The Academy Journal Lawrence Academy/Fall 2010 INCLUDES THE REPORT ON ANNUAL GIVING SEE PAGES 68 – 88 Inside This Edition... Features 3-28 Making Connections with Asia 3-7 by Robinson C. Moore Trustees of Lawrence Trustees with 25 or More LA’s International Program 9-12 Academy Years of Service by Journal staff Albert B. Gordon Jr. ’59, President 1793–1827 Rev. Daniel Chaplin (34) Passion for People: A Profile 13-16 Lucy Abisalih ’76, Vice President 1793–1820 Rev. Phineas Whitney (27) of Tim Armstrong ’89 Geoffrey P. Clear, Treasurer 1793–1825 Rev. John Bullard (32) by Andrew Brescia Bruce M. MacNeil ’70, Secretary 1794–1827 Samuel Lawrence (33) 1795–1823 James Brazer (28) The Year of the Rooster: 18-21 Kevin A. Anderson ’85 1801–1830 Rev. David Palmer (29) LA’s First Chinese Students Ronald M. Ansin 1805–1835 Jonas Parker (30) compiled by Paul Husted ’64 Timothy M. Armstrong ’89 1807–1836 Caleb Butler (29) and Dick Jeffers Barbara Anderson Brammer ’75 1811–1839 Luther Lawrence (28) Ann N. Conway 1825–1854 Rev. George Fisher (29) The Adventures of 22-24 Kevin Cronin 1830–1866 Jonathan S. Adams (36) Captain Linear Patrick Cunningham ’91 1831–1860 Nehemiah Cutter (29) by Elana Cogliano ’05 Judi N. Cyr ’82 1831–1867 Joshua Green (36) Greta L. Donahue 1835–1884 Rev. Leonard Luce (49) The Senior Birdwalk 25-28 Charlotte Floyd 1849–1883 Agijah Edwin Hildreth (34) speech by Mark Haman Catherine J. Frissora 1863–1896 William Adams Richardson (33) Campus News 29-47 Bradford Hobbs ’82 1865–1893 Amasa Norcross (28) Jonathan Jodka ’79 1866–1918 Samuel A. Green (52) LA Reunion 49-57 Daniel T. Lemaitre 1868–1896 Miles Spaulding (28) Audrey A. McNiff ’76 1871–1930 Rev. William J. Batt (59) Class Notes 58-66 Peter C. Myette 1875–1922 George Samuel Gates (47) James S. Polese ’84 1876–1914 James Lawrence (38) In Memoriam 67 Harold W. Potter Jr., Esq. 1890–1933 George Augustus Sanderson (43) Gordon W. Sewall ’67 1894–1946 Michael Sheedy (52) Report of Annual Giving 68-88 David Stone ’76 1899–1930 Albert E. Pillsbury (31) Ruth R. White ’76 1899–1929 Frank L. Blood (30) 1900–1930 Elihu Goodman Loomis (30) Editors and Contributors Honorary Trustees 1907–1955 Huntley Nowell Spaulding (48) Andrew J. Brescia, current ESL Teacher, past Director of 1933–1961 Oswald Tower (28) Communications (2000-2010) Arthur F. Blackman Dave Casanave, current Director of Communications George A. Chamberlain III 1941–1975 John Cushman (34) 1951–1976 Donald A. Martin (25) Layout/Design Jeanne L. Crocker Henry S. Russell Jr. 1972–2000 Dr. James Dykens (28) Dale Cunningham, Assistant Director of Communications Albert Stone 1973– Robert White (current honorary) (37) Photography Robert F. White ’40 1974– Henry S. Russell Jr. (current honorary) (36) Andrew J. Brescia, Beverly Rodrigues, Jon Chase, Benjamin D. Williams III 1974– Arthur Blackman (current honorary) (36) Gus Freedman, and Lawrence Academy Archives 1975– Jeanne L. Crocker (current honorary) (35) Editorial Council 1977–2003 Charles F. Kaye (26) Robinson C, Moore, Assistant Head of School 1978–2003 George Chamberlain III (25) Molly Richardson Shanklin, Associate Director of Development 1978– Albert Stone (current honorary) (32) Amanda Doyle ’98, Assistant to Constituent Relations 1980– Ronald. M. Ansin (30) Susan Hughes, Assistant to the Head of School 1984– Bruce MacNeil ’70 (26) Hellie Swartwood, Director of Parent Programs and Special Events Beverly Rodrigues, Communications Publicist Chris Margraf, Director of Major Gifts and Constituent Outreach Judy Clark, Director of Annual Giving First Word by D. Scott Wiggins, head of school A View from the Top A “summit view” is far different from a “climbing view”. That morning assembly, with its visible illustrations, spoke Instead of watching each careful step, the eyes are raised to directly to themes I’ve outlined for the Lawrence community the horizon. The view is broad, exhilarating, and empowering. this year: Our students are our first priority. Pride and There comes an awareness of confidence, strength, and respect guide our actions. Communication brings ability. It is definitely worth the climb! understanding. Those were some of my thoughts as I stood on Monadnock’s The following are just a sampling of the myriad ways in summit in early September, taking in the vast, cloudless vista which these three themes are being expressed around campus. before me. I recalled the story of some early LA students who hired a horse and buggy and headed out to climb Mt. Putting Students First Wachusett. That was in the 1870s, and it was no doubt a The obvious purpose of a school is the well-being and simple lark for them that day. But thus began a hallowed progress of its students. Every day, in any number of ways, tradition for Lawrence Academy – launching the school year Lawrence shows its dedication to this purpose. The midterm by climbing to a View. The horse and buggy have faded into meetings are a good example. These are held among small history, and the destination later became Mt. Monadnock; groups of teachers, coaches, and dorm parents when a but the symbolism of the mountain top remains. The climb student is struggling academically. The group examines ways to a vast, exhilarating view gives Mountain Day its powerful to be supportive and to lead to more success in the classroom. significance for every member of the Lawrence Academy family. Another innovative example of this is the process we are Just before our 400 students, faculty, and staff boarded the developing for enabling faculty to use students’ actual busses for this year’s Mountain Day, Dr. Michael Fowlin, academic products (not just their GPA) as a means of an actor and psychologist, had held us transfixed for an hour evaluating both curriculum and pedagogy. as he deftly acted out a number of scenarios. These proved We are also aiming to insure that the everyday needs of to be vivid experiences to which virtually everyone in our students are being met in many small ways. The library group could relate in some way – experiences involving atmosphere is quiet and supportive of serious, contemplative intolerance, bigotry, exclusivity. The message was as study. Faculty members connect with students during dramatic, broad, and clear as the view I was now taking advisory each morning to learn if there are issues that in from the top of the mountain: teachers or coaches need to be aware of. Even the dining “Don’t do what’s expected,” was the theme, “Do what’s hall is being well-stocked throughout the day with needed. Take care of each other. Don’t underestimate the healthy snacks! power of a smile.” ACADEMY JOURNAL / FALL 2010 1 First Word, continued Pride and Respect Additionally, we now have an Online Daily Schedule, which allows for nearly real-time adjustments to the academic Fostering a sense of pride and respect within any community schedule, ensuring that classes meet as many times as possible is crucial to a happy and productive atmosphere. These during each trimester. This new system of communicating qualities play an important role on our campus. Cum Laude the schedule through the use of technology has resulted in the students, for example, designed a new Academic Awards addition of the equivalent of a week of classes to the trimester. assembly this year. It now features a series of lunches in MacNeil lounge, held close in time to the assembly, for Speaking of communicating electronically, Lawrence sends a Honors and High Honors students, hosted by Cum Laude weekly email to all parents, informing them of upcoming students. At the assembly, faculty and students have an events and activities. As part of each E-Notification, there opportunity to make speeches regarding their thoughts are links back to various pages of our website to help about academic excellence. parents access information they may need and to keep them informed about campus activities. Our student proctors and peer counselors provide other shining examples of pride and leadership. At the beginning It is clear that our three main themes are already gaining of each academic year, student proctors work extremely hard traction in all areas of campus life. to establish an atmosphere of respect and pride in each of our ten dorms. Each proctor designs bulletin boards that The Summit View creatively address this issue. They encourage their peers to Over the course of time, every community has its share of take ownership of their living space and the school grounds. exhilarating ‘mountain-top’ moments as well as demanding The opportunity for our students to act as mentors and to ‘valley moments.’ Both underscore the importance of a learn from one another is powerful and effective. strong community with shared values and expectations. I In early September, our peer counselors and proctors play a look at each year as a new opportunity to build upon and key role in our annual trip to Windsor Mountain Camp in strengthen the successes and virtues of our LA community. New Hampshire. This two-day orientation experience allows Standing on the summit of Mt. Monadnock this fall, I our new students to get acquainted with each other and to watched as hundreds of our students triumphantly ascended gain a sense of belonging to LA prior to the beginning of the last few yards of steep rock to join me. Along the way, classes. The caliber of the leadership provided by our student groups of hikers had formed, not based necessarily on leaders and the selfless efforts they put forth for the benefit pre-established friendships, but on a compatible climbing of the newest members of our community is impressive pace.