Retiring Student Dean Ruthanne Marchetti
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OUNSELOR, dorm head, dean of students, and devoted colleague for 31 years, Ruthanne Marchetti inspired longtime science teacher Alice Baxter to write an ode to her on the occasion of Ruthanne’s retirement this spring. Alice based the poem on the Wizard of Oz, finding Ruthanne in possession of the courage, brains, and heart of the famous story’s main characters. Alice and another longtime faculty member, Frederick Seebeck, sang the poem at a party in Ruthanne’s honor, and here are excerpts: It really is amazing How Ruthanne dealt with hazing. Bullies got what they deserved. There are no more seniors braggin’ About some freshman they’ve been draggin’ Cause Marchetti’s got the nerve.
center proclaims an awareness that cultivation of the self, so manifestly misinterpreted in the almost ubiquitous focus on selfishness in popular culture, does not reach its most mature and altruistic development until the individual becomes invested in outreach, in the cultivation of humanity, the cultivation of the common good. Initiatives and goals like these make us proud to be members of such a special community. With this in mind, the realization that every teacher makes a differ-
… The sophs needed retreating, The prefects needed meetings And leaders must be trained. She made it her vocation to expand their education Cause she has a super brain. … If you need someone to talk to Her office you can walk to, Where listening is an art. If it’s midnight and there’s trouble, She will be there on the double. Cause she has a giant heart. Ruthanne joined Loomis Chaffee in the fall of 1981 as the head of Palmer Hall and quickly expanded her responsibilities to include counseling. Soon Ruthanne became associate director of counseling and helped in the development of the Counseling Department as it is today. Assuming the position of dean of students in 1989, Ruthanne played
ence, in countless daily interactions with students, and in ways we may never fully realize, may it be officially recorded that the Loomis Chaffee faculty recognizes the following members of the faculty who are leaving the Island this June, and thanks each of them for their loyalty, dedication, and commitment to their students; for their collegial friendship and support; and for the many intangible and unquantifiable ways in which they have helped, like so many before them, to make Loomis Chaffee a stimulating, challenging, nur-
crucial roles in the implementation of the Sophomore Retreat, the evolution of the Peer Counseling program, and the training of dormitory prefects and resident advisors. A longtime member of the Independent School Health Association, she was a strong advocate on campus of educating the “whole person” and of making leadership opportunities available to senior students. Ruthanne and her husband, English and Latin teacher Ronald Marchetti, raised their two children, Adam Larrabee ’92 and Daniel Marchetti ’98, on campus, living in Palmer and then the Ely House until moving this summer to a historic home they purchased in Bloomfield, Connecticut. Ron will continue to teach at Loomis next year, and Ruthanne will apply her courage, brains, and heart to new ventures in her retirement.
turing, and unique environment for young people. To those who are departing the Island to pursue new challenges and adventures, we thank you for all you have given to Loomis Chaffee and to each of us, and wish you the very best of luck: Alicia Specht, Paulette Studley, John Robison, Katherine Keen, Erinrose Mager, Patricia Chambers, Christopher Milligan, Laura Milligan, Mercedes Maskalik, Deirdre Dyreson, Sharon Flannery, and Kari Diamond, all of whom have served from one-
to-nine years. Also departing after 15 years of outstanding contribution is Betsy Tomlinson, who became the defining spirit of Harman Hall and who invested nurture in her students from admission until long after their graduation; after 22 years of service, we bid farewell to Mara Lytle, an extraordinary force in the classroom, in the pool, in the dorm, and guiding mentor for countless students and families as dean of students; and, with 26 years on the Island, we say loomischaffee.org | 23