T H E S C H O O L M AG A Z I N E • D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 5
Finding Ways to Change the World
Dr. Kelly Rodney Arnold ’96
Groundbreaking and Black & Gold Day 6 Alumna Makes it Big in Hollywood 16 Family Honors Alumna with Gift 27
CO N T E N T S D E PA R T M E N T S 3 News from Hutchison 5 2015-2016 Milestone Service Anniversaries 8 Theatre: Hutchison Presents Legally Blonde 15 Board of Trustees and Alumnae Association Board 19 Most Likely to Like 20 Faculty Profile: Jane Maxwell FEATURE STORY 10 Finding Ways to Change the World: Alumnae Working in STEM careers ALUMNAE PROFILES 16 Ginger Williams ’96 Talks Acting & Gratitude 22 Ellen Lail ’84: Success Through Confidence and Hard Work GIVING TO HUTCHISON 24 Norfleet Society Reception 26 1902 Legacy Society: Michelle Miller ’84 27 Family Honors Sydney Houston Hall ’54 ALUMNAE NEWS 28 Honorary Alumna: Candy Covington 29 Distinguished Alumna: Sarah Russell Haizlip ’65 30
Gatherings: 50th Reunion Out-of-town Events Alumnae Weekend Queen Bees Reunions
37 Professionally Speaking 38 Milestones 40 Class Notes P H OTO BY B R A N D O N D I L L P H OTO G R A P H Y
L E F T Elizabeth Underwood ’16 works out a problem in honors pre-calculus. O N T H E C OV E R Dr. Kelly Rodney Arnold ’96 opened Clínica Médicos in Chattanooga in March 2015 to provide comprehensive healthcare for the city’s Latino residents. P H OTO CO U R T E SY O F J O H N R AW L S TO N , C H AT TA N O O G A T I M E S F R E E P R E S S
Hutchison | 1
M E S S AG E | F R O M T H E H E A D O F S C H O O L
dear friends, The opportunities available to young women in the 21st century are, quite simply, incredible. As our alumnae take significant
MISSION
leadership roles, not only is equality being
Hutchison School is dedicated to
championed, but the world is changing for
p a ra l l e l d eve l o p m e n t o f m i n d , b o d y,
a c a d e m i c exc e l l e n c e a n d t o t h e
the better. The responsibility of any great
a n d spirit a s it edu cates young wom e n
girls’ school is to ensure that young women
integrity and responsible citizenship.
fo r s u cce ss i n co l l e g e a n d f o r l i ve s o f
have the skills and experiences they need to Dr. Annette Smith
go forth with confidence and courage. I see evidence of our success in this endeavor every
day in the extraordinary Hutchison alumnae I meet. They are helping to supply
H U TC H I S O N M AG A Z I N E December 2015 HEAD OF SCHOOL D r. A n n e t t e C . S m i t h
clean water to millions of people, offering vital medical care to underserved communities, making advances in technology, and so much more. Alumnae
E X E C U T I V E E D I TO R L o r i G u y, S t ra t e g i c
speak fondly of how Hutchison prepared them for the challenges and opportunities
Communications Director
they face in their personal, professional, and civic lives.
E D I TO R
To provide current and future generations of Hutchison girls with a similar
Max Maddock, Senior Communications Director
foundation requires us to present them with a constellation of opportunities from
m m a d d o c k @ h u t c h i s o n s c h o o l .o r g
which to choose. We are continually challenging girls in science, technology, and
A LU M N A E D I R E C TO R
math, enabling them to be creative and entrepreneurial, and inspiring them to
L e e S t ew a r t B owe n ’ 7 2
lead and give back to their communities. Along the way, our girls are mentored
CO N T R I B U T I N G W R I T E R S
by teachers equally eager and committed to learning and growing.
J u d i C e n t ko, L o r i G u y, M a x M a d d o c k ,
We often tell Hutchison girls that they can go anywhere they can imagine with passion, hard work, and determination. They know this to be true because of the impact Hutchison alumnae are making across the world. In their own unique ways, Hutchison graduates are enriching the lives of those around them and charting new paths into areas historically reserved for men.
C a t h y B a r b e r, E l i z a b e t h B ra n d o n ’ 0 2 , G a b r i e l l e P r ew i t t P H OTO G R A P H Y C a t h y B a r b e r, B ra n d o n D i l l , H o l l y A n n K a va n a u g h , R o b Lyo n s , M a x M a d d o c k , G a b r i e l l e P r ew i t t , N i c k S i m p s o n , a n d va r i o u s H u t c h i s o n c o n s t i t u e n t s DESIGNER
Sincerely,
B a r b a ra H i m b e r H u t c h i s o n M a g a z i n e i s p u b l i s h e d by t h e H u tc h i s o n Co m m u n i c a t i o n s O f f i ce .
Annette C. Smith, Ed.D. President and Head of School
Please forward address changes to: H U TC H I S O N S C H O O L 1 74 0 R I D G E WAY R OA D MEMPHIS, TN 38119 o r t w h i t e @ h u t c h i s o n s c h o o l .o r g
2 | Hutchison
N E WS | F R O M H U TC H I S O N
Connecting Learning with Service
L to R: Meredith Taylor ’10 from Best Buddies Tennessee talks with Alli Herring ’16, Kaia Starks ’18, Hannah Chandler ’18 at Hutchison’s Service Learning Fair
Kirby Dobbs Floyd ’82 and her husband, Glenn Floyd, recently endowed a new program called Hutchison Serves. While Hutchison has a long tradition of encouraging girls to take on service in the community, Hutchison Serves will further connect classroom curriculum with real-world issues. The Floyds were inspired by their daughter, Haley, who, after beating cancer, decided to make cookies, sell them in her neighborhood, and donate the money to St. Jude to help other children. The Floyds hope to introduce and foster the ideas of empathy and service at a young age. The program will be made available to girls in all grade levels, from Early Childhood to Upper School. Their vision for Hutchison Serves is that the girls’ ideas be the fuel for the program, which is centered on taking action.
“Students will discover that the concepts and ideas they are discussing in the classroom, whether in their history, science, or English classes, have relationships to issues in the real world,” said Rachel Frank, Hutchison Serves Director. “How they apply their knowledge toward service work and then take action will be the crux of the program.”
L to R, top: Kirby Dobbs Floyd ’82 with Olivia Wilson ’18, Emma Lou Tillmanns ’17, Lauren Livesay ’16, Alli Herring ’16; above, representatives from Su Casa Family Ministries Hutchison | 3
N E WS | F R O M H U TC H I S O N
Debate Raises the Bar at Hutchison Thanks to a generous gift from Anne Orgill ’85 and Mike Keeney, debate is now at Hutchison. Girls are studying the fundamentals of public speaking and debate tactics under the guidance of Nick Simpson, Upper School fine arts/social sciences teacher. The program will guide girls through the basics of oral communication by teaching them how to be a better listener, ways to engage an audience, and how to use powerful language. By choosing topics, engaging in research, and actively debating in the classroom, the girls are preparing for the 2016–2017 school year, when they plan to compete locally. Eventually the team will travel to other cities for competitions. The Keeneys also are hoping the Hutchison program may inspire other independent schools in Memphis to form debate teams, creating a robust competitive environment locally.
“It’s never too early to learn to think on your feet and to learn the art of persuasion … It helps these girls to be able to argue intellectually on both sides of an issue.”
Hutchison’s first year debate students are starting to practice.
— ANNE ORGILL KEENEY ’85
Lee Stewart Bowen ’72 is New Alumnae Director In September 2015, Lee Stewart in California, Texas, and New York City. Bowen ’72, was appointed as HutchiA member of the Twelve-Year Club, son’s new Alumnae Director. She Bowen has deep ties to Hutchison. Her returned to Memphis in 2014 after mother and sisters also are alumnae— 30 years in Chapel Hill/Durham, N.C., her mother is Mariette McDonald where her husband, David Bowen, was Stewart ’35; her late sister, Betty the founding minister of The Church of Stewart Rhodes ’64; and her sister, the Good Shepherd. Dr. Jeanne Stewart Jemison ’71. Bowen “It’s wonderful to be back in Memgraduated Phi Beta Kappa with bachLee Bowen ’72, Alumnae Director phis, and I’m thrilled to be at Hutchielor’s and master’s degrees in English son,” Bowen said. “Truly, ‘the friendships from the University of Tennessee and made at Hutchison will bring joy for years to come,’ as taught at Hutchison in 1976–77. She is an avid tennis the alma mater says.” She has loved sharing this joy while player and endurance athlete, having completed 20 reconnecting with Memphis alumnae of all ages and also marathons and 15 triathlons. She can be reached at hosting alumnae events in Nashville and Atlanta. She is lbowen@hutchisonschool.org. excited about meeting even more alumnae in the spring 4 | Hutchison
N E WS | F R O M H U TC H I S O N
2015-2016 Milestone Service Anniversaries Hutchison is an employer of choice for talented and enthusiastic individuals. Of our 194 employees, 99 have been here for at least five years and more than one-third have tenures of 10 years or longer. Their loyalty and commitment to our school and its mission are why we are #Hutchison Strong. Please join us in celebrating their service.
40
45
35
L to R: Ann Marie Crump (40 years), Laurie Fraser Stanton ’65 (45 years), Peggy Poynter McPherson ’02 (Honorary) (35 years)
25
L to R, front: Jane Maxwell, Vicki Koehn, Kathleen Towner; back: Anne Marie Caskey ’80, Grace Anne Morrison, Missy Prewitt; right: Napoleon Logan
10 Above, L to R, front: Linda Winchester, Elizabeth Boggan, Alice Trotter Crow ’88; back: Millie Duke, Melissa Ivy, Nancy Smith
20 15
Right, L to R, front: Amy Lawrence (15 years), Christina Wellford-Scott ’69 (20 years), Angela Smith (15 years); back: Catherine Chubb (15 years), Arnell Benton (20 years), Robert Edwards (20 years) Hutchison | 5
Celebrating the groundbreaking of the Brenda & Lester Crain Center, L to R: Barbara Crain ’77 and Lewis Williamson Jr., Abby Crain ’18, Sophia Rains ’24, Amy and Lester “Chip” Crain III, Brenda and Lester Crain, BeBe Lowrance ’19, Kim Crain Lowrance ’86, Annette Smith. The date on the sign behind them— June 30, 1958—honors Brenda and Lester’s wedding anniversary.
Groundbreaking Ceremony for Brenda & Lester Crain Center OCTOBER 2, 2015, WAS A FUN AND AMAZING DAY at
Hutchison! Amidst the crazy costumes and celebration of our annual Black and Gold school spirit day, we held a groundbreaking ceremony for the Brenda and Lester Crain Center. The building will be a two-story training and conditioning facility with approximately 4,000 square feet per floor, featuring home and visiting locker rooms, a concession stand, an athletic training room, an area for aerobics or dance, and public restrooms. There also will be a training and conditioning room and a walk-out balcony on the second tier overlooking Dobbs Field. An essential component of the 6 | Hutchison
A L L P H OTO S BY R O B LYO N S P H OTO G R A P H Y
project will be the hiring of a full-time certified strength and conditioning specialist (CSCS). The building is scheduled to be complete by August 2016. Hutchison is thankful to Brenda and Lester Crain for their generous donation to realize this building. The school also thanks other contributors: Cindy and Edward Dobbs, Barbara Crain ’77 and Lewis Williamson Jr., Amy and Chip Crain III, Kim Crain ’86 and Collie Lowrance Jr., Anne and Andy McCarroll, Chris Robinson ’72 and Reid Sanders, Scarlett and John Lynn, William E. Weiss Foundation, Inc., and Jeanne Bowen ’75 and Richard Hollis Jr.
N E WS | F R O M H U TC H I S O N : A DAY TO C E L E B R AT E !
Black & Gold day Day
Black and Gold Day is an annual tradition at Hutchison. It is a day when all girls, faculty, and staff get dressed up in our most spirited black and gold school costumes and celebrate.
The entire school comes together as one strong community, committed to each other’s excellence and well-being. This year we started with a parade around the school grounds followed by the groundbreaking ceremony for the Crain Center. We were then treated to performances by the Central High School Band, the Beale Street Flippers, the fourth-grade class (performing “Construction Stomp”), and the Hutchison Dance Team.
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F I N E A R T S | T H E AT R E
Final bows, L to R: David Fabian, Patsy Detroit ’16, Wilson Good, Spencer Germany, Keevie Smith ’16, Hayley Bell ’17, Virginia Strother ’16, Hannah Daniele ’18, Parker Pirtle, Irene Keeney ’19, Sarah Austin ’17, Amber Miller ’16, Elizabeth Underwood ’16, Olivia Wilkinson ’17
Legally Blonde is a Hit! IN NOVEMBER, HUTCHISON PRESENTED its fall theater production, Legally Blonde: The Musical in the Wiener Theater. Directed by Fine Arts faculty member Jay Rapp, the show featured 22 upper school girls and six boys from neighboring schools. Keevie Smith ’16 played the plucky protagonist Elle Woods, Patsy Detroit ’16 portrayed Brooke Wyndham, and Virginia Strother ’16 was Paulette. Amira Coger ’16 was stage manager and alumna Whitney Branan ’03 choreographed the show. Monica Fleck ’18 and Quinn Farr ’20, Hutchison string students, played in the orchestra. Hutchison girls worked hard behind the scenes on costumes, sets, lighting, and sound. The school’s Production Stagecraft class teaches painting techniques, how to read design plans, the proper way to use tools, and other functions of a theatre scene shop. The show was a huge success, with more than 1,500 people attending over three days. Opposite page: At The Hair Affair Salon, L to R: Virginia Strother ’16 as Paulette Buonufonte and Keevie Smith ’16 as Elle Woods; above left: Courtney Davis ’19 as the Judge; left: Elle’s Greek Chorus, L to R: Patsy Detroit ’16, Suraya Buffong ’18, Olivia Wilkinson ’17, Hannah Daniele ’18, Elizabeth Underwood ’16, Emily Cohen ’17, Amber Miller ’16, Ilsa Saeed ’16, Hayley Bell ’17; below, left: Sarah Austin ’17 as Enid Hoopes; Patsy Detroit ’16 as Brooke Wyndham
P H OTO S BY N I C K S I M P S O N
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F E AT U R E | A LU M N A E I N S T E M C A R E E R S
Finding Ways to Change the World Hutchison Alumnae are Doing Innovative Work and Seeing More Opportunities for Women by Max Maddock
The woman walked into Clínica Médicos in Chattanooga crying. Her 14-year-old son was behind her, and she said, “My son burned himself, and I only have $20. Can you help?” Dr. Kelly Rodney Arnold ’96 saw a timid boy standing behind the woman with grease burns from the knees down. He was fighting back tears. Arnold answered quickly and directly, in Spanish: “No se preocupe, lo vamos a cuidar.” (“Don’t worry, we will take care of him.”) The cases that present themselves at Clínica Médicos aren’t always as severe, but they present themselves seven days a week and Arnold is compelled to help. “It didn’t matter whether that family had $20 or $20 million,” she said. “I knew that the family came to us out of trust and for them to go to the ER uninsured would amount to thousands of dollars in bills they could not pay. We took care of his burns nearly every day for two weeks until he was healed.”
employee in the clinic is bilingual and many have Latin American backgrounds. The goal is not only to provide much-needed healthcare, but to be culturally sensitive, make costs transparent and affordable, educate patients about the complexities of insurance, and provide continuity of care. Arnold, who studied at The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, is one of many Hutchison alumnae who are making strides in science, techDr. Arnold gathers with some of the patients she sees in Chattanooga
nology, engineering, and math professions, colloquially known as STEM. She grew up learning Spanish, and her father, William M. Rodney, M.D., opened Medicos Para La Familia in Memphis in 1999, which also serves
the Latino population. With those genes, it wasn’t enough for Arnold to be a doctor. She intrinsically knew that she would combine her love of language and science and find a way to help people.
“We have women of STEM professions encouraging younger generations to get involved.” —Dr. Kelly Rodney Arnold ’96 10 | Hutchison
O P P O S I T E PAG E : P H OTO CO U R T E SY O F J O H N R AW L S TO N , C H AT TA N O O G A T I M E S F R E E P R E S S
Arnold opened Clínica Médicos in March 2015, primarily to serve the burgeoning and underserved Latino community of Chattanooga. Every
Dr. Arnold reviewing labs readily available through point-of-care technology
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P H OTO BY CO N O CO P H I L L I P S
Kate Christenbury ’07 has a career in information technology; she collaborates with geologists, geophysicists, and reservoir engineers.
THE MYTH OF GIRLS AND STEM In the past, the narrative was that girls didn’t gravitate toward sciences, engineering, technology, or math. The myth was that they weren’t
of Organ Transplantation” or “Signal Induction of Neuroproliferation and Aberrant Postnatal Behavior,” to name just two. It’s clear that Hutchison has long nurtured this interest.
interested, or erroneously,
Ellie Key ’01 discovered her love for science and math at
weren’t as skilled as boys.
Hutchison. “I loved to read as a kid, and Pat Newberry was
But ask a Hutchison
great as an English teacher, but math and science were what
science teacher or an
interested me,” she said. She graduated from the Colorado
alumna, and those notions
School of Mines and now works as a permit manager and facil-
couldn’t be further from
ity engineer for the Washington State Department of Ecology,
the truth.
regulating 25 waste water treatment plants that discharge to
“I think it’s ridiculous to say girls don’t like
Ellie Key ’01 inspects tertiary filters that remove phosphorus from secondary wastewater effluent.
research topics read like Ph.D. dissertation titles: “Epigenetics
surface water. “I was in AP Environmental Science as a senior and went to
science, because they do,”
my first waste water treatment plant with that class,” Key said.
said Mary Lee Wesberry,
“I think I was probably the only one who didn’t get grossed
an upper school science
out by it. I thought it was pretty interesting.” Key credits two
teacher in her 14th year at
other Hutchison teachers—Vicky Fisher, math, and Karen Irving,
Hutchison. “You just have
chemistry—for planting the seed about a possible
to find out where they’re interested and go in that direction.” Wesberry oversees Hutchison’s Science Research Fellows
career in math or science. In addition to her prowess in those subjects, Key made
program. The idea is to challenge girls in grades 9–12 who have
sure her work involved protecting the environment, as well.
a strong interest in science to go beyond their classroom and
“I think access to clean water and sanitation is a fundamental
find a subject they are passionate about, conduct independent
human right. I work with mayors and city councils a lot and try
research, and present and defend their findings. Recent
to educate them on the importance of water quality.” One of
12 | Hutchison
“Women bring a unique set of strengths. We see the world differently and approach problems differently.” —Holly Crump ’93
the cities she works with is Spokane, which discharges about
for medical school, hopes to move beyond the clinic and get
35 million gallons a day into the Spokane River, she said. Key
involved in more intervention work. “I’ve been focused on
makes sure the treatment plant’s discharge does not exceed
understanding how neighborhoods and schools impact differ-
the river’s pollutant capacity, protecting both human health and
ent outcomes, and then the hope is that I’ll be able to provide
aquatic life through implementation of the Clean Water Act.
good evidence for where to intervene,” Richmond said.
Dr. Tracy Kramer Richmond ’90, a pediatrician and researcher at Boston Children’s
S T E M C A R E E R S N E E D M O R E WO M E N !
Hospital, and Assistant Professor at Harvard Medical School,
One thing every alumna agrees on—there’s plenty of opportunity in STEM professions for women.
treats a variety of issues, but spends about three-quarters of
Dr. Tracy Kramer Richmond ’90
“We need IT people faster than the universities are producing them,” said Kate Christenbury ’07, who graduated from
her time on social epidemiology
the University of Arkansas and works in information technology.
research. “I’m trying to under-
Christenbury is well aware of the opportunities in her field. She
stand the social determinants of
was a finance major until her sophomore year in college. When
health, so race, ethnicity, gender,
she saw the turmoil created by the financial crisis in 2008, she
socioeconomic background, and
reconsidered her trajectory. Her research revealed that infor-
how those things impact kids’
mation systems graduates not only were paid more, but had
health,” Richmond said.
the highest job placement percentages. She happened to be in
One focus is on adolescent obesity. With food insecurity and a lack of nutritious food
an intro to IT class at the time and loved it. “I was actually making better grades in that class than I was in my finance class.”
available to many of her patients, it is a difficult issue to tackle.
After making the switch, Christenbury found a mentor to
She works in a multidisciplinary clinic, so while she monitors a
help her through some of the more challenging classes, which
patient’s physical health, there are also psychologists and social
had more male students than females. She landed an internship
workers helping to solve behavioral and environmental issues.
during her junior year at a small energy company and learned
Richmond, who did her undergraduate work at the University of Pennsylvania and attended the University of Cincinnati
about the oil and gas industry. By November of her senior year, she had secured a job at ConocoPhillips.
P R O M I S I N G S TAT I S T I C S In 2004, the National Science Foundation (NSF) funded the National Girls Collaborative Project (NGCP), which is helping to address the complex issue of gender equity in STEM fields. According to the NGCP, the NSF Science & Engineering Indicators report of 2012 showed that “Girls are taking many high-level mathematics and science courses at similar rates as their male peers, with the exception of physics and engineering, and are performing well overall.” Career-wise, women are still underrepresented in the science and engineering workforce. Male students are over three times more likely to be interested in STEM majors and careers, compared to female students. Source: ngcproject.org/statistics
S T E M C A R E E R S WO M E N ARE CHOOSING 60 50
53%
51%
40 30 20 10
26% 13% Percentages of women entering this field in 2012 Hutchison | 13
“Exposure to broad thinking … is really important. Hutchison is the perfect incubator for that …” —Dr. Tracy Kramer Richmond ’90
In addition to being a techie,
who are innovative, and who hav-
Christenbury supports geologists,
en’t been in the industry for 20 or
geophysicists, and reservoir engi-
30 years. I think that’s what allows
neers (GGRE for short), so she also
positive change to happen. Young
has to be knowledgeable about
people coming in are going to be
those subjects to keep up. Many
on the cutting edge and able to
of the GGRE staff are men, but she
push [the industry] forward.”
finds they are more surprised at her age than her ability. She meets reg-
Engineer Holly Crump ’93 and daughter Taylor ’22
ularly with other professional women in the company for support and mentoring. One important consideration: how do you maintain a
G E T T I N G T H E WO R D O U T “I think that at a grassroots level,
more so than ever before, we have women of STEM professions encouraging younger generations to get involved,” said
demanding career and also build a family? Despite the
Dr. Kelly Rodney Arnold. She believes girls’ interests will be
demands of her clinic, Dr. Arnold, in Chattanooga, has three
piqued if they meet with women working in different fields,
children. “The STEM professions are finding creative ways to
learn about their professions, and ask questions. “It might be
allow women to have a career, to nurture a profession, and at
the first time one of those young women has ever sat down
the same time, nurture their own families,” she said. “And I think
with a chemical engineer or even knows what that is—or with
that’s going to be an important component to consider in the
a computer programmer.”
discussion of recruiting more women to enter these fields.”
Richmond advocates that girls try diverse experiences. “I think encouraging creativity and risk taking are really import-
S E E I N G T H E WO R L D D I F F E R E N T LY In addition to the variety of opportunities available to
ant,” she said. She suggested traveling to a different country to broaden thinking or even something as simple as following
women in STEM professions, several alumnae posited that
a tech blog outside one’s usual interests to inspire new ideas.
women also have distinct advantages in these careers.
“Exposure to broad thinking, different kinds of thinking,
“Women bring a unique set of strengths,” said Holly Crump ’93. “We see the world differently and approach problems differently.” Crump, who graduated from Washington and Lee Univer-
different kinds of disciplines, is really important. Hutchison is the perfect incubator for that kind of thing.” No one says the path is easy, though. “My father always told me that it’s a marathon,” Arnold said. “Set long-term
sity, is an electrical engineer designer for Liles Engineering
goals and avoid expecting immediate professional gratification
in Memphis. It’s her job to plan how power is brought into
during the building years. Sustaining gratification will come
and distributed throughout a new building. Among her many
through discovering what it is that you love. People have said
projects, Crump worked on Hutchison’s Abston Center, Labry
to me, ‘Wow that must have taken a lot of work! You’ve been
Hall, and is currently working on the new Crain Center building
working so much.’ I respond, “I have, but it’s been a joy. I love
under construction.
what I do.”
Engineer Ellie Key agrees that a unique perspective is vital. “What we need are people who can think outside of the box,
14 | Hutchison
Find out more about Clínica Médicos at clinicamedicos.org.
B OA R D O F T R U S T E E S & A LU M N A E A S S O C I AT I O N B OA R D | 2 0 1 5 – 2 0 1 6
N E W M E M B E R S | B OA R D O F T R U S T E E S 2 0 1 5 – 2 0 1 6
Hutchison is proud to welcome four new members to its Board of Trustees—Erica Stiff-Coopwood, Jeannie Tabor, William R. Tayloe, and Muffy
2 0 1 5 - 2 0 1 6 B OA R D O F T R U S T E E S Jeanne Bowen Hollis ’75, Chair Annette C. Smith, Ed.D., President, Head of School Barbara Crain Williamson ’77, Vice-Chair
Farnsworth Turley ’88.
Susan L. Springfield ’82, Treasurer
The Board of Trustees is the guardian of Hutchison’s mission. It is composed of volunteer leaders with a wide range of experiences, talents, and perspectives. In partnership with the Head of School, the Board sets vision and strategy for the school and ensures sound financial management and proper stewardship of resources.
Andrew R. McCarroll, Secretary Katherine Wilson Blackney ’95 Emily Bryce Bowie ’00 Erica Stiff-Coopwood William Deupree III Edward J. Dobbs Megan Wellford Grinder ’91 Sarah Russell Haizlip ’65 Bruce A. Harrison Bernice Hederman Hussey Anne Orgill Keeney ’85 Mary Miles Loveless ’72 Michelle Nelson Miller ’84 Johnny B. Moore Jr. Richard C. Moore Jr. W. Reid Sanders Frederick C. Schaeffer Jr.
Erica Stiff-Coopwood
Jeannie Tabor
Jeannie Tabor William R. Tayloe Kelly H. Truitt Muffy Farnsworth Turley ’88
2 0 1 5 - 2 0 1 6 A LU M N A E A S S O C I AT I O N B OA R D Ginny Dowell Brundick ’92, President Missy Nichols Rainer ’77, President-Elect Tracie Allen Webber ’89, Past President Christy Smith Muller ’91, Events Co-Chair Robyn McGee Raby ’88, Events Co-Chair Mary Helen Randall ’92, Communications Chair
William R. Tayloe
Muffy Farnsworth Turley ’88
Julia Williams Manning ’55, Queen Bees Chair Megan Marchant ’09, Collegiate/Young Alumnae Chair
Hutchison is indebted to recently retired trustees— Edward A. Labry III, Douglas J. Marchant, and Michael J. Wharton. Their investments of time, talent, and treasure have helped shape the Hutchison experience.
Amelia Brown ’10, Collegiate/Young Alumnae Vice-Chair Melissa Dula Reddoch ’85, Member-At-Large Lee Stewart Bowen ’72, Alumnae Director
Hutchison | 15
Ginger Williams ’96
Talks Acting & Gratitude
Ginger Williams, known professionally as Virginia Williams, in a scene from Fairly Legal, which ran on the USA Network 16 | Hutchison
Photo courtesy of Alan Zenuk/USA Network
ALUMNA PROFILE | GINGER WILLIAMS ’96
Alumna & Hollywood Star Spends the Day with Hutchison Actors by Max Maddock
In May 2015, just a week before Hutchison’s graduation, seniors Lillie Burrow and Adele Fish were performing one last dress rehearsal of ’night, Mother, a provocative Pulitzer Prize-winning play by Marsha Norman. The audience in Hutchison’s black box theater, comprised of fellow Acting I class students and a few teachers, was rapt. And so was their special guest—Virginia “Ginger” Williams, a television and movie actor, who graduated from Hutchison in 1996. University at Lincoln Center, Williams was able to try As the dramatic ending played out and the lights out for the soap opera One Life to Live. She got the came up, some students wiped tears from their faces. part, and spent her senior year traveling back and forth Everyone applauded. Williams said, “Ladies, you are between Hutchison and filming the doing such fantastic work. You should soap in New York. be really proud of yourselves!” Class“I’ve always been able to make a mates offered similar praise for the really good living doing what I love performances. to do,” Williams said. “I’m very humThen, the attention turned to bled by the success I’ve been able to Williams. The girls were anxious to ask have.” about her experiences in Hollywood Williams is what we call a and for any tips she might have. One Hutchison lifer—she started in junior of the first questions—what has been kindergarten at four years old and your favorite role? “Maria in The Sound went through 12th grade. “I got the of Music and Jesus in Godspell,” whole Hutch experience!” Williams replied without missing Was there an “aha moment” for a beat. But those roles weren’t in Virginia in a scene from Revenge of the Bridesmaids Williams in terms of knowing that Hollywood; they were both roles she acting was her thing? “I just sort of performed while at Hutchison. fell into acting by way of singing, because if you were You may not have caught Williams in those roles, but in the musicals, then you acted as well. Then I sort of if you’ve watched television in the past 20 years, you’ve discovered that I loved storytelling so much—plays were no doubt seen her. She starred in the comedy/drama so fun for me and I loved working on characters. That’s series Fairly Legal on the USA Network and as the bridewhen acting sort of took over.” zilla, Caitlin, in the hit ABC Family movie Revenge of the Lots of credit goes to Hutchison teachers and faculty, Bridesmaids (a favorite of several Hutchison girls). of course. “Alice Claire Colville was the music teacher. Williams also was the lead in the Lifetime telenovela I remember her always being very loving and really Monarch Cove and has had starring roles and recurring supportive of me,” Williams said. “Then there were Sara characters on many other shows, including How I Met and Leonard Frey. They were the heads of upper school. Your Mother, Strangers with Candy, Girlfriends’ Guide to They were very supportive of the arts and of me ... even Divorce, The Mentalist, Rules of Engagement, Better Off while I was working and in school—as long as I kept my Ted, Lie to Me, In Plain Sight, Two and a Half Men, My academics up, which I did.” Wife and Kids, Jack & Bobby and Veronica Mars, to name And last, but not least, Anne Marie Caskey ’80, just a few. current Theatre Artistic Director, who taught Williams, Against most odds, Williams has been working as an Burrow ’15 and Fish ’15, and now teaches other aspiring actor since graduating from Hutchison … actually, before Hutchison actors. “She’s just awesome,” Williams said. graduating. While visiting New York City to audition for “She’s absolutely the reason I became an actor.” a spot in the undergraduate theater program at Fordham Bridesmaids photo courtesy of ABC Family/Patti Perret
Hutchison | 17
“ Anne Marie Caskey is just awesome. She’s absolutely the reason I became an actor.” —Ginger Williams ’96
Caskey recalled a different favorite role of Williams’ while at Hutchison. “She was the “Star to Be” in Annie. It was just one tiny part. She walked on and sang ‘NYC, just got here this morning!’ It was that small of a role. And that was what everyone remembered from the show.” Williams stressed the importance of learning the craft. “Don’t rely on luck and talent, because it will only take you so far.” She expressed her belief in the liberal arts education that she received at Hutchison and Fordham. “Someone said to me early on, ‘the smarter, more well-rounded person makes the smarter, more well-rounded actor.’ ” But Williams also wanted to be realistic with the hopeful actors. “It’s an incredibly difficult career choice in terms of being able to support yourself fully.” She pointed out the many careers in the industry: costuming, set design, entertainment law, marketing, assistant directing, among others. Williams’ husband, Bradford Bricken (who hails from Tullahoma, Tenn.), loves the entertainment world. He worked his way up from the mail room of an agency to become a voice-over agent and is
now a talent and literary manager. Williams is careful not to let her career take 100 percent of her life and strives for balance. “I have a great, supportive, loving husband, and I have awesome friends.” She’s been an advocate for Free the Slaves, an organization that seeks to eradicate human trafficking. And she was an ambassador for the Global Down Syndrome Foundation and has spoken on their behalf in Washington, D.C. What’s next for Williams? She’s in a new movie called Woodlawn. “It’s a really fantastic movie about God, football, and the South,” she said, and co-stars Sean Astin and Jon Voight. Eventually she’d like to produce and direct as well, but that’s in the future. She’s still enjoying acting. “I’m grateful that I took the path that I did, but I’m extremely cognizant of the fact that I am very blessed and very lucky.” Virginia and her husband welcomed their first son, Bradford Jr. (Ford), on November 19, 2015. They also have a new labradoodle puppy named Elvis—a nod to Williams’ Memphis roots.
A LESSON IN GRATITUDE Williams recalled one particularly tough acting and life
and I remember thinking, ‘You know
experience. When she was cast as the lead on Monarch
what, I’ve wanted this. I’m going to
Cove, it was a dream come true, but it ended up
go back, I’m going to sit at that Star-
being very difficult. As the lead actor, Williams was in
bucks, and I’m going to look at that
virtually every scene, working 18- to 20-hour days and
billboard, and I’m just going to have
averaging about three hours of sleep. She was shooting
gratitude.’ I sat down at Starbucks,
in Australia, away from family and friends, so she was
I took a deep breath, I looked up,
quite lonely. “It was grueling,” she said. “And it was all
and the billboard had changed to an
on my shoulders … I mean, if the show comes out badly,
iPod ad …
I’m the face of it.” When the show was about to premiere, Williams recalled seeing a giant billboard advertisement with her face on it near a Starbucks she frequented in Los Angeles. The billboard didn’t bring her any happiness. “A
“All I could do was laugh. But it was the best life lesson, and I think of it all the time—you don’t get to pick and choose when to be grateful. Be grateful in all circumstances.”
few days later, I was having a heart-to-heart with God, Photo by Jeff Vespa 18 | Hutchison
M O S T L I K E LY TO “ L I K E ”
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Hutchison | 19
FAC U LT Y | Q & A : JA N E M AX W E L L
WHEN YOU MEET JANE MAXWELL, fourth grade teacher, she is sure to put a smile on your face and make you laugh. Her energy and enthusiasm have made her a strong presence at Hutchison for the past 26 years. It’s why so many girls come back to visit her after they graduate, including her two daughters, both alumnae. We wanted to learn a little bit more about her and her time at Hutchison.
Q: Why do you enjoy teaching lower school girls? A: I feel like they’re eager to learn and hear what you have to say. But they also have their independence about them, and I like that.
Q: How has teaching literacy changed over the last decade? A: When I first started teaching, we allowed 40 minutes a day for reading. Now we spend two to two-and-a-half hours on reading. All of our reading is integrated with science and social studies. In the past, everything was compartmentalized. We had social studies time, and then that was over. Then science time and that was over. Then reading time and that was over. Now we integrate all of those together.
Q: In addition to curriculum, do classes take shape around the girls’ interests and questions? Is that different from when you first started teaching?
A: Absolutely. When their questions and interests guide the discussion,
we’re teaching them real-world skills that they are going to use outside of a classroom and not just memorization of content that they can quickly go online and locate. They’re learning how to collaborate and work together. They come up with the problem and they’re trying to find a solution. And it may not work. They know that’s part of the process.
Q: How do you prepare in such a responsive classroom? A: I like to have all my ducks in a row, but you have to be more flexible as a teacher today. I work
“They’re learning
with the other fourth grade teachers, and we share our insights—what works and what doesn’t.
how to collaborate
We also have a visiting scholar who discusses innovative teaching ideas and how to implement
and work together.
them. I have learned so much about teaching in the last few years that I’m so excited about. Not just because I agree with them, which I do, but I’ve seen it make such a difference in these girls.
Q: What’s the most adventurous thing you’ve ever done? A: I went on the mother/daughter retreat and they had zip lines. I’m not much for heights, and I wasn’t in the best spirits in that particular time in my life. But the girls kept saying, “Ms. Maxwell,
come on ... go, go, go.” I started thinking about it, and I thought, “I’m going to do this.” The minute I
They come up with the problem, and they’re trying to find a solution. And it may not work.
went off and looked down and the girls were there cheering for me … honestly, that was one of the
They know that’s
greatest pleasures of my life because it totally changed my demeanor. That’s what these kids do for
part of the process.”
me. They give me so much. It truly made a difference in my life.
Q: What are your hobbies outside of work? A: I love gardening. That’s my favorite thing. Anything to do with yard work and gardening. And
reading. I like mysteries, drama, and recently historical fiction. This past summer I read 45 books. I read every day.
Q: Do you have a favorite quotation? A: “People will forget what you said, and they will forget what you did, but they will never forget how you made them feel.” [Editor’s note: Often attributed to Maya Angelou.] That’s my mantra. I tell these girls at the beginning, “Girls, I’m going to make mistakes,” and I teach them how to let me know if they think I’ve made a mistake. When you set out these parameters, and how things are supposed to be, you let them know you’re human.
Q: Is there anything else you’d like to say? A: I am doing what I need to be doing. I don’t have any desire to do anything else besides be a
teacher. The girls I teach, I absolutely love them, and I like to see their smiling faces. I consider myself a very positive person, and I try to bring that to the classroom.
Hutchison | 21
A L U M N A P R O F I L E | E L L E N G A N N AWAY L A I L ’ 8 4
Success Through Confidence, Hard Work, and Thick Skin by Elizabeth Brandon ’02
WHEN ELLEN GANNAWAY LAIL ’84 MEETS WITH A FORTUNE 100 CLIENT, chances are she will
be the only woman in the room. As District Manager of Southeast Sales at Pure Storage, a data storage company, Lail has managed to succeed in a competitive, male-dominated industry.
While she didn’t initially set out to become a leader in
sales position in cable advertising at Scripps Howard.
the technology industry, Lail wouldn’t want to be any-
After demonstrating her computer skills, she later moved
where else. “I made the best of every situation that was
into technology sales at BellSouth.
presented to me, and I feel that Hutchison was a big part of
While at Scripps Howard and BellSouth, Lail completed
equipping me with the skills to
her master’s in Industrial and Organization Psychology at
persevere,” she says. “Hutchi-
the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga to help set her
son ingrained in us very early
apart from competition in future career opportunities. She
on that we could do any-
then moved through the ranks, from Branch Manager at
thing we wanted to do,” says
BellSouth Business Systems, to Director in the Office of
the former student council
Strategy and Operations - Public Sector at Cisco, to Vice
president, who now mentors
President of Sales - Mid-Atlantic/Southeast and Federal
female leaders in her field and
Division at converged infrastructure company VCE, after
aspiring tech entrepreneurs at
which she joined Pure Storage.
Georgia Tech.
Founded in 2009 and based in Mountain View, Cali-
Attending Hutchison in
fornia, Pure Storage is the market’s leading independent
the sixth through 12th grade,
solid-state array vendor, enabling the broad deployment
Lail enjoyed studying English
of flash storage in the data center. Working out of Atlanta,
and the arts, including Pat Newberry’s ’02, honorary alum-
Lail started at Pure Storage as its 200th employee in
na, and Margaret Wellford Tabor’s ’55 English classes, as
August 2013, and as of December 2014, the company had
well as Karen Wellford’s art history class. Having competed
1,100 employees globally and continues to grow. On
in soccer, golf, volleyball, and track and field, Lail served
October 7, 2015, Lail was invited to visit the New York
as student council president her senior year. She received
Stock Exchange’s trading floor to celebrate Pure Storage’s
the Russell Award for leadership, an award for excellence
initial public offering, listed as PSTG.
in art, and was voted “Best All-Around.” Also during her senior year, Lail developed her interest
Having chosen her career in a male-dominated industry, Lail has built “scar tissue” along the way, learning to
in technology when she took a computer science class at
navigate different approaches to completing projects,
MUS, and for her final exam, wrote a program for an ATM
competition, and conflict resolution. When reflecting on
machine. She went on to complete her undergraduate
her success, she notes, “I recognize that I will not always
degree in journalism at the University of Georgia, where
be the smartest person in the room. However, odds are, I
she worked in the college library’s computer lab.
can develop the best plan 50 percent of the time; and if I
Following graduation from The University of Georgia
don’t have the best plan, I know I can outwork my compe-
in 1988, Lail faced a tough job market and realized that
tition. I am a hard worker, and believe in doing my best at
available career opportunities in the journalism field
whatever I decide to do. My hard work will be recognized
would not allow her to make ends meet. She landed a
and will pay off over the long term.”
22 | Hutchison
Lail was one of 100 Pure Storage employees invited to the New York Stock Exchange in October for the company’s initial public offering.
Lail stressed that there’s abun-
in the Hutchison community, volunteering as a loyalty represen-
dant opportunity for women in the
tative for the Annual Fund and serving on the National Alumnae
technology field and believes they
Board.
have a distinct advantage. “The way
Ellen and husband Mike live in Atlanta.
Sharing her expertise with others in her industry, Lail serves as
that women problem solve, just
a mentor for female leaders through the leadership development
makes for a better solution,” she
program Women Unlimited, having completed the program herself
said. “There is a lot of research that
in 2009. She also serves as a mentor for Georgia Tech’s Advanced
shows that diversity in thought,
Technology Development Center, which supports technology entre-
when collaborating, yields better
preneurs as they start and develop companies.
ideas and makes companies more profitable,” she added. Living in Atlanta with her husband, Mike, Lail remains involved
When examining keys to her success and advice she shares with others, Lail emphasizes the importance of not only hard work but open-mindedness:
“Give yourself permission to evolve. Don’t be so rigid in what you think you should be doing that you don’t try other options or entertain opportunities off the beaten path, because you never know where it can take you.” Hutchison | 23
P H OTO BY H O L LY A N N K AVA N AU G H
GIVING | NORFLEET SOCIETY RECEPTION
Annette Smith and Kirby Dobbs Floyd ’82
Merry and Johnny Moore (trustee)
Andy McCarroll (trustee), Megan Wellford ’91 (trustee) and Brett Grinder, Cindy Dobbs
Jean Norfleet, Frances Norfleet Thompson ’69, Annette Smith, Beverley Ray ’04, and Barham Ray
Tom Merchant and Jenny Tibbs Merchant ’83
Enid and George Griesbeck, Muffy Farnsworth ’88 (trustee) and Michael Turley
24 | Hutchison
New members of the Norfleet Society, L to R, front: Michelle Nelson Miller ’84 (trustee), Kim Crain Lowrance ’86, Megan Wellford Grinder ’91 (trustee), Amy Crain, Jenny Tibbs Merchant ’83, Annette Smith, and Kirby Dobbs Floyd ’82; back: Eric Miller, Collie Lowrance, Brett Grinder, Chip Crain, Tom Merchant, and Glenn Floyd
Gifts that Transform a School THIS FALL HUTCHISON HOSTED ITS 10TH ANNUAL Norfleet
During this year’s celebration Dr. Annette Smith recognized
Society dinner to recognize our community’s most generous
our newest Norfleet Society members and honored Hutchison
philanthropists—individuals who have given more than $100,000
alumna Kirby Dobbs Floyd ’82 with the Anne Marie Newton Walker
cumulatively to our school. The namesake for this prestigious
Philanthropy Award. Earlier this year, Kirby and her husband, Glenn,
society is former Board Chair Frank Norfleet, who was the driving
endowed Hutchison Serves, a new service program that spans from
force behind Hutchison’s bold and visionary move to the Ridgeway
early childhood to upper school.
campus in 1964. Like Mr. Norfleet, the members of the society are visionaries
Trustee and current parent Andy McCarroll closed out the evening with a stirring testimonial about why he and his wife, Anne,
whose contributions will leave a lasting legacy on our school. The
selected Hutchison for their two daughters. He spoke about
philanthropy of our Norfleet members has enabled us to transform
Dr. Smith’s visionary leadership, the expertise and compassion of
our 52-acre campus and our academic and co-curricular programs
the faculty, and the spirit of innovation, creativity, and collaboration
over the past decade.
that permeates the Hutchison campus.
P H OTO S BY B R A N D O N D I L L P H OTO G R A P H Y
Hutchison | 25
G I V I N G | 1 9 0 2 L E G AC Y S O C I E T Y
Giving Back to a School that Gave Her So Much Michelle Nelson Miller ’84 Joins the 1902 Legacy Society
WHEN ASKED WHO THE MOST INFLUENTIAL TEACHER WAS when she was at Hutchison, Michelle Nelson Miller ’84 had difficulty narrowing it down to one. “It’s impossible to answer, as you can imagine the memories I have of so many wonderful teachers,” she said. She mentioned Jean Maier, Marsha Rutherford, and Gordon Mathis. “I am a cracker-jack editor because of Pat Newberry and Margaret Tabor,” she said. “If forced to choose, I would have to give significant credit to Leonard Frey, as both a teacher and guidance counselor, for pushing me to stretch myself and aim higher in every class. I have always carried a debt of gratitude to Mr. Frey for his contribution to who I Michelle Nelson Miller ’84
am today.” Miller is vice president of strategic and financial planning for FedEx Express, the largest FedEx operating company and the world’s largest express transportation company. Her
“I feel it is import-
FedEx career spans over 20 years, and she has served as chief financial officer and vice presi-
ant that I give back
dent of global process control with FedEx Trade Networks, the global freight forwarding and
and am honored to be part of building the Hutchison of the present and future.”
customs brokerage subsidiary. She is currently on the Hutchison Board of Trustees. “I benefited from the support and generosity of those who built the Hutchison of the 1970s and 80s,” Miller said. She added that her daughter, Natalie Rodriguez-Nelson ’14, reaped the rewards of her experience thanks to those who built the Hutchison of the 2000s and 2010s. Natalie is currently studying at Princeton. “I feel it is important that I give back and am honored to be part of building the Hutchison of the present and future. I am committed to ensuring the values, academics, and programs continue to evolve to meet the needs of the girls of the future.” How did Hutchison prepare her? “Because I had attended an all girls school, I had only seen female class presidents,” Miller said. “I learned to be vocal and secure in sharing my opinions. It never occurred to me that any roles were designated female versus male. It is still an advantage in my career and personal life.” “It meant so much to me to share many of the same traditions with Natalie,” Miller added. “I have our flower girl and graduation photos side by side. The self-awareness, self-confidence, and poise of our students today are impressive and a testament to the phenomenal faculty, programs, and curriculum that the Hutchison administration has shepherded.”
The 1902 Legacy Society was created to recognize individuals who have made a bequest or estate planned gift to Hutchison. If you would like to join the 1902 Legacy Society or have already included Hutchison in your estate plan or are considering an estate planned gift to Hutchison, please contact Elizabeth Boggan at 901.507.2465 or eboggan@hutchisonschool.org. 26 | Hutchison
G I V I N G | H O N O R I N G SY D N E Y F R A N C E S H O U S TO N H A L L ’ 5 4
Family Honors Mother with Gift for Education Travel
Front: Wallace Hall Sr.; back, L to R: George “Houston” Hall, Sydney Ann Hall, Elizabeth Boggan, Annette Smith, Wallace Hall Jr.
WHEN THE HALL FAMILY OF DALLAS was
gift creates an endowment for educational travel
looking for a way to honor their late mother,
at Hutchison. Mr. Hall said he knew that his wife
Sydney Frances Houston Hall ’54, it occurred
would specifically want to help a girl who might
to them how significant Hutchison School had
not otherwise be able to participate in a life-chang-
been in her life. Her husband, daughter, and
ing trip. The fund provides financial assistance for
two sons remembered how their mother always
the school’s national and international educational
spoke fondly of her time at Hutchison, and they
travel programs and is open to qualified upper
knew that many of her lifetime friendships had
grade level girls.
formed at the school. Sydney’s parents, Frances and George Houston, owned Mid-South Title in Memphis. Sydney’s sister, Harriet King Houston ’57,
Dr. Annette Smith, head of school, met with the Sydney Houston Hall ’54
also graduated from Hutchison and is married to Royce Hough III.
family in Dallas, along with Elizabeth Boggan, development director at Hutchison. “It was inspiring to be in the middle of the family as they were telling the
stories of how much their mother appreciated and grew from her
“She was just so easy to love,” said Wallace Legette Hall Sr., Sydney’s husband of 53 years. “She was beautiful, vibrant, witty, charming. She had a modest, graceful, kind, and gentle way about
Hutchison experience,” Boggan said. “Her Hutchison friends were her lifetime friends.” Dr. Smith noted that the gift will be a wonderful way to open up
her that drew everyone to her. She had a passion for life, art, and
possibilities for a Hutchison girl. “It was clear that Mrs. Hall appre-
travel.”
ciated how much travel enlarged a person’s worldview,” she said.
It was that passion for travel that inspired Mr. Hall, his sons,
“I can imagine that Sydney would have wanted girls who were not
Houston and Wallace Jr., and his daughter, Sydney Ann. The family’s
able to afford an educational trip to have the same opportunities
“This is a powerful example of how Hutchison became part of a family.” — DR. ANNETTE SMITH, HEAD OF SCHOOL Hutchison | 27
H O N O R A RY A LU M N A | C A N DY COV I N G TO N
HALL GIFT | CONTINUED she enjoyed.” One thing her husband and children agreed on: Sydney never slowed down. “She was a whirlwind of activity, always in motion,” said daughter, Sydney Ann Hall. “She never stopped planning, never stopped learning, and never stopped creating.” They hope their mother’s example of living a vital life will inspire Hutchison girls to do the same. In addition to her family, her lifetime love was art. Sydney Ann said that her mother had painted all of their portraits. “She could do anything: paint, pottery, watercolor, etching, you name it. She loved to see things, master how to do it, and then learn the next thing.” Wallace Sr. mentioned that one of his favorite art projects of hers was the Easter eggs she made for all of her grandchildren. “When her first grandchild arrived, she decided that she would start a collection of hand-painted Easter eggs, one egg for each year until her grandchildren turned 16,” he said. “Ten grandchildren later, that amounts to 160 eggs. In her last year, despite her declining health, she made sure she completed the remaining 14 eggs for her grandchildren who have not yet turned 16.” The hope is that the Sydney F. Houston Hall ’54 Education Travel Fund will help a few Hutchison girls each year. Girls will be nominated and a selection committee will determine if the fund can be used to assist them. “This is a powerful example of how Hutchison became part of a family, even though only one family member actually attended the school,” Dr. Smith said. “Just as Hutchison had a long-lasting impact on the entire Hall family, their family will have a long-lasting impact on Hutchison girls.” Top: The wedding photo of Sydney Frances Houston ’54 and Wallace Hall Sr. at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Memphis. 28 | Hutchison
Dr. Annette Smith presents Candy Covington with the Honorary Alumna award.
Candy Covington Named Honorary Alumna During Alumnae Weekend in April, Hutchison celebrated the distinguished career of Candy Covington by naming her an Honorary Alumna. “Candy was one of Hutchison’s most eloquent spokeswomen and tireless leaders,” said Dr. Annette Smith, head of school. “Her enthusiastic style, as both a teacher and administrator, helped make Hutchison the school it is today.” Candy retired at the end of the 2014-2015 school year after 29 years of service to Hutchison. She first joined Hutchison in 1977 as a Spanish and French teacher. She took a hiatus from teaching in 1981 to raise her children, Claire Covington Reilly ’96 and Will Covington. When she returned to Hutchison in 1990, she taught girls in every division from Early Childhood to Upper School. She became admissions director in 1994 and was named assistant head for advancement in 2010. “Candy was often the first person with whom families connected when considering Hutchison,” Dr. Smith said. “Her empathy, poise, authenticity, and integrity endeared her to thousands of Hutchison families over the years.” During her tenure, Candy served four different heads of school and was an integral part of Hutchison’s leadership team. While her presence will be missed, the impact of her work will be felt for years to come.
2 0 1 5 D I S T I N G U I S H E D A LU M N A | S A R A H R U S S E L L H A I Z L I P ’ 6 5
Alumna Celebrated for Her Leadership and Compassion SARAH RUSSELL HAIZLIP ’65 was named Hutchison’s 2015 Distinguished Alumna. A lifelong Memphian, Sarah has made a significant impact on the Memphis community through her leadership, fellowship, and compassion for others. Sarah works as a senior vice president and financial advisor at Summit Asset Management, LLC, where she is involved in client service, communications, and business development. Her career in finance management has provided a platform for her to work with others and influence change. Sarah serves on the philanthropy advisory council of BRIDGES USA—a Memphis non-profit serving the city’s youth—and the professional advisory group of the Jewish Foundation of Memphis. She is involved with the Women’s Foundation of Greater Memphis, The Dixon Gallery, and the Brooks Museum of Art, and serves on the Boards of Visible Music College and Hope Christian Community Foundation. She is the past president of the Women’s Club of Memphis. Sarah earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and her master’s
Debby Owen Schadt ’65 presents Sarah with the Distinguished Alumna award.
degree in education from the University of East Carolina. She holds an insurance and annuities license from the Tennessee Department of Insurance. Hutchison is fortunate to have Sarah join the Hutchison Board of Trustees for a second term. In addition, she is active in the Neighborhood Christian School, Midtown Rotary, Little Glass Club, and Second Presbyterian Church. Sarah has written a book called Memphis Mazes and is finishing her second book about the life of Lafayette Draper.
Class of ’65 members celebrate Sarah Haizlip’s Distinguished Alumna honor. L to R: Barbara Bunn, Nena McLemore Gavigan, Debby Owen Schadt, Ruth Heiskell Summers, Jane Campbell Gober, Sarah Russell Haizlip, Cay Russell Davis, and Edith Wilkinson Heller Hutchison | 29
G AT H E R I N G S | 5 0 T H R E U N I O N
L to R, front: Jane Beck Ezzell, Margaret Warr Stewart, Kitty Denton Palmer, Nena McLemore Gavigan, Charmian Place-Cooper, Barbara Bunn, Mamel Cole McCain, Jane Campbell Gober, Penny Reed Keras, Phyllis Heppel Valentine, Cay Russell Davis, and Nancy Braun Smith; back: Dale Meanley Lozier, Laurie Fraser Stanton, Sarah Russell Haizlip, Debbie Owen Schadt, Sally Hines, Barbara Baird McDaniel, Barbara Baker McKee, Anne Dillard Arnold, Edith Wilkinson Heller, Carolyn Springfield-Harvey, Fran Crawford Catmur, Ruth Heiskell Summers, and Betsy Russell Key
50th Reunion • Class of 1965 Right: Anne Dillard Arnold and Cay Russell Davis Far right: Annette Smith and Barbara Baird McDaniel Below: Kitty Denton Palmer, Nora Ballenger Conaway, Jane Campbell Gober, and Betty Chalmers Peyton ’54 (former faculty) Below, right: Charmian Place-Cooper and Laurie Fraser Stanton
30 | Hutchison
G AT H E R I N G S | O U T- O F -TOW N E V E N T S
nashville
Nashville Gathering L to R, front: Boo Mann Winsett ’80, Carrie Austin Playfair ’93, Catherine Kaiser Martin ’99, Emily Ladyman ’03, Shelley Ploch ’05, Shelley Grayson ’06; middle: Annette Smith, Anita Herron Hayes ’57, Scottie Herron Spaulding ’73, Katie Herron Gambill ’64, Lydia Thomas Armistead ’75, Douglas Patteson Kirkpatrick ’77, Estie Woodall Harris ’79, Lucia Crenshaw McKnight ’05, Katie Maples ’04, Laurie Hughes ’74, Naja Shabazz ’01, Kate Orgill Buttarazzi ’86, Betty Prichard Dunn ’46, Lee Stewart Bowen ’72, Mark Parker; back: Elizabeth McNeill Sherrard ’00, Elizabeth Saxton Inman ’99, Natalie Cuicchi ’99, Lisa Patton Southard ’76, Liesel Schadt Meyer ’88, Libby Moore ’07, Helen Morrison Guyton ’05, Alison Humphreys ’05, Allison Barnes ’02, Audrey Webster ’09, Missy Flinn Sidney ’01, Russell Jones Thomas ’04, and Kelly Fisher ’78
atlanta
Atlanta Gathering L to R: Lee Stewart Bowen ’72, Annette Smith, Mille Witmer ’86, Eve Witmer Johnson ’84, and Harriet Cotten Moran ’56; Henley Carruthers ’08, Cary Cowart ’08, and Virginia Grayson ’08
washington, d.c. Alumnae in the D.C. area met in April at the Army Navy Country Club. L to R, front: Scott Thomas Montgomery ’92, Beth Henson Tudan ’83, Whitney Boone Klinke ’04, Whitney Ellis ’02; back: Frances Dornette Schafer ’66, Frances Ferguson Walinsky ’72, Jane Doughtie Taylor ’61, Phyllis Turner Gray ’80, Babs Chase ’87, Mary Cox Garner ’55, and McCaughan Morrison Andrukonis ’04
Hutchison | 31
G AT H E R I N G S | A LU M N A E W E E K E N D 2 0 1 5
Long-time faculty member and honorary alumna Betty Stimbert is joined by her daughter, Cindy Stimbert Sands ’87, and her granddaughter, Lilly Sands ’22
Jane Sayle ’06 and Conlee Adams Stringfellow ’06
Tracie Allen Webber ’89, Courtney Hays Wages ’97, Lane Arnold Clanton ’98, Ginny Dowell Brundick ’92
Meade Miller Carlisle ’05, Jennings Pitts Barnes ’05, and Martha Campbell Robertson ’05 32 | Hutchison
Mary Elizabeth Murray Foster ’50, Nell Lipscomb Martin ’50, and Carol Lewis Jones ’50
Lee Summers Waits ’90, Margo Heiskell Carter ’56, Ruth Heiskell Summers ’65, Margaret Heiskell Jefferson ’83, Katherine Jefferson ’19
2 01 5 TENNI S R O U ND ROBIN The annual Hutchison Tennis Round Robin took place on October 5 at the Dunavant-Wellford Tennis Center. The proceeds from this event help fund student athletic needs not covered by the school’s operating budget and sustain the excellence of our athletic programs.
Congratulations to Megan Wellford Grinder ’91, our 2015 Tennis Round Robin winner! PRESENTING SPONSOR
GOLD SPONSOR
PRIZE SPONSORS
LUNCH SPONSOR
Keras Automotive
COURT SPONSORS Therapy
Vineyard Vines
LYFE Kitchen
Butler, Sevier, Hinsley, & Reid, PLLC
Dabney Nursery
Just in Thyme
Hollis & Burns
thank you!
the annual fund keeps Hutchison Your donation supports:
academics • athletics • financial assistance fine arts • technology Give now at:
hutchisonschool.org/give participation matters It is the proud philanthropic support of the greater Hutchison community—the collective spirit of giving by parents, alumnae, parents of alumnae, grandparents, faculty and staff—that keeps Hutchison strong. It takes gifts at all levels to achieve our goal.
Hutchison | 33
G AT H E R I N G S | Q U E E N B E E S
Betty Riggan Padget ’60, Lillian High Trotter ’60, Dorritte Evans Early ’60, and Emily Holloway Walker ’60
Bobbi Morley Dodge ’49 and Ann DeWar Blecken ’46
Josephine Phillips Schaeffer ’61 and Laurie Fraser Stanton ’65
34 | Hutchison
Flora Maury Bratton ’61 and Lee Stewart Bowen ’72
Annette Smith and Claire Sebralla Saino ’54
Dale Meanley Lozier ’65
The Class of 1971 members enjoyed a potluck dinner at the Memphis home of Marilyn Adams Ray. Seated, L to R: Susan Burnett, Anna Olswanger, Kate Johnston Patrick, Marilyn Adams Ray, Diane Barbour Ayres, honorary class member and former teacher Pat Newberry Kelly, and Jeanne Stewart Jemison; standing: Vicki Semmes Baird, Elizabeth Cobb Houston, and Pam Pryor Bonner. Mardi Gras bling courtesy of New Orleans resident Pam Pryor Bonner!
G AT H E R I N G S | R E U N I O N S
Classmates and friends of Charlotte Dowell ’95 treated her to a special dinner. Seated, L to R: Claire Hust Harrison, Katharine Duerr Kent, Megan Albonetti (friend), Charlotte Dowell, Farrar Schaeffer Vaughan, and Katherine Wilson Blackney; standing: Nicole Gibson Davison, Virginia Palmer Hammond, Laura Odom Matthews, Lindsey Horne Renovich, Susanna Thomas Weston, Blair Bobo Geer (friend), Lauren Vaughan Scott, Amanda Joachimi Maneval, Claire Carson McDonald, Betsy Carey MaKinster, and Mary Allison Beasley Cates
Hutchison alumnae joined the celebration at Virginia Hester’s ’06 engagement party. Front row, L to R: Dorothy Henderson Burke ’98, Gaye Gillespie Henderson ’67, Whitney Henderson Bricken ’97, Elizabeth Krausnick Malmo ’06, Sara Hester ’03, Virginia Hester ’06, Page Halle ’06, Mary Marshall Maxwell ’06, Carroll Shannon Nenon ’72; middle row: Lucia Whittemore Crenshaw ’73, Joy Thompson Morrow ’06, Mary Miles Loveless ’72, Chris Robinson Sanders ’72, Margaret Milnor Mallory ’72, Stewart Taylor ’06; back row: Bowen Hollis Cook ’01, Martha Hollis ’03, Dial Morrison Abernathy ’06, Amy Yauger Threadgill ’06, Jane Sayle ’06, Beth Thomas Ploch ’75, Jeanne Bowen Hollis ’75, Conlee Adams Stringfellow ’06, Malaney Cross George ’06, Huxley Brown ’04, Alison Humphreys ’05, and Dot Jones Hammons ’76
Left: The Class of ’60 celebrated its 55th reunion with a dinner Friday night at the University Club, a luncheon on Saturday, a wine and cheese party Saturday night at the home of Emily and Bob Walker, and a Sunday brunch. Pictured at the University Club: seated, L to R: Pat McCrory Matuschak, Barbara Tyer Tusing, Emily Holloway Walker, Betty Riggan Padgett, Lida Black Bross; standing: Leslie Wilsford Patton, Ann Clark Quinlen Harris, Susan Stivers Leach, Ginny Muller Strubing, Margaret Jones Gillespie, Sondra Otey Hartley, Minje Mitchell Ramey, Lillian High Trotter, Jo Cox Sanders, Dorritte Evans Early, Kelly Mulherin Oates, Sandra Garner Ireland, Susan Patton Crawford Hutchison | 35
G AT H E R I N G S | R E U N I O N S
Above: the Class of ’79 enjoyed a reunion at Monteagle. L to R: Suzie Mann Cowan, Suzy Thomason, Margaret Collier Steffner, Katie Grosvenor Hutcheson, Selden Early Popwell, Liz Sullivan Dilworth, Melissa Moore Faber, Adrienne Seagle Fuston, Ann Camp Lee, Sherry Ihrig Smith, and Eileen Allan Upper right: the Class of ’80 gathers for their reunion. Front row, L to R: Jennifer Jones Abston, Amy Atkinson Shreve, Leslie Chalmers Burke, and Boo Mann Winsett; middle: Scott Canale Sellers and Virginia Raines Rowland; back: Carol Thomas Blumeyer, Muffet Hays Barzizza, Lou Flowers Martin, Kelly Witt Wells, Cynthia Britton Cross, Grace Wilson Swaney, and Nancy Hammond Fisher Right, L to R: Enjoying the alumnae luncheon are classmates from the Class of 1975: Lynn Misner Escapite, Mary Ellen Poindexter Chase, Helen McCormick Parsons, Perry Pidgeon Hooks, Jeanne Bowen Hollis, Susu Rasche Sneed, and Pat Boren Lower right, L to R: Meagan Thornton ’12, Catherine Boggan ’13, Somer Greene ’12, Shelby Black ’12, Claudia Wilder ’12, Meredith Brown ’12
36 | Hutchison
A L U M N A E | P R O F E S S I O N A L LY S P E A K I N G
Harriet Barksdale Runkle ’79
than doubling the retail size. The shop
Taylor Chafin Guglielmo ’98 has
is now the director of the Sewanee
offers clothing and now has a new sec-
been promoted to Executive Vice
Children’s Center, a preschool program
tion of organic skincare, cosmetics, and
President, Group Account Director for
for two- to five-year olds.
locally-made bath products.
Atlanta Advertising Agency, TGM.
Elizabeth Jordan ’86 is now the
Amy Rolfes Poag ’92 has joined
Liz Wilder Lemley ’05 is an RN at
early childhood head at Hutchison. She
the staff of MUS as Lower School
Methodist University Hospital. Currently,
is responsible for the academic, social,
counselor. She began in August of the
she is on the ortho/neuro floor at the
and emotional development of girls in
2015–16 school year.
university, and she is about to start her
grades PK2 through junior kindergarten.
residency for The University of Memphis’
A veteran Mid-South educator, Jordan
Mary Helen Randall ’92 is senior vice
Family Nurse Practitioner program. Liz
most recently served as the director of
president at Burson Campaigns, a
plans to graduate with her FNP this year.
Emmanuel United Methodist Kindergar-
division of Burson-Marsteller, the second
ten (EUMK) in Memphis. Under her lead-
largest PR and advertising firm in the
Brittany Trimble ’08 serves as an
ership, EUMK was the first preschool
world. (Harold Burson, co-founder, is
F-16 pilot for the U.S. Air Force. She
program in Shelby County to earn
from Memphis and has granddaughters
began her F-16 training in September
reaccreditation under the National Asso-
at Hutchison.) The company works with
2014 with the 311th Fighter Squadron.
ciation for the Education of Young Chil-
clients such as Ford, The NFL, Bank of
dren’s newer, more stringent guidelines.
America, and other global brands around
Alessandra Corona ’09 works for
the world. In addition, she is an adjunct
NameKids II as a toy designer. She
professor of journalism at Ole Miss.
designs infant toys for Baby Einstein,
Sheri Bancroft ’88, vice president of Bancroft Leasing in Memphis, was
Bright Starts, and Oball brands. A
recently appointed to the Board of
Suzanne Ray ’84 leads the Donor
number of the toys she invented will be
Directors of the National Association of
Experience Management department at
in stores such as Toys R Us, Target, and
Equipment Leasing Brokers (NAELB)
ALSAC, the fundraising arm of St. Jude
Walmart this year.
during its national conference in Phoe-
Children’s Research Hospital.
Suzanne Hanover ’09 is working in
nix, Ariz. In addition, she was promoted to associate editor of Leasing Logic, a
Dr. Kelly Rodney Arnold ’96
New York as an international PR assis-
national publication focusing on the
practices family medicine and
tant for Tory Burch.
leasing industry. Bancroft is a recent
obstetrics in Chattanooga. She spear-
recipient of Memphis Business Jour-
headed an effort to transform an old
Carol Stout ’09 is a realtor with Crye-
nal’s “Top 40 Under 40” award and is
6,000-square-foot warehouse into a
Leike Realtors in Memphis. She special-
a graduate of New Memphis Institute’s
full-service physician’s office complete
izes in residential real estate.
Fellows program. Sheri and her sister,
with a lab, an ultrasound room, and an
Julie Bancroft ’84, run Bancroft Leasing
X-ray machine. Called Clínica Médicos,
Meredith Taylor ’10 is working as
in Memphis; the company was founded
it is Chattanooga’s first comprehensive
the development coordinator for Best
by their father, Charlie Bancroft, in 1977.
bilingual medical clinic specifically
Buddies, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organi-
for the city’s Latino population. Kelly
zation dedicated to creating one-to-one
Helen McClain ’89 owns and operates
serves on the La Paz board and remains
friendships between people with intel-
Fabulous Foods, a catering company for
an assistant professor of family medicine
lectual and developmental disabilities
any occasion, in Marianna, Ark. In addi-
at The University of Tennessee College
(IDD) and individuals without special
tion, she sells fresh food in two outlets,
of Medicine/Erlanger.
needs in Memphis area schools.
Robin Hood’s Florist in Marianna and Brian’s Picture Framing and More in Helena.
Christy Muller Smith ’91, owner of Therapy, has moved her store to a new location inside of Chickasaw Oaks, more
LET US KNOW ABOUT YOUR WORK Please share your latest professional achievements and news so your fellow classmates will know what you are up to. Send professional news and photos to alumnae@hutchisonschool.org or by mail to Lee Stewart Bowen ’72, alumnae director, 1740 Ridgeway Road, Memphis, TN 38119. The deadline for the next magazine is January 30. Hutchison | 37
Above, L to R: Ellie Erickson ’16 and Hallie Robison ’16; below, Janie White ’16
“The kids from Streets Ministries were very proud. They got to sign their names at the bottom of the murals and go back to school and say ‘We did this.’ We wanted to create something together that was inspirational and sparked their passion for art.”
— Elizabeth Owen ’16 & Lele Popwell ’16
HUTCHISON GIRLS INSPIRE A COMMUNITY In October, seven Hutchison seniors, including project leaders Elizabeth Owen and Lele Popwell, worked with kids from Streets Ministries to help plan, design, and paint four murals in the Kingsbury Middle School computer lab. The project was one of the first conducted through the newly formed Hutchison Serves program.
Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage
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PARENTS of ALUMNAE: If your publication is addressed to your daughter who no longer maintains a permanent address at your home, please notify the Alumnae Office of her new mailing address. (901) 762-6664 ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED. DATED MATERIAL—PLEASE EXPEDITE ©Hutchison School 2015
Hutchison accepts qualified female students regardless of race, color, religion, or national origin.
Save the Date! Alumnae Weekend April 8 & 9, 2016 Friday, April 8 Morning: Open House & Campus Tours | Luncheon: 50th, 55th, & 45th Reunion Classes Evening: Cocktail Reception at the Crescent Club (spouses & guests are welcome for the reception)
Saturday, April 9 Midday: Family and Friends BBQ on campus
hutchisonschool.org/Alumnae/Weekend-and-Reunions