a m ag a z i n e for a lu m n i a n d f r i e n d s of s a s . fa l l 2 015
Connecting Lives and Lands
Fall 2015
Care.
St. Andrew’s-Sewanee School Magazine
HELP US TELL THE SAS STORY.
Our prospective families often tell us that "word of mouth" was the most important factor in bringing SAS to their attention. Tell a child "you belong here."
Published twice a year by St. Andrew’s-Sewanee School
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Campus News
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FEATURES
J. Sjolund 10 Karl New Head of
At SAS, we believe in cultivating creativity, celebrating individuality, and rejoicing in the natural world. Help the next generation live to serve and strive to succeed. Give today to the 2015-2016 SAS Fund.
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Walls 12 Breaking Through Language
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SHOW YOUR MOUNTAIN PRIDE.
St.Andrew’s Sewanee
The SAS School Store offers a wide variety of t-shirts, hoodies, outerwear, hats, fun tank tops, and blankets. These items make great gifts and are a tangible way to show your St. Andrew’s-Sewanee pride.
24 Swimmers World Premiere
Contact ameeks@sasweb.org for more information.
ALUMNI
26 Alumni Activities
What's so interesting?
ANSWER ON PAGE 27
Artist Bob Durham guest-lectured in art classes and held a public workshop in October. His work was on exhibition in the SAS Gallery as part of the Visiting Artists program.
28 Class Notes
From the Chair of the Board of Trustees St. Andrew’s-Sewanee School Magazine
Rediscovering the Warmth of Community
O
ften familiarity obscures our surroundings. My relationship with SAS began more than 10 years ago when my family and I became “refugees” of Hurricane Katrina. At the time, when SAS was new to me, I was acutely aware of what a beautiful, gracefilled, and warm community this is.
Through the eyes of Interim Head of School Judy Chamberlain and Head of School-elect Karl Sjolund (see page 10), I have been able to see SAS anew. I have been reminded of our first drive onto campus, the splendor of Piney Point, the remarkable facilities we have in McCrory Hall for the Performing Arts and Wade Hall for the Sciences, and the historical weight of St. Andrew’s Chapel and Robinson Dining Hall. Mostly, though, what I have been reminded of is how wholeheartedly this community welcomes and absorbs a newcomer. It is something my family experienced almost immediately. It has been the same with Judy. Indeed, it is hard to remember when Judy was not “one of us.” I have no doubt that the experience will be the same for Karl. Eunice Colmore, the Chair of the Head of School Search Committee, and I are deeply grateful to the SAS community, the Search Committee, and the Board of Trustees for their patience and participation throughout the search process. We believe that, with the involvement of all, we have selected an outstanding new leader for SAS. We also appreciate the entire SAS community’s welcome of Judy and her husband, Chris, and of Karl and his wife, Susan. As Karl has said, a school is not a collection of stucco and roof tiles, it is its people. And the SAS community is built from wonderful people.
Richard Westling President, Board of Trustees
Published twice a year by St. Andrew’s-Sewanee School Editor Sherri Bergman Layout & Design Aaron Welch, Big A Design & Printing Editorial Assistant Kiki Beavers SA ’82 Interim Head of School Judith Chamberlain Director of Development Tim Graham Director of Alumni Relations Elizabeth Duncan StA ’76 Director of Admissions David Mendlewski Office of Communications and Marketing Sherri Bergman, Director 290 Quintard Road Sewanee, Tennessee 37375-3000 Phone: 931.598.5651 Email: sbergman@sasweb.org www.sasweb.org www.facebook.com/SASweb Special Thanks to Contributors / Photographers: Sandy Bryant, Buck Butler, Isabel Butler, Denis Flood, Claire Forbes, Sarah Lodge, Liz Quinn-Stine, Paul Ward School Mission Statement To be an inclusive Christian community in which the Episcopal heritage is central; to provide superior preparation for college; to provide educational opportunities for those students for whom such experiences might not otherwise be available; and to bring all members of the community to a richer spiritual, intellectual, social, physical, and aesthetic awareness, so that they might lead lives of honor and loving service to God and others. On The Cover: Tom Simerville ’16 as photographed by Isabel Butler ’16 during a senior service day on the SAS Farm.
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Full Exhibit Tennessee Craft, Southeast
December 4, 2015
MTSU Guitar Quartet, McCrory Hall for the Performing Arts
December 5-6, 2015 A post-Alumni Weekend message: Thank you to all the people at St. Andrew’sSewanee School who worked so hard to create such a wonderful weekend! I left the school on Sunday with memories of the things that made St. Andrew's such a special place to be and an appreciation of how the school continues to be special even as it has evolved. I was honored to be back on the mountain again in the presence of so many good people, and I look forward to coming back again soon. – Bart Trescott StA ’75 In response to a photo of a theatre trip to Nashville: Love that my daughter gets to have these wonderful experiences in addition to the top notch education she gets everyday at SAS. Worth every penny! – Paige Prescott Lashlee, current parent In response to a picture of one of our seniors reading Paul Tillich’s Dynamics of Faith, required reading for generations of SAS religion students: Don't pretend like you are really reading that book, Seth Horton. No one understands it. – Parker Lankewicz ’15 Turns out Seth both understood and enjoyed the book.
Miss the Mountain?
In response to a request for advice for new students: Get to know the staff, even if they don't teach any of your classes they're really great people to talk to. – Bryana Angel Torres ’16
December 9, 2015
Winter Concert, McCrory Hall for the Performing Arts
If you're not careful, that dress code will really get you into some trouble. – Michael Liberty Minton ’15
January 27–March 3, 2016
Experience everything. Get out of your comfort zone and try something new. – Maryl Baird SMS ’63
February 5–7, 2016
If you become frustrated or overwhelmed, take a deep breath or two, gather your thoughts and complete the task. – Mike Kossmann StA ’75
February 7, 2016
On the retirement of Linda Ashby after 28 years of service: Thank you for all the memories that would not have been created without your service and support! – Vincent Adler ’17
Enjoy new videos about student life and outdoor opportunities at:
youtube.com/StAndrewsSewanee
Tennessee Craft Studio Tour, SAS Gallery
In the Gallery: Elizabeth Core ’84, SAS Gallery SAS Players Presents Cinderella McCrory Hall for the Performing Arts Admissions Open House
February 14–15, 2016 SAS Career Series
April 20, 2016 Earth Day
April 30, 2016
Art on the Rise Celebration, SAS Gallery
May 4, 2016
Spring Concert, McCrory Hall for the Performing Arts
May 20–22, 2016
Commencement Weekend
June 3–5, 2016 Alumni Weekend
More info: www.sasweb.org/calendar 4 · St. Andrew’s-Sewanee Magazine · Fall 2015
Campus News Linda Ashby Retires Chair of the Politics Department at the
at Belmont University. Their work, conducted as part of the SAS conceptual physics course, was one of approximately 20 papers selected from research by high school students across Tennessee.
Eagle Scouts Science Olympiad Last spring, the Science Olympiad teams participated in the regional competition at Chattanooga State. The Middle School team placed second overall, earning medals in 23 of 24 events, and earned a bid to the State Tournament at the University of Tennessee. The Upper School team placed fourth. At the State Tournament, Emma Diamond ’20 and Winnie Fang ’18 placed fifth in the Bottle Rocket competition.
Mack Lindlau ’15 and Wyatt Lindlau ’17 achieved the rank of Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts of America. SAS has graduated 26 Eagle Scouts.
Bits & Pieces
The SAS Players presented Bits and Pieces, a handful of short plays with poetry and film, at McCrory Hall for the Performing Arts. The pieces were directed by Ethan Evans ’15, Caroline Graham ’17, Vanessa Moss ’16, Cooper Nickels ’17, Isabelle Sutherland ’15 and Jackie Tang ’17. Performers included Allison Bruce ’15, Catherine Daymude ’16, Shanda Lack ’15, Parker Lankewicz ’15, Meghan McPherson ’15, Genevieve Rogers ’18, Kurt Su ’16 and Aaron Willis ’15.
This I Believe Presentation
Duke TIP
SAS 8th graders made their This I Believe presentations at the end of the school year. In the 1950s, journalist Edward R. Murrow’s This I Believe radio program allowed Americans to hear well-known public figures discuss the values that guided their lives. Loosely based on this broadcast, the SAS This I Believe presentations are the culmination of work conducted during the 8th grade advisory period.
The Duke Talent Identification Program’s 7th Grade Talent Search recognized six SAS students for Grand and State Recognition: Caitlin Bachman, Ward Cammack, Harrison Hartman, Sarah Beth Hobby, Saje Mangru, and Aidan Smith. The Duke Talent Search identifies seventh grade students in 16 states who have scored in the 95th percentile on a grade-level achievement test. These students were invited to take the ACT or SAT to achieve State and/or Grand Recognition.
Students Present Research
Jack Simons ’18, Blake Drinen ’18, and Cole Cleek ’18 presented their research, Dropping Eggs from Various Heights to Find Their Approximate Area of Dispersal, at the Tennessee Junior Academy of Sciences annual meeting
6 · St. Andrew’s-Sewanee Magazine · Fall 2015
National Language Exams Ten SAS students were recognized for their outstanding achievement on the 2015 National Latin exam. Katie Giltner ’19 received the Gold Summa Cum Laude medal, the second student in SAS history to do so. Three students earned Cum Laude, one earned Magna Cum Laude, and five earned the Silver Cum Laude medal. Students in the Spanish language classes attained national recognition for excellent performance on the 2015 National Spanish Examinations, earning a total of one gold, six silver, and four bronze medals along with 16 honorable mentions.
Class of 2015 Forty-three seniors participated in Commencement Eucharist and Exercises at St. Andrew’s-Sewanee School on May 17. Race and gender justice activist Nontombi Naomi Tutu, mother of graduating senior Mpilo Ngomane and daughter of Archbishop Desmond Tutu, delivered the Baccalaureate address. The Class of 2015 enrolled in 32 different colleges and universities across the nation this fall and received $3.48 million in merit awards. Ethan Evans of Sewanee was named Valedictorian. Fields Ford of Sewanee was named Salutatorian.
Linda Ashby, the associate director of admissions, financial aid, and international enrollment, retired from the school in June. During her 29-year career in the admissions office at St. Andrew’s-Sewanee, Linda developed relationships with families, consultants, and admissions professionals. She worked with seven directors and two heads of school and interviewed, accepted, and welcomed hundreds of students into the school.
Middle School Family Night, Upper School Family Weekend Middle School Family Night welcomed parents and students to an Open House in order to visit each teacher in his/ her classroom, ask questions, and learn about expectations and goals. The SAS Middle School includes 83 students in grades 6-8. Students come from 12 area towns including Belvidere, Cowan, Decherd, Hillsboro, Jasper, Monteagle, Sewanee, South Pittsburg, Tracy City, Tullahoma, Winchester, and Bryant, Ala. Parents and relatives of Upper School students came to campus for Upper School Family Weekend.
Day of the Book SAS celebrated the second annual Day of the Book. The Day of the Book is an outgrowth of the school’s summer reading program and a celebration of books in all their forms and the freedom to enjoy the printed word. The day began with a presentation on censorship and authorship from current parent Dr. Scott Wilson, Alfred Walter Negley Professor of Politics and
University of the South. Following the talk, students explored the many roles of the book in our lives. Workshop leaders included poet Dr. Caki Wilkinson ’99; SAS teacher, writer, and actor Robie Jackson; publisher, editor, and reporter Bruce Dobie; puppeteer Brian Hull; SAS teacher and bookbinder Natasha Brunton; activist and author Patrick Dean; SAS teacher and historian Geoff Smith; book artist Jen Knowles; and Sewanee assistant archivist Matthew Reynolds. After the morning sessions, a literary-themed lunch was served in Robinson Dining Hall.
Qualified for National Merit Scholarship Program
Joshua Alvarez ’16 and Sophie Swallow ’16 were named Commended Students in the 2016 National Merit Scholarship Program. In addition to their academic achievements, both are active in the life of the school. Joshua is an honors student and serves the school as proctor. He is a three-sport athlete as a member of the mountain biking, varsity swimming, and varsity boys’ soccer teams. He was the recipient of the MIP award in mountain biking and the Silver Maxima Cum Laude Award on the National Latin Exam. Sophie serves as a proctor, an SAS Ambassador, and is president of the Cum Laude Society. An outstanding actress and musician, she has been a cast member in numerous theatre productions including Sweeney Todd and The Lullaby of Broadway. Sophie is also a member of the varsity girls’ volleyball team.
New Faculty and Staff St. Andrew’s-Sewanee School welcomed new members to the faculty and staff. Pictured L-R: Judy Chamberlain, Interim Head of School; Mandy Grubbs, Farm Educator; Melissa Gilliam, School Nurse; Jaime Cleek, Academic Technology Assistant; Claire Forbes, Admissions Associate; Sara Bunemann, Athletic Trainer; and Kenneth Alexander, math, tennis. Not pictured: John Brewster, golf; and Brigid Stewart, Assistant to the Head of School.
Butler Photography Exhibit “Friends and Neighbors,” a photography exhibition by Isabel Butler ’16 was hosted by Stirling’s Coffee House in Sewanee. Isabel is an honors student and athlete at SAS. Her photos can often be seen in this magazine. View a video about her work at www.youtube.com/StAndrewsSewanee.
Most Likely to Succeed Documentary SAS hosted a public screening of Most Likely to Succeed at McCrory Hall for the Performing Arts. The feature-length documentary examines the history of education and the challenges of creating a workforce for today’s innovative world. The film prompted the creation of a discussion group on the topic of education and leadership for area teachers, administrators, and community volunteers.
Fall 2015 · St. Andrew’s-Sewanee Magazine · 7
Campus News
Sports Highlights
SPRING 2015 College Reps on Campus
COACH BARRY RETIRES
Representatives from more than 50 colleges and universities across the country come to St. Andrew’sSewanee School each year. The college representatives travel from as far away as the University of Puget Sound and St. Andrew’s, Scotland, to visit with SAS students. Their visits are an opportunity for students to learn more about the colleges and for the representatives to learn more about St. Andrew’s-Sewanee.
Baseball coach James Barry StA ’77 announced his retirement from coaching. He started coaching at SAS in 2006. Highlights of his coaching career include Bruce Frommeyer ’06 and Walter-John McGowan ’06 being named to the Tennessee Sports Writers’ Association’s 2006 All-State Baseball Team and Chris Singer ’08,
Grade Level Program Day In addition to regular academic courses, each grade participates in innovative grade-level programming throughout the year. This fall, 6th graders participated in a historical scavenger hunt on the SAS campus. Seventh graders offered their service to Mountain T.O.P. The 8th graders travelled to Nashville to explore the themes of symphony and meaning. Upper School students enjoyed canoeing the Elk and Buffalo Rivers and overnight trips to Atlanta and Chattanooga.
Admissions Open House
Theatre
St. Andrew’s-Sewanee School welcomed a record number of families at the Admissions Open House in October. Eighty-six people attended mini-classes in science, art, history, Chinese, and more. Prospective families also enjoyed student-led tours of the school’s 550-acre campus.
This fall, SAS Players presented Shakespeare’s Comedy of Errors. The ensemble wore 36 individually handcrafted masks made by the students over a period of many weeks. Director John Holleman guided the process of both creating the masks and teaching the art of masked performance. The result was a wonderfully engaging production, harkening back to 16th century commedia dell’arte.
International Flag Day The International Flag Day gives international students an opportunity to present their nations’ flags to the school. The flags hang in the James Agee Memorial Library. Countries represented this year include China, Germany, Holland, Japan, Jamaica, Mexico, Rwanda, Spain, Somaliland, and Taiwan.
In the Gallery
ALL-REGIONAL SOCCER TEAM
VARSITY TRACK & FIELD
VARSITY TENNIS
Noah McIndoo ’15 was selected to the AllRegional Soccer Team. He was second in scoring with seven goals and led the SAS team in assists with 10. Noah was voted MVP of the varsity boys’ soccer team. Noah is a mid fielder on the University of the South men’s soccer team.
Several members of the trackand-field team competed at the regional tournament. Captain Jake Mallory ’15 placed second in the 400 meter and fifth in the 200 meter races. Ferah Fortune ’17 placed fifth in the discus, Liesal Wall ’18 placed sixth in the discus, and Sarah Johnson ’18 placed sixth in the shot put.
Varsity girls’ tennis player, Ester Yang ’18, placed third in the regional tournament and qualified for the TSSAA Division II-A State Championships as the fourth seed. Varsity boys’ tennis players Aubrey Black ’18 and Filip Martyni-Orenowicz ’16 lost in the quarterfinals of the regional tournament.
BOYS’ VARSITY SOCCER The varsity boys’ soccer team ended the season with a 10-6-1 record. The team made it through the district playoffs with a 2-1 record. They lost in the opening round of the regionals to Franklin Road Academy, 2-0.
FALL 2015
House Competition The students, staff, and faculty are divided into Houses: Christabel, Gorgas, and Turkington, for entertaining activities and competitions. Activities build cross-generational relationships and encourage campus fun. Houses earn points for displays of school spirit, community service, campus involvement, and academic achievement, such as the number of house members on the Honor Roll. The House Cup is awarded at a banquet at the end of the school year, giving that House bragging rights for the next school year. This year a House Buddies program was added to the activities.
Swade Mooney ’11, Alex Tinsely ’13, and Levi Higgins ’15 all being named to the Division II-A All-Region teams. Coach Barry was on the 1976-77 St. Andrew’s baseball team that won the District 8 Championship and named to the All-District and AllDistrict Tournament teams that year. He is the father of Chelsey ’06, Megan ’08, Ashley ’14, and Alyson ’14.
MOUNTAIN LION CLUB WORKDAY
The SAS Gallery hosts a series of exhibitions, workshops, and special projects each year. This fall, the Gallery welcomed the works of photographer David Andrews, ceramicist Judith Condon, and painter Robert Durham. Each artist also conducted classes for students and workshops for community members. The program introduces the community to a broad range of contemporary art and provides fuel for the courses offered by the art department, as well as other interdisciplinary curriculum.
Parents, athletes, and fans gathered on campus for the annual Mountain Lion Club Work Day. The MLC Work Day is an opportunity to build community among SAS’s athletic boosters and athletes while helping to maintain and improve the school’s athletic facilities. The volunteers cleaned and stocked the concession stands, painted locker rooms, cleaned the weight room, and worked on the mountain bike trails.
CROSS COUNTRY
VOLLEYBALL
The middle school girls’ and boys’ teams qualified for the state tournament. The girls were led by Cecilia Schutz ’22 with a time of 14:42 followed by Sarah Grace Burns ’21, Jenna Black ’21, Abi Cassell ’21 and Maddie Mendlewski ’22. For the boys, Elijah Seavey ’22 ran a personal best of 13:08, followed by Porter Neubauer ’21, Nathan King ’21, Alex Brewster ’22 and Rhys Fricker ’22 who all set personal records.
Lexie Laurendine ’18 was selected to the AllDistrict Second Team in the district volleyball tournament. During the Berean Academy Volleyball Tournament, SAS placed second. Laurendine and Sierra Mushett ’17 were named to that AllTournament team.
Members of the varsity team ran in the TSSAA Division II-A state regionals. Sophia Patterson ’19 placed 40th, with a time of 27:17.20. The boys’ team placed seventh overall, led by Mustafe Axmed ’16 with a 14th place finish, in 19:10.30. Axmed was named to
the All-Region team. He was followed by Isaac Tang ’18 (40), James Pitts ’20 (43), Andreas Forsyth ’16 (50), Drew Copeland ’16 (59) and Oscar Jing ’19 (60).
GOLF Hannah Powell ’17 placed second and Tommy Oliver ’16 placed sixth at the TSSAA Div. II-A State Championships. Both golfers qualified for the State Tournament by taking first place in the boys’ and girls’ regional golf tournament. Tommy and Hannah are coached by John Brewster. Brewster has a B.A. in economics from the University of the South and a master of landscape architecture degree from the University of Georgia. He is the Assistant Golf Professional, PGA Apprentice Level 1 at The Course in Sewanee.
Fall 2015 · St. Andrew’s-Sewanee Magazine · 9
KARL J.
S J O LU N D
Next SAS
HEAD OF SCHOOL Photo by Snyder Photography
Incoming Head of School Karl J. Sjolund, his daughters, Hannah and Berkley, and wife, Susan, recently visited campus.
FOR MOST INDEPENDENT SCHOOL STUDENTS, there is no mystery concerning whether or not they are going to college. The question is: What kind of people will they be when they get there? Will they be compassionate and loving? Will they be honorable and decent? Will they be able to work through issues on their own, confronting them head on, and not leaving them for someone else to solve? Training students to excel in the classroom is critical, but a great teacher never forgets that we are also training them to be faithful friends and spouses, nurturing parents, honest and hardworking employees, and fair and loyal bosses. —Karl J. Sjolund
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N OCTOBER 10, 2015, the Board of Trustees unanimously appointed Karl J. Sjolund to be the next permanent Head of St. Andrew’s-Sewanee School. His tenure will begin on July 1, 2016. Among a slate of highly qualified
Fall 10 · St. 2015 Andrew’s-Sewanee · 10 Magazine · Fall 2015
candidates, Karl stood out as particularly well-suited to lead SAS. Karl, a boarding school graduate himself, has devoted his career to living and working in boarding schools. He is currently in his ninth successful year as head of Salem Academy, a school like SAS, with both an essential
church affiliation and a reciprocal relationship with its neighboring college. He is a man of great faith, confirmed in the Episcopal Church, and committed to the Episcopal educational model that values diversity in culture and thought. During a 20-year career at his
alma mater, Virginia Episcopal School, Karl served in a wide range of administrative positions, taught, and coached. An active leader in the field of education, he is currently treasurer of the board of the North Carolina Association of Independent Schools and an advisory board member of World View at UNC Chapel Hill. Karl’s proven record of increasing enrollment, directing fund raising, improving student retention, leading strategic initiatives in campus improvement, and balancing budgets will serve SAS well as it addresses the challenges and opportunities ahead. Throughout the search process, the Search Committee was impressed not just by his résumé and strong references, but also by his faith, honesty, and thoughtfulness.
Karl earned an M.A. in Private School Leadership through Columbia University’s prestigious Klingenstein Fellows program. He received his B.A. in Economics at Virginia Military Institute, which he attended on a Division-I baseball scholarship. He and his wife, Susan, a professional equestrienne, will reside in Ayres House on the SAS campus. Their twin daughters, Berkley and Hannah, are freshmen in college. The spring magazine will include an interview with Karl. The website will provide more information about Karl and Susan in the coming months, including a schedule of opportunities for you to meet and welcome the Sjolunds in the coming year.
Karl brings a fabulous combination of vision, experience, and leadership, and a talent for connecting with kids, parents, faculty, and supporters of SAS. He builds relationships, ideas, and passion. He is the right architect for building the next great chapter of SAS. George C. Myers ’74, Trustee and Search Committee Member
The Sjolunds are a delightful family, and Karl is a great leader with a ton of heart. He is always kind, never angry, easygoing, and so funny. No one is a better listener. He wants the best for students, parents, faculty, and the school and works hard to make it happen. Because he’s worn so many hats in his career, he has great perspective and empathy for all his constituents. He trusts us to do our jobs and do them well, and I’m so appreciative of that. I’ve learned a lot from him. I think that everyone at SAS will be very happy. Wynne Overton, Associate Director of Admission • Salem Academy
I got to know Karl years ago when he worked in Admissions at VES. He’s one of my favorite people I’ve ever met in the admissions business over the years. So pleased he’s coming to SAS and to TN! Anne Thompson, M.A., Certified Educational Planner • Memphis, Tenn.
Fall 2015 · 11
Steve and Claudia pose with students, as they proudly display certificates won in the National Spanish Exam.
continue to acquire more vocabulary and greater skills. This is the beginning of a lifelong process.” Lebo Phoofolo ’07 agrees. Lebo graduated from SAS having only completed Spanish II. “I felt comfortable holding basic conversations and reading short texts,” she remembered. “However, when we took the trip to Mexico, I realized that my language skills were stronger than I had thought.” She was so enamored with the Spanish language and Mexico that she began her college career at Señora’s alma mater, the University of Guadalajara. Lebo found a language program that offered home stays and was placed in the intermediate level courses. “My skills helped me outside the classroom, too. The Rincks had given me language skills and cultural understanding.”
S
panish teachers Steve and Claudia Rinck came to SAS in 1994. Steve had honed his language skills in, of all places, Alaska, where he had befriended his Mexican and South American co-workers on the cannery line while earning money to return to the University of the South. Photographs from that first year show Claudia as a somewhat frightened recent college graduate propelled by love to a new life and country. The connection Steve and Claudia found through a shared language and the adventures that bilingualism makes possible are the gifts they have passed along to their students. After graduating from SAS, Michael Benjamin ’04 went to Spain to study history and walk the pilgrimage trail to
12 · St. Andrew’s-Sewanee Magazine · Fall 2015
Santiago. He chose Spanish as his college major, studied abroad in Spain, remained in the country for a summer internship with a microfinance organization, and continued his studies at the Universidad Autónoma in Microfinance for Development and Women’s Empowerment. That experience propelled him to work and travel in Kenya and Tanzania and to return to Spain for the Global Microfinance Summit. The language skills he acquired at SAS continue to support his work, a start-up Kombucha business: “I plan to promote health and healing in all communities, including those whose native tongue is Spanish.” From day one, the Rincks’ students are expected to speak Spanish. “Grammar is important,” explained Señora, “but we want them to use what they have available to them and then
BW L R A A E L N A L G K S U I A N T G G H E R DO OU WG N H
Lebo’s interest in the politics, culture, and literature of Spanish-speaking countries led to a major in International Relations and Spanish. Since leaving UdG, she has worked as a Spanish translator for an environmental NGO and as a Spanish-speaking accounts coordinator for an international educational tour company. “Spanish was an important leap pad for my studies in Brazil. I was placed in the Portuguese for Spanish speakers classes and was able to make that transition more easily than my non-Spanish speaking classmates,” Lebo said with pride. “Now that I study law, I am looking for ways to incorporate my language
Conversation with teachers and other students was relatively easy. It was time to put his language to real use if he wanted to improve. Daniel attended Lewis & Clark College in Portland, Oregon, and chose to study abroad in the Dominican Republic. He wanted a challenging and diverse environment. “Communicating was more difficult than I expected,” admitted Daniel. “Dominican Spanish is fast, and the words are truncated. The more affluent the person I spoke to was, the more similar their Spanish was to the Spanish I knew, but it was difficult to understand the poorer people I met.” While abroad, Daniel took biochemistry and physics in Spanish. He interned in a health clinic and found that the key to improving was to accept that he would make mistakes and keep talking. “So many people handicap their learning because they focus on getting the sentence perfect, rather than getting the sentence spoken,” he said. Daniel is pursuing medical school and hopes to work with Spanish-speaking populations as a physician and researcher. “I volunteer in an ER; it’s amazing how important it is for employees to speak Spanish.” “It’s a good feeling to get unsolicited testimonials from former students,” said Señor. “Keith McFarland (’12) is working in a warehouse in Memphis and is using Spanish all the time. He said he didn’t realize just how much Spanish he’d learned. Even the students who didn’t seem all that enthused in class have walked away with skills they didn’t realize they had.”
The Rincks have plans for the Spanish program. They would like to see study abroad opportunities in Spanish-speaking countries and to incorporate Spanish into the music The Rincks acknowledge that each student comes away with and liturgy of Chapel services.
something different. “We put the buffet out there,” said Señor, “the students pick what they want. Some students go on to major in Spanish. Others use it on vacation in Cancún.” and Latin American interests into my legal career.” When Daniel Shaver ’09 left SAS he had learned as much Spanish as he expected to learn in a classroom.
“Whether our students are from Texas, New York, or Tennessee, Spanish is a tool they will use,” said Señor. “The more exposure we can give them to the language, the more prepared they will be for study, travel, and work.” Fall 2015 · St. Andrew’s-Sewanee Magazine · 13
CHAPEL CAMPAIGN GIFT MATCHES
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ST. ANDREW’S CHAPEL CENTENNIAL CAMPAIGN UPDATE
Drew Bunting ’93 S C H O O L C HA P L A I N ST. ANDREW'S-SEWANEE SCHOOL
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he Holy comes to us in many forms. Sometimes it comes as awe in the face of an ultimate we cannot comprehend. Other times it comes as unexpected joy, or as grief in “sighs too deep for words” (Romans 8:26). It may come as peace that calms us when we need it most, or as gut-busting laughter, or the arms of a friend, or a song that says what words cannot.
to stay awake. I saw children of the University and children of the mountains, of the South and of New England, and of countries around the world. There in St. Andrew’s Chapel, I saw the Communion of Saints. What a holy place our chapel is, and how it needs us now. There are physical needs for renovation and an endowment for future care. But far more important than the physical building is what it represents: our commitment to being a place that makes room for the Holy. We have faith that God is always calling to us, always finding new ways to interrupt the everyday and bring us the Good News of Jesus Christ. We come to the chapel to hear it, and to be strengthened to share it.
There in St. Andrew’s Chapel, I saw the Communion of Saints.
For me, the Holy came close in September of last year, the first time I celebrated the Eucharist in our chapel. I had preached there before, and though it was a great honor, it could not compare to the moment I stood at the altar and looked at the faces before me. I saw more than the faces of today’s amazing students. I saw my friends of twenty-five years ago. I saw the teachers who shaped me into the person I am. I saw myself, sitting below that enormous crucifix, first hearing the call to priesthood. I saw the generations who came before me, some lost in fervent prayer and some fighting 14 · St. Andrew’s-Sewanee Magazine · Fall 2015
I invite all those who care about the St. Andrew’s Chapel to remember the moments when the Holy found you, to imagine the ways it is finding students today, and to join this campaign to make a place for it in the future.
uring Alumni Weekend 2014, St. Andrew’s-Sewanee School marked the centennial of the St. Andrew’s Chapel with a celebration of its history and importance in our school community. For more than 100 years, the chapel has been the center of life-changing events and spiritual development for thousands of alumni and community members. Within its walls, generations of students have worshipped, performed, and greeted each other in important times. No other building so clearly embodies the school’s history, mission, and ministry. Now, the chapel is in need of approximately $850,000 in restoration. The exterior walls, the bell tower, and the roof will be repaired and waterproofed. Interior improvements will include new wall and floor treatments, an upgraded heating and cooling system, and refinished windows and pews. In addition to the restoration, the school’s leadership feels strongly that the chapel’s stewardship should be provided for in perpetuity. We seek to raise an additional $500,000 to endow the chapel’s future operation and maintenance. Generous donors have gifted and pledged approximately $1.1 million toward the campaign goal of $1.35 million. In April 2015, the Board of Trustees authorized moving forward with the building restoration. Work will begin in April 2016 with completion in time for the installation of new Head of School Karl Sjolund in the fall of 2016.
wo generous matching gifts have been invaluable to the efforts of the campaign. An anonymous donor offered a match on a $1 for $2 basis for all gifts and pledges, requiring that we raise $400,000 to receive $200,000. Through the generosity of alumni and friends, those requirements have been satisfied. We continue to raise funds toward a match from Ric Dillon StA ’74, who will match gifts $1 for $1 from alumni of the St. Andrew’s classes of 1971-1979, up to a cumulative total of $100,000. We currently seek $16,000 to meet this match. We are grateful for these matching gifts and the giving they have inspired.
THE THARP INITIATIVE
W
e celebrate the many friends of SAS who have contributed to the Bell Tower in memory of the Rt. Rev. Robert G. Tharp. Bishop Tharp had deep ties to SAS, serving as a trustee representing the Diocese of East Tennessee. To date, approximately $57,000 has been raised in his memory. Fall 2015 · 15
CHAPEL CAMPAIGN
DONOR LIST GIFTS & PLEDGES THROUGH NOVEMBER 23, 2015
If you have donated or pledged to the Chapel Campaign and your name is omitted or in error, please contact the Development Office (mblount@sasweb.org).
Anonymous Mr. & Mrs. Zouheir Abdelnour AIG Matching Grants Program Mr. & Mrs. David A. Allen, StA ’77 Mr. Edd P. Allison, StA ’66 Mr. & Mrs. Thomas S. Amacker, StA ’57 Dr. & Mrs. Keith G. Anderson (Kay Marquis, StA ’72) Dr. & Mrs. Thomas W. Andrews, StA ’72 Mr. William F. Angell, StA ’70 Dr. & Mrs. Kent Anthony, StA ’66
Mr. Isaac Arnold IV, ’04 Mr. & Mrs. James B. Ashurst, ’94 Ms. Alison M. Asmussen, ’99 Chris & Christine Asmussen Mr. & Mrs. Robert M. Ayres, Jr. Mr. & Mrs. William K. Badger, StA ’76 Miss Taylor S. Ballard, ’14 Mr. & Mrs. Brent Ballow Dr. C. Lawrence Barker & The Rev. Jo Ann Barker Ms. Alyson M. Barry, ’14 Ms. Ashley B. Barry, ’14 Mr. J. Andrew Batkin, ’00 The Rt. Rev. & Mrs. John C. Bauerschmidt Mr. & Mrs. David J. Baulch, SA ’80 Mr. & Mrs. Robert E. Baulch III, SA ’73 The Baulch Family Foundation Mr. & Mrs. Ben Beavers, SA ’81 (Kiki Glendening, SA ’82) Ms. Sarah E. Beavers, ’14 Mr. Peter C. Benes, StA ’77 Sherri Bergman & Scott Wilson Mr. Clifford A. Betts Mr. & Mrs. Alan C. Bill, StA ’66 The Rev. Thomas Blackmon Ms. Emily P. Blount, ’14 Mary & Steve Blount Mr. & Mrs. Robert C. Bohn (Jessica Harmon, ’98) The Rev. & Mrs. Sam A. Boney, SMA ’46 Dr. & Mrs. Barry F. Booth, ’85 Dr. John L. Bordley, Jr. & Ms. Carolyn Fitz Mr. & Mrs. H. Mitchell Bowman, StA ’74 The Rev. & Mrs. James R. Boyd, StA ’65 Mr. & Mrs. James M. Briggs, StA ’57 The Rev. & Mrs. Richard C. Britton, Jr. Mr. & Mrs. Allen W. Brooks, SMA ’69 Mr. & Mrs. Joseph C. Bross, Jr. (Jeanie Hinson,’90) Mrs. Carol Anne Brown
The reredos was restored in 2006 in memory of Walter Mock StA ’64 by fellow St. Andrew’s alumni, his family, and friends. 16 · St. Andrew’s-Sewanee Magazine · Fall 2015
Mr. Alexander S. Bryant The Rev. Gwen L. Buehrens & Mr. John A. Buehrens Mr. & Mrs. Stephen W. Burnett Mr. & Mrs. Jim Burns Ms. Jenna D. Burris, ’14 Mr. Truie C. Cain, StA ’50 Van Harwell Callaway & Dr. James M. Callaway Mr. & Mrs. Alan B. Cameron Polly Cameron & Jennifer Smith Mr. Paul H. Camfield, StA ’75 Ms. Julia M. Cammack, ’14 Mr. & Mrs. Thomas E. Camp Campbell Family Foundation Mr. & Mrs. J. Douglas Campbell, Jr., SMA ’59 Ms. Maria B. Campbell Ms. Ailing Cao, ’14 Dr. & Mrs. Samuel B. Carleton, StA ’55 Dr. & Mrs. Charles M. Carr, StA ’57 The Rev. Peter F. Casparian, StA ’68 Christ Episcopal Church Mr. Jacob R. Clay, ’14 Ms. Alice R. Clayton & Mr. Robert B. Honea Mr. & Mrs. Rupert M. Colmore III The Columbus Foundation The Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham Community Foundation of Greater Memphis Drs. Jeffrey & Anita Conn Mr. Nathan Conn, ’14 Mr. & Mrs. Charles M. Corcoran (Martha Mileur, StA ’80) Mr. John E. Core, StA ’79 Mr. & Mrs. Charles S. Craighill Ms. Sophie X. Crane, ’14 Ms. Madison D. Culpepper, ’14 Mr. & Mrs. Peter L. Culwell, StA ’59 (Mr. Culwell Dec. 11.28.14) Mr. & Mrs. John A. Cureton III, SMA ’58 Mr. & Mrs. David E. Currey, StA ’74 Mr. Vincent Currie Jr. The Rev. & Mrs. Beverly Madison Currin
Ms. Ziwen Dai, ’14 Mr. & Mrs. Jeff Dakin (Glynn Rushin, ’88) Mr. & Mrs. John L. Davis, StA ’74 Ms. Laura Davis, StA ’77 Mr. & Mrs. Robert F. de Wolfe II, StA ’80 Mr. Roderick H. Dillon, Jr., StA ’74 The Diocese of Tennessee The Diocese of West Tennessee Ms. Mary King Dodwell Mr. & Mrs. Everette L. Doffermyre Capt. & Mrs. Dale W. Doss, StA ’54 The Kennedy Douglass Trust Mr. & Mrs. James W. Doyle Elizabeth Clark Duncan StA ’76 Ms. M. Jane Eaves Mrs. Joan D. Elliott, Jr. Ms. Veronica M. Ellis, ’14 Mr. William E. Engel & Ms. Kaaren H. Engel Drs. Jon & Amy Evans & Family Ms. Ann Ewing & Mr. Scott Winchester Mr. & Mrs. James M. Faircloth, StA ’61 Mr. Jay S. Faires, ’14 Mr. Douglas W. Ferris & Ms. Dorothy Neale Fidelity Charitable Gift Fund Mr. & Mrs. Richard Fletcher Mr. Frederick F. Flint, StA ’71 The Rt. Rev. & Mrs. William H. Folwell Mr. & Mrs. Edwin D. Foster, StA ’52 Mr. Mitchell L. Foster, ’14 Mr. Robert S. French, StA ’50 Ms. Anne Potter Frost, StA ’81 Mr. & Mrs. David Frulla Dr. Carol Fujiyoshi Mr. & Mrs. Jerry A. Furbee, StA ’80 The Rev. Dr. & Mrs. W. Patrick Gahan III, StA ’73 Mr. David C. Gibson, StA ’72 Mr. & Mrs. J. Lawrence Gibson, StA ’77 Mr. & Mrs. S. Gary Gipson, StA ’66 The Rev. Paul D. Goddard Mr. & Mrs. Douglas P. Gordon (Dianne Dillon, StA ’72) Mr. & Mrs. Timothy H. Graham The Rt. Rev. Duncan M. Gray, Jr. Mr. J. Dawson Frierson Gray & Dr. Susan Gray Ms. Martha W. Greenwood Mr. & Mrs. Richard G. Gregory, StA ’52 (Stella Swango, SMS ’52) Mrs. Anne F. Griffin Mr. David W. Griffiths, StA ’65 The Rt. Rev. & Mrs. Frank T. Griswold Mr. & Mrs. Mark C. Griswold, ’87 Mr. & Mrs. William G. Hairston, Jr., SMA ’55 Mr. Ernest E. Hale, StA ’76 Mr. & Mrs. John Scott Hallenberg, StA ’60 Mrs. Polly A. Halliday
Mr. & Mrs. Roy E. Hancock, StA ’63 Ms. Connie G. Hardin Mr. P. Howard Hardy, StA ’67 Mr. & Mrs. William R. Harper Mr. Stuart Richardson Harrod, ’82 Mr. Victor L. Hart, Jr., StA ’61 & Ms. Vickie Valentine Mr. & Mrs. Eric Hartman Mrs. Shirley M. Harvey Mr. & Mrs. Herndon S. Hasty, StA ’69 Mr. & Mrs. Dan M. Hatfield Mr. & Mrs. Stephen A. Haynsworth, StA ’75 Mr. & Mrs. John W. Hazard (Lelee Frank, StA ’77) Ms. Yuke He, ’14 Mr. & Mrs. Jeffrey P. Heitzenrater Mr. & Mrs. Robin Hemley, StA ’76 Mr. & Mrs. David Hendricks Mr. Douglas Henry The Rev. Dr. & Mrs. William H. Hethcock Ms. Lindsay Hinshaw Ms. Aubrey A. Hobby, ’14 Mr. & Mrs. B. Sanders Hodges (Amelia Lang, SMS ’63) Mr. & Mrs. R. Scott Hood, StA ’65 Mr. & Mrs. Robert H. Hood, StA ’62 Mr. Hartwell D. Hooper, Jr. Ms. Helen Hooper Mrs. Susan M. Hooper Mr. & Mrs. Thomas A. Houston, Jr., StA ’59 Ms. Katelyn E. Howard, ’14 Ms. Lucy V. Howick, ’14 Ms. Kai-Chieh Hsu, ’14 Ms. Georgette B. Huber, ’14 Mr. & Mrs. David R. Huff, StA ’71 Mr. G. Eugene Ivey, StA ’65 Mrs. Billy C. Jack Mr. Paul Jarvis, ’87 & Ms. Lisa Lowery Ms. Jennifer J. Jervis Mr. Zhengyuan Jin, ’14 The Rt. Rev. & Mrs. Don E. Johnson Mr. Eric D. Johnson, StA ’74 & Mr. Richard Alter Ms. Diana M. Kamili, ’14 Mr. & Mrs. Darrell Kavanaugh (Robin Albright, StA ’79) Mr. & Mrs. Robert L. Keele Ms. Tieta M. Keetle, ’14 Mr. Mark H. Kelly, StA ’73 Mr. & Mrs. John J. Kenna, StA ’79 Mr. & Mrs. Stephen P. Kennard, StA ’59 Mr. & Mrs. Will Kidd Mr. Robert Kiefer, StA ’71 & Ms. Carol Ponder Mr. & Mrs. John T. Kilpatrick, StA ’63 Mr. George G. King, Jr., StA ’72 Mr. & Mrs. Peter B. Kirby, StA ’72 Mr. & Mrs. E. C. Knox, StA ’52 Ms. Chi C. Kuo, ’14 Ms. Cheryl Lankhaar Ms. Maryanne Lavan & Mr. Larry Harris
Mr. & Mrs. Ricky Layne Mr. & Mrs. Albert G. Lewis III, StA ’72 Dr. & Mrs. Clifton T.P. Lewis, StA ’75 Ms. Mary Taylor Linn Mr. & Mrs. Henry W. Lodge Ms. Sarah A. Lodge Chaplain & Mrs. Lewis C. Long III, StA ’59 Leah Lowe, StA ’80 & James McFarland Mr. & Mrs. Parker R. Lowry, StA ’53 Mr. J. Ryan Loyd, ’97 Mr. Robert K. Lundin, Jr., StA ’74 Mr. & Mrs. William Lyons, StA ’73 The Rev. Thomas E. Macfie, Jr. & Dr. Pamela R. Macfie Ms. Sue H. Malone Mr. J. Denton Marchesoni, ’14 The Rev. & Mrs. Hallock Martin, StA ’69 (Lydia Jay, StA ’72) Ms. Katherine Martin, SMS ’65 MassMutual Financial Group The Rt. Rev. & Mrs. James R. Mathes Mr. & Mrs. Stephen L. Mauldin, StA ’70 The Rev. Ellis Mayfield Mr. & Mrs. William T. Mays Mr. & Mrs. Joel H. McAlister Mr. & Mrs. Richard C. McCallie (Karen Barry, StA ’78) Mr. & Mrs. Robert N. McCallum, StA ’65 Dr. & Mrs. John M. McCardell, Jr. Mr. John W. McClanahan, StA ’74 Mr. J. Justin McClure, ’14 Ms. Kayley M. McDowell, ’14 Dr. & Mrs. John R. McGauley Jr. Capt. John F. McGowan III, StA ’74 Dr. Lowri M. McGowan & Mr. Walter E. McGowan, StA ’74 Mr. Walter-John H. McGowan, ’06 Mr. & Mrs. Charles A. McLendon, Jr. (Martha Rhodes, ’93) Ms. Eliza D. McNair, ’14 Ms. Megan Melloy, StA ’78 Cmdr. & Mrs. Brooks P. Merritt, Jr., StA ’66 Mrs. Clara T. Middlebrooks, ’92 Mr. & Mrs. Donald D. Miller, StA ’59 (Mr. Miller Dec. 4.20.15) Mr. H. E. Miller, Jr. Mr. & Mrs. Jack L. Miller, Jr., StA ’66 Mr. Henry Mills, StA ’73 Mr. J. Christopher Mills, StA ’76 The Rev. Albert N. Minor Mr. Christopher M. Minton Mr. Michael L. Minton, ’14 Ms. Katherine B. Mobley, ’14 Mr. & Mrs. Charles J. Mock, Jr., StA ’63 Mr. & Mrs. Richard W. Moore Dr. Richard R. Morris, StA ’72 Mr. & Mrs. William C. Moser, StA ’67 The Mountain Goat Trail Alliance Mr. & Mrs. George C. Myers, SA ’74 Ms. Tina Nader & The Rev. Walter Brownridge National Christian Foundation
$230,000 remains to be raised. Fall 2015 · St. Andrew’s-Sewanee Magazine · 17
The New York Community Trust Ms. Mary A. Nichols Mr. & Mrs. Charles D. Nottingham Mrs. Elizabeth Nottingham Mr. Terry S. Oldham, StA ’78 Mr. & Mrs. Parker W. Oliver Mr. Larry W. O’Neal, StA ’66 Mr. David Ong, StA ’75 & Mrs. Janjira Supaongprapa Mr. & Mrs. Alexander Orr Ms. Teresa Outlaw, StA ’82 & Mr. Joseph Miller Ms. Margarita C. I. Parris, ’14 Mr. John Partain, StA ’77 Mr. & Mrs. Louis B. Partin, StA ’66 Ms. Brenna E. Paxton, ’14 Mr. & Mrs. Keith I. Paxton Mr. George D. Penick Jr. Mary & Walter Perrin Mr. & Mrs. Hercules L. Pettis, StA ’70 Mr. & Mrs. William J. Pettis, Sr., StA ’51 Mr. & Mrs. Harvey S. Piazza, StA ’59 Ms. Kellina J. Pierce, ’14 Mr. Hugh H. Platt, Jr., StA ’58 Ms. Michiah D. Posey, ’14 Dr. & Mrs. Bran Potter Mr. & Mrs. Mark H. Powell, StA ’77 Mr. & Mrs. O. Randall Powell, StA ’71 Mr. Christopher P. Power & Ms. Laura Saunders Mr. & Mrs. David C. Prescott, Sr., StA ’58 Mr. & Mrs. James Rivington Pyne, StA ’64 Ms. Elizabeth Quinn-Stine & Mr. Larry Stine Mr. Pablo Ramos Ferrer, ’14 Mr. & Mrs. Daniel Ravenel, StA ’68 Ms. Tracy R. Redding, ’85 Mr. & Mrs. John V. Reishman Mr. Rondal K. Richardson Ms. Faye Ricketts Mrs. Mary K. Rickey Mr. Paul D. Rickey, StA ’72 Lt. Col. (Retired) & Mrs. James R. Rimer, Jr., StA ’61 Mr. & Mrs. Craig M. Ripley, StA ’65 Mr. & Mrs. Moritz B. Ritter (Dubravka Colic ’02) The Rev. & Mrs. Buckley Robbins Mr. & Mrs. Marshall K. Robbins, Jr., StA ’64 Maj. & Mrs. Mark A. Roberts, StA ’71 Mr. & Mrs. Richard E. Roberts, StA ’59 Mr. & Mrs. Larry Robinson, StA ’72 Mr. & Mrs. Murray Robinson, StA ’52 Mr. & Mrs. Clifford A. Rodgers Terry & Christie Rolon Mr. James B. Ross, StA ’68 The Hon. & Mrs. Dean Rucker, StA ’73 Mr. Kyoichi Sakamoto, StA ’75 The Hon. & Mrs. Edwin P. B. Sanders, StA ’58 The Rt. Rev. & Mrs. William E. Sanders Mr. & Mrs. James W. Sands, Jr., StA ’61 Fall 2015 · 18
Mr. & Mrs. R. Charles Schaeffer (Christi Barr, ’87) Mr. Greg Scheuerman, StA ’68 The Rev. & Mrs. Edward A. Schroder Schwab Charitable Fund Mr. & Mrs. Edward B. Sciple, StA ’52 Mr. James Seddon The Rev. & Mrs. Matthew T. Seddon, ’86 Mr. & Mrs. Thomas E. Seddon Mr. James M. Seidule, StA ’50 John & Carole Sergent Mr. & Mrs. William L. Sharkey, Jr., StA ’67 Mr. & Mrs. Gary L. Shattuck Ms. H. Katharine Sheeler, StA ’81 Mrs. Walter L. Sheeler (Deceased 11.16.13) Mr. Licheng Shen, ’14 The Rev. Dr. Angela F. Shepherd, StA ’78 Andrew G. & Patricia Shockley Mr. & Mrs.W. Andrew Simmonds, StA ’61 (Heidi Hanger, SMS ’61) Mr. & Mrs. John M. Sims, StA ’75 The Hon. & Mrs. C. McFerrin Smith III, StA ’63 Drs. Ken Smith & Deborah McGrath Lil Bradford Smith & Gregory S. Smith Ms. Lynn H. Smith Dr. Stephanie C. Smith Ms. Kimerlen D. Spake Moore, ’93 & Mr. Thomas I. Spake Ms. Julia K. Spurlock, StA ’78 The Rev. Canon & Mrs. Willard S. Squire St. Andrew’s Class of 1964 Mrs. Sue Orrell St. James Mr. & Mrs. Robert E. Standridge, StA ’57 Ms. Margaret A. Stapleton, ’14 Ms. Sophia I. Starks, ’14 Ms. Samantha Stine, ’14 The Rev. & Mrs. James B. Stutler, StA ’74 Mr. & Mrs. Kenny Summers Dr. & Mrs. John Swallow Ms. R. Ruth Swallow, ’14 Mr. & Mrs. Bruce T. Swan Dr. Robert S. Tarver, StA ’69 Dr. & Mrs. David C. Tate, StA ’63 Ms. Jean E. Tatum Mr. Charlie L. Teasley Ms. E. Christine Teasley, ’83 & Mr. Carlton Young Mrs. Ethelyn Temples Mrs. Ann Bradford Tharp Dr. & Mrs. Emory Thomas The Rev. & Mrs. John T. Thomas Christopher & Katherine Tompkins Mr. W. Allen Townsend, StA ’78 Mr. Thomas M. Trabue, Jr. Mr. & Mrs. James H. Treadwell, ’83 Adam & Lauryl Tucker Ms. Elizabeth Turner
Lt. Col. Robert T. Utlaut, ’85 & Ms. Jennifer Walker Vanguard Charitable Endowment Program Mr. & Mrs. John A. Varela, StA ’53 Mrs. Marleen A. Varner Mrs. Ann J. Vest Mr. & Mrs. John W. Vissman, StA ’72 Mrs. Joan H. Vollmer Mr. Myles E. Vollmer, StA ’71 Ms. Elizabeth A. Vorlicek The Rev. & Mrs. William S. Wade Dr. Susan Waldner, StA ’77 Ms. Elizabeth Walker Mr. Edward S. Wall, StA ’60 Ms. Sheila J. Ward, ’87 Ms. Katherine G. Warner, ’90 The Rev. & Mrs. Hallie D. Warren, Jr. Mr. & Mrs. R. Paul Warren, StA ’76 Mr. James F. Warwick, StA ’66 Ms. Anna S. Watkins, StA ’80 Mr. Charles N. Watson, Jr., StA ’71 Mr. & Mrs. Charles W. Welch, StA ’58 Mr. & Mrs. George W. Westerfield, StA ’64 Mr. & Mrs. Richard W. Westling Mr. J. Andrew White, ’14 Mr. Joe F. Wiggins III, StA ’58 Mr. Andrew R. Wilkinson, StA ’79 Mr. & Mrs. John C. Willis Mr. & Mrs. Larry T. Wilson Ms. Marisa T. Wilson, ’14 The Winthrop Foundation of Athens, GA Woodbury District Episcopal Church Women Mr. & Mrs. Cecil Wray Mr. & Mrs. S. Gardner Wright, Jr., StA ’59 Mr. Dana Strong Wyman Mr. & Mrs. M. C. Yarbrough, Jr., StA ’56 Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Yarsa (Shannon Dohoney, StA ’79) Mr. & Mrs. Michael A. Youngpeter, (Laura Lewis, StA ’79) Mr. & Mrs. Robert O. Zeitler
Soil is the great connector of lives, the source and destination of all. – Wendell Berry –
hen St. Andrew’s-Sewanee decided to return to farming in 2008, the initial scope of student participation was limited. Three growers later, farm educator Mandy Grubbs leads an Afternoon Program that is a labor-intensive opportunity for students to learn biodynamic land practices. No prior experience is required, but participants generally have an interest in organic gardening, environmental studies/conservation, seed-to-plate practices, or botany. Many have carried that interest on to college programs, academic majors, and internships. “Our plan for the SAS Farm was for it to become deeply embedded in the curriculum and campus life,” said Director of Faculty Christi Teasley ’83. “The SAS Farm reflects our value for practical, hands-on learning opportunities.” As every gardener knows, when you sow your seeds is integral to your success. That is why farming has been extended to the Middle School curriculum. Middle School students learn basic growing skills, farm etiquette, team problem solving,
stewardship, and farm to table distribution. And, the students are getting to enjoy the fruits – and vegetables – of their labor. “The SAS Farm is working closely with SAGE Dining to provide food for the school menu,” said Mandy. “In October the students harvested tomatoes, peppers, squash, arugula, and a variety of herbs for use in Robinson Dining Hall. Lettuce, kale, collards, savoy cabbage, broccoli, and cauliflower crops provided late harvest vegetables for the community to enjoy.” Feeding a community that is only together from August to May takes special planning. A hoop house allows Mandy and her students to grow kale and turnips during the colder months. Farming on the SAS campus is not new. In 1905, Robert Lionel Colmore sold his 75-acre farm to the Order of the Holy Cross, the monastic order that established St. Andrew’s School. For years St. Andrew’s students continued to work Colmore Farm, raising food for themselves and their livestock. We have rediscovered our roots. For more information about the SAS Farm, go to www.sasweb.org/farm.
The Madonna was restored by the St. Andrew’s Class of 1964 in memory of Fr. Donald Chapman. Fall 2015 · St. Andrew’s-Sewanee Magazine · 19
Planned Giving S DENIS FLOOD taught history and coached at Sewanee Academy in 1975. He is the author of The Midnight Mile. It was not until reading the obituary of Col. James McElroy SMA ’55 that Denis learned that he and his former infantry commander in Vietnam had SMA in common.
T
he death notice of James Russell McElroy, Colonel, USMC (ret.) came to me in an email; our Vietnam Skipper was dead—or, was this episode simply part of that same bad dream; the long column of armed men trudging along the oxcart trail, smiling at first, then concerned, then frightened as mortar rounds fell from the sky and machine gun fire cut trees in half. Colonel, then Captain McElroy, no taller than 5' 8" seemed like a giant that day. He was shot right in front of me, the bullet hitting him in the shoulder during Operation Union, the First Marine Division’s bloodiest battle since the Korean War. My initial encounter with Captain McElroy was not pleasant. His ass chewing of NCOs and his junior officers was something to behold and fear. When you saw him busting up the trail with his head down you knew someone was in trouble. When he checked the lines at night you had better be alert and facing outboard. Anything less might get you a jungle boot in the keester.
20 · St. Andrew’s-Sewanee Magazine · Fall 2015
everal years ago, Roy (StA ’63) and Carol Hancock made the decision to establish a trust in their estate and named St. Andrew’sSewanee as one of the beneficiaries. Recently, Roy explained why his time on the mountain remains a pivotal moment in his life: “My dad passed away when I was young and my mother found St. Andrew’s for me, hoping it would help get my life and priorities straight. Had I been told in the eleventh grade when I entered St. Andrew’s that I would graduate from college, finish graduate school, and then flight school, I would have replied that I was simply trying to graduate from high school. The Sunday through Thursday night study hall at St. Andrew’s translated into a college study routine. My roommate was a football player, and he learned study habits from me. At the end of the first semester, half the football team was gone, but he and I were still in college.
OPERATION UNION. A wounded McElroy gets up and continues to lead. The casualties are piling up. We fired our rockets at NVA machine gun positions, then did squad rushes on a tree line with the rest of the company. We couldn’t break the NVA lines. If you rose more than twelve inches above the ground you got shot in the head. As the afternoon wore on all our officers were wounded, many seriously. The heat was unbearable. The Captain coordinated artillery fire, arranged med evacs, and, together with our company gunnery sergeant, deployed the remainder of the company. We dragged badly wounded Marines up the hill and out of harm’s way. I was covered with other peoples’ blood, my hands sticking to the rifle. They say war is hell, but in hell you don’t have burned children crying for their mothers, mortar rounds tearing away limbs, or machine gun bullets stitching one’s chest. Hell is hell. War is worse. When the NVA counterattacked later that night, we wiped them out. Captain McElroy received a well-deserved Silver Star for his bravery and leadership.
Eventually, Captain McElroy reached the rank of full colonel in a shrinking Marine Corps—not an easy task. He had big jobs along the way, executive officer of a Marine regiment, commanding officer of a battalion landing team in the Mediterranean and Indian Ocean, regimental commander in the 3rd Marine Division. His service awards included two Silver Star Medals, two Legion of Merit Medals, and a slew of other citations. I saw him again at our battalion reunion in 2013. He appeared not to be in good health. During the main banquet we put a pretty good hit on the local wine supply. Old Marines who were limping, wheezing, and coughing were suddenly dancing and embracing whomever. It was so much fun. The next day I watched Mrs. McElroy help our former commander navigate a flight of stairs. I remembered this brave Marine taking a 7.62 round through his shoulder, then jumping back on his feet to lead his rifle company in the fight of their lives. He died November 29, 2013 and was buried with full military honors in Pelham, Alabama.
I don’t know if I would have made it had it not been for the dedicated teachers who gave so much of themselves to me and my classmates. St. Andrew’s helped mold me and was the starting gate that set me on my life path. I doubt that I would have made it without my education at St. Andrew’s.” Dedicated teaching is at the core of a St. Andrew’s-Sewanee education. We continue to be the “starting gate” for young men and women who come to the mountain seeking support and guidance to get on the right path. That mission is worthy of support. You can help set a young person on their life journey by including the school in your estate planning. To learn more about opportunities for how planned giving could benefit you and SAS, please contact Tim Graham, Director of Development at tgraham@sasweb.org or 931.463.2124. Fall 2015 · St. Andrew’s-Sewanee Magazine · 21
Memorium INInMEMORIAM Faculty and Staff Eileen M. Degen age 92, of Sewanee, died on July 27, 2015. Mrs. Degen began her teaching career in 1967 when she was hired to teach math at St. Mary’s School. She taught at Sewanee Military Academy (19681971), Sewanee Academy (1971-1981), and St. Andrew’s-Sewanee School (1984-1985). She graduated from Bedford College of the University of London in 1944 and worked for the Map Division, OSS, U.S. Army in London during World War II. She came to the U.S. in 1947 to study at Syracuse University. She earned a master’s degree in geography. She is survived by her two daughters, Cathy Degen Andreen SMA ’70 and Barbara Degen SA ’72, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Lucinda Howard Hawks died on July 22, 2015. She earned her undergraduate degree from the Crane School of Music and her master’s degree from Eastman School of Music. She was the organist and choir director of St. James Episcopal Church in Midway and a teacher at St. AndrewsSewanee School (1991-1997). Mrs. Hawks was a dog trainer and judge at AKC herding trials. She raised and trained champion herding dogs and agility dogs. She is survived by a brother and extended family. Jean Anderson Yeatman died on August 20, 2015. She graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill with a bachelor’s degree in botany. In 1950, she moved to Sewanee with her husband, Harry C. Yeatman. She taught horseback riding at St. Mary’s School (19511966) and physical education at St. Andrew’s School in the 1970s. She and her husband wrote “Nature Notes” for the Sewanee Mountain Messenger (1985-2014). They were co-recipients of the first Trails & Trilliums Yeatman Environmental Education Award established in their honor in 2007. In 2009, they were presented the State Naturalist Award by the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation. She is survived by her son, Henry Clay Yeatman III SA ’75; daughter, Jean Hansford Yeatman SA ’79; and extended family.
Alumni Arthur F. Todd II StA ’40 of Dalton, Tenn., died at home on May 21, 2015. He was the last surviving member of his class. Mr. Todd was a member
of the Coast Guard during World War II and was part of the D-Day Invasion. After the war, he began working at Stone and Webster. He later moved to Chattanooga and worked for Combustion Engineering for almost 40 years before retiring as the drafting department supervisor. During that time he joined the Tennessee National Guard, 181st Battalion, Field Artillery. He is survived by six children and extended family. William M. Ragland SMA ’41 died on March 31, 2015. He attended the UNC-Chapel Hill for two years, was selected for the Navy officers’ training program, and attended the Midshipman’s School at Northwestern University. He was commissioned as an Ensign and later promoted to Lieutenant (jg). He served in the Pacific Theater until the end of the war. Mr. Ragland returned to UNC to earn a B.S. in business administration. After graduation he went to work in Charlottesville, Va. for Superior Stone Company. In 1957, he purchased Cherokee Brick Company, serving as president until his retirement in 1984. Mr. Ragland was a member of the board of directors of First Union National Bank, the Rex Hospital Foundation, and the Wake County Cerebral Palsy and Rehabilitation Center. He also served on the board of trustees of St. Mary’s College (now St. Mary’s School) in Raleigh. Mr. Ragland is survived by three children and seven grandchildren. Judge William Moultrie Guerry SMA ’43 died on May 27, 2015. He was 88. Judge Guerry was born in Charleston, S.C., and grew up in Sewanee. In 1938, his family moved to Norfolk. He attended the Episcopal High School and The Citadel. He served in the U.S. Navy at the end of World War II and attended the University of Virginia for college and law school before entering private practice. He was appointed to serve as a State Circuit Court Judge and served in Norfolk for more than 20 years. Judge Guerry was active with the Norfolk Community Concert; the Norfolk Symphony; the Norfolk Sports Club; the Vestry of the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd; the Society of the Cincinnati; and the Torch Club. He was Chairman of the International Azalea Festival and the President of the Sons of the American Revolution. He is survived by his wife, Russell Bradford Guerry; children; grandchildren; and extended family.
22 · St. Andrew’s-Sewanee Magazine · Fall 2015
Raymond P. Padden SMA ’44 died on July 9, 2015, in Houston. He was born in Lake Charles, La. Ray was a graduate of the University of Oklahoma, where he was a member of Kappa Alpha fraternity and completed a B.S. degree in petroleum engineering. He was employed by Arkansas Fuel and Oil which later became Cities Service and Occidental Petroleum. He was a member of Greggton United Methodist Church in Longview, where he served in numerous roles. He spent countless hours teaching Sunday school, coaching and refereeing soccer and involved in many other activities, but his favorite project was the Asbury House Child Enrichment Center. Ray is survived by his son, grandchildren, and extended family. The Rev. Dr. Henry Lee Hobart Myers SMA ’45 died at his home in Canton, Ga. on May 13, 2015. He was 87 years old. Hank grew up on the campus of the University of the South and graduated from the University. During World War II, he served in the military police. He graduated from General Theological Seminary and earned his doctorate in divinity from Vanderbilt University. As an Episcopal priest, he was chair of the Youth Division of the Diocesan Christian Education Department in Tennessee, led the Training Division of the Executive Council of the Episcopal Church in New York, and was the Founding Director of the National Episcopal Coalition on Alcohol & Drugs. He attended the March on Washington, bearing witness to Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” speech. Hank returned to Sewanee in 1963 and taught homiletics at the School of Theology until 1976. He served many parishes during his priesthood, including St. Francis in Norris, Tenn.; St. Paul’s in Chattanooga; Otey Parish in Sewanee; St. Stephen’s in Edina, Minn.; Christ Church + Washington Parish in Washington, D.C.; St. Bartholomew’s in Florence, Ala.; St. Augustine’s Chapel on the Vanderbilt campus; and Trinity in Russellville, Ky. He volunteered as chaplain at the Comprehensive Care Center in Nashville in the early years of HIV/AIDS. Hank was preceded in death by his first wife, Faye. He is survived by their children, Ann Marie Romero SMA ’71 and George Myers SA ’74; by his wife, Carole; her children; and grandchildren. C. Wallace Gladney SMA ’47 died at home on June 26, 2015. He graduated
from LSU in 1951 and served in the US Air Force (1951-1955), logging more than 500 hours in the F-86 Sabre Jet, and twice travelling the speed of sound. After serving in the USAF, he accepted an offer from E.F. Hutton to become a branch manager. He retired as senior vice-president of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney in 2010 with 54 years of service. He is survived by wife, Blanche Town Gladney; two daughters; a son; brother-in-law Hays Town, Jr. SMA ’47; and extended family. The Rev. James “Jim” P. Crowther III, StA ’50 died on September 9, 2015. He attended Florida State University, where he played football, and attended Sewanee’s School of Theology. He was trained as a medical missionary at Harvard University and served as a missionary in West Africa during the 1950s. He was a tennis enthusiast and served as a referee at the U.S. Open. He served as head tennis coach and assistant football coach at Christ Church Episcopal School in Greensboro, N.C. During his years in the ministry he served in many churches in the Dioceses of South Carolina and Georgia. He is survived by a niece. Grover P. Hopkins SMA ’51 died on March 14, 2015. He served in the U.S. Army, in the field of Military Intelligence, in Frankfurt (1954-1957). He received his A.B. from Florida State University and his J.D. from UNCChapel Hill. He was admitted to the bar in North Carolina, Florida, District of Columbia, U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina, U.S. Tax Court, 4th Circuit Court of Appeals and the U.S. Supreme Court. He practiced law in Tarboro, N.C. (1971-2012). He is survived by his wife, Connie Jefferys Hopkins; four sons; foster children; and grandchildren. Guy J. Spencer, Jr. SMA ’51 of Huntsville, Ala., passed away August 3, 2015. Mr. Spencer attended The University of Alabama where he was a member of Phi Delta Theta. He left the University in 1954 to serve his country as a member of the U.S. Army Signal Corps. Mr. Spencer joined the family business, Alabama Oil Company, in 1956 and became president in 1964. He later acquired Midsouth Oil Company of Birmingham and formed Midsouth Ice Company. Mr. Spencer served as Chairman of the Board of The Spencer Companies until the time of his death. He is survived by his wife, Sally C. Spencer; children; and grandchildren.
William Erwin Larguier, Jr. SMA ’52 died on April 26, 2015 in his birthplace of Baton Rouge. He joined the U.S. Air Force in 1954 and served for four years. In 1958, he began his 39-year career with the Louisiana State Department of Civil Service, where he served as the Chief of the Classification and Pay Division. For his work with the state, he was awarded the prestigious Dunbar Service Award. He is survived by his wife, Florence Heard Larguier; two daughters; grandchildren; and extended family. Stewart J. Love SMA ’52 died on January 27, 2015. He was born in Mississippi in 1934. Stewart received degrees in electronic engineering and economy. He worked in the fields of mortgages, investments, insurance and real state. He was an active member of First Assembly of God and Brownsville Assembly of God. He is survived by his wife, Lilian Becerra; his brother and extended family. Ross Cooper “Rip” Hawkins SMA ’57 died July 28, 2015 in Cheyenne, Wyo. He grew up in Cowan, Tenn., and graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill and Emory University Law School. After standout careers in high school and college football, Mr. Hawkins was the second round draft pick of the Minnesota Vikings in 1961 and played as middle linebacker until 1965. He was the first recipient of the Terry Dillon Award, served as defensive team captain, and was selected to the Pro Bowl in 1963. He holds the Vikings’ record for most tackles in a single game. Leaving a legacy of community service, he served as assistant district attorney for Fulton County in Atlanta and coached football at Regis High School in Denver and Hulett High School in Wyoming. He served on the Wyoming Department of Transportation Commission and the Crook County Zoning and Planning Commission. He is survived by his wife, Mary Hawkins; five children; grandchildren; and extended family, including his first cousin Andrew Rittenberry SMA ’62. Flavis J. Lee Casson, Jr. SMA ’59, of Georgetown, Tenn., died on June 9, 2015. He was a member of the Gorgas Guard Rifle Team and graduated as the highest-ranking cadet in his class. He graduated from Tennessee Wesleyan College and attended The University of Tennessee Law School. He was a member of the Tennessee Army National Guard for six years,
serving as 1st Lt. Scout Platoon Leader HQ CO 2/117 Inf. Bn. In 1981, he and his wife, Nancy, started Casson Art which provided design services and decorative and corporate art. In 2008 they retired to the Hiwassee River. He is survived by his wife and son. Donald D. Miller StA ’59 of Huntsville, Ala., died on April 21, 2015. Mr. Miller is survived by his wife, Betty, and extended family. He was preceded in death by his brother, Larry V. Miller StA ’60. He loved playing golf, coaching youth wrestlers, and Auburn football. William Hoyte Baker, Jr. SMA ’61 of Chattanooga died on June 6, 2015. Mr. Baker graduated from Tennessee Technological University. During his life he was an inspector at Kemper. He took over his father’s HVAC business and retired from TVA after 25 years as fire protection engineer to enjoy life on the golf course. He is survived by two children, grandchildren, and extended family. Joseph R. Hickerson III SMA ’61 of Greeneville, Tenn., died on August 9, 2014. He attended the University of Tennessee and East Tennessee State University, where he played on the golf team. He entered the National Guard in 1966 and served six years. He was affiliated with the family businesses: DoughtyStevens Furniture Company and Doughty-Stevens Funeral Home. He was a co-owner of Hunter’s Point Golf Course in Lebanon, Tenn. He is survived by four children; grandchildren; brother, Bill Hickerson SMA ’63; nephew, Will Hickerson ’04; the mother of his children, Judy Lindsay; and extended family. Benjamin W. Gibson III SMA ’63 died on June 12, 2015 in Cranbrook, British Columbia. Dr. Gibson graduated from the University of the South. He received his D.D.S. from University of TennesseeMemphis and established a dental practice in Cranbrook. He later became interested in forensic dentistry and assisted in body identification at the World Trade Center and after Hurricane Katrina. He is survived by four children; two grandchildren; and extended family. Robert P. Breazeale, Jr. SMA ’65 died on April 20, 2015. He graduated from Southeastern University and spent his career in banking and real estate development. His passion in
life was the outdoors. Mr. Breazeale is survived by his wife, Ann May Breazeale; three children; four grandchildren; and extended family. Robert James Peet, Sr. SMA ’68 of Jackson, Miss., died on August 21, 2015 in Ridgeland, Miss. He attended the University of Southern Mississippi, where he was a member of Kappa Alpha fraternity. He was a homebuilder and realtor in the Jackson area for many years, and was later employed at ComputerLand, Diversified Technology, and 84 Lumber Company. He is survived by his wife, Marcia, and extended family. Martha Caldwell Shannonhouse SMA ’69 passed away peacefully on April 4, 2015 in Birmingham, Ala. She graduated from the University of the South in 1973 and spent most of her adult life in Birmingham. She is survived by her brother. Lansing G. Bribsin III StA ’71 of Foley, Ala., died March 15, 2015. He attended New Mexico Military Institute and Marshall University. He was a PFC in the U.S. Army, serving in Frankfurt, Germany and Huntsville, Ala. After his discharge in 1978, he moved to southern Alabama, where be became widely known for his bluegrass music, playing the fiddle, guitar, and mandolin. He was a twotime Alabama State Fiddle Champion and taught music to children of the Gulf Shore. He coached the Foley High School tennis team. Mr. Brisbin is survived by his parents, three siblings, and extended family. Louise Hess Taggart StA ’76 died on October 6, 2015. Born in Chattanooga, she was a resident of Lookout Mountain, Ga. She is survived by her husband; two daughters; one granddaughter; and her dog, Rip. Officiating at her memorial service in Fort Oglethorpe, Ga., were Paul Wilcox StA ’75 and Mike Kossmann StA ’75. Kenneth M. Boissoneault SA ’77 of Charleston, S.C., died on April 11, 2015. He attended The College of Charleston and University of South Carolina. Fishing and boating were his passions. He had a special love for his pets. He is survived by his girlfriend, Debbie Guerry Justice; his loyal Golden Lab, Salliemaude; a brother; and extended family. Elizabeth Helm Chapman SA ’78 died on July 8, 2015. She had served as the office manager of two large
medical practices in Louisville, Ky., and previously worked as the Human Relations Director of The Center for Family Literacy. She is survived by her daughter and brother. Dana R. Smith StA ’78 of Jamestown, N.C., died May on 18, 2015. He was valedictorian of his St. Andrew’s class. Dana enjoyed acting, music, and singing and was a member of the bell choir at Naples Presbyterian Church. He received a B.S. in physical therapy from the University of Miami and worked as physical therapist for many years in the Greensboro area. He had healing hands and especially enjoyed and excelled in working with elderly patients. In addition to his wife and two children, he is survived by his three brothers, including Brian Smith ’82. Paul H. Tucker, Jr. StA ’81 died October 2, 2015. Born in Los Angeles, Mr. Tucker lived much of his life in Little Rock, before moving to Jonesboro, Ark. He was a hair stylist and operated Salon Vortex in Little Rock before becoming disabled. He was a Christian and enjoyed scuba diving and oil painting. He was a sports fan and loved spending time with his son who survives him. Other survivors include his brother and extended family. James J. Boone ’13 of Hillsboro, Tenn., died on July 8, 2015. Jimmie Joe was born November 23, 1994, in Mount Holly, N.J. He was a lifeguard for the Manchester Recreational Center in Manchester, Tenn., and attended King’s Cross Church in Tullahoma, Tenn. He is survived by his parents.
Notification of Death L. E. “Bud” Harlin SMA ’46 died Sept. 27, 2015. Charles McAdams SMA ’46 died May 21, 2011. Philip E. James, Jr. SMA ’58 died November 22, 2013. Byron Rife, Jr. SMA ’59 died March 17, 2013. Emily Cameron ’01 died November 10, 2015. (A full obituary will appear in the Spring 2016 magazine. Emily's family has asked that memorial gifts be made to the St. Andrew's Chapel.)
Fall 2015 · St. Andrew’s-Sewanee Magazine · 23
Mark Your Calendars for the World Premiere of
UNIQUE AND EXCITING WEST COAST ALUMNI CONNECTION PLAN TO ATTEND THE EXCLUSIVE SAS EVENT: MARCH 10, 2016
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ast year, the artistic director of the Marin Theater Company (MTC) in Mill Valley, Calif., discovered a new playwright from the East Coast. He worked diligently to bring one of her plays to the theater. During negotiations, it came to light that MTC’s managing director, Michael Barker ’98 not only knew of the writer but they both graduated from St. Andrew’s-Sewanee School. This coming spring, MTC will offer the world premiere of Swimmers, a comedy-drama by award-winning playwright Rachel Bonds ’01. News of this amazing SAS connection traveled quickly to the SAS alumni office via proud parent and Sewanee resident, Jo Ann Barker. The result is a celebratory SAS event to take place on the West Coast in March. Michael Barker joined the Marin Theater Company in February 2013. He was previously general manager of Laguna Playhouse in southern California, managing director for the Los Angeles classical theater ensemble, The Antaeus Company, associate managing director at Yale Repertory Theatre, and managing director of Yale Summer Cabaret. Prior to graduate school, Michael was associate director of marketing for Court Theatre in Chicago and worked with Goodman Theatre, American Theater Company, Sansculottes Theater Company, and the Playground Theater. A 1998 graduate of SAS, he holds an MFA in theater management from Yale School of Drama and an MBA from Yale School of Management. At Yale, he was the recipient of the Daniel and Helene Sheehan Scholarship for theater management. He serves on the Mill Valley Arts Commission and the board of the Yale School of Management Alumni Association.
24 · St. Andrew’s-Sewanee Magazine · Fall 2015
A private pre-curtain soirée will be held on Thursday, March 10, 2016 at the Marin Theater Company with special guests Rachel Bonds and Michael Barker in attendance to meet and greet everyone before the house lights dim. The evening’s performance will be the final preview of Rachel’s extraordinary play. Swimmers explores the relationships we take most for granted: those with the people we work with every day.
“Coyotes evading police. Billboards predicting the end of the world. It’s been a strange day at the office, and it’s only 9 a.m.”
Rachel Bonds’ plays have been developed or produced by South Coast Rep, McCarter Theatre, Atlantic Theater Company, Manhattan Theatre Club, Ars Nova, Roundabout Underground, Ensemble Studio Theatre, Actors Theatre of Louisville, DC’s Studio Theatre, New York Stage & Film and SPACE on Ryder Farm, among others. She is an alumna of EST’s Youngblood and Ars Nova’s Play Group, winner of the 2012 Sam French Short Play Festival, and recipient of the 2014 Heideman Award from Actors Theatre of Louisville and the 2013 L. Arnold Weissberger Award for Playwriting from Williamstown Theatre Festival. She received her undergraduate degree from Brown University. One of her most recent works, The Wolfe Twins, made the Kilroys' 2015 List of most recommended plays; Swimmers received top ranking on the 2014 List. She is the recipient of the 2015 Rella Lossy Award which honors an emerging playwright and supports this world premiere production.
“Rachel has a fierce intellect and a gentleness with her words that make her one of the leading early career playwrights in America,” said Michael. “While Rachel and I knew each other at SAS, and our siblings have some interesting history, we weren’t close, and I never in a million years would have thought we’d connect in this way so many years later. Of course now it almost seems inevitable.” Michael is looking forward to sharing the world premiere with the SAS community in California. Seats are limited, so make your plans now to be a part of this remarkable event. Cost is $50 per person and includes a reception with wine and hors d’oeuvres, a chance to mingle with the playwright, managing director, and members of the artistic staff of the theater, and premium seats.
To reserve your tickets now, contact the SAS Alumni Office
sasalumni@sasweb.org • 931.463.2119 Fall 2015 · St. Andrew’s-Sewanee Magazine · 25
Alumni Activities
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t has been an exciting year for SAS alumni activities. In addition to hosting Alumni Weekend and the 6th Annual Work Weekend, the Alumni Council launched two alumni chapters, Western N.C. and Washington, D.C., and two more are in the planning stages, Birmingham, Ala., and Columbia, S.C. Groups decide their structure and activities, ranging from simply social to organized outings or projects. Leslie Muir ’91, Council member behind the programming, said, “Wherever two or more are gathered, let there be an alumni club! Clubs are for all alumni as it is the heritage we share from the Mountain and our time there that connects us, no matter
the specific school.” If you are interested in forming an alumni group in your area, please contact the Alumni Office at sasalumni@sasweb.org.
BACK ROW LEFT TO RIGHT: (At the launch of the Western N.C. alumni club) Mellie MacSherry Bryant ’92; Lizzie Duncan StA ’76; Nick Neubauer ’97; Leslie Muir; Haydn Hasty StA ’69; Rhea Cravens SMS ’61; Anne White ’95; David Dvorscak, former faculty; Kate Brockett ’97; and Liz Gilliam ’02. FRONT ROW: Sarah Potter ’95; Richard Shuttleworth StA ’63; and Steve Levenburg.
FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: (Cutting it up in Birmingham in April) Allen Brooks; Robert Spencer SMA ’70; Kathy Degen Andreen SMA ’70; Roy Hancock StA ’63; The Rev. John Thomas, former head of school; Lucy Howick ’14; Xan Glover ’92; Camas Gazzalo ’12; Kate Sheeler StA ’81; Billy Angell StA ’70; Lucy Trabue Watson SMS ’66; Claire England SMS ’66; Lizzie Duncan; and George Myers SA ’74, who hosted with his wife, Amy.
On February 14-15, 2016, the Council will host the inaugural SAS Alumni Career Series. Alumni will offer workshops for SAS juniors and seniors on a variety of best practices for entering the job market. The series culminates in a formal dinner where the seniors will learn dining etiquette. Yearlong planning has been shepherded by steering committee members Anneke Skidmore ’05, David Tharp ’84, Ansley Kellermann ’00, and Xan Glover ’92.
Today’s Involved Students, Tomorrow’s Involved Alumni
GLO MAKES A DIFFERENCE
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or years SAS’s Global Outreach (GO) student club has raised money and awareness to support programs around the world. Last year, the group started to look more closely at ways they also could help people closer to home. Renamed Global and Local Outreach (GLO), the group was recently awarded a $1,000 grant through the South Cumberland Community Fund’s Make A Difference in My Community Contest. Under the leadership of Vanessa Moss ’17, daughter of Bennett (’84) and Aaron Bridgers-Carlos ’83, GLO proposed a volunteer
and donation focused advertising campaign to raise awareness of the need for volunteers and funds for the South Cumberland State Parks, particularly the rerouting of the Fiery Gizzard trail. GLO members hope to increase the likelihood that the trail will reopen by spring, minimizing the disruption to tourism and the important dollars it brings to the local community. SAS students are adding their muscle to the efforts. Under sponsorship of the senior class, a group of student volunteers recently grabbed shovels and pickaxes and spent a Saturday morning helping with the rerouting efforts.
2015-2016 SAS ALUMNI COUNCIL
FRONT ROW, LEFT TO RIGHT: (At the annual July work day) Allen Brooks SMA ’69; Susan Waldner StA ’77; Claire England SMS ’66; Rodney Quarles ’92; Holly Anderson Kruse ’82; Mike Kossmann StA ’75; Speed Baranco, mountain biking coach; Allen Townsend StA ’78; Laura Cunningham ’96; Andrew Wilkinson StA ’79; David Allen StA ’77; and Mandy Grubbs, SAS farm educator. BACK ROW, LEFT TO RIGHT: Sian Baranco SMA ’72; Keely Stewart ’11; Leslie Martin Bell StA ’79; Lizzie Duncan; Mathew Mollica ’18; Matthew Baranco ’15; and Karen Barry McCallie StA ’78.
26 · St. Andrew’s-Sewanee Magazine · Fall 2015
FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: (SAS Alumni Council members at their fall meeting) Claire England SMS ’66, Mike Flannes SMA ’69, Leslie Muir ’91, Martha Warren StA’82, Laura Cunningham ’96, Will Beard ’86, Ansley Kellermann ’00, Xan Glover ’96, and Susan Waldner StA ’77.
David Allen StA ’77, President Will Beard ’86, Vice President Anneke Skidmore ’05, Secretary Ben Beavers SA ’81 Laura Cunningham ’96 Elizabeth Clark Duncan StA ’76 Xan Glover ’92 Claire Agricola England SMS ’66 Mike Flannes SMA ’69 Ansley Kellermann ’00 Leslie Muir ’91 David Tharp ’84 Susan Waldner StA ’77 Martha Warren StA ’82
QUIZ ANSWER Sewanee Elementary School students look on during the annual Chemystery celebration, a set of demonstrations and hands-on activities led by the Advanced Chemistry class under the direction of Chemistry teacher Jennifer Bachman. Fall 2015 · St. Andrew’s-Sewanee Magazine · 27
Class Notes
1930s
1960s
1980s
Ben Harris StA ’32, one of our oldest alumni, came to campus in May with his wife Mary to make his SAS Fund gift in person. Ben firmly believes St. Andrew’s was the turning point in his life. While at StA, he achieved the highest grade point in his class and received $25 as the prize. He and Mary live in New Hope, Ala.
McFerrin Smith StA ’63 wrote, “The Florida Constitution prohibits judges from serving after the age of 70. So, as of November 4, this year, after 37 years on the bench I am officially gone. I can, and probably will, return as a ‘senior’ judge, doing occasional work. It has been a good, exciting career, and I am thankful to God, St. Andrew’s, and Sewanee, that little University down the road, for guiding me along the path I took. May God also bless all SAS graduates.”
Martha Warren StA ’82 hosted a group of alumnae at her home in Signal Mountain, Tenn. Among other festivities, she coordinated a support group for Tennessee Oncology with Mary Darden StA ’81. Shown wearing the Sock Monkey themed “Sock It To Cancer” t-shirts are, from left to right: Martha, Kate Sheeler StA ’81, Lizzie Duncan StA ’76, Dee Underhill Hargis StA ’81, Katie Gibson Morris StA ’80, Holly Anderson Kruse ’82, Beth Jeffrey Gifford ’83, Sonya Robinson StA ’81, Laura Roberts Prince StA ’81, Mary, and Anne Potter Frost StA ’81.
Robert Joyner StA ’65 welcomes anyone in the Tybee Island area near Savannah, Ga., to look him up to go fishing. He and his wife, Joy, have a rental condo on Tybee and offer a special alumni rate!
1940s John Guerry SMA ’43 was inducted into the Sewanee Athletics Hall of Fame this fall. He and his son, Pat, are both in the Sewanee, Tennessee Tennis, and Greater Chattanooga Halls of Fame. John is known for his impeccable sportsmanship. He is a winner on the court and a tireless ambassador for the sport. He lives on Lookout Mountain, Tenn., with his wife, Carolyn.
1950s Dick Roberts StA ’59 is a biological scientist with the Florida Parks Service and was named the first recipient of the Outstanding Stewardship Award presented by the Loxahatchee River Historical Society. Dick was the first district naturalist and biologist for Southeast Florida and the first park biologist for Jonathan Dickinson State Park and the Loxahatchee National Wild and Scenic River until he retired in 2005 after 35 years of service. Over the years, he has volunteered almost 23,000 hours on behalf of the Florida Park Service. Dick has received much recognition for his work, including the 2011 Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse Keeper’s Award; the Hank Smith Award by the Florida Park Service for research that improves natural resource management; and the Irene DeLaby Award by the Florida Park Service for more than 10,000 hours of volunteer service. Dick helped the Loxahatchee become Florida’s first National Wild and Scenic River and worked on the acquisition of the river’s corridor. He served on countless committees working to protect the river, conducted research along the floodplain, and reviewed development proposals that could have an impact on the river and park. He lives in Hope Sound, Fla., with his wife, Lorraine.
Fall 2015 · 28
Jay Hemphill StA ’65 sent this photo (above) of a lunch visit with classmate Ivan “Skip” Smith StA ’65 in Seattle Wash., where Skip lives. Jay lives in Winnetka, Calif., with his wife Sally. He is superintendent at the James Barb Construction Company. Barbara Reid Bedford SMA ’69 and Whitney Able ’01 experienced a “small world” meeting in Germany. Barbara was visiting her son, Hank, who was showing his new film, Dixieland, at the Oldenburg Film Festival, when she met “this beautiful actress.” Barbara told her she was from Tennessee and the actress replied she had gone to school near Chattanooga. Connection made! Whitney was in Germany with her most recent film, Dark. Barbara lives in Franklin, Tenn. with her husband and classmate Henry Bedford SMA ’69. Whitney lives in California.
1970s John Farmer StA ’71 and his wife, Elle, stopped by campus on their way to the Charleston area and toured campus, including John’s old dorm room. They live in Henderson, Ky., where they have two grown children. John works as an independent contractor in the oil and gas industry. He has put June 3-5, 2016 on the calendar for his 45th StA reunion.
John Vissman StA ’72 sent this photo of a recent visit to campus. He and his wife, Christine, live in Covington, Ky., where John is the director of development for the Children’s Law Center. David Lodge SA ’75, the Galla Professor of Biological Sciences at the University of Notre Dame, has been named Francis J. DiSalvo Director of the David R. Atkinson Center for a Sustainable Future at Cornell University. An internationally recognized conservation biologist, Lodge is founder and director of the University of Notre Dame Environmental Change Initiative and is president-elect of the Ecological Society of America. He will direct 450 faculty fellows engaged in sustainability research and scholarship. David has collaborated with economists, historians, theologians, and philosophers; partnered with such organizations as The Nature Conservancy to bring his scientific work into public policy; testified before Congress on numerous occasions; served on national and international policy boards; and recently served as a senior science adviser to the U.S. Department of State. In 2013, he was appointed to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Science Advisory Board. David's research focuses on freshwater ecology, invasive species biology and bioeconomics, ecological risk analysis, global changes and biodiversity, and environmental ethics and policy. He has published 200 scientific papers and edited two books. David is the brother of SAS Director of Business and Finance Sarah Lodge, and uncle of Richard Lodge ’97 and Masey Lodge Stubblefield ’01.
1990s
Rob Utlaut ’85 happened to meet Laura Cunningham ’96 at a wedding of mutual friends in May. Rob and his wife, Jennifer Walker, live in Marietta, Ga., where Rob is a lieutenant colonel with the U.S. Army. Laura lives in Nashville, where she is lead concierge at the Hutton Hotel. She is a member of the prestigious concierge association, Les Clefs. Mira Gerard ’86 is one of nine artists featured this fall in a group exhibition at the Torrance Art Museum in California. The exhibit is entitled States of Being and explores how artists construct meaning through the use of various materials. Mira was published in New American Paintings: Southeastern Edition in 2015 and exhibited at the Knoxville Museum of Art in January of this year. Mira is faculty chair of the art and design department at East Tennessee State University.
Angela Okunsnaya Crawford ’94 and husband David welcomed daughter, Temilayo, on March 14, 2015. They live in Suwanee, Ga., where Angela works as a senior marketing strategist. Brooke Minick ’99 married Scott Weeks on July 11, 2015 in Charleston, S.C. Brooke, an accomplished equestrian, is a new home specialist with Eastwood Homes and Scott is vice president of Fox and Weeks Funeral Directors in Savannah, Ga.
2000s LB Graham ’01, an attorney with Gold Weems in Alexandria, La., was named a finalist for the Louisiana Association of Defense Counsel Inaugural Frank L. Maraist Award. Professor Maraist was one of LSU Law School’s most celebrated professors and instrumental in LB’s legal career. Not only did she work with Maraist as a research assistant, but he encouraged her to apply for and accept the clerkship with the Honorable Dee D. Drell, Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana. LB’s nomination stressed her dedication to the Louisiana Bar Association’s Child in Need of Care program, which supports children who battle home life disadvantages. She is an accomplished tri-athlete, recently winning her age group at the Sugarman Triathlon. LB is the daughter of SAS Director of Development Tim Graham and sister of David Graham ’06.
Aaron Proffit ’01 wrote, “I got married in 2007, finished my MA in religious studies in 2008, and my daughter, Maya, was born in 2013. This last year I lived in Kyoto, Japan with my family thanks to the Fulbright Foundation international dissertation fellowship. In May I graduated from the University of Michigan with my doctorate in Buddhist Studies and am now assistant professor of Japanese Studies at the University at Albany, SUNY, and will teach a variety of courses covering Buddhism and the religions of East Asia.” Nathaniel Peters ’02 received his PhD from the University of Washington and is the manager of the Keck Microscopy Facility in the department of physiology and biophysics at the University. He wrote, “I will be spending my days mentoring and training other researchers, playing with confocal microscopes, and continuing to develop my skills as a professional microscopist. I have a salary, regular hours, and am, on a day-to-day basis, essentially my own boss. The more I think about it, the more I think that this is basically my dream job!” He is pictured at the top of a recent ascent at Asgard Pass in the Cascade Mountains. Alex K. Hill ’03 has moved to Seattle, Wash., to begin a lectureship in the Department of Anthropology at the University of Washington. He wrote, “This will be my first time in the Pacific Northwest and I’m quite looking forward to it.” He received his PhD in biological anthropology from Penn State in 2014. Robert Jones ’03 and wife Brooke Gorentz Jones ’02 live in Jonesborough, Tenn. Brooke graduated in May from veterinary school at Auburn University, and is currently practicing at Paws of Hope Animal Wellness Center in Bluff City, Tenn. Robby is a founding partner of the nonprofit Wildlife Resources and Education Network which launches in January 2016. WREN is an initiative to raise the standard of care in wildlife medicine and rehabilitation and provide a transportation network to connect all WREN certified hospitals, rehabilitators, refugees, clinics, and sanctuaries. Robby says, “We’ve been working since February, but our 501c3 was just approved a few weeks back. We will go public early in November, launching major crowd funding campaigns with our operations beginning in January. I wanted to reach out to my alumni!” More can be found at wrencertified.com.
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Save the Date!
2010s Cory Cho ’10 wrote, “After graduation from SAS, I finished my freshmen year, and went back to Korea to serve in the army. I returned to Johns Hopkins last semester to finish the rest of the journey for my college education. This summer I worked as an intern at a marketing and tech start-up in San Francisco called Tier5.” Cory is a junior at Johns Hopkins, majoring in computer science.
Rachel John ’04 married Nelson Prado in June 2015, in a double wedding ceremony with friends in Nashville, Tenn. She is working on her medical degree at The University of Florida College of Medicine and lives with Nelson in Gainesville, Fla. Ross Knowles ’04 graduated from the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine in May and is a surgical resident at the Berkshire Medical Center in Pittsfield, Mass. Ross is also a commercially rated pilot and certified Airframe Powerplant mechanic and inspector. Monroe Spivey ’04 graduated in 2013 with a master’s degree in transpersonal counseling psychology from Naropa University in Boulder, Colo. She is also certified as a wilderness therapist via the Earth-Based Institute. Monroe worked for a year as a therapist in Boulder, then moved to Asheville, N.C. She lived and worked on an organic farm in Maui and studied permaculture, seeking to integrate the practice into both her personal and professional career. She wrote, “I’ve also been so happy to collaborate professionally with Monica Villa ’04.” Monica Villa ’04 is CEO of a full-scale digital marketing agency, MEV Studios, which provides marketing via social media, email, branding, and web design for such clients as Timberland, Jean Paul Gaultier, and Carrera. Monica’s team includes Monroe Spivey ’04. MEV has offices in Miami, Nashville, Asheville, and Houston.
Sarah Armour-Jones ’06 married Jonathan Campbell on August 15, 2015. The couple lives on Signal Mountain with their 22-month old son, Adam James. SAS alumnae attending were maid of honor, Janet Armour-Jones ’05 and bridesmaid Elizabeth Reelick ’06, Elise Dudley ’05, Rachel Obermiller ’05, and Anna Wright ’06. Sarah and Jonathan both work in real estate. Sarah is also a portrait and landscape painter and yoga instructor. Sarah is the sister of Janet Armour-Jones ’05 and Meg Armour-Jones ’09. Emma L. Butterworth ’09 wrote, “I just began my master’s program in communication studies at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.” Emma received her B.A. from Salem College with a double major in religion and communications and was a member of four honor societies. She lives in Gastonia, N.C. Pierce Myers ’09 lives in Los Angeles, Calif., where he teaches at the Episcopal School of Los Angeles. He graduated from the University of the South this past May. Jaime Reese ’09 graduated from Auburn University in May with a degree in sociology and a double minor in business and Spanish.
Avery Shackleford ’10 graduated from the University of Richmond in May 2014 with degrees in journalism and Spanish. She lives in Austin, Texas where she is a content marketing manager, blogger, social media manager, and graphic designer for a startup company that has two websites, MyTennisLessons.com and FitnessTrainer.com. Avery helps people connect with tennis coaches and personal trainers in their area. Avery is the older sister of alumnae Sadie Shackelford ’12, Michaela Shackleford ’14, and Tessa Shackleford ’20.
JUNE 3-5, 2016 Registration information will be posted in January at www.sasweb.org/alumni
John Henning ’13 came through campus in August on the last leg of a coast-to-coast five-week tour of the U.S. He transferred to the University of Florida where he is a junior this year. Josh Owens ’13 wrote, “I am doing an exchange program through the International Student Exchange Program and am enrolled at Jiangxi University of Finance and Economics studying both international business and Chinese. I have only been here for about three weeks, but have been fortunate enough to meet many great people from all over the world and to do a little hiking and exploring of a national park in Lushan, Jiangxi province. In January, I will return to finish up my junior year at Eckerd College in Florida, where I am majoring in international business.” Josh is the brother of Jessie-Katherine Owens ’08 and Anna-Grace Owens ’11.
Jude Ziliak ’05 married Elizabeth Weinfield in New York City on June 27, 2015. Jude and Elizabeth are professional musicians and live in Manhattan. He is the older brother of Flora Ziliak ’09 and son of SAS librarian Julie Jones.
Stella Parris ’13 works as an executive assistant for TSOLife, LLC, while a junior at Stetson University in Florida. She wrote, “TSOLife is a really cool website where you can record your personalized life history. I am also in a group called ENACTUS, which during the school year interviewed veterans and recorded their stories on tsolife.com. I received research grants for this summer and am conducting a pilot study on depression in nursing homes.” She is the sister of Margarita Parris ’14 who is a sophomore at Stetson.
Belinda Bennett ’06 married Dave Husen on April, 18, 2015. SAS alumnae attending were Jennifer Thomas ’06, Addy Petrilla ’06, and Megan McLain’06. Belinda and Dave live in San Francisco where she is a data science analytics specialist with Airbnb.
Walker Ross ’15 visited campus in October with his parents and family friends. During his gap year, he has been a member of the Duck Surf Rescue lifeguarding team for Duck, N.C. at the Outer Banks beaches. He will travel to Barcelona, Spain second semester.
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ALUMNI WEEKEND
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Bre Torres ’16 recruits classmates to join the Race Awareness and Dialogue group, while junior Lane Scoggins looks on. There are more than a dozen student-run clubs on campus. ViewMagazine a complete list of student 32 · St. Andrew’s-Sewanee · Fall 2015 activities at www.sasweb.org/organizations.