The Academy Journal
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The A cademy Journal Lawrence Academ y/Fall 2012 IN THIS EDITION COMMENCEMENT 28 – 32 REUNION WEEKEND 35 – 39 ANNUAL REPORT 52 – 69 The best moments in my life in schools (and perhaps of life in First Word general) have contained a particular manner of energy. As I scan my past, certain images and sensations light up the sensors with by Dan Scheibe, Head of School an unusual intensity. I remember a day during my junior year in These truly “First Words” gravitate around the following high school when I was returning to my room after class on a particular and powerful forces: the beginning of the school year, bright but otherwise unspectacular day in the fall. The post-lunch the beginning of another chapter in Lawrence Academy’s rich glucose plunge was looming, but still, I acutely remember an history, and (obviously) the beginning of my tenure as head of unusual bounce in my stride as I approached my room on “The school. I draw both strength and conviction from the energies Plateau” (a grandiose name for the attic above the theater where associated with such beginnings. The auspicious nature of the they housed a small collection of altitude-tolerant boarders). moment makes it impossible to resist some enthusiastic The distinct physical sensations of lightness were accompanied introductory contemplations. by emotional sensations of delight not usually associated with Trustees of Lawrence Trustees with 25 or More Academy Years of Service Editors and Contributors Bruce M. MacNeil ’70, President 1793 –1827 Rev. Daniel Chaplin (34) Dave Casanave, Lucy C. Abisalih ’76, Vice President 1793 –1820 Rev. Phineas Whitney (27) Director of Communications Geoffrey P. Clear, Treasurer 1793 –1825 Rev. John Bullard (32) Joseph Sheppard, Gordon Sewall ’67, Secretary 1794 –1827 Samuel Lawrence (33) College Counselor 1795 –1823 James Brazer (28) Beverly Rodrigues, 1801 –1830 Rev. David Palmer (29) Jay R. Ackerman ’85 Communications Publicist 1805 –1835 Jonas Parker (30) Kevin A. Anderson ’82 1807 –1836 Caleb Butler (29) Ronald M. Ansin Layout/Design 1811 –1839 Luther Lawrence (28) Timothy M. Armstrong ’89 Dale Cunningham, 1825 –1854 Rev. George Fisher (29) Deborah Barnes Assist. Director of Communications 1830 –1866 Jonathan S. Adams (36) James E. Barnes ’69 1831 –1860 Nehemiah Cutter (29) Photography Robert M. Barsamian ’78 1831 –1867 Joshua Green (36) Dave Casanave, Barbara Anderson Brammer ’75 1835 –1884 Rev. Leonard Luce (49) Director of Communications Jennifer Shapiro Chisholm ’82 1849 –1883 Agijah Edwin Hildreth (34) Beverly Rodrigues, Ann N. Conway 1863 –1896 William Adams Richardson (33) Communications Publicist Patrick Cunningham ’91 1865 –1893 Amasa Norcross (28) Judi Martin Cyr ’82 1866 –1918 Samuel A. Green (52) Jon Chase Greta L. Donahue 1868 –1896 Miles Spaulding (28) Tim Morse Charlotte M. Floyd 1871 –1930 Rev. William J. Batt (59) Editorial Council Gregory Foster 1875 –1922 George Samuel Gates (47) Catherine Frissora 1876 –1914 James Lawrence (38) Robinson C. Moore, Bradford Hobbs ’82 1890 –1933 George Augustus Sanderson (43) Assistant Head of School 1894 –1946 Michael Sheedy (52) Jonathan D. Jodka ’79 Sandra Sweeney Gallo ’75, 1899 –1930 Albert E. Pillsbury (31) Audrey McNiff ’76 Director of Alumni Relations 1899 –1929 Frank L. Blood (30) Peter C. Myette 1900 –1930 Elihu Goodman Loomis (30) Amanda Doyle-Bouvier ’98, Harold W. Potter Jr., Esq. 1907 –1955 Huntley Nowell Spaulding (48) Assistant Director of David M. Stone ’76 1933 –1961 Oswald Tower (28) Alumni Relations Ruth Glazer White ’76 1941 –1975 John Cushman (34) Susan Hughes, Benjamin D. Williams III 1951 –1976 Donald A. Martin (25) Assistant to the Head of School 1972 –2000 Dr. James Dykens (28) Honorary Trustees Hellie Swartwood, 1973 – Robert White (current honorary) (39) Director of Parent Programs Arthur F. Blackman 1974 – Henry S. Russell Jr. (current honorary) (38) and Special Events George A. Chamberlain III 1974 – Arthur Blackman (current honorary) (38) Jeanne L. Crocker 1975 – Jeanne L. Crocker (current honorary) (37 ) Beverly Rodrigues, Henry S. Russell Jr. 1977 –2003 Charles F. Kaye (26) Communications Publicist Albert Stone 1978 –2003 George Chamberlain III (25) Chris Margraf, Robert White ’40 1978 – Albert Stone (current honorary) (34) Interim Director of Development 1980 – Ronald. M. Ansin (32) Geoff Harlan, 1984 – Bruce MacNeil ’70 (28) Director of Annual Giving Joseph Sheppard, College Counselor Cover: New Head of School Dan Scheibe and his wife Annie Montesano ACADEMY JOURNA L/FALL 2012 First Word , continued As I have pondered these admittedly personal experiences, the specific setting and the adolescent male demeanor. Perhaps the circumstances of Lawrence Academy have hour and the altitude were, in fact, getting ever been on my mind. LA exists so that its to me. students can experience authentic moments of Yet, my unaccountable exhilaration was transformation that will not just influence a neither the result of a surplus of accomplish - moment, but change a life: it “inspires you ment or certain physiological deficits. Rather, to take responsibility for who you want to it was the outward sign of a steady and secure become.” What task could be so inspiring, so process. I had gone to my local high school essential, so real, and so crucial? The blend of through 10th grade, and after a blessed repeat practicality and idealism in the mission is true of 10th, I was just starting to realize and to my own experience of growing up, and I exercise my potential as a student and as a believe it is true of the education LA delivers: person. The symptoms of the personal “LA exists so that its placing students in direct relationship with transformation underway were both this students can experience their education and thus with themselves and incongruous joy and the unusual lift in my their surroundings. Whether we focus on stride (and this in the days before the authentic moments skills, interdisciplinary synergies, creative enhancements of Nike Air technology). of transformation expression, technological leverage, social- Of course, I had felt moments of power and that will not just emotional development, or any other purpose before in my life at home, at school, educational idiom, what we are after is direct, and on athletic fields, but this particular state influence a moment, unmediated, life-changing experience. Only of levitation felt renewable, sustainable, and but change a life.” experience itself, deeply intentional and most importantly, fully integrated and engaged, can deliver such powerful effects. identifiable as a certain part of my growing An education geared towards transformation self. I knew I wanted to continue on that path of transformation needs to understand both its goods and its goals. In The and almost literal enlightenment. Varieties of Religious Experience, the great American psychologist Now, lest you think me deluded that I was granted superhuman William James writes, “Knowledge about a thing is not the physical or metaphysical abilities as a 16-year-old, I want to thing itself.” Lawrence Academy seeks to place “the thing assure you that I am speaking (mostly) metaphorically. I itself”—the growing, transformed self—squarely in the path possessed the same emotional, intellectual, social and physical of each of its students. It does so by forging educational clumsiness as the average junior boy—OK, I actually should experience as life itself. Only such a personal, powerful have been a senior boy at that point, so my slow path to connection can turn an educational event into an emotional maturity was particularly…let’s say “deliberate.” The fact event into a life-changing event. James concludes, “Knowledge remains, though, that my truest experiences of maturation and about life is one thing; effective occupation of a place in life, growth ever since have returned to that signature mix of with its dynamic currents passing through your being, is another.” expansion, strength, and joy I felt with increasing sureness in Educational innovations and trends are powerful levers of my late teenage years. The sensations, vague and insubstantial as change. Academic content is an important cultural inheritance. they might seem, clearly signaled a growing sense of confidence But the dynamic current that gives energy to understand, to act, and clarity about who I was and who I was becoming. and to live is the powerful source of all that we learn, all that we Good for me, but what might that have to do with starting to do, and all that we are. Lawrence Academy is dedicated to lead Lawrence Academy as a grown-up? Well, quite a lot, I bringing that current to life in all of the members of its hope to explain. As a young teacher, I had similar energetic community—students, faculty, alumni, staff, family, and experiences—classes in which the excitement I was feeling friends. We will do our best to be a beacon of such hope and simply could not be accounted for by my faltering attempts to such energy not just in the beginning of things, but always. apprehend the passive voice or to grapple with a Dickinson I leave you, for now, with a quotation for your own musings, a poem. Again, as I became responsible for various programs at quotation I read to the faculty and staff at the beginning of schools, I would experience this same feeling over and over as beginnings in school life: the opening faculty meetings in late I saw entire communities experience moments of clarity and August. Such beginnings may, indeed, be humble. But they may transcendence—moments of equal parts focus and force. And well and truly end up graced with power and significance even as a school leader, I strive to experience these moments, beyond our initial imaginings: now accompanied not just with the simple joy of satisfied youth but even sometimes with tears of joy, grateful now to be able to “The really important kind of freedom involves attention and witness the beautiful moments signaling the process of young awareness and discipline, and being able to truly care about lives in the midst of transformation and realization.