THE SCHOOL’S HISTORY PART 3
1967-2018: Toward the Millennium to the Sesquicentennial THE CENTENNIAL Shortly after his arrival and minds of students in innovative been discussed for many years. Ecoon the Mountain with his wife, Maia, ways. When one student asked him nomics played a role, and Storm King’s and their two children, Frank Brogan who the commencement speaker would policy shift reflected a national trend presided over the School’s Centen- be that year, Brogan spontaneously in independent schools. Enrollments nial celebration in 1967. Three admin- responded that “everyone” would be. were down, and SKS was fortunate istrations that had been overseen by In that spring of 1970, a tradition was to be near capacity. By the end of the the Board of Trustees headed by Ste- born of every senior being allowed to year, the coed population had grown phen P. Duggan were honored—those say his piece at graduation; all but one to include 14 female day students. Five of Burke Boyce, Warren Leonard, and student spoke, and only two made neg- years later, Storm King welcomed its now Frank Brogan. During the celebra- ative statements. Many schools would first female boarders. tions, former New York governor and follow suit with their own open comIn 1974, Thad Horton succeeded Ambassador-at-Large Averell W. Harri- mencement forums. Frank Brogan as Headmaster, and for man was present to dedicate the brandthe next nine years, he worked toward new Walter Orr Student Commons. COEDUCATION ON THE MOUNTAIN During ushering the School into the 1980s. Headmaster Brogan noted optimisti- Brogan’s tenure, another major change A graduate of Emory University in cally that many students “were claimed was implemented: The Storm King by a fair vision of the School as it could School’s first three full-time female stube—a caring community—who in quiet dents were admitted in the fall of 1970. and private moments made their deci- The local paper noted that “in its 104th sions to meet the School’s high expec- year, Storm King welcomed 130 boys tations.” After realizing that traditional from 15 states and five foreign counpunishments, such as expulsion for tries, as well as three full-status coeds major disciplinary infractions, were from the Cornwall community.” costing the School students it didn’t Headmaster Brogan reminded everywant to lose and demoralizing the one that the School had already admitSchool community, he solicited the ted some young ladies on a temporary commitment of every student to sup- basis back in 1912 when heavy snowfall port decisions short of dismissal. Soon made it impossible for them to get to after, he was faced with deciding what school in Cornwall. That year, though, to do about five decent boys caught the School sought them. Headmaster in a third infraction (what he called a Warren Leonard had pushed for coed“no-choice” decision). “I was desper- ucation but had insufficient support HEADMASTER THAD HORTON 1974-1983 ate, so I set up a one-week survival pro- 15 years earlier, and the concept had gram with Outward Bound at Hurricane Island in Maine. It was to be a demanding test of their desire to demonstrate to the School the sincerity of their commitment. Gaining their parents’ permission, they volunteered, and two teachers agreed to accompany them,” Brogan said at the time. “The month was February, the chill factor went to 16 degrees below zero, and they were outdoors the entire time. When they returned, very dirty, very proud, they were embraced. No one disputed their right to remain at the School.” The late 1960s and early ’70s were difficult with the Vietnam War in full swing, but Headmaster Brogan and his ways persevered, capturing the hearts LEFT TO RIGHT: KASSIE SPACKMAN RANDALL ’73, LYNN CREVLING ’72, AND BARBARA HOFFMAN ZOHAR ’72 sks.org / ON THE MOUNTAIN / Spring 2018 / 5