Mercersburg Magazine - Spring 2018

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Mercersburg Academy Mercersburg Academy 300 East Seminary Street 300 East Seminary Street Mercersburg, PA 17236-1551 Mercersburg, PA 17236-1551

Mercersburg AAmagazine magazinefor forMercersburg MercersburgAcademy Academyfamily familyand andfriends friends

Day

in the Life PAGE 16

MERCERSBURG SUMMER PROGRAMS

FAMILY and ALUMNI WEEKEND October 20 22, 2017

ADVENTURE CAMP STEAM CAMP PERFORMING ARTS INTENSIVE

YOUNG WRITERS CAMP SWIM CLINICS BASKETBALL CAMP SOCCER CAMP

COED SUMMER PROGRAMS | AGES 8-17 | 717-328-6225 | MERCERSBURGSUMMER.COM

Changing Times PAGE 14

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Come Home Mercersburg is waiting for you!

CONNECT

Class reunions for 3s and 8s.

All Mercersburg alumni and friends of the school are invited.

PLAY

Golf, tennis, swimming, squash, and more! Quad games and class tent competition.

RELAX

The campus is yours!

All-inclusive packages are available at early-bird rates.

UNWIND

LEARN

Classes led by faculty and alumni.

Gettysburg Battlefield tour.

June 7-1

Live music, libations, and lifelong friendships. Four days in the place you once called home.

0, 2018

Full schedule and registration: mercersburg.edu/reunionweekend Early-bird all-inclusive packages available before May 1

Save the Date!

Family and Alumni Weekend September 28-30, 2018

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MERCERSBURG MAGAZINE SPRING 2018

VOLUME 44

NO. 1

A magazine for Mercersburg Academy family and friends

SPRING 2018

Mercersburg

Changing Times

Irving-Marshall Week

Relive the excitement of this year’s Irving-Marshall rivalry, a tradition that actually predates the Academy itself. Page 12

Changing Times: 1928-1972

12 20

After the solid foundation established by William Mann Irvine, Mercersburg’s next three headmasters—Boyd Edwards, Charles Tippetts, and William Fowle—continue to grow and strengthen the school. Page 14

Mercersburg’s Alumni Read conversations between current students and alumni who attended Mercersburg between 1928 and 1972.

Page 20

Words from the Past Explore a selection of Class Notes—once called Alumni Notes—from the first seven decades of Mercersburg’s history.

Page 42

You Should Know This snapshot, submitted by Casey Nguyen ’19, earned second place in the photography category in this year’s Beat the Pros student photo and video contest. To see all winning entries, visit bit.ly/BeatThePros2017.

Photo/Illustration Credits: p. 2 Jillian Wilkerson; p. 3-4 Lee Owen; p. 6 Wilkerson; p. 7 Bill Green; p. 8 Wilkerson (Sapolsky, Thomas, Jenkins, Whitmore), Beth Caldwell (Marathe); p. 10-11 Bowie Gridley Architects of Washington, D.C.; p. 12-13 Paul Rutherford; p. 14-19 Tristan Chace; p. 20-21 Mercersburg Archives, ProArts Media (Reunion Weekend 2017); p. 22-23 Mercersburg Archives, Michael Lumentut (Alumni Weekend 2016); p. 24-25 Mercersburg Archives, Wilkerson (2017 English class); p. 27-28 Mercersburg Archives; p. 30-32 Mercersburg Archives, Wilkerson (Oparaji/ Ryan); p. 33 Rodney Cool; p. 34-35 Bob Stoler; p. 36 Ryan Smith; p. 38 Smith (boys’ cross country); p. 39 Stoler; p. 40 Smith (golf); p. 41 Rutherford (girls’ and boys’ soccer), Smith (volleyball); p. 42-44 Mercersburg Archives.

Cover Illustration: Tristan Chace

From the Head of School Via Mercersburg Arts Athletics Class Notes Mercersburg magazine is published by the Office of Strategic Marketing and Communications.

Mercersburg Academy 300 East Seminary Street Mercersburg, Pennsylvania 17236 Magazine correspondence: Megan_Mallory@mercersburg.edu Class Notes correspondence: classnotes@mercersburg.edu Alumni correspondence/ change of address: alumni@mercersburg.edu 800-588-2550 Read us online: www.mercersburg.edu/magazine Editor: Megan Mallory

2 3 33 38 45 Class Notes Editor: Tyler Miller Contributors: Anna Bottin ’20, Ross Lenhart ’58, Amy Marathe, Megan McGregor ’20, Tyler Miller, Chioma Oparaji ’20, Lee Owen, Michele Poacelli, Lou Prevost ’67, Zally Price, Bill Rockey ’45, Shelley Beck Ryan ’72, Hamp Shuford ’46, Bella Skrbich ’18, Bob Smith ’37, Natalie Titus ’20, Jillian Wilkerson Design: Aldrich Design Head of School: Katherine M. Titus Director of Strategic Marketing and Communications: Amy Marathe Director of News and Content: Lee Owen Assistant Head for Advancement and Communications: Brian Hargrove Assistant Head for Enrollment: Quentin McDowell

© Copyright 2018 Mercersburg Academy. All rights reserved. No content from this publication may be reproduced or reprinted in any form without the express written consent of Mercersburg Academy.

Mercersburg Academy abides by both the spirit and the letter of the law in all its employment and admission policies. The school does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, or national or ethnic origin.

From the Head of School

Standing on Solid Foundations, Moving Toward Future Opportunities

T

his spring, the Class of 2018 will be our 125th graduating class—125 years and thousands of graduates!

Each and every individual in this year’s graduating class brings a unique and diverse life experience that creates a beautiful mosaic of today’s Mercersburg.

And yet, today’s students and their experiences look quite different from those of graduating classes of our past. Whether that’s gender or global diversity, what students wear, how they communicate with each other, or how and where we gather together as a community, much has changed over time. The core values of our school remain steadfast, however, tying us together over generations to our alma mater.

In this edition of Mercersburg magazine, you will read stories from our history, stories from the legacy of our second, third, and fourth heads of school—or headmasters, as they were called then—and stories of alums told through the voices of our current students, exploring the similarities and differences of the Mercersburg of yesterday and the Mercersburg of today. Throughout, you will be reminded of the importance of the school’s willingness to embrace the complexities of each generation and evolve the programs and expePlease take a moment to participate riences, while always remaining in the Strategic Design Survey about your Mercersburg experience. Your true to the founding principles of input will help us align our strategy to Today’s students face a future that is Dr. William Mann Irvine. what matters most to our community! becoming harder and harder for us to As Mercersburg’s seventh head Get started at www.mercersburg.edu/ imagine. It is our responsibility to root of school, following on the heels of StrategicDesignSurvey. them in the core values of a Mercersburg great leadership that has stewarded education, while preparing them for a our community through joyful and future we cannot predict. This is an exciting time for our challenging times, I feel the responsibility of helping our school as we look toward that future while steadfastly school look toward the future with creativity and courage. We remaining true to our long tradition of humility, coupled are in the midst of a comprehensive strategic design process with our deep egalitarian spirit. I am honored to be serving that will culminate later this year in an articulation of the Mercersburg Academy in this important moment in its school’s mission and values, as well as a roadmap to guide history. future priorities for the school. Part of these discussions are already resulting in clear decisions related to the school’s tuition, and Mercersburg is leading the way among independent boarding schools as we recommit to being a school that Katherine M. Titus is both accessible and affordable. I will explain more about Head of School these exciting next steps on page 5 of this issue.

MERCERSBURG MAGAZINE SPRING 2018

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D AT E S T O R E M E M B E R

Mercersburg A roundup of what’s news, what’s new, and what Mercersburg people are talking about.

May 25

Baccalaureate 7 p.m., Irvine Memorial Chapel

May 26

Commencement 10:30 a.m.

June 7-10

Reunion Weekend

Sept 2

Convocation 2 p.m., Irvine Memorial Chapel

Sept 28-30 Family and Alumni Weekend Schedule subject to change; for a full and updated schedule of events, visit www.mercersburg.edu

Garrett Noone ’18 and Eliza DuBose ’20

October Day of Discussion Leads to Courageous Conversations

Mercersburg deliberately chose a day in October to put its regular schedule on hold to focus on an entire morning and afternoon of courageous conversations.

In place of classes, students met in groups of about a dozen each to discuss topics of global, national, regional, and local significance. Each student group also included at least two faculty members, who helped moderate and guide the discussions. continued on page 4

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MERCERSBURG MAGAZINE SPRING 2018

The school chose 15 different topics to examine inside the groups: • Climate change • Education system • Freedom of speech • Freedom of the press • Gender issues • Health care • Immigration • LGBTQ issues • Natural disaster relief efforts • North Korea • Opioid crisis • Political divide • Race relations • Refugee crises • Right to bear arms

Head of School Katie Titus opened the day with a school meeting in the Irvine Memorial Chapel and all students and faculty returned to the Chapel for a closing session in the afternoon. The closing event (which was organized in the format of a traditional Quaker meeting for worship) featured personal reflections on the day and on some of the topics discussed from students, faculty, and staff who took part.

“We’re not looking to solve the world’s problems in one day at Mercersburg Academy—the leaders of the world can’t do that, and that’s their job,” Titus said to the student body. “But what we can do is we can empower our voices—our

“Even when we had some differences of opinion, I was impressed with how the kids listened to each other without objection. When they didn’t reach a consensus, they agreed to disagree. They were focused on what we can do to touch somebody that needs help. It was a very positive experience.”

— JIM BRINSON, FACULTY MEMBER

own individual voices and our collective voices. We can recognize that even here in a school in rural Pennsylvania, we can make a difference in small ways and in big ways.

“And that’s what today is about. It’s really about all of us coming together and recognizing that there is a lot going on in the world around us, and it is okay to be thinking and feeling the way we are thinking and feeling.”

“I feel that everyone needed this day to talk and reflect,” said Ava Paul ’18 of Hagerstown, Maryland. “With the recent events we’ve seen in Las Vegas, with Hurricane Maria, and in Houston and other places, there are so many important issues in today’s world, and it can be very hard to address them in our little universe here on campus. We can get so caught up in our bubble, but [on this day], we broke through.

“I know in my group, which focused on the refugee crisis, we came up with some ideas to bring awareness to the crisis and things to help the refugees near us.

Even though I heard some opinions that I didn’t agree with, I’m glad to have heard them and to be able to look at things from the other side—because that is what we have to do in order to be a united school and a united country. I just hope that we can keep this awareness of these issues on campus, so that we are in tune with the world.”

Students gathered again in January for a second day of courageous conversations in recognition of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. For more det ails, visit bit.ly/MburgMLKDay. —Lee Owen

“It was an incredible experience. My group discussed education; we had positive dialogue throughout the day and were supportive of one another’s ideas, even when those ideas differed at times.

Students were bold enough to speak their beliefs, but were also assured that those beliefs would be accepted by their peers.

The result was very courageous dialogue throughout the entire day.”

—THOMAS YONKE ’19

MERCERSBURG MAGAZINE SPRING 2018

Breaking the Barbell:

Q&A

with the Head of School

BY AMY MARATHE, DIRECTOR OF STRATEGIC MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS

Head of School Katie Titus is encouraging schools to address the elephant in the room—tuition growth—and leading the conversation for access and affordability.

Amy Marathe: Katie, Mercersburg Academy recently announced a big shift regarding tuition. Tell me more about that.

Katie Titus: For a long time, Mercersburg Academy has been

known for its egalitarian spirit, and when I have the opportunity to talk to alums over the generations, they all say the same thing: “Mercersburg changed the course of my life.” And that statement excites me! I want any family who wants their child to have this amazing educational experience to have an opportunity to come here. But as tuitions grow, we have to acknowledge that it is getting harder and harder for families, especially middle-class families, to even consider our school as an option for their child.

So, in February, we took a decisive step to address the elephant in the room. We asked ourselves the tough question: How can we be more affordable and accessible to families both locally and across the country from all socioeconomic backgrounds?

AM: To address that question, you made a commitment to current and future families by decreasing tuition 10 percent for day students and increasing tuition for boarding students by just 1.5 percent (a record low). How is the school able to make those adjustments?

KT: We are very fortunate in that we com-

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act for most schools that we want to break. It’s really very unsustainable. The issue is that families who are in the bar of the bell can’t afford full tuition and do not qualify for significant financial assistance. I believe this approach will cause a tuition bubble that will burst. We are not waiting for that bubble to burst.

AM: What’s the danger in being a barbell school?

KT: It misrepresents the world our kids will be living in. They will

experience a world full of all types of diversity, so going to a school that actively promotes diversity in every way will help prepare our students for the real world. We are committed to changing the course of our students’ lives in a positive way that will help them succeed in life. We seek to be a “need blind” school in that we accept students who are academically and mission appropriate without looking at the financial need of the family. That’s the goal.

AM: Do you think other schools will follow Mercersburg’s lead?

KT: I do think people want to have this conversation, but it’s not

an easy one to have and we certainly do not have all the answers.

But I know from my personal conversations Did You Know? with other heads of school that deep down, in their hearts, they want to have a dialogue • Tuition for the 2018-2019 year will be $59,200 (boarding students) where we can collectively come up with soluand $35,325 (day students). tions. Again, we are fortunate in that we can • Approximately 50 percent of address this from a place of strength, given Mercersburg Academy students our endowment, as well as a Board commitreceive financial aid. ment to the aspiration of being need blind.

• The average financial-aid grant is pleted a $300 million campaign in 2016 just over $33,000. that was focused on financial aid and other AM: What if this falls on deaf ears and no one • To read the full announcement programs. Because of the Daring to Lead in the industry cares? on Mercersburg Academy’s Campaign, we can increase our financialKT: We did ask ourselves that question, and tuition reset, please visit aid resources available to our students. In it doesn’t change anything for us or our core www.mercersburg.edu/tuition. fact, $77 million is exclusively earmarked for values and what we are trying to accomplish financial aid. We come at this from a posifor our school. I actually believe it only helps tion of strength because we have the endowment that supports us and it will help us become recognized for doing the right thing some of these efforts. We recognize that not all schools can do for education. Our ultimate goal is to create a socioeconomically this without impacting the programs or the students’ experience. diverse community that is not just the “haves” and “have-nots.”

We, like many schools, have increased our tuition year after year We want to be more representative of the world in which our stutypically between 4-7 percent. So, holding our tuition increase at dents will thrive as citizens. just 1.5 percent is a significant first step, and it signals our intention to look hard at tuition increases every year.

AM: What are you looking forward to next?

KT: It’s an exciting time at our school, and this is just one element AM: I’ve heard you use a term called “breaking the barbell.” What of the work we are doing to try to establish what the future of do you mean by that?

Mercersburg will look like. We are working hard on our strategic KT: A barbell model is when a school has a large number of studesign plan, which will help drive decisions for the next five to dents whose families can afford the full tuition on one side, and a seven years, and evaluating our core values. It’s these conversalarge number of students who are receiving generous financial aid tions that will help us prepare our kids for a future that, frankly, on the other, with very few students in between. It’s a balancing none of us can predict.

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MERCERSBURG MAGAZINE SPRING 2018

Bryan Morgan ’07 directs a performance of the Jazz Band during the Mercersburg Quad Experience.

Mercersburg Onward Brings Campus to D.C. Mercersburg Onward 2018—the school’s largest-ever off-campus event—drew nearly 450 people to Washington, D.C., in January.

Alumni, parents, friends of Mercersburg, and prospective families joined faculty, staff, and students for a one-of-a-kind evening.

Attendees participated in an alumni panel discussion, hands-on education during a challenge-based learning exercise, a session exploring the path to college with college counseling representatives and current students, and global travel with the director

Esteban Ancona Garcia ’18 and Kate Frimet ’18 share their experiences during the college counseling session.

of global programs and initiatives and several current students.

After the sessions, attendees enjoyed a “Mercersburg Quad Experience” where students and faculty brought the Mercersburg campus to life. Guests mingled at several stations highlighting dorm life, student leaders, robotics, Mercersburg’s 125th anniversary, and the Irvine Memorial Chapel. One station featured performances by Mercersburg’s Jazz Band. For prospective families or alumni curious about current enrollment initiatives, the evening also included an Admission Office Q&A. Mercersburg Onward 2018 concluded with the traditional singing of the Alma Mater. For more highlights, including photos and videos, visit bit.ly/Onward2018.

Patrick Madden ’18 prepares the robotics station for the Mercersburg Quad Experience.

Faculty member Nate Jacklin ’96 (center) leads attendees in a challenge-based learning activity.

MERCERSBURG MAGAZINE SPRING 2018

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Gerry and Marguerite Lenfest

Lenfests Receive Carnegie Medal of Philanthropy Board of Regents President Emeritus H.F. “Gerry” Lenfest ’49 and his wife, Marguerite, have been recognized with the 2017 Carnegie Medal of Philanthropy.

The medal, which was presented October 3 in New York City, is awarded every two years to inspire a culture of giving by celebrating innovative philanthropists and by sharing knowledge and understanding of the field of philanthropy.

“We’ve depleted most of our wealth today, and I believe for good causes,” Gerry Lenfest told an audience of 300 guests during a luncheon at the New York Public Library. “We’ve tried very hard to do the right thing with wealth. It’s been most fortunate, I think, to have had the opportunity to give back.”

The Lenfests have given more than $100 million to Mercersburg, including a $35 million gift in 2000. Gifts from the

Lenfests have had a significant impact on Mercersburg’s endowment, financial aid for deserving students, new construction and renovations to existing facilities, and much more.

Gerry Lenfest served on Mercersburg’s Board of Regents from 1989 to 1998, and as its president from 1994 to 1998; he was a member of the school’s Mightily Onward Campaign Steering Committee and chaired the Campaign’s leadership gifts committee.

The Lenfests served as honorary co-chairs for the Daring to Lead Campaign, which raised more than $300 million.

Beyond Mercersburg, Gerry and Marguerite have given more than $1 billion to Columbia University, the Lenfest Institute for Journalism, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Museum of the American Revolution, Washington and Lee University, the Curtis Institute of Music, Wilson College, and many other worthy entities. Recognizing the power of philanthropy, the Lenfests have also joined Warren Buffett’s and Bill and Melinda Gates’ “Giving Pledge.”

After graduating from Mercersburg,

Washington and Lee University, and Columbia Law School, Gerry Lenfest served in the U.S. Navy and practiced law at the New York firm of Davis Polk & Wardwell. He served as associate counsel and head of Triangle Publications’ communications division and as editorial director of Seventeen magazine. In 1974, he bought two cable-television systems with a total of 7,600 subscribers to form Lenfest Communications; at its sale to Comcast in 2000, the company had 1.2 million subscribers.

The Lenfest Scholars Foundation provides college scholarships and guidance to high-achieving students from rural Pennsylvania. Gerry Lenfest has served as a trustee at Columbia University and Washington and Lee University, and as chairman of the boards and councils of numerous other nonprofit organizations, including the Curtis Institute of Music, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Museum of the American Revolution, and the James Madison Council of the Library of Congress.

—Tyler Miller and Lee Owen

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MERCERSBURG MAGAZINE SPRING 2018

Burg’s Eye View

CAMPUS NOTES

Fall speakers in Mercersburg’s 2017–2018 Monday Evening Lecture Series included Robert Sapolsky and Angie Thomas.

Sapolsky, who is a Robert Sapolsky MacArthur “Genius” Fellow as well as a Stanford University professor and author of the 2017 book Behave: The Biology of Humans at Our Best and Worst, delivered the Ammerman Family Lecture in October. Sapolsky is a Angie Thomas professor of neurology, neurosurgery, and biology at Stanford University, and a research associate with the Institute of Primate Research at the National Museum of Kenya. In addition to Behave, he is also the author of A Primate’s Memoir, The Trouble with Testosterone, Why Zebras Don’t Get Ulcers, and Monkeyluv: And Other Essays on Our Lives as Animals. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Harvard University and a Ph.D. in neuroendocrinology from Rockefeller University, which awarded him the Lewis Thomas Prize for Writing about Science for 2008. His articles have appeared in Discover and The New Yorker, among other publications.

The Ammerman Family Lecture Series brings to the community speakers of national renown who have important perspectives on the significant issues of the day and the capacity to help young people understand the relevance of such issues to their lives. Endowed in 1999, the series was made possible through the generosity of Regent Emeritus Andrew R. Ammerman ’68 and his mother, the late Mrs. Josephine Ammerman, in memory of Andrew’s father, H. Max Ammerman, and his brother, Stephen C. Ammerman.

Thomas, author of the New York Times bestseller The Hate U Give, delivered the Schaff Lecture on Ethics and Morals in December. The Hate U Give is Thomas’ first novel, and has been a smash hit. The book was inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement and has spent 38 weeks on the New York Times’ Young Adult Best-Seller list. (The book was also a summer reading selection in 2017 for Mercersburg students and faculty.) Filming for the movie adaptation is underway.

In 2015, Thomas was the inaugural recipient of the Walter Dean Myers Grant, which is awarded by We Need Diverse Books. She grew up in Jackson, Mississippi, and graduated from Belhaven University with a degree in creative writing. Her bio describes her as “a former teen

rapper... [with] an unofficial degree in hip-hop.”

The Schaff Family Endowment was funded by and is in honor of Schaff brothers Phillip H. ’38, Charles B. ’41, and David S. ’42. The endowment supports annual speakers “on topics related to fundamental human values—those principles which direct a person’s decisions and actions because they clarify what is ‘right’ and ‘wrong.’”

This year’s Monday Evening Lecture Series concludes in April when filmmaker, author, and speaker Tiffany Shlain delivers the Jacobs Residency Lecture. Other recent Monday Evening Lecture Series speakers have included investigative sports journalist Jeremy Schaap and author and musician James McBride.

Mercersburg has announced Amy Marathe as its director of strategic marketing and communications. Marathe leads a team of five in the Office of Strategic Marketing and Communications, which oversees and manages Mercersburg’s digital and traditional media footprint as well as the school’s overall branding and marketing efforts.

Marathe has a Amy Marathe significant background in creative direction, content strategy, digital marketing, and project management—including more than a decade at Discovery Communications, where she served as director of content and held responsibility for strategy and implementation for numerous websites under the Discovery.com umbrella (Discovery Channel, Animal Planet, TLC, Discovery Health, and Discovery Kids).

Most recently, she worked as a communications and marketing strategist for the Izaak Walton League of America, a Gaithersburg, Maryland-based nonprofit dedicated to the conservation of outdoor America for future generations. She holds a bachelor of arts in mass communication from the University of Tennessee. She and her husband, Amit, are the parents of a daughter, Ava.

Mercersburg welcomes James Jenkins as the school’s new director of annual giving. In this role, he is overseeing a yearly $3 million fundraising effort among alumni, parents, and friends of the school.

Jenkins has worked in marketing and communications for more than 20 years and most recently served as public relations and community affairs manager for Washington County,

Maryland. He has also James Jenkins worked for Armstrong World Industries, the Carroll County (Maryland) Public Library, and NBC25 WHAG-TV, and in budget analytics for Letterkenny Army Depot.

Jenkins has served on the boards of the Barbara Ingram School for the Arts in Hagerstown, Maryland, and the Washington County Museum of Fine Arts.

Jenkins was born and raised in nearby Chambersburg, Pennsylvania. He played college baseball at Penn State’s Beaver campus and was named to the All-Junior College World Series team; he continued his athletic career at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, where he was a two-time academic All-American and received a bachelor’s degree in English. Jenkins and his wife, Kim, live in Chambersburg with their three children and a nephew.

An ordination service for William R. Whitmore, Mercersburg’s school minister since 2015, was held in October in the Irvine Memorial Chapel.

Whitmore received ordination in the United Church of Christ, which has historical ties to Mercersburg Academy—though the school does not maintain an official religious affiliation. An ordained minister in the United Church of Christ is authorized to preach and teach the Gospel, to administer the sacraments and rites of the church, and to exercise pastoral care and leadership.

Whitmore attended high school in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, and earned a bachelor’s degree in religious studies from the University of Denver and a master’s of divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary. He has taught and worked at the Rectory School in Connecticut and the Pennington School in New Jersey.

As the Academy’s school minister, Whitmore presides over weekly worship services during the academic year, which are typically held Sundays at 11 a.m. Whitmore is also a member of the history and religion departments and works with the school’s Peer Group program. He and his wife, Kristen Will Whitmore (who is completing a doctorate in clinical psychology from the University of Hartford), host regular youth group outings for students on campus many Sunday evenings.

MERCERSBURG MAGAZINE SPRING 2018

Lost in Time Postal Mail Finally Reaches Alum After 67 Years On February 16, 1950, in San Pedro Sula, Honduras, Louise Vordenberg wrote a letter to Walter Herrscher ’51 at Mercersburg Academy.

This past fall—67 years later—the letter arrived on campus. Vordenberg’s letter was actually the first of four letters to originate in Honduras in 1950 and arrive at Mercersburg addressed to Herrscher in 2017. Since Herrscher, now 84 years old, obviously no longer lives at the Academy, the school forwarded the letters to his current residence in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

“The letters were sent to me from my parents in Honduras.

They were missionaries there at the time I was at Mercersburg Academy,” Herrscher says. Herrscher’s parents were missionaries in Honduras for 30 years, and Vordenberg, the author of the first missing letter, was also a missionary and family friend.

“The first thing you want to know when you get a letter after 67 years is, how did this happen?

There’s no explanation for that. But I really enjoyed reading them because they brought me back to something I was familiar with and knew about.”

Herrscher was born in Honduras and spent his early years in that country. The language of his primary school years was Spanish, and he Walter Herrscher says Mercersburg was his first real immersion into the U.S. educational system.

While at Mercersburg, Herrscher lived in ’Eighty-eight Dormitory, enjoyed playing touch football and softball on the weekends, and wrote articles about Honduras for the Lit, the student literary magazine at the time. He was also a working boy in Keil Hall, where the dining hall was located during his time on campus.

Although four letters from Honduras never reached Herrscher when he was a student, many others did. “My mother was a very good correspondent,” he says. “She made sure that she wrote frequently about what they were doing in Honduras.”

During the time between when these four letters entered the mail and when they were finally read by Herrscher, he has enjoyed a very full life. He attended Elmhurst College, where

he met his wife, Marjorie. They married shortly after graduation, and then Herrscher entered the Army and was stationed in Texas as a clerk typist for a year before the Army sent him to Greenland for another year to serve as a clerk typist in a transportation company.

Following his time in the Army, he started graduate school in English at Northwestern University and then enrolled in a Ph.D. program in English at the University of Wisconsin, Madison. He pursued a career in education at the college level, teaching American literature and publishing scholarly articles, and retired from the University of Wisconsin, Green Bay, in 2001 after more than 40 years in the University of Wisconsin educational system. He now says that he and his wife are enjoying retirement, visiting art shows and traveling around their local area. They have three sons, 11 grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

As for the letters, what happened to them during all that time? While the missing 67 years remain a mystery, we do know that the letters made it out of Honduras and to the States on time—at least, based on what Mercersburg has learned from the local post office. But what happened once the letters arrived stateside is anyone’s guess.

“If any of your readers has any idea of how the postal system works, that might be interesting to know,” says Herrscher. “Where the letters got placed for 67 years is a mystery. It’s amazing when you think about it.”

—Megan Mallory

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MERCERSBURG MAGAZINE SPRING 2018

Lloyd Aquatic Center to Serve as Home of Mercersburg Swimming, Diving, Additional Programs Mercersburg Academy—which has produced more than two dozen Olympians in swimming and is a regular contender at the prestigious Eastern Interscholastic Swimming & Diving Championships—is thrilled to announce that the school’s new aquatic center will be named the Lloyd Aquatic Center in honor of Board of Regents member Philip A. Lloyd ’65, his wife, Peggy, and their daughters, Kim ’90 and Bebe ’94.

The facility will be approximately 40,000 square feet and include an Olympic-size 50-meter, 10-lane pool with a diving well, in addition to locker rooms, seating for spectators, and office space. Groundbreaking took place in February 2018, with completion anticipated by the start of the 2019–2020 academic year. The aquatic center will be located directly east of the Nolde Gymnasium complex.

The Lloyd family has a long history of involvement with Mercersburg’s swimming and diving program. Phil Lloyd has served on the Board since 1994, where he has worked closely with other members of the Board and school leadership in planning for the aquatic center. Kim Lloyd swam at Mercersburg MERCERSBURG ACADEMY and was a six-time All-America swimmer at Northwestern University; she is in her fourth year as an assistant swimming

coach at Denison University. Bebe Lloyd was a four-year member of Mercersburg’s diving team and went on to compete for Kalamazoo College.

“Of all the schools they’ve attended and the education they have received, our daughters really loved Mercersburg,” Phil Lloyd says. “Swimming and diving have been such an integral part of their lives, and continues to be today.

“The aquatic center will allow Mercersburg to compete with the top programs in the country—and having a 50-meter pool allows for it to be used simultaneously by several groups of students for different uses. It will be a great facility for the school.”

The aquatic center has been designed to benefit all students—those competing for the Blue Storm’s swimming and diving teams; students participating in lifeguard and emergency rescue training, Mercersburg Outdoor Education (kayaking, canoeing, and other activities), physical therapy, rehabilitation, and strength training; Mercersburg Summer Programs; and the school community as a whole. Funding the aquatic center was a priority in the school’s $300 million Daring to Lead Campaign.

Peggy and Phil Lloyd, along with Board of Regents President Deborah Simon ’74, made a lead commitment in support of

An exterior rendering of the Lloyd Aquatic Center, with the tower of Nolde Gymnasium visible in the background

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the aquatic center and other campaign priorities.

“We are grateful to the Lloyds—and other leadership donors— for their tremendous support of Mercersburg and the aquatic center,” Head of School Katie Titus says. “It says so much about the collective pride our alumni and friends have in our school.

Generations of students to come will enjoy the opportunities and

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Phil ’65 and Peggy Lloyd

An interior view of the Lloyd Aquatic Center

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features of the aquatic center, which will be one of the premiere facilities of its kind anywhere.”

Bowie Gridley Architects of Washington, D.C., designed the aquatic center. The firm, of which Bill Gridley ’69 is a principal, also handled design for the Hale Field House, Davenport Squash Center, Smoyer Tennis Center, the 2010 renovations to Nolde Gymnasium, and numerous other projects on campus.

“Having a new facility will give Mercersburg increased training space and allow for multiple activities,” says Glenn Neufeld, the school’s director of aquatics and head swimming coach.

“It will help attract high-level student athletes and allow us to host meets that will have a positive impact on swimming in the Mid-Atlantic region.”

Phil and Peggy Lloyd, who live in Akron, Ohio, were members of Mercersburg’s Parents’ Advisory Committee for several years while their daughters were students. In addition to his service on the Board of Regents, Phil Lloyd was a member of the Daring to Lead Campaign Executive Committee and received the school’s Alumni Council Medal for Distinguished Service in 2015.

—Lee Owen

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Irving-Marshall Week 2018 February 25—March 1

Final Score Irving 725

Marshall 1275

Marshall emerged victorious for the third year in a row in Mercersburg’s annual IrvingMarshall Week competition. Marshall won by a score of 1275–725, though Irving’s Spencer Kurtyka ’19 took first place at Declamation. Societies earned points during the week in athletic (swimming/diving, basketball, volleyball, dodgeball, squash) and other (table tennis, chess, poker, checkers, billiards, foosball) competitions, with the lion’s share of points awarded during Declamation. Brooke Wilten ’18 served as this year’s president of Irving, and Sydney Hosbein ’18 was president of Marshall.

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Third-place declaimer Ava Paul ’18, recipient of the Dorothy Baker Prize and John S. Derr Prize, performed a piece she composed, titled “Our First.”

Spencer Kurtyka ’19, first-place declaimer and winner of the John K. Berger Prize, John S. Derr Prize, and Scoblionko Declamation Cup (given by David Scoblionko ’66 and Eric Scoblionko ’72), earned top honors for his performance of “The Dinner Party,” an excerpt from It Gets Better by Adam Roberts.

Members of Marshall and Irving congratulate Spencer Kurtyka ’19 on placing first at Declamation.

Marshall Society members (including all five declaimers) celebrate their victory.

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Changing Times MERCERSBURG’S HISTORY FROM 1928–1972 When Dr. William Mann Irvine died in 1928, he left some rather large shoes to fill as Mercersburg Academy looked to the future. This issue of Mercersburg magazine explores the more than four decades following Irvine’s tenure when the Academy and future students would build on the foundation laid out by Mercersburg’s founding headmaster. These decades saw great change in the United States and around the world—the Great Depression, World War II, social unrest across the country and more—and great change on campus as well. Under the leadership of Mercersburg’s next three headmasters— Boyd Edwards, Charles S. Tippetts ’12, and William C. Fowle— Mercersburg would be tested with the times but would grow and change while staying true to the school’s original ideals.

As Katie Titus, Mercersburg’s current head of school, shared with students during a meeting to open the winter term in November 2017, “One thing that our school has done tremendously well over the past 125 years is evolve to better reflect the times and to best represent the practices of the day. And yet, through all of those years of evolution, our mission and values as a community have stood the test of time. This is something that should elicit pride in all of us—to be part of something that spans generations and ties us to those that came before in meaningful ways.”

To understand Mercersburg’s past, we look through the lens of the three headmasters who guided Mercersburg during these decades, and then in the pages that follow, we learn about Mercersburg through the students who lived here during each of these decades: alumni from the 1930s, 1940s, 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s.

BY MEGAN MALLORY

This map depicts Mercersburg Academy’s campus in the 1930s when Boyd Edwards served as the second headmaster. Under Edwards’ leadership, the William Mann Irvine Memorial joined the landscape on the quad (1936). Also highlighted on this map are two buildings that will be razed before 1972: The Shacks (1950) and Laucks Hall (1963).

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MERCERSBURG’S HISTORY FROM 1928–1972

Boyd Edwards (1928-1941) When Dr. Boyd Edwards stepped into the role of headmaster in 1928, he was already known at the school. He had been a popular speaker in the Chapel and a close friend of the first headmaster.

He was educated at Phillips Andover Academy, Williams College, and Union Theological Seminary, and also received honorary degrees from Williams, the University of Pennsylvania, and Franklin & Marshall College.

As Mercersburg’s second headmaster, Edwards faced two financial problems: first, the school was $450,000 in debt, owing mainly to the recent construction of the Chapel and New Main Hall, and second, enrollment dropped sharply as it did at other boarding schools as the nation entered the Great Depression.

Edwards and his treasurer, John Milton Drumm, skillfully maneuvered the school through these financial challenges and also succeeded in paying off the debt within 10 years. In order to do this, they used austerity measures, cut faculty salaries—including their own—by 10 percent, and sent faculty members out during vacations to recruit students. Non-teaching staff would work every other week but retain their jobs. As Edwards told the Board of Regents at the time, “I assembled the Faculty and announced to them that after very careful consideration and consultation, I felt it necessary that all of us of the Faculty should accept a 10 percent reduction of salary for the coming academic year… I further said that I was unwilling to release any man, except for manifest inefficiency, at this time when his prospects of finding another position were so dark.”

Under Edwards’ leadership, Mercersburg survived these financially challenging times. In addition, the school thrived in other areas: Mercersburg joined the Cum Laude Society, adopted an adviser system, and instituted parent conferences and visits by college representatives. Edwards also created honor and hobby clubs for students.

In terms of living spaces, every floor of every dormitory received shower facilities, and common rooms became a part of dorm life.

Edwards retired in 1941 but returned to the school several times to speak prior to his death in 1944.

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Charles S. Tippetts ’12 (1941-1961) With the retirement of Edwards, Dr. Charles Tippetts resigned from a deanship at the University of Pittsburgh to become Mercersburg’s third headmaster. A graduate of the Class of 1912, Tippetts was a working boy and valedictorian of his Mercersburg senior class. He went on to graduate from Harvard University and Princeton University before making his way back to Mercersburg.

By the time Tippetts returned to Mercersburg, World War I had already tested the school and the nation. Alumni, students, and even faculty enlisted or were drafted, and during the war years, maintaining high-quality faculty became a challenge. World War II tested Mercersburg in much the same way during Tippetts’ tenure. Students shared the campus with Marine, Army, and Navy air cadet groups training in Hagerstown, and a watchtower atop ’Eighty-eight Dormitory was manned 24 hours a day in case of air strikes. Tippetts also introduced summer classes, which allowed for early graduation and fulfilled the wishes of many students who were eager to enlist in the military.

On Christmas Day in 1941, Tippetts made a radio broadcast to alumni from the Chapel. A portion of his address reads: “Through the kindness of the Mutual Broadcasting System, we are again able to revive memories of your old school, and send greetings to you on Christmas Day. You have heard Bryan Barker at the Carillon. Soon you will hear him play, some of you for the first time in many years, the Academy Hymn. The boys still sing it every Sunday, as you used to do. Dr. Irvine sent a copy of this hymn to many of his boys in the First World War. “In this beautiful Chapel, the war seems, for the moment, remote. But, as I look up I see the World War window, a memorial to the Mercersburg boys, of whom I was one, who served in that conflict, almost a quarter century ago… Today we are thinking of them and of what they would have us do. We are also thinking of the hundreds of old Mercersburg boys who are already in the Army, the Navy, and the Air Corps in this Second World War… Someday, let us pray it may be soon, chimes will ring in this and other lands beyond the sea to tell us there is no more war.”

As Tippetts predicted, when the war ended, the bells of the carillon rang out across campus. More than 2,900

alumni served and 95 were killed. The Korean War followed a few years later, claiming seven alumni lives.

Throughout the difficult war years and beyond, Mercersburg continued to grow and change. In 1947, the Octet formed, and in 1950, Irvine Hall replaced the Shacks, which were emergency classrooms set up in 1927 after the Old Main Hall fire. The James Buchanan Cabin, birthplace of the 15th president of the United States, was purchased for $5,000 and moved to the campus in 1953, and in 1960, a new dormitory, Tippetts Hall, joined the campus layout. That same year, the Declamation contest officially replaced the Irving-Marshall debate.

During his tenure, Tippetts raised more than $2 million, but it was the feeling of openness and accessibility that he brought to the life of the school that remains one of his strongest legacies. Faculty, students, and parents found his door always open to all—a characteristic of Mercersburg carried forward by those who followed. Tippetts took a sabbatical in 1960, retired in 1961, and died seven years later in 1968.

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MERCERSBURG’S HISTORY FROM 1928–1972

This map depicts the Mercersburg Academy campus as William Fowle’s tenure draws to a close (1972). Buildings highlighted in blue (Irvine Hall, Tippetts Hall, and the James Buchanan Cabin) joined the landscape under Charles Tippetts’ tenure. Buildings highlighted in green (Boone Hall, Ford Hall, Fowle Hall, and additions to Nolde Gymnasium) were added under Fowle’s leadership.

William C. Fowle (1961-1972) A graduate of Williams College and Columbia University, William Fowle came to Mercersburg from the Hotchkiss School in Connecticut, where he served as assistant headmaster. Over the course of Fowle’s 11-year tenure as headmaster, Mercersburg saw tremendous change: Fowle secured more money and built more buildings than Mercersburg had seen in years, enrollment increased, he oversaw racial integration and the introduction of coeducation, and protests like the Chapel walkout took place on campus during this time.

In terms of diversity, Mercersburg has always been proud of its diverse student body, but the school has not had a perfect record.

Dr. Irvine ensured that boys from different socioeconomic backgrounds could attend, and Charles McGillberry was the school’s first Native American graduate in 1917. But on the whole—despite the impressive list of nations attending Mercersburg—the school’s students and faculty were mostly white, male, and Protestant for the first 75 years of its history. In the summer of 1964, Mercersburg admitted two black students for summer school and three for the

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following school year. The response was mixed, but the headmaster held his ground: “My personal feeling is that Dr. William Mann Irvine and his devoted wife, as well as many of the old timers, would be proud of Mercersburg for stepping into the vital needs of today in a social sense as well as an educational undertaking,” Fowle said.

While the Vietnam War did not affect Mercersburg in the same ways as the previous wars (no students or teachers were drafted right out of the classroom and the school kitchen was not rationing food), the unrest throughout the nation could be felt on campus as well. In response to the Cold War, the school prepared basements on campus as fallout shelters in 1962. (Ten Mercersburg alumni died while serving in Vietnam.)

On April 10, 1969, about half the student body walked out during the morning Chapel service in protest of the fact that Saturday morning Chapel attendance was required. After much discussion with students and deliberation as a school, required Chapel attendance came to an end. As Fowle shared in an alumni magazine article many years after the event, “The Chapel walkout made me realize how important the issue was to [the students], how serious they were… how hostile… almost violent. I felt very bad about the Chapel, but I realized that Chapel was not doing what we said it was doing at all. It was just making students hostile and worse. They may never go to church again, I thought. I decided it was better not to have it than to have it doing harm. We simply dropped compulsory Chapel. We ran services regularly, but they were not compulsory.”

In the fall of 1969, Mercersburg opened its doors to female students for the first time since 1897. Twelve female day students joined the student body, and then—two years later—female boarding students arrived. English teacher Wirt Winebrenner ’54 reflected on this change in an alumni magazine editorial: “It is almost impossible to remember how tense we all were in 1969, when the specter of what might happen when boys and girls got together haunted our sleep and preoccupied our waking thoughts…

Of course, there were slip-ups. It took a long time to eradicate the word ‘boys’ from the standard form of making announcements…

At first, some alumni grumbled. But there were not the large defections which had marred similar transitions for several colleges and universities. And even some of those who grumbled loudest came, and looked, and decided coeducation was after all a good thing— and sent their daughters. And their sons.”

In addition to all these social changes during Fowle’s tenure, the campus also transformed and grew. Fowle undertook a vigorous fundraising campaign, pushing the endowment over $3 million.

Boone Hall joined the campus layout, the Annex was remodeled

into Swank Hall, Ford Hall was built under the auspices of the Edward E. Ford (1912) Foundation, the library moved into Keil Hall, Nolde Gymnasium was expanded, and work on Fowle Hall—named in honor of the headmaster—was completed.

As cornerstone faculty members like Jimmy Curran and Dave Chapman began to retire, Fowle knew he needed to do something to attract quality faculty to replace them. To that end, he set up a retirement annuity plan, built faculty housing on back campus, and bought homes for faculty in the Borough of Mercersburg. Fowle introduced a dormitory proctor system, an honor system, a five-course curriculum, the three-term school calendar, and new courses like Asian Studies, Latin American Studies, and Studio Art. Fowle retired at the end of the 1971-1972 school year and died in 2002.

Fowle always said one of his legacies was choosing Walter Burgin ’53 as his successor, but our readers will have to wait until the next issue for that part of Mercersburg’s history.

Editor’s Note: Much of the material in this section comes from the book One Hundred Years of Life: Mercersburg: 1893-1993 (by David Emory ’72) and the Mercersburg Academy archives.

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MERCERSBURG’S ALUMNI 1928–1972

On the following pages,

we invite you to meet alumni who attended Mercersburg at some point between 1928-1972. Each alum has connected with a current student to explore what Mercersburg was like in the past and how the Academy has evolved to meet the needs of the present.

To read a selection of Class Notes from the time period explored in this issue, turn to page 42.

As we celebrate Mercersburg’s 125th anniversary throughout this year, we continue to gather stories and memories from everyone connected with Mercersburg’s history. If you have a story to share, please contact Megan Mallory, Mercersburg’s editor, at Megan_Mallory@mercersburg.edu.

BOB SMITH ’37

He just celebrated his 80th Mercersburg reunion.

By Megan McGregor ’20 recently had the honor of interviewing Robert “Bob” Smith, a member of the Class of 1937, and—at age 98— one of the oldest living alumni of the Academy. When I first reached out to Smith, I didn’t know what to expect. I had been given some background information prior to my first interaction with him, and I was honestly impressed with how much he has truly accomplished in his long life. From attending the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) as a civil engineer to training navigators and bombardiers in the Army Air Corps, his story is one of intrigue. It became important to me to do him justice in telling his story.

Since he wanted to take his time in reminiscing about the past, I emailed him with a series of questions pertaining to his life and time at Mercersburg, and I eagerly awaited his responses. To my

surprise, he replied that same day, and immediately, I was amazed with how his character shone through the lines of his eloquent responses. He struck me as a very genuine and kind person. We emailed back and forth over the course of three weeks, and he was very interested in conversing with me and sharing his story of what the world was like when he was a student. His witty remarks and light-hearted spirit exemplified his liveliness, and he said what was on his mind yet found a way to do it in the most polite and thoughtful manner. Most of all, I was delighted with his detailed recall of the past and his lucid thinking; he has a way of remembering events from long ago with accurate and thorough descriptions.

Smith initially came to Mercersburg in 1935 when he was 14 years old. At the time, Mercersburg was an all-boys school, Boyd Edwards was the headmaster, and the U.S. was in the midst of the

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Bob Smith converses with fellow alumni who returned to campus for Reunion Weekend 2017.

Great Depression. He had no knowledge of the Academy prior to attending and was saddened to part with his friends from the public schools of York, Pennsylvania. His mother, a school teacher and strict disciplinarian, wanted her son to have the best education possible, so she sent him to Mercersburg without asking his permission.

Instead of complaining, Smith embraced his time at the Academy and thrived as an active member of the community: he was a debater for the Irving Society, participated in the Fifteen, spoke at Commencement, and was inducted into the Cum Laude Society. Just as Mercersburg impacted his life, Smith left his own mark on the Academy.

While Smith attended Mercersburg, he lived in South Cottage, ate meals in Keil Hall, entertained himself with radio programming, and participated in track and tennis. At the time, the school still had ties to the United Church of Christ, so students attended Chapel a few times a week, which Smith describes as “mundane but a good break in between classes.” The school also employed a fairly strict rulebook, especially in terms of dress code. As Smith recalls, “Some of the rules of daily life did test my mettle: incoming students had to wear black stockings and ties; I could handle that, but I thoroughly disliked those eighteenth-century button ironstarched collars we had to wear for evening meals.”

Although he attended the school during the Depression, he fondly remembers the daily food and dining experience being as plentiful as ever, saying, “I could not believe the many evenings we were served steak of the highest quality, and we even began a custom of putting rich butter on our steaks.” Adding some humor, he also says, “I can’t say that this should be a permanent diet, but it was delicious, and Jimmy Walker, the iron-willed Maître d’hôtel, didn’t stop the custom.” Jimmy Walker was Mercersburg’s dining hall steward for nearly six decades, and he was known as the tyrant of the kitchen with a very lovable character. He kept order in Keil Hall and ensured that each student was properly cared for. Today, he has a lounge named after him in Ford Hall.

Although Smith was only at Mercersburg for two years, the impact the school had on his life has lasted a lifetime. He values

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The 1937 Irving Debate Team (Bob Smith is standing on the right).

the education he received as well as the connections he made, and he still keeps tangible reminders of the school with him. He proudly displays the Irving debaters’ trophy from their win in 1937 on his mantle and keeps a copy of Boys Will Be Men, written

by Boyd Edwards, in his personal library. Smith also connects with the community by attending the Christmas Candlelight Services, and this past summer he returned to campus for his 80th reunion. Smith still takes immense pride in the school and believes that it has succeeded due to strong leaders like our current head of school, Katie Titus. He is especially impressed with how the school has progressed and says, “It becomes a challenge for the head of school to adapt to the world as it exists at the time he or she holds that office, but Katie Titus shows every evidence of being able to cope with her world. I think she will do great things with the school.”

The world has changed drastically since Smith attended Mercersburg Academy, but the school’s mission of preparing students from diverse backgrounds for life remains ever-present.

Generations of students have considered it their home away from home. As Smith says, “The world students have to operate in is quite different from the world my classmates and I operated in… the importance of education has gone nowhere but up.

The world is a vastly different place from when I was in school, and Mercersburg has moved along with that and done a good job of it.” editor’s note: Megan McGregor is from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and is in her second year at Mercersburg. In addition to being a Writing Center Fellow, she is an editor for the Mercersburg News, plays varsity field hockey, and is a member of Stony Batter.

In her free time, she sings in the Chapel Choir, writes haikus, and dabbles in photography.

She loves writing and is hoping to make a career of it as a journalist.

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MERCERSBURG’S ALUMNI 1928–1972

BILL ROCKEY ’45 AND HAMP SHUFORD ’46

A Look at School Traditions Then and Now

IN

By Anna Bottin ’20

the mid-1940s, toward the end of World War II, Mercersburg Academy was a premier all-boys boarding school in its fifth decade. I had the opportunity to speak with two graduates from that time, Bill Rockey ’45 and Hamp Shuford ’46. They shared with me their memories about many of the traditions that still remain at Mercersburg today. They also reflected upon many rules that (fortunately, in some cases) no longer remain. With the advances of technology over the past 70 years, Mercersburg has evolved and the life of its students mirrors that. However, there are several traditions that continue today.

Rockey remembers his time at Mercersburg very positively.

He told me that when his dad asked him if he wanted to go to Mercersburg, he responded with, “Oh, Pop, that would be terrific.” Rockey attended Mercersburg for 11th and 12th grade and was a Chapel Usher and Class Marshal and involved in the Senate (today’s Student Council), the Dance Committee, and Stony Batter. He was also the captain of the swim team and told me about the mascot they had. The swim team went to a local farm and bought a duck that would swim around in the pool and go to meets. Eventually, the team and coach decided it would be best to give the duck back to the farm because taking care of it didn’t work out. Rockey was also very close with his roommate, Bob Elliott ’45, and they often listened to Benny Goodman, a very popular jazz and swing artist of the time, in their room in South Cottage.

“I always say that the greatest power we all have in life is the power of choice, and one of the best choices I ever made was attending Mercersburg Academy,” says Shuford, who was a one-year senior and part of the Camera Club, Chess Club, and El Circulo Español (Spanish Club). Like Rockey, Shuford was very positive

about his time at Mercersburg, and he especially liked the food.

During his time, the dining hall was located in the Edwards Room connected to Keil Hall. Today, it is located in Ford Hall. Shuford lived in Main Hall and always loved hearing the carillon playing from the Chapel.

From our conversations, I learned from the two alumni about many different aspects of daily life that were present then but aren’t now. First, the school was all boys. Another big difference is that students had to be dressed in semi-formal attire for classes and whenever they were on front campus. Today, semi-formal dress is required only for events like Convocation and Monday-night dinner. Most of the time, when a student wanted to speak in class, he had to be called on and then stand up. Today, students simply raise their hand and stay seated. Then, Chapel was required at least three times a week; today, we only have a weekly school meeting, with no religious affiliation. Today, South Cottage is an upperclass girls’ dorm; back then, it was a seniors-only dorm (and all-male, of course). All meals were required and only seniors were permitted to take meal cuts during breakfast. Finally, technology today is far more advanced than it was during the 1940s, and that obviously makes a difference in school, homework, and rules. Almost all of my homework is posted on Schoology, a website used for all classes, and I do most of my homework on an iPad or computer.

While many aspects of daily life at Mercersburg are not around anymore, countless traditions live on. Just like during the time of Rockey and Shuford, everyone is required to stand before a meal until the bell is rung and a blessing is said. Walking guard on Saturdays as a punishment has been a tradition since the early days of the Academy, and students still walk guard today. And the

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El Circulo Español in 1946 (Hamp Shuford is pictured second row, second from right).

The 1945 varsity swim team (Bill Rockey is pictured front row, center).

Bill Rockey

Hamp Shuford at Alumni Weekend 2016

beautiful Christmas Candlelight Service that takes place before winter break continues as a featured holiday event, and the community always looks forward to it. I think most students today would agree that some changes—like not having to wear semi-formal dress for class—are positive. Rockey and Shuford expressed how the Mercersburg of yesterday was much more strict and formal.

Many traditions continue but have been modified and modernized in some ways. Although not every meal is required like it was back in the 1940s, the tradition of required, family-style meals remains (during the school day and Monday-night dinners). Of course, the Irving-Marshall rivalry and week of competitions is still alive and strong. In 1945 when Rockey (Marshall) was a senior, Marshall won, and in 1946 when Shuford (Irving) was a senior, Irving won. Today, the final and most important event of the week is Declamation, where five students from each society present a 5-8-minute memorized monologue. The equivalent of Declamation back in the 1940s was an intra-society debate competition.

My grandfather, David E. Fields, graduated from Mercersburg Academy in 1953, less than 10 years after the two alumni I interviewed. It meant a lot to me to learn what Mercersburg was like during his time at the Academy, as he has been deceased for some

time, and I never had an opportunity to share in these memories. My conversations with Rockey and Shuford allowed me to learn about Mercersburg Academy in a different time period and about the formative years these men experienced.

Mercersburg Academy has reached its 125th year as an elite boarding school and has deep-rooted traditions that match its age.

The evolution of some of those traditions reflects the modernization of our world today. Some of the older traditions are uniquely Mercersburg, and that is why the Academy remains so special to alumni—both existing and future members.

editor’s note: Anna Bottin is a sophomore from Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania (right outside Philadelphia), and has attended Mercersburg for the past two years. In addition to being a Writing Center Fellow, she is on the Student Council, and she is a declaimerin-training for the Irving Society. She is also a varsity squash player, volleyball player, and skier, and she sails competitively.

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MERCERSBURG’S ALUMNI 1928–1972

ROSS LENHART ’58

Comparing Academics and Social Life in the 1950s and Today An Interview Compiled by Natalie Titus ’20

IN

writing this piece I worked with Ross Lenhart, a Mercersburg alumnus who attended the school from 1956 to 1958 and will be returning to campus this summer to celebrate his 60th reunion. Lenhart is a former director of admission at Marietta College in Ohio, and later spent a career in college, university, and independent-school marketing in Atlanta. He is now retired in Pawleys Island, South Carolina. I called him to have a conversation, to compare our Mercersburgs, but I was also looking for answers. I wanted to know what he remembered most vividly, as well as what seemed imperative at the time but didn’t matter as much in the end. It’s undeniable that shifts are taking place both within the foundations of our school and of this country and the world, and I wanted to hear Ross’s equivalent of this turmoil and what the individual and collective responses were. Our conversation moved from the phone to multiple emails as we shared our experiences of the Mercersburg of today and of the 1950s. We share part of that email conversation below.

Academics 2017 [Natalie]: Ross, as you well know, a boarding school is much more than a school—it’s your home, it’s your team, it’s your friends, mentors, coaches. It’s a lifestyle. It is also, of course, academics, and Mercersburg does a good job of helping us, as students, learn to balance our schedules and time management. You may not be aware that this year we made a change to the English program for the ninth grade. The entire junior class is now grouped into two large classes with multiple teachers, and students have access to technology during assess-

ments. The course now focuses more on learning how to utilize resources, rather than memorization. I’m assuming this probably differs substantially from your experience at the school.

We spend a lot of time hands-on with current world issues in the classroom as we move on to our upper-middler and senior years. Both my English and AP World History classes draw parallels from our topics to current events and recent American history. It is hard to sum up the academic experience of a “Mercersburg student,” because—as you are most likely aware— we are offered so many different types and levels of courses, allowing students to chose their major focuses. It is a great illustration of boarding school making us independent and self-reliant as we grow up and prepare to move on to college and adult life.

Academics 1958 [Ross]: I am certain, Natalie, that your descriptions will bring a grin to the majority of my classmates.

No, I wasn’t a particularly good student. My relationship and career and love of academia came much later, but Mercersburg did lay a strong foundation. I love your observations regarding living your Mercersburg learning experiences. You are absolutely correct: in 1958, the focus was traditional and on teaching. Our electives were few. From your observations, it seems to me that the school has gradually transitioned from “teaching” to “experiential learning”—a good thing. When my company and I returned to the Academy in the late 1990s to work with the admission department, we came across an oblong table (a Harkness table) surrounded by only half a dozen students and a teacher. The informal discussion was lively and the back

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at left: Students follow along as Pratt Tobey reads Shakespeare’s Macbeth during an English class in the 1950s. below: Maggie Howes leads her English students in a discuss around the Harkness table in fall 2017.

and forth between students and teacher energetic. We photographed it and made it a double full page in the Academy’s new viewbook with the caption, “There’s just something special about that table.”

That was not the teaching modus operandi of the Mercersburg of the late 1950s.

It was somewhat formal. We were required to wear coats and ties to class. We sat in traditional rows of desks taking notes. I don’t remember much discussion. The focus was on teaching. You mentioned “memorization,” and yes, we were put through that exercise. There is no one in my class who will ever forget history being taught by “memorization of accounts.” The Gold Standard was etched in our minds, but soon to be forgotten. All teachers were men with just a few exceptions. They lived with us on our floors, dined with us, coached us, put up with us, and listened to our problems. As with your faculty today, most were multi-talented.

For instance, my floormaster was also my line coach in football and a Princetonian who taught me to love books and the English language.

Academically, Natalie, I think that your Mercersburg is a stronger Mercersburg. It could be because of the transition from

“teaching” to “experiential learning,” or possibly because there are better and more sophisticated facilities and learning tools.

Perhaps there exists more of an informal learning atmosphere, or maybe it’s because “there is just something about that table” where there is a dedication of mutual purpose between student and teacher, a teacher who is also your friend.

Social Culture 2017: Ross, I think that socializing is going to be an area in which our experiences will differ greatly because you attended an all-boys Mercersburg and my Mercersburg is coed. In terms of friendships and relationships, this is where we learn and grow and get our hearts broken and try again. Of course, as the iGeneration, we are also growing up surrounded by technology—phones and social media are a normal part of our lives which, I am sure, differs drastically from how you experienced high school.

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Mercersburg is a boarding school and one of the best parts is getting to live with your best friends—but even better, these friends may live Last fall, Ross Lenhart was an hour away or come from reunited with his Mercersburg the other side of the world. class ring, which he lost in 1959 We have an incredible priviwhile working as a lifeguard at lege to be immersed in and Greenwich Point, Connecticut.

Mike Burns of New York scuba learn so much about each dives and searches for items other. We’re all struggling to lost underwater as part of figure out what we believe the Aquatic Explorers Scuba Divers Club. He found the ring, and who we are, and this contacted Mercersburg, and school lets us explore that. after 59 years, Lenhart now has Another big change is his class ring back. the empowerment of young people today politically and socially. We are constantly pushed to make changes and to discuss differences of beliefs—not for the sake of reconciliation, but for the idea that we can become bigger than our views and use our humanity to bridge any fundamental divide created by our unshared beliefs. Last term, for example, the whole school spent a day in small discussion groups, talking about serious issues in our world, first to compare where everyone stood and how we felt—and then to search for a middle ground, and from that shared ground, to attempt to grow a solution.

While all of this is incredibly good for us to experience, we are also just teenagers. Mercersburg pushes us to look outside our campus, to grapple with issues from inside the safety of our bubble, but it is also nice sometimes to shut the windows to the outside world and just be kids who go to school with our best friends and who watch movies all piled up in someone’s room, or who play in the snow, sunbathe in the spring, and lie outside listening to music.

Social Culture 1958: Natalie, the late 1950s was the last quiet time that our country has known in my lifetime. The Eisenhower years were years of peace and prosperity. Yes, we were in a Cold War with Soviet Russia, and we were concerned about their beating us into space with Sputnik, but generally it was a quiet time. We were not particularly politically active or concerned. And neither was the country. I can’t remember an impassioned political discussion during my time at Mercersburg.

We were all boys. For some of us, our relationship with the opposite sex was a Sunday afternoon walk with a girl at Penn Hall, then a school for young women in Chambersburg. Every once in a while, we got on a bus and went to a tea dance at the Grier School in Tyrone. Other than that, we pined for those

girlfriends in our hometowns. Not that we were unhappy, but we looked forward to vacations with a passion.

Unlike your Mercersburg, Natalie, I think that we were a very homogenous group of young men. There was not one African-American student in the school in 1958. Our few international students were from the Southern Hemisphere. Their not-too-frequent Spanish chatter was the only sound of diversity that fell on our ears. As a rule, our hometowns were either suburban or small-to-medium-sized towns. We were structured, and we were scheduled. We had “lights out” at 10 p.m. In the evening, we had to ask permission of our floormasters to visit the bathroom. Apparently, the traditional room number for the bathroom at Mercersburg was 10. Thus, we would pass the floormaster’s room with the simple question, “10?” and he would give a nod for us to proceed to “the john.” Now that is structure.

As for cell phones and texts, they were not part of our world.

We wrote letters home or to our girlfriends. A dormitory usually had one pay phone located on the bottom floor for our use.

The morning visit to the post office in Traylor Hall was often the highlight of the day.

Natalie, I think that culturally I would love your Mercersburg.

Coeducation is a definite plus, and having students of different religions and races and from different parts of the world must enhance your educational experience. Do not misunderstand me—we loved our school. We learned our lessons well, and we made friends for a lifetime. You are indeed fortunate, Natalie, as it seems that the Mercersburg of today is one where creative and diverse ideas flourish and hopefully where character counts as well.

Natalie and Ross also discussed athletics and extracurricular activities in the Mercersburg of today and of the 1950s. To read more of their conversation, visit www.mercersburg.edu/1958Today.

editor’s note: Natalie Titus, from Middletown, Rhode Island, is a member of the Women’s Activist Club on campus and serves as a Writing Center Fellow.

Last year she was elected president of her ninth-grade class council. A varsity player in both basketball and softball, she can also be found in the Burgin Center for the Arts singing with Chorale or the school’s female a cappella group, Magalia. Natalie lives on campus in 1893 House with her mother, Head of School Katie Titus, her father, Stuart Titus, and younger sister, Sammy.

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MERCERSBURG’S ALUMNI 1928–1972

LOU PREVOST ’67

Growing Against the Grain

By Bella Skrbich ’18

listering heat swelled up in the bubble that we call Mercersburg. The unforgiving, glaring sun stared down onto the green campus as summer developed, gnats grew into swarms, and mugginess clung to clothes. The only reprieve for young Lou Prevost was the occasional breeze and the distraction of expressing himself through writing.

In the summer of 1965, Prevost went to a writing camp at Mercersburg Academy. Living on the first floor of Tippetts Hall, he had his first official interaction with the Academy, and through this month-long creative writing class, he grew close to one of the professors there. Peter Fenninger encouraged Prevost to use his own authentic voice and put down the thesaurus. This first introduction to life at Mercersburg sparked something in Prevost, and thanks to Fenninger, he began to think about his own impressions of people, plots, and conflicts.

The first time I set foot on campus was in 2012 when I went to Young Writers Camp. I arrived with black Converse leggings and an extreme side bun all slicked back with a navy-blue headband. My 12-year-old self, with braces and acne, had no selfconfidence whatsoever, but I did have a deep appreciation for

what the written word could evoke. Living in Fowle Hall for two weeks, away from my parents and surrounded by talented peers, I started to find my voice. I loved the environment so much that I begged my parents to let me go back for a second year. That following year, I found myself becoming more grounded in the idea that what I had to say mattered. No matter what I wrote about, I was always able to give my readers a clear, precise picture of what was going on. I fell madly, deeply in love with the community of Mercersburg and applied to the school as a ninth-grader. I am now a senior, and my love has grown since then.

“So, how did you find out about Mercersburg?” I asked Prevost, and he told me that he found out through his family— same as me.

“My legacy started out with my father,” Prevost explained.

John Prevost, his father, graduated in 1929 and later served as the school’s physician from 1967 to 1981. The line continued with his older brothers, John ’54 and Clancy ’56. Like his brothers, Lou Prevost graduated from a public high school in the north-central Pennsylvania town of Wellsboro (population 3,200), but his parents thought it best if the boys completed a postgraduate (PG) year at a school where their peers hailed from numerous back-

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Dr. John Prevost ’29 returned to Mercersburg in 1967 to serve as medical director. In this position, he planned and set up a fully operational hospital from the existing infirmary facility and had an emergency helicopter pad placed on the campus.

grounds. That exposure to different customs, religions, ethnicities, and opinions couldn’t be found in his local high school, where his class, according to Prevost, was “mostly dominated by hard working, dairy farming kids.”

Even though Prevost went to Mercersburg for only one year, the character and lessons this community prides itself on left a mark on him. Working in the hotel and restaurant business for more than 43 years, he has led people with varying backgrounds and perspectives. His Radnor Hotel, located on Philadelphia’s Main Line, employs 155 individuals from 24 nations who speak 10 languages. His eye-opening experiences at Mercersburg helped him become successful. “Thanks to my year at Mercersburg,” he said, “I met many fellow students and friends... from very different backgrounds that made me a much more informed and perceptive person.”

Walking into the Class of ’Eighty-eight Dormitory in the fall of 1966, he met his first friend, George Bullock ’69, an African-American student from Washington, D.C., who lived right next to him on the second floor. “I met George by shaking hands through a hole in the wall between our rooms,” Prevost remembers. “We would take advantage of the hole [by] passing contraband.”

Another good friend, Charles DuBois ’67, was a French student who lived in Paris, and Prevost met him on the second floor of ’Eighty-eight as well. Later in the year, Prevost went on

Clancy Prevost ’56: As an instructor at a Minnesota flight school, Clancy encountered the unsettling behavior of a student named Zacarias Moussaoui, who the FBI arrested following a tip from Clancy. Moussaoui, an al-Qaeda operative known as “the 20th hijacker,” was thus kept off an airplane on September 11, 2001, and is serving a life sentence in federal prison.

John Prevost ’54: Mercersburg annually honors a senior athlete with the John Prevost Class of 1954 Sportsmanship Award. In the fall of 2017, John was elected posthumously to the Wellsboro High School Sports Hall of Fame.

Mercersburg’s spring break tour of Paris, Normandy, and the Loire Valley, led by his professor, Robert “Maximus” Smith.

Prevost has long valued exploring the Arc de Triomphe and Champs-Élysées, experiencing breathtaking views at Mont Saint-Michel, having poignant reflections on Omaha Beach, and encountering magnificent antiquities like the rose window of Chartres Cathedral. However, he also had the incredible opportunity to see France through his friend’s eyes. “Charles DuBois led me on a private VIP tour of the locals’ favorite hangouts and an entertaining tour of Paris nightlife that was not on Professor Maximus’ tour,” he told me. (DuBois went on to graduate from the University of Michigan and St. Mary’s Law School.) Colorful, diverse friends such as these gave Prevost an opportunity to grow. Whether he was aware of it at the time or not, he was gaining the insight he would need later on in life to interact with many varieties of people.

As fun as Mercersburg can be, it is also a community that encourages the importance of virtues such as accountability, honesty, and discipline—principles Prevost left with but may not have arrived with.

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That sentiment really rang “Did you ever hear of the infatrue for me because among mous French Club trip of ’67?” he many other factors, one thing asked me over the phone. At the time, that I have really appreciated at Mercersburg’s French Club orgaMercersburg is the unique sense nized a field trip to see a French opera of community. It is this bond, in the Lisner Auditorium at George Lou Prevost is now the senior vice president and general manager of The Radnor Hotel in Philadelphia, Pa. an indescribable and powerful Washington University. A group of force, that holds us together. about 80 Mercersburg boys went on Mercersburg is a family, a home, and every time I come back the trip, but only 20 stayed for the entire show. The other 60 to campus, it’s like I am walking into someone’s open arms. departed shortly after the curtain rose.

The diversity here does not act like distinct lines—instead, it With sneaky smirks plastered on their faces, hollering the erases those lines, blurring them until they hold no meaning. whole way, they descended onto Georgetown for carousing What stands in its place are the codes we follow and virtues we and fun. After their escapades, the boys made their way back to value, such as integrity, honesty, responsibility, and curiosity. campus where a hearing awaited them. All 80 boys from the trip For Prevost, Mercersburg gave him a sense of reality, that his were subjected to a hearing, similar to the school’s present-day behavior had consequences and his words were, in their own Conduct Review Committee. The hearing was led by the dean way, powerful. For me, this Academy has given me the tools to of students, a man named William Howard (the boys called him stand on my own two feet and be proud of what it is that I can “Soapy” for short). accomplish. I think Prevost would agree that our time spent at After 30 minutes of retelling his story and truthfully sharing the ’Burg has given us the confidence we needed, and being a the details, Prevost was issued 100 hours of guard, eventually part of such a dynamic student body has pushed us to be ambiearning him a place in the legendary “Mercersburg Century tious and open to searching for more.

Club.” However, before Prevost could get down off the stand, another teacher, Frank Bell [no relation to current Mercersburg faculty member Franklin Bell], asked, “Mr. Prevost, do you think your decisions that evening are worth spending the rest of editor’s note: Bella Skrbich was your winter/spring semester walking in a circle every Saturday born in Bloomington, Illinois, but has morning, rain or shine?” lived on four continents. She has attended Prevost said he had not experienced anything new that afterMercersburg for four years. In addition noon that he had not experienced before. His sharp quip earned to her duties as a Writing Center Fellow him another 30 hours, added on personally by Soapy. and a contributor to Blue Review, All writers need good material in order to create compelling the school’s literary arts magazine, she stories, and Prevost’s time here at Mercersburg Academy has is a member of numerous clubs (includgiven me just that. Quite frankly, there is so much that I wish ing Spanish Club) and skis with the I could include because the novelty that is Prevost is simply Mercersburg Outdoor Education program. Like Lou Prevost, she is intriguing. Despite all the wildly amazing shenanigans that went a legacy student. Her family connections include her mother, Ivonne on during his time at the ’Burg, his favorite memory of his PG Bayona Skrbich ’87; aunt, Claudia Bayona Hovenden ’84; uncle, year was “to have had the opportunity to experience so many Todd Hovenden ’84; and two cousins, Max Hovenden ’14 and Gabby interesting classmates and faculty from so many backgrounds.”

Hovenden ’15.

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MERCERSBURG’S ALUMNI 1928–1972

SHELLEY BECK RYAN ’72

Inside the First Years of Coeducation at Mercersburg

By Chioma Oparaji ’20

“C

ongratulations, you have been accepted to Mercersburg Academy.”

These words marked a tremendous turn in my life. As I entered my freshman year, nerves overwhelmed me, but I found consolation in knowing that other students would be arriving in the same situation as me: not knowing how to approach life at a new school. Fortunately, over the school year, my classmates and I managed to struggle together in getting used to and adjusting to the busy, yet fulfilling lifestyle at Mercersburg.

Looking back at Mercersburg in 1972, Shelley Beck Ryan had a completely different experience. She was one of the first female boarding students at the school, and came to Mercersburg after her father, George Beck ’48. In fact, her parents were married in the Irvine Memorial Chapel. Because of her father’s connection, Ryan was familiar with the Academy before she entered, but the Mercersburg she knew was an all-boys’ school. In the early 1970s, many single-sex schools were switching to coeducation, and Mercersburg did the same. Ryan and nine other girls were part of her graduating class of 164 students.

Currently, I am one of 202 girls at the Academy. With 441 students total, the school still has more male than female students, but it is such a negligible difference. At times, I forget these statistics and see equal numbers in classrooms, clubs, and social activities.

Like most people would be when trying new things, Ryan was nervous about a new boarding school, but as a sort of “please the parent” situation, she decided to accept her admission and try the new lifestyle Mercersburg Academy had to offer.

Ryan says her experience at Mercersburg was not what she expected. Since the girls were so new and few in number, she felt that, “for the most part, [the school] did not know what to do with the girls.” She says it was a “learning curve” that the school had to experience. At times, she could tell that it was not easy for the boys to see the girls because the boys were so accustomed to being at an all-male school. Even some teachers struggled with the new addition, as she describes in one situation with her European history teacher: “He was one of the older teachers at the time, and you could really tell he was not used to seeing women in his classes.”

Ryan says that she never felt bullied. Instead, she believes she

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just experienced the growing pains of a school adjusting to a different situation. Despite all the awkward feelings of being one of the few females on campus, she says, “The boys were respectful, always friendly, and very interested in the girls.” Some of her classmates enjoyed getting dates with the boys, but most of the male students “were simply amused and humored” by the girls.

Academically, Ryan’s favorite class was AGO (Astronomy, Geology, and Oceanography). One of her main focuses at Mercersburg was to do well academically, and this class offered her both a great classroom education as well as an outdoor experience. Getting the chance to bond with this class remains a prominent memory for her. She thinks that since her teacher for AGO, James Ealy, was one of the younger faculty members, that youthful energy allowed the class to do more lively activities outdoors.

Like Ryan, my life inside the classroom has helped me bond with my classmates outside the classroom. Working together with the other students to understand a seemingly confusing lesson or studying for major tests and exams gives us a way to form deeper connections with classmates that turn into close friendships.

Ultimately, Ryan did manage to adjust to Mercersburg. The dean of women, Rosamund Bell, would invite all the girls to her house to offer communication and support. She says the dean of women wanted to be there for the girls like a mother figure would be for her daughters. Ryan also maintained a friendly relationship with a few of the boys, and she was part of several clubs, including one called the Trysting Club, where students, both male and female, would meet after dinner and talk about different topics such as politics.

In sports, often times, the female students had the problem of not having enough athletes to field an entire team for lacrosse, field hockey, or other sports. Because Ryan was a swimmer, she did not personally encounter this problem, but she sympathized with her classmates who could not fully participate in athletics. Since there were insufficient numbers for a full girls’ team, most female athletes had intramural competitions in order to make the best of not being able to compete with other schools.

At Mercersburg today, there are varsity and junior-varsity teams for most sports for girls. I play soccer on the junior-varsity level and have found that having many girls on a team pushes all of us to play competitively and reach a higher level in our skill and sportsmanship.

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One of the best things about being one of a few girls on campus for Ryan was the close bond she made with her classmates. She lived on the second floor of Tippetts Hall (with the first and third floors unoccupied by students), and since their dorm head, Kathleen Dill, was in her late 60s and would fall asleep early, the girls would play in the halls and bond as friends.

Believe it or not, one of Ryan’s favorite Mercersburg memories was walking guard with a majority of her female class.

Since she was interested in astrology because of her AGO class, she really wanted to get a good look at the stars at night, so she and her best friends snuck out of the dorm through a window around 11 p.m. Ryan and the other girls were ones who most people did not expect to do wrong, but that did not stop William Fowle, headmaster at the time, from gathering the girls in the common room of Tippetts and personally issuing their guard. At the time, Ryan believed she might not get into college because of this disciplinary infraction, but looking back, she thinks of these experiences with her female classmates and has “a good laugh.”

Ryan and her female classmates also built a strong connection after graduation. She exclaims that the “after effect” of graduating transformed her friends into the special friends she still sees today. As she says, Mercersburg “really encouraged my female

Chioma and Shelley had the opportunity to meet in person in January at Mercersburg Onward in Washington, D.C.

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The 1972 Mercersburg senior class included 164 students (10 girls).

classmates to strive to go above and beyond the standard female job idea of being a secretary or mother.”

As I look forward to my own graduation in 2020, I am confident that coming to Mercersburg has had a positive effect on my future and will lead to many great opportunities. In seeing the close bonds that I have made with my classmates, I look forward to reconnecting with them even after we graduate because of the ties we have with Mercersburg.

After graduating, Ryan went on to attend Longwood College, an all-girls’ school (which is now a coeducational university).

She received a bachelor of arts in social work and then earned a master’s from Columbia University. Her first job was as the first female probation and parole officer in Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, where she began many programs that worked to help female victims of sexual assault. These programs are still intact today. She now works as the director of SBR Events, a company she founded that coordinates social functions.

As she looks back on her experiences at Mercersburg and the current state of the Academy, Ryan remarks on how much the school has changed. For one, she notes that having Katie Titus as the first female head of school is a huge step from when the Academy was accepting its first female students. In comparison,

Ryan remembers her headmaster, Mr. Fowle, as a sweet man who did a lot for the school and was about to retire at the time when the girls arrived.

Overall, Ryan sees her time at Mercersburg as an experience that pushed her out of her comfort zone. She looks back on her time at Mercersburg as truly memorable, and she is grateful that she could attend the school her father attended (as part of “a great academic institution’s decision to go coed,” she says). Despite the huge differences that separate Ryan’s experience and my boarding-school experience, we both are linked by a core value that makes Mercersburg special: unity. editor’s note: Chioma Oparaji is from Houston, Texas, and is a lower middler (10th grader) at Mercersburg. In addition to her duties as a Writing Center Fellow, she is an officer for the Washington Irving Literary Society and a member of the soccer, indoor track & field, and lacrosse teams.

Arts

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D AT E S T O R E M E M B E R

April 27

Spring Music Concert 8 p.m., Simon Theatre, Burgin Center for the Arts

May 12

Spring Dance Concert 7:30 p.m., Simon Theatre, Burgin Center for the Arts

May 5

Stony Batter Players: “10-Minute Play Festival” 7:30 p.m., Hale Studio Theatre, Burgin Center for the Arts

May 14-26

Senior Art Show in the Cofrin Gallery and Spring Student Art Show in the Niche Gallery, Burgin Center for the Arts

Schedule subject to change; for a full and updated schedule of events, visit www.mercersburg.edu

Stony Batter Players This fall Stony Batter Players performed Goodnight Desdemona (Good Morning Juliet), directed by Laurie Mufson, and Hold Me!, directed by Matt Maurer.

Grace Bennett ’19 in Goodnight Desdemona (Good Morning Juliet)

Ava Paul ’18 (left) and Lauren Ingram ’18 in Goodnight Desdemona (Good Morning Juliet)

Clare Liss ’18 in Hold Me!

Olivia Keller ’19 and Joe Beauregard ’18 in Hold Me!

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Music Mercersburg’s Fall Pops Concert, featuring the Jazz Band, Magalia, and Octet, as well as an appearance by the Chorale, took place in November.

Bryan Morgan ’07 directs the Jazz Band (and Chorale), James Brinson is the director of Magalia (Mercersburg’s female a cappella vocal group), and Richard Rotz directs the Octet (the school’s male a cappella vocal group).

Selections by the Jazz Band included “The Pink Panther Theme,” “Believe,” and “Sabor de Cuba.” The Jazz Band

Octet

and Chorale gave a joint performance of “Dream On.” Magalia’s setlist included “Landslide,” “Black Horse and the Cherry Tree,” and “Come to Me,” while the Octet performed “Lazy Song,” “Can You Feel the Love Tonight,” and “Good Ol’ A Cappella,” among others.

Magalia

Jazz Band and Chorale

Jazz Band

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Music Mercersburg’s Chorale (under the direction of Bryan Morgan ’07), String Ensemble (directed by Michael Cameron), and Chapel Choir (directed by James Brinson) performed at the annual Christmas Candlelight Service in December.

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Emma Maurer ’18

Ellie Gregg ’18

Sarah Noorbakhsh ’21

“L-O-V-E,” choreographed by Denise Dalton (Jerry Jaime Gomory ’19, center)

Dance Mercersburg’s Fall Dance Concert, which featured student dancers from all four grades performing a variety of styles, took place in November. Denise Dalton is the director of dance at Mercersburg, and the evening’s performances included work choreographed by both professional and student artists. “Raien,” a solo dance piece choreographed and performed by Sarah Noorbakhsh ’21, was selected for performance in the Showcase Concert of the 2018 National High School Dance Festival.

Brooke Wilten ’18 and Rose Olsen ’19 in “Nimbus,” choreographed by Ruka White

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Visual Arts This fall students took part in painting, ceramics, drawing, and digital photography. Fine-arts faculty include Wells Gray, Kristin Pixler, and Sydney Caretti.

Mandolin Nguyen ’19

Ryan Gu ’20

Cole Johnson ’18

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Athletics D AT E S T O R E M E M B E R

April 26-28

Boys’/girls’ track & field at Penn Relays (at Franklin Field, Philadelphia)

May 12

2018 MAPL Boys’ Tennis Championships (at Smoyer Tennis Center, Mercersburg)

May 12

Baseball/softball vs. Lawrenceville (at Mercersburg)

Schedule subject to change; for a full and updated schedule of events, visit www.mercersburg.edu

Fall 2017 Varsity Athletics Roundup Boys’ Cross Country Captain: Cole Kissam ’18 James D. Fallon Jr. Award (most outstanding contributions): Brad Rynkowski ’18 Most Improved Athlete Award: Alex Wood ’19 Head coach: David Grady (11th season) IPSL/MAPL finish: 1st/4th Highlights: Rynkowski and Wood were named All-MAPL after finishing third and seventh, respectively, at the Mid-Atlantic Prep League Championships; as a team, the Blue Storm placed fourth but was just two points from second place and seven points from first… led by Rynkowski, Mercersburg swept the top three places (and 10 of the top 12) to capture its fifth-straight IndependentParochial School League title; Sam Barnes ’19 (2nd), Diego Garza Gutierrez ’20 (3rd), and Stephen Rice ’21 (5th) also placed in the top five… the team won the Westtown Invitational and was a perfect 3-0 in head-to-head meets, defeating Kiski, Landon, and James Buchanan… Xavier Dreux ’18 and Ray Xiao ’18 were varsity letterwinners all four years… Rice and Jake Ahlgren ’21 earned varsity letters as ninth graders… Barnes was named Academic All-MAPL.

Girls’ Cross Country Captains: Campbell Drennan ’18, Sydney Hosbein ’18 Most Outstanding Contributions Award: Sophia Divone ’19 Most Improved Athlete Award: Lois Hargrove ’21 Head coach: Betsy Cunningham (15th season) IPSL/MAPL finish: 1st/1st Highlights: The Storm’s MAPL title was the first earned by a girls’ team in any sport since Mercersburg joined the league in 2000… Divone won the individual MAPL title and was followed by teammates Addie Geitner ’21 (2nd) and Isabell

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Baltimore ’18 (4th); all three earned All-MAPL honors… Divone broke the course record at the IPSL Championships for the second-consecutive year en route to leading the Storm to a perfect team score of 15; Geitner, Baltimore, Julia Borger ’20, and Siana Kazi ’19 were the top five finishers behind Divone… the team won both its head-to-head meets (against Madeira and James Buchanan)… Divone placed second at the Paul Short Run at Lehigh University with a lifetime personal best (18:55)… Geitner earned a varsity letter as a ninth grader… Divone was an Academic All-MAPL selection for the second straight year.

Field Hockey Captains: Lauren Jones ’18, Kate Frimet ’18 Rebecca “Becki” Peace ’75 Award (most inspirational player): Jones Carol Anderson Field Hockey Coach’s Award (most outstanding player): Jill Ahlgren ’19 Shelley Beck ’72 Award (most improved player): Annaliesse Cantera ’20 Head coach: Doonie Brewer (1st season) Record: 5–10 (2–3 MAPL) Highlights: The team won four of its final six games, including shutout victories over Peddie (4–0) and Hun (5–0)… Ahlgren was a first-team All-MAPL selection and the team’s leading scorer… Jones and Addie Dumm ’18 were other top scorers… Dumm, Jones, and Rachel Marsh ’18 earned varsity letters in all four seasons… half of the team’s defeats were by two goals or less, including three by a single goal… Dumm and Frimet were named Academic All-MAPL.

Football Captains: Matt LoPresti ’18, Tijani Harris ’18, Nick Rubino ’18 Most Outstanding Contributions Award: Harris Most Improved Athlete Award: Joseph Lieber ’19 Head coach: Dan Walker (15th season) Record: 0–8 (0–5 MAPL) Highlights: Harris broke the school’s singlegame rushing record with 313 yards against Kiski; he was a first-team All-MAPL selection after tallying 1,084 yards rushing and 10 touchdowns… Rubino joined Harris on the All-MAPL first team, with Jack Hinsperger ’18, James Hinsperger ’20, Justin Jelacic ’18, Lieber, Charlie Webb ’18, and Ryan Wiley ’18 all earning second-team all-league honors… the Hinsperger brothers were the team’s two leading tacklers (James had 58 tackles and Jack added 50 stops);

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Boys’ Soccer Captain: Mikale Williams ’18 Most Outstanding Contributions Award: Chris Toomey ’18 Most Improved Player Award: Esteban Cervera Semerena ’18 Schweizer Soccer Cup (hard work/ determination): Williams Head coach: Carl Stensland (2nd season) Record: 15–6 (2–3 MAPL) Highlights: The team’s 15 victories were the second-highest single-season total in the program’s history… the Storm advanced to the semifinals of the PAISAA state tournament, defeating Malvern Prep in a quarterfinal game… included in the victories were wins over rivals Peddie and Kiski… Cervera, Toomey, and Williams earned first-team All-MAPL honors, and Cameron Porter ’18 was an honorablemention selection… Porter led the team with 20 goals and 48 points; Sam Morgan ’19 notched 12 goals and a team-high nine assists… Henry Looney ’19 also reached double-figures in goals (10)… 20 different players on the roster (all but the team’s two goalkeepers) recorded at least one point… Williams and Colin Klaff ’18 were four-year varsity letterwinners… Alex Dicke ’19 and Payton Stauffer ’18 were named Academic All-MAPL.

Girls’ Soccer

Jelacic led the Storm in sacks (six)… Rubino was a four-year varsity letterwinner… David Baumann ’18 and Victor Pertsew ’18 were both named Academic All-MAPL.

Golf Captains: Joseph Bucci ’18, Shayan Ghodsi ’18 Most Outstanding Contributions Award: Bucci Most Improved Player Award: Henry O’Brien ’20 Head coach: Doug Smith (5th season) Head-to-head match record: 8–1 IPSL finish: 1st Highlights: Bucci was the team’s low scorer eight different times, including a 76 in

Mercersburg’s win over Kiski as part of the Centennial Cup competition… four other golfers posted the best score for the team on other occasions; Ghodsi, Tom Prim ’18, Will Kendrick ’20, and Laura Schumacher ’21… the Storm has won all seven IPSL team golf championships… the team placed second at the annual Keystone Golf Cup (held at The Greenbrier in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia)… head-to-head wins came against St. James, Broadfording Christian Academy (twice), Sidwell Friends, St. Maria Goretti (twice), Kiski, and St. John’s Catholic Prep… Schumacher earned a varsity letter as a ninth grader… Ghodsi was an Academic All-MAPL selection.

Captains: Electa Willander ’18, Ava Mancini ’18, Megan List ’20 Mary Curtis ’86/John VerStandig ’66 Award: Annie Klaff ’20 Most Improved Player Award: Liz Kendrick ’21 Hendrickson-Hoffman Coaches’ Award (spirit): Grace Jackson ’18 Head coach: Kristen Pixler (2nd season) Record: 7–9 (0–5 MAPL) Highlights: The Blue Storm won the IPSL championship with a 1-0 win at St. James; it marks the fourth IPSL title in school history and the first since 2014… the team’s win total improved by six victories this year…

Klaff, Tanaka Mukudzavhu ’20, and Chantler Newton ’21 were honorable mention All-MAPL selections… Mukudzavhu led the team with 11 goals; Klaff provided a team-high three assists… Alex Coenjaerts ’20 tallied 163 saves in goal… other top performers included Jackson, Kendrick, Newton, List, and Kate Prentiss ’21…

Jackson and List represented Mercersburg on the Academic All-MAPL team.

MERCERSBURG MAGAZINE SPRING 2018

Girls’ Tennis Most Outstanding Contributions Award: Alex Zhukova ’18 Most Improved Player Award: Coco Sandhu ’21 Head coach: Mike Sweeney (13th season) Record: 10–2 (4–1 MAPL) MAPL finish: 3rd Highlights: Zhukova was named All-MAPL after placing third in the No. 1 flight at the MAPL Championships, which Mercersburg hosted; she went 7–7 as the team’s top singles player… other impressive singles records were turned in by Emma Hicks ’19 (10–4), Eliza Smith ’18 (11–4), and Clara Schoppmann ’20 (9–1)… Zhukova and Hicks formed the top doubles team, with Smith and K.C. Yaccino ’19 posting a 7–1 doubles mark… over the past three seasons, the Storm is 33–7 overall and 11–4 in MAPL play…Smith earned varsity letters all four years and was an Academic All-MAPL selection.

Volleyball Captains: Laila Tijani ’18, Patrice McGloin ’19 Erin Carey ’91 Memorial Volleyball Award (most outstanding player): McGloin Most Improved Player Award: Julia Tilden ’19 Head coach: Katy Brake (2nd season) Record: 4–11 Highlights: McGloin led the team in blocks for the second-straight year; she was also tops on the team in kills and aces and an Academic AllMAPL selection… Tijani ranked first on the squad in assists… Annika Stewart ’21 and Caroline He ’19 tied for the team lead in digs… the Storm defeated MAPL rival Blair for the fourth-consecutive season (although the MAPL does not sponsor volleyball, the teams have met every year since 2014)… other victories came against St. John’s Catholic Prep, Randolph-Macon Academy, and Grier.

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MERCERSBURG MAGAZINE SPRING 2018

Alumni Notes

Voices from the Past

When Mercersburg’s alumni publication began in 1905, it was called the Alumni Quarterly. Today, the publication you hold in your hands is Mercersburg magazine, and while the look has changed over the years, a key component continues mostly unchanged: Class Notes. Once called Alumni Notes, this section has remained a unique space where Mercersburg alumni can connect and share their news with one another. Whether it’s a birth, a marriage, a job change, a move around the world, or some other event, this section is dedicated to chronicling the lives of those who pass through Mercersburg’s doors.

In the following pages, we include Alumni Notes from the first nearly 70 years of this publication’s history, focusing specifically on the graduation years of many of the alumni highlighted in this issue.

Some of the notes come from names you may recognize. Other notes clearly reflect the events going on around the world at the time of their

Notes from 1905 1897 John Brotherlin, who is pursuing studies in the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, recently made the highest grade in chemistry that has ever been made by a student in that institution.

1902 Francis E. Kurzenknabe is engaged in gold mining, in the employ of the Homestake Mining Co., at Lead, South Dakota.

1922 The newest Mercersburg boy is George LeRoy Shelley, 2nd, son of Mr. and Mrs. George LeRoy Shelley. The entire Greek department observed the day of his advent, May 2, by a holiday.

Notes from 1912 1909 Joel T. Boone is entering upon his Senior year at the Hahnemann Medical School in Philadelphia. He recently was awarded the honor of appointment as a private student, for his Senior year, to the Dean of Hahnemann, Dr. Wm. B. Van Lennep, one of the most noted surgeons in America. In speaking about the work of medical students in general, Mr. Boone says: “The work in College is harder all the time and more is being required of the student. The State Boards are making their examinations more difficult and are not passing the men they have in former years. Owing to these facts the number of

students in the Medical Colleges is decreasing each year. When I entered college from Mercersburg, nearly every student was having trouble about his requirements, but I was fortunate enough not to have any trouble because my Mercersburg certificate was up to the required standard.”

writing. For instance, many of the earliest notes include addresses for how to reach each alum when handwritten letters were the best way to connect prior to the Internet (or even long-distance calling). Notes in the 1940s frequently end by stating an alum’s date of discharge from military service. From the thousands of accounts published between 1905 and 1972, we have tried to select notes to share here that tell a story, reflect a time period, and convey the spirit of Mercersburg’s alumni through the years. (In nearly all cases, we are presenting these notes as they originally appeared, without editing.)

When you finish reading and reminiscing with these notes from the past, continue into the current Class Notes to learn about what Mercersburg’s alumni are up to today. And remember, we always want to hear from you. Send your news to classnotes@mercersburg.edu or submit it at www.mercersburg.edu/classnotes.

in the world. During the past year, George has been working in the dyeing department of the business.

Recently, he has taken up a course in dyeing and chemistry in the Textile School at Lowell, Mass.

Notes from 1924 Joel T. Boone

Ex-’12 Roy H. Wood, formerly of Philadelphia, Pa., has gone into partnership with his father in the wholesale cocoanut business with headquarters at St. Louis, Mo. He writes as follows: “It has always been my desire to pay the first money that I earn to the Mercersburg gymnasium, and I herewith enclose a check to cover the amount of my subscription. I recall the time which I spent at Mercersburg as the most pleasant and beneficial days of my life. If at any time I can be of any service to you or your school, be it in a financial or another way, I shall feel it a pleasure to assist.”

Ex-’12 A few weeks ago, George Nolde, of Reading, Pa., had a narrow escape from drowning. While swimming, he got a cramp and sank. He was under the water seven minutes and it was with great difficulty that his rescuers resuscitated him. George is in business with his father who is the head of the firm, the Nolde & Horst Co., one of the largest knitting firms

1894 Richard P. McGrann, the original Mercersburg Academy boy, is general and director of sales of the F. and I. Tobacco Products Co., Plum and Funton Sts., Lancaster, Pa. 1903 George Wythe McCook is engaged in mining. He resides at the Hotel Golden, Reno, Nev., but insists he is not trying to get a divorce.

1906 Stanley J. Hammitt is living at the Oriental Hotel, Kobe, Japan, where he is associated with the U.S. Steel Products Co. Kobe escaped the earthquake and was able to harbor the refugees of the stricken districts. Just a week before the quake, the stork arrived with Virginia Adams Hammitt, named for her two grandmothers. She is blessed with a powerful pair of lungs. Stan is having a lot of fun learning Japanese. Of the three different alphabets, two are fairly easy having only fifty-five characters each.

These two alphabets are seldom used however, and the other one has several thousand characters. The newspapers have recently agreed to limit the number to nineteen hundred instead of the four thousand formerly used.

MERCERSBURG MAGAZINE SPRING 2018

Lorren Stiles (1908)

Frederick Roll (1930)

1908 The following letter will be of much interest to friends of Lorren Stiles. It is dated “General Hospital, Rochester, N.Y.,” and signed “Lorren Stiles III.” “I just arrived here Saturday, November 17. I weigh six pounds, fourteen ounces and am 20 ½ inches tall.

Both mother and I feel fine and daddy is going to start training me to be a high jumper. Please save a place for me at training table.”

1913 Charles Wells Shartle Jr. got lots of hard jolts at Mercersburg 10 years ago or more, in study hall, on Colonel Wills’ race track, and so forth. Leaving the Academy, he continued to receive jolts fighting roads in the oil fields of Texas. Then he started thinking how to eliminate the jolts. Now he heads the company that manufactures “The World’s Best Shock Absorber”—The Lomar Manufacturing Company, Middletown, Ohio.

1916 Joseph W. Durbin has been appointed to the Milwaukee Sales Service of the U.S. Rubber Co. He is a native of Williamstown, Pa., a graduate of the High School and of Mercersburg and Princeton. During the war, he was in service twenty months, having the rank of sergeant, Company A 320th Field Signal Battalion.

1918 James Gilbert Graham, Jr., is a bond salesman, 120 Broadway, New York City. He resides at 154 W. 77th St. He wants to come back for Mid-winter Week to see “Old Marshall win from Irving.”

Notes from 1937 Mr. and Mrs. Clarke Winship Slade of Bethesda, Md., announce the birth of a son, William Mann Irvine Slade, on Saturday, March 13, 1937, at the Columbia Hospital in Washington, D.C. Mrs. Slade is the younger daughter of Mrs. William Mann Irvine of Chevy Chase, Md., and the late Dr. Irvine, founder of The Mercersburg Academy. Mr. Slade, who formerly taught at the Academy, is the Headmaster of the Washington County School for Boys at Bethesda, Md. 1930 Sympathy is extended to Frederick Roll because of the death of his father, Herman Roll, Jr., former Abington township commissioner and member of the township sewer authority. He was assistant treasurer of General Coal Company, with which company he had been associated for 45 years. Mr. Roll was always interested in Mercersburg and

Robert B. Rowley (1928)

Edward J. Powers (1937)

during the past ten years had kept in contact with the Academy. His death is a loss to Mercersburg.

Frederick Roll may be addressed at 506 Spring Avenue, Noble Jenkintown, Pa. 1931 Paul James McNeill, of Washington, D.C., and Miss Mary Kathryn Grove, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Omar Grove, of Welsh Run, Pa., were married on November 26 in the Academy Chapel by the Headmaster, Dr. Boyd Edwards.

1935 Mercersburg is misinformed as to the election of John S. Shirk in Dial Lodge, Princeton University. A recent note published in the Quarterly stated that he had been elected President of Dial. We apologize for the error; he was elected Secretary.

Notes from 1945 1910 Russel D. Lanier’s son, Lt. James Gibson Lanier, was assigned to the U.S.S. Barb, the submarine commanded by Commander Eugene B. Fluckey, who recently was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor (see Spring Quarterly). Lt. Lanier had formerly been Gunnery and Torpedo Officer on a destroyer active from Kiska to New Guinea, as well as in the Mediterranean and Indian Ocean. He was Executive Officer and second in command under Commander Fluckey, on the third patrol, at the end of which time he flew with the Commander from Midway to a base hospital. He is now in this country at Newport, R.I. He won the Navy Silver Star.

1928 Robert B. Rowley is associated with his father in newspaper and radio. He has one son, Donald, two years of age, who should be at Mercersburg about 1955.

1935 Alfred Alderdice, who is known as Tom Drake in the film world, and Christopher Curtis, a 23-year-old actress, were married in February. Drake, who played opposite Judy Garland in “Meet Me in St. Louis,” and Miss Curtis were married in Les Vegas [sic], Nev., and will make their home in Beverly Hills, Calif.

They played opposite each other in the stage play “Tommy,” after meeting at Poughkeepsie in summer stock. He also had a role in “Mrs. Parkington.”

1937 Edward J. Powers, who since December 1941 had been a civilian internee of the Japanese in the

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James M. Stewart (1928)

Philippines, was rescued from Santa Tomas prison camp. He is reported as being in “fair” physical condition. Edward had been Pan American Airport manager at Cavite at the time the Naval Base was bombed by the Japanese on Christmas Day 1941. He is expected to return to this country soon.

Notes from 1946 Miss Sarah K. Irvine, Los Angeles, sister of the late Dr. Irvine, first Headmaster of the Academy, is visiting in the East during Summer and Fall. She spent a month in Mercersburg and will return again later. Miss Irvine, who had been teaching in the public schools of Los Angeles for more than twenty years, was returned last year.

1903 Brigadier General Rollo C. Ditto retired on April 30, 1946, after 39 years in service. He has been with the Chemical Warfare Division of the Army. His son, Richard S. Ditto ’42, recently left for Germany; he is a lieutenant in the Army.

1916 James M. Landis has been chosen by President Truman as Chairman of the Civil Aeronautics Board, effective June 8, 1946. Landis, Dean of Harvard Law School, one-time director of the Office of Civilian Defense and former Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission, will replace L. Welch Pogue.

1928 James M. Stewart resumed his acting career in April after nearly five years of service in the Army Air Corps. He will have the leading role in Frank Capra’s new film, “It’s a Wonderful World.” * *Stewart appeared in a movie titled “It’s a Wonderful World” in 1939. This note actually refers to the 1946 film “It’s a Wonderful Life.”

1943 Charles S. Tippetts Jr., son of the Head Master, has returned from overseas duty. He has returned to Princeton for the summer session.

Notes from 1958 1898 There are twenty-one graduates and non-graduates left in this class to attend their sixtieth reunion on Alumni Day, October 11, 1958.

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Charles S. Tippetts Jr. (1943)

Lewis Kelly (1909)

1908 For their golden anniversary reunion, 84 alumni are listed in this class. A committee will soon be making contact with this group to arrange for a big celebration on the weekend of October 10-11, 1958.

1911 J. Austin Adams writes from Loville, N.Y., “Have sold the 4. cows and am putting in worms. This year I hope to have 12 pits—each of which will accommodate about 50,000 worms. I expect to stock these pits soon with about 5,000 worms to each pit … This worm raising is rapidly becoming big business.”

1941 John C. Walker writes from Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.: “Just moved here and already have met Chet Cook ’42.

We met at a business luncheon and discussed little else but Mercersburg—to the annoyance of all others except ourselves.”

1945 Captain W.K. (Bill) Rockey is presently on duty with the Second Marine Division at Camp Lejeune, New River, North Carolina.

1956 John C. Bibow writes from Norway that he is in his last year of high school work there and still remembers with pleasure his year in Mercersburg.

In his school he plays tennis and bandy (a game like hockey), is a member of a number of committees, and president of the school’s athletic association.

Last year he was vice president of their student council.

Notes from 1967 Former Faculty On October 16, the Amandon L. Buckel Memorial Library of the Lower Heidelberg Elementary School, Berks County, Pennsylvania, celebrated its 28th anniversary. This library was founded by Paul J. Bickel, who taught at the Mercersburg Academy in 1908-1909, and the Honorable Harvey C. Bickel, presently a member of the school’s Board of Regents.

1909 Lewis Kelly has recently informed the Academy that he has made provision for Mercersburg in his will.

Conservative estimates indicate that this will be one of the largest bequests in Mercersburg history. This gift will be unrestricted.

Ted Meredith (1938)

Charles H. Moore (1922)

George Draper III (1937)

1915 The board of trustees of The Johns Hopkins University has announced the dedication of The Samuel W. Traylor Research Building at the School of Medicine. This building was a gift of Samuel W. Traylor Jr., in memory of his father, for whom the administration building of the Academy is named.

The new building at Hopkins is a 10-floor structure housing a wide range of laboratory facilities.

1922 Gulf and Western Industries granted Charles H. Moore the Inventors Award of the year. He now has over 40 U.S. patents.

1938 Five members of the Mercersburg Class of ’38 attended Harvard University. They were Gordon Baker, Lionel Blattner, Ted Meredith, Oliver Oldman, and Malcolm Rowe. At the twenty-fifth anniversary of the class of ’42 at Harvard in June, four of these were present. They were Baker, Meredith, Oldman, and Rowe.

1932 Jonathan A. Brown has just developed and had approved plans for a Harvard Business School ’38 long-range class reunion program extending to 5. 15 2000 A.D. As class secretary of this group for years, reunion planning, every five years and interim periods, falls into his area of responsibility.

1953 Capt. William B. Draper is with the U.S. Marine Corps in Vietnam, where he is administrative law officer for the First Marine Division. In a recent letter to Bob Black, he said: “Your advice to me on how to find ‘sons of Mercersburg’ who are over here was to walk down the street whistling “Old Mercersburg.”

I didn’t even have to do that. The first person I met when I got off the plane was Bob Swigert ’51 (Captain, USMC). I have also seen Steve Armstrong ’51 (Major, USMC) and Bill Turpin ’55 (Captain, USA). The latter I met at the Rex BOQ in Saigon a few weeks ago. Bill said Don White ’53 is stationed at our Army hospital just outside of Saigon, but I was unable to get out there to see him. I’m sure there are others, but I don’t know who or where they are.”

1958 Married: Ross W. Lenhart and Miss Katherine Anne Michelson in St. Christopher’s Church, Rocky River, Ohio, June 17, 1967.

1961 Jay Jarman joined James M. Stewart ’28 on television’s “PASSWORD” May 8. The “Mercersburg team” that night acquitted itself with honor.

Notes from 1972 1903 C. Eugene Long writes that he is 86 years old and enjoying good health. He retired in 1960 from the coal and lumber business.

1929 Raymond E. Peck Jr. writes that he has two grandsons headed our way; the first should enroll in about 1985.

1937 We have an interesting letter from George Draper III, who now lives in Mt. Dora, Fla. After spending 30 years operating a small canning plant, it burned, and he decided to tackle a life-long ambition and become a lawyer. At the age of 50, he entered the University of Toledo College of Law and was graduated in March 1971. He passed the Florida bar exams last September and at age 54 has started all over again. He is working for Lawyers Title Insurance Corporation and is taking an intensive cram course in Florida Real Property Law. The company he works for operates in 44 states and is the largest title company in Florida.

1951 Mrs. Evelyn Grubb, wife of Wilmer Grubb, has been elected national coordinator of the National League of Families of American Prisoners and Missing in Southeast Asia. Wilmer has been a prisoner of war in North Vietnam since 1966.

1967 Married: Louis E. Prevost, son of John V. Prevost ’29 and Mrs. Prevost, and Miss Susan Elizabeth Adams, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Frederick W. Adams, Jr. of Chatham, N.J., and West Harwich, Mass., July 29, 1972, in the Church of Christ the King, New Vernon, N.J. Dr. Prevost was best man for his son. The bride is a graduate of Chatham, N.J., High School, attended Hood College, Frederick, Md., and College of St. Elizabeth, Convent Station, N.J. Louis is a graduate of Lafayette College, where he was a member of Zeta Psi fraternity. The Prevosts are now living in Lausanne, Switzerland, where Lou completed a course in French at the University last year. Presently he is attending the Ecole Hotelière, and Mrs. Prevost will be attending the University.

MERCERSBURG MAGAZINE SPRING 2018

Class Notes ’45

Richard Hemphill and his wife, Peggy, have been honored by the Magee-Women’s Research Institute & Foundation in Pittsburgh with a space in the institute’s facility named in their honor.

’47

Olympic gold medalist and Regent Emeritus Charles H. Moore Jr. has published One Hurdle at a Time: An Olympian’s Guide to Clearing Life’s Obstacles, which is aimed at ages 8 to 14 and a guide for self-improvement with the intent of inspiring kids to aim high and be their best selves. Charlie’s first book, Running on Purpose: Winning Olympic Gold, Advancing Corporate Leadership and Creating Sustainable Value, was published last spring.

’50

Edgar Krass’ wife, Elaine, passed away July 6, 2017.

’53 65th

REUNION:

June 7-10

’58/ ’59 60th

REUNION:

June 7-10

’59

Dennis Eyler has retired after 25 years as an anesthesiologist at Mercy General Hospital in Sacramento and an additional 10 years as a medical consultant for the California Department of Health Services. “Living on a 20-acre rural property in the Sierra foothills,” he writes. “Have horses, dogs, and cats. Lots of outdoor chores. Enjoy golf.

Married 25 years to Cynthia.” Dennis adds: “I often think of the excellent academic and life experience grounding I received at Mercersburg. Memories of Main Hall fourth floor with Mr. [Pratt] Tobey, Keil Hall dining, the Chapel and Bryan Barker’s carillon concerts, the Christmas dance. I am third generation at Mercersburg; we all were well served by our years in attendance.”

Tom Waugh writes that he retired from the U.S. Air Force as a colonel in 1993, having served three tours in the Pentagon over a 28-year career, including overseas tours in Japan and the United Kingdom and a stint as base commander of Royal Air Force Mildenhall in the mid-1980s. His last position at the Pentagon was director of compensation for the Uniformed Services on the staff of the Secretary of Defense. After retiring in 1993 as director of human resources for the Warner Robins Air Logistics Center, Tom worked for what is now Middle Georgia State University until 2012 and on a part-time basis from 2014 to 2018 as a senior analyst for the provost. Tom and his wife, Marcy— a retired school teacher—have two children and a grandson.

Submit class notes via email to classnotes@mercersburg.edu or online at www.mercersburg.edu/classnotes. The submission deadline for the next issue is August 1.

Submission does not guarantee publication.

Mercersburg reserves the right to edit submissions for space or content, and is not responsible for more than reasonable editing or fact-checking.

When submitting a photo, please provide the highest-quality version possible, and include the names of all persons pictured and their Mercersburg class years. Due to size and quality considerations, some images may not be suitable for print.

’66

David Norman has been named a 2017 Academic Fellow of the International Council of Management Consulting Institutes. David was one of only seven fellows to be selected in 2017 and is the first United States citizen to receive the distinction.

’67

James Anderson’s wife, Alicia, passed away December 3, 2016.

Sam Stites reports that he is living in Durango, Colorado, and the Florida Keys. “I am on my annual visit with my wife, Gwyneth, to Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming to harass trout and take in the majestic wonder of the country we live in,” he shares. “It’s starting to snow up north but that clears out the tourists and turns on the fishing.” Sam and Gwyneth plan to visit Chuck Kraus and his wife, Judy, in Michigan.

’68 50th

REUNION:

June 7-10

’71

Elizabeth Washabaugh Jarvis’ husband, Jim, passed away July 29, 2017.

’63 55th

From left to right: Ross Lenhart ’58, Ched Hultman ’58, Barry Dubbs ’59, and Bob Hunter ’59 pose in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, after a recent planning meeting for a joint 60th Mercersburg reunion on campus June 7-10, 2018.

REUNION:

June 7-10

David Molyneaux was inducted into the Cleveland Journalism Hall of Fame last fall for his nearly 40 years as a reporter and editor at The Plain Dealer. Now retired, David blogs regularly about his travels around the world at www.travelmavenblog.com and edits a website dedicated to travel journalism, www.thetravelmavens.com. He also does freelance travel writing for various clients, including a monthly column about cruise industry trends for the Miami Herald.

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Board of Regents emeriti John Prentiss ’65 and Allen Zern ’61; Board presidents emeriti Denise Dupré ’76 and David Frantz ’60; and Regent Albert Bellas ’60 pose for a photo in Maine.

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MERCERSBURG MAGAZINE SPRING 2018

Faculty member and head football coach Dan Walker (center) connected with former Mercersburg and Syracuse football player Sam Rodgers ’11 and Sam’s father, John ’79, at the Syracuse/Boston College football game in November 2017. Timi Tijani ’14 played in the game for BC.

’73 45th

REUNION:

June 7-10

Jay Yarid ’81 (right) and his son, Jack, visited Pittsburgh last summer and caught up with Jay’s classmate, Dave Wagner, at a Pirates baseball game.

’80

Steven Lynch is the librarian at Ector Middle School in Odessa, Texas, which with more than 1,600 students is the second-largest middle school in the state.

Ruth Barriere, mother of Brent Barriere and Laura Barriere ’76, passed away August 2, 2017.

’75

David Ditto attended a workshop for the International Physical Protection Advisory Service—part of the International Atomic Energy Agency—in Vienna, Austria, last October. David is now part of a mission team reviewing and assessing international regulatory requirements for the physical protection of nuclear and radioactive material controlled by member states of the United Nations.

“This will be a pleasant addition to my normal work and will include some travel to many regions of the world,” says David.

’76

Denise Henderson Edwards retired on August 1, 2017, after 37 years in TK-12 education and joined the University of California, Riverside, as a part-time supervisor of teacher education and lecturer the very next day. “I stopped by Mercersburg while in the area in July,” she says. “While on campus I met Michael Ashley ’88 and his wife, and we have become friends.” Denise adds that her second grandson, Ashton Christopher, was born March 29, 2017.

’78 40th

REUNION:

June 7-10

Ceci Depman Bennett is the listing coordinator and marketing director for Keller Williams Realty in Boise, Idaho, and is serving as the website manager and social media director for the outdoor women’s group Sisters on the Fly. “I am excited about returning to M’burg for my 40th reunion in June, and I encourage classmates west of the Continental Divide (like me) to head east for this big event,” writes Ceci. “It will be wonderful to catch up in person.

Hope to see you there!”

’82

Scott M. Weaver’s father, James, passed away July 31, 2017.

’83 35th

REUNION:

June 7-10

David Leberknight and his wife, Lili, have purchased a home in Tauranga, New Zealand, following a two-and-a-half-year trip around the world.

Their adventures were documented on the blog www.leberknight.com/worldtour. David has also published a novel, Globalocity: The Adventures of Raymond.

’84

Jim Laingen retired from the U.S. Navy on October 1, 2017, after 29 years of service and is now working for TMA Inc. in Chantilly, Virginia, and enjoying empty-nest life in Haymarket, Virginia, with his wife, Hope.

’85

Viewers of the blockbuster Star Wars: The Last Jedi enjoyed the performance of Academy Award-winning actor Benicio Del Toro, who played the role of DJ, a turncoat codebreaker. It was the second on-screen role for a Mercersburg alumnus in a Star Wars film; Ben Mendelsohn ’86 appeared as Orson Krennic in 2016’s Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.

Chipper Lichtenstein married Saoirse Mishler on May 5, 2017. “Since we had both been married before, we didn’t invite anyone,” shares Chipper. “We just wanted to amuse ourselves, so we had a bail bondsman marry us. Our wedding pictures consist of lots of wanted posters.” Chipper adds that he is listed in the recently published 7th edition of the Bridge Encyclopedia for winning the 2002 Mini Spingold National Championship.

Steve Pessagno ’88 with classmate Rebecca Gaffney in Del Mar, California, at the Breeders’ Cup Championships.

’86

Lori Holmes Ave’s husband, Daniel, passed away May 18, 2017.

P.J. Schaner was inducted into the Denison University Swimming Hall of Fame in October.

Paige Walton Diskin and her husband, Gary, live in Salisbury, Maryland, with their children Connor, a senior at Randolph-Macon College, and Caroline, a junior in high school. Paige is a fifthgrade teacher in the Wicomico County (Maryland) school system, where she has worked for more than 20 years.

’87

Charles Streeter, father of Julia Streeter Berle and grandfather of Peter Berle ’20, passed away August 8, 2017.

’88 30th

REUNION:

June 7-10

John Brubaker’s sixth book, Stadium Status: Taking Your Business to the BIG TIME, was named a No. 1 new release and best seller on Amazon.

Suzanne Dysard writes: “I’ve been living in Colorado for almost 20 years now and love it. I enjoy being close to the mountains and all of the outdoor activities that they offer. Over the past few years, I have been focused on running and yoga.

After completing two marathons, I’m going back to the shorter runs.” Suzanne adds that she bought a house in the Denver suburb of Lakewood a few years ago, which has kept her busy with all that accompanies home ownership. “On the job front, I run the sales operations team for Epsilon, a division of Alliance Data Systems,” she adds. “I enjoy travel and occasionally see Mercersburg friends along the way. I am looking forward to our 30th reunion.”

Reginald Hernandez is an associate in the healthcare studio at Lionakis, an architectural-engineering firm in Newport Beach, California. Reginald was involved in the Riverside and Moreno Valley

Marriages

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1. 1979 classmates Molly Hall and Brent Copenhaver were married August 19, 2017, at the Edgewood Country Club in Charleston, West Virginia. Pictured behind them are Elizabeth Casparian ’13; Joan Winebrenner with her daughter, Anne Winebrenner ’79, and her husband, faculty emeritus Wirt Winebrenner ’54; Molly’s daughter, Rose Olsen ’19; and Carol Furnary Casparian ’79 (mother of Elizabeth) and her daughter, Caroline Casparian ’16. Molly and Brent dated in the fall of 1978 during their senior year at Mercersburg, went their separate ways after graduation, and reconnected in November 2014 when Molly was living in Wisconsin and Brent in West Virginia. The couple now resides in Morgantown, West Virginia.

2. Dan Henderson ’85 married Kate Kummer October 21, 2017, in Mount Lebanon, Pennsylvania.

Among the guests were Paul Furigay ’85 (left) and Bruce Keizler ’86 (right).

3. Joy Mullins ’10 married Samuel Byrne on July 29, 2017, in the Irvine Memorial Chapel. Pictured from left to right are Sarah Kolanowski ’10, Cameron Reilly ’10, Hannah Miller ’10, Samuel, Joy, Kate Vary ’10, Wynn Holzwarth ’11, and Jennifer Leahey ’10.

4. Ethan Strickler ’08 married Anna Klinker June 17, 2017, in the Irvine Memorial Chapel. Pictured from left are Luke Griffin ’08, Laura Willwerth ’08, Liza Rockwell ’08, Mitch Shetter ’08, Ethan, Seth Fries ’08, Anna, Andrew Reichardt ’08, Harry Ungar ’58, Nathaniel Bachtell ’11, and Greta Strickler ’12.

Ethan is executive director of the Cacapon and Lost Rivers Land Trust in Wardensville, West Virginia.

5. Aida Amini ’06 married Jan Nigl July 23, 2016, in Aachen, Germany. Aida is a resident in plastic, aesthetic, reconstructive, and hand surgery at Marien Hospital in Oelde, Germany, having completed her M.D. at the RWTH University of Aachen in 2014.

5

Marriages

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7

6

8

6. Rebecca Galey ’09 married Jesse Russell on October 8, 2017, in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

The couple celebrated with Mercersburg alumni Patrick Galey ’07, Lara Brandfass ’08, Hannah Galey ’05, Sarah Allen ’12, Rachael Porter ’09, Ashley Irving ’09, and Alicia Furnary ’09.

7. Hannah Greenfield ’06 married Patrick Holland on June 11, 2016, in Ogunquit, Maine.

Her father, Mark ’75, and grandfather, Bruce ’45, were in attendance.

8. Michael Lorentsen ’10 married Alex Gillespy June 24, 2017, in Flagler Beach, Florida.

9. Lauren Timoney ’04 married Michael Sechehay on September 16, 2017, in Ridgedale, Missouri. Among the bridesmaids were Maureen LaFevre ’02 (second from left), Sarah Timoney ’06 (third from left), and Alexa Deaton ’04 (far right).

9

Jean Diver ’81 and Henry Milligan, October 16, 2017.

Chipper Lichtenstein ’85 and Saoirse Mishler, May 5, 2017

medical centers for Kaiser Permanente and recently had a small acting role on NBC’s “This Is Us.” Iain Martin has a new middle-grade reader being published by Scholastic this spring: In Harm’s Way: JFK, World War II, and the Heroic Rescue of PT 109.

Former Main Hall roommates Jim Kaurudar ’98 and Worawat “Non” Meevasana ’98 met for breakfast at Eddie’s Restaurant in Los Banos, California, in August 2017. Jim was on vacation visiting friends in the area and attending a Lady Gaga concert in San Francisco. Non, a lecturer and the head of the school of physics at Suranaree University of Technology in Thailand, was in California with several students performing research, attending seminars, and presenting at conferences with stops at UC Irvine, UC Santa Barbara, UC Berkeley, Stanford, and UCLA.

Hans Morefield writes that he’s living in Katonah, New York, with Helene, his wife of 19 years, and two sons, 16-year-old Colin and 14-year-old Evan. “2017 was my 25th year working in the healthcare software industry, following in the giant footsteps of my father, Fred Morefield ’53,” says Hans. “I’m currently the CEO of CHESS Health, which offers mobile applications for patients—and their providers—undergoing treatment for substance abuse disorder.”

’89

Ben Tutt is general manager of the Condado Vanderbilt Hotel in San Juan, Puerto Rico. He and his wife, Adeliz, raised more than $90,000 through GoFundMe to assist fellow Puerto Rico residents who were affected by Hurricane Maria.

’90

David Qua’s mother, Sabra, passed away May 31, 2017, and his father, George, passed away September 15, 2017.

’92

Peggy Burns is the recipient of two recent distinctions: an Inkpot Award recognizing her career in the comic book industry and a medal of good service from the Canadian Minister of Transport and Scouts Canada for her role as group commissioner in her children’s Scout group.

’93 25th

REUNION:

June 7-10

Jon Labahn is proprietor of a new app called Conversio. “I’m still in the learning phases,” he says,

MERCERSBURG MAGAZINE SPRING 2018

Angela Pomella-Garnsey ’97 (pictured with her husband Brian) is in her 17th year with the Delaware State Police and is assigned to the Delaware Division of Gaming Enforcement. In her capacity as a detective, Angie is also a certified police instructor and has trained more than 2,100 Delaware civilians in a course that teaches situational awareness strategies to survive a critical incident. In June 2017, Angie received the Delaware Award for Excellence and Commitment in State Service from Governor John Carney for her involvement in a financial and drug investigation that resulted in the largest heroin seizure in state history. Outside of work, Angie stays busy spending time with her husband and two daughters, 10-yearold Reagan and 6-year-old Payton. Angie also enjoyed coming back to Mercersburg in June to celebrate her 20th reunion with friends. “but that much nearer Conversio’s debut, allowing users to hold conversations with the AI.”

’95

Michael Pedersen was elected to the Mercersburg Borough Council.

’96

Matt Rader continues to serve as president of the Philadelphia Horticultural Society, which won the Grand Pinnacle Gold award for its 2017 Philadelphia Flower Show—a distinction presented by the International Festivals and Events Association for the best overall event in the world.

Jason Yoo is living in Siem Reap, Cambodia, and working with Electricite Du Cambodge on photovoltaic and renewable energy projects.

’97

Peter Cianfrani’s father, Peter, passed away September 26, 2017.

’98 20th

REUNION:

June 7-10

Virginia Arrisueño was featured in the April 2017 issue of ELLE magazine as one of several Washington, D.C., designers who shared their thoughts about the creative side of D.C.

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From left to right, Andy (Keon) Park ’01, Jeong Heo ’98, Paul Yun ’98, and Eddie Kang ’99 met for dinner in Seoul, Korea, on July 31, 2017.

Jamie Gelo DiCesare is living in Austin, Texas, with her husband, son, and dog. “I am a senior digital project manager at a local software development agency and part-time front-end developer,” shares Jamie. “Happy to connect with any alums in the Austin area.”

Liz Hills has started a direct primary care family medicine practice in Elk Mountain, Wyoming.

Amy Schemmerling completed a master’s degree in psychology with honors from American Public University and has been a case manager on the psychiatric ward at Roxbury Treatment Center in Shippensburg, Pennsylvania, for nearly five years.

“I love what I do; I love my coworkers,” shares Amy. “I couldn’t ask for a better job.”

’99

Josh Pipic is working as creative director at Obscura Digital in San Francisco. He recently directed the “Unseen Stars” project in which Obscura video projection mapped Grand Central Station in New York City for GE.

’03 15th

REUNION:

June 7-10

Zak Zielezinski has been named CEO of the technology company Declara.

’04

Hugh Molten is working as a real estate agent for The Cassina Group in South Carolina.

Rache Baird Brand recently met up for lunch with Hector Leal ’90 in Guatemala. Rache and her family live in Guatemala, where she works remotely as a food concept strategist for restaurants and CPG companies. Hector and his family live in Guatemala City, close to his development project for the Paseo Cayala, which boasts a hotel, recreation area and park, movie theater, church, restaurants, office space, and residential living. The U.S. Embassy of Guatemala is also scheduled to open on the property.

The exhibit “Forever Young,” featuring the paintings and sculptures of Eddie Kang, was featured at Lucie Chang Fine Arts in Hong Kong this past fall.

Erin McCartney Rozniakowski is a guest editor and writer for the 2nd Annual Awesome Sports Writing Contest, which is affiliated with Awesome Sports Project, an online literary journal that shares the stories and experiences of high school female athletes. Classmate Rebecca Lowe is serving as a celebrity judge.

’00

Jeremy McGarvey has joined the cardiac surgery faculty at the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine and is now an attending cardiovascular surgeon at Lancaster General Hospital. His wife, Vivian, continues her practice in Blue Bell, Pennsylvania, as a plastic and reconstructive surgeon.

Gabrielle Joffie ’03 ran into Kim Ngeow ’03 in a hotel lobby in Washington, D.C., last fall when both women were in town for business. “I was checking out in the lobby when Kim yelled my name,” says Gabrielle. “I immediately recognized her voice—we were both on the squash team together 15 years ago! We exchanged happy news and reconnected immediately.”

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Tamara Filipovic ’05 and her partner, Brenan Hornseth, moved to Seward, Alaska, in 2016 to experience a human-powered and wilderness-inspired lifestyle. They’d be happy to meet up with any Mercersburg alumni or staff who visit Seward.

’05

’13 5th

REUNION:

June 7-10

’14

Anna Mourão is studying accounting and civil engineering at Ibmec University and FUMEC University, respectively.

Meghan Peterson will attend the University of North Carolina Eshelman School of Pharmacy, where she will work to earn a doctor of pharmacy degree as a member of the Class of 2022.

Ovie Onobrakpeya ’09 won his fourth-straight title and led his team, the White Walkers, to their second consecutive championship in the A-division of the PlayMore South Jersey basketball league.

From left are Cammie Reilly ’10, Anmargaret Warner ’10, Jack Mitchell ’20, Mary Lancaster ’08, and Gussie Reilly ’08 in Buck Hill Falls, Pennsylvania, over the Independence Day holiday last summer.

From left are Nikolai Paloni ’10, Morgan Hopkins ’12, Chris Hoke ’10, Nick Thomson ’10, Linc Kupke ’11, and Ed Carroll ’10 in Bermuda last summer.

Cara Leepson has relocated from Washington, D.C., to Charleston, South Carolina, for a new job as executive director of Redux Contemporary Art Center.

’06

Griffin Burns was featured in a national television commercial for Walmart as part of the company’s hero-themed back-to-school campaign.

After five seasons as a relief pitcher for the New York Mets, Josh Edgin has signed a contract with the Baltimore Orioles.

’08 10th

REUNION:

June 7-10

’10

After spending two and a half years as an admission counselor at Southern Methodist University, Eliza Macdonald has moved to SMU’s Lyle School of Engineering as an associate director within the Office of Recruitment and Retention.

Gilbert Rataezyk is working as a best boy electric for a web series in Des Moines, Iowa, and recently took a road trip to visit classmate Hannah Miller in Ohio. Gilbert would love to hear from friends and classmates at grataezyk@gmail.com.

’11

After six seasons pitching in the Kansas City Royals organization, Christian Binford has signed with the Baltimore Orioles.

From left to right: Lauren Dobish ’08, Lena Finucane ’09, Alicia Furnary ’09, and Jenn Brallier ’09 met up in Boston, Massachusetts, in July.

Thomaz Mourão graduated from Ibmec University as an industrial engineer and is pursuing his master’s degree in biological assets management at Federal University of Paraná.

Troy Nwanna was recently featured as a contestant on the gameshow “Let’s Make a Deal.”

’12

Vanessa Anyanso is a clinical research coordinator at the University of Pennsylvania and was recently interviewed for an ELLE magazine article about what Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s engagement means to black women.

2015 classmates Reed Widdoes, Newell Woodworth, Alex Jackson, and Alec Jones pose for a photo in Princeton, New Jersey.

Births/Adoptions 1

2

1. Janelle Denny Cwik ’91 and her husband, Chris, welcomed their first grandchild, Tytan Mark, December 2, 2017, in Colorado. “New parents Fallon and Daniel Cwik are thrilled!” says Janelle. “This life-changing event led us to sell Cwik Farm in East Tennessee, secure a penthouse condo in Colorado Springs, and put in an offer on a 40-acre ranch east of The Springs.” Janelle shares that she and Chris plan to build a log home on the ranch, install a solar/ wind farm, own livestock, and help raise their grandchildren in Blackhawk, Colorado. “Now grown up, my daughter is close by in Ault, my son is in Aurora, and my brother lives with his wife and family in Denver,” she adds. “Chris starts with Lexus soon, and I will be a financial adviser with New York Life. So grateful for all these blessings!”

2. Emily Kenzik ’99 and her husband, Colin Matthias, welcomed their second daughter, Eleanor Frances Matthias, May 27, 2017. Eleanor joins 4-year-old Cecilia, who is taking her role as big sister very seriously.

MERCERSBURG MAGAZINE SPRING 2018

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3. Jessica Tippen Larson ’06 and Gregory Larson ’06 welcomed a daughter, Lexington “Lexi,” October 7, 2016.

5. Elizabeth Curry Watkins ’98 and Peter Watkins ’97 welcomed a daughter, Claire Jane, October 23, 2017, who joins big brother Connor. Liz shares that they are looking forward to introducing their children to Mercersburg this summer at their class reunion.

4. Kristin Burkhart Sites ’02 and her husband, Michael, welcomed a daughter, Grace Marie, on October 11, 2017. Grace joins big brother Henry, age 3. “Everyone is happy and doing well!” shares Kristin.

The family lives in Fayetteville, Pennsylvania.

6. Chris Frisby ’91 and his wife, Erin Elarton Frisby, welcomed a son, Bryce Brumback, July 27, 2017. Bryce joins sister Mary at home on Daniel Island, South Carolina. Chris is teaching history at Ashley Hall in Charleston.

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’16

Dean Patterson recently auditioned for and was accepted into Bucknell University’s a cappella group Two Past Midnight. He is also in the school’s choir—traveling to Serbia, Bulgaria, and Croatia this past summer—as well as the band, theater department, and ROTC.

’17

Nathan Abel has been accepted into the Taiko drumming team at Cornell University. Of the 96 students who auditioned, he was one of only six who made the cut.

Finley Stewart’s mother, Wendy Pepper, passed away November 12, 2017.

Faculty/staff/friends Assistant Director of Athletics Paul Sipes has been elected to the Mercersburg Borough Council.

Several members of the Mercersburg community ran in the annual John Harmon Memorial 5K in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, on October 7, 2017. Pictured from left are Cole Smith and his mother, faculty member Jennifer Miller Smith ’97; Renee Brink; staff member Harrison Brink ’11; Tom McCulloh ’70; James Finucane ’08; and faculty spouse Matt Pixler. Each Mercersburg participant finished in the top three of their respective age groups, with Cole and Harrison placing first and James taking the outright male victory with a course record of 17:19.

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Obituaries ’29

’38

Kenneth M. Walbridge, June 11, 2015. (football) Ken graduated from Amherst College, served on the faculty at the Bement School, and taught history and mathematics at Berkshire School and Deerfield Academy. He later co-owned Walbridge Bros. Plumbing & Heating with his brother. Ken was preceded in death by his wife, Jean Palmer, a brother and sister, and a grandson. Survivors include three children, five grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren.

Mark A. Follansbee, July 19, 2014. (Keil Hall, Marshall, Choir, Glee Club, swimming) Ordained in 1953 in the United Church of Christ, Mark served churches in Ohio, Minnesota, Connecticut, and Vermont. He was also chaplain of a cancer rehabilitation team. Mark is survived by his wife, Marylou Crooks, two stepchildren, several step-grandchildren, three sons, nine grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren.

’32

Robert L. Steiner Jr., November 7, 2017. (Marshall, wrestling) Robert attended the College of Wooster and earned a master’s degree in international relations from Columbia University. He served in the U.S. Navy and worked for the U.S. Foreign Service, with various nongovernmental organizations, and as the cultural attaché for the American Embassy in Iran. Later he became a chicken farmer; a Vermont high-school teacher; head of the first Peace Corps program in Afghanistan; head of the Peace Corps North Africa, Near East, and South Asia Division; director of the University of Hawaii’s Center for Cross-Cultural Training and Research; and founder of InterLink Language Centers. Robert’s survivors include his wife, Margaret, a daughter, three sons, a brother, four grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.

Ammi H. Adler, May 29, 2015. (Marshall, Mile-a-Day Track Squad, Honor Student, Cum Laude Society) Ammi was preceded in death by his wife, Lorene, and is survived by two sons and three grandchildren.

’33

Paul N. Carter, January 30, 2006. (Marshall) Paul received bachelor of arts and bachelor of law degrees from West Virginia University and studied at Columbia Law School before working as an attorney with the general counsel’s office of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. He served in the U.S. Navy as a security officer and legal officer and was discharged as a lieutenant. Paul later worked as a legal adviser at the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration headquarters in Germany before opening his own law practice, Carter and Manley, in New York state. He was preceded in death by his wife, Irene, and a son. Survivors include a daughter, a son, and a sister.

’37

David S. Robertson, October 23, 2012. (South, Marshall, Choir, Stony Batter, News Board, Gun Club, wrestling) David graduated from Allegheny College and served in the U.S. Navy as a PT boat captain during World War II. He graduated from Yale Law School, opened a law practice in California, owned and operated several businesses, and worked as a real estate developer. David was preceded in death by his wife, Irene. Survivors include two sons, three stepchildren, nine grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren.

John M. Wuerth, September 29, 2015. (Main Hall, Irving, Band, Blue and White Melodians, Choir, Alternate Crucifer, Concert Band, Glee Club, Les Copains, Rauchrunde, Radio Club, Fifteen, cross country, Commencement Stage Speaker, Cum Laude) Jack received a bachelor’s degree in physics from Princeton University and served as a lieutenant in the U.S. Naval Reserve during World War II and as project officer in the Navy Department in Washington, D.C. He was preceded in death by his wife, Joan, and a brother. Survivors include four daughters, two sisters, 10 grandchildren, four greatgrandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.

’41

Thomas G. Cutler, June 23, 2015. (Marshall, track & field) Thomas graduated from Brown University and served in the U. S. Army as a first lieutenant during World War II. His career included executive roles as a publisher’s representative in magazine advertising

MERCERSBURG MAGAZINE SPRING 2018

before founding Thomas G. Cutler & Associates in Chicago. He was preceded in death by his wife, Nancy, and a son. Survivors include five children, 10 grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.

W. Arthur Staub, September 1, 2017. (Main, Marshall, Camera Club, Radio Club, baseball, football, Rauchrunde) Arthur graduated from Dartmouth College and the Temple University School of Medicine and served as an ensign in the U.S. Navy during World War II and as a member of the Navy Reserve. During the Korean War, he was an Air Force captain and held several medical positions, including chief of medicine and deputy commanding officer of the 20th Medical Group. Arthur’s career included service as a pediatrician at several New Jersey hospitals, at Saint Christopher’s Hospital in Philadelphia, and at Massachusetts General Hospital at Harvard Medical School. He later joined CIBA Pharmaceutical Company as a senior research associate, Madison Laboratories as chief medical advisor, and Becton, Dickinson and Co. as medical director and director of clinical research. Arthur was also chief operating officer of a medical research laboratory in England and joined C.R. Bard as corporate medical director and later as vice president of corporate medical affairs. He is survived by his wife, Alla; three children, including Randy Staub ’68; 12 grandchildren, including Kathleen Staub ’07; and six great-grandchildren.

’43

Burton I. Koffman, September 20, 2017. (’Eighty-eight Dormitory, Marshall, baseball, football, wrestling, basketball, Les Copains, Class Day Committee) Bud served as a private first class in the 101st Airborne during World War II and graduated from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business with a bachelor’s degree in economics. He worked with his father in the family’s public loan company and later started the Beacon Loan Company.

Bud was preceded in death by a sister and is survived by his wife, Ruthanne, four children, nine grandchildren, a brother, and several nieces and nephews.

’45

Robert H. Brooks, July 31, 2012. (Irving) Robert attended the University of Toledo and graduated from the Insurance Institute of New York. Early in his career, he worked for Brooks Insurance Agency, the firm founded by his father. He was preceded in death by a brother and is survived by his wife, Kathleen, three sons, a daughter, six grandchildren, and a brother.

Edward C. Burton Jr., September 25, 2017. (Irving, track & field) Edward served in the U.S. Army and studied chemical engineering at Johns Hopkins University. He joined the Cambridge Gas Company as president and later became chief executive officer of Chesapeake Utilities Corporation, during which time he received a bachelor’s degree in business from Salisbury University. After his retirement, he continued working as a consultant for Chesapeake Utilities and resumed management of the Cambridge Gas Company for a time. Edward was preceded in death by a grandson and a brother. Survivors include his wife, Norma Lee; three daughters, including Karen Burton McDaniel ’75; a grandson, Matthew McDaniel ’01; two great-grandchildren; and a number of nieces and nephews.

Roger W. Saunders, May 13, 2017. (Main Hall, Irving, Glee Club, track & field, Caducean Club, KARUX Board) Roger received a bachelor’s degree in education from Kutztown State College and a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Lehigh University.

He served in the Army during the Korean War and worked as an accountant for Youngstown Sheet & Tube and later Republic Steel.

He also co-owned and operated Saunders Music. Roger was preceded in death by a son and a brother. Survivors include his wife, Mary, a daughter, three stepchildren, five grandchildren, and one great-granddaughter.

Joseph E. Schindel, September 30, 2007. (summer session student) Joseph worked for the family business, Schindel/Rohrer Co., and later for R.K.B. Enterprises. He was preceded in death by a son and is survived by his wife, Bette, a daughter and son, a sister and brother, a granddaughter, and two great-grandsons.

’46

Walker C. Eliason, December 15, 2016. (Chess Club) Walker graduated from the University of Maryland and served in the Air Force.

He worked for the Kent County Savings Bank and the LaMotte Chemical Products Company and operated a charter and flight instruction business. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Elizabeth; his second wife, Joan; a son, James Eliason ’82; a sister; and three brothers, including John Eliason ’39. Survivors include a granddaughter, a brother, and several nieces and nephews.

Richard G. Stein, June 5, 2012. (’Eighty-eight Dormitory, Irving, Laticlavii, soccer, wrestling manager, Chess Club) Dick attended Champlain College and completed studies at the University of Florida, Gainesville. He worked as an entertainer for the United Service Organizations in the Caribbean, and among his classmates at Pasadena Playhouse in California were Lily Tomlin and Dustin Hoffman. Dick performed summer stock at various theaters and formed Glens Falls Arena Theater Guild and the Glens Falls Players. He also taught for many years at Corinth High School. Dick was preceded in death by a brother and a nephew.

Survivors include a nephew and two nieces.

’47

Robert B. Funkhouser Sr., June 22, 2016. (French Club) Bob served in the U.S. Air Force and graduated from Dartmouth College. Throughout his career in advertising, he worked at Ketchum McLeod & Grove, BBDO, and The Carnation Company. Bob also served as president and CEO of The Stuart Foundation. He is survived by his wife, Peggy; three children; and five grandchildren.

Richard R. Hartranft, July 17, 2017. (’Eight-eight Dormitory, Marshall, Caducean Club, wrestling, baseball) Richard attended La Salle University and Pennsylvania State University. He took over his father’s coal mining business and then went on to open his own service station before becoming a supervisor at Air Products Inc. until retirement. He is preceded in death by his wife, Alice, and is survived by three children, five grandchildren, and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

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MERCERSBURG MAGAZINE SPRING 2018

Leighton R. Phraner, November 4, 2017. (South Cottage, Irving, News Board, Choir, Glee Club, tennis, Rauchrunde, Ode Committee) An alumnus of Princeton University, Leighton established the Phraner Vocal Studio in Connecticut where he provided singing lessons to countless students. He was a founder of the CT Gilbert & Sullivan Society; served as assistant editor of Music Journal Magazine; sang lead roles for the Village Light Opera Group, Hunter College, and The Little Orchestra Society; and toured the nation as a member of The Singing Editors duo. He was preceded in death by a brother and three sisters and is survived by many nieces and nephews.

Charles R. Sieg, July 23, 2017. (Marshall) Charles attended Pennsylvania State University and served in the U.S. Navy, receiving an honorable discharge in 1955. Along with his wife Emily, he was the owner-manager of Laurel Grove Inn in Canadensis, Pennsylvania, a business the family owned for nearly 50 years. He was preceded in death by a brother. In addition to his wife, he is survived by two daughters, a granddaughter, and a sister.

’48

Robert C. Earley, August 11, 2017. (Marshall, Gun Club) Robert graduated from Washington College and served in the U.S. Army, reaching the rank of sergeant. He was a graduate of Dickinson School of Law and practiced law in Indiana, Pennsylvania. He tried cases in the Pennsylvania State Supreme and Superior Courts and the U.S. Third Circuit Court. He became assistant district attorney in 1961 and was elected judge of the common pleas court of Indiana County in 1975 and 1985. Robert was preceded in death by his wife, Hazel; a brother; and a son. He is survived by his wife, Louise; three children; and three grandchildren.

R. Kane Rufe, September 27, 2014. (Marshall, Glee Club, football, track & field) A native of Bucks County, Pennsylvania, Kane lived in Scottsdale, Arizona, and was traveling in Morocco at the time of his death. He is survived by his daughter, Martita ’81.

’49

David C. Endres, October 13, 2017. (South Cottage, Marshall, Laticlavii, Glee Club, Chapel Usher, Dance Committee, Caducean Club, Radio Club, soccer, wrestling, track & field) Dave graduated from Denison University and served in the U.S. Marine Corps as a captain. During his career, he worked as a sales representative for Dooney & Bourke and became a manufacturers’ rep for fine men’s clothing lines and gifts. Dave was preceded in death by two sisters and is survived by his wife, Barbara; four children; 10 grandchildren; and a great-granddaughter.

Alan D. Kennedy, November 4, 2017. (Main Hall Annex, Marshall, Laticlavii, Chemistry Club, Glee Club, Stony Batter, soccer, wrestling) Alan graduated from Colgate University and served in both the U.S. Army and the U.S. Air Force. He worked with various direct selling companies during his career, including as president and chief executive officer of Nature’s Sunshine Products, vice president of sales development for Avon Products, Inc., and president worldwide for Tupperware Corporation. He was inducted into the Direct Selling Association’s Hall of Fame, the industry’s

highest honor, and also served for many years on the Mercersburg Academy Board of Regents. He was preceded in death by a daughter and is survived by his wife, Maggie; five children, including Ariel Anaya ’07; and four grandchildren.

Leonard G. Kessel, July 6, 2016. (Choir, Glee Club) Leonard was a retired veteran, avid train enthusiast, and longtime Boeing employee. He is survived by his wife, Mary, two children, and four grandchildren.

Harold W. Risser Jr., February 5, 2016. (South Cottage, Irving, wrestling, varsity baseball manager) Harold served in the U.S. Army Signal Corps during the Korean War. He was a farmer and also worked as the register of wills for Lebanon County, Pennsylvania.

He was predeceded in death by a brother and is survived by his wife, Ruth Ann; six children; a daughter-in-law, Kathleen M. Snyder Risser ’74; a sister; six grandchildren and one great-granddaughter.

’50

Walter I. Bates, II, October 14, 2017. (Keil Hall, Irving, Irving Treasurer, Irving Sergeant-at-Arms, Class President, Class Historian, News Board, Senate, Chapel Usher, Dance Committee, Stony Batter, Varsity Club, swimming, baseball, Marshal of the Field) Walter graduated from Duke University and served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He went on to graduate from the Thunderbird School of Global Management and pursue a career in marketing for international corporations, pioneering several businesses. He was preceded in death by his companion, Linda Rael, and a cousin, Samuel P. Bates ’48, and is survived by four children; five grandchildren; and his brothers, John D. Bates ’52 and Edgar S. Bates ’56.

’51

R. Lee Hobaugh, May 27, 2012. (Marshall) Lee was a self-employed municipal planner, a licensed real estate broker, and served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He is survived by his wife, Jane; two daughters; one sister; and one step-grandson.

’52

James F. Andreae, July 11, 2017. (Marshall, football, track & field) Jim served in the military and then went on to graduate from Michigan State University. He worked in the aerospace industry before starting his own aerospace company. Jim is survived by his wife, Janet, four children, and two grandchildren.

James H. Craig Jr., September 19, 2017. (South Cottage, Irving, Les Copains, Choir, Glee Club, Caducean Club, soccer, baseball) Jim graduated from Franklin & Marshall College and received his doctorate in dentistry from Temple University. Following dental school, he served in the U.S. Army Dental Corps in Korea and at Fort Dix, New Jersey, and was a lieutenant colonel in the Air National Guard, where he served as the base dental surgeon in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Jim practiced family dentistry in Greencastle, Pennsylvania, for 40 years. He is survived by his wife, Julie; two children, James H. Craig III ’86 and Karen Craig Ryland ’81; son-in-law, John Ryland ’82; two step-grandchildren, including Abigail Ryland ’12; a sister; and several nieces and nephews, including Charles Baldwin ’84.

MERCERSBURG MAGAZINE SPRING 2018

James G. Watt, September 12, 2017. (South Cottage, Marshall, Class Day Committee, Press Club, Les Copains, Glee Club, Librarian, Stony Batter, Chess Club, Jurisprudence Society, football) Jim graduated from Yale University. He served as an officer in the U.S. Navy and then received his law degree from Temple Law School.

Jim worked for General Acceptance Corporation and Butz, Hudders and Tallman and then became a sole practitioner of law, specializing in individual and small business bankruptcies. He also served as an assistant solicitor for Lehigh County, as administrator of the magisterial district justices, and as a trustee of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court. He is survived by his wife, Beatrix; four children; and 10 grandchildren.

’54

William D. Erving Sr., October 26, 2017. (Irving, Marshall of the Field, Gun Club, Chapel Usher, Glee Club, Class Day Committee, Chemistry Club, French Club, tennis) Bill attended Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and then served in the U.S. Coast Guard and in the Air Branch. He went on to work with IBM and became the owner of his own company, Fire Safety Supply. Later in life, Bill completed an education in Bible teachings at Columbia International University and became an ordained minister with the Christian Missionary Alliance. He is preceded in death by a brother, Rowland Erving Jr. ’50, and son and is survived by his wife, Mary, three children, seven grandchildren, and a great-grandchild.

’55

Kenneth S. Mealing, October 30, 2016. (Marshall) Ken graduated from Muhlenberg College, served in the U.S. Army, and worked for Shell Oil Company. He is survived by his wife, Carolyn, four children, 10 grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren.

Eigil Wekre, June 11, 2017. (’Eighty-eight Dormitory, Marshall, Rauchrunde, International Club) Ike is survived by his wife, Ellen, four children, and several grandchildren.

’56

George S. Smith Jr., March 23, 2013. (summer session student) George graduated from Youngstown University and worked for Koppers Company before becoming a stockbroker with McKelvy & Company. Over the years, he also worked for McKelvy’s successors, Parker/Hunter, Inc., Janney Montgomery Scott LLC, and as a vice president of Chapin Davis Investments. He is survived by his wife, Cynthia, four children, seven grandchildren, a brother and sister, and four nieces and nephews.

’57

William T. Rinehart, October 13, 2017. (South Cottage, Marshall, football, track & field) Bill graduated from Lehigh University and joined his father and mentor at Shive’s Furniture Company in York, Pennsylvania. He is survived by his partner, Linda Truskey, four children, seven grandchildren, and a sister.

’58

L. Scott Barksdale Jr., July 7, 2017. (’Eighty-eight Dormitory, Irving, Caducean Club, Les Copains, KARUX Board, Glee Club, track & field) Scott earned a bachelor’s degree from Yale University and a J.D. from the University of Virginia School of Law. He worked as an investment banker with Victor Financial and lived in Stilwell, Kansas.

Radames A. Torruella Del Valle, February 7, 2016. (Main Hall, Marshall, Caducean Club, International Club, El Circulo Español, soccer, cross country, wrestling, swimming, baseball) “Rudy” graduated from the University of Pennsylvania, the Interamerican University of Puerto Rico, and the University of Puerto Rico. He is Mercersburg’s only alumnus to compete as an Olympian in the sport of sailing; he represented Puerto Rico in the 1968 Summer Olympics, which were held in Mexico City. He also served with the U.S. Army’s 1st Special Forces Group (the “Green Berets”) in Vietnam. His professional career was dedicated almost exclusively to the fields of labor and employment law; he was a spokesman and legal advisor in well over 100 collective bargaining negotiations over more than 40 years, and handled oral arguments before Puerto Rico’s Superior Courts, Court of Appeals, and Supreme Court. He was involved with the Association of Labor Relations Practitioners (Puerto Rico-Virgin Islands) and was a member of the Labor Advisory Committee to the Secretary of Labor and Human Resources of Puerto Rico.

’59

Douglass L. Champlin, May 20, 2013. (South Cottage, Marshall, Gun Club, Jurisprudence Society) Doug graduated from the University of California, Berkeley, and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army Reserve. He manufactured rifles for Champlin Firearms and built biplanes for Great Lakes Aircraft Company. Survivors include his wife, Laurel Raether Champlin; three daughters; six grandchildren; and a sister.

’59

John P. Fillman, October 8, 2017. (Laucks Hall, Irving, Laticlavii, News Board, Varsity Club, Marshal of the Field, football, basketball, baseball) John graduated from Dickinson College and lived in Doylestown, Pennsylvania. He served in the U.S. Army and retired from Xerox in 2001. He was a benefactor of the David Lloyd Fillman ’56 Scholarship Fund. John was preceded in death by his father, Lloyd G. Fillman (1918); brother, David L. Fillman ’56; and cousin, John W. Fox ’55. Survivors include his wife, Suzanne; three daughters; and seven granddaughters.

’60

Harold J. Harris Jr., August 6, 2017. (Irving, Octet) Harold received a bachelor’s degree from Dickinson College, a master’s from Temple University, and a Ph.D. in psychology from the University of Pennsylvania. He was the director of counseling at Millersville University, retiring after 34 years. Survivors include his wife, Mary; four children; and four grandchildren.

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MERCERSBURG MAGAZINE SPRING 2018

Brent H. Weinman, November 3, 2017. (Main Hall, Marshall, Jurisprudence Society, Caducean Club, Stony Batter, Electronics Club, baseball, cheerleader) Brent attended Washington and Jefferson College and the Pennsylvania College of Optometry. He practiced optometry in Fern Park, Florida, for more than 40 years. Survivors include his wife, Natalie; two sons and two grandchildren; and his former wife, Susan.

’62

Lawrence R. Bowers II, July 29, 2017. (Marshall, Choir, Glee Club, cross country, track & field) Larry graduated from St. Andrew’s Presbyterian College and served as a captain in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Alaska and Korea. After earning an engineering degree from North Carolina State University, he worked in the aggregate industry and finished his career as vice president of operations at Florida Rock Industries in Atlanta. Survivors include his wife of 49 years, Lillie Tandy Bowers; three sons; three grandchildren; and a brother.

’65

Don E. Brown, August 18, 2017. (Tippetts Hall, Irving, Blue Key, Spanish Club, Jurisprudence Club, Caducean Club, Stony Batter, Mercersburg View, Press Club, Glee Club, Varsity Club, football, track & field) The son of former Pittsburgh Pirates general manager Joe L. Brown ’37, “Ty” attended Ohio University and worked as a scout for the California Angels, Florida Marlins, and Baltimore Orioles.

’66

James M. Shields, August 21, 2016. (Paideia) Jimmy worked as a sales engineer and lived in Monroeville, Pennsylvania. He is survived by his son, James Jr., and ex-wife, Barb Miller.

’67

Charles R. Tucceri, November 1, 2017. (Marshall, Honor Committee, Orientation Committee, Blue Key, Dance Committee, French Club, Boys’ Club, Ski Club, Paideia, Jurisprudence Society, Caducean Club, Press Club, Band, Varsity Club, cross country, track & field, proctor) Charlie graduated from Syracuse University. He owned and operated The Shore Road Deli in Ogunquit, Maine, and Coastal Food Import Corporation in Wells, Maine. Later, he became a senior business consultant with International Profit Associates in Buffalo Grove, Illinois. Survivors include his wife, Catherine Massaro Tucceri; three stepsons and five step-grandchildren; and two sisters.

’81

Eleonora M. Luciano, August 17, 2017. (Tippetts Hall, Irving, Squash, French Club, International Club, Political Science Club) Eleonora graduated from Georgetown University before earning a master’s degree and Ph.D. in art history from Indiana University. She was a curator at the National Gallery of Art, and was most recently associate curator of sculpture. Her specialty was in Italian Renaissance art. Survivors include her husband, Brian Gaul.

Alfred K. Pfister III, November 1, 2017. (cross country, swimming, track & field, Blue Review) “Alfy” graduated from West Virginia State College. He was an accomplished artist, singer-songwriter, musician, and poet; he wrote novels and had a self-published children’s book. Survivors include his mother, sister, brother, stepmother, niece, and two nephews.

Former faculty/friends Barry M. Bergh, former faculty, September 1, 2017. He taught English at Mercersburg from 1968 to 1970 and at the Haverford School from 1978 to 2000.

Stephanie Reisner, wife of faculty emeritus Karl Reisner and mother of Kristopher ’94 and Amanda ’97, December 7, 2017.

Stephanie was a beloved kindergarten teacher at Mercersburg Elementary School from 1991 to 2011, and also worked at the Mercersburg Area Pre-School and Mountain View Elementary School.

She also served on the St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church Council and the Fendrick Library Board of Directors. In addition to her husband and two children (and their spouses), she is survived by three grandchildren.

Stuart A. Wallace, former faculty (1961–1962), August 2, 2017. He taught history at Mercersburg and later at Durham Academy and Durham Technical Community College in North Carolina.

Come Home Mercersburg is waiting for you!

CONNECT

Class reunions for 3s and 8s.

All Mercersburg alumni and friends of the school are invited.

PLAY

Golf, tennis, swimming, squash, and more! Quad games and class tent competition.

RELAX

The campus is yours!

All-inclusive packages are available at early-bird rates.

UNWIND

LEARN

Classes led by faculty and alumni.

Gettysburg Battlefield tour.

June 7-1

Live music, libations, and lifelong friendships. Four days in the place you once called home.

0, 2018

Full schedule and registration: mercersburg.edu/reunionweekend Early-bird all-inclusive packages available before May 1

Save the Date!

Family and Alumni Weekend September 28-30, 2018

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in the Life PAGE 16

MERCERSBURG SUMMER PROGRAMS

FAMILY and ALUMNI WEEKEND October 20 22, 2017

ADVENTURE CAMP STEAM CAMP PERFORMING ARTS INTENSIVE

YOUNG WRITERS CAMP SWIM CLINICS BASKETBALL CAMP SOCCER CAMP

COED SUMMER PROGRAMS | AGES 8-17 | 717-328-6225 | MERCERSBURGSUMMER.COM

Changing Times PAGE 14

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