Peter W. E. Becker: Gunnerys Eleventh Head of Schoolpage 2

The Gunnery BulletinAUTUMN 2012

To minimize impact on the environment, this magazine was printed on paper made with 30 percent post-consumer waste fiber processed with environmental chlorine-free sources and certified by SmartWood for Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) standards. The inks used throughout this piece contain a high proportion of renewable vegetable-based ingredients, low Volatile Organic Compounds content and extremely low heavy metal content.

The Gunnery Bulletin | AUTUMN 2012

f e a t u r e s

2 Peter W. E. Becker: Gunnerys Eleventh Head of School

7 Gunnery LEADS Program

10 Vitual High School

11 Steve Bailey in Hong Kong

d e p a r t m e n t s

12 C O M M E N C E M E N T

16 O N C A M P U S

20 AT H L E T I C S

23 A L U M N I W E E K E N D

28 N E W T R U S T E E S

29 S U P P O RT T H E G U N N E RY

32 C L A S S N O T E S

40 I N M E M O R I A M

BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND SCHOOL OFFICERS

Peter W.E. Becker Head of School

Stephen W. Baird 68 Chairman

Joan A. Noto P 97 Vice Chairman

David E. Kaplan 81, P 13 Vice-President

Jay B. Sheehy 73 Treasurer

Peter B. Slone 73 & P 11 Secretary

Patrick M. Dorton 86 Jonathan M. Estreich P 06

Gerrit Vreeland 61 Members at Large

TRUSTEES EMERITILeo D. Bretter 52 & P 88

Jonathan S. Linen 62Val J. Prevedini 69

ALUMNI ASSOCIATION PRESIDENTDavid N. Hoadley 51

BOURNE COUNCILStephen W. Baird 68Stephen P. Bent 59

Leo D. Bretter 52 & P 88Edsel B. Ford 2nd 68Jonathan S. Linen 62

Val J. Prevedini 69William S. Smilow 82Jonathan M. Tisch 72

Roy S. Walzer 65 & P 86

GUNNERY COUNCIL PRESIDENTBrandon J. Dufour 02

PARENTS COUNCIL CO-CHAIRSSusan and Mike DElia P 12 & 13

COMMUNICATIONS OFFICE CONTACTTodd C. Santa Maria,

Director of Communications and Marketingsantat@gunnery.org

ADVANCEMENT OFFICE CONTACTLaura D. Eldridge P 12,

Director of Institutional Advancementeldridgel@gunnery.org

ADMISSIONS OFFICE CONTACTShannon Baudo,

Director of Admissionsbaudos@gunnery.org

PHOTOGRAPHERSCoffeepond Photography

Phil Dutton 81Anna KjellsonPaloma Torres

DESIGN & PRODUCTIONCEH DESIGNBethel, CT

Richard C. Colton, Jr. 60 Duncan Dick Ebersol P 08

Gretchen H. Farmer P 05James R. Gallop P 14

John M. Greenwood 71David N. Hoadley 51

Francis X. Macary 77 & P 03, 05, 07 & 15

Kirsten PeckermanEugene A. Pinover P 01Sarah Scheel Cook 82

Christine B. Stonbely P 99Richard N. Tager 56 Peter S. Twombly 74

Find the Gunnery on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, iTunes, and YouTube.

Peter is a graduate of the University of Virginia, where

he earned a B.A. with Distinction in Religious Studies,

and Yale University, where he earned an M.A. in History.

He was awarded a Fulbright Grant to study classical

history, architecture and archaeology at the American

Academy in Rome, Italy. Prior to his eight year tenure

at The Lawrenceville School, Mr. Becker worked as

an investment banking and venture capital analyst,

where he gained the finance and management skills

he has drawn on throughout his career. Peter moved

from investment banking to work for the Fellowship

of Christians in Universities and Schools (FOCUS),

a non-profit organization that supports independent

schools as they serve the needs of students. At FOCUS,

Peter led development efforts, particularly in the areas

of fundraising and opening new regions.

As Peter and Amy Julia were getting settled on campus,

they took some time out to talk about their first

impressions about Gunnery and the role of family in

their lives.

arrives on campusPeter BeckerHead of School

Right: Amy Julia and Peter Becker, Head of School Opposite page: Peter with family William, Penny,

Amy Julia and Marilee

he Gunnerys eleventh Head of School, Peter Becker arrived on campus this past summer

with his wife Amy Julia and children, Penny, William and Marilee. Upon arrival, he met

with the trustees, administrators, and faculty and got accustomed to his new surroundings.

Most recently, Peter was a Master of History and Interdisciplinary Studies at the

Lawrenceville School in Lawrenceville, New Jersey. He led the redesign of the Interdisciplinary

Programs curriculum seeking different ways to instruct, encourage and inspire students to learn

and communicate. He was also the Housemaster of Kennedy House. In addition, Peter was the

Director of the Humanities Program, and a coach of the girls varsity squash and boys freshman

tennis teams. He also held Lawrencevilles Shutt Faculty Chair for four years.

T

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Above: Peter with Marilee

Top: The Becker family (from left to right) Penny, Amy Julia, Peter, Marilee, and William

What did you see in The Gunnery that made you want to come?

What first attracted me to The Gunnery was the enthusiasm

about the school demonstrated by people I trusted immensely.

First and foremost in that category is Lance Odden, a former

Gunnery trustee and the Headmaster of Taft when I attended.

Lance knows independent schoolsand boarding schools

in particularbetter than anyone and for him to speak as

glowingly about the school made Amy Julia and me very

excited about the prospect of leading it.

Second, before the search process heated up, Amy Julia and

I made a clandestine day trip to Washington. We drove

through campus, briefly had lunch in the Depot, and went for

a hike in Steep Rock. What probably struck us most from that

trip was the proximity of the natural worldyou cant go very

far around here before being struck by natures beauty, power,

and realityand that we would like our children to be able to

call a place like this home.

Third, Im captivated by the example of Frederick Gunn and

am convinced that few independent schools in the country

can look to their founder for inspiration and guidance that

4 | HEAD OF SCHOOL peter becker

Years ago, before we had children and when we were living in Richmond, Virginia, Peter mentioned

that he could see us at a boarding

school. It made a lot of senseat the

time we both worked with students

in independent schools, and we had

met during our own time at boarding

schooland yet I wasnt sure I wanted

to move back into a dorm anytime

soon. But Peter felt confident, and it

didnt take too long to convince me.

Within a year of that conversation,

we were on our way to Lawrenceville,

and soon Peter would become the

housemaster for a dorm of thirty boys.

As much as we enjoyed our life at

Lawrenceville, we also always said that

our dream job would be in a small

Connecticut boarding school. We

envisioned ourselves in a place where

it was possible to know everyone by

name, and, given my familys long

history in Connecticut, we hoped to

settle down and raise our children

close to their cousins and aunts and

uncles and grandparents. When Peter

received a call about the position at

The Gunnery, we laughed. It seemed

too good to be true.

We knew our idealized and vague

desire for a small Connecticut

boarding school wouldnt

automatically line up with the specifics

of this historic school in Washington,

Connecticut. But as we got to know

A NOTE FROM AMY JULIA BECKER

remains relevant to the 21st century. His unique example of

both progressive and conservative vision, and the adherence of

Susie Graham and her predecessors to that vision, has helped

anchor the schools mission and helped it resist the temptation

to blindly follow the latest fads in education. In other words, its

a school that knows itself and is proud of its particular vision.

Finally, Amy Julia and I were struck by the size and intimacy

of the community, the love of the place evinced by the

students we met, the passion and dedication of the faculty, and

the quality of the senior staff. That sounds like more than one

factor but I think they are interrelated. Wed always wanted to

continued on next page

What probably struck us most from that trip

was the proximity of the natural worldyou

cant go very far around here before being

struck by natures beauty, power, and reality

and that we would like our children to be

able to call a place like this home.

PETER BECKERcommit to a small school because of the depth of relationship

between faculty and students possible there. I dont think

schools can live up to the standards demanded by the idea of

in loco parentisif the faculty arent excellent and arent

committed to knowing students well. Im convinced that is

much more achievable in a small school than in a large one

and we saw that in action when we visited campus last fall.

Penny Becker

William Becker

HEAD OF SCHOOL peter becker | 5

How does family factor into your life?

Amy Julia and I met at Taft and have been best friends ever

since. Thats the foundation of our marriage and without her...

well, lets just say that without her I dont think the search

committee would have been interested in my candidacy! We

have three wonderful, rather outspoken childrenPenny, who

is six; William, now four; and Marilee, who is a year and a half

old. My family keeps me groundedits hard to get too full

of yourself when youre changing diapers and Amy Julia loves

me so much that shes happy to point out when she thinks Im

wrong. They are all excited to make The Gunnery home and

were excited that, when theyre adults, our kids will consider

The Gunnery where they grew up.

What have you been up to over the summer months?

Over the past few months, I have met and corresponded with

current trustees, parents, faculty, administrators, alumni,

residents of Washington, and not enough students. One of my

primary goals at this point is to get to know the school from a

variety of vantage points. Everyone Ive spoken with shares a

passion for the school. Collectively, they are the backbone of

this amazing institution.

In early July, I spent a week at The Institute for New Heads run

by the National Association of Independent Schools. It was an

invaluable experience to get to know seventy other new heads as

we were briefed by experts in the operational aspects of school

life. Ive also tried to spend some downtime with my family.

Ive been touched in particular by the outpouring of enthusiasm

from alumni, as represented in particular by the stories theyve

shared with me. Many are funny, some are sad, and all of them

have been touching. They demonstrate the loyalty this school

engenders and the consistency of our missionwe prepare

students for life. Here, students grow in character and wisdom

as they learn calculus and critical thinking and make life-long

friends. Its humbling and exciting to be at the helm of such a

unique community.

the school, which, of course, really

meant getting to know the people

associated with the school, we began

to believe this community might be

the right fit. I spent a day visiting

classes and talking with faculty and

students last fall, and I came away

with the overwhelming impression

that the members of The Gunnery

community cared about one another

and enjoyed the school. When our

children came to visit that same day,

they couldnt have been happier

walking through campus and waving

to new friends and rolling down

the hill behind the football field. They

are already talking about dinner in the

dining hall and their great backyard.

When I think about my role as the

wife of the Head of School in the

years to come, the word that comes

to mind is hospitality. Its a word that

means the friendly reception and

treatment of guests or strangers.

Our family has already received much

gracious hospitality from The Gunnery

community, and I hope we have an

opportunity to give a similar welcome

to students, faculty, parents, alumni,

trustees, and other members of the

community. I hope our home will

become a place where all the

members of The Gunnery community

feel welcome, and a place where

guests and strangers become

friends.

A NOTE FROM AMY JULIA BECKER (CONTINUED)

6 | HEAD OF SCHOOL peter becker

Marilee and Amy Julia

LEADS (Learning for Engagement, Action, and Dedicated Service) is described by Academic Dean Chapin Miller as a relatively new and

comprehensive program which

incorporates some long-standing

programs such as the sophomore ethics

classes and the junior classes in public

speaking. It is a four-year curriculum,

based on the mission of the school,

representing a four-year progression to

instill the values of stewardship,

character and community engagement.

The focus builds each year to the point

when as seniors, all Gunnery students

share a common experience based on the

LEADS. model. Additionally, this program

seeks to create an umbrella under which

more intentional interdisciplinary work

will happen.

Despite being a new program, LEADS,

like all other Gunnery initiatives, is

rooted in a deep tradition and value

system. Frederick Gunn believed

that the most important education was

character education, said Thomas H.

Hollinger P 01 & 04. Early on, he

incorporated into his school the

importance of developing leadership

skills as well as academic skills. He was

Members of the class of 2015, the latest class to go through the Pathways program, at the end-of-year Freshman Dinner.

LEADS (Learning for Engagement, Action, and Dedicated Service) is described by Academic Dean Chapin Miller as a relatively new and comprehensive curriculum which incorporates some longstanding programs.

Takes the LEADSTHE GUNNERY

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with the right mind-set to go about a

scholarly approach to school.

My teacher taught me study skills, said

Megan Salerno 14. I was taught how to

study early, set up a schedule, and not

overwhelm myself. I have been using

these skills ever since. As an incoming

8 | THE GUNNERY takes the LEADS.

very insistent that people learn respect

and responsibility. We still refer to Mr.

Gunns mission 167 years after he wrote

what he thought was important. It still

informs what we do here.

Beginning with Pathways, the freshmen

course which was launched as a pilot

two years ago, students engage with

a variety of issues directly relevant to

adolescence: identity, relationships

and communication, health and

wellness, and, finally, the definition

and requirements of leadership. It is a

class in which students are expected to

engage actively with the topic at hand;

it requires that students manage their

impulses, relate effectively to others, and

engage in respectful and constructive

dialogue about subjects that can be

sensitive, but are essential to the reality

of high school freshmen. This class also

teaches the freshmen how to be good

Gunnery students and make the most

out of the resources here, said Chip.

They learn how to be an active student

freshman, I never knew how or what to

study. Pathways changed that for me.

Unlike the Pathways class, which

asks students to look inward, in the

Ethics & Responsibility class, they are

asked to look outward. Sophomore

students engage in various forms of

discussiondebate, dialogue, and

discoursearound a wide range of

the central issues of our time from the

social to the environmental and beyond.

Developing the skills essential to true

engagement in informed discourse

and learning to respect diverse belief

systems are two outcomes of this course.

Students explore their own personal

moral code, test it against critical issues

and reflect upon its deeper meaning in

their individual lives and as members

of a learning community. The ideal of

service to others is promoted through a

consideration of individual and group

responsibility. Questions of social justice

are raised and explored. Each student

develops a personal statement of moral

principles over the course of the term,

which they deliver to their class at the

end of the term. We looked at different

situations from 100 different angles,

said Megan. I never would have

thought of the things my classmates

were coming up with in each given

situation. This class has made me more

open-mindedevery single person has a

storyyou cant just judge them on first

interpretations or encounters.

The Ethics & Responsibility class is

followed by one of the most recognizable

components of the LEADS program

to most alumni: Public Speaking.

Required of all juniors, this class is

designed to raise student awareness of

the rhetorical implications inherent in

Junior students, through LEADS, are required to take public speaking and make a speech in front of the whole school. Eventually, a select few will be asked to make further speeches down the road. Pictured: Ian Riley, 2012-2013 Head Prefect Elect, speaks at Commencement.

I was taught how to

study early, set up a

schedule, and not

overwhelm myself. I

have been using these

skills ever since. As an

incoming freshman, I

never knew how or what

to study. Pathways

changed that for me.

Megan Salerno 14

`Working with the Homeless as their

theme, they can spend a few hours

working in a soup kitchen, another few

hours in a homeless shelter, and so on.

An Honors Capstone is also being

considered for students. Students will

have to spend 4050 hours working

on it. They will also be required to do a

mandated presentation to the school.

If you look at the progress of LEADS,

said Craig, the senior year is about

working in your community. You

become more external. We hope they

(the students) get some satisfaction out

of working on something greater than

themselves. It helps their self confidence

to put themselves out there and

accomplishing something.

The LEADS program objectives are

also promoted on the schools Constant

Forward Motion Days. Held once per

marking period, leadership speakers (a

mixture of Gunnery faculty and guest

speakers) meet with the students and

discuss making healthy decisions in a

wide array of areas from nutrition and

exercise to cyber-bullying to the

handling of stress. Tom Hollinger

feels that all the programs within the

LEADS curriculum lead towards the

goal of getting kids to understand

how important it is to stand up and be

counted, how it matters to work with

others, and how imperative it is to

respect other peoples points of view.

These classes have helped me

both in and out of school, said Tim

Reitman 14, who to-date has

participated in Pathways and Ethics &

Responsibility. I have a younger brother,

and I want to make sure he follows a

good example. These classes have also

given Tim a sense of confidence and

even helped him land a summer job.

In the end, LEADS gave Tim and

countless others what Mr. Gunn had

always intended. I definitely have a

sense of ethical and moral

responsibility, said Tim.

public performance and to equip them

with the necessary tools to be effective

communicators. Making students aware

that public speech has a specific goal

and that it must recognize its audience,

this course introduces a variety of

strategies from which to make informed

rhetorical choices for maximum

effectiveness. Students also are taught

specific aspects of performance such as

body language, volume, eye contact.

Students participate in classroom

discussion, give speeches and critiques,

and deliver a final speech to the school

community. Overall, this course aims to

make students comfortable and effective

in front of an audience.

The LEADS program culminates in a

Senior Capstone project, designed to

encourage seniors to give back to their

school community. Thirty hours of

service will be required. This is a pilot

program for the upcoming year, said

Kate Merritt, Assistant Dean of Students/

Dean of Residential Life and Pathways

Teacher. We are hoping to roll it out for

the senior class in the following year.

Ten to twelve students are voluntarily

doing this next year, said Upperclass

Dean, Craig Badger, who heads the

capstone segment with Morgen (Goepel)

Fisher 03, the other Upperclass Dean.

Each came up with their own projects

which had to be centered on service.

Seniors choose to study something that

they are interested in. They can embark

on a number of different activities in

keeping with their theme. Craig said,

For example, if someone picked

Associate Head of School, Eileen Aguirre-Kelly P 12, introduces a discussion in the Ethics & Responsibility class.

If supporting the LEADS program is of interest to you, please contact Laura D. Eldridge P 12, Director of Institutional Advancement at 860-868-7334 ext. 283 or at eldridgel@gunnery.org.

THE GUNNERY takes the LEADS | 9

Starting in the fall of 2012, The Gunnery will offer courses as a part of The Virtual High School (VHS) Collaborative. This will enrich our already robust academic program, said Eileen Kelly-Aguirre P 12, Associate

Head of School. We are taking what VHS offers and meeting

pre-existing goals of our academic program.

VHS provides students with access to high quality online

learning experiences and courses not offered at their school.

Each course is taught by specially trained classroom teachers

who are highly qualified and certified in their subject areas.

VHS was founded in 1996 and is credited for bringing

online learning into secondary education. VHS defines

themselves as a program that provides co-synchronous

courses for secondary school students taught in global online

classrooms, online professional development in 21st century

teaching best practices for educators, support with blended

learning initiatives, custom course development and private

offerings to meet unique educational needs. Their design

and delivery standards were the model used by the National

Education Association in their recommended standards

for online learning. In addition, VHS has won numerous

awards, including the Stockholm Challenge Award for Global

Excellence in Information Technology and is a three time

winner of the United States Distance Learning Associations

(USDLA) award for Excellence in Programming and Excellence

in Best Practices.

Inside The Gunnerys High School

According to Jennifer Wojcik, Gunnerys VHS Site Coordinator

and Contributing Teacher, VHS will be used to extend our

curriculum and provide our students with internationally

based options and understanding. The VHS Collaborative has

been successful in the education world for quite some time.

We are very excited to include this as a pilot program within

our curriculum. Below are some of VHS areas of focus:

Six additional AP classes will be available through VHS. The Gunnery currently offers 16 APs in a number of

different disciplines.

Given our size, the number of AP classes that we currently offer is large, said Eileen. VHS APs allow us

to broaden and further strengthen our academic program

without sacrificing the many benefits of our smaller scale.

Students can participate in a number of inter-disciplinary

science and technology courses including Animal

Behavior, Epidemics, and Bio-ethics.

Term-length courses that enhance the students cultural awareness and literacy will add to our already existing

global and cultural studies offerings.

Social Science courses such as Government, Psychology, and Sociology have also been made available.

For more information on this program, please visit us at www.gunnery.org.

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Beloved faculty member, Steve Bailey, taught Advanced Physics in Hong Kong for three weeks in July as part of an international expansion of the Johns Hopkins University Center for Talented Youth (CTY), a national

program for 7th to 10th grade students. The Johns Hopkins

University CTY program offered six courses including Bio-

medical Science, Cryptography, Intro to Computer Science,

Macroeconomics and the Global Economy, Non-fiction

Writing, and Upper Level Physics.

Students completing Steves physics course are expected

to take (and do well) in AP Physics B in the fall. All have

completed at least Algebra II Honors. Many have finished

pre-calculus and will also be taking calculus in the fall.

Each class is composed of 18 students. In my class, said

Steve. I have students from the United States, Hong Kong,

Thailand, Vietnam and one from mainland China. All courses

are conducted at University of Hong Kong Science and

Technology (UHKST). The eligibility of the students for these

courses requires that they score with distinction on the Math,

Science, and problem-solving portions of the World Class Test

(WCT). The WCT is a series of tests created by the British

Government in 2001 to identify academically talented and

creative youth. Students are required to apply creative thinking

and logic in response to math, science, and general problems

and to communicate their thought process clearly on paper.

After a grueling six weeks of classes, Steve was joined by his

wife, Jane, on a trip to China where they were welcomed by

The Gunnerys Mandarin teacher for the past two years, Jian

(Johnson) Wu. Steve, Jane and Johnson traveled to Hong

Kong and Beijing to meet prospective students and their

parents and talk with alumni and current students.

PHYSICS TEACHER, STEVE BAILEY SPENDS SUMMER TEACHING IN HONG KONG

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COMMENCEMENT & prize night

To hear the Commencement speeches Log into iTunes and

download The Gunnerys podcast!

iTunes

Samuel James Aguirre-KellySarah Jane AuchinclossSang Jun BaekDaniel John BarkerRyan J. BiddiscombeJameson Fisher BontiMadeleine June BoudreauTimothy Patrick BurnsMiriam Canut SeguraRebekah Anne CapeceCharlotte Elizabeth

Carew-MillerVictoria Lyn CassoneMackenzie Lyn ChaseJohn L. CostelloJibrail Meekaiel CoyJohn Connell Cullen, Jr.Charles Edmund DavolAnthony Paul DEliaAndrew Phil De PaulisAlessia De VitisAllison Lynn DesaulniersJack Vincent DouglasTaylor Rene DubKatherine Lea EldridgeAlexa Rae FrageauCassandra Lee FrageauJohn Mark George

Arthur Seiya GordonJohn Leslie GouldAndrew Nolan GrahamSara Lyon HaestadThomas Edward HartRaeburn OBrien HathawayDaniel Cheng HayThomas Joseph HeubuschPatrick James HigginsBenjamin HjalmarssonChester Andrew HojnickiPeter Francis IaniLindsay A. Jerry-CollinsFan JiangMaxwell James KaufmanMelanie Hulme KellstromHarrison Richard KempRhiana Isabel KestenbaumYea Weon KimZachary Gilbert LarsonAaron Michael LevySarah Marie LombardCameron Paul MacKayDarby Elizabeth MacKayBrett Adam MackellJeffrey Alex Manville, Jr.Frederick Peter Marks II

Veronica Marie McStockerChristopher Mark Olson, Jr.Mackenzie David PeelerAshley Marie PiresErin Renee PotterGraham Hooper PoughJarrid Michael PriviteraJanine Jade ProkschaCharlotte Meta ReillyTyffany Robyn RichardsHugh Marc RinaldiCameron Clarke RomoffBeatrice Danielle RubinEmily Anissa SeguinSarah Olivia ShulmanHayden Marshall SmithSoo-Jin SoPedro SouzaAlexander Louis SprovieroJoseph Sampson Stevens IIElizabeth Mary SutherlandJaren Masayuki TaenakaRene Simone WallerBrooke Mallory WilliamsJake Cameron WoodYui Ham YanLi-Ting Yu

The Gunnery Class of 2012

Top scholar in the Class of 2012, Jaren Taenaka

12 | THEbulletin

Legacies in the Class of 2012: Charlotte Riley, Elizabeth Sutherland, John George, Mackenzie Chase, Charlotte Carew-Miller, John Cullen, Sarah Auchincloss, Frederick Marks, John Gould, Hugh Rinaldi, Charles Davol and Hayden Smith

Ariel Baum 03 presents The Chace Award for Excellence in Leadership to Samuel Aguirre-Kelly 12

Alessia De Vitis, Lindsay Jerry-Collins, Emily Seguin and Sara Haestad

Madeleine Boudreau, recipient of the Senior Mathematics Department Award, and Charlotte Carew-Miller, recipient of the Brinsmade Prize and The Michael Post Award for Excellence in English, with their advisor Katherine Merritt

John George, Daniel Hay and Andrew Hojnicki

2012 Prefects: Samuel Aguirre-Kelly, Taylor Dub, Darby MacKay, Elizabeth Sutherland, Charlotte Carew-Miller and Cameron MacKay

COMMENCEMENT & prize night | 13

14 | COMMENCEMENT & prize night

Logan Adams 15, the recipient of the Teddy Award, with the previous winners of this award, Andrey Yuzvik 14, Cameron MacKay 12, Tristan Kishonis 13 and Ian Riley 13

The Gunnery chapter of the Cum Laude Society: Matthew Daylor, Katherine Merritt, Anna Kjellson, Eileen Kelly-Aguirre, Sang Jun Baek 12, Steven Bailey, Ria Han 13, David Shaffer, Madeleine Boudreau 12, Mark Conklin, Taylor Dub 12, Jarrod Sisk, Brianna Goldstein 13, Ian Riley 13, Tristan Kishonis 13, Charlotte Carew-Miller 12, William Smith, Pamela Taylor, Susan Graham, Alisa Croft, Craig Badger, Fan Jiang 12, Jaren Taenaka 12, Caitlyn Cotton, Alison Frye, Russ Elgin, Selah Stebbins and Amy Paulekas

Dean of Students Christopher Baudo, Dean of Faculty Eileen Kelly-Aguirre, Chairman of the Board Stephen Baird 68 and commencement speaker Ariel Baum 03 with Head of School Susan Graham as she was awarded an honorary Class of 2012 diploma.

Seniors on the boys crew team: Joseph Stevens, Graham Pough, John Cullen, Christopher Olson, Andrew De Paulis and Cameron MacKay with their coach, Anna Kjellson (center)

Athletic Director Jon Russillo presents the Athletic Cup Awards to Taylor Dub 12 and Benjamin Hjalmarsson 12. Taylor is also the recipient of the 2012 Gunnery Cup.

COMMENCEMENT & prize night | 15

American International College

American University

Boston University (2)

Bowdoin College

Centre College

College of Charleston

Concordia University Montreal

Connecticut College (2)

Cornell University

Emory University

Franklin and Marshall College (2)

Franklin Pierce University

Furman University

Gettysburg College

Hartwick College

Hobart and William Smith Colleges (2)

Hunter College of the CUNY

Ithaca College

Lehigh University

Marquette University

Massachusetts Maritime Academy

Northeastern University

Ohio Wesleyan University

Old Dominion University

Palm Beach Atlantic University

Parsons The New School for Design

Pennsylvania State University

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Rollins College

Salve Regina University

Skidmore College

Spelman College

Springfield College

St. Francis Xavier University

St. Lawrence University (2)

St. Thomas University

Stonehill College

Suffolk University

SUNY College at Cortland

Syracuse University (2)

Texas Tech University

The College of Wooster (2)

The George Washington University (3)

The University of Tampa

Trinity College (2)

Tulane University

Union College (2)

University of Aberdeen

University of Connecticut (2)

University of Denver

University of Redlands

University of Rhode Island

University of San Francisco

University of Vermont (2)

Washington College (2)

Wellesley College

Wesleyan University

Western Connecticut State University

Westminster College

Wheaton College MA

Whittier College (2)

Wilfrid Laurier University

CLASS OF 2012 COLLEGE MATRICULATION

ONcampus

Teaching is my passion, Gunnery biology teacher Alison Frye declares. And so she spent her summer break teaching at the Duxbury Bay Marine School (DBMS) in Massachusetts. This past summer, she directed the ecology education department there, working with 714 year olds and instructing high-level ecology courses. The position is a natural outgrowth of her work as an educator last summer at the New England Aquarium in Boston, as well as a continuation of her four-year associa-tion with DBMS as a rowing coach.

Alison grew up fishing, boating, and, as she says, knee-deep in tidal mud. At Bates College, Alison majored in biology: earth, environmental, and marine and competed in varsity rowing and swimming. She also studied marine science during a semester abroad in Queensland, Australia, which shaped her passion for conservation biology and inspired her subsequent research

on education as a means of protecting Ugandas dwindling rainforests. Now, she is passing on her wealth of marine and conservation experience to lucky Gunnery students.

Alison, who arrived at The Gunnery two years ago, is a true daughter of Frederick Gunn. She begins her assumption that her first and most important task is to get students to appreciate their natural surroundings; then, they will take enthusiastically to the next steps of observation and conservation. She accomplishes this with multiple encounters with natural phenomena in the classroom and on field trips. The experiment that most captures the campus imagination is the Biology I experiment, which involves incubating and hatching of chicks. Each spring, there are progress reports in the daily student notices of the impending births. And when the first shell gets its first pecking hole, almost everyone on campus finds a minute to stop by the

to Tidal MudFrom Hatching Eggs

viewing station on the second floor of the Science Building to welcome the emerging chicks. The Environmental Science classs yearly field trip to the Livingston Ripley duck migration research facility reinforces classroom lessons in the interdependence of fowl, waterways, and land use.

Alison introduced Marine Science to the Gunnerys curriculum. An underclassmen elective, the course attracts both experienced and inexperienced water people, but, by the end of the first week, they are all hooked. Whereas, many of us remember the lab dissection of a frog, Alisons class dissects a shark. The objective is not only to see how the fish is constructed, but also to see how it is adapting to changing environments and pollution. Alisons thesis at Bates was on Using education as a means of conservation in the Ugandan rainforest. Were glad Alison has brought her passion to The Gunnery.

16 | THEbulletin

Thomas A. Burger, III 13 from New Canaan, CT was appointed as Gunn Scholar for the 2012-2013 school year. He plans to study the career of General Benjamin D. Foulois, Class of 1893, who was the founder of the Army Air Force and learned to fly with the Wright Brothers. General Foulois stayed in close touch with The Gunnery throughout his long and illustrious career and left a considerable correspondence. In addition to the history project, Tommy has a particular interest in the subject since he is learning to fly with computer science teacher Elliot Fisher.

During spring break, Andrew Hamilton 14, Stephen Macary 14, Won Jun Lee 13, Robert Hooper 14, Raeburn Hathaway 12 went on the trip of a lifetime to five cities in China with The Gunnerys Mandarin exchange teacher, Jian Wu. The students visited Beijing, Shanghai, Xian, Anqing City, and Yellow Mountain. In addition to the usual tourist sites, they enjoyed a home-cooked meal, a home stay and a visit to the boarding school of one member of a high-level visiting delegation, which came to The Gunnery in the fall. Faculty and students bid a fond farewell to Mr. Wu, whose contract ended in June. They will welcome his replacement, Zhang Rui (Jerry) from Chongqing, China in August.

The Gunnery was nominated for ten Halo awards in the Seven Angels Theaters annual recognition of the best in theatrical performances in high schools and independent schools around the region. Both of the school productions: Picasso at the Lapin Agile and A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum garnered nominations for individual performances as well as lighting, props and management. The Forum was nominated in the category of Best Classic Musical (Pre-1965). Jack Douglas 12 won the award for Best Comic Performer in a Play (male) in his role as Gaston in Picasso at the Lapin Agile.

The Gunnerys upper class girls dorm, Van Sinderen, joined with the Red Cross to sponsor a Blood Drive in the Emerson Performing Arts Center. Emily Seguin 12 of Fairfield, Vermont, head RA (resident advisor) for the dorm organized this ambitious community service effort. The Gunnerys students manned the registration tables, provided the refreshments, and, most importantly, recruited donors. Said Kate Merritt, Assistant Dean of Students, We had seven walk-ins and 37 donors in all; for a first effort, it was spectacularly successful We are very pleased with the program of dorm-sponsored community service.

K-c:

ONcampus | 17

Meet the 2012-2013 PrefectsThe following are excerpts from prefect speeches given this past spring to the school community.

HARRISowens Almost everything I have done in the past three years has

most likely involved The Gunnery in some way, and, if I did

not end up here, I would not be at all who I am today and

that is why I am running for prefect, to contribute to making

the school that has changed my life, an even better place for

all of us, to help us all grow with the school. I am committed

to improving The Gunnery in as many ways possible, and

helping speak out for the student body is undoubtedly one

of the best ways to do exactly that. I strive to help make this

school the best place for us to shape our lives in the most

positive way possible, to be unselfish, and bring together the

community to the best of my ability.

TRISTANkishonis What should be understood more than anything is that being

a prefect has nothing to do with any of us as individuals.

It is about being an ambassador and representative of The

Gunnery and about giving of oneself for the betterment of

this community. These people sitting here in front of you are

above all things, selfless. They are asking for the opportunity

to give of themselves for all of you, and that is something

we can all truly admire. I, for one, am certainly honored to

be counted among them. And I have no doubt that each

and every single one of us will continue to work to help this

community, prefect or not, and I certainly hope that can serve

as a precedent for all of us.

IANriley Head PrefectYoure walking, just walking. You dont really know where

youre going yet, but thats okay. Im walking too; and I dont

really know any more than you where were going. I can point

you in what I think is the right direction, but ultimately, the

path that you take is entirely your decision. The path that we

take will be ours. Im not here to tell you the definition of a

leader because there isnt just one definition; everyone has

their own definition, everyone has their own idea of someone

who they would follow. My personal definition of a leader is

someone who is guided by those which they guide. Someone

who takes into account which path that you want to take;

someone who listens, considers, and responds.

WYATTclark The role of a prefect is not an easy one, in part because it is

ever changing. Granted there are a few obvious things, like

leading school meeting, having office hours, and planning

social events. However, these barely scratch the surface; a

prefect must be a leader, a role model. Someone whom you

can approach for a casual conversation or look to for advice

a prefect should not simply be one who speaks for the

students. A prefect should encourage students to speak for

themselves and act in their own best interests.

ERINsullivanThe prefects are always designing activities and new rules that

they believe, based on the feedback from their peers, would

best help, fit, and entertain the entire community. The role

of prefect is something that is impossible to define because

from year to year our group of prefects is always so different.

This variety comes from the ever-changing community

they represent. New people joining the community, others

graduating and moving on, faculty, success in athletics, and

weather are a few of the many things that impact the way the

school year goes. It is the job of the prefects not to make the

school the way he or she thinks it should be, but to adapt

with the attitude of the community, and work with them to

effectively make changes to better the school.

PAIGEsilengoWhether you consider yourself an active member of our

community or not, I believe that there are many opinions

floating around about what goes on and how our school is

run. I collect them every day and think about them often.

I think about the types of students who go to our school,

the professionalism of our faculty. I analyze our rules and

privileges and I try to adapt to them. I believe that we have to

become more confident in the school we chose to attend while

gaining more respect for our community. My goal is to change

our opinions and perspectives on how amazing The Gunnery

actually is to its core. I would strive towards the type of school

that we are all proud to attend.

It has been a great spring, said Jon Russillo, Director of Athletics. All of our teams from varsity baseball to LAX to tennis have turned in solid seasons. Boys varsity baseball (13-4 overall, 9-2 in the league) made

their way to the Western New England Prep Baseball League

Championship. Boys LAX (9-6 overall, 9-4 in the league)

got to the semi-finals in the playoffs against Canterbury. In

addition, the golf team ended their season at 15-1. Aside

from the wins and triumphs, the players and the coaches

experienced the success brought about by camaraderie,

sportsmanship, and strong leadership.

One message echoed loud and clear from the fields. This

year, like any other, strong upperclassmen set an example to

the other players on what it means to be a good teammate.

Our two captains, Anthony DElia 12 and PJ Higgins 12,

represented what we try to accomplish, said Jeff Trundy, Head

Baseball coach. They respected their team mates and earned

Student-Athletes Turn in a Successful Spring Season

Log on to www.gunnery.org on our athletic program, including the latest team scores and coverage of the end-of-year Athletic Banquet.

their respect in the process. Ryan Biddiscombe 12 and

Hugh Rinaldi 12 were also significant contributors to the

program and have invested a lot of time and effort in the

last few years.

This sentiment was enforced by Shannon Baudo, head Girls

LAX coach. We have a great group of five senior leaders on

the team; two are four-year seniors. One of them, Charlotte

Reilly 12, will go on to play at St. Lawrence University.

Girls tennis team coach, Jim Graham said, Arguably our

group has the most camaraderie and fun of any team that I can

think of on campus. We have players from freshman to senior

on our team. Everyone equally contributes.

GUNNERYathletics

20 | THEbulletin

The student-athletes gave The Gunnery several exciting

moments during the last few months. For boys varsity

baseball, this was their third time competing at the Western

New England Prep Baseball League Championship. We won

the Championship in 2007 & 2009, said Jeff. The kids

certainly enjoyed the moment at the Championship. They

realized it was an accomplishment. They certainly earned the

privilege to be there. Jeff and his fellow coaches treat every

game with importance, knowing some games will be more

of a challenge than others. Weve faced competition against

Berkshire in previous years. We had two great games with

them. Our win against Suffield in the semi-finals advanced

us to the championships. Those games in particular were

highlights to our season.

Girls LAX also saw wins against two of their biggest rivals,

Hopkins School and Millbrook. However Shannon said, Our

loss against Berkshire was telling. We knew we could keep

up with one of the New England power houses. Boys LAX

played in their first-ever league tournament, the semifinals

against Canterbury. They were third seed out of 14 teams that

made it to the tournament. The guys have worked really hard

all year, said Mark Conklin, Boys LAX coach. I was really

happy for them.

The court action was just as exciting as that on the fields.

Girls tennis highlights included our wins over Canterbury

and Millbrook, said Jim. Casey Cullen 14 won in three

sets in the Millbrook game. Darby MacKay 12 was terrific in

number one. Izzy Baggi and Amanda Payne came in third in

the Suffield Tournament.

While Darby was excelling on the courts, her brother,

Cameron MacKay 12 was leading on the green. Cam along

with the rest of the golf team, finished the season at 151.

In an interview with the Housatonic Times, golf coach, Russ

Elgin said, They were competitive and shooting low scores

during our tryout period. I think the early spring also helped

us. For the first couple of weeks, we were not dealing with

cold and wet days for practice. I think the good start to the

season became contagious and pushed them to be even better.

The three returning players are playing better and the three

newcomers have complemented them very well. Top players

have been seniors Cameron MacKay 12, Hayden Smith 12

and Jake Wood 12, and juniors Anton Fondelius 13, Julie

Nopack 13 and Paloma Vega Gonzales-Ruiz 13. At The 27th

annual Pippy O Connor Independent School Girls Golf

Classic, Paloma came in with a score of 77 in a three-way tie

for 2nd and Julie came next in 5th place with a score of 79.

Izzy Bagi 13, Coach Jim Graham and Amanda Payne 14 after securing third place in the Number 1 doubles spot at Suffield Tournament.

Boys LAX

Girls LAX

Three key committees drive the Parents Council initiatives.

The Admissions Committee Working with Shannon Baudo, Director of Admissions (baudos@gunnery.org), parents help to facilitate outreach to prospective and incoming families,

support regional receptions, and contribute to campus revisit days.

The Advancement Committee Working with Chelsea Stuart, Associate Director of The Gunnery Fund and Parent Programs (stuartc@gunnery.org), parents help to raise nearly $300,000

in parent support and participate in special capital initiatives that fund construction projects and

endow financial aid, faculty support and other academic programs.

The Student Life Committee Working with Kate Merritt, Dean of Residential Life (merrittk@gunnery.org), the Council enriches the out-of-class experience through dorm

competitions (which usually involve providing food as a reward), barbeques, exam care packages

and other fun events.

Our experience as Gunnery parents has been wonderful. Our sons, Anthony 12 and Nick 13, have grown in ways that we never would have expected. They have become

leaders in their community. Theyve become more responsible.

They have a self confidence that they didnt have before. We

can attribute this to our sons relationships with their teachers,

coaches, advisors and the partnership we, as parents, have with

everyone at the school.

When a child is entrusted to The Gunnery, it is understood

that the faculty will care for, nurture and educate the students

in their charge. Open communication, frequent interaction

and parent involvement ultimately strengthens the support

system for all students.

The Parents Council is a volunteer organization that facilitates

this partnership and support by helping the administration,

faculty, and students throughout the year. Three key

committees drive the Parents Council initiatives.

The Admissions Committee

The Advancement Committee

The Student Life Committee

Every parent can play a role in the life of The Gunnery.

All parents are already members of the Parents Council by

being a current parent or guardian. Whether you live near

or far, there are ways you can help. We encourage everyone

to get involved.

A Message from Mike & Sue DElia P 12 & 13 Presidents of The Gunnery Parents Council

Sue DElia, President of the Gunnery Parents Council, with sons, Anthony 12 and Nick 13

22 | THEbulletin

ALUMNIweekend2012

Faculty Member Ed Small delivers a farewell speech to Head of School (and friend) Susan Graham.

Susan Graham presents Trustee, Sarah Scheel Cook 82 with the 2012 Alumnus of the Year Award.

L-R: Fiona Miodownik 82 and Susanne Morgan 82 catch up with Gunnery English teacher, Pam Taylor.

Peter Houldin 92 addresses the crowd.

Nine alumni were inducted into the schools Athletic and Arts and Letters Hall of Fame: Inductees above: Thomas Zavorskass 62 son and grandsons accept the citation in his honor. Others include: Carey A. Bodenheimer 87, Peter H. Smith 57, Richard L. Feigen 47, Norman Hines 57, Peter W. Lash 52, Jack B. McIntosh 92, Elizabeth Meyer Kelley 92, and Bruce K. Adams 67.

The Alumni Association Meeting.

THEbulletin | 23

The Alumni Row on Lake Waramaug

Friends and classmates at the Blakeslee H. Botsford 82 Memorial Dedication

The Class of 1987: (left to right) Tiffany Hillkurtz, Meredith Smith, Silvia Mayo Molina, Kate Howell, Todd Rubsamen, Linda Galletto, Page Waller, Pietro Belluschi, and Laura Sherwin

The Class of 1962: (front row) Peter Thom, John Sartorius, Joe Juhas, Rod Brant, (middle row) Henry Soper, Holt Whiting, Bill Wrightson, John Harris, Battle Hamilton, Alan Iselin, (back row) Stoney Bird, Nick Veeder, Jon Linen, Jack Moore, Perry Pepper, Fred Long, and Phil Magnuson

Matthew Cohen 92 at bat

24 | ALUMNIweekend

Trustee Emeritus Jonathan S. Linen 62 presents Susan Graham with a special farewell gift: Quotes and Reflections, a book filled with essays and reflections from trustees, administrators, faculty members, alumni, parents, and current students.

Former Trustee, Harry T. Jones III 53 & P 89, and current Trustee, Kirsten Peckerman

A Silent Art Auction for Alumni Weekend attendees included 34 works donated by Gunnery and Wykeham Rise alumni. Celebrating Susie Grahams commitment to the arts, the works included three oil sketches by famed American Impressionist John F. Follinsbee, Class of 1911, contempory works such as those of Tom Farmen 00, sculpture such as that of Norm Hines 57, and oil landscapes by Associate Director of Development Tom Hollinger. (Pictured above: Nick Molnar 72 makes a bid.)

Director of Institutional Advancement, Laura D. Eldridge P 12 catches up with Rich Nolan 07 and Colin Thompson 07.

The Class of 1977: Richard Flanagan, Frank Macary, Steven Cornell, Joel Varley, Martin Pitts, Scott Yale, David Miller and Steven Yale

ALUMNIweekend | 25

Log on to www.gunnery.org to view more photos from this special evening.

Jonathan 72 and Lizzie Tisch hosted a very special gathering of trustees, former trustees, leaders of the school and friends who came together to celebrate the legacy of Susan G.

Graham, The Gunnerys first female Head of

School. The event was held on April 4, 2012 at

the Loews Regency in New York City.

Stephen W. Baird 68, current Chairman of the

Board, served as Master of Ceremonies for the

evening. Susie is one of the greatest educational

leaders, said Steve. She has built a wonderful

team and a community that fosters learning

and growth. With the Board, she realized many

dreams, conquered many challenges, and lifted

the school into a terrific place for the future. She

leaves an indelible legacy.

S u s a n G . G r a h a m H o n o r e d

Top: Edsel 68 and Cynthia Ford and Dick and Susan Saint James Ebersol P 08 join Susie for a photo-op.

Above: Christine Stonbely P 99 along with Jonathan Linen 62, Stephen Baird 68, and Roy Walzer 65 unveil Susies portrait for the crowd.

Gerrit Vreeland, Erin and Patrick Dorton 86

Trustees and Gunnery fathers, David Kaplan 81 & P 13 and Gene Pinover P 01

Above: Susan Graham with the evenings hosts, Jon 72 and Lizzie Tisch.

Above: Eileen Aguirre-Kelly P 12, Associate Head of School, with Roy Walzer, former Board Chair.

Left: Susie with Senior Master, Russ Elgin

Jeffrey Feil P 98 poses with the Grahams: Susie. Jim, and Sarah

Above: Trustees Kirsten Peckerman and Christine Stonbely with Susie

Left: Jonathan Linen, the Board Chair whom Susie first worked with, poses with his wife Lee and The Gunnerys tenth Head of School.

NEWtrustees

The Gunnery is pleased to announce the appointments of Francis X. Macary 77 & P 03, 05, 07 & 15, James R. Gallop P 14, and Duncan Dick

Ebersol P 08 to the schools Board of

Trustees. These new trustees bring a diverse

skill set in mass media communications,

public relations and marketing, investment

management and entrepreneurism.

Frank Macary, CEO of HOB Industries in

Wolcott, CT, can be classified as one of The

Gunnerys most loyal alums. In addition to

returning for school events and contributing

generously towards the schools fundraising

initiatives, he sent his four children to The

Gunnery. As each child went through, he

experienced The Gunnery all over again

through their eyes. During this time, Frank

met and spoke with many of the students

and fellow parents. I can bring some

unfiltered feedback.Ive been back to the

school many times over the last eight years.

I think its important to hear those messages as we shine

this gem.

Like Mr. Macary, Mr. Gallop is very familiar with the boarding

school scene. He attended the Holderness School in Plymouth,

NH and was looking for a school with similar attributes for

his son. The Gunnery has an energetic faculty of high quality

who are great role models for kids, said Mr. Gallop. They

create an environment where students can prosper, take

risks and learn lifelong lessons. At its core, it is a very

nurturing community. Mr. Gallop has a background in law

and investment management and is currently focused on

venture capital investing and lower middle market private

equity. He served for nine years as a Trustee of the Holderness

School and continues to serve as a member of the schools

Investment Committee.

The Gunnery is a little piece of heaven in Gods country

where, if you are lucky enough as a teenager, you can spend

the best years of your life, said Mr. Ebersol, television

executive and former chairman of NBC Sports. I bring a

sense of curiosity to the Board. I really care deeply about what

happens to young people at this stage in their lives and what

they learn to become good citizens. I think it is a privilege to

have an education in the United States, and I am glad to be a

part of that here.

Macary, Gallop, and Ebersols presence will be invaluable in

defining the governance and future leadership of the Board,

particularly at this exciting time. We are at the beginning of

a whole new era with (new Head of School) Peter Becker, a

terrific young man who has incredible curiosity and ideas,

said Mr. Ebersol. It will be fun to be here during this

transformational period.

Francis Macary, James Gallop, and Dick Ebersol Join The Gunnery Board of Trustees

New Trustees: James R. Gallop P 08, Duncan Dick Ebersol P 08, Francis X. Macary 77 & P 03, 05, 07 & 15

28 | NEWtrustees

THEbulletin | 29

SUPPORT the gunnery

Two of Gunnerys biggest supporters, Jonathan 72 and Steven 67 Tisch recently announced their commitment of up to $1 million for the building of a new girls dorm. This new residential space which replaces

Butler Dorm will be named Graham House after recently

retired Head of School, Susan G. Graham and will serve as a

capstone and a tribute to her legacy of her twenty-one year

career. Jon and Steve have made this project a priority and put

forth the $1 million challenge to match all gifts over $25,000

and up to $1 million.

Graham House, which will be 20% larger than Butler

Dorm, will hold eleven double rooms or a configuration of

doubles and singles. Resembling the freshman boys dorm,

Teddy House, it will be built in the historic Ehrick Rossiter

architectural style. It will have an atrium for natural light and

upgraded amenities such as bathrooms, special bathrooms for

parents, a student lounge and faculty apartments.

A vibrant residential life program is at the heart of our close-

knit community. The Gunnery has traditionally presented a

family atmosphere for boarding students. As Mr. Gunns first

students lived with his family and learned social responsibility,

current faculty act in loco parentis as dorm parents in small

rather than large dorms. This traditional pattern allows

adults to insist on the attitudes of respect, service, and

kindness so important to community life.

Once the funds are committed, the Board of Trustees

can approve the construction and secure all permits and

commence construction. Ideally, Butler Dorm would

be taken off-line and student/faculty housing would be

distributed to other dorms for the year that it would take to

complete the building. To be part of this challenge, contact

Director of Advancement, Laura Eldridge at 860-868-7334

ext. 283.

Steven E. Tisch 67

Jonathan M. Tisch 72

Graham House

Jon and Steve Tisch Present $1 Million Challenge for New Girls Dorm

Lucio and Joan Noto P 97 Commit $1.2 Million to The Gunnery

Joan and Lucio Noto P 97, long time Gunnery supporters, have announced their commitment of over one million dollars to the endowment, the athletic fields and the College Counseling Office. Their gift also includes a leadership

level contribution to The Gunnery Fund.

I love the school, said Joan. The Gunnery did a great job for

my daughter, Ali 97. Giving this gift is a way of saying thank

you for helping to make her the woman that she is. They gave

her the attention she needed. She was on the honor roll for

three years. She was tri-captain her senior year. She did very

well academically, went on to Franklin and Marshall, and has

become very independent and successful. This school takes a

child and allows that child to grow in every way possible.

In addition to her generous monetary contributions, Joan

has served as a trustee since 1996, beginning when Ali was a

student. She has assumed many leadership roles since then as

the Vice Chair of the Board and one of three Co-Chairmen for

the Campaign for The Gunnery. During her tenure, she

has served on the Admissions, Marketing, Educational Policy,

Advancement, and Buildings and Grounds Committees.

From the moment I met Joan, I knew that she should be

on The Gunnerys Board of Trustees, said Susan G. Graham

H 12.She impressed me not only as an intelligent

and articulate woman who had embraced her childrens

educational experiences but also as a dedicated parent who

understood the power of leadership through partnership. Im

thrilled that Joan agreed and profoundly grateful for her many

extraordinary contributions throughout my tenure as Head of

School at The Gunnery.

Joan, a graduate of the Convent of the Sacred Heart and

Manhattanville College, was an elementary school teacher

and recognizes the importance of educators. Without your

faculty, you have no school, she said. Without a great faculty,

the school will not fulfill its mission and help the students be

the best they can be. We have a very dedicated faculty at The

Gunnerythe majority stay for a long time. They are essential

to the Gunnery experience. The kids come away with very

good friendships with the faculty.

Joan lived abroad for many years with Lu, the former Co-

Chairman of ExxonMobile Corporation. The Notos and their

five children, Renee, Wendy, Lawrence, Andree, and Ali lived

in Italy, Japan, and Saudi Arabia.

Important Notice for Donor ConsiderationEconomic Growth & Tax Relief Act (EGTRA) or often referred to as the Bush Era Tax Cuts is set to expire on December 31, 2012

> IMPLICATIONS

The capital gains and dividend tax rate will increase on assets held

longer than one year.

The gift and estate tax credit amount, currently at $5.12 million,

will go back to $1 million.

NOTE: We hope the goal of all Gunnery contributors is the genuine philanthropic

support the school. Whatever the motivation, it is important for us to inform,

not advise, our community on issues and events which may impact its giving. It is

important to consult with ones advisor prior to making a gift.

30 | SUPPORT the gunnery

My love and appreciation for teachers and their art has made a profound impact on my education. I never considered myself an academic. I remember, when I was ten years old, and our family moved to Washington

from suburban New Jersey, I was in for a mild culture shock.

I was too young to enroll at Wykeham Rise, but my parents

were impressed by the private schools in the area. Four years

later, and after my parents acquired a home on Roxbury Road,

I enrolled as a day student at WR. It was the first year of the

coordination effort between Gunnery and WR.

One memorable experience was the course, Introduction to

Anthropology and Sociology, taught by Mr. Hendrickson. I

earned an A for the course, along with the comment: Mary

has really caught fire! This was a great feat for me as I was

truly dedicated to the arts, and any poking for me from the

Gunn to continue sciences was paramount.

So, the question is why keep The Gunnery in my will despite

the fact that I hold two Ivy League degrees? The answer is

very simple: The other schools that I graduated from have

endowments in the billions. My life in Washington was worth

more than that.

Thank you, my sister, Carol, WR 72, Susie Graham and

Gunnery friends along the way who shaped my recollection of

my past into a better place than I could have ever imagined!

Mary P. Cooney, WR 73, Columbia 85, Smith 88

PLANNEDgiving

So, the question is why keep The Gunnery in my will

despite the fact that I hold two Ivy League degrees?

The answer is very simple...

> CONSIDERATIONS FOR DONORS

Gifts of appreciated securities may be desirable given the income tax deduction and avoidance of capital gains tax.

Those donors who wish to contribute or fulfill any outstanding pledge commitments may wish to expedite their intentions by the end of the calendar year.

Sources: Yahoo Finance, Bill Beschoff, Smart Money: What End of Bush Tax Cuts Means for You, May 16, 2012

Sharpe Group Newsletter, Give and Take, May 2012, article: Next Few Months Offer Certainty Window

http://hoganwilligblog.com/2012/04: Kevin Miller, April 6, 2012: What Are The Bush Era Tax Cuts That Everyone is Talking About?

> John Doe has securities currently valued at $40,000 (held longer than one year) with a cost basis of $10,000

> He will pay capital gains on $30,000

> Assuming his current tax bracket is 33%, capital gains will be 15% on the $30,000 or $4,500

> Reverting to the pre-2001 tax bracket, he will be in the 36% bracket, his capital gains will be 20% on the $30,000 or $6,000

> Donating the security to The Gunnery, he would pay no capital gains and could take a tax deduction for the full $40,000

EXAMPLE

Log on to www.gunnery.org to download The Gunnery Annual Report.

SUPPORT the gunnery | 31

The Gunnery News ShackNo matter what it was used for when you were here, The Gunnerys little brown shingle house with white trim next

to the schoolhouse has always been a standout for its size. It was constructed as a fraternity house (Delta Beta)

for the younger boys in the 1890s. It has been put to many uses in its long life [Ed. Note: most of the time spans

are guesstimated]. It was the classroom for Elizabeth Kemptons storied art classes in the 1920s to the 1940s. In the

1940s and 1950s, it was The Gunnery News home. In the 1960s1980s it was the Senior Shack where boys with

parental permission could smoke; and, in 1986, it burned to the ground, was entirely rebuilt and, presumably, had its

usage changed. In the 1990s, it was a classroom for foreign languages. In the early 2000s, it was briefly a Gunnery

museum created by members of the class of 2003 with Willy Smith; and then it was renamed Elizabeth Kempton

House in 2005 and dedicated to daytime study halls.

Now it is being rewired, renewed and rededicated to become The Gunnerys Communication Center. The Gunnerys

Director of Communications, Todd Santa Maria, took up residence in August. I wanted to move nearer to the center

of campus; he said, Our department will be closer to the pulse of school life.

The archives would love to know what the News Shack was used for during your student days. If you have stories

to tell, send them to krimskyp@gunnery.org.

CLASSnotes

32 | THEbulletin

1952Phil Jesup is raising orchids in retirement.

We were happy to see General Peter Lash and his wife Ginger here for his 60th reunion. General Lash was inducted into the Hall of Fame Alumni Weekend. A graduate of West Point, General Lash played varsity football and lacrosse his junior and senior years. His fondest memory is scoring the winning touchdown in the game against Navy. He remarked that he was fortunate to have worked his whole career with very smart people with excellent skills in leadership and, especially, thinking.

Tim Tredwell turned out in force for his 60th reunion. He spends eight months a year in Bonita Springs, FL and four in Newtown, CT. He was recalling great times with Willets Underhill 31 mowing hay and racing tractors on Long Island, especially one time when he was called upon to haul Willets and his tractor out of a gopher hole.

1953 60th Reunion

1956Colin Colston wrote from Hertfordshire, England, In my Class of 56 the English teacher was Michael Postsee the dedication to him in the 1956 Yearbook. His widow, Polly Chatfield was here with his daughter a couple of weeks ago. It was a great time for memories.

1957From his friend of many years, Donna Plummer, we heard at reunion that Cotton Damon retired as Business Manager from Hebron School, and worked for five more years as Business Manager at the Brookwood School in Manchester-by-the-Sea, MA. He has been pursuing his passion for barbershop harmony for many years, becoming the Contest Administrator for the Northeast District of the Barbershop Harmony Society. He was delighted to find that fellow alum and Topsham neighbor, James Millinger 53 shared his passion. More recently, he has been singing in a chorus.

Charlie Smith drove north to The Gunnery in late June to show the late Kim Harts 57 brother Val, Norwegian son, Niklas, and his wife and Kims grandchildren some of Kims old haunts, including Van Sinderen dorm, which in 1957 was the Infirmary.

Between April 1st and June 15th, $100,000 was on the tableand it was up to Gunnery alumni, parents and friends to make new and increased gifts and secure the matching funds.

Well, 165 donors rose to the Challenge bringing in $124,022! Congratulations and a HUGE thank you from all of us on campus including students, faculty, and staff who will benefit from the extra boost.

The LETS GO GUNN CHALLENGE Recap

Thank You!

1958 55th Reunion

1960The Class was represented by yours truly, George Krimsky, at this years alumni weekend, the last for Susie Graham after 21 years at the helm. It was a grand affair, capped by a dinner dance under a tent. The Class of 62 showed up in force for its 50th, but not as much as we did in 2010. On the personal front, Ive retired from the newspaper business after 45 years but am keeping busy with some freelance writing, while Paula and I enjoy our four grandkids and remain comfortably ensconced here in the woods of Washington, CT, with mutt Dixie. Can be reached at gkrimsky1@yahoo.com.

Andy Littauer writes: I founded a small group of companies in Romania about 18 years ago, which is still running. I was in Bucharest with a brief from U.S. Treasury to work with the World Bank to advance banking privatization and help modernize the existing State banks to bring them closer to an enabling environment. That set in motion, I opted to remain, though with little thought that Id still be there so much later. I came to Treasury and thence Romania, following many years with a German bank, the last period as regional head in South Asia (including China), living and working out of Hong Kong. My bank opted to move to Singapore and I began a new career which brought me to Eastern Europe. I am spending far less time overseas and finding myself in a role as more interested shareholder who shows up for protracted periods but spends most time on a book I am writing. Can be reached at ourlit@gmail.com.

1962A 50th reunion yearbook was given to members of the class of 1962. An update was offered by each of the classmates:

After an illustrious career in the army (82nd Airborne Div. and the Army Space Institute at Fort Leavenworth, KS), Jeff Barker eventually became a defense contractor and the senior space instructor at the Army Command and General Staff College. Now completely retired, he counts as one of his many successes his part in the development of the first hand-held GPS system.

Stoney Bird serves as chair of the coal-free Bellingham campaign in Washington state, reserving time also for music-making, for hiking in the Cascade Mountains, and for his personal life.

After a lifetime of working in all aspects of real estate, Rod Brant is dividing his time between Concord, MA where he is working part-time for EPRE INC, Orrs Island, ME and Bradenton, FL.

After working in broadcasting through the 70s, Craig Carragan tried his hand at computer software and, with a banking friend, eventually grew a commercial software business into a nationwide company. In 2011, he and his wife Clare bought a house in Naples, FL. He plans to divide his time between CT and FL, now that he is a FL resident.

Harry and Jackie Craven have not let grass grow under their feet since retirement from the Environmental Protection Agency in 2003. They are members of the Christian and Missionary Alliance denomination and serve in several ministries for their local congregation. They spent March of 2012

CLASSnotes | 33

in Ghana working as teachers assisting missionaries of a Christian organization known as Rafiki.

Since 1981, Rick Gibbons and his wife Barbara have lived in Cooperstown, NY where he is a practicing artist in leatherwork as well as the owner of a retail leather store, Riverwood Gifts. Barbara is a professor at Stonybrook School of Nursing and their three daughters are married with seven grandchildren between them. Their son is on a traveling sabbatical in South America.

A Senior Economist and Policy Advisor at USAID, Dominican Republic, Duty Greene has taken his Peace Corps experience in Chile in the 1960s and his Ph.D in Agricultural Economics from the University of Michigan to their most effective venues, stationed in Ecuador, Honduras, and the Dominican Republic for the last 25 years. In his regrets about not attending reunion, he mentioned retirement is not too far off.

Starting out in the publishing business as a management trainee right out of college, Kit Hall researched and sold his way to Canada with Midas (Muffler) International. After Midas broke up, Kit, living in Vancouver, went with a small start-up manufacturer, then bought the company, built a manufacturing plant, sold it, and leased it back. Married to his wife Karin since 1963, Kit has two sons, a daughter and five grandchildren and divides his time between West Vancouver and Yuma, AZ, where he is general partner in a 400 acre development, Cielo Verde.

Battle Hamilton retired from teaching three years ago, having taught at the Tatnall school in Delaware for 36 years, coached tennis for 28 years and soccer for 13 years. He loves to work in wood, describing himself as a woodpecker rather than a woodworker. Hes been married to Gale Cornelia Flynn for 37 years. Two of his children live nearby in Delaware and two live in South Carolina.

John Harris brought a pair of his carved wooden Canadian Geese as a contribution to the Alumni Weekend Art Auction. After establishing a retirement career as a carver of birds in Rotonda, FL, he and his wife Gail have moved back north to Kittery, ME to be nearer his children and grandchildren. He continues to carve, do a few shows, fish from my kayak, and chase after an uncooperative golf ball on occasion.

Janet and Buol Heslin have started an entirely different life since 2005 ranching in the shadow of the Tetons in WY. In addition to raising sheep, horses, and cattle and the work that entails, Buol enjoys Nordic skiing, horse packing/camping and playing classical guitar.

Alan Iselin reported that he has served science as an illustrator and has, since college, supported himself with his drawing. He now draws with wire.

From Joe Juhas 50th reunion bio, one can ascertain that hes never let any grass grow under his feet: starting as a bartender and childrens party entertainer at Harvard and continuing in progressive politics and civil rights, law school, finance, investment banking and alternative energy, law; living in Kentucky, DC, Manhattan, Hong Kong, and Litchfield. Now he is remarried to his second wife Terry Hopkins and alternating between DC and Litchfield, enjoying their two grandchildren.

Having lived in his home state of Hawaii since 1973, Peter Larsen is enjoying the retired life with his wife Kathleen, four children and two grandchildren. He played soccer and rugby all over the world into his 50s and then took up paddling on a six-man outrigger canoe.

Jon Linen retired as Vice Chairman in 2006 after 37 years with American Express and serves now as Advisor to the Chairman. He has and is currently serving on a number of boards and is an advisor to various organizations. He lives in Summit, NJ and

Dorset, VT with his wife Leila and has three married children and ten grandchildren.

Fred Long retired from the law in 2007 and is living in Denver, CO with his wife Martha. They have four sons and six grandchildren. They enjoy traveling, golf and gardening, volunteer locally, and attend Broncos and Rockies games.

After a career in the Navy, Phil Magnuson retired from a 25-year career teaching middle school science. He recalls fondly his friendship with John and Constance Moore. He lives between Lakewood, NY and Boca Raton, FL, and is in frequent contact with his eight foster sons, saying, to be a grandfather (easier than parenting). He volunteers at the childrens science center, in Boca Raton, substitute teaches and is a pro shop guy at Chataqua Institute courses.

Perry Pepper sent a message and a photo to Blair Smith in anticipation of their 50th reunion this past June: For some reason, Blair, I remember a car ride with you and some Hollins girls, going I dont know where, but one of them took a great shine to you. She is still one of our best friends, Lee Mansell, now Carvalho, and still just delightful. I include a picture taken at the Hollins graduation and you can see if you can guess which one she was.

Pepper also reports his retirement last June from a 34 year tenure as the chief adminis-trator of a community hospital which has become one of the leading hospitals in its region. Since retirement he has signed up as a preceptor for medical students at Penn, and is doing some volunteer work at The College of Physicians in Philadelphia, and at a clinic for folks who dont qualify for medical assistance.

Devoted grandfather of three, David Mathewson, reported that he had retired to Signal Mountain, TN after a career in teaching and administrating in schools and working in international marketing and manufacturing. He has been happily involved in portrait painting, writing, illustrating and publishing his first book, and restoring vintage British sports cars and is building a large model railroad for his grandson.

Rick McBurnett retired as an American Airlines pilot in 2004 and now divides his time between Lake Tahoe and Victoria, British Columbia where he can pursue his active outdoor lifestyle with his life partner, Sally. Hes a back country and downhill skier, mountain biker, kayaker and fly fisherman.

Jack Moore has lived the healthy life since 1973 in Reston, VA. He leads a monthly Nutrition and Health Series, rooted in the wisdom of traditional diets and is a raw dairy activist in the community of the Weston A. Price Foundation. He practices yoga, enjoys hiking, and grows his own veggies.

It may seem far away but weve already started planning for Alumni Weekend. This

year, we celebrate the classes ending in 3s and 8s. Want to help make this event a

great success? Call or email David Hargadon, Assistant Director of The Gunnery Fund,

for more information at 860-868-7334 x 201 or hargadond@gunnery.org.

Save the date Alumni Weekend

June 7th-9th, 2013!

We are seeking Reunion Volunteers!

34 | CLASSnotes

Serge Pepper reported that he became of Counsel to his final law firm and moved to his farm on the eastern shore of Maryland in 2007. Still married to wife, Marion, whom he met at The Gunnery in 1961, he is enjoying their six grandchildren and volunteering in local charitable efforts involving the environment, handicapped children and historic preservation.

Sam Posey is an artist who designs cars, houses, a school and a firehouse, has prints at galleries and museums and has written several books. He is also an American motor racing car driver. He has been, since 1998 been a commentator on F1 races for Speedvision.

John Sartorious and his wife Judy returned to NYC from NJ in 2001, and he retired from a 28 year career at US Trust in 2008. They spend weekends and summers in Westhampton Beach enjoying golf, sailing, and gardening. They also enjoy traveling and remember a special trip to London to indulge another passion, bridge, followed by a Danube River cruise. John has taken up building and sailing radio-controlled sailboats.

Henry Soper is living in CA and a member of the full faculty of the Fielding Graduate University, the Director of the Neuropsychology Concentration there and the Director of the Developmental Neuropsychology Laboratory in Ventura. His research interests have included epilepsy, higher cortical functioning, autism, and ADHD.

Gus Southworth reports that he continues to practice law full time with Carmody and Torrance as the head of litigation. He and his wife Susan are slowly moving north to our second home in New Hampshire, the proverbial house (camp) in the woods, where we will one day retire and where we spend almost every weekend.

After 24 years as a cabinet maker and shop manager in commercial millwork, Charles Spencer got involved in community organizing for the environment in Oregon in 2003. In 2010, he moved to Tuscon, married his childhood sweetheart, Katharine, and got involved both in part time work and in volunteering to help the hard of hearing, an affliction from which he suffers. He is involved in Transcendental Meditation and continues to exercise, including a longtime passion for rowing.

Peter Thom, originally from Detroit, sent tales of a long career in the automotive industry. He now collects and restores the antique cars of his youth. Peters leisure enthusiasms include hunting, fishing, and diving. He has been on several big game safaris in Africa and enjoyed taking his three boys, when they were old enough to run faster than me and climb trees if necessary.

Sandy Van Sinderen reports finding the lady of his dreams in 2003 and married Jane on a cruise ship in Nova Scotia in 2004. He is still teaching at Montgomery Community College in North Carolina and loving it. His wife is retired and is mother to their two dogs Lady Abbie and Lord Ducky.

Tom Ward settled in Greenwich early in his career and has been a practicing lawyer there for 40+ years. He has also been Chairman of the Town of Greenwich Board of Parks and Recreation for 12 years and teaches real estate law at Fairfield University. He has two sons, a step grandson and a granddaughter and has been married to Emma for 44 years.

Joe Juhas reports that Tom Ware has always been a teacher and retired from Buckingham Brown and Nichols not long ago. He volunteered to teach in Ethiopia in 2001. Tom has three sons from a former marriage and lives currently with his wife Nancy in Charlestown, MA.

Evan and Nancy Whalley relocated to Pinehurst, NC and a semi-retired life in 2010. Nancy consults for several hospital systems and Evan is a director of Legal Shield, providing legal service and identity theft prevention plans to small business and families. They play as much golf as they can at Pinehurst Resort.

Holt Whiting told the 50th reunion yearbook preparers that he has been active in the independent school CFO community for most of his life. After leaving Durham Academy in NC, he helped start and run a national professional association for independent school financial officers, did some consulting and then retired. Having been on the ski patrol at Stratton Mountain for 36 years, he has started skiing again after two knee replacements and is also still golfing. Hes also active in the Rotary Club. His daughter, Liz, has a two year old daughter, who lives near her grandparents in Durham.

Bill Wrightson is celebrating 50+ years with his wife, Trish. A devoted mathematics and lifelong data processing professional, Bill is currently living in Hilton Head where he has become a volunteer coach for the long distance runners on both the cross-country and track teams.

Tom Zavorskas retired in 1987 as a Lieutenant Colonel after 20 years from the US Air Force, where he was an Aircraft Maintenance Officer. From 19952007, he and his wife Lorraine traveled New England as dealers of collectibles and antiques. Widowed in 2010, Tom is recovering and values his two boys, Todd and Craig, and his six grandchildren.

After joining the first Peace Corps group to go to Korea, Nicholas Veeder spent the rest

of his career in engineering fieldsalmost entirely software engineeringworking at McDonnell Douglas, RCA, Accutest, Digital Equipment Corp, and Compaq. When Hewlett-Packard bought Compaq I took my bronze parachute and retired in 2002. He and his spouse, Chay, whom he met in the Peace Corps, have a daughter Christy, who is a marketing person for a civil engineering firm in Manhattan, and a son Nicholas, who is struggling to secure a job as an English teacher.

1963 50th Reunion

Sherman Hotchkiss has joined the board of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Indian River County. Sherm currently manages an oil and gas exploration company.

Geoff Webster is expanding his house in Grasse, France and building a new studio. He is 67 and has three children: ages Jim 6, George 4, and Helene 2.

1967Marc Greene is participating in the new Washington History Group organized by Willie Smith. He hoped to catch a glimpse of Kenyon Greene in the video of the Washington Fair (circa 1950) which was shone at the May meeting. He is a practicing solo attorney in Washington.

1 A portrait of Helene Webster, 3, painted by proud papa Geoffrey Webster 63.

2 Perry Pepper 62 was recalling a trip with Blair Smith and some Hollins girls and sent along this photo.

2

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CLASSnotes | 35

3

4

1968 45th Reunion

1969Mark Riley has been an award-winning broadcaster, hosting and directing numerous radio programs. Currently, he is the host/presenter of WWRL 1600 AMs morning drive talk program. He is well known in the New York area as a TV political analyst and has appeared frequently on The Road to City Hall on New York 1 News.

1973 40th Reunion

On April 30th, Jeff Bruemmer and his brother Kevin (a Berkshire grad) came to cheer on their respective alma maters at the Annual McKee Cup game. The McKee cup is also named for two brothers (sons of Rusty McKee 72) Will McKee G 07 and Parker B 07. Jeff remains very inv