BB&N Spring 2024 Bulletin

CELEBRATING

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Letter From the Head

Dr. Price shares thoughts about 50 years of BB&N and the people who help make this school so great

Community News

MLK Brunch, BB&N Excels at Global Model UN, Alumnus Named as School’s 10th Rhodes Scholar, Sports Wrap-Up, Arts Wrap-Up, and more

Features

BB&N Celebrates 50 Years!

Highlights from 50 years of Buckingham Browne & Nichols

Advancing Our Mission

2023 BB&N Fund Highlights, Senior Parent Gift Tradition Carries on, and more

Alumni News & Notes

Alumni News and Notes

Alumni Events Recap Special Events Section

Milestones

In Memoriam Tribute to Peter Gunness

Director of Communications

Joe Clifford, Editor

Associate Director of Communications

Andrew Fletcher, Senior Editor

Contributing Writers

Morgan Baker ’76

Caitlin Cavanaugh

Joe Clifford

Andrew Fletcher

Hannah Garcia

Sharon Krauss

Rob Leith (faculty emeritus)

Dr. Jennifer Price

Janet Rosen

Al Rossiter (faculty emeritus)

Brianna Smith ’10

Contributing Editors

Janet Rosen

Brianna Smith ’10

Alumni/ae News & Notes

Michael O’Brien

Brianna Smith ’10

Design & Production Nanci Booth www.nancibooth.com 781-301-1733

Photography/Artwork/Design

Cindy Chew

Andrew Fletcher

Hannah Garcia

Amie Margolis Haddad

Sharon Krauss

Shawn Reed

Adam Richins

Josh Touster

Kim Ablon Whitney ’91

Board of Trustees, 2023-2024

Officers

Charles A. Brizius, Chair

Jason Hafler ’00, Vice Chair

Pam Baker, Vice Chair/Secretary

Jimmy Berylson ’00, Vice Chair/

Treasurer

Members

Bunmi Adedore

Jake Anderson-Bialis ’98

Carmen Arce

Jennifer Winn Aronson ’92

Tamara Ashford ’86

Alexi Conine

David Deming

Alexis Boyle Egan ’93

Alexandra Epee-Bounya

Abby Fung

Rachel Kroner Hanselman ’89

Lionel Harris

Jeff Hawkins

Christine Kahvejian

Young Lee

Bridget Long

Shep Perkins

Leslie Riedel

Jay Sammons

Ariane Schwartz ’01

Amy Selinger

Ila Shah

Zeynep Ton

Darin Vest ’86

Alix Wozniak ’10

Adam Zalisk ’03

Head of School

Dr. Jennifer Price

Front cover:

Cover caption: BB&N Senior Tiles from the past 50 years compose this collage celebrating BB&N’s 50 years as a school.

Correspondence may be sent to:

Office of Alumni Programs (alumni_programs@bbns.org or 617-800-2721) or the Office of Communications (communications@bbns.org or 617-800-2403), 80 Gerry’s Landing Road Cambridge, MA 02138-5512

Girls Varsity Hockey celebrates winning the NEPSAC Large School Championship.

Letter from Head of School

Jennifer Price

This calendar year, we have been celebrating 50 years of being a school uKnighted by an ampersand: Buckingham Browne & Nichols School, or as most of the world knows us, BB&N. As you will see in our feature article, the moment of merger on January 1, 1974, between two Cambridge schools was an act of great vision and foresight. Because, as time has proven to be the case, the union of these two historically excellent institutions created a school that has become one of the country’s most admired independent day schools.

Whether as BB&N or Browne & Nichols or Buckingham, one thing has remained consistent: the incredible difference that our graduates have been making in the communities in which they live and work. It makes me so proud to see the way that our alumni embody the principles of “Honor, Scholarship, and Kindness” in the world at large, and consequently, the way in which they invariably leave every space they enter better than they found it.

We get to see these core values of our community represented powerfully at our annual Distinguished Alumni Awards Ceremony, where we celebrate the exceptional professional accomplishments in the arts, sciences, law, medicine, industry, government, academia, and service to humanity. In early March this year, we held a dinner to celebrate four accomplished alumni. Then, the next morning—continuing a wonderful tradition that connects previous and current generations of Knights—the four recipients attended Upper School Assembly to reminisce with the students about their time at BB&N and how their experiences here have served them so well in their respective post-graduation journeys. I want to share with you some excerpts from their inspiring remarks.

• Des Potier ’99, recipient of the Lewis Bryant Award, is the Executive Director of Admissions, Recruitment, and Strategic Partnerships at Morehouse College in Atlanta, where he has made it his mission to help students succeed in the same way he has.

“BB&N gave me a tremendous opportunity, one that changed my life and my family’s life. BB&N graduates are what the world needs; they are game changers, they are dream makers. So, to our future BB&N graduates: You need to know that what you’re doing right now will impact a person that you’ve never met before. Dare I say someone who’s not been born yet. That person’s going to need you. They’re going to need you to smile. They’re going to need your words of encouragement one day. They’re going to need your advocacy. They’re going to need your expertise in your chosen field of study. And if you give up now in any way, shape or form, you’re not going to be in a position to help that person

that you haven’t met. Get through your papers, pull the all-nighters, push through, visit a teacher you don’t like. Get over it. Whatever you’ve got to do, you do what you need to do to make it.”

• Stuart Cable ’71, recipient of The BB&N Medal, has excelled in a 44-year career at the global law firm Goodwin Procter, where as Global Chair of Mergers & Acquisitions he advises a number of the world’s most innovative technology and life sciences companies.

“As I walked into the gym today and saw the names Jack Etter and Craig Stonestreet, I decided to speak extemporaneously about a story from my freshman year, 55 years ago. In that era, the tennis team ran the bridges along the Charles as part of our practice. One spring day, a drunken driver hopped the curb, hit me from behind, and I spent the next three months in and out of the hospital. Jack Etter, director of athletics, and Craig Stonestreet, head of the upper school, rallied the faculty behind me to help get through recovery. My teachers came to the hospital every day, bringing my lesson plans and homework. I proceeded to a wheelchair and then, eventually, back to school. By the summer I was off my crutches and started to physically rehabilitate. Needless to say, Mr. Stonestreet and the whole school were always there to support me. By the time that basketball season tipped off in December, I was starting forward for the Knights and we went on to win the league championship. I will never forget what Mr. Stonestreet and the whole school community did for me.”

• Lizzy Kidder ’06, recipient of the Distinguished Young Alumni Award, is an Operator-in-Residence at 25M, a healthtech venture platform that helps build companies from the ground up and invests in early-stage startups that offer innovative solutions to make our communities healthier.

“Especially as a Lifer, you don’t realize how well BB&N is positioning you for what’s to come as you’re progressing from class to class, and grade to grade. When I got to college, it was almost a shock to the system how well BB&N had prepared me. Even 20 years later, I credit BB&N with many things, including my critical thinking skills, the ability and knowledge of what questions to ask when in unfamiliar and ambiguous situations, and even instilling the confidence in me that I can do hard things, such as starting my own company.”

• William Rodriguez ’81 was honored with the Distinguished Alumnus Award. Now a resident of Botswana, Bill has

built a remarkable career as a physician, entrepreneur, and leader in global health, specializing in infectious diseases such as HIV and tuberculosis.

“A lot of you heard about the work I’ve done in health, where I learned how to be a leader who brings people together to share a common vision and a common goal, and put in the hard work to achieve it. I learned how to do this as an athlete on a team. My sophomore year at BB&N I was five feet six inches and scrawny. But I was a gym rat who wanted to be around sports. Mr. Etter saw this and said, ‘Come do stats, you’re good with numbers.’ So as a junior year I became the statistician for the basketball and football teams. But I really wanted to make the basketball team as a player, so every morning I’d arrive at the gym at 7:30, and Mr. Etter would open the door, bring out a basketball, and teach me how to shoot. He would talk to me and say he really believed in me. I worked really hard, which led to my proudest accomplishment: making the team as a senior after having been a statistician the year before. After I graduated, I grew six inches and put on 40 pounds and while in college I took up a sport called ultimate frisbee and became a member of the team that won the national championship. A few years later I saw Mr. Etter and he told me he wasn’t surprised because he knew I was a champion inside. Because he believed in me, I believed in myself. You today have people who believe in you the same way: teachers, coaches, classmates, and teammates. So take their confidence and use it to be confident about believing in yourself. Once that happens, you can accomplish whatever you want to do in your life.”

It was such an honor to listen to these outstanding examples of graduates who are living out BB&N’s mission of helping students develop into lifelong learners who lead with kindness, curiosity, and integrity. It was clear how strongly the recipients’ remarks resonated with the students in the gym, particularly the seniors who are starting to sense the upcoming conclusion of their BB&N journey. In fact, those seniors are beginning the first week of their individualized Senior Spring Projects as I write this letter. These next 10 weeks they will pursue new interests, dive deeper on existing passions, take risks, express creativity, practice autonomy, and hopefully find some joy. And then, as they walk off the graduation stage on June 7th, they will become our next class of BB&N alumni and begin the journey of engaging with the world around them in a responsible and open-minded way—just as thousands of alumni before them have done so admirably.

There have been countless advances at this school during its first 50 years since the merger: new curriculum, new technology, new pedagogy, new buildings and more. But as any school leader will tell you, it is the people of BB&N (and its predecessors) who are most responsible for the greatness of this institution. So to you— our teachers and staff, our students and families, and our amazing alumni—thank you for all you bring and have brought to BB&N. It is such a privilege to be a member of this community alongside you.

Wishing all in the BB&N community a wonderful Spring!

Jennifer Price Head of School

The recipients of the 2024 Distinguished Alumni Awards, from left: Stuart Cable ’71, Lizzy Kidder ’06, Head of School Jennifer Price, Des Potier ’99, and William Rodriguez ’81

BB&N Hosts 40th Annual

Martin Luther King, Jr. Brunch

In 1984, former BB&N faculty member and parent Lewis Bryant organized the first annual Martin Luther King Jr. Brunch to ruminate on Dr. King’s teachings and reflect on the current moment as a community. Now, 40 years later, Bryant’s vision is still strong as the community once again gathered on MLK Jr. Day for good food, friends, and conversations.

To mark this momentous milestone, this year’s brunch featured a panel of diversity, equity, and inclusion leaders in the Greater Boston region and parents at BB&N. Head of School Dr. Jennifer Price introduced speakers Carmen Arce P’28, Trustee, Bethany Serota P’31, and Dr. Amy Marks P’29. In her opening remarks, Dr. Price stressed the continuing need to gather and reflect on the teachings of Dr. King.

Moderated by the Middle School DEIG practitioner Tiffany Rice, the panelists reflected on questions about identity, critical thinking, and growth in their work. Arce-Bowen noted that her upbringing in Mexico versus her experiences in the U.S. made her more resilient and brought a new perspective to her work. Similarly, Dr. Marks spoke about her multicultural upbringing as a woman of Native American descent and how that influences how she sees the world.

When asked about identity, Serota referenced the work of Dr. Liza Talusan, an identity-conscious educator who is working with BB&N faculty and staff this year. She cited the five main categories of diversity—race, class, sexual orientation, gender, and disability—her location within those classifications as defining how she navigates her career.

Reflecting on the work and quotes of Dr. King, all three panelists noted that in DEI work, it’s important to identify who you can bring to the table to create the best outcome and solve the problems that existing systems enable. In the same vein, they also spoke about advancements in equity in their areas of expertise, citing the decades of prior work by countless others that helped them continue to make strides in collective DEI work.

PICTURED

1 Middle School DEIG Practitioner Tiffany Rice, Bethany Serota P’31, Carmen Arce P’28, Amy Marks P’29, and Head of School

Jennifer Price. x 4 Panelist Bethany Serota P’31 5 Panelist

With preparations for the 50 th anniversary of the BB&N merger ongoing this year, the luncheon continues to be a vital way recognize the events and people that made our school and community what it is today. 1 2 3 4 6 5 7 8 9

Carmen Arce P’28 x 8 The panelists lead a discussion about diversity, equity, and inclusion. x 2, 3, 6, 7, 9 Attendees enjoy the MLK brunch.

ISL ALL-LEAGUE HONORS

Football: Bo MacCormack ’25 (ISL MVP, NEPSAC Class A Player of the Year), Brett Elliott ’25, Henry Machnik ’24, Sam Kelley ’26, Nic Matosic ’24, Max Van Tassell ’24

Boys Soccer: Thomas Angelone ’24 (All-Region, All-NEPSAC, All-State)

Girls Soccer: Caitlin Mara ’24 (All-American, All-Region), Sophia Recupero ’24 (All-American, All-Region), Sam Mahoney ’24, Maeve Theobald ’25

Volleyball: Sherry Ren ’24, Corinne Holness ’25 (Honorable Mention All-NEPSAC), Avery Hart ’25

Cross Country: Caroline Kovacs ’26, Scarlett Hawkins ’27

Field Hockey: Hannah Weyerhaeuser ’25 (All-NEPSAC), Alexsa Caron ’24 (All-NEPSAC), Emily Huehn ’24 (All-NEPSAC)

ISL ALL-LEAGUE HONORABLE MENTION

Football: Jack Kelley ’24, Kastriot Panariti ’24, Vince Snoonian ’26, Nate Bodden ’25

Girls Soccer: Cara Bubonovich ’25, Hope McMillin ’26

Cross Country: Naomi Hammerschlag ’25, Diego Abadie ’26

Field Hockey: Teagan Kilpatrick ’25 (Honorable Mention All-NEPSAC), Eva Mai Whyte ’25 (Honorable Mention All-NEPSAC), Mary Murray ’27

COACHES CUP WINNERS

Football: Henry Machnik ’24

Boys Soccer: Thomas Angelone ’24

Girls Soccer: Caitlin Mara ’24

Field Hockey: Erika Hicks ’24

Boys Cross Country: Joshua Curhan ’25

Girls Cross Country: Mikayla Higgins ’24

Volleyball: Sherry Ren ’24

PICTURED

1 Avery Hart ’25 elevates for a spike. 2 Bo MacCormack ’24 cuts up the field. 3 x Chloe Rankel ’26 fights for possession. 4 Diego Abadie ’26 legs it out during a race. 5 Ethan Rabel ’26 gets up for a header. 6 Maeve Theobald ’25 sneaks by a defender. 7 Naomi Hammerschlag ’25 leads the pack.

BB&N Junior Joins Under-18 USA National Hockey Team By Hannah Garcia

Winter Sports Wrap-Up

2 3 4 6 5 7

PICTURED

1 x Bradford Kimball ’24 strokes a backhand. 2 Jack Li ’26 with a takedown 3 Noah Rosado ’25 on the ice 4 Sabina Kaba ’26 lays the ball in. x 5 Zolie Malek ’27 shows her form. x 6 Savana Littlewood ’25 protects the puck for the NEPSAC Championship winning Knights.

7 x Nikhil Babbar ‘25 scores a bucket.

It may seem like Hannah Weyerhaeuser ’25 was destined for excellence on the ice from a young age. Her parents played Division 1 hockey in college so she was skating regularly as a toddler and by the age of four, was enrolled in a town hockey program. But, like all good sports stories of resilience, Hannah’s path to a Team USA callup in 2023 wasn’t linear.

Her story starts at Shady Hill, BB&N’s neighboring K-8 school in Cambridge. Varsity hockey coach Ed Bourget ’96 spotted Hannah skating and recognized her innate talent. Planting the seed early, Coach Bourget handed her a school puck and told her, “any time you want to come to BB&N, let me know.” A decade later, drawn in by the community and the program’s success, Hannah enrolled and arrived at 80 Gerry’s Landing Road for her freshman year.

From there, her hockey career began on a high note when the team won the New England Championship in the 2021-22 season. However, it wasn’t all smooth sailing ahead; Hannah faced setbacks and challenges while striving to get invited to Team USA camps and make the national roster.

In 2022, Hannah didn’t make any Team USA camps, but after pushing herself this year she was invited again, and advanced farther than she ever had in the past. Ultimately, she suffered another heartbreak by being cut from that camp. Undeterred, Hannah kept up her intensity, noting she saw something in herself: “That I could do more and accomplish more,” and that those losses would only drive her to “prove more people wrong.”

Her BB&N coach echoed the same strengths that Hannah modeled through her perseverance, calling her a leader and noting that her work ethic eventually got her the call-up to the national team. Coach Bourget said that when he spoke to Team USA, he highlighted that “any team she’s on, she pushes the pace as far as work ethic and just brings the best out of everybody. Every single day she brings it.”

While Hannah is a stand-out member of the current hockey team, previous girls’ hockey players have traversed through the halls of

BB&N and made it to the national level. One alumna—Olympian and former BB&N hockey coach Courtney Kennedy ’97—was a guest coach at a USA camp that Hannah attended this summer.

Hannah emphasized that “she (Kennedy) inspired me at those camps and pushed me to believe in myself. And having her come out of BB&N as well, that kind of motivated me to think, ‘okay, I can do this.’” The push from such a prominent alumna gave her the confidence she needed to continue her journey.

When she finally got that elusive call-up to the U-18 USA National Team, Hannah’s largest emotion was pride. She had suffered through so many obstacles and had come back stronger to achieve her goal. All of her hard work and commitment had paid off.

Unfortunately, Hannah suffered yet another stumbling block in her Team USA journey when she fractured her right clavicle in November, forcing her out of hockey until February. Despite this blow, she acknowledges that “I’ll definitely want to keep trying out for the team’s comeback… Because I feel like I got so close.” That unbreakable spirit and determination is what continues to drive her to new heights.

Looking to the future, Hannah will play Division 1 hockey in the ECAC conference at Yale University in New Haven, CT. There, she will continue juggling her high level of academics with her commitments on the ice and keep pushing herself to new heights.

With the advancement of women’s hockey in the U.S. in the past five years, Hannah isn’t ruling out a future post-college. The Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) will have six teams in its inaugural season, with one in Boston. For Hannah and players like her, “It’s becoming more of a dream of mine because I can kind of see it in reality more and see it as a possibility.”

That dream is a little farther down the road for the 17-year-old from Cambridge, but as her coach noted, her perseverance has led to her success thus far in her hockey career and will continue to serve her as she bounces back to take another shot at Team USA.

Bivouac Going Strong at 70

Nothing brings a class together like an outdoor adventure, and for an incredible 70 th year now, BB&N’s Bivouac program continues to do just that. Despite being outside of their comfort zones and enduring a lack of smartphones (gasp!), the resilient members of The Class of 2027 tackled Bivouac head-on, making new friends, learning about nature, and building memories that will last a lifetime.

This year’s program continued a renewed emphasis on sustainability through a visit to the nearby Stonewall Farm and learning about sustainable practices. Beyond the usual ropes course work, orienteering, team building, and camping, a highlight this year were exciting hikes to an active beaver pond as part of the “Bio at Biv” curriculum.

Check out the action from BB&N’s 70 th Bivouac below. 1 2 3 4 5 6

PICTURED

1 Students eagerly assemble an A-frame structure in their camp x 2 Zip line fun

3 The famed climbing wall 4 x Teambuilding exercises are a classic tradition at Bivouac.

5 Getting to meet an alpaca at Stonewall Farm

6 Middle School math teacher Gus Means snaps a selfie after a successful squad trek.

BB&N Celebrates Homecoming with an All-School Pep Rally

For the first time in more than a decade, all 14 grades at BB&N gathered in the Nicholas Athletic Center to show their school spirit in an all-school pep rally. Grades 6 through 12 traipsed into the gym by fall sport while students from the Lower School cheered them on.

After an electrifying entrance by all 554 fall student-athletes, the crowd turned rowdy and never looked back! Head of School Jennifer Price opened the rally before handing the microphone to the student leaders to introduce the Homecoming activities and weekend festivities to the eager crowd.

The excitement kicked off with a mixed-age relay in which students had to quickly unpack a hockey bag of BB&N clothes, get dressed, and then weave through a slalom course of cones. Following the captivating competition, Bucky the Knight entered the gym to thunderous applause for a mascot race.

Over Homecoming Weekend all sports teams played either Nobles and Greenough School or Groton School, so Bucky raced against the Zebra of Groton and Bulldog of Nobles. After a raucous cheer of “Bucky, Bucky, Bucky,” from students, the Knights of BB&N prevailed in the race.

To close out the lively assembly, freshmen Amory Forman ’27 and Callie Heppner ’27 juiced up the crowd with a searing live performance of Ozzy Osbourne’s Crazy Train. Finally, the confetti cannons went off, showering the more than 1,000 students, faculty, and staff in blue and gold paper rain.

BB&N Alumnus Named Rhodes Scholar

BB&N alumnus Zachary Lang ’19 has been awarded the incredible distinction of Rhodes Scholar by the Rhodes Trust’s Office of the American Secretary. In an announcement this fall, Lang, a 2023 graduate of Dartmouth University, was named as one of 32 students to receive the honor which provides all expenses for two to three years of study at the University of Oxford in England.

Currently teaching English in Belgium at Hasselt University through a Fulbright Program Award, Lang hopes to use his Rhodes Scholarship to pursue a BPhil degree with an eye towards fulfilling his “dream of an academic career in philosophy.”

In a quote about the honor, Lang noted that: “My thinking has benefited a lot from talking with similarly minded, motivated peers, and I view the Rhodes community as an extension of that—students who are academically and practically interested in advancing social issues coming together and working collaboratively across disciplines.”

Lang becomes the 10 th BB&N graduate in history to receive Rhodes Scholar distinction.

Venerable Tenzin Constructs Sand Mandala at Upper School

This fall, the Buddhist Monk Venerable Tenzin Yignyen visited 80 Gerry’s Landing Road for a week to create and then dismantle a traditional sand mandala in the main art gallery. While he worked, students, teachers, and staff from all three campuses stopped by to not only watch the ancient art in action, but to listen to his words of wisdom and ask questions.

Spearheaded by Upper School art teacher and Director of the Gallery and Petropoulos Art Scholar Program Nicole Stone and supported by faculty and staff, there was a steady stream of community members observing the work in progress. Stone most recently encountered Tenzin at the Massachusetts College of Art and Design last year when she took her AP Art History students to see him talk.

Seeing Tenzin’s presentations and musings while making the mandala revealed to Stone “that this ancient art continues to be a vital contemporary practice. This unique experience planted seeds of understanding of how art, in this case a sand mandala, is integral to manifesting Buddhist ideals such as impermanence, compassion, and patience, and is also a vehicle for understanding and connection between people.”

With the seed of an idea forming, Stone resolved to find a way to bring Tenzin to BB&N to share with the community “how art can be a vehicle for greater understanding and connection.” Thanks in part to funding and the vision of Stone, Tenzin graced the halls of the Upper School in October 2023 to make a sand mandala and spread his thoughts.

The mandala took about four days to complete, and in keeping with the Buddhist tradition, was dismantled soon after to remind viewers of the impermanence of life. There are many types of mandalas that invoke different emotions, but the Venerable Tenzin said that he always makes one that symbolizes compassion for schools.

In his presentations to students, Tenzin emphasized the importance of happiness and educating your heart along with your mind, which is reflected in his mandala selection. Tenzin referred to the ancient Indian art piece as the “antidote” for what ails you.

Throughout the week, 448 students signed up to witness the construction, while countless other individuals and classes from all three campuses stopped by during their free time to talk with Tenzin. Stone noted that with each interaction, the monk “met students with playfulness, kindness, and good humor, as they stepped outside their comfort zones to learn about his perspective and from his knowledge.”

2

One student, Matthew Walsh ’26, recalled a discussion of letting go of tangible objects and possessions, reflecting that “our conversation with Tenzin made me realize that making art can also be done through figurative speech which can inspire others to live more thoughtful and positive lives.”

Following the completion of the project, in accordance with Buddhist tradition, the Venerable Tenzin blessed the sand and then cut through the outside of the borders to begin dismantling the final project. The onlooking students grabbed a sponge brush and helped move the piece into a pile for the monk to gather in a vase.

A small group of Petropoulos Art Scholar Program students and Stone went with Tenzin to Black’s Nook at Fresh Pond Park where they met Head of School Jennifer Price. The monk began an intimate ceremony to return the sand back to nature; reflecting not only the Buddhist traditions but also what Stone saw all week, the “abundance of this community’s generosity of spirit in response to his offering.”

After a gratifying and enriching week, Stone reflected that “the BB&N community responded powerfully to the creation and dismantling of this artwork. People listened carefully to his ideas promoting the idea that education is only complete when both hearts and minds are developed together. I saw the ripples at the edge of the mandala as a visual reminder of the potential to radiate this gift of compassion outward.”

Tenzin gave his whole spirit to the art piece and disseminating knowledge, and in turn, the BB&N community responded with wholehearted connection and curiosity.

PICTURED

1 Buddhist Monk Venerable Tenzin Yignyen carefully crafts his sand mandala. 2 A close-up view of the intricate sand art composing the sand mandala.

BB&N Announces Junior Profile Winners

Four BB&N seniors have received top honors in the annual Junior Profile Contest, the final event in the cornerstone English project for all eleventhgraders. Deliberating over the summer, a panel of judges—writers and editors outside of BB&N—awarded first prize to Alexandra Kluzak ’24, second prize to Jack Moskow ’24, and two honorable-mention prizes to Isabella Zhu ’24 and Shane McCauley ’24.

The judges saluted this year’s finalists “for their fresh perspectives on postpandemic America. In big and small ways, the writers cast an observant eye on the many frictions in our community, through examinations of class clashes, racial injustices, and language differences, but also the enduring questions at the heart of our humanity, through explorations of the love we bestow on our pets and how we honor those who have died.”

For more than 35 years, the Junior Profile project has challenged students to harness their practiced skills in analytical thinking and writing about literature and apply them to a subject beyond the classroom walls. Over the course of six spring weeks, through several drafts, and with the ongoing feedback of their teachers, they produce an 8-to-10-paged New Yorker-style profile about the subject’s life work or a significant focus in that person’s life.

Among the professions depicted in this year’s pool of outstanding profiles are a barn manager, a veterinarian, an ultimate-frisbee coach, a barber, a funeral director, a barbecue chef, a glassblower, a dog walker, a preschool teacher, and an intuitive animal communicator.

Junior Profile honorees (clockwise from top left): Alexandra Kluzak ’24, Jack Moskow ’24, Isabella Zhu ’24 and Shane McCauley ’24

BB&N Earns Accolades at Global Model UN Conference

Reporting on his committee’s accomplishment one evening at the 50th Yale Model United Nations Conference in New Haven, CT, Yancheng Zhao ’26 broke into a grin and said, “We made world peace!”

That’s all in a day’s work for the 2,000 high school students from 45 countries who convened to craft, discuss, and vote on resolutions addressing a compelling array of global topics. According to Megan Niu, Secretary-General of YMUN 50, the delegates “work toward consensus on international events and develop leadership and teamwork skills that are crucial in shaping our next generation of world leaders.” Through research and role play, students learn fundamental lessons about historical and current issues.

BB&N’s 17 delegates represented Japan, Andorra, and the Philippines, among others, on committees including Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, the World Health Organization, and the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues. Four students received awards for their individual committee work over the course of the four days: Lea Freiin von Hilgers ’25 won Best Delegate, and Sofia Egan ’26, Matthias Paulson ’26, and Salar Sekhavat ’26 earned Honorable Delegate recognition.

The prevailing sentiment, though, was that participation alone was rewarding to everyone. MUN Club Senior President Lucy Greenup ’24 said, “With many diverse experiences represented by delegations from all around the globe, team members have the chance to talk with kids they would never have had exposure to otherwise. Many of our delegates have made friends that they talk to year-round outside of MUN.”

Yancheng’s “world peace” announcement conveyed the excitement many delegates experienced in their long hours of work. In his case, the feeling stemmed from getting Russia, China, and the United States to set aside differences and agree on a resolution aimed at preventing chemical accidents worldwide. “There was a lot of discussion in our committee about the importance of collaboration,” he said. “The goal of the UN is to work together, to create a better world. I had fun doing that!”

Former Congressman and BB&N Alumnus Visits Campus

This winter, Ambassador to Northern Ireland and member of BB&N Class of 1999 Joe Kennedy III returned to Gerry’s Landing to speak to students as the first guest speaker in the Knights Masterclass Club. Organized by presidents Finnigan Wiegand ’25 and Kenneth Tsay ’25, Ambassador Kennedy is the first in a series of speakers coming to campus this year.

While many politicians are known to give big theatrical speeches when invited to schools, Kennedy engaged in a more down-to-earth approach to involve the students. After soliciting questions from the audience, the ambassador spoke about his time at BB&N and his time working on Capitol Hill, highlighting the lessons he learned throughout his career.

When asked about life in college and his journey into politics, Kennedy emphasized that his time at BB&N prepared him for anything he faced after graduation. He noted that the level of integrity and work the faculty and staff encouraged built in him a lifelong love of learning, one which equips students with the skills to tackle any obstacle.

Joe Kennedy III ’99 with Knights Masterclass Club co-presidents

Model un: BB&N Model UN participants: L to R, Back: David Guo ’27, Yancheng Zhao ’26, Keenan Billings ’25, Sanjay Durfee ’25, Alex Chterental ’25, Seth Kim ’27, Salar Sekhavat ’26. Front: Audrey Tsai ’27, Maria Zacharia ’25, Jacob Moon ’27, Matthias Paulson ’26, Lucy Greenup ’24, Lea Freiin von Hilgers ’25, Elizabeth Velander ’26, Sofia Egan ’26, Shirley Zhu ’26, David Moon ’27.

Kenneth Tsay ’25 (left) and Finnigan Wiegand ’25 (right)

BB&N CELEBRATES FIFTY YEARS!

This January 1st signified a momentous milestone in the history of BB&N as the school marked 50 years since its founding on that date in 1974. In a letter sent out that day, the heads of the Buckingham School and Browne & Nichols (Elizabeth Stowe and Peter Gunness, respectively) officially announced the merger to the community, noting: “All our combined faculty, physical facilities, and the strengths of both curricula will seek to create a school whose initiative, excellence, and vision will bring vitality to the Cambridge and Greater Boston communities and to the students it serves. It is that vision, not Browne & Nichols as it has been nor Buckingham as it was, which nurtures and strengthens us all.”

This enterprising educational experiment would turn out to exceed its lofty ambitions in the form of the well-esteemed and pioneering school Buckingham Browne & Nichols is widely recognized as today. From world-class academics to a flourishing arts curriculum, from championship athletics to a groundbreaking DEIG program, and from preparing students for the world ahead in an environment steeped in kindness to the incredible faculty and staff who brew that tea, the BB&N of the past 50 years has been a resounding success.

The early days of the merger weren’t always easy. Combining two independent curricula, coalescing two unique sets of faculty, and redefining physical and emotional space for a coed student body were headaches enough. Compounded with the financial burden

both institutions faced at the time of the merger, headaches became migraines. Coming into existence in a tumultuous era defined by the Vietnam War and social unrest, determining the direction and culture of a newly coed cohort brought challenges as well. Would the Buckingham women find their place in the perceived “jock” climate of B&N? Would the Browne & Nichols men adapt to the perceived “academic rigor” of Buckingham? It may have taken some time, but from the outset, there were signs of success.

As highlighted in a story by class of 1974 alumnus Jim Gold, Co-Chairperson of the Student-Faculty Committee at the time, change provided welcome balance in the culture. “An entirely new dimension has been added to school life, that of sociability…. The girls have not only made school life more complex and diversified but have given it a real vitality. Whereas B&N used to be a place that was rarely exciting (except on game days), the place literally hops from Monday through Friday.”

Happily, BB&N still “hops” resoundingly 50 years later. Now spread over four campuses (including the new Grove Street athletic campus) and enrolling 1,038 students from a wide swath of Massachusetts, the school has never been more dynamic. Over the following pages we invite you to take a trip through some of the milestones from the past 50 years as we celebrate an historic legacy of Honor, Scholarship, and Kindness.

Peter Gunness (Head of Browne & Nichols) and Elizabeth Stowe (Head of Buckingham) unveil the sign in front of the newly formed Buckingham Browne & Nichols Upper School in 1974.

Current Head of School Jennifer Price unveils the newest version at the Upper School in 2020.

BB&(NOW):

1974

> The merger is officially announced! Peter Gunnness is named first Head of School of the new co-educational institution. Tuition ranges from $1,000 to $2,680 for the 874 enrolled students, and topping the Billboard 100 chart that week is Jim Croce’s “Time in a Bottle.”

1977

1978

> The Teacher’s Training Institute (TTI) between BB&N and Lesley University begins. The joint Master’s of Teaching program combines handson in the classroom mentoring at BB&N along with course work at Lesley. This successful program has produced some of BB&N’s finest teachers under the leadership of Bev Malone (former Lower School Director and science teacher) who oversaw the TTI from 1979 to 2022.

> The first Grandparents Day is held, a special event allowing grandparents and grandfriends to visit their grandchildren’s classrooms during a school day.

> Computers come to the Middle School for the first time in the form of a handful of Radio Shack TRS-80s.

1983

> Ground is broken at the Upper School for the Smith Science Wing, which opens in 1984.

1975

> Bivouac moves to the school-owned Camp Marienfeld property in New Hampshire (from its previous location at Spruce Ledge in Temple, Maine) and institutes separate programs for boys and girls. In 1980 the program becomes co-ed, running boys and girls programs concurrently. Alan Sturgis oversees the transition, while Hunt Dowse and OB (Bob O’Brien) take the reins in 1980-81. OB would continue to direct Bivouac until 2009.

1979

> Lewis Bryant is hired and eventually becomes one of the first Directors of Multicultural Services in the country. Under his watch, the following milestones are achieved:

> The Almy Library opens its doors at the Upper School.

• In 1984 the first annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Breakfast is held at the Upper School.

• The Minority Students Committee (later renamed the Multicultural Student Alliance) is formed in 1985, becoming the school’s first affinity group.

• In 1994 BB&N sends a student cohort to the People of Color Conference for the first time.

• In 2008, BB&N launches the first One School One World event, a biennial happening that celebrates the many diverse cultures within the school community.

> BB&N begins placing an emphasis on higher academics; the number of Advanced Placement (AP) Courses grows from 1 to 13 over the next decade.

1980

> The school motto (Honor, Scholarship, Kindness) is established, based on the words of Willard Reed (Co-Head of School from 1920-1928): “Honor, Scholarship, but most of all Kindness.”

> BB&N acquires 15 Craigie Street property, currently the Head of School’s residence, formerly St. Anne’s Convent. Pictured here, Sister Nathalie (from the order of St. Anne’s) completes a ceremonial first kick of the soccer ball onto what is now the Lower School turf field. In accordance with the purchase agreement, St. Anne’s, a functioning nursery school and feeder to BB&N’s Lower School, would continue its programming until 1992.

> BB&N Head of the Charles Success! BB&N rowers in the Boys’ Youth Fours category take home the Princeton Trophy for best schoolboy finish in the regatta.

1991 1990

> The Lower School Morse building completes an extensive renovation featuring larger and more flexible classrooms, a music space, and a more welcoming entrance.

> Following two years of planning, BB&N Middle and Upper School libraries announce the automation of their card catalogs. As a founding member of the Cooperative Library Association Catalog Consortium, the school is excited to add digitized catalogs to its already “ground breaking” use of online reference resources such as the “Info Trac” search system.

1997

> BB&N’s commitment to Financial Aid tops $1.7 million with 17% of students receiving aid. 27 years later, BB&N’s Financial Aid budget now approaches $11 million with nearly 25% of students receiving aid.

> The Bright Hockey Rink suffers a two-alarm fire caused by students playing with a lighter in the corner of the rink. Whoops! No one is harmed.

> The Upper School Chorale tours central Europe performing a series of concerts in cities including Prague, Vienna, and Budapest.

1992

> BB&N becomes the first American high school to row in a Russian regatta as ten boys and eight girls travel to Leningrad to train and compete with the Znamia Rowing Club of Leningrad before participating in the Leningrad Regatta.

1993

> Mary Newmann becomes Head of School, succeeding Peter Gunness as the second head of BB&N.

> Under the leadership of Language Chair and Russian teacher George Deptula, BB&N is one of 30 U.S. schools accepted to institute the firstever Soviet exchange student program with partner schools in the Soviet Union following a deal brokered by President Ronald Reagan and Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev. BB&N course offerings for foreign languages at that time included French, Spanish, German, Latin, and Russian. Today Upper School students can choose from French, Spanish, Latin, Russian, Arabic, and Chinese.

> BB&N at the MFA Day tradition begins. BB&N’s longrunning collaboration with the Boston Museum of Fine Arts kicks off as the Upper and Middle School start to incorporate trips to the museum into their curriculum. Under Lower School art teacher Sharen Bowden, the program grows into a Lower School-centric event (running for 21 consecutive years) in which student artwork is featured in the museum along with a reception and gallery tours.

1998

> The Upper School Gay/Straight Alliance is formed to “provide a place for kids, both gay and straight, who want to talk about these issues to meet and do so,” according to faculty advisor at the time, English teacher Morgan Mead. Twenty five students join the group in its first year, including the heads of student government and the captain of the football team.

> BB&N reinvigorates its community service program by making it a requirement for all students grades B-12. Upper Schoolers must complete a minimum 40 hours of community service by the time of their graduation, while younger students have club options and a new “buddy program” which allows for mentoring with older students.

2000

2001

> The Nicholas Athletic Center officially opens, beginning a new era of top-notch athletic facilities at BB&N. The facility features a state of the art ice rink, gymnasium, weight room, wrestling room, batting cage, and an indoor rowing tank (since replaced with a fitness room). Ironically, the school does not win a single athletic championship that year for the first time in 10 years.

The Lehner Center opens at the Lower School featuring new classroom space for science and music teaching and a function/exhibit room on the top floor.

2003

The BB&N Circus, originally a Buckingham tradition, celebrates 50 years as a linchpin of the BB&N community calendar.

2008

> The Lower School Brick Building undergoes substantial renovations to upgrade classroom space and incorporate the existing, classic gymnasium seamlessly into the architecture.

> Harkness Tables are introduced into several Upper School Classrooms. The round table method of teaching encourages discussion and collaboration between students and teachers, and continues successfully to this day.

BY MORGAN BAKER ’76

> The number of computers across all three campuses grows to roughly 70.

2002

> Bivouac, originally a Browne & Nichols tradition, celebrates 50 years as a signature program at BB&N.

2005

> BB&N establishes its first Master Teacher Chair honor to recognize a current faculty member excelling in their profession over an extended period of time. A similarly structured Future Leader Instructorship honor will follow for newer faculty. Currently, BB&N honors six faculty with these positions.

> The Middle School joins the ranks of esteemed publishers everywhere with the first printing of their newspaper, The Spark

> The BB&N Bulletin goes green, switching to 25% post-consumer recycled paper, using soy ink, and printing in a 100% windpowered facility

2007

> Renaissance Hall opens at the Upper School. The beautiful, sweeping building features a new science wing, art studios and performance spaces, classrooms, a new theater, a new dining and community space, and a grand, reenvisioned main entrance.

> BB&N hires Kim Gold as the school’s first All-School Coordinator of Psychological and Learning Support Services; the first step in an emphasis on student health and wellness that continues to this day.

> Rebecca T. Upham becomes BB&N’s third Head of School.

> The Beginners classrooms are renovated in the Lower School Morse Building.

2011

> Middle School students are awarded the only gold medal in the Massachusetts’ Middle School Drama Festival with a poignant production of “The K of D, an Urban Legend.” Additionally, students garner 12 individual awards for excellence in acting, music, and sound design.

> The Nicholas Athletic Center goes solar as 1,100 solar panels are installed atop the facility. With the capacity to generate up to 400 kilowatts, the panels are a success, generating 100 percent of the electrical power (except for hot water generation) for the 79,000-square-foot athletic center in their first year.

2018

> Dr. Jennifer Price becomes BB&N’s fourth Head of School.

> BB&N’s tennis courts become the staging ground for a BB&N first: a life-size Rube Goldberg machine built by Middle School students as part of their science curriculum. Spanning six tennis courts, the contraption culminates in a pie to the face for Varsity Girls Hockey Coach and Lower School P.E. teacher Ed Bourget ’96. Yum!

2010

> Girls Varsity Hockey plays a game at Fenway Park following the NHL’s mid winter classic in the famous stadium. The ensuing 6-6 tie against Thayer Academy is a highlight for all in attendance and on the ice.

2013

> The Family Cooperative Faculty/ Staff Childcare Center opens providing a convenient daycare option for faculty and staff at BB&N.

> The Marina Keegan ’08 Summer Fellowship is established in memory of the late, talented author Marina Keegan ’08 who died tragically in 2012.

2016

> BB&N appoints Dr. Karina Baum as its first Director of Global Education.

2014

> In line with an increased emphasis on global education, BB&N becomes a member of the Global Online Academy, thereby joining a network of schools worldwide to collaborate with and travel to.

2015

> Senior Spring Project celebrates its 50th year. The program eschews a daily class schedule, allowing seniors space to pursue internships, special interests, community service, and creative course offerings.

> The newly renovated Middle School opens featuring an integration of the old Buckingham mansion into a bright and modern entryway with open space for students, updated facilities, and a giant central courtyard deck.

2019

> The Upper School theater is dedicated as the “Lindberg-Serries Theater” to honor teaching legends George Serries and Mark Lindberg. As has been the case for 45 years, professional-caliber theater productions continue to fill the newly named acting space.

> Following a school-wide vote, Bucky the Knight becomes the first official BB&N mascot.

> Seven BB&N 8th grade students discovered a new integer sequence in a math seminar with Dr. Kenneth Fan. Their original work is officially recognized and uploaded to the Online Encyclopedia of Integer Sequences. An excerpt from their entry reads: (Minimum cost of path that starts at 1 and visits integers from 1 to n, inclusive, each at least once, where the cost to travel from a to b is LCM(a, b).)

2022

> BB&N establishes its new “North Campus” behind the Athletic Center following the purchase of two houses. The newly renovated spaces become the home for the business office, admissions office, development office, and alumni/ae programs.

> In March, COVID-19 forces a shift to remote learning, and later a hybrid model. BB&N faculty and staff respond admirably to accommodate the challenge of providing outstanding student support and teaching during the disruption, utilizing creative solutions including outdoor classes and theater productions.

> The Vanguard, BB&N’s Upper School student newspaper, is awarded the highest honors of Gold Medalist by the Columbia Scholastic Press Association for 2020-2021.

2024

> BB&N wins the WGBH TV High School Quiz Show, defeating nearly 80 other Massachusetts schools in the Jeopardy-like contest.

> In partnership with the town of Watertown, BB&N’s Grove Street Athletic Campus opens. A brief jaunt from the Upper School, the new campus features two turf playing fields, equipment sheds, bathrooms, and parking. With scheduling flexibility gained from added field space, the student experience is elevated to allow for fewer late practices and more time for school work and downtime at home.

> Zachary Lang ’19 is named as BB&N’s 10 th and most recent Rhodes Scholar, joining previous recipients Jeffrey Rudman ’66, Robert London ’75, John Simon ’80, Peter Beinart ’89, Sarah Light ’91, John Tye ’93, Olivia Rissland ’00, Eren Orbey ’14, and Tessa Haining ’19.

> Girls Varsity Hockey defeats Dexter-Southfield 1-0 to win the NEPSAC Large School Championship game. The victory marks BB&N’s 66th Athletic Championship in the past 50 years including a run from 1987 to 1996 in which the school boasted 19 championships in nine years.

For more snapshots and highlights from 50 years of BB&N please scan the below QR code to explore the 50th anniversary online exhibit.

2021

> BB&N Debate Team becomes the first American school to win first place in the International Independent Schools Public Speaking Competition.

> BB&N’s DEIG department expands from one to six specialists. The percentage of students who identify as students of color reaches 43%.

WHAT DID THE MERGER LOOK LIKE THROUGH THE EYES OF A STUDENT?

By Morgan Baker ’76

Rumor has it that the merger between Buckingham and Browne & Nichols in 1973-74 was complicated. Many of the girls who started at Buckingham and graduated from BB&N might say they missed the coziness and warmth of Buckingham and Mrs. Stowe, the headmistress. She knew every student—her family, her interests, what made her special. B&N, an all-boys school a mile away, was perceived as big and cold. The boys wore jackets and ties.

I moved to Cambridge in 1968 when I was ten and enrolled in Buckingham’s fifth grade. The co-ed elementary school used to end after fourth, but my fifth-grade class was the first co-ed and then sixth the following year. After “graduating” from the Lower School, I moved around the corner to Sparks Street, where 7th and 8th grade girls had homerooms and 9th-12th had desks lined up in “the big room.” Most recently, the “big room” has been used as a lunchroom and a performing space, but in 1970, it housed rows of desks.

With the boys gone—some to B&N, and the rest to other independent and public schools, a lot of new female faces joined the familiar ones from the Lower School.

While my friends and I went about our days on Sparks Street where I took biology and art, math and English, we weren’t aware that Mr. Gunness, Head of B&N, and Mrs. Stowe, Head of Buckingham, were brokering a deal—merging the two schools.

To make the move as smooth as possible—a hard task—in 1972, the girls were invited to take language classes and after school activities at B&N. Suddenly Spanish looked really interesting, so off I went with a busload of girls. While I knew a few of the boys from Buckingham, most of the faces were new to me. And, I was awkward around them.

I also continued with French at Sparks Street with Mme. (Yelva) Joseph who was there long enough to teach my older daughter. While language classes were enticing, I left the afternoon activities, like drama, alone. Way too scary. I took sewing lessons at Sparks Street in the afternoon—(I still sew)—and I had good girl friends.

After a year of back and forth, all the high school girls (9-12) left the “big room” and moved to BB&N at Gerry’s Landing. Sparks Street was reconfigured to be the Middle School (7 and 8) for boys and girls.

We didn’t have homerooms anymore—we had lockers. While lockers weren’t warm and cozy the way a homeroom was where I saw all my friends, I actually loved my locker. I felt like a real high schooler. The campus was also much more like a high school. The class rooms were built for that purpose, where some of the classrooms at Sparks Street were reconfigured bedrooms. Regardless, some of the girls felt out of place and like second-class citizens. We were infiltrating the male world.

I did, eventually, sign up for drama but on the stage crew, building sets. My senior year, I was co-editor of the Yearbook, an experience I’m still grateful for. I got to know every student in our class and many of the teachers and staff. I enjoyed working with the other co-editor. We made a good team.

There was a lot of angst those three years. Perhaps some of it was the era in which we came of age—the Vietnam War, Nixon’s resignation, and complicated family dynamics at homes. Our class, then and now, had a reputation of being rebellious and nonconformist. Not everyone fit in that description, but those who did, made it clear they were fighting the status quo. Sometimes it’s hard to see the positive effects people or a place have on us. It’s easier to point out faults.

There was certainly some unrest and distrust of the faculty; rumors frequently circulated. Yet despite the negative feelings some alumni continue to have, most would be able to cite a teacher who was influential in their lives—Doc (Walters), Ms. (Charlotte) Waterlow, OB (Bob O’Brien), Gene Pool, Al Rossiter, and Mr. (John) Petropoulos. One alum from our class even has Mr. P’s wheel. These were inspiring people.

We learned a lot. I learned enough that I became a writer and a teacher of writing. My English teachers, (primarily Pool and Rossiter), at BB&N were more influential than my college professors.

Besides learning how to read, write, and study, I am really grateful for the friends I made there. I was warned by my advisor in 11th grade, that I was hanging out with the wrong crowd. I didn’t listen to her, and today, I’m still friends with some of those I was warned away from. I don’t have to explain to them who I am. They know.

I am glad I went there—it was a place I belonged. I felt safe there and discovered life-long friendships.

BB&N it turns out was also, and is, a family school for us. My husband went to the Lower School for two years, my siblings all attended for varied lengths of time, and my mom, Molly Flender, taught in the Lower School for decades. One of my friends did her senior project with her.

But when I graduated BB&N, I didn’t know I would have two daughters, and send them to the school. One turned out to be a lifer (and had Mr. Rossiter for English). The other went to a different school after the Lower School. They both did the Maypole and Soula Soula Soul Cake, just like me. And, they both still have friends from there, like me.

That to me is the most valuable part of my time at BB&N— the lifelong friends I met there as a student and parent.

Advancing Our Mission

Senior Parents’ Gift Tradition Carries On

The Class of 2024 Senior Parents’ Gift marks an incredible 30-year tradition of philanthropy and gratitude by senior families. This year’s Senior Parents’ Gift offers the opportunity for this year’s parents of seniors to create a unique legacy.

If the parents of the Class of 2024 raise $2 million, The Class of 2024 Financial Aid Fund will be established in perpetuity. The Fund will support BB&N in building an inspiring community by ensuring a BB&N education is accessible to families from a wide range of backgrounds. In addition, the generosity of the parents of the Class of 2024 will be recognized by naming the well-traveled path between the Upper School and Nicholas Athletics Center (seen below) The Class of ‘24 Walkway.

WE ARE GRATEFUL TO THE FOLLOWING SENIOR PARENTS FOR THEIR SERVICE ON THE CLASS OF 2024 SENIOR PARENTS’ GIFT COMMITTEE:

Co-Chairs

Alexandra and Sam Epee-Bounya

Christine and Avak Kahvejian

Christine and Kenneth Baily

Kimberly Hsu-Barber and Jeffrey Barber

Kate and Chuck Brizius

Tiffany and Raymond Chang

Heather Cheney

Alexi and Steve Conine

Sarah and Anthony Deighton

Amy and Scott Goebel

Stacey and Michael Grealish

Tania and Gordon Kluzak

Liz and Robert Mara

Linda Navin-Murray and David Murray

Uwa Ogbebor and Felix Osagie

Kelly and Frank Panayotou

Sarah and Joshua Ross

Jacqueline Shoback and Andrew Bernstein

Nathalie and Stanley Tabor

Alice and Francis Wang

Celebrating 50 Years of Impact

January 1, 2024 marked 50 years since BB&N’s founding. This milestone marks half a century of educational growth, thanks to the combined efforts of the community and the foundations provided by Buckingham and Browne & Nichols to form BB&N. As we celebrate 50 years of impact, it’s essential to reflect on the pivotal role the generosity of our community has played in shaping BB&N into the school it is today.

Throughout the past five decades, the BB&N community has shown that it understands the importance of investing in education by supporting The BB&N Fund and other fundraising initiatives, providing resources for financial aid, faculty professional development, and innovative academic programs.

Modern classrooms, labs, and libraries have also become possible through generous donations from alumni, parents, grandparents, faculty, staff, and friends. These facilities not only enhance the learning experience for current students but also ensure that our faculty are able to provide the best education possible in spaces that reflect our educational philosophy.

Our celebration of 50 years of impact is a wonderful reminder of the remarkable partnership between BB&N and the community of donors who continue to invest in the school’s mission and future.

Sincerely,

Caitlin Cavanaugh, BB&N Fund Director

The Class of ‘24 Walkway

WEST FALMOUTH RECEPTION

Alumni, parents, and friends joined former trustee JK Nicholas ‘85 P’17,’19,’23 and his family for a summer outing in West Falmouth this past summer! It was a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the success of the past school year and a return to normalcy post-pandemic with some of our closest friends and supporters. Thanks again, for hosting JK!

Pam Baker P’23,‘25,‘28, Trustee, JK Nicholas ‘85 P’17,’19,’23

FENWAY COMMUNITY OUTING

On August 27, members

but the

On Wednesday, December 27, alumni returned to the NAC for the annual alumni hockey game. We had alums play from 1978- 2023. In the end, the gold team came up with a victory.

JK Nicholas ‘85 P’17,’19,’23 thanking alumni, parents, grandparents, faculty, and staff

Nick Tarantino ‘14 and Nick Sadler ‘14

Fred Good ‘64 P’93,‘96 and JK Nicholas ‘85 P’17,’19,’23

Ed Bursk ‘50

Barbara Denton ’77 P’13,’18 and Jesse Sarzana ‘93 P’23,‘25, Major Gift Officer

of the BB&N Community including alumni, faculty, and staff watched the Red Sox take on the Los Angeles Dodgers. Unfortunately the Red Sox were not able to get the win,

conversations and spirit were in full swing.

ALUMNI HOCKEY GAME

Knights at the Red Sox game

LUNCHEON

On Thursday, October 19, we welcomed back our Golden Alumni to the Upper School Campus. We had alumni from 1950-1973 in attendance. This year marks the last Golden Alumni Luncheon before the merger of Buckingham School and Browne & Nichols. We had current seniors mingle with alumni and Almy Society Member Ed Bursk ’50 made a toast.

GOLDEN ALUMNI

Photos by Joshua Touster

Kitty Beer ‘55, Ed Bursk Jr. ‘50, Robert Franklin ‘64 P’98, and Susan Dole ‘55

Sophia Panayotou ‘24, Kelly Diaz ‘24, Peter Smith ‘59, and Helen Smith

Nancy Morse Torti ‘60 and Basia Dziewanowski ‘66

Ed Bursk ‘50 gives a toast

Deborah Willard Sawyer ‘61, Lucy Young Robinson ‘64, and Helen Chen ‘64

Deborah Willard Sawyer ‘61 and Jane Willard White ‘68 P’02, ‘05

Brian Brennan ‘24, Charlie Dermenjian ‘64, and Joseph McKeigue ‘64

HOMECOMING

A little rain couldn’t stop the flow of Homecoming festivities at BB&N. From bounce castles and apple cider to the Head of the Charles and dominant team performances, it was another spirit-filled Homecoming weekend in Cambridge. The weekend community festivities started on Friday afternoon, when the Parents Association hosted a Circus preview, complete with sack races, bounce castles, and pizza. Following the family-friendly fun, the Upper School offered festival-goers cider, doughnuts, and cotton candy sponsored by the Class of 2024.

HEAD OF THE CHARLES HAPPY HOUR AND COMMUNITY WATCH PARTY

Those who braved the weather gathered on a Saturday evening this fall for our Head of the Charles and Alumni Happy Hour at the BB&N Boathouse. Alumni spanning many graduation years joined together with fellow crew coaches and staff and reminisced over appetizers and drinks.

Four BB&N boats rowed in the Head of the Charles Regatta this year, as well as our alumnae 8 boat! A large crowd filled with students, alumni, faculty, staff, and families came together to rally on those competing. The Girls 4 boat placed 22nd out of 90 and re-qualified for the 2024 race.

Photos by Shawn Read

Sanjeeve Martyn ‘97, Ashley Pierre, Director of Human Resources, Kathrene Tiffany Bell ‘99, Sarah Hoffman ‘78, Rob Reiskin ‘84, Anderson Bell, Jennifer Price, Head of School

David Jellinek ’93, Sarah Spitz ’92, Sydney Jellinek, and Dr. Price

Lucy Forman ’25, Ava Elliot ’24, Lea Freiin von Hilgers ’25, Kate Rice ’25, Caroline Goebel ’25

Adrien Tabor ’24, James Foote ’25, Lucas Lesburg ’24, Max Crafter ’25, Haley Hicks ’25 (cox)

Alumni, parents, and students with Dr. Price watching the races (above and right)

Rusty Mawn, Kathleen Oshima ‘10, ALix Wozniak, Trustee, Michaela Wozniak ‘13

Beth McNamara Grade 11 Dean, US English, Ryan Matthews, Haley Barrows ‘11, Alumni Council, Kyle Larrow, Danielle Reny Larrow ‘11

YOUNG ALUMNI LUNCHEON

On Wednesday, January 3, alumni from the graduating classes of 2019-2023 made their way back to campus during their college recess to visit with cherished faculty members and reunite with old classmates.

LIFER FAMILY RECEPTION WEEKEND

Dr. Jennifer Price was delighted to host more than 30 Lifer alumni and families for a first of its kind reception held at her home. Lifer alumni and families from decades spanning from 1960 on enjoyed the opportunity to reconnect with one another and hear an update about life at BB&N today from Dr. Price. This reception, held on October 20th, was among several events

Elliot Cless ‘02, US Orchestra, and Daniel Kyte-Zable ‘23

Lifers and families at the Head’s House

Nancy Morse Torti ‘60 with Lifer teddy bear

Rahdin Salehian ‘23 and Lucas Liu ‘23

Nina Khera ‘23, Gabriela Gonzenbach, US Spanish, Hannah Curhan ‘23

Jessica Stokes, US History & Social Sciences, Anjali Reddy ‘23, Hannah Curhan ‘23, Nina Khera ‘23, David Min ‘22

Christina Dolce, Jonathan Shapira ‘98, Alumni Council, Sarah Hoffman ‘78, Alix Wozniak ‘10, Trustee and Alumni Council, Ariane Schwartz, Trustee and Alumni Council Chair

Lisa Fitzgerald ‘23, Emma Maginn ‘23, Michael Chapman, Dean of Teaching and Learning and US Science, Caroline White ‘23, Sara Berz ‘23, and Charlotte Goodman ‘23

Kim Kargman ‘03, Lynn Cetrulo P’02,’05 GP’37 Nina Tumarkin P’05, Nick Taylor ‘08

Bill Skocpol P’06 and Micki Rowan P’20,‘22

the school hosted over the Head of the Charles Weekend.

Photos by Joshua Touster

Lisa Fitzgerald ‘23, Cécile Roucher-Greenberg, Senior Class and Co-Dean French Department Coordinator, Mara Vatz, US Math, Meena Kaur, US Math and Computer Science Department Head

50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE VANGUARD

Former staff members of The Vanguard gathered in the Community Room on October 20 th to celebrate 50 years of The Vanguard and student journalism on campus. Also in attendance were former faculty advisors Rob Leith, Sharon Krauss, and Allison Kornet. Guests reminisced about their many hours and late nights spent in The Vanguard office and how working on The Vanguard was one of their most treasured parts of their BB&N education. The party also served as the release of the special 50th Anniversary edition of the paper with columns from Leith, Krauss, and Kornet, as well as reflection from editors-in-chief over the years.

Anneliese Gerland ‘99, Jack Hardy ‘61, Eric Niloff ‘99, Marisa Bassett ‘97.

Adam Cohen ‘86 and Rob Leith P’11, Faculty Emeritus

Julia Kennedy ‘91, Laureen Gage, Brendan Mernin ‘83

Photos by Kim Whitney ’91

Sam Klein Roach ‘19, Allison Kornet P’27, ‘29, US English, Julian Li ‘20, Aanika Patel ‘21

Kim Ablon Whitney ‘91, Vanguard Faculty Advisor, and Laura Thiemann Scales ‘93

Darius Sinha ‘24 and Alexandra Kluzak ‘24

Rob Leith P’11, Faculty Emeritus, Beth McNamara, US English, Jennifer Price, Head of School, Sharon Krauss, US English

BB&N prides itself on boasting students from all backgrounds with a wide range of interests. From science and trivia to sports and music, students have the opportunity to explore and hone their skills in every scholastic avenue. For current New England Revolution midfielder Jack Panayotou ’22, his path through Gerry’s Landing was similarly remarkable.

Despite now playing professional soccer, Jack started on a basketball court rather than a field, but soon he was a devotee of the beautiful game. “I fell in love with it, and soon I was practicing every day and it was all I wanted to do,” Jack recounts. Growing up close to the New England Revolution, a club in Major League Soccer, “was very helpful and inspirational, some place to always look up to and to strive to be.”

Soon Jack practiced enough to train at the Bayern Munich Academy, a world-class German team in the Bundesliga—the toptier soccer league in Germany. This, combined with some viral skills videos and his work on the field, resulted in an invite to try out for the Revolution academy team.

While Jack was living the soccer dream, he was also living the life of a BB&N student. As a “lifer” at the school, Jack had 14 years to learn and grow under the motto of “honor, scholarship, kindness.”

In addition to mastering history, math, science, and all of the things studied at BB&N, Jack reflects that his time at Gerry’s Landing “molded me into a person that I’m happy to be right now—I think that being kind to everyone, being inclusive, and the community ideals that they talk about at BB&N are sort of similar to how a good team runs.”

While he’s only one year removed from BB&N, many younger students look up to Jack. This past June a few first-graders attended a Revs game and stayed late to see him. At just 19 years old, it may seem intimidating for a newly-minted adult to have so many students at his alma mater following his progress. Still, Jack isn’t shying away from the responsibility.

He comments, “it’s awesome. I try to be someone that younger kids can look up to…I’m always open to talking to people at BB&N and the younger kids that need advice.”

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT: JACK PANAYOTOU ’22HOMEGROWN AT BB&N

By Hannah Garcia

His time on campus was rigorous but prepared him for juggling responsibilities in the Revs’ second team. Jack jokes that “yeah, it wasn’t easy all the time” to run back and forth between Cambridge and Foxborough multiple times a day. He reminisces, “Both school and soccer are really important to me so I made it work.”

But his time at BB&N wasn’t just school work and practices; Jack thinks back fondly about bonding with his friends in “Squad 17” while on the annual Bivouac trip as a 9th-grader, among other memories.

Around the same time he graduated from the Upper School, Jack scored six goals to lead the New England Revolution’s U-19 team to an MLS Next Cup title. Only six months later, he joined the senior team.

Change can be intimidating, especially when you’ve just graduated high school and play in the same league as Lionel Messi. Still, Jack remains steadfast in his character, saying, “I just try to come in and be the same player that I’ve always been. I try to be confident and I think I can play at this level for sure and I just want to continue to make an impact and help my team win.”

And make an impact he does. At the young age of 18 years and 293 days, Jack became the sixth-youngest homegrown player to make his senior MLS debut with a spot in the starting lineup against D.C. United. Homegrown players are athletes signed to a professional contract from the academy of an MLS team. Competition to make the starting eleven on a professional team is stiff, but Jack continues to persevere and earn game time.

On and off the pitch, Jack commits to helping his team win, as dedicated as he was at BB&N. When reflecting on his 14 years at the school, Jack acknowledges, “I had a great time at BB&N, and I’m really grateful that I went to that school and I’ve been there my entire life.”

Looking to the future, Jack hopes to become a starter for the Revs, but for now, Jack notes, “I’m really happy with the type of person I’ve become, and I owe a lot of that to BB&N.”

If you would like to request a BB&N banner for a wedding photo, please email alumni_programs@bbns.org and provide the wedding date and best mailing address. If you would like a BB&N baby t-shirt for a photo, please send us your birth announcement! Alumni Programs looks forward to including the images in this section.

Weddings & Commitments

1987

Lewis Wheeler and Amanda Collins

October 2023

1996

Matthew Englander and Christina Stone

August 20, 2023

2009

Eliza Appleton and Ryan O’Malley

October 21, 2023

Oylan Dong and Alex Nicholson

July 2, 2023

Joe Papa and Emma Frangles ’10

November 11, 2023

2015

Ryan Pasculano and Melanie Cheng

October 8, 2023

Alec Gustafson and Olivia Stoffel

December 2, 2023

PICTURED

Births & Adoptions

2001

Katie (Alexander) Appleton and Sam Appleton

Leo Alexander Appleton

May 26, 2023

2005

Nicholas Cox and Valerie Lute

Natalie Susanna Cox November 23, 2023

Mike Abrams and Helen Abrams

Eleanor Abrams

January 13, 2024

2007

Nastaran Hakimi and Mike Cassin

Emma Rose Cassin November 17, 2023

2007

Daniel Berenson and Melanie Berenson

Jack Berenson October 2023

1 2 4

PICTURED

3

Mike Abrams ‘05, wife Helen, and daughter Eleanor “Ellie” Abrams

Nastaran Hakimi ‘07, husband Mike, and Emma

Daniel Berenson ’09’s

Jack

In Memoriam

Ann Simmons Butler ’47

Dorothy Silberman Altman ’48

June 20, 2023

Richard Usen ‘49

October 2022

Robert Wilkinson ’53

November 25, 2023

Joan Holdgate ’57

December 25, 2021

Nicholas Wilder ’61

August 26, 2023

Stephen Sohn ’62 P’98

November 20, 2023

Anthony Hill ‘69

January 24, 2024

David Freeman ’72

July 29, 2023

David Jackson Moore ’74

May 8, 2022

Cathy Hughes ’74

July 29, 2022

Baron Hartley ’75

August 27, 2023

Heitzi Epstein ’76

August 19, 2023

James Giesser ’77

September 7, 2023

Heather Whitney ’79

October 21, 2023

Penny Ericson ’83

August 23, 2023

Alison Powers ’95

November 21, 2023

Tracy Rosette

September 22, 2023

Tracy Rosette, former Advancement Office Operations Manager, passed away on September 22, 2023 following a lengthy illness. Tracy was a 14-year member of the BB&N staff, from 2007 to 2021, working with all members of the Advancement team as well as colleagues throughout the school. She was a mainstay in the office—someone who loved being among her colleagues, juggling myriad responsibilities, and making it her mission to keep everyone and everything on a successful path.

Anyone who ever met Tracy will remember her foremost as someone who cared deeply for the people around her. Three things were fairly certain to happen any time you spent time around Tracy. She was going to ask you how you were doing, you were going to hear her unforgettable laugh, and most of all, she would share a story about her daughter Jenna, whom she dearly loved.

Melville “Mel” Hodder ’56

P’80,’82,’85,’87, Former Trustee November 7, 2023

Melville Thomas Hodder, of Cambridge, MA, died peacefully on November 7, at age 84, after a long illness, with Lissa, his wife of 63 years, by his side, and surrounded by the love of his family and friends. Mel lived the final stage of his life with humor, grace, and deep gratitude–most especially for Lissa, his four “chickadees,” and twelve treasured grandchildren. He lived an abundant life with a twinkling eye, an easy laugh and a love of adventure.

Mel was a Boston boy. He bragged that from his office on 28 State Street he could see every place he had lived, worked, and

attended school, from the dogwoods of Fresh Pond Lane—where he and Lissa lived for 60 years—to the banks of the Charles River, the dome of Winthrop House, and the towers of Boston’s financial district. Mel was raised in Belmont by his parents, Edwin James and Rora Melville Hodder, with his older brother Edwin, surrounded by doting aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Mel’s years at Browne & Nichols School were formative, introducing him to crew, hockey, sailing, literature, art, and the music he cherished all the rest of his life. He served as co-captain of the hockey team and the famously undefeated B&N football team of underdogs in 1954 and ’55. Mel forged relationships with mentors whose advice and ethical leadership would help guide him through adulthood. Mel later advocated for coeducation, and as a longtime member of the Boards of Trustees of both Browne & Nichols and the Buckingham schools, he helped to navigate the successful merger in 1974

Roger M. Thomas, a resident of Fox Hill Village in Westwood, died on Tuesday, December 12, at the age of 93. Born in Hartford, CT, he was raised by his mother, Dr. Helen L. Thomas, in Cambridge where he attended (then) Buckingham School and graduated from (then) Browne & Nichols School. He received his A.B. from Princeton University in 1952, and then served on active duty for two years with the U.S. Field Artillery, including one post-hostilities year (1953-1954) in Korea, being discharged as a First Lieutenant.

Thereafter, he received his LL.B. in 1957 from Virginia Law School and his LL.M. (graduate law degree in taxation) in 1964 from Boston University Law School. In 1965, he married Dorothea Wyman Thomas, and they moved to Weston where they raised their two children, Donald and Helen. Most of Roger’s legal career was as a trusts and estates lawyer with the Boston law firm of Gaston & Snow for 31 years. He was also active in various volunteer activities including serving as President of the Browne & Nichols School Alumni Association and as a Trustee of the School, and involvement in various fundraising activities, including those for Browne & Nichols School and Virginia Law School.

Milestones

Friends of BB&N

Walter Bornhorst P’15,’15,’16,’20

January 4, 2024

Husband of Former Trustee Marina Bornhorst ’83 P’15,’15,’16,’20

Father of Natasha Bornhorst ’15 Zoe Bornhorst ’15 Chris Bornhorst ’16 and Thomas Bornhorst ’20

Janet Cate

June 6, 2023

Wife of Del Cate ’75

Richard “Dick” Fryberger

August 6, 2023

Husband of former trustee

Nancy Hoadley Fryberger ’54

Arthur Gelb

November 8, 2023

Grandparent of Meredith Zakon ’11 and Allison Zakon ’12

Cynthia Livingston

September 5, 2023

Mother of Nat Bacon ’91 and Ethan Bacon Bernau ’95

John Reed

December 1, 2023

Husband of Sue Welch Reed ’54

Maxine Wasserman (Former Faculty) August 21, 2023

Mother of Terry Dignan ’79

Roger M. Thomas ’48, Former Trustee December 12, 2023

In November Peter K. Gunness, the last Headmaster of Browne & Nichols and co-founder of Buckingham Browne & Nichols, died at age 88 after a brief illness. His 23-year tenure at B&N and BB&N, during which he became known as the “dean of New England school heads,” left a legacy that was both accomplished and complicated. The Bulletin asked a number of community members to offer their perspective on Peter’s impact on BB&N.

A LOOK BACK AT PETER GUNNESS

by Rob Leith and Al Rossiter

“My mother’s family was Swedish, and my dad was Norwegian. I grew up in a large family and in a culture where everyone stayed in North Dakota,” Peter Gunness once reported. He, however, did not want to stay in North Dakota. So, being an intrepid and bright young man, he applied to and was accepted at Harvard. From Fargo, North Dakota to zip code 02138, was a long journey in many ways, but he persevered and ended up, at age 33, as the founding headmaster of the Buckingham Browne & Nichols School.

Peter arrived at Browne & Nichols during the late Sixties, a period of national turmoil that particularly roiled educational institutions. He is credited with having calmed unrest on the B&N campus and with reshaping the school through a collaboration with Buckingham Headmistress Elizabeth Stowe that resulted, in January 1974, in the merger that produced BB&N.

Being head of an educational institution has usually been a job that puts one frequently on thin ice, but perhaps never more so than in the late ’60s and early ’70s, when PKG, as he was always known at school, took over. The Vietnam War, civil rights, changing views about what should and can be taught, and women’s rights dominated our culture and, as such, all these issues were reflected in the fledgling school. Peter’s initial tasks: join two boards of trustees into one viable board; increase what was essentially a net-zero endowment and ramp up fundraising (when Peter took over, the B&N development office consisted of one part-time employee); deal with faculty and students who were listening to the voices calling for resistance to authority; achieve equity for female students and faculty; create a school more welcoming to people of color; and establish a vibrant Advanced Placement curriculum in all disciplines.

The new school ended its first fiscal year with a deficit of $167,000; therefore, Peter’s first challenge was to strengthen its negligible endowment, which grew more than tenfold under his leadership. In the following years, BB&N also acquired several new properties, most notably those adjacent to the Lower School campus, and accomplished several important new building projects. Highlights included the Lower School’s New Wing and the Upper School’s Almy Library and Richard and Susan Smith Science Wing.

The new facilities aimed to strengthen BB&N’s standing as an outstanding academic institution. “From the beginning,” he reflected years later, “I felt that this school had to forge a stronger identification with Cambridge than it had…Here is a school in one of the great university cities of the world—perhaps the greatest—and yet in the Sixties, I think, there had been some loss of connection with Cambridge.” Nine years after the school’s creation, it celebrated the B&N centennial with

guest speakers from Harvard, MIT, University of Illinois, and University of Pennsylvania, including the presidents of Harvard and MIT, one a current, the other a former BB&N parent. During Peter’s tenure, the school’s Advanced Placement courses increased from only one when he arrived to 14 when he left, and a survey conducted a few years later found that BB&N students took an average of more than one AP exam per student, the highest number in the Independent School League and almost twice as many as the ISL average. The Upper School expanded its language requirement to three years, and several foreign exchanges and other international study/travel opportunities were implemented. The most notable of these occurred in 1989 when BB&N became one of 30 American and Soviet schools to participate in bilateral exchanges as part of an agreement between then-presidents Reagan and Gorbachev.

When Peter was a student at Harvard, he served as president of Phillips Brooks House, which supports disadvantaged children in Cambridge. Peter had come from a family of faith—his mother fed homeless people in North Dakota during the Great Depression. As Harvard’s Director of Financial Aid, Peter was committed to the importance of creating more equitable opportunities for students to attend private schools. With the assistance of Jack Etter, the school’s long-term athletic director, Peter made sure that needy kids from Cambridge got a tuition break at the school’s summer day camp. He felt that was something BB&N owed the Cambridge community, a way of giving back to the city in which it was situated. On Peter’s watch, the school started the Faculty Summer Study and Travel program. Ostensibly, it was to give faculty an opportunity to travel in the summer with their families and to pursue study that was

Peter was great with people. He sincerely liked everyone and was especially devoted to students—he would see nothing but good in every kid. He always showed up in the morning when the kids were coming to school and hung around to talk with them and faculty. His care for people was put to excellent use during his early years at the school as the Vietnam War and cultural shifts had created unrest on many campuses, including ours.

I was the first and only person hired jointly by Peter and Betty Stowe. When I started in 1971, I worked halftime for both Buckingham and Browne & Nichols. Both schools were not well off at that time. Browne & Nichols had an endowment around $350,000, but the mortgage on their latest property purchase was about the same. Buckingham, on the other hand, had no endowment but did have about $80,000 in cash. So, the sum of the schools when they merged in 1974 was essentially a zero balance with no endowment. Eighteen years later, BB&N had an endowment that exceeded $7 million, awarded more than $1 million annually in financial aid, and had constructed a new library, science wing, and building for the middle elementary grades, while also renovating and acquiring more than a dozen other spaces.

Education meant the world to Peter. When he became headmaster of Browne & Nichols in 1969, the school had a reputation of being sort of a jock school. Peter was interested in developing the boys more in the intellectual realm. The Buckingham School on the other hand—under the leadership of Betty Stowe and Marian Vaillant before her— was considered stronger on the academic side. Once the merger happened, Peter devoted a lot of attention and resources to strengthening the academic program and hiring superb teachers. By the time Peter retired in 1992, the school was regarded by everyone as an intellectual powerhouse, something that holds true to this day.

ANDY LEIGHTON, BUSINESS MANAGER, 1971-1996

A three campus Coed Committee. A position as Coordinator of Coeducation with a seat on the Upper School Educational Policy Committee. Funds for US and MS faculty to buy books by or about women for their personal libraries. An annual Coed Committee dinner with an honorarium for an outside speaker. An alum gift to support the then new process of a full-size Polaroid copy of the Gardner Cox portrait of Marian Vaillant in the MS to hang in the US so that the Buckingham tradition was visible. Ongoing conversations about ways to make the US campus a place where women faculty and girls felt included. Permission to partner with the HGSE to arrange for classroom observers, one of whose tasks would be to note, and share with the teacher, the gender balance of student participation. Attention to faculty balance, especially among young hires. In all of these ways, and more, Peter initiated, enabled, and joined me in working towards the fully coeducational school he had envisioned. Thanks to his support I had a wonderful and energizing career at BB&N.

LINDA KAUFMAN, UPPER SCHOOL HISTORY TEACHER, 1975-2007

Peter offered me support and assurances of his commitment to the arts while simultaneously stepping back and letting me do the job with no administrative interference. I’m grateful for that combination of being backed and being free.

When Peter hired me in 1982, I stepped into a robust Drama program prized by the school. But the Arts across the board were squeezed between increasingly demanding academic expectations and a desire to add silverware to the Athletic Department trophy case. Peter wanted to see the arts, especially music, flourish. He, along with Lissa Hodder, brokered a series of meetings between AD Jack Etter and me. Despite Jack’s “off campus, just the two of us, and if anyone in my department discovers we’re meeting, I’ll deny it,” we carved out a little more space for the arts to be as central to a student’s experience as any academic or extracurricular engagement.

Peter was working to push the institutional focus beyond the lingering tensions of the merger. His Belmont home, host to twice yearly social gatherings of trustees, administrators, and faculty from the three campuses, helped forge a community—and collegial friendships—across campuses, across disciplines, free of rancor and turf battles.

related to their disciplines. Peter was never very fussy about the “study” part. The fund was essentially a gift to deserving faculty. Both of these programs remain in place and thriving to this day.

BB&N’s commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion is rooted in numerous additional initiatives that occurred on his watch. In 1975, a trustee Committee on Minority Enrollment was formed to boost attendance by African Americans. That same year the school hired its first Black teacher, and progress was slow to occur. In 1983, Peter admitted to The Vanguard that none of the 17 candidates hired for teaching positions the previous year had been African Americans. The subsequent hiring of Lewis Bryant as Director of Minority Affairs (later renamed Multicultural Services) resulted in rapid change. In 1985, the school held its first Martin Luther King, Jr. Breakfast, and the acceptance that year of 14 Black students doubled the number currently enrolled. In 1989, Race Relations Week was founded, and in 1990, the school began participation in the two-year Multicultural Assessment Plan, an NAIS-sponsored program designed to evaluate how schools met their own diversity goals. One year later the school implemented a year-long program of anti-racist training for its faculty.

Beyond BB&N, Peter served on the boards of several organizations dedicated to DEI, including the Groton and Harvard Upward Bound Programs, Indeprep, the Steppingstone Foundation, and The Bridge Fund, Inc.

In the Fall of 1983, I brought a young man named Jeff Jackson ’87 to BB&N for his admissions interview. Little did I know that I would be at BB&N for the next 37 years. Shortly thereafter, with the support of Mr. Gunness, I was hired to recruit Black students. Within two short years that role was expanded into the position of Director of Minority Affairs. It was a nice title, but no one really knew what it meant or what the responsibilities were. What I did know was that Peter wanted all students to have a positive experience at BB&N and I was responsible for making that happen for Black students, and by extension, their parents and families.

Peter supported every one of my suggestions and program ideas; he trusted me and provided the resources I began to request. The DEI program at BB&N today was started under Peter’s guidance and leadership. Student and parent affinity groups, Dr. King Breakfast program, professional development for faculty and staff, acceptance of a more diverse student body, cultural assemblies and events, and broad influence within the NAIS community are all earmarks of BB&N’s program and commitment to DEI. BB&N remains a leader in DEI—one of Peter’s lasting legacies that I know he would be proud of.

The work we did together was not always easy. I will always appreciate Peter for standing by me, for listening (thus learning), and being willing to make tough decisions when necessary. Peter added me to the Senior Leadership team in 1990. This decision allowed me to be a part of important discussions that would affect BB&N present and future. His actions showed me that he had faith in me and provided me a platform to make a greater impact at BB&N, and outside of BB&N as well.

I loved and appreciated Peter as a friend, a colleague, and a partner in the work of DEI. BB&N has flourished, and I thank Peter for his immense role in getting it all started!

LEWIS BRYANT, DIRECTOR OF MULTICULTURAL SERVICES,

1983-2020

MARK LINDBERG, DRAMA TEACHER, 1982-2019

Over the past 20+ years, as I’ve been navigating my own career and family path, I’ve been struck with this realization a number of times: “I’m the age my Dad was when he was leading BB&N.” These moments have usually been the challenging ones when I’m casting about for someone who can light my path forward. And it’s Dad who almost always pops up as the reminder of integrity, the image of kindness, the prompt to be patient. As I reflect back on his life, I’m floored with gratitude that I had the unique opportunity to be a lifer at BB&N for 14 of his 23 years as head of school (I stayed back in kindergarten…). I, of course, was mostly unaware at the time of how precious (and precarious?) this was, but I now see that I got a front-row seat for a big chunk of my Dad’s career, a career that he poured his heart into, just as he poured his heart into being Dad for me and my brothers. And I think I finally see what Dad was teaching me as we shared this time in our lives: being a person of character, no matter what personal or professional hat you’re wearing, is always the path forward. I also learned that this is not always the easy path; I remember many a car ride home or dinner conversation in which Dad was clearly wrestling with a leadership—or parenting—dilemma. As I now wrestle with my own leadership (and parenting and life) dilemmas, I continue to learn from PKG and he continues to light my path forward.

’85

Kate is shown at right receiving the April Teruel Award from her father during her sophomore year

The most immediate inclusiveness challenge Peter faced when becoming Head of BB&N was that of coeducation and ensuring equality for girls. Previously, every B&N boy spent the first term of junior year reading “Moby Dick,” while the Buckingham girls were reading from a canon that featured more women authors. Early meetings of the B&N and Buckingham English Departments often led to heated discussion: do we really need to read Jane Austen when we could be reading “Catch 22” or “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest”? The outcome of such discussions emphasized greater inclusiveness— yes, let’s read Shakespeare, but also Kurt Vonnegut. Some changes were symbolic, such as creating a new school seal that incorporated elements from the Browne, Nichols, and Buckingham founder Jeanette Markham’s family crests and removing the photographs of male teams that lined the Upper School’s hallways. Many others had profound effects upon student life, such as creating a Bivouac program for girls in 1975 and five years later making it coed. In 1980 a computer course “for women only” was offered to address the imbalance of boys versus girls in math and science. The school’s 15th birthday in 1989 was devoted to a celebration of coeducation.

Peter also strove to make Buckingham’s thriving art program a feature of the merged schools.

“

Peter Gunness was a “Force of Nature.” it was a privilege to share many interactions both personal and professional with him over 15 happy years I served as a BB&N Trustee, starting in 1977.

I remember fondly our discussions about how to define a “Great Education.” He loved to struggle with this topic. He challenged me repeatedly. We debated for more than a year how to think about it. Finally together, we decided that “A GOOD education changes WHAT YOU KNOW. A BETTER education changes HOW YOU THINK. A GREAT education changes WHO YOU ARE.” I confess I don’t know how original that is. Yet Peter absolutely loved it, and so do I.

I remember how Peter had a theme about his beloved BB&N that meant a lot to him. It was his goal to find a variety of faculty members, different teachers, who brought different perspectives to their teaching and who cordially disagreed about certain ideas. Peter loved to ask me, if everyone in a room agrees on pretty much everything, then how can deep learning take place? It is through constructive disagreement that most anyone, especially each of our superb BB&N students, can begin to maybe “change their mind” about certain topics.

Most of all, Peter often told me, especially in recent years when I visited with him at Newbury Court in Concord, how happy he was about the continuing growth and development of BB&N. Creating the merged school in 1974 was challenging. Peter’s leadership exceeded every reasonable expectation. Peter felt that perhaps best of all, each of his Head of School successors was able to cumulatively build and expand the school’s many remarkable strengths over time. His two great loves were his family and his school. Peter was a remarkable man.

Peter Gunness epitomized the BB&N motto of Honestas, Litterae, Comitas

Honor – Peter was an honorable man. I knew I could always trust his word. While I was Director of the Lower School, I knew if Peter said he was going to do something, he did it. I believe he brought with him from his North Dakota roots a set of ideals that were selfless and considerate.

Scholarship – Peter was also intellectually curious. His adventurous thinking supported numerous exciting projects to take place at the Lower School that I participated in from their inception. One was called Project REASON, (Resource and Environmental Awareness Through the Study of Nature), a five-day camping trip for fifth graders to the New Hampshire property owned by the school. Peter believed young people should know and appreciate nature. The world needs, more than ever, this type of thinking for young people. Another was the beginning of the Teacher Training Institute. Peter believed that teaching was a “noble” profession and wanted BB&N to be a part of contributing to the next generation of teachers. I was fortunate to head this Institute for many decades. We owe this to Peter’s forward thinking.

Kindness – What I will always remember about Peter was his thoughtfulness. On many occasions, he acted as a mentor and caring listener when difficult decisions had to be made. He created a working community among the administrative team members. His eggs benedict were legendary during administrative team retreats. To put it simply –Peter was a kind, gentle man who laid the foundation for a thoughtful community.

RICHARD LIGHT, TRUSTEE, 1977-1992

BEVERLY MALONE, LOWER SCHOOL DIRECTOR, TEACHER TRAINING INSTITUTE DIRECTOR, 1973-2023

KATE GUNNESS WILLIAMS

“Peter Gunness hired me in 1991 as director of the Middle School, and even though we only worked together for a year, his influence and mentoring will stay with me forever. While he was a man of relatively few words, they all seemed to count! Three statements sum up my relationship with PKG.

Stay above the fray : Peter advised me to remain removed from gossip and picayune squabbling of any kind from my early days in the role. He knew that as the head of a small closely-knit community, it would not be productive.

Always speak to a gathered group if there’s a chance: At any kind of welcome or allschool gathering, Peter advised: Even if it’s only two sentences, be ready. Take all opportunities to show who you are and what you stand for.

Do you really want this particular job? After Peter retired we stayed in touch and he was always happy to help me consider searches that might lead to a headship. When it looked as if I would be entering the final stage of the search at The Cambridge School of Weston, he said: Is this what you want? You are almost 50, the school is looking for a long-term head. If you take this job it might be your first and only headship. Think about it. I did, long and hard. I retired from the role in 2019, 17 years later.

Thank you, Peter, for being of wise counsel and passing on your insight. I paid it forward!

programs into BB&N that build character as well. These included in the school’s first year a required work program for students. Other related initiatives were the creation of a Student-Faculty Disciplinary Committee, which allowed students to participate on an equal footing with faculty in responding to serious disciplinary offenses; his Headmaster’s Course, required of all ninth graders; a Sexuality and Human Relationships course, which became a tenth-grade requirement; and a new graduation requirement that each student would complete at least 40 hours of service—a commitment that remains in place today. Serving others was part of the “kindness” of the school motto that Peter wrote: Honor, Scholarship, and Kindness.

The legacy of Peter’s tenure is marked as well by the mishandled response to the serious misconduct and criminal behavior committed by Middle School teacher Ted Washburn for many years. Peter was arraigned in Middlesex District Court in 1988, where he was charged with a violation of Chapter 119, Section 51A, requiring school officials to report “reasonable cause” to authorities for suspicion of child abuse. In court, he admitted to sufficient evidence for a finding of guilt and agreed to pay a fine and create a scholarship for “needy Cambridge children” to attend BB&N’s Summer Day Camp. To this day, more than 30 years later, survivors of abuse at BB&N continue to experience considerable suffering. In addition, memories across the entire alumni community are complicated by what some remember as a “sink or swim” attitude that characterized the school during that era. “While I have heard alumni from the ’70s and ’80s recognize adults at BB&N who cared for and supported them,” says Head of School Jennifer Price, “I also hear from alumni who describe a culture, similar to many schools at the time, in which insufficient attention was paid to supporting students’ mental health, well-being, and sense of belonging.”

“I was fortunate to be able to visit Peter just three weeks before his passing. During our conversation that day, we talked about how at some point we would have to write about his legacy. His response, “I will make that easy and just never die.” We both laughed and then he talked about how proud he was of his family and how pleased he was about the fact that the school he helped found continues to thrive 50 years later. We also spoke for a long time about the regret he felt concerning his failures as Head of School — failures that he readily admitted and continued to deeply feel 40+ years later. For example, I asked him if he wanted to participate in our 50th anniversary celebrations, and he responded “I don’t think that is a good idea.” As someone who holds the same role Peter did, I know the complexities and responsibilities of this job very well. Through that lens, an inescapable part of his legacy is that he led the school at a time when some students were abused and when many others felt unsafe and/or marginalized. He clearly did not do enough as Head to protect and support all of the students at BB&N.

JANE MOULDING, MIDDLE SCHOOL DIRECTOR, 1991-2002

Addressing the audience at BB&N’s second graduation, he stressed the importance of the arts in student life and beyond, praising what he called the “revitalized” art department and its expanded course requirement. Beginning in 1984, Upper School students were required to take two art classes to qualify for graduation; a successful application to the Dodge Foundation funded an artist-in-residence; Physical Education became a formal substitute for the Upper School’s team sport requirement, a measure that encouraged more artistically inclined students to apply to or remain at the school; in 1985 the Upper School initiated a String Quartet Program, which two years later became the current school orchestra. At his farewell party in 1992, student musicians had reached such a level of excellence that three of them performed with BB&N parent Yo-Yo Ma in the celebrations. Looking back on his career at this time, Peter commented that the arts were “perhaps the most visible thing that [had] changed” during his tenure.

When he graduated from Harvard, Peter was one of the two annual recipients of the Ames Memorial Award, given to seniors “who have shown heroic character and energy with helping others and whose substantial contributions may not have been acknowledged.” Peter worked to integrate

Upon his retirement in 1992, Peter became an active member of the Headmasters Association, where he worked with newly appointed heads of school. Later, he worked with boards of trustees, sharing his wisdom about leadership. He became a member of Educators Collaborative, a search firm for schools seeking a new head. His advice was wise and helpful because he understood how schools work and don’t work, understood the crucial relationship between a head of school and the chair of the board. His experiences, both positive and negative, provided him with a kind of school person’s wisdom. When he was living at Newbury Court, in his final days, he became head of a scholarship committee that raised money for members of the staff taking courses toward a degree.

He enjoyed his retirement in many different ways, including being with his family at the Gunness cabin in the Belgrade Lakes of Maine, and singing, an activity he had enjoyed since high school. He had a strong baritone voice, sang in a quartet at the Tavern Club in Boston, and for many years sang with the Concord Chorus. While at Newbury Court, he developed neuropathy, which meant getting around was painful, even with the aid of a walker. He had to give up fly fishing, an activity that had given him much pleasure in his younger days. Sadly, his wife, Peggy, developed Alzheimer’s and died in 2017 in a facility at Newbury Court. Even at the age of 88, he quite simply lit up when talking about schools and education—a school man through and through, even in his final days.

English and AP Art History teacher Rob Leith taught at BB&N from 1979 until 2019 and served as Faculty Advisor of The Vanguard from 1983 to 1997. Al Rossiter was an English teacher at BB&N from 1969 to 2008, and served as Assistant Head for Education under Mary Newmann from 1988 to 2001.

Peter asked me to communicate his regret to the BB&N community and I did so in my November 3rd letter. He knew he was a polarizing figure to many alumni who attended BB&N during his tenure, and hoped that having me deliver that message would provide some solace. I know that for some members of our community, that was an unsatisfactory approach, as the harm they feel runs much deeper than any acknowledgement can address.

For someone like me—who knew and appreciated Peter—I was constantly aware of the fact that I needed to hold two truths simultaneously when I thought about him and his legacy. He was a skillful leader during BB&N’s first two decades of existence, and one who I know cared deeply about our school. He was also the man in charge when harm came to students under his care. These are extremely difficult concepts to balance in respect to Peter’s legacy, and as a result, I acknowledge, validate, and understand the numerous perspectives our alumni hold about Peter.

JENNIFER PRICE, HEAD OF SCHOOL

From the Archives

BB&N has featured more than a few “looks” throughout its time. As the school begins to celebrate its 50-year anniversary, we thought it might be fun to let you decide the best “look” from its storied history. We’ve even included a few throwbacks to the pre-merger era.

Creating Extraordinary Opportunities for the Future

The 50 th anniversary of the merger of Browne & Nichols and Buckingham provides an opportunity to celebrate some important people in the school’s history, whose names may be known but not their stories: Charles and Elizabeth Almy for whom the Upper School Almy Library and The Almy Society, BB&N’s legacy society, are named.

Please take a look and then use the provided QR code to vote on your favorite design. We’ll announce the winner in the next issue’s “From the Archives” section.

Charles Almy, Jr. grew up in Cambridge and graduated from Browne & Nichols in 1904. An active member of the community throughout his life and founder of a worldwide chemical company that bears his name (Dewey and Almy), Charles Almy never lost his abiding love for Browne & Nichols. In 1933 he became President of the Corporation and of the B&N Board of Trustees, a position he held until his death in January 1954.

As noted in a tribute to Charles Almy in the B&N Bulletin at that time, “The school of today, its plant, and the very fact that Browne & Nichols exists can be attributed more to Charles Almy than to any other individual. It was Almy’s leadership, his contagious enthusiasm, and his obstinate determination which time and again held the school together.”

After his death, Almy’s beloved wife Elizabeth carried on his commitment and in many ways, she and Charles worked together to preserve the school. Headmaster Eddie Pratt, who was hired by Charles Almy in 1949, appointed Elizabeth to the Board in the late 1950s, the first woman to hold that position.

And it was Elizabeth Almy who reportedly recommended the name of the merged school. At a meeting of the schools’ boards as they were discussing a possible merger, Elizabeth recalled how the name of her husband’s company had been decided—because it sounded better than the opposite. For that reason, Elizabeth stated that the merged school should be named Buckingham Browne & Nichols—because it sounded better. And as they say, the rest is history—50 years and counting!

Later in her life, a major gift from Elizabeth Almy enabled the school to build the Charles and Elizabeth Almy Library on the Gerry’s Landing campus. And shortly before her passing in 1992, Elizabeth gave the school the home that she and her husband had built on Coolidge Hill, for use as the head of school’s home. It was used by former head Mary Newmann until it was sold in the early 2000s to fund the renovation of the former St. Anne’s on the Lower School campus, for use by former Head of School Rebecca Upham and now Dr. Jennifer Price.

The Almy Society honors the decades-long legacy of Charles and Elizabeth Almy and their abiding love for both Browne & Nichols and BB&N. It also recognizes the more than 100 members of the school community—both past and present—who have included the school in their estate plans. To learn more about The Almy Society, visit giftplanning.bbns.org , or contact Mike O’Brien, Director of Development, at mobrien@bbns.org or 617-800-2721.

www.bbns.org