Skip to main content

Lawrentian Fall 2025 FINAL

Page 1

5 Wired Right

10 Pro Tips

78 Pop at 100

Fall 2025

TAKING UP THE QUILL For new U.S. Poet Laureate Arthur Sze ’68, taking the road less traveled has made all the difference.

26


F R O M the H E A D O F S C H O O L

On Leadership

Stephen S. Murray H’54 ’55 ’63 ’65 ’16 P’16 ’21 The Shelby Cullom Davis Class of 1926 Head of School

FOCUS OF THE FUTURE

During the spring semester, dozens of Lawrenceville alumni returned to campus for Career Day, offering students varying career journeys, tips for securing internships, and perspectives on professional success.

W

hen I was a young teacher, I used to lead student trips to France, staying in rural, hardscrabble parts of the eastern provinces — quite close to the battlefields of World War I. One such locale was in Burgundy, where we stayed in an old, partially restored 16thcentury château — a damp, old stone structure. Abandoned for much of the 19th century and left to the elements, parts of it had been dismantled by local farmers over the years, scavenging for stone. American soldiers leaving battlefields of World War I bivouacked there briefly, and their graffiti was still discernible on walls up in the attic. By candlelight, we could make out the name of a young corporal from St. Louis, Missouri. The date was December 18, 1918. The guns had finally fallen silent on those battlefields just weeks before. He was far from home at Christmastime, and as he sheltered in the old hulk of a building, I had to wonder what he had seen, what he had endured, what images haunted his sleep. Because vestiges of World War I surrounded us in this region, we dug into the local history. But the old battlefield sites, with green grass neatly trimmed, now bucolic, evoked little of that tragic war. So, we tried a different approach to help our students gain a perspective. Each time we entered a village in our travels, I asked them to locate in the town square the inevitable memorial to those who had lost their lives in La Grande Guerre, as the French say. They were to count the number of villagers killed in the war, and then consider the overall village population. Thirty-six men died in a village of 135. Fifty-five lost in a small town of 250; fourteen lost in a rural hamlet of sixty-five people. The old photos in our history books allow us to distance ourselves from the horrible reality of war. Somehow, standing in a forlorn village common, not far from the actual battlefields, the cold simple numbers seemed to have a far more immediate, wrenching, and powerful effect.

One afternoon on one such trip many years ago, to spark some reflection on their part, we said to our students, “Your ticket to dinner this evening is a poem in French that is somehow inspired by something you did or saw today.” At the conclusion of our evening meal, we went around the table, and the students read their poems. Then it was Valerie’s turn. Valerie was a Nigerian girl from New York City. Her poem was written in the first person, and as she read slowly and clearly, she situated her narrator alone in front of a hearth late at night, staring at the dying embers. The room was dark and bleak and empty, and it emerged that the narrator was an aging French peasant woman, recalling the loss of her son, decades earlier, in some battle whose name she could not recall, in a war she could not understand. She had lived many, many such sad lonely evenings, and even at this advanced age, she was reliving the pain and loss quite vividly each day. We were all deeply struck by the sad beauty of her poem, but even more so, by her ability, through empathy and insight, to travel across generations and cultures. With her mesmerizing imagery and beautiful words that evening, without even seeming to try, she had us all in the palm of her hand. I find Valerie’s extraordinary insight to be a source of hope and optimism that we can bridge the issues that divide us — that we can understand the pain of others — if we choose to. This human capacity to see into and understand the lives of others, when we choose to exercise it, is the basis for real leadership. Leadership, after all, is not a title, or a position, or a role — it’s a mindset. When you can demonstrate the ability to create connection with others, and to believe in their good will, people will trust and will go with you. And I believe we all have it in us; we simply have to recognize it, and to act on it. — Adapted from the Baccalaureate address, spring 2025 Sincerely,

t he law re nt ia n.law re nce v ille .org

|

1


I NSI DE T H E GAT E S

A SIDEWAYS GLANCE

SNEAK PEEK

Heading out into a polarized world, the Class of 2025 considered all the angles and left ready to “meet these challenges with a deep and abiding hope for the future,” according to Head of School Steve Murray.

THE LINEUP VOLUME 89 | NUMBER 2

>

FALL 2025

26

COVER STORY

The Bard Sublime

Arthur Sze ’68 was named the 25th U.S. poet laureate by the Library of Congress in September.

FEATURES

30

Seems Like Old Times As the calendar turned to June, generations of Lawrentians, particularly from the classes of the 0s and 5s, returned to campus to celebrate their connections to each other at Alumni Reunion Weekend 2025.

DEPARTMENTS QUOTED

❝ In an advanced calculus class, I suddenly began to write a poem. After class I kept writing and didn’t stop.” Arthur Sze ’68, who was named the U.S. poet laureate by the Library of Congress in September. (See page 26)

2 | FA L L 2 0 2 5

T H E L AW R E N T I A N

4 10 16 18

Inside the Gates Noteworthy Table Talk Take This Job and Love It 20 Go Big Red! 24 Encore

36 Lawrentians 78 Ask the Archivist 80 The Big Question


F R O M T H E B A S E M E N T of P O P H A L L

EDITOR

Sean Ramsden H’65 DESIGN

Bruce Hanson / EGADS Landesberg Design NEWS EDITOR

Lisa M. Gillard H’17 STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Paloma Torres

CONTRIBUTORS

Andrea Fereshteh P’28 Ronald Mangravite ’68 P’18 Sarah Mezzino Nicole Stock PHOTOGRAPHY

Lisa M. Gillard H’17 Shawn Miller/Library of Congress Danielle Rappaport Eric Swanson David Teng ILLUSTRATION

Joel Kimmel

PROOFREADER

Rob Reinalda ’76 HEAD OF SCHOOL

Stephen S. Murray H’54 ’55 ’63 ’65 ’16 P’16 ’21 CHIEF ADVANCEMENT OFFICER

Greta Morgan

DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS AND EXTERNAL RELATIONS

Jessica Welsh

The Lawrentian (USPS #306-700) is published three times a year by The Lawrenceville School, P.O. Box 6008, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648, for alumni, parents, grandparents, and friends. Periodical postage paid at Trenton, NJ, and additional mailing offices. The Lawrentian welcomes letters from readers. Please send all correspondence to sramsden@lawrenceville.org or to the above address, care of The Lawrentian Editor. Letters may be edited for publication.

POSTMASTER Please send address corrections to: The Lawrentian The Lawrenceville School P.O. Box 6008 Lawrenceville, NJ 08648

T

he first time I wrote one of these notes from the editor, it was exactly ten years ago, for the fall 2015 issue of The Lawrentian. As thrilled as I was to take the helm of this publication, I was also a bit apprehensive about being the mediator of the many stories that emerge from Lawrenceville, both on campus and from our alumni. I had a lot to learn in a short time. I’ve always said that it was to my advantage that my first cover story was a profile on Lawrenceville’s new head of school, Steve Murray H’54 ’55 ’63 ’65 ’16 P’16 ’21. I say that because although I wasn’t yet steeped in Lawrenceville’s past and present, I was able to present a subject not many of you knew much about, either. And by the time the next issue was published, I had my sea legs under me. I sensed early on that Lawrenceville was a welcoming community, and I’ve certainly seen that reveal itself again and again over this past decade. What friends I’ve made! What fascinating people I have met, interviewed, and written about! It’s all been better and more rewarding than I imagined — and my expectations were pretty high! I’m a lucky guy. This has been an interesting year. For one thing, I’m struggling a bit to type this out, with my right arm in a bulky abduction sling as I recover from shoulder surgery. It’s a bit awkward, but it’s also temporary. More permanent was an honor I received this past spring when the Class of 1965 welcomed me as an honorary member during its 60th reunion at Alumni Reunion Weekend. Although I questioned the class members’ selectivity, I also commended the class for camouflaging me behind a group of truly worthy inductees that includes Jacqi Haun H’65, our senior archivist, with whom I’ve worked closely to present the “Ask the Archivist” section in every issue; Pete DeVine H’65 P’22, our chief operations officer who has shepherded the physical transformation of our campus; and my former colleague Liz Casey H’65 ’66 ’92 P’21 ’24, who is as “Lawrenceville” as just about anyone. It was also extremely gratifying in July for The Lawrentian to receive two golds from CASE, the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education, which sets the standard in this business, in its annual Circle of Excellence Awards. Our magazine was one of just eight finalists for CASE’s Robert Sibley Magazine of the Year honors, across all levels from independent schools to universities worldwide. In my very first letter to you ten years ago, I concluded by saying, “With your help, I look forward to steering The Lawrentian into a very engaging future.” Right from the start, you have answered that call, and I am in your debt. Thank you. All the best,

©The Lawrenceville School Lawrenceville, New Jersey All rights reserved.

Sean Ramsden H’65 Editor sramsden@lawrenceville.org

t he law re nt ia n.law re nce v ille .o rg

|

3


Inside the Gates 5Q4

Joel Kimmel

5

questions for Jonathan Geller ’87, psychologist in the Health and Wellness Center, who shares what might have become his profession if only he had the “drive” … and the short game

House Call What made you most proud of your House this past year? Why? Heads of house and assistant heads of house responded to this issue’s end-of-year question.

4 | FA L L 2 0 2 5

T H E L AW R E N T I A N

What do you remember most about returning to the School? I would like to say that I was less scared when I returned in my current role than when I arrived as a student, but I’m not totally sure that is true. Do you think having been a student here makes you more relatable to today’s students? I do not know if it makes me more relatable, but it does allow for me to have great understanding for how hard our students work. I think I worked harder my freshman year at Lawrenceville than I did in college or graduate school.

If you could be part of a Harkness discussion with any three figures from history, who would you choose? Sigmund Freud, Bruce Springsteen, and Larry David. I love the way all three capture what it means to be human, and I would like to hear them exchange their perspectives. What never fails to make you laugh? That’s easy: my 12-year-old daughter. I think she is hilarious! If you hadn’t chosen psychology, what other career path might you have taken? I would have become a professional golfer. I have the desire, just not the talent.

Winning L-Factor after not having much of a performance plan 24 hours out, the House came together and created an awesome performance! Lauren Gold STANLEY HOUSE

Hearing the names of the boys called during the Underform Awards Ceremony and seeing how our House stood and applauded enthusiastically for each Clevie was a proud and affirming moment. E.J. Hernandez CLEVE HOUSE


Club Hopping Lawrenceville 101

Introduction to Electrical Engineering SC561

In Introduction to Electrical Engineering, if you aren’t failing, you aren’t succeeding. Projects rarely go right the first time, so science teacher Shinae Park challenges students to embrace failure as an essential part of learning. “We’re really focused on the process,” Park explained. “How are you thinking through the engineering you’re doing?” This unique course serves as both an introductory and an honors-level class, and levels of experience vary widely. “Wherever you begin,” Park says, “the goal is to keep learning and growing from there.” Park and Nicki Selan, assistant chair of science, guide students through the basics of electrical engineering before diving into hands-on group projects, such as building a robot. Along the way, students learn essential technical skills like soldering, coding, working with microcontroller boards, and building and testing circuits. But there’s more than that. “A lot of the engineering process isn’t just mechanical or electrical,” Chris Bai ’25 said. “It’s about collaborating and providing feedback on each other’s projects.”

Lawrenceville Film Crew

Clubs as creative outlets have thrived for well over a century at Lawrenceville, and the evolving media landscape provides fresh opportunities for students to express themselves. The Lawrenceville Film Crew enables students to create up to five film projects per academic year with the intention of entering them into such national competitions as the All-American High School Film Festival, or AAHSFF. “It’s a way to engage with the student body and other people who are interested in the same things you are,” says Nico Romero-Durand ’27, adding that in the end, members have a chance to create work “that you’re really proud of.” AAHSFF submissions range across genres, including comedy, drama, experimental, and “micro movies” of a minute or less, and club members write, act, film, and edit every film, a whirlwind they fit in where they can. “We shot from 5 p.m. all the way to 3 a.m.,” says Alex Li ’27, “and then the next day I had to edit everything.” Condensed from an L10 report

Old School

Always Room for One More The overloaded station wagon pulling away from a dormitory in June is a familiar sight in any boarding school. One enterprising mother of a boy in Raymond House went it one better last June, though. Knowing that her Third Form son had more than a station wagon load of gear to be taken home for the summer, she came prepared — with a delivery van rented from Hertz. From Echoes of the Campus in the summer 1965 Lawrentian. Sixty years later, large SUVs have inherited the heavy-hauler mantle around the Circle, Crescent, and Bowl.

I was proud of the determination the boys showed in always giving their best, winning the house basketball championship or earning an improved grade on a really hard ICPS test. They supported each other and tried to do their best.

The students planning a senior spring invitea-friend. They set up lawn games, borrowed speakers, made a playlist, set up the food, and then hosted the event. I could feel the House unity as everyone soaked up the good weather and the even better friendships.

I was most proud of how students supported each other quietly and consistently. Their small acts of kindness and steady presence helped many in the House feel more seen, valued, and connected throughout the year.

Paula Clancy P’11 ’13

Melissa Verhey

STEPHENS HOUSE

DICKINSON HOUSE

RE YNOLDS HOUSE

Photo by Francine Orr/Los Angeles Times/Getty

Kennedy was a great place to be this year, full of talent and camaraderie. The young men of Kennedy showed out and showed up for each other!

Watching our girls become independent, confident, and community-oriented young women over the course of their first year at Lawrenceville.

Alex Kocar

Hazel Baldwin-Kress

KENNEDY HOUSE

DAWES HOUSE

Hugo Caraballo Anderson

t he law re nt ia n.law re nce v ille .o rg

|

5


I NSI DE T H E GAT E S

One 2 Watch

A Girl for All Seasons

Lexie Koch ’25

Athletically speaking, Lexie enjoyed what anyone would consider a dream year. The fall saw her earn first-team All-Mid-Atlantic Prep League and All-New Jersey Independent Schools Athletic Association Prep A honors in field hockey, and she was just getting warmed up. The chill of winter didn’t do anything to cool Lexie off. As a member of the girls’ indoor track and field team, she bested her own individual school record in the in the 60 meters at the Penn Relays Winter Showcase, clocking in at 7.99 seconds, just days after setting another as part of the sprint medley relay team at the Tsai Relays at 4:08.59. Once again, her team captured the M.A.P.L. and N.J.I.S.A.A. titles. And, as accomplished as she was in each, you could make the case that field hockey and track weren’t even Lexie’s “good” sports. The springtime saw the midfielder explode on the lacrosse field, eclipsing the ten-year-old all-time Big Red record for goals when she tallied her 245th score against Kent Place on May 8. And, as has become her custom, she was named to the AllM.A.P.L. and N.J.I.S.A.A. first teams, as well as to the All-M.A.P.L. Academic team. For Lexie, who earned twelve Major Ls, it was the culmination of a career that saw her total more than a hundred goals as a Second and Third Former, sustaining the sort of excellence that earned her a spot on the 2025 New Balance All-America Lacrosse Senior Game. FAST FACT

Lexie, who earned the Melissa Magee Speidel Best Female Athlete Award in May, will continue playing lacrosse at Harvard.

House Call continued We are a caring and friendly House. With the assistance of our amazing House Council, we were able to hit all marks including House points, milkshake sales, and we welcomed back a successful SEGA dinner this spring! Charise Hall H’82 P’12

How they connected as a group and made the House feel that is was a place for everyone. They came together to make Stanley a home and it showed through our different feats of winning L-Factor and Larrie Cup but also in the daily acts of kindness.

MCCLELL AN HOUSE

Nicole Stock

6 | FA L L 2 0 2 5

T H E L AW R E N T I A N

STANLE Y HOUSE


3

things we learned producing this issue of The Lawrentian:

Per a report in the December 4, 1924, issue of The Lawrence, architectural plans for Pop Hall called for a “vestibule that will connect the building to Memorial Hall, so that it will not be necessary to go outside to go to and from these buildings.” It also noted that funds “have not been subscribed as yet.” When Arthur Sze ’68, the new U.S. poet laureate, left Lawrenceville for M.I.T., it was with the intention of studying chemical engineering, not poetry. But he began writing before visiting poet Denise Levertov urged him to pursue the craft at UC-Berkeley. Aldo Leopold Award winner Roger I. Glass ’63, who was honored for his work in the field of medical science, is also a longtime amateur radio enthusiast who also speaks six languages: French, Spanish, Russian, Portuguese, Bengali, and English.

They Said It ❝No matter how many clothes an individual buys, their ideal self can never be achieved though mere appearance. Instead of developing a genuine personality through cumulative experiences and relationships, viewers [of short-form video content on social media] find more comfort in developing an identity generated by sellers who feign sincerity and brands that promise authenticity while profiting off conformity.”❞ From “On Social Media and the Human Interior: How False Realities Have Warped Our Focus” by Emily Zhang ’27, which appeared in the May 9, 2025, issue of The Lawrence.

What’s Cookin’? Summer Catch “Salmon being one of

our most popular dishes, we’re always trying to develop new recipes to keep it current, and chipotle-rubbed roasted has proven to be a new campus favorite,” says Gary Giberson H’11 ’18 P’10, the founder and president of Sustainable Fare, which keeps Lawrenceville well fed. “The smoky, spicy, salty-sweet flavors go so well with salmon and the easy preparation makes it a winner all around.” Giberson recommends this dish served over a fresh salad or bowl of rice for an easy summer meal Chipotle-Rubbed Roasted Salmon Yields four 6-ounce portions Ingredients Four 6-ounce salmon fillets, preferably wild-caught or Marine Stewardship Councillisted (msc.org/en-au)

1 tablespoon ground cumin Cilantro lime sauce 3 tablespoons chopped cilantro

2 tablespoons olive oil

½ teaspoon kosher salt

Spice mix

¼ cup extra virgin olive oil

1 tablespoon kosher salt 2 tablespoons light brown sugar 2 tablespoons chipotle morita chile powder

2 tablespoons of fresh lime juice (about 2 limes) 1 tablespoon sliced chives

Procedure • Preheat oven to 400 degrees. • In a small mixing bowl add all dry ingredients and mix well. • Place salmon fillets on baking sheet pan or ovenproof cooking pan in a single layer and coat all sides with 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Then rub with spice mix, set aside. • In a medium mixing bowl place cilantro, salt, and olive oil, and stir in lime juice. • Place salmon in hot oven and roast for 10-14 minutes or until cooked to your preference. Serve with cilantro lime sauce.

t he law re nt ia n.law re nce v ille .o rg

|

7


I NSI DE T H E GAT E S

8 | FA L L 2 0 2 5

T H E L AW R E N T I A N

Photo by Paloma Torres


The Big Picture

One More for the Road As the faculty donned their academic regalia and the Commencement procession loomed, Head of School Steve Murray paused for one last selfie with members of the Class of 2025.

t he law re nt ia n.law re nce v ille .o rg

|

9


Noteworthy Pathways and Possibilities

Dozens of Lawrentians returned to campus to share their professional journeys with today’s students at Career Day.

Jim Fessler ’87 P’19 ’22 ’25, professor and clinical vice chair of neurology at Washington University School of Medicine, talked to students about his career in medicine at Career Day in April.

10 | FA L L 2 0 2 5

T H E L AW R E N T I A N

FOR SCOTT ALAND ’07, being back on campus on a Saturday morning in the spring, “surrounded by the bustle of students, faculty, and peers,” was like a direct shot of nostalgia. Unlike his student days, however, Aland wasn’t dreaming about his future. This time, the Philadelphia-based real estate sales professional was there to share with students where he’s been and the winding road that led back to Lawrenceville. More than sixty Lawrentians returned on April 5 for Career Day, a collaborative event hosted by the School’s Alumni and Development Office and the Dean of Students Office. The program featured six large panel discussions, followed by individual breakout sessions on topics ranging from alumnae success in underrepresented fields and unexpected career paths to practical tips and advice, varying career journeys, tips for securing internships, and perspectives on career success.


HEADLINES

Meera Nathan ’90 P’24 ’24 shared how she recently shifted from the pharmaceutical industry to developing a nonprofit for women’s health. “All the experience I got over these many years, both in my medical education as well as in pharma, is really going to help me develop my organization,” Nathan said. “That’s something that’s really fulfilling and shows you the ebb and flow of your career, and the ability to pivot if you really want to, the opportunities are there.” Students eagerly absorbed the wisdom their predecessors imparted. “Career Day offered valuable insights into fields I’m interested in and gave me the chance to connect with people who were once in my shoes,” said Sofia Swindell ’25, who now attends the University of Pennsylvania. “I’m grateful I had the opportunity to hear advice from alumni and learn about the paths they took to build their careers.” Aland, who discussed career pivots and unique career paths, believes he took as much from Career Day as the students did. “I left feeling enriched not only by being able to reflect and share my story with a burgeoning army of young alumni,” he said, “but by the fellowship felt with faces old and new who have charted parallel paths and painted them with different colors.” Career Day is an extension of ongoing programming through which alumni regularly return to campus to participate in classroom discussions, student club meetings, Form meetings, and all-school gatherings. “Alumni are consistently eager to say ‘yes,’ and we’re thrilled to incorporate these moments into our broader alumni engagement efforts,” said Maria Bolis, director of alumni engagement, who added that Lawrenceville launched such career events following a request several years ago from the Student Council. That appeal led to regular alumni career panel events held on topics including STEM, media and entertainment, law and government, real estate, military and first responders, health care, arts and entertainment, and more. “These interactions are not only valuable for students, but incredibly meaningful for alumni as well,” Bolis said. “They serve as a powerful reminder of what makes Lawrenceville special, offering tangible ways to give back. These opportunities provide alumni with a compelling way to stay connected – each experience builds stronger ties to the community and reinforces their lifelong bond with the School.”

See more photos from Career Day at: https://bit.ly/49q9ZsZ

5.19.25

The Community Reach Out club recently delivered a $20,000 check on to HomeWorks Trenton, a free, community-based, after-school residential program led by Natalie Tung ’14 and embracing the goal of “changing the world, one girl at a time.” Funding was generously provided by Bridge Stuart ’66.

5.6.25

Jeffrey Rosen, president and CEO of the National Constitution Center and host of the We the People podcast, was the featured speaker at the 2025 Weeden Lecture, which for 26 years has hosted some of the most prominent names in U.S. national conversations about history.

4.26.25

Lawrentians gathered for Community Day, an annual all-School event established in 2013 to share the diverse interests of its community. “Community Day embodies the core values that make Lawrenceville special,” said Cameron Brickhouse, dean of of community and belonging.

3.6.25

Lawrenceville and the Lawrence Hopewell Trail (LHT) officially reopened the section of the trail that runs through the School’s campus using a new, signposted route. The LHT, a mix of paved and crushed stone surfaces, is one of New Jersey’s premier trails for walking, cycling, and running.

Read the latest news stories at: lawrenceville.org/news

t he law re nt ia n.law re nce v ille .o rg

|

11


NOT EWORT H Y

Mr. Big Shot YUSHI KAMISAKU ’26 got his call to the big leagues in May, seizing the opportunity to photograph the action on the field at Yankee Stadium during the Bronx Bombers’ win against the Texas Rangers. Kamisaku’s invitation came from Ariele Goldman Hecht ’97, the Yankees’ senior photography editor and chief photographer. The two photojournalists were connected by Mike Goldenberg H’94 ’96 ’97 P’05 ’10, Lawrenceville’s athletic trainer, who has remained in contact with Hecht since he was a member of the Stanley House duty team. An avid student sports photographer who has studied filmmaking and created images for Big Red athletics, particularly for the football and boys’ lacrosse teams, Kamisaku shadowed Hecht as she shot the Yankees’ pregame warmups, then joined professional photographers in both the right- and left-field media boxes through the seventh inning. The experience, Kamisaku said, was “simply unforgettable.” “I’m forever grateful to Ms. Goldman. She went beyond what I was expecting, not just stopping at providing me on-field access, but also lending me equipment and introducing me to countless members of the Yankees organization, players, and employees,” he said. “This opportunity completely transformed my horizon, allowing me to have a glimpse of what professional photography as a career can look like.”

On-field action between the Yankees and Rangers captured by Yushi Kamisaku ’26.

12 | FA L L 2 0 2 5

T H E L AW R E N T I A N

Striking Gold The Lawrentian captured two golds in the annual Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) Circle of Excellence Awards competition. THE LAWRENTIAN RECEIVED gold in the category of Magazines — Alumni/General Interest (Independent and International Schools), where it shared top honors with the Williston Northampton Bulletin and the Sidwell Friends School Magazine. As a gold-award winner, The Lawrentian was one of just eight finalists for CASE’s Robert Sibley Magazine of the Year, which lauds the very best school and alumni magazines at any level, including colleges and universities, that publish more than twice annually. The publication also won gold in the Magazines – Publishing Improvement category, the only independent school magazine to earn recognition at any level in this division. The Lawrentian shared gold with Northwestern University’s Kellogg Magazine and South Magazine from the University of South Alabama. This recognition follows the publication’s cover-to-cover redesign that debuted with the spring 2024 issue, done in partnership with Landesberg Design of Pittsburgh. The CASE Circle of Excellence Awards are the premier honors competition in education advancement and communications. This year, CASE received 4,460 entries from 33 countries, with a total of 477 winners carefully selected by a panel of 525 volunteer judges.


‘That’s When Everything Changed’

The Big Red Race is a popular annual fundraiser to benefit local agencies and organizations that bolster education.

The Class of 2025 struggled and collaborated its way toward deeper understanding. A QUARTER OF the way through the 21st century, the Class of 2025 departed Lawrenceville into a polarized world, where the winds of change blow in a way that seem more directed toward differences in people than on our shared commonality. But the School’s 208 newest alumni emerged from their time on campus buttressed by their shared experience around the Harkness tables and in their Houses, inspired to seek the best for all. “What makes this moment so reassuring to me – even inspiring – is that as you head out to meet those challenges I described and many more that certainly are in store,” said Head of School Stephen S. Murray H’54 ’55 ’63 ’65 ’16 P’16 ’21, referencing his earlier Baccalaureate address, “you will do so with the good will that we have seen in you, with the belief that character and integrity matter, and that kindness and empathy are not signs of weakness, but rather are key to navigating a complicated world. And you will meet these challenges with a deep and abiding hope for the future – qualities in you that have emerged during your time here and that are simply part of who you are.” Murray presented the Edward Sutliff Brainard Prize, given annually by the faculty to the Fifth Form student whom it holds in the highest esteem, to Nathan Muchai ’25. On behalf of the Board of Trustees, Murray also presented the Trustees’ Cup, recognizing that student who has most influenced the School for good, to Kathlynn Yao ’25. He also recognized the members of the class set to attend service academies in the fall: Alina Diaz Ferreira ’25 and Owen Eldridge ’25 were appointed to the U.S. Naval Academy; Graham Mahoney ’25 received an appointment to the U.S. Coast Guard Academy; Macyn Hattman ’25 is attending the University of Notre Dame on a Navy R.O.T.C. scholarship; and Ray Taft ’25 is

Blake Eldridge ’96 H’78 ’12 P’25, assistant head of school for student life and dean of students, celebrated with outgoing School president Eli Lacey ’25 and his successor, Sienna Kulynych ’26.

enrolled at the University of North Carolina on a Navy R.O.T.C. scholarship. In her valedictory address, Sophia Liu ’25 reflected upon her realization that the deepest learning at Lawrenceville is what comes after confusion and collaboration. “It turns out that confusion isn’t a sign we’re failing. It’s just the first step in learning something real. More often than not, the thing that got me through wasn’t a textbook. It was someone sitting next to me, praying with me,” Liu said. “That’s when everything changed. Because in those vulnerable moments, instead of trying to be smart, we try to be human: curious, collaborative, occasionally overwhelmed humans who just wanted the sentence to make sense.”

t he law re nt ia n.law re nce v ille .o rg

|

13


NOT EWORT H Y

‘Take Science Where the Problems Are’ Roger I. Glass ’63, recipient of Lawrenceville’s Aldo Leopold Award, encouraged students to find their paths and make a difference. RENOWNED PHYSICIAN SCIENTIST Roger I. Glass ’63, M.D., Ph.D., was awarded The Lawrenceville Medal this spring. The medal, presented by the Alumni Council and also known as the Aldo Leopold Award, is the highest honor the School may grant, conferred upon an alum who has demonstrated “brilliant, lifelong work in a significant field of endeavor.” But Glass, who formally received the medal at a dinner on May 15, was not on campus strictly to be fêted. He also spent the day speaking to Lawrentians in classrooms and at the final School Meeting of the academic year in the Kirby Arts Center. “My English class at Lawrenceville taught me you have to take the path less traveled – that’s what I did,” he said. “Find your path and think about making a difference as you go forward.” Glass spent more than four decades in global health, including leadership roles in public service, research, capacity building, and international collaboration. His nearly 17 years heading the John E. Fogarty International Center is the longest tenure for any director of the organization, part of the National Institutes of Health, which supports international medical and behavioral research and to train international researchers. His time at Lawrenceville changed the trajectory of Glass’ career, he said. After completing his bachelor’s, master’s, and medical-school requirements at Harvard, Glass earned a doctorate from the University of Gothenburg in Sweden. His subsequent career experience took him to underserved areas around the globe. After taking a role with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Glass and his wife, Barbara J. Stoll, M.D., a distinguished professor in the medical sciences and professor of pediatrics, and former dean at McGovern Medical School in Houston, went to work in Bangladesh at the Diarrhoeal Disease Control Center. “It was an eye-opening experience and changed our careers,” Glass said. Describing his contributions toward developing a cholera vaccine, Glass underscored the importance of vaccine science for global health effectiveness.

14 | FA L L 2 0 2 5

T H E L AW R E N T I A N

“When our kids were children, they received seven different vaccines,” he said. “Today, there are more than 30 that have been developed, and it’s a terrific advancement of science.” Noting that his work in virology, immunology, and genetics all influenced his path to develop and implement vaccines in low- and middle-income countries, Glass also described how a strong partnership with the Gates Foundation helped lead to equity in vaccine availability throughout the developing world. He encouraged students them “take science where the problems are and follow your passion. “I never thought I’d be working on enteric diseases, but having experience in the world and working in poor, developing countries is important,” he said. — Andrea Fereshteh

Roger I. Glass ’63, M.D., Ph.D., was honored with The Lawrenceville Medal by the Alumni council on May 15.


BOOKMARKS

Paging Through New Works from Lawrentians Literary Lawrenceville alumni examine ancient life between the Tigris and Euphrates, a firsthand account from the Almighty, and the promise and perils of the world’s biggest AI platform.

Moudhy Al-Rashid ’01 Joel Kimmel

Edwin Núñez Named Dean of Enrollment Management EDWIN R. NÚÑEZ joined Lawrenceville as its new Shelby M.C. Davis ’54 Dean of Enrollment Management on July 1. As a member of the school’s senior staff and a direct report to Head of School Steve Murray H’54 ’55 ’63 ’65 ’16 P’16 ’21, Núñez leads all aspects of Lawrenceville’s approach to student recruitment, admission, and retention, as well as scholarship aid. Núñez is a seasoned leader with a record of success in independent schools, guided by data-informed decision-making. He brings extensive experience from his role as director of enrollment management at The Pingry School, where he led transformative initiatives that not only set a record for the number of applications but also achieved a record high in the number of families choosing to enroll. At Pingry, Núñez implemented a Student Impact Score across academics, arts, athletics, and leadership to help evaluate the effectiveness of admission criteria as a predictor of a student’s long-term success. He enhanced ninth-grade recruitment by launching an Early Action admission process and refining the admission visitor experience. “I am eager to bring my experience and energy to the School, confident that together, we can elevate Lawrenceville to new heights,” Núñez said after his appointment. “I look forward to helping set bold new standards for admissions and, in doing so, enabling every student to unlock their fullest potential.”

Between Two Rivers: Ancient Mesopotamia and the Birth of History Thousands of years ago, in a part of the world we now call ancient Mesopotamia, people began writing things down for the very first time. Here, Al-Rashid, an honorary fellow at the University of Oxford’s Wolfson College, reveals what these ancient people chose to record about their lives, allowing us to brush hands with them millennia later.

Bob Maguire ’68 P’96 ’00 If I Were God: How I Would Have Done It

Narrated by God Himself, this is a laugh-out-loud, edgy, yet kindhearted exploration of the beliefs of major world religions that will appeal to atheists, agnostics, and believers of all stripes, including religious philosophers, apologists, and others interested in the interplay of religious studies, sociology, and science.

Karen Hao ’11

Empire of AI: Dreams and Nightmares in Sam Altman’s OpenAI Naked power finds the ideology to cloak itself; no one thinks they’re the bad guy. Deeply reported with intimate access to Altman’s OpenAI from the beginning, this is an eye-opening account of what might be the most fateful tech arms race in history, reshaping the planet in real time, with a focus on the company driving the frenzy. Read more about it on page 36.

t he law re nt ia n.law re nce v ille .o rg

|

15


TA BLE TA LK

Unraveling Lincoln By Lisa M. Gillard H’17

hree times a week each winter term, teacher Regan Kerney H’49 ’95 ’98 ’99 ’03 ’11 can be found in a corner classroom of the Noyes History Center, preparing for his succinctly titled course, Lincoln. With a well-worn copy of Abraham Lincoln: The Selected Speeches and Writings in hand, Kerney reviews the day’s syllabus for the course he has taught since 1998-99. America’s 16th president, he explains, is a “mythological creature,” and it’s crucial for students to strip away the legend to uncover something real. “You can have heroes,” Kerney explains, “but understand that heroes have flaws.” The best way to do that? Examining Lincoln’s own words rather than relying on what has been said about him. Kerney’s text is filled with margin notes and Postits as he leads students through Lincoln’s life, from his early letters to the Emancipation Proclamation, and from wartime correspondence with generals to letters written to everyday citizens. Even with close readings, Kerney reminds young Lawrentians that parts of Lincoln will always remain unknowable. “One of the dangerous tendencies we have is to fill in the gaps. Students have to be comfortable knowing there will be gaps in their knowledge,” he says. “Lincoln never sat down after the war to write his reflections […]. He never gave a lecture series on his experiences.” Students are often surprised to see Lincoln as a work in progress over the three decades under examination. His capacity for change, Kerney says, is one of the most important takeaways from the class. “Between 1858, when he debated Stephen Douglas,

16 | FA L L 2 0 2 5

T H E L AW R E N T I A N

and 1865, when he was assassinated under the weight of the Civil War, he changed enormously,” Kerney says. “Not his personality, but his beliefs – particularly about race. He grew up a lot and kept changing. So, there’s hope for us all if you can still keep growing when you’re that old.” Kerney revisits the entirety of Lincoln’s collected works every few years, his understanding deepening with each pass.

Students have to be comfortable knowing there will be gaps in their knowledge. Lincoln never sat down after the war to write his reflections. “I sit down and read them again just to see if there’s something I missed. And every now and then, you find something really great in there,” he says. “But it takes time. Part of this for me is about how you teach a course. As my thinking keeps evolving, I’m trying to be like Lincoln. I’m trying to grow.” Kerney hopes his students leave with a method of inquiry they can apply to any historical figure. “I want them to know they can do this with anybody,” he says. “They can get into someone’s life and really know that person. This class is an example of how you would do it.” Underlined passages, notes scrawled in the margins, and tagged pages reflect history teacher Regan Kerney’s ever-expanding insights into the texts of Abraham Lincoln.


Stripping the Myth from the Man

A close study of Lincoln helps students make sense of contemporary America. “[In his 1855 letter to George Robertson, Lincoln] expresses a moment of pure human emotion that often isn’t discussed in talks of his legacy. This moment is when he confides in his friend that ‘the problem [of political division in the nation] is too mighty for me.’ This is not the competent optimist that many Americans think Lincoln was, but instead it shows his humanity, and that you may doubt yourself from time to time, but you can still harness your effort and bring great changes to the world if you are committed to the challenge.”

Tommy Morris ’25

“I don’t give you a lot to read. I give you things to read carefully. Read it slowly, savor it. Maybe read it twice. Because to be honest, it doesn’t make as much sense until you’ve read it about 20 times. You’d be amazed what happens the 20th time you read the Gettysburg Address.”

Regan Kerney H’49 ’95 ’98 ’99 ’03 ’11, history teacher “[The course is especially relevant] because of the level of polarization we’ve reached in recent years. It’s important to study how political leaders in the past have handled a nation that is so divided. Lincoln talks a lot about the Constitution and is more concerned with upholding democracy than he is with power.”

Nell Bunn ’25

“I really like taking a history class that revolves around one figure because you can learn so much about U.S. history in the process of studying him, especially because of how complex he is.”

Nell Bunn ’25

t he law re nt ia n.law re nce v ille .o rg

|

17


T A K E T H I S J O B and L O V E I T

For Hannah-Marie Garcia-Ladd ’15, building bridges between the Indigenous and scientific communities in Alaska is at the core of her work.

Conservation through Collaboration By Barbara Horn

18 | FA L L 2 0 2 5

T H E L AW R E N T I A N


Ecology, global politics, research, diplomacy, education, project management. Trying to define what Hannah-Marie Garcia-Ladd ’15 might do on any given day is like playing Whac-A-Mole. “I’ve always known what I wanted to do, but it was an ecology class at Lawrenceville that solidified it for me,” says Garcia-Ladd, the director of the Indigenous Sentinels Network (ISN) Program of the Aleut Community of St. Paul Island Tribal Government in Alaska. “A lecture [former science teacher] Jim Serach P’10 gave on population dynamics — on how you can’t just focus on ecology or wildlife but need to consider the human component and how it all ties together — was my ah-ha moment.” Backed by her bachelor’s degree in environmental studies and anthropology and a master’s in marine policy, Garcia-Ladd describes herself as “an environmental and social scientist.” Building bridges between the Indigenous and scientific communities is at the core of her work, and helping to protect a native culture that relies on St. Paul’s natural resources is where Garcia-Ladd’s work intersects with science, government, and community outreach. St. Paul Island is located in the middle of the Bering Sea, a 42-square-mile piece of land 300 miles from the Alaska mainland and 800 miles southwest of Anchorage, the nearest urban center. St. Paul is one of two inhabited islands in the five-island Pribilof chain, sometimes called the “Galapagos of the North” for its biodiversity. The islands are populated by fur seals, arctic foxes, sea lions, reindeer, and, during the warmer months, some 300 species of migratory birds. It is a fisherman’s paradise. The Aleut Community of St. Paul first began monitoring wildlife species and environmental conditions in the Pribilofs in the early 2000s, developing specialized software for data collection and establishing the Bering Sea Research Center. Garcia-Ladd guides tribal communities statewide in launching similar surveys by leveraging the St. Paul software to implement their own monitoring programs. The long-term environmental and economic impact of these initiatives has far-reaching implications for the residents of Alaska’s remote communities and, potentially, the rest of the Arctic region. “Visiting researchers will base their recommendations on a single season’s worth of data without regard for the input Building bridges between the Indigenous and scientific communities is at the heart of work for Hannah-Marie Garcia-Ladd ’15, who describes herself as “an environmental and social scientist.”

of the community or the local culture,” says Garcia-Ladd, explaining the need to play liaison between the scientists and the Indigenous communities. “With the scale of what we’re witnessing, we need all sources of information. There’s a lot of trust-building involved.” Based in Cordova, an Alaskan coastal city of 2,300 accessible only by plane or boat, and with an office in Anchorage, Garcia-Ladd makes the trip to St. Paul once or twice a year, staying one to two weeks and typically traveling with an intern, a staff member, and a research scientist. They gather data on weather, contaminants, and conservation efforts, and Garcia-Ladd leads education and outreach sessions with the local residents. The flight to the island might take from six to ten hours, including a stop to refuel. “We were in the middle of COVID when I first moved up here,” Garcia-Ladd says. “I asked how going virtual was affecting what they did, and they laughed. They said their work is always like that because of the distances.” In the meantime, Garcia-Ladd’s job continues to grow and evolve. In June 2024, the Aleut Community of St. Paul and ISN announced a $2.3 million grant from NOAA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Garcia-Ladd was instrumental in securing the grant, which seeks to leverage the partnership between ISN, the Bering Sea Research Center, and Iḷisaġvik College, Alaska’s tribal college, to support “climate resilient workforce development.” The funds will be used to expand Indigenous-led climate monitoring programs. Calling the NOAA grant her “greatest accomplishment” so far, Garcia-Ladd credits opportunities like Lawrenceville’s Open Door Society with giving her the confidence to approach Alaska’s senators for their support. “I wear a lot of hats – community outreach, presenting at conferences, meeting with funders, networking, collecting data, connecting with Fish and Wildlife – and operating in all these spaces requires a certain comfort level in having these conversations. Lawrenceville gave me that,” she says. A grant to develop a one-credit course with the University of Alaska at Fairbanks, teaching ISN’s data collection methodology, is taking Garcia-Ladd in yet another direction, and in 2023 she joined Indigenous leaders in New Zealand for the signing of declarations to protect the rights of whales and to use Indigenous ancestral knowledge for the betterment of future generations. Acknowledging the value of ancestral knowledge alongside the contributions of western science has been significant for Garcia-Ladd on a personal level, as well. “I am constantly looking at how others are utilizing the space they call home and seeing how that factors into identity,” she says. “That’s led to me recognizing my own identity [Hispanic and Native American] and the cultural practices that have been lost in my own family.” Garcia-Ladd says it took a move to the 49th state for her to feel like she was home. “It’s not for everyone, but I loved it immediately,” she says. “I crossed the [state] border and began crying. I just knew this was where I was meant to be.” t he law re nt ia n.law re nce v ille .o rg

|

19


Go Big Red Their Cup Runneth Over An unlikely hole-in-one may have created good vibes for a record-setting performance by boys’ golf.

Big Red Roundup

20 | FA L L 2 0 2 5

Boys’ lacrosse earned its third-consecutive national prep championship with a 12-4 win over Salisbury and finished the season ranked No. 4 nationally among all high schools by InsideLacrosse.com. Nick Voultos ’25, Brock Getson ’25, and Sawyer English ’25 were selected to the New Balance All-America Senior Game. T H E L AW R E N T I A N

Girls’ lacrosse captured the Mid-Atlantic Prep League title and won the Wooden Stick. Lexie Koch ’25 (see page 6) was chosen to the New Balance All-America Senior Game, and she and Dani Caldwell ’27 were named to the N.J.I.S.A.A. All-Prep A team.


MAYBE THINGS WERE just supposed to work this way for the boys’ golf team this past spring. The team, coached by Etienne Bilodeau H’01 ’20 ’21, was already feeling good after capturing the Mercer County Tournament and the N.J.I.S.A.A. championships in 2024, and the team was off to another strong start to the 2025 campaign. Still, any experienced golfer will tell you that a little bit of good fortune goes a long way. And so it went when Ethan Lee ’27, who wasn’t originally scheduled to compete for the Big Red varsity on March 31, stepped in for a teammate who was unavailable for the match at Golden Pheasant Golf Club in Lumberton, N.J. What happened was what Lee calls his “greatest sports moment ever.” Playing at Golden Pheasant Golf Club in Lumberton, N.J., Lee hit a pitching wedge from 137 yards on the par-3 second hole. The ball sailed through a strong left-to-right wind, landed three feet from the pin, and spun toward the hole. “While I knew it was close, the ball appeared to have stopped right on the edge of the hole, so I picked up my tee and was content to have a good look at a birdie.” But Lee’s tee shot wasn’t just close. It was in the cup. “My teammates and players from other schools that I was playing with all got excited and ran towards the hole to check,” Lee said of the ace, believed to be the first by a Lawrenceville golfer since 1977. “I was so excited and thrilled.” For the team, the good vibes from the hole-in-one carried through the spring just like Lee’s shot off the tee. On senior day, at which captain Quinn Mulhearn ’25 and Harrison Emery ’25 were honored, seven golfers headed to Mountain View Golf Course in nearby Ewing, Big Red’s home course, to compete in the second leg of the coveted Leibovit Cup. The cup is named for Jeffrey Leibovit ’73, who won four New Jersey prep state championships for Lawrenceville and led the squad as its captain for two seasons. An attorney, Leibovit died of cancer in 1991 when he was just 36. Lawrenceville and Peddie School compete annually for Surrounded by his teammates, captain Quinn Mulhearn ’25 holds the Leibovit Cup trophy after boys’ golf set a team low-score record for Mountain View Golf Course to defeat Peddie in the May 8 final.

Boys’ and girls’ track and field won their respective N.J.I.S.A.A. championships on May 2. The girls added a Mid-Atlantic Prep League title a week later, adding a slew of School records along the way: Jael Gaines ’26, Sofia Swindell ’25, Yasmin Willie ’28, and Rhianna Scott ’25 in the

Harrison Emery ’25 and captain Quinn Mulhearn ’25 discuss strategy on the sixth tee during the Leibovit Cup final against Peddie.

the Leibovit Cup in an 18-hole home-and-away (nine holes at each school’s home course) stroke-play contest in which the best five scores of the seven competitors from each team are counted. Big Red headed into the May 8 final with a narrow 196-199 lead from their previous match three weeks prior. This time, the margin was not so close. Mulhearn exploded in the final, carding a 5-under par 37, in leading Lawrenceville to a 183-205 win over Peddie. The 183 strokes represent Big Red’s lowest all-time score at Mountain View, and 16 strokes better than their previous best this spring. Emery, the other outgoing senior, also reached a personal best in the final. According to Bilodeau, Emery had never broken 40 in a 9-hole match but shot a 39 against Peddie while paired with Mulhearn. “In many ways, this season has been truly magical given the fact that we had graduated five out of eight seniors,” Bilodeau said. “We also have had a number of different golfers step up when needed this year. From a statistical perspective, I don’t recall seeing such a narrow difference in stroke-play averages for the season between our No. 1 and eighth golfer.” Lawrenceville followed its win in the Leibovit Cup, which raised its record to 17-2, with a successful defense of its N.J.I.S.A.A. title the following week. They also retained the Crooked Stick after topping The Hill School. “It’s been fun to watch them play!” Bilodeau said. “I am extremely proud of the boys and all of the time that they have invested in elevating their game and representing Lawrenceville this season.”

4x400m; Swindell ran the 100m in 11.88, good for No. 2 in the state; Jesslyn Bentum ’25 hurled the discus 117-7 at the N.J.I.S.A.A. Relays; Scott ran the 400m in 56.08; and Blair Bartlett ’27 won the girls’ 3000m at the Penn Relays.

Boys’ and girls’ crew both won the Brown Cup in the spring. Big Red’s overall record in the spring was 131-52, winning 72 percent of its games, matches, and meets.

t he law re nt ia n.law re nce v ille .o rg

|

21


G O BIG R E D

Getting Their Kicks The founders of the Karate Club returned to campus to recall its humble origins and celebrate its 50th year. IT ALL BEGAN with synchronicity, according to Tom Meseroll ’77. He and classmates Marty Picco ’77 and Rick Purcell ’77 were already studying Shotokan with Sensei Katsuya Kisaka in Trenton, and along with Bill Manieri ’77, they wanted to bring karate to Lawrenceville. At the same time, Cameron Hunt, a first-degree black belt from the Shin Karate Institute in Trenton, reached out to the School to offer his services in the punching- and kicking-based martial art that developed in what is now Okinawa, Japan. Meseroll recalls the administration being reluctant to embrace an “outsider coming in and teaching” — especially for physical education credits — but still, the possibility was posed to him and his friends. “It got down to us, and we were like, what?” he recalls. “That’s exactly what we want.” With English teacher John Magee H’73 ’75 serving as their official adviser, the Karate Club was up and running. This past spring, Meseroll, Picco, and Purcell joined a half-century’s worth of like-minded Lawrentians to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Karate Club with a demonstration and reception inside the Tsai Field House multipurpose room. That’s where today’s iteration trains under Spanish teacher and coach Elizabeth “Eli” Montes P’28. The club is a registered studio in the World Tang Soo Do Association, and students test for official belt ranks at the end of each trimester. It is open to all students, regardless of experience,

22 | FA L L 2 0 2 5

T H E L AW R E N T I A N

Founders Marty Picco ’77, Rick Purcell ’77, and Tom Meseroll ’77 returned to Lawrenceville to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Karate Club.

who develop strength, coordination, and mental and physical endurance as they learn forms from Okinawa, different hand and kick techniques, as well as self-defense. Meseroll recalls the club’s humble origins, which saw him and his peers train on rough cement in a steaming-hot basement next to a boiler room with pipes running through from ceiling to floor. “It was like a prison,” he says. But the group of eight students also wrote a set of bylaws that still serve as a constitution for the club today. That “core four” lost track of the club as they went off into the world, and it wasn’t until their ten-year reunion that they learned that their honorary classmate, teacher Joel Greenberg H’77 ’13 P’93, had taken over as club adviser. The enduring appeal of the Karate Club is grounded in the self-discipline, humility, and mutual respect associated with the martial arts. But the student founders don’t pretend they weren’t also moved by the cultural influences of the mid-1970s. “I think one of the great inspirations of the whole thing was Enter the Dragon,” Picco says, referencing the iconic 1973 feature film starring martial arts expert Bruce Lee. “Oh, yeah!” Purcell exclaims. However, their interest transcended a cultural moment or a fad, and they’re proud of what they began at Lawrenceville, the lessons that began with their original, handwritten charter — an artifact present at the 50th anniversary celebration. “It’s just amazing,” Meseroll says. “and just the difference it’s made on so many people’s lives now.”


Save the Date! May 29–31, 2026 Welcoming back the classes of... 2021 • 2016 • 2011 • 2006 • 2001 • 1996 • 1991 1986 • 1981 • 1976 • 1971 • 1966 • 1961 • 1956 • 1951 Mark your calendar for Alumni Reunion Weekend! Reconnect with classmates, visit your favorite places, and relive the Lawrenceville spirit that connects us all. Whether it’s been 5 years or 50, your House, your class, and your School are ready to celebrate with you. We can’t wait to welcome you home!

Registration opens January 30, 2026. Scan here for more information and to book your accommodations.


Encore

Alum’s Exhibit Reveals NYC’s Sandhogs EARLY IN HIS CAREER as a photographer, Tom Grimes ’78 worked in New York as an assistant to several notable fashion lensmen. Even once he became established on his own, Grimes’ work remained very much on the glamourous side, shooting for such glossy publications as W, Seventeen, and Harper’s Bazaar. Eventually, Grimes’ eye for beauty moved him toward photographing architecture, which remains his primary focus. But in his latest exhibit, “Sandhogs,” Grimes turned his lens underground, toward what might be the antithesis of glamour in New York City: the workers behind the city’s bridges, tunnels, and underground systems. His photographs offer a rare and

24 | FA L L 2 0 2 5

T H E L AW R E N T I A N

“Tunnel #3,” from 1997, was part of the black-and-white photography exhibit “Sandhogs,” featuring the work of Tom Grimes ’78.

striking glimpse into the lives of those who’ve helped build the city from below. “Sandhogs” was on display at Lawrenceville’s Hutchins Galleries from September 11 through November 14, revealing in stark black-and-white the lives of the workers who make their livings some five hundred feet below street level. In the image titled “Tunnel #3,” we see the portrait of a grim-faced, helmeted workman pausing from the seemingly endless task of boring a new 60-miles water-supply tunnel for the city’s system. The timeline of the project is a literal lifetime; work began in 1970 and is not expected to end before 2032. In that time, twenty-three sandhogs and other workers have lost their lives to the effort – a disheartening figure reflected in the countenance of the 1997 photo’s subject.


Creating Sets, Building Skills Foundations of Theatre offers more than an introduction to the stage. It’s a space to build skills, confidence, and connection. AT LAWRENCEVILLE, THE Foundations of Theatre class isn’t merely about learning lines and stagecraft so much as it is a transformative journey of self-discovery and creative exploration. Spanning two terms, the course delves into the fundamental elements of theater, blending theoretical insights with practical skills that resonate far beyond the stage of the Kirby Arts Center, or KAC. Led by performing arts teacher Jamie Cuthrell, the class begins by studying Aristotelian theory and progresses through guideposts of theater and elements of design. These frameworks deepen students’ understanding of dramatic storytelling and empower them to apply these principles practically. From analyzing plot dynamics to creating immersive stage designs, every lesson integrates theoretical knowledge with hands-on experience. Offstage, students immerse themselves in the design process, making decisions on scenic, costume, and prop choices with an artist’s eye. “They each design their own set for a scene in the play She Kills Monsters by Qui Nguyen, drawing ground plans and elevations,” Cuthrell said. “They’re thinking about how space shapes storytelling — what’s onstage, what’s not, where the entrances are, how the environment supports the action.” Students also engage in creating physical design elements, such as mood boards and 3D models. “Some of them bring in cardboard or clay or even use Lego to build out their designs. It’s tactile and thoughtful,” Cuthrell explained. “Design is just as expressive as acting. It’s asking: What story are we telling, and how do we show it without words?” The class embraces Lawrenceville’s Harkness

Foundations of Theatre students show off their diorama-style set designs they created under Performing Arts teacher Jamie Cuthrell.

approach, relying on discussion, observation, and constructive feedback. Students critique one another to move beyond empty praise to meaningful insight, fostering a culture of trust and collaboration that mirrors Lawrenceville’s ethos of Harkness learning — where every voice matters, and every perspective enriches the collective experience. Luke Pometti ’25 recalled Foundations of Theatre as one of his favorite classes during his four years at Lawrenceville. He credits the course — and its teacher — with boosting his confidence and preparing him for performances in Second Form Shakespeare and WinterFest. “Theater at Lawrenceville is associated with joy, fun, and excitement, largely due to Mr. Cuthrell and his Foundations of Theatre class,” Pometti said. “He’s a teacher who not only wants to teach the subject but wants to teach it to you — and you want to learn from him in return.” Beyond artistic merits, the Foundations of Theatre class equips students with invaluable life skills: confidence in self-expression, resilience in facing challenges, and empathy in understanding diverse perspectives. It’s a curriculum that not only prepares them for future theatrical pursuits but also nurtures their growth as individuals. J.C. Clemons ’28 applies the skills learned in class to life outside the KAC. “Communication and building relationships with peers during acting helps you become better acclimated to your community and improves compatibility with peers,” he said. For Xinxin Yang ’28, the class has nearly cured her stage fright. “I’ve gained confidence in performances. Even when I forget a line, I can now quickly improvise and save the moment,” she explained. “Theater is where you can feel free to express yourself — be loud and proud. What’s the fun in theater if you don’t pour your heart into it?” — Lisa M. Gillard H’17 t he law re nt ia n.law re nce v ille .o rg

|

25


26 | FA L L 2 0 2 5

T H E L AW R E N T I A N


Arthur Sze ’68 was named the 25th U.S. poet laureate by the Library of Congress in September.

The Bard Sublime BY Sean Ramsden H’65 AND Ronald Mangravite ’68 P’18

R o b e r t F r o s t fa m o u s ly w r o t e : Two roads diverged in a wood, and I— I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference. Frost, whose talent and renown earned him a berth as the U.S. poet laureate in 1958-59, used “The Road Not Taken” to convey an idea about making choices in the moment, the life such decisions reveal, and the other possibilities that are forsaken in the process. In a way, young Arthur Sze ’68 could see his own path unfolding before him. As a college freshman, he was enrolled at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and studying chemical engineering — the very subject his father, Morgan C.Y. Sze P’64 ’68, transferred from Tsinghua University in China to M.I.T. to study in 1937. Science was important to the Sze family — a way of life, really.

Photography by Shawn Miller and Eric Swanson

t he law re nt ia n.law re nce v ille .o rg

|

27


“My parents were from Beijing and came to the U.S. for college. They spoke Mandarin at home but wanted us to focus on English during school years,” Sze told Ronald Mangravite ’68 P’18 in 2014 for The Lawrentian. “At Lawrenceville, I was strong in math and sciences, but a literature class with James Waugh [H’67 ’68 ’72 ’74 ’81 ’85 ’88 P’68 ’70 ’72 ’74 ’76 GP’12 ’14] introduced me to modern poetry.” Sze began to realize his calling not long after when, during his first semester at M.I.T, he took what he called “an unexpected detour.” “In an advanced calculus class, I suddenly began to write a poem,” Sze recalled. “After class I kept writing and didn’t stop.” He never did, and that choice made all the difference to Sze, who was named by the Library of Congress as the 25th U.S. poet laureate for 2025-26 in September, following in the footsteps of Frost, as well as William Carlos Williams, Gwendolyn Brooks, Stanley Kunitz, Louise Glück, and many other luminaries. “As the son of Chinese immigrants, and as a sophomore who decided to leave M.I.T. to pursue a dream of becoming a poet, I never would have guessed that so many decades later I would receive this recognition,” Sze said after his appointment. As the U.S. poet laureate, Sze inherits the mantle that began in 1937, when Joseph Auslander was tapped to become the consultant in poetry to the Library of Congress. A 1985 Act of Congress revised the description to “poet laureate consultant in poetry to the Library of Congress,” or, more colloquially, U.S. Poet Laureate. Sze is the 25th person appointed under the revised title (Frost served under the previous appellation), which is credited with elevating the profile of the post. The laureateship is also a paid role. According to the Library of Congress, the poet laureate is given the freedom to shape the position based on their interests and inclinations. Some have assumed highly visible roles as a national advocate for poetry; others forgo the spotlight to focus on their writing. During his term as poet laureate, Sze, who lives in Santa Fe, N.M., plans to have a special focus on translating poetry originally written in other languages. He published an expanded collection of Chinese poetry translations, The Silk Dragon II, in 2024. “His poetry is distinctly American in its focus on the landscapes of the Southwest, where he has lived for many years, as well as in its great formal innovation,” said Robert Randolph Newlen, acting librarian of Congress. “Like Emily Dickinson and Walt Whitman, Sze forges something new from a range of traditions and influences — and the result is a poetry that moves freely throughout time and space.” Sze’s journey as a poet was buoyed early by the arrival at M.I.T. of poet Denise Levertov, whom he had studied at Lawrenceville, as a guest lecturer. Levertov recognized Sze’s poetic potential and advised him to transfer to the world-class literary program at the University of California, Berkeley. There, Sze continued writing and took advanced Mandarin to be able to study and translate the classic poets

28 | FA L L 2 0 2 5

T H E L AW R E N T I A N

of the T’ang Dynasty. Legendary professor/poet Josephine Miles mentored him, having him read Rainer Maria Rilke and Pablo Neruda, and encouraged him to publish his work. After graduation, Sze traveled to Santa Fe, where he accepted a position in the Poetry in the Schools program, taking him all over the state, working with students, Native Americans on reservations, and prisoners in maximum security — with one on death row. “My job was to help people to express themselves,” Sze told The Lawrentian in 2014. “I would sit on the cold concrete walkways in front of the prisoners’ cells, listening as they read their poetry. I worked in this program for 10 years.” A long stint followed as director of the creative writing program at the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe, where Sze remains a professor emeritus. He was also the first poet laureate of Santa Fe. Native American and Asian cultures influence Sze’s poetry. Time and transformation are basic themes. Once, on a visit to the city of Chengdu in China, Sze encountered old


We live in such a fast-paced world; poetry helps us slow down, deepen our attention, connect, and live more fully.”

men in a park at dawn painting on flat, black rocks. “I discovered they were painting with water, writing out entire T’ang dynasty poems, which would evaporate as the sun rose.” This experience inspired Sze to write “Water Calligraphy,” part of his 2019 book Sight Lines, which won the National Book Award for Poetry. “I am intensely aware of time passing and the brevity of our existence,” he told The Lawrentian in 2014. “I have a need to describe events and moments, to name them.” Sze is the author of twelve collections of poetry, most recently Into the Hush (2025), as well as the prose collection The White Orchard: Selected Interviews, Essays, and Poems, which were both published in 2025. Poetry has been Sze’s sole career, garnished with a long list of honors: Guggenheim Fellowship, American Book Award, Lannan Literary Award, two NEA writing fellowships, and the Jackson Poetry Prize. His ninth book, Compass Rose, published by Copper Canyon Press in 2014, was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize.

“The compass rose is the map symbol that helps geographically orient the reader,” Sze explains. “I am trying to identify the yearning for spiritual centering, to locate, to root ourselves.” Succeeding Ada Limón, Sze officially began his laureateship on October 9 with a reading of his work in the Library of Congress’s historic Coolidge Auditorium in Washington, D.C. In the days leading up to the event, he was filled with a sense of duty to foster engagement with the art that has defined his adult life. “As laureate I feel a great responsibility to promote the ways poetry, especially poetry in translation, can impact our daily lives,” Sze said. “We live in such a fast-paced world; poetry helps us slow down, deepen our attention, connect, and live more fully.” Portions of this story first appeared in “Writing with Water” by Ronald Mangravite ’68 P’18 in the winter 2014 issue of The Lawrentian. t he law re nt ia n.law re nce v ille .o rg

|

29


2025

Seems like old times

M

ore than a thousand Lawrentians from the past three quarters of a century and their guests and families returned to campus for Alumni Reunion Weekend in early June. Although many in attendance had not seen each other in years, the time seemed to melt away once the alums hit the dance floors, shared meals, and collapsed in laughter together. The Big Red Food Truck Picnic and Festival made the Circle the place to be on Saturday afternoon on a weekend that was also highlighted by dinners for the classes of the 5s and 0s, the Grand March, the Alumni Awards presentation, a Big Red Farm Tour, and the opportunity for alums to tour their old Houses. The Class of 1975 celebrated its 50th reunion, while twenty-two new honorary class memberships were conferred and the Alumni Association bestowed its prestigious Distinguished Alumnus Award upon Matthew Dominy ’65

30 | FA L L 2 0 2 5

T H E L AW R E N T I A N

for his longtime commitment and service to the School. The robust program also saw the Harkness Award presented to longtime Russian teacher Timothy Doyle ’69 H’79 ’99 ’09 P’99, and the Big Red Award given to Kevin Huang ’05 and Jay Ottinger. Lawrenceville also welcomed its newest alumni trustee, Ian Rice ’95, who joins Rajib Chanda ’93 as the latest additions to the board, under the leadership of newly appointed president Celeste Mellet ’94 P’27 and vice president Bob Zochowski ’82 P’13.

Make plans to join us for Alumni Reunion Weekend 2026 on May 29–31. For more information visit: www. lawrenceville.org/alumni/reunion. See many more photographs from this year’s event at Lawrenceville’s alumni Flickr account.


Harkness Award Timothy Doyle ’69 H’79 ’99 ’09 P’99 History Teacher, Golf Coach

• After undergraduate studies at Franklin & Marshall and Princeton and earning a master’s degree at Yale, Tim returned to Lawrenceville in 1975 to begin a 44-year teaching career in the History Department that shaped generations of Lawrentians.

Timothy Doyle ’69 H’79 ’99 ’09 P’99 accepted the Harkness Award from outgoing Alumni Association President Heather Elliott Hoover ’91 P’20 ’23 ’24 and Kris Schulte H’92 P’15.

•

A scholar of Russian and East European studies, he also taught the Russian language, U.S. history, and economics, bringing a depth of knowledge, intellectual rigor, and unmistakable wit to each.

•

•

A chair of the History Department, Tim was also an assistant head of Cleve and Woodhull Houses; and head of Thomas, Upper West, and Reynolds, often alongside wife Kathy Doyle P’99, who worked in the School library.

Advised multiple student publications, supported various clubs, including the Radio Club and Herodotus, organized student trips to Russia, and led the varsity golf team for more than two decades.

•

•

Chaired the Students for on Coeducation Transition to Coeducation Committee in the 1980s and served as dean of students from 1999 to 2004, with several stints as head of the Fifth Form.

Before retiring in 2019, he exemplified the Harkness tradition buy directing students, including son Brian Doyle ’99, toward a greater understanding of history and language, mentorship in the House, and coaching them on the golf course.

New Alumni Trustee Ian Rice ’95 New Alumni Trustee Selectors Meghan Smith Harrison ’92 P’29 Ned Weihman ’67 Big Red Awards Kevin Huang ’05 Jay Ottinger

Kevin Huang ’05 and Jay Ottinger received the Big Red Award from outgoing Alumni Association President Heather Elliott Hoover ’91 P’20 ’23 ’24.

New Honorary Class Members The Class of 1965 Elizabeth Casey H’66 ’92 P’21 ’24 Peter DeVine P’22 Jacqueline Haun Sean Ramsden The Class of 1975 Ginnie Chambers H’54 ’58 ’59 ’60 ’61 ’62 ’66 ’67 ’68 ’71 ’73 ’79 ’80 ’89 P’77 Miranda Townley Christoffersen P’14 ’18 W. Graham Cole H’77 ’78 ’80 ’83 ’85 ’86 ’87 P’91 ’95

Edith Baird Eglin H’52 ’65 ’66 ’67 ’70 GP’19 John A. Magee H’73 José L. Marti H’84 ’87 ’95 ’08 P’91 ’95 ’01 Ronald J. Megna ’67 Mary Weeden Winants H’61 ’64 ’65 P’77 ’79 ’87 The Class of 1990 Jim Brown H’99 Margot Brown Clayton Marsh H’93 P’15

The Class of 1995 Emilie D. Kosoff H’88 ’94 ’96 ’00 ’18 ’20 P’19 The Class of 2000 Miguel Bayona P’12 ’18 Sandra B. Rabin H’01 ’08 P’00 Mark Schoeffel H’97 ’02 ’05 ’06 The Class of 2015 Manish Bhatia P’12 ’15 ’21 The Class of 2025 Julio Alcantara H’24 P’28 Scott Barnard

t he law re nt ia n.law re nce v ille .o rg

|

31


2025

32 | FA L L 2 0 2 5

T H E L AW R E N T I A N


t he law re nt ia n.law re nce v ille .o rg

|

33


A Friend Indeed

Deeply grateful for an experience that he says transformed him, Matt Dominy ’65 has become a tie that binds his classmates. WHEN PEOPLE SPEAK of someone who is a “friend to Lawrenceville,” it’s often a shorthand reference for the good and generous work they do on behalf of the School. And it’s true enough: Friends will be there to do the hard things just as soon as they will be there for the good times. And sometimes, the description extends well beyond the reciprocal relationship of an alum who repays the School for the transformative experience they derived from their time there. Sometimes, a friend of Lawrenceville is also the sort who will stop by your office or send an email with a funny or encouraging word, telegraphing that they are, indeed, just a regular old friend, too. Matt Dominy ’65 is one who can be aptly described in any of the ways mentioned above. He has done the laborious work for the School, serving as a class agent for more than ten years, as well as on multiple reunion committees and on the Alumni Council. He’s given more than his time, too, as a member of the Red & Black Leadership, 1810 Loyalty, and John Cleve Green societies, and as the naming benefactor of the Matthew Dominy ’65 Prize for Music, presented annually to a graduating Fifth Former who has made the greatest impact on musical life at the School. Dominy’s Lawrenceville bona fides are unmistakable, which is why he was this year’s recipient of the Distinguished Alumnus Award, presented at Alumni Reunion Weekend 2025 at a ceremony inside the Kirby Arts Center. The prestigious accolade is conferred annually by the Lawrenceville School Alumni Association to a Lawrentian in recognition of exceptional efforts to promote the best interests of the School. “When you have a job that you love, it’s not work,” Dominy said, “and that’s exactly what I can say about the last ten or twelve years.” Dominy also does the work that doesn’t show up on a recitation of his good deeds and magnanimity. He is that friend who is one of the first to send off a congratulatory email when he hears you have accomplished something notable. He is also that friend who extends himself personally to make you feel a part of his community. A man in possession of a great laugh and a keen sense of humor, he brings you in on the laughter and lets you know he appreciates you. He is that kind of friend who counts many of his own. “I’m so grateful for the education I got at Lawrenceville and for the friendships, some of which have lasted sixty years,” he says, reflecting a sentiment that is shared with so many others. — Sean Ramsden H’65 Matt Dominy ’65 is the 2025 recipient of the Distinguished Alumnus Award.

34 | FA L L 2 0 2 5

T H E L AW R E N T I A N


Most members of the Alumni Council for 2025-26 at Alumni Reunion Weekend in May. From left: Alex Iannaccone ’04, Mike Kasperzak ’72, president Greg Melconian ’87 P’25 ’27, immediate past president Heather Elliott Hoover ’91 P’20 ’23 ’24, first vice president Emily Wilson Elipas ’05, second vice president Dwight Draughon ’04, Monty Montenecourt ’87 P’26 ’26, and Barry Gonzalez ’82. (Not pictured: Sophia Caronello ’92, Johanne Chu ’10, Julia Minnetian ’13, Monty Montenecourt ’87 P’26 ’26, and Dan Nunn ’72)

A New Era Begins

Lawrenceville’s Alumni Council will be communicating more with each individual class in order to stir engagement and improve communications between alums and the School. By Greg Melconian ’87 P’25 ’27

IT IS A great honor to step into the role of president of Alumni Council and to have the opportunity to serve our vibrant Lawrenceville community. I am grateful to Heather Elliott Hoover ’91 P’20 ’23 ’24 for her dedication and leadership as president, and I hope to build upon the legacy she and my other predecessors have established. Having served Lawrenceville for more than thirty years and the last decade on the Alumni Council, I have seen firsthand how our beloved School and our alumni body continue to evolve while remaining united by our common bond. In the year ahead, my focus is on strengthening engagement by establishing improved communications with each class and finding ways to create excitement around our School. Whether at reunions, regional gatherings, on-campus programs, affinity groups, or virtual events, these touchpoints are vital to keeping the Lawrenceville spirit alive. I believe the Alumni Council is at its best when we focus our efforts, doing fewer things but doing them well. Engagement and nominations will remain at the heart of our work, as will our commitment to increasing awareness of the Alumni Council across the School’s community: our 16,000-plus alumni, the administration, faculty and staff, students, and the Board of Trustees. The Alumni Council is the governing body of the

Lawrenceville Alumni Association, supporting alumni engagement, selecting recipients of important awards and distinctions, and nominating alumni representatives to the Board of Trustees. As we carry forward this important mission, we welcome your thoughts, ideas, and feedback. All responses are reviewed by members of the Alumni Council. Please use the QR code provided to share your input and join us as we continue to strengthen the connection between Lawrenceville and its alumni for generations to come. Greg Melconian ’87 P’25 ’27 began his term as president of Lawrenceville’s Alumni Council this past summer.

Alumni Council 2025-26 Officers Greg Melconian ’87 P’25 ’27 President gregmelconian@gmail.com Emily Wilson Elipas ’05 First Vice President ewelipas@gmail.com Dwight Draughon ’04 Second Vice President dwight.draughon@ gmail.com

Committee Members Sophia Caronello ’92 Johanne Soeun Chu ’10 Barry Gonzalez ’82 Alexander Iannaccone ’04 Mike Kasperzak ’72 Julia Minnetian ’13 Marcus “Monty” Montenecourt ’87 P’26 ’26 Dan Nunn ’72 Faculty Liaison Kris Schulte H’92 P’15

Use this QR code to share your thoughts and feedback with the Alumni Council.

t he law re nt ia n.law re nce v ille .o rg

|

35


Meet Karen It seems like everyone has an opinion on AI, or artificial intelligence, but they’re not all Karen Hao ’11. After earning a mechanical engineering degree from MIT and working as an application engineer at the first Google X spinoff startup, Karen has spent more than seven years writing about AI for The Wall Street Journal, The Atlantic, and as the senior AI editor at the MIT Technology Review, and the understanding she’s gained has produced her first book, Empire of AI: Dreams and Nightmares in Sam Altman’s OpenAI. “AI intersects with anything and everything,” Karen told Puck’s John Heilemann on his Impolitic podcast in June about moving from engineering to journalism and her choice to focus on AI and its impact on society. The current lack of accountability by the companies developing these technologies is “the threat we are missing,” she says. “It’s not that AI is going rogue; the threat is that people are using AI as a narrative cover to amass extraordinary levels of power that lead them to return us to the age of empire and erode democratic ideals and the agency of people all around the world.”

36 | FA L L 2 0 2 5

T H E L AW R E N T I A N

Photo: Tony Luong for KarenHao.com


Class Notes Class notes can be shared with your class secretary or sent directly to classnotes@lawrenceville.org. Please note: The class notes in this section were submitted last spring for a planned summer issue. Submissions from this past October and November will appear in the forthcoming winter issue.

1945

1950

To submit news for the Class of 1945 column, please send to classnotes@lawrenceville.org.

To submit news for the Class of 1950 column, please send to classnotes@lawrenceville.org.

1946

1951

To submit news for the Class of 1946 column, please send to classnotes@lawrenceville.org.

Edward D. Rossmann edlou@rochester.rr.com

1947

1952

To submit news for the Class of 1947 column, please send to classnotes@lawrenceville.org.

George “Bud” Prince Georgebprince1@gmail.com

1948 Warren Schneider wasnyc@aol.com 2727 W. Bluff Ave, Unit 133 Fresno, CA 93711 About 10 years ago I took over this column from our late classmate Ben Brown, and it has been a rewarding experience. However, contact with our 20 remaining classmates has been very scarce, and I am now working on my final column. I expect I will finish it at the end of this year; I have selected some lines from my favorite column as my finale. Meanwhile, I did speak to Tony Bryant P’91, catching him as he and Andrea P’91 were leaving for a charity dinner. They are both doing well, busy as ever. Thereafter, I spoke to Charles Henry, who is also keeping busy although mostly spending time at home. Beware, the rest of you, I will be telephoning you for a final chat… No memorials this issue — keep well.

1949 Robert Sobel robertsobel@me.com As you may know by now, our class lost Woodbridge “Woody” D’Oench on March 31, 2025, at the age of 93. A U.S. Navy veteran and a longtime newspaper publisher, Woody was always a good friend and a civic partner to his communities, from the national to the local. A full obituary appears in the Memorials section of this issue.

We received a call from our old friends, Winx and Jim McCarthy, back in those cold days in January ’25, where the snowfall was a record-breaking 12 inches in the New Orleans area. Jim called to tell us that he had been skiing, it was so deep! (Where do you buy skis down there?) I’m happy to report that the Alumni Association still has 81 names on the ’52 mailing list! Quite a large number, considering that we’re all in our low 90s, or so — proof positive that we’re all living longer (and, I suspect, healthier) lives! My mailbox and email lists are pretty much empty these days. You can help that out by sending me news of yourself and your family, as we would all enjoy hearing about you!

1953 Larry Heilman P’85 Lcheilman@verizon.net Colin Thompson crthompson35@msn.com Colin Thompson is featured in The Redefector, a ten-episode podcast series from Wavland/ Audiochuck via Apple Podcasts, created and narrated by Julie Cohn, telling the true story of Vitaliy S. Yurchenko, a colonel in the Soviet KGB who defected to the U.S. in August 1985, then returned to the USSR three months later, creating quite a stir, if not a scandal, in Washington’s foreign affairs world. Colin is joined by eight or more CIA colleagues, six or seven FBI officials and others in providing an oral history of what happened during those three months, and Cohn is a skillful and entertaining narrator. Worth a listen, honest.

Miami stalwarts Chico Ferro ’55 and Henrique Salas-Romer ’55 got together earlier this year.

1954 To submit news for the Class of 1954 column, please send to classnotes@lawrenceville.org.

1955 John P. Keyser johnpkeyser@gmail.com Bob Milward P’87 reports that “our family business in Lexington, Ky., Milward Funeral Directors, Inc., is celebrating our 200th anniversary this year with our fifth and sixth generation operating the business. To put that in perspective, Thomas Jefferson was still alive in 1825.” Bob also mentioned that he and his wife are returning to live back in Lexington after enjoying many years in Naples, Fla. If you remember, Bob was also known for his hook shots on the basketball court. Chico Ferro is doing very well in Miami, though I am wondering if he can still make the throw from deep shortstop to first? Charlie Broll GP’12 says that “Turner and I celebrated our 65th year of marriage this past June with our three children and spouses and six grandchildren, one of whom is married. Unfortunately, I was recently diagnosed with colitis IBD and Turner has a walker due to spinal stenosis. So, one can’t eat or drink most food or beverage items and the other has trouble walking. We sold our home in Delaware (Chico was there for our 25th at Lawrenceville) five years ago and moved to a retirement community close by where we have a cottage. We still go to Longboat Key and are Florida residents but think that may not last long. I am still ‘playing’ golf, and shot my age last month. That’s all the news from Lake Woobegone and not meant or fit for print.”

t he law re nt ia n.law re nce v ille .o rg

|

37


L AW R E N T I A NS

John Keyser is living happily in Charlevoix, Mich., small-town America. I am writing for the county newspaper and am involved with the county leadership program. Feel blessed.

1956 James M. Beardsley P’88 jbeardsley63@gmail.com As I am writing this it is approximately one year before out 65th reunion. Please remember that this will be the last separate reunion for out class. After this we will be thrown in with other older classes. Make your plans to come back this year for Alumni Reunion Weekend, May 29-31, 2026! Shortly after I retired in 2014, Ellen P’88 and I received a brochure from a company called Road Scholar with a picture of the Great Wall of China on the front. It looked like fun, so we signed up for the two-week tour, which included some time in Tibet. Since then, we have been on 19 more trips with that company, which has changed its name a couple of times, but is back to being Road Scholar. We have traveled with other companies and by ourselves. I am now studying up for a trip to the Greek Islands. I hope to keep on traveling as long as my legs can take me.

1957 Don Mills don.mills@icloud.com Bill Haddad billchaddad@yahoo.com The Class of 1957 lost Christopher Perry on April 7 after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease. After graduating from Lawrenceville, Chris subsequently earned his bachelor’s degree from Princeton and a master’s degree from the Columbia University School of Journalism. He then embarked on a long and varied career in journalism, public policy, public relations, and executive communications. A fuller obituary appears in the Memorials section of this magazine, but beyond his many professional accomplishments and extracurricular activities, Chris was most known, admired and appreciated for the sheer strength of his character. Clarity of thought, integrity, empathy, honesty, compassion and wit were at the center of who he was. Always the diplomat, he never said anything that he would later regret. “Chris was a collection of paradoxes, truly: a fine mind in no hurry to prove itself; a gifted speaker who was among the best listeners imaginable; a writer I’d give my left hand to equal who was an even better editor; and the quietest voice in the room with the clearest sense of purpose,” recalled Jon Bliss, the minister of Old Parish Church in Weston, Vt., and a good friend of Chris’s. “He chose his interests carefully and dedicated his attention to people and projects he cared deeply about. And the result was that you always knew where he stood, because Chris always stood for the same core values: graciousness, substance over performance, and gratitude.”

38 | FA L L 2 0 2 5

T H E L AW R E N T I A N

1958 William S. Ballenger III P’92 Bill@TheBallengerReport.com Our Class of 1958 Zoom calls, inspired by the two Larrys (Larry Prince in New York and Larry Martin P’95 in Montana), have been a big success. We had our first on January 12 and a second on May 18. We had about a dozen participants and each lasted an hour or so. Included on one or the other or both were the two Larrys, Pearce Hurley, Caroline Hornblow, Dan Rifkin, Wick Warrick P’90 ’92, Steve Lockton P’84 ’87, Toby Tobin, Ross Burkhardt, Robert Burkhardt P’07 ’09, Rody Salas, Jeff Mershon, Bill Gross, Sam Busselle, John Pettibone, and yours truly. We read and saw a lot about Nick Beck in the last edition of The Lawrentian, but here’s some more from the Hawaii Waterman Hall of Fame: “Nick Beck, born and raised on Kaua’i, has been a transformative figure in the world of Hawaiian canoe paddling and canoe sailing for decades. A two-time Molokai Ho’e Canoe Racing World Champion, Nick’s influence extends beyond competition. In addition to winning titles and coaching at the Waikiki Surf Club, Outrigger Canoe Club and Kaua’i Canoe Club, he also cofounded the Hanalei Hawaiian Civic Canoe Club and the Hawaiian Sailing Canoe Association, helping to shape the future of both outrigger paddling and canoe sailing in Hawai’i. “Nick’s innovative spirit is exemplified in his design and construction of the Holopuni, a three-person sailing canoe that has become a benchmark for ease of use and durability in challenging inter-island voyages. His dedication to canoe building began in the 1960s, when he crafted his famed six-man racing canoe, Waioli, from an invasive Albizia tree. This vessel became renowned for its speed and performance in the surf. He later built the Holomoana out of Indigenous Koa wood after Hurricane Iniki destroyed the Waioli. “While Nick became a recognizable force in both surfing and canoe paddling, it was his time and dedication to canoe sailing on the Holopuni that reminded him of the traditional ways of our ancestors who would not only fish, sail and surf, but also voyage and explore. The Holopuni was a modern version of a voyaging canoe whose roots were ancient; in essence, a time capsule connecting the generations. The Holopuni became so popular and such an inspiration around the world that Nick created the Holopuni International Sailing Canoe Association, established to federate and harmonize Holopuni Sailing Canoe Associations around the world. “An educator by profession, Nick earned degrees from USC and the University of Hawai’i, later becoming the principal of Hanalei Elementary School. His passion for his community was evident in his efforts to slow the rapid development of Hanalei and Kaua’i and in his youth programming initiatives. Nick has previously served on several boards of directors in his community, including the Hanalei Museum, Kilauea Point Natural History Association, and was a member of the National Association of

Elementary School Principals. He also has given his support to Compassion International. “A true waterman, Nick’s life has been dedicated to exploring the Pacific, whether paddling, surfing, or sailing. His humanitarian work has taken him across the globe, particularly to Africa. Nick’s love for the ocean is shared with his four children and six grandchildren, as well as several nieces and nephews; all of whom carry on his legacy of respect for the sea. “Nick Beck’s contributions to Hawaiian culture, both on and off the water, have solidified his place as a legendary figure in the world of outrigger canoe paddling and canoe sailing. “Hawaii is the birthplace of some of the best watermen in the world. Home to athletes who have dedicated their lives to mastering the ocean — from windsurfing to Big Wave surfing, kitesurfing, and now, to the explosive uprise of winging and foiling — Hawaiian athletes give their heart and soul to the ocean. “Individuals are inducted into the Hawaii Waterman Hall of Fame for their sustained outstanding contribution to the sport, and their international, national, and local accomplishment and recognition. The Hawaii Waterman Hall of Fame honors those remarkable legends within our islands’ water sports community whose lifetime of contributions have inspired and perpetuated the unique connection between our kamaaina and the ocean.” Are we still a traveling class? I mean, foreign trips any of us might have made? Or even trips in the United States? Nobody has sent me any recent news about this possibility, so let me add this: I traveled with my daughter, Josephine, and 13-year-old granddaughter, Cody, and inamorata Jane Koegel to Australia and New Zealand for three weeks between April 6 and 27. What a trip we had! Detroit to Dallas/Fort Worth to Sydney, then Brisbane to Wellington, New Zealand. Then Wellington to Queenstown, N.Z., from which we ventured to the breathtaking Milford Sound and Mt. Cook (the highest point in New Zealand). Then Queenstown back to Melbourne in the Land of Oz, where we spent our final week. Then Melbourne back to Los Angeles, Dallas/ Fort Worth again, and finally home to Detroit. Whew! The journey of a lifetime. Surely some of you may have matched this. Let your classmates read about it here in a future issue.

1959 Bob Spofford Spoffo41@icloud.com

1960 Mort Fuller P’89 ’01 John Bailey jwbailey616@gmail.com 206-422-1801 Bill Chapin lwchapin@earthlink.net 386-299-8363 For as long as we, Beetle and Chapes, can remember, which is less and less these days,


our buddy Mort Fuller P’89 ’01 has served as our class secretary, including during our Fifth Form year. Mort will continue in this role, emeritus, while living the dream with his dear wife, Sue P’89 ’01, at their mountaintop, Pacific view homestead. Mort has enlisted the two of us to do the blocking while he scores yet another touchdown for Lawrenceville. We both appreciate Mort’s leadership and friendship since we first met when we were ages 14 and 15. In October 2024, Bill, the golfer from Florida, was visiting John, the skier from Sun Valley, Idaho. It was the last 50-degree day of the year so we went fly fishing at the Silver Creek Preserve, about 30 miles from town. It was there that we hatched the idea to catch up with our remaining classmates by asking Mort if we could take over being co-class secretaries. We’re new at being class secretaries for The Lawrentian. So, when we asked our classmates to submit short accounts of their latest adventures and achievements, we were surprised by depth of detail of some class notes. Knowing that The Lawrentian is issued three times per year in print, we imagined its motto to be All the News That’s Fits We Print, like that of the Lower School’s erstwhile The Recorder (last printed in 1993) rather than the honored motto All the News That’s Fit to Print (first appeared on the New York Times in 1897). So, here’s what’s new, Class: Our very first class note came from Bob Dilworth, who submitted nine paragraphs. Allow me to summarize. Bob was at Lawrenceville for only two years where he made two great lifelong friends, Dick Winickoff and Dusty Schoch. Bob and Dick were roommates at Harvard, both graduated in three years, and Dick was Bob’s best man when Bob married Faith, who only three months earlier was introduced to Bob by Dusty. Readers, are you following all these 2s and 3s? Faith has for 61 years. Faith and Bob have three daughters and seven grandchildren, and best expressed in Bob’s poignant words, “As with most of us, my relentless self-absorption of adolescence seems to have migrated into genuine pleasure in sharing life experiences with my family, my friends and their families. It was not really part of the plan. It just sort of happened.” Bob’s career has been more than impressive. For almost 60 years Bob has focused on what has become the key economic and political issue now facing our nation and the world in 2025. Bob’s expertise has been in multinational trade and the interdependence of world economies. After graduating from law school in 1966 Bob practiced law with four firms: 30 years at Baker & McKenzie, five at McDermott Will & Emery, six at PricewaterhouseCoopers, and his Sole Practitioner LLC for 13 years. In 2012 Bob retired for the third time … and in his words “… but here we are in 2025, halting, limited mobility, and no doubt often tiresome, but still in the harness.” Bob added, “Maybe the clients worry that Faith will be driven mad if I am unoccupied by Pillar 2 (also known as the global minimum tax), and the perambulations of the OECD and the Inclusive Framework (members have a meaningful say in decision-making).” Likely, massive tariffs can be added to the list of reasons why

Bob’s clients won’t let him retire. Bob has always been and currently is indispensable. Just ask Faith. Dick Winickoff is “fully retired from practice and teaching at Mass General and Harvard as of two years ago. Married to Susan for 60 years, with two sons; one here in Brookline, Mass., a pediatrician, and the other in Paris, a bioethicist with the OECD. We have five grandchildren. “I’m very concerned about the threat to science, academia, and public health and am trying to do my part to stem the tide. Susan and I went to the Hands Off Rally on Boston Common along with about 30,000 other people, and we are working with Swing Blue Alliance. We had a lovely visit in January with classmate Bob Dilworth and wife Faith in Washington and Alexandria.” Dick Devens writes, “Thanks to Mort Fuller for his 65 years of service as class secretary. “I became a great-grandfather to Andrew R. S. Devens, who has a brother in the oven, due in the fall. His father, Preston, is now a dentist, and doing very well, paying off his school loan. “My two children are busy with their jobs and families. My son, Richard, is still with Boeing, impatient with fellow workers who like to chat, and is still happily married to Melissa. His daughter, Lauren, lives in Brooklyn, displeasing his father, but doing well with her roommate. My daughter Jen is making granola to help husband Jim pay the bills. As for her daughters, Lucy is 21 at Suffolk University and Silvie has had psyche problems, but is doing better at an institution. Of course, we’re all missing their mother, Iris, very much. The end of this month will be the 11th anniversary of her passing. “A few days ago, I got very upset, and tried to write down my thoughts, and was unable to make a sentence. So, my partner, Helen, gave me an aspirin and told me to chew it and drink water and lie down, and that did the trick. I wonder if I had a minor stroke. As my mother used to tell me, ‘Relax, Dickie; you’ll last longer!’” Leighton Huey P’06 says, “Having learned the hard way to make good choices, one will recall the following recipe for safety from our formative years: The vessel with the pestle has the pellet with the poison, But the chalice in the palace has the brew that is true. “Traveling the academic circle from California to New Hampshire to Connecticut and now Pennsylvania, I encountered Warren Acker (Hill/Princeton) soon after coming to Pa. Warren found out I had attended Lawrenceville in the same class as his cousin, Mort Fuller. He mentioned this to Mort, who lives in the same town, and next thing I know my wife and I are having dinner at the Ackers with Mort and Sue. We attended the Fuller’s Christmas celebration in the Trophy House on their beloved Overlook Farm the night they bequeathed it to Penn State. “As associate dean and professor, I have become a resilience aficionado, involved in introducing concepts of community resilience to two counties in Northeastern Pennsylvania, where a significant percentage of the population live at or below the federal poverty level. “Still running and still a wise ass. Our

John Bailey ’60 and Bill Chapin ’60 did some fly fishing at the Silver Creek Preserve, about 30 miles from John’s home in Sun Valley, Idaho.

daughter, Amanda ’06, is assistant professor in medicine at Michigan.” Dan Harris writes, “Hello, Class of 1960, in our 65th reunion year. Yikes! When we were toiling through our final year at Lawrenceville, the 65th reunion group was the Class of 1895. That’s not just a day or two: It’s two centuries ago. How did they arrive? Not by plane, not by car … Uber? “Okay … We’re old but we are tenacious (unlike the halfback at UVa who was told, ‘You’re small but you’re slow!’) The good news comes from Lawrenceville’s Maureen Ehret H’72 P’06 ’12, who revealed that 149 of us are still kicking around at various speeds. “A very short bio as it’s not that scintillating: “1957-64: Lawrenceville and UVa: Had the good fortune at UVa to be in St. Elmo Hall with Kraft, Knight, Beetle, and Chapes under the watchful eye of Clark McKenzie ’59 P’81. I used to say those were the best seven years of my life … until I was married. “1965-67: U.S. Army. Who knew that there was a Vietnam? “1968: Married the love of my life. Joy, kids and grandkids that actually like to see us. “1967-98: Worked for P&G, a world-class operation because it has world-class personnel. We moved a lot (the old joke, IBM — I’ve been moved), but we started in Boston and ended back in Boston. “1999-2025: Retired. Two weeks of reading the paper and really bored. Started to write books, and I’m now trying to start a sixth one. Vacations on the Cape and in Maine, but no more trips to an island. After flying to an island, taking a single engine plane, a boat ride, with the last phase being a hang glider, to a beach, I had to say ‘enough!’ “Hey, it might have been different: all plague and pestilence, bad luck and dark alleys, but it wasn’t. My experiences at Lawrenceville and UVa, and the friends I made started life off on the right track, and Joy and my family took it to an even higher level. I have to steal a line from Lou Gehrig’s final speech at Yankee Stadium: ‘Today I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of the earth.’ My best to the Class of 1960!” Reflections of the funeral of Minor H. Warner: John Bailey here again. I attended the funeral of Minor Warner at The Church of Heavenly Rest in New York City on December 13, 2024. While I didn’t know Minor well while we were classmates, Grace Harvey and I have been fortunate

t he law re nt ia n.law re nce v ille .o rg

|

39


L AW R E N T I A NS

Bill Hofmann ’61, Skip Patterson ’62, and Googan Gregg Miller ’62 GP’28, Ted Lyons ’62 P’86, and Bunn ’62 P’93 ’01 ’03 ’07 GP’23 ’25 enjoyed some Skip Patterson ’62 enjoyed lunch together in Palm fun under the Florida sun. City, Fla.

Ted Gallagher ’63 and the Worcester Red Sox welcomed Bob Ryan ’64 to throw out the first pitch, as well as regale the audience with tales and anecdotes of his years covering sports for the Boston Globe and ESPN.

to visit with Minor and his lovely wife, Ellen, for a few days each summer for the last ten years. Two parts of Minor’s funeral stood out for me. First, our inspirational Lawrenceville School Hymn, “Fight the Good Fight,” was played during the funeral’s prelude. Second, a reflection and reading from the Quran was read by Turki AlFaisal ’63 P’94 ’07, who was one of Minor’s ten honorary pallbearers, and the only person among the many hundreds there in church on that cold sunny day wearing a long white Arabian robe and black headpiece. Turki definitely stood out from all the dark suits. It seems Minor and Turki became lasting friends on a Lawrenceville soccer field in the fall of 1959 when Turki was co-captain of the Cromwell House soccer team. Minor, not the athlete but always at the top of his class academically, was trying to earn his required athletic credit to graduate by being the Lower School team’s water boy. Minor struck up a friendship with the Saudi prince, and convinced Turki to carry the heavy water bucket from the locker room to the field. Minor, age 17, was a tall Fifth Former, three years older, with a growing interest in Asia and the Middle East. It says a lot about Turki, age 14, a smallish Second Former, that he agreed to carry the full water bucket to soccer practice for the entire season. We hoped that Minor carried the empty water bucket back to the locker room occasionally. Minor’s ever-engaging and inclusive personality with everyone he met sparked a 65-year, lifelong friendship with Turki Al-Faisal, a family friend, and future Saudi Ambassador to the United States.

40 | FA L L 2 0 2 5

T H E L AW R E N T I A N

1961 William F. Hofmann III b.hofmanniii@gmail.com “Graham “Barney” Ross and his charming wife, Maggie, and I enjoyed lunch last week in Ocala, Fla.,” writes Frank Schroeder P’93. “Barney’s career since college has been almost exclusively centered on the equestrian world, both as a publicist and race caller. For the uninitiated like me, it was fascinating to hear his stories. It was good to catch up after all these years.”

1962 J. Gregg Miller GP’28 Millerj@pepperlaw.com Ted Lyons P’86 tlyons3644@aol.com In early March, Ted Lyons P’86 and Gregg Miller GP’28 visited Skip Patterson at his winter home in Palm City, Fla. Skip hosted us for lunch on the porch of the Piper’s Landing Yacht and Country Club, where Lyons and Miller politely ordered hot dogs. We brought Skip up to date regarding recent developments at Lawrenceville. We had not seen him in person since our 50th reunion, when Skip made a tremendous contribution to the Class of ’62 by editing and producing the 50th Reunion Olla Pod, a beautiful book that pulled the class together and memorialized our student experiences. After college, Skip had a long career in

information technology, working for about a dozen different banks and corporations. Then, after many years, he switched to chartering yachts in the Virgin Islands. Now his son, Todd, has taken over that business. Skip enjoyed golf, tennis and other physical activities until he was struck by a car that broke his right arm and leg and ruined his rotator cuff. Now he is limited to walking, riding a stationary bike, and various other gym activities. Despite these limitations, Skip appeared fit. It was great to see him again. Our outstanding classmate, Bob Barclay, died March 19 and was buried at Quantico National Cemetery in Virginia. At Lawrenceville, Bob was in Cromwell, Woodhull, and Belknap Houses. He played varsity football, ice hockey and track. Bob graduated from Washington and Lee in 1966 and joined the Marine Corps on July 1, 1966. After training at Quantico and Fort Sill, he shipped off to Vietnam in 1967 as a young first lieutenant. There, for the first 19 months, he fought in Cam Lo, Con Thein, and other locations, where he served as a forward artillery observer, calling in artillery rounds on the enemy. Upon his return to the United States in early 1969, he taught military operations to new marines at Quantico. He retired from the Marine Corps as a Captain. Bob had a very successful career in business as the founder and principal of a sales and marketing agency in the commercial building industry. In retirement, he served at the U.S. Marine Corps Museum as a volunteer docent. He travelled regularly to the Iwo Jima Memorial Service in Arlington, Va. Bob is survived by his wife of five decades, Luena, their daughter, Elizabeth, and granddaughter, Ava Marie.

1963 John K. Hager 305-586 0272 johnkhager@gmail.com On May 15, Dr. Roger Glass received the Lawrenceville Medal, the School’s highest honor, at the Aldo Leopold Dinner. [Ed Note: For more, see page 14 of this issue. — S.R.] As many of you know, Roger is a distinguished physician-scientist known for his groundbreaking contributions to global health, particularly in the prevention and understanding of gastroenteritis. After Lawrenceville, he earned his Bachelor of Arts from Harvard College, followed by a Fulbright Fellowship at the University of Buenos Aires. He went on to receive both his Doctor of Medicine and Master of Public Health from Harvard and later completed a Ph.D. in medical microbiology at the University of Gothenburg in Sweden. His achievements at the CDC and the NIH are too numerous to name, as well as his many other international awards and accomplishments such as field research in numerous countries, including India, Bangladesh, Brazil, and China, and he was instrumental in advancing rotavirus vaccines. As some classmates also know from Roger’s participation in School reunions and other


functions, such as the trip to Saudi Arabia sponsored by Turki Al-Faisal P’94 ’07, he is a solid and most congenial supporter of Lawrenceville and our class. A number of classmates attended the dinner and saluted him on his award. Well done, Roger! Another classmate of stature hard at work in our judicial system, Jay Wilkinson, appointed by Ronald Reagan, has been in the news lately as a circuit judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit. Jay has been a strong advocate for upholding the rule of law and due process as described in our Constitution and has warned against the unchecked encroachment by the executive power on our fundamental rights as set out in our founding document. We look forward to his continued strong support of the rule of law in our courts and across our political system. On the personal side, Jay replied to my question as to whether or not he continues to jog: “The short answer as to whether I’m still jogging is, no. I do still take long walks around the steep hills of my neighborhood. My doctor tells me that up and down is better cardio than ‘all around’ on an oval track. Then, too, the birds and flowers are nonpartisan, which is a blessing these days. I often take my love of exercise from Lawrenceville, where I played tennis and soccer. Those are two sports that didn’t take kindly from my being out of breath. “Having grandchildren can turn one to telling an old yarn or two. So, I often speak to them of all the ways boarding school can make for a very happy boyhood and how even screw-ups and embarrassments at the time can be the source of great laughter many years later. My wife, Lossie, and I are about to celebrate anniversary number 52, which all agree makes her a prime candidate for sainthood.” Bill Leinbach is alive and well in Tucson, turning 81 in June. He reported that Marcia Hunker P’96, Al’s widow with whom he remains in contact, recently turned 80. Unfortunately, Bill was unable to attend the party in her honor as he was on a trip to California with friends. Sadly, Marcia has been diagnosed with acute leukemia, and she is beginning treatment for her disease. We wish her well. Bill’s daughter, Hannah, lives in Berkeley, Calif., with her two daughters, Stella and Flora. Bill, among other leisure activities, has been taking some courses at the U. of Arizona and he enrolled in one about Polynesia. He became friends with the prof who taught the course and was invited to take part in a February trip to Easter Island (Rapa Nui) off the coast of Chile in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. He said that, despite being so small (only 7 miles by 14 miles), Easter Island is a fascinating place and well worth the visit. Bill’s interest in other cultures no doubt springs in part from his service as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Panama after graduation from the University of Vermont. He lived in a small town out in the boonies, Las Minas, where he worked building pigpens, teaching at the local school and petitioning the authorities for other community development projects. John Allen is back in Berkeley after spending the winter months in Sarasota, Fla., to avoid the

colder winters in Southern California. He spends his time chauffeuring his two grandsons, 9 and 11, to baseball and basketball games. John also remains busy working with a food network charity and has a new therapy dog that he adopted and takes on visits to children’s hospitals and school campuses around the area. He says his health is generally pretty good, only that he is still in the process of adjusting after cataract surgery. Marcia P’92 GP’21 ’24 and Bob Casey P’92 GP’21 ’24 have now closed up their house in New Jersey and moved full-time to Tequesta, Fla., where they live in a condo on the intracoastal waterway. They enjoy sitting on their balcony checking out the “Sunday armada” of boats but now and then wish that the jet skiers would hold it down to a dull roar. Bob has mostly recovered from his recent leg problems to the point where he is able to play golf once again, but says he still has a way to go. Their daughter, Annie, lives close by and was married in March of this year. They also travelled to Boston in May for the graduation of granddaughter Becky ’21 from Boston College. As you may know, Becky’s mother, Liz Casey H’65 ’66 ’92 P’21 ’24, worked for a number of years in Lawrenceville’s reunion and fundraising offices and has recently moved over to a role in annual giving at Princeton. Bob said they would try to attend the dinner for Roger Glass on the way to Becky’s graduation. Guy Combs is still very active and busy managing his different businesses, portfolios and properties, but recently spent six weeks travelling around Europe with his wife. A European history major at Brown, Guy has always had a focused interest in that part of the world. He sees many of the European countries trending downward and classifies China’s economy as being in very bad shape. With all the current uncertainty both at home and abroad, he says that if all goes to pot, he will just go back to living on his ranch in Marathon in west Texas near Big Bend National Park. Guy, who attended our 55th class reunion, very much values his experience at Lawrenceville, especially Housemaster Lew Brewster H’71 and a “deep classical education.” Housemasters like “the Brew,” according to Guy, encouraged him to participate in sports, organizations and cultural activities. In his words, “wealth may vanish, but education and character do not.” Well said, Guy! Bob McGrath is doing well and still playing golf in The Villages in central Florida. He reports that his wife, Jean’s, cancer is now in remission, and they were looking forward to attending the dinner in honor of Roger Glass in May. John Loud P’93 is doing well in Burlington, Vt., despite some health issues, among them AFib issues for which he receives regular treatments that he says are no “big deal” and do not affect his daily routines. He keeps himself busy with physical exercises and chores around the house. His and Phyliss’s older son, Alex, who works in property management in Bozeman, Mont., has started his own company in the same field. He also provides hangar maintenance services to those customers with private planes. John’s younger son, Jack, has changed jobs and will go to St. Michael’s College in the Burlington area to get his license to practice phys ed and will

probably also coach there, where he had been a standout soccer player in his undergraduate years, just like his old man. A chip off the old block. Jack will get married in September of this year. John had also been in touch with Bob Moore, who continues to have back problems that unfortunately kept Bob and me from getting together for lunch during his annual winter sojourn in Hobe Sound, Fla. Ted Gallagher runs the Great Polar Park Writers Series at the home field of the Worcester Red Sox, the AAA affiliate of the parent club in Boston. This past summer, Ted and the team welcomed Bob Ryan ’64 to throw out the first pitch, as well as regale the audience with tales and anecdotes of his years covering sports for the Boston Globe and ESPN. Bob also signed copies of his 2022 book, In Scoring Position: 40 Years of a Baseball Love Affair. “It was fun to catch up with this youngster,” Ted says, “with so many memories to share.”

1964 John Benson ByallBenson1010@comcast.net Joe Felcone P’93 ’96 shared the news with classmates that that Chuck Ford died on May 20 at his home in Lagunitas, Calif. “Chuck was a good friend. I didn’t know him well at Lawrenceville, but in later years we became quite friendly. Whenever I was in San Francisco I’d have dinner with Chuck. He grew up in San Francisco and knew every inch of the town. For years he drove an ancient Toyota Land Cruiser that must have had several hundred thousand miles. Everything rattled, the seats were shot, the suspension had ceased to suspend, but Chuck loved the car. It was always full of camping gear, lacrosse sticks, soccer balls, etc. “Chuck taught for many years at a private school for kids with issues, and his experiences were extraordinary. One day he’d be taking part in a needle exchange in Haight-Ashbury, the next day he’d be taking ten kids on a remote camping trip. I had him contribute an excellent article in our Olla Pod 50 contrasting his school and Lawrenceville. It’s worth another read. “Chuck had a very rare form of cancer (6 in 1,000,000, he told me), and he was told about 15 months ago that he had a year-plus to live. He immediately planned a number of family trips to distant lands, all of which he accomplished. About a week-plus before his death he sent me a lovely email, thanking me for our friendship over the years and saying goodbye. “A good man, and one I’ll not forget.”

1965 Leigh Lockwood P’97 ’02 leigh@leighlockwood.com I just finished reading Michael Connelly’s The Waiting and found our very own John Welborne listed in the acknowledgments. (Connelly authored the Bosch and the Lincoln Lawyer t he law re nt ia n.law re nce v ille .o rg

|

41


L AW R E N T I A NS

John Burrell ’65 and his Habitat for Humanity group built a quadraplex of housing for four families in five days in Moinești, Romania.

Head of School Steve Murray H’54 ’55 ’65 ’16 P’16 ’21 and Leigh Lockwood ’65 P’97 ’02 helped dedicate a memorial to longtime Buildings & Grounds stalwart Patrick J. Coughlan H’70, who worked at Lawrenceville from 1929-79.

Doug Hirsh ’66 visited Paul Tomar ’66 P’10 at Paul’s vacation home in Lewisburg, W.V.

Dan Noyes ’67, daughter Jackie, and son-in-law Dylan enjoyed Opening Day with the San Francisco Giants.

Tom Urban ’67 and his foster dogs had a day of exercise at the beach.

Rob Wagner ’67 and Tom Carroll ’67 tailgated like gentlemen after a Big Red lacrosse game.

novels on which the Amazon and Netflix series are based. Connelly has sold eighty million or so books). Welborne pops up in the most unexpected places, such as an appearance in the movie, La La Land — he is the 21st century “Kilroy was here.” John recently sent a biographical update, noting that his past ten years of serving as publisher and editor of a 63-year-old local Los Angeles newspaper, the Larchmont Chronicle, came to an end in February. He said he now is “occupied full-time on projects and duties on which I was procrastinating during that decade.” John previously reported, “Our local

42 | FA L L 2 0 2 5

T H E L AW R E N T I A N

preservation group (of which I was one of the original backers in 1978) is big on preserving our local, historic theater district … and has a wonderful film program each year.” Your humble secretary has previously informed he is president of our local historic theater and vice president of the parent group — which includes the Princeton Garden Theater, which with our renovation no longer earns the name “The Pit.” High praise from Welborne: “Good on you and your preservation colleagues.” For the first time ever, Stina and Tore Hoglund will not be attending a ’65 major reunion at Lawrenceville. Their son, Jonas, passed away several weeks before reunion weekend,

so they are taking care of their daughter-in-law and grandchildren. The class sent a condolence flower arrangement. We will miss their quiet and dignified presence and will be thinking of them. John Burrell reports from his “…Habitat for Humanity build in Moinești, Romania (this is my fourth international build with Habitat for Humanity). Over five days we are building a quadraplex for four families. The first floor was framed out when we arrived. We installed all the second-floor joists and nailed the second story flooring. Hand-nailing 12-centimeter nails into the hardwood floor is exhausting work so we work in shifts. After this I will need to rest up for our 60th!” Steve McCord writes, “Not much has changed in the last few years except for a little less hair, a few more lines on my face, and an occasional added pound or two appears on the scale. My precious wife, Shawnee, and I are celebrating our 53-plus years of marriage, relishing our three children, their spouses, our 10 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. “I moved my office to my home three years ago and the change in the daily commute has been wonderful … not to mention the cost saving. I still work 30 or so hours a week mostly managing investments but, quite honestly, finding solace in solitude at my cozy office. “We go to our home in East Texas most weekends and are blessed to spend most of the summer months at our cabin on Lake of the Woods in Canada. We have been mightily blessed over the years and we take nothing for granted. Wishing you and all of my classmates the very best.” Bing McCashin and I corresponded about several items, mostly trees — an interest in common. He reports, “Saw Fiona and Randy Woods P’95 at Ocean Reef with Bill Parfet some time ago. Great fun … but I’m getting too old to drive through Miami.” Our very own Colonel Schorr H’88 ’97 ’98 ’00 ’02 P’80 ’82 ’88 GP’97 ’09 ’12 ’17 was the spark behind the Pat Coughlan H’70 Memorial, but the Colonel passed away in December 2024. His delightful wife Patty P’80 ’82 ’88 GP’97 ’09 ’12 ’17 and son Tom ’80 P’09 ’12 ’17 were present at the ceremony honoring Mr. Coughlan’s half century work in the Buildings and Grounds. For some reason, I was elected to speak, and I quoted from Byers, Saner, Williams, Ramsden, Lewis, Kelsey, Welborne, and my flinty-eyed wife, Carol Ann P’97 ’02. Thanks for writing my speech, guys! Reid Byers’ words so meaningfully summarize B&G and Mr. Coughlan’s work: “The Buildings and Grounds crew at Lawrenceville has always ensured the smooth functioning of the School, but even more, it has provided a much-beloved context for the preparation of young people. Our motto, Virtus Semper Viridis, can best be translated as ‘Virtue Always Green’ and uses the greening of the campus as a metaphor for the students’ growth in virtue, capacity, merit, and excellence. A place apart, designated as a garden, ‘...that still centre where the spinning world sleeps on its axis...’ kept beautiful, green, and inspiring by great efforts of many, and by none more than Patrick


Coughlan, who for half the span of a century had the virtue, capacity, merit, and excellence to make the this centre of the world into the garden that it is. Si monumentum requiris circumspice. If you would see his memorial, look around.” At the end of my talk, I stated to the 50 or so present, “These are just a few quotes from one class. Now multiply these quotes times 60 or so classes, and you will have an encyclopedia of appreciation for your work.” I ended with, “Lastly, I bring apologies from the Class of ’65 to everyone at Buildings and Grounds because ’65 created the one challenge even you could not solve. We so destroyed Old Lower that even B&G couldn’t save it, and it had to be torn down.” Tuggle informs: “Just had Jupiter Island lunch with my L’ville roomie, Scott Belair P’08 ’09! Scott and I are still tickin’ and kickin’!” I’m writing this in early May and will be attending Springfest at Lawrenceville in a couple of weeks — a program Carol Ann and I have underwritten for over 30 years as Joanne Adams Rafferty H’81 ’03 W’65 P’93 ran Community Service at Lawrenceville, and this was and is such a nice program.

1966 Doug Hirsh Doug.hirsh@gmail.com Since I started the last column with news about Ted Conklin, I will start with Ted once again. Ted celebrated his 77th birthday in mid-April by getting married the following day. Ted and Susie Franklin have been a couple for several years. Congratulations to the newlyweds. I am sure all of our classmates were dialed in to the news when Southern California was ablaze. I reached out to Dick Tuggle and Bill Lockton, as both live in the immediate fire zone. Tugs responded that he was safe but shaken as many of his friends had lost their homes. Bill lives on the edge of the evacuation zone and reported that he was locked in place and had all his door and windows taped to prevent the toxic ash from entering his abode. Charlie Cuthbert won his third four-year term on the Petersburg, Va., city council. Charlie received 60 percent of the votes cast and he reports he knocked on over 600 doors and created a social media presence, including a QR code and a political website, charliecuthbert. com. Check it out. In mid-February, Sue and I traveled to the Bahamas to Hopetown via airplane to Marsh Harbor. As I was collecting our luggage off the carousel I heard someone mention my name. I turned around and there was Henry Scott, who was on his way to a destination wedding on Green Turtle Cay. Henry said he was just following the directions and instructions of his wife and daughter. Henry appeared to plan on doing some fishing as he had a tube for rods hanging on his shoulder. You never know when you will bump into a classmate or a fellow Lawrentian as we did when departing the Bahamas and I met a fellow from the Class of 2019, just by having a casual conversation with the traveler sitting next to you.

From time to time I see on the news about black bears being a nuisance around Lake Tahoe. One bear is named “Tank” because of his size as a result of getting into homes and helping himself to the food. Bob White writes that Tahoe residents understand what to do and not do by having secure bear boxes for garbage and protective electrified mats and fencing around doors and windows. However, it is the tourists and renters who are less cautious, leaving garbage and food around and continuing to treat the bears as “cute” like a pet dog or cat. Shout out to Bryan Oliphant and Ted Conklin for attending the memorial service for Bill Husted. My brother, Malcolm ’67, was also in attendance. Honorary classmate Liz Casey H’65 ’92 P’21 ’24 has left Lawrenceville for a similar position at Princeton University. Liz was our go-to person at school whenever anyone of us needed anything. Her assistance will be greatly missed, but we will still get to see her at our 60th. Bob Ridolfi alerted me to the passing of David Denise, who passed away in late November 2024. I enjoyed a lengthy phone conversation with Stuart Janney and learned more about his dispersal sale of his brood mares and his reason for shrinking his equine empire. None of his children have an interest and while expenses are rising the prize money is not. Sort of confirms the old adage about to earn a small fortune in horse racing, you have to start with a large fortune. Stu told me about a recent trip to Florida to stay on his boat and noticed that Ted Conklin’s yacht was kept at the same marina. One day while Stu was on his deck reading, he spotted Ted coming down the dock and as a result a conversation began. When I asked Stu if Ted was wearing his blue blazer, his response was “of course.” During Easter week, Sue and I had the good fortune to meet up with Libby P’10 and Paul Tomar P’10, who were at their Lewisburg, W.V., home taking care of some personal business. Casa de Tomar is complete and is located in the historic district of Lewisburg, which is nationally recognized as a great place for retirement. I was envious of Paul’s return trip to Honolulu as Libby and he were taking the train to Chicago and catching a Cubs game in the afternoon and then the eight-hour flight home. Paul has fully recovered from his back surgery and continues to be successful with his tennis playing. I am in my 15th season as a volunteer lacrosse coach at Washington and Lee and at this writing, we stood at 14-3, having gone undefeated in our conference for the second consecutive season. Tournament play started in late April and the Generals were hopeful of making a deep run in the NCAA tournament as last year we made it to the final four. By the time you receive this edition of The Lawrentian, it will be just a few short months until our 60th reunion. For the last few years, Alumni Reunion Weekend has been pushed back to late May/early June, so there will be no students on campus nor campus activities to attend. Nevertheless, please make plans to attend at least one day of the weekend as your presence means a lot to our classmates.

1967 Spencer Tandy isleridge@aol.com Rolf Reinalda rolfreinalda@icloud.com Bill Ehret P’94 ’98 William.Ehret@gmail.com As you hold this magazine, spring 2025 will be just a memory. Here on the East Coast, the weather provided us with a beautiful season during which the profusion of blossoms remained on the trees for an extraordinary length of time. As disturbing was the news on the car radio, the natural beauty along each roadside was a welcome offset. We can’t escape the potholes of the world or the realities of aging, but we can find other things on which to focus and lift our spirits, such as our friendship. Stay in touch, Gents. Paul Fitzgerald P’03 is commendable for staying in touch, though we suspect that his auditing classes at Princeton is for the soul purpose of justifying a rowdy spring break in Florida. If this is determined to be true, it will be a significant blemish on his heretofore squeakyclean reputation. Our pal, Lyals Battle, stays in touch with the following: “During the weekend of November 17 and 18, 2024, Diane and I, Rolf and his lady, Barbara, had a very enjoyable time with Hannah and Arturo Ottolenghi. First of all, Arturo and Hannah live in a very attractive, modern home that I have designated as the ‘Glass Palace.’ From inside the house, the woods surrounding their home are clearly visible via the voluminous windows all over their home. “Hannah has uniquely decorated their home with distinctive artifacts. She has a special touch. Of course, we were all fêted with fine food, wine, and beer. It goes without saying that Arturo regaled us with stories of his worldwide business escapades. Seems to me those stories get better every time I hear them. “In addition, we had dinner at Arturo and Hannah’s historic colonial home. What a masterful job they have both done to restore the look and feel of the original dwelling. Our marvelous meal was complimented by a delightful and engaging conversation with several friends of Hannah and Arturo. Lastly, we were able to visit the apple orchard that is still owned by Hannah’s family. The piece de resistance is the conference center and meeting room at the top of the hill. What a stunning structure and what a beautiful view is available anywhere you stand in the building.” Alex Swistel P’12 has taken a big step, which he shares here. “After fifty years working as a surgeon, I finally retired from active practice this in December 2024. The concept of retirement makes me think of ‘retiring,’ as in getting new tires for the car … new treads but still the same old chassis. But, as I thought longer on the subject, it occurred to me that I was going at this all wrong, that retirement should not be simply a lack of keeping busy, but rather an opportunity to go new places on those new tires. “I am gratified to have been on the forefront

t he law re nt ia n.law re nce v ille .o rg

|

43


L AW R E N T I A NS

of gentler treatments of breast cancer that will benefit many current and future patients. The new techniques include altering the adage of patients being able to ‘survive’ their disease to allowing them to ‘thrive.’ That concept requires adding plastic surgical techniques to the radical surgeries and, ultimately, to reaching the conclusion where standard care does not mandate mastectomy. It seems simple, yet is only recently being utilized. “A present-day success includes my presentation of a major paper explaining how women who, unfortunately, develop a second breast cancer can have another opportunity to save their lives and their breast without resorting to the standard radical mastectomy option. As my presentation on the subject was well-received at a recent international conference, my hope is that other surgeons will adopt that practice-changing technique to help countless more patients. “I have moved on to education and research while maintaining my surgical faculty appointment at Weill Cornell Medicine in New York City, and am delighted to have been given an endowed chair to continue those interests. So, those new tires of mine will include more opportunities to be close to my family and to travel the world. And, of course, to continue those wonderful gatherings with classmates at the Jersey Shore.” Tom Carroll sends us the following note from campus along with a photo, “thanks to Rob Wagner’s camera awareness.” “Given the beautiful warm weather on Saturday, March 29, 2025, Rob Wagner and I reached out to each other and decided to meet on campus to watch the lacrosse team play Episcopal Academy. Second time this season we’ve done so. Supporting the team in its quest for a three-peat of the national championship. Happily, the Red & Black recorded another win to take the team record to 5-1 on the season so far.” Great to hear from Dan Noyes, who sends the following: “Gents and non-gents, as always, late to class, but attached here is photo of me with my daughter Jackie and son-in-law Dylan at San Francisco Giants opening day home game. The real reason for sending the photo is I’m wearing the classy sunglasses Burk Murchison P’94 handed out at our 50th reunion. I’m sure it was the glasses that led to the Giants’ win, down by a run with two out in the 11th, their shortstop hit a two-run, walk-off single. Hope everyone is well and finding excitement in events great and small.” Burk later added: “Dan, I really appreciate your sharing the photo of your baseball experience. The glasses themselves were supposed to come with red-tinted lenses rather than the bronze. Oh, well, I tried.” The color of the lenses notwithstanding, the glasses were a very nice touch and greatly appreciated by all. Dan’s photo from the San Francisco Giants’ game reminds us of our friend Hugh Cregg and his band Huey Lewis and the News singing the national anthem at that stadium. They always sang the anthem with great respect without trying to stylize it, as so many contemporary

44 | FA L L 2 0 2 5

T H E L AW R E N T I A N

singers have done. Hugh also used to take batting practice with the team just to prove that he is still cool. His hearing problems are well known due to many candid interviews the last few years, so we’re not talking out of school to let you know that on April 1, he was given cochlear implants. While this will not enable singing, it should provide significant practical benefits. His report on the surgery and recovery is a succinct, “All good.” Mr. Tom Gallagher P’07 ’12, faithful about staying in touch, does it again: “Alex Swistel and I sat on my loggia in West Palm celebrating our nearly identical birthdays last January. We watched the searing coverage of the L.A. fires, and it occurred to us to ask, ‘What’s happening to Tom Urban? He lives nearby Malibu.’ “With a quick text to Tom, we learned to our relief that he was not in harm’s way. I thought of Tom a couple days later remembering that he had some considerable expertise with an enterprise that I was trying to run. In an hour’s conversation, he downloaded on me a bunch of wisdom and experience and a history of KPIs, stats, and performance elements that proved enormously helpful. “Then I encountered on Facebook a priceless photo of Tom driving a pack of rescue dogs from their quarters to the beach for recreation. I share it in case you missed it. Could not have predicted it. “It’s an extraordinary cabal, our gang. Thanks, Tom.” Well, none other than Drew Denbaum graces these pages with the following note: “One bright light in the dark times we all face now emanates from rekindled friendships, and I’m very happy to be back in touch with Rolf Reinalda after so many years! My teaching career has been (and continues to be) an unexpected calling that is both rewarding and exasperating, especially since my pedagogical focus has always been on developing the higher order thinking skills of my students, which can often feel more Sisyphean than successful. “Still, as a confirmed Existentialist, I persist in making meaning despite the absurdity of ultimate meaninglessness, and finding joy in family, work, and creativity. I’m in the process of finishing my first novel and the final draft of a play on the life of Wilhelm Reich, both of which I hope to see published and produced next year. I also finished a memoir (after prodding by my son) that features many fond and indelible memories of my time at Lawrenceville, and the inspiration I received from teachers like Peter Candler H’63 ’68 ’76 and George Diehl H’41. Even my malevolent nemesis, William Wyman P’64, proved (in retrospect) to have been profoundly influential and enlightening. I will always be grateful to have come of age at Lawrenceville, and look forward to attending our 75th reunion in 2042! If anyone wants to get in touch, I’m still on Facebook, despite Zuckerberg’s perfidy.” Rick Merkt just squeaked his update in under the wire: “Just a brief update on my world up here in ‘Live Free or Die’ New Hampshire. First, Suzanne and I marked our 50th wedding anniversary in Vienna, Austria, in August 2024, accompanied by our three daughters, their husbands, and six (soon to be seven) grandchildren. One

family lives in Vienna, so it was most practical to head there. Thank heavens, there’s a direct flight from Boston Logan to Vienna’s airport. “Second, we successfully helped launch a chartered public school in Peterborough, N.H., Lionheart Classical Academy. The school is now completing its third academic year with about 300 students (K to 7) and will add an 8th grade this fall. “After three years on the Board of Trustees, most of us have handed off the reins to younger successors, including parent-trustees. So, as an encore, a group of us have co-founded Acta Classical Schools Foundation to aid and encourage other new classical education schools. So far, we have made three grants and have more teed up for the future. “Our new Governor, Kelly Ayotte, appointed me to the Executive Branch Ethics Committee a couple of months ago, so, even after all these years, I remain involved in state government. “Other than that, Suzanne and I are trying to fit as much travel in as our schedule permits, but we still love life up here in the Granite State.” Spencer Tandy caught up with his old Lodgemate, Mike Stein, in May 2024 and learned that after many years coaching at colleges and secondary schools, Mike is still mentoring Hunter College athletes in the art of throwing the discus, javelin, shot, and hammer. Spencer asked Mike how his teams were doing lately, and Coach sent him this impressive report: “In May of 2024 the Outdoor CUNY Conference Meet took place and the Hunter College women’s team won their fourth consecutive team title: 2019, 2022-24 (no meets in 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic). The men’s team improved, missing the winners’ podium by one place. My throwers achieved one conference champ, one conference runner-up, as well as four other event finalists. “In March of 2025 the Indoor CUNY Conference Meet was held, and the Hunter College men’s and women’s Teams were both runners-up for the team title, with both meet MVPs. My throwers contributed two conference champs, one runner-up and numerous other event finalists. “In May of 2025 the Outdoor CUNY Conference Meet was contested. The Hunter College women’s team won their fifth consecutive team title, while the men’s team improved to a strong second place on the winners’ podium. My throwers’ contributions consisted of three conference champs, two runners-up and multiple other event finalists. “Soon after the 2025 Outdoor Meet, we had the Hunter’s Athletics Award Banquet where the accomplishments of all the teams were celebrated. In addition to Athletic Champions and CUNY All-stars, we honored team members for academic scholarship, including the CUNY Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year. (Hunter is a part of the City University of New York.) “My own perspective on the evening was an emotional throwback to my days competing as a student-athlete. I remember the gratitude I felt for the coaches and mentors who took notice of us. We worked hard, but a good time was had by all. These days our student-athletes travel a lot more to attend meets. As a result, I think they


especially value receiving recognition back on the campus where they trained and where many of their memorable athletic exploits took place. It’s a great feeling.” Spencer continues: “Mike’s shot put record at L’ville lasted 36 years, and to this day his shot records at Colgate have never been broken (indoor, 54’11” and outdoor, 56’2’’). I told Mike that I once threw an egg 54 feet, but he pointed out that an egg weighs less than a shot. In my defense I pointed out that my arm was much smaller than his; all he said was, ‘yes.’ I think the only record I ever held was for most pumpkin pie consumed at dinner in Lower School. Eleven slices. With whipped cream. I don’t know how long my record lasted; once the guys began to question what was actually in the pie, enthusiasm waned. “In other news, I can report that Alane P’94 ’98 and Bill Ehret P’94 ’98 showed up in St. Michaels, Md., in May ’24 for a fraternity brother’s big birthday bash and were swiftly hijacked to Tandy’s House of Mirth for a five-hour lunch before the official festivities began. We had a swell time reminiscing over our two years in Perry Ross, the eccentric antics of Fred Gerstell H’68 ’77, and how I was thrown off the JV track team for being too old. Alane seemed especially interested in Mr. Pig, one of my puppets who enjoys singing karaoke at the local watering hole. Alane swears that the next time she and Bill come to town she’ll join Mr. Pig in singing ‘Love Shack’ at the saloon. There’s no escape now; look right here — we have her promise in black and white.” The mention of Thayer West, who we lost on February 28, 2025, will always evoke memories of big smiles and infectious good cheer. It would be difficult to recall anyone remembered as fondly as he. Thayer was the kind of guy who could brighten the gloom of Lower School on the darkest of winter days. We talked our friend into coming back to campus for a reunion and were pleased that he was the same upbeat fellow that we remembered — and expected — into his senior years. A great guy left us, but he will never be forgotten. Upon hearing the sad news, Bill Robertson immediately spoke of how nice Thayer was, quickly adding that he was a good hockey player. George Dittmar recalled seeing our former Perry Ross housemate in Bermuda, wearing his characteristic smile. Tom Urban’s recollection of Thayer goes back before Perry Ross, when they were in camp together. Of course, Tom recalls the positive attitude but also Thayer’s strength and natural leadership qualities displayed when he was organizing hikes and canoe trips. Thayer’s obituary speculated that it was unlikely there was anyone in New Canaan who didn’t know Thayer West. That sounds about right. Spencer recalls: “Thayer and I hit it off right away as First Formers in Perry Ross. We’re right next to each other in both Ross House Olla Pod photos. Decades later we discovered we were living only 20 minutes apart in Connecticut and that Chester Burley, Ned Weihman, Don Lovelace, and Alex McNaughton were lurking nearby as well. Thus was born the fabled L’ville Movie Group, who met regularly to catch the latest picture followed by burgers and beers and a dissection of the film worthy of Dr. Diehl’s

biology lab. If he could tear himself away from Hollywood, sometimes Joe Fitz P’99 ’03 would join us. (And he could really wield a scalpel.) “As Rolf notes, Thayer spread good vibes wherever he went. Always quick with a witty comeback, he loved a fine bull session or unleashing a good story. When you saw Thayer coming, you couldn’t help but smile. There’s a little less smiling on the east coast now.” And finally, back to Rolf: After many eyes (usually in pairs) read and commented on my screenplay Hard to Believe, Drew Denbaum is the only one who detected a structural flaw that allowed a rather simple but critical improvement. What escaped others, he identified immediately. Beyond that, for which I am grateful, our conversations have been most entertaining and are certain to continue. Let that be an example; connect with our Lawrenceville friends and send class notes.

1968 Roger Formidoni rnformidoni@gmail.com 68classnotes@gmail.com Happy spring to all my ’68 classmates. From Bob Maguire P’96 ’00: “My new book, If I Were God: How I Would Have Done It, is now available on Amazon. It is the first ever direct written communication from God, Himself! All-Inspired and All-Funny! It is a very quick read and quite entertaining, I promise. I hope you download a copy to your eBook or purchase a paperback. Like a good car salesman once said to me, please give me a five-star rating and a positive short written review — or my boss (Fran P’96 ’00) will fire me.” Following up afterward, Bob added, “Thanks a million for helping my book, If I Were God: How I Would Have Done It, achieve Amazon No. 1 new seller rankings in the Categories of Philosophy Criticism and Controversial Religious Knowledge. I really appreciate the interest!” Congratulations, Bob! Martin Millichap writes: “You may already be aware of this sad news, but if not, I thought I would notify you of the death of Fred Gerstell H’77 in November 2024. I remember Fred as a rather larger than life, quirky, and extremely intelligent (a fact I found intimidating) individual, as well as a very kind and supportive influence during my four years at Lawrenceville. He was an encouraging adult role model and mentor who took an interest in me and made my time at the school more rewarding and enjoyable than it might otherwise have been. “He also befriended my parents, who appreciated his counsel regarding how I might be encouraged to improve my less than stellar academic motivation and performance, and sought his advice concerning my college prospects. Fred visited our family at our home in Chicago one summer during the time that my brother, Paul ’70, and I attended Lawrenceville. My parents also invited him to extend his stay and join us for a short time at our summer home in Lake Geneva, Wisc., an extracurricular social excursion that I suspect might be frowned upon

by today’s school administration, but those were different times. “One other interesting note to mention is that Paul and I had lunch with Fred on two recent occasions here in Vero Beach, Fla. There was a photograph of Fred and Mrs. [Edith] Eglin H’52 ’65 ’66 ’67 ’70 ’75 GP’19 together in a 2023 edition of The Lawrentian with a caption noting that Mrs. Eglin had visited Fred at his home in Florida. This promoted me to Google Fred, which led me to find that he lived in Vero Beach, only a few miles from me. “Coincidentally, Paul and I moved to Vero Beach about the same time that Fred had, around 2020. I wrote to Fred and the three of us subsequently enjoyed lunch together, once at Fred’s assisted living complex and some weeks later when I picked him up and took him to lunch at a favorite local restaurant on the beach here. Sadly, it was after I tried calling him today to again have lunch and found his telephone no longer in use that I subsequently discovered he had died recently. “On a happier note, this past December I enjoyed a two-day reunion with Biff Cahill P’09 in Charlottesville, Va., where we visited the sites of our mutual alma mater and attended a UVa basketball game. Biff has season basketball tickets and had been wanting me to join him for a game for quite some time. Being an influential alum, Biff also arranged a personal tour of Monticello for us. It was wonderful seeing one another and catching up after 50-plus years.” Here is Biff’s version of their get-together. “On December 17, Martin Millichap and I returned to Charlottesville. We had not been together on Grounds since 1972. Martin flew up from Florida; I flew from Portland. We had a terrific reunion dinner at The Ivy Inn Restaurant the night before the UVa/Memphis basketball game. “The day of game, Martin and I visited Monticello and had a private tour of the second and third floors of the house. We also visited Martin’s fraternity house, which has seen better days; my dorm for two years was torn down due to faulty construction. We visited the newly renovated library renamed for Edgar Shannon, who was the president of the university during our four years. “We had a great time remembering our days in Perry Ross, Kennedy, and Upper, and remembering our housemates. We never crossed paths at UVa, and while we had rekindled our friendship through calls, texts, emails, and photos, we had not seen each other since graduation day in 1968. There was a basketball game as well, but it was certainly not as memorable as our time together.” Nick Waugh wrote in a much-welcomed post. “This is my first ever Lawrentian squib, but I think it’s a worthy one: On January 31, 2025, my wife Anne Stickney and I had the pleasure of attending the opening of a show at the Center for Furniture Craftsmanship in Rockport, Maine. The show, titled Free Verse: Explorations in Contemporary Marquetry, was held in the Messler Gallery at CFC, and attracted presenters from all over the world. One of the stars of the show was none other than our very own Silas Kopf. As an added bonus, Si was joined in the show by his daughter, Sasha, who

t he law re nt ia n.law re nce v ille .o rg

|

45


L AW R E N T I A NS

John Fagelson ’68 P’05 ’09 and wife Karen P’05 ’09 enjoyed the Galapagos Islands.

Silas Kopf ’68 and his daughter, Sasha, both had their own handcrafted pieces of furniture featured at the Center for Furniture Craftsmanship in Rockport, Maine in early 2025. They were spotted by Nick Waugh ’68, who was behind the camera here.

Paul Millichap ’70 and brother Martin Millichap ’68 visited Fred Gerstell H’68 ’77 at Fred’s home in Vero Beach, Fla., not long before Fred’s passing in November 2024.

Martin Millichap ’68 and Biff Cahill ’68 P’09 enjoyed a reunion at their other alma mater, the University of Virginia.

is segueing from a law practice to a workbench beside her father, where she is eagerly learning the craft from a master. “The opening was spectacular, and was followed by a wonderful dinner with all the presenters. To add a perfect fillip to an event falling in the middle of a Maine legit winter, the next morning we attended the National Toboggan Championships in nearby Camden.” Nick added, “Besides seeing Si and Sasha, I had a particularly great time chatting with one of the presenters, a guy from California who knew a number of my friends from my time in woodworking school out there. For a few seconds I felt plugged back into the network! For the record, Si’s work is as clean as ever, and Sasha is hot on his trail — she’s a lucky girl.” From Gary Confer: “I’m still around. Living in the Adirondacks and working full time, yearround, as a maintenance worker for a summer camp. Enjoying reasonably good health. Have put aside all sports and have taken up art projects such as display backgrounds for holiday events. Wish I had Hugh Landwehr’s talent, but doing the best I can.” Glad to hear from you, Gary! Ed Vine always has something newsworthy to add. “I will be a grandfather for the first time in late August. A baby girl is due! I will let you know later in the year after her birth. So, it looks like I will continue to have more travels to the East Coast (Brooklyn, in particular, where my oldest son lives). But I am not moving! And I will be celebrating my 75th birthday in Belize in early May. For birdwatchers, this is a great country to go birding (as well as see Mayan ruins and enjoy the waters and jungle). I am really

46 | FA L L 2 0 2 5

T H E L AW R E N T I A N

looking forward to this trip.” Congratulations on the grandchild, Ed! From my Upper House Roomie, Rory Corrigan: “Upper roommate, Roger — greetings across the decades, friend. My bride of 42 years, Debi, and I are enjoying the climate, culture, cuisine and friendship in the Low Country of Coastal Georgia … a few Jurassic-aged Lawrentians are pals. Our Summit, N.J.-based daughter, Kator Griff, is days from birthing her third child, a daughter and our Nashville-based son Peter and bride Maddie will bless us in weeks with their first; a daughter, as well. We will head to Europe in late May for our tenth bike excursion (yes e-bikes), from Turin to Nice. Gotta love Italian reds! Biking, mediocre golf, fishing, kayaking, voluminous reading, and some gym time fill the gaps seeing grown kids and little ones.” It’s always great to hear from Bob Owen and Nick Whitcraft. Bob writes, “Hello, classmates, I am leading a single man’s life and will take my annual summer trip to Quebec City, Canada, and be with the family there. The Year of the Snake is forecasted to be good, I hope. 2024 is ‘passé.’ The World Series was for anti-heroes — Ohtani weak and Judge’s flubber fielding. Keep well, men, and the evolution of life is pressing on.” And from Nick W.: “All’s well here in Jacksonville and fingers crossed for only mild storms during our upcoming hurricane season. Hope everyone is doing well as well. All the best and thanks.” A late note from John Fagelson P’05 ’09: “We got through the winter without incident. We went to Peru and the Galapagos in

September 2024, one of those trips we always wanted to take. The flora and fauna really are fascinating. The birds are remarkably indifferent to people, but one of our travel mates was bitten by a sea lion while swimming. I am sending a picture of us with a prickly but silent native. We finished the winter in Florida and Colorado. Our big news is that our son Max ’09 and his wife, Kat, introduced us to a second grandchild, Judah.” Finally, Kimmy Thomas MacDermot Roe (formerly Kenny Thomas) recently had dinner in New York City with Lawrence Jones and his sister, Peggy. He says, “I look forward to seeing Lawrence, as well as Dave Tomlinson, in May at a military burial ceremony for my older brother, Ted Thomas ’67. “Ted entered Lawrenceville with the Class of 1967 as a First Former in Thomas. Although he later transferred to George School in Newtown, Pa., Ted was notable at Lawrenceville for playing goalie on the ice hockey team without a face mask while catching pucks with his left-handed first basemen’s glove. “I am very glad that our Trenton classmates, including Ed Vine, Darrell Fitzgerald, and Roger Formidoni, stay in touch. Living in Yardley just across the Delaware, I very much felt a part of this wonderful group — especially as my mother, Henriette, taught at Trenton High School in the 1960s. “I continue to live in Old Greenwich, Conn., with my spouse, Bonnie. She cultivates an extensive collection of roses while I try to understand consciousness using Jungian techniques. So far, Bonnie has produced more tangible results. Thanks so much for working so hard to keep the class connected. These connections somehow defy time and grow stronger over the years.”

1969 Tim Doyle H’79 ’99 ’09 P’99 timdoyle741@gmail.com A number of classmates commented on the passing this winter of Frank “CK” Yang. From Alec Wiggin: “Sad. Looks like he led an active, full life! Impressive. A model to us all.” From Brent Hyder: “I am saddened to get this note about CK. He was my roommate for a few weeks during our Fifth Form year, before the fire. He had been in Dickinson House with me and we roomed together and somehow scored an incredible room on the end of the third floor of Upper House looking over Mem Hall. Our windows served as the entrance through which the firemen came to put out the fire. (I think the fire probably started in the room next to ours.) I vividly remember that I had a nice phonograph (Magnavox?) under that window and one fireman came through the window and placed his giant boot on top of the turntable crushing the 45 on it which was ‘96 Tears’ by Question Mark and the Mysterians. CK was a really good guy, very funny and very smart.” Among other updates, Bob Zullo P’01 ’03 writes, “I’m just about fully retired from practicing law and reside in Kent Narrows, Md.” David Little’s works were recently included


in an exhibition at the Thos. Moser Gallery in Freeport, Maine. The exhibition was called My Other Place: Maine Artists Exploring the World. David’s works included paintings he created while in the U.S. Virgin Islands. He writes, “For me, the places I have worked in the USVI have been extremely important in my development and process as an artist, involving a lot of freedom and experimentation.” From Walt Hoppe: “2025 has not been a good year for me so far. I had a case of dental resorption on one of my front teeth. During the surgical removal of that tooth, the tooth next to it broke and also had to be removed. For the next few months I will look like a hockey player until the bone heals and I can get some implants. “Then my bank account was scammed. It took over a month to resolve that issue and get my money from the bank. Also, the furnace in my daughter’s house died. This is not a dire problem here in Southern California, but it was an unexpected expense. We tried rubbing two grandkids together, but it did not help much to provide heat. On the good side, I enjoy having nice weather year-round and not having to shovel snow in the winter time.” Bill Leh has moved west. His new address is: 537 D Street, San Rafael, CA 94901. “The winter in Jackson Hole is not as bad as everyone is led to believe; at least this one wasn’t,” writes Rocky Barber P’08. “It was our first full winter here. For the previous three years we left in mid-December and didn’t come back from L.A. until late April. So, I got to try snow shoeing (and snow shoveling. Got a big snowblower to help), did some skiing (but tore the meniscus on my right knee last month, so now skiing is a question mark), spent a couple weeks in Mexico with kids and grandchildren, spent time reading, and playing Last War. “But now the days are longer and the temps in the 50s (balmy) during the day. So, we are moving all the patio furniture back out of the shed, only to find it covered with snow a couple days ago. Melts fast, but always a possibility well into May. The torn meniscus has also put a damper on playing soccer. Hopefully a couple months of PT will make that possible. Will be doing a road trip to Canada this summer: Calgary, Banff, Lake Louise, Lake Whitefish, Glacier National Park. Haven’t been in that neck of the woods for over 50 years (ah, how I remember being young). Open invitation to anyone coming this way this summer. It is a great place to visit (and to live in).” Tim Doyle H’79 ’99 ’09 P’99 is teaching Morse code to high-school age U.S. Naval Sea Cadets at Massachusetts Maritime Academy. They learn military procedures and various skills while preparing for careers in the navy or merchant marine. Thanks to all who responded this time around. A few wrote recalling details of a senior prank in which CK Yang was peripherally involved, but for various reasons that prank didn’t come off as planned and was later followed by the famous cow-on-the second-floor-of-Mem-Hall incident, which is far better remembered and memorialized on our recent reunion caps: “This is obviously a prank.” Probably best to leave the other prank’s concept unpublished — while the senior prank tradition has been abandoned for

years, why give ideas to the current generation of Lawrentians? [Ed. Note: The administration is grateful for your restraint, Tim. — S.R.]

1970 Robert C. Paschal robert.paschal2808@gmail.com 919-607-7588 Philip Ulanowsky writes: “I had my first photo exhibit in decades at the end of last year — portraits of local farmers recognized by the state of Virginia for their families having been continuously farming their property for at least a century. Some go back to the 1750s. The small group of portraits has three more engagements this year while I begin a new portrait project. I work only in black-and-white film and darkroom — no electronic imagery — just as I first learned at L’ville. Still love it. Anyone interested can check out my site at https://imagesinsilver.art. And yes, the ‘dot art’ is pretentious. What did you expect from me? I’m a preppy. “No eager students yet, but serious interest in film photography continues re-emerging annually, so I’m optimistic. I did sell one print in a group show last year. And in April I was featured on the channel of distinguished painter Paul Ingbretson, in a dialogue on painting and photography. Fun! “Susan and I continue our five decades of work for an economic and cultural renaissance with the international Schiller Institute et al., in editorial and other functions. When you know you’re doing something good and necessary, you just have to keep at it, popular opinion notwithstanding. I’m now a co-editor of the related Leonore magazine (not the fashion one on Instagram, as you might guess), named after Beethoven’s opera heroine. Our daughter, 35, is keeping an A average in graphic arts in college while continuing to battle long-term Lyme Disease damage. Son, 32, presently doing well as manager at a supermarket. Best wishes to all.” Chris Burdick is serving his third three-year term in the New York State Assembly. “I represent the 93rd Assembly District in Westchester County. We are scrambling to get as much done as possible before we adjourn on June 17. Then I’m back in Westchester in my district office catching up on all the meetings that I promised residents, businesses and local elected officials that I’d have after session ends. I love the work, and I will keep at it as long as I feel I can continue to help my community and the state of New York. “My wife, Illyria, retired a couple of years ago as a social worker. We manage to carve out time to go overseas a couple of times each year, especially to visit her brother in the Netherlands (he’s not in the best of health). Our children are doing fine — though lots of our compatriots have it all over us on grandchild count. We have two — our son, Bradford, with his wife, Lucy who live nearby in Stamford, Conn., with two daughters, 6 and 2. They’re precious (of course). So, no complaints! Consider myself blessed!” Our Bill Thompson reports that our classmate from 1970, Cragg Utman, passed

away on May 8, 2025. Bill received a call from Annette Utman Tedrick, Cragg’s former wife, with the news. Bill had been in touch with Cragg, and reports that he had been in declining health. Bill noted that Cragg cut a pretty wide swath while at Lawrenceville. Varsity football and lacrosse. Cheerleader. Glee Club, the Lawrentians and Periwig. Bill recalled that Cragg was a boarder in Cromwell and Dawes and a day student in Upper. Cragg was the father of three boys. Dave Perry also shared the sad news that David Hill of our class passed away in July. David was a member of Cleve House, and he was my roommate in our Fourth Form year in Cleve. He was vice president of our House, and was wildly popular, very smart, very witty, and unconventional in the best sort of way. He withdrew from Lawrenceville during his Fourth Form year, and therefore, did not finish with our class. The news prompted several classmates to share their memories of David: “Very sad. I liked David very much,” wrote Alastair Gordon. “We stayed in touch after L’ville and went on a wild odyssey from Paris to the Italian border via Grenoble in 1971 or ’72, I think. Was he not close with (Huey Lewis) Hugh Anthony Cregg ’67, both being from San Francisco? I seem to recall that they were good friends. R.I.P. David, the best sort of free spirit.” “The Class of 1970 is not going to go gentle into that night that most of us probably think right now is not so good,” Miles Drake said. “Separated for years by circumstances and careers and distance, we have so far never failed to come together to remember and briefly unite to honor those among us who pass, and I hope we will continue to do so. I have dim but friendly memories of David, who I think sat next to me in math with Doc Harrison and may also have been in Spanish with Roger Brink H’66 ’67 ’68 ’73. Once again, I regret losing contact with so many in Cleve and Woodhull, which I thought was because they were so far away from Kennedy but I now realize that self-absorption was as much to blame. R.I.P. to David, and all the best to the rest of the class.” Tom Berger wrote: “Having boarded in Cleve in my Third and Fourth Form years, I got to know David pretty well. He was humorous, imaginative, playful and had a touch of the Bohemian spirit in him. He was always great company for any activity. May he R.I.P.” “I join those who didn’t know David well, but for the times I spoke with him, always found him to be very amiable, outgoing and open,” Chris Burdick said. “And Miles, yes, it is good that we all come together even briefly to pay homage to those among us, whether we knew them well or not, who have passed on. Are we really in our 70s? I recall in the days at L’ville when reading obits in the class notes of those in the Class of 1920 and thinking ‘Wow, real old guys.’ And here we are.” Bruce Dole: “I think these assembled remarks all point in the same direction. Dave was very affable, intelligent, and a pleasure to be around. I last saw him in his San Francisco habitat — an easygoing native who showed me around there on our spring break during junior year. We went to Tower Records and generally had a good time. t he law re nt ia n.law re nce v ille .o rg

|

47


L AW R E N T I A NS

“As we lose classmates, there is another consensus — we have or have had many warm friendships. The school fostered our ties, which is a really nice legacy. In a contentious world, that is increasingly meaningful.” “Very well said, Bruce,” Tom Carter P’01 ’05 said. “At age 73 I’m getting together this week with Bill Woodward P’02 and Knox Key P’94 ’95 in Colorado. Even though our time together is growing more distant physically, it’s still pretty crisp otherwise.” “These are some beautiful comments,” Knox Key said. “I did not know [David] well. I must have had a class with him in Third Form. When I arrived from a small town in Texas, he made a big impression on me as urbane, sophisticated, and eccentric, all good traits in my mind. “I like the way so many have chimed in with a memory when we lose a classmate.” “Knox’s good comment prompts me to share a couple of memories about Dave Hill,” said Bob McTiernan. “I got to know Dave during our Second Form year in Thomas House, nearly 60 years ago. Dave hailed from San Francisco and was proud of his city’s place in the forefront of America’s emerging ’60s culture. He brought to school a collection of record albums, which he generously left in the Thomas House common room to be enjoyed by anyone who cared to play them. There was Dylan, Donovan and ‘Jefferson Airplane Takes Off.’ There was no album by a group called Quicksilver Messenger Service, but Dave swore it was the greatest San Francisco band of all.

“Dave was halfback on our hapless Thomas House football team. During one game, I heard from my place on the offensive line David shouting with frustration, ‘There’s no hole!’ “As others have noted, Dave had a great sense of humor, charisma to burn, and a wonderful habit of seeing others in the best light. There were attempts to persuade Dave to stay at Lawrenceville. I recall that Sandy Wills and Steve Saunders each made a pitch. But Dave was comfortable and confident in his decision to return home. It was a sad day for the rest of us.”

1971 Kristopher D. Krug kris.krug@verizon.net kristoph.krug@gmail.com Dave Piper writes, “Just wanted to let you know for class notes that I have retired as a district court judge here in Minnesota. I still handle cases as part of a panel of judges who consider petitions for a reduction in custody for committed sex offenders. I know — who would have ever thought this would be my career, including me! Ha ha. I live in Minneapolis and I am actually working on a memoir, including about my Lawrenceville years.” Al Brown writes, “This past December 2024, Tom Hagamen, John Yerkes, and I got together at the Deer Park Tavern at the University of

Delaware. This was a meeting in the making for decades, but never came to fruition until 2024. Tom was definitely up for the meeting since he and his wife, Susan, planned to be near me in New Jersey. Getting John to agree was a tough ticket because he is extremely hard to contact. Once I was able to get through to John and brought up the reunion idea, he was all in. As a result, we all agreed on meeting at the neutral Deer Park location (my old stomping ground at UD). “Tom and I drove down from Exit 4 of the New Jersey Turnpike, and John headed over from his place in Pennsylvania. A great time was had by all getting caught up with the mischievous happenings at L’ville, as well as life since the L’ville days. To reminisce even further, we called Ellen DeGray H’69 (wife of Tom DeGray H’67 ’69, Kennedy housemaster and wrestling coach). We engaged in a very nice conversation with her and she was absolutely pleased that we called. All said and done, we all had a fabulous time. “In all the years I’ve communicated with John, I had never sensed such excitement on his part … maybe even more excited than graduation day ’71. He called me a couple of hours afterwards and was already making plans for a follow-up reunion. Satchmo reinvigorated … that’s a good thing!” [Ed Note: in the winter/spring issue of The Lawrentian, we misidentified a photo of Andy Holcombe and Hugh Ashley in Weaverville, Calif. The editor regrets this error. — S.R.]

Congratulations to the winners of The Lawrenceville Fund Awards for 2024–25! Class of 1925 Award To the class giving the most dollars to The Lawrenceville Fund. Reunion: The Class of 1975 Non-Reunion: The Class of 1986 Class of 1940 Cup To the class having the highest number of contributions to The Lawrenceville Fund. Reunion: The Class of 1995 Non-Reunion: The Class of 1991 Class of 2005 Award To the class that most significantly furthered enthusiasm for and support of the School, selected by the Lawrenceville Fund Team. The Class of 1999 Dyckman Award Class with highest percentage of alumni returning for its reunion: The Class of 2020

The Fred A. Eichelberger Award To the class with 15 or more, but fewer than 100 members having the highest percentage of participation to The Lawrenceville Fund. Reunion: The Class of 1955 Non-Reunion: The Class of 1962 The Bruce and Mary Elizabeth McClellan Award To the class with 100 or more members having the highest participation. Reunion: The Class of 1995 Non-Reunion: The Class of 1988 Charles M. Dickson ’58 Class Agent of the Year Award To the Class Agent who exemplifies the role’s purpose of raising funds and engagement from their classmates for the School, selected by The Lawrenceville Fund Team. Talene Baroyan ‘98 Young Alumni Class Agent of the Year: Lilly Gessner ‘23


1972 Bruce Hager 15 Broad Street Apartment 2410 New York, NY 10005 brucelhager@yahoo.com The Lawrentian has adopted a new publishing schedule, so this is being written in early May for fall publication. Hence, this Class Notes may appear somewhat dated, which hopefully doesn’t detract too much from the intent of our authors. Following are pieces from our classmates that arrived after our Winter/Spring deadline, with the exception of the last. First up is Hank Clifford, who recaps a wonderful trip he took in late 2024. “Although international travel can be very intriguing, domestic road trips to places never before visited are also rewarding, and avoid the onerous ordeal of air travel, a once delightful experience that the airlines are working hard to completely wreck. We began in Santa Fe, N.M., (unbeknownst to me, the third largest art gallery market in the U.S.), staying in a resort outside of the city, but close enough to the restaurants, museums, galleries, and shops. Amongst the hills surrounding Santa Fe, I was fortunate to be able to ride Tom Hanks’ horse Roney, which he rode in the 2021 film News of the World, for which many of the exterior shots were filmed around Santa Fe. Thanks, Tom, for breaking her in for me. “Next, we traveled past Taos to the Vermejo Ranch, Ted Turner’s 560,000-acre guest ranch that straddles the New Mexico-Colorado border (bordered to the west by the foothills of the Sangre de Cristo mountain range) and which holds the crown as the single, largest, contiguous, private parcel of land in the U.S. (condolences to our Texas classmates, whose despondent ‘runner-up,’ King Ranch, is larger in total acreage, but not in a single parcel). “Vermejo Ranch formed part of Turner’s ambitious real estate empire in which he aspired (unsuccessfully) to own contiguous properties stretching from the Rio Grande to the Canadian border. Ted was successful in becoming the largest bison producer in the U.S., and Vermejo Ranch forms an integral part of that production plan. Driving amongst the bison herds at Vermejo is one of the more exciting guest activities. “A highlight of that sojourn for me was catching the small, but colorful, endangered Rio Grande cutthroat trout, unique to that part of the country, and which the ardent conservationist Turner has done an admirable job of protecting. Last stop in our journey was Colorado Springs, home to the Broadmoor, a majestic and iconic hotel nestled in the Cheyenne Mountain foothills, graced by a scenic view of Pike’s Peak, and only a few miles from the spectacular Garden of the Gods. My wife thought it would be hilarious trying to cure me of my acrophobia by making me join her in a 3000-foot long, five-segment zip line, which soars 150 feet above the beautiful, but scary, Seven Falls Canyon gorge.” Next, we hear from Bruce Cole. I’ve met up with Bruce a few times, most recently at the Harvard Club in NYC. He’s an incredibly engaging and affable alum, and we enjoy talking about the

trajectories of our different careers. I goaded him into writing something about his life for class notes, and fortunately he obliged: “After nearly two decades in South Carolina, I can confidently say it’s been the ideal place to live, work, and raise a family. Since moving here in 2006, we’ve called the Palmetto State home and have embraced both the charm of the Lowcountry and the opportunities that Columbia, the state capital, has offered. The slower pace, friendly communities, and natural beauty made it a great place to pivot into a new chapter of life, both personally and professionally. “My career over the past 40 years has taken me across the country and through some truly transformative experiences. Early on, I developed a passion for organizational turnarounds, holding leadership roles in New Jersey, Silicon Valley, and Boston. I managed a global business at AT&T, consulted on technology spinouts for Dr. Bill Perry’s company ESL, served as CFO at Interactive Network for David Lockton ’55, and later took on financial leadership roles at the Boston Public Library and John Hancock Financial Services. These experiences gave me a front-row seat to the evolution of business and technology — and ultimately laid the foundation for my transition into academia after our move south. “Lately, my focus has shifted toward financial literacy, real estate, and sustainability. I recently accepted an offer to have my new book published, Personal Financial Management: A Simple Guide to Investing Right, which has already been adopted as a textbook by UNC Chapel Hill for their freshman financial literacy course. I also serve on the board of the South Carolina Council on Economic Education, helping to bring financial literacy programming to over 90 percent of the state’s school districts. “On the business front, I founded Palmetto Realty Advisors, a brokerage firm operating in the Carolinas that specializes in industrial real estate and land investments. We also ran a summer real estate camp at North Carolina Central University where rising high school juniors and seniors used AI to design skyscrapers in downtown Raleigh, N.C. — a great way to blend tech, creativity, and business. I continue to be involved in sustainability, having presented a paper on green strategies for increasing property values last month for the American Real Estate Society in Tucson, Ariz., while also serving as president of the Electric Vehicle Association of South Carolina and as State Chair of the Sierra Club of South Carolina. “Looking ahead, I’m exploring new opportunities that combine policy, education, and international collaboration. I’ve been invited to present a paper at the upcoming African Real Estate Society annual meeting in Lagos, Nigeria. I’m also looking forward to reconnecting with old friends at upcoming alumni reunions at both Harvard and Stanford GSB. “Staying in touch with classmates has been one of the most rewarding aspects of this phase of life. From Joe Froeber’s legendary gatherings to a brief NYC catch-up with Bruce Hager, from Danny Nunn’s above-and-beyond help in Charlotte to celebrating the retirement of Ed Wilson P’94 GP’18 with Armond Hill and others — it’s meant a lot. Thanks as well

Tim Berne ’72 (right, in red shirt) and his jazz quintet played the Lowlands in Brooklyn in December 2024.

to Nick Griffis, David Goldberg, Paul Kern (for graciously hosting Lady June and me in Beaufort), and Jon Sprague. Here’s to more connections ahead!” Speaking of Dan Nunn, he writes the following about his recent alumni meet-up: “I had the pleasure of meeting a handful of Raymond legends for lunch in Princeton on April … No fooling! John Mann, Richard Loosli, Jens Fog, Jon Teall, Tim Warren, Derrick Tseng and I enjoyed catching up and sharing House lore. On April 2, I met with honorary classmate Maureen Ehret S’76 P’06 ’12 (our Alumni Office liaison for our 55th), who was so kind to give me a brief tour of the amazing Tsai Field House. That evening I had a delightful dinner in Princeton with another classmate of renown, Mark Larsen P’01 ’04 ’06. Always an absolute joy to be in the company of good friends! We also hear from Dr. Tom Patten, who like many of us failed on the first attempt to fully retire when the time came for him to step into the next phase. “I was unable to achieve escape velocity and am working in a federally qualified clinic two days a week, seeing underserved and homeless patients and really enjoying the perspective it gives. Also, I now have the time to engage in my real passion, which is to play music, which first started my freshman year of college when I discovered Earl Scruggs and started playing the banjo. Now I’m most proficient on fiddle but still enjoy playing banjo, guitar, and mandolin in various styles (jazz, Irish, swing and of course bluegrass). Being in Nashville is incredible with the talent that just comes out of the woodwork here. “We have five grandkids who live in town and the most memorable trip this year was going with three of them and my son and daughter-in-law to a dude ranch in Colorado. Super fun. Can give details if anyone interested. Trying to maintain a positive attitude with the political climate such as it is but everyone has that to deal with that, right?” And here’s a note from Dr. Norman McGowin, who just can’t put down the stethoscope but is learning new life tricks. “Still working full time as ER doctor and hospitalist in Greenville, Evergreen, and now Opp, Ala. Still enjoying it! Still work though! I have some good news. Getting my bad left hip replaced in June and a cataract while off after that. I went on intermittent fasting Thanksgiving 2023 and now down 117 pounds. No shots or pills! From 351 to 234. Shooting for 225 — what I weighed getting out of Duke. Funny thing: it hasn’t been that hard. Mainly making new habits! t he law re nt ia n.law re nce v ille .o rg

|

49


L AW R E N T I A NS

Dave Donahue ’73 P’10 and Sam Kosoff ’88 H’96 ’00 P’19 flank three Hamilton College lacrosse players who got their start at Lawrenceville: Collen Luzar ’24, Ford Collins ’23, and Dominic Mauretti ’22.

Peter Stifel ’73, John Herzberg ’73, Blake Hornick ’73, Nick Park ’73, and Joe Chambliss ’73 spent an enjoyable weekend together in Washington, D.C.

“Good hearing from you all. Enjoyed the Kentucky Derby. I was born in Georgetown, Ky., and my mother grew up In Lexington and grandparents lived there. My uncle was in the horse business. My grandfather ran a tire company and used to take me down the street to a little cafe run by Harland Sanders. Sanders once asked my grandfather to invest in his idea to franchise fried chicken [Harland Sanders, a.k.a ‘Colonel Sanders,’ founded the fast food chicken restaurant chain Kentucky Fried Chicken. — B.H.] and my grandfather thought it was the craziest thing in the world … crazier than cat sh*t, as my father used to say! Things didn’t happen to my father — my father happened to things!” Norman also weighed in on the recent news about the death of former housemaster Fred Gerstell H’68 ’77. “The story about Fred Gerstell hit close to home with me. Frank Decolator and I lived on the corner of Thomas down by Gerstell’s apartment, so we saw a lot of him. As I remember, he was fairly autocratic and intimidating. That first year, September 1968, was a real eye-opener for a totally green kid from rural south Alabama who had gone through sixth grade in a three-room school house with two classes per room. Believe it or not, I still think it was a great little school to learn the basics. “The summer after Second Form, Gerstell actually spent a night in Chapman, Ala., while driving to New Orleans. Typically, my father was grilling him over drinks about my prospects as a future football player. With me right there, he allowed as to how I would never be able to play varsity but could continue to do OK as a House football journeyman. Well, don’t get me wrong, but at the time that kind of declaration had a powerful effect on my self-confidence and the goals that I set for myself. I don’t harbor any illusions that I would have ever been some stud ballplayer, but maybe I could have at least tried. That’s why I always remember Big Ed Simpson’s encouragement for me to go out for varsity in the spring of Fourth Form. I won’t go through that story again, but I’ve always been grateful to him for doing it; though when Coach Keuffel H’59 ’61 ’73 ’89 ’90 P’79 told me my chances of making the team were ‘slim and none,’ that just cemented the limits that I had put on myself.

50 | FA L L 2 0 2 5

T H E L AW R E N T I A N

Thank God I finally figured out what it takes to actually get anywhere in life. I’m sure Fred had many great qualities, but I don’t think ‘kinder and gentler’ were two of them! Having said that, may he R.I.P.” Finally, thanks to a note from Robert Kraft in our last class notes, I tracked down classmate Tim Berne, who achieved recognition as the focus of a New York Times profile (“Tim Berne, a D.I.Y. Jazz Institution,” October 15, 2024). He’s also got a profile on Wikipedia that details his extensive collaboration as an avant-garde musician. Most of our classmates have led fairly conventional professional lives involving lengthy office-bound years with families, pensions and retirement. Tim has not. He’s a true musician who’s stayed single-mindedly devoted to his craft, a true working musician, playing a saxophone and scuffling for gigs while doing various odd jobs to pay the rent. Music is his life and at the age of 70, he’s proud that he’s lived life according to his terms. “I’m just glad I’m doing something I love,” Tim told me on the phone shortly after I attended a gig. “A lot of people end up doing things they don’t love and regret their lives.” I caught up with Tim in mid-December 2024 while he was playing with his jazz quintet at a Brooklyn bar aptly named Lowlands not far from the Gowanus Canal. On this night, Tim and Chris Potter traded riffs on sax, accompanied by Greg Louti on guitar, Tom Ibrahim on bass, and Tom Rainey on drums. Tim’s a big guy, with a cloud of white hair above dark eyebrows, dark mustache, full white beard and a quiet pride about living life the way he intended. We chatted briefly during a break in his set, and I called him a day or so later during which he told me about the odyssey from Lawrenceville to his becoming a jazz musician. He started by saying he picked up the saxophone in his late teens, and, well, I’ll allow him to tell the rest: “I fooled around with saxophone at Lawrenceville. Played around with Sam Acuff in a music room along with Bruce Wolosoff ’73, who is now a composer. Knew him a little. Got to know Bob Thiele ’73. His father, Robert Thiele H’71 P’73, ran Impulse Records. He got the band Dreams to do a gig at Lawrenceville,

which included John Abercrombie, the Brecker Brothers, and Billy Cobham on drums. I was noodling around at that point. Played with Sam, who was a piano player. “After L’ville, I went to Lewis & Clark College in Oregon. I didn’t really want to go to college, but I couldn’t think of a good reason not to. So, I went out there for a year and met some friends that I’ve kept ever since. I returned to the New York area and went to Sarah Lawrence and was interested in their early childhood development program led by Jeannette G. Stone. When they discontinued the program, I went to New York University for the final year and got my degree from Sarah Lawrence, but I never used it. The teaching thing is pretty good, but it takes a lot of time and dedication that I wanted to pour into my music. “I started to take lessons. I started practicing and studying but I was really a novice. I played my first gigs in 1978 after I moved to Brooklyn in 1977 in a Joey Gallo neighborhood [‘Crazy’ Joey Gallo was a New York mobster who was famously gunned down in Umberto’s Clam House in 1972. — B.H.] I was with my teacher and we had this little loft, and I thought pretty soon they’ll come for us because we’d be practicing. This was like Mean Streets. Sure enough, a car drove up while I was taking out the garbage. Someone got out and asked, ‘Are you the guys making the noise?’ That’s when I knew it was time to go. I moved to downtown Brooklyn and then Prospect Heights. I was lucky. If I hadn’t moved to Brooklyn, I wouldn’t be in New York. Living in Brooklyn was an experience. It could have gotten the wrong way. We were sort of targets. If you looked scared, then people picked on you. We were burglarized by a junkie and we finally confronted him. “I had day jobs until 1985, including in a bagel shop, Barnes & Noble, and Tower Records. Then I got a crazy record deal, and that started me touring. My rent was so cheap, but I had to quit regular work because I was constantly touring. Once I quit I was able to make music. It’s not easy. Eighty percent of the work I get is by hustling. Most of the time I have to hustle. Way more than five or six years ago. I could do it because I lived in cheap places in cheap neighborhoods. Otherwise I wouldn’t be in New York. It’s not like I’m playing commercial and I don’t have the skills to be a session musician. I play what I want to play. I don’t think I paid more than $250 a month for rent for like 12 years. I started my own label and put out records. Then in 1986 I got a deal with Columbia Records and made some money. I’ve probably made 60-70 records over my career. A lot of them are digital or on my label, or on an Italian label. The Swiss label called Intact, then JMT. A lot of them ended up out of print. Nowadays, it’s hard to get people to buy physical copies. I’ve written hundreds of songs. Recorded a lot of stuff. My influences were Julius Hemphill and Ornette Colman. I’ve been playing with my current band so long it’s about the improvs and not messing up the seventh bar. A successful gig is great. It’s rarer that we screw things up. I have no idea what things sound like for the audience.” You can hear an example of Tim’s recent music by searching “Snakeoil OK screwgun records.”


1973 Dave Donahue P’10 jdd.usmc@gmail.com From Memphis, Jimmie Tucker reports, “I recently read an article about the Tsai Field House. The article was highly intriguing to me in multiple aspects. As a student who had spent many hours in the former field house and dining facility and as an architect who designs community centers and sports and recreation facilities among other building types, I was especially inspired by the quotation from the Harkness Courtyard “Lead Lives of Learning, Integrity, and High Purpose.” It’s reflected in the life I have been able to live in large part as a result of the opportunity that I had to come to Lawrenceville in 1968. I arrived on campus just months after Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated in my hometown of Memphis. I immensely appreciate the lifechanging experiences, the diverse people I met, and the lifelong friends from Lawrenceville. Our architecture firm Self + Tucker Architects — my business partner is Juan Self — is celebrating 30 years in business during 2025.” From across the Atlantic, Jonny Bodansky sent me a short note, “All good with Jonny Bodansky in the U.K. Hoping that any classmates passing through U.K. will get in touch. It would be great to meet up.” Meanwhile, Rusty Nype P’07 mused, “Gail and I continue our pattern of West Palm Beach, New York City, and Kennebunkport — we are very

lucky. The new news is my daughter Caroline ’07, has moved to the building next to us in Florida. Consequently, I am taking over my two grandchildren’s education and sports training: James, at 3, has been named valedictorian of his preschool and captain of the football and baseball teams. Charlotte at 10 months is involved with swimming workouts. All is well and I hope classmates when in the area call me. “Our 50th reunion was very special for me. We all were blessed with our time at Lawrenceville. I wish I had worked harder while there to use the remarkable opportunity even more.” Sadly, Rusty lamented that his own fastball is finally below triple digits. Kim Pandapas P’21 remains busy: “All is well in my world these days, aside from the usual blood pressure spike that accompanies the morning papers. I still live in Marblehead, a coastal community on the north shore of Boston. Nat Queen always said I’d never leave here, and he was right. I retired 3-and-a-half years ago after 17 years investing MIT’s endowment. MIT was such an amazing experience. I’m so fortunate to have been part of a community where you can’t swing a dead cat without hitting a Nobel Laureate. It was hard to walk away, for sure, but I find my days now just as busy. “Between sailing, making furniture in my shop and an assortment of volunteer commitments, life is full. My youngest son, Christopher ’21, is graduating from Worcester Polytechnic Institute this spring with two engineering degrees. He’s not sure yet what’s next, but he’s working on it. Meanwhile, my oldest son, Nicholas, is planning

to go back to school in the fall as he continues working to find his path. “Christina P’21, of course, remains my north star, though at 14 years my junior, she seems increasingly annoyed with things like my taking too long to get down a ski run, or taking a pass on racing on a windy day. Anyway, we spent three weeks in Sun Valley over the winter, and caught up with old friend Tom Eckert, who is still skiing strong. Sorry I didn’t get a photo, but trust that he’s the same old T-Eck. “And as I write, I’m looking forward to dinner in June with Blake Hornick and his son Mathew, who will be in town for a Red Sox game. Apparently, they are on a mission to catch a game at each of the major league ball parks. Colonel Jonny Jaffin, U.S. Army (retired), is “living in Haymarket, Va., and escaping to my vacation home in Idaho whenever I can get away.” In contrast with most of our classmates, Jeff Waldron, told me, “I crazily took a new job at Mass General Hospital instead of retiring.” Peter Stifel, John Herzberg, Blake Hornick, Nick Park, and Joe Chambliss spent an enjoyable weekend together in Washington, D.C., when the cherry blossoms were at their peak. Highlights include a first-class dinner at The Palm restaurant and a private tour of Anderson House, headquarters of The Society of the Cincinnati, of which Peter Stifel is a member. A third grandchild arrived this winter for Marion and Corky Ellis, who split time between Maine and Florida. Bruce Wolosoff has returned from

Thank you to the more than 3,000 alumni, parents, and friends who supported The Lawrenceville Fund last year! Your gifts fuel exceptional teaching, unforgettable moments, and opportunities that last a lifetime. Join our community of donors this year by renewing your support. Make your gift today at giving.lawrenceville.org.


L AW R E N T I A NS

Tom Scardino ’74 celebrated the 20th anniversary of his windows and doors manufacturing outfit, The French Steel Company, with its first celebrity endorsement, and it’s a big one: Shaquille O’Neal.

Producer Scott Schneid ’74 with the co-stars of his reboot of Silent Night, Deadly Night, Rohan Campbell and Ruby Modine. The film was scheduled for theatrical release on December 12.

Buff Burchfield ’74 P’07 ’08 ’10, Steve Feid ’74 P’08, and Clint Brown ’75 were at Brunswick School in May to see Lawrenceville’s boys’ lacrosse team top Deerfield and Salisbury to win the prep national championship for the third-consecutive year

Warren Dean ’75 P’07 ’09 ’10, Preston Sargent ’75, guide Kim Grant, and Mike Kamm ’75 met up in Silverton, Colo., for a fun two days of powder skiing. Preston offers this as proof that old guys can still shred.

performing in Europe and reminds us that, “Some of you guys might remember me playing piano in the common room of Dawes House or at school dances jamming with Biscuit Davis. In the ‘keep on trucking’ department, I’m happy to report that I’ve just gotten back from performing my solo piano variations on House of the Rising Sun in Europe. The recording is available on all streaming services, on CD, and on vinyl. Best to all my old classmates!” In Vermont, Allen Fitzpatrick H’85 ’89 ’99 P’99 ’04 had his other knee replaced in late winter and hopes to be back on the ice in Middlebury by this summer! Unfortunately, this recent surgery may mean the end of the famous “hip check” that we know Allen loved to deliver on opposing forwards. Closing out our notes, I was an assistant coach for the Princeton Day School boys’ lacrosse team this spring. Our head coach is Sam Kosoff ’88 H’96 ’00 P’19. The attached photo, featuring three Big Red alums who play for Hamilton College, is from our February visit to Clinton, N.Y., to watch our alma mater, the Hamilton men’s lacrosse team, practice and have a “skull session” with the Hamilton head coach. Take care 1973 and remember, Virtus Semper Viridis.

1974 Harvey Kirk lville1974@gmail.com The Class of ’74 is known for its tight-knit collegiality and enduring friendships. The updates in

52 | FA L L 2 0 2 5

T H E L AW R E N T I A N

this edition surely underscore that. Buzz Brown writes: “Peter Parent still lives next door. The wire fence and two German Shepherds cannot keep him out, so we welcome him often. “I have visited Hunter Nickell in Montana twice in the last three years with my twin boys. We fly fish twice a day, minimum. He is an amazing fly fisherman and guide among all his other attributes and accomplishments. “I was lucky enough to return to Lawrenceville last spring to be a part of the reunion to celebrate the 1974 lacrosse (first ever) state championship 50 years ago. We were called on the field at halftime of the Lawrenceville-Hill School game. We had an impressive return of players. I believe only four players were not present, two of whom are no longer with us — Peter Cook and Rob Montgomery ’75 — and a third, Tom Fowler ’76, wasn’t doing well and has since passed. God bless them. “I speak with Steve Feid P’08 regularly. Bill “Buff” Burchfield P’07 ’08 ’10 came to see my boys play on Long Island last February. I have been their hockey and lacrosse coach for the last 12 seasons. My brother Clint ’75, Steve Feid, and Bill Burchfield follow Lawrenceville lacrosse and have been together several times this spring. I see Marsh, Sam, and Ginnie H’54 ’58 ’59 ’60 ’61 ’62 ’66 ’67 ’68 ’71 ’73 ’75 ’79 ’80 ’89 P’77 Chambers on Nantucket where I have my building business of 43 years now with my youngest brother, Timothy ’84. And lastly, one request to our friend and classmate Howard Fish P’04 ’06: where the hell is our game video? Best to all our class and enjoy 2025!” And speaking of lacrosse and Lawrenceville’s

ongoing dominance, Steve Feid checked in the day after he and Buff Burchfield, along with Clint Brown ’75, watched the varsity team “beat the crap out of Deerfield and then Salisbury” at the Prep Nationals at Brunswick School on May 18 to capture the title. Pete Neuwirth shares, “As some of you may know, my home on 8.24 acres at the headwaters of the Santa Rosa Creek in the backcountry of Sonoma County was destroyed in 2020 in one of the many wildfires that is endemic to this part of the country. I now view the fire as a true ‘blessing in disguise’ as it forced me to live for the last four years in the Old West End of Santa Rosa, one of the oldest and poorest neighborhoods in the city. There I found community and became close friends with folks I would never have met in my normal life. “Fortunately, I was well insured (I am an actuary, after all) and early in May my partner, Carolyn, and I moved back into our brand-new house. It has been an adventure rebuilding, but now that life is getting back to normal, Carolyn and I are going on our first true vacation in several years. Beginning later this month we will be travelling back to Princeton, where my father will be celebrating his 70th reunion, and we look forward to visiting with Bill Blair, Eric Baum, and any other classmate who happens to live or work in Princeton. “After that, we head to Greece and Italy, where we will finally get the opportunity to visit Dave Ballard in Tobia and finally see for ourselves the magical place we have all heard so much about from him and other classmates who have visited. For those classmates who find themselves in Sonoma County and are looking for a pleasant way to spend an afternoon in between wine tastings, please plan on coming to visit. We are far enough up the Santa Rosa Creek that you will need directions, so please just email me if you want to stop by. We are very close to ‘the Valley of the Moon,’ along which many great wineries (e.g. Chateau St. Jean, St. Francis, and many others) are located.” Tom Scardino writes, “Our little company hit two milestones last year: a 20th anniversary and our first celebrity endorsement, being the big man himself — Shaq. This would not have been possible without our angel investor and good friend who made it all possible 20 years ago, Stewart Dansby!” And speaking of Stewart Dansby, he is “still enjoying life in Birmingham, where many Lawrenceville alums reside. I married a wonderful woman six years ago. Between us, we have six children and 15 grandchildren — all in Birmingham. So, life is never dull! Our latest grandchild is little Virginia “Gigi” Dansby, who joins older sister, Olivia, now nearly 4. “We enjoy traveling the world, and find ourselves in the warmer climes of Vero Beach, Fla., and Antigua, West Indies, during the winter months. Please look us up if ever in any of these places.” Scott Schneid checks in from above the border, “On location in Winnipeg/Manitoba/ Canada producing the reboot of 1984’s Silent Night, Deadly Night for Cineverse and StudioCanal’s new genre division, Sixth Dimension.” The picture is slated for a wide theatrical release on December 12. Scott sent a


photo of him flanked by the film’s stars, Rohan Campbell (Universal’s Halloween Ends, Hulu’s The Hardy Boys) and Ruby Modine (Showtime’s Shameless, Universal’s Happy Death Day). “Only 40 years to get it in front of the cameras!” Scott says.

1975 Gary R. Bedford g_bedford@msn.com David G. Christoffersen, Esq. P’14 ’18 75lville@gmail.com Michael Boeschenstein: “I have recently retired from Hines. I can be reached at mmoll.boesch@ gmail.com.” Jim Bryan: “Bonjour et vous etes les bienvenus! Heading to France for a month to see if they still tolerate Americans now. [An apparent political reference. — D.G.C.] The itinerary is Lyon, Pouilly wine region, Loire Valley chateaux, Brittany, and finishing up in Normandy. For part of the trip we are meeting up with college classmates who have been expats there for nine years. I’ll be back in time for the reunion. Looking forward to seeing everyone there.” Bill Caimi P’04: “With my law practice focused on charities and foundations, I’ve drifted into the arts. Thanks to Peter Candler H’63 ’67 ’68 ’76 and Periwig, I now have my own theatre company in Los Angeles, The Actors’ Jungle. Our last show had multiple sellouts and standing ovations. I and family are all healthy and happy.” Dave Christoffersen: “Hi!” Adam Cleff: “I am still in Mendocino County, mostly rural real estate [realtor], living in a rural area with horses and quiet. I did, however, list a pre-great-quake Redwood and Fir apartment building in San Francisco. I love discovering new, cheap restaurants and bars between the Sunset and Noe Valley districts. High point of the year was vacationing with my 20-year-old at my old beloved Wyoming Bighorns dude ranch ‘Spear O Wigwam.’ We stayed in the Hemingway Cabin and rode good horses to Lake Geneva. She said it was the most beautiful place she ever saw. Next best highlight was a visit from Darius Preikstas. He wanted my tour of San Francisco. From the Tenderloin to the Embarcadero, that old kid can still party! See you all in late May! Tickets bought!” Douglas J. Ehrenworth: “I contribute to our class’s edition of Plutarch’s Parallel Lives: In June 2023, I married for the first time. Attending were Tim Woodruff, his wife Rosario and their two delightful teenage children, Jack and Paloma. In December 2023, my law partner and I closed and merged our firm of 30-plus years, and I semi-retired. In mid-March 2025, I spent a week visiting the Woodruff Family in Costa Rica. Of late, I dress warmly in cold weather, wear sensible shoes crossing snow and ice, hold the handrail on stairs, and respect my morning coffee as a potent diuretic. I look forward to seeing all class members in May for our shocking 50th reunion.” C. Michael Kamm: “Proof that old farts can still shred! Warren Dean P’07 ’09 ’10, Preston Sargent, a guide (Kim Grant), and I met up in Silverton, Colo., for a fun two days of powder

skiing. Ski ’til you drop!” Preston Sargent: “Dude?! We look exactly the same as we did when we graduated!” Paul Moravec: “All Shall Rise” — the final oratorio in our ‘American Voices’ trilogy — premiered at Carnegie Hall on May 5. The work dramatizes the evolution of U.S. voting rights from 1789 to the present. I hope you can attend!” Rudi von Meister P’05 ’08: “Only news is that I and my wife Yen-Ling P’05 ’08 will join our 50th, and our son Hans ’05 plans to be there for his 20th.”

1976 L.T. Hill lt.hill@comcast.net George Spencer gmspencer777@gmail.com “I’m starting to feel old!” writes Mike Caron. “Dominique kept me traveling again in 2024 and now in 2025. The big trip last year was three weeks touring Japan. Dominique planned it all, so I just had to tag along and eat lots of sushi. Quite a unique experience. A lot of great memories. “We recently got back from Portugal and Madeira. My fault for not trying to look up Clive while in Lisbon. We had never been to Madeira before. It was very mountainous and beautiful. I successfully avoided the ‘H’ word (hiking), but Dominique still pushed for a lot of walking. “Every year we take our eldest grandson on a trip somewhere with us. In June we are taking Lucas to Spain and Morocco. He will turn 18 on the trip so it adds something special. Again, Dominique plans everything and I just have to follow. Very excited to visit Morocco. “On the family front, our grandchildren have continued to grow. Lucas, 17, Grace, 6), Harper, 5, Mary, 3, Jackson, 2, and Beau, 6 months. They have been a great addition to our lives as we seem to have family gatherings all the time. And weekly family pickleball is a full contact sport! See you all next year!” David Resnick says, “I am staying busy with a massive decarbonization venture we call NetZevo, a.k.a. NetZero Evolution. Should have netzevo.com up next month if you’re interested. The boys are all grown up and having their adventures living in New Zealand and having kids in Philadelphia. I see Charlie Farrell every now and then. I have been looking to connect with Doug Simon when I’m in Philly for an Eagles game but it hasn’t worked out so far. Maybe next year!”

1977 Kip Hunter khunter@hallestill.com bmassie@hallestill.com Rudy von Strasser reported that that he, Jeff Engleson, Gurney Sloan, Chris Roser, Bruce Rosenthal, and Chris’s son, Harrison, continued their annual tradition of skiing together in Colorado. “Missing this year was Cam Cornish,

and always missing Brian Christie P’09 (R.I.P), who was a founding member,” Rudy says. “We have been getting together with our kid, my large-format bottle of wine, and Bruce’s single-malt scotches for well over 20 years now.” Robert McManus is “Working to restore an historic African American theatre in North Philadelphia. Every single soul and R&B artist in the 20th century played the Uptown. If they were good, the next stop was the Apollo in New York. I will be raising money from local and national companies to refurbish the theatre and update the theatrics. As of now, I have obtained donated lights from the University of Pennsylvania. If anyone has any theatre connections and knows of a theatre conducting a renovation, I would be interested in the old technology. I don’t assume we will raise all the money we need in the first few years. That said, we could get the Uptown back into ‘public shape’ for public events … with any theatrics I can find — lights, sound, projectors, popcorn makers, you name it. “The good news? We contracted a developer that brought back the Lansdowne Theatre in Lansdowne, Pa. And that renovation is fantastic. If I can get a Comcast executive over there, we’d be in pretty good shape! “Finally, the Uptown’s musical director is a neighbor, so he and I will be writing some music. You can find my old BaBa Lou music from the mid-’80s at Sound Cloud.” Tim Murray says that he is “in Quintero, Chile, fixing up the sailboat Yagan to use in Patagonia. I’m starting a sailing-mountaineering club in Tortel, Chile. Out my front door there is one of the best anchorages in that part of the world and a dock I can use.” An amazing project and an amazing life you lead, Tim! Congratulations for following your bliss! Kevin Ellis writes: “Wife Kimberly and I decamped from Vermont to Washington, D.C., last winter for warmer weather, to be near kids and mother in law and return to where we met 40 years ago. City life allowed me to pursue of fairly new passion: competitive tennis. I am playing in a league and in my first senior USTA tournament this summer. Not as athletic as I was on the lacrosse field in 1977, but with yoga and a coach to kick my ass, I’m hanging in there. “There is a yearly surfing trip to Costa Rica and back to Vermont in the good weather to our garden to grow lots of food, which we enjoy. I spend a fair amount of time on my podcast and Substack newsletter called Conflict of Interest. They focus on the rise of Trump and the failure of democratic values to hold back what I see as a threat to the country. Take your worst moment in Hamill or Griswold or Dickinson and you have what is going on now. I interview national experts on the phenomenon and also take a detour every once in a while into sports and culture and what it takes to be excellent at something. I welcome classmates to follow my Substack at kevinkellis. substack.com. “Went to see the movie Sinners the other night and Carl Haywood calls me out of the blue to talk about it. Look forward to seeing you all again soon.” Carl confirmed this and more shortly thereafter: “I spoke with Kevin Ellis yesterday about the new movie Sinners. Going to see Garry t he law re nt ia n.law re nce v ille .o rg

|

53


L AW R E N T I A NS

Marty Picco ’77, Tom Meseroll ’77, and Rick Purcell ’77 were honored by Lawrenceville’s Karate Club in April as three of the founding student members, along with Bill Manieri ’77, who was unable to attend.

Tim Murray ’77 launched the restored sailboat Yagan in Quintero, Chile, in January 2025.

Jeff Engleson ’77, Gurney Sloan ’77, Chris Roser ’77, Bruce Rosenthal ’77, Harrison Roser, and Rudy von Strasser ’77 got together for their annual Colorado ski trip and a little good cheer, a tradition for more than 20 years now.

After retiring from the FAA, Fred Atwood ’79 signed on to become a volunteer instructor with the U.S. Naval Academy’s Command and Seamanship Training Squadron, working with and teaching future Naval officers.

Howard when he visits NYC first week of June. Enjoying being Pop-Pop to our three grandsons, 15, 8, and 20 months.” According to Jeff Hoisington P’07, “All is well here in New Jersey. Zach Kafoglis has moved back to town, and he is prosecuting criminals on behalf of the State of New Jersey in Trenton, so some of you locals should be a little more careful. It has been great having lunch and dinners with Zach and Karen. I see Darryl WaskowP’13 ’17 for lunch occasionally. He is happily retired. I am once again refereeing lacrosse … spring is in the air, and when I have time, watching games at Lawrenceville. That team is absolutely amazing! I am looking forward to our 50th!” Speaking of Darryl, he retired after “a great career at Princeton.” Cheers, Darryl! Richard Coomber “enjoyed having dinner with John Griner when he was visiting Boston late last year. In particular we shared reminiscences of German class at Lawrenceville with John Schwartzburg H’76 and his unique way of teaching and irrepressible sense of humor, which bubbled up in the midst of the more serious language instruction. German is rife with humorous and somewhat absurd features, as Mark Twain aptly pointed out, and Mr. Schwartzburg seemed to be in on the joke. “To keep out of trouble these days I am doing consulting work in my area of expertise (affordable housing finance) and getting ready to go to my daughter’s graduation from Denison. She is majoring in something that did not exist as a major in our day: data analytics. “Impossible to miss at Denison is the Michael

54 | FA L L 2 0 2 5

T H E L AW R E N T I A N

Eisner Performing Arts Center and the fact that the school mascot is ‘Big Red.’ Is there no patent on that? Michael Eisner ’60, of course, went to Lawrenceville and was in Latin class with a certain Latin teacher I knew very well. My son is getting his master’s in computer science from Northeastern and managing the e-commerce website for a growing startup run by a bunch of guys in their mid-twenties. It is exciting to hear of how young people run a company with all of the old school trappings completely absent!” Says Tex Caspary, “All good on the Texas front. Three grandchildren now keeping us busy. Still working with my various companies but spending more time with my family and in Rockport, Tex., where my mother still lives at the young age of 101-and-a-half. She is amazing. “Jennifer and I just spent four days at Gasparilla Inn on Boca Grande, Fla., with Ann and Billy Harrison. Had a fabulous time, just like old times but maybe a little tamer. Kip Hunter and Colleen were supposed to join us but could not make it as his mother passed away, God rest her soul. I hope everyone is well and I guess we will see everyone at our upcoming 50th. I can’t believe it has almost been 50 years. Where did the time go? Best to all!” Sam Selesnick says, “My wife, Alex, and I continue to enjoy an active relationship with both Colleen and Kip Hunter, and Ellen P’07 and Jeff Hoisington P’07. These relationships add meaningfully to our lives. Also, I do see a number of Lawrentians at the Union Club in New York from different classes, including Eric Widing P’08.

“I find my professional life still satisfying and impactful, so I am continuing to work. In addition to a busy surgical practice at Weill Cornell and Memorial Sloan Kettering, I am able to teach, and I travel widely to give lectures.” Scott Masters is “traveling more that the girls are ‘launched’ and somewhat on their way. Spending more time on Perdido Key on the Gulf and on the golf course but still running my practice and growing my AUM. Hope all is well with everyone else!” It was good to hear from Matt Ryan: “Greetings to you and all our classmates! Special greetings to all friends from Cleve and Upper House. Two of the best years of my life were at Lawrenceville. So many great friends, House Masters, and wonderful teachers I will never forget. “I had a long career in commercial banking in Chicago and then moved to Kansas City, where I worked in accounting and finance. I hope to work for a couple more years. I am blessed to have had the opportunity go to Lawrenceville. So many special friends and great experiences. My wife Heather and I have five children who have careers of their own now. Best to all of my fellow Class of ’77 classmates!” Tom Meseroll writes that “on April 5, he, Rick Purcell, and Marty Picco all convened at Lawrenceville for the 50th anniversary of The Lawrenceville School Karate Club gathering, which they founded, along with Bill Manieri, in 1975. “The club thrived under the tutelage of Mr. Joel Greenberg H’13 P’93 for many years after we all had graduated. Mr. Greenberg unfortunately passed away in early 2024. However, the current instructor is Elizabeth “Eli” Montes P’28, who teaches Spanish at the School, took the helm some time ago and the club has continued to flourish under her tutelage. Eli, along with other alumni of the club, organized a fantastic anniversary event, in the real dojang (dojo in Japanese), which has a wooden floor in the Field House. Much better than when we all trained in the basement of Old Lower in the ’70s on a concrete floor. “Rick and his wife, Nancy Purcell, Tom and his wife, Annette Cascone, and Marty, walked the school grounds the day before. Remembering highlights from our years at L’ville and marveled at how things have changed in 50 years. “The director of the dance and artistic director, Mr. Derrick D. Wilder H’78, even gave them a tour of the Kirby Arts Center after all the improvements that have happened over the years. Both Tom and Annette had performed at the Kirby Arts Center in the ’70s in a variety of plays. Mr. Wilder was extremely kind and thoughtful to provide us with this tour. “They also spent an hour with the library archivist, Jacqueline Haun H’65, perusing old yearbooks and providing her with artifacts for the archives from when the club began. Jacqi is also a member of the Karate Club! “On Saturday, there was a short class led by Eli for all alumni, and then I performed my ‘Sightless Samurai’ with the help of Marty. With a watermelon placed on Rick’s stomach, I, after being very blindfolded with play-do and a metal mask, sliced the watermelon in half, successfully without hurting Rick.


“Afterward, all of the alumni — 20 or more people — went to dinner to talk about the club. It was a fabulous day which none of us will ever forget. Thanks to all who set this up and attended.” [Ed Note: Read more about the origins of the Karate Club as told by Tom, Rick, and Marty, on page 22 of this issue. — S.R.]

1978 Gregory A. Williamson P’09 gwilliamson78@gmail.com

1979 David Ellis dellis@lincolnhc.com davidaellis61@gmail.com Chase Donaldson is loving life in Melbourne Beach, Fla., where he lives with his wife, Jeanette, and grown twin kids, Jack and Amelia, living nearby. Chase was a tennis pro for many years and is a nationally ranked 60-plus player now! He often takes his boat fishing off the Florida reef for snapper, king mackerel, or mahi-mahi. If in the area, look him up at chased32951@ yahoo.com. Jonathan Foltz P’12 ’15 ’19 ’20 sends an update from the Philippines: “I am currently in the Philippines, where I refurbish used U.S. hospital equipment for sale to local hospitals. I have no plans to ever retire, but I am trying to get my daughters interested in the business so I know if I need to sell the company. I otherwise plan to finally expand into export markets where they desperately need the products.” Chris Schade P’11 ’16 has fond memories of Lawrenceville. He has not been to reunion lately, but the itch is there. He attended Lawrenceville as a PG, after four years at St. Mark’s School in Massa chusetts — that’s where some of the scenes from the fabulous movie, The Holdovers, were filmed (featuring Paul Giamatti and Dominic Sessa). After Lawrenceville, Chris attended Princeton, then on to a career in investment banking in London and NYC. As the dot-com implosion happened, he pivoted into biotechnology, where he led a couple of companies into going public and started another. He is currently the CEO of Halda Therapeutics, in Boston. Chris lives in Chestnut Hill, Mass., and also has a summer home in South Dartmouth, Mass., where he is involved in conservation efforts of Buzzards Bay. Chris has six children (yes, six!) and they have run the gamut of prep schools, from Lawrenceville to Deerfield to Groton. He belies his Massachusetts environs by continuing to be a New York Yankees and long-tortured New York Giants fan after growing up on Long Island. Jake Filoon sends an update: “I retired in October 2024 after working for Bank of America, Washington Trust, and Fidelity Investments. My focus was in the areas of corporate strategy and development and wealth management. My son lives and works in New York City, and my daughter graduates from Villanova in May

2025. I graduated from Colby College, where I was on the squash team. Now, I am playing pickleball frequently. “As a family, we have enjoyed skiing every winter in Vermont, and we get to Cape Cod during the summer to enjoy the beach and play golf. We have been living in Needham, Mass., except for a couple of years in Portland, Ore. My wife, Gretchen, and I are now focused on how to spend our retirement years. Travel will be in the cards. We went to Greece last October and look forward to extended stays in the South.” Ned Franke says hello! After 36 years in Chicago, Ned and his wife bought a home in Pinehurst, N.C., in 2019 — just before COVID, which was fortunate. He still works in Chicago as a commercial real estate broker, but only needs to go back every couple months or so. Ned’s Pinehurst locale relates to his Lawrenceville experience. Back in 1977, Ned was a sophomore at Summit (N.J.) High School. His parents decided to retire to Pinehurst and Ned opted not to move but rather to go to boarding school in New Jersey — Lawrenceville! Ned credits Lawrenceville with helping him land at Duke, where he also met his wife. He’s got three grown kids — now 27, 31, and 34 — living in Boston, Baltimore, and Brooklyn, so Ned gets up the east coast often. And he has one grandson in Baltimore! Ned loves Pinehurst — says the weather is great, the golf is amazing (ten courses now!), and a lot of interesting folks are moving in from other parts of the country, which keeps it stimulating. Update from Paul Devlin. Paul lives in Washington Crossing, Pa. He still practices law locally in Lawrenceville — he and his brother took over his father’s law practice in 2000, after Paul’s former career as an environmental lawyer. His wife is Swedish, and they have a family farm in northern Sweden. He recently finished an incredible cross-country skiing race there, called the Vasaloppet — a massive 90k race that took Paul nine and a half hours in the wicked cold of northern Sweden! He also loves gardening. Paul has two sons, 30 and 35. one is a lawyer, the other a software engineer, and one is expecting a son, so Paul is about to be a grandfather! He plans to continue lawyering for a few more years, then perhaps retiring in Mystic, Conn., (he fell in love with the area when his son attended Connecticut College nearby) as well as in Sweden. Paul still keeps in touch with Brian Canfield. He has fond memories of playing hockey at Lawrenceville, along with classmates like Matt Weeden, who Paul called “untouchable in youth hockey” (and when I asked Weeden about Devlin, he texted back, simply, ‘He can hit!’), and Tim Whitehead, who ended up becoming one of the country’s great D-I hockey coaches, leading the University of Maine to two memorable runner-up runs at the national NCAA Championship in 2002 and 2004. Tim has gone on to great success in prep school hockey, where he is the head coach at Kimball Union Academy in New Hampshire. Under Tim’s leadership, Kimball Union is now perennially one of the top prep school teams in the country. Speaking of ice hockey, and Sweden, I have

update to share from Micke Sodersten. Micke is from Sweden, and he joined us at Lawrenceville in 1978-79, courtesy of the Sweden-American Foundation. This foundation was created by the Firestone Foundation of Akron, Ohio, after a Firestone family member had a memorable year rooming with a Swede at Lawrenceville in 1960. Micke and his wife, Cornelia, are both artists, living in Manhattan, and work in theater and films. Mile also teaches theater and movie directing at Columbia University. His latest project is a graphic novel, based on his experiences as a freshman on the Harvard varsity hockey team. Micke has also returned to hockey, taking over a men’s team at NYC’s Chelsea Piers Arena as captain in 2011. Since then, he has led the Isotopes (with his quirky but effective Swedish hockey drills) to twelve league championships! The average age on his team is 33, the second oldest is 51, and Micke is still playing at age 63! Fred Atwood retired from the FAA and the Federal Government in December 2024. He writes: “As part of my retirement plan, last September I joined a 150-plus-hour training curriculum to become a volunteer instructor with the Naval Academy’s Command and Seamanship Training Squadron. The instructor curriculum was intense but it’s really rewarding to work with and teach future Naval officers. “In June, I was the XO (second in command) for seven Midshipmen on one of the Navy’s 44foot sloops, out from Annapolis and up to Oyster Bay, Long Island, and back to Annapolis. The Naval Academy uses CSTS as an at-sea, small unit leadership lab. The program challenged Mids with fog, electrical storms, glassy calm, plus windy and lumpy seasickness. I am looking forward to a few more years with CSTS.” Lastly, if any classmates are in NYC, please look me up — for lunch, dinner, or just a coffee. I recently retired and live in the West Village and I’m finding it a fabulous place to live at this stage of life, after 22 years raising kids in the Connecticut suburbs — a peaceful oasis right in the thick of NYC nightlife and cultural activities. Text me at 203-803-0402. And please feel free to email me any updates for the next Lawrentian!

1980 Paul Dewey pablodewey@me.com Terry Cryan terencecryan@netscape.net Terry Cryan and several classmates attended a celebration of life in Scarsdale, N.Y., in April for Stuart Singer, who died on April 8, just days before his 63rd birthday. “Our L’ville brother Ed Allinson gave a touching, thoughtful, and humorous tribute to Stuart at his celebration of life. Ed was aided by a wickedly funny letter sent by Charles Wellso that Ed read aloud. Well done, Ed and Charles. Stuart no doubt loved it. My only disappointment was I had to depart prior to the arrival of Scott Breig. Farewell, Stuart. You will be missed.”

t he law re nt ia n.law re nce v ille .o rg

|

55


L AW R E N T I A NS

Mark Goodman ’81 stayed with Scott Chace ’81 in Lisbon.

Kinsey Dyckman ’81 P’17 ’20 and Mark Goodman ’81 enjoyed four days in Miami on the padel courts. “We are not ready for pickleball yet,” Kinsey affirms.

now is a very good padel player who plays with outstanding sportsmanship. Mark and his wife, Abby, stayed with Nathalie and Scott Chace in Lisbon. The Chaces organized three excellent dinners out including one at a restaurant on a beach that was only 20 minutes from their condo. Scott recently sold his trading firm to State Street. Kinsey Dyckman P’17 ’20 reports: “Mark Goodman and I enjoyed four days in Miami in December playing padel, our new favorite sport … way better than tennis and squash, and we are not ready for pickleball yet.”

1982 Trey Kraus lvillealumni82@comcast.net

Norb Garrett ’81 met up with Todd Hamilton ’81 in New York on his way back from the Philippines.

Mark Goodman ’81 played padel tennis in Brooklyn against Cameron Bahadori, son of classmate Bob Bahadori ’81 P’16.

Justin Stephenson ’81 caught a few moments of sun while in Abu Dhabi to train 15 consultants in fiduciary services.

Tom Bergwall ’82 and nephew Chris Seebode enjoyed the Class of 1982 Night at the Nets in Brooklyn.

1981 Mark Goodman MGoodmanhome@gmail.com Jeff Levy P’20 jclevy@me.com Joel Holmes reports that “after 35 years of trading currencies I finally retired in March. The last 10 years have been in London where my wife, Beth, and I have loved living. It will be tough to leave London but we are looking forward to being closer to family again. We are moving to New Orleans in July and we are ready for The Big Easy. Anyone passing through don’t hesitate to look us up.” Bill Massey is hoping to be hanging out again with Craig Lucas. His son graduated from Penn State and now works at Arup architecture as an acoustics specialist for theatres. His daughter graduated from MICA art school and has a successful business as a wildly impressive specialty fingernails artist. Justin Stephenson writes: “News on my

56 | FA L L 2 0 2 5

T H E L AW R E N T I A N

side — living in Buckinghamshire in the U.K. I have been here for 18 years after a tour in Asia. My son is turning 28 and works for a capitals market consultancy, and my daughter (25) is a writer for Cosmopolitan. I started a sales training and coaching business five years ago and we miraculously continue to grow every year. The picture below was taken in Abu Dhabi last week while in the UAE training 15 consultants in fiduciary services. It took me 30 years to figure out what I really love doing. Better late than never. It’s been a while since I’ve been in touch with any Lawrentians. My bad. Hope everyone is well and thriving … even if they are planning on leaving the U.S.” Thomson Chew separated a shoulder playing hockey this past winter, and he’s using that as an excuse to get out of various household tasks like yardwork. Mark Goodman played padel tennis at Padel Haus in Brooklyn with my partner Bill Ullman, who is a top 55-plus player in the United States. One of our opponents, Cameron Bahadori, is the son of classmate Bob Bahadori P’16. He was a college squash player at Amherst and

Michael Jackonis reports that he is “retiring this summer after 15 years with Department of Defense Office of General Counsel and a 20-year Navy career plus several years in private law practice in D.C. He says: My wife Nancy and I plan to relocate to St Augustine, Fla., near kids and grandson in the fall. Will be at our cottage in Buck Hill Falls, Pa., this summer — would love to see folks there and get in some boating and golf! Email me at michaeljackonis@gmail.com.” Wilbert Cook reporting from Chicago was so excited before he left for Dubai. He was even more overjoyed with the experience upon his return. As a result, Will promises to do more traveling. I hope he does. The day before our NYC Holiday Party, two independent N.J. lawyers and a retired small business retailer met for a Princeton hockey game at Baker Rink for their own Holiday Party. Tom Bergwall, Matt Peluso, and Trey Kraus connected at The Dinky Restaurant for a pregame dinner before the Tigers played Union College. Do you remember ever going to a Princeton hockey home game? Before cell phones we used to meet up there to find out where the where were the parties that weekend. That practice continued after graduation for a few years. The ’82 NYC 2024 Holiday Party was held at The Old Town Restaurant and Bar. The classic NYC spot was decked out in its finest holiday decorations, creating an incredibly festive atmosphere. Gathered around our table were classmates Jim Gidicsin P’17, Bret Berlinger, Josh Roth, Larry Ostema, Ed Najarian, Andrew Weinberg P’22, Noah Kauff, Paul Sweeney, Barry Gonzalez, Justin Burke, Pete Maruca, John Bettex, and Trey Kraus. We all must have been good in ’24, because Larry Claus made a surprise appearance with some Big Red goodies for all. Kevin Fitzpatrick, Charise Hall P’12, and Trey Kraus took John Erath up on his generous offer for free tix to the Georgetown-Coppin State basketball game in D.C. over the holiday week. We started off with a pregame at Clyde’s and took our seats courtside along with many Georgetown basketball greats. Life can be good if you hang around John. What do Malta and Ireland have in common? One of our prolific world travelers, John Erath, visited both in April. I think we all know that


the Emerald Isle is a magical place to visit, but John has great things to say about the Gate of Mdina and the diverse culture and antiquities collected by years of rule by the Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Greeks, Romans, Arabs, Normans, Aragonese, French, and British. John highly recommends visiting both, and when John recommends travel and dining, we all listen. Our annual Night with the Nets was held in February. Thanks go out to Joe Tsai and his assistant, Katrina Wu, for another amazing evening. It’s always a good time when our classmates and family get together, particularly while the Nets were crushing the Heat. It was great to see first-time Night with the Nets participant Tom Bergwall. Joining Tom were classmates Barry Gonzalez, Bob Zochowski P’13, George Atwood P’12 ’18 ’22, Jonathan Baum, John Erath, Pete Maruca, Minson Chen, Justin Burke, Tom Arnold, John Bettex, David Lee P’16, Trey Kraus, and Charise Hall. Do you have an athlete living under your roof? Jeff Bell has been running a summer sports camp in N.Y. State for years. Let’s not forget what a good athlete Jeff was at Lawrenceville and beyond, so your young athlete’s future would be in good hands with Jeff. Barry Gonzalez has been known to make guest coach appearances to help out Jeff. When he is not running the camp, performing maintenance and upkeep, and fundraising, Jeff is spending time with his kids and grandkids. His fourth(!) grandchild, Carlee, just entered the world in March. To celebrate Carlee’s birth, Jeff continues to be the adventurer by skiing down Lone Mountain in Montana (elevation 11,167ft.). Keep on reaching for the stars, Jeff. How’s that for a spring break? Speaking of Barry Gonzalez, he was offered and accepted the women’s basketball assistant coach position at City College of New York. Congratulations, Coach B, and good luck next season. Barry will continue to work his day job as a senior examination specialist for the FDIC in NYC. Jim Gidicsin met Trey Kraus in New Haven at Modern Apizza for an awesome Sunday supper as Trey was passing through. If you ever have the chance to stop in or visit New Haven, try out their home-style pizza. The best-known places are Modern, Sally’s, and Don Pepe. Our 20-minute wait was worth every second as we caught up and enjoyed the nice weather. The importance or noteworthiness of this particular meeting is that Gid had torn his left Achilles tendon the day before. I always knew my catcher was a tough guy, but this is how legends are made. Good luck in your recovery and see you in Cooperstown. Those of us who have played competitive sports know that great referees are few and far apart. A great referee will go unnoticed while keeping the game fair and controversy-free. Our class now has a superstar referee in Chris Niblock P’13. Nibs was last seen on ESPNU refereeing a women’s lacrosse game between No. 1 BC and No. 2 UNC. While in Chapel Hill, Chris managed to connect with our lax captain, UNC Lax captain, and NCAA lacrosse national champion Robbie Russell. Before that, Chris traveled to New Zealand to officiate at the World Master Hockey World Cup. What an honor. While there, he and fiancée Kristin caught a

Trey Kraus ’82, Kevin Fitzpatrick ’82, John Erath ’82, and Charisse Hall H’82 P’12 took in the Georgetown-Coppin State basketball game in Washington.

New assistant coach Barry Gonzalez ’82 in the office with his boss, City College of New York women’s basketball head coach Marcello Di Russo.

David Lee ’82 P’16 and Robert Zochowski ’82 P’13 got caught up at their class’s annual Night at the Nets.

Chris Niblock ’82 P’13 and Robbie Russell ’82 caught up with each other in Chapel Hill at the women’s lacrosse matchup of top-ranked Boston College and UNC, which Chris officiated.

Noah Kauff ’82, Jim Gidicsin ’82 P’17, Trey Kraus ’82 visited an authentic Italian deli on Arthur Avenue in the Bronx.

Phil Schluter ’85 and his wife, Julie, joined Tom Smallhorn ’85 and his wife, Nina, at the Clemson vs. North Carolina State football game in 2024. Tom teaches marketing at Clemson.

Pearl Jam concert before heading to Japan. Also in November 2024, he was honored with the KHSAA Outstanding Field Hockey Official of the Year. Congrats, Chris! Keeping with the amazing athletic achievements, our swimming and water polo captain, Fred Schuster P’15, set a U.S. Masters Swimming age group record in the 400m short-course freestyle event! We wish Fred the best of luck as he headed to Singapore in July to compete at the World Aquatics Masters Swimming Championships. Fred does not have much more to report, as he is spending his time staring at a line on the bottom of the pool, lap after lap, and eating to keep up the calorie count. Just to give you a little perspective; his record time translated to just under 15 seconds each length of the old L’ville pool. Lightning fast for a 60-year-old. Who would think that after first his first L’ville swimming race 45 years ago, I’d still be cheering for Fred. Go, Fred, go! One of our more entertaining classmates is

Noah Kauff. In January, Noah, Gid, and Trey met up for supper at Enzo’s on Arthur Ave. in the Bronx to celebrate the New Year. The food and atmosphere cannot be equaled. I hope we can build on this gathering. While enjoying our chianti and fava beans, we started talks of a Noah-hosted gathering at his home in Irvington, N.Y. I’m in.

1983 Michael Mclaughlin P’12 ’16 ’20 mclaughlinbooks@gmail.com Longtime class secretary P.J. Schwarz P’19 ’20 is stepping down from his role as scribe for the Class of 1983 and passing the baton to Michael McLaughlin P’12 ’16 ’20, whose email is atop this column. The Lawrentian thanks P.J. for his years of outstanding and dedicated service to the class and this space, and gratefully welcomes Michael to the role.

t he law re nt ia n.law re nce v ille .o rg

|

57


L AW R E N T I A NS

1984 Peter Bratti peter@userlogic.com

1985 James Strader jstrader@quattromedia.com Sean Kisner KIZNAR67@gmail.com I thought I’d write a slight recap of Alumni Reunion Weekend festivities from our class’s perspective. After hitting TJ’s Pizza for lunch and then checking in, I got a tour of parts of Tsai from a pair of wide-eyed Second Formers, who I proceeded to terrify with tales of the campus from back in the day when we ran amok like feral cats and dogs. And thankfully there were no cell phones to capture any of it. As it was, I had Fred Gerstell H’68 ’77 comment, “Mr. Strader, interesting to see you’re still attending our fine institution.” On the way across campus, I was stopped by a woman driving around the circle who wanted to ask directions to parking behind Tsai. Turned out it was Edith Eglin H’52 ’65 ’66 ’67 ’70 ’75 GP’19, who looked amazing. She snickered when she said they really don’t let her drive anymore. And she drove on with the biggest grin on her face. Saturday morning, John Devine P’21 ’23 ’25 repped the class during the alumni water polo game. Instead of hitting the pool (I was nursing an arm injury), I ventured an easy walk from the hotel to PJs Pancake House in Princeton with Stephen Wong and Rodney Yap. That brought back great memories. The parade and lunch on the Circle were a great time. It was great seeing Leita Hamill H’65 ’88 ’97 ’99 P’96 ’99 and Charlie Williams ’67 H’98 P’94 ’97 during the parade. Somehow, we managed to wrangle nearly everyone into the class photo. After lunch, the Class sponsored a Holein-One shoot out on the golf course, which no one landed but the guys did seem to enjoy an array of beverages and some fine cigars. Before dinner was the Service of Remembrance, where the names of those lost this past year were read. For posterity, the list of dear classmates that we’ve all lost too soon includes: J.H. Ard, Omar Blackwood, Joseph Cordery, Olin Gentry, Thomas Jenkins, Joseph Leddy, Thomas McGinty, Doug Norkin, Richie Stewart, and Deep Varma. Saturday’s dinner was much more extravagant than anything that we had during our stay in the trenches there. The spread was extensive and the atmosphere raucous. Thank you to Stephen Wong for a fabulous unicorn of a bottle of wine to accompany the evening on Saturday. Also, Jim Brown P’14 ’16 ’19 and Vivi P’14 ’16 ’19 brought out a prestige bottle of one of their family’s fine spirits. Phil Jordan P’24 made an appearance at dinner. (Every time I cross paths with Phil, immediately I recall Jethro Tull and Phil’s big Polk speakers.) We regaled each other with tales of mischief and mayhem. We shared stories of adventures, families and travels. TJ’s Pizza at Clark after the

58 | FA L L 2 0 2 5

T H E L AW R E N T I A N

dinner was a nice touch. But mac & cheese on pizza? Some of the young alums did tease about us all being “old.” We most certainly pushed back at their temerity. Hear that, Class of 2000. Both evenings, the class closed the bar at the hotel after the dust settled on campus. For the history books (and archives) those that attended were: Will Allen P’21, Jefferson Bennett, Jim Brown, Tim Cabot P’17, Rob Chang P’26, Phil Chen, the honorary Graham Cole H’75 ’77 ’78 ’80 ’83 ’86 ’87 P’91 ’95, Jimmy Corrigan, Greg Davis, John Devine, Mark Dingle, Bert Getz P’18 ’20, Andrea Goren, Walt Hajduk, Kendall Hamilton P’23, Harry Heher, Carlos Heilman, Michael Hetelson, Don Jacobs, Rob James, Sean Kisner, Chico Korth, Chris Lauricella, Alex Lee, Marcus Mabry P’27, Anil Mammen, John Martin, John Morris, Andy Mott P’18 ’20, Lyle Muir, Walter O’Leary, Matt Prager, Nick Roegner, Rob Rosenstein, Phil Schluter, Tom Smallhorn, Jim Strader, Curtis Topper, Kevin Volpp P’24, Stephen Wong, Rodney Yap,and Jack Zahner. The Graduate Hotel in Princeton as a home base worked out great. Thank you, Rob James. For those of you who could not attend, gentleman, you were missed. Start planning for five years from now. This venerated place lay the foundations for all that I was to become. I am eternally grateful. Virtus Semper Viridis. Well before Alumni Reunion Weekend, Tom Smallhorn wrote: “For the last two years I’ve been teaching marketing at Clemson University, which I really enjoy. Nina and I relocated from the Bay Area to Greenville, S.C., and we’ve embraced southern living. “We’ve been lucky to have several friends visit. In October John Atherton ’89 made the trip from San Francisco to talk to my retail class about supply chain management. It was a fun lecture for the students, and I learned about the cash conversion cycle. I’m hoping I can get John to lecture again. Phil Schluter and his wife, Julie, arrived just in time to see John before he left. Phil sat in on one of my classes and asked very good questions. Phil, Julie, Nina and I had a great time at the Clemson-N.C. State football game. “A Lawrentian I see frequently is Wick Warrick ’58 P’90 ’92. Wick and his wife, Liz P’90 ’92, live near us. Wick was my uncle’s college roommate. His father, William, Class of 1926, graduated from Lawrenceville, as did his daughter, Tara ’90, and son, Will ’92. Wick’s other daughter, Sam, is married to Jimmy Corrigan. Wick is a longtime rock climber, and he got me into indoor bouldering. We’ve gone fly fishing, done the BMW driving class, and watched Clemson at Death Valley. When he’s not bouldering or doing yoga, Wick teaches shooting at Clemson. I’m lucky to have met Wick. He’s funny, humble, and one of the most inspirational people I know.”

1986 Mike Glen mglen6@yahoo.com Greetings, Gents. Kicking this one off with this from Drew Glikbarg: “Here’s my AI-generated update — Class of ’86 Update from Drew: Hey

everyone — hard to believe our 40th reunion is right around the corner next year! Hope to see you all and catch up properly. Here’s my latest: We said goodbye to our beloved dog, Charlie Glikbarg, after 11 incredible years. He was a true legend and is very missed. On the family front: Kate, my daughter, is a high school sophomore and just crushed another major role in Hadestown. Jack just graduated college and is already out there charming the world in sales. Alex was just promoted to account executive and is getting married this October — somehow, I blinked and raised actual adults. “My wife and I just finished a home remodel (only mildly traumatic) and we’re excited to take some trips in our RV without worrying about drywall dust anymore. I’m still practicing law, with an eye toward retirement sometime in the next decade — or whenever the retirement gods finally smile upon me. Looking forward to seeing everyone next year — can’t wait to trade old stories and new laughs!” It’s a good time to remind everyone that we’ll celebrate our 40th at Alumni Reunion Weekend at Lawrenceville from May 29 to 31, 2026. Burton Baldridge: “I remain in Austin, Tex., operating Baldridge Architects. We have grown in stature if not in size over the last several years and are now working throughout the country. I was elevated to FAIA status by the American Institute of Architects this year so I will be in Boston in early June for the ‘ceremony.’ Think elk antlers. I’d love to hear from whomever is there. I have a project in Rhode Island so I will be back and forth for a while. “My children are now 26 and 22. Dylan is a behavioral biologist at the Memphis Zoo and Elena is finishing up studies at the University of Edinburgh. Lynn and I have been married more than 30 years, and we are now solidly empty nesters — although we do have three dogs. Really looking forward to the reunion. 40 years is a beat. I spoke with John Moore-Jones ’87 a couple of days ago and I see Nathan Koppel from time to time. Aside from that, I have not seen any Lawrentians in quite a while. Always happy when one of you reaches out, though. As always, I can be reached at burton@ baldridge-architects.com. From Arjun Kaji: “Entering my 28 th year practicing neuroradiology in Tallahassee, Fla., with Radiology Associates of Tallahassee, hoping to work maybe 4-5 more years before hanging it up and relaxing. Probably our biggest news is our first daughter Mina blessing us with two grandchildren — Margot, who is now 3, and Wesley, who is just 6 months old now. We are over the moon and enjoy spending time with them when we get to NYC where they live. “Also, very proud of our second daughter Anna who was just accepted to Emory School of Medicine — excited to have a third-generation physician in the family soon! Our third daughter, Maddie, is just about to graduate from NYU Gallatin School and has been fortunate to land a job in her field in NYC and we are very excited for her. Our son Rohan is a freshman at University of Florida and has joined a fraternity. I’ve had a few health issues but I’m still standing. Hope to be able to come and see a few of you at the 40th!” John Lee: “Now that our two children have been out in the working world for 2-4 years, my


wife Kelly and I have taken advantage of the ‘empty nest’ travel lifestyle, with trips this year to Park City Utah, Miami, Fripp Island, S.C., Big Sky, Mont., St. John’s VI, and Miami again for the F1 race. “I was also able to connect with some Kennedy ’86ers over dinner during a February NYC trip — Randall Krongard, Doug Brown, Manish Gautam, and J.C. Keeler (we just missed Mike Glen). It was great catching up with those guys, although a bit jealous that Manish apparently doesn’t age. The old Kennedy stories and characters remain as fresh as ever. If anyone finds themselves in the Philly area, or Nantucket this summer, feel free to reach out.” Jake Bramhall: “I intend to make the reunion next year, and I’m again seeing Tim Nichols, Adam Bennett, and Bill Magod in July at a NASCAR race, this time in Sonoma (we meet at a new track each year.) Due to some family health issues, Elaine and I will be at our home in Sedona most of the rest of this year. While we can’t travel much, we love to see visitors here.” John Gauch: “It was great to catch up with John Dilatush just last week to talk shop and catch up on life developments. Workwise, I continue to support startup CEOs as a fractional COO, and I can’t imagine not doing it. “Lifewise, the big news is around my kids. My younger daughter just finished her first year at Concordia University in Montreal. She’s doing a really cool B.A. program that they call ‘liberal arts,’ centered around reading humanity’s greatest books, from ancient times up until today. My older daughter graduates in May from Rice University, where she studied sociology and fine arts. (We thought she might be a STEM kid, and she is fantastic at math, but there you go.) She’ll be looking for a job in publishing in New York after a family trip to Portugal and Spain this summer. Wishing everyone well.” Brian O’Callaghan: “Team: Hope you are well. Quick update is that my daughter Maggie heads to Indiana this fall following her two brothers (Will, at Miami and Jack, at Denison) to college. Good and weird times…” John Lin: “Been spending a lot of time on Vancouver Island these past couple of years and it’s been awesome after about 30 years in Singapore. This will be my last year with kids in the house daily — all five are on to their own adventures … and so am I. “Planning on splitting my time between the two hemispheres. Here in Van Isle, NYC, and Montana … and Asia would include Singapore and Bangkok. Hit me up if you’re in the hood and we’ll do something fun. john@thegrastaman. com. “So great to recently reconnect to old classmates from Lars N, to JD Liu, to WSI, to Danny T and riffing on everything from UAPs to NFTs. Rockstars they are! Peace, Larries. What good memories we had.” Indeed. Thanks very much for these contributions, guys. I am pleased to report that I recently had a fantastic and long-overdue reconnecting with Fitz Lee P’17 ’21, and have seen a fair amount of J.C. Keeler. I have also been in touch with Ian Muir, Rich Phelan, Dave Sumner, Doug Brown, Erik Hodgetts, Dave Dodge, and Manish Gautam, James Loutit,

High Yield: Lawrenceville’s Class of 1986 has produced three chairs of Dan Rose ’88 and the School’s Investment Committee — Will Robbins ’86, Michael Chae Jonathan Englert ’88 ’86, and Dan Tapiero ’86 P’20 ’22. Here, the three, along with Ben renewed acquaintances Hammond P’23 ’25, Lawrenceville’s CFO, and Head of School Steve in Sydney, Australia, Murray H’54 ’55 ’63 ’65 ’16 P’16 ’21, celebrate Dan’s chairmanship of the last January. committee, during which time Lawrenceville’s return was No. 2 out of 40 leading northeast boarding schools under Dan. Will began his term on July 1.

Cayley Wilson Bazant ’89 and her children Wilson, Chase, and Brennan.

Rome If You Want To: J.P. Kyrillos ’89 and his family enjoyed a trip to Italy.

During a trip to Scotland and Outer Hebrides in fall 2024, Oliver Wharton ’89 shot this image of Jerome Moore ’89, who was dressed for shooting in the field.

Oliver Wharton ’89, who recently opened a sushi speakeasy at The Venetian in Las Vegas, wasn’t sure whether classmates were showing up to see him … or the Dead & Co. show.

and Kirk Rule P’15 ’20. Not being able to make it to two recent meet-ups in Manhattan was a bummer. Hoping to pull together another soon. Please let me know when you’re coming through NYC. Looking forward to our 40th in the spring. Let’s make it a great one while we’re still able to act young and wild and 18 years old when we get together. Any of you reading this now who are not receiving my emails, please send me your current contact information. Cheers, Mike Glen.

1987

1988 Cat Bramhall cat@bramhall.com Flip Romanelli philip.romanelli@cantabgold.net Dan Rose drbroadway@gmail.com Dan Rose “had the pleasure of seeing Jonathan Englert in January. He’s living in Sydney running a successful communications company. We had a great time catching up, I hope he comes back soon, or I’ll just go visit him in Australia.”

John R.P. Moore-Jones jmoorejones@hotmail.com Len Accardi lvilleclassof87notes@gmail.com t he law re nt ia n.law re nce v ille .o rg

|

59


L AW R E N T I A NS

Liz Graupner Mayberry ’91, Terrye Cunningham Verge’91, and Maria Bell ’93 turned out to see Michael Barret Jones ’91 play the role of Edna Turnblad in Hairspray at Prince William Little Theatre in Manassas, Va., in July 13.

1989 J.P. Kyrillos jkyrillos@mac.com O.J. Wharton wharton.oliver@gmail.com We want to acknowledge the passing of our good friend Paul Woodberry, with a remembrance penned by Pete Phelan P’23. “Paul arrived at Lawrenceville from Orinda, Calif., in the fall of 1988 to complete a PG year. He had an infectious personality. He was an incredibly talented water polo player and became a critical part of the Class of 1989’s 22-2 season, taking titles in two of the three major tournaments the team entered. Despite a knee injury during preseason that kept Paul out of the pool for the first six weeks of play, he ended the season as the third-highest goal scorer with 45 goals and 33 assists. He was also a key member of the winter swim season. “While Paul was always comfortable spending his hours in the Lavino natatorium, he needed a little more time to get acclimated to the other elements of an East Coast prep school. Paul felt the dry heat radiators in Upper were insufficient to create a comfortable environment during what he called an ‘abominable’ winter, so he had his parents send menthol steam vaporizers. In the evening, one could find Paul working hard in his room on the essays that were substantially longer than he had been accustomed to writing in his prior high school and deeply inhaling hot steam in his own private Cali spa. “Paul returned to California after graduation to attend the University of California at Berkeley. He contributed greatly to Cal’s three consecutive NCAA water polo championship titles while there. He also found time to be an intimidating rugby player. Never resting on his athletic laurels, after graduating Paul committed to winning the pull-up contest at the Olympic Club, a feat easily achieved given his dedication and natural abilities. “Paul began a successful career in software sales. Despite only spending one year at Lawrenceville, the time greatly impacted him for the rest of his life. This was clear when you walked onto the ultra-modern floor of a tech company in San Francisco and saw Paul proudly sitting in his Lawrenceville captain’s chair while

60 | FA L L 2 0 2 5

T H E L AW R E N T I A N

Michael Barret Jones ’91, Rudy Toledo ’91, Elizabeth Graupner Mayberry ’91, Jenness Steele ’91, and Jenness’ husband, Scott Bostic, were in Virginia to see Michael Barret Jones take a turn as Edna Turnblad in Hairspray.

his co-workers lazed on bean bags. “Paul spent the last year of his life caring for his father. Sadly, Paul passed a few weeks after his father on May 30, 2024. He is greatly missed by his friends and family.” Jerome Moore writes in: “For the fishermen out there … A Permit Trip: Fly to Roatan, spend night in seedy hotel, get on small plane to dirt strip on the horn of Honduras (Lempira). Thoroughly sniffed by local police dogs with their owners toting vintage M-16s. Get into small Panga with a bunch of men I don’t know covered by a tarp to shield us from the spray. Pound our way across shallow bay to mouth of Caribbean. Bags searched by stern-looking Marine Police. Jump from Panga to 40-foot boat for 50-mile trip into a 25-knot starboard beam sea. Have sea water in every orifice after four hours, but not yet totally hypothermic. Reach island the size of Woodhull with some shacks on top, one toothless dog, two geese, and a rooster. Met by a straight-line wind storm surpassing 50-plus knots … but it clears! “Go fishing that afternoon; had two bites, hook one Permit and lost him at boat. Two more days of the same, ended up catching one with God’s help. But alas, a Northerly is blowing in, port will be unpassable if we don’t evacuate at 4 a.m.! We survive the 50-mile sea voyage back to dirt strip. Only weather window that looks plausible is ‘with the wind.’ Pilots give the Sign of the Cross. The corresponding fist bump when we pass 1,200 feet mean sea level was refreshing. Spend another night in a seedy hotel. We enter the commercial skies on a bad weather day. Make it back to MGM at 1:30 a.m. along with four stranded non-regional jets diverted due to weather, filled with upset refugees of the airways. This apparently is what I am doing for fun in my 50s. Who wants in on my next one! Blessings to all. — Jerome.” From Douglas Loutit: “I haven’t chimed in for a while, but my wife, Jada, and I have been living in Essex, Conn., for about six years now. I took a professional turn a few years back and started flying a regional jet for United Express out of Newark. That was an adventurous few years, but lately I’ve been flying the venerable B-737 out of New Haven and Hartford for startup Avelo Airlines. It’s just ten or so days a month, I’m home every night, but they still call it ‘work.’ I can’t believe our good fortune. My father, James R. “Bob” Loutit ’55 P’86 ’89 ’96, is in assisted

living nearby, so we get to visit a lot with him, as well. This summer, Jada and I plan to cruise Magical, our blue Alden flybridge, around southern New England, but we’re hoping for a sojourn to Maine in August. Either way, we are just grateful for the time on the water. If you see us, please say hello!” Chip Crowther writes in the Crowther Family is celebrating two new milestones in May. “Son Charlie will graduate Denison University and, following some overseas travel and fun this summer, he will head to Nashville, Tenn., to start a J-O-B. Slowly weaning them off the payroll. “Our youngest, Heidi, is graduating high school and will study architecture at CU Boulder in the fall where she will meet fellow incoming freshman Wyatt Russell (son of Mike and Anne Russell). Karrie and I are super excited to spend a few parents’ weekends with Mike and Anne over the next four years! Yes, for those counting Heidi will be our fourth child to attend CU Boulder … and no, sadly, we are not Colorado residents. Sko Buffs! “Assuming no boomerangs, Karrie and I will be empty-nesters for the first time in 27 years this fall. We are looking forward to this new chapter which hopefully includes some travel and many visits with fellow Lawrentians!” Cayley Wilson Bazant writes that her son, Wilson, “graduated from Norwich University was and commissioned as a Marine Officer (Semper Fidelis). Brennan is a rising senior on the field hockey team at Davidson College, and Chase is a rising high school senior at Episcopal High School and recently committed to play lacrosse at the University of Utah. Personally, I am excited that J.P. and his family are joining us as neighbors in Rumson-Fair Haven area. Can’t wait to hang out at the beach!” As for your class secretaries, Oliver Wharton just opened another spot in Vegas — sushi speakeasy at The Venetian. I was so lucky to see a few classmates at the opening weekend! Well they might have come to see Dead & Co. too! Come visit anytime or if in Michigan (Charlevoix) this summer where we have built a great escape from Vegas after so many years. Had an amazing trip to Scotland and Outer Hebrides in the fall where Jerome Moore held his own with some great shooting, very non-traditional camo get-up, but in the end converted perfectly to the local ensemble! After five mostly wonderful year living in St. Croix, I (J.P.) am moving to Fair Haven, N.J., this summer. We are looking forward to being close to family and friends. I grew up in the area. And being close to our beloved NYC is a must. We miss the food, culture, music, and people. Please let me know when you’re in the city or New Jersey so we can connect, please! Speaking of food and culture, we took a family trip to Italy over spring break. Our kids, 13 and 10, are the prefect ages for travel, and we are soaking it up whale they still want to hang out with us. O.J. and I hope you are happy and well and look forward to reconnecting very soon!

1990 Wendy Prior Fentress wendyfentress@mac.com


Scarlet by RedDrop

Ellen Halleran Morey ellen.morey@gmail.com Molly Hover McCooey mollymccooey@gmail.com Victor Hsu Vicwhsu@gmail.com

LAWRENTIAN LAURELS

1991

1992 Katie McMahon kwmcmahon007@gmail.com As you read in the last issue of The Lawrentian, our class lost Karen Weber on December 1, 2024. Just days after, her brother, Bruce Weber ’82, shared this story: “I was Class of ’82, back when Lawrenceville was still an all-boys school. Karen was nine years younger and ten grades behind me. She would often come with my parents to concerts or plays or track meets to watch me. Nearly every time, she would say, ‘I’m going to school here.’ ‘Karen,’ I’d reply, ‘it’s an all-boys school, and I don’t know if that’s going to change any time soon.’ She’d just shake her head: ‘I’m going here.’ She just knew it somehow. To my knowledge, we became the first brother and sister to graduate ten years apart. “Karen was enormously proud to be a Lawrentian. She made many lifetime friends at the School, both fellow students and faculty members. Thank you to all of the members of the Class of ’92, and the larger Lawrenceville community, who touched my sister’s life.”

1993 Ashish Shah ashah@lawrenceville.org

1994 Francois Morin francoismorin35@gmail.com Austin Speni austinspeni@gmail.com

1995 Liz Anathan ebanathan@gmail.com Carli Starr carlistarr@hotmail.com

1996 Christopher C. Loutit Loutit@aol.com I hope 2025 finds the Class of 1996 doing very well! If you are interested in helping with the class notes, please let me know. Oliver Sissman writes: “I got married

Co-founder Monica Williams ’91 has gone from informally canvassing shoppers at the mall to earning national distribution through Ulta Beauty for her Scarlet by RedDrop products.

Launching Pad Co-founder Monica Williams ’91 has seen her period-care products designed specifically for tweens take off. It’s been a wild twelve months for Monica Williams ’91. Her four-year-old business, RedDrop, won the $1 million grand prize at the fourth annual Black Ambition Demo Day in Atlanta in November 2024. She then rebranded the business this past August, became a finalist for the 2025 Atlanta Startup Awards, was named one of Pepperdine Graziadio Business School’s Most Fundable Companies of 2025, and expanded into Ulta Beauty supply stores nationwide. Through it all, Williams has continued to watch with satisfaction as her product becomes an increasingly valuable ally to young girls on the precipice of puberty – commonly known as “tweens.” Scarlet by RedDrop, the new name of the company Williams founded with her daughter, Dana Roberts, was created on the idea to help girls navigate their first periods with confidence. By creating the first period-care products designed specifically for tween bodies and providing education to make periods less scary, Scarlet by RedDrop has earned plenty of attention – and backing – in the business community. “There are a lot of people talking about this thing,” Williams told Rachel Wallace in Entrepreneur. “[W]e’ve been able to start conversations and community around normalizing and desexualizing periods. I honestly attribute our growth to the fact that for generations we as women have figured it out with subpar products, or even great products that just didn’t fit well for young girls.” Williams, who graduated from Howard University before earning her M.D., is also glad to strike a chord with investors who have historically been reluctant to fund Black-owned startups. In 2023, Black-founded startups received less than 0.5 percent of the $140 billion in venture capital invested into American startups, according to data firm Crunchbase. That was the purpose of the Black Ambition Demo Day in Atlanta, established by entertainer and entrepreneur Pharrell Williams (no relation to Monica). “It’s like, girls are worth it,” Monica Williams told the Atlanta JournalConstitution. “It’s a validation of us and our ability to run this company, but … the purpose is really to provide a better experience for girls.”

t he law re nt ia n.law re nce v ille .o rg

|

61


L AW R E N T I A NS

else. Within that time and space, you’re allowed to dream; it’s ‘only in our dreams can [we] be truly free.’ Once we bring our dreams to fruition outside the main gates, we spread the School’s virtuous mission to all the green spaces of the world. “And yes, I have now started giving back and supporting The Lawrenceville Fund. It really just came down to resetting my password for the monthly automated donation platform.”

Lindsay Cain Hearon ’92 and Riley O’Neil ’92 had fun catching up over spring break in Florida with their daughters Mabel and Jane, who not only became fast friends but have started a budding pen-pal friendship.

Oliver Sissman ’96 and Deborah Wassel were married in January 2024.

Matt Schneider ’96 and Aparna Kesarwala ’96 were on hand for the wedding of classmate Oliver Sissman ’96 in 2024.

Chris Pryor ’96 and his firm, LeadTeam Partners, hosted a summit in Washington, D.C., in August drew Nancy Nanka-Bruce ’95 and Tim Wood ’96.

in January of 2024 at Arcadia University in Philadelphia. Matt Schneider and Aparna Kesarwala from our class were there. My wife’s name is Deborah Wassel. I’m attaching a picture with Matt and Aparna.” Jean Chen writes, “Class of 1996, it’s been almost 30 years since we graduated. I am currently living in Switzerland and in the process of moving back to Hong Kong in July. Would love to catch up with any other fellow Lawrentians based there. I will miss all the beautiful hikes in Switzerland.” Karen Waldner Williams writes, “Rob and I continue to make our home in the ’burbs of Portland, Ore. We love the Pacific Northwest and welcome any visitors to our neck of the woods. Our kids are now 17, 13, and 10. What!?!? We had an amazing vacation last summer attending the Paris Olympics, and are looking forward to our 30th reunion next year.” After a 20-plus year career in independent schools, Chris Pryor launched his own firm, LeadTeam Partners, to support school leaders by easily connecting them with vetted K12 external school partners. His LeadTeam Partners Summit in Washington, D.C., in August gathered school leaders and external school partners from across the country. One of the external school partners in attendance was Nancy Nanka-Bruce ’95, the senior director of marketing and communications at Strategenius. Tim Wood joined Chris to help execute the event, which featured Ben Harris, former assistant secretary for economic policy and chief economist for the U.S. Treasury Department, as the summit’s keynote speaker. Learn more about LeadTeam Partners at leadteampartners.com.

62 | FA L L 2 0 2 5

T H E L AW R E N T I A N

1997 Christina Del Vecchio Tuller cmdelvecchio@gmail.com Omar-John Chavez and Kevin Tse returned to campus for different family reasons. Omar says: “While we were impressed with the School’s upgrades, it was comforting to see that the spirit of Hamill House lives on and endures. In my recent trip to the Philippines, I was shocked by the (extent of and) ways Mark Villar has transformed the Philippines. It’s no secret that sound infrastructure and water sanitation are the keys to success for my country of heritage. But the Philippines is light years ahead from where it was 25-plus years ago, when we last departed Hamill House and the Circle. Selfishly, I’d like to think I made a small impact. By escorting my housemates and classmates senior year in the Blue Wrangler up and down Routes 1, 95, and the Turnpike, these mundane experiences planted the seeds for what was possible. “As for me? It took 30 years (probably longer than what Mr. Maxey envisioned), but I finally came to understand and truly embrace my short two-year experience at the School. Highlights are up on my Facebook page, but returning to campus on my 46th birthday brought this journey full circle. Our parents may have thought they were buying access to elite colleges. But Mr. Olmsted and the founders knew otherwise. What is the purpose of the Circle House System and Virtus Semper Viridis? You’re buying peace of mind and open space to truly connect with people you would never meet anywhere

1998 Benjamin Lester benjaminr.lester@gmail.com Greetings to the Class of 1998! A few quick updates from your classmates: David Fingerhut writes: “Eva, Ruthie, and I took a trip to Costa Rica over Ruthie’s spring break from kindergarten. We hiked all over Arenal Volcano as well as the surrounding rain forest, spent time soaking in the hot springs, and flew across some high wire zip lines. In 2024, I switched practices and joined Charles Retina Institute. It’s been a great move as I am privileged to work alongside the foremost retina specialist in the world and teach fellows.” Tanya Nichols shared some very exciting news: “I’m engaged but other than that I don’t have any major updates. Maybe at the next class notes, we can share that news with a wedding photo or something. I’ll keep you posted!” Congrats, Tanya! Finally, Worth Stokes checked in: “Just had a whirlwind adventure and learned some amazing very cool stuff! Started working with a consultant on a rebrand and exploring a new book project. Perhaps someone in our network has a nice quiet place for me to get a bit of writing done.” Anyone want to rent out a place for Worth to write her bestseller? Whitney Farnum Garner checked into say, “We are on our tenth year in South Florida and I hope to never leave! I have been freelancing/ consulting in sales with various small fashion brands for the last umpteen years, which led me to help open the ASHA store in Palm Beach in September 2024. It has been a great experience and I am in the store a few days for now. “My life is full these days with my boys, 11 and 13, who are sports nuts and frankly I’ve become one too. Baseball and football are their current passions. My oldest heads to high school next year and will be playing football. They have me so into all of this that I found myself watching the recent NFL Draft solo! Mind-blowing change for this gal. “My active youth has led to serious knee issues and I’ve hadthree surgeries and still will have more. My tennis game is on the back burner as a result, but planning to focus on golf, especially because I live on a golf course! It’s time. Take care of your knees! “I keep up regularly with Nuge, Milano, Candace, Cary, Rebecca, Caroline, Annabel, and Billie. It’s so great to have such lifelong friends.


“If anyone is ever in the Delray Beach area, I covet any time with my fellow Big Red alums so please don’t be a stranger.” Jess Bolkcom says: “I seem to be seeing Lawrentians a decent amount, but regrettably never in a large group. In trailing months, I have been able to catch up with Noah Horowitz (dinner with kids), Harris Swenson, Pete Fishman, and Drew Butler (pizza in Brooklyn ahead of a rare late night out), and Andrew Robertson (coffee in New York and golf in Phoenix). I even saw Dane Almassy and Laura Kornhauser ’99 in Washington Square Park in April, but they disappeared before I could catch them! “A quick welcome back to NYC, Pete Fishman of Bacon Hot Sauce lore — you are so money, baby. All remains well on my end; still living in New York with my wife and two daughters, 6 and 7, and working in finance/investor relations. Wishing everyone well!” Folks, keep those updates coming!

Karen Waldner Williams ’96 and Rob Williams ’96 enjoyed a hike in the beautiful Columbia River Gorge in Oregon, where they live.

Omar-John Chavez ’97 returned to his old haunt, Hamill House, earlier in 2025.

David Fingerhut ’98, along with wife Eva and little Ruthie, enjoyed a trip to Costa Rica over Ruthie’s spring break from kindergarten.

Benji Griswold ’99 P’28, Andrea DeMuth Griswold ’99 P’28 and their children, Blake, Alexandra, and Benji Jr. ’28, basked in the late-afternoon sun.

1999 Perry Kalmus perrykalmus@gmail.com My fellow ’99ers: These are difficult times and the only way a class survives is through strong leadership like my own. It appears that shots have been fired across the bow by the Class of ’98. To be clear, we welcome the challenge. We have already adopted Dane Almassy ’98 and Milano (Miodini) Buckley ’98 from your class and we are not afraid to adopt more to dismantle your attempt at usurping greatness. Lawson McNeil Wijesooriya ’98, Breandan Nemec ’98, Cicero Salmon ’97, Justin Sughrue ’98, Liz Chew Viele ’98, Pete Fishman ’98, and Charles Porter ’97 are all in play. Also, in the great spirit of firing shots across bows, we engage an old adage: “When shots are fired across your bow, don’t just respond in kind, but attack other bows to display dominance! So, we challenge the Class of 1998 — your class notes are, well, “weak” would be the euphemism. Insignificant would be apropos. [Ed. Note: Perry’s shots across the bow were also directed at a handful of other classes, but we at The Lawrentian are grateful for the efforts of all our class secretaries, who somehow make time for this humble endeavor. We also appreciate the fine work of class secretary Ben Lester ’98, whose challenge to Perry in the previous issue spurred this unprecedented show of aggression. Ben, you asked for it! — S.R.] Guys. We are officially at the age where members of our class are sending their kids to Lawrenceville! Someone please slow down time, or preferably, reverse it! Benji Griswold P’28 writes, “Andrea DeMuth Griswold P’28 and I have three kids. Benji Jr., 15, Alexandra, 13, and Blake, 10. Benji Jr. is heading to Lawrenceville this fall! Alexandra and Blake are at the Palm Beach Day Academy. After a decade at the U.S. Attorney Offices, Andrea became a partner at Skadden Arps this past the fall. Also, I get to see a bunch of Cameron Lickle!” Congrats, Andrea on the big gig! Speaking of kids, two Lawrentian spawn

entered the world on the same day. Naia Kalmus (my daughter) and Emilia Choi (Michael Choi’s daughter) were both born on December 18, 2024! Now they have no choice but to be friends. And to attend Lawrenceville! Debra Fisher was in L.A. and it was truly phenomenal to see her and reconnect! Love you, Deb! Eve Ledyard writes, “I am officially ensconced in Camden, S.C., with an Irish fiancé, a farm, and burgeoning horse business, Lio Stables — follow us on Facebook! We are slowly transitioning out of horse racing (though we do have a nice 3-year-old to campaign in steeplechase races as soon as he stops growing and I decide we should wake him up) and spend most of our time re-training ex-racehorses to fox hunt, show, and jump. Still, we managed a nice trip to Prout’s Neck last week, as well as a quick overnight with my sister Anne ’02, who is living the farm life in Lambertville, where she teaches yoga. Youngest sister, Kate ’03, has been helping me in Camden while NYC cleans itself up. We and the horses and dogs will certainly miss her when she returns to the fashion world! “Beyond that, the garden is exploding with tomatoes, cucumbers, eggplant, squash, peppers, and herbs galore. We will be cooking up a storm when we return from Ocala the end of the week! Tally ho!” Debon Lewis, in addition to being a model double-girl dad, and in addition to being a cofounder of AKALA, our amazing company trying to level the playing field in access to guidance for our nation’s youth, has also launched his new consulting website. Check it out at transformativegrowthpartners.com.

Even though it’s been around for a while with many clients, Stu Lord is officially public with his architecture firm. Check out lordstu.com. I have to say, Stu worked on my friend’s house (the crazy cool one on his website) and really knocked it out of the park. He is also working on David Pryor’s new build and the designs are awesome. I also got a personal tour of the house Stu just completed in Malibu. It is a truly impressive piece of art, and someone is going to live in it! Congrats, Stu! Vanessa and I surprised Stu’s wife, Hannah, for her birthday up in Carpinteria and we paid a billion dollars for one scoop of ice cream, but in fairness, it was delicious. And Stu’s son, Niko, relatively new to the world, is taking it by storm! Finally, Stu traveled to Indiana to see my best friend, Evan Gilbert, who just returned from a year long trip around the world with his family. Stu and Evan went to the Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Indiana Pacers NBA championship Game 6! Stu, ever the bandwagon fan, is now a huge Pacers fan. Speaking of David Pryor: He was able to take his daughter outside into the elements for the first time in mid-June. Read that again. MID. JUNE. She has been stuck indoors since October thanks to the lovely weather in Chicago. But David insists it’s a great place to live! “Cold is a mindset. If you believe it’s not negative 20 outside, then it’s not … even though it is.” Riiiiiiight, David. David’s wife, Stephanie, is a huge Chicago Fire fan. “I’ve been on the board of the Chicago Fire since they first arrived in our great city. It was really fun to leave David with Maya and travel to Orlando for a team retreat. I met a lot of David’s heroes that weekend

t he law re nt ia n.law re nce v ille .o rg

|

63


L AW R E N T I A NS

Stephanie Hall Coffin ’00 and Megan Drucker Lucinda Halpern ’00 enjoyed dinner with Ben Genkin ’00 ran the Boston Marathon in April. Coffin and Stephanie Hall Coffin ’01 following the Stephanie also received her 6 Star Medal, an New York City Marathon. award given by the Abbott World Marathon Majors to runners who complete all six of the original World Marathon Major races: Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago, and New York City.

On a return to Lawrenceville in the spring, Katherine Carter Files ’01 and daughter Madeline spent some time with Holly Burks Becker H’98 P’06 ’09 ’12 picking out Lawrenceville merchandise in the Big Red Store.

Several Denver, Colo., Lawrenceville alumnae enjoyed some great conversation and reminiscing at the annual Coast to Coast Crescent toast in March, including Lauren Howe ’01, Sarah Walker ’16, Lucy Cram ’13, Kate Culbertson ’13, Kate Fitzpatrick Lievens ’99, and Sarah Brooks Delp ’05.

Austin Tate ’01, Trevor Sholly ’01, and Simon Hong ’01 met up for a fun-filled weekend outdoors in Asheville, N.C.

Moriah Kenyon Rosenblum ’01, Chris Moore ’00, and their families celebrated the Island School’s 25 years on Eleuthera.

Meg Panzer ’02, Cale Spaulding ’02, Adam Wax ’02, and Justin Mascitelli ’02 were “grateful” to get together in Las Vegas for a Dead & Company show at the Sphere.

Brandy Hawk ’02 married Stephen Head in 2022, and the couple welcomed Drexel Hawk Head in 2024.

64 | FA L L 2 0 2 5

T H E L AW R E N T I A N

including Messi, Ronaldo (the Brazilian one) and Ruud van Nistelrooy!” Kiki Nwasokwa is now the chief marketing officer at an AI startup. She’s also going to teach me how to use a darn calculator! Cat McManus is inspiring us all that it’s never too late to get back into your passions! She writes, “The big news is that I’ve finally got back into rowing! Despite living a half mile from Kelly Drive’s boat houses in downtown Philly for close to 20 years, it’s taken this long for me to jump back in. I’ve got to hit 50 miles in a ‘gig’ to row a racing scull, but I’m determined to compete, even if not in a scull, yet. Definitely a case of better late than never. “I’ve also been conscripted to co-lead a troop of middle school Girl Scouts in addition to the elementary-age troop I’ve been with for several years. This past year was particularly exciting for its focus on advocacy, deliberative decision-making (a.k.a. democracy), opportunities to interact with city councilmembers, and doing things like jewelry-making, scratch cooking, and maple-syrup making. I continue to lead the treeplanting initiative in my neighborhood, with 56 trees slated for November of 2025! Life with a teenager and an almost-double-digit-preteen has its ups and downs but no complaints — everyone sleeps through the night! “We look forward to summer when we will get to spend time with family at the Delaware beaches and — for the first time — be child-free as our kids go to sleepaway camp for the same week. OMG. What will we do with ourselves?! Suggestions welcome. Hope all the L’99s are living their best lives, whatever form(s) that takes.” Chelsea Richter Hamilton writes, “I’ve been changing up quite a bit of things (can’t remember what my last update was). Doing a big career pivot. Looking to buy a company down in the Jacksonville area (still actively searching) and become an SME owner/operator. That means we’re sticking a bit closer to home this year although we do have plans to visit Alex Duff and his wife over the summer, and we get together with Logan and Sydney in town from time to time. Mike and dogs are well.” Mikailah McKee has some exciting news. After almost 11 years of campaigning, lobbying, and passionately slaving over the rights of the Blue Creek for the Yurok tribe, they conserved a whopping 73 square miles of nature, including a salmon sanctuary! It’s a massive win for the Yurok and also for nature. John Walsh’s company, Walsh Senior Solutions, continues to thrive. He has actually helped to downsize or move for many of our classmates’ families and the families of Lawrenceville alums. At this point, he is managing multiple move projects per day. He was also excited to see his son complete his first year of lacrosse, following in his old man’s footsteps! Also, not to be outdone, John’s wife, Lindsey, is crushing it with her interior design firm. She recently designed the entire interior of a 15-bedroom mansion! Speaking of downsizing, Adam Fein has moved to a new house in McLean, Va. Dave Pryor, John Walsh, and I will all be visiting in September and hope to also see Michelle Miller


Mikol, Debon Lewis, Mike Walsh, and others. Laura Kornhauser and Dane Almassy ’98 have been doing a lot of “staycationing” in NYC. As Dane notes, “You know, Perry, so many New Yorkers forget that we live in the greatest city on the planet. The whole world comes to see this city. Shouldn’t we see it too? From the Empire State Building to the New York Public Library to Penn Station, to the Serendipity Café, (shout out to John Cusack and Kate Beckinsale. And to the frozen hot chocolate!), I want to get to know the city all over again, but through the eyes of my two young boys. It has really been soul-energizing and mindset-refreshing. It’s like right now the boys are microgreens (shout out to my company, AeroFarms), growing to become solid oak trees (shout out to Jerry Maguire. My word is strong as oak!).” Laura and Dane have joined Gillian Hearst for a number of fundraising galas to raise money for incredible causes ranging from the arts to the botanical gardens to medicine. We are all getting excited to see Gillian at her ranch in Northern California in July. Laura Kornhauser, Dane Almassy ’98, Courtney Thompson Friel, Mike Kornhauser ’96, and I will be there with our now little army of future Lawrentians! After multiple years in the same city, I finally got to see Rudy Lewis for a great stroll the famed Abbott Kinney Road in Venice, Calif. Unfortunately for me, he left the following week for Park City, Utah! If anyone finds themselves there, don’t hesitate to hit him up. It was great catching up and hearing about his latest and greatest adventures. I am also the very fortunate recipient of a several-times-per-week facetime from Ryan Hunter’s daughter, Izzy. She is one of the cuter things on the planet and our conversations cover so many topics from her favorite foods to soccer to her refusal to heed her father’s pleadings to go to bed. I also got to hang with Ryan’s amazing wife, Stephanie, when she was in L.A. Seeing the fashion icon is always the highlight of my year. She did, however, inform me that NYC’s best croissant, to which she introduced me, Mah-Ze-Dahr Bakery, has tragically shut down … which promptly ruined my year. I saw Simone Sobel and her awesome son, West, over Memorial Day weekend. Simone has been in overdrive for work traveling to multiple countries and states in the last few months but she was excited to have a free day. Devon Farrell is trying to, in his own words, “teach a man to fish.” As such, his children will be launching businesses this summer ranging from a LemApple Stand (lemonade and apple juice are stars of the show, but there will be “farm-tostand” seasonal juices like strawberry-blueberry and watermelon-mango) to a healthy hot dog stand. “First and foremost, these kids need to learn the core fundamentals of business, from inventory to time-management, sales, marketing, etc.” Devons says. “And second, they need to learn the value of a dollar. Or at least the value of a bitcoin.” That’s right folks, Devon is so “modern” and “with the times” that he his kids’ respective businesses will accept crypto as a form of payment!

2000 Gena Ciccone Reisig gena.reisig@gmail.com Lucinda Halpern lucindabarr@gmail.com Shep Cynamon shepard.cynamon@gmail.com All that needs to be said is how much Lucy Halpern is looking forward to the party of the century, otherwise known as the Lawrenceville 25-year reunion. To have survived high school and also 25 years on top of that?! Wow. What a feat. She has loved all the planning efforts that have re-bonded her with classmates like Nancy Carlson Bailey, Natasha Trifun, Chris Gill, Sabeen Ahmad, Cahill Zoeller, Shep Cynamon, and Hattan Jabban, reminded of why the School is so special in the first place. Lucy counts down the days to when Olivia and Grace might also fall in love with Lawrenceville as she and her siblings did! Lucy also had the pleasure of a fabulous dinner with Steph (Hall) Coffin and her husband Ben following the NYC marathon. It was as though no time had passed. She misses Steph’s contagious smile and humor, but she is so proud of the life she’s built, and the marathons she’s been running! Caroline Bogucki Cross ran into Nur-e Rahman Freedman in, of all places, Paris while waiting for the train to Versailles! They briefly caught up and are looking forward to seeing each other at reunion! When not corralling her kids through Europe, Caroline lives in Mount Vernon, Va., and works in D.C., while her husband owns a few restaurants in Alexandria (*cough cough*: shameless plug for Chalkboard Wings & BBQ and Hops N Shine.) Caroline is also reliving high school and going with Jackie Tsai to see the Backstreet Boys at the Sphere in Las Vegas in August. Adam Spector is the CEO and founder of a great small business called Chore. “Happy father of two, living in San Francisco for the past 15 years,” Adam writes. “Excited to see everyone at reunion. Hard to imagine it’s been 25 years! It almost feels like yesterday.”

2001 Katherine Carter Files katherinecfiles@gmail.com Anne Rain Brown annerainbrown@gmail.com Austin Tate writes: “Simon Hong, Trevor Sholly, and I met up for a fun-filled weekend to take in everything Asheville, N.C., had to offer. It was a fun weekend of good eats, sports, and some healthy competition, as always. We may not be as young as we used to be, but we’re still trying to keep climbing mountains with the young bucks.” Moriah Kenyon Rosenblum “celebrated Island School’s 25 years on Eleuthera with Chris Moore ’00 and of course the Maxey crew and many more L’ville grads. Fun times getting our kids together down there and surreal being the OG alumni!” In the spring, Katherine Carter Files “had

the pleasure of getting to spend some time with the one and only Holly Burks Becker H’98 P’06 ’09 ’12. She helped my family pick out some Lawrenceville merch, and we got photobombed by my youngest, Madeline!”

2002 J.P. Hazenberg jphazenberg@gmail.com Nina Kumar ninamkumar@gmail.com Lauren McDermott lmmcdermott@gmail.com “A lot has happened since I last sent an update,” Brandy Hawk writes. “I got married March 26, 2022, to Stephen Head and had my son, Drexel Hawk Head on April 26, 2024! We just celebrated his first birthday in Disney World last month.”

2003 Kristen Aland kristen.aland@gmail.com Sophie Fitzgerald Burke sophiefburke@gmail.com

2004 Brad Gulick brad.gulick@gmail.com Sarah Sakson sarah.sakson@gmail.com

2005 Bayless Sword bayless.sword@gmail.com Hans von Meister is really looking forward to reunions and hopes that if anyone is ever in Shanghai, they give him a ring. On June 22, 2024, Brookes Moody married Zach Mueller! She felt so lucky to have J.C. Calcerano officiate and Katie Fischer and John Stuckey serve in her wedding party. John Aland, Matty Atwater, Sarah Brooks Delp, Emily Wilson Elipas, Jenna Forte, and Simone Humphrey also made the trip to Rhode Island to attend. Alexe Smith Sanchez and Juan Sanchez could not be more grateful and happy to have welcomed their son, James Andrew, on July 10, 2024. Cate, 3, has been the sweetest big sister to baby James! Ram Sivalingam produced a film called The Line, which might have the best collection of young talent for any indie film out there: Halle Bailey, who voiced a character in The Little Mermaid, Alex Wolff (Hereditary, Oppenheimer, A Quiet Place), Angus Cloud (Euphoria), Austin Abrams (Euphoria and Wolfs), and Lewis Pullman (Top Gun), plus John Malkovich, Denise Richards, Cheri Oteri, and Scoot McNairy. Rams Says: “It’s a male coming-of-age story that is part satire and part dark thriller. It’s the antithesis of Animal House in many ways. They premiered at Tribeca t he law re nt ia n.law re nce v ille .o rg

|

65


L AW R E N T I A NS

Big sister Adeline is taking good care of baby sister Nora Paige Camperi, who was born to Melissa Buck ’05 and husband Nick Camperi in January 2025.

Emily Wilson Elipas ’05 and Chris Elipas welcomed Willa Marie Elipas in April, much to the delight of big brothers Loyal and Andrew.

Jenna Forte ’05, Sarah Brooks Delp ’05, Simone Humphrey ’05, Katie Fischer ’05, John Stuckey ’05, Brett Moody Bodnar ’03, Emily Wilson Elipas ’05, Matty Atwater ’05, Anna Flickinger ’10, Kelsey Moody ’08, and John Aland ’05, were on hand to celebrate the wedding of Brookes Moody ’05 and Zach Mueller, which was officiated by J.C. Calcerano ’05.

Alexe Smith Sanchez ’05 and Juan Sanchez welcomed James Andrew in July 2024. Alexe says that 3-year-old Cate has been the sweetest big sister to baby James.

Pete Devlin ’08, Mike Sisti ’08, and Tess Liegeois ’08 spent a weekend with Evan Kalkus ’08 In Vermont at Evan’s ski house, where his children, Landon and Hayden, kept things running.

Payson Sword Houfek ’08 welcomed baby Henry William Houfek on February 14, 2025.

film festival in the spotlight section and have strong reviews from top critics! We are live on Amazon and Apple after a national theater run!” He would like to thank his sister-in-law, Soleil Roberts ’04, Jonathan Dixon, Pete Shaheen, Joey Brown, and Mo Yang for supporting him in this endeavor. Ram and Jon Dixon are also producing a documentary film about the lives of two very prominent NBA coaches. Erik Fogg is happily working on building a new vision for higher education in Boston at a company he founded called Futures Forge. He had a ton of fun this last summer living out of a dormitory to teach a summer program as an MVP. Innovators, visionaries, and allies welcome! Reach out: erik@futuresforge.org. John Aland had a busy end of August 2024, as he and his siblings, Kristen ’03 and Scott ’07, traveled to Los Angeles to fulfill their lifelong dream of embarrassing themselves on national TV. The trio made a memorable appearance on Pop Culture Jeopardy (airing on Amazon Prime Video!), and somehow missed Brandon Shields ’03, who was filming his own episode of Wheel of Fortune. Sybil Bunn Pool is excited to see everyone at the reunion, and her kids can’t wait to explore campus. She also recently launched her own travel PR company, Klima PR, working with luxury hotels around the world. Julia Merriman Traggorth has moved (and expanded) her sustainable general store to Marshfield, Mass. Folks can follow along (or shop!) at @fourcornerssupply. Emily Wilson Elipas and her husband, Chris, welcomed Willa Marie Elipas into the world on April 22. Big brothers Loyal and Andrew are thrilled to have her home and can’t wait to teach her how to be a cheeky monkey. Melissa Buck welcomed her second daughter, Nora Paige Camperi, with her husband Nick on January 14. Big sister Adeline is obsessed. She also had a nice time at the Bay Area alumni event and enjoyed catching up with Elissa Niemiera Fagelson and Sam Fagelson! Tammi Cunningham is celebrating the middle school promotion of her son Cory KingCunningham to high school. Cory plans to apply to Lawrenceville in 2026! They are very excited.

2006 Sarah Hennemuth sally.hennemuth@gmail.com

2007 Anna Ruddle Derbyshire anna@yosemite.co Nitin Agarwal is working on her Executive M.B.A. at the Wharton School of Business — no mean feat with a 9-month-old daughter! Doyin Okulate ’08 and Hiro Shimoto ’08 took in the holiday lights.

Kat Widing ’08 and Mary Van Meter Baker ’08 introduced their babies, Theo Spicehandler and Florence Baker, to each other in December 2024.

2008 Mythili Iyer mythili.iyer@gmail.com Tess Liegeois spent MLK weekend in Vermont

66 | FA L L 2 0 2 5

T H E L AW R E N T I A N


with Mike Sisti, Pete Devlin, Evan Kalkus at Evan’s ski house with his wife, Emily, and kids, Landon and Hayden. Effusive reviews as well, weekend deemed “super fun. Pete even taught me how to cross-country ski.” Mythili Iyer met up with Maria Zheng on her way through London on both ends. She also welcomed Sydney Plummer, new transplant Amanda Lopez ’09, and Kevin Yeh (whom she also saw in NYC in December). Over the holidays she also had a traditional Christmas Eve dinner with Lindsay Dow, albeit on the 22nd. Sydney visited Pari,s where she met up with the ever beautiful Gaia von Meister, and Doyin Okulate caught up with Hiro Shimoto in March while visiting Tokyo! Mary Van Meter Baker shares: “Kat Widing and I got to introduce our babies to each other this past December in Brooklyn (and couldn’t pass up an opportunity to have them match)!” Kat welcomed Theo Spicehandler in January 2024, and Florence Baker was born in July 2024. Hopefully some future Class of 2042 best friends… Additional future Lawrentians: Payson Sword Houfek welcomed Henry William Houfek on February 14, 2025. Some campus news: Haley Carstensen Johnson, Rory MacQueen, Oliver Barnum ’13, and Latif Alam presented to students, faculty on generative AI, and launched the LvilleCreatorFund to support the usage of generative AI on campus for storytelling initiatives. And finally, thanks to the president’s executive order ending remote work, Matt Miller actually moved back down to D.C. in April, but not before going to the wedding of Nick Phillips in New York (where Rory MacQueen was also in attendance).

Jay Lindseth ’11 and Brendan Byrne ’11 celebrated Regan Kerney H’49 ’95 ’98 ’99 ’03 ’11 as the Irishman of the Year at the Friendly Sons & Daughters of Saint Patrick of Princeton’s annual St. Patrick’s Day Dinner.

Jessie Lee ’13 married Steven Shi in May, with Amanda Abdi ’13, Priyanka Chodhari ’13, Alicia Jetton ’13, Lizzy Choi ’13, Kate Culbertson ’13, Jon Wai ’13, and Jacky Lam ’14 in attendance.

Sanibel Chai Lazar ’11 celebrated the launch of her book To Have and Have More (authored as Sanibel) in New York’s East Village with Max Luo ’13, Taylor Laub ’11, Jackson Berg ’11, Caroline Zhu ’11, and Allison Otis ’10 in April.

Kelly Zochowski ’13 and Peter Kuenne ’13 were married in June at Bay Head Yacht Club in New Jersey. Note the name of the boat on the left of the image.

Nick Fenton ’13 officiated the July 2024 wedding of classmate Alexa Rangecroft ’13 to Walker Sullivan.

2009 Gavin Leung gav.leung89@gmail.com Yuliya Mykhaylovska ymykhaylovska@gmail.com

2010 Lucinda Mejer Lucinda.mejer@gmail.com Bianca Okolie bokolie10@gmail.com Rebecca Marrow rebecca.rosemarrow@gmail.com

2011 Brendan Byrne bbyrne476@gmail.com Heather Hoffman heathhoff@gmail.com

2012 Madeleine Matsui madeleine.matsui@gmail.com Emma Waugh emma.w.waugh.16@gmail.com

Alexa Rangecroft ’13 and Walker Sullivan were married in July 2024 in Balitmore, with Andrew Kukla, Nick Fenton ’13 Jonathan Hayden ’13, Jason Larson H’03 ’19 ’20, Julia Minnetian ’13, Sara Schroder ’13, Cameron Rangecroft ’15, and Alexandra Romney ’13 there to celebrate.

2013 Celia Aidinoff caidinoff@gmail.com Kelley Barnes Kelleybarnes27@gmail.com Olivia Fleming oliviafleming@me.com Kelly Zochowski and Peter Kuenne were married on June 28 at Bay Head Yacht Club in Bay Head, N.J., with Carin Carroll, Ben Hicks ’11, Jake Hicks ’14, proud dad Bob Zochowski ’82 P’13, best man William Kuenne ’17, and Sarah Perringer Dougherty ’14 in attendance. Kelly says: “Special shout-out to Dr. Keith Voss — without

Jess Castelo ’14 got engaged to Jamie Guider in December 2024.

Kate Gulbrandsen ’14 celebrated her upcoming wedding last April with Megan Norris Grant ’14 and Mary Larkin ’14 in Palm Beach, Fla.

his insanely hard pre-calc BC class, our love never would have blossomed over working out problem sets in consult!” Jessie Lee married Steven Shi in Shanghai on May 10, with Amanda Abdi, Priyanka Chodhari, Alicia Jetton, Lizzy Choi, Kate Culbertson, Jon Wai, and Jacky Lam ’14 in attendance. Alexa Rangecroft and Walker Sullivan celebrated their first anniversary on July 13. The couple were married in 2024 at the Baltimore Museum of Art, with Nicholas Fenton officiating the ceremony and plenty of Lawrentians in attendance, including Andrew Kukla, Jonathan Hayden, Jason Larson H’03 ’19 ’20, Julia Minnetian, Sara Schroder, Cameron Rangecroft ’15, and Alexandra Romney.

t he law re nt ia n.law re nce v ille .o rg

|

67


L AW R E N T I A NS

LAWRENTIAN LAURELS

AI for the Better

Under a Marshall Scholarship, Ghael Fobes ’17 is studying the ethics and efficacy of AI usage. Ghael Fobes ’17, who established L10 News as a Lawrenceville student and is now an associate White House producer with the NBC News White House Unit, was selected as a 2025 Marshall Scholar in December. The Marshall Scholarship program was created by an Act of British Parliament in 1953 as a living memorial to former U.S. Secretary of State Gen. George C. Marshall and American assistance provided following World War II. The scholarship allows up to three years of fully funded graduate study in any academic topic at any university in the United Kingdom. Fobes was one of just 36 students selected from around the country. A 2022 graduate of the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University, Fobes plans to pursue two master’s degrees – in data and artificial intelligence (AI) ethics and in future governance – at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland. He began producing for NBC News as an intern in college. In his current role, he has a firsthand perspective on the role that AI is playing in journalism today. “I think the effects right now are pretty wide-ranging and pose some great opportunities and challenges,” Fobes says. “For example, we’ve been using artificial intelligence tools at NBC News to make transcription more efficient and effective. We also use them to help verify the provenance of social media content. As for challenges, I think anybody using social media has seen a flood in content created with generative AI. That presents significant obstacles to journalists’ ability to quickly determine the veracity of content.” Building upon his Marshall experience, Fobes hopes to return to NBC News ready to lead an innovation office embedded in the network’s newsgathering operation. “My goal is to develop ethical workflows that enhance our ability to gather and present news, focusing specifically on expanding efforts to combat digital misinformation,” he says. — Kelly Homan Rodoski/ S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications

68 | FA L L 2 0 2 5

T H E L AW R E N T I A N

2014 Carter Cikovic cikocc15@gmail.com Megan Norris Grant mnorrisgrant@gmail.com Mary Larkin maryhlarkin@gmail.com Greetings, Class of 2014! Many thanks for sharing your updates through autumn and into the first few months of 2025. Warm congratulations to Jess Castelo on her engagement to Jamie Guider in December. Kate Gulbrandsen and I (Carter) were thrilled to celebrate Jess and Jamie for a surprise celebration after Jamie popped the big question on the Hudson River with New York City in the background. Congrats to Andrew McLaughlin on his engagement to Meghan Furey in Alexandria, Va., in April. Andrew writes that the pair met in D.C., where they both work, and that Meghan loved seeing Lawrenceville’s campus and meeting classmates at the 10-year reunion. Colin Mummert writes that in November, he and his partner of 10 years, Julia, were engaged in the United Kingdom; they plan to get married in Sicily in September 2026. This spring, Katie Rand tied the knot with Brandon Bengtson in Austin, Tex., celebrated by classmates Ali Whitehouse, Carrie Shaw, Charlotte Doran, and Allie Gaston Waugh. Kate Gulbrandsen celebrated her upcoming wedding to Earl Smith with Megan Norris Grant and Mary Larkin in Palm Beach, Fla., in April. And this spring, Jess Castelo celebrated the wedding of her brother Chris Castelo ’10 alongside Lawrentians Chris Tompkins ’09, Samir Poonawala ’09, Joe Castelo ’88, Bob Castelo ’78 P’08 ’10 ’14, and Rob Castelo ’08. Good to see Jeremy Berman continue to crush the competition in achieving first place on the public ARC-AGI benchmark using Claude Sommer 3.5 and Evolutionary Test-time Compute. Congrats to Ashlyn Lackey on being named to the 2024 Innovate Finance Women in FinTech Powerlist.

2015 Cameron Rangecroft cmr3fe@virginia.edu Katie Dishner kadishner@gmail.com Allison Kazalski allison.kazalski@me.com Eliott Kim married Yuri Lee (Deerfield ’15) in Seoul, South Korea, in January 2025. They were joined by many of their Lawrenceville friends, and the ceremony was officiated by “Uncle” Youngsuk “YS” Chi ’79 P’07 ’09. Congratulations, and Go Big Red!


2016 Akash Bagaria akashbagaria@gmail.com James Stevenson jstonestevenson@gmail.com Jake Pothast jakepothast@gmail.com Another season, another lively installment of class notes for the Class of 2016! Despite quite a few weddings and engagements that we know occurred in our grade these past couple months, we have received record low submissions on said content. Oh no! Our die-hard cult readership has to be subjected to the random idling of the secretaries again! Of note, Olivier Malle could not last longer than two years abroad and has decided to move back to Washington, D.C., after an eventful post-grad foray onto the Eurasian subcontinent. In other job news, congratulations to A.J. Ryan for his promotion to the senior consultant level position at Deloitte. All that hard work is finally paying off! Maybe they’ll ask you to speak at Oxford about cybersecurity one day. Congrats to Apollo Brown and José Carlos Fernandez on getting engaged (to separate people)! Thanks for submitting photos … really making my life easier! Looking at you too, Margot Steinberg and Amelia McLaughlin (but seriously, congrats, guys). Shout out to Jon Coffey for getting engaged! He submitted his photo despite it being saved on a dated SIM card only accessible via an old Atari 800. If he can do it retro Steve Jobs style, so can you. We’re going to run out of engagement content shortly so please submit while it’s hot. Until next time, XOXO.

2017

Andrew McLaughlin ’14 and Meghan Furey were engaged in Alexandria, Va., in April 2025.

Wade Maloney ’16, Larry Cummings ’16, Jake Pothast ’16, Leighton Galvin ’16, Charlie Pothast, Jackson Baker ’16, and Misha Mrotchek ’16 took their best shot at making the world-famous Boys Who Brunch Instagram account.

It’s Got a Ring to It: Jonathan Coffey ’16 is engaged.

A.J. Ryan ’16 and Larry Cummings ’16 brought some Big Red pride to the wedding of Eliott Kim ’15 in South Korea.

2020

2025

Jasmine Zhang jasminezhang398@gmail.com Ciara Hoover ciaradhoover@gmail.com

Lexie Koch lkoch@college.harvard.edu

Sophia Cai sophiacai99@gmail.com Emily Galvin Emilygalvin17@gmail.com Jessica Zhao Jzhao1799@gmail.com

2021

2018

Nico Torres Nvt3@cornell.edu

Benjamin Chow benjamin.chow@me.com Matthew Haumann matthewhaumann@gmail.com Drew Korn dkorn111@gmail.com

Eliott Kim ’15 married Yuri Lee in Seoul, South Korea, in January 2025. They were joined by many Lawrenceville friends, and the ceremony was officiated by “Uncle” Youngsuk “YS” Chi ’79 P’07 ’09.

Brian Ruan briantruan@gmail.com

2022 2023 To submit news for the Class of 2023 column, please send to classnotes@lawrenceville.org.

2019

2024

Brittany Sun britsun1010@gmail.com

Jackie Williams Jhockey56@gmail.com Price Donaldson pricedonaldson@gmail.com

U.S. Marine Corps Col. Bobby Hallett ’87, who helped Ash Shah ’93 teach a national security elective last spring, kept in touch with Ray Taft, who shared a fun update in September. Ray carried the Navy flag in the University of North Carolina’s color guard for the Tar Heels’ first football game of the season. It was the debut of legendary NFL coach Bill Belichick in Chapel Hill, and the eyes of football world were fixed on this game.

Marriages and Commitment Ceremonies 1966 Ted Conklin to Susie Franklin, April 2025

1996 Oliver Sissman to Deborah Wassel, January 24, 2024, Arcadia University, Glenside, Pa.

2002 Brandy Hawk to Stephen Head, March 26, 2022, Homestead, Fla.

t he law re nt ia n.law re nce v ille .o rg

|

69


L AW R E N T I A NS

2005 Brookes Moody to Zach Mueller, June 22, 2024

Memorials

2010

DEATHS

Christopher Castelo to Stephanie Leighty, April 18, 2025, Renault Winery Resort, Egg Harbor City, N.J.

Robert B. Hartman ’42 Rufus L. Hayden ’45 Edwin P. Alyea ’47 Broadus Bailey ’47 P’77 ’78 Wesley Wright Jr. ’47 John Graham ’48 Alan R. Marsh ’49 GP’15 Sheldon C. Reynolds ’49 Ralph E. Rossheim ’50 Benjamin F. Vaughan ’50 Simon R. Zimmerman ’50 Frederic W. Thomas ’51 P’83 GP’18 ’19 James A. Harris ’52 Robert E. Armstrong ’53 Douglas D. Mercer ’53 Robert H. O’Grady ’53 James R. Stockton ’53 Peter Colwell ’54 Henry R. Couch ’55 T. Michael Graf ’55 Paul T. Hartman ’55 Dixon Arnett ’56 Henson L. Jones ’56 P’89 Bruce A. Bertholon ’57 N. Stirling Johnson ’57 Robert L. Kearns ’58 Douglas M. Stuart ’58 A. Shapleigh Boyd ’59 Martinus H. Nickerson ’59 Charles V. Schaefer ’59 William M. Stillman ’59 John C. Lundy ’60 P’88 J. Camp Van Dyke ’60 Hal S. Chase ’61 P’91 H.D. Jones ’61 Robert A. Maddock ’61 S. Maurice McAshan ’61 Richard Johnston ’62 Barton R. Crenshaw ’63 Roger S. Marcus ’63 G. Tucker Childs ’66 David C. Denise ’66 Pedro Mitro ’66 Thomas B. Slick ’66 Robert E. Woods ’66 W. Theodore Thomas ’67 Winfield A. Foreman ’71 John T. Wheelock ’74 John L. Polcyn ’75 Charles M. Fleischman ’76 René R. Polutan ’83 James J. Breslin ’86 Tara E. Brennan ’89 Whitney N. West ’03 David Amutah ’09

2013 Jessie Lee to Steven Shi, May 10, 2025, Shanghai Alexa Rangecroft to Walker Sullivan, July 13, 2024, the Baltimore Museum of Art, Baltimore Kelly Zochowski to Peter Kuenne, June 28, 2025, Bay Head Yacht Club, Bay Head, N.J.

2014 Kate Gulbrandsen to Earl Smith, September 20, 2025 Katie Rand to Brandon Bengtson, April 19, 2025, in Austin, Tex.

2015 Eliott Kim to Yuri Lee, South Korea

Births 1999 Michael Choi and his wife, a daughter, Emilia Choi, December 18, 2024

2002 Brandy Hawk and her husband, Stephen Head, a son, Drexel Hawk Head, April 26, 2024

2005 Melissa Buck and her husband, Nick Camperi, a daughter, Nora Paige Camperi, January 14, 2025 Emily Wilson Elipas and her husband, Chris Elipas, a daughter, Willa Marie Elipas, April 22, 2025 Alexe Smith Sanchez and her husband, Juan Sanchez, a son, James Andrew, July 10, 2024

2008 Payson Sword Houfek and her husband, Nick Houfek, a son, Henry William Houfek, February 14, 2025. Mary Van Meter Baker and her husband, Courtney Baker, a daughter, Florence Baker, July 2024

Faculty, Staff, and Friends Steve Saunders H’70

Kat Widing and her husband, Ben Spicehandler, a son, Theo Spicehandler, January 2024

William H. Coleman ’38

2009 Max Fagelson and his wife, Kat, a son, Judah

70 | FA L L 2 0 2 5

T H E L AW R E N T I A N

William H. “Bill” Coleman passed away May 14, 2025. Born in Dutch Neck, N.J., he was 105 years old. At Lawrenceville, Bill lived in Hamill House and was a member of the Orchestra and the

track team, running in the 1938 Penn Relays. He earned his bachelor’s degree at Princeton University in 1942 and graduated from Temple University Medical School in 1945 where he had been part of the U.S. Navy V12 program. Years later he would serve as Temple Medical Alumni President from 1975-77. In 1949, Bill opened a family practice in Ewing Township, N.J., and joined the staff of Mercer Medical Center, now a part of the Capital Health System. From 1950-54, he was the sole school physician for Ewing Township. In 1954, he entered a surgical resident program at Abington (Pa.) Memorial Hospital and upon completion, he returned to Trenton with a practice limited entirely to surgery. Bill was an orthopedic consultant to Princeton Neuropsychiatric Institute and consultant in surgery to the Trenton Psychiatric Hospital for many years. He was appointed to the N.J. Pension Fund Medical Review Board in 1959, serving for 45 years. A lifelong member of the Presbyterian Church of Lawrenceville, Bill served as an elder and a deacon. He was also a member of Masonic Lodge No. 50, the Blocker Medical Society of Philadelphia, and the Old Guard of Princeton. Bill is survived by his daughter, Gabrielle Deen; sons William H. Coleman Jr., Mace B. Coleman, Todd B. Coleman, and Dustin L. Coleman; four grandchildren; four step-grandchildren; and five great-step-grandchildren.

John P. Hansel ’42 John Parker Hansel passed away March 27, 2025. Born in Cranford, N.J., he was 100 years old. At Lawrenceville, John lived in Raymond House and was a member of the Glee Club and the Lawrentians, as well as the football, hockey, and track teams. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Princeton University, where he participated in the Marine Corps V-12 Officers Training program during World War II. He continued his training at Quantico when the war ended. In 1945, he married his childhood sweetheart, Frances Soule and they settled in Riverside, Conn., where they raised five children. In 1946, John joined his brother, Charles “Cap” Hansel ’38, and his father in the family business, Filtrine Manufacturing Co. of Brooklyn, N.Y., where he eventually became president, and moved the company to a series of locations, ending in Keene, N.H. in 1998. John’s leadership secured Filtrine’s reputation as a leader in drinking water systems and process water chilling with installations in some of the finest buildings in the country including the White House, the U.N. Building, and the National Gallery of Art. An avid sailor, bird hunter, fly fisherman, and skier, John raised Norwegian Fjord horses and Devon cattle. He served as a member of the New Hampshire Fish and Game Commission. John is survived by his children, Carla Hansel, Parker Hansel, Peter Hansel, Turner Hansel, and David Hansel; 15 grandchildren; and 19 great-grandchildren.


Theodore E. Gordon ’45 Theodore Emlen “Teddy” Gordon passed away January 13, 2025. Born in Portland, Ore., he was 99 years old. At Lawrenceville, Teddy lived in Cleve House and played basketball and golf. He attended Princeton University and proudly served his country in the Merchant Marines during World War II. It was during summers spent in Bay Head, N.J., that Teddy met his future wife, Elizabeth J. “Lee” Seaman, and made friendships that lasted a lifetime. After the war and college, Teddy and Lee married in June 1950 and moved to the Morristown, N.J., area, where they raised their five children. Ted founded Gordon Publications and retired well into his 80s. He was a mentor to many and friend to all. He was a long-standing member of Morris County Golf Club, where he proudly won trophies on many occasions. In retirement, Teddy and Lee split their time between Lake Sunapee, N.H., and Vero Beach, Fla. He and Lee were active members of Riomar Country Club, where they both served in various leadership roles. It was during this time Teddy led the charge to build Baker Hill Golf Club, a private golf club in the mountains of New Hampshire overlooking beautiful Lake Sunapee. Teddy is survived by his wife of 74 years, Elizabeth; his children, Theodore E. Gordon Jr., Leslie M. Gordon, Michael C. Gordon, and Elizabeth G. Gage; 15 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

George C. Gaines ’47 P’72 George Chilton Gaines passed away February 3, 2025. Born in Fayetteville, W.Va., he was 95 years old. At Lawrenceville, George lived in Dickinson House, played basketball and football, ran track, and sang with the Lawrentians, Glee Club, and Choir, as well as serving on the Student Council. His active involvement continued as an alumnus, as George was a class secretary and member of his reunion committee. After earning his bachelor’s degree from Princeton University in 1951, he graduated from the University of Virginia Law School in 1954 and became the fourth consecutive generation in his family to practice law. In the early 1960s, George entered the business world and, in 1963, moved his family to Brussels, where he worked for C&I Girdler before becoming vice president and European manager for General Mills Corporation. In 1970, George, wife Mary Moore Thompson, and their children moved to England where he was a partner at Russell Reynolds Associates and established their European practice. He founded his own management consulting firm, Executive Partners International Corporation. In 1984, George went to work at Korn Ferry but big city life in San Francisco was not his cup of tea. Shortly after living through the 7.1 magnitude earthquake in the Transamerica Building, he bought a guest ranch in the Anderson Valley and never looked back. George is survived by his wife of 73 years, Mary Moore; brother Stanley N. Gaines ’53

GP’06; children George Gaines Jr. ’72, Caroline, Meg, Mary Moore, Jim, and Christian; 14 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

Woodbridge A. D’Oench ’49 Woodbridge A. “Woody” D’Oench passed away March 31, 2025. He was 93 years old. At Lawrenceville, Woody lived in Raymond House and was a member of the Press Club, The Lawrence, and the soccer team, as well as a School Camp counselor. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Williams College in 1953, and later, a graduate degree at Harvard Business School. Woody spent two years in the U.S. Navy as a deck and gunnery officer on the U.S.S. Dennis J. Buckley. After receiving his M.B.A., he worked in the business office of the Hartford Courant. In 1959, Woody and his brother, Russell “Derry” D’Oench ’47 P’68 ’71, bought The Middletown Press. For 32 years, Woody served as publisher of the six-day-a-week evening publication that gained a circulation of 21,000, employing 167 people, including 28 reporters who covered every town in Middlesex County, Conn. A true pillar of the community and recipient of the Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce Distinguished Citizen Award, Woody served many organizations, including The Middlesex YMCA, the Middletown United Way, the Middlesex Chamber of Commerce, the Independent Day School, the Connecticut Daily Newspaper Association, Middletown Industrial Corporation, and Liberty Bank. He served on the board of Liberty Bank for 38 years and was instrumental in establishing The Liberty Bank Foundation, which provides funding toward education, affordable housing, and life essentials for underserved communities, low-to-moderate income individuals, and families. Woody is survived by his wife of 54 years, Nancy Malone D’Oench; daughters Sarah D’Oench and Susannah D’Oench; a grandson; brother Lawrence D’Oench; and nephew Peter G. D’Oench ’68.

Patrick B. Gregory ’50 Patrick Bolton Gregory passed away May 27, 2025. Born in New York City, he was 93 years old. At Lawrenceville, Patrick lived in Woodhull House. He earned his bachelor’s degree in French from the University of Virginia. After graduation and army service, Patrick settled in Paris, where chance led him to take a job at the publishing firm Hachette. When he returned to the United States, publishing became his profession; it was a good match for his literary sensibility and wide-ranging intellectual interests. Patrick worked as an editor in New York and Boston; he also translated fiction and non-fiction from the French, and in 2004 he published a novel, The Daguerreotype. After living in Northampton, Mass., for almost 50 years, in 2023 he and his wife, Justina, relocated to the 18th-century farmhouse in southern Vermont where Justina had grown up. Patrick is survived by his wife, Justina; children, Tobias and Nora; and two grandchildren.

William P. Krause ’50 William Paul “Bill” Krause passed away September 7, 2024. He was 92 years old. At Lawrenceville, Bill lived in Hamill House and was a member of the Student Council and the winner of the Trustees’ Cup. His architecture studies at Yale were interrupted by his service in the U.S. Navy, where he was a Marine pilot, flying aircraft onto carriers during the Korean War. While completing his degree at Yale, he met Sylvette de Aldrey, a painting student at the Whitney School of Art in New Haven. They married, and in 1960 settled in Princeton Borough, raising three daughters and remaining there for the rest of their lives. Bill began his career as an architect for TechBuilt, a new style of prefabricated building, then became a salesman for their first medical centers. On one of his sales trips, he met a doctor who was testing a system developed by Cornell students to “computerize” patient information. Intrigued, Bill bought the program, and started what became known as Systemedics. The company grew into a national firm which was eventually sold to Equifax. After retiring from the corporate world, Bill partook in an assortment of entrepreneurial endeavors, which included Art Ventures art gallery, a lighting store in Lambertville, N.J., and various small manufacturing businesses. He was keenly interested in solar power energy, holding a few forums of its benefits at his solar home. Bill is survived by his wife, Sylvette; daughters Jessica Krause, Leslie Krause, and Georgiana Sensing; five grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

Peter R. Mott ’50 Peter Rhoades Mott passed away December 11, 2024. Born in Trenton, N.J., he was 92 years old. At Lawrenceville, Peter lived in Kennedy House and was a member of the soccer, swimming, and track teams, and was a School Camp counselor. He remained an active alumnus, serving as an admission interviewer. After earning his bachelor’s degree in psychology from Yale University, Peter received his master’s degree in education from Harvard. In his early career, Peter taught high school science first at Phillips Academy — Andover and then at Middlesex School. For eight years Peter was headmaster of the Moses Brown School in Providence, R.I., where he led its transition to a coeducational secondary school. In 1980 he moved to Orlando and the position of president at the Florida Audubon Society, where he merged his avocation with his career. Peter eventually returned to teaching high school science, spending 23 years at the Ethical Culture Fieldston School in New York, where he became an advocate for sustainability and a green campus. An ardent birder, Peter was active for three decades in NYC Bird Alliance, serving two terms as board president and as its interim executive director in 2001. After 9/11, Peter was one of the local ornithologists tracking migrating species in the area during the annual Tribute in Light. Peter is survived by his three children, Polly, Peter Jr., and Arch Mott; stepchildren Dewitte t he law re nt ia n.law re nce v ille .o rg

|

71


L AW R E N T I A NS

Kersh and Sarah Veitch; nephews Paul B. Mott ’76, Andrew T. Mott ’85 P’18 ’20, Jefferson E. Mott ’18, and Tait J. Mott ’20; ten grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

Tad D. Hammond ’52 P’16 Tad Daley “Skip” Hammond passed away November 21, 2024. Born in Omaha, Neb., he was 91 years old. At Lawrenceville, Tad lived in Cleve and Belknap Houses and was a member of the swimming and golf teams. After attending Princeton University, Tad served in the U.S. Air Force, where he served as first lieutenant and private pilot for Gen. Curtis LeMay. After being discharged, he graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with degrees in electrical and mechanical engineering. Tad worked for Boeing until returning home to Nebraska and taking over Hammond Farms. He was also a partner in feedlots in western Nebraska, where he raised cattle. In the 1970s, Skip entered the world of banking with the purchase of the Peru State Bank in Peru, Neb. He would grow both crops and banks over the next decade before selling the Nebraska bank and purchasing first the State Savings Bank in Bedford, Iowa, and then the Valley Bank & Trust in Cherokee, Iowa. Outside of business, Skip enjoyed golf, an interest he shared with his daughters Jay and Scout. He was a voracious reader and a gifted writer, particularly of poetry, even composing the poem found on his son Val’s grave marker. His appreciation for poetry and music lives on in his daughter, Sage. A pilot, he was often at his happiest in the air, a passion he shared with his youngest daughter, SeeDee. Tad is survived by his wife, Jill Hammond; and daughters Logan Lucile “Scout” Hammond ’16, Jay Courtney Hammond, Sage Dennis Hammond, and SeeDee Clark Hammond.

Richard R. Hepner ’53 Richard Redfern Hepner passed away January 9, 2023. Born in Trenton, N.J., he was 88 years old. At Lawrenceville, Richard lived in Dawes House and co-captained the wrestling team with his brother, Philip Hepner ’53. He earned his bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering in 1957 from Yale University, where he continued to wrestle. Immediately after graduation, Richard accepted a position at DuPont Chemical, eventually settling in Wilmington, N.C., while working at the DuPont plant in Leland, N.C. After retiring with more than 40 years of service, Richard became a master gardener and also enjoyed golfing, fishing, and being an active member of his church family at The Bridge, where he served many years as treasurer. Richard married his teenage sweetheart, Ruth Genereux, who was also from Trenton. Together they raised a family and were dedicated to each other in a union lasting more than 64 years. Richard is survived by his wife, Ruth; children Debbie O’Connor and Rick Hepner; six grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

72 | FA L L 2 0 2 5

T H E L AW R E N T I A N

Albert C. Muse ’54 Albert Charles “Al” Muse passed away May 16, 2025. Born in Ben Avon, Pa., he was 89 years old. At Lawrenceville, Al lived in Woodhull House and was a member of the Lawrentians, Olla Podrida, the Science Club, The Lawrence, and the wrestling team, for which he earned a Major L. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Princeton University. Following his graduation, Al joined the family business, Crown Coal & Coke, now known as the Muse Company, where he served as president alongside his cousin Charlie Muse and later, Charlie’s sons, Chip and Jay. Al’s dedication to healthcare innovation was evident throughout his life. He joined the board of the Eye and Ear Hospital in 1969, serving as its president for ten years. During this time, he worked to build the hospital’s endowment and oversaw its integration into UPMC in 1985. He thus became a founding member of the Eye & Ear Foundation, where he remained an active board member until his passing. In recognition of Al’s contributions, the foundation established the annual Muse Prize in 2001 to honor national excellence in otolaryngology and ophthalmology. A man of many passions, Al cherished spending time with his family and friends in Ligonier and Muskoka, Canada. He loved skiing, golf, and exploring the world, with Southern France holding a special place in his heart due to his time stationed there during his Navy service. Al is survived by his wife, Eileen Mauclair Muse; daughters Alexandra Ehrlich and Nonie Shore; and four grandchildren.

Bert A. Getz ’55 H’56 P’85 GP’18 ’20 Trustee Emeritus Bert Atwater Getz Sr. passed away August 31, 2025. Born in Chicago, he was 88 years old. At Lawrenceville, Bert was president of Griswold House and was a member of Olla Podrida, the Open Door Society, Chapel Board and House Council. He captained the swimming team, for which he earned a Major L. Bert received his Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Michigan. While home from Lawrenceville for the Christmas holiday in 1954, Bert met the love of his life, Sandra “Sandy” Maclean. The two wed in 1958 and enjoyed 67 wonderful years of marriage. Bert and Sandy started their family in Northfield, Ill., where they had their three children, Sandra Lynn Getz, George Fulmer Getz, and Bert Atwater Getz Jr. In 1970, Bert and Sandy moved their family to Arizona, where Bert made a sizable investment in The Arizona Bank. In his later years, Bert and Sandy split time between their home in Paradise Valley, Ariz., and Stonehenge Farm. After receiving top marks at the University of Michigan, Bert joined his father working for the family company, Globe Corporation, where he later had the privilege of working alongside his two sons and daughter. Bert had a mind for business, and throughout the course of his over 65-year career, found success and enjoyment in banking, ranching, real estate, and golf, among many other fields of interest. Bert held many board and executive positions

including chair emeritus and director of Globe Corporation, having served as its president from 1974-99. He served as a director of both Security Pacific Bank and The Continental Bank and was appointed under the Reagan administration to the board of the Federal National Mortgage Association. Additionally, he served as a director of Dean Foods and the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen). Over his career Bert owned and was a director of various banks including the Bank of Belvidere, the Winnetka Bank, and the Upper Avenue Bank. Later in his career, Bert had a vision to build and operate a private golf club, and in 1992 he opened the Merit Club as part of Stonehenge Farm. Bert sat on numerous charitable boards and committees, serving as chair emeritus of the Board of Trustees of the Mayo Foundation, The Lawrenceville School, and the Arizona Community Foundation, which he helped establish in 1978. He was also director emeritus of the Indiana University Foundation. Bert was an active Phoenix Thunderbird, board member of Phoenix Country Day School, and served on the Dean’s Council of the ASU Business College and Board of Visitors of the University of Michigan Ross School of Business. He also held a multitude of roles supervising various philanthropies through the Arthur R. Metz Foundation and the Globe Foundation, of which he served as president and director. Bert was a dedicated member of St. Barnabas Episcopal Church in Paradise Valley, Ariz. Bert is survived by his wife, Sandra Maclean Getz P’85 GP’18 ’20; sons George Fulmer Getz and Bert Atwater Getz Jr. ’85 P’18 ’20; and seven grandchildren, including Bert Getz III ’18 and Lachlan Getz ’20.

Michael G. Gilligan ’55 Michael George “Mike” Gilligan passed away July 7, 2025. Born in Nebraska City, Neb., he was 88 years old. At Lawrenceville, Mike lived in Cleve House. He graduated from the Art Institute of Chicago in 1958. Mike was an award-winning editor and a founding partner of Hudson River Film & Video, along with his wife, Sonja Carl Gilligan, and Chuck and Michelle Clifton. In 1964, Mike and Sonja bought a beautiful carriage house in Garrison, N.Y., and began turning what used to be a barn into a home. Mike worked as a professional still photographer for several years. They began running encounter group therapy sessions for psychiatrist Dan Casriel, known for starting the Daytop Village treatment centers in the late 1960s. The Gilligans founded their own relationship therapy groups called “Fusion Groups” in the 1970s. Many actors and artists were involved, including Olympia Dukakis and Louis Zorich, among others. In the early 1970s, Chuck Clifton was planning to film a documentary. Chuck asked Mike if he would like to shoot second camera and then help him edit the film. Mike fell in love with film editing. This sparked the creation of the Hudson River Film & Video Company. The two couples worked together for over 45 years producing documentaries for public television. Award-winning


productions include Christina’s World, narrated by Julie Harris, which earned four Emmys; Henry Hudson’s River: A Biography, narrated by Orson Welles (one Emmy); and Metro: Manhattan Chowder, narrated by Colleen Dewhurst. Mike is survived by his wife, Sonja Carl Gilligan.

William J. Cabaniss ’56 William Jelks “Bill” Cabaniss Jr. passed away February 2, 2025. Born in Birmingham, Ala., he was 86 years old. At Lawrenceville, Bill was president of Woodhull House and played football and swam, earning a Major L. He was also a member of the Open Door Society and the House Council. In 1960, he earned his bachelor’s degree from Vanderbilt University, where trained in the R.O.T.C. program. Bill was commissioned a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army and served as an Airborne Ranger for three years’ active duty in Germany. Returning to Birmingham, Bill eventually acquired a small metal grinding company that he built into Precision Grinding, Inc., a successful steel-plate processing and metal machining business. Concerned about Alabama’s relationship to business, he entered politics and won a seat in the Alabama House of Representatives in 1978. In 1982 he won a seat in the Alabama State Senate, where he served from 1982-90. Bill regularly crossed party lines to pass legislation that would most benefit the public. His integrity was rock-solid. Between 1984-86, he was voted one of five outstanding Alabama state senators by his peers. In 2003, Bill was appointed ambassador to the Czech Republic by President George W. Bush. He served with distinction from 200406, further cementing ties between the two democracies. He was inducted into the Alabama Academy of Honor in 2004 and the Alabama Business Hall of Fame in 2006. Bill is survived by fiancée Linda Parker Johnson; daughters Mary Cabaniss Ballard and Frances Cabaniss Johnson; and five grandchildren.

R.P. Fichter ’56 Robert Peter Fichter passed away August 13, 2024. Born in Dover, N.J., he was 86 years old. At Lawrenceville, Robert lived in Raymond House. He was a graduate of Harvard College, the Haileybury School (of Hertfordshire, England, and New College of Oxford. While in college, he was the editor of The Harvard Advocate, a student literary magazine founded in 1873. Robert’s professional life was a journey from academia to municipal government to the banking industry, from which he retired early to pursue twin passions: the study of foreign languages and ballroom dancing. He continued with both through the last days of his life. Robert was gifted with a love of and facility for all forms of language, and was the author of several publications as well as innumerable letters, notes, and messages — many written with his uniquely wry sense of humor — to friends, colleagues, family members, and people he met once.

Robert co-edited the 1972 book Freedom to Build: Dweller Control of the Housing Process, and was the moving force behind multiple journals, including Neighborhood Evolution: A Closer Look; Young Professionals and City Neighborhoods; and Boston’s Triple Deckers, all while director of the City of Boston Parkman Center for Urban Affairs. He also took great pride in authoring and editing a newsletter on the Massachusetts banking industry. His longest and most abiding love was for railroads, particularly the historic railroads of New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. Robert is survived by a daughter, Kate Fichter; and a granddaughter.

Richard M. Ross ’56 P’81 Richard M. “Rich” Ross passed away September 14, 2024. Born on Long Island, N.Y., he was 86 years old. At Lawrenceville, Rich lived in Perry Ross and Dickinson Houses and was a member of The Lawrence, Olla Podrida, the choir, and House Council. He was also a skilled athlete, earning a Major L as a member of the basketball, track, and football teams. Rich attended Tulane University. Rich was the visionary leader of Charles Ross & Son Company, a process equipment manufacturing firm established by his family in 1842. Rich took over as president of the company in 1961, guiding it through decades of growth and expansion. Under his leadership, the company grew from one plant on Long Island to eight manufacturing locations, including multiple facilities in the United States, with others in China and India. His commitment to his employees’ welfare and excellence in manufacturing secured the company’s place as a global leader in its industry. Outside of his professional achievements, Rich had a passion for travel and a deep love of the water. An avid sport fisherman, he owned many of the finest sportfishing yachts ever built and spent much of his leisure time fishing and enjoying life on the sea. Rich is survived by daughters Melanie “Heather” Ross and Carol “Laurie” Ross; 14 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his brother, Charles K. Ross ’43, and his son, James C. Ross ’81.

Christopher L. Perry ’57 Christopher L. “Chris” Perry passed away April 7, 2025. Born in Bayshore, N.Y., he was 86 years old. At Lawrenceville, Chris was president of Griswold House and was a member of Olla Podrida, the Orchestra, and the Open Door Society, as well as the track and soccer teams. As an alumnus, Chris remained active as a member of his class’s 65th reunion committee. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Princeton University in 1961, and a master’s degree in 1962 from the Columbia University School of Journalism. His first professional role was in 1963 with the Dover (Del.) Bureau of the Wilmington News Journal, where Chris covered politics and the state legislature. In 1969, he joined the administration of Gov. Russ Peterson as chief of staff. He then collaborated with friend and colleague

Mike Harkins to form “The Agency,” a political consulting firm focusing on politics and public policy issues. Chris acquired Delaware Today magazine in 1973, which he sold in 1976 to become chief of staff to Eliott Richardson, secretary of the U.S. Department of Commerce. Following a change in White House administrations, Chris joined in the Public Affairs Department of the DuPont Company, where he rose to the position of managing director. Retiring from DuPont in 1992, Chris created an executive speechwriting business, a practice he continued for more than 20 years. He also served on the boards of several civic, educational, and religious organizations. Chris is survived by his wife of 53 years, Nancy; son Jeffery; and daughter Kimberly Hoyt.

Robert R. Henry ’58 Robert R. “Bob” Henry passed away June 5, 2025. Born in Plainfield, N.J., he was 84 years old. At Lawrenceville, Bob lived in Woodhull and Upper Houses. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Williams College after studying economics, history, languages and literature. He later received his M.B.A. from Harvard Business School. After graduate school, Bob worked at Morgan Stanley in Manhattan until 1989, when he hung out his shingle and launched RRHenry & Co. in Far Hills, N.Y. Bob ran his company until 2025. Bob loved to ski, run, hunt, fish, bike, read, walk and hike. He enjoyed teaching his daughters about his passions, and nurtured their love of nature, flora and fauna. He was an active, engaged member of the Pottersville, N.J., community, where he lived on Empty Pockets Farm, and the Lamington Presbyterian Church. Bob is survived by his wife of 57 years, Carol; his first daughter, Heather; his youngest daughter, Kim; and five grandchildren.

Louis C. McKinney ’58 Louis Curtis “Lou” McKinney II passed away January 14, 2025. He was 85 years old. At Lawrenceville, Lou lived in Dickinson House. Lou was an astute businessman and entrepreneur who also served on the boards of directors for several organizations. During his years in Titusville, Pa., he was owner or co-owner of businesses including Northwest Motors, a Chrysler Dodge Plymouth dealership, and Northwest Distributing, a motorcycle, boat, snowmobile dealership. In Lake Lure, N.C., his home since 1991, he was known for drafting or customizing house plans for clients who had purchased lots in the community of Fairfield Mountains, now known as Rumbling Bald on Lake Lure. From a young age, Lou was intrigued by anything with a motor and was a master tinkerer, often found in his workshop after dinner in Titusville. In younger years he was a private pilot, skeet shooter, hunter, and fisherman. For several decades, Lou spent three weeks every August fishing for pike and walleye at Deer Horn Lodge on the Cabonga Reservoir in Maniwaki, Quebec. Over the years, those trips included his sons, t he law re nt ia n.law re nce v ille .o rg

|

73


L AW R E N T I A NS

son-in-law, grandsons, and special friends who will always cherish those times and memories. Lou is survived by his wife, Janis; children Julie McKinney, Kim Nowokunski, Bruce McKinney, and William “Bill” McKinney; seven grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

Peter M. Smith ’58 Peter Mullen Smith passed away November 8, 2024. He was 83 years old. At Lawrenceville, Peter lived in Woodhull House and The Lodge and was a member of Authors of Lawrenceville. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Harvard College in 1961 before attending the American School at Athens in 1962-63 and 1965-66, participating also in archaeological excavations at Pylos with Carl Blegen and at Porto Cheli with Michael Jameson. Peter also received a doctorate in classics from Harvard in 1970. Peter’s research interests focused on parallels between human child development and evolutions in the concepts of time, coincidence, causation, and necessity in Greek thought, especially as expressed in early epic, drama, and pre-Socratic philosophy. These points of focus are reflected in the publication of essays from a colloquium in his honor, Resemblance and Reality in Greek Thought (2017). In teaching generations of classics students at the University of Indiana, Columbia, Bryn Mawr College, and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Peter is remembered for his warm engagement with the department and uncommon dedication to his students at all levels. Both were infused with and animated by his faith in the best of the Classical tradition — excellence, intellectual inquiry, community, and moral virtue. Peter relished expanding his mind through travel in Europe, Canada, the northeastern United States, Korea, and especially Greece. In retirement, he added sailing, the care of a classic wooden boat, and Argentine tango. Peter is survived by his spouse Rebekah; children Karl and Susannah; and a granddaughter.

William C. Howland ’59 William C. “Bill” “Duck” Howland passed away June 22, 2025. Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., he was 84 years old. At Lawrenceville, Bill lived in Hamill House, played lacrosse and football, and was a member of the Glee Club and Chapel Board. He remained active as an alumnus, serving as a class secretary and a member of his 60 th and 65 th reunion committees. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Trinity College in 1963 and a graduate degree at the Amos Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth in 1965. Bill worked for Allied Chemical (Honeywell) for 35 years, culminating as director of marketing in the Fibers Apparel Division. He loved his work, especially developing warm friendships with his Mexican clients and being able to conduct business in Spanish. Bill and his family initially lived in Hillside, N.J. where he was active in Essex County politics. In 1976 the family moved to Riverside, Conn., where he enjoyed his quick walk to the train station,

74 | FA L L 2 0 2 5

T H E L AW R E N T I A N

and later celebrated climbing the 242 steps at the station for exercise, which prepared him for his Mount Rainier climb in 1988. A member of the vestry at St. Paul’s Church, Bill spent 20-plus years with the church Youth Group. He was an active member of the Riverside Association Board and past president. Bill is survived by his wife of 64 years, Martha; children William C. Jr., Elizabeth Boyle, Polly Stoyer, and John; and three grandchildren.

W. David Jack ’59 William David Jack II passed away May 24, 2025. Born in Miami Beach. Fla., he was 84 years old. At Lawrenceville, David lived in Cleve House and was a member of the Glee Club, Choir, and the soccer and track teams. He earned his bachelor’s degree in biology from Yale University in 1963 and his M.D. from Johns Hopkins University Medical School in 1967. After graduating, David trained in internal medicine at Vanderbilt University Hospital for three years of internship and residency. His training was interrupted for service to his country in the U.S. Navy from 1969-71, where he attained the rank of Lt. Commander. David began his cardiology fellowship at Johns Hopkins University Hospital from 1972-74. He moved with his wife and daughter to Corpus Christi, Tex., in 1974, where he first established a solo private practice in cardiology and subsequently was a co-founder of Cardiology Associates. David was elected as a fellow in both the American Academy of Internal Medicine and the American Academy of Cardiology. He was a past chief of medicine at Spohn Hospital Corpus Christi and in 2002, he was the honoree at the Corpus Christi Chapter of the American Heart Association (AHA) Ball for his contributions to cardiology. David served his community as president and board member of the Corpus Christi chapter of the AHA and as a board member of the Corpus Christi Art Museum. David is survived by his wife of almost 59 years, Janis Graham Jack; daughter Katherine Graham Jack; and two grandsons.

Laurence M. Lasater ’59 Laurence Matthews “Laurie” Lasater passed away July 2, 2025. Born in San Antonio, Tex., he was 83 years old. At Lawrenceville, Laurie lived in Belknap and Upper Houses, and was a member of Authors of Lawrenceville and the wrestling team. He earned his bachelor’s degree with honors from Princeton University in 1963. After military service, he married Annette Nixon in 1964 and moved to Coahuila, Mexico, where they introduced the Beefmaster breed and lived until 1972. The Lasaters then moved to San Angelo, Tex., where he founded and was chairman of Isa Cattle Co., Inc., which markets Beefmaster genetics worldwide. Laurie authored four books, including The Lasater Philosophy of Cattle Raising, now in its 17th printing and translated into Spanish and Russian. A fourth-generation rancher, Laurie

served as a director of Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, and Nolan Ryan Beef. He also served as president of Foundation Beefmaster Association, and in 2000 he was honored as Beefmaster Breeders United’s Breeder of the Year. Laurie was inducted into the BBU Hall of Fame in 2016 and the Texas Heritage Hall of Honor in 2020 in recognition of his contributions to the state’s agricultural heritage. In San Angelo, he served as elder of the First Presbyterian Church, chair of the United Way Allocations Committee, and board president of the Samaritan Counseling Center. Laurie is survived by children Lorenzo and Isabel; five grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

Thomas M. Hennessey ’60 Thomas M. “Tom” Hennessey passed away January 25, 2025. Born in Providence, R.I., he was 83 years old. At Lawrenceville, Tom lived in Dawes House and The Lodge. He earned his Bachelor of Science in English from the College of the Holy Cross in 1964. Upon graduation, Tom began work as a management trainee at the New England Telephone & Telegraph Company in Providence. He joined AT&T’s corporate finance department in 1978. As AT&T’s enterprise financial systems architect, he shaped the Bell System’s global financial systems and practices in response to the deregulation and divestiture of its regional operating and global manufacturing operations. In 1987 he was selected to attend Northwestern University’s Kellogg Executive Development Program. After retiring in 1998, he joined KPMG Consulting where he advised major tech companies on their global enterprise systems strategies. He moved to Hilton Head, S.C., in 2002 and fully retired in 2003. In retirement, Tom was an avid tennis player and kayaker and very active in the Sea Pines Men’s Club Kayak Group, The Audubon Newhall Preserve, and the South of Broad Democratic Club. HIs family spent time together every summer on Lake Winnipesaukee in Wolfeboro, N.H. Tom loved his family, friends, music, nature, and Boston sports teams. Tom is survived by his wife of 62 years, Linda; daughters Julie Hennessey-Niland, Melissa Hennessey, and Carolyn Hennessey Rose; and four grandsons.

Richard L. Rotnem ’60 Richard L. Rotnem passed away March 1, 2025. Born in New York City, he was 83 years old. At Lawrenceville, Richard lived in Woodhull House, played lacrosse, hockey, and football, and was a member of the Open Door Society, the orchestra, and the Olla Podrida. He remained an active alumnus as a member of his class’s 55th reunion committee. Richard earned his bachelor’s degree in economics from Cornell University in 1964. While still serving with a New York U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Unit, Richard started his


banking and financial planning career with the First National City Bank in New York. In 1969, he signed on as a trainee with Harris-Upham Investments, and 45 years and several company mergers later, Richard retired from Morgan Stanley’s Boston office in 2014. In the 1980s, Richard coached youth hockey and served as a member of the Library Board of Trustees in Weston, Mass. He later played in Boston’s Senior Men’s Recreational Hockey League. He also pursued an active sea kayaking, open ocean racing career, enduring the Blackburn Challenge three times. As president of the Boston Sea Kayaking Club, he led many recreational kayaking trips, especially trips to Maine. In retirement, Richard moved full-time to his home in Harpswell, Maine, where he spent six years working for L.L. Bean as a kayak instructor. Richard is survived by his partner of 15 years, Mary E. Kelleher; daughters Jennifer B. Rotnem and Kelly R. Cunningham; sons Brant E. M. Rotnem and Wells C. M. Rotnem; and five grandchildren.

Miner H. Warner ’60 Miner Hill Warner passed away November 26, 2024. He was 82 years old. At Lawrenceville, Miner lived in Cleve House and was a member of The Lit and the soccer team. He earned his B.A. from Harvard College, C.E.P. from Institut d’Etudes Politiques in Paris, M.Sc. from The London School of Economics and LL.B from the University of Pennsylvania Law School. After beginning his professional career at the law firm of Shearman & Sterling, Miner spent 20 years in investment banking, 16 years at Salomon Brothers including co-founding International Corporate Finance in London for five years, and with Salomon Brothers and Merrill Lynch in New York. In 1992, Miner co-founded Public Resources International, a financial advisory firm representing governments and creditors in developing countries. Miner’s community involvement included serving as chair of New-York Historical Societ; as trustee and executive committee member of the Cathedral of St. John the Divine and the English-Speaking Union, as well as director and committee member of the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, Calif., The General Theological Seminary, Council of the Americas, and other nonprofit boards. For the past two decades, Miner’s main involvement has been as a board member and time as chair of The Hispanic Society Museum and Library, and as president of The Pilgrims of the United States. Miner is survived by his wife of 52 years, Ellen; daughters Alix Mallet-Prevost Warner and Lily Wolcott Warner, a granddaughter; brother Bradford Arnold Warner Jr. ’56, and nieces Annalies W. Paine ’12 and Isabel W. Paine ’20.

John C. Hover ’61 P’91 John Calvin Hover II passed away July 18, 2025. Born in Orange, N.J., he was 82 years old. At Lawrenceville, John lived in Raymond

and Cromwell Houses, and was a member of The Lawrence, Olla Podrida, and cross country teams. He remained active as an alumnus, serving as a class agent and on his 55th and 60th reunion committees. He earned his Bachelor of Arts from the University of Pennsylvania and an M.B.A. from Penn’s Wharton School of Business. After graduate school, John joined the Chemical Bank in New York City and later the United States Trust Company of New York. There, he became executive vice president and a member of the management committee, where he focused on the private banking business and grew the company into a recognized leader in that area. John was dedicated to alumni involvement with Penn. He became a trustee of the university and was a founder and later president of the Penn Club of New York. He was chair of the Overseers of the Penn Museum and a recipient of the university’s Alumni Award of Merit. John served as a deacon, elder, and trustee of The Brick Presbyterian Church in New York. He was a director of the Tweedy, Browne Fund Inc. A 34-year resident of Bucks County, Pa., John was an owner and a director of the New Hope & Ivyland Railroad and the New Hope Historical Society. John is survived by his wife, Jacqueline W. Hover; daughter Molly Hover McCooey ’91; and two grandchildren.

J. Linzee Whittaker ’61 P’93 John Linzee Whittaker passed away May 16, 2025. Born in Boston, he was 82 years old. At Lawrenceville, Linzee lived in Cromwell, Griswold, and Upper Houses, and was a member of the orchestra. He ran for the cross country and track teams. He attended Boston University. Linzee enjoyed a fulfilling career of over 30 years with American International Group, or AIG. He was an oversees manager with stations around the world. Living a full and vibrant life marked by passion, dedication, and a deep connection to the equestrian world, Linzee was known for his love of horses and the sport that surrounded them. An avid horseman, he found great joy in fox hunting and show jumping, pursuits that reflected both his adventurous spirit and disciplined nature. His commitment to these traditions not only brought him personal fulfillment but also connected him with a community of fellow enthusiasts who shared his appreciation for the sport and its heritage. Linzee is survived by his wife, Lena; daughters Ashley and Alden; stepdaughter Debbie; and his stepson James.

Robert D. Barclay ’62 Robert Douglas “Bob” Barclay passed away March 19, 2025. Born in Charlottesville, Va., he was 80 years old. At Lawrenceville, Bob lived in Woodhull House, played football and hockey, and ran track. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Washington and Lee University in 1966. During his summers, Bob trained at the Marine Corps base in Quantico, Va., and officially

joined the U.S. Marine Corps on July 1, 1966, as a young second lieutenant. At the height of the Vietnam war, he attended Basic School Quantico and the U.S. Army Artillery and Missile School in Fort Sill, Okla. As a young first lieutenant, he shipped off to Vietnam in 1967 and for the first 19 months fought in Cam Lo, Gio Lina, Con Thein, and King Fisher, where he served as a forward artillery observer, calling in artillery rounds on our enemy. On his return to the United States in early 1969, Bob taught military operations to new Marines at the Basic School in Quantico. Bob had a very successful career in business as the founder and principal of a sales and marketing agency in the commercial building industry. His love of country and the U.S. Marine Corps allowed him in retirement to serve at the United States Marine Corps Museum as a volunteer docent. Bob is survived by his wife of 50 years, Luena Lemieux Barclay; daughter Elizabeth R. Beacham; and a granddaughter.

Lawrence C. Ford ’64 Lawrence Charles “Chuck” Ford Jr. passed away May 20, 2025. Born in San Francisco, he was 78 years old. At Lawrenceville, Chuck lived in Woodhull House. He enrolled at the University of California, Berkeley, where he met and a year later married Elizabeth Bentley. After being drafted in 1967 and serving two years in the Army, Chuck and Liz settled in San Francisco. Disillusioned by the Vietnam War, Chuck joined the anti-war movement and began work at G.I. Help, an organization dedicated to advising and serving in-service conscientious objectors, deserters, and AWOLs. He then turned his attention to photography, studying it first at San Francisco State University, and then independently with Ansel Adams, Ruth Bernhard, and Morley Baer. He then embarked on a 21-year commercial photography career. In 1973, Chuck and the family moved out of the city to Lagunitas, Calif., which they never left. Chuck served on the Lagunitas School District Board of Trustees, and became deeply involved in Inner City Outings, a Sierra Club program that provides wilderness outings to underserved youth. He abandoned commercial photography for the Team Program, an outdoor adventure-based program of the Tamalpais Union High School District. He led the Team Program for 21 years before retiring in 2013. Awarded three Golden Bell awards by the Marin County School Boards Association, Check was named Teacher of the Year by the Tamalpais High School District. Chuck is survived by his wife of 57 years, Elizabeth Ford; sons Peter Ford and Ethan Ford; and two grandsons.

John H. Hornburg ’64 John H. Hornburg passed away December 25, 2024. Born in Los Angeles, he was 79 years old. At Lawrenceville, John lived in Cleve House and was a member of the House Council. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Arizona in 1968. t he law re nt ia n.law re nce v ille .o rg

|

75


L AW R E N T I A NS

An early first marriage ended in divorce, but also happily resulted in John’s two adored daughters, Kate and Polly. In 1981, John married Kristin and lived happily ever after. No two people were ever more meant to be with each other. John spent the early years of his career in Tucson, Ariz., where he developed and constructed apartment complexes and single-family housing notable for their attractiveness and design detail. In 1989, John and Krissy moved to Los Angeles, where he took over the management of Charles H. Hornburg Motor Cars, the preeminent Jaguar dealership with the iconic showroom on the Sunset Strip. After successfully negotiating the sale of the dealership in 2013, he and Krissy moved to south Orange County to be near his grandchildren. He spent his final years engaging in private philanthropy and quietly helping people in need. In the course of his eight decades, John enjoyed the best that life has to offer, and faced the very worst that it deals out, and met both with character and grace. He treated everyone with the same respect and used his wonderful sense of humor to connect with people. John is survived by his wife, Krissy; daughter Kate Jarvis; and two grandchildren.

Upon graduation, Thayer began a career in the trade-show division of Union Carbide Corporation and studied in the evening to earn his M.B.A. from the University of Connecticut. He continued at Union Carbide in various roles until 1994 when he left the corporate world to join his brother Chris and help expand West Construction Corporation, completing projects that graced the pages of local and national publications including This Old House and Architectural Digest, among others. Thayer was a member of the Potatuck Club of Newtown, Conn., and a former member and past president of the Country Club of New Canaan. More than anything, Thayer enjoyed being a resident of New Canaan and it always felt like he knew everyone in town. Above all, Thayer found immense joy in supporting his children’s athletic pursuits, from rec league T-ball to collegiate lacrosse, always their most dedicated fan. Remembered for his remarkable kindness, patience, and his passion for the Outer Banks, skiing, fly fishing, and sporting dogs, Thayer’s unwavering love for his family and friends leaves an indelible mark. Thayer is survived by his three children, Erin West Turkstra, John Thayer Townsend West, and Nicholas Beavers West; and five grandchildren.

the Bishop’s Award, a prestigious recognition of students who excel academically, lead by example, serve the school community, and embody the school’s values. David’s passion for Asian art inspired him to open his own store, David Hill Asian Art, in Jackson Square in San Francisco. His sense of adventure drew him to driving motorcycles, flying planes, bodysurfing, and exploring the wilds of Mexico. He loved to drive and owned many cars, a turquoise twin engine Beechcraft Bonanza, a Triumph Bonneville Motorcycle, and two vintage Airstream trailers. David loved to play the guitar, backgammon, and the stock market. He built many houses and planted numerous gardens, which he tended with great pleasure. He will be remembered as an Asian art connoisseur, pilot, fisherman, rancher, body surfer, guitar player, brother, uncle, cousin, and friend. A gentle soul who loved walking his dog in Puerto Vallarta, David was insightful, charismatic and mischievous, with a sardonic wit and infectious laugh. He lived on a ranch in Jerome, Idaho, and in houses in Berkeley, La Jolla, San Francisco, Bolinas, and Puerto Vallarta. He also spent six years restoring and living in the Newhall Mansion in Piru, Calif.

L. Holmes Raker ’64

Franklin Yang ’69

Cragg B. Utman ’70

Lewis Holmes Raker passed away February 7, 2025. Born in Philadelphia, he was 78 years old. At Lawrenceville, Holmes lived in Hamill House. A counselor at School Camp, he also excelled as an athlete for Big Red wrestling, lacrosse, and football. In 2024, Holmes was inducted into Lawrenceville’s Athletics Hall of Fame along with the rest of the 1962 football team, the last unbeaten, untied gridiron squad. He earned his bachelor’s degree from from Washington and Lee University in 1968, where he finished U.S. Naval Officers’ Candidate School. He then served in the U.S. Navy from 1968-71, during the Vietnam War. He was honorably discharged a lieutenant, and awarded two medals. Holmes later earned a master’s degree in hospital administration from The George Washington University. Holmes was involved in social service organizations, a foster parent, volunteer tutor, supporter of the Eisenhower Foundation and other groups working to preserve history and historical monuments. He also was a volunteer officer of his lake association. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, traveling and spending time with his grandchildren, family and friends. Holmes is survived by his wife, Mary Lou Raker; daughter Katharine; and four grandchildren.

Franklin “Frank” Yang passed away in December 2024. Born in Urbana, Ill., he was 73 years old. At Lawrenceville, Frank lived in Dickinson House and was a member of the Press Club and the basketball team before studying computer programming at the University of Michigan. Frank always had an unquenchable thirst for excelling at games, and solving challenging puzzles and problems. He was a Life Master at bridge and was mentioned many times in the bridge column of the New York Times. Frank created computer models of horse racing and breeding, and developed a winning betting system. His interest in horses led him to the sport of dog agility training, through which he met his life partner Annie Wanzyk. Frank and Annie moved to Marengo, Ohio, where they established a successful and popular agility training program. They trained their numerous dogs, including AKC National Agility and USDAA Grand Prize winner “The Flash.” After Annie’s passing, Frank remained devoted to his dogs, and took on new challenges of building and racing drones, and driving his 486-horsepower Ford Mustang. Until the very end Frank had a fulfilling life, most recently challenging the norms of computer architecture and design, and getting a patent on his inventions to make computers more efficient. Frank is survived by his father, Chen N. Yang P’69.

Cragg Brien Utman Sr. passed away May 8, 2025. He was 72 years old. At Lawrenceville, Cragg lived in Dawes House and was a member of the Lawrentians, Glee Club, Choir, Open Door Society, and House Council, as well as the wrestling, football, and lacrosse teams. As an alumnus, Cragg remained active, serving on his class’s 50th reunion committee. He attended the University of California. Cragg considered his family one of his most important accomplishments. He cherished watching his sons grow, celebrating their military, athletic, and academic achievements with great pride. Cragg had a lifelong passion for aviation that gave him both freedom and fulfillment in the skies. An avid reader, Cragg enjoyed engaging in spirited debates and conversations. Those who knew him will remember his love for quiet afternoons spent on the front porch, savoring a cigar and appreciating life’s simple pleasures. Cragg is survived by his three sons, Cragg Utman II, Wilson Utman, and Aaron Utman; and six grandchildren.

H. Thayer West ’67 Herbert Thayer West passed away February 28, 2025. Born in Charleston, W. Va., he was 76 years old. At Lawrenceville, Thayer lived in Perry Ross House before graduating from The Darrow School in New Lebanon, N.Y. He earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Denver in 1971.

76 | FA L L 2 0 2 5

T H E L AW R E N T I A N

David N. Hill ’70 David Newhall Hill passed away July 6, 2025. Born in San Francisco, he was 73 years old. At Lawrenceville, David lived in Cleve House. He had previously attended the Cathedral School for Boys in San Francisco, where he received

Samuel B. Starkey ’72 P’03 ’09 Samuel Borden “Sam” Starkey Sr. passed away June 7, 2025. Born in Princeton, N.J. he was 71 years old. At Lawrenceville, Sam lived in Davidson and Griswold Houses and The Lodge, and was a member of the Glee Club, and the hockey and tennis teams. He remained active as an alumnus, chairing his class’s reunion committee and serving as a class secretary. Sam earned his degree from Lake Forest College before beginning his career at Gerard Bank in Philadelphia. He later joined Salomon Brothers in New York City, where he was known


for his integrity, insight, and sharp understanding of the markets. Drawing on his entrepreneurial spirit, Sam went on to found his own investment management firm, Starkey and Company. Under his leadership, the firm grew steadily, earning the trust of clients who valued his personalized approach and long-term vision. A respected voice in the investment world, Sam was known for balancing analytical rigor with a deep sense of responsibility to those he advised. He retired at 50 to spend more time with his family and pursue his many passions. A lifelong sailor and proud fleet captain of the Bay Head Yacht Club, Sam welcomed all who wished to learn to crew or race. His openness on the water mirrored his life on land — where he could often be found walking the beach inviting friends and strangers alike to impromptu gatherings or hosting joyous celebrations, especially for milestone birthdays. Sam is survived by his children, Emily B. Starkey ’03, Betsy Starkey, and Sam Starkey Jr. ’09; and two grandchildren.

Richard C. Zullo ’72 P’02 ’03 Richard C. “Rick” Zullo passed away July 9, 2025. Born in Perth Amboy, N.J., he was 71 years old. At Lawrenceville, Rick lived in Davidson, Griswold, and Upper Houses and was a member of the Radio Club and the Investment Club. As an alumnus, he chaired his 50th reunion committee. He earned his bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Miami. Rick founded Zullo Associates in 1983. Over 42 years of business, he built an award-winning agency that served both national and local clients. Rick was a trusted creative partner known for his bold and memorable campaigns. Rick loved his football. He rarely missed a game of his three favorite teams: Rutgers, Miami, and the New York Giants. Football games were sacred times, complete with tailgate feasts and spirited commentary. More than anything, Rick loved spending time with family and friends. He always found a way to make even the smallest gathering something special. Rick had a gift for turning moments into traditions: the fiercely competitive ZuBowl at Thanksgiving, OZ Olympics at the Jersey Shore, the annual Fourth of July family reunion, the Feast of Seven Fishes on Christmas Eve, and yearly trips with the family to Hilton Head Island, S.C. Rick is survived by his wife of 48 years, Laura Hodgkins Zullo; children Matthew R. Zullo ’02 and his wife, Shannon Watson Zullo ’02, Richard J. Zullo ’03, and Kaitlyn Z. Weiss; three grandchildren; brothers Robert J. Zullo ’69 P’01 ’03 and James M. Zullo ’79; and nephews Joseph M. Zullo ’01 and William B. Zullo ’03.

John A. Batt ’79 John August “Jay” Batt Jr. passed away May 19, 2025. Born in New Orleans, he was 64 years old. At Lawrenceville, Jay lived in Upper House. He attended Sewanee: The University of the South, before graduating from Tulane University in 1983. Jay started his professional career as a banker at First National Bank of Commerce

before launching his debut into retail with Jos. A. Bank Clothiers. A true gentleman of impeccable sartorial style, Jay, along with his business partners, developed numerous franchises that spanned throughout the Southeast, including Lilly Pulitzer, Ruth’s Chris Steak House, and J.W. Bell. Most recently a real estate consultant with McEnery Residential, Jay had a passion to help create a better New Orleans, motivating him to run for the City Council where he tirelessly served the residents of District A. When Hurricane Katrina struck, Jay was unyielding in his efforts to bring his neighbors and constituents home to New Orleans to see their flooded homes, including his own. An avid sports fan, Jay was a member of the Allstate Sugar Bowl Committee, where he served as president and as a member of its executive committee. He led the annual Sugar Bowl parade for many years. Jay also presided over the New Orleans City Park Commission, and chaired the boards of Crimestoppers, the Louisiana Republican State Central Committee, and the Orleans Parish Republican Executive Committee. Jay is survived by his wife of 30 years, Andrée Wood Batt; and daughters Bailey Batt Kelleher and Kelly Manning Batt.

Stuart L. Singer ’80 Stuart Lyle Singer passed away April 8, 2025. Born in Boston, he was 62 years old. At Lawrenceville, Stuart lived in Cleve House and was a member of the wrestling team. He remained active as an alumnus, serving on his 35th, 40th, and 45th reunion committees. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Columbia University and an M.B.A. from The Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania. Professionally, Stuart found both purpose and partnership in the Stephen L. Singer Inc. jewelry business he co-owned with his father in New York. Their collaboration was not only a testament to their shared entrepreneurial spirit but also reflected the deep familial bond that was central to Stuart’s life. A man of refined taste and quiet strength, Stuart was known for his impeccable taste in clothes and his gentlemanly demeanor. Outside of work, Stuart was an avid, expert skier. His love for the slopes was more than a hobby; it was a lifelong pursuit that brought him joy and challenge in equal measure. A wonderful brother, son, father, and friend, Stuart was deeply committed to those he loved, a value that shaped many aspects of his life. Those who knew him will remember his unwavering loyalty and the warmth he brought into their lives. Stuart is survived by his children, Spencer Singer, William Singer, and Samantha Singer; and his mother, Linda Singer P’80.

Gregory M. Levitt ’93 Gregory Matthew “Greg” Levitt passed away March 24, 2025. He was 49 years old. At Lawrenceville, Greg lived in Dickinson House, where he was a prefect. He was a member of the Wall Street Club, Chess Club, Science Club, Math Team, and the Young Democrats.

He earned his bachelor’s degree in international relations from Brown University and, following a brief career in investment banking at Smith Barney, his M.B.A. from Columbia Business School in 2004. Over the years, Greg became a respected leader in product management and technology. He was cofounder of 33Across, an ad targeting firm, and Farmivore, an e-commerce service. He made lasting contributions at major companies including Yahoo!, Foursquare, Clear, and most recently, Quanata. Greg met the love of his life, Jody Yen, in New York City, and they were married on September 3, 2005. Together, they built a beautiful life on the Upper West Side and were proud parents to two incredible boys, Sacha and Noah. He enjoyed being active, which included commuting on bicycle daily, running, fishing and sailing. Above all else, Greg loved being a husband and a father. His happiest moments were those spent with his family traveling all over the world, eating new and different foods, taking his sons fishing, and cheering on his favorite Philadelphia sports teams. Greg is survived by his beloved wife, Jody; sons Sacha and Noah; and his parents, Richard Levitt P’93 and Deborah Levitt P’93.

FACULTY, STAFF, AND FRIENDS Ann I. McClellan H’65 Ann Ivison McClellan passed away March 20, 2025. She was 75 years old. Ann was introduced to generations of Lawrentians as the daughter of longtime Head Master Bruce McClellan H’57 ’58 ’60 GP’10 and Mary Elizabeth Wisotzkey McClellan H’50 ’52 ’57 ’58 ’59 ’65 ’79 GP’10. Dr. McClellan led Lawrenceville from 1959-86. The author of two books about cherry blossoms and one about bonsai, Ann gave many talks, and was awarded the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays, by the Government of Japan in 2021 for her work introducing Japanese culture and promoting friendly Japan-U.S relations, including “mutual understanding between our two countries through [her] great efforts and activities with cherry trees.” Ann was equally proud of Bonsai and Penjing, Ambassadors of Peace & Beauty, a book that highlights the collections at the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum at the U.S. National Arboretum, how they came to Washington, D.C., and stories of the many people associated with their creation and care, sometimes over generations. Her lifelong love of trees began growing up Lawrenceville, with its arboretum-like campus laid out by Frederick Law Olmsted. Ann has held executive positions at the Smithsonian Institution, World Wildlife Fund, and the American Association of Museums among other prominent nonprofits. A worldwide traveler, beyond Japan, she was most interested in France and East Africa. Ann is survived by brothers William McClellan H’65 P’10 and Robert N. McClellan H’65 ’78 P’10; nieces Kate A. McClellan ’10 and Cassandra H. McClellan ’10; and stepson Brook Miller.

t he law re nt ia n.law re nce v ille .o rg

|

77


A SK T H E A RC H I V IST

A Radical Transformation The Fathers Building, which celebrated its centennial in 2025, enjoyed a sweeping refurbishment a dozen years ago. But the edifice also was fundamentally altered barely a decade after it first opened. BY Sarah Mezzino

This 1926 aerial photograph shows a newly built Fathers Building. Note the circular parking areas near the structure’s two front corners and the excavated area in front that would become The Bowl. (Library Company of Philadelphia)

78 | FA L L 2 0 2 5

T H E L AW R E N T I A N

T

he Fathers Building — the stately Georgian Revival structure that stands at the head of The Bowl — celebrates its centennial this year. And while many Lawrentians recall its complete 2013 renovation, the venerable “Pop Hall” was barely a decade old when it underwent its first makeover following Lawrenceville’s adoption of the Harkness method of classroom pedagogy. Over the course of eighty-eight days in 1936, Pop Hall’s original 1925 interior, which included a student milk bar, was gutted and reconfigured to accommodate “Conference Rooms.” Each room measured 17 by 23 feet, each with two closets, a built-in bookcase, and an 11-by-7 elliptical West Virginia soft maple table weighing 950 pounds. Spurred by the generous philanthropy of Edward Stephen “Ned” Harkness, this conversion enabled his revolutionary method of instruction, now intregral to the School’s mission, to become a hallmark of Pop Hall’s rich century-long history. Constructed in 1925 after three years of intense fundraising by the Fathers Association, Pop Hall was designed by William Adams Delano of the Class of 1891 in a “Colonial style” and officially named “The Fathers Building” in honor of the progenitor of today’s Parents@Lawrenceville. The building was made from brick and incorporated steel joist construction, which was an emerging architectural support method. The building boasted classrooms, administrative offices, three separate lounges – one for faculty, one for alumni, and one for parents – a bookstore, a printing room, three student publication offices, a faculty billiards room,


and two lavatories. Although sumptuous and functional, Pop Hall’s initial design would soon prove unsustainable for the School’s future. When Allan V. Heely H1927 was appointed head master in 1934 — nine years after Pop Hall was erected — the School was in the midst of navigating the Great Depression and a rapidly changing college admissions process. Regardless of these challenges, Heely was determined to elevate the academic standards set by his late predecessor, Mather Almon Abbott, as well as to address deferred maintenance on campus buildings. Heely immediately engaged in fundraising efforts but was reluctant to contact renowned philanthropist and Standard Oil Co. heir Ned Harkness for support. Harkness formed strong opinions on education after graduating from both St. Paul’s School and Yale University, where he experienced regimented schedules packed with formulaic lectures. He believed that American institutions needed to “adapt the curriculum and the physical plant in such a way as to encourage the redevelopment of a close student-teacher relationship.” His solution was to adopt elements of progressive British pedagogical methods – namely the use of circular tables, which first appeared at Cuddesdon College in the 1850s, in place of desks. “[Students] could sit around a table with a teacher who would talk with them and instruct them by a sort of … Conference Method,” Harkness said. Although Harkness’ pedagogical technique was radical, Heely knew that Phillips Exeter Academy successfully implemented Harkness’ Conference Method in 1930. He also quickly surmised that if Lawrenceville executed the Conference Method with Harkness’ support, his goal to address deferred maintenance and achieve academic excellence was within his grasp. After six months of correspondence, Harkness agreed to fund Heely’s comprehensive proposal on June 1, 1936. The agreed-upon plan included the creation of an administrative building, an endowment to hire additional faculty, and renovations to the academic buildings to accommodate conference-like classrooms. Just twenty days later, the Matthews Construction Co. began to work on both Memorial Hall and the Fathers Building under the oversight of Delano, who was rehired to reimagine the structures’ interior spaces. Prior to its 1936 renovation to accommodate the Harkness Method, students used to enjoy the milk bar in the basement of Pop Hall.

Prior to sweeping renovations to Memorial Hall and Pop Hall, classrooms were organized in rows of desks, where students sat through lectures. This one was on the first floor of Memorial Hall, directly beneath today’s Heely Room.

Construction in Pop Hall was extensive: Walls were repositioned, floors were replaced, mechanical systems were updated, and the beloved milk bar was removed. In addition to closets and a built-in bookcase, an assortment of arches and pediments were added to each conference room as architectural accents to avoid visual monotony. Mohair curtains and paint colors, notably similar to those in Harkness’ Connecticut residence, were selected by Heely’s wife, Pattie H’55, in concert with Delano for the building. Once the faculty began to move into the building, the interior design of Pop Hall changed even more, as they were encouraged to accent their teaching spaces with collectibles, artwork, and books that reflected both their academic discipline and personal tastes. The resulting eclectic-yet-uniform nature of Pop Hall’s conference rooms was casual in comparison to rows of desks facing a chalkboard. “[S]tudents … have felt and enjoyed the informality …. They have taken part more freely in group discussions, have asked more questions, [and] have carried discussion more frequently beyond the classroom walls,” Heely said. “The Harkness gift has given Lawrenceville a limitless opportunity.” Heely’s goals had been achieved. Pop Hall’s 1936 renovation remained largely intact until 2013, when the building was renovated and updated for a second time. Although the building underwent a few significant changes, such as turning the basement into a technology hub and updating mechanical systems, the essence of Harkness and Delano’s influences remained. With more than just a nod to environmental sustainability, the renovated Pop Hall earned LEED Silver certification from the U.S. Green Building Council in 2014. Not all of Pop Hall’s historical throughlines are of the architectural variety. Mort Fuller III ’60 P’89 ’01, whose grandfather was a leading member of the Fathers Association that funded the building’s construction in 1925, played a key philanthropic leadership role in its 21st-century refurbishment; his father, Mortimer B. Fuller ’28, was one of the first to enjoy the original edifice as a student. A full century after it first rose behind what is now Woods Memorial Hall, the Fathers Building is poised to remain at the center of Lawrentians’ essential search for truth around the Harkness table. Sarah Mezzino is the curator of decorative arts & design for The Stephan Archives. This article was inspired by research conducted for the exhibit “Canceled Culture: First Day Covers and Historic American Stamps,” on display in Bunn Library through 2026.

t he law re nt ia n.law re nce v ille .o rg

|

79


T H E BIG QU E ST ION

Q: Who at Lawrenceville made a difference in your life? Why? Easy answer: My wrestling coach, Tom DeGray H’67 ’69. I wrestled in Pennsylvania before coming to Lawrenceville and I struggled to make JV. But at Lawrenceville, under Coach DeGray for only one month, I went back to my former high school over Thanksgiving break, and as a result of his positive and supportive approach, I literally was able to whip those back at my old school … so much so that my former coach asked me what I did to improve so much! It was a powerful lesson to learn, the power of positive thinking, for yourself and the importance of instilling it in others.

Two people at Lawrenceville changed my life for the better: One was Norval Bacon H’49. He was the admissions director who plucked me out of my local public high school in the middle of my ninth-grade year. I was the son of an Air Force officer; Lawrenceville was not in the family budget, but the School gave me a scholarship. Totally changed the trajectory of my life. And the other was A. Graham Down H’60 ’62 ’63 ’64 ’67, American History teacher and House Master of Upper. He respected his students, set high standards of performance, and expected his students to meet them. I never wanted to disappoint “Daddy Down.”

Charlie Terry ’69

Wallace Murfit ’64

I was fortunate to have Henry Woods ’40 H’59 ’62 as my English teacher in both Second and Fifth Forms. Under his tutelage I grew to love Shakespeare and English poetry, culminating in winning the School writing prize at graduation. Henry’s inspiration led me to become a classroom teacher and newspaper reporter/columnist. I am ever in his and the School’s debt

Robert Burkhardt ’58 P’07 ’09

My freshman year adviser [mathematics teacher Noelle Niu] has been the most meaningful mentor I’ve had in my life. From the beginning, she made Lawrenceville feel like home, where I genuinely felt cared for. Whether we were baking Christmas cookies as an advisory or grilling burgers and hot dogs together in the spring, she brought joy and warmth into our everyday experiences. Beyond those traditions, she also became an important part of my daily life, especially during winter and spring terms, when swimming and crew had me spending time with her almost every day. Our exciting chats on the bus ride home from crew every day were small but brought great joy to my day. Her guidance, humor, and kindness have shaped me deeply, and I truly hope she continues to bring her kindness to the Lawrenceville community. She has made Lawrenceville feel like home. Isabella Jin ’26

Tell us your answer to “The Big Question”

We will occasionally pose a “Big Question” to you, and then run selected responses in the next issue of The Lawrentian. So, put on your Harkness hats and let us know: Please send your answers to

80 | FA L L 2 0 2 5

T H E L AW R E N T I A N

“When did you first realize you were truly educated?”

Sean Ramsden H’65, editor of The Lawrentian, at sramsden@lawrenceville.org.


ON E MOR E T H I NG

Reflections of Another Year Once Commencement had passed, students departed for the summer, and the remains of Alumni Reunion Weekend were packed up, this moment of reflection on June 10 was a picture of peace on campus. Photo by Danielle Rappaport


USPS no. 306-700

The Lawrenceville School Lawrenceville, New Jersey 08648

Parents of alumni: If this magazine is addressed to a son or daughter who no longer maintains a permanent address at your home, please email us at contactupdates@lawrenceville.org with their new address. Thank you!

Tell us your answer to “The Big Question” We will occasionally pose a “Big Question” to you, and then run selected responses in the next issue of The Lawrentian. So, put on your Harkness hats and let us know:

“When did you first realize you were truly educated?”

Please send your answers to

Sean Ramsden H’65, editor of The Lawrentian, at sramsden@lawrenceville.org.


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Lawrentian Fall 2025 FINAL by egadsontheweb - Issuu