The “New” Slater Museum Teacher of the Year Football Rivalry Continues Atrium Grand Opening 2 The Alma Matters is published up to two times per year for alumni, 1 parents and friends. Volume 21 0 The Norwich Free Academy 305 Broadway • Norwich, CT 06360 2 Number 2 Tel: (860) 887-2505 • Fax: (860) 889-4363 – Editor: 1 Linda Clang Ververis ’78 1 Copy Editor: 0 Kathleen McCarthy 2 Contributing Writers: Katie Kogler Ali, Geoffrey Serra, Leigh Thomas r e Photographers: NFA Staff, Heather Bracewell Photography, t Contributed, Jeffrey Evans n Design: i Lavender Design Printer: W AM Lithography Corporation The Norwich Free Academy Board of Trustees David Whitehead ’78, Chairman Theodore Phillips ’74, Vice Chairman Thomas Griffin ’70, Secretary Lee-Ann Gomes ’82, Treasurer Jeremy Booty ’74 Glenn Carberry ’72 Richard DesRoches Keith Fontaine ’78 Thomas Hammond ’75 Gail Piotrkowski Sarette Briggs Williams ’78 Alumni Association Board of Directors Gale Eccleston Ennis ’78, President Thomas Neilan ’85 , Vice President Stacy Koehler ’97, Secretary/Treasurer Gregory Brown ’01 Olive Buddington ’43 Leslie Lane Christie ’82 Timothy Cummings ’66 Nancy Delorge Farnsworth ’69 Concetta Colonna Franchetti ’78 Ethel Moshier Handley ’60 Eileen Kavanaugh Kalla ’81 Mary Barnett Messerschmidt ’63 The Norwich Free Academy does not discriminate in its educational programs, services or employment on the basis of race, religion, gender, national origin, color, handicapping condition, age, marital status or sexual orientation. This is in accordance with Title VI, Title VII, Title IX and other civil rights or discrimination issues; Sector 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1991. THE SLATER MEMORIAL MUSEUM Table of Contents WInTER 2011-2012 Page 4 A Message from David Klein, Head of School Page 5 Atrium Grand Opening Celebration Page 6 A Message from the Alumni Association Page 7 Introducing... Our Website! Pages 8-9 The “New” Slater Museum Page 10 Teacher of the Year – Lorraine Roberts Dooley ‘88 The Slater Museum awakens visitors to the richness and diversity Page 11 2011 Homecoming Festivities of the human experience through art and history. For more than one Page 12 Academy Connections Flourish hundred years, the Museum has displayed and interpreted the best Page 13 Lost Lyrics Located examples of fine and decorative art, representing a broad range of Pages 14-15 Reflecting on a Rivalry 150 Games Strong world cultures of the Americas, Asia, Europe and Africa. Pages 16-17 Alum’s Rise Above Adversity MUSEUM HOURS Pages 18-19 Reunion News Tuesday – Friday: 9 am – 4 pm Saturday & Sunday: 1 pm – 4 pm Pages 20-21 Alums Gather for 50-Year Reunion – Class of ‘61 Closed Monday & Holidays Pages 22-23 Momentous Occasions Call 860-425-5563 or 860-887-2506 for a recording that will provide information on current exhibitions, Pages 24-25 Deceased days of operation and directions. In Memorium Pages 26-30 Class Notes ADMISSIOn Adults: $3.00 Pages 31-39 Aedile Seniors: $2.00 Friends of Slater Museum and Children under 12 are free Back Cover Calling All NFA Alumni nFA ALUMnI EXHIBITIOn Through January 20, 2012 A Curator's Choice show featuring the works of professional, working artists who are alumni of the norwich Free Academy to celebrate the Visit our website at www.norwichfreeacademy.com grand re-opening of the Slater Memorial Museum. A message from the Head o f School Dear Friends: Greetings from The Norwich Free Academy . It is with great pride and humility that I correspond with you for the first time as the new Superintendent/Head of School . I am truly honored to be part of the NFA family. The Norwich Free Academy has had a long and proud history and a rich tradition of educational excellence. The reverence for and loyalty to The Academy (as demonstrated by you, our NFA alumni; past and present faculty and staff members; our students; and the Norwich community) is most impressive and unlike anything that I have ever experienced during my career . It seems that everywhere I travel throughout Connecticut and beyond, I meet proud and successful NFA alums . It really is inspiring . Without fail, Academy graduates introduce themselves by name followed by the customary “Class of” identification—I love that “graduating class designation,” and it makes me smile each and every time . The Norwich Free Academy clearly is a place that positively influences and changes the lives of people forever. It is evident that the strength of this institution is the people and their commitment to the pursuit and perpetuation of excellence. We consistently reinforce the traditions and history that make The Academy such a special place and remind the young people that they are part of something truly magical and much larger than themselves . Current students value and appreciate their NFA opportunities, and they recognize that The Academy is unique and unlike any other high school. Thank you on behalf of the Board of Trustees, the NFA faculty and staff, and our students for your continued commitment to and support of The Academy . Our ongoing partnership is crucial if we are to successfully fulfill and advance the vision and core values upon which this great Academy was founded . If you ever have the occasion to be on campus, please stop by my office in Allis House and say hello. Regards, David J. Klein Superintendent/Head of School 4 Atrium Grand Opening Celebration With a champagne toast, David Whitehead ’78, chairman of the NFA Board of Trustees, presided over the official ribbon cutting on Nov. 12, in celebration of the grand opening of the Atrium and the re-opening of the “new” old Slater Museum. More than 500 alumni and friends attended the event and were enthralled by the newly constructed steel and glass atrium connecting the Slater, Norton, Alumni and Converse buildings. The grand reopening of Slater was close enough to note the anniversary of the original Slater opening, Nov. 22, 1888, and to mark the first time in its 123-year history that Slater is handicapped accessible. The Atrium now serves as a campus entrance for the thousands who attend athletic and cultural events. Welcoming remarks were made by Attorney Glenn Carberry ’72, President of the NFA Foundation Inc., David Klein, Head of School, Richard Rand, Chief Financial Officer and Project Manager, and Vivian Zoë, Director of the Slater Museum. 5 A message from the Alumni Association Hello fellow Alums. Another Fall season has come and gone and the many events that were held throughout the 1st half of the school year were very successful. On October 15th Homecoming festivities took place and, although rain in the days leading up to the game kept us from celebrating on the field, it did not keep us from celebrating. Tailgating, merchandise sales and entertainment by the band Bottom Drawer all took place on the dry pavement of the Land Library parking lot. The long-awaited addition to the NFA campus, the Atrium, formally opened on November 12. The Atrium connects Slater, Converse Art Gallery, Norton Gymnasium and Alumni Gym as well as provides universal access to Slater & Converse. Slater Museum also had a long- awaited facelift and has aged gracefully. The Reunion Committee Thank You Brunch on November 19 gave the Alumni Association the opportunity to thank those reunion committee members who worked throughout the year to provide a memorable reunion event for their classmates. The 150th football game between NFA & New London took place on Thanksgiving Day on the newly resurfaced turf field at the Academy. Both teams took to the gridiron and played their best, but, sadly, in the end New London won. Everyone enjoyed a most memorable Thanksgiving Day game. Additionally, the Alumni Association sponsored a breakfast for the players, coaches and cheerleaders who participated in the 100th game in 1966 and also sold 150th game commemorative merchandise. The Class of 2011 returned to campus the day after Thanksgiving to pick up their yearbooks, reconnect with former classmates and enjoy a brunch sponsored by the Alumni Association. Sadly I must report that this is the end of my term as President of your Alumni Association. For the past 5 years I have served you as President and enjoyed every moment of it. Being at every event and meeting many of you was a pleasure I will not forget. I will continue to serve the Alumni Association as a member of the Board of Directors and will be handing over the reins to Gale Eccleston Ennis ’78, who I know will do an excellent job. Congratulations Gale. Thank you for letting me serve you, my fellow Alums. Happy New Year!! Sincerely, John J. Mathieu ’70 President, Alumni Association Board of Directors 6 Introducing... Our Website! The Norwich Free Academy is proud to announce the fully redesigned website is up and running! After many months of planning, designing, redesigning and sometimes working until all hours of the night – the new website is finally ready! When you arrive at www.norwichfreeacademy.com for the first time, you might first notice all the new images that comprise the completely redesigned NEWS & EVENTS: is where you will find the most current news homepage. You may also notice that the items and happenings at NFA. This is also where you will find NFA navigation has changed significantly. We have World. The full story will open if you click on the headline. If you click worked tirelessly to make our website easy to Read More, you will be taken to the News & Events page. From this navigate for everyone who uses it… but it is very page, you will see all of the current news stories and a link to view different from the old site! older stories by clicking on Archive.