TASIS TODAY Fall 2007 A Magazine for Alumni and Friends of The American School In Switzerland Inside this issue: Horst Dürrschmidt Through Their Eyes Palmer ’64 Legacy Gift Haiti Project Leslie Sosnowski ’74 is done with fear Green Piece A journey towards sustainability Fall 2007 4 Features 11 Unprecedented Gift Before TASIS alumnus John Palmer ’64 died in April 2007 he told Mrs. Fleming that he intended to remember the School in his will. Never in her wildest dreams did she think he would leave this remarkable legacy that would impact the School in so many positive ways. 12 Haiti Project “Leslie Sosnowski ’74 is done with fear.” At least that’s what the letter says. She reads it to the sounds of the growling airplane engine as it carries her to Haiti, the poorest nation in the Western Hemisphere. TASIS TODAY Regulars 18 Horst Dürrschmidt - Through Their Eyes In honor of Mr. Dürrschmidt’s 32 years at TASIS, admirers, students, and alumni shared their thoughts alongside a photo essay of Mr. Dürrschmidt 2 From the Headmaster through the years. and the Chairman of the Board 4 Around Campus 24 Green Piece 6 Gala Benefit Dinner Michael Arny ’69, helps the Clinton Library to reach its “Green” potential, 7 Graduation 2007 while Bob ’76 and Camille Armantrout, continue on their journey towards sustainability. 28 Reunions 31 Coming Up Editor’s Note: 33 Alumni News By adding quality advertising to TASIS TODAY for the first time, we are able to bring 55 Travel Connection you two issues of the magazine instead of one. Mission Statement Publisher/Editor TASIS is a family of international schools Sharon Figi that welcomes young people from all nationalities to an educational community Contributing Editors that fosters a passion for excellence along Lynn Fleming Aeschliman ‘63 with mutual respect and understanding. 11 Hans Figi ‘75 Consistent with the vision of its founder, M. Crist Fleming, TASIS is committed to Contributors transmitting the heritage of Western Bob Armantrout ‘76 civilization and world cultures: the Amiee Heckel creations, achievements, traditions, and Hans Figi ‘75 ideals from the past that offer purpose Leslie Sosnowski ‘74 in the present and hope for the future. Graphic Design Seeking to balance the pursuit of know- Michele Kestenholz ledge with the love of wisdom, and promoting the skills of lifelong learning, Photographer an appreciation for beauty, and the Kim Nelson development of character, each school 12 combines a challenging academic program with opportunities for artistic Contributing Photographers endeavor, physical activity, and service Michelle Arslanian to others. Believing in the worth of each Simon David ’08 individual and the importance of enduring Hans Figi ’75 relationships, TASIS seeks to embody and Sharon Figi instill the values of personal responsibility, Michele Kestenholz civility, compassion, justice, and truth. Jennie March-Aleu Chelsea Sosnowski The TASIS Schools and Summer Programs are fully controlled by a Swiss, independent, not-for-profit educational foundation, the TASIS Foundation, registered in Delemont, Switzerland. Donations to the Swiss Foundation, as well as to the US TASIS Foundation, Inc., a publicly supported, section 501(c)(3) non-profit, educational organization, are 18 tax deductible to the extent allowable in the donor’s respective countries. Cover photo TASIS commissioned 18-year-old senior Simon David to take the cover portrait of his teacher Address Changes Horst Dürrschmidt. [email protected] 24 Alumni Office c/o TASIS CH-6926 Montagnola, Switzerland Story Submissions [email protected] Attention: Sharon Figi Fall 2007-1 Lyle leans out of his De Nobili office window to say hello to students. Dear Friends of TASIS Greetings from beautiful Montagnola! After first arriving Sharon and I also were pleased to return to a community here in July, 1982, Sharon and I are delighted to be back. with many familiar faces: the Aeschlimans (Lynn, Michael, Not surprisingly, the question that I have been asked most Mark, and Simone), Sarah Di Lenardo, Horst Dürrschmidt, frequently upon my return to TASIS is, “What has changed the Eichners, Paul Greenwood, Steven Prentice, Howard the most over the past 25 years?” Stickley, Cynthia Whisenant, the chefs (Elia Rossatti, Fabio Rossi, and Stefano Pelli) and of course, Angelo Piattini Among the many major changes that I would highlight are: (former owner of Angelo’s store and the snack bar). It also the incredible campus developments (the MCF Library, the is a tremendous pleasure and privilege to be able to spend Palestra, and more), the addition of the elementary school time with Mrs. Fleming on a regular basis. and IB program, increased enrollments (double the size of when I arrived back in 1982), the tremendous growth in the Even with the many changes at TASIS over the past 25 years, number of day students (240 compared to 10), the change it still feels like “home.” It is an honor to have this opportunity in governing structure (the creation of a Board of Directors), to return and to play a part in the future of this amazing and the increase in the number of students who are not school. I hope that many of you also will have the opportunity American (70% versus 40% in 1982). to return home to TASIS this year. The “welcome mat” will always be out for you. I’m pleased to note, however, that the most important thing has not changed - the commitment to Mrs. Fleming’s vision and the ethos of the School. TASIS remains a community that provides young people from throughout the world with an excellent education and with opportunities for artistic endeavor, physical activity, service to others, and under- Lyle D. Rigg standing different cultures first-hand. Interim Headmaster TASIS TODAY - 2 As my mother passes her legacy to the thousands of students who continue to cross the portals of TASIS, we carry on her legacy to touch and inspire the young people in our care. Through our many wonderful teachers and administrators past and present, we are “transforming lives”, as so many alumni tell us. For this my mother and I are extremely grateful. TASIS is at an important crossroad as it heads into the next half century. The new TASIS Elementary School is having a tremendous impact. Not only is it growing in leaps and bounds with 135 children in Pre-K through 6th grades in this its 3rd year, but it is also affecting the growth of the day student population in the middle and high schools. Many families are choosing to move to Lugano from around the world, attracted by the opportunities TASIS offers for their children and by the beauty and many appealing aspects of living in Ticino, to which our alumni nostalgically attest. We are extremely grateful to deceased alumnus John Palmer ’64 for donating his entire estate to TASIS. By supporting TASIS, his most generous gift will have a long-lasting effect on our students. The Board plans to use part of his gift to help build the new Performing Arts building as well as utilize a portion of his gift for faculty benefits in an effort to retain Dear Alumni and Friends our good teachers, the heart of our school. We are very pleased to have TASIS veteran headmaster Lyle Rigg (at TASIS England for 14 years and 25 years ago of TASIS at TASIS Lugano) at the helm as Interim Headmaster this It is always a pleasure to be in touch with our alumni, to hear year. The Headmaster Search Committee has chosen three what you are doing, and to let you know what we are up finalists from a very strong applicant pool. After their visits to at TASIS. to campus, the Board will choose and announce the new Headmaster in December. Much has happened this past year as TASIS is an ever-vibrant and growing community made up of wonderful people from I am pleased to hear about so many TASIS reunions around around the globe. We are well into the fall semester with the world and grateful that our alumni stay connected to record enrollments in all three divisions from Pre-Kindergarten their friends and to their alma mater. We count on your to our Post Graduates comprised of over 55 nationalities loyalty and on-going support. Together we will continue to and speaking 26 mother tongues. TASIS is a living model UN make TASIS an ever-stronger school, of which you can be and has gone way beyond my mother’s wildest dreams. We proud to be an alumnus and to which you will send your are doing important work in bringing so many nationalities, children and grandchildren! languages, and cultures together in an inspiring, collaborative, and harmonious learning environment, forging long-lasting I send ever grateful and sincerest best wishes to each of you, friendships and mutual understanding that should serve the world well in the years to come. My mother’s parting words to our students in her yearbook message this year articulate her firm belief that individuals can, should, and do make a difference and express her Lynn Fleming Aeschliman ‘63 fervent expectation that each TASIS student will imbibe this Chairman of the Board of Directors message and act upon it wherever they find themselves in their place in the world. Fall 2007- 3 Postscript to the article enormous lack of dignity in her circumstances. It’s almost like a road sign on the mountain - when you get to Fran, turn Abode of Snow, TASIS Today, left. That’s not good for anybody.” Spring 2006 At 1 am on May 20th, Ian and Phuri Sherpa left their camp on the upper reaches of Everest for a 7-hour climb through In 1998, South African climber, Ian Woodall and his team heavy snow to reach Fran’s body.