BULLETIN

MindingBusiness the 4 ALUMNI-RUN COMPANIES

WINTER 2018 In this ISSUE WINTER 2018

40 38 Minding the Business How Charlie Albert ’69, JJ Rademaekers ’89, AK Kennedy L’Heureux ’90, and James McKinnon ’87 achieved entrepreneurial success—and DEPARTMENTS became their own bosses 3 On Main Hall By Neil Vigdor ’95 8 Alumni Spotlight 16 Around the Pond 32 Sports 38 Larry Stone Tribute 66 Alumni Notes 58 106 Milestones How to Work Smarter, Not Harder The Moorhead Academic Center and Jon Willson ’82 in action By Julie Reiff 58 40

m Taft varsity football celebrates their 41–23 victory over Hotchkiss School on November 11. ROBERT FALCETTI

Taft Bulletin / WINTER 2018 1 On Main Hall A WORD FROM HEADMASTER WILLY MACMULLEN ’78 WINTER 2018 Volume 88, Number 2

EDITOR Linda Hedman Beyus

DIRECTOR OF MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS Kaitlin Thomas Orfitelli THE RIGORS AND REWARDS OF ACCREDITATION

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS Debra Meyers There are lots of ways schools improve. Boards plan strategically, heads and “We have hard ON THE COVER administrative teams examine and change practices, and faculty experiment PHOTOGRAPHY work to do, but it’s A model of a Chuggington® train—inspired by the Robert Falcetti and innovate. But for schools like Taft, there’s another critical way: the New children’s animated show of the same name—greets England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) Accreditation Process. It’s a the glorious work readers on this issue’s cover! Read the feature on ALUMNI NOTES EDITOR pages 40–57 about four alumni who create and make really rigorous methodology that ensures accredited schools regularly reflect, Hillary Dooley on challenges different products, including toy/games designer plan, and innovate; and it’s this process Taft just finished. It’s this process Charlie Albert ’69, whose company, Creativity Inc., DESIGN that reminds us that Taft has never been a school that believes it is finished that mark all developed a Chuggington® interactive product line Good Design, LLC | www.gooddesignusa.com in 12 languages for Japanese company Tomy. getting better: we have always believed that we must strive to improve. great schools. The NEASC is the accrediting body for hundreds of independent schools, and PHOTO PROVIDED BY ALUMNUS FOR NONCOMMERCIAL USE. SEND ALUMNI NEWS TO ©LUDORUM PLC 2018. CHUGGINGTON® IS A REGISTERED Taft Bulletin | Alumni Office the accreditation process has two primary objectives: quality assurance and school improvement. And we are TRADEMARK OF LUDORUM PLC. The Taft School The process is really a decade-long one, and it works like this. Every 10 years, in order to be honest in facing 110 Woodbury Road, Watertown, CT 06795-2100 reaccredited by the NEASC, a school must undertake a Self-Study. The study has 15 standards: [email protected] Mission, Governance, Enrollment, Program, Experience of Students, Resources to Support our weaknesses. DEADLINES FOR ALUMNI NOTES Program, Faculty, Residential Program, Administration, Evaluation and Assessment, Health We like the Spring–February 15 | Summer–May 15 | Fall–August 30 | Winter–November 15 and Safety, Communication, Infrastructure, and the Accreditation Process. 2016 was our year opportunity to SEND ADDRESS CORRECTIONS TO for this institutional self-reflection. We were guided by the belief that we were a thriving and Cathy Mancini | Alumni Records successful school, but also an imperfect one that could improve if we were honest, rigorous, and get better.” The Taft School Taft ONLINE 110 Woodbury Road, Watertown, CT 06795-2100 [email protected] Find a friend or past Bulletin: taftalumni.com 860-945-7777 | WWW.TAFTALUMNI.COM

Visit us on your phone: taftschool.org COMMENTS? TELL US! We’d love to hear what you think about the stories in this Bulletin. We may edit your letters for length, clarity, and content, but please write. What happened at today’s game? Linda Hedman Beyus, editor taftsports.com Taft Bulletin 110 Woodbury Road Shop online: taftstore.com Watertown, CT 06795-2100 [email protected]

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2 Taft Bulletin / WINTER 2018 Taft Bulletin / WINTER 2018 3 FROM THE Headmaster

faculty and staff, meeting trustees, watching practices, rehears- als, and study hall. To a person, they were dedicated, curious, rigorous, and tough. A week after the committee left, they submitted their report. Here’s what the report basically said: that Taft is a really thriving, healthy, and successful school, with a global reputa- tion for excellence and community, and one with areas it was “We did what any committed to improving. Perhaps the best place to start is the good organization Committee’s introduction: does: affirm Taft is clearly a high-functioning school with a dedicated teaching its strengths, faculty, a loyal and hardworking professional administration and staff, and outstanding students from around the world. The Visiting acknowledge Team members saw many compelling classes and meetings where our weaknesses, the interplay among the students and the faculty as well as among administrators and faculty was inspirational. Faculty, staff, and and strive to students, almost to a person, spoke highly of the school. They were get better.” proud of their school and the values for which it stands. The faculty in particular lauded the commitment to students and students could find little to criticize. Taft is clearly a school where students come first. There was much to admire in our visit; Taft has well earned its prestigious reputation.

thorough in looking into the institutional mirror. Our 15 committees met for hundreds of hours; we conducted surveys of faculty, staff, students, parents, and alumni; and we did interviews of scores of stakeholders. By late fall, the committees were drafting reports on their findings, and during the winter, writing and editing continued. By early spring, the 108-page report was com- plete. It was the end product of an inclusive, accurate, and robust Self-Study. “We were guided I am tremendously proud of the Taft community. You saw hard work, insight, intelligence, honesty, and courage. We saw much that we did well: adhere to our historic mission; enroll nice, by the belief that smart, and talented students; create a diverse, caring, and warm community; offer a deep and we were a thriving broad program of academics and extracurricular opportunities; hire and support committed and compassionate faculty; steward and improve a beautiful campus; use prudence and discipline in and successful budget and operations; and so on. But we also identified ways we wanted to improve: communi- school, but also cation around priority setting and decision making; a deeper focus on diversity, inclusion, and multiculturalism; a review of our academic program; continued evaluation and support of experi- an imperfect enced faculty and staff; improvements in arts and athletic facilities; the need for an information one that could and technology plan; and an examination of student health and wellness. I like to think that we did what any good organization does: affirm its strengths, acknowledge our weaknesses, and improve if we were strive to get better. honest, rigorous, As important as it is, the Self-Study is just the first of two steps toward accreditation. The next step is a three-day visit from a Visiting Committee comprised of leading educators and thorough from peer schools. The committee’s job is first to read the Self-Study and, during their visit, hold in looking into the study up to essentially ask, Is the school doing what it says it is doing? At the end of their visit, the committee makes a recommendation on accreditation in a lengthy, detailed report that the institutional speaks to all 15 standards. mirror.” The Committee was on campus in early October, and they did great work. That they recom- mended Taft be reaccredited is not surprising, anymore than it was in 2007, 1997, 1987, and so on. But the report Taft received is a really telling one. First, it’s important to recognize that the committee is entirely objective: it’s made of all outsiders. Second, it was comprised of educators and leaders from New England’s top schools. Third, they spent three days on campus, immersing themselves in school life—visiting classes, sitting in on meetings, reading documents, interviewing

4 Taft Bulletin / WINTER 2018 Taft Bulletin / WINTER 2018 5 FROM THE Headmaster FROM THE Headmaster

students on this campus, with the inspiring dedication of faculty and staff, with the wis- dom of the board of trustees, and with the support of alumni and parents? We have hard work to do, but it’s the glorious work on chal- lenges that mark all great schools. And we are honest in facing our weaknesses. We like the opportunity to get better. It’s something that marked the founding of this place, when Horace Taft sat at that table in September of 1890 and looked at his school. The NEASC process? Horace Taft would no doubt approve of it, and I think he would recognize that staying true to our mission of the education of the whole student, reflect- ing continually on what we do well, and committing to getting even better has always been our work.

Willy MacMullen ’78

For anyone who knows Taft, there’s a lot to be proud of when you read those lines. It’s prob- ably the school you know. Certainly I speak of these things, as Lance Odden did before me, and you no doubt hear similar things from the website and our publications. But what makes these observations so powerful is that they come not from Taft but from tough, smart, experienced educators. They don’t do grade inflation. Of course, the committee had recommendations on areas where we could get better. For each of the 15 standards, there were several minor recommendations—over 60 in total. And at “I am the end of the report, the committee made five Major Recommendations, as they are tasked to. tremendously There was nothing surprising; essentially they affirmed the very things we had identified in our Self-Study which we were committed to addressing. In other words, there was perfect alignment “The report proud of the between what we said we wanted to improve and what they felt we could improve. basically said that Taft community. 1. The need for a more comprehensive planning and decision-making process; Taft is a really You saw hard 2. The desire for continued work on diversity and inclusion; thriving, healthy, work, insight, 3. The need for a more longitudinal and sustainable assessment process for faculty, administrators, and staff; and successful intelligence, 4. A concern about student and faculty stress; and school, with a 5. The need for an overarching information technology plan. honesty, and global reputation courage.” There’s work ahead of us, as there always is when you are a school that never is compla- for excellence and cent and is filled with educators who are always trying to get better. We want to seize the moment and momentum. We are required to file progress reports to the NEASC at two and community, and five years—this is how the NEASC keeps “your feet to the fire”—and I’m confident we will one with areas it have accomplished a lot by then, just as we did in the last cycle. We will carefully prioritize the recommendations, some of which we have already addressed and others which are longer-term was committed to challenges. But we are excited, motivated, and confident. How can you not be, with the kind of improving.”

6 Taft Bulletin / WINTER 2018 Taft Bulletin / WINTER 2018 7 Alumni SPOTLIGHT

retailers design their marketing: go dis- It’s all data-driven, Sorrentino says. constant churn, she explains. “There are cover, go plan, go brand, and go execute. “The analytics side is really interest- three things that are driving them: driving “We found that any problem a cli- ing. Ten years ago, every company had a sales, getting customers to come back, and ent brought to us, we could extrapolate website, and the website’s running and expanding their base. Those are the three that across it and help them figure doing things and they started gather- levers that any grocery is trying to pull: out how to get results,” she says. ing all this data, but many times they acquisition, expansion, and retention.” Alumni SPOTLIGHT They had planned to be consul- don’t know what to do with the data. Go Think! helps those grocers analyze tants who worked out of their homes, They’re paying a lot of money for the the data from each shopper’s purchases but within a week and a half they had data, and they have so much data, but as recorded by their loyalty cards, and five new clients, and today they have what do they do with it? How do they then shapes email marketing campaigns 47 employees in Magnolia, Texas, pick and choose that data to drive sales?” directed at individual shoppers based Go Think...About Retail helping with dozens of clients. For example, the grocery business. “It’s on those prior purchases. Consider a

Katie Maxey Sorrentino ’85 at work.

A visual of the proprietary platform that Go Think! offers clients called RelationShop, which serves as a hub for digital shopper engagement activities.

m Go Think!’s offices in Magnolia, Texas.

EVERY WONDER HOW RETAILERS business “cratered” in the early 2000s. flipped in 10 years, she says, now that seem to know what you want to buy “My dad was one of the original email marketing has taken off and person who shops a particular grocery before you do? There are billions of bits ‘Mad Men’ [advertising executives], so at an incredibly affordable rate. store only once or twice a month for of data out there about your likes and it was really in my blood,” she says. In 2007, Walters sold his specialty items such as organic milk, but dislikes, thanks to your internet use, A mutual friend introduced her to print company and cofounded never buys toilet paper. Go Think! would your shopper loyalty cards, and even your Galen Walters, who was looking for a chief Go Think! with Sorrentino. recommend throwing out an “affinity” choice in music. Mining that data to help marketing officer for his retail printing “Through the decimation of the ad offer such as a discount on that organic perfect the relationship with consum- business who could help him develop digi- agency world [because of the economic milk coupled with a low price on toilet ers is what Go Think!, the company of tal marketing, at the time in its infancy. recession]…‘thinking’ was really start- paper in an effort to convert that shop- Katie Maxey Sorrentino ’85, is doing to “He had the vision of how do we get ing to be stripped out of companies per into more regular visits to that store. help guide retailers across the nation. to one-to-one marketing, because he because they couldn’t afford ‘thinkers,’” “We give them offers, and we also After spending more than two saw that’s where the world was going,” Sorrentino says. “What we heard all the acknowledge what’s important to decades in the advertising world, work- she says. That approach, at that time, time from clients was nobody had time to them,” based on their shopping habits, ing at high-powered firms like Ogilvy was the most expensive way to reach think anymore. How could we help create she says. “We’re going to serve offers & Mather shaping branding campaigns potential customers. Mass media and a space and time and place for custom- up to you based on what you spend for everything from Verzion to Coke direct mail were then the most economi- ers to think and facilitate that process?” with us. It’s an exciting time.” j to Shell Oil, Sorrentino went out on cal ways to get your messages out, she Sorrentino and Walters created the her own as a consultant when the ad explains. That paradigm completely “Four Go” processes they use to help —Bonnie Blackburn-Penhollow ’84

8 Taft Bulletin / WINTER 2018 Taft Bulletin / WINTER 2018 9 Alumni SPOTLIGHT Alumni SPOTLIGHT

Clay says. “It’s abundant, and as I was payments based on the eventual sell- garbage dumps, all producing methane, researching the business to fully under- ing price of the biogas, similarly to the there are abundant opportunities to har- Harrison Clay ’92 stand it…this lightbulb went off.” landowners who get a royalty check vest biogas here in the United States. at a biomethane That lightbulb was triggered by the from traditional oil production. “Anywhere there’s lots of people, vehicle fuel pump. realization that the supply of meth- “We sold the very first biomethane there’s lots of organic waste and a CLEAN ENERGY ane, the particular natural gas that vehicle fuel,” he says. “In 2012, we lot of potential,” he says. What’s comes from municipal garbage dumps sold 13 million gallons of biogas. Last needed now is for the regulatory and large animal feeding operations, year, we sold 60 million gallons.” environment to see the potential for could be a “permanent” solution to the Clean Energy’s biogas production busi- biogas production in all 50 states. nation’s dependence on foreign oil, ness was purchased in March 2017 by “You want to use renewable fuels and a way to reduce the greenhouse global fuels giant BP, and Clay became BP’s in your house,” he says. “When you go gases contributing to climate change. vice president of strategic development, out to the pig farms and capture that CLEAN ENERGY

ENTERS CAPTURE 3 INTERSTATE 1 & EXTRACT PROCESS FUEL PIPELINE Biogas is derived from 2 & PURIFY Once compressed or various organic waste After it is processed liquefied, biomethane is sources such as landfills to required standards sent into the interstate 4 and farms. of purity, biomethane fuel pipeline system. becomes a renewable MADE AVAILABLE AT substitute for natural gas. FUELING STATIONS Pumped Up By Renewables The biomethane is routed to designated stations that fuel an array of HARRISON CLAY ’92 has always been worked for a law firm with an office in organic material, and turns it into commercial vehicles. fascinated by the natural environment. Buenos Aires and had an offer to move clean-burning fuel for automobiles, In college, he went to Africa and studied there, but when the economy went buses, and tractor trailers. Clay’s pas- baboons. He wanted to write for National under in 2000 the office there closed, sion for IPOs and the environment was Geographic. He flew to South America on and Clay was happy to do any work about to be combined in a perfect way. an open-ended ticket and camped through he could find. He’d had a client that He worked on the IPO of Clean Energy Clean burning and abundant, global environmental products. These methane and process it and use it as Peru, hiked the Inca Trail to Machu was an investment bank that special- and “learned the industry inside and natural gas can be used in ways tra- days, he’s involved in biogas and biometh- vehicle fuel…you’re actually reducing Picchu, and spent time in the Amazon. ized in IPOs, and one of their clients out,” he says. The company hired him and ditional gasolines can’t. “Would you ane project development, procurement, carbon and greenhouse gases. It’s carbon Those experiences gave him the was a small firm called Clean Energy made him president of their renewable want to be scrambling your eggs over and supply. And he’s working on sustain- negative. When you capture methane passion to protect the environment Fuels, which was about to go public. natural gas subsidiary in February 2008. a diesel stove?” he asks. “We’re not ability and low-carbon fuels, which he and combust it, you’re displacing fos- even after he came back to the U.S. and “Honestly, I didn’t know you could He led the efforts to develop biomethane importing it from the Middle East or sees as the future of energy development. sil fuels, which is an incredible benefit. enrolled in the University of Virginia’s use natural gas as a vehicle fuel,” he as the choice of natural gas production contributing to geopolitical conflicts. Indeed, Clay sees opportunity for It’s an enormous opportunity, and until law school with the goal of practicing says. “It never really registered that for fleet vehicles and other uses, as well We can rely on our own resources.” biogas production all around. With thou- we’re capturing all the methane [that’s environmental law. However, he “sold it was as big of a thing as it is.” as promoting public policies to support Producers of biogas, whether sands of concentrated animal feeding being wasted], we’re losing out.” j out,” as he puts it, and dove instead Clean Energy sells renewable natu- the development of biogas products. that’s a dairy with 10,000 cows or a operations throughout farming country, —Bonnie Blackburn-Penhollow ’84 into the world of venture capital. He ral gas, a by-product of decomposing “It’s a very clean-burning fuel,” municipal garbage dump, get royalty plus the tens of thousands of municipal

10 Taft Bulletin / WINTER 2018 Taft Bulletin / WINTER 2018 11 Alumni SPOTLIGHT Alumni SPOTLIGHT

On Modern Slavery

ON A HUMID, RAINY DAY in north- in Prague close to 14 years ago and ago working with La Strada in her native she says. “At Anti-Slavery we call this central Vietnam, Klara Skrivankova ’96 eventually moved to London to work Czech Republic, helping mostly women type of work ‘critical friendship.’” stood in a school courtyard with nearly for Anti-Slavery International, the who were trafficked for sexual exploita- Initially, there was a lot of denial 400 children between the ages of 11 world’s oldest international human tion. Over the past five years, her focus has about the issue of trafficking for forced and 15, who sat in rows on small plastic rights organization (founded in 1839). shifted more to working with businesses labor being linked to business opera- stools under a canopy. They wore iden- For a number of years, Vietnamese on tackling forced labor in supply chains. tions, she says. “But I’m pleased that

tical uniforms and the signature red have been the top nationality among According to the International Labour the discourse has changed, and that Skrivankova scarfs of Communist Young Pioneers. trafficked persons in the U.K., she Organization, she says, there are at least many more businesses are now coming moderating a Skrivankova was there with Anti- explains. Many of them spend weeks, 16 million people in forced labor in the out and making strong statements and session with the U.K. Anti-Slavery Slavery International (ASI) at the launch even months being smuggled through private economy, so any business that commitments on modern slavery.” commissioner. of an independent film called The Secret Eastern European countries, some operates in today’s globalized world The increase in transparency in supply Gardeners. It’s about the risks of traf- traveling long distances on foot. is likely to have slavery somewhere in chain legislation—like the 2010 California ficking for cannabis cultivation, which After many years working on this their supply chains or operations. Transparency in Supply Chains Act and the is the most common form of trafficking issue, ASI partnered with the Pacific “I regularly train businesses across 2015 U.K. Modern Slavery Act, on which Whether it’s the cotton we’re wear- invisibly, into many aspects of our lives. from Vietnam to the United Kingdom. Links Foundation in Vietnam. The sectors on due diligence, and assist she worked intensively—has helped. ing that may have been picked by slave “Slavery is very much part of our “It was a sobering moment to see information they gather from people them to build better systems and opera- “It is encouraging to see corpora- labor in Turkmenistan, she points lives in the 21st century,” Skrivankova all 370 kids at a school in Ngh An in the U.K. and research along the tions that are able to address the risk tions like Wal-Mart defining forced out, or a garment stitched and embel- reminds us. “No matter where in the Province raise their hands when asked transit routes feeds into the awareness of modern slavery and respond to any labor as one of their priority areas lished by child labor in India, or the world you live, be it a city or a tranquil ệ who had relatives working abroad,” and outreach program in Vietnam. incidence with a due regard to the of strategic focus,” she says. mobile phone and computer we use, countryside, you are likely to encoun- says Skrivankova, who left her home Skrivankova started her career 17 years rights and best interest of workers,” “What is amazing about working which contain coltan that is often ter slavery in your everyday life.” j in Anti-Slavery,” she adds, “is that we mined by child or forced labor in the —Julie Reiff still continue the unique work of con- Congo, modern slavery reaches, often Klara Skrivankova ’96 with the U.K. ambassador to necting emancipation of individuals Argentina, another participant, and the chief public defender of Argentina, where she gave a session and communities affected by slavery for judges and prosecutors on compensation for with policy and advocacy work with victims of trafficking for sexual exploitation. governments and international orga- nizations to ensure that our laws, policies, and systems become more effective and can move us closer to final eradication of slavery.” She admits that the work can be IN Print emotionally draining, like any work where one “witnesses the atrocities that ESCAPE THROUGH THE ANDES human beings are capable of commit- Fithian Press ting against others.” But she also finds Thomas M. Daniel ’47 it extremely rewarding, whether that is seeing a victim receive compensa- Daniel’s first novel is a high-stakes Huatahata, Copacabana, Tiawanacu, tion in court, or seeing a law that ASI journey for armchair travelers. Puno, Cuzco, Machu Picchu, and pushed for being applied for the first Pursued by Bolivian security agents, points in between as they narrowly time to bring a slave master to justice. Gonzalo Mamani, a Bolivian physician and repeatedly escape capture. “Think about what you can do at and spy for the CIA, and Paul Morgan, An emeritus professor of the company you work for to address his North American mentor, colleague, medicine at Case Western Reserve the risk of slavery, or donate to an and friend, must elude pursuers to University, Daniel has turned to writ- anti-slavery charity,” she suggests. reach safety in the Peruvian coastal ing. His previous works include seven “But most important, use your rights town of Salaverry within 10 days. nonfiction books focused on medical as citizens to ask your elected repre- Leaving La Paz, Bolivia, they race history. Daniel has lived in Bolivia sentative what they are doing to stop around Lake Titicaca and across the and traveled extensively in the this heinous crime from happening intermountain Andean plateau to regions in which this novel is set. j and protecting those affected.”

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Algorithms in Action

AS A MATHEMATICAL SOFTWARE analytical skills—together with interests analyzing. “They must invest massive engineer, John McGowan ’81 spends in gesture recognition, speech recognition, amounts of time and expertise to find a his days happily immersed in numbers. and video compression technologies—led mathematical model that can interpret When pressed to identify the genesis of McGowan through several start-ups, their data,” he explains, “which is where his interests, however, he admits he’s then on to stints at NASA and Hewlett we come in. Our software can take the not sure. “I can’t recall a time when math Packard Labs and finally to Apple, where data, do pattern recognition, and then and science weren’t a passion for me,” he spent two years as a human interface return an appropriate mathematical model he confesses. “I can say that I distinctly device algorithm engineer, researching to perform the analysis they require.” remember reading popular science and developing the algorithms that enable For example, McGowan says, blood books on physics when I was 6 or 7.” the company’s famous touch interface of coagulation systems are complicated and Financial reporter McGowan pursued his love of physics single and double finger taps and swipes. not well understood. And if blood clots Simone Foxman ’07 (far right) during through secondary school, attending Taft, During this time, McGowan also at the wrong time inside the body, heart a Bloomberg TV he says, because of its excellent reputa- worked with his father’s company, the attacks and strokes can result. “Our soft- broadcast with tion in math and science. “I remember GFT Group, using his expertise in speech ware could analyze the data and provide a Julie Hyman and David Westin. taking AP physics with Eric Drake—he recognition to create Petrana, an artificial good mathematical model of coagulation, was a terrific teacher—and AP calculus personal assistant that communicated to thereby enabling researchers to suggest with Dan Comiskey, who really helped users in spoken English, allowing them diet modifications or drugs that might me get my arms around the material.” to execute a series of computer opera- affect the clotting mechanisms,” he says. Following the Money McGowan maintained his commit- tions hands-free. Petrana and GFT are Mathematical Software’s programs ment to science into college and graduate now dormant, having been halted after will operate on the client’s system so “IT REALLY LIT A SPARK. It taught Foxman as she studied at Columbia reporting accurate. “I see that the way school, earning his bachelor’s in physics the death of McGowan’s father in 2008. that they may analyze data without me a lot about the written word and the University, double majoring in econom- that everyday people view the media has from the California Institute of Technology In February 2017, McGowan launched compromising proprietary information, power that it has to influence people.” ics and Middle Eastern studies. While changed substantially in the last few years,” and his doctorate from the University Mathematical Software, a start-up McGowan continues, and will be sold on This is how Simone Foxman ’07 she learned about the markets in the she acknowledges. “It’s important that as of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. dedicated to researching and develop- a satisfaction basis. “If our program ana- remembers her first experience in jour- classroom, she also honed her journalistic a news organization there are strict stan- While working on a Ph.D. in experimen- ing tools and algorithms that can be lyzes your data and says, ‘I know what’s nalism—as co-editor-in-chief of Taft’s skills through a variety of media intern- dards of accuracy, and these last few years tal high-energy physics, McGowan did a used to automate complex data analysis. going on here,’ then you pay,” he says. student newspaper, The Papyrus. Little ships in New York. “I worked at a lot of have shined a bright light on how impor- great deal of advanced statistical analysis He anticipates that the company’s first “But if it doesn’t work, you owe nothing.” did she know that working on the Pap news outlets, both national and local, and tant those practices are. We are very careful and programming, and though he found software will be released this spring, McGowan is eager to get the soft- would be the first step in a journey that in those experiences, I really recognized to make sure we have our facts straight.” the work engaging, he grew worried about and is currently seeking customers. ware into circulation. “We anticipate would ultimately lead her to the head- that business reporting was something This changing media landscape has the long-term practicality of his pursuits. McGowan says his ideal clients are com- helping many companies with com- quarters of one of the world’s most very important to me,” she says. also meant that Foxman must stay “I realized that employment opportuni- panies doing research and development in plicated data analysis that will allow prominent media companies, Bloomberg. From there, she followed her passion versatile in how she communicates to ties in particle physics were going down, data-intensive areas such as medicine or them to solve problems that have “Now I’m an investing reporter, and to the then-fledgling Business Insider, her audience. Not only does she write not up, so I began to seek more practical pharmaceuticals, finance, and engineer- previously proved intractable.” j my beat is pretty specific to the finance ultimately joining the Bloomberg team regularly for Bloomberg’s terminal applications for my knowledge,” he says. ing. These firms gather complex data, —Lori Ferguson industry. Basically, my job is to follow the a little over three years ago. “More and website, she frequently appears His search was wide-ranging. His he says, which they often have difficulty money,” explains Foxman. “These are the and more, I wanted to do investiga- on radio, podcasts, and Bloomberg’s people calling the shots, who have millions tive journalism,” she says. “Oftentimes, finance-focused television programs. or billions of dollars to invest. I follow what the people that I talk to are publicity “Any journalist in this day and age has John McGowan ’81 they’re investing in and why, to shed light shy, and it can be hard work finding to be willing to embrace multiple media. draws a block diagram on a part of the world that’s very secretive.” out what they’re doing and why.” I like being part of the conversation,” she for his software prod- Foxman also discovered her interest in But it is precisely this challenge that says, “and this role of being a journal- uct Math Recognizer for a technical presen- business and finance while at Taft. “I actu- excites Foxman about the news busi- ist, especially in the finance world, really tation, showing how ally took my first economics class at Taft,” ness. “I really like uncovering stories that allows you to be part of conversations it is integrated with she remembers. “I loved understanding the public deserves to hear,” she says. that are happening at the highest level. current analysis tools. why people and businesses and govern- “There’s a thrill to breaking news. As a Whether they’re about the future of com- ments act the way they do. It taught me journalist, I learn new things every day, panies or whether they’re talking about that money is really the driving force and as I grow in my career, I’m looking how wealth is influencing policy, those are behind a lot of the most important geo- forward to the opportunity to tell big- very interesting discussions to have.” j political developments in the world.” ger, better, and more impactful stories.” —Christopher Browner ’12 This initial fascination stayed with And she is committed to keeping her

Taft Bulletin / WINTER 2018 15 Around the POND

For more information, visit have come across in India through a NGO dedicated to “uplifting the under- last-minute coaching along the way. www.taftschool.org/news variety of volunteer experiences and privileged through love,” Mihir spent “Everyone was listening to the pitch through my family,” explains Mihir. five weeks in Ahmedabad, India, last in the car and giving really great con- “I hope to show how differences in summer working with young children. structive feedback,” says GLI Co-Director socioeconomic status in India correlate “I became especially close with one Baba Frew. “I was so impressed by the with access to food and education.” little girl,” says Mihir. “She was the only way Mihir took those suggestions and Abena Kuffour, Mihir’s GLI partner, child in her preschool class who couldn’t incorporated them into his pitch. He will be writing and sharing similar sto- run around or play, and who did not was very calm, very well-spoken, and POND ries from Ghana. Their stories will be want to participate in the classroom. She did a great job thinking on his feet as AroundBY DEBRA MEYERS the at the heart of the hunger simulation. seemed lethargic all the time. I learned he answered the judges’ questions. It Event guests will be seated in groups later that she suffers from malnutrition. was a really wonderful experience.” j

Be the Change MIHIR NAYAR ’19

MIHIR NAYAR ’19 wants to change the world. He’s well on his way, with a 2017 Seed Grant from the Be the Change Venture Pitch Competition. Mihir took home the cash prize for his win in the high school division of the event, held recently at Wesleyan University. Mihir (second from right) traveled to Wesleyan University for the pitch “It was a great opportunity to get competition with members of his GLI cohort including, from left, Randy out and market my idea,” says Mihir, “to Martinez, Destinee Riley, Megan Sng, Be the Change Venture Founder and network with college students and share Executive Director Anthony Prince, Rachel Lau, and GLI Co-Director Baba Frew. ideas about social entrepreneurship.” Mihir’s idea is to shine a bright light on the issue of world hunger. He of five to seven. Each will read and dis- It made me fully realize the link between will do so in the spring, with a “hunger cuss one of the stories from India or proper nutrition and education—being simulation” at Taft; the event will be Ghana. The food they will be served will able to fulfill your capabilities. I believe Mihir’s culminating Global Leadership reflect both the quality and quantity that hunger is one of the central aspects Institute (GLI) project, funded in part of food that might be available to the of the poverty cycle—it is a spiral-down by his Pitch Competition prize. subject of their story at a given meal. effect, a chain reaction that encom- The GLI program invites students to “I think it will be an eye-opening passes hunger, illiteracy, and poverty.” think about meaningful solutions to global experience,” Mihir says. “Mr. Mac always Mihir’s passion and determina- issues, while developing the leadership talks about getting conversations going, tion, as well as his understanding of m Top: Mihir spent five weeks working with an skills they need to effectively impact social and I feel like this event will do that.” a complex issue and detailed plan for NGO in India last summer. change. It is a joint venture between Taft Mihir believes that starting a con- addressing it, were rewarded by the Be and the city of Waterbury. Eleven high versation is the first step to solving the Change Venture Pitch Competition m Mihir with event competitor and Wesleyan school sophomores from each community University senior Nate Taylor (left) and Be world issues, including hunger. judges. Members of his GLI cohort accom- the Change Venture Founder and Executive were invited to join the Institute’s current As a volunteer with Manav Sadhna, an panied him to the event and offered Director Anthony Prince. cohort after a rigorous application process, Mihir among them. The 18-month pro- Working with young children in a preschool in India gave The Be the Change Pitch Venture Competition was hosted by students from Wesleyan University’s Patricelli Center for Social Entrepreneurship, gram concludes with a culminating project. Mihir his first insight into the which welcomes GLI Scholars to campus for an informational workshop each year. Be the Change Venture is a nonprofit organization working “I am going to be writing and shar- connection between nutrition to connect and empower young people to be leaders in their community and providing opportunities for networking. ing the stories of different people I and educational performance.

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Winter Workshops: Intellectual Exchange Among a Community of Scholars thought,” says Williamson. “What students Iris demonstrated,” says Li. “I person- refine their thinking through writing.” share in writing is often less guarded— ally found writing to be so valuable Though participation in the PEG Winter Iris Williamson more thoughtful—than what they would throughout my own high school experi- Workshop program was voluntary, Traina led her colleagues have shared in a class discussion.” ence—it helped me understand what I notes that more than 100 faculty members through a series Emily Li, a Penn Fellow in thought, why I thought what I thought, took advantage of the opportunity to think of reading and exercises. English and workshop attendee, and how that informed the way I navi- about their own professional growth. looks forward to using Williamson’s gated the world around me. I’d really like “I feel a responsibility as a teacher to approach in her own classroom. my students to engage in that same be constantly learning and developing,” “I’m particularly excited about this kind of growth. I’m looking forward to adds Li. “I really relish the opportunity idea of writing as the residue of thought, being more deliberate about how I can to continue to improve by learning Iris Williamson and some of the instructional strategies give my students more opportunities to from educators I look up to at Taft.” j shared a pedagogical framework taught at the Bard Institute The Professional Education and Growth Committee is one of Taft’s 17 standing committees, comprised of both faculty and staff, which for Writing and meet regularly to enhance and expand all aspects of our school community. Other committees include Academic Technology, Global Thinking with her fellow Taft teachers. Leadership and Service, Gender, Spiritual Life, and Summer Reading. The charge of the PEG Committee is “to assist in the development of the faculty through programing for professional growth and providing oversight for the Professional Education Grant (PEG) program.” The PEG charge is realized through programming such as the Winter Workshops, sponsoring outside speakers like Dr. Michael Thompson and the Stanley King Institute, as well as reviewing the 80+ summer grant applications that are submitted each spring.

one-hour workshops. Topics ranged from stereotype threat and enhancing student feedback, to using technology in the class- Celebration Achievement: Fall Cum Laude Inductions room and deep dives into Taft’s culture. “THERE IS A CULTURE of celebra- 20 percent of the senior class may be Society members are seniors Corrine Bai, “The big piece is that it is self-driven tion here that I am very proud of,” said elected into membership in the Cum Matthew Caruso, Stephen Cho, Louise professional development,” Traina says, Headmaster William R. MacMullen Laude Society. Fifteen Taft seniors were Gagnon, Minna Holleck, Yejin Kim, “developed for the community, by the ’78 during the 2017 Cum Laude induc- inducted in October, representing the Magda Kisielinska, Benjamin Laufer, community.” tion ceremony, “a belief that high top 9 percent of the class, with weighted Benjamin Roberts, Leigh Sharpless, It is the “for the community” piece achievement is something that we all averages that, over two years, ranged Emma Stone, Macy Toppan, Portia that resonated with Williamson, who can take pride in and that raises all of from 97 to 100. Taft’s new Cum Laude Wang, Julian Yamin, and Daniel Yi. j invited those attending her workshop us. A sense and a belief that passion to “sink into the role of student, access and talent and excellence are intensely your love of learning, and radically care contagious, that is, when one person for yourself, spending time here, reading is successful others become success- m Dean of Multicultural Education Andrew Prince led a Winter Workshop on Stereotype Threat. and writing in a community of scholars.” ful, as well…the sense that all of us are Math teacher and attendee Al Reiff ’80 chose this session, he says, because he felt he should Williamson led her peers through a be “more informed.” “I learned that stereotype threat—the idea that people can be adversely made better by high achievement.” series of exercises and experiences, built affected when reminded of negative stereotypes about themselves—is actually very pervasive The Cum Laude Society is a national and all around us. It can come in all sorts of forms and be very subtle.” on the pedagogical framework employed organization honoring scholar- at Bard. In the culminating exercise, work- ship and scholastic achievement at PENN FELLOW IRIS WILLIAMSON year for the past six years,” says Dean of shop participants explored the themes the secondary school level, compa- spent a week at the Bard Institute for Faculty Edie Traina. “It is the brainchild and context of a written passage through rable to Phi Beta Kappa and Sigma Writing and Thinking last summer, of the Professional Education and Growth shared “dialectical response” notebooks. Xi in colleges and scientific schools. and was eager to share that experience (PEG) Committee, a group of faculty It is an approach, she says, that has Induction into the Cum Laude Society, with her colleagues at Taft. She did so members who look for ways to encourage informed her teaching at Taft, and that MacMullen notes, honors “the high- in November through a workshop titled professional development, both in-house embraces writing as critical thinking est levels of scholarship on campus.” “Writing as a Residue of Thought,” part and through other opportunities like and as an essential mode of thought- Founded in 1908, the Society now of Taft’s PEG Winter Workshop program. travel, conferences, or grad school.” ful communication in the classroom. has 382 chapters, most of which are in “The Winter Workshop program is The committee invited faculty mem- “The way that you write is the way that private or independent schools located something we have done every other bers to develop and lead a series of you think—writing is, truly, the residue of in the United States. A maximum of

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INTERACTIVE PRIN T Download the free Scan this page Layar App Discover interactive content

Make this issue COME TO LIFE!LIFE!LIFE! HERE’S HOW IT WORKS:

1. Download the free Layar app on your mobile device. It is available for both iOS and Android.

2. Look for the Layar symbol on images throughout the Bulletin.

3. Open the app and position your mobile device over the page. Tap your screen to activate the scan. The associated digital content will begin playing on your mobile device! What’s Your Impact? COMMUNITY SERVICE DAY 2017

Scott Serafine’s WHEN MEMBERS OF THE TAFT com- building this year’s work around the conversations, opportunities, and activi- video production munity fanned out in service across theme ‘What is your impact?’ All of our ties that shaped thinking and actions students put Litchfield and New Haven counties conversations and activities leading up around the impact of service. The fel- together this recap of on November 2, French teacher and to Community Service Day incorporated lows developed conversation prompts, Community Service Day 2017. Community Service Day Chair Sarah that concept, encouraging students to for example, and taped them to the Watch it here using Gray asked each of them to think really think about what impact the work tables in the Dining Hall throughout the Layar app. about the impact their work had on the we do has on the people and organiza- the week to help spark conversation. project and on the people it serves. tions and neighborhoods we serve.” Students were also invited to record “Last year we built our service work Working with Community Service their thoughts on the impact of service around a theme for the first time, which Day Fellows Magda Kisielinska ’18, on a large banner outside the servery. brought new focus and understand- Maggie O’Leary ’19, Hayley Jubitz ’19, The week of activities—the “scaffold- ing to Community Service Day,” says and Yejin Kim ’18, Gray filled the week ing,” Gray says—made for a more Gray. “We decided to continue that, preceding Community Service Day with meaningful experience overall. j

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Sustainability Week Redux

did last year. For example, this year we education and taking action.” did ‘scrape your plate’ every day instead The EcoMons also brought back the of just once. I think students now have a “Trashion Show,” a runway show featur- better understanding of what they can and ing clothing made from trash and other can’t compost, and will use the compost- recycled materials; the design-a-mug ing bins more effectively and consistently. competition; travel to a chicken process- I believe this week was a good week at Taft ing center; and an evening debate, where for learning and for the environment.” teams weighed the goals of capitalist Carolyn Yow ’19 is a member of the markets against principles of environ- EcoMon data research group. Their mentalism. Morning Meeting speaker work helped shine a light on the on the Majora Carter led discussions on creating Scan this page to need for education initiatives, includ- more environmentally just communities listen in on ing things like “scrape your plate.” by stimulating local economies, and the the Service of “One of the things the data research yoga program, coached by science teacher Lessons and Carols. group does is look at the school’s waste and Amanda Benedict, lived the Taft motto figure out the ratio between waste and recy- by donating their time on Wednesday to m Debate teams TWO YEARS AGO, the Connecticut weighed the cling in tons,” Carolyn explains. “The ratio clean up litter along Guernseytown Road. Alliance for Campus Sustainability Students, faculty, neighbors, and goals of capitalist was horrible—it was 83 to 17. We presented “Our EcoMons have all demon- friends gathered in celebration markets against started a movement. The collaborative that data to the school first before announc- strated immense attention and passion December 12 for Taft’s 82nd annual principles of envi- effort brought a week of environmen- Service of Lessons and Carols. ronmentalism in ing Campus Sustainability Week to capture in this role,” says Borken. “I am really tally focused events and activities to The service included Nativity a well-attended their attention and help them under- excited to see where their work con- college and university campuses across readings and seasonal music evening event. stand the importance of environmental tinues to lead our campus.” j the state. Last year, Director of by Collegium Musicum, the Taft Chamber Ensemble, and the Taft Environmental Stewardship Carly Borken Chorus. Listen in… j Tafties were asked to led Taft in joining that movement. take a sustainability “Our program was both modeled after pledge, committing and coincided with a statewide higher to green life at Taft. education collaboration,” Borken says. “Campus Sustainability Week events not only stimulated conversation, but also built connections and inspired action.” Taft’s 15 EcoMons, the school’s environmental student leaders, educa- tors, and liaisons, brought Campus Sustainability Week back to Taft this fall. “Last year was a very good start,” says EcoMon Phoebe Autio ’18, “but it was new, so people didn’t really know a lot about it. We did a better job this year creating more buildup through social media and signage. I’m sure the initia- tive will grow in the future as we start forecasting even further in advance.” This year, the EcoMons worked EcoMons manned to add breadth and depth to the the compost bins all week to help educate foundation established in 2016. the community “Our goal was really education this year,” about food waste. explains EcoMon Charles Verheggen ’18. “Rather than introduce a lot of new events, we really amped up a lot of the things we

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Morning Meetings United States Military Academy, where he visited Taft to share the story of his Dr. Arthur Benjamin will become a professor of physics next fall. journey to the top of Mount Everest, “Mathmagician” Dr. Arthur Benjamin, a Twice each week, Tafties gather in Bingham Auditorium for Morning Meeting, where speakers He has written extensively about his battal- the fifth summit in his quest. mathematics professor at Harvey Mudd from across the aisle and across the globe offer exposure to new or unique perspectives, ion’s initiative to “build the fundamentals College, brought his impressive mental and deeper, broader insights into the world. It is one of the school’s most important and of competence, character, and commit- Stanley H. King Counseling math and combinatorics skills to the respected traditions. In addition to a full roster of in-house speakers this fall, including Assistant ment in every soldier, from day one.” Taft faculty have been working with the Bingham stage. Benjamin has been fea- Headmaster Jeremy LaCasse, Dean of Multicultural Education Andrew Prince, and Head Mons Stanley H. King Counseling Institute tured in TED Talks and across the media, Leigh Sharpless ’18 and Peter Horne ’18, an impressive group of outside speakers brought new Christine Osinski throughout the year to further develop and has worked for the National Bureau of insights to current events, global issues, and artistic endeavors. Rockwell Visiting Artist Christine Osinski “deep listening” skills. The full Taft com- Standards, the National Security Agency, shared images and information from her munity joined the conversation when and the Institute for Defense Analyses. j Staten Island photo project, which includes the Stanley King team shared their

both a book and a number of gallery col- expertise during Morning Meeting. Select Morning Meeting videos can be viewed Nathan Trice lections and installations. Her haunting on the Taft website at www.taftschool.org/ and familiar black and white photographs living-our-motto/morning-meetings were taken on Staten Island during the early 1980s and document summer life in New York City’s “forgotten borough.” Mark Milewski

Mark Milewski College professor Mark Milewski is working to summit the tallest peaks on each of the seven continents. He

Reverend Alexis Jones Scotty McLennan

Alexis Jones at the Stanford University School of Alexis Jones is the founder of a non- Business, McLennan set the stage for profit called I Am That Girl, which moral and ethical soul searching by works to combat media-perpetuated sharing the true story of a hiker in the notions of perfectionism. Jones’s pro- Himalayas faced with a life and death fessional background includes posts decision, and inviting Taft students Christine Osinski at Fox Sports, ESPN, and MTV. More to share their thoughts on what they than one million girls from more than would have done in that situation. 20 countries are currently involved with I Am That Girl programs. Jones Nathan Trice is also the founder of ProtectHer, and Nathan Trice and his professional dance Army Captain travels the country speaking to college company visited Taft two days each Logan Phillips athletes on the importance of respect- month during the fall term to work with ing the girls and women in their lives. students in the dance studio. They also performed during Morning Meeting. Reverend The extended residency included work Army Captain Scotty McLennan on the company’s Recognizing Women Logan Phillips The Reverend Scotty McLennan visited Project and concludes in February with As part of our Veterans’ Day commemora- Taft for a highly engaging and interac- an evening performance featuring tion, Army Captain Logan Phillips visited tive Morning Meeting on the impact of company dancers and Taft students. Taft for Morning Meeting and classroom Stanley H. King Counseling Dr. Arthur Benjamin personal choice. A professor of ethics talks. Captain Phillips is a graduate of the

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TAFT’S FALL PRODUCTION OF FOOTLOOSE wasn’t just great, it was also green. In addition to toe-tapping numbers and smooth dance moves, the show featured the debut of environmentally-friendly upgrades to the historic Bingham stage. Twenty-seven LED stage lighting fixtures were installed in September incorporating both the backdrop system and the “down light” over the stage, reducing power demand from 18,000 watts to 840 to light the backdrop, and from 9,000 watts to 900 for the down-lighting. Footloose also marked the first use of rechargeable batteries in the wireless microphone packs worn by the actors, eliminating the need for roughly 300 disposable batteries over the life of the show. j

Watch the traditional Red Rally Captains’ Video, produced by Dylan Kim ’19. The first song on the soundtrack was created by Alex Bamford ’19. TAFTIES TRAVELED TO LAKEVILLE THIS YEAR FOR TAFT-HOTCHKISS DAY, the culmination of a week filled with school spirit and camaraderie, good fun, and great competition. A big win on the football field brought the week to a close on a high note. j

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Scan this page to watch moments from the Fall Dance Showcase.

Watch Pearl Young’s piece reflecting the historical struggle for racial and ethnic equality.

THE FALL DANCE SHOWCASE was a powerful and spirited celebration of the work done in all of Sarah Surber’s dance classes and by Taft’s Dance Ensemble. A highlight of the show was a piece choreographed by Pearl Young ’18 as part of an honors independent tutorial in dance. Set to Sam Cooke’s A Change Is Gonna Come, the piece and the tutorial explore peaceful activism and human rights issues, and are inspired by the work of Dr. Pearl Primus, a pioneering dancer, choreographer, and anthropologist who used dance to resist civil injustice and advocate for change in the 1960s. j

28 Taft Bulletin / WINTER 2018 Campus LENS For more on the fall season, please visit www.taftsports.com

WRAP-UP Fall Sports BY STEVE PALMER Photography by Robert Falcetti

Boys’ Soccer 16–3 Skeene ’19 (10 goals, 3 assists) added to Girls’ Soccer 11–5–1 c NEW ENGLAND CLASS A this dynamic attack. Kevin Wharfe ’18 c NEW ENGLAND SEMIFINALIST and Jackson Lardner ’18 were also key QUARTERFINALISTS members of the midfield, and a young It was another spectacular season for group of defenders—Micah Umeh ’19, In a year of real growth, the Rhinos started Taft boys’ soccer, as the team posted Jordan Miller ’20, Cole Torino ’20, Ethan 4–4–1 but pulled together as a gritty team an impressive record of 16–3 (7–1 in Hindle ’20, and Jayce Fraser ’21—did for a great second half of the season, fight- the Founders League). For the third an excellent job for Taft and give the ing for seven straight wins, including key consecutive year, Taft earned a spot in program much to be excited about in victories over Deerfield (4–0), Northfield New England Class A Tournament, and the future. In net, Shayan Karimi ’19 Mount Hermon (3–1), and Westminster for the second time in as many seasons, played nearly every minute of the sea- (2–0). That run earned Taft a third con- the team reached the semifinals, fall- son, earning 16 wins and 8 shutouts. secutive invitation to the New England ing to the eventual champion by a goal in each of those contests. The program reached national notoriety, being ranked Amanda Graziano ’21 moves the ball upfield as one of the top five prep school soccer against Sacred Heart. teams in the country. The Rhinos began the 2017 season with a seven-game win streak, highlighted by convincing victories over top programs like Avon Old Farms (6–2), Deerfield (9–2), and Andover (5–1). After dropping a thrill- ing game to Berkshire, Taft produced another seven-game win streak, rolling to victories over Kent (6–1) and Choate (4–1). The team then closed out the regular season with a dramatic comeback win over Hotchkiss. In the New England quarterfinal, Taft defeated Belmont Hill (3–2) before falling to eventual New England champion Loomis in the semi- finals. The offense on this team was prolific, scoring 92 goals in 19 matches, led by the trio of Mthabisi Tshuma ’18 (23 goals, 11 assists), Sammed Bawa Taft forward Mthabisi ’20 (23 goals, 12 assists), and Marvin Tshuma ’18 works his way through St. Sibanda ’19 (15 goals, 23 assists). Carter Mark’s defenders. Veley ’18 (3 goals, 10 assists) and Aaron Fall SPORTS Fall SPORTS

Football 4–4 team with overconfidence and suffered a disappointing loss. The squad bounced The 126th Taft football season had back to finish the year with a resound- some great moments, starting with ing win on Taft-Hotchkiss Day by a score Kayla Robinson ’19 a preseason trip to Hawaii that built of 41–23. The potent Taft offense (32 makes a block against unmatched camaraderie and unity to points per game) was led by quarterback Andover September 16. start the season. Taft opened with a win Nolan Grooms ’19, who threw for 1,569 over perennial power Salisbury (42–20), yards, 21 TDs, and only 6 interceptions. and followed that great effort with a Grooms added 535 yards and 7 touch- win against Williston Northampton downs on the ground. Postgraduate Alex 26–12 under the lights in front of the Jones ’18 had one of the finest seasons The Taft defense was led by leading entire Taft community. After this 2–0 at running back in recent memory, car- tacklers and captains Zane Segalas ’18 start, Taft had opportunities but could rying the ball for 920 yards and 9 TDs (74 tackles) and Joe Hardison ’18 (51 not knock off the three strong teams and adding 4 receiving TDs. Postgraduate tackles and 2 interceptions). Postgraduate that finished at the top of the league, Eric Rooks ’18 was one of the best wide Jordy Agudosi ’18 was an impressive pass Trinity-Pawling, Brunswick School, and receivers in New England, accounting for rusher—he added 9.5 sacks in only eight Avon Old Farms. The team rebounded to 49 receptions and 8 TDs. Matt Staalsoe games. The 2018 squad returns many defeat Kent 43–19 on Parents’ Weekend, ’18 anchored the front as one of the of their impact players next season and but followed against a gritty Berkshire best two-way linemen in the league. the future of Taft football is bright!

Class A Tournament. The team fell 2–3 in Volleyball 14–5 breast cancer research at their night game the first round to #1-ranked Nobles in a c RANKED #4 IN NEW ENGLAND against Choate, and when they practiced terrific yet heartbreaking game when Taft c NEW ENGLAND and bonded with the JV and thirds vol- tied the game 3–3 in the final seconds, QUARTERFINALISTS leyball teams. A stirring 3–2 win over only to have the goal called back. This team rival Hotchkiss in the regular season learned a lot about competing and pushing The varsity volleyball season started with finale earned Taft the #4 ranking for the limits, especially through the leadership a fantastic team-bonding trip to Cape Cod New England tournament (their 14th of the seniors on the team who won just in late August. Players went there to train trip to the Class A Tournament in the five games as lower mids. The next three and to bond in every sense of the word. past 17 years), and coach Ginger O’Shea seasons saw an average of 11.6 wins and The preseason laid the foundation that her 484th career victory. In their quar- shifted the team’s goals from making the promoted the team’s “Umbrella” theme terfinal matchup, Taft lost to Loomis at tournament to winning the postseason to support each other. Throughout the home in three very close games. Finally, tournament. This year’s leading offensive season in games and in many off-court many of the team’s players were recog- players included leading scorers Patience activities, the Taft players lived up to nized for their fine academic work by Kum ’21 (13 goals) and Jamie Howie ’18 this ideal of teamwork, and in the end receiving an award from the American (10 goals) and assists leader Emilee Adami won much more than games. Though Volleyball Coaches Association. Senior co- ’19 (7 assists). Goalie Katie Piechnik ’18 the Rhinos would defeat many strong captains Elizabeth Baratta ’18 and Emily Taft quarterback Nolan Grooms ’19 had a 75 percent save average, five shut- squads, including Andover (3–1), Nobles Hardy ’18, and Kaia Whiteley ’18, were rushes for yardage against Kent School outs, and a 1.31 GAA. The future of this (3–0), and Loomis (3–0), they won also recipients of the Volleyball Award. Kayla on October 28, while wide receiver Joe team is solid, as lower mids scored 25 of when they volunteered at the Connecticut Robinson ’19 and Osi Bialunska ’19 both Hardison ’18 provides protection. the team’s 52 goals through the season. Food Bank, when they raised money for received Founders League Recognition.

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Field Hockey 8–9 minutes when captain Eva Baurmeister the team. Haley Barr ’18, Yuka Ishimoto Ryan Steps Down as Head Coach ’19 scored a beautiful penalty stroke ’19, Eleanor Streit ’19, Logan Clew- The season began with a challenging to send it to overtime. Ethel Walker Bachrach ’20, and Kate Zhang ’20 also new match-up against Milton, but Taft includes 10 winning seasons and nine dominated early on, but Corinna Dorr earned varsity letters for placing within rebounded quickly with wins against tournament appearances, with a mem- ’19 and Autio turned away a couple of Taft’s top seven at least once. Cafiero Canterbury (2–0) and The Gunnery orable trip to the New England finals their corners. The momentum shifted earned All-Founders honors for finishing (5–0). The Rhinos spent the early in 2005. Ryan led her teams through and Taft came away with the win when within the top 15 at the Founders League part of the season on the road, but 239 games as Taft’s head coach, and Baurmeister tipped in a shot at the Championship; her time of 21:55 placed the first home match-up came against mentored countless young women. top by Olivia King ’20. Western New her 13th. Vira and Lian were named league rival Loomis Chaffee, set under “The success Rachael has had on England All Stars were captain Phoebe Founders All-League in recognition of the lights on a frigid late September the field proves itself from the record Autio and McKinley Karpa, while their sportsmanship, hard work, and char- Saturday night. The atmosphere was books,” says Abby Hine ’07. “But NEPSAC Honorable Mention went to acter, while Murphy received the Girls’ electric as many fans showed up to cheer beyond the game, Rachael finds a way Baurmeister. Taft’s Founders All-League Cross Country Award for demonstrating the team on. Loomis scored right away, to build the inner tiger in young players winners were Amelia Allen ’18 and the most dedication and enthusiasm for but McKinley Karpa ’18 (season leading who have no recognition of their cur- Corinna Dorr, and captains-elect are the team. Next year’s team will be cap- scorer) answered to tie the game. At the rent capabilities. She built a confidence Eva Baurmeister and Corinna Dorr. tained by Bootsma, Lian, and Streit. j end of the first half Loomis was awarded in me that I didn’t even know I had, a penalty stroke, but goalie Phoebe one that allowed me to become a col- Autio ’18 (1.4 GAA and 85 percent save After 15 seasons as head coach of Taft’s legiate All-American athlete, all-time Boys’ Cross Country 3–4 Ben Roberts ’18 during a meet season average) made a huge save. In varsity field hockey team, Rachael leading scorer, captain, and leader. Her against Kent School in October. the second half McKinley unselfishly Ryan is stepping away from the game lessons have served as a foundation for Led by senior tri-captains Calvin Palmer passed the ball over to second-leading that has been a fixture in her life for hundreds of young women, inspiring ’18, Ben Roberts ’18, and Barrett Wong scorer Liv Santini ’19, who put away the more than 30 years. Ryan’s legacy them on the field and far beyond.” j ’18, the team had a great start to the the season with a great 12th-place fin- game winner. For the second year in a year, beating Trinity-Pawling—a team ish at the New England meet. Fellow that had beaten Taft last year by a single row, Taft defeated Ethel Walker (2–1), For a more in depth look at Ryan’s career and retirement from coaching, Founders League All-Star Palmer was the the #1 team in Class C. The Rhinos were visit the News section of the Taft School website. point—in the first race 18–45. After recipient of the John B. Small Award. FALL ATHLETIC down the entire game until the last two taking three tough losses in a single Next year’s team will be captained by AWARD WINNERS

day from the powerhouses Loomis, Marcus Valenta ’19 and Stefan Kim ’20. John B. Small Award Hotchkiss, and Northfield Mount (Boys’ Varsity Cross Country) Hermon, Taft bounced back, winning Calvin Palmer ’18 the final two dual meets of the year in Girls’ Cross Country 1–7 Girls’ Cross Country Award a hard-fought battle against Williston Hanna Murphy ’18 away (22–35), and an impressive home The season record of 1–7 does not win against Kent (20–36) on the home reflect the achievements and personal Volleyball Award Elizabeth Baratta ’18 course on Parents’ Weekend. The season improvements of the 2017 girls’ cross Emily Hardy ’18 was capped by a strong 5th-place finish country team. Racing a tough dual-meet Kaia Whiteley ’18 at the Founders League championship schedule against several non-Founders race and a 10th place at NEPSTA Division League teams, the girls faced multiple Field Hockey Award Eva Bauermeister ’19 I Championships at Choate, improving losses within two or three points but Phoebe Autio ’18 upon last year’s placement in both races. ended up earning a 5th-place finish (4th Beyond the improvements as a team, the place for JV) at the Founders League Black Football Award 2017 season was marked by individual Championships. The successes of the Joe Hardison ’18

accomplishment, as six harriers broke team were owed to the leadership of cap- Cross Football Award into the top 30 performances by Taft tain Hanna Murphy ’18 and classmates Zane Segalas ’18 runners on the home course, includ- Lexi Cafiero ’18 and Claudia Vira ’18, a Livingston Carroll Soccer Award ing Philip Huang ’18, Ian Wohlhieter trio that traded places for the top three Mthabisi Tshuma ’18 Liv Santini ’19 moves the ball ’18, Joey Nihil ’21, Isaac Lennon ’18, finishes on the team throughout the Carter Veley ’18 upfield against Ethel Walker and Calvin Palmer (16:37, 3rd all-time), majority of our meets. Strong friend- School on October 25. and Ben Roberts (16:28), who bettered ship and hard work led Michelle Lian 1976 Girls’ Soccer Award Kristin Manfreda ’18 his own record on the course. Roberts ’20 and Katie Bootsma ’20 to regularly Juliana Yamin ’18 was recognized as a Founders League place within the top five Taft scorers, Mary Alice Ewing ’18 and New England All-Star, and finished each finishing as high as 2nd and 3rd for

Taft Bulletin / WINTER 2018 37 football and baseball. Incredibly, Larry running the bases, double-play footwork, James H. Stone ’83, and Kathleen B. was never a recruiter. He accepted and hitting the curve ball to right. ‘Doing Stone ’84; daughters-in-law Cynthia P. whomever Cunningham and Wandelt it the right way!’ But his lessons were Stone ’74, Rachel E. Stone, and Elizabeth brought in and turned them into com- ultimately about preparation, integrity, S. Wilson; grandchildren Kylie S. Mean petitors. The key to his success was teamwork, and building confidence.” and her husband, Max; Jamie S. Feingold that he was an inspirational teacher “Our dad believed in education and her husband, Paul; Lawrence Hunter who brought out the very best in all. through athletics and that proper Stone II; Cullen J. Stone; and Kip M. Yes, he was demanding, but his play- preparation and spirited competition Stone; great-grandson Jack M. Feingold; ers loved him for all he stood for.” built strong character,” his children the Holbrook and Carl A. Stone families; As an athletic director, Stone was wrote in Stone’s obituary. “His teams and many special friends including Elaine deeply respected in the landscape out- reflected his ideals as they battled with and Joe Bizzozero and Ame Gonzalez. side of Taft. He was a leader, and he true sportsmanship and moxie.” . embodied all that is best about sports “I am very blessed that I played base- Larry Stone with player Shaun Roberts ’89. in schools. He always advanced Taft’s ball and football for Coach Stone and interests, but with a fairness and camara- that he was my mentor, and he and his derie that still marks the league. Among family my friends,” wrote Taft alumnus athletic directors, Taft became known as and former faculty member Thomas Daily a school with the finest in play, coach- ’78. “I do think of him often, whether it’s ing, and facilities in New England. throwing an eyebrow-to-toenail curveball “Larry Stone was an inspirational to my son, trying to solve a problem, teacher for both faculty and students,” lead a group, or prepare for a trial. Give said Faculty Emerita Patsy Odden, it your best. The hay’s in the barn.” who established Taft’s girls’ ice hockey Stone is survived by his children, program and coached for many years Michael B. Stone ’74, Kelly Stone ’76, during Stone’s tenure as athletic direc- tor. “A man of deep integrity, both on Remembering a Legend and off the playing fields. The only thing he loved more than coaching were his wife and family. Personally, I can- LAWRENCE HUNTER STONE not imagine having a finer mentor.” Many former players who have writ- AUGUST 30, 1926–SEPTEMBER 20, 2017 ten the school with remembrances of Coach Stone have mentioned their strong memories of his accent, his unique turns of phrase, and the lasting LARRY STONE, the legendary football and class, in ‘doing it right.’ And his Stone coached football for 39 years, impact his coaching had in their lives. and baseball coach who also served as teams were very good: disciplined, tough, first in New Hampshire at Exeter and “‘Gents, we are going to have to be director of athletics during his 34-year ten- competitive…His ability to draw great- Portsmouth High Schools, followed by 30 better.’ I can hear his motivational guid- ure at Taft, died on September 20, 2017. ness out of every player was special.” years at Taft, where his wife, Lu, worked ance clearly even today,” wrote Jim As Headmaster Willy MacMullen ’78 Born on August 30, 1926, Stone in the Admissions Office, greeting visi- Neil ’72, who played baseball under wrote shortly after Stone’s death in the grew up on a family farm in Dover, New tors in the Harley Roberts Room when Stone. “And the great sayings, ‘He’s got fall, “Many graduates knew him forever Hampshire, and graduated from Dover they arrived on campus. In addition to Moxie, Dying Quail, Frozen Rope, Can as Coach Stone, and scores point to him High School before proudly serving as a coaching baseball at Taft for 33 years, of Corn,’ and especially, ‘Hustle!”’ as a transformational figure, someone Navy quartermaster, third class, on the USS Stone coached the local Watertown Babe “Taft produces instructors with they have never forgotten, someone who Caliente during World War II. After the war, Ruth and Oakville American Legion extraordinary talent in their field who are A remembrance ceremony will be shaped them into the adults they became. Stone continued his education at Brewster baseball teams for many summers. also dedicated to providing a sound moral held during Taft’s 2018 Alumni Weekend, In his years, Larry became a legend- Academy and the University of New “When Larry Stone arrived, Taft’s compass and promoting a commitment May 18–19. In lieu of flowers, ary coach. He was tough, old-school, Hampshire, and earned a bachelor’s degree was the weakest athletic program in to helping others,” Neil continued. “No memorial donations may be made to demanding—but in a way that made from Arnold College. A fierce competitor New England. He left it at the top,” one was better at this at Taft than Coach the Lawrence Hunter Stone Scholarship athletes want to get better and strive to and multisport athlete in high school and said Headmaster Emeritus Lance Stone. Period. Coach Stone’s tutelage c/o Headmaster Willy MacMullen, meet what seemed like impossibly high college, Stone signed a professional baseball Odden. “As a coach he was the best, for me as a baseball player was focused The Taft School, 110 Woodbury Road, standards. He embodied sportsmanship contract with the Boston Braves in 1948. writing records never to be equaled in on backhand stops, cutting the corner Watertown, CT, 06795. j

38 Taft Bulletin / WINTER 2018 Taft Bulletin / WINTER 2018 39 Minding the How Charlie Albert ’69, JJ Rademaekers ’89, AK Kennedy L’Heureux ’90, and James McKinnon ’87 achieved entrepreneurial success—and became their own bosses

By Neil Vigdor ’95 Toy Story

They’ve been keeping children in audio,’” Albert says. “They always (and our inner child) company for a refer R2-D2. But they don’t want it generation, with unique personalities to be R2-D2. ‘We love Mickey Mouse and voices all their own. and Elmo, but it has to be something We stand in line on Black Friday for new.’ We’re the guys they come to.” them, sing along with them, and travel It’s been two decades since Albert back to prehistoric times with them. and his wife and business partner, And if it weren’t for Charlie Albert ’69, Sally, launched their aptly-named toy they would just be inanimate objects. development company, Creativity Inc. For more than 20 years, he’s been The San Carlos, California-based busi- bringing many of the most iconic toys to ness employs 35 people who specialize b Charlie Albert ’69 in life, from Tickle Me Elmo to Zoomer Dino. in animatronics, puppeteering, play- Hong Kong when his company worked They say that imitation is the sincer- testing, software engineering, sound on a Chuggington® est form of flattery. Well, it is and it isn’t effects, and musical composition. interactive product when your focus groups are children. They have worked on more than line in 12 languages “Somebody says, ‘I want you to 7,000 products, including five that were for the Japanese company Tomy. create a really cute robot personality awarded the Toy of the Year Award, For more than 20 years, Albert

CHUGGINGTON® IS A REGISTERED TRADEMARK OF LUDORUM PLC. has been bringing many of the most iconic toys to life, from Tickle Me Elmo to Zoomer Dino.

42 Taft Bulletin / WINTER 2018 Taft Bulletin / WINTER 2018 43 Albert worked on the video game “Trying to be a great Sonic the Hedgehog, but it was Elmo that rocketed his career. “Every single syllable is sliced into a separate file,” he says. “The toy con- boss in many ways is tained six seconds of audio, but it played for 30 or 40 seconds, all told.” The two most reliable members of Albert’s focus group, sons Eugene and the most rewarding Miles, are now grown up. Miles works for the family business, while Eugene worked there for a few summers. aspect of having “Trying to be a great boss in many ways is the most rewarding aspect of our business.” having our business,” Albert says.

. Creativity Inc.’s staff outside its offices in San Carlos, California.

m Albert in front of the “wall of toys” that known in the industry as the TOTYs. he was a professional musician and later his company has worked on. It’s the Oscars of toys. You might ran a recording studio and founded an have heard of several of them such amplifier manufacturing business. At the as Sing-a-ma-jigs and Hatchimals. time, Albert’s brother worked for SEGA, “We’re pretty sure we’re work- a pioneer in the video game industry. ing on next year’s hit toys,” says “My brother said, ‘The big oppor- Albert, whose clients include Hasbro, tunity is in games. They will take Mattel, and Disney. But there are no over the world,’” Albert says. “What sneak previews in this business. I quickly learned was audio in the “It’s like working with spies,” game world was pretty primitive. I Albert says. “We are under all kinds saw an opportunity to be inventive.” of [nondisclosure agreements], Albert, who majored in the flute which are super strict. We’re not and plays the guitar and piano, started allowed to talk about what we’re doing sound design for SEGA and Sony working on at all. We’re trusted.” PlayStation. Their development plat- It wasn’t always top secret for Albert, forms weren’t exactly encrypted. “You got who received a music degree from information on that through a bulletin Stanford University after graduating from board that they had which was pre-Web,” Taft. For the first 10 years of his career, Albert says. “My password was music.”

44 Taft Bulletin / WINTER 2018 Taft Bulletin / WINTER 2018 45 The Sweet Spot “I look at candy as the sum of science and creativity.”

The title on his business cards says “Chief Candyman.” JJ Rademaekers ’89 signs all of his emails that way, too. Who knew that what started out as a one-man enterprise selling chocolate-covered caramels and other confections at the Boulder, Colorado, farmers’ market would turn into a career reset and national candy brand for this former scientist and musician? It was late 2009 when Rademaekers had a premonition that would ultimately become JJ’s Sweets, maker of Cocomels. “I had a literal dream one night where I found myself in this kooky Wonka world,” he says. “I woke up the next day and had these great candy ideas. This was a transitional phase between jobs, so I was open to a new direction.” Rademaekers puts the wonk in Willy Wonka. The Charlie and the Chocolate Factory character never concerned himself about too much sugar. Dairy- free and vegan ingredients would have

b Rademaekers’ signature candy, Cocomels.

c “Chief Candyman” JJ Rademaekers ’89 in the kitchen at JJ’s Sweets.

46 Taft Bulletin / WINTER 2018 Taft Bulletin / WINTER 2018 47 “Yes, I still do have a sweet tooth. It’s my duty to be on top of the latest and greatest candies.”

been stranger than fiction. But not for 13 years. “I also worked for a carbon off- farmers’ market, where he started sell- Rademaekers, who uses coconut milk set start-up for a little while,” he says. ing Cocomels and giving out samples. instead of butter and cream in his signa- Then Rademaekers turned his home “It was sort of great face-to-face con- ture Cocomels, which are award-winning, into a test kitchen, whipping up an early sumer insight studies,” he says. “From organic, non-GMO and gluten free. version of his Cocomels, hard candies, and there it started to take off on its own.” No wonder you can find Cocomels at brittle for his friends for the holidays. The demand for Cocomels became 3,000 retail locations, from HomeGoods “When they came over to the house, so high that JJ’s Sweets and its six to Whole Foods and from Kroger to they’d give me positive feedback,” he employees couldn’t handle the vol- TJ Maxx. They’re sold on Amazon and says. “Then I’d bring them to parties.” ume in-house. So they turned to some in airports. Soon, the married father of two turned family-owned candy factories in Chicago “I sort of look at candy as the sum of his homemade confections into a cot- to crank them out without sacrificing science and creativity,” he says. “I’ve been tage industry, asking his friends if they quality. Quality control is not a prob- a longtime food geek and hobbyist chef.” wanted to purchase them. “After a week lem for Rademaekers, though. In his former life, Rademaekers or so I had to stop taking orders,” he says. “Yes, I still do have a sweet tooth,” worked as a scientist for the U.S. The following spring, Rademaekers he says. “It’s my duty to be on top of Geological Survey and as a musician for applied to be a vendor at the local the latest and greatest candies.”

c The JJ’s Sweets Cocomels team.

48 Taft Bulletin / WINTER 2018 Taft Bulletin / WINTER 2018 49 Setting an Intention

b AK Kennedy Alignment is everything in yoga, from athleisure wear. If you own a yoga mat L’Heureux ’90 and humble warrior to side plank. and sweat-wicking leggings, you know business partner Brook Cosby at the But AK Kennedy L’Heureux ’90 rec- who the manufactures are. Hyde office in Marin ognized that something was amiss in the They moved their business across the County, California. Zen lifestyle—and it wasn’t the bend in country from New York to Marin County, her knee or angle of her spine. California, but that wasn’t the only change. For all the “body is my temple” “I didn’t want it to be made in mantra of yogis, the vast majority of yoga China,” L’Heureux says. “So over time, apparel has been made overseas from we continued to look for factories in the synthetic material. U.S. as the quality of the Chinese goods “This is a customer that does care where started to [deteriorate].” their product is coming from,” L’Heureux L’Heureux was keenly aware of the repu- says. “I liked the feeling of natural fibers tation of organic yoga clothes for women, next to my body when I was doing yoga.” the “hippie-dippie” tie-dye look with This past fall, L’Heureux and her Buddhas all over them. “It was crazy expen- business partner, Brook Cosby, relaunched sive,” she says. “The quality was terrible.” Hyde organic yoga apparel company, a After six months of searching the U.S. dozen years after its inception as an eco- for a supplier, Hyde discovered a family- conscious alternative to mass-produced owned factory in Los Angeles to make its “This is a customer that does care where their product is coming from.”

Taft Bulletin / WINTER 2018 51 “I liked the feeling of natural fibers next to my body when I was doing yoga.”

pants, crop tops, and other clothes. “I sort of got the small business bug,” “It’s almost like starting over,” says L’Heureux, who is married with three L’Heureux says. “We moved our ware- children, including a 10-month-old. house. We moved our office location.” As a small business owner, L’Heureux Not only was it critical for their has an appreciation for the value of a dol- clothes to made from natural fibers and lar. All of Hyde’s yoga pants sell for less in a socially responsible way, they had to than $100, unlike some of the big-name be functional. manufacturers. And their customers never “There’s no tie digging into your have to worry about their pants being too back when you lie on the floor to do a revealing, like some other brands. backbend,” L’Heureux says. Thirty-five stores in 16 states carry While she’s been practicing yoga for 20 Hyde apparel, which can also be pur- years and completed a teacher certifica- chased on the company’s website and tion course, L’Heureux took time to find through wholesale. “So we’re getting her career niche. She went to art school in there,” L’Heureux says. California, then she worked for a company that sold rugs made in Nepal.

c L’Heureux wearing her company’s organic yoga clothing during an impressive posture. MARK LOADER

52 Taft Bulletin / WINTER 2018 Taft Bulletin / WINTER 2018 53 Wearing It Well

c James McKinnon ’87, CEO of third-generation family textile company Cotswold Industries, and his father, Wink McKinnon ’60, in their Manhattan office.

They are cut from the same cloth—three “As trade deals changed the nature affordable price. We’re having a whole lot generations in the family business. of how American manufacturing fit into of fun reinventing the business model.” James McKinnon ’87 is carrying global commerce, it remains an incred- Key to the company’s blueprint for on that legacy in the ever-changing ible challenge to figure out how to keep success are its two new clothing lines, world of textile production as CEO an old-line American company relevant J Wingfield, a dressier label launched in of Cotswold Industries. His grandfa- and profitable,” McKinnon says. 2015 that skews toward young profes- ther founded the company in 1954. The answer was for the New York sionals, and Frank’s, a casual wear line Then his dad, Wink ’60, followed City-based company to eschew the default launched in 2017 that is geared toward “We are on an adventure to suit. In 2009, it was James’s turn. supply chain of the clothing industry. older customers. About 100 stores carry “My dad said, ‘A family business needs “I cut my teeth in China, Mexico, and the company’s two brands, which can bring quality made-in-the-U.S.A. family,’” says the younger McKinnon, who Vietnam, and most of the expansion over also be ordered online and through third- had previously worked in management the last decade seeing how apparel is party e-commerce sites such as Amazon. consulting and for an executive search firm. produced,” he says. “I just got to a point Cotswold Industries gets the cotton products back and to do so in While the principles and hard work where I thought I should do something for its flagship labels from Mississippi remain the same, the business model about it. We believed we could do it bet- and Alabama. It’s then spun and woven a way that’s affordable, has a has evolved over the generations. ter. We believed we could do it at an at factories in Georgia and South positive impact on the environment, and is done in a sustainable way.”

Taft Bulletin / WINTER 2018 55 “We believed we could do it better. We believed we could do it at an affordable price. We’re having a whole lot of fun

. Frank’s product guide conveys reinventing the business model.” The American Edge concept for its U.S.- made menswear line.

c James McKinnon ’87, CEO of third-generation family textile company Cotswold Industries, in their Manhattan office.

It hasn’t been easy for McKinnon, who is married with two children and lives in Rye, New York. “Our bank went bank- rupt. That was a big problem,” he says. “We had to refinance in the middle of Bear Stearns and Lehman Brothers going out of business. It was certainly a trying moment, not just for us but the entire Carolina. Finally, it’s cut and sewn waistbands, corduroy, everything except country. You look back on it and say, ‘If into clothing in Virginia and Texas. for underwear and socks. Everything. it didn’t kill you, it made you stronger.’” “We call it dirt to shirt,” McKinnon says. Not just clothes, either. The company Another example of the company “‘Made in the U.S.A.’ has become more of a produces textiles for wallpapers, circuit keeping up with the times was the buzzword as China has become expensive boards, and fabrics for the car indus- launch of its made-to-measure ser- and exceedingly dirty and as the world try, the military, and for health care. vice just in time for Cyber Monday. becomes more aware of carbon footprints.” “We are on an adventure to bring qual- “Choose your fabric. Tell us what you In addition to its own labels, Cotswold ity made-in-the-U.S.A. products back and would like, and we’ll make it for you Industries counts Levi’s, Wrangler, and to do so in a way that’s affordable, has a personally,” McKinnon says. “A lot of the Scan Abercrombie & Fitch as major accounts positive impact on the environment, and market is not exactly mediums or large.” this page to hear James for its fabrics. They make pockets, is done in a sustainable way,” he says. And in business, one size doesn’t fit all. j McKinnon ’87 describe what Cotswold Neil Vigdor ’95 is the statewide political writer for Hearst Connecticut Media, which publishes Industries eight daily newspapers and 13 weeklies in the state and Connecticut Magazine. produces.

Photos of James and Wink McKinnon: Robert Falcetti.

56 Taft Bulletin / WINTER 2018 how to work smarter,

Jon Willson ’82, director of Taft’s Moorhead Academic Center and history not teacher. THE MOORHEAD ACADEMIC CENTER AND JON WILLSON ’82 IN ACTION harder By Julie Reiff Photography by Robert Falcetti

sdecoret/Shutterstock.com For longtime history teacher Jon Willson ’82, teaching and learning are two sides of the same coin. And he’s betting on both. In his role as director of the Moorhead Academic Center, or the MAC, Willson wants to help both students and teachers make the most of their academic experience at Taft.

Willson is excited about a lot of things, Faculty shouldn’t see teaching as in 1996, recently spent a sabbatical year From his research, but especially about helping faculty transferring knowledge to students, reading about teaching (the pedagogy) figure out ways to make student learn- he explains, but as engineering bet- and the assessment of it, and how those he believes strongly ing visible or transparent. He’s taken ter learning environments. Of course, two go together. He then interviewed in three basic but a special interest in how the brain he admits there are times when the master teachers at Taft and elsewhere. powerful ideas: learns—in the science behind how content calls for a short lecture. “I wanted to observe and interview humans gain and retain informa- “When you do lecture, you need to great teachers, to learn as much as I could tion. Much of his reading about brain stop and validate for student under- about great teaching,” says Willson, who research now informs his own teaching standing”—ask them to write down talked to legendary faculty at Watertown and his approach to helping students two or three things they’ve just cov- High and at a KIPP high school in the 1. learn better and teachers teach better. ered, to be sure that what you taught Bronx in addition to nine other boarding “I don’t get involved in curriculum is what they learned, and to help schools. “I went out of my way to find S/he who design,” he says. “That’s a departmental them move that learning to a dif- many different teachers—in art, French, thing. But I want to show teachers dif- ferent part of the brain, he says. math—to see everything I could.” works, Willson works ferent teaching strategies and tactics.” Willson, who joined the Taft faculty learns. with a student visiting the MAC. “What I get most excited about,” Willson teaching a says Willson, “even back when I was Back to Class session the History Department head, is the called Learning and the Brain during challenge of showing teachers how 2. Alumni Weekend. to teach better by shifting the bur- ANNE KOWALSKI den of learning to students—which Challenge, doesn’t mean you’re not working.” engage, “WHAT I GET MOST It’s up to the teacher, he says, to think 3. EXCITED ABOUT,” very deliberately about what the typical empower. student knows coming in to the class, Teach SAYS WILLSON, what they need to do to recall prior learn- Every lesson, every assessment ing, what the goal is for that day, and students, “IS THE CHALLENGE OF should do all three, he says. what activity will help them achieve it. “If students are bored or feeling SHOWING TEACHERS powerless—or that it’s pointless—it’s not a course. your fault. It’s your job as the teacher As academic dean for eight years, Willson HOW TO TEACH BETTER to engage them. Your goal is to get received plenty of unsolicited feedback them to do things that are harder than BY SHIFTING THE about teachers from students. At Taft, they think they can do,” he explains. BURDEN OF LEARNING whenever a student asks to change a course, they have to talk to the academic TO STUDENTS.” dean. “You take some of it with a grain of salt, but what I heard—almost across the

A group of board—was that when they didn’t like a students talking teacher it was because they had the sense about an that the teacher wasn’t really in their assignment. corner, which is rare at Taft,” he says.

Taft Bulletin / WINTER 2018 61 AS ACADEMIC DEAN, before his sabbatical, Willson led changes in the academic schedule, the grading system, and the way we assess students’ academic habits.

“He did this with a tremendous level Tellis, who recently joined the group. of dedication to the role,” says Jeremy In some ways, what Willson does Clifford, who succeeded him as aca- now echoes the experience new Taft demic dean, “while building a high faculty get through the Penn Fellows A student degree of rapport with the students program—an innovative two-year fel- receives and respect among the faculty.” lowship program between the University homework help Willson now heads the Pedagogy of Pennsylvania’s Graduate School of from Willson. and Assessment Committee, with Education and nine top boarding schools. Willson’s winter faculty the goal of helping faculty incor- “This P&A group is really a wonderful workshop called Primacy porate new and exciting teaching addition to the faculty,” says Karen May, Recency helped show techniques into classrooms at Taft. a specialist in educational assessment how teachers can better One of the things that has been most and reading strategies who works with start and end classes to facilitate learning. instructive, Willson says, are instructional Willson in the MAC. “What Jon has man- rounds. A teacher says, “I’m doing X. Anyone aged to do is bring the same excitement want to come see me?” It’s not about and learning and camaraderie that I have giving that teacher feedback. It’s about marveled at with the Penn Fellows. They HALF A DOZEN TEACHERS sit in one of the newly remodeled CPT history what the observers can take away from observe each other’s classes, sharing as a seeing that teaching technique in action. community of learners. He is successfully classrooms. The Professional Education and Growth Committee has “I was impressed by Jon’s excite- helping teachers to share their ideas, their FACULTY organized a morning of professional development workshops on campus ment and authenticity in wanting to questions, their best practices, and their by and for faculty. push our classrooms to a place where excitement—all of it under our roof. I SHOULDN’T SEE we are all doing transformational have seen teachers, experienced teachers, TEACHING AS Willson—tall, lean, dark-haired, and The goal, they learn, is to maximize come alive with this work Jon is doing.” work,” says English teacher Khalid dressed in a white button-down and kha- those critical early minutes of class to TRANSFERRING kis—is there to talk about “primacy and recency”—essentially the importance of do one or more of the following: KNOWLEDGE TO structuring class time so that the most STUDENTS, BUT important parts of a lesson are at the > Recall content from prior learning so it is accessible in working memory start and end of the class block, when stu- > Practice skills AS ENGINEERING dents are most likely to remember them. > Learn because the activity is novel or physically involving BETTER Simple in concept, but the key, of > Provide feedback as to what students know in a way that might guide a learning plan course, is the execution. He gives each LEARNING teacher a survey rating how frequently He might simply have explained the of the activities is likely to help students ENVIRONMENTS. they start class with various activities, concept, but by asking faculty first to move the material into their long-term from reviewing homework or outlining review their own behavior, they’re more memory, or to help teachers understand the plan for the coming week, to giving engaged learners. what students actually learned that day. lectures or short quizzes. Of course, all Similarly, the last chunk of class is the But his work with faculty isn’t limited are aware of the gentle nudging going second-most opportune time to engage to organized workshops or to working on. Sprinkled through the list are activi- students, he reminds the group—that is, with members of the P&A Committee. ties designed to better engage students, to get students to consolidate or apply Willson regularly gets emails from faculty such as having them work in small groups the content or skills faculty want them wanting to share or discuss an article Karen May, who works or putting answers on the board—as to practice. Again, they review their own they’ve just read, whether that’s the with Willson in the MAC, track record of end-of-class activities and merits of flipped classrooms or the lat- specializes in educational he is having the faculty group do. assessment and reading discuss (in small groups) what best aligns est research on learning and the brain. strategies for students. with this “primacy-recency” concept. At lunch, he’ll happily delve into deep Another possible way of thinking about discussions of the advantages of single- this, he explains, might be to ask which point rubrics or low-stakes testing.

Taft Bulletin / WINTER 2018 63 AROUND CAMPUS, Willson is known for the catchphrase “Work smarter, not harder.” In fact, he devoted a Morning Meeting to the subject, complete with a detailed handout. “JON EATS, SLEEPS, AND BREATHES He’s achieved such market saturation that the school mons parodied him in a sketch, in the nicest possible way, using that mantra. TEACHING AND LEARNING,” SAYS JEREMY CLIFFORD. “I FIND MYSELF He’s happy about that, but hopes students “He helps everybody,” Piper says, “and what students want to learn. We would WILLSON LIKES THINKING ABOUT A LESSON PLAN AND will also take the time to come to the MAC is really kind about his advice to you. He’ll do the reading and write responses, to think of teaching to work out in more detail just what that say, ‘You’re doing this, maybe try doing and if we had any questions or a spe- ASKING, WHAT WOULD JW DO HERE?” smarter approach might mean for them. this.’ He gives advice in a way that’s easy cial interest in any topic, he would gear as three things Piper Desorcie ’20 is very glad she to follow and understand, but you feel his lesson plans to address them.” concurrently: has. “He’s very welcoming, friendly,” like he’s there with you, not against you.” “He has this ability to make us all pas- curriculum, pedagogy, she says. “We tried to figure out where Willson’s own students benefit directly sionate about the material,” agrees Isaiah and assessment—or what are you I needed to improve—going through from his enthusiasm and expertise. Jones ’18, who also took Willson’s class his worksheet. He threw out some ideas Not only do his students genuinely last year. “He knows a lot about U.S. his- teaching, how are you teaching it, that may help: how to study properly, to like him a teacher, they look forward to tory, since he’s been teaching for so long, and how are you assessing it? work better with flashcards. In a couple his class, which is saying a lot, given so he can make connections between classes I’m meeting with teachers more. that Advanced Placement U.S. History ideas really quickly and makes you see But whatever teaching philosophy demonstrate their caring for all students. I feel like I’m starting to understand the has a notoriously difficult and content- history in a different way. Instead of or style one embraces, for Willson, The students felt that those teachers material better, and that’s helping me to heavy exam. just separate events, you see it as a con- there is one sure bet: Students learn cared—the prickly English teacher or be more engaged in class, to know what “Mr. Willson is definitely one of tinuum. He puts things in perspective and best from teachers who care. the Spanish teacher-mom type. That’s I’m listening for. I have a more formal the best teachers I’ve had at Taft,” says makes the class really enjoyable, so it’s “When I interviewed all those leg- the basis for all great teaching. It has plan now of how to approach things.” Stephen Cho ’18, who had him for AP a class that you’re looking forward to.” endary teachers,” says Willson, “they to start with great relationships.” j THE In addition to being the girls’ var- U.S. History and is currently the rank- One of the things they also appreci- were all so different in personality sity basketball coach, Willson is a ing scholar for his class. “I think what ate is that he doesn’t like to lecture. and approach, but the one thing they Julie Reiff teaches journalism at Taft and is MOORHEAD the former editor of this magazine. goalie coach for the soccer teams. sets him apart is that he focuses on “He just simply doesn’t believe in all did, in ways unique to them, was ACADEMIC it,” says Yejin Kim ’18. “And so we’d have a lot of discussion. Last year, CENTER with the presidential election—and a MAC faculty member With an overarching mission David Dethlefs talks lot of things were happening based on to improve student learning, with a student who race or gender—it was so much more the Moorhead Academic makes use of the comfortable talking about that stuff in center’s resources. Center (MAC) offers a class. He creates an atmosphere where broad range of resources everyone is encouraged to participate and services to Taft faculty, without trying to grade it or anything.” students, and parents. “Jon eats, sleeps, and breathes teach- The MAC staff works with ing and learning,” says Jeremy Clifford. “I faculty to incorporate find myself thinking about a lesson plan research-based pedagogy and asking, what would JW do here? Even and assessment into their though he has an engaging personality teaching; assist students and is a naturally gifted teacher, he is with learning strategies still very mindful and deliberate about and study methods, and, what he does in the classroom and is still where appropriate, facilitate their accommodations to thinking of how to improve, even as a help them become more very experienced classroom teacher.” effective academicians;

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