the lovett school magazine fall
2017
for alumni, parents, and friends
College Issue page 6
the lovett school magazine for alumni, parents, and friends
2017 volume 35, number 2
fall
William S. Peebles iv Headmaster Stewart Lathan Assistant Head of School for External Affairs Courtney Fowler Director of Communications and Marketing editor Ginny Kowalski Communications Manager
designer Jennifer Boomer Graphic Designer
staff Perry McIntyre ’71 Sports Information Director
associate editors Lara Kauffman Director of Alumni Programs
Jennifer Sarginson Associate Director of Communications
Starr Pollock Assistant Director of Alumni Programs
Cover photo: Styled by Ginny Kowalski; Photo by Perry McIntyre ’71
contributors Dan Alig, Steve Allen, Grace Bain ’17, Kaitlyn Garrett ’20, Marsha Little, Kim Morgan, Angela Morris-Long, Symphony Romaine, Monica Rodgers, Jessica Sant, and Kelsey Watson ’17
College Issue 6 Classof2017 14 CampusNews 22 ClassNews 38
Lovett is published by the Communications Office twice a year and is mailed free of charge to alumni, parents, and friends of The Lovett School. For more information or to submit news, e-mail alumni@lovett.org or visit www.lovett.org. Š2017 The Lovett School, 4075 Paces Ferry Road, n.w., Atlanta, Georgia 30327-3009. The Lovett School, Inc. does not discriminate on the basis of any category protected by applicable Federal, State, or Local law, including, but not limited to, race, color, gender, religion, age, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, or gender identity and expression, with respect to qualified persons in the administration of the School’s employment practices, admission policies, educational policies, scholarship and loan programs, athletic programs, or other School administered programs. This publication is printed by an fsc-certified printer on paper that is 30 percent post-consumer waste and 50 percent recycled, processed chlorine free.
Fall 2017 3
The Lovett School
The Lovett School Board of Trustees, 2017–18 R. Reid French ’89 Chairman John O. Knox ’88 Vice Chairman John R. Wells Finance Committee Chair David B. Kahn ’81 Secretary Active David B. Allman ’72 Yetty Levenson Arp ’64 Katherine J. Bayne Katherine Rowland Boudreau ’91 Frank H. Briggs III Malon W. Courts Sylvia L Dick Michael S. Hardee, M.D. Raymond J. Kotwicki, M.D. Kathryn McCain Lee Donald M. Leebern III Anne Helms Marino Edward D. McCrady James B. Meyer Eileen Keough Millard ’80 James T. Mills, Jr. ’74 Wade Wright Mitchell ’88 C. V. Nalley IV ’90 Carla Y. Neal-Haley, M.D. David W. Rice, PhD Nancy Brumley Robitaille ’84 Irma Shrivastava John C. Staton III ’84 Elizabeth B. West John Keith White ’83 Major General Burke W. Whitman ’74 Emeriti Pinney L. Allen David F. Apple, Jr., M.D. Charles R. Arp, Jr., D.D.S. ’62 Thomas A. Avery ’71 C. Duncan Beard Avril Beckford, M.D. Brian M. J. Boutté Gordon A. Buchmiller, Jr. J. Donald Childress Bradley Currey, Jr. Sallie Adams Daniel ’68 John M. Darden III Richard A. Denny, Jr. Bruce L. Dick Margaret Denny Dozier ’73 Daniel M. DuPree Russell R. French
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William B. Fryer Thomas C. Gallagher John T. Glover Deborah Hodge Harrison William F. Henagan ’76 J. H. Hilsman III Little Lovett Dorothy Smith Knox Hines ’69 Jeffrey F. Hines, M.D. John R. Holder ’73 Dabney Mann Hollis Clayton F. Jackson ’77 Harrison Jones II Michael L. Keough ’74 Frank Kinnett Amy Rollins Kreisler ’88 Wilton D. Looney Robert C. Loudermilk, Jr. ’78 C. Knox Massey, Jr. Jane Kerr Mathews James M. McIntyre ’83 C. V. Nalley III Robert E. Peterson Elizabeth Dykes Pope ’79 Mark C. Pope IV ’68 Jan N. Portman Alfred R. Roach, Jr. ’62 William H. Rogers, Jr. Arthur W. Rollins ’77 F. Blair Schmidt-Fellner Christian B. Schoen ’79 Richard F. Smith Richard W. Sorenson Gerald J. Wilkins John A. Williams Frank L. Wilson III ’72 Alumni Executive Board, 2017–18 Tyler Caswell ’04, President Seale Arnold Lindsay ’90, President-Elect McKee Nunnally ’87, Past President Ray Crim ’63 Kurt Hohlstein ’76 Larry Jackson ’77 Franklin Thomas ’80 Knox Culpepper ’81 Jessica Jordan Walmsley ’84 Kate McIntosh Pearce ’90 Greer Barber Pope ’90 Rebecca Warner Strang ’93 Thaddeus Rolle ’04 Sarah Price ’05 Cameron Bagley ’07 William S. Peebles iv Headmaster, Ex Officio Lara Kauffman Director of Alumni Programs, Ex Officio Starr Pollock Assistant Director of Alumni Programs, Ex Officio
A Message from the Headmaster
Every day at Lovett, we strive toward our mission of developing the whole person—mind, body, spirit, character. In everything we do, that is our paramount aspiration. It has always been so, and that striving drives our philosophy and program in college counseling—as you will see later in this magazine. Specifically, our college counseling process focuses on students’ goals, interests, and dreams, and seeks to help our graduates identify and attend those colleges and universities that will encourage—call out—their full humanity. At a time when there is growing pressure in our culture to specialize earlier and earlier—whether this specialization takes place in academics, athletics, or the arts—it is increasingly challenging to pursue a vision of schooling that is steeped in the whole person. And yet, I would argue that our commitment to nurturing the wholeness of all of our students is more important than ever. I could offer many reasons for the vital nature of this philosophy but for now, I shall give just two:
As humans, we are physical, feeling, social, thinking, and spiritual creatures with great varieties of gifts, interests, and flaws. How do we bring forth the true fullness of our students if we as teachers, parents, and mentors do not pay attention to the multiple dimensions of their humanity? We need to send forth graduates who are ready to engage—and willing to engage—the complex and thorny issues of our time if our democracy and economy are to thrive. Our mission of preparing students for college and for life calls us to equip students to understand and exercise the rights and responsibilities of free people. To do that ethically, effectively, and empathetically, they must have the habits of mind and heart that grow from a holistic education that helps them grasp the complexity, connectedness, and downright messiness of the exciting opportunities and vexing issues of our time. So let us always remember how essential our devotion to the whole person is to developing and unleashing the full humanity of our students. Let us also remember that this preeminent purpose of Lovett also prepares our students for their responsibilities as citizens of a democracy.
William S. Peebles iv Headmaster
Fall 2017 5
College!
Exploring the College Counseling Landscape An interview with Director of College Counseling Jessica Sant introduction by courtney fowler Director of Communications and Marketing College: it’s a subject of universal interest...and more than a little anxiety for our Upper School students and their
parents. Director of College Counseling Jessica Sant answers common questions and shares her team’s philosophy on supporting Lovett families through this important process.
Q
Tell us about the college counseling staff. What makes your team uniquely qualified to advise students through the college process?
A
I’m extremely proud of our team! Our committed and energized staff of college counseling professionals is an excellent resource for Lovett families. With the
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addition of a fourth counselor two years ago, we have been able to maintain small caseloads that translate into a great deal of one-on-one attention for students and parents. We share a critical common background, having served as admission officers in selective college admission offices at Davidson, Elon, Emory, Northeastern, and the Uni-
versity of Georgia. We’ve read (quite literally) thousands of college applications and traveled domestically and internationally to recruit students on behalf of our former institutions. We possess “real world” knowledge of the admission review process, which facilitates thoughtful and strategic college advising for each one of our students.
From the Upper School Principal by dan alig Almost 20 years ago, I began my career in
Q
What is the number one factor that has changed the college admission process since the time that Lovett Upper School parents may have been applying to colleges?
A
It’s tough to pick just one! Honestly, I believe there are two main factors that have influenced a sizable shift in the college admission landscape: increased competition (due to larger applicant pools) and a greater focus on the rising cost of college versus return on investment. These two factors feed off of one another. It’s sort of a chicken or the egg scenario; what truly came first? As parents (and students) worry more about return on investment, college lists grow, with the expectation that a student can shop around to find the most bang for the buck. A contributor to the situation is the Common Application, which allows students to apply to multiple institutions with far
less work. As students apply to more colleges, applicant pools balloon, and ultimately colleges are forced to decline more students. Some colleges contribute further by actively recruiting students who may not be competitive in their pool, reducing their admit rate even more. In Georgia, the HOPE Scholarship is also an enticing incentive for many of our students to attend a public in-state option. Not surprisingly, this generous merit based award has created even more competition at Georgia’s flagship institutions. At Lovett, the College Counseling Office works hard with each student to build college lists that are thoughtful and manageable. The average Lovett student applies to approximately six colleges, which is what we consider a healthy number; this allows for students to identify a balanced list of schools and to be intentional about factoring in selectivity, finances, and fit.
independent schools as a college counselor. At the time, one of my mentors in Houston likened the position to being a financial advisor during a decades-long bear market: ever-increasing domestic and international demand meets a limited, static number of seats at top colleges. Scarcity looms; parents face their deepest child-rearing insecurities; students feel stressed, reduced, and judged. It’s no wonder that a college counselor’s primary objectives—to make the search thoughtful and fun and to help each student each find the right collegiate fit—can seem elusive at times. The process is intense; the work, complex and emotionally delicate. Both are absolutely critical to the Upper School experience. If we didn’t have the college process at Lovett, we’d have to invent it. Amidst the college tours and the anxiousness, the list-focused dinnertime conversations and the fat April 1 envelopes (or emails), seniors pause to discover more about themselves—where they’ve been, where they are, where they might head. They introspect. They write prodigiously and meaningfully. They ponder amazing, varied possibilities for themselves. They grapple with uncertainty and disappointment and success. They, in short, encounter adulthood. And then they leave this Riverbank home and their home-homes. Thousands of seniors and 20 years later, that remains a beautiful transformation to witness.
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From left: Associate Director of College Counseling Irma Navarro Brown, Director of College Counseling Jessica Sant, Associate Director of College Counseling Anita Alston, and Associate Director of College Counseling Brian Howard
Number of colleges that visit Lovett annually
300
Number of colleges visited by the college counseling team in 2016–17
Number of colleges hosted at Lovett’s annual College Day
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Q
It’s only natural to feel a bit anxious about the college search and application process. What does Lovett’s college counseling team do to support students and parents as they embark on this journey?
A The Arts at the Next Level: Lauren Rausaw ’17 by ginny kowalski Communications Manager At the age of seven, Lauren Rausaw ’17 discovered her passion for animation while watching a film by acclaimed director and Japanese animator Hayao Miyazaki. “I sat mesmerized by the mind-bendingly beautiful animation, music, and storyline,” she said. “I sat up, grabbed a sheet of paper and a pen and started to draw.” Lauren continued honing her artistic abilities over the years and expanded her knowledge of animation and design. “I taught myself the fundamentals of Photoshop, After Effects, and Maya,” she explained. Lauren also pursued training opportunities at Harvard University, SCAD, and The Ringling College of Art and Design. By 2015, she had produced two animated films: For Better or Worse and Restless. For her senior project, Lauren created her sixth animated short, Self-Reliance, which tells her own story of becoming an animator. She explained, “A senior project is a culmination of one’s academic career, so I thought: What better way to bring an end to senior year than by animating a film about the beauty of independence and self discovery?” While Lovett does not currently offer courses in animation, Lauren’s pursuit of her craft was never hindered. “Lovett has provided me with teachers and resources to guide me through my work and help facilitate my independent projects,” she said. “It has been challenging in a good way by pushing me to be the best that I can be.” Lauren will study animation at the Rhode Island School of Design. “RISD will help me think outside of the box, push my limits, collaborate with others, and become a better artist,” she said. The Lovett community will enjoy seeing how Lauren continues to bring something new to the field of animation and make her mark on the industry. You can watch Lauren’s animated short films at www.laurenmilan.com.
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The Lovett College Counseling Office’s philosophy is to offer time-appropriate guidance in the college search, providing suitable structure to ensure students don’t tackle the process prematurely but also feel prepared and informed to manage a timeline that is tailored to them. Our office has designed a calendar of open programming throughout the year that all Upper School families, ninth through twelfth grades, are welcome to attend; many families do find that these offerings help ease some of the stress often associated with the college search. Programs include book club discussions on hot topics in admission, parent panels, financial aid programming, testing overviews, athletic recruitment panels, selective college admission conversations, a summer college planning seminar, stress management and mindfulness groups for students, a college fair, college counseling coffees, one-on-one meetings for tenth through twelfth graders, and a college tour. Our book clubs in particular were new this past year and were extraordinarily well attended! Although students are officially assigned to counselors in tenth grade, any meetings with counselors or event participation that year are completely optional. Our comprehensive college planning curriculum and required one-on-one counseling starts in the fall of eleventh grade. I encourage families to participate in our programs as they feel it is appropriate for their child. Some parents feel empowered by having
Four-Year Stats 2014–2017
more information earlier, and others would prefer to wait. Every child is different, so we’ve tried to design a schedule that will accommodate a variety of family needs across four years of Upper School.
Q A
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unique private four-year universities were attended
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unique public fouryear universities were attended
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flagship and fully funded scholarships offered
Can you talk about in-state admission? How does Lovett stack up?
Lovett students pursue admission to colleges and universities across the country and even internationally, but each year about 25 percent of them find the best fit right here in Georgia. When I am asked about instate admission, it’s most frequently focused on outcomes at UGA and Georgia Tech. I’m delighted to say that, for a number of years, our pool of applicants has regularly and significantly outperformed both institutions’ overall admit rates. Our community should be quite proud of this level of success, as it clearly highlights the great access our students have to our state’s most esteemed public institutions.
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A Year of Opportunity by grace bain ’17 Grace Bain ’17 and Jack Wall ’17 are recipients of The Emily Dunn ’06 Memorial Scholarship for International Gap Year Studies, which was established in 2011 and provides funds to defray the costs of an international gap year experience for a graduating Lovett senior, in honor of Emily, who was transformed by her gap year travels in China, India, Egypt, and Portugal. Both Grace and Jack will spend the fall semester of 2017 in Rome, Italy, studying at John Cabot University. Below is a note from Grace Bain about her experiences in Rome so far. I am now about a month into my first semester in Rome, and I do not think I could
Grace Bain ’17 (left) with her roommate, Danielle, celebrating USC’s gameday in Rome
be having a better time. While my friends back in America are telling me which sororities they are joining or about the next time they are returning to Atlanta, I am busy navigating my way around a foreign city or doing my best to “do as the Romans do.” I love everything about my school, John Cabot University, the friends I have made from across the world (Mexico, Bolivia, Morocco, Italy, and India, to name a few), and, of course, the beautiful, ancient city where I am staying. So far, I have travelled to Santa Marinella for a short day trip and have planned weekend trips to destinations such as Croatia, France, Germany, and Spain. Although I feel like I have already learned so much about being independent, culture differences, and life in general, I know I have so much more to experience! Right now, however, I am just waking up every day with an open mind and happy heart knowing how blessed I am to be where I am. Thank you to the Dunn family for helping to make this opportunity possible through the Emily Dunn ’06 Memorial Scholarship for International Gap Year Studies.
The Academic Edge by courtney fowler Director of Communications and Marketing Given Lovett’s vibrant and challenging college-preparatory curriculum—including 29 honors and 22
Advanced Placement (AP) courses and elective options such as honors astronomy and marine biology—it’s no surprise that several of our graduates leave the Riverbank for college each year with full-tuition scholarships and spots in prestigious honors programs. From the Class of 2017, a number of students were awarded some of the most impressive scholarships offered by their universities. Michael Moore was named a prestigious Chancellor’s Scholar at Vanderbilt University, a full-tuition program that “recognizes students with outstanding leadership, strength Michael Moore ’17 of character, academic achievement, and a deep-seated commitment to diversity and social justice.” Charles Fankhauser was named to the highly competitive, full-tuition Chancellor’s Scholar program at Texas Christian University. Cameron Wilson earned a spot in Elon University’s Honors Fellows program, which includes a special living-learning community, interdisciplinary Honors-only classes and significant financial support. Christopher Weaver became Lovett’s latest member of the “Long Gray Line” when he matriculated this fall at the United States Military Academy at West Point, an education that includes tuition, room and board, and expenses. From the Class of 2016, Charlotte Lee and Caroline Stevens were both awarded Presidential Scholarships to Georgia Tech, while Elizabeth Champion was named a Trustee’s Scholar at Boston University. Joshua Eiland ’17 earned the University of Virginia’s distinguished Jefferson Scholarship. “Serving on the selection committee for the Jefferson Scholars Program at UVA for over 20 years, I can say that Lovett’s candidates have always been well prepared and competitive,” states Clay Jackson ’77, a 1981 graduate of UVA. “Lovett’s philosophy to develop balanced and well-rounded students is particularly fitting for the Charlotte Lee ’16 Jefferson Scholars’ criteria of scholarship, citizenship and leadership. Lovett has had a great run with two recipients over the past five years!” William Henagan ’13, who was also a Jefferson Scholar at UVA, recently received a Marshall Scholarship to study at the University of Oxford in England. Lovett graduates also pursue a variety of other elite academic opportunities at the collegiate level, such as a coveted spot in the Honors Program at the University of Georgia. Participants in this respected program enjoy the hallmarks of a top-drawer liberal arts education—like smaller classes led by leading faculty—with the resources of a major public research university. Fourteen students in the Class of 2017 were accepted into UGA’s Honors Program. Lovett graduates have also gone on to enroll in the honors programs at the University of South Carolina and the University of Alabama, among others. Twenty-two students from the Class of 2017 received recognition from the National Merit® Scholarship program, some of whom won Merit Scholarship® or other scholarship awards based on their Preliminary Standardized Aptitude Test (PSAT) scores. “We’re thrilled with the options Lovett students are afforded from year to year, whether they are Joshua Eiland ’17 selecting from honors programs, fully funded merit awards, liberal arts campuses, or tier-one research universities,” says Jessica Sant, Director of College Counseling. “Regardless of where they ultimately choose to 10 Lovett call home for four years, the feedback we repeatedly hear from our alumni is how incredibly prepared they were for college-level coursework. They are grateful for their Lovett education, acknowledging that their experience at the Riverbank equipped them with the necessary tools to be successful in college and in life.”
Q
It seems a significant aspect of the College Counseling Office’s job is to maintain relationships with college admission offices; can you talk about that responsibility a bit more?
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students have attended elite fine arts training programs from 2014–17
A
You’ll often hear me say that an important dynamic in our work as college counselors is serving as ambassadors for Lovett. Our primary responsibility is obviously to Lovett families, but a close second is the relationships we cultivate - on behalf of our families with college admission offices. This year, Lovett’s four counselors visited 81 colleges and universities across the country. We hosted approximately 100 colleges for on-campus visits, coordinated a college fair with almost 300 colleges in attendance from around the globe, and invited a group of seven admission deans and vice presidents to campus for two and half days to learn more about the opportunities afforded to our students. We also hosted an additional nine admission officers for our eleventh grade college night and aided in the logistical execution of the Atlanta Invitational Case Studies - a forum for our tenth grade families to navigate a mock admission review with admission professionals. Each of these interactions provides an opportunity to build relationships and advocate on behalf of Lovett and our students. In addition, our team members serve on advisory boards at Lynn University, Young Harris College, Georgia State University, and the University of South Carolina. This past year alone we presented nine sessions at state, regional and national conferences, and our team members hold six elected or appointed positions on local and regional boards and committees. This consistent involvement by our team translates into increased exposure for Lovett to the admission officers who are our students’ advocates in the college admission review.*
The Arts at the Next Level: Ben Rau ’17 by ginny kowalski Communications Manager Lovett lifer Ben Rau ’17 was easily recognized around campus because of his large black cello case. He started playing the cello in third grade with Anne Page. “My first class only had three students in it, but it gave me the foundation that I needed to pursue it,” said Ben. Throughout his years at Lovett, he was an important member of the Chamber Orchestra and a frequent student in the Applied Lessons program. In Middle and Upper School, Ben explored opportunities to hone his skills outside of Lovett’s curriculum and programs. He became a member of the Emory Youth Symphony Orchestra, one of the finest pre-college programs in the region, and was named the principal chair for cello as a senior. Ben also attended the Green Mountain Music Festival, a five-week immersion program sponsored by the University of Cincinnati, where he had the opportunity to play with some of the best college and high school string players in the country. After an intense college application process full of flights, auditions, interviews, and performances, Ben was accepted to his first choice: The Cleveland Institute of Music. “When I visited in the fall, I had a lesson with Melissa Kraut, who I will be studying with next year. I learned so much from that one lesson that it became an obvious first choice,” said Ben. Reflecting on his 10-year career as a cellist, Ben affirms that the faculty members at Lovett were critical to giving him great experiences as a performer. “Whether it’s playing in Stutz Wimmer’s farewell concert last year or accompanying the chorus on multiple occasions or the tech theater faculty helping me get ready for my senior recital, it has been more than I could have ever asked for,” said Ben.
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Knox Culpepper ’81
Spence Fisher ’91
Jonathan Carkhuff ’10
Continuing Athletics in College and Beyond by perry mcintyre ‘71 Sports Information Director Since the earliest days on the Paces Ferry Road campus, Lovett
has embraced and exquisitely executed its mission as a college preparatory institution. Sending well-prepared students to the next phase of their journey in learning, alumni have attended essentially every prestigious college and university available in both the United States and abroad. The journeys of many Lovett alumni, however, did not stop within the halls of academia. Hundreds of Lions have also moved to the next level athletically, with many making their mark as captains of their collegiate teams, all-star selections, All Americans, and even Olympic Gold medalists and World Champions. First evident from the football squad, which won the school’s first football state championship in 1970, were brothers Marsh King ’71 and Rob King ’72. The two went on to continue their careers at Furman, while David Allman ’72 and Frank Wilson ’72 went on to Dartmouth. In all, well over 100 Lions have moved on to play college football. The list is too long to detail here, but it includes Wright Mitchell ’88, a starting quarterback at South Carolina, Spence Fisher ’91, a starting quarterback at Duke, and linebackers Knox Culpepper ’81, Torrey Evans ’89, and Whit Marshall ’91, who all went on to captain their respective teams at Georgia, with Culpepper being named a consensus All American. 12 Lovett Going the small college route has also been an attractive option to
many footballers. Joey Hedgemon ’91 was a Small College All American at Wofford. More recently, Jordan Pakula ’13 completed an all-star career at Kenyon College. Former Lion quarterback Jonathan Carkhuff ’10 had a record-breaking career at Davidson. Zach Boden ’11, whose father Bill Boden ’79 played at Penn State, had a strong career at Harvard, before transferring to finish at Duke. Shining a light on both Lovett’s 2013 state championship team and his current Nittany Lions, Grant Haley ’14 was part of two of Penn State’s biggest plays during the 2016 season. He is currently selected by many media observers as a pre-season pick for All Big 10 and a strong contender for a shot on an NFL roster in 2018. Lovett alumni’s athletic successes are far from being limited to the gridiron. An All State selection in football, Adam Nelson ’93 was also an individual and team state champion for the Lions in track and field. After his two-sport career at Darmouth, Adam took track and field to the highest level. He won the World Junior Championships in the shot put in 1994, claimed the NCAA shot put title in 1997, won the silver medal at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, won the gold medal at the 2001 Goodwill Games, and won the gold medal at 2004 Olympics Games in Greece. His final gold medal established his legacy of one of the best Americans to ever throw the
Grant Haley ’14
Adam Nelson ’93
shot put, as he won gold at the 2005 World Championships in Finland. Brent Abernathy ’96, a two-time state champion in baseball at Lovett and a Dial National Scholar Athlete of the Year, also became an Olympic medalist at the 2000 Sydney Games when USA upset powerhouse Cuba to win gold. Also from that era, George Lombard ’94 was drafted second-round by the Atlanta Braves. After playing six years in the Majors, three with the Braves and one each with the Detroit, Tampa Bay, and Washington, the outfielder now coaches first base coach for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Most recently from the baseball diamond, Jackson Lourie ’13, a member of the Lions’ 2013 state championship squad, completed his career at Rhodes College, was drafted by the Atlanta Braves, and is now part of that team’s farm system. Just as many, if not more, windows of opportunities have also opened for Lovett’s female athletes. In the early 1990’s, Kristen Stevens ’91 became a goalkeeper at Brown, Jenny Metzger ’92 was a soccer signee at Virginia, Monique Hunt ’92 became a track standout at North Carolina, and Marianna Land ’92 became a member of Georgia’s first NCAA Championship team in tennis. Drew Powers ’98 and Heather Rogers ’02 also left soccer success with the Lions to attend Washington & Lee, where both went on to serve as captains of their respective Generals’ teams. Remarkably, five girls from the 2012 State Championship Team went on to play Division I basketball. Tatianna Jackson ’12 completed her career at Georgia State after playing
Jackson Lourie ’13
Aaron Schunk ’16
two years at UT-Chattanooga. Christen Johnson ’12 played for Northwestern, and was selected from 350 student athletes to receive the Big 10 Conference’s Outstanding Sportsmanship Award. As a Princeton Tiger senior, Taylor Brown ’13 started all 30 games. In three years at UVA, Sydney Umeri ’13 played every game and completed her degree in media studies. Transferring to Kansas for grad school and to play her senior season with the Jayhawks, she earned her master’s degree in Journalism in May. Still active on the hardwood is Te’Erica Eason ’15, in her junior year at Northeastern. When Lovett alumnus Bill Barker ’71, a soccer star and state track champion for the Lions and stellar soccer player at Rollins, was chosen as the first coach of UGA’s soccer team, he returned to the Riverbank for the program’s first signee: Mandy Aiken ’94. Mandy went on to star for the Bulldogs, setting numerous school and SEC scoring records and helping to lead the startup program to the NCAA Sweet 16 by her senior season. Teammates from the Lions’ 2005 state soccer championship team, Molly Lester ’07 and Katie Boydston ’07, would meet again in opposition the following fall in the NCAA tournament with their Duke and Georgia teams. Lester later became captain for the Blue Devils and played for the NCAA Championship in 2011. It would not be possible to end without recognizing two of Lovett’s most recent and accomplished athletic careers, Everett Smulders ’17 and Serena Tripodi ’17, who joined seven of their classmates to continue their athletic careers in college. Everett Smulders, an Ole Miss
Heather Rogers ’02
signee, left the Lions a two-time state champion in both the 800 and 1,600-meter runs. As his times in the 800-meter decreased through the season, he was invited to run in Georgia’s race of Champions, placing second in a time of 1:50.7, one of the top 10 times in the nation for 2017. That time earned Everett a spot in the one-heat field at the Brooks PR Invitational, the nation’s most prestigious post-season high school meet. Serena Tripodi graduated from Lovett as the most individually decorated athlete in the school’s history, winning three cross country titles, three 1,600-meter state championships, and three titles in the 3,200-meter, a race in which, as a sophomore, she broke former Lion Harriott Kelly’s ’06 AA state record. Tripodi also led her cross country and track and field teams to two state championships each, for a career total of 13 individual and team gold medals. As Tripodi continues her run into college it could not be more fitting that she continues to wear the blue and white of another Lion team, Columbia University. From a record year, when the Class of 2008 had 24 student-athletes sign to continue their careers collegiately, Lovett has annually developed and prepared students for that next step. This small sample of anecdotes cannot do justice to the names and accomplishments of hundreds of athletes who have continued to make Lovett proud after their careers on the Riverbank.
Sydney Umeri ’13
Serena Tripodi ’17 and Everett Smulders ’17
44
students have played a sport at the collegiate level from 2014–17
Q A
Anything else you’d like to add?
Listening to a student’s hopes for the future, goals, and values, and offering suggestions and perspective on college communities that might match those ideals is a great privilege. It’s also our job to know each student with whom we work and to challenge him or her to become a tad uncomfortable in the process. In those moments students get to know themselves better, developing a deeper understanding of who they are and what they can become long after they walk across Lovett’s graduation stage. What an opportunity it is to spend time hearing about a student’s vision for the future, his or her plans for a better world, and his or her willingness to take action without fear of failure. We consider it an honor to share in such an exciting time in our seniors’ journeys!
*Editor’s note: Jessica Sant is president-elect of the Southern Association for College Admission Counseling. Fall 2017 13
Classof2017
The Class of 2017
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Congratulations to the Class of 2017! The Alumni Senior Luncheon, Communion Service, and 56th Commencement
Exercises marked the end of their journey as Lovett students and welcomed them as proud Lovett alumni.
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Diplomas with Distinction 9 1 The Class of 2017 2 Nick Becker, Emmy Cross, Christopher Weaver, Theron Pickett, Claire Biggerstaff, Adam Achecar, Greer Pritchard, Lizzie Nunnally, Charlie Chambers, and Director of Civic Engagement Angela Morris-Long. 3 The Kahn family: (L-R) William Kahn, David Kahn ’81, Harry Moorefield, Evelyn Moorefield, Harry Kahn, Jennifer Kahn, and Bennett Kahn. 4 Melissa Ige, Claire Buffington, and Stokes Kandzari celebrate at the reception after graduation. 5 The White Family: (L-R) Keith White ’83, Jake White, Anna White ’14, and Polly White. 6 Serena Tripodi leads fellow classmates to their seats before graduation. 7 Salutatorian Josh Eiland receives his diploma from Headmaster Billy Peebles. 8 Major General Burke W. Whitman ’74 gives his commencement speech. 9 An end of an era. Josephine Winborne, the last of six Winborne children to graduate from Lovett, signs her name on the wall at Loridans.
by jennifer sarginson Associate Director of Communications and Marketing Seven members of the Class of 2017 graduated with a diploma distinction (akin to a college major). These students spent three years working in an area of interest including Global Studies, Service & Leadership, and Andrew Burns receives his diploma Sustainability. This is the second year with a Global Studies disctinction. Lovett has graduated students from this program. Graduates who completed a diploma distinction in Global Studies were: Andrew Burns, Diana Danelia, valedictorian James Packman, and Claire Tobin. Students who completed a diploma distinction in Service & Leadership were: salutatorian Josh Eiland, Anne Hardin, and Christopher Weaver. The first graduates with a Sustainability distinction will be from the Class of 2018. Twelve students graduated with a diploma distinction last year. When asked how the diploma distinction influenced her in Upper School and college, Lily King ’16 (Global Studies distinction) replied, “I decided on my diploma distinction through my previous academic and personal interests: Chinese and social justice. It made perfect sense for me to pursue the Global Studies diploma distinction since I was studying abroad in China and was considering a Chinese major. I believe that my diploma distinction was one of the main reasons my college application stood out to Wellesley. And now that I’m in college, my path is clearer than it would have been if I hadn’t done a diploma distinction. The skills I learned through my diploma distinction have helped me handle my more rigorous college workload.” For more information on diploma distinctions, contact Marsha Little: Global Studies distinction, Larken McCord: Service & Leadership distinction, or Sandra Switzer: Sustainability distinction. 10
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Congratulations, Class of 2017! Adam Joseph Achecar Adrianna Grace Allen Rowland Mason Anthony Thomas Everett Atwater Amelia Elizabeth Ault Grace Summers Bain David Thomas Barnwell McKinley Quinn Barry Samuel Gamble Bayne Nicholas Payne Becker James Stephen Bethea Claire Ann Biggerstaff Brianna Lane Boardman Peyton Harrison Bogard Brittany Lee Boniface Ashanté Imari Booker Abigail Emily Borden William Aiken Lowndes Bowen Camryn Alyce Bragg Elizabeth Kelly Brennan Stephen Smith Brooks Claire Ann Buffington Andrew David Burns Jillian Camille Burns Therese Linneya Carter Torrey Noelle Centeno Charles McCoy Chambers Joseph Anthony Cohen Emmy Catherine Cross Sara Lisette Cushing Claire Elise Dame Diana Danelia Anna Olivia Davie Avery Bowman Dean Caroline Michelle DeBorde Muhammad Umar Dhanani Alexandra Christian DiOrio Wilson Vincent Dobbs Jonathan Michael Doss William Cooper Drewry Anna Bailey Duffy Thomas Sutton Dunlap Kiran Amin Ebrahim Joshua Hunter Eiland Kirby Elizabeth Ellis Stephen Robert Ewing Charles Booker Fankhauser Edward Heath Feininger Abigael Marie Fenbert Andrew Barnes Ferrell Elizabeth Quinn Fillo Mackensie Ida Freeman Andres Garcia-Civita Samuel Grant Garrett
Tomás Andrés Gowens Fontaine Patten Gwynn Vishal Hitendra Hansalia Anne Walker Hardin Eimile Maeve Harrison Samuel Eric Heiner Kathleen Heath Helms James Dale Hicks Langston Ross Hines William James Horlock Sarah Kathleen Houghton Caroline Orme Huger Kathryn Lee Hull Melissa Oluwafunbi Ige David Bailey Izard Halsey Maynard Jennings Bennett Edward Kahn Ryan Patrick Kahrs Judith Stokes Kandzari Mary Sinclaire Kenan Paul Minchul Kim Nicholas Reid Klavohn Harriet McEachern Knox Julia J. Koh Stephanie Britt Kurzweg Mary Hamilton Lanier Elizabeth Stewart Lee Lily Grace Leebern Dillon Scott Light Adrienne Tien-Luen Liou Grace Elizabeth Long Nicholas Taylor Marshall Thomas Whitfield Marshall Jane Stewart Mathews Sarah Elizabeth Matthews Grey Campbell McCarthy Richard Quinn McCartney Stella Bonita McDaniel Caroline Megan McGarrity James Michael McIntyre Santiago Medina John Joseph Moffett Michael Amari Moore Alexander Edward Murphy Thomas Herndon Murray Elizabeth Clare Nunnally Elizabeth Ann Olsen David Shawver Oyler James Martin Packman Charles Magalis Padgett Gillian Andrea Parkinson Ryan McLean Pate Charles Robert Perkins Theron Worthy Pickett
Katherine Hammond Pope Greer Caroline Pritchard Samuel Leland Pritchard Edward David Quarterman Davis Griffin Rackley Benjamin William Rau Lauren Milan Rausaw Sarah Catherine Reams Julia Erin Reeves Thomas Grainger Reeves Senaidra Siobhain Reynolds Kyle Marsena Riley Kimball Ratchford Robinson Caleb Thomas Rogers Gregory Kim Rogers Seth Thomas Rogers Samuel Lee Rollins Anthony William Romaniello Maxwell Duprey Russ Anna Jack Salmon Jane Anthony Salmon Ryan Anderson Schimpf Celia Rose Schwarz Anna Claire Schwarzkopf Haygood Paterson Seawell Caroline Davis Shaw Heitho Parris Shipp Emma Claire Sidman William Everett Smulders John Curtis Staton Thomas Scott Stevenson James Bailey Taylor Thomas Brady Tindall John Garrett Tinkler Claire Elizabeth Tobin Serena Lesesne Tripodi John Newton Wall Katherine Emily Wallace Lauren Christina Ward Kelsey Carol Watson David Christopher Weaver Dana Claire Wertheimer Jacob Holland White Alton Harmer Wiggers Robert Alexander Wilkes Reagan Elizabeth Williams Cameron Clarke Wilson Mary Josephine Winborne Alexander Clayton Wolle Matthew Thomas Woodward John Francis Wymer Jayla Cierra Zimmerman
As aLovett member of the National Association for College Admission Counseling, Lovett is not permitted to publish 16 student names and the college or university they attend without expressed written consent.
Class of 2017: Where are They Now? NY 6 MI 1
CA 6
IL 1
CO 4
IN 2
OH 3
TX 8
AL 21
NJ 1
VA 8
DC 2
RI 3
MD 1
NC 12
TN 3 MS 6
PA 7
GA 37
SC 14
LA 4 FL 3
Alabama
Auburn University Samford University The University of Alabama Tuskegee University
California
Stanford University University of California, Santa Barbara University of Southern California
Colorado
Colorado College University of Colorado at Boulder
Louisiana
Tulane University
Massachusetts
Babson College Boston College Boston University Massachusetts Institute of Technology Northeastern University Tufts University
Maryland
University of Maryland
Ohio
The College of Wooster Cleveland Institute of Music Case Western Reserve University
Pennsylvania
Carnegie Mellon University Haverford College University of Pennsylvania University of Pittsburgh Villanova University
Rhode Island
Michigan
University of Michigan
Providence College Rhode Island School of Design University of Rhode Island
American University Georgetown University
Mississippi
South Carolina
Florida
North Carolina
Washington, D.C.
University of Miami
Georgia
Emory University Georgia Institute of Technology Georgia Southern University Georgia State University Kennesaw State University Mercer University The University of Georgia
Illinois
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Indiana
Indiana University at Bloomington University of Notre Dame
University of Mississippi Davidson College Duke University Elon University The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Wake Forest University
Clemson University College of Charleston Furman University University of South Carolina
Tennessee
Vanderbilt University
Texas
New Jersey
Princeton University
Baylor University Southern Methodist University Texas Christian University
New York
Virginia
Columbia University New York University The New School United States Military Academy
University of Richmond University of Virginia Virginia Tech Washington and Lee University Fall 2017 17
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Lovett, We Are Groot James Packman, the valedictorian for the Class of 2017, delivered his address during the Commencement Exercises on May 14. An excerpt from his speech is below. Speech stuff I am…Groot. I am Groot (as though I’m saying “you see…”). Audience reaction: laughter I am Groot (very assertive). Audience Reaction: “Yeah, you said it! I am Groot….And that is the closest I’ll ever get to being like Vin Diesel. So, for those of you who don’t know, Groot is a sentient tree in the movie Guardians of the Galaxy. While Guardians is a fun, entertaining Marvel action-movie, it’s actually about finding friends, especially where we least expect to find them. The protagonists, all of whom are from widely different Valedictorian James Packman gives his address at graduation. places, join together, become lifelong friends, and, you know, guard the galaxy. Why am I talking about this? Well, I too have made friends that I did not expect to make. I am so grateful that I got to meet all of those friends, and so grateful that I got to meet all of you. While I would love to go through every single one of you that made an impression on me during my time at Lovett, I think you’ll all forgive me for refraining. I am so fortunate that Lovett brought me into contact with all of these people that changed my life with their wisdom and friendship. Lovett is a truly wonderful place for fostering powerful, changing friendships. But, we friends are about to go our separate ways. When we go to college, how will we fit in? Who will we sit with at lunch? Who will we hang out with? Do these questions sound familiar? Although we are entering an uncertain, new step in our lives, those same questions still plague us. But, I am not worried. We have an unlimited capacity to befriend others, to forge unshakable bonds of fellowship, camaraderie, and friendship. While I hope we keep in touch with the friends we’ve made here, I urge us all to look out for the new friends that will unexpectedly enter into our lives as we move forward, because they have so much to teach us. So go. Go out into the world and make as many friends as you can. I will never forget the friendships I’ve made here, though. (Tear up a bit, perhaps use onions). I’m going to miss you guys. Remember, even as we go and make new friends, our friends from Lovett will be here for us. In times of trouble, just know that, as we all come from Lovett, WE ARE GROOT.
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Class of 2017 Honors and Awards Valedictorian Award: James Martin Packman Salutatorian Award: Joshua Hunter Eiland The Emily Dunn ’06 Memorial Scholarship for International Gap Year Studies: Grace Summers Bain and John Newton Wall IV Service Academy Appointment to West Point: David Christopher Weaver, Jr. Multivariable Calculus/Linear Algebra: Joshua Hunter Eiland History Department Award: Claire Elizabeth Tobin Biology: Stephanie Britt Kurzweg Chemistry: Jonathan Michael Doss Physics: Nicholas Reid Klavohn Environmental Science: James Michael McIntyre, Jr., and Anne Walker Hardin
William C. Conley Distinguished Athlete Award: Cameron Clarke Wilson Montague Laffitte Boyd, Jr. Award in Choral Music: Charles Booker Fankhauser Vinita Therrell Leake Art Award: Samuel Gamble Bayne III Friends of the Arts Awards: Performing Arts: James Martin Packman and Benjamin William Rau Visual Arts: Brianna Lane Boardman Kate Flournoy Edwards Art Award: Lauren Milan Rausaw Principal’s Award: Nicholas Payne Becker The Bobby Train ’83 Friendship Award: Cameron Clarke Wilson
Senior Class Faculty Award: Ms. Sally Elizabeth Crouse Parent Association Award: Benjamin William Rau Alumni Association Award: Claire Elizabeth Tobin Dan Dalke Award for Character: Elizabeth Ann Olsen Faculty Award for Service: David Christopher Weaver, Jr. Vernon B. Kellett Award in the Humanities: James Martin Packman The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Cup: Michael Amari Moore The Eva Edwards Lovett Founder’s Medal: Cameron Clarke Wilson
Spanish: Nicholas Taylor Marshall Chinese: Sarah Kathleen Houghton Simone Cronk Award in French: Mary Sinclaire Kenan Catharine Louis Lovell ’66 Award in Latin: Jane Stewart Mathews Gwynne Adams Burrows Award in English: Nicholas Reid Klavohn James E. Warren Award in Creative Writing: Ryan McLean Pate Computer Science Award: Alton Harmer Wiggers Bible and Religion Award: Senaidra Siobhain Reynolds Faith and Leadership Award: Charles Magalis Padgett Athletic Department Awards: Senior Girl: Jane Anthony Salmon Senior Boy: Rowland Mason Anthony John A. Rabbe Scholar-Athlete Award: Serena Lesesne Tripodi
David Christopher Weaver, Jr. receives the Service Academy Appointment to West Point award from Lt. Col. Chauncy Nash, West Point Class of 1990.
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Class of 2017 Expands Horizons by kim morgan
Upper School English Teacher and Senior Projects Coordinator Twenty-nine students embarked
upon senior projects last school year, allowing them the opportunity to pursue an educational objective or experience that could not be fulfilled within Lovett’s curriculum. As in previous years, the projects covered a range of interests and displayed incredible levels of creativity. For more detailed information about each individual’s project, please visit his or her blog available at http:// lovettseniorprojects.blogspot.com.
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Grace Bain, Claire Biggerstaff, and Theron Pickett produced an eight and a half minute video documentary to raise awareness for the refugee situation close to home. They filmed on location at the International Community School and conducted a number of interviews with students and teachers. Peyton Bogard and Grainger Reeves collaborated on a senior project to engineer, design, and assemble a mountain bike. Partnering with Atlanta Cycling, the two built a Stump Jumper mountain bike and tested it on the trails of North Georgia and near a favorite campsite from JOE in the Pisgah National Forest. Together, they met the physical challenges of the grueling pace of biking 15 miles or more per day and produced incredible photographs detailing their rides. Brittany Boniface and Sutton Dunlap took to the streets of Atlanta to create a photographic study entitled, “Humans of Atlanta.” They sought to capture their interactions with individuals around the city through interviews and film portraits. Spurred by his vision to explore ways to determine global food self-sufficiency, Andrew Burns researched data sets for more than 50 countries and spent countless hours coding a computer program that would break down the information into understandable analysis in order to predict each country’s food self-sufficiency. Having spent her childhood summers and winters in her father’s home country of Georgia, Diana
Danelia decided to journey there and create a travel guide that represented her love for the country. Her travel guide website can be found at https://dianadanelia.wixsite.com/ tbilisiguide. Fascinated with the effects of sleep deprivation, Avery Dean aimed to determine the sleep habits of Lovett students. He compiled data from a number of subjects ranging in age, gender, ethnic background, and course rigor, who recorded their hours of sleep over the course of two weeks, reflecting some interesting patterns and surprising results. Their shared passion for hip hop music brought Joshua Eiland and Ryan Schimpf together to write their own music and record an album consisting of five original songs. Touting their newfound appreciation for the English language and its nuances, both boys count the experience as one that both strengthened their friendship and helped them to grow independently as well. After participating in Girl Talk as a Middle School student and then as a mentor herself in Upper School, Mackensie Freeman pursued an internship with the organization. She worked to promote events and opportunities, while also managing the organization’s social media calendar. Technology enthusiasts Tomas Gowens and Anthony Romaniello combined their passion for engineering with their interest in economics by creating a decentralized cryptocurrency and Tor Relay. They developed
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a new currency as well as a website to showcase its brand and logo— Ragazzo. Anne Hardin explored the world of non-profit organizations by working on the Buckhead/Vinings Relay for Life event, held in early June at Lovett’s Kilpatrick Stadium. She produced a promotional video in which Upper School Band Director Charissa Gransden beautifully shared her own story with the Atlanta community. Eimile Harrison hoped to spread awareness regarding the issues facing young girls and their own struggles to develop self-confidence in a world of media perfection. Through an internship at the Authentic Beauty Salon, Eimile explored the concepts of beauty from the inside out and produced a three-part video series encouraging girls to develop their own definition of beauty. James Hicks and Bennett Kahn collaborated on a project that embodied their shared love of fishing as well as their appreciation for the Chattahoochee River. The two fished the waterways of Georgia, testing the waters and collecting data on the migrations of the fish they caught and tagged. Born the daughter of Nigerian immigrants, Melissa Ige traveled to Nigeria in order to explore her heritage. She documented her journey with amazing photographs of the people and places there. After her experiences with the Outdoor Academy and JOE, Stokes Kandzari was determined to hike the
Appalachian Trail. She invited her father along for a five-day backpacking journey. Taking notes and making sketches along the way, Stokes returned with a vision to create a series of beautiful pottery pieces to represent various elements of her adventure. Alex Murphy interned with Troutman Sanders, where he had the opportunity to visit the Senate and speak with Senators and lobbyists. Alex’s experience resulted in a potential summer job working on a gubernatorial campaign. James Packman compared and contrasted the history of tea cultures in China, India, Egypt, and Great Britain. The result was an intriguing display of an ancient practice as well as an understanding of his own need to relinquish worries and anxieties and allow himself to make mistakes. Lauren Rausaw delved in to her exploration and passion for animated short films by producing a lovely film about independence and self-discovery, entitled Self-Reliance. Max Russ designed his own website providing him a platform for blogging about a variety of genres of music. A highlight of his website (http://thisistheupstroke.blogspot. com/) was a comprehensive “worst to best” discography of The Swans. Inspired by her trip to Peru over Spring Break, Claire Tobin set out to learn more about microlending and how it might work to reduce poverty there. Claire determined that through a combination of microfinance and education, the women and children of Peru could realize improved opportu-
nities in the future. Chris Weaver founded a nonprofit organization, American Heroes for Hire, in September 2015. Chris worked to structure the program so that it would continue to operate successfully as he transitions to college. He leaves the organization in good shape with a detailed continuation plan, including specific guidelines for staging the job-readiness fairs designed to prepare veterans for job opportunities. Recognizing that a senior project offered him the opportunity to continue work on a semester-long Computer Science Unity Game project, Alton Wiggers developed a competent AI opponent in the videogame. He not only programmed the character to move across the screen, but also designed the player to block, dodge, and even taunt other players. Robert Wilkes researched traditional causes of anxiety stemming from stressful situations. He focused on subjects from various backgrounds, ranging from attorneys at Morris, Manning, and Martin to Lovett students and teachers. He ultimately produced a ten-page research paper breaking down the topics of stress, anxiety, and their effect on one’s productivity. From left: Diana Danelia’s view of Gabriadze Café in Tblisi, Georgia; A still photo from Lauren Rausaw’s animated film Self-Reliance; Max Russ’s Music Blog—The Upstroke; Peyton Bogard and Grainger Reeves explored wilderness trails and waterfall sites on their mountain bikes; Stokes Kandzari’s ceramic bowls before glazing, inspired by her Appalachian Trail hike.
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Celebrating Moms and Dads The Lower School hosts events each spring to honor our students’ mothers and fathers. We appreciate them and all they do for their children and for our school! To view all photos from the events, visit www.lovett.org/galleries. 1 Shawn Horan with Ian (Grade 4) 2 Jennifer Maxell with Skyler (Grade 3) 3 Cooper Pulliam with Millie (Grade 4) 4 Jennifer Reynolds with Edie (Grade 3) 5 Ryan Smith Dunlap ’97 with Candler (Grade 1) 6 Lorren Yerger with Pratt (Grade 3) 7 First graders celebrate Mother’s Day with their moms. 8 Nevin Kreisler with Ian (Grade 4) 9 SanJun Wu with Dora (Grade 4)
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Humans of Lovett by symphony romaine
Seventh Grade English Teacher
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This past spring, English teachers Sarah Parham-Giannitti, Ryan Randolph, and Symphony Romaine teamed with up with art teacher Katy McDougal to create an interdisciplinary project: Humans of Lovett. Seventh graders learned about Brandon Stanton’s Humans of New York (HONY) movement and studied the rules of photographic composition. In order to learn about their fellow “humans” on Lovett’s campus, each student prepared a series of interview questions and selected a member of the community to interview and photograph. Arden Gipson’s subject, fellow student Owen Armentrout, told her about his goal to help women achieve equal pay in athletics. To capture his
message in her photograph (pictured to the left), she explained, “I chose to focus on his shadow and not him because I wanted to symbolize that even though we don’t always see gender inequality, it still happens.” Through the seventh grade’s literature studies, teachers emphasized the value of the individual story and the significance of diverse voices and life experiences. With this project, students gained further empathy by learning the stories of their peers and Lovett faculty and staff that make Lovett extraordinary. Reflecting on the overall project and its title, Lily Puricelli thoughtfully stated, “There are many different people who go to Lovett, and we need to embrace everyone.”
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1 Arden Grace Gipson took the photo of Owen Armentrout. 2 Lily Puricelli took the photo of Anna Bland Costello. 3 Cristina Hill took the photo of Rick Wellmaker. 4 Allie Ohde took the photo of Jack Gallagher. 5 Charlie Woocher took the photo of Mike Muschamp.
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A Commitment to Character Development by angela morris-long
Director of Civic Engagement During the 2016-17 school year, Lovett piloted a
Mission Certification Process with the Center for Spiritual and Ethical Education (CSEE). The school formed a committee of faculty, staff, and administrators representing the various areas of school life to kick off the process. This group was charged with working on a report that was submitted to CSEE prior to their team’s visit. “Almost immediately, our conversations were meaningful, and the group recognized that our school too rarely made time for discussion about character building, service, and the nuanced spiritual life of our school,” said committee chair and Director of Civic Engagement, Angela Morris-Long. “We had to deliberately remind ourselves not to go into the CSEE process trying to solve a problem, but to relax into some long-overdue discussions and contemplation regarding the spiritual, social, and emotional life of our school. It was fantastic. We had many meaningful meetings, and enjoyed connecting with colleagues about programs, courses, and issues that are so important to us as educators.” Following their time at Lovett, the visiting CSEE team prepared a report that focused on four themes: Character, Chapel, Identity and Diversity, and Community Engagement. Their recommendations included:
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Forming a new committee to focus on evaluating Lovett’s social, emotional, and spiritual programs and their impact on character and moral development; Articulating Lovett’s commitment to faith and community (see page 25); Instituting a Diversity Action Committee to provide a venue for showcasing the work in various divisions and aligning diversity programming from kindergarten to Grade 12; And, continuing to increase opportunities for community engagement at Lovett. “Everyone at Lovett understands and appreciates the school’s mission and how strongly it speaks to community and character. The CSEE process reminded us that these areas need constant attention, evaluation, goals, and planned outcomes,” said Chaplain Steve Allen. “Indeed, success in all school divisions and in every Lovett curricular and co-curricular program, depends upon a foundation of positive and carefully planned social-emotional development.” Lovett continues to strengthen its position to evaluate programs and partnerships and to develop specific learning goals for each division moving forward.
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Thank you for the unprecedented generosity of our more than 2,800 True Blue donors last year!
Chapel Services by steve allen Chaplain From it’s beginning, Lovett has focused on the development of the whole child including the spiritual life. Throughout the years, there has been a strong connection to the Christian tradition; however, during the past 20 years, there has been increasing diversity of religions represented in the community. During the Mission Certification Process, CSEE recognized the challenges of leading a chapel service in a school community representing many faiths. The visiting team thus recommended that Lovett’s chapel services be clearly described and codified in order to better communicate the nature of Lovett’s commitment to faith and community. In order to think about faith’s role at Lovett, the three chaplains attended a CSEE conference, “Chaplaincy in Pluralistic Schools,” in February 2017. Lovett’s chaplains joined colleagues from religious and secular schools across the country for discussion, reflection, resource sharing, and camaraderie. “The conference was a fantastic opportunity to connect and be encouraged by chaplains engaged in the same kind of work,” said Chaplain Steve Allen. At the end of the conference and much discussion, the chaplains considered a more appropriate way to speak of Lovett’s chapel service as “inclusively Christian.” They consequently wrote the following explanation of chapel services at Lovett: While respecting all religious traditions, Chapel at Lovett is an inclusively Christian service. All students and faculty meet once a rotation for the Chapel service by division. The chaplains of all three divisions are ministers from various Christian traditions. Though different in age appropriate ways, all three chapel services follow the same basic structure: every service includes a processional of a cross and torches carried by acolytes, a call to worship, readings from the Old and New Testaments, prayers for the community including the Lord’s Prayer, music, a message, and a benediction. Both Christian and Non-Christian holidays are recognized and celebrated throughout the academic year. Messages are drawn from the readings from the day and often touch upon issues and events arising within and beyond the community.
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New Trustees by jennifer sarginson
Associate Director of Communications and Marketing
David B. Allman ’72
Position: Founder and Chairman of Regent Partners Lovett involvement: Served on Lovett’s Our Defining Decade Committee, 2013-15 On the Lovett experience and serving as a Trustee: “Donna and I have been active in the past as class reps and have stayed close to many classmates and the school over the years. My interest in serving as a Trustee is simply a reflection of my deep ties and affection for the school where I spent 12 years. My Lovett education and the friendships generated there have served me well throughout life. Many of my closest friends today were my classmates of many years. I want to see Lovett preserve its rich traditions while striving for excellence in all its endeavors.” David and his wife, Donna Pope Allman ’72, are the parents to Lovett alums: Adam Allman ’99, Daniel Allman ’01, Andrew Allman ’01, and Rebecca Allman Doster ’04.
Bo Briggs
Position: Partner and Managing Director at Croft & Bender Lovett involvement: 1926 Society Committee Member 2012-13; Parent Chair True Blue Annual Fund 2013-15; and True Blue Annual Fund Chair 2015-16 On the Lovett experience and serving as a Trustee: “Our son, John, started at Lovett in 1st grade. Lovett had been a fantastic experience for John. So, when the time came to choose a school for our next two boys, we knew where we wanted them to go. All of our boys have had wonderful experiences at Lovett, thus far. We have been so impressed by the teachers and coaches that have helped them develop meaningfully, year after year. They have also developed strong relationships with great friends, and we have loved getting to know Billy Peebles and seeing his great leadership firsthand. When I was asked to join the board, my answer was an immediate “yes.” I could think of no better place to contribute my time and resources than the school that is providing so much for our three boys.” Bo and his wife, Beverly Freeman Briggs ’92, are the parents to three Lovett students: John, Grade 9, Charlie, Grade 6, and Bobby, Grade 3.
Ray Kotwicki, MD
Position: Chief Medical Officer at Skyland Trail Lovett involvement: Frequent speaker On the Lovett experience and serving as a Trustee: “I have been involved with Lovett in the past in that I meet annually with senior parents as well as the senior (and sometimes earlier year) classes to talk about mental health, resiliency, and overall wellness as students prepare to graduate. I have always been impressed with the sophisticated, thoughtful questions and discussions that Lovett students, faculty, and parents have around the topics.” “My ultimate goal as a Trustee is to press Lovett stakeholders to constantly ask how experiences either promote or become barriers to personal health and wellness. Life is not always easy, especially in high-pressured situations. However, there are many strategies that can help people grow and become even more resilient from adversities. I am eager to help the Lovett community to continue to be deliberate and thoughtful of strategies to help achieve this goal (and to have fun doing it).”
Jim Mills ’74
Position: Chief Operating Officer at Dominium Lovett involvement: Lovett Alumni Association Chair 2010-11 On the Lovett experience and serving as a Trustee: “As a student and as an alumnus, Lovett has been an important part of my life. In addition to receiving an excellent education, Lovett has given me the gift of many life-long friendships. Over the years, I have remained connected to Lovett through my involvement with the Annual Giving Campaign and serving as chair of the Alumni Board. With its exceptional faculty, administration, and headmaster, Lovett provides an exceptional holistic educational experience that nurtures, challenges, and develops its students. A Lovett education is a gift of enduring value—a gift that keeps on giving. I wanted to serve on the Board of Trustees to give back to an organization that has contributed so much to me and my family. I am proud to be a Lovett graduate and honored to serve with Billy Peebles and the distinguished Board of Trustees as we embark on the next phase of our esteemed history.” Jim and his wife, Ibby, are the parents to Lovett alum Jeannie Mills ’03.
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C.V. “Clay” Nalley, IV ’90
Position: President at SONS Automotive Group Lovett involvement: Member of the New Parent Campaign Steering Committee 2009-10 and Our Defining Decade Major Gifts Committee Member On the Lovett experience and serving as a Trustee: “Lovett has meant a lot to me over the years, but if I had to sum it up, I have always thought of Lovett as having a great balance for the student body. By that, I mean that you can excel both academically and athletically without a tremendous amount of pressure being placed on either one. We also believe that Lovett does a great job of taking an interest in helping our children succeed. I wanted to join the Board to be a part of ensuring that Lovett changes with the times but stays true to the core values that have made it what it is today.” Clay and his wife, Kimberly, are the parents to two Lovett students: Chase, Grade 8, and Camden, Grade 5.
David Wall Rice, Ph.D.
Position: Associate Professor of Psychology with tenure and Associate Provost of Engagement and Institutional Culture at Morehouse College, also Principal Investigator of the Identity Orchestration Research Lab
On the Lovett experience and serving as a Trustee: “I became acquainted with Lovett while teaching a Christian Formation class at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church. Matthew Boutté ‘16 and senior Marilyn Boutté were in the class and talked about Lovett frequently. I was very impressed with them and wanted to know more about Lovett. I have found Lovett to be a place that focuses on developing the whole person, which is fascinating to me because of the work I do in psychology. I like the idea of being self-reflective in the journey to develop students to become contributing members of society. As a Trustee, I hope to provide a fresh voice and bring an accountability-driven perspective on diversity, race, gender, and culture.”
Irma Shrivastava
Position: Senior Vice President, Strategic Marketing and Alliances, American Cancer Society On the Lovett experience and serving as a Trustee: “Lovett is a great school...a special community. Service to the community is important to me. What more important community than the ones that educate our children!? As a new Trustee, I am thrilled to bring my marketing expertise and non-profit leadership to benefit the Lovett agenda. I sought to be a more engaged part of this amazing establishment and help Lovett’s legacy continue.” Irma and her husband, Manish, are the parents to two Lovett students: Rani, Grade 7, and Rohan, Grade 5.
Your commitment is key to Lovett’s excellence and unlocks so many truly unique experiences for our students. Your dedication to Lovett students, faculty and mission inspires us all.
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Honoring Our Own On May 31, 2017, Lovett hosted an end-of-year luncheon at which we presented awards to faculty and staff who possess the qualities we hold dear at our school: a strong ethic of service; a commitment to continued personal and professional growth; and a genuine desire to fulfill Lovett’s mission. Congratulations to these deserving colleagues, who have our appreciation and admiration for their talents and commitment. To learn more about these awards and to see past recipients, visit www.lovett.org/facultystaffawards.
The Loudermilk Family Foundation Award Nolan Morris The Headmaster’s Leadership by Example Award Anne Page
20 Years Steve Allen, Chuck Melito, Kim Morgan, Lora Terry, and Karey Walter
The Loyal Lion Award Pam Thomas, Lora Terry, Joe Williams, and Jerry Griffin
30 or More Years David Burris, Rob Carder, Gina Conrad, Barbara Edmundson, Lynn Elliott, Jay Freer ’78, Edi Houghton, Diane Husmann, Aaron Jessie, Kim Johnston, Marie Lanning, Mike Lanning, Marc Mallet, Ben Posten, Ken Rau, Jeff Rountree, and Azeb Tadessee
The Beth and Ray Chenault Fine Arts Teaching Award Katy McDougal
The Stephen Award for Excellence in Teaching Diane Staats
The Loridans Academic Fellowship Award Karen McLeavy
The Alumni Excellence in Teaching Award Ken Rau
The O. Wayne Rollins Quest for Excellence Grants 10 Years Wiley Bagby, Jennifer Boomer, Gina Dixon, Chris Ekholm, Maria Esquivel, Charissa Grandsen, Kelley Greer, Tommy Jones, Maria Madden, Gwen Mercer, Alex Reynolds, Kristin Tidwell, and Jenn Wilson
Rollins Merit Awards Lower School Susan Ralls, Gayle Greenwood, and Carla Civita-Garcia
The Charles E. Oakley Service Award Russ Malsnee
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Middle School Symphony Romaine, Jeff Wierzba, and Wade Reck
Upper School Mark May-Beaver, Jen King, and Jen Blake Fine Arts Deb Ulrich and Ashley Schick The Surdyk Award Jay Freer ’78 The Mary and Jack Dinos Middle School Master Teacher Chair Lannitra Peaks-Turner The Outstanding Co-Teacher Award Colleen Bailey The Woodward Awards for Excellence in Teaching Lower School Laura Jordan Middle School Jen Murphy Upper School Rene Houngblame At Large Teresa Young
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Retiring to New Chapters Excerpts from Billy Peebles’s address at the Faculty/Staff Lunch in May
Carol Cummings, 13 years
After 13 years of service to Lovett, Carol Cummings is retiring. Carol was a source of constant support and encouragment to those privileged enough to work with her, and was a true friend to all. Billy Peebles and Janice Lichtenstein want to thank Carol for all the help she has given them throughout the years, and for her kindness to Lovett’s faculty, staff, students, and parents. Lovett thanks Carol and wishes her Godspeed.
Maria Drinkard, 17 years
After being a vital member of Lovett for 17 years, Maria Drinkard is retiring. Maria loved the Middle School, and spent her time through the years teaching German, world languages, geography, and history. She was always willing to help her colleagues and school regardless of the need, substitute teaching in a variety of classes and proctoring many habits hall and study halls. Thank you Maria, for your grace and quiet, humble, and reassuring style.
Kathy Kalnin, 19 years
Kathy Kalnin leaves Lovett after 19 years as a member of the Academic Resource Center and 43 years as a teacher. She loved her Middle School students and was alway reaching out to support students who she might not be working with 30
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directly because she genuinely was interested in them as they advanced through Middle School. To help find and build what is best in each students, Kathy created the Study Buddies website for rising sixth graders to use to prepare themselves for Middle School. Lovett thanks and salutes Kathy on her next chapter!
Anne Gray McHugh ’73, 9 years
Lovett thanks Anne McHugh for her nine years of devoted service to Lovett and for her 30 years of service to education. Anne graduated from Lovett in 1973. Anne enjoyed helping young readers develop a genuine love for reading by identifying their passions and finding them books to match those passions. Lovett thanks Anne and wishes her the best!
Sandy Redella, 26 years
After 26 years of service to Lovett, Sandy Redella is retiring. Sandy coordinated and facilitated the work of the Lovett Parent Association and Parent Support Groups, and worked with hundreds of volunteers in carrying out our highly successful auction every three years. Sandy was a wonderful liaison between the parent community and Lovett, and Lovett will miss her leadership and grace. Good luck and Godspeed on retirement.
CampusNews Nancy Spetnagel, 32 years
Nancy Spetnagel leaves Lovett after 32 years of service in the Lower School. Nancy is a champion of books and of reading, and played a leadership role in the design of our Lower School library in the early 2000s. She brought many wonderful authors and illustrators to the Lower School to highlight the great benefits of language and art. For your deep devotion to your colleagues and students, Lovett will greatly miss Nancy. Lovett thanks you and wishes you the best on your retirement.
Miriam Taylor, 39 years
After 39 years of selfless service to the Lovett community, Miriam Taylor is retiring. Miriam has done it all at Lovett. She taught pre-school, managed the Campus Store, worked in the Alumni Office and was described as the backbone of the department by former Alumni Director Anne Fuentes. In alumni, Miriam moved Lovett from a manual system to computer-managed system, and oversaw Run ’n Lovett, the homecoming dinner, and countless class reunions. Lovett thanks Miriam for her many years of service.
From the Students
Excerpts from The OnLion written by Upper School students honoring retirees Sue Copps and Mary Spencer
The Irreplaceable Ms. Copps
Fourteen years ago, when the freshmen were still chewing on stuffed animals and crying in their cribs, Lovett was graced with the gift that is Ms. Copps. For those of you who don’t know Ms. Copps, she is the one who guarantees that every Lovett student gets into college, meaning she handles all of the paperwork (which these days is more electronic work) including our applications, transcripts, and letters of recommendation. She handles more files than most of us have seen in our lifetime, and yet she still strides down the halls with a big grin. Mrs. Navarro’s description of Ms. Copps as a bright light could not be more accurate as she’s constantly smiling and happy to help in every situation. “I have never met anyone more efficient, effective and organized nor anyone with so much genuine kindness and charm,” Ms. Navarro said. Ms. Copps has a very unique role in the Upper School, as she’s constantly interacting with seniors and the college counselors. “I love that I get to know the kids besides just doing detail work, that’s the best part of my job,” Ms. Copps said. “In fact my own children get tired of hearing me talk about Lovett kids,” she laughed. Not only does she help us seniors, but her co-workers, each and every one of them, sing her praises. “She’s the consummate team player,” said Ms. Sant. “She is always the first to praise one of us but the last to celebrate her own achievements.” Ms. Copps said that the hardest thing to leave behind will not only be the students, but her team of college counselors. “We tend to laugh a lot,” she smiled. And it’s exactly that which Ms. Navarro will miss the most too. “I love hearing her laugh—when something is really funny, she kind of snorts a little bit,” she said. “She makes coming to work each day a great joy,” said Ms. Sant. “There’s simply no one else we could have imagined working with over the last six years!” We love you Ms. Copps and wish you the best of luck in this new chapter in your life! —Kelsey Watson ’17
A Farewell to Ms. Spencer, a “Fierce Advocate for Students”
Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is ‘What are you doing for others?’” Well, Mrs. Spencer’s answer is easy: she’s kept the Lovett faculty, students, and entire community up and running for almost 18 years. Lovett will be forever indebted to her for her service. According to our Upper School principal Dan Alig, Mrs. Spencer “is a fierce advocate for students. She always has students at the forefront of her mind and sometimes we teachers, we administrators start thinking about the adult world and school life, but Mrs. Spencer always has kids in the forefront.” Assistant Head of School for Academic Affairs Marsha Little has always admired how Mrs. Spencer can navigate complex situations. “Whether it’s a complicated student issue, or upset parents, or a program that we’re trying to figure out, or how to run a certain assembly...she’s really good at pressing through the mess. She’s not intimidated by a really big challenge, and she gets stuff done,” Ms. Little says. Sophomore Kate Pritchard says her favorite quality about Mrs. Spencer is “she is always willing to help any student out no matter how busy she is, and she always gives the best advice. She is a great advisor because she was always interested in how we were doing and what is going on in our lives.” I asked Ms. Spencer if she had any final words of wisdom. “Don’t be afraid to ask questions,” she says. “Don’t make broad assumptions without having had the conversation.” She encourages us to learn the whole story because when we do “life is a lot better.” Not only has Mrs. Spencer loved her job, her time with her advisory groups (she’s had seven), the community as a whole, and watching her children attend the school, but she has also appreciated the things that we often forget to: “I love even when I’m walking in in the morning, looking at the river, and just the feel of the school before the day begins.” But she will miss the people most of all. “We have a great mission here and we do great things, butFall it’s the people 2017 31 that make that happen,” she says. —Kaitlyn Garrett, sophomore
CampusNews
Our Teachers Take the Summer On! by marsha little Assistant Head of School for Academic Affairs
Lovett’s endowed summer study and travel funds allow faculty to take advantage of professional development
opportunities that might not be feasible during the school year. In summer 2017, 78 faculty benefited from these funds, returning to Lovett energized and inspired, and with new knowledge and skills. A few of these summer professional development experiences are highlighted here. her delivery. The strategies gave us no option but to surrender our attention. This experience is how I would define my time at Teachers College. Engaged. Intrigued. Ambitious. —Ashley Sharpton, LS teacher, Teachers College Reading Institute at Columbia University
It is nearly impossible for me to imagine a time in my life when I did not have books. I’ve always loved to read, and when I received the information about the Oxbridge Teacher Seminar, it seemed like a once in a lifetime opportunity. To be honest, this experience has been more than that. I’ve been able to connect my love for literature with its history. These stories have a past, and I can’t wait to share this knowledge with all of our students and open their eyes to their deeper meanings. —Angela Sauter, MS Librarian, Oxford Teacher Seminar: Literature and the Fantastic
This summer I attended Teachers College Reading Institute at Columbia University in New York City. The first morning, Lucy Calkins, founder of the program, read an article that brought the entire group to tears. As we immersed ourselves in the story, we weren’t aware of the strategies Lucy was using to captivate our attention, yet we were lost in her words, lost in 32
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“At the SCAD Educator Forum, educators have the opportunity to revitalize their creative energy while learning new skills through a variety of educational and recreational activities in the midst of a bustling art scene” (SCAD Educator Forum Description). This description hardly describes the life-changing personal and professional development I experienced. Forty-two educators from many countries participated in workshops that truly allowed participants the opportunity to be creative while learning new tools and skills in an amazing environment, taught by the best in the industry. —Stacia McFadden, Director of Academic Technology, Savannah College of Art and Design Educator Forum in Hong Kong
While art can permeate all parts of everyday life, the process of making artwork requires dedicated time to think and physically create. This time is a challenge to carve out from the regular schedule of school. The summer travel grant supported me as I dedicated time to work and to remind myself how it feels to be on the student side of learning. —Ashley Schick, Upper School Visual Arts teacher, Ballinglen Arts Foundation in northwest Ireland
In Spanish V/VI, we nurture lifelong learners who can “interact and collaborate in their community and the globalized world” (ACTFL). Our framework for achieving these goals is through study of the history and culture of Mexico. Despite our proximity, knowledge of Mexico within the US is too often limited to shallow generalizations and stereotypes. We were delighted to be able to travel to Mexico to gain first-hand experiences that will enrich our understanding of Mexican culture, allowing us to share that knowledge and excitement with our students. —Nancy Cruz and Diane Staats, US Spanish teachers, independent travel in Mexico
CampusNews
Board Members from left: Tim Barton, Nancy Brumley Robitaille ’84, Pinney Allen, Buddy Miller (Breakthrough National Board Chair), and David Ghegan ’89
Breakthrough Atlanta by monica rodgers
Executive Director of Breakthrough Atlanta We’re pleased to announce David Ghegan ’89 as the new Chair of the Breakthrough Atlanta Board. David is a partner at Troutman Sanders, a Lovett alum, and a Lovett parent. David embodies the spirit of community and brings talent, expertise, and energy. We are very fortunate to have David as our Chair as we continue to strengthen Breakthrough and change the lives of the children we serve. David succeeds Pinney Allen, who rotated off the board in June after serving three consecutive terms. We want to thank Pinney for her outstanding leadership and her valuable contributions as a board member and Chair over the past several years. In our 21st year, we are excited about fulfilling the dual mission of Breakthrough which puts students on a path to college and provides a teaching internship for college students. Our fundraising efforts continue this year with the 2nd annual Fund-A-Scholar event in September at Summerour Studio. In order to provide a future for this work, Breakthrough has also launched an endowment campaign. This is a $2.5 million dollar campaign that has raised more than $1,079,000 in this quiet phase.
We are so appreciative of the support the Lovett community gives Breakthrough. We are looking forward to another year of changing the trajectory of our students’ lives for a better tomorrow!
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Fine Arts Through the Spring 1 The Lovett School hosted the seventh annual High School Film Festival in April. Pictured here on the red carpet (L-R): seniors Therese Carter, David Rackley, Lauren Rausaw, and Paul Kim. 2 Lower School students get creative at the Spring Arts Festival. 3 The Tortoise, Ian Aguilar (Kindergarten), slowly plods toward the finish line as the Greek narrators tell Aesop’s fable, The Tortoise and the Hare. 4 Juliet (Chloe Beaver, Grade 8) and Romeo (Daniel Johnson, Grade 8) text each other about events leading up to Romeo’s banishment in the Middle School production of Juliet and This Guy Romeo. 5 The cast and crew of the Upper School Play, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum. 6 Middle School students focus on their music at the Middle and Upper School Orchestra String Spectacular Concert.
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Riverbank Roundup by perry mcintyre ’71 Sports Information Director
Spring sports on the Riverbank began as winter sports reached their culmination, and eagerly anticipated beginnings
overlapped with exciting ends.
Baseball
In the spring of 2017, the Lions baseball program celebrated their 25th consecutive year of participating in the state playoffs, coming off 2016’s state championship season. Lovett started the 2017 tournament with a three-game series against Dawson County, winning the first game, 11-2, then splitting the initials day’s doubleheader to force a decisive game three, which the Lions won handily, 14-0. Lovett advanced through the second round with a twogame sweep of Worth County, before falling to Calhoun in a very closely contested three-game series, with the first two games each being one-run affairs, and the elimination game being a 2-0 loss for the Lions.
Golf
Coach Greg Hyde’s boys golf team played a tournament-heavy schedule in the regular season in preparation for the region and state tournaments. The approach was successful in helping the Lions reach the state tournament, where they edged out Westminster for third place. Sophomore Robert Ghirardini was the runner-up for state medalist honors, firing 73-71 over the two days. The Lions had a deep, young squad in 2017, and return that depth to position themselves for another good run at state in 2018.
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Lacrosse
Both Lions lacrosse programs advanced into the state tournament, and while the girls bowed out after the first round, Coach Jim Buczek’s boys took it as far as possible, advancing to the final before losing in overtime, 10-9. The Lions advanced to the finals of the A-AAAAA tournament with wins over Woodward, 19-3, Starr’s Mill, 16-8, and Blessed Trinity, 13-2. Senior Peyton Bogard signed with national power Maryland, where he will continue his career.
Soccer
Another Lovett tradition is both soccer sides advancing to the state tournament. The boys’ team went out in the first round, after a tough, well-played match at GAC, losing 2-1. Coach Will Lozier’s girls team shut out opponents Dawson County, Worth County, and Adairsville, advancing to the semifinals for the fifth straight season. The Lions played a hard-fought match with neighborhood rival, Pace, but came out on the losing end of the 3-2 score. Senior goalkeeper Heitho Shipp will continue her career at Carnegie Mellon University, joining the long list of Lions advancing to the next level.
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Tennis
Tennis has traditionally one of Lovett’s most successful programs at the state level, being the first program to ever bring a state championship to the Riverbank. In 2017, the two teams held up to that proud tradition, both advancing to the state semifinals. Wins over GAC, Appling County, and Crisp County moved the girls into the final four, before they would leave the draw. On the boys’ side, shutout wins over North Hall, Crisp County, and Pierce County would move the team into the semifinals, where they would lose a tightly-contested 3-2 match to Pace.
Track and Field
As teams, both track and field groups a building back to the point where they are once again state contenders, but 2017 did bring both promise and some individual state titles back home to the Riverbank. Sophomore Haley Hooper placed fourth in both the 800-meter and 1,600-meter runs. Hooper also completed in the Race of Champions, following Lovett’s season, where she placed fourth as well, lowering her personal best in the event to 5:05.86. The headliner on the girls’ side, however, was Serena Tripodi completing her “three-peat” as the state 3,200-meter champion. Tripodi leaves Lovett the school’s most successful individual competitor, winning nine individual state title; three in cross country (setting a new all-classification course record in 2016), three in the 1,600-meter run, and, the three title in the 3,200, where she leaves holding the AA state record for that event. Tripodi was selected as the Northside Neighbor’s Scholar Athlete of the Year, and is running both cross country and track at
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Columbia University, while teammate Emma Sidman will compete in the same sports at the University of Alabama. The Lovett boys also had a repeat and dual champion in Everett Smulders, who successfully defended his state titles in the 800-meter and 1,600-meter runs. Following the conclusion of Lovett’s season at the state meet, Smulders competed in Georgia’s Race of Champions, running the 800-meter, where he finished second in a time of 1:50.70, the 10th best time in the country That time also qualified him to run in Seattle in the Brooks PR Invitational, held near Seattle. Smulders’ time in the Georgia Race of Champions was actually faster than the winning time in Seattle, but the latter race was very tactical, not allowing Smulders to challenge for the top spot. The time Smulders ran in Georgia’s Race of Champions also broke the school record, of 1:52.77, held by Ian Scott, but Scott’s record remains as the AA state record for GHSA, as their records must be run in the respective state meets. Smulders continues his career in both cross country and track at the University of Mississippi.
1 Varsity Golf team 2 Varsity Girls Soccer team 3 Varsity Boys Lacrosse team 4 After a great showing at the AAA State Meet, sophomore Haley Hooper set a new personal best in the 1,600-meter run in the Georgia Race of Champions.
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ClassNews
Class of 1967 50th Reunion
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1 Class of 1967 classmates 2 Cathy Brown Walsh, Jackie Dick Campbell, Jane Canipe Rooks, and Nancy Wade Blalock 3 Gene Spier, Riley O’Connor, Charlie Gregory, and Eleanor Gregory 4 Cissie Winslette Brown, June Johnson Freeman, Sally Zaglin Grunewald, and Lamar Raine Eliades 5 Reunion planning committee 6 Jeff Muir, Charlie Gregory, and Gina Wylly Johnson 7 Sally Zaglin Grunewald and Connie Roelofs Washburn 8 Betty Johnson Hudson, Larry Alberson, Boyd Matson, and Jane Canipe Rooks 9 Jane Canipe Rooks, Donna Downing, Lamar Raine Eliades, Scott Offen, and Gene Spier 10 Susan Reddic Blalock, Gene Spier, Scott Offen, Jeff Muir, and Bebe McIntyre Watson 11 David Eliades, Nancy Wade Blalock, Lamar Raine Eliades, and Susan Boyd Hodgson 12 Riley O’Connor, Jeff Muir, and Billy Peebles 13 Allen and Bunny Lindley
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The 50th Class Reunion Endowment Fund
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With devoted volunteers from the Class of 1967 leading the charge, the 50th Class Reunion Endowment Fund continues to gain momentum, and Lovett will honor the Fund’s first Teacher of Excellence in the spring of 2018. The Class of 1967 has added $30,000 to the Fund, which includes a very generous $20,000 grant from The Livingston Foundation. A special thank you to Charlie Gregory ’67, Scott Offen ’67, and Stan Smith ’67 for leading the solicitation efforts for their class. The current value of the fund now stands in excess of $160,000. While the Fund is designed to accept gifts from Lovett alumni on the occasion of their 50th Class Reunion, members of all 50th+ reunion classes are invited to make a gift at any time, or take advantage of a five-year window to fulfill pledged gifts. Would you like to make a gift to The 50th Class Reunion Endowment Fund? Please contact Director of Alumni Programs Lara Kauffman at lara.kauffman@lovett.org or (404) 262-3032, ext. 1213.
ClassNews
25th Annual Run ’n Lovett
A huge thank you to our volunteers, sponsors, runners, and fans! The 25th annual Run ‘n Lovett raised a record amount of $64,000 to benefit Lovett’s endowment! A chip timing system was an exciting new addition this year.
Congratulations and thank you to the planning committee for running such a successful event. The committee included Kurt Hohlstein ’76, Ruth Baldwin Russ ’84, Ed Smith ’86, Seale Arnold Lindsay ’90, and Jim Woodward ’92.
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1 The Alumni Association awarded Mrs. Swaim and Mrs. Becker’s kindergarten class with a popsicle party for having the highest class participation! 2 The 2K winners from the Lower School: Grade K—Greer Knox and Burns Stribling; Grade 1—Riley Gallagher and Charlie Deupree; Grade 2—Fiona White and Griffin Woodward; Grade 3—Isabelle Cheroff and Troy Turner; Grade 4—Mary Poole Smith and Perritt Smith; Grade 5—Emma Duffield and Jack Jernigan 3 Headmaster Billy Peebles with the 5K winners: Jackson Borden and Ellie Wildman 4 Ninth grader Henry Haden, the 10K winner, with Billy Peebles
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ClassNews
Class Notes With a focus on College
In keeping with the College/University theme, Class Leaders and Secretaries were asked for class asked fornotes class about notes about alumnialumni who are who teaching, are teaching, working, working, or volunteering or volunteering for a college for aorcollege university. or university. Those weThose received we are received wonderful are wonderful additionsadditions to Class News. to Class If News. you know of you If others know whoofcould othershave whobeen could included have been in this included theme,inplease this theme, email please your suggestions email your to alumni@lovett.org suggestions to alumni@lovett.org or your Class Leader/Secretary. or your Class Leader/Secretary. Class of 1963
From the Alumni Office Ray Crim enjoying some time with his grandchildren.
biology (Genetic Toxicology), and Ph.D. in Experimental Pathology, Nutrition. She went on to receive an MBA in Health Organization Management.
Legion of Merit Award from Phi Delta Theta during the Fraternity’s national convention. Established to honor individuals with distinguished service to the Fraternity, the award has been bestowed on less than 100 men since its its inception inception nearly nearly 40 40 years years ago. ago. In In receiving this award, Mark was receiving this award, Mark was recrecognized ognized for for his his years years of of outstanding outstanding service and dedication service and dedication to to the the UGA UGA chapter. He also services as chapter. He also services as an an AdvisoAdviry Trustee of of thethe UGA Foundation. sory Trustee UGA Foundation.
Class of 1972
From the Alumni Office
As told by Class Leader Lovett friends celebrate an elder birthday of Roger Moister. Seated (L-R): Lynda Moister with Tomkins, Anne Marie Walsh, Glenn Smith Kincaid, Mary Lou Roelofs Floyd. Standing: Roger Moister, Frank Walsh ’62, Jim Kincaid and Ed Floyd.
Class of 1964
From the Alumni Office Barbara Constable Pence is retired and living near family in Austin, TX. She was formerly on faculty at Texas Tech University’s Health Sciences Center as a Professor of Pathology, Associate Vice President for Research, and Associate Dean for Research and the Graduate School. She received her degrees from Texas Tech starting with a B.A. in Microbiology with a Chemistry minor, her M.S. in Micro40
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In June, Cathy Young Wilson ‘72, James Wilby ‘13, Donna Pope Allman ‘72, Frank Wilson ‘72, David Allman ‘72, and Grace McCollum ‘72 came across some “Lovett Lions” while guided through Old Jerusalem by Rev. Steve Allen. They were joined in this adventure by friends, both new and old from our Lovett community. Class of 1977
As told by Class Leaders Ann Travis Davis and Donald Jackson Billy Bridell and Donald Jackson are currently serving on the Chapter Advisory Board for the Phi Delta Theta chapter at Auburn University. Michael Class of Bleke 1977 ’03 is also serving on the board. In 2018, the Auburn Phi’s As told by Class Leaders Ann Travis will celebrate their 140th anniverDavis and Donald Jackson sary!
Billy Bridell and Donald Jackson Sea currently Island, Georgia, to are servingplayed on the host Chapter the beautiful June 18 wedding of Advisory Board for the Phi Delta Ann and MarkatChandler, which Theta chapter Auburn University. was witnessed and celebrated by on Michael Bleke ’03 is also serving fellow classmates. In October 2016, the board. In 2018, the Auburn Phi’s Markcelebrate receivedtheir the Legion of Merit will 140th anniversary! Award from Phi Delta Theta during the Fraternity’s national convention. Sea Island, Georgia, played host to the Established to honor individuals beautiful June 18 wedding of Ann and with distinguished service the Mark Chandler, which wastowitnessed Fraternity, the award has been and celebrated by fellow classmates. bestowed lessMark than 100 men since In Octoberon 2016, received the
Front Row: Bryant Chandler, Ann Travis Davis ’77, Ann Chandler, Mark Chandler ’77, Mary Cumming Heald ’77, Weezie Chandler Back Row: Clay Willcoxon ’80, Clay Jackson ’77, Donald Jackson ’77, Andrew Bleke ’77, Frank Heald ’77
Philip Philip Meyerson Meyerson ’69 ’69 and and Nanette Nanette ElEllen Jorgensen were married len Jorgensen were married onon FebruFebruary 18, 2017. The couple was to ary 18, 2017. The couple was treated treated a special performance by a specialtoperformance by The Psychics The Psychics at the Five Pace Inn. at the Five Pace Inn. Several Lovett Several Lovett from the Class Alums were onAlums hand to celebrate the of 1977 were on hand to celebrate the joyous occasion. joyous occasion.
Front Row: Peggy Paris Dawson ’70, Alison Harp LeCraw ’74, Margot Meyerson Front Row: Peggy Paris Dawson ’70, AliEllis ’74, Phillip Meyerson ’69, Robert son Harp LeCraw ’74, Margot Meyerson Shuford ’81 Ellis ’74, Phillip Meyerson ’69, Robert Second row: Scott Glazer ’75, Kathy Shuford ’81 Black Shoji ’74, Carl Crowley ’69, Laura Second row: Scott Glazer ’75, Kathy Hopkins Corrigan ’73 Black Shoji ’74, Carl Crowley ’69, Laura Back Row: Bill Johnson ’69, Richard Hopkins Corrigan ’73 Goodsell ’77, Donald Jackson ’77 Back Row: Bill Johnson ’69, Richard Goodsell ’77, Donald Jackson ’77
ClassNews
Class of 1978
Class of 1980
From the Alumni Office
From the Alumni Office
Congratulations to Dr. Liza Wieland, who has been named the winner of the 2017 Robert Penn Warren Award for Fiction from the Fellowship of Southern Writers and will receive the award at the Fellowship’s biennial meeting in Chattanooga in November. There is no application or nomination process for this award; the fellowship members choose the winner based entirely on their own judgment of the writer’s literary achievements. Past winners include Lee Smith and Cormac McCarthy, among other luminaries. Liza is the author of eight books: three collections of short fiction, Quickening (2011), You Can Sleep While I Drive (1999) and Discovering America, (1994) four novels, Land of Enchantment (2015), A Watch of Nightingales, (2009) Bombshell (2001) and The Names of the Lost (1992), as well as a volume of poems, Near Alcatraz (2005). She has won, two Pushcart Prizes, the Michigan Literary Fiction Prize, a Bridport Prize in the UK, and fellowships from The National Endowment for the Arts, The North Carolina Arts Council and the Christopher Isherwood Foundation. Since 2007, Liza has served as a professor in Thomas Harriot College of Arts and Sciences at East Carolina University where she teaches in the Department of English. She received her B.A. at Harvard University, and her M.A. and Ph.D. at Columbia University.
Tom Stanfill and his wife, Claire, enjoying their grandchildren.
Class of 1982
From the Alumni Office Bill and Lane Jordan Lynch are working together at AXA Advisors where she advises clients about investments and insurance products. “We are about to be empty nesters as our son Alex heads to UGA next fall and our son Jim will be a sophomore at College of Charleston. Would love to have visitors if anyone is in the Savannah area. Looking forward to attending the reunion in November. “
Class of 1987
As told by Class Leaders Taryn Chilivis Bowman and Robert Lacey Josh Gladden, Ph.D., is the University of Mississippi’s Interim Vice Chancellor for Research and Sponsored Programs. He previously served as Associate Vice Chancellor for Research and as the Director of the National Center for Physical Acoustics. Josh is also the group Leader for the Resonant Ultrasound Spectroscopy lab, and an Associate Professor of Physics. He holds a Ph.D. degree in Physics from the Pennsylvania State Universi-
ty (2003) with a focus area of Experimental Condensed Matter. He serves in several elected national leadership positions including a member of the Executive Committee for the National Spectrum Consortium, Chair of the Physical Acoustics Technical Committee of the Acoustical Society of America, the Group on Instrumentation and Measurement Science in the American Physical Society, and Director of the international Physical Acoustics Summer School. His bachelor’s and master’s degrees in physics are from the University of the South (Sewanee, TN) and the University of Montana, respectively and was a post-doctoral fellow in Mathematics at the Pennsylvania State University in 2003-2005. Josh and his wife Nicole have three children: Chase, Camille and Josephine. R. Scott Hanson, Ph.D., is a Lecturer in History and the Director of the Social Justice Research Academy at the University of Pennsylvania and an Affiliate of the Pluralism Project at Harvard University. His book, City of Gods: Religious Freedom, Immigration, and Pluralism in Flushing, Queens (New York: Fordham University Press, 2016), is a history of the most diverse neighborhood in the world and is now in its second printing. Scott began to focus on the intersection of American religious history and immigration while earning his M.A. in Religion at Columbia University. He then worked as a researcher for Diana Eck’s Pluralism Project at Harvard University, with much of the fieldwork in New York for the multimedia CD-ROM On Common Ground: World Religions in America. This research led Scott to a focus on the history and extreme case of religious pluralism in modern Fall 2017 41
Alumni Congratulate their 2017 Graduates
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1 Mason and Beth Radford Anthony ’82 2 Charlie ’76 and David Barnwell 3 Jan Bradbury Bethea ’89 and Jim 4 Lora Childs Boniface ’80 and Brittany 5 William and Jay Bowen ’80 6 Allison Booker Collier ’87 and Chip Fankhauser 7 Hunt ’77 and Sutton Dunlap 8 John ’69 and Ned Feininger 9 Fontaine and Nowland Gwynn ’77 10 Hilary Harp ’77, Celia Harp and Alison Harp Lecraw ’74 11 Susan Roberts Helms ’79 and Kathleen 12 David and Bailey Izard ’81 13 Harriet and John O. Knox ’88 14 Jane Matthews-Fillo ’83 and Sarah Elizabeth 15 Karen Apple Mathews ’83, Jane, Virginia ’16 and George Mathews ’83 16 Steve ’85 and Smith Brooks 17 David ’81 and Bennett Kahn 18 Whit ’91, Kacey Crim Marshall ’91 and Jack 19 Chip Matthews ’78 and Sarah Elizabeth 20 Michael and Mike McIntyre ’83 21 Georgia Bateson Murphy ’83, Alex and Caitlin ’11 22 Doug Murray ’89 and Thomas 23 Lizzie and McKee Nunnally ’87 24 Emily Travis Olsen ’85 and Elizabeth 25 Ruth Baldwin Russ ’84 and Max 26 Virginia Pearce Seawell ’90 and Paterson 27 John and John Staton ’84 28 Richard Taylor ’74, Cole ’16 and Bailey 29 Lila Campbell ’81, Brady, and Tom Tindall ’79 30 Jack and Pam Perry Tinkler ’81 31 John Wall ’75, Merritt ’15 and Jack 32 Keith White ’83, Jake and Anna ’14 33 Reagan and Liz Forsyth Williams Fall ’87 2017 43 34 Tom Woodward ’90 and Matthew
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Flushing, which he explored more fully as a doctoral student in the Committee on the History of Culture at the University of Chicago. More info at www.rscotthanson.com.
Michael Janis, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor of English at Morehouse University where he teaches Literary Theory, West African Fiction and Film, Perspectives on the Americas, World Literature, and Composition. His research interests include African fiction and film, postcolonial theory, literature and philosophy, feminism, Latin American fiction, and Caribbean fiction. He has served as chair of the World Literature Committee since 2005. Founder and adviser of the Morehouse African Film Society, as well as a committee member of the W.E.B. Du Bois International House and of the Africa Awareness Week committee, Janis works at promoting an interest in international education on campus. Michael and his wife, Andree, are also Lovett parents. Their daughter Gabriella is a 7th grader, and Olivia is a 5th grader. McKee Nunnally has joined the Board of The Institute for the Arts and Humanities which serves as UNC’s faculty home for interdisciplinary conversation and collaboration. Its mission is to help the university recruit, refresh, develop, and retain a world-class faculty of scholars and teachers. At the heart of this mission is the affirmation of the crucial value of the arts and humanities to the life of the university and the world. Jennifer H. Ruth, Ph.D., is Professor of Film Studies at Portland State University. She teaches core and elective courses in the Film major, including film history, theory, and genre. She specializes in the Cold War politics of and in film from the United States, the former Soviet bloc
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countries, and China. She has written extensively on a range of topics –see, for examples, on China (The Films of Hu Jie), on critical theory (Slavoj Zizek and totalitarianism, Hannah Arendt), on higher education (The Professor Divide) and on the novel (The Victorian Novel, Dave Eggers). She is the author of Novel Professions (2006) and, with Michael Bérubé, of Humanities, Higher Education, and Academic Freedom. She currently serves as the Editor of the AAUP Journal of Academic Freedom. Professor Ruth holds a B.A. from Swarthmore College (1991) and a Ph.D. from Brown University (1999).
Class of 1988
From the Alumni Office In May, USAF Lt. Col. (Ret.) Burke Hare and Col. Shane Kimbrough ’85 caught up with one another at a NASA social engagement in Huntsville, AL. Shane was in town to debrief the International Space Station Payload Operations Center Flight Controllers at Marshall Spaceflight Center. Burke resides with his family in the Huntsville area. He is a Senior Engineer for Canvas, Inc., a services provider in the areas of Test and Evaluation; Engineering Services (Aerospace, Radar, Software and Missile Engineering); Program Management (Financial, Cost, Accounting, and EVMS); Acquisition Management; and Product Integration.
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Jennifer Wade-Berg is an Associate Professor & Campus Executive Director of Nonprofit Leadership Alliance at Kennesaw State University. Jennifer manages the Nonprofit Leadership Alliance program which is designed to educate and certify students as nonprofit practitioners. She teaches and performs research in the area of nonprofit management with emphasis on diversity, sports philanthropy, and social enterprise. Jennifer received her B.A. in Government (American Politics) at Wesleyan University and her MPA and Ph.D. in Public Administration from The University of Georgia. Jennifer and her husband, John, are Lovett parents, too. Their daughter Skylar is a 5th grader.
Class of 1992
As told by Owen Irvin, Class Secretary Jeremy Ellis is an adjunct professor at Emory University School of Law where he serves as a coach of the Transactional Law Program negotiation competition team. He has coached the 2016 and 2017 teams to 2nd place finishes at the regional competitions. Jeremy is also a frequent guest lecturer on Strategies for Effective Business Exits at the J. Mack Robinson College of Business at Georgia State University.
Ted Harty offers freediving instruction at his own school, Immersion Freediving, based in the Florida Keys. He has taught thousands of students and is launching a new video instruction based training site called Inner Circle. From their own home or office, Ted’s former students can continue their freediving training via Inner Circle’s specialized online courses. Ted began his professional underwater career as a Scuba Instructor for PADI, NAUI, and SSI in 2005. In 2008, he took his first freediving class and soon realized his passion was freediving. In 2009, and over a three week period, Ted quickly progressed from 80-90ft freediver to 177 ft. After the experience he wondered what he could do if he actually started training. Since that time he broke a USA Freediving record in 2011, won 3 freediving competitions, was selected co-captain of the USA Freediving team in 2012, with his deepest dive at 279 ft. Scott Leonard has served as a guest lecturer at Emory and SMU graduate business schools, as well as a forum speaker at Cambridge University in England. All of these speaking engagements have been on the topic of complex corporate transformation and restructuring. Scott continues to live in Dallas with his family. After three years at Hewlett Packard leading the global commercial functions, he is now continuing his work as a C-level officer driving complex corporate transformations and restructurings for an energy company.
After a 20 year career as a creative in advertising, Todd Slutzky recently made the move over to the sales side. He is now Director of Strategic Opportunities at an awesome digital agency on the Westside of Atlanta called Nebo. Over the past 8 months, he has come to enjoy being involved in every part of the agency business, instead of simply being focused on creative. And he says it is the best agency he has ever been a part of. Todd has been a sculptor his entire life and shares this love of sculpting with his three children. To his utter surprise, Todd has also become a soccer coach, and he is seemingly quite good at it. This past season he coached both his son and middle daughter’s teams to everyone’s joy and success.
Class of 1993
From the Alumni Office Jeffrey Glover, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor of Anthropology at Georgia State University and specializes in Maya Archaeology, Human-Environment Interaction, GIS, Coastal Archaeology, Historical, Urban Archaeology, Built Environment, and Community Archaeology. He did his undergraduate work at Vanderbilt University, majoring in Anthropology and pursued his doctoral degree at the University of California, RiverFall 2017 45
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side, which he completed in 2006. His dissertation research focused on interpreting the spatial patterning of ancient Maya communities in northern Quintana Roo, Mexico, and the dynamic role the built environment played in lives of past people. Currently, he is co-director of the Proyecto Costa Escondida where he and his colleagues investigate the relationship between humans and the environment at the neighboring ancient Maya port sites of Vista Alegre and Conil. He is a board member of the Greater Atlanta Archaeological Society (GAAS), a chapter of the Society for Georgia Archaeology (SGA). He has worked with Dr. Jim D’Angelo on the Ft. Daniel project; Johnny Waits of the Flat Rock Archive at the Flat Rock Cemetery; Dr. Dennis Blanton on the Points of Contact project, and he has overseen the return of the MARTA archaeological collection back to GSU campus.
Class of 1994
As told by Amy Erbesfield Clayton Brandy Cross tied the knot in April to Joel Sciranko. By her side as her maid of honor was her sister, Brianne Cross ’98, and bridesmaid Emily Giannini Volpe ’94. Guests included Sara Mann Moseley ’94, Caroline Gordon Swan ’94, Brittany Glenn Molinaro ’95, and Kris Dale ’93.
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Dana Dolinoy, Ph.D., serves as Associate Chair and Associate Professor of Nutritional Sciences and Associate Professor of Environmental Health Sciences at the University of Michigan School of Public Health and leads the Environmental Epigenetics and Nutrition Laboratory, which investigates how nutritional and environmental factors interact with epigenetic gene regulation to shape health and disease. Dr. Dolinoy holds a PhD in Genetics and Genomics and Integrated Toxicology from Duke University, and MSc in Public Health from Harvard University, and serves as Associate Editor of Environmental Health Perspectives and Toxicological Sciences. In 2012, Dr. Dolinoy was the recipient of the Association of Schools of Public Health (ASPH)/ Pfizer Research Award for developing a model approach that may allow for directly assessing the role of early environmental exposures in human adult disease. Dr. Dolinoy received the 2015 NIH Director’s Transformative Research Award to develop novel epigenetic editing tools to reduce disease risk. She lives in Dexter, Michigan, with her husband Michael Cipolla and two sons, Paul age 9 and Luke age 7. Jaime Sarabia serves as an interviewer for his college alma mater, MIT. His family is living in Smynings, and they have one son who is an 8th grader at Lovett and two others at Westminster. He has started a company with a doctor from UVA designing medical devices for interventional cardiologists.
Class of 1997
As told by Class Leaders Will Lovell and Justin Jones JR Ching is working on a business trip to the US that will get him to our 20th Class reunion. He has been living outside the US since college graduation—9 years in London, 3 years in HK, and now 4 years and counting in Myanmar! Jon Carithers has slowed the international man of oil mystery roll with his marriage to Binbin and the recent birth (1/27/17) of their daughter Violet in Houston, TX. Basil Gravanis’ business is called Effective Aperture Photography based out of the ATL y’all. Brooke Schmerge Robinson is flipping houses in Richmond, VA, check out her instafeed @brookesrobertson, as well as her Union Market gig (@ unionmarketrva). Check out The Meat Market on FB or (@ilovemeatmarket) for vintage and world goods in Brooklyn owned/operated by Kemba Bloodworth. Alexis Cox is living in Pahoa, Hawaii teaching yoga at Kalani. She became a mother with the birth of Noa Jai in November. Allison Brown Hooks has run her own CPA firm, Allison Hooks, CPA, Inc. for over 10 years. Corley Kenna has traded in politics to be the Director, Global Communications and Public Relations, at Patagonia.
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Jennifer Sacco Bova can be found in NY married to fellow Lovetteer, Rich Bova ’00, and working as the VP of Marketing at Kipling. On September 19, 2016 she completed the Nautica Malibu Triathalon, a 1/2 mile ocean swim, 18 mile bike ride and 4 mile run.
Peter Stewart and his wife, Catherine, welcomed a daughter, Grace, on June 1, 2017. Andrew and Anne Pearce Worrell, welcomed a daughter, Virginia “Rhodes,” on June 29, 2017.
work, and the university setting has been ideal for that kind of life. Find Eric on Facebook, Eric Thomas Weber Author, and Twitter, EricTWeber. See more about Eric and his work on his website EricThomasWeber.org.
Vivien Drabkin is calling Brooklyn home these days while enlightening young minds at Rodeph Sholom School. She and her husband, Michael, welcomed their son, Benjamin in August, 2016. In May, Taylor Weitz and Madeline Spratt married in beautiful Belize.
Todd and Meredith Hill Baker, welcomed a son, Henry, on November 28, 2016.
Dr. Eric Thomas Weber taught in Oxford, MS, in The University of Mississippi’s Department of Public Policy Leadership from 2007-2016. He and his family moved to Lexington, KY, and he now teaches Business Ethics and the Philosophy of Law at the University of Kentucky. Eric has a radio talk show and podcast named Philosophy Bakes Bread via WRFL Lexington, and serves as Executive Director of the Society of Philosophers in America. In addition to scholarly writing, he is a newspaper columnist and has published four books, including Democracy and Leadership and Uniting Mississippi. He has been recognized with a teaching award, a student service award, and a public scholar award. He loves to write, teach, and travel for
Class of 1999
From the Alumni Office Jules and Claudette d’Aubermont Junker, welcomed their fourth child, Ella Grace, born May 24, 2016.
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The 3rd Annual Golden Lions Society Gala April 22, 2017 was a lively spring evening at Capital City Club Downtown,
as Lovett’s Golden Lions Society gathered to celebrate another year together. While long-standing friendships were rekindled, many new ones emerged. After a cocktail hour, guests convened to the ballroom for dinner hour. Ken Wolfe ’65 welcomed everyone, followed by Scott Offen ’67 with a heartfelt blessing. Photos from past galas and days by the Riverbank were displayed throughout the meal, accompanied by hit songs from the era. Headmaster Billy Peebles shared timely campus news, and Pam Poole Durden ’66 cheerfully paid tribute to the Class of 1967 and welcomed them into The Golden Lions Society. Dessert, dancing, and group photos rounded out this wonderful evening. Thank you to the 2016 Golden Lions Steering Committee: George McDaniel ’62, Ray Crim ’63 (Chair), Judy Bauer Cohen ’63, Glenn Smith Kincaid ’63, Roger Moister ’63, Yetty Levenson Arp ’64, Bobby Mitchell ’64, Randy Coley ’65, Tee Price Davis ’65, Rocky Lange ’65, and Rob Settle ’65. The 2018 Gala will be held at the Piedmont Driving Club on Saturday, April 21, 2018, where the Golden Lions will welcome the Class of 1968.
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1 Nancy Wade Blalock ’67, Jo Crawford Phelps ’66, Susan Reddic Blalock ’67, and Jane Canipe Rooks ’67 2 George McDaniel ’62, Yetty Levenson Arp ’64, and Headmaster Billy Peebles 3 Rob Settle ’65, Kay Settle, Annemarie Wolfe, and Ken Wolfe ’65 4 Vaughan Kilpatrick ’66, Freddy Dendy ’65, DeDe Sheetz ’66, Carol Dew ’62, Lynda Moister, Charlie Arp ’62, and Rita Traver Fink ’62 5 Ray Crim ’63, Hal Curtis ’66, and Cheree Curtis 6 Sue and Bobby Mitchell ’64 7 David Hartz ’66, John Dietrichs ’66, and Carol Dietrichs 8 Martha Eddins Novak ’66, Rocky Lange ’65, and Bebe McIntyre Watson ’67 9 Cindy Adams ’67, Lillian Deakins Clarke ’67, Denny Summers, Melissa Pharr Summers ’67, Madeline Smith Leonard ’67, and Suzanne Zaglin Grunewald ’67 10 Freddy Dendy ’65, Bob Milton ’65, and Randy Coley ’65 11 Larry Alberson ’67, Amy Alberson, and Scott Offen ’67 12 Jann Berry Ammann ’66, Gene Ammann, David Leonard, Madeline Smith Leonard ’67, and Bebe McIntyre Watson ’67 13 Jim Kincaid, Glenn Smith Kincaid ’63, Boyd Matson, and Betty Johnson Hudson ’67 14 Art Harris ’66 and Connie Roelofs Washburn ’67 15 David Massey ’64, Tinka Massey, and Peter Moister ’64 16 Carroll Jones ’62, Mary Beem Robinson ’63, and Roger Moister ’63 17 Cissie Winslette Brown ’67, June Johnson Freeman ’67, and Catherine Brown Walsh ’67 18 Susan Boyd Hodgson ’67, David Law, and Donna Downing ’67
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Dorian Lamis, Ph.D., is a licensed clinical psychologist and an assistant professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the Emory University School of Medicine. He received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Georgia and his doctorate from the University of South Carolina. Dr. Lamis completed both his internship and postdoctoral training at the Emory University School of Medicine. His research focuses on mood disorders, substance use, and suicidal behaviors in a variety of populations including adolescents, young adults (e.g., college students), and African Americans. Dorian has published over 100 peer reviewed articles and book chapters on these topics. In addition, he is the senior editor of two books on suicide entitled Understanding and Preventing College Student Suicide (2011) and Advancing the Science of Suicidal Behavior: Understanding and Intervention (2015). He serves as the president of the Board of Directors of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention – Atlanta Chapter.
Class of 2000
From the Alumni Office Stephanie and Kyle George (and big sister Rachel) welcomed baby girl Lauren on February 6, 2016. Kyle is currently SVP and Global Head of Infrastructure at Arcesium, a subsidiary of the D. E. Shaw Group that provides post-trade middle and back office
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technology and services to asset managers. The George family still lives in Hoboken, N.J., but will soon be moving to a house in the suburb of Westfield, N.J.
Having previously served as Deputy Project Manager for St. Johns County, Florida, Stevo Taylor is currently working as a Disaster Relief Consultant for HDR Inc.
Cara McNamee and her husband, Michael Weigand, welcomed a daughter, Clementine, on July 21, 2016.
Class of 2002
From the Alumni Office Bynum Boley, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor of Natural Resources, Recreation and Tourism at The University of Georgia’s Warnell School of Forestry & Natural Resources. He double majored with a B.S. degrees in Natural Resource Recreation and Tourism and Forestry at UGA. At the University of Montana, he received his M.S. in Recreation Management, his thesis titled “Geotourism in the Crown of the Continent: Developing and Testing the Geotourism Survey Instrument (GSI).” His doctoral studies were completed at Virginia Tech with his dissertation “Sustainability, Empowerment and Resident Attitudes toward Tourism: Developing and Testing the RETS (Resident Empowerment through Tourism Scale).”
Class of 2003
As told by Haley Gage Champion, Class Leader Golf fans keep your eye out for Justin Martin, who was one of 312 PGA of America members nationwide to qualify for the 50th Annual PGA Professional National Championship, held June 18-21 at Sunriver Resort in Sunriver, Oregon this past Summer. There is no doubt he made fast friends with the other 311 golfers. Coca Cola recently selected Sally Benedict Read as 1 of 10 local artists to design her own giant Coca-Cola contour bottle in an exhibit called “10 Artists, 10 Bottles.” It will be on exhibit at the Pop Culture Gallery until May 2018. Be sure to grab a friend, grab a Coke, and check it out! Jeannie Mills has continued to put her artistic eye to good use in a variety of ways. Coupled with her natural skill
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of helping others, she is a practicing therapist at Peachtree Art Therapy. In addition, she dazzles many with her jewelry making skills (personal plug, snag a pair of her earrings!) and other unique art projects on the side.
Patrick and Meredith Conrad Mott, welcomed a daughter, Anna, on September 4, 2016.
Hunter and Kate Richards Fleetwood, welcomed a son, Jackson, on January 17, 2017.
Casey and Lauren Phillips Smith, welcomed a son, Phillips, on September 21, 2016.
Contact: Class Leaders Haley Gage Champion, haleychampion7@gmail.com; Lindsay Conrad Gerakitis, lindsay.conradk@ gmail.com, Jonathan Luk, luk.jon@gmail. com; or Abbie Odom McBurnette, abbie. mcburnette@gmail.com. Rick and Claire Hart Potter, welcomed a daughter, Sydney, on March 8, 2017.
Class of 2004
From the Alumni Office Shiv and Renuka Hines Gandhi, welcomed a son, Aarav, on March 2, 2017.
David and Alexandra Gaines Lewis, welcomed a son, Ripley, on April 2, 2017.
Travis and Rebecca Smith Presnell, welcomed their third child, Wren, on December 13, 2016.
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Cory and Sabrina Altenbach Gibson, welcomed a daughter, Anne Kelley, on May 3, 2017.
where she supervises the Admission Counseling team, in addition to her territory management and campus programming responsibilities. She also serves as Summer Scholars Program Coordinator, overseeing the operation of the summer recruitment program, and Coordinator of the Merit-based and Departmental Scholarships, overseeing the selection process from start to finish.
Eric and Larkie Tanksley Post welcomed their third child, Conley Post, on April 12.
Casey Fletcher and Stephen Hutchings married on May 13 in Pensacola Beach, FL.
Katherine Lacy Robinson and her husband, Woodrow, welcomed their second child, Woodrow Douglas Robinson, on February 13. Class of 2005
As told by Alex Heaton, Class Leader Downing Bray is completing her Ph.D. in French Literature at NYU, where she also teaches French to undergraduates as an Adjunct Professor. Her research interests are Contemporary French Caribbean and Haitian literature; postcolonial theory; 19th, 20th, and 21st Century French and Comparative Literatures; literary representations of space, cities and the built environment. Downing served as 2015-16 President of the French Graduate Student Association and is currently writing a doctoral dissertation, “Cartographies of the Imagination: Dany Laferrière’s Poetics of Dwelling.” Melissa Mabry Cline is currently serving as Associate Director of Admissions at Furman University 52
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On May 5, Wes Gordon and Paul Arnhold married in Las Vegas, Nevada. In Napa, California, it was a June 3 wedding for Megan Popkin and Jordan Woolbright.
Liza Wiley recently completed her Ph.D. in Management at Columbia University where her dissertation was in deception in negotiations. She designed and conducted over 25 research studies on topics ranging from the advantage of using precise (rather than round) first offers in negotiations to the detrimental effect of deliberation on influence. Liza served as a negotiations TA and guest lecturer to over 350 EMBA, MBA, MD, and undergraduate students. She currently works in Mountain View, California as a User Experience Researcher at Google’s headquarters. Alex Heaton serves on the Board of Directors for Panthers on Wall Street, a Georgia State University program that sends top business school students to London, New York, and Silicon Valley each year. Alex is an Associate at Morris, Manning & Martin, LLP in the firm’s Commercial Real Estate Development & Finance Practice. His practice is focused on the representation of clients engaged in the acquisition, development, disposition, financing and leasing of commercial real estate. Prior to joining MMM, Alex worked as a tax intern with GE Capital International in London and also spent a year working at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, where he was an Enforcement Extern in the agency’s Student Honors Program. He is HSK-Certified in speaking, reading, and writing Mandarin Chinese.
Class of 2006
Class of 2007
From the Alumni Office
From the Alumni Office
Cat McLain married Ryan Nash in Atlanta on May 16, 2015. Cat is a PA (Physician’s Assistant) in general surgery in Nashville. They live in Brentwood, TN.
Maggie Dozier married Alex Carr on February 18, 2017. The couple celebrated with many Lovett friends and family members at the Piedmont Driving Club.
This spring, Charlie Timberlake was named COO of Beautiful Briny Sea, an artisan dry-goods company located in Atlanta’s Historic Old Fourth Ward. To make their products, Beautiful Briny Sea uses locally grown herbs, foraged mushrooms, and organic spices sourced from growers and purveyors guided by methods of sustainability. From start to finish, their products are 100% hand-made. Visit www.beautifulbrinysea.com to learn more.
John Evans has been promoted to staff reporter for The Times-Picayune of New Orleans, Louisiana. He is a member of the Krewe of Tucks, a Mardi Gras parading organization, and is enjoying life in New Orleans! Lindsay Lightmas married Billy Amberg on May 6, 2017, in Atlanta. The couple lives in Charlotte, NC. Lindsay is a consultant with PwC, and Billy is in private wealth management with Morgan Stanley.
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Eric Nam was named to Forbes 30 Under 30 in Asia list, showcasing 300 young innovators, entrepreneurs and leaders who are challenging conventions and making an impact in today’s world. Nam, Forbes said, “is one of the most recognized names and faces in Korea’s entertainment industry today.” The magazine added “Named one of GQ Korea’s ‘Men of the Year’ for 2016, Eric not only sings but hosts multiple TV shows and is the go-to for International collaborations and interviews. He’s worked with names such as Timbaland, fellow Forbes 30 Under 30 singer Gallant and most recently interviewed Emma Watson, Chris Pratt, Benedict Cumberbatch, and Eddie Redmayne, to name a few.”
In May, Mary Allen Langford DeBold received her MBA from Georgetown University in Washington DC. Abby McLain married Jay Springate in Atlanta on June 25, 2016. Abby decided to leave the Child Life department at Seattle Children’s hospital to explore a career in hospitality and is currently working as the VIP coordinator at The Theodore Hotel in Seattle. Abby and Jay live in downtown Seattle.
Class of 2011
From the Alumni Office Liza McLain works for Moondance Adventures in Nashville, TN. She recently traveled to Northern Italy for a week to scout out Moondance’s new trip to the Dolomites. She is their Program Coordinator, taking care of the logistics for the trips. Classmate Will Law also works for Moondance.
Class of 2008
From the Alumni Office Anna Almquist Branam owns a holistic personal training studio in Bloomington, Indiana. Specializing in private personal training, Urban Fitness Studio continues to grow as it enters its third year in business. “Our training empowers clients in their own bodies with functional movement, alignment based training, and educated and compassionate programming.”
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Class of 2013
From the Alumni Office
Class of 2010
From the Alumni Office Ryan and Kelsey Melito Shackelford, welcomed a son, Barrett Gage “Bear,” on May 15, 2017.
Drew Evans graduated from Loyola University New Orleans’ College of Business with a BBA in Finance and a minor in Accounting. Drew is also a member of the Krewe of Tucks, a Mardi Gras parading organization, and enjoys life in New Orleans! In April, the National Football Foundation (NFF) and College Hall of Fame announced that Kenyon College’s Jordan Pakula is among the student-athletes named to the Hampshire Honor Society, a group comprised of football players from all collegiate divisions who maintained a cumulative 3.2 grade point average or better. In addition, each accepted nominee had to be a starter or significant substitute in his last year
of collegiate eligibility. Jordan played tight end spot for Kenyon and is a double major in French and political science.
Class of 2014
From the Alumni Office On April 4, junior lacrosse player Ben Flood was named Washington College’s Shoreman of the Week after a career-high of 22 saves in an 11-5 win over McDaniel College. He was the first Shoremen goalie with 22 saves in a game in the past five years. Earlier that same week, he posted 11 saves in a 10-8 loss to nationally-ranked Ursinus, giving him a .688 save percentage.
Class of 2016
From the Alumni Office Taylor Schonberg was selected “Rookie of the Year” for SMU’s cheerleading team, a highly competitive team that also won the 2017 NCA Collegiate National Championship. The team consists of 20 to 30 young men and women and cheers at all home football games, bowl games, men’s and women’s home basketball games, volleyball games, and tournament play. Members of the SMU Cheer squad participate in community service events around campus and the Dallas area.
Class of 2017
From the Alumni Office Kiran Ebrahim has helped to create Inconspicuous, a start-up app that introduces rape and domestic abuse victims to local shelters and advisers, and provides a way for people to share their stories. Kiran was enrolled in an entrepreneurial program at Georgia Tech two years ago and the idea emerged as she and her classmates discovered that they all knew people who had been victimized and needed help. She’s now working to find coders to bring the app to life. Kiran speaks five languages and has a longstanding interest in women’s issues. Earlier this year she gave a TED-Ed talk in Spanish about the gender pay gap in Latin America. She is the youngest daughter of Pakistani immigrants and draws a lot of inspiration from her parents. Kiran is now attending the University of Southern California’s Marshall School of Business. After the GHSA meet in Albany last spring, Everett Smulders ran in the Race of Champions, in Marietta. Finishing second in the 800-meter in a school record time of 1:50.70, Everett earned an invitation to the prestigious
Brooks PR Invitational, in Seattle, Washington, June 17. For this meet, The Brooks sporting goods company selects the fastest, most competitive high school runners in the nation and sends them each a gilded invitation to the meet where they compete against the best of the best. Way to go, Everett! Everett is attending The University of Mississippi where he runs Cross Country and Track.
2017 graduates Everett Smulders, Serena Tripodi, and Emma Sidman in Eugene, OR, for the 2017 NCAA Track & Field Championships.
Share the News
Missing news on your class? Consider serving as a Class Secretary. These
volunteer correspondents gather, write, and share news of interest with their classmates in Class Notes twice a year. Ideally, each Lovett class has two or more volunteers, including a Class Secretary and Class Leader(s), who serve as liaisons to the Alumni Association for various activities. If you are interested in becoming a Class Secretary or Class Leader, please email alumni@ lovett.org. Fall 2017 55
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ASW Mixer On April 22, the Alumni Association
hosted Lovett alumni and their guests at ASW Distillery. Members of the ASW team led guided tours of the distillation room, answered questions, and provided particulars about the choices made to help develop the unique set flavors that emerge from each hand-crafted spirit made on-premise. The tasting that followed was a chance to translate theory, learned just moments before, to one’s own palate. The enormous potstill made of copper was both beautiful and impressive, as was the substantial cooperage of aging whiskies. Thank you to all alumni who joined in the fun.
Lovin’ Lovett
100 days before graduation, True Blue, the Alumni Association, and Lions Den Café teamed up for “Lovin’ Lovett,”
a day of celebration, thanks, and love for our seniors. Coinciding with the 100-day countdown until graduation, seniors enjoyed warm Café cookies and lemonade, snapped fun pictures and selfies, and marked what they love about Lovett on blue paper hearts. The “love notes” were accumulated and displayed for teachers and students to enjoy in the days that followed. Each senior also received a small token of appreciation—a “Once a Lion, Always a Lion” card and custom luggage tag.
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1 Sam Rollins, Anna Duffy, Elizabeth Olsen, and Sam Bayne 2 Gillian Parkinson, Sarah Reams and Lauren Ward 3 Betsy Brennan and Olivia Davie 4 Hearts!
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Thank You! In May, Lovett hosted a spring thank you event at Red Brick Brewery for the many dedicated True Blue Annual Fund parent and alumni volunteers.
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1 Seale Arnold Lindsay ’90, Joey Hedgemon ’91, Nicole Hedgemon, and Kate McIntosh Pearce ’90 2 Tom Avery ’71, Ray Crim ’63, and Debbie Roach Avery ’71 3 Stewart Lathan, Kirstie Cohen, and Sonny Cohen 4 Suzanne Hough, Andrew Hough, Dave Kirkpatrick, Mary Jane Kirkpatrick, and Ellen Ferguson Schneidau ’85 5 Taryn Chilivis Bowman ’87 and Anne Pearce Worrell ’97 6 Andrew Hough, Matt Lovein, and Will Shearer
#ShowYouLovett THANK YOU Lovett alumni for your incredible spirit and support on May 5, 2017! Our inauagural #ShowYouLovett day was a huge success, filling social media with hundreds of Lovett memories and commitments. 261 Lovett alumni from the Classes of 1953 through 2016 made donations to the True Blue Annual Fund that day. We are truly grateful for every memory and every gift. Because we met and exceeded our 161 donor goal, an anonymous group of individuals generously gave an additional $25,000 to True Blue, bringing the overall volume of new commitments to more than $50,000. Amazing! Check out #ShowYouLovett photos and posts from our Lovett alumni near and far on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. What a day for Lovett and our alumni. Go Lions!
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Jean Phillips Barr Parent of alumna
In Memoriam
Joan Coart Johnson Parent of alumni Dr. S. David Kahn Parent of alumni
Theo Bernard Bean, Jr. ’70 Dr. Frederick Mitchell Bell, Jr. Parent of alumni, grandparent
Josephine “Jodie” Childress Kelly ’73 Janie Koppelman Parent of alumnus
Sandra Sherard Bethea ’63 Elizabeth Mitchell Bowring Parent of alumna, grandparent of alumni
Thomas “Tommy” Howell Lanier, Jr. ’14
Margaret Chappellett Brazones Parent of alumni
Jean Meriwether Retired Faculty
Bruce Elder Mitchell Parent of alumnae
James Granville Brown II ’74 Richard Kent Buckelew Parent of alumnus
Mark Adams Mixon Parent of alumni, grandparent
William Henry Cheney, Sr. Parent of alumni Vaughan Richardson Cooper ‘77
Helen Elizabeth Oldham Paris Parent of alumna
Patricia Peterman Tullier Gann Parent of alumna
Gayle Louise Poole ’64
Jenny Miles Paulsen ’63 Meredith “Missy” Woods Rinaldi ’65
Jim Glasser Retired faculty, parent of alumni
Robert E. Settle ’65 Trustee Emeritus, parent of alumni
Mary Ann Groome Parent of alumna
John Remer Singletary ’63
Julie Muir Harlan ’94 Parent
Michael N. Soucy ’87 William Jerry Tidwell Parent of alumni
J.L. Jerden Parent of alumnus
Anne Lynn Van Buren Parent of alumnus
Tributes Jean Meriwether (1947-2017)
Jim Glasser (1949-2017)
“Jeannie” Meriwether devoted 45 years of her life to teaching—17 of those years here at Lovett. Jeannie’s love and passion for teaching, for science, and for excellence were inspiring to her colleagues and to her students. A highly respected College Board consultant and leader of numerous Advanced Placement chemistry workshops and seminars, she was that quintessential teacher of teachers who mentored hundreds of colleagues across her career. As a teacher at eight different independent schools, she did it all. She taught earth science, biology, and chemistry at all levels. At different times, she was a cheerleading sponsor, a science club sponsor, a science fair advisor, an honor council advisor, and the list goes on. Jeannie was truly all-in when it came to her teaching and to the many other responsibilities that great teachers like Jeannie carry out.
Jim. Jimbo. Glasser. Coach. Heavy G. My second father. Legend. I have heard Jim Glasser called by many names. With the most wins and most state titles in Georgia history at his retirement, Jim Glasser is a legend. He had the fourth most wins in U.S. history and a ridiculously long list of other accomplishments. None of those numbers speak to how great he was. It’s the lessons he taught hundreds of young men, and women that seal his legacy. We learned to follow instructions; the importance of punctuality, honesty, honor, and humility; to live up to your commitments; and that you can always do better.
Jean Meriwether had that always loving and giving heart. As one long-time colleague put it, I always “came away from an encounter with her feeling better than I had before,” but the fact is that Jean’s students and colleagues felt her truly unconditional love for us all and it was that unconditional 58 Lovett love that made us feel better about ourselves and about the world around us.
As Jay Jenkins put it so perfectly: “Jim was like a second father who molded me with his lessons and influenced me with his example. I love Jim Glasser, and I will forever be grateful that he played such a significant role in my life.” Rest in peace.
Not to be forgotten is Jean’s fierce and unwavering commitment to Habitat for Humanity. Jean led Lovett’s Habitat chapter for sixteen years and also led efforts to establish a wonderful Habitat collaboration with several other independent schools.
—Billy Peebles, Headmaster
When I started coaching with him, the lessons continued. I learned to stop talking and start listening; how to be man enough to apologize; and our true purpose as a coach. We are not here just to win matches and state titles. We are here to make men out of boys, for which winning is a byproduct. Don’t get me wrong, Glasser liked to win and certainly hated losing, but it was never the most important thing. His love and care for his athletes was always the secret ingredient to his massive success.
—Rocky Kaufmann ‘93
Tributes Rob Settle ’65 (1947-2017) Rob’s 58-year relationship with Lovett began in the fall of 1959 when he entered the school in seventh grade after his family moved to Atlanta. Rob immersed himself into school life, playing football under legendary coaches Bill Conley and Charlie Oakley and earning their keen respect—and that of his teammates—for his amazing determination and work ethic. He was president of Lovett’s Fellowship of Christian Athletes Chapter and a member of the Student Senate and Wheel Club, a student service organization. Some 35 years ago, he joined Lovett’s Alumni Executive Board and served as President of that board in 1983 and 1984, before becoming a trustee in 1988. He was a trustee for 12 years and an emeritus trustee for 17 years, serving many years as chairman of the board’s Buildings and Grounds Committee. When speaking at Rob’s memorial service, Billy Peebles recalled “Fourteen years ago—shortly after I started as Headmaster at Lovett—Rob asked if he could meet with me. More than anything, he wanted to offer his support and encouragement. He made clear that he, Kay, and their sons, Robert and Will—both of whom had attended Lovett—cared deeply about the school and that he stood ready to assist me in any way he could. The encouragement from Rob meant a great deal to me.”
Across his almost 30 years as a Trustee, Rob played a major role in the development of Lovett’s Campus Master Plan and in the planning and construction of virtually all of the facilities built since 1995, including: the Fuqua Center, the Hendrix-Chenault Theater, the parking deck, the Upper School, the Lower School, The Portman Family Middle School, the Baseball/Softball Complex, the Rogers & Westmoreland Activity Center, the Railey Multipurpose Field,
and the Murray Athletic Center. A strong advocate for sustainability, Rob felt strongly that the middle school should be a LEED certified building. That facility was finished in 2009 as one of the first, if not the very first, LEED rated middle schools in the state. Rob negotiated complicated and thorny matters on behalf of Lovett, such as zoning issues, the special use permits, river corridor issues, and neighbor concerns. In his dealings with contractors, architects, engineers, city officials, Riverkeeper representatives, neighbors, volunteers, staff, and faculty, he was unfailingly kind, caring, patient, practical, and professional—always the gentleman and always keeping Lovett’s best interests in mind.
Rob and Kay have been generous supporters of Lovett for decades and made a wonderful leadership gift several years ago toward strengthening the partnership and internship program Lovett’s marine biology program has with the Georgia Aquarium. In his closing remarks, Headmaster Peebles noted, “What a privilege to know this true servant leader—a man of humility who did not call attention to himself and a man who gave so much to others. Several colleagues of mine at Lovett have remarked that Rob was that person who always greeted them with genuine respect for and interest in them. Everybody mattered to Rob. His son, Will, said to me, “No one was invisible to dad.” Could there be higher praise for Rob than that—no one was invisible to him. Rob, well done, good and faithful servant. Your Lovett family and friends will miss you greatly.”
The memorial service was held at Trinity Presbyterian, once host of Lovett’s seventh and eighth grades, where Rob first began his journey with Lovett as a 12 year-old boy.
—Lara Kauffman, Director of Alumni Programs
The Lovett School Misson The Lovett School is a community that seeks to develop young men and women of honor, faith, and wisdom with the character and intellect to thrive in college and in life.
Founded in 1926 by Eva Edwards Lovett, we continue today as an Atlanta independent school serving children in Kindergarten through Grade 12. With an emphasis on the whole child, we provide integrated experiences in academics, arts, athletics, and service through an education grounded in learning, character, and community. Learning
Lovett faculty and staff inspire our students to love learning. We help them discover how to think critically, communicate effectively, engage creatively, and collaborate purposefully. We create opportunities for them to grow in all dimensions— intellectual, emotional, physical, aesthetic, moral, and spiritual. Character
Lovett teaches the qualities of servant leadership and sound character—honesty, respect, responsibility, compassion, courage, and integrity. We celebrate the uniqueness of each individual within an intentionally inclusive, diverse, and welcoming environment. We honor God in an atmosphere that is rooted in Judeo-Christian beliefs and is further enriched by a variety of religious traditions. Community
Lovett is a dedicated community of students and teachers, joined by loyal parents, staff, alumni, trustees, and friends. We are committed—with shared purposes and principles—to improving our school, our city, our society, our environment, and our world. approved by the lovett school board of trustees, february 2012
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