SPRING 2016

CUSHING ACADEMY MAGAZINE

39 School Street Ashburnham, MA 01430 CushingYesterday &Today

The ski team tries to fit its gear in the trunk, 1945. DONORS

CushingYesterday & Today

Cushing exists for the students, their academic growth and personal development. In educating the mind, shaping the character, and nurturing the creativity of an academically and culturally diverse student body, we challenge each individual, support excellence in the learning process, and promote active participation and service in all areas of life and learning. We offer a demanding college preparatory curriculum, teach skills that build confidence, and instill values that endure.

Cushing Today is a publication of Cushing Academy’s Office of Development and Alumni Programs.

Headmaster Christopher Torino

Associate Head of School Catherine Pollock

Managing Director, Development Bill O’Hearn

Cushing Today Editor Amy Ostroth

Director of Marketing and Communications Heather Hill ’90

Design and Production Andrea Hopkins and Beth Lyons, Cheney & Company

Printing Allied Printing Services, Inc.

Cushing Today welcomes class notes, photographs, story ideas, and comments by alumni/ae, parents, and friends. Please send them to [email protected] or call 978-827-7400.

All product names and trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Product names or images included in the timeline are used solely for their histori- cal impact. Use of these names does not imply any cooperation or endorsement. All images in this publication belong to the Academy, were purchased legally, are in the public domain, or have been fairly used with credit.

Main Building prior to 1952 when a lightning strike hit the peak of its tower, setting it ablaze (see pg. 37). In 1881, the Academy purchased a building to house girls and constituted the first true boarding experience at Cushing. Prior to that, students from places other than Ash- burnham lived with families in town. The building—then called Ladies Hall and eventually named Parkman Hall—was located near the corner of Academy Hill and Pleasant Street. In This Issue The building itself was constructed in 1830—but was twice as big and originally stood where the piano museum is now located in downtown Ashburnham (the piano museum TIMELINE originally served as the town library). It was purchased by a family of town businessmen, who divided the building 2 Introduction and moved the two pieces. Many early pictures of Cushing The 1860s–80s classes are pictured in front of Parkman Hall. It housed girls 4 until Lowe Hall was built and boys afterward. It was closed 10 The 1890s–1900s in 1932 and demolished in 1940. The Academy’s first tennis courts were also constructed nearby in 1922. 14 Cushing at the Turn of the Century 16 The 1910s–20s 22 Athletics at Cushing 31 The 1930s–40s 37 The 1950s–60s 38 Cushing at Mid-Century 46 Dance at Cushing 52 Civil Rights at Cushing 56 The 1970s–80s 64 Iranian Students at Cushing 68 Nostalgia: A Dusty Portrait 78 Boys vs. Girls 81 The 1990s–2000s 88 Art at Cushing 97 The 2010s 98 Music at Cushing 105 Herbert Chen: Nobel-Winning Research 108 Drama at Cushing 112 Religion at Cushing

REPORT OF GIVING

115 Annual Report 2014–2015 116 Top 10 Moments in Giving

IN CLOSING

127 Cushing Lingo 128 Editor’s Note 128 People and Publications

ON THE COVER: Main Building in 1965.

SPRING 2016 1 Celebrating 150 years

You may already know the basic narrative outline of Cushing’s beginning: Thomas Parkman Cushing left capital to found the school; in 1865 the legislature of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts granted a charter; and 10 years later our Academy’s first students walked across the threshold. That is, of course, just the beginning and really only part of the story. This special issue of Cushing Today illustrates more fully the man for whom the Academy is named, the efforts of those whose hard work brought our school to life, the faculty who made their lives here, and the students who would be forever transformed by what they learned and experienced.

2 CUSHING YESTERDAY & TODAY ‹ Celebrating 150 years ›

A

In 1965, Frank Prentice Rand, a member of the before running water and electricity. How, after Class of 1908, wrote a book memorializing the all, do you entertain 100-plus teenagers without CushingAcademy’s first 100 years. Our work in this smart phones andcademy streaming Netflix? magazine is interwoven with Rand’s work Please enjoy reading, and as you reflect upon and we have filled in the stories between his your own Cushing experience, know that, as publishing in 1965 and today. We look at how the always, we welcome your stories. Lastly, I’d like events at and surrounding the Academy affected to thank every one of you for being a part of the the school and its people—including wars, the Happy Cushing Family. After all, the story of Great Depression, the Civil Rights Movement, Cushing is really your story. Cushing Academy is and more. And about times well before 1965: really our story together. you’ll learn about what Cushing life was like CHRISTOPHER TORINO

SPRING 2016 3 ‹ Cushing Academy ›

1865 the executors of Mr. Cushing’s will traveled to Boston to ask the state legislature for a The Founder charter, which it granted. Thomas Parkman Cushing never went to college—or even high school—although both Cushing Academy’s his father and grandfather graduated from Board of Trustees Harvard. Thomas was born in 1787 in Ash- The first volume of the minutes for the burnham at his family’s home on Meeting- Board of Trustees begins on Sept. 6, 1865. The house Hill. Both his father and grandfather volume shows the diligence and generosity of had been clergymen and their ancestors had the men whose dedication guided the school’s arrived in Massachusetts in 1638. John Cush- founding and early years. Indeed, in a letter ing, Thomas’ father, came to Ashburnham in sent to Rev. J.D. Crosby, the clerk for the 1768, just three years after the town’s incorpo- board in 1875, Trustee George C. Winchester ration, and served as the pastor of the village eschewed any payment for the hard work he church until his death 55 years later. had done on the school’s behalf. Thomas was the youngest of eight Mr. Winchester and his brother, Charles, children. The family opened a store at their were both members of the board and were homestead when he was eight years old and successful local businessmen—they owned a he likely worked there as a young boy. By the chair factory. George was successful enough time he’d reached the age of 13, his sister to provide the land on which the Academy was running the store, so Thomas moved to sits. Originally, he had planned to give his Boston to live with his brother, who owned a own land, located on Water Street near the store there. His brother died young—not too corner of Chapel Street. When the trustees long after Thomas arrived in the city—but beneficiaries had died in 1923, the Academy determined they preferred a different loca- Thomas went on to have a successful career as received $175,000 from the Cushing estate. tion, he purchased the land for them. a merchant in Boston before retiring in 1847. Although we are quite proud that the He was married three times and had three school has been coeducational from its begin- daughters by his second wife. ning, Mr. Cushing originally directed that Did you know? He composed his will in 1850, making two schools should be built: one for boys and Thomas Parkman Cushing’s second ample provision for his wife and daughters, one for girls, and that they should be distinct daughter, Martha, married Prof. William and for his brother and sister, who lived in a and separated by at least a quarter of a mile. C. Esty of Amherst College. Through her house he owned in Ashburnham. Of course, The will further directed that after his death, husband’s connections with the college, that brings us to the most important item in the money should be allowed to accumulate Martha developed a friendship with a his will: the bequest for the Academy. for 10 years before a board of trustees would poet by the name of Emily Dickinson. All told, after the rest of the requirements apply for an act of incorporation. Mr. Cush- Many of Thomas Parkman Cushing’s of his will were met, and the last of his ing died in 1854, and thus it was that in 1865, papers are located in the archives of Amherst College, donated to the school by Martha.

1865 Massachusetts legislature granted Cushing Academy’s charter.

1865 Civil War ended 1867 1869 and reconstruction E. Remington and The transcontinental began. Sons manufactured railroad was completed. the first typewriter.

4 CUSHING YESTERDAY & TODAY ‹ Celebrating 150 years ›

1875 governor of Massachusetts; and Amasa not “in full sympathy in regard to discipline,” Norcross, who would soon be elected to the and Pierce would resign after just four years The Beginning United States Congress. It was an auspicious at the helm, in 1879. Although the Academy’s charter was granted beginning for the 66 gentlemen and 56 ladies In accepting Principal Pierce’s resignation, in 1865—and it is that anniversary which who matriculated, the vast majority of whom the trustees noted their regret at the causes we have been celebrated in 2015—the school were from New England—including 84 from which led to it—the specific causes were didn’t have students until the fall of 1875. Ashburnham. not mentioned, but it seems to have been In that decade, in addition to growing The first head of school—called a principal a disagreement with the board about the the funds left by Mr. Cushing’s bequest, the then—was Edwin Pierce. Tuition cost $10 per discipline at the school—and recorded their newly appointed Board of Trustees set about term with extra for music lessons. There were sense of the dignity and scholarly ability determining a location for the new school, seven faculty members and three four-year that characterized his administration. Pierce and in 1874 they began to build. Originally, it courses of study: would remain a part of the extended Cushing was thought that the school would be built 1. The Classical Course, featuring Latin, family for many years, visiting campus and on a piece of property that fronted Main Greek, and math, but no English addressing the students. Street, more or less where the Ashburnham literature; Market now stands. That property was owned 2. The English Course, featuring English, by George Winchester, who was a local science, math, and history, but no businessman and a member of the school’s language; and board. In the end, however, the trustees 3. The Ladies’ Course, including a chose what was then known as the Bancroft smattering of optional French and Farm—which Mr. Winchester purchased for German, among other things. the purpose—and began to build. Students were required to attend church Although the board had waited 10 years services twice on Sunday and report back from the granting of the charter, there was about their attendance on Monday morning. still not enough money to adhere to the The weekly holiday was Saturday. strictest letter of Mr. Cushing’s will—that two schools should be built: one for boys and Cushing’s First Principal one for girls. They were able to secure permis- Edwin Pierce was the Academy’s first princi- sion from the heirs and executors to disregard pal. He stood on the steps of the Main Build- that provision, although they did design the ing on Sept. 7, 1875, the day the school was building with separate doors—one for boys dedicated. He was a Dartmouth man, where and one for girls. he was Phi Beta Kappa. According to Cushing On Sept. 7, 1875, the new school building historian Frank Rand, Pierce was a gentle- was dedicated. The dedication was attended man of the old school and cared a great deal by 1,200 spectators along with several mem- about his students after they left Cushing. The Academy’s original Main Building, completed in 1875 bers of the board; Alexander Bullock, former Rand also notes that he and the board were

1875 First Cushing students—66 gentlemen and 56 ladies—arrived. They attended classes in the newly constructed Main Building. 1875 1870 1873 HMS Challenger surveyed the deepest point in Joseph Lister proved that Levi Strauss & Co. introduced the Earth’s oceans, the microorganisms transmit blue jean overalls with Challenger Deep. disease when he reported patented copper rivets to success with sterilizing strengthen pocket openings. tools used in surgery.

SPRING 2016 5 ‹ Cushing Academy ›

1876 1879 described him thusly: “He was a man of pure and lofty ideals, a man of silent joy, who Abraham Changing of the Guard : rarely ever smiled save his eyes; and a man so T. Lowe Principal Vose thoroughly inspired by his work that he rose Abraham Lowe was Principal James E. Vose replaced Principal above a pain-wracked body and taught until born in Ashburnham Pierce in 1879, although in his first year, his within a few months of his death.” Indeed, in 1796—during the title was “acting principal.” Vose, a native of Vose had been confined to a wheelchair for presidency of George Antrim, N.H., never attended college, but most of his life. He had fallen from a tree at Washington. He received an honorary degree from Dartmouth age seven and was crippled for life. He taught earned a medical in 1881. One member of the community science and higher math, but had a great love degree from Dart- of English—both the language and the litera- mouth in 1816 and ture. He fell ill in April 1887 and took a leave eventually went back of absence, thinking to return, but he died on to his hometown Memorial Day. to practice with his father—also Abraham and also a doctor. After Silver Penguin: several years, however, he left Ashburnham Fred Lane to set up an apothecary shop on Court Street Fred Lane, who in Boston. arrived at Cushing in He was active in his communities, served 1879, would serve the as a member of the state legislature for four Academy in one capacity terms and also as the president of several or another for 57 years, banks. His civic mindedness may have been although his active what induced him to join the fledgling Cush- service would “only” last for 46 years. His ing Academy’s Board of Trustees in 1865, and wife, Cora Gilbert Lane, was a member of in which capacity he would serve until 1889. the Class of 1885. Indeed, she had once been He was the president of the board from 1876 his student and one he had once actually until his death in 1889. In 1879, he donated dismissed from class. Apparently she didn’t many of the books found in the school’s early hold it against him. library. When he died, he left a bequest that Born in Lane Village (just north of Ash- provided funding for the construction of Lowe burnham and now part of town) in 1849, he Hall, which bears his name. Both his son, graduated from Dartmouth in 1878. He was Lewis, and his grandson, Arthur, also served teaching at the local schoolhouse—the one as members of Cushing’s board. commemorated by the School Boy statue— when he was recruited by the elder Mr. Vose to teach at Cushing. As generations of faculty Baseball team, 1885

1876 1879 Abraham Lowe (above), president of First baseball game was played. Drama was introduced. the Board of Trustees, 1876–89. Cushing lost to the Gardner Clippers, 67–25. 1876 1877 Edison invented the first Baseball’s National Alexander Graham Bell commercially practical League was founded. was the first to be Reconstruction incandescent light. Battle of Little granted a patent for Era ended. Bighorn took place what we would in June. come to call the telephone.

6 CUSHING YESTERDAY & TODAY ‹ Celebrating 150 years ›

have done at the Academy, he filled many boys (Philadelphians and Polymnians) and members. They met weekly and regularly roles. He officially taught math and history, two for girls (Germanae and Minervans). held debating competitions. Over the years, although he was sometimes called upon to Several of Cushing’s most accomplished the debating activities seemed to take more teach drawing and German as well. He served alumni got their start in these groups, permanent hold with the boys, and the girls as class teacher for seniors for many years and including James Tuttle, who would serve as pursued a broader range of activities, includ- was sometimes called on to be acting princi- New Hampshire’s attorney general; George ing music and vesper programs, tea dances, pal, such as when Mr. Vose died. He was so W. Anderson, who was a judge on the United banquets, and a Halloween masquerade. loved that in 1910, a group of alumni sent him States appellate court in Boston; Lellan Tuck, In the end, the tendency was toward and his wife on a trip to Europe. who would be a judge of the tenth circuit groups resembling social, rather than aca- Mr. Lane was active in town. He was town in Rhode Island; and Robert Peaslee, who demic, clubs. Membership declined such that treasurer for more than 30 years, a member of would be chief justice of the New Hampshire by the mid-1960s, there were just two groups, the Ashburnham school committee, and the Supreme Court. and by the 1970s, the literary societies at superintendent of the Congregational Sunday The societies adopted rules to conduct Cushing were no more. School. A devout man, he was in demand as a debates and regulate the induction of new preacher as well. Although he officially retired in 1925, he was recognized with emeritus status and was still teaching more than 10 years later. Both he and his wife died in 1937, just about one month apart.

1881 Cushing’s Literary Societies Keeping Cushing students engaged in produc- tive pursuits has been a challenge since the very beginning. Sports teams have tradition- ally been one way to keep students busy, but certainly not the only way. In 1876, a group of students created a group called the Philomathean, which, according to Rand, “afforded the older pupils an excellent opportunity to further their edu- cations by taking part in debates, writing of essays, readings, et cetera.” Ultimately, there were four such groups at the academy, two for

1881 1882 1883 Cushing acquired Parkman Hall (inside front cover). Cushing acquired Jewett House (above) Tuition was raised to $25 per year. The Philadelphian Society, the first of the Academy’s from Charles Hastings; it was used as a important literary societies, was founded. girls’ dormitory. 1884 Tuskegee Institute was Brooklyn Bridge founded. opened. President James Garfield was inaugurated in March. He was shot in July and died in September; Chester Arthur succeeded him.

SPRING 2016 7 ‹ Cushing Academy ›

1887–1926 cestown and there were regular gatherings in his honor, even after it had closed down. Hervey S. Cowell Indeed, several years later, their affection for Dr. Cowell was headmaster of Cushing Acad- their head would lead them to make a gift of emy for 39 years—still the longest tenure of an organ to the Academy in Cowell’s honor. any headmaster in Cushing’s history—and In 1887, he was offered the opportunity Rand calls him “the master builder” in his to take over the reins at Cushing Academy. book on Cushing’s first 100 years. In his first 25 years as headmaster, Cushing Hervey Cowell was born in Maine in 1855, grew from three buildings to six. The campus the son of a Free Baptist minister. His mother quadrupled in size. The number of faculty died when he was just seven, and he started increased from 10 to 15, due in large measure teaching at the age to the fact that enrollment increased by more “The present prosperity of 15 at a school with than 100 students. Alumni were donating just one student. In significant sums of money for buildings and outlook would not 1875, he completed a and scholarships. According to the trustee have arrived but for the degree at Bates Col- minutes of that time, “The present prosperity persistent, gracious lege, where he was and outlook would not have arrived but for the youngest member the persistent, gracious sweetness, the entire sweetness, the entire of his class and also forgetfulness of self, the hopeful Christian forgetfulness of self, the the class poet. He spirit of Hervey Sumner Cowell.” He was, at hopeful Christian spirit of received an honorary heart, a teacher. Even as principal emeritus master’s degree from he taught a few classes, including civics, the Hervey Sumner Cowell.” Bates in 1878, and in Bible, and psychology. He was an eloquent 38. He stepped down in 1926 due to his declin- 1916 he received an speaker and he inspired love and respect in ing health, and when he died in 1929, the honorary doctorate, which is why he’s called the members of his community. His excel- Cushing community was devastated. Herbert Mr. Cowell in his early years as Cushing’s lence was recognized by no less recognized Nims, who taught at Cushing for the better principal and Dr. Cowell toward the end of his men than Theodore Roosevelt, John Wana- part of 41 years, most of them under Cowell, tenure. He was a trustee at his alma mater for maker, Calvin Coolidge, and others. spoke at Dr. Cowell’s memorial service and many years and was at one point approached He was civic minded as well. His influence described him as genuinely humble and mod- to be its president, an honor he turned down could be felt in the town, where he moder- est. The Breeze said, “He was a foster parent in favor of remaining at Cushing. ated Ashburnham town meetings for 33 years. of many, a guiding hand to all, and sincerely In 1876 Cowell went to work at Frances- He also once ran for governor of Massachu- mourned by those who loved him. May his town Academy, where he met Abbie Cobb, setts on the Prohibition ticket. life be an example of how fine, unselfish, and who would become his wife. He was much In 1925, when the school celebrated 50 upright a life can be made.” beloved by the students and faculty at Fran- years of operation, he had been at its head for

1885 1886 1887 Cushing’s library was home to 1,900 volumes, Cushing’s first scholarships were James E. Vose died in May many donated by Dr. Abraham Lowe. offered, made possible through a 1887 and was succeeded in gift from George Stevens. the fall by Hervey Cowell. 1885 The world’s first Statue of Liberty Sir Arthur Conan Doyle skyscraper, the Home was dedicated. published the first Insurance Building in Sherlock Holmes story. Chicago, was completed.

8 CUSHING YESTERDAY & TODAY Cushing Class of 1888

1889 Academy. In 1896, Cushing became a place of which alone can make a strange land seem refuge for four Armenian students who had to them like home.” The young men had had International Students been caught up in unrest happening in that a very difficult time in their homelands, and Arrive at Cushing country. The April 1896 issue of The Breeze when Headmaster Cowell heard their story, In 1889, Cushing welcomed its first interna- says, “Among the new faces which greet us he was “very desirous of helping [them] any tional students from Armenia, Japan, and this year, we are glad to welcome four young way he could,” and so they came to Cushing. Canada. After 1889, students from all over men from the far-away land of Armenia. May the world were regularly enrolled at Cushing they find here that sympathy and kindly aid

1888 1889 The Polymnian Literary Society, for boys, and The Minervan Literary the Germanae, for girls, were founded. Society, for girls, came into being. The first issue of The Breeze was published. 1889 Jack the Ripper was terrifying London. Eiffel Tower was Yosemite Park was built as the entrance established. Massachusetts was hit by the Blizzard to the World’s Fair. of 1888, when four feet of snow fell in Idaho and Wyoming some parts of the state. North Dakota, became states. Montana, and Chief Sitting Bull was Washington became killed, leading to the states. Massacre at Wounded Knee.

SPRING 2016 9 ‹ Cushing Academy ›

1890 to the increasing enrollment of students, and Hall that the student body gathered—with an editorial in an 1889 Breeze stated that the the smoking ruins visible through the Lowe Hall new residence “luxuriated in its plush furni- windows—to learn what was to be done. It Lowe Hall (above) was one of the first four ture and fine paintings, its broad staircase has served as a girls’ dorm, a boys’ dorm, an buildings that made up the Cushing Academy and its marble flooring.” infirmary, and a dining hall. Bette Davis campus (the others were the Main Building, The building is named for Dr. Abraham lived there as a student, and according to one Jewett House, and Parkman Hall) and one of T. Lowe, a native of Ashburnham and one of story, she carved her name inside her closet, just two that remains—the other, of course, the Academy’s original 13 trustees. When Dr. although we could find no evidence of that being Jewett, the original Main Building hav- Lowe passed away, he bequeathed $10,000 when we looked for it. In 1938, a hurricane ing burned to the ground in 1893. to the Academy for the construction of the removed its chimneys. It has been renovated The construction of Lowe Hall began building, which turned out to be about half many times throughout the years, most in 1889 and was completed in 1890. It was of the cost. recently having its common room completely steam-heated with 21 rooms, and its original Because Lowe Hall was constructed so redone in 2015. purpose was to accommodate the female early in Cushing’s existence, its story really students of the Academy. The 1890 catalogue is the story of Cushing. After the fire that lists Lowe Hall as a new building erected due claimed the Main Building, it was in Lowe

1891 Helen Greenwood arrived and served the school for 31 years. Also new that Cushing Academy Glee Club, 1894. year, Rosabelle Temple, who served the Edward Haven, who survived the Academy for an astonishing 47 years. 1893 fire (read more, opposite Cushing played its first football game at page), is pictured in the third row Mt. Hermon; they lost, 80–0. second from left 1890 James Naismith invented the 1892 1893 game of basketball. General Electric New Zealand was founded. granted women the right to vote.

10 CUSHING YESTERDAY & TODAY ‹ Celebrating 150 years ›

1893 the clock struck one and the tower collapsed. ture for the reception room. In spite of the fire, classes resumed that These students were joined Main Building Fire very afternoon in the Methodist Church and by trustees, alumni, and On Jan. 12, 1893, the Academy’s original main the village armory. Although the trustees friends of the school, many building burned to the ground in spectacu- immediately voted to replace the building, of whom donated money larly dramatic fashion. At 12:30 am, George the students of the Class of 1894 spent much and other gifts to outfit the Kenyon, one of the four student janitors who of their junior and senior years having new building. lived on the top floor, detected fire. The fire classes in a variety of places that were not on Of the four boys who prevented him from entering the tower to Cushing’s campus. discovered the fire, Alfred ring the bell that would have alerted campus When the new building was dedicated in Hawksworth graduated as a to the danger. He and his roommates were January 1894, an audience of seven or eight member of the Class of 1893, unable to escape by the stairways. One of hundred gathered to hear the Ladies Glee Elwin Graves and Edward the boys, Elwin Graves, suggested using the Club perform, of which the cantata was Haven were members of the This bell paperweight (above) bedclothes to escape via the window. Another, “especially fine,” according to The Breeze. The Class of 1894, and George was made from the melted Edward Haven, lowered his three roommates proceeds from that performance helped the Kenyon was in the Class of down metal of the school’s to the ground. He was overcome by smoke, club pay for the replacement of the school’s 1895. They were given free original bell. The paperweights and, although he did manage to get out, he bell at a cost of more than $600. It was also room and board for the rest were sold to raise funds for a fainted as he landed. As he made it to safety, noted that the Class of 1894 donated furni- of the 1892–93 school year. new bell after the 1893 fire.

Female students, 1894 1894 The Cushing campus had six buildings: Main Building (above left), Science Building, Lowe Hall, Parkman Hall (above middle), Jewett House, and Hillside Lodge. There were 223 students enrolled in the 1895 spring of 1894, the largest enrollment in the The Science Building, built at the same school’s history at that time. Tuition was time as the new Main Building, was about $200 a year including boarding costs. finally ready to occupy. 1896 Karl Elsener invented the Swiss Volleyball was invented by a YMCA 1896 Army knife. instructor in Holyoke, Mass. The U.S. Supreme Court decided After the First Sino-Japanese War, The Importance of Being Earnest Plessy v. Ferguson, establishing China ceded Taiwan to Japan and premiered in London and soon after “separate but equal” doctrine. granted Japan a free hand in Korea. Oscar Wilde went on trial. Utah became the 45th state. The first modern summer Olympic games were played.

SPRING 2016 11 ‹ Cushing Academy ›

1897 Milo Cummings Milo B. Cummings was a longtime member of the Cushing faculty. He was a student at Cushing from 1875 to 1877 before continuing his musical studies at the Conservatory of Music in Boston. He came back to Cushing in 1880 to teach instrumental music, and died in March 1897. In remembrance at Mr. Cummings’ memorial, Dr. Cowell said, “To him, the organ was the king of musical instruments, for it voiced the language of all the varying emotions of the human heart and interpreted their meaning. This chapel organ was his pride. He planned it, watched with delight its building, and has oft felt the response of The 1900 All New England Alumni Basketball champs, SEATED (L–R): James T. Wheelan, its soul to his kindling touch.” John Vose ’99, Frank Hardy ’99, Fred Dunn ’99, James Vose ’99; STANDING: Amos Foster ’99 The Cummings Organ was a pipe organ that had been purchased in 1894. At the time of Mr. Cummings’ death, the school still with a record of 12–2. The girls joined the players included Fred Dunn and James Vose, owed $1,300 on it. The debt was paid party just one year later with their own team. who were playing at Williams; John Vose, off by the friends, faculty, and students of Mr. Frank Rand notes that perhaps Cushing’s who attended Colgate; Amos Foster from Cummings in honor of his life and contribu- quickness to build a team had something to Dartmouth; and James T. Wheelan, who had tions to the Academy. The organ succumbed do with its new gymnasium, completed as played at Cushing the previous year. The team to the fire of 1923. part of the rebuilding of the Main Building beat Dartmouth in the championship game after the 1893 fire. He also notes that “there by a score of 9–6. It wasn’t the last time these 1900 were no backboards, the hoops were home- men would have an impact at the Academy. made, and the ball itself was large, heavy, Frank Hardy would return to Cushing in Alumni Basketball Champs and slow.” 1902 as a coach. James and John Vose were the James Naismith is credited with inventing In 1900, the Sportsman’s Show in Boston twin sons of the Academy’s second principal the game of basketball in 1891. Cushing, staged a tournament, in which a team com- and James would succeed Hervey Cowell as never afraid to be an early adopter, organized posed of Cushing alumni participated. All principal in 1926. Fred Dunn (see pg. 62) would its first boys’ basketball team just six years were members of the Cushing Class of 1899. become president of the Academy’s Board of later, in 1897. That first team was pretty good, Frank Hardy was the manager (see pg. 22). The Trustees in 1947.

1897 1898 Cushing organized its first basketball The Academy had its first undefeated team—the first academy to do so—and had team in baseball. a pretty good year with only two losses The school organized its first girls’ and 12 wins, including one over Yale. basketball team. 1897 William McKinley was inaugurated. Spain and America went to war as a result of U.S. The Tremont Street Subway, in intervention in the Cuban War for independence. Boston, became North America’s As part of that conflict, the USS Maine exploded first subway tunnel. in Havana Harbor. The U.S. annexed the territory of Hawaii. Pierre and Marie Curie discovered the highly radioactive elements radium and polonium.

12 CUSHING YESTERDAY & TODAY ‹ Celebrating 150 years ›

1901 Nims was known as a strict disciplinarian, (and undecipherable) scrawls on the black- but also a friendly face, and he was famous board, his reference to the old Greek writers, Silver for his high kick. On his passing in 1943, The and his steady reversion to the language itself Penguin: Breeze editors noted, “The masters who were when he wanted to bring home a point. His Herbert fortunate enough to serve under him will ever nervous pacing of the floor; his allusive wit Nims ’93 recall his boundless wit, his never-failing and his jovial laugh! His somber, reflective For more than 50 good humor, and his unbelievable agility in moods; and the impish, unmanageable lock years, Herbert Nims kicking the meat cleaver which hung some of hair forever being absently, impatiently was intimately seven feet above the floor, as they gathered pushed back from his forehead!” connected to for a nightly snack in the basement kitchen In its memorial to him, The Breeze said Cushing Academy. of the dormitory.” That wasn’t his only bit of “Cushing loved Herbert Nims for his strength He arrived on athleticism. He made an almost daily climb of character, his love of fair play, his remark- Cushing’s campus to the top of Meetinghouse Hill to enjoy the able memory and amazing fund of informa- in 1889 as a freshman and graduated in 1893 view. tion, and for the long years of patient and before heading on to Yale to complete his Louise A. Nickerson ’18 once wrote: “How faithful service which he rendered her.” college degree. As a student at Cushing, he many of us remember his strong, assertive had been the editor-in-chief of The Breeze, and when he returned as a faculty member, he was the paper’s faculty advisor for 31 years (1902–33) except for a brief absence due to World War I. When he joined the Cushing faculty in 1901, it was the beginning of a career that would span 39 years serving the school in one capacity or another—as a teacher, an advisor, an administrator, a dorm parent, and an edi- tor of a wide variety of Cushing publications. He taught English literature and advised the Polymnians. The residents of Ashburnham House benefitted from his guidance for more than a decade. He ran the school when Dr. Cowell was out for a long illness in 1924, and on Dr. Cowell’s passing in 1929, Mr. Nims gave eloquent remarks reflecting on a man who so impacted both his student and profes- Two girls in a Cushing dorm room, c. 1903 sional experience at the Academy.

1900 1901 Walton B. Whitney, who was one of the Adams Field was added to Cushing’s campus, partly school’s first students and who graduated in because of a generous donation from Melvin O. 1881, became the first alumnus to serve as a Adams and partly because of the gifts he solicited trustee. He served on the board until 1933. from alumni and friends of the Academy. 1901 1899 President McKinley was assassinated and was The Second Boer War began between succeeded by his vice Great Britain and the South African president, Theodore Republic. Roosevelt. The Boxer Rebellion began in China; Queen Victoria died. it would end in 1901.

SPRING 2016 13 ‹ Cushing Academy ›

1902 Sometimes they would go in small groups, importance of character and the inherent sometimes by class, sometimes one dorm danger in lacking it. Students were encour- Life at Cushing at the would invite another dorm for a picnic outing. aged to engage in appropriate behavior, be Turn of the Century Other outings were also common. For a num- good role models and representatives of the In the early 1900s, there were no TVs, radios, ber of years in the early part of the century, Academy, and to avoid “intoxicating liquors.” or computers. Cars were pretty rare. So what Washington’s birthday was a significant The school was also frequently visited by did Cushing students and faculty do for fun? holiday for the school, complete with dances, musical groups like the Boston Glee Club as Although the official Mountain Day tradition athletic competitions, and more. well as other performers like magicians. wouldn’t begin until the late 1920s, students Furthermore, guest speakers were com- Cushing faculty, too, were often guest and faculty regularly took trips to nearby mon. Cushing students were often addressed speakers or performers in other places. Mr. mountains, including Monadnock, Watatic, by successful alumni, scholars from universi- Cowell, Mr. Lane, and Miss Temple often vis- Wachusett, and even Mount Washington. ties in the region, pastors, businessmen, and ited towns, schools, and churches throughout orators. Many of these speakers spoke of the the region. Dorms often gave small parties

1902 The Hoffman Pavilion was completed. Herbert Nims joined the faculty. The Academy had its first undefeated Cushing became the first academy football team. to play field hockey.

1902 The first Rose Bowl was played. 1903 1904 Cuba gained independence from the The first World Series Teddy Roosevelt was United States. was played and the elected President. The Carnegie Institution was founded Boston Americans won. in Washington, D.C., with a $10 million Wright brothers made gift from Andrew Carnegie. their first powered flight.

14 CUSHING YESTERDAY & TODAY ‹ Celebrating 150 years ›

where they would invite other dorms—or separately in the gymnasium—boys on the In the early 1900s, The Breeze bragged sometimes the whole school—to join them. court and girls on the upper level. After Dr. about the town’s municipal utility, which Fraternities and secret societies were Cowell finally permitted coed dances, they brought electric lights to Ashburnham. This frowned on and discouraged, indeed, actively were regular occurrences on campus and were was indeed cause for celebration, as electric stamped out, by Dr. Cowell. Students were hosted by the literary societies, dorms, the lights would not be common in homes until permitted to be members of the YMCA, the newspaper, and other groups, often as a way the 1920s and the national grid wouldn’t be YWCA, or any one of the four literary societies. to raise money. In 1908, the ladies of Cushing established until the 1930s. The Academy Mr. Vose and Mr. Cowell did not approve hosted a Leap Year Dance in which, accord- installed heating in 1908. of coed dancing, so there were no opportuni- ing to leap year custom, the ladies asked the ties to do that until 1904 when Mr. Cowell gentlemen. Apparently it was, according to ABOVE (L–R): The orchestra in 1903; Science lab; finally came around. Prior to then, boys and The Breeze, “an anxious day for some of the Students working in the library girls would “promenade” in the all-purpose dancing boys, who feared they might not be room in the original Main Building or dance invited to the dance.”

1906 1908 Cushing’s alma mater was Cushing’s first Chinese students arrived. written by Cora Coolidge ’87. Cushing Historian Frank Prentice Rand graduated. 1908 1905 A 7.8 magnitude Ford Motor Company earthquake produced the Model T. The Russian Revolution began devastated San January 22, on what would become William Howard Taft Francisco. known as Bloody Sunday. became President.

SPRING 20162015 15 ‹ Cushing Academy ›

daughter of another student. She was pursu- the line” for the football team. He served as ing an advanced degree in education at an president and vice president of the Polymnian American university and so enjoyed her visit Society, which focused on parliamentary that she attended a Cushing event in China a rules, debate, music, oratory, and composi- few months later. tion. In 1912, he won the $10 Brayton Prize for “faithful work and exemplary conduct.” In 1910 1913, he won the Mr. and Mrs. Charles Bond Prize, also $10, for his junior essay entitled Cushing Students Build a Glider “Modern Apple Growing in New England.” He In 1910, two Cushing juniors—Henry C. would go on to have an exemplary service Lord and Minott P. Hubbell—built a double- record in World War I. winged glider and made several successful flights from Brown Hill in Ashburnham. 1912 They found the wood in the forests around Ashburnham and built the aircraft between Ashburnham House 1909 classes. It weighed approximately 100 pounds The original Ashburnham House was con- and would bear the weight of two people. structed in 1912. Its completion allowed for Boxer Rebellion Students They entered it into the First National Aerial more rooming space for girls in Lowe as well In December 1909, The Breeze stated, “At Exhibition in Boston. They were written up as a larger common area. By 1912, Mr. Cowell the end of the Boxer outbreak, the Chinese in several local newspapers and everyone at had been principal for 25 years. Professor government paid a large indemnity to the school was quite proud of them. Lane was still teaching—the only remaining Western nations whose citizens had suffered Brown Hill is in the River Styx Road area member of the faculty who had been there in loss in that uprising. Of its share, the United to the ESE of downtown Ashburnham. 1887 when Cowell arrived. States government returned two million dol- In those 25 years, the number of buildings lars, and the Chinese government, in grateful 1911 had doubled, from three to six. The number appreciation of this magnanimity, decided of faculty had more than doubled—from to spend the money in educating Chinese Oscar Henry seven to 16. The size of campus had quadru- students in the United States.” As a result Williams ’15 pled—from five acres to 20. Twelve thousand of those funds, Cushing became home to 11 Cushing’s first African Ameri- dollars had been added to the scholarship Chinese students (above)—in addition to the can student was Oscar Henry fund. Cushing sported a full complement six who were already at school. Williams. His nickname was, according to of athletic teams, rather than just baseball The impact of Cushing on the lives of the senior edition of The Breeze, Oscarwal- as had been the case in 1887. Cushing had a those students is still occasionally felt here lapus. From Boston, he came to Cushing in newspaper, literary societies, and more than at Cushing, even more than 100 years later. the fall of 1911, and so was a four-year student 1,000 alumni. In 2003, one grandson visited after reading as well as Cushing Academy’s first African That was the year that Ivers Adams paid about Cushing in his grandfather’s diary. American graduate. He was the orchestra’s $50,000 to have a water system installed in Last fall, we were visited by the great-grand- first fiddle all four years and a “mainstay on town, bringing fresh water from Lake Naukeg

1909 1911 An outbreak of mumps in Lowe Hall caused Cushing began raising money The June issue of The Breeze started printing pictures of the some concern about whether the school for a new dorm, which would graduating seniors—the beginning of a school yearbook. would need to be closed until the outbreak be completed in 1912 and James P. Tuttle ’80 was named Attorney General of was over. In the end, the school stayed open. named Ashburnham House. New Hampshire. 1909 1910 The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory in New York City The Boy Scouts of went up in flames, killing America was founded. 123 women and 23 men.

16 CUSHING YESTERDAY & TODAY ‹ Celebrating 150 years ›

into town—indeed, the town still gets its fresh water from Lake Naukeg—and giving Ashburnham what the town hoped would be enough water for ample fire protection. In the end, however, it was not enough. The 1915 basketball team had finished their 10–1 season at the end of February, but by April 12, their coach Frank Hardy would be dead, perishing just feet from the entrance in the fire that destroyed the three-year-old Ash House. In addition to Frank Hardy, two town girls, who had wandered too close to the scene of the fire, were trapped by a falling wall, and one succumbed to her injuries. The replacement Ashburnham House was completed in an astonishing six months, with students and alumni working tirelessly to secure the necessary funding to make it happen. Students sold candy, food, and pencils. The school sold tickets to lectures given by the faculty. Townspeople, local organizations, and visitors to the town were all induced to make donations. The Class of 1894, having witnessed their own fire (see pg. 11), were especially generous. The new build- ing had three stories, rather than four, but a “somewhat larger ground area, more fire protection devices, no space for a swimming pool, and about the same rooming accommo- dations,” according to Frank Rand.

Use of the School Gym Students had to pay a fee in order to use the gym. Boys had more available time assigned to them, however. Girls could use the gym only on Mondays but boys could use it any day TOP L–R: The social room in the original Ashburnham House; The art room in the Main Building but Sunday. BOTTOM: The original Ashburnham House in 1912

1912 Cushing’s first African American student, A new school song, “Hail Glorious Cushing!” Oscar Williams, matriculated. He graduated in was written by Walter Cole ’15. 1915 and served as a lieutenant in World War I.

1912 New Mexico and Arizona Woodrow Wilson became states. was elected President. RMS Titanic sank on April 15.

SPRING 2016 17 ‹ Cushing Academy ›

School Boy 1913 ing to Rand, arranged to arouse an interest Statue in the game of basketball, then less than 10 Plaque Commemorating The School Boy years old. They defeated Dartmouth by a score the USS Maine statue was presented of 9–6 to win the tournament (see pg. 12). In 1913, sculptor Charles Keck designed a to the town by Ivers Hardy returned to Cushing in 1902 as a plaque to be cast in memory of the sailors Whitney Adams coach and his teams had some substantial who lost their lives when the USS Maine in 1913. It depicts a successes. In addition to his work at Cush- exploded in Havana Harbor in February school boy of 1850 ing, he was a committed servant to the town 1898. Cushing has one of these plaques in its going to grammar as well, taking on several roles, including archives, one of a thousand that were cast school #1 in selectman. from bronze recovered from the ship. Another Ashburnham. He wears a palm-leaf hat, is He was known to be a modest man, but such plaque can be found on the northeast barefoot, and carries his lunch in a tin pail. passionate about good sportsmanship. side of the USS Maine National Monument, It is the work of Bela Lyon Pratt and weighs According to Rand, “He was respected and which is located in the southwest corner of about 600 pounds. Its inscription reads: admired by directors in other schools, and Central Park in New York City. was much in demand as a basketball official.” The School Boy Of 1850 In 1915, Hardy was killed (see pg. 16) in the One Of A Generation Of New England fire that destroyed Ashburnham House. The Boys Whose Valor In War Was Equaled plaque in his memory, mounted in the Main Only By Their Achievement In Peace. Building one year after his death, indicates that he died trying to locate the source of the 1915 fire. Other stories say that he was trying to find Mrs. Cooke and that he was trying to Frank Hardy ’99 save valuables. “Presumably,” says Rand, “… An athlete from Rindge, N.H., Frank Hardy he was trying to be everywhere, arousing enrolled at Cushing in 1895. He played at occupants, or perhaps even trying to combat guard on the 1896 football team when, accord- the flames, and was overcome by smoke.” The Stone House ing to Rand, “he suffered an injury of such a Frank Hardy gave his life in service to his The Stone House, also known at one time as nature as to preclude an active participation Academy. “Lilac Lodge,” was built by Ephraim Stone in in sports.” Not able to play, he took on the For decades, on the anniversary of his 1782. It passed through several generations of role of manager and coach to various teams, death each year, students and faculty would the Stone family, including Oliver Stone, who despite the fact that he was still a student. climb the hill to the cemetery behind the served as the town’s shoemaker. Oliver’s wife, After he graduated, he worked for three years Main Building and hold a memorial service. Lilly Duncan Stone, was a member of the at the W.F. Whitney Chair Factory. Even 30 years later, during World War II, Cushing Class of 1893. It was purchased by In 1900, Hardy assembled a team he called Hardy was held up as an example of heroism Cushing Academy in 1913 and serves as a home the Cushing Graduates to play at the Sports- and high character. for a faculty family. It was restored in 2016. man’s Show in Boston. The show was, accord-

1913 1914 Ivers Adams commissioned the School Boy statue and George W. Anderson ’82 was appointed Cora Coolidge ’87 was named Acting President donated a complete water system to Ashburnham, District Attorney for Massachusetts. of Pennsylvania College for Women. providing water to all buildings on Cushing’s campus. L. Clyde Cooke came to Cushing. 1913 Ford developed World War I began in Europe the assembly with the shooting of Archduke line. Ferdinand. The Panama Canal opened.

18 CUSHING YESTERDAY & TODAY ‹ Celebrating 150 years ›

George Philadelphia, at the time of his death in 1951. He also interested his Philadelphia friends Hoffman Although he was not a graduate of Cushing in the Academy, including Louis H. Eisenlohr. and Academy, he became a trustee of the school in Mr. Eisenlohr had no tie to Cushing other Louis 1907 and served on the board for 44 years. He than a friendship with George Hoffman. Eisenlohr also was one of the founders of the Watatic Eisenlohr came to Cushing for the first time On June 6, 2015, Club in North Ashburnham, which burned in 1915, although by that time he had already the town of in 1925. donated the money for two scholarships. Dur- Ashburnham Cushing historian Frank Rand noted that ing his visit, he gave another $1,000, also for opened its Eisenlohr and Hoffman time Mr. Hoffman was a lavish and eccentric bene- scholarships. Eisenlohr returned in 1916 with capsules. The boxes contained newspapers, a factor. According to Rand, Hoffman’s ambi- another $1,000. When Mr. Eisenlohr passed letter from Henry Ford, letters from Mr. Hoff- tions were given a boost from Arthur H. Lowe, away in 1922, having given more than $8,000 man and President Calvin Coolidge, books, who helped the young Hoffman become to the school for scholarships and operat- and other memorabilia. The capsules were commercially established in Philadelphia as ing funds, the executors of his will set aside created by George Hoffman and Louis Eisen- a twine and cordage manufacturer. Through- $10,000 for the Eisenlohr Loan Fund, which lohr way back in 1915, but who were these two out his life, he was very generous to Cushing provided emergency funds for students in gentlemen and what have they to do with Academy. He built a pavilion on Adams Field dire need. Ashburnham and Cushing Academy? and renovated the library. He gave the school Hoffman, too, left a large sum to the George Hoffman was born in Ashburnham its oil painting of Bette Davis—the school’s Acad­emy on his death—eventually it would in January 1863, the only one of four children most famous alumna—and prizes for student total nearly $300,000. It was used to con- in his family to live to adulthood. He was essays. He also paid for a flagpole in the New struct the Price Infirmary and for scholar- president of Crown Manufacturing Co., in Cemetery. ships (see pg. 41).

LEFT: Rebuilding Ashburnham House in 1915

RIGHT: Ashburnham House dining room, 1916

1915 1916 Thomas Parkman Cushing’s daughter left Three-year-old Ashburnham House Louis Eisenlohr and George Hoffman The Breeze started running stories and his portrait to the school in her will. It burned to the ground and was came up with a plan to bury time columns about the war in Europe that now hangs in the Admissions lounge. rebuilt in just six months. capsules and left instructions for would come to be known as World War I. their opening 100 years later. 1916 RMS Lusitania was sunk by a German Einstein published his theory of relativity. U-boat. Jeanette Rankin became the first woman elected Turkish soldiers murdered approximately to Congress, representing Montana. 1.5 million Armenians and forcibly Margaret Sanger opened the first birth control removed many more from the country. clinic in the United States, leading to her arrest. Irish Republicans rose up to end British rule in Ireland, in the Easter Rebellion.

SPRING 2016 19 ‹ Cushing Academy ›

1917 luxury, and tea is fast becoming the same.” Cushing girls were sent back to their rooms Thomas Mason ’97 in Lowe Hall until the rising bell rang at 5 am, World War I at Cushing but the boys of Ash House paraded about In January 1916, The Breeze ran an editorial “Our little village is not very far from the front, and town shouting with joy. At 6 am, there was column expressing concern that Cushing’s on a clear, still night the trip-hammer-like spat of an impromptu parade through the streets. students were concerned with trivial matters the machine guns can be quite plainly heard. Day or Headmaster Cowell was at the head of the while their counterparts in Europe were fight- night, but of a varying degree of intensity, we hear procession carrying an immense flag. The ing in the trenches of what would become the the artillery.” Carl H. Thorington (Sp.) students followed, shouting and singing, Great War. Articles in later issues discuss the until they lost their voices. In the afternoon, defenses of the United States and whether The paper also published “Rolls of Honor” the town held their own parade, with the they were adequate protection should the with addresses and news about Cushing men Cushing community joining in with a float. country be pulled into war. in the service. Approximately 250 Cushing On the float, one of the teachers was dressed Throughout the war, The Breeze printed alumni and faculty members were in the as Lady Liberty and Dr. Cowell as Uncle Sam. letters from alumni in the service. service during the war. At 4:30 pm, the students went to the Main “Naples is pitch black at night in order to hide its On Nov. 11, 1918, Germany signed the Building and proceeded to dance the night head from air raids and submarines in the bay. armistice, ending the Great War. At 4 am away—boys and girls together, a rare occur- Bread is getting scarce. Coal has almost disap- local time in Ashburnham, the church bells rence at the time. They were sent to bed at peared, although there is firewood. Butter is a started ringing, waking the whole town. 9:30 pm after a long day celebrating.

FROM LEFT: Captain Raymond Hill ’11, Lieutenant Otis Thomas ’12, Charles Miller ’14, Ensign Chester Wing ’06

1917 The Breeze began printing Members of the Science Department built a letters from alumni serving in set of wireless receiving devices to get signals the armed forces. sent from up and down the East Coast. . . 1917 United States officially declared war on the 1918 German Empire in April, signaling its official entry Spanish Influenza pandemic into World War I. Shortly afterward, Congress hit, killing between 50 and 100 passed the Selective Service Act. million people worldwide. The Russian Revolution began, resulting in the In November, the World War I abdication of Emperor Nicholas II and the rise to armistice was signed, ending power of Vladimir Lenin and the Bolsheviks. the fighting.

20 CUSHING YESTERDAY & TODAY ‹ Celebrating 150 years ›

one came away richer in noble thoughts. “She could not think a slovenly thought,” The Breeze said. “She was incapable of a slovenly or inexact expression of an idea.” Like most faculty at Cushing—then and now—she did more than just teach. She was also a pianist and accompanied the Glee Club and Chorus for many years. She had charge of the book room and was treasurer of the Athletic Asso- ciation. At her memorial in 1931, Principal Vose spoke of “her happy home life, her genu- ine neighborliness, her civic fidelity, her personal endowments and influence, and her superior vocational accomplishments in the field of education.”

1918 Silver Penguins: Rosabelle famous. Frank Rand notes that she “showed Temple and Helen Greenwood her students how to find happiness in music Spanish Flu Hits Cushing By 1917, Cushing was home to a number of and give that happiness to others.” In January 1918, Spanish Flu came to the Silver Penguins—faculty members who had Helen Greenwood’s career at Cushing United States. Before it was over, this world- been at the school for 25 years or more. These would ultimately last 41 years. As a product wide pandemic would infect approximately included Fred Lane (see pg. 6), Hervey Cowell of Boston Latin School and Radcliffe, she 500 million people. That fall, enrollment at (see pg. 8) and Rosabelle Temple (right) and was a true scholar and teacher of the Classics, Cushing was down because people were stay- Helen Greenwood (left), who had both come although she acquired enough competence to ing home sick. By September, the local board to the Academy in 1891. also teach French, German, and history. She of health decreed that public gatherings Rosabelle primarily taught vocal music, came to her classroom with a green book bag should cease and the Academy closed its doors but she also taught drama for a few years. and a Scottie dog. When the dog would fall in the middle of the term; they would stay Her career would last an astonishing 47 years, asleep and snore, she was apparently famous so for three weeks. The October 1918 Breeze although the fact that she lived part time in for throwing an eraser across the room to get declared, “Fortunately, there were very few Boston and spent two or three days a week him to stop. serious cases. All in all, those who have had at Cushing might account for her longevity. For many years, she lived at Hillside Lodge, Spanish Influenza agree that is it is a disease In any event, she was known for her vibrant where she housed about a dozen boys each well worth missing.” personality, and her Friday Music Mornings year. In the September 1930 Breeze, it was and Christmas and Easter Vespers were noted that when one visited her at her home,

1920 1919 1920 In June, World War I officially came to an end The movement known as the Harlem Renaissance with the signing of the Treaty of Versailles. began. The Chicago Black Sox lost the World Series, The 18th amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified, setting off a scandal suggesting several prohibiting the production, transport, and sale of alcohol. players threw games for money. The 19th amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified, giving women the right to vote.

SPRING 2016 21 ‹ Cushing Academy ›

Athletics at Cushing those early years, the baseball team played That editorial wasn’t the last time the In the 1876 Cushing Academy catalog, it was on the hill in front of the Main Building, a editors of the school paper would advocate noted that “Young ladies are regularly drilled circumstance that Frank Rand notes made for girls’ sports. When field hockey made its in calisthenics by one of the teachers. It is fielding the ball a bit of a challenge. debut in 1902, the editors wrote, “we hope hoped that ere long similar provision will be That challenge was overcome in 1902 when that the new game, field hockey, which made for the young men.” And indeed, it was. Trustee Melvin O. Adams donated a consid- Cushing is the first academy to introduce, In the beginning, the school didn’t have a erable sum—and raised even more—for the will reap us as rich rewards in the future as dedicated space for athletics. Although there grading and construction of Adams Field. The basketball has in the past.” The team would was, on the top floor of the original build- following year, George Hoffman provided the go undefeated in 1963. ing, an all-purpose room that was used as a funding for the construction of a pavilion that Apparently, Cushing athletics were a gymnasium, there were regular calls for a stood along the edge of the field until 1962. hot topic in The Breeze in 1902. That year the proper gym to be constructed. And although Football came to Cushing in December editors also suggested that the school form a the fire of 1893 was a tragedy, the resulting 1891. They lost to Mount Hermon 80–0 on a hockey team. However, it would be 22 years new building remedied that lack. It featured field that needed to be cleared of snow before before the school took that advice. The short- a two-story gymnasium that had a basketball they could play. It seems that football, in lived Michael C. Price Rink was constructed court in the middle, a running track around those early years, was sometimes an excuse for in 1924, but it was a disappointment because the second level, and a variety of machines punching and kicking, a fact bemoaned by the of leaking and bad weather, so the team spent and recreational activities—including bowl- editors of the school newspaper. In 1939, under a lot of time practicing on mill ponds before ing lanes and pool tables—around the court the capable direction of Paul Heslin (see pg. 57), taking on the Harvard Freshmen in 1925, on the lower level. the Penguins would go undefeated for the first which the Penguins lost soundly by a score We know that the first Cushing baseball time. They did it again in 1941 and 1962. of 13–1. Hockey wasn’t a constant feature on game was played in 1876. The score was The first basketball game was played in campus until 1983. That year, after a 13-year the Gardner Clippers 67, Cushing Academy 1897—just a few years after James Naismith hiatus, ice hockey returned in part because of 25. The Class of 1887 featured a young man invented it in 1891. Cushing was on the the generosity of Edward G. Watkins ’56. In named Fred Woodcock, who played at pitcher leading edge even then. They had a pretty 1995, the school opened the Iorio Arena and and who would go on to play at Brown before good year, going 12–2, including a win over welcomed girls’ hockey to the ice. joining the Pittsburgh Nationals, thus Yale. The girls organized a team in 1898. In Throughout the decades, other sports becoming the first of many Cushing alumni 1901, The Breeze editors took exception to an have made their way onto campus as well, who would go on to have professional sports editorial they had read indicating an opinion including wrestling, swimming, track, ski- careers. The school’s baseball team would in another paper that girls should not play ing, and tennis. Today, Cushing fields 36 go undefeated in 1898, the first undefeated basketball, a notion they thought “at least teams in 14 sports. sports team in the school’s history. During five years behind the times.”

Girls’ basketball team, 1904

22 CUSHING YESTERDAY & TODAY ‹ Celebrating 150 years ›

TOP: Cushing Field Hockey team, 1913

MIDDLE LEFT: Captain Wallace M. Ross ’05 (second from left) with other members of the 1905 football team

MIDDLE RIGHT: A basketball game in 1920

LEFT: The Hoffman Pavilion in 1903

ABOVE: Football in 1929

SPRING 2016 23 ‹ Cushing Academy ›

1921 was chosen “by outsiders who judged on beauty and poise,” according to a 1957 Breeze. Winter Carnival Eventually the students would choose not just Cushing’s Winter Carnival tradition began the queen, but also a court. in the winter of 1921 by science teacher Clyde For many years, Winter Carnival weekend Cooke (pictured at right). He was inspired by was kicked off with a play directed by long- a similar carnival put on at his alma mater, time theatre teacher Lois Cann, who came Dartmouth. to Cushing in 1923. Early carnivals featured The carnivals were sponsored by the snow-shoeing and dishpan races, but eventu- Outing Club and, according to the March 1957 ally the carnival also featured hockey games, Bulletin, it was “one of the oldest of its kind in basketball games, obstacle courses, and a ball, the United States.” The first carnival featured which at one point even had fireworks. a ski-jumping competition off a 19-foot jump At some point, Winter Carnival faded near Lowe Hall, but that competition moved away, but it was brought back in 2014 by to a more difficult jump in 1924. The first Academic Support teacher Cara Clarke. years of the carnival were interscholastic; Today’s carnival features some outdoor schools from around the area would send activities like races, but also indoor fun like winter athletes to compete. Also, a queen cupcake decorating and board games.

1921 1921 The death penalty for all Faisal, a brother of crimes in peacetime was Abdullah I of TransJordan Warren G. Harding was abolished in Sweden. and an ally with Britain inaugurated as the 29th against the Turks during President of the United Iowa became the first state to World War I, was installed States. impose a cigarette tax. as King of Iraq. He was crowned in Baghdad.

24 CUSHING YESTERDAY & TODAY ‹ Celebrating 150 years ›

1922 The Hoffman Pavilion, which had fallen into Cushing built its first disrepair partly due to an underground spring tennis courts, across the that ran beneath it, was moved 66 feet. street from Parkman Hall. 1922 President Harding Benito Mussolini marched Britain’s Mandate of Palestine was The U.S. Postmaster General ordered installed the first radio in on Rome and became approved by the Council of the League of all homes to have a mailbox. the White House. Italy’s Prime Minister. Nations. The British Broadcasting Company James Joyce’s Ulysses Joseph Stalin was chosen as General was formed. It was owned by the was published. Secretary of the Central Committee of the British Post Office. Soviet Union’s Communist Party.

SPRING 2016 25 ‹ Cushing Academy ›

1923 the loss of the Cummings Organ (see pg. 12), Francestown Academy students of Dr. and the students who lived on the third floor lost Mrs. Hervey S. Cowell, where they worked Fire! their belongings. Several students leapt to from 1876 to 1883. The organ was dedicated on In October 1923, teacher Marion Parker was the rescue of the library books, office records, Oct. 10, 1924. giving a lesson in the Main Building when and athletic plaques from the gym. The building next door—then called the she smelled smoke. “Boys rushed up from the The main floor suffered little damage, Science Building, but now called the English gymnasium in a futile attempt to check the but the third floor had to be reconstructed, Building—was at risk as well. Clyde Cooke, blaze with fire extinguishers.” Fire engines including the new Cowell Chapel, which whose laboratories were in the building, super- from Ashburnham, Gardner, and Fitchburg Frank Rand called “a delight to the eye.” The vised the removable of anything flammable. arrived, but by 5:30 pm it was clear that part new chapel was—and is still—home to the His efforts, as well as those of the fire depart- of the building would be lost. In addition to Cowell Organ, a gift to Cushing from the ments who arrived to help, saved the building.

1923 A fire in the Main Building (above) necessitated the rebuilding of its top floors and the pinnacle of its tower. 1923 President Harding died of a cerebral hemorrhage and Calvin Coolidge became President. During the Teapot Dome scandal, the U.S. secretary of the interior was convicted of bribery and became the first cabinet member to go to prison.

26 CUSHING YESTERDAY & TODAY ‹ Celebrating 150 years ›

ended up at Tufts University, where she was Even so, hockey wasn’t a regular feature a Phi Beta Kappa graduate. She also received on campus even in the 1940s. The 1947 Bulletin a master’s degree from New York University notes that at that time there had been no and served as president of the National Pan- hockey for several years. Perhaps this ongo- Hellenic Council as well as national president ing lack can be attributed to the difficulties in 1923 of Delta Sigma Theta. She spent 41 years maintaining an adequate rink outdoors. teaching English and Latin in the Baltimore A Cushing Alumna Becomes school system before her death in 1995. Part of the Harlem Renaissance Mae T. Wright was a member of the Class of 1924 1923. A native of Baltimore, she came to Cush- ing for only one year. She was active in the Hockey Comes to Cushing Germanae literary society and, according to for the First Time The Breeze, was “a student of no mean ability.” While hockey is now a prominent sport at But her time at Cushing is just a small part Cushing, that has not always in the case. of her story. During the summer of 1922, she Cushing hockey began when the school con- met and became romantically involved with structed the short-lived Michael C. Price Rink Jean Toomer, poet and novelist and an impor- (at right) in 1924. The Breeze notes that the tant figure in the Harlem Renaissance. She first rink was a disappointment because of also maintained friendships with a number leaking and bad weather, so the team spent of other authors and performers, including a lot of time practicing on mill ponds before Langston Hughes, W.E.B. Du Bois, and Paul taking on the Harvard freshmen in their first Robeson. real game on Jan. 14, 1925—a game the Wright intended to attend Smith after Penguins lost soundly by a score of 13–1. graduation, but was refused admission and

1924 The Michael C. Price Rink (above) was constructed.

1924 In September, a 7.9 earthquake hit Japan, devastating Tokyo and killing nearly 143,000 people, including alumna Allice Ballantine Kirjasoff ’08 and her husband, Max. They left two sons, aged four and six.

SPRING 2016 27 ‹ Cushing Academy ›

1924 Bette Davis ’26 Comes to Cushing In the fall of 1924, a young student named Ruth Elizabeth Davis made her way up the hill to Cushing’s campus. She was joined by her sister, Barbara. The young actress, who would later be better known by her nickname, Bette, was an active member of the community. She first stepped onto Cushing’s stage as the “white- faced girl” in the Will O’ the Wisp, a one-act play presented by Miss Lois Cann’s expression class. She was a member of the Girls Glee Club, and during the 1925 minstrel show, she performed in the chorus. She served as the class notes editor for The Breeze during her senior year. In addition, she was a member of the Minervians, where she was vice president for the winter term of 1925–26. She was voted “Best Looking” and “Best Actor” in the commencement issue of The Breeze. She met her first husband, Ham Nel- son ’26, at Cushing. In the class prophecy— looking into the future to 1946—Bill Walsh notes that, “As I was seated about a month ago before my PhotoRadio set, I saw appear before me a familiar sight, Ham Nelson playing the piano and Bette Davis singing. They were broadcasting Rolfe Putnam’s latest song hit, ‘You and I and a Bungalow.’ They performed the act perfectly.” She had a part in the senior play and a classmate’s review indicated that the characters were all played well, including “Bette Davis’ vivacious representation of the school girl.” TOP: A group of Cushing students in 1924, with a young Bette Davis seated on the ground on the far left MIDDLE: Bette Davis’ yearbook entry BOTTOM: Ham Nelson’s yearbook entry

1924 Bette Davis enrolled at Cushing.

1924 The death of Vladimir George Gershwin Lenin triggered a power composed struggle between Leon “Rhapsody In Blue.” Trotsky and Joseph Stalin.

28 CUSHING YESTERDAY & TODAY ‹ Celebrating 150 years ›

1925 William Bryan Geter ’25 William Bryan Geter was valedictorian for her class and was the first African American to hold that honor at the Academy. Known as Billie to her friends, she was a native of Jacksonville, Fla. She was celebrated for her dancing, played the piano, was a member of The Breeze staff, and served as her class secretary.

1926 Principal James W. Vose ’99 When Dr. Cowell retired in 1926, he was replaced by a familiar face: James W. Vose, the son of the school’s second head (see pg. 6). He had also been a member of the alumni TOP: Buses heading out for Mountain Day BOTTOM: Students boarding the bus; James W. Vose basketball team that had won the New England Championship in 1900 (see pg. 12). Mr. Vose is the only alumnus ever to have served Mountain Day Tradition exists, and enjoyed the view from the summit as head of school. Mountain Day was instituted by Principal for about an hour. He was Dr. Cowell’s self-selected successor. James W. Vose in the fall of 1926. Dr. Cowell Although Mountain Day has traditionally Perhaps his greatest contribution to Cushing had a fondness for walking the mountains taken place on Mount Mondadnock, for a few is the establishment of Mountain Day, in Dr. of the region and Vose began the tradition of years during World War II, the school climbed Cowell’s honor. His years at Cushing were Mountain Day in honor of Cowell’s birthday Mount Watatic instead, because gas rationing relatively uneventful and he continued, in on Oct. 10. meant the buses couldn’t travel as far. large measure, in Dr. Cowell’s footsteps. He On Oct. 17, 1926, Cushing’s tradition of The community still travels to Mount introduced Parents’ Day, a movie projector in Mountain Day began. According to The Breeze, Monadnock today. It’s not the surprise trip it the chapel, and radios in the dormitories. He departure was confusion and hurry. About once was, but the students and faculty enjoy also coined the phrase “Happy Cushing 250 people left at 9:45 am and arrived at the the day off from classes—usually on a day in Family.” He resigned in 1933 after seven years mountain 90 minutes later. They stopped for late September. of service to the Academy. lunch at Halfway House, which no longer

1925 1926 Billie Geter was named valedictorian the Class of 1925 and Dr. Cowell resigned due to ill health and was became Cushing’s first African American valedictorian. succeeded by James W. Vose. 1926 Scopes trial took place in Tennessee. The court found NBC was founded. John Scopes guilty of violating the Butler Act by Ernest Hemingway published teaching evolution. The Sun Also Rises. Nellie Tayloe Ross became Governor of Wyoming, the nation’s first woman governor.

SPRING 2016 29 ‹ Cushing Academy ›

1927–28 1929 organizations sponsored the movies, creating a fundraising opportunity for those groups. An Autograph Book Life at Cushing Circa 1929 The Academy also presented news reels on Harriet “Hat” Nutting Slack ’28 had an 1929 was a big year for the Academy. Friday nights at no cost. autograph book to help her remember her Parent’s Weekend was new, held the Just a few years later, in 1931, the Academy Cushing friends. weekend before Mother’s Day. The girls purchased radios for the common rooms in One note, from Elizabeth “Betty” Palmer hosted coeducational teas for the first time Lowe, Vose, and Ashburnham House. The Bedell ’27, says, that year, helping them to become “proficient radio, declared The Breeze, was an “important When you get old and cannot see in the fine art of hospitality,” notes The Breeze. instrument in the ‘accidental’ education of Put on your specs and think of me. “Both boys and girls were surprised to find youth.” According to her yearbook, Betty was a bit what good times they could have under the There were other ways to keep busy too. of a dreamer, but still an honor student. She conventions of society,” it went on to say. Dances were a regular part of school life by was voted Ideal Cushing Student in her senior A student council was formally organized, the 1930s and were frequently sponsored by year. She attended Wheaton College, received as was a chess club. Cushing welcomed its student groups who hired musicians to a master’s degree in education in France, and first woman trustee that year—Gertrude provide the music. Each year there was a taught high school. Sanderson Brown ’97—as well as some masquerade ball, a senior ball, a junior prom, Hat, according to her yearbook, was well-known faculty members, including and a commencement dance. But there were “famous for the number of refreshment James W. Vose, Paul Heslin, and Elizabeth smaller events too, called tea dances, slightly committees she has been on.” She was a Penny—who would marry Coach Heslin a few more informal and held in the Ashburnham member of the Minervian Society. She years later. It was also the year Fred D. Lane House common room. Varied performers attended the University of New Hampshire, was honored for his 50 years of service to came to campus, including guest speakers where she was a member of Kappa Delta. She Cushing. and musicians. was a member of the New Hampshire League In 1928, the Board of Trustees had Principal Vose welcomed students to his of Arts and Crafts. purchased a moving picture machine for the house on Saturday evenings, and dorms often Academy, which, The Breeze noted, “aid[ed] hosted games and music in their common greatly in furnishing amusement for the rooms. Then, as now, students sometimes student body.” However, the machine traveled to nearby locations with members of required a license to operate, and it would be the faculty. the following year before a new math teacher, By the mid-1930s, Winter Carnival was an Joseph Randall, secured one. The first movie anticipated event, with a full slate of outdoor ever presented on campus was The Haunted events in addition to a play and a ball. House, in which heirs to an estate are summoned to a house where they meet the rather creepy staff. It starred Larry Kent, Thelma Todd, and Edmund Breese. Student

1927 1929 Marguerite Sawyer arrived at Paul Heslin arrived at Cushing. Cushing, beginning a career Gertrude S. Brown became the that would last 40 years. Academy’s first female trustee. 1927 CBS was founded. 1928 The Great Depression began with the stock market crash on October 29. Charles Lindbergh, in a plane called Herbert Hoover was elected The Spirit of Saint Louis, completed President. the world’s first solo, nonstop flight Walt Disney created the first across the Atlantic Ocean. Mickey Mouse cartoon. The Jazz Singer, starring Al Jolson, ended the silent movie era.

30 CUSHING YESTERDAY & TODAY ‹ Celebrating 150 years ›

In 1930, Cushing carried a debt of just $5,000. ... that was retired in 1931—a feat made all the more remarkable because it happened even as the school spent considerable funds expanding and maintaining its physical plant.

In 1930, Cushing carried a debt of just 1935 saw an increase in the number of $5,000. The school had not been free from students leaving the school and the number debt since the 1893 fire necessitated the who left their bills unpaid. construction of a new Main Building. In spite Then, as now, there were regular requests of the economic uncertainty, that debt was in the alumni bulletin for alumni to give to retired in 1931—a feat made all the more the Academy’s endowment. In 1932, the remarkable because it happened even as the editor wrote, “What a comfort in these days school spent considerable funds expanding of economic uncertainty an adequate, elastic and maintaining its physical plant, appropri- endowment fund would be to Cushing!” ating money for new laboratory equipment In 1933, when Clarence Quimby took over and purchasing Stone House. the reins, the school closed its books with a The school’s finances were less dire than small deficit, although it was small enough they might have been, due to the generosity to be mostly covered by the previous year’s Paul and Elizabeth Heslin, Mountain Day, 1931 and forward thinking of several benefactors overage and a small balance to carry forward. who, over the course of just three years The Bulletin indicated that “Like private 1930 (1930–33) left bequests to the Academy that investments, the invested funds of the totaled nearly $350,000 and provided money Academy show[ed] a sharp loss in income and Cushing Academy During for scholarships, faculty salaries, and drop in valuation.” There were occasional the Great Depression maintenance of the grounds and buildings. references to the difficulty of funding things, On Oct. 29, 1929, Black Tuesday, the United Perhaps the most obvious sign of the Great such as the publication of the yearbook, States stock market crashed and was the Depression at Cushing was the reduction in which began its existence in 1933. beginning of a worldwide economic depres- enrollment, particularly in the early days of In spite of the jumpy enrollments and sion that would last throughout the 1930s. the 1930s. In the fall of 1930, enrollment was prices of the 1930s, Cushing survived under Principal James Vose had been Cushing’s 128 students. Between 1929 and 1934, enroll- the capable leadership of Principal Quimby. head for just over three years when the Great ment dropped nearly 22 percent. There was an Depression began and he would guide the unexpected uptick in enrollment at the school through the crash and the three years beginning of the 1935–36 school year, but that followed it. scholarship needs more than doubled and

1932 Cushing held its first Stunt Night, an evening of skits performed by students and faculty.

1932 1930 1931 Franklin Delano Roosevelt was elected President. Pluto was discovered. Empire State Building opened. Amelia Earhart became the first woman to fly the Atlantic The “Star Spangled Ocean solo and the first person Banner” became the ever to fly across it twice. national anthem of the United States.

DAVID SHANKBONE DAVID SPRING 2016 31 ‹ Cushing Academy ›

debating teams for 20 years. Under his watch, Although 1933 was the year “the penguin” the number of boarding students increased made its first appearance at the Academy, it from 70 to 200. really was just the name of the yearbook. It When he retired, the faculty thanked him would take about a decade for the penguin for his progressive leadership, particularly to become the Academy’s mascot. In 1940, under stress of economic depression and a the seniors gave “Peter Penguin” an entry world war, and gave him their admiration for in their yearbook, along with a picture of a “his personal gifts, qualities, and indefati- penguin-shaped snowman. Peter reappeared gable devotion to duty.” He would be seen on in the 1943 yearbook and again in 1946 where campus for many years following his service he “resumed his responsible position as to the Academy. He died in 1982, aged 92. mascot of the class” and as a tribute of sorts to those who had fought in the war. The first Penguins Come into Being reference to the Academy’s sports teams as In 1933, Clyde Cooke oversaw the creation of penguins happened around 1943, and by 1945, the school’s first yearbook, which he named the appellation was common. 1933 The Penguin. Prior to that, graduating seniors It isn’t clear why Cooke chose the penguin were memorialized in the summer issue of for the yearbook. Perhaps, as coach of the Principal Clarence Quimby The Breeze, which featured a retrospective of Academy’s skiing team, Mr. Cooke had a Clarence Paul Quimby came to Cushing in the class, information about commencement, fondness for arctic animals. In fact, when 1933 and stayed until 1956. He had known and photos of the seniors. that first yearbook was published, he began both Cowell and Vose and the Academy’s collecting penguins. In a 1937 interview, trustees had specifically asked him to come to he said that his favorite collectible was a Cushing. He was a graduate of Bates College, penguin on skis. He and his wife also named which granted him an honorary doctorate in their home on High Street “Penguin Peak.” 1954. He saw the Academy through the linger- ing consequences of the Great Depression and 1934 through World War II. In 1954, Quimby became the Academy’s Oliver Stone’s Cobbler Shop first headmaster—prior to that, heads of In 1913, the Academy had purchased the home school were called principal. He was an of the town cobbler, Oliver Stone (see pg. 18) energetic and passionate teacher and leader. and in 1934, the Academy acquired Mr. An ardent sports fan, both Quimby Field and Stone’s shop, located across the street. After Heslin Gymnasium would be constructed dur- Ollie Stone suffered a stroke, the Class of 1934 ing his tenure. His personal campus hobby dedicated a yearbook page to him, wishing was debating and he coached the Cushing him a speedy recovery and praising his sunny

1933 1934 Cushing’s first yearbook was published; Clyde Cooke called it Robert Hanscom joined the faculty; he would stay Dr. John Mason began his 34-year tenure as the The Penguin, and established the school’s mascot. until the spring of 1966. school’s doctor. James W. Vose resigned and Clarence Quimby became Principal. The Academy acquired Oliver Stone’s cobbler shop. 1933 The 20th Amendment to the Constitution was In his first inauguration speech, 1936 ratified, moving the beginning and ending FDR said, “The only thing we George V of England died, making of terms, for president, vice president, and have to fear is fear itself.” his son Edward VIII; Edward members of Congress, from March to January. Adolf Hitler was named abdicated the throne in December The 21st Amendment was also ratified, Chancellor of Germany. to marry Wallis Simpson. repealing Prohibition. Civil War broke out in Spain.

32 CUSHING YESTERDAY & TODAY ‹ Celebrating 150 years ›

disposition and his happy willingness to 1938 thrill for New Englanders, who read of such repair all things resembling shoes. “The disasters in books and papers and saw them ceiling and walls of his shop are freely The Great Hurricane on the movie screen, but never hoped to actu- decorated with the names and faces of Hits Cushing ally see one!” Cushing alumni,” they wrote. “He has On Sept. 21, 1938, a once-in-a-generation Trees were not the only casualty of the mended their shoes, sharpened their skates, hurricane hit New England. The Great Hur- storm. Telephone poles were thrown down and revived their spirits on occasions too ricane of 1938 killed approximately 600 people by the wind and the gale blew the chimneys numerous to mention.” The cobbler shop is in New England and damaged thousands of and part of the roof off of Lowe Hall. A group still there on School Street, now home to the homes and farms. One report indicates that of boys braved the elements that evening Academy’s Security Office. Throughout the more than 2.7 billion trees fell. Cushing’s to bring the girls of Lowe Hall some supper, years, however, the building has been home trees were not spared. which they ate by the light of candles. The to a number of things—including a music At about 4 pm, the rain was pounding on students were sad at the loss of so many trees, practice room, a smoking shack, a student the school’s windows and the winds were but Miller noted that when they learned of lounge, and more—and many of the school’s howling. The electricity failed and trees the tragedies that had occurred elsewhere, alumni have fond memories of the shack. began to fall. Valerie Miller ’39, writing “we were thankful that we were fortunate to for The Breeze, noted that it was “Quite a escape as we did.” spectacular way to begin school and quite a

Mr. Cooke’s lab, 1935 Graduation day, 1939

1939 Due to heavy rains, Ashburnham flooded in April 1939—school was closed for an afternoon 1938 and spring vacation postponed a week due to In September, the Great New washed-out roads and bridges. England Hurricane took the Cushing, under the direction of Paul Heslin, chimneys off of Lowe Hall. had its second undefeated football team. 1939 1937 The Fair Labor Standards Act established a Snow White became the first animated minimum wage. full-length feature, and Gone with the Wind The Hindenburg caught fire in New Jersey. Orson Welles performed War of the Worlds. premiered. The Golden Gate Bridge opened in Nazi Germany invaded Poland, initiating San Francisco, Calif. Hitler invaded Austria. World War II in Europe. Amelia Earhart went missing while The pogrom known as Kristallnacht took attempting to circumnavigate the globe. place in November. Japan invaded China, initiating World War II in the Pacific.

SPRING 2016 33 ‹ Cushing Academy ›

1940 1942 they weren’t drafted or didn’t enlist that col- lege would be out of the question due to war Parker Lane Cushing and World War II taxation. Today, there’s a walking path that runs In December 1932, in a column submitted The Class of 1942 was one of the school’s between Quimby Field on the right and to The Breeze, a student suggested that the largest to that time, and they would see the Lowe and Cooke Halls on the left. It used to armistice that ended the Great War should beginning of life during war at the Academy. be a road and in 1940, the Cushing Academy be celebrated so that the world, which was Cushing was an active part of Ashburnham’s Board of Trustees dubbed it Parker Lane in experiencing a vast amount of change, didn’t defense program, and students and faculty memory of Captain Walter O. Parker, whom forget the horrors of that conflict. “Are we, were taking courses in first aid, offered on they called a “soldier, merchant, good citizen, the youth of today,” the student wrote, “going campus. Members of the Outing Club spent auditor, and trustee.” At that time, the road to witness another such ghastly catastrophe, 24 hours each Saturday being responsible was lined on both sides by trees, given to the or will we show the progress of our modern for the plane-spotting station. Many of the town by Capt. Parker. civilization of which we are so proud and girls and faculty members spent their time settle these problems with peace?” knitting for the Red Cross and British Relief. Just a decade later, in 1942, The Breeze edi- In the fall of 1942, enrollment dipped to 157. Did You Know? tors observed that the United States was going Cushing students—boys and girls—started A Congressional act in 1938 made through the darkest period of its history and drill groups so they’d be ready to fight. Nov. 11 a legal holiday “dedicated to that the British Empire had the odds stacked In 1943, the Academy offered a class in the cause of world peace and to be against her. They clearly felt it was important pre-flight aeronautics to teach the students thereafter celebrated and known to take the offense and worried about the the basics of aviation, the structure of an as ‘Armistice Day.’” In 1954 it became nation’s “too little, too late” policy. They airplane, and the importance of the airplane “Veterans Day.” worried about graduation and the prospects for civilian and military purposes. A course in of being drafted. They worried that even if military training was added to the curriculum

1940 Parkman Hall was demolished.

1940 The Selective Training and Service Act 1941 1942 of 1940 was passed, the first peacetime Japan bombed Pearl Harbor and the United FDR ordered the relocation and internment of conscription in U.S. history. States entered World War II by declaring war Japanese Americans. Winston Churchill became Prime Minister against Japan, Germany, and Italy. The first extermination of Jewish prisoners of England. Plutonium was chemically identified. took place at Auschwitz II–Birkenau. The Battle of Britain ended in defeat for The Manhattan Project began. Nazi Germany.

34 CUSHING YESTERDAY & TODAY ‹ Celebrating 150 years ›

In 1942, more than 100 alumni and faculty were serving their country. By commencement 1943, there were more than 300 alumni and faculty serving, with several having given their lives; 18 members of the community ultimately perished in World War II.

as well, giving students some experience in They had to deal with an increase in the cost camp. After Italy surrendered, he escaped by military tactics and the handling of a gun. of living and the knowledge that their friends walking more than 100 miles, eluding German Cushing students 18 and older could take the and classmates were being drafted and enlist- soldiers along the way, and eventually joined V-12 exam at the school, designed to test the ing. They were donating books to send to allied forces. He returned to Cushing to pay a aptitude and knowledge of candidates inter- service men and women. visit soon after his return to the country. ested in becoming commissioned officers. Many of the alumni news items in The Twice a month, Principal Quimby sent The graduating Class of 1943 was half the Breeze referred to military promotions or the 25 copies of a newsletter to Cushing boys in size of 1942 because of the number of boys role of alumni in battle. Faculty members the service. Naturally, he received responses. who left to join the service. Enrollment left to join the service too, including John Harold Gray from the South Pacific wrote, rebounded the following year, but with more Creighton, who had been the head of the “We live in tents. It is very hot and rains every girls. Ash House was turned into a girls’ Math Department from 1935 until 1942 and day—the mud is deep. The food is good even if dorm to accommodate them. Social activities died in service. Paul Heslin and Brad Lamson it is mostly canned, powdered, or dehydrated. suffered. One editorial in The Breeze encour- joined as well, though they would return to There are plenty of cocoanuts and bananas.” aged the girls to “share their man.” Another the Academy when the war was over. From Camp Lejeune, one alumnus wrote, editor noted, “The lack of boys in the school In 1942, more than 100 alumni and faculty “How are you making out with the military is apparent. For that reason we cannot have were serving their country. By commence- drill? Tell the fellows it will really help them as many dances as in previous years.” Instead, ment 1943, there were more than 300 alumni if they ever go into the service. I used to doubt there were more movies. and faculty serving, with several having it, but I know now.” Because of rationing, there were fewer given their lives; 18 members of the commu- With fewer boys and the loss of Coach Hes- cars on the road, and rather than climbing nity ultimately perished in World War II. lin, there were fewer sports available in the Mount Monadnock for Mountain Day, the Alumni veterans came to visit. Bill Swift ’39, fall of ’43. Only football and tennis. Football, school traveled to the much-closer Mount a veteran of Guadalcanal, returned in 1943 to incidentally, was coached by a new member Watatic. Students read telegrams with the speak to the students about his experiences. of the faculty named Henry Hunt, who would names of the killed and missing in action. As Harold Rideout ’39 entered the service, only to become a Silver Penguin before his career if the war wasn’t bad enough, there was also be captured by the Germans when his plane was done. Reflecting the change in the wider a measles outbreak at Cushing in 1943. was forced out of the sky over Tunisia. He was world of women taking on a bigger role in Students were collecting rubber and iron, held in a prison camp and became the first daily life, Cushing’s girls’ sports got more buying war stamps and bonds, and rationing. U.S. officer to escape from a German prison press in the school paper.

1945 1943 1944 1945 Residents of the Warsaw Ghetto The Normandy Landings and the The U.S. dropped atomic bombs on resisted German forces, leading to the Battle of the Bulge took place. Nagasaki and Hiroshima, Germany destruction of the ghetto. Harry Truman was elected surrendered, and World War II came Benito Mussolini was deposed. President. to an end. The United Nations was established.

SPRING 2016 35 ‹ Cushing Academy ›

1946 Cushing After World War II In 1939, Cushing’s board decided to build a new dormitory for its rapidly expanding student body. By 1940, however, that plan was on hold. The world was at war and there was no way to acquire the necessary materi- als—or money—for building. During the war, the number of enrolled boys dropped and the number of girls enrolled grew—grew so much that Ashburnham House was given to them—

but the board knew that as soon as the war After World War II, the Academy leaned heavily on its alumni, families, and friends to help build its was over, they would need to implement that facilities as the student body grew. plan to build. They were correct. Ground was broken on a good number of the boys at Cushing weren’t emy was its friendly nature and that students a new dorm in the fall of 1945, and a fundrais- really “boys” at all, but rather young men. got a better education in the smaller classes. ing campaign began. Ultimately, the school One alumna from the Class of 1948 told us, They were committed to keeping those as the would raise $70,000 toward its construction “They were old. They were given a lot of privi- Academy’s strengths. “We do not seek to be a from more than 750 alumni donors and many leges we didn’t have, like smoking. There larger Cushing, but we want to make Cush- of the Academy’s alumni classes furnished were barrels filled with wood and fire and the ing more comfortable and better. We do not rooms in the new building. The new building, boys would stand around them smoking. The wish to lose sight of our proverbial friendli- named Alumni Hall in honor of those gener- girls weren’t allowed to smoke.” ness. We shall continue to offer sound college ous alumni donors, was dedicated in the fall By 1947, total enrollment at the Academy preparation in a wholesome environment to of 1947. In 1946, Ashburnham House returned was 319 and the Class of 1948 numbered 149— the children of alumni who are seeking this to the boys and its dining room expanded, the largest class ever—and nearly 50 of them sort of training for their boys and girls.” increasing its capacity from 150 to 250—a were veterans. necessity given the school’s record enroll- The faculty grew to keep up with the A New Hockey Rink ment. There were 296 students enrolled that growing student body. Coach Heslin and Back in 1924, Cushing built its first hockey year, including 77 veterans. Brad Lamson returned to their duties and rink, down the hill from Lowe Hall. But Of course, the new facilities weren’t the eleven new faculty members joined the staff, outdoor rinks are difficult to maintain in only thing that were different at Cushing increasing the number of faculty by two, good working order, and so hockey was only immediately following the end of World War keeping the teacher-to-student ratio at about occasionally played at the school. In 1946, II. The student body was different too. Many 1:15. Clarence Quimby, in a letter to alumni, Cushing spent $1,200 to build a rink between students had gone off to fight before finish- noted that the administration was committed Ash House and Lowe Hall. Many Cushing ing their secondary schooling. When the war to keeping the ratio at about that level—and alumni tell stories about flooding that space was over, they returned home eager to get that while enrollment was large, it would not each winter, with hoses brought down from back on track academically. That meant that get larger—because the charm of the Acad- Ash House, and then putting up the boards.

1948 Alumni Hall—one-third of the construction cost of which was provided by donations from alumni—was dedicated. 1946 1946 1947 The U.S. armed forces were desegregated. Juan Perón was elected President of Argentina. Jackie Robinson broke the The State of Israel was Ho Chi Minh was elected President of North Vietnam. baseball color line in the United States. established. Laurence Olivier’s Henry V opens in the U.S., the first The Polaroid Corporation Shakespearean film in color. Anne Frank’s diary was published. launched the first instant camera. It’s a Wonderful Life opened in New York.

36 CUSHING YESTERDAY & TODAY ‹ Celebrating 150 years ›

A Light Dies 1947 decided to form a circle and Mr. Vose taped his cane on the floor and exclaimed, “We will Acknowledging the death of King George VI of Cushing Establishes an have no such dancing in this hall.” The Class England, The Breeze editors commended him Alumni Office of 1880 had to present essays from the gradu- for staying in his home country during World In June 1947, the board voted to establish a ation platform in order to graduate. “The girls War II and not running to a safer place, not- permanent alumni office. Brad Lamson (see were permitted to read their essays, but the ing, “Many of the English people might have pg. 44), who had returned from service in boys had to memorize theirs,” Nellie said. given up had it not been for the example set by World War II, was the first Alumni Secretary. their King.” They wrote that the new Queen, As noted in the alumni Bulletin, “the aim of 1951 Elizabeth II, had a tremendous job in front of the office will be to serve you wherever and her and they were confident that she would be whenever it can. If you have any thoughts Cushing on Vinyl as loyal and capable as her father had been. as to how it may be of service to you or to the In 1951, trustee and philanthropist George alumni body as a whole, please drop us a line Hoffman paid to have five Cushing songs as we welcome any and all suggestions.” recorded by the Harvard band on 12-inch vinyl records. Alumni were encouraged to purchase 1948 the records, the proceeds of which went to the Alumni Fund. Dewey Defeats Truman! In most election years, Cushing held its own 1952 election, giving the students the opportunity to learn about the candidates and the issues. Not-Quite Silver Penguin: In addition, these elections were often set up Madeleine Gaylor like actual voting locations so that students In 1928, a young Madeleine Gaylor joined the would know what to expect when it came faculty at Cushing, where she taught vocal their time to exercise their civic duty. In 1948, music in cooperation with Rosabelle Temple. The Vine-Clad Tower Burns Cushing students overwhelmingly voted for She taught organ, piano, harmony, and On March 5, 1952, Ashburnham experienced Thomas Dewey, who beat out Harry Truman music appreciation. She was the advisor for an unusual winter electrical storm. A light- by a vote of 183 to 65. both the Germanae and Minervian societies, ning strike hit the peak of the Main Build- and when Temple retired in 1938, Gaylor took ing’s tower, setting it ablaze. After two hours 1949 over the leadership of the Music Department. of burning, which Principal Quimby called At the beginning of World War II, she left “a spectacular pyre,” the top of the tower was Nellie Cushing Looks Back Cushing to work with boys in military service, destroyed (pictured above, before on left, after In 1949, Nellie Cushing, at that time the and when the war was over, she worked for a on right) and the Main Building was flooded school’s oldest living graduate (1880) was few years at Old Avon Schools doing thera- with water. Happily, the late winter ice and interviewed about the differences in school peutic work with boys who had lost their snow that covered much of campus protected life between her time and that time. She said eyesight. In 1947, she returned to Cushing the building from flying embers and quick Mr. Vose strenuously objected to dancing, before retiring in 1952—just one year shy of action by local fire departments prevented but in the afternoon students were allowed Silver Penguin status. more serious damage. to promenade in the auditorium. Once, they

1952 1949 1950 1951 1952 Nuremberg Trials came to an end. In February, Senator Joseph McCarthy The 22nd Amendment to the U.S. Dwight D. Eisenhower South Africa institutionalized apartheid. produced a list of people he claimed were Constitution established presidential was elected President. known Communists. term limits. Germany split into the German Elizabeth II became Democratic Republic and the Federal North Korea invaded South Korea in June, Julius and Ethel Rosenberg were tried Queen of England. Republic of Germany. and U.S. forces traveled there in July to for treason and sentenced to death. fight on behalf of South Korea. The first color television program was broadcast.

SPRING 2016 37 ‹ Cushing Academy ›

Afternoon coedders in the Alumni Common room, 1951 Studying in a dorm room, 1948

1948–54 this field would be dedicated to Clarence visitors to campus could see the plans and the Quimby (see pg. 32). architect’s model for a proposed gymnasium. Life at Cushing at Mid-Century Tennis courts were added to the land In addition to the changes in the school’s Back at the turn of the century, life at Cushing between Lowe Hall and Ashburnham House. physical plant, the curriculum was also dif- was fairly simple, including visits to local In the winter, the courts were flooded and ferent than it had been 50 years prior. Where mountains, school dances, sports, guest used as a hockey rink. The school rebuilt the classes then had focused on the Classics and speakers, and more (see pg. 14). Following vine-clad tower after a fire in 1952 and added preparing students for jobs, by mid-century, World War II, although the school’s enroll- an entirely new heating system. The school’s the school’s academics were clearly focused ment boomed and technology became more library was completely renovated in 1950 on preparation for college. In addition, the advanced, many of those activities remained. through the generosity of George Hoffman. atmosphere of the school had taken on a Not everything was the same, of course. At his suggestion, the room was dedicated in flavor that even today’s students would recog- Between 1946 and 1953, Cushing spent more memory of Marcus Coolidge, former presi- nize, with a clear focus on the needs of indi- than $600,000 on improvements to cam- dent of the board. In 1951, Stone House was vidual students. The 1948 catalog said, “Cush- pus. Alumni Hall opened in 1948. During its restored and “modernized with a television ing’s program is a broad one, giving to each construction, the excavated dirt was moved set” and renamed “Lilac Lodge.” student the opportunity of electing subjects to a spot downhill from Lowe Hall. The loca- Beginning in 1950, there started to be that fit his particular needs and plans. Indi- tion had originally been marshy and swampy a sense that the gym in the Main Building viduals vary widely in interests, aptitudes, (and home to the short-lived Price Rink, back was too small. Not altogether unlike today, and abilities. These differences necessitate in 1924). In the summer of 1949, the school as the gym was used for practices, exercise, an organization capable of understanding, moved the brook 100 feet to the north and and entertainment, the space was in near- measuring, and developing the individual. To then leveled the area using the construction constant use. Girls used it from 3 to 4:15 pm this end, Cushing instructors make a careful dirt, creating a general utility field with a and boys from 4:15 until 5:45 pm, but there study of each student. The principal, dean, cinder track on the outside and a straight- didn’t seem to be enough hours in the day to and faculty members spend considerable time away that permitted a 100 yard dash. In 1962, squeeze everything in. By the summer of 1955, testing and analyzing students’ native abili-

38 CUSHING YESTERDAY & TODAY ‹ Celebrating 150 years ›

1944’s biggest time killers

ties and in guiding them into courses that are bage tournament in 1949 in the Ash House Christian church of their choice in the com- suitable for them.” common room, which was an annual affair munity, and the Sunday five o’clock vespers In spite of these changes, many of the for several years. service in the school chapel. Special visitors Academy’s pre-war traditions remained. Each year on Oct. 24, the anniversary came to vespers often, including local school Winter Carnival was still the highlight of the of the founding of the United Nations was leaders, alumni, reverends, and others. winter season, with Lois Cann’s plays kicking celebrated with services at the Ashburnham Students put pennies in the School Boy’s off the festivities each year and the Carnival town hall, where Principal Quimby was lunch pail for good luck. A contemporary Ball giving the students the chance to show often a speaker and at which two students school catalogue noted, “Automobiles, off their fancy clothes. Mountain Day was represented the student body. In 1950, Alice motorcycles, and pistols are forbidden; still—as it is now—a highlight of the fall and Phinney presented the Academy with a guns and rifles were allowed only by special returned to Mount Monadnock after having United Nations flag. permission.” The Academy’s administration been hosted at Mount Watatic during the Afternoons were sometimes spent learn- recommended an allowance of not more than war. Stunt night, which featured skits and ing square and ballroom dancing, with time $1 per week. sketches put on by various student groups, for coedding on Wednesdays and Sundays. Meals were also a source of entertainment was also a tradition and a high point of school From 9 to 11 am on Saturdays, teachers were and a place for socialization. One member life at this time. available for extra help. A manners class was of the Class of 1948 said, “Meals were formal Movies had come to campus in the late also held each Saturday morning. When the and lovely. There were 12 or 13 tables that each 1920s and were still a feature of school life at weather turned cold, the residents of Alumni seated 10 people. We’d sit at a table for two mid-century; indeed, Saturday night movies Hall hosted a fire-lighting ceremony, “sym- weeks and then switch to a new table with dif- were a favorite time for coedding. In addition, bolizing the friendships which are made and ferent people. In a very short time, we got to there were open houses on Friday nights in which, like the flames, grow stronger and know everybody.” Daily (in 1949), more than 20 the Alumni Hall Pine Room, where students stronger as time goes on.” pounds of butter and 250 quarts of milk were could dance and play games. The school’s Students attended daily exercises in the consumed. The most popular dishes in the treasurer, Paul Rockwood, sponsored a crib- school chapel, a Sunday morning service in a dining hall were turkey and roast beef.

SPRING 2016 39 ‹ Cushing Academy ›

Move-in day, 1952 Happy kids, 1954 The hallway blackboard, 1957

1953 1957–59 until the summer of 1959 that Coach Heslin was honored with the naming of the building. Silver Penguin: Henry Davis Heslin Gymnasium That honor commemorated his 30th anniver- A 25-year-old Henry Davis came to Cushing The construction of Heslin Gymnasium was sary of appointment to the Academy. in 1905 to work as an engineer and keeper of completed in 1957, paid for in part by money the school’s boiler room. Writing about him raised through the Alumni Fund and the 1958 in The Bulletin, the editors noted, “Now in Parents Christmas Fund. When it officially his eighty-third year, he works daily with opened on Apr. 23, 1957, The Breeze called it a Silver Penguin: his coal shovel to keep up the steam pres- “thrilling experience.” More than 500 alumni, Clyde Cooke sure and often can be found with his pipe parents, and students attended the opening to L. Clyde Cooke came wrench, stopping a leak or installing a faucet. see its electronic scoreboards, “ultra-modern” to Cushing in 1914 Students and faculty alike enjoy dropping in glass backboards, and wooden pull-out bleach- and stayed, almost to chat with Henry as he contentedly smokes ers. “A 7–3 victory over the Deerfield baseball uninterrupted, until his pipe between boiler stokings.” In 1953, the team provided a suitable climax to the dedica- 1958. He and his sec- senior class dedicated their yearbook to Mr. tion ceremonies,” declared The Breeze. ond wife, Erma Wheeler Cooke, had nearly 60 Davis and his 48 years of service to the Acad- The school added a student lounge as years of service to Cushing Academy. Cooke emy. At 73, however, he wasn’t slowing down well—in what is now the weight room. The also had three sisters who attended Cushing. much. He wouldn’t retire until 1962—after lounge had a snack bar and was a popular According to Cushing Historian Frank spending 57 years in service to the Academy, place for students to socialize with friends. Rand, “Mr. Cooke was the students’ compan- its students, and its faculty. Although constructed in 1957, it wasn’t ion, mentor, and advocate. He was with them,

1954 Vincent V.R. Booth ‘23 became president of the board. Quimby changed his title to Headmaster. 1953 1953 The U.S. Supreme Court decided Brown vs. Board 1955 of Education of Topeka, ending state-sponsored The final armistice in the Korean War was signed. Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on a bus, leading segregation in public schools. Crick and Watson identified the molecular to the Montgomery Bus Boycott and recognition of The first successful kidney transplant between structure of DNA. Martin Luther King, Jr., as a civil rights leader. living patients in the U.S. took place in Boston. Edmund Hillary and Nepalese mountaineer The first mass immunizations against polio took place. The French position in Dien Bien Phu, Vietnam, Tenzing Norgay became the first climbers to Disneyland opened on July 17. was overtaken by the Viet Minh. reach the summit of Mt. Everest. Cat on a Hot Tin Roof won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama.

40 CUSHING YESTERDAY & TODAY ‹ Celebrating 150 years ›

and of them, and for them.” A 1921 Breeze they had moved around a bit, sometimes in ship in a coeducational school is more exacting notes, “Even the most indolent student can Lowe, sometimes on the top floor of the Stone and arduous than elsewhere.” hardly fail to learn something worthwhile House, and sometimes in Ash House. in a period spent in one of his classes.” Mr. When it was built, Price had two six- Cushing Discharges an Cooke was the architect of a science club, bed wards, two private rooms, a clinic, two Obligation to Ashburnham the Penguin yearbook—indeed it was he who examination rooms, a reception room, a Because Ashburnham didn’t have a high named it the Penguin (see pg. 32)—the Outing kitchen, and laundry facilities. It also had school for many years, many town students Club, and Cushing’s annual Winter Carnival, two full-time registered nurses, who lived in went to Cushing. When an amendment of the first of which took place in the winter of the attached apartment. the Massachusetts Constitution precluded 1922, based on a similar event held each year Today, the Academy’s infirmary is located tuition payments being paid from tax at Mr. Cooke’s alma mater, Dartmouth. on the bottom floor of Sawyer-Hopkins Hall revenues, the townspeople raised a fund of In 1933, he refused the position of Cushing and Price is a dormitory, housing boys. $57,400. Cash and securities were turned Academy principal. In 1955, the Alumni Asso- over to the Academy in October 1929 with the ciation wrote of him, “Through his personal Silver Penguin: income of the fund restricted to pay tuition example as a gentleman, instructor, coach, Vivian Hopkins annually for 52 town students. and friend, Mr. Cooke truly represents the Vivian Hopkins, “The arrangement assumed a return of best of all Cushing traditions—the teacher.” affectionately known 5% and an annual tuition charge per student He and his wife lived in a home on High as “Hoppie” to both of $55,” recalled Vincent Booth ’23, who Street in Ashburnham, which they named teachers and students, was president of the board in 1959. “Despite Penguin Peak. retired in 1959 after 36 the stock market crash on the day we accepted In 1956, he and his wife were seriously years at Cushing. Dur- the fund, Cushing continued to educate a injured in a car accident while on vacation in ing her long career, total of 1,560 town students on the $55 basis. the Midwest. When they returned, his teach- she served as a dormi- By 1958, tuition for other day students had ing schedule become part-time. His retire- tory head, registrar, and dean of girls. She grown to $600 and to continue the plan was ment became permanent in 1958 and in 1961 also taught sociology and psychology, along economic suicide. Because Ashburnham and Cooke Hall was named in their honor. with a class in good manners. Westminster were constructing a regional At her retirement, The Breeze wrote, “Her high school, the Massachusetts Supreme 1959 insistence on high standards of conduct and Judicial Court authorized Cushing to return scholarship has influenced the lives of count- the fund, which had doubled in value over Price Infirmary is Built less Cushing students.” The girls under her 30 years, to Ashburnham.” The Charles Morris Price Infirmary was control may have found her expectations of In June of 1959, Mr. Booth handed George completed in 1959, built largely with money their behavior more than a bit rigid, but Frank Cornwall, Chairman of the Ashburnham from George Hoffman’s estate. Prior to its Rand noted that the “business of deanship is Board of Selectmen, a check for $111,550 from construction, the Academy had two infir- control and suppression and her standards of Cushing Academy to the Town of Ashburnham, maries—one for boys and one for girls—and conduct were high. And the business of dean- which discharged a 30-year-old obligation.

1956 Ralph O. West became Headmaster. 1957 1958 1959 The Mary Hare property was acquired by the Academy and became home to several decades of boys and girls. In Heslin Gymnasium was built. Clyde and Erma Cooke retired Price Infirmary was built with 2011, after a renovation, it became Schottland House. after more than 60 combined funding from the George Hoffman The Cushing hockey team had an undefeated season. years of service to the Academy. estate. 1959 Federal Aid Highway Act established the interstate The Arkansas National Guard was NASA was established. In February, a plane carrying Buddy system in the U.S. sent to Central High School in Little Holly, Ritchie Valens, and the Big Egypt took control of Suez Canal. Rock, Ark., to prevent integration. Bopper crashed in Iowa. The event The Civil Rights Act of 1957 became would become known as “the day the first civil rights legislation the music died.” passed in the U.S. since 1875; it was Hawaii became the 50th state. primarily a voting rights act. The Dalai Lama escaped from Tibet to lead a government in exile.

SPRING 2016 41 ‹ Cushing Academy ›

Howard Baker 1960 The remaining third of the students were Becomes Headmaster assigned more administrative tasks during Headmaster Ralph West In 1960, Headmaster West submitted his two or three free periods a week. Ralph O. West, a Harvard alumnus, took over resignation to the Cushing Academy Board of He made a lot of changes in a short time, for the long-serving Clarence Quimby in 1956. Trustees. He gave a year’s notice, however, so but in spite of that—or perhaps because of He was described as having a youthful energy there was plenty of time for a search. In the it—Baker didn’t stay at Cushing very long. By and idealism. According to Rand, West made fall of 1960, the board elected Howard Baker the start of the 1963–64 school year, a differ- it clear that in order to compete with other as the school’s next headmaster, to be effec- ent, though familiar, face was sitting at the schools, the Academy needed to invest more tive in the fall of 1961. headmaster’s desk: Bradford Lamson. money in salaries and buildings. He also Baker was a graduate of Mount Hermon, changed the curriculum, requiring each stu- received an undergraduate degree from 1961 dent to take a program that would satisfy the Oberlin College and received a master’s minimum entrance requirements at all major degree from Western Reserve University, after Cooke Hall Dedicated colleges. He also introduced a classification having served in the Navy during World War In the summer of 1961, Cushing dedicated its system that was based not only on academic II. He spent several years on the faculty at new boys’ dormitory, Cooke Hall, in honor progress, but also students’ behavior, and led Mount Hermon before coming to Cushing of Mr. and Mrs. L. Clyde Cooke. Mr. Cooke to increased or reduced privileges. with his wife and three children. came to the Academy in 1914 and stayed for The Academy’s physical plant under- He believed strongly in three areas of nearly 50 years, finally retiring as head of the went some changes as well: Price Infirmary endeavor: social competency and responsibil- Chemistry Department. According to a 1961 was built, the Hoffman Pavilion razed, the ity, student leadership, and Christian educa- Bulletin, he “fostered Cushing’s interest in administrative offices were modernized, and tion. He instituted the prefect system—which winter sports, particularly skiing.” Together, Cooke Hall was built. we now call the proctor system. He believed Mr. and Mrs. Cooke served the Academy for Perhaps there was some indication of in freedom with responsibility, encouraging nearly 60 years. Cooke Hall was constructed dissatisfaction early on. In early 1957, one the students to monitor their own behavior, as a boys’ dorm, and at the time of its con- student wrote to The Breeze indicating a while having the freedom to interact with struction, permitted an increase of boarding concern about the disconnect between the one another. He also instituted Sunday after- students to 230. administration and the student body. There noon vespers in order to advance Christian was also a controversy around compulsory education at the Academy. Quimby Field is Dedicated attendance and Christian religious services He believed that all students should In 1949, a piece of land down the hill from for students who were not Christian. In the contribute to the running of the school and Lowe Hall was turned into a general use field, fall of 1958, one letter suggested that the instituted a work program. “The basic plan,” in part by using fill from the construction Happy Cushing Family was no more. In 1960, he said in a Bulletin, “will involve about two- of Alumni Hall. In the summer of 1961, that Headmaster West tendered his resignation, thirds of the students working at assigned field was dedicated to former Headmaster feeling that his personality was ill-suited to tasks of cleaning classrooms, corridors, and Clarence Quimby—a name it bears to this day. the close associations necessary to a small grounds for one-half hour immediately boarding school headmaster. following the last academic period of the day.”

1960 1960 During the 1960 election, Kennedy and Nixon The Civil Rights Act of 1960 was passed. participated in the first John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon faced presidential debates ever; each other in the 1960 presidential election; the debates were televised. Kennedy was elected the 35th President of the United States.

42 CUSHING YESTERDAY & TODAY ‹ Celebrating 150 years ›

1961 TOP ROW (L–R): Skaters outside in winter, 1961; Riding a Wilson bus, 1961 BOTTOM ROW: Silliness outside of Ashburnham House, 1961; Cooke Hall when it was new Cooke Hall was constructed. Howard Baker became Cushing’s Headmaster. 1961 Russian Yuri Gagarin became the President Kennedy established the Peace first human to journey into outer Corps with an executive order. space. The Bay of Pigs Invasion of Cuba failed. The border between East and A group of civil rights activists known as West Germany was closed and the Freedom Riders took their first bus the construction of the Berlin trip—to New Orleans. Wall began.

SPRING 2016 43 ‹ Cushing Academy ›

1962 10 Academy Award nominations for acting. She won twice: in 1935 for Dangerous and in Silver Penguin: 1938 for Jezebel. In 1963, Bette Davis donated a Lois Cann copy of her book A Lonely Life to the Academy’s In the fall of 1923, Lois J. library. In it, she referred to Cann as “A very Cann came to Cushing to remarkable dramatics coach to find in a small teach Expression class—a New England school.” kind of public speaking When Cann retired, The Breeze editors class—but soon added noted, “Besides teaching us the value of clear drama to her program. Rand says, “She had a public speaking, the power of a good play, or flair for psychology and an excellent memory the ability to stand before an audience, Miss for names and faces.” Her plays were tradi- Cann has given us an appreciation of poetry tionally a highlight of Winter Carnival. and its meaning in relation to our lives and Her most famous student was Bette Davis, dreams… Anyone who has ever been in one Bradford Lamson Returns who in 1962—the year Cann retired from of the numerous plays presented throughout to Cushing as Headmaster Cushing—became the first person to secure the years realizes that there is more than In 1955, Brad Lamson left Cushing after 19 glory to be gained in working with Miss Cann. years of service as history teacher, Dean of Besides the hard work of acting, there is the Boys, head of Ash House, assistant coach to feeling of belonging to a group which is work- Paul Heslin, and Alumni Secretary. His mar- ing toward a common goal trying to create riage to Jeanette Farwell ’31 was the first ever something worthwhile.” to be performed in Cowell Chapel. During World War II, he answered the call to military 1963 service and became a senior grade lieutenant in the Navy. Changes to the Mr. and Mrs. Lamson left in 1954 to Academic Program pursue other opportunities and everyone In the fall of 1963, Cushing introduced a assumed that they would be gone for good. requirement for students to choose one of However, after Headmaster Baker resigned several activities for non-academic credit. In in 1963, the Board of Trustees sought out order to graduate, a student had to acquire Mr. Lamson, feeling that they needed a head- one such credit each year. The activities master who understood the Academy well. included drama, journalism, fine arts, choir, Lamson accepted their offer and took up the and glee club. It was hoped that the plan reins of school, becoming Cushing’s eighth would introduce children to greater liberal head. Soon after his arrival, he reinstated arts involvement and training. daily morning chapel, a rotating class sched- Lois Cann greets former student Bette Davis ’26, ule, and a personalized advisory system. 1962

1963 Bradford Lamson returned to Cushing to become its headmaster.

1962 1962 Betty Friedan published The Feminine Mystique. John Glenn became the first American to orbit Earth. Martin Luther King, Jr., wrote his “Letter from Birmingham City Jail” in April and gave his “I Have a Dream” speech in August. Marilyn Monroe was found dead in her bedroom, apparently of a drug overdose. John F. Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas, Texas, by Lee Harvey Oswald; Lyndon B. Johnson (LBJ) became president. Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev placed 90 nuclear missiles in Cuba, setting off the 13-day Cuban Missile Crisis.

44 CUSHING YESTERDAY & TODAY ‹ Celebrating 150 years ›

During his tenure, Sawyer-Hopkins was According to an article in The Bulletin, “[Dr. founding of Bennington College in Vermont. built; the top floor of the former gymnasium Corriden] took heroic measures, including Booth was described as a tireless, patient, became a library and the lower level was used blood transfusions, in a successful attempt to resourceful, and dedicated leader. His reputa- for PE classes for girls, a day student lounge, rally the failing senator, and the efforts paid tion also included a disinclination to suffer alumni office, school store, and A/V room. off… It was under Dr. Corriden’s personal fools gladly. He initially became a member Other changes included financial stabil- supervision that Senator Kennedy was removed of the Cushing Board of Trustees in 1937 and ity, raising admissions requirements, social to New England Baptist Hospital in July.” became president in 1954, a role he held for liberalization, and its share of crises during 10 years. His tenure as president saw the con- the Vietnam War. Vose House struction of Heslin Gymnasium, Price Infir- Vose House was purchased by the Academy mary, and Cooke Hall. Although he stepped 1964 in 1964 as an overflow dormitory for girls. It down as president, he remained a member of was originally the Methodist Parsonage, built the board for many years. Silver Penguin: John Gillis in 1883. From 1926 to 1933, it was owned by Mr. Booth passed away in 1987. In 1988, In 1938, a young cook named John Gillis made James W. Vose, Cushing’s headmaster during the Admissions Office was renovated and his home at Cushing Academy. He would that time (see pg. 29). James Vose was the son named in honor of Booth and his wife, Anne. go on to spend 26 years providing nutritious of the Academy’s second headmaster (see meals for Cushing students. “Mr. Gillis, pg. 6) and was also a member of the Cushing as the head chef,” The Breeze noted at his Graduates basketball team that won the New retirement, “has made the Cushing cuisine England Championship in 1900 with Frank outstanding among preparatory schools. To Hardy as their manager/coach (see pg. 12). accomplish this, Mr. Gillis keeps vigilance Vose died in 1961. over his kitchens from six o’clock in the morning to seven o’clock at night every day.” Vincent Ravi Booth ’23 Steps Mr. Gillis and his wife helped make Cush- Down as President of the Board ing a home away from home for more than Cushing’s alumni are well-known for their two decades of Cushing students. Mr. Gillis commitment to the Academy, but few have passed away in 1964, just a few months after as distinguished a record of service as Vincent his retirement. Ravi Booth. He was an accomplished and driven member of the Class of 1923. He was Cushing Alumnus Credited editor-in-chief of The Breeze; president of the with Keeping Senator Philadelphian Society, the Cushing Christian Ted Kennedy Alive Association, the Dramatic Club, and the Stu- In June 1964, a campaigning Senator Ted dent Council; and valedictorian of his class. Kennedy was badly injured in a plane crash After Cushing, he graduated from Princeton near Northampton, Mass. He was rushed and Harvard Law School and went on to be to the Cooley Dickinson Hospital, where Dr. counsel for the New England Mutual Life Insur- Thomas F. Corriden ’13 was Chief of Staff. ance Company. He was also instrumental in the FROM TOP: Move-in day, 1962; Paul Rabin ‘62 making a great play 1964 Vose House was purchased by Cushing.

1964 LBJ launched the Great Society, in an attempt to LBJ defeated Barry Goldwater in the eliminate poverty and racial injustice. presidential election. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 was passed, outlawing MLK won the Nobel Peace Prize. discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or The Beatles gave their first live U.S. national origin. television performance on The Ed Sullivan LBJ signed the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, officially Show. beginning military operations in Southeast Asia.

SPRING 2016 45 ‹ Cushing Academy ›

Dance at Cushing that would not only improve their posture but The first original dance piece was presented Dance first came to Cushing in 1961 as part of would also give them grace and poise.” in the spring of 1965 and titled “Metamor- the physical education program and was for In the first few years, girls who wanted phosis.” It depicted the changing seasons girls only. The first dance teacher was Mona to dance joined the newly formed Dance and their effect on humans. Other original Rice, a native of Fitchburg. Mona had her Club. They were so enthusiastic that they dances by Mona included “Give a Damn” dance training in classical ballet and Den- asked to participate in the Fine Arts Festival, (1967), a work illuminating poverty and ishawn dance from her mother-in-law, Mar- presented to the community each spring. For encouraging help for fellow man, and “Car- ion Rice. Mona learned modern dance from its first performance, the club performed an mina Burana” (1973), a major work created to various professional artists in Boston, includ- interpretive dance piece created by Marion the powerful music of Carl Orff. She worked ing Consuelo Atlas, who was Alvin Ailey’s first Rice which Mona choreographed and taught closely with Mary Fern, the theatre director, female soloist, and Martha Graham, consid- them to the music of Rachmaninoff’s Second on the musicals, as well as with Ted Pierce, ered by many to be the founder of Modern Piano Concerto, called “Rachmaninoff.” the music director. For Cushing’s Anniver- Dance. She ran a studio in Ashburnham and By 1963, the Academy decided that a sary Celebration in 1975, Mona directed and taught Mr. and Mrs. West’s daughter in town. weekly dance class would be required of all choreographed “Creation,” a full evening of The headmaster and his wife saw such a girls every semester. Mona believed that music, theatre, and dance. positive change in their daughter they invited dance was not only an excellent way to keep Mona left Cushing in 1976 and other dance Mona to come to Cushing one day per week to in shape, but was an important art form for faculty followed. Over the years, Susie Carl- teach. According to The Bulletin, “Mrs. West creativity and self-expression. Mona created isle, Julie Larson, Lise Brody, Chelle Salvucci, felt that the girls would benefit from a class unique works with her students every year. and others kept the dance spirit alive at the

46 CUSHING YESTERDAY & TODAY ‹ Celebrating 150 years ›

FACING PAGE (l–r): Rachel Zhu ’16 ; Mona Rice, 1975 THIS PAGE (clockwise from top left): Rebecca Rice; Mikaela Mutchler ’16, 2015 ; The Denishawn scarf dance, DeLachau Waltz, 2015; Dancers in 1965; Mona Rice, 1972

Academy. Larson was known for her powerful the unique Denishawn repertoire, passed learn the physical rudiments and vocabulary Broadway-themed productions, Brody for her down from Ted Shawn to her grandmother. of ballet, modern, and contemporary dance. serious modern inventions, and Salvucci for Rebecca encourages students to find their Rebecca hopes they develop an understand- her rich concerts blending science and dance. own voices in original choreography, using ing of technique and form as well as develop Today, we continue the rich academic and movement as the medium, while at the same creativity. Classes in advanced technique help choreographic tradition begun by Mona Rice. time cultivating and sharing their unique students refine and develop their technical Rebecca Rice, Mona’s daughter and a profes- emotions and ideas with the community. She skills, as well as learn challenging repertoire. sional modern dance choreographer and uses film, video, and other forms of technol- After-school classes provide a welcome educator, came to the Academy in 2009 and ogy to help students gain an appreciation of opportunity for those desiring to learn the serves as Cushing’s Director of Dance. “I was dance and understand its relationship to art basics of the art form or to seriously par- thrilled to discover a wealth of quality educa- and culture throughout the world. Yearly ticipate in advanced techniques or choreo- tion in the arts now here at Cushing,” she field trips to New York City and Boston pro- graphic/performance opportunities. Rebecca said. Her philosophy is that all human beings vide opportunities to experience professional hopes that all her dance students develop a are capable of not only learning to dance but ballet and modern dance concerts in order to love and appreciation for dance that contin- to feel comfortable and empowered with the develop an appreciation and an understand- ues to thrive for generations to come. love of movement and the freedom of expres- ing of dance as an art form. sion, joy, and creative innovations that dance There are now three courses in dance can provide. Like her mother before her, during the academic day, offered four days a Rebecca continues to teach Cushing students week. Beginning and intermediate students

SPRING 2016 47 ‹ Cushing Academy ›

1965 Launching the Academy’s Centennial Decade In 1965, Cushing began a program, set to last a decade, to look at what the school needed to do to keep its place as a leading educational institution. The program was to take place in four phases. The first phase included the modern- ization of the Main Building, a new science building, and a new senior girls’ dormitory to replace Vose Hall. The second phase would include a student union, which they hoped would be on the site of Lowe Hall and which would include a new dining hall, lounges, and activity rooms. The second phase would also include the construction of a boys’ dorm to replace Lowe. Phase three was set to include a new Frank Rand, 1965 skating rink, a girls’ gym with a swimming pool, more athletic fields, and tennis courts. acres of land across Central Street to the Acad- Finally, the last phase would include growing emy to be used for athletics. Girling Field is the school’s endowment for faculty salaries, still used for that purpose today. The Class of scholarships, and the expansion of Cushing’s 1965 buried a time capsule that they intended “cultural program.” to be opened in 2000, which it was. Frank P. Rand ’08 was commissioned to As with many long-term plans, some write a history of the school—from which we came to fruition and some didn’t. A new borrow heavily for this sesquicentennial issue girls’ dorm was built—completed in 1969 of Cushing Today. and named Sawyer-Hopkins Hall (see pg. 55). Contracts were signed to renovate the old Lowe Hall still stands—and boys still live gymnasium space and create a library and an there—and it would be another two decades exercise space for girls. Rooms in Ash House before the school had a proper student union. and Lowe Hall were refinished. A new drain- Thirty years would pass before the skating age system was installed around Alumni Hall rink would become reality and 40 would pass and the dorm’s common space was completely before a new science building would be built. refurbished. Trustee Wallace Girling gave six Better late than never. TOP: Teaching math, 1965; MIDDLE: Waiting tables in the dining hall; BOTTOM: Study Hall in girls’ gym 1965 Trustee Wallace Girling donated a piece of land, located across Central Street, to be used for athletics. It is still used for that purpose today. 1965 Activist Malcolm X was assassinated; Martin Luther King, Jr., led shortly after, The Autobiography of a march from Selma, Ala., Malcolm X, a collaboration with Alex to Montgomery, Ala., to Haley and considered one of the most raise awareness about the influential books of the 20th century, difficulties faced by black was published. voters in the South.

48 CUSHING YESTERDAY & TODAY ‹ Celebrating 150 years ›

One of the donations to the new library was this grandmother clock from Dr. Goodrich Smith ’02. That clock is currently in the Alumni Office.

The Wallace Library it to the area that had been the second level of The Wallace Library had capacity for In the late 1950s, it started to become obvious the old gym. During the Charter Day Convoca- 25,000 volumes—quite an improvement that the school’s library arrangement—it tion on May 8, 1965, the new Wallace Library from the school’s original library, which was located at the end of the first floor where was dedicated. Alice Wellington Wallace was was home to approximately 2,000 volumes. the Headmaster’s Office is now—wasn’t a member of the Cushing Class of 1907 and The new library (above) featured 32 study sufficient for a school of Cushing’s caliber. was elected to the Board of Trustees in 1946. carrels, a modern check-out unit, office, Students complained that it wasn’t open long She was vice president of the board for several workroom, and audio-visual storage room, enough—only a few hours a day, and not years and was elevated to emeritus status in and had sufficient seating and study space every day—and that it didn’t have the materi- 1962. She and her husband made generous for 75 to 100 students. As it has ever been, als they needed to complete the course work donations to help get the renovation of the many of the books were gifts. expected of them by their teachers. Students space underway. often went to the Ashburnham library to Although the library has since been moved study, but the times when they were allowed to the lowest level of the Main Building, Mrs. to leave campus were limited. Wallace’s portrait is still located in the Admis- As part of the school’s centennial celebra- sions Lounge—the original location of the tion, the school renovated its library, moving Wallace Library.

1965 The Voting Rights Act, Medicare was established. considered one of the Great Northeast blackout most far-reaching pieces occurred. of civil rights legislation in U.S. history, was passed.

SPRING 2016 49 ‹ Cushing Academy ›

Student mailboxes, 1966 Boarding buses for Mountain Day, 1966

A New Schedule 1966 He was a sympathetic and skilled When the students arrived on campus in the counselor to generations of Cushing students. fall of 1965, there had been a change made to Silver Penguin: In addition to his responsibilities at the Cushing’s schedule that the Academy called Robert Hanscom Academy, he was also a trustee for the “teaching by appointment.” The administra- Robert Hanscom joined Ashburnham town library. Hanscom and his tion hoped that this would provide more the Cushing faculty wife, Dixie—who also served the Academy flexibility and give students time to effec- in 1934 as chair of the as Director of Social Activities, pianist, and tively prepare for class. Previously, classes English Department hostess—sent two daughters to Cushing: had met five times a week throughout the and faculty advisor to Virginia ’53 and Robin ’58. school year. However, students taking five The Breeze. He was a major classes often found themselves very graduate of Bowdoin College and earned his What Happened to busy and without enough time for extra help. master’s degree from Harvard in 1932. He the School Boy? The new schedule meant that classes in the spent 31 years at the Academy before retiring When the Cushing community awoke on major subjects met only four times per week, in the spring of 1966. a Sunday morning in May 1966, the School but for a longer time. On the fifth day of the He was an award-winning newspaper Boy statue was missing from its pedestal week, faculty were encouraged to “teach by advisor, winning awards from the National on School Street. For several days, campus appointment,” giving extra help for students Scholastic Press Association in 1956 and 1958. was abuzz with questions about where it who needed it or extra work for students who Of course, advising The Breeze wasn’t the only was and who had taken it. On Tuesday, it were able to manage that. That appointment thing he did at the Academy. He was also a was returned, according to The Bulletin, “the day was different each week. beloved teacher of English who was described victim of a teenage prank by three young men in an issue of The Bulletin as patient and from a Boston suburb and ‘his’ return was painstaking. He also coached tennis. supervised by one of the boys’ parents.”

On opening day in 1966, a major power failure left 1966 Cushing in the dark. That failure was followed by Cushing raised its admissions a boiler failure and two “instances of spontaneous requirements and increased its combustion that provided excitement, much financial aid to students. smoke, but no damage.” 1966 National Organization for Women The Cultural Revolution Lesotho, Botswana, and Barbados was founded. began in China. all achieved independence from the United Kingdom.

50 CUSHING YESTERDAY & TODAY ‹ Celebrating 150 years ›

The Vietnam Despite being a world away from Ashburn- Driscoll returned to Cushing as a mem- War at ham, he even ran into some folks who knew ber of the faculty in the fall of 1968. The Tet Cushing Cushing. One day, on a branch of the Ho Chi Offensive in January 1968 had escalated the Starting in about Minh Trail, he made small talk with a fellow war. President Nixon sent Henry Cabot Lodge 1965, students from Massachusetts. During the conversa- to the Paris Peace talks in late January 1969. began express- tion, he learned that this fellow’s brother was Those talks continued for several months ing some concern married to a girl from Ashburnham whose before Lodge walked out in October. In Febru- about the grow- father was a teacher at the Academy named ary, The Breeze asked Driscoll if he thought ing conflict in Paul Heslin. In December 1967, Capt. Driscoll the talks would result in peace, but Driscoll Vietnam. Some was injured and sent to the hospital for sur- thought not—correctly, as it turned out. students felt the gery. Several years later, after the war, he was country’s containment philosophy was the at an Ashburnham swim club when he ran way to go, but others were against military into his surgeon, Dr. Joseph Hill, who also aggression of any sort. just happened to be a member of the Cushing Captain Dennis Driscoll ’61 is one alum- Academy Board of Trustees. nus who fought in the war. After he gradu- Mr. Driscoll learned a lot from his time in ated from Stonehill College, he volunteered Vietnam. He observed that, “the Vietnamese for the Army and spent a year training with are wonderful people.” He and his men helped his troops before heading to Vietnam. He one Vietnamese woman give birth to twins. spent a lot of time reading about World War II Such help was common for the soldiers, and and the United States Indian Wars, figuring while he saw many American soldiers lose it would help him understand was happening their lives just helping, he understood how in Vietnam—and he was right. He and his important it was to do good. In fact, he said, men did survival training, squad tactics, and “We have an obligation to help one another— more. It was hard work, but he knew how both overseas and at home.” important it was. On his way to Vietnam, he didn’t think As you might imagine, being in Vietnam much about what was going to happen during the late 1960s wasn’t easy. He soon because he was too worried about preparing learned that all kinds of smells carry—be it his men. It wasn’t until he was on his way cigarette smoke, shampoo, or last night’s home that he understood how bad things dinner. Whenever the opportunity presented really were. And when he got back, in spite of itself, he and his men would jump in the river his courage in fighting a difficult war, people and use the water and sand to wash the scents called him baby-killer and threw excrement from their bodies. They also had to evade all at him because the media focused so much kinds of wildlife, including leeches, snakes, on the bad parts of the war. “The good stuff— and even sharks. Booby traps were common holding babies and helping out—that didn’t Waiting to board a bus, 1967 and excrement was used as a weapon. make it to the news,” he said.

Lieutenant Merle Hewett ’55 visited Cushing to talk about the U.S. space program and the selection and training of astronauts. 1966 Miranda v. Arizona was decided by the U.S. Supreme Court, formally establishing rights for those in custody or during interrogation.

SPRING 2016 51 ‹ Cushing Academy ›

1969 1972

1973 1966

Civil Rights at Cushing or religious bigotry, challenge the philosophy spoke about the cost of prejudice. There were In the 21st century, Cushing is well known for of racial superiority, and to uphold the civil several letters to the editor of The Breeze over its diverse community, but of course diversity rights and religious liberties of all citizens several years in the late 1960s, expressing has been a hallmark of the Academy’s culture whether they agree with them or not. concern about prejudice at the Academy and since the day when the first girls and boys In 1964, a letter to The Breeze pointed out worry that although the student body at the entered the Main Building. The first interna- the contradiction of America’s founding Academy was diverse, there was no escaping tional students arrived in 1889 (see pg. 9) and fathers writing a document that passion- the prejudices that were prevalent in society the first African American, Oscar Williams, ately observed that all men are created equal, at large. came in 1911 (see pg. 16). “while their Negro slaves toiled in the hot, Then, in April 1968, Martin Luther King, That sense of inclusiveness can be seen southern sun planting cotton.” That same Jr., was assassinated on a hotel balcony in in a 1947 editorial when The Breeze sought to letter lamented the prejudice and ill will that Memphis, Tenn. In the April issue of The celebrate American Brotherhood Week—a led to the creation of organizations like the Breeze, Sid Craven ’68 wrote about the assassi- celebration now defunct—by publishing the Ku Klux Klan. nation and suggested a “long, hot, and devas- “Ten Commandments of Goodwill.” The com- In 1965 and 1966, Dr. Bernard Harleston tating summer” lay ahead. He went on to say, mandments exhort students to, among other of Tufts University visited Cushing several “For civil rights the country needs doers, not things, respect men and women regardless times as part of a vespers series called “A actors.” His comment was prescient. Robert of their race or religion, defend against racial Step Towards Understanding Man.” He F. Kennedy’s assassination followed in June,

52 CUSHING YESTERDAY & TODAY ‹ Celebrating 150 years ›

1975

1964 1973

there was a gunfight in Cleveland in July, and There were questions of whether or not people heritage.” In writing of the committee’s an anti-war protest outside the 1968 Demo- were really listening to one another; whether findings to the board, Lamson told them that cratic National Convention in Chicago. Black history and culture were getting short “while there was no evidence of prejudice in In response to his editorial, fellow Penguin shrift in Cushing’s history classes; whether institutional policies, there was evidence O. Diane Bright observed, “We have resorted the freedom talked about in our founding of individual prejudices at both student and to violence, only because we have nowhere documents was truly available to black Ameri- faculty levels.” The committee recommended else to turn. How long must we struggle to cans; and whether the contributions of black hiring a black faculty member to offer support prove ourselves a whole and earn the respect students were valued at the Academy. to the community, continued recruitment we deserve after a hundred years of suffering? In 1969, Headmaster Lamson established and enrollment of black students, adding an No person, no matter what his color is, has a faculty committee to study the needs of academic class to the curriculum that will the patience to endure so long.” black students at Cushing. “It is hoped,” address sociological issues, inviting black Articles, editorials, and letters to the edi- noted The Breeze, “that the commission will guest speakers to campus, and encouraging tor about racial inequality in the country and be able to keep the doors for communication the development of black student groups. at Cushing appeared in just about every issue open between blacks and whites on campus of the paper for years beginning in about and also deal with the larger problems of the 1965. The arguments being made then were search for a purpose by the black community not unlike the arguments being made today. as a whole and the rediscovery of its cultural

SPRING 2016 53 ‹ Cushing Academy ›

Silver Penguin: sardines, or a Coke. Or some girls would say Marguerite ‘Come in a minute, Miss Sawyer, we want to Sawyer ’17 talk,’ and out would come some little confes- Marguerite Sawyer sion, or worry, or a bit of gossip… ” embarked on her 39-year Margo, as she was known, once wrote professional career that “Life is so strenuous and so full in a private at Cushing Academy school that you forget your own little personal in 1928. She was also problems.” She also wrote fondly of going an alumna, however, downstairs at night in the dormitory to turn off having graduated as a the lights and finding “the girls’ loafers sitting member of the Class of around the room in pairs as if talking with one 1917. She graduated from Wheaton College another of the owners’ idiosyncrasies.” in 1921 and then went to Europe for a “Grand Tour.” She ended up staying on for a bit to 1968 complete the fall course in French at the Alli- ance Françoise de Paris. She taught for a year Silver Penguin: in Milford, Mass., before Headmaster Vose Dr. John Mason 1967 asked her to come to Cushing. She taught Through the years, French and served as the chair of the Foreign numerous faculty have Still Room for Coeducation Language Department. She was head of a given many years to the In 1967, the value of coeducation was a topic group called Le Cercle Français, a kind of French Academy. Of course, it’s of some discussion at the Academy. Head- club that was so popular that membership not just teachers who master Lamson’s column in the August had to be limited to those who proved them- have done so. In 1962, Henry Davis retired 1967 Bulletin noted that “coeducation at all selves linguistically worthy. after 57 years of service to the school’s boiler levels—a traditional way of life at Cushing—is “I found private school teaching to my (see pg. 40). the best preparation for membership in our liking,” she wrote in 1970 on the occasion of Dr. John Mason was another such person. coeducational society of today.” He went on the dedication of Sawyer-Hopkins Hall. “It Many alumni have fond memories of Dr. to say that the ability to work with members was a pleasant, happy life, over the years. Mason. He became the Academy’s physi- of the opposite sex is the key to a produc- There were, naturally, some heartbreaks and cian in 1934 and remained so until his death tive and happy life in our society. “Working ‘tempests in teapots’ but by and large things in 1968. Known as Dr. John, The Bulletin together on so many school projects provides went well with Miss Hopkins’ firm hand at described him as “generous beyond descrip- many opportunities for the boy and the girl the helm.” tion of his time, counsel, and talent. He will to learn to accept each other as persons with “Sometimes,” she went on, “when I was be remembered by Cushing alumni as a man their individual strengths and weaknesses,” saying goodnight at 10:15—for we always who spoke succinctly, but with compas- he said. checked the rooms at bedtime—I would be sion, and spared nothing in his concern for offered a choice morsel of crackers and cheese, the health and attitude of any student who

1967 1968 Mary Fern arrived at Cushing. Dr. John Mason passed away. Paul Heslin retired from active coaching. Zaydee DeJonge retired. 1967 The Green Bay Packers defeated the The U.S. Supreme Court decided The Viet Cong launched the Tet Kansas City Chiefs in the first Super Loving v. Virginia, invalidating Offensive against forces led by the Bowl. laws against interracial marriage. United States, exacerbating the Thousands of young people converged Thurgood Marshall became the criticisms of U.S. involvement in the on the Haight-Ashbury neighborhood first black justice of the U.S. Vietnam War. in San Francisco in what would come Supreme Court. On April 4, Martin Luther King, Jr., to be called the “Summer of Love.” was assassinated in Memphis, Tenn., by James Earl Ray.

54 CUSHING YESTERDAY & TODAY ‹ Celebrating 150 years ›

needed his help.” During his time as Cush- is quite clear: learning will never again be ing’s physician, he saw its medical facilities bounded by books and blackboards. Begin- develop from plain rooms in the dorms to a ning in the classroom, and beginning in the fine infirmary in Price Hall. written word, learning reaches outside of ivory towers and vine-clad towers.” He was Silver talking about the explosion in media that was Penguin: happening in the world at that moment. Zaydee Once upon a time, an audio-visual pro- DeJonge gram meant record players and film strips. Mrs. Mason Dix By 1970, however, the AV department was a Harris, known room unto itself, located on the second floor profession- of the Main Building, containing records and ally as Zaydee film strips and the machines to play them, DeJonge, retired but it also included a miniature television in 1968 after 26 studio, sound equipment, a sound system for years of service the chapel, facilities for editing and splicing as Cushing’s art teacher—its first. In celebrat- movies, and facilities for recording broadcast ing her retirement at graduation that year, TV to be shown in classes. Headmaster Lamson said she “exemplified “Film, television, and sound are no longer the highest standards in the teaching and ‘enrichment,’” wrote Cabot. “They have taken cultivation of art and art appreciation…. You their place beside the written word as tools have carried the burden of your department of scholarship and learning, to be used and alone while playing a leading role in the manipulated by students as well as teachers.” cultural life of your own community. We are proud to own one of your paintings in our Sawyer-Hopkins Hall collection along with other brilliant examples Welcomes its First Students of contemporary New England artists selected In 1969, the Academy broke ground on a new with your counsel and faultless taste.” senior girls’ dormitory to be named in honor ABOVE: Daniel Cabot with of Marguerite “Margo” Sawyer (see pg. 54) and students in the AV Vivian “Hoppie” Hopkins (see pg. 41). It would 1970 room be home to 34 girls, two single women, and LEFT: Margo Cushing Adds to its AV Room a family of five. To cover the cost of the new Sawyer and Vivian In 1970, English teacher Daniel Cabot wrote facility, the Academy had a fundraising goal Hopkins at the in The Bulletin, “I do not propose to define of $50,000; they raised $53,869 from 403 dedication of relevance nor predict the longevity of geom- donors. the new dorm (middle) named in etry, Latin, or long hair. One thing, however, their honor

1969 Cushing broke ground on Sawyer-Hopkins dorm (above right).

1969 In June, Robert F. Kennedy Apollo 11 landed the first humans on the was assassinated in Los moon, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin. Angeles by Sirhan Sirhan. President Nixon began troop withdrawals Sesame Street Nixon defeated Hubert from Vietnam. debuted in November. Humphrey and George 32 music acts performed at a music fair in A 10-month recession began Wallace to win the New York State known as Woodstock. in December. presidency.

SPRING 2016 55 ‹ Cushing Academy ›

1970 long as other obligations were met; and 3. Dress code would be characterized by a • The length of a student’s hair would be “high standard of personal cleanliness” Unrest in the World, left to the individual, but the expectation and haircut and dress regulations; and at Cushing was that it would always be clean and 4. Lying, cheating, and stealing were Anyone who has studied world or American combed. obviously prohibited and students who history knows that the late 1960s and early The other issues were tabled for further displayed a lack of integrity were subject 1970s were a time of unrest throughout the discussion. to dismissal; and world. Protests against the Vietnam War. In fall 1970, Headmaster Lamson wrote 5. A belief that freedom of speech was a Civil rights clashes. The Kent State shooting. that he’d been fielding questions from cornerstone of society, but there would Sit-ins and walk-outs. At Cushing, as at many alumni and parents who were worried about be no tolerance for obscenity, character schools—at both the secondary and college the impact of such unrest at Cushing. assassination, or intimidation. levels—students were demanding more free- “As the year progressed, I had more tele- He concluded by saying, “Cushing Acad- dom, and drugs were an increasing problem. phone calls, letters, and some visitations emy is dedicated to individual human beings. In the fall of 1969, students began from concerned alumni and parents. All the We will do everything we can to help you demanding changes to Cushing policy. while Vietnam, Cambodia, Kent State, Jack- develop your talents to the best of your ability. Directly before break, at a school meeting, son State, New Haven, Augusta, all combined If you fail, we have failed. We cannot help Headmaster Lamson said that students would to keep the country in a state of agitation and you if you do not want to be here and actively no longer be expected to tell on other stu- made our campuses the focal point for much resist the consensus of students, faculty, and dents, that church attendance would no lon- of the unrest and violence.” administration. Every student has the right ger be compulsory, and that further demands In my annual report to the trustees, I to make mistakes, but we cannot help him if would be discussed following winter break wrote as follows. “Much of what happens on he is fighting his education because he is not on what was called “Discussion Day.” When the college level inevitably makes its appear- in sympathy with the principles of Cushing.” they returned, students were divided up by ance on the secondary school campus as advisory group and discussed the changes Cushing, along with many other schools, will Seminars for Juniors they wanted to see made. Topics of potential attest. We must provide alternatives, and we and Seniors change included downtown permissions, must hear students out. It has been a difficult In 1970, Cushing began offering a seminar weekends, haircuts, dress code, exams, intra- year with confrontation, marijuana, drugs, program. The intent was to provide a broad mural sports, and a disciplinary board. Those and polarization among students and faculty variety of trimester-length courses once topics were discussed among the faculty and as part of our scene.” students had completed the more traditional the following changes were made: In response to parental concerns, Head- college-prep classes. Some students special- • Students in good standing were allowed to master Lamson wrote a letter to returning ized in subjects of special interest, while take off any weekend except certain closed students and their families clarifying the others dabbled in many areas, broadening weekends (e.g., Carnival weekend and school’s policies: their education in liberal studies. Teachers the weekends immediately preceding and 1. Drugs were unequivocally prohibited; and students alike became involved in top- following a vacation); 2. Smoking was strongly discouraged and ics of personal interest. The program was a • Students were allowed to go downtown permitted only for students over 18 whose happy success and is not unlike the seminar after lunch Monday through Saturday as parents had given written permission; program the Academy still uses today.

1970 Sawyer-Hopkins Hall was dedicated. Bob Hall and John Hyslop joined the Cushing faculty. 1970 Members of the Ohio National Guard The American Top 40 Jimi Hendrix and Anwar Sadat opened fire on student protesters radio show premiered Janis Joplin died. became President at Kent State University, killing four with Casey Kasem of Egypt. and wounding nine. hosting. ALAN LIGHT

56 CUSHING YESTERDAY & TODAY ‹ Celebrating 150 years ›

made some changes to its academic program. of Headmaster Cowell, still the longest- The school added a robust independent study serving headmaster in Cushing history. That program for seniors and began its senior year, the school honored Fred D. Lane for his seminar program—which we still use today. 50 years of service. One wonders if—at that Cushing also made some changes to the dress time, in his first year—Paul Heslin could have code and “some of the grooming regulations,” imagined that his tenure would last almost allowing the boys to have longer hair if the as long, a total of 42 years at his retirement pictures in the yearbook are to be used as in 1971. evidence. Students were also given greater None of Coach Heslin’s teams set the freedom to visit downtown Ashburnham. world on fire in his first year, although the Finances and economics were a real source baseball team did beat Worcester Academy, Changes Begin to Come to of concern to the headmaster and board. “The which seemed to sit pretty well with everyone Independent Schools rising cost of education and its supportive at Cushing. In spite of that modest beginning, In 1970, Headmaster Lamson (above) wrote services projected for this decade—the seven- Coach Heslin went on to be one of the greatest that attrition at Cushing, as at other inde- ties—is indeed staggering,” Lamson wrote coaches in Cushing history. His teams played pendent schools, had been a problem. Several in his annual report. Although enrollment in 1,100 games and won 122 football games, students had left school due to drugs. In wasn’t dropping, the school was working on 279 basketball games, and 236 baseball games. response, Lamson invited a doctor to talk to an austerity budget, according to Lamson. Three of his football teams were undefeated. the kids about the problems of marijuana Challenging finances would indeed plague In his 42 years at Cushing, he worked with and other drugs, which seemed to reduce Cushing—and most other boarding schools— four Headmasters: Vose, Quimby, West, and their use for the rest of that year. The school’s for at least a decade. Lamson. In grateful acknowledgment of his applications and new enrollments were hold- years of service—and that of his wife, Penny— ing steady, but the loss of students mid-year 1971 the Cushing Academy Alumni Association was a problem. sent them on a trip to Ireland. He had retired In an article about Cushing Admissions Silver Penguin: from active coaching in 1967, but continued in 1971, The Bulletin noted that “major news Paul J. Heslin his duties as Director of Athletics and teacher. media have recently made it quite clear that Paul Heslin came to When he finally retired for good in 1974, independent school admissions in general the school on the hill Headmaster Bradford Lamson wrote, “Great have decreased over the last three years.” in 1929 in part because teachers make great schools and Paul was a Economics were cited as one major reason, of his friendship with giant among giants as a teacher, a coach, and as was the fact that there were more public Edward Bike, who at an athletic director.” At that time, The Bulletin secondary schools for students and families to the time coached the football and basketball noted that “hundreds of boys, many of whom choose from. The article also noted that many teams and served as Athletic Director. That have gone on to become outstanding college single-sex schools had changed to coeduca- first year, Coach Heslin was Mr. Bike’s assis- varsity team players, have been deeply influ- tional schools, so the Academy faced increas- tant before taking over the reins when Mr. enced by their relationship with Coach Heslin, ing competition on that front as well. Bike left in 1930. to whom they have looked as a trusted adviser To confront these changes, the Academy The summer of 1929 had seen the passing and loyal friend.”

1971 1971 The 26th amendment to the U.S. All in the Family made its Constitution was ratified, lowering the debut. Charles Manson was sentenced to death voting age to 18. for his role in the Tate-LaBianca murders; Jim Morrison of The Doors the sentence was later commuted to life. Prisoners at the prison in Attica, N.Y., was found dead. rioted, protesting their living conditions and asking for political rights.

SPRING 2016 57 ‹ Cushing Academy ›

1971–72 1972 Headmaster Dr. Joseph Curry Arrives at Lamson’s Cushing amid Turmoil Challenging In 1972, Dr. Joseph Curry came to the Acad- Final Year emy as headmaster. It was a difficult time Headmaster Lam- for independent schools. In his first letter to son would bring alumni in The Bulletin, he noted that Ameri- his long associa- can education was in a period of crisis and tion with the Acad- change, not unlike the changes that occurred emy to an end in at the beginning of the 20th century. At that the spring of 1972. time, Cushing had been serving as a place In his final report for both vocational and academic training, to the board, he fees were low, and anyone who could afford of expertise and need not be limited to rigid noted that his final to come was admitted. The beginning of the daily or weekly schedules, or by catering to year had divided new century saw an increase in public schools students who had no desire to learn. into two distinct and a necessary change for academies like “At Cushing,” he went on, “we shall work parts, with the fall term characterized by Cushing, which became a college prepara- to create structures which will enable our high faculty morale and good performance by tory school attracting both day and boarding students to play significant roles in matters the students. But the good start wasn’t to last. students. And so it was until the beginning of that touch their lives. Our students are mak- In the winter and spring terms, 25 students the 1970s, when Dr. Curry made his entrance ing abundantly clear their desire to partici- were sent home for violations of school policy, on the Cushing stage. pate actively in the life of the school and their and drug and alcohol use was rampant. Fac- Public schools, he said, had become able willingness to learn to assume responsibility ulty morale faltered in the face of it. to prepare students for college study, and pri- for their decisions.” It wasn’t just student behavior that was vate schools were no longer the inside track. Dr. Curry’s first few years were tumul- a problem. The school was looking at bleak “To be sure,” he said, “the time has come not tuous ones, characterized by a precipitous enrollment numbers for the 1972–73 school only for a rethinking of goals, but for some drop in enrollment, the loss of many faculty year and Lamson and incoming Headmaster substantive changes in the curriculum of the members, and some alarming financial Curry were recommending an all-out recruit- independent school.” circumstances. Indeed, writing a decade ing pitch for the summer. Likewise, dona- Because private schools were free from later, then-President of the Board Joseph Hill tions to the Academy were down, and the year state interference, Dr. Curry felt they had characterized the 1970s thusly: “We had a was going to fall short of its $150,000 annual “virtually unlimited potential for creative school in total chaos—the budget a shambles, fund goal. involvement of its students in a total com- enrollment under 170, an image more than munity.” He went on, “Residential education tarnished, morale poor, turnover high, build- offers tremendous opportunities for effective ings in disarray.” as well as cognitive education.” Schools like The low enrollment was a threat to Cush- Cushing could hire teachers from many areas ing’s athletic program, so Dr. Curry had

1972 Headmaster Lamson retired from Cushing and was succeeded by Dr. Joseph Curry. Enrollment dipped to just 160 students. 1972 Nixon visited China, an important In June, several people broke into the Richard Nixon defeated George step in normalizing relations headquarters of the Democratic National McGovern in the presidential between the two countries. Committee, located in the Watergate Hotel election. McGovern won just one The first Strategic Arms Limitation in Washington, D.C. state: Massachusetts. Treaty (SALT) between the U.S. The Education Amendments of 1972 and the Soviet Union was ratified. was passed, including Title IX, which prevented gender discrimination in educational programs.

58 CUSHING YESTERDAY & TODAY ‹ Celebrating 150 years ›

Cushing join with the Winchendon School to Dr. Arthur Johanningsmeier students to become familiar with particular save it. Members of the faculty, particularly Becomes Cushing’s Science science problems and areas of study. He was those living in houses rather than dorms, Department Chair true to his word and under his leadership, the lost a number of perks. For those faculty, the Joining Dr. Curry at Cushing in the fall of 1972 Academy’s Science Department flourished. Academy ceased paying utility bills and with- was Dr. Arthur Johanningsmeier. He was drew permission for them to eat in the dining described as “a naturalist with a Ph.D. and 1973 hall. Eight members of the faculty were a national white water canoeing champion affected by those changes—about 28 percent who was a Phi Beta Kappa physics graduate.” The Marcus A. Coolidge Summer of the faculty at that time. In his second year, He brought with him extensive knowledge Institute for the Creative Arts the number of faculty dropped from 28 to 18. and teaching experience in ecology and envi- Makes its Debut The school also required some substantial ronmental sciences. In his introduction to Dr. Curry promoted Mary Fern to Chair of the upgrades to its physical plant that could not the Cushing community, he talked about his new Fine Arts Department in 1972, but that be covered by normal income derived from commitment to teaching Cushing students wasn’t the only recognition of her fine work tuition and fees. As such, substantial loans about the relationship between themselves that year. She was also made Director of the were required, increasing the pressure of debt and their natural environment. He also noted Marcus A. Coolidge Summer Institute for the on the Academy’s finances. that he was going to increase the scientific Creative Arts, which had its first six-week holdings in Cushing’s library and introduce session that summer—and was the precur- a biology seminar series that would require sor to today’s Summer Session. The funding for the institute came from the daughters of Senator Coolidge—a past president of the Board of Trustees. At the time, Fern said the summer pro- gram was meant to be a happy one where students and faculty would “live and work together on campus in an atmosphere of trust, friendship, and enthusiasm.” That philosophy is still alive and well as part of Cushing’s modern Summer Session.

Dr. Arthur Johanningsmeier teaching, 1974

1973 The Marcus A. Coolidge Summer Institute for the Bob Johnson arrived to begin his long tenure—42 Creative Arts began under the direction of Mary Fern. years and counting (see pg. 104) as of 2016—by working part-time in the evenings. Ruth and Dan McGowen made their debut at Cushing. 1973 The U.S. Supreme Court made its landmark The Sears Tower opened in Chicago, decision in Roe v. Wade, protecting the right surpassing the World Trade Center of women to choose to have an abortion. to become the tallest building in The Case-Church Amendment of 1973 ended the world. U.S. involvement in Vietnam.

SPRING 2016 59 Life at Cushing in the 1970s Then, as now, the goal of the Academy’s Social programs were not so different Far from the curriculum of the Classics that administration was to make the most of the from generations past. In the early days, was standard in the Academy’s first few years, unique nature of a residential school. The there had been outings to musical presenta- by the early 1970s, the Academy’s curriculum biggest benefit of boarding school has always tions, hikes up mountains, dances, movies, was beginning to look a lot like what we see been the close collaboration between students and shopping. The same was true of this today. The main courses were English, his- and the faculty who live with and guide them decade. Although the music had changed— tory, foreign language, science, and math. every day. From the 1973–74 catalogue: less classical and more rock and roll—trips A wide variety of seminars was offered were regularly taken off-campus for concerts. so that students could find course work that The teacher of history turns out in the afternoon to show The movies were less Bette Davis and more they found intellectually stimulating. Both a sophomore how to kick a field goal from thirty yards. In James Bond. Other outings included shop- fine arts and performing arts were very much the evening, as a house parent, he may help a girl under- ping in Cambridge and Worcester, bowling, a part of school life. Courses in urban prob- stand her feelings about a boy. A physics teacher, who is fishing, and more. lems, sociology, and computer mathematics also a white water kayak champion, will help students had been worked into the curriculum. Clubs to enjoy the thrill of riding a raging stream safely. Shared offered extracurricular opportunities includ- pleasures, shared problems, shared triumphs help create ing photography, woodworking, aviation, the environment in which young people develop a sense and outdoor activities. of time and place and set goals that will give them a sense of fulfillment, even as they mature.

1974 M. Anthony Fisher ’69 joined the Board of Trustees. Theodore Pierce retired after 27 years. 1973 1973 OPEC instituted an oil embargo in The House Judiciary Committee began response to U.S. aid to Israel. impeachment proceedings against President Vice President Spiro Agnew resigned Nixon following revelations that he helped after pleading no contest to charges of cover up the break-ins at the Watergate tax evasion; Gerald Ford succeeded him. Hotel; he subsequently resigned the presidency and was replaced by Gerald Ford. Patty Hearst was kidnapped by the Symbionese Liberation Army.

60 CUSHING YESTERDAY & TODAY ‹ Celebrating 150 years ›

appreciation, and teacher of French and In view of the withdrawal of funding from German. He served under five headmasters: banks, prospects for the school were some- Quimby, West, Baker, Lamson, and Curry. what bleak. However, through the generos- He was known as an avid sportsman who ity of several trustees and an estate gift, the liked to ride his bicycle, fish, and hike—in that Academy got a much-needed infusion of cash. order. When he retired, an article in The Bul- The school also needed to draw on the Consoli- letin noted, “He is well remembered for hikes on dated Fund, part of the original funding given the Wapack Trail, over which he has conducted by Thomas Parkman Cushing. Dunn went on many groups of Cushing students, and for to ask that the Academy’s alumni, parents, his ice fishing expeditions, which he has also and friends continue to support the school shared with students.” And indeed, he has generously. In doing so, Dunn repeated the been well remembered for that. We have heard words Governor Bullock had spoken at Cush- Silver Penguin: Theodore Pierce many stories of those hikes from our alumni. ing’s dedication 100 years earlier, “… this is an Theodore Pierce started playing the piano institution deserving of your financial support when he was about eight years of age, cour- 1975 by gifts, bequests, or such other means as is tesy of his talented mother. His father was appropriate in your respective cases.” musical too, the supervisor of music in the Finances Continue Late in 1975, Dr. Curry wrote to the board Gardner schools. Pierce attended the Institute to Be a Concern that the physical plant was in much better of Musical Art in New York City and had a fel- Although enrollment was rebounding by 1975, shape than it had been in when he arrived. lowship at Juilliard Graduate School of Music. finances were still a source of concern, and However, there was still a need to reduce the Eventually, he also earned a master’s degree Dr. Curry anticipated running deficit budgets number of faculty, a move largely accom- from Boston University. for several years. The solution to that problem plished through attrition. The school was He came to teach at Cushing for the was to increase enrollment to 250, but that was actively working to reduce its deficit, a goal first time in 1941, when he substituted for a easier said than done, particularly given the Dr. Curry hoped to reach by the 1977–78 school year when Miss Gaylor was absent. But that historically high levels of inflation at that time. year. That was largely achieved by increasing wasn’t the first time he played Cushing’s That message was reiterated in a 1975 Bul- both enrollment and tuition and reducing organ. That would’ve been way back in 1932 letin by Richard Dunn ’31, longtime president the amount of financial aid offered by the when Mrs. Vose engaged him as an organist of the board. “In this period of inflation,” he Academy. The Academy also realized some for the Academy; he was just 16. By 1947, he wrote, “it has not been possible to set tuition income by offering its PREP program at Fort was teaching full-time at Cushing, where he at a level sufficient to cover the Academy’s Devens—designed to help members of the would stay until his retirement in 1974. Over operating expenses.” The school had been military acquire their high school diplomas— the years, he wrote works for piano, violin, building—at a deficit—in order to increase and through the renting of Cushing facilities string quartet, symphony, orchestra, chorus, enrollment. In 1975, however, the banks that during the summer. and organ. His responsibilities at Cushing had been supporting that building program included organist, choir director, director of advised the board that they could no longer do the instrumental ensemble, teacher of music so given economic conditions.

1975 Cushing celebrated 100 years of students. Cushing’s new track was dedicated. Lauriston Cone and Wayne Sanborn joined the faculty. 1975 Inflation rose to 11.8%. The Khmer Rouge, led by Pol Pot, Microsoft was founded by Bill Gates took over Cambodia, leading to and Paul Allen. a genocide that cost the lives of approximately 2 million people. Fall of Saigon marked the end of the Vietnam War.

SPRING 2016 61 ‹ Cushing Academy ›

Another Year, Another Fire 1976 students brought significant diversity to the On Dec. 29, 1976, a fire broke out on the upper school while simultaneously benefiting the The Computer Age right-hand side of the Main Building. No one Academy’s bottom line. Dr. Curry and Lauris- Comes to Cushing was hurt, but there was water damage to the ton Cone traveled to Tunisia, Egypt, Thailand, In the spring of 1976, Assistant Treasurer administrative offices. Overall, five class- Hong Kong, Korea, Saudi Arabia, and Iran, Kevin Enright asked the board for permission rooms and Dr. Curry’s office were involved. leading to the enrollment of 34 students. to purchase the Academy an IBM 5100 mini- On the positive side, the Main Building got a Because of these dedicated efforts at computer at a cost of nearly $10,000 and a freshening up under the watchful eye of Plant recruiting students—both foreign and domes- yearly maintenance charge of $660. Despite Director Ray Lemieux. tic—Cushing opened the 1977–78 school year the school’s strained finances, and because of with an enrollment of 248, the largest student a generous donation of $4,500 from the Anne body in more than a decade. That increase in “Survival is no longer the issue… S. Richards Foundation for the purpose, the the number of students, combined with an board approved the purchase. Mr. Enright Excellence is the issue.” increase in tuition, led to a budget surplus. explained that ownership of a computer The Academy had operated at a deficit DR. CURRY would permit offering a much-in-demand until 1978—a circumstance exacerbated by computer course and realize some extra interest payments on the approximately $1 income from students who participated. 1977 million in long-term debt it had incurred to keep operating in the first half of the decade. Cushing Turns a Corner The surplus in 1978 was just the first. In fact, Although Dr. Curry’s first few years were a the Academy’s budget would carry a surplus challenge, by the fall of 1974, enrollment had well into the 1980s. rebounded to 215 from a low of 160 in 1972. Cushing had turned a corner. “Survival is no longer the issue,” he wrote the board in September. “Excellence is the issue.” 1978 Finances continued to be a significant con- cern for much of the decade, with the near A Change in the Leadership of constant conflict between enrolling new the Board of Trustees students for revenue, keeping the school’s In 1978, Richard Dunn ’31 stepped down from physical plant in good shape, and reducing his role as president of the board. He’d been expenditures through faculty attrition and in that role since 1961, steering the Academy careful spending of resources. through some of the most challenging years For the 1976–77 school year, the Admis- of its existence. Indeed, Frank Rand called sions Office made a concerted effort to recruit him “the rock on which the modern Cushing international students, under the guidance Academy is built.” He might’ve been born to of Director of Admissions Guy Bramble. These the role, however, being the son of Frederick

1976 1977 Cushing purchased its first computer. Wayne Hancock joined the faculty.

1976 Apple, Inc., was founded by Steve Jobs, Roots, a mini-series based on Star Wars made its debut Steve Wozniak, and Ronald Wayne to sell Alex Haley’s book, aired on TV; it on the big screen. the Apple I personal computer kit. ultimately won nine Emmy awards. Jimmy Carter defeated Gerald Ford to Elvis Presley died in the bathroom become President of the United States. of his Memphis home. The first mass-marketed personal computer, the Commodore PET, went on sale.

62 CUSHING YESTERDAY & TODAY ‹ Celebrating 150 years ›

Dunn ’99 who himself had served on the and friends were making generous donations, board for more than 30 years and as president which kept the school’s bottom line largely in for five. the black. Following in Dunn’s footsteps was Challenges aside, things were looking Dr. Joseph Hill P’81,’90, a vascular surgeon good for the future. By 1978–79, enrollment from Fitchburg, who would spend eight years had grown yet again, to 267. It would grow as president of the board, leaving his own again the following year and be accompanied mark during a time of great growth for the by a historically low student attrition of just Academy. As of 2016, Dr. Hill still serves as a five percent. Indeed, enrollments would trustee emeritus. continue to grow for many years. By the beginning of the 1979–80 school Looking Toward year, Dr. Curry wrote to the board, “This… the Future marks the beginning of my eighth year as Although the extreme financial and enroll- headmaster of Cushing Academy. These years ment challenges of the 1970s were largely over have been characterized by the rebuilding of by the end of the 1977–78 school year, there our school, a task which is, in my judgment, was still more work to be done. now completed.” In reflecting on his first six years as head- Dr. Curry in a cowboy hat, 1979 master, Dr. Curry wrote, “I can see a pattern of steady growth in the appearance and util- faculty were leaving the school, a challenge ity of our plant, in the quality of our faculty, in itself, and that after several years of auster- motivation, and appearance of our student ity, it would be necessary to increase faculty body, in the reputation at home and abroad salaries if the school were to keep its excellent of Cushing and in the tone and quality of our academic program. Faculty attrition fell back life here. From conversations with students to normal levels in the following year, but who have been here for several years and with making good on his recommendation regard- faculty whose tenure is long I get the same ing salaries, in 1979, every returning faculty awareness of growth, of improvement.” member received a raise of seven percent and In the spring of 1978, Dr. Curry wrote was given a similar bump the following year to the board, “I want to state in clear and as well. unequivocal terms that Cushing can become Issues around the school’s financial health a great school if we pay off our debt, refur- weren’t completely resolved, however, and bish our plant and double our endowment to surpluses were generally small enough that some two and a half million dollars.” He also unexpected expenditures could be problem- Bob Johnson, 1979 noted that nearly 25 percent of the Academy’s atic. Tuition increased regularly and alumni

1978 Cushing purchased Johnson House. Norm Carey and Paul Dowling joined the faculty. 1978 The Camp David Accords were signed by Harvey Milk, the first openly gay Egyptian President Anwar El Sadat and person to be elected to public office in Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin. California, was assassinated. More than 900 Americans died in Cardinal Karol Jozef Wojtyla became Jonestown, Guyana, when the members Pope John Paul II. of a commune, led by Jim Jones, died from cyanide poisoning.

SPRING 2016 63 ‹ Cushing Academy ›

1979 to college. He had gotten us all accepted at a university in Switzerland for the next fall in Iranian Students at Cushing case we had to leave the United States.” Iranian student Shiva Saboori ’80 came to On graduation day, she gave her speech Cushing as part of Dr. Curry’s effort to recruit and the school cleared out. Her natural hap- international students to the Academy. Her piness at her achievement was undermined older brother was already at Cushing and by the uncertainty she faced. She started she remembers being awed by her brother’s the process for her visa renewal in spite of larger-than-life headmaster. the law, as her status remained legal while Fall term 1979 started out as a happy one that process was ongoing. She went to Tufts for her, but more and more often, Dr. Curry for the summer to begin her education. would ask her if she’d heard from her parents. Many American universities were protesting When the revolution led to the overthrow of Carter’s law on the premise that the students the Shah, she was completely unprepared. had not done anything illegal and should not, She had been watching American media therefore, be punished. Saboori waited. coverage of the events. “I was seeing what the One Friday afternoon in July, she received American population was seeing: a bunch a letter telling her that her visa renewal had of crazy people running around the street been denied and that she had seven days demonstrating. It was very confusing for me to leave the country. Through some legal because I had been so sheltered and I didn’t maneuvering, her lawyer had her begin the really understand the turmoil in Iran. My renewal process again and by the time that parents had tried to protect us and I didn’t … after Spring Break. She came request went through, the bar to the renewal understand why the Shah was overthrown back before the date the law went of Iranian visas had been lifted. She would be and why people were demonstrating,” she into effect … another student allowed to stay. said. Saboori’s story has a happy ending. She When the embassy staff were taken hos- flew back the day after and was ultimately went to medical school and now tage, anti-Iranian sentiment was prevalent in turned away. “The only difference works in Massachusetts providing medical the U.S., even in Ashburnham. School Street was that I came back a day early care to underserved populations. But not all was still open back then and she remembers of the students were so lucky. one day a big old American car drove slowly to do my laundry. I always had After President Carter issued the order that through campus. On their back window, they a little bit of survival guilt about prevented the renewal of visas for Iranian had written, “Iranians, Go the F--- Home,” in it because it changed her life. citizens, Saboori remembers coming back to shaving cream. One night, a group of town Cushing after Spring Break. She came back residents came to Ash House and harassed Her life became a different life before the date the law went into effect and the students there. One of the faculty mem- because of that…” another student flew back the day after and bers had to chase them away with a bat. was turned away. “The only difference was Happily, not everyone in town felt that that I came back a day early to do my laundry. way. Typically, the sentiment expressed most Saboori was valedictorian of her class I always had a little bit of survival guilt about often by her classmates was that they hoped that year and had been accepted to Tufts. it because it changed her life. Her life became she—and the rest of the Iranian students at Unfortunately, the move from high school a different life because of that and it could the Academy—would be allowed to stay in the to college would necessitate a visa renewal have happened to any of us.” States. She remembers Dr. J. being a father that was now disallowed by law. In fact, all Another student ended up not being able figure for her and providing comfort when it six of the Iranian seniors that year were in a to afford to go to college—because it was so seemed as though her world was falling apart. similar boat. Dr. Curry went to work. He soon hard to get money out of Iran. He was taken In fact, all of the faculty members regularly summoned the frightened students to his in by Bob Johnson and his family. Although asked Saboori how she was doing. “There was office and explained his plan. “He said that he was ultimately able to stay in the country, so much warmth and support at Cushing that we would not have to return to the turmoil he never completed college. I made it through in the best possible way,” of revolutionary Iran,” Saboori said. “He said she said. that we would not have to give up on going

64 CUSHING YESTERDAY & TODAY ‹ Celebrating 150 years ›

1979 ESL and Academic Support Programs Begin During the late 1970s, the Academy made a concerted effort to recruit and admit more international students. That effort was suc- cessful, but it led to a need for an English as a Second Language program, which made its debut in 1979. At the same time, the school began its Developmental Reading Program, the precursor to what we now call Academic Support. In their first years, there were 60 students in ESL and 50 in the reading program. A 1980 description of the Reading Center noted, “Features of the program include diag- nostic testing, audio-visual material, oral testing, small supportive groups, individual counseling, tutoring services, and prelimi- Piano lesson, 1975 nary orientation.” The goal of the program was to help all students meet the same academic standards, despite their learning 1980 The ruse worked and every member of the differences—not unlike the school’s Academic community was made to memorize the new Support Program today. A “New” Alma Mater tune. It wasn’t until several years later that Alan MacDonnell, Director of the Academy’s the subterfuge was discovered and the Acad- music program, really didn’t like the school’s emy returned to its original song. alma mater, “The Vine-Clad Tower,” whose lyr- ics were written in 1906 by Cora Coolidge ’87. So, he decided to write a new alma mater. Did you know? The trouble was, he had to convince everyone to sing the new version. School lore has it Cora Coolidge ’87 eventually became the president of the Pennsylvania College that he wrote his new version on a piece of for Women. Her brother was Marcus paper, used a pen name that was an anagram Coolidge, who was a local politician and of his name, antiqued the paper, and then longtime member of Cushing’s Board took it to Dr. Curry and convinced him that of Trustees. It was Mr. Coolidge’s estate he’d found it in the attic of Alumni Hall. that provided the funding for the Sum- Prom, 1978 mer Institute, which debuted in 1973 and was a precursor to today’s Summer Session. They were distant relatives of 1979 President Calvin Coolidge. Cushing’s English as a Second Language program began. The Developmental Reading Program, precursor to the Academic Support Program, began. 1980 A partial nuclear Margaret Iran’s deposed Shah was meltdown occurred at the Thatcher became allowed to come to the United Three Mile Island nuclear the first female States for medical treatment. reactor in Pennsylvania. Prime Minister As a result, a group of Iranian of the United students took over the U.S. Kingdom. Embassy in Tehran, taking more than 60 hostages.

SPRING 2016 65 ‹ Cushing Academy ›

1980 The search began for quality faculty Cushing Begins a New Decade and administrators At the beginning of 1980, Dr. Curry mused on who would stay at what the decade would bring after the unrest the Academy long- of the 1960s and the rebuilding of the 1970s. term and guide the He hoped to see the school’s trustees, alumni, school over the next and parents become even more involved in decade. Of concern the life of the Academy. was adequate faculty Dr. Curry, too, was entering a new phase housing particularly, of his headship of Cushing. In late 1980, he as it was neces- remarked that he had surpassed the tenure of sary to manage the all previous headmasters, save Quimby and school’s rapidly Cowell, which gave him some pleasure. “I growing residential plan to go after the Quimby record,” he said, life. Housemasters “but the Cowell record seems out of reach.” (In would be expected Students learn about computers, 1982 the end, that prophesy turned out to be cor- to serve as nurturer, rect. Cowell is the Academy’s longest serving protector, discipli- headmaster at 39 years, Quimby is third with narian, and counselor. Likewise, a rapidly shortly thereafter. “For the remainder of the 23 years of service. Dr. Curry is second on the growing student body also meant the need decade,” he went on, “our tuition charges will all-time list at 28 years.) for expansion of the Academy’s admissions increase at about the rate of inflation. Faculty The first few years of the decade brought function. salaries will be projected within or near the on extensive long-term planning that had not The school’s physical plant underwent top 10 percent of boarding schools of our size. been possible while the school was struggling some massive improvements in the first few Financial aid will continue to be much more to keep its doors open. Dr. Curry instituted years of the decade. Cooke Hall and Ashburn- generous than is the case for most schools a committee made up of faculty. In 1981, the ham House were renovated. The kitchen with an endowment of our size.” school commissioned an outside firm to cre- was updated. New boilers and lighting The cycle we are all now familiar with—of ate a five-year strategic plan, including goals were added. The basement level of the Main replacing obsolete computers with astonish- and ambitions for admissions, external rela- Building was turned into a student lounge ing regularity—began with the purchase of tions, finance, academic programs, and more. and mailroom area. Through the generos- the Academy’s second computer, replacing The hiring of David Grinnell as the ity of John Biggs ’33, Heslin Gym received the IBM machine purchased in 1976. In 1981, school’s Director of Development ushered in some improvements including heavy-duty the school had $68,000 for the purchase and a new level of fundraising. Total fundraising washing machines and a weight room. In installation of an administrative computer, was approximately $300,000 in fiscal year a 1982 letter to the Penguin Press, the school which they intended to use for business func- 1980–81, a record for the Academy and more paper, Dr. Curry noted that he hoped to have tions as well as development and admissions. than doubling the previous year’s total. a new library by 1986 and a new dining hall

1980 Susie Carlisle, Rich Henry, and Joyce Ferris joined the faculty.

1980 1980 Mark David Chapman Led by the United States, shot John Lennon, Ronald Reagan defeated incumbent 65 countries boycotted killing him. Jimmy Carter to become President the 1980 Summer of the United States. Olympics, held in Moscow.

66 CUSHING YESTERDAY & TODAY ‹ Celebrating 150 years ›

Dr. J. and the Science use includes a Cary dual beam spectropho- up to 80 feet), a conductivity and temperature Department Engage in tometer, Parr Calorimeter, water baths, Sarto- meter with 50-foot probe, and an Ekman High-Level Research rius analytical balances, pH meters, turbidity Dredge, plus other standard laboratory equip- meters, trace oscilloscope, Thornton dual ment items. This science equipment has been In this excerpt from the spring 1981 Bulletin, it’s IBM 5100 computer and high speed printer, obtained from private foundation funds (Anne clear that the Academy’s Science Department had Sephadex columns, Zeiss microscope (1300X), S. Richardson Fund), research grants, and the taken a step forward under the leadership of depart- Kjeldahl nitrogen apparatus, as well as such generosity of past and current parents. ment head Dr. Arthur Johanningsmeier. field equipment as a Van Dorn water sampler Highly motivated students have an oppor- (for obtaining water samples at various depths tunity to gain in-depth experience in design- Several students and Dr. Johanningsmeier ing and carrying out Independent Study have just completed a three-year study of the projects under the scientists on our faculty. impact of the construction and operation of Recent projects have focused on solar energy several new wastewater treatment plants and collection, effects of storage conditions on other pollution abatement measures upon the vitamin C, methane production, fish breed- water quality in the Nashua River. This study, ing, daily energy budget of a dog, salivary entitled “Water Quality Index and the Nashua chromosome analysis of fruit flies (Drosoph- River,” published by the New England Inter- ila), algal identification and the use of Neu- state Water Pollution Control Commission, rospora in genetics experiments. Depending represented three years of weekly sampling on the level of imagination, ingenuity, and and analysis by former students Jeffrey Wolfe attention to detail, these Independent Study ’78, Chuck Johanningsmeier ’77, John Curley projects have provided additional evidence of ’79, and faculty members Dr. Johannings- scientific competence for Cushing applicants meier, Diane Noel, and Paula Daukus. at colleges and universities. Laboratory experience in ecology paid off This spring, the Science Department’s quickly for Michael Reihms, a 1980 graduate physical facilities are receiving an additional of Cushing. His knowledge and understand- boost with the construction of a solar green- ing of water testing methods landed him a house behind the Science Building. Financed full-time job immediately after graduation by grants from the Anne S. Richardson Fund, as a water quality inspector at a desalination the greenhouse will serve as an invaluable (salt-removing) water treatment plant in resource in teaching botany and carrying out Saudi Arabia. Other students have also found experiments with plants. laboratory experience at Cushing with sophis- ticated instrumentation a valuable asset in obtaining summer and work study employ- ment as well as participating in Summer NSF Secondary Science Programs. Instrumenta- Dr. Arthur Johanningsmeier in the field with a tion available for independent study and class student

1980 The World Health Organization Mount St. Helens erupted, The Solidarity declared smallpox eradicated. killing 57 people and union was formed destroying homes, roads, at Poland’s Gdansk bridges, and railways. Shipyard under Lech Wałesa. JABŁOŃSKI

SPRING 2016 67 ‹ Cushing Academy ›

In 1980, Cliff Broadbent ’29 returned to campus—for just the second time since his graduation—to attend reunion. After the event, he submitted the following letter to The Bulletin, which we reprint here in its entirety, because it is such a wonderful contrasting of his own student experience to what he found when he returned 51 years later. He describes the differences—and the similarities—much better than we ever could.

Nostalgia: A Dusty Portrait

All were not present, all were not accounted for, but there were Brownie snapshot of the gym suit our coed wore 50 years enough class representations to span the early part of the cen- ago. She wore white low-cut sneakers with long black stock- tury to the Alumni Reunion of May 1980. This was a wonderful, ings. A straight white blouse that hung from the shoulders new and exciting experience for me because it was my second like a potato sack utterly destroyed the image of the upper visit to Cushing in fifty years. Through those years, you have diaphragm. To complete this dazzling ensemble she wore circulated literature and photographed brochures of the sweep- big-blue-billowing-bloomers that draped in deflated folds ing changes that have been made. But it was the young people, around the knees like hoops. If you had caught her standing in the curriculum shake-up, and the social expansion that fasci- the sunlight flooding through a basement window she would nated me. In some instances it hurt, for our old school existed have been immortalized in your mind as a silhouette figurette, no more. Suppose I show you some old Brownie-type snapshots strongly resembling an antique long neck flower vase, with a and contrast them with your new Cushing. Perhaps then you bowl base. Fault not the faculty, it was the style. Rather blame can realize how much things have turned around. And some- the fashion house that designed Carrie Nations’ wardrobe, that where on this campus is an old portrait that tells it all. great emancipator who led the girls into womanhood through The first shocker came at Lowe Hall. From time too far suffrage. But put this coed into an evening gown and you had back for recall, it had been loaded to the roof with all those a graceful, feminine, vivacious, breathless beauty. This then endearing young charmers. It had been our Sunday afternoon was your Cushing Girl of 1930. She would be near the top in any rendezvous, our heartbeat, our valentine. And here progress decade. has been unkind; it has taken the girls out and moved the boys The Wallace library, exquisitely decorative, modern fur- in. Then came the second tremors too shocking to elaborate. nished, well-booked, well-carpeted everywhere from here to We learned that all faculty surveillance on student activities, there, was obviously the meeting place for tête-à-tête gossip. except dancing, had been dropped. Dating was permissible at A Brownie snapshot of its counterpart in our time was the old any time except during classroom hours and night study hours. tomb on the cemetery road, which was the only permissible Segregated areas (downtown) had collapsed completely. I am place for the smokers to gather. (His photo-type was Varsity certain that, in the hereafter, you will have to answer to the sweatered, Marlboro husky, just above average height, close faculty of the past decades for such “carryings on.” cropped hair, a bare face, and a mouthful of Colgate teeth. His The new gymnasium was locked but the locker rooms were gossip—girls.) open. On one side the boys were dressed for baseball and on Now back to the Wallace library. We learned that the the other a bevy of girls were suited for games of some sort. present curriculum had dropped the free Mondays and had Here we learned of another loss to our old school activities: staggered a 6–5 week of classes. Couple this with six nights of gym classes had been dropped entirely. Now the recreational study and you realize that these young people come here to be schedule calls for a full program of competitive games for all educated. students. Now let’s take a look at the young ladies’ game suits. And now their life style: The boys: clean cut, dress slacks, They were leg brief, decent, and form-fitting for freedom of groomed, courteous, and rangy tall. No wild bush hair, beards movement. Contrast, if your imagination can hold it, this or pork chops. The girls: her dress. This was Alumni Day,

68 CUSHING YESTERDAY & TODAY ‹ Celebrating 150 years ›

Saturday, no classes, so casuals in a variety were prominent dance to their hearts content until the faculty broke the cordon. all over the campus. She might have been at a church picnic At 10:30 o’clock the band played ‘Good Night Ladies’ and we or a friendly cook-out. I saw one coed in riding breeches but filed past the chaperones again to say goodnight. no horse could be found so I assumed that also was a part of The lights faded, dimmed, went out. Again, in the dark, the casuals. Her physical stature: wholesome, good posture, a came that feeling of something different. It was under my quick step, lithe, and tall. Her personality: pleasing, friendly, shoes. A carpet. A carpet on that flirtation floor. Incredible. smiling, a blend that led to charm. Her beauty was accentu- Why? ated by careful attention to grooming. Though some appeared Downstairs, in the traffic of the library, I found out why. reserved or perhaps shy it seemed more like dignity growing There was no more dancing on that chapel floor. They were into her age of maturing. So there she is, as I found her, a very held in either the new gymnasium, or in Alumni Hall. Also attractive Cushing Girl of 1980. dropped from the chapel hall schedule was the Sunday hour of While our group dispersed to chat with friends I explored quiet eve-tide, open hearth type, service of hymn and prayer. the Main Building alone. I closed the chapel hall door behind Thus was eliminated the traditional opportunity of students me. The drapes covered the windows, the wall lamps were out. to catch up on their sleep. However, movies had been added, I was alone in the dark. Immediately I sensed something differ- otherwise the chapel hall had survived the trend of change. ent but at the moment I couldn’t bring it to identity. Here was In summary I must say that you have given us a beautiful, the heart of our campus. I wiped the nostalgic mist from my modern, reaching new school. I would keynote in two words eyes and then I saw it. The old portrait I was looking for was the most significant change in the progress; Rigidity went out right there in front of me. I lightly brushed some dust away with the old school and elasticity came in with the new. with my handkerchief. Dim lights came on. The more I dusted On our way out, as we passed the statue of the little country the brighter came the lights until the polished floor glowed school boy with the broad brimmed hat, at the entrance of the like a full moon. There was the stage to my right, the pulpit campus, I was adamant on one thing. I would lead the revolt of prayers, songs, cheers, lectures, Winter Carnival plays, and of the Alumni if the boy’s hat was replaced by a flat-top visored music. On stage the band was tuning its instruments. The cap, now in vogue. A moment later enchantment returned for chaperones had taken their seats on the cemetery side of the I saw for the first time in 50 years coeds walking with their hall (no reference to character, just a guide to location). The dates downtown. So I pulled my flat-top visored cap tighter on students were filing past the faculty in the traditional greet- my head and thought, “Balderdash, whatever it be has to be. ing courtesy. Miss Gaylor at the old upright was poised with a They are doing a good job up on that hill and they are making signal for her student band. There was music in their hearts, us like it.” honesty in their efforts, and promise in their melodies, but they gave us noise and a down beat. That was all we needed. The signal was given, the band played, and once again our beloved Saturday night dance had begun. We had just escaped the wild Charleston dance craze and had gone into the Great Depression. This set us back to a slow fox trot and a slow waltz. However, two new dance tunes had just come out, ‘Tiger Rag’ and ‘Louisiana Hayride,’ and they put fire and winged speed into our dancing feet, and we bor- rowed the old World War lone step to do it. The dancing faculty constantly frowned down our speed to keep the frenzy out of the tempo. The second taboo: regulation air space between dancers was enforced, and how we loved to cheat on that one. The most popular taboo of all was the Cushing cuddle (cheek to cheek dancing). To thwart the eternal watch, we would cluster in a corner and those dancers in the middle would cuddle

SPRING 2016 69 ‹ Cushing Academy ›

The Bette Davis Challenge 1981 Asked the reason for his generosity, Mr. Biggs said, “I am very pleased to be fortunate Spruces Up Cowell Chapel Generous Gift from Biggs Family enough to participate in any project that Most Cushing alumni know that Bette Davis Upgrades Athletic Facilities strengthens Cushing. The contribution that was a member of the Class of 1926. What you In the spring of 1981, the Academy completed Cushing has made to me is a debt that I have may not know is that she was an active and the John H. Biggs Jr. Memorial Fitness Center. long recognized. It made me aware that the generous alumna for many years following John ’33 and his wife, Eleanor, made the gift world was a very interesting place with prob- her graduation. In 1981, she challenged her in honor of their son who lost his life in a lems to cope with and opportunities to pursue. fellow alumni to raise money to replace the football accident prior to applying to Cush- I learned many things at Cushing—how to curtains in Cowell Chapel, which had been ing. According to The Bulletin, the center was study, how to get along with my fellow man, hanging there for decades. In her challenge, “described by professionals as one of the finest how to accept competitive challenge. What I she offered to match gifts up to $2,500. physical training centers in the Northeast.” learned here gave me a foundation to develop According to The Bulletin, “Fourteen mem- The Biggses weren’t done, however. They also the ability to handle problems and opportuni- bers of her class responded immediately with upgraded the Academy’s tennis courts—six ties ahead. So I support Cushing to pay my $1,140 and the letters which accompanied their courts replacing the former two—and added debt. I support Cushing because I want the contributions were delightful in their nostalgia. lockers to Heslin Gym. present and future generations to have the From their comments, one becomes aware of advantage of the Cushing experience. Finally, the uniqueness of Bette Davis. Her special fire, I support Cushing as we all must, if we want her strength of character and her perseverance this academy to survive and move ahead.” were obviously not forged at Cushing, how- ever, much as we might wish to think so. She Cushing’s Kitchen brought them with her when she came, never Gets an Upgrade to be forgotten by succeeding generations of Feeding a community like Cushing’s has Cushing students, parents, and alumni.” always been a challenge. In 1981, the Acad- When members of the Class of 1931, return- emy’s kitchen received several new ovens, ing for their 50th Reunion, heard of the chal- a large grill, a warming box, and a new lenge, they voted to meet it in full through refrigerator. The food budget was $325,000 their reunion gift to Cushing. Thanks to the per year and covered, among other things, generosity of so many, the curtains were 12,000 gallons of milk, 115,000 eggs, and hanging by the time school started in the fall. more than 3,300 pounds of beef. The student work program employed about 15 boys and girls who handled clean up and functioned as servers for breakfast and lunch. Then, as now, the food service staff also prepared food for special events like Senior Banquet, Parents Weekend, Alumni Day, Prom, Mountain Day, Biggs weight room (top) and new tennis courts and more. (bottom), 1981

Lab work, 1981 1981 The Biggs Fitness Center was completed John Hyslop left his post as Director of The Academy added a greenhouse The New York Times ran a feature story on through the generosity of the Biggs family. Summer Programs after 11 years. He was to the Science Building. the Academy, “Preppies from Abroad.” replaced by Lauriston Cone. 1981 Iranian Hostage Crisis ended, following the inauguration of Ronald Reagan. John Hinckley, Jr., attempted to assassinate President Reagan.

70 CUSHING YESTERDAY & TODAY ‹ Celebrating 150 years ›

Preppies from Abroad championship in the fall of 1980. Modern Back in 1977, Dr. Curry, Guy Bramble, and dance has had a resurgence as girls from Lauriston Cone began working to recruit abroad say they feel more comfortable with international students to Cushing, largely as the delicacies of dance than a tougher team a way to increase the student body and help sport. Rice is now frequently served as often balance the budget. as three times a day in the Cushing dining But it turned out that Cushing was really hall.” on the leading edge of something. In Novem- American students, including those at ber 1981, the New York Times ran a feature story Cushing, were enthusiastic about their on international prep school students called international counterparts. Melanie Lowe ’81 Girls’ dorm, 1981 “Preppies from Abroad.” Cushing featured was quoted in the article: “It makes you prominently in the story. Said the Times, concerned about what is happening in other “Today 20 percent of the regular enrollment countries…. The Iran crisis has meant a lot to 5. All students are required to participate in at Cushing consists of students from other me because I know Iranian students. You the Academy’s work program one term of lands, compared with one lone boy from Ven- learn manners, too.’’ the academic year. ezuela back in 1972. All over the country, at 6. Students may not be out of their dormito- dozens of independent boarding schools, long School Rules ries without permission from the begin- the educational preserve of an American elite, Through the years, the Academy’s rules have ning of study hall until 6:30 am. an ever expanding foreign student body has shifted a bit, depending on the customs of 7. Students may not receive as a guest in brought these institutions to a crossroads.” the time period. However, it should be said their dormitory rooms any member of the According to the article, foreign families that some rules have stood the test of time opposite sex. Nor may a student enter a saw American prep schools as a way to prepare since the school’s earliest days. Here are the dormitory of students of the opposite sex their children for education at American rules from the 1981 student handbook: except to visit in an authorized area dur- universities. Some of them also saw it was a 1. Students are expected to be courteous ing stated visiting hours. “lifelong insurance policy preparation for life in in their dealings with all members of 8. Smoking is prohibited to all students the United States if they are thrown into exile.” the Community, be they faculty, other except seniors. No student may smoke or At the time the article was written, only students, staff, or members of faculty burn incense or candles in dormitories or one in three foreign applicants was accepted families. other school buildings. at Cushing, the same ratio as successful 2. Abusive language or physical antagonism 9. Students may not purchase, possess, or American students. This influx of foreign cannot be accepted. consume drugs, marijuana, or alcohol. students caused dramatic changes on campus. 3. Every student is expected to participate Nor may they occupy an area which “Cushing Academy now offers college level in athletics or an agreed upon alternative shows evidence of the recent use of pro- (Advanced Placement, or A.P.) courses in activity during the entire academic year. hibited substances. physics, chemistry, and calculus because of 4. Students are expected to wear blouses or 10. Public display of affection is inappro- demand from the overseas contingent,” wrote collared shirts, tucked in and buttoned, priate and unacceptable anywhere on the article. “Beefed up with players from Iran, to all classes and meals, Monday through campus. Spain, Mexico, and Venezuela, the school Friday (and through Saturday lunch when 11. Corridors and classrooms may not be used won the western New England schools’ soccer there are Saturday classes scheduled). as lounge areas.

1981 Sandra Day O’Connor became the first MTV was launched. woman justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. In Los Angeles, the first known cases of AIDS appeared.

SPRING 2016 71 ‹ Cushing Academy ›

1982 frontiers in order for us to widen ours,” said “Varsity ice hockey has had a rather The Bulletin. checkered history at Cushing,” wrote The Lowe Hall Gets a Facelift The new computer lab was named after Bulletin, “rising three times from the ashes If you look back at old pictures of Lowe Hall, Cushing’s longest serving faculty member, of unceremonious demises only to reach one of Cushing’s earliest buildings, you’ll Frederick D. Lane (see pg. 6) and was located new heights of achievement.” Although the see that the siding was once dark in color. In at the north end of the Main Building on the Academy first played hockey in the winter of fact, it was made of slate. In 1982, the school second floor in what, for many years, was Mr. 1924–25, they played only one game that year, removed that slate siding and replaced it with Lane’s classroom. and were thoroughly trounced. For the next white clapboard, giving it the look we see two seasons, the school’s natural rink didn’t today. 1983 permit play, but in the 1927–28 season, the team played nine games and was undefeated. Girls’ Basketball Sets 1982 During the Great Depression, hockey faded a Cushing Record into oblivion, only to be resurrected under the The Frederick D. Lane Girls have been playing basketball at Cushing leadership of Brad Lamson in 1939–40, before Memorial Computer Lab since 1898. In 1983, they had quite the Cinder- being interrupted once again for World War II. In 1981, IBM launched its first personal ella season, rolling to a 17–1 record, claiming Although hockey returned in the 1950s, computer. In 1982, Commodore introduced a tournament championship and a school the school’s program was done in by the lack the Commodore 64—which people of a certain record for the most wins by a team—male or of artificial ice to play on. In the winter of age will probably remember with fondness. female—in a single season. The outcome was 1970–71, waning interest, declining enroll- In 1984, Apple spent $1.5 million on a Super all the more impressive since only co-captains ment, and rising operating expenses proved Bowl commercial that launched the beloved Laurie Montrond ’83 and Sandy Vachon ’83 the program’s undoing. As the Academy Macintosh computer. returned from the previous year’s squad. turned a corner in the early 1980s, how- Never one to be left behind, Cushing Their single loss came against an undefeated ever, there was a need to provide more Academy opened its first computer lab for Bancroft School team. They redeemed that athletic opportunities, and Watkins’ gen- the 1982–83 school year. Much of the funding loss, however, at the AISGA championship erosity helped bring back a sport that has came from an Edward E. Ford Foundation game, when they beat the top-seeded Ban- since become something of a niche for the grant of $25,000. The Bulletin noted, “We croft team by a score of 36–33. Academy. In fact, it its first year back, the are entering an era of computer wizardry at Academy “pucksters” qualified for the New an incredible speed. With the new funding Varsity Hockey England finals, a harbinger of things to come. provided last year, we were able to buy many Returns to Cushing new Apple 2Es and with our new computer In 1983, due to the generosity of Edward G. Hall of Nations Dedicated room, we gained the space to use these new Watkins ’56, the Academy welcomed varsity One of the first things people notice when computers.” Cushing students were expected hockey back after a 13-year hiatus. Mr. Wat- they come to Cushing’s Main Building is the to have at least one course in computers every kins had played hockey during his Cushing wall of flags in the main hall. Many stories year and the school offered programming days and he worked with Athletic Director have been told about what the flags stand for. courses in Pascal, Logo, and Basic. “The Wayne Sanborn and Coach Schuyler Peck to computer department is widening its bring this important sport back.

1983 Ice hockey returned to Cushing after A fire at Jewett House caused more Hall of Nations a 13-year hiatus. than $200,000 in damage. was dedicated.

1982 A suicide bombing of the U.S. The first commercially embassy in Beirut, Lebanon, available handheld mobile killed 63 people. phone was released by Motorola.

72 CUSHING YESTERDAY & TODAY REDRUM0486 ‹ Celebrating 150 years ›

In fact, the beginnings of that wall came to roof,” according to the Academy through the generosity of Esther The Bulletin. Jeanette and Lewis Perlstein. Their three grandsons Curry found the home Peter Adeson ’85, Eric Shapiro ’80, and Ken engulfed by smoke Shapiro ’88 attended the Academy. when she returned Mr. Perlstein was a trustee emeritus from a shopping trip and longtime friend to the Academy and in and called the Ash- 1982, he made a gift of 60 flags to the school, burnham Fire Depart- representing the nationalities of students ment. Ultimately, it who had studied at Cushing in the preceding took firefighters from three years. six communities to “Our gift of these flags,” he said at an put out the blaze. No assembly, “symbolizes the fact that great one was injured. nations must never cease in their efforts to improve their relationships with one another if life in our world is to progress. Cushing serves as an important participant early in this process by providing you students and your faculty with a sensitive community in which both learning and understanding can take place.” The number of countries represented at Cushing has grown so much since 1982, that the flags were replaced in 2003 with smaller, framed flags representing the members of the United Nations at that time.

A Fire at Jewett House Cushing Academy has had its share of campus fires during its 150-year history. In 1983, a fire at Jewett House caused more than $200,000 in damage. The fire began in the kitchen area and then spread up a rear wall to the second floor and attic. “Because the home had been remodeled with false ceilings, the fire was difficult to trace and contain as flames moved across the attic and CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: Jewett House fire; ceilings, eventually breaking through the boys’ hockey, girls’ basketball, 1983

1983 The U.S.S.R. boycotted the Summer Sally Ride became the first Olympics in Los Angeles, likely in woman astronaut in space. response to the U.S. boycott of the 1980 Olympics.

SPRING 2016 73 ‹ Cushing Academy ›

1984 Another Library for the Academy Libraries are the heart of any educational institution and Cushing is no different. The school’s first library was lost in the 1893 fire and rebuilding it consumed much time and money in the first few years afterward. From 1894 until 1965, the school’s library was located at the end of the first floor of the Main Building, where the Headmaster’s Office is now. In 1965, the school added a floor to the second level of the old gym and moved the library to that space (see pg. 49). By 1982, it was clear that the school had outgrown that space as well, and they began to discuss how to raise the funding to build a new library and learning center. Edward G. Watkins ’56 continued his gen- erous support of the Academy—support that continues to this day—by offering $300,000 in matching gifts for the construction. Tony Fisher ’69 pledged $100,000. They were joined by hundreds of other donors—faculty, staff, parents, students, and friends—who made the library possible. TOP: Fisher-Watkins Library under construction BOTTOM (L–R): Library after completion and dedication During construction, the Main Build- by Tony Fisher, 1984 ing was raised on steel girders so they could remove the dirt from beneath the building whether hard at work on research for a term the Class of 1984 had their graduation in the to clear space for the new space. When it paper or relaxing by the window, curled up in new space—before the furniture was moved was completed in 1984, the library contained an oversized chair,” said The Bulletin. in—because it was raining outside, where 20,000 volumes with an emphasis on a According to one contemporary faculty graduation was normally held. Also, the con- strong up-to-date reference collection. It member, “The library was the school’s crown struction of the new library obviously neces- featured computer “terminals” that linked jewel at that time. It was featured in Architec- sitated the removal of dirt from beneath the the Academy’s students to outstanding refer- tural Digest.” Main Building. That fill was used to construct ence materials around the world. It was “a There are two interesting stories about the a new regulation soccer field and a practice place where young people feel comfortable, new facility. One faculty member told us that field for lacrosse on the south end of campus.

1984 Cushing added the Fisher-Watkins Peggy Lee and Chris Boyle Total fundraising at Cushing surpassed Library to its campus. joined the faculty. $1 million for the first time.

1984 LiveAid, held simultaneously in Indira Ghandi, the only female London and Philadelphia and Prime Minister of India, was featuring dozens of pop artists, assassinated. raised money to alleviate the ongoing famine in Ethiopia. SQUELLE

74 CUSHING YESTERDAY & TODAY ‹ Celebrating 150 years ›

1985 Cushing’s Forward-Thinking Computer Literacy Program In 1980, Time magazine declared the 1980s the decade of the computer. “Nowhere is the revolution that the microchip wrought more evident than at Cushing,” wrote The Bulletin. “The 1984–85 academic year has seen the Acad- emy develop one of the most broad and rigor- ous computer literacy programs in the nation, much to the delight of Cushing students,” the article went on. “Whereas many, if not most, independent schools require their students to take a computer course for graduation, Cush- ing now requires all students to take a term of computer studies each year.” of this expanding knowledge, they needed a Cushing Institutes the A-Team Indeed, the Academy’s computer program course every year!” That requirement neces- In the mid-1980s, crack cocaine hit the streets has always been somewhat ahead of its time. sitated the addition of a second computer lab, of America and President Ronald Reagan As early as 1980, the Lane Computer Center this one created as part of the renovation of signed the Anti-Drug Abuse Act. Cushing, not had an external hard drive that connected the old Wallace Library. immune to the issue of drugs, instituted its all of the computer terminals in the school, “The goals of ‘Computer Skills,’” explained Assessment Team—or A-Team as it came to be meaning that students and faculty didn’t Dr. Johanningsmeier, “are to help the stu- called. Dean of Students George Draper and Dr. have to go to the center to do their work. Eric dents feel comfortable with the computer Curry wanted to confront the issue head on Egertson, head of the general computer pro- and to use it in their work. With those goals and realized the need for education and sup- gram at Cushing said, “Students may now use in mind, Eric Egertson spent last summer port. When a student was suspected to have a the terminal to find out what the assignment writing the basic manual for the program. It substance abuse problem, they were referred is, fulfill the assignment on the terminal, is designed to take the student through a vari- to the A-Team, who investigated the truth of and either print it out and hand it in, or they ety of steps, beginning with such elementary the matter and dealt directly with the student. can leave it on the terminal for the teacher to needs as turning on the terminal, logging The most common drugs found on Cushing’s call up.” Indeed, that’s not significantly dif- on, using passwords, bringing up the desired campus were alcohol and marijuana. ferent from the process we use in 2016. program—usually a game in the early stages— For students whose drug use posed signifi- In addressing the need for yearly computer and logging off.” In 2016, those are skills our cant health concerns, parents were notified classes, Joyce Ferris said, “It became clear students have been using practically since and the students were sometimes required to that the revolution is progressing so quickly birth, but back in 1985, teaching such skills be evaluated by outside professionals. that the information one receives one year is was forward-thinking. The A-Team wasn’t universally loved by outmoded the next. We became convinced the students, of course. Some felt it was just that in order for our students to stay abreast another way for faculty to “bust” students.

1985 1985 Coca-Cola released New Coke. The wreck of the Titanic was located by Dr. Robert Ballard.

SPRING 2016 75 ‹ Cushing Academy ›

1985 ing line, but Dr. Curry really believed it. addition for a number of years. The new facil- “We strive to develop happy, fair-minded, and ity seated 500 people, enabling the school to A New productive human beings,” he wrote. “And return to a beloved tradition: family-style Admissions all of our programs are directed to this goal…. meals. Table service for those meals was pro- Area We cannot ignore the beauty and intrinsic vided by students and each table was presided When the Fisher- worth of our children and still be true to the over by a faculty member. Watkins Library was purpose of education.” The student center was open a few months built, it left open the later and featured video games, table tennis, area of the school’s 1986 pool, a jukebox, television, and a snack bar— Wallace Library on not altogether unlike the 2016 version of the the main floor of the Fisher-Watkins Dining student center. Funding for that space was Main Building. The Commons Comes into Being spearheaded by Joseph Treadwell P’89, Chair school’s rapid growth The Academy’s rapid growth over the preced- of the Parent Fund. Parents raised $700,000 through the early years ing decade had led to a cramped and disor- for the center. of the decade necessitated an upgrade of ganized dining hall. Faculty from that time the Academy’s admissions area and the old remember that formal dinners were held in 1987 library location fit that bill. Demolition of the the gym because it was the only place that old library began in 1984. could hold everyone. In 1986, the Academy Dorm Aid Begins In 1985, the Academy conducted over 1,000 broke ground on a new facility. In early 1987, a group of Cushing students, admissions interviews. At the time, Director The building was complete by February chaired by Dan Schnitzer ’89, started a semes- of Admissions Judy Beams said, “Now we have 1987 and the lower level featured a student ter-long project to raise funds to help battered room to receive six families at a time. There’s center, which had been a much-requested and abused children in Massachusetts. room for all to sit down, relax, and enjoy a Students recycled cans, held a car wash, sold cup of coffee, tea, or hot chocolate. Before it t-shirts, and hosted both a dance and a Dorm was almost chaotic. Now it’s relaxing.” Aid concert featuring student musicians. The event was so successful that it became Cushing: A Good Place to Grow an annual tradition. In 1990, the event By 1985, Dr. Curry had been at Cushing’s raised money to install Joyce Sun’s ’89 “Tree helm for 13 years. The lean and rebuilding of Knowledge” stained glass window in the years of the 1970s were in the rearview mirror Main Building. These days, the event is called and focus had turned toward building the Spring Fling and has lost some of its fundrais- school for the future. In the school’s admis- ing and community service flavor. Even so, sions material, Dr. Curry had taken to calling it’s a fun time that ushers out winter—we the school “a good place to grow,” which from hope!—and celebrates that the end of the anyone else might have seemed like a market- school year is in sight.

1985 Rich Devin and Bill Wenning joined The boys’ basketball team earned its first Cushing’s faculty. New England championship in 100 years.

1985 The Domain Name System was Mikhail Gorbachev created. became leader of “We Are the World” was recorded. the U.S.S.R. RIA NOVOSTI ARCHIVE RIA NOVOSTI

76 CUSHING YESTERDAY & TODAY ‹ Celebrating 150 years ›

Cushing Inaugurates beliefs and policies that are still rooted in the Asian Studies Program past.” Itaru Umezu, Deputy Consul General Diversity has been a hallmark of Cushing and Director of the Japan Information Center life since 1889, with students from countries praised the program, saying, “When Cushing around the world including Japan, China, students meet their peers across the Pacific, Armenia, and others. In the beginning, many it will be easier because they have already international students came to Cushing to reached out to the other side.” escape political unrest in their countries of By 1987, 76 students from 17 countries were birth. In the 1970s, however, Dr. Curry made attending Cushing. an effort to recruit students from around the world, dramatically increasing the diversity of AIDS Workshops at Cushing the student body. In 1987, the Academy intro- When AIDS was first recognized in 1981, it duced an Asian Studies program, giving all was viewed as a problem for the homosexual students the chance to learn Asian languages— population. By 1987, however, it was clear Korean, Japanese, and Chinese—and culture. that it had a far broader reach than that. The At a New York City event celebrating the disease was addressed at Cushing through program, Ro-Myung Gong, Ambassador Con- a series of informal workshops held in the sul General of the Republic of Korea said, “To dorms. The goal was to educate Cushing successfully cope with the tensions that will students about the causes and prevention of inevitably arise from the meeting of diverse the disease. Dorm and campus life in the 1980s cultures, effort should be made to promote understanding and to break down the popular

1986 Mark Burke joined Cushing’s faculty for the first time.

1986 The first observance of Martin Approximately 6.5 million people Halley’s Comet Luther King, Jr., Day took place. donated money to participate in passed by Earth. Hands Across America, which raised The space shuttle Challenger exploded 73 seconds into flight, money to help those in poverty. killing all seven crew members. What would become known as the Iran-Contra Affair began in an effort to free American hostages held in Lebanon.

SPRING 2016 77 ‹ Cushing Academy ›

1986 1982

1940 2003 1989

Boys vs. Girls of these functions,” noted the editors of The in their rooms. Girls were not so lucky. One Although Cushing has been coeducational Breeze, “but they have a chance to make most letter to The Breeze editor said, “Cushing is since its first day, boys and girls have not of the arrangements, which is valuable train- a democratic institution. How are boys any always been treated in ways our contempo- ing for the future.” more privileged than the girls? Why should rary sensibilities would consider equal. When Alumni Hall opened to house girls we be denied the simple privilege of having a Girls did not always have the same access in the fall of 1947, its residents were very radio in our rooms?” to the gym as the boys did, for example. closely watched. There were coedding hours Even at mid-century, boys and girls were For many years, girls were not allowed to on Wednesday and Sunday afternoons and treated differently. The school had a focus engage in interscholastic athletic competi- movies in the chapel on Saturday nights. on a “balance of shared activities and those tion, although they did enjoy many athletic Before they could go, however, the girls had interests peculiar to boys or to girls.” Classes options on campus—like horseback riding, to sign out with a faculty member at their and meals were shared, and most clubs were swimming, baseball, volleyball, track, and dorms, with the time clearly noted, and then coeducational as well, but athletics were archery. In fact, Cushing was one of the first sign in again when they reached the chapel, wholly separate. A mid-century Cushing cata- academies to have girls’ basketball and girls’ also with the time clearly noted, so there was logue noted: “The boys have an extensive ath- field hockey teams. Like the boys, girls could no time for any shenanigans along the way. letic program with a well-organized plan of earn athletic letters. Boys were not so closely watched. daily physical exercise. In addition, vigorous Girls were encouraged to host social In 1948, after the end of World War II, interscholastic competition is provided with events. “Not only do they enjoy the privileges Cushing boys were allowed to have radios leading preparatory schools in the area. The

78 CUSHING YESTERDAY & TODAY ‹ Celebrating 150 years ›

1973 1983

1925 1986

girls have their own sports program, but it is to the name of Cushing.” known as the “Ladies Gym.” Girls’ sports were less intense, more diversified, yet maintain- An editorial in 1953 noted that “it is most still playing second fiddle to boys’ sports, a ing the tradition of competitive athletics. The evident that the boys hold the favored posi- fact that wasn’t universally accepted. One girls, because of their less intensive program, tion in important respects.” Clearly, the girls letter to The Breeze’s editor said, “Naturally it have more time to devote to art, music, and felt that they were more harshly punished for would be senseless to request an individual various club activities, which are so much a small infractions, like running down the hall, coach for each sport, but certainly one part of their development.” being late to a meal, or occasional laughter in individual adviser to supervise competitive Students were often more progressive study hall, than the boys were. What might sports ALONE seems to me to be a humble than their administrative counterparts. In lead to a young man having to do extra work enough request. This person could carefully 1951, the girls’ field hockey team lost a game in the dining hall would lead a young lady to select and organize different teams in order to to Gardner. The following issue of The Breeze losing privileges altogether, a circumstance bring about a superior team and consequently observed that, “from the beginning the odds the young ladies found unfair at a “demo- victory and glory for the school.” In addition, were against [the Cushing girls] because they cratic school such as Cushing.” boys were required to participate in some had not the proper field to train on nor the Equality was slow in coming, however. sport each season, but girls were not. proper equipment to play with.” The editors When the school celebrated its centennial in felt, apparently strongly, that equal oppor- 1965, they renovated the old gym in the Main tunities should be given to the girls as to the Building. The lower level of the new space boys so that they could “bring honor and glory was turned into an exercise space for girls,

SPRING 2016 79 ‹ Cushing Academy ›

1987 At its beginning in 1987, NAPS had 50 1987. Needless to say, the students weren’t big students. By 1989, the program graduated 187 fans. Dr. Curry said he brought the program Native American Preparatory students. In 1990, enrollment was 300. back in part because the school faced a short- School Launched Although the money for the program ran age of dining hall workers and to hire enough In the summer of 1987, the Native American out after just a few years, Director Wayne staff would have been cost prohibitive. But he Preparatory School (NAPS) was founded by Hancock is proud of what it accomplished also noted that creating a sense of unity and Richard and Sharon Ettinger, parents of Matt and pleased that he had the opportunity to giving students the opportunity to get involved ’91; Chairman and Mrs. Peter MacDonald of participate. “My own kids are better for hav- with the school in a non-academic way was the Navajo Nation; and Dr. Curry. Wayne ing been able to spend those summers in the also an important reason to bring it back. Hancock served as the coordinator of the Southwest learning about Native American Students were required to spend 24 hours program; he was joined by Dr. Norm Carey, and Hispanic culture.” per year assisting in the dining hall and 16 who taught English. Five Cushing students The relationship between the Academy hours per year doing other jobs, including served as peer counselors: Charity MacDonald and the Native American community has student center monitors, set workers for ’90, Matt Londe ’89, Matt Ettinger ’91, Diana continued, even in the absence of the NAPS drama productions, science lab aides, and Schwinn ’90, and Beth Carey ’91. program. For several years after the program tour guides. The Navajo students took classes and ended, Bob Johnson took his art students participated in sports and other activities to visit the Southwest and learn about during the four-week summer program at Native American art and artists. Peggy Lee the Verde Valley School in Sedona, Ariz. The still recruits Native American students for following year, the program was extended to Cushing’s Summer Session and its regular six weeks and moved to the campus of New academic year. Mexico State University at Las Cruces. It also expanded to include other tribes. Work Program Returns The goal of the program was to introduce to Cushing students to the independent school environ- For many years, Cushing students were ment and to prepare them for higher educa- required to spend several hours per term tion. The students’ cultural identity was the doing work around campus. The theory was primary value of the program. The curricu- that it would give them ownership of the lum was designed to reflect the importance of campus and they’d be less likely to create Native American contributions. For example, messes that they or their classmates would the English and oral communications courses need to clean up. How well that actually focused on the Native American voice in lit- worked is likely a matter for some debate. erature and the diverse cultural traditions of In the early 1980s, that requirement was the Native groups represented at NAPS. suspended, but Dr. Curry re-instituted it in

1987 1988 Native American Preparatory School Amy Logan and Ellen Harrington Model UN came to Cushing for the Whit Wales became chair of the (NAPS) was launched. ’70 joined the Cushing staff. first time. Performing Arts Department, taking over from Mary Fern The Fisher-Watkins Dining Commons Bob Macioci joined the Cushing faculty. (right). and student center opened.

1987 AZT was approved by the FDA for Star Trek: The Next Generation George H.W. Bush defeated Michael Benazir Bhutto became the the treatment of AIDS/HIV. debuted. Dukakis to become President. Prime Minister of Pakistan, the first woman elected as Michael Jackson released his On October 19, world stock markets PanAm flight 103 was destroyed the head of an Islamic state’s album Bad. crashed in one of the biggest one- by a terrorist bomb over Lockerbie, government. day slides in history. Scotland, killing all 243 passengers, 16 crew members, and 11 people on the ground.

80 CUSHING YESTERDAY & TODAY ‹ Celebrating 150 years ›

1989 which Cushing had always been known. The As Board President M. Anthony Fisher number of faculty reached 68 that fall, neces- ’69 wrote, “A school draws its strength from Cushing Inaugurates its sitating the creation of a Dean of Faculty posi- the truth and value of its mission, and Gold Key Society tion, which was undertaken by Rich Henry. that explains the good fortune of Cushing Fifty years is an accomplishment, no matter Academy. It is with a spirit of optimism and how you slice it. In 1989, when Cushing Cushing Fundraising a sense of commitment to sound ideals that shifted its reunion activities from June to May Surpasses $3 million as Part we will continue to build upon the strong so that alumni could interact with students, of Capital Campaign foundation we have created.” it also launched its Gold Key Society, honor- The 1980s heralded the beginning of During the campaign, Tony Fisher and ing those alumni who were celebrating at Cushing’s modern fundraising operation. Edward G. Watkins ’56 each donated millions least 50 years since their graduation. It’s Although the Academy had been soliciting of dollars, including matching gifts that an honor we still celebrate each year during gifts from its very beginning—literally, they spurred other members of the community to Reunion Weekend. were asking for donations at its dedication contribute. in 1875—for most of its history, the school’s fundraising had been modest. 1990 That began to change during the 1980s when the school launched a $10 million capi- Cushing Redesigns its tal campaign. In 1989, the school raised more Alumni Magazine than $3 million, doubling the previous year’s Cushing has had an alumni publication for contributions. The increase was due to three much of its history. In the early years, a spe­ factors, according to the alumni newsletter: a cial issue of The Breeze served the purpose, as record $1.4 million in campaign contributions that publication was sent to all alumni who Cushing Enrollment Reaches from individuals, a $1 million restricted gift had purchased a subscription. In about 1924, 400 for the First Time to the endowment, and an unprecedented the school began writing a publication that In 2015, Cushing deliberately reduced the size level of support from foundations. was specifically for alumni, called The Bulletin­ , of its student body to 400, a number the Acad- The campaign funded the construction of that took several different forms through the emy first reached in 1989. Back then, it was the award-winning library, the new dining years, including a magazine format. the largest the school had ever been, with 366 hall and student center complex, the acquisi- In 1990, the Academy redesigned that pub- boarding students and 34 day students. About tion of six houses for faculty and students, lication and relaunched it. Featuring glossy 25 percent of the students were international. and the purchase of 45 acres of land. It also pages, news, class notes, and more, it was Headmaster Curry felt it was an optimum enabled the school to retire a significant the beginning of the magazine you’re holding number for the school. He noted that the amount of the debt it had incurred as it in your hand right now! school combined the advantages of extensive increased its student body and improved its resources with the supporting environment for physical plant.

1989 1990 Clifford Beebe, husband of Trustee Mildred Dunn Cushing inaugurated the 1865 Society, The first issue of the Cushing Beebe ’36, established the Cushing archives. honoring those who have made planned gifts magazine was published. Bette Davis ’26 passed away. to the Academy. The NAPS program was featured on The Today Show. Cindy Battista Merrill joined the Cushing faculty. Bill Troy joined the faculty. 1990 The Exxon Valdez struck a reef in Prince William 1990 Sound, spilling millions of gallons of crude oil. Nelson Mandela was freed after 27 East Germany opened its border with West years in South African prisons. Germany, leading to the fall of the Berlin Wall. Doug Wilder became the nation’s General Colin Powell became first black Chair of first black governor, in Virginia. the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The Hubble space telescope was Student-led protests in Tiananmen Square were launched. forcibly suppressed by the Chinese military.

SPRING 2016 81 ‹ Cushing Academy ›

Big River, which perhaps goes a way toward Silver Penguin: explaining how Cushing ended up with such Mary Fern a wonderful artist on campus that year. Generations of Cushing students were taught by 1992 the incomparable Mary Fern. To say she had a Drew Common Dedicated multitude of talents Once upon a winter time, in the space would be an understate- between Lowe Hall and Ash House, there ment, which was a good thing, because was an ice hockey rink. In the spring, it was there was no Performing Arts Department tennis courts. But then it was turned into a at Cushing when she arrived in 1967, so she lovely, large lawn and became home to cook- had to start from scratch. She was committed outs, Frisbee games, snowball fights, purple to sharing her love of drama with Cushing’s chairs, commencement, and convocation. students, however. “I wanted to give as many Drew Common is named in honor of kids as possible the chance to have the drama 1991 Alfred Gaylord Drew ’27. When Drew died experience,” she said in 1998. She increased in April 1991, his will included the largest the number of productions and carved Broadway Comes to Cushing bequest the school had received to that time: out time between athletics and classes so In January 1991, George Merritt, star of the $650,000. “While he never sought recogni- students could pursue the arts. At first, that Tony Award winning Broadway musical Big tion for his generosity, I believe Al would meant her students had rehearsals from 6:00 River: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, spent smile at being linked with an area so central to 7:30 in the morning, but the kids stuck two months serving as Cushing’s artist-in- to the daily lives of students,” said Dr. Curry with it and Mary applauded their diligence. residence, assisting the Academy’s drama in 1992 when the common was dedicated. The Cushing community loved the perfor- and music departments with their production “Al had a deep commitment to Cushing’s mances, and they became quite important to of the musical, in which he also starred. students and to helping provide for them the life at the Academy. Her students performed Merritt was no stranger to the field of edu- same opportunities that he received here as a in classics like Death of a Salesman and The cation. After graduating from the University student,” Dr. Curry went on. Importance of Being Earnest, but they also per- of Hartford’s Hartt School of Music, he taught formed original one act plays—a tradition she music at the elementary school level for six began in those early years and which would years and was named Teacher of the Year last until after she’d retired from teaching at five times. “I never took a vacation,” Merritt Cushing. said back in 1990. “When I wasn’t teaching Mary was a fixture at the Academy and I worked in summer stock, sang in church her work mattered to decades of Cushing choirs and performed with community the- students. “I had a real house and I was able to atre groups.” have students over for coffee or sandwiches,” Then-Cushing Board President Tony Fisher she remembered. “We had a number of those ’69 helped produce the Broadway version of sessions. They were teaching sessions, but

1991 Bruce Lemieux joined the faculty.

1991 Operation Desert Storm, fought by a After bitter confirmation hearings centering coalition of forces led by the United States, on accusations by Anita Hill, Clarence began after Iraq invaded Kuwait. Thomas was confirmed as an associate The Soviet Union dissolved after many of justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. its republics declared independence; Boris The Convention for a Democratic South Yeltsin became President of the Russian Africa began negotiations to form a Federation. multiracial government in that country, signaling the end of apartheid. KREMLIN.RU 82 CUSHING YESTERDAY & TODAY ‹ Celebrating 150 years ›

it was an awful lot of fun.” She also made a Cushing Renovates Laboratories point of producing large productions so “lots In 1894, when the Academy rebuilt its Main of kids could try their stuff.” Building following the major fire, it also It wasn’t just the students who benefit- built a new facility next door to house the ted from her enthusiasm, however. Fellow Science Department; indeed, the structure faculty members performed too. “I had was called the Science Building until the wonderful people to work with,” she said. Curry Center was built in 2005. As quickly as “Some of them were very, very talented. So we science and technology move, however, the had a good number of plays and even more laboratories in the building were regularly opportunities for teachers to get to know stu- updated throughout the 111 years it served dents. They got to know students not just in a that function. In 1992, the Academy raised regular classroom. And students got to know $100,000 to make such a renovation possible. their teachers too.” In the chemistry lab, wrote The Bulletin, She remembered fondly a young Tony “Years of paint were removed from the brick Fisher ’69, who, among other things, did walls and the oak lab tables were restored lighting for her productions. “It seemed to to their original condition, stripped of me he had a particularly loud voice when he eleven layers of paint and varnish. Improved called for a certain light that’s a yellowish lighting and a new ceiling and floor complete shade and it’s called Bastard Amber,” she the environment.” said. “Tony would yell to ‘put on the Bastard The Martin Fisher Physics Laboratory Amber!’” There was a gentleman in the cha- was also renovated with new furniture and pel who was very upset to hear such language couple of times I came down here to weep carpeting, improved lighting, and expanded and wanted to know why Tony was yelling because I was going to miss them very much.” classroom and storage space. The renovations “Bastard Amber.” Mary tried to explain, but But that was just the kind of teacher she was. were part of a multi-phase project to upgrade the gentleman just didn’t think it was very She and her late husband never had children, all of the labs, including the ecology and nice. “So I went in and I asked Tony—who I but when people would ask her if she had any, biology spaces. know just loved doing it—to tone down the she would say, “Oh yes. About 5,000 or so.” noise.” Tony responded he couldn’t because Eventually, Mary was named the Chair of everyone needed to be able to hear him. That the Visual and Performing Arts Department, seemed like a good enough reason to Mary, so a role she kept until the arrival of Whit Wales she let him continue. in 1988. She retired in 1992, having spent her Sometimes she spent time in the chapel last four years working in the Alumni and by herself when it was quiet because she felt Development Office. By the end of her tenure that was when she got her best staging ideas. at the Academy, she had also been the Head But she also acknowledged that sometimes of the English Department, taught public there was sadness in the quiet. “I would come speaking, and worked in College Counseling. down when the students I knew and loved For her contributions to the Academy, she were going to go out and graduate and… a was named an honorary alumna in 1992.

1992 Drew Common was dedicated. Cushing’s laboratories were renovated. Mary Fern officially retired, though she Deborah Nyberg Harmon and Nancy Holmes continued to volunteer at the Academy. Boyle joined the Cushing faculty. 1992 Following the acquittal of the police Bill Clinton defeated Hurricane Andrew made officers charged with beating Rodney George H.W. Bush to landfall in South Florida, King, Los Angeles erupted in riots. become President. causing more than $26 The European Union was established. billion in damage and killing 65 people.

SPRING 2016 83 ‹ Cushing Academy ›

1994 “The most gratifying aspect of this project to begin construction on what would become is seeing that students have not wasted any the $5.5 million Theodore L. Iorio Arena. Keeping up with Technology, time in utilizing the computers,” remarked Edward G. Watkins ’56 and M. Anthony Cushing Renovates Computer Walter Koenig, Chair of Cushing’s Computer Fisher ’69 were also major contributors to the Labs Science Department at that time. “Walk into project. The facility made it possible for Cush- In 1985, Cushing began requiring students either of the labs on any given afternoon and ing to add girls’ hockey to its slate of athletic to take one computer class each year. That you will see students and faculty occupy- offerings. In the years since its construction, requirement, of course, meant that Cush- ing nearly every machine, experimenting, the arena has become an important part of ing was committing to keeping the school’s quizzing each other, and exploring the many life at the school. Thousands of hockey games computer technology up to date, no small capabilities available to them.” have been played in it. It’s been home to undertaking. In 1994, Cushing made good on Olympic-level athletes and to dozens, if not that commitment by upgrading the school’s 1995 hundreds, of community gatherings. computer labs. Mr. Iorio, a longtime trustee and now The description of the labs seems quaint Cushing Adds Theodore Iorio a trustee emeritus, subsequently donated today: “One laboratory… utilizes multi-media Arena, Girls’ Hockey to Campus hand-crafted display cabinets to showcase the software along with word processing, page In 1994, Theodore Iorio, parent of Ted Iorio artwork of Cushing’s talented students. The layout, spreadsheet and database applica- ’95, approached Dr. Curry about building an cabinets are located in the arena’s lobby. tions,” wrote The Bulletin. The other labora- ice arena and gave the Academy $1.5 million tory featured internal CD-ROMs, laser discs, and laser printers. “Access to electronic mail and the latest software provide both of these facilities with interactive, multi-media capabilities that set the standard at secondary schools in New England.”

1994 A new sound system was purchased for Cowell Chapel and the chapel was renovated with new seating. 1993 Cushing’s computer labs were renovated. 1995 The first “Team Cushing” events took place. Beth Shoulla Stone came to Cushing as an athletic Iorio Arena opened. Jessica MacKenzie Devin joined the faculty. trainer, Deborah Gustafson joined Summer Session Girls’ hockey debuted. staff, and Kurt Kublbeck joined the faculty. 1993 A truck bomb was detonated below Genocide of more than 500,000 Rwandans took place. Timothy McVeigh and Terry the north tower of the World Trade The Irish Republican Army declared a complete cease Nichols detonated a bomb at Center, killing six. fire in Northern Ireland. the Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City, killing 168 and Toni Morrison won the Nobel Prize Nelson Mandela was elected President of South Africa. for literature. injuring 680. The longest strike in the history of Major League Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Ruth Bader Ginsburg was confirmed Baseball took place. as an associate justice of the U.S. Rabin was assassinated. Supreme Court.

84 CUSHING YESTERDAY & TODAY ‹ Celebrating 150 years ›

1998 M. Anthony Fisher ’69, who was president of the board at that time and provided generous Silver Penguin: funding for the project, named the building Dr. Arthur Johanningsmeier after his mother. Several other trustees— When Dr. J—as Arthur Johanningsmeier including Edward G. Watkins ’56, Joel Reit- was affectionately known—retired in 1998, man ’74, Thomas Carter, and Nancy Hobson— he’d been at Cushing for 26 years. His career offered considerable support as well. included several years of experience as a “We have one of the best visual arts pro- post-doctoral faculty member at Colorado grams in the nation,” department head Bob State University and an assistant professor Johnson said at the time. “Our students learn of Biology at Boston University. During the not only with an amazing faculty and a vari- summers of 1967 and 1968, Dr. J. taught Field is improved many times over.” Jean spent a ety of course but from each other, as advanced Ecology at Northfield Mount Hermon, where number of years as the Academy’s librarian. students often help teach beginners—kids as he met Dr. Curry. In the spring of 1972, as Throughout the years, a variety of special well as faculty from other disciplines.” headmaster-elect at Cushing, Dr. Curry asked projects served as the basis for much of Dr. J.’s The incredible building included a gallery, Dr. J. if he would serve as head of the science teaching. One in the late ’70s involved a grant named in honor of Maude Bowen Carter, to program at Cushing. Feeling a strong need to study the Nashua River (see pg. 67). “That display student and alumni work. Richard to establish himself and a home, Dr. J. and was an exciting time. We were the leaders Whitney, noted portrait and landscape his late wife, Jean, decided to bring their two in doing that kind of work,” he said in 1998. painter and former Cushing faculty member, sons, Edward ’74 and Charles ’77, to Cushing. It was that type of practical application and helped inaugurate the space by putting 23 “We did settle in. Time seemed to pass. I don’t ingenuity that made Dr. J.’s teaching tactics of his paintings up for the first show in the know where the time has gone,” he said as he not only distinctive, but also very influential Carter Gallery. thought back over his 26 years at the Academy. for his students. In Dr. J’s years at the Academy, there were numerous changes. Perhaps the most obvious Emily Fisher Landau was the school’s growth, both in the number Center for the Visual Arts of students and the physical plant. In his first Fine arts officially became part of the Cushing year, there were 161 students enrolled, quite curriculum in 1942 with the hiring of Zaydee a bit fewer than the 400 who were enrolled DeJonge (see pg. 55), and in the years since, the in 1998. One example of that growth was school’s program has become internationally the addition of the Fisher-Watkins Library, recognized. For many years, however, the a project in which Dr. J’s wife, Jean, was program didn’t have a consistent space on very active. “Jean got it off the ground,” he campus. It lived in several different places said at the time. “The access to information in the Main Building as well as the top floor of the Science Building. That changed in 1998 with the opening of the Emily Fisher 1996 Landau Center for the Visual Arts. Trustee Cushing hosted its first senior pumpkin-carving event. 1998 All students and faculty were granted access to CushNet, providing email and messaging among 1997 Chelle Brown Salvucci, Will Sponholtz, and Donny members of the on-campus community. Joan Hathaway came to Cushing to teach pottery. Harmon joined the faculty. Jennifer Paxman Bernard ’90 and David Bennett Cushing, with the generosity of Edward G. Watkins ’56, joined the faculty. hosted its first Boston Holiday event. 1998 Eric Rudolph set off a bomb at the Control over Hong Kong In August, simultaneous truck bombs went Centennial Olympic Park in Atlanta, Ga. transferred from the United off at United States embassies in Tanzania Congress passed the Personal Kingdom to China. and Kenya, killing more than 200 people. Responsibility and Work Opportunity Princess Diana was killed in a Matthew Shepard was beaten, tortured, and Act, a major reform to welfare laws in car crash in Paris. left to die in Wyoming, a victim of a hate the United States. crime due to his homosexuality. J.K. Rowling published Harry Madeleine Albright became the first Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. President Clinton was impeached on charges

woman Secretary of State. GEGODEJU of perjury and obstruction of justice; he was later acquitted. SPRING 2016 85 ‹ Cushing Academy ›

Cushing Visual Arts Students 1999 with the Academy. It gives me great pleasure to make this gift and to pay tribute to Cush- Restore Stained Glass Windows Lilla M. Pond ’36 Establishes ing’s growth under Dr. Curry’s leadership.” In 1999, a representative from the First Bap- Cushing’s First Faculty Chair tist Church in Winchendon called Bob John- In 1999, Lilla M. Pond ’36 honored Dr. Curry’s Silver Penguin: son to ask if he wanted the stained glass win- service to Cushing Academy by funding Ray Lemieux dows that were headed for the trash. Never an area which had been a hallmark of his In 1999, Director of one to pass up an opportunity, Bob recruited tenure: hiring the best faculty and ensuring Plant and Property Ray some student volunteers to pick them up. that they were compensated well. The chair Lemieux retired after The windows had been damaged in a was also an honor for the recipient—Bob 36 years of service to fire, but Johnson knew that the 200-plus- Johnson—a distinguished senior faculty Cushing. At Lemieux’s year-old windows would be a great learning member, and made a strong statement about retirement, Dr. Curry experience for his students. Although several the importance of teaching at the Academy. said, “It is with great students were enrolled in Johnson’s stained “This is an extraordinarily significant respect and admira- glass course, creating their own designs and moment in Cushing’s history,” stated Dr. tion that I would like learning the process, the real world windows Curry at the time the chair was announced. to thank Ray on behalf of Cushing Academy gave them a rare experience of working on “Lilla’s commitment of $1 million for an for his 36 years of service. With diligence and antique artifacts. endowed faculty chair represents the Acad- dependability he has worked continuously to Several years later, two of the windows, emy’s first fully funded chair.” He added, “It help build a beautiful and well-run physi- successfully restored, took up residence in the means a great deal to all who care about cal plant. From the day-to-day operation of Fisher-Watkins Library, where you can still Cushing, and this gift is, of course, person- the Academy to the larger projects that have see them today. ally meaningful, as well.” included new campus buildings, Ray’s contri- Lilla served as a trustee for many years and butions will never be forgotten.” her love for Cushing dated back to her time An Ashburnham native, Lemieux served as a student. She followed the Academy’s under four headmasters—West, Lamson, progress through the years, but became more Baker, and Curry. “Cushing was tiny when I involved at the time of her 50th reunion, began working here,” he once recalled. “There when she saw more closely the changes that were about 100 to 110 students, the buildings had occurred under Dr. Curry’s tenure. were in good shape, but the grounds were A successful businesswoman who owned terrible and there weren’t too many people on and ran an insurance firm, Lilla understood the maintenance staff.” well the importance of leadership. “Joe Cur- Lemieux raised his family at the Academy, ry’s great vision and old-fashioned hard work and sons Steven ’77 and Bruce ’85 are alumni; have made Cushing an institution of which as a matter of fact, these days Bruce is Cush- we can all be very proud,” Lilla remarked dur- ing’s Director of Technology and is himself a ing a visit to campus. “I benefited a tremen- Silver Penguin. Ray also has several grand- dous amount from my education at Cushing, children who are alumni or current students: and I have enjoyed my lifelong relationship Matthew ’01, Tim ’13, Kat ’15, and Kevin ’19.

1999 Lilla M. Pond established the Bruce Sinclair and Catalina Reinoso Ray Lemieux retired. Academy’s first endowed faculty chair, joined the faculty. and it was awarded to Bob Johnson. 1999 Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold opened John F. Kennedy, Jr., died in a plane crash. The Euro was fire at Columbine High School in World population reached 6 billion. introduced. Colorado, killing 12 students and one teacher.

86 CUSHING YESTERDAY & TODAY ‹ Celebrating 150 years ›

2000 parents. In the years since, the names of the There was Kent State and Cambodia, and the graduating seniors have been added each turmoil at the college level seemed to trickle Senior Parent Gift Program spring. down to secondary schools. The old boarding Makes its Debut school days were under attack—hair, cloth- In 2016, Cushing’s senior parents are used to Silver Penguin: ing, rules of the traditional private school— receiving solicitations asking them to support Robert Hall everything was in flux.” Although he also the Senior Parent Gift Fund. Each year, the Robert Hall arrived on interviewed at a school across the country, he Academy partners with its senior parents to the Cushing campus liked the people at Cushing enough to accept create a lasting legacy on campus in honor of in the fall of 1970 the job. that graduating class. and for 30 years, he His first class was Introduction to U.S. The first-ever such gift was in 2000, when brought history alive History, and he proctored study hall in the the parents of the graduating class gave the in the Academy’s “old gym,” which was the dance studio by the brick walkway that extends from the Main classrooms. In a 1998 time he arrived. His impact on his students is Building to School Street. The centerpiece article, Hall recalled the first time he visited undeniable. We’ve heard stories from alumni of the walkway included the names of each campus: “I came to interview in the spring about his class on the Vietnam War and what member of the Class of 2000 and a plaque of 1970 when the students were away. It an impact his teaching on that subject had acknowledging the generosity of their was such a turbulent spring for the nation. on them.

Cushing Students at the turn of the new century 2000 Shevenell Terrace was dedicated. Bob Hall retired. The first Founder’s Day was celebrated. Susie Carlisle returned to the Cushing faculty; she was joined by Stirling Ince and Dave Stone. 2000 The new millennium arrived The USS Cole was bombed in Yemen, amid fears about a computer killing 17 American sailors. bug called Y2K. Vladimir Putin was elected President of Russia. KREMLIN.RU

SPRING 2016 87 ‹ Cushing Academy ›

1985 1981

Art at Cushing Cushing, had exhibited in Boston, New York, Of course, for many alumni, Cushing’s In his book, Frank Rand ’08 described Thomas Paris, the North Shore, and Fitchburg, her art program has never been under the care of Parkman Cushing thus, credited to one of hometown. anyone other than Bob Johnson, who came Cushing’s daughters: “He had a fine musical By the 1960s, the school was hosting to the Academy in the winter of 1973. With ear; in his younger days was a good singer a Fine Arts Festival each spring as part of Dr. Curry’s support, Johnson took a small and played the flute as well. Even to the last Parents’ Day. The highlight of the festival existing program, extended it in every direc- year of his life, it was a delight to him to was the art exhibit. It included an endowed tion and built it into one of the most highly accompany the piano with his favorite instru- prize and several honorable mention prizes respected programs in secondary education. ment, and our evenings were often spent in awarded by an art jury. Competition was When Johnson first arrived at Cushing, music and singing. He was also fond of art, keen. Classes in art and the history of art only drawing, painting, and silversmith- and, although never in Italy, was familiar were offered and included trips to museums ing were offered. Also, art classes were only with her treasures of sculpture, architec- in Fitchburg and Boston. offered in the evening. Since then, the visual ture, and painting, and possessed many fine Richard Whitney arrived in 1972 to be arts program has grown to include draw- engravings of the same.” Cushing’s artist-in-residence. A graduate of ing, painting, silversmithing, stained glass, Fine arts were not officially part of the the University of New Hampshire, he taught sculpture, pottery, digital imagery, and Cushing curriculum until 1942, when Princi- at Keene High School and the Sharon Art Cen- photography. pal Quimby hired the school’s first art teacher, ter, and also taught private classes. Jeanette Over the years, the Fine Arts Department Mrs. Mason Dix Harris, known professionally Curry also became an integral part of the moved around Cushing’s campus and lived as Zaydee DeJonge (see pg. 55). She studied in art department that year when her husband everywhere on every floor and every corner Paris and Italy and, by the time she came to became headmaster. of the Main Building—often simultaneously

88 CUSHING YESTERDAY & TODAY ‹ Celebrating 150 years ›

2016

existing in multiple places. For several years, son. With the construction of the new build- raphy, and Deb Gardner teaches classes in the art program was located on the top floor ing, the athletic requirement dropped to just a variety of media, including silversmith- of the Science Building (now the English two seasons, enabling students to take an art ing, ceramics, watercolor and oil painting, Building) in a space called the Cowell Memo- offering in the third season of the year. various fiber arts, and photography. Carolyn rial Fine Arts Center. Finally, when the Emily Johnson has explained that the visual art Johnson joined her husband, Bob, in 1998, Fisher Landau Center for the Visual Arts was classes are not just fun and games. “We’re and supports the department in a variety of built in 1998, the department had a home reinforcing what the kids are learning ways, including managing the gallery. where everyone could work together in one in their academic classes,” he said. “For Although Cushing’s art program is now space. As Johnson explained in 2002, however, example, a student will cut a stone at a pre- known around the world, there are some although the location moved, the method of cise measurement and will then watch all of things Johnson would like to add. In the teaching didn’t. “The way we taught when these angles start to appear from a previously future, he’d like to hire a teacher who is we were on the third floor of the Science flat surface. They can see how it intersects trained to do animation, and he would like to Building is the same way we teach now; the and why. Now they have an understanding of do more alumni art shows. “Our kids see that only difference is that no one ever saw us,” what is involved in geometry.” these artists went to Cushing and then they he said. Of course, the faculty has grown over the know they can do it too,” he said. The new facility did change the program. years. Joan Hathaway has been a member of Prior to its construction, there were no the department since 1997, Cheryl Storm has art afternoon activities and students were been teaching drawing classes for a number required to do three sports—one in each sea- of years, Rebecca Cinclair teaches photog-

SPRING 2016 89 ‹ Cushing Academy ›

2000 Superb teaching was a hallmark of his campus. He had a “work hard, play hard” tenure, and faculty considered themselves as philosophy, and faculty remember that he Dr. Joseph Curry Retires learning from the best, striving to meet his used to play “Happy Trails” at the end of par- Dr. Joseph Curry’s first few years as Cush- high standards. Faculty who worked for him ties as a signal that it was time to go. ing’s headmaster were difficult ones, but say that he was a taskmaster with very high When he retired in 2000, he wrote, “Since he saw Cushing through those difficulties, expectations. He believed in being on time. 1972, I have devoted my energies to this school and by 1980 Cushing was on firmer footing. “If you were going to be late, you were better that I hold dear. Much has been accomplished A pioneer in understanding how students off not going,” said one faculty member. by many people, and I know even greater with learning-style differences learn best, He had a definite philosophy about the accomplishments are ahead for Cushing. he launched Cushing’s Academic Support role of the Academy’s teachers in the lives of Cushing continues to offer students a premier Program, creating a model that many other its students. “There was a common, com- education in a remarkably caring and diverse schools would follow. Likewise, the English munal understanding that we were there community. The faculty and students have as a Second Language program that he devel- for those kids all the time,” said Norm Carey, never been stronger. Many of our facilities oped expanded the Cushing family worldwide who joined the Cushing faculty in 1978 (see rank among the best in the independent and ushered in Cushing’s identity as an pg. 106). Deb Nyberg Harmon echoed that school world, and alumni, parents, and international educational leader, while build- sentiment. She came to Cushing as a young friends are involved in the Academy in record ing on a proud history of early international teacher in 1992 and remembers Dr. Curry ask- numbers and ways. I, and Cushing, have enrollments. He embarked on innovative uses ing teachers, “Is the kid failing your class or much to be thankful for.” of the campus and creative collaborations, are you failing the kid?” including new summer programs. The number of teachers at the Academy Jenny Curry He focused, always, on excellence: in was very small at the beginning of his time— No history of Cushing Academy would be academics, athletics, the arts, and in chal- just 18 in his second year. Although that complete without mentioning Dr. Curry’s lenging students to excellence, along with his number grew steadily over the next few years, wife, Jenny, who, like her husband, gave familiar exhortation to “make good choices.” the size of the faculty meant that many of nearly 30 years of her life to the Academy, Under his careful eye, Cushing’s campus the teachers describe feeling as though they where she taught science, math, pottery, expanded to include a new library, a new din- were part of something very special—sort of sculpture, and drawing. ing hall, and a new center for the visual arts. an exclusive club. The older faculty took on The Currys also had two daughters, both He never lost sight of what was at the a mentoring role with the younger, newer of whom graduated from the Academy: Dana heart of Cushing, noting that, “At any school, faculty, and that sense of obligation to the ’78 and Lisa ’79. The Currys’ granddaughter, the most attractive asset is the teaching next generation of teachers became a hall- Breton, is a current Cushing student. faculty. It is important, however, to distin- mark of the faculty during Dr. Curry’s time as guish between the most important asset and headmaster. the most important activity at a school. It In addition to his clear expectations, Dr. isn’t teaching—the most important activity is Curry was incredibly loyal to his community learning.” and he knew the names of every person on

2000 Dr. Joseph Curry retired after 28 years as Cushing’s headmaster. Willard Lampe became Cushing’s Headmaster. 2000 George W. Bush was elected President of the United States.

90 CUSHING YESTERDAY & TODAY ‹ Celebrating 150 years ›

Did you know? Dr. Curry began a tradition of square dances at the beginning of school. Why square dances? Because no one knew how, so it was a wonderful bonding experience for the community (left in 1999).

The Curry family in 1973 Dr. Curry in 2000

2000 The first resident crew arrived at the International Space Station.

SPRING 2016 91 ‹ Cushing Academy ›

2001 as executing the whole human race. In addi- War and having to flee to Saudi Arabia for her tion, Islam declares that women and men are family’s safety. Cushing Community Responds equal, and the same injunctions and prohibi- Two alumni were killed in the attacks: to Sept. 11 Attacks tions of Islam equally apply to both sexes. It Mark Bavis ’89 and Michael Uliano ’79. The terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, made is clear that the real Islam conflicts with the people in the United States and around the Taliban’s regime.” Cushing Launches Art Contest world feel less safe. Imagine the added diffi- Members of the Cushing community In 2001, the Academy launched its first annual culty of managing a community of teenagers joined together to support each other and National Art Contest. Seventh, eighth, and already far from home. those in need. ninth graders from across the country submit- Faculty who were there that day remember • Seniors Laura Trione and Margot Broom ted a diverse array of slides of artwork in six watching the news coverage on a small TV in headed fundraising efforts to aid the Red categories: photography, painting, drawing, the photo lab early in the day and then, later, Cross that culminated in a total of $1,400. pottery, jewelry design, and computer-gen- on the big screen in the chapel. • The Muslim Students Club raised $500 erated art. Winners received $50 cash awards The school’s faculty, staff, and admin- to be donated to America’s Fund for Afghan and a scholarship to Cushing’s internationally istration had to help the students regain a Children in order to help the students and known Summer Session. As of 2016, Cushing sense of safety. Students from the New York children affected in Afghanistan. still hosts the yearly contest. area were pulled out of class. Counseling • Dr. William Sponholtz and his son spent sessions, candlelight vigils, and fundrais- an afternoon at Ground Zero in New York City, ers were immediately organized. Students thanking all firefighters and volunteers. embraced the words of the mission statement, • Counseling services were available for “In a community that is academically and individuals and small groups, and counselors culturally diverse, we challenge each individ- were on call during the evenings and weekends. ual and support excellence in every aspect of • As a show of unity, over 100 Cushing the learning process.” In a community full of community members gathered on September 14 international pride, Cushing students began to each light a candle symbolizing world peace to learn the ways of others and educate each as Laura Trione ’02 sang “God Bless America.” other when that was needed more than ever. • A special meeting was held for the In the alumni magazine, Turkish stu- faculty in order to support their dealing with dent Bilal Biliei ’03 wrote “The Taliban has students and classroom discussions. All Cushing Faculty confused people as to what Islam really is. • Hussa Al-Aljeel ’03 gave a seminar talk Receive Laptops The Taliban expresses Islam as an unlikable, to students at Pomfret Academy about living It was back in 1976 when the Academy pur- rough, and undeveloped religion. The Tali- through wartime. She was invited by the chased its first computer (see pg. 62). That was ban’s Islam is totally different than the regu- school’s history department to help quell the beginning of the computer age at Cush- lar Islam. Islam orders people to live in peace.” fears of American students since the Sept. 11 ing, but as anyone who’s been alive in for the He went on, “In the Koran it is emphasized disaster. She spoke to their students about last few decades knows, technology changes that executing someone unjustly is the same her experience of living through the Gulf pretty fast.

2001 2002 Laptops were given to all faculty. Cushing purchased land, bringing the A scholarship honoring Mark L. Bavis Cushing’s Board of Trustees approved the Master total campus area to 152 acres, nearly ’89, who died in the Sept. 11 attacks, Mark Burke returned to the Academy; Facilities Plan, leading to a host of additions and quadruple the original 40 acres. was established. he was joined by Larry Abbott. changes to campus. Artificial turf and lights were added to Quimby Field. 2001 Following the Sept. 11 attacks, the In response to the Sept. 11 attacks, Congress passed the No Child Left Behind Act, United States invaded Afghanistan Congress passed the Patriot requiring states to develop assessments in basic as part of Operation Enduring Act, giving the government skills in order to receive federal funding. Freedom. broad authority to intercept John Allen Muhammed and Lee Boyd Malvo killed communications in its fight 10 and injured three people in sniper attacks against terrorism. around Washington, D.C. The first Harry Potter movie was released.

92 CUSHING YESTERDAY & TODAY ‹ Celebrating 150 years ›

turned the game into quite a serious business. In fact, he started a tradition; XBL is still being played today. The game features eight players and no catcher. Bunting and stealing are not allowed during the game’s six innings. It is played with a Wiffle ball bat covered in tape and an “official” XBL tennis ball.

Tony Fisher Dies in Plane Crash In April 2003, Cushing Trustee and benefactor M. Anthony Fisher ’69 was killed in a plane crash on the way to Cushing. Fisher’s gener- osity had transformed Cushing’s campus in innumerable ways, with the Fisher-Watkins Library and the Fisher-Watkins Dining Com- Through the years, Cushing’s alumni pub- expensive, but their flexibility allows us to do mons being the most visible. lications have devoted much ink to explaining more with them. By using laptops, the com- In honor of Fisher, Trustee Don Irving how computers can be and have been used to puters are always in the classroom, and the created a clock and donated it to the Academy, enhance the education of Cushing students. class does not have to travel to a computer lab.” where it found a home in the lobby of the In 2001, the school’s Technology Department To go along with the growth in laptops, Landau Center for Visual Arts. The clock is distributed 37 Dell laptops to teachers to use the technology department also installed a built of cherry and features a seashell inlay. in their classrooms. Although laptops weren’t wireless system in the library so students and “I had always been fascinated by a clock of my required for students, they were recom- faculty could access the Internet with their grandmother’s that had been brought over mended and about 60 percent of the student wireless cards. from Scotland,” Irving said at the time. “I body had them. It may be hard to remember knew that Tony always enjoyed his annual in this time of tablets and computers that 2003 golf trip to Scotland. So I decided to base his double as phones and fit in our pockets, but clock around that Scottish design. It’s not in 2001, Cushing was definitely pushing the XBL Interest Reaches an easy to personalize a clock, but I chose some technology envelope by giving its faculty All-Time High subtle design elements that carried a memory laptops. In the early 2000s, a group of Cushing stu- of Tony. I used a seashell inlay, for example, At the time, Kendall Chun, Cushing’s dents began playing a game called XBL—or because we often visited Tony’s home on Director of Technology, said, “Laptops take extreme baseball. The first year, there were Martha’s Vineyard.” up less desk space; they are portable and only two teams, made up of hockey players. The inscription, Non sibi sed aliis, translates allow kids to do computer work anywhere on But by the spring of 2003, there were 14 teams to “Not for himself, but for others,” which campus or at home. They do tend to be more and league commissioner J.R. Butler ’04 had Irving said fitted Fisher perfectly.

2003 New members of the community included Sue Casey, Bob Johnson acquired 1880s silversmithing The Hall of Nations, created in 1982, Rebecca Pressman, and Emily Roller. tools, enhancing the Academy’s art program. was given a new look with framed flags from each member country of Three Cushing alumni represented the United States in M. Anthony Fisher ’69 was killed in a plane the United Nations. the 2002 Winter Olympics: Tom Poti ’96, John Lilley ’91, crash en route to Cushing. and Jeff Norton ’84. 2003 The Department of After 22 years of service, the Space Shuttle Saddam Hussein was captured Homeland Security was Columbia disintegrated on re-entry, killing all outside of Tikrit, Iraq. established. seven crew members. The BlackBerry smartphone was The Iraq War began with the invasion of Iraq released. as part of Operation Enduring Freedom.

SPRING 2016 93 ‹ Cushing Academy ›

2004 Cushing Begins a New Tradition: Tony Fisher Day of Service 2005 tea for its antiseptic, pain-killing, and fever- Lots of institutions claim to have a commit- reducing properties. Dr. Sponholtz and his ment to community service, but fewer live Students Search for New budding researchers wondered if the plant that commitment out in real life. In 2004, Antibiotic in Cushing also had antibiotic properties. Cushing began a new tradition, Tony Fisher Laboratory Such research doesn’t happen overnight Day of Service to Others. The day honors Tony For most of us, retrieving a few milligrams- or even over just one year. The research that Fisher ’69, longtime trustee and generous worth of something from several kilograms of began during the 2005–06 school year is still benefactor of the Academy, who had died the source material would be considered a failure. ongoing. Because of Dr. Sponholtz’s connec- previous year. What better way to honor a Not so for students who study in Dr. William tions at other institutions, his students have man whose commitment to the Academy was Sponholtz’s chemistry laboratory at Cushing. also been able to work at Dartmouth College unwavering than by sending the entire com- In 2005, chemistry teacher Will Sponholtz Department of Chemistry to help advance munity out to make the world a better place? and his students began looking for an endan- the research project by gaining access to That first year, seniors spent some time at gered local plant that he thought might have the multi-million dollar nuclear magnetic the Intrepid Sea-Air-Space Museum in New antibiotic properties. resonance instruments available there. York City, juniors went to Boston to lend help Antibiotic research has become a multi- at the Boston Marathon, and freshmen and billion dollar enterprise, largely because sophomores stayed closer to campus, cleaning antibiotic resistance is among the top public up a local playground, painting a firehouse, health concerns of the 21st century. The plant and organizing books at a local library. being investigated by Dr. Sponholtz and his As of 2016, the Cushing community is still students is one that was known to Native celebrating this important tradition. Americans in the area, who ingested it as a

2004 Cushing’s photography lab did away with color chemical 2005 developing and added a color digital printer. The school School Street was closed to through traffic. The School Girl statue was designed and created by still does black and white traditional developing. The first annual Tony Fisher Day of Service took place. students. The Ashburnham Hardware Store burned down. Martha Ince joined the faculty. 15 small bronze penguin statues were installed on the Laptops were required for students. rocks near the entrance of the arts center. 2004 Mark Zuckerberg launched Facebook at Harvard. A large earthquake in the Indian Ocean led to a tsunami Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast, causing more Google released Gmail. that hit Thailand, India, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, and other than $100 billion in damage and killing more than areas, killing approximately 250,000 people. 1,200 people. Pope John Paul II died; Pope Benedict succeeded him.

94 CUSHING YESTERDAY & TODAY ‹ Celebrating 150 years ›

well as instructional space for the performing arts and additional locker rooms for use with Quimby Field. He also began a new tradition of honoring faculty and staff at the end of each year, giv- ing gifts depending on the number of years of their service. We still do this today. In honor of his six years of service to Cushing, when he left the Academy in 2006, students in Cushing’s glass classes created a A School Girl Joins 2006 unique sculpture that was installed near the the School Boy English Building. Way back in 1913, Ivers Whitney Adams Wink Lampe Steps Down presented the town of Ashburnham with a as Headmaster A Change to the School Boy statue. Although it technically M. Willard “Wink” Lampe, a longtime faculty Academic Schedule belongs to the town, the statue is a part of member and dean at Kent School, began his For many years, Cushing’s daily academic Cushing’s history and generations of Cushing tenure as Cushing’s 10th headmaster in 2000, schedule had eight 40-minute periods every students relied on Bronzie for luck on exams. serving until 2006. A student of history and day. But the opening of the Curry Center just But Cushing has always been a coed school, ancient Greek, with degrees from Muskingum about doubled the school’s classroom space, so in 2005, eight students and two faculty College and the University of Vermont, he had which opened up a lot of flexibility for creating members thought it was past time to craft a a great love of teaching. His deep commitment a schedule. A curriculum committee began to School Girl statue. At the time, Susan Wallace to the community of students and faculty explore the options, asking students and fac- Hynes ’67, chair of the alumni-led School Girl extended beyond the campus to the greater ulty and researching peer schools. There were Committee wrote, “When the School Girl was Ashburnham community, in which he and his a few non-negotiables: meeting blocks, assem- erected at CA, she represented at long last a wife, Jody, were active participants. blies, and end-of-day extra help sessions. public symbol of what CA has stood for for 140 Faculty who worked for him speak of The end result was a weekly schedule years—an excellent education for everyone.” his warm and caring nature. One described where all classes met on Mondays and Fridays, The School Girl is the same size as her him as “avuncular.” He was quite different but Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays male counterpart. The artists who worked on from Dr. Curry—in fact, one faculty member featured 55-minute classes and each class met her included Erica Yongeun Cho ’07, Ji Hyun described the differences as “night and day”— twice over those three days. The end result “Zinni” Kim ’05, Amanda Earley ’06, Sara but was a good headmaster in many ways. He was that each class had two 40-minute peri- Efron Hankin ’05, Seung-Youn “Sarah” Lim was democratic and believed in developing ods and two 55-minute periods. The longer ’06, Paula Nissen ’06, Cameron Webster ’07, consensus. Under his watch, enrollment classes allowed faculty members to more fully and Hannah Williams ’05. Faculty members increased—partly as a way to balance the bud- develop some ideas in class. The response to Joanna S. Draugsvold and Robert Johnson get—and the Joseph R. Curry Academic Center the change was overwhelmingly positive and rounded out the School Girl group. was built, providing much-needed classroom the schedule stayed essentially the same for and laboratory space for math and science, as the next decade.

2006 The new faculty included Deb Gardner, Raja Bala, Alec Coyle, Desh Hindle, and Jason Sharron. The Joseph R. Curry Academic Center opened. Wink Lampe left Cushing and Dr. James Tracy The first Rust Cup in hockey was played. became Cushing’s 11th headmaster. The cross-country team, coached by Stirling Ince, won the New England championships. Heather Hiller joined the faculty. Lance Conrad left Cushing after 13 years and Peter Dudensing retired after 18 years. Cushing’s art program added a glass studio. 2006 YouTube was launched. Twitter was launched. The Human Genome Project published the last chromosome sequence. Democrats regained control of Congress in mid-term elections.

SPRING 2016 95 ‹ Cushing Academy ›

2009 Cushing’s Library Goes Digital Cushing’s forward-thinking attitude Rebecca Rice toward technology continued in 2009, when Takes Over Headmaster James Tracy decided to reduce Cushing’s the number of paper books in the Cushing Dance library and increase the number of available Program volumes by focusing on electronic readers and In 1961, Mona Rice digital materials. But rather than indicating began Cushing’s a pulling back from traditional reading, this Dance program. In change has increased the amount of reading 2011, her daughter, Rebecca, joined the Cush- on campus because students and faculty had ing faculty to carry on her mother’s tradition. ready access to far more texts than ever before. She moved back to the Ashburnham area after In fact, our students now have access to mil- a successful career as a choreographer and lions of resources. educator at Boston Ballet, MIT, and at various Even so, there remain many paper vol- private schools and studios in the Boston area. umes in the library, including books that “I was thrilled to discover a wealth of quality have been donated by members of the com- education in the arts here at Cushing,” she munity, books written by alumni and former says. “Working with Julia Ohm, Head of the faculty, and a large number of art and other Performing Arts and Theater, as well as Desh large-format books. Hindle, Head of Music, is a joy because they take their jobs very seriously, and, like me, work hard to inspire and develop true artistic Did you know? awareness and appreciation on the part of the Mona Rice isn’t Rebecca’s only family students. We love what we do.” connection to the Academy. Several In addition to her teaching, Rebecca’s members of her family were among dance company, Rebecca Rice Dance, was Cushing’s earliest students. Great- chosen to inaugurate Cushing’s Performing grandfather Frederick William Rice Arts Series in 2014. enrolled in 1876. His brother Joseph Newbern Rice was in the school’s first cohort of students in 1875.

2007 Catherine Pollock joined the Cushing faculty as Assistant 2008 Head of School. Cushing’s Technology Department added Smart boards to April Boettcher, Wayne Clarke, Cara Clarke, James Kaehlert, classrooms across campus. New members of the faculty included Rob Gagnon, Stephen Parker, and David Shields joined the faculty. Meredith Carlisle Colicchie, Vi-Anne Brown, Sandra Peggy Lee was tapped to head Cushing’s Summer Session. Michelman, Catherine Pollock, Ken Zangari, Gisele Zangari, Julia Ohm, Dennis Shubleka, and Ryan Suchanek. 2007 Nancy Pelosi became the United States’ first woman A student at Virginia Tech Fidel Castro retired after 50 Speaker of the House. opened fire, killing 32 and years as Cuba’s president. The Iraq War surge began when President George Bush wounding 17, becoming the The U.S. stock market lost 21 deployed 20,000 soldiers to Iraq to provide security. deadliest school shooting in percent of its value over the United States history. The first iPhone was released by Apple. course of one week in October. The worldwide Great Recession began. Barack Obama was elected to the United States Presidency.

96 CUSHING YESTERDAY & TODAY ‹ Celebrating 150 years ›

2011 certainly did that, and his teams came to be among the best in Cushing’s history. Silver Penguin: Wayne Sanborn Of course, his contributions to the Acad- When Wayne Sanborn retired in 2011, he’d emy don’t end with coaching football. During been at Cushing for 37 years and guided the his career, which also included a number personal and athletic development of thou- of administrative positions, he coached sands of Cushing students. There have been just about every team, including baseball, few people as loved and respected as Sanborn lacrosse, wrestling, and girls’ basketball. “I in all of the Academy’s 150 years. Even so, always wanted to be a coach because athlet- Sanborn is a modest man, uncomfortable ics were my life,” he said in 1997. “Right or with the praise that is the natural result of wrong, the people I respected the most as a his work with Cushing’s students. student were coaches. I wanted to give back TOP: Wayne and Jeannie Sanborn, 1976 Back in 1974, Sanborn came to Cushing and have really been living a dream, coaching BOTTOM: Wayne Sanborn, 2011 twice as part of the interview process. Both at Cushing. And the unbelievable relation- times he saw Joe Curry working on building ships I’ve forged with kids have made such a and grounds projects and he knew he had dis- difference in my life as well as theirs.” covered a true team player. That fall, he and His students certainly know the difference his wife, Jeannie, moved into Ash House as he made to them. “If I were to briefly sum Wayne began his job as Cushing’s head foot- up what I learned from Coach Sanborn,” said ball coach and Director of Athletics. He was Chris Ingram ’79, “it’s that winning teams the youngest athletic director in New England come and go. That’s one of the rhythms of life. and once said, “Leaving a stable coaching But what must never be forgotten is the duty position for Cushing was an incredible risk we have to ourselves to seek out the toughest for me. Cushing had no football team, awful challenges we can, and to make the sacrifices playing fields, and no real athletic program. I necessary to meet them, win or lose.” saw in Cushing an amazing challenge and Dr. In 1997, in a profile for the alumni maga- Curry gave me the opportunity of a lifetime.” zine, Dr. Curry said, “Wayne Sanborn has In his first two years, due to low enroll- been integral to the success of the Academy, ment, there weren’t enough players to field bringing to the table drive, intelligence, a a football team, so Cushing combined teams warm personality, and a can-do attitude that’s with Winchendon School—purple jerseys infectious. He has built Cushing’s athletic Did you know? with Winchendon green pants were quite the and student activities programs virtually Sanborn’s wife, Jeannie, served for many combination! Back then, Sanborn’s goal was from scratch. His dedication to Cushing kids, years as a nurse in the Academy’s health to build a Cushing squad that could com- enthusiasm for education and pure determina- center. Their daughter, Haley, graduated in pete against the best prep school teams. He tion have been critical to life at the Academy.” 2002 and later served as a faculty member.

2009 2010 Cushing posthumously honored Bette Davis ’26 with its Cushing hosted its first Pink the Rink fundraiser and The USA women’s Olympic hockey team won silver at the first Distinguished Alumni Award. raised nearly $4,000 for the Dana Farber Cancer Institute. 2010 winter Olympics; Cushing was represented on the team by Erika Lawler ’05 and Meghan Duggan ’06. The Fisher-Watkins Library’s holdings became largely The Varsity Girls’ Field Hockey team raised more than digital—but not entirely. $2,000 at their “Stick it to Cancer” game. Laura Stirk joined the faculty. David Branham, Roberte Foote, and Michael Kowalenko Cushing was invited to participate in the Critical Issues joined the faculty. Forum for the first time. 2011 The Tea Party movement began. Congress passed the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell Michael Jackson died. Affordable Care Act. was repealed. Sonia Sotomayor became first The Deepwater Horizon What would become Latina justice on the United States oil rig exploded in the known as the Arab Supreme Court. Gulf of Mexico. Spring began in Republicans regained Tunisia in December. control of the House of Representatives.

SPRING 2016 97 ‹ Cushing Academy ›

1994

1968 2013 2013

Music at Cushing claimed the Main Building the previous year. 1988, Bob Macioci and Peter Dudensing took Music has been part of the Cushing curricu- The bell that is in our tower in 2016 is the over. It was the first time in the history of the lum since the very beginning. Of the first result of their efforts. school that it had two full-time music faculty. seven teachers, two were music teachers. One In the 1930s, each Friday during chapel, Macioci was head of the department for a taught vocal music and one instrumental. Temple conducted a 30-minute “Music Morn- while—today he teaches history and ethics. Indeed, many of the Academy’s music ing.” The programs introduced the larger Then Dudensing became director of the music teachers—either instrumental or voice—were student body to operas and symphonies and program, a role he kept until his retirement long-term members of the faculty. Milo Cum- helped the students appreciate music. In in 2006. mings ’77 was a member of Cushing’s first addition, Temple’s students were frequent Desh Hindle, whose areas of expertise are class in 1875 and returned to the Academy in guests at special occasions where they shared composition and conducting, choral directing, 1880 to teach instrumental music (see pg. 12). their fine voices with their classmates. and classical instrumental music, arrived on Rosabelle Temple was a Silver Penguin who Madeleine Gaylor taught organ and piano, campus in 2006. He came at a time of change taught voice lessons at the Academy for 47 and both she and her students provided for the Academy’s Performing Arts Depart- years (see pg. 21) and Madeleine Gaylor taught music each morning in addition to providing ment. The Curry Center was new and had vocal and instrumental music for 24 years (see accompaniment to a variety of entertainments become the department’s home. The building pg. 37). Ted Pierce continued the tradition of throughout the years. Ted Pierce was, for was emblematic of Wink Lampe’s commit- long-lived music faculty with his 27 years at most of his career at Cushing, the only faculty ment to the program and it came with some Cushing (see pg. 61). member in music. He first played at Cushing’s financial resources as well. Jay Sharron—who For a number of years, the Academy had organ at the tender age of 16. He would go on had been a part-time guitar teacher—became two Glee Clubs—one for boys and one for to teach both instrumental and vocal music at the second full-time member of the depart- girls—both of which gave concerts on campus the Academy for 27 years and was quite a char- ment in 2006. The program also benefited and in other towns. In fact, the clubs’ perfor- acter among the faculty for those years. from the efforts of Becca Pressman, who is mances raised money in 1894 to replace the From 1974 until 1988, the program was in now a teacher of English, but who was direct- bell that had been destroyed in the fire that the care of a number of different people. In ing the chorus back in 2006. Hindle spent his

98 CUSHING YESTERDAY & TODAY ‹ Celebrating 150 years ›

1925

1915 2015

first year observing and determining where fewer than 10 kids taking lessons; today there Even with all the progress, the depart- the school’s greatest opportunities were. He are 65 to 90 students depending on the semes- ment features just one full-time faculty taught two classes and had just 10 students. ter. There are some times during the week member: Hindle. The program also has He remembers thinking, “I can’t believe when every single practice space—and then two part-time music faculty: Jerry Sabatini they’re paying me for this.” some—are being used. “There’s a cacophony and Deb Colageo, who is the pianist for the In those early days, Hindle had three main as you walk down the hall,” Hindle said. chorus. The department also has 11 private priorities. One was to build a classical instru- “Those are my favorite moments. I see a lot of voice and instrumental adjunct instructors. mental program, which didn’t exist 10 years industry and energy.” These students make up The broad skills and interests of this group of ago. Students were coming to Cushing with the ensembles, and their extra practice time 14 professional musicians allow the depart- advanced musical skills, but there was no with private instructors allows for a high level ment to teach a wide range of instruments venue for them to use those skills, so Hindle’s of difficulty in chorus, jazz, and chamber and coach a number of musical ensembles. chamber music program filled a need that music. “We’ve been bringing in some really Further, several academic teachers support was already there. The students in the pro- exceptional music students,” said Hindle, the music (and performing arts program), gram are guided by instructors, but students “And we’re performing more difficult pieces including Michelle Schloss, Andrew Neyer, are in the driver’s seat and have to figure out than we were 10 years ago when I came.” and Michelle Salvucci. how to work together. This model fits in with Finally, Hindle wanted to build a true jazz Although the Music Department felt the Cushing’s size and its educational objectives program, and four years ago, he persuaded effects of the Great Recession in 2008 and and mission. The students in the program Jerry Sabatini to come to the Academy. was affected by rightsizing, the school has have been performing in the Massachusetts Sabatini writes his own arrangements and made steady progress building a foundation Instrumental and Choral Conductors Associa- customizes pre-existing arrangements for for success and taking advantage of opportu- tion (MICCA) competition since 2008 and have our players. He directs the jazz ensemble and nities as they presented themselves. Today, always won a silver or gold. teaches jazz history. Through his efforts, the approximately a quarter of the student body is Another priority was to create a robust jazz ensemble is two to three times bigger engaged in some kind of musical endeavor. private lesson program. In 2006, there were than it was when Desh came.

SPRING 2016 99 ‹ Cushing Academy ›

2011 Schottland House is Dedicated In fall 2011, Cushing Academy dedicated a new dorm, Schottland House. The dorm sits on the site of the former Mary Hare barn and included a renovation of the faculty apartment and the addition of new student rooms. The facility was named for the Schottland family, whose generous donation made its construction possible. “Susan and Peter’s vision in creating a new dormitory to house senior girls and a faculty family has been guided at every step by their commitment to to Cushing stars Andrew Chrabascz ’13 and prayer found the bottom of the net, setting the vital role that dorm life plays in the Cush- Kaleb Joseph ’14 slowed the momentum and off a scene that won’t be forgotten by anyone ing residential experience,” said Headmaster the teams played evenly the rest of the half. in attendance for a long time. James Tracy. “… They have seen firsthand Only a few people in the packed gym thought The basketball squad wasn’t the only that the friendships among students and the Cushing had a chance. Fortunately, they were Cushing team playing in a championship student–teacher bonds that are formed in the all wearing purple jerseys. Cushing started to game that year. Boys’ hockey defeated Avon dorm play a very important role in the daily press and had a great deal of success in doing Old Farms in front of a huge crowd at the life of our boarding students.” so, eventually bringing the score to 58–56 with Salem ICenter to become the champions of less than a minute to go. The Saints scored the NEPSAC Martin/Earl Tournament Bracket. 2012 an uncontested layup with 22 seconds on the The team came out flying and just 24 clock, giving them a four-point lead. seconds in, Matt Hoover ’14 and Garrett Hehir We Are the Champions Some great defense, a foul, and a missed ’13 helped Shane Kavanagh ’14 rip a turn- Jalen Adams ’15 hit a three-point buzzer beater free throw by St. Andrews’ player Bonzie around shot from the left circle that bounced basket from half court to lead the Penguins to Colson left the ball out of bounds and 3.3 sec- off the post and into the goal—the only goal the NEPSAC Class AA basketball championship onds left on the clock—but it belonged to the of the game. Goalie Mike Dion ’13 was at his over St. Andrew’s. In front of a packed house, Penguins. With no time outs, the Penguins best on the last day of the season, as were the Cushing had jumped out to an early eight- inbounded to Adams, who headed up the rest of the Cushing players. The team stayed point lead, and it looked like they might run court. Adams got himself into position and disciplined and didn’t have a penalty during away with the game, but early foul trouble fired. As the buzzer sounded, Adam’s 35-foot the game.

2011 Schottland House, previously the Mary Hare House, The Poti Room was dedicated in the Iorio Arena. was created to house senior girls. Wayne Sanborn retired. Rebecca Rice took over Cushing’s dance program, following in her mother’s footsteps. 2011 Osama Bin Laden was killed by Navy SEALs. Full withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq The Occupy Wall Street movement, protesting was completed. economic inequality and corporate influence on Game of Thrones premiered on HBO. government, began in New York City’s financial district.

100 CUSHING YESTERDAY & TODAY ‹ Celebrating 150 years ›

Cushing Olympics makes a flag, carries its flag onto the field 2013 Academic Support teacher Cara Clarke was during the opening ceremonies in the fall, the driving force behind Cushing Olympics, and is judged, winning points. Mrs. Clarke Green Space Added to Campus a community-wide approach to creating notes that the goal is to be as spirited as pos- Behind Main Building teamwork and school spirit that began in sible, “so there’s lots of yelling.” There are a Although School Street was closed to through 2012. This yearlong activity created healthy number of events each year and for each event, traffic in 2004, it was still a road used by the competition amongst dorms and day students teams earn points for winning, but can also on-campus community. In the fall of 2013, an and provided a variety of fun opportunities to earn spirit points for being the most spirited anonymous donor made a gift which enabled bring students and faculty together. in dress, attitude, and sportsmanship. the Academy to close part of School Street and The Cushing Olympics breaks the student turn it into a lovely green space. In fact, such body into eight teams, based predominantly a project had long been a part of Cushing’s on dorms: Alumni, Price, Ash, Sawyer, Cooke master plan. and Vose, Lowe, the house dorms, and the day Traffic on campus was directed up the students. Each team has a color. Each team Academy Street hill to turn right at Lowe Hall. Parking was no longer permitted along School Street in front of Alumni Hall. In mak- ing these changes, the Academy’s campus became more pedestrian friendly—a sensible choice since so many students and faculty live on campus and walk to and from offices and classrooms each day.

Patio and Dining Alcove Added to Campus The Class of 2013 and their parents supported some special changes to Cushing’s campus, namely a new private dining space in the Fisher-Watkins Dining Commons and an out- side patio space near the Joseph C. Treadwell Student Center. Those projects were com- pleted in 2013 and the Cushing community is enjoying the new spaces that were made pos- sible through the generosity of our students and families.

2012 Dr. James Tracy announced his departure at the end Cushing Olympics began. of the 2012–13 academic year. Each faculty member received an iPad as part of a Cushing created its first Robotics Club and won its program to explore their use in Cushing classrooms. first competition. 2013 Twenty-six students and teachers were shot at Hurricane Sandy hit the eastern United States, Sandy Hook elementary school. causing $75 billion in damage and killing more World population reached 7 billion. than 200 people. On Sept. 11, the American diplomatic compound in Benghazi, Libya, was attacked, killing the ambassador and three others. HYBIRDD

SPRING 2016 101 ‹ Cushing Academy ›

library as a central hub of the core campus Contemplation Garden with a ribbon-cutting for faculty and students, with new common ceremony. Designed by John Kelly ’13 and spaces in addition to traditional study areas. made possible because of the generosity of He was committed to integrating digital the Kelly family, the garden, which the Kelly tools into the teaching and learning experi- family dedicated in honor of the student body, ence of the Academy’s students, making features carefully placed rocks, bonsai, and Cushing a leader and well ahead of most inde- sculpture that create a serene space for mem- pendent schools in that area. At his leaving, bers of the Cushing community to reflect, Dr. Tracy wrote, “My seven years at Cushing wonder, and dream. Indeed, the space is so have been among the most meaningful of lovely that it inspired the creation of a beauti- both my personal and professional life. Each ful glass sculpture by Alex O’Neill ’14 and evening, as Jan and I talk about the day’s Arkady Baltser ’17. 2013 highlights, they are invariably about our wonderful encounters with students. Cush- Hot Dog Trucks at Jewett House Jim Tracy Steps Down ing students’ kindness, enthusiasm, support Different headmasters in Cushing’s history as Headmaster for one another, hard work and inquiry, and have had different approaches to connect- Succeeding Mr. Lampe, Dr. James Tracy their personal growth during their individual ing with the community. For example, Dr. served as the 11th headmaster of Cushing, Cushing journeys shape an extraordinary Cowell and Mr. Quimby housed boys in Jewett having previously served as headmaster at community of which we are all enormously House, functioning as dorm parents as well Boston University Academy. He was a gradu- fortunate to be members.” as headmasters. Some headmasters invited ate of the University of Massachusetts and students to Jewett House for social events. Boston University, from which he received That’s the path taken by Christopher Torino his Ed.M. and MBA, and Stanford University, and his wife, Dena. Beginning in 2014, the where he earned his doctorate in history. Torinos hired hot dog trucks to come to Jewett After nearly seven years as Cushing’s and invited students to come and socialize— headmaster, Dr. James Tracy left the Academy with each other and the Torinos. in the fall of 2013. He led the school further The Torinos know that when kids see their into the 21st century and fostered an entrepre- headmaster or their teachers outside of the neurial spirit in faculty and students. Under classroom—and when they’re encouraged his leadership, Cushing expanded outreach to have fun together—it makes it easier to to the international community, grew its have substantive conversations on every topic endowment, embarked on new partnerships, 2014 from academic subjects to discipline issues. and undertook strategic initiatives focusing “Boarding school life is a lifestyle, not a job,” on innovation in education, including the Contemplation Garden said Mrs. Torino. “It’s part of who we are, and transformation of the Fisher-Watkins Library Added Near Library Patio building up this community is a piece of us into a largely digital collection. This greatly On graduation morning 2013, just before the that we want to bring to Cushing.” increased the volumes and resources avail- traditional senior speeches on the library able to Cushing students and confirmed the patio, Cushing formally opened its new

2013 Christopher Torino was installed as Cushing established the Virtue Project, challenging a Cushing’s headmaster. group of student leaders to promote and encourage both the intrinsic and civic rewards of a virtuous life. Opening convocation was revived. 2013 Four people were killed in a terrorist bombing Pope Benedict XVI resigned Edward Snowden at the Boston Marathon and related attacks. and Jorge Mario Bergoglio released classified George Zimmerman was acquitted in the became Pope Francis. documents concerning shooting of Trayvon Martin. mass surveillance by the NSA. LAURA POITRAS / PRAXIS FILMS POITRAS LAURA CASA ROSADA CASA

102 CUSHING YESTERDAY & TODAY ‹ Celebrating 150 years ›

Jimmie-Gaye area, and to be able to share it with family, Buono Retires close friends and colleagues in this very spe- Although Jimmie-Gaye cial community.” The 2014 series featured two Buono didn’t quite reach additional events with professional artists, Silver Penguin status, as well as several performances by Cushing’s her contributions in her talented students, all of which were free and 14 years at the Academy open to the public. were legion. Jimmie-Gaye Buono worked in The third season will begin in September the Student Life Office, the default place to 2016. go for every kind of question that parents and students might have while at the Academy. Cushing Rightsizes As you might imagine, managing 400-plus its Student Body teenagers can be complicated. In the early 1970s, Cushing’s student body Every time a student had a doctor’s Cushing Launches its was just about 200 students. By the 2013–14 appointment, a college visit, or a trip home, Performing Arts Series school year, it had grown to 450 students. she knew about it. If a parent or administra- The inaugural year of the Cushing Academy That size made it difficult for the whole tor called her, she told them exactly where Performing Arts Series kicked off in Septem- community to come together because the any student was. In addition to student- ber 2014, featuring the Rebecca Rice Dance only space large enough to hold everyone wrangling, she helped with anything that Company. Over 200 guests from the outside was Heslin Gymnasium, and even then only had to do with residential life, from duty community joined students and faculty in when several hundred chairs were added. schedules to the list of which students live Cowell Chapel for the event. After consideration, including a study of where, from roommate issues to answering “As Cushing is celebrating its 150th the school’s history and a commitment to questions about summer storage. anniversary and our town of Ashburnham preserve and strengthen the best attributes She managed a lot of moving parts with is celebrating its 250th anniversary, we feel of our community, the Academy decided to constant interruptions. She talked to numer- it is particularly appropriate that we launch reduce the student body to 400 beginning in ous parents a day, and on Thursdays and Fri- this new tradition—The Performing Arts the fall of 2014. This decision was made after days that number increased dramatically with Series—by celebrating the creative work of our a yearlong, collaborative process involving weekend permissions. And that’s just the colleague and friend on the Cushing Academy school leadership and the Board of Trustees, phone; she also answered dozens of emails faculty, Rebecca Rice, whose family has had which culminated in unanimous approval by and was sometimes visited by 50 students dur- a significant impact on the artistic life of the board. A student body of 400 enabled the ing a day. Like Mrs. Fay in the Headmaster’s this school, our local community, and the whole to gather all together in Cowell Chapel Office, Ms. Buono kept a full jar of candy in state of Massachusetts for generations,” said for performances and in the Fisher-Watkins her office. “That candy jar is important,” she Cushing’s Director of Music Desh Hindle at Dining Commons for formal dinners—impor- said in 2014. “We want the kids to feel like the time. tant Cushing traditions. they’re welcome in the office and that it’s not Said Ms. Rice, “I was honored to have just a place to come when they’re in trouble.” been asked to present my choreography in Jimmie-Gaye lost a courageous battle with Cushing’s new Performing Arts Series, to cancer in March 2016. contribute to the culture of the school and

2014 Winter Carnival was revived as part of Rich Henry retired after 33 years at the Academy Cushing rightsized its student body, returning to Cushing Olympics. (see pg. 106). an enrollment of 400.

2014 Michael Brown was shot in Ferguson, Mo., Republicans took both houses of leading to weeks of unrest around the the United States Congress in the country. mid-term elections. The tower at One World Trade Center in New York City opened.

SPRING 2016 103 JOE MABEL ‹ Cushing Academy ›

2014 internationally known program it is today. Did You Know? Even so, in those early years, art classes Bob Johnson and Paul Heslin are Silver Penguin: took place only in the evenings and the pro- tied for 3rd place on the all-time Bob Johnson gram’s faculty were a bit disconnected from years of service list, following Reaches Milestone the daily life of the school. Eventually, Alison Rosabelle Temple at 47 years and In 2014, Bob Johnson crossed Kirk convinced Dr. Curry to add art classes to Frederick Lane at 46. an important milestone: 40 the daytime catalogue. At that point, Richard years of teaching at Cushing. Whitney left and it was Johnson and Pamela That accomplishment makes Valanejad who ran the program. a syllabus and what it was that we hoped to him one of the longest- A few years later, when Mary Fern stepped do. They supported that and we kept building serving faculty members in down as department chair, Johnson stepped and building on the program.” He also knows Cushing history. up and has been leading the program ever he couldn’t have done it without the support Like all of Cushing’s since. He has two priorities for his teachers: of his staff. “We have such strong staff,” he art faculty, Johnson was Be encouraging and help the kids learn to solve said. “It really isn’t all about me. All mem- a working artist in 1973 problems. He also expects them to be artists bers of the staff have their areas of expertise when he came to teach; in fact, he still is. first and teachers second. As a result, their and have dedicated a good part of their lives He worked in commercial advertising, took skills are always up to date and they are able to to their art and to the Academy. They put in photos for the American Cancer Foundation, teach their students the advanced techniques far more time and effort than we had a right and was a teacher of portfolio and painting at that they themselves use in their work. to expect.” the Fitchburg Art Museum. Running the department hasn’t always Their hard work is certainly paying off. Johnson knew Richard Whitney, who been easy. It moved all over campus until the Cushing students are among the strongest was then Cushing’s artist-in-residence. In Emily Fisher Landau Center for the Visual students in the country. Many of Johnson’s December 1973—the middle of the school Arts was built in 1998, and the conditions students get merit scholarships to world- year—the school’s silversmithing teacher left could be challenging. Over the years, Johnson renowned art programs because they’re so without notice and Whitney needed some- occasionally thought about leaving and other talented and well-trained, even at their young one to come in and teach. Johnson agreed programs have tried to poach him, but in the age. In China and Korea, Cushing’s program to take over. “When I came,” he remembers, end, he stayed. “When I came, Joanne Ham- is considered one of the top programs. “Dr. Curry sat in my class every night for two mar had been here for 25 years and I remem- Johnson has left a mark on Cushing in weeks. At the beginning of the third week, he ber thinking that was an eternity,” he said. other ways too. It was his idea to start the day called me into his office and told me I was a “By the time I’d been here 25 years, I’d stopped student barbecue at the beginning of each good teacher and he wasn’t going to bother thinking about it.” school year. He’s been involved in crafting the me anymore.” Why does he stay? The answer is simple: School Girl statue located near Lowe Hall (see Back in 1973, Cushing was coming out of the kids. In his 42 years at the Academy, pg. 95) and the penguin statue that has taken a fairly dark time in the school’s history and there are hundreds—possibly thousands—of up residence outside the new Watkins Field Dr. Curry wanted to do everything possible pictures of Bob Johnson, but rarely is he House. He helped the Kelly family make their to ensure the Academy’s success. He was looking at the camera. That’s because he’s dream of a contemplation garden a reality (see committed to educating the whole person, always engaged with his students, which pg. 102).He is also in charge of keeping track which included the arts, and wanted to build is, of course, what his students remember of Cushing’s art collection and ensuring its a world-class art program as part of that com- most about him. He cares about them and pieces are displayed properly all over campus. mitment. But Cushing was really starting believes fully in every single student who He also makes many of the awards and gifts from nothing. walks through his studio door. “For Carolyn the Academy gives out to students, faculty, In 1979, the Academy expanded its art and me, these kids are like our family,” he and alumni. offerings under Johnson’s leadership. “In said. “We never stop talking about them and It’s hard to imagine what Cushing’s art addition to pottery, photography, drawing the kids feel the same way and stay in contact program will be like when he finally does and painting, and silversmithing, Johnson with us.” decide to retire. “My hope will be,” he said, proposed to add woodworking, lapidary, Johnson is proud of the program he helped “that someone will come in with a vision to graphics (silk screening, lithography, etch- build. “I couldn’t have done it alone. It was take the program beyond what we have now. ing), and sculpture,” wrote The Bulletin at the something that Dr. Curry supported and so Put their stamp on it. Take it and make it time. Johnson was taking the first steps that did every single dean of academics,” he said. better.” would turn the school’s art program into the “If we wanted to run a new class we submitted

104 CUSHING YESTERDAY & TODAY ‹ Celebrating 150 years ›

Herbert Chen ’60

Groundbreaking Contributions to 2015 Nobel-Winning Research

Herbert Chen ’60 emigrated from China in 1955 with his family, ald (Canada) and shared by Dr. Takaaki Kajita (Japan). including sister Helena ’59, under the Eisenhower Refugee Relief Had Herbert lived, there seems little doubt that he would have Act of 1953. In the fall of 1956, Herbert and Helena accompanied been included in the list of winners for this important work. He is Headmaster West and two other students to a meeting of the specifically mentioned in the documentation about the 2015 prize. Rotary Club in Hudson, Mass. The Breeze write-up of the occasion Dr. McDonald explained that “Herb Chen didn’t live to see his said, “Mr. West gave an interesting talk on the importance of brainchild realized. He died in 1987, but his presence at Sudbury international exchange students as a means of achieving a better is still very strongly felt. Copies of his 1984 Physical Review Letters world understanding. Miss Helena Chen of China was next; she paper hang proudly around the laboratory and his portrait graces described her experiences in several areas of the Far East and the entrance. SNO has put Sudbury firmly on the physics map, contrasted the Asiatic and the American systems of education. but it hasn’t lost sight of its roots. The SNO team is working very Her brother Herbert then took over and he emphasized the points hard to accomplish the full physics objectives while maintaining his sister had just stated by giving specific information on the Herb’s memory as a constant inspiration.” number of hours dedicated to studying, number and subjects The Calisphere, a publication of the University of California, taken, lack of social activities as a result of the strict social system stated in 1987, “Herb Chen left us with the legacy of a bold and that separated boys from girls, and the relative unimportance of exciting program of physics, but further, he left us an example of sports.” how one man can be a positive influence on the lives of others…. That wasn’t the last time Herbert would be a good ambassador In a tragically short career he achieved much; the seeds of ideas for the Academy, however. He received his B.S. in physics from he left behind promise even more.” the California Institute of Technology in 1964 and earned his Ph.D. Herbert’s classmates at Cushing obviously had no doubt about in theoretical physics from Princeton University in 1968. He then his talent as a physicist. They described him as brilliant in their joined the faculty of the newly founded UC Irvine campus, where yearbook and went on to say, “he will have no trouble in find- he became a visionary experimentalist. While at UC Irvine, Her- ing success, especially if he follows the path which his scientific bert was the designer and initiator of the Sudbury Neutrino Obser- abilities pave.” Indeed, for many years, the Cushing senior class vatory (SNO) experiment in 1984. The experiment was a resound- would write a prophecy in their yearbook, imagining where they ing success. Although Herbert died in 1987—way too young—after thought the future would take members of the class; the unusu- a yearlong battle with leukemia, his work was continued by Dr. ally prescient 1960 Class Prophecy—looking ahead to 1985—fore- Arthur McDonald and his team. Their effort eventually led to the told of Herb Chen polishing a Nobel Prize. 2015 Nobel Prize in Physics awarded last year to Dr. Arthur McDon-

Herbert Chen Herbert Chen, seated third from left, as a Cushing student in 1956

SPRING 2016 105 ‹ Cushing Academy ›

2014 was much bigger when they left than when He returned to Cushing at the request of they came—from about 200 kids to about 400. Headmaster Joseph Curry, where he took up Silver Penguin: And while Cushing has always had a focus the job as head of the English Department. Rich Henry on diversity, the international population He figures that of his years at Cushing, he In 2014, Richard Henry retired was bigger too. “Cushing was more casual spent 27 of them as head of the English after 33 years at the Academy. He then, too,” Rich said in 2014. “These days the Department, and he’s seen some amazing began his Cushing career as a academic focus is different and there is more teachers come and go during that time. teacher in the school’s Summer pressure on the kids.” But one thing that His bookshelf in the English building fea- Session way back in 1980. He didn’t change was the sense of community tured Shakespeare, Salman Rushdie, James soon returned for a full-time job and the value the Academy placed on each Joyce, Dante, and George R.R. Martin, plus at the Academy teaching read- and every student. The school has long been a copy of Moby-Dick, of course. Anyone who ing and study skills, a precursor accepting of students with learning differ- has ever taken an English class with Dr. Carey to the Academic Support Program. ences and Rich knows that a wide range of knows of his love for Melville’s influential He had a lot of jobs in those 33 years. He kids are appreciated for their strengths— work. The books had a common theme: the was a dorm parent—in Cooke Hall for the first whatever they may be. hero quest. The hero journey, he told us last seven years and in Cowell House for the last year, is a universal theme that transcends 26 years. Back in the day, Rich also helped 2015 time, culture, and genre. His interest in that Ray Lemieux paint houses, mow lawns, and theme was evident, not only on his bookshelf, move furniture during breaks and summer Silver but also in a senior seminar he taught on the vacation. He also served as a director for the Penguin: subject. Summer School, Dean of Faculty, Director of Norm Carey For Norm, his time at the Academy was the Language Development Program, Head Dr. Norm Carey all about the students, and he left quite an of Academic Support, and Director of College came to Cush- impression. He told the story of seeing an Counseling. He coached softball, volleyball, ing in 1978 and alumna at a recent holiday party in Boston. and basketball. stayed until “It really came home to me then. She came Rich and his wife, Jill, were a natural 2015, with the to the event with her yearbook and showed fit as dorm parents. “I recall many nights exception of the me what I had written in it. She told me while on duty in Cooke Hall for study hall, Jill three years he she had used my note as a way to guide her Henry baking cookies or making brownies spent in Santa life. Teachers are really given an exceptional for the boys in Cooke Hall,” said longtime Fe, N.Mex., as the head of a school for opportunity to change people’s lives.” Academy math teacher Paul Dowling. “Many Native American students. He found that Unsurprisingly, when asked what he’s an evening the Henrys would invite the boys job because of Cushing’s Native American most proud of in his career, he doesn’t talk into their apartment to have pizza after study Preparatory School (NAPS) program (see pg. 80). about his own accomplishments, but rather hall or to watch some Monday Night Football.” Although he clearly didn’t stay in Santa Fe, those of his students. He said he’s proud of The Henrys watched a lot of changes he developed an appreciation for the deeply the kids who learned to like school, or enjoy happen in their time at Cushing. The school spiritual culture of his students. reading, or learned that they could succeed.

2014 The Fitchburg Art Museum hosted an The Varsity Boys’ Basketball team Cushing opened its Contemplation Garden, Cushing launched its Giving Iceberg, exhibit of artwork created by Cushing won their second consecutive designed by John Kelly ’13 and made possible raising more than $21,000 during Fall students. NEPSAC Class AA Championship. because of the generosity of the Kelly family. Family Weekend. 2014 Colorado became the first U.S. state to legally Protests in Ukraine left more than 70 people Nearly 300 Nigerian schoolgirls were sell recreational marijuana. dead and led to the ouster of the country’s kidnapped by Boko Haram. The deadliest outbreak of Ebola started in West president. Americans first heard of ISIS, a terror Africa and led to more than 17,000 cases of the A Malaysian Airlines flight disappeared over the group in the Middle East. deadly hemorrhagic fever. Indian Ocean. Just four months later, another Malaysian airliner was shot down over Ukraine.

106 CUSHING YESTERDAY & TODAY ‹ Celebrating 150 years ›

Brett Torrey ’85 Joins the he earned a master’s degree in educational Academy’s Alumni Office leadership. Of course, during all those years Talking to Brett Torrey ’85 can be a little like in the prep school world, he’s coached all talking to the Energizer Bunny, but that kinds of sports, taught physical education energy is a great asset to the Academy’s and health, advised hundreds of students, Alumni Office. and lived in dorms. In a student profile written about Brett Last summer, when he was given the in 1985, he noted that he’d come a long way chance to return to Cushing, he jumped at since arriving on campus, gaining better it. Torrey has a number of professional and study habits and learning to work hard for familial connections to the school, and for the success that he wanted. He credited his him, it was a chance to return home and Cushing teachers with instilling determina- make a difference to the school that had had tion in him. Talk to him today and he says such an impact on him in his younger years. was really inspiring and made us even more the same thing. “I was a bit of a lost soul,” he In a preview of the energy he’d bring to bear excited to organize this event.” said. “My Cushing teachers gave me guidance on behalf of the Academy, he helped organize “The theme for the event is Changing and purpose.” his class’s 30th Reunion; there were more Perspective, and that’s exactly what I told the Brett was a class officer for all four years than 30 members of the Class of 1985 back on speakers to focus on with their TED talks,” he attended, and that leadership spirit has campus. And that was before he’d officially said Jessica last year. “Sometimes living followed him throughout his career. A week joined the Academy’s Alumni Office. inside Cushing can make it seem like we all after graduating from Springfield College His love for his alma mater is infectious. see things the same way, and my hope is that in 1989, he returned to Cushing to spend If you’re on campus, please stop by and say with these TED talks, people will be more the summer working for the NAPS program hello. open to different topics involving students (see pg. 80). Among other things, he had to today.” In the end, four students—Chyna drive a van from Ashburnham to Las Cruces, TEDx Comes to Cushing Christman ’16, Gia Nghi “Jack” Chau ’17, Zara N.Mex.—and back, of course—full of supplies In 2015, the first-ever TEDx Cushing was Tarter ’17, and Kylie Caouette ’15—presented the program would need for the summer. held, spearheaded by Jessica Kinsley ’16 their thoughts on issues that affect them. During the school year, he worked as an along with her committee: Myles Bonadie ’17, The TEDx series at Cushing continued in assistant to Wayne Sanborn and Chris Boyle Rachel Guerriero ’16, Joanna James ’15, and April 2016 and featured five speakers: David in Student Affairs, helping to keep students Yashi Thakurani ’18. Nevins ’16, Oluwafolabomi “Bomi” Olujimi busy. He also coached football, wrestling, Jessica was inspired to set up a TED talk ‘16, English teacher Rebecca Pressman, and track. at Cushing because of the diverse interests of Juan Agustin Marquez ’00, and Matt Cone He left Cushing in 1991 and worked in Cushing students. “At first what motivated ’81. Of course, the talks wouldn’t have been Vermont, the Fay School, and a consulting me to organize this was that I knew I could possible without Jessica and her committee: firm in Boston before heading to Cheshire do it and that it could become something Vikram Sharma ’16, Myles Bonadie ’17, Academy in Connecticut, where he was the great,” she said. “Later, the enthusiasm that Silvana Junguito ’17, and Yashi Thakurani ’18. Athletic Director for 12 years. Along the way, my committee and I received about this event

Fred Morlock ‘16 started Cushing’s The Rebecca Rice Dance Company kicked Dr. Joseph Curry, Cushing’s 9th headmaster, 3-D printing club. off the inaugural season of the Cushing passed away Dec. 12, 2014. Academy Performing Arts Series. 2015 Scotland voted not to separate The European Space Agency landed a from the United Kingdom. spacecraft on a comet.

SPRING 2016 107 ‹ Cushing Academy ›

1935 2016

Drama at Cushing mencement weekend. Because each student took over the department in 1988 and stayed Drama was first introduced to Cushing in was given one period each week instruction until 2006. Like Fern, he taught his students 1879, and the Academy has been fortunate in oral English, there were five-minute to have confidence in themselves, to face to have a series of drama teachers who have speeches in chapel every Wednesday morning their challenges head on, and to meet their served the school during very long tenures. from various members of the student body. responsibilities. Wales’ arrival sparked excit- Everyone knows that Bette Davis is one of After Cann left, plays were put on by the ing traditions at the Academy, including a Cushing’s most famous alumni. She came to Dramatics Club, but she wasn’t the last drama Shakespeare production each fall, film and the Academy in 1924, the same year as Lois teacher to have an impact here. In 1967, Mary digital video classes, and an annual New York Cann, who would go on to have a career at the Fern came to Cushing to teach drama (see pg. City trip for theatre students. Indeed, many Academy that lasted nearly 40 years (see pg. 44). 82). She increased the number of productions of the traditions that began under Wales are During her time at Cushing, students gath- and carved out time between athletics and still a part of the Academy’s drama program ered each Tuesday evening for her Expression classes so students could pursue the arts. Her today. In an article in 2000, Juan Marquez class, in which “the elements of the spoken students performed in classics such as Death ’00—who is now a successful movie director word [were] studied, plays discussed, poetry of a Salesman and The Importance of Being Earnest, in his own right—said, “The most special memorized, public speaking practiced in a but they also performed original one-act plays. characteristic about Mr. Wales is his ability to variety of ways.” Those students were then And although Mary Fern did many things at transfer knowledge to students… He has the selected to perform in the plays that were the Academy above and beyond her work in ability to influence students to expand their given throughout the year both in the Cowell the Theatre Department, generations of Cush- own abilities, whether on Cowell stage or in Chapel and in neighboring towns. Each year ing alumni remember her as the guiding hand the digital video class. He has a true, inspir- Winter Carnival was ushered in by a play, and of the program. ing energy that is contagious.” the Class Play was an important part of com- Fern was followed by Whit Wales, who Julia Ohm took over the Academy’s drama

108 CUSHING YESTERDAY & TODAY ‹ Celebrating 150 years ›

1985

2003

program in 2007, so she’s been with us for who are also educators can themselves which just finished its second year. “The almost 10 years already. Before she came perform at a high level and then impart that administration’s support of the series makes to Cushing, she worked at The Hun School to students.” a statement about the importance of the of Princeton, in New Jersey, where she had When choosing shows for the Academy’s performing arts at Cushing,” she says. worked with Desh Hindle, Cushing’s Director theatre students, she thinks about the It’s obviously too soon to tell if Ohm will of Music. While at The Hun School, she built students who are at the school at any given match the tenures of some of the drama their drama program and when, in 2006, moment and what strengths and talents they teachers who have preceded her, but she’s Cushing found itself in need of a director might bring to a particular performance. She clearly committed to Cushing’s students. of theatre, Hindle called Ohm and told her tries to pick pieces from around the world in Asked if something about teaching drama about the job. order to take advantage of Cushing’s diversity, might tend to inspire long tenures, Ohm said, Ohm has directed more than 300 shows and picks both classics and modern works. “Yes. If you’re devoted to the craft, you enjoy during her career and she has an active mem- Finally, each year features a drama, a comedy, sharing it, especially with students. Our bership in the Screen Actors Guild. In fact, and a musical so that students can develop a job is to create an awareness of how the arts the Academy’s Performing Arts Department is wide range of theatre skills. shape humanity and the human spirit and in the care of three talented and working per- Ohm acknowledges that Cushing has that tends to create close relationships.” formers (see pg. 98 for more on the music program some challenges. For example, Cowell Chapel and see pg. 46 for more on dance). Ohm credits lacks wing space, a green room, wheelchair this team with the increasing visibility and access, and adequate bathroom. “What we excellence of the Academy’s performing arts. do in spite of those challenges is astounding,” “We all have a serious approach to perform- she said. Ohm is gratified by the recent suc- ing,” Ohm says. “Professional performers cess of the Academy’s Performing Arts Series,

SPRING 2016 109 ‹ Cushing Academy ›

2015 once said. “They weren’t bad kids, just young eyes when they proceed through the line at kids growing up in an environment where, if graduation. My colleagues and I know that Silver Penguin: they had been in a public school system and we have indeed made a difference in their Paul Dowling did something wrong, their parents would lives.” Paul Dowling was a fixture handle the crisis with them. So at Cushing, on Cushing’s campus for we’re the parents away from home and we Silver Penguin: Wayne Hancock more than 35 years, where had to deal with the discipline. I knew I was Wayne Hancock joined the Cushing faculty he served as a math teacher, doing a service to the school by maintaining in 1977. Hancock, who grew up in Gardner, Dean of Students, coach, consistency on campus. Students knew they Mass., had a degree in history from Spring- dorm head, and Dean of were being treated fairly and that they lived, field College and had been subbing at Gardner Faculty. He retired in 2015. worked, and studied in a community where High School when his father called him and He attended Harvard, with the intent of they felt safe.” told him there was an opening at Cushing. So, going on to law school in a couple of years, After a few years in the classroom while Hancock applied and Athletic Director Wayne when a friend suggested he try teaching. He his son was a student, he returned to admin- Sanborn invited him to come to the school started at The Rectory School, “But I knew it istration in 1999, where he took on the role of to be an assistant coach of the football team would only be for a two-year stint and then on Dean of Faculty. He enjoyed working closely and head coach of the baseball team. At that to law school,” he said in 2002. “While I was with his fellow teachers to make their lives at point, Hancock thought coaching would be there,” he went on, “my old wrestling coach Cushing better and more fulfilling. “I enjoy it, but in the end, he also taught two history from Exeter called me up one spring day and seeing the newly hired faculty working hard classes, the start of what would turn out to be said he had been talking with the headmaster to become better teachers,” he said. “I take a 38-year career at the Academy. of Cushing Academy, who was looking for a personal pride in knowing that when I hired In an early preview of what living a life quality wrestling coach. I explained to him them they did indeed have that hidden talent according to the Cushing calendar meant, that this teaching/coaching job was just tem- to become a great teacher like so many of Hancock married his wife, Maria, during porary before going on to law school. But he those who are still here and those who have the only open weekend the school had in the suggested, ‘Well, maybe a teaching/coaching moved on throughout the years.” fall of 1978. Cushing was a good place for the career wouldn’t be half bad either; you could While Dowling donned his fair share young couple, as there were lots of couples try it and if you didn’t enjoy it then you could of hats during his time Cushing, students just like them. Hancock remembers the move on to law school.’” It’s funny how little always meant a great deal to him. “That’s the faculty going to dances in the student center— things seem to change people’s lives. highlight of why we as faculty put so much then located in Heslin, next to the basketball After a few years, Mr. Dowling thought extra time and effort into the school,” he said. court—and the faculty having just as much maybe he’d found his calling, so he pursued “The faculty are here for the students, in and fun as the students. “There were lots of young a master’s degree, thinking he would move outside the classroom…. You have your strong couples there then, giving everything they on to a different school, but Dr. Curry had students and the students who are struggling. had to the students,” Hancock said. Of course, other ideas and offered him a job at Cushing. And when the students find success at what living on campus with a bunch of teenagers Eventually he became Dean of Students, a they do and know that they have achieved wasn’t without its challenges. “When the job he did longer than most. “The hardest beyond what they thought they were capable kids were there, we were saints,” he said. part was the discipline and the fact that I met of—these students are the ones who have the “But when they left? The parties we had!” That so many students who had difficulties,” he big smiles on their faces and tears in their seems to go along well with the “work hard,

2015 Cushing hosted its first-ever TEDx Cushing, spearheaded Cushing celebrated 150 years since its founding. by Jessica Kinsley ’16 along with committee members A group of Cushing students spent their Myles Bonadie ‘17, Rachel Guerriero ’16, Joanna James ’15, Cushing broke ground on the Watkins Field Spring Break in New Jersey, helping to and Yashi Thakurani ’18. The topic: Changing Perspective. House. build a home with Habitat for Humanity. 2015 Attacks by the terrorist group ISIS killed Negotiations on Iran’s nuclear program The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that hundreds around the world. produced a controversial agreement. state bans on same-sex marriage The United States and 11 other countries Full diplomatic relations with Cuba were were unconstitutional. reached an agreement on the Trans-Pacific restored. Partnership. BENSON KUA BENSON KUA

110 CUSHING YESTERDAY & TODAY ‹ Celebrating 150 years ›

LEFT: Coaches Dowling, Irzyk, Hancock, and Sanborn

RIGHT: Wayne Hancock early in his Cushing career

play hard” philosophy that Dr. Curry had in ship with Maria. She was around so often and was hard to come by and when the grants those days. because she also taught Summer Session for that had provided seed money for the first few The first few years were difficult in other several years, she built strong relationships years ran out, the program had to close. Even ways, too. Although coaching was something with many students.” Maria also taught in the so, he’s glad of what they accomplished. “So Hancock was used to and had experience Fitchburg Public School system for 35 years and many of the kids graduated from high school with, teaching was something altogether dif- served as a guidance counselor at Fitchburg and then from college. I’m proud to have been ferent. “A person can know the material they High for 15 of those years. “She certainly did a part of that,” he said. have to teach, but knowing how to manage a her share of talking and listening to Cushing He’s also proud of the role he played in classroom is something you can only learn on students,” Wayne said. “And she’s been known getting the Central New England Baseball the fly,” he said. It took a few years to get the to give me advice on occasion as well!” League off the ground. Although Cushing is hang of that, but he eventually did. One of the things Hancock is most proud Class B in size, in many sports—including The Hancocks lived in Lowe Hall until their of in his Cushing career is his work with baseball—it has often played against Class A first child, Jaime ’02, was born. “In the dorm, NAPS, the Native American Preparatory competition. Under Hancock’s guidance, the you sometimes have to be the bad guy,” said School (see pg. 80), of which he was the Direc- team had a great deal of success, often play- Hancock. “I remember once having to bust one tor. As part of that job, he and his family ing for the league’s championship. of my best players for smoking pot. It’s like went out to New Mexico every summer for In his retirement, which began last sum- being a parent. It’s hard.” Soon after Jaime’s four years. The first year, 1987, was so suc- mer, Maria and Wayne have been traveling birth, the family moved into Needham House, cessful that the state of New Mexico agreed to a lot. Last winter, he helped his brother now demolished, on the corner of School and help the program by offering facilities on the coach girls’ basketball team at Narragansett Main Streets. A few years later, Jaime’s sister, campus of New Mexico State University in Las Regional High School in Templeton, Mass., Cristina ’05, joined the family. They lived Cruces. At that point, it became a full-time and looks forward to working with the Cape on campus until 1991, when they bought the job for Hancock, who gave up his academic Cod baseball league this summer. And, of Ashburnham home where they still live. year teaching responsibilities at Cushing to course, he enjoys watching the Cushing base- He noted that because he and Maria lived focus on raising money for NAPS. “We tried ball team play. These days, he gets to watch on the third floor of Lowe Hall for five years to run it just like Cushing’s Summer Session, from the hill behind Adams Field, which and in campus housing for another nine years, which was so successful,” he said. Despite he always thought was the best seat in the “I always saw my employment as a partner- how successful the program was, funding house.

Cushing’s 3rd annual golf tournament, sponsored Paul Dowling, Norm Carey, and Wayne by the Sullivan Family, raised $100,000 toward the Hancock retired. construction of the Watkins Field House. 2015 Representatives from 195 nations approved the Paris Climate Accord. REPÚBLICA MEXICANA

SPRING 2016 111 ‹ Cushing Academy ›

Religion at Cushing responsibility. He said the school commu- students to attend churches of faiths not their Although Cushing Academy has never been nity “must work together in basic principles own would only breed intolerance. a denominational academy, religion—more of morality and ethics as an integral part of In turn, the administration argued that specifically, Christianity—was traditionally the curriculum just as in any of the academic students who accepted admission to the an important part of daily life at the school. subjects.” Academy did so with full knowledge of the The school’s first catalogue in 1875 noted When Howard Baker became the school’s requirements of attending. Further, West that students were expected to attend two headmaster in 1961, he shared West’s enthu- argued, supporting the town’s churches was public religious services on Sunday, “at such siasm for Christian education. A semester- part of Cushing’s obligation to be a good place as they have been accustomed to attend long course in the historical approach to the citizen of the town. “The question of ‘freedom at home, or such place as they shall select Bible was a requirement. In an effort to make of religion’ is not at issue here. One might when they enter the school.” They were church services more directly relevant to turn the whole proposition around and say to required to make a written report to the prin- the students’ experience, the school began you as students that we don’t have ‘freedom cipal on Monday morning. its own Sunday afternoon services, led by of choice’ in selecting you because we are The 1882 catalogue read, “By the will of the its own chaplain, Rev. Hugh K. Wright, not allowed by law to find out your religious Founder, the Institution is made emphati- Jr. Students still attended the Community backgrounds before we accept you.” cally a Christian school. While entirely Church in the morning, if they wished, and By the late 1960s, students began to argue unsectarian, its influence will ever be in the afternoon service was an opportunity against compulsory church attendance and favor of those cardinal principles of courtesy, for the student body to “assemble together in early 1970, that requirement was removed. industry, integrity, virtue, religion, without for a religious purpose,” according to Baker. Even so, in 1971, the school’s catalogue noted, which there can be no true character.” This change was met with some skepticism, “Although no restriction is placed on member- Furthermore, chapel services and vespers it seems, and was closely followed by the ship in the student body because of religious had a distinctly Christian flavor. Indeed, the creation of an Interfaith Council, giving dif- beliefs, attendance at the Academy implies pastor of the community church was the ferent denominations and faiths—Protestant, acceptance by the parents and student of the school’s chaplain. Bible classes were taught Catholic, and Jewish—the opportunity to procedures implicit in the religious life of the as part of the curriculum for many years. work together. school.” It was clear that they believed that By the end of the 1920s, the requirement It would appear, however, that students “corporate worship” was an important part of to make a written report to the principal had didn’t always agree with this focus on Chris- community life and the Academy held chapel been dropped, but students were still required tianity. In 1956, a concerned student wrote a assembly services twice per week and a Sunday to attend daily exercises in the school chapel, letter to The Breeze asking, “What about the vespers service, which were mandatory. Sunday morning service in the church of Jews, the Christian Scientists and perhaps Even so, by sometime in the 1970s, even their choice, and the Sunday evening vespers the high Episcopalians? Everyone besides the that requirement was dropped and students service in the school chapel. Catholics are compelled to go to the Federated were allowed to attend services or not, accord- In 1960, Headmaster West wrote a column Church of Ashburnham, but what do those of ing to their personal convictions. for The Bulletin, where he lamented the other faiths feel about going to a church that school’s lack of a plan for “bringing our stu- is not their own?” In the following issue, the dents into contact with a steady, definitively students argued that, with parental permis- presented, and meaningful study of the prin- sion, those of other faiths ought to be allowed ciples of the Christian religion.” He clearly to go to Fitchburg to attend a church of their saw religious education as the Academy’s choice. They further argued that forcing

112 CUSHING YESTERDAY & TODAY ‹ Celebrating 150 years ›

2016 at the Sharon Art Center in Peterborough, N. her painting. She also expects to do some Hamp., and joined Bob Johnson in the Fine gardening, a lot more reading, and a bit of Silver Arts Department, where she taught begin- traveling. Cheryl is looking forward to spend- Penguin: ning painting and drawing. ing more time with family and friends. Cheryl Storm In fact, in recent years, Cheryl developed Even so, as most retiring faculty tell us, Cheryl Storm the drawing curriculum and teaches Intro- she’ll miss the kids. She’ll miss their energy brings her Cush- duction to Drawing as an afternoon activity. and their diversity. “I like to feel that I made a ing career to a While French is truly her expertise, branch- difference to some of them,” she said. Cheryl close in 2016, after ing out into the arts has been a wonderful will also miss the friends she’s made over the 34 years of service experience both as an artist and a teacher. “I years. “The thread that binds us all is a long to the Academy’s love to teach art—it’s an entirely different one,” she said. students. area. You’re not testing the students or grad- A self-pro- ing them in the same way by equating their claimed city girl work with a number, but you can still experi- who moved to the country, Storm came to ence their growth and accomplishments in Cushing via her neighbor and now-retired the way they express themselves.” Cushing faculty member, Norm Carey (see pg. In addition to her work in foreign lan- 106). “I had been teaching French at Oakmont, guage and art during the academic years, the local high school, and Norm told me Storm also spent many years working with about an opening at Cushing. I began tutor- Cushing’s renowned Summer Session. She ing, a position opened up, and that’s how it was the head of the Critical Languages pro- all began,” she said. gram, during which time Summer Session Of course, most alumni associate Storm taught Arabic, and she taught Critical Skills with the teaching of French, and she was the for many years. Department Chair of Modem and Classical When asked what is different about Cush- Languages from her arrival until 2013. Along ing from when she came in 1982, she said the way, Storm has taught ESL and Indepen- everyone seems busier. Everyone’s time is dent Studies in French and overseen a variety more programmed. The kids are taking more of activities, such as recreational volleyball classes which leads to more stress. The fac- and sports fitness. ulty are busier too, and she thinks there’s less It’s important to note that while teaching time to truly enjoy each other’s company. at the Academy, she took an existing interest Looking toward retirement, Storm says she in the arts to an entirely new place. “I’ve is excited to do some projects on her house, always liked arts and theatre but was more of including work in her kitchen that will allow the observer,” she said. Years ago, she took a her to express her creativity in a new way. watercolor class with Bob Johnson and loved She’ll be spending time with her grandson, it. Since then, she has taken many art classes who lives in Ashburnham, and will continue

2016 Saturday classes returned to the Cheryl Storm retired. weekly schedule. Varsity football program suspended. Watkins Field House opened. 2016 The International Atomic Energy ISIS bombings in Brussels killed Agency announced that Iran has at least 32 and injured 250. dismantled its nuclear program, allowing the U.N. to lift sanctions.

SPRING 2016 113 ‹ Cushing Academy ›

Cushing Gets a generosity of the E.G. Watkins Family entire community can gather, whether it’s New Athletic Facility Foundation, the Academy broke ground on cheering on our teams or pursuing fitness When Heslin Gym opened in 1957, the Cush- a new 30,000-square-foot athletic center. It goals. The outdoor quad will be a great place ing community was thrilled. More than 500 was completed in spring 2016 and will be for community events, outdoor classes, or alumni, parents, and students attended the officially dedicated in October. simply enjoying our town and campus.” opening to see its electronic scoreboards, Constructed along Pleasant Street between The Watkins Field House features multiple glass backboards, and wooden pull-out Adams Field and the Joseph R. Curry Aca- courts, locker rooms, a physical therapy bleachers. It served the community well for a demic Center, the Watkins Field House echoes training center, and a state-of-the-art fitness long time, but it was, after all, a gym—per- the design of the historic Main Building and center. The fitness center is more than double haps the most used building on campus—and other nearby buildings. The buildings enclose the size of the fitness area in Heslin and will it didn’t take all that long for Cushing to out- a classic campus quadrangle in which stu- also be more efficient in meeting the needs of grow that space. In fact, as far back as 1985, dents and community members will gather our large and diverse community. In addition the Academy started talking about building and socialize. Headmaster Chris Torino antic- to the athletic spaces, the new facility has a new gym, but it would be another 30 years ipates the new facility will further strengthen space that commemorates Cushing’s proud before that dream became a reality. the sense of community on campus. “The athletics history. In 2015, due in large measure to the new gym will be one more place where our

2016 toward a bright future »

114 CUSHING YESTERDAY & TODAY 2014–2015 Annual Report

Cushing faculty, 1910

Cushing, like most schools at both the secondary and collegiate levels, relies on donations for everything from library expenses to scholarships. In fact, Thomas Parkman Cushing himself, in the very same will that provided the funding for the Academy, talked about the importance of donors. He said:

I am particularly desirous of using a portion of the estate with which God has blessed me, for the promotion of so important an object as that of improving the education, and thus of strengthening and enlarging the minds of the rising and of future generations. Hoping that others having similar views and opinions will hereafter co-operate with me towards effecting the same great and desirable end: my Will, therefore, further is that two schools or seminaries of learning, shall be established and forever continued in my native town of Ashburnham, in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts…

On the day the school opened, way back in September of 1875, the Honorable Alexander H. Bullock, President of the Board, said in his dedication speech: “The institution which rises upon this consecrated eminence now speaks for itself, and catching the last words of its first benefactor pleads its cause far and near for other benefactors yet to come and yet to participate in the associated glory… Whatever of donations by the living, whatever of legacies bequeathed shall fall here, will pass into this immortal fellowship of benevolence, and will partake of the gratitude of distant generations.” We couldn’t have said it better ourselves.

SPRING 2016 115

Top Ten Moments in Giving at Cushing

If you’ve been reading this magazine, you’ll have noticed Iorio Arena and the Emily Fisher Landau Center for Visual Arts. The that M. Anthony Fisher ’69 and Edward G. Watkins ’56 feature Watkins Family Foundation made a generous lead gift to support the prominently as individuals whose long support of the Academy has new field house. The list of areas they supported is broad and deep. molded it into the school it has become. Their names appear on Here are 10 other moments in the history of giving to the Academy the school’s library and dining hall. Both gave generously to the that are worth a mention.

1. 1854: Thomas Parkman Cushing dies, leaving the 5. 1951: George Hoffman dies, leaving the Academy funding necessary to found the school, about $175,000. $300,000 in his will. In part, the money was used to construct the Price Infirmary. 2. 1891: The Honorable Amasa Norcross, former president of Cushing’s board, establishes the school’s 6. 1991: The bequest of Alfred Gaylord Drew ’27 of first scholarship with a gift of $500. $650,000 became the largest bequest to the Academy up to that time. 3. 1933: A series of bequests—such as the $110,000 bequest from Henry B. Dillenback, who had been a 7. 1992: Russell D. Loring ’29 gave $1 million to the member of the Board of Trustees finance committee— Academy, as part of a trust, to be used for scholarships. protected the Academy from the worst effects of the 8. 1994: Ted Iorio gave $1.5 million to start construction Great Depression. Other bequest donors included on the Iorio Arena. John W. Brooks, Susan Marble Knight, and Jacob H. 9. 1999: Lilla M. Pond ’36 endowed the school’s first Fairbanks. faculty chair with a gift of $1 million. 4. 1947: More than 750 alumni donors and many 10. 1999: The George and Josephine Veinot Cook Merit graduating classes helped raise the $70,000 necessary Scholarship was established in 1999 with a gift of to build Alumni Hall. $1.6 million from George Cook ’31.

If you are a member of our community of donors, thank you. long tradition of giving back to the school—a tradition that has helped If you haven’t supported the Academy, there’s no better time than make the school what it is today. now. Your donations will have a real, positive, and immediate impact You can make a gift online at www.cushing.org/give or you can on Cushing’s faculty, staff, and students. Plus, you’ll become part of a contact the office at 978-827-7400 or [email protected].

116 CUSHING YESTERDAY & TODAY DONORS DONORS

Thank You!

We’d like to thank all of the donors who made contributions to the Academy during the 2014–2015 fiscal year. We hope you’ll forgive the tardiness of this expression of our gratitude.

We do our best to ensure this listing is correct. However, should you find an error, please contact us at 978-827-7400 or [email protected] so we can correct it.

1865 Society Erma Cooke ’90 (HON) D Peggy Grant ’51 D Jeffrey Lindtner ’66 The 1865 Society recognizes donors who Mark Corbishley ’82 David Grimm ’60 Estate of Dr. Rodney Liversage ’48 have remembered Cushing in their wills Carolyn Crowell ’66 Joseph Hanslip ’80 Ann Logan ’85 or who have made some other kind of Lewis Crowell ’44 D Robert Hendrick ’27 D Edna Longbottom 1919 D planned gift to the Academy. John ’41 and Jean Curtis Karen Hess ’78 Janet Loring ’49 Joseph Davis ’31 Charitable Elizabeth Hewitt ’53 Russell Loring ’29 D D William Adams ’50 Remainder Unitrust Dr. Joseph Hill Ruth Lovell ’34 D Susan Balsley ’56 Dorothy Day Steven Hill ’81 Richard Mansfield ’43 D Sarah Barbee ’64 Norma ’94 and Eugene ’94 Dean III Mary Hopkins ’25 Russell Marcotte ’51 D D Robert and Jane Barber Beulah DiPoli ’23 Robert Horton 1919 Virginia Marcotte ’61 D D Natalie Bauble Lillian Doe ’23 Rhonda Houston Dr. Carl Marino, Sr. ’53 D D William and Florilla Beazley Trust Gladys Draper 1919 Estate of Estelle Hunt ’91 (HON) Donald McNeish ’40 D D Marion Beckwith ’31 D Alfred Drew ’27 Thomas Jaffa ’70 Catherine Merwin ’35 D D Estate of Elizabeth Palmer Bedell ’27 Alice Duncan Sally Ann Jessie ’53 Esther and Joseph Meyer, Jr. D D D Mildred Beebe ’36 D Richard Byam Dunn ’31 Mary Johnston Janet Michelini ’30 D D Nancy Bender ’54 Elizabeth Edmands ’30 Chandler Jones 1913 Caryl Minor ’58 Estate of Margaret Durkee Benton Ruth Engs ’57 George Jordan III ’59 Estate of Elizabeth Colburn Leo and Eileen Bonetti Mary Fern ’92 (HON) Elizabeth Jump ’54 Montgomery ’25 D D Channing Briggs ’32 D M. Anthony Fisher ’69 Estate of Jane Keough Kenneth Moore ’41 John Briggs, Jr. ’39 D Nicholas Fratello ’96 Dr. Richard Kleefield and Roger Morency ’55 Jane Brown ’58 Diana Frazier ’58 Mickey Kleefield Estate of Arthur Moyer ’29 D D Knowlton Brown ’37 D Raymond Freeman, Jr. ’51 Richard Knight ’27 Roger Needham ’28 D Alastair Browne ’75 Madeleine Gaylor ’91 (HON) Dr. Edna Kovacs ’71 Ellen Neisner ’44 D Elizabeth Caplan ’52 Atim George ’74 Bequest of Chester Kurzet ’43 Gertrude Noble ’17 D D Louise Carpenter D William Gilman, Jr. ’31 Merton Lane 1913 Estate of Dr. Robert Norton ’33 D John Carr ’38 Shirley Glenney ’46 Helena Chen Law ’59 Edward Ouellette ’38 D Mark and Julia Casady Kenneth Goldberg ’61 Dr. Mark Lemmon and Martha Patari ’39 D John Clary 1910 D John Gorton ’34 Barbara Lemmon Virginia Reimers Perry ’48 D Estate of George Cook, Jr. ’31 Lillian Goss ’51 Mari-Carol Lenihan ’73 Katherine Phelps ’08 D D Madeline Cook Jonathan Gottlieb ’82 Eino Leppanen ’27 Edward and Rhonda Pierce

D deceased 2014–2015 CUSHING ANNUAL REPORT 117 Norman Pollet ’28 D Founder’s Society Dianna O’Neill Foundations and Trusts Estate of Miss Lilla Pond ’36 The Founder’s Society recognizes those Thomas O’Neill III Allied Printing Services Charitable George Porter, Sr. ’65 donors whose total lifetime giving to Virginia Reimers Perry ’48 Foundation Walter Prince 1916 D Cushing Academy totals $100,000 or Estate of Miss Lilla Pond ’36 Ayco Charitable Foundation Frank Rand 1908 D more. Thomas Poti ’96 Booth Charitable Lead Unitrust Philip Raskin ’76 Joseph and Celeste Rault CLASC Nancy Rathborne Individuals Estate of Ruby Ryland Reed ’41 E.G. Watkins Family Foundation D Ruth Reardon ’25 Mohamed Abdul Razak and Joel Reitman ’74 The Educational Foundation of Estate of Ruby Ryland Reed ’41 Khadijah Abdul Rahman James and Joanne Richardson America D Bruce Roberts ’44 Young Il Ahn and Young Ran Song Young Jay Ro and Sun Wook Paek The Edward E. Ford Foundation D Helen Robinson ’35 Steven and Elizabeth Akers Mary Beth and Fidelity Charitable Gift Fund Estate of Dorothy Rogers ’39 Robert Barton Sherburne Rockwell III Fidelity Investments Carrie Romaine ’62 William ’25 and Florilla Beazley Estate of Dorothy Rogers ’39 George F. Hoffman Ash Foundation D Alan Rosanes ’60 Trust William Rose and Merle Monsein George I. Alden Trust Alison Rowe ’74 David and Nancy Berkowitz Sharon Rust George R. Wallace Foundation Nancy Ruder ’41 John Biggs ’33 D Bobby and Denise Sandage Hillsdale Fund Inc. D Sally Rulifson ’56 Marc and Cheryl Bingham M. Kerby ’67 and Alice Saunders Kelly Fisher Foundation D Virginia Sawyer ’28 Donald Booth ’54 Peter and Susan Schottland Milliken & Co. D D Joan Senty ’46 Richard Booth ’53 and John Shevenell ’39 The Navajo Nation D Jeanne Sharpe ’31 Ann Booth ’53 David and Marianne Skok One Step Forward Education D Mildred Sherwood ’22 Vincent Booth ’23 D Estate of Amparito Smith Foundation D Harry Shindler ’22 Thomas and Eugenia Carter Peter ’90 and Burson Snyder Pete and Burson Snyder Foundation Douglas Smalis ’71 Mark and Julia Casady Betina Sommers Pew Charitable Trusts Estate of Amparito Smith Kong Chu and Amy Yeung Elizabeth Sommers The Phyllis Kimball Johnstone D D Goodrich Smith Tin Hang Chu ’06 Gerald Sommers ’75 & H. Earle Kimball Foundation D Estate of Eliot Spalding ’71 Estate of George Cook, Jr. ’31 John Sommers, Sr. ’74 The Thomson Corporation D D Harold Splain 1918 Alfred G. Drew ’27 D Harold Splain 1918 UBS National Philanthropic Trust David Stiller ’64 Sharon Ettinger-McLaughlin Stephanie Stone de Feoli ’82 Vanguard Charitable Endowment D Lawrence Sullivan ’48 Ali and Tracy Fayed Ronald Stuart ’65 Program Brig. Gen. Vernon Rodney Tate Gordon Aaron Feiner ’65 D George and Tammy Sullivan Watkins Family Charitable Trust USAF (Ret.) ’57 Kristen Kelly Fisher John and Polly Timken Zemurray Foundation D Evelyn Thomas ’30 M. Anthony Fisher ’69 D Patricia Toppel D Organizations Paul Tierney ’64 Mark and Mary Grace Gudis Joseph Treadwell Gordon Usher ’38 Richard and Jean Harrington Estate of Vivian Collins Walker 1917 The following organizations supported D Estate of Vivian Collins Walker ’17 Robert Hendrick ’27 D George Wallace III Cushing during the 2014–2015 fiscal year. Deborah Warner ’70 Yat Ming Ho and Lai Hing Ho Edward G. ’56 and Karen Watkins This list includes organizations that D Frederick Watts ’47 Bradley and Kathy Hoffman Carol Williston ’24 matched the gifts of individual donors. Hannah Chun Welsh ’76 Estate of Estelle Hunt ’91 (HON) Robert Young ’69 Kenneth Wheeler ’58 Theodore and Dorothy Iorio Andrew and Carlene Ziegler ACH Holdings, LLC Anderson White ’79 Donald and Karen Irving Mercedes Zobel Adaptive Communications D Elizabeth White ’26 Dr. David Johnston Aetna Foundation Wilda White ’75 Jeanne Jordan Allied Printing Services Charitable D Beatrice Williams ’28 Charles Kim and Lisa Nam Foundation D Carol Williston ’24 Emily Fisher Landau Anthony Joseph Real Estate LLC Patrice Worcester ’79 Merton Lane ’13 D Assured Guaranty Corp. Dorothy Zug ’48 Paul and Julie Leff Athene USA Charitable Foundation Ruey-Hsian Lin and Alice W. Chen Atlantic Comfort Systems, Inc. Russell Loring ’29 D Bank of America Foundation, Inc. Jay Massirman ’76 BNY Mellon Community Janet Merrill ’23 D Partnership Estate of Elizabeth Colburn The Boston Foundation Montgomery ’25 Byham Charitable Foundation

118 CUSHING YESTERDAY & TODAY DONORS

Celebrity for Charity Foundation UBS National Philanthropic Trust Nicole Auslander ’16 Laura Brady ’01 Chubb & Son Inc. United Technologies Corporation Raeko Azuma ’86 Remy Bragg ’17 The Cleveland Foundation United Way of Central New Mexico Dam Hyun Bae ’16 Alyssa Brianne Brandland ’13 Comm-Tract Corporation United Way of Rhode Island Jason Bae ’18 Sophia Breau ’18 The Community Foundation for VMware Foundation Gregory A. Bair-Caruso ’00 Marilyn Brent ’58 Northeast Florida Watkins Family Charitable Trust Ryan Bajjaly ’14 Charles Brodigan ’50 Conger Management Group, Inc. Wells Fargo Community Support Tomas Balboa Livis ’17 Roger Brooks, Jr. ’69 The Douglas and Erika Cramer Campaign Jose Balcarcel Pereda ’16 Albert Brousseau ’50 Foundation Wells Fargo Foundation Elizabeth Bald ’87 Carole Brown ’60 E.G. Watkins Family Foundation White Sylvania Charitable Trust Zachary Urban Banks ’17 Jane Brown ’58 Edward G. Watkins Foundation Windover Construction Catherine Barnes ’13 Marion Brown ’69 The Ettinger Foundation, Inc. Robert Barrat ’74 Dr. Marylin Brown ’62 GE Foundation Alumni and Student Margaret Barry ’11 Alastair Browne ’75 George R. Wallace Foundation Donors Benjamin Barton ’16 Samuel Charles Buck ’15 Greater Saint Louis Community Many thanks to the alumni and students Terra Barton ’11 William Buell III ’70 Foundation who donated to the Academy during the Mert Baser ’13 Charles Buerk ’15 The Hebeler Foundation 2014–2015 fiscal year James Baskin ’59 Lucille Bugel ’45 Hillsdale Fund Inc. Victoria Bath ’56 Chau T.Q. Bui ’14 Innovative Distribution Services Verne Adams ’49 Madeline Battel-Catlin ’15 Quentin Bullen ’15 Iorio Charitable Foundation William Adams ’50 Richard Battin ’46 Gillian Bunker ’69 Jansing-Cook Foundation Peter Adeson ’85 Thatcher Beebe ’70 Andrea Buono ’07 Jen’s Plumbing and Heating, LLC Deniz Adiguzel ’18 Edmund Belsky ’13 Anthony Buono ’07 Karen E. Cheverie CPA, Inc. In Sung Ahn ’07 Nancy Bender ’54 Matthew Buono ’03 Kelly Fisher Foundation Cameron Akers ’13 Ryan Bennett ’12 Sydney Buono ’15 The L.M. Reid Group, LLC Devon Akers ’10 Shawn Bennett ’10 Cameron Burke ’18 Lewis M. & Esther Perlstein Family Spencer Akers ’17 Knut Benson ’16 Mackenzie Burke ’16 Foundation Thomas Akukwe ’15 J. Raymond Bentley ’47 Olivia Burke ’16 Lowell Corporation Douglas Alexander ’78 Dr. Fred Benton, Jr. ’66 Marguerite A. Burns ’17 Lowenstein & Company, P.A. Robert Alexander ’82 Sarah Berkowitz ’15 Carter Byham ’89 LPM Charitable Foundation Ellyn Alkon-Doig ’69 Ashley Bermingham ’13 Ashlee Cabeal ’02 M & M Transport Services, Inc. Emily Allen ’13 Brianna Bermingham ’16 Margaret Cain ’64 Marquis George MacDonald William Allison IV ’47 Jen Bernard ’90 B. Cade Calcote ’15 Foundation, Inc. Francisco Alonso Martinez ’15 M. Phyllis Biddle ’53 Ronnie Callahan ’17 McCarthy Realty Trust Abdullatif Alsalem ’13 Henry Bidwell ’61 Cassidy Caouette ’16 The Merck Foundation Kara Altbaum ’95 Howard Bidwell II ’65 Kylie Caouette ’15 Microsoft Garrett Amaya ’17 Jemmel Billingslea ’10 Elizabeth Caplan ’52 Morse Photography Alberto Ambe Cohen ’16 Sylvia Bingham ’53 David Carbone ’63 Network for Good Eileen Amburgey ’56 Meryl Bisberg ’69 Britney Carr ’00 Northern Trust Company Alicia Amerson ’85 Marna Blanchette ’61 John Carr ’38 Ocean Bay, Inc. George Anderson ’56 Lara Blom ’14 Jack Carroll ’15 One Step Forward Education Dingqi Ang ’17 Stanley Bloom ’41 Carol Carter ’71 Foundation Joshua Angevine ’01 Nasir Bly ’17 John Casady ’15 Plant Solutions, Inc. Edward Christian Anglow ’16 Constance Bolzan ’60 Margaret Casady ’08 Richard and Barbara Rovit Family Carmela Antonellis ’13 Myles Bonadie ’17 Hannah Cattel ’13 Foundation, Inc. Emanuela Antonellis ’11 Dr. Robert Bond ’47 Susan Cavanagh ’13 Rochester Area Community Angelique Arazi ’12 Christine Bonetti ’14 Laura Caves ’14 Foundation Alexandre Arnau ’16 Valerie Bono ’97 Grace Centauro ’12 Schwab Charitable Fund Donald Aronoff ’66 Lisa Bornstein ’83 Cyrus Chan ’14 Shell Oil Company Foundation Joshua Arruda ’18 Timothy Bouchard ’16 Andy Cheng-An Chang ’14 Shepherd Foundation Makai Ashton-Langford ’17 John Bourdelais ’15 Johanna Chanin ’79 Silver Maple Consulting LLC Alexandra Asselta ’15 Marjory Boyd ’15 S. Rebecca Chanin ’85 Theodore Barton, M.D. Elise Aston ’53 Richard Boyd ’14 Eva Chappelle ’61 Trading Post Music, Inc. Elijah Auringer ’15 Heather Bradley ’95 Andrew Charman ’17

D deceased 2014–2015 CUSHING ANNUAL REPORT 119 Richard Chase, Jr. ’67 Carolyn Cunningham ’13 Valerie England ’50 Hugh Gardner ’55 Gia Nghi Chau ’17 Reverend Robert Curry ’58 Geoffrey Erickson ’17 Timothy Gardner ’16 James Cheever ’02 Dr. John Curtis ’41 D Daniel Eruzione ’15 Roger Gaunt ’61 Gabrielle Chen ’16 Lucas Curtis ’16 Alejandro Estrelles Hernanz ’16 Sally Gedney ’54 Jinjian Chen ’15 Matthew Cushing ’58 Matthew Ettinger ’91 Grace Gendron ’16 Kevin Yu-An Chen ’14 Alan Cutcliffe ’68 Kaleb Eyob ’17 Mary Gendron ’18 Sarita Chen ’16 Dr. Stephen Cutcliffe ’64 Gregg Falcone ’78 Linda Genest ’62 Stephen Chen ’89 Joel Daccord ’15 Ziqiao Fan ’15 Atim George ’74 Yuxin Chen ’16 Yuanchen Dai ’18 David Farnham ’77 Samuel Getz ’75 Ziqian Chen ’18 Catherine Daley ’87 Mary Farwell ’10 Aldo Giannattasio ’15 Mengying Cheng ’18 Dr. Dwight Damon ’49 Edward Faust III ’89 Carrie Giardino ’93 Kristina Cheverie ’17 Zihan Dang ’13 Kevin Fay ’17 Christopher Gillies ’84 Anthony Min Ho Cho ’13 Luke Daniels ’14 William Fenton ’68 John Gillis ’58 Samantha Choi ’15 Tania Davila Masciopinto ’13 Mark Ferguson ’15 Shiori Go ’13 Yong Ho Choi ’13 Andrea Deal ’17 Martha Findley ’13 Allan Goldberg ’49 Marcus Choy ’17 Thomas DeFelice ’14 Gordon Finkelstein ’84 Kenneth Goldberg ’61 Andrew Chrabascz ’13 Matthew Defeo ’82 Alma Finneran ’51 Michael Golze ’05 Melissa Irving Christensen ’00 Olivia Dei Dolori ’15 Rebecca Fisch ’13 Patricia Gomez Akerlund ’15 Hiu Tik Chu ’15 Andrea Del Bello ’07 Edith Fischer ’61 William Goodwin, Jr. ’52 Tin Hang Chu ’06 Rachel Dellheim ’97 Constance Fisher ’66 Abigail Gordon ’06 Robert Ciottone ’17 Carolyn Demmery ’65 Caroline Fital ’17 Robert Gorman ’58 Vigen Ciottone ’16 Barbara Dennis ’53 Katharine Fite ’53 Lillian Goss ’51 Julianne Ciraldo ’77 Dr. Mark Desjardins ’84 Andrew Fitzgerald ’14 Yasuyuki Goto ’04 Thalia Clarissa ’16 Paul Dever ’82 Zachary Fitzmaurice ’17 Russell Grant ’59 Charles Clark ’54 Abigail Devin ’06 Betsy Fleming ’55 Brian Green ’83 Tryon Clark ’91 Roberta DeWaters ’73 Marie Flynn ’47 Olivia Greene ’16 Emily Clayton ’15 Silvia Diaz-Llado ’15 Michael Foisie ’80 Taylor Greene ’14 Nancy Coffin ’44 Eliza Dietz ’85 Donovan Foote ’14 Barbara Greer ’49 Andrew Cohen ’69 Matthew Dillon ’16 John Forrester ’16 Richard Griffith, Jr. ’46 Howard Cohen ’53 Christine DiMauro ’06 William Forrester ’17 Vincent Grimaldi ’15 Allan Colby ’61 Tyler DiMauro ’11 Carrianne Fortier ’18 David Grimm ’60 Cullen Concannon ’89 Yuhong Ding ’17 Christopher Foster ’02 Nicholas Grindstaff ’16 Matthew Cone ’81 Trevor Diver ’17 Robert Fouracre ’58 Lorraine Gross ’54 Trevor Cone ’88 Alexander Dolente ’15 Dean Fox ’03 Luciana Guerra Isaksen ’16 Bailey Conger ’15 Lucas Donahue ’10 Maria Elena Fraga ’15 Alita Guillen ’88 Thia Connolly-Philbin ’99 Julie Donnenfeld ’15 Mariano Franco Gomez ’18 Kristen Haarstick ’17 Sean Connors ’93 Phub Dorji ’14 Nicholas Fratello ’96 Peter Haigis ’61 John Cooney ’60 Zachary Doucette ’15 Diana Frazier ’58 Anthony Hairston ’74 Margery Cooper ’65 Benjamin Dudley II ’54 Sarah Frazier ’99 John Hall ’16 E. Hunt Coracci ’63 Ryan Duff ’06 Dr. Allan Freedman ’61 Jordan Hall ’91 Dominic Cormier ’17 Jeremy Duffy ’89 Raymond Freeman, Jr. ’51 Robin Lockwood Hall ’78 Sabrina Corson ’00 Alice Duston ’55 Stephen Freudenheim ’62 Emily Halpin ’10 David Cotton ’16 Gabrielle Dutil ’14 John Frey ’06 John Hamel ’59 Arthur Coulombe ’69 Nicolas Dutil ’16 Keeley Frost ’14 Dr. Philip Hammond ’75 Henry Coyne III ’80 John Dyke ’15 Fangsheng Fu ’15 Kyu Sang Han ’14 William Craig III ’82 Gavin Dykeman ’16 Xiaotong Fu ’18 Seongho Han ’15 Christina Craighead ’57 Elsie Eastman ’12 Benjamin Fuller ’14 Seung Hoon Han ’08 Douglas Cramer ’83 Susanne Eaton ’53 Samantha Marie Fuller ’15 Eiru Haneda ’17 Jarred Creech ’16 Jessica Edmondson ’91 Adam Gadoury ’01 Robin Hanscum ’58 Stephen Critchfield ’62 Blake Edwards ’18 Katlyn Gallant ’13 Margaret Hansen ’47 Alan Crocker ’68 Stephanie Elliott ’15 Priscilla Gallon ’49 Jack Harasimowicz ’13 Carolyn Crowell ’66 Emory Ellsworth ’82 Helen Gallucci ’48 Scott Harlin ’16 Lewis Crowell ’44 D Tae Young Em ’18 Zhaoyi Gao ’14 Caitlin Harrington ’02

120 CUSHING YESTERDAY & TODAY DONORS

Ellen Harrington ’70 Yuan Jiang ’17 Pi-Ying Lai ’04 James Maillet ’16 Aaron Harris ’15 Tanner Jillson ’15 To Yan Lam ’89 Jameson Maillet ’18 Piper Harrod ’16 Charles Johanningsmeier ’77 Michael Lamonakis ’03 Mikala Malboeuf ’15 Sue Hart ’55 Bernard Johnson ’63 Michaela Lange ’15 Anthony Mallozzi IV ’01 T. Keith Hart, Jr. ’91 Peter Johnson ’62 Samuel Langrock ’12 Rachael Man ’15 Douglas Hartshorn ’15 Roderick Johnson ’85 Benjamin Laniado Razon ’17 Allison Mancuso ’02 Dennis Haughton ’17 David Johnston ’50 Marcos Laniado Razon ’17 Julia Mansfield ’13 Oscar Hawley ’50 Jennifer Johnston ’86 Chi Kit Lau ’15 Richard Mansfield ’43 Jordan Haywood ’17 Robert Johnston ’67 Hallie Lau ’17 Roger Marchand ’49 Jiaqiao He ’16 Eliza Jones ’07 Ka Yu Lau ’16 Virginia Marcotte ’61 Jiaying He ’18 George Jordan III ’59 Dale Lauffer ’13 Kathleen Marlow ’99 Patricia Hecht ’04 Erin Joyce ’14 Kimani Lawrence ’17 Carolyn Marr ’58 Maxwell Hegge ’15 Janet Joyce ’67 Matison Leand ’15 Babetta Marrone ’70 Abigail Helfat ’96 Andrea Juarez Becerril ’17 Chia-Lin Lee ’14 Ryan Marsan ’16 Charles Hemingway ’56 Elizabeth Jump ’54 Ja Youn Lee ’16 Emily Martin ’17 Donald Hendler ’63 Katherine Kaae ’81 Kyucheol Lee ’14 Thomas Massie II ’08 Randy Herk ’76 Trevor Kacz ’15 Meng-Chia Lee ’18 Jay Massirman ’76 Paula Heslin Nelson ’53 Katie Kaehlert ’13 Seungwon Lee ’10 Dimitri Masucci ’15 Alyssa Hess ’15 Matthew Kallas ’85 Sooji Lee ’14 Caroline Mattoon ’16 Karen Hess ’78 Ji Hyoung Kang ’18 Connor Leggett ’13 Charles McAlister ’51 Elizabeth Hewitt ’53 Danit Kargman ’11 David Leight ’00 Harold McAuliffe ’57 Diane Hill ’53 Yeuk Im Kau ’16 David Leinberry, Jr. ’79 Susan McCann ’63 Heather Hill ’90 Miller Keene ’16 Ian Lemay ’13 Tyler McCritty ’17 Natalie Hillman ’14 Roderick Kellett ’87 Bruce Lemieux ’85 Rowland McDowell ’50 Chun Hei Ho ’06 Daniel Kelley ’14 Katherine Lemieux ’15 Marc McLaughlin ’17 Chun Ming Ho ’07 John Kelly ’13 Timothy Lemieux ’13 Doris McMillon ’59 Sai Kei Ho ’16 Lauren Kelly ’11 Fernando Lemus-Suarez ’47 Doreen McPaul ’91 Sara Hogan ’64 Ryan Kelly ’17 Mari-Carol Lenihan ’73 Jiazhong Mei ’15 Blair Hopps ’71 William Kelly ’90 Kali Leong ’14 Peter Melanson ’85 Patrick Horrocks ’15 Leesa-Lee Kemp-Keith ’76 Constantine Leung ’16 Isabel Mendoza ’13 Barbara Hotchkiss ’42 Eloise Kenney ’48 Timothy Leveroni ’05 Yuan Meng ’13 I-Ting Huang ’17 Andy Jun Bum Kim ’13 Aixin Li ’14 Ellen Mercer ’52 Tian Tian Huang ’14 Chin-Sook Kim ’56 Ziran Li ’13 Norma Merolla ’48 Sara Hudson ’15 So Yeon Kim ’13 Margaret Liebig ’50 James Merrill ’88 Koon Ho Hui ’18 Jessica Kinsley ’16 Sylvia Lilienthal ’40 Joseph Merrill ’18 David Hunter ’63 Jeffrey Kirsh ’03 Thomas Lindgren, Jr. ’87 Nicholas Merrill ’13 Richard Hunter ’70 Lucille Kline ’54 Edward Lipinsky ’48 Shelagh Merrill ’08 Nathaniel Hurwitz ’13 Kwonil Ko ’16 Benjamin Lipper ’16 Caleb Mesh ’15 Eric Huss ’18 Charles Kokinos ’65 William Livis ’16 Joseph Metviner ’16 Lawrence Hutchins ’60 Melinda Kornblum ’67 Daniel Logan ’88 Jack Michaels ’13 Jiho Hyun ’90 C. Richard Koster ’57 Caroline Longeway ’49 Robert Michaud ’54 Honoka Inami ’15 Riki Kotaka ’11 Mitchell Lorden ’15 Brendan Miller ’15 Jean Inglis ’55 William Kotoski ’56 Janet Loring ’49 Jack Miller ’85 Christopher Ingram ’79 Emma Kowalka ’17 Breton Lorway ’17 Lindsey Miller ’13 Stephen Inman ’12 Lucy Kramer ’85 Dana Lorway ’78 Neil Minihane ’86 Shannon Jackson ’08 Odette Krasnow ’59 Elliot Lowenstein ’63 Caryl Minor ’58 Kevin Jacobs ’90 Spencer Krul ’17 Chongyi Lu ’16 Michele Mobley ’97 Paranya Jareonvongrayab ’15 Jessica Kruskal ’13 Spencer Macalaster ’75 Muhammad Mohamed Nizam ’14 David Jarmon ’66 Kyle Kublbeck ’16 Susan Macaulay ’63 Richard Mohlere, Jr. ’64 James Jarvis ’16 Mert Kula ’16 Andrew MacDonald ’17 Mary Lou Montuori ’50 Hariz Jeffery ’13 Kwan Yi Kumer ’13 Norman MacDonald IV ’15 Elizabeth Moore ’86 Sophiya Jeffery ’16 Chester Kurzet ’43 D Eric Macrina ’87 Nicole Moorshead ’89 Peijin Jiang ’17 Jocelyn Labombarde ’13 Michael Mahan ’15 Lauren Morales ’15

D deceased 2014–2015 CUSHING ANNUAL REPORT 121 Barbara Morgan ’54 Lorne Ouellet ’71 Sam Reynolds ’15 Joshua Schrager ’92 Jeffrey Morgan ’16 Jonathan Pallotta ’13 Nancy Richards ’64 Barbara Schultz ’62 Sean Morgan ’13 Amanda Palumbo ’13 Barbara Ripley ’42 Daniel Schwartzapfel ’16 Brian Moriarty ’86 Olivia Papakyrikos ’12 Richard Ripley ’65 Wayne Scroggs ’75 June Moriarty ’54 Jae Yoon Park ’16 Theodore Robbins ’57 Paul Sears ’63 Frederick Morlock ’16 Sung Wan Park ’15 Brooke Roberts ’13 Taylor Sebring ’15 B. Dulany Morriss ’84 Peter Parks ’61 Doris Roberts ’42 Jessica Ann Sedgwick ’13 Caitlin Morse ’12 Clare Parsells ’16 Clayton Robinson ’62 Marcia Seely ’44 Abigail Mosing ’13 Diana Parsley ’15 Napat Rochanapruk ’16 Simret Semine ’16 Brianna Moylan ’18 Lucas Pastor de Araujo ’14 Edward Rockett ’55 Ryan Senecal ’15 Ryan Moynihan ’96 Nicole Paulides ’13 Jose Romano Elfon ’17 D. Todd Servick ’91 Ackim Mpofu ’14 Jack Peacock ’13 James Rondeau ’65 Helen Shannon ’47 Martin Mueller ’73 Dorothy Peckham ’41 Xing Rong ’13 Kenneth Shapiro ’88 William Mulliken, Jr. ’64 Shihua Pei ’17 Jared Rose ’15 Inder Sharma ’15 Allison Munafo ’00 Erin Pengeroth ’14 Ethan Roswell ’16 Vikram Sharma ’16 Duncan Munro ’44 Barthelemy Peret ’16 Matthew Rousseau ’80 Willard Shattuck III ’62 Christopher Murphy ’65 W. Edward Perkins ’44 Michael Rousseau ’16 Peter Shea ’77 Marjorie Murphy ’62 Heather Perry ’71 Alison Rowe ’74 Courtney Sheary ’06 Sara Murphy ’77 Marcia Perry ’56 Sarah Royka ’18 Michael Sheff ’56 Cameron Mutchler ’15 Virginia Reimers Perry ’48 Nancy Ruder ’41 Reiji Shimane ’16 Mikaela Mutchler ’16 Rafael Pessah Kirsch ’14 Virginia Rugeley ’53 John Shirey ’68 Judith Myers ’70 Helen Peters ’66 John Rushton ’61 Jillian Sierra ’13 Michael Nadler ’06 Susan Peters ’69 Caitlyn Ryan ’13 Valentina Sierralta ’17 Ellen Neisner ’44 Gianna Pezzulo ’16 Erik Ryde ’14 Candyce Silver ’69 Ashley Neiswender ’17 Hannah Pfeffer ’14 Susan Ryzewic ’69 Jarrod Simmons ’17 Morgan Neiswender ’17 Chiaro Pfosi ’17 Shiva Saboori ’80 Laura Simon ’67 Patrick Neiswender ’18 Raveena Phichitsingh ’14 Matthew Sabourin ’15 Michael Simonetta ’14 David Nevins ’16 Vichayud Piamkulwanich ’15 David Sacks ’67 Charles Simons ’15 Hang Fai Ngai ’15 Adam Pierce ’99 Michelle Saetersmoen ’05 Jake Simons ’15 Giang Nguyen ’13 Juan Poleo ’85 Nathaniel Sahn ’93 Chernet Sisay ’13 Genichiro Nishikawa ’15 George Porter, Sr. ’65 Anne Salmon ’16 Brian Sjoblom ’13 Ryutaro Nojima ’13 Andrea Portilla Romero ’15 Scott Salter ’71 Lauren Slebodnick ’10 Dorita Normile ’73 Chanel Postrel ’18 Sabrina Samandar ’16 Douglas Smalis ’71 Nyatichi Nyabuti ’18 Michael Powers ’14 Evan Samson ’16 Chloe Smith ’15 Kyle O’Brien ’12 Gary Prahm ’75 Harriet Sanchez ’48 David Smith ’59 Shaylah O’Connor ’14 Beverly Prakelt ’51 Clayton Sandage ’14 Elizabeth Smith ’78 Constance O’Dea ’69 Amanda Proia ’13 Nicholas Sanders ’05 Erica Smith ’00 Kristen Odorico ’16 Nancy Pudlo ’85 Steven Sanders ’02 Mary Ann Smith ’52 Christine Okafor ’17 Austin Pyne ’17 Aaron Santos ’06 Tammy Smith ’85 Russell Olive ’15 Jie Qiu ’17 Grace Sardjono ’89 Peter Snyder ’90 Oluwafolabomi Olujimi ’16 Yitong Qiu ’13 Kayla Sargent ’15 Jae Youn Son ’15 William O’Neil ’56 Matthew Quinlan ’16 Toshinori Sato ’16 Kimberly Sousa ’75 Alexander O’Neill ’14 Adam Rabinowitz ’91 Carleton Saunders III ’65 Zachary Sowerby ’15 Jennifer O’Neill ’14 Thomas Rafalsky ’61 Leah Saunders ’05 Susan Speckman ’55 Laura O’Neill ’14 Spencer Ralston ’14 M. Kerby Saunders II ’67 Auriell Spiegel ’94 Mary O’Neill ’13 Walter Rapp III ’65 Anusith Sawetamal ’81 Luis Sprick Lara ’15 Staunton Oppenheimer ’59 Philip Raskin ’76 Louise Sayre ’58 Michael Stamas ’16 Margit Orange ’53 Christine Rault ’07 Daniel Sbrega ’95 Holly Statler ’71 John O’Reilly ’63 Franklin Redd ’74 David Schaefer ’59 Emily Staub ’94 Jacquelin O’Rourke ’02 Lawrence Reid ’75 Diego Schlesinger Baranek ’13 Anthony Steere, Jr. ’61 Carlos Ortiz, Jr. ’74 Gretchen Reilly ’56 James Schmidt ’41 Jane Steiger ’71 Charlotte Osterman ’94 Alexandre Reissmann ’15 John Schmidt ’13 Irena Stern ’76 Valerie Otti ’14 James Reynolds ’68 Amelia Schneider ’14 Gail Stewart ’59

122 CUSHING YESTERDAY & TODAY DONORS

Jessica Stewart ’88 John Vellequette ’17 Matthew Wollrath ’14 Sandee Zuccaro ’75 David Stiller ’64 Nancy Venter ’56 Eunice Wong ’15 Dorothy Zug ’48 Bryan Stipek ’13 Elliott Ventura ’78 Amanda Wood ’15 Donna Stout ’64 Marina Vernon ’07 Madison Wood ’17 Parents Emilia Strazdis ’16 Carlos Villegas ’15 Theodore Woodbury ’13 Nicole Streeter ’13 Leslie Vincent ’71 Ward Woodruff ’70 Lawrence Abbott Douglas Stutz ’85 Nitara Vishwanath ’17 Ann Woodward ’59 Mohamed Abdul Razak and Mark Sullivan ’48 Nicholas Vogel ’04 Anne Woodward ’90 Khadijah Abdul Rahman Nancy Sunshine ’48 Juliana Volpini ’14 Susan Woody ’62 Eric and Katharine Abrahamson Yu Susaki ’16 Erika vonGraevenitz ’15 Zachary Woolever ’10 M. Elizabeth Akers John Sussek III ’75 Julian Waeger ’17 Visaruth Worakunthada ’16 Steven and Elizabeth Akers Randall Sussman ’81 Timothy Wall ’84 Patrice Worcester ’79 Ferdinand and Augusta Akukwe Ann Svensen ’85 James Walton ’18 Douglas Wright ’64 Wilfredo and Carolyn Amaya Melinda Swihart ’58 Kristin Walton ’87 James Wright ’56 Francis and Soraya Anglow Jane Tait ’56 Wen Ye Wang ’16 Heather Wright-Ojha ’84 Fredrick Areba Peter Talbot ’56 Yuning Wang ’18 Hsin-Ting Wu ’15 Paul and Mary Ellen Arruda Rinka Tanimoto ’15 Deborah Warner ’70 Suli Xu ’13 R. Tony and Kathleen Asselta Zara Tarter ’17 Melissa Wasser ’12 Aaron Yang ’13 William and Heidi Auslander Kathleen Taylor ’64 Edward Watkins ’56 Yue Yang ’16 Gyu Tae Bae and Bok Hee Jung Lawrence Taylor IV ’13 Barbara Watson ’36 Valerie Beatriz Yapor Pineiro ’16 Paul and Melissa Banks Yashika Thakurani ’18 James Watson ’59 Mary Yarnall ’79 Linsheng Bao and Yongmei Li Emma Therrien ’13 Patrick Watson ’16 Robert Yeager ’06 Theodore Barton and Rebecca Thompson ’59 Frederick Watts ’47 Sarah Yeager ’08 Cindy Litzenberger William Thomson ’49 Mark Webster ’80 Ning Yeh ’18 Andrew and Lauren Benedict John Thornton ’58 Jill Weigley ’09 Tsz Ching Yip ’18 Lennart and Karin Benson Robert Thornton ’54 Matthew Weill ’17 Sangyeun Yoon ’17 Meredith Benson A. Brooks Thoroughgood III ’89 Mariah Weintraub ’14 Changhao You ’15 David and Nancy Berkowitz Kira Tierney ’16 Cornelia Wells ’52 Jiayi You ’15 Garth and Jacqueline Bonadie Terrie Tin ’09 Hannah Chun Welsh ’76 Caroline Young ’16 David Bourdelais and Ka Yan To ’14 Drew Wenning ’06 Devon Young ’13 Susan Wadsworth Brett Torrey ’85 Anton Werner ’93 Esther Young ’85 David and Lynn Breau John Towers ’87 James Western ’42 Harvey Young ’75 Jennifer Buck Kimberly Tracy ’08 Todd Wetzel ’14 Kalle Young ’16 Richard Buck Sally Tracy ’54 Kenneth Wheeler, Jr. ’58 Lauren Young ’13 Alinda Buerk Daniel Trainor ’13 Anderson White ’79 Philip Young ’13 Andrew and Carol Buono Robert Trevor ’56 Christopher White ’01 Robert Young ’69 Mark and Jane Burke Andrew Trexler ’10 Joan White ’48 Stephen Young ’79 Peter and Kristen Burke Olivia Truel ’17 Warren White, Jr. ’67 Susan Young ’55 Joseph and Molly Burns Ho Yee Tse ’16 Jane Whitney ’60 Jingcheng Yu ’15 Keith and Jylann Calcote Kin Sing Tsoi ’15 Madyson Whitney ’17 Jiayi Yu ’18 Brendan and Laura Callahan Emma Tufts ’15 Scott Whitney ’88 Jinyang Yu ’18 Daniel Carroll and Matthew Tuller ’02 Rafi Widjojo ’16 Hawtin Yung ’15 Julie Carroll-Noolan Michael Tuttle, Jr. ’65 Lindsay Wilde ’05 Muhammad Zahiruddin ’13 Mark and Julia Casady Damon Tyson ’86 Chet Williams ’81 John Zawistoski ’61 Susanna Casey Go Uemura ’16 Edith Williams ’63 Qingjie Zeng ’14 William Catlin and Julia Battel Anne Unger ’17 Madison Williams ’09 Peiqi Zhang ’15 Charles and Alison Charman Hugh Valentine, Jr. ’51 Kyle Williamson ’15 Xiping Zhen ’16 Sen Chung Chau and Min Chen Sophia van Hoff ’02 Robert Williamson ’77 Jiayue Zhong ’15 Bin Cheng and Weihong You Frank Vana ’57 Charles Wilson ’16 Minhao Zhou ’16 James and Karen Cheverie Matthew Varga ’15 Steven Windt ’14 Nicholas Zhou ’16 Lina Chow Diego Vargas ’16 Margery Winter ’51 Yijuan Zhu ’16 Mercedes Christman Georgette Vassallo ’85 Arden Wise ’15 Ashley Zimmerman ’05 Kong Chu and Amy Yeung Andrea Velez ’17 Alexandra Wolf ’16 Mary Zimmermann ’77 Michael Clayton and Alison Freed

D deceased 2014–2015 CUSHING ANNUAL REPORT 123 James and Ronda Conger Bruce and Pamela Harris John Miller Scott ’88 and Christyn Whitney Maurice and Joan Cormier Stanford and Susan Hartshorn Jeffry Moore and Carol Moore Merrick and Joan Williamson Steve and Peggy Cotton Sony Hassan and Mardhiah Razali Kathleen R. Morgan James and Holly Wilson Brian and Daniela Daccord Carl Haywood and Jeffery Mustafa and Massnie Yahya Thomas Wise and Xiangming Dai and Junmei Cao Francine Clark-Haywood Michael Mutchler and Justine Woolner-Wise Philip and Sandra Dei Dolori Guisheng He and Lingling Fang Michele Parker Mark and Alison Wolf Pablo Diaz-Llado and Zongru He and Shaoqing Zeng John and Jane Ann Neiswender Eric and Margo Wood Silvia Centeno Matthew and Tricia Hegge Frederic and Nancy Nevins Ryan and Rebecca Wood Joseph Dillon Tobi Jean Hess Yumiko Nishikawa Dazhong Wu and Xu Li Haitao Ding Hung Fai Ho and Lori Nix Young Moon and Jeehee Yang Richard and Deborah Diver Koon Hung Cheung Stephen and Carol Olive Jiangwei You and Jing Li Stephen and Jennifer Dolente Man Wai Ho and So Fan Leung Sung Sup Park and Marvin and Carol Young Elizabeth Donnenfeld Andrew Hudson Jong Kyung Kim Stephen ’79 and Valerie Young Neil Donnenfeld Wing Kam Hui and Mark and Catherine Parsells Hua Zeng and Hong Du Rev. Lisa Durkee Abbott Soelistioyati Wibisono Daniel and Allison Parsley Dengfeng Zhen and Hui Bao Charles and Sylvie Dutil Michael Huss and Mary Anne Choi Manit and Prapassorn Peiguang Zheng and Ruojing Wang Sean Dwyer and Hiroshi and Yuko Inami Piamkulwanich Zhibing Zhong and Suju Ye Manzall Mitchell-Dwyer Odd and Marta Isaksen Bin Qiu and Yan Pang Yong Zhu and Rujie Gong Daniel Dyke and Elaine Kelly Anand and Joan James Yue Qiu and Xiaohong Fan Eyob Easwaran and David and Anne Jarvis Michael and Sarah Quinlan Current and Former Elizabeth Kebede Michael and Diane Kacz Jennifer Raterman Faculty, Staff, and Charles Elliott Kyoung Bok Kang and Ji Youn Kim Jeff and Karen Reger Friends of Cushing Shin Heum Em and Hee Chul Kim and Bok Suk Jung Antonio Reissmann Academy Hyun Sook Kim Samuyeol Ko and Kyungha Lee Lyn Reynolds Carl Erickson Sarah and Thomas Kramlich William Rose and Merle Monsein Gregory Abare Manuel Estrelles Domingo and George and Linda Krul Michael and Stacy Roswell Jeremy Abbott Magdalena Hernanz Sanchez Kurt Kublbeck Scott and Kim Samson Emil Abeng and Raya Syukhlina Xiyan Fan and Ping Zhang Sabrina Kublbeck Chin Man and Grace W. Sardjono Susan Alex Jim and Colleen Fay Joseph Lange and Marina Russman Joseph and Sheryl Sargent Elizabeth Allen Jiayi Feng and Wei An Saul and Rebeca Laniado Philip and Maria Scoville Peter and Ellen Allen Martin Ferguson and Chang Jae Lee and Mi Young Park Thomas and Lisa Sheldon Willis Allen Cynthia Mesh Pei-Chien Lee Kotaro Shiba Robert Amick Thomas and LeeAnn Fital Tseng-Chieh Lee and Peh-Ju Chen Hideaki and Yuko Shimane Richard and Susan Angevine Maura Flaherty Bruce ’85 and Karen Lemieux Albert and Theodora Simons Donna Audet Michael ’80 and Jeanmarie Foisie Sheldy Leung and Jo Jo Bik Ka Lin Glenn and Hope Simons Catherine Aulenback Julia Blair Forrester Ming Li and Lei Pei Bong Won Sohn and Seung Hee Lee A. Chapman Bailey Richard and Dolores Fortier Wenjun Li and Weihua Tao Dwight and Cynthia Sowerby Raja Bala Edward Foss Anne Liebling Carl Sprick and Luisa Lara de Sprick David and Donna Barberio Yongli Fu and Qiulan Liu Hailong Liu and Ling Qin Michael and Maura Sternklar David Barnes Thomas Fuller Robin Lockwood Hall ’78 and Mark and Darlene Stoever Barbara Beebe Scott and Deborah Gardner Jeffrey Hall Daniel and Kerrin Tammik David and Lyn Bennett Brian Giannattasio Gary and Heidi Lorden Masaki and Yukari Tanimoto Walter and Catherine Bennett Peter and Tara Gilchrest Weigen Lu Bradley and Patricia Truel Marc and Cheryl Bingham Verne and Jill Goldsher Kevin and Lynda Macdonald Shane and Kim Tufts Victoria Blake Lawrence and Susan Greene Norman and Becky MacDonald Hiroshi and Teruko Uemura Allan and Loretta Blauner Albert Grimaldi Patrick and Katherine Mahan James and Virginia Unger Jennifer Bleakley and Rachel Grimaldi James and Kelly Maillet Wallace and Kimberly Varga Nina Jacobson Richard and Maryellen Guerriero Raymond and Carla Marsico James Wagman and April Boettcher Raymond and Maria Haarstick Gina Martin Anne Landsman Richard and Dolores Boettcher YoungJin and Sumi Yoon Han Peter and Mary Ann Mattoon Maria Amelia Wald Leo and Eileen Bonetti Mitsuya Haneda and Walter and Jill McLaughlin Christopher and Linda Walton Jane Bourette Yi-Hyung Ahn Leijun Mei and Xiaofeng Liu Li Wang and Shanru Guo Chris and Nancy Boyle Stuart and Jill Harlin Peter and Cynthia Merrill Michael and Margo Weill Guy Bramble

124 CUSHING YESTERDAY & TODAY DONORS

David Branham Michael Dumont Donald and Karen Irving J. Mark and Patti Morales Marion Briggs Richard and Mary Engle Stephen and Deborah Jacobs Mary Lou Moriarty Matthew Briggs Fred Erskine John Jansing Brian and Marie Moulton Vi-Anne Brown Timothy and Gail Evjenth Robert and Carolyn Johnson Stephen and Judith Muller David and Gail Bumgardner Mark and Donna Exter Robert Johnston Frederick and Jo-Ann Nalette Christopher and Joseph and Beverly Farias Jeremiah and Louisa Jones John and Barbara Neiswender Jimmie-Gaye Buono Carol Fazio Carolyn Joseph Jody Newton Paul Buzzell David and Marilyn Fielder James and Heather Kaehlert Andrew Neyer Kelly Cacciolfi John and Deborah Findley Kenneth and Mary Lynn Kargman Nestor and Anne Nicholas Moira E. Cahill Charles Fischer James and Sandra Karman Caitlin O’Brien Norman E. Carey ’15 (HON) Henry and Madeline Fischer Masanari and Regina Kawashima Robert and Brenda O’Brien Mark Carlisle and Susan Carlisle Kristen Kelly Fisher Barry and Joan Kemler James and Paula Ohaus Laura Carroll Robert Foote Georgy Khatsenkov and William O’Hearn and Diana Smith Frederick B. Caswell Brenda Foster Tatiana Khatsenkova Julia Ohm Kenneth and Judith Cavicchi Amy Frazier Mark and Janet Kindy Bill O’Neill and David and Erin Chace Lenore Freudenheim Keo Kirby Kathleen Sargent-O’Neill Peter Cheever Lindsay Fuhr Jennifer Klein Amy Ostroth Simone Chicoine Bruce and Donna Funteral Koji and Yoshiko Kotaka Robert and Marsha Page Edward and Penny Chrusciel Robert Gagnon Michael Kowalenko Richard and Susan Palmer Rebecca Cinclair Donald and Diane Gallant George Krasowski and C. Steve Parker, Jr. Peter and Nicolette Clarke Shawn and Nancy Gebhardt Theresa A. Quinn Ruth Pease Wayne and Cara Clarke Timothy Gershon John and Wendy Kretchmer Eric Pera Jared Colicchie Terence Gibbons Dana Krul and Marcia Meyer-Krul Isidoro Pessah and Raquel Kirsch Lauriston and Linda Cone J. Perry and Valerie Gillies Michael and Marguerite Kuchta Edward and Ronda Pierce Donald Connors Donald and Pamela Gilmour Donald and Jeanne Kunz Theresa Piotrowski Shane Connors Clayton Girouard Peter and Irene Labombarde Catherine Pollock Lance Conrad Nathaniel Green and Susan Larkin Albert and Cara Potter Richard Cook Ann Scalaro-Green Bruce and Elaine Lashley Harry and Melissa Powers Bernadette Counts Eric Gulko Margaret Lawler Rebecca Pressman Alexander Coyle Deborah Gustafson Margaret Lee Thomas and Lori Priore Thomas Cubberley Robert Hall ’00 (HON) Jamison Leger Neil Proulx David and Lisa Cummings Wayne and Maria Hancock ’15 Bruce ’85 and Karen Lemieux George Pyne Julia Cunningham (HON) Richard Lewis Paul Quinlan Jean Curtis Elizabeth Hapworth Thomas and Nan Lockwood Barry Ralston Nancy Curtis Mark Harasimowicz Amy Logan Stephanie Ramos Rebecca Curtis Donald and Deborah Harmon James and Kimberly MacPhee G. Bernd Recker and John Custer Richard and Jean Harrington Thomas and Ellen Mann Petra Corall-Recker Claude Daccord Sally Hartshorn William Marks A. Catalina Reinoso Scott and Sally Dahlgren Joan Hathaway Frank and Margaret Mazza Vincent Reppucci and Douglas Patricia Delay Marie Hebeler Christopher and Sharon McCarthy Michele Pallai Ernest and Jane Dellheim Eric Hebert Timothy and Erika McCormick Rebecca Rice Robert and Olive DeLuca John and Jacqueline Herrold Lora McEvoy Robert Richard Francis Dembek Joseph Hill Joseph McPeak Will and Meredith Rinaldi Thomas Desbois Thomas and Jennifer Hillman Cathleen Melanson Eric Ringwalt Richard and Jessica Devin David and Phuong Hindle Mark Melchior Prateep and Mariam Rochanapruk Louis and Maryanne Dinkel Yat Ming Ho and Lai Hing Ho Cynthia Merrill Emily Roller Charles and Susan Donahue I. Bradley and Kathy Hoffman Gaius Merwin, Jr. David and Leanne Royal Paul Dowling Edwin Howard Sandra Michelman D. Bryan and Nancy Ruez Douglas and Donna Dreyer Christopher Howes and Wolfgang and Dorothy Millbrandt Kent Russell and Aisling Gaughan Joseph and Angela Droogan Margaret Norian Heather Miller Jerry Sabatini Douglas Dubiel Stirling and Martha Ince Cynthia Mitchell Michelle Salvucci Donna Dufresne Gregory and Tracey Inman Jay and Joyce Moody Wayne and Jeannie Sanborn ’99 Brandon Dumont Theodore and Dorothy Iorio Fausto and Esmerelda Morais (HON)

D deceased 2014–2015 CUSHING ANNUAL REPORT 125 Kevin Sargent and Estate of Amparito Smith Wayne Thomas Robert and Patricia Whitmore Deborah Paredes James and Claudia Smith David Thornton and Cyndi Lauper Ashley Whitney Phyllis Sargent Robert Soucy Lynne Tonti Harry and Sue Wight Elaine Sargent-Crooks William and Debra Sponholtz Christopher and Dena Torino Benjamin and Stephanie Wild Steven and Carol Sarro John and Nancy Stamper David and Jean Tracy Barbara Wilson Charles and Carol Schaefer Robert Stipek and William and Susan Troy I. Omur Yarsuvat Michelle Schloss Anna Maria Alberghini Mark and Deborah Tuller Sara Yeager Richard and Maria Sebastian Laura Stirk Joshua Vautour Erkang You Martin and Bette Shapiro Martin and Davida Stocklan Ovila Vautour Jack and Marcia Young Jason Sharron David and Beth Stone H. Whitwell Wales Kenneth and Gisele Zangari Matthew Shea Cheryl Storm David Walton Andrew and Carlene Ziegler Christopher Sheahan David and Pamela Streeter Daniel and Marcia Wasser Mercedes Zobel David Shields Stacey Streeter Kisha Watts Rachel Zou and Kam Pio Leong M.N. Shroff Ryan Suchanek James and Jane Weigley Denis Shubleka George and Tammy Sullivan J. Woodrow Weiss and Kay Petersen Daniel and Dyan Sierra Robert Ann Sullivan William and Marcy Wenning Robert and Sandy Silk Mark and Joyce Suomala Philip and Amy Wexler Bruce Sinclair Robert and Lianne Therrien Ronald and Rose White

126 CUSHING YESTERDAY & TODAY ‹ Celebrating 150 years ›

Cushing Lingo DOD: Dean on Duty Over the Hump: Past Wednesday or past mid-term Compiled by Robert Hall (see pg. 87) ESL: English as a Second Language, a major draw for a significant number of Parker Lane: The dirt road that runs behind BA: Bad Attitude—“He’s got a BA…” international students the Adams turf field bleachers Ball Game: The school year Firehouse Pub: Darts and ale for faculty— The RAY: Maintenance walkie-talkie named “The Born”: Wayne Sanborn, legendary stay away before 8 pm to avoid students and after Ray Lemieux (now deceased), longtime “Coach,” Mr. Cushing parents and deeply loved head of that department

The Boulder: Landmark large rock in Getting Short: Nearing the end of school Rubber Room: Mythical padded room in Fitchburg across from Post Office term, school year, or school career Main Building for faculty who are “losing it”

“Burr in the Saddle”: A BA about a specific “Get the Pliers”: Remedy for pulling out a Searstown: Shopping complex and movies in grating issue “burr in the saddle” Leominster—now called Whitney Field Mall

Bust: Faculty reports students caught in an Iorio Arena: “The I” or Mecca—where dreams Triple Threat: Teaching, coaching, dorm infraction (some students hold the belief that are made or broken duty—a typical boarding school load unless faculty are paid $ for busts) you have a “deal” Jewels in the Crown: Faculty who live in Chapel: Large auditorium second floor Main dorms Veranda: Concrete slab behind Ash House Building with no religious connotation Lowe Life: Residents of Lowe Hall Vosemites: Residents of Vose Hall Cookie Monsters: Residents of Cooke Hall The Mount: Mount Wachusett Community Yellow Form: Pre-Internet paper form— Cowell Hilton: Premier residence up the hill; College in Gardner—many faculty and actually yellow in color—used to provide “There’s no place like Cowell!” students use their exercise facilities warnings about student performance; now available in electronic form only, but still The “D”: Duty, study hall or weekend dorm OD: On Duty—weekend trip supervisor duty. “Sorry I can’t go out with you guys; I’ve referred to as a yellow form. Old Sticky: Wayne Hancock got the D.”

SPRING 2016 127 Editor’s Note To put together this special publication, I spent many months I’d also like to offer my deepest thanks to all of those folks who researching Cushing’s history and hours speaking to alumni and gave up their time to help put this publication together. Everyone faculty in order to touch on all aspects of the Academy—includ- in the Alumni Office deserves thanks, of course, especially Caitlin ing fine arts, performing arts, academics, student life, athletics, O’Brien, whose keen eye helped ensure clarity of thought and and more. That said, I’m not sure it’s possible to cover everything grammar. Amy Logan joined Caitlin in that endeavor. Dave Stone that generations of Cushing alumni might think is important reviewed the timeline for historical accuracy. Many thanks, too, to about their experiences. Furthermore, although I’m not a his- Carolyn Marr ’58, without whose ongoing diligence in organizing torian by training, I feel a historian’s commitment to accurately our institutional archives this endeavor would have been much capturing the Academy’s story for both the community of today more difficult. To every faculty member—current and former— and for future members of the Happy Cushing Family. who shared your stories, thank you. I remember one special All of that is preface to a request I have of you, whether you’re night of stories and laughter shared around a table in downtown an alumnus/a, faculty or staff member, parent, or friend of the Ashburnham. I couldn’t have done it without you. institution. If there’s an important story that hasn’t been told in this publication, please reach out to me and share it. I’d like to Amy Ostroth Cushing Academy capture what you think is important about the Academy’s history, [email protected] 39 School Street share it with our larger community, and add it to our archives. 978-827-7083 Ashburnham, MA 01430 You can help make sure the Academy’s complete story is told.

People and Publications Silver Penguins (in chronological order)

Frank Prentice Rand: A member of the Class of 1908. In Fred Lane 6 Paul J. Heslin 57 1965, he wrote a book on Cushing’s first 100 years, upon Herbert Nims ’93 13 Theodore Pierce 61 which much of this magazine is based (see page 48). Rosabelle Temple 21 Mary Fern 82 Helen Greenwood 21 Dr. Arthur Johanningsmeier 85 The Breeze: Cushing’s student newspaper, first published in Henry Hunt 35 Ray Lemieux 86 1888. In the early days, it was partially subscription based Madeleine Gaylor (almost) 37 Bruce Lemieux 86 and included information relevant to alumni as well as Henry Davis 40 Robert Hall 87 students. It forms a large part of the Academy’s archives. Clyde Cooke 40 Wayne Sanborn 97 Vivian Hopkins 41 Bob Johnson 104 The Bulletin: The Academy’s first alumni magazine. Lois Cann 44 Rich Henry 106 Originally, it was one issue of The Breeze each year. It John Gillis 45 Norm Carey 106 became a standalone publication in 1924 and was Robert Hanscom 50 Paul Dowling 110 published regularly until 1990 (see page 81). Marguerite Sawyer ’17 54 Wayne Hancock 110 Dr. John Mason 54 Cheryl Storm 113 Silver Penguin: A member of Cushing’s faculty or staff Zaydee DeJonge 55 whose years of service to the Academy totaled 25 or more. Principals and Headmasters (in chronological order)

Edwin Pierce 5 Howard Baker 42 James E. Vose 6 Bradford Lamson 44 Hervey S. Cowell 8 Dr. Joseph Curry 58 James W. Vose ’99 29 Willard Lampe 95 Clarence Quimby 32 Dr. James Tracy 102 Ralph O. West 42 Christopher Torino 102

128 CUSHING YESTERDAY & TODAY ‹ Celebrating 150 years ›

Cushing Lingo DOD: Dean on Duty Over the Hump: Past Wednesday or past mid-term Compiled by Robert Hall (see pg. 87) ESL: English as a Second Language, a major draw for a significant number of Parker Lane: The dirt road that runs behind BA: Bad Attitude—“He’s got a BA…” international students the Adams turf field bleachers Ball Game: The school year Firehouse Pub: Darts and ale for faculty— The RAY: Maintenance walkie-talkie named “The Born”: Wayne Sanborn, legendary stay away before 8 pm to avoid students and after Ray Lemieux (now deceased), longtime “Coach,” Mr. Cushing parents and deeply loved head of that department

The Boulder: Landmark large rock in Getting Short: Nearing the end of school Rubber Room: Mythical padded room in Fitchburg across from Post Office term, school year, or school career Main Building for faculty who are “losing it”

“Burr in the Saddle”: A BA about a specific “Get the Pliers”: Remedy for pulling out a Searstown: Shopping complex and movies in grating issue “burr in the saddle” Leominster—now called Whitney Field Mall

Bust: Faculty reports students caught in an Iorio Arena: “The I” or Mecca—where dreams Triple Threat: Teaching, coaching, dorm infraction (some students hold the belief that are made or broken duty—a typical boarding school load unless faculty are paid $ for busts) you have a “deal” Jewels in the Crown: Faculty who live in Chapel: Large auditorium second floor Main dorms Veranda: Concrete slab behind Ash House Building with no religious connotation Lowe Life: Residents of Lowe Hall Vosemites: Residents of Vose Hall Cookie Monsters: Residents of Cooke Hall The Mount: Mount Wachusett Community Yellow Form: Pre-Internet paper form— Cowell Hilton: Premier residence up the hill; College in Gardner—many faculty and actually yellow in color—used to provide “There’s no place like Cowell!” students use their exercise facilities warnings about student performance; now available in electronic form only, but still The “D”: Duty, study hall or weekend dorm OD: On Duty—weekend trip supervisor duty. “Sorry I can’t go out with you guys; I’ve referred to as a yellow form. Old Sticky: Wayne Hancock got the D.”

SPRING 2016 115 Editor’s Note To put together this special publication, I spent many months I’d also like to offer my deepest thanks to all of those folks who researching Cushing’s history and hours speaking to alumni and gave up their time to help put this publication together. Everyone faculty in order to touch on all aspects of the Academy—includ- in the Alumni Office deserves thanks, of course, especially Caitlin ing fine arts, performing arts, academics, student life, athletics, O’Brien, whose keen eye helped ensure clarity of thought and and more. That said, I’m not sure it’s possible to cover everything grammar. Amy Logan joined Caitlin in that endeavor. Dave Stone that generations of Cushing alumni might think is important reviewed the timeline for historical accuracy. Many thanks, too, to about their experiences. Furthermore, although I’m not a his- Carolyn Marr ’58, without whose ongoing diligence in organizing torian by training, I feel a historian’s commitment to accurately our institutional archives this endeavor would have been much capturing the Academy’s story for both the community of today more difficult. To every faculty member—current and former— and for future members of the Happy Cushing Family. who shared your stories, thank you. I remember one special All of that is preface to a request I have of you, whether you’re night of stories and laughter shared around a table in downtown an alumnus/a, faculty or staff member, parent, or friend of the Ashburnham. I couldn’t have done it without you. institution. If there’s an important story that hasn’t been told in this publication, please reach out to me and share it. I’d like to Amy Ostroth Cushing Academy capture what you think is important about the Academy’s history, [email protected] 39 School Street share it with our larger community, and add it to our archives. 978-827-7083 Ashburnham, MA 01430 You can help make sure the Academy’s complete story is told.

People and Publications Silver Penguins (in chronological order)

Frank Prentice Rand: A member of the Class of 1908. In Fred Lane 6 Paul J. Heslin 57 1965, he wrote a book on Cushing’s first 100 years, upon Herbert Nims ’93 13 Theodore Pierce 61 which much of this magazine is based (see page 48). Rosabelle Temple 21 Mary Fern 82 Helen Greenwood 21 Dr. Arthur Johanningsmeier 85 The Breeze: Cushing’s student newspaper, first published in Henry Hunt 35 Ray Lemieux 86 1888. In the early days, it was partially subscription based Madeleine Gaylor (almost) 37 Bruce Lemieux 86 and included information relevant to alumni as well as Henry Davis 40 Robert Hall 87 students. It forms a large part of the Academy’s archives. Clyde Cooke 40 Wayne Sanborn 97 Vivian Hopkins 41 Bob Johnson 104 The Bulletin: The Academy’s first alumni magazine. Lois Cann 44 Rich Henry 106 Originally, it was one issue of The Breeze each year. It John Gillis 45 Norm Carey 106 became a standalone publication in 1924 and was Robert Hanscom 50 Paul Dowling 110 published regularly until 1990 (see page 81). Marguerite Sawyer ’17 54 Wayne Hancock 110 Dr. John Mason 54 Cheryl Storm 113 Silver Penguin: A member of Cushing’s faculty or staff Zaydee DeJonge 55 whose years of service to the Academy totaled 25 or more. Principals and Headmasters (in chronological order)

Edwin Pierce 5 Howard Baker 42 James E. Vose 6 Bradford Lamson 44 Hervey S. Cowell 8 Dr. Joseph Curry 58 James W. Vose ’99 29 Willard Lampe 95 Clarence Quimby 32 Dr. James Tracy 102 Ralph O. West 42 Christopher Torino 102

116 CUSHING YESTERDAY & TODAY DONORS

CushingYesterday & Today

Cushing exists for the students, their academic growth and personal development. In educating the mind, shaping the character, and nurturing the creativity of an academically and culturally diverse student body, we challenge each individual, support excellence in the learning process, and promote active participation and service in all areas of life and learning. We offer a demanding college preparatory curriculum, teach skills that build confidence, and instill values that endure.

Cushing Today is a publication of Cushing Academy’s Office of Development and Alumni Programs.

Headmaster Christopher Torino

Associate Head of School Catherine Pollock

Managing Director, Development Bill O’Hearn

Cushing Today Editor Amy Ostroth

Director of Marketing and Communications Heather Hill ’90

Design and Production Andrea Hopkins and Beth Lyons, Cheney & Company

Printing Allied Printing Services, Inc.

Cushing Today welcomes class notes, photographs, story ideas, and comments by alumni/ae, parents, and friends. Please send them to [email protected] or call 978-827-7400.

All product names and trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Product names or images included in the timeline are used solely for their histori- cal impact. Use of these names does not imply any cooperation or endorsement. All images in this publication belong to the Academy, were purchased legally, are in the public domain, or have been fairly used with credit.

Main Building prior to 1952 when a lightning strike hit the peak of its tower, setting it ablaze (see pg. 37). SPRING 2016

CUSHING ACADEMY MAGAZINE

39 School Street Ashburnham, MA 01430 CushingYesterday &Today

The ski team tries to fit its gear in the trunk, 1945.