Times of Brunswick, Spring 2021

SPECIAL HONOR FOR ’WICK’S ‘PANDEMIC’ CLASS OF 2020

PRESORTED FIRST-CLASS MAIL U.S. Postage PAID Permit 215 Mailed from 01889 TIMES OF BRUNSW ICK | SPRING 2021

100 Maher Avenue Greenwich, CT 06830

MARK YOUR CALENDARS Opening Day .................................................. September 8 Homecoming 2021............................. October 29 & 30 For more events and updates, please visit BrunswickSchool.org

Please notify us of your son’s current address at 203.242.1225 or Alumni@BrunswickSchool.org

W W W.B R U N S W I C K S C H O O L .O R G

ATTENTION ALUMNI PARENTS

IN MEMORIAM: ‘SMALLPOX WARRIOR’ DR. J. MICHAEL LANE ’53

FOR LEGENDARY COACHES, SALUTES & TRIBUTES

Spring 2021

TIME NO OTHER ’WICK MASKS UP TO FACE DOWN COVID-19

BOARD OF TRUSTEES 2020–2021 Thomas D. O’Malley, Jr. ’85 (P ’12, ’15, ’21) Chairman Kimberley C. Augustine (P ’19, ’24) Josyl L. Barchue ’00 Nisha Kumar Behringer (P ’26, ’28) W. Robert Berkley, Jr. ’91 (P ’21, ’23) Peter P. Bevacqua ’89 Michael J. Bingle (P ’21) Todd L. Boehly (P ’20, ’22, ’24) Emily W. Burns (P ’19, ’23) David M. Butler (P ’23) Robert F. Carangelo (P ’17, ’21) Sean D. Carney (P ’17, ’22, ’26) Frank J. Carroll III (P ’22) Christopher L. Collins (P ’25, ’30) R. Willett Cook (P ’30) Scott A. Dahnke (P ’17, ’19, ’26) Alberto J. Delgado (P ’19, ’21, ’23) Colleen M. Ferguson (P ’21, ’24) Darby B. Fox (P ’17) Pamela K. Keller (P ’19, ’22, ’24) Jennifer A. Klein (P ’22, ’23, ’24) Thomas D. Lehrman (P ’20, ’25, ’31) D. Scott Mackesy (P ’21) Steven A. Marks (P ’25) Robert E. Michalik (P ’19, ’21, ’23, ’28) Americo C. Nardis (P ’26, ’28) Elizabeth A. O’Reilly (P ’23, ’25) Keith A. Pagnani ’82 (P ’24) James H. Ritman ’94 (P ’28, 31) Andrei M. G. Saunders (P ’19, ’27) Thomas B. Wilson (P ’22, ’26)

Joe Falco

Jim Stephens

Ex Officio Thomas W. Philip (P ’08, ’10) Head of School K. Patrick Andrén ’93 (P ’24, ’28, ’29) Assistant Head; Chief Operating Officer Richard M. Beattie ’80 Assistant Head of School for Faculty & Academic Programs Douglas Burdett (P ’18, ’22) Assistant Head; Director of College Guidance Sarah B. Burdett (P ’18, ’22) Chief Integration Officer; Director of Schoolwide Admission & Enrollment Daniel J. Griffin Director of Institutional Communications Kathleen F. Harrington Chief Financial Officer & Business Manager Thomas G. Murray (P ’25, ’27, ’31) Chief Advancement Officer Alecia G. Thomas (P ’31) Director, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion; Program Coordinator, Horizons at Brunswick Elliot W. Jenks III ’01 President, Brunswick Alumni Association Kathryn Tabner (P ’18, ’25) President, BPA

For Coaching Icons, A Valedictory Salute

S

QUASH COACH Jim Stephens and Rowing Coach Joe Falco each began his long and storied Brunswick career with little more than a vision, and proceeded with passion and commitment to build fledgling programs into nationally recognized powerhouses. Now, as these two truly exceptional leaders embark on retirement, the community rises in grateful tribute.

For more, please turn to page 64.

MESSAGE FROM THE

HEAD OF SCHOOL In Late Innings, Words Perilously Forgotten

I

N OTHER years, the small

His professional-baseball career

occasion might have merited

continued until 1989 — though

a minute on the nightly news,

he was inducted into the Hall of

perhaps prompting a smile

Fame in 1972.

of appreciation in recalling the

Ironically, though Berra’s

honorand’s inadvertently wry

formal education ended early

wisdom and decades of profes-

and his baseball career spanned

sional accomplishment.

decades, he’s recalled much more

But this year, as unprece-

for his pithy and highly quotable

dented winter weather and

sayings than for his athletic and

the pandemic dominated the

managerial achievements.

landscape of current events,

And one of Berra’s observa-

the notice passed with little

tions — undoubtedly his most

mention. Still, even months later, it’s very much worth keeping in our collective consciousness — if only and especially for its evoking memories of one unforgettable phrase coined nearly half a century ago.

THIS IS NOT THE TIME TO LET OUR GUARD DOWN, NOT THE TIME TO PERMIT OUR ENDURANCE TO FALTER.

In mid-January, as its

famous — is particularly and

those reported at this same time last year, when

exceptionally relevant in 2021,

our collective “fear factor” was appropriately high.

during this long and exhausting journey through the pandemic:

Now, perhaps dangerously, our wandering and wistful speculations about future days could

“It ain’t over ’til it’s over.”

undermine our resolve in the present. Once

Berra’s blunt and simple state-

again, another laconic Berra remark applies:

ment is as universally applicable

“It’s tough to make predictions,” he said,

as it is wise — and the hazards of

“especially about the future.” No question:

front-line carriers continued herculean efforts

forgetting or ignoring how inescapably it applies to

Our fortunes might change in an instant.

to deliver the Mount Everest of holiday and

all of us, at this very moment, are immeasurable.

Consequently, today and in the months ahead, we’d best take all the care we can muster.

pandemic-related mail and other packages, the

Yes, widespread and continuing vaccination

U.S. Postal Service announced it would issue a

is yielding very encouraging results, and science

new commemorative stamp.

continues to develop increasingly effective ways

the time to permit our endurance to falter. The

to treat the disease.

COVID-19 pandemic is not over. For yourself,

According to the announcement, the stamp would honor Lorenzo Pietro “Yogi” Berra, the

In the balance, however, it cannot be forgotten

This is not the time to let our guard down, not

your family, and for our community and our world, please remain vigilant!

celebrated New York Yankees catcher, coach, and

that the risks remain tremendous: People of all

manager, who died in 2015 at age 90. Berra was

ages and walks of life are contracting COVID-19

Respect and follow the rules. Stay safe.

an 18-time All-Star who won 10 World Series

today, becoming very ill, and dying. In our own

And, remember, we all look forward to sharing

championships as a player — more than any

community journey, the pandemic has brought

and rejoicing, together and in person, in the

other player in Major League Baseball history.

both severe illness and great tragedy — and some

better, happier, and healthier days to come.

After signing with the Yankees in 1943, he

recovering from the disease continue to struggle

served in the U.S. Navy as a gunner’s mate in the D-Day landings at Normandy, earning a Purple

with lasting and debilitating consequences.

Clearly and wearily, as much as all yearn to be

Heart in combat. He returned from the war,

done, we have a ways to go — many months, at the

already a hero, to join the Yankees’ lineup at age

very least: To underscore that sobering reality, just

21, in 1946, retiring in 1963 to become manager.

compare the most recent counts of new cases with

Thomas W. Philip

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S P R I N G times of

Brunswick School 100 Maher Avenue Greenwich, CT 06830 Tel: 203.625.5800 BrunswickSchool.org

2 0 2 1

CONTENTS 52

Head of School Thomas W. Philip Director of Advancement Thomas G. Murray Director of Development Meghan Gould Director of Institutional Communications Daniel J. Griffin dgriffin@brunswickschool.org Associate Directors of Communications Mike Kennedy ’99 mkennedy@brunswickschool.org Wayne Lin wlin@brunswickschool.org Assistant Directors of Communications Sarah Toepke stoepke@brunswickschool.org Hayley Philip hphilip@brunswickschool.org Class Notes Editor Libby Edwards ledwards@brunswickschool.org Contributing Writers Daniel J. Griffin Mike Kennedy ’99 Katherine Ogden Thomas W. Philip Contributing Photographers Dan Burns Michael Catenacci Ben DeFlorio Andrew Henderson David Gálvez Greg Horowitz Jeffry Konczal Minush Krasniqi Wayne Lin Riley McCarthy Design Mary Lester Design marylesterdesign.com Printing Flagship Press, flagshippress.com

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OF BRUNSWICK • FALL 2017

46 FEATURES 04 A Time Like No Other

By Katherine Ogden & Mike Kennedy ’99 46 A Spring, A Year & ‘A Class We Will Never Forget’

By Katherine Ogden & Mike Kennedy ’99 64 Two Legendary Coaches Inspire ‘Standing Ovation’

By Mike Kennedy ’99

CONTENTS

34

35 DEPARTMENTS

40

01 Message from the Head of School 70 Class Notes 77 In Memoriam 80 Last Look

ON THE COVER

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When school reopened in September, the many faces of ’Wick donned a variety of protective masks as — eagerly but carefully and uneasily — students, faculty, and staff reunited to begin the long and precarious “tightrope walk” of staying safe and healthy while returning to on-campus learning. For a chronicle thus far of the Brunswick community’s continuing journey through the COVID-19 pandemic — a hazardous, extended, and sometimes sorrowful trek, for sure — turn to page 4.

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TIME NO OTHER Brunswick’s Odyssey of Perseverance through Pandemic B Y K AT H E R I N E O G D E N & M I K E K E N N E D Y ’ 9 9

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OF BRUNSWICK • SPRING 2021

This is a story of tremendous and continuing challenge.

It’s also a story of careful resolve and unwavering commitment. It chronicles the experience of a dedicated Brunswick community doing its best to do the right thing at a serious, sad, and uncertain time. It recounts the efforts of so many who have taken special care, dug deep, and leaned hard on the school’s founding principles, recognizing that students needed to return to the classroom in real life and working tirelessly to make that happen, as safely as possible.

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First days of school, as Head of School Thomas W. Philip has noted, are big events.

FOR MORE THAN A CENTURY, Brunswick’s opening days have been filled

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with much emotion, even anxiety.

They have also been steeped in tradition: Seniors greet first graders at the door of Dann Gymnasium, offer a handshake, and then flank the young Bruins as they make their way downstairs, holding hands every step of the way.

In September 2020, however, extraordinary circumstances — matters of life and death — prevented any such gathering of the sort, as Brunswick began its 118th session in the midst of a pandemic.

In so doing, it set aside some considerable nerves, and built some considerable muscle.

Although it was not the traditional Opening Day that students and faculty have long looked forward to, it was a unique, stirring reunion nonetheless.

In many ways, after the unprecedented and abrupt shutdown of the spring and so much time apart, it was even more

OF BRUNSWICK • SPRING 2021

TOGETHER, BUT SEPARATE After nearly six months apart, when faculty and students returned to campus for the reopening of school in September, the experience was markedly quieter and deliberately more restrained — one of both togetherness and aloneness. For the first time ever, all were required to wear masks and keep a safe physical distance from each other.

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emotional, though necessarily unconventional.

Messages were recorded on video as students and teachers came together in an entirely new way, trickling into buildings one-by-one and greeting each other with a special kind of sparkle, masks covering faces but eyes alight — all the while adapting a cherished Brunswick tradition for this careful and convergent occasion.

Back-to-school 2020 prompted, in fact, the birth of the “air shake,” a

OF BRUNSWICK • SPRING 2021

ABOVE A positive attitude COVID-safe version made all the difference, as students and faculty became of Brunswick’s accustomed to wearing masks and working alone ever-present and at distantly spaced, single desks. deeply treasured BELOW LEFT Portable handwashing and sanitizing handshake. stations were installed at entries to school buildings Beyond that, and in other well-traveled students and faculty locations on all campuses. met in joyful recognition, at a distance, in classrooms and hallways all over campus, the simple act of seeing each other eye-to-eye — in real life — undeniable after such extended absence and isolation.

Just as he always does, Philip addressed the entire community with a special message.

He focused on the challenges faced by all during the first six months of the pandemic — and he encouraged everyone to endeavor to meet those

Lower School Head Katie Signer (right) greets a student with the newly invented “air shake,” devised as a good-natured and welcoming but physically distant and contact-free substitute for the traditional handshake.

challenges head on, rather than to seek to avoid them.

“At Brunswick, we are always practicing for challenges — how to face them when they inevitably come and how to overcome them and grow stronger still in doing so,” Philip said.

“And to prepare for those challenges, we need to regularly practice building up our strong character.”

Philip asked students and faculty to greet each day as it comes, with gladness, and to remain optimistic that the pandemic would not last forever.

“Doing so does the good work of building the muscle of our char-

acter, and makes us all stronger,” he said.

“That way, something truly good will come out of this time, and we will all be better prepared for the future ahead.”

And so, with Philip’s wise, hopeful, and practical advice, a new page had been turned, and a new school year had begun.

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At the Middle School, Still, as students, students travel in single file between classes. In faculty, and corridors and stairwells on every campus, parents — the stickers on the floor and steps reminded entire Brunswick students and faculty of the need to keep a safe community, really and healthy distance.

— gathered in spirit on opening day to embark on this uncharted and uncertain journey, everyone shared in a common understanding: Circumstances could change in a moment; care and flexibility would be required as never before; and the school’s odyssey through the pandemic

10

would most likely be a white-knuckled, once-in-a-lifetime test of courage, honor, and truth.

Even so, natural anxiety and unease were tempered by a quiet and communal sense of appreciation and gratitude: After all, this day had been made possible by tremendous and collective effort, good fortune, and hope.

Thanks to trustees’ foresight, the school had the space to “spread out.”

And thanks to its leadership and staff, thousands of hours, months of labor, and nearly $1 million of unbudgeted expenses had been devoted

Open spaces were to exploring and “repurposed” to spread students apart as far as implementing every possible. Here, at the Lower School, the library has possible transforbeen transformed into an impromptu classroom. mation to make the experience as safe and sanitary as possible.

And, of course, those months of planning and work had to be undertaken without any certainty that resumption of on-campus learning would be permitted at all.

Collectively, everyone wondered: Would it work? Would it last? Could it all possibly hold together?

Nobody knew.

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As March 2020 began, Upper Schoolers and their younger peers with a penchant for theater united with GA students to stage the annual ’Wick winter musical — a crowded, colorful, and tuneful production of The Music Man. Packed and cheering Baker Theater audiences gave every performance a standing ovation. Although few sensed it at the time, the occasion was bringing the curtain down on life as we had long known it.

Little more than a week after the final performance, school was abruptly and officially shuttered.

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WIN T E R 2020

How It All Began

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N A TUESDAY afternoon in February 2020, administrators gathered in a Lower School conference room to consider

something truly unique in the lifetime of all present.

An emerging new virus, barely coming into view, loomed.

Just two weeks earlier, on February 11, the World Health Organization (WHO) decreed that the disease caused by the virus would be called “COVID19,” named simply for the year, 2019, in which it was first detected.

With few facts available, it was difficult to see what the pathogen, seemingly still a world away, could actually mean for Brunswick, its students, faculty, and community.

The group was particularly focused on the upcoming spring break, set to begin March 15, and most espe-

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OF BRUNSWICK • SPRING 2021

At the Lower School, the final in-person “occasion” of 2020 was the fourth-grade musical, called The Thirteen Colonies.

Hosted by George and Martha Washington as leading characters, the production taught students about early-American history and complemented their classroom studies.

cially on the travel plans of so many families and their return to school after break.

“It started getting hot in February,” he remembers.

You could feel it coming.

It was February 25, and as

“We had to get educated

educators made plans on how

overnight on a complicated,

best to keep the community

fraught topic.”

School leaders had begun thinking and planning for a pandemic when H1N1 and later Ebola threatened the world in preceding years.

Now, they were actually entering entirely new territory, and that

safe, the situation across the

A global pandemic was

February meeting proved to be the

country was changing fast.

far beyond the scope of

very beginning of many long months of

By the end of the week, the first U.S. death from the new coronavirus would be

experience of everyone present. History books, of course, go

planning and pivoting.

With such limited testing in those earliest days, travel was considered to

reported alongside news

a long way toward educating us

be the most likely vector of the disease

of a separate outbreak at

about the devastating epidemics

— the idea of community spread, as yet,

a long-term-care home in

of the past, but as educators

Washington state.

Philip remembers a sense of unease — and it was building.

especially recognize, expe-

just barely on the radar.

The truth was, the virus was already

rience is often the very

very much present, undetected, in

best teacher.

pockets around the country, including

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“Distance learning” began online on March 30, 2020. Ready for the new and unprecedented challenge, faculty and students welcomed each other to the new platform with a host of smiles, online messages of encouragement, read-aloud sessions, and more.

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New York. As the calendar rolled into

With spring break looming, Philip

March, the disaster was coming into

announced the school would send boys

sharper focus. New York confirmed

home for a day of practice in remote

its first case on March 1. Connecticut

learning on Thursday, March 12.

followed, on March 8.

“There were announcements, things

by faculty to reflect on what went right

schedule after a snow day.

“The blessing of this is we had Tom,” she said. “He’s a planner and incredibly organized.”

By early May, Governor Ned Lamont

you couldn’t imagine,” said Sarah

and what needed improving. Spring

announced that school buildings would

Burdett, Brunswick’s chief integration

break started the following day.

remain closed in Connecticut for the

officer. “Harvard had just closed for the spring. Amherst did the same.

By Wednesday of the following week,

remainder of the year, ending all hope

the NBA had suspended its 2019–20

that seniors would at least be able to

season, and more and more colleges

return in the middle of May for gradua-

she remembers thinking. “How can we

were telling their students to pack their

tion and prom.

plan? Will we be remote for a couple

things and go home.

“What is this going to look like?”

days or some stretch?

“As things kept happening about the beginning of March, it kicked planning into a whole new gear,” she said.

On March 16, Philip announced

To put a fine point on it, students finished the year in isolation, seques-

that Brunswick students would learn

tered at home, all because of a tiny,

remotely until at least the end of April.

emerging virus we all now know

With just one day of practice, faculty

too well.

On March 11, citing the alarming

now faced the undeniably gigantic task

level of the virus’ spread and severity,

of figuring out how to teach through a

students to return to in-person learning

WHO officially declared a state of

computer screen.

in the fall became the burning question

pandemic.

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Friday the 13th, amazingly, was used

adaptability was adjusting an exam

OF BRUNSWICK • SPRING 2021

Burdett mused: “We all thought

How it would even be possible for

of the spring and summer.

SP RING 2020

A School in Quarantine: ‘We Can Keep Our Relationship With Our Boys’

T

pandemic were coming into view, the

and Pre School boys gathered live on

Brunswick community returned from

Zoom consistently, and live gym classes

spring break to a strange new world.

Boys from the Pre School on up were home, prevented from seeing friends

were even taking place online at the Pre, Lower, and Middle Schools.

Reflecting on the new environment,

and asked to do their learning via a

Johnny Montanez, Middle School

computer screen. Teachers, also seques-

director of physical education, may

tered at home — many with small

have said it best: “We think the connec-

children — were asked to do the same.

tion is the coolest bit,” he said. “We can

Parents were likewise tasked with a monumental undertaking — managing

keep the relationship with our boys.”

The truth is, there were all sorts

work life and a whole new kind of

of ways to stay active and connected,

HE STORY OF Brunswick in Spring

family life, all as a once-in-a-lifetime

even during the earliest days of the

2020 is one of the power of connec-

disaster was unfolding across the world.

pandemic, and all sorts of fun activities

tion and strength of community — rather suddenly revealed to be

At Brunswick, the task was to find

were reflected in messaging that was

ways to connect as a community

going out on social media to the entire

as strong as it ever was, even in the

despite the fog of crisis — and in every

community — from faculty bike rides

isolation of a burgeoning crisis.

way imaginable, teachers, students, and

to fishing trips to a special week of

even alumni did just that.

physical fun for Pre, Lower, and Middle

Confined to their homes for quarantine just as the contours of the

Upper and Middle School students

Schoolers.

Zoomed into school each day for live advisories followed by interactive sessions with each of their classes, while Lower

As Spring 2020 progressed, students and faculty improvised and devised a host of creative ways to share themselves and their experiences through social media. On Mother’s Day, May 10, for example, a quartet of the Men of Brunswick serenaded moms online with “I Love You Truly.”

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SPORT S

At First, ‘A Screeching Halt’

F

OR ALL THE INNOVATION surrounding the effort to reinvent school during a pandemic, the blow to sports was perhaps the most shocking. It can hardly be emphasized

enough. Athletics have been a cornerstone of the Brunswick experience for generations. It is the school’s greatest and most

enduring hope that its boys develop a love for physical activity and live a long, healthy, and productive life.

Throughout the crisis of 2020, that commitment never wavered. But as it worked to address the challenges brought about by COVID-19, Brunswick and schools across the nation faced undeniable challenges in the realm of athletics.

To put a fine point on it, masks are not compatible with strenuous activity, and physical distancing is not compatible with most team sports. Locker rooms, too, are potential breeding grounds for the spread of the virus.

“Sports and interscholastic sports in particular — there was no answer there,” Head of School Tom Philip said.

And so, while ’Wick was able to at least remain in session

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with distance learning in the spring and a return to

It’s certainly been a disappointment not to

in-person learning in the fall, athletics faced a kind of

enjoy normal seasons, with league rivalries and

Armageddon.

playoff races, but on balance, it’s been a “win” to

Seniors in the Class of 2020 may have had it the worst.

even “take the field” at all. “I think we’ve pulled it

After a lifetime of preparation, they missed the culmination

off,” VanBelle said. “It’s been a relatively positive

of their hard work, the chance to play in the spring season

athletic experience.”

of their final year of high school.

Director of Athletics Ron VanBelle remembers it this way: “The spring was surreal because every sport was fully scheduled. Training in Florida, springbreak trips — everything was planned and paid for. Tryouts were completed. Lacrosse played a game!

“And then it came to a screeching halt,” he said. “Players and coaches lost their entire season.”

Hope was high at the beginning of the summer that sports would return to normal in the fall.

But as the months passed, more and more leagues made the decision to cancel, and it became clearer and clearer that coaches and administrators would need to reinvent their programs. “We didn’t have anybody to play,” VanBelle said.

Reinvention saw a kind of mini-season for each fall sport, with lots of scrimmaging, a handful of soccer and water polo games, and 7-on-7 football.

Basketball, hockey, and squash players — along with swimmers and skiers — also experienced revamped winter seasons and schedules, but they were able to compete (albeit not against traditional opponents and at the frequency they’ve become used to) by following all restrictions and regulations.

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OF BRUNSWICK • SPRING 2021

’Wick athletes “masked up” and competed and trained throughout the fall and winter as directed by state and local officials. As of this spring, many teams had returned to traditional game and practice schedules.

Held each year in the middle of May, Field Week was held virtually last spring starting on May 18. It featured five days worth of ideas for games, launched with a virtual faculty egg relay and including a physical fitness “challenge of the day” that helped inspire the moves.

Basically, it all boiled down to this: “Be active!” said Marc Strileckis, associate athletic director and head athletic trainer. “Get off the screen! Go outside!”

There was more: “Mystery Guests” animated Zoom sessions at the Pre School; Upper School “Brunswick Buddies” checked in with boys in the Pre, Lower, and Middle Schools; and teachers at every level shared their talents on social media.

Middle Schoolers, in particular, mixed it up thanks to science teacher Krista Taylor, who issued a virtual community challenge each week, and chorus teacher Brittney Redler, who kept vocal chords warm with a Middle School song-of-the-week.

Upper Schoolers adapted quickly to a “Zoom Universe,” and shared ideas and even laughter as everyone was digging into a changed world.

Virtual assemblies, of course, could not replace being in Baker Theater.

But Upper Schoolers stepped into the online space with confidence as they reached out from quarantine to connect with classmates and teachers, and build on the traditions of Courage, Honor, Truth.

Remotely coordinated musical performances, recaps of Brunswick sporting events, and even grade-wide participation in creative advisory videos — all were lifting spirits as the strength of the Brunswick community carried the weight of some extraordinary, long-distanced days.

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M A RC H 2020

Remote Learning: ‘Here We Go!’

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connect (even if virtually) with so many of you again,” Philip wrote in an email at the time. “Here we go!”

Faculty were forced to bring some

After announcing on March 16, 2020, that Brunswick would transition to online learning after spring break, Head of School Tom Philip kept the community updated over the course of the remainder of the year through a series of frequent video messages.

swiftly acquired digital skills into their AY ONE OF remote learning was

“classrooms.”

“Our first official day of remote

self, good things for your family, good

reports from the new digital class-

learning went well,” said Brunswick

things for your friends, your commu-

room signaled that the connection

one for the history books, and

Director of Technology Sunil Gupta.

nity, your school, and really right now,

was good — remarkably good — despite

“The faculty had, very creditably, used

for our world. We, as a Brunswick

the considerable distance.

their spring break to prepare exhaus-

community, are really going to try hard

tively and anticipate, with the help of

to be good citizens.

Faculty, parents, staff, and students went all-in to make the day a success,

tech support, potential problems with

and attendance schoolwide came close

remote learning.

to a record-breaking 100 percent.

All students began the day with warm video greetings from their division heads.

From there, Bruins from Pre through

“As such, they were, for the most

“You are being asked to start that today,” she said.

It was similar at the Lower School,

part, able to deliver content cleanly and

where Head Katie Signer said that,

confidently,” Gupta said.

though everyone was apart, they were

In her greeting, Pre School head Gina Hurd told ’Wick’s youngest to

still longing for connection — and finding it.

Upper School “Zoomed” on through

think about citizenship — one of the

the day, meeting in online classrooms,

pillars of the Brunswick Character

it’s also a time when I think everybody

tackling offline projects assigned by

Continuum.

has risen to the challenge — faculty,

their teachers, and even finding time to exercise and help out around the house.

“While, obviously, not the same, I

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have to say it was really, really good to

OF BRUNSWICK • SPRING 2021

“That’s a long word that asks a lot of us,” she told the boys. “You’re asked to do good things — good things for your-

“Everybody is heavy-hearted, and yet

parents, and students alike,” she said.

Signer had special messages for boys in her morning greeting.

‘Brunswick boys are kind and respectful. When you are at home, we expect the same.’

Parents and students in each division also received regular video check-ins from division heads (top to bottom): Gina Hurd, from the Pre School; Rob Follansbee, from the Middle School; and Katie Signer, from the Lower School.

“Brunswick boys work hard and try their best,” she told them. “We expect that from you as you sit down to do your work today.

“Brunswick boys ask for help,” she said, adding: “You are not alone.

“Brunswick boys are kind and respectful,” she said. “When you are at home, we expect the same.

“We pitch in,” she said. “We help

At the Middle School,

one another!”

English teacher and

The Middle School community

Coordinator of the Brunswick

was also throwing all its enthusiasm

Trust Kate Duennebier put

at building community in the digital

together a virtual assembly

realm. “So far, so good!” Middle School

aimed at helping boys filter

Head Rob Follansbee told faculty as

“the firehose” of reports about

he summed up the day in an email,

COVID-19, and simultane-

offering gratitude for hard work in a

ously shine a light on how

challenging environment.

families were coming through

“Thank you for throwing every-

quarantine with hope,

thing you have into this!”

creativity, togetherness, and silliness.

M A RC H–M AY 2020

Meanwhile, Upper School Big

Checking In!

C

Brothers were reaching out to younger students in the virtual universe — connecting with boys in

OOPED UP WITH family

first through third grades.

in quarantine proved to

Boys met with their Brunswick

be a very good time to

“brothers” online in early May, and

manage our moods — and,

those sessions continued virtually

despite the distance, social and

until the end of school. They played

emotional learning continued as best it

games like Pictionary and Twenty

could across all divisions.

At the Lower and Pre Schools,

A webinar, “Check In! Using the Mood Meter at Home,” provided

Questions, and first graders read books

by Dr. Seuss.

teachers continued to implement

strategies for helping family members

RULER, an evidence-based approach

understand themselves and one

a fourth grade Values Class taught by

Five Upper Schoolers also sat in on

for integrating social-emotional

another better, and for supporting

Leslie Anderson; boys led a spirited

learning into schools, developed by the

the caring interactions most families

discussion about what leadership is and

Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence.

hope to have.

what the qualities of a leader are.

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| 19

First Responders Food Bank

I

N THOSE EARLY days of the pandemic, it didn’t take long for Brunswick to respond to the deepening needs of the wider community.

Even as teachers and students were

pivoting to an online environment, a food drive began at Brunswick’s Pettengill Gym. The Front-Line Responders Food Bank was created in support of the Greenwich community’s emergency responders and area food banks.

With donations coming in daily, by

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first milestone, delivering 46 bags of food to the six Greenwich firehouses, with more deliveries to Greenwich Hospital and to Greenwich police.

“Words cannot adequately explain how truly touched and emotional the men and women at the firehouses were,” said Johnny Montanez, then director of community service, who Johnny Montanez, thendirector of Upper School community service, coordinated drop-offs and deliveries for the food bank, organized to support those working on the pandemic’s front lines. The initiative also provided vital assistance to Greenwich families for whom job loss and economic hardship had suddenly led to food crises.

dropped off the food.

Four weeks in, donations exceeded expectations, and deliveries expanded beyond Greenwich Hospital and the town’s police and fire departments.

On May 8, Montanez delivered provisions to the town’s six firehouses and GEMS — Greenwich Emergency Medical Service — and for the first time was also able to drop off needed supplies at Neighbor to Neighbor and Kids in Crisis.

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OF BRUNSWICK • SPRING 2021

HORIZONS AT B RUNSWICK

‘The Universe Wants it to Work’

With Gratitude

L

A

S BRUNSWICK HAS SOLDIERED on throughout the crisis, so, too, has Horizons at Brunswick. Recognizing that students from under-resourced families would be especially hard hit, from the earliest days of the pandemic, Horizons worked to stay

engaged and meet the changing needs of its families.

OWER SCHOOL BOYS also stepped

Almost immediately, the group raised funds to provide Stop & Shop gift cards, and in

up to recognize others during those

April partnered with Caritas Port Chester to provide what turned out to be 9,600 meals

peculiar early days of the pandemic.

during the following 16 weeks.

The student council organized a

While many 2020 summer activities were canceled, Horizons was able to deliver its

division-wide service learning project

program remotely, reaching 85 percent participation as it supplied math and language-

— the Gratitude Challenge — asking

arts instruction as well as enrichment in art, physical fitness, virtual field trips, and more.

boys and families to share the ways

“Although it wasn’t easy to offer a strong academic summer program virtually

they have gone “above and beyond” in

for Kindergarten through seventh grades, we’re proud of the results,” said Executive

support of those in our community who

Director Marianne Ho Barnum.

are going “above and beyond.”

“Without prompting, boys were writing letters, creating posters, making masks, donating goods, and banging pots and pans,” said Brett Martell, who along with Co-Coordinator of the Lower School Student Council Annie Manning, helped spotlight these activities.

Student council ambassadors Zoomed with homeroom classes to share these kind acts and inspire others to do the same.

“That entire week Annie and I were lucky enough to have students and families share their acts of kindness and gratitude,” Martell said. “We saw posters thanking first responders, Horizons has stayed remote throughout the current school year, and was able to offer six Saturdays of virtual instruction to its students; some groups saw children making pumpkin bread while others listened to special guest speakers or made catapults out of popsicle sticks.

Throughout the fall and winter, it has also partnered

By October 2020, after a summer in which all programming was canceled, Horizons at Brunswick resumed its Saturday oncampus sessions with an outdoor tailgate program focusing on STEAM.

with Filling in the Blanks to provide weekly deliveries of groceries. In February, a “Valentine’s Love Our Boys” initiative invited the Brunswick community to donate items on an Amazon wish list. In less than a week, almost all items were donated.

And in early March, 14 Brunswick students and one from Greenwich Academy helped unpack, sort, and organize donations in preparation for the Horizons summer — close to 300 boxes of materials needed to maintain social distancing and COVID-19 protocols and to reduce program costs.

“A huge debt of gratitude for the success of this first-time initiative goes to Gretchen Bylow, Lisa Murray, Alexandra Marks, and Jill Ciporin,” Barnum said.

The Bruynes family of Greenwich — dad, Jean-Paul ’83; son, Henry ’29; and mom, Ashley — joined in the ritual rattling of pots and pans to honor first responders.

“Things are falling into place. The universe wants it to work.”

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| 21

donation boxes created and

Virtual visiting author Patricia McCormick (below) was impressed that an all-boys middle school had chosen to read book I Am Malala. McCormick visited with seventh graders on April 21.

filled with goods and then dropped off at various locations, thank-you notes in windows and on mailboxes for mail carriers and delivery people, and baked goods made for firemen and many others.”

Virtual Assemblies: Author ‘Super Impressed’ by ‘Roomful of TIME Readers’ NO OTHER

T

HE PANDEMIC SIDELINED much,

but one thing it did not end was the chance for Brunswick students to hear from distinctive visitors who

share their talent, time, and gifts.

One of the first guests to Zoom in to visit Brunswick boys for a special assembly was journalist and two-time National Book Award finalist Patricia McCormick.

McCormick is co-author of I Am Malala: How One Girl Stood Up for Education and Changed the World, the young readers’ version of the celebrated, best-selling book about the Pakistani teenager who was shot by the Taliban.

McCormick thanks to classmate Jack Sieg, who is a family friend, and Middle School History teacher Michael Krasnow.

More Zooming: Alumnus on Pandemic’s Front Lines

A

Spyrou was a second-year resident in psychiatry at Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx when the pandemic hit. At the end of March 2020, he was switched to the hospital’s COVID-19 Medicine Units, and was working with these patients at least through April.

Advanced Medical Anatomy & Physiology, taught by Derek Hruska, is an elective for students interested in pre-med science and draws mostly seniors, as well as a few juniors.

NOTHER SPECIAL GUEST

Asked by a student how to help those

to Zoom into Brunswick during

on the front lines, Spyrou cited the

the spring was a ’Wick alumnus

strength of social distancing.

treating COVID-19 patients in

New York City.

Peter Spyrou ’06, M.D., told students

He said his hospital admitted around 400 patients on April 8, but with social distancing, those numbers were down

in Brunswick’s Advanced Medical

dramatically by May 4. “Yesterday, it

in a series of three, 35-minute Zoom

Anatomy & Physiology class that by far

was less than 70,” Spyrou told the class.

meetings on April 21.

the best way to help those on the front

“The only reason that has come down is

lines of the crisis was to just stay home.

social distancing.”

She visited with seventh graders

“I’m super impressed that an all-boys school chose I Am Malala as a read,”

“Even though social distancing is

Spyrou, trained in the medicine of

McCormick told the boys, adding: “It’s

annoying and boring, it’s definitely

psychiatry and psychology, advised that

always really wonderful to be with a

the most important thing that’s

another way to help is by reaching out

roomful of readers.”

happening,” Spyrou said. “That’s

to one another. “It’s a very lonely expe-

really, dramatically, helping. Social

rience to be a patient,” he said, adding:

the year as a supplement to their

distancing is the best thing people

“I think the most important thing is to

unit on Islam, and were able to meet

are doing.”

check in with people.”

Boys read I Am Malala earlier in

22 | TIMES

Dr. Peter Spyrou ’06, a second-year resident at Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx, offered a front-line view of treating COVID-19 patients to Upper School students in Derek Hruska’s Advanced Medical Anatomy & Physiology class.

OF BRUNSWICK • SPRING 2021

May Began #WickStrong!

S

TILL QUARANTINED EVEN AS spring advanced toward summer, the entire ’Wick community came together on Friday, May 1, for an

evening of music and comedy in celebration of the Brunswick spirit — past, present, and future. #WickStrong! was a first-of-itskind occasion with parents, alumni, students, and faculty; it offered a chance for everyone to gather for a live online event that featured some down-to-earth entertainment, some incredible music — and, at the same time, a chance to reflect on a school in quarantine and its 118-year history.

Division heads, transforming themselves into “The Brunswick Bunch,” provided the opening theme song with

On May 1, the entire community came together online for #WickStrong! The Saturday evening, cabaretstyle event, hosted by Upper School teacher Seth Potter and his wife, Lindsay, showcased the considerable talents and senses of humor of students, parents, alumni, and faculty.

a remake of the famous melody from the 1970s sitcom The Brady Bunch.

Rob Burnett P ’20 was asked to open the show, and he stepped up to the plate and called the event “just a beautiful, much-needed idea because, let’s face it, quarantines can be challenging!”

Brunswick Theater teacher Seth Potter and his wife, Lindsay, hosted the show from their spiffed-up living room, balloons and Brunswick banners to boot. The two were joined by their children, Owen ’31 and Lily GA ’28.

The family introduced Brunswick music talent, past and present, who provided the soundtrack for photos from quarantined family life, including all the fun and craziness that comes with working-from-home while children are also learning-from-home, as well as photos of Brunswick School, Pre-K through 12th grade, both current and past.

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| 23

Farewell Parades, Closing Ceremonies

T

HE PRE, LOWER, and Middle Schools ushered in summer with joyful farewell parades, as they also held their traditional Closing

Ceremonies online.

“It’s like we climbed a mountain!” said Signer, as she opened the Closing Ceremony for her division on May 29.

“I want to thank you for a fantastic year — for all your support, grit, resilience, and adaptability.” Signer and all the division heads offered thoughtful remarks as they closed the school

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year in online events that celebrated community and also student achievement in everything from character to sports, math, and leadership.

And, for the first time ever, the Lower, Pre, and Middle Schools each hosted their own car parades through Edwards Campus — all serving as a welcome reunion after months of social distancing. Cars carrying students and families cruised ever-so-slowly past cheering faculty, including at least one dressed as Superman, who safely lined the sidewalks. For everyone, it was the first “face-to-face” meeting since world events in March suddenly sidelined regular school.

Middle School Head Rob Follansbee got to experience the parades from more than one perspective — he’s also the father of Danny Follansbee ’30, who had just finished second grade.

The younger Follansbee was beaming as he paraded through campus in his family car, hailing his teachers in the May sunshine. “He was smiling ear-to-ear, standing out of the sunroof,” Follansbee said. “Definitely a highlight for him to be able to see his teachers and classmates, even from afar. He loved it!” It was likewise for Pre and Lower School families and faculty.

24 | TIMES

OF BRUNSWICK • SPRING 2021

Joyful, horn-honking farewell parades gave students and faculty of all divisions the chance to escape the seclusion and confinement of home and offer each other a smilefilled send-off into summer.

Third-grade teacher Carly Andersen (below, center) seized the spirit of the moment with a dance and pair of posters that really summed it all up!

Graduation 2020 Coverage begins on page 46.

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| 25

ZOOM IN G TOWA R D SUCC E SS

Career Center Thrives Online

L

IKE SO MANY OTHER parts of life, the Career Center moved online as it worked to connect Brunswick alumni as they begin and manage their careers.

The Center held 15 online events, including a 2021 Real Estate Forecast

breakfast meeting that featured six alumni speakers, and a November career panel

that brought together alumni and current parents, each offering inside perspectives on careers in sports, technology, private equity and start-ups.

Thanks to the generosity of the Brunswick community, the Center was also able to find remote summer opportunities for 30 boys who lost their in-person internships in 2020.

Additionally, the center has helped find full-time, permanent job opportunities for close to 25 alumni during the pandemic.

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Alumni Zooming in to share their professional expertise and offer encouragement through the Brunswick Career Center included (top to bottom) Peter Bevacqua ’89, Daniel Taylor ’11, Corey Kupersmith ’11, and Yousef Hindy ’15.

SUMMER 2020

Space to Spread Out

A

S FACULTY AND students “de-Zoomed” and fanned out into summer sunshine for some well-deserved time off, Brunswick

administrators and staff shifted into a different gear altogether.

It was time to reinvent school — and the clock was already ticking. Though distance learning had sufficed for the spring emergency, by the end of June, the American Academy of Pediatrics strongly urged that students return to classroom learning as soon as possible.

Philip was already communicating with parents about the goal and hope of reopening school in September.

26 | TIMES

OF BRUNSWICK • SPRING 2021

The challenge was immense; the

Burdett, who served as COVID coordi-

school faced a rapidly changing,

nator. “Our job was to create systems

emotionally charged, and compli-

where teachers have some security of

cated scientific environment. Good

what they are walking into. To let us

advice was out there, but the challenge

do the worrying, the organizing, the

was being able to hear it above the

pivoting, if you will.”

cacophony of voices.

Just a year before, Brunswick had

Did it look and feel different?

No question! By the time September arrived, classrooms on all campuses had been transformed. Single, distantly spaced desks replaced smallgroup tables and workstations.

Nothing was left to chance.

“The logistics were really complex,” Head of School Tom Philip recalls.

more clearly into view. It would allow the entire school to spread out and

enjoyed an historic moment in its

“de-densify” as it were — something

Philip remembers. “There was no

existence — the move for Middle

that would fundamentally enable every

summer vacation. We were at it for

Schoolers into the 83,000-square-foot

Brunswick boy to attend school, in real

months.”

former home of the Tudor Investment

life, every day.

“The logistics were really complex,”

It was the summer of the yardstick, of a hands-on redesign of classrooms, of plexiglass dividers, of furniture moves,

Corporation, across the street from Edwards Campus.

At that time, the move had imme-

The blessing was, and is, not lost on anyone.

“We are incredibly fortunate to have

equipment upgrades, and new cleaning

diate benefit for every Brunswick

the space,” said Burdett. “To have phys-

protocols; it was a summer of imag-

division, freeing up space for Upper

ical distance in classrooms, between

ining the worst and hoping for the best

Schoolers, as Pre Schoolers, formerly

every desk, to meet official guidance

as school leadership planned for a day

housed in the Pettengill building adja-

from the state.

no one had ever experienced.

cent to the Upper School, joined Lower

“If you worked in a school in the summer of 2020, you carried a yardstick or a measuring tape,” mused Sarah

Schoolers on Edwards Campus.

A year later, the added space seemed a godsend as the pandemic rolled

“It allowed us the time and space to envision what Brunswick could look like and feel like with boys going to school five days a week.”

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| 27

SUMME R 2020

Before and during the 2020–2021 school year, as understanding of the virus has continued to evolve, Brunswick’s COVID-19 response team has collaborated closely with public-health experts, including (left) Caroline Baisley, Town of Greenwich Director of Health, and (below) Jamie Murray, M.D., M.P.H., P ’30, ’33.

Expert Advice

T

HROUGHOUT THE SUMMER and beyond, Brunswick relied heavily on the advice and counsel of scientific experts, including those

at state and local health departments, and in particular, a weekly phone call between state health officials and school administrators.

Burdett mused:

for disease control, to

“Fascinating, comforting. A silver

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lining of the situation is the way the

inform her thinking.

state of Connecticut brought together

With the situation

all public and all private schools in

changing so very

one ‘group hug.’ Everybody was on the

quickly, she also

call. It was a team of people who were

worked to keep abreast

patient and generous with their time.

of any changes that occurred in CDC guid-

“An entire collective of educators

ance, state guidance,

was in the same meeting, doing the same kinds of preparations, preparing

and best practices for our boys and

the same kinds of plans to submit for

our employees in order to be ready

Initially, scientists did not know

reentry.”

to reopen. We needed a thoughtful,

what the coronavirus would look like

well-informed health expert.”

in youngsters, but they were learning

In addition, Caroline Baisley at the Greenwich Department of Public Health

An advisor and consultant for child

and local guidance and trends.

that, for whatever reason, it was not

was a phone call away, and near-daily

and community health, especially

behaving in the same way as its cousin,

calls with her became the norm.

nonprofits, Murray is a pediatrician

influenza. In the flu playbook, Murray

who in 2017 earned a degree in public

said, “Kids spread disease and drive

Brunswick’s own, Jamie Murray M.D.,

health from Columbia University

epidemics.”

M.P.H., P ’30, ’33.

Mailman School of Public Health.

Also lending expertise was one of

It was early May when the school

As the pandemic bore down across

That was not the case with COVID-19.

first reached out to Murray to ask her to

the world last spring, Murray relied

provide health expertise to Philip, the

on, and waited for, evidence as she

Iceland and South Korea, which

By June 20, data emerged from

administrative team, and the Board of

advised the school. Science takes time,

had screened large portions of their

Trustees as they considered reopening.

she noted, and in today’s world, much

populations and found that children

“At the time, I called it our ‘Reopen

of it is readily available to the public.

were “underrepresented” — that they

’Wick’ Committee,’” said Chief

Murray relied on numerous data

were “significantly less likely to become

Financial Officer Kathleen Harrington.

platforms — preprint and published

infected than adults.”

“We needed to develop health protocols

research, as well as national centers

Data also arose in the U.K., Murray

‘We needed a thoughtful, well-informed health expert.’

28 | TIMES

OF BRUNSWICK • SPRING 2021

said, which returned a million children to the classroom and identified almost no clusters of cases.

“There was more data that the kids were not the leads on this,” she said. “I knew that Brunswick had the space to do it. I knew they had the resources to do it. I was also aware there was always a chance there would be cases, and that there would be serious cases. Everybody was apprehensive about that.”

Throughout the summer, Brunswick benefited from more advice offered in a weekly pandemic webinar briefing of doctors hosted by Independent School Management, which has followed

Iconic Harkness Tables Moved to Storage

During a summer of nonstop work, Upper School maintenance staffer Jimmy Romanello (upper left) supervises cutting and installation of Plexiglas partitions throughout congregate areas on the Maher and Maple Avenue campuses.

Independent Schools, which often

T

his full-time staff of 17, and the six

about 20 rolling white boards for

scheduled meetings with Sten Vermund

Brunswick students and recent alumni

use in spaces that have been repur-

M.D., Ph.D., of the Yale School of

who were hired for summer jobs.

posed for classroom use. In addition,

trends throughout the crisis and gives advice nationally and regionally. As well, the school was carefully guided by the Connecticut Association of

Public Health.

Generally, all these groups continue to advise on mitigation strategies, different testing protocols, interpreting

HE GIGANTIC TASK of moving

lined, replaced for the moment by 350

all that furniture and retrofitting

properly distanced, individual desks.

all that space fell to Director of

About 90 individual desks were also

Maintenance Chuck Redahan,

purchased for Pre Schoolers, as were

With eight buildings spread out on

the Brunswick Parents’ Association

three campuses and 162 acres, it was,

funded the purchase of an abundance

indeed, a lot of work.

of outdoor dining furniture for every

Among the items to be moved at the

CDC guidance, and making predic-

Upper and Middle Schools were 14

tions about trends, particularly around

iconic Harkness Tables — Brunswick’s

events like holiday breaks.

pedagogical mainstay had to be side-

division, including picnic tables for the Lower School.

“My main job of the summer was rearranging the buildings,” said

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| 29

N EW ME D I A , ST R I C T E R RUL E S

Redahan, noting: “People were fearful

Clearance Required for Zoom Takeoff

W

E’VE ALL HEARD THE “boiler-

these and more were installed just as the entire campus was being reworked

televised pro-sports games: Without prior

to ensure a thousand boys and their

permission, “broadcast or rebroadcast”

teachers could come back to classrooms

of all copyrighted material ― including

five days a week, and yet still physically

popular songs, recordings, arrangements,

remain six feet apart throughout their

movies, books, plays, and other creative

time inside.

work not in the public domain ― is

The Middle School was able to

against the law.

stay self-contained, but it still took

True, some exceptions are made for

staff about seven days to move and

“classroom use” and “fair use” in scholarly

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law ― and it pays to take care.

Copyright violation can and does result in substantial penalties.

Virginia. Mosher, a Brunswick lifer, said

and readings from the traditional

he jumped at the chance to help out,

realm of live student performance to the

and now spends about 10 hours a week

new platform of online broadcast, extra

tracking down the correct people to

care and vigilance was required.

either purchase rights or get permission for use.

“It’s a little bit of detective work

governing use of all copyrighted work

to determine who owns what,” he said.

― “BrunswickCopyright” was estab-

Brunswick trustee Josyl Barchue ’00,

lished as a new “concierge” service. Now,

a corporate IT attorney specializing in

faculty seeking to broadcast copyrighted

intellectual property, said when it comes

material simply email a request to

to copyright law, it’s wise to proceed with

BrunswickCopyright. After permission is

prudence.

secured and a small fee is paid, a “thumbs up, all clear” is returned in reply.

The process of getting to that

“The presumption is always in favor of the copyright holder,” he said. “While the Fair Use Doctrine does exist, its

“thumbs up” is work, not magic: On the

application still needs to be considered

back end, it requires real-time sleuthing

on a case-by-case basis, particularly in

and uber-prompt attention to some-

a constantly evolving landscape during

times-arcane detail.

unprecedented times. We don’t want to

Thanks to a connection made through

operate on assumption without knowing

Brunswick’s Career Center, the “remote”

the specific fact patterns behind each use

copyright wizard behind the concierge

case. Because you never know what effect

curtain is Nick Mosher ’18, now a student

a particular element of an artist’s license

at Washington and Lee University in

may have on applicability.”

OF BRUNSWICK • SPRING 2021

students could spend their days six feet apart.

Edwards Campus was a different story altogether, with first- and second-grade classrooms moved to

bitions moved concerts, plays,

To address the challenge ― and

30 | TIMES

rearrange the furniture to ensure that Nick Mosher ’18 stepped up in a time of need for his alma mater, spearheading efforts for current ’Wick students to track down the correct people in order to purchase copyrights or to get permission for use.

So, when pandemic prohi-

to ensure ’Wick strictly honors laws

Hand sanitizing stations, portable used in hospitals, air purifiers — all

as “filler” in long timeouts during

other than that, the law is the

are 200 boys in a building.” sinks, MERV-13 air filters like the ones

plate” warnings, most probably

papers and other academic studies. But

about coming into a space where there

the second floor of the Pre School — followed by the expansion of third and fourth grades throughout the Lower School.

“The Upper School was even more so,” Redahan recalled. “We purchased furniture for the Upper School, expanded classrooms into the Pettengill gymnasium, and more.

“For the most part we tried to do this in-house,” he said. “It’s put a lot of stress on my staff.”

Redahan said that he hires Brunswick students and recent alumni to help out every summer, and this year six of them built upwards of 400 plexiglass shields for use around desks as well for bookstores, reception areas, and serving areas in the cafeteria.

“Those boys were a big part of helping us,” he said, adding: “We’ve gone over and above to make sure we can stay open and keep everyone safe.”

SEPTEM BER 2020

Masks and physical

No One Really Knew What Would Happen

distancing, assiduous

N

OT WITHOUT SOME apprehen-

at least some normalcy in otherwise

sion, September arrived.

frightening and murky conditions.

Prevalence of the virus was relatively low. School began. Boys and

their teachers returned to in-person school, five days a week.

Everyone wore masks. Everyone kept their distance.

hand-washing, and constant cleaning — together these constituted a kind of layered protection, discouraging the virus and enabling students to return to school with

For both students and teachers, the return to campus after the sudden departure in the spring was surreal.

In Baker Theater, English teacher Seth Potter found things just as they had been left after the final presenta-

To everyone’s relief, the protocols

tion of the spring musical, The Music

worked. September passed without a

Man. It was haunting, but there was

single case of COVID-19 in Brunswick

something else there, too.

buildings.

When school began, both outdoors and indoors, “distance” became the watchword for health and safety. Lower Schoolers spaced themselves apart as they traversed playground equipment. Similarly, Middle School students and faculty kept extra distance as they moved throughout the building.

“We literally had running sheets

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| 31

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OC TOBER 2020

backstage, as if stagehands were about

The First Case

to come in and run the show,” Potter remembers. “The props were still on the tables for actors to grab before heading on stage, and the scenery had not changed from the final look of the show.

What would normally have been taken down to an empty stage was still overflowing with all of the great memories from the show we were lucky enough to pull off before the pandemic.”

Potter said the energy of a decade of shows at Baker Theater was especially palpable at that time, and he likened it to the “ghost lights” theaters use to honor the energy and life actors have brought to the stage over the years.

“Coming into Baker Theater after half a year of being kept away, the stage still resonated with the energy and joy of past performances.”

32 | TIMES

OF BRUNSWICK • SPRING 2021

T

HE WHOLE MONTH of September passed without a problem, but

Chief Integration Officer Sarah Burdett led ’Wick’s COVID-19 response team — which became a 24/7 job as the fall continued and, nationally, infection rates skyrocketed. Here, she works at home, on her dining room table, on contact tracing.

school leaders knew their biggest test was surely coming.

Inevitably, with the weather cooling

and more and more people coming

sion heads trained in how to trace the contacts of people who test positive.

out of quarantine to resume their lives,

Called into service for this work

someone in the community would test

were about 10 school staff members.

positive.

Each of them had spent part of their

That day finally arrived on the first

summer learning some of the funda-

weekend in October. What had, up to

mentals of public health by completing

that point, essentially been a fire drill,

a six-hour online course in contract

became at that moment, a fire.

tracing, offered by the Johns Hopkins

School leaders responded swiftly, immediately taking up the tools and

Bloomberg School of Public Health.

Now, with the first case identified,

training that had been laid in place

division heads were first into the fire,

over the summer.

charging into new territory as they

Key to that preparation had been to get Brunswick’s medical staff and divi-

worked closely with the Greenwich Director of Health Caroline Baisley.

Other members of the contacttracing team included (clockwise from top) Pre and Lower School Nurse Emma Eschricht, Upper School Health Officer Will Perkins, Middle School Head Rob Follansbee, Assistant Director of Athletics and Head Athletic Trainer Marc Strileckis, and Middle School Nurse Ginny Martin.

Their task was to protect everyone’s privacy while going back in time, hourby-hour, to identify those who had been in close contact with the positive case; all of it completed within very specific guidelines and rules set by the experts at the Greenwich Department of Health.

It was (and is) time-consuming, laborious work — starting with an extensive phone or Zoom call between school staff and the person who has tested positive.

The whole group works together to gather details about the daily activities of the case; afterward the school reports

Marc Strileckis, Brunswick medical coordinator and among those trained in contact tracing for the school, describes the job this way: “It’s almost like detective work,” he

its findings back to the Department of

said. “Were they six feet apart? How

Health, and the public health profes-

long? Were they wearing a mask?

sionals there make final decisions on who

What was the context? It’s a huge,

needs to quarantine and who doesn’t.

team effort. It goes on day and night.”

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’ W I C K V E R MO N T

‘Kids Full of Gratitude’

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MALL GROUPS OF SOPHOMORES continued to trek up to the Vermont campus during this most unusual year, with boys taking much-

needed breaks from their cell phones and school routines as they also tested out what can be gleaned from the mountains to help reduce anxiety and stress.

As it turns out, it’s quite a bit.

“Just removing those devices, the boys have been openly talking about how well they are sleeping because they don’t have it next to them,” said Vermont Director Danny Dychkowski. “Keeping them well-fed and well-rested leads to what we are trying to achieve — bonding with peers, a willingness to share.

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“The opportunity is still here, and the kids are full of gratitude as a result,” Dychkowski said.

Like everywhere else, the pandemic has brought changes to the program, with all the protocols of masks and social distancing of Maher Avenue also in place in Vermont. In addition, eight trips have blossomed into 15, with groups now limited in size to a maximum of 12.

Dychkowski said the smaller groups lend themselves to the goals of the program.

“For every age group, the pandemic hasn’t been easy,” Dychkowski said.

“Removing that feeling of isolation here in Vermont has been incredible for their mental well-being.

During circle talks at night, a common theme is what we’ve been through over the last months.”

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OF BRUNSWICK • SPRING 2021

Brunswick maintained its commitment to “unplugging” sophomores through their transformative and popular trips to the Vermont campus. To maximize safety, traveling groups were pared to a single advisory. During the course of the year, more than 100 boys made careful treks totaling more than 60 days of wilderness exploration, friendship building, and self-reflection.

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More Zooming: Hope on the Horizon

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N NOVEMBER, UPPER School Honors Science Research students had the incredible opportunity to attend a special vaccine-development

presentation in Baker Theatre by Group President of Pfizer Biopharmaceuticals

WINTER 2020–2021

Angela Hwang P ’24 and Chief Medical

Hunkered Down for the Holidays

and Scientific Affairs Officer, Vaccines Luis Jodar.

The Zoom session was packed with details about how Pfizer’s vaccine was formulated, studies the company conducted, efficacy rates, scalability and distribution plans, and, of course, announcement of submission to the FDA of a request for Emergency Use Authorization.

Students were permitted to ask questions and to interface with Hwang and Jodar after the informational session.

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OF BRUNSWICK • SPRING 2021

After all extended breaks from school, every student and faculty member submitted to a nasal-swab test — most conducted by Brunswick on Edwards Campus. Here, Upper School Health Officer Will Perkins (top) handles check-in; Assistant Director of Athletics and Head Athletic Trainer Marc Strileckis braves the elements as he directs traffic to specific testing locations.

A

FTER THAT FIRST case in October, Brunswick saw a steady trickle of cases in its buildings, each of them kicking off hours of work by

school staff in the painstaking process of contact tracing.

Basically, Brunswick has found what

schools across the country have found: a combination of testing, wearing masks, cohorting, physical distancing protocols, upgrades and adjustments to building HVAC systems, wastewater testing — all of that together had curtailed the spread of COVID-19 in school environments.

It’s worth noting that Brunswick now keeps its ventilation systems operational for a full 20 hoursa-day, up from 12 hours-a-day pre-pandemic, so that more fresh air gets pumped into its buildings.

What’s more, each classroom is “siloed,” so to speak, so that air is exchanged only with outside air, and not with other classrooms.

“On our King Street campuses, every classroom is a capsule,” noted Redahan, the director of maintenance.

And so, to everyone’s great surprise and amazement, school has remained open for in-person learning throughout the 2020–21 school year, even through the holidays — except for a handful

W I N TE R 2021

‘A Terrible Tragedy’

of days after Thanksgiving, Holiday

Shay Thomas, husband of Brunswick’s Director of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Alecia Thomas, took this family selfie last spring on the banks of a pond in East Norwalk, Conn. Left to right: Daughter Zoë, 14; son Micah, 2; son Elijah ’31, 8; and wife, Alecia. On February 15, after a brief illness, Shay died at age 41 of complications from COVID-19.

from every student, faculty, and staff

I

the sudden death of a Brunswick dad

ministry at Mount Aery Baptist

member, and then hiring a courier

due to complications from COVID-19.

Church in Bridgeport, and the two

Break, and Winter Break.

School leaders used those days to test the entire community as it returned to campus, collecting samples

T’S SAFE TO say that few have been spared tragedy during this period in history, and the ’Wick community was deeply saddened in February by

to deliver the samples for analysis by

Shay Thomas, husband of Director

MIT’s Broad Institute, in Cambridge,

of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Alecia

Mass., so that results would be ready

Thomas, died on February 15. He was

tragedy, the entire Brunswick

the following day.

41, and the father of three: Zoë, Micah,

community united to support the

and Elijah ’31.

grieving family in myriad ways.

All divisions then held a day of

wed there in 2011.

In the solemn aftermath of this

remote learning as the school awaited

A 1997 graduate of Norwalk

Second-grade parents and students

results and worked to trace contacts,

high school, he studied Business

rallied together and arranged a car

if needed.

Administration at Norwalk Community

parade past the Thomas home, in

In fact, testing is not limited to

College. While there, he began a

Trumbull, on February 20, so that

those periods after break. Each

21-year-career with The Home Depot,

Eli, his mom, and siblings could feel

Wednesday, Brunswick opens an hour

most recently serving as District

the love and care of classmates and

late as it awaits the results of random

Manager for Northwest Connecticut

schoolmates.

surveillance testing it performs each

and as Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Monday, in which 160 members of

Captain for New England.

the faculty and student community are tested.

A man of great faith, Thomas met his wife, Alecia, while serving in

“Alecia and the boys are loved,” Philip said, “and an entire community is thinking of them, and wishing them well, all the time.”

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WI N T E R 2020–2021

Vaccines For Teachers

I

N CONNECTICUT, A milestone on the odyssey through the pandemic came on March 1, a Monday.

On that day, exactly one year after

the virus first emerged in New York

around Fairfield County; a clinic in

City, Connecticut teachers became

Bridgeport on Saturday, March 6, drew

was Upper School physics teacher

eligible for the vaccine.

two dozen from the community, while

Tim Fowler, who said that while he

other ’Wick employees took appoint-

has loved being in the classroom

ments wherever they could find them.

throughout this incredible year, it

Within hours, dozens of Brunswick faculty and staff had appointments all

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OF BRUNSWICK • SPRING 2021

One of the first to receive his shot

YOUNG ALUMNI ANSWE R T HE C ALL

All Hands on Deck!

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N EARLY NOVEMBER, ANTICIPATING COVID-19 illness or quarantine could cause unusual and extended faculty absences, Head of School Tom Philip issued an “APB.” “I’m on the hunt for a few, able-bodied young alumni to periodically help out,”

Philip wrote. “I know, for many of you, your college semesters are in flux. To that end, I’d ask that any of you who are available and interested shoot us an email.

“Many thanks for considering,” his message concluded. “And take care! I miss you all!”

Brunswick Career Center Director Paige Montinaro served as contact and coordi-

nator for the effort.

In short order, three young alumni were back on the Middle School campus, rolling up their sleeves: Gordon Kamer ’18, home from Harvard University; Sean Redahan ’18, home from the University of Connecticut; and Matthew Goodman ’20, home from the University of Massachusetts.

On March 1, Connecticut teachers and school personnel got the thumbs-up for vaccination — a tremendous relief for most.

Some were able to schedule appointments at the Greenwich Hospital/Yale New Haven Health site in Brunswick’s re-purposed Dann Gymnasium. Others traveled to the University of Bridgeport or other locations for their double or single shots.

TOP TO BOTTOM Sean Redahan ’18, Gordon Kamer ’18, and Matthew Goodman ’20 were among young, home-from-college alumni who answered Head of School Tom Philip’s plea, and returned to campus to cover for faculty and staff in isolation or quarantine.

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Leung told the Brunswick cast that he grew up in New York City, one of the most diverse places in the world.

“Yet when it really hits the fan, we come together,” he said. “We’re as different as can be. Our individuality is actually the strength of our community.

(This play) speaks to our better angels,” said Leung. “It inspires the audience to exit the theater and be a better human.

We need that now more than ever.”

Said Mattison: “Godspell is rooted in love, kindness, and community — about how to live in the moment and be present with each other.”

ON BA K E R T H E AT E R’ S STAG E

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Taking Things ‘Day by Day’

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stand that being good to each other is important. Lead with love.

Lead with your heart.”

To maximize opportunity, student actors and actresses were

HE ANNUAL UPPER SCHOOL spring musical gained

double-cast for this production; two full casts rehearsed and took

special resonance in this pandemic year, presenting new and

over the entirety of Baker Theater for pre-recorded performances

complex challenges in this most trying of times.

livestreamed in early April.

As 2021 got under way, theater teacher Seth Potter, cast,

With no live audience, the young theater troupe had to

and crew began rehearsals in earnest for Godspell, with music

imagine and then stage a work that projected the excitement,

and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz — the legendary Broadway

immediacy, and concentration of live theater to smaller and more

composer’s first musical, first staged Off-Broadway in 1971.

intimate audiences who would be viewing the production at home.

Potter said he chose the musical because of its themes

It was a far cry from the final performance of The Music Man

of love and kindness, which lend themselves not just to our

just one year before. Right after that, in-school activities were

circumstance, but any. “Godspell is about finding oneself by

abruptly suspended for what turned out to be the remainder of

spreading joy and goodwill in others,” he said.

the year. As Potter noted, when faculty and students returned to

For a professional perspective on the joys and challenges of performing, students received a virtual visit from a quartet of cast members from the show’s 2011 Broadway revival. Serving up doses of inspiration and encouragement before a Feb. 3 rehearsal were Broadway actors George Salazar, Telly Leung, Julia Mattison, and Nick Blaemire.

The foursome spoke to ’Wick thespians about what it took to bring Godspell to the stage “in the round” in 2011, how they might go about connecting with audiences in today’s long-distanced environment, and how its themes could not be more relevant in the current crisis. The musical, as Schwartz himself has said, “is essentially about a community of people coming together.”

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Said Salazar: “The themes in this show are universal. You don’t have to be a devout Christian to under-

OF BRUNSWICK • SPRING 2021

the theater in September, props and other ghostly artifacts of the spring show remained untouched, quietly in place.

DOUBLE VISION To engage the greatest number of students — always a goal of ’Wick’s winter musical production — and to “double up” in case a cast member became ill, Godspell was staged and performed by two entirely separate casts, nicknamed “Gogo” and “Didi” during rehearsals.

Especially appropriate in present circumstances, the hit song “Day by Day” caps the show.

As students rehearsed, members of the 2011 Broadway cast Zoomed in to offer perspectives and encouragement. “Godspell is about love, kindness, and community,” one Broadway veteran said. “It’s about how to live in the moment and be present with each other.”

With no cheering audiences permitted in Baker Theater, performances by both casts were carefully pre-recorded and livestreamed to remote viewers at exactly the hours house lights would have dimmed.

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has, without a scintilla of doubt, been nerve-wracking.

“The longer it went on, the edgier

SP RING 2021

A Tailwind?

I got about things,” he said days after getting his first dose. “I jumped on this as quickly as I could.

“I was never so excited to get stuck with a needle,” he said. “It’s a relief.”

Brunswick worked to streamline the painstaking process of securing vaccine appointments for faculty and staff,

will be still farther along on our community odyssey

toward looking at this pandemic in the rearview mirror.

The last year, as Middle School

and 10 days into March, 64 percent of

Head Rob Follansbee acknowledged,

Brunswick’s 286 employees had been

has been grueling for everyone — and,

completely vaccinated or had at least

professionally speaking, most especially

their first dose.

for teachers.

Another 25 percent were sched-

But Follansbee and others are

uled or seeking out their first dose,

starting to sense a hoped-for tailwind

bringing the total vaccinated to a

as we journey beyond Year One of

projected 89 percent.

Coronavirus, and round the corner into

Brian Coughlan ’94, director of the associate teaching program at

the warm days of spring.

He acknowledged the gargantuan

At the Lower School, that rearview mirror holds special significance.

There, in September 2019, antic-

the Lower and Pre Schools, was also

amount of work asked of his teachers

ipating the implications of the

among the first to be inoculated.

throughout the past year — all of it

upcoming year 2020, Head Katie

performed against the backdrop of an

Signer had welcomed students back to

said. “I’m thankful to the school for

unwelcome daily reminder that we are,

school under the theme 20/20.

getting us there. It opens up more of

without exception, mortal.

“I’m thankful to the scientists,” he

the world to me.

“A lot of really smart people worked really hard to get us here.”

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ITH ANY LUCK, when this missive arrives in mailboxes, we

OF BRUNSWICK • SPRING 2021

“It’s still exhausting,” he said. “It’s

Perfect vision.

Just as she always does, Signer

just not as overwhelming as it was early

had captured the imagination of the

in the year.”

community as she played with the

As the year continued, accepting and weathering the great challenge, students and faculty kept their focus and made the best of the teachingand-learning experience under often-surreal conditions.

‘A lot of really smart people worked really hard to get us here.’

imagery and envisaged everyone traveling along in a car, the windshield clear and the rearview mirror adjusted neatly for the journey.

That all changed when COVID-19 burst into view, but the metaphor stood.

Reflecting on the experiences of

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In Baker Theater, most seats had to be taped off. Upper School students used the quiet of the empty theater and the few that remained to study and prepare for upcoming classes.

At the Lower School entrance, and at the entrances to all school buildings, stickers on the ground reminded students to keep appropriate distance.

last year, Signer mused: “And then the

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pandemic hit, and our glasses were so

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blurry we couldn’t look forward or back.

We were just in it. We thought we might

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be headed for a crash,” she said, adding: “Somehow, everyone slowed down. We all collectively tried to find the positive.

So much of this has been hard.”

Good teachers, Signer said, recognize that the ability to “find the bright spots” is one of the most useful skills in the craft; emotional intelligence is closely tied to all learning. That being so, when the pandemic hit, Brunswick educators’ first instinct was to work to keep spirits from falling — and they did that.

At the same, they recognized that some of our most important lessons come to us in our darkest hours.

“We, as educators, are always looking for silver linings,” she said. “We’re

‘We, as educators, are always looking for silver linings.’

always looking for the learning in the tough stuff.” Signer said the 2020–21 school year has been one of building confidence, of strengthening muscles of resilience and creativity, and of genuine gratitude for the seemingly simple gift of just being able to go to school.

“I witnessed the creative use of our campus facilities, of new teaching methods, new curriculum,” she said. “I’m

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OF BRUNSWICK • SPRING 2021

N EW DR I L L I N DA N N GYMN A S I UM

A Thousand Vaccinations A Day

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ITH A NATIONAL EMERGENCY still unfolding, in January Brunswick offered Dann Gymnasium for use as a vaccine distribution center by

Greenwich Hospital/Yale New Haven Health.

The clinic opened to the public by appointment only

on Monday, January 25, and has been going strong ever since. Philip said the need to offer help in the current environment was a must.

“This is a step that our school is taking in recognition of the clear, often repeated, and guiding moral imperative: From those to whom much is given, much is expected,” said Philip. “Specifically, with the expansive gifts of our facilities on all our campuses, Brunswick is unique in the Town of Greenwich in terms of our ability to access large, indoor areas. We’re happy and eager to be of help to our community during this national emergency,” Philip said.

“We’re extremely grateful to Brunswick’s staff for allowing us to make this a reality so quickly,” said Diane Kelly, president of Greenwich Hospital.

At the end of January, when vaccination began, space to complete the unprecedented and herculean task was at a premium. To address this critical need and speed along the process, Brunswick offered Dann Gymnasium on the Edwards Campus to Greenwich Hospital/Yale New Haven Health System. The offer was gratefully accepted! Tens of thousands have since been vaccinated at the site.

blown away by the fact that 100 or so

former lunchroom of the Lower School,

if there’s anything joyful and reassuring

days into this year, parents drop off their

converted into a huge science lab — one

about the present scenario, it’s that “we

kids at school and still say thank you.”

child per desk.

can still learn during a pandemic.”

Asked how he and the Brunswick

Dylan Kirsch ’23 said he felt “at

For Philip, this “time like no other”

faculty handled their nerves as they

peace” with everything that’s happened,

has brought renewed appreciation

navigated the choppy waters of the last

and while Brunswick did a great job

for everything Brunswick, and the

year, Head of School Tom Philip replied

with remote learning in Spring 2020,

countless instances of compassion,

good naturedly: “It never came up.”

the experience had the “major down-

togetherness, and love the school expe-

side” of not being able to see friends.

rience brings to the lives of the entire

The work got done, because it had to.

“It’s a blessing we have the space,”

community, each and every day — all

school year, it’s that the boys are

If anything resounds in the 2020–21

he said. “The people, the teachers, they

underscored by the tremendous chal-

genuinely and sincerely grateful for

really care about your success.

lenges the pandemic has presented.

everything that’s been done so they can

“This year, especially, my teachers

“My biggest lesson is the incredible

attend school, live and in-person, five

have been more than helpful in making

strength and resilience of these kids,

days a week. “We’re just so lucky we can

everything work.”

who have had so much taken away

go into school,” said fourth grader Mark

Freshman Zay Smith ’24, hanging

instantaneously,” he observed.

Gally ’29, as he completed a hands-on

out during a free period in Pettengill,

“My biggest takeaway — aside from

science lesson on parallel circuits.

said getting to interact with friends is

wishing it would all go away — is that it

especially appreciated this year — and,

still felt like school.”

The class was being held in the

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A SPRING, A YEAR,

‘A CLASS WE WILL NEVER FORGET’ Class of 2020 ‘Ready for This Moment’ B Y K AT H E R I N E O G D E N & M I K E K E N N E D Y ’ 9 9

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OF BRUNSWICK • SPRING 2021

A SLOW-MOTION, FREEZE-FRAME SEASON OF GRADUATION EVENTS

unfolded for the Class of 2020 as Brunswick first came to terms with the emerging pandemic — 102 graduates were feted through quiet, individual visits with Head of School Tom Philip in the Upper School Atrium, a jubilant horn-honking farewell parade, and finally, a belated coming-together of all who could be present, in the middle of summer, for a formal celebration of the school’s 118th Commencement Exercises.

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If first day is a ‘big event,’ graduation is even more so.

Often, there is no more definitive, watershed moment in the lives of young people than Commencement.

Life is one way before, and altogether different afterwards.

Normally, a Brunswick School career comes to a swift and jubilant conclusion on a Wednesday near the end of May, when hundreds of family members gather in Dann Gymnasium for a ceremony filled with pageantry and tradition.

The Class of 2020 was different; these teenagers faced a senior spring cut short in the middle of March. They never returned to the classroom, let alone a bedecked platform in Sampson Field House.

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OF BRUNSWICK • SPRING 2021

When May arrived and it came time

determined to work through the puzzle

to mark their graduation, Head of

presented by the pandemic, and to

School Tom Philip was determined to

honor and celebrate the achievements

give the seniors that before-and-after

of its students.

moment from which to mark their lives.

“Well, this is a spring, and a year,

In the end, Commencement became

and a class, that we will never forget,”

an extended, months-long endeavor

Head of School Tom Philip mused as he

that started in May with socially-

opened the ceremony. “Guys, I simply

distanced, individual visits to the Upper

can’t describe how good it is to see all

ABOVE When Commencement Day finally arrived, in late July, Alex Clarke (left) and Bernard Zoungrana greeted each other with a “no contact” sign of welcome.

BELOW LEFT The graduation process actually began several months before. Here, Joe Henry arrives at the Upper School Atrium for his oneon-one graduation-photo session with Head of School Tom Philip.

School Atrium, continued with a joyful farewell parade in the shimmering spring sunshine, and ended in the heat of the summer with the Class of 2020 finally reunited for the capstone event — the school’s 118th Commencement Exercises.

White chairs for the graduates were positioned six feet apart on Cosby Field, while a handful of faculty looked on from the bleachers; watching from home and locations all over the country and the world were family and friends numbering in the thousands.

All of it was organized by a school

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for those times when toughness and perseverance are needed. of you here today. To see you back on campus warms the heart.”

“Your spring, your graduation coin-

I know there are young men like you in

Philip told the graduates he had

every-other-generation, before-and-

the world,” he said. “Gentlemen, I know

been thinking a great deal about the

after moment, i.e. the world was one

you are ready for this moment.”

Class of 2020, and despite the historic

way before COVID, and it’s another

hardship brought about by the virus, he

way after.”

remained hopeful.

“Gentlemen of Class of 2020, this one-hundred-year moment in history is quite literally what you have been trained for,” he said.

It’s moments like this, Philip said, that are ripe for great innovation and historic change for good.

It’s moments like this, he observed, for which Brunswick was built.

“What this school was actually

An impromptu Commencement stage was created in the Upper School Atrium. As Head of School Tom Philip looked on, students posed holding a copy of the Class of 2020 yearbook.

Left to right: Henry Foster, Gabriel Mehra, Koby Ginder, Connor Sullivan, and Steve Lopez.

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“I can’t help but be hopeful, because

cides with what may well be seen as an

OF BRUNSWICK • SPRING 2021

established to do is to prepare you for moments like this,” he said.

“Brunswick’s mission is to take young men of talent and push them. To instill in them, often despite their privilege, a sense of humility and justice. And crit-

One by One

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HILE THE CAPSTONE OF Commencement came in July, the celebrations began much earlier. In May, each senior was

invited to the Upper School Atrium to collect the traditional accoutrements of graduation: a yearbook, a white carnation, a Brunswick patch, and a brown-and-yellow Brunswick tie.

Signs for Our Times

J

UST AS BRUNSWICK worked to recognize a class of students suddenly sidelined in their senior spring, so, too, did senior-class

parents.

One idea that took root almost immediately saw Brunswick post each

ALL DRESSED UP In early spring, when the possibility of any in-person Commencement was practically nil, one by one, seniors donned their formal Brunswick attire for a socially distant photo and video session with Head of School Tom Philip, anticipating the ceremony would be a video event.

Above, left to right: Rocco DiChiara, Jake Charney, and Drake Miller.

Coiffed for celebration, white pants, and a navy jacket to boot, graduates posed for photos and visited at a safe distance with the Head of School.

The photos, threatened by the chaos of those early days of the pandemic, have become a true keepsake.

boy’s senior portrait on the school’s Instagram account — a kind of “senior salute” across the distance of quarantine.

Five or six of these salutes were posted each day, said Head Class Parent Meg Russell. Along with fellow class

recognized through personalized lawn

parent and former BPA president Sarah

signs that sprouted up on landscapes

Meindl, she helped lead about a dozen

throughout Greenwich and beyond.

parents who had volunteered to help plan events for seniors.

Normally, these parents are tasked

The idea found its genesis in class parent Doreen Griffin, who worked to have the signs made and ready-for-

with planning mainstay senior-year

pickup by the time boys made their trek

events, such as prom. Last year, they

to visit with Head of School Tom Philip

had to reinvent everything.

in the atrium.

For the first time ever, boys were

Russell said the boys really loved the signs. “School shut down for these boys right before spring break, and no one knew at that time that they would never be back at school again,” she said.

“It was really a devastating realization for them not to be with their classmates and teachers in the buildings again.

“My son said that was the hardest

C O N G R AT U L AT I O N S

CH AR LI E CL ASS OF 2020

Brunswick School

urage C O N G R AT U L ATCIo O NS

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JU DE

CL ASS OF 2020

Brunswick School Courage

u

Honor

u

Truth

Honor

u

Truth

C O N G R AT U L AT I O N S

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Brunswick School Courage

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Honor

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Truth

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part — so many people, and you didn’t realize that you already saw them for the last time. So, anything we could do to make them feel special, it was our pleasure to do.”

FA R E W E L L PA R A DE

Joy in the Spring Sunshine

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RUNSWICK ALSO DID what it could to honor and cheer 102 graduating seniors on Wednesday, May 20 — the

day that should have been their

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In a jubilant, horn-honking farewell celebration under bright-blue and sunny skies, graduates spilled out of windows and popped out of sunroofs as cars cruised ever-so-slowly from one end of Edwards Campus to the other, all of them greeted by carefully distanced faculty who offered heartfelt congratulations as they safely lined the sidewalks at a distance — most also seeing and greeting each other for the first time since early March.

That is to say — smiles, laughter, music, and joyful connection were plentiful as students and faculty were reunited, albeit briefly, on a beautiful day.

“We haven’t seen each other, let alone the seniors, since the beginning of the quarantine,” exclaimed Upper School science teacher Chris Forester, who dusted off a vintage Homecoming vuvuzela to help relay his greetings to the graduates. “There was a lot of pent-up emotion that got released all at once. It was just a great atmosphere.”

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OF BRUNSWICK • SPRING 2021

On a sunny, blue-sky afternoon in May 2020, on what would have been their Commencement Day, seniors and their families returned to Edwards Campus on King Street for a happy, whooping, horn-honking farewell parade. The procession wended its way around the circle between the Lower and Pre Schools as faculty and staff, standing at physically distant intervals on the sidewalk, waved and shouted best wishes. The occasion was especially emotional for all; after nearly two months of hibernation, it was the first time that faculty, staff, and seniors were together in person.

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Lower School Head Katie Signer said the Class of 2020 holds a special place in her heart, as these graduates were just little tykes when she first stepped into a leadership role.

“This class was my first, ‘First Grade’ class as Head, and it was just so fun to see all the boys and their families,” she said. “The energy was fantastic — hooting and hollering and jumping and honking — it’s exactly what we needed.”

54 | TIMES

OF BRUNSWICK • SPRING 2021

SIMPLE AND SPARE With attendance restricted to a state-mandated total of 150 masked people in a physically distant outdoor setting, Cosby Field became the site of Commencement 2020, held on July 28. The attendance cap limited the gathering to graduating seniors and Upper School faculty only.

MIDDLE LEFT Soon-to-be graduate Chase Caffray processes onto the field.

BOTTOM LEFT English teacher and hockey coach Mike Kennedy ’99 gives Mr. Cosby’s statue an elbow bump as he heads to his seat in the bleachers.

Seniors who attended were distantly spaced on the field.

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2 0 2 0 BELOW Following the ceremony, valedictorian Jamie Meindl beams as he holds his award citation and diploma.

IV Y S P E A K E R

‘Be Honest’

T

to campus to gather in-person for the first time since they had left campus so suddenly so many months before.

HE STATE OF Connecticut relaxed

Valedictorian Jamie Meindl intro-

its restrictions on larger outdoor

duced “Ivy” speaker Maron Salame,

gatherings in time for summer,

who used his speech to cite Brunswick

allowing Brunswick to plan a

not just for the way it has responded

physically-distanced, in-person

to the pandemic, but also for all the

graduation ceremony for July 25.

different ways it has routinely captured

The sun rose hot and bright for the

56 | TIMES

celebration, and graduates returned

OF BRUNSWICK • SPRING 2021

the imagination of children from the

Ivy Speaker Maron Salame offered a spectrum of observations on the challenge and lessons of being a member of the “Corona class.” He counseled fellow graduates to “be honest” when looking back and discussing the experience with their own children. “Talk about what we achieved as a community,” he advised, “how you never felt closer to your classmates than when you were forced to be apart.”

ON COMME NCEMENT DAY

Awards of Distinction Valedictorian Jamison Meindl Kulukundis Cup Kamil M. Salame Community Service Award Kamil M. Salame BPA Prize Charles P. Burnett Jenkins Athletic Award Clayton L. Ostrover Thomas A. Altman Prize Peter R. DiChiara

playgrounds of the Pre School right on

Robert L. Cosby Award Jean-Bernard R. Zoungrana

up to the playing fields of the Upper

A. Macdonald Caputo Award Alexander M. Burdick

School, including, of course, in the

Faculty Citations Nicholas D. Winegardner Logan D. Darrin Nadjingar S. Ngbokoli Tucker L. Slattery

classroom, on the stage in Baker Theater, and far beyond.

Salame outlined the hoped-for senior spring of the Class of 2020, the one that evaporated

Head of School’s Trophy Henry B. Foster

with such unnerving speed.

He imagined all the things that might have happened in the absence of the virus: warm

— saying goodbye to teachers, students,

April days leaving school early to

skirts the line between fun and trouble,

and coaches who had made our time

play wiffle ball in the Maher courtyard

an idyllic prom that never happened,

here special and shaped us in some way

or douse “innocuous freshmen” with

complete with goofy promposals and

for our long journey ahead,” he said.

water balloons, scheming alongside

the like.

“We also imagined graduation. It would

classmates for a just-right prank that

“We imagined our final days in May

be a warm 75 or 80 degrees — we’d

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N EXT ST E P S

For ’Wick’s 2020 Grads, New Chapters Beginning Nicholas Garrett Boehly Texas Christian University

Jakob Shane Ginder Princeton University

Jude Paul Brower Junior Hockey

Ryan James Glanville Emory University

Alexander McKnight Burdick University of Pennsylvania

Matthew Jeremy Goodman University of Massachusetts Amherst

Charles Paul Burnett Duke University Chase Wagner Caffray Bucknell University John Benjamin Carpenter Yale University Jake Taylor Charney University of Wisconsin Chris Chavez Hamilton College Justin Cheng Univ of California, Berkeley Aiden Fitzgerald Clarke Boston College

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Alexander Gregory Clarke Middlebury College William Patrick Coen University of Miami Logan David Darrin Harvard University Peter Rocco DiChiara University of Michigan Thomas Edwin Doster V Cornell University Nicholas Lee Dow Massachusetts Institute of Technology

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Gabriel Sanjeev Mehra Harvard University Eric Meindl Washington University

George Philip Hadley University of Wisconsin

Jamison Meindl Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Andrew Pieter Willem Hartong Wake Forest University Charles Sumner Heath United States Naval Academy Ryan William Heinzerling Middlebury College Pierce Plumer Henderson Williams College Joseph Alexander Henry Georgetown University Marcus Sean Hodgson Yale University Jacob Maclay Reed Hyde Jr. Georgetown University Nikhil D. Jaiswal University of Chicago Andres Jasson Yale University Ford Harral Jung Santa Clara University Harrison Lighter Kilberg University of Pennsylvania Cedric Renel Lafleur University of Miami

Luca Donato Errico University of Virginia

Revan Damson Lazarus University of Southern California

Liam Gene Dickson Fairback Princeton University

Peter Lewis Lehrman Duke University

Shayan Farjam Penn State University

Brian Fitzgerald Leonard Yale University

Brody Harris Firestein Penn State University

Steve Lopez Princeton University

Luke Stanley Fisher Villanova University

George Lowther V Georgetown University

Carlos Gabriel Flores St. Lawrence University

Ja’len William Madison Sacred Heart University

William Wales Forrest Bowdoin College

Jack Thomas Mathews Trinity College

Henry Brace Foster University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

Michael Lum Mauricio Dartmouth College

OF BRUNSWICK • SPRING 2021

William McLaren Brown University

James David Griffin Hamilton College

Tyler Stuart Eichmann University of Denver

James Alexander Galef George Washington University

Joseph Patrick McCurdy The University of Mississippi (Honors College)

Sam Henry Mazzullo Boston College

Graham Drake Miller Jr. University of Southern California Alexander Morgan Imperial College London Adam Z. Morris New York University Nadjingar S. Ngbokoli Middlebury College Clayton Legare Ostrover Yale University Michael Joseph Tyrus Pastore Amherst College Howard A. Powell Jr. Sacred Heart University Kyle Gillen Raker Carnegie Mellon University Chris J. Ramos University of Connecticut Graham Geoffrey Rogozinski Rochester Institute of Technology Aengus Sullivan Fisher Rosato Dickinson College Zachary James Russell Cornell University Isaac Tanner Sacks Brown University Kamil Maron Salame Dartmouth College Thomas Joseph Sandford Cornell University Dana Alexander Santry University of Pennsylvania Samuel H. Schwartz Washington University Peter Antony Sheldon Northwestern University Tucker Lawrence Slattery Wake Forest University Bladen Vanneck Smith Bucknell University Liberato Socci University of Connecticut

Jackson Bainbridge Sparks Colgate University Nicholas Edward Spizzirri University of Pennsylvania Jeffrey Sharp Sprung University of Richmond Robert Addison Sprung Duke University Whit Chancellor Revere Stahl Wake Forest University Connor James Sullivan Junior Hockey David Emerson Swigart University of Miami Charles Alonzo Tate Howard University Harry Paul J. Tavlarios Boston College Jakub Teply Junior Hockey Kevin Hua Tu Duke University Christian William van den Born George Washington University George Eric Varvel Brigham Young University Christopher Carroll Wack University of Virginia Colin Mills Wahl University of Wisconsin Dante Sigurdur White University of Wisconsin James Andrew Widdowson Gap year Kevonne Niegel Wilder Stony Brook University Khari Grady Wilson Union College Nicolas Dylan Winegardner University of Southern California Nicholas Carleton Wolanske Georgetown University Brent Alexander Wolfson University of Indiana Kyle Yelensky United States Naval Academy Jean-Bernard Rakiswende Zoungrana Harvard University

FACULT Y SP E AKE R

‘A Handshake is Waiting for You’

R

ON VANBELLE, DIRECTOR of athletics and Upper School math teacher, served as faculty speaker.

VanBelle offered three pieces

of advice to graduates: Stay in the moment, keep your sense of humor, and “be a good guy.”

He cited the pandemic for the simple lessons it has offered in how to slow down — and, in particular, for how it has underscored our need for human connection, especially in the form of a handshake.

“Society has taught you to focus on doing over being,” VanBelle told the graduates. “We are all in such a hurry

line up in Hartong Rink and shake the hands of every teacher we’ve ever had at Brunswick. We’d walk into Dann Gymnasium, where the sun would be shining brightly through the glass.

Down-to-earth and plain-spoken as ever, Director of Athletics Ron VanBelle, faculty speaker, offered graduates three nuggets of advice: Stay in the moment, keep your sense of humor, and “be a good guy.”

all the time to get to what’s next.

“As a result of the last few months, however, we have all slowed down a bit,” he said. “We have reconnected

“I do reflect sometimes on why our time together was cut short, why we didn’t get to experience all of these

experience here at Brunswick over the

things that we imagined for so many

years.” Salame advised his classmates

years, and why some of my best friends

to tell the truth when they share the

in the whole world are watching this

experience of the pandemic of 2020

speech right now through a screen.”

with future generations.

Salame likened the lessons of

“When you all think back to your

Mr. Jackson’s calculus class with the

time here at Brunswick, I’m sure

way Brunswick has worked to prepare

that none of you will ever forget how

students for challenges like those posed

at times you became lost, lost in the

by the coronavirus. Mr. Jackson, he

happiness and the heat of it all,”

said, advised his students to collect the

he said.

problem-solving methods of calculus in a kind of “toolbox.”

“At the end of the year, we would

“When your kids ask you about being the ‘Corona Class,’ be honest about how tough it was as an 18 year old to spend

have a toolbox filled with all sorts of

your final days at the school you love

tools of different shapes and sizes,

through a screen.

each of which we could access to solve

“But then, talk about what we

a specific challenge that we met on

achieved as a community, how you

the final exam,” he said. “I think that

never felt closer to your classmates than

this analogy perfectly relates to our

when you were forced to be apart.”

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Although their faces were masked, graduates couldn’t conceal a range of emotions as the ceremony progressed to a muted but joyful conclusion.

Clockwise from top: Charles Tate, Nick Dow, Leo Socci, and Will Coen.

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on a football field, wearing masks, and practicing social distancing,” he said, adding: “Good people do things for other people. That’s it. The end. Oh, and with our families, for good or bad, but I

He offered these final thoughts to the

remember: Come back and visit your

suspect mostly for good.”

graduates:

old teachers and coaches here at

VanBelle predicted the iconic

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“You will be remembered as the

Brunswick.

Brunswick handshake, sidelined for the

class that missed out on their senior

“And when you do, if you want, I

moment by the pandemic, will return.

spring and had to graduate in shifts

have a handshake waiting for you.”

OF BRUNSWICK • SPRING 2021

AT C LOS I N G C E R EMO N I E S

Middle School Awards Eleanor G. Lindberg Award Rhys R. T. Brooks

Kulukundis Cup Lundeen Cahilly

Virginia I. Peterson Award Pierce G. Crosby

Geis Cup Michael G. Yeager

Sarah B. Burdett Seventh Grade Prize Subir Garg

Williamson Trophy Andrew E. Rodriguez

Upper School Awards Cum Laude William Berkley Ali Hindy Jack Michalik William A. Durkin III ’72 Alumni Award William R. Ocken Princeton Alumni Award Felipe Leao Columbia Book Award Edward Salazar Oaklawn Award Charles Johnson Randolph Prize Jason Agudelo Williams Book Award Ali Hindy Yale Alumni Award Matthew Russell Harvard Book Prize William Berkley Brown Book Award Andrew Casturo-Burnette Arabic Award Ali Hindy Chinese Award Brady Johnston French Award William Berkley Italian Award Michael Miller

Spanish Award Jonny Citron Classics Prize Andrew Shaffer Kenneth Merritt Mathematics Award William Ewald

RE T IRING FACULT Y

‘Their wisdom has helped define Brunswick’

W

ITH THREE CELEBRATED teachers retiring, 2020 was a before-and-after moment for the institution of Brunswick School itself.

Dr. John Van Atta, John Pendergast, and

Jim Stephens: all three laid down their pencils in 2020, taking with them a collective century of teaching experience, memory, and accomplishment.

While recognizing that it would not nearly be enough, the Class of 2020 dedicated its yearbook to the men.

Fairfield Biology Prize Andrew Casturo-Burnette Rensselaer Award Ali Hindy Computer Science Award Ali Hindy Grade Nine Service Award William Klein Grade Ten Service Award Ted Ohls Grade Eleven Service Award Thomas Fouts Matt Russell Joshua Sherman Grade Ten Varsity Athletic Plaque Henry Caponiti Michael Neviera Lucas Pombo Gavin West Grade Eleven Varsity Athletic Plaque Ali Hindy Jack Michalik Colin Mulshine John F. Otto Faculty Award Valerie F. Fenton

Upper School teaching legends John Van Atta (top) and John Pendergast, along with Middle School teacher and varsity squash coach Jim Stephens, were honored with dedication of the Class of 2020 yearbook. For more on Stephens and his storied coaching career, turn to page 64.

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Reads the dedication: “Books have been written. Divisions

Together, the men shaped their

preparation for those moments in life

and departments have been run. And

teams for decades. Their wisdom has

when things don’t go as planned, the

National Championships have been

helped define Brunswick.

times when you have to adjust and be

won. With more than 100 years of

flexible, the times when you have to dig

experience between them, Brunswick

CLOSING CE REMONIE S

would need 100 yearbooks (and Times

‘None of Us Would Have Imagined’

of Brunswick’s) to cover all of the accomplishments of Dr. John Van Atta, John Pendergast, and Jim Stephens.”

Combined, the experience and expertise of the three educators is daunting.

Van Atta, Upper School history teacher for 35 years, knows every intricate detail about every Civil War general, painting, and battle.

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Pendergast (AKA Mr. “P”), Upper

OF

School philosophy and religion teacher,

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we do, in ways large and small, is in

departments, divisions, and sports

has helped open students’ minds to philosophical methods and ideologies.

And Stephens, legendary squash coach and Middle School math teacher, seems to know every person every-

B

RUNSWICK HELD ITS 2020 Closing Ceremonies online as it honored dozens of Middle and Upper School students and faculty

members for outstanding accomplishments in the classroom, on the athletic fields, and in the school community.

“When we all first gathered last September, none of us imagined the school year would end the way it has,” said Head of School Tom Philip.

“It’s challenges like this that give

where he goes, while also knowing

schools like Brunswick our true

every magic and card trick in the book.

purpose. Each day, each and everything

OF BRUNSWICK • SPRING 2021

a little deeper, and give more of yourself than you expected.”

Director of Technology and Computer Science Department Chair Sunil Gupta (below) took every precaution as he joined his faculty colleagues in honoring and saluting the Class of 2020.

W H ERE ’ W IC K B EGA N

For ‘Pandemic’ Class, A Capstone Honor

C

ALL IT 20/20 VISION. Even before COVID-19 struck, plans called for naming of Brunswick’s latest acquisition — the historic

home at the corner of Patterson and Maher avenues — in honor of the graduating class.

In the early 20th century, the Justus-Sackett House, at 45 Patterson Avenue, had been home to the School’s founding Board Chairman,

commitment took on even greater

who donated the then-open field

urgency, purpose, and significance.

behind the property for construction of Brunswick’s first permanent building.

When the pandemic so abruptly

A large, bronze plaque was created

Brunswick’s latest acquisition, the historic home at the corner of Maher and Patterson avenues, has been dedicated to honor the “pandemic” Class of 2020.

— listing every graduate and noting the naming of the landmark property —

Today, the Class of 2020 House,

isolated and robbed members of

and placed prominently in the Upper

literally the property “where Brunswick

the class of their long-awaited and

School lobby. A second plaque was

began,” serves as the Head of School’s

cherished senior spring, the naming

placed at the home’s front door.

residence.

ON SENI O R AWA R D S DAY

Distinguished Seniors Earn Special Recognition BRUNSWICK FACULTY recognized members of the Class of 2020 for achievements in academics, athletics, arts, and service to others in a unique, digital Senior Awards Ceremony.

Cum Laude Certificates* Nicholas L. Dow Ryan W. Heinzerling Clayton L. Ostrover Michael J. T. Pastore Kyle G. Raker Jean-Bernard R. Zoungrana Theater Award Adam Z. Morris Nicholas D. Winegardner Simpson Choral Award Zachary J. Russell Randolph Band Award Gabriel S. Mehra Visual Arts Award Michael L. Mauricio Everett Prize For English Ryan W. Heinzerling

R. Scott Tucker Senior Essay Prize James D. Griffin Bouffier Foreign Language Prize Nadjingar S. Ngbokoli

AAPT Science Award Nicholas L. Dow Alan M. Turing Prize for Computer Science Nicholas L. Dow

McKinnon Global Studies Award Carlos G. Flores

Gus Conrades ’86 Varsity Athletic Awards Alexander M. Burdick Henry B. Foster Clayton L. Ostrover Kevonne N. Wilder

John Van Atta History Prize Kamil M. Salame

Robert G. Sampson Prize Kevonne N. Wilder

Senior Classics Award Kamil M. Salame

Stephen A. Duennebier Social Sciences Award Nicholas C. Wolanske Thomas A. Shields Mathematics Award Kevin H. Tu

* Cum Laude members joined earlier inductees and classmates Justin Cheng, Jamie Meindl, Maron Salame, Kevin Tu, and Nick Wolanske.

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PATIENCE, PERSISTENCE AND SACRIFICE

POWER ‘TREK TO WINNING’ Two Legendary Coaches Inspire Salutes & Tributes

BY MIKE KENNEDY ’99

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OF BRUNSWICK • SPRING 2021

BOTH BEGAN THEIR BRUNSWICK coaching careers at the helms of fledgling and itinerant programs — with no legitimate facilities or courts to call home. Both spent hours on the road in rickety-old vans, on their ways to regattas and matches. One even used the trunk of his car to store equipment.

And now, decades later, both Joe Falco and Jim

ABOVE Both Falco (left, pictured in 2010) and Stephens (pictured in 2019) were always there for a handshake or a word of inspiration as their studentathletes entered or exited the competitive fields of play.

FAR LEFT Stephens (top row, third from left) and his first squash team in 1986, as pictured in the school’s yearbook LEFT Another yearbook shot — this one with Falco and his assistant coach at the time, Steve Larsen, in 2002.

Stephens retire with Brunswick buildings named in their honor — the Falco Rowing Center and the Stephens Squash Center — after long and distinguished tenures as leaders of their two nationally recognized programs.

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‘WARM SMILE & FIRM HANDSHAKE’ AFTER HARD-FOUGHT RACE

JOE FALCO, WHO FIRST FOUND rowing while a football player at Temple University in the sport’s hotbed of Philadelphia, came to Brunswick in the late 1990s after several years as head coach of the Boston University men’s heavyweight team.

The Brunswick rowing program was just getting off the ground — struggling to find a ninth rower to round out a boat; living and breathing without an adequate boathouse; and, for many years, operating out of the basement garage of a small office building on the banks of the Mianus River, and a ramshackle trailer on the same site.

Somehow, some way, though, the nascent program quickly grew in both excellence and prestige as Falco took hold of it soon after his arrival.

More than 20 years later, Brunswick rowing now ranks as one of the school’s largest sports, and is perennially among the top crews in New England — with many graduates going on to row

Falco has encouraged hundreds of Brunswick boys to try the sport of rowing during his tenure — and has been at the helm through the rise of the program from the days with no boathouse (left in 2010, where Falco shakes the hand of Lawrence Lopez-Menzies ’10) to today (top in 2021).

at the collegiate level.

Falco has been there every step (or stroke) of the way — now retiring as a coach revered by a generation of Brunswick boys who have rowed under his watchful eye.

Coach Falco’s crews have enjoyed great success in regattas from Philadelphia to Henley-on-Thames. But, more important, they have forged strong character under his leadership.

In 2016, Brunswick honored him with the dedication of the Falco Rowing Center, a high-performance boathouse designed by one of his former oarsmen. Several rowing shells

belonging each time I’m in his

across the northeast have proudly borne his

presence. For these reasons

name for decades.

The rowers and coxswains he coached will

and more, Joe Falco will always ment as a competitive oarsman and as a young

be the rowing coach I hold nearest to my heart.”

always carry with them the lessons he taught and

man,” said Lawrence Lopez-Menzies ’10, who

welcoming wisdom he imparted.

rowed collegiately at Yale University and is now

University of Pennsylvania: “Joe has always

coaching at the Greenwich Water Club.

fulfilled a much larger role than ‘rowing coach’ to

“During my formative years at Brunswick, Coach Falco cultivated a welcoming environment

“To this day, Joe has always had a unique

where I found invaluable support in my develop-

ability to make me feel an authentic sense of

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OF BRUNSWICK • SPRING 2021

Added Will Bass ’16, currently rowing at

those boys who got to know him at Brunswick.

“To me, I knew Joe first as a neighbor for 10

Falco, in March 2021, oversees his team — following strict Covid protocols and wearing masks — during his final season as the leader of the crew program.

years, a gym teacher, a seventh-grade advisor, a phenomenal rowing coach, a best friend, and a fatherly figure. He fulfilled these roles for so many boys over the years.

“The fondest memories of my young life featured Joe’s warm smile and his firm handshake after a hard-fought race.”

Falco, who will continue teaching woodshop in the Middle School, shined the spotlight away from

Capstone Honor for ‘Mission Accomplished’

T

Altman Boathouse NO STRENGTH WITHOUT UNITY A ‘race’ of 2,000 meters begins with a single stroke: Go forward, Brunswick boys, on your journey in life, with fortitude, determination, and acknowledgement

HE FALCO ROWING Center will now be home to

the Altman Boathouse, honoring

November 2014

himself — and instead, directly on the hundreds

a generous gift to Brunswick

of boys who’ve put their hearts and souls into

from the Altman family —

Brunswick rowing since the program’s inception.

Alexandria & Michael, Jack ’18, Eliza (GA ’20),

boys, and by witnessing the indefatigable

and Nicholas ’22.

efforts of crew members each and every day.

“It’s on their backs and their legs on which the cornerstone of this program is founded and will carry forward,” he said.

“If they weren’t working hard, if they didn’t exude such compassion and love for the sport, this program wouldn’t be where it is now.

“All of the sweating, all of the hard work, all of the pain and triumph in winning and

14

the most vigorous challenges.

“Our family has been embraced and nurtured by the Brunswick community since

Peter Costas ’07, and Dmitri Vlasov — to their

“Our path became clear,” Michael said.

“We, along with Brunswick’s esteemed

we joined it in 2014,” Michael said. “The

leaders, naturally wanted the boys to have

quality of every aspect of the school is as

a facility that would match their pursuit of

inspiring as it is impressive.”

excellence and great level of achievement

The Altmans were further encouraged by

— and so, we and other generous families,

losing a race: They’ve all added up — and made

the dedication and loyalty of the school’s

alumni, and friends embarked on the mission

Brunswick rowing very special.”

rowing coaches — Joe Falco, John Martin,

to make the Falco Rowing Center a reality.”

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From 1986 and lasting more than three decades, Stephens mentored and supported his players on and off the court (top, watching Mac Aube ’21 at the 2020 National Championship), often with a gracious, “lighthearted” smile on his face.

‘PASSION & FOCUS’ YIELD TOWERING ACHIEVEMENT JIM STEPHENS HAS BEEN

Virginia graduate said. “It was never a job or a

Thirty-three of his players went on to captain

coaching squash since his days as Head Racquets

chore to me. It’s been a passion — it’s some-

their collegiate teams. He was named the 2014

Professional at the Field Club of Greenwich in

thing that’s been my whole focus for as long as

U.S. Squash National Coach of the Year.

the 1970s, arriving at Brunswick in 1985 to teach

I remember.”

mathematics and coach squash and tennis.

In his three-and-a-half decades as leader of the

Stephens watched squash evolve throughout his career — with changes to court dimensions,

For the former UVa soccer and tennis captain, though, the trek toward winning — not the end result itself — was always most important.

Bruins, the squash program grew exponentially

advancements in technology, and a shift to the

— from seven players at the start to a maximum

“soft,” international ball — but he never failed to

struggle on until the last detail is properly done,”

of 70 during his final years.

adjust to the modern game.

said Stephens, who will enjoy his retirement in

And Stephens has been at the heart of it all, loving every waking second of his time before retiring in the spring of 2020.

“Coaching has been my life,” the University of

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OF BRUNSWICK • SPRING 2021

His success was staggering.

Stephens’s teams won 18 New England

“The best men of any given talent are those that

New Canaan and Maine with his wife, Merilyn.

“Success comes to the person who does

Interscholastic Team Championships and five

the right things repeatedly and patiently,” he

U.S. High School National Championships.

observed. “Judge your success by what you

Stephens captured his final national title in his last season as head coach in 2020 (above right), when co-captain Brian Leonard ’20 (below left) helped lead the team to victory.

Tate Huffman ’17 (above left) was a member of Stephens’ 2017 nationalchampionship squad.

squash for the Bruins as a Middle and Upper schooler.

“I look back so fondly on the years I played for Jim,” Broadbent said. “He took a very analytical approach to the game, but he made every serious teaching point with a lighthearted smile on his face.

“He paid so much attention to creating a pipeline of squash at Brunswick, ultimately creating the fabric of a collegial and entirely inclusive team environment. All of us in the Brunswick squash community — and it became a real community during his time as head coach — are grateful to him for his efforts.”

have to give up in order to get it.” Stephens, himself, gave up countless hours of time and

discuss match strategy — or just life in general.

Will Broadbent ’02, a four-time

energy for the benefit of his players, even

All-American at Harvard University from

spending nights stringing and re-gripping their

2002–2006, is one of those Stephens disciples,

racquets and calling them on the phone to

playing a remarkable seven years of varsity

To honor Stephens and salute his decades of achievement in building a nationally recognized program, ’Wick squash enthusiasts have united to publish a commemorative History of Brunswick Squash. For more information or to obtain a copy, email Libby Edwards (ledwards@brunswickschool.org).

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CLASSNOTES C O M P I L E D B Y L I B B Y E D WA R D S

Dr. Lane (right) poses with colleagues Dr. J. Donald Millar and Dr. William H. Foege while holding a copy of World Health, the magazine of the World Health Organization, in May 1980.

I N M E M O R I A M | D R. J . M I C H A E L L A N E ’53

‘Smallpox Warrior’ Led Fight to Eradicate Disease

A

BRUNSWICK ALUMNUS who

deadly, and disfiguring infec-

virus that had haunted humankind

helped lead the global fight to erad-

tious disease that once afflicted

for thousands of years.

icate smallpox died Oct. 21, 2020, at

millions. In the 20th century

his Atlanta home.

alone, the virus killed upwards of

achievements, but according to

300 million people.

Lane’s New York Times obituary, the

Epidemiologist J. Michael Lane ’53, M.D. was 84.

He was an English major at Yale University before

Throughout the 1960s and ’70s,

It was one of humanity’s greatest

occasion passed largely unno-

going on to Harvard for medical training and the

Lane, his colleagues, and an army

ticed — perhaps because the virus

University of California, Berkeley for a master of

of public-health volunteers worked

was so little seen at the time. The

public health degree in epidemiology in 1967.

to establish worldwide surveillance

last natural case of smallpox was

systems to watch for outbreaks,

recorded three years earlier, in

Lane joined the U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention Epidemic Intelligence Service in 1963.

He spent the ensuing decades traveling the globe in pursuit of a singular goal — exterminating the worldwide scourge of smallpox, the ancient,

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OF BRUNSWICK • SPRING 2021

teach prevention and quarantine techniques, and set up vaccination programs.

On May 8, 1980, the World Health Organization officially declared freedom from a

Somalia; in the United States, the last outbreak occurred decades before, in 1949.

Lane’s death, in the midst of the first pandemic in a century, was observed in newspapers and

CLASSNOTES

television news around the globe. Articles extolled the international public-health achievement, while also painting a portrait of the man himself.

Noted Robert D. McFadden in the Times: “Dr. Lane was for many years a bird-watcher, scuba diver and backpacker. At 79, he hiked from Atlanta to Seattle, much of the trek through national parks. But he was, above all, a smallpox warrior.”

Lane was born in Boston on February 14, 1936, and moved to Greenwich when he was six. He was the son of Alfred Baker Lewis and Eileen O’Connor; both parents were socialists and active with groups such as the NAACP and Planned Parenthood.

In addition to his wife, Lila Elizabeth Summer, Lane is survived by a daughter from his first marriage, Cynthia Michelle Edward, and a stepdaughter, Annabel Moore, as well as his brother, half brother, half sisters, and two grandchildren.

TOP Dr. Lane (striped shirt) meets with senators and fellow scientists before a 1977 Senate Hearing on Legionnaire’s disease.

MIDDLE Provided by the Lane family, this photo from 1966 shows Dr. Lane in Mali with smallpox vaccinators he had trained there.

BOTTOM The 1953 ’Wick football squad: Dr. Lane is #48, and Dr. Lane’s Brunswick Class of 1953 yearbook photo.

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| 7 1

CLASSNOTES

01

02

1955

years of research at the state of

03

04

life as a four year old. His dad,

New Jersey, studies at Rutgers, an

1969

Bill Putnam sent us the following

MA at Rider in 1978, and chair-

Robert Selkowitz is excited to

Annapolis and is doing well, as is

update: “I graduated Brunswick

manship of the User Information

report that he will be Rally Master

his brother David ’75, who lives

as class president and went to Yale

System Committee, Transportation

for three noncompetitive tours —

in Chattanooga. He sure looks

and earned a B.S. in Geology in

Research Board, NAS, I was

two Catskill Conquest Rallies and

forward (fingers crossed!) to his

1959. I married my wife, Suzy, in

involved in the development of

the new Saratoga ABC Rally Run

50th reunion this fall. See photo 03.

Riverside in 1961, and we had our

better transportation information

with the Saratoga Auto Museum

son, William III, in 1963. After bailing

designs through published research.

— open to all cars in 2021. These

out of corporate life, I opened an

We retired from Pennington, N.J.,

events combine history and expe-

1975

advertising agency in Boston in 1974

to Reedville, Va., in 2001, where we

rience to explore country roads

Gary Oztemel wished to share

and ran that until 1980. After Suzy

have been active in church, commu-

for the pure enjoyment of driving.

the following sad news about his

died, in 1987, I found a great old

nity, and veteran activities.”

Robert developed this program

mother, Mary: Mary Oztemel,

over the last six years, with broad

mother to Greg ’71, Gary ’75, and

and enthusiastic support. It is now

Glenn ’76; and grandmother to

sanctioned by the Vintage Sports

Harrison ’10, died peacefully at age

Car Club of America.

96 on October 2, 2020, surrounded

house on Cape Cod and started up a always wanted to do together. I still

1958

run it — the Simmons Homestead

Tony Way (M.D., Ph.D.) went to

Inn — in Hyannis, Mass. I’ll retire

college, went into medicine, had a

when I hit the 100-year mark! And I

family, retired, and did a few things

still own 30 red classic sports cars!”

in between! See photo 02.

bed-and-breakfast in 1988 — as we’d

See photo 01.

Dick Thompson ’47, is living in

by her loving family. She was a

1971

devoted Brunswick parent to her three sons, attending every game

George Thompson has been a

and match. She is survived by her

professional editor, author, and

five children, seven grandchildren,

publisher of books about places

and two great-grandsons.

Classmate Mike Roberts also

1967

submitted: “After Brunswick, I

Gene Hornsby reported that the

(see www.gftbooks.com) since

majored in Industrial Psychology

Class of 1967 has been having

1984, and that work continues

Under his pen name of the

at Lehigh and married Eleanor Jane

periodic Zoom calls throughout

even at age 67. His wife of nearly

UnNamed Traveler, Lance Tibbetts

Callan in 1960. Interested in how

the last few months, with about 50

43 years, Cynthia, retired this

has written another book available

to design better for people and

percent participation and including

year, after 38 years as a distin-

on Amazon, called 24 Travel Stories

having a family, I started work at

former faculty member Gene

guished professor of dance at

From Around The World: Book 4!

CBS Laboratories, in Stamford,

Cummiskey and his wife, Bet.

James Madison University. Their

It details adventures — and misad-

Conn., served as Asst. Engineering

If you’d like to join, contact the

daughter, Haley, is in her last

ventures(!) — from Alaska, to the

Officer on the U.S.S. Massey, and

Alumni Office, and we’ll put you in

year of nursing school, and their

D-Day beaches, to Morocco, even to

touch with Gene.

grandson, Coleman, is enjoying

the Far East! See photo 04.

raised three children. During 32

72 | TIMES

OF BRUNSWICK • SPRING 2021

CLASSNOTES

01 Bill Putnam ’55 stands in front of the Simmons Homestead Inn. Visit him in Hyannis!

02 Tony Way ’58 is loving life in retirement.

03 The Thompsons — George ’71, Dick ’47, and David ’75 04 Check out Lance Tibbetts’ ’75 new book!

05 A socially-distant, documentary-making partnership between Tom Odelfelt ’88 and Matt Chase ’09

05

1976

Jan and Libby) soon after his return

The Juan family — Chip ’76 and his

house in Pinehurst, N.C., to start

sister, Pam Hayes — wished to share

their new family. He’s getting close

the sad news about their mother,

to hitting his 20 years of active duty

Rosemary, who died on April 2, 2020:

in the Army and will finish out his

“She was a huge fan of Brunswick

career at Fort Bragg, N.C., serving

and loved volunteering at the school.

the 3rd Expeditionary Command

Some of her dearest friends were

(3rd ESC). His retirement from the

other Brunswick moms!” Rosemary

U.S. Army is set for April 30, 2022.

was predeceased by her husband,

He is very much looking forward to

Dr. Henry Walter Juan Jr.; and her

retiring, but knows it will be bitter-

son, Peter Duane Juan ’74.

sweet, having been in the Army

06 Clarke Rogers ’88 and his new family: wife Jill Tyler and her twin daughters Jan and Libby

06

to the U.S., and bought a new lake

07

since graduating from Notre Dame,

1985 Paul Greenberg is making the rounds with a new book called

in 1994. See photo 06.

1994

Goodbye Phone, Hello World — all

Reed Carroll, Jamie Muhlfeld,

about trading in digital life and

Frank Peluso, and Jamie Quinn

reclaiming real life. It’s online

gathered in Los Angeles at the San

at goodbyephone.com.

Pedro International Film Festival to celebrate Frank’s film Red Handed

1988

(Children of Moloch). See photo 07.

Chase ’09, is directing a documen-

1997

tary on World Wrestling legend Mick

Dr. Peter Einersen and his wife,

Foley. Their film premieres on A&E

Lindsay, welcomed a baby girl,

this spring. See photo 05.

Madeline, on January 11, 2021. Peter,

Tom Odelfelt, alongside Matt

a general surgeon in New York, is Clarke Rogers returned from what

paired with two medical students

proved to be a very challenging year-

each month; and, as chance would

long deployment to Kuwait and Iraq,

have it, one of his students was

got engaged to Jill Tyler (and her

Johnny Erdman ’13 in January.

amazing twin 17-year-old daughters,

See photos 08 and 09.

09

08

07 Class of 1994 representing: Jamie Muhlfeld, Reed Carroll, Frank Peluso, and Jamie Quinn 08 Dr. Peter Einersen ’97 shows the medical ropes to Johnny Erdman ’13.

09 Dr. Peter Einersen ’97 moves from doctor to father, pictured here with his daughter, Madeline.

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CLASSNOTES

1997 (cont.)

1999

Jason Ienner began his second

George Hubbard married Sarah

year leading the music depart-

Dozier on Canandaigua Lake in

ment at Music IQ/Audigent.

Naples, N.Y., on August 30, 2020.

He still consults artists and

See photo 12.

produces content through his JBird Michelin-starred Mexican restau-

2002

rant Oxomoco. Jason also recently

Jamie Lee and his wife, Jamie, had a

was engaged to Mariah Strongin.

baby girl, Gloria Ocean, on May 4,

See photo 10.

2020. See photo 13.

1998

2004

Justin McClellan started a new

Robert Dudley and his wife, Tricia,

role at BAE Systems, an aerospace/

welcomed their second son, Tucker

defense firm in Boston. He will be

Starr Dudley, to the world on June

leading business development and

30, 2020. His older brother, Reed, is

strategy efforts to transition the

excited to finally have a partner in

company’s battery electric and

crime, and Tucker is looking forward

hybrid transit bus technology to

to being a starting linebacker for the

aviation. Efforts focus on the

Bruins in 2035! See photo 14.

Entertainment — and is a partner in

10

11

12 13

new flock of electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL)

Kyle Petrelli and his wife, Emily,

air taxi companies as well as

welcomed a baby boy, Joshua Norman,

traditional single-aisle aircraft

on January 4, 2021. See photo 15.

manufactures.

Will Mundy has been recognized

2005

as one of the Best in State (Penn.)

Tim Edwards and his wife, Meg,

Wealth Advisors by Forbes for the

had a baby boy, Matthew Gage, in

third year in a row. This honor-

December 2019.

able ranking is based on metrics such as client service excellence,

Dan Hubbard and his wife,

financial-planning processes, client

Genevieve, announced the birth

retention, breadth of services, and

of their baby boy, James Daniel, on

community involvement.

November 1, 2020. See photo 16.

Will reports: “Brunswick taught 14

15

me what was possible — and I

Bernard Paternina and his wife,

am so thankful to have been

Helena, welcomed a baby girl, Lucia,

fortunate enough to attend such

on July 29, 2020. She joins her brother,

an incredible institution.”

Charlie (5), and sister, Sofia (3).

See photo 11.

See photo 17.

16 10 Jason Ienner ’97 and his fiancée, Mariah Strongin 11 Will Mundy ’98 credits Brunswick for

much of his professional success.

12 The Hubbard Family celebrated the 17

74 | TIMES

OF BRUNSWICK • SPRING 2021

wedding of George Hubbard ’99 and Sarah Dozier in August.

13 Jamie Lee’s ’02 baby girl, Gloria Ocean 14 Tucker Dudley, the son of Robert Dudley ’04, has a future on Cosby Field.

15 Joshua Petrelli, the son of Kyle Petrelli ’04

CLASSNOTES 19

20

18

21

2006

2008

Henry Skelsey and his wife,

Jamie Biondi is teaching at

Sue, celebrated the birth of their

Episcopal High School in

daughter, Madeline Alice, on January

Alexandria, Va. He and his wife,

10, 2021. See photo 18.

Ann, who is the associate director

2007

of communications at the school, dog.” See photo 23.

Tommy Barnett and his wife, Juliet, welcomed a baby girl, Mia, on February 22, 2021. See photo 19.

22

“are living the dream with a campus

2009

23 24

25

The Reverend Tim O’Leary was Chris Constantine married Meg

ordained a priest at St. James’s

Barnum in the fall of 2020.

Episcopal Church in West

See photo 20.

Hartford, Conn., on January 28, 2021. See photo 24.

Chris Harris and his wife, Meghan, welcomed twins — Connor Michael and Emily James — on October 23, 2020. See photo 21.

FACULTY NOTES

Travis Judson and his wife, Ashley

Upper School math teacher Ryan

GA ’01, welcomed their son, Rory

Abraham and his wife, Jennifer,

Hume, on November 6, 2020.

welcomed a baby boy, Ethan Ryan,

See photo 22.

on September 17, 2020. See photo 25.

16 James Hubbard, the son of Dan Hubbard ’05

18 Madeline Skelsey, the daughter of Henry Skelsey ’06

17 The children of Bernard Paternina ’05:

Charlie; baby girl, Lucia; and Sofia.

19 The Barnett family: Juliet, Mia, and

Tommy Barnett ’07 20 Chris Constantine ’07 enjoys his first

walk alongside his bride, Meg Barnum.

21 Chris Harris’ ’07 twins, Connor and Emily 22 Three months and counting: Rory

Judson, the son of Travis Judson ’07

24 The Reverend Tim O’Leary ’09 25 Ryan Abraham and his family: daughter Emilia, wife Jennifer, and baby Ethan.

23 Jamie Biondi ’08 and his wife, Ann, love walking their dog on the campus of Episcopal High School in Virginia.

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| 75

CLASSNOTES

26

27

28

29

FACULTY NOTES (cont.)

Upper School English teacher Peter Adams and his wife, Liz Losch GA 30

’05, shared this happy news: “Defying her Ides of March due date by a solid

26 India Adams, the

margin, India Rose Adams marched

daughter of Peter Adams

forth on March 4, 2021. Who is more

27 Ayah Asjaa, the

surprised by this development — her

daughter of Tijani Asjaa

sister, Matilda, or India herself — is

28 Zach Dobbs ’06

a tossup, but all parties are healthy

and his bride, Kelsey

and completely unwise in our new

29 Teddy Follansbee, the son of Rob Follansbee

reality as a family of four. As ever, we feel incredibly lucky for our friends,

30 Cash Hannigan,

family, and neighbors, all of whom

the son of Mike Hannigan ’01

have already played a wonderful part in our daughters’ lives. Thank you,

31 Mike Kennedy ’99

soon!” See photo 26.

Moran ’06 were groomsmen.

See photo 28.

Middle School Head Rob Follansbee and his wife, Katie, welcomed their third boy to the family, Edward “Teddy” Gibbs, on November 17, 2020. See photo 29.

Upper School history teacher Mike Hannigan ’01 and his wife, Alex, made it a family of four after the birth of Cash Michael on September 20, 2020. See photo 30.

Mike Kennedy ’99 shared happy news that his now-seven-year-old

Technology Support Specialist Tijani

daughter, Katie, earned a cancer-free

Asjaa and his wife, Dikra, have the

bill of health on July 10, 2020, after

honor of introducing their baby girl,

a battle against Ewing’s Sarcoma.

Ayah, who arrived on April 2, 2021.

Mike and his wife, Courtney,

See photo 27.

especially wanted to thank so many in the ’Wick community for their

31

OF BRUNSWICK • SPRING 2021

and Christian Henze ’06 and Mark

happy spring, and we hope to see you

and his wife, Courtney, watched proudly as their daughter, Katie, “rang the bell” in July.

76 | TIMES

Corey Dobbs ’08 was the best man,

’Wick alumnus and Director of

outpouring of love and support (and

Alumni Relations Zach Dobbs ’06

grocery runs, meals, and coloring

married Kelsey Grad on March 14,

books!) during those long eight

2020, in West Palm Beach, Fla.

months. See photo 31.

CLASSNOTES

33

32 34

IN MEMORIAM Patrick James Durkin ’75, 63, died on July 27, 2020. Patrick was the son of Virginia Hewitt Durkin and William Austin Durkin, Jr. He grew up in Greenwich, attending North Street School and Brunswick.

Sports were a big part of Pat’s youth, whether catching passes thrown by his twin brother, Tim, on the Greenwich Grenadiers football team, playing pond hockey at Bridges Nursery, or golf at Greenwich Country Club. At

32 Taryn Petrelli’s GA ’05 son, Hudson

Brunswick, Pat was the captain of

33 Former faculty member Ted Stolar’s artwork 34 The Taylor family: Bill, Carter, baby Maya, and Krista Taylor.

the varsity soccer team and played four years of varsity soccer at Middlebury College, in Vermont.

More important, Pat was a

Middle School English teacher Taryn

of malls and big-box stores. In the

leader, being a perennial class

Petrelli GA ’05 and her husband,

stores, I photographed the empty

president. Volunteerism played

Adam, welcomed a baby boy,

shelves in the paper-goods areas.

an enormous role in his life. At

Hudson Joseph, on February 19,

In many stores, there was not a roll

Brunswick, he organized student

2021. See photo 32.

of toilet paper to be found. The

volunteers for The Nathaniel

photography just was not cutting it.

Witherell home and raised money

Former faculty member Ted Stolar is

I couldn’t find the images to express

for a South Korean orphanage.

using those same programs he used

how I was feeling. So here I am, deep

Later in life, his volunteer activities

in his ’Wick classroom to express

into retirement, using the Bryce,

ranged from helping at a homeless

himself in a “pandemic world.” He

Poser, and Amphorium programs

shelter in New York City to serving

explains: “Where did these images

again with my new computer named

on the boards of the Red Cross and

come from? They came from almost

‘Big Boy.’” See photo 33.

the National Wildlife Foundation.

fear, isolation, and reactions to the

Middle School science teacher

and the Tuck School of Business at

COVID pandemic. I was frustrated

Krista Taylor and her husband,

Dartmouth College, Pat pursued

trying to come to terms with the

Bill, welcomed Maya Mackenzie to

a career in investment banking,

emotions I was feeling. I photo-

their family on December 7, 2020.

working with Donaldson Lufkin and

graphed the empty parking lots

See photo 34.

Jenrette, Credit Suisse, Barclays,

and, most recently, Atlas Merchant Capital. His business carried him around the world, from working on telecommunication projects in South America to opening DLJ’s Moscow office.

It was in Moscow where he met his wonderful wife, Kristen Staples.

Patrick was hosting a lavish event to celebrate their new office when he approached Kristen and asked her what she thought of the evening — her response was “Not enough caviar.” While Patrick was larger than life to many, Kristen kept him grounded, and they enjoyed 17 years of marriage together.

A successful banker, at heart Pat was a politician. Prior to business school, he worked for Congressman Judd Gregg of New Hampshire and was a speech writer for Secretary of the Treasury Donald Regan. Later, Pat served on the Presidential Task

After graduating from Middlebury

a year’s worth of panic, frustration,

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| 77

CLASSNOTES

Force of Market Mechanisms with

fraternity. As many young American

August 11, 1958, he was a musician,

former Senator Nicolas Brady and

men did, he served in the Army

composer, beloved teacher, and

was a tireless campaigner and fund

during the Korean conflict.

Set up like a bowling pin by fellow

raiser for Presidents George H.vW.

cherished husband, father, brother, nephew, cousin, son-in-law, broth-

Bush and George W. Bush, and

Washingtonian Olive Eames, Hank

er-in-law, nephew-in-law, uncle,

Senator John McCain, along with

met his wife-to-be, Mary Carol

great-uncle, and friend.

numerous candidates at the state

White, at a Washington Club dance.

and local levels.

After a courtship in Washington,

moves across the U.S. with

New York City, and Bay Head, N.J.,

his parents, William Markham

Everyone knew Pat and he could

His childhood included many

the couple married in Bay Head in

McCardell and Martha Ann

Most of all, Pat was a husband

June 1954. The newlyweds settled in

McDonald McCardell, and his sister,

and father. He loved his wife and

Washington, where they raised their

Carol, due to his father’s work with

children, Luke, Austin, and Kate,

three children and lived the rest of

Exxon. During Stephen’s junior-high

more than anything in the world.

their lives.

and high-school years, they lived in

open doors that others found shut.

Pat shared with his children his love for travel, the outdoors, sports, and anything else that they could do together. Pat will always be with them, whether skiing at Okemo Mountain, hiking through the fields and woods at the Durkin family farm, or walking on Capitol Hill.

Along with his immediate family, Pat leaves his mother, Virginia Durkin; his brothers — Bill and his wife, Martha; Tim and his wife, Liz; Tom and his wife, Sue; and Dan and his wife, Susan — along with numerous nieces and nephews who will spend a lifetime telling stories about Uncle Pat.

Power; his sister-in-law, Liz; his nephews, Daniel, Sam, and Zac; his niece, Brynn; and many cousins in New England and California. He was predeceased by his mother, Arleen; his father, Power; and his sister, Jamie.

Andrew Hryb ’01, 36, of Darien, Conn., died on February 29, 2020, following a skiing accident in Vermont.

Henry Kunhardt ’46 died peacefully in his sleep on February 27, 2021. He was in his Washington, Conn., home with his three children beside him.

Cause of death was long life: He was 92 years old, having been born on July 3, 1928.

Peter Welsh Fraser ’76 died in his

Hank leaves behind his son,

home in Vieques, Puerto Rico, on

Bradley Kunhardt and wife,

Sept. 15, 2019. Peter was born on

Carolyn; daughter Debbie

December 15, 1957, in Greenwich,

Kunhardt, daughter Kristin

and lived there for a good portion

Kunhardt; grandchildren, Katharine,

of his life.

Christian, Aidan, Gretchen, and

He moved to Vieques in 2015 and fell in love with the island and its people. During his time in Vieques,

Morgen; and great-grandchildren, Ronan and Fallon.

He was predeceased by his wife of

he owned and operated Petie’s New

48 years, Mary Carol Kunhardt (née

York Deli, survived Hurricane Maria,

White), who died in 2002 after a

cleaned swimming pools, and spent

battle with multiple sclerosis.

his time with his friends and his beloved dog, Missy. His refreshing, upbeat, friendly, kind, and generous

his days as an aging adventurer and

personality made him a beloved resi-

twinkle-eyed dance partner to his

dent on Vieques and a good friend

quieter, contemplative final year.

Hank attended Brunswick and

in Vieques, Peter lived and spent

Massanutten Military Academy in

time in Greenwich, Vermont, Rhode

Woodstock, Va. He earned his B.A.

Island, Arizona, and Florida.

from Kenyon College, Class of 1950,

Peter is survived by his brother,

78 | TIMES

OF BRUNSWICK • SPRING 2021

Greenwich, where he played soccer

business; he marketed apparel

for Brunswick and found his love of

fasteners like Gripper snaps and

music playing lead guitar.

zippers made at Waterbury’s Scovill

After discovering Stravinsky

Manufacturing. Some have said that

during his high-school years, he

the leisure suits of the ’70s could

branched out to classical music and

not have happened without Hank’s

classical composition, including

product lines. (Sorry, everyone!)

conducting a piece he wrote for the

Hank was active at St. John’s

choir at Christ Church in Greenwich.

Episcopal Church, singing in the

Stephen attended Lawrence

choir and acting in pageants. He

University in Appleton, Wis., begin-

performed musical and comedic

ning in the fall of 1976, where he met

roles in local musical theater and in

his future wife, Susan Lawrence. In

the Valley Chordsmen barbershop

1978, he returned to his nonclassical

group. As a kayaker, he was engaged

roots, working at the Guitar House

in efforts to protect the Shepaug

in Neenah, Wis., and playing with

River. He was a longtime member of

The Rosewater Medicine Show and

the Washington Club.

other bands.

Many knew Hank for his devotion

Stephen and Susan were married

to Mary Carol as they fought her

in 1981 and, after Susan’s gradu-

decades-long battle with multiple

ation from LU, played in a band

sclerosis. He led record-breaking

together during the early years of

development campaigns in support

their marriage. They welcomed

of the Western Connecticut

their daughter, Carolyn Gallagher

Chapter of the National Multiple

McCardell, in 1982, and moved

Sclerosis Society.

to the Chicago area, where they recorded at Universal Studios, and

Stephen McCardell ’76 died on July

in 1986 pressed an EP record of

29, 2020, at his home in Appleton,

Stephen’s original tunes.

Wis. Born in Houston, Texas, on

In 1988, Stephen and his family

A near harem-sized bevy of caregivers eased Hank’s transition from

to all who knew him. Before settling

Hank’s career was in the fashion

where he was in the Psi Upsilon

We make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our mailing address information for members of our extended Brunswick family. If you are not receiving this publication at your preferred or current address, please let us know and we will update our records. If, for whatever the reason, you would prefer to suspend or terminate receiving this publication, please indicate so by emailing Libby Edwards (ledwards@brunswickschool.org).

CLASSNOTES

moved to Greenwich, where he

McCardell and Lawrence families

Carter; and Peter Rand and his wife,

continued musical pursuits in

across the globe.

Rachel. Sandy is also survived by his

the New York area with longtime

eight adoring grandchildren, Will,

friends, and was assistant director

Stanley Rand III (Sandy) ’62, 75,

Jack, and Maggie O’Callaghan; Molly

for many years of Café at Christ

longtime resident of Riverside,

and Briggs McGuckin; and Patrick,

Church, a youth ministry that spon-

Conn., died peacefully at home in

Delaney, and Mac Rand. He is also

sored a weekly dance-club gathering

Darien surrounded by his devoted

survived by his brothers, Michael

for young people ages 16–21.

family on March 26, 2020.

Rand (Tracey) and Walter Rand. He

Lifelong friendships resulted from

Sandy attended Brunswick, gradu-

his work with Café. He and Susan

ated from Trinity Pawling School, and

also led the high-school youth group

attended Stetson University before

at St. Paul’s Church in Riverside,

serving in Vietnam as a Green Beret

which was their church community

with the 5th Special Forces Group.

while they lived in Greenwich.

Upon return from Vietnam, Sandy

Stephen joined the faculty of

married his wife, Suzanne, and lived

the LU Conservatory of Music in

in Riverside, where they raised their

Appleton, Wis., in the fall of 1999,

family and he continued to build

where he taught music theory for

the family business. Sandy recently

20 years, composition lessons as

retired as Chairman and Chief

needed, and “Orchestration for

Executive Officer of Rand Insurance,

the Music Educator” beginning in

Inc., a Riverside and New Canaan

2005. He was dearly beloved by

general insurance agency.

his students.

In 2006 and again in 2007, Stephen was diagnosed with cancer.

was predeceased by his parents, Stanley and Rachel Rand.

Nothing but calm seas and clear skies for Sandy from now on.

Brian Vaughan ’94, 43, of Siansconset, Mass., died unexpectedly on Easter Sunday, April 12, 2020. At the time of his passing, he was in the hearts of those he loved the most.

Lee Zoubek ’59 died in his sleep

Sandy built an amazing business

on August 14, 2020, at Greenwich

and an even better family, which was

Hospital, after a prolonged illness.

his first love. Sunday night cookouts,

Son of the late Annabell and

He received radiation and chemo-

time spent on his boat, days at the

Charles Zoubek, Lee was born at

therapy during the fall and winter

beach relaxing with his family and

Columbia Presbyterian Hospital

terms of 2007–08 and returned to

cheering on all his grandkids from

in New York City in 1941. A

teaching in the spring of 2008. He

the sidelines of the sports fields

lifetime Greenwich resident, he

was cancer free until a belated diag-

were among his favorites. Sandy was

attended Brunswick, Greenwich

nosis of a cancer recurrence near

a true American patriot.

High School, and graduated from

the end of 2019, for which treatment was unsuccessful.

News of Stephen’s passing has

His love of his country was always apparent and he was so proud to be a veteran. Sandy lived life to

elicited an outpouring of heartfelt

the fullest, and never forgot what

appreciation for the deep impact

was truly important. Sandy was

he had on the lives of countless

passionate about flying (he was a

students while at Lawrence. They

licensed pilot), train trips across the

recall his compassion, patience,

country (sending home pictures of

commitment to excellence, remark-

the great outdoors that he loved so

able empathy, and wonderfully

much), and fishing for blues off the

quirky sense of humor.

coast of Nantucket. Not once did

Many students felt he was one of

he ever bring home the fish that he

the most empathetic people, if not

caught; he just loved being on the

the most empathetic person, they

water. Sandy shared many outdoor

had ever met. Stephen’s enthusiasm

adventures with his dear friends. He

for teaching, and his dedication to

was extremely generous with his

Admiral Farragut Academy in St. Petersburg, Fla. He attended Rocky Mountain College in Montana and Ryder College in New Jersey. He retired

for more than 20 years.

Lee was an avid fisherman and also enjoyed sailing on Long Island Sound with friends and family.

He’ll be fondly remembered for his wicked sense of humor and generous spirit.

He is survived by his wife of

time, and supported many organiza-

an indelible mark on so many lives,

tions that were close to his heart.

older brother, Charles; his sister, Roxanne Zoubek Lawless; a niece,

wife of 51 years, Suzanne, and their

Rollyn Zoubek Bornhorst; and

Susan, and daughter, Carolyn

children, Suzanne Rand O’Callaghan

nephew, Christopher Zoubek. He

McCardell; sister Carol McCardell

and her husband, Brian; Lindsay

was predeceased by his younger

and family; and beloved extended

Rand McGuckin and her husband,

brother, Martin.

Stephen is survived by his wife,

• Set the photo size to 4x6 inches or larger, in 300 dpi.

• If photos have been taken by a professional photographer, submit hi-resolution files obtained from the photographer.

Low-res files from photographers’ websites don’t reproduce well.

• Set your digital camera to the best photo setting.

• Save files as JPG. • Identify everyone, left to right, and provide a caption.

• Email photos as attachments to Libby Edwards at ledwards@ brunswickschool.org.

Stamford, Conn., where he worked

and care for his students, leaves

Sandy is survived by his loving

We love pictures, and we like you to look good.

Here are tips for providing digital photos that will look fantastic in print:

from the Pitney Bowes Company in

49 years, Marijke Zoubek; his

which will never be forgotten.

DIGITAL PHOTOS

If you’d rather send a traditional print (made from a negative), we love that, too. But please send them on glossy paper. Matte prints and prints from digital photos do not scan well. We can’t reproduce photos from photocopies, magazines or newsprint.

Mail prints to: Libby Edwards Brunswick School Development/Alumni Office 100 Maher Avenue Greenwich, CT 06830

WWW.BRUNSWICKSCHOOL .ORG

| 79

LAST LOOK B Y D . J. G R I F F I N

Eager for Knowledge, Poised for the Challenge Photo by Jeffry Konczal

L

ARGE AND small, they’re our turning points, our times of heightened readiness.

They’re all captured at once in this timeless photo of

They’re our everyday beginnings. For most, even in ordinary times, the start of some-

thing new is a natural moment for pause. During

hesitation and reckoning.

When Brunswick photographer Jeffry Konczal arrived on campus in September to document the return to school, like all

“Despite six months of change, uncertainty, and isolation, mask in place and pencil in hand, he’s ready for the challenge, with eyes eager for knowledge,”

Even in ordinary times, the start of something new is a natural moment for pause.

of us, he was especially conscious that it was a once-in-a-lifetime occasion.

“During the pandemic, my mind and eye are always thinking about the historic nature of the moment,” he said. “The simple tasks of our lives will be a record for

Konczal observed.

And, still, he was just eight years old at the time (he’s now nine).

“J. P.’s photo, along with others, will be a record of how Brunswick and its students addressed these challenges,” Konczal said,

and wondered, “What will people generations from now see and say when they look at these photographs?”

We have a guess: Hats off to J. P. and to Brunswick boys of all ages who — with eager eyes, unwavering

future generations of how, collectively and as individ-

focus, and boundless determination — have made such

uals, we navigated this time.”

indelible, admirable, and distinguishing impressions on

In his travels during the first week — an unprecedented and truly historic start — again and again, Jeff

OF BRUNSWICK • SPRING 2021

Lower School third grader J. P. Shannon ’30.

the COVID-19 pandemic, the start of everything has become an occasion for

80 | TIMES

encountered moments of purpose, intensity, and focus.

the historical records of 2020 and 2021, truly together in navigating their ways through a time like no other.

COM ING JUN E 2

# GRATITUDE!

In a year like no other, a day to show gratitude!

Your strong support gives us

Power TO

Pıv t

2020–2021 ’WICK ANNUAL FUND

That power is essential in these especially challenging times, as we work together to prepare our boys for life in a fast-changing world.

Now, it’s clearer than ever: Your generosity makes all the difference.

Keep us strong! Please make your gift today!

And, once again, thank you!

TO MAKE YOUR ANNUAL FUND GIFT

Online

BrunswickSchool.org/give

By email or telephone Krista Bruce Annual Fund Director 203.242.1225 kbruce@brunswickschool.org

PRESORTED FIRST-CLASS MAIL U.S. Postage PAID Permit 215 Mailed from 01889

100 Maher Avenue Greenwich, CT 06830

MARK YOUR CALENDARS Opening Day .................................................. September 8 Homecoming 2021............................. October 29 & 30 For more events and updates, please visit BrunswickSchool.org

ATTENTION ALUMNI PARENTS Please notify us of your son’s current address at 203.242.1225 or Alumni@BrunswickSchool.org