THE BULLETIN FA L L 2 0 1 3 WESTMINSTER SCHOOL
WESTMINSTER
THE BULLETIN
Leading with Grit & Grace Since 1888
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For Alumni, Parents & Friends of Westminster School
On the cover, the gala celebration for Westminster’s 125th anniversary Sept. 28 included spectacular fireworks. Above, a view of Memorial Hall on the day of the anniversary closing celebration.
TRUSTEES 2013-2014 John S. Armour ’76 Emeritus Palos Verdes Estates, Calif. Elisabeth M. Armstrong P’04, ’06, ’07 Cherry Hills Village, Colo. Beth Cuda Baker P’09, ’12, ’15 New Canaan, Conn. Susan Werner Berenson ’82 Fairfield, Conn. C. Andrew Brickman ’82 Hinsdale, Ill. Susanna S. Brown P’15 Batesville, Va. Trinette T. Cheng P’08, ’11, ’13 Kowloon, Hong Kong Abram Claude Jr. ’46 P’71, ’80, ’84, GP’02 Emeritus North Salem, N.Y. John A. Cosentino Jr. P’00 Simsbury, Conn. John H. Davis P’05 Emeritus Longmeadow, Mass.
Joseph L. Gitterman III ’55, P’86, ’86, ’90 Emeritus Washington Depot, Conn.
Franklin Montross IV P’16 Bedford Hills, N.Y.
Robert T. Horsford ’89 New York, N.Y.
John C. Niles ’81, P’14 Marblehead, Mass.
David H. Hovey Jr. ’78, P’09, ’11, ’14 Ex officio Simsbury, Conn.
J. Pierce O’Neil ’76, P’10, ’12 Rowayton, Conn.
Leigh A. Hovey P’09, ’11, ’14 Ex officio Simsbury, Conn. Moyahoena Ogilvie Johnson ’86 Bloomfield, Conn.
William V.N. Philip P’06, ’09 Headmaster Ex officio Simsbury, Conn. C. Bradford Raymond ’85 New York, N.Y.
Westminster School 995 Hopmeadow St. Simsbury, CT 06070 (860) 408-3000 This magazine is produced twice a year by the Marketing & Communications Office. Address Class Notes to:
Beth Goldstein Soycher Westminster School P.O. Box 337 Simsbury, CT 06070-0377 Or submit via e-mail: alumninotes@westminster-school.org To update contact information ONLY: dribaudo@westminster-school.org Westminster School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, sex, national origin or sexual orientation in administration of its education policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other schooladministered programs.
John B. Ryan ’93 Ex officio Rye, N.Y.
Bernard L. Kohn Jr. ’66, P’92 Bloomfield, Conn.
Thomas D. Sargent II ’77, P’10 West Hartford, Conn.
Seonyong Lee P’08, ’09, ’13 Seoul, Korea
John Sherwin Jr. ’57, P’83, ’89 Emeritus Waite Hill, Ohio
EDITOR Darlene Skeels, Director of Publications and Communications dskeels@westminster-school.org
Samuel Thorne ’46, P’74, ’76 Emeritus Bedford, Mass.
DIRECTOR OF MARKETING Ken Mason
Jane Kessler Lennox ’88 New Albany, Ohio Andrew D. McCullough Jr. ’87 Houston, Texas S. Bradley Mell P’14, ’16 Far Hills, N.J.
William C. Egan III ’64, P’92, ’95, ’00, ’02 Emeritus Skillman, N.J.
Charles B. Milliken P’77 Emeritus Bloomfield, Conn.
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Published by:
Anne K. Moran P’06, ’09, ’12 Unionville, Pa.
Jeffrey E. Kelter P’12, ’14 Locust Valley, N.Y.
Lori P. Durham P’13, ’15 Denver, Colo.
Heather Frahm ’86 Weston, Mass.
WESTMINSTER BULLETIN FALL 2013
T. Treadway Mink Jr. ’77, P’11 Chairman of the Board New Canaan, Conn.
Gregory F. Ugalde P’05, ’07, ’10, ’12 Burlington, Conn. Armistead C.G. Webster Ph.D. Hartford, Conn. Sara L. Whiteley ’91 West Chatham, Mass. Hilary Neumann Zeller ’88 Weston, Mass.
PHOTOGRAPHY Robert Benson, Richard Bergen, Newell Grant ’99, Steve Laschever, Ken Mason, Sam Matlick ’13, David Newman, Elaine Nord, Darlene Skeels, Charles Stepina and David Werner ’80 CLASS NOTES COORDINATOR Beth Goldstein Soycher DESIGN John Johnson Art Direction & Design Collinsville, Conn.
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inside Headmaster’s Message
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Reunion 2013 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Hill Headlines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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Commencement 2013 . . . . . . . . . 46
Athletics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Supporting Westminster . . . . . . 54
Anniversary Celebration Concludes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Martlets on the Move . . . . . . . . . 64 Class Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
Residential Life Takes A
In Memoriam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
Dramatic Step Forward A Classroom of Life
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Closing Thoughts . . . . . . . . . . . . 88
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Celebration Concludes
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Residential Life
Classroom of Life
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Reunion 2013
Commencement
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Supporting Westminster Page . . . . . . . . . 54
Class Notes Page . . . . . . . . . . 68
2013
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Dear Members of the Westminster Community, Following the gentle curve of Perkin Memorial Drive to the top of Williams Hill, one arrives in fall 2013 to find a magnificent new vista opening onto our campus, which one visitor described as at once so different and yet so familiar. The expanded central campus space, named Baxter Lawn, highlighted by two beautiful new student and faculty residences, Gund House and Squibb House, honors the Tudor style preferred by our founder William Lee Cushing, when he moved his school to Simsbury in 1900. This familiar architectural style complements the open, inviting feeling offered by the lawn which extends uninterrupted to our main school building, Cushing Hall, which gracefully connects the residential side of our campus to Commencement Lawn, surrounded by Armour Academic Center, Andrews Memorial Chapel and Pratt House. As students, faculty, alumni, parents and trustees gathered for Westminster’s Gala 125th Anniversary Celebration over the last weekend in September, our transformed campus setting seemed to look forward to a promising future for our wonderful school. Having participated in the celebrations that accompanied our Centennial in 1988, then as a young member of this faculty, I cannot help but reflect upon the transformation in our campus setting over the last 25 years. The Centennial Celebration took place under a huge tent covering the quad surrounded by Memorial, Squibb, Andrews and Cushing, and decades of Westminster faithful returned for the occasion, which featured inspiring remarks from renowned historian David McCullough. This fall’s celebration occurred under a tent on Commencement Lawn, a side of the campus now fully integrated into our daily routine, thanks to Armour Academic Center, and David Brooks was the featured speaker. Of course, fireworks concluded both celebrations, but those fireworks moved from the fields on the west side of campus to the newly opened eastern side of campus with spectators gazing over the new faculty residences extending along the roadway past Harrison Field and glimpsing in the distance a new softball field and the lights of Hovey Field. On this anniversary occasion, just as the expanse of Baxter Lawn seems to extend a more welcoming greeting to visitors, our entire campus embraces more confidently its magnificent 200 acres. That said, Westminster School has never been about facilities. Instead, as highlighted by our mission and core
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values and underscored by our motto of Grit & Grace, people have always been the distinguishing attribute of our community. It is among the people of our school community that our ethos is nourished and cherished. In this context, it seems especially fitting that amid this transformation in the physical setting of our campus community, familiar faces continue to grace Williams Hill. In fact, Alan Brooks ’55 has served as director of our 125th Anniversary, while at Commencement this past spring, 20 faculty had completed 20 or more years here on Williams Hill, and 13 members of our faculty were alumni. Our Board of Trustees, chaired by Tread Mink ’77, P’11, too, includes many familiar faces with 23 alumni, among whom you will find Susie Werner Berenson ’82 and David H. Hovey ’78, P’09, ’11,’14. Considered from this perspective, continuity complements transformation at this time of our 125th Anniversary. Yes, Gund House and Squibb House are new, but in their design, they affirm our enduring commitment to student life. Offering less congested corridors, bigger common spaces and integrated faculty apartments, these new residences reveal a less institutional and more homelike setting for students. Similarly, Armour Academic Center eschews the proclivity of other academic institutions to build separate department buildings and, instead, seamlessly gathers the academic community in one space surrounding a central atrium with an adjacent library and art gallery. Finally, while providing a state-of-the-art synthetic field as a venue primarily for field hockey, soccer and lacrosse, Hovey Field remains foremost a locus for community gatherings, where students cheer on their peers, much as they have done for decades but only at night ice hockey and basketball games. In short, just as familiar faces continue to complement our campus community, the new facilities themselves — intentionally — enhance our school’s ethos. Jenny joins me in extending to you our best wishes at this major milestone in Westminster history.
With Grit & Grace,
William V.N. Philip P’06, ’09 Headmaster
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Above, the Baxter Gallery features artwork from Westminster’s permanent collection. Jenny Philip P’06, ’09, top right, coordinated the installation. Left, the Chapel Gallery opened with an exhibition of artwork from visual arts teachers including John Sandoval P’13, ’15, center, who is the gallery’s director.
New Galleries Open Two venues to showcase the visual arts at Westminster opened this fall named the Baxter Gallery and the Chapel Gallery. Both are located in existing campus spaces that were converted into galleries. Following the success of an alumni art show in May, the former Baxter Study Hall located off the Armstrong Atrium in Armour Academic Center was transformed into the Baxter Gallery and opened with a display of 24 works of art from 12 artists, including George Bellows, Emma Lampert Cooper, William Cowing, George Gascoyne, Kurt T. Godiksen ’73, Cleve Gray, André Harvey, Jerry Powers, Emilio RodriguezLarrain, Frits Thaulow, Henry Emerson Tuttle 1910 and Claude Venard. The works of art are from Westminster’s permanent collection and have been previously housed in various spaces on campus. The artists, alumni, faculty and friends of the school donated them over the years. Jenny Philip P’06, ’09 coordinated the installation of the exhibition which includes oil and acrylic paintings, pen and ink drawings, lithographs, drypoint engravings and a bronze sculpture. “It is great to highlight the arts in such a visible way,” she said. “We plan to have future exhibitions of alumni artists to coincide with reunion and hope teachers might bring classes into the gallery for students to find inspiration from the artwork for assignments.” A second gallery opened in the lower level of the Andrews Memorial Chapel as a new multipurpose working gallery for students, faculty and other artists. The idea for the gallery, which is called the
Chapel Gallery, originated with art teacher John Sandoval P’13,’15, who serves as its director. He made a proposal for its establishment and design, and upon approval of funding for the project, worked with members of the facilities staff on refurbishment of a former classroom and hallway into the gallery space. He also constructed special panels for hanging works of art. The Chapel Gallery is faculty and student run and administered by Westminster’s Visual and Performing Arts Department. It features a smallworks hall, a mixed-use space that accommodates small performances, visual arts, as well as digital and electronic media. “It is the first dedicated, permanent place for exhibiting student work other than in the Hamilton Art Studios,” said John. “It promotes the positive values of art education and aims to provide a platform for the exploration of innovative work and ideas. The design of the space offers a lot of versatility for exhibiting works in different media.” One of John’s goals is to have the gallery utilize contemporary practices such as QR graphics and short-throw projectors. The first show in the new space was held Sept. 19 to Oct. 13 and featured works of five visual arts teachers including Whitney Barrett, Ray Gustafson, Kerry Kazokas, John Sandoval and Jane Toner P’02. Student shows will soon follow and be timed to school events such as arts festivals and Candlelight Service. “There is potential for visiting artists’ shows, themed shows, traveling shows, short film nights and coffee houses,” added John. “We also hope other academic departments can use it for display of student work. There is even the opportunity to do some joint programming with the Archives, which is right next door to the gallery.” 3
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Greg Marco P’08, ’11
Bill Sistare
Scott Duddy
Grant Gritzmacher
Jessica Keough
Faculty Members Assume New Appointments A number of Westminster faculty members assumed new administrative appointments at the beginning of the 20132014 academic year. Greg Marco P’08, ’11, the holder of the John Sherwin Jr. ’57 and W. Graham Cole Jr. Chair and who previously served as director of studies, now serves as dean of faculty, following the retirement of Dick Adams P’93 in June. A graduate of Colby College with a M.Ed. from the University of Maine, Greg was appointed to the Westminster faculty in 1989. He has filled many roles in his long career at Westminster including teaching across the science curriculum, chairing the Science Department, coaching, supervising dormitory corridors and serving as director of studies. Bill Sistare assumed the role of director of studies following Greg’s move to the dean of faculty position. Having earned his B.A. at Pomona College and his M.S. at the University of New Hampshire, Bill first arrived at Westminster in 1987 and taught until 1991. From 1991 until 1999, he served in a number of
leadership positions at Germantown Friends School in Philadelphia, including Science Department chair, before returning to Westminster in the fall of 1999. At Westminster, in addition to teaching science, coaching, advising and serving on numerous school committees, he served as a dean of students for 12 years. He also chaired the Academic Study Committee and served as co-director of the Westminster Teaching Initiative (WTI). Scott Duddy was named director of financial aid following Mitch Overbye’s assumption of new duties in the Admissions Office. A graduate of Bates College, Scott was appointed to the Westminster faculty in 2004. He has taught, coached, advised, lived on corridor and served as associate director of admissions and assistant director of financial aid.
Two New Deans Named In the Deans’ Office, science teacher Grant Gritzmacher and history teacher Jessica Keough are the new deans of students for the
Classes of 2016 and 2017 respectively. They assumed the positions formerly held by Bill Sistare and Peter Briggs ’71, P’01, ’05, ’07. Peter stepped down as a dean in June, after serving a record of nearly three decades in the Deans’ Office. He continues to teach, coach and serve as an advisor. Grant was appointed to the Westminster faculty in 2004, and has taught science, coached swimming and diving, football and baseball, and served as a corridor supervisor. He attended the Hopkins School in New Haven, Conn., and earned his B.A. from the University of Texas and his M.A. from the University of Connecticut. Jess was appointed to the faculty at Westminster in 2008. A graduate of Trinity College and currently pursuing a master’s degree in liberal arts at Wesleyan University, she has served as associate director of admissions, taught history, served as a corridor supervisor and coached field hockey, ice hockey and lacrosse. In addition to attending Tabor Academy as a student, she also served on the faculties at Hebron Academy and Pomfret School.
Broadway Performer Takes Stage Rory O’Malley, a film, television and musical theater actor, best known for his Tony Award-nominated performance as Elder McKinley in the Broadway hit “The Book of Mormon,” gave a presentation at Westminster in April that included singing “Twirler Girl,” “Sitting on the Dock of the Bay” and “Wheels of a Dream.” He described how he knew at age 8 that he wanted to be an actor. “I had that ambition to follow my dream,” he said. “Having a dream is a gift. Lots of people go through life and don’t know their interests.” Rory earned a B.A. in drama from the School of Drama at Carnegie Mellon University. He said he wished he had taken classes other than those in drama in college. “It is really important to stray from your dream for a time,” he emphasized. After talking about his career and taking some questions from the audience, he ended his presentation by saying, “This has been such a wonderful honor. Good luck to all of you. I’m so excited for what the future holds for you.”
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Rory O’Malley
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Teacher Named to AP Program Development Committee The College Board has named Betsy Heckman, head of the History Department at Westminster, as a member of the Advanced Placement Program Comparative Government and Politics Development Committee for the 2013-2014 academic year. The seven-member committee is made up of distinguished secondary and postsecondary Betsy Heckman faculty who are responsible for developing the AP Comparative Government and Politics course and examination. Members of the committee represent a diversity of knowledge and points of view in their fields and, as a group, are the authority when it comes to making subject-matter decisions in the exam-construction process. The committees represent a unique collaboration between high school and college educators. Once appointed, members will potentially serve on the committee for up to four academic years. Betsy, who has been a faculty member at Westminster since 2004, has been a reader for the AP Government exam for six years. At Westminster, she holds the C. Hiram Upson Family Chair, teaches AP Comparative Government, serves as the dormitory head for Edge House, advises the school’s Model United Nations program and is the sports information director. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in international politics and economics from Middlebury College and a Master of Arts in international relations from Yale University. During her academic career, she also studied abroad in Australia and at Oxford University, completed the Middlebury Year Abroad in France and did a graduate internship in Scotland at the U.S. Consulate. “I am honored to have been asked to serve on this committee and have the opportunity to work alongside teachers and professors who are incredibly knowledgeable about comparative government,” said Betsy. “Not only will this experience allow me to become familiar with the AP exam creation process, but it will undoubtedly improve my understanding of the material and help me to enrich the classroom experience for my students.”
“I am honored to have been asked to serve on this committee and have the opportunity to work alongside teachers and professors who are incredibly knowledgeable about comparative government.”
Students Earn National Academic Recognition Westminster Sixth Formers Mae Mullen and Taite Puhala have been named Semifinalists in the 59th annual National Merit Scholarship Program. These academically talented students have an opportunity to continue in the competition for some 8,000 National Merit Scholarships worth about $35 million that will be offered next spring. Semifinalists must fulfill several requirements to advance to the Finalist level Mae Mullen ’14 of the competition. Mae, a day student from East Granby, Conn., serves as co-editor-in-chief of The Westminster News; co-editor of The Martlet; co-president of the EcoTeam; a member of Chamber Choir, Choral, Dramat, Westminster Belles and First Girls’ Track; and co-captain of First Girls’ Cross Country. She has been recognized as an AP Scholar with Distinction. Taite, a day student also from East Granby, is the winner of this year’s Brian Ford Writing Prize and has been selected as a reader for Westminster’s Friday Nights in Taite Puhala ’14 Gund Series. She is also president of The Movement writing club, a writer for The Westminster News, co-editor of The Martlet and plays basketball. She has won the Johns Hopkins Creative Minds Poetry Prize, the Smith College High School Poetry Prize and has been recognized as an AP Scholar with Distinction. Two other Sixth Formers, Anish Chadalavada, a day student from Simsbury, and Rosalie Wetzel, a day student from North Granby, have been named Commended Students in the program. Commended Students are recognized for their exceptional academic promise demonstrated by their outstanding performance on the qualifying test used for program entry. Approximately 1.5 million students took the 2012 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) last October and entered the National Merit Program, a nationwide competition for recognition and awards conducted by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. Approximately 16,000 of the high performers were named Semifinalists and the other 34,000 high performers were named Commended Students. In addition, Sixth Former Arismer Angeles, a boarding student from the Bronx, has earned honorable mention in the 2013-14 National Hispanic Recognition Program (NHRP) by the College Board. This year, NHRP recognized about 5,300 Hispanic/Latino students selected from a pool of more than 259,000 who took the 2012 PSAT/NMSQT/PAA.
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Mark Doty Visits as 13th Westminster Poet Award-winning poet Mark Doty visited Westminster for two days in April as the 13th Westminster Poet. He interacted with students in classroom settings and gave a reading in the Werner Centennial Center. Students and teachers had studied his National Book Award-winning “Fire to Fire: New and Selected Poems” (2008) in preparation for his stay. Mark is the highly acclaimed author of 12 books of poetry and three memoirs, including The New York Times best-seller “Dog Years,” 2007, which won the American Library Association’s Israel Fishman Nonfiction Award in 2008. During his reading in the Werner Centennial Center, Mark talked about what prompts him to write poems. “Poetry is a way of opening your life to somebody else,” he said. “Poets are most often moved to write when overcome by sorrow or grief.” He ended by reading from his new book, “A Swarm, a Flock, a Host: A Compendium Mark Doty of Creatures,” illustrated by Darren Waterston, an acclaimed painter known for his silhouettes of animals. During Mark’s visit with English classes, students asked him about the origin and meaning of various poems and about his interest in writing. “Writing comes naturally from loving to read,” he explained. In high school, he said he kept a notebook of ideas “swirling inside of me” and “stumbled across poems” he liked. “The language of poetry gets beneath the surface of what it feels to be alive,” he added. At age 16 after meeting a poet and visiting a poetry center, he said he was struck by how the poet lived and breathed poetry. “I felt like I was invited to join this community, and I did.” Mark likes to write with no intentions in mind. “I write when I get a chance and that can be on a napkin, at the airport or on my cellphone,” he said. “I write and see where it takes me. … When starting with an image or an experience, often the writer has a discovery, and hopefully, that energy is communicated to the reader.” With an increased readership of his writing, he said he is proud people are taking his work seriously. Mark’s poems have appeared in many magazines including The Atlantic Monthly, The London Review of Books, Ploughshares, Poetry and The New Yorker. Widely anthologized, his poems appear in The Norton Anthology of Contemporary American Poetry and many other collections. “Because Mark Doty’s poetry combines narrative accessibility with philosophical depth, his book ‘Fire to Fire’ was a perfect text for high school students to explore,” said head of the English Department Michael Cervas, the holder of the Donald H. Werner Chair in English.
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“I’ve never had a more rewarding experience of teaching a book of contemporary poems in the two decades we’ve been doing this at Westminster.” Mae Mullen ’14, who read “Fire to Fire” in Bryan Tawney’s P’15, ’17 AP English 5 class, said, “In class with Mr. Doty, I liked how he explained his creative process, and hearing the poetry he read aloud also improved my understanding. I like his use of color imagery throughout his poetry.” And Klara Lindstrom ’14, who was in Michael Cervas’ AP English Language and Composition class, said that reading Mark’s poetry, changed her feelings about poetry. “I believed poetry was too ambiguous, difficult and complex,” she said. “After having read Mr. Doty’s poems, my opinion radically changed.” Mark’s work has been honored by the National Book Critics Circle Award, the Los Angeles Times Book Prize, a Whiting Writers Award, two Lambda Literary Awards and the PEN/Martha Albrand Award for First Nonfiction. He is the only American poet to have received the T.S. Eliot Prize in the U.K., and has received fellowships from the Guggenheim, Ingram Merrill and Lila Wallace/Readers Digest foundations, and from the National Endowment for the Arts. Mark was born in Maryville, Tenn., and studied at Drake University and Goddard College. He has spent much of his adult life teaching in various colleges and universities as a visiting professor of creative writing. Currently, he teaches at Rutgers University and lives in New York City. His Westminster visit was made possible through support from the Ford-Goldfarb Fund, which was established in 2005 by former trustee Maureen FordGoldfarb and her daughter Kirsten Ford ’00 to support English Department enrichment activities.
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The Stanley Cup Visits Westminster Chicago Blackhawks player and Westminster School alumnus Ben Smith ’06 brought the Stanley Cup, hockey’s most prized trophy, to Westminster July 16 for a very special visit. Ben, who played hockey at Westminster for four years, gave brief remarks and posed for photos with hundreds of guests and the trophy. Playing right wing for the Chicago Blackhawks, Ben was called up from the AHL team to join the Blackhawks for Game 3 of the Stanley Cup finals, making him officially part of the championship team. As is National Hockey League tradition, every member of the team can “host” the cup, and Ben chose to share this moment at Westminster. The event took place in the Armstrong Atrium of the Armour Academic Center. Guests included players from the Northern Lights and the Simsbury and Avon youth hockey programs; Mike Cavanaugh, the recently appointed head coach for the University of Connecticut; Simsbury First Selectman Mary Glassman; and members of the Westminster community and the news media. Ben elected to raise donations for The One Fund Boston and Westminster Crossroads Learning Program in Hartford by signing photos. The amount raised was $4,500. In introducing Ben at the celebration, Director of Athletics Tim Joncas ’00 spoke about Ben’s involvement in a variety of school activities as a student at Westminster and
Ben Smith ’06
Boston College. “He cares deeply about his family, his schools, his friends and the communities that he either currently lives in or has lived in,” said Tim. “He does the right thing, puts others before himself, looks to make a positive impact in all that he does, and his eternal optimism and endless energy are refreshing to be around. Even standing here as a NCAA champion, as a player in the National Hockey League and as a Stanley Cup Champion, Ben is still the humble, gracious, kind, caring man I met about 11 years ago.” In his remarks, Ben expressed appreciation to those in attendance, his former coaches and members of his family for their support. “I want to thank Bill Philip and the Westminster community for allowing me to do this here,” he said. “It was a no-brainer to bring it back home, and it is so nice to be here. I’ve learned so many life lessons here that I use today.” He also talked about playing hockey at Westminster saying, “I came to Westminster and played four years under Tom Earl. For me, it was the first taste of real competitive ice hockey, and he gave me an opportunity to improve all aspects of my game right from the start, and he allowed me to improve my game and be a good teammate.” Ben also thanked Scott Stevens P’07, ’09, ’12 and Tim Joncas, his other former coaches, for being great role models and people. In closing, he added, “It has taken a lot of hard work to get where I am, but I know this moment here never would have been possible without the love and support of those around me.”
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Community Service Day Westminster students and faculty fanned out to 19 locations in Connecticut Oct. 3 to perform volunteer work as a part of the school’s annual all-school Community Service Day. They boarded vans and buses to spend the day helping others at the 4-H Educational Center in Bloomfield, Camp Chase in Burlington, the Valley YMCA in Granby, Camp Horizons in South Windham, Covenant Prep School in Hartford, Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation in Bloomfield, House of Bread in Hartford, Manchester Soup Kitchen in Manchester, South Park Inn Homeless Shelter in Hartford, the University of Hartford Magnet School in West Hartford, the Farmington River, Foodshare Regional Market Warehouse in Hartford, Simsbury Housing Authority, the Dr. Joseph S. Renzulli Gifted and Talented Academy in Hartford, the Senior Center at Eno Memorial Hall in Simsbury, Simsbury Community Farm, the Simsbury Historical Society, Gifts of Love in Avon and a private home. Staff members also helped with a campus beautification project to plant 2,000 daffodil bulbs along Perkin Memorial Drive. At various locations, students and faculty helped with outdoor fall cleanup, made and served lunches, bagged food, cleaned and organized interior and exterior spaces, moved outdoor furniture and visited with clients served by the organizations they visited. “Service to others is a habit of the heart which needs to be modeled in the formative years for all young people,” said Gloria Connell P’99, ’00, Westminster’s director of community service. “Westminster students and faculty take the school’s core value of community very seriously and were very pleased to be able to spend the day helping others in the greater community.”
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MS Walk Supports Programs and Research Hundreds of walkers turned out for the 13th annual MS Walk in Simsbury April 21 hosted by Westminster School to raise funds to support life-changing programs and cutting-edge research. Shortly after sunrise, students and faculty began marking the route, setting up rest stops, coordinating parking and staffing registration tables. By 8 a.m., walkers began arriving at the Jackson Hockey Rink to register to walk with friends, family members and teams. The event officially kicked off at 9 a.m. with welcoming remarks by Headmaster Bill Philip, Simsbury First Selectman Mary Glassman and State Representative John Hampton. Madison Caan ’13 then sang the national anthem, and Cullen Matt ’13 talked about the walk and its sponsors. After a ribbon cutting at the starting line, everyone began the walk into Simsbury and back. Among the student volunteers was Ben Kleinschmidt ’14 who was in charge of all of the rest stops as well as the crosswalk guards. He had been involved in planning the walk with the MS Walk Committee. “I thought this was a great leadership and community service opportunity,” said Ben. “It was good to help out a great cause.” And Ellie Deveaux ’14, who has volunteered with the walk for the past three years and was responsible for volunteer registration, met with faculty and student volunteers a week before the walk to teach them how to register people and how to switch the registration tables over to lunch tables while the walk was taking place. She too participated in MS committee meetings every few weeks. “Every year has been a really amazing experience, from learning how to collect money from my classmates, to organizing students at 7 in the morning, to making the traditional balloon arch,” she said. “I look forward to helping run the walk again next year!”
Dar Williams Gives Concert
Dar Williams
Ray and Laurie Ellsworth of Burlington said they selected the walk in Simsbury because it is so well organized. Laurie, who has MS, said, “If it wasn’t for research and drugs, I don’t think I would be walking.” Terry Bridges ’83 was also one of the walkers. Diagnosed with MS in 2004, she decided to get involved with the MS Society in 2005 by starting her own MS Walk team called Still S’Myelin. She and her children have walked every year since, and a few years ago, she joined the MS Walk Committee in Simsbury. “Because of the organization and hard work of the teachers and students at the school, the Simsbury site works like a well-oiled machine, but I try to help out where I can, whether it be fundraising, getting sponsors or hanging up posters,” she said. “Walking at the Simsbury site is especially nice for me since I lived at Westminster until I was 24 years old. It is like coming home!” Westminster students, faculty and staff donated approximately $5,000 to the walk.
Acclaimed singer and songwriter Dar Williams visited Westminster in April to give a concert in the Werner Centennial Center for a special Monday night edition of the Friday Night Readings series. The student performer was Eliza Christman ’15, a young poet and singer who performed an original song, and the faculty performer was Grant Gritzmacher, a gifted musician who sang three songs he wrote. During her performance, Dar talked about what inspired her to write each of the songs she sang. The next morning, she visited English classes and talked about her song-writing process. “You start in one place and then go in a different direction,” she explained. “That is creativity. … I try to put myself in a place where I can be creative, like a museum. I like to walk around visual art. … Lots of times, I will let the space soak in and let my mind wander and do its thing.” Dar was the first singer-songwriter to visit Westminster under the auspices of the Friday Night Readings series. English teacher Michael Cervas, who coordinates the series, said, “Dar was the perfect choice for us. She’s so personable and funny, and her songs are so smart and wide-ranging. She established a great rapport with the students, too, who engaged her in conversations about song writing, her life as a musician and particular songs they had studied.” 9
Spring Season Overview Sports Information Director Betsy Heckman takes a look back at some of the highlights of the spring athletics season. SOFTBALL First Softball added another Western New England Championship, itsfifth in the last six years. The team completed the season with a 17-1 record and was dominant in most of these games. The Martlets’ only loss was against Choate, 2-1. The squad was able to get revenge in a big way, however, with an 11-1 victory over the Wild Boars in the finals of the Western New England Tournament. Jordan Gowdy ’14 and Rachel Monroe ’14 were named All-League in Western New England, and Amanda Savino ’14 and Rachel Monroe were named Western New England All-Stars. With all but two starting players returning next season, the Martlets will again be a powerhouse in New England softball. LACROSSE First Boys’ Lacrosse had some big wins including a spectacular two-week period when the team won games against all of the major boys’ schools: Salisbury, Trinity-Pawling, Avon and Brunswick. To prove how competitive the league is, seven of the team’s 15 games were decided by a single goal, with many contests decided in overtime. Alec Dunn ’13, Mark Ellis ’13, Aidan Keohane ’13 and Danny O'Connell ’13 were selected to represent Westminster as Western New England All-Stars. First Girls’ Lacrosse had some standouts of its own. Mary French ’15 and Eliza Christman ’15 were named Western New England All-Stars, and Eleni Tebano ’13 and Lindsay Hanau ’13 were honored as New England All-Stars. GOLF The First Golf team produced one of its best seasons ever, compiling an impressive 22-1 record. Led by captain Jack Rubino ’13, its hopes for a perfect season were dashed in the final match, however, when the team had a bad day against a good Deerfield squad. The Martlets also finished third in the Founders League Tournament. With a number of talented young players in the program, the Martlet golfers have a number of good seasons ahead of them.
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125th Anniversary Celebration Draws to a Close Commemoration of Westminster’s 125th anniversary remained in high gear during the spring with visits to campus by numerous guest performers, an alumni art show and an alumni athletics panel. A closing gala celebration and dedication of Gund House, Squibb House and Baxter Lawn held Sept. 28 marked the formal end of the yearlong celebration titled “Leading with Grit & Grace.” However, since the Class of 2014 is the school’s 125th graduating class (due to a one-year closing of the school in its early history), anniversary decorations and materials will remain in use during the 2013-2014 academic year.
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Alumni Discuss Demands of Professional Athletic Careers As a part of the 125th anniversary celebration, athletes, off-season training and the benefits of playing Westminster hosted a forum titled “21st-Century Athletes: multiple sports. She also talked about her own experiences Does Character Count?” in May as an athlete. featuring six Westminster alumni In response to a question about what advice they would athletes who have excelled at the give to current student athletes at Westminster, “Tommy highest levels in their sports on replied, “Enjoy the relationships in high school and college college and professional teams. and be a good teammate.” Brian suggested, “Have an The panelists included Rebecca agenda and write down how you are going to achieve it. I Brooks ’96, a former professional always set a lot of goals.” Jeff reminded everyone to “make basketball and soccer player; Kara sure you work in grace with your grit,” while Kara advised, Brown ’96, a former professional “Enjoy the moment and embrace it. I wish I had taken more soccer player; Tommy Cross ’08, a snapshots of those moments. …Sports can open so many Rebecca Lobo current professional hockey player; doors for you.” Rebecca encouraged those who are passionate Doug Knight ’93, a former professional lacrosse player; about sports to pursue them. “It shaped my college Jeff Natale ’01, a former professional baseball player; and experience and my friends,” she said. Lastly, Doug Brian Sanford ’06, a current professional football player. emphasized, “Make them tear the jersey off you. Rebecca Lobo, a former Olympian, WNBA player and Play as long as you can.” legendary UConn basketball star, who currently serves as an analyst and commentator for ESPN, moderated the program, which was held in the Werner Centennial Center. Director of Athletics Tim Joncas ’00 opened the forum by welcoming everyone and saying about the panelists: “They have led with grit and grace, both as students here on Williams Hill, at their respective colleges and universities, and in their careers. They are loyal, kind, caring, involved, balanced and responsible Kara Brown ’96 Tommy Cross ’08 Jeff Natale ’01 members of their communities. They all found greatness in different athletic arenas, but what binds them all together is that their greatness always came from their goodness, something that we all learned here at Westminster.” Lobo then led a discussion with the panelists that covered such topics as how sports build character, how they learned to accept losses, the role of their parents and coaches in their careers, dealing with the sports culture, learning discipline, women in sports, the Rebecca Brooks ’96 commitment required of college and professional Brian Sanford ’06 Doug Knight ’93
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Alumni Exhibit Works of Art Seventeen Westminster alumni who are distinguished regional, national and international artists exhibited their works of art at an alumni art show titled “Seven Decades of Artistic Passion” in May in the Armour Academic Center. It was the first major alumni art show in the school’s history and was held as a part of the 125th anniversary celebration. The artists spanned seven decades of Westminster graduates and included Lee S. Anderson ’04, Jeffrey B. Bishop ’67, David W. Cowing ’73, the late Anne P. T. Culver ’76, Alexandra Boyden Donaghy ’82, George A. Elliott III ’47, the late Bryan Nash Gill ’80, The alumni art show opened May 3. Joseph L. Gitterman III ’55, Kurt T. Godiksen ’73, Emily Bissell Laird ’79, David S. Maclay Jr. ’64, Alec E. Richardson ’85, William B. Sillin ’73, Everett W. Sturman ’65, Ann F. Ulrich ’09, Anne C. Ward ’85 and Larry S. Wasiele ’75. Their works included 44 paintings and four sculptures, and showed great breadth, depth and talent. The exhibit opened May 3 with an evening reception and six of the artists in attendance. Alan Brooks ’55, P’89, ’91, ’96, director of the 125th anniversary celebration, organized the show with the assistance of Jenny Philip P’06, ’09 and Leigh Hovey P’09, ’11, ’14. “It was a great pleasure to work with our alumni artists and to show off their enormous talent, which ranged over many styles and materials,” said Alan. “I am excited to imagine what possibilities exist for other exhibits.” The show was open to the public throughout May and was a special stop for those visiting campus for reunion and commencement. Because of its success, the school has converted the space into the Baxter Gallery, where future alumni art exhibits are planned.
Joe Gitterman ’55, P’86, ’86, ’90
Will Sillin ’73
Rett Sturman ’65
Kurt Godiksen ’73
Larry Wasiele ’75
Jeffrey Bishop ’67
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Acclaimed Tap Dancers Perform Tap legend Savion Glover, a Tony Award-winning hoofer, choreographer and producer, gave a performance for the Westminster community in March as a part of the Graham Gund ’59 Visiting Artist Series. Performing with him were acclaimed tap dancers Ayodele Casel and Marshall Davis Jr. Savion’s numerous credits include the Broadway shows “The Tap Dance Kid,” “Black and Blue,” “Jelly’s Last Jam” and “Bring in ’da Noise, Bring in ’da Funk” and the films “Tap” with Gregory Hines and Sammy Davis Jr., “Bamboozled” by Spike Lee and “Happy Feet,” which he choreographed. Savion has performed at The White House, nationally and internationally and is the founder of the HooFeRz Club School for Tap in Newark, N.J. Ayodele has worked professionally as an actor and tap dancer for more than 16 years. Hailed by the late great Gregory Hines as “one of the top young tap dancers in the world today,” she has performed at The White House, Carnegie Hall, Radio City Music Hall, Madison Square Garden and off-Broadway in “Savion Glover/Downtown: Live Communication.”
Marshall, who has been tapping since he was 10 years old, was the winner from Florida in the Tri-Star Pictures Tap Day Contest, a promotion for the movie “Tap,” and he won the Star Search Teen Dance Championship. He performed in the Tony-winning production of “Bring in ’da Noise, Bring in ’da Funk.” After an amazing performance, the three dancers took questions from the audience about their careers. When asked how often they practice, Savion replied, “I am now rehearsing two times a week for three hours for a production. When I am not doing a production, I practice at home. My life is practice. I am a work in progress.” Similarly, Ayodele said, “Every minute of the day is practice,” and Marshall
Contributing to King Memorial As a part of its anniversary celebration, the Westminster School community contributed $1,500 to the Martin Luther King Jr. in Connecticut Memorial Project, an effort led by Simsbury High School students to raise $100,000 to create a permanent memorial in Simsbury of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the impact his time in the Simsbury community had on his life. The Simsbury High School students organizing the project made a presentation to the Westminster community
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Savion Glover, Ayodele Casel and Marshall Davis Jr.
commented, “It is a way of life trying to think of different things to do mathematically and musically, and hopefully, it will work.”
Savion Glover with dance students.
in the spring, and Westminster students and faculty responded by raising money through donations. The memorial will be an outside educational exhibit that will include glass panels representing King’s family history, his journey to Simsbury, his time in Simsbury and why it was so important to his life, his going home to a segregated way of life and his subsequent legacy on mankind. The Simsbury Historical Society will house the memorial on a prominent corner of its property in the heart of Simsbury.
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New Facilities Dedicated Westminster dedicated two new student and faculty residences and the main lawn area of the campus in a ceremony on Sept. 28 that was part of the 125th anniversary closing celebration. Headmaster Bill Philip welcomed everyone, reminding them that 25 years earlier a tent had covered the same lawn for the school’s Centennial celebration. “The intervening 25 years have been transformative in our school’s history,” he said. “Crucial to that transformation has been an extraordinary culture of
Maxine Smith ’14
philanthropy undergirding advancement at Westminster School.” He then expressed appreciation to the people and families who made the facilities being dedicated possible. He also thanked Graham Gund ’59 and John Prokos of Gund Partnership who designed the new residences; the construction manager Bartlett Brainard Eacott represented by president Jim Eacott and Steve Andrea, the project manager; trustee emeritus Joe Gitterman ’55 for his leadership work on the Construction Committee; Nancy Spencer for coordinating faculty moves; Business Manager Tom Earl for overseeing the project; and Assistant Business Manager Carol Kirsch and Director of Student Life Tony Griffith for all of their work on the project. “At this morning’s dedication, we celebrate three legendary Westminster names: Baxter, Squibb and Gund,” announced Bill. “Henceforth, the lawn we are gathered on, this central campus space surrounded by our student and faculty residences, will be called Baxter Lawn. The rock naming this space, located at the turn in the roadway, honors Charles “Wing” Baxter Jr. ’37, P’79, Westminster Trustee 1952 to 1976, whose benefaction through the Andrews Foundation continues to enrich the lives of faculty and
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students. The Andrews-Baxter Family deserves recognition as one of the most generous philanthropists in our school’s history. Responsible for underwriting Westminster when our school’s viability was in question, this family supported Westminster’s students and faculty in every possible manner.” In the 1950s and 1960s, the Andrews-Baxter family built two central Westminster facilities that only recently have been replaced: Andrews House and Baxter Academic Center. They also made Andrews Memorial Chapel possible. “Much of what is Westminster School rests on the foundation of this family’s generosity,” said Bill, who then asked Charlie ’79 and Lisa Baxter to rise for everyone’s grateful applause. “Squibb House honors a Westminster School legend,” Bill continued. “S. Harris “Squibby” Squibb H’80 and his wife, Peggy, inspired so many Westminster students during Squibby’s tenure on our faculty, extending from 1948 until 1980. For Mr. Squibb, the secret to being a successful and meaningful member of the faculty at Westminster was captured in his admonition to his faculty colleagues, ‘just be there.’ As another colleague put it, ‘he stood for manners and gentleness.’” For 23 years, Squibby and Peggy lived in what was initially called Westminster House and was named Squibb House during a moving ceremony at commencement in 1980. “Many members of our school community feel very gratified that this family name will continue to grace the beautiful new student and faculty residence opposite Cromwell,” said Bill, who asked members of the Squibb family in attendance, including Steve Squibb ’63 and Andrew Squibb ’97, to stand for recognition. “Gund House honors our campus master planner, Graham Gund ’59,” explained Bill. “The genius, and I use
Graham Gund ’59
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Lisa and Charlie ’79 Baxter
Wanda and Steve Squibb ’63, and Andrew ’97 and Brianne Squibb with their children, Jocelyn and Asher.
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the word genius intentionally, of Graham Gund’s vision for our campus master plan is to reveal the natural elegance of our campus. So much that we enjoy today is the product of his insight and design — Werner Centennial Center in 1989, Perkin Memorial Drive in 1995, Edge House in 1996, renovated Memorial in 1997, Kohn Squash Pavilion in 2000, Sherwin Health and Athletic Center in 2003, Armour Academic Center in 2009 and now Squibb and Gund houses in 2013. “Graham Gund’s vision has transformed our campus setting. In the process, he embraced our commitment to environmental sustainability and adhered to the touchstone of our mission and core values, building facilities that enhanced our community, highlighted by the homelike, less congested, more community-oriented student and faculty residences. … Westminster is about people, but the magic of Graham Gund’s vision and design are that they enhance the human experience for students and faculty who live, learn and teach here.”
Maxine Smith ’14, who is from Manila, Philippines, and is the daughter of Richard Smith ’79 and the greatgranddaughter of Moreau Stoddard ’24, then spoke about being among the first students to live in Gund House. “I think we are blessed with these new dorms,” she said. “On behalf of all the Westminster students and faculty, both present and future, a big thank you to everyone who made these fantastic new dorms possible!” In his remarks, Graham Gund talked about how recent building projects have presented opportunities to strengthen the architectural identity of the campus. “It has been a very gratifying experience to have played a part in helping to shape the campus over the last 25 years,” he said. “These new dorms and faculty houses are the next major step in more clearly defining what the Westminster campus is. Its unique character is now stronger than ever. When you arrive at the top of the hill, you know you are in a special place.” Following the dedication ceremony, Squibb House and Gund House were open for tours.
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Celebrating the Journey
Westminster put an exclamation point on the yearlong celebration of its 125th anniversary Sept. 28 with a gala celebration attended by nearly 400 people that was held under two festive tents on Commencement Lawn.
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“I welcome you to this remarkable milestone in Westminster School’s history: the gala celebration of its 125th anniversary,” said Chairman of the Board of Trustees Tread Mink ’77, P’11. “It is an evening where alumni, faculty, parents, staff and even students — who are out on Baxter Lawn enjoying their own festivities — have come together as a community to mark the closing of a fantastic yearlong anniversary celebration with the theme “Leading with Grit and Grace.” Among the guests were former headmasters Don Werner P’79, ’82 and Graham Cole H’09, former chairs of the Board of Trustees reaching back 45 Tread Mink ’77, P’11 years, members of the Williams Hill Society, trustees, alumni, parents, faculty and staff. One of the highlights of the evening was the awarding of the Alan F. Brooks ’55 Distinguished Alumni Award to Trustee Moy Ogilvie Johnson ’86 for her service to Westminster. (Please see related story on page 55.) The keynote speaker was New York Times columnist and bestselling author David Brooks, who had given an earlier presentation during the day to students and faculty about his career and life lessons he has learned along the way. “It has been a pleasure to be here all day and meet the students and to meet so many of you in the last couple of
hours,” said David. “I love the phrase, grit and grace.” He spoke about why it is great to see schools like Westminster fighting against so many trends in today’s culture. He also talked about the competitive environment children face today and the disadvantages of not maintaining a “priority of self.” “The competition has become so fierce that it has put intense pressure on kids without institutional help to develop the other side of their lives,” he said. He cited two skills young men and women should have. “We want them to have the special skills — the reading, writing and math — but I have seen it here all day, we certainly want them to have morals, values and character.” He talked about how character is formed and how that has happened in different ways in history. He also pointed to a shift from a culture of selfeffacement to one of self-achievement. With a rise in selfconfidence and a desire for fame, he said teachers, coaches, colleges and schools can sometimes offer an occasional reminder to students that they are not the “greatest thing.” “Sometimes it is just the teacher who gives students an inner strength,” he continued. “When you see some of the teachers here and see great teachers and great institutions, the sentence ‘the message is in the person’ rings true. It is not
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what is in the curriculum but what is in the people and the way they get imitated.” Following his talk, Sara Whiteley ’91, a trustee and an honorary chair of the 125th Anniversary Committee, introduced the premiere of a 15-minute video of alumni reflections. “We have enjoyed an absolutely spectacular anniversary year, capped by this very special gala evening,” said Headmaster Bill Philip in closing. “During our 125th celebration, Westminster School has not hidden its light under a bushel, but instead shined it far and wide. What an exciting moment for this school to which so many of us have dedicated our lives.” Following dinner, those in attendance, along with students, faculty and staff, gathered by Armour Academic Center to watch a magnificent fireworks display light up the sky over the campus.
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Residential Life Takes A Dramatic Step Forward The quality of residential life at Westminster has been transformed thanks to the completion of a $22 million project this past summer that included building two new state-of-the-art student and faculty residences to replace Squibb House and Andrews House and creating an expanded main lawn area of the campus. The project was part of the school’s master plan to modernize residential living on campus. Construction began in March 2012, following the surprise announcement of a $10 million gift from an anonymous donor in 2011, the second largest in the school’s history, and additional generous support provided by alumni, parents and friends of the school.
A view of the new Squibb House.
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“Maintaining a consistent architectural vocabulary has resulted in a more cohesive place, one that is truly unique to Westminster.”
The new residences were designed by Graham Gund ’59, president of Gund Partnership, an award-winning architecture firm in Cambridge, Mass. He developed the school’s master plan and has designed numerous buildings on campus, including Werner Centennial Center, Edge House, Sherwin Health and Athletic Center, Kohn Squash Pavilion and Armour Academic Center. Some of the key features of the project included: • Building two 31,405-square-foot student and faculty residences, one for girls named Gund House, in honor of Graham Gund for his extraordinary vision as the school’s master planner, and one for boys named Squibb House, in honor of former faculty member S. Harris “Squibby” Squibb H’80 who served with distinction on the faculty from 1948 to 1980. Each of the residences has 31 student rooms — 13 single and 18 double rooms — and four faculty apartments (ranging from one to four bedrooms). • Building a carriage house that has five indoor parking garages for faculty on the lower level and a three-bedroom faculty apartment on the upper level. • Building two smaller carriage houses that include two indoor parking garages for faculty on the lower level and a one-bedroom apartment on the upper level. • Reshaping Perkin Memorial Drive, the main entrance road to campus, and other campus roads. • Expanding and renovating the main lawn area of the campus. • Demolishing Andrews House and the former Squibb House and three older faculty residences. • Constructing a modular faculty home to replace the former Wyckoff House. 24
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State-of-the-Art Student and Faculty Housing The design of the two new student and faculty residences is in keeping with the Tudor-style architecture of the campus which keys off Cushing Hall. Each of the buildings has a grand central staircase and two wings to create a vibrant living and learning community. Student bedrooms, which are singles or doubles, are clustered around a shared common room with an adjacent pantry that includes a refrigerator and a microwave. And because close integration of students and faculty is a key component of residential life at Westminster, faculty residences are located on each wing and have studies that open into the student lounges. The faculty apartments feature their own entrances, gas fireplaces and spacious kitchens. A large student recreation area, a storage area and laundry facilities are located on the lowest level. While the new residences resemble Edge House, which was built in 1996 as a prototype in the first phase in the residential master plan, they are larger and incorporate updated materials and new features suggested by students and faculty. “When we began planning in 2012, I met with former faculty who used to live in Edge House and with students who were current residents, and we talked about ways we could take the current structure and improve it,” said Tony Griffith, director of student life at Westminster, who participated in the planning for the new residences. “Graham Gund also met with students living in Edge House and asked them about what they would like to improve. So while the new residences look a lot like Edge House, inside the buildings, there are upgrades in technology and infrastructure that became available during the last 15 years.” “The scale, massing and materials of the new residences are influenced by Cushing Hall, which has served as the touchstone for new buildings over the past 25 years,” said Graham Gund at the dedication of the new facilities. “Maintaining a consistent architectural vocabulary has resulted in a more cohesive place, one that is truly unique to Westminster. Having visible faculty houses mixed in with the dorms, creates a smaller scale and sends a positive statement about the closeness between faculty and students, a hallmark of Westminster.”
Top left, a view of Gund House on the right and Edge House on the left. Bottom left, the central staircase of Squibb House and, above, the entryway of Gund House.
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Left, students in the large recreation area in the lower level of Squibb House. Opposite page, top, the largest of three carriage houses has five indoor parking garages on the lower level and a three-bedroom faculty apartment on the upper level.
He also talked about how a more homogeneous look to the buildings reflects the importance of community at Westminster. “The more residentially scaled buildings help students to feel more comfortable in their environment and add to the experience of living on campus, which is so integral to the school’s mission. The design of the interior of the buildings is modeled after a large English country house. Walking in the front door you enter into a large hall with the stair winding around it and the living room beyond. The student living areas are broken down into two smaller neighborhoods on each floor, connected to a faculty apartment.”
Energy Star-Rated Design Once again, Westminster is on the vanguard of integrating sustainable features into new construction with the use of geothermal heating and cooling and Energy Star
Left, a common room in Gund House and, right, its adjacent pantry.
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equipment. The new residences are heated and cooled with a geothermal heat exchange system involving 18 wells that are 500 feet deep and located in the green areas near the buildings. Each student room has its own control for heating and cooling. The geothermal system is similar to the one in Armour Academic Center, which has been a successful benchmark case study that has helped other institutions and corporations in New England pursue the use of geothermal energy. Other green features include water conservation measures, recycling systems, automatic lighting sensors and an abundance of large windows to reduce the need for artificial light. Because of the buildings’ Energy Star-rated design, Westminster is eligible for a rebate of more than $130,000 from Connecticut Light and Power. Each of the two buildings also has an elevator and is ADA accessible.
Meeting Parking and Storage Needs
An Expansive Lawn
Due to the need for covered parking and storage for faculty and their families, construction of three carriage houses was incorporated into the project. They feature indoor parking garages on the lower level and a faculty apartment on the upper level. Their design complements the larger new student and faculty residences, and the integration of larger and smaller buildings on the site creates a villagelike setting.
What people will first notice about the project when they arrive at the top of Perkin Memorial Drive is the expansive shape and new landscaping of the main lawn area. The lawn area is now known as Baxter Lawn after Charles “Wing” Baxter Jr. ’37, P’79, a Westminster trustee from 1952 to 1976 whose benefaction through the Andrews Foundation continues to enrich the lives of faculty and students. Now surrounded by curved roads, the lawn is no
A student room in Gund House.
Students in a group meeting and study area in Gund House.
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The newly shaped Baxter Lawn was regraded and features new lighting. The design of the new student and faculty residences is in keeping with the Tudor-style architecture of the campus which keys off of Cushing Hall.
longer a quadrangle. The newly shaped lawn was regraded and reseeded and features new lighting. And to establish a more uniform look to the campus, all of the new buildings and other buildings facing the lawn area, including Edge House, Memorial Hall, Milliken House, the old gym and Cushing Hall, now follow a coordinated color scheme. “In the past, buildings on campus had evolved into a more urban rectilinear plan with straight roads and 90degree corners,” explained Graham. “Today the campus has the beginning of a curved road system that reflects a more relaxed character that emphasizes its pastoral setting. Westminster’s new buildings and landscape have come together to unify the campus in an exciting way.”
student and faculty residences, were taken down following their use during the 2012-2013 academic year.
Managing the Project Westminster’s Construction Committee, which has managed major building projects on campus for many years,
Demolition Work In order to make room for the new student and faculty residences, a number of campus buildings had to be demolished. The first building to come down was Wyckoff House, a faculty residence, which was located where the new Squibb House now stands. A new modular home to replace it, also called Wyckoff House, was built near other faculty homes on campus. Similarly West Cottage and a nearby older faculty home, which were located where Gund House is now, were taken down early in the project. Lastly, the former Squibb House and Andrews House, which were built in 1949 and 1953 respectively and were replaced by the new 28
Visiting Gund House during construction are Trustee Emeritus Joe Gitterman, John Prokos and Graham Gund of Gund Partnership, Steve Andrea of Bartlett Brainard Eacott Inc., Business Manager Tom Earl and Plant Manager Duane Stagg.
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shepherded the complex project through its planning and construction phases during weekly, daylong meetings. Committee members included Business Manager Tom Earl P’93, ’98, ’03, ’07, who chairs the committee, Trustee Emeritus Joe Gitterman ’55, P’86, ’86, ’90, Plant Manager Duane Stagg, Steve Andrea of Bartlett Brainard Eacott Inc., Director of Residential Life Tony Griffith, Assistant Business Manager Carol Kirsch and architect Christine Verbitzki of Gund Partnership. “We started off the planning process with all of those people at the table and a lot of value engineering happened early on,” said Tom Earl. “We tried to determine the most efficient and economical way to accomplish what the architectural plans wanted to achieve. There were also conference calls and discussions with the architect between meetings. It is a really good group, with every member bringing a different perspective and feeling comfortable to challenge one another.” The committee also worked with a variety of consultants on mechanical issues, the geothermal heating and cooling system, lighting, sound, site work and landscaping. The project was more complicated than other recent Westminster building projects because there were so many different types of sub-projects built into it. “There was demolition of small homes, building of small homes, building two new dormitories, moving roads, repaving roads, extensive landscaping, and demolition of Squibb House and Andrews House,” added Tom. “It was also challenging to do it around a functioning school with faculty and students living close by. We talked about safety every week.”
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“The committee has worked together on so many projects over the years that it functions on a very high level,” said Joe Gitterman. “This was fortunate because from beginning to end, the window of opportunity to get the project completed was not at all large. Helping to get the job done on time were an unexpected early start and mild winter temperatures. Importantly, each committee member brings a needed different perspective and expertise to the table. While the two large buildings are virtually identical, the total number of units, rooms, doors, HVAC units, shades, lights, pieces of furniture, etc., was enormously larger than any other project to date and added a great deal to the workload involved. The double demolitions were also very difficult because little was known about the construction and materials in Squibb and Andrews. In addition, there was a great deal of improvement made to the school’s infrastructure as part of this project, and being underground, it is not usually appreciated or thought of as part of any project. Tom’s leadership with Carol, as his able assistant, were again critical to being able to reach our goals for the highest quality our budget could buy and finishing on time and under budget. For me personally, again it has been an honor and privilege to work with this group.” “I think this was on a scale with the building of the Armour Academic Center in terms of being a transformational project,” summarized Tom. “It keeps us very competitive with other schools that are doing lots of residential building, and it keeps us moving toward the final vision of the school’s master plan.”
“It keeps us very competitive with other schools that are doing lots of residential building, and it keeps us moving toward the final vision of the school’s master plan.”
Gund House at dusk.
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A Classroom of Life
Two thirds of Westminster’s students make their home-away-fromhome on Williams Hill living in one of the school’s six student and faculty residences — Memorial Hall, Milliken House, the new Squibb House, Edge House, Gund House or Cushing Hall. They live on a corridor with other students and faculty members who serve as corridor supervisors. One of the hallmarks of corridor life at Westminster is that it is a very dynamic learning environment. Corridors are places where important life skills are learned and lasting friendships are formed.
Educating the Whole Child
Top of page, corridor supervisor Mary Pat Gritzmacher with students in Squibb House and, above, Director of Student Life Tony Griffith.
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Tony Griffith, Westminster’s director of student life, who was a corridor supervisor at Westminster for 12 years and also serves as head of the Mathematics Department and coaches soccer, says the residential experience at Westminster is about educating the whole child. “It is my job to make sure we are doing everything that we can to ensure residential life, like academics and the afternoon program, plays a significant role in the life of our community,” he said. “When things go well in the classroom, the students are productive and have work to do at night; and if things are going well in the afternoon program, the students are exercised and able to focus; and if things are going well in the dormitory, the students are getting sleep and they have a safe place to relax and get their work done and a ‘family’ to come home to. We value each of these three essential components of life at Westminster.” Faculty corridor supervisors check in with the students on their corridors throughout the day. It can be as quick as asking students how their day is going, to making sure that everyone is where they are supposed to be, to engaging in long conversations about a personal matter or an issue related to school life. “Students and faculty certainly get to know each other in so many different ways,” said Mary Pat Gritzmacher, a corridor supervisor in Squibb House, who also serves as a
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history teacher and associate director of college counseling. “Living together and sharing space together is a great part of community.”
Making an Impact on Lives As a corridor supervisor in Milliken House, Tim Joncas ’00, who also serves as director of athletics, associate director of admissions and coaches hockey, often draws on his own experience as a boarding student at Westminster for three years. “I think serving as a corridor supervisor is a unique opportunity to make an impact on kids’ lives, every minute of every day,” he said. “We are doing our very best to produce responsible citizens who are going to go out into society and do really good things and not just settle for the status quo. When alumni come back for reunions and talk about all of the wonderful things they are Milliken House corridor supervisor Tim Joncas ’00 meets with corridor prefects doing or the initiatives they brought to their Zac Hamilton ’14 and Mario Benicky ’14. college campus because of a conversation you had with them in the dorm until midnight one night, that is one of the major benefits of this Colleen also thinks corridor life offers great teaching moments since experience. Our rewards come in thank yous, hugs and smiles.” students she teaches in her history classes often live on her corridor. Tim’s wife, Colleen, who teaches history and coaches field hockey, “There are times when we have been talking about some subject matter also sees tremendous value in the informal conversations that happen in class and then a student stops by to see me to talk about a paper or with students on their corridor. “It is about sharing,” she said. “Sharing review for a test. There is definitely a lot of learning that goes on beyond our stories and experiences with them makes them feel comfortable the classroom and in the dorms.” enough to give back in ways that we can help them or talk them through Nancy Urner-Berry ’81 and Scott Berry P’11, ’16 elected to return situations. Spending that extra time really talking with kids can make a to corridor life this year after 20 years living in a faculty home on campus. huge difference, and they need that to grow. One year, I had a girl on my Nancy is the dormitory head for Gund House, and their daughter corridor who I taught, was my advisee and I coached, so we always joked Katherine is a Fourth Former. about how she could never escape me. She is one of those students with “It was time for a change,” emphasized Scott, who teaches science, whom I have this lasting relationship, who comes back to visit and whose serves as assistant athletic director and coaches soccer. “I have been very parents stay in touch.” fortunate during my 42 years at Westminster to have been able to change where I have lived, what I have coached and what I have taught. We have come full circle.” Scott previously was a corridor supervisor for 20 years while living in Memorial Hall, Andrews House and Milliken House. “I think the key is omnipresence,” he stressed. “Harris Squibb, a longtime faculty member and athletic director and my mentor in many ways, used that word a lot.” Scott also likes the fact that corridor life is a way for students to see faculty members in a different light. “They see you in the classroom, on the athletic field, at the dinner table and on the corridor. I always come back to the phrase that teaching in a private boarding school is not a job but a way of life.” “For me, I hadn’t spent as many years in dorms as Scott, and I was anxious to get back to that kind of interaction with students,” said Nancy, who teaches science and math, serves as a director of the Westminster Teaching Initiative and coaches hockey. She had been a day student at Westminster when she was a Gund House dormitory head Nancy Urner-Berry ’81 and Scott Berry in their faculty apartment with their daughter Katherine ’16.
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student. “I want our apartment in Gund House to be a ‘home away from home’ for the girls residing on our corridor,” she said. “They also should expect to see us hanging out in the common rooms. There are a lot of adults available for them in the dormitory to talk with, and they certainly should be able to find one of us at any time if needed.”
Leadership Role Models A major part of making the residential life experience rewarding for students on a corridor falls on the shoulders of corridor prefects who are the Sixth Formers assigned to every corridor to work with the corridor supervisor to plan activities and provide leadership role models for younger students. “Fifth Formers let me know in the spring if they are interested in Corridor prefect Yvonne Pruitt ’14, far left, talks with students on her corridor. being a corridor prefect the next year, and then we meet on a regular basis to talk about leadership,” said Tony. “Being a corridor everyone is getting their work done during study hall, I want everyone to prefect can be one of the most significant leadership roles at leave the year knowing they had fun.” Westminster, especially if they are working with Third Formers. It is the Yvonne Pruitt ’14, who lived in Milliken House, Cushing Hall and best opportunity to have a significant impact on the life of the students, Edge House during her first three years at Westminster and now serves the corridor and the school.” as a corridor prefect in Gund House, credits corridor prefects with helping Mary Pat says that if she needs feedback about how well things are her adjust to life in the dormitories. “I’m looking forward to providing going on her corridor or if she needs suggestions, she turns to a corridor guidance to my peers just as my dorm prefects have done for me all of my prefect first. “They are instrumental in being a link with the students and time here,” she said. the eyes and ears for us,” she said. Building Relationships As a corridor prefect in Milliken House, Angelo Hunt ’14 says he Tony works closely with corridor supervisors and corridor prefects to looks forward to being a positive influence on new Third Form students. keep everything running smoothly and to resolve any issues that might “I’ve admired a few Sixth Formers from the past two years and aspire to come up. “We all have this central question,” he said. “How do we work have the same influence on younger students as they had on me,” he together to make this experience as rewarding and beneficial as possible said. “Whether its playing games in the common room or making sure
Students in Squibb House enjoy hot dogs and hamburgers during a “feed.”
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for the students? If there are things we need to talk about or information to convey, there are weekly corridor meetings and weekly corridor ‘feeds,’ which is a Westminster term for providing food.” The importance of the corridor feeds in building camaraderie cannot be underestimated. “With teenagers, the easiest way to bring them together is with food, and once you have them together, you can have conversations, and it breaks down some of those walls,” said Lee Huguley, a corridor supervisor in Edge House, an English teacher, a form dean, and a coach of football and track. “They see us in less of a position of authority and more in terms of being someone in a position to provide support.” Lee says a favorite dish for feeds is Westy dip, a combination of cream cheese, salsa and cheddar cheese. He also likes to order pizza or takeout food from Chipotle, or even take the girls on his corridor out for ice cream. “The feeds Corridor and Head Prefect Pierce Cote ’14, second from left, chats with students are an important piece,” he said. “They do a lot for in Memorial Hall. interaction in the dorms.” It is the close interaction with students that Lee likes most about his role as a corridor supervisor. “The fact that I can open my door and walk down the hallway and know that I am going to have a positive interaction makes for a great living environment,” he said. “It really doesn’t feel like work. It is fun.” The spouses and children of corridor supervisors also make many valuable contributions to life on the corridor. “My wife doesn’t work here, but she feels very committed to the girls in the dorm,” said Lee. “It is the small things, like using our kitchen to bake cookies or seeing our two daughters when they get the chance to put their sneakers on and visit in the hallway, that make a difference.” “When students see us interacting with our own children, we are providing a good model for them, which adds credibility to our teachings,” added Grant Gritzmacher, a corridor supervisor in Squibb House, a science teacher, a form dean and a coach of swimming and diving, and baseball. “You have to create an environment built on respect and trust.”
Opportunity for Growth in Multiple Areas
Brian Kelleher ’15, playing the guitar, and Miller Guth ’16 enjoy some free time in Squibb House.
Students have the opportunity to grow in many areas as a result of their boarding experience. “They develop the ability to be responsible and to take care of themselves with the support of the Sixth Formers and the faculty,” Tony explained. “They learn how to clean their own room and how to live with eight to 15 of their peers and get along. The difference between this and a college dormitory is really the deliberate support of the faculty and the Sixth Formers on each corridor. Essentially, this is another classroom, a classroom of life that occurs every evening on campus.” Betsy Heckman, who serves as the dormitory head of Edge House, head of the History Department and sports information director, underscores the independence students learn from their boarding experience. “They have to learn how to manage their time,” she said. “They have to figure out how to balance interacting with their peers and getting their work done. That means when they go to college, they have already jumped through that hoop, and they know right away that they still have to do work even though they can go hang out with their friends if they want to. That is huge.” She also thinks important life skills are
A cinnamon bun feed in Edge House.
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Above, Edge House dormitory head Betsy Heckman, far right, holds a corridor meeting that includes faculty member Peter Doucette P’16, left, who serves as a corridor affiliate.
taught. “Developing skills about how to respect people and their space and how to live with people who are from very different backgrounds helps build the character piece.” Learning to live away from home and with roommates are key elements of the residential experience. “For homesickness, I just tell a new student to give it a couple of weeks,” said Betsy. “I also make sure they are not staying in their room alone. If a conflict with a roommate comes up, I try to get them to talk with each other rather than everybody else. I also try to have them figure out what is worth getting upset about and what is not. There are certain things that you need to learn to live with and others that you need to talk about. There is usually a lot of mediating in the conversation and coming up with compromises.” “It is good training for college, marriage or a first apartment,” added Nancy. Thiele Schroeder ’14, a boarding student from Dayton, Ohio, says that it was difficult living away from home at first. “The two things that got me through it were my dorm parents and my roommate. My dorm parents in all three dorms have come to be the faculty with whom I am closest because of their involvement in the dorm. As for contributing to education, having teachers easily accessible and having your classmates live with you are definitely benefits. Studying for tests or getting class notes that you miss are much easier when you can just walk down the hall and get help.” Thiele likes serving as a corridor prefect this year in Edge House. “The corridor prefects all my years living in the dorms have been really influential on me, so I am hoping to have the same effect on the Third and Fourth Form girls this year,” she said. “ I am looking forward to helping them with anything, whether it be homework or a social issue.” As a corridor prefect in Memorial Hall, Head Prefect Pierce Cote ’14 likes the ability to be around his friends all of the time. “I create a greater relationship with kids from all grades and the teachers in my dorm,” he
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Corridor supervisor Lee Huguley with students in Edge House.
said. “A dorm is like a family, and everybody looks out for each other. While it gets crazy at times, I couldn’t imagine school without it.” He also says that when he was a new student three years ago, his corridor prefects helped him adjust. “I still stay in touch with them today, and I could go to them for anything.” Megan Walsh ’14, who serves as a corridor prefect in Edge House on a hallway of Third Formers, says, “What I like most about living in the dorms is that you are constantly surrounded by your friends, and even if there is someone on your hall who you really don’t know, you become close because you see them so much.”
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Strong Ties Between Boarding and Day Students With the strong involvement between boarding students and day students at Westminster, it is not surprising that they often spend time visiting one another before or after school and on weekends to enjoy the best of both worlds. Taggart Corriveau ’16, a day student from Newington, Conn., usually visits friends in the dormitories every day, either before or after sports practices and games. “If I am there for a day off of practice or a game, usually, we spend time in the common room around the Xbox, while other times I find myself doing homework with others or just listening to music,” he said. He also stays overnight two or three times a month. “I like staying in the dorms because it allows you to become a lot closer with the kids who you don’t see outside of school,” he said. “Being involved with dorm life allows you to build friendships with kids from different states and countries.” He has also invited boarding students to stay over at his Corridor supervisor Grant Gritzmacher, center, talks with students home in Newington. “At my house, we often watch hockey games in Squibb House. and do some homework or study,” he said. “I think one thing boarding students like about getting off campus is being able to have a home-cooked meal.” together. We also get ready together when there are dances.” She stays Similarly, Zack Orzech ’16, a day student from Avon, Conn., visits the over occasionally on the weekends and enjoys ordering from Brookside residence halls almost every day, and often stays over with friends when Bagels or going to brunch with her friends Sunday mornings. “Staying there are school dances. “I like how I’m with my friends,” he said. “And if overnight and being more involved in dormitory life has allowed me to you do not know a kid well, it gives you a good opportunity to get to know make friends that I wouldn’t have been able to make if I just went home him better. It has enriched my experience by kind of living two different right after school or had spent the entire day in Armour Academic types of lives while at a private school, one being a day student and Center,” said Madeleine. “I’ve been able to build stronger friendships by always going home and getting my work done instantly and the other spending more time in the dorms.” While she has had boarding students being a boarder, which is fun since you’re always with your friends, and stay over at her home, she says it is more common for them to come over it makes the work more enjoyable.” Zach has reciprocated by inviting for dinner or for her parents to take them out. “I’ve also gone home with boarding students to visit his home for dinner and to relax. some of the boarders for weekends,” she added. Madeleine Percival ’15, a day student from West Hartford, usually visits the dormitories every day after school, both before and after sports, Reinforcing Core Values and stays on campus until check-in for boarding students. “I just hang out with my friends in their rooms and go to dinner with them,” she said. “If Lee sees Westminster’s core values of community, character, we are in the same classes, we sometimes do homework or study balance and involvement being reinforced constantly in corridor life. “The community piece is huge,” he said. “That is what we talk about a lot, just being nice to one another even though it sounds basic. Then balance and involvement are important pieces too. I give Westminster students credit for how they are able to balance their lives.” And Grant says he has heard firsthand from alumni about the long-term benefits of residential life in building character. “I think our kids are more comfortable with each other as dorm mates than they probably will be with anyone else in their academic careers, even in college,” he said. “I am always amazed at how committed Westminster alumni are to their high school experience when they come back to visit. Many of them say their boarding school experience was more important to the building of their character and person than their college experience. Certainly, our residential program has a lot to do with that.” Corridor prefects Thiele Schroeder ’14, second from left, and Megan Walsh ’14, third from left, with other students in Edge House.
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Reunion 36
2013
Alumni from 13 classes, ranging from the Class of 1948 to the Class of 2008, returned to Westminster May 3-5 for reunion 2013. A number of alumni traveled long distances to the event, including seven from California, two from Washington and one from Turkey.
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50th Reunion Dinner Bill and Jenny Philip hosted a dinner for the Class of 1963 in Hinman Reading Room. Guests included Larry and Ann Gilman P’78, ’80, Dick Adams P’93, former Headmaster Don Werner P’79, ’82, Geoffrey Wilbraham P’76 and Morgan Shipway ’61, P’12. Many members of the class got up and spoke eloquently and fondly about Westminster and the teachers who had meant so much to them, including the Gilmans. They also remarked about how meaningful it was to get together with their classmates again. Members of the reunion committee included Loftus Jestin, John Gundersdorf, John Lavieri, Toby Levy and Spike Richey.
The weekend began Friday evening with a reception for the opening of an alumni art show titled “Seven Decades of Artistic Passion” featuring 17 Westminster alumni who are distinguished artists. (Please see related story on page 13.) Class dinners were then held at various homes and restaurants in Simsbury. In other highlights, the Class of 1948, which was back for its 65th reunion, boasted 100 percent participation in the Annual Fund, and the Class of 2008 surpassed its 60 percent participation goal. Saturday’s busy schedule kicked off with a headmaster’s coffee at Pratt House hosted by the Multicultural Student
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Union and international students. Alumni then learned about how Westminster is positioning itself for the future at a presentation about the school’s recent strategic planning activities given by Director of Development Maggie Pinney P’01, ’11 and Director of Marketing Ken Mason P’11, ’12, ’16, which was held in the Gund Reading Room. This was followed by a “Meet the Martlets” panel discussion moderated by Peter Newman ’80, P’16 with six student panelists — Eliza Worcester ’13, John FitzPatrick ’13, Alli Devins ’13, Alastair Smith ’13, Alex Colon ’13 and Hieu Do ’15 — who answered questions and talked about why they had selected Westminster, their life on the Hill as students,
the college search process and the importance of school traditions. The third presentation of the morning was given by John Prokos of Gund Partnership, who provided an update on the school’s master plan and its guiding principles. He also discussed the work of the school’s Construction Committee, the major features of Armour Academic Center and the new student and faculty residences project. In his headmaster’s address, Bill Philip welcomed everyone back to campus saying, “A big welcome to a very active year, our 125th anniversary year. Thank you for making the trip here.” He said that many were probably
surprised by some of the changes to the campus since their last visit. “As much as this school’s physical capacity has changed, what makes it special is the same,” he emphasized. “At the end of the day, this school is about people.” He then talked about some highlights from the year in Westminster’s admissions, college admissions and the annual fund, and responded to questions. In Andrews Memorial Chapel, John Ryan ’93 led the induction of the Class of 2013 into the Westminster Alumni Association. “On behalf of the Westminster Alumni Association, I thank you for your leadership, congratulate you on your achievements, and introduce you and welcome
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45th Reunion Dinner The Class of 1968 had an amazing 75 percent turnout for reunion thanks to Porter Berry spearheading an email campaign to reach out to members of the class. “There were five of us on the reunion committee, and we simply broke the class into segments with each person having responsibility for his segment,” he explained. “It was an easy job because we genuinely like each other and are very happy to see each other and, as importantly, each other’s families.” Porter’s wife also developed a video of the class, which was shown at the class’s Friday dinner at the Simsbury Inn. Hunter Smith surprised everyone at the dinner by bringing life-size portraits of each member of the class. “I had remembered how the photos had been on the name tags from years back for another reunion,” he explained. “My wife had told me how she had done blow-ups for one of her brother’s birthdays some time ago, and I thought it would be fun to do it for the reunion. I gave the yearbook to a printer friend of mine who scanned and printed the pictures at facesize on some heavy stock. After that, my wife and I cut them out and stuck them on tongue depressors.” At the dinner, the class posed for photos with the yearbook photos. There were even yearbook photos of classmates who had died, so they were also in the pictures from the evening. Now that members of the Class of 1968 are fresh off their 45th reunion, they have decided to stay in more regular contact by celebrating each other’s birthdays with emails and
you to the Alumni Association,” he said. “In short, you represent and embody the grit and grace that Westminster stands for.” He also expressed appreciation to the alumni in attendance: “For those of us a bit more seasoned, on behalf of the Alumni Association and the Board of Trustees, I welcome you back to campus and cannot thank you enough for what you do to support Westminster.” Alan Brooks ’55 then led the memorial service for 18 alumni who had died in the past year, and Heather Frew ’13 and Morgan Rubin ’13 sang “Pie Jesu.” After leaving the chapel, alumni gathered behind their class banners for the grand march across campus. With
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phone calls. “I think that as we enter the autumn of our lives, the importance of the relationships that we had at Westminster has come full circle,” said Porter. The class is also looking forward to its 50th reunion. “We will have 100 percent of our classmates return,” he said. “We will sing the school fight song better, and as hard as this may be to believe, we will have more fun at the 50th than we had at the 45th.” Members of the reunion committee included Bill Anlyan, Porter Berry, Tim Cottrell, Doug Griffin, Jake Horne and Hunter Smith.
bagpipers leading the way, they then walked around the quad to Commencement Lawn for class photos and lunch under the reunion tent. Ellen Gutierrez ’93 and Catherine Schneider ’93, who were back for their 20th reunion, enjoyed catching up at the luncheon. The two had lived on the same corridor. “It is a perfect day to be back on campus,” said Ellen. “I feel like the campus grew, but I do not know why,” added Catherine. Bob Patrick ’63 traveled all of the way from Turkey for his 50th reunion. “Simsbury doesn’t look anything like it did in 1963 when it was a sleepy little place,” he recalled. He said he was struck by the “stunning view” of the Farmington
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25th Reunion Dinner The Class of 1988 held its reunion dinner at Sanger House, the faculty home of Amy and Scott Stevens P’07, ’09, ’12. During drinks on the deck, Joe Goldsmith ’88 held court by regaling everyone with funny stories about dorm life. The class also enjoyed spending time with beloved faculty members and their spouses including Tally and Peter Briggs ’71, P’01, ’05, ’07, Mary and Todd Eckerson P’09, ’11,’16, and Scott Berry and Nancy Urner-Berry ’81, P’11, ’16. Members of the reunion committee included John Bryan, Chris Hannigan, Jane Kessler Lennox, Andy Logan, Edie Josephson Owen, Sarah Rutledge, Elizabeth Wilde, David Wilkins and Hilary Neumann Zeller.
Valley from Pratt House and was impressed by the design and function of the campus. He particularly liked the openness in the new buildings. Jocelyn Kurosky Vallieres ’73, who was among the first class of female students, had not been on campus in a while and was surprised by the new buildings. “It is what you want to see,” she said. “Things change and grow for the better. It is extremely impressive.” When asked about any special recollection of that first year of female students on campus, she replied, “As I always knew, the female element would be a very positive one.”
Steve Walker ’58 said he loved coming back to campus and recalled the closeness with the faculty and how many of the faculty had become his friends. Geof Sargent ’68, who has returned every five years for reunions, said he couldn’t get over the Armour Academic Center. “You come back and see wonderful structures and see what they do for the students. … The planning that has gone into the campus over the last three decades is remarkably successful. It almost makes me want to come back.”
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1948 – Bob Kling, Johns Winship and Al Redway
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1953 – Gordon Carrigan, Gurney Thompson and Jerry Smith
1958 – John Stratton, Shep Wild, Steven Walker and Ted Reboul
1963 – John Gundersdorf, Jerry Miller, Durbin Hunter, Bob Patrick, John Lavieri, Tony Islan, Spike Richey, Toby Levy and Loftus Jestin
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1968 – Front row, Jock Tate, Gordon Book, John Tucker, Doug Griffin, Peter Dailey, Charles duPont, Paul Tobey, Porter Berry, John Golia, Tim Cottrell and Tom Remley Back row, Al Floyd, Pat Lee, Bill Anlyan, Keith Barrand, Steve Kane, Al Dorr, Tom Hilliard, Jim Hoyt, Charlie White, Fran Lee, Geofrey Sargent, Ridgely Beale and Ty Goss Not in photo: Hunter Smith, Walter Teagle, Bill Baer, Jake Horne, Doug O’Connor and Rob Haymes
1973 – Front row, Richard Stout, Eugene Atwood, Jocelyn Kurosky Vallieres, André Kazanjian and John Hart Back row, John McGrath, William Sillin, Lee Carlson, Michael Cady, Silas Witherbee, Henry Merriman and Bentley Boger
1978 – Front row, the late Bryan Nash Gill ’80 (honorary ’78), Michael Hanley, Deirdre Duffy Donohue, Mark Wallace, Tyler Yeomans Madden, Tyger Nicholas and Steve Polk Back row, Jonathan Falk, Tim Armour, Larry Wagner, Chuck Buffum, Jock Danforth, Lithgow Osborne and Phil Ohler Not in photo: Jane Porterfield Pastor and Chas Gill Hats were provided by Allen Steeber who could not attend.
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1983 – Front row, Leslie Kirschner, Rick Gould, Woods Fairbanks and Liz Crawford Van Duyne Back row, Wendy Seiglaff Baker, Heidi Eysenbach Rayden, Lee Briggs Couch and Penny Neal Whitlock Not in photo: Doug Burdett, Charley DeLana, Betsy Rodney Herz, Terry Bridges Carlson and Brian O’Neil
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1988 – Front row, Andrew Logan, Anne Wareck, Helen Hopkins Kellogg, Joe Goldsmith and Lisa Douglass-Doe Back row, Hilary Neumann Zeller, Elizabeth Wilde, Matt Pezzulich, Robin Asbury Miller, Pete Seidenberg, David Wilkins and Annette Davis
1993 – Front row, Matt Schwarz, Justin Scott, Alya Stoffer, Alison Klimek Power, Alison French Nathan, Julie Madsen Zarou, Lee Carstensen Genung and Elizabeth Doenges Winkler Back row, John Ryan, Dara Baur Hall, Erin Hynes Naspo, Ellen Gutierrez, Catherine Friedman Schneider, Jill Adams, Ebony Roundtree and Cathy Lamenzo Not in photo: Ryan Naujoks, Doug Prezzano, Jamie Childs, Ted Childs, Coren Caisse Moore, Elizabeth Williams Boguniecki, Robin Beaulieu Ellef, Jeff Forbes, Andrew Black, Missy Hathaway McKenzie, Wendy Trainer Kerr, James Kerr, Tyler Hill and Demond Simmons
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1998 – Tim Gerges, Sandy Bryant, Mike Innes and Elliot Dickson
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2003 – Front row, Steve Bartram, Sean Sullivan, Meredith Beck, Mike Moriarty, Brenda Gutierrez Bird and Ken Reeves Back row, Dorothy Stancill, Kim Sullivan, Adrienne Bowler Greenwalt, Jen Weisbrich, Jules Stafford, Rob Lautensack and Dan Roper
2008 – Front row, George Payne, Emma Overton, Sarah Bingham, Emma Beck, Sarah Shanfield, Charlie Lent, Daley O’Herron, Bailey Spalding, Courtney Kirsch, Lizzie Pike, Cameron Keady, Marianne Specker and Anne Hoyt Middle row, Khadijah Ahmed, Courtney Stafford, Caitlin Hodson, Lisa Cavazuti, Kelly Cheng, Nina Bartram, Kate Sullivan and Dorothy Brown Back row, Kevin Garcia-Ramirez, Jordan Dewey, Eric Phillips, Andrew Heinemann, Jamie Renwick, Bobby Fitzgerald, Andy Polio, Andrew Nitkin, Renzie Chipman, Ryan Tocci, Lindsey Thomson, Scott Morell, Sarah Marco, Evan Schreier, Emily Cranshaw, Ali Crone and Jordan Ohanesian
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Commencement 2013
W
estminster celebrated the graduation of 103 students in the
Class of 2013 at commencement exercises May 25. Despite the rainy and cool weather, hundreds of family members and friends were in attendance to recognize the many accomplishments of the graduates. “This morning’s commencement ceremony culminates another remarkable year in this school’s long history,” said Headmaster Bill Philip in welcoming everyone. “One hundred twenty-five years is an impressive milestone. Throughout the past year, we have intentionally celebrated academics, athletics, service and the arts.” He then recognized a number of individual and group accomplishments during the year, saying, “Simply put, we have much to celebrate.”
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Salutatory Address In his Salutatory Address, Head Prefect Gage Kennie ’13, talked about the legacy of the Class of 2013. “It’s difficult to think that Westminster will go on without us,” he said. “A succession of new Sixth Form classes will take our place and fill our roles; however, to feed our egos we will leave Westminster believing that these future students will be successful because of us. The many forms to follow us will be successful in part because of the examples we set, the positive changes we made and the traditions we have both followed and those we started. We have played our role in shaping Westminster and participated in the school’s eternal evolution.”
Gage Kennie ’13
Outstanding Scholar Address In presenting the Outstanding Scholar Award to Molly Mullen ’13, Headmaster Philip described her as a true scholar. “Her innate curiosity and appetite for learning are infectious,” he said. “The questions she raises push her classmates to more deeply consider the issues at hand. Whether in the quantitative subjects or the humanities, our recipient is lauded for her intelligence as well as her demeanor.” During Molly’s three years at Westminster, her coursework was rigorous. She was named a Finalist in the 2013 National Merit Scholarship Molly Mullen ’13 Program competition, was recognized as an AP Scholar with Distinction and achieved Summa Cum Laude on the National Latin Exam. She also was the winner of the Brian Ford Writing Prize, served as co-editor-in-chief of the The Westminster News, as co-editor of the The Martlet and edited a special 50-year retrospective issue of The Martlet. In Molly’s Outstanding Scholar Address at the ceremony, she talked about Westminster’s mascot, the Martlet and the importance of Martlets seeing themselves more gently and to “stop seeing themselves at all.” “As a true Martlet, you’ll sometimes have to be the bird at the front of the ‘V,’ the one who softens the wind for those behind,” she said. “Lead by example and you’ll ease the way for others. Whether it’s stress before a race or the way people are treated, it takes courage to fly against a harsh cultural current. Know that every beat of your wings makes the trip easier for the flock following you — and a flock will follow. Be a drop of the right sort and you can change the balance of an ocean.” She ended by saying, “So, Martlets, as we prepare to fly
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from the nest into the winds of the world, remember: catch updrafts, have a perspective and a sense of humor, because perhaps someday, we will be happy to remember even this. Support your flock, because we are bound to others and by every kindness we birth our future. And have the courage to fly in front, to be a drop of change, because what is any ocean but a multitude of drops? Remember your story: you are a Martlet. Fly high, fly together, fly free.”
Keynote Address The keynote speaker was longtime faculty member Dick Adams P’93 who was retiring at the end of the academic year after 43 years teaching, coaching, advising, supervising dormitory corridors, serving as dean of students and dean of faculty, and advising the John Hay Society. “These positions, though, hardly capture what is so special about Dick Adams,” said Headmaster Philip. “He is the embodiment of grit and grace. Always balanced, thoughtful, resilient, wise, compassionate, considerate, kind and Dick Adams P’93 loyal, he has taught and continues to teach colleagues and students alike many lessons. Personally, the occasions when I have turned to him for advice are countless.” Dick began his address by saying, “Everyone should have to give a graduation speech sometime in his or her life. It forces one to look back at his own graduation and decide what is important — what advice you would give others.” He then spoke about some lessons he learned his first year in college and encouraged the graduates, “Don’t be afraid to question your opinions, your political views, what you might major in or do with your life. It is O.K. to be uncomfortable.” He also told them the greatest gift they have is time. “It is now time to step off the treadmill, not to step off and do nothing, not to step off at all, but to jump off into a world full of choices and discovery. That is what your next four years should really be about.” In closing he said, “I imagine that most of us, you and me both — if we are honest with ourselves — are somewhat scared of what’s ahead. We have grown comfortable with life at Westminster and the prospect of changing — of becoming ‘first years’ all over again — is daunting. But both you and I have failed if we are not ready to leave. If the truth be known, I am equally scared by what is ahead of me; after all, I have defined myself for 43 years as a teacher and now that definition is no longer applicable. But just as you are ready, so am I. It is time to take a big jump together.”
Presentation of Awards and Diplomas Following the remarks, numerous prizes were awarded including two with new names. The Fourth Form Bowl was renamed the Adams Bowl, in honor of longtime faculty members Dick and Barbara Adams, and the Mathematics Prize was renamed the Joyce Wilson Prize for Excellence in Mathematics, after retiring faculty member and math teacher Joyce Wilson. Headmaster Philip and Chairman of the Westminster Board of Trustees Tread Mink ’77, P’11 then presented diplomas to members of the class. 48
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In closing Headmaster Philip congratulated the graduates and said, “I wish you all the best as you look forward to the new challenges which await you in the years ahead.� The Class of 2013 then participated in the Westminster tradition of passing their diplomas. While this usually takes place on the Sixth Form Lawn, it was held in the Armstrong Atrium of the Armour Academic Center due to the rain. The graduates formed a circle and passed the diplomas they received randomly during the commencement ceremony until they received their own diploma. They then stepped out of the circle signifying their graduation.
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FACULTY PRIZES
STUDENT PRIZES
THE WALTER EDGE JR. ’35 MASTER CHAIR
GRETCHEN HUPFEL ’82 ART PURCHASE PRIZE
This chair is awarded every five years to a “distinguished teacher whose performance sets a standard of excellence for others.”
Margaret A. Garrison ’13
COWING ART AWARD
THE LEWIS J. POWERS PHOTOGRAPHY AWARD Samuel H. Matlick ’13
Presented annually in honor of distinguished alumnus, trustee and former Chairman of the Board of Trustees Townsend Swayze ’55, this award is given to a member of the faculty for outstanding contributions to the life of the school. Scott Duddy
Charles M. Beck ’13
Kayla A. Foley ’13
Mark de Kanter ’91
THE SWAYZE AWARD
DESIGN AWARD FOR SERVICE AND ACHIEVEMENT IN TECHNICAL SUPPORT
EXCELLENCE IN DANCE Alexandra L. Colon ’13 Julie D. LeBlanc ’13
EDWARD SCULL JR. ’71 AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN ARCHITECTURE William M. Schmidt ’13 Andrew J. Weinschreider ’13
J. LAWRENCE GILMAN AWARD FOR ACHIEVEMENT IN MUSIC AND PARTICIPATION IN MUSICAL ACTIVITIES Morgan A. Rubin ’13
GORDON MCKINLEY AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN ENGLISH Molly R. Mullen ’13
CRITCHELL RIMINGTON CREATIVE WRITING AWARD John G. Rubino ’13
EXCELLENCE IN SCIENCE
EXCELLENCE IN PHYSICS
BURDETT PRIZE FOR EXCELLENCE IN THE STUDY OF FRENCH
Curtiss T. Brackett ’13
Hansong Li ’13
EXCELLENCE IN BIOLOGY
RICHARD P. HOPLEY EXCELLENCE IN LATIN PRIZE
Ronald M.H. Yeung ’13
Molly R. Mullen ’13
JOYCE WILSON PRIZE FOR EXCELLENCE IN MATHEMATICS Zicheng Huang ’13
Molly R. Mullen ’13
MONCADA PRIZE FOR EXCELLENCE IN SPANISH Bridget M. Gorham ’13
THE O’BRIEN AWARD This award is presented annually in honor of Marianna and the late Junie O’Brien P’81, who devoted their lives in service to young people and to schools. It recognizes a member of the faculty who has, over the course of the year, been especially selfless and generous with time and care in the nurture and support of students and whose extraordinary, ongoing personal commitment to young people sets an example to the Westminster community. Todd L. Eckerson P’09, ’11, ’16
EXCELLENCE IN ECONOMICS Alexander C. Dunn ’13 Cullen H. Matt ’13
CLASS OF 1941 PETER MARS MEMORIAL HISTORY PRIZE Hansong Li ’13
CHINESE PRIZE Karlie K. Werdmölder ’13
SIXTH FORM PRIZES FOR GENERAL SCHOLARSHIP Third in the Sixth Form Hansong Li ’13
Second in the Sixth Form Bridget M. Gorham ’13
TWENTY-YEAR SERVICE PINS Jon C. Deveaux P’14, ’16 Raymond G. Gustafson Joyce M. Wilson
U.S. HISTORY ESSAY PRIZE Klara A. Lindstrom ’14
DRAMATIC AWARD FOR SERVICE AND ACHIEVEMENT IN ACTING Madison J. Caan ’13
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First in the Sixth Form Molly R. Mullen ’13
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STUDENT PRIZES BUTLER BOWL This award is presented by the faculty to a member of the Third Form for character and leadership.
RICHARD K. LEBLOND II HONOR AWARD
Paige L. Capistran ’16
This award is given annually to a member of the Sixth Form who exemplifies dedication to academics and loyalty to the school.
ADAMS BOWL
Ronald M.H. Yeung ’13
This award is presented annually to a member of the Fourth Form who best embodies the qualities of Richard and Barbara Adams, who gave devoted service to Westminster for more than 40 years, showing outstanding personal qualities and concern for the community and unwavering dedication to students. Barbara served on the faculty from 1995-2011, and Dick served on the faculty from 1970-2013.
PAUL WINSHIP ’35 ALUMNI BOOK PRIZE This book prize is awarded to a Sixth Former who has made an unusual commitment in both breadth and depth to the school’s programs and activities. Eleni M. Tebano ’13
Hieu S. Do ’15 Duncan R. Kellogg ’15
OUTSTANDING SCHOLAR AWARD WILBRAHAM BOWL This award is presented annually to a member of the Fifth Form who best embodies the qualities of Geoffrey Wilbraham, who gave distinguished and loyal service to Westminster from 1958 to 1994: high personal standards, consistent respect for others, unswerving commitment to the common good, steady insistence on fair play and abiding human decency.
This award is presented to the Sixth Former who, in the opinion of the faculty, is the outstanding scholar of the class. The award is not necessarily determined by rank in class but is based, rather, on the attributes of the true scholar: curiosity, imagination, power to associate new observations with prior experience, thoroughness, appetite for ideas rather than for grades as an end in themselves and the ability to move easily in the realm of concepts. Molly R. Mullen ’13
Yvonne J. Pruitt ’14
KEYES BOWL BRIAN T. BRUYETTE ’77 SENIOR ATHLETIC AWARD This award is given annually to the Sixth Form boy and girl who best exemplify excellence in athletics and who contributed to the character of the team. It is given in memory of Brian T. Bruyette ’77, who in his enthusiasm, sportsmanship, effort and skills, represented all that is best in this school.
Established by the Class of 1966 and recognized as the school’s most prestigious commencement award, the Keyes Bowl is presented annually to a member of the Sixth Form and recognizes the qualities of loyalty, courage, leadership and humility. Ryan M. Strange ’13
Eleni M. Tebano ’13 Vincenzo Gisonti ’13
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M A T R I C U L A T I O N
Hayley Curran Ahouse St. Lawrence University
Keye Cody Frank Union College
Hansong Li University of Chicago
Sydney Grace Rivers Wake Forest University
Christopher Lee Albanese Amherst College
Anne Hutchins French Hobart and William Smith Colleges
Haley Callison Lowenstein Colorado College
Ashlee Amber Robinson Providence College
Samuel Harris Matlick Hamilton College
Shani Morgan Rosenstock American University
Cullen Hamilton Matt Colgate University
Morgan Anna Rubin Emory University
William Hawley Mayer St. Lawrence University
John Gerald Rubino University of Denver
Owen Elliot McDonough Boston College
Stanley Spencer Sandoval Columbia University
Bridget Marie Gorham Boston College
Skyler Nykolette McGeachyCampbell Emory University
William Morrill Schmidt Williams College
Charlotte Lewis Gould Colgate University
Preston Lowry Miller Dickinson College
Michela Sarah Gozzi Providence College
Charles Xavier Morin Hamilton College
Francis James Guiliano College of William and Mary
Ryan Paul Mowery Connecticut College
David John Hallisey Gap Year
Molly Roberts Mullen Yale University
Lindsay Lee Hanau Washington and Lee University
Kevin Antonio Murray II State University of New York College at Cortland
Danielle Marie Amiot Washington and Lee University Asante Barton Asiedu Lehigh University Christian Barral-Arteta St. Lawrence University Charles Mackay Beck Colby College Julia Emily Benson Colgate University Curtis Trenwith Brackett Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Madison Janelle Caan Skidmore College Clayborne Knickerbocker Cadieux St. Lawrence University Miguel Nicolás Castelló y Tickell University of Richmond Herbert Cheng III Boston College
Heather Lillian Frew Marymount Manhattan College Margaret Ahl Garrison Wake Forest University Yianni Gavalas Saint Anselm College Vincenzo Gisonti Gap Year
Kasi Chonpimai Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Kristopher Anthony Hargraves Dominican College
Alexandra Luisa Colon Seton Hall University
Haley Gardner Schopp Franklin and Marshall College Emily Linen Sirbaugh Sewanee: The University of the South Alastair Maben Oldfield Smith Colby College Daniel Joseph Snyder Gap Year Reiner William Sprenker ESU/Providence College
Ryan Nardi Bowdoin College
Doychin Vasilev Stavrev University of Richmond
Ethan Matthew Holdaway Trinity College
Dana Julia Niland Boston College
Ryan Martin Strange Bowdoin College
Emma Bryn Conlon Southern Methodist University
Sarah Baldwin Holmes Miami University, Ohio
Daniel O'Connell Villanova University
Eleni Marie Tebano Dartmouth College
Sydney Daniels Harvard University
Zicheng Huang Vassar College
Alemante Tedla Columbia University
Iris Kay Dayton University of South Carolina
Gardner Russell Imhoff St. Lawrence University
William Dodson O’Donnell The George Washington University
Cara Jane Dealy Tulane University
Connor Andrew Janson Union College
Allison Rebecca Devins Union College
Charles Joseph Januszewski Wake Forest University
Alexander Carey Dunn Dartmouth College
Gregory Charles Jarvis Georgetown University
Brenton Gavin Durham University of Virginia
Gage Aaron Kennie St. Lawrence University
Marissa Milly Eklund University of Connecticut
Aidan Power Keohane Trinity College
Mark Tashawn Ellis Stony Brook University
William Joseph Lammey Fairfield University
John Ryan FitzPatrick University of Notre Dame
Andrew Gerard Leach Kenyon College
Caitlin Elizabeth Garfield Pooley Boston College
Evan Rowcliffe Yenor Elon University
Kayla Aspen Foley Boston College
Julie Desmond LeBlanc Wake Forest University
Madeline Wilson Purdy Bucknell University
Ronald Man Ho Yeung Georgetown University
Nia Nikol Francis Union College
Jane Haiyon Lee Cornell University
Alexandra MacVeigh Regan Hamilton College
Noah Collins Zempsky Rice University
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Thomas M. Orchard Hobart and William Smith Colleges Sean Thomas Orlando Trinity College Dong Ho Park New York University Daniel N. Parsons Bentley University Caitlin Rose Pittorie Northeastern University Andrew Harold Poling Bucknell University
Eda Tepebag Lehigh University Laura Reynolds Tingley Bucknell University Alexander Harris Tomashoff Lafayette College Andrew John Weinschreider Bucknell University Karlie Kirsten Werdmölder University of Florida Eliza Lee Worcester University of Richmond Gary Yang Brandeis University
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The Lawn Ceremony Following Westminster tradition, the evening before commencement, members of the Class of 2013 brought members of the Class of 2014 onto the Sixth Form Lawn during the Lawn Ceremony. After their classmates had been pulled onto the lawn, the current members of the Prefect Board pulled on Ellie Deveaux, the new junior prefect, and Pierce Cote, the
new head prefect. Other members of the Prefect Board for 2013-2014 include Riley Bitterli, Meggie Gresham, Zac Hamilton, Mike McNally, Travis Percy, Yvonne Pruitt and Thiele Schroeder. Dick and Barbara Adams P’93, Greg Marco P’08, ’11 and Joyce Wilson were also brought onto the lawn as honorary members of the Class of 2013.
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New Trustees Join Board Four new trustees were elected to the Westminster Board of Trustees at its September meeting. Bernhard L. Kohn Jr. ’66, P’92 returns to the board after serving from 1987-1995 and from 1997-2002. Buz has also served as a Westminster Fellow. As a Westminster student, he played soccer, basketball and tennis and was a member of the chess and debate clubs. He and his wife, Carol, live in Bloomfield, Conn., and are the parents of Ben ’92, who is a former trustee, and Liz. Buz, who earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Hartford, is vice president of Merrill Lynch in Hartford. He has served on the boards of Renbrook School and the Wadsworth Atheneum, and as the campaign chair for the Hartford Jewish Federation.
Bernhard L. Kohn Jr. ’66, P’92
Jane Kessler Lennox ’88 is a Realtor with New Albany Realty in New Albany, Ohio, where she lives with her husband, Tom, and their three children, Charlotte, Liza and Thomas. While at Westminster, Jane played field hockey and was a member of the swim team, Black and Gold, and the Spanish club. Following Westminster, she earned a bachelor’s degree in history from Hamilton College. She has served on the Executive Committee of the Westminster Alumni Association and on her class’s 10th and 25th reunion committees. She also is a board member of the Rocky Fork Hunt and Country Club, a past president and current board member of the Nationwide Children’s Hospital TWIG III, is a past active member and current sustaining board member of the Childhood League Center, and a former board member of the Ballet Met.
Jane Kessler Lennox ’88
Franklin Montross IV P’16 is chairman and CEO of Gen Re Corporation in Stamford, Conn. Tad and his wife, Laura Lee, live in Bedford Hills, N.Y., and have three children, Whit, Scott and Nina ’16. A graduate of St. Paul’s School, Tad earned his bachelor’s degree in economics from Harvard University. He has served on the executive committees of St. John’s University School of Risk Management and The Institutes, as vice chairman of the Reinsurance Association of America and as a board member of Bedford Golf and Tennis Club.
Thomas D. Sargent II ’77, P’10 and his wife, Sarael and their three children, Elizabeth, William ’10 and Christopher, live in West Hartford. Tom is a principal and chief investment officer of Bradley, Foster and Sargent in Hartford. While attending Westminster, Tom played football and lacrosse. He was also a class officer, member of The News and the John Hay Society and Vestry. Following Westminster, Tom earned a B.A. in economics and history from Union College and an M.B.A. from the Amos Tuck School of Business Administration at Dartmouth College. He was a member of the Executive Committee of the Westminster Alumni Association from 1987-1990, was the committee chair for his 20th reunion and a committee member for his 25th reunion. He is a trustee of the Colt Bequest, a member of the Board of Governors at Hartford Hospital and is the chairman of the Investment Committee at Renbrook School. Previously, he was the vice chairman of Literacy Volunteers of Greater Hartford and a trustee at Renbrook School.
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Franklin Montross IV P’16
Thomas D. Sargent II ’77, P’10
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Moy Ogilvie Johnson ’86 Receives Alumni Award Trustee Moy Ogilvie Johnson ’86 was presented with the Alan F. Brooks ’55 Distinguished Alumni Award at the 125th Anniversary Gala on Sept. 28 in recognition of her service to Westminster School. The Class of 1966 established the award in 2011 to annually honor a Westminster alumnus or alumna and named it after Alan Brooks ’55, P’89, ’91, ’96, who has had a lifelong involvement with the school and was its first recipient. “This award honors annually a graduate who embodies Westminster’s core values and who exemplifies in thought, word and deed the school’s mission, the final statement of which reads ‘to live with intelligence and character and to commit to a life of service beyond self,’” said Alan in presenting the award to Moy. “A perfect fit for tonight’s Moy Ogilvie Johnson ’86 honoree. As a 14-year-old London-born applicant to Westminster, our recipient, as Moy has tutored at elementary and high schools in part of the applications process, submitted a paper on the Hartford and served as a big sister in the Big Brothers Big short story ‘Prelude’ by Albert Halper. The candidate chose Sisters program. Her little sister in that program graduated for the paper’s theme: ‘Fight for something you want to last year from Westminster. Among Moy’s other work, she change.’ The theme was a prelude in itself as Moy has serves as an alumni interviewer for Bowdoin College, as a devoted herself ever since to working for change where it fellow of the Connecticut Bar Foundation, and a member of was needed.” the Advisory Board of the WALKS Foundation and Following Moy’s successful years at Westminster, she numerous other associations, foundations and committees. graduated from Bowdoin College and Boston University “Moy has brought this same kind of commitment to School of Law. Prior to law school, she worked for two Westminster,” emphasized Alan. “Like some of our very best years at the Institute for Responsive Education, a nonprofit board members, Moy first put in her hours for her school as organization advocating for parental and community a phone caller, a panelist, a reunion committee member, a involvement in education. class agent and as an Executive Committee member of the Today, Moy is a partner in the law firm of McCarter Alumni Association. Now a trustee for the past 10 years, she and English in Hartford, where her areas of practice include is a member and former chair of the Faculty and Student business litigation, product liability and toxic torts matters. Committee and also sits on the Committee on Trustees. She handles cases in state and federal courts. Although I can’t be sure where the Westminster Moy is a member of the Federal Grievance Committee Distinguished Alumni Award will rank with Moy’s other for the United States District Court for Connecticut, which accolades, of this I am certain: as this award honors her, handles attorney discipline matters in the Connecticut federal she does even greater honor to it.” courts. She also sits on the Board of Directors for the “I am absolutely honored to be the recipient of this Children’s Law Center, the Hartford Youth Scholars award, and I thank the committee,” said Moy. “There is no Foundation and the Executive Committee of Lawyers doubt that of all the honors and the accolades I have Collaborative for Diversity. In addition, she handles various received, this is absolutely the most important one and the pro bono matters for Lawyers for Children and other legal most meaningful. It is inconceivable that I would be standing aid organizations. before you here today. There is not a doubt that the staff and In 2005, the Hartford Business Journal selected Moy as faculty and my experiences at Westminster have helped to a 40 Under Forty award recipient. The award honors young turn me into the person who I am. I will be forever grateful professionals who have demonstrated skill and talent in their to Westminster for the life-changing effect of being a part of fields and made significant contributions to their the Westminster family. Alan Brooks was a mentor, a coach communities. She has also received the Connecticut Law and a constant presence while I was at Westminster, and for Tribune’s New Leaders of the Law Impact Award. And in me to receive an award that has his name on it, makes it all 2010, she was selected as one of Connecticut Law Tribune’s the more meaningful.” 2010 Women in the Law: High Achiever’s Yearbook.
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A Day for Alumnae and Alumni Lacrosse Third Annual Alumnae Lacrosse Game There was another wonderful gathering of Westminster alumnae for the third annual Girls’ Lacrosse Alumnae game May 18. “We had some new alumnae join us this year, and we rallied for four spirited, 10minute quarters," said longtime Westminster lacrosse coach (19992010) Kathleen Devaney H’02. “It is always impressive to watch the athletic talent in our alumnae, but more importantly, it was great to be in the company of such good women. It was also great to see the parents of the alumnae who have made attending the event a tradition. After the game, we took photos to commemorate the event and then headed to the tent to eat, hydrate and catch up with one another. Though the exercise leaves you drained, the company, as always, is wonderfully energizing.”
Annual David Hovey Alumni Lacrosse Game The 20th annual David Hovey Alumni Lacrosse game May 18 again brought a fun afternoon of skill and competition to Hovey Field. It was great to see former faculty member and First Lacrosse coach Dennis Daly P’01, ’04 who returned to coach the group, one that was plagued by various graduations and players missing in order to play in the NCAA tournament. While the alumni squad was a little thin, what they lacked in numbers, they made up for in grit and even a little trash talk. Peter Christman ’05 led the way in those two areas at both ends of the field, and the Colorado College crew of Taylor Paul ’11, Carson Christman ’08 and Jack Kreitler ’10 joined him. “In the end, the current Martlets prevailed 10-3 with their waves of fresh middies and some excellent play at close defense,” said First Boys’ Lacrosse coach Peter Newman ’80, P’16. “As always, this is a wonderful chance for our players to meet alumni with whom they share a strong commitment and tradition.”
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1888: New York City Westminster faithful gathered at Yankee Stadium July 9 to cheer on the New York Yankees vs. the Kansas City Royals.
Front row, Kate Philip ’06, Alie Philip ’09, Bill and Jenny Philip P’06, ’09, Evan Stewart ’70, P’11, Charlotte Stewart ’11, Caroline Reigeluth ’07 and Doug Reigeluth P’99, ’02, ’07 Middle row, Sue Chrzanowski, faculty member David Chrzanowski, Maggi Warner ’05, Cam Scott ’06, Peter Christman ’05 and C.C. Webster ’05 Top row, Ashley Clark ’01, David Yanofsky ’05, Pete Melief ’05, Mike Dadlani ’05 and Dave Werner ’80, P’10, ’11, ’16
1888: Chicago Westminster alumni and parents boarded the Gypsy Spirit July 10 for a cruise along the Chicago River and returned to Lake Michigan to watch the fireworks from Navy Pier. Front row, Kevin Matzke ’84, Jacqueline Griesdorn-Matzke ’85, Kelli Wilson, Joe Miller ’99, Newell Grant ’99, Rob Isham ’03, Hilary Sargent ’07, John Johnson ’98, Jenna Redline, Raquel Jex and Tom White ’93 Back row, Kate Hastings Bahnemann ’00, Peter Bahnemann, Dan Farrelly ’99, Audra Deiana, Brian Hamilton ’04, Sean Bosack ’86 and Headmaster Bill Philip
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1888: San Francisco Thirty-five alumni and parents gathered May 30 at the Olympic Club in San Francisco for a reception with Headmaster Bill Philip. Hosts Doug ’93 and Caroline Prezzano welcomed all in attendance, where casual conversation was complemented by an update on the school.
Brian Dow ’03, Will Egan ’95, Bob Strandberg ’82 and Carter Agar ’91
Barry Williams ’62, Heather Wright Vickery ’02 and Brian Vickery
1888: Boston A fun and spirited Westminster group gathered at Fenway Park June 25 to watch the Red Sox host the Colorado Rockies. Despite scorching temperatures, it was a fun evening! Left to right, Erica Massina, Craig Poler P’14, ’16, Maddy Gordon, Kimberly McLeod, Ben Roberts ’00, Caroline Scott ’09, Emily Egan ’02, Sara Whiteley ’91 and Allen Potts ’02
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Kristin Runco ’00, Kelley Drake ’00 and Chrissy Miller Corcoran ’00
Doug ’93 and Caroline Prezzano, Will ’95 and Ali Egan, and CJ MacDonald ’98
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1888: Charlestown, R.I Trustee John Cosentino P’00 hosted an afternoon of golf and cocktails at the Shelter Harbor Golf Club in Charlestown, R.I., on July 23 for alumni and parents.
1888: Manhasset, N.Y. Trustee Jeff Kelter P’12, ’14 hosted an afternoon of golf and dinner for more than 50 alumni and parents at Deepdale Golf Club in Manhasset, N.Y., on July 16.
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Young Alumni Gatherings Hamilton College and Colgate University
St. Lawrence University
Carry and Fred Matt P’13 and David Lemire ’86 graciously hosted a dinner gathering for Westminster alumni who are currently attending Hamilton College and Colgate University.
Young alumni attending St. Lawrence University had dinner together in Canton, N.Y., in April.
Front row, Emma Pinney ’11, Caitlin Fabbri ’11 and Nora Edmonds ’11 Back row, David Lemire ’86, Peter Michailidis ’10, Tom McKeown ’11, Foster Baker ’09, Shelby Cranshaw ’12 and Gordon Santry ’12. Not pictured is Sophie Harris ’11.
Front row, Amanda Boulier ’11 and Maddie Garnett ’10; middle row, Ashley Jeffress ’09, Emily Moran ’12 and Steph Werner ’11; and back row, Jordan Dewey ’08, Stephen Buskey ’09, Win Hotchkiss ’10, John Enright ’09, Mike Hom ’11, Corinne Werner ’10, Cory Latour ’12 and Phil Sandler ’11. Not pictured are Carmen MacDonald ’11, Davey Hovey ’09 and Tommy Hovey ’11.
One Year Out Cookout Thirty-eight members of the Class of 2012 returned to campus for the seventh annual One Year Out Cookout, celebrating their first reunion. Joined by faculty members and their families, the class enjoyed a Kane’s barbecue and some good conversation at Pratt House, before everyone headed over to watch the Lawn Ceremony.
Front row, Emilio Audi, Colin Cross, Chris Izmirlian, Emily Moran, Rachel Kennedy, Libby Kelter, Jake Cahill, Jake Medina, Lauren Darnis, Atesha Gifford, Chris Terry, Marquez Cummings, Marissa Mason and Darby Drake Back row, Andy Michailidis, Evan Neugold, Ellie Baker, Jeff Smolens, Cory Latour, Dillon Tiner, Will Stevens, Michael LeBlanc, Randy Doyle, Ravi Bhardwaj, Shelby Cranshaw, Hadley DesMeules and Abby Woodhouse 60
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Sixth Form Dinner Peter Christman ’05 was the guest speaker at the Sixth Form Dinner held May 17 in the dining hall. Other alumni in attendance were Peter Hunter ’05, Chris Santoro ’05 and Jakub Mleczko ’00. The class agents for the Class of 2013 were announced as Charlie Beck, Madison Caan, Alli Devins, John FitzPatrick, Cullen Matt, Madeline Purdy, Will Schmidt, Alastair Smith, Ryan Strange, Eleni Tebano, Eliza Worcester and Ronald Yeung. Members of the class also placed items in a time capsule to be opened at their fifth reunion in 2018.
Members of the Sixth Form enjoy handcrafted Saranac Root Beer with customized labels donated by Fred and Carrie Matt P’13.
Korean Parents Association The Korean Parents Association of Westminster School hosted its annual New Students Welcome Dinner at the Seoul Club on July 19. Current parents and students welcomed parents and students who were new to Westminster this fall. Dr. Sang Duck Lee and Hyun Joo P’12, ’14, ’17 became the co-presidents of the association, following the leadership of Sean and Eunice Lee P’08, ’09, ’13, who the group thanked for their endless efforts and asked for their continuing support. A new banner for the association was also unveiled.
Sean Lee P’08, ’09, ’13
Sean and Eunice Lee P’08, ’09, ’13 and Hyun Joo and Sang Duck Lee P’12, ’14, ’17
Dominica Park ’14
Sean Han ’14
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Fifth Year Reunion Committee On a Mission Each year, as a part of Westminster’s Young Alumni Program, the Fifth Reunion Committee is presented with a challenge from the Development Office to achieve a 60 percent participation rate in the Annual Fund in honor of the class’s return to campus in May. “It’s more than a goal,” said Newell Grant ’99, associate director of major gifts. “It’s a mission. If they accomplish that mission, an anonymous donor will make a gift to support a specific program, project or fund on campus. The goal is more about participation than dollars raised.” Newell says members of the Fifth Reunion Committee enthusiastically accept the mission as they rally their classmates to return for reunion. But the real challenge generally turns out to be tracking down those classmates, making contact with them, re-engaging them with Westminster and asking them to make a gift in honor of their reunion to reach the 60 percent participation goal.
“Pulling out all the stops, the class ends up making it, and after the dust settles from its reunion, the committee is presented with a slate of programs to which it can channel financial support,” added Newell. “With a few exceptions, the committee almost always chooses to help enhance the financial aid budget. As the committee reviews such funding choices as a travel grant for a faculty member, refurbishing a few common rooms, increasing the guest speakers’ fund or supporting physical projects on campus, they recognize the growing need for additional support in the financial aid area. The Admissions Office and the director of financial aid are always thankful for the consideration and awareness these young alumni have for their alma mater.” Members of the Class of 2009 are already busy planning their fifth reunion for next May. “We look forward to welcoming them back to Williams Hill and accomplishing yet another great year in the Young Alumni Program!” said Newell.
The Class of 2009
Parent Reception A reception for Hartford-area parents hosted by Denise and Chad Alfeld P’16 was held Sept. 17 at Rosedale Farms and Vineyards in Simsbury.
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Honoring and Creating Legacies The Emeriti Faculty Award was established in 2013 from charitable gifts in honor of long-standing Westminster faculty who dedicated their lives to teaching, coaching and mentoring. It will annually recognize a current faculty member who exhibits all of the best traits of Westminster’s iconic teachers whom the award honors. The award supplements professional development grants provided by the school, as the next generation of teachers develop their craft and create new Westminster legacies. The Emeriti Faculty Award offers an opportunity for alumni, parents and friends to make gifts in honor of Westminster faculty. For further information, please contact Maggie Pinney, director of development, at 860-408-3051 or mepinney@westminster-school.org.
Parents Establish Scholarship Fund In addition to their support of the Annual Fund, parents of the Class of 2013 raised nearly $50,000 to establish the Class of 2013 Scholarship Fund. This fund addresses an area of significant need at Westminster: providing necessary support for students who are unable to afford some of the costs essential to a successful and happy experience on Williams Hill. The overall costs of attending a top independent school go well beyond tuition. The fund was established to assist families with essential needs at Westminster, whether it be
helping a student purchase necessary clothing (blazers, pants, skirts, shoes), athletic gear (lacrosse sticks, cleats, etc.) or covering the cost of registering for the PSAT, SAT and AP tests, or perhaps arranging a critical tutorial in a subject. It will also help students with necessary transportation during school breaks. “As a community, we are determined to continue to make this experience possible for many talented young men and women representing a wide range of socio-economic backgrounds,” said Scott Duddy, director of financial aid.
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Refocusing Not Retiring Westminster trustee emeritus William C. Egan III ’64, P’92, ’95, positions with such companies as Johnson & ’00, ’02 is best known for his distinguished corporate career but his recent Johnson, Church and Dwight, Inc., Matrixx calling is a lifesaving mission. After Bill’s retirement from Johnson & Initiatives and Commerce Clearinghouse, Inc., Johnson as executive vice president of consumer products worldwide and among others. work with a number of entrepreneurial businesses, he was recruited to Bill says that his interest in business was help establish the nonprofit Institute for EthnoMedicine, located in not found at Westminster. “I was so young,” he explained. “The greatest Jackson Hole, Wyo., where he serves as the chairman of its board of takeaway was the concept of Grit and Grace, which carried me forward. directors. The Institute is an innovative nonprofit research organization It was a match, an alignment of who I was, and I found a link with it.” that searches for new cures to diseases by studying patterns of wellness He recalls faculty member Ron Michelini’s toughness and lessons and disease among indigenous peoples. from former headmaster Don Werner, who at that time was a basketball A major research initiative of the Institute is to find and fight the coach and English teacher. “We were a small school, but we were tough causes of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis competitors,” said Bill. “We were gracious (ALS), often referred to as Lou Gehrig’s and conscious of being good sports — disease, and other neurodegenerative losers or winners. Those core elements diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. have served me well. They helped shape a In association with a global consortium of character I could not have articulated back scientists and universities, the Institute is then.” accelerating the potential development of Bill also remembers having a lot of two new drugs for patients suffering from fun and enjoyed sports. He played varsity these diseases. football and basketball, and competed in “The FDA is willing to work with us,” track and field. He also was active in the said Bill. “They know the terminal nature of John Hay Society and the yearbook. these diseases. We are creating hope for A 17-year trustee of Westminster patients, and I am simply a facilitator. I tell School, Bill served as chairman of the the story and ask for money.” Committee on Trustees and the Strategic Bill ’64 and Pauline Egan P’92, ’95, ’00, ’02 The Institute is not Bill’s first service Planning Committee and a member of the to others. After graduating from Centennial Campaign Committee, the Westminster and Trinity College, he began Executive Committee and the Development a career on Wall Street — a career that Committee. He also led the search was not long lived. “Wall Street was not committee that selected Westminster’s my calling,” he said. “I entered the Peace eighth headmaster, Bill Philip, in 2010. Corps and liked the appeal of being part of Four Egan children have attended something new. Originally, I was to go to Westminster: Kate ’92, Will ’95, Tim ’00 Chile, but I ended up in a new community and Emily ’02. “I did not encourage any of development program in Honduras where I them,” he said. “They chose it and found organized a fishing cooperative.” great friendships, and teachers who were Bill spent two years in Honduras, and mentors for life away from home.” then extended his service an additional nine While longtime residents of Skillman, months, so he could train others to carry N.J., the Egans’ family life today is the program forward. Joining him for the centered in Wyoming. What most would Bill, far left, with a giant grouper while serving in last months of his service was his new think of as “retirement” is nowhere in Bill’s the Peace Corps. bride, Pauline, who was the first nonfuture. “No one retires; they refocus,” he volunteer to be accepted by the Peace said. “Fishing is what took us to Wyoming, Corps. Pauline’s and Bill’s fathers were childhood friends. The couple met and we still do it today. He was a founder of WorldCast Anglers, a flywhen Pauline was a freshman at Smith College and Bill was a senior at fishing outfitting company in Jackson Hole with 45 guides. “We create Trinity. fly-fishing adventures by taking visitors out on the river to fish, float and “As a wedding gift, I built her a house in Honduras,” recalled Bill. learn about wildlife in Wyoming, Montana, Utah and Idaho,” he “It took half of my pay and was a primitive home with an outdoor shower explained. and outhouse, but it was a happy life for a young couple.” On Father’s Day of this year, the Egans’ youngest son, Tim ’00, When his Peace Corps volunteer mission was complete, the couple became a father, and the entire family celebrated the birth of a new returned to the U.S., and Bill earned an M.B.A. from Northwestern granddaughter following six straight grandsons. More recently, Bill and University’s Kellogg School of Management. He then began his corporate Pauline welcomed their ninth grandchild and, once again, increased the career, which included chairmanship, directorship and presidential odds of having another generation of Egans at Westminster.
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Creating Landscape Art From Natural Materials Landscape artist Nancy Winship Milliken ’80 creates sculptures that layer time, weather and materials. Currently, she has work on display at Milton Academy in Massachusetts in a group show called Connections/Conexiones, and a towering 72-foot-high lighthouse sculpture on display outdoors at Boston’s Christian Science Plaza as part of the Boston Sculptors’ show Convergence. The lighthouse, which is illuminated at night, was crafted on-site with local wool, sisal, rope, scaffolding and fishnet — all materials of New England industry. “It creates shadows,” said Nancy. “Its light and airy materials are in contrast to the solid buildings of the beautiful plaza.” Her outdoor installations, whether in remote farmland or in the city, reveal the actions of wind, rain and sun as they transform her shapes and materials. She combines industrial materials, such as steel, with ephemeral, organic materials, such as wool, wax and honey, chosen for their inherent beauty and animate nature. She works in the landscape as well as indoors, sometimes bringing the human element in with set design for theater. Documentation is a large part of Nancy’s art. She photographs the pieces during construction, exhibition and dismantling. “Seeing it in person, you experience the light, texture and smell of a piece,” she said. “Photography changes it to a two-dimensional object. Rain, fog or sun coming through a work can animate it. You can get up at 5:30 a.m. to catch a foggy morning, or catch moments of sun coming through the work later in the day.” While at Westminster, Nancy played lacrosse, soccer and field hockey, and participated in swimming and dance. As a student, she said her focus was directed more to science than art, and she majored in health education at the University of Vermont. She returned to school to earn a Master of Fine Arts from the Massachusetts College of Art and Design in 2008. “I still use the Nancy Winship Milliken ’80 sciences today as an artist,” she added. “I’m always discovering.” Nancy and her husband, Andrew Milliken, were both closely connected to Westminster as children, and both attended elementary school at Renbrook School. Nancy’s father is Westminster alumnus and former faculty member Johns Winship ’48. Andrew is the son of trustee emeritus Charlie Milliken P’77, and the grandson of Westminster’s fourth headmaster, Arthur Milliken. Andrew’s sister is Sue Milliken ’77. The couple met through mutual Renbrook friends on an evening out after Nancy’s return from UVM. Nancy and Andrew first settled in Rhode Island, where Nancy taught at the Westerly YMCA and then coached field hockey and lacrosse as the couple raised their children. They relocated to Amherst, Mass., in 2000, and Nancy began teaching at Hartsbrook School. It was there that she had her first experience working with wool. “At Hartsbrook, we raised sheep, chickens and goats, and I taught a ‘Sheep to Shawl,’ program which takes students through the process of transforming wool into a sweater or tapestry.” Curious about shearing, she followed a local hand shearer for a spring season, and learned about the different breeds of sheep and farming practices. Since wool is a primary material in her art, she relies on local suppliers to provide her with the wool she needs. “It’s backbreaking work,” she said. “I only sheared one sheep on my own. I’m in cahoots with a great shearer who delivers bags of wool that are bigger than me. Many times I will visit the farms and talk with the farmers, which is an important part of my work and informs my art practice.” Nancy recently completed an installation in New Zealand, which has the highest sheep population density in the world. She created what she describes as her own “residency,” finding a farm family willing to have her art created in their pasture. “I went with no tools except for a pen and knife, and used found materials,” she said. “I lived and ate on the farm. Visitors came every day. The landscape was beautiful and inspirational.” Nancy hopes her next travels will take her to Peru to create an urban installation, incorporating cob, an adobe-like building material used for cottages composed of earth, hay and clay. Her work will be displayed in 2014 in the show Vision/Visones at Museo Convento de Santo Domingo, Qorikancha, The Temple of the Sun, in Cuzco, Peru. For additional information about her work, visit www.nancymilliken.com.
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Gaining Tools for a Global Conversation New York City attorney Barry Deonarine ’86 never knows how his day will begin. As both a practicing attorney and a television legal analyst, Barry often finds himself called to the studio or courthouse location on short notice for spur-of-the-moment commentary on American legal cases of interest to international audiences. Assigned as a defense attorney in the highly publicized New York child abuse case of Nixzmary Brown in 2008, Barry was interviewed about the verdict by Spanish language television networks, including Univision, Telemundo and CNN en Español. What followed were requests to provide commentary for other cases, including the “sleeper cell” of Russian spies discovered in the U.S., the assault charges brought against former director of the International Monetary Fund Dominique StraussKahn and, most recently, the bombings that took place during the Boston Marathon. The international interest generated by these cases has led to Barry being interviewed by news outlets in Peru, Colombia and Mexico. While Barry honed his Spanish language skills at Westminster, he was already fluent in the language when he arrived on campus. Barry attended public schools in Hempstead, Long Island, a suburban but economically depressed area with a large Central American population. Classes were taught in both English and Spanish. “It was a bilingual education with bilingual teachers,” said Barry. “Both languages were combined in the classroom.” Among his high school instructors was former Westminster teacher John Romano. When Barry expressed an interest in becoming an attorney, he found nothing but encouragement from John. “He told me, ‘If you have a dream like that, you should be someplace where you can develop your abilities,’” Barry recalled. “The concept of boarding school was foreign to me, and I was 15 years old.” He remembers thinking, “Am I supposed to commute from New York every day?” when John first told him about a school in Simsbury, Conn., that could help him reach his goals. John arranged a visit to Westminster for Barry, and Barry joined the Westminster community in his Fifth Form year with the full support of his parents, immigrants to the U.S. from Trinidad and Tobago who had not attended college. “The school made it possible with a yearly financial aid
Barry Deonarine ’86
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package,” explained Barry. “I thank God every day for the opportunity I was given. It was the formative experience of my life. Without the school’s generosity and willingness to assist someone whose family did not have the resources, I would not have been exposed to the values and experience Westminster offered.” Barry fondly remembers faculty member Jose Ilzarbe. “Every night, he gave us writing assignments in Spanish,” explained Barry. “He helped me take my Spanish language foundation to another level. It was an immersion experience, not just in the language but in life itself. Anyone who was his student knows what I am talking about.” Barry also recalls the impact made upon him by Larry Gilman, Todd Eckerson, Tuck Ganzenmuller and Fritz Zeller. “To me, they were giants of intellect, character and sportsmanship,” said Barry. “I use the values they imparted to me in my interactions with people every day.” As a student at Westminster, Barry was editor of The Westminster News and president of the debate club, earned numerous academic awards and prizes, and was named a National Merit Scholar and Outstanding Scholar of the Class of 1986. He also played basketball and baseball — on lower teams, he emphasized. “I was a student-athlete. Student with a capital ‘S’ and athlete with a little ‘a,’” he chuckled. Barry went on to study English and American literature at Harvard University, where he wrote for the Harvard Independent and participated in a public service program working with children in the inner city. At Harvard, he lived in the same dormitory as Brad Raymond ’85, who lived across the hall at Westminster during Barry’s Fifth Form year. The two remain friends today. “The friendships you develop at Westminster are lifelong,” emphasized Barry. After graduating from Stanford Law School in 1993, Barry returned to New York to serve as an assistant district attorney in Nassau County and was assigned to the Hempstead courthouse, just blocks from his childhood home. He went on to work for a major Midtown corporate law firm, where he had served as a summer associate, but he missed being in the courtroom and dealing with real people. “As an English major, I always need to be near a good story,” he said. In 1997, Barry started his own criminal defense practice and, today, has an office in the financial district. Though busy with legal cases and his role as a media analyst, Barry teaches English to members of his large Spanishspeaking church in Queens and speaks to youth groups about the importance of education and going to college. “By recognizing the value of diversity and giving financial assistance to students of limited means, Westminster has been equipping its students to appreciate and thrive in diverse environments,” said Barry. “Westminster opened a world to me I would never have known had I remained in my community. The world is more interconnected than ever before, and there is a global conversation going on between different nations and cultures. My experience at Westminster gave me the tools to be a participant in this conversation. When resources are made available to people of different socioeconomic backgrounds, great things happen.”
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Inspired by Design at an Early Age Nationally acclaimed interior designer Alexandra Lifton Misczynski ’90 spends much of her time crisscrossing the globe to source materials for her Los Angeles-based design firm Atelier AM, co-owned with her architect husband, Michael, and named one of Architectural Digest’s 2012 AD100. Atelier AM’s work is presented in their new book, “Interiors Atelier AM,” which showcases a selection of residences designed by the couple — each exhibiting the firm’s skill at mixing furniture and objects with backgrounds. “The book serves as a way to present our portfolio to new clients,” said Alex. After being approached by publishers, Alex and Michael returned to past clients to secure permission to feature their homes in the book, some up to three years after the completion of their original projects. Though most wished to remain anonymous, they welcomed Alex and Michael, and photographer Francois Halard into their homes. “Our clients were lovely and supportive,” said Alex. Atelier AM’s beautiful yet livable style incorporates concealed storage in trunks and baskets to help maintain clean, uncluttered surfaces. Alex employs the same technique in her own home to conceal the belongings of her own children. “It’s an easy way to live without clutter,” she said. “It makes you feel happy when your house looks pretty.” With projects ongoing in Malibu, Montecito, Beverly Hills, New York City, Aspen and Seattle, both Alex and Michael travel extensively for consultations and to source material for their projects. From biweekly trips to New York City, to overseas ventures to Verona marble yards and Antwerp furniture houses, the couple searches for items for current projects and chooses inspirational pieces for future use. Alex got her start in the business at a young age, inspired by her mother, who was also a designer in the family’s hometown of Bedford, N.Y. “I worked for her as early as grade school, folding fabrics,” explained Alex. While she says that much of her training came from growing up in the business, Alex studied art and architecture in Florence while an art history major at Hamilton College and continued her studies at the Fashion Institute of Technology of the State University of New York. After interning at fabric houses and studios in New York, Alex was hired by renowned designer Naomi Leff. “She was an amazing mentor and incredible inspiration,” said Alex. “She gave me many opportunities.” Alex met her husband, Michael, while in New York working for different designers in the late 1990s. They shared a common client. Alex relocated with Michael to the West Coast when he returned home to California. “I was the
least likely person ever to move to California,” she said. As a Westminster student, Alex played varsity squash, tennis and field hockey. She also served as business manager for The Westminster News and did volunteer work with the National Student Campaign Against Hunger. “It was one of the best experiences I can remember,” she said. “I got my independence and learned to manage myself. All good things.” Though Alex says that the concept of boarding school is less prevalent on the West Coast, she would absolutely consider the possibility of a Westminster education for the couple’s two children, now ages 5 and 8.
Alexandra Lifton Misczynski ’90 with her husband, Michael
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Bruce Burdett P’70, ’83 Bruce E. Burdett, proud Westminster teacher for 37 years (1951-1988), died April 7 in New London, N.H. During his tenure, he taught French, Spanish, German and Russian and was chairman of the Language Department. He was also holder of the John R. Gow Senior Master Chair. The French prize, awarded each year at commencement, carries his name, noting that he was “one of Westminster’s legendary teachers and finest human beings ... a passionate and exacting teacher of both French and Russian.” He also taught at the Dartmouth and Phillips Exeter Academy summer programs. Born June 3, 1923, Bruce grew up in West Springfield and Chatham, Mass. During World War II, he served as a staff sergeant in the Third Army, 188th Combat Engineer Battalion in Europe and during the Battle of the Bulge. He graduated from Middlebury College, where he played on the basketball, tennis and track teams, and where he met his future wife, Peg. He then earned a master’s degree in English from Brown University. A man of many interests, he was an accomplished woodworker whose projects included superb fishing lures, duck decoys, furniture, his Bristol Bluefish fishing boat, and in his late 60s, a barn in New Hampshire. He loved to garden,
REMEMBRANCES “In 1955, during an assembly on dance weekend, my date was sitting in the back rows with the faculty. As the rest of us were dealing with matters of the weekend, Mr. Burdett turned to my date, leaned over and asked, ‘Do you like to fish?’ Classic Bruce, whimsical and warm. Bruce entered Westminster with our Third Form class. I sat in both his French and English classes. In later years, he often remembered, with generous appreciation, that after one of those early classes, I suggested that he keep a calendar to better track our assignments. (What an insufferable little boy, I must have been.) One of Bruce’s many endearing tricks was to locate a student’s littleknown town, and to quietly work it into a class discussion, much to the astonishment of the student — who could not believe anyone knew about his hometown neighborhood. Our Sixth Form year, Bruce and Peggy (whom we were all in love with) lived on an adjoining hall. His son,
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little Bruce, age 2 or so, would come in and play with little cars on my desk. “When Bruce retired, he gave a compelling commencement address, describing his extraordinarily moving experience during World War II. He was among the first U.S. soldiers to liberate the surviving prisoners of Auschwitz. During his years at Westminster, we had never heard him talk about his wartime life. “A few years ago, much to my dismay, Bruce signed up for a course I was giving at Dartmouth’s Institute for Lifelong Education. The tables were turned, from student to teacher, teacher to student. He characteristically told no one of our long history, until the last class. He then roasted me, passing out yearbook pictures and selected quotes of a Sixth Former. His retired life in New Hampshire was rich and happy. He participated in many Dartmouth adult courses and served his town on a number of committees. Among other projects, he
nurtured bluebirds, sending out birdhouse construction guidelines on the Internet. Every one of the returning classes of 1951-1988 had one overwhelming request: they wished to see and visit with Bruce Burdett.” —Townsend Swayze ’55 ❖ ❖ ❖
“I’m sure anyone who was at Westminster in the four decades between 1950 and 1990 has some noteworthy memory of Bruce Burdett. Mine was on the basketball court. As a growing adolescent trying desperately to coordinate a gangly body, I was worked over pretty well by Bruce on the basketball court, getting instructed in the fine art of playing center. At times, it must have seemed like a hopeless cause to Bruce. Certainly it brought me a fair amount of frustration. Bruce, after all, was 2 or 3 inches taller and a good deal stronger than I. But we both persisted, and I was the better person for it.” —Alan Brooks ’55, P’89, ’91, ’96
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read and write. He was a sponsor of prisoners both in Connecticut and New Hampshire. He was a beekeeper and a trainer of Labrador retrievers. A lifelong learner, Bruce took classes at Dartmouth’s ILEAD program, making new friends and keeping current with contemporary trends. He was a fan of Robert Frost and Joseph Conrad, The Dixie Chicks and Zooey Deschanel, and Gustav Mahler and Larry David. During retirement, he served for 23 years on the Sunapee
“Bruce was like a second father to me in that he went out of his way to build a very personal relationship. It started out by asking me, and several others in our French class, to work with him outside the classroom and meet in his house. He always made us feel at home, and being a poor French student, I felt very much appreciated and supported. “Most extraordinarily, however, was our interest in hunting. It started by making duck decoys in the school shop. Bruce immediately worked with me on how to construct them and put them to use. I was allowed to bring a gun to school and hunted with him on many early mornings along the Farmington River. This did not make my football coaches very happy, since I got up well before daylight, hunted until breakfast, and then arrived in class and football practice a little weary. But we had a great time together and had some very successful hunts. Also included were Crozer Fox ’60 and Jack Gow ’60, so we had a bit of a troika. Even after the hunting season, we would go out to
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Conservation Commission. He was the founder of the New Hampshire Bluebird Conspiracy, which oversaw the establishment of nearly 2,000 bluebird houses (many of which he built himself, others were built by inmates in the state prison system) throughout New Hampshire and Vermont, helping that species re-establish a firm foothold in its native habitat. Bruce loved Westminster. He considered his colleagues and countless students there his lifelong friends. He enjoyed
the school dump and hunt crows using an owl decoy and squawking loudly on our crow calls to bring them in. “Bruce had an incredibly curious and fertile mind and was always thinking about other things to get involved with, whether it was a new language, beehives, hunting, fishing or sky gazing. Most importantly, he was a person this young student looked up to as a boy far away from home.” —Charles Day Dilks ’59 ❖ ❖ ❖
“Upon meeting Bruce Burdett, one sensed immediately that he was a ‘man for all seasons’ — his interests were broad and ever widening. For example, there came a point in his life (1965-1975) when Bruce committed his free time and considerable social talents to the Connecticut Prison Association’s Volunteer Sponsor Program. The role of a sponsor in this program has one function: to provide a prisoner with friendly human contact with someone from the outside.
“One can only imagine what a sponsor can do to help a 40-year-old man who has spent 23 years in a cell and hasn’t had a visitor in seven years! Thus a sponsor is expected to commit to regular visits — once every two weeks. In so doing, a sponsor helps to build the prisoner’s morale. “During his career as a sponsor, Bruce had been assigned men, who, in the opinion of an Association Board, would be able to form meaningful relationships with him; and there were three — all of whom were alcoholics and murderers. However, one had ‘kicked the habit’ and when freed, he became the director of Alcoholics Anonymous at the prison and continued to have success ‘on the outside.’ “Bruce’s successful sponsoree, known as ‘Lexie,’ visited Westminster and courageously dealt with many questions in a matter-of-fact way about his earlier life. Inevitably the question concerning his most serious crime arose, and he responded, ‘In a drunken rage, I murdered my mother.’ Silence prevailed.” —Larry Gilman P’78, ’80
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teaching, coaching, running forestry, raising chickens, rabbits and pheasants and even climbing the water tower in the middle of the night to paint over graffiti before students could view their work in the morning. He followed Westminster’s growth with pride and remained in touch with many members of that extended family. Bruce’s wife, Peg, who served on the English Department faculty, predeceased him by five years. “The collective legacy that both Bruce and Peg Burdett had on Westminster during
“As a Fourth Former, I was tasked with writing a biology report on invertebrates. (Thanks Mr. Berry!) Choosing the honeybee is how I met our ‘Towering Mr. Burdett.’ He significantly guided my adolescent years and early adult life. “He stood heads and shoulders above us young boys, yet the ‘Friendly Giant’ was always reachable. Mr. Burdett and his wife, Peg, both made time for me without reserve. Their generosity and accessibility meant the world. It shaped my management style at its core! Of course, Mr. Burdett’s worldly grin generally accompanied his open door/open home policy! “Then we must consider his confident grasp of life and its ‘fear-not’ lessons to us young men. A photo in the 1973 yearbook shows his huge ‘paw’ single handedly holding enough bees (held in his bare hand) to make a pound of honey! Amazing confidence and a resilient sense of adventure were his quintessential hallmarks.
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their many years of service remains a vital part of this community,” said Headmaster Bill Philip. Bruce leaves three children, Carol and her husband, Dana Guay, of Southwick, Mass.; Douglas ’83 and his wife, Sarah, of Greenwich, Conn.; and Bruce ’70 and his wife, Jeanne, of Bristol, R.I.; and seven grandchildren, Bryan and Sheila Guay; Charlie, John and Lucy Burdett; and Erin and Kirstin Burdett. At the end, he stated firmly that his was a life of almost unfathomable good fortune.
“Bruce taught me so much about growing up and being responsible. One more chapter of his influence featured the ‘Green Mountain Boys.’ Despite my living on a farm with an attentive and instructing father, Mr. Burdett taught all of us Green Mountain Boys how to plant a tree or bush and ensure its growth. To this day when I plant, he is standing tall nearby reminding me to create a moat for containing the water. ‘Remember,’ he said, ‘young startups need all the help and assistance you can offer.’”
“I was just 16 years old at the time and quite intimidated by Mr. Burdett’s wealth of knowledge and impressive physique. To be honest, I was a bit scared of the guy. He seemed huge and to have this gentle giant take me under his wing and share this adventure with just him was truly awesome. It is something I will never forget. It wasn’t until I heard about his passing that I regret I never thanked him for the experience of sharing his passion of beekeeping with me.” —Rick Ford ’75
—John Ripley ’75 ❖ ❖ ❖
“When I heard that Bruce Burdett died, I not only mourned the loss of my French teacher at Westminster but a man who I had shared a special experience with one sunny morning in the spring of 1973. It was memorable because more than just a teacher; on that day, he was my friend.
To read Rick Ford’s full story about beekeeping with Bruce titled “In Search of a Swarm with Monsieur Burdett,”please go to www.westminster-school.org/MonsieurBurdett
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Mike Jackson Sr. ’49, P’75, ’82, GP’04, ’08 Longtime Westminster faculty member and Westminster graduate Mike Jackson Sr. ’49 died July 6 in South Carolina. He resided in West Falmouth, Mass.; Isle of Palms, S.C.; and Hopetown, Abaco, Bahamas. Mike was born in Boston, Mass., and following graduation from Westminster, earned his bachelor’s degree at Harvard University in 1953 and his master’s degree in mathematics from Trinity College. While a student at Westminster, he played first team football, hockey and baseball. He also was a member of John Hay for seven years and served as vice president his Sixth Form year. Mike was appointed to the Westminster faculty in 1953 and served for 41 years, teaching math and physics, with a two-year break from 1970 to 1972 to work at the newly founded Westledge School. He also coached football, hockey and baseball, and maintained the hockey rink. Mike is remembered by many for his gentle, caring and supportive manner in reaching out to students, his bow ties, his trumpet, the ice cream cone he always enjoyed at lunch, driving the Zamboni, his classroom and his commitment to lower team interscholastic athletics.
REMEMBRANCES “Mike was my general science teacher in the Second Form. Two things have stuck in my mind from his class. He taught us the workings of the internal combustion engine. You know, intake, compression, ignition and exhaust. If he caught one of us chewing gum in class, he would make us spit it out in the palm of our hand, place our hand on our head and rub the gum into our hair. “In the days when the only hockey rink we had (except for the pond) was behind the gym, Mike used to supervise setting up the boards and then waited for the first significant snow, so we could flood the rink and start building up ice for the season. Then when a snowfall covered the rink, I remember Mike using a heavy-duty snow blower to clear the rink. That was the first time I had seen a snow blower!” —Patrick Ellis ’61 ❖ ❖ ❖
“Mr. Jackson will always hold a very special place in my heart. The life lessons he imparted to me will forever remain cherished memories of my Westminster experience: countless conversations at Cushing Hall before dinner — he always arrived early — that usually continued over dinner, learning how to drive a Zamboni under his watchful eye, seeking advice from a truly wise advisor and realizing that I really enjoyed math. They go on and on. There truly was no other like Mr. Jackson.” —Aishling Watterson Peterson ’89 ❖ ❖ ❖
“I considered Mike to be one of a number of masters who epitomized all that was truly great about Westminster while I was a student there. And I suppose it’s only natural, when you reach a certain age, to realize that, suddenly, so many of the teachers who have made such an impact, are no longer with us. “Mike was a magnetic figure on Williams Hill. A big smile for literally everyone, and a
great sense of humor. And who could ever forget his ubiquitous Bug-Eyed Sprite? (a car that I still covet to this day.) But the greatest impact Mike had on me was as a math teacher. I struggled with math my entire academic career. So I was ecstatic in my Sixth Form year, when my math requirement for graduation was complete. I was home free! But elation was short-lived. Mike gathered about six or seven Sixth Formers (to protect the innocent, I won’t reveal the names). He told us that we would be in big trouble in college if we took a year off from math. Thus began the course we immediately christened ‘Math for Dummies.’ He invented this course — for us! It was an eclectic overview of algebra, geometry and a touch of trigonometry. Where Math for Dummies differed, was in the instruction. Unlike any math teacher I’ve had, before or after, Mike connected literally every proof or equation to some practical purpose. One example stays with me: the Parabolic Equation. Mike spent more time teaching us the ‘why’ of the
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“Personally, I remember the warm welcome that Mike extended to me as a young member of the faculty in the early 1980s,” said Headmaster Bill Philip. “His commitment to the breadth of our program and to our students inspired me and continues to do so, as I know it does my faculty colleagues.” The hockey rink was named the Jackson Rink in May 1996 in honor of Mike’s retirement from Westminster. At the time of his retirement, he was the senior master, and had been
equation than the ‘how.’ For me, the revelation was the practical application of the math: radar, headlights, satellite dishes. Knowing the reason for the math actually made it easier to do the calculations. Mike made math enjoyable! Fast forward to freshman year in college. Of course, I had a math requirement: trigonometry. I didn’t enjoy it, didn’t understand it, have never used it. But I passed it. And undoubtedly the reason was Mike’s Math for Dummies. I still find myself relying on principles that Mike Jackson taught when, against better judgment, I am forced to grapple with a math issue.” —Richard Bondy ’67 ❖ ❖ ❖
“From Mike I learned geometry and how to properly flood the hockey rinks when this was done by hand. I also learned how wonderful a few cups of hot chocolate could taste in the middle of the night after flooding the rinks on the graveyard shift.” —John Pomeroy ’61
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for eight years, and the holder of the John Gow Chair. More recently, he was a Westminster Fellow. The award given in the fall, winter and spring to the lower team with the best season bears his name. Mike was a lifelong sailor, and won the Sears Cup, the national youth triple-handed championship. He also was a member of the Chapoquoit Yacht Club and the Hopetown Sailing Club. Known for his prowess in the workshop, he built
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“Mike was one of those souls who represented the spirit of Westminster so very well during all those years he was part of the community. He was both a classroom teacher of mine in the late ’50s and a colleague when I joined the faculty back in 1967. One thing I remember most about Mike: you always knew where you stood with him! Because I was a basketball player and coach, he never could bring himself to appreciate the sport — this in spite of the fact that during the four years I was a student, I often did ‘graveyard shifts’ icing the old hockey rink behind Pettee Gym. I think he was grateful for the effort, but actually I am not entirely sure! He was ‘hockey’ through and through. "Mike was a good man — and a very good school man! Westminster was a better place because of his presence. While it has been a long time since I have spoken with him, I know his loss is a blow to the Westminster community. He made a huge
difference in the lives of many young men and women.” —Charley Zimmer ’59 ❖ ❖ ❖
“There is no way to count how valuable Mike was to the development of the ethos of Westminster School. Over the years, so many faculty have been kind and committed to Westminster students, but I suspect that none surpassed Mike’s dedication to developing dayto-day, personal relationships, so often at lunchtime, with so many students, and many faculty as well. “Kindness, yes, and craftsmanship are how I will remember Mike best. As most campus folks probably know, our family has enjoyed living in the house he built on campus. One day Mike was bicycling by on a postretirement visit to campus. I caught his eye and invited him in for a quick tour of the house he built and which we had recently occupied after the Gilmans’ retirement. It was a great
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three cars, a gyrocopter, an amphibious airplane, two houses and three boats. He is survived by his wife, Gail Sargent Jackson; his sister, Phyllis Mills of New York City; his brother, Tim ’65 of Dedham, Mass.; his four children and two step children, Linda Silvers of Petaluma, Calif.; Jenny Jackson of Hopedale, Mass.; Michael Jackson Jr. ’75 of Southborough, Mass.;
pleasure, to accompany him as he remarked on details of its design, and to appreciate him for the great pleasure we had had in living in his house, a house that would not have existed without his foresight, dedication, generosity and talent. “The memories he fostered and the kindness that defined his life will surely live on long after these sad days.” —Pam McDonald P’96, ’04 ❖ ❖ ❖
“As a student, I just loved Mike’s math classes. Deb Payne ’81 reminded me recently of the trimester course we took in which the goal was to prove that 1+1 did not equal 2 (we could not remember exactly what we did prove though). It was all very interesting, as well as entertaining, and I went to Middlebury with every intention of being a math major (until I took linear algebra and hated the theoretical side of mathematics).
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Tim Jackson ’82 of West Falmouth, Mass.; Wayne Sargent of Orlando, Fla.; and Debbie Hankinson of Mount Pleasant, S.C. He was the grandfather of Nathaniel ’04, Samuel ’08, Libby, Abigail, Geoffrey, Bryan, Tyler and Landon.
“As a new teacher, Mike provided lots of support as I taught mostly math my first couple of years. I also remember him banging out comments on those little pieces of paper (aka comment forms) on his old typewriter. And I mean literally banging, because he had to hit the keys so hard!”
“Mr. Jackson was a big part of the Gitterman Family experience at Westminster. He was there when my father attended, taught Paul, Tom and me, and survived to tell the tale.” —Vicky Gitterman Leonard ’90
—Nancy Urner Berry ’81, P’11, ’16 ❖ ❖ ❖
“Personally, I could not have passed calculus without his consistent care and patience. Uncle Mike will always be Westminster to me.” —Gardie Jackson ’87 ❖ ❖ ❖
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Closing Thoughts Putting Down Markers to Make Our Way Adapted from a chapel talk given Sept. 17, 2013, by 125th Anniversary Director Alan Brooks ’55, P’89, ’91, ’96
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With all that has been written about Westminster in the local papers, in our own literature, and on the banners about campus and in town, even the most casual visitor to the school must realize something has been going on here this past year: an important milestone was reached. A milestone can be anything that marks a significant event in an organization, a nation, a person’s life or the development of knowledge in a particular field. The idea of milestones is an old one. When the ancient Romans built roads across Europe, they placed special stones at the sides of the roadways at regular intervals. Travelers could use these stones to mark their way. Westminster’s 125th anniversary year milestone has provided the school an opportunity to honor its past. But just as those Roman stones also served to mark the traveler’s progress and direction, Westminster, likewise, has spent this past year assessing its progress and determining the direction it wants to take in the future. Many years ago, when I began traveling for Westminster, I was sitting in O’Hare Airport in Chicago on a Friday evening waiting for my flight to Hartford. While I was waiting, a delay notice was posted for my flight. Several of us gathered at the agent’s desk. The seasoned flyers among us knew the exact times — even perhaps the gates — for the flights on other airlines that evening. We knew if we were quick about it, we could probably grab an available seat elsewhere. The agent carefully explained that the incoming flight had been delayed by weather west of Chicago but was now on its way. She expected it to arrive within an hour and could then be on its way to Hartford in about 30 minutes more. I began to relax. But a tired voice from the rear asked, “Where is the plane now?” The agent consulted her monitor and confidently answered that it had just taken off from Kansas City. Some people drifted off. I held pat; Kansas City is less than an hour from Chicago. But the same voice persisted. “And where is it going?” Again, the agent looked up the information and without thinking, quickly answered, “To Dallas, then Chicago.” I took a deep breath, picked up my bag and, like most of my fellow travelers, started the long walk to the competition.
“Where is it now?” and “Where is it going?” need not apply only to airlines. These are the very questions Westminster has been asking itself. These are the questions that fit the human experience. Like Westminster, we each have to put down markers to make our way. We should ask ourselves: How do we go about answering these same questions? How do we measure our progress? How do we know we're going in the right direction? I don’t pretend to have all the answers, but I would like to throw out a few suggestions — having spent nearly 56 years at Westminster — that you might want to consider as you journey on. To begin with, this is your journey. There is an old Irish proverb that says you have to do your own growing, no matter how tall your grandfather was. You have to assume responsibility for your journey here. No one else can. Take ownership of your life at Westminster. You have to put down your own markers. And while you’re at it, put them out a ways. Stretch yourself. Frankly, it is better that you reach out far and fall short, than to reach short and make it. No one stumbles lying down. When you do stumble, and you will, don’t blame others. Don’t be a whiner. Again, you are in charge of you. Take the consequences and move on. But that does not mean you should rush it. In your journey, direction is more important than speed. Learn your strengths and weaknesses. Work within yourself. Pace yourself. There is a story about the Finnish sculler named Karpinnen at the 1980 Olympics. An Olympic sculling event — in this case, a shell for a single person with a pair of oars — covers 2,000 meters or roughly 1-1/4 miles and is measured in 500-meter increments. It is one of the most grueling and painful events an athlete can endure. Karpinnen was a great sculler who knew himself, his strengths and his limitations as an athlete. He rowed the first 500 meters in 1:42 and was dead last, his competitors nowhere in sight. He had no way to know how far behind he was. Still he rowed as he knew how, measuring his effort. In the next 500 meters, he rowed in the same time of 1:42 and at the halfway mark was fifth, well behind the West German leader. As other rowers began to tire, Karpinnen rowed his third 500 meters in the exact
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time again of 1:42. He was now third, closing in on the second-place sculler. With 250 meters to go, Karpinnen passed him and, in the final few strokes of the race, pulled past the West German to win the Olympic gold. His time for the last 500 meters was 1:42! Karpinnen knew himself so well as an athlete that he could row each 500 meters in identical times and cross the finish, having given all he had but done so within himself. Only at the end did he measure himself against the others. He kept his composure even when he was nearly last at the halfway mark. So don’t worry if you haven’t gotten off to as fast a start as some others. Don’t measure yourself by what they have accomplished in the midst of the journey. Learn from your mistakes, maximize your talents, know yourself. Keep moving forward. You have time. The journey really never ends. Unlike Karpinnen, however, you are not making the journey alone. In fact, your journey will be far less satisfying and successful if you try to go it alone. We take on our individualism through our interaction with others. Relationships make us human. Our humanity is shaped by our associations — with the people with whom we live, work and play. We need the society of others in order to develop as individuals and to flourish. A world without human contact, without emotions, is a world without value, and a world without value is one in which humans cannot thrive. Westminster is a deeply relational, networked and values-driven place. Our individual identities become embedded here. By our active participation and commitment to Westminster, we become more fully dimensional people. We are empowered not by our individual freedoms but by the freedom to live and work together with others. So, like Westminster, we hope to make our way on the road by taking responsibility for our trip, confronting obstacles straight on, recognizing our strengths and weaknesses, knowing ourselves; and we do so while interacting with our fellow travelers, working together to make the journey not just more enjoyable and enriching, but meaningful. But in what direction should we go? When each of us decided to become a member of this school, we entered into a social contract. Westminster is a collection of these contracts, promises, each one an act of will and intelligence and anticipation that makes Westminster, any society for that matter, coherent. Westminster is held together by an immensely intricate web of these individual promises. If we don’t hold to our promises, if we adopt an orthodoxy of selfinterest, we become separated from others and from our school. If individuals within the school can’t be counted on, the whole structure can begin to wobble. Keeping to our promises forms the basic trust that is the glue of this place and unites past, present and future generations. How do we fulfill that promise? We do so by embracing the core values — community, character, balance and involvement — and by living the motto, by grit and grace, of the school to which we have made that promise. I hope even our newest members of the Westminster community have begun to grasp what grit and grace means. Some examples that have stuck with me over the years include:
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• Students and teachers in 2004 getting out on a Saturday to shovel the football field after a Friday snowstorm so the First Team could play its game. • The Westminster day student at CVS who wiped the snow off his car, then did the same for a woman he didn’t know, refusing payment from her. • The blood drive started by the Class of 2003 that became the Tawney effort and which many students and faculty take part in every year. • The Sixth Former in 2008, when teams were planning their spring trips, who organized a Habitat for Humanity trip and got other students involved. • In spring 1984, a classmate who spoke in chapel to the school with great sensitivity and understanding about his mother’s alcoholism. • The football captain in 1995 who played heroically in the final game against Suffield, losing the game in the last moments, then consoled some of his teammates and later offered to help the coach’s wife set up a postgame meal for the team. • The student in 2005, learning of an older alumnus he did not know who had become immobilized from a bad fall, who volunteered during his vacation to drive this man around to do his errands. So grit and grace is much more than a slogan; it is a way of life. It is that promise we make to each other and to the school when we chose to be a member of Westminster. Fulfilling that promise is the direction in which we should all be moving. And in so doing, as we go from marker to marker in our journey, what is truly special is not what we are getting by reaching those markers, our goals, but what we are becoming: full human beings living lives beyond the ordinary, with character and intelligence, in service to others. Today, you are making new friends, renewing old friendships and heading off to new classes, in the throes of a new school year, a new journey. The thing you need to know is that what you do today, the way you live your life today, is helping shape the pattern for the rest of your life. If you start now, even in little ways, living with grit and grace, you will most definitely be journeying in the right direction. So when your friend is about to do something that could get him or her into trouble, what will you do? When the work is hard, will you cheat? When you get that big victory, will you gloat? When someone belittles another, what will you say? When the school needs you, will you step up? The manner in which you respond to that which is immediate, and real and today are acts of not just doing but of becoming. Have a great school year. But, once in awhile, as you walk by one of the many signs of grit and grace on the campus, stop and think about what that means, and ask yourself, “How’s the journey going?”
Westminster is a deeply relational, networked and values-driven place. Our individual identities become embedded here. By our active participation and commitment to Westminster, we become more fully dimensional people.
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995 Hopmeadow Street Simsbury CT 06070
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