PRINCIPIA PURPOSESummer ’09 WHAT HAVE YOU DONE FOR PEACE LATELY? From Elsah to Sierra Leone, Principians broker peace. PLUS: MEET A FEW OF THIS YEAR’S GRADS • DEMOCRACY IN THE CLASSROOM PRINCIPIA PURPOSE From the Chief Executive Summer 2009, Issue No. 360 COME HOME TO The mission of the Principia Purpose is to Dear Readers, build community among alumni and friends by sharing news, updates, accomplishments, A warm welcome to Principia’s redesigned PRINCIPIA and insights related to Principia, its alumni, Purpose! This is a beloved magazine, with a long and former faculty and staff. The Principia and important tradition of serving and informing Upper School Reunion 2009 Purpose is published twice a year. its readers. We trust that you will continue to find October 15–17 Marketing Director it attractive, lively, informative, and helpful. www.principiareunion.com Gretchen Newby (C’86) Improving and simplifying our communications Content Director has been one of my primary goals since coming Kathy Coyne (US’83, C’87) to Principia 18 months ago. We need to keep our Senior Writer alumni, supporters, and friends up to date with all Dr. Trudy Palmer (US’72) that is going on here. We face many challenges —so what else is new?—but Writer we also have a great range of good news to share. Marla Sammuli So let me start off with some excellent news: the Board of Trustees’ Senior Designer Stephanie Johnson (C’93) appointment of Dr. Jonathan Palmer to become Principia’s new Chief Executive July 1. I have been getting to know Jonathan for nearly two Photographer years—first as a candidate for College President and, for the past year, Doug Miner (C’75) as my colleague. Since July 2008, he has brought to the College presi- Contributing Writers dency a remarkable blend of spiritual vision, practical vigor, academic Clay Jackson (C’78) credentials, and managerial know-how. It’s been hard to keep up! Holly Morris Jane Pfeifer Now, Jonathan is adding the role of Chief Executive to his duties as Phebe Telschow (US’87, C’91) College President. I am confident that—supported by his wonderful wife Address Changes Sue—he will do a superb job and provide fine leadership for Principia as Postal Mail: a whole. I am particularly grateful that Jonathan is a vigorous supporter The Principia of the School. Already, he has been working closely with Head of School 13201 Clayton Road St. Louis, MO 63131 Marilyn Wallace to coordinate programs and raise standards across E-mail: [email protected] both campuses. Phone: 800.277.4648, ext. 2868 Our recent focus has been not only on running a tight ship appropriate Subscriptions Voluntary subscriptions of $15/year to help to today’s financial challenges, but also on trying to peer ahead to see defray publishing costs are greatly appreci- how Principia can best fulfill tomorrow’s opportunities. This “strategic ated. Checks payable to The Principia can be planning” process is well underway. sent to the above address. Submissions Before I close, let me say how much we appreciate all the comments, If you have an article idea appropriate suggestions, and advice we have received in response to this magazine’s for the Purpose, please send a query recent reader survey. The Letters page fills you in on some of the re- explaining the concept to purpose@ sponses and provides more details about the changes to the Purpose. principia.edu. The Purpose accepts no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts, Finally, a big and heartfelt “thank you” to all those who have been so artwork, or photographs. Materials will th th th th not be returned unless accompanied by a supportive during my “interim” tenure here at Principia. I have felt that stamped, self-addressed envelope. uplift and encouragement whenever it was most needed. Keep it up! 50 50 50 50 Reprints REUNION REUNION REUNION REUNION Requests for permission to reprint any PRINCIPIA PRINCIPIA portion of the Principia Purpose should be UPPER SCHOOL 50thCOLLEGE Reunioners—CheckPRINCIPIA for regularPRINCIPIA 1 9 5 9 • 1 9 6 0 1 9 6 0 • 1 9 6 1 UPPER SCHOOL COLLEGE sent to [email protected] updates at www.principia.edu/us50th The ideas and opinions expressed in the David Anable articles do not necessarily reflect those held by The Principia or by the writers and Chief Executive editors of the Purpose. © 2009 The Principia Contents Letters “Please resume printing letters “As an alum who cherishes Principia, Welcome! to the editors, even critical and tell me more about the quality controversial ones, to keep demo- and rigor of thought and educa- Features Departments cratic dialogue going.” tion that continues to develop and warm thank you to all our readers, ~ a College alum from the ’60s progress!” A and special thanks to those who ~ a College alum from the ’60s From the Chief Executive completed either a Principia Purpose or 1 Progress at Principia survey. Your com- “Please consider including at ments highlighted how greatly you value least one in-depth, scholarly article “Keep your articles relevant, this publication as a vital link to Principia. per issue—something thought- realistic, true to life, and ask your- Letters 8 3 provoking and stimulating. Also, self, ‘Will these articles inspire Your thoughtful responses also influenced several key production changes, as well the graphic design/format should others to want to get a Principia School News as the magazine’s new look and feel. convey a sense that Principia is education?’” 4 keeping up with the times. It’s ~ a non-alum Progress at Principia reader time to step it up.” We’d like to call your attention to a few What Have You Done for Peace Lately? ~ a College alum from the ’80s 6 College News significant shifts: “I look forward to receiving > We’ve created a new publication “I thought the profile on Eric the Principia Purpose. It’s always 26 Readers’ Reflections called Connections that includes Norris (Fall 2008) was a good one, a confirmation to me that things connecting some aspect of his are alive and well, and that good is —Unforgettable Faculty expanded alumni updates and news Principia experience to what he continuing.” as well as other pertinent alumni ~ an Upper School alum from the ’80s 16 information. is doing today. More like this one, 18 please. Also, how about links from Awards and Achievements 38 the print version to online > Connections, which is being mailed resources? For example (and “The Principia Purpose is like a with the Purpose to Principia alums, because I’m a university adjunct), friend from Principia coming to 40 Principia’s Past takes the place of the “Keeping in from that same issue, why not my home. I love hearing the news Touch” section that used to appear include a link from your article and learning how students are progressing.” at the end of the Purpose. about professors building a com- ~ a former Principia employee What’s on Your Faculty Scholars and Mentors in 42 Advancement munity of excellence to a video of Nightstand? Political Science > The introduction of Connections a professor, his or her syllabus, or a podcast from the classroom that allows the Purpose to be sent to “Profiles of alumni are especially demonstrates an example cited in Alumni & Field Relations both alumni and friends of Principia, important. They remind us of the 43 the article?” so we have discontinued Progress quality education we received.” ~ a College alum from the ’70s at Principia. ~ a College alum from the ’60s 21 44 Christian Science in Action We received a variety of comments “I want to learn more about about how often you’d like to receive the what makes Prin great and how “The Principia Purpose is wonderful. Purpose and have decided to publish it well our alumni are doing. I want I always keep my copy until a new to feel more proud of my school one arrives.” (and Connections) biannually––in June ~ a College alum from the ’40s when I’m done reading the Prin- PRINCIPIA and December. We’ve also taken steps to cipia Purpose.” minimize production and printing costs ~ a College alum from the ’90s -------------------------------------------- Meet a Few of This Year’s Graduates Summer ’09 PURPOSE Going forward, the Principia Purpose WHAT HAVE YOU DONE and eliminate duplicate mailings to the FOR PEACE LATELY? From Elsah to Sierra Leone, Principians broker peace. same household. welcomes signed letters to the editor. If you would like to comment “The Principia Purpose is often an on something you’ve read in the Now, dive in and enjoy this first issue of inspiration in my own teaching and magazine, please write us. Letters the redesigned Principia Purpose! Then, theatre career. It’s helpful to read will be published as space allows and Our cover features a few of share your thoughts with us for possible articles that highlight the positive may be edited for clarity and brevity. 24 30 Mrs. Warner’s kindergarten Please write to: Principia Purpose, students, members of the inclusion on the next issue’s Letters page. and progressive practice of Chris- 13201 Clayton Road, St. Louis, MO class of 2021. PLUS: MEET A FEW OF THIS YEAR’S GRADS • DEMOCRACY IN THE CLASSROOM tian Science in career settings.” Until then, here are a few of your survey 63131. You can also e-mail us: ~ a College alum from the ’60s comments. [email protected]. Democracy in the Expecting More of Movies Classroom PURPOSE Summer ’09 | p3 School News School News A Day of Giving Seniors Make College On most Fridays, the Upper School Decisions hallways and classrooms are buzzing with activity, but on Friday April 17th, After great deliberation, planning, and you could hear a pin drop.