIR, BOARD OF VISITORS

Raleigh, North Carolina

LESSLIE HAMILTON RAY ’00

CO-CHAIR, BOARD OF VISITORS

Greensboro, North Carolina

PHILLIP D. RAY III ’00

CHAIR, MEMBERSHIP

Greensboro, North Carolina

MCKENZIE FOX COATS ’95

Lexington, Kentucky

RYAN E. M. CUNNINGHAM ’95

Charleston, West Virginia

STUART G. FERRELL ’02

Raleigh, North Carolina

CANDICE CLINE KENAN ’00

Johns Island, South Carolina

JENNIFER KERR KMIEC ’01

Raleigh, North Carolina

CHRISTOPHER R. LEBLANC ’99 P ’24, ’26

Dallas, Texas

JULIANNA A. LEBLANC P ’24, ’26

Dallas, Texas

JULIA KERR PETERSON ’01

Raleigh, North Carolina

WILLIAM D. POE III ’95 P ’26

Raleigh, North Carolina

CHANEY H. POE P ’26

Raleigh, North Carolina

ANNE BOLLING GAINES RAINER ’00

Atlanta, Georgia

CHRISTOPHER H. SNOW ’00

Richmond, Virginia

STELIOS TZOUTZIS ’06

Lynchburg, Virginia

STEPHANIE FEES TZOUTZIS ’04

Lynchburg, Virginia

2,851 DONORS SET A RECORD IN 2022. CAN WE COUNT ON YOU TO MAKE HISTORY AGAIN?

Why

“With the extraordinary experience being delivered at VES, we want to challenge those who love our school to show their support to the faculty, students, and our historic campus,” said Henry Clarke, Assistant Head of School for Advancement.

“Generous donors have pledged $3,000,000 to the school if at least 3,000 donors give on March 29. The value of these gifts will fundamentally strengthen VES.”

1 Day

By 11:59 pm on March 29

3,000 Donors

Gifts of any size from any member of our constituency

$3,000,000

If 3,000 donors give on March 29, VES will receive $3,000,000 in challenge gifts.

How the Challenge Works

Who can give?

Anybody. Whether you have already given this year or not, please join us on March 29 with a gift of any size.

Does the gift I have already made this year count in this challenge?

No. If you have already made your gift, thank you. However, we are asking that, on March 29, you make a token gift to help us achieve our challenge goal.

If I have not yet made a gift to VES this year, can my March 29 gift count as my 2022-23 annual contribution? Absolutely!

What does my gift on this day do?

Each gift—whether it’s $1 or $50,000—counts toward the 3,000 donors needed on March 29 to meet our $3,000,000 challenge.

Where does my gift go?

You may designate your gift to your area of interest within The Fund for Virginia Episcopal School, The VES Endowment & Trust or The Building Fund.

Who’s behind the challenge?

Generous friends, parents and alumni.

May I give before the day?

Yes, but only in one way. Please find the donation form and envelope at the center of this magazine. Mark your gift amount, make your designation, and check the box #everyonegiVES to indicate you want your gift counted on March 29. Pre-gifts must be received on or before March 29 to count toward the 3,000donor challenge.

GIVE A LEGACY AT Virginia Episcopal School

The Virginia Episcopal School community of alumni, parents, and past parents has the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to partner with McKinnon and Harris, creator of the finest and most durable handcrafted outdoor furniture in the world. You have the opportunity to honor an alumnus, a beloved faculty member, a parent, or a graduating student with a 78” McKinnon and Harris Virginia Bench. McKinnon and Harris was founded by local artist Annie Harris Massie and her brother William McKinnon Massie, VES Class of 1981. Anne and Will’s VES ties run deep: their mother, Annie Adams Robertson Massie, served as a VES trustee during coeducation and painted the extraordinary watercolors that grace Jett Hall’s parlor. Will has made this amazing opportunity available to the VES community until June 30, 2023.

Virginia Benches will include an honor or memorial plaque.

HYPOTHETICAL EXAMPLES

In Memory of Sam Snead

by Justin Thomas

In Honor of Jack Nicklaus

by Jordan Spieth

Giving Levels

• Outdoor Classroom, $50,000

• Seating Group, $50,000

• Pair of Benches in Prominent Locations, $25,000

• Single Bench, $10,000

Availability is limited: there are two outdoor classrooms, two seating groups, six pairs of benches in prominent locations, and 27 single benches currently available.

For inquires please contact Henry Clarke ’03, 434.466.5161

Handcrafted to Last a Lifetime

The story of McKinnon and Harris is a story of family. Our parents were passionate gardeners who passed on their love of nature, the enduring value of outdoor spaces, and well made things achieved through hard work. McKinnon and Harris grew out of this passion. Our high performance aluminum furniture is made to order by master craftspeople at our workshop in the historic Scott’s Addition neighborhood of Richmond, Virginia. It is engineered, designed, and meticulously built to remain outdoors year-round in the most aggressive exterior environments. In this era of compromise, short cuts, and mass production, we are committed to crafting furniture of exacting standards and timeless design to endure, outlast, and outperform all other exterior furniture. Our motto has always been—“we don’t want to be the biggest outdoor furniture maker in the world, we just want to be the best.”

HEAD OF SCHOOL INSTALLATION

Mary Hodges George ’89, Chair, VES Board of Trustees

It’s wonderful to be here as we share what I believe we can all agree is a long overdue celebration. Installations are important moments in time for independent schools and colleges. They are days of reflection and appreciation for all that a school like Virginia Episcopal School has done in nurturing the minds, bodies, hearts, and souls of students during our 107-year history. Today is a day for inspiration, excitement, and hope for our journey ahead. Today, we are here to finally celebrate the formal introduction of Virginia Episcopal School’s Thirteenth Head of School, Garth Ainslie

He joins us with degrees from the University of North Carolina, where he was a Morehead Scholar. He also received his Juris Doctorate from the University of Colorado Boulder. Garth enters this role with deep VES roots and a love for a school that extends back to his childhood running around The Old 160. And if you’ve seen the pictures, he cleaned up pretty well in the bathtub, which may still be in the Head of School House. He is the son of the Eighth Head of Virginia Episcopal School, Lee Sanford “Sandy” Ainslie, Jr., and Sharon Ainslie, who served as a VES Trustee. Garth’s brother, Lee Ainslie, is a member of the VES Class of 1982. Garth attended VES from 1977 to 1981 and served on the Virginia Episcopal School Board of Trustees from 2010 to 2012, which led him to becoming the Assistant Head of School for Advancement from 2012 to 2017. He was involved with the successful $36 million Vision 2016 capital campaign and the school’s centennial celebration.

During this time he also served as an advisor to students and a trusted leader to faculty and staff. Garth left VES in 2017 for a new adventure in California, only to be called back to a place that’s always been very dear to him. We are so grateful that Garth and Anne made the intentional decision to return to our beloved community, and once again make it their home with their sons, Quinn and Hayne.

Although almost three years ago Garth accepted his position as Head of School at VES, I believe it’s important to note the reasons that the Head of School Search Committee and the Board of Trustees knew he was the right fit for our school. The VES community wanted a communicator, a fundraiser, an administrator, who understood our cherished traditions and values, and a visionary who could continue to move us forward, thus giving our students an exemplary education and an even more secure launching pad for their journeys ahead. Most of all, we wanted a leader who understood and connected to the VES community and valued and appreciated what VES means to so many.

With Garth we got all that and so much more. Of course, when VES appointed Garth as Head of School, the board could not have known the extreme circumstances of dealing with a global pandemic in his inaugural year. To say that Garth has led with resiliency, optimism, and long hours is an understatement. We are deeply appreciative of your leadership in partnering with faculty, staff, and the Board of Trustees throughout these unique times. Schools like VES are a gift and must be treasured. Garth, the trustees of Virginia Episcopal School have affirmed their trust and confidence in you by selecting you as the Thirteenth Head of School. We entrust you with our hearts and minds, that you may lead this community on an upward trajectory to new heights in the education and empowerment of our students. As Head of School, you’re called upon to act as a steward of all we hold dear at Virginia Episcopal School and to respect, uphold, and defend the mission of the school. On behalf of the VES Board of Trustees, I’m honored to finally formally

recognize you, Garth Quinn Ainslie, as our Thirteenth Head of Virginia Episcopal School.”

Garth Ainslie, Thirteenth Head of School, Virginia Episcopal School

“Thank you, Mary. It is just unbelievably humbling to see so many friends, old teachers, and colleagues who have turned out for this, and it just it means so much that you’re here to support me and support VES. I especially want to thank my immediate family. My son, Quinn, and his girlfriend flew across the country to get here. My son, Hayne, flew in from New York. My brother, Lee, flew in from God knows where, and my sister, Elizabeth, is here. My dad is here. I know it’s killing her, but unfortunately, my mom, due to an injury, can’t be here, right now. That’s kind of a bummer for me because she has been that model of unconditional love for her children. No matter what I say, or where I say it, she always tells me with the most sincerity, ‘It was brilliant.’ So, someone in the family is going to have to pick up that mantle of being the designated liar tonight. But, it’s funny being here on this side of the microphone. I’m so used to growing up and seeing my dad here addressing students or a crowd, and I’ve seen my brother address rooms full of investors.

I think it’s easier to think of great things to say when you’re sitting on that side of the stage than when you’re actually up here, but it’s also so humbling to share the stage with some of the folks up here—John Ellison, Paul Fulton, and Eddie Smith. To know that we’ve got a connection and a bond. To know that I have people that I can call—mentors and friends— because of our shared love for this school and this place. It just it shows you what an incredibly special place VES is.

In thinking about sharing a little bit of my story and actually how I how I got to be here today. Like a lot of stories that start out in Lynchburg, Virginia, this is all Stewart Roddey’s fault. So, in 2010, I was asked to join the Board of Trustees. That was when Tommy Battle was coming in for his first year as Head of

School, and I was just so inspired by Tommy’s energy and his enthusiasm. You had people like Parker Lee who was Board Chair, and he was so dedicated and working hard. As a lot of you know, in 2010 the school was under-enrolled and was underfunded. Yet, there was a sense of, ‘We’re gonna get the school turned around, and we can fix this.’ Being part of that, it really reawakened in me how much this institution meant to me and meant to my family, and how much it helped me develop into and become the person I am today. That was exciting, and that, of course, led me to work in the admission office, then heading up advancement. Then, when Tommy announced his retirement, and I was trying to figure out if this is something I want to do with my life. By the way, my 20- year-old self would have lost a ton of money, because I would have bet anything, there was no way I would ever end up working at VES. But, my wife Anne has always been my stalwart companion in everything we’ve done. She looked at me, finally, as we were trying to debate this, and she said, ‘Look, it’s your decision. I’ll support you, whatever you want to do. I’m behind you. But, if you’re going to wake up 10 years from now and regret that you didn’t go for it, that you didn’t put your hat in the ring, then I’m not sure I want to be married to you.’ And we’re still married, so that worked out pretty well.

You know, Bishop Jett spoke about seeking out ‘that which is noblest and finest’ in each student. And I feel that VES is a place that has always found— and I don’t consider myself to be terribly noble, or very fine—but, I think VES has always found that something special in me. It’s one of the great perks of this job. I get to speak to a lot of alumni, and one of the themes you’ll hear the more people you speak to is those that have been to VES, they often talk about the similar experience that somebody at this school saw something in them that they didn’t know was there and how that gift really changed the trajectory of their lives.

grade to tenth grade, but I just had a ‘Hall of Fame’ lineup of teachers. I had Mr. Hight, Mr. McCormick, Mr. Hopkins, who is here tonight, Mr. Smith, Mr. Garmey, Mr. Mundy, Mr. Foster, Mr. Culbertson, and Mr. Meador. I feel like I was very fortunate to be at VES at a time when we had that many incredible teachers, leaders, and mentors, who were always following that tradition of really seeking out that which is noblest and finest in each of their students. I remember being in one board meeting, and there was a board member, and he was trying to find the right phrase to use to talk about what VES did for kids. He couldn’t quite put his finger on it. But then, he just said, ‘You know what VES is — it just turns a light on in students that guides them for the rest of their lives.’ VES is certainly a place that turned the light on for me, and it’s something that we continue to try to do for our students today. I’m not going to name all the faculty who are now the proud inheritors of that tradition, but I assure you that tradition of seeking out that which is noblest and finest and turning the light on for kids is something we still do, and we do it exceptionally well. All you need to do is come back to reunion and just watch our returning alumni flock to their former teachers, and you’ll know what an impact we continue to have on our students.

So, when I’m talking to the older alumni, they talk about Joe Banks or Bill Wyatt. Then, when I look at my experience here, and I went here from seventh

I feel like I’m coming into VES at a really important and fortuitous time in the school’s history. We were talking today in our Board of Trustees and our Board of Visitors meeting about the future of the school and our strategic planning process. One of the things the consultant spoke to us about was that she had only been here for a day, and she was already getting very familiar with the school and could tell that VES has made that leap from good to great. We are a great school. The next phase for us is how do we make that leap from being great to being excellent. I think, in one sense, it’s fairly simple. We need to continue, and even though things are going really well now, we’ve got to push forward for this school. We’ve got to continue to invest in this beautiful, historic campus, and we have to make sure that it’s still vibrant and relevant for today’s students.

The other piece we’ve got to continue to invest in is our faculty and staff. They are so critical to the success of our students. They’re the reason our kids come back for reunion. They’re the reason that people want to continue to support the school and make investments in the school. The other piece is, we’ve got to continue to invest in and grow our endowment. The less tuition dependent we can become, the more successful we’re going to be as an institution. It was kind of funny when I told a lot of my friends and colleagues I was coming to be to be the Head of School. Of course, I got a lot of ribbing about joining the family business. I don’t think that anyone really thinks of going to work at a school as going to work in a family business, but I think that phrase is actually does have some significance for me. One, I think we are very much a business. Our job is to educate these kids, but nobody has to send their kids here. We have to convince every family that they’re getting a great return on that investment by sharing their their beautiful, talented students with us. It works the same way on the giving side. Nobody has to give us any money, but it’s so incredibly gratifying, and I hope that everybody who saw the presentations today knows that when you choose to make this investment, that VES that is an investment on which you are going to get a great return. That investment is going to endure. We’re going to be good stewards of that gift, and we’re going to make sure we put that to good use. It’s going to be a continuing challenge for VES again to make that leap to be a truly excellent school, but I know we can be.

But, I do think about them when we’re making decisions about this school. I am thinking about the long term. I’m thinking about my grandkids and my great grandkids. I want this school to endure and to be a place we’re always going to be proud of. We’re going to share this common bond over the school, and it’s going to be around for the long haul. It’s a place where every graduate of VES is going to have their diploma on their wall and view it with incredible pride because of the institution that it is.

Again, I am very humbled to be up here. I’m humbled to be on this stage. When I first realized I was sharing the stage with with John and Paul, I thought, ‘That’s probably a good setup for a Beatles joke or something like that.’ And then, I got to thinking about the other recipient of The Robert Carter Jett Award, and how he would probably approve of a good Beatles joke. Unfortunately, I don’t really have one, but I know that that Chris Smith, is here with us in spirit. I can see the twinkle in his eye.

It’s an honor and a blessing for my family and me to be a part of this school, to be so warmly received, and to receive so much support from the Board of Trustees, our alumni, and our parents. I couldn’t be happier than to be here right now, at this moment, in the school’s history. Thank you.”

In that vein of it being a family business. It’s obviously not something I’m ever — at least, I don’t think I’m ever — going to pass down to my children. I think they’ve got other aspirations in life.

ROBERT CARTER JETT AWARD

Mary Hodges George ’89, Chair, VES Board of Trustees

Virginia Episcopal School was established through the vision, leadership and work of Reverend — and later Bishop — Robert Carter Jett. Since it first admitted students in 1916, VES has helped develop more than 4,000 students toward full stature. Many of these students, in addition to having exemplary personal lives, have had distinguished careers in areas such as business, law, medicine, public service, education, and religion. The Board of Trustees previously established The Robert Carter Jett Award to periodically recognize alumni of Virginia Episcopal School who enjoyed a most distinguished career in their profession, made

significant contributions in their communities through community service, educational organizations, and otherwise, and led an exemplary personal life. Our first Robert Carter Jett Award was given to Paul Fulton ’53 in 2016. I’d now like to invite Paul to the podium.”

Paul Fulton, Jr. ’53

“Thank you, Mary. First, nobody, and I repeat nobody, has ever deserved this award more than John Ellison. He’s one of our more successful alums. He’s given to the school extremely generously—his time, his talent, and his wealth. I was fortunate enough to serve on the Board of Trustees at Chapel Hill with John, so I’ve seen firsthand his passion, his energy, his vision, his generosity, and his good work. One thing about John that has always been consistent is that the students have always been put first. He always wants them to

be prioritized. The gift he gave to VES is additional evidence of that.

Erskine Bowles would say, “John always adds to the woodpile.” He always makes a positive impact. He’s always made a difference. And that’s certainly true of his of his own presence here at VES. John, I used to hear our friend Billy Armfield say that he was really glad he went to the same schools that Frank Kenan did, which happened to be Woodberry Forest and Carolina, because Frank did so much to make those schools great. I can truthfully say I am glad I went to the same schools that John Ellison did—VES and Carolina. Thanks to support of John in a tremendous way, they are both really great and getting better. John, thank you for your generosity and all you’ve done for this school. Congratulations on The Robert Carter Jett Award. You’re the best and no one’s ever deserved it more.”

Eddie Smith, Jr.

“Thank you so much. What an honor. I’m not sure whether it’s bigger honor to be here to represent my wonderful late son, Chris, or to honor my dear, dear friend of over 40 years, John Ellison, and so I’ll be very brief. John, I think Paul did a great job talking about all your attributes, and I just was thinking about the trajectory of all three of The Robert Carter Jett Award recipients—through this school and from this school to Chapel Hill—the legacies that they have left at each place, and the marks that they’ve made there. It is pretty incredible when you think about it.

Like Paul, I had the opportunity to serve on the Board of Trustees with John, and numerous other boards, at Chapel Hill. We had the opportunity, the two of us, to cochair a drive to raise millions of dollars to build a new football field house at Chapel

Hill. Every board I was on with him, and every thing I did with him, he always did the heavy lifting. He was always the first there, the last to leave, and the hardest worker. On the Board of Trustees, I always watched how much the Chancellor depended on him. The Chancellor didn’t ask me a lot of questions, but he depended heavily on John, and John was always there for him. John, I’m just really honored to be here tonight and to congratulate you. Just as Paul said, I cannot think of a more deserving recipient of The Robert Carter Jett Award than John Ellison. Congratulations.”

Mary Hodges George ’89, Chair, VES Board of Trustees

“John on behalf of Virginia Episcopal School, we’d like to award you The Robert Carter Jett Award.”

John Ellison, Jr. ’65

“‘We walked down paths we did not clear. We we drink from wells we did not dig. We’re warmed by fires we did not build. We owe so much to those people, faculty, coaches, and administration from VES who have helped us on our journey.’ Those were the words that I used when I ran a capital campaign for VES in the early 2000s. And we went to lots of small towns in North Carolina and Virginia where there were VES students and alumni. And we raised $15 Million, which was a lot in 2002 in our Toward Full Stature campaign.

I’m so grateful to be the third recipient of The Robert Carter Jett Award. And I’m grateful, first of all, because I’m in such esteemed company with Paul Fulton and Chris Smith. I was on the way up here and I saw a bumper sticker, and this is what the bumper sticker said, ‘Even though I try extraordinarily hard every day, I continue to manage all of my imperfections.’ My wife and my family who are here can verify that I am full of imperfections, but I’m going to try very hard to live up to the prestige of this award. I have so many warm memories from VES, but I’ve picked three that I want to share with you. The first is academic. My senior year

English class, my teacher was Jim Hopkins, who is present today. One of the things that Jim wanted to accomplish for us seniors was to teach us how to write well. I remember he used to say, ‘I want the opening sentence in each paragraph and the closing sentence in each paragraph to be dynamic. I want proper grammar. I want proper spelling. I want proper punctuation. But, most importantly of all, when I get to the end of that paper, I want to be changed.’

He made us write a couple of papers a week, and in the beginning, we would get the papers back and they would be seriously marked up. It looked like he had taken a worm and dipped it in red paint and let it go on the paper. By Thanksgiving, maybe there weren’t as many worms in the ground, but there weren’t as many marks on the papers. By spring break, some of us were writing decently. But by May, at the end of nine months writing two or three papers a week, we had really learned to write so much better than we were writing in September.

You know, when you learn to write well you learn to think. You have to think. But, if you think well, then you can speak well. So, what Jim really did for us was teach us to communicate, and that’s one of the most important assets that a young person can have going to college or going into the business world today. I think our senior class really learned to communicate because of Jim Hopkins.

The second thing I want to remember for you all is Max Meador, who was my JV baseball and JV football coach. I really wanted to make the varsity baseball team when I was a sophomore. I didn’t make it. I got sent down to the JV team, and I was assigned to be the catcher. After the first game, Max gathered us together on Monday for practice, and he said, ‘I don’t think I’ve ever done this before, but I want to give the Most Valuable Player Award to John Ellison.’ Well, I was shocked and awed. Nobody had paid me a compliment like that before.

We didn’t have dugouts at the time. We had benches on first base side and benches on the third base side. I ran after foul balls. I hit the bench, and I caught the foul ball falling over the bench two times. The JV baseball players weren’t nearly as good as the varsity baseball players, so they would make errant throws, and I would have to chase after the ball. Sometimes, I would run to first base in case the shortstop made a bad throw to the first baseman. Well, on four occasions the ball did get past the first baseman, and I was able to run it down to keep the runner from advancing to second. I imagine that I was a guy that hustled and tried hard before Max gave me the honor of naming me Most Valuable Player. But, as Garth just said, when somebody at VES says something that resonates with you, it stays with you the rest of your life. When Max Meador said, ‘John Ellison is going to get the MVP award because I haven’t had a JV player who hustled more tried harder,’ that stayed with me for the rest of my life.

The last thing I want to talk about is my varsity baseball and football coach, Rock Lee. I was going to name several people to whom Rock meant a lot, but I saw you all coming in and they’re about 30 of you, so I can’t name all of you. Rock had a big influence on a lot of student athletes at VES, including me.

I was a senior, I was not playing basketball, and there were only about five or six of us that were not going to play basketball. Rock came to us and he said, ‘let’s have winter baseball, in the little gym upstairs.’ Well, we agreed to that, and we showed up the first day. Rock had a basket of balls and a bat. He told me to go to the other end, and he hit balls left, I had to run left. He hit them right, and I had to run right. He hit him right at me as hard as he could, and he would say, ‘don’t flinch, John, don’t flinch.’ I don’t know how many balls I caught between November and the start of baseball.

telephone is blinking. The voice on my answering machine said, ‘John Ellison, Rock Lee here. Do you remember all those ground balls I hit to you the winter of your senior year? We had a lot of fun, didn’t we? This is my telephone number can you give me a call? I want to have lunch.’

After listening to his message, I called Rock. He said, ‘I don’t know whether you know this or not, but I have cancer. I saw in the Raleigh paper that you had received a prestigious award from UNC. I’m really proud of you. I knew you were going to turn out well, and you have. But, it also said that you had been a longtime student of Zen Buddhism, and I want to know something about Zen Buddhism. I have to go to Duke on Wednesday. Can you meet me for lunch and let’s talk about that?’ I said, ‘Of course Rock, I’ll be there.’

Well, on Monday his wife called and said Rock had really taken a turn for the worse. In fact, we never reschedule that meeting. Rock died shortly thereafter. But, can you imagine if any of you ever had a high school teacher call you 50 years later to reminisce about your high school career, and ask to meet with you to have lunch and get your advice. That can only happen with the dedication of VES teachers.

‘We walked down paths we did not clear. We drink from wells we did not dig. We’re warmed by fires we did not build.’ I owe so much to the teachers, coaches, and administration at VES for helping me on my way. Thank you.”

Mary Hodges George ’89, Chair, VES Board of Trustees

But now, I want you to fast forward 50 years to 2014, I go into my office and the message light on my

“Thank you, John. Congratulations. I’d now like to take a moment to recognize Mike Alford. He served as Chair of the Board of Trustees prior to my coming on as Chair. He gave so much to the school and cares so deeply about VES. Mike, I just want to say thank you.

BISHOP JETT SOCIETY DINNER

Henry Clarke ’03, Assistant Head of School for Advancement

My name is Henry Clarke, Class of 2003, and it is my privilege to speak to you tonight as an employee of my alma mater, for which I feel immeasurable gratitude and pride.

I want to extend a special welcome to John Ellison and Garth Ainslie and congratulate them both on their deserving recognitions today. Garth, I am happy to stand in for your mom and say, “Your speech crushed it.”

Welcome also to the Bishop Jett Society members, Board of Visitors, and Boards of Trustees, Past and Present. We are thrilled you are here, and grateful to all of you for your gifts of treasure and time to dear old VES.

At the Centennial Celebration 7 years ago, I told this group that over the past century, the Bishop Jett Society had given VES $80,000,000, and I hope Paul Fulton will not mind my quoting him when he asked me, ‘Well what in the Hell did they do with it?’

I’m so please to report that this number has grown to $130,000,000, and I feel confident that when you walk around campus you’ll see what in the Hell we’ve done with it — both in the beautiful new buildings and landscaping projects and in our tremendous students and faculty.

I know so many of us here are grateful for the faculty who are present: Mr. Hopkins, who taught us how to write, Mr. Garmey and Mr. Culbertson, who brought French to life, Mrs. Farmer, who sparked a love of history, Mary Feagans, who was our confidant and friend. It is amazing to me that those same faculty

that touched John’s life in the sixties, and Garth’s life in the 1980s, also shaped my life in the 2000s.

Now, when Garth asked me to speak tonight, he told me I could repeat the speech I gave at the Centennial, which I was prepared to do, but I’ll spare you.

Instead I want to raise a glass to all of you and our beloved school and repeat John’s beautiful words about being grateful for what we have been given:

‘We drink from wells we did not dig … We walk down paths we did not clear… We’re warmed

NICK G. COSTAS ’79 WELLNESS CENTER DEDICATION

Adam White, VES Chaplain

Dear friends, welcome to this time and this place. It’s going to be an important moment. The proceedings which follow are going to be quite consequential for the life of our campus, and we’re thankful for that. And so, as would be right and good, let’s begin together with a word of prayer. Let us pray.

God whose will is health and wholeness for all creation, dwell near us as we pause to dedicate, and indeed consecrate, the Nick G. Costas ‘79 Wellness Center. May it serve as a fountain of wellbeing, restoring body and mind, bringing comfort and consolation. A balm for the hurting. Pour out your blessing upon the staff who now serve there.

That their efforts might reflect the healing work of your son, our Lord, Jesus Christ. Bless every student who passes through its doors. Grant that all may depart restored, according to their needs. And as you know the needs of one and all, let us today find you mighty to save, in all the wounded places of our own lives, through Christ our Lord. Amen. ”

Henry Clarke ’03, Assistant Head of School for Advancement

“Thank you so much, Adam. We had envisioned that this would be sort of a gathering of friends maybe in a circle outside in the garden, and then we would take a tour of the Wellness Center, but I actually think that sometimes fate has its way, and it has brought us together in the chapel, which means so much to everyone in this room. I know meant a lot to Nick.

I did not know Nick well, but it was a privilege for me to know him for the time that I did. We’re now going to hear from a good friend who can give some some real personal reflection. Before that, I want to say that mass fundraising efforts rarely work out. People have big ambitions because there’s a lot of love there. But, it rarely achieves the big goal they’re trying to reach. The first time that I experienced one of these working was when Bruce McCormick died, and the next time was for Chris Smith. And, of course, this has now happened for Nick, and that’s pretty amazing company that Nick is in. From the bottom of my heart, I just want to thank all of you for teaching us about friendship. It’s powerful and it’s important.

Jensie Teague ’81

Good morning. I think I know most of you but my name is Jensie Teague. I’m an alum, Class of 1981 and current member of the Board of Trustees, but most importantly, consider myself, like you all, a good friend of Nick. I was his roommate for three years after we graduated from college, and my wife and I both reflect on those as some of the best years ever, because Nick was absolutely a presence throughout his life. We certainly could spend a lot of time going on about Nick because he was such a force. My vision of Nick was always in a pressed blue suit because we were working at a bank at the time, a handkerchief, squared off just perfectly, a big smile, and just a giant, shiny forehead. He just lit up the room. That’s just the way he was, and he touched so many people here.

Again, I don’t want to spend a whole lot of time going on about Nick because we would be here for an hour, but I do want to talk about how appropriate it is that this space is being dedicated and named for Nick today. And there are several reasons:

First of all, it’s a very important space. It’s central to the campus and it plays an important function. Having a high-quality Wellness Center that is comprehensive for physical and mental health is part of the mission of the school right now. It’s very

appropriate that it’s named for Nick Costas, and that it’s the place where people are going to go to feel better and recharge because it is right in line with the way Nick made people feel.

I also don’t think we should lose the symbolism. When you get to tour this space, you’re going to see this as ordinary space that’s been rejuvenated, and it is bright and shiny, just like Nick’s forehead. There’s going to be a portrait of him down there, and it really is a special space.

Lastly, this Wellness Center is now just colloquially referred to as ‘Costas.’ I think it’s truly a tribute to the whole family, because you really can’t have a person as special as Nick without a special family. So, ‘Costas’ today takes its name alongside Jett, Pendleton, Ainslie, and all these special names. I know Nick and the whole family would be glad to finally say there’s a good Greek name on campus, and it’s about time. So, I invite you all to come see the space and let’s really make this a joyful moment because I think Nick would love this. Thank you.”

Following Jensie’s remarks, several of Nick’s family members and friends also shared memories and kind words, including Connie Costas, George Costas, and Constance Costas. Those gathered in the chapel toured the new Nick G. Costas ’79 Wellness Center afterwards.

RON HOOD ’74 ALUMNI LAWN DEDICATION

As part of Homecoming weekend, and celebrating 107 years of Virginia Episcopal School, VES honored the tenure and commitment of Ron Hood ’74, Senior Development Officer. The ceremony took place at 11 am on Saturday, October 1 in Langhorne Memorial Chapel, where attendees filled the pews to honor Ron’s service to VES.

Ron’s longtime friends, former Chair of the VES Board of Trustees, Parker H. Lee, III ’67, and former faculty member and Dean of Students, B.K. Mundy ’67, opened the ceremony. Parker and B.K. kept those in attendance laughing, delivering a roast of their dear friend. Parker and B.K. shared many jokes about Ron’s time at VES, while also highlighting his numerous contributions to the school and the VES Advancement Team.

At the end of their speech, Parker and B.K. surprised Ron with the exciting news that an initiative had been started by Ron’s friends, classmates, and colleagues to name in his honor the Ron Hood ’74 Alumni Lawn. The lawn, which has received significant grading and hardscape additions, will sit beside Banks-Gannaway Hall, bordering Box Plaza, and will feature permanent tent anchors and electrical hookups. It will serve as a dedicated spot on campus for alumni, students, faculty, staff, and families to gather in fellowship for occasions such as Commencement lunches, reunion celebrations, oncampus events, and outdoor classes or activities.

Following Parker and B.K.’s speech, Assistant Head of School for Advancement, Henry Clarke ’03, shared more about the initiative and Ron’s lasting, positive impact on VES.

Henry Clarke ’03, Assistant Head of School for Advancement

“You know, I think Ron and I may have come as far as two people can come. I think you were probably pretty skeptical of me when I showed up here, and I’ll admit, I was skeptical of you.

Ron, I just want you to know, I love and appreciate you. You have been a mentor to me, and you have shown me how to do things the right way. I’m so proud of our partnership, and what we’ve done together. It’s truly humbling, and it’s humbling how much you love the school, which you’ve dedicated the better part of your life to. So, thank you, seriously, from the bottom of my heart.

It’s hard to keep development secrets from a development officer, but as Parker and B.K. shared, the lawn in front of the Banks-Gannaway Hall is going to be the Ron Hood ’74 Alumni Lawn. That is where future Bishops will gather for reunions and school celebrations. We have not gone public with this initiative yet, but we are excited to share a handful of your friends and classmates have already given over $320,000 in your honor. It’s been the easiest fundraising we’ve done so far.

Garth Ainslie, Head of School

“Ron, you’re one of those true Bishops who have been with VES through the good times and bad. When the school needed you, you have always been there ... You connect so many people behind the scenes and always do what’s right for this school and this institution. You’ve been a mentor, a friend, and we’re

going miss you, but we hope you’ll be around for at least 20% of the time.”

Ron Hood ’74, Senior Development Officer

“I had prepared some remarks, but ... I have to tell you how grateful I am today…I was not sure exactly which direction these remarks would take traditionally and knowing the guest list that was here, and some of my dear friends from the Class of ’74, you know where all of those bodies were buried from 52 years ago. All I wanted to do was thank this community, and here you are saying thanks to me. I think it ought to be reversed. I’d like to say thanks to the community for allowing me to be apart of it for all these years. It’s important to me. It’s important to our family. It means a lot. Garth, thanks for your words, and it’s a great day to be a Bishop. I hope everyone has a great weekend.”

Adam White, VES Chaplain

“We want to have a a little parting blessing for Ron before we go. When I teach my World Religions class, one of the things that I like to point out is that sometimes you have religious traditions, and inside of them fits another religious tradition, which is kind of like the Russian dolls, if you will. I always think that a lot of faiths that we celebrate in the world have something that’s inside of them called ‘good guy-ism.’ ‘Good guy-ism’ is the heart and soul of it. Sometimes you can look at a person and just know they’re a good guy. They are constantly a good guy. And, I just think that Ron is the absolute exemplar of ‘good guy-ism.’”

MARY WILLIAMSON FEAGANS GARDEN DEDICATION

Henry Clarke ’03, Assistant Head of School for Advancement

Welcome to the dedication of the Mary Feagans Garden. I think it’s going to be known as Mary’s Garden by the students, and we’re going to instill that in them when when they start using it soon. There are so many amazing, hilarious stories we can share about Mary, and we look forward to doing that in a few minutes and when we tour the garden. Since we’re here in the chapel, I’m going to let better judgment prevail and turn it over to Don White.”

Don White, Jr. ’81

“Welcome to this very special ceremony as we recognize and honor our friend Mary Williamson Feagans.

In November of 2019 Henry Clarke approached me with the idea of doing something special to recognize and honor Mary for her dedication and many contributions to VES, and I enthusiastically agreed to participate. Very soon after that I spoke to Mary’s daughter, Dabney, and asked her to join me in kicking this off. A few weeks later, Henry, Dabney, and I met with Mary and John to share the news of our intention to honor her offering her a few options of how we might just do that. This garden which we are dedicating in her name today was the one that Mary selected, and what better place for her to forever be remembered then in the footprint of Mingea Cottage.

Mary spent most of her career at VES in the alumni office at Mingea. And by rededicating the footprint of this building she so loved, the school also gains approval from the Virginia Department of Historic

Resources. During her 26 years at VES, Mary worked in Alumni Affairs, planned the school’s big events like Parents Weekend and Graduation, and added her special touch for each by hand addressing them in calligraphy.

However, the relationship she forged with so many of the students through the years may well have been her biggest achievement. Mary’s quick wit, sense of humor, candor, and her genuine interest in what was going on in your life made her a favorite among the student body.

It’s very rare to be given the opportunity to honor someone who dedicated so much of themselves to a cause, or in this case a school, but we were blessed today to be able to do that.

Mary and I met in 1980 my junior year at VES, and we formed a great friendship from that moment on. She’s been like a second mother to me and always taking such a genuine interest in my life—when I was a student here and for the 40 years since I graduated.

I’ve always thought my relationship with Mary was unique and different than what other students had with her, but through the two years of talking to others about this honor, I’ve learned she had the capacity to impact so many in the same way. We are driven in our lives to be successful, but we should all strive to be significant, and Mary has shown us all how to live a life of significance. We should all be so lucky. Her love for this school and the many students that came through its doors during Mary’s time here is unrivaled. The support this initiative has received from alumni, faculty, friends, and family is a testament to the wonderful lady we’re recognizing here today. The many brightly colored flowers that will grow within this garden will be a reminder to so many of us and our friend Mary and her affinity for bright colors.

we stand here knowing the wonderful person being honored. Mary, thank you for your impact on me and so many others at VES. I cannot think of anyone more deserving of this recognition. You truly are significant.”

Henry Clarke ’03, Assistant Head of School for Advancement

“Thank you, Don. I’m now going to invite anyone to come forward who has a story they would like to share or something to say about our friend Mary. A couple of people have said that the things that they can say about Mary without crying are things they can’t say in the chapel. Robert High, who parked illegally at Mary’s house as a student here, wanted me to share that this was “a damn expensive parking ticket.”

Dontay Riley ’99

“Henry already made it clear that because we are in the chapel, we should be mindful of language that we use. So, I will not tell any detailed stories that include any quotes from Mary, because I’m not sure exactly what the limit is on how many times you can say certain words.

I thank all of you for being here today for this dedication which will forever warm our hearts when

My name is Dontay Riley. I’m a graduate of class of 1999, and I wanted to share, in my experience of VES, this school does a lot of really good things for kids that go to school here.

But one of the best things—and most important things—that the school does is teaches our students how to be good stewards of the communities that they’re a part of and the communities they will join after they leave the halls of VES. I’ve never met a better steward, or a better example of that than Mary. The way she took care of all of us and made a positive impact on the students, faculty, and staff changed our lives, and the school, for the better. Apparently, we are all her boys, and maybe there’s some girls out there too.

I will share a very personal story about my own journey. There are many that include Mary but one that sticks out in my mind the greatest was the first time that I brought my husband to campus. I was nervous about what that would mean for me in my place in the VES community. Mary did not leave my side the entire time that we were there. I actually didn’t get to have as much fun as I wanted to because she was holding on to me, making sure that I felt safe, that I felt protected, and that I felt loved. I will never forget that experience, and it means the world to me to be able to be here to celebrate and honor you in this moment, in this space. Mary, thank you so much for your service, dedication, and stewardship of this community.”

PANNILL-SMITH HALL DEDICATION

Garth Ainslie, Head of School

It feels like it was just yesterday we were standing out there under the smoking tree, looking at this blank, vacant patch of grass and looking out at the baseball field, and now here we are, just a couple of years later, and we’ve got this magnificent building, which we are going to officially dedicate tonight.

Let me just introduce a few people who are on stage with me right now. First of all, we have our incredible Chair of the board, who has been a mentor, partner, and friend to me for many, many years, Mary Hodges George. Her dedication to this school knows no bounds.

Then, we’ve also got on stage our Vice Chair of the board, Joel Williams ’85, who has been on the board

for many years now. Like Ron Hood, he just keeps going for one more year. I think if you ask anybody who’s associated with this building, there have been so many hands that have come together and so many minds that have worked hard to put it together. But, if you ask anyone whose baby this is, it’s Joel Williams’. Joel, your leadership and vision is extensive when it comes to this incredibly gorgeous building, but it also extends to your vision for this campus — that VES is going to have first class facilities, and when we do something, we’re going to do it right. So Joel, I really appreciate your leadership on this.

I’ve got to my right Don White ’81, who delivered touching and beautiful remarks about Mary Feagans today. He is going to make some remarks about Chris Smith ’82. Then, we’ve got Eddie Smith, Chris’ dad, who is going to say a few words in Chris’ absence. We’re going to also have Jamie Johnson ’73 speak

about his classmate Will Pannill, and then Will Pannill would also like to say a few words. I am so awestruck by seeing all of you here despite the weather and the challenges, and I know this is going to be a hell of a night. I just can’t wait to get this thing started. Let’s first of all remember one of the main reasons we’re here, which is to dedicate this incredible building. I will now pass it over to Don White ’81.”

Don White ’81

“I want to welcome everybody to this special evening many of us have been anxiously awaiting since February of 2020, as we dedicate and honor our distinguished alumni Will Pannill ’73 and Chris Smith ’82. In 2019, I met with Henry Clarke, and he shared a grassroots initiative involving four of Chris’ classmates to honor him through a naming opportunity in an academic building. I thought honoring Chris was a great idea.

I’m so happy to be speaking about Chris as he was a very dear friend of mine. Honestly, more like a brother than a friend. We were inseparable growing up as children, then we attended VES together at the same time, and we were very, very close after graduation, as well as throughout our lives.

As an alumnus of VES, Chris distinguished himself with his leadership, serving on the Board of Trustees, chairing the Finance Committee providing sound advice and direction for the endowment when it was needed most, and with his many philanthropic efforts honoring faculty members, such as Bruce McCormick, B.K. Mundy, and Phil Garmey, just to name a few, during his time on the board. When the school was facing many challenges and uncertainty, Garth Ainslie shared a story with us about Chris standing up in the board meeting and to all in attendance he said, ‘When it comes to VES, I’m all in.’ Garth went on to say that when he did that, the board really took notice, and it was a real inflection point to where we are today and the trajectory that we’re enjoying today, financially.

Given all his time and work with the board and his financial support and love for VES, it was easy to see why we should be honoring him and giving him this recognition.

Sadly, Chris was diagnosed in 2019 with ALS, so when we were talking about getting this fundraising done, it took on more important stuff. After talking to a close friend, I called Henry and said, ‘Can I lead this grassroots initiative, because I really want to make this happen.’ We then decided we were going to shoot for a much bigger goal than what they originally thought. So, with the help of four other alums, we were able to raise a lot of money in two months to get a bigger naming opportunity in this prospective building, but little did we know that COVID was going to hit us a month later. So, when we’re all facing this uncertainty and scared out of our minds in March and April of 2020, we decided to roll up our sleeves and went to work, and then 60 days later, and we had raised $1 Million, which is a true testament to Chris that people stepped up during that time of uncertainty to come forward for him. Then, on May 5, 2020, we were blessed with the opportunity to piggyback on a presentation the school did for Chris and his family, and we surprised them with this news when he was awarded as the second recipient of The Robert Carter Jett Distinguished Alumni Award.

That was a really, really special day for all of us and one that I think about often. Soon after that presentation, I met with Chris’ dad, Eddie, and discussed what we were planning to do with the building and then asked him if he’d like to join us in our efforts, and with his additional support, we’re now able to get Chris’ name on the building and honor his memory.

For many years to come, future bishops will enjoy this building as a focal point of campus life. And, as Chris acknowledged in his remarks in September 2020 when he and his family attended the groundbreaking ceremony we had here, it will provide a place for students and faculty to gather

together to create the lifelong relationships which are the cornerstone of the VES experience. For those of us who knew Chris, we will come back to campus and see his name above the door and remember all the wonderful experiences we shared with him. I miss my friend every day, but I’m so proud to see his name on this building, and I’m hopeful that his positive example of steadfast leadership will be an inspiration for all of us to be ‘all in’ in our support of VES. Thank you.”

Eddie Smith

“Thank you, Don. I would just start by saying that everybody in this room would do very well to have a friend like Don White in their life. When we moved to Greenville, we had the good fortune of moving in across the street from Don and his family 54 years ago. Chris was five years old and Don was six — sorry, Don, if they can do math, they know how old you are — but they were best friends. They were the definition of very best friends for all of Chris’ life.

I want to first, obviously, thank Don. Thank you to you and your classmates for the effort that you all put forth in raising an incredible amount of money for an incredible building, and just to do that in Chris’ honor is just — well — it goes back to the definition of friendship.

I want to personally, on behalf of Chris, thank everybody that was involved in donating to this building. It’s just going to be an awesome, awesome thing for generations to come. My wife and I took Chris on tours of right many boarding schools — three in Virginia. This was our last stop. We hadn’t been on campus an hour and had met just a few people, and he turned to his mom and I, and he said, ‘This is it. This feels good. This is where I need to be.’ And indeed he felt like that. It was just the best thing that ever happened to him in his early life. He said it many times.

Like John and Paul referred to last night, it changed his life in a very, very positive way. Just all the faculty, the students, and everybody here that he came in contact with meant so much to him for literally the rest of his life. I’m so, so glad Chris was able to make it to the groundbreaking ceremony. It took a ‘Herculean effort’ on his part, but he was absolutely determined to be here. He was just so proud to have his name alongside the name of his good friend, Will Pannill, on such an important building, leaving such a legacy on this campus.

The school, as I’ve said, and everyone that he came in contact with here just meant the world to him, and I just thank each and every one of you. Thank you.”

Jamie Johnson ’73

“I just want to say a few things about Will Pannill and his generosity over the years. I promised my dad when I was much younger that I would not drink a beer until I was of legal age. I was 18 at the time. I can remember Will’s generosity included buying some Rolling Rocks beer. We went to the hill beyond the faculty housing, on the other side of campus, and there were a number of us that participated that night. Will, I haven’t stopped drinking, except for occasionally, since then.

Will is a giving person, and he has led by example, year over year, since way back when ... it will be our 50th reunion next June, and Will has set the example for so many of us in our class and for other classes. He has been a great example on the board ... with his generosity and his love for the school.

I’m one of the luckiest people in the room. I’m in the greatest class ever, Class of 1973. You can ask Greg Prioleau, Terry Sherrill, and Neil Hammerstrom tonight, and they will tell you the same thing. It’s the Class of 1973, and this guy, Will Pannill, is the leader. We thank you so much, Will, for everything.”

Will Pannill ’73

“I didn’t know I was gonna be up here with the basketball team.

So, thank you all for being here tonight. I’m excited to be here. Thank you, Jamie, Eddie, and others for all those kind words.

I met Chris when Chris and I served on the board together for a few years. He was a great guy. We had a lot of fun at night, and sometimes in the morning, we weren’t feeling too good, but he was something else, and I’m honored to share the name with him and his family.

Most of you probably know where the board room is, but if you don’t, I’ll say it’s on the first floor of Jett. The men’s room is down below in the basement. So, every board meeting, we would take about 30 trips down to the men’s room over about three days. When you go down the steps, if you look to the left, there is a little classroom. It is about half the size of this dance floor right here, with a little window in the door and about 15 people sitting in there. So, I think Chris and I knew at that time that it was time to make something happen. I’m proud to say that sometime right after Christmas, we’re gonna get all those people out of the basement. Thank you.”

Garth Ainslie, Head of School

“It truly is an honor to be on the stage with all these incredible people who love the school. And it’s funny, when you get to be old enough, you actually start to know the people for whom buildings are named. I consider myself so lucky to be able to call both Chris and Will good friends, good mentors, and people I’ve served on the board with. They’ve been my bosses when I was working here and just people I have so much respect for, especially with their passion for the school.

I will say that while I think Chris and Will are always the first people to make a selfdeprecating remark about having the academic building named after them, behind their wonderful senses of humor, they do both have a lot in common. They both are and were incredibly bright and talented — maybe not the kind of intelligence that readily lends itself to a report card, but the kind of the kind of intelligence

that leads to success in the real world in how to connect with people, how to build businesses, and how to live a wonderful life.

They both have incredible passion for the school and have worked so hard to make the school a better place for future generations. As I said in my remarks at the naming ceremony, while we honor Chris and Will today by dedicating the building to them, I think VES in my opinion is the one being honored by having the Pannill and Smith names on that new building. They are the names that future generations are going to revere in the same way we talk about Jett, Pendleton, and King.

It’s such an honor for me that I actually know these wonderful people, and I’m going to be able to walk by their memories and their names every day. So, please join me in raising a glass to Will Pannill and Chris Smith, and the dedication of Pannill-Smith Hall.”

THE BISHOPS BALL

The Bishops Ball—the best party on the planet— marked VES’ 107th session.

It was a night to remember, featuring legendary band “Party on the Moon,” delicious food, fun, old friends, and fellowship.

Originally planned for VES’ 105th, which fell during Covid, it was the largest gathering of Bishops since the centennial celebration.

Celebrating class years ending in 3 and 8

2018

1993

FRIDAY, JUNE 2 - SUNDAY, JUNE 4

Register today: www.ves.org/reunion

2013

1988

2008 • 2003• 1998

1983

1978 • 1973 • 1968

• Meet Head of School Garth Ainslie

• Enjoy Live Music and Delicious Food

• Reminisce with Old Friends

• See Exciting Facility Renovations

• Stay on Dorm for Free!

1963

1958

1953

1948 • 1943 and the entire William King Society

All are welcome!