OnCentre Dedicating Millet House Unveiling the Millet Crest Doors opened to the house we now happily know as Millet House in September 2004. At that time it was called Centre House. Milton houses each have robust character, cherished traditions and plenty of pride. The first residents of Centre House thoughtfully and deliberately developed tone, spirit and pride through everything from policies to celebrations from 2004 forward. Residents of the house have participated in designing a crest fit for the auspicious name the dorm would officially adopt last November. The girls of Centre House 2006 chose the crest’s shield shape, triptych layout, and centered initial as well as other elements. The original Centre House crest had a “C” in the place of honor with ivy leaves flanking it, as well as a checkerboard pattern in the lower left (a stylized reference to battlements or castle meaning “home”) and Roman numerals for the founding date in the lower right. The crest now features an “M” (illustrated in Mr. Millet’s own calligraphic hand) in the place of honor, flanked by sprigs of millet (a staple grain, particularly in parts of Africa, where it represents food, money, and sometimes building material). The ivy, representing sisterhood, has moved down with the founding date to the lower right. Below the crest are two representations of the past: the “C” from the Centre House crest and the cinquefoils with the circle in the middle. The “C” pays tribute to
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those girls in the first four years of the house who, through great effort, shaped the character the house has today. The cinquefoils with the circle is the central symbolic element in the Millet family crest, which—with its knight’s helmet and shield—has a slightly more military air than might be appropriate for a house, particularly a girls’ house (though future male residents might not object to a wholesale copying of the Millet family crest). In the middle of the crest is a white star. This pays tribute to the memory of FDM’s grandfather, who lost his life on the Titanic, the pride of the White Star line. Mr. Millet spoke with some pride of his grandfather’s painting ability and friendship with John Singer Sargent. While Mr. Millet has not been spotted in one of the charcoal gray fleece vests that are embroidered with the crest, Millet House girls and house staff wear them with pride and affection.
Bradley M. Bloom Named President of the Board
On January 31, 2009, the Milton Academy Board of Trustees elected Bradley M. Bloom president of the board, succeeding Franklin W. Hobbs IV ’65. Brad became involved in Milton Academy nine years ago when his daughter, Elizabeth ’08, entered the fourth grade at the Lower School. Brad’s son, Ross ’06, joined the seventh grade at the Middle School the following year. Along with his wife, Terrie Fried Bloom, Brad became active immediately in the life of the School. They both served as members of the Head of School’s Council, and on the Parents’ Fund Special Gifts Committee. They co-chaired the Class I ’06 Gift Committee, and each year helped Milton reach Annual Fund goals by contacting Milton families. Brad was elected to the board of trustees in April 2004. A member of the Buildings and Grounds Committee during an especially active time, Brad co-chaired that committee at the time of his election. He served also on the Academic Affairs Committee, the Trustees Committee, and chaired the Audit Committee. Board president Fritz Hobbs tapped Brad for successive important roles between 2005 and his assuming the presidency: Brad served as a member of the Head of School Search Committee that sought points of view from every School constituency, evaluated a spectrum of candidates, and ultimately recommended that Todd Bland of the Seven Hills School in Cincinnati, Ohio, be appointed Milton’s twelfth head of school. In addition, Brad served on the Ad Hoc Trustee-Faculty Committee, charged with the development of new communication practices between the board, administration and faculty, and of methods
Bradley Bloom
to ensure faculty involvement in decision-making about the School’s future. Brad is managing director of Berkshire Partners, a leading private equity firm in Boston which he co-founded in 1986. Before founding Berkshire, Brad worked with the Thomas H. Lee Company and also spent two years with the First National Bank of Boston. He received his A.B. from Harvard College and M.B.A. from the Harvard Business School. Both he and Terrie, also a graduate of Harvard College and the Business School, are active Harvard alumni, serving on various visiting committees. The Blooms serve at Harvard on the President’s Advisory Council on the Allston Initiative. As a parent and a trustee, Brad understands and appreciates the dynamics that distinguish Milton: an active learning environment K–12, outstanding faculty, the highest caliber students, and uncommon support for the individual. He is eager to work with the new head of school, Todd Bland, on ensuring Milton’s educational leadership into the future.