MiddlesexFall 2013 Homecoming The Mary Mae Village MIDDLESEX FALL 2013 i From the Head of School A Transformative Time The bright, warm, western sunlight that Transformation is indeed on our minds floods across campus in the late afternoon has this fall as we bring a strategic planning pro- seemed especially golden around our now- cess to a close, prepare for the long-awaited defunct steam plant chimney, as we have suc- renovations of LeBaron Briggs House and cessfully converted the campus from reliance Robert Winsor House, and build the systems on fuel oil to a much more efficient, much and infrastructure that will keep Middlesex more cost-effective, and much greener system strong for its next century—a century of work that functions on natural gas. Everyone who with bright, optimistic, curious, energetic, knows our campus knows that steam plant— adventurous young people from around the and while we have grown accustomed to the globe who bring their talents and lives to this stack over the years, we have wanted to find community to refresh and indeed, transform ways to improve campus energy efficiency it every year. For teachers who love not only and move away from the volatile expense and their disciplines but also their students, each environmental impact that Number Six fuel year brings a new group of first-time teen- oil has entailed for these many years. agers who want to do the work of learning This change has already transformed us through their own experiences as well as in a number of ways, not the least of which through the advice and counsel of parents has been an immediate reallocation, within and teachers, who want and need to do the our budget, from our utilities expense to the work of individuation and growing into what Middlesex resources available for financial aid, a gift to one senior in chapel recently described as Fall 2013 ourselves endorsed by the Board that could “the best version of myself.” That this lovely Head of School not be more timely in terms of making Mid- campus has, for its first century, been home Kathleen Carroll Giles dlesex more accessible to the hundreds of not only to generations of students but also Director of Development Heather Parker great young students who will apply this year. to version after version of this transformative Director of Advancement The retirement of those old boilers has also process is probably why, during these late George Noble Editor freed up some incredibly valuable space, for afternoons, the campus at times seems to Maria Lindberg which we have exciting and, yes, transforma- me to have an energy of its own that fuels Design tive plans. Transformation is a strong word, its beauty. NonprofitDesign.com Photography begging the questions of change, growth, You will see in the following pages some Joel Haskell, Tim Morse, tradition, and even spirit. But this transfor- of the transformations that grace this place Robert D. Perachio, Tony Rinaldo mation, akin to the process that students every day and every year, and, I hope, you Letters to the Editor Letters to the undergo during their years with us here on will also see the energy that finds joy in each editor are welcome and may be edited for clarity and space. Please send your campus, is all about optimism, responsibility, new “best version” of our students and our letters to Editor, Middlesex Bulletin, independence, efficiency, awareness, and, yes, school. Happy reading! 1400 Lowell Road, Concord, MA 01742, or e-mail [email protected]. the “sustainability” word one hears so often Alumni News We welcome news from and in such a wide variety of contexts that it alumni, parents, and friends of Middle- sex School. Please send your news and is easy to become jaded about what it really labeled photographs to Alumni News, Middlesex School, 1400 Lowell Road, means. Concord, MA 01742, or e-mail alumni@ mxschool.edu. Address Corrections Please notify us of your change of address. Write to Middlesex School, 1400 Lowell Road, Concord, MA 01742 or e-mail alumni@ mxschool.edu. Parents of Alumni If this magazine is addressed to a son or daughter who no longer maintains a permanent address at your home, please advise us of his or her new address. Thank you! Contents Mission Statement Features 14 Fond Farewells Middlesex School is an independent, non-denominational, residential, As four colleagues embarked on well-earned college-preparatory school that, for retirements, the School celebrated their over 100 years, has been committed dedicated Middlesex careers. to excellence in the intellectual, ethical, creative, and physical devel- 19 Gains in Sustainability opment of young people. We honor the ideal, articulated by our founding Having reduced the School’s carbon footprint Head Master, of “finding the promise” by 25%, Middlesex finds that sustainability in every student, and we work offers additional opportunities. together in an atmosphere of mutual trust and shared responsibility to 24 Homecoming: The Mary Mae Village help students bring their talents to fruition as knowledgeable, capable, Thanks to the Mary Mae Foundation and responsible, and moral citizens other generous donors, five new faculty homes of the world. As a community, we are finished and fully occupied. respect the individual interests, strengths, and needs of each stu- 26 Alumni Weekend dent. We also value the rich diversity of belief and experience each of Hundreds of alumni returned to campus to us brings to the School. reconnect and relive old times with classmates and former teachers. We expect that each student will bring his or her best efforts to the 30 Graduation shared endeavor of learning and that the School, through its faculty, The class of 2013 looked ahead with joy and will engage and encourage each hope to the next step in their journey. student’s growth, happiness, and well-being. We aspire for all Middlesex students to develop personal integrity, intellectual Departments vitality and discipline, and respect for themselves and for others. 2 Life 360 We expect each student to engage energetically and cooperatively in New Colleagues; Brooke Chair Established; the life of the School, and we seek Confronting Violence; Urinetown; A Reunion to inspire in all students the desire Renovation; Upcoming Speakers; A Call to to seek understanding of them- International Service selves and the larger world, both now and in their futures. 8 Middlesex People Graduation Speaker Kevin Systrom ’02; Distinguished Alumni: James Kugel ’63 and On the Cover Jeffrey Smith ’63; New Trustees; Living Gifts Middlesex’s newly finished Mary Mae Village of faculty homes. 12 Team Highlights Photo by Joel Haskell. One Golden Crew, Two Track Standouts and Three Lacrosse All-Americans 33 Alumni Notes and News Class Notes; In Memoriam 48 Back Story Restoration MIDDLESEX FALL 2013 1 360° Life on the Circle The Rivers School, and St. Mark’s School; she will assist with coaching field hockey and girls’ crew. Richard Torres comes to Middle- sex from Cushing Academy, where he taught math, honors chemistry, and Spanish. He will assist with coaching girls’ soccer and boys’ basketball. Having spent last year earning her M.A. in history at Brown, Kate Hession has returned to the classics classroom and added history to her teaching repertoire. She has also resumed her roles as a dorm parent and as head coach of girls’ varsity ice hockey. With a doctorate in classics and nearly a decade of experience teaching Greek and Latin—most recently at Creighton Univer- sity—Dan Barber adds his expertise to the classics department and will assist with coaching cross-country and wrestling. Already familiar with Middlesex since covering a sabbatical leave in 2011–12, Amanda Holcombe has rejoined the Spanish On hand for a group portrait of department. She will assist with the girls’ new faculty and staff were (front New Faces on row, left to right) Anna Marchand cross-country team and serve as head coach ’07, Polly Peterson, Richard Torres, Campus of girls’ varsity tennis. New to the depart- Paige Graham, and Beth Hill; ment is Juan González, who has taught (back row) Dan Barber, Juan Following the cycle of academic life, the both Spanish and English as a Second Lan- González, Tasheana Dukuly, School wished several colleagues well on guage since graduating from Universidad Walker Jones, Louisa Savage ’09, Patty Shepard, Ruth Baldwin, their next ventures last June—and, in Camilo José Cela in his hometown of Madrid. and Amanda Holcombe. September, welcomed new faculty and staff He will assist with the boys’ soccer and members to classrooms and offices across basketball programs. campus. The visual arts department now includes The recipient of two instructional awards Laya Steinberg, a versatile illustrator, graphic while earning her Ph.D. at the University designer, and potter who is teaching the of California, Berkeley, Ruth Baldwin has School’s ceramics elective. transferred her skills to Middlesex’s English In Middlesex’s Development Office, classrooms and will help coach girls’ basket- Walker Jones has assumed responsibility ball this winter. Also joining the English for directing the School’s Annual Fund, department is Tasheana Dukuly, who served which reached $3.1 million last year. For last year as a local organizer in AmeriCorps’ the past decade, he has worked in Boston Youth Empowerment Corps program in College’s Advancement Office, managing nearby Lowell. She will assist with coaching reunion gift campaigns and, initially, devel- field hockey, girls’ squash, and track. oping volunteer fundraising councils in the The math department welcomed two Midwest. Walker will be an assistant coach new members as well. Patty Shepard has for girls’ tennis. taught nearly all levels of math at several With the promotion of Kathy Smith- schools, including Deerfield Academy, The wick ’08 to assistant director of admissions, American School in Switzerland (Lugano), Louisa Savage ’09 has stepped in as an 2 MIDDLESEX FALL 2013 assistant admissions officer.