mpact newsletter may-june 2010
DESCRIPTION
Mercersberg MPACT Newsletter May-June 2010TRANSCRIPT
M AY/ J U N E 2 0 1 0 S H A R I N G T H E I M P A C T O F P H I L A N T H R O P Y A T M E R C E R S B U R G
RESPONDING TO CHALLENGES • MELODY GOMEZ: ARCE SCHOLARS PROGRAM • HELPING HAITI • ALUMNI
COUNCIL PROVIDES GRANTS TO STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS • OUR LIFE AS HISTORY • RESTORATION OF THE
IRVINE MEMORIAL CHAPEL STAINED GLASS WINDOWS • YOUNG ALUMNI SHOW THEY’RE TRUE BLUE •
MERCERSBURG WELCOMES “TRUE BLUE” PARTICIPANTS • MERCERSBURG RECEIVES EDWARD E. FORD
FOUNDATION GRANT FOR ENVIRONMENTAL PROPOSAL • NOLDE RENOVATIONS UNDER WAY • A MATCH MADE FOR
MERCERSBURG • INFLUENTIAL FACULTY MEMBER RETURNS FOR THE 35TH ANNUAL BURBANK SQUASH
TOURNAMENT • OLYMPIANS REUNITE FOR FALL ALUMNI WEEKEND • JUNE REUNION WEEKEND IS RIGHT AROUND
THE CORNER • UPCOMING EVENTS • ALUMNI COUNCIL CORNER • THE MERCERSBURG COMMUNITY OUT & ABOUT
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DEAR MERCERSBURG READERS,School year 2009–2010 has had its challenges, as it has
likely had for many of our alumni and parents. As with
most challenges, we are called to be our best selves and
certainly Mercersburg students, faculty and staff, alumni,
and parents have been that this year.
Let’s begin with the snow: virtually every record for
snowfall in this area was broken except for the winter of
1961–1962—I can’t imagine what you guys went through
that year! Boarding students don’t have the pleasure of
“snow days” like their day-school peers, so they braved
the elements to get to class each day. The faculty and
staff made it possible for these difficult days to have
some sense of “normalcy.” The Ford Dining Hall staff
and the Buildings & Grounds staff and Security Staff members have always had a significant MPACT on the Mercersburg experience
and even more so when “the going gets tough.” In the Dining Hall, Lori Young and Barb Mann volunteered to work extra shifts to keep
us operating. Roger Harbaugh drove from Hagerstown to work on the Wednesday during the snow, and then slept in the Health Center
that night to be sure he could be here to cook Thursday. Patty Bell, Tim Jamerson, and Kathy McCullough walked through drifts to get
here, then worked extra hours to help us keep clean and ready for all the meals. Janay Shaw and Nancy Pontius and Shirley Mellot drove
through incredible conditions to make it on time for their shifts and helped us keep it all running. Our Food Service management team
Director Jim Butler, Assistant Director Almea Brown, Production Manager Gabe Shaffer, and Executive Chef Mike Coldrick were key
players in making it possible for us to even get food to the tables, much less on time and hot. They had the support of the Security team
and the Building & Grounds crew. Despite the added burdens the weather created for them, they stepped in to help with everything
from rides to helping dispose of the trash, and every request made was met with only one response, “When do you need us?” Mr. Hale
made the students happy by declaring a “free day” at the end of that double-blizzard week. It was appreciated.
The “Match Made for Mercersburg” giving challenge in February touched many hearts and on behalf of the students and faculty
we are grateful. In the first two weeks of the challenge, 450 alumni, parents, and friends have made gifts to Mercersburg compared to
346 in the entire month of February 2009! Read more about the challenge inside.
The Edward E. Ford Foundation (founded by Mercersburg alumnus Edward E. “Tink” Ford ’12) has made a generous and thoughtful
challenge grant of $50,000 to the school in support of environmental initiatives if alumni and parents will match the grant with
contributions totaling $100,000 by November 2010. It’s a big challenge. The faculty has been inspired and I know you will enjoy
reading about the details in this issue.
In this issue is the story of Robert Lehrman '69 and the lasting impact made by faculty members Jay Quinn and John Ferguson
on his life and on the lives of many others. Robert has provided a gift to seed the development of a multidisciplinary class that will
continue to impact and challenge future generations of Mercersburg students.
There are many students, faculty and staff, alumni, and parents who have personally responded to Haiti’s challenge. Some of those
stories are told in this issue of MPACT. We would like to know more about how you have responded to challenges this year and how you
support your communities. It is one of Mercersburg’s belief statements that “living with individuals from many different backgrounds
and perspectives compels a residential community to live by common core values.” Has your Mercersburg experience
of “living in community” influenced your lives? Think about it and let me know.
Sincerely,
Mary K. CarrascoAssistant Head of School for External Affairs
(L to R): Mary Carrasco, John Prentiss ’65, P ’89, ’92 and Regent, and
Doug Hale, head of school.
Challengesresponding to
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MAKING A DIFFERENCE | How members of the community are impacting the world…
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LAST YEAR, GABRIEL HAMMOND ’97
made an extraordinary gift of
$1 million to Mercersburg to establish
the Arce Scholars Program. At the
time, Hammond’s gift was the largest in the
school’s 116-year history by an alumnus under
30 years of age. In keeping with Hammond’s
vision, the annual Arce Scholarship was created
to address both merit and need, by covering full
tuition for a new boarding student who is
exceptionally academically gifted and who
could not attend Mercersburg without total
financial assistance.
Melody Gomez of Manthattan's Spanish
Harlem neighborhood was selected as the
school's first Arce Scholar and entered
Mercersburg as a ninth grader in the fall.
“My favorite part of the school is being busy.
Even though I may want free time, every day
after school there is something to do. You’re
always active, you’re always with people…
you just grow as a person here,” said Gomez.
“Everyone is here for the same reason—to try
to get somewhere after Mercersburg.”
Gomez is an athlete who played volleyball
(fall), basketball (winter), and a spring sport
as well.
“As an athlete, I have grown. The only sport
that was offered at my old school was basketball.
This year, I played volleyball because I thought it
was going to be one of the easier sports. It’s not
as easy as I thought. I liked it, and I picked up
on it really quickly. I played varsity this year,
which is really cool,” she said.
Mr. Hammond’s gift will permanently endow
the Arce Scholarship at approximately $37,500
per year, based on the current policy for
endowment spending, and the balance of a
scholar’s tuition will be covered by the school.
Ultimately, the goal is to raise enough funds to
have one Arce Scholar enrolled in each grade in
the school. The scholars will be encouraged to
serve as a support system for one another while
at Mercersburg and in the future. To make a
gift to the Arce Scholarship Program, contact
Gail Reeder at 717-328-6323.
Ayear ago, Jill Thompson ’81 and her
husband, Bob, started the One Life
Missions Foundation to help New York City
children. After the earthquake, Bob, who is an
investment banker, and three friends decided
to go to Haiti to help with relief efforts. They
started the “Missions to Disaster Zones” arm
of the foundation and sent five teams to Haiti
with food and aid, and most recently,
started a school.
“My husband and three other men were the
first ones down there. They flew in through Santo
Domingo, rented a car with food, and quickly
discovered these self-organized camps of people.
They arrived the Monday after the earthquake
and were there for 11 days.
“It’s been an incredible experience, and now
the foundation literally has a presence in Haiti,
and we’re tapping into the U.N. and several other
resources. Although there are a lot of donations,
there are still people who are not receiving food
and water,” said Thompson.
“The teams have delivered over 20,000
pounds of food,” she said.
“The Haitian people are very resilient, very
resourceful, and the volunteers have all been
blessed far beyond what we think we have done
for the people of Haiti,” Thompson said. “Over
the years, the spotlight has been on the troubles
and chaos, but there really is a wonderful, loving,
resilient, and hopeful people that reside in Haiti.”
Visit www.onelifemissionsfoundation.org
to learn more.
Kate Harrison Bazemore ’89 spent a week on
a medical relief mission in Haiti with the
UMass medical school, where she is an assistant
professor of emergency medicine. Photos are
posted on her Facebook page if you’d like to
learn more.
Regent Denise Dupre ’76 contributed to relief
efforts organized by Dartmouth College. The
school sent over 18,000 pounds of supplies and
29 medical professionals to Haiti following the
earthquake, thanks to donors.
The Class of 2011 has wristbands for sale that
say, “We Are For Haiti” with the date
“1/12/10” that are being sold around campus to
benefit the American Red Cross. To purchase a
bracelet, send a check for $2.50 made payable to
Mercersburg Academy (Class of 2011). This
amount will also cover the postage for mailing
the bracelet back to you. Send to:
Pete Gunkleman: Class of 2011
Mercersburg Academy
300 East Seminary Street
Mercersburg, PA 17236.
On January 31, the entire Chapel offering was
dedicated to Haitian relief (via CARE) to
provide fresh water, both now in the emergency
and long term. The Chapel Charity Fund doubled
the offering so that every dollar given became two
Melody Gomez: Arce Scholars Program
Helping Haiti
Kate Harrison Bazemore ’89
Haiti Helpers included (L to R): Robert Solis ’11,
Katherine Blanchard ’11, Eli Littlefield ’12, Liza
Rizzo ’11, Matt Cook ’11, and Bailey Blake ’11.
THE MERCERSBURG COMMUNITY RESPONDED in a variety of ways to the tragic earthquake
that struck the Haitian capital of Port-au-Prince on January 12. Below are just some of the stories that
have been sent to the Alumni & Development Office, and we know that there are even more. Please
continue to share the generous ways that you are helping the residents of Haiti recover.
(continued on page 4)
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MAKING A DIFFERENCE | How members of the community are impacting the world…
Alumni CouncilProvides Grants toStudent OrganizationsA TOTAL EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE
means having extraordinary programs in the
classroom, in the dorms, on the playing field or
court, in the arts, and through many other
extracurricular activities. Each year, the Alumni
Council (AC) offers a grant program to help
underwrite extracurricular programs. The AC
completed its 2009–2010 Student Grants
Program during the winter, and organizations,
including newly formed groups, received funds
for programming.
Below is a list of student grants that were
awarded:
• The Spanish Club was awarded a $200 grant
to help fund a performance by flamenco
dancers, who danced for the school on
January 15.
• New this year to Mercersburg is the Spirit
Committee, which was awarded $480 to jump-
start the group’s efforts to encourage and
promote school spirit and achieve more
attendance at school sporting events.
• The Battle Royale Martial Arts Club was
awarded $100 to help with general
programming. The group’s mission is to help
students fulfill their personal fitness
requirements.
• Marshall Literary Society was awarded $150 to
support their activities during Irving-Marshall
Week competition.
• The Badminton Club was awarded $100 to
purchase equipment.
• The Community Bike Program gathers,
repairs, and maintains a collection of classic
bikes with distinctive character and style for the
use and enjoyment by the school community.
It was awarded $150.
• The Tea Club focuses on exposing members of
the on-campus community to different teas and
the tea culture. The group was awarded $150 to
help purchase a variety of tea for a tea sale.
• Mercersburg Dormitories were granted $200
to fund dorm activities, events, and other
residential life programs.
• Magalia was awarded $100 to help with the
purchase of new music arrangements and to
produce its annual CD.
dollars contributed to CARE. Shortly
afterwards, Henry Steiger ’42, P ’77 ’80, offered
a $100 gift from the Mercersburg Model
Railroad Club. The total funds donated to
CARE was $416, according to Rev. Dr. Larry
Jones, school minister.
Visit www.care.org to learn more about the
organization.
Proceeds from the French Club calendar,
which were sold for $10 each, will support
Heifer International’s projects in Haiti.
Approximately $1,700 is expected to be donated.
Heifer has been a presence in Haiti for 10 years.
Visit www.heifer.org to learn more about the
organization.
HELPING HAITI (continued from page 3)
Our Life As HistoryFACULTY EMERITUS AND ACADEMY ARCHIVIST Jay Quinn is the inspiration for a new
course endowed by Robert Lehrman ’69, who made a gift to honor that inspiration. Lehrman
wants to ensure that Mercersburg’s faculty members are given the opportunity to make the most
of their creative talents. Dr. Eugenio Sancho, academic dean, worked with faculty to create the
Quinn-Ferguson Seminar, which will be offered beginning next school year. With typical
humility, Quinn asked that the course also honor his colleague and former faculty member
John Ferguson, whose creative approach to teaching inspired him.
The Quinn-Ferguson Honors Seminar: Your Life as History will be taught by history faculty
member Phil Kantaros. Alumni, family members, spouses, and parent volunteers who have
lived through important moments in history, specifically, those experienced in manufacturing,
are being asked to visit and speak with the class.
COURSE DESCRIPTION
The seminar will focus on
efforts to understand the dynamics
of societal change across a given
period. Specific areas of interest
will include the impact of
globalization; the fall of
communism in Europe; the rise of
supranational organizations such
as the North America Free
Trade Agreement, the
European Union, and
the Organization of
African States; the emergence
of new global powers such as China
and India; the growth of militant Islam;
and the great reach of global crime syndicates.
Students will also analyze the rapid rise of the
Internet and information technology and the many
implications of virtually unlimited information and communication capabilities; global health
issues such as the AIDS crisis; in Africa and global responses to those crises; medical advances
including cloning and human genome and DNA research; shifting world demographics; the
competition for global resources; and the state of the environment.
Students and faculty will engage in informed discussion and debate over the impact of these
events and issues as they present themselves today and for the coming decades. The following
topics will be examined: political questions (“Are we living in the final decades of the nation–state
system?”); economic questions (“To what extent will national currencies and even ‘money’ itself
still be used in the second half of the current century?”); social questions (“Can global poverty be
eliminated by the century’s end?”); and cultural questions (“Should science be constrained by
ethical limits?” and “How do science and art come together and reflect as well as lead to change?”).
Finally, students will consider the nature of history itself. Who are some of the current experts
and how should we evaluate their views on the past, present and future?
If you have experience in any of these areas and would like to be a guest during the seminar,
contact Kelly Schoenberger at [email protected] or 717-328-6142.
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STEWARDSHIP | How donors impact the Mercersburg community
AN ENDURING SYMBOL OF MERCERSBURG’S spiritual
identity, the Chapel is the culmination of the ideals and goals of
Dr. William Mann Irvine, the Academy’s founder and first
headmaster (1893–1928), and his wife Camille. Dr. Irvine and
Ralph Adams Cram, of Cram and Ferguson, one of the period’s most
eminent ecclesiastical architects, were resolute that the Chapel should be
filled with light, making the windows central to the concept of the building.
Weather affects stained-glass windows: temperature changes cause the
lead to expand and contract. The windows are in need of restoration, and
Mercersburg is counting on the support of the school community. The
Chapel is an integral part of the Mercersburg campus and to have the
windows restored carefully and expertly will enable generations of students
to continue to enjoy them.
Donors of four stained-glass windows were honored during a Chapel
Windows Recognition Reception on December 13, 2009.
John Butterfield ’56 was one of the donors honored. “I feel a closeness
to Mercersburg that exceeds my college days, I hope my two grandsons,
who are eight and four, will also have an opportunity to enjoy the
beautiful windows when they have a chance to attend Mercersburg,”
said Butterfield ’56, whose grandfather inspired him to fund the
restoration of “The Presentation in the Temple” window. Butterfield’s
grandfather, John Milton Drumm, was treasurer at the Academy for
46 years and was married in the Chapel in 1937.
Mercersburg thanks the following
individuals for their gifts to
restore the stained-glass windows
in the Irvine Memorial Chapel:
• Judith and John Butterfield ’56
and Stuart and Kristin
Butterfield Vickery ’88 made a
gift to restore “The Presentation
in the Temple” window in honor
of John’s grandfather, John
Milton Drumm.
• Carol and John Prentiss ’65
made a gift to restore the
“Epiphany” window in honor of Harriet P.
and Thomas W. Mendham, recognizing their friendship and dedication
to Mercersburg Academy since 1973.
• Donna and Eric Reif ’60 funded the restoration of the window
“Come Unto Me,” which was made in memory of Ernest C. Reif ’26
and Bernice E. Reif.
• The Class of 1997 funded the restoration of the first panel of the window
“Holy Grail” in honor of their 10th anniversary reunion.
To learn more about this project, how you can get involved, or to request a
brochure, contact Mary Carrasco at [email protected].
RestorationStained-Glass Windows
of the Irvine Memorial Chapel
THE PEOPLE • FACULTY AND FINANCIAL AID FOR STUDENTS • OPPORTUNITIES TO TRAVEL
AND LEARN ABOUT NEW CULTURES • IRVING-MARSHALL WEEK • ATHLETIC COMPETITIONS •
FACULTY PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT • CLASSROOM RESOURCES • UNIQUE EXPERIENCES
• STONY BATTER PRODUCTIONS • LIBRARY BOOKS AND DVDS • COMPUTERS • AND MORE!
Support everything you love about
To support everything you love about
Mercersburg with a gift to the Annual Fund,
visit www.mercersburg.edu/giving or call
800-588-2550 and make an unrestricted
gift. You may always support your favorite
part of Mercersburg, by designating
your gift to Athletics, the Arts, Academics,
International, etc. Ask us for details.
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GIVING TO MERCERSBURG
DIANNA LORA ’00 IS A SELF-PROCLAIMED
“Renaissance Woman” who credits her success
and ability to maneuver multiple projects to
Mercersburg. She recently became “True Blue”
as a way to show her love and appreciation for
the school. Learn more about Dianna below, and
stay tuned for her “True Blue” video later this
spring. To become “True Blue” by pledging
consecutive monthly gifts to Mercersburg,
visit www.mercersburg.edu/giving.
Q: How did Mercersburg prepare you for today?
I am a very ambitious person. Having enjoyed
several extracurricular activities and being very
involved at Mercersburg, I’m able to do a lot of
things at once now. It doesn’t stress me out as
much as it would stress other people. When I do
something, I do it at 100 percent, because
I had to juggle academics, athletics, and being
involved with Stony Batter and the Women’s
Ensemble at Mercersburg.
Q: Can you describe what you’re up to
professionally?
I was just in a sketch comedy show as part of
one of the ensembles. I also just accepted a role
in a musical, which I’m so excited about,
because I get to sing again. I went to my
audition, and I was shaking. I got excellent
feedback, and the casting director loves me.
I’m getting my master’s in entertainment
business so that I can know how to run my
company, Alien Bucket Productions. I’m
starving for knowledge, and I want to know
more. I’m going to graduate this spring,
which is really exciting.
I also play a lot of video games as a
reviewer for Gamer Reaction, a show on
GoodGameTV.com, produced by Alien Bucket
Productions. We’re filming episodes and on top
of that working on our new site that we plan on
launching at the end of the month. We’re trying
to see if the site can actually work. And each
Sunday, we shoot a podcast for Alien
Bucket Productions.
Q: Why did you become “True Blue”?
I thought about it a lot, and I said to myself,
“Would I be here right now if I hadn’t gone to
Mercersburg?” I don’t think I would. If I’m
going to give money to something, why not
support an education that I truly believe in?
Mercersburg shaped who I am and who my
sister is also. True Blue made it easy to support
the school.
The fact that I can give monthly and take it
from my debit or credit card motivated me.
I think a monthly giving program is much
easier, especially for the younger folks. When
they think in hundreds, they might say, “I don’t
have a hundred dollars.” But you actually do if
you break it down to $10 a month.
To learn more about Dianna’s “True Blue” story,
stay tuned for a short video about her that will
be released this spring. Also, Mercersburg’s first
“True Blue” video, about Jordan Jefferson ’09, is in
the “Media” section at www.mercersburg.edu. If
you are True Blue and would like to be featured in
an upcoming video, contact De-Enda Rotz at
Mercersburg Welcomes “True Blue” participants SINCE THE CREATION OF THE “True Blue” program, additional members of
the community have supported the Annual Fund with monthly, consecutive gifts. Below
is the list of True Blue members as of March 5, 2010. Thank you for your dedication and
commitment to sustaining and enhancing this extraordinary educational experience,
and thank you for being “True Blue.”
young alumni show they’re
Ryan Bennett
LeAnn Bennett
Stephanie Blake
Stephen Blake
Jennifer Flanagan Bradley ’99
John Burnette
Claudia Burnette
Philip Carrasco
Mary Carrasco
Gina Fochtman
Nathan Fochtman ’03
Robert George
James Glah ’00
Doug Hale
Renee Hicks
Eric Hicks
Taylor Horst ’00
Howard Hosgood ’98
Lawrence Jones
Cynthia Jones
Raymond Larson
Dianna Lora ’00
John Madden
Susan Malone
James Malone
Tammy McBeth ’05
Katherine Morgan ’02
Jamil Myrie ’93
DeWayna Pittman
Todd Price
Anne Reeder ’00
Karl Reisner
Stephanie Reisner
Niccole Rolls
Necmiye Savut
Kelly Schoenberger
Kevin Schoenberger
Ronald Simar
Susan Simar
Noelle Smith ’02
Gill Tatman-Tyree ’95
Ivan Thompson
Wendy Thompson
Tom Thorne
Barbara Thorne
William Waldron
Vanessa Youngs ’03
Graham Zifferer ’04
True Blue
“The magic of this place is basedon maintaining the egalitariancomponent that makes it sospecial. I do not want futuregenerations of my family, or any Mercersburg family, to bebunched in with elitism andspecial interests … Making a gift for financial aid is realimportant.”
– John Prentiss ’65, P’89 ’92, Regent
Phot
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Rya
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ith P
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grap
hy
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GIVING TO MERCERSBURG
FACULTY RESPONDED WITH
GREAT EXCITEMENT to the news
that Mercersburg Academy would
receive a $50,000 challenge grant
($100,000 in matching funds are required)
from the Edward E. Ford Foundation for five
faculty to develop environmental programs
during the summer of 2010 in support of
the school’s Accreditation for Growth
environmental stewardship objective.
“This program will allow the good ideas
of faculty and students to be implemented and
positively impact the school. Implementation
of these programs will allow students to think
critically about the different problems that they
will face throughout their lives and how to
approach them with creative and critical
thinking and come to solutions that will
work,” said Associate Head of School Debbie
Rutherford. “These initiatives will be and feel
like a part of the fabric of the school, instead of
ideas just coming at students and faculty from
the administration.”
Interested faculty engaged in a competitive
selection process for the development of an
environmental proposal or idea; proposals were
due March 15. The grant funds will be used to
award those faculty members selected with
$7,500 each for the research, time, expense, and
collaboration required in support and
development of a full proposal. A Mercersburg
committee of faculty, administration, alumni,
and parents will select and announce those
faculty proposals that best meet the established
criteria. Mercersburg will then invest the
matching funds and the remainder of the Ford
Foundation funds in the implementation of the
best of those proposals.
“I’m hearing faculty talk about composting
plans, solar energy, generating our own energy,
and helping students to understand how to take
social action to get things done,” Rutherford said.
The November 2010 deadline to raise the matching
funds is only months away. If you are interested in
contributing to this great work or learning more
about the grant, please contact Gail Reeder at
717-328-6323 or [email protected].
Giving SocietiesSOCIETY NAME DEFINITION NO. OF MEMBERS
Torchbearers donors who make gifts for three consecutive 2,094years or more, every year their child has been a student, or every year since their own graduation
William Mann Irvine Society donors who contribute $1,893 or more yearly** 464
Marshall & Irving Alliance donors who include Mercersburg in their estate plans 357
True Blue donors who make consecutive monthly gifts 48
** WILLIAM MANN IRVINE SOCIETY LEVELS
Associate $100 per year until your 5th anniversary reunion (based on graduation year) $500 per year until your 10th anniversary reunion
$1,000 per year until your 20th anniversary reunion $1,893 at your 20th anniversary reunion celebration
Member $1,893-$2,999
Sponsor $3,000-$4,999
Patron $5,000-$9,999
Benefactor $10,000-$24,999
Head of School’s Circle $25,000-$49,999
Regents’ Circle $50,000-$99,999
President’s Circle $100,000 or more
7
Mercersburg receivesEdward E. Ford Foundation Grant
for environmental proposal
$25,000
$50,000
$75,000
$100,000
$283,153!
A Match Made forMercersburgYou Made It a Success!THANKS TO YOUR SUPPORT AND
the support from other alumni, families,
faculty, and friends, we exceeded our
February matching gift challenge of
$100,000, with contributions of $283,153 for
the Mercersburg Annual Fund. A generous
alum also contributed $100,000 to match
Annual Fund gifts during February, making
total contributions of $383,153.
Your support has been amazing during
this fiscal year, and especially during
February. There was a 9 percent increase in
alumni participation from 15 to 24 percent
in just that one month; 744 total donors
contributed to the Annual Fund during
February. Remarkably, 253 donors made a
second gift during February, 22 of those
individuals increased their gifts, and 491
new gifts were made to the school. Thank
you for demonstrating your incredible love
for Mercersburg. Annual Fund support is
vital in order to sustain
and enhance the quality of education at
the school.
Thank you, volunteers and donors, for
making “A Match Made for Mercersburg”
successful.
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UPDATE ON STRATEGIC PLAN INITIATIVES
Nolde Renovations Under Way
MERCERSBURG BROKE GROUND ON THE renovations to Nolde Gymnasium on Monday,
March 8, 2010. Facilities that will remain open and available for use during the renovations
include the Plantz Basketball Courts, Davenport Squash Center (with fitness equipment), and the
Kuhn Wrestling Center. Once the renovations are complete, the athletic training center will be on
the first floor, rather than upstairs; there will be parity in the boys’ and girls’ locker rooms; a new
classroom will be located on the second floor near the fitness center; coaches will have multiple
spaces to interact; and new equipment will be available for coaches and athletes to view video
footage and collaborate in classroom-type settings. In addition, the beautiful glass windows
around the gymnasium will be replaced and/or restored to eliminate leakage and establish
more energy efficiency. These renovations will also meet current Leadership in Energy and
Environmental Design (LEED).
The school expects to have the fitness
center open for use in the fall, with the entire
gym open for use in time for the winter
sports season.
While Mercersburg’s Strategic Plan
focus remains on building the endowment
in support of faculty, scholarships, and
programs, the school is fortunate to have
received a generous bequest of $11.5 million
from Dwight Goldthorpe ’37, which made the renovations to Nolde possible.
The current Strategic Plan will take Mercersburg in an exciting and necessary direction.
It focuses on our people—to admit the best students, to provide the financial aid they need,
to ensure that we retain and attract the best faculty and staff, and to provide the education that
families expect from a world-class, college-preparatory boarding school. EVEN
TS
2010 Jun | 5 COMMENCEMENT
Jun | 10–13 Reunion Anniversary Weekend (classes ending in 0 and 5 and Loyalty Club)On campus
Jun | 25–27 Denver, Colorado, area weekend events including an alumni and parent gathering at Cynde & Matt Palmer’s ’96 Dry Ice Factory
Oct | 1–3 Family WeekendOn campus
Oct | 21–24 Fall Alumni WeekendEveryone welcome! Celebrating swimming, diving, track, field, cross country & winter track, and Mercersburg OlympiansOn campus
Oct | 21 Fall Alumni Council MeetingOn campus
Nov | 12-13 Fall Board of Regents MeetingOn campus
Dec | 12 Christmas Candlelight ServiceChapel
Dec | 12 Christmas Candlelight Service Reception Edwards Room
Dec | 11-12 Loyalty Club Christmas Candlelight Service Weekend
2011May | 28 Commencement
Jun | 9–12 Reunion Anniversary Weekend (classes ending in 1 and 6 and Loyalty Club)
For information about upcoming events, contact De-Enda Rotz at [email protected] 717-328-6178.
UPCOMING EVENTS
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EVENTS
MERCERSBURG SQUASH
ALUMNI AND THEIR
families, as well as friends of
the Mercersburg squash
program, returned to campus on February 27 for
the 35th Annual Burbank Squash Tournament
and the chance to reunite with beloved coach and
Faculty Emeritus Bo Burbank (1962–1996) and
his wife, Ellie. The tournament featured matches
between alumni and students, followed by an
exciting exhibition between Gilly Lane, the
number two-ranked United States player, and
Shahier Razik, the top Canadian squash player.
Razik won the exhibition match 3–1.
Although the professional exhibition and
student-alumni matches were huge draws for
alumni, families, and friends, Burbank’s return
to campus was the real highlight of the day.
“He gave us the game of squash for life,” said
Tom Fogarty ’76.
Page Lansdale ’76 added, “He was a very good
father figure, and as a coach, he was a good
teacher to us.”
“Bo was a coach, advisor, and art teacher, and
he taught us that you can’t live too seriously,
because if you do, you’re going to be
disappointed,” said Ken Lockyer ’75.
When the Burbanks entered the Davenport
Squash Center, hugs from old friends and
students greeted the couple. For Burbank, the
sentiments were mutual.
“The reason I came was because it was
time for us to come, we have friends here.
Mercersburg was home for so many years.
We have six wonderful children, and they all went
to Mercersburg. This is really the only home
we’ve had with our family," Burbank said.
Jim Dresher ’67 drove from Bel Air, Maryland,
to see his former teacher. “Bo is just a special
guy,” he said with a smile. “He was a tremendous
male role model—a good father, more than a
teacher. In those days it was all guys and a very
competitive [environment] on many levels, but
there was this guy who was so normal. He was a
dad, teacher, coach, free thinker, and a pretty
good friend. He was ‘for us.’ And he wanted us
to succeed.”
Burbank’s former students say he was a
challenging instructor in the classroom and on
the field. The students knew that “Bo cared.”
Returning to Mercersburg for the 35th Annual
Burbank Squash Tournament reminded “Bo”
of the freedom he and his wife felt living on
campus, the security, and the sense of “home”
he always had in the Mercersburg community.
Burbank also talked in great length about his
days as an art teacher, and how during the ’80s
(or maybe the ’90s, he says), his art class decided
to create an ice cream float “roof” for the top of
Boone Hall. He reminisced…and laughed…
Students made the temporary architecture out
of soccer nets, high jump poles, and other
athletic equipment.
“It feels good to be back, especially because
I was able to meet this year’s recipient of the
Burbank Scholarship Fund, Nikki [Rhyne ’12].
To me, I don’t miss the campus and my teacher
friends as much as I miss the students. During
the ’70s, we started to have a very good squash
program, and this was a chance for me to see
those students again.”
The Burbanks live in Marion, Massachusetts.
“Bo” spends his days “having a good time with
[his] wife,” painting, and volunteering.
Olympians Reunite forFall Alumni Weekend ALL ALUMNI ARE INVITED TO campus for
Fall Alumni Weekend October 22–24, 2010,
which will feature a celebration of Mercersburg
Olympians and special reunion activities for
swimming & diving, track & field, cross country,
and winter track alumni. Revisit the campus,
visit classes, and cheer on Blue Storm Athletics.
A schedule of the weekend is available online
in the “Alumni” section of www.Mercersburg.edu.
Contact De-Enda Rotz at [email protected]
or 717-328-6178 if you have questions about
upcoming reunions.
Influential Faculty Member Returnsfor the 35th Annual Burbank Squash Tournament
(L to R): Page Lansdale ’76, Bo Burbank, and
Ken Lockyer ’75
June Reunion Weekend is around the CornerFor classes ending in 0 and 5
HIGHLIGHTS THURSDAY: Logan Chace ’01 and The Hello
Strangers will perform at Flannery’s Tavern
on the Square. The band includes Dave
Holzwarth ’78, Larissa Chace Smith ’97,
Katie O’Neil ’97, and Brechyn Chase ’03.
FRIDAY: alumni will return to the classroom
for “Faculty Connections.” Some of
Mercersburg’s most-engaging teachers will
conduct hands-on workshop style classes.
In addition, there will be a luau with reggae
music from iRon Lion, class activities and
a tiki bar open all night.
SATURDAY: in addition to class activities, and
class photos, there will be an All-Alumni
Awards Luncheon to recognize alumni
service and achievements, Mercersburg tours,
and a discussion about the school titled,
“Mercersburg: Past, Present, and Future,”
with faculty members Rick Hendrickson,
Tommy Adams, Bill McClintick, and Jay
Quinn, sponsored by the Class of 1960.
During the evening, there will be an over-21
dance party with music from Mightychondria.
SUNDAY: Rev. Dr. Larry Jones, school minister
will lead the Reunion Weekend Memorial
Service.
If you have not registered, do so today online.
Time is running out!
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AT THE END OF JANUARY, the Alumni Council (AC) met at Mercersburg for a strategic
planning review with an eye toward the future of the Council and the school. In keeping
with the AC’s mission of supporting the Alumni & Development program and acting as
liaison for the alumni community, two strategic objectives were developed:
1. The AC will engage fellow alumni on a year-round basis, partner with the A&D staff on
development and community-building activities, and facilitate connections between the
alumni and the school.
2. The AC will fully engage Council members in recruiting new members and in the
work of the Council in order to ensure effective execution of its routine work and
new initiatives.
In partnering with the A&D staff, the AC must integrate its routine work with that of the
A&D program. We would like to create a profession-based network, which can connect
older, experienced alumni with younger alumni who are interested in learning about and
possibly working in their industries. In addition, we recognize that community building is
extremely vital to our alumni community. We are, therefore, committed to establishing
focused Mercersburg alumni communities not only to get acquainted with fellow alumni,
but also to help alumni become more engaged in the school. There are many areas in which
alumni can become active for Mercersburg. While recruiting new students has always been
a primary focus, recently we have also helped spread the word about the many Mercersburg
summer camps. We also look forward to helping the A&D staff with programs specifically
designed for alumni. Finally, the AC feels it is important to develop a program that
communicates the history and traditions of our school to current students.
Because of how the AC is set up, our Nominating Committee’s first priority is to recruit
new members to the seats vacated by members whose terms are ending. There are
approximately four to five openings on the AC each year. A candidate is elected for one
three-year term, with the possibility of serving a second three-year term. Members are
chosen so that all decades are represented on the AC. The process we use now to identify
prospective Council members is all data-related. However, our goals for the future for
identifying prospects include meeting and connecting with alumni at events, using the
Class Agent system more effectively, and communicating the role and activities of the AC to
the alumni-at-large. Volunteering on the AC has been an experience that I have found to be
truly rewarding. If you are interested in supporting Mercersburg as a volunteer, feel free to
contact me ([email protected] or 845-559-3156). You may also contact De-Enda Rotz
in the A&D office ([email protected] or 717-328-6178).
For more information about the AC and its members, visit us on the Mercersburg
website (go to www.mercersburg.edu, click on “Alumni” at the top and then “Alumni
Council” in the menu bar underneath).
Sincerely,
Carol Furnary Casparian ’79 1st Vice President, Alumni Council
Council CornerAlumni
(L to R): Sara Engram (Jack Reilly ’62), JohnAngel (Ann Quinn ’84), Ann Quinn, and ChipNuttall ’92 at the Early Arrivals Dinner onJanuary 29.
President Susie Lyles-Reed ’88, Tucker Shields ’68, and Melody McBeth, director ofadvancement services, at the Early ArrivalsDinner on January 29.
Carol Furnary Casparian ’79 has fun withMercersburg gear she just purchased from the school store.
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The Mercersburg Community
Out About(L to R): Rev. Dr. Larry Jones, Cindy Jones,Scott Davenport ’81, Frank Rutherford ’70,and Ian Thompson ’02 at a dinner for squashalumni during the 35th Annual BurbankSquash Invitational on February 27.
football coach Dan Walker, and Darius Glover ’12announce Charles’ and Darius’ signing with the football programs of Bucknell University and Lafayette College, respectively.
Mercersburg history department chair Allison Stephens.
The Irving Society celebrates in style.
McNickle ’62, Anne Johnson P ’06, Patricia White P’82 ’84, Andrea White Hosbein’84, Bruce Thompson ’73, Matt Olson, EmilyPeterson ’97, John Toth; Front row (L to R): A.G. Anglum, Sydney Hosbein, Georgia Dettmann, Paige Hosbein,Maureen Sabri ’00, Tammy McBeth ’05.
classmates Victoria Leontieva, Jamie Blackburn, Vanessa Youngs and NateFochtman at a New York City regional gathering for alumni, families, andfriends held at Faculty House at Columbia University on January 29.
Email photos and captions to [email protected].
We welcome your questions and comments. Please contact the Alumni & Development Office at 800-588-2550.
MPACT is published three times per year by the Mercersburg Academy Alumni & Development Office.
Mercersburg Academy abides by both the spirit and the letter of the law in all itsemployment and admission policies. The school does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or national or ethnic origin.
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(L to R): Gabriel Hammond ’97 with 2003
From the Chicago event at Jaks Tap on February 6, 2010. Back row (L to R): Willie
Aspen has nothing on Mercersburg.
The Marshall Society scores a win.
Charles Thompson ’10, faculty member and varsity
Former U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright and
For information on how you can be involved with these reunions, contact De-Enda Rotz in the Alumni & Development Office at [email protected] or 717-328-6178.
ReunionAnniversaryWeekendJune 10–13, 2010
Reunions for classes ending in 0 and 5 and the Loyalty Club
(Class of 1959 and before)
FallAlumni
WeekendOctober 22–24
Athletic team reunions for swimming & diving,
cross country, track & field& winter track alumni;
celebration of MercersburgOlympians; and
re-dedication of NoldeGymnasium.
NON-PROFIT ORG.
U.S. POSTAGE
PAIDNORWICH, CT
PERMIT NO. 51
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