7 minute read
Q&A
Q&A with Head of School Dave Farace '87 and Board President Mike Cummings
You became President of the Board of Trustees on July 1. Why do you volunteer your time to support the school?
[MIKE] Unlike most previous Board Presidents, I did not attend McDonogh. My wife, Carol, our two daughters, Taylor ’12 and Kelsey ’15, and I moved to Maryland in 2000 when I was transferred for work. We moved to Howard County because of the strong public school system. In 2005, I was transferred again, to New York City this time. We agreed as a family that I would commute each week on Amtrak, which I did for nine years. For those years, Carol was essentially a single parent during the week and it was important to have both of our girls at one school, operating largely on the same schedule, with access to bus transportation. Additionally, being part of a community that fully met their academic and athletic aspirations was a priority.
We were fortunate to find McDonogh, and our girls started in 2008. Taylor was a ninth grader and Kelsey was a sixth grader. Carol grew up in the rural Northern Neck of Virginia and I grew up in rural upstate New York near the Canadian border. We both attended small public schools and had no idea what to expect at an independent school. What we learned during our girls’ time at McDonogh is that passionate teachers, supportive leadership, and a curriculum that fosters intellectual curiosity provided Taylor and Kelsey with the life skills necessary to pursue their dreams and make lifelong friends. Having experienced the benefits of McDonogh firsthand, I felt it was important to give back, so I joined the Board in 2014. It was a small way to express my gratitude to a place that had played such an important role in the lives of our daughters and helped Carol and me survive a weekly 400-mile roundtrip commute for nine years.
The Board of Trustees has a new slate of officers (Secretary Dee Drummond ’92, Vice President Stacey Boyer ’76, and Treasurer Curtis Cornwell ’82). Tell us about this team’s dedication to McDonogh.
[DAVE] As I enter my 14th year as a Head of School (six years at McDonogh), I continue to be impressed by the commitment and dedication demonstrated by these groups of passionate volunteers. The amount of time and energy our trustees invest in leading McDonogh is truly inspiring. Among these exceptional individuals, the officers, particularly the Board President, deserve special recognition for their unwavering efforts in shaping the long-term financial and strategic direction of the school. Their tireless contributions exemplify a deep-rooted love and sense of duty toward our mission, vision, and values. Furthermore, they’re just good people, and I enjoy spending time with them.
How do you see your role as Board President; what will you focus on during your two-year term?
[MIKE] The Board of Trustees is a group of volunteers comprised of alumni, current parents, and parents of alumni who each feel a special connection to the school and want to ensure McDonogh continues to be a place where students prepare to lead in a rapidly changing world. While it may be a surprise to some members of the community, the Board does not get involved in the day-to-day operations of the school. Rather, the Board plays a fiduciary role focused on intermediate and longer-term initiatives underway and planned by Dave Farace and his leadership team for the benefit of McDonogh. These initiatives are regularly discussed with the Board, whose members represent a wide spectrum of personal and professional expertise, to foster disciplined decision making, sound governance practices, and ensure consistency with the school’s mission, vision, and values. As President for the next two years, my focus will be on continuing the work of my predecessor, Rob Young ’86, to have a Board that is energized and engaged in reviewing the strategic initiatives in order to provide Dave and his leadership team with the best possible counsel.
McDonogh’s Global Engagement Program is featured in this issue. Why is this program so important?
[DAVE] It’s imperative that we equip students with the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in today’s increasingly globalized workforce. I’m grateful to Program Director Hilary McDonough—she is a gifted educator who has been strategic in building out a robust PK-12 program. I love the progression through the divisions from learning about different people and cultures in Lower School to exploring global perspectives in Middle School, to really digging into complex global issues through specialized courses, conferences, and travel abroad programs in Upper School. Like Greatest Good McDonogh, I believe this program will continue to flourish in new and exciting ways and will reinforce the value of a McDonogh education in an interconnected world.
McDonogh is turning 150 years old! What are you most looking forward to as we enter the yearlong sesquicentennial celebration?
[DAVE] Learning how to pronounce “sesquicentennial!” Seriously, the yearlong celebration will give our community the opportunity to reflect and deepen the collective sense of pride and joy already found on campus. In particular, I’m looking forward to the November 2-4 weekend schedule of events that includes an original arts production, class reunions, a gala celebration on campus, and our annual battle against Gilman on the gridiron.
[MIKE] As someone who did not attend McDonogh, I am most looking forward to meeting with and learning from alums during the various celebratory events throughout the year. Connecting directly with former students, faculty, and staff will provide me with a much greater appreciation for what they hold most dear about the school and any areas of concern. These insights will prove valuable as the Board works with Dave and his leadership team on the strategic initiatives they want to pursue in the coming years.
The school engaged professional historians to research and write a transparent narrative of the school’s first 150 years that will be published as a commemorative coffee table book this fall. How would you describe the book?
[DAVE] Previous McDonogh history books were written by employees or alumni. For this volume, we intentionally sought the expertise of unaffiliated professional historians with a commitment to transparency. I think they have written an honest narrative, unearthing the intricacies and richness of McDonogh’s past. The book is a testament to our remarkable journey, capturing the milestones, victories, and challenges that have shaped us—often mirroring the very fabric of our nation’s history. As we embark on the next 150 years, my hope is that it will inspire the McDonogh community in our continued pursuit of John McDonogh’s extraordinary vision.
What book are you currently reading for pleasure? What’s next on your list?
[DAVE] I’m currently reading The Revolutionary: Samuel Adams by Stacy Schiff. Frankly, I didn’t know much about him, and Schiff makes the case that he was the most important patriot in the lead-up to 1776. It’s a great read. Schiff is a dynamic storyteller, and it’s a fast-paced narrative. I’m also a sucker for good leadership books so I’m also reading The Wisdom of the Bullfrog by retired Four-Star Admiral William McRaven. It is a small book packed with fascinating stories and leadership lessons from his time in combat.
[MIKE] I recently finished reading Lonestar: A Texas Football Novel by C.W. Wells, the pseudonym for Charlie Britton, former McDonogh Head of School. It is Charlie’s second book and one that I would recommend. In fact, I liked it so much that I sent it to my parents for their summer reading enjoyment. I am now in search of my next book and Carol has suggested I explore the Detective Josie Quinn thriller series by Lisa Regan. The first book in the series, Vanishing Girls, was pretty good, so I am going to give the second one, The Girl With No Name, a try. I am not nearly the reader my wife and girls are so I suspect this next book will take me well into the fall to finish.
