Reunion weekend 2014

Reunion Weekend June 5-8, 2014

Thursday

• Gettysburg Part I: An Overview • Art Part I: Drawing • Wine and Chocolate Tasting with Dick Seibert ’69 • Volunteer Recognition Reception • Dinner in the Simon Student Center • Simon after Dark: Outdoor Movie and Fire • Stargazing with Dave Holzwarth ’78

Friday

• Gettysburg Part II: Battlefield Tour • Golf Scramble • Yoga with Reema Datta ’94 • Rock Climbing • Green Thumb Tour • Art Part II: Pottery and Ceramics • Latin: It’s Still a Classic • The Quinn-Ferguson Honors Seminar • The Business of the NFL: Dick Cass ’64 • Birds of Prey • Retiring Faculty Reception • “Down on the Shore” Dinner • Simon after Dark: Late-Night Karaoke

Saturday

• 5K Fun Run • Conversation with the Head of School and the Alumni Council • Community Garden Tour • Remembrance and Awards Ceremony • Softball Game • Blueprints with Bill Gridley ’69 • Beer School with Nate Fochtman ’03 • Shakespeare Soliloquies with Chip Vink ’73 • Class Photos and Reception • Class Dinners and Dancing • Simon after Dark: Photo Booth

Sunday

• Head of School 50th Reunion Breakfast • Chapel Service

Schedule at a Glance

Thursday, June 5 Gettysburg Part I: An Overview – 2:30 p.m.

Less than 50 miles from Mercersburg lies one of the most famous battlefields in the world. Emeritus faculty member Tim Rockwell will bring American history to life as he shares stories from Gettysburg, which last summer marked its 150th anniversary. Learn about the Civil War’s bloodiest battle and what many historians agree was the war’s pivotal confrontation.

Art Part I: Drawing – 2:30 p.m.

Participate in one final class with faculty members Kristy Higby and Mark Flowers. Kristy and Mark are retiring this summer after 23 years at Mercersburg and moving to Asheville, North Carolina, to work as full-time artists operating their own studio.

Wine and Chocolate Tasting with Dick Seibert ’69 – 4 p.m.

Travel to Knob Hall Winery in nearby Clear Spring, Maryland, for a tasting of locally produced wines with owner Dick Seibert. Pair your samples with locally produced gourmet chocolates from Zöe’s Chocolates, owned by Zöe Tsoukatos ’99, and enjoy this sublime combination.

Volunteer Recognition Reception – 6 p.m.

Join the Alumni Council at the head of school’s new residence, 1893 House, to thank our class agents, reunion committee members, and other alumni volunteers from 2013-2014.

Dinner in the Simon Student Center – 7 p.m.

Dinner will be served at stations throughout the Simon Student Center.

Simon after Dark: Outdoor Movie and Fire – 8:30 p.m.

Catch a big-screen movie on Spider Field complete with popcorn, s’mores, and beverages, or chat around the fire pit on Ford Hall Patio.

Stargazing with Dave Holzwarth ’78 – 10:15 p.m.

See if Jiminy Cricket had it right and make a wish as you peer out at a few of the 300 billion stars in our galaxy. Join faculty member Dave Holzwarth in the Class of 1938 Observatory and use a telescope to see the night sky as you’ve never seen it before.

Dear friends, I hope you’re making plans to return to Mercersburg in June for Reunion Weekend. As you’ll see from this brochure, there’s so much going on over this four-day celebration that you’ll want to make Mercersburg a destination weekend. The Alumni Council looks forward to having you back on campus. We know your experience will be unforgettable!

All the best, Dean Hosgood ’98 Alumni Council President

Friday, June 6 Gettysburg Part II: Battlefield Tour – 8 a.m.

Spend time exploring the Gettysburg Museum & Visitor Center, then board a bus with a National Park Service guide to tour the battlefield. (The cost for this event is $36 and includes transportation, museum admission, lunch, and tour. Please register by May 7.)

Golf Scramble – 8 a.m.

The Classes of 1964 and 1974 invite you to join them at Greencastle Golf Club for nine holes with faculty member Paul Galey and emeritus faculty member David Tyson.

(The cost for this event is $28 and includes half a round of golf and lunch. Please register by May 28.)

Yoga with Reema Datta ’94 – 9 a.m.

Slow down and connect with your heart and body as Reema offers an overview of yoga and guides you through a set of yoga postures, meditations, and awareness practices to deepen connection with self and others. (All experience levels welcome.)

Rock Climbing – 9 a.m.

Scale new heights with Mercersburg Outdoor Education Director Pete Gunkelman in the Masinter Outdoor Education Center. Mercersburg’s 30-foot climbing wall has courses for beginner, intermediate, and advanced climbers.

Green Thumb Tour – 9 a.m.

Mercersburg’s campus is known for its beautiful landscaping, magnificent trees, and panoramic views. Hear from Head of Grounds Avery Cook how the Mercersburg staff maintains our founding headmaster’s vision for a picturesque campus.

Art Part II: Pottery and Ceramics – 10:30 a.m.

Ever wonder if you could master a pottery wheel?

Try your hand at pottery and ceramics in the Burgin Center for the Arts and channel your inner artisan with the help of faculty member Sydney Caretti.

(Space is limited to 12 participants.)

Latin: It’s Still a Classic – 10:30 a.m.

From electronic textbooks to modern translations, learn from faculty members Greg Lynch and Tom

Thorne how technology and pedagogy have altered the classroom experience for this ancient language.

The Quinn-Ferguson Honors Seminar – 1:30 p.m.

Faculty member Phil Kantaros will introduce you to the Quinn-Ferguson Honors Seminar, one of Mercersburg’s most prestigious academic courses.

Phil will present an actual class topic, “Liberalism v.

Authoritarianism: Modern Case Studies.”

The Business of the NFL: Dick Cass ’64 – 3 p.m.

Dick Cass will share his experiences as president of the Baltimore Ravens and discuss the dynamics of running a football team and the keys to success that have led his franchise to nine playoff appearances and two Super Bowl victories.

Birds of Prey – 3 p.m.

Learn about predators of the skies from faculty member Jim Malone, who will give a lesson on hawk and owl biology and bring along live baby barn owls and kestrels to see up close.

Retiring Faculty Reception – 5 p.m.

The Alumni Council will host a special send-off for this year’s retiring faculty members: Mark Flowers, Brent Gift, Kristy Higby, and Ron Simar. Wish them well in their adventures post-Mercersburg!

“Down on the Shore” Dinner – 6:30 p.m.

Enjoy a seashore-themed dinner of lobster rolls, steamed shrimp, hushpuppies, steak sandwiches, hand-dipped ice cream, and more, with musical entertainment by the Hello Strangers featuring Brechyn Chace ’03 and Larissa Chace Smith ’97.

Simon after Dark: Late-Night Karaoke – 10 p.m.

Show off your vocal chops with karaoke in the Simon Student Center.

Saturday, June 7 5K Fun Run – 8 a.m.

Whether you’re looking to notch a personal best time or just want a leisurely jog, meet Girls’ Cross Country Head Coach Betsy Cunningham by Fowle Hall for a Saturday morning run that weaves through some of the most scenic parts of campus.

Conversation with the Head of School and the Alumni Council – 9:30 a.m.

Douglas Hale will share the latest news from 300 East Seminary Street and discuss Mercersburg’s future. You’ll also hear from members of the Alumni Council about their most recent work.

Community Garden Tour – 10 a.m.

Faculty member Todd McGuire will explain how this relatively new venture came about, what kinds of crops are produced, and how the garden is integrated into school life.

Beer School with Nate Fochtman ’03 – 3 p.m.

Nate Fochtman, vice president of craft and specialty at Ace Distributing, will present a selection of beverages from Deschutes Brewery in Bend, Oregon.

Learn about the fifth largest traditional craft brewer in the United States and sample a few of its products, including the No. 1 craft porter in the country.

Shakespeare Soliloquies: Chip Vink ’73 – 3 p.m.

Chip Vink, head of Mercersburg’s English Department, will explore soliloquies from three of the Bard of Avon’s most renowned plays: Macbeth, Hamlet, and King Lear. Learn why these speeches have been immortalized and why the title characters who deliver them remain among the most compelling figures in all of literature.

Remembrance and Awards Ceremony – 11 a.m.

Gather with fellow reunion classes to honor the memory of alumni who have passed away since last year and to recognize the 2014 recipients of the Alumni Council Service Award, the Alumni Council Achievement Award, and the Class of ’32 Award.

Class Photos and Reception – 6:15 p.m.

Pose on the quad for your class photo and capture this special moment for posterity. Enjoy a pre-dinner reception while you wait.

Softball Game – 1 p.m.

The Class of 1989 invites you to a slow-pitch softball game on Spider Field. Bring your lucky glove!

Class Dinners and Dancing – 7 p.m.

This semi-formal dinner with classmates is a highlight of Reunion Weekend. Live music from the Moonlighters will follow. (This is a 21-and-older event.

Childcare is available.)

Blueprints with Bill Gridley ’69 – 1:30 p.m.

Did you know Mercersburg has a campus master plan that serves as a long-term blueprint for the school’s buildings and grounds? Bill Gridley of the firm Bowie Gridley Architects will explain how the plan has guided past building projects and is driving future construction.

Simon after Dark: Photo Booth – 8:30 p.m.

Grab your classmates for formal, funny, or candid photos. Stony Batter props will be available to accessorize your Kodak moment.

Sunday, June 8 Head of School 50th Reunion Breakfast – 8 a.m.

The Class of 1964 is invited to join Peggy and Douglas Hale for breakfast at 1893 House.

Chapel Service – 10 a.m.

Conclude your weekend with an ecumenical service in the Irvine Memorial Chapel led by the Rev. Dr. Lawrence A. Jones, school minister.

How to Register

Story Booth

Registering for Reunion Weekend is quick and easy: visit www.mercersburg.edu/reunionweekend or call 800-588-2550.

Join your classmates in our video booth in the Simon Student Center and record your Mercersburg memories: from favorite teacher or first love to best win or craziest prank!

Registration/Check-In Stop by the Simon Student Center to check in during the hours below. You will receive your dorm assignment and room key (if applicable) and an updated schedule for the weekend.

Thursday: 2 to 7 p.m.

Friday: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Saturday: 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Enjoy Campus The Plantz Basketball Courts, Davenport Squash Center, McDowell Fitness Center, Flanagan Pool, Smoyer Tennis Center, and McFadden Train Museum will be available for your use throughout Reunion Weekend. Pick up a schedule with hours of operation at Registration.

Childcare Childcare is available at nearby First United Methodist Church on Friday and Saturday from 5:30 to 11 p.m. The fee of $25 per evening includes dinner and snacks. Families with more than one child will be charged an additional $5 per child per evening. (Please register by June 4.)

Dormitory Accommodations Lodging is available in the dorms at a cost of $25 per person per night. This fee includes linens, towels, and a blanket. You may bring sleeping bags or air mattresses for young children. (Please note that pets are not permitted in the dormitories.)

Guests staying in dorms are encouraged to check in by 8 p.m. on Thursday, 8 p.m. on Friday, or 6 p.m. on Saturday. If you plan to arrive after checkin, payment is due in advance, and you will be able to pick up your registration materials by contacting the Security Office upon arrival at 717-328-1111.

Guests must be out of their rooms by 11:15 a.m.

Sunday, June 8. Room keys should be dropped off at Registration.

Alcohol & Tobacco Policy Consumption of alcohol is only to take place at scheduled events or at designated reception/dinner sites on campus. Mercersburg is a smoke-free campus; tobacco is not permitted at any time.

LEGACY Children or grandchildren ages 7-12 will have their own Mercersburg experience in a fun environment specifically designed to make Reunion Weekend as much about them as it is about their parents or grandparents!

Through Legacy Camp, kids will have a chance to explore the Mercersburg campus and make it their own.

Legacy Camp is offered by Mercersburg Summer Programs. The directors and counselors are all Mercersburg faculty, staff, or alumni who create an exciting experience for every camper.

Friday, June 6 Registration 10 a.m.

10:10 a.m.

Get-to-know-you games 10:30 a.m.

Squirrels and mammalogy

with Brent Gift 12 p.m.

Lunch with parents 1 p.m.

Secret spaces of Mercersburg 2:40 p.m.

Swimming 4:15 p.m.

Clothespin tag, Don’t Eat Pete,

and parachute games Meet parents for pick-up 5 p.m.

Saturday, June 7 Meet in front of Keil Hall 9:15 a.m.

9:20 a.m.

Field games 11 a.m.

Tippetts Beach challenge games 12 p.m.

Lunch with parents 1 p.m.

Rock climbing in the Masinter

Outdoor Education Center 2:50 p.m.

Snack break 3 p.m.

Tie-dyeing 4 p.m.

Swimming 5 p.m.

Meet parents for pick-up

Rates: $125 for two days; $75 for one day.

Please note that the deadline to register is May 15 and that a minimum number of children is necessary to hold the camp.

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

Reunion Weekend

ReunionJune Anniversary Weekend 5-8, 2014 June 8-10, 2012 www.mercersburg.edu/reunionweekend www.mercersburg.edu/raw