The Power of Entrepreneurial Thinking
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FALL 2017 News for the Allendale Columbia School Community Beyond the Birches The power of entrepreneurial thinking www.AllendaleColumbia.orgwww.AllendAleColumbiA.org A From the Head of School As soon as they are ready College prep is a low bar for us. We are preparing our students for college and life. At Allendale Columbia School, we want to give students opportunities to engage in the world and make a positive impact as soon as they are ready. I think preparation for college is a given, and we should be doing that as well as or better than most schools. We want to push the bar higher to help prepare students to make meaningful contributions to their community and society. We want to help every student engage in the world as a way of preparing them for their lives after they fnish school. As we push the bar higher, we do so grounded in what in this issue we know is best for children, at every stage A WHOLE NEW WAY of development, during their entire journey 4 OF THINKING with us. For some, the life-changing journey is Introducing AC’s new one year; for others, it is 15 years. Regardless, Center for Entrepreneurship we strive to create opportunities for every AC student to recognize the importance of FEATURE: building connections, developing a resilient INNOVATION DAY 7 spirit, mastering strategies for learning, and Alumni Profle: taking risks, all while making a positive impact. 9 Rob Ward ’85 It has become clear to me that one way to AC TODAY: Making a world raise the bar is to give students more au- 11 of difference; A new lens on learning; Redefning the last thentic opportunities to live out AC’s core three weeks of school values as soon as they are ready and certain- ly before they graduate. Commencement 13 2017 In order to do this, we are expanding our Alumni offerings with the launch of our AC Center 17 Happenings for Entrepreneurship. I have always said it’s more impactful to be a scientist than to just Annual Report of learn science, and it’s more gratifying to be a Philanthropy at AC 25 writer than to just learn about writing. Now, we have created opportunities for students who want to take an idea from concept to completion and be entrepreneurs. The fun part? Students as young as Lower School ages are becoming writers, scientists, artists, and, yes, entrepreneurs. As we expand our authentic experiences and provide leading edge educational opportunities that are hard to fnd anywhere else, you will notice we have also expanded our fundraising efforts. The response to our request for support has been overwhelming, and I am grateful. We fnished our 2016-2017 year with another “win” raising over $885,000 for the frst time ever in a non-gala year. As you will read in this issue, we have raised nearly $3M toward a $4M goal for our Impact Initiative Campaign. I am humbled by the generosity of everyone who has supported the vision for AC. The momentum is exciting, our vision is bold, and I hope you will all continue to help us catapult past our $4M goal as soon as you are ready, and hopefully by June 2018! Mick Gee Head of School 1 BEYOND THE BIRCHES FALL 2017 From the Alumni Association President ALLENDALE A Letter from Peter Gregory ’03 COLUMBIA BOARD OF As we look forward to the upcoming school year, the Reunion tradition, the Alumni Association presented the TRUSTEES Allendale Columbia Alumni Association continues to pur- Distinguished Alumni Award to honoree Nancy Northup 2017-2018 sue its goals of facilitating relationships, supporting school ’77 at the annual luncheon held at the Country Club of activities and events, and fostering the enhancement of Rochester. Nancy achieved profound professional success Charles E. Symington ’76, fnancial resources benefcial to the school’s sustainability as President and CEO of the Center for Reproductive Chair and growth. As we engage fellow alumni in more mean- Rights and is a proud supporter of the Summer LEAP Stephen Van Arsdale, ingful ways across our region and the globe, the Alum- program at AC. As one nomination letter stated, “Nancy Vice Chair ni Association plans to integrate new events into long- is a credit to AC, but, more importantly, she is someone Robert C. Tait II ’75, standing traditions. who young people can look up to and see that one per- Secretary son can indeed make a difference in people’s lives.” Please Looking back on the highlights of our previous year, we Charles F. Bradford ’99 began the fall by welcoming our newest alumni, the join me in congratulating Nancy on her award. If you wish Lisa Campbell ’83 Class of 2016. Each recent Allendale Columbia gradu- to nominate an alumna/us for this award or would like to Diana Clarkson ’99 ate received a care package of blonde brownies made read more about the criteria, please visit our web page, by everyone’s favorite “lunch ladies.” These packages were allendalecolumbia.org/alumni. Mary Beth Conway mailed to colleges and universities all over the world and Finally, there are numerous ways you can get involved with C. Kieran Draper reminded our graduates that they always have a family your alma mater! Refer families to the admissions offce, Claire Dubnik at AC. Additionally, this past October, alumni returned to make a gift, or volunteer as a class agent. Keep an eye Stephen Hill ’03 campus to celebrate Homecoming, support our athletes, on our alumni events calendar, and join us for local and Elisabeth W. Judson ’64 and stock up on the latest alumni apparel from the AC regional events. Please reach out if you are visiting Roch- Deborah McLean store, The Wolf Den! ester; there is always an open invitation at AC for lunch Ronald Mendrick Beyond the fall and throughout the year, alumni con- and a tour! Robert J. Moore nected at various regional events across the country. In I am looking forward to continuing AC traditions and Tracey Morrell Rochester specifcally, the Alumni Association hosted the building new ones together, as we beneft from the Mauricio Riveros annual holiday gathering at Pomodoro Grill and Wine Bar exciting path set by Mick Gee, the faculty, staff, and the Bridgette E. Rivers ’81 in December, with yet another year of record-setting at- Board of Trustees. Elizabeth Wehle ’90 tendance. The holiday gathering is now a signature event, Best, Kevin Wilmot and I encourage all alumni to join us again this year. Keith Wilson Our largest event, the annual Reunion held in June, in- Jill Wynn cluded fantastic events for all attendees. The keystone Richard Yates event, the Reunion Cocktail Reception, provided a won- Peter Gregory ’03 derful opportunity for alumni to catch up and reconnect President, Allendale Columbia Alumni Association with former classmates and faculty members. As part of Welcome New Board Members Claire Dubnik is the Content and Recipe Honeoye Falls-Lima CSD and Monroe County School Boards Coordinator for Allens Creek Living Magazine Association. In addition, he has also served in leadership roles and a caterer and personal chef. She is a for NYS Public Employer Labor Relations Association, Center graduate of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and for Dispute Settlement, Monroe County Bar Association, and the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, Rochester Human Resources Association. Ronald resides in New York. Since 2000, Claire has served in Honeoye Falls, New York. many leadership roles in the AC community Richard Yates is the Chief Legal Offcer including President and active member of at Manning & Napier, Inc. He is a graduate Parents of Allendale Columbia Kids (PACK) and Chair of the of University of Rochester and Brooklyn Development and Enrollment Committees. Claire and her husband Law School. He serves as Chairman of the Steve have two children, Carolyn ’14 and Colin. Community Leadership Board at the American Ronald Mendrick is a legal consultant, Diabetes Association and is active on the adjunct instructor, and owner of RM Consulting boards for Wilmot Cancer Institute, Hunt Solutions, LLC. He is a graduate of Fredonia Hollow Development Corp., and Episcopal State College, SUNY Albany, and University Senior Living Communities. Richard and his wife Caroline have two at Buffalo School of Law. Ronald has served children, Richard ’15 and Ellen. as President for the Board of Education for www.AllendAleColumbiA.org 2 3 BEYOND THE BIRCHES FALL 2017 FEATURE STORY AC will be a thriving, diverse community of learners who engage locally and internationally to create opportunities to design, imagine, learn, and make a positive impact. - Vision Statement, 2015 A whole new way of thinking Introducing AC’s Center for Entrepreneurship Following nearly fve years of astounding growth, comprehensive research, discussion, and engagement, we are excited to announce the launch of the new Allendale Columbia Center for Entrepreneurship. Grounded in our vision to be a thriving, diverse community and a hub for design, innovation, and entrepreneurship, we have been committed to creating a Center for Entrepreneurship for all students. The frst of its kind in our region and one of only a few in the world, AC’s Center for Entrepreneurship will create opportunities for our youth to make a global impact at an unprecedented level by learning to adapt to a constantly evolving world, connecting globally, and carving their own path. This authentic way of thinking, and the ability to apply their mindset to real-world challenges, will help our students develop universally applicable and transferable skills. Amy Oliveri, the new Director of the AC Center for Entrepreneurship, strongly believes in the practical applications of the skills the Center has to offer.