PRINCIPIA PURPOSESUMMER ’11 Also in this issue: Speaking Up Behind the Scenes of Math and Science at the College Photos by Julie Furbush From the Chief Executive SUMMER 2011, Issue No. 364 Dear Readers, The mission of the Principia Purpose is to build com- munity among alumni and friends by sharing news, “The world best knows Principia through those who updates, accomplishments, and insights related to are known as Principians.” Founder Mary Kimball Principia, its alumni, and former faculty and staff. The Principia Purpose is published twice a year. Morgan shared this idea in a talk to the graduating classes of 1935. It’s still true today. Marketing Director Gretchen Newby (C’86) A tree is, indeed, known by its fruit. And Principia’s Content Director harvests have been abundant for more than a Kathy Coyne (US’83, C’87) century! Our graduates are making valuable Senior Writer / Purpose Editor Trudy Palmer (US’72) contributions across the globe. Art Director / Purpose Designer You can read about some of the many remarkable Principians in these pages. Joshua Van Horsen This issue’s cover story focuses on women alumni who have achieved leadership Staff Writer positions in the fields of law, science, engineering, management consulting, and Marla Sammuli journalism. You will also find profiles of six members of the Class of 2011, three Staff Designers from the School and three from the College. Kamren Charpentier (US’95, C’00) Stephanie Johnson (C’93) Mrs. Morgan intended Principia to be a school for both boys and girls. When Contributing Photographers Principia’s policies were developed, Policy 14 took an unequivocal position Kindra Holmsley (US’87, C’91) Andrew Parsons (US’10, C’14) that Principia “shall be a coeducational institution in the fullest meaning of the Cooper Stock (US’10, C’14) term.” Graham Thatcher (C’11) Joshua Van Horsen The policy goes on to state that everyone at Principia will be eligible for Contributing Writers responsibilities and opportunities regardless of sex. In the 1940s, when the Lee Fletcher-McGookin Doreen Joffe policies were written, gender discrimination was common, so this was a strong Heather Shotwell (C’84) stand for the principle of equal opportunity regardless of gender. Peter Stevens (US’76, C’79) Glenn Williams Mrs. Morgan was very clear on the spiritual basis for equality between the David Wold (US’79, C’84) sexes: “We should let Principle form our basis for decisions, and there is not one Address Changes The Principia Principle for women and another for men” (Education at The Principia, p. 13201 Clayton Road, St. Louis, MO 63131 115). It’s invigorating to serve an institution with this value as a cornerstone. E-mail: [email protected] Phone: 800.277.4648, ext. 2868 As you dive into the magazine, you’ll read about experiential learning in math Subscriptions and science at the College. You will find out how public speaking skills are Voluntary subscriptions of $15/year to help defray publishing costs are greatly appreciated. fostered at all levels of the School and how attention to character unfoldment Please make checks payable to The Principia. characterizes the Principia experience. As you’ll see, all of this takes place within Submissions the context of recognizing the unlimited potential of all our students. If you have an article idea for the Purpose, please send a query to [email protected]. At Principia, we embrace limitlessness on a daily basis. Thank you for supporting The Purpose accepts no responsibility for un- solicited manuscripts, artwork, or photographs. this work! Materials will not be returned unless accompa- nied by a self-addressed, stamped envelope. Reprints Requests for permission to reprint any portion of the Principia Purpose should be sent to [email protected] ideas and opinions Jonathan W. Palmer expressed in the articles do not necessarily Chief Executive reflect those held by The Principia or by the writers or editor of the Purpose. © 2011 The Principia Contents Features Departments 1 From the Chief Executive 3 Letters 6 4 School News Ceilings and Ladders: Women Leaders’ Route to the Top 5 College News 41 Advancement 44 My Principia Story 2622 46 Awards and Achievements Meet a Few of This Year’s Graduates Behind the Scenes of Math and Science at the College 48 Christian Science in Action Women Leaders’ ROUTE TO THE TOP 32 37 Memorable Moments Speaking Up 42 Have Wings, Will Fly: College Track Team Sets Records Letters Enjoyed reading the recent [Winter ’10] e-reader with full Internet access, he or she and marketed, and those are the significant issue of Purpose and the articles on the can log on to the College Web page and “costs” of producing a book. Whether it digital files/books at the library. Have access the digital collection in the same finally gets printed on paper or zipped two questions: way computer users do. through the Internet is (almost) financially irrelevant. 1. The books in the library, did you buy them or digitize books you already had? Good e-books are created by real publishers On page seven of the [cover story by If yes, who or how did you do this? (and their editors and marketers) who Ron Charles in the] Winter ’10 Purpose, have real expenses that have little to do 2. Will any e-reader work? Does Prin the statement is made that most of the with paper and shipping. It’s certainly true have a preferred or standard e-reader? publisher’s costs are fixed and unrelated that it costs less to produce and distribute to paper or shipping. Very hard to believe! Thanks in advance for your responses. an e-book than a hard copy one, but the There is no storage of paper in a digital production/distribution phase of publishing Robert Reiner system, so no cost of warehousing for is a small fraction of the overall process, Response from Carol Stookey, Director of paper, cardboard, and binding materials. small in terms of both time and cost. the College library No printing presses and ink, and personnel and space for above. I know College library patrons (current faculty, presses cost well up in the hundreds A comment confirming the sentiments staff, and students) access, or “borrow,” of thousands. No assembly costs to shared in “At Home in Howard House” in e-books instead of purchasing them. The manufacture books. No storage costs the Winter ‘10 issue. collections of e-books the library owns for printed books. No shipping costs or subscribes to are not designed to be I’ve had many homes in my life— for the books. In fact, what are the “downloadable.” Instead, patrons access places of growth and family and remaining costs? Only two items: editors material through the College webpage, lessons learned—and Howard House is to read incoming manuscripts, and order which verifies (through ID numbers and certainly one of them. The grandeur of clerks to send out the digitized books. passwords) that the user has permission the architectural space, the freshman Must be a fraction of the former space, to access the College’s digital collection. mentoring by upperclassmen, the good equipment, and personnel requirements. Patrons use their computer to access these humor or chiding of friends when you What am I missing? e-books from anywhere in the world with did something thoughtless, it helped an Internet connection. The library does G. Trefor Thomas (US’46) us begin discovering who we are. (And not use e-readers because those currently I’m still working on that!) Not a week Response from Ron Charles on the market for individuals are geared goes by that I don’t recall something of toward downloading (or purchasing) It’s true that when “books” go directly from my days and friendships at Prin and feel materials and reading the material offline. the author’s computer to a reader, they grateful for those blessings. cost essentially nothing to produce. But for The library has not done any in-house the most part, nobody wants to read those Peggy (Goodrich, C’77) Moretti digitizing of its collections. Digitization of books! (Seth Godin is the only exception I some key Principia publications, specifically can think of, though some romance authors The Sheaf and The Blade, are in process are starting to deliver e-books directly to with an outside vendor. their readers, too.) To date, the library has not purchased Most people still want books that have e-readers for the reasons mentioned above. been purchased from an author, then edited If, however, a patron has an iPad or an PURPOSE Summer 2011 | 3 School News The wrestling team had an outstanding Music Festival a Success season, sending eight qualifiers to the Last February Principia School hosted Missouri State Tournament and bringing the 30th annual ABC Solo and Ensemble home two of the top three awards—a Music Festival with more than 350 6th– third place finish for Jake Roometua and 12th grade contestants from ABC League a first place finish for his brother, Josh schools. Principians brought home a Roometua, who was an Upper School number of awards, listed below: student at the time. Other notable state The Upper School varsity girls’ basketball rankings include Remington Lutz (US’12), Upper School ABC League team celebrates a successful season. who finished in the Top 8, and Garrett Ensemble Trophy Winners Moulton (US’12) and Ben Stolfa (US’12), Strong Seasons Clarinet Ensemble—Bethy Diakabana who were Top 12 finishers. in Several Sports (US’13), Stephen Hanlin (US’13), Cum Laude Honors Summer Switzer (US’11) For the first time in Principia history, (The Purpose went to print prior to this activity.) the varsity girls’ basketball team won Vocal Ensemble—Stephen Hanlin, Gabe sectionals, defeating the 2009 state On June 4, nine Upper School students Stringer (US’13), Aaron Switzer (US’12) champs and 2010 runner-up—Cardinal will graduate with cum laude honors.