AROUND THE QUADS | OF NOTE | FACULTY & STAFF
Four faculty members received instructorships this spring. English teacher Jane Archibald received the Norris Ely Orchard Instructorship in English for masterful teaching, dedicated commitment to young men and women, and devotion to the cultivation of shrewd analytical minds. Theater teacher Candice Chirgotis was honored with the Robert P. Hubbard ’47 Instructorship in Theater, recognizing inspirational instruction, dedicated commitment to young men and women, and exemplary devotion to the arts and sciences of the theatrical arts. Science teacher Elizabeth Conger received the Independence Foundation Instructorship, recognizing compassionate teaching, a dedicated commitment to young men and women, and innovative science instruction. English teacher Scott Purdy received the Allan Lundie Wise Instructorship for innovative teaching, passionate commitment to young men and women, and inspirational devotion to life on the Island. The instructorships were announced in June. The administration presented Service to the School Awards to six faculty and staff members at the end of the school year. Dan Foley and Steven Morse of the Physical Plant staff, Director of Financial Aid and Associate Director of Admission Nancy Cleary, Associate Director of College Guidance Amy Thompson, Head of the Music Department Faith Miller, and science teacher Simon Holdaway received the honors for exceptional service and commitment to the school during the last year. The school bid a fond farewell to retiring and departing faculty and staff at the Community Honors Banquet in June. Retiring staff member Nicole Jamieson,
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a 14-year veteran of the Alumni/ Development Office, and retiring teachers Alice Baxter, Ronald Marchetti, David Newell, and Maria Schumann, received laudatory send-offs from their colleagues. (Please see interviews with the four retiring faculty members beginning on page 38.) Other departing faculty and staff receiving well wishes included Brian Kosanovich, the longtime theater director and head of the Theater and Dance Department; Jeffrey Holcombe, a science teacher at Loomis for the last 27 years; Latin teacher and Associate Dean of Faculty Nicholas Pukstas; boys varsity lacrosse coach Ted Garber; science teacher Neil Chaudhary ’05; Arabic teacher Lucy Thiboutot; English teacher Ben Haldeman; mathematics teachers Isso Shimamoto and Lillie Avalos-Nguyen; staff member Janis Jones-Strange; Band Director Kris Allen; history teachers Alisha Cipriano and Rick Taylor; and College Advisor Tiffani Hooper.
History teacher Kevin Henderson and Director of Development Timothy Struthers ’85 were honored this spring for completing 20 years — and counting — of service to the school. Art teacher Chet Kempczynski is spending eight weeks this summer in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, working on a privately commissioned art mural using images that represent the colors of the city as well as the flowering purple Jaracunda tree. Chet is painting the mural on an exterior wall of a condominium owned by author, professor of literature, and lover of the arts Minerva Neiditz. Mrs. Neiditz's sons graduated from Loomis, and Chet has mentored one son in the arts for more than 10 years. Chet and his wife, Loomis
foreign language teacher Genevieve Rela, visited Mrs. Neiditz and San Miguel during March Break this spring, and while there, Chet created 45 watercolor paintings that reflected the color scheme of the city. The paintings were to be shown in the Skot Foreman Art Gallery in San Miguel this summer.
is chosen by the Student Council based on nominating essays submitted by students. Nick, who also served as dorm head of Batchelder Hall, announced earlier in the spring that he would be leaving the school at the end of the academic year to pursue an advanced degree and other adventures.
Andrew Matlack accepted the position of associate dean of faculty and began his new role in July. A math teacher and head of the Math Department for the last five years, Andrew moved into the position upon the departure of Nicholas Pukstas, who served ably in the role and departed the school this summer for new ventures. Andrew will work in concert with Dean of Faculty Ned Parsons.
May and June brought a baby boy boom to the Island. Counselor Erica Ronald and husband Tyler welcomed Wallace Samson Ronald on May 28. Wallace joins big sister Hazel. Joanna Harvey of the Business Office; her husband, Jason; and big brother Andrew welcomed Ryan Joseph Harvey on May 31. Departing Arabic teacher Lucy Thiboutot and her husband, David Cooperman, welcomed Cyrus Bernard Thiboutot on June 18. And English teacher Stella Atufe and husband Mike welcomed Michael A. Atufe Jr. on June 23.
Mathematics teacher and senior faculty member Barry Moran was presented with the school’s Distinguished Teaching Award in June. Created in honor of former faculty member Dom Failla, the award recognizes the dedication and excellence of a faculty member with more than 10 years of service. There are two newlyweds on campus. Social Media Manager Missy Pope ’04 and Benjamin Wolff were married on May 18 in Simsbury, Connecticut. (See a photograph from the wedding in Alumni Newsnotes.) And Associate Director of College Guidance Andrea Rooks married Joseph Straccia on July 21 in Amherst, Massachusetts. The Student Council presented the Teacher of Year Award to Latin teacher and Associate Dean of Faculty Nicholas Pukstas this spring. The announcement at the Spring Awards Ceremony prompted a standing, cheering ovation from the students, faculty, and staff in the audience. Teacher of the Year
Art teacher Mark Zunino received the Austin Wicke Prize this spring at the Community Honors Banquet. Given in memory of Austin by his parents, the prize recognizes a Loomis Chaffee faculty member of less than 10 years of service who demonstrates a dedication to the discipline of teaching and a commitment to fostering the growth and development of young people. Mark, an accomplished artist, teaches printmaking, drawing, and Advanced Placement Art and directs the department’s Visiting Artist Program.