awards + grants faculty + staff Faculty Grants Micah Morris, Chair of the Modern & Classical Language Department, traveled to Argentina and Uruguay last summer to further enrich his knowledge of Spanish as well as investigate possibilities for a student trip to the region. Music teacher Bob Rosen attended classes at the Vermont Jazz Center this past summer. “It was a chance for teacher performers like myself to refresh skills both in the classroom and in live performance,” Bob said. Art teacher Jesse Pasca traveled to Italy during Spring Break for an art and architectural experience that provided him with first-hand knowledge of many subjects in his curriculum. History teacher Bram Hubbell traveled to the Swahili Coast this past summer for a three-week study tour of Tanzania and Kenya. He chose to focus on this region not only because of its importance in world history, but also because of its links to all the regions around the Indian Ocean. “Since the beginning of the first millennium C.E., this region has been in regular contact with people from the Middle East, South Asia, Southeast Asia, and East Asia. As a result of these connections, the Swahili Coast has developed a rich and diverse culture,” Bram said.
3rd Century Faculty Grants
The 3rd Century Grant, established as a result of Friends Seminary’s bicentennial capital campaign, provides for a selection of faculty to attend conferences, participate in special projects, or take short-term leave in order to pursue professional growth. This year, four teachers—Ben Horner, Kerry Kline, Jack Phelan, Derek Reid—will attend the Teachers Conference on Experiential Education at the Island School in the Bahamas. Two teachers will enrich their music education: science teacher Eileen Wildman will take cello lessons so she can continue to play with the student Chamber Players, and math teacher Ben Frisch will spend a week at the Pine Woods Music Camp. Photos correspond from left to right in the order they are mentioned.
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Christiana Ley Parker ’92 Humanitarian Award Christiana Ley Parker ’92 Humanitarian Award honors faculty who exhibit goodness, grace, and dedication to the community in memory of Christiana’s thirteen happy years at Friends. Tim Cooper, the Middle School Technology Integrator, was honored for the passion with which he leads students to discover their talents and ambitions in technology, as well as establishing “Sense of Place,” a program which allows Upper School Arabic students to communicate with the Ramallah Friends School. He has has also been instrumental in launching the iPad Program. Experiential Education instructor Deanna Yurchuk was also awarded for the infectious enthusiasm, humility and grace she brings to her outdoor learning expeditions. Over her years at Friends, she has chaired the Experiential Education department, served as an advisor to student clubs, established the Outdoor Leadership Seminar and, more recently, she chaperoned the trip to the Ramallah Friends School.
Richard Eldridge Staff Grants John Galayda, Director of Communications, traveled to Gustavus, Alaska to visit with Abigail Calkin ’59. John wrote a feature article on Abigail, which appeared in the Fall/Winter 2011 issue of News From Friends. Abigail, a Quaker, helped John discover and appreciate the rugged simplicity of living in rural Alaska. To watch a short video tour of Abigail’s home in Gustavus, visit www.friendsseminary.org/gustavus. Constance Vidor, Director of Library Services, traveled to Paris, France to complete her research for a young readers' biography of the classical composer Louise Farrenc. Farrenc was the best-known woman composer of her era and a champion of young women who aspired to professional careers as pianists. Constance’s ebook can be found at http://free.yudu.com/item/details/390938/LouiseFarrenc--Classical-Composer.