Volume No. XXXIII Fall/Winter 2007 The Gift of Opportunity “The name Foxcroft Academy makes me think of lots of fun and teachers who really care about students. Before coming to Foxcroft Academy , I had never seen teachers with as much passion and joy in teaching students. I appreciated all the learning opportunities this school offered me and no matter where I travel in the world I can proudly say I graduated from Foxcroft Academy . It will always remain a special place for me.” Myo Chan Kim ’07 Gonzaga University, Washington Over the last three years Foxcroft Academy has added 22 new course offerings for students including such courses as Orchestra/Chamber Ensemble, AP Statistics, Physics II, Home Engineering, Art History and Economics. With tuition dollars only paying for a portion of a student’s education at Foxcroft Academy, our charitable contributions are helping to create new opportunities for our day and boarding students. Thank you for your gift - your gift of opportunity. To make your gift today, visit www.foxcroftacademy.org/secure/donate2.html Foxcroft Academy Non-Profit Organization 975 West Main Street U.S. Postage Dover-Foxcroft, ME 04426 PAID INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Bangor ME New Faculty Permit No. 46 p. 1 Change Service Requested First Annual Parent Auction p. 4 Alumni Weekend 2007 p. 10-11 ....and more! A PUBLICATION OF FOXCROFT ACADEMY for ALUMNI & FRIENDS Dear Foxcroft Alumni & Friends, Is a Gift Annuity Right for You? s I enter my second year as Head of School at Foxcroft Academy, I am reminded (Try this simple little test to find out.) A of both the rich place of the Academy in the history of the State and the chal- True/False lenges that lie ahead as we work to secure the Academy’s future and preserve its role in preparing our students to be informed citizens and leaders in their communities and 1. _____________________ I would like to make a gift to Foxcroft Academy that would not only help Foxcroft, but chosen professions. For many of our readers, their time at the Academy was pivotal to provide me with income for the rest of my life. preparing them for success in life—regardless of the generation or decade in which they walked the halls of Academy. This commitment is reflected in our Mission Statement 2. _____________________ I would like to receive regular, fixed payments that I could count on. and encapsulates much of what guides both the day-to-day operations of the school and our long- Foxcroft Academy term planning. 3. _____________________ I would like to receive an attractive interest rate. Founded in 1823, Foxcroft Academy is an independent secondary school offering comprehensive Board of Trustees 4. _____________________ I would like a portion of each payment I receive to be tax-free. college preparatory courses, technical education programs, and support services for day and President, Vandy E. Hewett ’75 boarding students. The school is committed to developing responsible and informed citizens, Peter W. Culley ’61 5. _____________________ I would like to receive a charitable income tax deduction for my gift. critical thinkers, and collaborative leaders. Foxcroft Academy is a community promoting the Vice President, Secretary, Jane Hibbard-Merrill development of integrity, character, and skills necessary for life-long learning. 6. _____________________ I would like to reduce the size of my estate to lessen (or avoid) possible estate taxes. Treasurer, Donna L. Hathaway ’66 My challenge, and the challenge for most heads-of-school, is to find the balance between pro- Susan M. Almy 7. _____________________ I would like to know more about charitable gift annuities. viding leadership in the day-to-day life of the school and the duty to plan for the future of the school William C. Bisbee in such a way as to ensure its long term health and vitality. Successful schools, like meaningful mission Ralph Gabarro If you answered true to most or all of these questions, a gift annuity from Foxcroft may fit your needs perfectly. Please call statements, adapt to both a changing institutional environment as well as new demands placed on Edgar E. Gammon ’47 our students by the world they will be entering. H. Thomas Gerrish ’52 Foxcroft’s Office of Institutional Advancement at (207)564-8664 to see how a charitable gift annuity may be right for you. As many of you are aware, the current structure of public education in Maine is in flux. The Kenneth A. Hews ’65 Any inquiry will be treated with confidentiality. instability is largely driven by state budgetary pressures and a philosophy that school consolidation David R. Perkins David S. Ruksznis ’65 will relieve this pressure as it reduces administrative costs by combining existing school districts Glenda Brown Smith and setting aside some elements of local control. By state mandate, tentative reorganization plans— Kevin L. Stitham ’70 SEND US YOUR NEWS in many cases multiple proposals by a single district-- have been submitted to the Department of Richard B. Swett Education by all existing public school units. However, the details remain unpublished as does a John Tatko final configuration that will garner public support and meet state goals. Inevitably, this will impact John E. Wentworth All Alumni: If you have news or photos, we'd love to pass them along. Send information to: independent schools such as Foxcroft as districts are re-defined and the historic partnership between John E. Wiles ’51 Foxcroft Alumni Office, 975 West Main Street, Dover-Foxcroft, ME 04426 OR you may call: (207)564-8664 a Town Academy and its sending towns may be drastically altered and potentially placed in jeopardy. Honorary Trustees E-Mail address: [email protected] All digital photos e-mailed must be a minimum size of 700KB Through the Maine Association of Independent Schools and our own direct efforts, the Academy Doris G. Coy ’64 Fax: (207)564-8394 Alumni E-Mail Directory on our website: http://www.foxcroftacademy.org/alumnidir.htm has made the Department of Education and all local school superintendents aware of our willingness William C. Forbes III Retired Alumni: Be sure to send both your winter/summer addresses. to be part of a solution that will permit us to continue educating the students of our communities. Elizabeth H. Harvey Louis O. Hilton Given the instability in public education and the demographic and economic challenges that Parents: Help us keep track of alumni; notify us of address changes of your children. Wayne O. Huff confront this region, our future will be increasingly tied to our ability to attract families to our Frederick E. Hutchinson ’48 school community; particularly families who can choose the school that will be the best fit for Martha G. Rollins ’37 Name: their students. This will mean that we should do all in our power to encourage continued school Lois Ward Reynolds ’54 Maiden Name: Class: choice for parents that is meaningful, flexible and underpinned by a commitment to educational Douglas M. Smith ’65 Murray M. Stanhope ’37 dollars that are tied primarily to the student and his or her family’s decision. I can think of no Address: stronger antidote to a potentially over-centralized educational system than to strengthen a family’s Helen D. Stitham Ê voice in the selection of a school for their children. Foxcroft Telephone: Spouse’s Name: I am confident that Foxcroft Academy will continue to offer a high quality education to the Volume No. XXXIII Children’s Names and Ages: youth of the region and through its continued independence preserve the flexibility it needs to Fall/ Winter 2007 create, implement and deliver an education that will prepare a wide range of students for success E-Mail Address: in life. Like all valuable things in life, its continuance and preservation will take work on the part of Editor: Jay Brennan Associate Head of School the school to continually improve its educational programs; and will require that we remain (names of children, grandchildren, place of work, hobbies, travel adventures, births, deaths, marriages, Cathy Hall NEWS/COMMENTS responsive to the needs and concerns of families and alumni who remain our most valuable Associate Editor: accomplishments, awards etc.): advocates. Such advocacy is particularly important at this juncture in the educational debate in Assistant Director of Development Maine and I encourage all our alumni and friends to make their voice heard in this debate. Contributor: Beth Postlewaite Finally, let me extend an open invitation to all of you to come to campus for a visit and to re- Assistant Head of School acquaint yourself with the Academy if it has been some time since your last visit. We are excited The Foxcroft is published two times each year for about the evolution of our programs, proud of our connections to the community and energized by alumni and friends of Foxcroft Academy. If you are receiving duplicate copies of the the growth and vitality of our boarding program. Foxcroft or have a change of address, please Sincerely, contact the Foxcroft Academy Alumni Office at 975 W. Main St., Dover-Foxcroft, ME 04426. Nomination for Dr. Mary Chandler Lowell Award You may read the Foxcroft online at: Raymond P. Webb Ph.D. www.foxcroftacademy.org/magazine.html Nomination for Tillson D.Thomas Award Head of School CORRECTION: In the last issue of the Foxcroft , Maryann COVER PICTURE: Mr. Strout working with Chris Steinke ‘08 in AP Statistics. Pluff’s name was inaccurately spelled as Mary Ann Plouff on page 1. We apologize for the error. Please send me a copy of Ensuring Your Wishes: A Guide to your Will J FACULTY fall a new group of educators Foxcroft Welcomes This are adding their energy and talent to the classroom and the life of the school, as they join other dedicated faculty ew aculty taff and staff members committed to growing N F &S the excellence of the Academy regionally, nationally and internationally.