Alumni Connection Summer 2014

Gordon

alumni connection

Summer 2014

Dear Gordon Friends, The students and teachers of 45 Maxfield Avenue are navigating the final weeks of school as we push toward the finish line that is Commencement. If you make your way to campus over the next few months, you will surely notice Gordon’s new spaces. These thoughtful additions reflect the tremendous investment that all of you have made in the school. Your incredible support has allowed Gordon to move forward with the construction of facilities that will allow deserving programs from all areas of school life to flourish, including a theater, a dining hall, two music classrooms and an after-school programs classroom. In addition, the Second Century Campaign has raised close to $2 million to support financial aid endowment; a strategic intention of the Board of Trustees.

As I contemplated the summer edition of the Gordon Alumni Connection, technology was on the forefront of my mind. Our growing robotics program, a successful iPad arts elective course for middle schoolers and the i2 Camp we will be hosting this summer (all highlighted in the Campus Notes section) are just a few of the newsworthy technology-themed initiatives.

Gordon is a forward thinking school in so many ways, and that is evidenced through the impact and success of our graduates. I have had the privilege of meeting with many talented alumni who are contributing to society through technology, so I’ve highlighted just a few them in this issue to complement the innovation taking place at school.

Additionally, I’ve enjoyed receiving the news of the next steps for the students from the Class of 2010.

Four of them agreed to discuss their experience at Gordon, and their hopes for the future. We are proud to share the growing list of colleges and universities that they have chosen to continue their academic careers.

I hope you enjoy the issue, and as always your feedback is welcome!

Warm regards, Mollie Mattuchio

Associate Development Director mmattuchio@gordonschool.org

Raise the Red Roof

On Wednesday, April 23rd, over two hundred and fifty Gordon parents, alumni, faculty and friends gathered to celebrate the continuing success of the Second Century Campaign.

Head of School Ralph L. Wales and Gordon Community Association Co-President Kitty Douglas were the emcees for the celebration, which was sponsored by the GCA and Bottles Fine Wine. The campaign has reached new heights as the largest fundraising effort in the school’s history, supporting goals that have already begun to enrich the Gordon experience. The campaign publicly launched in March 2013, having already raised $5.3 million. Since then, the Gordon community has come together to raise a total of $7.5 million.

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1. Chip Riegel, Amanda Riegel 2. Michelle Collie, Curt Beckwith, Susanna Rhodes Beckwith ‘84 3. Ro Mede, Tom Rainey 4 Tammy Metz, Martha Palan, Amy Orth 5. Maggie Friedfeld, Eric Friedfeld, Bill Beaudoin, Sonnie Kpangbai 6. Irene Pappas, Peter Oppenheimer 7. Sue Brown, Harry Romain 8. Bernie Buonanno, Heidi Buonanno 9. Angela Alston, Lisa Jacobson, Rachel Gahan 10. Nick Longo, Gil MacLean 11. Don Powers, Dana Powers 12. Kevin Bowman, Lynn Bowman 13. Kathryn Webber, Rachel Legend, Stacey Legend 14. Peter Fuller, Amy Fuller 14.

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Campus Notes

Class of 2014 Civil Rights Trip The Class of 2014 embarked on Gordon’s annual tri p to G eo rg i a an d Ala ba ma to conclu d e thei r stu d y o f the C i vi l R ights Movemen t. Th i s ti me-ho n o red tr adition bega n i n 2002, an d i s fun d ed b y the Cla ss o f 2003 Museu m Ad mi ssi o n s Endowme n t Fu n d an d th e Br ead y-La pi des Eighth Grad e Edu cati o na l Tri p Fu n d , which was esta bli shed th ro u gh th e

Day one: Monday February 10th

Birmingham Civil Rights Institute and Kelly Ingram Park

In April and May of 1963, Fred Shuttlesworth, generosity o f Ri ch a rd Br ea d y (pa rent o f

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and James Bevel led more than three thousand men, women and

Arik a ’0 2 an d Max ’03) a n d Sa lly La pi des

children in large-scale protests against segregation in Birmingham, Alabama. These marches

( pare nt of Ian Barnacle ’99 and Emmett Barnacle ’03.)

began in Kelly Ingram Park, where police, led

by Birmingham chief Bull Connor, used mass arrests, fire hoses and police dogs to disperse the crowds. Images of these police actions

This year’s trip boasted four new events:

• A meeting with three white students who helped expose continued segregation at the University of Alabama • A tour of Selma with the youngest participant in the Bloody Sunday march • Breakfast with activists who are leading efforts to help African-American farmers retain ownership of their land.

• Lunch with white activists who helped Dr. King organize the 1954 Montgomery Bus Boycott

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were published and broadcast internationally, increasing public pressure to desegregate public spaces in the South.

Day two: Tuesday February 11th

Birmingham’s 16th Street Baptist Church

The marches in spring 1963 gave momentum to the movement, and also to segregationist resistance. Less than six months after the Birmingham marches, in September, four African-American girls were killed by a bomb placed at Birmingham’s 16th Street Baptist Church. The church had been used as a meeting place for marchers that spring. The investigation into these bombings stretched for decades.

In 2002, the first group of Gordon eighth graders to travel to Alabama were able to witness part of the trial of Bobby Frank Cherry,

south, and the importance of recognizing an

has been told in a book and movie, Selma,

one of four bombers identified by the FBI.

opportunity to make a difference. The question

Lord, Selma, as well as in a book by Doreen

Later Gordon groups have been able to meet

of sorority segregation had been a perennial

Rappaport, Gordon’s visiting author last fall.

with law enforcement investigators who had

conversation on the University of Alabama

The group met Ms. Christburg and volunteer

been involved in this case.

campus.

Sam Walker at Selma’s Voting Rights Institute.

The Voting Rights Institute is on the Montgom-

Meeting with University of Alabama

What made it different this year was Ms.

ery side of the Edmund Pettus Bridge, where

students Abbey Crain, Matt Ford and

Gotz’s willingness to go on the record with

police confronted marchers with bloody force

Melanie Gotz.

her experiences, a lesson in the importance

fifty years ago. On the way through town, stu-

In the basement of the 16th Street Baptist Church,

of taking a public stand for one’s own beliefs.

dents saw the current site of a memorial being

students met with University of Alabama

After the presentation, the Gordon students

built honoring General Nathan Bedford Forrest,

current students Abbey Crain, Matt Ford and

surprised their guests by asking for autographs.

a Confederate general who was the first grand

Melanie Gotz. The integration of the University

wizard of the Ku Klux Klan.

of Alabama in June 1963, and Governor

Touring Selma and crossing the Edmund

George Wallace’s resistance, helped put the

Pettus Bridge

Brown Chapel A.M.E. Church

Civil Rights Movement into the national con-

In 1965, Selma, Alabama entered the national

Next stop was Brown Chapel A.M.E. Church.

sciousness. This year, fifty years after the school

spotlight when police used tear gas and clubs

Ms. Christburg met Dr. King when she was a

was first integrated, two white U of A students,

to halt a voting rights march. The march was

child, growing up next door to Brown Chapel

Ms. Crain and Mr. Ford, exposed the continued

planned to leave from Selma’s Edmund Pettus

A.M.E. Church. Before entering the church,

segregation of the school’s white sororities. In

Bridge and proceed to Montgomery. After two

she pointed out a few childhood landmarks

their article for the school newspaper, sorority

more attempts, the march was completed.

that would later figure in her stories about

member Ms. Gotz went on the record exposing

The anniversary of the Edmund Pettus Bridge

sneaking out of her house, at age seven, to

how sorority policies hindered integration.

crossing has become an annual media event,

listen to the organizing meetings at the church.

Gordon students read the article and discussed

and the bridge served as the central metaphor

Inside, she elaborated on her story, and led the

the issue in preparation for this meeting.

for David Remnick’s recent book The Bridge.

students in song. On the ride back downtown,

The conversation covered a great deal of

Gordon students toured Selma, and crossed the

answering questions until the last possible

cultural ground, exploring the intricacies of

bridge, with Cheyann Webb Christburg, who

moment. Then, she led the group across the

the Greek system at southern universities,

was part of the first bloody attempt to cross the

Edmund Pettus Bridge, retracing the steps she

the difference between Texas and the “real”

bridge when she was eight years old. Her story

had taken almost fifty years before.

Ms. Christburg stayed on the microphone

continued 5

Day three: Wednesday February 12th

On Tuesday, students heard how the sorority

Meeting with Gus Townes and George

system had been changed because Melanie

Parris, Montgomery, Alabama

Gotz was willing to speak publicly to the press.

Gus Townes and George Parris are longtime

So, the significance of seeing their own names

activists, who spoke about their work with the

projected on the wall was not lost on Gordon

Federation of Southern Cooperatives to help

students. As students added their own names,

African-American farmers retain ownership

they saw the names of siblings and school-

of their land.

mates who had added their names in years before.

Mr. Parris explained the many ways that AfricanAmerican families have systematically lost

Lunch at Odessa’s Blessing with Robert and

control of their land over the past fifty years.

Jeannie Graetz

The group was joined by Reverend Robert and They both made the case for land ownership

Jeannie Graetz for a large buffet at Odessa’s

as an essential part of economic and political

Blessing. Rev. and Mrs. Graetz have been

self-determination. The conversation under-

social justice advocates since the early 1950s.

scored how certain simple advantages, or disadvantages, can impact a family for many

Rev. Graetz spoke about his path to Montgom-

generations.

ery, and to the Civil Rights Movement. Before moving south, he had been active in civil rights

Tour of the Southern Poverty Law Center

actions. He had promised the church that he

and Civil Rights Memorial

would not “start any trouble” in Montgomery.

The SPLC was founded in 1971 to follow

But when the bus boycott began, and Rosa

through on the promise of the Civil Rights

Parks was one of his parishioners, what else

Movement of the 1950s and 1960s, by tracking

could he do but show his support?

the activities of hate groups, using the courts to pursue reform, and developing educational

With gentle humor, he responded candidly to

resources like Teaching Tolerance (used at

the students’ questions, speaking about the role

Gordon).

of the clergy in a political movement, the role of whites in a black movement, and the impor-

At the SPLC, students met with an undercover

tance of love, guilt and the willingness to risk

hate crimes investigator, and Ashley Jackson

one’s life.

of the Center’s LGBT Project.

The students responded warmly and effusively The SPLC has a Wall of Tolerance, where

to the couple, who let the group know they

visitors can add their own names and pledge

were celebrating the sixty-second anniversary

to speak out, and act, against injustice.

of their first date.

Earlier that morning, Ms. Jackson had spoken about the importance of finding plaintiffs willing to take a case to court.

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Campus Notes

Head’s Advisory Council

Middle School performs iPan and Seussical

Head’s Advisory Council co-chairs Johnnie

iPan was the Middle School’s rewrite of J.M.

Chace (parent of Sarah ’97, Ben ’97, Nathaniel

Barrie’s classic Peter Pan. The student’s adap-

’00 and Lilly ’03) and Rob Glancy ’97 opened

tation last winter brought the humor, and the

the fall meeting by welcoming over thirty

dark edges, of the original into focus, while

alumni and parents of alumni. Johnnie and

also delivering plenty of swordplay, and dance

Rob discussed their commitment to participat-

numbers too. This May, the Middle School

ing in the Second Century Campaign, and

performed Seussical, which was the last pro-

the significance and depth of their individual

duction in the Activity Room before the new

relationships with the school.

theater opens next fall. Gordon first performed Seussical in 2008, and many alumni returned

Head of School Ralph L. Wales then revealed

to enjoy the revival.

the progress of the Second Century Campaign.

The funds raised have yielded a new theater,

2014 Scholastic Arts & Writing Awards

two Middle School music classrooms, an after

A Gordon seventh grader’s novel earned a

school programs classroom and a dining hall,

Gold Key award in the Scholastic Arts &

as well as funds for financial aid and unre-

Writing Awards Competition, making him

stricted endowments.

one of the youngest novelists on this year’s list of honorees. He wrote the novel in November

Next on the agenda was a discussion surround-

2013, when he and the rest of his Gordon

ing the 2012-2013 Community Diversity

classmates participated in National Novel

Assessment. Every four years since 2004, the

Writing Month. Gordon alumni were repre-

Board of Trustees has engaged in an assessment

sented at the highest award level by Singne

of the school’s work regarding diversity, and

Brown ’10, who received a Gold Medal in

how it can strategically further the Gordon

the drawing category. She was one of only

National Association of Independent Schools

mission. The 2012-13 Community Diversity

two gold medalists from Rhode Island.

calls on the expertise of Gordon’s own

Assessment (CDA) was designed to collect

Dr. Kim Ridley

feedback across the entire Gordon community

High School Alumni Breakfast

When the National Association of Independent

including parents, faculty, staff, students and

The traditional December high school alumni

Schools was compiling the book Diversity

trustees. The findings from the assessment were

breakfast took place again this year. Over

Work in Independent Schools, the editor asked

presented by Mr. Wales, and Assistant Head

thirty members from the classes of 2010-2013

Dr. Kim Ridley, Gordon’s Assistant Head for

for Faculty Professional Growth and Multicul-

returned to Maxfield Avenue to connect with

Faculty Professional Growth and Multicultural

tural Practice, Dr. Kim Ridley.

Gordon classmates, faculty and staff prior to

Practice, to write a chapter on Gordon titled

the winter assembly.

“Sustaining the Momentum” as a case study.

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Campus Notes Lower School presents MathStart Musical

This winter, the third and fourth graders presented five performances of The Main Street Kids Club: A MathStart Musical in the Activity Room. The production explored the development of mathematics across time and culture.

Young Gators perform short play

The youngest students of Gordon’s after school

Doreen Rappaport visits as Karla Harry

program were inspired to put on a short play

Visiting Author

based on Who Made Me? by Shirley Tulloch.

Doreen Rappaport visited Gordon’s campus

They performed the play for some faculty, staff

Monday, November 18th to Friday, November

and Early Childhood students.

22nd as the seventh annual Karla Harry Visiting Author. She worked directly with

A.T. Wall ’67 visits campus

students ranging from Kindergarten to eighth

A.T. Wall ’67 spent an afternoon on campus

grade, bringing her lessons on writing and

this spring meeting with Gordon’s seventh

social justice into the students’ ongoing

graders and the members of the Student Lead-

exploration of biography, research, and

ership Council. The seventh grade was fresh

the role of the individual in social change.

from a field trip to the federal courthouse in Providence, where they witnessed a sentencing

Ms. Rappaport is an award-winning author of

hearing and met with Judge John McConnell,

thirty-eight fiction and non-fiction books that

himself the father of three Gordon graduates.

celebrate multiculturalism, the retelling of folktales and myths, history, the lives of world

Wall is the Director of the Rhode Island

leaders and the stories of those she calls

Department of Corrections, the longest-serving

‘not-yet-celebrated.’

state director in the nation. He is also deeply tied into Gordon’s history; his father John

The Karla Harry Visiting Author Fund was

Wall ’36, his sister Polly ’65, and his children

initially endowed by Almon and Suzanne Hall

Lucy ’98 and Ash ’01 all attended Gordon.

and their children Stephen ’06 and Sara ’07 in 2006. Continued gifts from friends and family

He met with the seventh graders as part of their

have expanded its mission to bring an author

continuing study of the US Constitution, to talk

to Gordon annually for one week.

about what he called “the often-forgotten last step of the criminal justice system.” Each of his

Next year’s Karla Harry Visiting Author, Andrea

three small group conversations were driven

Davis Pinkney, will be on campus for four full

entirely by student questions.

days in November thanks to the support of the Karla Harry Fund Visiting Author Fund and the Gordon Community Association.

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cla ss of 2014 HIG H SCHOO L c h oic es

Barrington High School Bay View Academy Bishop Hendricken High School Brooks School Classical High School Concord Academy Cranston West High School Dana Hall School Groton School Harvard-Westlake School Holderness School The Hotchkiss School LaSalle Academy Lincoln School Middlesex School Moses Brown School Mount Saint Charles Academy Phillips Academy Andover Phillips Exeter Academy Pomfret School Portsmouth Abbey School Providence Country Day School Putney School Rocky Hill School St. Andrew’s School St. George’s School St. Mark’s School Tabor Academy Taft School Westover School Wheeler School

Seventeenth Britt Nelson Visiting Artist

Beginning April 7th, the Gordon community welcomed ceramic artist Seth Rainville as the seventeenth Britt Nelson Visiting Artist. He worked with third, sixth and some seventh and eighth graders in the studio. Rainville is a potter and arts administrator based in Dartmouth, Massachusetts. His work has been exhibited at multiple galleries and museums, and events such as SOFA Chicago and New York. Rainville’s exquisitely formed ceramic work is noted for its narrative surfaces and his obvious devotion to storytelling.

cla ss of 2010 Coll ege c h oic es

i2 Camp comes to Gordon for summer 2014

This summer, a new partnership launches as Gordon faculty lead i2 Camp, a two-week STEM day camp for middle schoolers.

Robotics team named “Most Innovative”

i2 Camp is a hands-on summer day camp that

Gordon’s Middle School Robotics Team was

offers a broad range of science, technology,

named “Most Innovative” out of forty teams

engineering and math courses created by

at the First Lego League’s state competition

scientific and academic institutions that include

in January.

MIT and Boston’s Museum of Science. iPad Course adopted by RISD

Each twenty-student course will be led by

This June, the Rhode Island School of Design’s

a lead teacher drawn from Gordon’s faculty,

continuing education department is offering

supported by a graduate student and a recent

iPhone Sketching with faculty member

Gordon graduate.

Rebecca Jenness. The techniques covered in the workshop (which RISD, significantly, filed

Course topics include rocketry, medicine,

under “Drawing and Illustration”, not “Digital

space exploration and acoustic science,

Design”) were developed by Ms. Jenness and

and guest speakers include entrepreneurs,

her seventh and eighth grade art students over

scientists, bioethicists and FBI professionals.

the past two years.

For more information, please visit:

At Gordon, the elective is titled Experimental

i2camp.org/location/gordon/

Drawing, where students build on their existing skills by drawing with their fingers on iPads.

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Berklee College of Music Boston College Boston University Brown University Colby College College of Charleston College of the Holy Cross Connecticut College Cornell University Elon University Franklin & Marshall College The George Washington University Harvard University Johnson & Wales University Kenyon College Miami University Middlebury College Princeton University Rollins College Stanford University Tufts University University of Delaware University of Pennsylvania Vassar College Warren Wilson College Yale University

al um n i p r o f i l e

Nate Bresnick ’10 N at e Br e s n i c k ’ 1 0 i s a s enior at Milton

fun, and I learned a tremendous amount of

really shaped the person I became. Middle

Ac a d e m y, a n d h e p l a n s to attend Yale

Spanish and a lot about myself.

school, especially, is when you first begin to think independently, and my friends and teach-

U n ive r s i t y n e x t fa l l .

This fall, I took a pretty incredible history class

ers were always there to help me figure out

How did you decide Yale was the right fit for

called Senior Seminar. While it was ostensibly

exactly the kind of person I wanted to become.

you as a student? What do you hope to study

about American culture in the ’60s and ’70s,

Spending so much time with people who

there?

it was really about the kinds of existential

were so formative impressed upon me the

As this whole process began last summer, I

questions that high school seniors face as we

significance of building such close relationships,

visited the campus and I loved the place. I went

start thinking about what happens after high

not just making acquaintances. Through today,

for the revisit days in April, and no matter how

school. For maybe the first time in our lives,

this is one of the most important things I want

much they tried to impress us as pre-freshmen

we get to think about what we, not our families

in my future, and I can’t imagine myself with-

with all of the Gothic architecture, it was the

or schools, want from our futures. In trying to

out my Gordon friends.

people I met that sold me. The vibe at Yale is,

answer those questions, I also got hooked on

for me, the best imaginable. Everyone is ridicu-

writing poetry.

I did build a computer, in seventh grade on a snow day. Making things has always been a big

lously passionate about any number of pursuits and ideas, but for the most part, they don’t take

What kinds of activities did you become

part of my life, and everyone at Gordon was so

themselves too seriously. It’s humbling and

involved in outside of the classroom?

excited to share the perspective I gained from

really exciting.

I spent an absurd amount of time this year as

my less common endeavors like these. When

Opinion Manager for The Milton Paper. We

I brought in a transistor as my time capsule

One of the most exciting parts of college

publish weekly, so meetings were three times

item in eighth grade, Mr. Wales said he wasn’t

is the expectation of tremendous personal

a week well into the night, but it was worth

even a little bit surprised. What surprises me,

change, but as of now I think I want to study

it. We had so much fun, and it really helped

in hindsight, is how directly my love of building

cognitive science. It’s an awesome, cutting-

shape my views on community. I was responsi-

things came from my growing up at Gordon.

edge combination of neuroscience, psychology,

ble, in part, for the weekly editorials, and that

Everything we learned was always taught

philosophy, and computer science, with the

was awesome. At our best, we were somewhat

with the expectation of innovation, of making

end goal of figuring out how and why we think. able to provoke school-wide discourse, and at our worst, we had a blast. I’ve also been pretty And because I’m really interested in all those

new and better ideas to supplant the old ones.

The worldview this made us develop was a

involved in liberal politics, in and outside of

progressive one, always seeing the universe

school, and doing biology research at the

as an exciting, dynamic place—a place which

Pierce Lab at Harvard University.

we had a duty to make even better.

Honestly, most of my time here has been worth

How did your time at Gordon influence who

Do you have a favorite memory from Gordon

remembering, even the most trying late nights

you are today? Is it true you built a computer

that you would like to share?

of work and self-doubt. What I’ve always loved

while you were a student?

I remember the Civil Rights Trip most fondly. It

about Milton is that with each year, everything

Gordon was such an exciting place to be a kid.

was such an exciting time, as we got a glimpse

just keeps intensifying. Yes, there’s more work,

Academically, it was foundational in my love

of the world outside Gordon which we were

but there’s also more academic achievement,

of seeing all of my interests as inherently,

soon to inhabit. I remember sitting in the back

more opportunities, more fun to be had with

obviously connected. The constant overlap

of the bus with my friends as we drove through

friends and more crazy stories to tell.

between my humanities and math or science

the Alabama night. Someone’s iPod was play-

classes, the way we took big ideas and tackled

ing Lonely Island and we were laughing so

Looking back, I would single out a few things.

them from every perspective imaginable,

much we could hardly hear it. I just remember

The summer after my sophomore year, I went

instilled in me a passion for the unity of

being suddenly filled with an intense excitement

on Milton’s Spanish Exchange. We spent a

knowledge. More importantly, however, were

for the future and a love for the friends with

month living with students in Madrid, explor-

all the people I spent my time with. My closest

whom I was going to spend it.

ing the city and making friends. It was a lot of

friends, and favorite teachers and advisors

fields, I don’t have to pick just one.

What are some of the highlights from your time at Milton?

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MARTYNA SZCZESNA

al um n i p r o f i l e

Caroline Woolard ’98 C a r ol ine W o o l a r d ’ 9 8 is a co- founder of OurGoods a n d Tra d eSch o o l, wh i ch are bot h on l i n e n e t wo r k s that encourage indiv iduals to use ski lls, spa ces an d o bject s a s ba rt e r i n g t o o l s . From 2 0 0 8 - 2 0 1 3 , Caroline was suppo rt ed by tran sfo rmati ve orga n i z e r s s h e m e t a s the media coordinator for So li da ri tyNYC .o rg , a Fello wshi p at E ye b e a m , a r e s i d e n cy at the MacDowell Colony, Watermi ll, i LAND an d fun d i n g f r om t he R o c k e f e l l e r Cultural Innovation Fund. She i s cu rr ently an Arti st i n Re s id e n c e at t h e Q u e e n s Museum, a lect urer at Cooper Un i o n an d th e New Sc h o o l, a n d a m e m b e r o f T r a de Sc hool and the Pedagogy Gro up. Mo st recently Ca ro li n e wa s n am e d t o t h e W i r ed Smart List 2 0 1 3 .

What is OurGoods, and what was your intent

We will use our online platform to support

filmmaking group called Meerkat. Meerkat

as co-founder?

deep, in-person connection.

helps produce media for another collective I help coordinate called Solidarity NYC

OurGoods is a resource sharing network for

(solidaritynyc.org/).

independent artists, performers, and makers

You also co-founded Trade School. Can you

in New York City. We foster a community of

discuss what prompted you to do so?

mutual support by creating in-person resource

After OurGoods.org started, I realized that

What’s next for Caroline Woolard and

sharing events, at which independent artists

sharing skills did not need to happen as

OurGoods?

can support each others’ work and find support

a one-to-one exchange. Trade School is a

Last June, I finished a project at The Museum

for their own work. Our online platform

non-traditional learning space where students

of Modern Art. The project was organized

makes visible the resources available in our

barter with teachers. Anyone can teach a class.

as part of the Department of Education’s Artists

community, supports and amplifies our in-

Students sign up for class by agreeing to bring

Experiment Initiative. Entitled Exchange Café,

person events, and helps artists share resources

a barter item that the teacher requests. An

it was set up as a social space in the mezzanine

asynchronously.

example from the Indianapolis Trade School

of MoMA’s Education and Research building.

chapter is half a pound of organic coffee for

It was dedicated to exposing guests to

OurGoods users have established hundreds

a spot in a Real World Nutrition lesson. Since

exchange-based practices. Taking the form

of mutually beneficial relationships. Dancer

2010, TradeSchool.coop has spread to fifty

of a café, the studio encouraged visitors to

and choreographer Maria Bauman wrote an

cities internationally, forming a global network

question notions of reciprocity, value, and

artist statement for visual artist Sarah Vogwill,

of volunteers who believe that education is

property through shared experiences. Tea,

and in exchange Sarah designed a promotional

a human right. The full story is online at

milk, and honey were available by exchange.

postcard for Maria’s work; it was a successful

tradeschool.coop/story/.

Instead of paying with cash or credit cards, Exchange Café patrons were asked to make a

barter for both individuals. Users often develop genuine relationships, and aside from the

What was the impact of your experience

resource based currency, basically exposing

integrity piece, there is also rating system

at Gordon, and how did it influence your

visitors to the ideas and practices found on

that provides incentive for artists to produce

decision to pursue a career as a creative

OurGoods.com. Now, as an Artist in Residence

strong work for each other. More stories about

professional?

in the Queens Museum of Art and a member

successful bartering can be found at ourgoods.

I think having equal playing time on the soccer

of a coalition for affordable housing in New

org/stories

field contributed to my understanding of the

York City (nyctbd.com), I am working to orga-

power of cooperation. Initially frustrated that

nize artists (bfamfaphd.com) while making

We believe that a culture of resource sharing

we might not win because the best players

furniture, sculpture, and installations. You can

in the arts is best facilitated by a fusion of live

were put on the field as often as the weakest

find updates at carolinewoolard.com.

events and cutting-edge technology. After five

players, I now see how this ethos of shared

years of research and development on the

ability and interest permeates my work.

online platform ourgoods.org, we believe that

Gordon also connected me with Zara

our next five years should focus on creating

Serabian-Arthur ’98, and we have been

live events that are supported by online tools.

working together as she is part of a cooperative

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al um n i p r o f i l e

Yi Liu ’98 A gra du at e o f H a r va r d univ ersity and Stanford Grad u ate Sch o o l o f Bu si ness, Yi

America, and once I had memorized and could

L iu ’ 98 c u rre n t ly r e s i d es j ust outside of San Fr ancisco wi th her h u sban d . Early i n

draw that, the rest of the continents didn’t seem

h e r c a r e e r , Y i h e l d a job with the large engineering fi rm No rt h ro p G ru mma n i n Lo s

so bad. I also liked the project because, as

A n g e l e s . A f t e r r e c e i v i ng her MBA , she decided to pursu e a ca reer wi th th e start-up

typical with every Gordon project, it had a

f ir m I n k l i n g . I n k l i n g p roduces editions of interact ive bo o ks o n vari o u s to pi cs.

creative component. The border was a unique art project, and I loved turning mine into a

Did you know you wanted to work in

influential in strategy, operations and product

technology when you graduated from

development. Stanford, being in the Silicon

Harvard?

Valley, was a natural fit.

I’ve always been curious about how things

tropical fish seascape.

How did your experience at Gordon shape who you are today?

worked from an early age and really enjoyed

What is your role at Inkling?

Gordon really promotes intellectual curiosity.

math and science in high school. That led me

Inkling is a platform for publishing and reading

Anytime I had a question or interest, all of

to pursue a degree in engineering in college.

interactive eBooks on the iPad and iPhone,

my teachers supported me in pursuing greater

I loved all my hands-on engineering classes,

Android, and the web. We work with a variety

understanding and mastery. Gordon was a

and I even built a surfboard that helped

of publishers and corporations to help transform

special environment where I felt supported,

beginner surfers learn how to surf as my senior

their content for the Inkling platform. As a

confident, and eager to explore the outside

thesis. When I graduated from Harvard, most

Senior Implementation Manager at Inkling,

world. I learned how to push myself into new

of my engineering friends went on to do invest-

I help our clients develop their vision for

challenges and not be satisfied with the status

ment banking or consulting, but I thought it

interactive content across devices, distill that

quo and I think that has really shaped who

would be fun and rewarding to be an engineer

vision into goals and requirements and then

I am today. I have so much love for Gordon.

and build things of my own. So, for my first job

lead cross-functional teams to execute that

It’s such a unique place for a child to grow up.

after college I joined an aerospace engineering

plan. For example, in my latest project I

company, Northrop Grumman, to build

managed the implementation for Inkling’s first

What are your goals for the future?

satellites.

enterprise partner, Elsevier. We adapted over

What I learned in business school is that while

800 of their medical titles to Inkling and built

you can set five, ten and twenty year plans for

What prompted you to pursue business

two white-labeled sites that replaced their out-

yourself, you never quite end up where you

school?

dated digital libraries (studentconsult.inkling.

think you will. I would love to stay connected

I worked at Northrop Grumman for a few years

com and expertconsult.inkling.com). I really

to technology, especially products that can

and I learned a tremendous amount about

enjoy my role because it is very fast-paced

revolutionize an entire industry like education.

satellite design, engineering and testing, but

and challenging. I am able to keep my feet wet

I also want to scale a company and grow it from

I also realized that the space defense industry

in both the technical product and operational

one hundred people to one thousand or more

has notoriously fickle funding levels and a

strategy worlds.

people. One of my favorite parts about my current job is that I can help this start-up grow and

risk-averse attitude. The product development cycle is long and complex. It can take up to

What is your favorite memory of Gordon?

mature from an idea into a real business with

ten years and one billion dollars to launch

My favorite Gordon memory is the Memory

paying customers! I hope to do more of that,

a satellite. I also felt I wasn’t making enough

Map experience in seventh grade. My map still

and eventually lead my own tech firm one day.

of an impact. When I transitioned to business

hangs in my parents’ house today. I remember

At the same time, I also want to keep exploring

development at Northrop, I realized I loved

being in awe of the memory maps that previous

the world, a bug that probably started when I

analyzing the business case for new markets,

seventh graders drew and wondering, “how

was at Gordon. I recently got married. My hus-

formulating the capture plan and then execut-

on earth did they do it?” It seemed to be such

band and I would love to live abroad for a few

ing the strategy in the proposal phases. This

a daunting task! That year-long journey was

years and make time for some surf trips before

made me want to go to business school and

an incredible experience for me. Not only did

the kids come.

learn the business side of technology. I wanted

I learn a tremendous amount about geography,

to transition to a company with shorter

but I also learned that every formidable task

development cycles, like a start-up, and be

starts with a single step. We started with North

12

al um n i p r o f i l e

Dan Landy ’78 D a n L a n d y ’ 7 8 gra d u ated from Har vard univ ersity, and wen t o n to pu rsue h i s Ph.D.

What is your favorite memory of Gordon?

at t h e U n i v e r s i t y o f C a lifornia, Berk eley in Industr ial En gi n eeri n g an d Operati o ns

I have many memories of both teachers and

Re s e a rc h . C u rre n t ly, Dan resides in San Fr ancisco, an d i s a freelan ce so ftware

friends, some of whom I still keep in touch

e n g in e er d e v e l o p i n g b usiness applications for early-stage tech n o lo gy co mpa n i es.

with. A particular highlight was putting on

Pr ior t o h i s w o r k at I nv u, Dan was a founder and sen i o r arc h i tect at G etActi ve

our graduation play, Bye Bye Birdie. It was

S of t war e ( n o w C o n v i o ), which prov ides web - b ased co n sti tuent relati o n shi p

a huge amount of fun, and it felt good to end

m a n a g e m e n t s e r v i c e s to charitab le organizations. Dan ha s a lso co n sulted fo r

our time together collaborating on a big project

n u m e r o u s t e c h n o l o g y firms.

like that.

Did you know you wanted technology to

Why did you decide to become a software

I also have a distinct memory of being at a

be a significant part of your career when

engineer, and what do you really enjoy

summer camp one year when the season

you graduated from Harvard? What was

about your work?

was drawing to a close. Some kids there were

your major?

I started my career doing consulting of a tech-

complaining about having to return to school

When I was an undergraduate, the field of

nical nature, helping clients to solve various

imminently, and I remember thinking, “What?

software engineering barely existed, so it was

business problems like how to schedule

I can’t wait to go back to school!”

not a career that many people were consider-

operations in a factory, or plan maintenance

ing. In fact, Harvard first created a major in

in an electric power plant. In the course of

How did your experience at Gordon shape

Computer Science while I was a student there.

doing this work, it seemed to me that the

who you are today?

I studied pure math, which is great training

software engineers were the ones grappling

I credit Gordon with giving me an early love

for any sort of technical or scientific field.

with the challenging pieces of the puzzle.

of learning, and the freedom to think in

They were the ones who had to devise and

unconventional ways. Gordon encouraged

What prompted you to pursue your Ph.D.?

implement the algorithms used to generate

us to approach new subjects from a variety

After college I was very interested in environ-

solutions. So, I got into software the way

of perspectives, and to not get stuck in one

mental issues, so I began a master’s degree

many people do, by learning it on the job.

standard viewpoint. That is a great mental habit for people who work in technology today,

in Energy and Resources, which was an interdisciplinary department at the University

There are several things I love about creating

of California, Berkeley. At some point in the

software. One is the satisfaction that comes

middle of that program I came to the conclu-

from creating something new from scratch.

sion that the obstacles to improving our

Hopefully, it has an internal structure and logic

relationship to the environment were more

which not only solves the problem at hand but

political than technical, and I didn’t think that

also can be extended and generalized to apply

I had much to contribute in that realm. So I

to future, unanticipated scenarios. There is

switched over to the department of Industrial

a certain elegance to such a structure. You

Engineering and Operations Research, which

know it when you achieve it, or when you see

is a field concerned with optimization and

it in the work of others.

because things change so quickly.

efficiency. I originally decided to get a Ph.D. because I was interested in becoming an

An aspect of software development that is both

academic, but by the end of the program I

a blessing and a curse is the high degree of

decided that I have a practical bent and would

control one has. Operating in a very contained

prefer solving real-world problems over

and well-defined space means having total

theoretical ones.

responsibility for what gets built. In other words: if it’s working, you can take full credit, but if it isn’t, you must take full blame.

13

Class of 2010 al um n i at h l e t e s

Mia Murphy ’10

Maddy Berkson ’10 M a d d y B e r k s o n ’ 1 0 i s an accomplished

What are some of the highlights from your

Mi a Murphy ’10 ro ws crew at N o bl e a n d

s e n ior r u n n e r at C l a s sical High Sc hool.

track career this year so far?

G reen o u gh i n Dedh a m, Ma s s a c h u s e tt s .

At t h e g i r l s s tat e c h a mpionships on

I competed in cross country for the first time

She i s a fo ur-ti me lett er w i n n e r , a n d s h e

S at u r d ay F e b r u a ry 1 5 th, Maddy won

for Classical High School, and placed third in

cu rr ently ca ptai n s the squa d . S h e h a s

t h e 1, 0 0 0 , 1 , 5 0 0 a n d 3 ,0 0 0 meter races.

the state meet. I broke the Rhode Island indoor

earn ed Hi gh Di sti n cti o n at N o bl e s , w h i c h

A d d it io n a l ly s h e a n c hored Classical’s

state record for the 3000 meter on January 4th

is an award based on Grade point average,

4x400 me t e r r e l ay t e am to the state

of this year.

a n d wa s o n e o f 3,000 seni o r s i n t h e country nominated to be a US Presidential

t it l e . R e c e n t ly s h e wa s named the 2 0 1 3 V irgin i a L . “ G i n i ” D u a rte At hlete of the

How did your time at Gordon influence who

Sc h o la r. Mi a wi ll co n ti nu e h e r r o w i n g

Y e a r . M a d d y wi l l c o n tinue her stellar

you are today?

ca reer at Br o wn Un i versi ty n e xt fa l l .

r u n n in g c a r e e r at Stanford univ ersity

It was a friendly, welcoming environment that

t h is fa l l .

encouraged me to do my best. It allowed me

How did you decide Brown was the right fit

to become immersed in learning, without

for you as a student-athlete? What do you

How did you decide Stanford was the right

unnecessary pressure or competition. I learned

hope to study there?

fit for you as a student-athlete? What do

how to work hard, not for a test score, but for

I think I will concentrate in public health and

you hope to study there?

the sheer joy of learning.

try to fulfill additional pre-med requirements as well. I’m also looking forward to taking more

When I visited Stanford, it was incredible. The weather was great, the campus was massive

Do you have a favorite memory from

unique courses in philosophy and English. The

and beautiful, and everyone I met was friendly

Gordon that you would like to share?

rowing team is extremely successful, hardwork-

and interesting. I knew that Stanford is a great

I have many happy memories from Gordon

ing, and closely knit and I’m really looking

school, and many successful students and

recesses. Every day at recess my group of

forward to being a part of the program. For me,

professors have emerged from there. Since

friends and I would play some game we had

Brown is the perfect fit for me to push myself

it is near Silicon Valley, which is a hub of

invented. The games usually involved a lot

academically and athletically over the next four

technological innovation, it has a unique,

of running around, hiding in bushes and trees,

years, while also living in my favorite city.

entrepreneurial spirit. I am interested in

arguing over the teams or rules and laughing.

biotechnology; there is a lot happening in

I always came back into class after recesses

What are some of the highlights from your

that field right now all over the world, and

pleasantly tired and smiling about the idiosyn-

rowing career?

especially at Stanford. All kinds of famous

crasies of that day’s game. We all loved

Last fall, I raced in the Head of the Charles

professors teach there, including Drew Endy,

playing these games and looked forward to

Regatta in the women’s youth four event. It was

a pioneer in synthetic biology. I figured going

recess every day.

so humbling to race down the same course as

to Stanford would be a great opportunity to be immersed in that inventive, creative atmosphere.

so many legends in the rowing world, and it Another memory that stands out is testing a

was thrilling to row under bridges packed with

mysterious liquid found in the school parking

spectators. It was a very special race, and I’m so

Also, I think being a member of the Stanford

lot. Every day when I walked into school,

lucky that I got to share it with my teammates.

track team is a great way for me to improve my

I noticed a strange-colored puddle. It was

running. Stanford has a high level of success in

always there, no matter the season or time of

Pictured above right, Mia and teammates row the

track; many Stanford runners have continued

day. My friends and I were curious about it so

Powerhouse Stretch of the Charles River in Boston

their careers professionally and have competed

we took the school science equipment out to

last year. They went on to win the race!

in the Olympics and other world-class events.

the parking lot one day after school and tested

The athletes currently on the team are competi-

puddle samples. I forget exactly what the

tive on national and international levels. The

puddle was, but I think we found evidence of

sunny, warm weather year-round and access

rust and oil in it. It was very satisfying to apply

to high-tech sports equipment is conducive to

the knowledge from class to real life.

great performance.

14

Sarah Steingold ’10 How did your time at Gordon influence who

Sarah Ste i n go ld ’10 ha s h a d an extrao r-

How did your time at Gordon influence who

you are today?

dinarily succ essful ca reer i n th e Mo ses

you are today?

I feel that I have a really deep understanding of

Brown sw i m pro gr a m fo r the pa st fo ur

At Gordon, I learned to take a step back and

social issues that our generation will be facing

y ears. In ad d i ti o n to swi mmi n g at MB ,

be thoughtful and respectful of others’ feelings,

and fighting for the next several decades. I’m

Sarah co mpetes o u tsi d e o f sch o o l yea r-

thoughts and opinions. Essentially, I learned

really grateful to Gordon for teaching us about

round. Her sch edu le i n clu d es th ree ho u r

how to be a good citizen to the communities

these issues and encouraging us to share our

pract ices, ea ch an d every d ay o f the

I am a part of.

own opinions. Personally, I gained a lot of

week . Her ca reer as a swi mmer wi ll co n -

confidence and maturity while at Gordon, and

tinue at Co n n ect i cu t C o llege next fall.

I’m really happy that my younger sister and

Do you have a favorite memory from Gordon that you would like to share?

How did you decide Connecticut College was

I have a few favorite memories from my time

the right fit for you as a student-athlete?

at Gordon. I will never forget Mrs. Reeves’

Do you have a favorite memory from Gordon

What do you hope to study there?

(Diana Reeves, Lower School teacher) legend-

that you would like to share?

There were many factors that went into my

ary “teacher touchdowns.” Whenever the

I ran track at Gordon for three years, and I was

decision to attend Connecticut College. Fairly

class did something well she would reward us

really hopeless at running, especially compared

early in my college search, I realized that I

by taking us outside and doing a cartwheel.

to my teammates Maddy Berkson ’10 and

wanted to attend a smaller sized liberal arts

Another highlight was in eighth grade science

Sylvia Skerry ’10. In eighth grade, Mr. McAdam

college with a good faculty to student ratio,

class with Mr. Kravitz (Eric Kravitz, 8th grade

(Bob McAdam, physical education teacher)

which would allow me to know my professors

math and science) when we made ice cream

decided to teach me how to throw the discus,

and pursue my love of learning. Initially, my

from liquid nitrogen. Finally, I will never forget

so while the other runners were doing their

search to find the right swim program led me

the time I spent at a senior center with my good

laps around the field, I would practice throw-

to the New England Small College Athletic

friend Audrey Chisholm ’10, for our experien-

ing with Mr. McAdam. Several weeks later

Conference, also known as the NESCAC.

tial learning project at the end of eighth grade.

I competed at the State Meet, and I was up

From my first visit to Connecticut College,

I never could have anticipated how much fun

on the discus pitch with Mr. McAdam for the

it was clear that the coach, swim program

I would have and how much I would learn

event while the runners were down by the

and facility would be a perfect fit for me to

working at a place that provides services to

track. In the contest, you’re supposed to get

pursue my love of competitive swimming.

elderly people when I was just fourteen.

brother have shared that with me.

three throws each. Well, there was some confusion, and the woman who was in charge

What are some of the highlights from your

of the event only let us do two. I wasn’t very

swimming career so far this year?

high on the rankings, but Mr. McAdam walked

This year, I competed at the Division III New

right up to her and insisted that we follow

England Prep School Championship winning

the rules and get a third throw. After the third

the 200 meter freestyle and placing third in

throw I came in fourth, and my very mediocre

the 100 meter butterfly. I was recognized

career as a runner culminated with a great

as an outstanding swimmer at the Bay View

moment with the discus thanks to Mr. McAdam.

Invitational, a meet for thirty area high schools.

In addition, I was awarded the MVP award of the Moses Brown swim team all four years.

15

s e t o sn

clas

1

2

3Os

7Os

9Os

having fun working—I do income taxes. I go

The Other Room, last November at Books on

our second child, Luke Thomas Brown. He was

to Jamestown, Rhode Island July, August and

the Square in Providence, Rhode Island. photo 2

born on December 8, 2013.”

8Os

Abby Ruby ’93 resides in Colorado, and

‘Fricky’ Lyon Vaugn ’36 writes: “I am still

Kim Triedman ’73 promoted her debut novel,

3

Marie Ewens Brown ’91 writes: “we welcomed

part of September.”

4Os

Last November, five members of the class of

she welcomed a baby girl named Kinley on January 8, 2014.

Dr. W.B. ’Buck’ Greenough ’42 was awarded

1983 gathered for dinner at Rasa in East Green-

the Arnold P. Gold Foundation Humanism in

wich, Rhode Island. Michaela O’Donnell ’83

Chris Liao ’94 writes: “Last summer I experi-

Medicine Award by the American Geriatrics

captured the moment. Pictured in the back

enced a change in career and have become

Society.

row, left to right: Monika Merva ’83 of New

Assistant Front Desk Manager at the Langham

York, Michaela O’Donnell ’83 of Rhode Island.

Hotel in Boston. It is always a pleasure to

Front row: Deborah Forman ’83 of Rhode

continue to help guests as well as enriching

Island, Lauren Hall ’83 of New Jersey, Erica

my experience in the tourism industry.”

5Os

Kit Langdon ’50 writes: “My life in Northamp-

Craig ’83 of Rhode Island. photo 3 Anthony Dumville ’96 and Kimberly VanNess

ton, Massachusetts is busy and challenging. I am a hospice volunteer. I love having time to

Frank Ryan ’87 and his wife, Agnieszka, live

were married in Romainmotier on October 5,

paint with pastels. Mostly portraits of children

in Cranston with their two boys Francis V and

2013. They live and work in Lausanne,

in my family, and children I take care of a few

Mitchell. Frank works for Entercom Communi-

Switzerland. Anthony is a creative director

mornings per week. I exercise with a personal

cations as a producer.

for Leo Burnett, Lausanne office. photo 4

exceptional teacher. I sing at a preschool once

Sarah McKenna ’87 welcomed daughter

Sarah Reeves Williams ’96 writes: “I now live

per week. I’ve seen my sister Ann Langdon ’56

Lidewij (Dutch name) at home on March 3,

in central Maine with my husband and three

quite a bit.”

2014. Her parents, and siblings Eloïse (9),

children. I am pleased to say that I have my

Lucas (6) and Ilias (2.5), are smitten.

own mental health counseling private practice.”

a visit with my granddaughters Eilidh (10)

Eugene Johnson ’87 is part of the Kappa II

Jenn Andreoli ’97 has been living in down-

and Zoe (6) and my son Ted in Lake Stevens,

class for Leadership Rhode Island this year.

town Boston for the last ten years. She’s a

trainer and do yoga twice per week with an

Dottie Lund Sager ’51 writes: “I just enjoyed

Washington. I had a great visit with my brother

Senior Manager for a recruitment company,

Ned E.G. Lund, Jr. ’49 and his wife Judy last

Todd Greenbaum ’87 lives in San Francisco

and has been in human resources for nine

fall.”

with wife Assia and children Amaya (7) and

years now. Jenn lives with her boyfriend and

Kenzo (3). Todd works for Adobe where he

their crazy cat.

6Os

Barbara Taylor Renza ’65 stopped by campus

runs their Adobe Pass business for which he accepted an Emmy Engineering Plaque at the

Tal Bar-Zemer ’97 is living in Brooklyn, New

Primetime Emmy Engineering Awards.

York and works at an arts non-profit called City Lore, running arts education programs in schools

in the fall to say hello. She is pictured with Sarah Funke Butler ’87 reports that Lucy

all over the city. She is getting married in Sep-

Abigail Butler, who was born on August 14,

tember to Nate Storey, and in May, Tal was in

James F. Causey ’68 writes: “Jan and I dodged

2013, chews on a Gordon frisbee every

the wedding of Zara Serabian-Arthur ’98. Zara

the terrible tornados of last November. No direct

morning—the world’s largest teething ring!

married Tal’s best friend Jay!

Chris Bissonnette ’87 married a wonderful

Tiffany Spencer ’97 lives in Land O’Lakes,

woman in October. He lives in Durango,

Florida with her husband Ross and their ten

Colorado, and works as a sous chef at a great

month old son Boone. She’s a New Teacher

restaurant called El Moro. He still rides his

Mentor under the Gates Grant (she coaches

snowboard forty-plus days a year. Chris sends

new teachers through their first years of

Development Director Kerrie Donahue. photo 1

hits, just lots of wind. Still growing soybeans and food-grade corn out here on the prairie.”

much love to the Gordon family!

16

4

g o r d o n

5

a l u m n i

6

c o n n e ct i o n

7

S u mm e r

2 0 1 4

teaching.) They have a crazy dog, Jax, who

Karl Dunkelman ’97 lives in Winter Park, Flor-

Adam Mandelson ’97 married his wife

is more of a handful than the baby.

ida with his wife Megan and their dog, Daisy.

Joan in 2012. James Thomas ’97 was a

Karl is a Senior Digital Producer at Lightmaker,

groomsman and Lisa Tartaglione ’97

an Orlando-based digital advertising agency.

attended the wedding. They currently split

Lily Benedict ’97 pursued a Masters in Public

their time between Arlington, Virginia and

Humanities at Brown University. She finished in May. Before going back to school, she

Director Sam Fleischner ’97 is promoting his

Harrisonburg, Virginia since Joan is getting her

worked as the education curator at the

award-winning film Stand Clear of the Closing

master’s degree at James Madison University,

Museum of Natural History in Providence.

Doors. The drama tells the story of an autistic

and Adam works in Washington, DC in televi-

Lily lives in Providence with her husband

teenage runaway and his mother in the days

sion as the Head of Network Planning for the

Nidal Fakhouri. They were married in 2011.

leading up to Hurricane Sandy.

EBU, Eurovision’s U.S. subsidiary.

Emily Bresnahan-McRae Mahoney ’97 is

Gia Garzone ’97 works at Early Intervention

Julia McCann ’97 received her M.S. in public

working at the Groden Center in a position

as a language specialist. She is engaged to be

relations in 2012 from Boston University, and

contracted by the Rhode Island Department

married to an awesome guy, Jesse Walsh, and

is now living in Bristol with her boyfriend Josh

of Children, Youth & Families. She works with

they have a beautiful nineteen month old son

and their dog Bruin. She works at Hasbro (the

families whose children have been placed out

named Anthony Joseph. photo 6

toy company, not the hospital) in corporate communications.

of state. Last summer, Emily worked on a case with fellow social worker and Gordon class-

Rob Glancy ’97 lives in Cambridge, Massachu-

mate Raydeana Watts Roderick ’97. Emily

setts and manages business operations, staffing

Cara Monroe ’97 has been working in

married her wife, Laura Mahoney on September and enrollment for the Family Schools and

Healthcare IT since 2009, and is now living

10, 2011 in Narragansett, Rhode Island, and

Brewster Day Camp, a year-round independent

in Dallas, Texas where she recently accepted

classmate Rob Glancy ’97 attended the recep-

school for young children and summer day

a senior consulting position with Deloitte.

tion. Emily and Laura are living in Providence

camp, located on Cape Cod. These programs

with their dog, Sully. photo 5

host over seven hundred children and one

Ben Papps ’97 recently moved to Scottsdale,

hundred seasonal employees in Brewster each

Arizona with his girlfriend of six years, Sara.

Sarah Chace Cotter ’97 was married in 2010

summer. Rob is currently co-chair of the

They have two Border Collies, Ella and Timora,

to Robert Cotter, and their first son Robert

Head’s Advisory Council at Gordon, alongside

(eight and ten years old) and Ben’s been work-

Benjamin Cotter was born in August 2012.

former parent Johnnie Chace. Rob also sits

ing at REI to support his outdoor habits. He’s

A second baby, a girl, is due this spring. They

on the Alumni Board at the Wheeler School.

backpacking the 210-mile John Muir Trail

live in Connecticut with their two dogs, and

Recently Rob and classmates Andrea Weisman

in California’s High Sierras this July.

Sarah works as a marketing consultant when

Russell ’97, Gia Garzone ’97, Lisa Tartaglione

she doesn’t have her hands full with being a

’97 and Emily Bresnahan-McRae Mahoney ’97

Sareh Rajaee ’97 attended Alpert Medical

mom. Sarah reports that Ben Chace ’97 is in

gathered for dinner in Providence. photo 7

School at Brown and has a Master’s in Public Health from Harvard. Sareh is currently in

the process of finishing a movie he directed in Cuba (in Spanish—shout out to Mr. Isidoro).

Kristen Hopkins ’97 lives in Asheville, North

training to become a Vascular Surgeon at Yale

Sarah also reports that Carter Read ’97 is get-

Carolina. She recently received her master’s

New Haven Hospital.

ting married this summer in Dartmouth, MA.

degree, and for the last three years has been a medical social worker for a hospice organi-

Andrea Weisman Russell ’97 has been working

Noah Davis ’97 is a freelance writer living

zation in the rural south. Mr. Isidoro (beloved

as a licensed therapist at Community Counseling

in Brooklyn, New York. In June, he’s headed

Spanish teacher) has been on her mind

of Bristol County in Taunton, Massachusetts

to the World Cup in Brazil to report on the

recently as she tries to recall all the Spanish

since 2009. She married Ben Russell on

United States National Team. He hopes his

she learned at Gordon. Kristen also has two

September 9, 2012; Gia Garzone ’97 served

editors don’t mind when he uses the inventive

rescue pups, Annabella and Maybe.

as one of her maids of honor. She and her

spelling he honed in Mrs. Emmet’s Kinder-

husband bought a house in Seekonk this

garten and Mr. Moore’s first grade classrooms

past October, and on September 29, 2013

at Gordon.

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8

10

9

11

they welcomed their son, Steven Alexander

home to Buffalo, NY where we both grew up,

taking in some of the fantastic sites around the

Russell. He was born 8 lb., 10 oz. and 21.5”

almost ten years ago. We have such wonderful

north island.” photo 10

long. photo 8

memories of our time at Gordon, especially Pat Emmet and Elizabeth Bakst.” photo 9

Lisa Tartaglione ’97 has been living in New

Terry Moran ’02 writes, “I worked for Heavy Seas Brewery in Maryland as their Maryland

York City for the past nine years, since she

Greg Katzen ’99 is engaged to Caitlin Miller,

Marketing Manager. I moved up north in April

attended New York University for graduate

sister of Gordon employee Joe Miller ’02, and

to take over the New England Territory for the

school in 2005. She’s been working at an inner

they have just moved west to a town outside of

brewery and I am based out of Boston.”

city school in Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn for

Palo Alto, CA. Greg started a doctoral program

the last eight years as a special education

in Clinical Psychology this past fall. He writes,

Katja Nelson ’02 writes: “I’m working for

first grade teacher for students with Asperger

“life is lovely on all fronts out here on the

Twitter in San Francisco as the Mobile Special-

Syndrome. Lisa also has a nine month old

Golden Coast; lots of work and lots of play!”

ist for the Global Sales Team. I’m living in the

puppy named Sachi.

Lower Haight in what my neighbors tell me Jamie Storrs ’99 writes: “I have recently moved

is Janis Joplin’s old house.” In February, Katja

James Thomas ’97 got married in 2011 and

from Jackson Hole, Wyoming back to New

and Sasha Nelson ’99 had breakfast with Mr.

had both Adam Mandelson ’97 and Steve

England and took a job in tech public relations

Wales while he was in San Francisco visiting

Johnston ’97 as groomsmen. Recently he and

with fama PR in Boston.”

alumni. photo 11

OOs

James Pinkham ’02 writes: “I’ve graduated

Elana Goldberg ’00 is a Senior Consultant with

master’s degree in Educational Leadership.

Sailor Charlie Enright ’98 will skipper the Volvo

Accenture. She and her husband, Seth, live in

I will be leaving the Forman School where I

Ocean Race Team, which is a nine-month race

Chicago.

have worked for the last four years and I will

his wife Ashley bought a condo in Washington, DC where James is a lieutenant in the Navy serving as an intel-officer.

around the world that starts in Spain next

from the University of New England with my

be taking a job at Ridley College. Ridley is a

October, and concludes in Newport in May

McCurdy Miller ’00 is currently studying for

boarding school in St. Catharines, Ontario. I

of 2015.

her International MBA at the IE Business

will be working in their admissions office as

School in Madrid. She will be living in Spain

the American recruiter, so I will travel around

until at least next December.

the United States representing the school at

Last year, Emily Glinick ’98 decided to leave theatrical stage management for a less stressful

school fairs and on the road trying to increase

career as a massage therapist. So far it has been

Kelly Allen-Kujawski ’01 writes: “I’m a stay-

a welcomed change and incredibly satisfying.

at-home mom to our son Ethan who turned

She still gets to hang out with Gordon class-

two last December. My husband and I excit-

Nolan Hartley ’03 writes: “I am currently in

mates and best friends Zara Serabian-Arthur

edly welcomed our second child, a little girl,

my first year in the interdisciplinary graduate

’98 and Edith Palmieri ’98 in New York City,

in March. We’ve also recently adopted a dog,

program in the biomedical sciences at

now friends for over twenty years.

so I’m pretty entertained and busy.”

Vanderbilt University, where I will pursue my

American enrollment at the school.”

Ph.D. in the neuroscience program. Thus, I Noa Goldberg ’98 is a first grade teacher and

Ash Wall ’01 writes: “I recently joined up with

lives in Los Angeles. She is getting married to

a software startup company in Auckland, New

her fiance Jon in July. Noa’s mother, and for-

Zealand, working on a new platform for com-

Allie Ziino Hicks ’03 writes: “Things are going

mer Gordon Nursery teacher Shira Goldberg,

panies to reward their customers. It’s a small,

well here! My husband and I celebrated our

sent along a photo of the Goldberg family, and

but energetic group which allows me to take

second wedding anniversary on January 7th,

she writes: “I taught in the Nursery class with

on a few different roles. It is exciting, challeng-

so that was pretty great. I’m working as an

Maryjane Heymann from 1988-1994. Each

ing and a tremendous learning experience.

Adoption Social Worker in Delaware with

one of my three children attended Gordon

Auckland is in a beautiful setting, and I’ve

Bethany Christian Services and have been

School during that time. Rob and I returned

been lucky enough to spend some free time

doing that for the last four years. I work with

18

have landed myself in Nashville, Tennessee.”

12

13

14

children in foster care helping them process

Maggie Moran ’04 stopped by campus on

Aspiring journalist Avery Stone ’06 was

where they have come from and where they

December 23rd last winter to come and

recognized as a voice for gay rights in a January

are going. I also work to find adoptive families

see the new facilities. She is pictured with

issue of the Boston Globe. Avery has had work

for children in foster care who are in need of

Mrs. Baker. Maggie will be the 2014

featured in the Washington Post, the Huffington

permanent families. I love what I do!”

Commencement speaker. photo 13

Post and on Forbes.com. Avery recently

Justin Kahn ’03 writes: “I’ve been working

Nate Ardente ’05 received a master’s degree

as an actor and musician in Providence. I

in Sustainable Real Estate Development from

Jessie Litwin ’08 had the opportunity to

performed music and acted in two shows by

Tulane University this spring.

perform at the White House with her college

graduated from Amherst College.

a cappella group, the Nor’easters, in a private

Elizabeth Keiser, my former acting teacher from Gordon who is currently an artist in

Chris Kingdon ’05 started at Bloomberg News

performance for the President and the First

residence at AS220. The shows were called

in London as a journalist on April 22nd. He

Lady at the end of last semester. Jessie joined

“Perversion Incognito” and “Blue Collar

will take on the role of Social Media Monitor-

the Nor’easters her freshman year at Northeast-

Clown” and were performed at the 95 Empire

ing Reporter.

ern University and had the chance to compete in (and win!) the International Competition

Black Box Theatre. The shows dealt with Elizabeth’s experiences of working with at-risk

Liam Miner ’05 is working as a Business

of Collegiate A Cappella with the group last

youth in New York and Rhode Island, using

Analyst and Consultant at ClickFox, a software

spring in New York City. Jessie is pictured in

comedy as an intervention. Also a part of the

company based in Denver. He has spent the

the group photo in the first row second from

show was an independent RISD movie called

past year enjoying the beauty of the Rocky

the left. photo 14

“Shelf Life” which featured Elizabeth. That

Mountains, including its wonderful ski resorts

movie is currently up for an Ivy League Film

and gorgeous hikes.

Festival award for Best Undergraduate Comedy.

1Os

I’ve also been volunteering with Allegra

Maggie Sawdy ’05 will continue her work with

Audrey Chisholm ’10 earned a spot on the

Scharff ’03, who has been coordinating

hyenas in Kenya. You can follow her adventures

All-State Girls Volleyball team last fall for her

mentoring programs in Pawtucket Housing

though her blog at: travelsofacollegegrad.

performance on the Classical High School

Authority Community Centers. Last year I

wordpress.com/.

team. Audrey is a four year letter winner,

helped a girl learn how to perform Girl On

and she played a significant role in Classical’s

Fire by Alicia Keys. This summer I plan on

Coby Unger ’05 spends most of his time

mentoring again.” photo 12

building things in his wood shop, hiking in

journey to the Division I state title game.

Philadelphia’s parks with middle schoolers

Margot Creamer ’10, Mia Murphy ’10 and

Jamie Macdonald ’03 lives in Los Angeles and

and conducting design research about the con-

Alice Rayner ’10 were all named Presidential

is a performance coach and recruiting director

struction industry. He graduated in May from

Scholar nominees for the state of Rhode Island.

at Velocity Sports. Jamie also plays professional

Philadelphia University with a degree in indus-

The Presidential Scholar Award recognizes

lacrosse for team LXM Pro Team STX.

trial design. He has been working on a series

some of the nation’s most distinguished high

of tool design projects culminating in his thesis

school seniors. Up to 141 students nationwide

Bo (Bret) Clarkson ’04 graduated from the

project for DeWalt Tools. He will be spending

are selected for the honor.

College of Charleston in 2012, and now works

the upcoming summer in San Francisco, work-

as an insurance agent for Bankers Life and

ing as an artist in residence at Instructables.

Jillian DeStefano ’10 was named to the Rhode Island All-State team for her performance on the

Casualty Company in Charleston, South Carolina.

Tavie Abell ’06 was recently selected as the

Moses Brown girls field hockey team last fall.

recipient of the 2014 Political Economy Senior Ari Goldberg ’04 graduated from the

Scholar award, given annually to a top senior

Tom Horvat ’10 was named to the Boys Soccer

University at Buffalo with honors and will be

in the political economy program at Tulane

All-State Second Team for his performance on

attending law school in the fall.

University. This award was given in recogni-

the Providence Country Day squad last fall.

tion of her outstanding record of academic achievement as a political economy major.

19

Visit Gordon School online

w w w. g o r d o n s c h o o l . o r g facebook.com/thegordonschool @GordonSchool @gordonschool 15

Rhode Island Scholastic Art Awards were

Dani Michaud ’11 is enjoying her second

Xilian Sansoucy ’13 is now a freshman at

awarded to Jonah Parker ’10 and Ruby Schnir-

year in the Studio Art Program at Wheeler.

Classical High School on the high honor roll.

man ’13. Jonah won a gold key for his portfolio,

As Wheeler’s varsity field hockey goalkeeper

She is involved in two Providence youth

and Ruby won a silver key for her sculpture of

last fall, she led the league in saves with 235

programs and is the co-secretary for the board

a dress. They both attend Wheeler.

for the season and another 31 in her team’s

of the non-profit organization, Young Voices.

single playoff game against the top seed

As part of inspiring other Providence students

Gordon was well represented in Wheeler’s

Barrington. She was selected for First Team

for education reform, she has helped plan a

winter production of A Chorus Line. Ben Tau-

All Division by the Rhode Island Field Hockey

Providence Mayoral Candidate Forum that took

ber ’10, Sherry Romanzi ’10, Kayla Campbell

Coaches Association and earned a place on

place in April 2014. Xilian also was accepted

’11, Trevor Dorman ’11, Kat Templeton ’11,

Rhode Island’s second team All-State roster.

into a three week summer program at Bryant

Henry Frishman ’12 and Jonathan Gunasti ’12

University where she will be studying Chinese

all had leading roles, and Will Lupica ’10,

Last winter Jamie Pine ’11 earned her second

in an intense Chinese language immersion

Jonah Parker ’10, Sarah Chin ’11, Dani

consecutive first-team All-State selection as a

class.

Michaud ’11, Sophie Jackson ’12, Macken

member of the Lincoln School Girls Tennis

Murphy ’12, Chase Penhallurick ’12, Maya

team. She achieved an 11-4 record.

Hayda ’13 and Will Templeton ’13 were all part of the Ensemble. Meghan Wales ’10

Lucy Carpenter ’12 was the lead in Classical’s

served as the stage manager. This March

Black Comedy this winter.

Class Secretaries 1987

Wheeler’s a cappella group the 18 Wheelers placed third in the Northeast division of the

Case Taylor ’12 recently won first place in

Annie White

International Championship of High School

the pro-division at the Maul’s Brawl BMX

A Cappella. Representing Gordon were

competition in Taunton, MA. Case is currently

1997

Sam Becker ’10, Sherry Romanzi ’10, Trevor

a tenth grader at Charleston Collegiate School

Dorman ’11, Kat Templeton ’11, and Jonathan

in Charleston, South Carolina. photo 15

Gunasti ’12.

Tyler Frails ’13 is thriving at St. Andrew’s Emily Sulanowski ’10 is a senior at Bay View

School in Barrington. He is living at school

Academy in Riverside, RI. Emily was named

with four housemates and one roommate.

a National Merit Scholarship Semifinalist for 2014, and also received the Rensselaer Medal

Anthia Joukowsky ’13 portrayed Warren

from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. This

Sheffield in Lincoln’s Meet Me In St. Louis

award is given to one junior student at partici-

this winter. She was joined on stage by Gordon

pating high schools who has shown outstand-

alumnae Madison Kelly ’13, Kara Berlin-Gallo

ing achievement in math and science. Emily

’13, and Mimi Springwater ’13.

Rob Glancy

1998

Merebea Danforth

1999

Georgia Mischak Nick Wall

2000

Isaiah Osofisan

2001

Rebecca Nelson

2002

Katja Nelson

2003

is a member of the National Honor Society, the Excalibur Science Honor Society, the Mu

Lex Majoros ’13 played the major role of

Carlin O’Donnell

Alpha Theta Mathematics Honor Society and

Lysander in A Midsummer Night’s Dream

2005

the National English Honor Society. She has

at Moses Brown last fall. Lex originally slated

received bronze and gold medals in the annual

to play Moth; he was able to learn a lot of

National Spanish Exam.

dance choreography and play cello parts.

Liam Miner Interested in becoming a class secretary

As Lysander, Lex had to transform his

and managing updates for your class?

character, which included learning a lot of

Email Mollie Mattuchio, Associate

fight choreography, and falling in love twice.

Development Director, at mma ttu ch i o @ g o rd o n sc hool.or g for more information.

20

Please consider making your donation to the Annual Fund before June 30th for the 2013-2014 school year.

Alumni Voices:

Supporting the Annual Fund at Gordon

Your participation is so important, and enriches the lives of students and faculty year after year.

Eugene Johnson ’87 current Gordon parent and trustee

“I support the Annual Fund, because I believe in my school’s mission. As a child, I experienced a lot of joy at Gordon.

As an adult, I appreciate the foundation that Gordon School provided me. Ultimately, Gordon School’s mission strengthens our community by developing our next generation of leaders. Giving to the Annual Fund is my show of support and faithful hope that this school will continue to grow its legacy, shaping brilliant young minds.”

Georgia Mischak ‘99

“The reason I give to the Annual Fund is simple: I’m in love with Gordon. I give $25 a year, which isn’t breaking any records, but I know it goes towards supporting an incredible community of students and faculty!”

Jeff Peirce ’81

“I give because I see the options available to my friends’ kids and they don’t compare. Gordon is a special place. My regular donations help ensure future generations benefit as much as I have from the student-centric, rigorous, yet fun approach to learning that seems to be in such short supply today.”

Lauren Rosalanko ‘07

“I was a student at Gordon from first through eighth grade.

Over the course of those eight years I had countless amazing teachers, met many of my closest and oldest friends and I was introduced to community service, which I am passionate about today. I believe it is important to support the Annual Fund to help give students the same unique opportunities that I was able to enjoy and to stay connected with Gordon after graduating several years ago.”

Ways to give: 1

Log on to www.gordonschool.org/give

2

Use the enclosed envelope

3

Phone the Development Office at 401 434-3833

Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage

PAID

45 Maxfield Avenue East Providence RI 02914 www.gordonschool.org f a c e b o o k . c o m / t h e g o rd o n sch o o l

@ Go rd o n School

Permit #365 Providence, RI @gordonschool

1910 SOCIETY In April, members of the 1910 Society had a preview of the new facilities during their annual luncheon.

The 1910 Society honors those supporters who have designated a portion of their assets in their will or through their estate planning to benefit Gordon. If you are interested in joining this group of Gordon’s loyal supporters, please contact Kerrie Donahue, Development Director at kdonahue@gordonschool.org.