prog·ress
MAROON & GREY
Spring 2025
The Magazine of Church Farm School
EDITOR
Stefanie Claypoole
LAYOUT & DESIGN
916 Design Co.
PRINCIPAL PHOTOGRAPHY
Betsy Barron Photography
MISSION
The Church Farm School prepares a diverse group of boys with academic ability and good character to lead productive and fulfilling lives by making a college preparatory education financially accessible.
Support our mission at gocfs.net
ADMINISTRATION
INTERIM
Tiffany
ASSISTANT
Margaret van Steenwyk
INTERIM
Suni
Brandon
&
Dear CFS Community
I bring you warm greetings of peace, love and joy this spring. As I complete my first year as Head of School, I cherish the memories and lessons learned. At the start of this journey, I promised to lead with grace and gratitude, and I have encouraged the CFS community to do the same.
This year has been particularly momentous, marked by the selection of our new leader, Dr. Troy Baker, who will join us on July 1st. We also hosted our 99th Pageant, and we are thrilled to welcome you back during Alumni Weekend in May. While a school year is often defined by significant events and milestones, the most meaningful moments happen on ordinary days—when CFS scholars are living, learning and playing together, growing into young men of excellence.
We live in a world filled with differences, and while change can sometimes be uncomfortable, it is essential for growth. CFS is in a season of transformation, and I recognize that this can be challenging.
Our school holds a deep sense of nostalgia—from the Aggies to the Griffins, from the farm to a college preparatory institution. For 107 years, CFS has been on the right side of change, fostering an inclusive community for boys of diverse racial, socioeconomic and religious backgrounds while upholding our core values of brotherhood, respect, responsibility and integrity. No matter where I go in the world, I know that when I meet a CFS alum, those values will shine through.
This year, thanks to a generous benefactor, several scholars will have the opportunity to study abroad and participate in summer programs at the University of Pennsylvania. These experiences, along with our term-away programs, are becoming integral components of a CFS education under what we call Experiential Learning. Our scholars need and desire academic experiences beyond the classroom—whether through studying abroad, internships,
extensive community service or summer college programs. By 2030, our goal is to ensure that every CFS scholar graduates with at least one of these transformative experiences.
CFS has always thrived because of the generosity of those near and far who believe in our mission. Philanthropy is essential to our existence, and this issue of Maroon and Grey highlights how we use your investments—to benefit our scholars and strengthen our community. We are a truly unique institution, unmatched in our mission and ability to educate the whole boy—academically, athletically and socially. Through this holistic approach, we prepare young men to seize the opportunities that life presents.
CFS is entering a new era, and I hope every alum and friend will stand with us as we embrace this transformation. We are grateful for the support many of you have provided and look forward to more of you investing in our beloved school.
With grace and gratitude,
TIFFANY SCOTT TO SERVE AS ASSOCIATE HEAD OF SCHOOL
We are pleased to announce that Tiffany Scott will assume the newly created role of Associate Head of School for 2025-2026. The Associate Head of School is responsible for supporting the Head of School and for guiding all internal programs that impact student experience, including academics, co-curriculars, discipline, wellness, college counseling and auxiliary programs.
With her long track record of success as Director of College Counseling and Strategic Initiatives and currently as Interim Head of School, along with her longstanding relationships with the administration and faculty and staff, we are looking forward to Tiffany’s strong partnership with our incoming Head of School to meet the unique opportunities of 21st century all-boys education.
Meet Dr. Troy Baker Incoming Head of School
We recently chatted with Dr. Troy Baker, who was selected by the Church Farm School Board of Directors as our next Head of School in November 2024 after an extensive nationwide search. Dr. Baker currently serves as Upper School Director at Breck School in Minnesota, an Episcopal PreK-12 college preparatory school. Prior to Breck, he spent six years at Pace Academy in Atlanta, GA, as Director of Student Life and Director of Athletics, and seven years as Director of Athletics at Lausanne College School in Memphis, TN. He starts at CFS on July 1, 2025.
What are some of your proudest accomplishments?
My proudest accomplishment is by far my children and the relationships they have with one another. They are hardworking and empathetic. They are the light of my life, and they fill me with pride. Mckenzie, a Wake Forest graduate, is excelling in her career working for SignatureFD in Atlanta. Logan is finishing his undergraduate degree at DePaul and is applying for graduate schools in architecture. Dylan aspires to have a career in education and is finishing her soccer career and undergraduate degree at Carleton (spring 2026).
Professionally, I am most proud of the relationships I’ve built over the past 20 years. I am proud of the fact that I am still connected to so many students and colleagues in meaningful ways.
What is your educational philosophy? Does this philosophy change when you consider all-boys?
My philosophy of education is simple: strong relationships provide the foundation for student success and life outcomes. School should be a place where all students are known, cared for and respected. A rigorous curriculum and brilliant teachers are at the core of any quality academic institution, but a curriculum alone cannot reach a child who does not have a positive relationship with some aspect of their school. There are obviously some differences between an all-boys environment and a co-ed school, but some things are universal.
How does the mission of CFS resonate with you?
CFS prepares a diverse group of boys in grades 9-12 with academic ability and good character to lead productive and fulfilling lives by making a college preparatory education financially accessible. Some of the community’s needs have changed since the school was founded, but the most impressive aspect of CFS’s mission is that it has remained consistent in its service to young men since 1918.
What were your first impressions of the CFS campus? The students?
I was blown away by Church Farm School. I loved the overall aesthetic of the physical plant, the obvious investment in the grounds and the fact that there is still room to build. The students were curious, respectful and engaging. It was clear that they shared a bond of brotherhood that was inspiring. What stood out most to me was the fact that the faculty, administration, alumni, parents and trustees were all highly invested in the mission of the school and showed a profound sense of care for the students. It was evident to me that CFS was a special place.
In your vast experience in schools, what do you think is a commonality that all kids need?
I’ve worked in urban public schools, charter schools and independent schools, and I have learned that, regardless of race or socioeconomic status, kids are kids no matter where they are from. Kids need love, and kids need structure.
What are your top goals as you prepare to become our next Head of School?
My first goal is to learn. It would be foolish to join a community that has been thriving for over 100 years with the notion that I have all the right ideas. We have some important questions to answer regarding the identity of the school, we need to continue to explore faculty compensation and housing and we must continue to focus on enrollment.
What do you do for fun?
My favorite pastime is fishing. I fancy myself a bass fisherman, but I’ll gladly fish for anything. I have recently developed somewhat of an obsession with shows and movies about the American West (Yellowstone, 1923, 1883, Primeval). I love a good Ribeye steak, and as far as music, I listen to everything.
Can we turn you into an Eagles fan? I’ve been told I don’t have a choice!
prog·ress
1. forward or onward movement toward a destination
We hear a lot that CFS has changed. To us, change is just a synonym for progress. If you attended Church Farm School through the 1980s, then certainly, things are indeed different now than when we operated the farm. The sale of 1,600 acres was a planned, progressive move in response to changing times (pasteurization and child labor laws) that set the school up for operational longevity through the creation of a sizable endowment. As schools at all levels are forced to shutter their doors, we are eternally grateful for the forethought to protect this wonderful school for generations to come. At the same time, the national landscape has diversified. While our charter once used the words “qualified white students,” that verbiage was struck in 1963. Since that time, our mission has grown to include students from a myriad of backgrounds, all seeking the opportunity that Church Farm School offers.
The following is a narrative and visual timeline of key moments of progress in our school’s history.
1918 – 1964
We all know the lore of our founder, the Rev. Dr. Charles Wesley Shreiner, and his vow to one day open a school for boys of “ability and character” where they would learn the importance of faith, hard work and discipline. “The Colonel,” as he was known, made his dream a reality in 1918, and his own faith, hard work and discipline helped the school continue to grow.
A man of great foresight, Shreiner continually expanded the borders of Church Farm School, knowing well that the land would someday serve as an endowment for the school. Multiple farms were acquired. Generous donors helped fund the construction of Greystock, outbuildings, cottages and the Chapel of the Atonement. The Colonel networked throughout the Episcopal Diocese to find “disadvantaged” young men with potential. He was committed to their success, and ensuring their (often single or widowed) mothers received a helping hand. The amount of tuition paid was inconsequential to what the boys received in return: a solid education and life skills that served them well in college, the trades and the military.
Shreiner was also a master at publicity. He spoke at and was honored by many local organizations. He pitched the school to Readers’ Digest and The Saturday Evening Post, resulting in a groundswell of financial support and goodwill for the school. He built Rose Acre, a beautiful rose garden with a fountain centerpiece, to draw visitors to the campus and appease his own love of horticulture. He knew well that giving was as critical as receiving and made sure that donors were well-thanked for their generosity, via handwritten letters, in-person visits, naming rights and of course, gifts from the farm: turkeys at Thanksgiving, sausage and Scrapple at Christmas and hams and flowers at Easter.
One of Shreiner’s most substantive changes to the school was amending the charter in 1963, just one year before his passing. Working with the Board of Directors, the descriptor “white” was replaced with “qualified,” ensuring that boys of any race could pursue their dreams at Church Farm School. Our first black student, Benjamin Wright, graduated in 1968.
1964-1994
Our founder intentionally surrounded himself with the best people on the Board of Directors and Board of Managers, as well as on his faculty and staff. One of those best people was his son, Charlie, who served as Assistant Headmaster for his father and took over the reins upon his passing in 1964. Charlie’s era was marked by significant academic progress. According to Vision and Ability, the “school had continued to operate as a Depression-era institution.” Charlie turned that around, with his first major move an expansion of the academic team and program. By the early 1970s CFS was turning away applicants because it was so selective and simultaneously participating in the Middle States
If God gives us a vision of something He wants done, He also gives us the ability to do it.
Association Accreditation process, led by then principal Jack Kistler.
Facilities enhancements during this period included the creation of the tunnel under Route 30 connecting the north and south campuses, The Wilkins Building for Science and Math, a pool and an organized effort to bring the cottages up to a modern standard.
Farm operations also started to wane, not just at CFS but nationally. Chickens were phased out by the mid-1960s. Peonies were another economic fatality. By 1978, Charlie was compelled to sell off the school’s dairy herd, with pigs soon to follow. No longer did the students need to
We are more than a farm. Our point of view must be that of the School, whose chief concern is … how much instruction we can give, how much character we can develop.
rise to tend to the farm at 4:00 a.m., instead, they had a regular school day with opportunities to maintain the campus.
Like a microcosm of the larger world, CFS evolved from its agrarian roots into modernity. The Industrial Arts Program bloomed, with students taking classes in electronics, woodworking and metal shop. Competitive admissions requirements became standard, and a college guidance process was instituted. Charlie also transitioned to a more traditional boarding school set-up; cottages were no longer the domain of housemothers: academic faculty who could assist the boys with their studies and life skills became the norm. Rigorous academics and college preparation are now a standard at CFS, with one hundred percent of graduates going on to attend top universities, many of them with prestigious scholarships.
Charlie retired in 1986, ceding the role of Headmaster to his son, “Terry,” who was unanimously selected by the Board of Directors following a nationwide search. Terry’s main focus was to correct misnomers about the school. Because the school had often been touted as one for boys from “broken homes,” many mistakenly assumed CFS was a school for juvenile delinquents. The school’s name didn’t do much to alleviate that misconception. Was it a religious entity, a school or a farm? In 1993, Terry successfully worked with the Board to change the school’s name to “CFS, The School at Church Farm.”
1994-2005
In addition to the school’s new name, Terry worked tirelessly to advance the school’s reputation and competitiveness. In 1994, the school opened its doors to local day students. Day students soon made up about 10% of enrollment, and Terry and his staff encouraged this new demographic to take part in all of CFS’ activities and traditions. Shortly after, CFS expanded its enrollment again to international boarding
students. Students came to CFS from all over Asia and Europe, getting a well-rounded American education for a competitive price.
In 2000, Terry introduced “Retrofit 2000,” a four-year facilities upgrade plan that included the “connected learning community.” CFS was one of the first private schools in the area to tout a 1:1 student/laptop program. The 2000s also saw the school launch a website.
In 2009, when the Rev. Edmund K. Sherrill II, “Ned,” was selected as fourth Head of School, CFS was enjoying a nice mix of domestic boarding school students, day students and international students, all gravitating toward CFS due to its generous financial aid and strong reputation for college preparation. While CFS once accepted boys as young as 10 years old, the school made the decision to phase out the middle school in 2015, determining that the resources necessary to sustain the program were out of line with annual enrollment in it.
The Admissions team guaranteed new “Griffins” met the school’s academic requirements first and foremost. This has been achieved, in part, by partnering with community-based organizations (CBOs) nationwide who identify young, underrepresented people who would thrive in a private school environment. These CBOs –SEEDS, Prep for Prep, A Better Chance, Oliver Scholars, the Wight Foundation, etc. – work with young people throughout middle school to prepare them for the rigor of private school. At the same time, the Admissions team created several partnerships with middle schools with missions similar to Church Farm School.
These CBOs and feeder schools, due to the nature of their missions, infused CFS with a large number of bright Black and Latino young men eager for the opportunity CFS provides. This diversity also reflects more closely the growth of diversity across the United States. Our international and day student populations, both of which shrank during the Covid-19 pandemic, are beginning to rebound.
Rev. Sherrill’s 15-year tenure at CFS was marked by significant enhancements to the campus, to the curriculum and to the faculty and staff. A $15.5M Campus Modernization Project extended the tunnel into Greystock; created a new, safer entry road; reoriented the school’s main entrance toward the north; added new student-centered spaces on campus; and created the Buck Family Center for the Arts. In fall 2023, a new six-lane, all-weather track was dedicated and in spring 2024, enhancements to student cottages commenced, adding much-needed HVAC, furniture, flooring, lighting and paint. A 5-acre solar array was installed in 2013 that powers much of the school’s electricity needs. The curriculum continues to evolve with the times, with a committee comprised of adults and students helping broaden scope to align with 21st century education trends and student interests. In summer 2014, two new and critical positions were created: a Director of Marketing and Communications and a Director of College Guidance, both of which aimed to create greater awareness of the school and its college preparatory mission.
Interim Head of School Tiffany Scott, the school’s longtime Director of College Guidance and Strategic Initiatives, has laser-focused CFS on offering more
experiential learning opportunities for students to make a CFS education more competitive. She has always assisted scholars with summer programs and internships but now these offerings are institutional. CFS has partnerships with the University of Pennsylvania Summer Program, Yale Young Global Scholars, the Experiment in International Living, Student Diplomacy Corps and others, as well as term-away programs through High Mountain Institute and The Island School. These partnerships continue to grow and expand our students’ worldview [see story on page 10].
The Church Farm School of today may look different in many ways. Less farmland. Looser dress code. But despite all of the progress – to facilities, to the curriculum, to the diversity of the student body – much has not changed. Recently, one of our new day student parents shared, “Want your kid to attend a school with kids from around the country and world? Done. Want your kid to be exposed to and gain the skills necessary to interact with people who are not a carbon copy of himself? Done. On top of this, do you want your kid to be served an impressive breakfast, lunch and dinner that is home-cooked, nutritious and varied and that is all included with the cost of tuition? Done. We have only just gotten our toes in the sand as we are new to Church Farm School, but we are so very impressed.”➻
Creating a Competitive College Prep Program
The work that began in the 1960s to create a more competitive and compelling college preparatory curriculum continues to yield enviable outcomes. This school year alone, we have two out of our class of 18 seniors who have successfully matched with Amherst and Swarthmore through the QuestBridge program – a full, four-year college scholarship. We’ve partnered with QuestBridge since 2015, a program that helps underrepresented and under resourced students attain their educational dreams by rewarding their rigorous work and generous scholarships to their many partner universities and colleges, many of them Ivy League. Since 2015, nine CFS scholars have been matched, and 23 have been finalists. Our outcomes are extraordinary, and this is due to many factors: our students who come to CFS through communitybased organizations receive mentorship, academic support and internships that match their motivation and enhance their resumes; our curriculum, college guidance program and caring approach to each and every student sets them up for success at college and beyond; and our unique Alumni Success Program continues to monitor our alumni in college to ensure they are on track to graduate within six years. Our students feel well-prepared for the college experience, as they’ve already spent up to four years at Church Farm School learning life skills such as time management, self-advocacy, leadership and networking. ➻
“CFS helps you discover who you are outside of home—how you handle big responsibilities, independence and personal growth.
NEIMAN SMITH ’25
Experiences Outside of the Ordinary
Experiential learning, or, “learning by doing,” has been an integral part of education since we all smeared our hands in paint back in preschool to make art for our parents. Over the past few years, experiential learning has taken on an even stronger focus at CFS, led in part by our administration seeking better ways to teach boys and be competitive, and by students seeking opportunities outside of the ordinary. So much can fall into this category – field trips to Longwood Gardens by our digital photography classes, new robotics classes in our STEM Learning Center, service and project-based learning and, more recently, intellectual immersion through summer or semester-long opportunities to enroll in a renowned college, university or research institution for intensive study. Many of our students affiliated with community-based organizations such as Oliver Scholars, Prep for Prep, SEEDS and more have had access to such programs, but the CFS administration has made it a foci to find and fund these partnerships.
Oscar Lu '26:
A Semester Away at High Mountain Institute
Current partnerships include:
• Student Diplomacy Corps
• The Island School
• The University of Pennsylvania Summer Program
• Yale Young Global Scholars
• The Experiment in International Living
• Where There Be Dragons
• High Mountain Institute
What changes does one undergo spending four months away from their parents, their school, technology, civilization and their twin brother? Judging by Oscar Lu’s transformation, they run the gamut from physical, to spiritual to social. Oscar and his twin brother, Victor, came to CFS as freshmen from California (the family has since moved to Massachusetts). Both standout students, Oscar’s quiet poise contrasts with Victor’s extroverted personality. Many did a double-take when Oscar – who spent the entire first semester at the High Mountain Institute (HMI) in Colorado – returned to campus in January, right before Victor was preparing to depart for his own semesteraway experience at The Island School in the Bahamas. He looked older, stronger, more confident. Oscar says his time away helped him discover sides of himself he wasn’t aware of before.
“I learned who I am when I’m without my brother. I can make friends by myself. I can stand up for myself. I can say no to things. I don’t always have to be perfect. I’m funny. I’m spontaneous. I’m a good chef.” Oscar is the third CFS student to attend HMI’s term-away program – open to high achieving high school juniors and seniors. Both of his former CFS “big brothers,” Fayi Nshanji ’24 and Rafael Arellano ’24, attended HMI during the 2022-2023 school year and raved about it to him.
Approximately 40 participants rotate between school at HMI – a full courseload of honors and AP classes – interspersed with 14-day backpacking expeditions where they completely disconnect from technology and embrace learning by doing. Oscar recalls waking up to frost on his sleeping bag, seeing mountain goats and moose, running 10 miles to conclude his semester, cliff diving in Zion, hiking in a blizzard with Victor during Family Weekend and the thrill of summiting a mountain at sunrise.
Due to the rigorous academic schedule – classes run from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily and study hall ends at 9:15 at which time laptops are turned in – Oscar says his time management has also grown exponentially. This will serve him well both at CFS and this summer, when he hopes to attend a summer program at either the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado, or MIT’s MITES program. Oscar will spend his second semester at CFS as the president of his class “living in the moment and using his newfound confidence to advocate for his classmates.”
Richard Adams '67: Supporting the Experience
Richard Adams ’67 has always been a strong proponent of learning by doing. Much of that was a necessity of his life, having grown up in Maryland working on a farm. Coming to Church Farm School in the fall of 1961 was not as much of a culture shock to Rich as to some of his peers who had never been exposed to farming. Rich says that opportunities for leadership at CFS were abundant and hands-on work was, and remains, critical for success in high school, college and beyond. “People have ideas of what they want to do, but they need the practical experience of it.” That is why he was pleased to recently lend his financial support to experiential learning.
Rich, like most of his classmates at CFS during the 1960s, grew up the son of a single mother and learned about the school through his local Episcopal congregation. After CFS, Rich attended the University of WisconsinPlatteville where he met his wife, Mary Jo. He then spent decades as an agricultural economist before retiring. He continues to lend his expertise in agricultural planning and restructuring projects to local nonprofits and has recently returned to singing in a choir. The Adams split their time between Minnesota, Alabama and Ontario.
“There are a lot of alumni who grew up with no resources that have become successful and now wish to give back to CFS what it gave to us,” Rich concludes. “Hopefully, this sparks someone else’s interest.” ➻
Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I will learn.
FROM THE CAO'S DESK
Our Endowment, Our Legacy
Well, you have that endowment, don’t you?
On more than one occasion, while discussing a gift to CFS, I’ve had someone point to our endowment. Why do we need to fundraise, they ask, if we have $161 million in the bank?
It’s a good question.
Our endowment is an incredible resource. It sets CFS up for greatness in a way other schools can only dream about. How we use our endowment, however, needs to evolve with the school.
That’s where the Office of Institutional Advancement comes in. Over the years, as new Heads came to the helm, we could no longer rely on the Colonel’s and Dr. Shreiner’s personal fundraising prowess as we long had. Giving traditions like the Christmas Fund were soon supplemented with more formal fundraising strategies and asks. Development was born. The goal for this new department: Raise enough to make sure that we’re not pulling too much from the endowment, our primary source of revenue, each year.
When I came in, I made the case for shifting from a Development mindset - which primarily focuses on closing the gap between expenses and revenue this year - to an Advancement model. An Advancement model encompasses a broader approach that asks how CFS can fundamentally alter its relationship with revenue long into the future.
The most critical piece of this puzzle is increasing annual revenues by at last $3 million annually so that
CFS no longer has to turn to the endowment as the primary source of operating funds.
Why? Because we want to change the endowment from a resource that just keeps our lights on to a resource that transforms CFS into the most sought-out boys’ school in the country. Plus, we want the endowment to grow steadily, ensuring that CFS survives and thrives well into and beyond the 22nd century. That’s true Institutional Advancement.
Looking at some numbers makes the necessity of this shift clearer.
This year it’ll cost $11.5 million to run Church Farm School. (That’s for everything from campus upkeep and classroom technology to athletics equipment and teacher salaries.)
At Church Farm School, given our commitment to taking a chance on young men who—very often—come from under resourced households and communities, we can’t rely on tuition and family fundraising like most other private schools do. Other private schools? They come by 80% of their operating budget on average through yearly tuition!
Instead, we turn to the endowment. It grows by a little over 7% every year, and we withdraw between 5-6% every year. This year, our endowment ‘draw’ will come in somewhere around $8.5 million.
The other $3 million we need to close the budget gap? We bring that in through a combination of rental income, tuition revenue and generous gifts from friends of the school and alumni like you.
You might ask, then, what’s the problem? The budget does, after all, balance.
But what happens if the return on our $161 million investment drops below 7%? What if it falls below the percentage we’re withdrawing every year? Suddenly CFS will find itself ending each year with less and less money than we began with. That’s a dangerous slope. Even if our ROI stays constant, we’re spending millions of endowment dollars every year that could contribute to exponential growth in our wealth—thank you compound interest!—if we just let them sit for a while. Also, most schools with endowments the size of ours use the return on their investment to build facilities and academic programs that keep them at the top of every student’s list of dream schools. We use ours to maintain the status quo.
If it’s true that our endowment sets us up for greatness, what do we need to do to own our excellence?
For the Office of Institutional Advancement, the answer is increasing the number of people who know CFS, growing philanthropic investments in CFS and introducing novel methods for generating earned revenue.
In the coming months, we’ll share more about the Office for Institutional Advancement and our specific strategies and programs. For now, we invite you to consider what a more strategic approach to revenue generation—one that finds us increasing returns by $3 million a year—could mean for our endowment by 2040.
THE VIEW FROM 2040 WITH A DECREASED ‘DRAW’
In the two scenarios presented on the chart above, we assumed operating costs and revenues increase at a steady 3.5% annually between now and 2040. We also assumed a continued 7% return on endowment investments.
The green line shows where our endowment grows if we increase annual revenues by $3 million through strategic fundraising and revenue generation (e.g., expanded rentals). Our ‘draw’ would shift downward from 5-6% to 3.5% annually. Over the following 15 years, it would continue to decrease.
The orange line shows our endowment’s trajectory if we don’t increase revenue—earned and/or contributed— from today’s levels. Our ‘draw’ of 5.5% will creep up over the next 15 years, eventually exceeding the return on our investment and introducing a loss of endowment value year over year.
The work of the Office of Institutional Advancement, if done right, is the difference between an endowment that’s worth $177 million in 15 years and an endowment worth $283 million by 2040.
What would you like to see Church Farm School do with an extra $106 million?
FRIDAY, MAY 9
12:00 PM Lunch
This informal lunch takes you back to the Dining Center to share a meal with fellow alumni, students and faculty.
12:45 PM
Career Conversations with Scholars
We are looking for alumni to join our panels! If you have studied and/or worked in any of the following areas, please reach out!
• HUMANITIES – educators, linguists, writers, historians, nonprofits, etc.
• ARTS – video, music, podcasts, photography, art, etc.
• STEM – business, finance, engineering, medicine, etc.
• COLLEGE READINESS –this special gathering between our seniors and alumni still in college, or newly graduated, aims to give the dirt on preparing for college beyond what the brochures tell you.
3:30 PM Campus Tours
Haven’t been back to the farm for a while and want to see all the enhancements to the north and south campuses or just want to revisit some of your favorite spots? Join our student-led tours!
Calling All Reunion Classes!
Can you believe it’s been 50 years since Commencement, Class of 1975? How about 20 years, Class of 2005? Or even five years, Class of 2020, who didn’t even receive a proper Commencement ceremony and all the wonderful traditions that go along with it.
No matter which year you graduated, or if you didn’t graduate at all, you are invited back to the Farm May 9-11 for Alumni Weekend 2025! Attend all events or just some; we’ve added some new offerings to encourage our graduates to connect.
5:00 PM Welcome Reception at Assistant Head of School Residence
Our faculty and staff will welcome our alumni with cocktails and heavy hors d’oeuvres both indoors and out (weather permitting).
7:00 PM Reunion Dinners On Your Own
Want to keep the good times going? Organize a dinner for your peer group. Need recommendations? Let us know!
SATURDAY, MAY 10
11:30 AM Alumni Association Meeting and Luncheon
In addition to some business (election of Executive Council officers), alumni will hear from our Interim Head of School Tiffany Scott about what’s coming up in the new school year and beyond. Those who don’t wish to participate may eat in the Dining Center starting at noon.
2:00 PM Alumni Basketball Game
This annual favorite event will see the alumni square off against members of our CFS basketball teams!
3:30 PM Young Alumni BBQ at Tennis Courts
Join us at the tennis courts after the basketball game for some food and fun and socialization.
5:30 PM Memorial Service
We’ll remember alumni no longer with us at this Chapel service.
6:00 PM Alumni Dinner
Our Annual Dinner will feature raffles, recognition of our reunion classes, music and the presentation of our Newt Disney, J. Tyler Griffin and Alumni Achievement awards.
SUNDAY, MAY 11
12:00 PM Brunch
Join our Griffins for brunch in the Dining Center.
1:00 PM Music and Art Spring Celebration (MASC)
View student work in the Buck gallery and enjoy a concert by the CFS Band and CFS Choir.
Register online now, or give us a call to let us know which events you plan to attend!
2025 ALUMNI ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
John Grunwell ’60: Scientist to Philanthropist
Dr. John Grunwell ’60 has spent his entire life in the sciences. The son of a single mother who was a bacteriologist, he spent many days helping her in the lab. When not working on the farm as a student at CFS, he thrived as a chemistry student under Earl Wilkins ’26. He went on to undergrad at UPenn, then returned to his alma mater as a helper in Wilkins’ classroom. As a student pursuing his PhD at MIT, Dr. Grunwell realized he could obtain research independence if he became a university professor, which he did, teaching chemistry for 41 years
at Miami University in Ohio and retiring as Professor Emeritus. Dr. Grunwell helped to develop the PhD program at Miami University; under his guidance, eight students received their PhD. He also published about 40 papers in refereed journals and was the chairman of the American Chemical Society Cincinnati section and General Chair of the ACS Central Regional Meeting held at Miami. Since his retirement, Dr. Grunwell has been paying his passion forward to Church Farm School, in particular, its STEM program. He’s also been a strong supporter of various critical fundraising campaigns, including the Campus Modernization Project, the establishment of the Wilkins Scholarship Fund, the Track campaign and most recently, he funded our seniors on college tours, our choir to Carnegie Hall and our push for experiential learning. In 2021, he received the Newt Disney Award for Service. “Anything I can do within my means, whether helping procure new equipment or programs, is an important means of getting young men excited about science.” We are thrilled to honor Dr. Grunwell’s enormous contributions to science and Church Farm School with the 2025 Alumni Achievement Award.
Steve Loney ’97: Fighting for What’s Right
Steve Loney says the culture of doing things right was instilled in him first at Church Farm School, where he matriculated as an eighth grader from a failing Delaware County school district. Only 10 when his father died, his mother started hearing about CFS from family friends. His aunt, a paralegal at Dechert Price & Rhoades told attorney and former CFS board member Morris Kellett about her nephew, whose situation placed him squarely within the mission of the school. Kellett encouraged the family to apply, and Loney was accepted. Today, he is a Senior Supervising Attorney for the ACLU of Pennsylvania, a dream job he was finally able to pursue after spending nearly 20 years as an attorney for two of the country’s leading firms.
Following high school, Loney attended Saint Joseph’s University and worked part-time at Dechert—the same firm that had sent him to CFS. Loney followed that up with a JD from New York University Law School and clerking for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. He then worked at Drinker, Biddle & Reath, then spent nearly 14 years with Hogan Lovells , where he was the Group Managing Partner for the firm’s award-winning Philadelphia Litigation Department. At a recent Career Panel focused
on law, Loney told the students he enjoyed his previous jobs, but his focus was always to become a civil rights attorney.
Loney’s measured and fair approach has served him well in his career and as a longtime and wellrespected member of the CFS Board of Directors. When he joined the Board, his perspective as a former scholar was indispensable. “When we talk about cottage or track upgrades – I slept in those dorms. I ran on that cinder track.” His engagement is even more meaningful now, as his son, Stephen, is a current junior at the school. When CFS reached out on behalf of aspiring lawyer Elijah Freeman ’14 to see if Loney could assist with an internship at Hogan Lovells, he didn’t hesitate. For his vast contributions to the field of law as well as CFS, we are pleased to honor Steve Loney with the 2025 Alumni Achievement Award.
THE NEWTON DISNEY AWARD FOR SERVICE:
Lori McDermott
It’s not a surprise that our 2024-2025 Newt Disney Service Award winner, Lori McDermott, was profiled in this same publication one year ago as part of our feature on Ethical Agents for the Common Good. Her commitment to service – not just to CFS, but to many other local organizations – has not gone unnoticed. We’re thrilled to see it officially recognized with the Disney Service Award, an award she worked with the alumni body to institute in 2016 in honor of a former alumnus and coach.
Lori is hardworking, empathetic and dependable. It’s likely why she’s been asked to serve on so many different committees at Church Farm School during her 18-year tenure. Most recently, she was one of two faculty members invited to participate in the Head of School search. She spent many hours attending and hosting meetings, fielding phone calls, culling through survey data and considering viewpoints. Annually, she serves on the Family Weekend, Pageant and Commencement committees, while also maintaining a busy schedule of Advancement events, alumni meetings, township meetings (she is Chair of West Whiteland Township’s Friends of the Park), student ambassador meetings and church meetings (she has served as a Deacon moderator, Elder, member-at-large and chair of the Nominating Committee for First Presbyterian Church). In all of her interactions –whether on the clock or off of it – she makes sure to let people know about Church Farm School, and how they might get their organizations involved with our unique mission.
She is an ambassador for CFS not because it’s her job, but because it is her vocation. Lori says, “I just want to pay it forward. My time was not my own when raising my children and I appreciated the support and available activities others helped to provide. This is my small way of giving back. I want to contribute where I can and to leave this world in a better place.”
Congratulations to Lori, who will be honored during our Alumni Dinner on Saturday, May 10!
THE J. TYLER GRIFFIN AWARD FOR AMBASSADORSHIP: Tiffany Scott
The J. Tyler Griffin Award for Ambassadorship has been given out annually since the 2001-2002 school year and was instituted by former Development Director and alumnus Bill Seymour ’78 to recognize outstanding ambassadorship for CFS in the community. The inaugural recipient was J. Tyler Griffin himself, a longtime board member and friend of the school. We’re thrilled to announce that the 2024-2025 recipient is Interim Head of School Tiffany Scott.
Tiffany has been the face of many aspects of Church Farm School. For 10 years, as the Director of College Guidance, she increased the profile of the school considerably, creating new partnerships with schools such as Immaculata, Skidmore and Juniata; hosting nearly 80 college and university admissions officers on campus each year; forging a relationship with QuestBridge that has resulted in nine full, four-year scholarships; and generally putting Church Farm School on the map nationally as a school with impressive graduates. She also instituted the Alumni Success Program that has increased college persistence among alumni to nearly 90% since 2020, nearly twice the national average for young men of color, and which was funded in part by the Oprah Winfrey Foundation.
Says Donald Albritton ’16, “Tiffany’s connection with students is unmatched; she was an advocate for students and to internationally prestigious universities. She worked tirelessly, pushing students beyond their comfort zones, holding them accountable and providing the support they needed to believe in themselves. Her leadership isn’t about recognition - it’s about results. Tiffany doesn’t just inspire students; she empowers them. Her energy is contagious, her expectations are high and her commitment to CFS is clearly unwavering. She set a standard for excellence that continues to impact lives long after graduation.”
Tiffany’s results-driven approach and regard inside of CFS and outside of it resulted in her taking on the expanded role of Director of College Guidance and Strategic Initiatives, overseeing key projects including the Strategic Plan, Middle States Association Reaccreditation and Experiential Learning. The Board of Directors appointed her as Interim Head of School in April based on her leadership record and demonstrated impact.
In addition to the many hats she wears at CFS, Tiffany is deeply committed to working with local programs, giving her time to Jack and Jill-Chester County, Black Women of Chester County in Action and The Fund for Women and Girls. In all that she does, she looks for ways to be an ambassador for the school she says “makes magic every day.”
CLASS NOTES
George Okongwu '21 (Cornell University '25) spent the summer with Archipelago Research and Conservation (ARC) on Kaua'i, Hawai'i. Said George, "Known as the extinction capital of the world,' Hawai'i’s delicate ecosystems are constantly threatened by urbanization, invasive species and the ever-present challenges of climate change. My time with ARC was an eye- opening experience, immersing me in the urgent work of protecting endangered seabirds and waterbirds and witnessing the intricate balance between human development and wildlife conservation."
Director of Enrollment Brandon Herbert caught up with recent graduates Nasim Richardson ’24 and Elijah Elumeze ‘24 at an Inspiring Young Minds (IYM) event this summer.
We launched a new podcast series this year featuring interviews with former faculty Gary Gress (pictured), Ray Greenblatt, John Ceschan, Jr., Talmadge O’Neill ’86 and Stephen Zarycranski ’16. Check it out on our website, or you can find it on Apple, Spotify and Amazon!
Everett Joseph Campbell, great- grandson of Gordon Schleicher ’62, in his onesie, a gift from Church Farm School and the Alumni Association. Alumni returned to the Farm in September for our Annual Alumni Soccer game, beating the current Griffins in a shoot-out.
Jayvaun Hill ’22 recently started his clinical rotations as part of the University of Miami’s Nursing Program.
Cyrus Guo '18 stopped by for a visit in October. Cyrus has been living in Shanghai since he matriculated to NYU-Shanghai after graduation from CFS. He is the brand and marketing director for Keystone Tennis (a nod to his Pennsylvania roots!).
Dave Carroll ’62 and Thomas Knezevich ’18 partnered up for the 2024 CFS Golf Classic, enjoying a great day at French Creek Golf Club with other supporters of the school.
ESPN's Mike Greenberg and Paul Hembekides '08 recently released their second book! Got Your Answers is a follow-up to Got Your Number, their 2023 New York Times best seller. In this new release, the duo tackle the 100 most-debated questions in the sports-talk world and provide 100 lists of the "best of the best" in football, basketball, baseball, hockey, boxing and more.
Alex Daniels also caught up with Dylan Lumumba ’23 at Occidental College while in Los Angeles for a professional development conference.
Twelfth grade level chair Dr. Nicole Campbell and Interim Dean of College Guidance Alex Daniels took seniors on a two-day college tour in October – generously funded by Dr. John Grunwell ’60 –and were able to catch up with Jaden Roberson ’23 and Andre Anyimah ’23 at Morgan State University, and Rafael Arellano ’23 at Lehigh University.
Stu Brackney ’62 hosted a CFS Military Alumni Reunion via Zoom on November 11.
Members of our Alumni Executive Council partnered with Student Ambassadors in November to prepare care packages for the Class of 2024! This is always a great night, as the students get excited to write handwritten notes to their "brothers" in their first year of college. The group will reconvene in the spring to send care packages to our 2023, 2022 and 2021 graduating classes.
It was wonderful to see Stephen Zarycranski '16 on campus in December. Stephen is an RN, BSN at UPMC in Pittsburgh and stopped by while in the area visiting family.
JR Lentz ’83, currently living in Orlando, FL, stopped by with his wife for a tour of the campus and met with the Advancement team and Interim Head of School Tiffany Scott. He said of his visit, “I was amazed at all of the new and upgraded classrooms and could see myself getting lost walking around Greystock Hall. The administration and teachers have truly done a wonderful job and the students should feel proud and lucky to have such opportunities available.”
We virtually celebrated James Tate ‘52’s 90th birthday on social media with some tributes to this former Board member and namesake of our student ambassadorship award.
Francis Killian, Jr., '92 stopped by with his daughter to show her his alma mater and regale her with stories of the Farm this winter.
Our alumni continue to give back to our wrestling program! Thanks to Wrestling Invitational organizer and coach Tom Johnstone ’09, coaches Ian Weigand ’09 and Yonbue Tanco ’18 (pictured), annual volunteer Jim Hilburt ’85 and consistent supporter Steve Marcus ’73!
During Spirit Week, our faculty basketball team – comprised of alumni Tom Johnstone ’09 and Kharnell Swans ’20 – handily defeated our student team.
Our Griffins Meet & Eat Series is an opportunity for alumni, as well as friends, to share their expertise in a particular field to our students! Thanks to Clarence Blair ’99 and Cole Cooper ’20 (nongraduate) for sharing their experiences in the marketing and communications field in January. In February, we were thrilled to welcome Ben Archer ’18 as part of our finance panel!
During a conference in DC, our Advancement team hosted a reception for alumni and friends at Silver near the National Cathedral.
Stuart R. Brackney ’62 is proud to announce he is once again a grandfather, welcoming into his family the arrival of Mr. Hayes Harrison Hooker, born on Sunday, February 2, 2025.
Congratulations to Dale Elks ’74 who was recently one of 150 people recognized globally in 162 countries at the Rotary Foundation District Conference in Clinton, North Carolina. Dale was honored for projects he led in Mexico to provide humanitarian assistance in communities of need.
IN MEMORIAM
WILIAM BIRCHALL ’57
WILLIAM CLAYTON ’73
RON DAVIS, JR. ’02
JUDSON EDWARDS ’92
KIMBER FOX ’57
WALTER LYBRAND ’81
DOZIE MBONU ’88
DONALD PIERANTOZZI ’65
FRANK SMITH ’90
We suffered some devastating alumni losses this year; we’d be remiss to not acknowledge two alumni who consistently gave back of their time and talents to CFS: Walter Lybrand ’81 and Dozie Mbonu ’88.
Walt served on our Alumni Executive Council for many years and was a constant presence at Church Farm School, especially when his son, Cameron ’19, attended. An amazing storyteller, father and husband, his sudden passing was an enormous loss to all who knew him.
Dozie was a true champion for Church Farm School, and he never missed an opportunity to pay it forward to today’s Griffins, whether participating in an alumni soccer game or Golf Classic, giving a talk at an assembly or honoring his mentors like John Kistler at special award ceremonies.
LEAVING A LEGACY
William R. Clayton ’73 loved Church Farm School and music. When he could enjoy two of his favorite past times together, he was a happy man. Born in King of Prussia and a resident of Lansdowne for 22 years, he attended Church Farm School before leaving to enlist in the Army. He served as a military police officer in Germany before being honorably discharged. He returned to Upper Darby, where he lived until entering the Wallingford Nursing and Rehabilitation Center last year. He passed away on December 4. Bill loved music and sang in the Philadelphia Chorus for decades. He was a frequent fixture at the Christmas Pageant and Alumni Weekend, or any event that featured the Chapel’s beautiful organ. He toiled away at security jobs locally until his health issues became insurmountable. Despite his meager income, Bill always contributed to the CFS Annual Fund. Having no heirs of his own, he left his insurance policy to Church Farm School.
We share Bill’s story for a few reasons: first and foremost his devotion to Church Farm School. It should be noted that we were devoted right back; we always made sure staff were available to pick him up and drop him off at the train for any event which he wanted to attend. Second, we share Bill’s story as a reminder that there are so many ways to make an indelible impact on Church Farm School.
• Include CFS as a recipient of your life insurance policy
• Include gifts of cash, securities, retirement assets or real estate to CFS in your will
• Create a trust and use the principal for a charitable organization
Want to learn more? Contact the Office of Institutional Advancement at 610.363.5383 to get started.
Walt Lybrand ’81 with his son, Cameron ’19
Dozie Mbonu ’88 with classmate David Zimmerman ’88 at Alumni Soccer
WAYS TO GIVE
There are so many ways to support CFS! We are grateful to our vast network of friends who believe in our mission.
DONATE TO THE ANNUAL FUND
The CFS Annual Fund is the lifeblood of giving to the school and supports scholarships, programs and resources. Annual Fund giving is recognized through a number of programs:
• The Maroon & Grey Society recognizes loyal, annual giving
• The 1918 Society recognizes annual gifts of $1,918 or greater
• The Griffin Scholars Program recognizes annual gifts of $6,000 or greater
• The Colonel’s Circle recognizes cumulative lifetime giving of $200,000+
Want to learn more? Contact Christopher
BECOME A MEMBER OF OUR SHREINER SOCIETY
The Shreiner Society recognizes those who have made a lasting commitment to the school by including Church Farm School in their estate plans.
SUPPORT STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS THROUGH EITC, OSTC OR OUR SPE
The Educational Improvement Tax Credit and Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit (EITC and OSTC) programs allow both PA individual taxpayers (through the Special Purpose Entity partnership) and PA business owners to redirect up to 90% of their PA state tax liability to provide support for scholarships.
VOLUNTEER YOUR TIME
Lending expertise to our students is one of the most valuable ways to get involved with the school. We are always looking for community members to share their knowledge at assemblies, in classrooms and through career panels.
