50th Anniversary Celebration 2010 Graduation 2010 2009-2010 Report of Giving StratfordA PUBLICATION OF STRATFORD ACADEMY | WWW .STRATFORD .ORG MAGAZINE Freedom for “ excellence. These are bold words in a world where the creeping paralysis of mass mediocrity threatens to engulf our civilization. The mantle of greatness is a cloak to fit the individual, not a blanket covering the masses. The greatness of this American Republic may be found in the free individual in a free society, and at Stratford we will stress individual achievement to the highest level of each student’s potential. The art of ‘getting just enough to get by’ will be thoroughly discouraged. Some adjustment to life is naturally necessary, but true excellence comes in adjusting life to self. Were it not so, we would still be living in caves and painting our faces blue to frighten away evil spirits. We must dare to excel, respect knowledge, give our utmost, and keep the true humility of God-fearing men. Welcome at Stratford are the virtues of excellence, honesty, effort, and ambition — laziness and mediocrity must seek reward elsewhere.” Dr. Joe Baker Hill, Jr. First Headmaster ongratulations! Class of 2010: 73 students tra tford lass of 12 Years Together: 42 students College Acceptance Highlights: University of Alabama, Augustana CCollege, Auburn University, Baylor University, Belmont University, Berry 2010 College, University of Cincinnati, The Citadel, Clemson University, C College of Charleston, University of Colorado, Emory University, Georgia Tech, University of Georgia,S University of Kentucky, Louisiana State University, Mercer University, University of Miami, New York University, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Oglethorpe University, Penn State, Pepperdine University, Reinhardt College, Samford University, Sewanee, Southern Methodist University, Vanderbilt University, University of Virginia, Wake Forest University, Wesleyan College Class Highlights: Mack Hodges (Valedictorian), Hania Bisat (Salutatorian), Taylor Atkinson (University of Alabama Presidential, College of Engineering and Leadership Scholarships), Blake Christianson (Georgia Tech President’s Scholar), Ethan Cole (Reinhardt College Academic Award), Katie Elliott (Outstanding Performer Award at Region One-Act Play Competition, Mercer University Scholarship), Carrie Ellen Ford (Mercer University Scholarship), Stephen Harris (Oglethorpe University Golf Letter of Intent), Anna Jones (Wesleyan College Findlay Scholarship, Will Play Soccer), Karena MacDonald (Samford University Founder’s, Leadership and Dean Scholarships), Richard Min (Tournament of Champions Debate Participant, 1st Place State Literary for International Extemporaneous Speaking for 4th Consecutive Year, Will Debate at Wake Forest University), Annie Reeves (Auburn University Heritage and College of Sciences and Mathematics Freshman Scholarships), J.B. Strauss (Birmingham Southern Football Letter of Intent) 43 students were enrolled in AP courses in 2009-2010 11 students earned AP Scholar designations after their junior year 36% of students received academic, athletic, or fine arts scholarship offers Stratford Academy STRATFORD MAGAZINE 2010 • Vol. 10, No. 1 Stratford is published for alumni, families and friends of Stratford Academy by the Office of Institutional Contents Advancement, 6010 Peake Road, Macon, GA 31220. Head of School From the Head of School Dr. Robert E. Veto 2 Editor Stratford Celebrates Kathleen Cook Medlin ’88 3 ‘50 Years of Excellence’ Editorial Assistants SPECIAL FEATURE: Joyce Ellison, Elizabeth Boswell Avant ’85 That Was Then, This Is Now Contributors Stratford’s Beginnings Elizabeth Avant, John Paul Gaddy, her Magazine, 1960-1962 Sue Hill, Bob Veto 6 Photography Stratford Academics Elizabeth Avant, Gina Christianson, Covenant College, 10 Then and Now her Magazine, Lee McDavid, Kathleen Medlin, Stratford Fine Arts Mercer University, Steve Mosley, Terry Sowell, Then and Now UGA Athletics, Jason Vorhees 12 2010-11 Board of Trustees Stratford Athletics Jeffery L. Avant ’84, Chair-Elect 14 Then and Now Ellen M. Bunker, Treasurer Malcolm S. Burgess Jr., Trustee Emeritus Graduation 2010 George Marshall Butler Jr. ’89 17 Elizabeth B. Clark, Education Chair Alumni Service Award Robert J. Cleveland Jr. ’79 Distinguished Alumnus Award John P. Cole, Secretary 18 Ashley A. Copelan, Athletics Chair College Choices, Acceptances James H. Daws, Buildings and Grounds Chair 20 Enrollments, 12 Years Together Kathryn H. Dennis, Nominating Chair Dr. Fred N. Gaton ALUMNI News Mary Ellen C. Grossnickle, Advancement Chair Henry W. Harper III ’79 Class Notes Robert F. Hatcher Jr. ’82, Chair 21 J. Eric Hefner ’83, Treasurer-Elect James C. Hinson Sr. ’76 28 Li’l Eagles Charles N. Koplin ’82 Lee Lineberger ’80 Eugene M. Maddux ’72 29 Weddings Richard P. Maier Harold D. McSwain Jr. ’76 We Will Remember ... Henry K. Oliner ’71 30 Heena S. Patel Virginia Lane Sheridan Preschool News Susan S. Slappey 31 C. Randall Smith, Technology Chair Lower School News Awards Special Thanks To 32 Bubber Adams, Elizabeth Avant, Margaret Brogdon, Middle School News Pat Castle, Gina Christianson, Marsha Creter, Joyce Ellison, Honors and Awards Martha Eubanks, John Paul Gaddy, Robbo Hatcher, 34 Jaime Kaplan, Redonda Mann, Steve Mosley, Upper School News Andrew Myler, Grady Smith, Terry Sowell, Bob Veto 36 Honors and Awards Contact Us At [email protected] • 478-477-8073 Faculty News 6010 Peake Road, Macon, GA 31220 41 www.stratford.org Stratford Academy does not discriminate on the basis 42 Fine Arts of sex, race, color, religion or national origin in the Stratford Support — administration of its educational programs, admissions Booster Club, SIP policies, financial aid policies, employment practices or 44 other school-administered programs. Stratford Academy uses environmentally responsible paper 45 Report of Giving 2009-2010 and inks in the production of Stratford Magazine. Join the Facebook group “Stratford Follow stratfordeagles Join our LinkedIn Group Academy Alumni Association.” updates on Twitter. “Stratford Academy Alumni.” g ingreen In an effort to go “green” and further do our part for the environment by reducing the amount of printed materials we produce, only one magazine was mailed to each address on file. If you would like to receive additional copies of this magazine, please contact Gina Christianson in the Advancement Office at [email protected] or call (478)477-8073 x289 and we will gladly send you additional copies. From the Head of School A Dream Fulfilled able to host their first true home matches in a number of years. Although the heavy rains ne of our founding Board years. Lots of great stories were swapped: of last fall and winter put the project be- members was asked last favorite classes and teachers, favorite hiding hind schedule (we had hoped to have these year if he had ever thought places, fun memories of all kinds. And again, courts ready in early March) the finished that Stratford Academy many of those same alums commented upon courts are beautiful, and we will have them would develop into what how far we have come as a school. available for our use for many, many years. itO is today. His response was that he and the I am very proud to be associated with Meanwhile, the new Science Building is just other founders had hopes and expectations this remarkable community of learners and around the corner, both literally and figura- about what the school could become, but it teachers. The word “excellence” seems to be tively. A visitor to campus today would see a was only in their dreams that they foresaw at the heart of everything we do — it is found sign right on the corner of the interior road anything like the Stratford Academy of today. in our motto (“Freedom for Excellence”), in which passes the Olson Library. That sign We’ve spent a good deal of time this year our Capital Campaign slogan (“Excellence pictures the new building, with a “Coming looking back on the 50-year history of Strat- Never Rests”), in our Mission Statement, Soon” note attached. Please see informa- ford Academy. We kicked off our anniversary and even in our by-laws. A commitment to tion elsewhere in this magazine about the activities on Alumni Weekend last fall. It was excellence permeates not only our approach a terrific weekend, including a parade of for- to academics, but also the arts, athletics, and mer state championship teams and an array community interactions. It seems to me that of reunion parties involving various alumni this is exactly what the school’s founders classes. Many of our returning visitors re- envisioned. I was privileged to have a short marked upon the amazing transformation opportunity to get to know Dr. Bill Shirley they had seen in their school. In April, we before he passed away this year, and it was brought an official close to our year-long always clear, talking to Dr. Shirley, that he celebration of our 50th anniversary with an and the other founders wanted Stratford to incredible gala celebration at the Overlook be the very best school in the region, and on Mansion on Coleman Hill, the original site of a par with the best schools in the nation. Stratford Academy. As I moved through the There are exciting projects underway crowd that evening, I sensed the delight felt by right now at Stratford Academy. Our new Stratford alums who were returning to their tennis courts were completed in early original campus for the first time in many April, and our Varsity Tennis teams were Robbo Hatcher ’82 and Business and Industry Policy Committee 2010-2012 Chairman of the Board of Trustees in addition to other civic involvements. Robbo has a new Stratford perspective When Robbo Hatcher ’82 was a the school’s sense of community now, being on the parent end and starting all senior at Stratford, he and his father where learning is encouraged and over again. “Walking through the halls brings Bob Hatcher set a never-before and excellence is sought. “The best thing back a flood of memories for me. It is made never-since school precedent.