FALL 2016 RansomEverglades LOG The FUTURE of STEM at Ransom Everglades RANSOM EVERGLADES LOOKS AT THE FUTURE OF STEM RANSOM EVERGLADES THE FUTURE OF STEM AT RANSOM EVERGLADES Mr. Bowden 60 years at RE Friday, April 28 and Saturday, April 29 Headav of School Penny Townsendh invites a you to attend ALUMNI WEEKEND 2017 The following classes will be honored for their milestone reunions: Class of 1967 Everglades 50-Year Reunion Class of 1967 Ransom 50-Year Reunion Class of 1977 40-Year Reunion Class of 1987 30-Year Reunion Class of 1992 25-Year Reunion Class of 1997 20-Year Reunion Weekend activities include our signature spring cocktail party, athletic and family activities, campus tours, the Head of School Luncheon, the presentation of our distinguished Alumni Awards, individual reunion receptions, and spending time with current and former faculty members. For more information visit: www.ransomeverglades.org/REunions If you are interested in serving on your reunion committee or have any questions, please contact the office of Alumni Relations: Vicki Carbonell Williamson ’88 / 305 460 8826 / [email protected] Danielle Phillips Retchless / 305 460 8859 / [email protected] Table of Contents Ransom Everglades Log Fall 2016 Link to the photo galleries: https://ransomevergladesschool.smugmug.com FEATURES 4 From Scrububs... to Ransom Everglades School 4 A tale of two pieces of property and one noble history STEM at RE 12 RE’s most esteemed faculty explain how a new STEM facility can transform educational opportunities. The Fruit of a Strong STEM 19 RE alumni have excelled in operating rooms, robotics laboratories, classrooms, research facilities and computer labs around the world. 12 DEPARTMENTS From the Pagoda 2 From the Everglades Campus 28 On Campus 30 Student News 32 Sports 36 Alumni Events 38 New Talent 42 19 Class Notes - Alumni 46 Additional Notes 61 In Loving Memory 62 The Ransom Everglades Log Executive Editor: Amy Shipley Contact Us: Associate Editor / Photography Director: Ransom Everglades School aims to connect, inform and Suzanne Kores Office of Communications engage readers in the life of Art & Design: Kim Foster 3575 Main Highway, Coconut Grove, FL 33133 Ransom Everglades School. Contributing Editors: Thomas Willis ’04, T: 305 460 8212 Vicki Carbonell Williamson ’88 E: [email protected] It is published by the Contributing Writers: Penny Townsend, To change your address or remove yourself Ransom Everglades Rachel Rodriguez, Adabel Diaz-Rivera from our mailing list, please send an email to Office of Communications. Photographers: Suzanne Kores, Carl [email protected]. Kafka W: www.ransomeverglades.org/page/Publica- tions-Archives FALL 2016 Ransom Everglades LOG 1 From the Pagoda Realizing our unlimited potential I believe that this may be one of the best and most excit- ing Log magazines ever produced by Ransom Everglades. It showcases the power of people and ideas that have helped grow and evolve our school during its first 113 years, and it sets our sights on what is an exciting future. It reminds us that the quest for excellence never stops. Come along with us as we look back and reflect, while embracing our seemingly unlimited potential. We start by unearthing the noble history of La Brisa, a 6.9- acre waterfront property contiguous to the Ransom Campus, which we purchased this summer. As the leadership of the school considers how to incorporate that magnificent land into our Upper School, it’s encouraging to discover from local historian Arva Moore Parks that it, like RE’s original campus, carries a rich tradition of learning, public service and respect for the natural world. La Brisa will help Ransom Everglades flourish for the next 100 years. It will allow us to strategically upgrade our his- toric – and aging – Upper School campus. The first step in that process is monumental: constructing a state-of-the-art STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) building. We hope to break ground early next summer. As architects get to work and plans begin to take shape, we sat down with some of our most accomplished science and mathematics faculty to understand their vision for a new facility, and how it can help them even better prepare our students. They have much to contribute, and we are thrilled to share their dreams with you (page 12). They believe we are investing in far more than a physi- cal structure. An intelligently outfitted STEM building will enable us to attract the best and brightest faculty from all corners of the United States, even the world. It will enhance Head of School Penny Townsend our curriculum, taking advantage of the latest designs for effective learning, collaborative spaces and scientific and mathematical research. It will help us further incorporate technology to ensure there are no boundaries on our stu- dents’ talents and the faculty’s vision. We look forward to this project with enthusiasm because we know the fruit of a great STEM program changes the world. We’ve witnessed it among our own graduates. So many of 2 Ransom Everglades LOG FALL 2016 our students have succeeded by summoning the spirit of inquiry they honed in our curriculum, guided by the expertise and men- toring of our faculty. Our STEM alumni are making a difference in medicine, at research universities, in government, at non- profits and in the private sector around the globe. A library could hardly catalogue the successes of all of our al- ums; we selected a few of our most notable achievers to feature in this magazine: Maurice R. Ferré ’79, who has combined innovative technology and cutting-edge medicine for decades to So many of our students have enhance the quality of life for many; Roland Samimy ’86, who has used his expertise in coastal systems science to find creative succeeded by summoning the solutions to complex environmental problems; and Ana Albir ’00, who has applied technology strategically to allow students spirit of inquiry they honed in our to create and share their work easily and safely online. We also highlight the work of Daniel Steven Sanchez ’93, who curriculum, guided by the expertise designs medical robots that roam hospital corridors to help physicians work better and more efficiently; Marc David and mentoring of our faculty. Our Sanders ’84, a mathematician who spent years designing online courses that make challenging math subjects comprehen- STEM alumni are making a difference sible and accessible; and Stacy Blain ’85, an esteemed cancer researcher and university professor who teaches, does cutting- in medicine, at research universities, edge research and, most recently, has entered the corporate realm to turn her theoretical expertise into real-world solutions. in government, at non-profits and in All have made a difference in their fields, and in people’s lives. Please see their stories, beginning on page 19. the private sector around the globe. It’s a joy as a lifelong educator to work at a school that defines excellence as continually raising the bar. These are truly exciting times to be at Ransom Everglades. I look forward to helping our students, faculty and school continue to realize their unlimited potential. Penny Townsend Head of School FALL 2016 Ransom Everglades LOG 3 From Scrububs to La Brisa ... to Ransom Everglades School 4 Ransom Everglades LOG FALL 2016 From Scrububs to La Brisa ... to Ransom Everglades School A tale of two pieces of property, and one noble history Adapted from the works of Arva Moore Parks by Amy Shipley Recent photographs by Suzanne Kores Paul Ransom, it turns out, wasn’t the Ransom Everglades School and will be only turn-of-the century pioneer in gradually incorporated into the Upper South Florida who left a legacy rich in School campus in the coming years. education, public service, environmental When the property became available for concern and community outreach. There purchase, RE’s school directors and ad- was also the lovely couple next door. ministrators acted decisively, having for Kirk and Mary Barr Munroe, years admired the lush tree can- who could see what later be- opies, vast lawn, fresh-water came Ransom Everglades’ The Munroes spring, dense mangroves Upper School from their opened their homestead, and waterfront access front porch, matched of the adjacent prop- Ransom’s now then known as Scrububs, erty. They believed legendary determi- to all of their neighbors – the seven-acre nation to influence expanse perfectly the students at the from the wealthy and prominent, fit the blueprint Adirondack-Florida to women, children, blacks, for the next 100 School with an years at Ransom equally powerful Bahamian immigrants and Everglades. commitment to the Seminole Indians – But the pur- Coconut Grove com- chase didn’t merely munity at large. at a time such inclusion enhance the school’s The Munroes opened defied social future. RE directors their home, then known also found a perfect as “Scrububs,” to all of their norms. match when they peered neighbors – from the wealthy into the past. and prominent, to women, children, The Munroe’s use of La Brisa blacks, Bahamian immigrants and reflects and even amplifies the school’s Seminoles – at a time such inclu- proud tradition of service-oriented sion defied social norms. Even before leadership. Ransom led his earliest students into “We couldn’t pass up the opportunity the Everglades and on sailing excursions to buy this beautiful property,” Head of on Biscayne Bay, Scrububs had become School Penny Townsend said on June a center for progressive thinking, and a 14, 2016. “The purchase will allow us to meeting place to discuss books, com- improve our facilities, add vital greens- munity issues, wildlife protection and pace and continue our long tradition of environmental preservation. respecting, protecting and learning from The history-rich land, now known as the treasures of Old Florida and Miami’s La Brisa, was acquired this summer by precious coastal ecosystems.” FALL 2016 Ransom Everglades LOG 5 The Munroe’s use of “We couldn’t pass up the opportunity to buy this beautiful La Brisa reflects and property,” Head of School Penny Townsend said on June 14, even amplifies the school’s 2016.