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
Challenge Balance Joy
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Why is little Trail so happy?
ANSWER ON PAGE 29
Fall 2018
St. Andrew’s-Sewanee School Magazine Published twice a year by St. Andrew’s-Sewanee School
6
Campus News FEATURES
12 Challenge Balance Joy
14 Uncovering History Them 16 Giving the Business in 18 Investing the Future in Unlikely 27 Growth Circumstances ALUMNI
24 Class Notes Continuing a longstanding tradition of our parent schools, every Upper School student has a campus job. All new students in the Upper School begin with dish The Rt. toRev. Bishop crew, an opportunity becomeJohn aware ofBauerschmidt, food waste on campus and learn how to run a commercial dishwasher. Incame subsequent years, students many choices, of Tennessee, to campus tohave confirm including cleaning classrooms, coordinating campus recycling, monitoring the senior Sophie Swallow. Tech Lab, or helping on the SAS Farm.
28 Alumni Activities
From the Head of School St. Andrew’s-Sewanee School Magazine
Embracing the Spirit of SAS
T
his year, we welcomed 79 new students and 17 new faculty and staff (see page 6-8) to St. Andrew’s-Sewanee School. As we introduce so many people to life at SAS, it seemed particularly important to be able to articulate what makes SAS the special place that it is. You will see my thoughts about that on page 12. Our new students and their teachers have quickly embraced the spirit of SAS. Sure, they have ideas for changes and improvements — we’d Karl Sjolund be disappointed if they didn’t — but they appreciate and enhance the friendliness of our community, the spirit of creativity, and the joy in our natural surroundings that remain steadfast even as the members of our community change each year. Through these pages, I look forward to introducing you to our newest community members in the coming years. Better yet, come by campus sometime and let me introduce you to them in person. You belong here, and now they do, too!
Karl J. Sjolund Head of School
Karl Sjolund (far right) with the 2018-2019 SAS Board of Trustees
4 · St. Andrew’s-Sewanee Magazine · Fall 2018
Published twice a year by St. Andrew’s-Sewanee School Editor Sherri Bergman Design Aaron Welch, Big A Marketing Editorial Assistant David Andrews Head of School Karl J. Sjolund Director of Alumni Relations Elizabeth Duncan StA ’76 Director of Admission Derek Perkins Office of Communications and Marketing Sherri Bergman, Director 290 Quintard Road Sewanee, Tennessee 37375-3000 Phone: 931.598.5651 Email: sbergman@sasweb.org Special Thanks to Contributors / Photographers: Amanda Agricola, Melissa Askins, Mary Blount, Marion Knoll Anna Palmer, Kira Tharp ’12, 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 Members of Gorgas House compete in the annual House Cup Games. The school's entire community, including students, staff, and faculty, is divided into three houses for service, fun activities, and competitions throughout the year. The houses, Christabel, Gorgas, and Turkington, are named for three historic personages from the school's 150year history. Houses enjoy planned activities throughout the year and earn points toward the coveted House Cup.
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Join the Conversation On the research being done by the Archaeology of the Southeastern United States Class: Check this out Miles Powell. Did someone say, ARCHAEOLOGY? My first dig was on The Mountain, Winterim 1979. Please post pix, so we can watch the progress of those test units. –Kate Sheeler StA ’81 Can you believe this?! Awesome! ...and I hate that word with a passion, but it's so appropriate here. BTW, I didn't participate, I was backpacking with Cabell Tutwiler, but I remember that dig back in '79... Widow' s Crack and led by David Tate. DigIt!! ;-] –Miles Powell StA ’79 See page 14-15 for our archaeology story.
In response to Opening of School photos: OMG I miss teaching there. –Lisa Keith Lucas, former faculty member In response to a video testimonial by SAS parent Nicky Hamilton: I agree, there must be something in the water there because SAS is my daughter’s happy place! I need some of that water! –Teresa Phares, parent In response to an announcement of an island ecology trip to Baja for SAS students: I studied on the islands further north when I was studying Marine Bio in college - they will have the time of their lives! –Sierra Schneider ’97
NOTE: We have transitioned the SAS LinkedIn account to a school account, so that you can now indicate your alumni affiliation with SAS and connect with other alumni. If you re-enter your education affiliation, it will connect you to the official page.
TN Craft South Holiday Tour Exhibition SAS Gallery
December 6
SAS Beverages & Bites, Stray Fossa Concert Pianos NYC, New York City
December 8-9
TN Craft South Studio Tour Weekend SAS Gallery & Studios
December 12
The Christmas Revels McCrory Hall for the Performing Arts
December 17-January 21 Exhibition of First Semester Student Art SAS Gallery
December 20
Christmas Eucharist & Pageant St. Andrew's Chapel
December 24
Christmas Eve Service St. Andrew's Chapel
January 29-March 5
Heard on Campus “SAS taught me a lot of things. It taught me hard work and diligence, leadership and creativity, how to celebrate success and how to pick myself up from failure, how to learn from and come to appreciate the good times along with those not so good times. But, what I believe makes St. Andrew’s-Sewanee such a unique and remarkable place is that this school taught me how to love: how to love myself, how to love my peers, my teachers, my coaches, my community, and my world.” –Carolyn Bruce ’18, Salutatorian Commencement 2018
Sanford McGee and Annie Hanks Ceramics SAS Gallery
March 1-3
SAS Players present Godspell McCrory Hall for the Performing Arts
March 25-May 5 Tape Art SAS Gallery
Campus News
instructor and a free-lance journalist and photographer. He started Qingdao Adventures, an adventure tourism and environmental education company. He is Wilderness First Responder certified.
Celebrating the 2017-2018 School Year
New Year Welcomes 79 New Students...
On Saturday, May 19, 2018, St. Andrew's-Sewanee School honored students, faculty, and staff in a Commencement Weekend ceremony celebrating leadership and academic, arts, and athletic achievement. Chosen by their class for the honor, seniors Rachel Alvarez, Dirk Kayitare, and Genevieve Rogers began the ceremony by presenting the senior gift and banner. This year's senior gift was scholarship support for a rising senior. President of the Board of Trustees Dr. Bruce Baird SMA ’69 presented the diplomas.
St. Andrew's-Sewanee School began classes on Monday, August 20 with 250 students from across the country and around the world. The school welcomed 79 new students to campus in grades 6-12.
The 48 members of the St. Andrew'sSewanee School Class of 2018 received acceptances to 120 different colleges and universities. They enrolled in 32 different schools this fall, from University of California, Berkeley to Bangor University in Wales, and all points in between. Members of the class were offered over $8.3 million in merit awards at schools such as Northeastern University, School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Eckerd College, Tennessee Tech, Roanoke College, Rhodes College, University of Southern California, and Maryville College. They were also invited to join honors programs at University of Colorado at Boulder and University of Mississippi.
This year's enrollment includes 73 students in the Middle School and 177 students in the Upper School. Eighty-five students live on campus.
This year's student body represents 13 countries, including the Bahamas, Canada, China, Hong Kong, Czech Republic, Germany, Dominica, Spain, Jamaica, Kenya, Rwanda, Somaliland, and Vietnam. Domestic students come from 17 states ranging from Nevada to New York to Florida.
... And 17 New Faculty and Staff New students on campus joined a large cohort of new faculty and staff who have brought wonderful experience and energy to campus (left to right). International Student Coordinator and Chinese teacher Marcus Murphy (BS The University of the South, MA Qingdao University) taught Chinese at McCallie School for six years, directed the international student program, and was an outdoor program leader and a member of the school's Diversity and Inclusion Council. While in Qingdao, Marcus worked as a Chinese and English
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Admission Counselor Anna Palmer (BA The University of the South) was a Wm. Polk Carey Fellow in the University's Babson Center for Global Commerce and the University's Student Sustainability Coordinator. She mentored student fellows and managed promotion of the university's sustainability office. She was formerly an advertising account coordinator, a dorm proctor, and an administrative intern for a faith-based counseling practice in Fort Worth, Texas. She also worked as a camp counselor. Alumni and Campaign Assistant Kira Tharp ’12 (BA The University of the South) spent a year as a teaching assistant at the Centro de Educación Creativa/Cloud Forest School in Costa Rica, interned with a communications firm in Winter Park, Fla., provided clerical support for an acupuncture practice, and honed her skills for customer service in the food service industry. As a student, she volunteered as a tutor and peer health educator. She is fluent in Spanish. Music teacher and music director J.R. Ankney (BMEd Berklee College of Music) is an experienced arts administrator, boarding school teacher, and conductor. He built successful music programs at independent day and boarding schools, including St. Anne'sBelfield School, Verde Valley School, Shattuck-St. Mary's School, and Chapel Hill-Chauncey Hall School. He was most recently Director of Music at St. James Episcopal Church in Lancaster, Pa. J.R.’s choirs have toured the world, and he has performed at Carnegie Hall, Riverside Church in New York City, and Westminster Abbey.
Learning Resources Coordinator Kimberly Perkins (BA Indiana University, MS East Tennessee State University) served as a Learning Specialist Assistant at Darlington School. She is a certified Speech-Language Pathologist and worked for ten years in assessing and treating students with communication disorders, processing difficulties, learning disabilities, autism, emotional disabilities, and cognitive impairments. Kim helps students with organization, planning, problem solving, and social skills. Assistant Dean and Director of Middle School Cheryl MacPherson (BA Fordham University, MEd The George Washington University) came to SAS from Besant Hill School where she was a secondary teacher, residential faculty member, and head cross country coach. She has taught history, human geography, social studies, language arts, and English for Speakers of Other Languages. She formerly taught at schools in Guatemala, Nicaragua, and Arlington, Va. Cheryl brings experience in curriculum mapping, English language instruction, theme-based course development, differentiated course instruction, new teacher mentoring, experiential student travel, and Model United Nations programming.
School nurse Pamela Taylor (AAS Motlow Community College) is a registered nurse, who has worked in health departments, hospitals, acute care facilities, and as an elementary school nurse. While pursuing her degree, she was one of four students awarded an Outstanding Clinical Achievement Award. She is also certified as an emergency medical first responder. Mathematics teacher Neal Johnson (BA University of the South) was a member of Sewanee’s varsity football team and was twice named to the Southern Athletic Association Honor Roll. His graduation project was on the statistical theory behind modeling football overtimes. Neal was formerly a healthcare IT consultant in Frankfort, Kentucky and Assistant Director of Annual Giving and Student Philanthropy Coordinator for the University of the South. History teacher and Lead House Parent Christine Monahan (BA College of the Holy Cross, MAT Rivier University) is working on an MEd Tech from Boise State. Over her 15-year teaching career, she has taught government, history, religion, and English. She most recently served as a history teacher, dorm parent, and advisor at Cheshire Academy. Christine's additional duties have included mock trial, drama, technology integration, crisis planning, Key Club, and dance team.
Admission and Accounting Associate Melissa Askins (EdS Tennessee Tech, BS University of Charleston, MA Cumberland University) worked in the Manchester and Tullahoma middle schools as a math, language arts, and English teacher. She has previous experience in accounting, financial analysis, human resources, office management, and financial aid management. She received VFW Post 10904's 2017 Citizenship Education Award and has, over the years, served as BETA club co-sponsor, homecoming co-planner, Cub Scouts treasurer and chairperson, tennis coach, writing club sponsor, and student council sponsor. Assistant Chaplain Beth Barksdale (BA Salem College, MDiv Wake Forest) completed a master's thesis entitled An Integrated Theological Earth Care Curriculum for Faith Based Independent Schools. She is proficient in theological reflection, liturgy and worship, pastoral care and counseling of youth and adults, and mission partnerships for student engagement. Other educational training includes Education for Ministry through the University of the South and Harvard Business School's Key Executive Leadership Program. Beth's career in ministry follows her life's work as the President/CEO of CCi, a national patient communications company.
Fall 2018 · St. Andrew’s-Sewanee Magazine · 7
Mathematics teacher Thomas Priestley ’96 (BA Davidson College, MEd Vanderbilt University) has eleven years of teaching experience, having taught mathematics, geography, cultural studies, earth science, and creative writing for international schools in China, Slovakia, and Malta. He also student taught at Vanderbilt University and led college preparation and citizenship courses for East Nashville High School. Over the years, Thomas has sponsored or coached school activities in study skills, SAT preparation, leadership, badminton, glee club, musical theater, volleyball, and tennis. Athletic Trainer Amanda Skrezckoski (BS University of Wisconsin La Crosse) completed her internship with a sports medicine clinic in Stevens Point, Wisc., and has worked with college athletes in soccer, softball, track and field, baseball, and football. Director of College Counseling Dan Monahan (BA College of the Holy Cross, MS New England College) was most recently director of college counseling at Cheshire Academy. He also served as an advisor, coach, house head, and residential staff supervisor. Dan previously worked in enrollment management at Stonehill College and Daniel Webster College. Dan played football for Holy Cross. He has been an active member of the New England Association for College Admission Counseling and was selected as a Professional of the Year by the organization in 2016-17. Physics teacher Dr. Peggy Ankney (BS University of Wisconsin-Parkside, MS North Texas State University, PhD University of Central Florida) has taught at both the high school and college levels. Peggy has served as a researcher at the University of Virginia, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Saint Andrews University, and Argonne National Labo-
ratory and received research grants from the American Chemical Society and the National Science Foundation. Her presentations have ranged from high level physics research at the NATO Advanced Studies Institute to making holograms with elementary school children. Computer Support Technician Nicholas Womack (not pictured) is a graduate of Lenoir Community College's paramedic program and is completing a degree in information technology security and virtualization through Colorado State University. He has eight years of experience as a paramedic, IT administrator, and training officer in the emergency medicine field. He has appeared in community theatre in the region alongside several SAS students. Several people have assumed new or additional roles this year. Former assistant chaplain, The Rev. Molly Short is now Chaplain. Head of the Upper School Kelley Black is Associate Head of School and Academic Dean. Dean of Students Laura Clay is Assistant Head of School. And, Dr. Viva Reynolds is Educational Technology Coordinator in addition to her teaching duties.
Father Flye Fellow The Father Flye Fellowship is an annual one-year internship created for recent college graduates who are considering a career as a boarding school faculty member. This year’s Father Flye Fellow, John Wheeler, is a 2018 cum laude graduate of the University of the South with a BA in English. In college, he was a varsity baseball player, Community Service Chairman of ATO, and on the Dean's List and Student Disciplinary Board. He attended Montgom-
8 · St. Andrew’s-Sewanee Magazine · Fall 2018
ery Bell Academy in Nashville where he played football and baseball, was a summer sports camp counselor, and was president of the school's Best Buddies chapter, which helps young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. He served as a dorm counselor for the Sewanee Young Writers Conference and a tutor at Cowan Elementary School. He is also an Eagle Scout.
Patterson Named National Merit Semifinalist
Senior Sophia Patterson, a day student from Sewanee, was named a Semifinalist in the 2019 National Merit® Scholarship Program (NMSC). Sophia is a High Honors student and has been the recipient of multiple academic awards in Latin, math, and English over her career at SAS. She is a cross country and track athlete and multi-year recipient of the cross country Coaches' Award. She has also served in multiple leadership roles and is currently a Proctor and a member of the Honor Council, two of the school's most respected leadership positions. In addition to taking a rigorous course load at SAS, Sophia is currently enrolled in Intermediate French and Calculus at Sewanee. The nationwide pool of NMSC Semifinalists represents less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors.
SAS Students Enroll in College Courses In addition to taking advanced courses at St. Andrew's-Sewanee School, outstanding SAS juniors and seniors are encouraged to take college courses for credit (and for free) at the University of the South, one of the country's top liberal arts colleges. This semester, 12 students are enrolled in 14 classes at the University, including:
Elementary German I, Atlantic Britons 1500-1850 (History), Elementary Arabic, Calculus I, Ethics and Anthropocene (Religious Studies), Introduction to Cultural Anthropology, Cultural Survey of Spain I, Introduction to Macroeconomics, Intermediate French, Classical Mythology, and Calculus II. "SAS students learn to hold their own and excel in a college setting with college-aged classmates," said Director of College Counseling Dan Monahan. "Proven ability to balance a college course workload and excel in those courses gives them a real boost in the college admission process and when they begin their college careers." Approximately 20% of the Class of 2018 graduated with college credit.
Campus Speakers Blake McMeans, once one of the nation's top-ranked high school tennis players, spoke in Chapel in September about the drinking and driving accident that changed the course of his life. Blake educates young adults in the hope of preventing teens from making the same life-altering mistake he did. German chemistry professor, scientist, and swimmer Andres Fath spoke to students in October on his 2017 project to swim the length of the Tennessee River and test water quality along the way. He expressed his concern about the alarming levels of microplastics found in the river. Dr. Fath was joined on his journey by Martin Knoll SA ’78, SAS science teacher Marion Koll, Zolon Knoll ’21, Aidan Smith ’20, John Agricola ’02, and Jack Agricola StA ’68.
International Adventure St. Andrew's-Sewanee School senior Mariel Rinck and junior Chloe Fontenelle each received prestigious scholarships for a year of study abroad. Chloe is participating in the U.S. Department of State Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study Abroad (YES Abroad) program. The program provides 65 meritbased full scholarships for U.S. citizens in secondary school (age 15-18.5) to study for one academic year in select countries with significant Muslim populations. Mariel, daughter of SAS Spanish teachers Steve and Claudia Rinck, is participating in the Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange. Initiated in 1983, the exchange was created to strengthen ties between Germany and the United States through citizen diplomacy and is jointly funded by the U.S. Congress and the German Bundestag. SAS students interested in shorter term study abroad experiences may choose from as many as three programs per year. In 2018-2019, students have the choice of trips to Mexico, Jamaica, and Greece.
Bison, Wolves, and Geysers
Academic Dean Kelley Black and math teacher Margot Burns accompanied a group of students on the summer Yellowstone Wildlife Ecology program. The group spent nine days in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. The students
worked with National Park Service scientists who guided them through bison grazing and migration research and habitat survey projects. They worked with the National Parks Conservation Association to protect migration corridors for pronghorn antelope. They also traveled to the Lamar Valley to study wolf packs and to the Norris Geyser Basin to explore geothermal features. The trip culminated with a rafting trip down the Yellowstone River. Students presented information about their research in an all-school assembly in September.
An Abundance of Arts
Lovers of the arts have been enjoying life at SAS. This summer, the Sewanee Summer Music Festival held two children’s concerts on our campus. They and their audience enjoyed it so much that they have promised to return in 2019 with more student musicians. The Vega Quartet returned to McCrory Hall for the Performing Arts in September with pianist William Ransom for an all-Beethoven concert. Theatre arts students learned to “yes and” in master classes with improv actor Mike Cooper. Visual arts aficionados enjoyed SAS Gallery exhibitions of Tara Shukla’s Bone Drawings and the art of Amanda Agricola ’07 (see page 27) and SAS art teacher Osei Hill ’07. Workshops for both students and community members were held in conjunction with both exhibitions. Student musicians and artists have joined in the offerings with Chapel performances, Creative Expression Assembly, Sewanee Symphony Concerts, and hallway art exhibitions. Check out www.sasweb.org for upcoming events.
Fall 2018 · St. Andrew’s-Sewanee Magazine · 9
Sports Highlights SPRING 2018 All-District Athletes
Tennis
Nine spring athletes were named to all-district teams in four sports: Aubrey Black (tennis), Lucy Cassell (Middle School volleyball), Carla Hof (tennis), Nathan King (tennis), Anna Post (tennis), Aidan Smith (soccer), Gabe Stevens (soccer), Cameron Weaver (baseball), and Ester Yang (tennis).
The girls’ team finished the season 5-1. The team was D-IIA District 2 Champions with Ester Yang finishing number one in District 2 Singles and Carla Hof and Anna Post taking third place in District 2 Doubles. All three were named to the All-District Tennis Team. Five players, Ester, Carla, Anna, Jenna Black, and Tessa Shackelford qualified as a team for sub-state and state competition. Ester was also named a finalist for The Tennessean Sports Awards girls’ academic award.
MS Boys’ Soccer Under Coach Margot Burns, the Middle School Boys’ Soccer Team finished the season as 2018 Central Tennessee Conference Runner-Up.
2017-2018 Wrap-Up
Track District and Regional champion Jalen Tillman put the shot 46’ 7” for a new school record and finished sixth in the State competition. Emmanuel Thombs set a new record of 6’ in the high jump. The boys’ team was D-IIA District Runner-Up. Isabelle Gordy broke the girls’ school shot put record with a throw of 30’ 9”. Isabelle was the District and Regional Champion in both shot put and discus and finished fifth in shot put and fourth in discus at the State meet.
For the boys’ team, Aubrey Black and Nathan King achieved fourth place in District 2 Doubles. Both players were named to the All-District Tennis Team.
Sarah Beth Hobby was District and Regional Champion in the triple jump. She finished fifth in the event at the State meet and seventh in the 300 low hurdles. Sarah Grace Burns qualified for the District and Regional meets in high jump finishing as runner-up and finished fifth in high jump at the State meet. The girls’ team was D-IIA District Runner-Up.
FALL 2018 All-Star Football Jalen Tillman, Larson Heitzenrater, Ben Matthews, and Cailan McLean were named to the MTAC 8-Man Football All-Star Squad.
Speed Racers Anna Freyland, Seth Walker, and Noah Henley participated in the cross-country Division II-A Regional 5K Competition. Anna finished 14th with a personal record of 22:55.
Kickin’ It Middle School girls’ soccer recorded a winning season, 5-4-1. The team upset the #1 seed in their conference tournament to advance to the championship game and were named 2018 Central Tennessee Conference Runner-Up. The girls’ varsity soccer team finished even for the season at 6-6. Sarah Grace Burns received All-District Honors.
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SAS had 14 state qualifying athletes in 2017-2018, competing in three sports: swimming, track and field, and tennis. Seniors, Aubrey Black and Dustin Stensby, graduated with the distinction of being four-year, three-sport athletes. On Honors Day, Ester Yang was named Best Female Athlete and Blaise Zeitler was named Best Male Athlete.
2018-2021
STRATEGIC PLAN CHALLENGE BAL ANCE JOY Our 2018-2021 Strategic Plan seeks to build on the accomplishments of the past and expand our school’s capacity for challenging our students to fulfill their greatest potential while helping them to cultivate lives of balance and joy.
OUR OBJEC TIVE
To enhance opportunities to learn, live, and play in community. EXPAND LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES, STIMULATE COLLABORATION, AND DEVELOP A COMMON LANGUAGE
Create new and innovative opportunities for intellectual growth, academic collaboration, and the advancement of a shared educational philosophy articulated through a common language. • Re-establish and promote a common educational philosophy and clarify educational goals • Create new and innovative opportunities for student intellectual growth through meaningful and intentional curricular development • Establish systems for meaningful, useful, and regular evaluation of faculty and administration • Support and encourage faculty, administration, and staff in their ongoing professional development
ELEVATE OUTDOOR EDUCATION, ADVENTURE, AND PLACE-BASED OPPORTUNITIES
Capitalize on our unique geographic assets by investing and promoting outdoor education and adventure and place-based learning and enrichment opportunities.
INSPIRE CREATIVITY, INNOVATION, AND DESIGN
Further invigorate creativity on our campus and look for ways to better encompass designthinking, critical inquiry, and problem-solving across the curriculum.
• Create formal Outdoor Education program
• Enrich arts education on our campus and expand opportunities for community exhibition • Integrate information services and enhance technology offerings
PROMOTE WELLNESS, PERSPECTIVE, AND COMMUNITY
Continue to be a community built on love and empathy and strengthen our commitment to inspiring all members of the community to lead lives of honor and loving service to God and to others by providing our students with the practical tools and strength of character to live lives of honor and integrity. • Strengthen campus community • Expand opportunities for service and outreach • Incorporate community or civic engagement and service learning into our academic courses • Support a broadly-defined diversity • Provide additional opportunities for campus-wide wellness
PRACTICAL MATTERS
• Continually improve campus and student safety • Evaluate and revise daily schedules
Fall 2018 · St. Andrew’s-Sewanee Magazine · 11
E G N E L L A CH CE JOY N A L BA
lund, By Karl J. Sjo ool Head of Sch
W
hen I arrived on campus three years ago, I was struck by how truly happy students were here. When I asked my tour guides, Cooper Nickels ’17 and Maggie White ’17, what they thought about school, they said they loved it. But, they were not just saying they loved SAS; I got the impression that they loved the idea of school. In other words, they had not grown cynical, or frustrated, or bored. They said their courses were really interesting. Their teachers were amazing. Cooper and Maggie were really happy to be here. That is what every child wants and what every parent wants for their child. They want to find a place where they are safe, interested, and happy. They want a place like SAS.
How does SAS keep students interested and happy while preparing them for their future? I believe the answer is Challenge, Balance, and Joy.
CHALLENGE
BALANCE
At SAS, we ask students to consider why they are learning what they are learning. We challenge them to think beyond the assignment, the next test, and the exam. We encourage them to think deeply.
We value balance in our children’s physical, mental, and spiritual lives. We provide balance across the curriculum, which is why arts, athletics, and afternoon programs are not “extras.” We encourage and guide students to pursue community service and leadership opportunities. We concern ourselves with the health of their relationships.
That challenge goes beyond their academic subjects. It is in our rites of passage – the 8th grade "This I Believe" presentation and the Senior Year Creedal Statement. In challenging students to understand better and articulate what they believe, we better prepare them to welcome other perspectives and to survive challenges to their beliefs. In the classrooms, in the studios, on the playing fields and trails, we challenge students to build resilience. From morning Chapel to evening interactions with classmates from around the world, we provide students with the safety to step out of their comfort zone. We challenge them to try something difficult, and we help them to understand that it is the attempt, not the outcome, that is the source of growth. 12 · St. Andrew’s-Sewanee Magazine · Fall 2018
We also endeavor to help students find balance in their time for work and play, diet, exercise, and rest. We encourage opportunities for quiet contemplation. And, each day as we work with students, we invest time and deep thought in trying to find a balance between mercy and justice.
JOY
Challenge Balance Joy
At SAS, joy begins with a culture of acceptance, care, and love. It is the appreciation we show for talents shared in our Creative Expression Assemblies. It is our commitment to catching students doing something good whether it is opening a door for a classmate or turning in a lost wallet. It is having teachers cheer on victories and offer an encouraging word after defeat.
Although it may not have always been articulated as boldly, challenge, balance, and joy has always been the SAS recipe for success. As we move forward, in every decision we make, we will continue to ask ourselves:
But, it is more than that. Alumni tell me that SAS allowed them to try many things in a supportive environment, and, in that exploration, they found momentary and lifelong passions and sources of joy.
Does it provide our students with the challenge they need?
Joy is enhanced by our surroundings. We are aware of the mental health value of being in nature. We make it possible for our students to be in nature for study, recreation, and renewal. We know that a beautiful sunset has a way of putting a tough day into perspective, and that time in a tree is never time wasted.
Will it help them to find balance? Does it have the potential to bring joy?
Fall 2018 · St. Andrew’s-Sewanee Magazine · 13
Uncovering History
MARION KNOLL’S ARCHAEOLOGY OF THE SOUTHEASTERN UNITED STATES CLASS
S
t. Andrew’s-Sewanee School’s campus is home to a wealth of natural resources, including a rock shelter impressive both in size and in its archaeological richness. This site is serving as the lab for Archaeology of the Southeastern United States, an Upper School science elective. Under the guidance of teacher Marion Knoll, fourteen students are engaged in a careful excavation of the site. They are learning about site formation processes, environmental and ecological changes over the last 20,000 years, and the human history of the Cumberland Plateau and southeastern United States prior to European contact. Mrs. Knoll’s students are employing
current scientific excavation methods, including creating scaled maps of the shelter, using trowels to slowly and carefully excavate the test units, and preserving both the artifacts and data about the context in which they are uncovered. In addition to Mrs. Knoll, they are working with experts such as current parent Jason Barry ’00, who introduced them to modern surveying techniques and technology. Results of the excavation are shared with University of the South archaeologist, Dr. Sarah Sherwood, and head archaeologist at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville, Dr. Jan Simek. The collaboration will contribute to ongoing research and a deepening understand-
14 · St. Andrew’s-Sewanee Magazine · Fall 2018
ing of when and how prehistoric peoples used rock shelter sites on the southern Cumberland Plateau. The exacting science of archaeology is also calling into play skills from other courses. “I didn’t know the Pythagorean Theorem was going to come up in my life, but we needed it to measure and construct our test units,” offers Faith Daisy ’20. Seven carefully measured squares, each comprised of two triangles, are used to expose the stratigraphy of the site down to the sterile shelter floor in a controlled linear area. The class’s work is the continuation of
research that began during Winterim 2006, SAS’s annual week of in-depth, short courses. The results of the initial excavation indicated that much of the shelter floor had been looted in the past. Because looters employ no scientific method, do not share what they find, and ignore the important context associated with the artifacts, they destroy key pieces of evidence. The current class’s findings will inform decisions regarding future excavation or protection of the site.
Jack Bailey ’20 appreciates the “real work” of the course, “Mrs. Knoll guides us, but we also have to learn on our own, and we’re doing actual, not simulated, scientific work.” Ananda Janke ’19 knew of the area’s prehistory thanks to visits to nearby Old Stone Fort State Park, but she didn’t realize that there was still work to be done and that she could be doing it. Classmate Harrison Hartman ’20 has gained a new appreciation for his home. “I’ve lived on the Mountain all my life,” says Harrison. “I knew that prehistoric people lived here, but I never thought about it very deeply. Now I think about the things that I encounter every day that they would have encountered.”
Finding out what this culture was like through its artifacts is very interesting...
Since 2006, approximately 150 SAS students have helped to screen, identify, gather, clean, store, and catalog over 5,000 artifacts at the site. Despite the damage caused by looting, enough diagnostic artifacts have been uncovered to conclude that the shelter was occupied at least 8,000 years ago and into the period just before European contact around 1450 AD. Even more significant than the age of the artifacts are the stories they tell. Alvin Wong ’20 contemplates a piece of limestone too perfectly shaped to have occurred naturally. Seth Walker ’19 believes he has identified a flint stone. Over the years, students have identified chert projectile points used for hunting, knives and scrapers, potsherds, nutting and grinding stones, and limestone hoes. “Finding out what this culture was like through its artifacts is very interesting,” says Pete Haight ’20.
So far, the students have only dug through the looters’ dirt, but they expect to be reaching undisturbed soil soon. A ground-penetrating radar analysis conducted with University of Texas-Austin geophysicists in mid-November will provide more detail about the intact cultural features and the extent of past looting. “There is a big sense of responsibility,” notes Steven Anderson ’20. “We could break something or throw something out that has importance. But, there’s also a sense of fulfillment if we find something because we know that we’ve uncovered history.” Read more about this project at sasweb.org/news
Fall 2018 · St. Andrew’s-Sewanee Magazine · 15
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n the age of internet-based companies, it is nice to remember and celebrate those who create and successfully run bricks-and-mortar businesses. While these business-savvy alumni all have Facebook pages, Instagram, and websites, they would love to see you walk through their doors!
CULTURE & COUTURE
THE GREYSTONE LODGE ON THE RIVER
THE LEMON FAIR
Opened by Sarah Armour-Jones Campbell ’06 as the result of a gap-year art project in Sewanee and a pop-up gallery at the Signal Mountain Golf and Country Club, Culture & Couture is a unique gallery and gift shop that connects people with Chattanooga artists. The store carries art, jewelry, clothing, and ceramics. Most pieces in the store are handpicked by Sarah, “I’ve met so many people with so much talent here. It’s a good opportunity to support our local artists.” One of the artists represented is former SAS Director of Admission Jim Tucker, stepfather of Andrew Hard ’06.
The Greystone Lodge on the River is a family tradition like no other. The Jack Miller family has owned the hotel since it was built in 1962. As the second largest hotel in Gatlinburg and a familyowned entity, the Greystone continues to operate on family values and good customer service. The Miller Family takes pride in the hotel, as well as being giving members of the Gatlinburg community. Several generations of the Miller Family, including Jack L. Miller, Jr. StA ’66, continue to be very active in the day-to-day operations and success of the hotel.
When her mother opened The Lemon Fair in 1972, Katherine Alvarez Evans SA ’80 never dreamed it would be her first and last job. Upon her mother’s death in 2016, Katherine left her job of 19 years to take over the shop, which the family always joked was a nonprofit business. Katherine gave the store a fresh touch, made new inventory decisions, and built a website and social media following. She also expanded the items made by SAS alumni and former faculty, including pottery by Claire Reishman and Merissa Tobler.
Signal Mountain, TN cultureandcoutureshop.com
Gatlinburg, TN greystonelodgetn.com
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Sewanee, TN thelemonfair.com
HINSON GALLERIES, INC.
OAK STREET GARDEN SHOP
MELLIE MAC’S
Jeanie Hinson Bross ’90 took over this long-running family furniture business when her father retired in 2009. The store occupies a city block with over 30,000 square feet of showroom space. “At SAS, I did not know I would be going into the family business,” says Jeanie. “In college, I still did not know what I wanted to be when I ‘grew up,’ but once I made the decision to major in family and consumer sciences with emphasis on interior design and housing, I knew the family business would be my career.” She and her team, which includes her mother and brother, also offer design services.
Started in 1990 with a tent and a few flats of annuals, Oak Street Garden Shop has been frequently named the “Best Garden Shop in Birmingham.” Owner Billy Angell StA ’70 credits their success to quality plants, creativity, and excellent customer service. His custom outdoor planters are considered the best in the city, and his indoor arrangements are in high demand throughout the year. The holidays bring Christmas trees from a grower who has also supplied White House Christmas trees. The market carries fresh produce and herbs, as well as other products from local farmers and home gardeners.
Mellie Macsherry ’90 runs Mellie Mac’s which includes a garden shop, wine bar, and event space. The business offers a delightful garden center and tapas, tea, coffee, wine, and beer during the afternoon and evening. Customers are encouraged to browse with their beverage. One reviewer writes, “So much beauty and peace, kindness and friendliness.” Mellie Mac’s also hosts special events such as weddings, receptions, birthday parties, the community drum circle, and last spring’s SAS Alumni & Friends gathering.
SHEPPARD’S PET SUPPLY
specialty pet food and supplies. Opened in October 2015, Sheppard’s Pet Supply does just that. Will’s shop, which has already expanded once since opening, has rows upon rows of colorful treats, toys, and supplies. Customers are invited to bring their pets inside while they shop, although Will’s shop cat, Declan, has the final say on store security.
service. In 2008, Aaron became the fulltime operations manager of the Barefoot Beach Hotel. He began an expansion of the hotel in 2017, renaming it the Barefoot Beach Club and now owns two other hotels, The Cordova Inn in St. Petersburg’s waterfront district and the Hotel Cabana in Clearwater Beach. Aaron’s hotels and inns receive glowing reviews for their amenities, comfort, and customer service.
Columbus, GA hinsongalleries.com
Birmingham, AL sheppardspet.com
When selling real estate in the Avondale and Crestwood areas of Birmingham, Will Sheppard ’95 would hear repeatedly from clients that they loved the neighborhood, but there was nowhere nearby where you could buy
Mountain Brook, AL oakstreetgardenshop.com
Black Mountain, NC facebook.com/MellieMacsGardenShack
Barefoot Beach Club, Cordova Inn, and Hotel Cabana St. Petersburg, FL barefootbeachhotel.com, cordovainnstpete.com, hotelcabanacwb.com
After pursuing an acting career, Aaron Huffman ’99 moved to Florida to help his family run a small hotel and learn skills from maintenance to customer Fall 2018 · St. Andrew’s-Sewanee Magazine · 17
Investing in the Future A CONVERSATION WITH RIC DILLON StA ’74
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f you had asked Ric Dillon StA ’74 his greatest interest in retirement six months ago, he would have said golf, but now he and his wife are expecting a child… That’s right. At age 62, Ric is about to be a first-time father.
Ric and Marina met in Cologne, Germany, 15 years ago. For most of those years, they were content with their two-chihuahua family. Then, Marina changed her mind. Then, Ric did. Now, their lives are fully focused on welcoming the baby they are expecting in February. For most parents, balancing work and child raising is a major struggle. Ric and Marina, who are both retired, have a different worry:
how do we instill a good work ethic in a child who may never see one of their parents leave for work? Raised by his mother following his parents’ divorce, Ric credits his mom with teaching him the skills and diligence that made him a successful entrepreneur. She worked hard to support four children on a teacher’s salary and sold World Book Encyclopedias in her spare time. Ric’s mother had a knack for sales. Her determination and talent eventually propelled her into a lucrative career as a regional sales manager. Those lessons served Ric well. In June of 2018, Ric retired
from Diamond Hill Capital Management, Inc. During his 18year tenure, the firm went from 16 associates managing $25 million in assets to 116 associates managing approximately $22 billion. Ric remains Chairman of the Board for Diamond Hill Investment Group. Ric grew up in Newark, Ohio. He was introduced to St. Andrew’s by a family friend. By his own admission, it was not academics that attracted him to the school. “I loved sports. As the only boy in a family of girls, I loved the idea of being on a campus filled with boys where a pick-up basketball game was always an option.” He played tennis and basketball his four years at St. Andrew’s. Fall 2018 · St. Andrew’s-Sewanee Magazine · 19
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ic’s St. Andrew’s interests and activities continued well after graduation. As an SAS trustee in the late 1980s, he befriended SAS Coach Bob Simpson and, for three years, underwrote and accompanied the basketball team to camps at Middle Tennessee State University and University of Louisville. He also found himself, 14 years after graduation, joining the Episcopal Church. “I was not an Episcopalian when I came to St. Andrew’s and was not one when I left.” In his early thirties, when Ric decided to be more thoughtful about his faith, the Episcopal Church was the first place he turned. “The Episcopal Church felt like returning home.” He now attends church regularly near his homes in Naples, Fla., and New Albany, Ohio. Over his career, Ric lived in Detroit, Los Angeles, Boston, and Washington, D.C., but Ohio always remained home. After graduating from St. Andrew’s, he returned to earn his BSBA and MA in business administration and finance from Ohio State University. His first job was as a bond trader with the state’s public employees’ retirement system. He then did a brief stint in a Dayton bank’s
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trust department before making his first great entrepreneurial move. At the ripe age of 26, he co-founded his own financial management firm. “The bank I was working for was being bought out. I and three of my colleagues were fairly sure that we were going to lose our jobs,” Ric recalls. “We decided to take a leap.” The firm’s growth was slow and after a few years Ric volunteered to leave so that his partners, who all had families, could split what business was available. With the confidence he had gained in finance, the experience he had acquired in starting and running his own business, and an MBA he had earned at the University of Dayton, Ric joined Loomis Sayles as a portfolio manager. “My major in business and finance as an undergraduate was not really out of a sense that this was my calling,” explains Ric. “But as time went on I realized that I enjoyed the work and was good at it.” Ric’s quantitative skills were a huge asset to his career, and he liked being in a position where his success or failure was objectively measured. He observed that everything in life had economic implications. And, he liked the challenge, “There is so much to learn. It’s constantly changing, and you can never master it.” Perhaps it cannot be mastered, but Ric came close. In 1993, he started his own firm, Dillon Capital Management, which was bought by Loomis Sayles in 1997. He stayed with the company for three years and then decided to go back out on his own, returning to Columbus to join the Bank Stock Group. As CEO, Ric shifted the company’s focus to investment management and changed its name to Diamond Hill Investment Group.
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ic credits much of his business and financial successes to his entrepreneurial skills, “I was good at the investment part, but I’d only give myself a B+ as an investor. As an entrepreneur in our field, I feel like I would get an A.” He was also committed to his customers, “My nature was always to try to give the best result possible for the client. I wanted to figure out better ways to accomplish that goal.” Does he miss it? “Being retired has not been hard. I am chairman of the board, and we are a public company, so I still have responsibilities. There is a slim chance that in the next five years I might choose to get involved in a tangential aspect of the business, but I don’t have a yearning for it, and I’m a little surprised by that. After 41 years, I don’t have a craving to be back in the day-to-day. Especially now with our family plans changing. There’s no way I’d take time away from that.”
Ric and Marina have a lot of decisions to make. “We have been splitting time between Columbus and Florida which presents complications for schooling. We want our child to be able to speak with Marina’s family in Germany, so we need to figure out how to encourage bilingualism.” And, there is the question of where his child will learn the work ethic that he learned from his mother. “I benefitted from observing my mother working hard and, as a result, being successful. How do I make sure that my child sees the connection between work and being self-supporting?” Ric stops himself, “But, I know that is an easier challenge than the challenges that most people face. We know we are fortunate in having a lot of resources. If our child happens to have a gift for music or art, we can encourage that without worry about future job prospects.” Ric will receive the Distinguished Alumni Award during Alumni Weekend 2019.
Fall 2018 · St. Andrew’s-Sewanee Magazine · 21
In Memoriam
Past Employees Raymond Douglass Diggs died February 9, 2018, at St. Francis Bartlett Hospital. He taught at the Sewanee Military Academy from 1967 to 1968. Mr. Diggs was a retired U.S. Army veteran with 20 years of service. Edward “Sparky” C. Edgin, Sr. died October 1, 2018. He graduated from the University of the South where he played basketball. He received his MA in teaching from Johns Hopkins University and his PhD in English from the University of South Carolina. Over his career, he taught at the University of the South, University of Tennessee at Nashville, Tennessee State University, and Lipscomb University. He taught at SMA from 1965 to 1969 and as an interim teacher at SAS in 2000-2001. In 2005, he was inducted into the Sewanee Athletics Hall of Fame. Dr. Edgin is survived by his wife, Beverly, two children, three grandchildren, and extended family. Gilbert Lee Johnson died October 16, 2018. He served overseas in the U.S. Navy during WWII and again in the Army in the Korean War. Following the war, he worked as a volunteer with war orphans. He received a degree in education from the University of Kentucky and a master’s and doctorate at the University of Miami in Florida. He was deeply impacted by the Civil Rights movement, was present at Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “I Have A Dream” speech, and worked to integrate the Dade County School System. During his career he established IDEA, an educational consulting company. He was an advocate for the rights of the mentally challenged and volunteered his time working with refugees and tutoring inner-city children. Mr. Johnson cherished his years at St. Andrew’s, 1954-1959, where he was assistant headmaster, teacher, coach, and guidance counselor. The St. Andrew’s Class of 1959 dedicated a room in Wade Hall in his honor in 2010. He is survived by his wife, Karlene, three children, many grandchildren, one great-grandchild, and a loving foster child and her son. There will be a celebration of his life on May 19, 2019 in Salisbury, Mass.
Gerald Shields died in October 2018. A graduate of Tulane University, Mr. Shields was director of admissions at SMA from 1973 to 1975. He taught and served in the administration of several schools including the Asheville School, the University of Richmond, and various international schools in Luxembourg, Istanbul, India, and the Philippines. Upon his retirement, he operated bed and breakfast inns in Farmville, Va., and Missouri. His last establishment was the Saravilla in Alma, Mich.
Alumni Ben H. Harris StA ’32 of New Hope, Ala., died March 27, 2018. Mr. Harris is famously known at SAS for his 2007 arrival on campus, riding his motorcycle, at the age of 94. As one of our oldest living alumni, he attributed his nonagenarian lucidity to his teachers at St. Andrew’s. Surviving are his wife, Mary E. Harris, two children, and their families. Robert Kirk Mayo SMA ’43 died June 12, 2018. He was born in Shreveport, La., and graduated from C.E. Byrd High School in 1942 before attending a year at SMA. He was a graduate of Centenary College and Tulane University Law School. Mr. Mayo served in the United States Army during World War II where he was stationed in the Philippines and Occupied Japan. He practiced law until he retired at 85, ending his career as a partner at Coleman and Mayo. He is survived by his wife, Betty, two daughters, and grandchildren. Wayne W. Collier SMA ’44 died August 18, 2018. Dr. Collier was a Lexington, Ky., native who was honored as outstanding cadet in his class. He served in the U.S. Navy, training as a radar operator at Great Lakes Naval Station. He resumed his studies at the University of Kentucky and received a bachelor’s in chemistry, then received his College of Dentistry degree from the University of Louisville. For more than 30 years, he delighted in teaching pedodontics as an instructor at the UK College of Dentistry. He is survived by his wife, Eleanor Yates Collier, three sons, a sister, three grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.
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Robert W. Pearce SMA ’46 of Charleston, S.C., died July 2, 2018. He graduated from the University of South Carolina and spent over 50 years as an investment advisor following his service as an officer in the U.S. Navy. Surviving are his wife, Kathryn Blake Pearce, four children, and several grandchildren.
Ronald W. Liles SMA ’49 died December 31, 2016 in Arlington, Va. He grew up in Conroe, Tex. and received a degree in history from Sam Houston State University. He spent most of his life in the oil and gas industry, retiring from Exxon in 1994. Survivors include two children, siblings, and five grandchildren.
Gwyn H. Bowen SMA ’47 died March 4, 2015. He served in the USAF during the Korean War, was a retired lumberman, and worked for the Center for Experiential Learning and Assessment Program at Vanderbilt University as a standardized patient, helping provide medical students with essential training. He is survived by his wife, Mary Lee Bowen, three children, 13 grandchildren, and 20 great-grandchildren.
Thomas A. Northam, Jr. SMA ’49 died April 1, 2018. The son of a career WWI and WWII infantry officer and a Walter Reed Army nurse, his eventual military service was a given. After graduating from SMA, he attended the U.S. Military Academy and the U.S. Naval Academy but was dismissed from both due to sports injuries affecting his academic performance. He enlisted in the submarine fleet and obtained a second appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy, this time graduating with the class of 1956 and embarking upon a long and distinguished career both ashore and at sea, serving in Italy, Vietnam, and Washington, D.C. His many military decorations included the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star with Combat “V”, and Joint Service Commendation Medal. After retiring from the military, he worked for GTE and traveled extensively. He participated in GTEs “Big Ride”, a bicycle ride from Seattle, Wash., to Washington D.C., to raise support for cancer victims. After retirement, he moved to Leavenworth, Wash., and again became active in his community. He was an active member and commander of the local VFW. He is survived by his wife, Onie, his four children, two step-children, eleven grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren.
Johnny R. McGraw, Sr. SMA ’47 died May 10, 2018. He was born in Shreveport, La. After graduating from ROTC, he went into active duty in the U.S. Army. He received an Honorable Discharge in 1947 as a staff sergeant. He joined and served on the Shreveport Police Department for 24 years, retiring at the rank of major in 1972. He is survived by two sons, his ex-wife and step-son, and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Charles R. Crawford SMA ’48 died September 20, 2018. He was born in Galveston, Tex. He attended UT Austin and joined the U.S. Navy during the Korean War. He returned to UT to complete his degree in mechanical engineering and was employed by Monsanto at Chocolate Bayou in Alvin, Tex. He later owned and operated a printing company in Houston where he and his wife worked together until retirement. Mr. Crawford is survived by his wife, Janet, three daughters, nine grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. Leonide A. Baarcke, Jr. SMA ’49 of Dalonega, Ga., died March 10, 2017. Mr. Baarcke began his competitive swimming career while at SMA and continued at UNC Chapel Hill. He was a college assistant coach for 10 years and a club coach for 40 years. He was inducted into the American Swim Coaches Association's coaching Hall of Fame after being involved in the sport for over eight decades. He is survived by two sisters and extended family.
Clarence E. “Gene” Phillips, Jr. SMA ’50 died September 15, 2018. He attended Emory University and graduated with an associate degree from Jacksonville College. He was employed with Standard Accident Insurance Company of Detroit, General Adjustment Bureau, and Phillips & Associates, which he founded in August 1976 and retired from as CEO in January 2004. Turner B. “Barry” Thackston III SMA ’50 of Charlotte, N.C., died August 27, 2018. He was a pilot in the U.S. Air Force flying T-33 jets and B-25 bombers while stationed in Texas. He started his career in heating and air conditioning in Greenville, S.C., then moved to
Charlotte. He is survived by his wife, Frances Moffett Thackston, two sons, one daughter, eleven grandchildren, and extended family. Richard W. Alexander SMA ’52 died August 8, 2017 in Seattle, Wash. He was a faculty member emeritus of Evergreen College, a member of the original planning faculty for the college, and originator of the Japan Program, which sent Evergreen students to work in apprenticeships after completing a yearlong program on Japanese culture, history, literature, and language. In 1990, only a few months after the Berlin Wall came down, Mr. Alexander was granted a Fulbright lectureship to teach English at Lajos Kossuth University in Debrecen, Hungary. He is survived by his wife, Kay Sherman; his former wife, Adrienne; his two sons and their families; and his sister Ann, wife of Ed Overton SMA ’52. Joseph D. Cointment III SMA ’55 of Dallas, Tex., died August 5, 2018. He received both his bachelor’s and master’s in engineering from Caltech, and a PhD from Southern Methodist University. He retired from Texas Instruments after 23 years. He is survived by his wife, Kay Cointment, two daughters, and two sisters. William C. Keady, Jr. SMA ’55 died June 12, 2018. Mr. Keady was born in Greenville, Miss., and grew up in the Delta. He obtained a degree in political science from Ole Miss., and a law degree from the Jackson School of Law before joining the firm of Keady, Campbell, & DeLong, where he practiced for 18 years. He relocated to Dallas to take a position with the FDIC, where he worked before transferring to Midland and then San Antonio. Survivors include his sister, son, grandson, and many cousins. Royal Roussel SMA ’55 died February 26, 2018. He received a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from Rice University, and a master’s and doctorate in English from Johns Hopkins University. He joined the University at Buffalo in the department of English, switching to media studies in 1996 and reviving that department as chair. He is survived by his wife, Leslie J. Walker, and two sons.
James Sanders SMA ’57 died April 30, 2018. Born in Monteagle, Tenn., Mr. Sanders was a graduate of Middle Tennessee State University. He founded the original Monteagle Auto Parts store and was a partner in Dixie Cargo. He is survived by his son, daughter, and grandchildren. His extended family includes cousins, Dee Underhill Hargis StA ’81, Hope Underhill Gilliam ’84, and Carter Underhill ’87. Robert Joseph Wells StA ’58, Ret. Major U.S. Army of Orange Park, Fla, died October 2, 2018. He completed his master’s in public administration from Golden State University in 1969 and was a career U.S. Army Officer. He served two combat tours in Vietnam, first as an adviser to the Vietnamese army in the Mekong Delta, and second as an adjutant general officer in the DMZ in South Vietnam. Upon his retirement from the military, he moved to Florida and began a career in real estate. He became an accomplished writer with his first book, My Father's War in 2018. Robert is survived by his wife, Barbara Powell Wells, her son, one grandson, and five great-grandchildren. Surviving from his first marriage are his two children and five grandchildren. Donald G. Anderson SMA ’59 died June 6, 2018. He served as a medical corpsman in the U.S. Air Force until 1964, stationed at Sewart AFB in Smyrna, Tenn., and Wheelus AB, in Tripoli, Libya. He is survived by his wife, Edna, one sister, eight children, 22 grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren, and extended family. Wayne B. Hicks SMA ’59 died September 29, 2018 in Tallahassee, Fla. He attended the University of Alabama and later joined the U.S. Army. He began his career in law enforcement with the Tallahassee Police Department before serving as a criminal investigator with the second Judicial Circuit, State Attorney's Office for 30 years. He was also part of the Florida Big Bend Drug Task Force, a real estate broker, and owner of Hicks Realty Group. Mr. Hicks is survived by wife, Belinda Hicks, his brother, four children, and seven grandchildren. William Stillman StA ’61 died February 9, 2018. Mr. Stillman was a resident of Peekskill, N.Y., at the time of his death. He was born in White Plains, N.Y. and served in the U.S. Air Force from 1961 to 1965.
G.A. St. John Robinson StA ’62, of Billings, Mont., died March 12, 2017. Born in Belize, British Honduras, in 1950 his family moved to New Orleans, where he attended elementary school. He received his BA, MA, and PhD from LSU. Over his career, he taught Spanish at Pacific Lutheran University, Virginia Military Institute, Eastern Montana College, and Randolph-Macon Women’s College. In 1986, he returned to Belize on a Fulbright grant to study migration. In 2006, he published Peopling Belize: Chapters in Migration. He is survived by his stepmother; wife, Julie; three sons; and extended family. Jay G. Christenberry StA ’63 died April 25, 2018. He was born in Ducktown, Tenn., and attended East Tennessee State University. He earned his law degree from the Cumberland School of Law at Samford University. He is survived by two sisters, his former wife, Doris Christenberry, two daughters, and a son. The family asks that memorial gifts be made to St. Andrews-Sewanee School. Jess A. Harwell III SMA ’63 of Fort Worth, Texas, died May 29, 2018. He graduated from the Southwestern Graduate Institute of Banking at Southern Methodist University and worked his entire career as a banker. Prior to retirement, he was a broker at Countrywide Financial. David N. Bean SMA ’64 died April 2, 2018. He graduated from University of Tennessee Chattanooga with a bachelor’s in business and engineering. He was originally employed by the Tennessee Department of Human Services, where he was an eligibility counselor with the food stamp program. He later transferred to the Department of Vocational Rehabilitation, where he worked for Services for the Blind. He was preceded in death by his brother Martin Bean SMA ’62 and is survived by his four children, two brothers, grandchildren, and extended family.
manager. He moved to Huntsville and founded Professional Security Systems which became the premier residential and commercial security and audio/visual company in North Alabama. He is survived by his wife, Renee Chandler Elliott, his mother, three children, and three siblings. Robert Clyde Hargrove II SA ’73, a lifelong resident of Shreveport, La., died May 29, 2018. At the Academy, he was honored as the most accomplished student in school. Following graduation, he returned to Shreveport where he began a 14-year career as an independent oil and gas man. In 2005, he was recruited by Morgan Stanley to lead their Shreveport office. He became lead advisor for Wells Fargo in 2014. Mr. Hargrove was preceded in death by his father, Joseph L. Hargrove SMA ’43, uncle Robert C. Hargrove SMA ’35, and cousin Reginald Hargrove SMA ’35. He is survived by his wife, Lisa Allen Hargrove, four children, brothers, Kemerton Hargrove SA ’70, and Joe L. Hargrove, and extended family.
Notices of Death John Lewis Henderson, Jr. SMA ’37 died October 17, 2016. John D. Mellon SMA ’61 died May 23, 2014. Vernon S. Whitfield SMA ’68 died April 1, 2018. Charles N. Duncan StA ’71 died October 19, 2017. Armond B. Clark II StA ’73 died December 30, 2017. Elena Christine Hayden ’98 died August 29, 2015. Shane W. Uselton ’07 died March 13, 2018.
Alton D. Elliott III SMA ’73 died June 9, 2018. He was born in Huntsville, Ala., and studied business management at Jacksonville State University. He moved to Guntersville in 1977 and began working in the family business, The Guntersville T.V. Cable Company, eventually becoming president and general
Fall 2018 · St. Andrew’s-Sewanee Magazine · 23
Class Notes
1950s Toby Chapeau StA ’57 was happy to see SAS was named the most beautiful high school in Tennessee by MSN Insider Magazine. He reports that he has seven grandchildren who keep him very busy. Walt is a junior at the University of North Georgia; Toby is a freshman at the University of Georgia; David is a high school senior, Lauren is a high school freshman, Zac is in eighth grade, and Charlie and Betsy are in sixth grade. He writes, “I'll be going to games for a long time yet. Enjoy your grandchildren; they bring sanity and joy to everyday life.” Toby lives in Athens, Ga., with his wife, Betty. They are pictured surrounded by his grandchildren.
1960s Raymond B. Hester SMA ’61 and Judy Atkins were married in October, 2017, in Jonesboro, Ga., at St. Philip Benizi Catholic Church. Steve Wilkerson SMA ’61 moved from Boston, Mass., to San Francisco, Calif., to be closer to his daughter, Meg, and her family. Steve was an SAS Trustee from 1992 to 1998 and served as board chair from 1996 to 1997. His experience as a fundraiser and fundraising consultant were of great value to the school. Edie Wagnon Bennett SMS ’63 retired in 2006 from the Natural Resources Conservation Service where she served as state economist and sociologist. She lives in Casper, Wyo., and is the sister of Bertram Sagnon SMA ’66.
1980s temporary natural environment. His newest show, “Renegades: Arizona’s Undammed Rivers,” is on exhibition at the Arizona Capital Museum in Phoenix through December. Tony lives in New York with his wife, Helen, and is a principal owner of Pentastudio Architecture. His portfolio of work can be found at tonywintersfineart.com. Em Chitty SA ’73 lives in Knoxville, Tenn., where she continues to pursue music and teaches at the University of Tennessee English Language Institute. She is pictured with most of the Chitty clan during a trek to Colorado this summer. Em is standing second from the left next to her brother Ben. Her son Sam is next to her, and daughter Sophie and brother John Chitty SMA ’67 are second and third sitting in the front row. John owns Colorado School of Energy Studies in Boulder, Colo., and has a new grandson. Not pictured is Nathan Chitty SA ’74, who is in real estate in Orlando, Fla. Robert Lundin StA ’74 is the editor of The Awakenings Review and recently traveled to Princeton to be a part of a conference on mental health in literature organized by The Nassau Literary Review. The Awakenings Review is an annual literary magazine committed to advancing and nurturing the work of writers and poets with mental illness. Catharine Arnold SA ’78 is pictured at Harvard for her son Aaron’s doctoral degree ceremony. Also pictured is her son Michael, Michael’s fiancée, Aaron’s wife, her husband John Bozzi, and her parents, Henry
specializing in internal medicine and rheumatology. Her husband is a legal aid attorney for Statewide Legal Services and head football coach for Coginchaug High School in Durham, Conn. Catharine writes, “Yes, Aaron is a giant!” Anne Marsh SA ’78 wrote, “I was rehired at ‘the real’ UT, teaching one ‘face-to-face’ class of first year and second semester French, and one ‘hybrid’ class that has three days online and two days in the classroom. So, I'm fully insured again – and coming up in a few weeks is my third anniversary of cancer-freeness! YAYYYYYY!!!!!” Anne lives in Austin and served as reunion leader this past Alumni Weekend. Robin Albright Kavanaugh StA ’79 stopped by campus in October. She announced she has a third grandchild, Kason Holt Kavanaugh, who was born in September to her son Clay and daughter-in-law, Meagan. Her daughter, Taylor Kavanaugh ’09, is living happily in Portland, Ore., and is engaged to be married in June. Robin retired from the University of Georgia in 2015 and lives with her husband, Darryl, in Danielsville, Ga. Terence Shepherd StA ’79 has been selected as president-elect of the Radio Television Digital News Association and will be the organization’s first chair of African descent. As the Region 13 director and ethics committee chair, he also served on the RTDNA awards committee. Terence is news director at WLRN Public Media, which is based in Miami and covers Palm
1990s Coral Turner ’92 and John Craig were married in New York in April and welcomed daughter, Clio Lena Turner Craig, in June. The family lives in downtown Knoxville, Tenn. Doug Allen ’93 and his wife, Caroline, announced the March birth of their third child, Sara. Sara joins
big brother, JD, who just started kindergarten, and sister, Kate, who will be four in February. The family lives in Covington, La., where Doug is regional vice president with Nationwide Financial. Sean Harris '95, a former ASSIST scholar at SAS, recently caught up with Head of School Karl Sjolund at the ASSIST 50th Celebration at the National Press Club. Sean is now on the board of directors of the organization, which helps to place international students in American high schools for a study abroad year. He is Chief Technology Officer for the Birkenstock Group and lives with his family in Kirchheim, Germany.
1970s Tony Winters SMA ’71 is a prizewinning landscape artist and Hudson River Fellowship recipient. In 2016, he won the Grand Prize at the Sagamore Hill Plein Air Competition in New York. He uses traditional painting techniques to portray America’s con-
Alexandria Hadden ’85 has moved to Istanbul, Turkey. After almost 12 years in New York City teaching English as a second language at Long Island Business Institute, Pace University, Long Island University, and Baruch College, she accepted a teaching position with the School of Social Sciences and Humanities at the Academic Writing Center of Koç University. She specializes in designing workshops and developing course materials to better serve both tutors and students.
and Ann Arnold. Aaron’s degree is in molecular biology. Michael is following in his mother’s footsteps by attending medical school at the University of Pennsylvania. Catharine is a physician in Guilford, Conn.,
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Beach County to Key West. The station has earned 25 regional and three national Edward R. Murrow Awards in the past three years. Terence lives in Coral Springs, Fla., with his wife, Deborah.
Nancy Oliver ’98 co-owns and operates Sweeton Home Restoration, a construction company that handles historic restoration and remodeling, serving middle Tennessee since 2001. She and her partner, Kevin Sweeton,
live in Monteagle with their two border collies and five cats. Kevin, a drummer, and Nancy, a bassist, enjoy playing music with their bandmates whenever possible, as well as mountain biking and hiking.
2000s Mary Pate-Bennett ’02 lives in Monteagle with her husband, Jamie, who is a clinical social worker with Bradford Health Services, and their two-year-old daughter, Neave. Mary received her undergraduate degree from the University of the South and master’s in public health nutrition from the University of Tennessee. Mary has been a tutor, counselor, a line cook and a restaurant manager, and both a clinical and community registered dietitian and certified lactation consultant. She is in private practice offering nutrition counseling services for a variety of food and nutrition-related health concerns. Laura Broom ’03 married Craig Reed in March 2017 in Chapel Hill, N.C., with her brother Alexander Broom ’06 as a groomsman. Laura is
a teaching fellow and doctoral candidate in the UNC English department. Craig is a gastroenterology fellow at UNC Hospital. They’re both in the last year of their programs. Brigitte Mayfield ’06 welcomed her son, Lennon Nash, in April. She is the daughter of former SAS chaplain and athletic director, Ellis Mayfield, the older sister of Kellen Mayfield ’12, and step-sister of Keith Mayfield ’99. Brigitte and her son live in New Orleans.
Shane Rollins ’06 and his wife, Amy, live in South Lake Tahoe, Calif., and announced the birth of their first child, Fable Rose Rollins, born in May 2018. Shane works with Cisco Systems as Amazon’s supporting Cisco asset manager. Adrienne Kicker ’07 married Luke Goubeaud in a seaside ceremony in St. Croix in July 2018. Attending were friends and family, including Danielle Goubeaud Guyear ’87. Their son, Jasper, is two and Adrienne’s daughter, Livie, is almost eight. Adrienne is a stayat-home-parent, while Luke travels for his work with a Birmingham law firm. Joseph Resta ’07 married Hilary Bombard in May 2018 at The Reserve Club in Indian Wells, Calif. In attendance were Bruce Frommeyer ’06 and Josh Scheufler ’07. The couple lives in Austin, Tex., where they both work as political consultants.
Alex Barton ’07 and his wife, Sydney Kornegay, live in Lorain, Ohio, where, starting in July 2017, Alex became the priest-in-charge of Church of the Redeemer in downtown Lorain. Sydney works part-time in New York with both the refugee community there and Fordham University where she received her master’s degree. Caroline Russell Pemberton ’08 and her husband, David, announced the birth of their first child, Charles Henry, who was born at home
in April 2018. The family lives in White House, Tenn. Caroline has a YouTube channel, “Naturally Caroline Pemberton,” where she discusses various topics including veganism, weight-loss, and sustainable living. She plans to publish a blog to complement the channel next year. Emma Winney Sexton ’08 lives with her husband, Wade, in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Their son, Atticus Wolf, was born in April 2018. She wrote, “It was such a difficult decision to leave Nashville, but 10 months ago we took the plunge and moved our little family (Wade, myself, one half of a baked baby and two MASSIVE pitbulls - Sebastian & Fitzgerald) to St. Croix. Since arriving, Atticus Wolf became whole (no longer a fraction) and we’ve never looked back. I’m lucky enough to work with my best friend as a hair stylist and lash artist at Ivy Moon STX.”
data-driven insights into health care access, delivery, and quality. Her husband, Sam, is returning to school to pursue a degree in engineering. Alexis Rollins Bennett ’09 and her husband, Andrew, are the proud parents of Charles Patten Bennett, who was born in March 2018. After a stay in the neonatal unit, Charlie is a thriving seven-month-old baby who brings much joy to the family. They live in Chattanooga where Alexis is a physical therapist at Erlanger Hospital.
2010s Hannah Barry Hughes ’10 completed her master’s degree in soil science last year at the University of Tennessee with the intent of improving agriculture practices in third-world countries. Her plans took an exciting change of direction as she wrote, “This past April, we were blessed with a little bundle
Porter Westling ’08 married Izzy Nuttall in June 2018 at Izzy’s parent’s home on Washington’s Olympic Peninsula, just outside of Port Townsend. Present at the wedding were Porter’s sisters Carly Westling ’09 and Morgan Westling ’11 and Alastair Keith-Lucas ’08, who was among the groomsmen. The couple lives in Seattle, Wash., where Porter works at LiveRamp, and Izzy is in her residency at the University of Washington. All three Westling siblings now live on the West Coast. Carly lives in Portland, Ore., with her husband, Jared, and Morgan moved to San Diego last year. (Photo credit: Lynnsey Phillips, Lionlady Photography)
of joy, Lilly Lynn Hughes, which put a hold on foreign mission work. Instead we have used my husband’s ministry degree to work in youth ministry. Wanting to be closer to family and still motivated to help people with agriculture, we have moved back to Decherd, Tenn., and started The Wild Berry Farm. Our mission is an outreach program providing organically-grown, healthy food at little or no cost to families or individuals in need.” To support Hannah’s mission, their produce is available for purchase on Rooted Here, the South Cumberland food hub, via the Sewanee classifieds, or with Hannah directly.
Sarah Hart Fishburne Shuford ’08 relocated to Durham, N.C., having worked as an epidemiologist for three years at the Rhode Island Dept. of Health. She works as a clinical informatics analyst for Blue Cross Blue Shield, focusing on providing
Asia Szewczyk ’10 received her undergraduate degree from Auburn University and graduated in May from the Sidney Kimmel Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, Pa. She is a general surgery resident at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, Mass.
Fall 2018 · St. Andrew’s-Sewanee Magazine · 25
Class Notes
Nick Evans ’10 and Leonie Rademacher ’10 are pictured in Nashville’s Bicentennial Park, pointing out St. Andrew’s-Sewanee on the park’s granite map. Leonie is in medical school and did a rotation at Vanderbilt in obstetrics and gynecology. Nick lives in Charlottesville, Va., and continues to pursue his musical career in the band Stray Fossa with brother Will Evans ’12 and Zach Blount ’12.
Amelia Forry ’12 lives in Bellingham, Wash. She and her partner, Mitchell Wilson, are the parents of two-yearold daughter, Sage. Amelia graduated from the University of the South in 2016 with a degree in religion, and Mitchell received his degree in neuroscience from MTSU. While she was a student at SAS, Amelia participated in the exchange program with the Cloud Forest School in Costa Rica.
Aly Barry ’14 graduated from Berry College in May with a degree in education. She is teaching fifth grade at her other alma mater, Sewanee Elementary School. Lucky kids! Margaret Stapleton ’14 and Ben Ayers ’11 were married in April 2018, on the bluff at the Sewanee home of Margaret’s grandmother, Lee Stapleton. Margaret graduated
Sarah Johnson ’18, a freshman at the University of the South, holds the flag for Johnson Hall designed by Waring McCrady SMA ’55, a graduate of Sewanee, professor emeritus, and creator of the official St. Andrew’s-Sewanee seal. Waring was commissioned to create unique flags for every dormitory at the university. Hunter Craighill ’15, a senior English major, holds the flag for Gorgas.
Cory Cho ’10 lives in Baltimore, Md., with his wife, Youjin Lee. Cory graduated from Johns Hopkins University with a degree in computer science and is a software engineer at FactoryFour in Baltimore. Youjin is a doctoral candidate in biostatistics at Johns Hopkins. They are pictured at the SAS Beverages & Bites event held in Washington, D.C., in October.
Russell Mays ’13 finished the first phase of Navy Flight School and learned to fly a civilian airplane, completing his first solo flight in October. He will be trained as a student naval flight officer (SNFO). He wrote, “I’m going to be doing what Goose did in the film Top Gun!” Russell is stationed at NAS Pensacola.
from the University of the South in May with a degree in natural resources. The newlyweds live in Birmingham, Ala., where Ben teaches music lessons and is a member of the band, The Yellow Dandies.
I Miss Country Music by Lane Scoggins ’17
Keeley Stewart ’11 married Samuel Auffarth in July 2018 at Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Decherd, Tenn. Her sister Rachel Stewart ’13 was maid of honor. Other alumni in attendance were Lucas Crossland ’13, Kami Spaulding ’11, and Osei Hill ’07. The couple lives in Chattanooga, where Keeley teaches kindergarten at East Lake Elementary. She wrote, “I’m chipping away at my master’s degree in elementary education and just enjoying life.” Jonathan Jones ’12 received his master’s in physiology from Tulane University’s School of Medicine, spent a year doing gastric cancer research at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, and began medical school in July. Jonathan attends the James H. Quillen College of Medicine at East Tennessee State University. He wrote “I think it would be a good message for prospective students to see that SAS students are set up for success in the fields of science and medicine.”
Britni Nunley ’13 and Private FirstClass Austin Banta were married in June 2018 at the Cuthbert Inn in Beaufort, S.C. Britni graduated from Maryville College in 2018 and runs a non-profit support group for military spouses. She plans to continue her studies in holistic health and nonprofit organizations. Austin works for the U.S. Marine Corps. Ashley Barry ’14 graduated in May from Berry College with a degree in early childhood education and minor in psychology. She works with the Walt Disney Company College Program in a merchandising position that she will hold until January 2019.
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Eliza McNair ’14 graduated from Wellesley College with a bachelor’s in computer science. She joined ESPN as a software engineer in the Advanced Technology Group, working on projects that involve combining emerging technology with broadcast media. She lives in West Hartford, Conn. Lane Scoggins ’17 had her poems “I Miss Country Music” and “Azaleas” published. She won first place in Tennessee Magazine’s April 2018 poetry contest for ages 19-22, with “I Miss Country Music”. Lane lives in Cookeville, Tenn., and will attend Vol State in the spring. Emmanuel Thombs ’18 is a freshman at Wittenberg University in Springfield, Ohio, where he was recently elected freshman class president.
I miss sitting in the passenger seat Of the happiest truck I know of Chain-sucking the daylights out Of a few precious American Spirits. Sucking overpriced coffee steam and Tennessee country ballads out the rolled down windows. Assuming seventeen and the residual Heat between the folds Of my skeleton tank top Are concrete. Permanent Teeth-chattering moments; The kind I'll learn to yearn for. The kind I'll beg to cup in my palms One last time.
WHAT'S NEW WITH YOU? EMAIL US: SASALUMNI@SASWEB.ORG
Alumni Entrepreneurs
in Unlikely Circumstances Adapted from a chapel talk by Amanda Agricola ’07
I
t is an honor and joy to be gathered in the morning here with all of you. St. Andrew’s-Sewanee School means a lot to me. It has shaped me into the artist I am.
You might not realize it right now, because it is early and many of you may be barely awake, but to gather, to congregate, to lift your voice and be heard and supported by your community is a gift. Within these walls you are able to look forward with hope and endless possibilities to creating your own version of a future that is informed by a sense of self, community, and sustainability. You share your announcements and concerns, realizing that what is good for one is good for all. You are becoming citizens in a place where you know and feel that you matter. The root of what I learned at SAS was how to understand a place and make meaning from what you find there. How to ask hard questions. How to study many sides of a subject. And, how to distill your own set of beliefs and values. As an artist, I do nothing more than investigate, ask questions, and make meaning. British philosopher Iris Murdoch noted that “Art makes places and opens spaces for reflection, it is a defense against materialism and against pseudo-scientific attitudes of life… Great art inspires because it is separate, it is for nothing, it is for itself. It is an image of virtue.” The inner aspects of humanness we are asked
to cultivate in many spiritual traditions is also part of the side of us that imagines, creates, and is aesthetically sensitive. SAS continues to contribute to my creativity. I have returned to campus twice to participate in Shakerag Workshops, the summer residential arts program for adults. With no coding background, I took creative coding workshops with Chris Sugrue and Casey Reas. Now I see systems in everything and the experience informs many of my newest installations. Art does not need to be a huge painting or sculpture. It can exist as a simple idea. One of my early installations was to place a small picket fence around weeds that had managed to erupt from a crack in cement. The intervention was a tiny gesture to draw the passerby’s awareness to the potential for growth even in the most unlikely circumstances. There are infinite corners and cracks in the world that provide space to play, explore, uncover, and instill meaning. Inside these walls you are learning to harness your gifts of creativity, imagination, ethics, and spirituality, so that you can take those into an increasingly rational, instrumental, pragmatic, and aggressively competitive world. Those gifts will matter to the subjects and pursuits that you decide matter most to you. They are the skills that will allow you to hit a wall in pursuit of your goal and, rather than give up, find a path less taken.
Fall 2018 · St. Andrew’s-Sewanee Magazine · 27
Alumni Activities
Alumni Council (L-R): Pictured at the fall meeting are Claire, Dirk, Tom, Aggie, Ben, Ansley, Martha, and Terry.
D
irk Kayitare ’18 was welcomed to the Alumni Council in September. Jay Motley ’93 will begin his tenure in the spring. We bid an extremely fond farewell to Claire Agricola England SMS ’66 whose final term concluded in September. We will miss her, but she promises to help keep St. Mary’s alumnae connected. The Council’s mission to keep alumni connected with one another and the current life of the school is embodied in their work with the SAS Compass Society, the Career Series, alumni and admission gatherings, outreach and service learning, and their ongoing alumni clubs. Our regional Alumni & Friends event programming has been revamped by the Council. We hope you will join us soon for SAS Beverages & Bites. It is tradition for the Council to host Sewanee area alumni after the Council's fall meeting. This year’s SAS Sewanee Alumni Club gathering filled the downtown Sewanee Angel Park pavilion. Several alumni and guests had already come and gone by the time the photo was taken. You can see all the event photos at sasweb.smugmug.com.
Boston Alumni Pictured are a few alumni who attended the Boston Beverage & Bites in October at the Sky Lounge (L-R): Will Wade ’97, John Henning ’13, Ali Howland Corvino ’82, Head of School Karl Sjolund, Rick Bagby ’97, and former head of school Bill Wade.
Washington D.C. Alumni Despite a torrential downpour, alumni and guests gathered near the White House in October, with several coming down from nearby Baltimore. Pictured clockwise (L-R): Aubrey Hobby ’14, Lizzie Duncan StA ’76, Alison Fudge McKee ’01, Mark Kietzke ’05, Scott Gelinas ’97, Jenna Lewis Perkins ’05, guests Youjin Lee and Hong Kang, Paul Warren StA ’76, Cory Cho ’10, Ethan Burns ’11, Alison Asmussen ’99, and Karl Sjolund.
UPCOMING EVENTS SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 17: NEW YORK CITY Join us for a pre-concert brunch and group tickets for the Met Live Arts at the Met Cloisters with Sonnambula, featuring Jude Ziliak ’05.
Sewanee Alumni Club
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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 6: NEW YORK CITY Join us at Pianos on the Lower East Side for a night of live music including the band Stray Fossa (Will Evans ’12, Zach Blount ’12, and Nick Evans ’10).
Alumni in Print
THE
Alumni Council PRESIDENT Martha Warren StA ’82 VICE PRESIDENT Terry Snyder ’85 SECRETARY Aggie Wright Stephenson ’01 Ben Beavers SA ’81 Lizzie Duncan StA ’76 Xan Glover ’92 Dirk Kayitare ’18 Caroline Graham ’17 Ansley Kellermann ’00 Jay Motley ’93 Leslie Muir ’91 Teresa Outlaw StA ’82 Tom Taylor SMA ’64 Liz Gilliam Womack ’02
The Compass Society
D
oes your time on the Mountain continue to resonate with you? Did the experience contribute to your “true north”? If so, join the members of the Compass Society who support the SAS Fund with a monthly gift of $30 or more. Pledge your support at www.sasweb.org/give.
W
ith more than 25 publications to his name, it is no surprise that James Ward Lee StA ’48, emeritus professor of English at the University of North Texas, is a member in excellent standing of the Texas Institute of Letters and the Texas Literary Hall of Fame. What is harder to fathom is why he waited until the age of 86 to grace us with his first novel. The Girls of the Golden West (Texas Christian University Press) tells the tale of ninety-five-year-old John Quincy Adams the Second (no relation to the famous historic figure), who meets graduate student Annie Baxter and agrees to help her write a history of the culture of the South by sharing his experiences. After welcoming Annie to the small, fictional town of Bodark Springs, John Q. shares stories of love, jealousy, misunderstanding, and murder, giving a picture of Bodark Springs and Texas. Meanwhile, his inner dialogue reveals secrets, including the long months he disappeared to protect his family from a deadly threat. Tom Dodge, writing for the Dallas News, warns that Lee’s novel will “tickle, titillate and tantalize readers.” The Girls of the Golden West is a story of finding love for other people and for one’s homeland. From the first moment John Q. bemoans opening his door for nosy townsfolk, readers come face-toface with a blend of wisdom and fun that will keep them coming back for more.
QUIZ ANSWER Trail’s happy, because he loves company. This year, in addition to 82 boarding students, and 25 faculty members, there are 14 faculty and staff children living on campus! Trail is the son of Chinese teacher Marcus Murphy and his wife, Alexis. Ezra is pictured here with his parents, humanities teacher Michael Short and the Rev. Molly Short, Chaplain.
Fall 2018 · St. Andrew’s-Sewanee Magazine · 29
Alumni Activities
ALUMNI WEEKEND 2018
A
LUMNI WEEKEND 2018 marked the 150th anniversary of secondary education on the Mountain with 450 alumni and guests. In addition to the 150th celebration, the weekend included three historic events. “The Belles” of St. Mary’s (right) reunited to fete the class of 1968, the last graduating class of the school, our St. Andrew’s musicians (below right) celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Rejoice! service, and the former cadets of SMA dedicated the Last Cadet statue. ABOVE, FRONT ROW (L-R): Ann Lotti Richardson SMA ’69, Susie Mignery SMS ’68, and Susan Smith Owen SMS ’58; SECOND ROW: Miree Wood SMA ’69, Barbara Reid Bedford SMA ’69, Jenny Moore Reid, Maryl Miller Baird SMS ’63, and Amelia Lang Hodges SMS ’63; BACK ROW: Claire Agricola England SMS ’66, Carol Reid Doughty SMS ’67, Karen Kirby Vaughan SMS ’69, Chrissy Mignery Mansfield SMS ’68, Dina Reid Gray SMS ’69, Jane Riner SMS ’68, Melissa Collins SMS ’69, Helen Smith Pieve SMS ’64, Merideth Miller Wood SMA ’69, Lucy Bowles Newton SMS ’63, and Sally McCrady Hubbard SMS ’61. LEFT: Elliott Puckette ’85, second from right, is with her sister and current parent Emily Puckette SA ’80, her mother, Upshur, nephew Elliott Benson ’24, daughter Violet, and brother-in-law and current parent, John Benson.
At Saturday’s popular Champagne Brunch, painter Elliott Puckette ’85 spoke eloquently of the nurture and support she received from SAS, singling out former dean of students George Chamberlain for his patience and perseverance with her “uniquely diverse” approach to school. To Elliott’s surprise, Head of School Karl Sjolund invited George to assist in bestowing her with the Distinguished Alumni Award. Eunice Colmore, former Board of Trustees president, received the Service Award. Saturday’s brunch was also the setting for a surprise announcement by alumnae Beth Sperry SA ’76 and Melinda Shannon SA ’76. Beth and Melinda led a secret fundraising effort that had, as of Alumni Weekend, raised $13,000, to create the Sewanee Academy Scholarship Endowment. Karl Sjolund expressed delight and gratitude on behalf of the school. Following the annual SMA March from Quintard to All Saints' Chapel, Drew Bunting ’93 preached his final sermon as SAS Chaplain to a packed St. Andrew’s Chapel. Attendees reveled in the Rite I liturgy set to the rock and roll accompaniment of the St. Andrew’s 50th Anniversary Rejoice! band and choir.
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View photos of ALUMNI WEEKEND 2018 by clicking on the smile icon at sasweb.org. BELOW, FRONT ROW (L-R): guest Peter Elklund, Peter Casparian StA ’68, George Wallace StA ’68, Dean Rucker StA ’73, Kent Westberry StA ’73, Robert Lundin StA ’74, and Larry Robinson StA ’73; SECOND ROW: Susan Lawrence Brooks StA ’78, former faculty Heidi Simmonds SMS ’61, Laura Roberts Prince StA ’81, Gay Henry Lyons StA ’73, Lelee Frank Hazard StA ’77, and Peter Keeble StA ’71; THIRD ROW: Anne Marsh SA ’78, Teresa Outlaw SAS ’84, FOURTH ROW: former faculty Andy Simmonds StA ’61, former faculty Claire Reishman, Kay and Patrick Gahan StA ’73; TOP ROW: Mark Kelly StA ’73, Head of School Karl Sjolund, and Andrew Wilkerson StA ’79
THE LAST CADET
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n the most well-attended event of the weekend, over 300 former cadets and guests participated in the unveiling and dedication of The Last Cadet on the former site of the Sewanee Military Academy with Head of School Karl Sjolund, University of the South Vice Chancellor John McCardell, and other dignitaries in attendance. The life-size bronze statue, which stands on the former plaza of the Academy, depicts an SMA cadet. Karl Sjolund, a graduate of the Virginia Military Institute, offered these words: "There is something about the blending of discipline, academic rigor,
ALUMNI WEEKEND 2019 MAY 31-JUNE 2
To help your class celebrate, contact sasalumni@sasweb.org
leadership training, and a certain amount of shared suffering that has a way of forging a depth of camaraderie that is difficult to replicate. I chose to come to St. Andrew’s-Sewanee, in part, because it is a school that is willing to embrace that history, a school where helping our former cadets preserve those connections to one another and to their shared history has been a priority even while we continue the mission of raising new generations of leaders who are prepared to serve God and one another." Copies of the Commemorative Dedication Program written by Jody Fowler SMA ’66 are available. Request your copy at sasalumni@sasweb. org. A video of the event by Jordan Fink ’70 can be viewed on YouTube: youtu.be/CqLOb6t8ZkI.
Fall 2018 · St. Andrew’s-Sewanee Magazine · 31
St. Andrew’s-Sewanee School
290 Quintard Road Sewanee, Tennessee 37375-3000 www.sasweb.org Address Service Requested
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It's a Family Affair
FRONT ROW: Nathan King ’21, son of Barbara Gabrell King ’00; Porter Neubauer ’21, son of Alex Neubauer ’91; Gabe Stevens ’19, son of Jan Williams Stevens ’95; Kathryn Bridgers ’19, daughter of Sean Bridgers ’86; Jack Hale ’25 and Hadlee Hale ‘24, son and daughter of Brandon Hale ’93. SECOND ROW: Zolon Knoll ’21, son of Martin Knoll StA ’78; Cameron Robinson ’22, son of Sonya Robinson StA ’81; Emma Calloway-Burt ’22, step-granddaughter of Tom Taylor SMA ‘64; Maya Mauzy ’25, granddaughter of Karen Smith Firebaugh ’70; Emma Wockasen ’25, daughter of Tonya Ladd Wockasen ’94, Sienna Barry ’25, daughter of Jason Barry ’00 and Lyndsay Barry ’98 and granddaughter of Michael Barry StA ’69 THIRD ROW: Meredith Foster ’21, granddaughter of Gary Gipson StA ’66; Evan Panzarino ’19, grandson of Wynema Johnson SMS ’42 (dec.); Breezy Rollins ’22, daughter of Summer Meeks Rollins ‘04; Raulston Barnett ’24, son of Jana Lloyd Barnett ’96. FOURTH ROW: Jack Bailey ’20, nephew of Ron Bailey ’82; Ava Carlos ’23, daughter of Aaron Bridgers-Carlos ’83 and Bennett Bridgers-Carlos ’84; Anna Money ‘21, daughter of Karin Knoll Money ’83; Elliott Benson ’24, son of Emily Puckette SA ‘81. TOP ROW: Jack Morris ’19, grandson of Andy Simmonds StA ’61 and Heidi Hanger Simmonds SMS ’61; Iliana Pate ’22, daughter of Dan Pate ‘96; Madison King ‘23, daughter of Barbara Gambrell King ’00; Lauren Wockasen ’21, daughter of Tonya Ladd Wockasen ’94; Shelby Wright ’22, daughter of Stephanie Mayfield Wright ’86. NOT PICTURED: Emily Bailey ’23, daughter of Ron Bailey ’82; John Beavers ’19, son of Ben Beavers SA ’81 and Kiki Glendening Beavers SA ’82; Sophia Carlos ’22, daughter of Aaron Bridgers-Carlos ’83 and Bennett Bridgers-Carlos ’84; Ethan Hargis ’23, grandson of Dee Underhill Hargis StA ’81; Parker Kovalski ’25, son of Georgia Hewitt ’97; Libby Neubauer ’23, daughter of Alex Neubauer ’91; Thomas Stapleton 32 ’20, son · St. of Archie Andrew’s-Sewanee Stapleton StA ’75; and Gale Uselton Magazine ’22, daughter· of Jennifer Fall 2018 Downs Uselton ’90.